Page 36 of Shooting for his Heart
He chuckled with a sexy smirk. “It’s after ten, Vonnie.”
“Exactly. I know we were up until after two in the morning talking.”
“I’m an early bird. It doesn’t matter how late I sleep; I’m up at the crack of dawn.”
“Everybody ain’t able.” I sighed as I made no attempt to get out of his bed.
“Well, I hope you’re at least able to get up. I owe you some award-winning beignets.”
“Oh, yeah. Don’t think I forgot.”
“I wasn’t going to let you…”
“Can you take me home? I need to change.”
“Sure. I’m not sure what kind of shape that dress is in.” He laughed as he looked around for my tattered outfit from last night.
“Oh, don’t think I forgot that you owe me a dress!”
“I figured you wouldn’t.”
After lounging while Shawn got dressed and then going to the duplex so I could bathe and dress, we headed out for breakfast. Marshawn wasn’t lying when he said his beignet spot was on point. We’d gotten beignets and coffee and were sitting outside at a picnic table, people watching.
“These are so good,” I confirmed as I took another bite of the beignet I was finishing.
“I told you.”
“The coffee brought it home. I’m kind of glad that we didn’t get them last night.”
“Me too.” Marshawn’s smirk showed that he was thinking something different than I was. Then again, I, too, was happy that we skipped the late-night beignets for sex. Even a sugary treat wasn’t better than what he put down last night.
“I mean… I think I appreciate them better on an empty stomach.”
“Me too,” he said, never changing that devilish grin on his face.
“You ready to go back to work?” I asked.
My question was loaded. I didn’t know what that would mean for us, but in the meantime, I was enjoying our new dynamic.
“Always. I’m always eager to finish a project.”
“Right. I’m having so much fun… I don’t want it to end.”
“Come here.” Marshawn motioned for me to move closer. I leaned forward, propping one of my elbows on the table so that I could get closer to him. He mirrored my action, leaning forward and placing a kiss on the corner of my mouth. “Just wanted to see if that powdered sugar made you sweeter,” he said before using the pad of his thumb to brush my cheek.
“These things make such a mess.”
“I know, right?” He chuckled.
“Thank you for bringing me here.”
“My pleasure.”
I felt so alive as I danced and swayed to the live Caribbean music. I’d found a festival in Louis Armstrong Park with Jamaican food trucks and live music. Shawn was gracious enough to let me drag him along with me. Well, I didn’t exactly drag him since he drove us to the location, but I’d convinced him to come. What was even more surprising was that his stick-in-the-mud behind was right there with me on the dancefloor that I and a few other patrons had created. Wrapping his arms around my waist, Marshawn kissed my neck before spinning me around to face him.
“Let me find out your fine ass can dance.” I smiled, watching him move to the music effortlessly.
He winked. “Let me find out you think I’m fine.”
