Page 3 of A Trial of the Heart
She nervously giggled. “No. I mean, yes.” Her words slurred. “You’re just stunningly beautiful. That’s all. I’m not trying to hiton you or anything, but your skin is flawless. Are you a model? If not, you should be.”
The girl’s words slurred, and she spoke all in one breath, but I understood it all. Her compliment caused me to smile. It was almost like I needed to hear it. Since my middle school days, I was told I should model. While I knew there was no ugly bone in my body, I never felt I measured up to what a real model looked like. Almost as if I wouldn’t be accepted. Dark skin, full lips, big forehead, almond-shaped eyes, dainty nose, and a full body was what I worked with. I was beautiful, just not model standard from what I saw from real models.
I blushed. “Thank you.”
The girl’s eyes roamed me from head to toe, almost like she’d jump on me. “And you wearing the hell out of that dress.”
Her small frame rocked from side to side as she used the sink’s counter for leverage.She said she wasn’t hitting on me, but from her fuck me eyes to licking of the lips, I couldn’t tell.
“Thank you,” I repeated, unsure of what else to say.
We lingered a bit until things got awkward. I appreciated her straightforwardness and how she made me forget for a second what life was like outside of her presence.
“Enjoy the rest of your night.” I hurried away.
“Hope to see you again before the cruise is over.” I heard just before I stepped over the threshold of the bathroom.
“Ouch!” I hollered in pain, being knocked off my feet. I felt like I had run smack into a brick wall.
Though the place was dark as a hand was extended my way, a spotlight seemed to appear. My eyes followed the hand up to its forearm that had many tattoos etched into it before reaching the half-covered bicep then finally meeting the face the limb belonged to. He was fine, resembling a portrait that hung in an art museum. I was drawn to him like he was the yin to my yang, forcing us to connect like magnets.
“My bad.” His deep voice shocked my core, while he helped me to my feet.
I had the words, but none would come from my mouth. I was too stunned to speak.
“You good?” His dark yet intriguing brown eyes scanned my body from head to toe and back to my head before they settled on my eyes.
I swallowed hard “Ye—” My voice came out hoarser than I wanted. “Yeah, I’m fine. Thanks.”
I pulled my hand back, realizing he hadn’t released me.
“Cool.”
We stood in silence. It was not as awkward as the girl in the bathroom, but I still felt off.
“Thank you.” I quickly brushed past him to hurry back to LeeAnn, but I felt a light grip on my wrist that stopped me.
Our bodies had already connected, but when his hand wrapped around my wrist, an electric current shot through my body. The feeling was something I’d never experienced. I wanted to pull my hand back. I probably should have, but what was happening between us paired with the eye contact stopped me. I couldn’t move.
“Rashad.” His deep voice caused my heart to skip a beat.
“Huh?”
“Rashad.”
I’d heard him and knew he was introducing himself, but he had my mind in a haywire. I cleared my throat.
“Shiloh.”
Rashad smiled, giving me a view of his bright set of teeth. He was fine, resembling a milk-chocolate god. Rashad wasn’t the normal guy I went for, but that didn’t make him any less sexy. Chocolate-colored skin, beautiful yet intriguing brown eyes, a chiseled face with two small tattoos, and a perfectly lined, thick beard completed his facial features. The waves in his Caesar cutwere enough to make anyone sick. His tall frame and athletic body were added perks. He was fine beyond words.
“Good to meet you, Shiloh,” he uttered with a lick of the lips.
My name had never impressed me until I heard Rashad say it. I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to say the pleasure was all mine or if it was good meeting him as well. Instead, I said nothing. I was educated, articulated my words, and could speak in front of a massive crowd, yet being in the presence of Rashad made me mute.
I cleared my throat from nervousness. “I have to go.”
“Okay.”
