Page 15 of Sweetest Temptation
I chuckled softly at her loyalty, but before I could respond, Nyala’s eyes flicked toward the entrance of the VIP. A smile tugged at her lips. I followed her gaze and noticed two men enter our section.
“There he is,” she said, standing up. “Zanova… Meet Ryan. The owner of this fine establishment.”
Ryan leaned in and kissed her cheek before turning his attention to me. He was tall, with dark skin and long dreads. He was dressed in a tailored suit that screamed money but carried it with ease.
“Nice to meet you,” he said warmly, extending his hand.
I shook it, giving him a small smile. “Same.”
“Welcome to my lounge,” he said with a prideful grin.
“Thanks. I love the vibe,” I said honestly, giving him a nod of respect.
“Appreciate that, ma. I worked hard to make it a place people want to be.”
Before I could respond, movement beside him pulled my gaze. The second man stepped into the light, and my heart lurched against my ribs as Mr. Carter stepped under the dim light. Even though I was still pissed about the email, I couldn’t stop my eyes from drinking in his fine ass. The dark suit molded to his body, his broad shoulders filling it out just right. I watched as his sharp stare swept the space before landing squarely on me. And once it did, it didn’t move.
The introduction faded into the background as Nyala and Ryan exchanged words, but all I could feel was his presence settling in front of me. Heavy and commanding, the silence stretching between us was like a test on who would break first.
“Oh, let me do this properly,” Ryan said with a smug grin. “Nyala, Zanova… This is my business partner, Samir Carter.”
Samir extended his hand to Nyala, then to me. His cocky ass locked on me like he expected me to fall right in line. His voice was smooth when he spoke. I looked at his hand, then back at him. My face held a noticeable mug that was rightfully positioned. Instead of taking his hand, I calmly lifted my glass, took a slow sip of my drink, and set it back down on the table.
“You must have gotten my email.” The corner of Samir’s mouth curved into a slick grin, but I didn’t say a word. I really wanted to knock it off his damn face.
I spat. “Nigga, fuck you!” I didn’t know if I was angry about the email or the fact that he acted like he didn’t remember me.
Ryan glanced between us, his brow rising. “Wait… Y’all know each other?”
I let a faint smile curve my lips but didn’t bother answering. Instead, I turned my attention to Ryan, my tone polite. “Where is your restroom?”
Ryan blinked, caught off guard, but quickly pointed toward the far hallway. “Pass the bar, second door on the left.”
“Thanks,” I said, sliding out of the booth, after declining Nyala’s offer to go with me. My heels clicked against the polished floor as I walked away, Samir’s eyes following me with every step I took.
Still pissed, I quickly used the restroom. When I was done, I washed and dried my hands, smoothed my skirt, and straightened my top. I closed my eyes briefly, trying to shake off any thoughts of Samir, but his face even showed up behind my eyelids. What the hell was going on with me? There is no way I was thinking about this man like this. Especially after that fucking email!
After checking myself in the mirror, I pushed the door open to leave the restroom. My mind was still replaying the way Samir’s eyes lingered on me, and I hated that it stirred something in me that I didn’t want to name. I haven’t felt like that in… sincehim, and I wasn’t feeling that.
As the door swung open, and I stepped out, I ran straight into something solid. Hard. I looked up fast, ready to curse out whoever wasn’t watching where they were going. But the words died on my lips as I stared into a pair of dark eyes—Samir’s dark, beautiful eyes. His broad chest blocked the hall, the faintest smile tugging at his mouth as if he’d been waiting. Those dark eyes of his bore down into mine, stealing the breath right out of me. My throat went dry, and for a beat too long, my legs couldn’t move.
The second she stepped out of the restroom and crashed into me, my heart skipped a beat. Her scent hit me first. It was a mix of something sweet and warm. My eyes swept over her curvaceous figure before I could stop myself. That black leather skirt hugged her hips as if it were painted on. The sheer top she wore had her breasts sitting up real nice, and I couldn’t keep my eyes off of them. The thigh-high boots covering her feet and most of her legs had my mind racing with dangerous thoughts. Thoughts of me fucking her, the boots draped over my shoulders, and her pleading for me to go deeper, ran across my mind.
Zanova looked up at me, her big, brown eyes wide with shock as her lips parted. It was as if she’d forgotten how to breathe. For a second, I almost let her slip by, but nah. Not after the way she dismissed me at that table was she skating past me.
I tilted my head slightly, letting the corner of my mouth curl into something between a smirk and a warning. She blinked,clearly caught off guard, and I could see her gearing up for a smart response. I leaned a little closer, dropping my voice just enough for only her to hear.
“Your rude ass looks beautiful tonight.” I chuckled when I felt her body tense up, then stepped back just enough to give her space, but my eyes were still locked on hers.
Her lips curved into a slow smile. “I know. But the question is, why are you following me? Are you a creep or something? Now, excuse me.”
She tried to slip around me, but I shifted and stepped into her path. “Did I say you can walk away?”
“Excuse me! Can you move out of my way?” She snapped at me, the edge in her voice sharp enough to sting.
“What’s with the attitude? I’m trying to get to know you.”
“Well, the feeling isn’t mutual,” she said, annoyance laced in her tone.
