Page 47 of Sweetest Temptation
“Nah, don’t lie to me. I at least hope we made a connection to where we are better than that. Come in and talk to me.”
I should’ve kept walking, but my feet wouldn’t move. My chest felt tight, my pulse unsteady. I wanted to believe Samir. God knows, I did. But believing him meant risking more than my heart could handle. He held the door open, eyes locked on me, waiting. Against my better judgment, I exhaled slowly and stepped inside. He shut the door and set the boxes on the small table next to the door, then boldly pulled me into his chest, making my breath get caught in my chest.
“I missed you.” He buried his face into my neck. His voice was low and rough, like it carried all the weight of the last few days.
My chest tightened at his words and demeanor. I tried to brush it off, to keep my walls up, but the truth was, I’d missed him too. I’d missed him more than I cared to admit. His eyes met mine, searching for something, yet daring me to stop him as he lowered his face to mine. My knees went weak, my resolve slipping with every heartbeat, and before I could think better of it, he leaned down, and our lips met.
The kiss was slow and gentle at first, but it didn’t stay that way. It deepened, igniting everything I’d been trying to control with our lips and mouths devouring each other. The guilt, the desire, and the part of me that had wanted this from the very start all came forth as we held our breaths, refusing to stop. I tried to pull back and remember my reasons for running away from this, but I couldn’t.
Then he pulled back, leaving me breathless and aching for more. “Are you ready to tell me why you've been avoiding me, Nova baby?”
“Samir, what happened between us shouldn’t have happened. I barely know you. And here I am… finding myselfwaytoo comfortable around you and thinking about you when I shouldn’t be.”
“We are two consenting adults, Zanova. I can’t explain what’s been going on between us, but I don’t want whatever it is to end. I told you… I’m on your time, love. Just don’t shut me out.”
“I don’t mean to. It’s just my heart can’t take another hit. I won’t allow that, if I can help it.”
“Well, good thing I ain’t in the business of breaking hearts.” Before I could respond, he slid his arms around my waist and lifted me off my feet with effortless strength.
A startled laugh escaped me as I gripped his shoulders. “Samir! What are you doing? Put me down!”
“Damn, I love how you say my name. That shit sounds sexy as fuck. Especially when I’m digging in them guts.” He stole a quick kiss before I could stop him. “I said we needed to talk. We are going to do that. I just need to make sure you don’t try to run.”
“Nigga, please! If I wanted to leave, I could. You don’t run shit.” I tried to boss up, but the warmth in my voice gave me away. “And you better not drop me.”
“Girl, I lift your weight and more every morning.” He stopped at his beautiful grand staircase and started lifting me up and down with ease. “See. I’m going to have fun with your thick ass.”
He began climbing up the steps like I weighed nothing.
“Oh God. You get on my nerves. And who said I’m giving you some? You said we are going to talk, Samir. We are not fucking.”
“Whatever. You giving me some of this pussy.” He gripped my ass.
“No, I’m not. We are going to talk, and then I’m going home. You messed up my night. I had plans on soaking in a bubble bath and getting some sleep. My feet and back hurt from standing, making all those damn cookies. I should kill you. Tomorrow, I’m going to get a massage, and I will be sendingyouthe bill.”
“I got you, baby.”
“Yeah, you better.” I looked around as we made it to the second floor. “Your house is nice. Why so big if it’s just you? It is just you, right? You are single?”
“I wouldn’t be chasing you if I was with anyone, love. I don’t get down like that.”
“So you’re telling me you ain’t sleeping with anyone?”
“Them hoe’s is just something to get my shit off. I’m not tied down to anyone.”
“Well, we are definitely not sleeping together anymore. You are not going to have me out here looking stupid. And I am not fighting over community dick.” I kissed my teeth.
“I will never have you fighting other bitches. Besides, your pussy is the only pussy I’m going to be in now. So we straight, Nova baby.”
We reached the doorway of what I assume was his bedroom. The room was just as impressive as the rest of the house. High ceilings, soft ambient lighting, and a king-sized bed with black and gold linen that looked like clouds. Floor-to-ceiling windows and a huge TV hanging over a fireplace looked like something out of a magazine. It smelled faintly of cedar and something sweeter that I couldn’t place.
He gently set me down beside the bed on a chaise. “Stay right here. I’ll be right back,” he said, voice soft but insistent.
“Do I have a choice?” I pursed my lips.
“Nope.”
He went into the bathroom in his room while I sat and took in the rest of his room. Everything was so clean and neat, almost as if no one truly slept in here. I finally let out the breath I’d been holding once I couldn’t hear his footsteps anymore. The silence that followed was deafening, leaving me alone with my thoughts—the same ones I’d been trying to outrun since the night in Ibiza.
