Page 56 of Sweetest Temptation
“And you’re in trouble because you’re loving every second of it.” She giggled, leaning back on the chaise.
I did—I was indeed loving every second of Samir’s attention. But the voice in the back of my mind also said that I should tell Samir about my fertility issues before things went too far. I also couldn’t help but think that if things didn’t work out, I was doing all this worrying for nothing.
Just as my mind began to wander, there was a knock on my front door. I was confused because the doorman didn’t call me and announce that I had a visitor. I went to see who it was, looking through the peephole, and all I saw was a huge bouquet of roses blocking my view. The uncomfortable beat in my chest told me who it was. I opened the door, and there stood Samir.
He was dressed in a black, short-sleeved button-up that hugged his broad shoulders and black jeans that were perfectly fitted. His signature smirk that could make a grown woman weak in the knees sat on his handsome face. My breath hitched before I even had a chance to speak. The roses in his hands somehow didn’t matter; they were just a background character to him, standing there, looking like he walked straight out of my daydreams.
“Hey, Nova baby. You look sexy as fuck, woman.” He licked his lips.
“Thank you. You don’t look too bad yourself.” I smiled. “Are those for me?” I nodded to the flowers. “I didn’t take you to be a gentleman, Samir.” I joked.
He handed me the flowers. “Oh, I’m a gentleman when I need to be.”
“Ha! Thank you. They are beautiful.” I stepped to the side to let him in, but he pulled me into him and laid a passionate kiss on my lips that made my legs weak. His hands gripped my ass in the process, and I couldn’t help but yelp.
“Heyyy, Samir! Whew! Let me get out of here! Y’all sexual chemistry be having me hot and bothered. I’ll pay to watch one of y’all sessions just one time,” Nyala’s voice rang out from the living room.
“Girl, can you not?”
“Nah, ’cause I ain’t even lying, so I just had to say it!” Nyala grabbed her purse off the couch and walked over to me.She kissed me on the cheek, waved goodbye to us, and went switching out of the door.
“Your friend isinteresting.” We both laughed before he asked, “Are you ready, baby?”
“Yes. Just let me put these in some water, grab my purse, and I’ll be ready.”
I closed the door and went to put my flowers in a vase. After filling the glass vessel with water, we were on our way after making sure I had everything. When we got outside, I was shocked to see Samir had a driver for us tonight. My heart skipped a beat.
He really went all out… I thought, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves twist in my stomach.
We climbed in the back, and my anxiety started to disintegrate. We talked as we rode to our destination. Thirty minutes later, we pulled up to a tall building in the city. Samir helped me out, and we entered the building, riding the elevator to the top floor. The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open. Stepping out onto the top floor, I felt dizzy as I took in the setting. The space opened into a stunning rooftop restaurant. The city lights glittering below like stars scattered across the skyline. The place was empty, except for the soft glow of candles on the tables. It felt intimate, almost private, like the whole city had been reserved just for us.
A hostess appeared from the side, smiling warmly. “Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Carter. Your table is ready. Right this way, please.”
Samir offered me his arm, and I took it, giving him the side-eye about his listing me as his wife on the reservation. I didn’t speak about it in front of the hostess, though. She led us to the outside deck, where a single table had been set up with flickering candles, fine glassware, and a beautiful view of the city skyline. The gentle night breeze carried the faint hum of the busy societybelow. I was reward with the subtle scent of Samir’s cologne as the draft passed me.
“So, you rented out the whole restaurant?”
“Yeah. I didn’t want everyone in our face or the cameras capturing our every moment. We are still trending and shit.” He chuckled.
“That’s not funny. My bakery has been busy nonstop since. Although I appreciate the business, I know most of the women that come in are hoping to see you.” I pursed my lips.
“Look at your man… Already looking out, and we just got together.”
“You know what? I’m not even going to respond to that.” I laughed.
A few minutes later, we ordered our drinks and food. I had the lobster tail, shrimp scampi, and a side salad. Samir ordered steak, a baked potato, and roasted carrots.
We ate and drank while talking about everything, from our childhoods and favorite things to do to our favorite foods and even our businesses. I was genuinely enjoying the conversation and could honestly say I’d never had one quite like it. Samir was incredibly intelligent, even though he could be so arrogant at times—but I liked that about him. There was something magnetic about the way he carried himself. The confidence that bordered on being cockiness, but somehow felt natural. And the way he hung on to each word I spoke made me feel seen, like what I said mattered more than anything else in the room.
I caught him leaning slightly forward, eyes locked on mine, a subtle smirk playing on his lips, whenever I said something witty or teased him back. At one point, he reached across the table, brushing his fingers against mine while laughing at something I said, and my chest fluttered like a drumline.
God, he does this on purpose, I thought, heat rising in my cheeks.
Even the way he listened, his full attention on me, made it impossible not to feel drawn to him. I realized then that it wasn’t just the food, the wine, or the rooftop view; it was him. It was the way Samir made me feel: light, excited, and just a little dizzy, that had me ready to give in to whatever he demanded of me.
After we finished eating, Samir suggested we take a little stroll along the rooftop deck, letting the city lights wash over us. The night air was cool, and the traffic below was steady. I felt my nerves settle even more as we walked side by side.
Once back at the car, I was surprised but not shocked that Samir had our next destination planned and ready. “Where are we headed now?” I asked, curiously.
