Page 34 of Sweetest Temptation
“Should I be scared?” I asked, lifting my chin, trying to sound braver than I felt.
“Not when you’re with me.” His voice dropped, low and velvety, as he ran his hand down my cheek. Stopping to grab hold of my chin, he tilted my head up to look at him. “I promise not to do anything you don’t want me to do, Nova baby.”
The words “Nova baby” slid off his tongue like honey, and the look in his eyes wasn’t just playful; it was possessive. His thumb brushed over my bottom lip slowly, like he was testing the boundary between restraint and temptation.
“Then maybe you shouldn’t look at me like that,” I whispered, my voice trembling in spite of myself.
Samir smirked, leaning in until his breath grazed my ear. “I can’t help it. You’re a gorgeous woman, and I’m very much attracted to you. That’s dangerous for a nigga like me. I know I said I’d keep shit business, but I changed my mind. I want you, Zanova. Seeing these niggas look at you in this outfit made me glad I left my gun in my room, ’cause I’d probably have shot ol’ boy for even breathing the same air as you.”
I froze, heat rushing through me. His words were bold, reckless, and too damn honest. I wanted to be mad—to say something smart—but my body betrayed me. I had to press my thighs together because I was turned on.
“Samir…” I whispered, trying to sound firm.
He tilted his head, lips brushing my skin. “Yeah?”
“You can’t just say stuff like that.”
He grinned, and his voice replied, low and unapologetic. “I just did. Let’s take a walk… I want to smoke.”
Not giving me a chance to respond, Samir grabbed my hand and led me down the beach, away from the festivities. As thewaves crashed against the shore, I swallowed hard, letting his words sink in. For the first time since we met, I didn’t want to fight him. Not tonight.
Zanova was quiet the whole way down the beach. I knew her silence meant she was in her head. She was acting like she didn’t feel the pull between us. It was crazy how we both ended up at the same hotel. It was as if the universe was playing one of its twisted jokes on a nigga. Out of all the places in the world, here she was, looking like sin in the see-through dress she was wearing.
There were a few people scattered along the sand, their faces lit by moonlight and the distant glow from the bonfire. The soft crash of waves mixed with faint music drifting through the night. I led her toward a quiet spot near a cluster of rocks, far enough from the crowd to feel like our own little world.
I helped her onto one of the big stones before dropping down beside her. Pulling a pre-rolled blunt from my pocket, I sparked it up, the flame briefly lighting both our faces before I took a slow drag. The smoke curled up into the dark sky.
“You smoke?” I asked, holding it out to her.
She shook her head, smiling. “Not anymore. I haven’t smoked since college. I used to do it before exams.”
“Take the test high, get high scores. I can dig it,” I said, quoting the movieHow High.
“You so stupid.” She laughed, throwing her head back. “It helped me relax and focus, that’s all.”
“Nah, I can’t picture that. Little Miss Goody Two-Shoes lighting up?”
“Don’t let the apron fool you, Samir. I wasn’t always sweet.”
“Guess that wild streak is still in there somewhere.”
“I’m not stuck up, Samir, if that’s what you are insinuating.” She gave me a side-eye that expressed she wasn’t sure if she should be offended or amused.
“Not stuck up. Just a bit reserved. But I like that—it’s sexy as fuck.” I winked at her, leaning in a little closer. Her blush came quick and soft, like a secret she didn’t want me to see. “Damn. Is that a blush I see? I’m already wearing you down.”
“No.” She scoffed, lying through her teeth, trying to hide the curve of a smile. “It’s just I haven’t been called sexy in such a long time.”
“That’s because you haven’t met the right nigga, beautiful. Are you single, Ms. Zanova?”
“You’re just now asking me after we done had sex? I doubt you care really.”
“Nah, baby. I really don’t. There is no ring on your finger, so you are single to me.”
“You are a trip.” She shook her head, a teasing smile tugging at her lips. “So you just assume that I’m interested in you because we had sex?”
A smug grin spread across my face. “I know you are.”
“And what gave you that idea?” Her brows lifted, a mix of challenge and curiosity sparking in her eyes.
