Page 62 of Sweetest Temptation
I smiled up at him, my hands curling into his shirt. “Yeah… I’ll be your girlfriend, Mr. Carter.”
His grin widened before he pressed his lips to mine. He began to kiss me as if he’d been waiting to claim this moment just as long as I had.
“Thank you for this. This is one less stressor that I have to worry about. Now all I have to fuss about is getting my dress for the grand opening. Are you coming?”
“You really got to ask me that?”
“I’m just making sure. I don’t want to take you away from anything.”
“Busy, yeah. But not too busy for you. You think I’d miss seeing my woman shine on her big day? Not a chance. Matter of fact, I’m going to call my stylist so she can hook us up. I want to match my woman. Let’s roll.”
Grabbing his hand as he guided me from my finished second location, I beamed. I had a man now officially! The thought made me smile, but it also sent a wave of nerves through me. Samir had a way of making me feel safe, but deep down, a small part of me still wondered if I was walking into something I couldn’t handle. Because this time, my heart couldn’t afford to be wrong.
Today was the Fuego Azul photo shoot, and I’d let Jamila rope me into doing it. One, it was good promotion for Zanova’sTasty Treats. Two, I couldn’t lie that the idea of being in front of the camera with him intentionally had me both nervous and excited. Samir had that natural kind of charisma that drew people in. His presence made you forget the camera was even there. I was just hoping I didn’t look like an awkward mess standing next to him.
The shoot was supposed to highlight our collaboration, my desserts paired with Fuego Azul’s latest flavor, but I knew the photographers were going to focus on more than just the product. And they did.
The moment the cameras started flashing, it stopped being about cupcakes and tequila. It was about us—Samir and me. The way his eyes found mine between every take, the subtle smirk tugging at his lips when he thought no one was watching, the way our bodies naturally leaned toward each other like we couldn’t help it. Every shot seemed to tell on us: the chemistry, the tension, the unspoken something that hung in the air. Anyone looking at those photos would feel it instantly. A few shots in, the shoot wasn’t just business anymore. It was a spark the cameras couldn’t help but catch.
“Okay. Let’s switch it up. Zanova, I want you to feed Samir some of the tart. Have fun with it.”
“Yeah, feed me like you're feeding me that pussy,” he whispered so only I could hear him. Or so I thought.
“Hellooo!” Jamila yelled out. “It’s other people here, y’all know.”
Cackling, I shook my head. “Boy, you are so nasty.”
“I can’t help it, baby. I ain’t taste or been inside you in a minute.”
“Samir…” I giggled.
Samir and I hadn’t had sex in a week. Not because I didn’t want to, but our schedules have been full and busy. If I wasn’t working at the bakery, I was home sleeping. My body felt tiredall the time. Between trying to keep up with the demands of the new tarts, and getting ready for my grand opening, my body was starting to take a hit.
“I got you later, baby.” Pulling one of his moves, I winked at him.
I turned and grabbed one of the tarts from the display. I held it out toward Samir with a teasing grin. He leaned in, eyes locked on mine, and took a small, slow bite like he was tasting more than just dessert. The flash of the camera went off, but I barely noticed. A bit of whipped cream clung to my fingertip, and before I could wipe it away, he caught my hand. His gaze dipped from my eyes to my finger, then back up again. He drew my finger toward his mouth and licked the cream off slowly and way too intentional. My breath caught, and the room suddenly felt warm.
The photographers kept clicking, murmuring something about “chemistry” and “connection,” but I couldn’t hear a word. All I could focus on was the way his tongue brushed against my skin, and the way he smiled afterward like he knew exactly what he was doing.
“Guess we’re selling more than just tarts,” he stated in a shushed volume.
We took a few more shots before the photographer finally called it a wrap. By the time the lights dimmed and the crew started packing up, I was exhausted. The shoot had gone better than I expected, though part of that had everything to do with the man standing beside me.
Samir picked me up for the shoot because he said he wanted to take me out after. I had a taste for some strawberry ice cream, so we stopped by a little parlor before hitting the road. Now, we were cruising down the highway, windows cracked, soft music playing through the speakers, and the moon pouring through the windshield.
“I really enjoyed the photo shoot,” I said, glancing over at him. “I’m thinking about doing one for my shop. Something fun and creative to show off what I’ve built.”
“You should. Just let me know when, and I’ll set it up.”
“Aw! Thanks, babe.” I leaned over the console and kissed his cheek.
“Anything for you, Nova baby.”
I giggled. “Oh, I got it like that?”
He chuckled, that deep, smug sound rumbling in his chest. “You damn right you do,” he said, glancing at me with a slow, lazy smile.
“You stay trying to smooth talk me.” I laughed, shaking my head.
