She’s quick like that.
“Thanks, Sash,” I say calmly.
She knows I’m upset. “Later we talk,” she mutters.
I nod once. “You can take her home,” Nickoi says to Gutta as he unlocks the Jaguar, “or drop her at the bus stop.”
He opens the passenger door for me.
A gentleman.
What a Gentleman babe turn today.
***
I’m already posing when I realize… he’s not even taking the picture. He’s just standing there, holding the camera, staring at me. “Nickoi…” I say, waving slightly. “Yuh good?”
His eyes blink slowly like he’s just now waking up from a trance. Then he lifts the camera. “Yah,” he murmurs. “Mi gov,” then he lies. “A you mi a wait pan fi pose eno likkle girl.”
“Sureeeee,” I laugh and hold my pose then the flash finally clicks.
I walk toward him through the sand, soft white fabric floating around my ankles. The sea breeze lifts my curls and the scent of salt clings to my skin. He doesn’t move. Just lowers the camera slightly, still staring at me.
“Let me see it,” I say, standing on my toes beside him. He’s so tall, the camera is still a little out of reach even as I lean in. He angles the screen toward me.Whew.
The picture takes my breath. I’m standing just at the edge of the water, the shoreline so crisp it mirrors my figure, but behind me, the sky is deep and dark. The moonlight outlines my silhouette like a glow only he could catch.
“Omg..” I whisper, eyes still on the picture.
He licks his bottom lip, watching me instead. “Nah. That’s just how you look when mi see you.”
“Yam head,” I murmur under my breath, turning away before he sees me blush.
“Say it louder,” he grins.
“I said you a yam head for the lady,” I say, louder now, holding my dress to keep it from blowing too high. I glance up at him. “And you in love wid me.”
“Fa sure…” he chuckles, reaching for the adapter without denying it. “Mi want this right now.”
“After we eattttt,” I pull his firm hand, feeling the veins beneath my fingers, eyes flicking to the waitress setting up our table in the sand.
Our set up is perfect: soft lighting, scattered candles, and waves crashing softly a few feet away. Other guests sit up on the porch of the beachfront restaurant, but we’re right here in the sand, closer to the water. Private. Surreal. He walks behind me again. I feel his gaze on my ass.
“Perfectttt,” he hums, singing it like Alkaline. I laugh as he pulls out my seat, then takes his beside me. A tablet is handed to him for the menu. Everything feels like a dream. It couldn’t get any better than this.
“Jesus… the apple cinnamon smoked pork chops look nice eeh,” I say, eyes lighting up as I scroll the menu.
Nickoi looks at me over the edge of the tablet, his voice calm and direct. “That’s what you want, Mami?”
I nod, already picturing the plate. He starts placing the order for me. Lobster with mac and cheese for himself, blue electric lemonade and orange juice for me. A few more items follow before he finally sets the tablet down and leans back.
Then he looks at me. Full-on. “How you feel?” he asks, adjusting the edge of his shirt before his hand slides casually to his Rolex. A simple move, but on him, it looks like power dressed in diamonds.
His eyes don’t leave mine. Not once.
So. Damn. Sexy.
“Everything feels…” I pause, letting the breeze kiss my shoulder,“Dreamy.”
