“I don’t know a damn thing. If it’s not directed, it’s not respected. Is there something you want to tell me?”
“Touche.” His gaze lowered. “The bagels. Bruegger’s. Vermonter. Cinnamon sugar on the side. Shit fire too.”
Something inside me clenched and unfurled at the same time.
“The spa day. Deep tissue massage. Eucalyptus oil. Burgundy polish on your toes.”
Heat crawled up my neck.
“The flowers. Twelve arrangements. You touched the sunflowers first.”
My fingers curled into my palms.
“And did you like the skates? I designed them myself.”
I just stared at him, everything in me finally catching up to what my heart and body already knew.
“It was you.”
“It was me. You blew me off at the scene. I don’t know, you unlocked some shit in a nigga. I can play games too, but way better.”
I pushed off the wall, anger and relief flooding through me. “Are you fucking serious right now?”
“Very. And with zero regrets.”
“You’ve been watching me? Sending me shit for weeks like some deranged unsub and you don’t have a single regret?”
“Watch it, Halima.” His tone shifted. “This may have been unconventional, but hurting you? That’s never crossed my mind. Never will.”
Now he didn’t wanna play games.Tuh.
“I will not watch a damn thing you—”
“You will, though.” He stepped closer, cologne hitting me and making me grow mute. My bottom lip slid between my teeth. My thoughts scattered. “I’m letting you give me attitude, but ain’t shit stopping me from snatching your ass up outta here until you simmer down.”
“Why couldn’t you just say you were interested?” I whispered like a fool. He had his nerve scolding me, but I had my nerve liking it. My panties felt that before I did, and he knew.
“Because you wouldn’t have given me the time of day if I had.”
He brushed a piece of hair behind my ear, slow, tender, wrong.
“You labeled me before you even let me talk. Running your mouth like you got me figured out. You don’t.Miss he got too much shit with him. Miss don’t know what she’s talking about.”
The hallway felt tight, like the walls were leaning on purpose.
“You so damn pretty it’s stupid. I've been wanting to tell you that.”
I ignored the shiver working down my spine. “And disappearing? You get bored? Or is this some game to you?”
His eyes narrowed. “No. I could never get bored with you. I had to pull back.”
He stepped back then, eyes shifting away.
“Why?” I pressed.
Silence.
“Nope…don’t stop running your mouth now.”
