Did I say that out loud?
Amari laughed.
“I like your sense of humor.” He reached for my chin and lifted it so I had no choice but to stare into his glistening eyes.
He lowered his hands to the sash of my robe and untied it.
“You’ve been tempting me all night. Take this off and let me see your sexy underwear while I wash up.”
I nodded as Amari reached into my robe and caressed my skin before opening it and pushing it off my shoulders. He bent over and kissed my neck so gently, I barely had time to process it.
“You’re beautiful, Ruby. Thank you for sharing this side of yourself. I promise I won’t abuse this gift you’ve given me.”
I closed my eyes as Amari’s words cascaded over me. I stepped back and turned on the shower head in my combinationtub and shower. As steam filled the room, I raised my arms to his shoulders. I hugged him tightly, silently thanking God for this rare gift.
“Thank you for being so easy to talk to. You feel like home. No wonder you’re a handyman.”
Amari chuckled, rubbing my lower back with the pads of his lightly calloused fingers.
“It’s easy to feel like that with someone who’s so warm and selfless.”
I bit my tongue to prevent myself from negating the kind words Amari poured into me. I may have been broken, but I wasn’t stupid. I knew better than to run him away with my insecurities.
“Quick question before I hop in the shower.”
“Shoot.”
“How do you like your men?”
I frowned.
“I don’t have men.”
Amari covered his mouth and stared at the ceiling before looking at me again.
“Let me rephrase my question. If you could choose your type of man, what would you choose?”
“What are my options?”
Amari lowered his voice and got up in my space as my breath caught.
“Do you like a guy who’s soft and sweet or rough and dominant?”
Heat rushed to my cheeks as countless permutations came to mind. I wondered how many variations of Amari existed.
“Um, . . . both?”
He bit his lip.
“Interesting. If I asked you to trust me and do something, would you?”
My eyes darted everywhere but to Amari’s face. When I gathered myself, I faced him head-on.
“It depends. Would it harm me?”
Amari tsked and lifted my chin with his finger.
“Have I done anything to make you think I’d hurt you, baby?”
