“How long have I been asleep?”
“Two hours.”
She shook her head, disappointed.
“I don’t nap.”
“What’s wrong with naps?”
“They keep me up all night. I cherish my rest hours.”
“Maybe your body needed it.”
“Yeah, but now I’ll be up all night long.”
“Me, too,” I admitted.
She remained quiet as she sat up.
“Thank you for the blank–”
“You don’t have to stay up alone tonight,” I pushed out much faster than I could stop myself.
She placed her elbows on her knees and ran her hands through her hair. A sigh parted her lips.
“I’ve enjoyed myself, Ishmael. But, I should get home to get ahead of this thing. We have a campaign to win. We won’t win it if I’m not in front of my computer every chance I get. You paid me for a service. I wouldn’t be well if I didn’t approach it with excellence. That’s how I operate. I don’t know anything else. I don’t want to either.”
“Understood.”
“Give me five minutes and I’ll be ready.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
The ride to the gated community of condominiums was silent. Though well-rested, Royce was reserved. Quiet. Completely soundless.
Admittedly, I missed her voice. I anticipated the next time I’d hear it. The low sounds playing in the background wasn’t enough to fill the space in the whip.
My wheels stopped at the door of the address I’d been given. Royce’s hand touched the handle. My hand rested on her thigh. Her head twisted, eyes meeting mine.
“Don’t do that, my baby.”
She lowered her hand, signaling my exit. I was out of the SUV in a flash. The night air was calm. Its warmth wasn’t surprising. It would be November before Berkeley cooled down.
Royce stepped out of the car. Even in the darkness, she was radiant. I closed the door behind her. Hating to see her creep away.
Click.
Clack.
Her heels collided with the concrete beneath us. My body pressed into the passenger door as I shoved my hands in my pockets to keep from hindering her escape. She didn’t make it very far before her legs stopped moving and her backside was no longer in view. It was that pretty face of hers.
Still, she said nothing. I watched her body stiffen with uncertainty and possibly regret. She smiled and began toward me. I didn’t budge. My limbs were anchored. So was my heart. And my ears. And my thoughts.
“Thank you.”
There it was. Her voice serenaded me, quieting things that I’d been trying to lower the volume on for years.
She was close enough for me to smell the peppermint on her breath. She’d twirled it around in her mouth on the entire ride over. For the first time, I wanted to be a fucking peppermint. I wanted to be that pepperment. I wanted my hardness to dissolve on her tongue, too.
