Her brows hiked. “That’s all?”
Boogie’s eyes traveled down the length of her short body in that silky ass robe. He bit his bottom lip but nodded slowly. “Yeah, baby. That’s all.”
She held her hand out for him, and he quickly took it. If Sweetie was leading him, Boogie would gladly follow her to the pits of hell if it meant they could stay together for good this time.
Sleep didn’t come to Sweetie. This wasn’t one of those romance movies where the couple woke up well rested and bright-eyed. Nah, to her, this was real life. She didn’t want to take her eyes off Boogie for too long since he walked through the hotel room door.
Sweetie almost found it painful to look at him. It was crazy to her that a single human being could depict all the good someone else had ever experienced. He was that for her. Boogie represented all her good memories. It didn’t matter that she’d been to Disney World more times than she could count or that her father bought her a luxury car when she was only fifteen. She grew up on the finest foods and rocked the finest jewels. None of those things mattered to her, but her memories with Boogie—those stolen moments during recess and their lunch periods—were the things she held closest to her heart.
And that kiss . . . she wanted so badly to run that back, but Boogie kept his distance. That was different for her. Sweetieexuded sex appeal, so niggas always tried to get between her legs. She rarely let them, but she was used to them applying pressure. Boogie didn’t seem to sweat her in that way. She wasn’t sure if she should be offended or feel relieved by that. Either way, if he would have gone for it, she definitely would have fucked him. He had grown into something out of her dreams. His deep, dark skin, low-cut faded hair, juicy lips, and big muscles screamedher type. Their connection made it hard for her to ignore her sexual attraction to him too.
Through the night, he used those sexy lips to kiss her hands, cheeks, and her forehead, but he was careful about doing anything too sexual, to her pleasure and disappointment.
Like a creep, she watched him sleep. They stayed up well into the morning and watched the sun rise while they talked. She soaked in every little detail because she knew after today, she couldn’t connect with him.
Boogie seemed adamant that he didn’t give a fuck what their fathers had to say this time around, but she wasn’t convinced. Though it felt exhilarating hanging out with Boogie behind her father’s back, she knew if Vernon found out, he would most likely lock her the fuck up. He disowned her, but she knew her old man. If he got wind of her and Boogie reuniting, it would be game over for her. The freedom she fought so hard for over the past year would vanish. Not to mention, with Denzel and Boogie getting ready to take over their father’s empire, she worried for their safety. Vernon was petty enough to go after them now that they were grown ass men. Sweetie couldn’t have that.
With a sigh, she slightly pulled away from Boogie. They faced each other, and his arms were wrapped around her. He didn’t budge, so she wiggled away a little more, inch by inch, until she was free of his arms . . . and his warmth.
Tears clouded her vision as she got out of the bed and moved to go into the living room area of the suite, but she halted whena raspy voice said, “Yo’ ass better be goin’ to the bathroom and then getting right back into this bed.”
Sweetie straightened out the silk robe she’d fallen asleep in before she turned slowly with heated cheeks. “Boogie . . .”
Boogie shook his head, which caused him to burrow further into the pillows. “Ain’t tryna hear it, Sweetie. Get back in bed.”
She tilted her head to the side and placed her hands on her hips. “Not tryna hear what, Boogie? How do you even know what I’m doin’? Maybe I was goin’ to get you breakfast.”
Boogie sighed and slowly sat up. She watched as he rubbed his eyes and then peered at her. “Was you goin’ to get me breakfast?” Sweetie looked at the floor. “I ain’t think so. Get back in bed.”
Sweetie shook her head and whispered, “I can’t.”
With a tired voice, he asked, “Why not? And it better not be no shit about our fathers.”
“Why can’t it be about our fathers? I know the last time we got caught sneaking around wasn’t all that bad for you, but it changed everything for me. We’re grown now. The stakes are way up, and I don’t think I can handle the consequences this time around,” she said passionately.
“Come here.” Her feet moved on their own accord. She got back into bed but purposely kept several feet between them. Boogie growled in frustration before he tugged on her arm and pulled her into him.
“Darren,” she whined as she tried to push away.
His brows rose. “Aw, we usin’ governments now? What happened to Boog, huh?”
He tickled her before she could respond, and she couldn’t help it. She giggled so hard she snorted.
“Stop,” she screeched.
“Nah, you wanna be difficult this early in the morning. I ain’t no morning person, and you got me up arguin’ wit’ yo’ pretty ass. I ain’t gon’ stop until you say sorry.”
“Sorry,” she said with a quickness. She hated being tickled, and she was liable to start kicking and punching him out of reflex if he didn’t let up.
Boogie hummed his approval before he halted his assault. Leaning down, he kissed her forehead and pulled her into his chest. She leaned into him, completely giving up the fight.
“What I gotta do to get you to stick around?”
“It’s not a good idea. Our fathers?—”
“Are old as shit and need to sit they asses down and not worry about what the fuck we got goin’ on. We ain’t them. I know my pops won’t be all that thrilled about this, but I ain’t gon’ hide it, and he ain’t gon’ stop shit over here. And you said you don’t even talk to your family anymore, so I’m not seeing the issue.”
“The issue is if my dad finds out.”
