“I can’t and I won’t try to convince you. But rest assured pretty lady… our secret is safe with me. I trust that it’s safe with you as well.”
“Absolutely,” I told him.
With a sigh he asked, “We gon have to do this every time we see each other?”
I shrugged my right shoulder. “No. I just… I’m a very private person.”
“Got that from dinner, love.” Changing the subject he said, “For what it’s worth... maybe you’ve outgrown that shit. You know? Hang it up, baby. Shit too fire to be giving it out to undeserving niggas anyway.”
I didn't say anything. I just nodded and stared at the numbers on the elevator, impatiently waiting to get to Crescent’s floor.
“Take it easy on him when you get up there,” said Judah, breaking the silence.
With dipped brows, I said, “huh?”
“Crescent,” he said with a smile. “Take it easy. He’s particularly sensitive about the project. For reasons I’m sure you’re aware of. Be easy on him. Give him what he wants.” Judah paused. “You. The best.”
I swallowed and we locked eyes. I wondered if he knew. Wondered if Crescent told him what we did. I didn’t dare ask. We just looked at one another. There was this knowing in his gaze that I didn’t like. I didn’t question that either. After a coupleof seconds of silence, I just said okay and soon after, the elevator doors opened.
Judah walked me to the office, we said our goodbyes, and I knocked on the door. My heart raced as I thought about facing him again. The time we spent on the elevator at Couture was brief, and what did we do? Damn near kiss. What would happen in his office? With more time? I didn’t want to have sex with him. I didn’t want to cross that line again. We wouldn’t. I was pissed at him. That wouldn’t change once he opened the door, would it?
I swallowed.
I was nervous. Hands were clammy, wrapped around the handle of my bag too. Suddenly, I didn’t feel as confident as I did this morning when I got dressed. In fact, I felt a little overdressed. Why’d I choose a dress? Why did I wear these heels? And my makeup… the soft glam was a bit too much. I should have opted for something natural. I?—
The office door suddenly opening startled me and I flinched a little. There he was. Crescent Carter. Dressed professionally in one of his designer suits, except he was without a jacket, and his tie sat loosely around his neck. His cologne greeted me before he did. His signature scent. In the short time I’ve known him, I hadn’t smelled anything else on him.
“Mo,” Crescent spoke with a lazy smile. “Good morning.” Looking around, he asked, “Alvin didn’t see you up?”
“Good morning, Mr. Carter.. No, Judah—Mr. Wolfe did,” I told him.
With a squint, he grunted, “Mmh. Come on in.”
Nervously swallowing, I followed behind him, eyeing him. God, he was even sexy from behind. His pecks were the perfect size, protruding through the thin crisp white button up top he wore. He was as drawing as he always was. But today it washeavy. So heavy that I almost reached out and touched him. Shouldn’t have wanted to. Not under these circumstances.
“How you been?” Crescent asked, sitting at his desk.
I glanced over at him. I hated that question. Coming from him especially. The way he asked… with his eyes locked on me, as if he was studying me for the truth made me feel naked.
I sat across from him. His desk… it was massive. About three times the size of mine in width. It was nice. Took up the right amount of space but I felt like it put too much distance between him and the guest. Maybe I felt that way because I wanted to be closer. Shouldn’t have wanted to be closer but I did. God... this man.
“I’ve been okay,” I lied. “You?”
What a lie.
What a fucking lie.
I wondered if he believed me. Wondered if he sensed the hesitation to answer him, in my tone.
“Better today,” he replied, his eyes locked on mine.
I looked away and took a deep breath. “So… we might as well get right to it.”
He nodded and I continued.
“Your complaint about Shar… It’s—Crescent, it’s bullshit.”
He laughed. “Excuse me?”
