When I broke the kiss, she gazed up at me silently.
“You don’t need to do this anymore,” I said, running a hand down her smooth flank. “I don’t expect you to walk around naked waiting for me.”What are you saying, you ass?
“I…I like to,” she said, a flush tinting her cheeks.
Oh, thank God.
“Then it’s your choice,” I said, tipping her chin up and brushing her lips with mine.
“Unless you don’t want me to?” She glanced down.
“Oh, Sweetness, Iwantyou to,” I groaned, cupping her ass in both hands, and filling my palms with her flesh. “I just wantyouto want to.”
She nodded, then smiled at me shyly. “Then I want you to, also.”
I cocked my head. “You mean walk around naked in the house?” I asked. My fingers were already tugging at my tie.
“I want you to walk around naked everywhere!” she giggled.
“The neighbors might object, but I’m game,” I grinned back. “I must warn you, though, all this talk ofwantingis making me want to…” I bobbed my brows and leered. My top button was loose, and I was working on the rest. Then I paused, remembering that I’d planned a small celebration. Andy’s news had me on a high, and I needed her to share the moment with me. As I stopped, her face fell again. Her self-confidence was as elusive as the scent of flowers on a breeze. Just as I caught it, the currents would change, and it would be gone again.
“I’m taking you out tonight,” I said quickly, sensing she needed reassurance, but she kept gnawing at her lip, and I narrowed my eyes. “There’s something bothering you.” It wasn’t a question.
“I’m sorry. The money…I—” She shook her head. “The way I asked you… How it came out…”
I put a finger to her lips. “You earned it,” I murmured, then regretted my choice in words when her eyes grew tortured. “No! Not like that! I mean that we struck a deal. You’ve held up your end of the bargain, and that cash is rightfully yours. Don’t sell yourself short, Sasha.”
“I just need you to know it’s not about the money. What we’re doing here. For me… For me it’s not about the money.” Her cheeks were flushing again.
I cupped her face with my palms and smiled. “I know that, Sweetness. But what you need to know is that sometimes itisabout the money. Know your worth, Sasha. Does that make sense?”
She tilted her head. “I guess so,” she said, though I knew that she didn’t. Her face was a mess of poorly disguised emotions, and it suddenly occurred to me how young she was. I had a good eight years of life experience on her. And Prince Walker at 22 was as fucked up as they come. It was only fair to give her some space to figure it all out. To learn the ropes.
“I’ll teach you how to do this, okay?” I said, brushing my knuckles against her cheek. Her eyes stayed wide on her face, but the uncertainty was ebbing away, and it warmed me. So much potential was brimming over within her. All she needed was someone to show her how to use it.
That someone would be me.
“You’re going to rule this town, Sasha,” I murmured. “I’m going to slice it up and offer it to you on a platter.” I watched as she straightened her shoulders and stood a little taller. It almost made me think twice about taking her out this evening. Maybe I wanted her at home instead.
“Go and get dressed,” I finally made my mind up. “There’s a black Versace in the back of your closet I’ve been itching to see on you.”
“Be right back,” she nodded, then moved off as lithe as a cat.
Tonight was our night.
And so was tomorrow.
