Page 58 of Kisses Behind the Spotlight

“An hour and a half,” I noted, giddy that he caved on letting me celebrate his birthday with him.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Jameera

Sitting on the edge of the bed, I checked my message from Amill in the group chat with Khaleesi.

Bestie: Khaleesi, who the fuck are you going to dinner with in Morocco? What is going on out there? Y’all left the country and started keeping secrets?

That message came through, followed by a picture Khaleesi posted to her close friends on Instagram. It showed two meals, two champagne flutes, and a bottle of champagne covering the table. Wherever they went to dinner for Xain’s birthday, the Moroccan food looked delectable. Xain wasn’t in the picture, but there was a faint glimpse of his tatted arm at the bottom of the picture. Amill had better zoom in if she wanted to know who Khaleesi was at dinner with. Airing out Khaleesi and Xain’s business wasn’t on my agenda, especially when she didn’t post his face.

It took everything out of me not to ask Amill what the hell Q meant when he said he knew why she was always in Miami. I had an inkling, but if it was what I was thinking, I didn’t even want to know, hence why I hadn’t grown the nerve to ask Amill.

Me: Chileeeeeeee.

“Bae, where is the bag with the passports?” Q questioned, entering the bedroom.

I stood to retrieve my medium Telfar purse. Pulling out the small green bag, I flashed our passports to ease his nerves.

“Okay. I just want to check. You ready?”

“I don’t want to go,” I pouted, watching the butler take our luggage.

Q pulled me onto the bed and into his lap, rapidly kissing my neck through the turtleneck I decided to travel in. We got carried away the night of our engagement, and my neck sustained a few hickeys. I wouldn’t dare leave them exposed, so a turtleneck it was. Thankfully, the weather permitted, and I wouldn’t be burning up in the winter garment.

“We can come back after your spring collection drops,” he promised.

“I’m going to hold you to that.” I lifted my pinky, and Q interlocked his in mine.

With my hand lifted, I had the perfect view of the engagement ring that I knew was custom-made just for me. It was like nothing I’d ever seen anywhere else. A jolt of excitement suddenly hit me. I couldn’t wait to get started planning our wedding. Wrapping my arms around Q’s neck, it was my turn to kiss his cheek. We fell back on the bed, and Q’s hands slipped beneath my joggers to cup my ass. My breathing quickened, and I moved to straddle him.

A knock sounded at our door, thwarting our quickie. It had to be Xain and Khaleesi coming to collect us for the drive to the airport. I stood from the bed, taking a deep breath to prepare for our long day of traveling. When we made it to the first floor of the riad, Xain was already entering.

“Y’all ready? We are behind schedule. Valet already pulled the truck around. We are just waiting on y’all,” Xain announced.

“We are ready. How was your birthday dinner date with Khaleesi?” I teased.

“Best birthday a nigga could’ve asked for,” he affirmed, a smile spreading across his face.

“I know that’s right,” I cackled.

We followed Xain out of the riad. I hated to say goodbye to my own private oasis. The five days in Marrakesh weren’t enough. Especially since we arrived so late on the first night and left in the middle of the day, leaving a fiancée would always make Marrakesh special to me.

I was on cloud nine, unbothered by everything that happened from the time we piled into the truck until the pilot announced we were taking off. Khaleesi did her usual routine, took her Xanax, and fell asleep. Xain carried her to the back again, but that time he didn’t return.

Sitting next to Q in the plush seats, I pulled out my MacBook and got some work done while he returned all the missed calls and texts he’d ignored while we were away. If it wasn’t a call from family and friends, we both unplugged, something we rarely did.

“Promise that we will unplug like that more often,” I stated after Q ended his call.

“I promise. Whatever my fiancée wants, she’ll get,” he promised, leaning over to kiss my lips.

“I can’t wait to see the pictures and videos that Fabian took. I should’ve known you wouldn’t just fly Fabian out to take a few pictures outside, knowing the museum didn’t allow photography in the exhibit areas,” I commented.

“If you wanted me to and he was available, I most definitely would. I can start hiring someone for all of our trips if that’s what you want.”

“Not all, but maybe the more significant trips. The pictures I take on my iPhone are just as good.”

“They are.” He nodded and passed me his phone.