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Her eyes narrowed.
I smirked at her contrary ass. “You are.”
“All I said was I need to go.”
“That’s not a no,” I pointed out.
“It is also not a yes,” she shot back, but she was smiling. I wanted to kiss those pretty, moisturized lips more than anything in the world right now. It was worse because now I knew exactly what kissing her felt like. There was no imagination left to save me. I knew how soft her mouth was, knew the little sounds she made. It didn’t help when her eyes dropped to my mouth.
Shit. Maybe I wasn’t the only one remembering. For one reckless second, I almost closed the distance. I could have. I was close enough to smell her soft perfume, close enough that if I leaned down—
But I knew this had to be different. I didn’t want her angry or confused or vulnerable. There would be no wondering afterward whether she wanted me or simply needed somebody.
So, I could wait.
“I can work with that.”
“You better.” She started toward the door.
“Topaz.”
She stopped and looked back. I lifted my coffee toward her.
“Thanks for the coffee.”
She kissed her teeth. “I had to. In here embarrassing me,” she fussed, but this time she couldn’t hide her smile.
I smiled back, taking one more selfish second just to look at her, so sassy and beautiful as she winked at me. Then she pushed through the door and disappeared into the bright Port Isle afternoon. I stood there watching her through the glass until she vanished into the crowd.
Not a yes, but definitely not a no.
I’d take it.
Noir Lounge was everything its advertising team said it was, sophisticated, seductive, and unapologetically luxurious. Low amber lighting illuminated intimate seating arrangements upholstered in rich velvet, while polished black marble with gold accents gave the entire space an air of understated opulence. There was a live saxophonist and a sultry-voiced woman sang sadly about falling in love and making bad decisions. Looking at the couples in the shadowy corners of the lounge, I could tell a few people were considering making some of their own. Beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, the Atlantic stretched into the darkness, its waves reflecting the moonlight. You could feel the ocean breeze through the open terrace doors. It smelled like saltwater and tropical flowers. The bartenders moved behind an impressive backlit display of premium liquor, preparing cocktails that looked almost too pretty to drink. I could see why Noir had earned its reputation as one of Port Isle’s premier nightlife spots.
I sat in a VIP section in a circular booth with Kiana and Dream. Demon was close by. I don't know what he thought would happen if he took his eyes off her, but my cousin wasn't finding out. Kiki stirred her espresso martini and looked at me, eyes narrowed.
“Let me get this right. So, this gorgeous, rich, brilliant man wants you, will beat ass behind you, will give anything to you... and you debating whether or not you want to give him a few days of your time? Bitch, if you don't—”
I held up a hand to stop her, took a leisurely sip from my lemon drop, then finally addressed her.
“He's all those things, but he’s also my boss and I want my job.” I turned to look at Dream. “You got more sense than your sister-in-law. You understand, right?”
“I do—” Dream began.
“Girl, you fell in love on a thirty-day deal with my brother. Please don’t act like you wouldn’t risk it all,” KiKi interrupted.
Dream gave her a mock glare. “He tells you too much. For your information, I had no choice. Except for that one time, I was very careful about my relationships.”
Damien slid closer to us.
“You did have a choice. You just saw me and couldn’t help yourself. Couldn’t take your eyes off a nigga, and I could tell that little kitty—”
“Damien!” Dream hissed, her smooth brown skin suddenly showing a dark red across her cheekbones.
He stopped immediately but smirked at her. Kiana held her hand up for a high-five.
“I know that’s right, Damie! First impression had her mesmerized,” she crowed.
