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I considered the question hard, finally deciding to be honest. “No,” I admitted.
His smug smile had me rolling my eyes.
“Didn’t think so.”
I smacked his chest. He laughed and pulled me closer as the music changed to another slow song. For a few minutes, I allowed myself to forget about Vanessa, my responsibilities at Masters Capital, and the complicated situation waiting for us when we returned home.
For tonight, I just wanted this. His attention. His arms. Being his woman.
From somewhere behind us, Kiana screamed, “Get a room!”
Saadiq looked up and chuckled. I buried my face against his chest.
“I hate her so bad,” I groaned.
“I’m working on it!” Saadiq hollered back.
Closing my eyes, I just shook my head. Lord, what had I gotten myself into?
And why in the hell was I looking forward to finding out?
My “working on it” turned into following Topaz out of Noir about thirty minutes later. I wasn’t trying to rush her away from her cousins, but I didn’t have to. Nah, Topaz and I seemed to have the same idea about how to start our time on this island together. We’d danced some more, then I’d followed her back into their VIP section and chilled. She said good night to Dream and Demon, hugged Kiana, then turned around and looked directly at me.
“You coming?”
Two words. That was it. That was enough. I stared at her.
Topaz lifted one eyebrow. “Why you looking at me like that?”
“I’m just savoring the moment.”
“What moment?”
“The one where you asking me to come home with you.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Don’t make me change my mind.”
Laughing, I reached for her hand. She let me take it. That little shit shouldn’t have meant as much as it did, but it did.
I expected Montana to give me some last-minute warning, a threat to kill me and everyone I loved if shit went south. Instead, he’d just given us a look and inclined his head like he was approving, one arm wrapped tightly around his wife. Damn, that mean ass nigga loved that girl.
We barely spoke as we made our way back to The Maroon. I never let go of her hand, though. Every once in a while, my thumb moved across the back of hers, and she’d look up at me. Then I’d catch the little smile she tried to hide. I liked that; it meant she wanted this. I needed her to want this, but with no reservations.
We were still wrapped in a comfortable silence when we made it back to the villas. Warm island air rolled over us, carrying the smell of the ocean and the flowers planted along the walkway. Somewhere beyond us, I could hear waves breaking against the shore. Topaz made it halfway to her door before turning around. I stopped, waited.
“What?”
She looked down at our joined hands, then up at me. “I know you like my coffee, but you know I’m not inviting you in for that, right?”
I shook my head. “Apple.”
“What?”
“I ain’t stupid.”
“I know. I just want us clear.”
“I’m clear. Are you clear? You not walking this one back, Topaz,” I told her.
