Page 4 of Rich & Decadent

"Imani, how are you?" he asked. Will had agreed to the date but one thing he hadn't asked was what Imani looked like. At that moment it hadn't really seemed to matter since he was helping out Kizzie’s friend. But now hearing her voice, he needed to know. He'd met several of Kizzie's family and friends when she and his brother got married, but didn't recall meeting anyone named Imani.

"I'm doing well, thanks for asking. I figured since I'm in town I would touch base with you to confirm that you’re still interested in being my plus one for the black-tie event?”

"Of course," he replied. He sat on the edge of the bed wanting to hear her speak more. Images filtered through his head as he tried to imagine her. She had to be gorgeous. Kizzie was a nice looking girl and he highly doubted any of her friends wouldn’t be. Good looking women tended to hang out together.

He ran a hand across his chest at her squeal of excitement.

"I really appreciate it and I promise this is not how I usually get dates… I’m not the type of woman who can’t get a date on her own,” she laughed.

“I never would have thought that.” Will found a small smile playing on his lips. A woman whose voice dripped sex appeal would never find herself alone. Will’s interest was piqued. He just had to see her in person before the big night. “Well since you’re new to town. How about I show you around.”

The phone went quiet for a moment. Had he overstepped a boundary? He didn’t think he had. If she were new to San Francisco and had time, he could show her around. His heartsuddenly sped up. Was this nervousness? Hell, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d gotten this way over a woman.

“That does sound nice. Are you sure I wouldn’t be keeping you from something? I don’t want to intrude if you do?—

“My day is cleared, and I wouldn’t mind showing you around.”

“I can be ready in an hour. I just got to the hotel and want to freshen up a bit.”

“That would be perfect. Wear comfy clothing and shoes,” he said. A full fledged grin spread across his face. He stood up and began moving over to his closet. In the back of his mind, he began thinking of all the touristy places that he could take her to. He grimaced thinking of the common spots. Most natives of the city avoided certain attractions because of all the people clamoring to see things like the Golden Gate Bridge. He’d take her there if she wanted to go, but there were some other places they could go he was sure she’d enjoy.

“Comfy clothes and shoes. I think I have something I can throw on that would fit that.”

“Good. Where are you staying?” he asked. She told him the name of the hotel, and with the promise to see her in an hour, they ended the call. He paused before tossing his phone on the bed. He opened up a text message and shot her a quick question.

You’re not afraid of motorcycles, are you?

three

Butterflies fluttered in Imani’s stomach as she walked onto the elevator. She punched the button for the lobby and leaned back against the wall She wasn’t sure why she was feeling this way. She had playfully texted Kizzie and asked her what Will looked like after the phone call. She told herself it was so that she would know what he looked like. She’d hate to get on the wrong motorcycle and be kidnapped and sold off to God knows who.

Okay, maybe that was being a little overdramatic, but she was sure things like that happened.

Kizzie had replied with a picture of Will and Imani had to admit she couldn’t stop looking at it. Will had piercing blue eyes, thick dark hair, and a shadow of a beard. The man should be on the cover of a magazine. He had rugged good looks and was on the way to get her.

Imani glanced down at her clothing. Jeans and a soft t-shirt with her favorite canvas shoes were as comfortable as could get. She hadn’t been too surprised when he’d texted her asking about a motorcycle. It was nice of him to ask. He and Niko did own a motorcycle repair shop that, according to Kizzie, was the best on the west coast. It had been a long while since she’d been on theback of a bike. An ex-boyfriend of hers had one and there were plenty of days he’d taken her out for rides. Too bad they didn’t last. Curt had been a good guy, but they just didn’t click as well as she wanted. Thankfully, they had ended as friends, but Imani hadn’t spoken with Curt in at least a year.

The door to the elevator opened. She stepped out and began making her way through the hotel lobby. There were plenty of people bustling around. Her company had booked her room at the hosting hotel of the conference. She didn’t mind staying there since it kept her from having to arrange transportation.

Her phone vibrated in her back pocket. Imani pulled it out and glanced down at the message waiting from Will.

I’m parked in the front.

Her heart skipped a beat. She smiled and sent a quick reply.

On my way.

She hefted her purse strap over her head and rested it across her chest. Excitement filled her. She didn’t know if it was because she had a handsome guy waiting on her, or that she was about to get on the back of a motorcycle. Her pace quickened as she navigated her way through the lobby and he inhaled sharply once she arrived at the entrance. The doors automatically slid open.

“Now or never,” Imani mumbled. She slid her suddenly sweaty palms along her thighs. She exited the building and was greeted by the bright sunlight. The hotel was located in downtown San Francisco. Car horns blared, a bus zipped by and there were plenty of pedestrians traveling along the sidewalks. But even with all of that distraction, Imani’s gaze zeroed in on a muscular figure resting back on his motorcycle.

Her heart quickened as she took him in. He had yet to notice her, so Imani took advantage and slid her gaze from the tops of his thick hair her fingers wanted to run through, down to his perfect physique that filled out the t-shirt he wore, to his blackboots. Her gaze went back up and was met by his. She had been caught checking him out.

Will’s lips tilted up slightly in the corner as she walked over to him. He openly looked her up and down. She held her head up high and put a little more emphasis on her hips as they moved. There was an appreciative glint in his eyes as she stopped in front of him.

Please don’t let him be an ass.

His good looks could be spoiled if he had an ugly personality. Imani was always willing to give someone the benefit of the doubt. So far, he had her attention.

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