Page 30 of Desire Me

Nico must notice the change. He stops immediately, pulling his fingers out of me, he stands up straight. Looking at his soaked mouth, and the confusion on his face causes tears to trickle down my face.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” I cry. He tries to reach for me, but I pull back and race away from him. As soon as I get into my borrowed room, I slam the door shut. What the hell was I thinking? Nico will never take me seriously now, and why would he. Lying on my bed, I cry myself to sleep.

chapter Twelve

Enough

Tiffany

“You understand why I freaked out right?”

Sitting across the table from Mira, I play with the straw in my lemonade. It’s been three days since the incident. I’ve felt the change in Nico. He isn’t being mean or distant, but I can tell my actions might have hurt him.

Mira puts her fork down in her plate and gives me her undivided attention.

“You know that saying, God gives his hardest battles to his strongest soldiers?” I nod. “Well, there is definitely some truth to it, because if a sexy ass billionaire wanted me to ride his dick, I’d be there right now instead of here with you.”

Shaking my head, I laugh out loud at my friend. “I don’t want people to think I got that job just because he wanted to have sex with me.”

“Who the fuck cares what those people say,” she tosses her hands into the air. “You waited patiently for three years to catch a break at that job. You never complained, even though you should have. Fuck Tess and her jealous slander. You earned that job fair and square. Look,” she says sitting up straight in her seat. “You waited patiently to get recognized at work, and you spent nine years holding on to a relationship with a man that youshould have dumped after the first year. You’ve paid your dues. I say you’re killing two birds with one stone. You deserve this, bestie.”

I still felt so guilty. I’ve only known Nico for six and a half months. Not to mention I was in a serious relationship when I first met him. Part of me feels as if I’m moving too fast, yet there is another part of me that feels so connected to that man. If I believed in true love and fated mates, I’d swear he was mine. It’s like God put him in my life at the perfect time.

Glancing up briefly at Jake standing in the corner, I turn my attention back to Mira. “What if this is only sex for him? What if I’m running from one dead-end relationship to another brick wall?”

Mira shakes her head. “You clearly need to get your eyes checked. When Mr. Basille looks at you, he looks like a man possessed. When you two are in the same room, neither of you can keep your eyes off each other. Everyone can feel the attraction. It isn’t just sex, Tiff. That man wants you.”

Sinking back in my seat, I allow her words to circulate my thoughts. Nico has given me plenty of signs that he’s interested, but it’s always my doubts that try to paint his intentions as innocent. Maybe, it’s time I stop downplaying the situation, and let him know I feel the same way.

“You’re right,” I say to Mira.

“I’m always right. Remember when I told you not to get those bangs in seventh grade?”

I cringe at the reminder.

“I’m going to shoot my shot tonight,” I say with more confidence than I feel.

“Yes, now we’re talking.” Mira snaps her fingers sitting up in her chair. “Do you need some pointers from your best friend?”

Holding up a hand, I say, “No ma’am. I don’t think Nico is ready for your crazy ass tips.”

“Girl, I’d teach you some things that would have him ready to propose to you. Ask Quentin. His ass ain’t been sane since I gave him a piece.”

Laughter spills from my lips loudly. I needed this time with my best friend. It helped clear my mind and give me the confidence I needed. Tonight, I’m letting Nico know I’m ready. The ball will be in his court.

**

I take one last look in the mirror, glancing at my plum-colored lacy two-piece lingerie set. My makeup is simple, only a little lip gloss, liner, and mascara. I’d hate to sweat off a full face of makeup in his bed.

Pushing my braids over my shoulders, I smile. Thankfully I got my braids redone two weeks ago. The curled ends fell to my hips. The woman staring back at me in the mirror looked confident. You would have no idea that on the inside she was a ball of nerves.

Taking one last look at the silk robe on the counter, I grab it and put it on. Mira told me to walk out with nothing but the lingerie on, but I’m not Mira.

“Tiffany,” Nico calls my name through the house.

“This is it, girl,” I say to my reflection. “Go get your man.”

Walking out of my bathroom, I head toward his voice. Nico’s house is huge. I’m borrowing the second primary bedroom. There are only two bedrooms on the first floor, his primary and then mine. His room was at one end of the long hall and mine is on the opposite end. I stop at the dining room and take a deep breath before heading into the foyer.

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