Page 18 of The Marriage Agreement (Agreement)

I’ve just finished letting out every nerve-racking aura of his presence, and he just kicked it all back in.I scream inwardly, unable to control my body’s reaction, experiencing a desire for him.

“Hi,” I say, hoping his voice would be a turnoff.

“Hi.” His deep voice caresses me like a breeze.

“I needed some air; it’s a bit stuffy in there. Plus, I’ve been inside all day,” I hastily state to control whatever this attraction is between us. Hoping that speaking to him would make him magically go away. Of course, I’m two hundred percent mistakenbecause the moment I sit, he sits beside me.This isn’t good.The laws of male and female attraction don’t apply to me. My body is seemingly immune to the pulls of physical chemistry, so it makes no sense that my heart is racing as I sit next to him under the blanket of stars. Despite my confusion and inexperience with these emotions, I can't deny that I want to know what it would be like to kiss him.Lord, help me.

We sit in silence, our eyes locked on the twinkling lights above us, but I can feel the tension between us growing stronger by the second as we both hide behind our masks of indifference.

He mentions the other side with a better view, and my immediate answer is to turn it down. Until he says all he wants is to show me the view. I don’t trust men, but I find myself feeling a subtle comfort and some annoying butterflies swirl around in my stomach. I know I shouldn’t follow him, but the moment he stands, I find myself following him.

We weave through the dancers, and he keeps turning to make sure I’m following. I smile each time he checks on me.

I feel a little skeptical when he opens the door to a bedroom. My mind questions why I’m following a guy I’ve never met. Yet, something about him is comforting and draws me in. I want to know him. He must have sensed my hesitation because he leaves the door open, almost as if he’s telling me I can be free with him. I venture into the room and onto the balcony, and yes, the view is spectacular. I smile.

Again, we gaze at the sky, and I feel the need to do something, so I grab a scrunchie to pull my braids back. He grabs my arm, the one where Curtis caused a cut. I yanked my arm away, shocked by the electric pulse of his touch.

He relaxes when I tell him about Curtis, and I notice he steps back. I’m glad he does because something tells me I’m on the verge of jumping him.

I don’t react to men; my life is work and study. The few times I laugh are when Osei insists on taking me on walks or says something silly enough to crack me up.

Why am I attracted to a quasi-mystery man behind a mask? I have no idea who he is, yet my body craves him. Before I can process my thoughts, his lips are on mine.

I should stop this or push him away, butmy god—the feel of his lips on mine is incredible. Without my conscious permission, my mouth opens for him. I deepen our kiss as a moan escapes me, and my tongue swirls in harmony with his, sending tidal waves of desire through me. If a kiss could have sound, then our tongues and our entire being are dancing to a beautiful crescendo. If a kiss—

His phone ringing abruptly shakes me from my haze. I break the kiss. I look into his eyes, though I can’t see them. But I feel them—his eyes caressing me. I wish I could see his eyes, but his height blocks the light, and the mask doesn’t help.

He pushes my mask off, and I look at him, hoping he’ll remove his mask and reveal himself. His sandalwood scent envelops me. But before I can speak, his phone starts ringing again. The moment he answers it, I push him away, pull my mask down, and rush out of the room. It was probably his girlfriend. A guy like that surely has one or two.

I found Osei immediately.

“I need to get going,” I tell him. He gives me a sad look.

“I’m burnt out—the ER was brutal today. I need sleep. And since I’m a glutton for punishment, I’ll be back there tomorrow.”

He smiles. “Yes, you really are a glutton for punishment. I’ll walk you out. I have no idea how you do these long hours daily.”

“Not all of us have rich big brothers.” I look around at the sea of Halloween costumes and makeup. “Is he here? I’ve heard so much about big brother Luke.”

“Yes,” Osei replies. He looks around too. “He was here; maybe he left.” He shrugs. “Let’s get you home. You’ll meet him some other time.”

“Okay.” We head towards the door, and bump into Derek in a clown costume.

“Hey, you two, where to?” he asks, his clown makeup looking like an artist’s furious work, but I smile at him.

“Dele’s tired. I’m walking her to the car. Be right back,” Osei replies. I wave at Derek.

“Goodnight, Dele.”

“Bye, Derek.”

Osei and I head to the elevator. He tells me about the crazy things his friends are doing. I laugh along, but truthfully, my mind is on the kiss with the quasi-mystery man. All I have is his voice, smell, touch, and a taste of him. And boy, does he have me twisted.

I can’t tell Osei, he’ll surely grill me. Right now, I lack the energy to respond.

We get to my car. “Good ol’ Jace is still standing. You know the offer to co-sign on a car loan still stands.”

“Yes, I know, and I’ll let you know when I need your help.” I hug him goodnight and get in my car.

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