Page 19 of Smoke N' Stroke

I felt his touch and looked down at his dark brown hand over mine sending shards of not just pleasure through me, but also calm. I released the tense grip I had on my purse and took a deep breath.

“Maybe it’s time to take the advice you give.”

“Don’t analyze me, Dr. Booker.”

“I’m not. I’m being a friend.”

I stared at him and tried to dissect his word choice.Friend.

“Is that what we are now?”

“Not all we are, no. But I’d like to think it’s what we will always be no matter what.”

Something about his words was unsettling but I knew that was also my fears projecting on the situation. Besides, I was the one that said we should keep things simple.

Nala, it can’t always be your way, girl. Decided, do you want the man, or do you want your way?

Contrary to how it may look especially with so many social media psychologists with no real training other than platitudes and judgment, being a mental health professional does not equate to being without fears, insecurities, trauma, etc. We were people and often our loads were heavier due to all the help we administered for others. That’s why we needed therapists or a counselor, just someone to talk to, to help us deal with our emotions. I had my fair share of things to work through as it pertained to men and trust, but my training allowed me awareness and that was sometimes the largest hurdle to anything. Was to be aware and act. This time withZaire would be about acting on the things I was affirming which was to give him a chance to show me who he was without sabotaging it.

The lobby of the hotel was busy when we arrived and headed to the check-in desk. The process went smoothly or as smoothly as possible given an attractive tall brown skin woman seated on a couch left of check-in kept smiling in Zaire’s direction. Just that quickly my pep talk with myself started to dissolve though he didn’t seem to notice her attention towards him. I couldn’t tell if it was intentional, however, or if he was really that oblivious to his effect on women. Either way, Ms. Ma’am was rather bold considering she saw us arrive together. I was only with another representative because we were booked in separate rooms. I gave one last look at her and her smirk in return told me everything I needed to know.

Okay bitch!

Taking a breath, I reached for my suitcase only to be swatted by his hand.

“What are you doing?” His expression only made me smile.

“I got this. I told you that. Now get some business and let’s get to the elevators.”

“Fine, Daddy.”

“You’re teasing but I bet you’ll be saying that on my dick soon.”

My pussy clenched. Shit.

Now feeling a tad more confident, I turned back to ol’ skank ass and returned her previous smirk. She pretended to find something to do on her phone.Mmmmhmmm.

“I like that we’re next door to each other.” He said once we got off the elevator on the 11thfloor.

“You sure about that?”

“What… you’re not? ”

We stood outside of my room 1132. He was in 1134.

“I only meant maybe it would be an inconvenience to you."

"I don't see how that could be when I'd want you to say fuck that room and stay in mine with me.”

I fought to hide the grin on my face but he shook his head at me anyway.

“Now that that’s settled, take your grumpy ass inside and do what you got to do then come over here with me, woman. Okay?”

His words removed all doubt, for now. He wanted me with him.

“Okay.”

14

---