Page 38 of A Discovery: Love and Other Things

Footsteps faded away into the distance and James picked up his pace, beating himself off at warp speed against my sex.

“Aren’t you scared we’ll get caught?” I bit out as the erratic pumping pounded against me.

“Nothing can keep me away from this ass right now.” His free hand slapped my cheeks again, jolting me forward on the table. “If you don’t come, I’ll have no choice but to fuck this pretty hole that you don’t want me to touch.”

His threat pushed me over. The image of him slamming into me from behind sent me crying out in ecstasy. “Oh, God!” Stars glittered behind my eyes, and all I could hear was blood rushing in my ears. My knees nearly gave out from under me.

Suddenly, I heard the strangled grunt of the man behind me. “Jesus.” Sounded like I wasn’t the only one who had just seen God.

Before I could catch my breath, I felt liquid warmth jet onto my ass—wet and sliding down my thigh.

His forceful pants evened out as his hand smoothed comforting circles on my back.

The sound of his zipper ripped me from my hormone-induced high. Something soft swiped at the cum that had forged a river down my leg. The sticky residue remained as I carefully straightened up, the stiffness in my shoulders and back from our stunts finally registering.

When I turned around, I found James fully dressed, as if our tryst had never happened. Not a wrinkle in his jacket nor a hair out of place. I felt so awkward with him dressed up while I was nearly naked. Then his fingers grasped my chin and tipped my face up to meet his warm gaze. Where there had once been lust and contempt, something else had shifted into view—something softer that made my chest bloom.

He extracted a small square of paper from his jacket pocket and handed it to me. “Call this number.”

My brow hitched and I stared from the paper to him expectantly, needing more of an explanation. But all he did was press a soft kiss to my lips before walking out the door.

I leaned heavily against the desk, my legs shaking like Jell-O—and unfolded the note.

Aaqil Bukhari

095-555-5555

Chapter 17

The folded square of paper burned a hole in my pocket.

I couldn’t wait to get back to the hostel and investigate the number that James had given me. After a quick shower to wash off the smell of sex, I threw on my bright blue pajama set dotted with flying llamas.

I sat cross-legged on my bed with my wet hair frizzing out from lack of care. It would look like a rat’s nest tomorrow from the lack of product, but I didn’t give a shit. Curiosity wrung my belly into knots.

A quick Google search revealed the identity of the mystery man on the paper. Aaqil Bukhari, Private Investigator of the Greater Cairo Area.

A PI?My mind raced with a bunch of shady conspiracies. Maybe James was involved in bounty hunting or some shit and wanted me to join his side hustle? Or maybe he was a secret assassin who worked with this investigator...like a two-for-one deal for anyone looking tooffa person?

Whatever the reason, I had to call the number to find out. I wouldn’t be able to sleep until I did.

The line rang twice before it was answered with a quick, “Hello,” followed by, “Assalamu Alaikum,” which meant, “Peace be upon you.”

I returned the greeting. “Walaikum salam.My name is Kitty—I mean, Sanura Taha, and I was given your number by afriend, James Campbell.” I wasn’t so sure we could call ourselves friends, but this stranger didn’t need a dissertation on the complexities of our relationship.

“Ah, yes. Miss Sanura,” he replied in English. “Give me a moment to pull up your file.”

My file?Why would this guy have a file on me? “Look, I’m not sure why—”

He cut me off. “Just a moment.” His tone sounded like he wasn’t too fond of bullshit, so I opted to stay quiet.

I overheard the tapping of computer keys as I waited for him to be ready.

Suddenly, he cleared his voice. “I have found it. The search for Yusuf Taha.”

I nearly dropped the phone when I heard my uncle’s name.

“Um, yes.”How did he know my uncle’s name?

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