Page 81 of Tempt Me

“I’ll take care of Mother. After you’ve told Jackson and he agrees to back me up.”

“Admit it. She terrifies you too.”

“She’s my mother. I’m not scared of her. Though I hate it when she’s angry with me.”

“We’ll still need to keep it on the down-low at work. I don’t need another scandal.”

Wincing, I rested my chin on her hipbone. “News flash: everyone at work knows.”

“Shit! Really?”

“Yeah. Winslow and Hannah for sure. I suspect Felicia and Rhiannon too.”

“Fuck me.” She rolled her eyes up to the ceiling. “I was hoping to maintain a little professionalism.”

“We’ll stay professional at work. We’ll keep up boundaries there. As long as I can cross them at home.” I brushed across her nipple with my thumb, and she shivered.

“That works for me,” she said, her voice husky.

“But you’ll talk to Jackson?”

“Yeah, I’ll text him right now.” She reached for her phone.

“Not now.” I batted away her phone. “Can’t you see I’m trying to sex you up?”

“Then get on with it, princess. Less talking, more eating me out.” She slid down to give me better access.

“My pleasure.”

24

The next morning,I woke to the scent of coffee. When I opened my eyes, Jamila sat on the edge of the bed holding a mug in front of my face.

“Get up. I’m taking you to breakfast.”

I sat up and took the mug from her. She’d made it how I liked it: sweet and lightened with oat milk. I savored the first heavenly sip. Then I remembered what day it was.

“It’s Sunday. My mother’s expecting me at brunch today.”

She winced. “I forgot. Do you have to go?”

“You could go with me,” I said, my heart in my throat.

She traced my collarbone with her fingertip. “I don’t think I’m ready for brunch with Audrey. Not while we’re still figuring this out. And not until I’ve talked to Jackson.”

“You heard him yesterday. He won’t be there.”

“Right, but I don’t think I could sit there at your mother’s table and eat brunch like I don’t want to hoist my girl into my lap.”

“So I’m your girl now?” My heart thudded like I was in spin class after drinking a double espresso.

She pretended to look around the bedroom. “I don’t see anyone else here.”

Gently, I shoved her shoulder. “You know what I mean.”

“I’m new at this, okay? I’m not sure what it’s supposed to feel like. But when I woke up this morning with you sleeping beside me, my first thought wasn’t, ‘How do I get this bitch out of my house so I can get some work done?’ So I guess that means you’re my girl.”

I fluttered my eyelashes. “You know just what to say to make a woman happy.”

---