Page 99 of Taeja

“I know.”

“Mi deevn ago ask how yu know,” Taeja replied as they stopped at the door in the kitchen that led to the garage. “I’ll have to think about if I ever want you to…” she trailed off, unable to finish. It was taboo, but sparked her interest. Being in this relationship had her mind open to a lot of things. “I have something to tellyou before we go out there… I scratched your car the other day. By accident. It isn’t big or anything, but I’ll—”

“I know.”

Taeja’s mouth dropped, and her heart stopped beating for a second. “What?”

“Did you think I didn’t see it because I always ride my bike?” he asked, and she nodded.

“You’re not mad at me?” she whispered.

Zain shook his head. “No. It’s just a car. Nothing happened to you, so I don’t care.”

Her shoulders slackened. She looked at her fingers as she fumbled with them. “I wanted to tell you, but I was scared how you’d react.”

He lifted her chin, and she held her breath as she dragged her eyes to his. “It’s fine, Taeja. I’m not angry at you,” he said in a comforting voice, as if he was speaking to a child.

She smiled at him as her heart fluttered in her chest. She fought the urge to hug him, having mixed feelings as he released her. Zain opened the door with one hand and used the next to grab his key off the rack. They walked toward the car, and he opened the door for her. He strolled around the vehicle before sitting beside her.

“We should buy Damon lunch,” Taeja said as they reversed out of the garage. “He loved the fried rice you made the other day, so we can buy him some of that.”

“Damon loves anything I cook.”

Taeja hummed and stole a glance at him. His right hand idled atop the gearstick. His left hand was on the steering wheel, the veins on his hand and arm popping out with each turn of the wheel.

Was it normal to be attracted to veins? Because Taeja’s pussy throbbed at the veins crawling beneath the scars on his arms. Zain always dripped sex without trying. He could probably make taking out the trash look sexy.

“I can feel you staring, Taeja,” Zain said.

She dragged her eyes to his face — partially covered with his long locs, as always. “Stop gwan like yu nuh like when mi look pon yu.”

The corner of his lips twitched upward. “I wasn’t complaining.”

She did her best impression of his voice. “Whateveryou say.”

“I don’t sound like that.”

“I don’t sound like that,” she mocked, and Zain shot her a glare. Smiling, Taeja looked through the window. “Okay, I’ll stop.”

Zain drove until they arrived at a restaurant. Taeja stayed in the car while he went inside to buy food, returning twenty minutes later before they were off again.

Soon, they parked before the skyscraper. The entire building was framed with glass windows, each one reflecting the sunlight, except for the ground level, which was made of smooth marble. The company’s name was etched into the marble above the automatic doors of the entrance.

Taeja grabbed the food and drink, carefully holding them as they walked toward the building. The receptionist at the front desk knew Zain, so they were allowed access to the elevators without identification.

Arriving on the fifteenth floor, they were immediately greeted by another receptionist.

“Ah, Mr. Zain and guest,” said Zaida — a pretty, petite white woman, who was formally clad. “I’ve notified Mr. Stark. He’s in his office waiting for you.”

Zain nodded and walked away, leaving Taeja to throw Zaida a smile of gratitude. Taking long steps to fall in stride with Zain again, Taeja said, “That was rude, you know?”

“Rude would be walking away while she’s talking,” Zain replied.

Taeja rolled her eyes and muttered, “Nuh know where dem get yu from.”

As they walked down the hallways, the contrasting scents of citrus air freshener mingled with the strong aroma of coffee. The walls, painted in a slate grey hue, showcased minimalist paintings of nature and star employees, adding a touch of artistic flair. Chatter and the distinct sound of computer keys being tapped drifted through the partially opened doors.

They turned down another hallway where two people were exiting a room while talking. The woman was taller than the man by about three inches. Her long legs looked amazing in the pencil skirt. Taeja was sure that bright red lipstick left a stain on the coffee cup in her hand. The man had a well-kept beard and goatee, his thick glasses making him look more mature than he was.

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