Page 27 of What She Deserves
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Rashad had made up his mind that he and Layla needed to talk about where this relationship was headed. Since she came over five nights ago, he’d had plenty of time to think, and there needed to be an adjustment to their no-strings affair.
Tonight, he was going to show her that they were not simply sexually compatible, but compatible, period. Before he had opened his big mouth and told her he wanted to slow down, they used to have fun together, laugh together. They’d attended comedy shows and gone to basketball games and nice dinners. Then of course there were the conversations about everything under the sun that sometimes lasted well into the night before exhaustion tugged them to sleep. Back then, they had good-natured arguments about a variety of topics—from business to politics to the latest pop culture gossip.
Time to remind her of what they used to have.
When the doorbell rang, he immediately checked his appearance in the mirror, smoothing a hand down his face and grinning. He looked great in a long-sleeved black and gold leaf shirt with black slacks. The diamonds in his ears flashed against his skin, and after a last-minute shave, a splash of aftershave made him smell good.
Rashad swung open the door. “Hi,” he said.
“Hi.” Layla rushed in, tugging off moleskin gloves that matched her taupe-colored coat. “Sorry, I’m late. I had a last-minute emergency to take care of.”
“No worries. I just stepped out of the shower a few minutes ago.”
“Good, then I’m right on time.”
“Care for anything to drink?”
Rashad took her coat and hung it in the closet near the door. Underneath, Layla wore skinny jeans and a Big-Bird-yellow long-sleeved blouse with a low-dipping neckline. Exquisite, as always.
“I’m fine. Honestly, I don’t have a lot of time. Only about thirty minutes, so we’ll have to hurry. I have to be in Ethan’s home office by nine for a Zoom meeting. He’s still overseas and needs me to pull some files that he needs.”
She moved quickly toward the bedroom, and Rashad followed. He watched her kick off her heels and lift her blouse over her head, placing it carefully on the chair across from the bed. For a moment he became distracted by the way the black satin bra pushed her breasts high and together, creating a tempting cleavage. But sanity returned, and he became more annoyed than aroused, perturbed by her nonchalant attitude.
“What are you doing?” Rashad asked.
Layla’s hand stalled on the snap on her jeans. “What do you mean what am I doing?”
“You know what I mean.”
A frown wrinkled the space between her eyes. “No, I don’t.”
“What the hell, Layla. Why are you treating me like a damn ho?”
Her eyes widened. “I’m not. I thought you called me over here to—”
“Yes, I called you over here to have sex, but that’s not the only reason. I thought we could spend time together. Do something other than have sex.”
He didn’t think it was possible, but her eyes went wider, and she took a step back.
“That’s not what we agreed to.”
“Well, I’m changing the parameters of this arrangement. Put your blouse back on.”
“Are you serious right now?”
“Yes, I’m serious. Get dressed.”
Hands on her hips, she placed a gentle arch in her back so her breasts stuck out more. “Are you sure?”
Rashad’s mouth went dry. No, he wasn’t. In fact, he was downright struggling because he’d been reacquainted with her soft skin, sexy curves, and that tight, wet spot at the juncture of her hips. Heaven. Nirvana. Hunger ravaged his body, and he valiantly fought the urge to shove control to the side and press his face into her tempting breasts. But he’d made a promise to himself and intended to keep it, dammit.
“Yes, I’m sure.” He fisted his hands, fingers pressing into his palms.
“I don’t have time to go to dinner or whatever you have planned. We have to do this now or forget it.”
He gritted his teeth but spoke calmly. “Then let’s forget it and get together tomorrow night or later this week.”
