Page 9 of What She Deserves
Rashad nodded. “Fair enough. Can we start over?”
Crossing her arms, Layla asked, “Start what over, exactly?”
“The conversation from last night.”
“I thought I made myself clear that I’m not interested in pursuing another relationship or whatever it is you’re interested in.”
“I’m interested in friendship,” he said.
“Oh, right. You want to be friends,” Layla said, voice dripping with sarcasm.
She started moving again, walking faster this time to escape him and this conversation she didn’t want to have. His long legs easily kept stride with hers, exerting little effort, as if he were out for a leisurely stroll.
“You sound like you don’t believe me,” Rashad said.
“That’s because I don’t. You’re only interested in one thing.”
“How exactly did you come to that conclusion?”
Layla side-eyed him. “Past experience is the best indicator of future performance.”
Rashad grabbed her arm, and the warmth of his fingers seared her skin through the lightweight jacket. She wanted to yank away, but couldn’t. He was touching her again, like last night. The memory of his fingers around her wrist was as vivid as the fingers wrapped around her arm right now.
“And you don’t miss it?” he asked.
“Miss what?”
Rashad backed her against the brick wall of a building, not caring they were in the middle of the street with the occasional pedestrian walking by.
Eyes boring into hers, his voice dropped. “You know what.”
Layla’s belly quivered, denial burning on the tip of her tongue, but she couldn’t speak the lie. Of course she missed it, them. The way they used to be together.
Rashad’s lovemaking skills were unmatched, and they used to damn near burn up the bed when they made love. She could never get enough of him, and whenever they went too long without seeing each other, she ached until she could see him, touch him, press her body against his.
Instead of answering, she tilted her chin higher. “Is that why you came here? To see if I missedit?”
“I came here to see you, but I am curious about that part.” His nostrils flared for a split second before he shook his head and let out a deep breath. “Shit. Let’s try again. Contrary to what you believe, I do care. So tell me, how have you been, Layla?”
She dropped her gaze and had a sudden urge to burst into tears. She shook off his hand. How could such a simple question make her feel so weepy? How could he so easily break down her tough girl act and make her feel vulnerable and helpless with a few words of interest?
“Fine,” she replied. She lifted her gaze again, and he continued to stare at her with concern in his eyes.
“And your family?”
“Fine. How about you?”
“Been better. Miss my friend. Miss my lover.”
“Don’t.”
“Why?”
“Because…”
He waited.
“Because a clean break is what I wanted.”
