Page 46 of Before I Say I Don't
Aight, nigga— I told myself, You’re not her man. You’re not her keeper. But if she calls… if she so much as hints she needs you… be there. No questions.
By the time I pulled off, I had no proof… just instinct. And my instincts were rarely wrong. Still, I was going to keep my ears open and watch Viangelo and the company he kept. I wasn’t afraid to play the long game—hell, I thrived in it. If he was as clean as he pretended, I’d find out soon enough.
But if he wasn’t?
I smiled to myself, a slow, cold curl of the lips.
Let’s just say, I wasn’t there to steal what wasn’t mine. I was there to be ready, not by accident, but by honesty.
Chapter Ten
KAMIRA
Icradled my phone in one hand, scrolling through a cascade of emails while the other stirred sugar into my coffee. That was my comforting morning ritual, a moment of calm before the day began. Just as I took a satisfying sip, a notification chimed, and I glanced down to see a text message from Roman pop up on the screen.
Roman: Good morning, Miss Sinclair.
I bit back a smile before replying.
Me: Good morning, Mr. Hill. Did you sleep good?
Roman: I dreamed about you, so of course. You?
Me: Did you really? Lol. I tossed a little, but coffee’s about to fix that.
Roman: Yeah, I did. You heading in already?
I glanced down at my robe tied loose at the waist.
Me: Still home… about to leave soon.
Roman: Ahhh. So I caught you before the world did. Lucky me.
Me: Or lucky timing. But what are you doing? What’s got you up this early?
His reply wasn’t words; it was a photo.
Roman was in the gym. He was damp with sweat, and a tee clung to his chest, veins cutting bold lines down his forearms as he gripped a barbell, jaw tight. Behind him, mirrors reflected angles of sweat and strength.
Heat pooled low in me before I could blink it away. I crossed my legs under the counter stool and sipped coffee to cool my mouth.
Me: Okay… not me needing to step my game up before work. Lol. But you look… focused. Strong.
The words were clean, but the hint that I’d hope he’d catch was there.
Roman: I’m focused on this rep and strong enough to lift you if you keep talking like that.
My throat went dry. I tapped the edge of my mug, then set it down.
Me: Don’t start. Lol.
Roman: Who said I was starting? I’m just saying facts. Now send me one… fair exchange.
I froze, staring at my screen.
Did he really just…?
My eyes dropped to my robe again. It was safe and cozy… not meant for anyone’s camera. But the longer I thought about it, the more a reckless whisper pushed back—what’s the harm in one picture?It’s not like I was wearing lingerie—not even close—but still, the act felt dangerous.
