Page 24 of Treason's Temptation
“I had a long day, so when I left the office, I decided to come see my lady. Isn’t that what boyfriends do?” Walking over to the refrigerator, I yanked it open. Then Navie twirled over, using her weight to slam it shut.
“You’re not my boyfriend. Especially intruding empty-handed. How did you even get in here?”
“I used my key.” My palm pushed her hip aside to open the refrigerator so I could grab water.
“I won’t waste my breath asking how you got it. What do you want, Treason?”
“Checking in to make sure my girlfriend didn’t get herself killed or arrested.”
My response irritated her so badly that she ran a hand through her hair.
“I am not your girlfriend. I made that clear, now get the fuck out.”
“I like you.I think, so I’m giving you a second chance to say yes.”
“Don’t need it,” she rushed out, almost clipping my sentence.
“Come sit and holla at me,” I replied, returning to the couch and encouraging her to join me.
“Dogs follow their owners’ commands, and I’m not a dog.”
“Rest those sexy legs so we can talk, Babygirl.”
“There’s nothing to discuss, and honestly, you don’t have time to waste. If you lose, it won’t be because the better man won. You need to show people both sides of you. Until then,they’ll keep using everything that makes you the best man for the job against you.”
Navie groaned, folding her arms, but I caught the subtle slack in her jaw. Not nearly as rigid as when she walked in, weapons blazing. Her reading me didn’t make my nostrils flare or clench my teeth. It was confirmation I needed to double down.
“Tell me what you want?”
“No.”
“Everybody wants something. Even you, so tell me,” I insisted, closing the space between us. She turned her head, but I tilted her chin, forcing her eyes to meet mine, “I’m trying. Work with me.”
“To do what? Piss me off? You’re doing a damn good job of that,” she fussed, pulling away to pick up the bags she dropped coming in.
I picked up what her short arms left behind, unloading each item from the bag for her to put away, since I didn’t know my way around.
Yet.
“Who the fuck eats Guacamole?”
“I do,” she fussed, snatching it like I’d invaded her privacy, “Now get out!”
“Vie, it’s been a long ass day,” I groaned, massaging my temple, “Don’t make it harder than it needs to be.”
“It’s in your nature as a politician not to settle, but I’m not an asset or prop. I’m a person who doesn’t want anything to do with your world.”
“Then what the fuck do you want?”
“To stop having this tired ass conversation,” she groaned, slamming the cabinet closed, spinning around now face to face.
“That’s a surface-level want,” I countered, stepping forward, limiting the space between us. “What doesNaviewant out of life?”
Her face scrunched, “And you’re the magical genie that’ll give it to me. That’s the fairytale you’re selling?”
“If that’s what you want, hell yeah,” I shrugged, while Navie’s brain was in turmoil, trying to figure out my angle.
“Yeah, right.”
