Page 44 of Treason's Temptation
“Since you’re so fuckin’ wise, did you talk to Kelis?”
“My shit with Kelis is different. I know her a lot better than the woman who tried to drug you.”
I took no offense, laughing because that’s all I could do, “Shit sounds crazy as fuck when you say it out loud.”
“It is crazy,butI don’t think Navie’s all bad.”
“On brand for a politician. Throwing everything away for some pussy,” I joked, because it happened more often than not. “Once you’ve had political daughters and billionaire heiresses eventually, that shit gets played out. Then I see Navie, and that numbness cracked. She made me feel shit, again. I’d rather take a chance on that than go back to feeling nothing.”
I rolled my shoulders and wiped my face with the towel. My phone lit up on the bench nearby.
Fallon: Chamber meeting added to your schedule. I’ll meet you at the house.
Mama: How is Navie?
Jaleb: We need to talk ASAP.
Locking my phone, I slipped it into my pocket. “Any word on K-Low?”
“Nigga playing hardball like he has another option.”
“Remind him, there isn’t one.”
“Do I tell you how to do your job?”
“Your evil ass couldn’t do my job.”
“I don’t care to listen to people nag all fuckin’ day,” Ward muttered, stripping off his gloves.
Having a gym in the building eliminated the excuse that I didn’t have time. My days were packed with one meetingafter another. Today was no different, and working out helped replenish my patience before the day started.
I took the elevator to the top floor and down the hallway, pausing outside my bathroom door. There was a faint shuffle of footsteps, and the smell of my favorite soap wafted through the air, but it wasn’tmysoap being used.
A sharp knock accompanied the shake of my head in disbelief that Navie had me knocking on my own shit. I pushed the door open, and Navie stood at the counter, already dressed. The cream blouse, tucked into high-waisted slacks, paired with gold hoops and her hair pinned up, fit her well.
I knew a weapon when I saw one, but it wasn’t just Navie’s striking beauty that made her dangerous. It was the way her presence demanded attention, like a blade sheathed in velvet.
“Morning.” She caught my reflection in the mirror and paused, adjusting her earring.
“Good morning. Just because I’m sweet on you doesn’t mean you can leave all your shit in my bathroom,” I complained, attempting to restore the balance of power.
“I’m home, right?”
“Since you’ve got us sleeping in separate rooms like a couple on the brink of divorce, keep your shit out of my bathroom.”
She didn’t flinch. Just kept brushing on her lip gloss.
“I like it in here, and the lighting is better.”
“I like you in here too, but yo’ ass is still holed up down the hall.”
“Aww, Tre is upset he has to sleep by himself,” she mocked in an annoying ass baby voice.
“Keep fucking with me, and I’ll move this shit just like I did that apartment.”
Navie chuckled while I peeled off my shirt, the fabric sticking to my back from the sweat. Crossing the room, my sweats camenext like I’d done a hundred times. Except this morning, I had an audience pretending not to watch.
“You couldn’t wait?” she asked, glancing sideways but not quite turning.
