Page 70 of Treason's Temptation
“What kind of rom-coms have you been watching?” she laughed, not the practiced bullshit. The real one, high-pitched and squeaky as fuck, that she rarely used because she hated it. I wondered if that stemmed from Lorenzo’s abuse, too.
“Pretend we’re in one now, and tell me something.”
“Like what?”
“Anything.”
During the pause, I imagined her nibbling on her lip, desperately searching for something to share that wouldn’t have her up all night replaying this conversation in her head.
“At the gala, what made you leave with me?” I asked, throwing her a lifeline.
“You made me feel something. I wanted to savor that feeling because I knew when the sun came up, it would be over.”
“You’re more in control than you think, Blue. The sun can shine as long as you want it to. Or I can turn this shit into Seattle. It all starts and ends with you.”
“It’s killing you, isn’t it?” Navie asked, her tone much lighter.
“Yeah, because I’m not a trifling ass nigga, but I gave you my word.”
Navie sighed, snatching her arm back.
“You can turn around, but donotmake this weird, Tre. I’m serious,” she warned.
I rolled over, now facing the uncertainty in her eyes. She didn’t want me to make it weird, so I didn’t. I fell into what we did best, wearing a scowl.
“Or what? You’ll fuck me up?”
“I might, so don’t play with me,” she joked, bringing her fist to my face.
“Them ‘lil shits ain’t packing no real power.”
Navie rolled her eyes, adjusting under the weight of my arm cradling her.
“Thank you.”
“Welcome, Blue.”
I was fully prepared not to make shit weird until I noticed her tear-stained cheeks. It wasn’t in me to watch the people I cared about struggle and do nothing about it.
“Tell me I can kiss you so I don’t have to break the rules.”
I would’ve respected her answer either way, but the subtle nod granted my hands access to roam her body while I devoured her tongue. Blue needed it, even if she wasn’t brave enough to ask. Or maybe she was too goddamn brave, and that was the problem. Either way, she melted against me, allowing my lips to erase her stress.
“It’s a lot you hide underneath that mask.” Navie’s smile faded just a little, replaced by something quieter. She watched as I dragged her thigh over my body. “I know you’re tough, but it’s okay to let the Princess out sometimes.”
“Princess?”
I nodded. “Yeah, my sweet ‘lil baby that held it down tonight when I couldn’t. She followed directions real good too. Didn’t talk back or question me once. Just came home like I asked, so I could handle business without worrying.”
“That was work,” Navie explained.
Usually, I let her live in her delusions, but not tonight. Or maybe my ego needed confirmation because nothing felt fake. I refused to believe Navie was that good of an actress.
“I think you like this shit, Blue. Honestly, I think you like me. At least now I know why you’re so against that, though.”
She stared at my hand sliding up her hip and under her nightgown.
“Treason.”
