Page 86 of Treason's Temptation
“I don’t know what any of that means,” I chuckled, because I wasn’t a sports girl, but everybody knew Michael Jordan.
“Pippen did the little things and shined in his own lane so Jordan could focus on being a killer. They made each other better just by being who they were, but it all started with trust.”
I followed where Treason was going with this. He didn’t want things to end when the election was over, but staying was a big ask.
“How did Pippen know he could trust Jordan?”
He opened his mouth, then paused, a little thrown. Treason Westbrook didn’t have an answer, making me smile. Thanks to his relentless tenacity, he scrubbed his beard until he found one that suited him.
“He probably didn’t at first, but every time the game was on the line, Jordan showed up. Trust isn’t built in words. It’s built on how somebody performs when it matters. Tell me what you need, Blue?”
I studied him, trying to reconcile the man who forced me into this with the one sitting across from me now.Treason, breaking into my apartment and having me arrested, felt like ages ago.Trewas caring, soft with my heart, and patient.
“Time and mutual respect. Don’t treat me like another employee you order around if you want me to be your partner,Jordan.”
He didn’t like it, but he understood biting the corner of his lip like it killed him to reply, “I got you,” like it killed him.
Three words that were becoming a staple in our conversations. It was a simple gesture, but one I wasn’t used to—not from a man or anyone else. Feeling heard was so foreign that it left me stuck. It didn’t matter because one very important luxury of dating Treason Westbrook was that I didn’t have to have all the answers.
After dinner, he escorted us to the viewing area to enjoy the movie clips playing and pulled out his phone. Usually, I was the one sneaking clips of him when he wasn’t a polished politician.
“What are you doing?”
He didn’t answer right away, just leaned back in his chair like he had all the time in the world, framing me with his camera the way a man studies a painting.
“Making me look human. Isn’t that what you call it?”
“Oh my God. Stop!” I complained, shielding my face.
“I’m directing tonight. Put those hands down and rate my outfit before I make you pay for it,” he growled, my gaze flying to him.
“Tens across the board.”
He nodded, a smile creasing his lips.
“And the surprise date night?”
I scrunched my face and wiggled my hand, signifying the night was a little iffy. His brows shot up behind the camera, making me laugh.
“It’s like that?”
“I’m joking, Stink.” I crawled close enough for him to kiss the tip of my nose before diving into the deep end. The turbulence of his kiss made my arms shaky. His lips were so soft, knowing when to use forceful passion and sensual tugs that made me want to lift this dress. “Twenty out of ten. Best date ever,” I admitted.
“Aight, it’s time to cut. Blue and I have business to handle,” he announced, putting the phone down.
His hand immediately found my thigh. Not in an erotic way, but reassuringly strumming my skin, occasionally squeezing it. He was so quiet after a while that I looked over and smiled at him, falling asleep.
Breaking News
Chapter 16
Tonight, we were meeting Abdul, Carter, and their wives at the Monarch’s game to talk business. A much-needed break from the traditional donor dinners and fundraisers, but still hard to enjoy after Navie’s confession.
I don’t know what the fuck I expected her to admit regarding Lorenzo, but it wasn’t that. Now that I knew, I couldn’t get it out of my head. Hitting the bag, imagining his face didn’t do it. Holding Navie closer didn’t cure the itch to make him live in fear the same way he’d done her.
“What do you need with that?” she asked, nodding as I tucked my gun in my waist.
“You don’t have one,” I replied instead, because we were on our own tonight. Just me and Blue, so it was my job to keep us safe.
