Page 46 of His to Have
Clearly, that theory was bullshit. At least where Yanna was concerned as she so boldly proclaimed.
When she realized we were no longer moving she turned to me with warm eyes. “What’s wrong? Did we miss an exhibit?” Her gaze moved past me to the next display, but there was nothing we hadn’t already seen.
“You realize you can’t say shit like that to me? Restraint isn’t my strong suit.”
Her eyes snapped back to me, and I watched the exact moment it clicked. Her lips parted slightly, realization dawning on her face.
“And for the record... you’d never have to beg me. I’d give it to you willingly.” My hand cupped the back of her neck before I placed a kiss on her lips. It was quick, but full of intent. “Come on.”
The deeper we explored, the more aware of each other we became. Every exhibit circled back to us. It allowed both of us to discover what we wanted sexually from one another without the pressure of outside forces. I learned that she was bold and forward despite her initial hesitation about coming in here. She learned that I was all about pleasing my partner. I would take charge but I also experienced incredible satisfaction from knowing her desires were met.
That was further proven when we hit the interactive section.
“Super Funland,” Yanna read the sign, eyes lighting up. “Okay, so this looks fun!”
The space opened up into bright colors, playful installations, and interactive games. It looked like a carnival with kissing booths, fortune telling, and even a tunnel of love exhibit. Over the next hour, we explored all four floors of fascinating activities. We laughed and teased each other, fully immersing ourselves in the experience. By the time we made it to the kissing booth we were both loose, relaxed, completely in sync.
“Lucky Lips,” she read the sign, grinning. “It judges your kissing technique and chemistry. You confident in your skills?” She wiggled her eyebrows and I chuckled.
“The question is, are you?” I stepped up to the booth, pulling her with me.
The instructions were simple — kiss your partner and the sensors would measure passion, technique, and chemistry. A score would appear at the end and we’d see just how well we matched. While I didn’t need a machine to tell me something I already knew, I also wasn’t opposed to seeing the results or kissing the woman who intrigued me for so many years.
“Don’t hold back.” I told her, cupping her face as the timer began. Then I pulled her into a kiss that erased everything and everyone around us. There was no museum, games, or people. It was only us with her hands lying flat on the artistic lip exhibit,and our tongues sweeping against one another, claiming, and exploring.
For the first time, since she’d learned about our arrangement she let go. Matched my intensity, and gave just as much as she got.
When the timer buzzed, we broke apart, breathless. I was so consumed by her that the score didn’t matter. The flashing numbers on the screen were a blur, barely registering in my mind. All that mattered was the look in her eyes, the way her breath mingled with mine as we stood there, caught in our own world.
“Well,” she whispered. “That was—”
“Not enough.” I grinned, my thumb brushing along her jawline. Her pulse was racing. “We should go. Got plenty more to see today and maybe we can grab dinner on the way home.”
“Yes,” she said quietly, then cleared her throat. “Yeah, I'd like that.”
thirteen
Ayanna
Another week had passed since spending an entire day with Teo and I have to admit that I enjoyed it far more than I wanted to. God, that man was attentive, and sexy, and just downright irresistible. I was finding it almost impossible to resist his charm now that we were living together. Where he used to give me knowing smirks and then give me space to process those looks, I was no longer afforded that luxury. Now, he was always nearby.
Looking fucking incredible I might add.
Taking a deep breath, I took one look at myself in the mirror attempting to think of anything other than him.
Water trickled down my hair and body as I stepped out of the shower. I grabbed a towel and dried off. Beginning with my arms and legs, before grabbing a different towel to pat dry my freshly washed hair. Long gone were the braids. I’d taken them down earlier in the day wanting to have my natural hair out for my wedding day in a few days.
After spending a good hour and a half detangling, blow-drying, and styling my hair, I was finally ready to get dressed for this party Sophia insisted on throwing me. Even if I wasn’t exactly thrilled about the idea of spending the night with a bunch of women I’d either met in passing or didn’t know at all. The only thing I kept reminding myself of is that this should be a chance to make new friends in a city that would now be my new home. And to see who was for this marriage and who wasn’t.
I’d already gotten a glimpse a week ago, when the woman who I now knew as Gianni Vitale’s daughter stood inside of my future in-laws’ home making demands. While she never addressed me — outside of that bullshit congratulations — it was clear she thought of me as an outsider.
I hadn’t brought it up to Teo, and he hadn’t mentioned Isabella to me either. I heard the conversations he had with his attorney — another relationship I didn’t quite understand — but the way those two discussed Isabella, I figured they had plans for her. Besides, I refused to be that girl. The one who started making demands about Teo’s past relationships or the women in his circle before we even made it down the aisle.
I wasn’t insecure, and I damn sure wasn’t going to start acting like it now that I was finally letting myself feel what I’d suppressed for years. If any woman became a real problem, I’d handle it. But for now, I was chilling even if I could have seen Teo with someone like Isabella.
Love wasn’t a factor in these kinds of arrangements. And Miss Isabella checked all of the boxes I thought men like Teo needed in a wife. She was beautiful, calculating, and entrenched in power. It wasn’t that she had anything I didn’t have.
No, we were the same in terms of family status, education, and attractiveness. Our differences stemmed from our desire for this lifestyle. It was clear she wanted power, and I didn’t. Not to bemisunderstood as me not wanting the man behind the power. I was slowly reconciling my desire for Teo’s sexy ass.
