by Nia Arthurs
I’m enjoying the company of a beautiful girl.
Doesn’t have to get any more complicated than that.
Amina darts a quick look over. Her lips tighten. She doesn’t have to say anything for me to know he’s still there. When she rattles off a curse, I know our game is far from over.
So we’re making her ex jealous?
I’m down.
And right now, I’m liking any excuse to touch her.
I run my finger down her cheek. “Baby, have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?”
“Once or twice.”
“You’re a freaking vision.”
“Oh, Matt…”
The way she says my name.
Like I’m the only thing she wants.
Is she a matchmaker or an actress?
She’s a little too good at playing the part.
Good enough that her seething ex can’t stand still any longer.
I feel a tap on my shoulder. Hear the gravelly I’m being polite cause we’re in public tone my dad used to level on us when we were kids. “You mind if I cut in?”
It’s the ex.
I’ve got three inches on him, but he’s a solid mass and it wouldn’t be an easy fight.
Hopefully, it won’t come to that.
For Amina’s sake.
Something tells me she roped me into this little show to avoid the drama.
I turn around with Amina in front of me. She stiffens, her back sharpening and pressing into my chest.
“Calm down,” I whisper in her ear, right before I press a kiss to her lobe.
She gasps a little. Melts against me.
Is that pretend? Fake?
It felt real.
But then I barely know her.
Turning to her ex, I lift my chin and drape an arm over Amina’s chest.
His eyes dip to where I’m holding her. His scowl deepens.
I shrug. “Sorry. I don’t want to share.”
His stare hardens. He turns his attention to Amina. “We need to talk.”
She reaches behind and wraps a hand around the scruff of my neck until we’re connected from the shoulders down.
She’s soft.
Damn.
But I’m not.
And the closer she tugs me…
The DJ’s shifting the music away from smooth souls to some sensual number more suited to a club. As if her body’s spiritually connected to the music, Amina starts moving to the rhythm.
Freaking hell…
She’s too good at that.
Her hips brush mine.
Her thighs…
Her booty…
“Can’t you see I’m busy?” she snaps, still going to town on me.
I brace her hips.
My heart beats wildly.
This is not how I expected the night to go, but I have no complaints.
“Amina…” His voice crackles with aggression.
The ex is still standing there.
Still staring at her like he owns her.
I want to call him out on it. But holding Amina is ten times more appealing that a pissing contest with the bastard (yes, I’ve already decided he’s scum; I don’t need the full story).
I lean into her. “Babe…”
“Yes, baby?” She moans.
I lower my head. Bury my face in her neck.
She inhales deeply, arching her back as I trail a kiss down her throat. Her fingers slip down my face to the top of my button down, tugging me into her as she exposes more of her neck to me.
I stop mid-kiss. Let my nose brush her dark skin. Then I glance up. “Can’t you take a hint, bruh?”
“Bruh?” He slides a hand into his tailored pocket. Chuckles darkly. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Amina, stop this nonsense and come with me.”
I snap to my full height. “Who do you think you’re talking to?”
“Hey.” Amina drops her arms and turns to face me. Her voice lowers so it’s barely audible above the music. “What did I tell you? Ignore him.”
“I’m trying, but he’s got such a punchable face.” I flit a look up. Make sure he hears me.
Amina pouts and wraps her arms around me. “Try to contain yourself, baby.”
“Only because you asked nicely.” I ease toward her.
She reaches up and meets my lips for another quick kiss.
It feels like the most natural move in the world.
Still doesn’t make any sense.
Did I drink that much tonight?
The ex scoffs. “Cut it out, Amina.”
“Cut what out?” She tilts her head. “Can’t you take a hint, Gavin. I’m with my boyfriend.”
“Boyfriend?” Gavin snorts. “Stop playing. I know you’d never get with”—he looks me up and down—“a flour bag, Frosty the Snowman reject.”
A flour…
I bark out a laugh. “That’s funny.”
Amina cuts me a look.
I shrug. “It is.”
“You were just about to punch him three seconds ago.”
“Come on.” I curve my fingers around her waist. Brush the fabric of her silky red dress. Yank her back against me. Where she belongs. At least in this sphere of pretend. Remember, Matt, it’s only pretend. “A good joke is a good joke, baby.”
She rolls her eyes, but a smile plays on her lips. “You’re crazy.”
“Crazy for you.”
“And I’m so hot for you.” She curls her fingers into my shirt again. “Want to get out of here?”
“Amina, don’t you walk away from me.”
“Yeah.” I keep her body pressed in front of mine, just in case her jerk of an ex thinks he can grab her hand and play tug of war tonight.
Not that I’d lose.
“I can’t wait to get you alone,” she purrs, loud enough that he can hear.
It still does things to me.
Even knowing she doesn’t mean it.
I’m losing the line between pretend and reality.
“Amina!”
I push her along, wrapping my arms around her and taking big, clumsy steps to the exits.
The night is cold.
Heavy breeze slaps me in the face.
It’s not exactly the cold shower I need, but it’s a decent substitution.
As soon as we’re in the parking lot, she pushes me away.
I let her go, feeling the emptiness like an Amina-sized ache.
“Um…” She digs a finger into her hair. It’s beautiful. Coiffed into this tamed afro with sparkling pins holding it together. “So… um… thanks. For that.”
I stare at her, dark skin bathed in silver moonlight and eyes darting to the side in awkwardness.
Two things become abundantly clear.
Wherever that line between real and fake is, it’ll only take a couple steps to cross it.
And… if that happens, there’s not a chance in hell I’ll find my way back.
Be My Darling coming soon.
Author’s Note
Venus intrigued me from the first book in the Make It Marriage Series. She seemed flighty and wild, but I knew there was a depth to her that was just begging to be uncovered.
Her relationship with Troy—an unrequited love on the outside and mutual pining on the inside—soaked deep into my soul. I wanted to dig beneath the layers to the heart of their hesitation: failure.
And that’s a truth that keeps us all bound… not just in romantic relationships, but in every aspect of our lives.
When circumstances seem insurmountable and everyone is saying that it can’t be done, it’s easy to give in and give up. It’s easy to let go of that dream in the name of keeping the peace.
But just like Venus and Troy don’t give a damn what anyone else thinks about their age difference, I encourage you to pursue that dream you’ve been nurturing in your heart. Go for it. You were made to do it. You were born for that moment. Don’t die with that book or that song or that business still buried in your heart. Venus, Troy a
nd I believe in you. You’ve got this.
Until the next whirlwind BWWM romance.
Love,
Nia
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More books about strong yet vulnerable black women and the diverse men who love them are coming soon.
Also by Nia Arthurs
Caribbean Crush Series
His Exception
Her Deception
The Complication
Grudging Hearts Series
Forever Loving You
Forever Craving You
Forever Claiming You
Make It Marriage Series
Be My Always
Be My Forever
more coming in 2020
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