Chapter 12
CHAPTER
TWELVE
The movie was queued, the snacks were plated, and the candles were lit.
My heart thudded as I stood at the foot of my bed staring at three lounge sets.
Holding up the first option, pink shorts with a matching lace bralette, I twisted my lips and hummed.
This was too overt. I needed something that was sexy but subtle and effortless.
Putting extra effort into my lounge clothes to hang out with Nadir was different.
There was something so thrilling about tempting my best friend.
I smiled thinking about how he remembered the romper I wore the last time we had a movie night.
Little reminders like that made picking out an outfit with sole intention of seducing him something I needed to address later.
After another minute of contemplation, I called my sister to help me decide.
“I need your help.”
Raven’s brows met. “What’s wrong, sis?”
“Nothing’s wrong. Which set do you like best?” I turned the camera to face my bed. She hummed.
“I like the cream one with the sweater. Looks cozy.”
I ran my hand over the soft fabric and nodded. “Okay. Thanks.”
“Wait,” she said before I could hang up. “What's the occasion?”
“Wings and a movie.”
“Who's coming over?” Mischief filled her eyes.
“Ray,” I warned.
Raven rolled her eyes. “You’re lucky a client just walked in. I’ll be by the restaurant tomorrow. We’ll catch up then.”
The last thing I wanted to do was tell my sister about me and Nadir. If “I told you so,” was a person, it would be Raven Gold.
I hadn’t ended the call fully before another came through. Joseph calling me was unexpected since he’d been M.I.A. We just couldn’t get on the same page these days.
“Robbie, you’ve been on my mind.”
“How often?”
“Too often. What’s your schedule like next week?”
Next week...
I rubbed my lips together, already exhausted thinking about my week ahead. Employee training, photoshoots, and my soft opening; the list went on. My time was limited. Joseph just didn’t seem like he could keep up.
After making loose plans to see each other, Joseph said, “I’ll text you later.”
“Okay.”
Something told me we wouldn’t speak again for a while. The end of the call was anticlimactic. He claimed he was working and wished me a good evening. Rolling my eyes, I noted the time.
Twenty minutes until he arrives.
I removed my towel, applied lotion, and slipped into the shorts and cropped tank set.
I brushed my hair and fixed my middle part, making a mental note to schedule an appointment with Summer.
While in the mirror, I put on my favorite nude lip balm.
As I touched up the corners of my mouth, my phone buzzed on the counter. Nadir’s message made my belly flip.
Nadir:
Parking.
Robyn:
Okay. Use your key.
Before leaving my room, I sprayed my signature scent, Darling by S. Angel, on my chest and neck.
Nadir came inside at the same time as I entered the living room.
My smile was instant but fell when I saw his work bag on his shoulder.
We co-worked sometimes with a show playing in the background.
But tonight wasn’t one of those nights. I worried that it wasn't conveyed earlier. As if he read my mind, he opened the bag and pulled out the Hibiki 21 whisky he’d had for at least two years.
I didn’t know if he was saving it for something or just needed a reason to open it.
Either way, I was happy he found me worthy enough to share this experience.
“You thought I forgot?” He smirked.
“I did.” I bit my lip as heat filled my cheeks.
Nadir shook his head while heading toward the kitchen.
He paused abruptly in the doorway but quickly recovered.
My heart stopped when I saw him looking at the flowers Joseph sent me.
When I returned from Portland, they were at my doorstep.
The gesture was cute and made me feel special.
If only he backed it up with actual quality time, the effort would hit harder.
I didn’t consider how the flowers might affect Nadir. Then again, I shouldn’t have to consider it.
We’re just friends.
“What’s on the menu?” Nadir asked, seemingly unbothered by the flowers.
“Chicken wings and crab dip.”
“I like that. How do you want your drink?”
“Neat.”
Nadir looked at me and smirked. “You got it.”
Reaching into the cabinet in front of him, he grabbed two short glasses. The way he moved around my kitchen, like he owned the place, was funny. He handed me a glass then tipped his drink toward me. “To you.”
I beamed. “Cheers.”
The whisky went down smoothly, leaving behind notes of honey with a smoky finish.
“Yummy. What took you so long to open this?” I asked.
Nadir eyed his glass then took another sip. “I was saving it for my wedding day. Just before the reception, my bride and I would share a glass. Then maybe finish the rest that night.”
I drank more whisky, this time letting it sit on my tongue just long enough for it to tingle. Nadir looked at his glass, then back at me. The intensity in his eyes hit me between my thighs.
“But since that ain’t happening for a while, this is the next best thing.”
“I don’t know if this is comparable,” I said with a wry smile.
He tilted his head to the side, eyes pinned on me. “In both scenarios I’m celebrating the most important woman in my life.”
“Nadir,” I whined, melting inside.
My heart danced at his declaration. He knew what to say to make me weak in the knees.
Every day he did something to deepen my attraction to him.
Today, he reminded me that my accomplishments were worthy of celebration.
He showed me how much happiness mattered to him.
I didn’t want to fall for him, but he was making it impossible not to.
“You asked a question, and I answered, honestly.”
I nodded. “You’re right.”
Nadir never held his tongue, which I liked. That made it easy to talk to him and trust his advice. There was never a time when he held back for the sake of my feelings. If he ever went too hard, he apologized right after. I appreciated his consideration when it came to my emotions.
Once we were settled in the living room, I started Everything, Everywhere, All at Once. Nadir had seen it when it came out years ago and wanted to rewatch it. I would probably fall asleep at some point, so I didn’t care what we watched.
An hour later, I sat with my legs crossed in front of my coffee table.
I nibbled on the crab dip and crostini, my eyes glued to the television screen.
Nadir chuckled from behind me. I glanced over my shoulder to see him texting.
The flirtatious smirk on his lips made my eyes roll.
Since the opening scene, Nadir had been occupied with something else. I reached for my drink and sipped.
“You want more?” he asked from over my shoulder.
“I’m good.” I leaned back against the couch, my arm brushing his leg. Goosebumps covered my skin and I sighed.
“Let me know when that changes.”
I continued watching the movie, growing more annoyed by the minute. Between my irritation and the whisky, I was warm. After removing my sweater, I placed it on the cushion behind me.
Nadir sighed and I turned around to see him shaking his head at his phone. “You know you’re the one who suggested this movie?”
“I’m watching it,” he countered with wrinkled eyebrows.
“No, you’re texting. Let me guess, Lex? Or is it the security lady? Securing your plans after you leave?”
I reached for my glass then put it down. Another sip of whisky would only add more fuel to the fire.
“And if it is Lex?”
I shrugged. “No comment. How was her housewarming party?”
“Wouldn’t know. I was in Portland.”
“I’m sure you’ll make it up to her,” I shot back. Glancing his way was the wrong move. The look in his eyes made my stomach drop.
Nadir ran his hand over his face then leaned forward. “Nice flowers. When did he drop them off?”
“He had them delivered,” I retorted. My heart thumped in my chest. He was not about to check me for accepting flowers from Joseph. “Not that it should matter, the sentiment remains.”
“I would’ve brought them.”
“Well, you didn’t,” I said with a smile.
This wasn’t about flowers.
Nadir chuckled. “You're funny.”
I turned back to the movie. For a moment, Nadir did too. The feeling of his hand on my shoulder made my spine stiffen. He kneaded my shoulder before gripping the curve of my neck. My body melted against the couch. I held back a moan when he resumed his massage.
“I don’t want to fight with you, Goldie.”
“I know,” I mumbled.
My head fell to the side, accepting his firm grip and gentle caress. His hand moved over my shoulder and up my neck, gripping it firmly. I swallowed, loving his possessive hold. My pussy thumped and heat shot through me.
“I’m sorry for not paying attention. You forgive me?” I nodded and he continued. “You have on those little fuzzy shorts with your ass out and you think I really give a fuck about some flowers?”
I licked my lips and sighed. “No.”
“Exactly. We good?”
“So good.”
He hummed throatily, making my stomach knot. “Give me a kiss.”
Turning around, I settled between his legs for a kiss.
He held my neck while driving his tongue into my mouth.
I sank into him, losing myself in the teeming hunger between us.
My body hummed for his touch. No one made my heart race like this.
My clit pulsed every time he took my bottom lip into his mouth. This was the passion I craved.
My hands slid up his thighs to his crotch. He stopped kissing me and met my gaze. I unzipped his pants, freeing his dick. I stroked it, mesmerized by its weight in my hand. I kissed the tip before taking as much as I could into my mouth. My stomach clenched and my mouth watered.
“You can take more,” he husked.
I opened my mouth wider and flattened my tongue, taking more of him in. He groaned and held the back of my head. “There you go, princesa.”
He pulled me back by the neck then pumped into my mouth.
“Look at you, taking all this dick. I’m so proud of you,” he crooned.