“This burger is amazing,” Nakyra gushed, biting into the cheeseburger. On the way home, we stopped by a food place andgrabbed something to eat. While Nakyra only climbed two walls, I could tell she had a good time and I planned on suggesting we go again soon.
“You better slow down before you choke.”
“I can’t help it. You made me drain all my energy with all that climbing.” She took another bite.
Chuckling, I picked up my milkshake and took a drink. “Admit it though… you had fun?”
“It wasn’t bad.”
“Meaning you would go again?”
Nakyra side eyed me. “I don’t know about that. I’m sure I’m gonna be sore tomorrow.”
“What’s the saying? No pain, no gain.”
She rolled her eyes. “Says you.”
I faced her and my eyes went to the barbeque sauce resting on the corner of her mouth. “You got something…” I reached up to swipe it just as she stuck her tongue out and swiped over the tip of my finger.
“Oh.” Her eyes widened.
“My bad, I was just gonna get it for you.” I licked my lips and moved my hand. My fingers lightly brushed her bottom lip. Her cheeks flushed and her lips parted slowly. Snatching her eyes forward, she quickly grabbed her milkshake and brought the straw to her mouth.
The last thing I wanted to do was put Nakyra in a position where she was uncomfortable but there was a pulling I had toward her, one that I kept trying to ignore. However, the more time we spent together, the harder it got. I was never one to bite my tongue or hold punches. It was wrong for me to want her, but after learning what I had, I couldn’t find it inside myself to care.
“So, I was thinking…” Nakyra started a few seconds later but stopped. “What’s wrong?” Her forehead creased.
“Let me take you out,” I said.
Confusion filled her face. “Take me out?”
Nodding, I set my uneaten burger on my lap to the side and twisted my body to face her. “Yeah. Look I know you’re with Rome, but we can’t deny there’s something between us.”
“Creed—”
“I’m not asking for much, just one night. One night on a real date. Let me show you how you deserve to be treated.”
Her teeth scraped over her bottom lip and she fidgeted her hand around her cup. “I’m engaged to your brother,” she whispered.
“But you can admit there’s something here?”
She licked her lips and bobbed her head slowly. “It’s wrong though.”
“Is it?” I tilted my head and scanned her from head to toe. Reaching out, I grabbed her hand and enveloped it between mine. “I like you, Nakyra. You’re talented, strong, ambitious, and you never let your hearing keep you down or stop you from doing anything. Do you understand how sexy that is? The drive you have to prove that you can do anything everyone else can? In the short time I’ve been here, I know you’ve been through a lot, yet you still smile and push forward, making the best out of every situation thrown at you. It’s hard to not fall for that.”
Nakyra swallowed hard. I was laying it on thick, but I didn’t want to leave anything on the table.
Slowly, she pulled her hand out of mine. “We can’t do this, Creed. Even if there’s something here. I…” She paused. “I can’t do that to Rome. He’s been there for me through so many rough times in my life and we’re due to get married soon. I can’t go out with his brother.”
Part of me knew she would say that. The other part hoped she would at least entertain the thought.
Nodding, I wet my lips and rested my hand on my lap. “A’right, I can respect that.”
“You’re not mad at me, are you?”
One corner of my mouth lifted. “Now why would I be mad at you, beautiful?” I reached out and brushed my hand over her cheek lightly. Her eyelids fluttered and her breathing slowed. “You’re loyal and I can respect that. We’re good.”
She pushed out a deep breath when I moved my hand and opened her eyes. “Thank you.” Her voice came out lowly.
