Page 82 of Lemon Drop

“I know that’s right, girl,” I mumbled.

“What happened?” Saadiq asked.

I rolled my eyes. “The hero thinks being tall and fine means he can boss everybody around.”

There was silence behind me, then, “Sound like a reasonable nigga.”

I burst out laughing, burying my face against his chest before sinking back into my book. At some point, my grip loosened and the book slipped into my lap. I jerked awake. Saadiq stayed quiet, but I felt his arms tighten around me. I picked the novel back up and kept reading. He let me drop the book three times before he chuckled, kissed my temple, and whispered, “Relaxation is over. Now you show me how you rest.”

He meant exactly what he said, too. Despite the way he kissed me once we were behind the door of his villa, he went no further. He stripped us both down, carried me to the bed, and settled us in. Once I was firmly ensconced in his arms, he whispered, “Rest.”

No matter what I did, he stuck to that command. And I tried. Lord, I tried. If throwing the pussy on someone was a person, she was me. Either he really had nerves of steel, or I wasn’t as irresistible as I thought. Since the latter wasn’t possible, I grudgingly accepted that this stubborn man was serious.

At first, I thought maybe he just needed encouragement. So, I backed into him and wiggled it just a little bit. I twisted and turned unnecessarily. Once, I even reached behind me and let my hand wander. Saadiq caught my wrist.

“Topaz.”

“What?” I asked innocently.

He wasn’t having it. “Go to sleep.”

I sighed heavily. “I’m trying! I was getting comfortable.”

“Shorty, you been comfortable.”

“Maybe it’s the position,” I murmured, twisting my body so that my ass just happened to rub against his pelvis. I felt his chest shake against my back as he laughed.

“Girl, if you don’t close your eyes.”

I turned in his arms and stared up at him. “You don’t want me?” I asked petulantly.

It was his turn to sigh as his forehead met mine. “Apple, I’m fighting for my fucking life right now. I want you more than I want oxygen, mama.”

“Then why—” I protested.

“Because you need to rest. You think two days of sleep fix everything? Especially when I done had your pretty ass up all night since then. You just fell asleep at the book niche, baby.” He paused, brushed his thumb across my cheek. “You came here exhausted. So, yeah, Topaz, I wanna fuck you. But I wanna hold you while you sleep even more.”

My eyes filled as he shut my ass right up. I wrapped one leg over his and sighed dramatically. “Fine.”

Mostly. He mostly shut my ass up. I wanted to argue a little more, but I yawned, confirming everything he said. He tightened his arms around me. The next thing I knew, daylight was gone.

Saadiq Masters wore moonlight, like he wore most things: well. I knew because I was staring at him in the glow of the moonbeams that filtered through the partially shaded skylight. His face was a study in perfection from the dark, thick slashes of his brows to the smooth succulence of his lips. And this body. My hand lay on the chiseled planes of his abs. I wanted to let it—and my tongue—go exploring. I wondered if we were still supposed to be resting.

I decided to let him win this one. So, I watched him as he slept.

Or at least, I thought he slept.

“Why you not sleep?” he asked, voice rumbling from deep in his chest. I jumped slightly then settled back against him.

“Boy!” I snapped.

He smiled, but those dark eyes remained closed.

“Saadiq?”

“Yeah?”

“Can I ask you something?” I queried hesitantly.