Page 98 of 1001 Dark Nights: Bundle Forty-Two

“You know,” I say, huddling deeper into him, “this was whereI came to dream. It was the place where I felt closest to the stars. Where theyfelt brightest. It’s where we first kissed.” I pause to caress the strongplanes of his face. “I used to think this rooftop held some kind of magic.”

“And now?” he asks, his lips quirking with a smile.

“Now,” I say, looking at the most beautiful boy who, despiteall odds, became the love of my life and found his way back to me, “now I knowit does.”

Epilogue

Takira

One Year Later

Not again.

Thump thump whoosh

Thump thump whoosh

The sounds float up from Naz’s basketball court outside ofour bedroom window. He and Cliff have been at it for hours.

I’m seated on the edge of the bed—bathed, waxed, dolled up,and ready. I’ve been looking forward to this all day. All week, really, sinceI’ve been on set and have barely seen Naz. Little did I know that when he andCliff made things right between them, it would be my own brother cock-blockingme. I love that he’s staying with us here in LA for a few weeks whileinterviewing for a coaching job at a prestigious private high school, butenough is enough.

“Wanna go for another?” Cliff’s shout climbs up through theopen window.

I stomp over and lean out as far as I can go without fallingor revealing how little I’m wearing.

“Hell no!” I yell, almost laughing when they both jump insurprise and glance up at me. “Game over. Find something to do for the rest ofthe night, Cliff. You had Naz long enough.”

“Ewwww.” Cliff slams the ball tothe court and pretends to gag. “Don’t tell me this is sex-related, ’cause I don’t need to hear thatshit about my little sister.”

“Then I won’t tell you.” I laugh, shifting my gaze to Naz,who is grinning like a Cheshire cat with a bowl of cream. “But Naz has to come inside now. You two can play tomorrow.”

Within minutes, Naz’s footsteps are pounding up the stairs.Our bedroom door flings open, almost bouncing against the wall.

“You rang?” He kicks the door closed and prowls over towhere I sit on the bed.

I roll my eyes and cross my arms under my breasts,pretending to be irritated but actually turned on byhis bare chest, sinewy arms, massive shoulders, and the ridges of hiseight-pack glistening with perspiration.

“It’s a shame I had to.” I mock-pout. “I thought you’d behere when I got home, ready to service me.”

He leans in, hovers over me, forcing me to lay back on thebed. His eyes scour my pink bra, crotchless panties, garters, and kitten heels.

“I’m at your service now.” He bends and leaves kisses alongmy throat.

I yelp, laughing when his sweat drips onto my chest. “You’renasty. Go take a shower.”

“That’s a great idea.”

Before I have time to guess his intentions, he scoops me upand over his shoulder, walking toward the bathroom.

“No, you don’t.” I beat my fists against his broad back,laughing so hard I can hardly get the words out. “’Boy, if you—”

He slaps my ass, one arm behind my legs as I dangle over hisshoulder. He uses his free hand to turn on the shower and walks us into thehuge, tiled space under the spray. The shock of water makes me scream. When hesets me on my feet, I give up, letting the water soak my lingerie through.

“I bet you and Cliff would have been out there for anotherhour,” I say, reaching for the body wash to soap up his chest, “if I hadn’tcalled you in.”

“I think you mean if you hadn’t booty-called mein.” He chuckles when I punch his chest with one soapy fist. “Cliff went out tograb some food. Your poor brother is probably scarred imagining all the thingsI’m doing to his baby sister tonight.”

My hands slow in circles over his shoulder, wander down thecorrugated muscles of his abdomen, and finally grip his dick with soap-slickpalms. He bends until his lips rest right at my ear, whispering like it’s asecret.