Page 11 of A Minute Past Midnight

Her fingers went to her lips as she giggled. “A little. I’ve never done this before, like, slept with a stranger, so I'm slightly uncomfortable and in my head a little.”

“I figured. As I told you before, you don't peg me as the type, but I know you wouldn't be here if you didn't want to be.”

“You're right. I guess I'm only nervous because I know I'm not what you're probably used to. You definitely aren't what I'm used to, which has me wondering why you chose me out of all the beautiful women I saw tonight.”

“Because you're everything I am used to. You may not believe it, but you give me a sense of nostalgia. You're the kind of fine that still holds a little innocence . . . That nineties kind of fine. You remind me of a brown-skinned nineties Sade.”

She laughed. “I’ll allow it. She is beautiful.”

“See. Come on. I don't want the water to turn cold on us.” I slipped out of my briefs and saw her eyes widen slightly.

Before she could think any further, I slipped the towel from around her, and it pooled at her feet. Her arms instinctively went around herself, trying to cover up, but I moved them and picked her up with one arm. Her legs instantly wrapped around me, and already I didn't want to let her down. I grabbed our essentials and carried her inside the shower.

I placed her on her feet and moved us under the water. My lips found her neck as I licked and kissed her there. I felt her tense but then relax. Although it killed me not to fuck her in this shower, I needed to show some restraint. I honestly wanted to preserve the night for as long as I could and get to know her a little better.

Her body was just as I imagined, thick and cornbread fed as fuck.

Shit.

It was all I could do to fight the urge to grab her up and feel the inside of her walls.

Big Homie definitely broke the mold when He created such a beautiful being as Juliana.

We both washed in silence. I helped her wash her back, and she helped me wash mine before we rinsed and got out.

I dried her off, then handed her one of the robes hanging on the door and put on the other one before grabbing the champagne.

“Grab ya glass, mama.”

She did, and I followed her out of the bathroom into the sitting area. We settled in on the couch while I poured us another glass.

“Tell me something about you,” I said.

“What do you want to know?”

“Anything. What's your favorite color? Favorite thing to do?”

“Oh. I didn't realize you wanted to get to know me on that level.”

“Even though we’ll only be together for a night, I want to see if it has potential to go beyond just that.”

I could see her fighting a blush as she looked away from me.

“Blue. Any shade of blue, but mostly baby blue. I love watching reruns of Martin and drawing. What about you?”

“Believe it or not, I love drawing too. Love it so much I made a career out of it.”

“Yeah? What’s that?” she asked, perking up.

“I own an architectural firm—specializing in designing and building homes and businesses.”

“Wow, that's pretty dope. A-are you hiring? Asking for a friend.”

I chuckled. “I wouldn't hire you, Cinderella, but if you ever need anything, I’ll look out for you.”

“I’d rather work for it.”

“Oh yeah?”