Page 27 of A Minute Past Midnight

“You would do that?”

“Of course. I do want to tell you something, though.”

“What is it?”

“I was married. My divorce will be final, hopefully, by the end of this month.”

My head reared as I moved away from him. “You were what?”

“Married, but I'm not anymore.”

I frowned, feeling myself becoming angry. “Why would you sleep with me knowing you were married?”

“Calm down, baby. I get you being upset, and I should have been straight up with you from the gate, but I was already serving her the papers the day after we hooked up, and I also didn't think anything would go beyond that night. When you didn't at least shoot me a text with your number, I didn’t think I’d ever hear from you again. You never called me, so I figured you didn't want to fuck with me.

“Our marriage has been over for over a year now. I married a fraud—a habitual liar. She lied about her age, her career, and when I told her I wanted a divorce, she lied about being pregnant for three months.”

“Wow,” was all I could say.

“Exactly.”

“How did you find out she was lying?”

“Her cousin. She was drunk and told me one night at her parents’ dinner party. A drunk tongue gives you loose lips. The person I thought I fell in love with wasn't really the person I fell in love with. So, in my mind, we were over once she lied the second time. I just stuck it out because I thought she was having my baby. Then that shit pushed me to end things with her.

“I didn't realize how unhappy I was until that night with you. You carry this innocence and air about you that I hadn't seen or felt in a long time. I forgot how that shit felt for two years, and being with you made me remember how to breathe again.

“Believe me when I say that I have not touched her in a year. I'm just waiting on the finalization of the divorce decree, and I'm completely done with her. We haven't communicated in two months. Our lawyers have been our voices.”

Running my fingers through my hair, I looked down at him and nodded.

“I’d like to see that paperwork before I make any further decisions.”

“I got you, baby.” He kissed my hand. “Now. Let me see your paperwork.”

“What do you mean?”

“Driver’s license, birth certificate, school records . . .”

I laughed. “Okay, but I'll be thirty-four in June. June eleventh to be exact.”

He smirked. “Until I see some proof, I don't believe you.”

“I'm not your wife, sir, but I got you.”

“Ex-wife, but you might just be the next Mrs. Frost.” He bit his bottom lip, trying to hide his amusement.

I blushed and looked away. “You don't know me.”

“It ain't shit to get to know you better. I ain't saying we gon’ get hitched overnight, but if I'm pursuing you, it's definitely in the plans. She ain't scar me bad enough that I wouldn't try again. I know what I want in a woman and what to look for. Somehow, I think you and me may be the perfect match. I found the woman the glass slipper belongs to.”

My cheeks heated, but I tried to hide it.

“And what about the baby?”

“I already told you it's whatever you want to do, mama. I'm not opposed to you keeping it. It may sting a little if you choose not to, but I know it's not realistic for you to keep something that's going to be a part of your life, for the rest of your life, with a stranger . . . although I'm very familiar with this pussy.”

His feathery touch between my inner thighs aroused me. I attacked his lips, then climbed on top of him.