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“I can do it, without any doubt. The difference will be noticeable to everyone that steps foot in here. You’ll definitely thank me later,” I told him.

All his teeth showcased this time when he smiled. “That shit is sexy as fuck. You just have no idea.”

With confusion, I glanced down at my tablet. “What? The design?”

“Nah, your confidence. It pours out of you,” he complimented. One of his brows arched. “She blushes.”

I giggled, then said, “I’m a woman. Of course, I blush. Let’s not pull back onto the road yet.”

His laughter was quiet as he walked behind me. For the next half an hour, we continued to talk about the design and needed changes. I knew I had this contract locked and loaded, but until he said the words, I would continue like I didn’t.

“So how do I go about this contract thing? I want you to send it to my lawyer so we can get it signed,” he said. The words I love to hear.

All my teeth showed with my smile. “I can have the contract sent over by the end of the day. I am excited to work with you.”

“Yeah, I’m excited too. Oh, before I forget, I want you to come to my office to examine those lights as well. I noticed my employees have been stressed and shit. I wonder if the lights contribute to that,” he said.

I was a little perplexed because, what office? “Oh, okay. I’d be happy to come check it out. You have an office outside of this lounge?”

He nodded. “Yes, love, this is not my main source of income. I own a digital advisory firm during the day.” He laughed when my face balled up. I had no idea what that was. “Don’t worry about it. We’ll go over that shit on our first date.”

My head bucked back. “What? When did we plan a date? I must have missed that.”

“Nah, you didn’t. We’re planning that shit right now.” He pulled out his phone, tapped the screen, then handed it to me. “Put your personal number in here.”

It wasn’t a request. It was a directive. A sexy-ass directive. This man had no idea that I would fuck the green eyes off him. From a young age, I learned to never be ashamed of how I felt or what I wanted. Now, there were times that I didn’t voice those things, because I also learned about time and place. Without any pushback, I put my number in his phone and called myself from it.

“Well, I’ll get the contract sent over,” I told him as I handed his phone back. “I guess I’ll talk to you later to get the details of our date.”

His eyes traveled from my head down to my feet. There was no awkward feeling at his action. It made me feel wanted and wantoned. He moved into my space. “You’ll hear from me tonight. Make sure you answer because I’m not above coming to find your sexy ass.”

Let me get the fuck out of here before Kryptonite Reserve turned into Kryptonite Pound City. I was too much woman for a town. This man was dangerous, and I liked it. “I will be sure to answer.”

Some Days Later

Date Night to Take Down . . .

“Girl, I can’t believe you are really going on a date with him. If I recall, once upon a time, you said that you would never date a client. Now look at your hot-pussy ass,” Sasha joked.

I was at my place getting ready for my date. Since the day of our meeting, I’d either texted or talked to Ledger every day. That man was special, and he had a little crazy in him. I should have been worried, but the toxic side of me wanted to see what that was all about.

I glared at her where she lay on my bed in my vanity mirror. “Shut the hell up, Sasha. You know this is out of character for me. I just have a feeling about him.”

“You have a feeling, or that hot pussy has a feeling?” She held her laughter in, but it was futile. “Sorry. I just want to know if there’s a possibility that you’ll be walking with a limp tomorrow.”

I sucked my teeth. The laughter still seeped out. “Shit, one can hope. I didn’t get my pussy waxed a few days ago for no reason. He gonna at least smell this pussy.”

“Yes! That’s what the hell I’m talking about, best friend.” Sasha popped up on her knees. “I feel like I’m getting dick too. Shit, let me call my lil dick link so we can be twinsies.”

My best friend was a complete mess. I knew she was serious, though. By the end of the night, both of us would probably be cracked, as my sister would say.

My nervousness entered the chat when my doorbell rang. He’s here. I stood and gave myself a onceover in my full-body mirror that was on my wall. I chose a pair of distressed dark denim jeans, with a champagne-colored camisole, and heeled sandals. Normally, I wouldn’t have this much skin out because of my albinism, but our date was at night. Sasha had already left my room to get the door.

“Memoree Layne, your gentleman caller is here!” Sasha yelled from the living room. Why she called him a gentleman caller was beyond me. She was silly as hell.

I took a deep breath, grabbed my clutch bag from my dresser, then headed to my living room. My breath hitched a little bit at how good he looked. The black vest on top of a black button down would not have worked on anyone else but him. His khaki-colored slacks worked well with it all.

His face lit up when he saw me, which made me light up. “Good evening, beautiful. You look absolutely amazing.”