Читать книгу Every Beat Of My Heart - Kianna Alexander - Страница 14

Chapter 5

Strolling alongside Rashad through Romare Bearden Park, Lina had to admit she enjoyed his company. The feeling of his large hand cradling hers was familiar, comforting and much more arousing than she’d anticipated.

A quick glance at her wristwatch showed her that it was a few minutes past ten. The night air was warm, but thankfully less humid than it had been earlier. A soft breeze blew, rustling the needles of the towering pines and spreading the heady fragrance of their sap.

She looked over at him walking next to her, his profile illuminated the soft glow of the streetlamps lighting the path. He was well dressed tonight as usual. His sense of style was one of the things that had originally attracted her to him. She liked the colors he wore, and thought they complemented each other well. His dreadlocks, secured in a ponytail at his nape, cascaded down his back like a dark waterfall, leading her eyes to the welcome sight of his backside in the well-tailored gray slacks. She could clearly recall gripping that very backside as he stroked her to orgasmic bliss, and as the memories washed over her, she could feel the heat filling her neck and face.

“Are we going to talk now? We’ve been walking for a while.”

His question captured her attention and pulled her out of her erotic memories. Chastising herself for the direction of her thoughts, she nodded. “Sorry, yes. I really do want to talk.”

He offered up a dazzling smile. “I’m glad. Otherwise I’d just be making laps around the park in wing tips for no good reason.”

She chuckled. She’d spent so long being angry with him and avoiding him, she’d forgotten how witty he could be. When he’d waltzed into Cleveland and Wendell the previous week, she hadn’t been happy to see him at all. Now, alone with him under the pine trees, she could feel that initial attraction she’d felt for him when they met last year rising again. “I never said it inside the restaurant, but I accept your apology.”

“Glad to hear it.” He gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

“As much as I hate to admit it, you were right when you made that remark about me holding all men responsible for what Warren did to me.” The bitter memories of her ex-husband’s blatant and repeated infidelity had changed the way she interacted with other men. Logically, she knew how unreasonable her disdain for men was; not all of them were like Warren. But logic rarely won out when it came to her emotions.

She glanced at Rashad, and found his eyes on her. A soft smile touched the corners of his lips.

“It wasn’t meant as an insult, Lina. I just wanted you to see things from my perspective.”

She nodded, their gazes still locked. Their steps slowed as they came near a wrought iron bench with its back resting against the trunk of a willow tree. With a gentle tug, he led her beneath the cascading canopy of leaves, and they sat side by side on the seat.

He draped his arm around her shoulder, and she didn’t protest. Instead she inched closer to him, letting their thighs touch.

She inhaled deeply, taking in the scents of his cologne, the recently trimmed grass and the hints of the coming rainstorm hanging on the night air. “Every other man who’s approached me lately has been put off by my attitude, you know.”

He shrugged. “None of them could handle you anyway, if that’s all it took to run them off.”

She chuckled, shaking her head. “You’re mighty persistent, aren’t you?”

“Only when it comes to what I want. And I want you, Lina.” He reached out, his large hand cupping her cheek as he tilted her face up toward his gaze.

Her pulse quickened as the heat of his palm penetrated her skin. Once again, logic abandoned her and allowed her emotions free reign. Looking into his dark eyes, with the memories of all they’d shared passing between them, she knew it was only a matter of moments before he kissed her. And if he kissed her, it would be all over for her as far as putting up any resistance went.