Page 33 of A Minute Past Midnight

“What can you make?”

I thought about it. “Food.”

She burst out laughing. “That is not an answer.”

I smirked. “It’s the only answer you’re getting.”

“Samir.”

“What?”

She pointed toward the stove. “You cannot cook.”

I placed my hand over my chest. “You really think I’d have a kitchen this nice and not know how to use it?”

“Yes.” Her confidence made me laugh.

“Damn. I’m offended. You got no faith in me.”

“None.”

I walked toward her until she was standing between me and the island. “Keep playing with me.”

Her smile softened. “I’m not scared of you.”

“You should be.”

She sucked her teeth. “Please.”

I looked down at her stomach before I brought my eyes back to hers.

“Your little passenger might be.”

Juliana immediately covered her stomach. “Leave my baby alone.”

“Our baby.”

She rolled her eyes, but I caught the smile. I gave her the rest of the tour, showing her the upstairs bedrooms, my office, and the primary suite. By the time we made our way back downstairs, the sun had begun to set.

The house was quieter, warmer, more intimate.

Juliana stood near the living room windows, looking out at the view. I watched her for a moment, then I asked the question that had been sitting on my chest since she followed me here.

“Stay the night?”

She turned toward me, her eyes meeting mine. “What?”

“Stay.” There was no pressure in my voice. No expectation. I just wanted her here. “With me.”

Juliana looked around the room, then back at me. “We haven't spent a lot of time getting to know each other.”

“I know.”

“And now you want me to spend the night?”

“I do. It ain’t like we haven’t spent a night together before.”

She studied my face. “Why?”