Page 36 of A Minute Past Midnight

Juliana swallowed. For a second, neither of us moved before she whispered, “You better not.”

A slow smile touched my lips. “After tasting and being deep in them guts? I wouldn’t even dream of doing such a thing.” I lifted my hand and brushed a strand of hair away from her face.

Her breathing changed, and so did mine.

I leaned closer, slowly, giving her every opportunity to pull away.

She didn’t. Her eyes fluttered shut right before my lips touched hers.

The kiss started soft.

Gentle.

Like neither one of us wanted to disturb the moment, but Juliana’s fingers curled into the front of my shirt, and something inside me shifted, and I kissed her deeper.

Still careful.

Still slow.

My hand rested against her cheek as her lips moved against mine. For that moment, the house disappeared. The car, the dealership, the jokes, . . . everything.

It was just Juliana.

Just us.

When I finally pulled back, my forehead rested against hers.

She opened her eyes. “You know,” she whispered, “I think I’m starting to like your house.”

I smiled. “Just the house?”

Her lips curved. “Just the house.”

I kissed her again, and this time, when she smiled against my mouth, I knew I was exactly where I wanted to be.

She pulled away this time. “I don't have any sleepwear.”

“I got you. I can run you a bath or shower. Whichever you prefer.”

“A bath sounds nice.”

“Come on,” I said, standing and picking her up from the couch. Her legs wrapped around my waist.

“You better not drop me. I know I'm heavy.”

“This girl got a walnut in her stomach, and now she weighs six hundred pounds,” I stated, talking in third person.

Her head fell back as she laughed aloud. “Shut up!”

I chuckled and carried her up to the primary suite. I set her on the bed once we entered my quarters. I went to run her a bath, then handed her one of my T-shirts and extra essentials for her to get herself together.

“I’m going to shower in the guest room. I’ll see you when you're done,” I told her.

“Okay,” she replied and headed to the bathroom while I watched her ass wiggle until she disappeared.

Nigga, you gotta chill.

I shook my head, grabbed my things, and left the room.