#SundaySample - The Long Game

Ayisha tipped her head back, exposing her throat, and I kept my eyes on her. She was one of those women I could watch all day. She was self-possessed and didn't act as if the world revolved around what she wore and how much make-up was on her face. Still, she was always trendy with those tailored pants and short jackets and the range of boots she spent money on.

She went still and only then did I realize she was watching me. With one eyebrow raised, she chuckled. "See something you like?"

"Don't tempt me, woman. You know it doesn't take much to get my mind moving in a particular direction."

Her brows drew closer together and then lifted. "You're serious, aren't you?"

"I'm always serious about you."

It was the wrong thing to say.

Her tone was soft when she said, "Don't try that crap with me. I know all your moves."

I shrugged. "You can't fault a man for trying, but all the same you know you hold a particular place—"

"You're doing it again."

I put both hands up. "Sorry, but you know how I feel about you."

She half laughed, half snorted. "What I want to know is what's gotten into you lately."

"I dunno know. Actually, I do. Like I told Garth, this is his fault. If he hadn't gotten together with Anna-Lise … "

She slapped my arm. "You know that's been in the making for a long time."

"Longer than you and me?"

"I."

"Huh?"

"I. You and I."

Now I slapped her arm.  "At a time like this you're correcting my speech?"

She shook her head. "Not longer than us, but I'm glad they woke up and did the wise thing."

I moved the mat and the pizza box from between us and dropped it on the table before us. Then I tugged one of her curls. "Considering all of that, when are you gonna get wise?"

She cut her eyes toward me. "You mean even look in your direction?"

"What's wrong with me?"

"What's not wrong with you is a better question."

"I can't believe you're treating me this way. I'm your friend. I have your back. No man will look out for you and treat you better than I will."

"Is that so?"

I nodded. "That's a fact and you better believe it."

She sighed and looked at my shirt as if avoiding my eyes. "I've told you already, you can't be the man I need, so it doesn't make sense to try."

"You're hurting my feelings again."

She whispered, "You have the hide of an alligator, so try again."

"You have a point, but you have a way of getting under my skin."

After licking her lips, she borrowed my words. "Is that right?"

Nodding, I grazed her cheek with my lips. I wasn't sure when we'd gotten so close, but my hand spanned the back of her neck and she didn't move when I nuzzled the skin below her ear. I planted tiny kisses on her skin and when I got to the corner of her mouth, Ayisha turned her head so her lips brushed mine.