Page 131

Real shifted closer, his gaze steady. "Do you really think you don’t know me?"
I hesitated. "I know there are parts of you I’m not seeing. I know you’re engaged in things I know nothing about."
"Love… do you really feel like you don’t know the parts of me that matter?" He voiced the question differently. "I’ve shown you more of my real self than I’ve shown any other woman, even with the limited space you gave me. Anytime we shared an after-work conversation, a laugh, or lately, a night—those have all been times where who I am has been right there in front of you.”
I was quiet, considering his words as darkness descended around us.
“Okay, shorty. I can tell a nigga done pushed you enough tonight. You got a lot to think about. Enjoy this little break I’m about to give you, cuz I’m not coming up off yo’ ass. You talking about shallow, but I’m telling you I’m tryna go deeper. You been knowing that about me, though, Love."
A cocky little smile played around his lips at his double entendre. I met his gaze, my heart pounding. The night felt electric, charged with the kind of energy that promised adventure.
“Real?”
“Hmm?
“Tell me your biggest fear,” I requested.
I waited for him to refuse, really kind of expected it. But I guess he realized I needed some kind of quid pro quo. He responded with no hesitation.
"Losing the people I care about. My turn. What’s your guilty pleasure?"
I paused, then laughed. "Erotic FanFic. If you could live anywhere, where would it be?”
“I think home is more about a person than a place,” he said, surprising me. “Tell me something on your bucket list.”
“The tour of Africa my parents are on. Tell me one thing you’d change about yourself.”
His response time was a little longer, prompting me to tilt my head and grin.
"Ah, too slow!" I crowed, then pointed at his shirt. “Take this off.”
“Wait, what the hell, Love?”he asked, that gorgeous smile of his lighting his face. “I swear you pull rules out ya ass.”
“Did I neglect to mention that one?” I asked smugly. “Yeah, if you don’t answer fast enough, you lose a piece of clothing.”
“So, this like strip poker speed-dating? Whatever, shorty,” he pulled the shirt over his head and tossed it aside. "I’ll play your game, but it ain’t gon’ end like you think. What’s something you’ve never told anyone?"
I felt the emotional weight of the question. "That sometimes I feel like I’m not good enough." I admitted it quickly, the vulnerability surprising us both.
Real’s gaze softened, but thankfully, he didn’t linger on my answer. “Alright, what’s something you regret?" I queried.
He paused, struggling with that one. "Not taking chances when I should’ve," he said, his voice serious. Then, he added with a grin, "I know that took a minute. That’s another piece for me, I guess."
He kicked off his shoes, and we both laughed, the tension easing. The game continued, each question probing a little deeper. As the night wore on, the pile of discarded clothing grew, as our inhibitions shrank.
"What’s something you’ve been wanting to tell me?" I asked as we wound down, my body reclining against his.
Real didn’t hesitate this time. “How I feel about you, but you ain’t ready to hear it."
My heart skipped at his confession, warmth spreading through me. I smiled, a little shyly.
"What’s one thing you’d never change about yourself?” he asked.
"My ability to keep going, no matter what.” I was proud of myself for that."What do you see when you look at me, Montréal?"
He looked at me, his gaze intense. "I see someone who’s strong, beautiful, and worth every risk."
I swallowed, feeling exposed but also exhilarated. "All that while I’m worried about you seeing all the messy parts of me."