Page 9 of Emani's Way

“It’s not every day that I’m propositioned by a stranger without gettinghisname.” I return his smirk with one of my own.

“Damn. I was so blinded by your beauty, I forgot to be charming.” He smiles and takes my hand in his, and kisses the back while looking deeply into my eyes. “I’m Maddox Reid. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance…”

“Emani. Emani Jackson,” I supply.

Forgot to be charming my butt.I subtly fan my warm face and do my best not to giggle like a schoolgirl with a crush.

“So, Ms. Jackson— it is Miss, right?”

I nod with a smile, “Yes. It’s miss.”

“That’s good. I would hate to have to take you from your husband.”

The arrogance on anyone else would’ve had me rolling my eyes, but the words coming from him is sexy as sin. And for some reason, I don’t think he’s joking.He absolutely meant that.

“Something tells me you wouldn’t hate it at all.”

“What makes you say that?” Maddox questions. His eyes twinkle with what I suspect is humor.

“You strike me as a kind of man who likes a challenge,” I say, looking him up and down.

I can’t help but snap my mouth shut to keep the moan from escaping.Maddox Reid is a spectacular specimen. Live a little Emani.

“Never met a challenge that I couldn’t conquer. Are you going to be a challenge Ms. Jackson? Do you want me to conquer that sexy little ass of yours?” Maddox growls.

And like the heathen I convinced myself I wasn’t, I flush with desire. I have never been one for dirty words. Actually, I’m pretty sure nobody has ever spoken a dirty word to me.Maybe, that’s what I’ve been missing all my life.

“Yes,” the word tumbles from my lips before I can even think.

“Fucking fantastic. Tell your friends that you’re leaving. Call or text anybody my name and take a picture of me if you have to. Give me your phone.”

I absently hand him my phone, and he pulls me to his side and takes a selfie. I look at the picture and smile even though I look like a love-sick fool. I want to text Shelby, but she’ll blow my phone up asking questions, so I decide not to text her. And even though I decide not to text Shell, I’m not a complete idiot, so I text my sister Amari. She’s the only other person I can trust with anything without judgment.

“Let me just tell my friends that I’m leaving and we can go.”

Maddox nods his head before kissing the back of my hand. I hold my breath until he lets go. I head towards Alice to tell her I’m leaving.I hope I’m not making a mistake, but I have never been this excited in my life. I can tell I’m in for one wild ride.

***

The click of the door closing sounds louder in my head than it probably is in real life. I’m sure my nervous excitement is making this experience ten times a bigger deal than it actually is. But I’ve never experienced anything like this before. I mean, let’s be real. I’m not a virgin and I’m not naïve, but my experience is limited. It took me going off to college and getting from under my parent’s thumb to get a small taste of the dating scene. And even when my parents weren’t around, more often than not, I stuck to their ways.

But this is definitely not something my parents would approve of. Don’t think of your parents right now Emani.

“You don’t have to be nervous, sweetie. We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do.” Maddox’s smooth voice is like a lullaby to my senses.

I slightly relax. There’s something about this man that makes me want to take chances. I mean it’s not every day I go home with a complete stranger. I want to be carefree and wild. I want to be adventurous.

“Umm do you have some sort of alcohol?” I nervously ask. I’m so out of my element I don’t even remember what I was drinking earlier. But a little liquid courage will go a long way in helping me calm down even more.

“No. We don’t need any more liquor. I want you to be cognizant of everything I do to you.”

Maddox’s wicked words hit me right in my core, making me clench my thighs together in need.

“O-oh-okay,” I stammer. I take a deep breath and do my best to get out of my head.

There isn’t anything to be nervous about. I’m a grown woman who is attracted to a grown man. We made a grown decision to leave the club and come back to his place. It’s okay that we’ve only known each other for a couple of hours. Who knows what will happen after tonight? We could really have something… at least I hope.

“Come here,” Maddox’s authoritative tone brings me back to the here and now.