Page 283 of When a Soul Cries

I pulled back just enough to speak. “What?”

“Nothing.”

“Nah. What?”

She shook her head, still smiling. “You.”

“What about me?”

“For somebody who talks all that shit, you’re being real careful.”

I pulled back just enough to see her face.

The teasing in her expression faded when she saw mine.

“I’m always gonna be careful with you.”

That smile disappeared.

I brushed my thumb over her cheek. “And before this goes any further, I need you to tell me what you want.”

She swallowed.

“Rome—”

“I’m serious.”

Her eyes stayed on mine.

“You coming up here with me don’t mean you owe me shit. You agreeing to be my woman don’t mean you owe me shit either. We can kiss, get in that bed and go the fuck to sleep. I’ll still wake up wanting you tomorrow.”

Something shifted in her eyes.

“I know.”

“You sure?”

She nodded.

I shook my head. “Nah. Tell me.”

Her hands moved from my neck to my face, palms resting against my cheeks.

“I’m sure.”

I searched her face.

“Positive?”

“Yes.”

“You want this?”

Her answer came without hesitation.

“I want you.”

Fuck.