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So, I pull him into me and groan for him in a language that only Dare—the love of my life, the man of my dreams—can hear.
CHAPTER24
a birdie for a ring
DARE
The bed is not our final destination that evening.
We also revisit the balcony.
And the balcony railings themselves—those were my favorite. The way Yaya’s screams echoed over the crashing waves and got thrown back by the wind changed the entire course of my life.
Now, the sun is rising and Yaya’s asleep.
Poor thing.
I should tease her about not being able to keep up with an old man later. That will probably lead to her wanting to prove me wrong. And the thought of all the ways she’ll do that has me shifting in my big spoon position and burying my nose in her neck.
Yaya swats at me, not used to being in bed with someone who likes to cuddle.
Frankly, the way she was responding to my touch last night, I don’t think she’s had much experience being in bed with someone period.
I can’t wait to spend a lifetime exploring every inch of her, what she likes, what she loves, what makes her groan inthatway so I can do it again and again without thought.
Yaya turns and the silk bonnet she’s wearing fans out behind her head. I had the hotel staff scouring the city at an unholy hour to find her a proper bonnet.
Yaya had mentioned that she never slept without protection for her hair and, when she saw the fuss I was making, tried to convince me that it wasn’t important.
Ridiculous.
If none of the hotel staff had produced a bonnet, I would have awoken the entire city to locate one.
Her breathing brings me back to the moment. Yaya turns around in her sleep. She smiles as if having a sweet dream and her breath escapes on a contented sigh. I grin in return, looking down at her eyelashes—why are they so long?—and her pouty lips—why hasn’t someone signed her to a makeup label yet?—and my chest tightens.
She looks much younger when she’s asleep. Peaceful. Someone men fight wars for. Someone they’d undoubtedly protect.
I want to protect her, protect that determination and optimism with all my heart. Nothing bad is allowed to touch her. Nothing ugly. Nothing grim. Nothing that can dim her light. I’ll fight them all first.
Yaya slings her arm around me and her leg kicks up on mine too. Her mouth slackens and I swear she marks the sign for sleep on my back.
I should probably take that advice, but I’ve been powering on with zero rest for years now and I’d much rather spend the time with my eyes open, watching her.
What a view.
Soft brown skin dips from her jaw muscles to her neck. Unblemished. Soft as a flower petal. Her long, sloping nose draws my eyes next. Her nostrils flare as she sleeps.
I haven’t shared my siren theory with Yaya yet. I doubt she’d believe me. But a beauty this unearthly has to come from some kind of legend. If not sirens then… fairies? Perhaps an African folktale I’ve yet to learn about?
Yaya’s watch buzzes.
She’d taken Talia’s off last night, but she kept hers on. That thing buzzes hard enough to set off a bomb.
Lurching forward, I check on who’s calling so I can decide if it’s worth rousing her from sleep.
‘DEEJ’.
I debate waking Yaya to answer her sister’s text when the buzzing stops.
