CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Lamisi flopped across her hotel room bed at the early hour of nine p.m. and let out a huge yawn. The day spent with Blaise had been perfect. Not only did the locals no longer do a double-take and snicker when he spoke their language, but they’d had fun.

Blaise’s talent wasn’t limited to constructing song lyrics. Jokes also featured on his specialty list.

A day of exploring Abidjan had included a beautiful walk on the beach and a dinner of fresh grilled red snapper paired with her now favourite attiéké. She hadn’t wanted the day to end. To be apart from him.

Serious, PhD-oriented Lamisi disappeared when they were together, replaced by the giggly teenager she’d once been. Anyone who knew her would be surprised at how laidback she was when with Blaise.

It must be the fact that he didn’t seem to take much seriously. Granted, he was a focused man and knew how to handle issues. Yet, his main priority seemed to enjoy life.

“What’s the point of worrying when it won’t solve anything? Live in the here and now. The rest will take care of itself when the time comes.”

He’d spoken without diverting his gaze from the brilliant clarity of the sea when she had complained about how much more work she still had to do on her dissertation.

A philosophy she could totally get with. And would. Maybe even when he wasn’t around.

The sparks kept passing back and forth with each touch, accidental or otherwise. A delicious warmth had found a new home tucked under her ribs when he gazed into her eyes. She’d focused a lot of her attention on his mouth when he spoke, not only wanting to hear his words, but feel them against her lips. Proof that entering his room tonight when he’d invited her to watch a movie and hang out would’ve been a bad idea. One that might’ve led to a physical intimacy she wasn’t yet ready for.

She’d barely started to trust him—sleeping with him this early was out of the question. At least, that’s what her mind kept reiterating. Her body, on the other hand, wanted to climb all over him and finish what they’d started in the studio last week.

A gentle knock on his door wearing a robe with nothing underneath would lead to an invite inside.

Her core throbbed as her fantasy went into overdrive as she slid her robe down her body so it pooled on the floor before she stripped his clothes off.

She hopped out of bed, clearing her mind of him kissing her into oblivion as his hands roamed over her body, driving her to the pinnacle of need that compounded the one she already had for him.

The water would relax her while washing away the sea salt that the refreshing ocean air had deposited on her skin.

Thirty minutes later, she was sure the residents below her would come up and tell her to cut out the pacing. The activity kept her hands from twisting the metal handle that would release her from the room. She strode the few steps it took to get to the wardrobe cabinet where she’d stored her laptop.

A muffled noise came through the wall on Blaise’s side. When his voice got louder, curiosity wriggled under her skin. What had happened to make him sound so upset?

Not my business.

Then why was her ear against the cool painted plaster, being incredibly rude by eavesdropping?

“How did you find out about Lamisi?”

The mention of her name was the sole justification for continuing to listen when she knew better.

“Don’t try to change a subject that you brought up, Deola. I asked you a direct question.”

She covered her mouth to keep from gasping as her heart clanged against her ribcage. She’d never make a good spy. Why was his friend talking about her?

“I told you before that I’m not taking you to the VGMAs. In fact, the way you’ve been behaving lately, I think we should take a break from our friendship.”

A low feminine screech reached through the wall.

“I’m not someone in your command. If you can’t respect me and my decision not to get involved with you, then we can’t continue as friends. Lamisi has nothing to do with you, so you’d be better off forgetting her name. I’m not your man. I never have been and never will be. It’s time you understand that.”

His voice sounded strained, as if attempting not to let everyone in the hotel know his feelings on the matter.

This time, the pause lasted for much longer than the previous ones. Deola must be having her say. Was she the type of woman who’d beg? If she were anything like Lamisi, she’d let Blaise go.

Then again, he was an extra type of special. Would she fight for him?

She didn’t know.

When Blaise finally spoke, his voice was too low for her to hear. Lamisi looked around for anything that would amplify sound. Where was a stethoscope when she needed it?

What was that creaking noise? She leaped away from the wall with her hand on her chest when a door slammed shut.

Okay. The conversation hadn’t ended to his satisfaction. Had Deola been convincing enough to retain a position in his life?

And then, a red bulb went off in her head. Was Deola the one stalking her through calls and texts? Had the woman been so threatened by her that she’d stooped so low?

Given the situation, Lamisi smiled. She’d never been anyone’s object of envy before. Much less a wealthy, world-famous heiress. She thrust her shoulders back with pride and strutted to the side of the room she should’ve been on the whole time rather than listening to Blaise’s conversation.

Now that she was at least eighty-five percent sure of who’d been behind her stress for the past couple of weeks, it no longer held her captive. She could look at the phone, give the petty woman a millisecond of her time, and then carry on as if it had never happened.

Lamisi would wait Deola out. She’d get tired of playing her petty games.