CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Blaise swayed his upper body to the beat while listening to a zouglou song by an Ivoirian artist that he admired. The lyrics held more meaning as he repeated them as Lamisi had instructed.

So far, their weekend had been the best he’d had in a long while. Being with her was like breathing in the fresh, clean air from his hometown.

Easing her into his more affectionate manner put a strain on him when he wanted to shower her with kisses, random caresses, and words that would melt her resistance. He’d kept things light by brushing her hair off her face when the wind blew as they walked hand in hand on the beach yesterday.

The hug they’d shared at the end of the night before separating to their own rooms had stoked a strong desire to stay by her side. To hold her all night while they talked, nothing more.

He refused to let himself recall how responsive her lips had been the week prior. It would’ve just driven him insane with a need he couldn’t fulfil.

Deola’s call last night had perturbed him. She’d been tenacious about attending the music award ceremony together as if he’d never told her they wouldn’t. He’d been firm in his rejection. Even though her outrage had vibrated through the phone, he hadn’t back-tracked.

And then, she’d mentioned Lamisi by her full name in a casual comment which had aimed to manipulate. His head had nearly exploded with rage when she’d refused to reveal her source. She’d either been having him followed, or one of his boys had betrayed him.

Protecting Lamisi had become his main priority. He’d deal with how Deola had discovered her information later. No longer caring about upsetting the heiress, he’d broken off their friendship. Or at least tried to. Her tearful pleading had touched his sensitive side.

He’d given her one more chance. Although the woman lived a privileged life, she had few friends, and when her guard was down, came off as lonely.

He’d ended up putting stipulations on their relationship. She wasn’t to mention Lamisi. Had to keep things platonic. And there would be absolutely no manipulation.

Thinking back on the conversation, he should’ve let her drop. If the rumours were correct, Deola’s lack of friendships was due to her controlling, vicious, and vindictive nature. He didn’t need the hassle.

He’d stormed out of his room to stretch his legs and exhaust his ire with a walk. When he’d returned long after midnight, he’d raised his knuckles to rap on Lamisi’s door, but had stopped himself at the last second. His feet had dragged along the carpeted floor to his room.

Now he stood at her door at a reasonable hour, looking to take her out on another tour.

Lamisi swung the panel open wearing a sleeveless pink, blue, and cream-coloured batik print dress that hugged her waist and flowed out over her hips to her knees. She had applied a light layer of makeup that brought out her cheekbones, dark eyes, and full lips.

He leaned against the wall as she stared, hoping he looked cool instead of a man whose knees had just gone weak.

She touched her fingertips to hair she’d pinned away from her face. “What?”

“You look wonderful.”

“Thank you. Are you ready to go? I have a full day planned.”

No trying to get him to gush over her. No denying her own beauty. Just a confident answer from a strong woman. He looked forward to the experience of falling more in like with her.

After eating breakfast in the hotel restaurant, they went to the local market and interacted with the market women. His ears picked up a lot from the atmosphere. When he repeated snippets of what he had learned to Lamisi, she beamed up at him.

“You sound good.”

The feeling of pride would last until he messed up again.

“It’s a process,” she reassured with a pat on the arm. “Keep trying. I know you’ll get it.”

The confidence she had in him made him want to succeed for her almost as much as for himself. Once again, he slid down the slippery slope of admiring her even more.

Following the local market, they went to a shopping mall. The interactions with the people in the modern space weren’t as frequent, but he did get some practice in.

During their lunch at the food court, they released the student-teacher role, enjoying the meal and each other as they talked about their family and childhood. Many of the stories they told had them laughing to the point of drawing attention from their neighbours.

After one more round through the massive mall to help settle their food, he tugged her to the glass and metal railing where they watched people going about their business. “How about we return to the beach and relax until it’s time to head off to visit with Melanie?”

Lamisi shook her head. “Not on the agenda.”

He wished he could add some kissing onto the list of things planned to do. He had trouble focusing on anything but her reapplied gloss over such luscious lips.

“Then what is?”

She tipped her head, exposing the side of her neck. He brushed his lips against the area. From the way she leaned into him, she had also forgotten about the public space they were still in.

Blaise flicked his tongue against her soft skin, eliciting a moan from her. He raised his head to find her eyes closed with her mouth slightly parted. He gripped the railing until his palms hurt and faced the other side of the mall to prevent himself from breaking further social norms and kissing her full on the mouth.

His heart slowed to normal as he focused on people-watching.

Lamisi positioned herself to face him head-on. “As much as I’m appreciating the air-conditioning, we should get going.”

“Where to?”

She grinned and wiggled her brows. “You’ll see.”

He appreciated her teasing, but not her announcement. “I’m not a fan of surprises.”

“Okay, then let’s call this an examination of sorts.”

When she took off towards the end of the mall, he stayed in place, watching her hips sway and making the dress flounce around the back of her cinnamon-hued skin.

She glanced over her shoulder to find him observing her. Halting mid-step, she pivoted and returned. “I promise that you’ll like it.”

“How do you know?”

“A gut feeling. Besides, it’s better that you know this about me now.”

Interest had him standing at his full height, making her tilt her chin to look into his eyes. “What?”

“When it comes to languages … and one or two other things, I tend to be right all the time.”

He smirked, piqued by curiosity. “Is that so?”

“Come with me and see.”

The one invitation was all it took to accept her challenge.