We’re heading back to Roseville. Here’s an excerpt from my upcoming release My Heart Belongs to You.

(Lightly edited and subject to change.)

ROBYN

“Fuck him,” he groaned, forcing a mirthless laugh from me.

He cupped my cheeks, tilting my head back to meet his gaze. The pads of his thumbs were gentle on my cheeks while he wiped away tears. His touch was as comforting as a blanket on a cold winter day.

“You’re gonna be okay, Goldie. I’ll make sure of it.”

Nadir punctuated his statement with a kiss to my forehead. Warmth shot through me as I peered into his eyes. I knew he meant every word, but there was something in his eyes telling me he was holding back too. One hand moved from my cheek to my waist and my heart rate spiked. I pressed deeper into him while biting my bottom lip.

"What can I do to help you feel better?"

I shrugged although several ideas came to mind.

Nadir's eyes narrowed at me. I looked away as another wave of tears filled my eyes.

"I hate seeing you cry," he said with furrowed eyebrows.

"And I hate crying, especially over that asshole."

“It’s okay,” Nadir crooned while rubbing my back.

I draped my arm over his shoulder all while holding his gaze. The thoughts swirling in my mind were unholy, as my pulse thumped in my neck. I swallowed the lump in my throat, deciding to throw caution to the wind and do what I'd wanted for so long. I wasn’t afraid to admit how vulnerable I was feeling at the moment. There was no one else I felt safer with than Nadir. Tomorrow I would unpack everything I was feeling, but right now, I just wanted to be comforted. After the conversation with Joseph and the news about Terrance, my ego was a little crushed.

“I know, I know,” I whined, making him chuckle. Drawing in a deep breath, I smiled as his cologne tickled my nose.

His scent was so familiar, and so soothing that I found myself pressing deeper into him. It was impossible to be any closer, but I was determined to make a way. Nadir kissed my forehead again, sending a chill down my spine. Then he kissed my temple, cheek, and stopped once he reached my mouth. I held my breath, and slowly processed what was happening. My eyes bounced from his heated gaze to his lips. I tilted my head back, hoping he’d take the hint.

“Robyn,” Nadir warned.

I pressed my lips against his before he could say anything else. My kisses were slow and cautious. I took my time exploring his lips from their softness to the way his bottom lip slipped between my lips. This was an experience I wanted burned into my memory. He kissed me back with fervor, emitting a deep throaty groan and Nadir deepened our kiss by lashing his warm, hungry tongue against mine. Salty remnants of the plantain he’d eaten earlier lingered on his lips. I kissed him harder, needing to forget the events of the day. His hands roamed my body and lips. I savored the desire behind each kiss. This was reckless, and unlike anything I'd ever done before. But it felt too good to pull back.

The impetuous passion spilling from his kisses drove me to kiss him wilder, deeper. Nadir smiled against my lips before kissing me again. I relished in the lashings of his tongue against mine while he held me closely. We took our time exploring the other’s lips with sweet pecks and sensual sucking in between. My heart thumped and I felt like I would combust at any moment.

When he pulled away to stare at me, I melted. The desire in his eyes had me taking it a step further by slipping my hand from his neck and down his chest to his hardened dick.

“What are we doing?” He leered at me with a raised eyebrow..

As I stared back into his penetrating eyes, I took a second to think.

This was Nadir, my best friend, my confidant, my safe space.

He was my everything, really.

Our friendship was deeper than anything I'd experienced with a man. Even though our relationship hadn’t ever been anything but platonic, I couldn’t deny my attraction to him.

The long dreadlocks, russet brown skin, and beguiling eyes made it hard to keep it cute around him anymore. He wasn’t afraid to show his attraction for me, so why was I holding back? My mind never wandered sometimes, and there had been instances where I’d take a second glance whenever he wore those gray sweatpants.

Avoiding the feelings I had for him wasn’t easy, especially after the last time he was here. I wasn’t ready to be honest about how deeply I cared for him. I was still ruminating over the revelation. Admitting how I felt would only make it harder for me to navigate a friendship with him. But right now, I just wanted to be comforted by Nadir.

Meeting his endearing eyes, I replied, “Something that seems inevitable.”

With that, Nadir’s rapacious mouth was back on mine, his hands gripping my ass as he pressed into me. He pulled me down with him to the couch, I straddled his lap. My heart raced at the speed of light as I greedily took his lip between mine. His hands roamed my body leaving behind goosebumps on my skin, and butterflies in my belly.

I stopped kissing him long enough to look at him.

“If you’re having second thoughts, let me know.”

Shaking my head, I replied, “I’m not.”