𝐎𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐞

Chapter Nineteen

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She almost said she'd missed him too before she checked herself. It may be true, but he did not deserve to hear it.

With her back on the door, her eyes on him, Imani waited for him to say anything about their affair, something to suggest that their plan was still in place. She knew it was pathetic after the stunt he'd pulled, but dear God, she wanted him, craved him, even though it was for four months.

"I take it you didn't miss me?" He smiled in a self-deprecating smile, or maybe it was a mocking one, Imani couldn't tell.

"I wasn't aware you wanted me to miss you," although she answered in a cheeky tone, Matthew detected anger.

"You're angry," he stated, leaning forward and placing his arms on his knees.

She started to shake his hand, but he said, "yes, you are." this time, his voice had a hint of regret, and Imani moved her gaze to his so she could attempt to read his thoughts if only he would let her.

"I'm tired," he began. "I came straight to you because I thought you might need an explanation as to why I left without telling you."

Imani nodded; she had wanted to do so with a careless grin, but somehow her mouth felt stretched and tight.

"I thought it behoves me to give you time away from me to change your mind about the affair."

"You have a conscious?" she asked playfully.

"It plagues me once in a while," he let out a tired laugh. "But halfway through the many meetings I had in Europe, hopping from one country to the next, I realized, I didn't want you to change your mind. That I didn't and couldn't, even if I tried to change it myself because I want you more every day."

Imani had nothing to say; she almost slumped on the door because she felt lighter, almost inebriated by his words.

"I haven't slept well in days," the world stopped when his desire-filled eyes fell on hers, "but I had to come here directly from the airport to see you. I had to see you."

What should she say to that? She remained silent; her mouth couldn't move, her body felt as if it was rooted where she stood as if she was a robot and needed a reboot. She wanted to say something, anything, for she could see he expected her to respond either in kind or dismiss him.

'Say something,' she ordered herself. 'Anything," a voice in her head screamed.  'Please, God, let me speak, yet she remained silent. Quiet as a lamb.

"You don't have anything to worry about, Hazel. I swear," he fumbled through his words, looking somewhat flustered. "I did nothing with her except talk to her for a few minutes at that party."

"She is beautiful," finally, Imani found her voice. She could have kicked herself for what she said, exposing her vulnerability and insecurity like that; however, she argued she was stating a fact. Hazel was beautiful in every standard set by the current society.

"Yes, she is." to her credit, Imani's expression didn't change; her heart, however, throbbed with a sharp pain right to her chest.

"But I think you're more beautiful. No, I'm not lying," Matthew said when Imani raised her brows questioningly. "You are shorter than most women, which I love, a little thick, which I adore, but that is what makes you stunning." he stood and walked to stand in front of her, so close were they that his shoes touched hers, their breath mingled, their eyes told more than they were ready to tell.

"I don't want her. I don't want anyone else but you,"  Matthew swore, pulling the shining red scrunchie from her hair, watching as long, loose curls cascaded down her shoulders. He whistled. "Wow! I have noticed something interesting," he said with a grin, rolling a strand of her hair around his finger.