𝐎𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐞

Chapter Twenty-Two

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Imani dressed while Matthew watched, but surprisingly, she wasn't feeling embarrassed, perhaps because of what they had just done, or angry from hearing how he intended to change the terms of their relationship, having agreed to four months.

"Don't treat me like one of your hostile takeovers," Imani warned, throwing the wrap around her to cover most of her body.

"That's not what I'm doing." Matthew defended, wearing his coat and waiting for her to finish.

"We don't need to decide now."

"We have already decided on four months; why do you want to change that?"

Matthew went to her, intending to drag her into his arms, but she stepped back, a stern expression telling him that he wouldn't get his way now. If he tried, she would end it because not only was Imani protecting herself from hurt; she was afraid of losing her livelihood.

"You don't trust me, do you?" He asked, his voice filled with regret and a little sorrow as he looked at her. She saw the hurt, and it bothered her that he would think that.

"It has more to do with me than you."

He laughed bitterly. "Don't placate me; it's insulting."

"I am not," she replied, standing still as if she was rooted in the same place.

"Matthew, I have been alone for so long, I'm afraid of depending on someone else."

He threw a look at her, his eyes scanning her face to gauge whether she was lying.

"Trust me."

Matthew reluctantly nodded, having decided it was in his best interest to agree with her.

He couldn't win right now, but he swore he would try to convince her again, especially after they make love. He wouldn't mess this up a moment like now; she might bail out of their plans, and no way was he stupid enough to push her before that.

"Do we need a plan to get out of here?" Matthew asked, standing by the door. Imani had not realized until that moment that she'd not thought of the door the whole time she was having sex with Matthew.

"Oh, God! Please tell me that door was locked while we were..." She couldn't say it; her face turned crimson when Matthew raised his eyebrows, a laughing gleam in his eyes as he waited for her to finish her sentence; he grinned, finding her both innocent and adorable.

He wondered how she could live in a space where sex was readily available and remained almost unsullied.

"I locked it when I entered," Matthew confirmed his hand on the handle.

"Do you think Pete heard us?"

"Not possibly. He is supposed to be far enough yet close enough in case of an emergency.

Imani breathed out loudly in relief as she watched Matthew give her one of those knowing smiles that always had her wanting to hit him or kiss him.

Imani was the first to walk out, heading to the changing rooms to garb on skinny blue jeans and a baggy plaid shirt with converse that she'd worn that evening from home. Luckily, Ben didn't stop her from going home early; he had begun to treat her differently because Matthew preferred her.

Having an impromptu make-out session was different from planning for it, Imani thought as she walked to where Matthew's car was parked. She felt giddy, nervous yet ready, but also insecure. She'd never done this before, but Matthew had. He had slept with some of the most beautiful and educated women the world knew; how would he feel with her? When she reached the car, Imani surreptitiously looked around her to see whether anyone she knew would see her climbing into his car.