•ELOQUENCE•

3. The first

¥
Three
•Whipped cream•
¥

3. The meet

New york winters had to be the last layer of hell, i understand how that could be contradicting since hell is hot but it was torturously cold.

The dirty snow, if it could even be called that anymore— it was slush now, was up to my calfs covering layers of black ice and the wind was so cold it felt like it was stabbing me.

Children as resilient as they were instead enjoy the weather throw snowballs at another pushing their friends into the snow not yet burdened by street closing, train delays, and overly populated streets.

Me? I'd rather be inside enjoying the heated building of barnes and nobles as I search for new books and maybe stop to grab a triple chocolate muffin from the starbucks counter at the front desk.

"Hello, my nubian goddess" Dylan, a 16 year old colonizer— excuse me, slim white boy greets and i can't help the head shake and amused eye roll.

"Dylan,'' I greet with a wave over my shoulder. "I told you just saying hello works just fine '' I remind ignoring his repetitive rant about how my melanated skin glistened even in the dull bookstore lights which is only something a goddess such as myself was capable of.

That boy was something else.

Wednesdays were the days for new releases to drop and there were several black up and coming authors' books I had my eye on. I planned to get all of them today. When my eyes settle on the thick black book with white writing I grin flipping through the pages making sure it's in mint condition before I notice a book that's very out of place.

48 laws of power. Upside down and some of the pages were bent. Picking it up from the shelf to return it to its rightful place in the store I was instead met with a husky yet familiar cologne scent.

"You must be new here" the culprit of the cologne speaks. There was no way.

No way in God's green earth that he was here... of all the barnes and nobles locations.

Of all times to go.

There he stands in all his chocolate glory— beard full and thick, muscles almost bursting through his black turtleneck, smile brighter then— bitch speak! You have been ogling this man with a whole inner monologue like youre Joe from you and it's getting weird.

"What?"

Wow. Of all words to say and that's the only thing I get up. Get it together.

He drops eye contact dark obsidian eyes going straight to the book in my hands. An arrogant smirk begins to take over his face as he reaches forward large hands brushing mine as he takes the book from me flipping it the right way.

"For starters, most people read books right side up and not upside down, but i guess when you read something as trash as the 48 laws of power its hot garbage either way...or so i've heard" he chuckles licking his lips and i have to set the book down feeling the heat from my hand travel up my arm.

"Are you always this quiet or did the wine take over when we first met?" He teases and I make note that the same personality he displayed two weeks ago he displayed today.