──────※ ·❆· ※──────

Garrett

"Mani, the food was delicious. You're an amazing cook."

Brian and Ellie drove off with their energetic twins, while Dylan fell asleep ten minutes ago. He had played basketball for most of the day, and the cool Alabama air had worn him out.

"Tonight went great," Garrett continued, taking a step toward the entrance where his boots and coat were. "I enjoyed hanging out with everyone. It was just like old times."

Imani kept her eyes on him and said, "I agree. They've been together since high school, and their babies are the splitting image of them."

Garrett chuckled. He and Imani's friendship was going well, so he didn't want to linger too long after they kissed. The thought of being close to her made his heart race, but he didn't know how she felt about him being in her house.

"You... you don't have to go," she said, giving him a faint smile.

He wasn't sure if she felt any unease about their kiss, so he wanted to go home before things progressed further between them.

"Why don't we talk tomorrow, Imani? It's getting late."

"Damn, Garrett. Are you sure you're twenty-six and not seventy?"

A tiny laugh escaped his lips. "I'm just trying to be respectful." His smile grew. "I don't want to overdo anything. Especially now that we're on good terms."

Her smile widened. "Believe me. If I thought you were annoying, you would know."

"I don't doubt that for a second."

"Good, because I want us to hang out."

Garrett slowly licked his lips and furrowed his brows. "You sure?"

Imani nodded. He loved that she was full of wonders.

She put her folded hand towel away. "Want to watch a movie?"

Garrett had spent the entire evening trying to figure out where their relationship was going after tonight. He knew no matter what they did, they would always end up on a road called Complicated. However, this fresh start to what they were creating felt exciting.

"That's what you want to do?" he asked. "We haven't done that in... Well, it has been nearly nine years." He smiled a little as he thought about the time they watched a Mission Impossible movie together.

"Yeah. I just thought..." Imani paused as they stared at each other. "Perhaps a movie night will begin a new chapter for us." She cleared her throat and fidgeted with her fingers. "Let's have fun and do something we haven't done in years, Gray."

His insides turned to mush when she addressed him by his nickname. He held back the impulse to reach out and show her how meaningless the movie was. Her company alone made him feel like he was on cloud nine.

"That sounds like fun." He wanted to retract the words as soon as he said them. How was he going to navigate the entire evening as her friend and refrain from kissing her? But, since he had already given in to temptation, he would have to deal with it like a man.

Her eyes widened. "See? I knew it wouldn't take much to convince you to stay."

You have me by the balls, Mani, and you know it.

Garrett smiled as he followed her to her office. She had converted the room into a temporary entertainment area while the front renovations were underway. The main problem was the limited amount of space available. Just enough space for the television, a coffee table, and a small sofa.

She turned down the lights and looked for the remote while he sat down in the farthest corner of the faded gray sofa.

He looked at her and asked, "Gray colors?"

Imani pursed her lips and nodded. "I have grown accustomed to that color now. It is why most of my appliances are gray and nothing else."

"If I didn't know any better, I'd think you needed a reminder of me." She snarled, and his lips rose. "So, what movie did you have in mind, Mani?"

"Um... Grease?" she asked, as if she wasn't sure if he wanted to see the movie.

"Sure. I'm always up for an action movie."

A loud snort escaped from her mouth. "You're joking, right?" She gave him a look that told him he was wrong. "It has John Travolta when he was younger. I'm sure you've watched it before."

"Is it that movie where he switches his face with a killer?"

She laughed. "You're thinking of a Face-off with Nicholas Cage."

"So, no fights?"

"Is that what you're in the mood for? Characters fighting each other?"

Garrett shrugged. "A guy could hope."

"Well, there are some action scenes."

Imani was killing him with her choice of a movie he hadn't seen before.

"Basically, this will likely bore me to tears," he murmured, earning an eye roll from her. "Perfect."

"Maybe not." She reached over and collected a blanket from the area next to the coffee table. He barely had time to take his eyes off her back before she sat down. "I can play another movie if you don't want to watch it."

"Nah. This will be good." Garrett would watch chick flicks all night if it meant he could spend more time with her.

Imani curled up on the couch, and he realized she was an arm's length away from him. It was probably best, so he relaxed and watched the movie, which was better than expected. That was how long he could watch it. He was warm, happy, and calm, and he felt better than he had in days.

It was unclear when he drifted off to sleep. When he woke up, the room was dim, the TV was off, and the silence was deafening.

He sat up, and it took a few seconds for his eyes to adjust to the gloom. Imani looked at him from her section on the sofa. She had her legs tucked under her. A gentle glow cast over her smooth, dark skin as the light from the hall fell upon her. Her hair flowed like a painter's brushstroke, and her eyes sparkled with every blink.

"I guess I missed the movie?" He found his voice and cleared his throat.

"You needed some sleep." Her voice sounded a bit hoarse, as if she could use a glass of water.

"Did I miss the fights?" he asked.

Her smile faded. "There were a few incidents, but no one sustained serious injuries."

"What about deaths?"

She shook her head, and Garrett decided he liked how things were going right now.

"Not on screen," she answered.

"Another predictable romantic film. I pick what we watch next time."

"As long as you don't nod off in the middle."

Time seemed to stop for him as he laughed and turned his attention to her. He struggled with erotic images as he and Imani stared at each other. Shadows danced across rapid pulses and warmed skin. He needed to get away from her quickly before he ruined what they had built.

Garrett jumped to his feet and made it to the door when she spoke.

"Don't leave."

She knew how to stop him in his tracks, and that wasn't always a good thing. This was especially true as he became more and more vulnerable to her.

"I can put on another movie." Her voice sounded different, and he was pretty sure Imani was no longer on the sofa but close to him. He closed his eyes and breathed in the intoxicating scent that enveloped him. Cinnamon.

"We need to slow down. For the sake of our friendship." He wanted to do the right thing. They didn't need to do anything they would later regret. "I will check on both of you tomorrow."

"Or you could sleep in here on the sofa?"

Imani moved closer, and Garrett looked down at the face he would never forget. Her presence captivated him, and he never wanted to let go of her. Even if he lived for a hundred years, Imani always set his soul on fire.

"Mani, you need to think about this. I started the kiss earlier, and I have no idea what it means."

"I get that, Gray." She sucked in a deep breath. "But I want to be close to you."

"What if that is a terrible idea?"

Lip quivering, Imani extended her hand to him. "Does being in this house with me feel wrong?"

Cupping her cheeks, Garrett shook his head, whispering, "Never."

"Then stay a little longer. It's okay."

The air between them charged. It wrapped their bodies in primal strength. But he needed to get this right. He wasn't going to be the one to cause her more heartache. Never again.

"Imani, I don't want to hurt you. I should go."

Her hand touched his stomach, and he took a breath. She touched every inch of his stomach. Not his face. Or his shoulder. Her hand glided over the hardness beneath his waist, causing him to stifle a moan as she gently touched him through his denim. Delicate fingers caressed his shaft while he savored the overwhelming pleasure.

"Why do you think you'll hurt me?" Her eyes were wide as she spoke with a fiery tone. A seductive sheen covered her lips.

"We're both vulnerable and need to act responsibly," Garrett declared as she slid her hand over his belt buckle. He took hold of her hands and held them firmly. Both of them took deep breaths, and he watched her chest rise and fall. "Let's slow down and concentrate on the future," he pleaded.

Imani smiled. "Tell me you haven't thought about making love to me since we kissed earlier." She then unbuttoned her blouse, revealing the most beautiful gray lace bra he had ever seen.

"I can fantasize about you without taking advantage." He pulled his gaze away from her breasts and stepped back. It hurt him to not be in control. Garrett ran his fingers through his hair and looked at her with suspicion. "Imani, what's going on with you tonight?"

Her beautiful eyes and abundant hair mesmerized him as she looked up. His gaze dropped. And there it was, the perky bra, practically begging for him to unbuttoned it.

"I like how slowly things are progressing between us, but I would be lying if I said I don't want more with you." She looked at him with defiant eyes and licked her soft lips again. "But this is how we should do things." She took a step closer. "We need to set limits."

All right, those words definitely caught his attention.

"Limits," he said with a low, resonant tone.

"Yes, Garrett." Imani nodded. "I realized something earlier while you slept." The beauty queen had the audacity to smirk. She licked the corner of her lips seductively. He enjoyed how sensational he felt staring at her. "Trying to maintain a friendship with you is not going the way we planned. Without staying at that level, we'll hate each other again because we want more."

"I never hated you, Mani."

She sighed softly. "I did, Gray. I hated you, and for years, my hatred for you kept me thinking clearly."

His heart broke hearing that, and he wanted to say something to help her understand, but he couldn't. Nothing he said could ease her pain.

"I propose a mutually beneficial arrangement. Every friendship has ups and downs. I realize you'll be returning home soon, and we will probably never speak again."

Garrett couldn't believe Imani thought he would leave her after his break. However, he also knew she had every reason to think so, given that he had left her years ago.

"I have no intention of cutting off contact with you," he said, keeping his gaze on her. "Don't just assume things without asking for my opinion."

"I'm sorry. I'm worried our relationship will blow up as we try to resolve things. I've had enough heartbreak to last a lifetime and can't take anymore."

Garrett reached for her hand and squeezed. "I promised you that I would never hurt you. I'm determined to keep my word."

"Mmm." Her lips curled into a soft smile. "I have faith that I can trust you."

"You can, Mani. I'm not the same person you remember. And I'm not going to abandon you as if you didn't matter to me. My love for you will never go away."

Saying all of that almost made him breathless. Everything he had felt for her surrounded him, nearly making his stomach drop. Garrett would do anything for Imani if he had the chance. They shared a tender, endless, and profound connection, and this marked the beginning of a new chapter in their relationship.

"Do you believe what I told you?" he asked, looking into her eyes as they made their way back into the office and sat on the couch. "I sincerely hope we can move past what happened and grow closer."

"Me too. I have already forgiven you, so that is a start."

He couldn't help but smile broadly. "Hearing that from you feels like the weight of the world has lifted off my shoulders."

"I feel the same way." Imani held his waist for several minutes. Garrett slowly lowered his neck to her lips. He gently kissed her while she faced him. "Gray, you have always been a wonderful kisser. I could survive on your kisses alone."

"I'm with you there." He laughed.

"I know we have never spoke about this, but when was the last time you had sex?" she asked. "Well, before last week with me."

"August last year. Veronica and I separated and finalized our divorce in March this year."

"So she was the last person you slept with? You went an entire year without sex."

"Yes. My team was always by my side when I accepted a case that required me to leave the country. There was only one woman on it, but she had a husband and a child at home."

Imani looked away while nodding. "Do you two... have something going on?"

"What? No. I'd never sleep with a married or taken woman."

"Good to know."

"What about you?"

"I last had sex six months ago after leaving Dexter. Dylan and I came straight here."

"Oh..." was all that Garrett could say. He took a deep breath, and then she moved closer and began kissing his neck. "W-what are you doing?" he stuttered.

"I don't know." She pulled away and covered her face, looking embarrassed.

He gently took her hands and intertwined them as they stared at each other. "Imani, there's no need to feel embarrassed. But you're acting differently tonight than usual."

Her eyes narrowed at that point. "That's because I only want you. I don't even care about being with anyone else. That includes Andrew Fisher. Ellie and Brian have tried to match me with him several times. I could never have feelings for him like I do for you." She looked away, and silence fell again.

"I don't mean to sound conceited, but that's fantastic. No competition for me."

She gasped as she gently hit his shoulder. "As if anyone could compare to you."

"That's another thing I like hearing." The room stiffened, softening his smile. He was aware of her sexual desires, and he would be deceiving himself if he denied that he didn't share them. "Can I ask you something? Do you want to take our relationship to the next level?"

Imani paused, looking at him. "Only if you want to."

"I want to respect you," he said, cupping her cheeks and gently stroking her skin. "You and Dylan mean everything to me. I don't want anyone hurt."

"I'm not playing a game, Garrett. I'm not out to hurt you."

"But are you fine with sleeping with me whenever you want?"

She shook her head and placed her hands over her hips. "That's not it. I can satisfy myself without another person."

"So can I."

Garrett gently brushed his fingers along his chin, paying close attention to the woman in front of him. He would still want her even if he slowed down.

Imani smiled slowly and lowered her gaze to his crotch. She moved closer, bringing her hand to his waist.

"So, how do you feel?" She uttered the words. "Do you want to continue where we left off before dinner?"

There was power in her eyes. Her confident finger on his pulsing desire explored their passion. His feelings intensified as she maintained a poised and focused gaze, her head slightly tilted. With her tongue, Imani gently licked her bottom lip. And when she went for his belt buckle, Garrett didn't stop her. He felt slightly humbled that she had finally opened up and forgiven him.

Imani was his. And his emotions screamed out what he felt. Whether making love right now was the wrong decision or if it would be a mistake later, those thoughts vanished.

The colors in the room faded, and Garrett blinked and refocused. He had a lot to think about, but for now, he wanted to enjoy this time with his beloved.

──────※ ·❆· ※──────