Three hours. Three damn hours. That's how long I've been staring at this empty email that's supposed to get sent over to Tex Industries. I've never had trouble with focusing in on my work, and getting things done when it needed to be. Never. But, today, my brain—my body—can only remember the name and feel of Malik Atoni. It doesn't want to remember anything else.

It's been a week since we've last interacted with each other. The night at the club didn't end sexy like the buildup made it out to be. We danced, and Malik had his hands on every inch of my body. Our bodies continued to connect; we were only aware of one another. The only presence I felt was his, and everyone else disappeared into the dark. They didn't matter to me when my guy had his eyes and attention locked on me.

I rest my face in my hands when heat pools in my stomach. My fingertips tingle down to my bones, and it only adds onto the feeling of distraction. My door flings open from the dramatic entrance caused by James.

"Why do you look like you're about to die?"

"I'm annoyed."

James tsks in thought, sliding into a chair that may as well have his name on it. He slides my computer to his side, replacing it with a warm coffee that could almost solve all of my problems. He's a godsend.

"Why are we annoyed? Tex failing things again already?"

"No," I hum around the cup, "surprisingly."

"So what is it?"

I hold up my hand as I drain most of my coffee in one sitting. If I'm going to get through the rest of the day like this, I'll need this and more. I'll go on a damn rampage if not. A few employees have been looking fireable lately, but if I fired them all I wouldn't have any more employees.

James starts to type on my computer and I hum again in protest. I don't need him doing this for me when his workload has doubled ever since he became a shared partner. He's helped me more than he even knows, and is willing to do more. I wish I met him when I first started to build this company. James can accomplish great things—and he will. Sometimes I wish that we started this together.

He rolls his eyes when I motion for him to stop, and I lean back in my seat with defeat. If I took the computer from him now, he'll just tackle me down to get it back. He'd do it if pushed. Today's not going to be the day that I push him.

"I've been distracted all day," I admit, "I think about Malik once, and now I can't stop. My body is refusing to let me focus on anything else. It feels like I'm sex crazed."

James stops typing momentarily to peer up at me, "you're serious?"

"Does it look like I'm joking?"

James smiles widely before bursting into a heinous laughter. He can't stop himself once he starts, so I watch as he slaps his thigh as if he were the funniest person to ever grace this planet. He smears a lone tear away from the corner of his eye before directing his smile back at me.

"You miss him."

My face automatically does a look that has James pointing his finger at me.

"No, no, don't do that. You miss your guy, and it's been a full week since you've seen him."

My face doesn't change.

"Call him! Schedule something that meets both your needs, or something."

"I don't have his number."

Of all the times we've interacted, exchanging numbers never seemed to be a priority. Malik knows he can find me anytime and anywhere. I like when he storms my office with a need that only I can fill. I like knowing that he can't go anywhere else because it'll always be me.

And everything about him is mine. His stares, his touches, his thoughts, wants and needs, him. All mine.

James shoves his phone into my space, broadcasting a bright screen of messages. I see the number at the very bottom, and my eyes can't help but trail up.

"Don't read those!" James squeaks. I already read a text by accident, but keep my mouth sealed, "Talon sent Malik's number."

I press the number, causing James to squeak again. He tosses his phone down in front of me before projecting to a corner in the room. I put it on speaker as ringing sounds across the room. It clicks by the third, and Talon's voice blares through.

"Hey, baby, what's up?"

James slides down the wall, while feverishly shaking his head.

"James is occupied. Where's Malik?"

"Ziya." I can practically hear the teasing that'll be soon to come, "he's in the gym with some girl."

"Give him the phone."

Talon chuckles before quickly muting the phone. I stare at James in the meantime with raised eyebrows. Him and Talon are more than what I thought, and it seems as if they're enjoying each other. James is acting like this, a high school girl, which is a good sign. He's only ever like this when he's truly into a person.

He gets up due to the silence, tiptoeing back over as if any sound will bring Talon directly to him. Talon decides to unmute at this time, making me fix James with a look. He sighs in defeat before plopping down in his earlier spot.

"Hello."

My head tilts in a sort of pleasure when I hear Malik's voice. It's deeper at the moment with the sound of his soft breaths. I can hear how he's trying to steady his breathing, and it only brings forth the night of his whimpering pleas. I need that from him again.

"Aw," I fake pout, "I thought you'd be more excited to hear from me, darling."

"Ziya. You called Talon and not me."

My pout quickly transforms into a smile. I still find it hard to register the cute personality that lies within him. He doesn't mean for it to show, I know that much, but he slips here and there. I hum, not bringing up the fact that we don't have each other's number.

"I told her you're with a girl, man," Talon whispers.

"Ziya—" Malik calls, "there are no women here."

I hum in response, knowing what he says is true.

"Ziya—"

"You're going to meet me at River's Cafe. I go on break in five minutes, and I want to see you when I get there. Try not to be late, or I'll be upset. Look good for me, darling."

A quick 'okay' follows after my instructions, and the call goes dead. I slide James his phone as I stand, sliding on my coat as I go.

"You just told him exactly what to do, and he didn't say a word," James stares at me.

"He said okay."

"You two aren't together, like seriously? Ziya, it seems like he wants more."

I hum again, fixing my hair out of my coat. James looks bewildered and uncertain. He was calling Malik my guy a few minutes ago, but now he seems to be questioning our relationship. I've stated many times that anything nearing a romantic relationship wouldn't happen between Malik and I. My feelings in that regard could change, but for right now we're nowhere near that. We might not ever reach that, which would be fine with me. I have him in ways no one else does at the moment, and I'm not letting go until he pries my entire being away from him.

"You're free to stay in my office, James. Invite Talon over if you're feeling bold, but do not destroy my desk. I'd hate to take it from your paycheck!"

James cheeks flame red as I leave him alone in my office. There's a possibility Talon will storm my building without James inviting him, because he's like Malik in that way. He wants James, and he will get him. They both better buckle up.

I send a quick email to Alisha as I take a different route down to my car. It was a small description of Talon and order of letting him through if he shows. I'm sure he could sweet talk anyone else, but Alisha would never go for it and that's why she's the best. She's been with me as long as James has, and she's a great factor to the Caddel business.

Still, my mind doesn't stay there for long as the thought of Malik looking good for me plagues my mind.

———

Fire. My body is on fire as I step into the busy cafe. I laid eyes on Malik as soon as I entered. He's leaning against a wall with his hands tucked securely into dress pants. They're black, and define his lower body so well. It's the same with his dark blue fitted shirt that let his muscles and abs bulge. I wonder how the people here would react if I worshipped his tattoos and body, until I ended up on my knees.

His hair is styled in a way that it still looks messy, but in a good way. It screams sex, and I'm hearing it loud and clear. I smooth my black pencil skirt down before walking through the opening lines. It's almost cliche how my path clears as I walk through, and it boosts an ego that I've always had.

My heels click loudly against the floor, until I stop beside the man that's taken over my body and mind. I tilt my head to the side, noticing his eyes are closed.

"I see you still know how to listen," I muse, "I could almost devour you right here."

"I'd let you," he replies. The small twitch of his lips doesn't go unnoticed by me as his eyes flutter open.

I hum in pleasure when he doesn't waste any time on putting his hands on me. His arm flexes as he wraps it securely around my waist. Tattoos were never a big turn on for me like it seemed to be for everyone else, but on Malik it's my favorite thing. I could stare and trace them for hours while feeling contempt.

His body turns towards the exit of the cafe, making me place a hand on his chest. I didn't ask to come here to leave.

"We're going to sit down and talk. Eat if something on the menu interests you."

His face shows surprise, but his eyes hold a longing that I can't exactly place. I could only wonder how I look to him.

"Can I ask why the sudden invitation to do this?"

"I missed you."

And there it is. The small twitch of his lip that lights me up on the inside, only this time it blooms into a full wide smile. Malik nods his head before turning us in the direction of a secluded bar. It's normally VIP, but first come first serve is what everyone lives by. Thankfully no one else found the need to take it.

We situate ourselves onto the two stools near the corner of it, a set of menus immediately being placed in front of us. I am on my lunch break, so I open it to see if anything looks good. Someone looks good, but it'd be inappropriate to eat in front of so many. In a public cafe at that. So, food will have to do.

I'm craving sweets as I look through the dessert portion, and Malik's stare doesn't go unnoticed by me. His eyes can easily pierce through a person's soul if he looks long enough, and I'm more than okay with welcoming him in.

"This strawberry shortcake looks good," I murmur, "it has filling too."

He hums in response, not looking at the menu that I slid over a little for him to see. I can't resist my smiles much when I'm around him, and that's what I do as I meet his gaze.

"You want to know something funny?"

"Yes."

"I know your body from your head down to your feet. I know how to make you call my name, and I know how to make you beg. I know how you get when I dominate you, and I know the power you suddenly feel when I lay down for you. But I don't know your number."

A laugh escapes me by the end of my statement, because it's truly funny now that I think about it. How can I be so infatuated with a person in every sense of the word; how can my body ache for the touch of him, but I don't know his number?

I swipe the corner of my eyes as my laughter dies down, and all Malik does is smile at me. He doesn't say anything at all. Just smiles. We keep each other's gaze for what feels like hours in the moment, and my stomach pools with butterflies. It's a feeling I've rarely felt, but it's not something I hate.

I hum as I turn away from him, placing my eyes back on the list of sweets that are almost calling for me. I'm going back on my words. On every single last one that swore Malik and I would never reach a level above just sex. Now I cant stop thinking about him, now I miss him, now I want to be in his presence for almost every second of the day.

Deep down inside I know I want this. I know I want more, but I cannot do more. Can Malik?

A small scoff, hidden by a soft laugh, escapes unwillingly from my lips. James is going to have a fucking field day with this.

"I know I can come to you when I need you," Malik says, tilting his head to meet my eyes once more, "a number is nothing."

I smile again, "but it'd be good to have it, yeah?"

"Sure."

I slide the menu towards him once more because his stare is doing something to me. His eyes flicker down briefly; Im not even sure if he saw what I was pointing to. He rings the bell in front of us anyway, then closes the menu.

"You know what I do for work," I say, finding the strength to face him once again, "what do you do?"

"I work security for someone high profiled. That's why I leave so suddenly for business."

Security. Dylan Aragotti pops into my mind at the word. Security allows weapon, and he said high profiled. The way Dylan was murdered...it was as if someone experienced executed him theirself. The question is would he have done it alone.

"Talon too? You two are closer than you'd like to admit," I ask, adding a sly comment near the end to hide my true interest.

"Yes. We met years ago, and he hasn't left me alone since. What about James?"

"James came to the office a few years ago, telling me that he should get his job. He didn't ask for it; he didn't apply, I guess. He told me his strengths, his lack of weaknesses, and told me to call if I saw him fit."

"You called."

"I did, and now he's a shared partner of my company. He earned every bit of it, and he became someone important to me. Like family."

Malik opens his mouth only to swallow his words when someone appears in front of us. A guy who looks like he'd rather scrape his teeth against the concrete than be here. He plasters on a crooked smile, sliding the menu his way as he looks to Malik.

"You rang the bell I assume? What do you want?"

"The strawberry shortcake with vanilla filling, please," I answer, not bothering with a fake smile of my own.

He looks me up and down with distaste, then does the same to Malik. He says nothing as he takes the menu, and walks away. I roll my eyes involuntarily; his vibe annoyed me, therefore he annoys me. Terribly.

Malik's eyes stay trained on the spot where the guy stood only moments ago, a confused, yet hard, look in his eyes. I let my hand fall to his cheek, turning his attention to me.

"So, there's Talon. Do you have anyone else in your life that's important. Siblings?"

His mouth opens, only to shut quickly again. He slightly leans into my palm while shaking his head.

"Do you?"

The image of my younger brother and sister flashes through my mind, but I shake my head too.

"Just me," I say, "there was a best friend down the line, but that went to shit."

Malik raises his eyebrows, his face almost scrunched up in my hand. My arm should be tiring, but it feels right being in this position because the hand connected to it is on Malik. Comforting him in a way.

I smile at his expression, "that's a story for another time, darling."

He hums, not paying the guy any mind when he comes back. He slides the plate over to me, his eyes almost twinkling when I have to physically stop the plate from going over the counter. Malik then turns his head in my hand, his stare blank. The guy—his name tag reading Mortacai—looks at Malik, as if to dare him.

"We're in public," Malik says, "so I won't make you beg for your fucking life. You treat my girl like she's beneath your service one more time, I won't hesitate to show you how beneath me you can get."

My girl.

Out of everything he said, my head can only focus on the words my girl. Not the fact that he threatened to end this persons life. Mortacai scoffs, resulting in Malik slightly raising in his seat. I press my hand to his chest, settling him back down. We are still in public.

"Sit down, darling. He'll be handled."

Mortacai then looks to me and that's when I offer the fake smile. Because I will ruin his life. At least part of it. Like I said, he annoys me. I, unfortunately, lose my appetite for the dessert in front of me, pushing it back to where it came from. Malik stops me from pulling up my purse, his grip firm.

"You're not paying for any of this. Leave it."

"Okay."

"I also have to go," he sighs, his phone suddenly gripped in his other hand, "business."

Right. Security. I suppose Talon will be leaving James alone in my office right about now. I nod as he stands, pulling me up with him. Malik leans down, whispering something so soft that my clothes might as well be off, and my legs should be jelly.

"You know I'll always come to you, even when I shouldn't," he says, next.

"I'll be waiting."

He hums before storming out of the cafe, people looking at him go and then at me. I stand, hot and bothered, with only a few things on my mind:

1. There is no casual sex with Malik Atoni. Not without feelings. I was a fool to think so.
2. He does not work security. I should mind my own, but Malik is my own.
3. I still don't have his number.
4. James truly is going to have a field day.

———
AHHHH HERE WE GO MY BABIES, ANOTHER CHAPTER!!! I'M SORRY I TAKE SO LONG.

Tell me your thoughts <3
———
QOTD: How long do you think it will take for Ziya to find out the truth about Malik and what he does for a living?
———
vote, comment, share—just do what you do cause I love what y'all do <3 my expressive and silent readers give me so much motivation 🩷

THAT'S IT. FOR EXTRAS, TEASERS, EDITS & MORE, CHECK OUT MY SOCIALS:
Instagram: @ zwritesss
Threads: @ zwritesss
TikTok: @ zwritessss

See you later, alligators !!