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    Choose Me ~ A Sweet & Steamy Romance
    Choose Me ~ A Sweet & Steamy Romance
    Choose Me ~ A Sweet & Steamy Romance
    Ebook344 pages5 hours

    Choose Me ~ A Sweet & Steamy Romance

    By Stella Eromonsere-Ajanaku

    ()

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    About this ebook

    ~ A Flirty & Feisty Romance Novel: Love for real ~

     

    "Can I massage your sexy muscles?"

    When Vlogger, Jayla King scorned by love in the past directs her flirty question to the guy with a toned butt, bewitching blue eyes and chiselled muscles, she has no idea who he is or what he is after. He is over-the-line hot, period! Although arrogant, he is a luxury white chocolate bar laced with rum.

    When he counters with a series of questions, she becomes suspicious of his motives and backs away! But she stays long enough to find out his dark side…

    Now she knows the road to his New Orleans mansion will lead to nowhere…

     

    "If you take off your nose ring," he raised one full dark eyebrow. "I might oblige you."

    Cocky and living a great lifestyle while putting the dark times behind, along with his narrow-minded family, New Orleans mansion owner, James Lincoln replies with a cheeky question when YouTuber, Jayla disrupts his morning.

     

    He should have ignored her and walked on.

     

    Instead, his fantasy becomes reality when the woman with breath-taking laughter, sun-glazed skin and a sinfully-sweet curvy booty flips on his heart switch like no other woman. When he offers her more than she asks for, she spits out the loudest, 'NO' on the planet! Yet, she drives him out of his mind. The moment he finds out her dirty secret, she brings out the worst in him.

     

    "We're done, Jayla!"

    He doesn't need a fairy-tale ending now, or ever! He is better off without her belly pouch, flabby arms and stretch-marked cleavage anyway until a freaking incident…

     

    As his expectation comes crashing down, will James walk away for good, or will he and Jayla choose each other?

     

    ~ From the Author of Bestselling Romance: Longing for You – A BWWM Sweet & Steamy Romance ~

     

    -----------------------------------------------

     

    Read a Snippet from Choose Me:

                    

    James watched the fruity juice stain the corners of Jayla's lips.

     

    Despite the severe talk he had with himself before the evening began, he lunged forward, cupped Jayla's neck with one hand and meshed her lips with his own.

     

    With his tongue, he wiped the sweet goo around her lips, pushed further inside her mouth, hoping to make her feel all the emotions charging through him.

    Folding her hands around his neck as she moaned, she fried his tongue with hers. Jayla stroked and stoked flames inside his mouth, steering a storm down south. While her head fell back, he padded her nape with one hand until she laid on the rug and he pressed his chest over her cleavage.

     

    With his body heating up fast, he brushed his hand past the keyhole of her dress to mould his fingers around her boobs. Her soft flesh scalded his fingers. When he ached to the point his body vibrated, he rolled off her body.

     

    "I'm taking you home, Jayla."

     

    "Why is that?"

     

    "Don't ask."

     

    "Why not, James?"

     

    "I didn't want to lure you into my bed. That would be too obvious. So, I'm going to stop."

     

    When he stood and helped her to her feet, he saw her lips tremble as she pulled down her dress.

    Tonight, he had deepened his grip on her mind and body. She craved his stare. More than that, she yearned for one more kiss, or two.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherStella Eromonsere-Ajanaku
    Release dateSep 27, 2020
    ISBN9781393642060
    Choose Me ~ A Sweet & Steamy Romance
    Author

    Stella Eromonsere-Ajanaku

    Stella Eromonsere-Ajanaku is a fun loving mother of two teenagers, married to her gorgeous husband and best friend who indulges her romantic habits. Writing contemporary and historical romance novels is an exciting adventure for her. Out of curiosity and belief that love conquers all, she has written several Interracial & Multicultural Romance Novels. In 2010, Stella created Flirty & Feisty Romance Novels, a collection of toe-curling, intriguing, and skin-tingling romance with compelling characters who have heart and soul and jump off the pages of the book. All her stories are dotted with twists and turns and are set in fascinating Africa, enticing Europe & enchanting America. To experience and enjoy an intense emotional ride, pick up a copy of any of her novels: TEMPTED by the Princess - Book 1 ~ A BWWM Curvy Girl Romance TEMPTED by the Princess - Book 2 ~ A BWWM Curvy Girl Romance Hooked by one Curvy Girl - Book 1 ~ A BWWM Sexy Romance Hooked by one Curvy Girl - Book 2 ~ A BWWM Sexy Romance NAUGHTY PROMISE ~ A BWWM Sweet & Steamy Romance CHRISTMAS Seduction ~ A BWWM Sweet & Steamy Romance IRRESISTIBLE Passion ~ A BWWM Sweet & Steamy Romance "Shocking Affair" ~ A Sweet & Steamy Romance GUILTY of LOVE ~ A Sweet & Steamy Romance Your Christmas Gift ~ A Sweet & Steamy Romance All of Me ~ A Sweet & Steamy Romance "You're Mine" ~ A Sweet & Sexy Christmas Romance Enticed Forever ~ A Bad boy Romance Naked Attraction ~ A Sweet & Sexy Romance INDECENT ~ WWBW Steamy Romance His Ring ~ A Sweet & Steamy Romance LUST ~ A Sexy Romance Love at Christmas ~ A Sweet & Sexy Romance Husband to Rent ~ Sensual Romance Stolen Valentine Kiss (Holiday Series Book 1) ~ A Sweet Romance Kiss My Lips (Holiday Series Book 2) Stolen Kisses (Holiday Series - Complete Set) Tempting Desire ~ A BWWM Sweet & Steamy Romance Seduced Hearts ~ A BWWM Steamy Christmas Romance Forbidden Dance (Forbidden Series Book 1) ~ A BWWM Steamy Romance Red Velvet Rose (Forbidden Series Book 2) ~ A BMWW Sexy Romance Wild Whispers ~ A BWWM Sweet Romance Royal Cowries (Cowries Series Book 1) ~ A Sweet Historical Romance His Choice (Cowries Series Book 2) ~ A Sweet Historical Romance Stella's first historical/suspense/mystery romance, Royal Cowries (Cowries Series #1) will give you an insight into exotic Africa. A luxury home by the seaside is on Stella's wish list and in her spare time, she loves to swim on her back like a starfish, watch TV, go to the movies with her family and read romance novels.

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      Book preview

      Choose Me ~ A Sweet & Steamy Romance - Stella Eromonsere-Ajanaku

      Sexy Teaser

      ––––––––

      In his eyes, Jayla was naked. Bare-butt naked. Her stomach fluttered and her chest tightened. To be honest, his every glance was like a visual foreplay and she was his willing partner.

      I want more. Much more. I want you, Jayla.

      Does my belly fat bother you? Because this is what normal looks like for me, James.

      Have you any idea how hot and sexy you look right now? I can barely hold it together. Belly fat or not, you’re an exceptionally attractive woman and your belly is part of your beauty.

      I didn’t sleep good last night. So, if you kiss me, I’m not going to stop you.

      All kinds of terrific sensations flooded his gut and every pleasure spot in his body roared to life.

      James bridged the gap between them so tight, if he moved any closer, his nose would brush her sculpted nose and he would be able to drop a kiss on her plum lips. He leaned in for the kiss she asked for, the kiss he needed.

      She kissed him back, nipping his thin lips and tasting the magical, head-turning sweetness inside his mouth. His tongue brushed past her lips, thrust in and out of her mouth, tickled the inside skin, and sharpened the blaze across her boobs until her nipples ached for his caresses.

      Pulling back suddenly, he whispered. Think about me because I’ll be back.

      James turned his back on her, leaving her to dialogue with his fine ass and to massage his taut muscles with only her eyes.

      Choose Me

      Copyright © 2020 Stella Eromonsere-Ajanaku

      Kindle Edition.

      All rights reserved.

      No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of the author and publisher–Stella Eromonsere-Ajanaku–nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

      This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters and events in this publication, other than those clearly in the public domain, are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

      Praise

      ––––––––

      Book #33 is published.

      Praise the LORD!

      Praise God in his sanctuary;

      Praise Him in his mighty heavens!

      Praise Him for his mighty acts;

      Praise Him according to his excellent greatness.

      (Ps 150:1 -2).

      Immortal God, giver of all good gifts, I want to say thank you, LORD for your goodness in my life, in my family, in my marriage and in the lives of those who read my books.

      I can never thank you enough, my Father–who art in heaven–for your inspiration, for the joy I derive from writing and publishing romance books and for your blessings on the works of my hands. All I have to say is thank you, Creator and preserver of the world. Thank you for our Redeemer, Advocate and friend, Jesus Christ who died, rose and sits at your right hand in glory.

      Now unto you, the Immortal, Invisible, the only wise God, be all the glory, honour and praise, forever and ever, Amen.

      Sincere Gratitude

      To my best friend, the king of my heart and my honey-boo of 21years, our journey just began and our best years are ahead in Jesus name. I love you, mucha mucha and forever.

      To our two blessings from God, our grown-up children, I love you every day. You two will do great wonders in Jesus name. May the peace, love and favour of God abide with us forever, Amen.

      To my supporters who share and promote my books on their pages, I’m super grateful. You are all blessed.

      Readers, you shocked me because my last book, Longing for You was an Amazon #1 Bestseller in the US & UK and the paperback was also a #1 New Release! Precious Readers, thank you so much for buying and reading my books. I’m over the moon.

      Also, thank you to everyone who wrote a review for Longing for You and for my other books. When you leave a review, I get butterflies in my stomach. Every reader of Flirty & Feisty Romance Novels across the world is valuable to me. I love you all.

      I hope you love reading, Choose Me as much as I loved writing every word.

      God bless you all.

      Books by Stella

      Flirty & Feisty Contemporary and Interracial Romance:

      Choose Me

      Longing for You

      Irresistible Driver

      Get Undressed

      Christmas Desire

      Tempted by the Princess – Book 1

      Tempted by the Princess – Book 2

      Hooked by one Curvy Girl – Book 1

      Hooked by one Curvy Girl – Book 2

      Naughty Promise

      Christmas Seduction

      Irresistible Passion

      Shocking Affair

      Guilty of Love

      Your Christmas Gift

      All of Me

      You’re Mine

      Enticed Forever

      Naked Attraction

      Indecent

      His Ring

      Forbidden Dance (Forbidden Series #1)

      Red Velvet Rose (Forbidden Series #2)

      Tempting Desire

      Seduced Hearts

      Lust

      Stolen Kisses (Books 1 & 2)

      Wild Whispers

      Love at Christmas

      Husband to Rent

      Stolen Valentine Kiss (Holiday Series #1)

      Kiss My Lips (Holiday Series #2)

      Royal Cowries (Cowries Series #1)

      His Choice (Cowries Series #2)

      A Bit About Me

      I’m Stella Eromonsere-Ajanaku, born and raised in the historic Benin City of Edo State, Nigeria in West

      Africa. My birth city boasts a monarchy that is over 6000years old. But I now live in London, UK with my husband, and our two grown-ups. I Vlog with my hubby on GunnersLoversTV on YouTube.

      To be honest, nothing thrills me more than to write sizzling romance novels that have intriguing and captivating plots which features compelling characters who have hearts and souls and jump off the pages.

      All my stories are dotted with unexpected twists and are set in fascinating Africa, enticing Europe and enchanting America & Canada. If you need a novel to knock off the stress of daily living, cure you of boredom, make you laugh, keep you drooling in suspense and draw you into an intensely emotional spin, pick up one of mine to read. They have a high entertainment value.

      In 2010, I created Flirty & Feisty Romance Novels.

      To experience an emotional ride with my characters, just cuddle up, grab a copy of Flirty & Feisty Romance Novels and sail away to Pleasure Island. I will love to hear from you.

      Dear Reader

      When Jayla King said the first thing that came to her head to a guy she had never met, she had no idea things were about to get extra heated.

      From one simple request to another, things get complicated so quickly, she is searching for a way to stop her heart racing and twitching.

      When James Lincoln stood in front of the woman who reset his heart rate without his say-so, he had no idea he was enrolling for a sleepless, and an all-time consuming lifestyle change.

      Now he can’t stop his heart jerking, or his mind from drifting...

      Until she confronts his past,

      And, he stumbles upon her dirty little secret.

      There’s no going back now!

      You must read Choose Me to find out if James sets his arrogance aside to fight for his love for Jayla, and if she will overlook his slip.

      If you have not read any of my 32 other sizzling romance novels, please start now.

      If you have any comments, please write to Stella at

      Authorstella@gmail.com

      Add my Book Merch to your collection: love-for-real-city-merche on teespring.com  

      Hugs & Love,

      Stella Eromonsere-Ajanaku

      Praise for Stella’s Books

      Longing for You: Fantastic story and supporting cast!! However, the epilogue will be the greatest!! Absolutely loved it!!!

      ~ Rated 5stars by—mocha—.

      Irresistible Driver: A very good steamy read! ...In the end, love conquers all. This author’s...flirty romances are absolutely the best!

      ~ Rated 5stars by LadyTee89.

      Get Undressed: Very different type of match making... Enjoyed this couples journey to their HEA.

      ~ Rated 4stars by Mae Dixon.

      Christmas Desire: Such a lovely tale! That element of surprise really got me. I loved the characters...

      ~ Rated 5stars by LadyTee89.

      Tempted by the Princess: Oh my goodness... I love this story. It's a feel good... Declan and Kahina are FIRE...

      ~ Rated 5stars by Kindle Customer.

      Hooked by one Curvy Girl – Book 1: Sweet & sexy story...Amara and Brad seems so right for each other.... He wants what she cannot give... ~ Rated 5 stars by KittyOh48.

      Hooked by one Curvy Girl – Book 2: This hot romance read series ended on an excellent note... A lovely story...a happily ever after!

      ~ Rated 5 stars by LadyTee89.

      Naughty Promise: This was a very dear story to me. Kemi and Clifton had me in tears. I didn't want it to end. I truly loved this story... 

      ~ Rated 5 stars by LadyTee89.

      Christmas Seduction: ...I do have to say that once you start reading this book you won't be able to put it down. This book made my day extremely joyous. ~ Rated 5 stars by Kindle Customer.

      Irresistible Passion: I totally loved this story from the beginning to the end. What an exceptional read .... ~ Rated 5 stars by Gloria J Hill.

      Shocking Affair – ...When the chemistry is so strong between two souls, no amount of interference from those who don’t feel the same is enough to keep this pair apart. I love this book...

      ~ Rated 5 stars by LadyTee89.

      Guilty of Love – This was a very hot and steamy tale! The interaction between the characters was so realistic...and were so unpredictable I couldn't put the book down until I finished! ~ Rated 5 stars by nina.

      Your Christmas Gift – Oh what a great quick read and a sweet story! It is great from the first page to the last... I do so LOVE your books! Please keep them coming. ~ Rated 5 stars by LHill.

      All of Me – I adored this story... The characters were sexy, hilarious and so real! This story had me at page 1...great read! 💗

      ~ Rated 5 stars by Readyreader.

      You’re Mine – I enjoyed this book from the beginning so very much!! ...Such a well-written story that is so unique and lovely!! Brought tears to my eyes..." ~ Rated 5 stars by Rhonda Adels.

      Husband to Rent – I have to say the chemistry that Stella Eromonsere-Ajanaku characters have in these books, make me want to move into one of her books, so I can find my King.

      ~ Rated 5 stars by georgiana braham.

      "Enticed Forever has a great storyline and the chemistry between Theo and Aize hooked me right into their story and kept me totally enthralled until the very end!" ~ Rated 5 stars by Pat W.

      "In Naked Attraction...The images that play in my mind as I read about locations, foods and situations seem as if I'm watching a movie. The way she describes the characters and their chemistry is awesome.... I recommend it." ~ Rated 5 stars by ReadyReader.

      His Ring: "Truly loved this story. It's such a sweet love story to read!! I fell in love with Yomi and the story itself held my attention to the very end. I laughed, I cried and I loved the ending!!!"

      ~ Rated 5 stars by Layla Morgan.

      His Choice: What a beautifully written love story. A prince who has his heart set on a woman he cannot have with a very interesting twist I enjoyed so much, I could not put the book down until I finished...

      ~ Rated 5 stars by amazon customer.

      "Lust: This was such a wonderful story! I loved the relationship that grew between Jordan and Faye... I cried, I laughed and I didn't want to put it down." ~ Rated 5 stars by amazon customer

      Love at Christmas: ...Stella is a writer who draws you into the story and her characters. It was a pleasure to read... It made me feel emotional and as if Christmas was already here. ~ Rated 5 stars by Lisa Caddick

      "Stolen Valentine Kiss–I enjoyed the romance story that developed from a lingering look. I loved how two hearts became one... Lorna and Logan are perfect for each other..." ~ Rated 5 stars by Deborah Brandon.

      Kiss My Lips – What a great escape for me. Logan is...sweet, sensitive, thoughtful, everything that we would look for in a book boyfriend. This was a great read from start to finish. ~ Rated 5 stars by avid reader.

      "Royal Cowries – This novel is like the movies Queenie, Roots and Shaka Zulu with a more modern way of thinking, surviving, love...within a passionate love story. Excellent!!!" ~ Rated 5 stars by T. Miles

      "Forbidden Dance is a breath-taking romance novel... The reader is taken on a whirlwind affair filled with...A well-written, remarkable page-turning read." ~ Rated 5 stars by Vivienne Diane Neal.

      "Tempting Desire, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel. I was hooked from the very first page. The story line was so real I could visualise each of the characters. It was as if I was watching a life movie."

      ~ Rated 5 stars by Amazon Customer.

      "Seduced Hearts: Outstanding book! Excellent read. It's so nuanced, it sparkles. It's definitely worth reading!"

      ~ Rated 5 stars by Russell Mebane.

      Red Velvet Rose: This novel is a masterpiece, I couldn’t stop reading until I finished the book...

      ~ Rated 5 stars by Itohan.

      "Wild Whispers: Wild whispers is a beautiful story and...once I picked it up to read, I couldn’t put it down until I got to the end... True love as discovered by Adaora and Gary is spontaneous and not bound by time or space." ~ Rated 5stars by Gharriluc.

      Chapter 1 – Massage My Muscles

      Jayla

      Can I massage your sexy muscles?

      Jayla King swirled around and froze after she asked the crazy, flirty question.

      Excuse me? The white guy who swiftly moved to stand in front of her set his cherry-blossom pink lips in a hard line. He was way taller than her five-seven.

      OMG! He was hot! He was hot from whichever angle she looked at him. And sexy. That is, every shade of sexy. Not to mention the deep, rough edges of his voice. His pointed gaze sent her heart jerking in two different directions. Still, that was not a good reason to ask such a flirtatious question.

      Standing just outside Rouses Market along Baronne Street in Downtown New Orleans, Louisiana, Jayla thanked God she had chosen to wear the V-neck, 3/4 sleeves lilac sheath dress instead of something mundane. Tilting her head back after the icy lump in her throat thawed, she noted the guy had compelling eyes as blue as the ocean in Bora Bora. Not that she had visited the South Pacific Island yet. But the sparkling ocean colour was common knowledge.

      Do your muscles feel sore? I mean they’re so huge. I’m sure my fingers–

      Are you chatting me up right now? The stranger’s eyes narrowed and his fine lips thinned further.

      Good question. She had never, ever done anything wildly flirty in her life. Her mouth had a mind of its own all of a sudden. Maybe she should not have skipped breakfast. It seemed her sugar deprived brain played tricks on her mouth. She just made a double pass at a total stranger in the Big Easy. Inwardly, she cringed at her brazen attitude but heat simmered between her stretch-marked cleavage when his eyes devoured her curves from every side.

      It depends, Jayla heard herself say. Setting a sweet smile on her face, she gripped her car keys tighter. You look amazing and I give good massages.

      You give good massages to whom exactly? her inner voice mocked.

      Striking dark-brown beard mapped his whole jawline, she wanted to press her mouth to his chin. And his hunky biceps and chest filled the width of his shirt to such an extent, she dragged in a deep breath.

      If you take off your nose ring, he raised one full dark eyebrow. I might oblige.

      Her mouth fell open at his comeback before she swallowed. You’re way out of line. It’s like me asking you to scrape off your tattoos.

      Whoa! His jaw went slack as he simpered.

      Yeah. I see you’ve got tattoos. Get rid of them and I’ll take off my nose ring.

      Are you out of your mind, Jayla King?

      W-wh-hat? She blinked. You know my name?

      Maybe I do. What kind of massages do you give? Aromatherapy? Trigger point? Sports massage?

      The guy switched from cold to warm within the blink of an eye.

      She swallowed. Slow down. Have we met before?

      His eyes bored into hers. If we had, you would’ve remembered because you wouldn’t stop thinking about me.

      From a warm shade, his eyes turned icy blue, chilling her spine and roasting her skin in seconds. Her pulse skipped for a mile and she gripped her keys so tight, she felt the edges dig into her palm. Though she had started the hunt, now, she felt like the prey.

      I was on my way to shop for groceries. She nodded at the store behind her. See you around.

      If you don’t mind me asking, are you married? came his next question, stopping her hurried flight.

      As he spoke, Jayla swept her eyes across the wide set of his shoulders. Though screened behind his pristine white shirt, his bulging torso could not be tucked away. The muscles winked at her as they flexed, making indecent promises. She stared wild-eyed as if she had nowhere to go.

      Not as far as I know. There’s no wedding ring on my finger. She flickered her eyelids, shifting her gaze to his face, an opportunity to take in his warm alabaster skin highlighted by a peach undertone.

      He laughed. But it ended too quickly.

      Are you engaged? His deep voice caressed her cleavage even though they were a few paces apart.

      Glancing sideways, her thoughts jiggled all over the place. Even her pulse and heart did that rare thing where they quickened and quaked. Crazy moves.

      Who wants to know? she asked, striving to sound calm without making an utter fool of herself.

      Me. A smug grin marked his wide moist lips decked with a thin layer of dark-brown moustache.

      The early June sunshine added a stunning glow to his caramel-brown top, comb-over, high-fade hair. And his combination of the dark-blue waistcoat that gripped his toned torso and matching tailored pants revealed his athletic build. Without doubt, the guy was hot, full stop. And she needed to turn her back on him and hurry inside the grocery store, a stone throw from The National WWII Museum. Because men like him were nothing but trouble. What was she thinking chatting him up in the first place?

      Even if you’re engaged, Jayla, I might not quit.

      The dark moustache framing his upper and bottom rosy lips persuaded her to keep talking to him. Whoever the guy was, he was extra confident and, arrogant. His eyes never left hers. Even when she skimmed his features, his gaze did not waver from her face, or cleavage.

      And you are? It was about time she got his name at least. The guy with a designer beard along his prominent chiselled jaw and chin had not yet introduced himself.

      You asked to massage my muscles, right?

      I usually don’t go all out flirting with guys. I don’t know what came over me this morning–

      I’ll do you one better, he said in an even deeper tone. Be my girlfriend and the issues staring you in the face will be a thing of the past. Period.

      Excuse me? Jayla snapped, tight-faced. Who are you again? But she could not deny that at the sound of his arrogant words, electricity surged through her skin. In fact, she felt as if his long, narrow nose derided her irritated nerves.

      My apologies. I should’ve introduced myself.

      Creasing her brow, she scoffed. You don’t say! She eyeballed him for daring to insinuate she had problems he could solve. Her initial swooning at his feet altered to exasperation.

      Pardon me. My name’s James Lincoln.

      OK. His name was sexy. She paused before speaking. I’m sure we’ve never met. There was no way she would forget his face, name, or physique, not even if her brain had been deep-fried in goose fat.

      We just did. I’ve followed your YouTube and IGTV channels for a while. I can help your cause.

      By dating me? She did not care that he was probably six-four, her ideal height for a guy.

      Yeah.

      An enigmatic smile stayed etched at the corners of his cute mouth. So, what if he had lips she wanted to kiss and he looked like he just stepped out of a Gentlemen’s Quarterly Magazine and smelt so freaking amazing? So what? The fact was, she seemed to have fallen recklessly into his trap.

      Jayla waved one finger between them. I’ve got no problems you think you can resolve, James.

      This is exactly what happens when I speak before I think. If only she had caged her lips instead of spewing her admiration for him.

      I’m not going to say please every time I open my mouth, Jayla.

      "You’re an arrogant man, James Lincoln. When she quizzed his roguish grin with her eyes and gave him a deadpan stare, he swapped it for a cheeky smile. I’m not going to date you–ever. Understood?"

      My bad. I’m going to make your issues disappear. Not by dating you. By marrying you.

      Slack-jawed, Jayla gasped. Unable to hold it together, she coughed up a long laugh. That was a joke. A huge joke. It was all kinds of funny for sure.

      Seriously? she asked after the fun factor wore off. Why do I need your sexy white toned ass to marry my black curvy booty to solve whatever issues you think I have, hmm?

      Despite his conceited grin, his powerful facial features and muscular build made her stomach flutter a little. He was tall and fine as–

      Lifting both hands in surrender, he nodded. Have you stared in the mirror today?

      When his bewitching blue eyes flirted with her heart, she could feel excitement heat up her bones.

      Mm-hmm. I stared in the mirror on this beautiful first day of June before I left home. What are you saying? Does every woman not ogle her appearance in every glass window? She was tempted to add.

      I’m saying, you’re a gorgeous black beauty! Curvy. Confident. Glowing. Smart. Driven. Should I go on?

      His eyes shifted to her legs revealed in her knee-length dress before riding up slowly again. In that moment, she did not feel as if she had any clothing on. In his eyes, she was naked. Bare-butt naked. In fact, his compliments should have sounded cheesy but they did not. Instead, her stomach constricted and her chest tightened. To be honest, his every glance was like a visual foreplay and she was his willing partner.

      Thank you, she said out loud, snapping out of her steamy muse.

      Surprisingly, her fingers shivered around her handbag and keys, to the extent she swept right with her tongue. While he appraised her figure, she quickly scanned his legs. She could have sworn the toned pair whispered promises to her ears.

      If you want to massage my body, Jayla King, be my date and lose the nose ring.

      Swallowing, she inhaled. Massaging his body would be a sexy treat. But she was not sure she was ready to handle his proud personality. One, you don’t tell me what to do about my nose ring or anything else. Two, I’m not dating you. We’re done, James Lincoln.

      My whole body stood still when I first saw you, James continued. This might sound cheesy, but I’ll say it. When you asked if you could give me a massage, I felt my throat clog up, I couldn’t breathe.

      Oh! You still find me attractive with my nose ring? Duh, her inner voice yelped. That’s a lame response. Say something smart to live up to his expectation, at least.

      With her plus size, timber legs, thunder thighs and a jiggly small pouch for a belly, she would not have expected to be his type. Of course, Jayla knew she was confident and she carried

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