Craving Temptation by Deborah Fletcher Mello Read Free Book Online Page B

don’t let it be.”
    There was a pregnant pause as Amina considered his words. “You never told me why you called,” she finally said, breaking the silence.
    Troy hesitated for a brief moment before he answered. “To be honest, I just wanted to hear your voice,” he replied.
    Amina gasped, his frankness surprising her. She didn’t know how to respond and so she said nothing. The silence was awkward for a second time.
    He called her name. “Amina?”
    â€œI’m still here.”
    â€œI didn’t mean to be so forward. I just . . . well . . .” Troy stammered, suddenly at a loss for words.
    She took a deep inhalation of air, blowing it out slowly. “I’m glad you called,” Amina whispered.
    Troy blew his own breath into the receiver, a weight feeling like it had been lifted off his shoulders. “You had me worried for a moment,” he said.
    Amina laughed. “You don’t do this often, do you, Mr. Elliott?”
    â€œI really haven’t done something like this ever,” Troy answered.
    â€œI find that very hard to believe.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œI just imagine that you have a ton of women vying for your attention.”
    Troy laughed. “Well, you can be assured that you are the only woman who has my attention.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œYou know why.”
    â€œNo,” she said emphatically. “I don’t.”
    Troy took another deep breath and held it, seeming to choose his words carefully. “Because there is something special about you, Amina Salman. I saw it in your eyes. That’s why.”
    She felt a rush of heat course through the pit of her stomach as butterflies took flight. No man had ever made her feel the way she was suddenly feeling about Troy Elliott. She took a deep breath and held it.
    Amina wasn’t necessarily naive when it came to the ways of men. She’d been dating since high school, some good and some not so good guys. Her mother had been supportive of most of her choices. A select few hadn’t given either of the women any warm and fuzzy feelings. Too many lunches and dinners had never amounted to much of anything, not one teasing her sensibilities the way Troy was suddenly teasing her. Amina could only imagine what her father would have to say, especially since her twenty-one about-to-be twenty-two-year-old sister had yet to enjoy any man’s company.
    Two hours later she and Troy were still talking, banter flowing easily between them. When Rasheeda knocked on the bathroom door, the harsh rap jarred Amina back to the moment. She depressed the mute button on her cell phone.
    â€œI won’t be much longer, Rasheeda!” she said.
    â€œHurry up! I have to go,” the girl whined.
    â€œI promise, I’ll be right out,” Amina repeated. She resumed her conversation. “Troy, I hate to end this but it’s late,” Amina said.
    â€œI understand,” Troy said. “I appreciate your not hanging up on me sooner.”
    Amina smiled into the receiver. “You have a good night, Troy.”
    â€œCan I call you again tomorrow?” Troy asked, “Or maybe you can stop by the bakery for a cookie?”
    Her smile widened. “Definitely call me again,” she said, her voice a loud whisper.
    â€œGood night, Amina,” Troy whispered back.
    â€œSweet dreams, Troy!”
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    Amina and her father were already at odds over his political stance. He’d come out of the gate being critical of the current mayor and Amina wholeheartedly disagreed with that approach. They’d been butting heads most of the morning about him publicly voicing negative opinions about his opponents.
    â€œFather, you would be better served to present a positive front about your platform. Focus on the changes you would make if elected, not what your opponents are doing wrong.”
    Basil chimed in with his two cents. “Father should point out their