Craving Temptation by Deborah Fletcher Mello Page A

do?”
    â€œWell, did you say yes?”
    â€œOf course not! In fact, I didn’t say much of anything at all. My sister said I looked shell-shocked.”
    â€œWhat did your father say?”
    â€œWhat he always says. That I should trust his judgment. That he knows best. That a good Muslim woman is an obedient woman. Then he said he approved of that man and I spending time together to get to know one another as long as Basil is there to chaperone.”
    â€œHow sweet! He wants to protect your virtue!”
    â€œHe wants to ruin my life!” Amina exclaimed. She fell face forward, dropping her forehead against the mattress.
    The two women were still giggling when they heard a door slam harshly followed by Troy’s booming voice calling for his brother. As the man moved through the home Amina’s eyes widened.
    â€œHe’s early!”
    â€œActually, I think you’re late,” Harper said, taking a glance at her wristwatch.
    Troy suddenly came to an abrupt stop in the doorway, spying the two women. He looked from one to the other. “Hi. What are you two up to?”
    Harper shrugged. “Girl talk. What are you doing here?” she asked as she unfolded her body to a standing position, her feet planted firmly on the hardwood floor.
    â€œI needed to ask Quentin a question before I picked up my date for dinner,” he said as he winked an eye in Amina’s direction.
    Amina’s bright smile widened with excitement.
    â€œWell, your brother is sound asleep. He was up all night and all day baking. He only lay down an hour or so ago. And, as you saw, I was gossiping with your date.”
    â€œAbout something juicy, I hope.”
    â€œWe were talking about you.”
    Troy’s mouth lifted into a slight smile. “I suddenly imagine that if I’d had you for a little sister sooner, I’d have strangled you by now.”
    Harper laughed. “I love you, too, Big Brother!” She reached up to kiss his cheek. “Do you want me to wake Quentin?” she asked as she moved toward the door.
    Troy shook his head no. “Let him sleep. I’ll catch up with him later,” he said.
    Harper smiled. “I have some work to finish up,” she said. Her hand rested on the doorknob. “Why don’t I give you two some privacy.”
    Making her exit, Harper tossed Amina a wink of her eye, then closed the bedroom door behind herself. As her footsteps faded down the hallway Troy turned his gaze toward the beautiful woman. As he looked into her eyes he felt something surge through his spirit that he couldn’t quite name. It was as if an electrical current was running through him and the pleasant feeling was like nothing he’d ever experienced before. A nervous flutter rippled between them.
    â€œHi,” she whispered, her voice dropping low.
    â€œHi,” Troy responded as he eased himself closer to the bed. He stood staring at her for a brief moment before he lifted one knee and then the other onto the bed top.
    He crawled slowly toward where she was still sitting. As he reached her, Amina extended her arms and wrapped them around his neck. She pulled him close as he dropped his mouth against hers and kissed her hungrily.
    His lips grazed hers lightly at first then with more vigor. He sucked on her bottom lip and then her top, his tongue teasing the flesh across her mouth. When he eased an arm around her waist and dropped his body weight against hers, she opened her mouth and welcomed him in, his tongue dancing alongside hers.
    So lost in the moment, Amina was oblivious to Troy’s having eased himself between her legs, his pelvis joined nicely to hers. They lingered in the sheer beauty of the connection until Troy suddenly pulled himself from her, lifting his body back onto his feet. He was panting heavily and an erection had lengthened in his pants. The weight of it pressed tight against the front of his trousers. He turned his back to her