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warming. The only things
left for her to do was to ready herself and make sure that everything she’d
need to lead up to an evening she hoped would be spent in Skylar’s arms after
all was said and done. She looked towards the dining room table which was a
cozy setting of the china she’d received from her mother. That was where they’d
start first. But if things went as they should, he wouldn’t want to eat, least
not at first. How was she doing on time? A quick glance at the clock told her
there was about two hours before he’d be there. Taking a deep breath she
glanced around. Satisfied that everything was as it should be, she headed off
for her shower.
    ***
    Skylar didn’t understand why he was nervous, but he
was. Extremely nervous if he had to be honest about what he was feeling. It
made no sense; he was just going over to Mani’s house like he’d done hundreds
of times before. She’d promised him dinner and time to take his mind off of
everything else.
    What the hell was there to be anxious about? He
tightened his grip on the steering wheel and examined his hands for a few
moments. Why did he sense that something was going to happen tonight? He
hadn’t allowed himself to be alone with her like this in a long time, with very
good reason.
    Only because he’d wanted to make sure their friendship
stayed a friendship. She was gorgeous, funny, caring and intelligent, all the
things he loved in a woman. That meant Ms. Imani Parker was off limits to him,
so that their friendship would stay intact, because he didn’t want to hurt her.
Did he want her? Yes. That was a given. He desired her above all others, but
their friendship couldn’t be derailed because his little head was trying to
rule his big head. He loved her. He always had, but that didn’t mean he should
just take what he wanted.
    He remembered the time when he was going to take
things a bit further with her she’d come to him gushing about some guy she’d
been wanting for a long time and the fact he’d asked her to marry him. Well,
that was a quick way to douse a man’s libido. The marriage hadn’t happened, but
that was the point when he’d decided to keep it simple with her. Friendship
only.
    He’d almost told her he wanted to stay home at first,
but when he’d been about to refuse he looked at her expectant face and knew he
couldn’t deny her. He was stalling for time, and he knew it. Sitting up he squared
his shoulders, closed his eyes and muttered a prayer that he would be able to
behave himself where the sexy Imani Parker was concerned.
    Now all he had to do was sit there a few moments
longer to get rid of the raging hard on that happened just by merely thinking
about her. He shifted in his seat and tugged at his jeans, which were becoming
more uncomfortable with every second, and sighed. It was going to be a long
night.
    ***
    The sound of the doorbell alerted her that Skylar was
there and on time. She looked at herself in the large bedroom mirror one last
time, and satisfied with her appearance she hurried down to open the door.
    “Hello, Skylar.” She grinned as his mouth sort of fell
open before he quickly shut it.
    “Um, Mani, did I come at the wrong time?” He continued
to stare at her.
    “No, why do you think that?” She moved to the side and
signaled for him to come in. He entered but stayed just in the hallway still
staring at her. “But you’re in a negligee.”
    She nodded her head and glanced down at the silk emerald
green nightie that complimented her cocoa-colored skin so well. This was one
way to get his attention.
    “Yes, I am. Come on, I’m sure you’re hungry.” Closing
the door she moved down the hallway towards the dining room. She was aware of
his eyes on her, and knowing she had his attention made her warm from the
inside out. She turned quickly only to have him bump into her with a grunt.
    “Oh!” She pressed her hands against his chest and felt
his arms wrap around her to steady her.
    “Oh God, sorry,