Mug in hand, Malik stepped onto the porch with Daisy right beside him and watched as Lindsay pulled in her car. He hadn’t gone into the workshop for two days because his mind couldn’t rest. All he could think about was her, and every time he did, it triggered pain in his chest and stomach. The same kind of pain he’d experienced when his mother died. He never knew he could miss someone so much, experience such a sense of loss when the person he loved was still alive and well.

Lindsay parked her convertible beside one of the big trees in the yard and stepped out, apprehension in her hazel eyes. Daisy let out a joyful bark, tail wagging excitedly, and bounded down the steps. She jumped up on her hind legs and almost knocked Lindsay down with her exuberant greeting. Traitor.

“Hey, girl!” Lindsay showered affection on the dog by rubbing her head and back before coaxing her onto all fours.

Her gaze flicked over his bare chest and worn jeans. If he’d known she was coming, he would have put a little more effort into his appearance. She, however, looked spectacular. She’d taken the time to create waves in her hair and wore a dark green top and hip-hugging jeans.

She smoothed her hands down the jeans, and his eyes ate her up, drifting hungrily over the curve of her hips and thighs. He missed her so much. His skin went tight as he wished his hands were the ones sliding over her shapely body.

“Hey,” she said.

“Hey.” Affecting a nonchalant pose, Malik rested his shoulder against the porch column and sipped from the white mug in his hand. “What are you doing here?” he asked evenly.

“The other night you made your point. I understand I was wrong for the things I said at the gallery.”

Malik took another sip and then rested the cup on the railing. “That’s all you came to say?”

“What else do you want me to say?”

“I need an explanation. What happened? We were going along fine, and then all of a sudden you changed the rules of our relationship and accused me of some pretty grimy shit.”

She shifted from one foot to the other. “I was wrong.”

“Where did those thoughts come from?”

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

“We need to talk about it.”

She stared at the ground. “It’s not important.”

“It’s important to me.”

“Why are you doing this?” she demanded. “Do you just want to humiliate me?”

“No, I want to know why you think I was using you. If you think I’m that kind of person, why were you with me?”

“Forget it. I don’t know why I came. This was a mistake.”

She took a few steps back to the car, but Malik couldn’t let her leave. He leapt off the porch like an Olympian and caught her as she opened the door. He slammed it shut and grabbed her around the waist, pulling her against his bare chest.

He needed to make her talk. Force her to explain herself. But first, he pressed his nose into the back of her neck and took a big whiff of her sweet-smelling skin—almonds and springtime. His insides twisted at the familiar fragrance, which he’d missed more than he could ever imagine.

“Tell me,” he said softly.

She took a shaky breath. “Maybe…”

“Maybe what?” She softened in his arms, and he rubbed his beard against her soft cheek. “Talk to me, babe,” he said, his voice low and insistent.

“Maybe I was scared,” she whispered.

“Of what?”

“Losing you. So I figured I would end our relationship first.”

None of what she was saying made any sense. Malik turned her around to face him and forced her eyes up to his with a finger under her chin. “Why would you lose me?”

She gave him a trembling smile. “Maybe when you know everything about me, you’ll…take back what you said. You won’t love me anymore.”

His hands framed her face. “I know you. I know all I need to know about you, but I look forward to learning more. Nothing, and I mean nothing, could ever make me stop loving you. I never expected to feel this way, Lindsay, but you’re the one. “

She blinked rapidly to keep back tears. “Malik…”

“I mean it. You don’t have to be afraid of me hurting you, babe. I’m not like Shawn or any other man you’ve had problems with. Okay?”

She nodded. “Okay.”

He smiled. “Was that so hard?”

She laughed shakily. “Harder than you think. I’ve never felt this way.”

“What way? Vulnerable?”

“Something like that,” she mumbled.

“Want to know something?”

“What?”

His thumb gently rubbed her jawline. “I’m not used to it either. You drive me crazy.”

She smiled at that.

“Oh, you like that, huh?” he said.

“Maybe a little bit.” She bit her lip.

He slid his arm around her waist and tugged her close, sliding the other arm around the back of her neck. “Damn, I missed you. You really put a brother through it, you know that?”

“Me?” Her voice was muffled in his neck. “I didn’t think you’d forgive me.”

“I was coming around. I needed you to think for a few days.”

“And miss you?”

“Something like that.”

“Meanie.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Can we spend the rest of the day together?”

“My whole day belongs to you.”

She grinned. “What about your girlfriend, Layla?”

“She’s not my girlfriend. You’re my girlfriend, and the only woman I want.” He planted a wet, hungry kiss on her lips. Man, she tasted good.

“Make sure she knows that. She tagged me in a video of you guys partying that she posted on Instagram.”

“I had no idea she’d done that. I promise.”

“For the record, she’s not allowed to be your agent. Find another art agent.”

“Come on. She’s got great connections and—”

“No. I mean it, Malik. Not her.” She pouted.

He sighed. “All right. I’ll find another agent.”

“Thank you.”

“Spoiled ass,” he muttered. He kissed her on the lips. Then the chin. Then the neck.

She wiggled her body, and his hands smoothed down her back to her bottom, where they came to rest, and grabbed handfuls of butt cheeks.

She groaned.

“That sound right there—I’ve been missing it.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. You’re in trouble. You know that, don’t you?”

“Promise?”

He chuckled and swatted her bottom. “Let’s go.”

“You have to carry me,” she said.

“Why?”

“Because I’m a queen.”

Malik lifted her, and she wrapped her legs around his waist. “You’re my queen.”

“And you’re my king.”

“Always.” Her marched toward the door. He nudged her ear with his nose. “No more bullshit, okay?”

“Okay.” She tugged his beard, which never ceased to arouse him. She barely had to touch him and he became hard.

“You better not drop me,” Lindsay said, as he climbed the stairs. She nibbled on his earlobe.

“Not in a million years. I want you to stay the night, too.”

She sighed and pressed her face into his neck. “I’ll stay as long as you let me,” she whispered.

“I’m heading out,” Malik said.

Lindsay was in the kitchen, in the process of placing two halves of a chicken sandwich into a paper sack for him to take.

He was on his way to deliver sculptures to two Noble Gallery locations—one off Highway 85, where the exhibit had taken place, and the other to their Midtown location. Since it was around lunchtime and he had been running late, partly because she wouldn’t let him leave the bed, she made him a sandwich for the road.

“Here you go,” she said, handing over the food with a bottle of water.

“Look at you, being all sexy and domestic.” He dragged her close and planted a loud smack on her lips.

Lindsay giggled. “Don’t get too comfortable with this arrangement.”

To be honest, she liked doing things for him. He’d planned to stop at a drive-thru on the way, but she offered to make the sandwich, and he’d been so appreciative of such a small gesture of kindness. The little things really made a difference in a relationship. She made a mental note to do a podcast on the topic.

“I better leave before you make me any later,” Malik muttered against her lips.

He smacked her on the booty and headed for the door.

Lindsay placed a hand on her hip. “Oh sure, blame me. I didn’t hear you complaining this morning. Next time I’ll behave myself.”

He stopped at the door. “Don’t you dare. I’ll see you later, and don’t let Daisy up on the bed.”

“I won’t, I won’t,” she grumbled. She’d allowed the dog on the bed one time, and he’d harassed her ever since.

After he left, Lindsay cleaned up the kitchen and took her own sandwich and a glass of juice to the office. The second book was coming along nicely, and she was excited about the release and book signing for The Sexy Diva Talks Dating.

She sat down at the desk and ate her sandwich, tossing a piece to Daisy, who’d followed her into the office to keep her company.

Lindsay stared out the window. The past few days had been wonderful reconnecting with Malik. He’d told her about a few of his crazy exes, and she recognized why those women behaved that way. Malik had a way of making you feel like you were the center of the universe, and his creative lovemaking was addictive. She understood how a woman could go a little crazy when all of that was taken away.

Despite their reconciliation, there was more work to do. She hadn’t been completely honest with him and needed to rectify that. She and Malik were in a good place now, and she didn’t want to rock the boat, but she needed to tell him everything and would do so after they came back from New York. Honesty and trust were important for a healthy relationship. Hadn’t she discussed something similar in one of her podcasts?

Dear Trust Issues,

Trust is important for a healthy relationship. If you don’t trust your partner or he doesn’t trust you, can you really be yourself? Can you take your relationship to the next level?

Time to take her own advice. She needed to be honest and tell Malik who her father was, and trust that he would understand.