“Damn, just listen! I didn’t mean to fall asleep here, but if you knew what we did last night, you’d understand why I couldn't help it. Since I crashed here, I need you to go by my apartment and grab some clothes for me to wear, because I’m not going to have time to drive from Smyrna to my apartment and then to work. I’ll meet you in the DNJ parking lot, and I’ll just change there.”

“You want to change clothes in the parking lot?” Juliana asks, and I can see her face twisted into a bewildered scowl all the way from here. “Girl, what has gotten into you?”

“Ugh, we don't have time for this. I need to get in the shower before I leave here, so do you have time to run by my place or not?”

“Yeah, I can go by there on my way in, but let it be known that you obviously have it bad for this guy. Being regularly late has never been your thing. You're like a whole new person.”

“Girl, you have no idea,” I say behind an amused giggle. “Thanks, Juliana. I’ll text when I’m on my way. Love you, bye.”

“Bye.”

Just as I end the call, Nas struts into the kitchen in a white button up and light gray slacks, his expression neutral but still intimidating. His facial hair is newly lined up, and he looks like a model sauntering around the bar. When he sees me, he licks his lips and grins as he stares at my bare legs dangling from the barstool.

“Well, good morning,” he says, and I smile, appreciating his greeting much more than being called a common whore by Juliana. “Are you into teasing now? If so, I’d love to show you how I respond to being teased.”

Nas’s eyes scan my body as lust pours from his eyes. With that look on his face, I’m tempted to throw my entire employment at DNJ away just so we can have more time for him to own me, but we’re not all bestselling authors.

“God, I wish. Especially with you looking so … tantalizing,” I answer, biting my lip. “But I seriously need a shower before I go to work today. Can you show me where it is?”

Nas raises an eyebrow while he gently licks his lower lip. I can see his imagination creating truly devious images in his mind right in front of me, and it makes me wish I could speed up the hands of time so I can get back here faster. He clears his throat as he fixes a button on his shirt sleeve.