Hey, book bae!
Here’s a look into Faded Mirrors featuring Smoke & Mira…
Unedited
Mira
Mira thought she was seeing things, but he was real. It wouldn’t matter how much time had passed, Mira would never forget him. From his tall, wide, muscular frame to his cashew colored skin with its red undertone. Mira had seen him in her dreams. He’d awakened a hunger within her where no other man had even given her an appetite.
Mira’s nipples hardened as she took in his aura. Even dressed simply in a loose fitting gray shirt and black jeans… he was still the finest man she’d ever seen. His mouth parted slightly when he noticed her, pulling Mira’s attention to his heart shaped pomegranate hued lips. They were enclosed by a short, thick beard that she wanted to feel rubbing against her thighs. Under turned eyes the color of black coffee eased down her frame as his large, veiny hand slid down the front of his neck.
She looked from the ring on his right hand to the sleeve tattoo sliding up his right arm. And the left arm. His left hand. Mira wondered where else he had tattoos. Her mouth had watered so much Mira had to swallow and try to compose herself as he walked over to her. If she would have known she was going to run into him at the drugstore, she would have tried to make herself look more presentable. Mira casually looked down at the loose fitting black sweats and white form fitting t-shirt she was wearing. She squeezed the bun on the top of her head before looking away as he approached.
He sat next to her… dangerously close to her… though there was more than enough space on the bench for at least two more people.
“Hey,” he greeted, sitting up and resting his elbows on his thighs.
Mira looked at him briefly before mumbling, “Hi.”
She’d been given a shot for the pain before she left the emergency room, so she was feeling like her normal self again, but after the long day she’d had with Chris… the last thing she wanted to do was entertain another man – no matter how fine he was.
And ol’ boy was fine.
Fine didn’t even seem like a good enough word to describe him.
He was… handsomely indulgent. A visually decadent treat. One that Mira wanted to feast on again and again. Him. If she wasn’t careful, he’d definitely be her next addiction.
“I said if I saw you again… I’d get you.”
His declaration made Mira smile as she turned her eyes in his direction.
“Is that why you didn’t bother trying to change my mind?”
He nodded. “It is. Where your sisters and brother?”
Mira checked the date and time on her phone. She’d been in such a crazed state that she couldn’t remember the last time she’d talked to them. Based on the date, it had been a day and a half. Every time she talked to her sisters they asked her about the guy who watched YouTube videos while they ate and if they could go back to the restaurant to see him again. Up until this point, Mira could only brush them off. Now, she’d be able to tell them something.
“They are probably with their babysitter now unless their mother got off early.”
Mira hoped he didn’t ask if they have different mothers. She didn’t realize how cryptic what she said sounded until she actually said it.
He nodded, eyes lowering to her bandaged foot. “What happened?”
Mira looked down absently. “Oh. I dropped a bottle of wine and a few pieces went into my foot.”
“Shit. I’m sorry to hear that. So you’re waiting on a prescription?”
“I am. What are you doing here?”
She didn’t see any bags or products near him.
“I was just checking in. This is my store.”
Mira’s brows wrinkled as her mouth parted slightly. She smiled, head nodding in pride.
“So you’re the Edwards of Edwards Drugstore?”
“I am.” He mirrored her smile, extending his hand for her to shake. Mira looked down at it hesitantly before placing her hand inside of his. Convinced she was volatile by nature, Mira felt a calmness envelop her immediately as his grip on her hand tightened. “Princeton Edwards. It’s definitely a pleasure to officially meet you.”
For a moment, all Mira could do was nod until Princeton released her hand. Then, she was able to speak.
“Mira. Mira Langston. And it’s a pleasure to meet you as well.”
With one bob of his head, Princeton leaned forward and inhaled her scent. “I’ve been smelling you all around me since the last time I saw you.”
“Princeton…” She almost sang, squeezing the bun on the top of her head.
“Damn,” his head flung back and eyes closed briefly. Adam’s apple bobbing, Princeton ran his hands up and down his thighs before returning his eyes to her. “Say my name like that again and I’ma give you a reason to.”
Innocently, Mira giggled. “Like what…” Her head tilted and she licked her lips before adding, “Princeton.”
“Like it’s yours. Like I’m yours.”
Her smile fell, and their eyes remained locked for a while until her name was being called out. Pulling herself out of his trance, Mira stood and tried to limp over to the pharmacy area, but Princeton stopped her.
“Go sit down,” he ordered, not waiting for her to agree.
Doing as she was told, Mira nibbled on her bottom lip and watched as he retrieved her prescription. Her heart began to race as her armpits sweated in anticipation. She had to keep herself from jumping up and down like a dog preparing to receive a treat.
“You need anything else?” Princeton checked.
“No, just the pills.”
With one bob of his head, Princeton lowered himself slightly and picked her up bridal style. Mira squealed as she tightened her grip around his neck. She definitely wasn’t into affection and physical touch from men, especially strangers, but there was something about Princeton that made her melt into his touch.
“You didn’t drive did you?”
“I did.”
“Why?”
“It didn’t hurt my foot. I’m good.”
He looked at the side of her face as he carried her outside. “You sure?” Mira nodded. “I think you should give me your number or let me trail you home just to be safe.”
She laughed softly. “Oh, that’s why?”
“Yea. I mean… what kind of man would I be if I didn’t make sure you made it home okay?”
“And that’s the only reason you’d want my number?”
Princeton’s mouth twisted to the side as he thought her question over. “Nah, but it would be a start.”
Yes.
He was definitely as dangerous as she first thought he would be.
“My car is the white Infiniti over there.”
“Cool.”
Princeton carried her across the parking lot as if she was weightless. She weighed a good one hundred and fifty pounds, but he held her up as if that was nothing. Nearing her car, Mira hit the button to unlock it. Princeton got her inside, leaning down to her eyelevel to ask, “If I ask you out, will your answer to my question be the same as this question?”
Mira thought it over, laughing when she realized she’d be agreeing to a date whether she said yes or not.
“That is not fair, Princeton.”
He bit down on his bottom lip and looked at hers every time she said his name. Mira hadn’t been into kissing, but for him, she’d make an exception.
“How not?”
“There’s only one answer.”
Princeton shrugged. “I made it easy for you to make the right one.”
Unable to hide her smile, Mira’s head shook as she confessed, “You are dangerous as hell.”
“Now you know where to find me when you’re ready to take a risk and reward yaself. Even if I’m not here… they know how to get in touch with me.”
Standing to his full height, Princeton closed her door and walked away with the same slow saunter he’d hooked her with the first time she saw him. And just like the first time, he held her captive until he was no longer in sight. When he wasn’t, Mira looked down at the prescription and rolled her eyes when she noticed it only had thirty-pills. That would have to do for now. She opened the white bag and pulled out the orange translucent bottle, ready to pop at least two of the pills now.
Head tilting, she waited for the desire to fill her, but it never came. Mira wasn’t sure if it was because she was still feeling good off the shot or her interaction with Princeton. Either way, she dropped the pills into her purse and started her car before calling to see if her newest yet closest friend, Oakland, was available to meet her for cocktails and tacos before she headed back home.
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