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Here is an unedited sample of my next release - The Influence of Love! No release date yet, but stick close! Sign up for my mailing list by texting BLOVE to 42828 and make sure you confirm by email or follow my Like Page on Facebook here.
Synopsis
As a well-known social media Influencer, Arya Ingram has created a lifestyle for herself outside of her family that she never thought was possible. When her boyfriend, Zion, proposes, Arya believes she has everything she will ever need in life—until a scandal erupts on social media… threating to taint not just her character but destroy her career as well.
Sir’Kenya Mills had a plan for his life right after graduating high school. Now that he’s become CFO, he can finally start considering marriage and starting a family. Before he can choose a wife of his own, his grandmother’s failing health and last wish speeds up the process… forcing him to take a shortcut to love. Or, at least, pretend to.
Arya needs to save face if she wants her career to survive this scandal. Sir’Kenya needs to give his grandmother the only thing she’s ever asked of him. A fake engagement between childhood friends seems like the perfect solution for both. Will they part ways with just their friendship intact… or will they succumb to the influence of love?
Unedited Sample
Arya
When her eyes landed on Kenya and the champagne he carried, she smiled. Friends or not, Arya would never be able to deny her attraction to Kenya. Even when he was dressed simply in loose fitting sweatpants and a black t-shirt, Sir’Kenya Mills was fine as fuck. And his slow saunter proved that he knew it too. Her eyes lowered down his tall, wide, muscular frame.
Inhaling a deep, shaky breath, Arya sat up in her seat. As he neared, her heartbeat increased. This wasn’t the first time days had passed and they hadn’t seen each other, so Arya was unsure why she was having this reaction to him.
“Get up and give me a hug,” were the first words out of his mouth, and the sound of his honeyed, deep voice was the sweetest melody she’d ever heard. Like a song from her youth that hadn’t played in a while. Her grin spread and body swayed softly from its cadence.
Standing, Arya opened her arms, and Kenya wasted no time pulling her into his embrace.
This was the solace Arya found herself craving more often than she probably should. In his arms, at his chest… on his heart. She’d hold him and listen until the beating of his heart ran down her ear and aligned with her own. As soon as their heartbeats synced, she pulled away… like always.
Releasing him and a shaky breath, Arya turned and grabbed the gift box and bouquet of red roses.
“Congratulations, Ken.”
Kenya clenched his jaw, eyes lowering to the items in her hands. “I told you not to get me anything.”
“Since when do I listen to you?”
The left side of his mouth lifted into a small smile. “You didn’t have to get me anything, Arya.”
Pressing both into his chest, Arya’s head tilted. “Just take them and say thank you.”
Their eyes remained locked for a few seconds before he chuckled and shook his head, accepting both gifts.
“Thank you, ReRe.” Kenya lifted the roses to his nose and inhaled. “They’re beautiful, just like you.”
Blushing, she took the flowers of love from his hand and set them on the couch so he could open the gift box. “You’re welcome. Open it!” Rocking from her heels to her toes, Arya cupped her hands together to keep from snatching the box and opening it for him.
As he took his time opening the box, Arya looked his features over intently. She didn’t realize how much she missed him until just now. How much she missed his spicy, woody scent. How his scruffy beard enveloped his pink and brown lips. The hoop ring in his nostril. His sandy brown skin. Those decadent, shiny, dark eyes. How they were under-turned and intoxicating because of his long lashes.
Kenya licked his lips before they spread into a smile. “I know you didn’t.”
She watched him twirl the black and gold Montblanc Meisterstuck Classique ballpoint pen between his fingers.
“You’ll need a new pen to sign those deals and checks.”
Kenya chuckled and bit down on his bottom lip, staring at her for a while. “Not one that costs damn near five hundred dollars.”
“Do you like it?”
His head tilted and he sighed. “Of course I like it. I just don’t want you spending this kind of money on me. I already can’t keep you from doing it for my birthday and Christmas.”
“Well get over it. I like gifts and I like spending money. Oh well.”
“It’s hopeless going back and forth with your stubborn ass.”
“So don’t.”
Kenya’s arm wrapped around her, pulling Arya into his personal space. “Thank you,” he muttered. “This means a lot to me.”
The moment he placed a kiss to the center of her forehead, Arya froze. Her nipples hardened and chills covered her skin. Crossing her arms, she cleared her throat as she sat down.
“What did I tell you about kissing me on my forehead? Zion doesn’t like that.”
“And I told you I don’t give a fuck what he likes.”
Arya’s eyes rolled as he popped the champagne. “He’s going to be my husband, Sir’Kenya. Y’all have to get along.”
“I ain’t got to do shit but stay black and die.”
Growling, Arya pulled her legs up and sat Indian style. Neither Kenya nor Shakur cared for Zion or Jeremy. Now that she and Zion were engaged, they had been applying more pressure and letting Carter off easy. At first, it was the typical brother and friend being protective spiel. Eventually, it turned into something deeper. While Arya had no idea what Zion said or did to not gain her brother and Kenya’s approval, he had her fathers’ approval, and she kept telling herself that was all that mattered.
Absently twirling the engagement ring on her finger, Arya sighed. “He’s not comfortable with you doing that.”
“I don’t care. I was here first, and until you sign that marriage license, you’re single. I’ve been kissing you on your forehead since we were thirteen. That shit will not change. I don’t give a fuck who your husband is.” Kenya extended his arm, handing her a glass of champagne. “Here. I’m done talking about this shit.”
“Wow.” Arya laughed quietly as she accepted the glass of champagne. “I don’t know what I’m going to do with you.”
“Let me know when you figure it out.”
“Shut up, Kenya!” His smile made her heart skip a beat. Lifting his champagne glass, Kenya tilted it in her direction. “So I’m supposed to do the toast, right?” she confirmed softly, making him chuckle.
“Yeah, unless you want me to.”
“You’re arrogant enough to toast yourself.”
Though she was serious, they both shared a soft laugh. “I can toast us. The amazing deals that are coming your way and my promotion.”
“Okay.” Arya nodded. “Let’s do that.”
He nibbled his bottom lip, staring into her eyes for a few seconds. As he considered the perfect words, her heart slowed down as she waited with bated breath.
“To us. May we get everything we deserve… and desire.”
“To us.”
Their glasses clinked and eyes remained locked as they slowly sipped their drinks.