Craving Temptation Read Online Free PDF

to join us?” she asked. She waved an index finger in his direction, gesturing for Troy’s attention.
    He struggled to take his eyes off Amina and meet Harper’s intense gaze. “Oh . . . well . . . I . . .” he suddenly stuttered, unable to think coherently.
    The two women shot each other a look and giggled.
    Troy took a deep breath, heat coloring his cheeks a deep red. “I can’t. I wish I could but I have a meeting with Mike,” he said, words returning to him.
    â€œMaybe next time?” Amina said, the comment coming as a question.
    Troy nodded. “I would like that. I would like that a lot.”
    She grinned warmly. “So would I. A lot!”
    Harper shook her head. “You two can arrange that when we get back. Bye, Troy!” she said as she ushered Amina toward the door.
    â€œGood-bye!” he said, lifting his hand in an easy wave.
    Tossing him one last look as they made their way out of the bakery Amina waved back, everything about her making Troy wish he could follow behind them. He heaved a deep sigh and then a second as he watched the two women get into Amina’s car and disappear into traffic.
    Quentin moved to his side, two cups of coffee in hand. “Harper might have a point,” he said when his brother turned to give him a look.
    â€œWhat do you mean?” Troy questioned.
    â€œIt might be love at first sight!”
    Troy shook his head. “I don’t know about love, but it’s definitely something. The woman’s got me tongue-tied and sweating. I’m usually a lot more together than that around women. She’s ruining my image.”
    Quentin laughed as he passed one of the mugs to Troy. The two men moved into the new space and took a seat. Both paused to admire the décor. Harper had duplicated the design from the original interior, continuing the warm celadon green color on the walls and the chocolate-tinted concrete on the floors. Just a handful of tables decorated the space, affording them the ease of manipulating the seating as each event dictated. Eventually there would be a separate catering kitchen in the back, that area still under construction.
    Two flat-screen televisions sat high in opposite corners. Both Quentin and Troy had been opposed to the additions but eventually agreed once Harper had pitched the decorative framed cases that could easily hide them from view. They had quickly become a popular attraction for the clientele; morning customers starting their day with the early news and the after-school crowd enjoying cartoons. The televisions were still playing although the space was empty, the midday crowd having thinned out considerably.
    The brothers were enjoying their coffees when something on the television screen caught Troy’s eye. “Hey,” he exclaimed, sitting forward in his seat. “Do you have the remote? Turn that up,” he said.
    Quentin shifted in his seat to stare where Troy pointed. He reached for the remote and increased the volume. The local television station was broadcasting the afternoon news. The newscaster had noted a forthcoming story, the byline announcing someone’s bid for mayor. Days earlier they had all watched the same announcement play out about Troy. When the channel returned from its commercial break, the newscaster played back an early morning press conference. Town councilman Nasser Salman had announced his candidacy with his family standing by his side.
    Troy and Quentin turned to stare at each other at the same time. Neither had missed the beautiful woman who’d stepped up to introduce herself as Salman’s campaign manager. The camera loved everything about his daughter Amina.

4
    Amina and Harper were laughing gleefully, the abundant chortle drawing the attention of everyone around them. Amina swiped at a tear that had dripped past her thick lashes, rolling its way over her full cheeks. She suddenly tossed a quick glance down to the watch on her