Craving Temptation by Deborah Fletcher Mello Page A

punctual. Company will be joining us.”
    Amina nodded once again. “Yes, Father.”
    He kissed her one last time then moved toward the door. “Good night, Amina. Sleep well, child.”
    â€œGood night, Father.”
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    Upstairs, Rasheeda was sitting up, a paperback book nestled against her lap. When Amina entered the room, the girl jumped, not expecting that anyone would have caught her awake when she should have been asleep. She shoved the book in her hand beneath the pillows, pulling the covers up to her chin.
    â€œIt’s just me,” Amina said. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
    Rasheeda shrugged. “I wasn’t scared.”
    Her sister smiled. She moved to Rasheeda’s side and pulled the paperback from its hiding spot. A pretty couple in a seductive pose graced the cover. The book’s titillating title indicated it was an erotic romance. She tossed Rasheeda a smile. “I haven’t read this one. Is it good?”
    Rasheeda took the book from Amina’s hand and pushed it back between the covers. “You read romances?”
    Amina nodded. “I do.”
    She moved back to her side of the room and searched through a backpack on the table. She pulled her electronic book reader from an inside flap. Crossing back across the room she dropped down onto the bed beside Rasheeda and passed the device to her sister.
    â€œI probably have a few hundred titles loaded on this thing. I have them sorted by sensuality level. Some are really sweet and then there are some that are really heated. Those are in the folder labeled with the five Xs,” she said.
    Rasheeda pressed the power button as she tossed Amina a quick look. “It’s asking for a password,” she said, dropping her gaze back to the device.
    Amina shared the six-digit code that allowed access. “Keep it to yourself, please. If you push the power button again the screen will go black and you’ll have to enter the password again to turn it back on. It keeps people from accidentally seeing what you’re reading.”
    â€œAnd I can borrow it?” Rasheeda asked.
    â€œYou can have it,” Amina responded.
    Neither woman said another word as Rasheeda flipped through the device’s contents, a full smile pulling at her mouth. Amina stripped out of her clothes and stepped into her nightgown. She dropped down against her own bed, closing her eyes as she thought back to her day.
    Her lips still burned hot from the kiss she and Troy had shared. She could still taste him and as she licked her lips she found herself wishing their night had never ended. Troy had made her happier than she could ever remember being. He liked her and had wanted her and he hadn’t been afraid to tell her so. Troy had been open and honest and had no qualms about opening himself up to her.
    Rasheeda’s alto voice broke through the quiet. “Did Father ask where you were so late?”
    Sitting up, Amina met her sister’s curious stare. She shook her head. “No.”
    â€œHe probably knew you would lie.”
    Amina shrugged. “Then again he might have known that I would have told him the truth.”
    Rasheeda pondered the response for a moment then laughed. Her gaiety made Amina smile. “Did you have a nice time with your friend?” Rasheeda asked when she’d regained her composure.
    â€œI did. I had a really great time.”
    â€œDon’t let Father or Basil find out,” Rasheeda said.
    â€œI won’t tell if you don’t.”
    Rasheeda smiled back. She waved her romance novel in Amina’s direction. “I’ll keep your secret if you keep mine.”
    The two sisters laughed, understanding sweeping between them. From the nightstand Amina’s cell phone chimed, the unit vibrating harshly against the hardwood. Amina grabbed it, silencing it as quickly as she could.
    Rasheeda jumped from the bed.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” Amina