Free Lovers Premiere (Kimani Romance) by Adrianne Byrd Page B

ago.” He reached up and brushed the side of her face.
    â€œBut I…I—”
    â€œShh.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “Don’t worry. I’m not trying to rush you or anything. Understand?”
    She slowly nodded.
    â€œTake your time. I’m not going anywhere.” His hand moved from her subtle cheek down to beneath her chin where he tilted her face upward gently. “But know this, I do want you. I always have…and I always will.”
    He watched her large brown eyes widen and she pulled back just a bit, but didn’t run off screeching toward the bedroom. At least that was a good sign. He gave her a wink and then offered her his arm. “Shall we go?”
    Sofia hesitated for a second, drew a deep breath and then finally looped her arm through his. “I guess I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”
    He cocked his head, hoping her answer held a double meaning. When they arrived downstairs for Limelight’s Official Pre-Award Gala, they were both thrilled to see that everything had come together perfectly. The event’s color scheme was black and gold; it was a nice blend of fun and sophistication. Only after arriving did Sofia realize that they were the same colors that she and Ramell were wearing.
    As their guests entered the room, Stewart and a few interns working with the party planner directed people over to the table where hundreds of goodie bags were lined up.
    Over the speakers played the music of all the Latin Grammy nominations for the evening. The infectious rhythms instantly had Sofia rocking her hips in time to the beat.
    Ram turned toward her and started dancing with her. “Looks like you have some good moves. Should we take this to the dance floor?”
    She laughed. “I don’t think so. This is as good as these moves get right here. A dancer I am not.”
    His gaze raked over her. “I beg to differ.”
    Sofia couldn’t quite get used to this constant flirtingthat they were now engaged in. “Well, maybe I’ll just give you a rain check.”
    â€œAll right. But I will cash that sucker in before the end of the night.” He winked. A tray of champagne floated by and Ram quickly chased it down and then offered her a flute. “Let’s make a toast.”
    â€œThat sounds like a good idea.” She accepted the glass. “What shall we drink to?”
    â€œTo us,” he said, simply.
    Her brows rose.
    â€œâ€¦and our new business merger. May we enjoy years of success together.”
    She relaxed a bit and then tapped her glass to his. “To us.”
    Their eyes locked over the rim of their flutes while they each downed a sip of champagne. Just a few short moments later, they separated as they networked through the crowd. At exactly five o’clock, Akil Hutton took to the small stage and introduced his newest artist to the Playascape label.
    The guests applauded as Charlene Quinn made her way over to the microphone. Feeling slightly giddy, Sofia couldn’t wait until Charlene opened her mouth and shocked everyone with her powerful voice. When she did there was a collected gasp. Charlene wasn’t the barely legal teenybopper that could only carry a note with the help of Auto-Tune, which was all the rage in music nowadays. Charlene was a beautiful and welcome throwback artist who could do things with her voice that could only inspire envy. Listening to the emotional song“The Journey,” Sofia’s gaze drifted across the room and had no problems finding Ram in the crowd.
    Luckily there was another tray of champagne drifting by so she quickly snatched up a glass and drank its contents just as Charlene was hitting the song’s climatic ending. The room erupted into thunderous applause. Charlene smiled humbly and thanked everyone before stepping off the stage.
    The second glass of champagne must have gone straight to Sofia’s head because suddenly she was