Free Craving Temptation by Deborah Fletcher Mello Page A

our modesty and morality. What part of the Muslim world you’re raised in dictates what that actually entails. My parents spent some time in the Middle East when they were first married and my father subscribed to the practice that all of a woman’s body should be hidden, including her face.”
    â€œAnd your mother agreed with this?”
    â€œMy father’s rigidness and his being unwilling to compromise is why they divorced.”
    â€œBut you’re okay with it?”
    Amina smiled. “I’ll be honest. It’s been hard. My mother raised me and she left the faith after they separated. I’d never really worn the hijab until I moved back with my father. It’s taking some getting used to.”
    Troy nodded. “So, it would be correct of me to assume that your father would not approve of what you’re wearing right now?”
    His hand fell against her knee and his fingers lightly skated the edge of her hem line. His touch was heated and Amina jumped ever so slightly before allowing herself to ease into the sensation. She took a deep breath to stall the quiver of energy shooting through her.
    â€œHe would be mortified! In fact,” Amina said, “I have to change back into my hijab before I can go home. Harper let me get dressed at the bakery and she said that I can change once we get back.”
    Troy clenched his hand into a tight fist and pulled it back onto the table. “So, you did this just for me?”
    Amina shrugged, her voice dropping an octave. “I wanted us both to be comfortable and I wanted to look nice for you.”
    There was a moment of pause as Troy pondered her comment. His head bobbed slowly up and down. His smile returned to his face. “I can understand why your father would want to keep you hidden away. I might want to keep my wife and daughter in a tent, too. Other men don’t need to be drooling over you!”
    Amina laughed, her head waving gently from side to side. “Are you drooling, Mr. Elliott?”
    Troy grinned as he pretended to swipe his mouth with the back of his hand. “Like a baby!” he gushed. “I’ll need a bib if this keeps up!”
    â€œYou’re funny.”
    He leaned in closer to her, his face mere inches from hers. “I like to hear you laugh. You have a beautiful laugh.”
    Amina took a deep breath, her cheeks flushed with color. Her gaze danced in sync with his and she felt as if her temperature had spiked. She suddenly sat back in her seat, stealing a quick glance at her watch. Her eyes widened. “I didn’t realize it’s so late.”
    Troy looked at his own watch. “It’s not late. It’s not even eleven o’clock yet.”
    â€œI know, but I really need to be heading home. My father will be looking for me.”
    Troy nodded but disappointment painted his expression.
    â€œI’m sorry,” Amina apologized. “I’m having a great time and I really don’t want to leave but I’m conflicted right now. I don’t want to disappoint my father. I’m trying to follow his rules and do what makes me happy, but it’s hard to find a happy medium.”
    â€œI understand. I know how much your relationship with your father means to you. And I wouldn’t want to do anything to interfere in that. When my pop was alive his approval was important to me, too.”
    Amina smiled. “I wish I’d had an opportunity to meet your father. From everything I’ve heard he was a remarkable man.”
    Troy nodded. “He was. Quentin and I owe everything we have to him. He made it possible for us to have the lives we have now. I really miss him,” he said as he dropped into a moment of reflection.
    Amina drew her palm across his forearm, the gesture light and easy. She blew a low sigh. “I really like your family. Harper and your brother have been really sweet. And I liked Rachel and her husband, too. She seems very