Craving Temptation by Deborah Fletcher Mello Page B

panties at you they can toss their checkbooks and credit cards. A pair of panties here and there would be okay, too.”
    Troy laughed. “On the serious, what do you know about Nasser Salman? Is he a contender?”
    â€œHe’s pulled together an impressive campaign team. Amina is like the cherry on top of some very sweet cake. The woman has mad skills. If I could have I would have run for mayor and hired her for myself.”
    â€œSo you’re saying she’s better than you are?”
    â€œHell, yes!” Mike chimed.
    Both men laughed as Mike continued. “Hey, you know I’m good and you know I’ll work my butt off for you but she’s so good she scares me. The woman is hardcore. She has the credentials, a stellar reputation, and she’s cute as hell! The only thing she’s lacking is my killer personality and great sense of humor.”
    Troy smiled, knowing that he could personally attest to Amina’s having both a winning personality and a great sense of humor. He nodded. “Okay, so Mr. Salman has an edge on us. We’ll use that to our advantage. Amina will keep us both on our toes.”
    Mike cut an eye at him. “Brother, it’s not your toes I’m worried about!”
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    When Amina entered the bakery, Harper and her husband were seated at a table with another couple. Harper cradled an infant in her arms as the four adults cooed over the small bundle.
    Nervous anxiety spilled past her veil, furrowing Amina’s brow and her friend noticed it instantly.
    â€œAmina, hey! What’s wrong?” Harper intoned as she moved quickly to her feet and made her way to Amina’s side.
    Amina waved a nervous hand. “I didn’t mean to interrupt,” she said as she smiled down at the baby still in Harper’s arms.
    â€œYou’re not,” Harper answered. “Not at all.”
    â€œWho’s this little cutie?” Amina asked.
    â€œThis is our goddaughter, Joanna,” she said as she snuggled the baby closer to her chest.
    Amina smiled again. “She’s beautiful.”
    The handsome man seated at Quentin’s side chimed excitedly. “That’s my little princess,” he said. “She looks just like her mother!”
    Amina extended her hand in introduction. “Amina Salman,” she said, “and little Joanna looks a lot like her father, too, I think!”
    â€œYes, she does!” Dwayne laughed. “Nice to meet you, Amina. I’m Dwayne Porter and this is my wife, Rachel.”
    â€œDwayne and Rachel grew up with Quentin and Troy,” Harper explained. “They’ve been friends since forever.”
    â€œYou just made my husband’s whole day!” Rachel said as she laughed with them. Her gaze skated from the top of Amina’s veiled head down to the length of hem that skirted against the floor as she surveyed the woman’s appearance. “It’s nice to meet you, Amina,” she said as she appraised her. “I followed your lawsuit against the State of Georgia for student rights. Congratulations! It set some serious precedents that many states are now adopting. That was very nice work.”
    â€œThank you,” Amina smiled. “Are you an attorney, too?”
    Rachel nodded. “I am. I have a private practice here in Memphis. We specialize in corporate litigation. On occasion some criminal. We were thinking of acquiring a new partner a few years ago and your brother, Basil, had given me your name. I did some research and was very impressed.”
    Quentin interjected. “Troy and Rachel are also legal partners,” he said.
    Amina’s eyes widened. “Oh,” she said, her voice dropping ever so slightly, surprised that her brother would have thought to recommend her for anything.
    Dwayne suddenly made the connection. “You’re related to Basil Salman?” he questioned.
    Amina nodded. “Yes. He’s my