Kemar's house later that evening.

Kemar POV

"Seriously Kemar you expect me to believe you cook this?" Cullayne asked as she stared at me and smiled jokingly.

She was halfway through her second serving of the curry sweet potato chicken with white rice I prepared. I smiled at the delight displayed on her appealing face as she forked a piece of curried chicken with a slice of sweet potato and brought it to her mouth.

I had spent the past half hour just watching the pleasure she got from partaking in the simple meal I created from the sweet potatoes my mother brought over this morning.

I took a sip of my homemade fruit juice as I watched her take a savoury bite of another piece of chicken that had little flecks of unsweetened coconut stuck to it. My eyes followed hungrily her tongue as it licked from the corner of her mouth a bit of curry gravy that was there. I dared not focus on the feeling such an action evoked.

"No man is there nothing you can't do? This is appetizing," she complimented appreciatively.

"That's why you should have stayed around and not hightailed it to Canada," I said staring at her and allowing my words to take root and hopefully bear the required fruit before I added. "You would have had first-hand experience of all the things mi can do."

"What you not saying," she smiled looking at me with a look that only intensified my attraction and my desire for her.

There was an innocence to her that showcased her purity and brought forth a vulnerability that made me want to wrap her in my arms and safeguard and cherish her the way that she should be even though I knew she was a warrior who was not afraid to fight her battles.

I found my eyes travelling the outline of her face which displayed the blossom of her womanhood. Gone was the devoted little girl and awkward adolescent that was my shadow and in its place was a woman who sparked desires and feelings that were far from brotherly in me.

I was intrigued by the way her honey-brown eyes sparkled with mischief and full lips tilted with a smirk that made me want to through caution to the wind and explore my forbidden desires.

I felt my loins move with confirmation of my need for her as my attraction intensified and I shifted uncomfortably as my morals battled with the hunger that bulged my crotch.

I was standing on all three the minute I opened my door to let her in on her arrival a little close to an hour ago. I had asked a taxi friend of mine to pick her up as the rain would prevent her from walking over.

What a picture she had created looking so effortlessly elegant in a shimmer dark brown wrap front beanie, huge gold hoops and natural makeup complimented by matt brown lipstick.

The sight of her now fully blossomed body defined in a brown turtle neck knitted long-sleeve body con dress with Chloé Sonnie snakeskin multicoloured sneakers was potent to my self-control.

I pulled my mind from the route it was taking and watched her looking at me her head slightly tilted as she nibbled her lips as if contemplating if she should take my hint and flirt with me in return. I held my breath hoping that she would break the barrier and let me in so that my heart's desire could be fulfilled.

I battled for my control as she restrained herself from taking my bait. I stifled my disappointment as she looked about the living room where we sat thus putting an end to my deepest hope. Cullayne was never going to be mine and I should bear in mind that she was already taken. I only hope Taylon knew how blessed he was to have such a woman.

I cleared my throat and said. "I heard what you did for Alithia and Keshawnie my mother has not stopped singing your praises."

She finally let her eyes find me and I leaned back in my chair hoping that I had not pushed her away by being forward with my intention. I regarded her as she smiled.

"To tell you that I am not pleased with the outcome of my first reading I would be lying."

"What yuh mean? I thought you were a Reader back in Canada."

My puzzled expression increased as her eyes darted away from me to look about the living room and I realised that this was her way of shying away from something.

"Hey is there something you not telling me?"

"I... well," she started then paused before continuing in a rush. "I never conducted a reading," she looked at everything except me as she spoke, "I just basically read people to figure out how to deal with them that's all."

How strange, I thought to myself.

I am sure it would have benefitted Taylon and his church community highly to expound on Cullayne's ability. I frowned thinking it odd that the one thing that I thought attracted her fiancé mostly to her was not used to the benefit of his conceited ways.

Taylon was an opportunist who wanted more than anything to outshine and outdo anything or anyone. In a few years, he would be taking over the reins from his father to be the official head of their founding church and knowing him he was not the type to simply journey on in his father's footsteps.

I was saddened to know that unlike his father he lacked humility and sincerity. Knowing this about Taylon I was thoroughly surprised he had not made full use of her reading ability.

I had seen the way he had bloomed with intrigue as he realised that she was a reader like Lamais. He was like a miser in a gold mine ready to hoard her gift for his benefit while giving little or nothing in return.

Pretty soon his visits to Jamaica with his father to support and participate in functions and various activities held by Lamais became frequent and in no time Cullayne was his fat little purse filled with a treasure he solely intended to benefit from while giving her his mediocre affections as he uses her for his benefit.

I found myself wanting like before to ask her what it was that she saw in Taylon but I kept my mouth shut. Cullayne had to live her life and follow the path that God ordained, it was just a pity that it did not involve me being the man who would stand by her side and be with her through thick and thin.

I leaned closer to the table took her hand and gently caressed the back of it with my thumb as I looked at her and spoke with sincerity.

"I am happy you did what you did today. I am also proud of you for doing something for someone who had been cruel to you in the past. I know it could not have been easy because of what it had put you through but know this you are strong and God never give his weakest soldiers the battle."

I watch as she swallows visibly emotions playing like a kaleidoscope of colours on her face. How was it not possible for her to see that I was in love with her?

I almost said it out loud too. I wanted so much to tell her that I loved her but instead, I did the most platonic thing I could think of before I complicated her life with my unconventional affections and selfish desires.

"Let's find something on Netflix to watch then mi send you home."

For a minute she held onto my hand as if wanting to say something but instead, she just nodded and smiled before following me to the leather couch where we settled down. She nestled into my side and my mind far from being brotherly had to endure the torture of loving her in secret.