Teasers

First time encounters— Love At First Sound

August 7, 2019August 7, 2019 Amaka Azie 2 Comments African Books, African Romance, African romance author, African romance fiction, african romance novel, african romance writer, african writers, Amaka Azie, books by Amaka Azie, Love Africa press, Nigerian books, Nigerian romance, Nigerian romance writer, Nigerian writer

This week, I’ll be sharing the first encounter between Emem Akpan and Yomi Oladipo from the romance novel, Love At First Sound published by Love Africa Press

In this scene, Emem was in the process of moving into a block of flats where Yomi also lived.

He was only trying to be a friendly neighbour. Or was he flirting? Hmmmmm…

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A slow warmth swept over her. Maybe everything would turn out okay. Maybe I’ll finally move past this.

Just as the comforting thought entered her mind, a man emerged from the opened front door.

No. A god. Almost too stunning for words. Tall, with broad shoulders, smooth, golden skin, too light for her usual taste, but the complexion on him enhanced rather than deterred from his good looks. With a long nose and fine facial features, he looked biracial, posh, and out of place in a local area like this.

As he strutted towards them, she found herself instinctively holding her breath, everyone fading away from her line of vision as her gaze narrowed on him. Such a knockout. The long, jet-black dreadlocks with blond highlights hanging from his head down to his shoulders reminded her of Ziggy Marley.

He was dressed in a pair of ripped blue jeans and a black tank top, which brought attention to strong, muscular arms showcasing large Chinese calligraphy tattoos on each side.

Embarrassed to be staring at his arms, she jumped her gaze back to his face, and heat burned her cheeks at the arrogant glint in his eyes. He obviously knew how stunning he was, and probably got this same reaction from women.

A quick side glance at Natalie’s rigid posture told of her own awestruck response to the man’s beauty.

“Welcome to our block of flats, beautiful ladies,” he said, standing right in front of them, legs akimbo. Confident. Rugged.

Both still speechless, they didn’t respond. And he didn’t seem to be bothered by their silence. He swept his gaze to the movers who had begun pushing the trolley towards the front entrance, and then back at them.

He cast a quick glance at Natalie before he focused his attention on her. His lips parted in a slow grin, exposing white teeth and gorgeous bilateral dimples.

“I’m Yomi Oladipo, and I live upstairs in Apartment Eight,” he said, an arrogant drawl in his voice as he offered her his hand.

Emem ignored it, but Natalie reached out and shook it vigorously, allowing her fingers to linger for moments.

“I’m Natalie,” she gushed, grinning from molar to molar.

He smiled at Natalie, his dimples making another stunning appearance.

“Hello, Natalie. I can’t believe how lucky I am to have a beautiful lady like you moving into this building,” he drawled, a slight British accent in his intonation.

Natalie blushed, and Emem felt like slapping her across the face. You have a man, girl, she thought bitingly, not wanting to analyse the annoyance dripping through her at seeing her friend flirting with this stranger.

“I’m not moving in.” Natalie sounded disappointed. “I’m helping my friend, Emem, move in.”

His gaze moved back to her, and Emem’s chest spasmed.

“Emem … a lovely name for a beauty,” he said, shoving both hands into his jeans pockets, as though accepting her refusal to shake.

Emem fought back the desire to roll her eyes at his cheesy lines. A fuck boy. A young fuck boy who didn’t think twice about making a pass at older women. Nope. Not interested. No matter how handsome, she was not in the mood for this.

“Can I help you move in, too, Emem?” he asked, his tone dripping with honey.

“No, thank you. We are fine,” she answered curtly.

“Oh, my … yes!” Natalie said at the same time in a shrill voice.

The man’s gaze jumped to Natalie and then settled back on her. His thick, perfectly carved eyebrow arched.

“One Yes and one No,” he drawled, seemingly unfazed by her rudeness. “Which is it, ladies?”

Emem shook her head. She really had no time for this young dreadlocked fuck boy. She had stuff to do. “Thanks, Mister, but I’m good.”

She threw an exasperated glance at her friend who still appeared spellbound by the stranger.

“Natalie, abeg, let’s go and bring the rest of my stuff from the car.”

Sucking her teeth, Emem walked around the man, aware she was being rude but not caring. She needed to nip this right in the bud. He lived in the apartment just above hers, and she didn’t want him becoming too friendly.

The move to this place was for her to heal and regain her focus. Not to have to deal with an overtly cocky neighbour knocking on her door whenever he felt like it, thinking he could get lucky.

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