Novels by Na'ima Yusuf

ElliotI arrived at the restaurant early, which wasn’t like me. But tonight was different. I wanted to be prepared, to have the upper hand. Susan had a way of throwing me off balance lately, and I wasn’t about to let her do it again.The table I’d reserved was secluded, tucked away from prying eyes and distractions. As I sipped my scotch, I caught myself glancing at the entrance every few seconds, anticipating her arrival.When she finally walked in, I almost forgot to breathe.The dress was sleek, black, and impossibly elegant. It clung to her figure in a way that demanded attention, but it wasn’t just the dress...it was her. The way she carried herself, the quiet confidence in her stride, the way her eyes scanned the room like she owned it.For a moment, I couldn’t move.Then she saw me, and the spell broke.“You’re early,” she said as she reached the table, her voice calm and controlled, like she hadn’t just turned my entire evening upside down.“And you’re stunning,” I replied wit

SusanBy the time I stepped into the café to meet Meera for lunch, my mind was still reeling from the whirlwind of the past twenty-four hours. Between Elliot’s new office power move and his cryptic dinner invitation, I felt like I was trapped in a game I hadn’t agreed to play.Meera was already at our usual table, sipping an iced coffee and scrolling through her phone. She looked up as I approached, a knowing smile spreading across her face.“Well, well, if it isn’t the queen of corporate chaos,” she teased, setting her phone down. “What’s the latest drama from Prescott Enterprises?”I rolled my eyes as I slid into the seat across from her. “You have no idea.”She leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “Try me.”I took a sip of water, stalling for time. “Let’s just say... Elliot Prescott is proving to be as infuriating as ever.”Meera’s eyebrows shot up. “What did he do this time? Don’t tell me he moved your desk to the broom closet.”“Worse,” I said, leaning back in my ch

ElliotThe morning buzz of the office was louder than usual as I made my way to the conference room for the team presentation. My assistant handed me a cup of coffee, rattling off the day’s schedule, but I barely registered her words.All I could think about was Susan.She hadn’t outright refused my dinner invitation last night, which I considered a win. Still, the look on her face when she left the lobby lingered in my mind...a mix of anger, confusion, and something deeper that I couldn’t quite place.By the time I reached the conference room, most of the team was already seated. Gerald stood near the screen, setting up the presentation, while Susan sat at the far end of the table, flipping through her notes.I couldn’t help but notice the way she stiffened slightly when I entered the room. Her eyes darted up for a brief moment, meeting mine before she quickly looked away, pretending to be engrossed in her work.Good. She was still thinking about me.“Good morning, everyone,” I said,

Susan I grabbed my planner from my office, trying to distract myself from the way my stomach churned after that elevator encounter. Why did Elliot always have the power to leave me so off balance? One look, one word, and my carefully constructed defenses crumbled like they were made of paper. I was walking back toward the elevator when I realized I’d left my pen on my desk. “Get it together, Susan,” I muttered to myself, turning back for the second time in five minutes. As I stepped into my office, I froze. On my desk was a small box with an elegant cream-colored envelope resting on top. My name was written in bold, confident strokes...Elliot’s handwriting. My pulse quickened as I picked up the envelope and slid my finger under the seal. Inside was a note, short and to the point: “Dinner. My treat. Friday at 7 PM. Don’t say no.... Elliot” I stared at the words, my emotions swirling into a confusing mix of anger, curiosity, and something I didn’t want to admit felt dangerously cl

Elliot The rest of the day felt like a blur, but Susan’s expression from earlier...the way her eyes had darkened, the tension in her posture...lingered like a bad dream. I hadn’t seen her since she stormed out of my office. Despite my better judgment, I kept checking the clock and glancing at the phone on my desk, half-hoping she’d come back or call, and half-dreading that she might. Why did it matter so much? Leila’s unannounced appearance had been nothing short of a disaster. I knew what it must have looked like to Susan, and I hated that I hadn’t been quick enough to clear up the misunderstanding. I leaned back in my chair, letting out a frustrated sigh. It wasn’t like me to let personal matters interfere with work, but Susan had always been the exception. There was a knock at the door, and I sat up straighter, a flicker of hope sparking to life. But when the door opened, it was Adrian who walked in, looking far too amused for my liking. “You look like someone ran over your

ElliotI'll never forget that night-the first time I felt her entirely mine. It started with nothing more than a shared evening of studying in my tiny off-campus apartment. She was wearing one of those oversized sweaters that she claimed was comfortable, but to me, it was pure temptation. The neckline dipped slightly, revealing just enough of her collarbone to make me want to trace it with my lips.She sat cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by an explosion of notes, highlighters, and textbooks. I was half-heartedly pretending to work on my laptop, but my eyes were locked on her. The way her lips pressed together when she was concentrating, the faint furrow of her brows, the occasional tilt of her head... it all drew me in like gravity."You're staring," she said without looking up, her voice carrying that teasing lilt that always got under my skin."Can you blame me?" I replied, leaning back on the couch, a smirk tugging at my lips.Finally, she glanced up, her eyes meeting mine. T