“I don’t know where that’s coming from, but I’m going to let the playboy line slide,” I said, realizing I didn’t know a lot about Tameka except that she was divorced, her ex was an asshole, and someone had fed her some bullshit lines about me.
“Aren’t you one?” she asked, tossing an accusatory glare at me.
“I had my day, and I won’t deny that, but those were the old days,” I said as she scanned the room.
“Where are my shoes?” she asked.
I ignored her question and asked one of my own. “Are your kids with their father this weekend?”
“Yeah, the asshole decided to show up, so they’re with him,” she said and then quickly covered her mouth. “Don’t get me started on my ex. We will be here until next year.”
“A real Prince Charming, huh?”
She laughed, and the beautiful sound echoed off my bedroom walls like music in my ears. This house could use more of her laughter.
“If Prince Charming deep down is a SOB, I’d say yes. Rodney is everything a woman should avoid in a man. I’ve spent most of my time regretting allowing him in my life yet knowing my kids wouldn’t be here without him.”
“Where did you meet him? At a club?” I said and chuckled at the thought of him being a jerk she met just like she’d met Fast Hands tonight.
“No. I met him right out of high school at a football game. He was older, and that was the attraction back then, but he abused me physically and mentally. He has taken advantage of the fact that I wouldn’t take him to court and sue him for full custody, has treated my kids like they are a business transaction, and he doesn’t even do good business.” Her eyes were filled with pain as she rambled on about her ex-husband. When she was done, she looked up at me and shook her head. “I’m not really sure why I just blabbed all that out to you,” she said.
“Because I asked,” I stated.
“No, it’s not like me to talk about my ex to people like that. It’s just that lately he’s really been testing my patience, and I feel like I’m about to break,” she said and stood up, steadying herself on her feet.
I smiled and took a few steps toward her. She looked like an angel as she stood beside my bed.
“You just need someone to talk to, that’s all,” I said.
“Yeah, the drinks at your club are like truth serum. They’re worth the money but too potent for a novice like me,” she said jokingly. “I assume my car is still at the club?”
Maybe Fast Hands did slip something into her drink, I thought, making a mental note to tell every bodyguard on my payroll that I didn’t want him near my club.
“Yes, your car is at Club Elite, but you’re more than welcome to hang out here until later this morning. Right now, it’s after one in the morning, and I’d feel better if you stayed,” I told her. “I’ll sleep in the living room,” I added.
“Hmm… Not so sure it’s a good idea that I stay here tonight. I should call a cab to take me back to my car,” she said as she looked around my bedroom, either admiring the place or planning her getaway.
I took a chance and moved closer to her. The closer I got, the more I could feel the heat radiating from her. I fought the urge to reach out and caress her cheek. “Okay, I’ll take you back to your car if that’s what you want,” I said.
When her oval brown eyes locked with mine, she nodded slowly. “It’s what’s best,” her words said one thing, yet her eyes said the complete opposite. Lustful desire hid behind her glare, and I didn’t know if it was the alcohol or pure desire.
I had to know if she was feeling this connection between us, so I asked, “Is that what you really want?”
“Yes.” Her voice was breathy, and her perfect-sized breasts rose and fell in sync with her mouth gaping open for air. “Why wouldn’t I want that?” she asked.
“That’s a question only you can answer, but your eyes seem to tell a different story than your lips,” I said.
She arched a brow. “Is that what you think?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, what are my eyes saying to you?” she asked as her orbs dipped down to my lips and latched onto them. She made love to me with a simple stare, and my insides leaped to attention.
Throwing caution to the wind, I went for the kiss I had wanted for over a year. Knowing full well she would probably resist me, I took her face in my hands, leaned down, and pulled her in for a kiss. But Tameka didn’t resist.
The moment our lips met, she massaged the nape of my neck with her soft hands. Her mouth opened fully, allowing my tongue access to the deliciousness inside. Her lips felt like heaven on mine, and Tameka had no clue she was a heartbeat away from being mine. This was the start of something I was sure I would never want to let go.
Chapter 5