

### THE BILLIONAIRE'S

### Waitress

### 1

### BLUE DAVIS

THE BILLIONAIRE'S WAITRESS Copyright © 2015 by Blue Davis.

All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations em- bodied in critical articles or reviews.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

First Edition: July 2015

Second Edition : October 2015

 Have you downloaded your FREE Russian Mafia Romance book yet? It's waiting for you over at www.bluedavis.com.

## Other Books by Blue Davis:

The Billionaire's Waitress 2

The Billionaire's Waitress 3

The Billionaire's Waitress at Christmas (Short Story)

Love in Transit: A Russian Mafia Romance

Backtrack: An Amnesia Romance

Winter's Last Dance

# CONTENTS

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

About The Author

#  CHAPTER  
ONE

Nia shifted from side to side, piling dirty plates into one big stack on the middle of the table. "Damn shoes," she muttered under her breath, scowling. _No rest for the weary._ Her phone vibrated against her upper thigh in the front pocket of her white apron. _Now what?_

She reached in and grabbed the phone. She looked down and thumbed through to the new message.

>Brie: Finer than fine @ table 4

She smiled and rolled her eyes. _When is she gonna learn I have absolutely no interest in men at this point in the game?_

She sighed and placed the big stack of plates on her tray. She swiveled around to head toward the gray swinging double doors that led to the kitchen. Just as she reached the door, she glanced around the restaurant. _I'll just hand these off to the butler, so I can make the royal ball in time._ She chuckled and turned back around to push open the large door.

And then she saw him. The crook in his nose, his light brown hair, his soft, clear skin. She saw him. She drew in a fast breath. She stared at the statuesque man.

Suddenly, the door came swinging outward, with a flash of busboy, hitting her pile of dishes. The mass of clanking dishes slipped from her grasp, making melodic noise as they clattered down with silverware.

Customers whispered behind her. _You're not getting the opportunity to see me make an ass of myself._ She turned her back to her amused audience. She bent down and began picking up the dishes. Then she scooped up gobs of potato salad with clean rags.

She headed back into the kitchen to slide the whole mess into the large garbage can. She stopped. _What just happened?_ She felt a corner of her mouth sneak up into a slight smile.

"Nia!" Brie snapped her out of her daze.

Nia straightened her apron and cleared her throat. She looked over at Brie. At 5'9", 190 pounds, Brie made her look like a china doll when they stood together. Nia was 5'5", 126 pounds, but she felt like half of a Brie.

"Yes. How may I help you?" Nia asked, trying to bury herself under a perfect smile.

"Table four wants you. Better get out there. That dumb hussie he's with looks pissed," Brie said.

Table four? Hussie? How did I not see that?

Nia's feet glided across the kitchen floor. She studied the couple as she approached the table. Slender, blond, dark-brown white girl. _Overbaked_.

She dared to set eyes on him again. Short, light brown hair that could be curly if given half a chance. Soft translucent skin, he looked as though he had just come from a hot shower. He stared straight down at his phone, punching in keys on the screen.

"Welcome to Arnie's. Sorry for the wait," Nia said, as she began to set their table.

The blond scowled and said, "It's about time, Girl. You're as slow as a snail."

One of the forks slipped out of Nia's hand. _Clumsy the Clown today._

"I'm so sorry. We had an incident in the kitchen." She bent down and quickly grabbed the fork. She felt his eyes upon her and glanced up at him. His face was glazed over as they met eyes. She tried to drag her eyes from his gaze. She was glued. His eyes followed her until she was fully standing again.

"We had an incident in the kitchen, _Ma'am."_ the blond corrected her.

Nia pulled herself away from the intriguing man to look at the woman.

"Excuse me?" She asked.

"We had an incident in the kitchen, _Maaaaa'aaaaamm,_ " the blond said again.

The man looked at his wife and let out a breath of disgust. He raised his eyebrow, and shook his head once or twice, but said nothing.

"I'm sorry, I'm not from around here." _Die, Bitch._ Nia put on her best smile and said, "Now, what can I get for you?"

The man looked entirely gorgeous when he perked up. "Oh! Well, where are you from?"

"California. I'm going to school here, but I'm out right now for the summer. I'm taking care of my grandma too. She lives here."

"Awww, poor grandma," the Bitch said, with a theatrical look of sadness on her face.

"Well," he paused, "Welcome to Texas."

Her heart raced. It was the most beautiful four words anyone had ever said to her. He didn't say it quickly. Nor did he say it slow. His slight drawl was deep and clear, but the words came out as if he was singing them.

_Pull yourself together, Nia._ "Thank you," she said, smiling.

"You are going to University of Houston, I presume. What are you majoring in?" the man asked.

"Finance. I'm good with numbers."

"I'm sure you are good with many things." He said, slowly. His eyes captivated her. For a moment she forgot why she had a notepad in her hand.

The Bitch cleared her throat. "I'll have the Chicken Caesar Salad."

Nia unglued herself from his locked gazed just long enough to scribble something down on the pad. "And for you?" She took another opportunity to look at him and listen to the words coming from his artistically-shaped mouth.

"I'll take the T-Bone, with a side salad, thanks."

"How would you like your steak, Sir?"

He cocked his head slightly to the side. Nia saw him shift his gaze from her eyes to her lips.

"Rare. I'd eat it raw if I could."

Nia let out a tiny smile, which she quickly concealed. "And to drink?"

"She'll have the house wine, I'll have water. I need to be sharp for a meeting in the morning."

Nia regained her composure and switched her hips back to the kitchen, like the Southern girls do. She _was_ in the South after all, and she didn't want to be the only one bolting square-hipped from place to place.

She pressed her smooth ebony hand to swing the door open. Then she stood on the other side of the door and belted out a long, slow exhale. She rolled her eyes closed. She could see him now; his soft pinkish-white skin, his dark blue jeans and his slim-fitting white button-down shirt, all tailored perfectly to fit his fine body. Her eyes watered. She drew in a full, deep breath for the first time in her life.

"Girrrl, what happened to you? You look like you just been runnin' around the block!" Brie stood over her.

Nia awoke from her daze to focus on her friend. "Uh yeah...I'm fine. Just feeling a little woozy," she said as she walked her customers' order over to the cook. The cook snatched it, then turned to stir a steaming pot on the stove.

Brie looked her up and down. "Do you not know who that is out there?"

"Uh...no, I uhhh...of course I know. The name just escaped me." Nia relaxed her shoulders. "Who is it?"

"That's Jake Carlton."

"Okay. And who is that again?"

"He's only the wealthiest bachelor on this side of the Mississippi. His daddy retired and handed him his oil company to run. He's worth about 1.5 billion dollars."

"Hmmm. Shouldn't he be eating at the Petit Pan, across the street?"

"No. He's not gonna be eatin' no sixteen little peas on a platter. Texas men like their steak."

Nia lifted her head. "I see. And his wife?"

Brie snapped her fingers in Nia's face. "Nia. Did you not hear a word I said? He a baaaa-cha-laaarr. He ain't married. Now get yo butt out there and see if anyone else need to eat. They ain't the only people sittin' in here."

She followed her friend's advice and tended to her customers all night. It was Friday, and they were hungry and thirsty. She made sure to attend to the billionaire too. She knew the type. Rich people like that had a lot of clout in the city and she wasn't about to lose her job over a billionaire and his bitch.

Now she stood at a table of old ladies with her notepad and waited for their order. She glanced over at the billionaire.

They were both staring straight forward while they ate. _Don't they ever speak to each other?_ They were so rich, that they were _boring._

The man turned suddenly and looked at Nia. She quickly turned her attention back to the ladies. She scribbled their meals on her pad, then walked over to him. He watched her.

"Are you guys doing alright? Do you need anything?"

She awaited a quick nod or shake of the head from the couple. Neither said anything. She saw the man's eyes slowly wander from her eyes to her lips, then lower. He passed her breast line, then stopped at her waist. He moved his head slightly to the side, as if he needed her to turn around so that he could examine what was on the other side. She fiddled with her pen and notepad.

Just then, the Bitch let out a small sniff. She stared at her chicken salad with watery eyes.

"Can I take that for you?" Nia asked.

"Yes. Take it away." The Bitch pushed the plate to the edge of the table where it teeter-tottered. Nia jumped. She caught the plate. _I'm not spending my entire shift picking shit up off the floor._

"Claire," the man said, his voice warning.

_This is so awkward._ "I'll be right back with your check." Nia shot off to the kitchen.

"Damn, was the dish that bad?" Brie said.

"I have no idea what's wrong with her. She can swallow the chicken whole, for all I care." Nia's upper-lip raised out of disgust. "If that's what it's like to be rich, I want no part."

"Mmmmhm....If there's one thing money can't buy, its happiness," Brie said.

"True that."

Nia rang up the couple's meal. Hmmm, $132.56. _I guess that's a normal bill for a rich guy._ She place the bill and two breath mints on a tray and walked it to table. This time the man wasn't looking at her. Instead he looked out of the window to his left. Nia collected a black American Express card from the table and headed back to the register to slide the card. She set out for the table again moments later.

"There you go. Thank you for dining at Arnie's and I hope to see you guys back real soon," she said, putting on her best smile.

The man looked at her, and then closed his eyes. When he opened them, she saw a flash of apology. Then he said, "Thank you Nia."

She gasped for air all at once. She stood for a moment at the table, unable to move. _How did he know my name?_ She bolted back to the kitchen.

She watched the couple from the kitchen door window. He was a tall man, 6 foot, maybe. He walked down the aisle, nodding his head to greet staff as they walked out. She breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed her tense shoulders. She walked out to the table to gather his signature on the bill and the remaining dirty dishes.

She turned her head sideways to look at the bill. _I wonder what a rich man's signature looks like._ She looked at the small handwriting. Her stomach leaped from her body. Her knees caved in. She broke the fall by barreling into the closest chair. She sat and read the small receipt three times.

#  CHAPTER  
TWO

Whaaa???

Nia stared at the receipt. She added the numbers up repetitively. The amount of the bill: $132.56. She read the small word, "Tip" and skated her eyes back and forth from the amount. $1000.-- was written in blue ink. Amount total: $1132.56. A suave signature read, "J. Carlton."

Nia grasped the table while she lifted herself from the chair. _The man gave me a thousand dollars for bringing him steak and water._ She stumbled through the empty restaurant to where Brie was clearing a table.

"Brie. Read this, and tell me I'm not crazy." Nia held up the receipt to eye level.

"Aghhhhh. Oh my..." Brie opened her eyes bigger and snatched the receipt. She looked flabbergasted. "Lord have mercy, you done hit the jackpot. What'd you do? Serve that steak up with a fresh piece of pussy?"

"This makes no sense whatsoever. It must be a mistake." Nia collected the receipt and walked away. _I know one thing and one thing only: I'm gonna return this money to its rightful owner. He must think I'm a charity case or something._

She clawed through her purse for her car keys. _What a night._ The old Camaro's engine slowly turned over and over, hesitating until it came to a full rumble. She belted out of the parking lot and began her commute home.

She grasped her house key and headed straight for the door. Bassy rap music echoed through the streets. She clutched her purse tighter, while she slid inside the house. She bolted the door, headed straight for the kitchen, and threw her purse on the table. She stood and stared at the black bag. Then she unzipped it and laid out the loose cash. Trembling hands counted $1213. She counted it again. She held her hand up to her head. _What am I going to do? This guy...I can't..._

She caught reflection of herself in a living room mirror. Her dark ebony skin glowed, despite her tiredness. But she looked as exhausted as she felt. At 29, she still looked as young as she did when she was 21. But tonight she looked as though years had crept up without warning. She moved some stands of hair away from her eyes. _What was he looking at when he stared at me?_ _What did he see?_

She scooped up the money and stashed it away in an envelope. She placed it between "The Bluest Eye" and "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" on the bookshelf. She sat back down and opened her laptop. She keyed in "Jake Carlton" and looked at her Google results.

Carlton Son Takes Over Family Business. Carlton Industries Strikes a Deal. How Jake Made His First Billion. She looked at the images on the page. _That's him._ She leaned forward and closed her eyes. Blood rushed to her pelvis. She clicked on the company website. She clicked on a small tab that read, "Founders." She copied the address and pasted it into a new message.

Sender: Nia Jones

Recipient: Jake Carlton

Date: June 12, 2015

Subject: (None)

Dear Mr. Carlton,

I hope this letter finds you well. Thank you for dining with us at Arnie's Steakhouse tonight. I'm afraid you may have mistakenly wrote $1000 on the receipt. Surely you meant to write $10.00 and mistakenly placed the decimal point at the end instead of the middle. Please let me know how to return the money to you.

Regards,

Nia

Surely, the man would soon look at his American Express statement soon, and see the outrageous charge, if he didn't get her e-mail first. She showered the day's events from her face and body, and turned in to bed, exhausted.

She awoke early the next morning. She grabbed her phone and scrolled through junk. Nothing.

"Nia? You in there?" A familiar voice called from the kitchen.

"Yes, Grandma, I'll be out in a minute."

She stepped her aching feet into some bunny slippers and walked out to join Grandma.

Grandma Pat lifted her head and raised her eyebrows when Nia walked in.

"What's been going on Baby Girl? Somethin' happen last night?"

"Nah, I'm just tired. Long night."

Her grandma continued her stare, but tilted her head slightly, and lifted one eyebrow. At 78, she still had a sharp mind.

"Alright. Yeah. Last night I was working, right. And this dude comes in...this rich guy named Jake Carlton—"

" _The_ Jake Carlton came into Arnie's?" Her grandma asked.

"What, am I the only person who never heard of him?"

"He's a household name around here. Especially since what happened last year."

"Hold up. What happened last year?"

"Well there was this orphanage...what was the name of it..." Grandma wrinkled her eyebrows, and squinted her eyes. "Oh, I remember. It was St. Mary's, down in Friendswood. They was almost shut down. Ran out of money. So that Carlton gentleman...he came in and saved the whole thing. All them children. 150 of 'em. Then he turned around and built a new library for them. All of that just outta the kindness of his heart. He a fine gentleman. They don't make 'em like that no more. No sir."

Sure he was a nice guy. A nice guy with a big tax write-off.

"How nice," Nia said, and looked away. "Well, I must be his new charity case. Cause he just gave me a thousand dollars last night for doing basically nothing."

Grandma Pat gasped. "A thousand dollars?" She looked dumbfounded. Then she sat back in her chair and said, "Looks like you have an admirer."

Nia sighed as she walked into the living room. She looked at the bookshelf where she had stashed the cash. She replayed last night's events. The way he spoke to her. His deep accent, the way he looked at her. He was the most eloquent man that had ever spoken to her. His lips, the freshness of his face. His hair, the way it nearly came in to a full curl.

She checked her phone. A text.

>Brie: Figured out what to do with the $ yet?

>Nia: Hi Brie :-)

>Brie: Well if u can't figure it out let me know. I be glad 2 help lol

>Nia: Thanks, I'm sure you would be.

>Brie: What time u working 2nite?

>Nia: 5:30. You?

>Brie: 6.

>Nia: K. See you there girl.

She looked at the notification icons at the top of the phone. _When did that come in?_ She thumbed through until she saw it. Jake Carlton's name sat in her inbox, like a diamond in the rough. She clicked through to open it.

Sender: Jake Carlton

Recipient: Nia Jones

Date: June 13, 2015

Subject: Re: (No Subject)

Dear Ms. Jones,

I don't think anyone has ever questioned my ability to fill out a restaurant receipt before.

Please keep the money as an apology for my date's deplorable behavior. You did exceptional work last night. Your skill has not gone unnoticed.

Sincerely,

Jake R. Carlton

A smile escaped her mouth as she threw herself back on a floral sofa and rested the phone on her chest. She picked up the phone and read it again. _Exceptional work? It was just a steak._

_Smart ass._ She smiled. _A billionaire writing wrong numbers on a bill._ _It would be a first._

She imagined his sexy mouth saying her name... _Miss Jones._ It would sound so good coming from him. She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

She dreamed she was putting on makeup along with a couple of her best girls from Long Beach. All three were decked out in nice dresses...the type of dress you wore to an expensive gala event. She suddenly found herself at a party. She didn't know it would be _his_ house until she got there. They had arrived to a massively heavy, mahogany door. The door had beveled glass on each side and church windows that reached high to the roof.

He greeted her at the doorway, sharply dressed in black tie. His hair was slicked back, and it looked more gelled and styled than it did at the restaurant. His shoes were expensive, polished Italian leather. He graciously took her hand and kissed it slowly, his lips soft and warm. She wanted them on her lips. She looked around at the magnificent surroundings. Champagne glasses, white marble floors, 18th century artwork placed perfectly on each wall. She once had a friend that introduced her to French and Italian art. She had come to appreciate it, though she had never seen any outside of the cheap prints they sold at Venice Beach.

She traced a long, white pillar that ran from the floor to the ceiling. On the ceiling hung an enormous chandelier that cascaded over the foyer. To the right, a plush-carpeted staircase spiraled down to the marble. To her left, a black Steinway sat, yearning to be played.

When she looked back toward Jake, he was gone. He had completely vanished. Her friends were also no longer there. She could only see a reflection of herself in the mirrored foyer. She was alone on the cold, white floor, in a beautiful white lace gown. Her long, black tresses fell over her shoulders onto the breast line of her dress. The slit in her dress ran from her upper thigh down to her dainty shimmering stilettos. And no one was there to see.

How did she even get there? More importantly, where did he go? She wanted more. Her thighs trembled open and her breathing deepened. She looked for him. The lights suddenly dimmed. Her eyes watered. A single tear fell. She wanted badly to see him. And then she did.

He floated from guest to guest laughing and mingling with each one. He flashed a brilliant smile she had never seen before. His straight, white teeth were almost too perfect. They glimmered in the dark room. She could hear conversations about last summer on the lake, about the new company projections, and about his poor Aunt Lilly that had passed away last year. He never looked her way. _Why isn't he paying attention to me?_

She awoke suddenly and looked at the time on her phone. "Fuck." She ran into the bathroom and threw a hot washcloth over her face, then used the same to soap her underarms. She separated her thighs and peered down between them in disbelief. The vagina oozed a wetness that spread to the small creases of her thighs. _How did that happen?_ She looked up. _The party, the kiss, the longing._

She sponged up the moisture. Then she threw on a clean, white work blouse and a plain, black skirt that showed off her lean thighs. She looked at her feet and saw a swollen blister beginning to form on her left pinky toe. She slipped on a pair of easy, black flats.

Grandma Pat sat, hovering over a section of the paper. She looked at Nia over slim golden reading rims. Nia hung on to the door frame, swinging around to give her grandma's curly head a kiss. "Bye Grandma."

"Stay outta trouble, you hear?" Grandma Pat half smiled.

She pulled her phone out. _4:38_. She scrambled out the door with her purse, keys, and name tag.

She got into her car and placed the key in the ignition. Nothing.

>Nia: My damn car won't start.

>Brie: Hey. U need a ride?

>Nia: Yes please.

>Brie: K...just barely put my shoes on. I'll swing by tho

~10 minutes later

>Brie: Omw. B there in 10

She sat in the driveway and stared at the dented garage door. _Hope Brie is seriously on her way. Maggie is gonna kick my ass if I'm late again._

Brie and Grandma Pat were her people. She touched the locket on her chest. She grabbed hold of the necklace and opened the locket. Her mother's unassuming brown eyes were so similar to her own. Her hair shorter than Nia's, slightly lighter skin tone. She kept her hair short and curled it with a flat iron. Sometimes she would do Nia's too.

They lived in a modest two-bedroom cottage-style house in Long Beach. They didn't have a lot of money, but it never mattered much. Where there was absence of money, there was love.

Her parents loved her and it was the type of love that could never be replaced, not by anyone or anything.

Everything had changed on the night of November 27, 1992. They had driven up to visit her Aunt Shirley that lived in Bakersfield. It was only an hour or two from their house in Long Beach. Nia smelled the turkey and cranberries just like it was yesterday.

Nia gasped. The big chrome grill...it came so suddenly out of nowhere.

"No Daddy!" Nia screamed.

The articles all said the same: an 18-wheeler had lost control, driving over the center divider line, meeting its fate with their little Toyota. The truck was so powerful that it had completely wheeled itself on top of the hood and half of the cabin of their car. It reversed the car's direction completely. Nia plunged backward, falling, falling.

Darkness.

She had no memory of her parents and the wretched machine that crushed them. She wracked her brain for more information, pleading for one more glimpse.

Still, darkness.

Alone.

She sat alone in her car in Houston now, with her eyes closed shut. _What if I had never asked for that teddy? What if mama had been awake? If mama had handed the teddy to me instead of daddy, would they still be alive today?_

A loud honk of a car horn startled Nia. She looked up and saw Brie's red Neon. She wiped her last tear to erase evidence. She didn't feel like answering any questions. She rose from her black, rusty car. She looked at the street as she walked to meet her friend.

Weeds grew out of creeks in the sidewalk. Each house had four to five cars sitting in the driveway, half of them looking trashed.

In front of the neighbor's house sat a strange car. It was a Lincoln Town Car: flawless, black paint, smooth tinted glass, rims shined to a polish. Too nice to be the neighbor's car. _Are they in trouble?_

She circled the car, peering into the front seat, spotting an older, dormant man wearing a cabbie hat. He looked down, as if he was reading something. _Weird._ She peered at the back window. When she tried to look in, she only saw a reflection of her pretty long locks. _They'll be lucky if they don't get hustled or jacked by nightfall. How long had it been sitting there? And why do I feel like I'm being watched?_

#  CHAPTER  
THREE

"You're late Bitches. Get your asses in gear and get out there." The boss squinted at them through orange, greasy hair.

"Sorry, Maggie," they said, chiming in unison.

"My car broke down. It's my fault Brie is late. She came and picked me up. I take full responsibility."

They stormed toward restaurant floor.

"Can we sue her for that?" Brie said. "She can't talk to us like that."

Nia watched her friend put her apron and tucked in her own blouse. "I'm getting to think that is a normal way of speaking in Texas," she said.

"I don't think so," Brie waved her finger and shook her head at the same time. "That bitch is dead out of place." She sauntered off.

She and Brie juggled several tables at the restaurant that night. At slow periods, she couldn't help but wonder about his soft, brown hair, and his crisp clean shirt. His gaze had intoxicated her.

She reached in her apron pocket and felt for her phone. She thumbed through to his email from this morning. So formal, but adorable. _You're skill has not gone unnoticed._ _Who talks like that? All I did was bring the man food._

"I think he's trying to buy himself some attention," Nia said.

"Who?" Brie puckered her face.

"Jake Carlton." The words rolled off her lips like she had said his name a hundred times before.

"How the hell did we get on the subject of Jake Carlton?"

Nia rolled her eyes and turned to walk away. Brie called out after her.

"Jake Carlton doesn't need to _buy attention._ He can have any woman in Houston if he wanted. It ain't no secret. Women been flocking to him for the last ten years. He ain't put a ring on the finger of any of 'em. But that don't stop women from throwing themselves at him."

"Well, I won't be doing any flocking. This is obviously just a standard game for him. I don't need any man's money and I certainly don't need any man in my life fucking up things." Nia shook her head. "Who does he think he is, anyway? If he thinks he can just waltz in here, pay a thousand dollars, and say a couple cute one-liners, he is sadly mistaken. I am not for sale."

Brie raised her eyebrows and lowered her head a little.. "Pfff.. well, yes Ma'am!"

Nia stalked out of the kitchen.

She brushed some hair out of her face. Her forehead now had a grimy, thick layer from sweat and dirt. She rubbed the thick of it, smearing it around her face. She headed for the bathroom. She splashed water into her face and reapplied her lip color.

She grabbed her purse and headed to the front door. "You going to give me a ride home, right?

"Yeah, gimme a few minutes. This baby threw up on one of the high chairs."

"Ewww," Nia said. "K, I'll be waiting outside. I'm so done with this place tonight."

She pushed the heavy front door to the restaurant open and let herself out. She looked at the cars parked in front of the restaurant. _Shiny rims._ She examined the car. It wasn't the cook's car. _Isn't that the same black Town Car from earlier?_

Nia's eyes grew wider. Blood drained from her face. Her legs stiffened. S _ame car._

She whipped around and reached for the heavy, metal door handle of the restaurant. She yanked hard. "Fuck!" She willed the door through terrified eyes.

A strong hand grabbed her in the darkness. It held on to her tight. Her bones chilled.

"Aaaaiiieeee!" Nia screamed. She reached up to bang on the restaurant glass. That arm was also grabbed in a stronghold. Her assailant was now behind her. His breaths poured on to her neck.

Her hairs stood upward. She inched her arms away from the tight grasp. Just as she freed them, she spun around to face her attacker. She gasped for air. _It's him._

She felt his hand on the back of her neck, shoving her head toward his. He breathed warmth on the corner of her mouth. She scanned his wild eyes.

He sniffed her, inhaling deeply. He brushed his soft lips over her open mouth. Then he plunged into them, strong, daring. His tongue moved inside her mouth, shooting forward again and again. He pressed on.

Nia began to whimper soft moans of delight. Her shoulders relaxed, and she felt her back arching. She wanted more. Her arms were putty in his embrace. Her legs wavered while they opened slightly. Blood rushed to her pelvic area, and her juices began to well at her opening. She didn't dare lift her arms to embrace him. She received all that he offered.

She closed her eyes. He stopped. She found his hazel eyes yearning. Her arms and legs weakened with desire, as she allowed her weight to be half-supported by his tight embrace. Beads of sweat formed above her lip.

"You okay?" Jake whispered, centimeters away from her face.

Nia cleared her throat. "Yeah. You just scared me. I wasn't expecting anyone to be out here."

"I uh...heard your car was out, and I figured you could use a lift."

She straightened her shoulders. "How'd you know about that?"

He flashed a look toward the Town Car and then looked back at her.

Her eyebrows furrowed. "Ah, you had me followed. How'd you even get my address? And what about your girl--"

"Claire?

"Yes," she said, frowning. "Claire." _The Bitch has soured that name._

"She drove back up to Austin this morning. She lives there. She was supposed to leave tomorrow, but something came up with one of my properties that I had to deal with."

He drew closer until his warm lips touched hers.

_Stop_. Her mouth relaxed as she allowed him entry. His firm tongue protruded into her mouth. She heard a faint voice in the background.

"Uh...excuse me. I don't mean to interrupt anything," Brie said, standing at the door. "We can go now, Nia." Brie looked as though she could have strangled Jake with her bare hands.

"Hi," Jake said, turning to her. "My driver will make sure Nia gets home safe and sound tonight."

Nia looked at Jake, then at her friend. Then she eyed the Town Car. "I don't think so," she said. _I'm not about to get in that car._

"Why not? Wilson says he will be on his best behavior." Jake nodded once at the driver, who stood with the passenger's door wide open.

Nia closed her eyes and took a deep breath. _Do not get in this car._

"Okay. But only if we go straight home. My grandmother is waiting up for me." _Lie. She's fast asleep by 9 every night of the week._ Nia bit her lip and flattened both of her feet on the ground.

"What?!" Brie pouted her mouth, squinting her eyes. "Are you out of your mind? What about what we talked about in there?" She pointed toward the kitchen, her voice stern. Her back hunched from looking down at Nia.

Nia looked down at the ground. "It's just a ride home. That's all."

"Tsss...I don't have time for this," Brie looked away, and waved her hand down at Nia. "See ya later girl. Stay safe." She pressed her unlock button on her keys, then headed for her car.

A cold shiver sneaked up Nia's spine. Her mind begged for Brie to wait. She let out a barely audible quiver. Then she turned to examine Jake. _I'm sure he's fine. A man like Jake Carlton wouldn't harm a fly....would he?_

He stood with his soft lips closed, staring intently into her eyes. He said nothing. He held his hand out to her, and stood next to the door of the luxury sedan.

Nia bit her lip. She looked from Jake to the car, and then back to Jake.

She lowered her shoulders, and drew in a breath. She placed her hand in his, then stepped into the car. Jake closed the car door with two hands.

She sat with her hands on her lap, peeping at the two men outside her window. Wilson was as black as she was. He looked like he was in his late sixties, his hair graying on both sides. He wore a black hat, and ribbed, black, vested sweater. Jake gave a friendly hand to Wilson's shoulder, then he walked around to the other side of the car. He got inside and gave her a lopsided smile.

"All comfy?" Jake said, leaning toward her.

She nodded and studied the man who sat next to her.

"Wilson, Nia. Nia, Wilson."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Wilson," she said.

"Thank you Miss Jones. We have been awaiting your arrival."

Jake raised his eyebrows, cocked his head to the side, and formed his lips as if to whistle. "Alright now, Wilson."

"How are you enjoying our Texas weather?" Jake asked her.

"I'm not sure which I like better. The heat or the mosquitoes."

"You been through a storm yet?" His Texan accent came on heavier.

"No."

"They get pretty fierce around these parts. You'll be wishing you had the heat and mosquitoes," He smiled at her, then sat further back in his seat.

She looked out of the window to check the street names.

Jake eyed her as she turned her head back around. "There's a place I'd like to show you."

"No, I'm sorry, I can't," she answered, her voice constricted.

He looked at her mouth while she spoke. _Did he not hear the instructions to take me straight home?_ She sighed and watched the coming street through the front windshield.

He moved closer. His lips launched into hers.

His warm mouth felt so familiar to her now. She could feel the fervor of his desire playing upon her tongue. She immediately relaxed her shoulders, and allowed him entry.

She let out a small whimper. He magnetized her. His lips, his touch, the way he smelled. _He knows. He knows how badly I want him_. He responded to her whimper.

"Wilson, take us to Jack's."

She pulled away. "Who's Jack? I need to get home."

"There is no Jack. It's my jazz bar."

She gasped. "That's your bar? I've heard of that place." Nia's eyes lit up. "My mama always loved jazz." She let out a smile.

"Ah. Who's her favorite?"

She looked at the carpeted floor of the car. "Wynton Marsalis. I don't have many memories of her, but I do remember her putting him on the turntable." She closed her eyes and smiled.

"I'm sorry, Nia."

"Oh, thank you. But it's okay. They both passed away when I was little." Nia had said the words many times, but it still ached each time she said it.

Jake took her small hand into his large palm and rested it there, while Wilson plowed through Houston's night.

"Ah. Here we are," he said. "Just take us around back, Wilson."

Cars lined up down the block. Guys wrapped their arms around decked out girls.

"I've never been out clubbing in Houston before. Am I dressed okay?" She asked.

"Nia, I don't think the club has ever seen a more beautiful creature walk through the door," Jake said, his eyes focused on her.

She reached in her purse for her compact mirror and lip color. She moistened her lips, rubbed them together, then stepped out of the car. Wilson held the door open for her, giving her a hand with balance. _Is this all some sort of weird fairytale?_

"Thank you, Wilson," she said, flashing a smile.

She looked at Jake. "Just one drink," she said, holding out her index finger.

He grabbed on to the finger as she lowered it, and then they snuck through a small blue door. Inside, the aroma of Creole food filled the air.

"This sorta looks like the kitchen at Arnie's," she said, looking around.

As they walked through, everybody saluted them and some bowed their heads. A dark-haired man dressed in a black Armani suit came to greet them.

"Nia, this is Thomas Stanley. He's doing a fine job of running the place."

Thomas embraced her hand and said, "So pleased to meet you Nia. If I can be of any service whatsoever, please don't hesitate to call for me."

"Well, thank you Thomas. Nice to meet you."

"Everyone is so nice here," she said as they headed for the dining room entrance.

Jake smiled and said, "Well, I'm a nice guy, what did you expect? Treat people well, and they treat you well."

When they reached the other side of the door, another staff member greeted them with a notepad.

"Hello Mr. Carlton," the young clean-cut blond said. He held out a hand to her. "Who is this lovely lady?"

" _She_ is Nia. She _is_ divine, isn't she?" Jake looked sideways at her. His eyes lit up and rested on her smile.

"Absolutely. Your table is open. Shall we?"

The man ushered them to a small, round table sitting to the side of the stage. A white table cloth surrounded the table, and a red, low candlelight sat in the middle. The waiter pulled out two chairs, and placed their menus on the table. Jake pulled his chair over to hers, then sat down with her.

"I'll have my regular, and she'll have--"

"White wine, please," Nia said, finishing Jake's sentence.

"Bring out the Corton-Charlemagne, Joe. Scratch my regular. I'll have what she's having."

"Beautiful place. Who is everybody here to see?"

"I think it's James Louis, a young trumpeter out of the Third Ward."

The lights dimmed, and on walked a keen, young man into the spotlight. His hair was styled into a tight afro, and he wore a beige, vested sweater. He began with a solo, then was later joined by a pianist and a drummer. He played his trumpet hard and fast.

The music intoxicated her. She could see Jake spying on her from the corner of her eye.

The trumpeter slowed down to play a smooth ballad.

Jake moved closer. "Beautiful night. Beautiful music. Beautiful woman. A man couldn't ask for anything more." He leaned forward and kissed her softly. She felt his soul beckoning for more. She opened her mouth freely, allowing him entrance, once again.

He brushed ever so gently over her lips, his tongue dancing with hers. The smoothness of the jazz trumpet moved them into a synchronized rhythm, each revealing the depth of their desire.

He raised his arm. "Check," he said to the waiter.

"You pay for the drinks at your own restaurant?" She asked.

"If I don't, the accountant gets off-balanced."

The waiter brought the bill. Jake settled the bill. "Ready?"

A frown crept up to her mouth. _He's keeping his word. I'll give him that._ "Yes."

She stood up and grasp her chair for balance. Jake held her waist. He whispered, "I got you," into her ear. He pressed his hand into the small of her back, guiding her toward the exit.

Outside, Wilson had the car waiting at the back door. Jake opened the car door and let her in. She sat inside and closed her eyes. She felt warmth.

Jake got in his side of the car. He closed the door and swiveled to wrap his arms around her. His warm embrace felt like red velvet. He plunged into her. She held her head back, looking away. She sensed his hunger. She returned to his gaze and pressed her lips into his neck. _Sandalwood._

She felt the hand on her inner thigh advance into the warmth of her lace panties. Her breaths became heavier. She felt the wetness strewing down on to the cotton patch of the lace. _Please don't. I can't._

She parted her thighs slightly. His fingers lingered on her thigh, then explored their way to her opening. He began a slow circle on her smooth clit. His fingers glided on the same track ever so gently. _What is doing to me._

"Feels so good," she whispered. She examined the hunger in his eyes.

He hastened his circling. She heard his breaths quickening. Then he stopped. Suddenly, two long fingers entered her canal.

He then breathed in a pattern that matched her own. He reached in deeper. He closed his eyes and curled his lips upward.

"You feel amazing inside," he said. His gaze lingered, his eyes watching her every response.

She opened her thighs a little more, welcoming his heated touch. Her skirt inched upward. She lifted her pussy slightly, bracing her feet on the car floor.

His smooth fingers fit inside her well, triggering a wave of pleasure.

He immersed his tongue into her mouth, motioning back and forth. His fingers did the same. His other hand moved to massage her right breast. She sighed. _Don't ever stop._

She looked up, removed her mouth from his, and straightened her clothing to fit over her chest.

"I think this is moving a little too fast for me."

"Absolutely. I agree. I just can't control myself when I'm around you. You're just so damn sexy, Nia."

Jake removed his eyes from her realm and looked out to the street. Then he shot a glance at his driver.

"Tanglewood."

Wilson looked in the rear view mirror and nodded at the command. He veered a sharp right, and continued down a dark, foresty road, lit by a crescent moon.

#  CHAPTER  
FOUR

"Wilson," Nia said. "Stop the car. I need to get out."

She waited for acknowledgment from the driver. He continued on the same dark passage and said nothing. Nia's eyebrows furrowed. She spun around to Jake.

"I told you just one drink. You got me to get in the car, we went to your bar, we had some fun. Now I want to go home," she said, her voice rising with every pronounced syllable. "Why aren't you taking me home?"

"Your body says otherwise," he said quietly, eyes focused straight ahead. "You're body doesn't lie, Nia."

Nia said nothing. _True_. The way she felt about this man was undeniable. He was kind, and giving. Yet, his firmness and strength left her warm and ardent. She wanted him and he _knew._

They drove along a quiet, well-paved road lit by tall street lamps on either side. She peeped up at the houses. Each house was bigger than the former. The colorful front yards of the houses were partially lit with small accent lights. Each long pathway led to an enormous front door. Some of the driveways were long, disappearing into the back. Other driveways were round, stretching in a semi-circle from either side of the house, passing by the front door.

"Oh my god," she said, raising her eyebrows and shaking her head. "Who lives here?"

"People," Jake said. "Neighbors." He looked down at the carpet, his cheeks turning slightly red.

She reached over and grasped his hand. "It's okay. You work hard. I'm sure these people do too."

"Yeah, well. Sometimes we take up a lot more space than we need. I've seen people over off Tidwell that could have a decent life just living in the garage of one of these houses. It's embarrassing, really. But we try and make up for it as best we can by giving back to the community. At least _I_ do. I can't speak for my neighbors."

Nia nodded and continued scrutinizing the houses. Her Aunt Shirley always told her that money didn't change a person. It simply brought out more of whatever was already there. Mean people got more callous. Nice people became more giving. _How can these people even live like this when Third Ward is just a few miles down the road?_ Nia shook her head in disgust.

"Well, money can't buy you happiness," she said.

"No, but it can buy you freedom," he said.

They pulled into a round driveway, behind a black Lamborghini. She looked through Jake's window at the enormity of the house that sat before her. The grounds were perfectly manicured, with ferns and patches of fine blades. Red carnations graced the entry. The walkway and entry were made of rock and stone. Steps led up to a large, mahogany door surrounded by beveled glass windows.

"This house looks familiar," she said, furrowing her eyebrows.

"Hmm...looks familiar to me too," Jake said with a lopsided grin. "Shall we see what's inside?"

"Smart ass." Nia laughed. "That wine was good. I'm still feelin' it. You?"

He paused to look at her. "I'm still feeling _you_."

They stood at the front door. Her stomach swelled with butterflies. What was this place she was about to enter? The house was huge.

"Do you live here by yourself?"

"Yep. Well, with Wilson and Genevieve. Genevieve's entire family was brutally butchered to death in Uganda when she was a teenager. After she came to America, she met my parents. She became like a second mother to me. My parents put her through college. She went to school, studied art, then came back and told my parents she didn't want to leave us. I was getting too big to have a nanny." Jake smiled. "So she became my personal assistant."

"I see. And your parents?"

"They retired and moved to a ranch up by Austin. They wanted to sell this old house, but I wouldn't let them," he said, looking at the high arched ceiling of the raised entryway. "So I bought it from them at a fair price."

"Your parents _sold_ you their house?"

"Yep. I work for everything I have. My dad put me to work in the family business when I was only 9 years old. He wanted me to learn the value of a dollar." He unlocked the door, then reached behind to push some numbers on a white, digital panel.

She took her first step into the house. Her eyes widened. She gasped, then quickly covered her gaping mouth. The sight paralyzed her. The chandelier, the marble floor, the baby grand piano. _The dream._

"What's the matter?" he asked.

She relaxed her hand. "I feel like I've been here before. Just a bit of deja vu, I guess."

"You belong here," he said, his hazel eyes focusing on her. "Wilson has gone around back. It's just us here." He held out his arm for her to grasp. "Shall we?"

They walked through the foyer to a large family room. Wide, tall windows ran from the floor to the high-beamed ceiling. A sleek, oak bar with stools sat in the corner of the room. A comfortable-looking black leather sectional sat in the middle.

"Have a seat," he said, motioning toward the sofa. "What would you like to drink?"

"I'm good with just water. I'm still a little tipsy from the wine."

Jake prepared two glasses of ice water and sat down with Nia.

"It's beautiful here," she said.

He kissed her. She felt his fiery passion and responded by returning the heat. Her hunger matched his, and they swiftly advanced into fervent desire. Her pelvis burned from the longing. She could feel liquid oozing from her opening below.

He pressed closer until she began to feel his weight, heavy and strong. He released her and drew in a breath. She rotated her head slightly to the left so she could taste his neck. She planted a slow French kiss there. He gasped. He held his neck sturdy. She ran her tongue along his pinkish-white skin. She tasted more of the salty skin. She closed her eyes, while she inhaled the sandalwood aroma.

He massaged her breast. He pressed her down until she was fully laying on the couch.

She exhaled through pursed lips. Her black skirt stretched up revealing her lavender lace. She could feel the swell of his bulge on her thigh, through his jeans.

She drew in heavy breaths. Small beads of sweat formed on her upper lip, matching the sweat that collected on his neck.

He undid each of her small clear buttons, with large, uncalloused fingers. They could have been librarian hands, feeling their way through the pages of a book. His eyes moved back and forth slowly from his work to her eyes, until the last button was undone. He began to tug at the clasp on her bra. _Don't._

"Mmmhh." She let out a small whimper. She arched her back until her chest fully protruded onto his.

He inhaled deeply, his hands gliding from her waist to her back. When she felt the release of the wiring, her breaths quickened. Her chest moved freely back and forth. Anticipation showed in his eyes. His eyebrows raised as he lifted the lightweight bra from her body.

"So dark," he whispered, plunging his head into her right breast. He rubbed his temple and cheek onto the hard nipple until it neared his lips.

She felt the flushed moisture and heat on his skin.

He engulfed the entire darkness into his mouth. He sucked and sucked, taking short pauses for air.

She observed his tongue taking small tastes of her perked nipple.

"So sweet," he whispered. He looked at the other fresh nipple. His eyes lighted as he raised his eyebrows. He swiftly moved to the next. He lingered on the nipple, then lifted his head to look at her. He kissed her lips firmly.

She tasted some of her own salty sweat in his mouth.

He stood up from the sofa and began to loosen his belt. She felt lighter, colder without the warmth and weight of his body.

He navigated the large silver buckle, while continuing his gaze. He watched her like wolf preparing to devour its prey. He freed the other side of the belt loose and began to pull the long end from the loops of his jeans. He unbuttoned them while she gazed on.

He pulled the jeans until they were just below the bulge. Then he moved the jeans to the ground. His black, dress socks came off with the pants. He left the jeans where they lay on the floor, while he began to unbutton his white shirt. She waited and watched, her eyes fixated on the thick veins that trailed his forearms. Her uncontrollable breaths of desire trembled her chest.

She held out her hand to feel his hard, muscular legs. He observed, nearing the sofa as he finished removing his white undershirt. She felt his smooth, white inner thigh, then peeked at his chest. The solid chest flexed as he moved closer to her. His tight belly displayed shades of well-defined muscles. Light-brown hairs graced his happy trail, leading down to a pair of fitted, red knit boxers.

He slid them down onto the floor. His shaft was curved and stiff. He took it into his right hand, moving the skin to and fro. Then he climbed on top of her. His hips slowly rocked, the hardness pressing into her thigh. It moved closer to her wet lace.

Her skirt rode up her thighs. He reached under the skirt until his fingers found where the lace hugged her hips. He grasped it and removed it at once. After he tugged it from her ankles, he spread her fleshy thighs apart. Then he took two fingers, and immersed them into her opening. She shuddered. She closed her eyes and felt them driving deeper. She focused on his face. It told all: hunger, desire, anticipation.

He lifted his head. "Take it and put it in when you're ready."

The command perplexed her, her eyes fixated on the cock. _Don't let him win this game._

She reached out to hold the sleek cock in her fingers. She inched in closer to her. He responded, gliding it into her opening.

She sucked in air all at once. She could feel his member reaching all the way in, until it came to the end of her canal. _Fits so well._ They rocked in unison like two pieces of a puzzle, clicking together stroke after stroke.

They took turns tasting each other on the lips, neck, and shoulders. Their bodies synchronized into a rhythmic pattern each time he drove the cock into her.

Her body vibrated as she lost control. She moaned for mercy as his thrusts turned harder. He pounded her now, triggering a series of waves through her body. She felt her blood rushing from her ankles to her inner thighs, then venturing on to her pelvic area.

"Ohhh! Ohh!" She shared her ecstasy. She exhaled all the tension out through loud moans. He growled. His voice was deep and thick.

He wrinkled his eyebrows, as his eyes narrowed on her. "I'm cumming, Nia."

He withdrew from her. She felt immediate emptiness. She spied him with fascination. He took the cock into his hand and moved the skin back and forth until his seed shot out onto her black, curly hairs.

He closed his eyes and breathed a long sigh. Then he collapsed his body onto her.

She glimpsed at the bright Texas sun though the tall, glass windows. She looked down and inspected a soft, white comforter surrounding her. _Where am I?_ She looked around the room, then closed in on the stretched-out man who laid on the floor. His eyes closed, a stubble of light-brown beard beginning to shadow, his mouth slightly open. _Adorable._ She smiled as she smoothed down her unruly, black hair.

She lifted herself up from the plush sofa and scavenged the floor for her purse. Her shoes laid around his head.

"Aha," she said quietly and tip-toed over to get her phone. 9:02. _Fuck Fuck Fuck! Not again._

She thumbed down the screen to look at the date. _Sunday._

She picked up her skirt, then peered at the dirty underwear laying on the floor. _Ick._ She held her hand up to her mouth and exhaled a breath test. _Horrid._

She wandered down a long hallway., until she arrived at an ajar door with a sink in plain view. She peeked in, then stepped in, and shut it behind her. She quickly found a smaller toilet room and used it. She washed her hands, flinging up water into her mouth.

She examined the bathroom. _Huge_. A white, oval bathtub sat below a large frosted window. A stone rectangular shower with a sliding glass door sat far to the left. On a rack, sitting by the shower sat two plush white towels and some smaller washcloths. _I better make this quick._

She took off her wrinkled work blouse and shook it in the air in swift snaps. Then she unclasped her locket and placed it in the corner of the counter. She looked in the mirror, while she brushed sleep out of swollen eyes. _What did I do?_

She scrambled for a hair clip, then pinned some of the frizz back. She rotated in the mirror, then she stepped in the shower. The hot water hit her like rain. She closed her eyes for one small minute. Then she sighed and dragged herself from the shower. She toweled off, dressed, and gathered her stuff.

Jake was still sprawled out on the floor of the living room.

"Jake? Jake. Jake." Her sweet voice increased with panic.

"Mmm?" He opened his eyes and looked around the room blankly.

"Oh...hi," he said softly, through a smile.

She stood over him, arms crossed. "I'm so screwed right now. I'm late. I was supposed to be at work over an hour ago."

He pushed his tousled hair back and rubbed his red eyes. "Oh, I'll have Wilson drive you," he said.

His long, round muscles flexed as he eased himself from the floor. He walked to a white receiver on the wall and pushed a button.

"Wilson, would you kindly escort Nia back to Arnie's?"

A moment later Wilson emerged with the Town Car at the front of the house. Jake walked Nia out to the car.

"I loved every moment of last night," he said. He softly pecked her on the cheek and scanned her as she lowered herself into the Lincoln.

"Me too." Nia smiled, through panicked lips. He shut the door and backed over to the stone steps.

The car faced the neighbor's house, as Wilson wheeled around the long, round driveway. Across the street, a blond family of four stood outside their Benz staring at her like a family of deer, frozen in headlights. The mother grabbed her child's hand and she and Wilson eased onto the road.

#  CHAPTER  
FIVE

A mountain of dread engulfed her, as they pulled into the parking lot of Arnie's. She checked the clock on her phone. _10:23_. She bid farewell to Wilson, then climbed out of the car and headed for the glass door of the restaurant. The place was packed. Suited men with their dressy wives waited on the brown leather ottomans. White stockinged legs stuck out of colorful Sunday dresses. Black, patent leather heels clicked on the red tile floor.

Brie was standing at the table of two seniors, writing something down on a notepad. She looked up at Nia. Her mouth gaped open, and then she shut it tight and gave her warning looks through widened eyes.

Nia lowered her head and trudged to the kitchen. She quickly put her apron on in the mirror. _A mess._

"What tables can I take?" She asked a brunette waitress who stood at the station, tallying up a receipt on the register.

The brunette rolled her green eyes and shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know."

Brie busted in through the large, gray kitchen door. "Where have you been?" She stood with her hands on her hips. Her mouth pouted into a frown.

Nia shot a glance at her, then looked at the floor.

Brie leaned her head in sideways. "Wait...you didn't." She shook her head. "Tell me you didn't do that." She folded her arms. "You did, didn't you?" Her frown slowly turned upward into a smirk. She lowered her head and raised her eyebrows at Nia. "Liked it?"

Nia lowered her head, looking to the corner of the room. She looked back up at Brie. "Yeah."

Brie gaped at Nia. Then she grabbed Nia's fisted hand and lifted it into the air. _What the hell is she doing?_

"Ladies and gentlemen." Brie raised her voice. "We have a winner!"

The dishwasher swiveled around to observe the ruckus.

"First Ho Prize goes to Miss Nia Jones!" Brie busted out into laughter. Then she flashed her a clownish smile.

Nia's eyes narrowed at her "friend." She struggled to get her hand free.

Brie dropped her tight grasp and spun toward her accumulating audience. "Now I ain't sayin' she a gold-digga..." She walked toward them, switching her hips to a made-up rhythm. Then she put one hand on her hip and waved her butt to the other side of the room in one swoop.

Nia heard a whistle and a cat-call. The cooks cheered her on.

She sneered at Brie and ran into the bathroom. _I should've never told her._ She stood in the corner. She buried her face in her hands. _What did I do?_ She had just fucked the man she swore she would stay away from.

She looked at herself in the mirror, her lips curling in disgust. She shook her head and looked at the ground. "It's over now," she whispered, and opened the bathroom door.

On the other side of the door stood a frowning orange-haired woman, staring at her over thin-rimmed glasses. _Maggie_.

Nia opened her mouth and held one finger up. "I can expl--"

"In my office now, Miss Jones," she said.

"Yes, ma'am," said Nia, following her through the dining area and kitchen into a small corner room. Nia sat down on a stained, striped chair in front of a heavy metallic desk. Maggie shut the door behind her. She sat behind the desk and paused. Her face displayed dozens of wrinkles. Her thin, greasy hair clung to her face. Her office reeked of smoke.

"Nia. We take our work very seriously here. I don't know if you are aware of this, but Sunday is a very busy day here. I had to come in and cover your shift this morning after the girls called me."

"Yes, I'm so sorry Maggie. My car broke down and I didn't have a ride."

"Well, one of the requirements of this job is for you to have reliable transportation. This is third time you've been late. I'm afraid we're going to have to let you go."

Her words hung there in the still, thick air. Nia's eyes immediately welled with tears. She held her hand to her mouth, then blotted tears that were beginning to roll down her cheeks. She lifted herself slowly from the chair.

"I can give you a good reference if you need it. Otherwise, please collect your belongings. I'll have your last check ready by tomorrow morning. I'll leave the..."

Nia could no longer hear anything she said. Her shoulders slumped as she opened the office door. She turned to Maggie, and looked at her through blurred vision. "Thank you Maggie."

She wiped tears away and held her head up higher. _I don't need them laughing all day at me._ She strode to collect her purse, which sat on the floor in the corner. She picked it up and threw it on her shoulder. She pushed the door open for the last time, and walked out onto the dining floor.

Brie cleared several glass ice cream bowls away from a table.

Nia looked away as she passed her.

"You mad?" Brie asked. Her voice was loud and demanding.

_What do you think, Bitch?_ Nia marched out the front door and kept walking. She didn't know where to go, but she kept walking. She meandered for two hours in the general direction of home. She stopped and looked around. Then she got out her phone and called a taxi.

She let herself in and headed straight for bed. "Hi Grandma," she said, poking her head into the kitchen.

"Hey, Baby Girl. Where you been?" Her grandma was sitting at the table julienning some green beans.

"Uh, well...I just stayed with a friend last night. Sorry I didn't call."

Her grandma put down her kitchen tool and looked up and down at Nia. "Well, what _happened_ to _you_?"

Nia sighed and put her purse down. She treaded into the kitchen. She sat and wrapped her arms around her head on the kitchen table. Then she looked up at her grandma's brown eyes.

"I lost my job, Grandma." Then she shook her head and burst into tears. A river streamed down her face.

Her grandma eyed her, then picked up her kitchen tool and a green bean. She passed the green bean through, slicing it into four strings.

"Is that what all this fuss is about?" She picked up another bean. "You ain't the first one to ever lose a job. It's just a job, Baby. You'll get another one. Soon you'll have every restaurant in Houston banging on your door."

Nia smiled. "I'm exhausted," she said, lifting herself slowly from the wooden kitchen chair. "Oh, and the car is broke too. It wouldn't start yesterday. I need to call the mechanic or something." A wave of panic hit her. _I don't know how that's gonna happen now._

She slipped her aching body into the shower. _I should've never listened to him. I'm sure he just wanted to try out the black girl._

She let the hot water cleanse her, then wrapped herself in her cozy bed. She grabbed her phone. She looked at the notifications, then thumbed through to her inbox.

Sender: Jake Carlton

Recipient: Nia Jones

Date: June 14, 2015

Subject: Last Night

Dear Ms. Jones,

You were absolutely beautiful.

Sincerely,

Jake R. Carlton

_No, no, no._ She shook her head and placed the phone on her nightstand. Then she picked it up and read it again. She sighed. _Nothing but trouble._ She placed the phone back on the nightstand and turned out a small blue lamp. She drifted into a long sleep.

She awoke to a morning sun peeking through dusty blinds. She laid in bed, staring at the blank ceiling. She looked over at the phone. She picked it up and saw a text notification.

>Brie: U ok?

She put the phone back on the nightstand. _Why bother?_ She stared at the phone. Then she picked it up and began typing.

Sender: Nia Jones

Recipient: Jake Carlton

Date: June 15, 2015

Subject: Re: Last Night

Dear Mr. Carlton,

Last night got me fired.

Regards,

Nia Jones

She put the phone face down on the nightstand. It vibrated. She picked the phone up and stared at the display.

"Hello?"

"Nia...I'm so sorry. It's all my fault," the familiar voice said.

"Thank you, but it isn't. I shouldn't have been out all night when I had to work the next day."

"I have to go out of town on a business trip up north for a few days," Jake said. "When I get back, I'd like to see you. We'll figure something out."

She sighed. "How did you get this number anyway?"

"You gave it to me last night," he said. "I don't think these arms have ever held a more beautiful creature."

She said nothing.

"I'll miss you while I'm gone. Keep Houston warm for me."

"Bye Mr. Carlton," she said.

"Bye, Nia."

_I can't believe I let this man get between me and my job._ She shook her head. Then she got her laptop out and began a new job search. She filled out a dozen online applications over the next week.

The doorbell rang one morning while she brushed her teeth. She set the blue toothbrush on the counter. "I got it, Grandma."

She opened the door to find no one there. Her eyes floated toward the bristled, green doormat. She gasped, covering her mouth with her hand.

On the doormat sat a large bouquet of red roses. The blooms were speckled with small white flowers and greenery. They sat in a sparkling crystal vase. A single stand of white pearls was wrapped loosely around the neck of the vase.

Next to the roses sat a large manila-colored envelope.

#  CHAPTER  
SIX

She investigated the empty street. Then she reached for the vase and the envelope and scurried them back inside.

Grandma Pat lifted her head and placed her hand on her heart. "Oh my. Where on God's green earth did the those come from, Child?"

Nia sat the roses on the table and peeked inside the envelope. _Lace._

"I don't know, Grandma." She ran to her bedroom and shut the door behind her. She peeked into the envelope. She reached in and brought out a small, yellow hand-written note. The typed wording at the top of the note said, "Carton Industries." She read the note.

Nia,

Please accept this gift as

a small token for your loss.

Jake

Nia curled her lips, her eyes narrowing. _Accept what? I don't need your sympathy. What I need is a god-damned job._

She reached in and brought out the underwear. They smelled of fresh detergent. _Oh no._ She flashed back to the gooey underwear that sat on the floor of Jake's living room. _So embarrassing._

She peered further inside the envelope at the last remaining item. A black rectangular box with three chrome buttons. She took it out of the envelope and observed the small detail: a lock button, a car hood button, and a unlock button. Underneath the buttons was a series of four conjoined circles. She held the remote in her hand, furrowing her eyebrows. She put the envelope on the bed and looked out through the blinds onto the bright, sunny street. _Nothing_. She opened the door and walked out onto the porch.

She saw something red from the corner of her eye. She stared, her mouth wide open. Then she rushed over to get a full view of the strange thing that sat on the driveway. A small sports car glimmered in the hot sun. The back of the car had the same four circles as the key remote. _Audi._

She looked down at the remote. She pressed the small chrome unlock symbol. The car unlocked its doors. Nia held her neck. She inspected the quiet street. _No one._ She opened the door and got in. New car smell. Clean, black leather seats. She stared at the miscellaneous buttons on dash.

She bolted back to the house. Her heartbeat leapt through her chest. She grabbed her phone and quickly thumbed through to the recent calls.

"Hello, Miss Jones."

His voice sounded calm and sexy.

"Who does this belong to?" Nia asked.

"You. I've had them washed for you."

Nia rolled her eyes. _Disturbing._

"You know what I'm talking about. You left your car here."

"Oh that." Jake's voice maintained a smiling, playful tone. "That belongs to you, my fair lady."

"Well, I don't need it. Mine will be fixed by morning. I'm bringing it over to my mechanic this afternoon--"

"No reason to," Jake said. "The Audi is a peppy little thing. It will take you wherever you need to go."

"Jake, I can't accept this. I—"

"You can. I'll see you in a week. I'm looking forward it."

Nia said nothing. She looked at the phone. He had already hung up. _Busy man._

"Grandma, you'll never believe what is sitting on our drive."

Grandma Pat rose from her chair and walked outside to the driveway. Her mouth gaped and her eyebrows lifted. She looked at Nia. "Who does this belong to?"

"Jake Carlton."

Her Grandma focused in on her again. "Girl. Come inside. You gotta lotta explaining to do."

They sat at the table, and Nia confessed nearly all to her grandma, omitting bits of details.

"Well. It's a beautiful car. But just remember, nothing's free in this world, Nia."

"I know, Grandma."

Nia touched her neck. _The necklace_. She gasped. _The bathroom, the shower. It's sitting on the bathroom counter at his house. Shit._

She opened her laptop.

Sender: Nia Jones

Recipient: Jake Carlton

Date: June 21, 2015

Subject: Locket

Dear Mr. Carlton,

Thank you for returning my panties to me. However, I think I might have left my necklace at your house. It has a picture of my mother inside. I left it on the bathroom counter. I need it back.

Regards,

Nia Jones

A few minutes later, a notification popped up onto her screen.

Sender: Jake Carlton

Recipient: Nia Jones

Date: June 21, 2015

Subject: Re: Locket

Nia,

I've just checked with Genevieve. I've instructed her to put the necklace inside an envelope and place it under the front doormat. You can pick it up whenever you'd like.

Jake

Nia replied right away.

Sender: Nia Jones

Recipient: Jake Carlton

Date: June 21, 2015

Subject: Re: re: Locket

Mr. Carlton,

Thank you. I will be by this evening to pick it up.

Nia

The man had given her things she had only dreamed of. But what was the price she would have to pay? He would probably just plow though her like the rest of them. And Brie was right. She was the Number One Ho now. He had already fucked her. What else did he want?

She disrobed and hopped in the shower. She could see him there, through hot vapor, his hand at the small of her back while he brought her in closer to him. His lips were so soft. His touch strong, daring. He had touched her like no other.

She slipped on a pair of tight-fitting dark blue jeans and some gold stilettos. Then she put on a sheer pink blouse. She put hoops in her ears, and dabbed some lip color on. _He's not home, but I'll be damned if I'm goin' over there like a hood rat._

"See ya later, Gram. I'm going for a ride in the new car."

"Stay safe, Baby Girl."

She open the door and got inside the brand new car. She adjusted the seat, steering wheel, and mirrors to her height. She had no idea what all the buttons did. All she needed to know was where the radio was. She flipped through the stations until she heard Pharrell's Happy song. Then she pulled out and headed to Tanglewood.

She glided from street to street, bobbing her head to smooth beats, until she slowed down to pull into his stoned driveway. She looked around. Everything looked the same, only with brighter light. She fixated on a car that sat in front of the drive: a white Lexus. _I thought he said he was out of town?_

She emerged from the car, straightening her blouse and scanning her reflection in the glossy red paint of the car. She definitely looked cuter without Arnie's boring uniform. She complimented herself, and strode to the front door. She reached out to touch the white button on a large interface.

A petite black woman opened the large door. She wore a melon knit skirt suit. The woman raised one eyebrow and lowered her head to look at her.

"Hi. You must be Genevieve. I saw the car and I thought maybe Ja..."

"Who's at the door, Genny?" A voice called out as Genevieve swiveled her head around.

Nia's heartbeat scaled upward until she could feel heat pecking at her underarms.

The Bitch.

Genevieve eyed Nia's hips, and legs. Then she examined the shiny new car siting behind the Lexus. Her face softened.

"Jake's out of town, Dear." She pushed the door open wider, winking at Nia.

The overly tanned bitch stood at the top of the staircase. She peered down at Nia, her mouth gaped wide open.

Genevieve reached down as Nia shuffled to the side of the doormat. She brought out a long white envelope. The assistant raised both eyebrows. "I believe this is what you came for." She smiled, handing Nia the envelope.

"Yes it is," said Nia, flashing her most winning smile. "Thank you so much, Genevieve." She stepped briskly off the platform, envelope in hand. She circled around to her Audi. She hopped in.

The assistant waved. "Thank you for stopping by, Miss Jones!"

She zoomed off the driveway, waving at Genevieve, who was now standing beside a very sour-faced blond bitch.

#  CHAPTER  
SEVEN

Nia rampaged through the streets of Tanglewood until she made it out to the main avenue. _Why the fuck is he talking to me, if he's got that bitch over there?_

She spotted a corner store and pulled into the parking lot. Tears flowed freely on to her cheeks. She put her knuckles up to her mouth, biting down to prevent the louder cries. She buried her face into her hands, as hot tears continued streaming.

"And what about the car?" She said aloud to an audience of no one, sobbing. She sniffed and rubbed her nose. "What the hell _is_ this?" She scoured her purse for a napkin and began to blot away the mess.

She pulled out her phone and texted her only friend in Houston.

>Nia: Girl, where you at?

~6 minutes later

>Brie: Hey stranger. What u want?

>Nia: I'm around the corner.

>Brie: Around the corner from where?

>Nia: Arnie's

>Brie: I finished with that place. Found me something else. I walked 2 days after u did.

>Nia: No you didn't. Really?

>Brie: What u think

>Nia: K...I need to come over. Where you at?

>Brie: Home

>Nia: Can I come by?

>Brie: Yeah. I'm all outta drinks tho

>Nia: What do you want?

>Brie: Henny n coke

Nia blew her nose and wiped away some of the wetness that had soaked her cheeks. She started the car, and headed over to Brie's.

"What the hell happened to you?" Brie said from the doorway. She looked out on the street at the Audi. "And who dat?"

"That's my new ride," said Nia. She looked at her friend, and relaxed her shoulders. Then she turned her head sideways and turned one side of her mouth down. "Jake."

Brie stood peering at her. Then she ushered her in to the house. Brie lived in a small two bedroom in the northwest side of Houston.

"Boy, get back in there and finish yo' work!" Brie yelled up at a young boy who was peering out through a bedroom door with a yellow pencil in his hand.

"Brought the goods?" She smiled at Nia.

Nia nodded, opening the brown paper bag. "It's good to see you girl," she said, pausing to give her a warm squeeze.

"Yesss. How you been?" Brie said, examining Nia's wild hair and red eyes. "You a mess. What happened?"

They walked into the kitchen and sat down at the varnished table. "I don't know. I don't know what I'm gonna do with this man."

Nia looked into the corner of the room. Then she winced and shook her head. "He was acting like the perfect gentleman for the last couple weeks. He brought me flowers, this car," she said, motioning toward the door.

"Then I get over to his house and that bitch is there," Nia's voice got higher and higher as she spoke.

"What bitch? The hussy he was with the other night?"

"Yeah." Nia turned the corners of her mouth down and mimicked her name in her best white girl voice. "Claire."

Brie looked at her and sighed. "Girl. _You_ da bitch," she said. Her voice kicked into a higher octave. " _You_ da side bitch. He playin' you!"

Nia sighed. "Yeah. I'm the fool."

She heard some small footsteps upstairs. A voice called out, "Mamaa."

Brie lifted her head toward the staircase. "Boy, what you want?"

"I'm all done," a small voice said.

"Ok Andre, I'll be up to check on you in a minute," she said.

"May I play Crackdown now?"

"Yes you may," she said up into the air.

Brie raised her palms up, shook her head, and said, "I don't know."

"His house is beautiful though. It's in Tanglewood."

"You better get outta there before you get tangled up in that _mess,_ " she said, her voice deep and warning. "What you _need_ to do is get yourself a brotha'."

"I _had_ a brother. He fucked me up. His ass is in jail," Nia tightened her lips and pointed her thumb to her chest. "I put him there."

Brie raised one eyebrow and looked at the floor as she sunk back into her chair. "They ain't all like that. Get yo'self a good one. One with a decent job who never raise a fist at a woman," she said.

"Well, it's not all about color to me. We like who we like. Color don't mean a damn thing if he can treat me good and gives me what I want in bed. He is so smooth and his skin his so soft." Nia scrunched up her shoulders and shut her eyes.

Brie sat for a moment at looked at Nia. " _Does_ he treat you good?"

Nia sighed and looked at the floor.

Together they sipped on Hennessey and Coke all night.

"Can I sleep here? I don't want to be alone tonight. And I don't think I can drive right now anyway."

"You know you welcome anytime," Brie said.

They sang and danced the night away. Nia sprawled out on the couch. Daylight approached fast.

She kissed her friend goodbye and got on the road back home. _A ladies' night does the trick every time._ Her head ached from the Cognac, but it was worth it. Whatever helped ease her mind was good. She arrived home exhausted. _Nap first, job apps after._

"Hi Grandma," she said, dragging her feet through the living room. Grandma Pat lounged on the sofa, reading a book. She looked twenty years younger than she actually was.

"Hey, Baby Girl. How was your night?" Her face looked bright and amused. Nia scanned the living room, then she focused back on her grandma.

_Don't ask._ "It was alright. Hanging with Brie. She's so funny. Car drives nice. We should go for a spin sometime," Nia said. "And you? How was your night Grandma?"

"Like every night. I wake up and look beside me at the empty pillow where your grandfather used to lay. I miss him dearly. But I know he's looking down on us with a big smile right now. He always wanted you to come stay with us in Houston," Grandma Pat said.

"I miss Grandpa too," Nia said.

"Did I ever tell you how I met your grandfather?"

"No."

"Well, your grandfather had come over to my mama's house one day looking for a haircut. It was a Tuesday. May 14, 1946. My mama would do a lot of folk's hair. But I learned how to cut too. My styles were for the young folk though. They wanted to look mo' cool. One day, he comes to the house and he says to me in this deep, rough voice, 'I'm lookin' for Miss Patranella.' I say, 'Yes, I'm Patranella, but everyone calls me Pat. You need a haircut?' We talked and talked while I gave him a fresh, new style. He said he was taking Betty to the dance on Friday, but that he didn't _know_ how to dance. Well I knew how to do the Lindy Hop. So after I finished cutting his hair, I showed him some moves that he could do with Betty. We practiced again the next day and again the day after that. Well, by the time Friday rolls around, he comes and taps on my door. He says, 'Miss Patranella...I ain't goin' to no dance unless you there. I got all the dancin' I need right here.'"

"That story gets more and more beautiful every time I hear it," Nia said, smirking at her grandmother.

"Ah—hey," Grandma Pat said, tapping Nia's forehead.

"But seriously though, what are the odds that you and Grandpa would love each other until the end of time, all because of a haircut?"

"We don't choose who we love, Nia. It happens when you least want or expect it. But when it comes, it comes at full-steam ahead. And no matter what we try, it don't stop."

Nia sighed and stared at the carpet. She trailed off to her room and curled into a corner of her bed, her phone next to her. _6 missed calls._ _I'm so tired of these games. Why the fuck did he do all this if he is still seeing that bitch?_ She looked at her phone again and winced. She thumbed through to her inbox.

Sender: Jake Carlton

Recipient: Nia Jones

Date: June 22, 2015

Subject: (No Subject)

Nia,

I'm sorry. I had no idea she would be there.

Jake

Nia punched the reply button.

Sender: Nia Jones

Recipient: Jake Carlton

Date: June 22, 2015

Subject: Re: (No Subject)

Jake,

Well that makes two of us. Or maybe 3. I'm sure she wasn't expecting to see your side dish there either.

Nia

A reply arrived after several minutes.

Sender: Jake Carlton

Recipient: Nia Jones

Date: June 22, 2015

Subject: Re: re: re:(No Subject)

Nia,

My mind is on you every waking moment. You are the finest creature that ever graced Tanglewood and I do intend to make you mine.

As for Claire, Genevieve said she already left. I will have a word with her at the wedding next week. One of my best friends is getting married.

I need you to trust me Nia.

Jake

She felt his beckoning through the words on the small white screen. She turned off the phone. Then she walked over to see if she could spot the tail end of the new car from the window. She peeked through the blinds, to no avail. She walked over to the door and twisted the knob. Her grandmother began talking.

"There was a black car siting out there all day yesterday. Right in front of the house, all evening. I was afraid to go out there. But when I woke up this morning, it was gone," Grandma Pat said.

Nia rolled her eyes. _How dare he?_

"Oh. Don't worry about that Grandma. I'm sure it's just Jake sending his driver over to check in on me. He likes to do that. It's so annoying. I need to talk to him about that."

Grandma Pat's face brightened. "That reminds me. I have an exciting surprise to share with you," her grandma said, beaming. "Jake Carlton called here yesterday."

"He called here? On the land line?" Nia's voice was high and anxious. Her heart was now beating fast and furious.

Grandma relaxed her shoulders and put her hands on her lap. "Well, of course. We don't all use those complicated mobile things. Some of us would rather have a decent conversation on a plain, old telephone." Her eyes glowed. "Mr. Carlton has such a pleasant way about himself. He is a _fine_ gentleman. I took it upon myself to invite him over for dinner on Sunday, after church," she said, clasping her hands together with a smug smile.

#  CHAPTER  
EIGHT

Sender: Nia Jones

Recipient: Jake Carlton

Date: June 22, 2015

Subject: Sunday

Jake,

My grandmother told me about your call. Good way to weasel yourself in.

Thank you,

Nia

He responded immediately.

Sender: Jake Carlton

Recipient: Nia Jones

Date: June 22, 2015

Subject: Re: Sunday

Nia,

Ah, yes. You have a wonderful grandmother. You are so fortunate to have her.

See you Sunday!

Jake

Nia rolled her eyes and looked away. Her lips slowly smiled. _He's a smart ass, but he's cute._

By the time Sunday came around, Nia had already applied to twelve jobs and scheduled two interviews. The week had dragged by, and she impatiently awaited the visit. She chose a white silk knee length dress and silver sandals. She placed small silver studs in her ears. The doorbell rang at 3 p.m. sharp.

Jake and Wilson stood at the door. Jake looked stunning, dressed in a black suit. His face was clean-cut and his hair gelled into perfection. He smelled of fresh sandalwood. He was with Wilson, who was grinning from ear to ear.

"Hi," Nia's smile lit the room. "Glad you guys could make it. Welcome."

Jake stepped inside and wrapped his arms around her. She fit perfectly inside of them. She looked up at him, while his hazel eyes gazed deeply into her eyes. They spoke no words, yet his eyes said everything.

Wilson cleared his throat. "Hi ma'am," he said, stepping in to meet Grandma Pat. "It is an honor to meet you. " He pumped her hand up and down.

Jake looked away from Nia. "Ma'am. It is such a pleasure to meet you. What a lovely day to have dinner with two beautiful ladies." He smiled naturally, as he gave Grandma Pat a warm hug.

"Well, I'm glad ya'll could make it. It is so good to meet you, Mr. Carlton," Grandma Pat said.

"Ohh, no need for all that. Just call me Jake. And this is my driver, Wilson. He has been part of our family for fifteen years."

"So Jake tells me you're from New Orleans," said Wilson.

"Why, yes I am. My husband and I moved here after Katrina."

"I'm from there myself. I got some boudin and Patton's in the freezer right now," Wilson said, grinning.

"Well, you shoulda brought that over. That woulda worked perfect in the gumbo. But I found something—"

Wilson gasped. "Gumbo? Ooooooohwheee! We gon' eat good today," he said, taking off his cabbie hat, and slapping it on his other hand.

Nia and Jake looked at the two Louisianans. All four barreled with laughter. They sat and talked, laughed and enjoyed Grandma Pat's gumbo.

"Your parents live in Austin, right?" Grandma Pat asked.

"Yes ma'am. They've been up there for a few years. They retired a while back," Jake said.

"That is a lovely place. We went up there once with my husband's sister back in 2007," Grandma Pat said.

"Yes, it is a great little town. My parents will be coming down here next week for a wedding. Should be real nice."

"Hmmm, yes. That will be nice. Have a wonderful time, Jake," Nia said, curling her upper lip. Jake looked at her with piercing eyes, then reverted his attention back to her grandmother.

"Ma'am, that was the best meal I've had in years. You have no idea," Jake said, Wilson nodding his head in agreement. "I am stuffed."

"Yes ma'am," Wilson said. "We'll be talking about this meal for years to come."

"Well, you know you boys are welcome anytime. The kitchen is always open," Grandma Pat said with a proud smile. "Ya'll aren't leaving so soon, are you?"

"Yes ma'am, unfortunately we have to go. I promised Nia I would take her shopping this afternoon. There are some good sales going on over at the Galleria," Jake said, peeking over at Nia.

Nia raised her eyebrows and moved back in her seat.

"Okaaaayy," she said, her mouth begging to smile.

Jake rose from the table, and Wilson followed.

"Lemme give you a hand with these dishes, Ma'am," Wilson said, as he began stacking plates.

"Wilson, why don't you stay behind here and help, and we'll take the Audi to the mall. Then we'll see you back home later on."

Wilson looked back and forth from Grandma Pat to Jake. "Sounds like a plan." They nodded their heads in unison.

"Thank you Grandma, that was delicious as always," Nia said, giving her grandmother a warm squeeze. Grandma Pat beamed and nodded her head with approval.

Nia and Jake stepped off the porch, toward the driveway. They both looked straight forward, while they marched to the car.

"What was that all about? We're having a nice dinner and then you go and say something like that?" Jake said from the corner of his mouth.

"Oh please. I know you're just going there to see her. But I don't care. You can do whatever you like," Nia said.

Jake stopped. "My best friend is getting married. What do you want me to do?"

"Just go and enjoy yourself. And I'll do the same here, all by myself," she said.

Jake's lips tightened as he looked at her. His eyes narrowed, while his nostrils began to flare.

"Want me to drive?" He asked.

"Sure, it's your car, Jake," she said, throwing the keys at him.

Jake held his hand out and caught them. Then he cocked his head to the side and raised one eyebrow. He unlocked the car and opened the passenger door.

She lowered herself into the car.

He closed the door and walked to the driver's side. He got in the car, and closed in on her lips. She moved her head back, scowling.

He grabbed the back of her neck and forced her mouth onto his. Nia felt his tongue thrusting into her mouth. Her heart raced, while her body temperature rose. Jake bit down on her lip. She panted heavily for air. Then she returned the kiss, sucking and biting his neck where she could feel his hot beating pulse.

Jake wiped his forehead, as the Texas heat beat down on the car. He started the engine, and backed it out of the drive. He watched her. He placed his right hand between her legs and rested it on her left, inner thigh until they reached the mall parking lot. Then he lifted her white silk layer until her pretty pink panties emerged. He snapped the elastic band against her hip, then got out of the car.

They walked through the mall until they came across a designer dress boutique.

"Let's check it out, hmm?" He said.

They walked in to look at the dresses, which hung on both sides of the wall. Nia investigated a price tag. Her eyes grew wider. _$895--_. Nia dropped the tag and looked at Jake, who was responding to a salesperson's greeting.

"These are too expensive," she said to Jake, her voice low.

"Pennies," Jake said, never moving his eyes from her. "Which one do you like best?"

Nia raised her shoulders and looked from Jake to the dresses.

"This one's kinda cool. Do you like it?" She held the hanger up to her shoulder and looked down at the shimmery design.

A leggy salesgirl ushered her into the fitting room. She tried on the small midnight blue dress. She had her mother's waist and hips. She looked at her large brown eyes in the mirror. She had a glow about them that she hadn't seen before. Her long, thick hair cascaded around her shoulders. Her round breasts protruded from the low cut in the fabric. The dress fit. She peeked out through the fitting room curtain. "Wanna see?"

"Yes," he said, his voice low and deep.

She opened the curtain so he could see all of her. Then she twirled around in a circle. He walked over to her as she was spinning, and wrapped his arms around her hips. He pressed himself into her. He spun her until she faced the dressing room mirror. Then he held one hand around her waist, while the other hand massaged her breast. His groin pressed warningly against the small of her back. The hardness forced her into short, quick breaths.

He lowered his hands and pressed them against her upper thighs, making her butt press further against him.

She arched her back until she could feel his member hardening itself against her.

He breathed a warm breath into her ear and whispered, "Hold still for me." He released one hand from her thigh.

She heard the jingling of his belt buckle and felt his hand maneuvering the button of his pants.

He breathed heavy behind her.

"Is everything okay in there?" The salesgirl's voice neared towards them.

"Everything's fine," Nia said in her best voice, flipping around to face Jake.

He zipped up his pants. He turned a shade of red, as the salesgirl lowered the hangers that were in her hand and stared blankly at them both.

Nia giggled and closed the curtain tight. She blotted her lip color with the side of her hand. Then she put her own clothing back on. When she emerged from the dressing room, Jake was standing with his hands in his pockets.

He pressed his hand against the small of her back, guiding her to the cash register. He reached for his wallet inside his left jacket pocket and pulled out his black card. They walked out, Jake holding the white and gold rectangular bag. He looked up at the signage on one of the stores. "Hmm...let's see what they got, shall we?"

Nia examined the lingerie mannequins through the glass window. She let out a slight smile and nodded.

He focused on a black lace-up garter slip. The piece contained two satin straps that hung down from the front and back. Two thin, black laces crossed each other's paths until they met at the top in a jeweled bow tie. The jewels fit snug between two bombshell cups. He picked up the item and raised his eyebrows at her. He held the soft satin hanger against her body, and looked at her, his eyes awaiting approval.

She looked into his eyes and nodded. He then took the outfit over to a nylon stocking display. He picked up a pair of classic lace-top thigh-highs and examined the sizing on the back cover. His eyes moved from the packaging to her thighs and knees. He raised his eyebrows at her again. She slowly nodded her head and smiled.

As they walked out he said to her in a low raspy voice, "You'll put these on for me as soon as we get home."

#  CHAPTER  
NINE

Jake raced through the streets.

Nia gasped and covered her eyes. "Are you trying to impress me?"

"No. I'm trying to get you home," he said, as he made a sharp right into the Tanglewood subdivision entrance.

They pulled into Jake's home and stepped out into the humidity.

"Well, it's good to see no one else is here," she said slyly.

He smiled with one corner of his mouth. He opened the door to a cool air-conditioned house. The foyer looked so still, plants watered and polished to a shine. The glossy white marble reflected the door and glass windows. She stepped inside.

He punched in a code to his alarm and closed the door behind her. In one swift movement he landed his lips on her, pressing her head firmly on the back of the door. "I've been waiting so long," he said through quick breaths. "I've wanted you in the worse way."

He plunged into her clothed chest, pressing his hard rod against her womb. He flared his nostrils and wrinkled one side of his nose. Small beads of sweat lined his upper lip.

He grabbed a strap of the dress. He pulled it until seams began to rip. Then he continued to tear until the dress dropped to the ground, lifeless. He reached inside the bra and touched a bare breast.

Her breaths quickened as his mouth ventured toward her right nipple.

He greedily began to suckle her breast. He rubbed his face into the nipple, then looked at the other. He yanked the strap of the other side down and fed on the one that begged for attention. Nia let out an uncontrollable whimper.

She lowered her head to kiss his neck and began to suck on it. Then she worked her way to his ear. She bit it and heard a soft growl.

He kissed her chest, while she ran her fingers through his light brown hair. Then he grabbed her waist with two hands and flipped her around. He breathed heavily behind her. His large hands covered much of her waist, as he guided her to the edge of beige carpeted stairway. He placed her knee-down on one of the steps. Then he moved his hands further down to grasp her hips.

One hand let go of her. The room was still and silent while the cock found its fitting inside her. As the cock reached the tip of her canal, she let a yell escape her lips. The warm rod continued to penetrate into her, each stroke harder and more vehement than the last.

Her hips ached in the firmness of his grip, but she allowed him to hold her tight. She arched her back and pressed back into him.

He loosened his grip from her right hip. He grasped her shoulder. The pinkish-white fingers pressed deeply into her dark flesh. He drew her shoulder towards him, forcing her back to arch even more.

She gave in to the cock that jabbed her from behind. Her body was now contorted as he plowed into her for four more strokes, each stroke deeper than last.

Her breasts rubbed against the carpet until he let out a deep moan. The cock pulsed in the canal, emptying itself into her.

He collapsed onto her, his weight pinning her. His skin was moist and warm. "You grip it so well," he said between heavy breaths.

She ran her fingers through his hair and touched his flushed skin. "You are such a beautiful man. So soft."

"Well, I need to get back to work," he said, lifting himself from her.

"What?" She said, through the side of her mouth.

"A pipe broke in the basement of one of the apartments I own and I need to make some calls," he said, buttoning his shirt.

"Where's Genevieve?" Nia sat on the step.

"It's Sunday. She goes to church. It's her day off."

"And what about your day off?" She slid her arms through his and smiled. Her shoulders tensed.

"It's not like that. You don't make it to the top and then just relax. You have to keep working to stay on top of the game. There are no days off," he said.

"So that's it? Wham, bam, thank you ma'am, now get the fuck out?"

"Nia, come on. Do you seriously think I have time to just spend the whole day shopping and fucking?"

"Is that all I am to you? Well I must be the fool here, because I thought you actually liked spending time with me. My bad. Let me just get the fuck up and get out. Sorry for wasting all of your time today. Won't happen again."

She examined the damaged dress on the floor. Then she scavenged through her shopping bags for her new dress and slipped it over her head. She grabbed her purse and opened the front door. She looked down at the lingerie bag and grimaced.

He grabbed her upper arm. "Nia," he said, his grasp tight.

She shook herself loose and ran out to the Audi. Her face grew hot, while her underarms tingled with needles _. Fucking bastard. I need this like I need a hole in my head._ She sped off the driveway into the hot Tanglewood dusk.

She removed the dress when she got home, hung it in the closet and stared at it. _Did he even care about seeing me in the dress? Did he even care about me?? Why the fuck did he by the lingerie?_

The phone vibrated. _What does he want now?_ She looked at the phone number, then pressed the green answer button.

"Hello?" She paused to listen.

No voice sounded from the other end. She heard faint breaths.

She laid back on the bed and looked at the ceiling. Then she leaned off the bed and Googled the number on her laptop. Nothing. She drifted off to sleep.

The phone vibrated again. She rubbed her eyes and sat up in her bed.

"Hellooo?" She waited for a response.

"Who is this?" She yelled into the phone, holding it sideways.

"It's me, Boo."

Her hairs stood upright on the back of her neck and her eyes widened. A shiver ran down her back. Blood drained from her face. She hung up the phone and threw it on the bed. Her eyebrows furrowed. _How did he find me?_

She remembered the day she decided to leave him like it was yesterday. It was her birthday. She put on a skimpy black dress and tall heels to go out on the town with her ex...Darius. They swigged down St. Ides in the front seat of his Jeep in the parking lot of Pure Nightclub.

"Let's go in, D," she said, looking at him. He wore a Raider's jersey and baggy black jeans. A light fuzz of hair covered his chin. He was a good-looking brother and he knew it.

"We promised Shana and Jay we'd be in there by 11," she glared at him through pleading eyes.

Darius smoothed down his corn-rows and took a gulp of his malt liquor. "We ain't in no hurry," he said, looking at her through squinted eyes. He pulled out some Zig Zags and a bag of chronic. "Brought you a little birthday present," he said, beginning to roll the leaves into the thin white paper.

Nia rolled her eyes. "Can we do that aft—"

Darius reached for her throat like a cobra in the night. He pressed his thumbs deep into her throat. She pried his hands from her neck. She coughed and held her neck in trembling hands. Then she felt the cold hard zaps. She barely saw them coming. One hit after the other. He pummeled her face until it was numb.

She felt nothing. She saw a blast of darkness and felt the jerking of her head backward into the seat. He didn't stop. She squeezed small screams through her aching throat. Her vision blurred. Then she saw a large glass object come toward her. It beat against the bone of her left brow, by her temple. The liquor splashed onto her dress.

"Why you always gotta be up in my bidness," he said through clenched teeth. He threw the bottle at her chest, where it bounced off, and tumbled to the floor. He grasp her chin and squeezed her face. He pushed it until it her head collided with the side window.

"We through! We done. You a simple ho. Get the fuck out!" He opened the car door. Moments later, he was on her side of the car, dragging her out. One of her shoes escaped. She lost her balance. She tumbled back on to the hard, graveled asphalt.

He sped off in the Jeep, while she tried to get up. She moved a flat hand around in the dark, searching for her purse and shoe, through inflamed eyes. Her head ached with agonizing pain. A cloud of blackness surrounded her.

She awoke as the Texas sun beamed through small seams in the blinds. She looked at the phone. No new messages. She curled her lips, getting out of bed. The hot water cleansed her face, soothing her.

She stepped out of the shower and toweled off. She wrapped her hair with an old t-shirt and put on a soft, white terry robe. _R & R day_. She looked for her nail polish remover, then circled back to the kitchen to prepare a hot water soak for her feet. From the corner of her eye, she saw it: a square, white envelope sitting on the table, strategically placed between and flower vase and a salt shaker. She picked up the envelope. With loopy, textured calligraphy, a single word was written: Nia.

#  CHAPTER  
TEN

She opened the envelope and took out the white, textured card. It read:

You are cordially invited to celebrate

the wedding of

Sarah Elizabeth Channing

and

Christopher Weston Trotter

On Saturday afternoon

July the 4th

at four o'clock

Channing Ranch

Houston, Texas

Wow. Fourth of July. Really?

Nia took her phone out and pressed through until she reached Jake's last message. She typed: Yes.

She smiled. Then she drew some hot water for her feet. He responded right away.

Sender: Jake Carlton

Recipient: Nia Jones

Date: June 29, 2015

Subject: Re: The Wedding

Nia,

Good. Wilson will pick you up on Saturday at 3 p.m. He will notify me when you have arrived.

Jake

Nia's eyebrows furrowed as she cocked her head to the side. _What?_

Sender: Nia Jones

Recipient: Jake Carlton

Date: June 29, 2015

Subject: Re:re The Wedding

Jake,

I'm confused. Are we not going together?

Nia

He responded:

Sender: Jake Carlton

Recipient: Nia Jones

Date: June 29, 2015

Subject: Re: re: re: The Wedding

Nia,

I am in the wedding. I will be arriving early for pre-wedding activities.

Jake

Nia rolled her eyes and shook her head. _Guess I'll be riding solo_.

She spent the rest of the week applying for jobs and preparing for the wedding. She gathered a cute purple dress and heels, and got her hair done at the salon.

She was putting hoops in her ears as the doorbell rang. She ran to answer it.

"Hello Miss Jones. Good to see you again," Wilson said, nodding his head once.

"Hi Wilson," Nia said, smiling.

"Oh, Wilson's here?" Her grandma called out from the kitchen. She came to the door with a potholder in her hand.

"Hello Ma'am," Wilson said, smiling ear to ear. "I just came to pick Nia up and bring her to the wedding."

"Yes. Well, you have a good time," her grandmother said.

"I will," Nia said, hugging goodbye to her grandmother.

Wilson drove through long stretches of a wooded highway before finally pulling up to a black wrought-iron gate. He rolled down the window and reached his arm out to press a button on the intercom.

"Channing Residence," a nasally voice said through the speaker.

"Miss Nia Jones requests entry," he said.

"Ahh, yes. Welcome," the voice said. Both sides of the gate opened and they traveled down a long path that led to a large, ranch-style mansion.

In front, two boys in cowboy hats and boots carried presents from a silver Cadillac. Three young ladies in flowery dresses gathered for a group selfie.

Wilson pulled in front of a large brown, oak door. He got out and opened Nia's door.

She stiffened. "Does Jake know I'm here?"

"Mr. Carlton has instructed for you to be seated at your table. He will come to meet you shortly."

"At my table?"

"Yes Ma'am."

"Okay," she said, her voice shaky.

She walked in through the large door, and was greeted by a thin-lipped woman who wore her black hair pinned tightly back into a bun. She looked through her black-rimmed glasses at a set of stapled papers. She flipped through several pages until she pointed at Nia's name. She highlighted it with a green marker, then peered at her.

"Yes, Dear. You'll be seated with the Farringtons," she said as she headed off through an opening.

Nia stood for a moment, frozen. Then she rushed to catch up with the woman.

The woman motioned to a round, white-clothed table in the back of a large courtyard.

"But where's Jake?" She asked the woman.

"Jake?"

"Yes. Jake Carlton," Nia said.

"Ah. There," the woman answered, and swiftly headed back in to the house.

Jake spotted her. He smiled from the corner of his mouth, and came toward her.

"You look stunning," he said, kissing her lightly on the cheek.

"Thank you."

"I'm glad you could make it. I'm still on wedding duty," he said, smiling at her. He nodded his head at the people sitting at the table.

"Please don't tell me I'm sitting here alone," she said through a tight jaw.

"I have to sit with the family at the front. You know how weddings are," his eyes pleading with her. "They were just able to squeeze you in at this table here with these nice people." He smiled at a blond-gray woman who was now staring at them.

"Jake." A voice called out from the front. Jake swiveled around to look. He pecked Nia on the cheek. "Gotta run. I'll be back to check on you." He disappeared into a crowd of cowboy hats.

"You better," she said. She spotted her name tag on a place setting and pulled the white wooden chair out on to the grass.

A gray-haired man smiled at Nia. "Hello," he said.

"Hi," she said, flashing a smile.

"Good of you to join us. Are you a friend of the groom or the bride?"

"Uh...neither." She cleared her throat. "Just a friend of a friend."

"I see. Well, it should be a fine event," the man said.

"Your hair is just lovely," said Mrs. Farrington. "I have an African-American friend that I play bunco with on Friday nights. She is such a joy to be around. Her name is Cora Stevens. Do you know her?"

Her husband squeezed her hand on the table. He shrugged his shoulders and smiled.

"I don't, but I'm sure she is a lot of fun," Nia said. She picked up a menu card and pretended to read it. A waiter dressed in a white jacket and black bow-tie came to the table with a tray of champagne.

"Dom?" The waiter stood above her.

"Yes, please," she said. She took small sips of the champagne.

The wedding started at 4 p.m. sharp with the "Star-Spangled Banner." A small brunette woman with a big, red bow in her hair sang through a microphone. The wedding ceremony continued with various songs and dedications.

Nia watched Jake, who was seated at a long table in front of the stage. Every so once in a while Jake stopped conversing and focused on Nia. He tipped his hat to her, then continued talking to the gray, distinguished man to the right of him. The man looked like an older version of Jake.

The band began playing, "Here Comes the Bride." Soon after, a short, round minister gave a long, inaudible speech. Jake stood to the right of the couple. Several women in lavender flowered dresses stood to the left.

She studied the face of one of the women. Nia's pulse raced. _The Bitch_. The Bitch stood in heavy foundation and blush, making exaggerated facial expressions at the bride.

The minister pronounced the couple man and wife. They kissed and ran in to the crowd, laughing, their faces bound with joy.

Shortly after, Jake came toward her with the man he had been speaking to earlier and a tall, slender woman with blond, shoulder-length hair.

"Mom, Dad...this is Nia," Jake said, his face beaming.

"I'm sorry, how do you pronounce that?" His mother leaned in to listen again.

"Nia," he said.

His dad stretched out his hand. "Pleasure to meet you, Nia. I hope you are enjoying the wedding," he said.

"Yes, it's quite lovely," Nia said, offering a warm smile.

Jake's mom pouted her mouth. "Pleasure," she said, turning away to look at the crowd. "Oh look, there's the Pearson's. I haven't seen Rose in ages." She trotted over to meet a couple seated in the middle.

Nia smiled at Jake's dad, who shrugged his shoulders and followed his wife.

Jake cocked his head to the side and furrowed his eyebrows, as his parents laughed with the other couple.

The band busted out into a fast-paced country tune that caused women to lead their men on to the dance floor. Jake stretched out his hand toward Nia.

She grabbed it. He led her onto a floor loosely filled with hay.

She stomped her feet to the music. Unsure of her footing half-way in to the song, she stepped on Jake's boot. He threw his head back in laughter. Nia busted out in laughter too.

They slowed down to hold each other as the band played a country love tune. She put her head on his chest. "I wish we could have sat together. I don't understand why I have to sit separated from you."

Jake looked away and sighed. "I didn't make the seating arrangements."

He stopped dancing, then led her off the floor to a buffet table.

"You complain about me coming here, and then when I invite you, you complain about that too. I can't win with you, can I?"

"It was just a question. I just don't see how this is going to work. I can't even relate to any of these people," she said, looking around.

Jake's eyes got smaller. He scowled. "These people are my friends and family." He talked through clenched teeth in a low tone. "They invited you out of the kindness of their hearts."

She looked at the floor and sighed. "They don—"

"J.C. buddy, what's going on?" A man in a plaid shirt and a cowboy hat spoke loud as he gripped Jake's hand.

"Hey, Bobby, good to see you. How's Pam?" Jake said, smiling courteously.

"She's gone, man. I caught her making out in the parking lot at her work with some nig..." The man glanced at Nia. "Some black dude. I kicked that bitch to the curb," he said, throwing his head back to take a drink of beer.

Jake winced, and looked away. Nia suddenly felt his hand gripping her tight.

The man picked up a small china plate from the table and stared at Nia. "Sweetie, would you like a piece of watermelon? It's your heritage."

Jake instantly released her hand. He wielded a right hook at the man's plump cheek. The man flew on to the buffet table, falling into several small plates of watermelon and pineapple. White dishes and polished silverware clattered down to the grass. He then stumbled around until he finally fell down on his side.

The crowd gasped in unison as faces turned and looked at the commotion. Jake frowned and grabbed her hand. He stepped over the man and ushered her into the house.

Inside, two young ladies in wide-brimmed flowery hats suddenly stopped giggling and stared at them.

Jake and Nia continued through the front door, until they reached the steps of the large ranch house. Wilson looked over toward them, and started the engine of the town car. He promptly pulled up to them.

Jake opened the door for her, then he got in on his side. He crinkled his eyebrows, as he looked toward the distancing mansion. Then he looked at the floor and shook his head. "This is the last thing I wanted. What the fuck was wrong with him?" He scowled again. Then he looked at her.

"I'm sorry," he said. He took her hand in his. "Are you okay?"

"I'm okay," she said, looking out the window at the sunset. She turned back to Jake. "You really knocked him out good," she said, trying to hold back laughter.

Jake smiled and chuckled. He felt his hand and massaged his knuckles. He sat back in his seat.

"Tanglewood," he said, looking at Wilson.

Wilson nodded his head, and continued down the tree-lined streets.

Jake said nothing as they pulled into the round driveway. They walked into the calm house. He sighed and led her up the round, beige staircase.

"Oh, do I get to see your actual bedroom today?" She clapped her hands together, mocking the face of a delighted child.

"Shhh...just come up here." He held her hand as they tip-toed upstairs to the room.

When they entered, he wrapped his arms around her. She felt his breaths tingling her hairline.

"I don't know what came over me out there. When he said that, I just snapped. I never knew any of my friends could be like that. I mean, all of them have seen Wilson and Genevieve. They've been part of our family for years. Nobody's ever said anything like that before."

"But Wilson and Genevieve work for you, Jake. You order them around, and they do as expected. But the minute you try and put a black girl on your arm, and parade her around as if she was an equal...well, that's a different story. To tell you the truth, I wasn't surprised. It's not the first time I've been addressed that way, and I'm sure it won't be the last," she said, raising her head.

"Not when I'm around. They'll treat you with some god-damned respect. I mean, look at you. You're beautiful, smart, funny. Well, you're a bit of a bitch sometimes, but..." He smiled as she hit him on the arm.

He pulled her closer to him. Her lips met his. He moved his tongue slowly in and out of her mouth, as she began to feel her insides warming. Then he bent down and picked her up.

She fell into his arms and fit perfect there.

He laid her down onto clean, white linens. He then stood and removed his tux jacket, white shirt, and tie. His strong abs protruded from his belly, each section curving before proceeding into the next.

"You been working out?" She asked him.

"Yeah, I've been going at it harder than usual. I need to look good for my woman," he said, as he slid out of his black pants. He knelt in front of her and slowly removed her blue lace panties.

She felt his warm fingers gliding their way through her vagina. She whimpered with delight.

Then he did the unexpected: He spread her legs wider. He lowered his head down to the opening. He sniffed it, and closed his eyes.

She felt his tongue take its first taste of her. He moved it up and down the pussy, then centered on circling her clit. She ran her delicate fingers through his hair. Then she rocked her hips to and fro, until they matched the same rhythm. She squeezed her belly and pussy tighter. Her ankles chilled as her blood rushed to attend to her pelvis. She scavenged for air, as she felt a release arising. Her body twitched uncontrollably, and an audible moan escaped her lips.

"Mmhhh," she said.

He gave her the very last of the tongue lashing.

The orgasm filled every cell in her body. "Aghhhhhh!"

She relaxed onto the fine-threaded sheets. She placed her damp hands on either side of his face, and whispered, "We were made for this."

He knelt in front of her and took his penis into his hand. He hovered over her before sliding the thickness into her.

She felt it enter, and breathed a long sigh. They began their rhythm, synchronized to the beat of their hearts. She cherished every slow stroke he made inside of her. She breathed heavy breaths into his ear, and nibbled.

"Feels so good," she said, her hand lingering on his upper arm. She felt the muscle flexing each time he entered deeper into of her. She used her hands to press his buttocks into her, helping him to venture deeper.

He began to quicken his pace, his penis thrusting harder. Soon after, she felt the penis emptying quietly into her, its vein unable to control the seed that barreled out.

He threw himself on to the bed beside her and reached toward her. Then the hand fell down on to the bed, lifeless.

She placed her head gently on his damp chest. She could hear his heart beat strong and steady. She felt his fingers playing with her hair. They collapsed onto her upper back before she drifted off.

She awoke the next morning to an empty bed. She tipped-toed around the house to look for him. She found him standing next to a desk in an office, staring through the windows. His eyes showed panic. His mouth widened, as he grimaced.

"Are you sure?" He spoke loudly into the phone. "I just don't see how that's—" he sighed and shook his head. "Okay. I'll call you back later," he said, turning off the phone. He stared at the phone, his eyes narrowing.

#  CHAPTER  
ELEVEN

"Who was that?" She said, looking at him with raised eyebrows.

"Oh um....it was just a friend. Personal emergency. It's nothing that concerns us," he said.

"Okaay," she said, her voice trailing higher.

"Come. Wilson will meet you out front and bring you home. You probably have a ton of things to do today."

"Actually, I thought we could hang out a little together and just chill," she said, a smile spreading on her lips.

He smiled. "I'll tell you what. There's a few things I need to take care of, but I'll call you when I'm free and we'll meet for dinner. How does that sound?"

Nia smiled and nodded, "Sounds good." She pivoted on her heel and walked out to gather her belongings.

She cuddled up with her iPad and read several pages of a steamy romance. She fell asleep briefly, and was startled awake by her vibrating phone. She beamed at the number on the phone.

"Hello?"

"Yes. Hi Babe," the Texan voice said from the other end.

"Hi," she said, her voice high and spirited.

"Can we talk? I need you to meet me at De Angelo's," Jake said.

"De Angelo? Who's that?" She asked.

"It's a restaurant over off Westheimer. Use the GPS in the Audi. Meet me at 8 please."

Her grandmother's voice called out from the kitchen. "Ooooh, De Angelo's," she said, a hint of excitement in her voice. "I wanna go."

Nia looked blankly at her. "He seemed nervous."

"You blame him? He's talking to a beautiful, black queen. Of course he's nervous," Grandma Pat said. "Well, make sure you wear something nice, Darlin'. De Angelo's is a mighty fine place."

She headed off to take a shower. She picked out an elegant, red cocktail dress that hung over one shoulder with sparkling rhinestones. She slipped on matching red leather pumps, and studied herself in the mirror. Her face glowed, and her big eyes looked well-rested. Her hair looked more lustrous than it had in years. Her mother's picture rested steadily on her beating heart. She grabbed her purse.

"I'm running late Grandma. Gotta jet," she called out behind her.

Grandma Pat came to the edge of the kitchen doorway. "You look absolutely stunning. There's something about the way you look today, that is so much like your mother."

Nia smiled and strode out the door. She punched some buttons on the car's navigation system, and headed toward Montrose.

She arrived at the restaurant four minutes past eight, and hurried in through the front door.

"Hi," she smiled at the hostess. "I'm here to meet Jake Carlton."

"Oh yes. They're seated over in the corner booth. Just follow this path and swing a right," said the woman, motioning toward the corner of the restaurant.

Nia crinkled her eyebrows. "They?" She said the word aloud, but hostess was already greeting the next patron. She followed the path to the back of the dark restaurant. Each table was lit with a single candle. Waiters roamed the area in white and black attire, while patrons donned their classiest outfits.

She saw the table. Her heart sank, as blood drained from her face.

The Bitch.

The Bitch sat next to Jake on one side of the brown, leather booth. She wore a royal blue nylon dress and a diamond necklace. She looked at Nia and shot her a toothy grin.

Nia's blood boiled. She couldn't move her legs. She tightened her fist into a ball.

Jake marched toward her. He touched her arm, and glanced into her eyes briefly. She snatched her arm away and continued to the table.

"Claire," Nia said, her voice flat.

"Hello. Thank you for agreeing to meet with us."

Us?

A pudgy, dark-haired man came to the table.

"Welcome to De Angelo's. I will give you a moment to look at your menus. What can I start you off with?"

Claire spoke first. "A club soda with a twist of lime for me."

Jake motioned to Nia. "She'll have a white wine. I'll have a—"

"Please don't speak for me," Nia said, sharply. "I'll have an iced tea please."

"Okay. I will have a scotch on the rocks, please." Jake stared at her. Then he nodded to the waiter.

"Nia," Claire began. "I am fully aware of what you are doing. I don't know how you came to the conclusion that Jake would be interested in girl of your stature, but you are out of your league. Please stop chasing him. We had been planning to join together as one before your intrusion. His mother was heartbroken to see you at the wedding."

"Intrusion? You may be seated next to him right now, but it's me that he craves all day."

Claire looked sideways at Jake. "Is this true?"

Jake said nothing. He looked at the table and frowned. Then he looked at Claire.

"No," he said quietly, shaking his head slightly.

"But what about—" Nia stopped herself. _Why am I trying to convince him of anything. We have nothing._

"Nia," Claire chuckled. "Boys will be boys. Sometimes men have ungodly urges and they cannot resist taking a bite of low-hanging fruit. But this has gone on far enough. You are not to have further contact with him. Jake is promised to me. And I am the one who is carrying his baby. Now please leave our family alone," she said, sliding her hand under his.

Baby.

The word echoed in her brain. Her ears closed to the world around her. _Baby._ Tears welled in her eyes, as she stood up and dug for the Audi keys. "Here," she said, throwing the keys at him. The keys jingled down to the floor.

"And as for you," she said, curling her lip at Claire. "If you want him, you can have him. He's not the my type." Hot tears streamed down her face as she ran from the restaurant.

She walked half a block down a dark sidewalk, pushing tears away from her eyes. Her head was wet and swollen from crying. She pulled her phone out and texted Brie.

>Nia: Brie. Come get me.

~6 minutes later.

>Brie: ?

>Nia: I need a ride. I don't have the car. I'll explain later. Please hurry.

She texted Brie the address. Then she waited. _What the fuck just happened?_

She spotted Brie's car pulling around the corner in the darkness. Nia ran over to the car and got in, like a torn soldier coming from the battlefield.

She buried her face in her hands, and said, "I can't believe what just...I can't believe I...why did he do this to me?!" She bawled into her hands. Then she lifted her head, wiping away tears.

"What he do? What happened?" Brie said.

"She's pregnant! He's been playing me this whole time!"

Brie sighed. "Girrrl...What did I tell you? _What did I tell you?_ "

"I know," Nia said, shaking her head. "I know. But he seemed so genuine. Why would he go through all the trouble of coming to the house, meeting my grandma, giving me the car, the tip, and on and on just so he could..." Nia closed her eyes as tears rushed down her face.

Brie put her arm around Nia, as she came to a red light. She turned to her and said, "You really fell for him, didn't you?"

"Yes. He was perfect in every way. I thought he was the one."

"Well, there'll be others," Brie said has she pulled in front of her house. "Jake Carlton ain't nobody."

#  CHAPTER  
TWELVE

"You need a drink," Brie said, opening her kitchen cabinet, taking out a half-full bottle of Hennessy.

"You still have that?"

"Whatchu think? Think I been sittin' around here drinkin' this all day? I ain't got time for that. I got a mouth to feed," she said, pouring the drink into two small cups.

"Where's your son?" Nia asked.

"He sleep," Brie said.

"Well, I am so done," Nia said, shaking her head. She picked up the glass and sipped the caramel-colored liquor. She held a hand over her mouth.

She checked her phone. "Three missed calls. He needs to just go away. I'm gonna unfriend his ass too. I don't need to see any damn baby pics," she said. She scrolled through to her list of friends. _No Jackass there._ She found a picture that she had posted last Sunday and thumbed through the "likes."

"I can't find him."

"That's cause he already deleted yo' ass."

Nia's nostrils flared, as small beads of sweat began to form at her hairline. She put the phone down and scowled. "I hate him!" She clenched her teeth. The phone vibrated.

She looked at the screen and yelled, "Get the fuck out of my life!" She hit the red hang-up button.

"Why you think I stay up in here alone? Ain't no man worth all this. I work and I take care of Miles. I got my vibrator sittin' up in my drawer. What I need a man for? If he ain't cheatin' on you, he beatin' on you. And sometimes it's both." Brie's eyes narrowed as she took a swig of her drink.

"Yeah, he's not much better than Darius," Nia said as she shook her head and looked at the brown, wooden table. "I put up with his ass for a lot longer though. In the beginning, he was as cute as Jake was. But all that cuteness wore off after a while. We were on and off for two years before I finally called it quits for good. I loved him so much. " Nia turned her head to the side. "In a way, I still do." Her shoulders tightened as they rose toward her ears.

"You betta' not," Brie said, raising one eyebrow.

"Oh I'd never go back to him. I just miss being with someone who understands me and where I'm comin' from. I miss being with someone who knows what it's like to be _my_ color. We're in this skin twenty-four hours a day."

"I hear you girl. Sometimes it be hard. We don't get no breaks," Brie said.

"Exactly. And Jake doesn't know what that is. He walks around here like he's the king of the mountain. Everybody nods their head to him. Women damn near curtsey to him. He don't know what it's like to have someone frown upon you the minute you walk in the door. Or for someone to hold their nose up at you, like you smell. Or worse, look past you like you're not even there. He don't know."

"He _don't know_ ," Brie said.

"So maybe it's for the better. I need to concentrate on school anyway. Starts next month."

"Yeah. You had you a good summer fling. Now it's time to get back to business."

"I need to find myself a damn job is what I need to do," Nia said.

They spent the rest of the night drinking and chatting.

"Cheers!" Brie said, raising her glass. "To a summer going down in the books."

Nia drew in a deep breath and lifted her chin. Then she smiled and clinked her glass to Brie's. "Here's to _moving on_."

### THE END

#  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Love isn't always rosy. Some men are just trouble. Others are diamonds in the rough. I write books about strong black women who keep holding on. A good man is hard to find. What is even harder is finding one who will love and cherish you until the end of time.

I am a fresh, new black voice from L.A. I do hope you enjoy my stories. Please keep in touch with me at bluedavis@outlook.com.

## Other Books by Blue Davis:

The Billionaire's Waitress 2

The Billionaire's Waitress 3

The Billionaire's Waitress at Christmas (Short Story)

Love in Transit: A Russian Mafia Romance

Backtrack: An Amnesia Romance

Winter's Last Dance

 Have you downloaded your FREE Russian Mafia Romance book yet? It's waiting for you over at www.bluedavis.com.

## Next Book in the Billionaire's Waitress Series

## Here is a snippet of Chapter 1:

Welcome home," said a familiar voice.

A tightness constricted her neck, allowing only a hoarse scream. "Aghhee!"

Sitting on the sofa with his black boots propped up, was a man she thought she'd never see again.

She stood in the doorway of her Houston home, her own hand covering her gaping mouth. She glared at the intruder who sat on her living room sofa.

He lifted his boots from the wooden coffee table and planted them onto the beige carpet.

"Shhhh...." He held a single finger to his lips. His hair was braided in several corn rows and he had a light fuzz on his chin. Small threads clung from the missing sleeves of his torn, black shirt. His faded jeans hung baggy on skinny legs. A black and white flannel was tied around his waist.

"Darius," she said, catching her breath. Her eyes narrowed on him. "What are you doing here?"

"Just swingin' by to visit my favorite H-town girl," he said, enunciating each word. "I didn't get to see you after the trial. I wanted to surprise you. You look nice."

He stretched out his arms, palms facing the ceiling. "Where the party at?"

"You shouldn't be here. I'm out here 'cause I'm trying to find a good life for myself. I'm going to school and taking care of my..."

Nia shifted her focus from Darius to the kitchen, and then to her grandmother's room.

"Grandma?" She walked around the house, poking her head through each doorway. _Psychopath._ She stormed back to the sofa.

"Where is she?"

"Who?"

"My grandmother. What did you do to her?"

"Come on, Nia. For real? You think I'ma be up in here messin' around with your grandma?" He stood up, holding on to an imaginary cane and shoulder purse. "Oh...help me somebody...please help," he said, in an elderly voice, just before falling back on to the sofa in laughter.

Nia checked each room again, frowning. "I'm not playing with you, Darius. Where is she?" Her voice raised a decibel with each word.

He turned his head to the side and held a finger to his mouth again. "Shhhh..."

Blood drained from her face. She ran to the door and grabbed her phone from her purse.

He raced from the couch toward her and locked his thumb and fore-finger around her small wrist. He banged the wrist on the door hard, until the phone fell on the carpet.

"Agggh!" She felt a dull ache spreading from her wrist to her forearm. His tight grasp sent shivers down her spine.

"You ain't doin' that," he said, squeezing her cheeks with his other thumb and fore-finger. His fingers and breath reeked of smoke. He slammed the back of her head against the door. "I ain't goin' back there."

_Agggh_. Nia's pulse raced. The back of her head began to ache. "You can't stay here. You aren't welcome here," she said, her eyes pleading.

He loosened his grip, and slumped his shoulders. "Nia, come on now. How you gon' do me like this. I miss you, Girl. I want you back in my life."

Nia closed her eyes. _He's insane._ "You have to understand that it's over. I've moved on. I'm here, going to school. I have a new life now."

Darius smiled on a single side of his face. "Okay. I can respect that." He rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Can you help a brother out tho'? It was expensive as hell tryin' to get here. Texas be _big_ and shit. I'm on my last dollar right now. Lemme borrow some quick cash and I'll pay you back in a minute."

"I'm not an ATM," she said, wincing. _Go away please. Just go away._

He dropped her wrist and walked back to the sofa. He flopped down onto the cushions. "Well, I ain't goin' nowhere then."

She sighed, straightening her dress. She looked at the bookcase. _Fuck._ She pulled "The Bluest Eye" book out until she could see a white envelope peeking out. She pulled five one-hundred dollar bills out with trembling fingers. She handed him the money.

He spread the money out in his hands. "That it?" His eyes moved from the bookcase back to her. "I don't think I can survive off this. Come on now. You can do better than that."

Nia rolled her eyes, and grabbed the envelope from the bookcase again. She gave him the last five hundred, letting the empty envelope float to the floor.

He stomped his boots down to floor, standing up. "You my girl," he said, enclosing her in his arms.

She shuddered and pulled away. She curled her upper lip in disgust. _Get the fuck out NOW!_

"I'll come back around and see you real soon," he said, walking to the door. He stepped out, shutting the door behind himself.

Moments later she heard a roar of his Honda engine as he fired it off around the corner.

She stood with her hand on her chest. She drew in several deep breaths, furrowing her eyebrows as she gazed on the floor at the envelope. _Jackass. How the hell did he get in here?_ She examined the door, then the sofa. She shook her head, locking the bolt. She peeked through the blinds. _Where is she?_

"Grandma?" She called out, wandering from room to room.
