“I love your accent.” She laughed. “Let me tell you, it is great having you here. Everybody who went to the party thinks you are awesome. They call you Miss Universe. We all adore that Texas twang of yours. Anyway, Gillian will not allow her top new stylist to be in a cubbyhole. This office used to be hers until she moved into the old conference room next door. They built a bigger one near the reception desk. You’re sharing me with Gillian until you hire your own assistant.”
“Really?” I said, raising my eyebrows. I was happy Gillian would go to such lengths to welcome me. This job seemed like a dream come true.
“Yes, we’ll set up a few interviews this week if it’s okay with you?” She looked over at me for approval.
“Yes, that’ll be all right.” I smiled. “Just send me their resumes and I’ll look through them.”
“Wonderful,” she responded, walking towards the door. “I’ll let you get settled. You have access to the computer. Type in your first initial, last name for your username, and ‘welcome’ is the temporary password. Call me if you need me.”
“Thanks again, Melissa.” I grinned and moved over to my desk as the door clicked shut. Placing my handbag on the desk, I plopped down on the soft chair. Then I heard my cell phone buzzing in the bag. I took out my iPhone and saw my mama’s face on the screen. Groaning, I clicked to answer.
“Good morning, Mama,” I said. “How’ve you been?”
“Hey baby, I’m doing fine,” she answered. “How’s your first day? We miss you so much.”
“I miss y’all too, Mama,” I said, feeling teary eyed. “Where’s Mama Mabel? Can I talk to her?”
“But honey,” she protested, “I’m not finished talking to you. Sometimes I swear you are not my child the way you treat me. It’s all about Daddy and Mama Mabel.”
I rolled my eyes. My mother was throwing another guilt trip on me. I loved her, but she annoyed me most of the time. She wonders why I don’t want to talk to her. “Mama, stop it. Where’s Mama Mabel?” She sighed and then my girl came on the line.
“Hi precious, how’s my baby?” Mama Mabel greeted me. “I miss you so much. I’m coming up to spend some time with you all. It’s not the same without you.”
Tears flooded my eyes as I listened to her. I felt homesick. “I miss you too, Mama Mabel. I would love that. Lord knows that there’s plenty of room in the penthouse. I’m sure Aunt Dez and Janique would like that too.” We chatted for a while and then I went back to work.
A few hours later, my tired ass was ready to leave for home to soak in my bathtub. Gillian took me around the office to meet the rest of the staff. It was almost the middle of August, and everyone was getting ready for Fashion Week on the first week of September. Gillian assured me everything was already under control and not to freak out. I was thrilled about the fashion show, and it would keep my mind off that sexy Yankee, Franco. Lord of Mercy, the man has my heart thumping.
Chapter Four
Franco
“Hey Mom,” I said into the speaker on my cell phone. “I’m on my way to the house now. I just got off duty. I know dinner is at four. See you soon.” I hung up and got off my exit on the Cross-Island Parkway. I always ate Sunday dinner at my parents’ house. It had been over a week since I met that Texan spitfire, Dallas. I could not get her out of my fucking mind. When I closed my eyes, her gorgeous face haunted my dreams and thoughts. I jerked off at night thinking about her voluptuous boobs and luscious booty. I wanted to ask Natalia for her number, but I was a chicken shit. I did not want my little sister in my business. I’d had to find another way to get in touch with her. Natalia mentioned that she was some fancy stylist for an exclusive fashion house in the city.
I pulled up to my parents’ two-story brick house and hopped out of my Jeep. I was still wearing my gear; we had an emergency before the end of my shift. Mom was blowing up my phone like crazy, and I did not get a chance to shower and change. She kept hounding me all week about this dinner. My brother Johnny’s future in-laws would be here, and some other relatives.
Truthfully, Johnny could find a better woman than Sheila. He was too blind. That bitch had her hooks in him ever since high school. Johnny was the commitment type, unlike me and my other brother Patrick. We both would move on to the next flavor of the week. He was like Dad, responsible and a one-woman man. But Sheila was not the right woman for him. She was too bossy and narrow-minded.
Patrick was dating a cute little blonde named Beth. She seemed sweet. Nat and Mom liked her a lot, and that was saying something. They never cared for any of our girlfriends in the past; they could not stand Sheila either, but put up with her because of Johnny.
I walked to the back of my Jeep and grabbed my duffle bag. As I strode towards the house, Gino and Sean, my two youngest brothers, were playing basketball in the driveway. I watched them play for a few seconds. Gino was almost my height now and looked like he was filling out in the shoulders; he inherited Dad’s sandy-brown hair and mom’s gray eyes. My baby brother Sean had jet-black hair, green eyes, and dimples. Out of all my siblings, he resembled me the most.
“Hey, knuckleheads,” I called out, and they looked over, grinning.
“What’s up, big bro,” they said. “You want to join us?”
“Nah,” I said, walking towards the side entrance to the house. “Maybe later. I am going upstairs to shower. Who’s inside now?”
“Mom and Nat are in the kitchen, cooking,” Gino replied, dribbling the ball as Sean tried to knock it out of his hands. “Patrick went to pick up Beth, and Johnny is at the store getting the beer. Dad is down in the basement bringing up chairs.”
“Cool,” I said, turning to open the door. “I’ll see you knuckleheads in a bit.” I’m fucking starving. I had not eaten since breakfast. I stepped into the kitchen, moving over to greet my mother.
“Hey Mom,” I called out. “I’m here.” She glanced at me with a big dimply smile. She was cutting up vegetables on the counter. Nat, Sean, and I inherited our dimples from her. My mom’s family was Sicilian, and she inherited their dark olive complexion with silky jet-black hair and gray eyes. Mom was five feet tall if that much. People found it hard to believe that she had five boys, who, except for my baby brother Sean, were over six feet tall. I was positive he would be a giant when he finished growing. Poor Nat was stuck with my mom’s height; she was a little over five feet tall. I glanced around the kitchen and did not see her anywhere.
“Hey sweetheart,” Mom said, tilting her head back as I brushed my lips against her cheek. “You need to go upstairs to shower and change. Dinner is in another hour. And I need you to help Dad bring up more chairs from downstairs.”
“C’mon, Mom, Sean and Gino are outside playing basketball,” I protested, a frown popping up on my brow. “Why do I need to help Dad when they can do it? I’m wiped out and just got off duty.” My mother always wanted me to do something whenever I came over to visit. It’s like she didn’t have four other sons. It was the primary reason I moved out. Nat and I were the only ones who did chores around here. She let those other four lazy asses slack off all the time. I was tired of it.
“Franco?” she said, giving me a guilty look. “You know that they take forever to do it when I ask them.”
“I’m sorry, Mom, but you have to put your foot down more.” I glanced around the kitchen for my sister. “Where’s Nat? I thought she was helping you?”
“She’s next door at Janique’s borrowing an outfit.” She exhaled, tossing the chopped vegetables in the wok. “Like that girl doesn’t have enough clothes. Janique’s cousin, Dallas, gave her some designer clothes.”
My heart skipped a beat when she brought up Dallas’s name. “Is she next door?” I asked casually.
“I don’t think so. Did you meet already?” She glanced at me, raising her brows. “Dez told me she just moved up from Texas. I didn’t know you met her.”
“I didn’t,” I said, avoiding her eyes, not wanting her to know that I met Dallas. Too many questions.
“Nat had mentioned that she was here. I’m going up now.” I walked out the kitchen door and raced upstairs. I pushed opened the door to Gino’s room, my old bedroom, and dropped the duffle bag on the floor. I took off my gear and walked across the hall to the bathroom to shower.
∞∞∞
After dinner, my brothers and I were outside playing basketball. I changed into one of Johnny’s basketball shorts and T-shirt. Beth and Nat were leaning over on the front porch, cheering us on. I stole the ball from Patrick and jumped to dunk it in the basket. Sweat was dripping down my face. It felt like 90 degrees out here.
“Great job, Franco,” the girls said, complimenting me. We played hard for another thirty minutes and stopped to drink water. My mind flashed to Dallas, wondering what she was doing and when I would see her again. Then I heard my sister squeal and jump off the porch.
“Dallas is here,” she shrieked, racing across the street. My heart sped up, and I almost choked on my water. I looked across the street to see the beautiful Texas goddess getting out of an expensive BMW convertible. Shit. Maybe Derrick was right. She was high class. The car looked like it cost a year’s salary.
“Whoa,” said Gino and Sean. “That’s Janique’s cousin?”
My mouth was agape as I watched her hugging Nat. She was the hottest fucking woman on the planet. I shifted around to control my rising cock. She looked spectacular in her white strapless romper shorts and strappy high heels; they made her legs look long and sexy. Her hair was in a high ponytail, and she wore huge sunglasses.
“Damn, she’s hot,” Patrick said, his mouth hanging opened. “She looks like a fucking movie star.”
“Shut up, Patrick!” Beth hit him on the side of his head.
“Ouch,” he protested, rubbing it. “C’mon, baby. It’s harmless.”
“Yeah right,” she said, shooting daggers at him. “It’s like you guys have never seen a beautiful girl before.”
Johnny and my other brothers laughed as Patrick glared at Beth for smacking him. When I looked up, Nat was walking across the street with Dallas. Wiping the sweat from my brow, I tried to control my breathing and heart rate as they strolled into the yard.
“Bros, meet Janique’s cousin, Dallas. She already met Franco last week at Nova. I told you guys about it,” she gushed.
My breath hitched when Dallas took off the sunglasses to reveal her gorgeous big eyes. She flashed everyone a sparkling smile and drawled in that exquisite voice, “It’s nice to meet y’all. Natalia talks about you boys all the time.”
“Whoa, you sound like one of those southern people,” Sean blurted out. “Your voice is awesome.” Everyone broke out laughing. I was eyeing her the whole time. I could not stop staring, and my body was heating up like a furnace. I had never reacted this way around a girl before.
“I can’t believe you’re related to Janique.” Gino grinned and stepped closer to her. “Where have you been hiding?”
“Texas, suga.” Dallas laughed. “Janique and Tyree always visit for the holidays.” Then she glanced at me. Her eyes darkened and flickered over me. I guessed little Miss Texas liked what she saw too. “Hello Yankee,” she said, licking her juicy lips. “It’s good to see you again. I see that you’re working up a sweat here with these boys.”
“Yes, I am.” I stepped closer as we eye-fucked each other. I was horny as hell and wanted to take her upstairs. “How are you? Are you all settled in the Big Apple now?”
“Yes,” she answered, watching me. “I love my new job. We’re busy preparing for the upcoming Fashion Week.”
I nodded and gawked at her as if she were my next meal. I was in a trance. She was captivating, and I knew her beauty struck my brothers too. My eyes fell on her cherry lips and wished I could taste them.
“Franco?” Nat said, but I was caught up staring at Dallas and did not respond. “Hello, Earth to Franco. Damn, Dallas, you have my brother speechless. What kind of spell did you cast on him?” She laughed out loud, and everyone else joined in.
“Shut up, Nat,” I said, poking her as I came back to my senses. She stuck her tongue out at me.
“It was great meeting y’all,” Dallas said, her gaze flickering over me again. Shit, she is getting ready to leave. I had to get her number. “I have to get Janique and drive back to Manhattan before it gets too late. I am still trying to get used to these streets. It has been crazy. Thank God for my GPS.”
“Do you have your cell?” I asked, swallowing hard. All eyes were on me. “You should have my number just in case. You know, me being a firefighter and all. I can rescue you anytime.” Shit, what a cheesy fucking line. Nat and my brothers snickered.
“Is that right, Yankee?” she said, smiling. “You’ll rescue me? Okay then.” She reached into the white Louie Vuitton handbag and took out her iPhone. “Here you go.” I took it and plugged in my number, handing it back to her. “Call my cell right now.” This was my chance to nab her number. She pushed the button on her iPhone, and the cell phone buzzed in my pocket. I took it out, and her number flashed across my screen. I typed “Dallas Cowboy.” “So now you can call me whenever you need rescuing.”
“All right now.” She laughed. “I better get moving.” She glanced over at my sister. “Natalia, are you coming back to Janique’s for a bit?”
“Hell yeah,” Nat said, walking towards her. “Beth, do you want to go with?” She nodded eagerly and walked across the street with them. I could not take my eyes off Dallas’s juicy booty moving from side to side in those romper shorts as she strutted across the street. Man, it would be a long fucking night. I needed a cold shower.
“So, what’s up, bro?” Patrick and Johnny asked with big smirks on their faces.
“What do you mean?” I replied, bending down to get the basketball and throwing it over to Gino and Sean. They went back to playing while my other two nosy-ass brothers were up in my business.
“Cut the crap, man,” Patrick said, slapping me on my shoulder. “You got it bad, big brother. Man, I have never seen you get excited like that over a girl. Right, Johnny?”
“Yeah, Franco,” Johnny agreed, glancing at me with a frown. “I don’t know, bro; she looks rich. I know how you feel about rich girls.”
“You two motherfuckers need to mind your own fucking business,” I blurted out, annoyed. “Yes, I’m attracted to her, what man isn’t? Look at her. I don’t want to date her. I’m just looking out.”
“Bro, stop lying to yourself, man,” Patrick said, grating on my nerves some more. “It’s us, and we know you. Dude, you were checking her out big time. You cannot afford her, Franco. Your ass is cheap and saves almost every penny you make. She looks like she stepped out of one of those fashion magazines that Nat likes to read. Man, just be careful. That’s all I’m saying.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” I said, looking over at them. “I’m a big boy, and I know what I am doing. Stay the fuck out of it. I do not butt in your love lives. Heck, Johnny, do I ever get into you and Sheila’s business? No. Even though I feel you’re making a big fucking mistake marrying her.”
“Franco? What the fuck?” Johnny said with a pained look. “Where’s this coming from?”
“Forget it, man,” I said, feeling sorry I blurted stuff out in anger. “I’m pissed that you all feel the need to warn me away from Dallas. Your love lives are far from perfect.”
“My bad, bro,” Patrick added, reaching over to squeeze my shoulder. “I’m worried about you. That’s all. I didn’t mean to ride you.”
“Forget about it.” I playfully pushed them aside and walked over to my other brothers. “Let’s play ball. I’m taking you idiots down for giving me shit.” We went back to playing basketball. Later that night, I tossed and turned. Dallas was on my mind. It drove me insane. No woman had ever come close in making me feel the way I did. Shit, I was falling hard.
Chapter Five
Dallas
“What do you think about this color?” I glanced over at Pamela, my assistant stylist. S
he was biracial like me but on the lighter side, with reddish-blonde hair and hazel eyes. We were sorting through some of Gillian’s designs. “Do you think it will work with the fuchsia top?”
“Yes, I believe so.” She glanced over at the color swatches on my desk. “But the strawberry frosting can work with it too.”
My stomach rumbled; it was time to break for lunch. I glanced at the clock and gasped. Oh my, it’s one thirty. We had been working nonstop since nine o’clock in the morning.
“It’s time for lunch. Are you hungry?” I glanced over at her and rubbed my growling tummy.
“Yes, I’m starving.” She looked over at me, grimacing. “Do you want me to get you something outside?”
Pausing, I bit my bottom lip. I did not want to impose on her, but I had to finish Gillian’s designs. After lunch, I would go to the showroom to work with Evan, the runway director. “You don’t mind?”
“Dallas, I offered,” she said, brows creasing. “It’s no problem. You bought breakfast for all of us this morning.”
“Thank you so much, suga.” I beamed at her. “I’ll eat whatever you get.”
“Girl, I’m having a Caesar salad, and I know that you don’t like salads,” she teased. “You are too country for salad.”
“Hush your mouth,” I said, laughing. “Nu-uh. I want to have a juicy medium rare cheeseburger with fries. Can you pick it up at that nice burger spot Gillian and I went to on Thirty-Fourth Street? It is my treat. And get yourself more than a salad.”
“Dallas,” she protested. “You don’t have to do that. It’s fine. I want to treat. You treated this morning.”
There was no way I would let Pamela, a single mother of two small children, pay for my food. It was out of the question. “Pamela, I don’t care about treating,” I argued. “You’re my assistant and I kept you working through lunch. Please do not argue. I insist.” I reached for my handbag to get my wallet and took out a fifty-dollar bill. “Here.” I handed her the money. “Sorry, I don’t have any smaller bills. I hope you don’t mind.”
The Sweetest Encounter Page 3
