“I hear you, honey. Sorry that I didn’t see you sooner, but I had been working double shifts. One of the nurses went on maternity leave and we are still trying to find someone.”
I reached over to hug her again. It felt like I was hugging my mama. “It’s okay, I’m living here now. Y’all are my only family here, so you’ll be seeing a lot of me.” I smiled, and she placed her arms around my shoulders as we walked over to the counter.
“I’m happy that you’re here,” she said, looking at me. “Maybe Mama will visit us more often now. You know you are her little princess.”
I glanced over at Aunt Dez with a guilty look when she made that statement. “Aunt Dez!” I exclaimed, my brows creasing. “That’s not true. She comes up to visit y’all too. She loves y’all just as much.”
“I know, honey,” she said, smiling. “It’s okay. She had you for almost five years before the other grandkids came along. You two always had a special bond.”
“That’s right, Dallas,” Janique chimed in as she stepped into the kitchen. “We know how much Mama Mabel loves you. You were her first.”
I knew that, but I did not want to throw it in anyone’s face. It made me feel guilty at times, but I was happy that everyone was okay with it. My family was amazing, and tears sprung into my eyes. I took Aunt Dez’s and Janique’s hands in mine. “Y’all are the best,” I said, looking at them. “I love y’all so much. I am so happy to be here now. I get more bonding time with y’all now that I’m living here.”
“We love you too, sweetie,” Aunt Dez said, kissing me on the cheek. “Let’s finish this mac and cheese and the rest of this dinner. I don’t know about you girls, but I’m starving.”
We laughed and went back to cooking the delicious supper, and an hour later, Natalia came over. She grilled me about my date with her brother and seemed happy that we had a great time. I invited them to the Michael Kors Fashion Show on Thursday evening at the Art Institute and they went bananas. Janique was studying fashion design and Natalia wanted to work in the industry too. It was a good opportunity for them to earn credits towards their classes at FIT.
I was content with my life now, bonding with my New York family and dating one of the hottest men in New York City. Things were looking up for me.
Chapter Nine
Franco
Wednesday afternoon, I stepped out of the shower and dried off with my one clean towel. I worked four days straight and was off until Saturday morning. Thank God. I did a double the past Labor Day weekend and my place looked like a hurricane ran through it. Laundry spilled out of the hamper onto the bathroom floor. I stepped over it and strolled into the bedroom. Knotting the towel around my waist, I opened the closet. I was searching for something decent to wear to this fashion show Dallas talked me into attending. Hell, I would do just about anything right now just to be in her presence.
I sorted through my suit jackets and found a tan fitted blazer. I wore it to a retirement party last year at the firehouse. I pulled the matching trousers and a white shirt. I wanted to wow Dallas tonight, and was sure that celebrities would be at the show too. It was hard to comprehend that I would be rubbing elbows with the city’s elite. Derrick went crazy when I asked him to come along. He was meeting me at the show, and my brothers were picking me up in an hour. Dallas left the tickets at the door, and everything should be starting around six o’clock.
A grin stretched across my face as I recalled the scorching kiss on Friday night. I was aroused at the thought of her soft, succulent lips in my mouth. She tasted so sweet, and I was salivating for more. Shit, if she didn’t push me back, I would have messed up my pants. My emotions for her spelled danger, as we had known each other for a short time.
∞∞∞
A few hours later, the fellows and I sat in the front row at the fashion show. There were celebrities, photographers, and other rich people sitting next to us. Derrick and Patrick ogled the beautiful women as they passed by, and there were plenty. This place was phenomenal, and I was in awe as I glanced around the room. I didn’t see Dallas or Beth, but she told me that things would be hectic. We would be meeting up after the show. U2’s “The Miracle” was blasting from the speakers, and I bobbed my head to the sound. The place was vibrant and lively. I was having an awesome time. This was not the girly fashion show that I anticipated but a fantastic experience. The lights were dimming, indicating that the show was about to begin.
“Bro, thank you for inviting me,” Derrick whispered as he stared at an exotic babe across from us. “I will definitely get some digits tonight. These women are fucking incredible. Look at that delectable cutie sitting over there. I hope she doesn’t have a man, because I am not leaving here without her digits.”
“Yeah, man. I know what you mean,” Patrick agreed, glancing around the room, looking fascinated. “Damn, too bad Beth’s here. These girls are so tempting.”
“Bro, you better stop before she sneaks up on you,” I said, ribbing him. “I swear that girl has radar when it comes to you.”
“That’s right, Patrick,” Johnny joined in. “You better stop. I am on my best behavior tonight and Sheila is not even here. She is pissed that I came to the show.”
“Yeah, I’m sure.” I snickered at him. “I’m surprised that you had the balls to be here, since she runs things.” Patrick and Derrick burst out laughing from my comment and Johnny glared at me.
“Come on, dude, stop riding me about my fiancée,” he argued, looking displeased. “It’s getting old. I’m my own man.”
I did not feel guilty teasing him about Sheila. She was unpleasant. Hell, if she were nice and had a great personality then it would not be so bad. He must be blind, but I was not the one marrying her. Not my problem. “Bro, lighten up and have fun,” I said, glancing over at him. “Just look at all these gorgeous women walking around. Enjoy looking, since you are not dead. You are going to be tied down soon enough. That’s all I’m saying.”
Before he could respond, my jaw dropped when Dallas stepped out on the stage. She wore a stunning red gown. The slit ran all the way up her thighs, and the V-neck showed off her luscious boobs. She had pulled her hair back with a diamond hair clip, and her eye makeup was dramatic. It made those big amber eyes pop out more. She is smoking hot.
“Damn, dude.” Derrick's eyes bulged out. “Man, she looks better than when I saw her at Nova. No disrespect, man, but I wish I had seen her first,” he had the nerve to say.
Ignoring him, I focused on the woman in front of me. I was awestruck by her beauty. Damn, the place was full of beautiful women, but Dallas had everyone beat. She was by far the hottest woman in the freaking universe. I listened to her sexy twang as she introduced the designs. Damn, her voice is so intoxicating.
“Good evening, and welcome to Diva Fashions extravaganza,” she shouted. “I am here to introduce our spring and summer two thousand eighteen collection by our talented and top designers Gillian Smith and Mikki Sharpe. I hope y’all enjoy these sensational designs that I am sure will wow the crowd. Give it up for our beautiful models. Enjoy the show.” The room erupted in a loud applause and then she waved to the audience, blowing kisses as she strutted down the platform.
“Animals” by Maroon 5 came on as the models sashayed down the catwalk in a kaleidoscope of sheer materials. The cameras flashed as the photographers, celebrities, and other spectators took in the incredible designs. I glanced over at my brothers, and they were snapping shots of the models walking by with their cell phones. I chuckled when I saw Derrick’s tongue hanging out like a dog in heat. I shook my head and turned my attention back to the area where Dallas disappeared a few minutes ago. I wanted another glimpse of her in all the craziness. It was a surprise when she introduced the models; she did not mention that part to me.
I turned my attention back to the models as they strutted down the runway with their bland expressions. The clothes probably cost more than I made in a week. My life had done a 180-degree turn since meeting Dallas. I never pictured
myself sitting at a fashion event. She was making me experience new things, and I welcomed the change. After seeing the models in numerous designs, the show wound down an hour later. A petite blonde woman in her forties pranced out and almost everyone in the crowd stood up clapping. Two male models escorted her, and she wore a soft pink sheer dress with killer black platform shoes. She smiled and waved to the crowd as she walked the runway. She had to be Gillian Smith, Dallas’s boss.
A few minutes later, a tall, slim, dark-skinned man in his thirties walked out with two female models. He might be the other top designer, Mikki Sharpe, who Dallas mentioned earlier. He blew kisses at the crowd as he paraded down the walkway, looking dapper in his shiny black suit and hot pink fitted shirt.
The guys and I stood with the crowd as the fashion show came to an end. I glanced around and saw Beth walking towards us with a big grin on her face. I stared at her in shock. I had never seen her dressed so sophisticated. She wore a short hot pink dress with high heels. Her hair was piled on top of her head, and ringlets of curls fell around her face. I glanced over at my brother Patrick, and his mouth was hanging open as he checked out his girlfriend.
“Wow,” he said, reaching out to hug her. “Baby, you look amazing. Is that a new dress?”
She was beaming as Patrick put a possessive arm around her. “It’s designed by Gillian Smith and I’m wearing a sample.” She glanced over at me, smiling. “Dallas is coming out in a few minutes. She’s getting her things together first.”
“Thanks, Beth.” I smiled and teased her a little. “I almost didn’t recognize you for a second.” I glanced over at Patrick and playfully slapped him on his shoulders. “Bro, you might have to fight off all these rich men in the room now for your woman.” She blushed and moved closer to Patrick.
“Stop teasing him, Franco.” She glanced over at me with red cheeks. “I don’t look that much different, and Patrick has nothing to worry about.”
“That’s right, big brother,” Patrick said with a smug look. “This gorgeous woman belongs to me. Isn’t that right, baby?”
“Beth,” I groaned, messing with him. “Please don’t make his head any bigger than it already is.” We joked around as the throng thinned out. I glanced at Derrick, and he was chatting with the exotic woman who sat across from us. I shook my head at my best friend. I had to hand it to him—he was one smooth motherfucker. I wasn’t mad at him for that.
Then I glanced over and saw Dallas sashaying her fine ass towards us in another freaking drop-dead outfit. She had changed out of the red gown into a sexy short sleeveless white cutout number. Damn. She looked like a goddess in the white outfit. It showed off her curvaceous body. She flashed me a sultry smile when she spotted me, and my heart dipped. I strolled towards her and pulled her into my arms.
“Hello, hotness.” I greeted her and bent down to kiss her soft cheeks. I breathed in her sweet vanilla scent. “You look sensational. What happened to that sexy red number that you had on before?”
A tinge of color touched her gorgeous face. “It was a spur-of-the-moment thing,” she drawled, grimacing. “The person who was supposed to introduce the models came down sick. Melissa and Beth went nuts trying to find somebody else to do it. I volunteered. I did a lot of events back in Texas.”
“Well, you did a fantastic job,” I praised. “You looked like a natural out there.”
“Thank you, Yankee.” She beamed. “You sure know how to make a girl feel special.” Then she glanced over at my brothers. “Did you boys have a good time?”
“Yes,” they said, grinning.
“It was nice hobnobbing with the rich and famous.” Johnny smiled. “I feel so special now. We took a lot of pictures as proof, just in case no one believes us.” We all laughed at his remark.
“I’m thrilled y’all had a good time.” Dallas smiled, looking elated. “Well, the night is still young. We’re having a private party to celebrate the success of the show and y’all are invited. Have you heard of the MO Bar at The Mandarin Hotel on Columbus Circle? It’s a few blocks from here.”
I had heard of the MO Bar but had never been there. The people who hung out there were chichi, like the ones that worked at Diva Fashions. My insecurities crept back into my thoughts, but I would not let them interfere with my time with Dallas. Just as I was about to answer, Derrick walked back over with his beautiful friend and took the words out of my mouth.
“Hell yeah,” he added, grinning like a fool. “That’s one of the hottest hotel bars in the city. Did they shut it down for a private party? Wow, impressive. Can Alyssa join us?” He looked over at Dallas. I wasn't surprised he got the beautiful girl to talk to him. He’d probably take her home after this.
“Of course.” Dallas smiled. “There’s plenty of room for everybody. If you parked in the garage, then y’all can leave your cars and grab a taxicab.” She peeked over at me. “Franco, what do you think?”
“I’m game, gorgeous,” I said, grinning at her. She blushed from my words. I didn’t care what we did as long as I got to spend more time with her. “That will work for me. Guys, what do you say? Cab it?” I glanced over at my brothers, since Johnny was our ride here.
“I’m cool with it,” Johnny replied. “I don’t mind taking a cab if it’s not far.”
“It’s fine with me too,” Patrick agreed. He glanced over at Beth. “Are you okay with this, baby?”
“Of course I am,” Beth said, poking him. “These are my new coworkers. We get the day off tomorrow so we can celebrate tonight. Isn’t that right, Dallas?”
“Yeah.” She smiled and reached for my hand. “All right, people, let’s get to partying.”
Our group walked out of Lincoln Center and hopped into two separate cabs to the hotel. I held on to Dallas’s soft hands during the entire ride. I kept sneaking glances at her in the cab as she licked her juicy lips. I was aching to taste them again but did not want to embarrass her in front of Patrick and Beth. Man, I was falling for her fast; she consumed me. I am so fucking screwed.
Chapter Ten
Dallas, two months later
I stuffed the last of my clothes into my black Louis Vuitton luggage. Pamela and I were going to London on Wednesday to promote Diva Fashions. I was overseeing Gillian’s and Mikki’s designs at several posh department stores. This trip would give me a chance to meet up with my designer friend, Poppy. She lived in New York but was working at a prestigious fashion house in London. She had left the week before I came to New York. Hopefully, we could catch up on things, since the trip was unexpected. My apartment was in the middle of a reconstruction, and after I came back from London, I was going out of town for Thanksgiving.
Gillian recommended the interior designer; they went to school together at Parsons. Her roster of clients included celebrities and many prominent New Yorkers. Janique volunteered to stay at the penthouse while I was away to keep an eye on things. I had felt a little stressed because of it but knew the end results would be amazing. The only place not touched was the kitchen and my master suite; those would be done after the New Year.
My twin brothers were flying out with me to Texas for Thanksgiving. They were juniors at Cornell University in upstate New York. Holt Jr. planned on taking over the ranching business one day, and Holden wanted to run the hotels. My daddy sold the oil refineries several years ago and expanded our hotel and resorts businesses. We had hotels and resorts across the United States and abroad. Hank’s family was also in the same business, and if we had gotten married, then there would have likely been a merger. Why did I think about that fool? I yawned and wheeled the suitcase into the closet. I glanced at the wall clock and it was almost midnight. I crawled into the bed, and before you knew it, I was out cold.
∞∞∞
The next day, I looked through the designs that Gillian and Mikki were showcasing at the London stores. I didn’t get their input; they went to Milan with Melissa a few days ago. I was focused on my work and didn’t realize that Beth was standing in front of me. I
jumped when she called out my name.
“Oh my Lord, girl,” I said, glancing up. My heart was thumping hard. “You scared the heck out of me. What’s up?”
She had an odd look on her face. “There’s a delivery of flowers outside for you. I just want to alert you before bringing them in.”
“Really?” I raised my brows. “Did you read the card?” Then a smile spread across my face as my thoughts ran to Franco. They must be from him. We had been spending a lot of time together since our date back in early September. He took me back to Pellegrino’s again for dinner. We went to the movies at the big theater on Sixtieth Street, and one night he took me to a club in New Jersey with his boys. Franco was fun to hang out with, but I was still a little reticent to go all in with him. My feelings for him were becoming stronger than I cared for, and I had been purposely avoiding intimacy. Damn, it was hard because I hadn’t had sex in months. The only good thing was that I had my seven-inch friend with a battery in my drawer. It helped to satisfy the intense attraction I felt towards him. We were having lunch today. What a sneak! Shoot, I was so caught in my thoughts of Franco and almost forgot Beth was still in my office. “Sorry, Beth. My thoughts drifted for a second. Did Franco send them?”
She shook her head. “They’re from someone named Hank.”
The beaming smile turned into a scowl. My heart dipped. What is he up to now? I hadn’t spoken to him in almost ten months and now he was sending me flowers. How the hell did he find out where I worked? I stood up and stomped out of my office. I saw three delivery men with dozens of yellow and white roses standing by Beth’s desk, smiling.
“Let me see the card,” I said in a huff. I took the card from her and ripped it open. It read:
Hello, darlin’, I love you and will do anything to get you back into my life. Please accept these roses. I know they are your favorites. I am miserable without you and hope you will forgive me one day soon. Think about the life we can have together, suga. Love always, Hank.
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