“Uncle Shon said he wishes you would get with your girlfriend and stop growling.”
Michael fought to keep his smile at bay. Michaela was at the age where she caught everything that was said, whether it was spoken to her or not.
“So when did Uncle Rashon say this?”
The day before, Michael’s youngest brother had complained about him playing basketball like a madman, claiming he probably needed to get laid. He just hoped his brother had sense enough not to say anything like that around Michaela.
“Um, when he was talking to Nana,” Michaela said of Michael’s mother. “He said some things are wrong with you. Is something wrong with you, daddy?”
Michael laughed, unable to hold back at how serious his daughter’s expression was. “No, baby, nothing’s wrong with me. But what did I tell you about listening in on other people’s conversations?” At five years old, not only was she book smart, but she seemed to know something about everything.
“You said to stay out of grown folk’s business,” she mumbled and batted long curly eyelashes at him. Eyes so similar to his stared back at him, and Michael’s chest tightened with the love he felt for his little girl. Octavia, Michaela’s mother, was right. Michaela did have him wrapped around her finger.
Instead of chastising Michaela more, Michael smothered her sweet face and neck with kisses, sending her into a fit of giggles.
“Daaaaddy!” she screamed, laughing and squirming in his arms. “Stoooop.”
“I’m not stopping until you promise to stay out of grown folk’s business.” He continued kissing her, adding tickling to the playful torture.
“Oookay. I pro…promise,” she said trying to get away, but he maintained his hold on her.
Once they settled down, Michaela played with the buttons on his shirt. “Was that your girlfriend you were talking to?” she asked again.
Michael shook his head. “What am I going to do with you, kid?” He tweaked her nose, causing more giggles from her. “I was talking to my friend.”
Referring to Peyton as just a friend didn’t seem like a strong enough title. Anyone who throttled his peace of mind the way she had over the last ten days, deserved a different title. It seemed he couldn’t do anything without thinking about her or wondering what she was doing.
“Is she a girl?”
“Yes, Michaela, she’s…” Michael started but stopped. “I thought you wanted water.”
“I changed my mind.”
“Well, then you can go back to bed.”
She dropped her head to his chest and wrapped her little arms around his waist, mumbling something about wanting to stay with him. Instead of making her go back to bed, he kissed the top of her head and held her close while he caught the end of the basketball game.
Michael never thought he had the capacity to love someone as much as he loved Michaela.
When Michael and Octavia started hanging out, he hadn’t intended for their union to produce a child. It wasn’t until the day he had planned to break up with her did she tell him she was pregnant. That night changed his life in many ways, some good, some bad, but his daughter had definitely been the good.
Michaela’s soft snores brought him back to the present. He stood and headed for the stairs. Yep, this was starting to be a pattern with them, but there was nothing he would change about the bedtime ritual. When Michaela had turned two, Octavia landed the job of her dreams, which involved traveling three out of four weeks a month. She had signed over full custody to him. At first, the idea of caring for a toddler 24/7 scared the hell out of Michael. But thanks to his family, the adjustments went smooth over the years and they had settled into a good routine.
Michael laid Michaela on the twin-sized bed and covered her with the pink and white comforter. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he took in her baby soft skin, long lashes, and pert mouth. She was definitely a beauty. Smart as a whip and such a loving child. Despite the dysfunction he had grown up with, he vowed to do everything in his power to make sure she had a normal childhood.
Michael sauntered to the door but turned back before closing it behind him. Every now and then, like now, he thought about having more children, but that would mean being in a committed relationship.
Peyton’s sweet face flashed across his mind as he quietly left the room and headed back down the stairs. She was the marrying type and everything he could ever want in a woman.
Slow your roll, Mike. For all he knew, the connection he and Peyton experienced in Jamaica might be non-existent now that they were back to reality.
*
Damn. Was the only word to come to mind when Peyton swung open the door of her hotel room five days later. Michael stared into eyes that visited him every night in his dreams and a fist gripped his heart and squeezed. Nothing had changed. He still felt that same mesmeric pull, that powerful force that connected them.
His gaze went lower, taking in the low-cut, white shirt tied at her left side, emphasizing her narrow waist. Her legs were encased in a pair of black, skinny pants and black high-heeled boots were on her feet.
“Wow,” he finally said when she fidgeted under his perusal. No other words were spoken. Instead, he stepped across the threshold and pulled her into his arms, devouring her mouth in a heated kiss. Lips he had dreamed of kissing again were as soft as he remembered and she still fit perfectly in his arms. The woman had control over him that he couldn’t explain, and he wasn’t sure if he wanted to figure it out. All he wanted was her.
Peyton gripped his shirt as if holding on for dear life, their kiss stoking the fire burning inside of him. His tongue slid in and out of her mouth, mating with hers as if they kissed all the time. God, he missed her. He didn’t want to let her go, but with a strength he didn’t know he possessed, he lifted his head.
Michael’s forehead touched hers. “Hi.” The huskiness in his voice sounded foreign even to him. He nuzzled her neck unable to help himself as he breathed in her intoxicating scent.
“Hi,” she said with a little laugh, her smile squeezing his heart more. “Now that’s what I call a welcome.”
“I’m glad you’re here.”
“Me too.” She kissed him again. “I couldn’t wait to see you.”
“The feeling’s mutual.” His hand rested on the side of her neck, his thumb caressing her cheek. Michael couldn’t stop looking at her or touching her. It was hard to believe she was there. “Let’s go and get something to eat.” Because if he stayed in her room much longer, they would never leave.
As he led her out of the hotel, Michael knew he had to be careful with Peyton. He wanted her more than anything, but he didn’t want to hurt her. If…when they came together, he had to make sure he was ready to give her what she wanted from a man – a commitment.
*
Hours later, Peyton and Michael stepped outside of B.B. King’s Blues Club in Times Square, and a cold breeze shot through Peyton, forcing her to snuggle deeper into her lightweight leather jacket. She would have to remember to wear the heavier coat she traveled with when she ventured out the next day. It was proving to be a cold March though she thought it would be warmer on the east coast.
Michael grabbed her hand and maneuvered around a group of people waiting in line for the next show. Peyton held on tight as he shouldered his way forward.
“It’s after ten p.m. I can’t believe all these people are out and about,” Peyton said, jogging to keep up. She would never get used to the crowds and the over-stimulating electronic advertisements on every building in Times Square. The vibrant city attracted people from all over the world and lived up to its reputation of being the city that never sleeps.
Peyton had been planning to visit New York City for years but had never found the time. No that wasn’t true. She never made the time. Now she was glad she waited. Experiencing the city with Michael by her side would be better than traipsing around alone.
“You okay?” Michael released her hand and wrapped his arm around her once they made it t
o a portion of the sidewalk that wasn’t as crowded.
“I’m fine now that you’ve slowed down. For a minute there I felt as if we were running from some bad guys.”
Michael laughed. “Sorry about that. It was either bogard our way through the crowd or get stuck.” He kissed the side of her head and heat soared through her body. Throughout the evening, she kept stealing glances at him, finding it hard to believe they were there together. So many days she thought about him, wondering what he was up to and if he was thinking about her. She was only in town for five days and planned to make the best of her time there.
Michael directed her down a side street that wasn’t well lit, his attention on their surroundings. Like the street they had just left, this one was just as crowded. They passed several small theaters and eateries, everyone seeming to have a good time with no intentions of retiring for the night.
“What did you think of the restaurant and club?” Michael asked when they cleared another batch of people huddled on the sidewalk.
“The food was outstanding. I’ve had chicken and waffles before, but those were the best I’ve ever had. As for the show, I never heard of the performer, but the tribute he did to Prince was on point.”
“I saw how you were all into the show when he sang Adore. For a minute there, I thought you were going to go up on stage and join him.”
Peyton laughed and swatted his arm. “I wasn’t that bad. You have to admit, if you weren’t looking at the stage, you would have thought Prince himself was up there singing.”
Michael nodded, smiling. “Yeah, you’re right.”
“And who knew you could sing? You’ve been holding out.”
“What can I say, there’s a lot you don’t know about me yet.” He wiggled his eyebrows and flaunted that wicked grin that sent a delicious quiver raking over her flesh.
Peyton wrapped her arm around his waist. “Well, you can sing for me anytime, and I look forward to learning more about you.” He pulled her closer and kissed her lips.
They arrived at her hotel ten minutes later and stepped onto the elevator after three other people. Peyton pushed the button for her floor and stepped back, bumping into Michael.
“Sorry.”
“No problem.”
She took a step, but he held her in place, an arm around her waist, and a hand resting on her left hip. Awareness of his closeness hummed through her, and she leaned into him. His hard body felt too good to move away.
Peyton wasn't ready for the evening to end. She respected his decision to stay clear of a serious relationship, but she wanted him if only for one night. All she had to do was convince him that she could handle a one-night stand.
*
To stay or not to stay was the question rattling around in Michael’s head. He didn’t have to rush home since his parents were with Michaela and he wasn’t ready to say good night. But he also didn’t think it was a good idea to follow Peyton inside of her hotel room. Whatever was happening between them was strong, and clearly she felt the connection too. However, for his own peace of mind, he had to make sure she was ready. He had to make sure they both were ready.
When Peyton unlocked the door and pushed it open, Michael grabbed her arm, stopping her from going inside.
She frowned. “Aren't you coming in?”
“What do you have planned for tomorrow?” he asked instead of answering her question.
She studied him before speaking. “Sightseeing. Since this is my first time in New York, I have a list of places I want to visit. I plan to see everything.” She slid her hands inside of his jacket, her fingers crawling up his chest. She leaned closer, their lips almost touching. “And I mean everything.”
Michael smiled. He wasn't the only one ready to take what was building between them to the next level. But he knew her. Tough and sassy one minute, soft and vulnerable the next. The emotional damage her ex-husband inflicted on her went deep. She was talking tough now, but if he couldn’t give her the type of relationship she desired, that hole in her heart would only grow bigger. Besides that, there were things she didn’t know about him, things he needed to tell her before they went any further.
“How about I show you around tomorrow? Take you to some of the main attractions and help you cross a few items off your list. Who knows, you might be able to see everything you want to see,” he said pointedly, giving her a quick peck on the lips. But the way she stared up at him with those big brown eyes, something within him stirred. A combination of desire and fear battled inside of him. He wanted to do right by her but…
Michael crushed her to him, pressing his mouth over hers and stabbing her lips apart with his tongue. Hot and searing. He’d had a semi-erection most of the night thinking about all the ways he wanted to make love to her. But right now he just wanted to taste her.
Desire rocked through him as their kiss went from zero to sixty in intensity, sending a shock wave of need straight to his groin. He backed her against the wall and rubbed his body against hers, needing Peyton to feel how much he wanted her, desired her. Michael moaned into her mouth when she fisted the front of his shirt in her hands and ground against his erection.
“Shit.” He groaned in frustration, his body battling with his mind. While his body begged to take what they’d started into the room, his mind insisted – not yet.
He eased his mouth from hers, both his hands now cupping her butt as he kissed her cheek and worked his way down to her neck. He ached with need. This would be the last time. This would be the last time they kissed like that and not end up in bed together.
Soon, but not tonight.
“I have to go,” he said, his voice husky as he worked to get his body under control. “I don’t want to, but I think it’s best.”
“Michael, you don’t have to go.”
“Yes, I do.”
Peyton blew out a breath and pushed him, bumping into the door in the process.
“If this is you being a gentleman, stop it!” She snapped. He chuckled unable to help himself. Seeming to piss her off more. “You don’t have to handle me like…like I might break. If you don't want me, dammit just tell me. Don’t keep getting me all worked up only to walk away.
The smile fell from his lips. He closed the distance between them and cupped her cheek.
“Baby, I want you more than I have wanted anyone in my entire life. Don't ever doubt that I want you.” He dropped his hand and ran it over his head, uncertainty charging through his body. “My hesitation is not about you. This is all me.” He pounded his chest, pissed that he’d given her doubt about how much he wanted her.
Peyton ran her hands over his abs. Michael sucked in a ragged breath. Again with those damn hands. Her gentle touch sent erotic waves through his shirt and to his body. Her fingers did a slow, excruciating crawl up his torso and didn’t stop moving until they rested on his chest. And those lips. Those sweet, plump lips only a whisper away from his, had him damn near panting.
It wasn’t until she met his gaze did he slowly release the breath he’d been holding.
“I know you’re not looking for anything serious. I get that. But we’re both adults. We can hit the sheets tonight and still be friends tomorrow.”
Michael chuckled, despite how the rhythm of his heartbeat increased in tempo with her touch and the seduction of her voice. “You’re sexy as hell when you talk like that, but…we need to talk.”
“We can talk later.”
He cupped her face between his hands. “Baby, I don’t want to hurt you.”
She searched his eyes and then moved her mouth even closer. “You won’t.”
A low growl rumbled in Michael’s throat when her lips met his. How the hell was he supposed to resist her when she swirled her tongue around his? “God, I want you,” he mumbled against her mouth and squeezed her butt.
“Prove it.”
Chapter Eleven
Michael had Peyton in the room and out of their clothes in record time. And like in Jamaica, her heart thu
ndered at the sight of his naked, tattooed body. His muscular form on full display.
Perfection.
Of all the words in the English dictionary, that was the only one to best describe the magnificence of his toned body.
“You’re even more beautiful than I remember.” Michael’s raspy tone snagged her attention, sending goosebumps prickling up her arms. His admiring gaze did a slow stroll down her body as he eased toward her, ripping the silver packet open with his teeth. “You teased me mercilessly with these big, beautiful breasts of yours weeks ago. Breasts that have filled my nightly dreams since our time in Jamaica. Now I plan to enjoy them and every inch of your body.”
Her gaze slid to his long, thick erection as he quickly sheathed himself. Peyton swallowed, her heart pounding loud enough for the people in the room next door to hear.
“You told me to prove how much I want you.” The bass in his voice dropped an octave as he backed her to a nearby wall. “I plan to prove how much I want you, over and over again.”
Peyton shrieked when he gripped the back of her thighs and lifted her, the tip of her nipple in line with his lips. His tongue shot out, swirled around the sensitive bud, sending a blast of heat shooting to the center of her core. Her eyes slammed closed at the delicious warmth consuming her body.
“Michael,” she whimpered. He paid the same homage to the other nipple, gently sucking, bracing her against the wall as if she weighed nothing. The throbbing ache between Peyton’s thighs grew more intense when her legs went around his waist, and she ground her pelvis against his muscular abs.
“Mmm, Peyton, baby…” Michael said in a gruff whisper, his hold on her tightened as he lowered her body, positioning her just right to feel his erection against her throbbing sex. She trembled in his arms when the tip of his penis teased the opening at the apex of her thighs.
A moan pierced the air and Peyton wasn’t sure if it came from herself or Michael. At the moment, she didn’t care. All she wanted was to feel more of him.
Seducing the Boss Lady Page 10
