Pretty Woman: Mia (The Billionaire Bachelor Series Book 2)

by Jamie Brook Thompson

  ashful, where you been?” I call from the window of the Bentley as she sits on the park bench in front of Lucky hitting up the monkey bars.

  She turns to see me in the parking lot. I can’t be sure, but her eyes are real puffy. You been crying? I clench my jaw.

  I jump out and sprint towards her as she stands.

  She grabs her purse and starts heading toward Lucky.

  I ain’t sure why she’s dressed like some secretary, but she don’t look comfortable in that white button-up shirt and black skirt.

  “Where you going?” I grab her arm.

  She gently pulls it away. “Oh, I didn’t see you.”

  “Bashful, don’t be playing with me like that. How come you ain’t been answering my calls?”

  “You haven’t called me once,” she snaps.

  I shake my head. “I’ve been calling and texting you like crazy.”

  She tilts her head. “How could I be so stupid? X put a block on your number.” Her lower lip begins to quiver as a soft tear rolls down her cheek. She whips her hand up to wipe it away so I won’t see it.

  “Bashful, what’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.” She wipes underneath her eyes with the back of her hand again.

  “Don’t play me like this.” I grab both of her wrists.

  “Mommy, look, it’s Tino!” Lucky’s voice screams from the playground.

  She pulls away.

  “How you doing, Lucky Charm?” I ruffle his long hair as he hugs around my leg.

  “Can we go get a Slurpee?” he asks.

  “We’re heading out soon.” Mia pulls him off me. “Three more times down the slide.”

  Lucky doesn’t argue with her. He runs like a bat out of hell to get back on that playground like he doesn’t want to take a chance at losing his last three turns.

  “You alright?” I stare at her face.

  She rubs the back of her neck. “It’s been a long day.”

  “You want to tell me about it?”

  “I’m fine.” She dodges the question, turning her head to the group of low riders that are pulling into the parking lot next to the Bentley. “Do you know them?” Her face tightens with panic.

  “It’s just Ricardo and his boys.” I jut my chin.

  Mia grows frantic and searches for Lucky as they all get out of their rides.

  “It’s all good.” I reach out and grab her thin arm. “Come sit by me.”

  She hesitates as I take a seat.

  “Mia, they ain’t gonna hurt him,” I assure her, and take a quick breath to figure out how to say what I gotta say. “I’ve been thinking about how to tell you this for a few days now. I’m taking Richardo on.”

  She turns back to meet my gaze and narrows her brows, but won’t sit down. “You mean, you’re giving him a rematch?”

  “Nah, it ain’t like that.” I can’t get out what I’m trying to say and it irritates me as much as her ignoring me the past few days. Is it gonna freak her out? I look at her and pause because I’m scared as hell she’ll think I’m moving the relationship to fast.

  “So let me guess…this is some sort of preshow before the big fight? It’s the fight that’s going to bring in big money because the big fight guys can’t bring in the money you can. Am I, right?” she mocks. “And trust me on this one. I don’t want my kid around when things get ugly.”

  “I’m telling ya it ain’t like that.”

  “Tino, those are about the scariest looking men I’ve ever seen.” She watches like a Doberman as Ricardo tosses a soccer ball to Lucky. “I’m not big on my kid playing with strangers, let alone the Mexican mafia.”

  “I’m retiring, Mia.” The words settle in the air like the final bell of a match that will go to the judge’s card.

  “What?” she gasps, and turns back to look me in the face, probably making sure she heard me right.

  “I’ve been thinking about it for a while now and I think it’s best that I go out holding the title.” I drop my head and stare at the cracked sidewalk under my feet. I can’t bring myself to look at her.

  “This is crazy. Why would you do that?” She sits down on the bench and tilts her head like a mother that’s expecting answers.

  “I was thinking I could have you and Lucky come stay with me for a while and see how things go.” There I said it. The blood flowing through my veins is as hard and fast as any fight I’ve ever fought. “I have an empty guest house and it’s free rent. And I already found Lucky a new school that’s real close to my house. I think it’s even better than the one he’s in now.”

  “Uh, we—I—you can’t do this.” Her eyes soften. “You don’t even know me.”

  “That’s why this could be us getting to know each other.” I try to make her understand and hopefully put her at ease.

  She pulls her hair off her neck, allowing the wet breeze to blow across her skin. “Tino, this is just too fast.”

  “You can trust me.” I place my hand on her thigh. Damn that feels nice. “I ain’t gonna hurt you.”

  “For how long?” Her voice has the slightest bit of anger hiding behind it. “I mean when are you going to get bored and up and leave me. After I’m eight months pregnant with your baby?”

  I’m instantly aware of where she’s coming from. “Yo, I ain’t like that.”

  “I know how men are, Tino. They act like they’ll come in and rescue you, and then they’ll leave the second things get tough.” She points to Lucky playing ball with my homeboys. “Do you want to know where his dad is? He’s six feet under from a bullet he put in his own head.”

  Damn. I wasn’t expecting that. I can feel the heat raging inside her body.

  “All because he couldn’t face the consequence of going to prison for molesting little girls.” Her body trembles, but she doesn’t cry. “All because things got tough.”

  A heavy silence fills the gap between us.

  “Shit. This ain’t easy.” I place my hand on her back as she leans over. I’m positive she’s crying now. “Mia, I’m sorry. I didn’t know. I swear to God, I didn’t know.”

  Tears drip from her face and wet the concrete below her feet as she curls into herself.

  I ain’t even sure how to handle this.

  “I’d beat his ass if I could get a hold of him,” I growl through my teeth like a rabid dog.

  She looks up with mascara running down her cheeks. “That’s just it. I’m not bothered about it. I was fifteen and he claimed to be eighteen. But then the cops got involved because he was lying about everything. And then my dad pressed charges only because his buddy’s daughter got pregnant at twelve from the same guy. He was twenty-six with a wife and three kids, posing as an eighteen-year-old mechanic in my dad’s shop.”

  “Damn,” I whisper and roll my hands over my head.

  “The only part that hurts is that my dad didn’t call the cops because of me.” Her hands tighten into fists. “He was only playing the big bad ass part for his buddy. Tino, I had nobody to talk to. Nobody that cared about me. I gave birth to my son with my two cousins in the room because I’ve never had a mother.” She sucks in a deep breath. “And sometimes I need one.”

  “That’s why I want to take care of you.” I wrap my arm around her slender shoulders to hold her. “Just trust me. I ain’t going anywhere.”

  She rolls her head, shifting out of my embrace. “No, you don’t get it. I’m not the girl that’s going to come in and ruin your career. That’s tough. That’s not how I roll.”

  “Mia, I’ve been planning this for a while now. I just had to get up the courage to tell Sully.” I lean back and give her some space. “You gave me that courage.”

  “You’re being stupid.” She straightens her spine.

  I laugh.

  “Tino, I’m not kidding.”

  “I’ll be honest. I’m being smart.” I point to Ricardo. “That kid nearly had me. I wasn’t expecting him to be so tough. I underestimated the guy. What happens when the next one comes along that I turn a bli
ndside to? I’ll tell you what happens. The papers start writing how I’m a has been. Success ends overnight in this industry unless you go out as a champ. And now I finally got the excuse I’ve been looking for.”

  “Excuse?”

  “You and the kid.” I nod to Lucky running like a world cup champ.

  “Oh, so now we’re your excuse.” A wicked chuckle plays from her lips, prickling my skin. “Well let me be straight up, bro. We’re nobody’s excuse.” She stands. “It was nice knowing ya. You can come pick up the Mercedes anytime. I should have my car back this week.”

  “Girl, don’t be twisting every word I say.” I jump up to grab her. “I meant that you were my excuse. You and the kid are the only things that have ever felt like family. I wasn’t gonna tell the papers that. I was just telling myself that. Damn it. Just give me a chance.”

  “Tino, I can’t live your famous lifestyle.”

  “Then I won’t be famous.” I scan the area where she’s staring.

  “You don’t get it. I won’t raise Lucky to be a back-stabbing little snitch to make money from some trashy magazine.”

  A smile plays at my lips. She just called her son Lucky. “I ain’t ever stabbed anybody in the back.”

  “No, I mean your friends.” She’s still staring at the boys playing soccer. “Your friends made appointments with me after those magazine articles came out.”

  I take in a deep breath and reach up to pop my neck. “I know.”

  “You do?” Her eyes widen.

  “I mean, I know they’re not all pussies.” I roll my shoulders. “I know the ones that betrayed me.”

  She stands there, dragging the tip of her black shoe over the sidewalk. I got the feeling she’s considering my offer. I bounce on my toes for a bit. I don’t want to screw this up.

  “I was gonna call your boss—”

  “That won’t be necessary,” she says, and quickly turns to the bright red convertible tearing into the parking lot.

  I watch as Nikki jumps out almost before the damn thing is fully stopped. The badass glare plastered across her face is on fire as she stomps toward us.

  “What the hell are you thinking? Do you even realize that Isabella busted her ass to get you this job?” Nikki screams in Mia’s face. “At least have the respect to talk to us before you go off in this fantasy world where Prince Charming is going to rescue you.”

  “You don’t understand,” Mia defends.

  “You don’t even know this guy.” Nikki jabs my peck. “He’s not worth it.”

  “Whoa, what’s going on?” I swoop in on the conversation because I can see I’m part of it.

  “You haven’t told him?” Nikki wrinkles her forehead and laughs.

  Mia shakes her head, lowering her gaze.

  “She quit her job for you!” Nikki shouts in my face.

  I steady myself because a thousand bullets to the chest couldn’t make my heart beat faster than the words that just poured from Nikki’s mouth. “Is she for real?” I turn to Mia.

  “I just couldn’t do it.” Mia won’t lift her head.

  “You’re willing to screw Lucas out of a future because you just won’t go out with a few of Tino’s friends?” Nikki throws her arms in the air. “Is that it?”

  Mia snaps to attention like a mama bear. “I’m not screwing my son out of anything. I’m not like you. I can’t play games with men.” She points to Lucky. “I’m teaching him respect. What if he’s the guy coming into our office one day. And some bitch turns her back on him for a few bucks? Is that how you want me to be, Nikki?”

  I stare at Mia and try to soak in every bit of logic the girl is speaking.

  “I would never hurt Tino. I’m not that kind of person.” Mia lowers her gaze again. “It just isn’t me. I’m not like you.”

  Nikki stands there like her tongue has just been ripped out.

  “You quit your job?” I tilt my head.

  “Yes,” Nikki snaps. “So can you please talk some sense into her?”

  “How did you know I was at the park?” Mia stares at Nikki.

  “I figured you’d be stupid enough to bring Lucas here alone because you’re not afraid of losing your job.” Nikki lets out a huge breath. “And gorilla man came in the office looking for you so I sent him here.”

  Mia squints her eyes like she’s putting everything together.

  “Why won’t you answer my texts?” Nikki lowers her voice.

  “I gave back my phone to Madame X,” Mia replies. “Nobody can get ahold of me.”

  We stand there in silence for a bit.

  “So you’re really quitting?” Nikki finally speaks.

  I wait for Mia to say something.

  She doesn’t.

  This is probably where I need to take the punch. I don’t give a shit what her cousin thinks. I grab Mia’s hand and tangle our fingers together. Nikki stares at every move I’m making. “Mia’s moving in with me,” I say, watching Nikki’s face almost fall to the ground. “I got a moving truck coming tomorrow to move her stuff.”

  CHAPTER TEN

  H

  e said I never have to knock. Ugh! I hate that even after a week I’m overthinking the set up. I live in the guesthouse. He lives in the big house. I sprint across the sidewalk leading to Tino’s house, trying to avoid the light drizzle of rain wetting my hair. I’ll just walk in. Don’t make this complicated. Tino made it clear I’m fine to come over and visit anytime.

  “Hello?” I say, peeking my head through the door. I don’t fully walk in because I’m wondering if I ran too fast to get here. I should’ve taken a second to come up with a good approach if he’s right inside.

  “Hello?” I say again still peeking behind the door for emotional protection.

  There’s no answer.

  He’s not here.

  I’m basically relieved. I’ll just zip to his kitchen and grab a frying pan without embarrassing myself. I can bring it back before he gets home. Tino won’t even have to know I came over.

  I step through the door and shiver at the air-conditioning running as I wander down the hall.

  Where is the furniture? I peek through a few doors when I pass. A giant house with no furnishings. What the heck?

  I keep walking to the end of the hallway because I can see a sink and granite countertops. The warm color of the granite makes me uncomfortable. I would’ve picked something a little more neutral, but that’s why this isn’t my house.

  “Yo, I didn’t hear you come in,” Tino says, slamming his laptop shut.

  The startled sound of his voice has me questioning what he’s been looking at. Great. A porn freak. That’s the only reason he’d have to slam it shut so fast.

  “What are you looking at?” Don’t even tell me. I can’t handle another Chris.

  “Oh, just a few emails.” He sets the computer on the table in front of him.

  I glance over to a great room that’s attached to the kitchen. There’s a TV so big it could only fit in a house this size. Why not put that trash on the big screen? It would probably have more effect on him there. At least he shouldn’t hide from being a sick pervert. Dang, I really thought he was different. He’s just like the rest of them.

  “So if you’re looking at emails why would you have to shut your computer so fast?” I ask. But what I really want to ask him is to stand up so I can see the truth hiding where I shouldn’t look.

  “Damn, girl, why you be drilling me like some punk ass porn junky?”

  He gets it. I suck in my breath. I refuse to be intimidated. I’m going to stand my ground.

  My voice trembles, “I just don’t want my son in an environment where he’s subject to thinking it’s okay to watch a few girls naked. Porn kills love. I won’t raise Lucas believing otherwise!”

  Tino sits there, staring at me.

  I glance down and notice I’m wearing a big, white t-shirt with no bra. And it’s wet from the rain. I quickly fold my arms over my chest.

  “Then you probably don�
��t want to be wearing that kind of shit around him,” Tino smirks, and lowers his head like a gentleman would do. “You even got shorts on or anything under that shirt?”

  My heart pounds.

  “Yes, I have on shorts.” I lift the white, cotton material to reveal my black running shorts. Sure they’re tiny, but I was going to head back and slip on a sports bra top to take a quick jog while I had Nikki here to watch Lucas.

  “Trust me, Bashful, if I were the kind of man your mind has me being I’d be over there, pulling that shirt off you by now, but I got self control. I got so much that porn ain’t even a temptation for me. I want a real woman to get me bothered. I don’t need that shit on a screen.” He rolls his shoulders back so they’re broad and square, and I can’t help believe that he’s telling me the truth.

  “I—” I pause because my mind is drawing a blank. “I came to see if you had a frying pan. The moving truck must have mine in it. I can’t find it anywhere.”

  He laughs. “You making eggs?”

  “Nikki wants an omelet. She stayed the night last night. I hope that’s okay. She had a rough date,” I say, feeling relieved he’s willing to let our awkward conversation go.

  “Fine with me.” Tino stands up and crosses the room to brush past me. A rash of chills covers my arms from the feel of his solid body. He reaches into the drawer under the stove and pulls out a frying pan.

  I laugh.

  He turns around to stare at me. “What?”

  “That’s where you put your pans?” I reach over and open a cupboard next to the stove. It’s bare. What the heck? “This is where I would put the pans.”

  “I figure I just got to cook with it. Don’t matter where it goes, I guess.” He shrugs his shoulders. “And I ain’t cooked this morning so I’m gonna need this back.”

  “Of course,” I reply.

  He hands me the pan.

  “Can I make you something really quick?” I scrunch my face. “It’s my apology.”

  “You ain’t got to apologize.” He grabs my hips and gently presses me out of his way. My heart tugs at about a zillion places. His hands release. “And I don’t expect you to cook for me. I got it.”

  I shimmy my shoulders to try and shake off the tingling sensation in my stomach. If only he knew that he’s the kind of guy I would rip his shirt off and do terrible, naughty things to.