“Yeah and that’s rightly so, but what if things don’t—”
“There’s something special about Serena,” he said. “I can feel it.”
“For your sake, I hope you’re right,” Norman said. “I don’t want to see you hurt again.”
“I’m over that,” he said wistfully. “It was the lies that got to me. I would’ve let Marian go without a fight had she been honest with me.”
“I know you would’ve. Being with her was a battle from the beginning and she didn’t—”
Antonio held up his hand. “I don’t want to talk about it,” he said. “It’s finally time for me to move on.”
“I’m happy you’ve taken yourself off the hook,” Norman said. “It’s not fair for you to continue to be a martyr.”
“It’s time,” Antonio said as he opened a package of marble tiles.
“One question, though. What’s your sister-in-law going to think about you dating?”
“What? It doesn’t matter what Casey thinks,” Antonio said.
“I told you that woman wants to replace her sister in your life and not just as a mother to your boy.”
“Norman, you’re wrong about that. She was close to her sister and spending time with me and A.J. makes her feel closer to Marian.”
“I’ve been around a lot longer than you and I can tell you that woman is seeing to be the next Mrs. Billups.”
Antonio shook his head, ignoring Norman’s conspiracy theory, and started laying the tiles. He wasn’t going to think about anything but Serena and how badly he wanted to walk into that office and dive between her thighs, tasting her sensual juices all over again.
“Hey, what are you doing?” Norman called out, breaking into Antonio’s sexual fantasy. “Those tiles are backwards. I can guess where your mind is.”
Antonio absentmindedly glanced down the hall as if he expected to see Serena saunter out of the office and beckon him inside. “I made a mistake,” Antonio said, but the smile on his face confirmed what Norman had been thinking.
Serena struggled to keep her eyes open as she sat at the desk in the management office of the restaurant. She couldn’t afford to go home and sleep the day away. She had a lot to do before Antonio came over for dinner, including buying what she needed to make her signature dish.
Clicking the computer mouse, she read a few articles about the restaurants in Charlotte that had opened since Hometown Delights closed for renovations. Nothing jumped out as immediate competition for the eatery when the doors reopened. All of the reviews mentioned how no one was able to snag a celebrity chef like Devon Harris to work in their kitchens. Serena smiled as she sipped on her lukewarm coffee. It seemed as if Charlotte was waiting for Hometown Delights to reopen in two weeks. Kicking her feet up on the desk, Serena leaned back and allowed the sleep that she’d been fighting to take over.
An hour passed before Serena woke up to the sound of her cell phone ringing. Clearing her throat, she grabbed the phone and said, “Hello?”
“What are you doing?” Alicia asked. “And why aren’t you at home?”
“I know you aren’t calling me with questions. No one has seen you in a week,” Serena said. “Are you still organizing this huge business summit?”
“See, you are so out of the loop. That’s been put on hold. Having a bunch of millionaires talk to people about wealth in a recession doesn’t seem to be a good idea. But I did talk to Jade and she told me about you and Mr. Contractor.”
“You two really need a life if I’m the topic of your conversation.”
“I thought you didn’t mix business with pleasure?”
“Pleasure,” she said in a near moan. “That’s just what I’m thinking about until this restaurant reopens and we have to get back to business.”
“What happens if something more develops between you and Mr. Billups? Knowing how you chew men up and spit them out, how are we going turn to him if we need his services again?”
“I’m so sick of you guys calling me this man-eater,” Serena said. “Antonio and I are having fun. He’s not looking for anything more than I am.”
“Just what are you and Antonio looking for?”
“Great sex.”
“And you know this because that’s what he said? Everyone isn’t like you,” Alicia said. “Some people want a relationship. If Kandace can make Solomon Crawford commit, you never know what a man wants.”
“Well, Antonio is no Solomon Crawford. He doesn’t have a string of past booty calls or a psychotic stalker.”
“Umm. Good point. But I hope you’re not getting in over your head,” Alicia said.
“How would I be doing that? He’s single, I’m single, and we’re adults. No one is making empty promises and no one’s falling in love. It’s a win-win for both of us. Please stop drinking Jade’s Kool-Aid.”
“I will as soon as you stop acting as if you’re some guy who doesn’t have emotions. Does this have anything to do with something that happened in L.A.?”
Serena cleared her throat. “The only thing that happened in L.A. was wasted time. I made a movie that was never released. Why do you guys think there is some big secret in L.A.? I tried screenwriting, got sucked into acting, and it didn’t work. End of story.”
“If you say so. I mean, you never talk about your time in L.A.”
“Nothing to say. When do you plan to return to Charlotte?” Serena asked in an attempt to change the subject.
“I’ll be back tomorrow,” Alicia said. “And then you will have time to spend with your boyfriend.”
“He’s not my boyfriend, all right? But I have to go. There is something I need to get for my date tonight,” she said.
“Leather or lace?” Alicia joked.
“I’m thinking black lace. But who knows, he may like a leather whip.”
“You’re sick. Don’t turn that man out too much.”
Serena hung up with her friend and looked at the clock. It was nine A.M. and the mall was now open. She shut down the computer and sauntered out of the office, heading for the front of the restaurant. Serena stopped as she saw Antonio on his knees laying the marble tiles. Watching him, all Serena could think about was how he worked out her body yesterday. Her knees went weak as memories flooded through her thighs and settled on her spine.
Serena tried to get her hormones under control before walking across the unfinished floor. As her heels clicked across the floor, Antonio lifted his head and caught a glimpse of her as the heel of her left shoe caught on a loose tile. He leaped up and grabbed her before she came close to the floor. Serena collapsed against Antonio’s chest, smiling warmly as his hands gripped her waist.
“Sensible shoes,” he admonished quietly.
“Great catch and you love my shoes,” she said as she kicked her leg out. Neither of them noticed the men were looking at them as Serena placed her hand against Antonio’s chest and gently stroked him. She felt his desire growing between his thighs and pressing against her. She knew that feeling and wished they were alone so he could peel her clothes off and do all the things that he’d done to her yesterday. It was amazing how he made her body come alive by a simple touch. She hadn’t felt that way since … ever.
Her breath caught in her chest as his hand moved up the small of her back. “I’d better go,” she said as she felt her feet touch the floor.
“Yeah,” he said, his voice low and deep. “But tonight, we’re having dinner and I can’t wait to see you.”
Looking over his shoulder, Serena finally saw that their every move was being watched by Antonio’s crew. She stepped back and smiled. “It seems as if you have a lot of explaining to do.”
Antonio watched Serena’s shapely backside as she sauntered out of the restaurant. When she was gone, his crew clapped enthusiastically.
“Way to go, Tonio,” Leo Clarke called out.
“Shut up, Leo,” Norman said.
“That woman is a brick house,” Eddie Richardson said as he stopped hammering. “Good to know
you’re putting your name on that because I was tempted.”
“You’re a married man,” Antonio said.
“But I ain’t blind, dude,” Eddie retorted. “Nobody should let all that fine go to waste.”
“And that is a lot of fine,” Leo said. “Good to see you living life again and in such a big way.”
“Let’s get back to work. It’s the weekend and no one wants to be here all day,” Antonio said. He wasn’t going to share his private life with his crew and he wasn’t going to feed into their fantasies about Serena because he had the real thing.
By the time the men took their lunch break, the buzz about Antonio and Serena had died down with everyone except Norman. He and Antonio sat on the back end of Antonio’s truck munching on apple slices and turkey sandwiches.
“Got a question for you,” Norman said in between bites. “After that little interlude in the dining room, do you really think you should take A.J. to meet Serena tonight?”
“You’re right. I don’t think it’s time right now for them to meet.”
“Uh-huh and I’m sure it has nothing to do with you finishing what you two got started.”
Antonio laughed, unable to deny the truth in Norman’s observation. “But, I don’t have a sitter for A.J. and I’ve been leaning on Casey a little too much lately.”
“You’re in luck because I’m going to have my grandsons this weekend. We’re going to Lake Norman for some fishing. A.J. is welcome to come along.”
“Are you sure this isn’t too much trouble?” Antonio asked, not wanting to pawn his son off on his friend.
“Those guys get along great and A.J.’s a good kid. I’d love for him to come along.”
Antonio smiled. “Thanks, man.”
“Maybe you can ease her into your son’s life,” Norman said.
Or ease right into her, Antonio thought as he took a bite of his sandwich.
Chapter 7
Serena held her pink and white Victoria’s Secrets bags tightly as she ran to her car in the rain. She was totally drenched by the time she made it behind the wheel and wished she’d opted for valet parking. Before starting the car, Serena checked inside her bag to make sure the $200 worth of lace and satin she’d just purchased wasn’t wet. She smiled when she saw that the paper in the top of the bag had protected her items. As she pulled out of the SouthPark mall parking deck, Serena’s phone rang. She pressed the ANSWER button on the steering wheel. “Hello?”
“Serena, I heard you were working in our shutdown restaurant,” Jade said as Jaden cooed in the background. “Just what kind of business were you conducting?”
“Why don’t you feed your son and leave me alone?” Serena said with a laugh. “I was just surveying the work.”
“Or the workers?” Jade asked. “I swear, you and Antonio are getting out of control.”
“And? You know what? Antonio and I are having dinner tonight and I won’t have to worry about you and Alicia questioning my motives because I have one thing in mind.”
“I bet you do. Seriously, though, I went by the restaurant before picking up Jaden from James’s office and it is looking really good in there. Norman said he thinks they’re going to finish a week early.”
“Great. So does that mean we’re moving up the grand reopening?” Serena asked.
“No, Kandace called and she and Solomon are still on their honeymoon. She claims she’s going to e-mail a list of her media contacts, but from all the moaning I heard while I was talking to her, I wouldn’t look for that.”
“I’m surprised she was able to make a phone call,” Serena said. Not that she was upset that Kandace was enjoying her honeymoon with Solomon Crawford. He was a gorgeous man who loved her and though Serena wasn’t the love conquers all type, she knew it was true for her friends. Especially Kandace. Her husband had quite a reputation as a love ‘em and leave ‘em man, but he fell head over heels for her and did what no one thought he’d ever do. Got married.
“Well, I talked to Devon and he’s wondering if he can get back in the kitchen to start filming the new season of his show,” Jade asked. “That’s why I went to the restaurant today—to see where they were with the renovations. I must say, when I walked in, Antonio was disappointed to see me.”
“What?”
“The door opened and everything stopped. When they saw it was me, the air pretty much left the building,” Jade laughed. “The shoes should’ve given me away. I went in there with flats on, something I know you don’t do.”
“I have two pairs of flats and I don’t like them,” Serena said.
“Yeah, because heels make your butt look bigger, I remember,” Jade said. “It must work since you and Antonio are hanging tough.”
“Oh, shut up.” Serena made a quick turn onto Fairview Road. “Are you at home?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll be over there after I leave Harris Teeter. I need to borrow your kitchen.”
“You told that man you were cooking dinner for him? I thought you liked him.”
“That’s why I’m bringing the food to you,” Serena said as she pulled into the parking lot of the grocery store.
“I think I’m starting to see why you were so eager to invest in a restaurant,” Jade said. “But if I’m cooking, you are on diaper duty.”
“Ugh, you can’t do that to me.”
“You need my help and I don’t have a nanny, so yes, I can.”
Serena laughed then hung up on her friend. She dashed inside the supermarket and quickly picked up the ingredients for her “signature dish,” chicken and broccoli, which was actually Jade’s concoction.
Serena did a lot of things in the kitchen, but cooking wasn’t one of them. There had been a time when Serena wanted to cook and be domesticated. She’d purchased cookbooks and had been ready to play the dutiful wife.
But her dream of wedded bliss had come to a screeching halt when Emerson stood her up at the altar. No word of what had caused him to change his mind or anything. Serena stopped in the produce section and picked up a bunch of broccoli as she shook away the memories of her past. All she had to worry about was the present and that included Antonio Billups.
But what about your future? she heard Jade ask. You can’t keep hiding behind what happened in Los Angeles.
“Get out of my head,” she mumbled as she directed her cart to the dried foods aisle. She needed rice and seasonings, then she could head over to Jade’s and spend some time with Jaden while his mother cooked. She liked kids well enough, but she never saw herself as a mother.
Serena was certain her motherly genes had never developed. The best part about hanging out with other people’s children was the joy of returning them to their parents. It never failed though, whenever she held a baby, he or she either threw up on her or peed on her shoes. That’s why she didn’t want to spend a lot of time with Jaden. Being around that little boy always meant a trip to the cleaners.
Once she had all her groceries and had cleared the self-checkout line, she picked up some iced lattes at Starbucks for her and Jade, remembering to make her friend’s drink a decaf since she was still nursing her son.
As she pulled into Jade and James’s driveway, Serena thought about how quickly those two had become husband and wife and how happy they were. Jade deserved it after what she’d been through with her ex.
Don’t you deserve happiness, too? How long are you going to hide behind relationships that go nowhere because you’re afraid? Serena thought. Maybe I should go into this thing with Antonio not expecting it to end.
Serena shook her head as she got out of the car and grabbed her groceries. It was too soon to start thinking like that. She had to get Jade’s happily ever after voice out of her head. She’d tried love once and that was enough.
“Knock, knock,” Serena said as she opened the front door.
“In the den,” Jade called out. Serena walked in and dropped the bags off in the kitchen, then headed for the den where Jade and Jaden were sitting on the
floor playing with blocks.
Jade looked up and pointed at Serena. “Look Jaden, it’s your godmommy Serena.”
The little boy cooed and drool dripped down his chin. “Are you going to get that?” Serena asked.
Jade stood up, then lifted her son into her arms. “That’s just sugar. It’s not going to make you melt, Evilene.” She placed Jaden in Serena’s arms. Smiling, Serena kissed her godson then wiped his wet chin with the bottom of his shirt.
Jade shook her head as she headed into the kitchen with Serena on her heels.
“So,” Serena said as she took a seat on a bar stool while Jaden attempted to pull her hoop earring. “Where’s James?”
“He’s in Huntersville looking at some property,” she said. “The real estate market is crazy, but James and Maurice are planning to invest some money in a few stalled projects.”
“Smart men,” Serena said as she took her earring off and placed it out of Jaden’s way. The little boy seemed to pout and Serena kissed his chubby cheek. “Do you think they’re going to be able to save some of these stalled condo projects in Uptown?”
Jade shrugged her shoulders as she began to rinse the broccoli. “I hope so, because I am really tired of looking at these cranes. But James said he doesn’t want to get involved in providing housing for people who can afford it. He thinks he and Maurice should do something to give back to the people who are suffering.”
“But this is business, not charity.”
Jade cut the stalks of the broccoli. “That’s what they’ve been arguing about all day,” she said as she shook her head. “James wants to do more mixed-income housing and Maurice wants to keep things upscale and expensive.”
“I’m with Maurice on this one,” Serena said as she bounced Jaden on her knee.
“Umm, I wouldn’t do that,” Jade said.
“What? Agree with … Ugh!” she exclaimed as her godson vomited on her blouse.
“Sorry. He just ate,” Jade said as she handed her friend a paper towel.
Jaden looked up at his godmother and offered her a smile that made her forget she was going to have to make another trip to the cleaners.
His Sexy Bad Habit Page 6
