Safe Space (Book 1)

by Tiffany Patterson

“And this is the first time I’ve seen you bring a woman home. Not that I’m in your business or anything.” She held up her hands defensively.

  My mother was right. This was the first time I’d brought a woman to my home. I kept a condo closer to downtown where I entertained most of my female companions. It didn’t feel right taking Chanel there, although it had been closer to the gala last Friday night. But I didn’t feel the need to reveal all of that to my mother.

  “You like her?” Her question was hesitant, and that wasn’t like my mother at all.

  “Maybe,” I equivocated, turning from my suitcase to face her. I notice something contemplative in her eyes. “You okay?”

  “Who, me? Boy, I’m fine. I was just wondering if you’ve thought about what a relationship with Chanel would mean for your friendship with Jason. That is his younger sister and, well, you’re not exactly the commitment type.”

  “Damn, Ma. I could commit if I wanted to. I just haven’t been inspired as of late. And I’ve already spoken with Jason. He was a little taken aback by it, but he’s cool.”

  “Mm-hmm.”

  I raised an eyebrow but returned to my packing as I didn’t even want to get into that conversation with my mother. Chanel and I had been on one date, although she claimed it wasn’t, and I was still working on trying to get her to agree to a second.

  “My car will be here in about ten minutes to take me to the airport.”

  “All right, baby. Have a safe trip.” She kissed me on the cheek.

  Later, as my bags were loaded into the town car, I replayed the conversation I’d had with my mother. There was something off in her tone and gaze when she discussed Chanel and me. I thought back on their past interactions, which were pretty rare, considering how much Chanel had stayed away over the years, but as far as I knew, they’d never had any clashes and my mom loved Jason like he was her second son—scratch that, third son—after her beloved Pumpkin. As we pulled off for the airport, I pulled out my tablet to focus on the work I needed to get done on the trip.

  Chapter Eight

  Chanel

  “Knock, knock.”

  I glanced up at the familiar male voice coming from the doorway of my office entrance. Immediately, I frowned at the unwanted intrusion. It was Robert, an attorney at my father’s law firm.

  “Robert, what are you doing here?”

  “Hello to you too.” His voice was full of condescension as he entered and sat in the chair across from me.

  My frown deepened.

  “I don’t remember inviting you in.” I folded my arms across my chest, sitting back in my chair. I’d met Robert a couple of times since moving back to Houston, and we’d never hit it off. I’d always felt an odd sense of jealousy coming from him.

  “Your assistant wasn’t at her desk,” he said by way of explanation.

  I cut my eyes to the computer screen on my desk, noting the time. “She’s at lunch. But that still doesn’t mean you can just walk into someone’s office.” I made a mental note to remind Liza to get someone to cover her lunch shift while she was away from her desk.

  “Well, seeing as we have business to discuss, I thought you’d be up for an impromptu meeting. I was already in the office for another matter.” He gave me a grin that, on the surface, looked as if it was supposed to be smooth, but it just grated on my nerves.

  Robert wasn’t unattractive by any means. With skin the color of almonds, eyes to match, a muscular frame, and strong jawline, he could pass for cute. The expensive tailored suits spoke to his attention to appearance. But regardless of what I saw on the surface, it always felt like he was hiding something. He felt sneaky, and given our chosen professions, I could understand why. I’d met a ton of lawyers who gave off that same vibe. I didn’t like him much.

  “What business do you and I have?”

  “Michele and Jacob Wyatt.”

  I sat up. “You’re Jacob’s attorney, I presume?”

  “You presume correctly,” he stated with all the confidence in the world, as he adjusted the lapel of his suit jacket. “And I have a response from my client.”

  “Go ahead,” I urged when he paused.

  “No divorce.”

  I rolled my eyes toward the ceiling. Of course, his client was going to make this as difficult as possible, and Robert had come in here to gloat.

  “You both want to play this the hard way?”

  “No hard way. My client doesn’t want a divorce. He loves his wife and children dearly, and wants to work it out.”

  “No, your client wants to control his wife and children in order to continue masquerading for the public as a loving family man while he sticks his dick into anything in a skirt,” I stated bluntly. I had to tell myself to inhale and exhale as Robert sat across from me with that smug look plastered on his face. I’d known this was coming, and I’d even prepared for it, having gotten started on the necessary paperwork with the courts.

  “Now Chanel, is that the type of language a professional should be using in their workplace?” he asked, straightening his tie.

  “Probably not, but here’s some language that is appropriate for my workplace. You can go back and tell your client that Michele is adamant about getting a divorce, and has been generous enough to only ask for the main house, alimony over the next ten years, and child support until they’re eighteen. These are extremely reasonable terms, considering your client's long-term career as a professional quarterback and numerous endorsement deals. You can either sign the papers and agree or we can go to court.”

  Robert finally stood, still smirking. “I’ll tell my client—”

  “The paperwork should already be sitting on your desk, as I filed with the court this week,” I informed him, cutting him off.

  “Like I said, I’ll take it to my client, but I highly doubt he’ll be agreeable to those terms. Mr. Wyatt is a family man, and the last thing he wants is to have his family torn apart. I will be in touch.”

  I watched his back as he strode out of my office, full of arrogance. Neither Robert Lang nor his client had a clue who they were fucking with. But they’d find out soon enough.

  I picked up the phone to give Michele an update on what had happened. After telling her what Robert had said, I questioned whether she truly wanted to move along with the divorce. Knowing it could be dragged out for months and possibly years, I felt it my duty to inform her of the possible scenarios. When she agreed that she wanted out of her marriage and didn’t care how long it took, I again assured her that I was with her every step of the way, and told her the next steps in this journey known as divorce.

  My cell buzzed as soon as I hung up with Michele.

  You still ignoring my calls?

  A small grin hit my lips when I saw who it was from. It’d been nearly two weeks since Xavier had left town. He’d called a few times, but I always let it go to voicemail. Not because I didn’t want to talk to him, but because I did want to talk to him. Too much.

  My life already felt too jam-packed. Work was crazy, and I still felt like I was just getting settled back in Houston. Way too much going on to fall for and eventually get my feelings hurt by a man. And not just any man, but Xavier ‘Goddamn’ Grant.

  Despite my instinct to not answer, I didn’t want to be rude.

  I haven’t been ignoring you. Work has just been hectic.

  Yeah, ok. So look, I get back home late this evening. How about you finally give me that second date tomorrow night?

  You mean the first date?

  I said what I said.

  I laughed out loud.

  I can’t tomorrow night. I go to a dance class with my BFF on Friday nights, usually.

  Oh yeah? What kind of dance class?

  Caribbean dance: Soca, reggae, some hip hop.

  That’s what’s up. You any good?

  Maybe.

  I wanted to tease him a little bit. I found myself more absorbed in this short conversation between Xavier and me than I had been in my work a few momen
ts ago. I didn’t like that, and was prepared to tell Xavier I needed to get back to work when his next text came through.

  You’ll have to show me one day. Soon.

  I felt moisture building in my core as I thought about doing some of the sexy dance moves for him that we did in class. It’d be especially fun if I were wearing my little pum-pum shorts, as Gabby calls the shorts we wear in class.

  A noise outside my office drew my attention. It was only a few of my coworkers walking past, talking, but it was enough to remind me I was still at work and fantasizing about a man I didn’t want to have these types of thoughts about. At least, I didn’t think I wanted to have them.

  Xavier, I have to go.

  Saturday then?

  The man was persistent.

  Maybe.

  That was the last message I sent before I turned my phone on silent and turned it over, so the screen was facedown. I didn’t want to know if he sent any responses after that.

  ****

  Xavier

  “Yo, X. That’s the second piece of ass you turned down tonight. What’s up?” Jamal asked from across the table as we sat in the VIP section of Club Onyx. This spot had been open for about five years. I was a silent partner in the business, so much of my dealings with the club remained behind the scenes. But whenever I showed up, I got the VIP treatment. Along with anyone who was with me, of course.

  I looked over at Jamal, who was looking at me as if I were crazy. My eyes shifted to Jason, who’d just happened to take his eyes off his lady for the two seconds when Jamal had asked that question. Jason and Jamal were cousins. Mal, Jamal’s nickname, was about four years younger than Jason and me, but he was cool peoples and a hustler like us. He’d recently left his job as a CPA for a major accounting firm to start his own business. So far, he was doing well.

  “I wasn’t feelin’ it,” I answered Jamal as I looked over his shoulder at the woman who was still vying for my attention. She was cute in a pair of tight-ass black leather shorts that showed off her long, lean legs, and a shimmery crop top. Baby girl had it going on, but like I’d told Jamal, I wasn’t feeling her that night. Hell, I wasn’t feeling anyone, except one stubborn ass woman who was making shit difficult.

  I’d gotten home late the previous night, and since I knew Chanel wouldn’t be available, I considered giving Mariah a call, but nixed that idea. Chanel never responded to my text about Saturday night, which pissed me off. I began to wonder what the fuck I was doing stressing this much over a woman I hadn’t even fucked yet.

  “You all right, bro? You seem to be in deep thought,” Jason pointed out.

  I stared at him, wondering if he was teasing or not. When I saw the questioning look in his eye, I knew the question was legit. “Yeah, I’m straight.”

  “Ohh, what’s that look?” Tori questioned, sitting up from under Jason’s arm.

  “I don’t have a look.” I frowned at Jason, who was smirking.

  “Yes the hell you do. Looks like women problems,” Tori ranted.

  I grunted, picking up my drink and taking a sip. “Never that.”

  “Yeah, that little disgruntled look says women troubles. And the fact that you turned down that little hot ass back there says a lot,” she continued, glancing over her shoulder at the woman who’d been trying to get my attention since we’d first taken our seats up there. She was now talking to another dude. I guessed she figured I wasn’t taking the bait.

  “Spill it. Who is she? What’s she look like?” Tori inquired.

  I shook my head, looking down into my half-empty glass. “I don’t have any idea what you’re talking about.”

  She sucked her teeth. “Jason , do you know?”

  Jason gave her an incredulous look. “Girl, you know I ain’t telling my man’s business even if I did know something, which I don’t.”

  Damn right, he didn’t. I hadn’t mentioned anything about Chanel since that time in the gym. I damn sure hadn’t told him about bringing her to my home after the gala a few weeks ago. But it was a savory memory I had tucked away in the recesses of my mind, only coming out to play at night when I wanted nothing more than to feel what it was like to fully sink myself in between those luscious ass thighs of hers.

  I looked up to see Jason frowning at me. Hard. I smirked, realizing he somehow must’ve known my thoughts had strayed to his sister. I wouldn’t rub my attraction to his sister in his face, but shit, I couldn’t help what thinking about her did to me.

  “Hmm,” I heard Tori say as I refocused on my drink. “Isn’t that Chanel? Who’s that with her?”

  My head immediately popped up at the mention of Chanel’s name. I followed Tori’s gaze, scanning the crowd, until I spotted that bob hairdo. I could only see her from the back, but the way the ass was sitting like a watermelon in the dark black romper and the thickness of those thighs—thighs I’d committed to memory—I knew it was her.

  “Yeah, that looks like her, but who the hell is that with her?” Jamal’s voice was full of incredulity.

  I didn’t bother looking at him as I couldn’t take my eyes away from the contours of her body. When she turned around, I was able to take in the rest of the outfit. The romper stopped slightly less than mid-thigh and was flowy with short sleeves and deep cleavage. She’d paired it with the same color choker. I swallowed at how good she looked.

  “That’s her best friend, Gabby,” Jay answered Jamal’s question.

  Jamal grunted for some reason. I finally shifted my focus to look at the woman Chanel was with. She was taller than Chanel and had a leaner physique, with skin the color of brown sugar. She’d dressed in a pair of tight jean shorts and peach colored bodysuit. What made her stand out was the lavender hair that reached down to her cleavage. She was beautiful, but my eyes shifted right back to the woman beside her.

  “I didn’t know Chanel would be here tonight. Let’s invite them up,” Tori began, probably excited at the idea of not being the only woman in VIP.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Tori motion for security. She whispered in his ear, pointing to Chanel and her friend. A few seconds later, I saw the security guard hustling down the steps and making his way through the crowd. It took him some time to get through the packed crowd. When he finally made it to Chanel, he whispered something in her ear and then pointed toward where we were seated. She glanced up and noticed a waving Tori. Her face relaxed into a warm smile, until her eyes collided with mine. The smile dropped a little. I didn’t give away any reaction as I took another sip from my drink. Seconds later, she and her friend were making their way toward the VIP section, their walk made smoother by the assistance of the security escort.

  “Hey, Chanel, Gabby. I didn’t know you two would be here!” Tori stood to greet her, giving her a kiss on the cheek. Tori moved to Gabby next, hugging and giving her a kiss.

  I took the opportunity to discreetly examine Chanel’s thick, toned legs. Those damn dance classes must’ve been working.

  “Hey, cousin, you looking good.” Jamal stood to greet Chanel.

  “Hey, Mal. This is my friend, Gabby.”

  I noticed Jamal give Gabby a weird look. I wondered what that was about, but not for too long. It only took me a little while to recognize that Chanel was avoiding eye contact with me.

  “Hello, Chanel. How unexpected to see you here tonight,” I said as we stood.

  “Um, hey, Xavier.”

  “Xavier.”

  I looked over Chanel’s shoulder to see her friend grinning at me, assessing me from head to toe. I could tell my name had been brought up at least once between these two. I grinned at that knowledge.

  “I’m Chanel’s BFF, Gabby,” she introduced, sticking out her hand. She was grinning, but I didn’t get a seductive vibe from her. More like a protective one.

  “Come sit with us, ladies. You drinking anything?” Tori asked.

  “An amaretto sour for me,” Chanel answered, skirting away from me, toward Tori.

  “Sex on the Beach for me. Excus
e me,” Gabby added while trying to get past Jamal.

  The weird look remained on his face, while Gabby frowned.

  The women chatted and, soon enough, a waiter had brought over the drinks. I sat back, merely observing for a while, listening to the Caribbean songs that were blasting through the speakers. That night just so happened to be Caribbean night at the club. Soon, Tori and Gabby were up dancing to the rhythm.

  “I’m gonna go down and find a honey dip to dance up on,” Jamal commented, standing and giving Jay and me some dap before leaving.

  I noticed Chanel stand up and join Tori and Gaby dancing.

  “Babe, we’re going down to dance on the floor,” Tori told Jason.

  “Not without me, you ain’t,” he grunted. “That ass only shakes for me,” he told her, pulling his wife to him.

  “Then let me shake this ass for you on the dance floor,” Tori purred, pulling Jason behind her.

  “Shit, I’m not staying here while y’all shake your asses. I came to dance too,” Gabby began, behind Tori and Jason.

  Chanel made a move to follow her friend, but I stepped in between them.

  “Hey,” she said.

  “Hey?” I scoffed. “I thought you had other plans tonight.” Chanel didn’t owe me an explanation. I wasn’t her man or anything, but damn. I didn’t even know why I was pressing her so hard. Normally, if a woman I’d asked out told me she was busy and I ended up seeing her out somewhere else, I would’ve cut my losses. For some reason, it hadn’t occurred to me to do that here.

  “Class was canceled. The instructor got sick, so Gabby suggested coming here. I agreed.”

  Her explanation sounded plausible enough, but the fact she hadn’t thought of me when her class was canceled pissed me off. I peered down at her, looking into her eyes for the truth. Stepping closer, so that her back was against the railing, I wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her into me.

  “When you gonna quit playing games?” I asked, low in her ear. I was satisfied when I noticed goosebumps rise on her skin. The skin I wanted to lick right there and then.

  “I’m not playing any games. That’s the truth.”

  “You have my number. You could’ve called me when your plans changed.”