Feel the Heat

by Cheris Hodges

  Once the coffee was brewed, Mimi filled two mugs, then headed across the hall to Brent’s door.

  * * *

  Brent had just hung up with his secretary, telling her that he wouldn’t be in until noon. He needed the morning to wrap his mind around what Jamal had shared with him last night.

  Daveon was his brother. Donna had fallen for his father when she should have run away from him like nylons on a rosebush. He picked up his phone to call the prison doctor. It was time to take his mother’s advice and get closure with his father. As he was about to dial the number, there was a knock at his door. Placing the phone on the coffee table, he crossed the room and looked out of the peephole. He saw Mimi standing on the other side of the door with two mugs in her hands.

  Opening the door, he leaned against the doorjamb and gave her a cool once-over. No one should be that sexy in a T-shirt and cotton shorts. Then he made the mistake of looking down at her toes. The purple polish made him think of candy, which made him yearn to suck her toes.

  “Mmm, good morning,” she said. “I know you probably, and rightfully so, don’t want to talk to me right now. But I wanted to say I was sorry for my behavior last night and offer you some Dancing Goats coffee.”

  Brent had planned to give her the cold shoulder, brush her off and ignore her apology. But did she just say Dancing Goats coffee?

  “Dancing Goats coffee? Should I be afraid?” he asked with a laugh.

  “No, Dancing Goats is the most amazing coffee in Atlanta. The world, actually. I thought my apology might be accepted better if you took a sip.” She held a mug out to him.

  “It’s not made from goat nuggets, is it?” he asked as he took the mug.

  “No! It’s Ethiopian. Legend says, a farmer found the beans after his goats ate some and started dancing around the field. Hence, the name. It’s really good and I’m really sorry about last night.”

  Brent took a sip of the coffee and Mimi had been right. It was delicious. “Wow,” he said. “This is good. Almost good enough to make me forget last night.”

  Mimi rolled her eyes. “Perhaps you need another sip.”

  “Come in so that we can talk in private,” he said. Mimi smiled.

  “I was wondering if this was going to happen,” she muttered.

  “I thought about leaving you standing out there,” he replied, silently adding, But I wanted to get an up close and personal look at those legs. Brent led Mimi into the living room and invited her to sit on the sofa. He sat across from her in his leather recliner. Brent watched her as she fluidly crossed her legs and sipped her coffee. He was hard. And he felt as if this was the first time his erection had sapped his brainpower. Focusing on his mug, Brent cleared his throat. “So, Mimi, what are we doing?” he asked.

  She set her mug on the table in front of her. “Brent, I’ve been a jerk. Or an asshole depending on how you look at it. When I started my blog, I could count on one hand the people who supported me. So when anyone, you or my editor, try to tell me what I should be writing about, it pisses me off.”

  “Why the anger? Why let it consume you? All of those people who thought you couldn’t do it have been proven wrong.”

  “Have they? Brent,” Mimi said with a sigh, “I feel like I’m stuck in a rut.”

  “Really? You have a popular blog. Everyone in Atlanta loves what you do from what I can tell.”

  “I want more than that. Haven’t you ever thought about trying a case in front of the Supreme Court?”

  “It’s okay to be satisfied,” he said. “And I am.”

  Mimi sighed again. She sipped her coffee to hold back her disappointment. Of course he loved Atlanta. How could he not be satisfied here? Another reason why they couldn’t be together.

  “What?” he asked when he caught the pensive look in her eye.

  Mimi shrugged and set her coffee mug on the table. “Nothing. I’m just thinking about everything and nothing. Anyway, how’s the coffee?”

  “It’s everything you said it was,” he said with a wink.

  “You should visit the café and get one of their designer lattes. Pretty and delicious.”

  “Like you,” he said, then immediately regretted it.

  “You need to stop teasing me,” she said as she crossed her legs. Brent looked at her strong thighs and the thoughts that ran through his mind were nearly too erotic for words. He wanted to be in between those thighs, tasting the sweetness of her core. Wanted those thighs resting on his shoulders as his tongue teased and licked her until she screamed his name.

  “Brent?”

  He blinked and looked up at her face. “Yeah?”

  “Are you and Jamal all right? I know I was in my own world last night, but I could tell y’all were having an issue.”

  “It’s a long and twisted story. His mother and my father have a son together.”

  Blinking, Mimi couldn’t come up with a single thing to say. Brent nodded as she stumbled for words. “I know. My parents have been divorced for a long time and he’s been in prison for a while. I had no idea that Jamal’s mother had a relationship or an affair with him. Now I have to deal with that, get to know my little brother and make peace with my dad before he dies.”

  “Wow, and I’m upset about a blog,” she said. “I’m truly sorry for acting like a witch last night when you have all of this going on.” Mimi crossed over to him and in a move that caught him off guard, she planted herself on his lap and gave him a tight hug. Brent had to shift his hips or she would’ve felt the immediate effect she had on him. “You’re going through a lot and you’re still helping me. You’re a saint, Brent,” she said, then rose to her feet.

  Brent stood up and stroked Mimi’s shoulder. He wanted this woman as much as he needed his next breath. “I’m no saint, but thank you. As a matter of fact, I have an idea that might get this Fast Love situation taken care of sooner rather than later. Thanks for the coffee,” he said as he smiled at her.

  “My publisher offered to represent me in this case and if you need to step aside because of your family situation, I’m fine with that.”

  Looking her up and down, Brent knew he should take the out because he wanted to scoop her up in his arms and take her to bed. “I’m not walking away from this case, not when we’re about to win.”

  “You sure don’t lack confidence,” she said.

  “Why should I? No one can do what I do,” he said with a wink. Mimi shivered at the thought of the double entendre.

  “You are right about that. Your skills are very amazing.”

  “It’s what I do,” he said as they walked to the door.

  After Mimi left, Brent called Judith.

  “Brent,” she said when she answered the phone. “I was waiting for your call. I have a meeting with the CEO and marketing director of Fast Love in about two hours. I think they are willing to drop the claim against Mimi Collins.”

  “I guess her millions of followers on social media changed their minds, huh?” Brent said with a chuckle. “I look forward to hearing their decision.”

  “I’ll call you as soon as I know,” she said, then the call was disconnected.

  Brent wanted to rush over to Mimi and tell her the news, but there was no need to get her hopes up if things didn’t work in their direction. Besides, he couldn’t allow this to stop him from going to see his father, even if part of him wanted to do just that. Heading into the bathroom, he took a shower and prepared himself to meet with a man he said he’d never speak to again.

  * * *

  Mimi stood at the kitchen counter and poured another cup of coffee. She wanted to sip on Brent again, not her favorite brew. But if he started talking about rules and lines again, she was going to lose her mind.

  “Get it together, Mimi,” she muttered as she took a sip of the steaming brew. There were fifty
things she could be doing right now rather than obsessing over Brent Daniels. She needed to post a blog. Crossing over to her workspace, Mimi sat down at the computer and her mind went totally blank. Then she decided to do some maintenance on the blog. She couldn’t help herself from looking at the page views of her blog about New Orleans. Ten thousand. Less than any other post she’d written in the last twenty days.

  That wasn’t good. Especially when the Fast Love post was still racking up views. Hell, it was the most read piece on her blog ever.

  “Fast Love, I hope you go out of business,” she muttered as she clicked her browser closed. Forget writing, she was going to take a run and pretend she didn’t feel melancholy about people only wanting to read her posts about relationship drama. And it wasn’t as if she was in a relationship! Or wanted to be in one—well, could have the one she wanted. Brent was back in the forefront of her mind.

  This wasn’t supposed to happen. He’d already told her that he was satisfied with his life in Atlanta. That wasn’t going to work for her.

  Deciding that she wasn’t going to get anything done, she called MJ. Voice mail. That was strange—that girl kept her cell phone in her hand as if it was glued there.

  Run. Mimi was going to take a run and hopefully clear her mind. After dressing in her workout gear, she headed out and noticed Brent leaving as well. His attire, jeans and a T-shirt surprised her. Obviously he wasn’t going to the office.

  “Yes,” she heard him say into the phone as he walked. “I’m on my way. It shouldn’t take long.”

  Was he taking the day off to spend it with some woman after he had been with her? Why was she jealous and why did she care? Mimi took off running in the opposite direction hoping that he didn’t see her. Maybe the reason why he’d rebuffed her had little to do with her being his client and more to do with the woman in his life.

  As she ran, she got angrier. So, he was one of those typical Atlanta men, flirting and kissing other women but had a boo out in Sandy Springs. Jackass. Looking up, Mimi realized that she’d run about two miles. Stopping, she bent over and held her knees. Why was she doing this to herself?

  Mimi walked back to her home, still cursing Brent out in her head. This wasn’t how her day was supposed to go. Retail therapy. Some new shoes or a nice lacy bra would be just what she needed.

  When she got inside, she grabbed her cell phone and dialed MJ’s number again.

  Voice mail.

  “MJ, what’s going on with you? Call me!” Mimi said, then hung up the phone. Heading upstairs to hop in the shower, Mimi figured she needed to be alone.

  Chapter 15

  Brent drummed his fingers on the metal table as he waited for his father. Sitting in a waiting room in a prison wasn’t new for hm. He sat in rooms like this to meet with clients on a regular basis. But today was different. He didn’t want to be here. He had to be here.

  As he heard the door open, he watched the guard lead his father inside and was shocked by what he saw. Brent Sr. was gaunt. A shell of his former self. His face was sunken and his once-massive arms looked like sticks.

  “Hello, son,” Brent Sr. said, his voice hoarse and raspy as he sat down.

  “Dad.” Brent made no effort to embrace the man at all. Instead, he leaned away from him in his seat, folding his arms across his chest.

  “It’s really good to see you,” Brent Sr. said, then coughed.

  “So, you’re dying?”

  He nodded. “And you’re still angry with me.”

  “Why wouldn’t I be? You made my life and my mother’s life a living hell. I’m supposed to feel sorry for you now? We lost everything. We lost our house. People wouldn’t even talk to us because of you.”

  “No. You shouldn’t. But I want to make things right before I die. I did horrible things. I’m surprised you actually came back to Atlanta after you finished law school.”

  “It sure wasn’t easy, being your son and all.”

  “I let greed and power get to me. This cancer is my penance, not the jail sentence. I wasn’t a good father and I’m sorry. I wanted you to be strong and nothing like me.”

  “It worked. The only thing we share is a name.”

  Brent Sr. dropped his head. “Can you let me apologize?”

  “Go ahead,” he replied.

  “I found peace in here. I’ve been humbled and I’ve changed. I thought I’d have a chance to get things right and treat my sons better.”

  Brent’s jaw went rigid. “And,” Brent Sr. continued, “I fell in love again.”

  “Yeah, with my best friend’s mother. How in the hell did that happen?”

  “I didn’t know who she was at first. Donna was just a beautiful lady who brought me the good word. She touched my heart and one thing led to another. I have a confession. We were married two weeks ago. I wanted to make sure she and Daveon will be taken care of when I pass on. And there’s something I need you to help me with.”

  Brent smirked. “I should’ve known this was more than you trying to make things right between us. Of course you need something.”

  Brent Sr. started coughing again. His bony shoulders shook violently. Brent wanted to reach out to him, but a mixture of fear and anger kept him rooted in his seat.

  When the older man caught his breath, he focused his glassy stare on his son. “Can you draw up my will? I need my family to be taken care of when I die. Daveon is innocent. I didn’t ruin him. Please.”

  Though the little boy inside him felt a sharp flash of jealousy, Brent remembered what his mother said about closure. And his father was right. Daveon was innocent and he deserved to be taken care of because he didn’t ask to come into this crazy world.

  “All right,” Brent said. “I’ll get it done by the end of the day.”

  Brent Sr. pulled a handwritten will from the back pocket of his uniform and handed it to his son. “These are the stipulations,” he said. “Thank you, son.”

  Brent stood up and nodded at his father. “You have changed, for the better. I wish I had more time to get to know this man.”

  Brent Sr. rose to his feet and reached out for Brent’s hand. After a beat, Brent took his father’s hand and then the men hugged.

  “I’m so sorry,” Brent Sr. mumbled as his tears spilled onto Brent’s shoulder. “Even if you don’t forgive me, please don’t let your little brother not know you.”

  Stepping back from his father, Brent nodded. “Okay. I’ll get to know him and take care of the will.”

  The guard opened the door. “Time’s up,” he growled. Watching his father being led away, Brent finally felt something other than anger. For the first time, he was sad that he might never see his father again.

  * * *

  Mimi stood in the middle of her favorite lingerie store with a handful of black and red lace panties and bras. Part of her wanted to put everything back. Who was going to see these things?

  Maybe I should write a blog about why women should stockpile lingerie for themselves, Mimi thought as she picked up a leopard-print teddy. With the right shoes, she would knock Brent dead in this outfit. Why was she even entertaining dressing sexy for that cheater?

  “Miss Collins?” Porsha, her sales associate, said. “Are you ready to check out?”

  “Yes,” Mimi replied with a smile. Porsha had been her go-to girl since Sexy Secrets opened in midtown. It helped that Porsha was a reader of her blog.

  “Hot date or are you packing for New Orleans? You blog made me want to head to the French Quarter immediately.”

  “You read that and liked it?” Mimi didn’t even try to keep the surprise out of her voice.

  “Yes, you know I love your writing. I could totally see you in New Orleans. You’d turn that city upside down and probably find some sexy Creole man while you’re there. I can’t wait to read about it.
And when is the new book coming out?”

  Mimi groaned inwardly. “Soon. I have to get some legal stuff cleared up first.”

  “I can’t believe Fast Love is suing you. But your attorney is so fine! How can you stand it? I’d love to see his legal briefs.”

  “I’m sure someone is looking at them right now,” Mimi mumbled. Thankfully, Porsha didn’t hear her as they walked toward the register. After paying for her items, Mimi decided that she deserved something chocolate and delicious. Since she couldn’t have Brent, she’d settle for a sinfully rich slice of chocolate cheesecake from Sweet Hut.

  As she climbed into her car, Mimi made a decision. She was going to move to New Orleans at the end of the month. She was going to write her travel book, even if she had to publish it herself. She’d give the publisher the relationship book they wanted and she was going to post her blog about kissing Brent. After all, who would know that it was about him, anyway?

  Feeling at ease, Mimi was happy to make her stop at the bakery. She wasn’t even going to call MJ back, because she needed to wallow in her disappointment alone.

  * * *

  Brent headed to Jamal’s house with the will he’d drawn up. He was actually happy to share the news about his father with his friend. For a change, this probably wouldn’t lead to an argument. When he pulled into the driveway, he noticed a strange car parked behind Jamal’s.

  That was different, because he didn’t usually bring women home, not since the Mina Clarke incident. Brent chuckled as he thought about the woman who’d toilet-papered Jamal’s front yard and left dead fish in his mailbox after he stopped returning her calls.

  He’d sworn off sharing his address with a woman unless he was serious about her. And since Jamal had no plans to get serious with anyone, this car must have belonged to his mother. Brent parked at the curb and headed for the front steps. When the door opened and MJ walked out, Brent was shocked. Then they kissed and Brent nearly fell on his face.