“Add this one to your wish list too.” He wanted to see her smile again. “Torres del Paine National Park.”
The spark returned. “Where is that?”
Marques leaned forward enjoying the light in her eyes. “It’s in Chile. There’s more sheep than people but the valleys are the most vibrant green and the sky the bluest blue you’ll ever see. There is a small window when the weather is appropriate but it is worth it.” He winked and something told him she mentally noted every word.
He wondered what she was thinking as she dropped her head, brushing her hair behind her ears. Her phone buzzed against the table and Brione glanced down at the screen.
“That’s my friend.” She held up her phone and finished her coffee. “We have to reschedule.”
She stood from the table and leaned over to toss the empty cup in the trash.
“Would you like another?”
“No, I have studying to do.”
“Studying?” He hoped to prolong her departure.
“I’m a law student.” The glimmer in her eyes dulled.
“If I remember correctly there are three of them here.”
“You are absolutely correct.” She placed her purse on her shoulder and picked up a black portfolio. He missed that earlier.
“Would you like to grab lunch or something?”
“I really need to go.” She shook her head and glanced at her phone. “Thank you for the coffee and the conversation.” An easy smiled played at the corners of her mouth.
“No, thank you for this wonderful concoction.” He held up the cup shaking it.
“You’re welcome. Have a nice day.” She turned to leave and he reached for her arm.
“Take my number. I’m in town for a couple weeks. I really would like to see you again.”
“I don’t have time. I—”
“Take it…just in case. Pass me your phone and I’ll enter it.”
She searched his eyes for so long he thought she’d say no again.
“Okay.” She hesitantly passed her unlocked phone, holding the top with the tip of her fingers, as if trying to avoid his touch.
He entered his personal cellphone number and placed the phone in her open palm. “I’ll talk with you soon.”
Chapter 3
Brione sat to study for finals, she had two weeks left before summer break. But his voice, his smile barraged her. “Study Bri!”
Thoughts of coffee with Andrew had her head in the clouds. The way his head fell back when he laughed. The twinkle in his eyes when he teased her. It was a chasm in time that passed too fast, she wanted more.
Closing her eyes she estimated his height was close to six feet, the outlines of his shoulders strained against the fabric of his shirt. He stood before her with his hands shoved in his pockets and a killer smile wide with perfect white teeth. His classically handsome features made him beautiful for a man.
People passed their table slowing to gawk at him, not once did he look away or acknowledge their presence. She wondered what his hair looked like beneath the cap but figured it really didn’t matter. The man could be bald and she was sure she’d find him absolutely breathtaking—star quality.
Brione shook her head trying to rattle the images of him from her memories. But it proved impossible.
She tried reading the case at least ten times with no luck. But his soft encouragement, add this one to your wish list, rendered it impossible. Adding him to her list sound better. Forget it.
She opened her laptop and clicked on an internet browser. She typed in, Torres del Paine National Park and pressed enter. The results populated, her inner child didn’t know where to start. She squealed stomping her feet beneath the table to release the energy. Pictures, she’d start there.
Brione clicked on “Images." The pictures before her eyes made her lean into the monitor. There were mountains, valleys, glaciers, snow, a winter heaven. What had he done during his visit? Did he hike? Was he alone? Was it as cold as it appeared?
She grabbed her phone and went back to his contact. And she noticed the note, Call me and let's have dinner sometime. She had stared at it for most of her non-effective study time.
She could send a text.
Her fingers hovered over the screen. No. She shook her head, and then what? He’d text her back and want to talk on the phone. She put the phone back on the table. Music. That would help.
She stood and turned on the wireless speaker, stopping by the kitchen for some water. Back at the coffee table, she sat in front of her textbook. She untwisted the top off the plastic bottle and took a cool drink. She scanned her phone for some music, pressed play and turned back to the case.
Brione read through several immigration cases for class. Her doorbell rang and she glanced at the clock. She wasn’t expecting anyone, she never had guests except... She stood up and walked to the door and glanced through the peephole. Her heart dropped to her feet. What is he doing here?
Stewart leaned into the doorbell. Ding dong. Ding dong. Ding dong.
“I know you’re there. Open up and stop staring at me through the peephole.”
Brione jerked back, placing her back against the door. She cracked her knuckles and exhaled a shaky breath. Her palms sweaty, she looked down at her t-shirt and leggings. Her clothes didn’t matter. But she felt more in control in a suit. Less like the young woman that fell for his smile and honey-laced words only to get stung by a wasp.
“You can do this Bri,” she whispered running her wet hands down her pants. She clutched one hand in the other to still her shaking limbs. “This is your space. You are in control.”
Ding dong. Ding dong. Ding dong.
“I’m not leaving.” He stated.
She placed a hand on the handle and unlocked the bolt. She peeked through the opening created by the chain. “What do you want?”
“I promise this is not the way you want to handle this situation.” He leveled his deadly stare.
“I’m studying.”
“I guess Kayla will call you next week then. Give you time to study.” He stepped back never breaking eye contact with her. She unlatched the chain, stepping back as he strolled in like he owned the place.
Brione closed the door. Stewart was like the boogeyman. People refute its existence until it pops up under your bed.
He sat on the couch and leaned back. “Are you always this rude to your guests?” He stretched his arms across the cushions, obviously comfortable. “Can I get some water, sweet tea, a sandwich? Damn.” He laughed at his own joke.
“You didn’t drive to Houston for water or a sandwich. So stop with the dramatics. What do you want?”
“What I’ve always wanted, you.”
Stewart Bradley knew how to pop up on her doorstep when she felt confident, when she finally decided to not let him push her around, then he emerged from the shadows to call her bluff.
“Have a seat? I won’t bite.”
The invisible shackles clanked around her ankles as she sat in the chair closest to the door. “What do you want Stewart?”
“How are you?” His eyes scanned her body. She wrapped her arms protectively around her waist.
“I’m fine.”
“When did you cut your hair and what’s up with your clothes?”
“Stewart I’m studying.” His mother was always dressed to perfection including a string of white pearls. He wanted a clone of Mrs. Bradley, the thought of her old sweats and short hair irking him brought a smile to her face. “And I like my bob.”
“Is this how you’re carrying yourself nowadays?”
“Is that why you visited? If so, we can end this conversation here and now.” She swallowed hard.
“Don’t let law school go to your head. This is still my show.”
“Why don’t you move on and let us move on too?
“There is no us without me,” he growled. “You got into law school because of me. You can’t care for Kayla without a job. What about her education? Her tutors? Her nann
y? And don’t forget about your pops.” His glare intimidating. “I will deliver his career in a wastebasket. Is that what you want? Do you want to ruin everyone’s lives because of your selfishness?”
The boogeyman live and in living color. Panic was rioting inside her gnawing away at her confidence. Gnawing away at her plans and dousing her hope.
She once trusted this man and thought he loved her. That was the face of love. It was laughable. Her tongue felt thick and her nerves made it hard to form a coherent thought. She was tired of him pushing her around.
Don’t let him push you around. Brione couldn’t trust that voice, hadn’t she invited him into her life in the first place. She dropped her head, stirring uneasily in the chair, hoping to hide the shame from his probing eyes. It was the cost of trusting an untrustworthy person. A person who valued self-ambition and greed over people. How had I missed it?
“Are you done playing with me?” His nostrils flared with fury.
She nodded, fear splintered her heart.
“Good.” The storm clouds left his eyes. “Mom wants us to set a date.”
She squeezed her eyes shut gripping the arms of the chair. “Stewart you don’t want to marry me. We have nothing in common—”
“Nothing in common? We have everything in common. Let me shoot it to you straight. I want a date or so help me, Brione Allen, I’ll bury you and your father’s dreams of sitting in the Oval Office. And I’ll ensure you never ever see our daughter again.” He ground the words out through clenched teeth. “Understand?”
“Yes.”
Continue Reading…
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Read More by Ja’Nese
Blazin’ Love (Contemporary Romance)
Platinum Love (Book 1)
Privileged Love (Book 2)
Exclusive Love (Book 3)
Chosen Love (Book 4)
Special Love (Book 5)
Absolute Love (Book 6)
Pretend for Me (A Short Story)
Devoted Love (Book 7)
Select Love (Book 8)
Lavish Love (Book 9)
Total Love (Book 10)
Conspiracy Ink Series (Romantic Suspense)
Veiled Conspiracy (re-release Summer 2019)
Forbidden Chords Series (Contemporary Romance)
Rockstar Secrets (Book 1)
Rockstar Sinners (Book 2)
Rockstar Savages (Book 3)
Waiting for You (A Short Story)
This Song’s for You (A Short Story)
Precious Stones Series (Romantic Suspense)
Before Black Diamond (Prequel)
Black Diamond (Book 1)
African Emerald (Book 2)
Fire Opal (Book 3)
Ready for Love Series (Sweet Romance)
Caramel Surprise (Book 1)
Love’s Hope (Book 2)
Hidden Desire (Book 3)
Ready for Love Boxed Set (Books 1 - 3)
Smith Pact Duo (Contemporary Romance)
Yuki’s Luck (Book 1)
Tempting Asher (Book 2)
Smith Surprise (Book 3)
When It Comes to Love Boxed Set (Books 1 - 3)
See all of my books on my website:
http://www.janesedixon.com/books.
About the Author
Ja’Nese Dixon pens tales of romance in several sub-genres. But her favorites are the ones that manage to keep readers sitting on the edge of their seats lying to themselves about reading “just one more chapter”.
Ja’Nese is an avid reader and coffee drinker, who also loves to run, cook, and craft. Her ultimate goal as a writer is to give you a little “staycation” with every story. And she aims to make this present story no exception. Sit back, grab a snack and enjoy.
Ja’Nese calls Houston home with her husband, three kiddos and a four-legged diva dog.
Visit her website at www.janesedixon.com if you enjoy romance, suspense and good stories.
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Lavish Love: A Second Chance Romance (Blazin' Love Book 9) Page 11
