Chapter 3 Chance
Two Days Later . . .
You’re a catch. A man that any woman would be happy to be seen and connected to. One who knows how to pretend he’s the forever type for the sake of a moment.
“Who the hell am I kidding? That self-centered pep talk is why my black ass is in the situation now.” I shake my head, my eyes on my computer screen, although none of the information registers thanks to my wayward thoughts.
I haven’t been able to go to Sips of D’Essence like I usually do because several of my parolees have gotten into trouble.
I’ve had to make bland, boring coffee at home just to get to the office quicker.
The shit has been irritating because along with the withdrawals from my caffeinated beverage, I have been missing the hell out of not seeing Sadia’s beautiful face.
My attraction to Sadia has hit me like a ton of bricks.
I don’t know if it’s the quiet storms within her eyes that seem to call for the warrior within me, or if it’s the way her cheeks become rosy when she giggles.
Or maybe it’s the way she stares at me as if I can hang stars.
Whatever it is, I have tortured myself enough, and I need to go lay my eyes on Sadia.
With that thought in mind, I go through the motions of closing out my programs so I can head out.
Thankfully, I don’t have any meetings or anything pressing on my calendar, so my early departure shouldn’t cause any resistance from my assistant, Ms. Janie.
She runs my calendar like a drill sergeant, and while I’m grateful for her attention to detail, it often has me scared to throw a monkey wrench in the well-oiled days she plans for me and my calendar.
“Alright, I’m heading out for the day, so you can either finish up whatever you have going or spend the rest of the day not micromanaging me. Either way, I’ll see you in the morning,” I tell Ms. Janie when I exit my office.
“Early? It’s only ten after twelve,” Ms. Janie says. Her eyes rake over me as her lips curl.
“I know. But I have something to take care of, and I can’t do that sitting on my hands all day.”
“Hm. Bye, Chance.” Ms. Janie rolls her eyes, and a low chuckle escapes my mouth as I continue toward the stairwell.
My office is on the second floor, so I take the stairs when I come and go.
I can get in some steps and not rely on the elevator for such a short journey.
I’m a coffee-holic, so I have been making a knock drink at home just to keep me from flipping out on the people I deal with.
My addiction won’t allow me to go cold turkey, but there is nothing that compares to what Sadia’s gifted hands make me.
Nevertheless, I only drink coffee in the mornings, so my point in going now is simply to secure a date with Sadia.
“How the hell am I going to convince this woman to take a chance on me?” My hand hovers next to the button to start my vehicle as my mind reels.
A heavy sigh falls from my lips, and I push the button and head toward Sips of D’Essence anyway.
Hopefully, the words will come to me once I reach my destination, or I’ll have to rely on my charm to direct the conversation.
The radio music fades into the background as I make the twenty-minute drive to Downtown Kaigood, where the coffee shop is located.
What’s crazy is that I pass several places where I could get coffee, but I drive out of my way every morning just to lay eyes on the beauty whose magnetism forces me not to switch up.
When I pull into the coffee shop parking lot, my heart rate increases, and a cheesy grin forms. My stomach clenches as a knot pulls inward, and shallow breaths escape my mouth.
When I’m in a spot, my left hand grips the lever with a slight tremble before I release it to take a cleansing breath.
The moment allows me to stall for a couple of seconds, to gather myself, because the last thing I need is to trip over my words in front of Sadia.
Once my composure is back to normal and I don’t feel like I’ll take a nosedive on the cement, I open the door.
Either no one is in the vicinity or my ears are particularly sensitive, because my footsteps are loud as hell as I walk toward the front entrance of the coffee shop.
But a muffled scream halts my movements, and my eyes scan the area for the culprit.
My gaze lands on a silver Honda Civic that appears to be roughly six years old.
Before I can mentally caution my action, my feet head toward the car.
To avoid startling the occupant, I approach the vehicle from the passenger side.
My heart freezes when I look inside to see Sadia with her head in her hands and her shoulders moving up and down.
What the fuck is wrong with my baby?
I lightly tap the glass, and time spins on its axis as Sadia’s wet eyes meet mine. I motion toward the door while mentally praying that she unlocks it so I can get in. Seconds pass as we stare at each other without a word.
Come on, baby. Let me in.
I plead with my eyes as my chest tightens when water falls from Sadia’s eyes and makes a steady track down her cheeks.
A light throb creeps up the back of my head but dissipates instantly when the sound of the locks pierces my ears.
I pull the door open and drop into the seat before Sadia can fully react to my movements.
“I’ve been told that I’m a good listener. Let me be that for you.” My voice is softer than I’ve used with anyone other than Ma.
For countless seconds, silence fills the interior as Sadia wipes the moisture from her red face.
The urge to pull her over the seat and into my lap causes me to run my hands up and down my pants.
My eyes meet Sadia’s melancholy ones, and it feels like my heart is about to break in two.
Something about the absence of Sadia’s glowing smile has knots in my stomach.
“Talk to me, Sadia. Sometimes it helps and can make you feel better.”
This is our first interaction outside of Sadia serving me, but it still feels comfortable and right. I don’t know this woman from a can of paint. I want to help her unburden herself of what has her emotionally broken in this car.
“If it’ll help make it easier, I’ll hold you.” I smirk.
Sadia’s eyes clear briefly as light giggles fall from her lips, and the sound charges not only the atmosphere in the vehicle but me as well. Sadia’s humor feels like the feeling of my first nut at fifteen . . . life-changing.
“I’m not sure if that’s appropriate, Chance.”
Gotdamn! Even broken, her voice is hypnotic.
My dick twitches from the low, silky, and melodic tone as I mentally coach myself to not fall into the gutter so I can keep this conversation in the perspective it needs. This isn’t the time to get lost in the sexual attraction this woman can throw me into.
“How about this? Let’s take a walk, and you can get some air while you let me in on what’s going on.”
Another few seconds pass as Sadia bites on her bottom lip, and I force myself to look away due to the lust that develops. This is one of the times when being single can have adverse effects. If Sadia were mine, I would fuck every emotion out of here until only smiles and her pulsing pussy remain.
“Okay.”
Her acceptance feels like air on a hot summer day as I nod my head and exit the car without another word.
I quickly move to the driver’s side and pull the door open to assist Sadia to her feet.
A jolt of electricity when my hand lands on Sadia’s back almost causes me to stumble from the foreign currency that flows through my body.
When Sadia’s shoulders jump, and a tremor is felt in her back, I know that I’m not alone in the effects of my touch.
“I don’t think I’ve ever taken the time to walk down here,” Sadia says as we walk past the front entrance of the coffee shop.
“Me either. I guess that means we’ll get to experience it together. So tell me what had you crying in the confines of your car.”
“The other day, I found out that I’m not going to graduate because some type of glitch showed that my balance was paid, only to discover that I owe almost six thousand dollars.”
The minute the last word leaves her mouth, tears return, and Sadia’s lip trembles as she cries without making a sound. Flutters form in my stomach, and a frown slides into place as I debate how I should respond to more expressions of her torment.
“I’ll pay it,” I say.
Thanks to my parents opening a bank account for me at birth and to the generous salary I earn as a parole officer, I have a nice chunk of money in my savings account.
It doesn’t seem right to know that Sadia is in need of cash, know that I have the means to help her, and not do so.
I also don’t like seeing the pain and unshed tears in Sadia’s eyes.
It causes pain in my chest and the strong urge to be her knight in shining armor.
My words stop Sadia in her tracks, and a chill that replaces the warmth of her presence beside me makes me turn slightly.
Sadia’s eyes stretch as she gazes at me with mystery and uncertainty. There’s an inch or two between us as we have a silent stare down.
“What do you mean, you’ll pay it?” The cutest snarl forms on Sadia’s lips as a smirk slides into place on mine.
“I have it, and now so will you. Watching you fall apart when I have the means of solving your problem isn’t something that I’m beat for. What’s the information for your school, along with who I need to speak with to take care of this tomorrow?”
“Are you out of your mind? Why would you offer to pay my balance? You don’t even know me. You don’t even know if I’m telling you the truth. Why would you offer up your money like I said I need ten cents?”
A low chuckle falls from my mouth from the outrage, intrigue, and stubbornness that are at war within Sadia’s eyes.
“According to my last physical, my mind is sharper than any two-edged sword. But your tears and torment are proof that you’re not lying about the problem. As far as knowing you, I’m kind of offended because we do know each other. I see you every—”
“Be for real, Chance. I make your morning beverage, but that doesn’t mean I know you. You’re acting like I offered myself as a burnt offering or something.” When she puts her hand on her waist and gives me stern eyes, my laughter returns.
I feel like I’m back in Principal Mooberry’s office explaining why I beat some kid’s ass for raising his voice at me.
“Oh, shoot. Let me know that you know Jesus is the pardon for your sins, woman. I’ll pay off your little debt and marry you.”
Sadia’s mouth opens and closes several times, and a shout of laughter from my mouth echoes around us.
“Jesus! I’m going through enough mess right now. I don’t need this.” Sadia turns like she’s about to walk away, and I jog up behind her, halting her steps. I quickly move in front of her so we’re looking at one another again.
“Come on. Come on. Don’t go. How about I loan it to you?”
Air pushes from Sadia’s lips and hits me like a surge of energy that causes my heart to return to normal rhythm.
“Why are you playing with me? You saw me crying, so that should tell you I can’t cover the balance. That also means I don’t have the means to pay back whatever loan you’re suggesting.” Sadia rolls her eyes before she breaks our eye contact.
“How about we call it an exchange of sorts?”
“My body is not for sale.” Sadia snaps without the presence of her eyes.
Again, laughter is my initial response because I know I sound crazy, but I’m here now, so I may as well continue.
“Trust me, there ain’t a woman alive who could make me pay for pussy. But seriously, I have a proposition for you.”
Sadia’s eyes return to me as she assesses me for quiet seconds that cause heat to hit my neck.
“A proposition, huh? Hm. Let me hear it, Mr. I Don’t Pay For Pussy.”
Something about Sadia saying pussy this time around has salacious thoughts taking root in my mind. I mentally shake myself loose from that line of thought to present my offer.
“Like you, I’m in a bit of a dilemma. I’ll pay off your school balance if you agree to accompany me on a trip as my fake girlfriend.”
“Wait. What?”
“I need more time to get into the technicals. But the short answer is, I need someone to give my friends the illusion that I’m not the pathetic bachelor they know me to be.”
My pulse thumps wildly as I watch the various reactions that shine in Sadia’s eyes as she processes my words.
The subtle and possibly unconscious nibble of her bottom lip forces me to look away so I don’t get lost in such an innocent yet seductive action.
At this moment, I’m ready to offer up a kidney if it’ll result in Sadia’s agreement to my offer.
Just being in her proximity right now confirms that I have to get to know her better. Lord, please be on my side right now.