Chapter 11
Yani
“Iappreciate every single one of you coming out today. As you know, Buy a Heart specializes in making sure you find your soulmate, and today starts that journey. We have several candidates in attendance so there’s someone for everyone. This is the mingling phase so please, mingle.”
I received a hefty applause and smiles from the lucky participants. I was anxious to see how everything panned out. These events always brought sunshine to my life. Knowing I helped someone find love, helped me grow as a person. I was doing something right and my clients were appreciative.
Stepping off stage, I was approached by Sabrina who was smiling from ear to ear, and I was curious to know why.
“Hey boss lady.”
“Hey Brina. What has you in a festive mood?”
“Mr. Hughes just arrived and he’s looking for you.”
Just the mention of his name caused my flood gates to open. When I woke up, I was still wrapped in his arms and the comfortability I felt with him was weird. I didn’t know Paxton from a can of paint, yet I felt the safest with him. That was something that scared the hell out of me.
It worked in my favor that he was a deep sleeper. When I managed to get out of the bed without waking him, I watched him sleep for damn near half an hour. So many thoughts ran through my mind at once and I didn’t know which one to act on.
Paxton was such a gentleman to me last night and I didn’t know how he would receive me today.
I was drunk as hell, but I was still sane and knew exactly what I was doing, which was the reason I woke up with no regrets.
I would repeat last nights actions several times over.
The way he worked my body was the best I’d ever experienced.
Trust wasn’t thought about after the alcohol asked me to let my hair down and live a little.
Instead, I focused on how my body reacted to Paxton’s and how I was ready to throw away so much so quickly.
Once again, I knew nothing about him, but my body took to him as if it had known him for years.
That was confusing the hell out of me the most.
I was genuinely in a place of turmoil. Coming out of a relationship that held me captive for damn near half of my life, then meeting a man that treated me like I had been his for a lifetime over a course of a few hours, had me in a game of tug of war and I was the rope.
The feelings I had for Trust weren’t gone in no shape or form. I was still recovering from the hurt he caused but being around Paxton seemed to void out everything about Trust. He wasn’t a second thought, not even once.
“Okay. Where is he?” I questioned as my eyes traveled along the see of people.
“Right here.”
My eyes closed while his voice traveled through me and landed at the center of my core. Hearing him, and smelling that alluring cologne, had my body ready to submit to his every command.
Turning around, I was greeted with a chocolate being that held such a captivating, dimpled smile. He easily created a fiend from the treatment I received hours prior.
“Thank you, Sabrina. I’ll take it from here.” She walked away giving us some privacy.
“You ran out on me, Yani. Did I do something wrong?”
“You did everything right,” I said. His smile grew as I realized I spoke my thoughts aloud. “I meant you were the perfect gentleman, Paxton.”
He nodded and looked around the room briefly. He took his eyes off me, and I took advantage of that. I inspected his neck and saw where I branded him. My pussy tingled off how good last night’s events were to me.
“We need to discuss what happened between us, Yani.”
“I know and we will, but can we just join everyone?”
“They’re mingling. You weren’t afraid of me before, so don’t be now. I might’ve nibbled last night but I know for a fact I didn’t bite. Give me the conversation I deserve, Yani.”
He was right. He was owed a conversation and no matter how much I wanted to run away from it, it would be held regardless.
Releasing a semi deep breath, I said, “Alright. Just grab a table and I’ll grab us a glass of wine.”
Before he could debate, I walked off to let my body calm down and my thoughts settle. Paxton made me nervous, and I truly didn’t know how to act around him. What we shared last night wasn’t on some one night stand vibes. Last night was an outer body experience that I wanted to indulge in once more.
I approached the bar asking the bartender for two glasses of Pinot Grigio and a shot of tequila. That shot was supposed to help relax me and make the conversation with Paxton easier to hold. I was hoping it did its job.
Grabbing the two glasses, I turned and scanned the room for him.
I found him near the stage at a table that sat off to the side a little.
It was more secluded, and I figured he chose that one for privacy purposes.
Making my way over, I coached myself on speaking properly without fumbling over my words now that I had a dose of his loving.
Taking a seat, I handed over the glass and immediately took a sip of mine.
“Careful. We don’t want a repeat of last night, do we?”
Yes. Bringing the glass down, I cleared my throat and found something else to look at besides him. I was flustered and he was making it so hard to remain professional.
“What is it you would like to discuss, Paxton?”
“Everything. You kind of vented to me and I’m more concerned with your mental than anything. Heartbreak is never easy to get over or heal from. Is there anything I can do?”
He already did it. Dawn talked a lot of shit but one thing I held on to was advice about moving on.
“Hop on the next nigga dick to get over yo’ last bestie ’cause these niggas ain’t shit.
” I wasn’t expecting for it to somewhat work.
I wasn’t over Trust by a long shot but having that connection with Paxton made me forget about Trust and everything we had.
Paxton was the cure, and I was slowly realizing that.
“No. I have to deal with this on my own. I guess I’m not exempt from my own product anymore. It seems I need to be mingling as well to find my soulmate.”
As I rolled my eyes, I noticed his demeanor had shifted. Something I said rubbed him the wrong way. Nervously taking another sip of wine, I kept my mouth closed so he could have the floor.
“Yani don’t play with me.” His tone was stern and no longer polite.
“I’m sorry, but how am I playing with you?”
“Last night wasn’t a fluke and it damn sure wasn’t something I plan on brushing off as just one night only, either. Yani what we shared was—”
“Magical,” I whispered.
For some reason, I was okay with him knowing that everything brewing between us was allowed to happen. I didn’t just open my legs to him, but as I climaxed on his shaft, I opened up to trading the old with someone new. He was the new.
“I’m sorry to interrupt, but Ms. Hart, we have a few guests that would like a word with you and then the caterers need a word as well.”
Sabrina was a life saver. Her timing was perfect, and it was the distraction I needed to gain some fresh air from the tensed space Paxton and I were being suffocated in. I followed her to the guests and put on a smile.
“Hi, nice to meet you. I’m Yani Hart. How can I help you?”
“Oh, Ms. Hart it’s so nice to finally meet you. Me and my girlfriend Candace wanted to formally meet the woman that’s going to help us find love. We’re getting older in age, and we had given up on finding someone for us until we heard about your company.”
They were sweet women and seemed to be in their early if not mid-forties. I always felt more appreciated by my clients because their words were genuine. You could see how grateful and excited they were to find their person. I was hoping it worked out for them in the end.
Extending my hand, I responded with, “I’m happy to have you. I hope you ladies leave with love in tow. As you know this is a two-phase event. This weekend is strictly for browsing, while the week ahead holds all the bonding. Your seven days with Buy a Heart will be eventful and worth it.”
“We’ve heard good things, so we believe you. We just wanted to meet you and tell you thank you. We’re sorry if we tore you away from anything important.”
“No ma’am. You all were more important. Enjoy yourselves ladies.”
I gave a hug to them both and then headed for the kitchen. I didn’t need any complications. They were only supposed to serve brunch and that was all for the day. I would see them again tomorrow for dinner and another round of socializing.
Going through the double doors, I was smacked with the smell of a good, seasoned meal. My stomach growled carving me by surprise.
“Yani!”
I turned to see Phillip the head chef approaching me with his arms wide open. He had become a dear friend over the years.
“Hi Phil. You wanted to see me?”
“Yes ma’am. Just to run something by you. As you know I teach my students to be creative, and it appears we have a shining star. She created a dessert to go with dinner tomorrow night. She doesn’t have a name for it, but she wants you to try it.”
“Okay. Let me see what she got.”
He handed over a small dish and I couldn’t lie, it smelled delicious. I dig into it and sure enough it tasted just as good as it smelled. I nodded while chewing giving him the approval.
“I’m guessing it’s a go?”
“It is. Have her write down the ingredients so that I can alert the guests of what they’re eating. Some might be allergic. Other than that, let her know she’s getting her big shot.”
“Yes ma’am. Thank you for the opportunity.”
I returned the smile and returned to the floor. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves and I was satisfied with the turnout. My next destination was Paxton. When I looked toward where we were sitting, he was no longer there.
Sabrina was approaching me once again but this time with a note. She said nothing as she handed it over and went back to working the room.
Opening it, I was greeted with words from Paxton.