Chapter 5
My heart rate and pulse elevate when the door chime alerts me of an incoming customer, and my eyes collide with his .
. . Kaeden Evans. A shiver slides down my spine as he walks toward me with a swag that has me wondering if he has a third leg between his thighs.
I’m caught in the dazzling effect of his smile preventing me from looking away.
“Well, aren’t you a sight for tired eyes. How are you, Ms. Kyelle?”
“F-fine.” The hesitation in my single-word response has heat crawling up my neck because I had no issues talking ten minutes ago while assisting another customer.
“You don’t have to remind me. I’m well aware.” The fire coming from his words is like a boomerang to my lower region as I subtly cross my right ankle over my left, grateful that he’s unable to see the gesture.
“Um. Y-you’re here for your daughter’s books, correct?” My tone is unsure and lower than usual as my heart rate increases when Kaeden’s woodsy and masculine scent penetrates my nose.
“Mhm. She will cancel my bedtime story tonight if she finds out I’m here and doesn’t come home with her books. I live for those quiet minutes before she conks out, so help a brotha out.”
Giggles escape my mouth at the puppy dog eyes and pout on his handsome face letting me know that Kaeden might be a pro at trying to get his way. Breaking our eye contact, I bend slightly to remove the books I’ve set aside for Kaeden’s daughter.
“Well, let’s not get you in trouble. I’ve been told there’s nothing like a good story time to set you up for a restful night of sleep.”
“See, Ms. Kyelle, you be knowing.”
Warmth spreads across my chest when Kaeden’s smile widens as his hazel eyes dance in merriment.
“Mhm. Indeed. Here’s the princess’s reading materials, kind sir. Although, if I had to guess, I’d suspect that Ms. Mica ain’t got nothing on her daddy’s skills at telling a story.”
Kaeden nods while subtly licking his lips as a panty-melting expression forms in his eyes, causing me to clench my thighs tight.
“Flattery will get you everywhere you want and desire to be with me, Ms. Kyelle. But you better be careful, or I’m liable to be in here weekly requesting books.”
Damn.
“As long as the visits accompany that smile, . . . who am I to stop you?”
“Is this something you say to all men or just us single fathers?”
Placing my index finger on my chin, I give him a pointed look allowing a second or two of silence to surround us.
“Hm. Depends. Do all single dads bring this much charm?”
“Only the ones hoping to get permission to exchange non-business messages along with these books.”
My eyebrow hikes, and a playful smile creeps onto my lips as I internally ponder the thought of engaging in text exchanges with this man.
“Now that depends on whether I can convince you to sign up for our loyalty program.”
“Oh yeah? How does it work?”
What’s crazy is that I have yet to create any loyalty program, but passing up an opportunity to engage with Kaeden in this moment seems foolish.
“I think something like, buy five books and maybe, just maybe I’ll return your non-business messages.”
A low chuckle escapes Kaeden’s mouth as he pulls his wallet from his back pocket and sets it on the counter.
“That’s lightweight for a giant. You’re gonna have to come better than that, my baby.”
A dollop of moisture fills my panties from the low octave and husky timbre in Kaeden’s words.
“Hey, Kaeden. I see you’re back for those books,” Tracy says, coming from the back room before I can respond.
“What’s up, Ms.—” Kaeden trails off, unsure of what to call Tracy before she fills in the blank.
“Tracy. I’m good. But I’m a huge football fan, so I think you should invite me and my bestie to see you in action.”
“Oh, for real.” Kaeden’s gaze slides from Tracy to me, and butterflies begin swarming in my stomach from the intensity in his eyes.
“Don’t listen t—”
“Oh, you don’t want to come see me play?” My mouth dries instantly when Kaeden’s eyes shift toward me, shining with desire as his brows hike in question.
The double meaning of his statement isn’t lost upon me from the mischievous glimmer in his eyes, leaving me momentarily speechless.
Lord, this man doesn’t know if I’m in a relationship or not and he seems to be hellbent on coming on strong.
This is uh interesting and a little surprising because I should be disgusted but blame it on I don’t know who, but I’m still attracted to him.
So for now, I’m gonna just go with it and see where it leads me.
“My bestie has never been to a professional football anything so—”
“Let me fix that shit then. Come see me play on Saturday. My team is having a friends and family shindig for that practice. Having you in the stands representing me will make me put in my best efforts,” Kaeden says, cutting off Tracy’s words.
Time stands still as Kaeden and I get lost in a stare-down where he’s communicating more than my need to accept his invitation to attend his practice.
The longer our eyes war, the more my juices begin to flow, which causes me to unconsciously shift my weight as a low moan escapes before I’m able to stop it.
“Mhm. All I need is yes, and I’ll make sure you have everything you want,” Kaeden says huskily.
“Oh my gosh. Look how big this place is, Mommy.” The sound of a little boy’s squeaky voice entering the bookstore serves as cold water hitting my face as I jump slightly and back away from the counter like I’m avoiding getting burned.
“Kaeden Evans! Mommy, it’s Kaeden Evans!” The little boy’s high-pitched tone has a slight grin easing into place as I give Kaeden a subtle nod of acceptance.
“Bet. I’m gonna run, but I’ll text you this evening,” Kaeden tells me before turning to leave and greeting the little boy on his way toward the door. “What’s up, little man?”
“Mommy, he talked to me,” the little boy says cheerily.
I miss the mother’s response as my eyes follow Kaeden to the door as if I’m in a trance, and a pain in my chest forms when Kaeden exits. A thought enters my mind when I come to and prepare to resume my workday. I just agreed to attend Kaeden’s practice. Oh shit!
Kaeden leaves and Tracy didn’t waste any time teasing me about what she’d just witnessed much to my chagrin.
“Looks like I’m gonna have to find someone to spend time with because I’m about to lose my bestie,” Tracy says.
“What are you talking about? I’m not going anywhere.”
“From the looks of things, you’re in the path of pound town and passionate kisses.”
Rolling my eyes, I continue stocking the shelves with the new inventory that came in this afternoon. I’m not about to engage with Tracy and her foolishness, especially when it has no merit.
“Oh, so you’re gonna sit here and pretend like you and Kaeden weren’t making fuck me faces and googly eyes today?
You are two shakes and a trip from being involved with that man.
But if you want me to act as na?ve as you are, I’ll oblige you until I have to watch y’all drooling over each other after his practice. ”
My heart starts beating like a bass drum at the image of Kaeden upon hearing Tracy’s words as I fight the cheesy grin begging for clearance.
It’s crazy how I tried shutting down his advances in text only to fold like a pretzel when he was in my presence.
But Kaeden is a level of fine that would even make a nun renege on her vow of celibacy.
A tremor enters my body when a flash of Kaeden’s face as his beard drips with my nectar, slams into my mind.
“Damn,” I whisper.
“Don’t forget I’m in the room, Kyelle. What are you thinking that has you fanning like that?”
My eyes blink continuously as I note my right hand moving back and forth in front of my face.
“Nothing. It’s h—”
“Girl, bye. You keep this place like an ice box, so don’t even try it.
Your eyes are dazed like you’re thinking about the possibility of pop, lock, and dropping it on that man’s dick.
He’s a cornerback which means he’s an expert at rushing opposing individuals.
I feel sorry for your little neglected kitty. ”
Me too.
My eyes balloon at the two-word response in my head instead of what Tracy has said, because there’s no way I can think about sleeping with—
Tuh, with a man like Kaeden, the last thing you want to do is sleep.
“Let’s just finish this inventory so we can get out of here. I’m tired.”
“Mhm. I know you have a phone date with your boo. You ain’t gotta light a fire under my ass, bestie. Trust me, I get it, and I’m here when you’re ready to share those kinky details.”
“Whatever.” It’s the best comeback I have since I feel like I’m losing in a three-way tennis match between Tracy, my conscience, and me.
“Splish, splash, I know good and damn well your fine ass ain’t taking a bath.” Kaeden’s tone and statements have me laughing hard as I bend over releasing the stopper from my tub.
“Man, this shit ain’t funny. Why did you answer the phone if you knew you were surrounded by bubbles, Kyelle? You are wrong for this.” Kaeden continues ranting as my laughter heightens, causing water to slip from the corners of my eyes.
“I-I’m not in the tub, Kaeden,” I say while trying to slow my giggles, but every time my mind replays Kaeden’s words, I start back up.
“I hear water in your background. Lying ain’t the right way to start our relationship, Kyelle.
I’m gonna have to get you outta that shit quick.
Even God can’t bear the sight of a liar, my baby.
Wow.” Kaeden begins incoherently rambling, inciting more laughter from me because this is not the conversation I expected upon answering my phone.
“Calm down, Kaeden. I just got out of the tub and was preparing to clean it.”
“Shid, you’re gonna have to clean that thang when we’re off the phone. I’m overstimulated as hell right now. Matter fact, let me call you back.” My mouth drops, and more giggles escape when I realize that Kaeden has hung up on me without waiting for my reply.
Since Kaeden hung up, I hurry through cleaning my tub before turning out the light and returning to my bedroom.
A light feeling, like I’m floating on clouds, guides my path toward my closet as I grab the first nightdress I come to.
I race through moisturizing my skin and slip the dress over my head without putting on underwear, before climbing into my bed just as my phone rings again.
A giddy feeling fills my belly as a lopsided grin forms as I connect the call. “Do you feel better now?”
“Nah, but I at least got my dick to act like it has some act right. Let this be a lesson to you though. Unless we’re soaking in a tub together, no baths, showers, or putting lotion on your body when talking to me.
A man can only take so much stroking his dick before blue balls set in from no penetration. ”
“Wait, what?”
“It’s alright. I forgive you this time because you didn’t know. But the next time, you’re gonna have to let me hit that pretty mothafucka through FaceTime, my baby.”
Another shout of laughter escapes my mouth at the outlandish words leaving Kaeden’s mouth because I have never had a man say anything remotely close to me before.
“How do you know it’s pretty? Oh, and how would that FaceTime hitting action work exactly?”
“Stop playing with me, Kyelle.” Kaeden’s torment makes me smirk while getting comfortable in my bed.
“I’m sorry, Kaeden. Let’s start over. How was your day?”
“Mediocre as hell after leaving you.”
Butterflies swarm in my stomach, my pulse races, and my lips upturn at hearing Kaeden’s words as I settle into our conversation.