Chapter 5
The ride from Essence was silent with just R and B playing softly on the radio. I sang along to the songs I knew, and hummed the ones I didn’t, to distract me from having to talk to the fine, seductive man beside me.
Everything about him was seducing.
From his vernacular, cologne, beautiful, bronzed skin, straight white teeth, smile, and eyes . . . I just knew if I stayed around him any longer, I’d give in to the temptation of allowing him to seduce me.
After sitting and listening to more performers, we finally found an older woman by the name of Ernesta Vari who would be perfect for the party. Her soulful voice stunned us both so that we agreed to bring her on as the entertainment for the night.
Now, as I rode shotgun in this beautiful car, next to this beautiful man, I couldn’t help but feel this nervous, sexual energy between us.
He didn’t speak much once we were on the road. I had no idea what he was thinking. The feeling of him being upset because of my rejection, made me nervous that I wasn’t going to have a job in the morning.
I couldn’t wait to get home so I could call Jen and tell her about tonight. I knew she was just dying to know what was going on between us because she texted me earlier, asking about him showing me around.
We pulled onto my parents’ block and pulled behind a Maserati SUV, the same make and model as his, but only this one was red, . . . my favorite color.
Who does my parents have at the house this late? I wondered.
Avery placed the car in park, then shut off the engine.
“Thanks for the ride,” I said, reaching to open the door.
“Hold up a second,” he replied, typing in his phone then placing it in his cupholder once he was done.
“Thank you for assisting me tonight. I don’t want you to think I’m upset about the decision you made to not mix business with pleasure, .
. . even though I want to give you all the pleasure you deserve.
” My legs clamped together as I shifted in my seat uncomfortably.
Please, Lord. Make this man stop talking to me like this. Jesus! I can’t handle it.
“I respect your decision. You don’t have to tiptoe around me. I was only quiet because I was trying to figure out what to say to you without this being awkward.”
“You not talking was awkward.” I giggled.
“Yeah, I didn’t mean to make it that way. I was just in my head, hoping that I didn’t make you uncomfortable.”
“I wasn’t uncomfortable. Just a bit confused because I’d never known a man who was as forward with me as you have been.
Trust me, I want to allow you to do ungodly things to me, but I’m afraid of the backlash that comes with that.
Besides, my last relationship wasn’t all that grand, so I kinda try to stand clear of allowing men to woo me. ”
“I understand. Let me walk you to your door.”
“You don’t have?—”
“It’s the gentleman thing to do,” he said, exiting the car.
I waited for him to open my door, then stepped out into the warm night air.
“Before you get all bent out of shape, just hear me out.” I frowned slightly, then my face turned to worry.
“Calm down, Ms. Grant. I’m not firing you.
” I chuckled. “I know you don’t have reliable transportation, so I thought it best to allow you to use the company ca?—”
“No! No way!” I exclaimed, looking over at the SUV. “Are you serious?”
“I am. I work late nights sometimes, and I didn’t want you taking public transportation so late.
If ever you move on to using that degree for your career of choice, you can return it when you’re done.
” Something was telling me he was fibbing.
Company cars, from what I knew, were never this expensive, nor did they match his.
“You expect me to believe that this is the company car?”
He smirked. “Why wouldn’t you?”
“After telling you my favorite color and raving about how I loved a beautiful SUV, one is just magically in front of my house?”
“I told you it’s the company’s car. How would I know you liked SUVs before you told me?”
A smirk drew up on my face. “Have you considered that maybe I don’t know how to drive?”
“I saw your driver’s license. Try again.”
Shit. He caught me.
“This . . . I appreciate the gesture, but I can manage.”
“It’s not a request, Ms. Grant. It’s late. Let’s get you inside.” He walked over to the beautiful red SUV, opened the door, reached inside, grabbed something, then closed the door back and walked back over to me. He handed me the key fob then extended his arm for me to walk ahead.
I turned and slowly made my way up the stairs to the door, rummaging through my purse for the keys. Once I located them, I turned and found him staring at me.
“Have a good night, Mr. West.”
“Sweet dreams, Ms. Grant. I’ll see you on Monday, bright and early.” He took my hand, kissed the back of it, then turned to head back to his car. I opened the door and hurried inside, being careful not to make too much noise and wake my parents. I headed to my room and stripped down.
Grabbing my shower caddy, I headed into my en suite bathroom to shower.
Today had been long, trying, and . . . fun.
Since the moment I stepped into work, I had been trying my best not to focus on Avery too much.
I knew I was there to assist him, but for some reason, I felt as if he needed me near him in some capacity.
I couldn’t sit down for two seconds without him sending me to do something as simple as rearranging his office furniture.
The kiss we shared sent my pulse soaring and my pussy dancing in the seat of my panties, thinking she was about to get some action.
I couldn’t fall for his charm.
Avery was everything a woman could only dream of.
Fine, successful, devilishly handsome, and from what I knew to be factual, had a nice package.
The chemistry I felt rising between us scared me.
I didn’t want to lose my job or be labeled as the office whore, so whatever was happening between us had to cease.
That didn’t stop me from detaching the showerhead and visualizing his tongue swiping against my clit though. I didn’t realize how horny I’d been since dropping Victor, my ex, five months ago. Avery was rekindling that fire burning inside of me, and I needed someone to put it out.
After bringing myself to a climax using thoughts of the debonair millionaire, I washed quickly then exited the shower. Once I was dry and had spread lotion on my body, I slipped on my nightwear, tied my hair up, then settled into my bed to watch some TV before bed.
I loved living with my parents, but I wanted and needed my independence.
However, it was the only option I had to pay off my debt without accumulating more bills I didn’t need.
I had to move from my apartment, sell my car, move back in with my parents, and find a good paying job so I could focus on paying off my student loans.
I figured within the next two years, I’d be debt-free.
My phone buzzed on the nightstand, just as I settled on watching What Happens In Vegas. Jen’s name appeared on my screen.
“Ma’am, it is ten o’clock at night. Why are you calling me this late?”
“Bitch, please. You know why I’m calling this late. Spill the teeeaaa!”
I giggled. “Jen, please, be for real. I literally just got settled in bed.”
“Then I called at the perfect time. I have to know what the hell you done did to that man.”
“What do you mean? I didn’t do anything.”
“Then why did he post in the work group chat that he’s incorporating casual Mondays and freestyle fun Fridays. I’ve been working for his mean ass for damn near five years, and he’s never talked in that damn group chat, yet alone do fun shit.”
“Wait, what is freestyle Fridays?”
“He says that it’s basically a day of fun, where we play games and do absolutely nothing and still get paid for the day.”
“Oh, . . . wow,” I replied, shocked.
“ Oh, wow is right. So, start talking, missy.”
I sighed. “I’m not sure if his sudden change in demeanor is because of me, but I will say that we did kiss,” I revealed.
“Ah! I knew it! You put a spell on that nigga.”
“Jennifer, please. I highly doubt that.” I lied. I had something over him if he was buying me Maserati SUVs disguising it as a company car. I’d only known Avery for two days. Two. What the hell did I do to gain such admiration and expensive gifts?
“Whatever you’re doing, keep doing it. I need a raise.”
“Jen, I can’t date him.”
“Why not?”
“It goes against company policy.”
“He’s the boss, bitch. He made that dumbass rule, and clearly, he’s breaking it. One look at that pretty face and fat ass, and homie ready to risk it all.”
“But I’m not. I need my job, Jen. Besides, I’m not looking for a relationship right now. After that whole bullshit with Vic, I don’t feel like being tied down to anyone else for a while.”
Jen sighed, clearly frustrated with my protesting.
“Fine, Layne. I’m not trying to coerce you to fuck your boss, but don’t let what one man did to you stop you from exploring what may be your biggest blessing.
Instead of working your ass off to pay off those student loans, you have a whole millionaire ready to suck your toes.
“I wish that man would come for me. I’ll make these cheeks do the Macarena on his face.” I laughed so loud I had to cover my mouth so I wouldn’t wake my parents, even though their room was upstairs on the other side of the house.
“Jen, you need serious help!”
“I’m serious as hell. You already kissed him; you may as well let him go to fourth base with you.”
“And what the hell is fourth base?”
“All three holes.”
“Bye, Jennifer!” I hung up on her crazy behind as my head fell into the pillow. Gazing up at the ceiling, I thought about allowing Avery to court me.
Everything inside of me wanted to get to know the mystery man, and if I was being completely honest, I was afraid.
I’d never met a man of his stature. Most of the men I attracted were younger than me and had too much going on.