Chapter 10
CHAPTER
TEN
Ipushed out a sigh after reviewing the presentation on my computer.
I shouldn’t have to do this.
Stroking my uncle’s ego had never been my thing.
He was a spoiled bitter man who refused to let go of the past. My father’s wants were plain, black and white.
He wanted me to have Ray’s for a reason.
Whether any of us agreed or understood why didn't matter, we had to respect it. I stopped questioning it a long time ago and Uncle Harold should’ve let it go too.
Being a silent partner wasn’t enough for him.
He needed to be involved in the everyday operations and figured combing through the financials, inventory, and employee performances would give him the control he desperately sought.
Every idea I had for the business, he challenged, often leaving my mom as the deciding factor.
Running my hand down my face, I pushed out a deep sigh. I checked the time on my computer and decided it wasn’t too late to call my mother.
“Hey baby,” was her greeting. I smiled instantly, feeling a little better than a few moments ago.
“Hey. You got a minute?”
“Of course I do. What’s on your mind?”
“Uncle Harold and this stupid meeting.”
She sighed. “When is he coming to town?”
“In two weeks. He wants to review everything from the last two quarters. We already talked about last year’s finances. I’m tired of him giving me busy work, like I don’t have a business to run.”
“I know, I know.” She was silent for a beat. “I’ll talk to him.”
“Come on, Ma. You know that’ll only make matters worse. I just need your ear is all.”
My uncle already saw me as a spoiled mama’s boy and her running to my defense would prove him right. I appreciated my mom always having my back. But I had to confront my uncle alone.
“I’m just trying to help, baby. But I know Harold’s stubborn ass wouldn’t listen anyway. This is why Rayford didn’t want his ass involved in the business. He’s a know-it-all, pain in the ass.”
“Whoa, lady,” I teased with a chuckle. Hearing my mom curse would always be comical to me. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
She laughed. “Sorry. I just had flashbacks of your dad and uncle fighting over Ray’s. You know your dad made him a silent partner just to appease your grandparents?”
“For real?” I sat up in my seat.
“Mhm. He is the spoiled mama’s boy he says you are.
Rayford was awarded several business grants during Roseville’s first revitalization project.
Your grandparents wanted Harold to apply too.
The only reason he didn't was because he couldn’t come up with a business the community needed.
Nightlife was nonexistent at that point.
We had to go to D.C. or Baltimore for a night out. Ray’s came right on time.”
My eyebrows furrowed as I listened to my mother. My parents had never told me this story before. I knew about the business grants and remembered going to the ceremony when my dad accepted them. The picture was on the wall in my office. My eyes landed on it and I smiled.
“Anyway, the building needed more renovations than we thought. Your grandparents gave him the money on behalf of Harold. Their only condition was that Rayford had to make Harold a partner. It took a few weeks of negotiations and you can see how that turned out.”
“Did he challenge Dad like he does me?”
“Of course not. Harold knew better than to try Rayford.”
I chuckled. “Everyone knew better than to mess with Dad.”
“Exactly. He’d want you to stand up to your uncle, but respectfully.”
“I hear you, Ma. I’ll let you go. I need to check on the floor anyway.”
After exchanging I love yous we ended the call.
I bobbed my head as I strode to the bar, enjoying the R he curated a playlist for patrons.
Tonight’s playlist was a mix of old and new school R our faces mere inches apart.
The desire in her eyes hit me right in the groin.
“Don’t you have a flight in the morning?”
She brushed her lips against my ear then said, “I do, but I felt like going out tonight. And I couldn’t think of any other place I’d rather be.”
This wasn’t my best friend coming for a visit. This was my princesa coming to play.
Okay, let’s play.
I stifled a groan.
“How long you been waiting?”
“Not long,” she said, sitting back in her seat. I slid into the booth next to her. Wrapping my arm around her shoulder, I met her gaze. A beat passed before her cheeks reddened then she looked away. “I didn’t mind the wait. Summer and I had a good conversation.”
With a nod, I replied, “Cool. So wassup, Goldie?”
Before this went any further, I needed to know her intentions for tonight.
“I hadn’t seen you since we met for lunch.”
“I missed you too,” I replied, earning a smile.
“And I’m going to miss you while I’m in Portland this weekend.”
I couldn’t help the grin on my face. “For real?”
“Yeah. So what are you gonna do about that?”
“Let’s finish this conversation in my office.”
She followed me from her booth to my office.
On the way there, I let Kenya know she could close out Robyn’s tab.
I stayed a few paces behind Robyn, greedily taking her in.
She knew what she was doing, sauntering around my lounge in that short, tight, red dress.
She looked like every bit of the temptation I needed to resist.
Once we made it to my office, I closed the door behind us and locked it. Robyn sat on the edge of my desk, crossing her left leg over her right. The fleshiest part of her thighs showed.
What was she trying to do to me?
I eyed her from across the room for a beat, then walked over. When I was within reach, I took her hand and pulled her to me.
“You wore this for me?” I growled in her ear, grazing her bare shoulder with my index finger. Robyn nodded and a slow breath fell from her lips, making my groin tighten.
“Yes,” she breathed.
“Why?”
Her eyelids fluttered. “Because I knew you’d like it.”
My eyes swept her slowly this time. I was intentional in noting the red lipstick on her lips, the deep red satin material clinging to the curve of her hip, and her ass in the dress.
Damn right I do.
“You must’ve really missed me.” I enjoyed teasing her. The redness in her cheeks was gratifying. “I’m assuming you came here for something other than conversation?”
She bit the inside of her cheek while fidgeting with her hands. “Yes, Nadir. I’m a little nervous about my test and need something to take my mind off it.”
“And I’m the distraction you need?”
“Yes. You’re the best distraction there is.”
“What happens after that? Do we go back to normal until the next time you need a distraction?” I smirked, hoping she understood that I was fucking with her.
Her forehead wrinkled as she considered her words. “I don’t have an answer for what happens after. I just know what I want right now.”
I hummed. “If you want to be friends with benefits, we can. Just need to be upfront with each other.”
“That’s what I want,” she said while motioning her hand my way. The humor in her tone lightened the mood.
I held her waist. “I need to hear you say it. Tell me why you came here tonight.”
Robyn’s honey eyes darkened and a sexy simper curved her lips. “I want you, Nadir. I came here because I missed you, your touch...”
She caressed my cheek then swiped her thumb across my bottom lip. The hair on the back of my neck lifted.
“Your kisses…” She pecked my lips then smiled. I inhaled and wondered how she flipped this on me. Desire roiled in my groin when her hand slid down my chest between us. “I miss your di—”
My mouth covered hers, interrupting her next thought.
She melted into me, draping her arms over my shoulders.
I lost myself in the softness of her lips and the sound of her moans.
Her mouth was busy, nipping and kissing mine greedily.
I loved every second of her being in control.
I matched her energy, disconnecting our lips to kiss her jaw and neck.
Heat emitted from her cinnamon brown skin as I trailed my lips along the curve of her neck.
She angled her head to the side and held onto my shoulders for support.
“Open your legs,” I told her, while kneeling. I hiked her dress up and reached for her panties. After getting them off, I trailed kisses from her ankle to her calf. She hung one leg over my shoulder, peering down at me with heated eyes. “This is what you came for, right?”
She answered by pressing her pussy against my mouth.