Read Her Little Black Book Online
Authors: Brenda Jackson
Her Little Black Book (14 page)
“How long have you been Jetrica's mentor?”
Lake's question had cut into her thoughts. Just as well, she decided. She needed to stay focused, and later tonight, if he was willing, they could do something to take off the edge she felt. They had gotten off Interstate 4 and were now headed toward the apartments where Jetrica and her sister lived. “For almost a year,” she finally answered. “My best friend Vickie was one of her teachers and saw something in Jetrica. I do, too. She's not really a bad kid. Just one who needs direction and doesn't want to take it from her older sister.”
“Like I told you earlier back at your place,” Lake said, “I think the kid is mega-talented. If she concentrates on her studies and her art, she'll be able to capitalize on both.”
Courtney was glad Lake thought that. “I agree one hundred percent. And as her mentor, I try to get her to see that.”
It was dark, and they were headed deeper and deeper into an area most referred to as the projects. She glanced out the window and saw something, someone she immediately recognized. “Wait! Stop! That's her walking over there.”
Lake stopped the car and leaned forward to look out the windshield. “Doesn't she know walking alone in the dark is dangerous, especially in this area?”
Courtney heard what he said but was already out of the car. “Jetrica!” she yelled out and sighed in relief when the girl turned around and began walking toward them.
“Ms. Andrews? What are you doing here?”
“Don't ask any questions, Jetrica, just get in the car.”
It was easy to tell that Jetrica didn't like her tone. She placed her hands on her hips, pouted her lips, glared, and said, “And if I don't?”
“Don't push your luck with me tonight, kid. Get in!”
Evidently there was something in Courtney's voice that made Jetrica think twice about not following that order. She grudgingly opened the door and climbed in the backseat of Lake's SUV. She saw him and glared at him, as well. Then within seconds, she cocked her head and smiled at him. When Courtney got back in the truck and snapped on her seat belt, Jetrica commented from the backseat. “Hey Ms. A, your boyfriend is kind of cute.”
Courtney glanced over at Lake. At the moment she didn't want to imagine what he was thinking. So much for a second date. This would probably be their last. Instead of dwelling on that, she responded to Jetrica's comment,
deciding not to correct her thinking that Lake was her boyfriend. “Thanks. Yes, he is cute and is probably pissed that because of you we're missing dinner.”
deciding not to correct her thinking that Lake was her boyfriend. “Thanks. Yes, he is cute and is probably pissed that because of you we're missing dinner.”
“Nobody tell you to come looking for me. I can take care of myself.”
“Walking alone in this area, Jetrica, is a rape just waiting to happen. Use your common sense, will you? What are you trying to prove?” Courtney turned around in her seat to ask.
Jetrica didn't say anything for a moment, but even with the brevity of the light coming into the truck, Courtney could see the hurt and anguish on the young girl's face. “I'm trying to prove that I can take care of myself,” she said in a low and broken tone. “Bethany is talking about not going back to school in the fall because of me. Money's tight so she can't register for the college classes she needs, and it's all my fault. I offered to get a job, but she won't let me.”
Courtney frowned. “Get a job? Doing what? You're only fourteen.”
“Yes, but there has to be something I can do.”
Yes, there was plenty she could do, and none of it legal, Courtney thought. Jetrica was a pretty girl. She could just imagine some hard-up-ass man convincing her to make money doing something really stupid like selling her body. Unfortunately, teens who were hard up for money were easily pulled into that sort of lifestyle. “Look, let's get together on Friday and talk about this. Maybe I can talk to my aunt Peggy to see if there's something you can do at the place where she works. Although a lot
of the jobs the teens do there is strictly voluntary, they might be able to swing something for you toâ”
of the jobs the teens do there is strictly voluntary, they might be able to swing something for you toâ”
“I don't want charity!”
Courtney inhaled, downplaying the temptation to wring the girl's neck after all. “Look, Jetrica, don't push it, and don't push me. We meet Friday at school, and you better show up. Understood?”
Jetrica glared at her. “Yeah, whatever.” She then eased back onto the soft leather cushions of the backseat. She shot Lake a glance and said, “Hey, mister, your girlfriend can be a real bitch at times.” A smile touched Jetrica's face when she added, “But I like her.”
“Thanks for everything tonight, Lake.”
A hour later, and they were back at her home. After returning Jetrica to the apartment she shared with her sister, and after giving her another tongue-lashing for good measure, Courtney had suggested to Lake that they grab some take-out and then go back to her place to eat it. He had agreed.
He also hadn't said much, she noted. She knew that someone like Jetrica was probably a lot to get used to, but he really wouldn't have to get used to her. Courtney had a feeling that after tonight, any thoughts of an involvement with her was long gone from Lake Masters's mind. What woman in her right mind would use her date's time and moneyâsince the cost of gas wasn't cheap these daysâto go chasing after some smart-mouth kid? Not many with
good common sense. Men were scarce, and those worth keeping were extremely rare. For whatever reason, such a man had been blown her way, and just her luck she had blown him toward someone else.
good common sense. Men were scarce, and those worth keeping were extremely rare. For whatever reason, such a man had been blown her way, and just her luck she had blown him toward someone else.
She took a deep breath and pushed her food container aside. Last week he had fed her from one of the most expensive restaurants in Orlando. Tonight, she had fed him Chinese food from the Fire Dragon. A vast difference. And he had refused to let her pay for it, although she had offered.
“We'll do the movie another time.”
She blinked, not sure she'd heard him correctly. He couldn't possibly be telling her he wanted to see her again. “Excuse me?”
He smiled. “Since we didn't make it to the movies tonight, we'll do that the next time.”
She was still having a problem keeping up with him, and at the risk of sounding dense she asked, “The next time?”
“Yes, the next time. What are you doing this weekend?”
She shrugged. “Nothing really. I haven't made any plans.”
“Then how about Saturday night?”
“Saturday night?”
“Yes.” He pushed his own take-out box aside and leaned over the table and stared at her. “Are you all right?”
“Not sure. You want to take me out again?”
He lifted a brow. “Yes, you sound surprised.”
“I am. What about tonight?”
He reached across the table, took her hand in his, and lifted it up to his lips and kissed it before saying, “As far as I'm concerned, it's not over yet. There are still a number of possibilities.”
“I'm talking about earlier tonight. You had plans to take me out and enjoy a meal and a movie. Not to encounter unnecessary drama.”
“You're right there, but it's okay. We did enjoy a meal together, and we're doing the movie on Saturday.” The smile on his lips stretched into a sensuous grin. “I told you that I was nice. Now you see that I'm also flexible.”
He was definitely that, she immediately thought. But in just the little time she'd gotten to know him, she'd determined that he was kind and understanding, and she appreciated that.
“Before we left to find Jetrica, you and I were in the getting-to-know-each-other-better stage. Is there anything else you want to know about me?” he asked.
Courtney stared at him. The look she saw in his eyes had made her pulse flutter and had her stomach twisting in knots. There was fire in their dark depths, enough to ignite more than a spark within her. The throb between her legs returned with a vengeance.
“Yes, there's something that I would like to know,” she said softly, trying to ignore the sensations assailing her.
He nodded. “Go ahead and ask.”
“Why aren't you with someone already? I know what you said the other night at dinner about preferring to seek out your own woman. But still.”
The smile on his lips curved to intensify all those
sensations she was feeling. “Mainly interest. You're the first woman I've been interested in in a long time.”
sensations she was feeling. “Mainly interest. You're the first woman I've been interested in in a long time.”
Her stomach tightened at his words. “And just how interested are you?”
“As interested as a man can get in a woman, Courtney.”
She wasn't ready to let it go yet. “That sounds deep and scary.”
He lifted a brow. “Why scary?”
“I don't know of any man who's been that interested in me. Ever.”
“You're going to discover that I'm different from most men.”
She'd already discovered that fact.
“Especially any other man in your past,” he continued saying. “I'm in it for the long haul. I've told you that before, and you didn't believe me.”
She still didn't and couldn't understand how he could make such a statement. They'd known each other for only a couple of weeks. And although she knew more about him now than she did before, a part of her still felt things were moving too fast. But then another part, the one that controlled that intense throbbing between her legs, was convinced that things weren't moving fast enough.
“What are your plans for us?” she asked curiously. For some reason, she felt he had some. There was no doubt in her mind that Lake Masters was a man with an agenda, and maybe it was time she found out what it was.
He tilted his head as if to study her before saying, “Sorry if I haven't made my plans clear. I thought that first night when I told you that I would be an integral part
of your future, and on our first date when I told you I wanted more in my life than a woman to warm my bed, that you understood my intentions. My plans for us are simple. At some point in time, I want marriage. So in other words, Courtney, my plans are to marry you.”
of your future, and on our first date when I told you I wanted more in my life than a woman to warm my bed, that you understood my intentions. My plans for us are simple. At some point in time, I want marriage. So in other words, Courtney, my plans are to marry you.”
Courtney stared at him.
Marry me? Is he joking?
But his expression told her he wasn't. The very idea that this man had thoughts of marrying her sent her pulse skittering.
Marry me? Is he joking?
But his expression told her he wasn't. The very idea that this man had thoughts of marrying her sent her pulse skittering.
“I know what you're probably thinking,” he said in a husky tone.
“Do you?”
“Yes. You're probably thinking that it won't happen. But only because you haven't been fully convinced that it will.”
“Yes, that's about it,” she agreed.
“But it will, Courtney, and do you know why?”
She shook her head. “No, I don't have a clue. Why?”
“Because I want you.”
He said it as if that settled it. “And what if I don't want you?” She couldn't help asking.
“Then I think I better get busy and change your mind about that. Starting now.”
Courtney watched as Lake stood from his seat and came around the table. Dark eyes were latched on to her with heated, blatant intent. She felt herself getting weak in the knees even while sitting down. Physical desire,
swamped her already aroused body. There was a deep churning in her stomach, and her nipples, pressed against her blouse, were aching.
swamped her already aroused body. There was a deep churning in her stomach, and her nipples, pressed against her blouse, were aching.
When he came to a stop before her and gave her his hand, she didn't hesitate to place hers in his. The moment their hands touched, he went still. She, however, stood up on shaky legs. She swallowed deeply, thinking she needed a drink. But quickly concluded that no, she didn't need a drink. What she needed was Lake.
She wondered if he knew what she wanted, and if so, would he take the initiative to make it happen? She didn't want him to be noble, at least not tonight. He'd said he intended to change her mind about a few things, starting tonight. Why was he hesitating?
As if he read the questions in her eyes, he said in a low tone, “I want you to know what you're getting into, Courtney. Once I make love to you, I'll consider you mine.” At the widening of her eyes, he added, “No, and I'm not some sort of obsessive control freak. I'm a man who wants you so much, the intensity of the desire is about to kill me. A man who wants to marry you one day, build a future with you. I know you don't see it now, but you will.”
He was right. She didn't see it. Nor did she understand it. How was it possible to spend a third of your life dreaming, looking, and praying for that perfect man, and when she was about to give up hope that such a man truly existed for her, to have him show up in her lifeâwhen she wasn't lookingâwith the belief that he had every right to be there. Usually it took a man a long time to figure out what he needed and wanted in life, and most men put a
lasting relationship with a woman at the bottom of the list.
lasting relationship with a woman at the bottom of the list.
But not Lake Masters.
And she had a feeling from this night forward her life would never be the same.
Lake sensed her acceptance of what was between them, although he was certain she didn't fully understand it. It took him a while to understand it himself. But like he'd told her. In time she would. She still had her doubts, which was understandable. He'd hit her with some heavy stuff. And was about to hit her with more.
She took a breath when he stepped closer to her, and immediately his front connected to hers. There was no way she could not feel his aroused body pressing against her. He'd told her that he wanted her. Now she knew to what extent.
He lifted his hand and released one of her hairpins and then watched her hair drop in soft waves around her shoulders. She didn't say anything, just continued to stare at him. And then he was lowering his head, determined to taste her like she'd probably never been tasted before. Their last kiss wouldn't even come close.
When he got close to her mouth, he angled his head in a way that he knew would give him deeper penetration, a lot more depth. And then without missing a beat, or taking a breath, he sank his mouth onto hers, latched on to it with a greediness that immediately had her moaning in response.
His tongue had never failed him when it came to kissing a woman, and he didn't intend for it to fail him now. It had whip-snapping speed when needed and could be methodically slow at other times. He was using both, rotating, mating, devouring, and igniting sensations of pleasures that passed from her mouth to his.
He deepened the kiss further, at the same time that he drew her closer into his arms, letting the palms of his hand come to rest firmly on that backside that he enjoyed looking at so much. Of her own accord, she tilted her head back, took her tongue, and begin playing cat-and-mouse with his, knowing what would happen if it got caught. He could tell from the last time that she wasn't used to getting such detailed and energetic kisses. But he was glad she was a quick study. She was not only following his lead but was also trying to create a few moves of her own. He would definitely give her an A for effort.
Moments later he drew back. It was either that or he would have gone up in smoke. He breathed in deeply, watched her watch him, saw the unevenness of her breathing, studied her lips and saw they were still moist from their kiss.
Deciding he hadn't gotten enough and wanted another go at it, he held her gaze as he leaned in closer. He took the tip of his tongue and traced it from corner to corner and when her lips parted in a sigh, it was on again. She offered no resistance. In fact, she seemed ready for his intrusion and sank into his embrace like she was made for it. She positioned her head in a way that left him no choice but to deepen the kiss, which he did.
A while later she was the one who pulled back, needing air. But that didn't stop him. His tongue continued to torment her, shifting from her lips to the hollow of her throat, then sideways beneath her ears. She was responsive to his touch, and when she began quivering in his arms, he tightened his hold on her. He inhaled deeply, drawing air into his lungs, and with it came her womanly scent. From that heated aroma, he knew just how aroused she was.
Lake knew if he was going to leave that now was the time to do it. Otherwise, he would have her spread out on the table in no time. He wanted to stay. He wanted to make love to her tonight. But it would have to be her decision. Still keeping a hold on her, he eased back. Their gazes held, and he whispered in a strained voice, “It's getting late. Time for me to go.”
At first he wasn't sure if she was going to say anything, or merely show him to the door. But she continued to hold his gaze, and then in a move that almost brought everything male in him to the forefrontâif it wasn't there alreadyâshe took a step to lean fully against him, fitting their bodies together in a way that made it seem as if the hardness of him was the one thing she sought. Then she lifted her arms and wrapped them around his neck, and in a voice whose subtle warmth was a direct hit on his lips, she whispered, “I want you to stay, Lake.”
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