Niki's Challenge (7 page)

They sat a few minutes while Tony
finished his snack and got up to fix a plate of food. Gale joined
him and fixed a plate as well. Normally, he’d eat and leave right
after. Sitting at the table in the kitchen, taking a sip of water,
Gale got to her point.

“
I was wondering if you
would consider...” she began watching him frown while concentrating
on his food. “If you would consider donating your sperm, so they
can inseminate Rissa?” she rushed.

Hoping this was some sick ass joke, he
smirked. Until he noticed the seriously hopeful look on Gale’s
face, and realized he needed to nip this quickly.

“
Hell, no,” he ground out
staring at her, wanting her to see he was serious and to stop the
discussion.

“
Why not, Tony?” she asked,
despite his mounting anger.

“
I don’t want nor do I have
any children. But if I did, they will be mine, Gale. Not yours,
mine.” He continued eating as if she wasn’t at the
table.

“
Don’t be selfish, Tony.
We’re twins, so the baby Rissa has with your sperm will be the
closest we could get to me,” she begged.

“
No.” His tone was flat and
adamant.

“
No? That’s it?” she asked.
“Can’t we talk about it?”

He shook his head, and didn’t speak.
Tony knew he spoiled her and they both knew they could count on
each other. Unless she crossed one of his lines, and she’d just
done that.

Finishing his food, he stood. He could
tell she was angry, but she’d have to get over it. He wanted no
part of her plan.

“
So it doesn’t matter to
you that this would really make me happy?” She knew he wouldn’t
change his mind. He hated he knew her so well. Now, she was in
hassle and aggravate mode.

“
Not in the least. I tell
you what,” he added as an afterthought. The glass of juice raised
to his lips, he smiled. “Ask dad for his sperm, since you want to
keep it in the family.” He laughed at the look of horror and
disgust that flashed across her face.

“
Ewww, that’s just nasty,”
she snapped, standing quick and backing from the table. “How could
you suggest such a thing?”

“
That’s how I felt about
your suggestion a moment ago. Incest not a good thing, huh?” He
replied swallowing the last of his drink. Chuckling, he rinsed his
plate and placed his dishes in the dishwasher. Turning he walked
out the kitchen searching for his mom to tell her
goodnight.

Gale dropped back into her chair, not
really surprised by Tony’s answer. She shivered at the thought of
asking her dad for something like that, nasty. Damn Tony for
planting that image in her mind. It was a long shot and Rissa had
asked her not to do it. How could she not give him the first shot?
They were twins. Rissa wasn’t pushing this as hard as she was. But
every time she talked about her cousin’s pregnancy, Rissa lit up,
or got excited. Rissa and her cousin had always been close, but now
they talked daily, and it was because of the baby. Gale didn’t want
her lover to feel she was missing anything by them being together.
This was just a bump in the road, and she was determined they would
have the family they wanted.

Chapter 6

David showed up with another attorney
at the restaurant as Niki and Nana Rita were leaving from lunch. He
offered to drive her to her hair appointment and Nana Rita jumped
in accepting before she could utter a word. Niki agreed after her
Nana denied any role in the coincidence. Although this part of
Durham wasn’t home, she felt a sense of homecoming every time she
came to visit Louise and her family.

Easing her arm from David’s, Niki
noticed the flash of distaste across his face as he looked at the
old storefront building. They’d just arrived; getting out he went
around and opened her door. Glancing up the road, she wondered what
he saw. This wasn’t his turf, hers either to be fair. She
recognized a few owners sweeping the sidewalk in front of their
establishments. There was a sense of pride, dignity, along with
ownership in this area. No, the owners would never equal her
companion’s financial success, but they held a wealth of history,
richness in spirit that was just as strong, and compelling as any
Fortune 500 CEO.

David caught her glance and looked
around. Smiling as he rubbed her arm.

“
So this is where you get
your hair done? Where the magic happens?” he murmured, coming
closer. Smiling as he reached up touching her curls.

“
Yes, my mom’s best friend
has been doing my hair every week, since I was a little girl. I
love it here. Everyone is so nice,” she stated, pulling back
slightly as his hands fell to her shoulders, massaging them lightly
which, despite how creeped out he generally made her feel, felt
heavenly.

“
Well, your hair always
looks good. I don’t blame you; I wouldn’t change a thing either.”
Looking beyond her to the name of the shop and then returning to
her, he smiled attempting to pull her in closer for a hug. Niki
backed away in a smooth slide, avoiding his grasp.

“
Hold on, Riccio,” she
panted, taking in a breath while holding her stomach. “No public
displays, especially not here.” After moving a safe distance and
looking both ways, she observed he’d moved back and leaned against
his car. His hazel-green gaze fixated on her. No question, she
thought, this man was a predator. Right now, she was his target.
Her heart jumped, whether in fear or arousal, she couldn’t be sure.
Twisting her neck side to side, releasing the tension, she raised
her hand to wave goodbye.

“
Wait a minute, Niki.” His
voice a low murmur as he continued leaning against the car, hands
and feet crossed, staring in her direction. One would think they
were just having a casual conversation. Niki dreaded his next
words. He wanted to take the relationship to another level, she
wasn’t so sure. Being pregnant, her emotions were all over the
place. This was not the time to make any decisions, she didn’t give
two cents about how fine he was, or that he catered to her. She
wasn’t ready for more right now. Mentally, she’d worked herself up
and was ready to let him have it, when he spoke again.

“
Damn, Niki, you are so
beautiful. I’m standing here, a white man, in the heart of a black
neighborhood. Gang members, your peeps and shit eying me, and all I
can think is how beautiful you are. Not just on the outside, but
inside as well.” She swallowed her shock and closed her mouth. He’d
sideswiped her again. But he wasn’t finished.

“
This is not a game for
you. You are a fucking millionaire, and you go to the hood to have
your hair done as if it’s the most common thing in the world.”
Smiling, he shook his head and glanced up the street.

They drew attention. Not just because
of the late model Lexus, or her large stomach, or that he was fine
and dressed in a thousand dollar suit. The picture of contrasts
they presented was odd enough to cause folks in the area to pause
and take note.

“
I am so glad you allowed
me to bring you here today,” he said smiling slightly. “I always
thought you were special. No games, straight up, I like that a lot.
Probably more than you’re willing to deal with right
now.”

She nodded, relieved.

“
So I’ll back off. But know
this,” he moved closer to her as she stood on the sidewalk,
mesmerized by his voice and words. Damn smooth lawyer.

“
I want you. I want you for
my woman. Babies and all, I am in serious like…” he smiled, “with
you.” Reaching her, he stood back a few paces looking down into her
upturned face, he took her hands in his. “Don’t discount me or my
feelings for you. Give me a chance. I promise you won’t be
disappointed. Promise.”

Niki could only stare, feeling the
sincerity that emanated from this polished man. He’d broken out his
street language, and it seemed so natural for him. There was
definitely more to him than she knew.

Taking a deep breath, she
swallowed hard, unable to form a single reply. His words stirred
her. She wasn’t made of stone, despite what some of her business
associates thought.
Impossible
, the word rang through her
mind. Countered with,
but what
if
…Lifting her hand—she realized he still
held it—she backed away towards the door to the safety of the shop,
not trusting herself to speak. Remembering her manners, she pasted
on a smile.

“
I’ll think about it,
Riccio, and thanks—”

“
Hey…I thought we were
friends. Call me David.” He released her reluctantly. There was
nothing friendly about the look he sent her. His eyes had darkened,
lingering on her lips. Predator alert, her mind screamed. He licked
his lips.

Commanding her body not to respond,
she stuck on a smile. Damn baby hormones had her body humming. “Ok,
David.” She stressed his name, while watching him break out into a
boyish smile. His right cheek sported a deep dimple, softening his
austere appearance. The first time she’d seen it had been in court
where he’d emasculated a witness. The two—his dimple and his
words—contrasted to such a degree that in her mind lodged the
concept of his being insincere. “Thanks for the ride. I had no idea
my grandmother had somewhere to go. She never mentioned it.” The
old sneak.

“
Since I have been trying
to get another date with you for the past year, I’ll take whatever
time you afford me.” Staring at the pale hands clasped together,
she smiled and wished again that she felt more for this man than
friendship. Maybe she should give him a shot.

“
Thanks David, you’ve been
great. Even with the pregnancy, hanging out and stuff. I know
people are talking and…Well, I just want you to know I appreciate
it,” she said, still not wanting to encourage him. David Riccio was
a barracuda. Well dressed, fine as wine, but deadly just the same.
While she recognized a kindred spirit in business, she had no
desire for that in her bedroom. No one took her over.

He smiled, and after a quick sigh
walked back to the car. Aware of the picture they made, she wished
things were different. David was very handsome, stood over six
feet, an athletic build, olive skin tone, black hair and
hazel-green eyes.

“
By the way,” he said as he
stood in the open car door. “I’ll be in Atlanta at a conference
next week. I’d like to take you out to dinner when I get back,
okay?”

“
Sure, that’d be great.
Maybe a movie, that new Tyler Perry movie would be good,” she
added, feeling better watching his smile broaden. He was a nice
guy. Maybe with time…who knew? He wanted her and the babies. She
could do worse.

She waved him good-bye, waiting for
him to drive off before entering the salon.

“
You been holding out, baby
girl,” Louise snorted over her reading glasses as Niki made her way
into the salon. Early in the afternoon, there were just a few
customers in booths further down. Glad for the lack of an audience,
she ambled to the chair.

“
No, Weeze, I haven’t been
holding out. He’s just a friend. He’s not my baby’s daddy.” She
smiled, knowing everyone tried to figure the baby daddy
mystery.

“
Where was he before you
got pregnant? And why is he all up in your face now?” Niki expected
the inquisition and knew there was no way around it. Her touch up
and styling would take at least two hours. Sighing, she settled in
and answered what she expected to be the first of many.

“
He has always been around,
Weeze. I wasn’t into him.” She took a moment to get
comfortable.

“
So….You’re into him
now?”

“
No. I don’t know. He wants
more, but I’m not sure what to do.”

“
Hold up…hold up, that fine
man out there with the gorgeous body and smile wants you, and
you’re not feeling him?” Louise’s brows furrowed as she backed up
to look Niki in the eye.

“
To be fair, I wasn’t
interested before I got pregnant.” She laughed as Louise scurried
around getting her instruments together.

“
Is it because he’s white?
Because he looked real comfortable outside just now. As if, he had
no problems taking on anyone that might make trouble. You feel me?
I think he’s got a little soul or hood somewhere down in
him.”

Silently, Niki agreed with Louise.
David acknowledged the danger and then seemed to blend right in. No
one knew the race of her children’s father. It never came up, and
she never volunteered the information. If anything, David being
white would be a plus for her mixed babies.

“
Nope, his race has nothing
to do with it. I’ve dated white men in college. It’s…it’s just—I
didn’t feel anything for him before. Now the sparks I get, I’m not
sure if they are for him or baby laced hormones. I feel…how to
explain it?” Her teeth worried her lower lip. “A spark, a li’l heat
or something, but not enough to change my opinion about him,
though. I’m big as a house and not ready to deal with a
relationship right now.” Remembering that night long ago, there had
been a blazing inferno. Even drugged, she remembered.

Sighing, Louise shook her head. “Don’t
settle if you don’t get what you want. There’s no reason to rush
into anything with anyone. Relationships can be uplifting, or
draining. They take time and energy, as well as you being ready to
compromise and work things out. And sweetie, that’s whether he’s
just your man or your husband.”