The Game of Seduction (Arrington Family Series) (13 page)

“Whenever you want me to drive, just pull over,” she offered.

“Nope. I’m good. Just read your romance novel. You’re on vacation. Relax.”

“Cool.” She continued reading, but her mind was wandering. He hadn’t flirted or even acted as if they’d slept together, but that was the deal. He treated her like he always had—like she was one of his homeboys, except in bed. In bed, he treated her as if she was the only woman in the world to him, which would explain why women were always blowing up his phone. But it was bothering her.

She had the urge to hold his hand or lay her head on his broad shoulders. He’d been so tender with her the day before while they watched the football game. She was rather surprised when he sat behind her on the floor, placing light kisses on her cheek and neck. When she picked him up at his home earlier, she wanted to hug and kiss him. Instead, he’d given her a high five before putting his luggage in the trunk.

His cell phone ringing brought her out of her thoughts. It was plugged into the MP3 system of her SUV, and the ring sounded through the speakers cutting off Coltrane’s saxophone.

Rasheed pushed the hand’s free button.

“Hello?”

“Hey, handsome. Heard you were coming to Atlanta soon.” A sexy female’s voice crooned through the speakers like Marilyn Monroe when she sang “Happy Birthday” to JFK.

Bria’s heart sunk, and she held her breath waiting to see what the sexy voice was going to say.

“Umm …” He glanced at Bria. She pretended to read her book as she held her breath. It wasn’t the first time a woman had called and she was with him, but it was the first time since they’d slept together, and now she was livid but couldn’t let it show.

“Who’s this?”

Did that many women call him that he didn’t know their voices?

“It’s me, Candi from the Baller’s Club. I haven’t spoken to you since you flew me and some of my girls to Vegas to dance at your best friend’s bachelor party.”

“Oh … Candi. How are you?”

“I’m good, boo. Word on the street is that you’re coming to the ATL soon, and I wanted to make sure you and your boys are well taken care of when you get here.”

“Oh … well … thank you,” he glanced at Bria and then back on the road. “I’ll have my assistant call the club ahead of time and set something up if need be.”

“Boo, you know you have my direct number. There’s no need to call the club. In fact, my girls and I can do a private show for you at your condo in Buckhead like we did last summer. You made me promise in Vegas to do that special thing I do just for you when I see you again.”

“Candi …” he started as he glanced over at Bria.

“My bad, Rasheed. Do you have one of your lil’ freaks with you? Sorry. But if she’s down, you can bring her too, like last time. I know you enjoyed watching as I …”

Bria almost dropped her Kindle Fire to the floor and held in a gasp. If that chick thought she was going to join in on some wild orgy she was dead wrong.

“Candi, I really have to go. I’m driving, and I hate talking on the phone while I drive. I’ll have my assistant call you
if
I need to set anything up. Gotta go.”

He ended the call before Candi could say anything else.

“Wow,
boo
, I mean Rasheed. Looks like you’ll be having fun with Candi and her girls when you get to the ATL, but you can count this
lil’ freak
out.” Bria turned her body toward the window. What on earth had she gotten herself into?

He pulled the SUV over to the shoulder and shut it off, leaving the headlights on.

“Bria,” he said as his hand traced along her cheek. “I would never take you to a party like that. And who said I was going? Those girls are looking for money. That’s it. Trust me. She has plenty of baller’s numbers to dial. The only woman I want to be with in Atlanta is you.”

She shook her head and closed her eyes. She was afraid this would happen. She’d fallen for Rasheed, and now she was steaming mad but couldn’t lash out at him because he wasn’t her man. Just a friend with benefits. She wished she could go back in time and rethink her decision about sleeping with him. Then they would be two friends hanging out, and the call from the stripper wouldn’t have bothered her.

But then she wouldn’t know how his sensual lips felt across every inch of her skin or how his strong hands could massage her body, provoking all her known hot spots and now plenty more she didn’t know existed until he touched her. She loved the way he felt inside of her, thrusting in and out in perfect sync with her as he held her close to him. A shiver rushed through her as she remembered witnessing one of his orgasms. He roared like a lion and shook so hard she thought the bed had turned into one of those automatic vibrating beds in cheap motels.

“Bria, look at me.” His voice was above a whisper and sincere, which shocked her, but she continued to stare out the window at the night sky as she contemplated the best way to handle the situation without sounding off in a jealous rant.

She glanced over her shoulder at him. Something about his dark-brown gaze held her captive and wouldn’t let her turn away. It made her forget everything that had just happened and focus only on him.

“If this bothers you, we can go back to being just friends, nothing more. But I have to admit, that’s going to be very hard because I’ve wanted you every second of the day since the moment my lips touched your finger, maybe even before.” He ran his fingers through her hair. “Like right now. I want you.” He clicked her seat belt with his free hand and then his seatbelt. He traced his hand along her thigh until he got to the button of her jeans and popped it open.

Her emotions were running high. She knew she should reject him, but his smooth talking player words were winning her over, and the fire that had ignited in her needed to be put out.

He leaned in closer and kissed the side of her neck with such tenderness a tear came to her eye. She never imagined Rasheed would be a gentle lover. Yes, he was a feral one as well, but he still knew how to be passionate and gentle.

“Take them off,” he commanded, tugging at the waistband of her jeans.

And demanding all at the same time.

“But …” she started, looking around the roadway. There wasn’t a single headlight. It was pitch black except for the headlights on the SUV.

“But what, Bree? Didn’t you tell me to pull over when I wanted you to drive? Well, I want you to drive, or rather ride me.”

He reached his hand under the driver seat and pushed the button to make the seat go back as far as it would go. He turned Coltrane back up and pushed the fast forward button twice.

“Why are you still in those jeans?”

“I …” she stopped when one of her favorite songs came on.

“You know you’re wrong.” She slipped out her jeans and panties quickly. There was something about the way Coltrane played the sax in the song “My Little Brown Book” that put her in the mood, and she remembered saying it a few months ago when a jazz band was playing it at Lillian’s. Rasheed was standing behind her chair speaking to a customer. She didn’t realize he was listening because she was talking to Shelbi and Raven.

He leaned over and kissed her hard and pulled her on top of him as the sax sounded through the speakers.

“Well, if I’m wrong …” He stopped, nibbled on her neck, and then whispered. “Then punish me, baby.” He raked his hands through her hair and tortured her lips once more. She could feel the hardness of his erection through his slacks, and she wanted to get to it as soon as possible.

Bria let out a moan as she savored his lips and tongue penetrating her mouth. She ran her hand to his pants to unbuckle his belt.

“I’ll finish with the belt, baby. Reach over and grab a condom from the glove compartment.”

Moments later he was protected, and she slid down slowly on his long, hard rod until it was all engulfed inside of her. Rasheed’s hands gripped her butt, his fingers digging into her flesh as he guided her. Pleasure was radiating through her body and the buildup of her orgasm was about to crash down.

Being with him felt so right. She knew she was losing it as the intensity of their lovemaking grew stronger every time they made love. She grabbed on to his shoulders and found his lips in the star-lit SUV.

Her mouth closed over his, and he held her against him as if he was protecting her from the cold. Tears welled in her eyes as she opened her heart and mind to him. She shook against him, scared of the passion racing through her veins. She had never craved and wanted a man so bad before, like how she needed Rasheed.

She buried her head in his shoulder as the onset of her climax was near. She could no longer control her emotions or the foreign sounds rising from her throat.

“That’s right, baby.” Rasheed’s voice was hard and raw in her ear. “Come for me, baby. Come hard for me.”

“Don’t worry, I am.”

“Lift your head up and look at me,” he demanded.

She obeyed and looked into his eyes, cupping his head with her hands.

“I want to hear you, Bree. I want to know how good I’ve made you feel.”

She bounced up and down faster as he met her rhythm with hard thrusts until they both climaxed together.

He leaned his head back on the headrest trying to catch his breath while she panted and rested her head on his shoulder. He stroked her hair in a tender manner, relaxing her even further.

“Now, aren’t you glad I pulled over to let you drive?” he asked.

She laughed. “Yes, I am.”

“Good. Now can you drive for real? You just wore a brother out!”

She laughed again.

*****

“This is absolutely beautiful,” Megan said as she twirled around the two-story foyer of Rasheed’s mansion in Alpharetta, a suburb right outside of Atlanta. “I can do wonders with this place. It’s simply amazing.”

Bria smiled at Megan. She was always so bubbly, upbeat, and carefree. She twirled again and her curly ponytail bounced in the process.

“I’m glad to hear it. Right now, he only has a mattress and box spring set sitting on top of the railings but no headboard. He really wants the master suite, one of the guestrooms, living area, dining room, and family room done for now.”

“Okay,” Megan said taking notes on her iPad. “I brought my measuring tape to measure space and windows. Can you show me to the dining room first?”

The ladies walked through the living area and into the dining room that had a double tray ceiling, a crystal chandelier, and wainscoting under the chair rail. The walls were already painted a deep red and the walnut hardwood floors covered the entire first floor of the mansion except the kitchen which had tile.

“Now I see why you didn’t want to stay with me, but then again, you’re staying with Rasheed, so I don’t blame you. So, will he be helping with this project?”

“Nope. He said whatever I thought was best. He already gave his input when he purchased the house, such as the media room and the outdoor kitchen.”

“Wow, this sounds serious. Men just don’t let women decorate their homes.”

“Like I told you before, we’re just friends who like to have fun.” She winked.

“How’s that working out since the last time we Skyped?” The ladies headed through an archway to the kitchen. There were appetizers on the granite island that the chef Rasheed hired had prepared. Bria grabbed a plate and filled it with cheeses, miniature quiche, chicken salad croissants, and veggie rolls along with a glass of red wine and sat down opposite Megan on one of the barstools who filled her plate with fruit and quiche.

“Honestly, we’re fine. Our friendship hasn’t changed. He’s still my best friend, but now we just added sex to it and that’s very satisfying.”

The ladies laughed.

“That’s good. I don’t think I could actually live with my friend-with-benefits for a month and not hopelessly fall in love with him.”

Bria tried to laugh it off but deep down she was falling for him. Heck, she’d fallen for him the minute she met him which is why she tried her best to ignore that fact because she knew he was a player. At times, she was having regrets about the addition to their friendship. She felt as if he was being secretive all of a sudden. Now whenever his phone rang, he would glance at it and then ignore the call unless it was one of his family members, friends, or business associates.

For the next few hours, Bria finished giving Megan a tour while she took measurements. After she left, Bria retreated to the beautiful master suite to finish hanging up her clothes in the ‘hers’ closet.

“Boo!” Hands grabbed at her waist and turned her around.

“Rasheed, you scared me!” She looked up into his handsome face, placing her hands on his cheeks. “Your face is so cold.” She rubbed her hands in circular motions to warm it up.

“It’s cold outside, girl. I went out back to look at the outdoor kitchen area with Chef James.”

“I’m so glad you hired him while we’re here. He made some delicious baby quiche and veggie rolls for me and Megan for lunch and the omelet this morning was simply delish. Can he come back to Memphis with me?”

“Well, I’m glad you approve of him. He’s getting ready to cook dinner in a few, but I want to take you somewhere first.” He kissed the top of her forehead.

“Where are we going?”

“It’s a surprise, but you may want to dress warm and comfortable.” He glanced around the closet. “Maybe some sweatpants, with a sweater and something under that and your grey pea coat. I’m going to get out of this suit.”

A sly smile crossed her face. “You need some help?” she asked unloosening his tie.

He raised a wicked eyebrow and bent down to capture her lips in a kiss that ignited every part of her.

“You are so bad, you know that, Bree? Unfortunately, the limo will be here in a few minutes. Think you can be ready in ten minutes?”

“Sure.”

“Perfect, and then later on tonight, you can help me out of my clothes.” He kissed her once more before walking across the bathroom to the ‘his’ closet.

Fifteen minutes later they were settled in the limo as it pulled out of the gated community.

“You remember the last time we were in a limo?” he asked, holding her in his arms while she rested her head on his chest.