The Game of Seduction (Arrington Family Series) (17 page)

“What did you tell her?” Bria braced herself for his answer.

“I told her that would be a good idea.”

Tears welled in her eyes. She couldn’t believe she’d heard her father correctly.

“Daddy … are you saying …”

“I’m saying you can incorporate alternative methods
only
to patients that would benefit or who even want to do an alternative method along with traditional medicine. That should still be your first route. However, we will go over the specifics when you return from your vacation, unless you’ve taken the job already with Dr. Banneker.”

“Oh my goodness, Daddy! You’ve just made my day, and no, I didn’t take the job with Dr. Banneker. I’d rather work with my family just like you want us to. I couldn’t imagine working anywhere else but next to my parents and siblings.”

“I know, precious. I couldn’t imagine you anywhere else but here either. You’re an Arrington, and we stick together. I have to go. I have a patient in five minutes. Enjoy the rest of your vacation, and I’ll see you soon.”

“Thank you, Daddy. I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

Bria twirled around the bedroom like a ballet dancer. She’d never been as happy during her career as a doctor as she was now, and she wanted to share it with the one man that she’d ever loved. She skipped out of the bedroom and down two flights of stairs to the workout room. When she got there, she heard Rasheed’s loud laughter coming from outside on the veranda. She thought it odd he was out there considering it was cold outside, but Rasheed definitely always worked up a sweat. However, going outside in the cold air wasn’t a good idea after a sweaty workout, and she strode over to the ajar French doors to tell him so, but what he said next made her stop dead in her tracks.

“Girl, you need to have everything laid out when I get there,” he said with a laugh. “I only have a small window of time and even though I don’t like to rush, I need to see everything that you have to offer.”

Bria put her hand over her heart as it thumped loudly in her chest.

“Huh huh. Well, how big are they?”

Silence.

“That big? Well, damn. I may need to come now.” He laughed out loud again, and her favorite laugh was making her sick to her stomach.

“So how much money are we talking?”

Oh my goodness! He’s talking to a prostitute. Stripper?

“Not bad. Money is no object. When I want something, I get it. I’m flying out late tonight to New York. I can’t wait until I get back. I need to see you before I go.”

Silence.

“Two or three? I think it’s safe to say I can handle more than that.”

Silence.

“This afternoon is perfect. I’ll see you then. Besos to you too,” he said opening the French door and walking inside. He jumped when he saw Bria.

“Besos? That means kisses in Spanish. When did you learn to speak Spanish?”

“Um … I took it in high school.”

“Really? So you could be an international player, Mr. Player Playa?”

“What’s wrong with you, and what’s up with the plastic shower cap?” he asked pointing to it.

“Don’t change the subject. I heard your conversation with the prostitute.”

“Prostitute? What are you talking about, and why were you eavesdropping?”

“I wasn’t eavesdropping. I came down here to tell you some important news, and you’re on the phone talking about ‘have everything laid out when you get there.’ What is she laying out? Lingerie for you to pick from so she can wear it or rather
they
can wear it since you can handle more than two or three at a time. And you are using condoms with those hoes? It doesn’t even matter. As a doctor I know I can still catch something. I guess if I lay down with a dog I may wake up with fleas.”

“Bria, what you heard was the tail end of a conversation with a business associate of mine. That’s it, baby.” He stepped closer to her, but she moved back.

“Business associate? Do I look like Raven delivered me last night?”

A confused expression crossed his face. “What?”

Bria sighed. Apparently, the Arrington family inside jokes and sayings were only understood by them.

“Oh. I get it, because Raven deliverys babies, and you’re really asking were you born last night.” He laughed.

“Rasheed, this isn’t funny. This is a serious matter. You’re cheating on me after a few weeks!” Tears rolled down her cheeks.

“Bree, wait. That’s not true, baby.”

His voice was so sincere and serious, that she almost believed him. Just like she believed her ex whenever he swore he wasn’t cheating on her. She shook her head. Rasheed had played her the entire time. “Well, than tell me the truth, Mr. International Player. What was the conversation really about?” She sat on the weight press bench and crossed her arms across her chest.

“I can’t tell you.”

“You can’t tell me? You just said it was a business associate.”

“Bria, just trust me and believe me when I say, I haven’t cheated on you at all. I couldn’t bring myself to hurt you like that. I’d leave you first. I love you too much to ever do that to you.”

“Love? You don’t love me. You can’t possibly love me. And to think I’d fallen in love with you. I swear there must be a sign on my forehead that says “I love dogs” because you’re the second one.”

He grabbed her up from the bench and pulled her to him.

“Will you listen to me!” he said with urgency in his tone. “I’m not cheating on you. That conversation isn’t what you think you heard, but I can’t tell you right now because it’s a surprise. Just trust me, baby. Please just trust me.”

“I see. So you haven’t cheated yet, but you’re going to this afternoon before you leave for New York.”

“Dammit, Bria. I know I haven’t had the best reputation in the world when it comes to women, but I’ve never been a cheater. A player, yes, but when I’m in a committed relationship, no.”

“So this business associate, who happens to be a woman, is just that, a business associate?” she asked sarcastically, yanking away from him.

“Yes.”

“Then why were you outside on the phone in the cold after working out?”

“My cell phone wasn’t getting a signal, and I stepped outside to make the call. I have nothing to hide from you.”

“Except the nature of the call which sounded pretty kinky to me.”

“You only heard half of a phone call, and you only heard my responses which I have to admit sounded suspect, but believe me, baby, they weren’t.”

“Rasheed, I want so bad to believe you. But after the stripper calling you, the cheerleader all in your personal space after the game and now … maybe I’m just being paranoid. But your lifestyle is so different than what I’m used to. I want so bad to believe you, I honestly do.”

He pulled her back in his arms and stooped down eye-level with her “I love you, Bria Arrington, and from what you just said a moment ago, you’ve fallen in love with me, too. Please, don’t throw away what we have over a conversation that isn’t what you think. Just trust me.”

Bria didn’t know what to believe. Her heart wanted to believe him, but her mind kept telling her to go pack her stuff and speed back to Memphis.

“Rasheed, you better be telling me the truth because if not …”

“Baby, I am. I love you. You’re the one for me, and I’m going to spend the rest of my life showing you just how much.” He kissed her tenderly. “You wanna join me in the sauna so we can make up?”

“Um … I’ll take a raincheck.” She pivoted toward the door. “I need to rinse my hair and then go meet with Megan and Jade to go over some material for the drapes for all of your downstairs rooms.”

“Okay. Whatever you decide. Say, what was the important news you wanted to share with me?” He jumped on the elliptical machine.

“Huh? Oh.” She had forgotten why she came downstairs in the first place, and now she was ready to rush out and be alone with her thoughts. “I spoke to my Dad. He’s okay with me incorporating naturopathic ways for my patients after learning about my patient’s pregnancy success.”

“Baby, that’s wonderful. So when are you going back to Memphis?”

“In a week.”

“Perfect. I’ll only be in New York for the game tomorrow night for a few days.”

“Do you want to have dinner tonight before you leave?”

“Oh, babe I can’t. Meeting with my producer, Jeff, before I leave. We need to go over some things.”

“Isn’t he going with you to New York?”

“Um … no. He’s got wedding stuff to do.”

She found that odd the producer of the show wouldn’t be there, but then again she didn’t know much about producing televisions shows either.

“All right. I’m going to go get ready to meet with Megan.”

“I’ll be up in about forty-five minutes.” He sped up the machine and wiped the sweat from his brow.

Perfect. I’ll be gone in about thirty minutes.

She raced up the three flights of stairs, rinsed her hair, and blow dried it halfway, especially at the roots since she was going be outside in the cold, threw on some slacks and a sweater and a newsboy cap. She grabbed a pea coat, her boots, and purse and headed down to the garage all in thirty minutes. She needed to get away, and she didn’t want to see Rasheed at the moment. She wanted to believe him and part of her did, but after their conversation she needed time away from him.

Chapter Thirteen

Bria sat in Megan’s conference room in her downtown Atlanta office going over material samples for drapes and duvets for Rasheed’s home. While everything was so beautiful, her heart was no longer in it. Why was she helping decorate a house that wasn’t even hers?

She sighed and tried to look interested in whatever Megan was explaining to her about the weight of the different fabrics and curtain rods, but Bria couldn’t get her mind off of the conversation she had earlier that morning with Rasheed. Plus, she found it odd the producer wasn’t going to New York, and Rasheed sure was in a hurry to ask her when she was returning to Memphis. She thought at one point he wanted her to take the job at the wellness center so she would be in the same city as him considering
Sports Fanatic
was based out of Atlanta. He would now be spending more months in Atlanta than in Memphis which was one reason why he wanted his home livable.

“Earth to Bria,” Megan sang and waved her hand in front of Bria’s eyes. “I asked you do you agree with my decision about the shutter blinds in the dining room and the kitchen or do you like the ascot valances better for the kitchen?”

“Oh. I’m sorry. My mind was somewhere else.”

Jade strutted in with Starbucks coffee and handed it out to Bria and Megan. “Girl, where? On the fine ex-basketball player you’re dating. If so, I don’t blame you.”

“Well, I was thinking about him, but not for the reasons you think.”

“Chile, what did he do?” Jade ran her hand through her that was cut like Halle Berry’s in the movie
Boomerang
.

Bria explained to them the conversation from that morning, and now she didn’t know what to do.

“If it were me, I’d say burn down his mansion Left Eye style, but only after Megan and I decorate it, and we get paid. However, I don’t want to see you go to jail, so scratch that idea.”

Megan shook her head at Jade. “Maybe he really was telling the truth.”

“I thought so too until I asked if he wanted to go to dinner this evening, but he has a business dinner with his producer before he leaves for New York later on tonight.”

“Where are they meeting for dinner?” Jade asked.

“I didn’t even ask. I can call and find out.”

“No. Then he’ll think you don’t trust him.” Jade grabbed her cell phone. “Give me a minute. I’ll find out.”

“How are you going to find out?” Megan asked.

“Don’t you know me by now? I have my connections. Wade Greene, the other sportscaster on
Sports Fanatic
, and I met about decorating his townhome in Decatur. He’s the client Rasheed referred to us. Anyway, Wade’s assistant, Becky, is friends with Rasheed’s Atlanta assistant. I’ve gotten in good with Becky, and I’ll just call her and have her ask. I’ll be right back.” Jade grabbed her cell phone and coffee and hurried out of the conference room.

“Can she really do that?” Bria questioned.

“She does it all the time. Ever since college, she’s had the connections and power to finagle to get what she needs. How do you think we got this great office space? It usually only works with men, but we’ll see.”

Ten minutes later, Jade pranced back in with a wide smile, sat back in her seat, and crossed her long legs.

“Ladies, never underestimate me and my power of persuasion. I just found out that Rasheed’s assistant made reservations for two at the Sundial Restaurant on top of the Westin for 5:00. So then I called and made reservations for three under my name for 5:30.”

“Jade, you want Bria to spy?” Megan asked.

“I wouldn’t call it spying. We have to eat, and we can eat anywhere we want to. Besides, Bria needs to know what’s going on with this brother before she gets hurt. I hope he was telling her the truth. He has her decorating mansions and what not, yet he has a place in Buckhead where he takes his honeys. Trust me, I know the game.”

“I hate to agree with Jade, but she’s right. I need to know what I’m getting myself into. We’ve haven’t been together long, so I can cut my losses and move on, but I’ve already fallen in love with him.”

Jade reached over and placed a comforting hand over Bria’s. “For your sake, honey, I hope he’s not cheating on you. I’ve never been in love and don’t plan to be anytime soon, but you seem as if you really love Rasheed, and I honestly think he loves you, too. If you don’t want to go to the Sundial, we don’t have to.”

“No, I need to go. I need to see with my own eyes if he’s been lying or not.”

For the rest of the afternoon, she pretended to look over the fabric swatches, but her heart was racing in anticipation. Rasheed had texted her that he loved her and would see her before he left for New York. She simply texted back “okay” and then turned off her cell phone.

*****

“This is absolutely beautiful.” Rasheed held up his mother’s bracelet. “You do beautiful work, Mrs. Harris.”