Absolute Love: A Second Chance Romance (Blazin' Love Book 6) Read online

  “I can’t believe you asked me.” I whisper as the hostess leads us back to the conference room.

  “I knew I wanted to marry you from the time you dirty winded with me on the dance floor.”

  “See… I'm trying to be sentimental, and you got jokes." He kisses my neck. "That's better.”

  I pull out my iPad and start working through the files. Xavier remains unmoved yet focused on me.

  “What?” The intensity in his eyes give me butterflies.

  “I like seeing you like this. Focused and in control.”

  "X is this more sex talk?" I laugh.

  “Maybe.” I shake my head. “I can’t help it. You’re in my blood girl.” He leans forward smacking a kiss on my lips.

  “Continue.” I turn sliding forward with my legs sandwiching his.

  “It’s like I got the brains, beauty, body, freak, all in one. The shit is dope.” He leans forward. “I’m wondering if you’d consider adding another title to the list.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “Legal counsel of Brand X Entertainment.” I sit back. “We have real estate, entertainment, artist management, and a chain of mechanic shops. You’d head the entire legal department. You could hire a couple of attorneys to help.”

  "How are you doing this at twenty-three X?"

  “I’m a man with a plan and with my queen, ain’t no stopping us.”

  The paradox of this moment doesn't surprise me. I have three degrees, he has a high school diploma. I have a job, he has a business. I'm a lawyer, he's a businessman. I was so focused on his age that I almost missed learning from a profound entrepreneur.

  The door opens, and we turn to see Aisha. I stand.

  "X? What are you doing here?" She leans in to hug him, and I wait for an explanation.

  “Hanging with my lady.” Her eyes turn my way and back to him. “This is the client?”

  “Yes, you guys know each other?” I ask.

  “Yeah, Aisha and I go way back. Tia’s going to trip when I tell her I saw you.”

  “How is she?” Aisha drops her purse in a chair across from us.

  “Good, she’s almost done with her degree at Huston-Tillotson and Tyson’s in preschool now.”

  “Wow, I can’t believe it. This makes me feel better about asking you to lunch.” She turns to me.

  “Let’s sit and take it from the top.”

  For the next hour, Aisha tells us about starting her company and her struggles to expand due to lack of finances. We review her business structure, and I'm again dumbfounded by Xavier's input. Then I see my reinforcement.

  "Aisha, I hope you don't mind, but I've invited my business partners." My guys roll in, and introductions are made. I sit at the head of the table with Xavier beside me. "Business, real estate, technology, entertainment. You name it, it's represented in this room. Let's see if we can structure something to help your business take it to the next level."

  Chapter 14

  I see Scott the moment he exits out of the building cradling a file box to his chest. I dropped Tyson off with my folks and met with Ryker Colin. I didn’t appreciate someone not ensuring Ryann was safe. He apologized and assured me Scott was released from the firm. He promised to reach out to Ryann too.

  Now, to handle this bastard. I step out and lean against my ride, assuming I'm parked near Scott's car. He stammers the moment his eyes meet mine.

  “Scott.”

  “Xavier.”

  I walk in his direction to put the fear of God in this idiot. My father taught me to be a man of my word and to protect what has been entrusted in my care. That now includes Ryann.

  I sit on the hood of his car and make my stance clear. “Stay away from her because you don’t want a problem with me. I promise you.”

  “Gladly.” He slams the door and drives off into the night.

  Chapter 15

  The conference room is full of laughter and food. My day gets brighter the moment X returns. The room falls silent when he kisses me, and Charlee raises her hand.

  I stare at it, and she stares back. Xavier's face is comical as he bounces back and forth, loving the silent argument I'm having with my bestie.

  “Ahem." She waves her hand, and I'm the only one not amused, well sort of, Charlee is Charlee, and that is why I love her. But she's liable to say anything.

  “Counselor." Xavier whispers in my ear, and it adds gas to that flame.

  “A-hem.”

  “Yes, Charlee.”

  “I want to know how this heifa manages to hide a whole entire damn engagement. How Sway, how?”

  The noise bottoms out for a hot second, and then it thunders with laughter. There's not a dry eye.

  "What, y'all act like I'm the only one curious? Strolling in like some six foot of yumminess."

  “Darius,” I yell, “come get your wife.”

  “You should listen to her.” Xavier teases obviously loving the attention.

  “Oh hush, don’t encourage that crazy woman. But you are cute.” I pinch his cheeks.

  "Cute is for babies, I'm a grown-ass man."

  Yeah, he's going to do just fine with this group, and after a long day, I needed this. My guys and my man.

  “So, before we leave, I want to tell you guys something.” I grab Xavier’s hand. “I’m leaving the firm and accepting the position of Legal Counsel at Brand X Entertainment.”

  There’s a collective gasp.

  "What happened?" Harper reaches for my hand, and the dam breaks.

  I tell the guys about the meeting and the altercation with Scott.

  “I’m not surprised.” Jordan whispers. She doesn’t talk much, never has. But there’s not a dishonest or malicious bone in her body.

  “What makes you say that?” I ask.

  Jordan exchanges glazes with the guys.

  “Somebody better say something.” I demand.

  "Look, honey, I always thought he had an ulterior motive." Harper squeezes my hand, and their collective nods catch me off guard.

  "Why didn't y'all say something?"

  "We did, and you laughed it off." Hunter adds.

  “Then we went directly to the source.” Charlee states without shame.

  “And said what?”

  “That his ass was grass if he fucked you over.” Charlee rolled her neck.

  “Or…something along those lines.” Chase tries to smooth it over with a glint of humor in her eyes.

  “No, it was exactly like that.” Charlee gets another chorus of nods.

  Xavier's arm drapes over my shoulder, pulling me close. "Your day ones are bona fide."

  "Damn right." They say in unison, and I shake my head.

  The emotions flowing through me have me at a loss for words. The conversations start to flow again. Xavier orders food, and I'm about ready to head home and go to bed.

  “So, Ry where’d you learn your Laila Ali moves?” Alex asks. We’re kicked back around the conference table.

  “Uh…well…” I've never told them this story. Xavier knows about my parents, but I've always been embarrassed.

  "You got this babe." He whispers over my ear, and I look into his eyes, thankful I said yes.

  "My grandparents put me in self-defense classes after my father…killed…my mother.”

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to—”

  “No, Alex, I wanted to tell you guys. But I never wanted anyone to look at me with pity. Anyway, my grandfather said I should know how to protect myself.”

  I cup Xavier’s face, scrubbing the side of his beard.

  “Ahhh, y'all so cute," someone coos.

  “Ryann got a man at home…”

  “Now, I know it’s time to go because Charlee cannot sing." Taylor stands tossing her trash on the trays in the middle of the table. And I can’t stop laughing because Charlee ignores their protests and keeps singing.

  “Y’all heifas ain’t no good.” She places a finger to her ear like the old Mariah Carey and hits the chorus. “I can’t hel
p it that your baaabee daaadeee…”

  "Goodnight." Payton declares, reaching for her purse.

  Xavier laughs until tears roll down his face and I wish I could explain this situation. But I can’t. So, I don’t. It’s how we roll.

  “Y'all keep laughing, because I know if I had some autotune and a good drink…" And her husband Darius is a saint because he handles all of that. But for all her crazy ways, I know she'll swing first and ask questions later.

  A knock at the door brings the discussion and singing to a halt. Then the door opens and in steps Ryker Colin, the managing partner from the firm.

  “Xavier, ladies. I'm wondering if I could speak with you, Ryann, for a moment alone." I stand up and turn to X, "You guys know each other too?"

  “We do now.” Xavier kiss’ my cheek.

  “What do you mean by now?”

  "The man is waiting, baby."

  I turn, and it hits me, "You went to see him? X, how could you, this is my job?"

  “And you’re my woman. I’m not playing with them or you. I said what I said. Now, go talk to the man.”

  I’ve never felt more love than I do right now. He was willing to go directly to the source, despite me wanting to handle it myself.

  “All alpha and shyte.”

  “Charlee…” They say in unison.

  “What?”

  I laugh out the door. I might as well give my resignation now because I got a man waiting for me.

  Chapter 16

  I drop the keys on the table, locking the door. It feels good to be home.

  "What do you think about meeting with Parker to buy a condo downtown?" Ryann asks.

  “That’s cool, this place is here. But it would be nice to get a spot together. I’m grabbing some water you want something?”

  I hear the rustle of clothes. “Just you.”

  I freeze taking a step back, and I see her naked in the doorway of the room. She grips her breast, giving it a squeeze and my mouth waters. I free my hands, and the water hits the floor. I take her in my arms, not stopping until we reach the bed. Moments later, I'm deep inside her, where I belong, and I don't stop until she's screaming.

  “X.”

  "Yeah, babe."

  “Thank you.”

  "Oh, I hit it like that." I look over, and her laughter brings me joy.

  “Oh yeah baby, you had me crawling up the walls, and smacking that ass, and…” The slap echoes through the room.

  "Keep on playing, and I'll do that shit for real."

  “Don’t threaten me with a good time.” I roll over pulling her against me.

  “Tell me what’s on your mind.”

  "I look forward to marrying you." She holds up the ring, and the moonlight hits it. The shimmer reflects off the wall across the room.

  “But…” This doesn’t sound good.

  “I'm not in a rush. You're only twenty-three. It can be now or later because I'm not going anywhere."

  “We'll know when the time is right. But for the record, I'd marry you today. So, whatever God holds, as long as we're together, I'm good." She glances up into my eyes, "Seeing you in that board room was a total turn-on."

  "You said, boss up." She climbs on top of me, straddling my body. This is my favorite position because I can reach every inch of her body. My hands explore her curves until I know she's ready for round two.

  I withdraw protection from the nightstand. She covers my wood and lowers slowly until I fill her. She squeezes her walls around my shit until I can’t contain the sounds I make.

  The sun breaks through the room when we finally snuggle closer to get some sleep. I feel her love. I joke and shit, but I’d do anything for this woman. Anything.

  “Ryann.”

  “Hum.”

  “I love you.” She lifts her head from my chest. The way her smiles melt my insides make me weak.

  “I love you too.”

  “Even for a youngsta?”

  She chuckles. “I’d keep you around even if the D wasn’t the bomb.”

  “Oooohhh… Why did you have to go there? And who says ‘the bomb' anyway? I laid it down, and I still get lip action. The disrespect is real. I know how to quiet all that chatter.”

  Our bed shakes with her laughter, and my life is perfect.

  “Oooohhh shyte sounds like the kid is ready for round three.”

  “Nah… I’m ready for life.”

  “Well, show me what you got youngsta’.”

  “I gotcha ma.”

  Epilogue

  Neither of us held out very long. Aisha gained the finances she needed between the guys and us. Ryker kept his word and released Scott and Jeff for their parts in the bogus contract. The moment I settled into my new role at Brand X, we planned our big day.

  Parker and Max let us use their home for the wedding. We exchanged our vows in front of my guys, his family, and our friends overlooking the Austin Hill Country.

  Xavier demanded the right to plan the reception, and now I'm blindfolded trusting this man with my life. "Place your hands here."

  “Okay.” I hear indescribable sounds around me. “X, I’m nervous.”

  “Don’t be baby. I got you.”

  I bounce my hand up his neck until I feel his beard and I bring his mouth to mine. “Thank you.”

  His hands are on my hips, and he starts a soft countdown in my ear. "Three, two, one…"

  “Surprise!”

  The blindfold lifts and I’m at The Dungeon standing in the place from our first date.

  “My best date…." I whisper, and I can't control my tears. I didn't want this man, but because of him, my life has changed. Now, we work hard all day, and party all night. I manage my own legal team, and I own equity in Platinum Prestige and Brand X. But what matters most is, I’m married.

  “Technically, it’s your best last date, Mrs. Evans." He kisses me, and I feel the love down to my toes.

  He brings the microphone to his mouth. “I’d like to welcome the first artist to the stage, Marques.”

  “What?!” I start jumping up and down. He’s my favorite R&B singer.

  “Wait a got-damn minute. You can’t do that.” Xavier cuts his hand through the air.

  I laugh, and the concert officially begins. The DJ handles the intermissions, but all of the acts use real music. This reception will go down in history.

  Cash later takes the stage dedicating his set to Tia and Xavier is livid. “Tia…”

  She looks at me, and I can't control my husband. The final shocker for the night is Ryker Colin.

  “Thank you for sending the invitation.” He shakes Xavier’s hand and kisses my cheek.

  "Thank you for joining us." He heads off, and Jordan slides up beside me. "I know this isn't your scene, but are you having fun."

  “This place is epic.” Her eyes roam around until she notices Ryker.

  "Ryker, Jordan. Jordan, Ryker. Oh, Ryker, you can talk with her about that app idea you had." Her nervous laughter is normal, but the snort at the end makes me turn around. She nods yes then no then shrugs. I face Ryker.

  “We’ll schedule something.”

  “I’d love to.” His eyes are on Jordan. What in the world is happening here? “I'll have my assistant call you after your honeymoon. Jordan, I hope to see you again."

  He walks off, and I'm …shocked.

  “What was that?!” I point to his retreating back.

  “Me being a fucking freak.”

  “Men like freaks.” I throw it back to make her smile.

  “Bed freaks…not walking, talking, stuttering freaks.” She lets out a grown.

  “Don’t give up. I didn’t want a man and look.” I scan the area with an open hand.

  “Does he have a cousin?”

  We laugh, and I hear, "Mrs. Evans, dance with me."

  Xavier pulls me into his arms, and I exhale resting in the safety of his arms. The music is loud, and the turn up is real then his mouth brushes my ear.

  "Ever considered the st
ory, we'll tell our kids?" I shake my head. "I think it should start with…it was love at first sight."

  "I like that. Are you ready for this?" I glance up into his eyes, I'm more than lucky, I'm blessed. I kiss him slowly. The list of our difference grows daily, but our love is unmatched.

  “I am. I love you Ryann.”

  “Love you too X. Now, let’s turn up.”

  We dance and laugh and drink. I can’t wait for my future as Mrs. Xavier Evans.

  Thank you for reading ABSOLUTE LOVE. Ryann and Xavier found their happily ever after. Keep reading and meet Jordan and Ryker in Devoted Love.

  It’s Halloween.

  I’m dressed as a fairy princess. Only my guys get the irony as I cover my tats in makeup and hide my dreadlocks underneath a platinum blonde and pink wig to snag Ryker.

  I’m Jordan Cole, the tech whisperer and a partner with my best friends in Platinum Prestige. I gladly hide behind the scenes because I don’t handle social situations or people well.

  I manage to control my inner freak until I’m stuck alone in a room with Ryker Colin, fifteen years my senior, classically handsome, and the managing partner of a prestigious law firm.

  Nothing about me belongs in his pristine life. I fumble, stutter, and I might snort when I laugh. So, when Ryker hires me to build a custom app, I realize I want more than the contract, I want him.

  Now the question remains, can I cast a spell to make the handsome prince fall madly in love with an oddity like me?

  One-click DEVOTED LOVE now!

  Author’s Note

  I said YES to a holiday romance writing project in 2019.

  Ten authors. Ten holidays. Ten steamy romances. And we’ve all said yes to taking this journey together.

  My ten stories are novella length. I think they’re great for an evening of reading with your favorite glass of wine or tea. :) And I had the group of guys to make this series happen.

  Then struts in Hunter and her squad, her guys. They came to me years ago. I love a good millionaire or billionaire romance like the next woman. But a few of my readers emailed me asking about a female millionaire. I thought why settle for one if I can write ten. **insert evil laugh**