All This Time (9 page)

Chapter
Fifteen

October

After
living with Natalie and Wise a couple of weeks, I’m beginning to earn their
trust. Wise is a smart guy, currently working on his PhD in physics, hence the
nickname. But even as smart as he is, being a member of one of the most
notorious drug cartels in Atlanta makes him a real dumb-ass. I’m completely
baffled as to why he chooses to deal in drugs for a living when the little shit
could be working for NASA or Donald Trump. But if I’m being honest, education
doesn’t really factor into the downward spiral this country is spinning in when
it comes to narcotics, legal and illegal alike. Celebrities get busted and/or
die every day, just as much as the more common blue collar worker because of
their addictions. Bless her heart Natalie appears completely in the dark about
his degenerative employment too. Some days I wish I could just grab her by the
shoulders and shake her senseless. Then maybe she would open her eyes and see
the truth.

“Hey
hotness,” Decks purrs, prowling over to the edge of the swimming pool, where
I’m currently laying face down on a float, soaking up the sun on this unusually
hot October day in Georgia. It’s been a weekend of record breaking temperatures
across the southeast.

Knowing
he is completely checking out my ass, I flip over and confirm my hunch when I
see his eyes flash with burning desire as they snake over my exposed flesh. I
slip off the float and glide through the water toward the steps. He continues
around the side meeting me at my lounge chair. Holding out a towel, spread wide
in his arms, he looks pleased. A little too pleased.

“I
came by to see you,” he says matter-of-factly.

“Really?”
I smirk, snatching the towel away from him and
drying off quickly, before wrapping my hair up in it. “Why are you looking for
me?”

“I
spoke with Rad yesterday. He told me that you broke up.” He smiles
overconfidently like he knows something I don’t know. Good luck with that one,
Decks old buddy. Lowering his voice he states, “I want you to know that I
admire him for that. It takes a real man to realize that it’s totally unfair to
make a woman like you wait for him.”

I
fake a heavy, pathetic sigh and correct him, “He broke up with me, but I’m
still committed.” Grabbing my sunglasses, I slide them on and speedily walk
toward the back door knowing that he’s hot on my trail. “I happen to disagree
with you by the way. It’s a real jackass cowardly way out, and I don’t believe
for a moment that he did it for my sake.” I lower my voice and mumble loud
enough for him to hear, “He probably has some dumb blonde lined up for his
release.”

“Angel,”
Decks calls, grabbing my elbow and stopping me from going inside the house.
“I’m sorry. I can tell that you are hurt.” He pauses, looks away for a moment
then pierces me with a sharp stare before asking, “Would you like to go get
some dinner?”

I
laugh.
“Really, Decks?”
I push open the sliding glass
door and step into the kitchen with him following. “I tell you that I’m still
committed to my boyfriend, who just broke up with me, and you think that it’s
the green light for your next hook-up?” Without looking at him, I slam my
glasses down on the table as I pass it, heading toward the stairs.

“No,”
he growls reaching for my arm again and spinning me around to face him. “That’s
not what this is between us, Angel. With you, I’m different. I don’t want to
get into your bed.” I raise an eyebrow suspiciously and he flashes a devilish
smile before adding, “Okay, that I do want, but it’s not all I want.”
Thankfully, tiny ears aren’t home at the moment, so they can’t hear this
bullshit.

“What
do you want, Decks?” I ask, putting both hands on my hips and looking into his
dark eyes, slowly heating with desire again, but this is different from the
look he had when glaring at my booty.

Lifting
a hand up to my face, he cups my cheek softly and leans in. “Everything,” he
insists, pressing his lips to mine. He tastes warm and his kisses are extremely
tender. I would have never guessed kissing him would be this nice. He moves
both hands around my back, drawing my wet body firm against him. I wrap my
hands around his waist, gripping his leather belt, snaked around his faded blue
jeans. This is the safest place for my hands at the moment. If I touch his side
or back he may be encouraged and will want more than I’m willing to give him
right now. Getting Decks interested definitely secures a spot for me back in
the group, one that is a lot higher up on the ladder too.

Stepping
out of his embrace, I warn breathlessly, “Decks.”

“Angel,
give me a chance. I’ll give you all the space you need and promise not to rush
us, but I
really
want you.”

Damn,
I didn’t realize the dude was falling for me.

“Uh,
I don’t know,” I mumble, covering my fingertips over my hot lips and looking
toward the stairs. I climb up the first two steps, turn around, finding him
looking at me, and not just my ass this time. “Pick me up at eight and make it
someplace outrageous.” I wink, jogging up the stairs toward the shower while
wondering what accepting Decks invitation will do for my future.

After
washing and rinsing all of the chlorine down the drain, I stroll into my room
and dress quickly. I slip on a loose halter top and my favorite dark wash
fitted jeans, along with my gray cowboy boots. My phone rings twice before I
reach across the bed and answer it.

“Hello.”
I singsong, smiling after seeing the screen lit up with my brother’s adorable
mug.

“Hey
Sam,” Marcus chuckles and asks, “How are things in Georgia?” I sigh, hearing
his southern accent mixed with a bit of English inflection.

“Things
are…boring,” I offer, not wanting him to worry unnecessarily. “What’s up? You
don’t ever call me anymore. I actually thought that maybe you lost my phone
number.”

“Yeah,
sorry about that,” he sighs this time, but before I can ask he says, “I want to
talk to you about my civil service exam and physical agility tests. Will you be
in Willow for Thanksgiving?”

“Wild
hogs couldn’t keep me away from Gran’s feast and watching football with
Granddad,” I insist, smiling happily thinking about spending time with my
family.

“Great,”
he says truly happy about my plans. “Don’t forget my birthday present.”

“Birthday?
Shit. Aren’t you too old for gifts now?” I joke.

“Hell
no,” he laughs, “and neither are you if I remember correctly, although most
women quit counting after thirty.”

“You
little shit. I am not thirty!” I shout, still laughing lightly and suddenly
feeling the weight of the seriousness from the past few months lifting away.

“Sure,
Sam,” he continues laughing, “I love you. See you soon.”

I
clutch the phone tightly after he hangs up, wishing that we didn’t have to say
goodbye. That’s not realistic though because Marcus is at home in England and
the door bell just rang, reminding me that I have a date with destiny. I toss
everything I need into my Coach Hobo bag and bound down the stairs. Turning the
corner, I find Decks waiting patiently for me in the living room. His face lights
up like a sparkler on Independence Day while his eyes take in every inch of me
appreciatively before sauntering over and placing a tender kiss on my cheek.

“You’re
absolutely beautiful,” he declares, smiling down at me with a look so sexy that
it would have any other woman immediately planning her wedding with the
charming Mr. Kennedy and naming all five of their future babies. It only freaks
me out. “Are you ready Ms. Johnson?”

I
snap out of my mild trance and nod.
What the hell have I gotten myself into
?

Chapter
Sixteen

“Except
for the fact that you are the hottest woman I have ever seen,” shaking his head
dramatically with his dark brown eyes bugging out in shock, Decks states
adamantly, “I have no idea why my sister hates you.”

“Shut
up,” I
swat
at his arm, lying stretched across the
table, “I’m being serious, Decks.” Taking hold of my hand, he flips it and lays
his hot palm over mine and I pull a fake smile, hoping to convince him that
this is okay.

Decks
went all out on our date tonight. He brought me to the hottest restaurant in
Atlanta. A place like this one normally requires you to make reservations
months in advance, but being the nephew of a drug boss will dissolve that issue
altogether. He ordered our meal flawlessly in French, and so far, I’m impressed
with his ability to be a bloody gentleman. My curiosity is borderline berserk
now. Why is one of the wealthiest men in the city working in a filthy sell
house when he lives like a prince away from it? Could supreme power be his
obsession?

“God
Angel, I’m serious. I haven’t seen a woman as beautiful as you in all of my
life.” He stares at me longingly, making me believe that he really means what
he’s saying.
Dude is a player who could give my brother Morgan a run for his
money
. This is some serious game he is bringing.

“Thank
you,” I whisper, averting my eyes to the napkin in my lap. Time to put my, “Win
Decks Over,” plan into action. “Rad was really cool, but…” I trail off hoping
that my hook baits him. When I pause, it appears that he’s actually holding his
breath for a moment.

“But
what sweetness?” he asks his voice soft and hoarse with lust.

I
lift my eyes staring into his briefly, spotting genuine interest and something
else indicating that he’s definitely taking a nibble at what I’m offering.
Clearing my throat, I run my hand down the back of my head, drawing all of my
long hair letting it cascade over my right shoulder. His eyes jump to focus on
my throat and he licks his lips.

Hooked

“Well,
I don’t know if he told you how we, um…met?” he nods slowly, finally lifting
his eyes up to meet mine directly.

He
swallows several times before responding. “Yeah, about that,” his eyebrows draw
down and he crosses his arms over his chest, “What kind of fucking
prick
were you dating before Rad? I mean he put you up in a
damn card game for fucks sake.” His voice is practically growling ferociously
as he continues to sort it out verbally. “Dick seriously didn’t know how to
treat a lady. I would never risk someone as fine as you for what three hundred
bucks? Is that really how much the pot was when Rad went all in?”

“Yes,”
Giving him a sad nod, I bite down hard on my bottom lip before I lie some more,
“honestly, I was happy my ex lost that hand.” Pause. “He wasn’t nice to me,
Decks. Rad took really good care of me, but now he’s done.” Feeling my heart
beat erratically with excitement, I focus everything I have on my fingers and
let out a deep breath. “I feel like such an idiot. I know I’m nothing special,
but when we were together he made me feel that I was.”

“Did
you love him?” he tosses out that ridiculous question and it actually feels
like I’ve been slapped across the face.

“Fuck
no!” I flinch at that nasty four letter word and then look back at him to see
that he is totally serious with this question. Schooling my hasty emotions, I
check to make sure no one else witnessed my outburst and then I apologize
through a whisper, “Sorry, I mean…Rad and I didn’t really have that kind of
relationship.” I smile suggestively. “If you know what I mean.”

“Damn,”
he mumbles, looking out through the restaurant, like he’s searching for our
waiter so that he can get our check.
Oh shit
, I better recover quickly
before he thinks I’ll go all spread-eagle for just any guy.

“You
know what?” I ask and he looks back at me again, eyes overflowing with lust.
“I’m glad it’s over. I was sick of being used like that. I just need to find a
new place to live soon. I
cannot
keep staying with Natalie and Wise.
They’re great and all, but kids give me creepy, crawly skin.” That’s the most
honest thing I think I’ve ever said to him. I shudder for real, thinking about
being around children twenty-four-seven, although, that little princess is
worming her chubby-cheek cuteness into my heart.
Ugh, what the hell am I
thinking?
My whole way of thinking is being influenced by a toddler.

“Yeah,
you don’t come across as the motherly type.” I shake my head dramatically and
he chuckles before becoming concerned again. “What will you do? Does your
family live close?”

“No
family,” I state matter-of-factly. “I was in foster care after my mother
abandoned me and she never left information about my father. I turned eighteen
and split, didn’t look back once. I have a friend that lives in Savannah who I
could stay with temporarily.” I shrug my shoulders like it’s no big deal and
take a sip of my drink.

“You
know, I could let you stay at my place,” he suggests with a near blinding
smile.

“Oh,”
I gasp, feigning shock. “Wow, that…well, that kind of shocks me. You don’t seem
like the kind of man to help a girl in need. You’re more like the
one-night-stand-and-never-see-you-again kind of guy.”

“Am
I really that obvious?” He laughs, turning his glass up and downing the last of
the beer and foam in it.

My
smile stretches across my lips, and I really pour it on thick. “Yes, but I like
that about you. Your games are straight forward. Take what we have for example
–” Just like the player that he is, before I can finish he cuts me off with a
slick move.

“I
would never play games with you babe. There is something special between us.”

Seriously,
I want to laugh out loud at his ridiculousness. Instead, I jam my fingernails
into my palms and give him a sweet agreeable nod.
What an idiot!
I’ve
already explained how our relationship is and there’s no way I would classify
it as special, unless you note the fact that no guy has ever hit on me more
than Decks. It’s like he has a blocker up that deafens him to the words “not a
chance,” “hell no,” or even “fuck off.”

“You
are the sweetest thing, Decks,” I croon sweetly, nearly gagging on the syrupy
goop flowing out of my mouth. “You would really let me move in…temporarily?”

“Hell,
yes,” he demands, reaching across the table and taking my hand in his. “Let’s
move your shit in tonight.”

I
laugh for real this time. “After the holiday would be better, I need to break
it to Natalie gently. I don’t think she will take the news as well as you.
Wait…” Starting to rise from his seat, he drops back down and stares at me with
kind eyes. “I just realized I’ve never been to your place. Do you have room for
me? I mean, if you don’t, I’m sure Nat –”

He
cuts me off, “You’re moving in.” He clutches my hand tenderly and with a smirk
curling his lips he adds, “We’ll squeeze you in somehow.”

After
paying the check, Decks escorts me through the restaurant toward the exit with
his hand resting at the small of my back. There is a large group waiting for
the late dinner seating and he stops to speak with a few of them. Taking
advantage of the free moment, I gather my frenzied thoughts on what moving in
with Decks is going to do for me. I know for certain he will make passes. He
must, it’s in his player DNA. He could possibly spontaneously combust and die
if he didn’t flirt every hour on the hour.

No
matter though, I’ll deal with it. Although he has a domineering side, he
doesn’t seem like the kind of guy that would rape anyone. I’m hoping I can
trust my gut on that one, but if he does happen to get a wild hair up his ass,
I will just use him as my crash test dummy for karate.
Decks
is
much bigger and brawnier than I am, but I’ve been practicing martial
arts since I was five. Only a skilled master would be a real challenge for me.

“What
in the hell are you doing bringing that little floozy here?”

Startled
by the sudden outburst in the relatively quiet restaurant, I glance back to
where Decks is talking with his friends to find Lourdes snarling at her brother
while pointing at me. I smirk inwardly thinking about how shocked the Queen B
will be when he tells her his plan to move me in. I’m almost giddy with
anticipation.

“Lourdes,
I want you to stop talking about Angel like that. She’s a good friend of mine
and your bitchiness is yesterday’s news,” Decks orders, admirably defending me
from his sister. “You’re coming off as jealous and yellow isn’t a good color on
you.”
Yellow?
I thought the universal color for jealousy was green.

“There
is nothing that worthless little thing has…” Lourdes cuts her eyes at me, scanning
me once before adding, “or will ever have that would make me jealous of
her
.”

Oh
girl if you only knew.
By the way, hell no, I don’t feel bad about fucking
her man. She is a complete lunatic. I hate cheaters, honestly I do, but I can’t
really blame Blues for humping the first docile woman who came along. What I
don’t get is, why me? Really, the man is the sexiest creature I’ve ever seen,
and the way women threw themselves at him at the club proves that he could have
done much better. And he sure as hell doesn’t have to settle for her skank ass.
Maybe it is drug cartel politics mixed with a little favor reimbursement. You
know the one, “You fill my crack pipe, I let you screw my niece,” the same old
song and dance since the fall of man.