The Professional (The Negus Effect Series Book 5)

by D. Camille

  Liv watched the door for Miles’ return.

  “Yes, and you’re right...I should have contacted you.”

  “What happened? Where have you been?”

  “I’m still with Miles.” Liv shared. “I promise to see you later, okay?”

  Taylor paused. “You’re sure you’re alright?”

  Liv smiled as Miles appeared dressed in jeans, a navy T-Shirt and one of his many pairs of Jordan’s.

  “I’m very good, Taylor.”

  “Call me later.”

  “I promise, Sis.” Liv replied.

  They ended the call as Miles slid back into the vehicle. Seeing her put her phone away, he placed the bag of food on the back seat.

  When he took off driving, Liv said, “I was talking to Taylor.”

  “I didn’t ask.” Miles glanced at her.

  “It would be rude and hypocritical of me to be engaging another man, while I’m with you.” She explained.

  “Hmmm...but you think I do shit like that.”

  She nodded. “I did, but you’re showing me that you don’t.”

  “Why do think so badly of men...or is it just me?” Miles continued to drive.

  “I don’t want to think badly of you.”

  “Who was the dude?”

  Liv looked out the window. “There was more than one.”

  “Damn...how many?”

  “Four…”

  Miles turned to her. “Four?”

  “Yes, Colonel Jones and his three sons.” She answered.

  “I’m assuming this Colonel is your father?”

  “He’s my male parent.”

  Nodding, Miles asked quietly, “Did he hurt you?”

  “Emotionally...yes. He hurt us both.”

  “You and Taylor?”

  Liv answered, “Yes.”

  “And your mother?” Miles asked.

  “They both hurt us.”

  Miles looked straight ahead.

  “We have something in common.”

  She turned to him just as he pulled up in front of a cute little house.

  “We’re here.”

  Liv looked at the house and asked, “Who else lives here?”

  “Just my Mama.”

  “Why doesn’t she Live with you?”

  Laughing, Miles said, “You’ll see.”

  Grabbing the bag from the back, he exited and walked around to open Liv’s door. Taking her hand, he walked her to the porch and took out his key.

  He let Liv inside, then yelled, “Mama! I’m here!”

  “Why the hell are you yelling?” she yelled back.

  “I brought somebody with me, so fix yourself up.” He hollered.

  Liv hit his arm. “Miles!”

  “What?”

  “This is her house. I’m an uninvited visitor.” Liv explained.

  “She’ll beat my ass if I let her come out here without her wig on.” Miles said, leading her to the kitchen.

  “This is a really cute place. Nice and cozy.” Liv commented.

  Sitting the bag on the counter, Miles replied, “Khayla did all this…”

  “She did a great job.”

  “Tell my Mama that…”

  Miles walked over to the table and pulled out a chair.

  “You can have a seat,”

  Liv moved over and sat on the chair he held out for her.

  “Thank you.”

  He smiled, then went back to the counter and took out some plates.

  “I don’t know how long she’s going to take to get out here…” Miles began.

  “I’m here now.”

  Liv looked at the woman standing in the doorway with the very nice wig on her head. Their eyes connected, before Pat turned to her son.

  “You bringing your women in person now?”

  “Mama, this is Liv. Liv, this is my Mama...Pat Johnson.”

  Liv stood and walked over to Miles’ mother. Extending a hand, she said, “Hello, Ms. Johnson. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  Pat took her hand and looked at her in the black dress.

  “Well, look at you.” Pat said, hearing Liv’s accent. “Where are you from?”

  “I’m from Dallas.”

  Pat released her hand and glanced at Miles, who simply went about the task of making plates.

  “And how do you know my son?”

  “I met him when I was here a little while ago visiting my sister.”

  “Your sister?”

  Liv smiled. “Yes, her name is Taylor and she just got engaged to Mathias Roberts.”

  “Oh, I heard about her. That’s your sister?”

  “Yes ma’am.”

  “You’re a pretty little thing…” Pat told her, taking in her red hair and lips.

  “Thank you.”

  Miles chimed in. “Yeah, she is...y’all come and eat.”

  He moved to the table and sat down two plates with utensils, before holding out a chair for his mother. Liv seated herself then Miles pulled a seat next to her.

  “Good morning, Mama.” He told Pat.

  “Good morning, Miles. You were late.”

  He laughed. “Since you made it out here in two minutes, I think I was right on time.”

  “You could’ve told me you were bringing somebody.” Pat chastised.

  “I did..when I got inside the door.”

  Both she and Liv gave him a look.

  “I’m sorry Ms. Johnson.” Liv apologized.

  Miles was surprised when his mother smiled.

  “That’s alright. Nobody can control Miles…”

  “That’s right.” He agreed. “Your food is getting cold.”

  Pat picked up her fork and looked at him when he pushed the other plate in front of Liv.

  “Here you go.” He told her.

  Surprised, Liv looked at him.

  “What are you eating?” she asked.

  “I’m good.”

  “No.”

  Miles smiled. “I think you just like to say that word.”

  Liv stood and walked over to where she’d seen Miles retrieving plates, while both people at the table watched in confusion. Reaching in the drawer, she got another fork, then returned. Oblivious to the stares of Miles and Pat, she separated the food into two plates, then placed one in front of Miles.

  “Here you go.” She told him.

  “Thank you.” He replied, holding her gaze.

  Liv smiled. “Thank you.”

  “Well, damn…” Pat said softly, watching Miles watch Liv.

  “You have a beautiful home, Ms. Johson,” Liv said cheerfully.

  “Thank you. Speaking of home...are you moving to Detroit?”

  Eating from her plate, Liv replied, “No ma’am. I’m going back to Dallas tomorrow.”

  “Are you going with her?” Pat asked Miles.

  “Nah,” he frowned, also eating.

  “When are you planning to come back?” Pat asked Liv.

  Shrugging, Liv said, “Probably not until my sister’s wedding, which they haven’t actually set a date yet.”

  “Not until then?” Pat looked at Miles, who just kept eating.

  “No ma’am.” Liv answered. “When I get back to Dallas, I’ll finish up my school year in two more weeks, then I’ll be getting a much needed vacation for the summer.”

  “You go to school down there?” Pat asked.

  “No, I’m a teacher.”

  Pat nodded. “You look young enough to be a student.”

  Liv grinned. “Thank you, but I’m twenty-seven.”

  “You’re awfully quiet, Miles.” Pat commented.

  “Just thinking,” he replied.

  Both women looked at him, then Pat asked, “What do you teach, Liv?”

  “Science.”

  “You must be a smart girl. My boys love smart women.” Pat boasted. “Lance’s wife is a doctor.”

  Miles chuckled. “She’s met Khayla, Mama…”

  “She’s met Khayla?” Pat lifted a brow.

 
; “And Lance, and everybody else...most of them were at Mathias’ engagement party.” Miles shared.

  “I should’ve gone to that.”

  “I told you that I’d take you.” Miles reminded her.

  Pat groaned. “I didn’t feel like being around all those people.”

  “I understand.” He said supportively.

  With a slight smile, Pat turned her attention back to Liv.

  “I bet a pretty, sexy woman like you has a few men back in Dallas…” Pat commented and watched Miles frown.

  Liv almost choked on her food.

  “Mama…” Miles warned.

  “What? You think you’re the only man who looks at her like that?”

  “Like what?” He asked.

  Pat smirked. “Like you’d rather be tasting her than that food on your plate.”

  This time Liv did choke and Miles reached over to gently pat her back.

  “You alright baby?” Both Miles and Pat asked in unison.

  Covering her mouth, Liv nodded.

  “Yes, I’m sorry.” She said, patting her chest.

  Miles stared at Pat as she quietly finished her plate. With his hand still on her back, he tended to Liv.

  “Do you need something to drink?” Miles asked softly.

  “Yes, please…” Liv said hoarsely.

  Pat watched as Miles got up and went to the fridge. He poured Liv a glass of water from the filtered pitcher, then asked his mother if she wanted a glass.

  “No, take care of your guest.” Pat replied.

  Miles returned to the table and handed Liv the water. She took it and downed it slowly, as Miles rubbed her back gently.

  When she was done, Liv turned to him.

  “Thank you. I’m fine.” She whispered, then looked at Pat.

  “Thank you for letting me share your breakfast, Ms. Johnson.”

  Pat watched her son and replied, “Thank you for coming, Liv. You’re welcome any time.”

  Surprised, Miles looked his mother.

  “You know she’ll be back.” Pat told him.

  Chapter 8

  Liv and Miles completed breakfast with Pat then said their goodbyes.

  Pat hugged Liv tightly. “You have a safe trip.”

  “Thank you. You take care.” Liv replied, pulling back a little. “I’m sure Miles will make sure that you’re good.”

  “He’s a good man.” Pat told Liv.

  “That’s what he tells me,” Liv teased.

  Miles intervened, “Hey…”

  Pat took Liv’s hand. “Be patient with him...his heart is pure gold.”

  “Okay, time to go.” Miles said, taking Liv’s other hand.

  He kissed his mother’s cheek.

  “If you need me, text me.” He told her, then led Liv outside.

  When they were both inside the vehicle, Liv buckled in and sat back.

  “Your Mama is nice.”

  Miles laughed. “I think that you’re the only one who’s ever said that…”

  “Stop it.”

  “My Mama knows who she is…”

  “Well, she was nice to me.”

  He agreed. “She was...I don’t understand it.”

  Liv looked at him. “What do you mean?”

  “She doesn’t like many people.”

  “Why not?”

  Miles shrugged. “She was sick for a long time with Lupus and it changed her.”

  “That’s why you bring her breakfast.”

  “Every single day...unless I’m out of town on business.” He replied. “Khayla and Lance take care of her dinners. On the days she feels good, she goes to the Pride Center for lunch or the other mothers will come and visit with her.”

  “That’s nice.”

  “I’m just glad that she’s doing so much better.” Miles commented while driving. “Khayla has helped her a lot.”

  She stared at him quietly for a short time, then said, “Here’s my apology...I’m sorry Miles. I think it takes a special type of man to get up every morning to take his mother breakfast. I really admire and respect you for that.”

  “Finally…” He said.

  “You shouldn’t gloat.”

  He smiled. “I’m not gloating. I actually appreciate you saying all that.”

  “You’re welcome.” Liv grinned.

  “What are your plans for today?” Miles asked.

  “I don’t have any plans, but I need to check in with Taylor. She wants to talk to me.” Liv told him. “Why?”

  Miles smirked. “Why do you think?”

  She shrugged. “You want me to come back to your place?”

  “No, I want to show you around Detroit before you leave.”

  “Mathias and Taylor showed me around the first time I was here.”

  He shook his head. “Nah baby, I want to show you the real Detroit.”

  “You know what I want to see?”

  “What’s that?”

  “Your studio.”

  Miles kept his eyes on the road.

  “You’re trying to see if I really have one?”

  Liv touched his bare forearm.

  “No, I really want to see what you do and how you do it.” Liv said honestly.

  Miles glanced at her.

  “Yeah, right.”

  “See, now you’re making me think your ass doesn’t have a studio.”

  He laughed softly.

  “I do..and I’ll take you there later.” Miles agreed. “I have a meeting in about an hour.”

  “Cool. Drop me at Taylor’s and pick me up when you’re ready.”

  Nodding, Miles asked, “What time does your plane leave tomorrow?”

  “Ten in the morning.” Liv answered. “I’m trying to be at the airport by seven.”

  She watched as he seemed to be contemplating.

  “What are you calculating?”

  Smiling, he answered, “What time I’ll need to get you back to Taylor’s in the morning.”

  “You’re planning on seeing me all night?” Liv asked.

  “You’re the one who invaded my spot.”

  “Nobody invaded…”

  “Came in snooping through my shit…”

  Liv gave him a look.

  “Now you’re just lying.”

  “Where’s the lie?” Miles asked.

  She folded her arms. “Then I won’t come back.”

  “Okay.”

  “Okay?”

  Miles looked at her.

  “You don’t want to come back...cool.” He told her. “I didn’t invite you in the first place.”

  “You did!”

  “The hell I did…” Miles rebutted. “I offered to take you to the hotel.”

  Liv fanned a hand at him. “See, you’re just trying to make me mad. I’m not going to give you the satisfaction.”

  “What doesn’t make you mad?” Miles questioned. “I’ve yet to see it.”

  Her eyes narrowed.

  “And you probably won’t…” she told him with a frown.

  Liv remained silent for the rest of the ride to Taylor’s apartment. After parking the car, Miles turned to her.

  “I want to see you tonight.” He said softly. “Priceless ass is hard to find…”

  “When I get back to Dallas you’re going to miss me.” Liv said, turning her face to his.

  “I hope you’re wrong.”

  Liv smiled. “I hope you dream about me every night.”

  “You’re so mean.” Miles replied. “But, I still want to see you tonight…”

  “I’m going to tell your Mama how you be acting.”

  Miles laughed and moved his face closer to hers.

  “Tell me you want to see me,” he whispered.

  Staring into his eyes, Liv said, “I’m not going to pass up my last opportunity to be with you...no matter how much you show your ass.”

  “I saw you looking at my ass in my bathroom last night.” Miles told her.

  “I was..it’s decent.”

  “Dec
ent, huh?”

  She nodded. “I mean I don’t go around judging men’s asses…”

  Miles kissed her lips, then gently stroked her cheek.

  “I’ll be back to get you.”

  “I’ll be ready for you…” Liv whispered.

  ******

  Liv entered Taylor’s apartment and was startled to see her sister sitting on the sofa.

  “What are you doing here?” Liv asked, putting her bag down.

  “Waiting for my lost little sister to appear.”

  Liv took a seat and kicked off her heels.

  “I’m sorry Taylor,” she breathed. “I had no idea that I’d get this caught up.”

  “With Miles?”

  Throwing her head back, Liv closed her eyes. “Yes…”

  “What happened?”

  “He picked me up and we went to dinner at Katydids. We go out to his car and this damn fool says he’ll take me to a hotel...and I lost it.”

  Taylor’s eyes widened. “Why?”

  Liv lifted her head and looked at her sister.

  “Because I’m not basic, like I told him.” Liv replied. “And if I’m going to lay down with a grown ass man, then I need him to be just that.”

  “So where did you two go?”

  “To his place.” She replied. “The place where he says he doesn’t take women because he likes to keep his spot peaceful and private.”

  “You made the man take you home, Liv?” Taylor asked.

  “I set the rules.” Liv corrected. “Which more women need to do...because these men will run the shit out of you.”

  Taylor frowned. “I thought you wanted him so bad.”

  “I did...hell, I still do.” Liv answered. “But I don’t want any man that requires me to lower or sacrifice my wants and needs.”

  “So he gave in?”

  “It wasn’t that simple.” Liv shook her head. “For someone who says that he doesn’t like arguing, Miles loves to push me.”

  Taylor gave her a look.

  “What?” Liv asked.

  “It doesn’t require a hard shove, Liv.”

  Liv frowned. “What does that mean?”

  “We both know that growing up with the Colonel and our brothers, left scars on us.” Taylor began. “I internalized everything, and you fought everything...and everybody.”

  “I hate feeling like I’m not being heard or I don’t matter.” Liv said quietly.

  “I know.”

  She pictured the handsome, bearded man with the sexy brown eyes.

  “You felt that’s how Miles was treating you?” Taylor questioned.

  “I did...until I calmed down.” Liv replied. “I did apologize.”