by D. Camille
“Good.” Liv purred. “I want you to think so…”
Placing a big hand on her thigh, Miles said, “I know it.”
When they arrived at the venue, Miles helped Liv out of the car, still enamored by her dress and high heels.
“You know you look good.” He told her, staring down into her face.
“I wanted to look good for you.”
With a hand on her lower back, Miles walked Liv to the door, then inside to where some of her peers were gathered.
“Miss Jones!”
Liv smiled and greeted the few who were seated.
“Hello, everybody. This is Miles…” she introduced him to the fellow teachers.
One by one, Miles greeted each and learned their names.
“It’s nice to meet all of you.” He told them with a smile.
Miles seated Liv at one of the tables, then sat next to her along with the others. The couple ordered drinks and engaged with the others until KeKe and Tiffany arrived.
KeKe looked up at Miles’ tall frame and smiled.
“I am so happy to meet you.” KeKe said. “I’ve heard so much about you.”
“Same here,” Miles replied.
The party was in full swing with music, food and drinks when Liv looked up and frowned. Both Miles and KeKe saw her face and looked to see what had caused her reaction.
“I told you he might be here.” KeKe whispered.
“It’s fine.” Liv said. “Just as long as he doesn’t say anything to me.”
“Who is that?” Miles asked Liv.
She turned to him. “Ty.”
*******
Miles watched the man greet the other attendees, then take a seat at the table. Ty’s eyes looked over at Liv, then at the man beside her, watching him.
For her part, Liv ignored him and continued having a good time with her friends. Miles sat back, sipping his drink, simply waiting for Ty to get out of pocket. Sizing up the man, Miles wondered how the hell this dude had ever thought that he could handle a woman like Liv.
Miles looked over as Liv turned to him and gave him a sexy smile. He winked at her and returned it, before turning his attention back to Ty.
“Who’s in for partner karaoke?” KeKe asked, turning to Liv and Miles.
Miles lifted a brow at Liv.
“Are you in?” she asked.
He nodded. “I’m down for whatever.”
“Okay!” KeKe said. “This is going to be fun!”
“I get to pick the song.” Miles whispered to Liv.
She looked at him suspiciously. “Why?”
“Just trust me.”
“You know that I have to work with these people?”
He leaned down and whispered in her ear, “Certain performances we only do in private.”
Liv kissed the side of his face.
“Okay,” she agreed softly.
When it was Liv and Miles’ turn, he walked her to the performance area and she watched while he went over to select the song with the DJ. Everyone waited as he returned to her and pulled up a tall stool. With both hands around her waist, he lifted Liv to sit on top of it.
She crossed her legs, then took the microphone that Miles handed to her before taking one for himself. His eyes told her this was about to be real sexy…
The music started and Liv recognized the first notes of Trey Songz’s tribute to Jill Scott, Sumn Real. Liv nodded in appreciation to the soulful beat.
Gimme Sumn Real...
Sitting on the stool, Liv’s eyes stayed connected to his as Miles dropped the verse like a seasoned performer.
She don’t wanna believe thangs
I don’t wanna deceive thangs
We pick up, we leave thangs
We need love to relieve pain
You’re so a hunnid, girl don’t change
Then Liv picked up the chorus while touching the soft beard on his face.
You love me,
Especially...different
You love me,
You give me some things to think about.
Ignite me...
Miles smiled, “Gimme Sumn Real…”
The sensual rendition lasted for a few minutes, and when the music stopped, they stared at one another until the DJ coughed.
“Let’s give it up for Liv and Miles!” He said into the microphone and the crowd began to clap in appreciation.
They returned to the table and KeKe stared at them.
“Now that’s just wrong what y’all did.” She told them.
“What?” Liv asked.
“Order some drinks so we all can calm down.” KeKe replied with a frown. “With y’all pretty, sexy asses…”
The next act started and Miles turned to watch until Liv placed a hand on his arm. He turned back to her and she pressed her lips against his.
“Gimme Sumn Real…” she whispered.
“You know you got that real,” Miles said, then returned her kiss.
Across the table, Ty was watching Miles and Liv as the main attractions and when the dance floor opened, he decided to make his move. Liv and KeKe were at the food table making plates, and Miles had stepped out for a moment.
“Y’all are so cute together.” KeKe told Liv.
“Thank you.” Liv said, holding on to two plates. “I’m like in a dream right now.”
“Well, I’m in there with you.”
“Did I lie about him?” Liv asked.
KeKe shook her head. “Nope...and if I was in your shoes, I’d be making movies, too.”
“Girl, shut up!” Liv whispered harshly. “These are teachers.”
“Teachers get freaky too, Liv.”
“Excuse me…”
They both turned at the sound of the voice.
“Oh sugar…” KeKe said, shaking her head.
“Hi Liv.” Ty greeted her.
“Don’t talk to me.” Liv said coldly. “Just go away.”
“We still work together.”
Liv starting filling a plate.
“No. We don’t.”
“I’m transferring to your school in the fall.”
Both Liv and KeKe looked at him.
“Why are you doing that?” KeKe questioned.
Ty kept his eyes on Liv.
“Are you still stalking me?” Liv asked angrily. “Didn’t you get the message?”
“I’m not stalking you.” Ty argued. “I have to live, too.”
KeKe saw Miles returning, then repeated, “Oh, sugar....”
Walking up to Ty, Miles said, “Come holla at me.”
“Huh?” Ty asked.
“Bring your ass outside.” Miles clarified.
“Why?”
“So we can talk...man to man.” Miles replied. “Or, we can do it right here, but I wouldn’t advise that.”
Liv and KeKe looked between the two men, before they took off to the exit. Watching Miles and Ty head outside, Liv and KeKe put down their plates and followed.
“Why did you want to talk to me?” Ty asked Miles once they moved a small distance from the building.
“Why do you keep fucking with Liv?”
Ty paused. “I tried to be nice to her.”
“I tried to be nice to you.” Miles told him.
“How?”
Miles stepped closer. “See, what I should’ve done was come down here my damn self and just put a whooping on your ass, but instead I sent the police to tell you to fall the hell back.”
“That was you?” Ty asked surprised.
“My people…”
“You’ve got people?”
Miles sighed. “Listen Ty, you’re really not even worth my fucking energy. Liv doesn’t want you. Accept that shit and keep pushing, before your family is filing a missing person’s report.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“Did you threaten Liv?”
Ty frowned. “Liv thinks every man wants her ass.”
“Clearly she’s right about you.” Miles told him.
Smiling, Miles said, “You can only wish that Liv would want you the way she wants me…”
His words angered Ty.
“I’m not going to fight you over no damn Liv.” He snapped.
“Who said you could?” Miles laughed. “I don’t need to beat your ass to impress Liv.”
“So what do you want?”
Miles shrugged. “I’m telling you in person...just stay away from Liv, because I’m not the kind of dude who does a lot of talking.”
“You know what? Fuck Liv.”
Nodding, Miles said, “I guess we know where we stand. Try to enjoy the rest of your night, Ty. Goodbye.”
“I’m not leaving.”
Miles began to walk away toward a police car that was pulling into the parking lot.
“Yeah, you are.” He replied.
The officers got out and gave Miles a handshake.
“What up doe, Miles?”
“What up doe?” Miles replied. “Thanks for looking out.”
“You know we got you.” The officers replied. “How’s Ms. Pat?”
Miles smiled. “She’s good. I’ll tell her I saw you while I was down here.”
They all looked over at Ty.
“So he didn’t get the message?” One officer asked.
Shaking his head, Miles answered, “Nah, I think he learns better...hands on.”
“We got you.”
Listening from their spot out of sight, Liv turned to KeKe.
“Who is this Negro?” she asked in confusion.
Chapter 18
Cuddled together on Liv’s sofa, the couple wound down their night.
“Did you have fun?” Liv asked him, lying on his chest.
“Yeah...it was cool.” He answered. “I like KeKe.”
“She’s a whole fool.” Liv laughed. “She likes you, too.”
Lifting her head, she looked at him. “She told me not to mess this up.”
“I agree with her.”
“It takes two, you know.”
Miles looked at her. “I’m good. We’re talking about you.”
“Who told you that you’re good?”
“You.”
Liv arched a brow. “When?”
“When you smile at me.”
That made her smile at him.
“See...” he told her.
“I guess you are good.”
Miles pulled her closer.
“I came here to surprise you, and to take you back home with me…” He told her softly. “I’m willing to open my home and my life to you. What more do you want, girl?”
Liv put her hand on his chest over the solid beats. “This?”
“You want my heart?” Miles asked, and Liv nodded. “Then, I’m going to need yours in return.”
“An even exchange.”
Touching her hair, Miles lifted his face to hers. Liv obliged him with a sweet kiss, then stared down into his brown eyes.
“Tell me how you know Dallas police so well.”
“What makes you think that?”
She gave him a look.
“I saw you talking to them outside the party...and you had them call Ty after I gave you his name.” Liv pointed out.
He laughed. “You’ve been watching too many of those true crime stories...doing detective work.”
“Yep. Now answer my question.”
Miles paused and contemplated his answer.
“I’m not going to tell anybody.” Liv promised. “I can keep a lot of secrets.”
“How’d you get so good at keeping secrets?”
“I grew up with Colonel Jones,” she answered. “I never wanted anybody to know how he treated us.”
Miles’ eyes turned compassionate.
“Did he hurt you?”
“Not physically…”
He gathered her close.
“I’m sorry, baby.”
“I survived and so did Taylor, so I’m good.” Liv hugged him back. “Now back to the police…”
“I share a father with one of the officers.”
Liv blinked. “You have more brothers other than Lance?”
“Lance is my only brother.” Miles explained. “Although we have different fathers.”
“And you have a half-brother here in Dallas?”
“Yeah, I have a total of six half-siblings, spread all over, but mostly in Detroit.”
She nodded. “Are you in contact with all of them?”
“I know who they are.”
“But you’re not close?”
“Nah, not really. I don’t mess with them like that.” Miles told her. “Some of them into some shit that I don’t dabble in.”
“Your father had seven kids?”
“With six women…” Miles said in disgust. “And didn’t take care of any of them…”
“Is he still aLive?” Liv asked.
“Unfortunately, yes..” He answered. “But, I don’t fuck with him.”
Liv rubbed his chest gently.
“He probably doesn’t even realize what he’s missed out on, not knowing the amazing man he created.” She said softly.
“I’m never going to be that man.” Miles vowed. “I can’t imagine not being in my son’s life or having a bunch of kids all over the damn place.”
“Some cycles are meant to be broken…” Liv commented.
“Yeah, I’m definitely not following that path.” He held her gaze. “I want a woman that I love, to raise my kids with and just live a good ass life.”
“I want the same...except with a man,” Liv teased.
Miles laughed softly. “I can’t believe how much I thought about you after you left.”
“It’s the priceless ass.”
“I thought so, too.” Miles replied. “But, I was wrong...it’s just you, Liv.”
“Gas me up…”
He shook his head.
“No gassing, just truth.”
“Well, I was going crazy over you.” She admitted.
“You get me for the whole summer,” Miles said, kissing her face. “Up close and personal.”
“We’ll probably be ready to kill each other.”
Still kissing her, he said, “Or we’ll be completely in love…”
Liv pulled back to look into his face.
“Just that simple?”
“Just that simple...if you want it.”
******
A few days later, Miles opened the door to his house and Liv walked in.
“Welcome home,” he told her.
She smiled at him.
“Thank you.”
Miles dropped her bags and took her hand.
“Let me show you around.” He said and she looked confused.
“You know I’ve been here before.” She said, following him.
“This is the kitchen.” Miles announced. “Over there is the stove…”
Liv glared at him, then he gathered her up in his arms.
“You think you’re funny.” She told him with a frown.
“I’m just teasing you, baby.” He held her close. “Let’s put your stuff away and then I gotta take care of some business.”
“I’m going to go hang out with Taylor.”
“Cool. I’ll drop you off and pick you up later.” Miles led her back to where her bags sat.
“I can get a ride or rent a car while I’m here.”
He paused. “I can take you.”
“Miles, I’m not going to be relying on you whenever I want to go somewhere.” Liv told him firmly.
“Okay, then I’ll get you a car.”
“I know how to rent a car.” Liv rebutted.
He frowned at her. “You’re my guest.”
She frowned back. “Yes...and I thank you for being my host.”
After a short stare off, they moved silently to his bedroom and he placed her bags inside the walk-in closet. When Miles walked back into the room, Liv was sitting on the bed and patted the
spot next to her.
Quietly, he came and sat beside her.
“Listen, I know that you’re just trying to make sure that I have what I need, and I appreciate that. I’m just not used to it.” Liv told him. “I don’t want you to think I’m ungrateful. I’m accustomed to taking care of myself.”
Miles took her hand and brought it to his lips.
“Thank you for voicing that.” Miles said softly. “I’ve spent most of my life taking care of a woman’s every need, so now it’s a habit. I don’t want to smother you, and at the same time I never want you to feel like I’m neglecting you or I don’t care.”
Liv smiled. “Thank you for voicing that.”
“We’re probably going to bump heads over little things, but I want you to tell me when I step out of pocket.” Miles shared.
She agreed. “And I want you to do the same.”
“See how well we did that?” He said with a smile.
“Painless…” Liv said, laying her head on his shoulder.
“I don’t want to fight with you, baby.”
“And I didn’t come here to do that,”
Miles laid her back on the bed and began kissing her deeply.
“I thought you had work to do,” Liv breathed when his hand began to caress her body.
“I do.”
“Then what are you doing?” she asked feeling her body heating.
“Setting my priorities…”
Liv smiled. “Okay…”
Later, Miles dropped Liv off at Taylor’s apartment. Inside the vehicle, he leaned over and kissed her.
“I’ll call you when I’m done.” He told her. “Then I’ll pick you up.”
“That’s fine, but you aren’t going to get your way just by making me tap out.” Liv said firmly.
“We’ll see.”
She kissed him again, then Miles came around and opened the door for her.
“I’ll see you later.” He told her.
Miles waited until she was inside, then climbed back into the vehicle and took off. Upstairs, Taylor greeted her sister with a big hug.
“Liv!”
“Taylor!”
“I’m so glad you’re here!” Taylor said, before they broke apart. “You look amazing!”
Liv smiled. “So do you!”
“We have so much to talk about,” Taylor led Liv into the Living room, where they both sat on the sofa.
“How’s Mathias?” Liv asked.
“Incredible.” Taylor answered. “And how’s Miles?”
“Amazing.”
Taylor frowned. “I’m mad that you’re here spending the summer with him, when you could’ve stayed with me.”