The Appraisal

by Brielle Montgomery

  His cologne smelt deliciously masculine; the distinct fragrance was like a refreshing blend of rich cinnamon and citrus. He dressed like a man who took great pride in his appearance. The khakis and polo shirt hung like they were tailor made and only hinted at what, Jayla assumed, was a defined physique underneath.

  “Good afternoon, ladies,” he greeted. His voice was erotically smooth and had a sexy undertone. Hell, everything about him seemed to drip sex.

  “Well, you are most certainly not a relative.” Aunt Bev offered her hand. “I’m Beverly, but just call me Bev, sweetie.”

  “Pleasure to meet you. I’m Derrick Lewis. I’m a friend of Jayla’s.”

  Jayla lifted an eyebrow. “A friend of mine?” she said.

  “Well, my niece has certainly been hush-hush about you, because she hasn’t said anything about any friends.”

  While Aunt Bev was talking, Jayla realized that Derrick was not shy about sizing her up: he casually ran his eyes over her lips, returned to her eyes, and then gave her a full-body once-over and a murmur of approval. She shifted. Damn, that turned her on. She could almost hear her kitty purr at the candid attention.

  “Well, I definitely hope to see more of you,” Aunt Bev said, with a knowing grin. “We’ll have to get our girl Jayla here to stop hogging you and bring you around more often.”

  “We sure do.” Derrick kept his eyes trained on Jayla as he spoke.

  Jayla didn’t bother responding when Aunt Bev patted her arm before she edged out of the kitchen.

  “Friend of mine,” Jayla said once they were alone.

  “New friend, I hope,” he replied, clarifying matters, and then his lips stretched back in another one of those sexy grins. “I came with my coworker Kevin and his wife, Tara.”

  Jayla nodded. Of course. The final piece of the puzzle.

  “She couldn’t stop talking about you the whole way over,” he went on. “Said once I met you, I wouldn’t be disappointed. And I must say, Miss Jayla Morgan, I am very far from disappointed.”

  Charming. She had to give him that. Her smile broke loose before she had time to hide it. “So I guess you’re supposed to be my surprise,” she said.

  His grin widened. “Damn, I hope so.”

  Jayla’s sigh was regretful. Boyfriends were a big no-no. It just wouldn’t work. Yes, she hated it, and yes, she sometimes missed the companionship, but her payoff was worth the sacrifice. “Listen, Derrick . . .” Her voice was gentle, already filled with compassion, in an effort to, hopefully, soften the sting. “It was a pleasure meeting you, but I’m not really interested.”

  Derrick didn’t waiver. “Why don’t you give me a chance first?” he said. “You don’t want to get to know me, Jayla?”

  Jayla ignored the boyish charm, those damn dimples, and shrugged at the flirtatious questions. “I’m sorry,” she said. “But, again, it was nice to meet you, Derrick.” Without waiting for a response, she carried her plate over to the open sliding-glass door and stepped outside. It was better this way. But too bad. Too damn bad. The man definitely had her body thirsting.

  The heat from the sun warmed her legs, and she was glad she’d opted for capris today, despite the overcast clouds outside her window earlier. A thick screen of smoke and barbecue aroma drifting across the backyard. Someone had put on some old-school jams, and while the pool looked enticing, instead, people had spilled across the deck and onto the grass, bobbing to the music.

  Jayla saw Jackie’s husband, Quentin, motioning for her to come over, and she obliged, stepping across the manicured lawn toward the blazing grill.

  “Hey, Jaye.” He put an arm around her shoulders and pulled her in for a friendly hug. “I know you weren’t gone come out here and not speak to me.”

  “Never that, Que,” she said, fanning the smoke away from her face. “You throwing down out here. Got it smelling good. You never cooked like this for me when we were together.” Jayla had no filter. Nothing new.

  Que glanced around to make sure no one had heard the sneaky comment. He cleared his throat. “We were never together,” he replied.

  “Oh, you’re right. We just fucked a couple times.”

  “Jayla.” His head whipped around, and he stared her in the face. He was pissed, just that quickly. “Not here. Not now. Quit making those damn smart-ass comments.”

  Unfazed, Jayla stepped forward. A quick image of her riding Quentin like he was a runaway stallion flashed through her mind and had her grinning. “Oh really?” she taunted, her eyes twinkling. “If I recall correctly, I thought you liked my smart-ass mouth.” Boldly, she puckered her lips to blow him a kiss, and then she strutted past him just as Jackie headed in their direction.

  Jayla waved and greeted some more family members before heading over to Tara, who was bent over and pulling a drink from the cooler.

  “Very sneaky,” she said, and she had Tara frowning in confusion.

  “What—”

  “Derrick,” Jayla interrupted with a smirk. “I guess you’re going to tell me he just so happened to stop by when you and Kevin were on your way out, and you thought it would be nice to bring him along.”

  Tara shrugged and casually popped the top on the soda in her hand. “Not really,” she said. “I told him he should come because I knew you would be here. I already told you I wanted y’all to meet.” She nudged Jayla’s arm. “He’s fine, though, ain’t he?”

  Jayla tried to hide her amusement. She glanced over to the sliding-glass door as Derrick stepped out onto the patio. She had to admit, the man was fine. She watched him grin at her and lift his beer bottle in another flirtatious greeting.

  “Yeah, he’s fine,” Jayla admitted, unable to contain the hint of wistfulness in the statement.

  “Well, then, what’s the problem?” Tara said. “You better jump on that while he’s available. You know, he hasn’t been in Atlanta long, and some chick gone try to scoop him up quick.”

  Jayla snatched her eyes away from that hypnotic smile. Of course, this wasn’t the first time she’d had to turn a blind eye to a potential boyfriend. She’d had her share of relationships, and some had appeared to be great investments. Call it a test. Just to see if maybe, maybe she could have a little sliver of happiness. But her job called for deception, cheating. So she’d walked away from those relationships. So, as ironic as it was, it was only fair to herself and to potential suitors that she didn’t entertain false hopes anymore. No time to search for Mr. Right at this stage. And she was content with that.

  “I appreciate you trying,” Jayla said. “But he’ll have to just admire me from a distance. I’m not interested in a relationship.”

  Tara didn’t appear to buy it, but instead of arguing, she merely lifted her can to her lips and took a quiet sip.

  * * *

  It seemed like Jayla spent the rest of the party trying to sneak peeks at Derrick as he mingled among her family. Thanks to Aunt Bev, a rumor had spread that the sexy guest was with Jayla, and everyone insisted on an in-depth interrogation, with jaded questions about marriage and kids. Every so often, her eyes would lock with his across the room, and each time embarrassment had her tearing her gaze away from that penetrating stare. Intrigued. Maybe that was it. She was intrigued by his mysterious confidence.

  As the party wound down, she took refuge in the bathroom. When she finally came out, she was surprised, pleasantly so, to see him posted in the hallway, waiting.

  “Are we following each other now?” she said.

  “Not at all. I’m waiting for the bathroom.” He didn’t budge, and Jayla wanted to laugh.

  “There are two more bathrooms in this house.”

  He nodded. “Yes, I know,” he said.

  The fact that he stood there, leaning against the wall, his eyes taking her in as leisurely as if he were savoring a glass of water was intoxicating. Jayla shifted under his gaze, struggling to keep her breathing steady.

  “Is there something else you wanted?” she said.

  Something flickere
d in his eyes. What, she couldn’t tell. But it was definitely something. And the excitement that radiated through her body was enough to leave her dazed. And aching.

  “I’m just waiting for you.” His movements were slow. The hallway wasn’t narrow, but he eased by her, his face just inches from hers, as if space was at a premium.

  Disappointment had Jayla frowning when Derrick merely passed by her, disappeared into the bathroom, and closed the door. She didn’t know what she had been expecting, but she sure as hell didn’t get it. She shrugged and made her way to the living room.

  “Where is your friend?” Aunt Bev asked when Jayla took a seat opposite her in the recliner and right next to Uncle Ron. He draped his arm around her shoulder.

  Jayla shook her head. “Aunt Bev, I don’t know that man,” she said for what had to be the hundredth time. “He came with Kevin.”

  “Well, child, you better get to know him.” Aunt Bev clucked her teeth. “It’s not like you got a man. And that one sure has an eyeful of some Jayla.”

  Jayla’s lips curved upward at the thought, even as she let out another regretful sigh. Too damn bad. Jayla was not about to feel bad for some thirsty-ass dude. She didn’t want to hurt his feelings, but her passive-aggressive behavior had done just that.

  Aunt Bev locked eyes with Jayla and whispered, “I’m telling you, Jayla, keep your eyes open. He just may be the one.”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Jayla locked her legs around his sweaty waist, forcing him to penetrate her deeper and harder. His labored breath roared in her ears as his condom-covered tip stroked her walls, which were already slick from the two orgasms she had barely gotten over. She gripped his tightened arms, her own ragged breaths in sync with the banging of the leather headboard against the wall.

  “Oh yes! Shit, babe! Get it,” she gasped as he gripped her waist. And with one final thrust, she felt the condom tighten with the explosion of his nut, and his heavy body collapsed on hers from complete exhaustion.

  Before she could nudge his shoulder, Chris was already rolling over, unconsciously pulling with him the sheets tangled around his waist.

  She let out a satisfied breath and rose up on her elbows. Yes, this one was definitely a great fuck buddy. And after all the dry assignments she’d had in the past week, she’d needed a genuine and uninhibited orgasm.

  They lay quiet for a moment, breathing in ragged unison before slowly calming down. The ceiling fan sang overhead, causing a slight breeze to prick her slick skin. Confident she could stand on her weakened knees, Jayla tossed the sheets back and prepared to leave.

  “Why do you always rush off?”

  Jayla paused not from the question but from the unexpected hand on her arm. She tossed a weary look over her shoulder. “You already know why.”

  Chris rolled his eyes, his lips turned up in a cross between a smirk and a frown. “I know,” he said. “I’m just saying, can you just chill out for a second? I mean, damn. You always quick to throw your clothes on and bounce afterward. Like we about to cuddle or some shit.”

  Jayla sighed. He was right. Despite their mutual understanding, part of her feared he wanted something more. So distance was best. Until she got horny. And much to her surprise and, she had to admit, gratitude, he had been satisfied with their arrangement for the past two years.

  Chris had been an assignment once upon a time, a boyfriend who’d been adamant about remaining faithful. But her persistence had paid off when she’d followed him to a restaurant with his girlfriend and hemmed him in, in the men’s bathroom, with nothing on but red stilettos and a slim trench coat. He’d long stroked her pussy over the sink in a matter of minutes.

  One saying in particular was self-evident and was the ultimate reason for her business’s success. You can hook any man. You just need the right bait.

  Jayla couldn’t explain why she’d called him afterward, and she had not been surprised when he divulged his recent breakup. Now, years later, a mix of comfort, familiarity, and bomb-ass sex had them still going at it when either one had a craving.

  She sighed and lay back in the bed and was grateful when he made no move to touch her. That mushy shit was for the birds. Instead, he shifted to give her more of the sheets, and she covered her breasts and tucked the edges of the fabric under her arms.

  “I met this chick,” he said absently. Pause. He was obviously waiting for her reaction.

  Jayla thought about the blanket statement and was slightly relieved when it didn’t prompt any adverse emotions in her. “Tell me about her.”

  “Well, she’s definitely not Megan.”

  Jayla winced at the reference to his ex-girlfriend. She still had some reserve, but she couldn’t help the guilt that emerged at times. Especially after she’d seen the outcome with Chris. Never before had she stuck around to see the direct effects of the evaluations. Never before had she cared to.

  “But she seems cool,” he continued. “A little younger, and she fine, got a nice ass . . .”

  Jayla laughed before she realized it. “Okay. Nice ass. But anything substantial?”

  “Oh, her ass is very substantial,” he said with a wink. “But seriously, she seem like she got a good head on her shoulders. Only thing is, she got a kid, though.”

  Relaxed, Jayla looked over to study him. He was staring at the ceiling, his face wrinkled in concentration. “So what?” she said.

  He shrugged. “Yeah. I guess you’re right,” he murmured, not bothering to delve deeper.

  “And . . . you’re telling me this because?” she prompted gently.

  Chris finally turned to face her, his eyes intense. “Because we’ll probably have to kill this,” he said.

  Jayla nodded. “You sure about that?”

  “I mean . . .” Chris sighed and repositioned himself in the bed. “You cool and all, and I like what we got, but I know you’re not trying to get serious. I know I fucked up a good thing with Megan, so I think it’s time I grow the fuck up. Settle down. Get married and shit.”

  “Get married and shit?” she echoed.

  “Yeah. Get serious about life. I’m pushing thirty-five, girl. My birthday is next month, and I’m looking around like, damn, life is just flying by.”

  Jayla sighed. “This ain’t no dress rehearsal,” she murmured.

  “Exactly.” He paused, and she could tell he was attempting to tread lightly. “You mad?”

  Jayla shook her head no and smiled to reaffirm her answer. “Not at all. That’s good. Just . . . just stay faithful to her. A good piece of ass ain’t worth losing the one you love for.”

  Now it was his turn to laugh. “Says the ‘good piece of ass’ I lost the one I loved for.”

  “Touché.”

  “Well, I’m not in the habit of making the same mistakes over again. What about you?”

  Jayla frowned at the question. “What about me?”

  “You like just fucking around? Are you cool with that?”

  “What makes you think I’m just fucking around?”

  The reverse tactic had Chris rolling his eyes.

  Jayla shrugged. “I’m content,” she told him. “Not looking for anything more.”

  He opened his mouth to say something else, but his phone rang. He reached toward the nightstand and grabbed the phone.

  “What is it?” Jayla asked, watching him frown at the screen.

  “It’s Megan,” he said. “Damn, I haven’t talked to her in a while. Wonder what she wants?”

  Jayla pursed her lips and watched him stare at the ringing phone in his hand. “Answer it,” she suggested, tossing the sheet from her body. “It could be important.” She quickly stood up. snatched her clothes from the floor, and left the bedroom.

  Apparently, Chris waited until she had left the house, because she didn’t hear him answer the phone until she’d stepped outside. The phone call out of the blue seemed strange, but Jayla quickly dismissed the thought as she climbed into her SUV. She needed to mind her own business. And Chris wasn’t he
r business unless she craved his dick.

  She had intended to go straight home, but Chris had her body on empty. Jayla maneuvered her SUV into the parking lot of the first deli she spotted.

  The smell of fresh dough greeted her as she stepped into the corner eatery. Since the lunch rush was over, Jayla made her way to the glass case, ordered, and took a seat at a high-top table near the window once she had her food.

  Something was wrong, and the fact that Jayla couldn’t interpret her own emotions disturbed her. Even more so because she couldn’t figure out why. Was it loneliness? Maybe the conversation with Chris had gotten to her more than she had realized. Maybe part of her would miss his companionship. Either way, the turkey sandwich wasn’t doing much to ease the hollow feeling inside her. Instead of dwelling on it, Jayla tuned in to the jazz music wafting softly through the speakers and to the leisure bustle of downtown traffic outside.

  The sky was overcast, but the threat of rain didn’t prompt Jayla to eat any faster. She couldn’t help but smile as she remembered Chris’s rough hands as he’d pawed at her skin. The man definitely knew his way around her body. The giggle slipped from her lips without her realizing it.

  “Is it that funny?”

  The husky voice startled her, and Jayla glanced up. There he stood, with that damn smile and those bedroom eyes.

  “Inside joke,” she said. “What are you doing here?”

  Derrick held up his to-go bag. “Late lunch. I work right up the street.”

  Jayla nodded. She kept her eyes on his but was still able to see the alluring drape of the tailored suit.

  Not waiting for an invitation, Derrick took the seat across from her. “I was going to eat at my desk, but I would much rather look at you while I eat.”

  Jayla’s breath caught at the suggestive comment. Damn, he was good. Her face remained calm. “Are you flirting with me, Derrick?” she asked boldly, holding back a smile.

  He didn’t seem taken aback by the direct statement. Just smiled. And, damn, was that smile sexy. “Actually, I am,” he said. “You seem like the kind of woman who likes it direct.”

  This time, she did smile. He was clearly teasing her. And she liked it. She even felt her kitty watering in response to the sexual innuendos. “I am,” she said. “And you seem like the kind of man who is not into playing games.”