The Perfect Love Storm

by Anna Black

  His phone vibrated, and he saw Tracy’s name on the screen. She was one of his regulars and could suck a nut out of him within minutes. With a sigh, he reached over, and for the first time, hit ignore. He’d never ignored a call from Tracy, and he thought he was crazy for ignoring it now. Hell, how would his brothers know, he thought, but then he decided to stick to the agreement; at least he could try. To give in just that easy would prove them right, and he didn’t want to go out that easy.

  Shaking his head, he said, “Y’all got me this time for real, but I got something for y’all too. Y’all think I’m going to cave, but six months is a breeze. Especially if I hit it.”

  Hell, I’ve never been with a big girl, he thought. Wait, take that back. Maybe my freshman year of college, and it was good. And Rhonda wasn’t all that big. She wasn’t thin, but was she even considered a big girl? Or maybe I was just drunk and thought it was good. Hell, what does that matter now? he pondered.

  He pulled into his three-car garage, went in through the kitchen entrance, and tossed his cell phone and keys onto the counter. He went for a beer but decided he needed a shot instead, so he reached for the Cîroc and a shot glass.

  Just as he downed his second shot, his phone vibrated. This time, it was Jessica, another one of his late-night specials. He wanted to answer, but knowing the Storm men, they had probably wired his house for sound. He hit ignore and wondered how long he would last. He wanted his dick sucked or to be in some pussy, not sitting around nursing a bottle of vodka.

  He had to romance this BBW quick, so at least he could have someone to keep up his regular favors. His phone buzzed again. It was Ashley, and his dick throbbed. Ashley could do tongue tricks and was the most flexible woman he’s ever had the pleasure of pleasing. He was used to answering his phone for his regulars, and it felt odd not to have one or two of them at one of his family’s model homes, on their knees, fighting to please his dick.

  “Damn!” he said out loud. “Why did I shake hands on this bullshit?”

  He snatched up his phone from the counter and scrolled to Lance’s number. He would call him and tell him no deal. But he stared at his phone for a moment and then put it down. I can do this, he thought. I just have to refocus my focus. Focus on the money. Yeah, just think, in six months, you’ll have an additional three million to spoil the ladies with.

  He grabbed the glass and the Cîroc bottle, went into his family room, and flopped down on the soft leather sectional. After pouring another shot, he reached for the remote. He turned on his new curved flat screen TV and admired the perfect picture for a moment before changing to the auxiliary mode and hitting his Roku remote to go to Pandora. The sounds of “Bed” by J. Holiday came flooding through his wireless speakers. He threw back his shot and bobbed his head, thinking about how badly he wanted to put a couple of his fans to bed that night.

  His dick ached with need, so he grabbed his stiffness, deciding he’d take off his tux, shower, and drink himself into a deep sleep. Cîroc would be his wet pussy for the night.

  He thought about the bet again. For his brothers to come up with something like that, to give up a million bucks each, meant he had to be worse than he thought he was.

  “Am I that bad?” he questioned himself out loud. “Nah, I can’t be.” He paused. “Well, I guess at least they think I am.” He threw back another shot before heading to his bedroom. He showered and moisturized his skin, something he did after every shower, and then threw on a pair of long basketball shorts and a tank. He went back to the family room and heard “Chocolate Legs,” by Eric Benét, playing. The words penetrated his ears and put his mind right back on what he was missing, a set of long, sexy legs around his waist. He grabbed the remote and changed to the Rick Ross station. He didn’t need to hear another song referring to sex.

  He bobbed his head, took back-to-back shots, and woke up the next morning on the sofa with a hangover from hell. “Damn!” he said when he focused on the nearly empty bottle of Cîroc. He’d never drunk that many shots alone in his life. This was going to be the longest six months of his life. He grimaced and rushed over to the kitchen trash can. He didn’t think he would have made it to the bathroom without spewing the previous night’s appetizers and dinner onto the floor.

  “Tomorrow,” he said and slid down to the floor. “I’ll woo her tomorrow.”

  Chapter Seven

  “Thank you, Marcus,” Madison said. He had presented his new design plans a few weeks earlier, but she had suggestions and different ideas, so he had gone back to the drawing board to tweak them. Now, they were perfect, exactly what she wanted. “These look great. I’m ready to get started right away, so let’s talk cost.”

  “I have the estimates right here.” He pulled out a file. “Now, this could be more or less, depending on the materials you choose along the way. Since we’re expanding, we’re going to have to stain the entire salon so that the new wood floors will match the existing floors. Different finishes—like knobs for your stations and cabinets—the tile you choose for the bathrooms, the brand of the dryers, fixtures, all that will affect this cost. I did my estimate based on middle-grade materials, but you can pull back on cost where you are comfortable and go up on cost where you want to splurge. This is only standard.”

  She gave the numbers a quick once-over and agreed that it seemed pretty standard. She had been expecting it to be a little higher, so she was comfortable with Marcus’s rate. She just had to run the numbers by her mom. “Thanks, Marcus, this looks good. I have to run this by my parents, but I’d like to know when we can get started.”

  “Well, you give me a date, we get our guys, and then we start. Normally, we do 30 percent down, but Deena said you’re good for 10. So, you tell me when you want us here.”

  “I thank Deena, but I plan to put 50 percent down and pay the other 50 when the project is complete. I won’t be financing this renovation. My mom has wanted to upgrade and expand for years, and now that I’m here, I can run the business. She has the money, so I’ll have your check to start with and another check when everything is completed.”

  “Sounds good to me.”

  “Marcus, what are you doing here?” The voice came from behind them. They turned to find Chase standing near the door holding a bouquet of flowers.

  “Working,” Marcus answered him. “What’s up, cuz? You shouldn’t have,” he joked.

  Chase smiled. “You wish. These are not for you, man; they’re for Madison.”

  Madison had been biting her bottom lip and wondering why Chase was standing in her salon looking so damn delicious and bringing flowers for her. “Me?” she asked. “And I deserve those why?”

  He approached the desk where she and Marcus were standing and handed them over to her. She immediately put them under her nose and took a whiff. “Because you left an impression on me the other night, and I wanted to offer you these in exchange for dinner.”

  Madison felt her face getting hot. Chase Storm was one of the finest men in East Texas. How in the hell was he interested in her? It made no sense. Yes, they had met at his parents’ anniversary party. They had chatted about hot topics. No, she thought, it had been more of a debate. Every point she had made, he’d argued it. He had gotten her a couple of drinks and was gentleman enough to walk her to her car. They hadn’t even exchanged numbers, and he seemed friendly, not interested.

  “Dinner?” she questioned as if she hadn’t comprehended what he said.

  Chase smiled and removed his sunglasses. “Yes, dinner. I mean, if you don’t have any other plans for dinner tonight.”

  Marcus cleared his throat. “Listen, Madison, I’m going to make my exit. Please let your family see those figures and give me a call when you’re ready to get started.”

  Intent on smelling the flowers, she barely looked in his direction. “I will,” she mustered up.

  “So, is that a yes?” Chase asked after his cousin was on the other side of the salon door. “I mean, you are sucking all the scent out of those f
lowers, so I think you owe me dinner.”

  She looked at him, trying to discern whether he was serious. “You want to take me to dinner? Who put you up to this? Deena? I told that girl that I didn’t want to be set up.”

  “No, she didn’t. If Deena had her way, I’d stay as far away from you as I could.”

  “Why? Are you trouble, Mr. Storm?”

  “Some would say I am, but I’m on a mission to change. I have a history and a reputation with the ladies. But I’m not getting any younger, so now, I’m looking for quality, not quantity.”

  “So, why me, Chase Storm? There are tons of gorgeous women in this town that you could be buying flowers for, so it’s baffling that you chose me.”

  “I wanted to buy flowers for the woman standing in front of me. I have dated almost every woman in this town and could very well get any one of them, but you, Madison, are different from the rest, so that is why I’m asking you. I have to head back to my office to wrap up some things.” He moved closer and handed her a card.

  She could smell the sexy scent of his cologne. He was picture-perfect in his tailored suit. When he slid his sunglasses back on his face, Madison’s pussy gushed.

  “My cell number is on there. Call me and give me an answer to my dinner request.” Chase walked away and then turned back. “Oh, I almost forgot. I’ll take these.” He took the flowers back.

  “Excuse me? Did you really just take the flowers back?” Madison looked astounded.

  “I did. The flowers are yours in exchange for dinner. No dinner, no flowers.” He hit her with his sexy smile and then turned and walked toward the door to leave.

  “Yes!” Madison blurted, surprising herself.

  Chase stopped in his tracks and turned back to her. “Did I get a yes? You’ll have dinner with me?” he asked.

  “Yes, I’ll have dinner with you, Chase, I’d love to,” she blushed.

  He walked back and handed her the flowers. “Well, the flowers are yours, then. I’ll be at your place at seven thirty.”

  “Do you need the address?”

  “No, I know exactly where it is,” he said and walked out.

  Madison grabbed hold of the counter to keep from falling. “Oh shit, oh shit. I have nothing to wear.”

  She hurried to get her purse and keys. It was a Monday, and the salon was closed, so she’d have to beg her mother to come there and do something with her hair. But first, she had to find the perfect outfit.

  “You’re going to dinner with that playboy?” Martha asked after Madison announced who had miraculously asked her out. Nothing like Madison, she had a life, and she knew the 411 in her town.

  “Why does everyone keep saying that? I don’t know if he’s a playboy or not, Mother. All I know is we met, he seemed nice, and then today, he shows up with flowers and asks me out. I need you to make me pretty, and, please, no sermons. Just fix my hair and my makeup.”

  “Again, my daughter is setting herself up for failure. But I’ll let you learn the hard way—as I always have.”

  “Mother, what does that mean? I’m only having dinner with him.”

  “Tony. Does that name ring a bell? I know that little cheater has been creeping around your place. You are so into not caring and not socializing that you don’t know what folks are saying. People see when his vehicle is in your drive, missy, and you better hope that mess don’t get back to Austin, and she comes here and put an ass whoppin’ on you both.”

  “Well, Mother, folks should learn to mind their own business. And you’re right. I can’t lie to you, no matter how badly I want to. I was involved with Tony, but I told him that I was tired of being his sidepiece. It’s been over a week since I’ve seen him, Ma. I promise I’m done with that.”

  “I hope so, chile, because you know that I don’t condone that cheating mess, and I’m shocked that you carried on like that with Anthony, knowing he has a wife and two boys.”

  “Momma, I was wrong, I’ve repented, and I’ll never do that ever again; you have my word. That was foul, and I’m over it.”

  “You better be, and now this baby Storm. I won’t lie, I’m concerned about this Storm. Chase has a reputation. And he has been with every young lady in town, and I’m sure Longview too.”

  “I know, but he approached me; I didn’t approach him. And today, when he brought the flowers, I felt like he was genuinely interested, Ma. If he’s such a ladies’ man, why would he ask me, of all people, out?”

  “For the life of me, chile, I can’t answer that. But I’m going to make him glad he asked. I think you need to spice it up a bit. Chase is edgy and dapper, I must add. He is always looking his best, even if I’ve come across him in sweatpants at the market. So, you’re going to have to glam it up, gal, and all this hair is for girls. Let’s turn you into a woman.”

  “Ma, please. I don’t want to cut my hair.”

  “I know you don’t, but I highly recommend it. The look you have is boring, baby. I’m a seasoned stylist, and I’m not sayin’ nothing to ya that I wouldn’t say to a paying client. It’s time to glam it up.”

  Madison agreed with her mother, but her hair had been long all her life. The thought of going short made her tremble. But maybe it was time for a change.

  After a long pause, she said, “Okay, Ma, do it!” Martha turned her away from the mirror and got to work. After the cut, facial, and makeup were applied, Madison didn’t recognize herself. “Oh, Mother, I look . . . I look . . .”

  “Damn good. Fabulous. Gorgeous, if you ask me.”

  Madison smiled at her reflection. “I do.” She looked at her watch. “Thank you so much, Ma, but I have to go. I have just enough time to go home, take a bath, and dress.”

  Chapter Eight

  Chase dressed slowly, wondering if he dared to even show up. Not that he was afraid for him. He was afraid for Madison because he knew his intentions were not sincere. He was only out to prove a point and earn some cold hard cash in the process, not fall in love like they wanted him to. He hoped he’d be able to maintain and not lose by dipping off in one of his sidepieces. Six months was a long time to go without sex. His johnson hadn’t gone without it for six days since he was 19.

  “Okay, showtime,” he said to his reflection in the mirror. “She’s just a woman. Plump, a little more to love, but pretty, so I will be okay,” he told himself. He grabbed his wallet and keys and headed for the door.

  Walking to his car, he thought about how she had smiled at him earlier that afternoon when he gave the flowers back to her and the way her eyes danced when he looked at her. He’d go for pretty and plump over fit and gruesome. He had seen some slim women that he wouldn’t date or kiss, let alone touch, even if his brothers were offering ten million apiece.

  He pulled up to Madison’s house and admired the newly added touches she had given to the already-beautiful landscaping. She had added a swing to the left side of the massive porch and a couple of wicker chairs with matching footrests and a little round table in between on the opposite end of the swing. The ledges had been laced with beautiful flowers in colorful pots, and more hung from hooks at evenly spaced intervals.

  He remembered the door being yellow before it sold, but now it was bright red that looked better. Flowers in hand, he rang her bell.

  “Coming,” he heard her yell.

  The door swung open, and his eyes widened. Madison looked more mature, classy.... No, sassy was a better word, he thought. Stunning was his final answer.

  “Madison . . . Hi,” he said. She looked beautiful.

  Her dress was solid black at the top with wide band straps. The bottom was satin zebra print.

  A red leather belt sat high on her waist, right beneath her breasts giving her a waistline that he didn’t know she owned. He recognized her red shoes with red soles as being expensive, and she carried a matching little red clutch. Her diamond jewelry sparkled almost as brightly as her smile. She looked striking.

  “Hello. Come on in. I just have to turn off a couple of lights,
and I’ll be ready.”

  “Take your time,” he said, mesmerized. Then he remembered the flowers. “Oh, these are for you.”

  Madison took them and smelled them. “More flowers. These are just as beautiful as the ones you gave me earlier.”

  “I heard that women love flowers.”

  “You heard right. Come on in. I’d like to put them in water before we leave if you don’t mind.”

  “No, of course not.”

  “Can you get that for me?” she said, motioning toward the door.

  “Sure,” he said. He shut the door and followed her into the kitchen. Well-endowed she was, but she was curvaceous, and his brothers were right, she carried herself well. He checked out her sway as she walked and got a look at her calves. They were those big, sexy legs that his father always bragged that his mother had. Out of his grandfather, father, uncles, and brothers, he was the only one who had never thought about hooking up with a big woman. But he had finally laid eyes on one that he thought might make him reconsider.

  “You can have a seat if you like. This won’t take long,” she offered.

  “I’m good.” He looked out of the huge bay window facing the lake. “You got the home of my dreams,” he smiled.

  “Did I?”

  “Yes. I love my house. It’s gorgeous. And when we bought this land to build on, I always said whoever would get this lot overlooking the lake would be one happy homeowner. I mean, two other properties share this view, but you’re smack dead in the middle, so your view is nicer.”

  “I got a good deal too. Deena and I have been friends since the ninth grade. Your family gave me a remarkable price.”

  “That’s good to hear. I’ve heard your name before, but never had the pleasure of meeting you.”

  “You have met me before, Chase.”