Special Love
Blazin’ Love Book Five
Ja’Nese Dixon
Also by Ja’Nese Dixon
Read the Series
Blazin’ Love (Contemporary Romance)
Platinum Love (Book 1)
Privileged Love (Book 2)
Exclusive Love (Book 3)
Chosen Love (Book 4)
Special Love (Book 5)
Absolute Love (August 2019)
Steamy Sensations Holiday Love
SPECIAL LOVE. Copyright © 2019 by Ja’Nese Dixon
All rights reserved.
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organization and events portrayed in this story are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
ISBN-13: 978-1-950405-07-7 (paperback)
Printed in the United States of America.
Contents
About Special Love
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Epilogue
Author’s Note
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What will it take to win his heart…again?
It’s Freedom Day.
I couldn’t see myself married until I conquered my career. So, when Maximus dropped to one knee in front of our family and friends, I freaked.
I’m Parker Hamilton. I should be experiencing an all-time high, as a partner of Platinum Prestige and a top real estate agent in Texas. But I don’t have my man, and it’s lonelier than I imagined.
So, I decided to host a soiree on a party bus taking my guests through Austin Hill Country, I don’t expect to see Max board, especially with her.
She’s the woman I’ve hated since she took kiddie scissors to my ponytail. The one who “accidentally” dropped fruit punch on my cream prom dress. The woman that finds a way to sabotage every picture perfect moment.
When Max looks at me, I can still see the hunger in his eyes.
Ready or not, I have four hours to make him mine again. And this time, I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get a second chance.
Chapter 1
Parker
"I'm about to bring the party to you," I scream, opening the charter bus door. Today is all about my guys and not about me trying to fight the hollowness lurking inside me. I hope hanging with my besties and the potential to make a hefty commission is a perfect remedy to tackle the downward spiral of my internal debates. "I hope you paid your babysitters well because we're not returning until after bedtime."
The herd runs in my direction as I step outside the fifty-six-passenger bus. “Charlee stop pushing.”
"I'm childfree, and I got my man to myself…you better mind your business." She bumps me with her hip, and I buckle over to hear her laugh.
“Well, get your child-free butt on the bus crazy lady.” I hug her husband, Darius, smiling as they disappear onto the bus.
This is the first stop. I organized a multi-million-dollar home tour in the Austin Hill Country to celebrate the holidays. My guys, business partners, and best friends load the bus to help and relax for the day. They each are assigned a station on the tour.
Hunter and Ben board, followed by Harper and Liam. I shield my eyes from the sun as I watch Taylor and Zach head my way.
“How’s the remodeling going?”
Zach gives me a strong brotherly hug. “Ask my wife.”
“Oh brother, what happened Taylor?” Her hair is styled in some cinnamon brown faux dreadlocks, her new style of choice.
“I’m tired of having my house filled with workers and all of the dust. I’m ready for them to be done already.” She kisses my cheek.
“The addition of an art studio will increase the value on your home.”
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I just want Zach to have a place to create." Taylor looks over at him, and I wish I could patent the look in her eyes. "So, if they have to keep hammering to make it happen…baby, please tell me this won't take forever."
"It won't take forever, love." Zach leans in to kiss her, and I turn away.
“Promise?” The whine in her voice causes him to chuckle.
“Promise.” Zach says with such assurance that I stop to admire them. They fought for love and won. I had that once.
“All right love birds. Keep moving.” I tease as they board with the rest of the guys.
The final guys, Chase, Jordan, Payton, Alex, and Ryann, pull up the rear. I climb the stairs signaling for the bus driver to close the door behind me. The charter rolls into motion, and I take the microphone.
“Welcome! I’m Parker Belle Hamilton your tour guide and trusted real estate agent.”
Thunderous clapping fills the bus as if they don’t know what I do. These women and their husbands are my family. We do life together. They’re the vertebrae to my spine. I can’t do life without them.
“Quiet down. We have a full day ahead. So, welcome to my Freedom Day slash 4th of July celebration. Thank you to my guys and your wonderful husbands for blocking out this day to assist me. We’re expecting forty tourists, and we'll visit ten houses."
“Are all of the houses still on the market?” I glance toward Liam, Harper’s husband, a few rows back.
"Yes, all of the houses are available. I'll gladly submit offers on your behalf if needed."
The group laughs. They each contribute to the success of my real estate business. Several of them have bought homes from me. I’m even working on a construction project with Taylor and Zach, on rental properties.
“These are upper tier clients. I’ve included all of your business details in the folders. But don’t forget, in the words of the infamous Charlee Grant, ‘Y’all heifers better have some fun!’” I snap my finger and roll my neck.
“Ha ha ha.” Charlee’s sarcasm sends the guys into a fit of laughter again.
I pick back up. “We have a few minutes to settle in and get ready. Spread out and mingle. You guys are my eyes and ears.”
“Don’t worry. We got you covered.” Alex leans forwards and squeezes my hand.
“I know that’s why I love you guys.” It warms my heart.
“Don’t you start that sappy stuff.” Charlee yells from the back.
“Hush! Okay. Let me get ready.”
I turn off the microphone and lower to the front seat. They have other places they should be and businesses they run outside of Platinum Prestige, our elite concierge service Hunter started three years ago. The ten of us—Hunter, H
arper, Charlee, Taylor, Chase, Jordan, Payton, Alex, Ryann and I—are equal partners and as they each marry off and start their lives, their husbands, Ben, Liam, Darius, and Zach have rallied around us. It’s the oddest, realest, happiest time in my life. And it’s almost perfect.
Seeing my guys happy and in love makes me wonder if I let my ambition fuel a colossal mistake. The mistake of choosing my career over my relationship. The rate of my heart slows and the ache I try to hide rears its head.
There's no point in revisiting the ghost of my past. I shake off the thought. Today is a big day for me and Parker Belle Realty.
"Ready to review the checklist?" Chase Elliott moves up to the seat behind me. She's my right-hand today, not because she works in real estate but because she organizes showcases and hosts parties for her artists.
I open my iPad, and we run through the day. She heads back to her seat while I review the specs of each of the houses on the tour—the square footage, amenities, neighborhood features, all the details that make a house a home.
I sell multi-million-dollar homes as one of the top real estate agents in the state of Texas. The bulk of my homes are in Austin, Houston, and the Dallas/Fort Worth area. The fact that I’m a month past my thirtieth birthday is evidence of how hard I’ve hustled to build my career.
The bus rolls to a stop outside Smith & Jameson International Beer Garden. It is essentially our hub until we voted to start looking for an official office for Platinum Prestige, which is at the top of my list after I get through this tour. We leased a space, but the location felt stale.
"Charlee, are you ready?" I call over my shoulder, scanning the group gathered in the parking lot. The nervous energy in my body is pulsing because it's almost showtime.
“I got you boo.”
The guys stand in unison rocking their Parker Belle shirts. Charlee kisses Darius and moves forward to take the microphone. She’s the mistress of ceremony for the tour.
“I’m jumping off to run to the restroom and gather my thoughts.” I inform them as I drop my phone in my back pocket.
"You got fifteen minutes." Chase says, and I nod checking the time.
The doors open and I sweep past the crowd as they move toward the bus. Each of the passengers paid for a ticket to join us today. I can trust my guys to collect tickets, get the people situated, and keep them entertained.
I handle my business then I stop to speak with Jazz, one of the owners. This is our first and last stop.
“You guys can join us. We have room for you.” I offer before confirming the VIP room set up and food.
“The last thing I need is Asher buying another house.” She chuckles, dropping her head. “But the way we keep having these kids, I might need to change my mind.”
I laugh. “Think about what you need and your budget. I can put together a private showing for you.”
“I’ll do that.”
I hear the chime of my phone in my back pocket. "I bet that's Chase. I gotta go. I can't be late for my own tour." We hug. "I'll see you around Happy Hour."
“We’ll be here.”
I head out to the bus, taking a moment to check my reflection in the mirrors behind the bar. I wave to Martinez, the regular bartender. Then I fluff my bun and run a finger over my gloss. I opted for my cat-eye glasses and a tailored suit over my Parker Belle tee. I'm sure I'll regret wearing these heels, but they complete my outfit.
I proudly embrace my youth and professionalism in everything I do. My phone chimes again and I pick up my pace walking to the bus. I reach for my phone when I stop dead in my tracks. The guys are in a huddle outside the bus. They turn in my direction as if sensing my presence.
“What’s going on?” I glance at my phone, seeing I have two new messages from Chase. I scan their faces. “What is it?”
Charlee opens her mouth to respond when Harper grips her forearm. Harper is the peacemaker in our group. She's the one called on to deliver sad news, bad news, difficult news. She handles conflict with ease, except for once, when she met her husband, Liam. That put her in rare form.
"We haven't even made it to the first stop, and Harper is up." I chuckle trying to relieve the tension.
“This is taking too long.”
“Charlee.” They say in unison.
"Stephanie boarded shortly after you left." Harper steps forward, and the guys block my view of the bus.
"Stephanie? Stephanie, who?" It can't be who I think it is. I haven't seen her in years.
“Stephanie Towns.” Chase confirms.
This chick cut my ponytail in elementary school. Stephanie "accidentally" spilled fruit punch down my cream prom dress. She managed to pop up at every memorable school event until we graduated from high school, and she's here now.
"I'm over it. That's years ago. This is about money, and I have houses to sell." I try to sidestep Harper, and Hunter stops me.
“That’s not it. She came with Max.”
“My Max.” I step back, my throat suddenly dry.
They nod, and I can't look at their faces. I drop my head to gather my thoughts. I've planned this tour for months, and I haven't seen Max in eight long years. But no matter how long its been, I still love him.
“Does he know this is my tour?”
Harper wraps an arm around me. "He didn't say anything. But he'd have to be deaf, dumb, and blind not to know."
"To his credit, he looked surprised when he saw me." Chase adds. "So, what's the verdict? We need to get this bus moving."
“Let’s get this party started.” I say the words, but I can't deny I'm worried about what I'll do when I come face to face with Max.
"Ah, shyte! That’s my girl.” Charlee hoots.
They head to the entrance of the bus. I’m pulling up the rear, Charlee stops before we board.
“Let me know if you need a moment.” I nod. This one is the life of the party but soft and sweet on the inside. “Seeing an ex is hard when you have unfinished business.”
“I’m good. That was eight years ago.”
Her eyes hold a hint of disbelief. "The offer stands. And if you need somebody to throw some bows… I'm your guy."
I throw my head back and laugh until I brush away the tears. “I love your crazy butt.”
“And you should.”
I accept her embrace, then Charlee climbs the stairs. I pause for a moment. Eight years were a lifetime ago and at that time Maximus Bradley it. He was everything I'd ever wanted in a man until…. Stop Parker. I’m over this.
I climb the stairs, I pat Denzel, the driver on the back, before turning to my guests. Then my eyes lock with his.
Chapter 2
Max
I've never not wanted to be in a place more than right now. The bus moves, music plays, the conversations flow. But I'm trapped between a conniving woman and the woman who changed my life forever.
“Max,” Stephanie leans into my side.
I hold up a hand. I don’t trust myself, not right now. My emotions are unpredictable when I’m breathing the same air as Parker Belle Hamilton.
She's standing less than five feet away. I haven't seen her in eight years, and now here they are, seeing each other again, like this.
I start at the top of her messy blonde bun with stray curls fighting to break free. The stylish glasses are paired with delicate pearl earrings. Her suit fits like a second skin, and my manhood swells with each passing second.
Parker is the silent threat I never saw coming, and she wears time well. How did she get more beautiful?
"How long is this tour?" I ask, unable to pull my eyes from Parker.
“Four hours.”
"Four hours!" My head jerks to Stephanie. Her face is unreadable. "Why exactly did you select this tour? Because it’s Parker’s tour?” I say her name and my nerves tingle. I can’t believe she still does this to me.
“No. I heard about the houses included in the tour. Most of them are exclusive listings through Parker Belle Realty. I know one of them will satisfy your
requirements. And—”
I lift a hand, silencing her again. My gut told me not to believe Stephanie. She and Parker have been enemies for as long as I can remember, now I look like a traitor.
What Parker and I shared happened long ago, but I'd never do anything to hurt her or cause her harm intentionally. I rub the back of my neck, stacking the facts like Legos.
“Max, I’m over that high school bull. This is about helping your company expand in this market.”
Stephanie Towns came highly recommended. I reached out to her since we grew up in the same schools in the same neighborhood. I plan to spend a small fortune to make this transition happen. I figured I might as well invest in the business of an acquaintance. But seeing the look in Parker's eyes have me second guessing my decision.
“I hope you’re right. Because this shit looks messy and I don’t run my business like this.”
I glance back in Parker's direction. She's sitting in the front seat. I stand focused on her trying to feel past the heat churning in my body. I take two steps, and my path is blocked.
"Ryann, Alex, it's been a while."
“It has. But not that long.” Ryann throws her eyes towards Stephanie.
I follow her gaze. I can remind them that this is a business. But I know Parker's guys well enough to avoid a situation.
“I didn’t know this was Parker’s tour. I’m heading to clear the air.” I extend an arm in Parker’s direction, not quite sure what I’ll say.
Special Love: A BWWM Romance (Blazin' Love Book 5) Page 1