Aries_Mr. Adventure_The 12 Signs of Love

by Tiana Laveen

  He ignored the flirting from an intoxicated stranger and kept moseying about until he spotted a woman dressed in tight pink pants and a silky matching shirt. She sat on a comfy loveseat, her legs crossed and heels that had to have been at least six inches high dangling from her foot.

  “Amber?” The woman looked up at him, their eyes meeting. A sexy smile creased her face.

  “Yes? You want something, baby? I can only hope so.”

  Alex dropped down to his knees where she sat, lounging about with a glass of wine in her hand and her long black hair parted down the middle, obscuring some of her face.

  “Yeah, can we talk somewhere a bit more private, baby?” She looked him up and down as if to establish if she should scream or invite him for a friendly fuck.

  “But I don’t know you, sweetie. Should I know you? I mean…” She slicked her tongue along her lower lip, eyeing him like a tiger does an antelope. “I wouldn’t mind getting to know you.”

  “That’s funny, because you’re the reason I’m here.”

  “I… I don’t understand. Who invited you? Was it Martin?” She smiled and nodded. “Yeah, I bet it was Martin. He told me there was someone he wanted me to meet. You must be my little surprise.”

  “Oh, honey, I don’t know Martin.”

  She seemed even more perplexed. Setting her glass down on a nearby table, she sat straighter on the couch.

  “What’s your name?”

  “See, you set the wheels in motion for this little visit.” He drew closer and whispered in her ear. “My name is Alex Valentine, but in this case, you can call me Mr. Karma.” He rested his hand against hers and gave a gentle squeeze. “Now you listen, and you listen good, baby. Take me somewhere private so we can have an important talk. If you so much as squeak, I will be on the horn and letting the truth about you hang out like nuts on a streaker. I ain’t going to hurt you. We just got some business to attend to and then I’ll be on my way.”

  The woman visibly swallowed, then nervously got to her feet. Moments later, he was standing in what he presumed was her bedroom. The room was thick with the scent of marijuana. Closing and locking the door behind them, he clasped his hands together.

  “Do you know who I am and what I can do to you?” She threatened.

  “You can’t do shit to me, baby. You’re all hands and I’m untouchable.”

  “What do you want?” she barked.

  “It’s real simple. I want you to get off of Snow Apperson’s ass.”

  The woman’s face went from dismissive to pure anger.

  “Snow Apperson assaulted me. She’s getting what she deserves. I don’t know who you are, Mr. Valentine, but your barging into my party, making idle threats, and now this will get your ass in jail.”

  “Oh, that’s where you wrong, little lady.” Alex pulled out a piece of paper from his back pocket. “I’ve got some information for you, some news you can use. You see, you were an escort, and that’s unlawful in South Carolina. You were gettin’ money for sex… Sellin’ that worn out pussy of yours for a dollar. Now, it may have been to get your way through law school, but funny thing is, it continued after your graduation and well into the first year you’d worked at your first law firm. That means you were actively serving the community while doing illegal acts. Well, I guess you were actively serving the community in that way too, huh? Sellin’ coochie and upholding the constitution – a one stop shop. You’re a paid whore, Amber Beckett. A walkin’, talkin’ disease in more ways than one.

  “So, while you’re standing around slinging legal talk, here’s one for you. You see, pussy profit is prohibited and can get you disbarred. Just like, well, let’s see, an attorney convicted of assault. One of your regulars, a guy named Maurice Johnson, kept impeccable notes. So much so, when he was busted and sent to prison three years ago for a drug charge, the police found all kinds of goodies in his house, including a little black book with names and details of all of his favorite escorts. You were right there at the top of the list, and all that information was entered into the system at the police precinct. He’s got the times and places, too, and even ratings for your performance.”

  “That doesn’t prove anything and it damn sure doesn’t prove it was me.” She sneered. “It could be a different Amber Beckett altogether. My name isn’t terribly uncommon and anyway, it’s his word against mine. You must forget what I do for a living, Mr. Karma.” She cackled. “No proof, no case,” she stated smugly, resting her hand against her hip.

  “It’s funny you should say that. I guess you didn’t know he taped you suckin’ him off a few times, where it also showed him diggin’ in his wallet and handing you cash?”

  He could almost see the color drain out of her face.

  “Look at you, turnin’ white as snow!” He chuckled.

  Pulling out his phone, he found one of the sweet little videos he’d saved and revealed it to her. The woman’s speechlessness and expression delighted him to the utmost. “What’s wrong? Another ex-fiancé got your tongue? Now see, let me explain this here beautiful bean footage. That was one of his kinks, a fetish I guess you could call it. This sicko had recording after recording of various hookers giving him BJs then him paying them. According to my friend, it makes some guys like him feel superior to you… like you’re trash, or that he’s justified, that it’s all for a good cause. Kind of like when a gal is jealous of her friend and instead of striving for bigger and better, using her girlfriend as inspiration, she instead spirals out of control. Naw, in cases like yours, you try your damnedest to drag people down right along with you. You’re not on Snow’s level though, even in your wet dreams and she could never fall that low to even meet you half way.”

  “Get out of my house!”

  “I will in just a moment, Ms. DSL. I mean no disrespect by callin’ you dick suckin’ lips – I like a good blowjob as much as the next man but I’d prefer to have one by someone with some class, not trash and trust me, the contact high alone makes me want to bail. Now, we both know why you’ve only threatened Snow so far and you haven’t pulled the trigger. You want her to resign. You want to break her resolve and terrify her into getting your way so she’d have her freedom but be vocationally destroyed. This is perfect for you—because you know how good she is at what she does and would feel lost if she weren’t practicing law. You go for the jugular, don’t you?” He grinned at the woman who now looked terrified. “Little did you know, another predator was on the prowl… You ain’t so tough now, are you?”

  “I don’t want you here anymore and I will call—”

  “If you get the police involved, you could be tied up in court and if she wins and you lose, well, that would mean you’d lost all your leverage. This way, you’ve got an advantage and can string this out until she breaks. You keep her on a tether, scared out of her wits until she bends and puts in her resignation notice. All that hard work she’s done over the years down the drain… You’re a silly coward, Amber. A stupid, filthy weakling.”

  “What do you want?!”

  “Isn’t it obvious?” He beamed at her. “I want you to get your funky ass foot off my baby’s neck and make it clear that you won’t be goin’ to no police, making any calls, filing any reports or lawsuits, none of that shit. You got me?” Hate permeated off the woman and heated the entire room. He swallowed that shit, devoured it, savoring the flavor of her defeat. “You’re going to sign this here paper I have. It says that you, Amber Beckett, agree on the night in question, that there was a physical altercation between you and Snow Apperson. It states that when Ms. Apperson tried to avoid said squabble with you and made moves to leave, you blocked the door and then gave an order for her to make you move, which she did. It also states that you were under the influence of marijuana and alcohol and had provoked the situation. You sign this and I’ll be on my way.” He pulled the folded paper out of his jacket pocket and a pen too. “You’re not the only one who can pull a rabbit from a hat.” He chuckled as he set the document on her bed along
with the pen. “See, Snow gives a shit. She’s got soft spots for folks, but me?” He grimaced and shook his head. “I don’t give an ounce of a fuck. Now sign it!”

  The woman hesitated for a spell, then grabbed the paper and read it. With a shaky hand, she wrote her signature on the bottom as he overlooked. Snatching the signed confession and pen back he glared at her.

  “If I find out that you’ve done exactly what I told you not to do, all of this shit, this footage of you suckin’ off a well-known drug dealer is going to the media, your boss, and your mama, too. Everybody’s got a past, Amber, and unless you want to go back to yours as not an option but a necessity, I suggest you keep my girlfriend’s name and baseless threats out of your mouth. In fact, make yourself disappear like the piece of shit that you are. Now you try me if you want to. My intentions are real and the last time I gave up on something was the 34th of Never. I ain’t no angel, baby, but my drive to teach you a lesson for what you’ve done is as pure as driven snow…”

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Where There’s Fire There’s Snow…

  Snow pretended to not be delighted with all the admiring oohs and ahhs from her colleagues when yet another bountiful bouquet of roses, elegant perfume bottles, and bundles of parchment paper wrapped gourmet beef jerky arrived at her firm. Laughter and giggles abounded the entire week as each day she received yet another surprise.

  Alex was being extra sweet, laying it on thick, showing her the sort of love that only he could administer. She’d never been so spoiled in all her life and she was loving every damn minute of it.

  Alex was always a hoot, but he’d stepped it up and she relished the attention. As she sat there at her computer neck deep in work, the office buzzing with chatter, her cellphone rang.

  “What is it now?” she mumbled before answering. “Hello, Hugh… more bad news?”

  “More bad news? Naw, baby. Congratulations! I know you’re relieved. I wanted to tell you that I—”

  “Congratulations for what?” She sat back in her seat, confused as ever.

  “You don’t know?”

  “Know what?” There was silence on the other end. “What, Hugh? Come on, talk.”

  “Oh shit… you really don’t know. Uh, look, can you meet me at Fischer’s Sports Pub and Grill after work?”

  “Why? You can’t just tell me now? Don’t do this. You know I hate when you do this.”

  “I’m not trying to do anything at all, Snow. It’s just that we need to talk and this is best said face to face. I promise I won’t keep you long.” She sat there for a good while, weighing her options. Alex had to work late and last she heard, there was a blazing fire in an abandoned factory on Folly Road and Brittany was in court. She’d have to make the final call on this situation on her own.

  “Oh, all right. I’ll leave here around 4:30 P.M. Don’t be late, Hugh. I’m doing this against my better judgement.”

  “I won’t be late, I promise. See you in a few.” The man abruptly ended the call and Snow sat there in her office, feeling strange and at odds with herself.

  I hate secrets…

  Her office smelled sweet and salty all at once from the flowers and cured meat on her desk. She’d even sprayed a few pumps of perfume along her wrists, giving herself a bit of aromatherapy. She crossed her legs and rocked slowly back and forth in her leather chair before casting her sights all around the room.

  It must be a dozen bouquets here… Alex, you’ve really outdone yourself…

  He knows he has me. It feels good to be loved in the right way. If he’d never given me a petal I’d feel the same though, because it’s his words, his comfort, the way his mind works, the way he touches and cares for me that makes me head over heels for the man. I am so in love I can’t see straight. God, you came through and showed out. My prayers have been answered.

  She smiled at the display of gifts before going back to work, typing away on her laptop. She was determined to keep on schedule, but she couldn’t wipe the smile off her face even if she tried…

  Hugh’s heart beat so fast when the woman he’d loved for years entered the pub. Sitting at the bar, he’d arrived early and was nursing some Hennessy. Alcohol now didn’t taste quite as good as it used to. In fact, he wasn’t much of a drinker as of late.

  The pub was the right spot. He figured such a place would help the woman unwind, and hopefully give them both the closure they so desperately needed… or perhaps, he was alone in that. From the smile on her face, the glow of her skin, the flow of her hair, and the way she moved like a cat on the prowl in her jet-black pinstripe pantsuit, he now wondered.

  “Hey there.” He smiled wide and drew her into a hug.

  She stiffened, but he didn’t care. He inhaled her all too familiar scent, the luxurious perfume she wore. However, this time, it seemed to have a different tone to it. Perhaps she had paired it with a lotion that gave it more punch.

  “Hi.” He pulled out her bar stool and she jumped right in, setting her handbag on the counter. “Traffic was crazy, but I made it. How are you doing?” She huffed as she got situated.

  “Oh, I’m fine.” He took another sip of his drink. “You want something?” He waved the bartender over.

  “Yes, I’m going to get a glass of your Bethel Heights Estate Chardonnay. Do you still carry it?” she asked the server.

  “Yes ma’am, we do. Comin’ right up.”

  “Thank you.” The woman sighed and tucked her hair behind her ear. He zoomed in on her fingers, happy to see no big diamond ring … yet. “Okay, Hugh, so what gives?” She crossed her long legs and clasped her hands across her knee. She looked all business, with no time to play.

  “I’m truly surprised you don’t know. I have no idea why he wouldn’t tell you but, uh…” He rubbed on his chin with a finger and shook his head in disbelief. “Look, you won’t have to worry about Amber anymore.”

  It was obvious Snow didn’t trust him. He knew that look of hers, when she believed someone was trying to pull one over.

  “Why? Has she run away and joined the circus for the mentally and criminally insane?” The woman smirked before accepting her glass of wine with a nod of appreciation. Hugh chuckled at that.

  “Not that I’m aware of, but I’m serious. It’s over with, Snow. She’s not going to press charges.”

  The woman raised her chin a bit higher and looked at him suspiciously.

  “Did she state why?”

  “Well, kind of. I’ll get to that in a moment but first I want to apologize to you again for, uh, you know, cheating on you and with Amber of all people.”

  “When you play a stupid game, you get a stupid prize.” He couldn’t argue with that, though he was a bit shocked at Snow’s bluntness. Someone was rubbing off on her…

  “Yeah, it was a stupid thing to do and I know you won’t believe me, but she was the only one. I had never two-timed you with anyone else. I had been drinking, like I said, but I know that’s no excuse.”

  “No, it’s not. That’s fine, Hugh,” the woman said dismissively, as if she truly no longer gave a damn. “It’s over and done with now, and so are we.” She shrugged.

  He swallowed and turned away, feeling shittier than ever about the whole sordid ordeal.

  “Well, I’m sorry anyway. I know damn well it won’t change anything… but I’ve got to keep saying it because what I did was terrible. I, uh…” He looked down and shook his head before looking back into her eyes. “I did a lot of shitty things to you. I didn’t appreciate what I had. I guess I’m a bad person.” He chuckled dismally, hating himself a bit.

  “I don’t think you’re a bad person, Hugh. I think you’re selfish sometimes. What you did hurt me, you know that, and I don’t think we’ll ever be friends again because of it, but I do care about you and wish you nothing but the best. I mean it. I had to forgive you in order to move on and accept the new blessings in front of me. One blessing is being awarded the truth, whichever way it’s presented and also accepting the things in life
that we can’t change. You and I had a unique relationship, and though things were not always ideal, I do keep the good times we’ve had close to my heart.”

  Her words, although tough, made him smile. Snow was always a class act.

  “Thank you. I am grateful that you’ve forgiven me, many women wouldn’t have. I would’ve liked to have remained friends with you but I understand that that’s impossible now. Well, maybe down the line? Who knows.” He knew deep down it was over… but he had to hold on to just a sliver of hope. “Look.” He reached over and rested his hand on hers. “Here’s the reason why Amber changed her mind. She said she just wants to move on with her life and leave this behind her. Said she was done with it and finally agreed with me that it wasn’t a good idea. But knowing her, I figured there was more to it than that.”

  “Of course there was.” Snow rolled her eyes as her lips twisted in disgust, but he didn’t miss the way her shoulders drooped—a sure sign that she was relieved beyond measure to hear this news.

  “After a little digging, a friend of hers said the other night she got a visit from a very tall, big White guy. They disappeared from public view for a few minutes and when he came out, he had his coat slung over his arm and was smiling from ear to ear. On his arm was a tattoo of a fire hat and some other stuff…” He swallowed. “I know that, uh, you’ve been seeing a firefighter, but I didn’t tell Amber that. I put two and two together and realized it was probably him.”

  Snow’s mouth hung open and her eyes grew as big as saucers.

  “Oh my God,” she finally said, shaking her head. Before he knew it, she had chugged the entire damn glass of wine and slammed it on the counter. “No wonder he’s been so nice lately! That sly fucker!” She burst out laughing and slapped the counter. “My boyfriend is something else… I wonder how he pulled that off? No wonder he has been so calm and reassuring to me, telling me everything would be fine.”