“Umm, I would’ve been excited to get away with you,” she said as she straddled his body. “I really missed you last night.”
“Show me again.” He smiled as he recalled the lovemaking session they’d finished an hour ago.
She started with a slow kiss as she ground against him, causing his manhood to spring to life. Slowly, she inched down his body, kissing and licking his smooth skin until she hovered over his erection. Serena ran her tongue up and down the length of him making him shiver with delight. As she took him into her mouth, Antonio shuddered as waves of hot pleasure roamed throughout his body. He buried his hands in her soft hair as she took him to the brink of exploding. Serena pulled back and looked at him with smoldering passion in her eyes. Reaching underneath her pillow, she retrieved a condom, opened it, and rolled it on top of Antonio’s pulsating member. Parting her legs, she mounted him, taking him deep inside her wet valley. Throwing her head back as Antonio thrust his hips, she placed her hands on his chest and rode him slow and deep. He gripped her hips, making sure she felt every burning inch of him as their bodies meshed into one. She rotated her hips against his, their breath seemingly becoming one as they moaned. Serena began to tremble as she felt her orgasm building and when Antonio palmed her breasts, his thumbs brushing against her nipples, she exploded from the inside out and he followed her with his own climax. She collapsed against his chest and Antonio kissed her on the top of her head.
“Damn, woman,” he moaned as he wrapped his arms around her. “Let me never allow you to miss me that much again.”
“You know what they say about absence,” Serena replied breathlessly.
“And now I see that it’s true.” His fingers danced up and down her spine, sending tingles throughout her body.
“Ooh, I wish we could just stay here for the rest of the year,” she said.
Antonio glanced at the clock on Serena’s nightstand and groaned. “As much as I’d like to do the same thing, I have to go pick up A.J. from camp.”
“All right,” she said, reluctantly letting him go.
Antonio glanced at her as he rose from the bed and grabbed his pants. “Why don’t you join A.J. and me for dinner tonight?” Antonio said as pulled on his pants.
“I wish I could, but I’m stuck working the bar for one more night. But tomorrow, I’ll bring dinner over. And yes, it will be from the restaurant.” Serena climbed out of the bed and stood in front of Antonio.
His eyes traveled down her naked body and he was tempted to climb back into bed with her for just five more minutes. Instead, he placed his hands on her shoulders and kneaded them gently. “Come over after your shift and we can have French toast for breakfast before A.J. goes off to camp. Then I’m free for the rest of the day. I want you to wait for me in my bed. If you have another one of those lacy numbers, you can be wearing it when I return,” he said, then kissed her with a smoldering heat that buckled her knees.
“I can do that,” she said when they broke their kiss. “I’d be more than happy to do that.”
Serena pulled on her robe and walked Antonio to the front door, hating to see him go but excited that Emerson’s leak hadn’t changed anything between her and Antonio. But he hadn’t had to explain it to his son yet.
Stop tripping, she thought. I’m sure that little boy isn’t going to go online and look up that movie clip. Maybe this isn’t going to be as bad as I think. As long as Kenya and I can block the release of this movie, everything will be all right. Serena bounded up the stairs with a smile on her face and headed for the shower. She had hope and Antonio’s support. She could face this and bring Emerson down where he belonged.
As he drove to Discovery Place to pick up A.J., Antonio called Norman realizing that he never checked with him about the Ray’s Splash Planet deal.
“I was wondering what happened to you,” Norman said when he answered the call.
“I went to see Serena to make sure she was all right. And she wasn’t. She was very upset about that movie clip being released online.”
“Then why did she make it? How long ago was it made?” Norman asked.
“Five years ago. She was actually engaged to the director and that sorry son of a bitch left her at the altar,” Antonio said.
“Wow,” Norman said. “So, she’s a real actress?”
“She said she did the movie because she thought they were going to be married and she thought it would make him happy. Instead, he just tossed her aside and now he’s trying to use this movie to rebuild his career.”
“And she doesn’t want it released? What is she going to do about it?”
“She’s going to try and block it.”
“That’s good. I’m proud of you,” Norman said.
“For what?”
“Sticking by that woman. I can imagine this is hard for her. There was a story about it on the noon news.”
Antonio swore under his breath. “Then I guess the whole city knows about it.”
“Yeah. Casey called me looking for you. She had some unkind things to say about Serena.”
“That’s just what I need. I’m about to pick up A.J. What happened at Ray’s?”
“We got the deal,” Norman said. “We can get started next week. Do you want to call the regular crew?”
“Sure.” Antonio brought his truck to a stop in front of Discovery Place. He groaned when he saw Casey standing outside with A.J. “Norman, I’m going to have to call you back.”
Antonio hopped out of the truck and A.J. rushed over to him. “Daddy,” he said. “I had so much fun today. We got to see the snakes.”
“That sounds like a lot of fun,” he said, then glanced at Casey, who had a scowl on her face.
“We drew pictures of snakes, too,” A.J. chattered, ignoring the looks between his aunt and his father.
“I can’t wait to see them. Hop in the truck. I need to talk to Aunt Casey.” A.J. got into the truck and Antonio turned to Casey. “What are you doing here?”
“I assume you’ve seen the news and heard about your special little friend and the near porno she’s the star of,” Casey spat.
“Casey, I know about Serena’s movie and I know that she made it when she was young.”
“Do you know that the man she made the movie for is in Charlotte and has been hanging around her restaurant? Do you know that she’s going milk this and be seen all over town in that movie? How is A.J. going to react to that?”
Antonio folded his arms across his chest. “Is that all you have, Case?”
“I told you she wasn’t the kind of woman you needed to have around my nephew. Now the world will know. I guess that’s why she didn’t mind lying around your house naked.”
“Casey, stay out of my business,” Antonio said. “We’ve all made mistakes.”
“Yes, but our mistakes aren’t all over the Internet and the news. Wait until Mom and Dad find out about this.”
“Your family doesn’t run my life.”
“This isn’t about you. It’s about what’s best for A.J. If Serena is the kind of woman you’re going to have influence him, then maybe it’s best that he’s not with you.”
Anger flowed through Antonio as Casey’s words registered with him. “Are you out of your damned mind? No one is taking my son away from me. You’re using the fact that I don’t want anything to do with you romantically cloud your judgment. But if you think I’m afraid of your family, you’re dead wrong.” Antonio stalked over to his truck and pulled out without looking back at Casey.
When Serena arrived at the restaurant that evening, she was ticked off to find two of the local news trucks camped out in the parking lot. “Not this again,” she muttered as she circled the parking lot, then parked a half block away from the restaurant. She wished she had a hat in the back seat so that she could hide her face from the reporters. The last thing the restaurant needed was more bad publicity.
“I could kill Emerson,” she muttered as she walked up to the back of the restaurant. “This is th
e last thing we need right now.”
Though Serena wished people were coming to Hometown Delights for the food or for a chance to see Devon Harris, she couldn’t deny that the press was drawing people in. The restaurant was packed again. With the economy the way it was, she had to be thankful for that. Still, as she walked behind the bar, she couldn’t help but feel that everyone was looking at her.
“I’m glad you finally made it,” Alicia said as she stalked over to the bar. “Reporters have been in and out of here all day. Kandace told me that one of her friends in Los Angeles who does a lot of work in Hollywood said she has documented proof that Emerson leaked this himself.”
Serena slapped her hand against the bar and swore under her breath. “I knew it.”
“I still say we should go kick his ass,” Alicia said.
Serena shook her head. “He’s not worth all of us getting in trouble over. I’m tired of him toying with my life and I’m going to put a stop to it. Can you cover me for about an hour?”
Alicia nodded. “I can stay for the rest of your shift if you need me to.”
“I’ll be back. I don’t plan to give him that much of my time.” She headed out the front of the restaurant, ignoring the calls from the reporters who had been sitting in the parking lot. Serena dashed to her car and headed for the Westin where Emerson was staying. He was going to stop messing with her life and it was going to stop tonight.
Walking into the bar at the Westin, Emerson was riding high. His movie was going to be released and thanks to Serena’s scene on the Internet, De Chocolat had a buzz that money couldn’t buy. Even if Serena tried to sue him, the movie would be released because he owned the rights. All she would do with a lawsuit was keep the publicity machine churning. Emerson took a seat at the bar with a huge smile on his face. “What can I get you?” the bartender asked.
“A scotch, neat.”
The bartender nodded and turned to fix the drink. Emerson turned his back to the bar and watched as Serena stalked over to him. This is an interesting turn of events, he thought as he saw her. Rising from his seat, he crossed over to her. Serena glared at him, then hauled off and slapped him.
“You bastard,” she spat. “How could you do this to me?”
“That wasn’t very nice,” he said as he stroked his cheek. “I’ve made you the star that I promised I would. You could show some appreciation.”
Serena shook her head and laughed sardonically. “I made that movie when I thought you and I would be married and have a life in Hollywood. I’m not that woman anymore. If you gave a damn about me, you’d know that.”
“This isn’t about you.”
“No, because you’re a selfish bastard who still believes the sun rises and sets on you. You’re all that matters in the world of Emerson Bradford. What, can’t come up with anymore movies on your own? Have you forgotten that I basically rewrote that piece of crap screenplay?”
“I haven’t forgotten,” he said. “We were good together and when it hits the big screen, we will be good again.”
Serena pushed him backwards. “There is no we, you asshole. We died when you left me at the altar. This movie is not going to happen.”
Smiling, he nodded slowly. “Actually, it is. Lionsgate is releasing De Chocolat.”
“Over my dead body,” she shouted, not caring about the looks they were receiving from the other patrons in the bar. “Why did you come back into my life? You caused me more pain than I’ve ever wanted to experience. You coming back with that damned film is a reminder of the fool I was for you. Just drop it, Emerson.”
Though her eyes flashed anger, as he looked at her all he could think about was feeling her kiss. She had the softest lips he’d ever tasted and he wondered if they were still soft and sweet. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her with a heated urgency.
It took ten seconds for Serena to snatch away from him, stomp on his foot and knee him in his midsection.
“Touch me again and I swear I will drop you where you stand! This movie is not going to happen. If I were you, I’d go back to L.A. and find another sucker to buy your brand of bullshit.” Serena swore, then stomped out of the hotel.
Emerson shook his head and smirked as he thought about the fire in her kiss. She still wanted him and he was going to have her.
“Well, well,” Casey said as she approached him. “That was some little show you and my brother-in-law’s girlfriend put on. So, is she the actress you came here to find?”
“She is. I take it that you don’t like her since she’s the woman keeping you from the man you want,” Emerson said as he strode over to the bar.
Casey followed him, clutching her cell phone. “I don’t like her because she’s not good enough for Antonio and she isn’t the kind of woman I want around my nephew.”
Emerson held a stool out for Casey, then sat down. “So what are you going to do about it?” he asked.
“A picture is worth a thousand words,” she said as she held up her phone and showed Emerson the image of him and Serena kissing. “When Antonio sees this, I’m sure he’ll dump her. Then you can pack her up and take her to Los Angeles with you.”
Emerson smiled widely. “You know, I think I like you.”
“Good, then you can buy me a drink,” she said as she waved for the bartender. “Thanks to me, we both should get what we want.”
Chapter 22
Serena didn’t want to go back to the restaurant after her confrontation with Emerson. Knowing him, he’d try to spin it for more PR for that damned movie. Besides, she figured the reporters were still camped out waiting for her and she wasn’t in the mood to be photographed or talked to. She needed Antonio’s arms around her.
She needed to get the thought of Emerson’s kiss out of her mind. It wasn’t as if she was turned on by it. He hadn’t rattled her as she’d thought he might if they’d ever gotten that close again. Instead, his touch and his lips disgusted her. She couldn’t believe she’d ever loved him or wanted to be his wife.
Thank God I’ve grown up, she thought as she pulled up to a stoplight and dialed Antonio’s number.
“Hey you,” he said when he answered the phone. “How’s work going?”
“I left early,” she said as the light turned green. “I was wondering if I could come over. I really need to see you.”
“Are you all right?” he asked.
“Not really. There are reporters stalking me at work and I had an unpleasant conversation with Emerson.”
“Come on over. A.J. and I are watching Finding Nemo for what seems like the millionth time, and eating pizza. You can escape for as long as you need to,” he said. Antonio’s voice comforted her in ways he couldn’t even imagine.
Serena smiled and headed to his place. “Thank you,” she said. “This means a lot.”
“I’m here for you, baby,” he said. “See you when you get here.”
Fifteen minutes later, Serena was walking up the front steps of Antonio’s house and she felt a calmness take over her body as she rang the doorbell. He opened the door with smile on his face and a bit of tomato sauce on his white tank top, but Serena didn’t care about the stain as he enveloped her in his arms.
“It’s going to be all right,” he whispered as they embraced.
“When you say it, I believe it,” she said as they headed into the den.
“Miss Serena,” A.J. said. “We saved you some pizza.”
She crossed over to the little boy and gave him a hug. “Thank you. I’m sure it’s good since your dad is wearing some of it,” she joked.
Antonio looked down at his shirt and laughed. “Just for that,” he said. “I’m taking the biggest piece.”
“Daddy,” A.J. said. “That’s not nice.”
“Yeah,” Serena said, placing her hand on her hip and pretending to be upset. “That’s not nice when I’m so hungry.”
Antonio threw his hands up, “All right, all right. I know when I’m outnumbered. The pizza’s in the kitchen.”
She broke the kiss and stepped back. “I wouldn’t want to get something started and miss the movie or have your son see me in my underwear again.”
“He’ll be asleep soon and you can start whatever you like,” Antonio said in a husky whisper. “Tell me about the conversation you had with Emerson.”
Serena rolled her eyes as she picked up her plate and placed two slices of pizza on it. “I went to the Westin and he was in the bar. I told him this movie isn’t going to happen and that he’s a piece of scum for using something I made when I thought we had a future, to make a name for himself. He had the unmitigated gall to say he was going to make me a star. The same lies he told five years ago.”
Antonio folded his arms and studied her as she spoke. Part of him silently wondered if there was more to what she was feeling for this man. He didn’t want to believe she could still have feelings for the jerk who broke her heart, but he wasn’t a fool. Women didn’t always get over their first love.
Serena caught his questioning gaze. “What?” she asked.
“Don’t take this the wrong way. But I have to ask. Are you sure this is just about the movie?”
“Yes,” she said, struggling not to raise her voice. “If this was three or four years ago, you’d have a reason to wonder. But I don’t feel anything for that bastard anymore. I finally see him for what he really is.”
“And what’s that?”
“A selfish jackass who didn’t deserve me in the first place,” she said.
Antonio leaned in and kissed her on the forehead. “That’s good to know.”
“Guys,” A.J. called out. “You’re missing the movie.”
Antonio and Serena headed into the den. As she chewed her pizza and watched Antonio, she wondered if she should tell him that Emerson kissed her.
His Sexy Bad Habit Page 19