Admit It
Francesca Penn
LADERO FICTION is published by
Ladero Press LLC
229 Kettering Road
Deltona, Florida 32725
First Ladero Press Printing, January 2019
Copyright © 2019 by Precious Nunez
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-946981-34-9 Paperback / 978-1-946981-35-6 Mobi / 978-1-946981-36-3 Epub
Printed in the United States of America
Set in Crimson, Great Vibes
Cover by DesignRans
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
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Printed in U.S.A.
To everyone I acknowledged in Take It, I still love you.
This book is dedicated to my brother from another mother.
Thank you for the unconditional support during this entire process. You voted on character name, book titles, book covers, etc. You were willing to be one of my beta readers. You still wanted to hear my story even when you couldn’t read it yourself. I love you, my forever angel.
Quintin Lamar Savage
August 15, 1975 – October 27, 2018
Admit It
Table Of Contents
Admit It
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
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Epilogue
About the Author
Chapter 1
“I am not into white men,” Cayla mumbled under her breath. She was finding it more difficult to convince herself over the last couple of months, but not dating white men had always been her way. Cayla didn’t have anything against white men (she was extremely happy that her sister found Nick); they just never appealed to her. She just felt that they didn’t have anything in common. She’d often found them to be goofy and terrible dancers. She loved black men and just never pictured herself not being with a black man. Cayla did make allowances and have dated some Hispanic men, but even they had been more on the African side. Like Laz Alonso. Oh the things she would do to him. White men have never been on her radar. “And never will,” she mumbled to herself as she grabbed a champagne flute.
Well, that is what her brain said. Her eyes, however, were currently tracking Dex Sinclair’s lithe body gliding across the dance floor in a well-executed waltz with some random woman. Big deal, she thought. Aren’t the rich trained to do ballroom dances? His ability to pull off the waltz didn’t debunk her previous thoughts.
She pulled her eyes away from him to take in the lovely ballroom. Kalilah had told her about the ballroom and its beauty, but seeing it decorated for her sister’s wedding far surpassed Cayla’s already grand expectations. She repeated her new mantra (I’m not into white men) as she continued to look. The two-story ballroom was decorated with classic colors. They’d chosen black, champagne, and white for the wedding colors. Nick’s mom and her team used elegant, black Chiavari chairs adorned with champagne chiffon bows that ran vertically instead of the traditional horizontal. Nick told her that he was so impressed with all the white flowers that his mom used for the gala that he’d wanted the same for the wedding. Cayla understood his request. The white flowers that were housed in white vases and decorated with champagne and black silk bows were on top of tables covered in black linen. Champagne and black chiffon decorated the banister and hand rails of the grand stairs that lead to the ceremony area.
She sighed. Hopefully, she would marry one day. Cayla wanted forever, but after surviving the hectic schedule required to get Kalilah to this point, she wasn’t sure if an affair this grand was for her. Granted, most people took a year to plan their weddings; however, Kalilah was intent on being different. Even though Nick proposed in late September, Cayla was currently standing in the ballroom on December 31st waiting for the wedding ceremony to begin.
That’s right, waiting for the ceremony to begin. Kalilah wanted to get married the first of January, but she’d also wanted her guests to participate in the countdown to midnight. Cayla told her it wasn’t possible, and Kalilah’s winked at her, her brown eyes filled with the mischief that usually got them in trouble when they were younger, and said, “Watch.”
Her dear sister took the idea of reverse happy hour and ran with it. Kalilah, being Kalilah, came up with the reverse wedding. The reception was in full swing, and she and Nick would do their vows after the reception at 12:30 AM. Kalilah would change after the countdown. Either way, Cayla made a mental note to slow down the happy hour frequency.
Not that it mattered now, Cayla glared at the back of Dex’s head as he swept Kalilah into his arms to dance a lively merengue. Why did he get to find out about Kalilah’s pregnancy first? Cayla threw a proper bitch fit when she found out. She was her sister, a born ally and confidant, and she had to find out after the new guy. Kalilah and Dex’s bond bothered her more than she wanted to admit.
“Sickening, aren’t they?” Nick whispered after appearing on her right.
He sipped his champagne then flashed his dimples with a beautiful smile. She blushed a little. Okay, Nick was an exception. She was fine admitting it to herself because he was unattainable. Cayla was still having difficulties reconciling that her sister’s incredibly attractive soon-to-be husband was the same nerdy, nervous guy she interrogated almost a year ago. His poise and confidence made him seem almost...regal. She also loved how he’d effortlessly slipped into his new style. His navy slacks and white and navy patterned shirt looked like they were made specifically for him. He accented his outfit with brown Kenneth Cole dress boots and a matching belt. Like the rest of the wedding party, he would need to change for the ceremony.
He raised the plate in his left hand and offered her an hors d'oeuvre. Cayla’s stomach decided to remind her that she had yet to approach the food table. She plucked one of the snacks off his plate and popped it in her mouth. Her taste buds exploded. Dex may aggravate her in every way, bu
t she could not deny his culinary talents.
“How do they not irritate you?” Cayla asked after grabbing another hors d'oeuvre off his plate.
Nick looked in their direction and smiled contently.
“I love them both. And I know their bond is genuine. Dex likes to bother me, but I know there’s an extra person out there who has her back.” He nudged her with his arm. The merengue song faded into a salsa number. “You don’t have to do it alone.” Cayla smiled at him when he winked. Nick leaned in and whispered, “I’ll let you in on a little secret. I have a contingency plan. If they become too annoying, we’ll be best friends to show them how it feels.”
Cayla laughed, and Nick gave a passing server his empty plate and glass. Dex had just finished expertly gliding Natalia around the dance floor in a well-executed salsa; he then disappeared into the crowd. Okay, maybe Dex had a little rhythm.
Nick grabbed her hand. “Come on, let’s practice.”
Lady Antebellum’s “Need You Now” started to play, and Nick wrapped Cayla in his arms, his firm body guiding her across the dance floor. Kalilah was right; he does smell good. They talked about the upcoming ceremony and how he couldn’t wait to start their three-week-long island honeymoon. They couldn’t decide which island to visit, so they were set to spend a week at each of their top three locations, starting with Bora-Bora. Cayla thought three weeks of relaxing on the beach sounded like a dream.
The song was ending, and Nick looked at something behind her then back to her. “Thank you for the dance.” He kissed her on the cheek and half-bowed before retreating.
A warm hand touched her back, and her body knew exactly who was behind her. The smooth beat of Sade’s “Kiss of Life” poured from the speakers.
“My turn.”
The breath of Dex’s sexy voice was a warm caress on her ear. Cayla repressed a shudder. Get your shit together! She mentally chastised herself. He pulled her into his arms before she could respond. She ignored the zing of desire that shot through her. Her body swooned, and her mind screamed. Cayla called forward the supreme focus she used to get herself out of college early with dual degrees and focused on keeping her breathing steady. They’d never been this close to each other. Her instinct had told her on Nick’s birthday that she should remain a safe distance from Dex at all times. She had been successful, until today.
Her breasts were pressed against his deliciously hard chest, and the heat of his hands warmed her hips. Her hands were splayed on his biceps. It took an act of Congress for her not to squeeze them. Each breath pulled in the delicious scent of his cologne. A few shallow breaths told her that she either needed to be an adult and breathe in his scent or pass out due to lack of oxygen. She tried to focus on the part of his neck she could see, but her curiosity was becoming too strong.
Cautiously, her eyes traced a vein in his neck up to his slightly full yet completely kissable lips. She involuntarily licked her lips and saw his twitch. Finally, she built up the courage to look him in his eyes. His intense gray gaze was focused on her recently moistened lips. When his eyes finally locked with hers, they were hot and made a lot of sexual promises. Man, he was breathtaking.
Cayla watched fascinated as his mouth and eyes said two different things.
His mouth: “Relax, I’m not going to eat you or anything.”
His eyes: Unless you want to be eaten all night long...
His mouth: “Your outfit is lovely.”
His eyes: You’d look better naked.
His mouth: “This is a beautiful wedding reception.”
His eyes: Not as beautiful as your naked body in my bed.
Cayla laughed, she couldn’t help it. She explained when he gave her a puzzled look. “I’m sorry, I’m not sure which part of you I’m supposed to be listening to right now.”
“What do you mean?” his eyes and mouth said in unison.
Cayla was known to be a direct person, so now that he’d figuratively cornered her at the wedding, she couldn’t hold her tongue. She’d also thought about the other things her tongue could be doing to her dance partner. She spoke after mentally gagging her inner slut.
“Your mouth is trying to have a normal conversation, but your eyes are trying to seduce me.”
Dex’s mouth moved into a predatory grin and all pretenses fell away. “So, you want to know what part of me is honest?” Cayla nodded, and Dex pulled her hips flush against his. He splayed his left hand on her lower back to hold her against his partial erection. Cayla gasped.
“Honest enough for you?” Cayla couldn’t speak; she only continued to sway with him because her stupid body liked being pressed against his. “Wrap your arms around my neck,” he demanded. Cayla complied.
Cayla’s heart was beating like she’d just completed a marathon. She was stuck in his gray eyes, and everyone else started to drift way. He increased the intimacy of their embrace by putting his cheek next to hers. Her nipples hardened; her stomach fluttered. He whispered in her ear.
“Cayla, I’m going to get to the point. Consider this your warning...” His breath on her ear made her shudder. “I’ve waited long enough, and your free time is expiring soon. I’m going out of town for a few weeks, and I will pursue you when I return.”
Cayla’s heart fluttered. “I don’t date white men, Dex.”
Dex smiled. He traced his right thumb across her lips, along her jaw, and under her chin. Leaving an inferno in its wake. He tipped her head up so she could look him in the eyes.
“You will.”
It was only two words, but the heat in his eyes and the desire in his voice set her panties on fire. She was in trouble. He grabbed her left hand with his right and expertly spun her out of his embrace. Cayla was off center and aroused, but she wasn’t about to show it.
The Kings of Leon tune “Use Somebody” fluttered through the dance floor. Cayla turned and sidestepped dancing couples until she was a safe distance away from Dex. A parting glance over her shoulder told her that he still stood on the dance floor with both hands in his pockets making sinful promises with his eyes.
Chapter 2
Dex’s eyes lingered on Cayla’s retreating ass. Damn. She could walk away a thousand times and he would happily watch. Desire hummed through his body. He’d only held her for a few minutes, and he’d already missed touching her. It felt…right. Having her against him was an experience he planned on repeating in the near future. Her stilettos carried her tight, white slacks-covered ass farther out of his reach. Her white pants along with her light pink top made her look like spring in winter. She was a perfectly blossomed flower that he fully intended to pluck.
He clenched his hands. I don’t date white men. Her last words mocked him.
“Someone should tell her body that,” he whispered under his breath.
Dex knew desire when he saw it and he didn’t have to be cocky to acknowledge that she wanted him. Dex replayed the way her eyes flashed and her lips involuntarily parted when he pulled her against his body. Cayla didn’t try to pull away nor was she offended. He fought the urge to grind against her and breathe in her soft scent. She was definitely under his skin.
The bar was his solace; he ambled over after Cayla was no longer in sight and ordered a strong Jack and Coke. It wasn’t his go-to beverage; he didn’t drink much hard liquor after his partying days ended two years ago because, to him, alcohol dulled his senses, and he wanted to feel, taste, see, and hear everything to the fullest. But tonight, his favorite pair of hazel eyes held him on the constant edge of longing and desire. It had been so hard not to touch her. The sudden wave of irrational jealousy that he’d felt when Nick wrapped her in his arms was alarming and unsettling. He had to have her. There wasn’t much he could do about it at that moment, but he could join Kalilah in the line dances that were starting.
“He’s doing the fucking Wobble!” Cayla groaned to herself when she returned from the restroom. She needed to be somewhere he couldn’t follow until her heartrate returned to its normal rhythm. He
unsettled her in a way that no man had ever achieved, and she didn’t like it. She should have been on the dance floor shaking her ass with Kalilah and Natalia, but she couldn’t exorcise her sour mood. Dex wasn’t her whole issue, just an irritating extra in her “poor me” series.
She hated her job. She couldn’t stomach the people she worked with but had to wait a few months before she could be free. She had five payments left on her Audi and while she had enough money saved to pay it off, she didn’t want to make any hasty decisions. Paying off her car would leave a good dent in her savings, and she needed the money to pay her other bills while she figured out what she wanted to do. If she waited the five months to pay off her car she could afford to go another four months or so without a job before money got tight.
She glanced at her silver watch. Eleven-fifty. She wandered up the sweeping stairs and headed out the balcony. The air was cool and crisp, but not chilly enough to run her back inside. She wanted to see the illuminated garden and take in some quite time before the ceremony. She would miss her sister. Cayla thought back and tried to remember if they’d ever been separated for three weeks. No. Kalilah stayed local and went to college at the University of Houston, she preferred to commute and sleep in her own bed as opposed to sharing living quarters with a stranger who could possibly have hygiene issues. Cayla followed suit a year later.
While Kalilah chose to Major in Marketing and minor in English, Cayla chose the accelerated program that earned her a Bachelor’s in Computer Information Systems and a Masters in Information Systems Security faster than the traditional route. Cayla knew she had caviar dreams and needed the money to go with it. She busted her ass to get out of high school early. It was brutal but worth it. She landed a well-paying job at a technology firm, but her new boss made a great situation awful. She hated being micro-managed and belittled. She knew she was smart and didn’t like having her intelligence questioned. At twenty-six, she had a master’s degree and almost four years of experience, it was time to move on.
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