by Aisha Brooks
He whispered in her ear. “I don’t want this evening to end. Would you like to come home with me?”
“I don’t know, Dallas. I’m really not that kind of girl.”
“I don’t expect anything but more conversation. I’d be happy to talk with you all night.”
Jada’s heart was fluttering. She relaxed in his arms and nodded.
Dallas directed the driver to go home.
Chapter 6
Getting To Know
Jada followed Dallas through the front door of the most luxurious mansion she had ever seen. She walked in and looked around at the marble floors, winding staircase, intricately designed walls… It was breathtaking.
“Wow, I’ve never seen anything like this. It’s even more beautiful than mansions you see on TV,” Jaida said. “How many acres do you have here?”
“I have twelve acres with three sides surrounded by the lake. It’s more impressive in the daylight.” Dallas led her into the parlor. “Would you like a drink?”
“Yes, but I really can’t,” Jada answered.
“How ‘bout a Sprite with lemon?”
Jada smiled. “Okay, thank you.”
“Thank you, for taking such good care of our little girl,” Dallas said as he brought her the drink.
“I guess we better talk about what we’re going to do.” Jada rubbed her belly.
“Alright.” Dallas sat down on the couch and patted the place next to him for her to join him. “What do you want, Jada?”
Jada was pleasantly surprised by the change in Dallas’ attitude since the first time they met.
She took a deep breath in and out and sat down. “I think we could share custody. I’d like to be the primary caregiver, but I am not opposed to scheduled times with you.”
“Alright, that is a start,” Dallas said. “I have some concerns about your current living situation.”
Jada stiffened.
Dallas continued. “Come on, Jada, you have to admit, your apartment complex is crowded and noisy. I live here in this thirty-six thousand square foot mansion with a full time staff to take care of it. You could have your own wing here.”
Jada clenched her teeth. “I’m not interested in that. I want my baby to around family, not house staff. This was a bad idea. I knew you were going to try and control me. I won’t stand for it.” Jada stood up and started to leave.
Dallas grabbed her hand. “Whoa, now. I’m not against you, Jada, and I wouldn’t dream of trying to control you. You have made it perfectly clear that you do not stand for that. No need to get defensive, okay? We’re just talking.”
Jada sat back down and tried to relax. “You’re right. I got defensive. I just have a fear that you are going to use your money to take our baby and give her the best of everything. I think there is value in learning to work for your money. And I’m not ashamed to have my daughter see me work hard for everything we have. I don’t think handing her everything will teach her good values.”
“I hear you. And I admire that. Most women I meet try to use me for my money. You’re the first person I’ve known who dislikes me because of it.”
Jada laughed. “I don’t dislike you. I just have my guard up.”
Dallas sat closer to Jada on the couch. “There’s something you should know about me. I didn’t grow up wealthy.”
“You didn’t?”
“No. I got lucky. I was a video game nerd, and a creative person. When I was eighteen, I created a game that took off and made a lot of money. By the time I was twenty, I had a million dollars. I hired a great business investment coach and turned my millions into billions over the last ten years. I’ll admit, I enjoy the high life, but I also respect you and every other American out there working their butt off in factories and plants. And to be honest, Jada, your work ethic and your commitment to your values is inspiring, and something I didn’t count on, but am now so grateful that our daughter will learn from you.”
Jada was flattered and stunned. This man just kept surprising her.
Dallas looked at Jada’s face and stroked her face gently. “You are so beautiful, Jada, you take my breath away.” He leaned in and kissed her.
Jada kissed him back. He slid his tongue into her mouth. She felt her heart pound harder. His passion was overwhelming her.
Jada quickly pulled away from him. “Wait. We haven’t decided anything yet.”
Dallas gently stroked her neck with his fingers. “We don’t have to decide everything tonight, Jada. Let’s make tonight just about us.”
He kissed her again. Jada tensed up at first, feeling a little worried about giving in to her desires.
Dallas whispered in her ear, “Relax. Let me love you.”
His hot breath in her ear aroused her. His words relaxed her.
He kissed her neck and moved down to her chest. His hands wandered to her breasts. He cupped her left breast and lifted it to his mouth. He kissed and licked it.
Jada moaned. His touch was stimulating. She felt her vagina pulsing. She wanted him.
“This dress has been driving me crazy all night,” Dallas said. “Your cleavage tantalized me in the most delightful way.” He kissed her mouth and slid his hand up her thigh and under her dress. He spread her legs apart.
Jada felt her breathing get heavier. His fingers teased her as they slid up her inner thigh to the ridge of her underwear.
“I wanna taste you all over, Jada.”
Jada was completely lost in the moment. Her body was crying out for him now.
“Feast on me, Dallas.”
Dallas lowered her underwear and lifted her skirt. She lifted her knees and spread her legs. He slipped his face between them. He devoured her pussy until she screamed in pleasure.
Jada opened her eyes after her climax and saw Dallas’ moist lips.
“That was amazing,” Jada said.
“Mm, I could feast on you every night,” Dallas said. He licked his lips.
Jada sat up and fixed her dress. She was exhausted and completely satisfied. No man had ever satisfied her the way Dallas just did.
Dallas looked down. “I hope I didn’t get too carried away. I didn’t plan on this, believe me. I just wanted to spend more time with you.”
Jada looked at her watch. “My mother is probably wondering about me by now.”
Dallas smiled. “Can you call her? Will you spend the night?”
“I can’t, Dallas. Not yet. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have let it…”
“No, no. Don’t apologize. I loved every minute of tonight. And you already know I’m not very good at being patient. But, you are worth waiting for, Jada. I’ll take you home.” He kissed her on the cheek.
On the way home, Dallas held Jada’s hand. She never imagined he would be such a romantic, and so sweet. When they arrived at her complex, they heard a car playing hip hop music extremely loud.
Jada winced. “I guess you’re right about it being noisy.”
Dallas walked her to her apartment door and kissed her goodnight.
“I’ll call you,” he promised.
“Okay,” Jada agreed.
Chapter 7
Crazy Woman
All Dallas could think about for the next week was Jada and his baby girl on the way. He never thought he’d be happy with a wife until that night with Jada. He felt so comfortable around her. She was full of fire and talent. He pictured a happy life filled with love for all of them.
George interrupted his dream with a knock on his office door.
“Sir, Janie Poole is here to see you,” George announced.
Dallas felt a lump in his throat. He wasn’t looking forward to this conversation. “Alright, send her in.”
Janie entered and stood with a strong, determined pose. She spoke with a distinct Russian accent. “Mr. Moody, you and I had agreement.” She held up her contract. “I have signed document that say you pay me fifty-thousand U.S. dollars.”
“That was if you carried my child. I’m sorry it didn’t wor
k out, Janie. I had every intention of following through, but things changed.”
Janie slammed her fist on his desk. “It is not my fault. I still can carry child.”
Dallas pursed his lips. “But now I don’t need you to. I’m sorry, the contract is null and void. You can talk to my lawyers if you have any questions.”
Dallas stood and walked to his door. He opened it and gestured for her to leave the room.
“I still have obligation to Russian family. I promised them.”
“I wish you the very best, Janie.”
“That’s it? That’s all you can do?”
Dallas shrugged.
“We’ll see about that.” Janie stormed out of his office.
Dallas closed the door behind her. He was confident his lawyers would handle her from here.
Jada hummed while she pushed the logs into the saw mill.
“Somebody sounds happy,” Tony teased.
Jada smiled at her brother. “Yes, I actually am happy. Dallas turned out to be a pretty great guy.”
“The billionaire? Yes! Does this mean we’ll all be rich?”
“No! Stop it!” Jada slapped his arm. “We’re still lumber mill workers. Nothing has changed.”
“Except that you’re singing while you work. I never heard you do that before.”
“Well,” Jada smirked. “I’ve never felt like it before.”
“Jada Foster!” a woman screamed.
Jada and Tony looked toward the sound and saw a young White woman stomping through the plant.
“Who wants to know?” Jada yelled back.
The woman looked at her and started running toward her. She picked up a two-by-four laying in a bin on her way.
“What the hell?” Jada tried to step back, but the woman came at such speed, she didn’t have time to react.
She lifted the two-by-four and swung it, hitting Jada right in the belly.
“Moy Malysh!” the woman yelled.
Jada doubled over in pain.
Tony tried to grab the woman, but she got another hit on Jada’s back. Jada fell to the ground.
Other workers ran to the commotion and helped Tony stop the crazy woman from hitting Jada again.
“Call an ambulance!” Tony yelled out.
Jada lay on the concrete floor and held her belly. She was too afraid to look and see if she was bleeding. She heard her brother talking to her, but she could not comprehend what he was saying. She was in a fog. Everything sounded muffled. She was dizzy and confused. Her eyelids felt heavy. She couldn’t keep them open anymore.
Chapter 8
Moy Malish
Dallas became alarmed when he heard Tony’s voice on the other end of the phone. All he heard was “Come to North Memorial Hospital. Jada is in trouble.”
Dallas didn’t wait for his driver. He grabbed the keys to his Porsche and drove straight to the hospital. He saw Tony and Jada’s mother in the waiting room.
“What happened? Is Jada alright?”
“We don’t know yet. Some crazy woman just came into the plant and hit her with a two-by-four. First on the stomach and then on her back.”
Tony’s voice was shaky. Tears were streaming down his face. “I don’t know who that bitch was, but when I find out, I’m gonna kill her.”
“Tony, stop that kind of talk!” his mother scolded.
Tony looked at Dallas and repeated what he just said with his eyes.
“Did the woman say anything?” Dallas asked.
“She said something, but it was a different language. I don’t know what it was. European. Something like ‘moy malish.’”
Dallas felt his throat constricting. “Was she Russian?”
“Yeah, maybe. Why? Is she someone you know? Is this your fault?” Tony’s voice got louder.
“I don’t know.” Dallas turned away from Tony and quickly googled moy malish on his phone. In Russian it meant, my baby. “Oh God. It was Janie.”
Tony puffed out his chest and walked toward Dallas. “Get the fuck out of my sight before I beat you to the ground.”
Dallas lowered his head. It was his fault. He had no idea Janie was so unstable. “I’ll take care of it, Tony.”
Tony stepped closer. “Don’t you dare come near my sister again!”
Dallas left the room.
Chapter 9
The Most Awaited Day
Over the next three months, Dallas tried to contact Jada, but she would not return his calls. Jada’s mother was kind enough to tell him that both Jada and the baby were okay, but Jada was restricted to bed rest for the rest of her pregnancy. She assured Dallas that he would be informed when the baby was born.
He knew better than to show up at her home with Tony around. He couldn’t blame Tony for protecting his sister. If he had one, he’d do the same.
He left a voicemail for Jada when the police arrested Janie so she wouldn’t have to worry. He offered to hire a nurse to care for her, but her mother wouldn’t think of it. The more he offered, the less that family would accept.
Autumn came and went. The lake was beginning to freeze. It was the loneliest time of year on the lake. Too cold for boating, too warm for ice fishing. It was just empty. Dallas had never felt so alone.
After being rejected by Jada for four months, Dallas went back to the Dakota Club. He thought he would feel better with a little attention from the beautiful women. But it was different now. He had changed. The women no longer enticed him. Seeing them only made him want Jada more.
The week of Thanksgiving, Dallas received a call from Jada’s mother.
“She’s here, Dallas. Your baby girl, Serena Foster, is healthy and currently sleeping with her mama.”
“Can I see her?”
There was a pause while he heard her ask Jada.
“Yes, Dallas. She will see you now.”
Dallas breathed a huge sigh of relief. “Thank God!”
He hurried to the hospital and walked into Jada’s room. He slowed when he saw Tony standing next to his mother. Tony looked at Dallas and offered his hand. Apparently, the freeze out was over. Dallas shook it and nodded.
He took one look at Jada holding a little baby with a pink hat and he was overcome with emotion.
“Dallas, this is Serena. Would you like to hold her?” Jada asked.
Dallas nodded and held out his arms. He was too emotional to speak. Jada placed the baby in his arms and he held her close to his body. “I’ve never seen anything so precious.”
Jada smiled and touched his hand. “I’m sorry I didn’t return your calls, Dallas. I was so…”
Dallas shook his head. “Don’t. It’s all fine. I’m just so relieved that you and Serena are okay.”
Dallas looked around the room and saw how happy Jada was with her family. He understood for the first time why it was important to her to live near her loving and supportive family. That was something he never had and therefore never understood.
“Jada, I’m so glad Serena has you and your family to love her. I understand now why you want to stay close to them.”
“Thank you, Dallas.”
He had peace in his heart for the very first time. Holding Serena gave him a brand new perspective. He realized he would do absolutely anything for her. He kissed the baby’s little fingers and toes and counted each one. Jada laughed. He had almost forgotten his beautiful dream of Jada and the baby. But now it was coming true before his very eyes.
Chapter 10
Happy Ending
Over the next few months, Jada remained at her mother’s small apartment and cared for the baby. Dallas came over at least once a week and spent time with them. He never said a word about wanting her to move, but she knew it was on his mind. Jada was realizing how small the place was and was finally ready to consider moving.
On Dallas’ next visit, Jada brought up the subject.
“Dallas, I know you had concerns about my living situation…”
Dallas interrupted. “I respect your decision to b
e near family, Jada.”
“I know. You have been wonderful. But, the truth is, you were right to have concerns. This place is small and noisy, and run down. You were right about all of that.”
Dallas sat up straight. “Would you like to come and live with me? Your whole family is welcome.”