Players

by Rachel Cross

  “Kenyatta finally said yes. We’re getting married.”

  Jared choked on his water and coughed.

  Malcolm came over and hit him on his back. “Are you okay?”

  Jared nodded and stepped to the side. “Yeah, yeah, I’m cool. So you really want to marry her?”

  Kenyatta was Malcolm’s girlfriend of two years. Although he liked Kenyatta and was happy his brother finally hooked up with her after lusting for her for so long, he couldn’t believe Malcolm wanted to get married. Then again, Malcolm didn’t know how fickle married women were.

  Malcolm continued to smile like a lovesick puppy. “Yes. I’ve known ever since that crazy crap with Brad. After thinking I’d never see her again, I knew I wanted her in my life forever.”

  Malcolm had worked with Kenyatta for years, but had never acted on his desire for her. It wasn’t until she’d agreed to marry someone else that he finally made a play for her and won. Unfortunately her fiancé at the time was a psycho who tried to kill her when he found out, but he was killed by an ex-lover after kidnapping both her and Kenyatta. Two years had passed and Malcolm and Kenyatta had remained inseparable. It shouldn’t have been a surprise for his brother to marry her, but Jared was still upset. He knew firsthand how unfaithful married women were. Malcolm would do better keeping things as they were.

  “Can’t you two just live together or something? You know once you marry them everything changes. Kenyatta might not be so wonderful once you put that ring on her finger.” It was the first thing that came to his mind.

  Malcolm’s smile fell. “C’mon man. I thought you would be happy for me. Just because you never want to get married doesn’t mean you have to rain on my parade.”

  Jared shrugged. “I’m not trying to do that, I’m just pointing out the facts. Once women get married they become bored. Before you know it she’ll be tired of you and out trying to find some other man to keep her happy.”

  Malcolm stiffened and pointed at Jared. “Kenyatta’s not like that.”

  Jared scoffed. “That’s what you think.”

  Malcolm frowned and took a step toward him. “Hey, man, watch yourself. I’m in a good mood today, but if you say anything else about Kenyatta I’ll knock the shit out of you.”

  Jared held up his hands. “My bad, I meant no disrespect to Kenyatta. Hey, maybe she is different.”

  Malcolm threatening to knock sense into him was nothing new. Although they hadn’t fought since they were young boys, it wasn’t unusual for them to disagree on things. Not only were their personalities different—he considered Malcolm a choir boy and Malcolm considered Jared a playboy—but they looked different too. Malcolm had the darker, more rugged looks of their father while Jared shared the lighter, more refined features of their mother, a resemblance Jared secretly hated.

  Malcolm pushed away from the counter with a curse. “Damn, man, I should have known not to tell you first.”

  Jared plastered a smile on his face. Today wasn’t the day to talk some sense into his brother. “I’m just messing with you, man. Truly, I’m happy for you. When is the big day?”

  Malcolm looked skeptical but the goofy grin resurfaced. “We’re thinking a fall wedding. September or October.”

  Jared put his water bottle on the counter with a loud thud. “That’s only a few months away.”

  Malcolm shrugged. “We’ve been together for two years, there’s no need for a long engagement.”

  Jared shook his head. “All right, man. Just let me know when and I’ll be there to stand beside you.” And I’ll be there when she breaks your heart later, he thought.

  “Thanks, man, I’m glad to hear that.” Malcolm narrowed his eyes and studied Jared. “Are you training for something? You haven’t stopped sweating since you came to the door.”

  Jared used his shirt to wipe the sweat off his brow. “No, why would you say that?”

  “’Cause it looks like you’re working your ass off. What’s up?”

  Jared sucked down the rest of the water. “Just trying to work off some excess energy.”

  Malcolm scoffed. “You usually say that when you’ve got some woman around. Since I don’t think anyone is here, she must have turned you down?”

  Jared sucked his teeth. “Never that. She’s coming over tonight.”

  Malcolm laughed. “At the rate you’re going you won’t be any use to her tonight.”

  Jared blew air through his lips. “You forget who you’re talking about. Besides we’re not sleeping together tonight. I’m trying to wait.”

  Malcolm’s head snapped back. “You’re trying to wait? Hell must be freezing over.”

  “Man, I can wait, when it’s worth it.”

  Malcolm raised an eyebrow. “Someone who’s worth the wait? Damn, man, I never thought I’d hear you say that. Who is she?”

  “It doesn’t matter who she is, and I’m not waiting long. I just need to find the right place.”

  Malcolm laughed. “What’s wrong with down the hall in that massive bed you’ve got?”

  Jared shook his head and frowned. “Nah, she deserves better than that for her first time. I’m not going to treat her like any other chick.”

  Malcolm stopped laughing and held up his hands. “Wait, wait, wait. Did I hear you right? Her first time? What, you’re playing with virgins now?”

  Jared cursed. Malcolm didn’t need to know what he was doing. His brother was such a moral high roller he wouldn’t approve, but Jared didn’t turn down beautiful women, and since Tasha offered, he wasn’t about to pass up the chance to be her first.

  “It’s not like that. She asked me to be her first, so I agreed.”

  Malcolm crossed his arms and scowled. “What the hell is wrong with you? You don’t F around with virgins, man.”

  Jared laughed at Malcolm’s shortening of the curse word. “I’m not fucking around with a virgin. She’s almost thirty and wants to lose it before her birthday. I was her choice, so why deny her?”

  “Because her first time should be special. You’re the last man to make something special with a woman.”

  “Whatever. I know how to make a lady feel special.”

  “It’s more than that.”

  Jared lifted a shoulder and held his hands out. “Since when do I need your permission to sleep with someone? She’s a grown woman and knows what she wants. Besides, the way she was palming my dick yesterday lets me know that she’s more than ready.”

  Malcolm shook his head. “Man, you’re something else. You’re right, it’s your business. I’m just saying this whole situation may blow up in your face.”

  “I doubt that. I’m going to take my time with her and make it good. It’ll just be this one-time thing, and then we’ll move on.”

  “Sure, I’ll believe that when I see it.”

  Jared was tired of the conversation. “Look, man, I’ve got to get back to my workout. Did you want anything else?”

  Malcolm sighed nodded. “Mom’s birthday is coming up. I wanted to rent out the community center in the old neighborhood and have a party for her. Sixty-five is a big deal.”

  Jared smiled tightly while inwardly he cringed. Pretending an interest in their mom was nothing new. Malcolm never questioned why he always had to relay messages between the two, and Jared had no plans to change that. He’d rather let Malcolm assume he was a less than stellar son than reveal they had a less than stellar mom.

  “Sure, man, that’s a good idea. Just let me know what you need.”

  Malcolm nodded and headed toward the door. “Don’t work out too hard. You might tire yourself out before you can deflower your virgin.”

  “Ha ha, very funny.”

  “I’ll holla at you later.”

  Jared waved his brother out the door before going back down to his gym, but he no longer felt like working out. Malcolm’s announcement had killed his energy. His brother was getting married. It felt like it came from nowhere, but he should have known. They did seem perfect for each other, so maybe
it could work. But his parents had seemed perfect for each other too, and he knew that had been a damn lie. Hopefully Malcolm would be luckier.

  His cell phone rang and he walked over to pick it up. Monica’s number popped on screen under a new name: Clingy Snoop. He ignored the call, noting that it had been her fourth call for the day.

  He crossed the gym to his home office. He needed a distraction, and the work on his desk would do. He was finishing up a fitness manual based on his exercise philosophy, and he needed to call Cassandra, his public relations manager in Los Angeles, for an update on her trip to his production facility.

  After work he would decide how to handle Tasha’s first time. He meant what he’d said to Malcolm—she did deserve better than just one night in his bed. Even though they wouldn’t be together afterwards, he wanted her to look back with a smile for the rest of her life.

  Chapter 5

  Tasha parked in the circular drive of Jared’s California style home at 6:59. She sat in the car taking several deep breaths as she stared at his door. Her body hummed with desire after leaving him yesterday. It was a new experience that thrilled and frightened her. Although she’d been attracted to men in the past, she’d never experienced it at this magnitude. He made it too easy to forget why she’d been a virgin for so long.

  Feeling this way thrilled her, but the fact that it was for Jared worried her. Even though they’d worked together, she only knew him superficially. How could she desire him so much after one encounter? Why did his slight tremble at her touch yesterday keep her awake for hours? And why, when she had slept, she’d dreamt about feeling his erection without his pants in the way.

  She would have to tread carefully to make sure she remained in control of the situation. She couldn’t afford to lose herself, and if she forgot the reason for sleeping with him, Jared could make her lose all thoughts of self-preservation.

  She got out of the car and went to his door. With a reassuring breath, she rang the bell. She’d never been to Jared’s house before, but hadn’t had trouble finding it. She’d gotten his address from the Rec Commission files before leaving the day before. She’d been nervous that if she called him for the address he would tell her over the phone he wasn’t going to grant her favor.

  Jared opened the door and Tasha’s mouth went dry. He wore nothing but basketball shorts low on his hips. Her eyes ran over his body, taking in the broad shoulders, well-toned chest, and rock hard abs. His sinewy biceps gleamed in the late afternoon sun. A tattoo of an eagle with its talons out was on his left one. Her eyes followed the light sprinkling of hair covering his chest down his abs to where they disappeared in the waistband of his shorts. She skipped the shorts to take in thighs and calves that looked as if they were carved from granite. Even his feet were sexy.

  When she finally dragged her eyes back up to his, he smiled as if he knew his body was an awesome sight to behold. He flexed his pecs and winked at her. Desire shivered through her and she squeezed the muscles between her legs.

  “Like what you see?”

  She cleared her throat and tried to appear calm. Control, she had to and maintain control. “Do you always answer the door undressed?”

  “I’m perfectly decent . . . for now.” He flexed his pecs again and Tasha wanted to run in the opposite direction. This was too much for her. A smart woman would turn around, go home, and forget the whole damn thing. But at the moment she didn’t feel very smart. She only felt hot and horny. She hoped his words meant he was accepting her offer.

  “Does that mean you’re going to relieve me of my problem—tonight?”

  He reached out, took her hand, and drew her into the house. “We’ll talk about that in a second. Come in and make yourself comfortable.”

  Tasha took her eyes off of his body to look around. White marble floors in the foyer opened up to a sunken living area bathed with sunlight from large French doors connected to a patio. Sunlight sparkled on the surface of a pond visible through the doors. The living area was surrounded by four white pillars connected by wrought iron railing. A marble and wrought iron staircase led to the second floor. Neutral colors, yellows and greens adorned the walls and furnishing which combined with the windows and view of the lake to give it an open feel.

  “You have a beautiful home,” she said.

  He smiled, drawing her eyes to his sensuous lips. “Thanks, it was already decorated when I bought it. I thought it made the place feel open so I left it the way it was. Come on around to the kitchen.”

  He took her hand in his and led her to a spacious kitchen with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. It looked like a kitchen from Food Network and her fingers itched to use the commercial grade stove. The small kitchen in her home was pitiful compared to his.

  “Do you cook?” she asked.

  He shook his head. “Not often. I have someone come in and prepare my meals for the week. Why?”

  “The kitchen is beautiful. It looks like it was made for cooking meals for a large family.”

  He laughed. The sound sent an unfamiliar shiver down her spine. “Not here. Fortunately, I don’t have to make up my protein bars and shakes anymore. There’s an entire production facility for that. Do you want something to drink?” He let go of her hand and she clenched her fist to hold onto the warmth.

  “Yes, thank you.”

  He reached under the cabinet into a wine cooler and pulled out a bottle of wine. “I hope you like Chardonnay.” He took two glasses out of the rack above the bar.

  “I just want water.”

  “It’s no problem. I was going to open this anyway.” He opened the wine and poured her a glass.

  “What if I don’t like white?”

  He rubbed his jaw and grinned. “I have red, if you prefer.”

  She did prefer white, but she didn’t like that he’d ignored her request for water. “I’d prefer water.”

  His smile remained as he turned to get a bottle of water out of his fridge. When he came over, he stood so close she was engulfed by his spicy scent. That combined with his near nakedness, made her skin tingle with anticipation.

  “Your water.” His eyes bore into hers, desire and amusement rolling in the chocolate centers.

  She cleared her throat and took a step back. “Do you plan to put on some clothes?”

  He took a step forward. “Do I really need to get dressed?”

  She blushed. It was true, if he agreed to her favor then he really didn’t need clothes. Something about the idea that it could happen so soon caused her stomach to flutter. She fought the urge to wipe her now clammy hands on her pants. Instead she opened the bottle and gulped. “So you’re ready to do it now? Okay, just give me a . . . second to, you know, get used to the idea.”

  He chuckled and stepped back. “I’m not going to take your virginity on my kitchen floor, Tasha. Although once it’s gone I might make love to you on the counter.”

  She swallowed loudly. A picture of him lifting her up onto his counter filled her head. As erotic as the thought was, she pushed it aside. Once her virginity was gone there wouldn’t be another time. It was a one-time deal and that was all. For her sanity she would have to stick with that.

  He grinned. “I’m teasing you, Tasha. You actually caught me as I got out of the shower. I lost track of time and didn’t realize it was so close to seven. If you give me a second I’ll change and we can talk.”

  She gave him what she hoped was an impassive look before nodding. “I’ll wait for you here.”

  “You can follow me to my room. If you’d like.” There was a teasing glint in his eye, which only made him sexier.

  She may be less sophisticated than the women he usually dealt with, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t handle his game. Actually, you can’t handle it, but you’re going to pretend that you can.

  She raised her chin. “I need to see it sooner or later.”

  If he was surprised by her answer he hid it well. “Follow me.”

  With another reass
uring breath, she walked behind him and froze at the door of his bedroom. In the middle of his room was a mahogany four poster bed. It was raised at least two feet from the floor. A black satin comforter and sheets gleamed in the recessed lighting that shined down as if it were a monument.

  If Jared noticed she’d stopped at the door he didn’t acknowledge it. He disappeared into his walk in closet. Blinking her eyes rapidly she looked around his room. He had a large flat screen television on one wall with a small sitting area around it. A matching mahogany dresser and chest of drawers took up the other wall. There were a few black and white landscape portraits on chocolate colored walls.

  Her attention went back to the bed. It couldn’t be ignored. She walked over to it. At five feet four inches she considered herself average height, but she would need a stepstool to get on it. How many women had he slept with in that bed? Probably dozens. The thought excited her. She wanted to experience what other women had with him, and she wanted it in that bed. She ran her hands along the smooth comforter and closed her eyes, imagining herself naked, sliding on the sheets.

  “Do you like my bed?”

  She snatched her hands away as if she’d been burned. She turned to the closet where Jared stood, watching her. He’d put on a loose fitting pair of jeans and a black shirt he hadn’t buttoned. His feet were still bare. She definitely liked what she saw.

  “It’s a nice bed. Is this where we’ll . . . ” Although she knew what she asked she couldn’t say the words.

  He walked and placed his hands on the bed, trapping her between it and him. The heat from his body radiated toward her. Time seemed to freeze as the force of her attraction buzzed within her. If she was going to do this she couldn’t be a ninny. She hesitated, before lifting her hands and placing them on his chest. His skin was surprisingly soft over the hard muscles underneath. He flexed his pecs and she jerked. Her pinky finger accidentally flicking over his flat nipple and his breathing pick up.

  He lightly ran a finger down her cheek. “My plan was to wait, but you’re making it very difficult.”

  Tasha shivered as he gently traced her earlobe. “How?”