“Makes sense. Now can we talk about why you’re in a towel?”
Easy access.
“I figured I’d give you your first test. To dress me that is.”
She didn’t flinch as she answered, “Oh. Okay. Well where’s your closet?”
“In the bedroom.”
Still no flinching.
“O... kay. So where’s your bedroom?”
“Upstairs,” I said with a flirtatious smile to test her.
She only returned my smile with a politer one as she said, “Lead the way.”
She followed me up the stairs and I paused at the door of my master suite to ask, “You ready to see where the magic happens?”
“Very funny, Bryson. Come on before you catch a cold being out here all naked.”
“Well, I’m not all naked. But I can definitely make that happen if that’s what you prefer.”
There’s the flinch.
She gulped before she pushed out, “Towel is fine. Let’s get to the closet.”
I opened the door and allowed her to step in first so I could get a good view of her ass.
Damn, I shouldn’t have done that.
My towel did nothing to hide my natural, bodily reaction to a fine ass woman being in my bedroom.
She looked around with wide eyes as she said, “Wow. This is amazing, Bryson. You actually have pretty good taste.”
I walked over to the closet with Kennedy in tow, turning on the light as I replied, “I wish I could take the credit, but I have to give that to Leslie’s wife. She’s an interior designer.”
She was already sorting through my clothes, but stopped once she realized what I had said. “Wait a minute. Leslie’s a…?”
“Lesbian? Yeah. She finds you just as sexy as I do.”
She brushed off my little compliment as she replied, “Wow. I never would’ve guessed that one.”
I leaned against the center island of drawers as I asked, “What? That I find you sexy as hell?”
Her voice was low as she answered, “No. I guessed that.”
I couldn’t help but tease, “Ohhhh, so I got a little cocky one on my hands?”
She refused to give me her eyes, instead focusing on the clothes as she responded, “Not at all. I just hear you, even when you don’t think I do.”
“So you’re just ignoring me?”
“No. I’m…” she paused, letting her head fall into my shirts that were hung on the top rack of my closet before she continued, “Bryson, I told you already. I’m engaged.”
So I wasn’t hearing things last night. It really should’ve been no surprise that Kennedy was taken. All the good ones were usually off the market.
But I had to take a peek at her hand again before I asked, “If you’re engaged, why aren’t you wearing a ring?”
“It’s… I don’t know.” She resumed her job of finding me an outfit as she said, “I keep forgetting to put it on. Still not use to the whole thing.”
“Ah, so it’s a new engagement. How long have you guys been together?”
She answered short and direct, “A year and a half.”
“Not even two years and he already popped the question? You must have some bomb ass pussy.”
She yanked a shirt down, causing the hanger to fly off the rack as she said, “Excuse me?”
I challenged her, taking the few steps over to where she stood. “That’s the only way you could’ve locked him down that fast. Bomb ass pussy, bomb ass head game…”
“Bomb ass personality?! Jesus, you can’t possibly be this shallow.” She stepped away angrily, going to the side of the closet my pants were kept.
“I was just joking with you, Kennedy. Relax.”
“Whatever. Here, throw this on.” She tossed me the shirt she had pulled down and a pair of jeans from across the room. I dropped my towel right in front of her just for shits and giggles and you would’ve thought she saw a ghost.
She didn’t turn away, instead choosing to cover her eyes with her hands as she screeched, “Bryson! What do you think you’re doing?!”
I shrugged, trying to hold back my laugh as I said, “I’m getting dressed, Kennedy. Throwing on some clothes like you told me to.”
“You could’ve at least let me get out of here first.”
Though that was probably true, I had no problem reminding her, “Kennedy, you’re engaged to be married. If you only have eyes for your future husband, you shouldn’t be worried about my dick; right?”
She could only sigh, knowing I was right. So instead of arguing the facts, she insisted, “Just… give me a warning next time, please.”
Kennedy
Lunch with Bryson was… nice.
Though after seeing his dick, I hardly imagined things getting anywhere near back to normal. But they had in a way that made me excited about working with him. He wasn’t always the sexually-charged, cocky jock-type that he appeared to be. He was actually a decent guy, with a more than positive outlook on life.
The time had flown by and since it was getting relatively late and I knew Landon would be checking in soon, I decided to head home. Bryson looked a little disappointed when I told him, like he didn’t want me to go. But I knew for my own sake it was mandatory.
We stood at the door together as I waited for the driver to pull up.
“Considering what you usually wear, I’m surprised you had so many gems in your closet,” I teased.
His eyes bore into mine as he replied, “So you’re one of those passive types, huh? The kind that gives slick, little backhanded compliments?”
“Contrary to popular belief, every woman doesn’t fall into a category. Some women simply don’t unveil every personality trait the first couple of times they meet someone. Some of us… some of us like to keep things a mystery until the friendship develops. You know, allow things to unfold.”
“So basically what you’re saying is you’re an undercover freak.”
How in the world…?!
“What?! No! That’s not what I’m saying at all.”
He smirked as he said, “All I heard was unlike most women, you keep your legs closed until you’re comfortable with someone. Is that accurate?”
How do I answer this without cussing him out or sounding ridiculous?
“As true as that may be, that’s still not what I said. And how did we even get to that? We were talking about your wardrobe.”
He flashed me one of his panty-wetting smiles as he said, “My mind tends to deviate when I’d prefer another topic. I apologize.”
I tried not to appear too amused, offering him a smile that only held half of his enthusiasm as I changed the subject. “Well I appreciate the hospitality and you showing me your closet. I have a pretty good idea of how we should move forward, what things we need to add, and what God-awful things we need to get rid of. So just send me your schedule and we can plan for the week accordingly.”
He gave me a nod as he replied, “Will do.”
Before I could get away, he pulled me into a hug that felt so like home I began to relax. With his arms slung against my waist, he gave me a little kiss to my forehead like we were old friends and had done this a million times.
Kennedy, what are you doing?!
I pulled away in disbelief that things had even gotten to that point so fast. But looking at Bryson with his guilty little smirk told me exactly why I had become so vulnerable.
I had to be more careful.
&
“Hey babe. I’m making your favorite.”
I found Landon in the kitchen wearing only an apron and sweatpants slung low against his waist as he stirred his famous homemade sauce on the stove. Between that and the fresh flowers on the counter with a card tucked in the middle, the guilt of spending time with Bryson hit me clean in the chest.
I’m a terrible fiancé.
“Wow. It smells so good. But I’m not really hungry. Had a big lunch.” I even put a hand to my stomach to emphasize how full I was.
He kept
stirring as he tossed over his shoulder, “Oh yeah? How’d that go?”
I tried to sound nonchalant as I responded, “It went well. Got a good idea of his wardrobe so we can start building a better one.”
He turned the sauce down, wiping his hands with a towel before pulling me slung against his body and telling me, “I’m so proud of you.” Then he sealed his praises with a kiss, the familiarity of his lips resonating with my soul.
But before I could lean in for a second dose, my phone vibrated against the counter. I peeked over Landon’s shoulder to see the message before I was forced to push it to the ground. I just knew my screen was cracked, but that was small scale compared to the disaster that could’ve happened if Landon had seen what popped up.
He slowly looked down to the ground at my sacrificed phone. “Aww damn, how’d that happen?”
I shrugged, acting surprised as if I hadn’t done the damage myself. “I don’t know. I guess it just vibrated right off the counter.”
My little white lie actually worked as he replied, “Well I know a few people that fix electronics on the side at the school. Want me to take it in when I get off work tomorrow?”
“NO! I mean… no, it’s fine. I’ll do it. I have time in the morning.”
He smiled, giving me another kiss as he said, “Whatever you say, babe.”
I licked my lips as I watched him take off his apron, revealing his perfectly sculpted chest and v-shaped abs as he tossed it on the counter. Landon was as fine as they came, a sight for sore eyes really. But I’d be damned if my mind wasn’t on the picture message I was forced to destroy my phone over.
Bryson
I laid in bed anxious for a reply.
I wasn’t sure what her reaction would be, but I knew she wasn’t just gonna act like she didn’t get it. I mean, having a naked picture of me would give her a better idea of my body structure and how to dress it accordingly, so I was really doing her a favor.
At least that was my halfway decent excuse for sending it.
The response finally came in. But instead of the one I expected, there were multiple.
Kennedy: What the fuck do you think you’re doing?!
Kennedy: If this is how it’s gonna be, I can’t work for you.
Kennedy: Matter of fact, just give me a good reference so I can find another job.
I smiled at my phone, finding it hilarious how riled up she was over a little picture. She was usually so cool, calm and collected. So to see her even use an expletive was enough for me to recognize that the picture had indeed done its job.
LOL. I’m sorry, Kennedy. I was just being silly. -B$
Her response came quick.
Kennedy: Well your silly ass just caused me to break my phone.
Squeezed it too hard while you were gettin’ one off? ;) -B$
Kennedy: No. Pushed it to the floor to prevent you from getting your ass kicked by my fiancé.
He don’t want those problems. -B$
Kennedy: Not. The. Point. Just don’t do it again. I mean EVER again.
Understood. -B$
Then it dawned on me.
How are you texting me if your phone is broken? -B$
Kennedy: Computer. iMessage.
Is he there? Can he see your screen? -B$
I could tell she was typing by the little dots that appeared.
Kennedy: Yeah, he’s here. But no, he can’t. Put ‘em to sleep. Bomb ass pussy for the win. ;)
LOL! So you can say it, but I can’t? -B$
Kennedy: I’ll see you later this week, Bryson. Good night.
I could imagine her smile as I replied with a smile of my own.
Night, Kennedy. -B$
&
“So… how soon will we be interviewing for a new stylist?”
I plopped down on a chair in front of Leslie’s desk, putting my feet on top of it even though I knew she hated when I did it.
“What are you talking about?”
She wore a sly grin as she said, “Come on, Bryson. I know you better than you know yourself. I saw the way you were looking at Kennedy. And I’m sure you’ve already tried to pull the ol’ dinner and chill move.”
Damn, she really does know me.
Instead of confirming her knowledge, I tossed out the only relevant information. “She’s engaged.”
At first she brushed it off with a, “Yeah right.” But I stared at her for a few moments longer before she caught my drift. “Wait. You’re serious, aren’t you?”
I nodded my head. “I’m serious.”
“Well I didn’t see a ring on her finger.”
“Me neither, but it’s true. I saw it on her Facebook page. Future Mrs. Montgomery.” Her dude looked as square as they came, but I really shouldn’t have been surprised. Of course somebody as bomb as Kennedy would be engaged to a damn school teacher.
“Did she have an engagement picture as her profile picture?”
“No.”
“A picture with her ring and the caption, “I said yes”?”
“No.”
“Pictures from the proposal?”
“No.”
She put her elbows on the desk, letting her head rest on her palm as she said, “Damn. So she’s not excited about it. Any girl that’s excited about their impending nuptials has at least one of the three.”
“So what’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means…” The pregnant pause had me completely tuned in. “It doesn’t mean anything, Bryson. I’m just fuckin’ with your hopes.” Then she busted out laughing like she was at a damn comedy show, instantly pissing me off.
“Yo, that’s not funny.”
“You should’ve saw your face though! You were all into it like I was gonna tell you to go after the girl even though she’s engaged. What kind of person would I be to encourage that bullshit?” I understood exactly where she was coming from even though I wasn’t ready to admit it.
“I don’t know, Leslie. It’s weird though. Like I know she’s taken, but I can’t… I can’t stop thinking about her. And not even about sex. Like I really wanna get to know her.” Though she seemed pretty normal on the surface, Kennedy’s little hints of a spicy personality had me intrigued like no other.
Leslie stood up, grabbing a stress ball as she paced back and forth next to her desk. “This sounds a little too much like that Alexis girl. I mean, she was in a relationship too. But you acted like it didn’t exist, even when you were in a relationship of your own.”
Damn, she’s always right.
“I know, I know. I’m trippin’.”
She nodded to agree. “Yes, you are. And Kennedy seems like a good girl, Bryson. Don’t ruin her.”
“Ruin her? If anything, she’s gonna ruin me.”
She sighed. “Bryson, just keep it professional. Please.” I looked away, knowing it was a little too late for that.
Leslie immediately picked up on my reaction and asked, “What did you do?”
I closed my eyes before I admitted, “I sent her a nude.”
Leslie squeezed the stress ball so hard I was just sure it was gonna pop. “Gotdamnit, Bryson! Who do you think you are? God’s gift to women? Nobody wants to see your naked ass all the time.” I wouldn’t take it that far, but my nudes were certainly more of treat than a trick.
“Just because you don’t, doesn’t mean she didn’t.”
She rolled her eyes. “Your logic is all fucked up, you know that? Gosh, how did I get stuck with such a shitty client?”
I brushed her off. “Oh, Leslie. You know I’m your favorite. Don’t play.” Even though Leslie acted like she didn’t like me more often than not, I knew she had a soft spot for my antics.
“Yeah, you’re my favorite because you make me the most money. Other than that, I can’t stand your black ass.”
I quickly countered, “That’s racist.”
She gave me a death stare as she stated the obvious, “I’m black too, asshole.”
“Still racist,” I replied w
ith a smirk just to annoy her.
She rolled her eyes again. “Go find some business, Bryson. Don’t you have practice soon?”
I took my feet from her desk so I could stand up and get going. “Yep. Then I’m meeting up with Kennedy to go shopping.”
“A shopping date? Gag me.”
She stuck her finger in her mouth, but I couldn’t help teasing her, “With what? A dil…”
She cut me off, pointing to the door. “Out! Bye! Be gone!”
I laughed my way out of the door before tossing over my shoulder, “Love you too, Leslie.”
Kennedy
“Bryson, you can not be serious.”
I waited for his expression to change, but he didn’t budge.
“These are dope, Kenn. I don’t understand why you don’t like them.”
Seeing a grown ass man in overalls wasn’t exactly my idea of “dope”, but Bryson claimed that ever since he saw one of his boys pull off the look, he had to have a pair. I didn’t even know they made overalls that large, but leave it to him to actually find a pair.
I attempted to put things in perspective, hoping he’d actually listen. “They’re dope if you’re like twelve. And a girl. Not for a multi-millionaire professional basketball player. So put them back.”
He gave the fakest little pout as he said, “You’re mean.”
I almost got offended, but then I realized who I was dealing with. Mr. Jokester himself. “I’m not mean, I’m honest. And I take my visions seriously. So put them back.”
Her crossed his arms over his chest, still challenging me, “It’s my money. I can buy them if I want to.”
“Of course you can. But is that really the point of my job? I can go home and find somebody else to work for if…” It was already the third time I had to threaten him, but luckily he had cut me off every time.
“Fine, hard ass. I’ll put them back. For now.”
I wore a pleased smile as I told him, “Thank you.” Then I returned to skimming through the rows of clothes in the private designer boutique, trying my hardest to stay in the men’s section instead of venturing to the women’s like I really wanted to do. I had always dreamed of shopping for myself in one of these fancy little places, but could never afford it. And unfortunately, that was still the case.
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