No Coincidence

by Tiffany Patterson

  But that was when she dropped the rest of her thoughts.

  “With you … preferably shirtless.”

  “No.” I shook my head adamantly. “Hell no.”

  Her shoulders slumped as she sighed. “I knew you were going to react this way.”

  “Then why did you even bother to bring it up?”

  “Because it’s what’s best for your products and it won’t be as bad as you’re thinking.”

  “How the hell do you know what I’m thinking?”

  “Because of your reaction. Look, it’ll just be a few lights, some cameras, a little studio set up, your products offered. Probably wouldn’t take more than half a day.”

  “But I’d be shirtless, correct? And greased up in baby oil and shit, right?”

  “Nobody uses baby oil anymore. Not with coconut oil and shea butter around,” she mumbled.

  “Resha,” I growled.

  Giggling, she held out her arms. “Okay, okay. Look, TKO is your product?”

  “Yes, but I’m not the product.”

  “You are, though. Listen, in today’s day and age consumers want to feel as if they know their product and who makes them. They don’t want impersonal advertisements and social media posts. You are your product. Why did you start TKO Supplements?”

  I folded my arms across my chest and cracked my neck, angling my head from side to side. I could already feel my argument waning just by staring at those large, dark brown eyes of hers.

  “I wanted a product that wasn’t full of chemicals and bullshit.”

  “Well, we’ll have to find a better way to explain that in your captions but keep going.”

  Grinning, I shook my head. “What else do you want to know?”

  “What made you turn to creating your own products and supplements? What makes your product so special above everyone else’s?”

  “I was tired of drinking the same chalky protein shakes that were full of sugar and shit I couldn’t even pronounce. I knew there had to be some healthier alternative to help with my recovery after workouts.” I shrugged and took a step back from Resha, letting my gaze fall over her body once again before moving to my desk chair. “Spent some time researching and hooked up with some nutritionists and chemists and TKO was born.”

  I blinked when I noticed that Resha had actually pulled out her phone and was typing something as if taking notes.

  “That’s good. Couple that with your extensive fighting record and you’ve got gold. No wonder Jersey Retailers wants to partner with you.”

  My lips pulled downward into a frown. “How’d you know Jersey wants to work with me?”

  Giving me a get real expression, she spun around, placing her hands on my desk and leaning in.

  My gaze dipped to where her sweater dropped ever so slightly, exposing more of her soft, supple brown skin. I ran my tongue along my bottom lip.

  “Nothing’s a secret on the internet. Besides, I know some people at Jersey, and while they never came out and said as much they did hint at some new protein powders and supplements coming out soon. So, how about we book the photoshoot for this weekend?”

  “No.” My tone was clipped as I stood from my chair.

  Resha sighed heavily, her shoulders falling. “Come on? How are you still saying no? I’m a professional at this kind of thing. I do this for a living, and sure, I’d need to conduct a little research on your target market and whatnot since your product is out of my realm of expertise, but I know I can help with your online presence to give your company a little boost. All you need to do is cooperate and agree to take a few pictures. That’s it. Totally painless.”

  I gritted my teeth and started to shake my head again but then an idea popped into my head which had me grinning.

  “Why am I getting a bad feeling about that look?”

  Moving around my desk closer to Resha, I stopped about a foot away from her. “You take pictures for a living and post them online?”

  “Well, sort of. The way you just said it made me sound like some sort of cam girl or something. But, more or less, yeah, that’s what I do.”

  “So you’re comfortable using a camera, right?”

  “Of course. Took a course on photography years ago at the community college prior to starting my blog. I take one every few years to keep my skills updated. I don’t want to brag but I know a thing or two.” She lifted her hand and used it to brush imaginary dust off her shoulder.

  I nodded. “Then you’ll take the pictures.”

  “Yeah, I’ll take the— Wait, what?”

  “You heard me. You know how to wield a camera. No need to involve another photographer or a whole damn set. You can take the pics.”

  “But what about …”

  “About?” I questioned when she trailed off.

  “I know a number of photographers right here in the Williamsport area that would love to do this photoshoot for you. I can give them a ca—”

  “It’s you or no one. Final offer.”

  Her mouth snapped shut in defiance and she narrowed those impossibly long eyelashes are she peered at me. I smirked because in spite of the rebellion I spotted in her expression, I could feel her already agreeing.

  She didn’t want to but she would. I knew it and she did, too.

  “This Saturday then,” I stated with finality.

  “I never agreed to doing the shoot.”

  “You didn’t not agree either.”

  Silence was her reaction to that but she folded her arms across her chest.

  Stepping forward, I pulled her to me by the waist. “You came here wanting to thank me for saving your ass, this is how you’re going to do it.”

  She scrunched up her face. “I thought you said I don’t owe you a thank you.”

  A smirk crossed my lips. “I changed my mind.”

  “That’s not—”

  I didn’t know what she’d been about to say because by then I couldn’t hold out any longer. It was as if my hand on her body was the spark my instincts needed to finally take over. Dipping my head, I captured her lips with mine. Her moan and sigh were instantaneous. I tasted and explored her mouth until I felt all of her resistance melt away.

  I would do the photoshoot with her behind the camera. Not because she owed me jackshit, but because it gave me yet another opportunity to be in this woman’s presence. Another chance to feel those thick lips of hers.

  I pulled back with my hand at the nape of her head and our foreheads touching. “Saturday.”

  Resha silently nodded, but when I thought she was going to move out of my hold, she reached up with both of her hands and loosened the tie I had holding my hair back in a bun. My hair fell in waves around my shoulders.

  “Wear your hair down.”

  I pressed another kiss to her lips before releasing her. “For you, I will.”

  She dipped her head almost as if feeling shy or bashful at my comment.

  “Saturday morning. I’ll pick you up,” I finalized.

  She looked surprised but didn’t protest. “I’ll be ready.”

  “Make sure you are.”

  Chapter Seven

  Resha

  “I can’t believe I agreed to this,” I murmured as I watered my newly acquired fern plant that I chose to hang above the toilet in my bathroom. I sighed as a tingle moved through my body at the remembrance of Connor’s lips capturing mine in his office. All of a sudden, I recalled exactly why I agreed to do this photoshoot.

  My original idea had been to hire an up-and-coming photographer I knew to take a few pictures. I would sort through them, create some great images to go on Instagram and FaceBook with some appropriate captions, and that would be that. Naturally, things couldn’t be that easy because my hormones decided they wanted to act the hell up and get all smitten.

  I moved from the bathroom with my watering can to nourish my spider plant and the others plants I had around the living room and a few that were out on the balcony. Satisfied once that task was completed, I looked
over the bag I’d packed to take with me to Connor’s photoshoot—the shoot in which I still didn’t know exactly where the location was. He wanted to take the pictures on his own terms, in a location he specified, of course. The man just seemed to want to make things difficult.

  I happened to raise my gaze and caught my smiling reflection in the mirror. Thinking about how adamant he was when I first proposed his taking pictures made me grin. He was obviously uncomfortable with being the face of his own products but too bad for him. The man was fine as hell and in just the way that would spark the interest of those wanting his product. The men would take one look at his pictures and want to be him, thereby buying the shake and supplements, or the women would want to be with him, thus buying the product to feel closer. Or better yet, buy the product for their man, subconsciously hoping it’d somehow turn their significant other into the image they saw.

  I had it all figured out. What I couldn’t figure out was why thinking of other women seeing images of Connor and their wanting him caused a pang of jealously to rumble through my chest.

  “He’s not my man,” I reminded myself out loud.

  So what … he kissed like his lips had been waiting their whole life just to feel mine. It was no big deal that whenever I was in the same room as him the electricity was damn near palpable. Really, it didn’t bother me that he fucked like a stallion.

  Oh God.

  Thinking about that night in New York had my entire body getting warmed up. And since the night of my attack, the dreams of our time together in New York had only increased, growing more vivid.

  “Shit, Resh. Pull your shit together!” I bullied myself and just in time because my phone rang as soon as I slipped my feet into the athletic sneakers I chose to wear for the photoshoot, figuring I’d been on my feet much of the day.

  “Hello?”

  “Ms. McDonald, there’s a Connor O’Brien at the front desk for you,” the building’s security-slash-receptionist explained.

  “I’ll be right down.” After hanging up the phone, I quickly gathered all of my equipment and the oversized bag I placed everything, including a couple of props, and headed out my door, making sure to double check the lock, as I usually did.

  As soon as I rounded the corner from the elevators, I easily spotted Connor’s imposing figure while he stood over Tom who was our building’s security and receptionist during the day on Saturdays. I giggled to myself as Tom peered up at Connor from his desk, thinking about how useless he would be if Connor were actually trying to break into the building or something.

  “Hi, you ready for this?” I greeted.

  “As long as you’re still taking the pics, I’m ready for anything you throw at me, sweetheart.”

  My eyes bulged because I wasn’t expecting that response. Or, more like I hadn’t been expecting the candor in his voice when he said what he said. His tone had every hair on my body standing on end with just his words and that deep stare of his. I was sure if the real hair on my head wasn’t braided down, underneath my weave, it would be standing as well.

  And to make matters worse, instead of saying anything in return, Connor moved his hand around my waist and kissed me with all the earnestness he could seem to muster. Right when I got into the kiss, he pulled back, but not before nipping my bottom lip. My nipples instantly became hard.

  “What was that for?” I groaned.

  “That was for making me do this dumb ass shoot.”

  I folded my arms over my chest … more so to hide my nipples just in case the sports bra I wore wasn’t doing enough. “Ha! Like I could make you do anything.”

  He leaned down and had the nerve to nip my bottom lip again, pulling a gasp of air from my mouth.

  “You could make me do a lot of things, a stór,” he growled close to my ear.

  I was preparing to respond when a movement out of the corner of my eye forced me to remember that we weren’t in the privacy of my own home. Looking from Connor to my right, I caught sight of my neighbor, Jarvis, as he passed us, his face scowling and lips turned downward.

  I didn’t spare him a second look.

  “All of that to take some pictures?” Connor questioned, regaining my attention.

  I glanced down at the bag over my shoulder with everything I’d placed in it. “Yes, I needed to stock up on baby oil.”

  I giggled at the face me made.

  “Ouch!” I yelped after he slapped my ass.

  “Keep talking shit.”

  I was so tempted, but Tom clearing his throat again reminded me of the fact that we weren’t alone.

  “My car’s parked in the garage. I guess I’ll follow you wherever we’re headed,” I suggested.

  Connor shook his head before turning to the desk, and that was when I first saw two motorcycle helmets sitting there. He picked up the pink and black one and handed it to me.

  “Or you’ll ride with me.”

  My eyes widened. “Uh, I’ve never been on a motorcycle before.”

  “First time for everything. Don’t worry, I’ll take it easy on the curves. I figured you’d like a pink helmet.”

  I started to protest, telling Connor that I’d never been on a motorcycle and that I didn’t have any intentions on making that day my first ride either, but he was too busy taking my free hand in his and ushering us both out the front door of my building. As soon as we exited, it was unmistakable which vehicle was his. Almost directly in front of the building sat a midnight blue and black motorcycle that looked as if it’d been spit shined to perfection. In large white letters it read Kawasaki across the body. As soon as I saw it, I knew I had to get at least a few images of Connor on his bike for him to post.

  “This is gorgeous,” I stated, in awe. I’d never been one to care too much about motorcycles before, but this one had captivated my attention. Probably because the sleek yet powerful look of the bike reminded me so much of its owner.

  “Custom made to my specifications.”

  I whistled low. “I’m impressed.”

  “You should be, I don’t let just anybody sit on this beauty.”

  I looked him in the eye, wanting to ask if that meant that he hadn’t taken any other women out on this bike, but I bit my tongue. His past was none of my business.

  Connor took the helmet from my hands. “Let’s make sure this fits correctly.” He gently lowered the helmet until it fit snug around my head. He then secured the chin guard thingy and tightened is just enough that the helmet wouldn’t move or go flying off.

  “How’s that?”

  “Feels heavy.”

  He nodded. “It’s supposed to. You’ll get used to it.” Pulling me closer to the bike, he gave me some instructions on how to properly get on and off the bike, how to hold him while riding, and how to lean into the curves when making a turn.

  “I could know all of this already? I could own my own motorcycle.”

  Connor frowned. “You just said you’ve never been on a motorcycle before.”

  “Oh yeah.” I rolled my eyes at my own silly pettiness.

  “Do I need to go over any of this again?”

  I started to shake my head but the helmet made it uncomfortable to do so. “No, I got it all.”

  “Cool, let’s ride.” He straddled the seat, and I groaned inwardly.

  My eyes immediately went to his muscular thighs that were, unfortunately, confined by the dark jeans he wore.

  I moved closer and held firmly onto his shoulders as I got on the bike, placing my feet exactly where he’d instructed me to. I secured the bag I had with me in my lap and then lowered my arms to wrap around his waist.

  “Tighter,” he ordered over his shoulder.

  I had no idea what he meant until his hands moved to my arms, pulling them in tighter and fully pressing my chest against his broad back. Inhaling, I let his manly scent invade my nasal passages. Again, that feeling of safety and security rose all around me and any fear I might’ve had about taking this ride with him evaporated.

&nb
sp; “You good?”

  I nodded because words didn’t seem to want to form in my brain.

  He turned his head forward, nodding, and started the bike. A small gush of air rushed from my lips as we took off. Instinctively, my arms tightened around Connor’s body and I inched forward just a little to get closer to him, wanting to feel more secure.

  I had no idea where we were going nor how long it would take to get there but I decided not to ask questions. For a little while, I could go with the flow.

  Resting the right side of my head to Connor’s back, I watched the streets pass us by, one by one. Fewer and fewer people were on the streets as we moved closer to the main highway that led out of Williamsport. A tiny fission of nervous energy began to grow in the pit of my stomach thinking of going on the highway on a motorcycle, but at the intersection before the highway turnoff, Connor made a right instead of a left. A sigh of relief fell from my mouth. Connor angled his head back, briefly looking over his shoulder at me before turning his attention back to the road. It was short-lived but his gesture conveyed that he’d felt my fear and that he was taking care of me.

  I had to fight my growing emotions to calm down. I’d made it a habit in my younger years to get caught up and became too trusting way too soon with men I barely knew. Men who didn’t deserve or earn half of the trust I put in them. And I got burned each and every single time. I hoped to God I wasn’t starting back on old patterns with Connor.

  It took about another fifteen minutes until Connor said over his shoulder, “Just around this corner up ahead.”

  I nodded but my heart sank a little. Oddly, I was already missing the end of this ride and having to separate myself from Connor’s warm body.

  Get your shit together, Resha! I scolded, reminding myself this man wasn’t mine. Nor should he be. Connor wasn’t my type at all. I was just out here to do him a favor. That’s it and that’s all.

  “We’re here.”

  I blinked, staring at the sight before me, having been totally caught up in my own thoughts. I squinted and looked around after I pulled the helmet from my head.

  “The hell? Are you trying to kidnap me?” I shrieked, feeling on high alert as I stared at the deserted building.