Page 14 of A Player’s Prayer (Mills Brothers #3)

“The world is full of beautiful women, Mama.” The DJ changed the record to Betty Wright, and the ladies were going wild.

“I don’t have the desire to settle down with just one when I have so many at my disposal.

Letting them know up front what my intentions are saves us both from lies and disappointment.

They’re looking for a sponsor, Ma; someone to take care of them, and we know that’s not me.

It will never be me to let a woman use me.

The way I’m living now works for me; we both get our fix, and then I’m out of there. ”

“There will come a time when a woman is going to make you eat those words.” She smirked before detaching from me.

Harley’s mother had arrived, and I had a feeling my mama had planned her day beyond lunch without me.

I guess I was just her ride to link up with her crew.

“Gear up, son… Love comes when you least expect it. I hope you’re ready for the fight of your life.

However, if you want Miss Dakota to take you seriously, show her something different.

Show her you’re not just a silly boy, but a grown man that means business. ”

Kissing me on the cheek, she waltzed away looking like the royalty she was.

I stood back and watched as she glided over to her friends and giggled like a schoolgirl with Ma Nova.

Making sure the ladies were okay, I went back to the table, reflecting on the conversation with my mother.

Outside of the talks of marriage, family, and love, she was right.

I would have to do things differently with Kodi if I wanted her to take me up on my offer to get to know one another as friends.

She’d become accustomed to Wild, but now it was time for her to meet Adrian.

“Someone is at your front door.”

Stepping back, I listened to the Ring camera and waited patiently for Kodi to answer. I was taking a chance by popping up at her home, but I’ve never been one to let anything stop me from doing what I wanted.

“One second!” I heard from the other side of the door before the locks turned. “That was fast—oh, damn. Who the hell are you? I’ve never seen a Domino’s driver who looks like you before.”

“Girl, does it look like I deliver fuckin’ pizza?” I frowned down at the half-naked girl at Dakota’s door. “I’m here to see Kodi.”

Looking at me with nothing but lust in her eyes, I got bad vibes from this chick.

She was cute and thick, reminding me a lot of Countess Vaughn when she played Kim Parker.

She was looking at me like she wanted to bite my ass, but even if she wasn’t here with Kodi, I still wouldn’t fuck her.

It has nothing to do with her being on the thicker side or even her being Kodi’s friend.

I was just good at reading people, and this girl’s whole being screamed deceitful. I’d fuck around and shoot her ass.

“Zaria, is that the pizza?” I heard Dakota shout from behind her. “Let me get my wallet—Adrian?” She appeared at the door, wide-eyed. “What are you doing here?”

After lunch with my mother, I began to plan a date for Kodi and me.

I didn’t know much about her or what she liked, so I took a chance and asked Amelia.

She gave me a whole lecture about not playing with her girl before she finally told me a piece of helpful information.

Kodi loved the water, and I happened to know of a nice spot not too far from her crib.

Once she told me that, the rest was on me.

“What’s up, shorty?” I nodded for her to come outside. “Let me holla at you for a minute.”

“Wait a minute…” Her friend, or whoever she was, grabbed her wrist to stop her. “Where are you going, Dakota? I thought we were going to eat pizza and watch movies today.” She dragged her eyes back to me. “You can leave now.”

“Bitch, if you don’t get your Peppa Pig looking ass?—”

“Zaria, stop,” Kodi said while slapping her hand over my mouth. I know I said I was going to do better, but this troll had some nerve trying to dismiss me. “This is my house, so don’t disrespect my company like that. Head back inside, and I’ll be in there in a second.”

Looking from Kodi to me, Zaria kissed her teeth, letting Kodi’s wrist go with an attitude. We watched her step back into the townhouse, slamming the door behind her.

“Your sister almost got cursed the fuck out. What’s up with you being around all these cartoon-character-looking muthafuckas?” I raised my brow at her as we walked down the steps from her porch. “I was in a really good mood until her husky ass?—”

“Adrian, why are you at my house?” She tried to stifle her giggle as she crossed her arms, causing her breasts to rise in her tank.

Licking my lips, I sniffed away the sleek shit I wanted to say about her melons.

Kodi was so damn sexy even without trying to be.

“You can’t just pop up over here, playboy. ”

As bad as I wanted to tell her I could do what the hell I wanted, I nodded.

“You’re right…” I handed her the heart-shaped box of fresh flowers from the dashboard of my truck.

I made sure to order some from the flower box place that Skip sent me again.

“I brought these for you. I wanted to formally apologize for being an asshole to you on multiple occasions. I would say that’s not me, but you know…

” We shared a chuckle as she accepted the box and smelled the roses.

“You’ve done nothing to me for me to act like a dickhead toward you.

If you don’t mind, I would like to take you out in hopes that we get to know each other better, Dakota. ”

“When?” She eyed me skeptically. “My best friend is in town to see me and?—”

“Now.” I cut her off. Stepping to her, I backed her into the driver’s side of my Trackhawk.

It was still running because I low-key wasn’t leaving here without her agreeing.

“Tell her you’ll be back in time for dinner, unless you decide you want to stay the night with a nigga.

” I couldn’t help but chuckle at her “nigga please” face.

“I’m not on no bullshit, Kodi. I know what your hands do. ”

Nibbling on her bottom lip, she appeared to be contemplating my offer.

I was going to stand here all day if that’s what it meant for her to agree.

It was a nice day, and I had nothing but time.

I also didn’t mind being up in her space like I was.

She smelled way better than the flowers she was holding.

“Just lunch, right?” She peered up at me with her pretty brown eyes. Her hair was in her classic messy bun, and the oversized glasses on her face made her even sexier. “I really feel like a bad host for leaving her here alone.”

“Fuck her,” I stated firmly. Leaning forward, I placed my hands on the truck, on each side of her head.

Licking my lips, I saw the moment her breathing changed.

She wanted me as bad as I wanted her. It would be wise for her to make a decision quickly before I take her ass down in front of all these people Ring cameras.

“I just want a little bit of your time. Her ass will be alright for a couple of hours.”

“I’m not dressed,” she mumbled above a whisper, gripping the black heart-shaped box for dear life. “I need to change.”

Glancing down at the white tank top, black biker shorts, and Milano slides that showcased her freshly polished white toes, I couldn’t disagree more. “You’re perfect.”

Dropping her head, she blushed before telling me she’d be right back and sliding underneath my arms. Not wanting to give her friend a chance to change her mind, I followed behind her inside her crib.

I’m glad I went with my first mind, because as soon as we stepped inside, Peppa Pig was on her shit.

“Damn, bitch! I thought we were going to be chilling and shit.” I watched as Zaria trailed her into the kitchen. “Who is that nigga, anyway? What about Bear?

What fuckin’ Bear?

“Zaria, you have to relax,” Kodi spoke over her shoulder, mugging her friend.

“I’ll only be gone for a couple of hours, and I promise, we can resume our day when I get back.

” I saw the hint of a smile on Kodi’s lips as she placed her flower box in the center of her counter, smelling them once more before pulling back.

“Are you going to be okay until I come back?”

“Like you care?” She scoffed as she stomped over toward the couch. Putting on her shoes, she glared at me. “I don’t know who you are, and I don’t care. Dakota has a man, and?—”

“I got fifteen reasons on my right hip that will explain to you and that nigga better than I could about how much I don’t give a fuck,” I stated coolly as I leaned against the living room wall.

I was taking in Dakota’s place, and it was nice and clean.

It was going to have to be for when I spent the night.

I didn’t do filth and was happy to see comfortable-looking furniture, tidy household items, and dusted walls.

Turning back to this Zaria person, I reiterated, “You don’t know me, shorty.

I’m working on my approach when it comes to how I talk to people, but don’t get it twisted.

You’re her friend, not mine. I don’t give a fuck about your chunky ass. ”

We both engaged in a stare-off, but I could see the fear and curiosity in her eyes.

She said nothing else as she snatched her purse from the entryway closet and stormed out of the house just as Kodi was coming from her kitchen.

Once outside, I stood back as she locked her door, scanning the area.

Ironically, I was familiar with the neighborhood since it was the same one Ava used to live in.

As I glanced up and down the block, nothing seemed out of place.

Zaria mentioned Kodi’s man, but I wasn’t worried about that shit.

His girl was for the taking, and it just happened that I might be the one to take her.