Page 3 of Stolen Moments with a Bad Boy

Two

J aneiro

In my forty-one years of living, I’d experienced different emotions, but hope was never one of them until today.

Hope was what Erie turned around and blessed me with.

In my line of work, knowing God was necessary.

I always asked the man upstairs for repentance.

In this particular moment, I knew a blessing when I saw one.

When Erie’s hazel-brown eyes connected with mine, hope swam freely in them.

Her eyes weren’t just any old brown and green.

They were the vibrant colors that signaled to everyone that summer was here.

They were shades of browns and greens that matched the newly blossomed flowers and full, leafy trees. Her irises captured me at first glance, and immediately, I was enamored. I ran into women every day that vied for my attention, but none of them could hold a candle to this brown-skinned beauty.

Erie’s skin made my mouth water for a piece of old-fashioned caramel cake. She stood at about five feet four inches or five inches with a medium build. Erie was thick with round hips and an ass that you could balance a cup on.

It took everything in me to focus on her and not the restriction my dick felt in my slacks.

After our brief conversation and Erie agreeing to play a game of chess with me, that literally made my day.

The escorts I dealt with only pretended to be interested because the job paid well, and I knew my way in and around pussy.

With that being said, I was never into sleeping around, but I occasionally paid for a moment of sexual relief when the spirit moved me.

Call me old fashioned, but I, too, wanted that dream of coming home to my wife and kids.

I couldn’t carry out my line of work forever.

The nice waitress by the name of Londen brought my steaming plate of food.

I ate and reveled in the ambiance the café freely distributed amongst Erie’s customers.

There was an old-school jukebox that crooned out one of my favorite tunes.

The Four Tops “Bernadette” would always be a classic and remind me of my senior prom.

When the most popular girl at my high school asked me to prom and broke my virginity later that night, I felt on top of the world.

I never knew why she did it. Some part of me always assumed it was out of pity.

Whatever it was, I worked her ass out that night.

Just because I was quiet didn’t mean I was slow or any less of a man.

I had my reasons to keep to myself. Only the woman I chose to marry would know those secrets.

I finished my food and sought out the hazel-eyed beauty that had been heavily on my mind for the past month.

“Hey, Bella. How about that game?”

She looked up from her task and grinned. “I'm ready.”

She put her supplies away then followed me over to the first table I sat at. I made the first move then looked up at her.

“How old are you, if you don’t mind me asking? You look so youthful.”

She giggled then made her first move on the board. “I’m twenty-nine years old.”

She made a counter move after I went after her, taking one of my pieces. Erie was much better than she led me to believe.

“Young and successful. I love to see it, Bella. Was it hard obtaining your store?” I made a move, taking one of her pieces.

Her eyes were focused on the board as she spoke.

“My father helped me financially with acquiring this building, but all the inspiration is credited to my Gigi. She’s the reason this place has the old-school vibe.

The jukebox, the black and white tile floor, recipes, and mainly the whole feel of this place is her.

It’s my way of keeping her memory alive.

” Erie beamed brightly as she appeared to be proud that she made her Gigi proud.

“Now, since I get the feeling we’re about to play twenty-one questions, it’s your turn.

How old are you, and what do you do for a living? ”

“I see you have a sense of humor. I like that. I’m forty-one, and I own the tailor shop right across the street from you and a dry cleaners two blocks down on West Boulevard.”

Erie got up and walked to her huge storefront window and examined my store. Once it appeared she saw what she needed to, Erie came and sat back down and smiled.

“I’ve been here for three years, and this is my first time meeting you. How come?” she inquired with her brow raised in curiosity.

“I usually send my assistant over here for food, but for some reason, I felt like getting out of the store today. In addition to that, I keep to myself, and I allow myself to be seen or unseen when I choose to.”

Erie nodded respectfully. Silence greeted both of us while we focused on the game and made strategic moves across the board.

“You’re very beautiful. You could be doing just about anything right now. Why sit here and entertain an old man?”

Erie blushed shyly.

“You’re an old man? I hadn’t noticed,” she joked, staring deeply in my eyes.

There went that feeling again in my dress slacks. Erie had my nose wide open. I never talked this much, but there was something about Erie that inspired me to reveal some parts of myself to her.

“Where's your accent from?” she probed before taking my queen.

“I'm Sicilian.”

“Oh, I thought you were Italian,” Erie added.

“Nope. Sicily is its own little country, but in the village we’re from, we speak Italian. My parents were one of the few black families there. They said it was love at first sight.” A dry chuckle escaped me.

I left that confession there because I wasn't in the mood to take a dark trip down memory lane.

My parents were a sore topic for me. They were no longer here, and it still fucked with me until this day.

I must have zoned out because the feeling of warmth and fingertips trailed up my arm.

My eyes instantly connected with Erie's eyes.

“You zoned out on me. It feels like my conversation made the moment kind of heavy. You don’t have to share anything that makes you uncomfortable. We can keep the conversation light for now, like our first date together or night together. I’m not opposed to you having my full attention, Janeiro.”

I laced my fingers between hers. “Bold and daring. You’re my kind of woman, Bella,” I asserted truthfully.

Erie laughed. “I'll take that compliment. One thing you will learn about me, Janeiro, is that I say what I feel. The need to sugarcoat shit is overrated and makes life shorter than it already is.”

I leaned over the table so only Erie could hear my reply. “I share your sentiment so much that the next time you trail those silky fingers of yours up my arm, you better be prepared for the tongue lashing I’ll give that little kitty of yours.”

I kissed the top of her hand and let it go. She sat back in her seat with the spirit of arousal outlining her features and posture. We stared each other down. Her breaths gradually returned to normal, but I could see the light sheen of perspiration on her top lip.

“Janeiro, there’s nothing little about my kitty, and you damn sure don’t need to threaten me with a good time,” her silly self expressed as she danced in her seat.

My shoulders rose and fell as I chortled from her reply. When my phone pinged to alert me it was time to make a move, I instantly regretted not being able to converse longer with her.

“I have to go out of town and pick up my new fabric. I’ll be here next Monday at the same time.”

The solemn look that wiped away her beautiful smile tugged at my heart. I didn’t want to leave her either, but there were vermin I had to deal with.

“I understand. It was nice meeting you, Janeiro. Don’t be a stranger,” she stated sweetly and walked back to her place behind the counter.

Londen paid us no mind as she helped a customer. Gently, I caressed the side of her face. I didn't want this moment to end. I could fall so hard for her. From here on out, Ms. Erie would have all my attention.

The jukebox switched songs, and the sweet vocals of Etta James’s “A Sunday Kind of Love” flowed between us.

Erie gently held my chin with her finger and sang a few lines of the lyrics to me.

Damn, this woman had vocals that could rival the original singer herself.

In this short visit, Erie had already put a dent in the icebox around my heart.

She was full of surprises, and I wanted to keep unwrapping her until I couldn’t anymore.

I tore my eyes from her mouth and observed her beautiful face and features.

It was evident that she would be my reckoning. Erie knew it too. That was why she cast me a sly smirk. That woman was too sexy for her own good.

“I look forward to seeing you Monday, handsome.”

I bore her a huge grin. Erie gave me a nickname. I never had one besides . . . I let my thoughts trail off before I took that awful trip down memory lane. Nope, not today. Today was filled with hope, and not even my past could ruin it. I kissed her hand again. Erie gave me a bashful grin.

It was past time to let her go, but I didn’t want to.

Nevertheless, I had to. I released her hand and tapped the top of her counter space.

I walked backward to the exit without breaking our eye contact.

Erie blew me a kiss. I caught it quickly.

I wanted all her kisses, even the air kisses. Once this job was done, I’d get my way.

“Ciao, Bella.”

I turned and exited Erie’s store with her heavily on my mind. Once inside my own store, I strolled past my assistant or handler and headed straight to my office. Dawn was hot on my heels. I plopped down in my chair and looked at her.

“So, what’s the move, boss? You going through with the hit or not?” she questioned, crunching on a red apple.

With one hand tucked in her front jean pocket, Dawn leaned against the doorframe.

No matter how many times I told her to dress up and look professional, she still managed to wiggle in some denim or leather somehow.

Dawn was beautiful, with dark chocolate skin, a slender build, and a highlighted brown pixie cut that matched her dazzling brown eyes. She played for the other team, though.

“We’re not going through with that hit. If that greedy bastard wants Erie and her family dead, it won’t be by my hands or anyone else connected to me.

Reach out to all my connects and spread the word.

Make it clear that if anyone from their camps touch a hair on Erie’s family’s head, I will personally see to the annihilation of their lineage.

You know I don’t bluff, so make sure this shit is taken care of,” I voiced sternly.

Dawn munched on her apple some more. She examined me with merged brows and a saucy smirk.

There was something on her mind. Furthermore, Dawn knew I had cased and observed Erie since the contract hit my inbox a month ago.

There was no way I could take out a beautiful soul like her.

Not to mention, Erie would soon be mine, and I dared a nigga to fuck with her.

Silence was the loudest person in the room until Dawn tossed her apple core in the garbage and snickered.

“Ah, so the little minx has gotten you caught in her crosshairs,” she stated in a matter-of-fact tone.

There was no way I could help the subtle way the arcs of my mouth rose. Our short exchange wasn’t enough for me. I craved to consume all of her, and I would.

“Maybe.” That was the only reply I had for Dawn as of now.

I stood and tugged on the lamp shade on my desk, and the hidden door behind my collection of dress shoes opened. It revealed one of my weapons cases. I collected what I needed and placed them inside my leather designer duffel bag and closed the door back.

“Your car is waiting for you in the alley. Navy is also waiting for you with the rest of your gear. Be safe, and I’ll be in touch as soon as you land,” Dawn affirmed.

I saluted her and walked out the side door in my office. Swiftly, I hopped in my car and sped off with Erie on my mind.