Page 10

“Chillin’ man,” is all I said as I entered the club. I’ve never been one for small talk, so I kept it moving.

Stepping inside, I was more impressed that the vibe was right, and the crowd inside seemed to be having a good time.

The DJ had all the ladies shaking ass on the dance floor while the men bobbed their heads and enjoyed the show.

After ensuring the bartenders and bottle girls downstairs didn’t need anything, I made my way up to the office.

I’d texted the pilot and told him we needed to leave soon, and he assured me we’d be ready to head to Florida within an hour.

Powering up my desktop, I decided to respond to a few emails and sign the awaiting inventory sheets when there was a knock on my door.

“Come in.”

As soon as the words left my mouth, my club manager, Irene, walked inside. Dressed in a pair of leather shorts and a blazer with nothing underneath, she was beautiful. The issue with her is she knew that shit and thought it would allow her certain access to me.

“Hey, handsome…” she said in a purr as she propped up at the edge of my desk. “I wasn’t expecting to see you tonight.”

Dragging my eyes from the computer screen, I leaned back in my chair and eyed her. Scanning over her thick frame, I was a man who could appreciate a nice body. I’d never say she wasn’t fine; I just wasn’t moved by it.

“Being that this is my club, I figured I could come and go as I pleased.” I raised my brow in understanding. “Is there something I can help you with?”

Taking that as her cue, she pushed off the desk and walked closer to me. Placing her hands on my knees, she leaned forward, causing her jacket to open. Looking down, I could see the roundness of each of her breasts.

“There’s a lot you can do for me, baby.” She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth as she began to rub my thigh. “You can start by giving me a little taste.”

Seeing the hardness in my slacks, she took that as a go-ahead to drop to her knees before me. Reaching for my belt buckle, I grabbed her wrist to stop her.

Eyes wide, her chest rose and fell as she looked at me in confusion. “Jordan, what?—”

“Mr. Mills,” I corrected. “Not handsome, not Jordan. I don’t know what I’ve done to make you think this will be anything other than a business relationship, but I want to make it clear when I say…

I don’t want you. You don’t want me, either, baby.

It’s about what I can do for you. Tell me I’m lying. ”

“I just thought?—”

“You’re a pretty woman, Irene, and you’re one hell of a manager. I appreciate the work you do here. If you want to keep your job, as well as your hands, I’d advise you to do what you’re paid to do and nothing else. You got it?”

She nodded, and I ignored her tears as I stood from my seat. With an extended hand, I reached down and helped her from the floor. I didn’t mean to embarrass her or hurt her feelings, but I needed her to know nothing would ever happen between us, so the slick advancements needed to cease.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered as she wiped her eyes. “I thought?—”

“You thought a nigga was going to fuck you and possibly wife you, right? Spend some time, a little money, and make you his girl?”

I could tell by her silence I’d hit the nail on the head.

It was the same with all of these women, and as much as I give Wild flack, I get why he does them the way he does.

These women don’t want anything more than to be on the arm of a Mills.

Uno really lucked up with Harley, and that’s the only thing I’ve ever been envious of when it came to my brother.

“I-I’m going to get back to work,” she murmured as she hurriedly stepped to the door. “Let me know if you need me.”

Shaking my head at the encounter, I adjusted my dick and continued to finish my inventory approvals.

Once an hour had passed, I made my rounds once more to confirm everyone was good for the night.

Irene could barely make eye contact with me, and that was all right with me because I just wanted her to do her job.

Making my way to the airstrip, I couldn’t help but think about what I was doing.

Mimi was set to marry another man, and here I was, dropping everything to make sure she was okay.

I wasn’t tripping, though, because Noemi was a true friend to me.

I’ve grown to care for her, and husband or not, I would show up for her when she needed me.

Whether a shoulder, an ear, or simply my time was needed, I didn’t mind giving it.

Being there for her is all that mattered to me.

Everything and anything else could wait.

“You came,” Mi softly said when she opened her door to let me in.

She was just as pretty as she was the last time I saw her, but there was something about the long, sad look on her face that didn’t sit well with me.

Seeing as though I’d yet to walk through the threshold, she eyed me in confusion. “What’s wrong?”

“Why the fuck have you been crying, Noemi?” I couldn’t keep the growl from my voice if I tried. “What the fuck is wrong?”

Dropping her head for a moment, I lifted her chin with my finger.

When the first tear fell, I could feel my blood boil with anger.

Instead of expressing my thoughts and making matters worse, I pulled her into my arms and allowed her to get it out.

Melting into my chest, she gripped the sides of my shirt and whimpered.

“It’s all bad, Jordan! And I don’t know what to do!” She shook as she cried. “I hate him so much!”

“Noemi, if you don’t want me to blow up this muthafuckin’ state, I advise you to calm down and tell me what the fuck is going on.” I walked her inside her home backward and closed the door behind me. “Speak fast, baby, because I’m a man of little patience.”

Sighing heavily, she pulled herself from my chest and grabbed my hand.

Leading me through her sitting room, I glanced around to see if anything was out of place.

This wasn’t my first time inside Mimi’s home, but that didn’t mean I could let my guard down.

Noemi and I had an understanding, and I wouldn’t ever think she would try some bogus shit, but I was still me, no matter where I went.

Her home looked the same as before, though, so I took a moment to appreciate its beauty.

The choices in furniture, décor, and color scheme were top-of-the-line.

As always, candles were burning and smelled of sugared lemons.

Casting my eyes away from the high-priced artwork on the walls, I watched as she stopped in the middle of her formal sitting area.

“I’m sorry you had to come here so late. I just didn’t know who else to call.” She fidgeted with her fingers as she glanced around nervously. “Would you like something to eat or drink?” She peered up at me with those expressive eyes. “I have some leftover pizza.”

“I’d rather you tell me what’s going on.” I took a seat on her couch and pulled her down beside me. I wanted nothing more than to pull her into my arms again, but this was still someone else’s woman. “Tell me what’s going on, Mi.”

Sitting quietly, I draped my arm over her shoulder as the sounds of a sudden thunderstorm filled the room. It was going on two in the morning, and while I could use the sleep, I would sit here as long as I needed to if that meant it would help her in some way.

“In a couple months, I’m set to marry a man I don’t love,” she said in a strained tone, causing my heart to constrict. “Crazy thing is… I know Chandler doesn’t love me either.”

“Why marry him? Why would you want to be in a loveless marriage?” I asked in an even pitch as my fingers caressed her bare arm.

She was dressed in a tank top and pajama bottoms, and I had to will my dick to stand down.

She and I had never crossed any lines, but that didn’t mean I didn’t find her attractive.

“It’s not up to me…” She peered up at me with sad eyes. I immediately thumbed away the lone tear that fell. “Being in a family like this, certain things are to be expected. I don’t have a say.”

I’m not dumb or blind to what she was insinuating.

Dre and I have become close, and while he hasn’t flat-out told everything his family does, I know they’re an organization.

I didn’t expect Noemi to tell me all of the aspects of their family business, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t want to help her any less.

“Listen… at the end of the day, this life is yours to live, Noemi.” I hugged her tighter and kissed her temple. “If you don’t want to marry this man, then don’t.”

“It’s not that simple.” She stood from her seat and walked over to her bar. I chuckled because if there was one thing she was going to do, it was take a shot. “Rosier’s choice is final, and I hate him for it. I wish he would just?—”

“Aight, stop.” I walked over and removed the bottle of tequila from her lips.

“I get that you’re angry, but don’t say something you’ll regret.

” I placed the bottle on the table, grabbed ahold of her hand, and led her into the kitchen.

“At the end of the day, y’all are family.

It’s possible that he could have gone about things a different way but give the nigga a little grace.

I know for a fact he loves you, and it may hurt him seeing you unhappy more than you hate being with the nigga.

” Stopping at her fridge, I turned to face her as she hopped up on the counter.

“Where is that nigga, anyway? Shouldn’t your fiancé be home with you? ”