His Sexy Bad Habit (15 page)

“Hey there, hot lips,” a man said, interrupting her thoughts. “How are you doing tonight?” He eased onto a stool and smiled at Serena.

She pretended not to notice the tan ring of flesh on the ring finger of his left hand. Since she was bored, Serena decided to indulge her portly customer. “What can I get for you, sweetheart?” She leaned over the bar and offered him a seductive grin.

“Your phone number for starters and a gin and tonic with a twist of lime.”

“I can get you the drink, but no on the phone number unless you can get your wife to join in,” she said as she stroked his ring finger.

The man laughed and dropped his hand in his lap.

Serena fixed his drink and as she put it in front of him, she saw Emerson walk in the restaurant with Antonio’s sister-in-law, Casey. “What in the hell?” she mumbled.

“You say something, baby?” the man asked.

Serena focused on the customer, hoping Emerson wouldn’t see her—or that she was mistaken he’d walked into the restaurant. “Seven-fifty,” Serena said. “Do you want to start a tab?”

“What time do you get off?” he asked with a wide smile.

“In about ten minutes,” she said, glancing over his shoulder, watching the hostess seat Emerson and Casey.

“Then, I’ll just pay for this and watch you until you go home.”

Serena took the man’s money and stood at the register where she had a clear view of Emerson and Casey.
I have to get out of here,
she thought as she rang up the drink. Profits be damned, she wasn’t going to spend another minute in Emerson’s presence.

As she was about to shut down the bar, she and Emerson locked eyes. A feeling rushed through her system that caught her off guard. Seeing him after all of those years stirred old emotions that had been long buried. Then there was anger. What the hell was he doing in her restaurant?

She broke the eye contact and snatched her apron off. Stalking from behind the bar she headed to the office. She paced back and forth, wondering if she should say something to him, but quickly decided against it. What she wanted to say to Emerson would do nothing but cause a scene and that was the last thing that needed to happen. Especially in front of Casey.

“Why is he with her?” she whispered as she picked up the phone to call Alicia.

“Hello, Serena,” Emerson said from the doorway of the office.

She dropped the phone and glared at him. “Customers aren’t allowed back here,” she snapped. “And when I find out who allowed you back here, they’re going to be fired.”

“That’s not nice,” he said as he crossed over to her and stopped in front of the desk.

“Emerson, what the hell do you want?” she
said, struggling to keep her voice underneath a scream.

“Tonight, I just want to say hello. Are we still meeting this week?”

She glared at him. Memories of kissing him and making love to him fought with the fantasies she’d had over the last five years about killing him, pushing him over a high cliff, and watching his body fall to a rocky death.

“Don’t you have a date to return to? I have work to do. Get out of my office,” Serena said. Her voice was cold, despite the heated anger flowing inside her.

“All right,” he said as he turned to leave. “It was really good to see you. You look great as usual.”

“You should have seen me on my wedding day, you son of bitch,” she snapped as she stomped from behind the desk and slammed the door behind him.

Antonio tucked A.J. into bed and kissed his sleeping son on the forehead. Since he was finished with his work on the restaurant, he’d been able to spend the day with his son. They’d started their day with a pancake and banana breakfast, then headed to the Aquatic Center to play in the pool for a few hours.

After swimming, A.J. and Antonio headed to Fuel Pizza and talked about the upcoming school year. A.J. was excited about starting First Ward Elementary School in the fall.

“Are we still going to see Mickey Mouse?” A.J. had asked as he and his father shared a cheese pizza.

“Sure,” Antonio had replied. “We can go next month.”

“I wish Mommy was here to go with us. She liked Mickey Mouse too, didn’t she?”

Antonio had nodded and wished he had fonder memories of his wife. Looking down at
his son, he knew he would have to keep his negative thoughts about Marian hidden. She’d loved her son and that’s all A.J. needed to know about his mom.

He quietly walked out of A.J.’s room and headed into the den to catch
SportsCenter.
As he sat on the sofa, his mind turned to Serena. Antonio silently admitted he was very taken with the sultry woman. She was seductive and sweet and if he had his way, he’d be with her every minute of the day. But was that what she wanted? Could they have more than sizzling sex between the sheets? Could they develop something meaningful?

Antonio sincerely hoped so. Glancing at the clock, he decided to call her before it got too late.

“Hello?” Serena seemingly sang when she answered the phone.

“Good evening, beautiful,” he said.

“Hi, Antonio.”

“How was your day?”

“A little long. We need a bartender and until we get one, I’m moonlighting. You should let me make you a drink one night.”

“How about tonight?” he asked.

“Where’s your son?”

“Upstairs, asleep. You can come over if you aren’t too tired.”

“I think I will. Do you have a blender? I can bring the ingredients for my Serena punch,” she said with a hint of laughter in her voice.

“Sounds good to me.”

“Then I’ll see you in about twenty minutes,” Serena said.

When they hung up the phone, Antonio excitedly began counting down the minutes until Serena would arrive.

Emerson sat in silence as Casey ate. His mind went back to the desire he’d felt when he saw Serena standing behind that desk. Her body was more sensual than he remembered, despite the fact that she was fully dressed. The way her blouse hugged her breasts gave him an erection he wanted to bury deep inside her just like he’d done so many times when they were together in Los Angeles.

And those lips. Thick, pouty and luscious. He wanted to kiss her and see if she still had the same sweet taste he used to crave.
That’s not why you’re here,
he thought as he toyed with the green beans on his plate.

“Is something wrong with the food?” Casey asked, breaking into his thoughts. He looked at her, remembering for the first time since he saw Serena that Casey was there.

“No, I think I’m full. I hope you don’t mind if I take off early,” he said.

“Did something happen when you went to the bathroom?” Casey asked as she dropped her fork.

“No, just jet lag. The time difference is catching up with me.” He stood up and placed the money for dinner on the table. “I’m going to call a cab and head back to the hotel. Why don’t we get together tomorrow afternoon for lunch?”

Casey raised her right eyebrow and scowled at
him. “I don’t think so,” she said tersely. “Have a good night.” Casey rose from her seat and stormed out of the restaurant.

Emerson walked over to the hostess and asked her to phone for a cab. As he waited for the car to show up, he thought about Serena and wondered if he should’ve pressed her to sign the release and then focus the rest of his time in Charlotte on her seduction. He knew she still wanted him and the anger he’d seen on her face had only been a mask.

It had been five years since they’d seen each other, but Emerson was sure he could still read her. Just as he read her the first day they’d met. She didn’t belong in that restaurant. He was still going to make her a star.

As she drove to Antonio’s house, Serena thought of Emerson Bradford. Seeing him made her realize she did have some unfinished business with him. She needed to slap him with the fury she’d been holding back for five years. “He has a damned nerve, smug bastard,” she cursed as she pulled up to a stop light. When her phone rang, Serena prayed that it wasn’t Emerson.

“What?” she asked when she answered the phone.

“That’s some way to answer the phone,” Jade said. “Is that guy calling you again?”

“No, he’s just showing up at the restaurant,” Serena said. “I shut the bar down and went to the office. He had the nerve to come back there.”

“Did you kick him in the family jewels?” Jade asked.

“No. The last thing we need is more bad press, so I just left,” Serena said.

“Are you all right?” Jade asked. “It has to be hard to see him. Did he give you any clue as to what he wants?”

“No, and I don’t give a damn. Since he likes to leave people hanging, I’m not going to show up at Starbucks. Let him sit there and stew.”

“Where are you now? James said he passed the restaurant and it was closed.”

Serena smiled despite herself. “I’m going to see Antonio.”

“Really?” Jade said. “Let me guess. You’re dressed in something short for easy access. I hope his little boy isn’t going to answer the door.”

“Oh, shut up, Jade.” Serena glanced at the clock on her radio. “I’m sure his son is sound asleep by now.”

“Serena, are you going to admit that you really like this guy?”

“Good-bye, Jade. Go do something with your husband and your son,” she said, then clicked the phone off as she pulled into Antonio’s driveway.

Serena got out of the car and grabbed her bag filled with coconut rum, pineapple juice, limes, and lemons. She was sure Antonio had ice for her treat. She looked up at the front porch and saw him standing there dressed in a pair of basketball shorts and a white tank top that highlighted his smooth brown skin and displayed his rippling muscles. Her breath caught in her chest
as she recalled how she felt with those strong arms wrapped around her. Walking toward him, Serena felt a throbbing between her thighs she couldn’t wait for Antonio to tame.

“Hello, beautiful,” he said as he walked down the steps and met her.

“Hi,” Serena replied with a smile and handed him her tote bag.

Antonio gently set the bag on the porch, then wrapped his arms around her. In a quick motion, he captured her lips, kissing her with an intense passion that made her swoon. He held her tighter.

Serena moaned, thinking how much she needed that kiss, his touch, and his heat.

Antonio pulled back and licked his lips. “I’ve been thinking about doing that all day,” he whispered.

“What else has been on your mind?” she said with a wicked gleam in her eye.

He led her into the house. When he closed the door he slipped his hand between her thighs and stroked her gently. “Let’s just say, I’d rather show than tell,” he said as he placed her hand on his thick erection.

“And I thought I was going to have to get all liquored up before I could take advantage of you,” Serena quipped.

“Never that.” Pressing her against the wall he kissed her again, hot, wet, and filled with passion.

She ran her hand across his chest as his lips danced down her neck. He pulled back and watched as she unbuttoned her blouse, revealing another lacy piece of lingerie—gold with black
lace accenting it. She shrugged her shoulders to allow her shirt to fall down.

Antonio helped her out of her mini skirt and released an appreciative sigh as she stood in black strappy sandals and that gold and black teddy. He couldn’t wait to peel it off her body and kiss every inch the sexy garment covered. “Just one question,” he whispered. “Are you always this sexy?”

“Only for you,” she replied, then pressed her body against his and licked his lips.

He shuddered with desire. Lifting her up in his arms he headed to the back porch. Being outside with her was thrilling and added to their passion. As their lips met the world seemed to melt away, the earth stood still, and the only thing that mattered was the taste of her lips and the feel of his arms around her body.

Antonio laid Serena on the wicker sofa and covered her lithe body with his. She flicked her tongue across his neck and he shivered. Serena tugged at his shorts, wanting him deep inside her, but Antonio took her wrists in his hands and lifted her arms above her head.

“Remember those thoughts, I was telling you about? I’m about to show you one of them,” he said as he unsnapped the crotch of her teddy and buried his lips in her wet folds of flesh.

Serena moaned in delight as his tongue brushed across her tingling bud. She balanced her leg on his shoulder and stroked the back of his neck as he licked and sucked her until she felt as if she was about to explode. She threw her
head back as he alternated teasing her clitoris with his tongue and his finger. “Antonio,” she moaned, “Antonio.” Her body began to twitch as her orgasm gripped her senses and sent spasms of pleasure throughout her body.

Antonio pulled back and watched her chest rise and fall. “Are you all right?” he asked as he stroked her cheek.

“More than all right,” she replied in a husky voice. She grabbed his hand and kissed his palm. “So, what other thoughts have you had today?”

Antonio stood up and smiled at her. “When I get back, I’ll show you even more.”

She smiled as she watched him dash inside. Then her mind flashed back to his crazy sister-in-law finding her outside naked the other week. Grabbing the blanket from the back of the sofa she wrapped up in it. The next thing she knew, she was sleeping.

Antonio walked into his bedroom, grabbed a few condoms, then headed down the hall and looked in on A. J. His little boy was sleeping soundly, but had kicked out from underneath his blanket, something he’d been doing since he was a baby. Antonio pulled the blanket around him, then kissed him on the forehead. The little boy stirred slightly but didn’t wake up.

Slipping quietly out of his son’s room he headed back outside to Serena. Wrapped in the blanket she looked like an angel as she slept. He lifted her into his arms and took her into the house. As soon
as he laid her against the soft cotton sheets of his king sized bed, Serena’s eyes fluttered open.

“What’s going on?” she mumbled.

“You went to sleep. It’s obvious you’re tired. Go ahead and rest,” he said as he eased into bed beside her. “I’ll be right here when you wake up.”

She snuggled against him and Antonio fingered her silky hair. It wasn’t long before they were sound asleep.

As the sun began to peek over the horizon, Serena stirred in Antonio’s arms. Had they simply slept all night? Yes, and she felt so good waking up in his arms. She ran her finger down his arm. So, maybe Jade was right. She did like Antonio. She liked him a lot and she was scared as hell because this was the time when things went bad. What if Antonio only wanted sex?

That’s not even the case. If it was, he wouldn’t have allowed you to sleep last night. Stop being an idiot. He’s not Emerson and you don’t have worry about him walking out on you,
she thought as she watched him sleep.

Antonio woke up and smiled when he saw Serena watching him. “Morning,” he said.

“I’m sorry I went to sleep on you last night.”

“It happens to the best of us. I figured you needed your rest.”

Serena rolled over on top of him and straddled his body. “Well, now that I’ve had my rest, what are you going to do about it?” She ground against him and he was instantly aroused.

Antonio gripped her hips, resisting the urge to dive into her wetness without protection. He
slipped his hand underneath his pillow and retrieved one of the condoms he’d placed there last night. Serena took the package from his hand and eased down his body.

“One thing I want to do before we strap up,” she said as she hovered over his erection.

Antonio’s body tingled with anticipation as he felt the heat from her breath across the tip of his penis. When Serena took him into her mouth, he struggled not to come immediately. Her mouth was so hot and wet and when her tongue danced up and down the length of him, he groaned in pleasure. She took him to the brink and just as Antonio felt as if he couldn’t hold back any more, Serena ended her sweet torture and rolled the condom in place. He pulled her hips forward and eased into the wetness between her thighs.

“Yes,” he moaned as she rode him slowly, grinding and twisting her body in a sensual dance that sent waves of pleasure thoughout his body. But the greatest pleasure he received was watching the satisfied look on Serena’s face. She was feeling as good as he was and that was all he wanted. He wanted to please her just like she was pleasing him.

Antonio gripped her hips as the explosion built inside him. Serena arched her back giving him deeper access to her desire. He released himself and she collapsed against his chest as she reached her own climax. “Amazing,” she whispered.

“That’s one way to describe it,” Antonio said as he kissed her cheek. “I can’t get enough of you, baby.”

“Me either,” she said as she snuggled against him.

“As much as I wish we could just lie here naked, we’d better put some clothes on before A.J. wakes up.”

“Well, that’s easier for you than me since my clothes are downstairs,” she said as she pulled the sheet around her body.

Antonio pulled on his boxers and nodded. “I’ll go get them for you,” he said, then headed out the door.

While she lay in the bed, Serena looked around Antonio’s bedroom, realizing that was the first time she’d been in his bed. She was struck by the fact that there didn’t seem to be a trace of his dead wife in the room, which was decorated in deep earth tones, giving it a decidedly masculine feel. On his dresser, she half expected to see a picture of him and his wife, but there wasn’t one—just a few bottles of cologne and deodorant. Was he truly over his wife? Her mind wandered to what they’d meant to each other. What if she was his one true love?