His Sexy Bad Habit (7 page)

“You’ve been different. When you left, you weren’t so cold to the idea of love,” she said.

Serena yawned and rolled her eyes. “Do I need to cut up some chicken or something?”

Jade laughed. “Right. You, cooking? You
really
don’t want to talk about L.A.”

Maurice walked over to them and said, “Who’s going to L.A.?”

“Nobody,” Jade said.

“Well, I’m out of here. Kenya sends her best,” he said as he strode over to Jade and gave her a brotherly peck on the cheek.

“Hey, keep your lips off my wife,” James called from the doorway of the kitchen.

“Please,” Maurice said as he headed for the door. “You’ve been kissing my wife for years.”

Serena shook her head as she watched Jade stir the rice. “You people are just strange.”

An hour later, Jade and Serena realized they’d cooked too much chicken and broccoli. “He’s going to think I’m trying to fatten him up if I take all of this food home with me,” Serena said.

James walked into the kitchen and saw how much food his wife had cooked up. “Are you having a party?” he asked.

“No,” Serena said. “Obviously, someone didn’t read the instructions on the rice.”

James shook his head. “Restaurant owners who can’t cook. It would be funny if it wasn’t true.”

Jade dipped her spoon into the rice and told James to open his mouth. “It won’t be Devon Harris, but it’s good.”

James swallowed the rice and nodded. “Babe, I didn’t know you had it in you. So, now dinner is on you.”

“Great, then you guys keep half of this and I’ll take the rest home for me and Antonio,” Serena said. She glanced at her watch. “I have to get going.”

Jade helped Serena pack half the food in plastic containers, then Serena took off for home so she could get ready for her date with Antonio and make it seem as if she’d spent time cooking their meal.

Antonio and his crew packed up and called it a day around three-thirty since the floor needed to dry. Once the men installed the panels on the walls, the renovations on Hometown Delights would be complete. As distracted as he’d been, Antonio was surprised they’d gotten the work done. His distraction had a name. Serena.

He couldn’t wait to see her and it didn’t matter if dinner was good or not, as long as he got a chance to touch her, taste her, and get inside her again. He couldn’t believe how hooked he’d gotten on Serena’s body after just one time.

Antonio hadn’t felt passion like he’d felt from Serena since he’d been a teenager. Smiling, he pulled out his cell phone and called Casey to let her know he’d be picking A. J. up early.

“Hey, Antonio,” she said when she answered. “Is everything all right?”

“Everything is fine. I’m calling because I’m going to pick A.J. up early,” he said.

“Okay, I was just about to make some Rice Krispies Treats. Maybe you can join us?” she said with a hopeful tone to her voice.

“No, I can’t. A.J. has been invited on a fishing trip and I need to take him home and get him ready.”

“That sounds like fun. So, you and A.J. are going fishing? I wish I could go, but I don’t like being outside that much,” Casey said as Antonio started his truck.

“Yeah,” he said not revealing the truth of his plans.

“Mom and Dad will be back on Sunday and I was thinking we should get together and have a family dinner like we used to,” she said.

“I’ll let you know,” Antonio said. “I’m going to hang up. Traffic is pretty bad right now. We’ll talk more about this later.”

“All right. I’ll get A.J. ready.”

When he hung up with Casey, he felt a little drained. Though he respected his former mother-and father-in-law, he didn’t want to spend Sunday afternoon eating dinner with them and hearing more about how wonderful Marian was. Many times, though it seemed cruel, Antonio wanted to remind everyone that Marian had been human and she made mistakes. He wished they knew the truth about the direction the marriage had been heading before her death, but it seemed wrong to tell them now.

Antonio’s cell phone rang again as he headed for Casey’s house. “Yeah?” he said when he saw it was Norman.

“Hey man. You tore out of the parking lot so fast, I was just making sure everything was all right. Guess I know where your mind is,” the older man said with a laugh.

“Yes, on picking up my son,” Antonio said.

“Sure,” he replied. “My grandsons should arrive at my place around five. We’ll swing by and pick up A.J. afterwards. I’m going to pick up a few pizzas. Is there anything other than pork you don’t want him to eat?”

“A.J. likes cheese pizzas. I’ll be happy to chip in for dinner,” Antonio said.

“No, that’s not necessary. See you later, man.”

“Hey, Norman, thanks for this and everything else.”

“You know you’re like a son to me, so you don’t have to thank me.”

When Antonio ended his call with Norman, he smiled and was thankful the older man was a part of his life and his son’s life. Antonio’s father had died when Marian had been pregnant with A.J. One of his biggest regrets in life was that his son hadn’t a chance to meet his father. Keith Billups had been a good man. He raised Antonio alone after his mother died and never put anything or anyone ahead of his son. He’d taught Antonio to follow his dreams and how to be a good man. The lessons he’d learned as a child, he tried to pass on to his son.

Antonio pulled into Casey’s driveway and hopped out of the car. He knocked on the front door and waited for Casey to answer. She opened the door dressed in a pair of spandex shorts and
a tight T-shirt. “Hey, Tonio,” she said. “A.J.’s in the living room.”

“Thanks for watching him today. Next week he’ll be in a day camp program at Discovery Place,” he said as he headed for the living room.

“I’m going to miss him. I’ve enjoyed hanging out with you guys.”

“And I appreciate it, but we’ve intruded on you enough,” Antonio said as he entered the living room and kissed his sleeping son.

A.J.’s eyes fluttered open. “Daddy,” he said excitedly.

“What’s up, Sport? Are you ready to go?”

The little boy nodded. “We’re going camping, right?”

“Well, you are. Mr. Norman and his grandsons invited you to go fishing and hang out with them this weekend.”

“And you’re going to be by yourself?” A.J. asked. “I don’t want to go and have fun if you’re lonely.”

“I’ll be working,” he said, then kissed his son’s forehead.

Casey walked into the living room and sat on the sectional and looked at Antonio and A.J. “While A.J. is camping, why don’t I bring you dinner?”

“That’s all right, Case,” he said. “I plan to spend most of the evening in bed.”

She smiled and nodded. “I bet you are tired. You work so hard.”

Antonio looked down at his son. “Ready to go, Champ?”

“Yeah,” the little boy said as he leaped from the sofa.

“Don’t forget to grab your things from the kitchen,” Casey called out. “I made him some Rice Krispies Treats to take home.”

A.J. dashed into the kitchen to get his treats, leaving Antonio and Casey in the living room alone. “What are you doing tomorrow?” she asked. “Will A.J. be back in time for Sunday dinner?”

“Case, I’m going to rest tomorrow and I’m sure A.J. will see his grandparents, but I’m not going to guarantee we’ll make it for dinner,” he said as he rose to his feet.

“Okay. They’re going to be disappointed,” Casey said. “I already told them we’d all have dinner together.”

“We’ll stop by to see them next week. A.J., let’s go,” Antonio said.

Casey stood up and crossed over to Antonio. “Did I do something wrong?” she asked as she stood across from him. “Sometimes, you act like you can’t wait to get away from me.”

“Casey, you know I love you and appreciate everything you do for me and A.J., but sometimes you come on a little too strong. I understand your parents want to spend time with their grandson, but they are rarely in town and they know A.J. is available to them anytime. I don’t need you making a schedule for us.”

“I’m sorry,” she said. “It’s just that you and A.J. are the last connections I have to my sister.”

Immediately, he felt bad about admonishing her. He knew Casey was still having a hard time
processing her sister’s death. But how would she feel if she knew the truth about where things had been heading with him and Marian?

“It’s all right, Casey. I’ll try to make dinner,” he said as A.J. bounded into the living room with a Ziploc bag filled with dessert bars. “Ready, son?”

“Yes, sir,” he replied, then rushed over to his aunt and gave her a hug.

“Have fun, nephew,” she said, then placed a kiss on his forehead. “Catch a fish for me.”

Antonio and A.J. waved good-bye to Casey and headed out the door. “Did you have fun with your aunt today?”

“It was all right, but I’m ready to go to day camp so I can play with other kids,” A.J. said. “Do I get to go to school this year?”

“Yes,” Antonio said, happy that his son was excited about going to school. “We’re going to get you enrolled next week.”

The little boy pumped his fist excitedly. When they arrived at home, Antonio helped A.J. pack his camping and fishing gear. He watched how excited his son was about hanging out in the woods for the weekend and Antonio made a mental note to take his son camping more often.

“Are you sure you’re going to be okay without me, Dad?” A.J. asked after zipping his backpack. “Are you and Aunt Casey going to play together?”

“No, I’m going to play with a new friend tonight,” Antonio said with a smile. “And Sunday, we’re going to have dinner with your grandparents.”

“I thought they were at that rope place.”

“Rope place? You mean Europe? They’re
coming back tonight,” he said with a laugh. “Maybe they brought you some ropes to play with.” Antonio tickled his son’s stomach.

“What am I going to do with ropes?” A.J. asked. “Maybe they brought me a game or something I can build my own restaurant with.”

“What are you trying to do, put me out of business already?”

Moments later, Norman and his grandsons arrived at the Billups’s house. A.J. barely allowed Norman and his three grandsons, Kamir, DaJon, and Fredrick to come inside.

“Slow down, homeboy,” Norman said. “I need to talk to your dad for a second. DaJon, help A.J. load his stuff in the truck.”

“Yes, sir,” the eight year old said as if he was happy for the responsibility.

When the four boys were outside, Antonio turned to Norman. “Are you sure you can handle all four of them? I can pack a bag and come along.”

“What are you trying to do, look for an excuse not to see Miss Serena? If you want to trade places, I’d be happy to.”

“Not on your life. But those four are going to be a handful and I feel kind of guilty adding A.J. to the mix so I can go out on a date.”

“Listen, I volunteered for this. Trust me, you’re going to be thanking me come Monday morning.”

“All right. Regardless, I’m a cell phone call away.”

“I won’t need you, but that’s good to know. Of
course, you got my number if you plan to call and check on A.J.”

Antonio smiled. No matter what he had planned for the weekend, he would call and check on his son.

Two hours later, Antonio was on his way to Serena’s for dinner. He still wasn’t sold on her cooking dinner. She didn’t look like the kind of woman who spent much time in the kitchen at the stove. Though he knew where some of her talents in the kitchen were. Antonio took a quick detour to Amelie’s French Bakery to pick up some petit fours for dessert. Then he went to the Midwood Flower Shop and purchased a half-dozen red roses for Serena as a thank you in advance for dinner.

Looking around the kitchen, Serena felt as if she had everything in place. She’d heated the precooked dinner without making the rice stick to the pot. A first. At some point, Serena figured she’d give actual cooking a chance. She dashed into the dining room and made sure the table was set properly. Then she lit the two candles in the center of the table and dimmed the lights. Next, she adjusted the straps on her little black dress and tugged at the cups of her teddy, thinking that when Antonio took her dress off, he was going to like what was underneath.

Her mind wandered back to Maurice’s comments at Jade’s house.
Everybody is happier when they have somebody to share their life with.

“Easy for him to say,” she mumbled. “I’ve tried to share my life. Now all I want is instant gratification.”

With that thought in the air, Serena pulled her dress off and ran upstairs to hang it in her closet. She hadn’t really invited Antonio over to eat … dinner. But if he wanted to, it was there. Serena smiled at her sultry complexion in the mirror. The red teddy set off her creamy complexion and added blush to her cheeks that no amount of makeup could. She grabbed a bit of cocoa butter and smoothed it across her breasts. As soon as she finished, she heard the doorbell chime.

For a second, she considered putting her dress back on, but when the doorbell chimed again, she decided against it. Serena bounded down the stairs and opened the door.

“Hello,” she said. Antonio’s mouth flew open and he nearly dropped the bouquet of roses and box of sweets.

“Well, I guess I’m early, because you didn’t finish getting dressed.”

“You don’t like my outfit?” she asked as she spun around.

He stepped inside and closed the door behind him. “Oh, I like,” he said.

Serena took the flowers and the box from his hands and set them on the table near the door. With his hands free, Antonio was able to pull Serena against his chest. She felt the hardness of his manhood pressing against her thigh and instantly moisture pooled between her legs.

“What about dinner?” she asked as his hands stroked her back.

“You have a microwave, right?” he asked, pulling her closer. “Dinner will keep.”

Serena lifted her head and Antonio captured her lips in a searing kiss that sent jolts of desire though her system. She parted her lips and drew his tongue deeper into her mouth. Soft moans filled the air as he slipped his hands between her thighs and stroked her with his thumb. He could feel the pool of her desire through the crotch of her lingerie. Just the thought of her wetness and the sweet taste of it, made him harder. In a quick motion, he lifted her into his arms and carried her upstairs into her bedroom.

Once they crossed the threshold of the bedroom, Antonio laid her across the bed and drank in the image of her sexy body in red satin and lace. His mouth craved her taste and when she uncrossed her long, lean legs, he licked his lips then dove between her thighs. With the flat of his hand, he stroked her through the lingerie. Serena’s body was under his control as his fingers slipped between the satin and into her wet valley.

Her breath caught in her chest as his finger brushed against her pounding bud of desire. She was so wet, hot, and ready to feel him deep inside her. But Antonio had other plans for her. He had to taste her sweetness. He unsnapped the crotch of her teddy and lifted her hips to his lips. As she felt the heat from his breath against the folds of her flesh, her body tingled with anticipation, desire, and yearning. She wiggled her hips as if
she was silently begging him to put the fire out that he’d lit inside her.

Heeding her silent pleas, Antonio slowly licked her wetness until she quivered in delight.

Serena’s moans penetrated the silence, reaching its crescendo when she climaxed. “Need. You,” Serena cried. “Now.”

Antonio pulled his mouth away from her, licking her juices from his lips as he unbuttoned his jeans and kicked out of them while Serena pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it on the floor. Rolling onto his back, Antonio pulled Serena on top of him and covered her mouth with his. He could feel the heat of her desire as they kissed and she ground against him. He wanted to dive inside her, take her then and there. But they needed protection. As Serena straddled him, he heard the rattle of a condom wrapper.

“You think of everything,” he said as she slid the condom down his erection. Serena smiled a sexy smile then leaned in and brushed her lips against his. Antonio ran his tongue across her full bottom lip and she arched her back like a cat lounging in the sun. He felt her heat and gripped her hips, bring her opening to the tip of his erection. She took the length of him inside her, moaning in pleasure as he raised his hips while she ground against him. Serena gripped his shoulders as he pressed deeper, seemingly trying melt into him. Her hips moved with the rhythm of a cadence drum. Antonio fell in stride with her, meeting her strokes and stirring her
juices until she cried out as another orgasm attacked her senses.