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“I just think it’s cute that you care about me.”
With a groan, I pushed him away gently by his stomach and continued to clean the table. “I’m really upset over how they treated you, and you’re focused on that?”
“Of course I’m focused on that.” The smoothness of his tone made my pussy pulse. It didn’t help that he grabbed my hand again and used it to gently pull me back into his space. The hardness of his body made my heart race. I held my breath, wishing he’d wrap his arms around me, but he didn’t. It was torturous being so close yet feeling so far away. “If they don’t respect me, they probably never will. I have no desire to earn it. I’m here to do a job, and when I’m done, I’ll be on to the next.” His fingers were feather light as they pushed my hair off my shoulders and onto my back. I held my breath, hoping he’d allow his fingers to linger a little while longer. “What I do care about…” Chandler’s weight shifted from one foot to the other. His voice lowered and head tilted slightly so that his mouth was right by my ear. “Is how much you care about me.” When his soft, juicy lips kissed just under my ear, I went weak at the knees. Swallowing a moan, I closed my eyes tightly as he almost whispered, “Thank you for caring about me, Chy, and for always having my back.”
I couldn’t move or speak or even breathe until he put space between us. Running my hand down my throat, I tried to slow my palpitating heart.
“Of course I care about you. And as irritated as I was, you handled them very well. I admire the way you always remain cool and don’t let them knock you off your square.”
He chuckled as he began to clear the table off with me. “There are millions riding on this deal. They can say just about anything they want, and I won’t give a damn. Now, if any of them lay a hand on me or disrespect you… that’s a different story.” Chandler made sure our eyes were locked as he added, “I’ll knock a nigga’s head off if they ever disrespected you.”
He’d proven that once before, so I didn’t have to question if that was the truth. After a meeting eight months ago, one man found it a bit difficult to take my no for an answer. Thankfully, Chandler had come looking for me because I rode with him to the meeting. When he found me pressed against the wall, bound by Tyler’s strong grip on my neck and thigh, I saw a side of Chandler I didn’t know existed.
He beat the man half to death, and it took several men to pull Chandler off Tyler. Because of the circumstances, Chandler wasn’t arrested for assault. Tyler, however, was charged with attempted sexual assault. I think that was the day I realized how safe I was with Chandler, and he’d had a special place in my heart ever since.
“What’re your plans for the evening?” I asked, needing to change the subject.
“I don’t have any. You?”
“I have tickets for the baseball game.”
Surprise covered his face as we headed out of the conference room. “I didn’t know you were into baseball.”
“Yeah, I used to love it. It was the only thing me and my dad used to have in common. When he left, I stopped watching. I think I’m finally ready to go to a game again, so Papa got me tickets.”
“That’s what’s up, Chy. Proud of you for that. What other sports are you into?”
“Basketball and football. I know people might not consider it a sport but poker too.”
“Are you trying to make me fall even more in love with you?”
His tone was playful, so I knew he wasn’t serious, but it made me happy, nonetheless.
“You uh… if you feel up to it… I have an extra ticket.”
He didn’t respond right away, and the silence between us as we left the building shattered my heart. All this time, I thought he really liked me. Was he just flirting to pass the time? Did he not want to be seen with me after hours? Had I made a mistake by inviting him?
Chandler waited until we were at the town car to say, “I’d love to go to the game with you, Cheyanne.”
“What took you so long?”
For the first time, I looked at him and noticed he was blushing. He hid it by sliding his hand down his mouth, dropping his smile in the process.
“Honestly, I was stunned that you invited me. I wanted to savor the moment.”
Cackling, I scooted into the car. “What moment, Mr. Jones?”
“Nah, don’t start that Mr. Jones shit. I’m wearing you down. Let me have this moment.”
I didn’t bother arguing with him. It wouldn’t do me any good anyway. This was a moment, and I wouldn’t deny that. I wasn’t sure what made me ask him… what made me acknowledge the fact that I wanted to spend more time with him today after work. Regardless, I just hoped we had a good time tonight.
9
Chandler
Even dressed down, Cheyanne was my favorite visual. Her hair was pulled into a low bun and covered by a snapback. The oversized T-shirt she had on and cargo pants with Jordans was a stark difference to the dresses, slacks, linen shorts, and trousers I was used to seeing her in.
I liked this too.
