Taken (Dark Desires 1)

“I’m glad you enjoyed our date,” he said, smiling and giving me a peck on the cheek.

I chuckled and nudged him. “I meant the whole thing.” I paused for a moment, moving a pile of eggs around before looking at him seriously. “You know. This started as a way for me to get over you. Something about you hypnotized me and I didn’t know how to handle it. I didn’t want to get mixed up with my boss and I figured if I just slept with you…You’d be out of my head.”

“Maybe it’ll work. You haven’t been away from me yet.”

I cocked a brow and sighed. “I don’t think that’s the way it’s going to work.”

He was silent for a moment and finally glanced over at me. “Well, I ain’t disappointed about it.”

“I thought you didn’t want to get close to anyone.”

“You’re not the type of girl who’d take advantage of someone for their money.”

“How do you know?”

“It’s just a feeling I got. I ain’t saying I love you or anything. That would be a little weird, but what I am saying is that I want to give this whole thing a shot. I want to give it more than a one night stand,” he said with a nod.

I paused, tapping my fingers on the table nervously. “You mean that?”

He leaned over and kissed my cheek. “I do.”

I couldn’t stop the smile that pulled at my lips. “If you’re lying, I’m gonna knock your pretty teeth in.”

He laughed and threw back his head. “I know you would. I’m not messing with you, alright? I like the idea of having a woman around who can kick my ass, though. It’s kind of sexy.”

I chuckled and sipped the coffee he’d made me. “Until she actually kicks your ass, right?”

“I’d gladly take an ass kicking from you.”

If I rolled my eyes any harder, I was sure they would detach from my skull. “You’re such a butt kisser.”

He puckered up and I punched him playfully in the arm, more than a little grateful for the banter. When I first woke up, I was afraid this was going to be a serious morning full of conversations about what the night before meant. I was happy for the teasing and easy conversation.

We fell into a comfortable silence after that. I sipped my coffee and hummed to myself, eating my breakfast happily. It wasn’t often that someone cooked for me. I was going to enjoy it while it lasted. I wanted to just enjoy my time with Jami and not question our future.

A sudden knock on the door made me jump and drop my spoon, my eyes wide and fixed on the door. It was too early in the morning for visitors and the look on Jami’s face told me he wasn’t expecting any company. His lips pulled into a tight line and he set his plate aside, standing and going to the door. He peered into the peephole and let out an audible groan as he opened the door just enough to peek outside.

“What do you want?”

“I wanted to come by and say hi,” a female voice responded.

I frowned deeply and pushed away from the bar, moving to stand behind Jami, trying to see around his powerful frame.

“It’s not a good time, Marie. You need to leave.”

My eyes met the other woman’s and I saw red hot jealousy flash across her face. “Who is that?” She demanded, pointing right at me.

“It’s none of your business, Marie!”

“Is that one of your whores?! Is that the woman you left me for?!”

“Watch your goddamn mouth!” Jami hissed, reaching out so that he could put some distance between the woman and the door. “You need to go before I call the cops.”

“He’ll use you!” The woman piped up, her eyes wide. “He’ll get what he wants from you and then throw you to the curb like he did me! He told me he loved me and now I’m banned from his office! You’re nothing special. Don’t fall for his shit!”

“GET OUT!” Jami stepped through the door, his eyes narrowed as he marched forward, his eyes wide with anger. “Get the fuck off my property!”

The woman stumbled back, eyes wide with fear. She fell back and hit the ground, her eyes meeting mine again for a brief moment. She turned to look at Jami, tears in her big blue eyes. “I loved you, Jami. I gave you everything!”