Intensity Read online

  When it became too much to care for her mother and work all those hours, Kya explained the situation to both employers. Jermaine being more understanding led to her full-time employment under him and ever since his true colors had shown. He was a cold bastard. Forced them into tight shirts and anything that revealed enough curves to keep the male patrons coming back. He cared about nothing but his money until a drunk asshole was getting too grabby with one of them. Then and only then did he have a heart and acted as if he cared about their well-being.

  “You’re crazy,” Angel turned, following Kya with her eyes, “I would jump at the chance to get a day off, but this asshole likes looking at me.”

  Jermaine’s frown deepened, “Aside from your ass, you’re not much to look at. If you’re not going to stay the entire shift, don’t clock in, Kya.” With that, he walked off with his drink, missing the one finger salute Angel delivered behind his back.

  “I wish someone would yank the stick out of his ass once and for all.”

  “Don’t get your hopes up, Chica. Christmas is more than six months away, and I don’t think Santa could pull off that kind of miracle. Anyway, how are you feeling?”

  Kya sighed, stashing her bag into one of the empty shelves below the bar, “I was doing just fine...”

  “Until?” Angel pressed, folding her arms over her chest.

  “That guy from Tuesday.”

  “The contractor?”

  “Yes, him. Everything my father said was weighing on me, so I searched his name.”

  The look on her friend’s face said it all. When she told Angel of her father’s visit and what he had to say, there was a mile a minute rant in Spanish that translated into a talk about how much misery loves company. While Kya saw some valid points from the conversation, Angel did not.

  “Before you shit a brick over this, the only thing I found was a story about his father being a major drug dealer that Robert helped bring down years ago. I didn’t do it to prove him right. I did it because I need to know what’s going on.”

  A couple walked up to the bar for an order that both women filled. As soon as they were gone, their girl talk resumed with Angel speaking more seriously than Kya ever recalled.

  “Why is it so hard to believe that luck is just on your side, Kya? After everything you’ve been through, don’t you think you deserve at least a little bit of good luck?”

  “I would if I believed that this was just luck. He’s a big-time contractor. What he probably makes in a year would take me a lifetime. He’s in contact with beautiful women–stars with way more to their names and value to their lives than me. I don’t get why he’d want me. That fact adds validity to Robert’s claims. This man shows up one day while I’m saying goodbye to my mother and hands me a rose. I woke up in the hospital twice to roses that I know didn’t come from you. I don’t want to believe the bullshit, but I’d be dumb not to see what’s there.”

  A long pause sat between them. Kya made one drink and was onto the next when Angel decided to respond, taking up a stance beside her with her back to the bar and her arms crossed.

  “Kya, I want you to think about this. You just said this man has a lot of money and a job that puts him in the path of stars. So, what person in their right mind would do anything to jeopardize that? I don’t want to sound like I’m batting for either team, because that pendejo has an ass whipping coming for what happened to you the other night. Honestly, I let you out of my sight for three minutes, and you kiss some stranger and end up with a big ass knot in the back of your head.”

  Kya smirked with a roll of her eyes, “You’re complaining? Aren’t you the main one telling me I need to live a little?”

  “Yeah, but you’re a good girl, I didn’t think you’d take such a drastic step. Maybe let some stranger hug you, but–”

  “Are you trying to call me a prude?”

  Angel welcomed the signal from across the lounge indicating the need for another bartender. She was on her way out when Kya gave her a playful shove. As the night grew, the capacity of the lounge increased. Even as closing time grew nearer, she was busy mixing and pouring cocktails of all kinds. On occasion, someone would request that she do a shot with them. Since that was the only thing Jermaine was pretty lenient about, Kya took full advantage.

  After the last group of guys walked away from the bar, she took that moment to toss the empty plastic cups and gathered bottles for recycling. When she returned to her post with a wet rag to wipe down the bar, Antonio stood on the other side. His eyes were low and seductive, with a small smile on his lips. All the questions and concerns seemed to melt away when they came in contact. This time was no different

  Narrowing her own eyes, she threw a hand upon her hip, tossing the rag back into the sink, “Now I’m convinced that you’re stalking me.”

  His smile grew, luring her eyes to his dimples, "Of course I’d be the first to admit it if that were true, but honestly, this is pure coincidence.”

  She scrunched her nose shaking her head like a little kid.

  “I’m not buying.”

  The sexiest laughter she had ever heard found her over the music.

  “Believe me, Sweetheart. The owner and I are friends, and as a favor, I told him I’d renovate this place at a good price. For me to determine what changes are needed, I have to check it out during business hours."

  "Friends huh,” her eyes narrowed again, “well then maybe you can tell his cheap ass to give me a raise. I've got bills to pay and a few cents short of thirteen-dollars an hour, plus tips for this cooch flashing skirt just isn't cutting it." She tugged at the hem of her black stretch mini dramatically, drawing more laughter from him. “Maybe you can suggest better uniforms while you’re at it.”

  “I don’t know if I want to do that considering how good it looks on you.” Antonio shook his head slightly and licked his lips.

  He was sexy. Sex that walked and talked, tying Kya up into a ball dying to be unraveled.

  “Speaking of looks, I’m glad to see you up and moving. How’s your head?”

  Absently Kya’s hand moved to the back of her head, raking her hair upward toward the bun she messily constructed in her haste to get out her apartment.

  “It’s better. Thanks for asking. And thanks for the roses. I should probably thank you for saving me the other night, too. I don’t remember anything other than you holding me in the car.”

  “You don’t have to thank me,” he answered quickly. Maybe a little too quickly. His lips pursed and his eyes hardened, stealing the playful seduction that sat between them just moments ago.

  When Antonio regained his composure, his smile returned with a nod.

  “Well, I have to check out the rest of this building, but it was nice seeing you and even better knowing you’re doing well.”

  Disappointment welled within Kya. She wanted him to stay, park his ass on one of those stools and sit there being her moment of peace a little while longer. A voice in the back of her mind told her to do something—anything to keep him there. Instead, she gave him her best smile, brushing her hair again.

  “It was nice seeing you, too, Antonio.”

  His surprise was immediate. Visible and immediate. Leaving it at that, he mimicked Kya's smile and went about his way.

  The crowd decreased to a good handful by the time Antonio reappeared. The bell for last call had already rung meaning her job was over for the night. Silently, he watched her, and with the same silence, she pondered her questions and the approach to get answers. Stepping around the bar with a beer for them both, she stood between the seat he occupied and that of a guy trying desperately to get the number of the woman beside him. There, they both just stared at one another.

  “How do you know my name?” He spoke first, his tone more curious than accusatory.

  “I was wondering the same thing. I’ll tell you if you answer something for me—truthfully.”

  After a few long seconds of hesitation, he nodded in agreement.

 
“I saw you on the TV while I was in the hospital. I think my friend was watching reality TV while she was there because I woke up to a report about you—us—and what happened the other night.

  “And what did you learn?”

  “That you’re a popular contractor that women fall over themselves for.”

  “Are you one of those women?” He smiled slyly.

  “I haven’t fallen. Maybe stumbled a little.” Antonio grinned, almost blinding her to the fact that he had asked all the questions so far. “Enough distracting! My turn. What do you want from me?”

  He raised a single brow that, smirking, “First, know that I am a resourceful man. I can get information on anyone I’d like, Kya. Second, I told you. I want you.”

  “How?”

  He caught his lip between his teeth seemingly deep in thought for a few seconds. Maneuvering on the stool brought them a little closer.

  “Any way you’ll let me.”

  “But, why me? I’m sure you have no trouble getting any woman you set your sights on. So, why are you interested in me, a bartender living in a small two-bedroom apartment in this part of the city?”

  Antonio paused again, looking her over with the right corner of his lips tilted, eyes lowered, but connected with hers. Kya thought she’d lost him at that point. Maybe she’d asked the one thing he wouldn’t or couldn’t answer, forcing her to consider her father’s claims.

  “The question is, why not you?” He took hold of her hand and caressed the back with the rough pads of his fingers, “You’re a beautiful, strong woman, that’s looking at me right now as a man and not a ticket to easy living. You had to see me on TV to know who I was and even after, there’s no difference in treatment. I’ve come across more women than I can count. Some of them were gorgeous women, and none have ever made me want to know them as deeply as I want to know you.”

  If his touch wasn’t enough, he pressed his lips to her skin sending a wave of shivers down her spine. Her will to fight the attraction, her ability to think correctly, and the good sense God gave her to know when she was being sweet-talked were all gone.

  Suddenly, the thought of him disappearing on her, again, dulled the excitement. Quickly, it took her down a few notches from the carelessness that always replaced logic when he was near. Like earlier, Kya didn’t want that feeling to go away. She didn’t want to have to store images of their time into her memory until he decided to show up and provide new ones.

  After a healthy swig of her beer, she leaned into Antonio with an idea, “You want to get out of here?”

  One corner of his lips curved into a telling smirk. He was amused.

  “I’m going to ask you to clarify because you’re way too good of a girl to be saying what I think you’re saying.”

  A little offended by his labeling of her, Kya let off a small snort, bringing the cold bottle back to her lips. He was the second person to call her a good girl in one night and she didn’t like it. Truthfully, she didn’t go out of her way to do crazy things, didn’t have a criminal record, and had never been accosted by the police, which more than likely had something to do with her father. Every man and woman with a badge in her neighborhood seemed to know of that unfortunate relation and gave her a pass.

  Perhaps that did make her a good girl and paved the way for a foolish assumption that she could do no wrong. Maybe, her persona was what led this man to believe that this moment was just a burst of bold rather than her turning the tables on him. If Robert was right, then that meant Antonio was expecting something out of her. Something, but most certainly not what she had in mind.

  Setting the beer down on the wooden counter, Kya turned, capturing Antonio’s attention as she did. Sliding her thumbs beneath the hem of her skirt, she carefully brought them to the thin band of her panties and with his eyes narrowed there; she began pulling them down slowly. A rush in her veins kept her from stopping, looking around to see if anyone else was watching, and not caring if they did. All that mattered was the man in front of her and the thrill that came from luring him in like he did every time they met.

  Antonio’s eyes followed the entire time. Over her thighs, past her knees, one foot out, and then the other. In less than a minute she was standing in front of him with soft yellow fabric in one hand while the other smoothed her skirt back in place. Without a single word spoken, he stood, towering over her. Their eyes locked once more. The smirk was gone and disbelief, nowhere to be found. Her true intentions were clear and, now, he knew. He’d been in control with everything, yet this time, said control slipped.

  Wasting no time at all, Antonio pulled Kya against him, capturing her chin while scanning her face for certainty.

  “You say you want me,” she whispered, searching his eyes as well.

  The part of her brain responsible for combating irrational thought had kicked in, but rather than talking her down it seemed to join forces with her body. Ready and willing to go through with it.

  “Now, what are you going to do?”

  Words weren’t enough and never would be. Seeing no reason to stop where they stood, Antonio took Kya by the hand, leading her out of the lounge to his truck.

  It was stupid to go anywhere with him. Risky in every sense of the word, but Kya had him right where she wanted. The attraction between them, sexual tension, and the strange feeling that appeared to be mutual was the active ingredient in their actions. Motive second on both parts. There was no regret and no second-guessing. The slick way Antonio avoided answering her question had not gone unnoticed. It was one more reason to go through with the plan that was already going in her favor.

  FIVE

  The ride to his house had been the longest of his life. It seemed as if they were catching every red light along the way. Twice, the thought of pulling over to hike up her skirt and take her hard in the passenger seat crossed Antonio’s mind. Then he spared a glance in Kya’s direction and decided the anticipation was worth it. He could do so much more with the room his California King provided. Make good use of each wall in his bedroom and maybe even the floor. Having her required finesse if he wanted to accomplish his mission

  The point was to do to Kya what drugs did to those bold enough to use them—hook her one good time to make her chase the high his sex put her on. Have her fiending for it and sick without it—without him. Antonio could not stand a clingy woman. Turning Kya into that kind of woman seemed like the best medicine to cure his growing obsession.

  The mission was simple. All Antonio had to do was stick to his guns, and everything would go down smoothly, but rules were already broken. Women never stepped foot in his house when there were perfectly good hotels and motels all over the city. He imagined his navy blue sheets draped over her caramel skin. Satin on silk. Looking over at Kya, specifically her lips, Antonio’s kissing rule was dead on arrival, as well. He wanted it. Almost needed to feel them, plump and juicy wrapped around his dick. The mere thought of it made him so hard he could pop the zipper on his jeans and probably sculpt granite.

  When they pulled into the driveway, he couldn’t get out fast enough. Practically jogging around to Kya's side, he opened the door for her. If he were not already on the verge of splitting a seam, the small flash of her neatly trimmed mound would have taken him to that point.

  She smiled as she slid over the leather interior then brushed against him as he closed the door. Leading the way, Antonio took strides like a man with no worries, not pressed for time, or even like he was aching to be inside the woman behind him.

  He twisted the key into both locks, and with a gentle wave of his wrist, Antonio motioned for his company to go inside. She did it without hesitation and he loved it. Without hesitation, she entered the foyer with the same smile that caused him to bite his lower lip.

  Once the door closed, his resolve slipped. Calm and cool took a back seat to urgent desire. Antonio grabbed hold of Kya by her elbow as she looked around his place with apparent awe and pulled her into him. Immediately he hands clasped her waist a
nd gazed into eyes inherited from his enemy. There, doubts did not exist. If there were a chance he’d feel sorry about his intended actions, it would have happened, and at the moment, he could not be bothered to think about anything more than what was about to happen.

  Their eyes were connected until the last second before his lips met with her’s and tongues collided. The deeper the kiss, the hungrier he became. It was better than he remembered. The taste of her lips, the feel of them, the automatic submission turned him on more. He was so consumed with both want and need that they threatened to override his ability to dominate the situation.

  Kya was up on her toes giving back everything he put out. His right hand slid over the round curve of her ass down to the hem of her skirt, shamelessly raising it. The same hand explored her skin. Working man’s palm to soft flesh he couldn’t help but squeeze. She answered by allowing one of her own hands to boldly stroke him through his jeans. The shock to his system was her grip on his manhood—firm, tight, jerking him as best she could although obstructed.

  Antonio held Kya by the back of her neck to keep her in place as he walked them to the stairs. As soon as they reached them, he broke the kiss to cup each of her ass cheeks and lifted her effortlessly. Eyes connected once more; he carried her to his bedroom with more determined steps. For some reason, having eye contact was turning him on more. Most women suddenly became shy by this point, but not Kya. She was right there with him and in fact, using their current position with her legs wrapped around his waist to grind against him.

  By the time they reached his room, the kiss had resumed with Kya in the lead, sucking hard on his bottom lip. Lowering her to the floor, he slyly held onto the bottom of her shirt causing the thin cotton to be pulled over her head as her feet met with the hardwood. Tossing it to the side, his lips found their way to her neck where they slowly and sensually peppered kisses. There was so much of her permanently tanned skin that he hadn’t touched yet. So much of her to be marked with a kiss.