After learning Michelle wasn’t home and making sure Sebastian had pulled off, I jumped in my car and went home. I needed to think—think really hard. I hate having my back pinned against the wall like this. My neck started to cramp up.
Once I got in, I turned on the stereo to soft music. There was this artist named Ledisi that Michelle was raving about so she bought me the CD. I’d been listening to it for a few days now and even developed a few favorite tracks. I went to my bedroom, disrobed and threw on a bikini. I then went out to my patio where the previous owners had a Jacuzzi installed. I maintained it for recreational use—and man, did I need it this night.
It was a few minutes after midnight. The music streamed from the outdoor speakers. It was loud enough to feel and low enough to relax. I began preparing the water. Then I went to my wine rack in the living room and selected a bottle of pinot noir. It was potent enough to do the job yet, not too bitter to taste. I poured a glass then took the bottle outside and set it on the lip of the tub. After the water was ready, I slowly walked in until all but my head was submerged. A million and one thoughts ran through my head about this debt I was in. What got me was how I had excellent credit. All my bills were current and I had no outstanding balances due. All this and I still owed a significant amount of money to this asshole. I’m sure this wouldn’t be an issue if I was giving him some ass. That’s how I got the money in the first place. He thought I would eventually sleep with him. I could never stoop so low. I had to do something and fast!
The doorbell rang. I was somewhat frightened because I’d never gotten unexpected guests and the only guests I would get were Michelle and Erin. I got out of the Jacuzzi and wrapped my towel around my frame before heading into the house.
As I approached the door I asked, “Who is it?”
I didn’t know what response to expect. I often had to remind myself that I lived in a very safe neighborhood and for the most part, I could relax. But the city girl in me always intervened and reminded me not to get too lax.
“Azmir,” a masculine voice responded. My heart began to speed up. I looked through the peephole to see him looking down. I couldn’t believe it was Azmir.
I unlocked and opened the door. I stood there with a posture of concern. I broke the silence with, “What are you doing here?” I didn’t know what else to say. I’d never exactly told him where I lived.
“I told you I had an acquisition meeting,” he said calmly yet with humor.
I caught on and chuckled. There was a pause. He interrupted it with, “Look…man—”
“Man?” I scolded playfully. I sensed Azmir was nervous because never did he address me with urban vernacular. I recognized a while back that it was in him, but rarely did he expose it to me.
“Excuse me…Rayna,” he corrected himself and then continued. “I don’t mean to intrude but I didn’t like the way we parted ways. You seemed perplexed and I wanted to make sure you were okay.”
“So, what...you’re my guardian angel?” I continued to tease with a smile. I was damn near drunk.
“If you need me to be…” he spoke in such an ardent tone. I felt it.
I moved out of the doorway gesturing for him to come inside. He did. As he whisked past me I caught a delightful whiff of his cologne. It had caught my attention and led me to think how it was the wee hours of the morning and the fragrance was still persuasive. As I was thinking to lead him to the patio, I noticed he was checking out my place. It reminded me once again that he’d never been over.
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