I moved over to the bar and took a seat on an empty stool. Beneath my mascara lashes, I saw those heffas sitting in the corner hating on me. I simply pursed my magenta-painted lips and gave them a fabulous smile, then rolled my eyes and focused on the handsome man behind the bar. Light skinned, thick mustache, tall, hard build. Brotha was fine as hell. Unfortunately, he was standing on the wrong side of the bar. The side that said his ass was broke and definitely couldn’t afford me.
“What up, sexy? What can I get you this evening?” he asked with a panty-dropping grin.
I pursed my lips and gave him a once-over. If I wasn’t on a mission I might be giving him some serious consideration, but after that mess with Cory, I needed to keep reminding myself dick ain’t everything. “I’ll take an apple martini with Grey Goose.”
“Coming right up.”
I pulled my cell phone out my purse and dialed Nikki. While pretending to be making a serious call, I glanced around the club looking for a new sponsor. I needed a high roller, ’cause Ms. Netta needed a ring and a new house.
I’d been doing this a long time, and it didn’t take me long to pick the perfect victim in the corner. Salt and pepper hair. Peanut butter brown. Slightly overweight. Oh, yeah. I love a man with a little extra meat on his bones, because those were the ones desperate enough to give me anything I wanted. He was perfect. And sure enough, it wasn’t long before he looked my way. I met his piercing dark eyes, then looked away. The last thing I wanted was for him to think I was interested in him. One thing Ms. Netta never does is make the first move.
“Hello? Hello? Trinette?”
Damn, I forgot I called Nikki. “Hey, gurl.”
“What’s all that loud music? Where you at?”
“I’m at Smooth’s.” I stole a glance across the bar at the handsome stranger and smiled as I spoke. He followed my lips and hung on every word. Grinning, I crossed my legs, and my skirt rose up past the middle of my smooth caramel thigh. By the look on his face, he was definitely a thigh man.
“Ugh! What you doing in that stuck-up place?”
Sometimes I wonder how Nikki and I are such good friends because we’re so different. But they say opposites attract. “Girl, it’s some fine men up in here. You need to go home, put on something cute and come over here.” Mr. Sexy winked from across the room. I winked back.
“Nah, I just got a big shipment in and I wanna check inventory before I get outta here this evening.”
“Nikki, that shit will be there tomorrow. Bring yo ass down here! Remember you said you were ready to get on with your life?…Well…it’s that time.”
She hesitated, then replied, “Maybe next time.”
Mr. Sexy had turned in his chair and was giving me his undivided attention. Did he really think it was going to be that easy? Hell, no. I swung around on the stool and gave him my back. “Whatever you say, Nikki. I’m not even about to argue with you. We’re still on for Saturday, right? You’re going…even if I have to drag your ass out the house.”
She breathed heavily in the phone. “Yeah, I’m going.”
“Good. We’ll talk later.” I hung up and put my phone back into my purse, anxious to get back to business. I reached for my drink, and I took a sip. It was good. The lights dimmed slightly and I focused on the man onstage. As the musician performed, I hummed along and sipped my drink. I knew Mr. Sexy was still watching, and I swayed my hips on the stool, giving him something to look at. When the performance ended, I didn’t have to turn around to know Mr. Sexy was on his way over to the bar. I smelled the Armani on his skin before I felt his presence by my side.
“May I buy you a drink?” he offered in a deep baritone voice.
I gave him a quick glance, then shook my head and turned away. “No, thank you.”
“You mind if I take a seat?” he asked, pointing at the stool beside me.
I playfully rolled my eyes. “Sure. It’s not my club. You can sit wherever you want.”
He gave a deep, robust laugh. “Well, that’s good to hear, considering I am the owner.”
Owner! Hell, yes! Ms. Netta hit the lottery for real this time. I tried to hide my excitement as he lowered on the stool beside me, but I was already trying to figure out how much this man was worth. “So you’re Smooth, huh?”
“Yep, that’s what they call me.” He slid his seat closer. “What brings a beautiful woman out all by herself?”
I sat there sizing him up, wondering how much I might be able to get before the night was over. I was going to have to put in some work, but from the stories I’d heard about Smooth, he was worth the sweat. He owned clubs from here to the east side and even had a couple of chicken and waffle joints. Yep. With this one I was going to have to give him Ms. Netta’s deluxe package. “I just got off work and thought I’d drop in for a drink before heading home.”
“You married?” he asked.
I gave him a piercing stare. “Aren’t we all?”
Smooth chuckled, and I watched as that slick mothafucka slipped his hands inside his pants pockets. When he put them back on the counter, his wedding ring just happened to have magically disappeared. Give me a break. Didn’t he know, tricks are for kids? Maybe not, so I guess it’s up to me to show him how it’s really done. I leaned in close. “Let’s just skip the small talk. It’s obvious you like what you see.”
He sucked his teeth while his eyes traveled the length of me. “I most definitely do.”
I leaned in even closer and watched as his eyes dropped to my breasts. “What do you wanna do about it?”
Reluctantly, he forced his eyes back to my face. “I’d like to leave here and spend some quiet time with you alone…if that’s possible.”
I reached for my drink and spun on the barstool. “You ain’t ready for me. I’m nothing like these chicken-head women up in here.” I took a sip. “I have needs and wants, and I don’t think…you can afford me.”
“Let me be the judge of that. Anything worth having is worth spending my money on.”
“My thoughts exactly.” I let my tongue run across my bottom lip. “Let’s go.”
Smooth rose from the stool, then went and said good-bye to his friends at his table. While I finished my drink, I watched as some skank tried to push up on him. I saw her turn and look my way, then frown as he headed back over to the bar, where he tossed a twenty on the counter. I grinned in her direction and took his proffered hand. I don’t know why she thought she had a chance. Once I walked in, I shut it down!
“Wanna ride with me?” he offered.
Immediately I shook my head. Ms. Netta was having none of that. “Nah. I don’t want to leave my car down here.” The last thing I need is to be waiting for someone to get around to taking me home.
“Okay, just follow me.”
We waited together for the valet to bring my Benz and his brand-new emerald green Jaguar. I walked to the front of his car and took a picture of the license plate with my cell phone.
Smooth looked amused. “What you do that for?”
I gave him a serious look. “You can never be too careful. I’m sending this to my best friend. If I come up missing tomorrow, you’re the first person she’ll come looking for.”
He chuckled, and I watched his big stomach jiggle like Jell-O. “Believe me. You’re safe with me.”
“That’s what they all say.” I turned on my heels and moved to my car. He held the door open, then shook