His Sexy Bad Habit (22 page)

Though Antonio enjoyed seeing Disney World through A.J.’s eyes, he was ready to get back to Charlotte and talk to Serena. A.J. was talking a mile a minute about how much fun he had and how cool it was to finally see Mickey Mouse. Antonio noticed that A.J. held Serena’s mouse ears carefully as they drove.

“We had so much fun,” A.J. said. “Can we do this every summer?”

“I think we can,” Antonio said. “Maybe next year we’ll stay at the Animal Kingdom.”

“Anywhere but Cinderella’s castle. That’s for girls.” A.J. made a face as if he’d tasted sour milk.

“All right, no Cinderella’s palace,” Antonio said with a laugh.

“Dad, can we stop and get McDonald’s?”

“No. We can stop at Subway and get some veggies today.”

“Aww man,” A.J. said as Antonio took a highway exit.

When they made it to the restaurant, Antonio’s cell phone rang. He hoped it was Serena, but when he saw it was Casey, he groaned. “Yeah?” he said into the phone.

“Is everything all right? Mother has been looking for you and A.J.,” she said frantically. “Where are you guys?”

“A.J. and I are fine. We’re actually on our way back to Charlotte from Disney World.”

“I thought you were … Did you take Serena with you?”

“Casey, I’m not going to talk to you about Serena. You’ve done enough.”

“Would you rather not know what kind of woman you were dealing with? I know how hurt you were when you found out about Marian and her affairs.”

“I don’t want to have this conversation with you. Be aware, Serena will still have a place in my life.”

“How do you know she isn’t with Emerson Bradford right now?”

“Good-bye, Casey.” Antonio hung up and turned back to his sandwich.

A.J. looked up at his father. “Are you and Aunt Casey still fighting?”

“No, just having a disagreement. Adults do that sometimes,” Antonio replied. “Come on and eat up.” The last thing he wanted to do was put his son in the middle of what was going on between himself and Casey. At the end of the day she was still A.J.’s aunt. No matter what Antonio thought about her, his son loved her.

“Do you think Aunt Casey is going to be upset because we didn’t bring her some Mickey Mouse ears?” A.J. asked.

“We’ll make sure we get her a set next year,” Antonio said in between bites of his sandwich.

After finishing their meal, they were back on the road and A.J. soon drifted off to sleep. As they crossed into South Carolina, Antonio smiled. There were less than one hundred miles between him and Serena. His mind was conflicted as he wondered if she had spent the last few days alone or with Emerson. Antonio forced those thoughts out of his mind and replaced them with images of Serena wrapped up in his arms. The first thing he had to do when he saw her was apologize for the way he’d acted before he left. Then he’d hope that she would accept his apology by kissing him in the way that made his libido rise like the sun in the east. He could feel the warmth of her breath dancing on his neck as she kissed him. If he was lucky and Serena was in a forgiving mood, his fantasy would become reality.

“Emerson,” Luther said in an exasperated tone. “You’re not listening to me. We’ve spent a good portion of the marketing for this film in court answering all of these motions Serena Jacobs and her attorney filed. The best thing for us to do is to either have the movie released
straight to DVD or in theatres as a limited release feature.”

“I’m not some chitlin’ circuit director who wants to get a movie released to the masses.” Emerson groaned. “You know this movie deserves to be on the big screen.”

“I also know we can’t go broke trying to release this movie. I implored you to get Serena Jacobs’s cooperation and you did everything you could to make her want to sue you and everyone tied to your film.”

“The public wants this movie,” Emerson said as he looked at the YouTube clip again. “Do you know how many people have watched the movie clip on the Internet?”

“I’m well aware of that. Emerson, listen. The decision has been made. We’re doing a limited release or nothing at all. You’d better hope those millions of people who watched that clip go to the theatres where the movie is going to be shown.”

“You’re going to regret this.”

“I’m already there,” Luther said, then hung up the phone.

Emerson growled like a wounded bear as he looked at his phone, realizing he wasn’t going to get what he wanted.
Fine,
he thought.
If Serena wants to play it this way then I can make
her
life hell, too.

Serena scratched her head as she looked over the press release Kandace had sent for her to
approve. Tonight was the relaunch party and they had a few media outlets that wanted a statement for the evening news. Serena wasn’t at all surprised they had gotten some national exposure for the party—due to Solomon Crawford and the fact that Kandace was his wife. Not to mention Maurice Goings’s involvement with the party.

While she was happy they were getting so much exposure for the event and the restaurant, Serena couldn’t wait until the party was over and she could leave. She had thought she was going to be at the party enjoying Babyface’s sweet love songs with Antonio by her side, but that was looking as if it wasn’t going to happen. He’d told her that when he returned to Charlotte he was going to talk to her, but she hadn’t heard from him and assumed he’d changed his mind. Well, her mind was made up and she was going back to Atlanta.

“Are you excited about tonight?” Alicia asked when she burst into the office.

Serena ignored her question and handed her a letter. “This came for you.”

Alicia took the letter from her friend’s hand and looked at the return address. “Ugh, you should’ve tossed this.”

“Isn’t that from your high school? Either it is reunion time or they want money.”

Alicia rolled her eyes. “I don’t care. High school was not good to me and I’m not looking forward to going back over there.”

“Then don’t. Send them a fifty-cent check and
call it a day,” Serena said as she watched Alicia open the letter. “Well, what is it?”

Alicia scowled. “Fifteen-year reunion. They want me to come and receive a special award.”

“Are you going?”

Alicia shook her head. “I hated high school. I’m in no hurry to go back and see those people.”

Serena was surprised by the venom in her usually calm friend’s voice. “Who did enjoy high school? Go back and show those assholes what a success you have become.”

“Let’s talk about our party. Will you be attending with Antonio?”

“I’d rather talk about the guest list and who’s going to be working the door,” Serena said, tossing her head back.

“So, it’s true?” Alicia shook her head.

“What’s true? I know you heffas have not been talking about me behind my back,” Serena raged.

“This is why we talk about you behind your back—because you fly off the handle. Is that what happened with you and Antonio?”

Serena eased back in the chair and tossed her feet up on the desk top. “It doesn’t matter what happened between Antonio and me because he’s—”

“Standing right outside the door,” Alicia said as she watched Antonio walk down the hall.

“What?” Serena scrambled to her feet.

Alicia glanced at her. “Hurry up and do something with that hair—like pull it out of that ponytail.”

Serena snatched her ponytail holder out of her hair and smoothed her skirt, then shook her head. “What am I doing?” she muttered as Alicia opened the office door all the way.

The moment Antonio stood in the doorway, Serena realized why she cared about her appearance.

Antonio took a deep breath as he drank in Serena’s image. She looked sexy … and confused to see him standing there.

“Hello, Antonio,” Alicia said. “Well, I have to go. Serena, we’ll work on the guest list later.”

“Hello, Serena,” Antonio said when they were alone.

“Antonio,” she said, her voice cool and detached. “I’m surprised to see you here.”

He crossed over to her and stood inches from her, struggling not to pull her into his arms and kiss her until they were both dizzy from passion. “I told you I wanted to talk to you when I returned from Disney World.”

She shifted as if she could feel the heat brewing between them. “This really isn’t a good time for me,” Serena said.

“Yes, it is. I’m going to make this quick and simple. I was a fool. I was wrong. Please forgive me and let me make up for being an asshole.”

Serena’s lips curved into a smile and she placed her hands on Antonio’s cheeks. “Did you just come in here and apologize?”

“Yes. I was wrong for not giving you a chance
to explain that picture, especially when I know Casey has an agenda,” he said.

Serena didn’t reply. She leaned into him and kissed his lips with a gentle yearning that eased his tension and fears that he’d lost her. His hands snaked down her back and rested on her ample bottom as their kiss deepened and his knees quaked.

Serena broke the kiss and looked into his eyes as he smiled at her. “As much as I want to stand here and allow you to accept all the blame, I have to apologize as well. Like I said, that kiss with Emerson meant nothing, but when I told you about my day and how we’d had a run-in, I should’ve told you everything. However you and I were having such a wonderful night I didn’t want to ruin that. When I’m with you, all I can think about is being with you and kissing you and having you wrap these arms around me.” She ran her hand down his left arm and smiled, thinking how she thought she’d never feel his strength around her again.

Antonio brushed his lips against hers. “I’m always going to be here for you, no matter what.”

Serena felt the warmth of joyful tears in her eyes and she blinked to hold them back. Antonio took her face into his hands and wiped away the lone tear sliding down her cheek. “Baby,” he said. “What’s with the tears?”

“Honestly,” Serena said. “I’ve never gotten this far before. I can’t say I’m not going to make mistakes in this relationship, but you have to know
you’re the only man I want. But, I can be selfish and sometimes I’m going to get on your nerves.”

“And you think I’m not?” he asked as he kissed her again. “I don’t expect perfection. I want you.”

Serena hugged him tightly. “I’m going to hold you to that when I burn some rice.”

“Please, you know we don’t do much cooking in the kitchen,” Antonio laughed as he cupped her bottom. “A.J. has something for you.”

“Really?”

“Yes, he wanted you to come to Disney World with us. I kind of committed you for next year.”

“I like the sound of that,” she said. “What do you say we get out of here for a little bit?”

“All right, but don’t you have some work to do?” he asked.

Serena shrugged and smiled. “You know I do my best work outside the office.”

“Let’s go.”

Serena and Antonio rushed out of the restaurant and headed to his truck. They hopped inside like two teenagers about to skip school. “Where are we going? My place or yours?” he asked.

“My place is closer,” she said as she slipped her hand between his thighs. “Unless you want to—” Before she could say anything else, someone tapped on the driver’s side window. Antonio and Serena angrily looked at the person interrupting them.

“Emerson,” she growled.

Antonio glared at the man who’d nearly made
him lose the best thing that had happened to him. “What do you want to do?”

“Drive off.”

Antonio started the truck and they tore out of the parking lot. Neither of them looked back at Emerson as he glared angrily at them.

Anger surged through Emerson’s body as he stood in the parking lot of Hometown Delights. Did Serena really think she could brush him off after she’d ruined his chances for a comeback? He wanted to grab her by her throat and shake her until she got it through her head that this movie wasn’t about her. If she was so happy with her new life, then she wouldn’t be trying to ruin his. Despite the fact that he had other scripts and could easily abandon the project, Emerson wanted to put
this
movie on the big screen. Serena had pissed him off. All she had to do was go along with the plan. She knew what she was getting into when she made the movie.

At some point she had to know it was going to be released. Now she pretended she didn’t want that to happen because of
him.
Didn’t Antonio know he wasn’t man enough for a muse like Serena? Emerson was going to make sure he
knew it. He reached into his pocket and removed his cell phone, then dialed Casey’s number.

“Yes?” she snapped.

“I thought you said you had gotten Antonio out of Serena’s life? Didn’t you show him the picture?”

“I did, but obviously she has cast some sort of spell on him. He’s giving her another chance.”

“I know. I just saw them leave together.”

“Then you have to do something,” Casey said. “You still want her. You know her restaurant is having a party tonight. Maybe you should make your move then.”

“What about your end of the bargain?” Emerson asked. “You wanted him and you’re just sitting back and letting him walk away with Serena.”

“You’re starting to sound as if you’re obsessed. Why don’t you just let it go?”

“Maybe you lay down and let people walk over you. But I didn’t get to where I am today by doing that.”

“And where are you, Emerson? You’re on the outside looking in at Serena’s life. Give it up.”

“If that’s what you want to do, then that’s fine.” Emerson clicked the phone off and headed down the street.

Serena sauntered into the kitchen, dressed only in her black thong and matching lace bra. She grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator and downed half of it before Antonio met
her at the refrigerator and took the bottle from her hand, finishing off the rest.

“The argument, I don’t like, but that was one hell of a make up,” he said as he placed the bottle on the counter.

Serena tugged at the waistband of Antonio’s gray boxer briefs. “We still have some more ‘I’m sorries’ to moan,” she said seductively.

Antonio looked down at his watch and shook his head. “Rain check. I have to pick A.J. up. And you have to come over before the restaurant party because he has something special to give you.”

Serena wrapped her arms around his waist and kissed his chest gently. “Then I will be there before I go to the party. Do you think you’re going to be able to be my date tonight?”

“I’ll have to find a babysitter.”

“If you can’t don’t worry about it. I won’t stay long and we can have our own party.”

Antonio kissed her lips and smiled. “I’ll look forward to it.”

Serena released him, opened the refrigerator, grabbed another bottle of water, and handed it to Antonio. “Then you’re going to need to be hydrated.”

A few moments later, Antonio was dressed and headed out to his car. Serena watched him from the door with a smile plastered on her face. She hadn’t expected things to go that way, but she was over the moon with happiness. Love hadn’t hurt her as she thought it would.

  *  *  *

Out of habit, Antonio nearly called Casey, but he closed his phone as he pulled up to Discovery Place to pick up A.J. from his last day of camp. Antonio smiled when he saw his son standing out front holding court with his friends. He knew the little boy was telling them all about Disney World and all the fun he’d had. Antonio beeped his horn and waved for A.J. to come over. The little boy waved to his friends and one little girl rushed over to him and gave him a hug. Antonio smiled as he saw the blush on A.J.’s cheeks when he walked to the truck.

“Was that your girlfriend?” he asked his son when he climbed inside.

“Yes. She really likes Mickey Mouse too.”

“That’s good. Serena’s going to come over tonight and get your gift.”

“Really? You didn’t tell her what it is, did you?” A.J. asked.

“And ruin the surprise? No.”

“Okay. After I give her the ears, may I go spend the night with Kamir and his granddaddy? Kamir said they’re going fishing again.”

“Well, son, this is kind of last minute. I’ll have to call Norman and make sure that it’s all right.”

“I hope he says yes,”

“If he doesn’t, we can take our own fishing trip next weekend. Maybe you can teach me your trick for catching big fish.”

A.J. shook his head. “Mr. Norman said a real fisherman never tells his secrets.”

“Not even to his dad?”

A.J. shook his head again and laughed. “Nope.”

“All right, keep your secrets. But I have a few of my own, too.”

When they pulled up to the house, Antonio saw Casey’s car parked in the driveway and shook his head. He was not in the mood for his sister-in-law.

“Aunt Casey,” A.J. said as he rushed out of the truck, spotting his aunt sitting on the edge of the porch. She enveloped A.J. in her arms and hugged him as Antonio unlocked the front door.

“How have you been?” she asked sweetly.

“Really good. Daddy took me to Disney World,” A.J. replied excitedly. “I got you something.”

Antonio stepped aside from the door. “Why don’t you run in and get it for her?”

“Yes, sir.” A.J. headed inside.

Antonio turned to Casey. “What are you doing here? I think I asked you to stop popping up at my house without calling first.”

“I know, but I thought this couldn’t wait. Emerson Bradford isn’t done with Serena.”

He shook his head and glared at Casey. “So, you’re here to cause more trouble as usual. I know Emerson is done with Serena because we spent the afternoon together, so if you came here to spread lies, then you can go home.”

Casey leaped to her feet and stood toe to toe with Antonio. “I know you want that woman but
you need to be aware you’re not the only one under her spell and I’m afraid that he may—”

“Casey, I’m done with this and you,” Antonio said as he saw his son bouncing down the steps with his aunt’s oversized lollypop in his hand.

“Don’t say I didn’t try to warn you,” she snapped as A.J. reached the bottom step.

A.J. looked from his father to his aunt, then handed Casey the lollypop. She smiled sweetly at her nephew as she took the candy. “Thank you for thinking about me,” she said, then pointedly glared at Antonio. “I’m glad someone does.”

“Are you still mad at Daddy?” A.J. asked his aunt. “He said you guys were having a mis—”

“I’m not the one with the problem. It’s your Dad,” Casey said.

“Go inside, A.J.,” Antonio said, then turned to Casey. “You’re not going to do this. I’ve stood by and allowed you to say things about Serena. I tried to ignore it because you’re his aunt, but I’m telling you for the last time. I’m not going to let you poison my son’s mind against a woman I love. You’re not going to tell him that I have a problem with you because you won’t mind your damned business.”

“You love her? What do you even know about her?”

“Go home, Casey,” Antonio said, struggling to keep his voice down.

“Fine, if you love her and you want to be with her, then fine—but I hope you know what you’re getting into.” She stormed to her car and sped out of the neighborhood. Antonio simply shook
his head as he watched her car disappear down the road. When he turned around and saw A.J. standing at the door, he knew he had some explaining to do.

He walked into the house and looked down at his son, who had a confused look on his face. “A.J.,” he said.

“You’re fighting with Aunt Casey just like the night Mommy went to heaven,” A.J. said with tears welling up in his eyes.

Antonio knelt in front of his son and grasped his chin. “Listen,” he began, “your aunt is going to be fine. Just because me and your aunt got into an argument doesn’t mean she’s going to die. What happened the night your mother died was a terrible accident.”

A.J. sniffed and struggled to hold his tears back. Antonio hugged him tightly. “I know you love Casey. Right now, we’re not getting along really well, but that doesn’t have anything to do with you.”

“Okay,” the little boy said, then sighed. “I just want you and Aunt Casey to be friends again.”

“We will,” Antonio said, though he knew thing would never be the same between him and Casey ever again.

Serena woke up from her much needed nap when she heard a banging on her door. She groaned as she pulled herself off the sofa. Realizing she was still in her bra and panties, she called
out, “Hold on,” then dashed upstairs to grab her robe. She pulled the curtain back and saw Alicia and Jade standing on her front step.

“What’s up, ladies?” Serena said when she opened the door.

“That’s a good question,” Alicia said as she and Jade walked in.

“Am I late for something?” Serena asked as she looked down at her watch and up at her friends.

“She’s going to play games,” Jade said as she shook her head. “You know why we’re here.”

“Where’s Antonio?” Alicia asked. “Please tell me you didn’t mess things up!”

Serena rolled her eyes, but was unable to hide her smile.

Jade clapped her hands and giggled. “It’s about damned time,” she said to Serena. “So, he’s coming with you to the party tonight?”

“Maybe not. He has to find a babysitter. Since it’s such short notice, I may see him after I leave.”

“Sounds like you won’t be there long,” Alicia said.

“That’s right, so I guess I could get there early and help set up,” Serena said as she led her friends into the living room. “You guys want something to drink or have you gotten the information you wanted?”

Alicia and Jade exchanged a look that Serena didn’t like. “What’s going on?” she asked them.

Jade and Alicia sat down on the sofa and Serena took a seat across from them on the love seat. “I’m going to ask again, what’s wrong?” Serena asked.

“After you and Antonio left, James came up and found Emerson skulking around the parking lot,” Jade said. “That guy is losing his grip on reality.”

Serena shrugged. “I saw Emerson when Antonio and I left. He lost his grip on reality when he tried to put that movie on the big screen after everything that happened between us. He’s not a problem.”

“I don’t know,” Alicia said. “James said he was mumbling about making you pay as he stormed away.”

Serena shrugged again. “He isn’t a threat. That’s Emerson being Hollywood. I’m sure he’s going to be leaving soon. There is nothing in Charlotte for him. He found that out when he saw his little stunt with that witch Casey didn’t work.”

“Stunt?” Alicia asked.

“You are always holding back information,” Jade said.

“Right,” Alicia agreed, “but is always front and center in our business.”

Jade nodded and turned to Serena. “Spill it. And make it fast because I have to go see my husband and son before the party.”

“I went to the Westin one night and confronted Emerson about the movie. That son of a—he kissed me.”

“What?” Alicia and Jade exclaimed in concert.

“How did you let that happen?” Jade asked.

Serena held up her hand to silence her friends. “It lasted all of two seconds and I kneed him where
it hurt. But that little twit Casey was there with her cell-phone camera and snapped a picture.”

Alicia threw her hands above her head. “Some people are so lucky that we have matured. If we were still in college, Casey would catch a beat down.”

“No, she wouldn’t,” Jade said. “We’d just flatten her tires.”

The three women laughed and Serena continued with her story, telling them that Antonio had been very upset and that had been why they weren’t speaking.

“Once again, holding out on us,” Alicia said.

“That’s why I’m happy I did what I did,” Jade said with a slick smile.

“What did you do?” Serena asked. “You called him that night when I left my phone at the restaurant?”

Jade nodded and flashed Serena a look that said,
I dare you to be mad about it.

Serena crossed over to her friend and hugged her. “Thank you for being a nosy heffa.”

“That was the most backhanded thank you I’ve ever gotten,” Jade said as she pinched Serena’s shoulder.

“All right, now that you’re happy again, what are you going to do about Emerson’s crazy ass?” Alicia asked.

“There’s nothing to do,” Serena said. “I’m sure security will keep Emerson out of my way.”

“But—”

Serena cut Jade off. “Stop worrying about Emerson. He isn’t going to do anything. I’m
telling you, he’s running that Hollywood drama now, but he’s lost. Knowing him, he’s on his way back to L.A.”

“But what if he is still here? The last thing we need is more bad press on the restaurant,” Alicia said.

“Then make sure security is tight. Emerson doesn’t want bad press either. It’s not as if we’re dealing with a psychotic stalker again,” Serena said as Jade stood up and smoothed her hand across her pants.

“I’ll make sure the security guards know to keep him out and if I have to ask Maurice to put a few of his football friends at the door, I will.”

Serena rolled her eyes and shook her head. “You all are overreacting. By the way, where is Kandace?”

Jade and Alicia exchanged a knowing look. “She’s going over the guest list in the office with Solomon.”

“Ugh, that means they’re having sex on the furniture again?” Serena groaned. “Solomon is going to buy us some more office furniture.”

“Why, so you and Antonio can break it in?” Jade said as she and Alicia headed to the door.

“Absolutely not. We have our own special place outside of the restaurant,” Serena said. “And I know you aren’t talking.”

“Thank you,” Alicia said. “You never know what you’re going to walk in on with James and Jade.”

Jade smiled and shrugged her shoulders. “Whatever. He is my husband and trust me, we stay out of that office.”

“We’ll see you later,” Alicia said. “Unless you skip the party and spend the evening in your
special place
with Antonio.”