His Sexy Bad Habit (24 page)

Antonio nodded. “I’ll be right outside the
door,” he told Serena, not correcting the doctor about their marital status.

“Is everything all right?” Jade asked as she approached Antonio.

“The doctor is examining her,” he said. “But everything is fine, better than fine. Serena and I are getting married.”

Jade’s eyes lit up like candles. “Are you serious?”

Antonio pulled the note out of his jacket pocket and handed it to Jade. After reading the note she handed it back to Antonio and hugged him tightly.

“She is so right. Marrying you will be the best decision she ever made. Now, we have to start planning a wedding, preferably while she can’t voice her opinion.”

“I don’t know about that,” Antonio said with a chuckle. “She’s going to have to have a say in this because this is her first and last marriage.”

Jade patted his shoulder. “I like the way you think, brother.”

When the doctor walked out of the room, Jade and Antonio returned to a find a smiling Serena sitting up in the bed. She’d written several notes for them.

Jade laughed when she read

Three weeks after Serena had been released from the hospital, she still thought her voice was a bit raspy. Antonio told her it was sexy, but she didn’t buy it. On her wedding day, however, she felt as if her voice was right back to normal.

Kandace walked into Jade’s bedroom, which was doubling as Serena’s dressing room since she and Antonio were getting married in a small ceremony at Jade and James’s house. “Nervous?” Kandace asked as she sipped on a glass of ginger ale.

“No.”

“Liar, your hands are shaking.”

Serena looked in the mirror and dropped her eyeliner pencil. “Still battling morning sickness?”

Kandace nodded. “It should be called all day sickness.”

Serena smoothed the lace bodice of her simple, yet sexy strapless wedding gown. The dress was snow white with red lacing in the bodice. Standing,
she looked at the gown and smiled. “Thanks for helping me pick out this dress.”

“Well, we couldn’t have you walking down the aisle in all white,” Kandace joked.

“Oh, shut up.”

Jade and Alicia walked into the room with a box. “We could hear you in the hallway,” Alicia said with a smile.

“I never thought I’d say it, but I’m glad to hear your evil voice so clearly now,” Jade said.

“We need to hurry up and get you outside to the altar before Antonio changes his mind,” Alicia said, then handed Serena the box.

“What is this?” Serena asked as she set the box on the dressing table and lifted the top. Inside was a white gold tiara with three large stones in the center of the filigree metal work. She ran her finger across the stones and smiled.

“This is the last remnant of the Ice Queen,” Alicia said.

Serena laughed as she placed the bejeweled tiara on her head. “Let’s get one thing straight. I’m still a queen. Just one who has a king now.” She stood up and gave herself a once-over in the mirror.

“Beautiful,” Jade said.

“You look great,” Alicia said.

“And isn’t this better than doing it without us?” Kandace added. They all looked at Jade.

“Look,” Jade said. “Get over it.”

“Yes, because she and James will probably do something corny like renew their vows soon any way,” Serena said.

“So sarcastic and it’s your wedding day,” Jade said.

Serena sucked in a deep breath. “My wedding day.”

“Are you all right?” Alicia asked as she touched her friend’s bare shoulder. “You’re sure about this, right?”

“Of course, but I guess I am a little nervous,” Serena replied. “The last time I was about to get married I ended up standing at the altar alone, expecting to be married to a psycho who tried to kill me.”

“Well, Antonio is outside waiting for you. Emerson is locked up and facing serious jail time since he pleaded guilty to attempted murder,” Jade said.

“And Antonio proved he’s no crazy killer by allowing Emerson to live when he found him in the office that night,” Kandace said, then shivered. “But that’s the past. Let’s get you set for the future.”

“That’s right,” Alicia said. “And no more talk about psychos or the restaurant until after your honeymoon.”

Serena nodded. “That’s right. I’m ready to become Antonio’s wife.”

Antonio accepted a can of Pepsi from Maurice as they waited for the reverend to arrive for the ceremony. “You all right, man?” Maurice asked.

“Just anxious to get this over with,” Antonio said as he took a sip of the soda.

With a beer in his hand Solomon walked over
to the two men. “It’s hot out here”—he looked at Antonio, who was dressed in a white linen suit with a red tie—“but it looks like a beautiful day for a wedding.”

“It could be raining and it would still be a beautiful day to marry Serena,” Antonio said.

Maurice and Solomon laughed. “Man, you got it bad,” Maurice said.

“Really bad and thank God you’re marrying her. You have transformed her,” Solomon said as James and A.J. walked over to them.

“Daddy,” A.J. asked, bouncing around, “is it time to get married yet?”

“Not yet,” he said, then handed his son his can. “Do me a favor and put this in the recycling bin.”

“Okay, but when I come back is it going to be time to get married then?”

“Almost,” Antonio said.

“I can’t tell who’s more excited,” James said. “He’s a great kid.”

“I can’t wait until Robi is that age. Maybe she’ll sleep all night then,” Maurice said.

“It can’t be that bad,” Solomon said. “Having the baby has to be better than dealing with the pregnancy. Kandace is an emotional wreck these days and she’s not that far along. Please tell me it gets better.”

“It doesn’t,” James, Antonio, and Maurice said with a laugh.

“Damn,” Solomon said. “So, you guys are telling me it’s going to be a long nine months?”

Maurice nodded. “And tell her not to breast
feed,” he said. “It was Kenya’s idea to do that, but when she couldn’t have her coffee, it was somehow my fault.”

“Jade said breastfeeding made her and Jaden closer,” James said. “So, you better let that woman make her own decision about that.”

“Are you and Serena going to expand your family anytime soon?” Maurice asked.

“Let us get married first,” Antonio said, smiling. “But I’m not going to say I wouldn’t love to have a little Serena running around here someday.”

“Oh, Lord,” Solomon said. “I don’t think the world is ready for two of them.”

Antonio was about to reply when he saw A.J. and the reverend heading their way. A.J. was practically dragging the man to the altar.

“The preacher is here. It’s time to get married,” A.J. exclaimed when he and the older man made it to the group of men.

“Sorry I’m late. Reverend Layton Jackson.” He extended his hand to James and the other men.

“Luckily, my future wife is inside with her friends and they probably have lost track of time themselves.”

The reverend nodded, then turned to Maurice. “Mo Goings. You know, I’m going to have to tell my congregation that I met you, especially since during football season they spend their Sundays with you.”

Maurice smiled. “Sorry about that, sir.”

“It’s all right. I moved the service up an hour because I like to cheer for the Panthers myself.”

A.J. tugged at the reverend’s pant leg. “Excuse me, sir,” he said. “Can you stand up there and marry my daddy and Miss Serena?”

The men laughed as Reverend Jackson rustled A.J.’s head. “All right, son. We’re going to take our places now.”

Solomon knelt down in front of A.J., “Why don’t you go knock on the door and tell the ladies we’re ready to get this show on the road?”

“Okay.” A.J. took off running.

Moments later, Antonio stood at the altar with his son by his side. Though he’d thought A.J.’s excitement about the wedding would get the best of him, his little boy stood like the perfect best man as the chords of
Wedding March
began to play. Serena appeared at the doorway leading to the backyard. Antonio didn’t see anyone but her as she slowly walked down the aisle to him. She was a vision in snow white and red. The diamond-studded tiara made her look as if she’d stepped right out of Cinderella’s castle. It took everything in him not to rush down the aisle and scoop her up into his arms. When she made it to the altar, Antonio took her hand in his and brought it to his lips as A.J. giggled and the reverend smiled at the couple.

The audience was intimate—Norman and his grandson, Serena’s friends and their husbands as well as their little babies, and the chef from Hometown Delight. When the reverend began the ceremony, Antonio couldn’t take his eyes off his future wife as they held hands and the sun
beamed down on them. When he offered his vows to love and cherish her, he knew it would be the last time he ever said those words. Tears welled up Serena’s eyes as she recited her vows. Antonio stroked her cheek, silently telling her she didn’t have to cry.

“If there is anyone here who thinks these two should not enter into matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace,” Reverend Jackson said.

“I better not hear a word,” Serena admonished, causing everyone to erupt in laughter.

“All right,” the reverend said. “Then, by the power vested in me by the Lord, our heavenly father, and the state of North Carolina I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss …”

Before the reverend said
kiss the bride,
Antonio had Serena in his arms kissing her with a burning passion that caused everyone to hoot and applaud.

“I love you,” he said when they broke the kiss.

“I love you, too,” Serena replied, offering him a smile that nearly outshone the sun. “You’ve given me the greatest gift of all. You showed me that love doesn’t hurt and I will always be grateful to you for that.”

He kissed her again, gently brushing his lips against hers. Antonio would’ve lost himself in a second kiss with her if A.J. hadn’t tugged at his leg. He and Serena looked down at him.

“Yes, son?” Antonio asked.

“Can we eat cake now?” the little boy asked.

Antonio and Serena smiled and nodded. “Yes,” Serena replied. “We can go and eat cake.”

The couple turned around and A.J. hopped in between them. They headed into the house to eat cake and start the rest of their lives together.

Dear Reader,

Behind every bad attitude, there’s a reason. When I introduced Serena Jacobs in
Betting On Love,
I knew you’d either love her or hate her. I’m glad so many of you actually loved her. Serena isn’t mean just because she can be, she’s that way because of her past. Like many of us, myself included, Serena pushed her pain down because she never wanted to be hurt again.

But sometimes, you meet someone who reminds you that there are good people in the world, who you can believe in. That’s what Serena found out when she met sexy Antonio Billups.

I hope you enjoyed the story of Antonio and Serena. It was a lot of fun to bring these opposites together. Thank you so much for supporting me and happy reading.

Cheris Hodges

P.S. You can always reach out to me: cheris87@ bellsouth.net

Follow me on Twitter, www.twitter.com/cheris hodges

Or be my friend on Facebook, www.facebook.com/cherishodges

Don’t miss Solomon and Kandace in

No Other Lover Will Do

On sale now wherever books are sold.

Turn the page for an excerpt from
No Other Lover Will Do …

Solomon Crawford turned his back to the buxom blond model lying beside him. She was on the cover of
Maxim
this month and he thought it would’ve taken him longer to get her in bed. In reality, it had only taken him two hours and a bottle of expensive champagne to get “what’s her name” to drop her panties and give him what every man in America wanted. But for all her beauty and silicone, she was a complete bore in bed. The woman lay there just like a sack of flour and Solomon had never been more disappointed. He probably would’ve had more fun watching paint dry or grass grow.

The red numbers on the alarm clock next to the bed read four-thirty.
Hell, the room is paid for,
he thought as he rose from the bed. Solomon didn’t even try to be gentle or quiet as he reached for his discarded Armani slacks and Italian leather loafers.

“Where are you going?” she asked, her voice deepened by sleep.

“Home,” he said.

“But, I thought we could …”

“Listen, we’re done. And honestly, there’s nothing you can say or do to make me want to spend another minute with you,” Solomon said as he buttoned his shirt. “The room is paid for, but checkout is at noon.”

“You’re going to leave me here alone?” she asked incredulously. “How can you do this to me? Do you know who I am?”

Solomon shrugged as he picked his jacket up from the armchair near the door. “Just another piece and not a very good one,” he said, then walked out the door. Solomon heard a crash as he headed down the hall to the elevator. Maybe if she’d shown that kind of passion in bed he would’ve stayed until at least five. Solomon chuckled as he stepped onto the elevator and rode to the W Hotel’s parking garage. She, like so many before her, would get over it and have a great story to tell about her night in Solomon land.

Solomon Crawford was the kind of man that women couldn’t help but get naked for. He had money, power, and model good looks. To the many women he’d bedded, he was an untamable stallion they had to ride at least once. And one ride was all they’d ever gotten. Solomon didn’t believe in fidelity, love, or all that other bullshit that sold greeting cards and roses. He wanted sex and it was given to him freely. The only thing he’d ever worked for was building his family’s
hotel empire. The Crawford chain of hotels and resorts stretched across the United States and Canada.

Three years ago, Solomon had been handed the reins to the business when Cynthia and Elliot Crawford retired from the hospitality business. His older brother, Richmond, was super pissed when he was passed over to run the business. Richmond was forty years old and thought he knew more about running a hotel business than “the little playboy.”

But at age thirty-five, Solomon had been more than ready to take charge. Solomon knew the only way to shut Richmond up was to take the business to the next level and that he did with the help of his bright business partner Carmen De La Croix. Carmen talked him into investing in resorts and making the Crawford name synonymous with deluxe vacation resorts. Of course, Richmond thought this was a bad idea until they turned a million-dollar profit in the first quarter. And the money kept rolling in. Solomon knew he’d be lost without Carmen. She was the only woman he was able to talk to and trust. She didn’t want anything from him and he liked that. Why couldn’t the women he slept with be more like that? Solomon Crawford wasn’t going to give anyone a diamond and a happily ever after—that wasn’t the Crawford way.

Despite the hour, Solomon picked up his BlackBerry and dialed his business partner and best friend, Carmen De La Croix. She had to hear about his night.

  *  *  *

Kandace Davis was tired of waking up in the cramped office of the restaurant she owned with her three best friends, Jade Christian-Goings, Serena Jacobs, and Alicia Michaels. Glancing at the clock on her computer, she saw that it was nearly six
A.M.
“Damn,” she muttered. “I did it again.”

Kandace knew she had to get out of the restaurant before Jade came in, because she wasn’t in the mood for another lecture. She picked up her leather bag and was about to stand up … too late.

“Kandace, you’d better not be in this office,” Jade said as the door swung open.

“I just got here,” Kandace lied.

“Umm-hmm, wearing yesterday’s clothes?” Jade shook her head as she looked at her friend.

“I picked up these extra hours because you just had a baby. Why are you here?”

“Because James and Maurice are doing the ‘daddy thing’ today,” she said referring to her husband, James and his brother. Kandace smiled remembering how Jade and James brought their son into the world just a few months after Maurice and his wife Kenya had welcomed their daughter into the family. Kandace was happy that despite the unconventional way Jade and James became husband and wife, hooking up in Las Vegas of all places, they seemed happy.

“So,” Kandace asked, “since James and Maurice
have the kids, what are you and Kenya going to do with yourselves?”

Jade clasped her hands together. “Kenya and I can actually do something other than lactate for a few hours. I’ve never worked the breakfast shift and … wait, this isn’t about me. You need a break.” Jade perched on the edge of Kandace’s desk. “You’ve been in Charlotte for six months and I know you love Atlanta. I’ve leaned on you so much, it’s surprising that you haven’t broken in half. This place is up and running, you’ve gotten us publicity all over the place. So, the girls and I decided …”

“Now you guys are making decisions about my life?” Kandace asked with a terse laugh.

“Yeah, because you won’t,” Jade shot back. “We’re voting you off the island for two weeks. Go on vacation. You’ve got to relax. Everybody around here has noticed how tense you are. If you’re trying to prove to Devon Harris that you’re a capable businesswoman who no longer wants his cheating butt, mission accomplished.”

Kandace stifled a yawn. “Since you chicks are making decisions, are y’all paying?”

Jade folded her arms underneath her full breasts. “Now you’re just being ridiculous,” she said. “I don’t care where you go, but I don’t want to see you for two weeks!”

Kandace knew Jade meant well and she rose to her feet and gave her friend a kiss on the cheek. “All right,” she said. “But you guys are going to miss me. I’m leaving my cell phone, laptop, and everything right here.”

“Good,” Jade said. “Maybe while you’re on vacation you’ll have a little fun and get your feet wet.”

“Whatever. All of us don’t find Mr. Right on vacation like you did,” Kandace said as she gathered her things.

Jade smiled and glanced down at her wedding band. “Yes, I was lucky in vacation love. I just hope you get lucky.”

“I think I’m going to go somewhere and be pampered for two weeks. Then you all can eat your hearts out while you’re here slaving away. And I don’t need to get lucky, thank you very much.”

Jade waved to her friend, “Kick rocks, chick,” she joked.

As Kandace headed to her car, she thought about what Jade had said. Over the last six months, she had poured herself into her work because she had nothing else. Her life was all work because at home, Kandace had a big empty bed waiting for her and she was tired of it. Kandace hadn’t been with a man in a year. Her last relationship ended when she decided that she’d wanted something serious. Robert Harrington was happy with the sex, the nice things that Kandace did for him, but he wasn’t willing to take their relationship to the next level. After watching Jade get married, Kandace wanted her own marriage but Robert wanted no part of it.

“What’s wrong with the way we are?” he’d asked when she’d broached the subject of marriage before she moved to Charlotte.

“I want to know that we’re moving toward a future,” she’d said. “Is that too much to ask?”

“This is just like a woman. Your girl gets married and then you think it’s your turn to walk down the aisle. I don’t want to get married.”

“All right,” Kandace had calmly replied. “If you don’t want to get married, then I don’t want to have sex with you. I don’t want to do your damned laundry and I don’t want to waste any more of my time.”

Robert had promptly walked out of her penthouse. Kandace had packed for Charlotte and never looked back. If she’d been honest with herself, she would’ve admitted that Robert wasn’t the man she needed to marry. He was selfish, he tried to be controlling, and he lacked passion in bed and in life. Of course Robert hadn’t wanted things to change. He liked being in a rut, but Kandace had grown tired of it.

She knew for a while that her relationship had been a dead end, had actually realized it over a year ago. But because she had been comfortable with him, she stuck around until she saw what a real and passionate relationship looked like. Jade and James had inspired her to seek something better and real in her relationships. Maybe pressing Robert about marriage had been her way of ending the relationship.

Yeah, she needed a vacation. But more than anything else, she needed some sleep. Kandace drove to her uptown townhouse and for once, she was happy her bed was empty.