Perfectly Mixed (2 page)

Her lips curled up into a smile he was getting addicted to. She took his phone, input her contact information, and gave it back. “Shane, just like you I like different.”

He played with his phone and her cell rung. She cocked her head. “Now you have my number.” Shane placed the phone on the table. “Just making sure you gave me the correct number,” The waiter came by with the bill, and gave it to him.

“Excuse me,” she called out. “It’s separate bills.”

Shane gave the young man his card, “Don’t mind her.”

“You didn’t have to.”

“This just became our first date,” Shane wiped Grayson’s mouth with his napkin. “Finished?”

“Yes, Daddy.”

“This night turned out better than I thought,” Larissa lifted her glass up. “To Valentine’s Day.”

Shane grabbed his glass of water and clicked her flute. “To many more nights like this.”

“Larissa, I’m not going to repeat myself.” Shane growled, leaning against his black Camaro with his bulging, strong arms crossed over his muscular chest. “Get in the car, we need to talk.” His deep husky voice made her core tingle with passion. Shane made her heart beat double time whenever he was around her, even when she was angry with him, and that was the case now.

“No!” Larissa smirked watching Shane get angry. She knew he was the jealous type, but she was only speaking with her coworker. She was amused seeing her man all hot and bothered. Damn, he looked stunning in a short sleeved, button-down shirt and washed-out jeans. The white shirt brought out his grey irises. “Go home, Shane,” she waved her hand at him. “I’m not your possession. We’ll talk later,” She continued her conversation with her co-worker.

She was speaking to Billy about the task they had due in the upcoming weeks. Bill and Shane had a few words before at a work function. Shane didn’t tell her what the confrontation was about. Bill watched her through blue irises. He wasn’t bad on the eyes, so she could see why Shane would feel threatened, but he wasn’t her type. Shane was the only man she had eyes for, but he needed to learn a lesson.

She’d walked out on Shane last night as he talked to the mother of his son. Larissa didn’t have a problem with the woman, however Liza had an issue with her being black. That didn’t bother her either, she’d learned to deal with the stares and whispers from family and friends. Larissa didn’t appreciate the way he was being secretive when he spoke to Liza. Why couldn’t he talk openly with his ex when she was around? He said it’s out of respect to her, but she wasn’t buying that shit. Liza wanted Shane back, she could see it in the way the woman gazed at him. Larissa knew he wasn’t cheating, however she didn’t like to feel left out. Why did she get involved with a man with baggage, she often wondered, but she knew it was because she loved him and his little boy Grayson. Liza needed to learn her place in Shane’s life. Larissa was now his girlfriend, not her.

“Get in the car now!” He hollered, staring at her. The people standing in front of the building stared.

“Larissa,” Billy gently touched her arm. “Do you want me to call the po-”

She didn’t see Shane move, before she knew it, he had Billy pinned up against the wall in a chokehold. “I told you to stay away from my woman.”

“Shane!” She yelled, and moved forward grabbing his bicep with her hands, trying to pull him off. He didn’t budge. “Billy didn’t do anything wrong,” Larissa continued trying to get her boyfriend from hurting her coworker. Shane finally released him, and Billy grabbed his throat, gasping for air. “Are you crazy?” She glared at Shane and then at Billy. “Are you okay?”

“Yes,” he coughed.

In a swift move, Shane grabbed Larissa by the waist and placed her over his shoulder. “We’re going to talk, like it or not.” He held onto her like she was a featherweight.

“Put me down,” she punched his back as he strolled over to his car.

Shane smacked her on the ass and then opened the passenger door of his vehicle and sat her in. “If you run, I will run after you.” He leaned in and grabbed the seatbelt, placing it around her and clicked the metal piece in. He gently closed the door shut.

Larissa was pissed, her nose flared and she mouthed “sorry,” glancing out the window over at Billy. This was all her fault; she should’ve walked away. Her boyfriend was hotheaded. Shane settled in his seat, glancing her way. His vehicle was already running, he changed gears and drove off. She could see the vein in his neck throbbing. “Who do you think you are?” She spat glaring at him.

He took a deep breath. “I love you, Larissa.”

She gasped, not expecting those words to come out of his mouth. Her heart raced, he loved her.

~~~

“And I won’t let Liza fuck this up.” His grip on the steering wheel was getting tighter; his knuckles turned a shade lighter. “My son will always come first, but she’s not my responsibility. I’m sorry if you felt disrespected last night, but it wasn’t what it seemed.”

“What did you just say?” Larissa gazed at him.

“Last night, it wasn’t what it seemed. I didn’t want you to feel disrespected,” Shane drove down the highway. “I didn’t want you to hear me argue with Liz.”

“No, what you said before that,” she continued to stare at him.

“Larissa…”

She grinned. “Yes,” waiting for him to say the words again.

“I love you,” Shane chuckled, hearing her gasp again. He glanced her way, and then back at the road. “I hope you feel the same.”

“You don’t know what those three words mean to me.” She leaned closer to him. “I love you too.”  Larissa gave him a feather kiss on his cheek. “I’m not mad anymore,” she giggled.

Shane took her hand in his, and brushed his lips against her knuckles.

“You need to apologize to Billy,” Larissa squeezed his hand. “We were only talking about work.”

“Fuck no, I’m not apologizing,” he replied. “I warned him to keep away from you. He had no right touching you.”

Larissa moved back to the passenger seat. “He was concerned, that’s all.”

“He can keep his fucking concerns to himself. I would never hurt you, but I will crush him if he gets in my way again,” Shane meant it. He knew Billy wanted more than a friendship with Larissa. It was in the way he looked at her, undressing her with his eyes. He even had the nerve to tell him how he felt at the last company party. Shane had a little man-to-man talk with him in the restroom then. Hell no, he wasn’t going to fucking apologize.

“You didn’t have to choke him.” Larissa wasn’t letting it go.

“You’re right, I should have decked him,” Shane smirked. “We’re not going to agree on this.”

She tilted her head, “Fine I’ll do it.”

“Fuck Billy.”

“Where are we going?” Larissa scanned around the neighborhood.

“Grayson is spending the weekend with us,” Shane mentioned going over a speed bump. “I want my son to spend more time with you.”

“I would love that,” Larissa smiled. “He’s a sweet little boy.”

“Just like his father,” he winked at her. “We’ll pass by your apartment and grab some of your clothes.”

“You’ve thought of everything, but there’s one little problem.” She cocked a brow. “I don’t think Liza will agree to Grayson spending time with me.”

“I don’t fucking care what Liza wants. He’s my son, and you’re my girlfriend. You’re going to be in each others’ lives, whether she likes it or not.” He turned the corner, “Grayson likes you, and that’s all that matters.”

Shane parked in the driveway behind Liza’s car, and got out. He walked over to the passenger side and was about to open the door.

“I’m staying here,” Larissa held onto the door. “I don’t want any issues.”

“There aren’t going to be any issues,” he grabbed the handle. “I want you involved, no more secrets.”

She sneered, “Thank you, but Grayson comes first. Go get your little boy.”

Shane bent down and kissed her luscious lips. “You come first too.” He walked away. His son would always be number one, but his lady came in right after.  He knocked on the door, and Liza swung the door open in a blue silk chiffon halter teddy. What the hell was she thinking, he asked himself, trying to keep is eyes on her face. “Is Grayson ready?” He glanced into the house.

“Come in,” her lips curled into a smile, and opened the barrier wider. “I’ve been waiting for you.”

Shane heard his car door open, and close. Liza’s smile disappeared when she saw Larissa stroll up to the entrance. “I think you need to cover up!” Larissa spoke sternly.

A corner of his mouth lifted,
that’s my girl
, he thought.

Liza’s cheeks were turning a darker hue of red, and her lips thinned as she grabbed a robe off the table to the side. “What is she doing here?” She slipped on the silky fabric and tied the straps.

“She has a name,” Larissa replied. “We’re here to get Grayson,” she casually stated. “Is he ready?”

Liza gave Larissa a dirty look. “My son is not going anywhere with you.”

“Don’t test me, Liza,” Shane stepped forward. “It’s my weekend with him.”

“Your weekend, but not with her,” Liza rolled her eyes at Larissa.

“Where does it state in the court papers that my son can’t be around my girlfriend?” he asked in a stern voice. “I thought so. I don’t tell you who you can and can’t have around him. Grayson!” Shane yelled.

“He’s sleeping,” Liza glared at him. “Come back later,” she went to close the door, and he pushed her aside.

“You’re not keeping my son away from me,” Shane stormed into the house, leaving Larissa by the door. He marched straight to his son’s room; his little boy was lying in his bed with a stuffed super hero toy in his hand. “Grayson.” Shane softly called him.

Grayson’s eyes slowly fluttered open. “Daddy.”

He picked him up from his toddler bed. “Hey, buddy,” he kissed his forehead as his son rubbed his eyes. Shane would do anything for his son. Liza did a number on him while they were dating. He went out of town for a few weeks, and she cheated on him with a friend. When he came back, he was none the wiser. Liza got pregnant shortly after he came back to town. Shane was confused and nervous, a kid wasn’t in his plans, but he stepped up. He even thought about marrying Liza, but thank God he didn’t go through it. His friend Ned couldn’t keep their secret anymore; he broke down, finally telling Shane about the affair and the possibility that he could be the baby’s father. Shane almost ended up in jail because his fist connected with Ned’s face several times, breaking his jaw. After Grayson was born, they ran a paternity test, and the rest was history. Liza begged him for forgiveness, something he couldn’t give, until now. Grayson was his son, and he would always have to deal with Liza. Larissa was a breath of fresh air, and she was teaching him that the past was just that, the past. To let go and have fun.

“Daddy!” Grayson hugged him tight. “I missed you.”

“Me too.” he tickled him. “Let’s get some clothes, you’re spending time with me and Larissa.”

“Yay! Rissa,” his son giggled. Shane and his son picked out some of his favorite outfits and got ready to go.

~~~

Larissa screwed up her face, pushing out her lips, watching Shane’s ex. She had a smirk on her face. The nerve of her trying to seduce her man. “All dressed up for nothing,” she chuckled. “When will you learn that Shane doesn’t want anything to do with you anymore? He has me now, and believe me, honey, he is more than happy.”

“Is he?” Liza tightened the straps on her robe. “If you weren’t here, he would be in my bed, making love to me.”

Larissa had issues with trust after her past relationships. Her ex cheated on her with his ex-wife.
Don’t let her play with your mind
, she thought. “Liza… Liza…” she shook her head. “This is how you try to manipulate Shane, sex for his son. It’s not going to work.”

“Shane is just using you,” Liza raised her voice. “I will always be in his life, I’m the mother of his son.”

“Anybody could’ve been the mother of my son,” Shane spoke as he walked out of the little boy’s room with Grayson in his arms. “You’re not that fucking special.”

“You don’t mean that,” Liza’s voice rattled.

“I do,” he went to hand his son to Larissa, and Liza stood in his way. 

“She’s not touching my son,” Liza demanded.

“Hi, Rissa,” Grayson giggled, getting down on the floor and running up to her. “Going bye, bye with you.”

Larissa bent down, and kissed his cheek. “Yes we’re going to have so much fun.”

“Don’t touch him.” Liza went to take Grayson’s wrist, when Shane moved in between her and their son.

Shane held Larissa in his view, “Take him to the car,” Liza attempted to move, and he pointed his index finger at her. “Don’t.”

“Bye, Mommy,” Grayson waved his little hand, and blew a kiss with his palm. Larissa looked at Shane, and took Grayson’s hand in hers. They stepped back and walked to the car.

~~~

“You put that black bitch before me!” She spat.

Shane smirked. “That black bitch as you call her, is the woman I love. We,” he pointed at her and then at him, “were a mistake, but I will never regret our son.” He grabbed the doorknob.

“Shane, why are you doing this?” She wiped at her fallen tears. “Is she that good?”

“Yes she is, actually she’s amazing. Didn’t you see the ass when she stepped away? I love Larissa, and you are not going to come between us.” Shane replied, making her doleful. “I’m tired of all this shit between us, it isn’t good for our son. So, from this point on don’t call me unless it has to do with Grayson. I will drop him off on Sunday night.” He pointed at her robe, “You should call Ned, I bet he’ll appreciate what you have on.” Shane closed the door, leaving her dumbfounded.