Pushing Up Daisies (25 page)

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Authors: Jamise L. Dames

BOOK: Pushing Up Daisies
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“Probably so. Well, are we going to shoot a game of pool?”

“Hell, yeah. I’m ready now.”

Ming Li shook her head. “No, you’re not. Not dressed like that.”

Daisy looked down at her work clothes. She was going to bust her man, not put on a fashion show. For all she knew, she might end up tussling, although that wasn’t her intention. “I’m fine.”

“To whom?” Ming Li laughed. “Seriously, you can’t go bust a man like that. Not when he’s with his ex and you don’t know who your competition is. Not only do you have to walk in and own the place, you have to make her feel smaller than you.”

“If she’s sneaking around with a man that doesn’t belong to her, she’s already inferior.”

Ming Li grabbed Daisy’s hand and pulled her into the bedroom. “Okay, let’s see what we have here that you didn’t destroy,” Ming Li joked. “What size do you wear?”

“None of your business,” Daisy smirked. “I’m about two sizes bigger than you.”

Ming Li reached into her closet and grabbed something black. “Here, try this on. It has Lycra in it.”

Daisy held the short dress up in front of her. “Ming Li, I’m not wearing this little thing, it’s too cold. I’ll freeze to death.”

Ming Li lit a cigar. “Honey, now is not the time to get picky, it’s time to get right. Besides, it’s not that cold.” She held her finger to her lips as if lost in thought. “Now, you’re about a size eight shoe, right?”

Daisy nodded. “Yes, you’re exactly right. But after all these years, I guess you should know.”

Ming Li stepped into her closet and came out with a pair of black, calf-length, high-heeled boots. She handed them to Daisy.

Daisy frowned down at them. “Ming Li, do you see how skinny these heels are? I’m going to kill myself in these. How am I supposed to be cute, if I bust my ass? And they’re a size eight and a half. How do you fit into these? You’re too tall.”

Ming Li pushed Daisy toward the bathroom. “My mother has small feet.”

“Oh, that’s right, she’s Asian.”

“No, she’s black. My dad’s Korean. And enough with the stereotypes. Not all Asian women have small feet, just like not all black women are strong. Stuff the boots with cotton balls. Act like you haven’t always had money to buy shoes that fit.”

Daisy and Ming Li circled the block several times without seeing Adonis’s car. After they checked the surrounding area, they found a parking spot around the corner from Corner Billiards and waited patiently. Daisy drummed on the steering wheel.

“Hyping yourself up, or calming yourself down?” Ming Li asked.

“A little of both, I guess.”

“Maybe he’s not here. It’s almost nine, and we haven’t seen his car anywhere.”

“That’s true. But this is New York. He could’ve cabbed it or taken the train. Or the Christy chick could’ve rented a car. We won’t know unless we go inside.”

Daisy opened her door and carefully stepped out into the cold early spring chill. She shivered. The little black dress was cute, but it wasn’t worth a dime when it came to warmth. “Let’s do this. I know he’s here.”

“I thought you said you weren’t sure.”

“Technically, I’m not. But I feel it in my gut. I used to sit around and guess what Jasper was doing. But this time, with this man, I have to see for myself.”

They walked quickly, in silence, their boots clicking in unison against the sidewalk. Daisy wasn’t sure if she was going to battle, but she was definitely going to get her man. Her mother had once told her to choose her battles wisely, and this one was worth fighting. Deep in her heart she knew that she loved Adonis; she wasn’t fighting for
him,
but for the principle. She’d fight for respect, for the person she’d learned to love the most: herself.

A newfound determination and energy flowed through Daisy’s veins as she opened the door and strode into the billiards hall. She was glad that Ming Li had tagged along, but she realized that she didn’t really need her. She could handle the situation alone. If Adonis was there with another woman, Daisy wanted to see who she was. She wouldn’t embarrass herself. Wouldn’t get into a cat-fight.
My interest isn’t in the cat, but the dog.
Then she spotted Adonis was with a woman at a back pool table and decided that her dog had definitely gotten off his leash. She pumped her fist, nodding to herself.
A choke chain is what he needs. And I’ve got two hands to choke him with.

She held her head high and walked toward Adonis’s table. Ming Li stopped at the front counter. Adonis glanced up, saw Daisy, and froze. Their eyes locked. Her heart thumped, but this time, she wasn’t having an attack. There was no need to panic.
She
wasn’t in the hot seat, but she would warm a couple of asses if need be.

“You see this bitch?” Ming Li whispered behind her back.

“Now, aren’t you glad that I made you dress up?”

Daisy nodded and gave the woman the once-over. She was clearly in need of a meal or two. Christy had to be a size two, if that. Although she was obviously black, she was a living example that black could come in all different shades, sizes, and proportions. She was just above average height, paler than tinged winter snow, and had an ass flatter than a billiards table. Daisy laughed, and her confidence rose.

Ming Li nudged her. “Am I seeing things, or does she have fake titties that are three sizes too big for her bony body?”

Daisy looked at Christy’s breasts and winced. Her skin, stretched like elastic, begged for relief. “Ouch. They look like they’re going to bust,” Daisy said, then turned her attention back to Christy’s face. She was pretty in her own way, but the rest of her had to go.

Ming Li grabbed a cue stick and rolled it onto the pool table next to Adonis’s. “Straight enough. Rack ’em, Daisy.”

“I didn’t come in here to play games.” She walked over to Adonis and eased between him and the table. She inched her dress down and inhaled his breath. It was minty.
He better not have kissed her.

“Adonis?” the woman said from behind Daisy.

“Hey, baby,” he said to Daisy, ignoring the woman.

“That’s all you have to say?” Daisy asked as she poked out her chest.

Adonis smiled seductively and traced her face with his forefinger. “No, I’ve been trying to tell you this all day.” He bent down and kissed her deeply and passionately, as if they were the only two people in the room.

Daisy was still curious, but she succumbed. She wanted to slap sense into him but decided she’d put on a show first and enjoy it. She felt his hands on her back, then under her arms, and then her body rose. He picked her up and sat her on the pool table. They never unlocked lips. Vaguely, Daisy heard the sound of the balls breaking, and then one of them hit her in the butt. She rolled her eyes.
I’d hoped I wouldn’t have to toss this heifer.
She hopped off the table and saw Ming Li at the other end, holding a pool stick and smiling.

“Well, why should we pay for a table when they’re not using theirs?” Ming Li asked.

“I want you to meet someone,” Adonis said.

The woman walked over to Daisy and extended her hand. “You must be Daisy. It’s nice to finally meet you.”

Daisy studied her face. “Hi. Christy, right?”

Christy nodded.

“I didn’t know you knew Christy,” Adonis said.

“I don’t.”

“And neither do I.” Ming Li walked over and introduced herself.

“Christy just got into town this morning,” Adonis explained. “I was trying to call you earlier to tell you, but you didn’t answer.”

Daisy didn’t care if Christy had only been in town an hour. She didn’t want Adonis around her.

“Hey, Chris,” someone said from behind them in the deepest voice that Daisy had ever heard.

As Daisy turned, a tall, handsome man two shades darker than Christy walked over to her and kissed her on the lips. Daisy watched them carefully, trying to determine if the kiss was real. She noted with relief that it was almost as passionate as the one she and Adonis had just shared.

“Hey, Rock,” Adonis said to the man, “what took you so long?”

Rock held a bag in the air. “Man, I forgot where we parked. If I didn’t need my own stick to shoot with, I would’ve just given up.”

“Oh,” Adonis said with a smile. “This is Daisy and Ming Li.” Adonis turned to Daisy then. “This is Christy’s
husband,
Rock. We played ball together in college.” Adonis leaned over and whispered in her ear, “He’s been here the whole time. Just forgot his stick in the car.”

Daisy smiled graciously and shook Rock’s hand. She winked at Adonis and gave Ming Li a knowing look. She knew her instincts had been right, just as she knew she could trust her man.

Daisy awoke in Adonis’s arms. She grabbed a peppermint from her bedside table and popped it into her mouth.
No way am I going to ruin the moment with morning breath,
she thought. Then she shivered. Her upper body was warm from his embrace, but the lower part was cold. She looked down and realized that the covers had toppled to the floor sometime during the night. She smiled.
It’s no wonder.
She scooted her naked body against his and nibbled on his index finger. Their evening had been eventful, but their night had been magical. She moaned with pleasure, remembering all the things he had done to her, with her, and for her. Adonis had always been attentive in bed, a pleaser. He made her feel as she’d never felt before.

But last night had been different. Although Daisy had never imagined it possible, the sex had been better than ever. His kisses had seemed more delicious, his body more scrumptious. She looked at him while he slept and decided that he was everything she needed in a man.

He stirred and released her. “Morning, baby.” He kissed her on the forehead. “I’ll be right back.” He got out of bed and left the room.

Daisy heard water running in the bathroom and settled in to wait for him. A sweet calm took over her senses as she inhaled his scent on the pillow. She realized how weak she was for him.

Adonis returned and scooped her into his arms.

“What are you doing?” Daisy snuggled close to his warm, naked body. In less than twenty-four hours, she had forgotten how jealous she had been. She closed her eyes and felt herself float higher and higher with each step that he took.

Adonis blew hair out of Daisy’s eyes and smiled. “I’m carrying my queen to her bath. What does it look like?”

“Is that right? Your queen, hunh?” she said as he gently set her into the warm, captivating bubbles. She closed her eyes, letting the whole world disappear.

Adonis slid into the tub behind her and wedged his legs on either side of hers. Daisy didn’t care that it was almost too snug; Adonis could never be too close.

“Yes, my queen.” He laughed.

She rested her head on his chest while he lathered her breasts. “What’s so funny?”

Adonis kissed her wet temple. “You were going to fight for yours last night, hunh? You weren’t playing. You were just going to walk in there and take your man,” he teased.

“Shut up,” Daisy said playfully. “It wasn’t like that at all,” she lied.

“Yes, it was. And I liked it…your assertiveness. I didn’t think you had it in you. I didn’t know you cared that much.”

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