Antonio let himself in. Jackie was standing quietly in an otherwise empty kitchen, her back to him. He watched her for a moment, reacquainting himself with the landscape of her. He took in the lines of her bare shoulders, the way the blue of her jumpsuit enhanced her mocha-brown skin. The precise way her haircut was lined up on her nape. Kudos to her hair stylist, because it was damn-near perfect. The clasp of her Tiffany necklace hit right in the center of the delicious curves of her neck. The ampleness of her waist, her round behind resting against the marble counter. He remembered how she had once felt between his hands…the suppleness…the softness. He remembered how she’d made him beg for it. If she asked him to beg again, he was more than willing to.
“What do you want, Steele?” asked Jackie, not bothering to turn around.
“Damn. How’d you know it was me?”
“You haven’t changed your cologne in ten years. Just tired.”
“Tired? I’d say it’s classic.” Antonio wasn’t sure if he should be flattered or afraid that Jackie knew him down to the scent. “I just came in here to check on you.”
Jackie turned to face him. “For what? Let me guess, you struck out with India? I don’t even know how the fuck she got into this party. I need to hire better security and tighten my guest list.” She looked him up and down. “That includes you.”
“India isn’t my type.”
“Is that right?” Jackie folded her arms across her chest, a movement that Antonio noticed put emphasis on her breasts. “Could have fooled me. I thought you liked them barely legal, full of silicone, and saccharine sweet.”
“Too much sweetness will give you cavities. Sometimes you gotta have a little spice.” Antonio winked.
Jackie scoffed. He knew she was trying her best not to laugh. One day, Antonio would get another genuine smile out of that woman if it killed him.
“What do you want, Antonio? I know you didn’t come in here to make small talk.” Jackie eyed him suspiciously.
Antonio had so much he wanted to say. So much he wanted to tell her, starting with why he was in Atlanta. Instead, he blurted out the first thing on his mind. “I didn’t know this was a surprise engagement party until your cousin took the mic. Since when are you such a romantic, Miles?”
“I’m not. Just did this for my cousin.”
“So the tears I saw were fake, then?” Antonio smirked.
“I wasn’t crying. I had a little bit of PeeWee’s fur in my eye.” The dog, curled at Jackie’s feet, let out an accusatory whimper. Jackie crouched and patted his head.
“Uh-huh,” snickered Antonio. “Even your buddy begs to differ.”
Jackie stood up straight and stared at Antonio. “Why are you talking to me? And why are you inside my home?” When he didn’t answer right away, she started moving around the kitchen, pretending to check on the food, stirring a pan of cold baked beans.
“I just came in here to clear up any confusion.”
“Who’s confused? I’m not confused. Go out there and find another chick to rub up on you! Someone is bound to be stupid enough to fall for your bullshit.”
“Why are you giving me all this attitude?”
“I’m giving you the amount of attitude you rightfully deserve.”
Crestfallen, Antonio shook his head. “What is this really about? You’re mad about someone paying attention to me?”
“I don’t give a damn who pays attention to you! I stopped caring about that a long time ago. Ten years ago, to be exact.”
And there it was. Vegas. Still hanging on his neck like an albatross.
Antonio smoothed a hand over his fresh-cut waves. “Jackie, I’ve tried talking to you about Vegas. Plenty of times. Every time, you shut me down and—”
“I don’t care,” she interrupted. “I don’t want to talk about a mistake I’ve moved past.”
Antonio’s nostrils flared.A mistake?“I’ve tried a million times to explain things to you, Jacqueline. You won’t let me.”
Jackie paused for a moment, looking a little taken aback. He knew it rattled her when he used her full first name. He couldn’t help it. He loved the way it felt. Three syllables that felt like a full meal on his tongue. It was too beautiful a name to not say completely.
Jackie came around the island and stared up at him, PeeWee right by her side. She was barefoot, and without her heels, she was tiny. “Antonio, why are you even here? Let me guess. To give PJ more bullshit advice? To try to steal my client?”
“No, it’s not like that. PJ is—”
