Damien called a few times while we were at the club. Each time he did, I declined him, but his name on my screen alone kept changing my mood. The fact that Kier picked up on that was pretty impressive.
“You’re quite observant, Mr. Producer.”
“Only when something interests me.”
“And I interest you?”
“You’re here, aren’t you?” He asked, moving closer. I turned a little, hoping it would distract him from my blushing.
“That’s not an answer, Kier.”
“It’s the only one that matters.”
The breeze lifted a few loose strands of hair at the nape of my neck. He reached out without thinking and brushed one back gently. The touch was brief, but his hand paused for a second when he realized what he’d done at the same moment I did.
“I didn’t realize my hair was bothering you,” I said, glancing away for a second.
“Yeah, it was blocking my view.”
I swallowed slowly then smoothed the back of my hair again even though it didn’t need it. Something about Kier’s attention made me suddenly aware of how close we were standing. Thesun caught along the edge of his grill when he smiled, and for a second the world behind him blurred. The man was indeedfine.
“You’re a busy man, Mr. Producer.” I changed the subject. “You’re rocking the club one night and now navigating a video shoot. You don’t get tired of the lifestyle, or exhausted by it, at least?” I asked.
“Only when I don’t have the right company. And now that you’ve seen it for yourself,” he added, “I want you in it.”
“Want me in it? You’ve got enough on your plate, don’t you?”
“Well, I’m a greedy man, so adding a little more to it wouldn’t hurt. Spend the summer with me.”
I blinked at him. He asked the question casually, and I knew my answer wouldn’t be simple. “I-” I let out a quiet breath. “I can’t do that, Kier.”
“How come you can’t?”
“Because I have a life here,” I said, more firmly now, noticing I was making excuses for myself. “My sister is here, and I have a career, responsibilities.”
He nodded once as if he expected that answer. “How much you make, Sibley? I’ll cover it. Whatever money you’ll miss out on for work, I’ll pay it to you.”
I straightened, wondering if I had heard him correctly. “Excuse you, you think I’m a groupie or something?”
“Nah, hell nah, that ain’t what I meant. I’m just willing to do whatever it takes to make sure I have you to myself this summer and shit longer if you let me. Unless you tryna stay with that nigga, and if so, I’ll fall back. Maybe.” He grinned.
Considering my options, I looked away for a second, out toward the pool, trying to gather my thoughts. This was insane. A man I barely knew was asking me to step into his world for an entire summer. And the crazy part wasn’t the offer—it was the fact that I was actually considering the offer.
“I ain’t never begged a woman for nothing, but I’m willing to beg you. You can bring ya girls. Whatever y’all need is on me—food, hotel, all of that shit, I got it. I got you. You can bring whoever, or whatever you need to make sure you are comfortable.
Internally, I was still making up a list of responsibilities that I didn’t actually have. But my mouth responded before my brain could make up more lies. “I… need to see what I can move around,” I said finally. “I’ll keep you posted.”
“That’s what I like to hear.” He took my hand in his and kissed it. “We leave for Vegas in five days.”
four
. . .
I invitedthe girls over for one last birthday night before everything turned back into routine. Nothing big, just margaritas, tacos, and karaoke. Treasure was in the kitchen blending up a second batch of frozen margaritas. Tara was on her phone as always, half paying attention and half not. We were having a good time. I missed life being this soft and carefree, but my mind kept drifting back to him and his very insane request.
A slow sip of my drink bought me a second, then I set the glass down and looked between them. Because conversations between us were predictable, I knew how this would go. Treasure was going to hype it up, Tara was going to question it, and I would fall somewhere in the middle.
“So… Kier wants me to spend the summer with him.”
