SEDUCTIVE: A Contemporary Romance Anthology Read online

  “There’s a young lady named Monelle who’s waiting outside for you. Do you know her?”

  “Yeah, she’s an old friend. One who knows better than to show up here. Where is she?”

  “Follow me.”

  Monelle was leaning against a fence. She was most definitely a beautiful woman, but she often thought that was enough. She didn’t have to try to be a good companion because you basking in her loveliness was honor enough.

  “Hey, Monelle; what are you doing way out here? You can’t just show up at my job.”

  “Nice to see you too, Ethan.” She reached up and kissed his cheek. She was a caramel sister who could rock platinum blond hair like no other. She was sensuously curvy and whatever she wore just looked hella sexy. “You’re their golden child. Who’s going to tell you you can’t have a visitor?”

  “That is not how this works. But since you’re here, did you have something to tell me?”

  “Straight, no chaser. I’m having a graduation party and I want you to attend as my date.”

  “You came out here to New Jersey to invite me to a shin dig?”

  “I was checking out a program at Rutgers anyway so I just took the drive over here. You’re hard to connect with these days.” Monelle stroked his sweaty forearm.

  “That drive had to have taken you almost two hours.” Ethan pointed out. “That wasn’t even necessary, Monelle.”

  “Well, it’s my time; I can spend it how I want.”

  “When’s the party? I’ll have to check out my schedule.”

  “I can work around it. Just send it to me and I’ll set the date for when you’ll be in town or available.”

  Ethan was not about to give her his schedule even though she could easily look up the game schedule online. His giving it to her would be like him granting access or permission and he wasn’t about to do that. “We’ll iron out the details. I’ve got to go. Thanks for dropping by.”

  Monelle didn’t look pleased, but at that moment he didn’t care. She shouldn’t have intruded. “Okay. We’ll talk soon.”

  He didn’t walk her out and watched until she was on the other side of the security gate. They hadn’t dealt with each other since before the draft. Did she just want her friends to see her with a professional ballplayer? Women!

  “Ms. Coppock, are we ready to go over the script?”

  Bria looked up from her tablet and then quickly jotted a note. “I am good to go.”

  Bria and her script editor, Kyle, walked down the hall to the Danger Room (they were all X-men fans!).

  She greeted everyone and took a seat. Bria didn’t like sitting at the head of a table so she insisted on it being round. She worked with a great group of people. She gave thanks every day for her dream coming true. They discussed an upcoming plot change that would really shock the audience. The actress who played lead character Journey Duval sat in on the meeting, as well. She had written a couple of episodes along with Bria and was excellent.

  “Farah, do you like the idea of Journey becoming pregnant?” Bria asked.

  Farah Lindstrom thought about it for a moment. “Since she’s in her late 30’s, it’s likely to be a high risk pregnancy. I mean it’s her first so it would seem to me that she’s had trouble getting pregnant. I think the danger would bring her and Dondre closer together. They’re already struggling to find ways to do that.”

  “That was my thought process, too. It might also evoke some jealousy out of Kamryn since she’s been wanting to have a baby.”

  They discussed the script for another hour and then Bria returned to her office. She was about to meet with Ethan. She was typing up some dialogue for the episode they discussed when her assistant announced his arrival.

  “Hey, Bria. This is Ethan Aragon to see you.” Cady ushered him in.

  “I’m so glad you could make it! Come sit down. Do you need anything? I can have Cady bring you a beverage or something to eat.”

  “I’m good, but thank you very much.” Ethan tried not to show how nervous he was.

  “All right. So the scene we’re interested in having you in has Journey interviewing you for the magazine she writes for. She’s not a sports journalist, but it’s just a day in the life piece since you are very popular right now. We like to bring in ‘real people’ as a treat so I hope you’re interested.” Bria explained.

  “I don’t have any acting experience, but if she’s just going to be asking me questions, that I’ve gotten pretty good while dealing with the media.”

  “Wonderful!”

  “Kamryn is my favorite,” Ethan admitted. “She’s got a lot of spunk. But Journey is the strong one. She holds them all together.”

  “I’ve lived with these characters for a while. They were featured in the second book I wrote.”

  “I saw a piece on you in Essence. Movers and Shakers Under 30.”

  “You read Essence?”

  “We were flying to an away game and a copy was on the plane.”

  “I’m humbled by this whole experience,” Bria told Ethan as she poured herself some water. “I’m only 25.”

  An older woman. Ethan thought Bria Coppock was very beautiful. Not that manufactured beauty that Monelle had, but a natural prettiness that was refreshing. “That’s something. I finished my degree before getting drafted. I could have come out early, but it meant a lot to me to be the first in the family to be a college graduate.”

  “I understand. Congratulations on your success.” She stood up. “How about I introduce you to Kamryn? She’s married in real life though.” Bria laughed.

  “Are you?”

  “Married? No. I’m free as a bird.”

  Ethan was glad Bria was single. “I’d love to meet Vanessa Miles. I’ll try not to act like a groupie!”

  He followed her to the studio. Staff members waved and smiled as he walked past. They were approaching Kamryn’s radio station set. She was a dee jay on 3 Bethel’s Way. Vanessa was reading a script, but squealed when she looked up.

  “Ethan Aragon! It’s a pleasure meeting you. I just bought your jersey.” Vanessa extended her hand. “Welcome.”

  “Thank you.”

  Vanessa looked at Ethan and then Bria. “You guys look good together.”

  “Here we go.” Bria rolled her eyes. “It’s become Vanessa’s mission in life to fix me up.”

  “You don’t want the hook up?” Ethan asked her jokingly.

  “I want who’s meant for me and I’m not sure my friends know exactly who that is.”

  “I hear you. I would have never pictured myself with my husband, but fate had a different plan. He’s perfect for me.”

  “Well, I’m going to take Ethan on the complete tour. We’ll stop by again on the way back. Apparently YOU’RE his favorite.”

  “Ah sookie sookie now. Thanks!” Vanessa’s laugh was contagious. They all bust out.

  As they moved on, Ethan turned to Bria. “She was making you uncomfortable?”

  “Vanessa lives to make me uncomfortable,” Bria joked. “It’s okay. She just wants me to be happy like her and her man. Can’t hate on a sister for that.”

  “No, you can’t.”

  Ethan met a few more cast members. The actor who plays Dondre shot his scenes earlier in the day and had left the lot. He had a good time.

  After saying goodbye to Vanessa, Ethan followed Bria back to her office. “We won’t be taping your scene until early next month. I hope that doesn’t interfere with your schedule.”

  “It’s a one day shoot and it’s the only non-football thing I’ve got planned. It won’t hurt anything.”

  “Great; I’d hate to be a nuisance.” Bria said as she passed him a bottle of diet Coke.

  Ethan touched her hand as he accepted the bottle. He felt giddy like a school kid. “How about I give you a tour of my world soon. Do you like football?”

  “I’m not an expert yet on all the rules, but I do enjoy watching it.”

  “I’ll hook you up with some playoff tickets. You can
bring a friend.” Ethan hoped Bria wouldn’t bring a dude.

  “Cool. I’ll ask Kurt.” Bria paused for deliberate effect. “My brother.”

  “I look forward to meeting him.”

  “He’s a huge Giants fan. I can’t wait.” Bria pulled a business card from her holder and wrote a phone number on the back of it. “This is my personal cell number. If you need me, just call this number instead.”

  Ethan didn’t carry cards so he took one of hers and wrote his number on the back. “Bet. You do the same.”

  “I’m sure my people will be in touch with your people, but thank you again for agreeing to do this.”

  “Who knows? Maybe it’ll be my back up career. NOT.” Ethan laughed.

  “What did you study at Syracuse?”

  “Music media, marketing and entrepreneurship.” He was impressed she knew what school he attended. “I produce beats in the off season, but I’ve not put any out there yet. My boys keep urging me to, but I don’t want it to be a distraction from the NFL.”

  “Maybe you can score music for me one day. I’d love to hear what you have.” Bria’s smile was so sweet.

  “I’ve never thought about scoring music. That might be phat.” Ethan was liking her more and more.

  “It would most definitely be phat.” Bria winked. “Okay, time for me to pretend like I’m getting some work done. I could sit here all day and run my mouth, but I’m sure you’ve got better things to do.”

  Ethan would be glad to sit and listen to her talk all day. “Walk me out?”

  “Of course.”

  He held the office door open for her. Vanessa was walking by with a plate of salad.

  “You’re leaving?”

  “Yeah, but I’ll see you in a few weeks. It was so cool meeting you.”

  Bria suddenly hoped it wouldn’t be weeks before she saw Ethan again.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Monelle was at the salon getting her hair colored. She hadn’t heard back from Ethan yet about her birthday party so she called him up. “Hey, E. It’s Monelle. Did you check your schedule?”

  Ethan was watching footage of the last game. He hardly wanted to deal with Monelle right then, but it was his fault for not calling her on his own time. “Where’s the party going to be again?”

  “I’m doing it in Atlantic City. I’ve booked a small ballroom at a hotel and we’re going to have casino tables and the whole nine.”

  Ethan wondered how she was paying for all that, but then again men would drop her money just because. He hated gambling. And even though Ethan knew Monelle really liked him, he also knew she just wanted to make an impression at her gala. Ugh! “All right, I’ll come. Just email me the details. I got to get back to this game film. I’ll hit you up later. For real.”

  “Thanks, E. You’re going to have a great time. Feel free to invite your team mates. I’ll show my appreciation at the end of the night.”

  Ethan rolled his eyes. But maybe inviting a few of his boys would make the night bearable. He didn’t need her idea of ‘appreciation’ though. “I’ll see who’s down. Thanks. Got to go for real. Later, Monelle.”

  After Ethan was done, he called up Payton. “Hey, Pay Day. Do you want to go to Monelle’s birthday party? I’m gonna ask some of the fellas, but I need my true dude with me. You’re not leaving for Cali yet, are you?”

  “That won’t be until early next year. I get to see my boy make it to the Super Bowl.”

  “Man, listen. That’s the goal. Winning Sunday would have brought us closer to it though.”

  “Yeah, that was a tough loss, but you were spectacular as usual. Get them other cats on the same page as you.” Payton said with pride.

  “I’m the rook. And I find not everyone is happy about me doing well.”

  Payton shook his head. “A bunch of chicks. Just catty. If someone feels their role is being threatened then let them step up their game and shut the hell up.”

  “That would be too much like right.”

  “The limelight ain’t all it’s cracked up to be, is it?” Payton asked.

  “It is and it isn’t. The fans, the game…all that’s incredible. The drama, the jealousy, the media…not so much. But I’m not trying to complain too much. We’ve both come a long way since the Roosevelt Houses. I fully expect you to have your own construction company one of these days. Just let me know when you’re ready, Pay. I’ll invest. Generously.”

  “That’s what up. You’ve always had my back. I wouldn’t want help from anyone else but you because I know it won’t be thrown back in my face.”

  “You’re fam. I’m blessed to be a blessing. I got to bring you out to Ma and Hamp’s new house. They’re acting like a couple of newlyweds with their old butts.” Ethan laughed heartily.

  “Don’t let Miss Celia hear you calling her butt old!”

  “I ain’t that stupid.”

  “And what’s up with you and Monelle? You hitting that again?”

  “Negative. She’s a friend and the friend zone is where I intend to keep her. She get on my nerves she won’t even be that.” Ethan told him.

  “It’s like that?”

  “Just like that.” Ethan considered telling him about Bria, but didn’t know exactly what to say. He just felt something very powerful, but he wasn’t sure how to explain it.

  “Let me holler at you later. I’m out with my girl and she’s giving me the side eye. Peace.”

  “Peace.”

  Bria was reading in her den. It had been a long time since she sat down with a good book. She needed a small break from her busy life even if it was only an hour. Farah was supposed to drop by later so they could talk about collaborating on another project. Bria admired people like Tyler Perry and Shonda Rhimes who were so prolific in the industry. 3 Bethel’s Way’s ratings were very good and she and Farah thought it would be a smart idea to strike while the iron’s hot. Farah Lindstrom was a great actress and she wanted to create the projects she performed in.

  Bria was at a juicy part of her book when the doorbell rang. It was too early for it to be Farah so she wondered who it was. She was surprised to see it was Kasim Patrick.

  “Kasim. Hey, how are you? What brings you out to Riverdale?”

  “I’m good, Bria. My daughter is a freshman at Manhattan College and I was out having lunch with her. I’m sorry I didn’t call first.”

  “That’s all right. Come on in.” Bria stepped aside and let Kasim by.

  Kasim was 42 and the oldest member of the cast. He hardly looked like it. Some people actually thought he was younger than Farah and Vanessa who were both 38. He used to be a rapper and still connected well with the younger crowd.

  “I know you just ate, but do you want something to drink?”

  “That would be cool. Anything non-carbonated works.” Kasim looked around the stylish living room. “Your home is beautiful.”

  “Thanks. I had a good time decorating it. My first house.”

  “Nothing like your first. I have a place out in Hartsdale. I’m thinking about moving to the city though.”

  Bria couldn’t help but think Kasim wanted to talk about something and was stalling. She fixed him cranberry juice mixed with orange juice. “What’s up, Kasim? You’ve come to tell me you’re quitting the show?” Bria laughed, but nervously.

  “Definitely not! I’m hoping to get a part in the new series you and Farah will be working on. I’m going to a Hip Hop Legends ball and I wanted to ask you to accompany me.”

  Bria was surprised at the invitation. The crew often went places together as a group, but this sounded more like a date. “Kasim, are you asking me out?”

  “I guess I am. But I look at it as more of a ‘let’s see how this would work’ outing.”

  “Let’s see how what would work?”

  “You and me.”

  “Kasim, you know dating your co-worker is NOT a good idea.”

  “If it feels right, no one would have to know but us. I’ve been feeling you since the beginni
ng. You’re intelligent, sweet and the kind of sexy that sneaks up on you.”

  Bria wasn’t sure what to make of the comment although she imagined he meant it as a compliment. “Suppose for argument’s sake we didn’t work. How are we supposed to comfortably work together?”

  “Mature people can handle that. I know I’m a lot older than you, but I see you are definitely a grown woman. Not like some of these other young people out here who play games and don’t know what they want.”

  “I know I want to continue to work with you without drama. I’d love to go to a Hip Hop event, but it would have to be strictly platonic. To me that would be the mature thing to do. Rumors and gossip would spread like wildfire despite any effort to keep it private. You are most definitely the bomb, but honestly I never considered you’d be interested in me.”

  “Because you’re not interested in me.” Kasim deduced.

  “Under different circumstances I might allow myself to wonder, but I just can’t put myself in that position.” Bria tried to sound as reassuring as she could. She didn’t want Kasim to feel like she didn’t find him attractive. He was beyond attractive. She just didn’t need those kinds of problems with her career just getting off the ground.

  “It’s cool. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I have mad respect for you Bria and if I put my foot in it, I’m sorry. Don’t feel some type of way. I honor your decision.”

  “Thank you. I truly appreciate that.”

  He finished his juice. “I guess I’ll be on my way. I’ll see you at the studio.”

  Bria walked him to the door. She already knew what he was going to do. He turned and leaned in for a kiss. She turned and gave him her cheek. “You’re trying to test me, Kasim?”

  “Don’t worry. You passed.” He smiled and then left.

  Bria was preparing dinner when her doorbell rang again. “This had better be Farah.”

  Thankfully it was. “Hey, girl. Something smells delicious.”

  “It’s just about ready. Come join me in the kitchen.” Bria lead the way to her pub style table and gestured for Farah to sit. She debated telling Farah about Kasim. She did caution him about gossip and rumors so she decided to keep the visit to herself.