The Professional (The Negus Effect Series Book 5) Read online

  “Can we go deeper than the surface?” Liv asked, staring out the window.

  Miles stopped at a light, then turned and took her hand in his.

  “I am a vicious pitbull...but I’d never bite a pretty hand that feeds me.” Miles told her, bringing her hand to his lips.

  Liv felt his full lips against her skin as his hand held gently onto hers. She turned and softly traced his bottom lip with her thumb.

  “So you can be trained?” Liv whispered.

  He smiled. “You can try…”

  They arrived at Taylor’s apartment building and Miles exited the SUV then walked around to open Liv’s door. Holding out a hand, he helped her out before they proceeded inside the building. At the door, Liv looked up at him.

  “Thank you for bringing me back.”

  “You’re welcome.” Miles stared down into her face.

  While their eyes held, Liv reached into her pocket for the key. She was surprised when Miles retrieved the fob from her and turned to open the lock. Pushing the door open, he peeked inside then returned the key to her hand.

  “My mission is complete.” He announced, still holding on to her hand.

  Liv tightened her grip on his hand.

  “I’m not done with you.” She told him firmly.

  He smiled down at her. “What do you want from me?”

  “I want to discover what’s beneath the surface…”

  “We just met…” Miles replied softly. “Are you sure you want to go there?”

  Liv headed inside, pulling him along with her.

  “I’m sure it won’t be boring…” she said, turning on a lamp.

  “Nah, it won’t be…”

  Dropping her purse on the sofa, she looked up at him.

  “Can I get you something?”

  Miles shook his head. “I’m good.”

  “Let’s sit down.” Liv offered, and he looked down at the couch.

  “Ladies’ first.”

  With one last look, Liv sat back against the cushions and shook her head when he sat close enough for their legs to touch.

  “Could you get any closer?” she asked, lifting a brow.

  “You want me to show you?”

  Kicking off her shoes, Liv turned and rested on her knees to look into his face. Gently rubbing his shoulder through the expensive fabric, she studied him.

  “What do you think you can show me?” Liv whispered. “You know that I’m a teacher.”

  “You think you can teach me something?” Miles lifted a brow.

  She reached for his tie and loosened it slowly.

  “I think anybody can learn something new…” she replied.

  “What exactly do you teach?”

  Liv held his eyes as she responded.

  “Science...biology is my speciality.” Liv answered. “The study of life…”

  He nodded impressed.

  “So you can teach me about life?”

  “I’m still learning about it myself.” Liv told him.

  “Let me ask you something?” Miles queried.

  Releasing his tie, Liv responded, “Okay…”

  “What was your man saying to you on the phone earlier at the party?”

  She blinked. “Huh?”

  “I saw you.”

  “You were watching me?”

  “You saw me, too.” He pointed out. “And invited me over…”

  Liv frowned. “I don’t recall that part.”

  “You were talking to him, but your eyes were speaking to me.” Miles told her.

  Chapter 2

  Liv moved back a little and looked into Miles’ face.

  “What did they say?”

  “You wanted to talk to me.”

  Nodding, she agreed. “You’re right. I did want to talk with you.”

  “Why?” he asked.

  “Honestly, I was happy to see you. I enjoyed myself with you the last time I was here.”

  He moved closer. “Then why didn’t you call me?”

  She shrugged. “I was in Dallas...you were here.”

  “You were with your man.” He clarified.

  “He’s not my man.” Liv shared. “In fact, at this point he’s nothing.”

  “What did he do?”

  Sighing, she replied, “He tried to become controlling.”

  “How?”

  “Wanting to know where I was, what I was doing...and then tonight he dropped by my place unannounced.” She told him. “Just out of pocket for somebody that I just had a few meals with…”

  “He wants to taste this fire.” Miles told her, then reached out to touch the halo of hair surrounding her head. “This red hair, those lips, those eyes...straight fire.”

  “You aren’t scared to get burnt…”

  “I’ll try anything once...or twice, if I like it.”

  She laughed. “I bet you’ve tried a lot.”

  “I’ll take that bet.”

  “You’re so annoying…” Liv told him.

  “I’m just not mediocre.” Miles said quietly.

  Feeling his vibe, Liv looked him over.

  “Is that by choice or are you just special?”

  “A little of both.” He answered. “Life has taught me a lot.”

  “You sound like you’re fifty instead of what, twenty-five?”

  Miles laughed. “Twenty-eight.”

  “You look younger.” Liv told him.

  “I swear I hope you just look younger, too.” Miles said, studying her face.

  Liv grinned. “I know damn well I don’t look that young.”

  “You know that you’re top shelf. Don’t try to play.”

  “You like country girls?”

  His brown-eyed gaze traveled over her body.

  “Country girls like me.”

  Shaking her head, she looked at him.

  “You are something else, Miles.” Liv told him. “I bet you were a bad ass little boy and even worse teenager.”

  He paused for a moment, watching her.

  “My mother was sick with Lupus most of my life. My brother took care of me, and when he got sick of my shit, he put his foot on my neck and made me get myself together.” He explained.

  Liv looked concerned. “I’m sorry about your mother. How is she now?”

  “Better, she still has her good days and bad...but mostly good.”

  “I’m glad to hear that.” Liv placed her hand on his chest. “So you were acting out?”

  “All the way out,” Miles agreed. “Smoking, trying to be rebellious, and not doing a damn thing with my life.”

  “So, what do you do now?” Liv asked.

  Miles shook his head. “Nah, you’re not going to get me that easily.”

  “Negro, just tell me.”

  “I’ll tell you at dinner.”

  Liv pursed her lips.

  “Why are you so hell bent on having dinner with me?” she questioned.

  “The same reason you wouldn’t let me leave you at the door.”

  Knowing that she shouldn’t ask, Liv did anyway…

  “Why?”

  Miles’ response was to wrap a strong arm around her waist and cover her mouth with his. At the initial contact, they both moaned. Liv lifted a hand to his bearded face as his tongue caressed hers. The kiss deepened, and Miles pulled her closer until they were pressed against one another.

  When he moved to lift his head, Liv held him in place tightly feasting on his firm lips. Miles’ hand moved up to cup the back of her head as their mouths devoured the other, and although Liv heard her phone ringing in her purse, she was too caught up to even think about answering.

  Finally, needing to breathe, the two separated about an inch and stared at one another while catching their collective breath. The separation lasted about ten seconds before they were engaged in hot kisses again.

  Liv slipped her hands inside of his suit jacket and rubbed his hard chest through the nice dress shirt. Her phone began ringing again, and again she ignored it, lost in th
e moment. Miles cupped her face and lifted his mouth from hers.

  “Somebody’s looking for you,” he whispered against her lips.

  “I don’t care.”

  Miles smiled softly as the ringing continued.

  “It might be your sister, making sure I brought you home.” He told her. “I don’t want everybody looking for me.”

  Liv frowned. “It probably is her.” She looked into his face as she licked her swollen lips, before he reached out and wiped the dampness from her mouth, then kissed her again softly.

  “Check it out and see.”

  Reluctantly, Liv reached for her bag and took out the phone that was now ringing again. Looking at the screen, she frowned.

  “This mother-….” She snapped. “Hello!”

  “Hey, Liv…”

  Miles watched her eyes narrow.

  “Ty, what the hell do you want?”

  “I didn’t like how our conversation ended earlier and I wanted to apologize. I’m sorry.”

  Liv closed her eyes.

  “Ty, listen to me.” Liv said firmly. “I don’t want you to call me anymore. I accept your apology, but like I said earlier...we won’t be seeing each other again.”

  The line was quiet for a moment.

  “I said I was sorry…”

  “And I accept that,” Liv told him. “But, you’re making me not want to even hear your voice…”

  “You know what, Liv? You not the baddest bitch out here! I’m trying to be nice to your ass.”

  She blinked.

  “Excuse me?” she replied.

  “Fuck you, Liv!” he told her. “You probably there fucking around with somebody right now. You hoe!”

  “I got your hoe!” Liv yelled and Miles lifted a brow. “Fuck you, Ty!”

  Liv ended the call and promptly blocked Ty’s number, while Miles discreetly retrieved a message from his own phone.

  “Stupid ass Negro!” Liv shouted.

  She turned to Miles, who was now sitting watching her.

  “I guess he’s mad.” He said slowly.

  “What the hell is wrong with y’all?” Liv asked him and he frowned.

  “Hey, I didn’t call you a hoe..”

  She shook her head. “That bastard. How dare he! I swear, I try to stay away from crazy ass men, but it’s ALL of you! It’s that damn Y chromosome. It makes y’all stupid and ignorant as hell.”

  Miles frowned some more.

  “Maybe you attract crazy men because your ass is crazy?” He suggested.

  “I grew up with the worst as a father, and I’m not dealing with that shit...from anybody.” Liv said angrily.

  Seeing her anger, in addition to some underlying pain, Miles reached for her and wrapped her in a strong embrace.

  “So, old boy was way out of pocket.” He said quietly, kissing the side of her face. “And I can tell you that you’re not a hoe...I’ve seen you twice and I still haven’t hit it.”

  “Shut up.”

  He lifted her face to his and connected their eyes.

  “You’re right not to take anybody’s shit...especially some insecure ass dude.” Miles told her.

  Liv’s phone buzzed with a text and she looked at it.

  “He’s texting me from another phone.” She shook her head. “Saying that he really cares about me…”

  “That’s bullshit.” Miles commented. “How’d you even meet him?”

  Liv turned the phone off and set it aside.

  “He’s a teacher, too. We met at a conference.” Liv began. “He seemed nice enough, then after a couple of dinners, he wanted to claim me.”

  “How many dinners?”

  Liv looked at him.

  “Does it matter?” she asked.

  He shrugged. “Food is expensive.”

  “And this ass is priceless…” Liv returned.

  Miles laughed softly. “Okay, baby...I hear you.”

  She lowered her face into her hands.

  “Now, when I get back, I have to deal with this damn nut.” She sighed.

  Reaching over, Miles rubbed her back gently.

  “If you need some backup, let me know.”

  Liv turned to him.

  “Thank you.”

  “Come walk me to the door.” Miles told her.

  She looked surprised. “You’re leaving?”

  “Yeah, I got a text.”

  “Oh…”

  “Work.”

  She put her hands up. “Hey, that’s not my business. I’m not like Ty.”

  Miles stood and helped her to her feet.

  “I keep my shit on the up. I don’t have to lie and cheat.” Miles told her. “If I was leaving to hook up with another woman, I’d just tell you.”

  “Oh, really?”

  He shrugged. “What could you do about it? We’re not in a relationship.”

  “So that’s how you get down?”

  “It works for me.”

  Liv smirked. “Until you meet a crazy one who stabs you.”

  “Nah, they know what’s up.”

  “And they still want you?”

  “What can I say? Everybody doesn’t find me boring.” He said, then led her to the door and stopped, looking down at her.

  “I may have to amend that…” Liv said softly.

  He touched her face.

  “Can I pick you and your priceless ass up here for dinner?” Miles asked.

  Liv chuckled.

  “I’m only coming to find out what you do for a Living.” She replied.

  “Nah, that’s not the only reason.” Miles pulled her closer.

  Again, Liv knew not to ask...but she did.

  “What else is it?”

  She caught his smile before he lowered his head and kissed her again.

  ******

  Heading to his ride, Miles fixed his tie and slide inside. Checking his face in the rearview mirror, he touched his lips, then slowly licked them. With a sexy smile, he started the engine.

  “Ass that’s priceless…” he whispered and shook his head. “That girl…”

  Miles turned on Detroit rapper Big Sean, and drove to his destination. Arriving, he parked in front of the house, then reached underneath his seat and extracted his weapon. Stepping out of the vehicle, Miles placed the gun in his back and headed to the door as it was cracked open.

  “Miles!” He was greeted by a man.

  “What up doe?” Miles replied as the screen was unlocked.

  He entered and the two men exchanged a manshake, before the man closed and locked the door behind Miles.

  “Come on in.” He invited and Miles walked further inside.

  He stopped when he saw the woman sitting on the sofa. She smiled at him and stood to her feet.

  “I was wondering when you’d get here.” She opened her arms to him.

  Miles looked back at the man, who shrugged.

  “She knew you were sliding through…” he explained.

  The woman walked over to Miles.

  “This seems to be the only way I can get time with you.” She said, hugging him.

  He gently returned her embrace, then looked down at her.

  “Don’t try to manipulate the situation.” Miles told her, then moved away to the sofa where the man now sat.

  Seeing the look on Miles’ face, he apologized. “My bad...I should’ve kept my mouth shut.”

  With a glance at the woman, Miles sat down and replied, “Yeah, do that next time, Dre. I’m here about work.”

  “I know.” Dre replied, then looked over at the woman. “That’s my sister, though.”

  “Doesn’t matter.” Miles told him. “This is my business.”

  Dre nodded. “I got you.” He again turned to his sister. “Shannon, can you give us some privacy?”

  “I’ll see you before you leave, Miles.” She said quietly.

  “I’ve got other plans tonight…” Miles responded.

  Shannon lifted a brow. “I’m sure she can wait.”

  “
Man, get your sister so we can finish this.” Miles told Dre.

  “Bounce, Shannon. You heard the man…”

  With a nod, Shannon left the room.

  “Do that shit again, and I’m beating your ass.” Miles told Dre.

  “My bad…” Dre reached for some stash. “Let me make it cool.”

  He handed Miles a blunt with a lighter.

  “What else you got for me?” Miles asked, taking the stick and lighting it.

  “You told me not to text information.”

  Taking a puff, Miles nodded.

  “I’m glad your ass listened.” He told him. “Now what’s up? Why’d you text me?”

  Dre took a hit and breathed in.

  “Word is...one of those Neo Negus is a plant.”

  Miles frowned. “Which one?”

  Shrugging, Dre answered, “Don’t know.”

  “What did you hear?”

  “One was put there for insurance. He’s going to feed information back to the dudes running all this.” Dre explained.

  “Who said this?” Miles inquired.

  “I can’t say.”

  Miles paused. “What?”

  “Man, I can’t be out here dropping names.” Dre argued.

  “Dre...don’t make me step out my frame.” Miles warned. “No, the hell you didn’t call me over here to talk like you’re stupid.”

  “Miles...man…”

  “Who?”

  “What you gonna do to him?” Dre asked.

  Miles blew out a puff of smoke.

  “The same thing I’m going to do to you, if you keep wasting my fucking time…”

  “Steve.”

  “The wannabe rapper?” Miles questioned while standing..

  Dre reluctantly confirmed. “Yeah…”

  “I’ll check it out.” He pointed the cigar at Dre, before putting it out in one of the ashtrays on the coffee table. “This was hitting…”

  Miles headed for the door, and Dre called after him, “What about Shannon?”

  “She knows what’s up.” Miles continued outside.

  Back in his vehicle, he started the engine then dialed a number on his bluetooth.

  “Hello?”

  Taking off, he smiled and eased onto the street.

  “Hello, country girl.”

  “Who is this?”

  Miles smirked. “See, this is why I never called you.”

  “Hello, Miles.” Liv said softly. “Are you done working?”

  “Nah, it’s going to be a long night for me…”

  “Hmmm...do you often work long nights?” she questioned.