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

Miles glanced in her direction.

  “What did they say about me?”

  “How do you know they said anything about you?’ Liv questioned, lifting a brow.

  “Did they?”

  She looked out the window.

  “Stop thinking so highly of yourself.” Liv said firmly. “I’m not out here asking everybody about your ass.”

  “You didn’t ask anybody anything?” Miles pushed.

  Liv looked at him. “I asked Taylor to run a report, but she wouldn’t do it.”

  He laughed. “Isn’t that against her job ethics?”

  “I’m her sister, though.”

  “You’re a trip. That’s what you are.” Miles told her still laughing.

  “Listen, I don’t even know if you’re going to tell me the truth.” Liv shrugged. “I need to be able to fact check.”

  “I’m not going to lie to you, baby…”

  “I can’t figure out why you’re so secretive. I’m thinking it has to be bad.” Liv said. “Illegal, immoral or something…”

  “But you’re still out with me…”

  She paused and stared at his face.

  “I told you it’s weird.” Liv shook her head.

  Miles drove down the street. “Nothing weird about it. I’m the shit.”

  “I hope so…” Liv said turning back to the window. “I really don’t want to be disappointed in you.”

  “Damn, you’ve got expectations?”

  “Hell yeah...the bar is very high.” She looked at him. “I don’t waste my time on anyone that I can’t respect.”

  They arrived at the restaurant and Miles turned to her.

  “Your respect does matter.”

  “I want your respect too, Miles.” Liv said quietly. “It also matters to me.”

  He nodded and took her hand. “I feel you…”

  She lifted her other hand to his bearded face. “I feel you back.”

  Miles kissed her softly, then exited the vehicle and escorted Liv inside the restaurant. He was greeted warmly by the staff and shown to a table. Seated across from one another, they smiled.

  “I see they know you in here,” Liv said.

  “All over.”

  Liv smirked. “So we’re here. What the hell do you do?”

  “We can’t have a little conversation? Order our meals?”

  “Stop playing Miles.” Liv told him firmly.

  The waitress arrived and they quickly placed their orders. Alone again, Liv looked at him.

  “It’s a long story,” Miles began.

  “We have all night.”

  He gave her a look. “We do?”

  “If I like what I hear...and it’s the truth?” Liv replied. “Then yes…”

  “Take out your phone.” He instructed.

  “What?” she asked.

  Miles sat back in the booth. “Take out your phone and it will help this story move faster.”

  Suspicious, Liv slowly took out her phone.

  “Now, Goggle John Miles…”

  Frowning, Liv began typing. “Who is John Miles?”

  “Search in IMDb…”

  “Like the movies?”

  He nodded and she kept frowning.

  “What are you doing?” Liv questioned.

  “I’m telling you who I am…”

  She was confused. “You’re John Miles?”

  “Yes…”

  She returned to the screen and completed the search.

  “John Miles, there’s more than one.”

  “I’m number five.”

  Liv glanced at him and then back at her phone.

  “Filmmaker?” She lifted her eyes. “You’re a filmmaker?”

  “Documentaries…”

  Continuing to read, Liv went on…

  “Award winning documentary on Detroit’s impact on culture and society.” She read aloud. “Another one on the Impact of Black Fathers on Black Boys in Urban Environments...The Toll of Raising Black Children Alone…”

  Liv stared at him.

  “Damn Miles, you are the shit.” She said surprised. “Tell me about this…”

  “After I stopped fucking up my life, I went to film school.” He explained. “At first, I thought I wanted to make movies, but I had an influence in my life who both encouraged and supported me in tackling issues that affect our community.”

  “You’re evidently very good at it.”

  “Thank you.” He said without any modesty. “I do my best.”

  “Why the pseudonym?” Liv asked.

  Miles shrugged. “It made things easier. I could still be just Miles in the hood and John Miles doesn’t have all the shit I did in his background. That way I could only be judged for the work I produced and not put in somebody’s pre-configured box.”

  “John Miles...Miles Johnson.” Liv made a face.

  “I never said I was clever…”

  She smiled. “It actually is clever. I like it.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Damn, no wonder you have women chasing you down.”

  Miles frowned. “These women around here don’t know that about me. Only very close friends and family. Otherwise, in the ‘D’...I’m just Miles. Lance’s younger brother, who runs a studio teaching high school kids about filmmaking, and a dude not to fuck with…”

  She leaned forward.

  “Why did you tell me?” Liv asked. “You could’ve just told me about the studio for the students.”

  “For some weird reason, I wanted you to know.” He replied, watching her. “I wanted to introduce you to the man I made myself into…”

  “What happened to the man you were?”

  “He’s still around, but he’s not running things…”

  Liv smiled. “The professional part of you is in charge?”

  “Yeah…”

  “Wow, I’m truly fan girling you now. An award-winning filmmaker…”

  Miles laughed. “Is that all it took?”

  “I guess so. I don’t know any filmmakers, especially award-winning ones…” Liv said, watching him in awe. “That’s so dope.”

  “Thanks,” he said awkwardly.

  Liv watched him closely.

  “You’re actually modest about it…” she said slowly.

  “I don’t talk about it a lot.”

  “Why not?” Liv asked. “That’s amazing Miles.”

  He looked away, searching for the waitress.

  “Let’s just eat.” He told Liv and she reached across the table to touch his arm.

  “Why do you have no problem with me thinking that you’re nothing more than a dude who drives an expensive car and wears nice suits, talking sexy shit...but you’re uncomfortable telling me that you’re a man with ideas and talents that you’ve used to be successful and make a difference?” Liv asked softly.

  Miles stared at the hand on his arm and felt the warmth of the firm hold. He lifted his gaze to hers, and said, “Because then you have no expectations of me…except one.”

  “I still have that one.” She told him sexily. “But…”

  “See…” he told her.

  Liv continued, “But...now I’m seeing things differently.”

  “In what way?”

  “I was attracted to Miles Johnson, and it was purely a physical thing…” Liv explained. “I was honestly ready to act on that and keep it pushing…”

  “And now?”

  “I still plan to act on that physical attraction,” she replied. “But, also in the time that I have with John Miles...I want to learn everything I can about him, because now I’m not only attracted but thoroughly intrigued.”

  He placed his hand over hers.

  “I’m with that, because Olivia Jones has intrigued me from day one…”

  Chapter 5

  “This food is crazy good!” Liv told Miles over dinner.

  “I told you.”

  She made a face at him.

  “Taylor told me too…”

  “She’s only been here a
couple of times,” Miles rebutted. “I’ve been here since it opened.”

  “Okay, I’ll give you that.”

  Miles smiled. “Thank you...damn.”

  Chuckling, Liv looked over at him. “You like to argue about every damn thing.”

  “It takes two to argue. You know that?”

  “People who argue have passion,” she told him.

  Picking up his glass, Miles stared at her.

  “I’d like to see that displayed in another form.” He said quietly sipping his beverage.

  Liv grinned and continued to enjoy her meal.

  “Tell me about teaching,” Miles inquired.

  “I love it.” She answered.

  “You teach middle school science…”

  Nodding, she continued, “Yes, and I enjoy watching our children interact with the nature they’re connected to…”

  “Did you always want to be a teacher?”

  She paused. “I can’t say always, but certainly once I got into high school.”

  “I bet you were one of those smart nerdy girls...with a bad girl side.” He guessed.

  “I’ll take smart, not that nerdy unless you consider walking around with a magnifying glass.”

  Miles frowned. “Yeah, I’d consider that nerdy as hell.”

  “What were you like in high school?” Liz questioned. “I bet you thought you were so cool.”

  “I was...I was the shit then and I still am.”

  She rolled her eyes then looked over at a handsome man standing at their table.

  “Look who the cat drug in?” Lance asked, then hugged his brother. “What up doe?”

  “What up doe?” Miles replied, returning the embrace.

  The two brothers smiled at one another.

  “I haven’t seen you in here for dinner in a while.” Lance commented.

  “I brought a guest.” Miles told him.

  Lance turned his smile on Liv.

  “Welcome to Katydids, Liv.”

  “Thank you Lance. The food is fire…” Liv told him while grinning.

  “Which I told her it was,” Miles added.

  Liv made a face at Miles.

  “Yes, he said that...but Taylor also said the same thing.”

  Laughing at the pair, Lance turned back to Miles.

  “Looking good, little brother.”

  Miles touched his silk tie.

  “I’m impressing my date for the evening.” He winked at Liv.

  Lance turned to her.

  “You’re letting this dude impress you?” he teased.

  “He’s trying,” Liv said with a nonchalant shrug. “I’m going to see how well he does…”

  “Make his ass work,” Lance told her.

  Frowning, Miles interjected, “Hey, you’re supposed to be helping me out.”

  “I am,” Lance said patting Miles’ shoulder. “A woman worth having is a woman you work to get.”

  He looked from one to the other. “Enjoy your meals.”

  Liv and Miles watched him walk away.

  “He’s right.” Liv said, nodding her head.

  Miles looked at her.

  “Would you work for a man worth having?” he posed the question.

  Liv smiled. “If I found one, I’d work my ass off…”

  “I take it he’s not in Dallas…”

  “If he is, I haven’t met him.” She confirmed.

  Miles scooped his food.

  “Do you like Dallas?” he asked.

  “I do...it’s been home.” Liv answered. “But, I miss Taylor so much…”

  “You two are close?”

  Liv sighed. “Most times we’re all that we have.”

  He looked confused. “What about the rest of your family?”

  “Long story...one that I don’t share on dates.” She said quietly.

  “Hey, I feel you.”

  She smiled. “Thanks.”

  Miles sat his fork down.

  “While we’re talking about Dallas...have you heard from that Ty dude again?” he inquired.

  “I blocked him...twice.” Liv explained. “So unless he got some new phones today, I don’t expect to hear from him.”

  “Are you worried about when you return?” Miles asked concerned. “Some of these dudes can get way out of pocket.”

  “Aww...you actually sound like you care.”

  “Why wouldn’t I?”

  Liv shrugged and looked at her plate. “Because it’s not your problem…”

  “I might have to disagree.”

  “I’ll take care of it…” Liv assured him, lifting her face.

  Miles held her gaze.

  “You’re used to taking care of things yourself?” he inquired.

  “If I can’t run to Taylor...yeah,” she answered. “She’s trained and carries a gun, but I can handle my own, when I have to do it.”

  “What’s his last name?”

  Liv shook her head. “No. We are not going to do that.”

  “Do what?”

  “Get you involved in something that you don’t have to be involved in…”

  “I’m already involved.”

  She looked confused. “How?”

  “I witnessed him harassing you. I can’t just ignore it.”

  “Yes, you can.”

  Miles shook his head.

  “Nah, that’s not me.”

  “Oh, you wear a cape, too?” Liv asked, lifting a brow.

  She smiled as he made a motion like Clark Kent, pulling his shirt apart.

  “You’re cute.”

  “I know.” Miles replied, staring into her face. “You’re bad…”

  “I know.” Liv said, holding his gaze.

  “Are you done eating?” he asked.

  She nodded. “Yes…”

  “I know a nice little club where we can uh, talk some more…”

  “I’d love to go talk some more.”

  Liv watched Miles take out his wallet and drop a few large bills on the table. Standing to his feet, he held out a hand and Liv took it. She was surprised that he held on to it, while leading her to the door.

  “Do you want to say goodbye to your brother?” She asked.

  “I’ll see him later,” Miles replied. “He’s probably in the back getting it in with Khayla.”

  Liv blinked. “Wow...okay.”

  Out in the vehicle, she turned to him.

  “Are we really going to a club, or is that your code for your house?” Liv asked.

  Miles frowned. “It’s really a club and I don’t take women to my house.”

  “You don’t take women to your house?” Liv lifted a brow.

  “Nah, I keep my space private.”

  She stared at him. “So what were your plans after the club?”

  “We could get a room at the hotel or go back to your place…” Miles explained.

  Her eyes narrowed before she spoke.

  “Number one, Negro...I don’t do hotels.” Liv told him. “Number two, I’m not about to be up in my sister’s spot when I’m out with a grown ass man.”

  “So you’re just going to make me take you home with me?” Miles questioned. “You’re crazy.”

  “Oh, you don’t have to take me no damn where, Miles…” Liv reached for the door handle and found it locked. “Open this damn door!”

  “Hey, calm the fuck down.”

  She glared at him.

  “Open the door Miles, before I start whipping your ass.” Liv threatened.

  “Hold up.” Miles said firmly. “First of all, you’re not whipping no ass in here...and I’m not leaving you in a fucking parking lot.”

  “I’ll get my own ride.” She growled. “Unlock the doors!”

  Seeing the look in her eyes, Miles reached for the lock and as soon as it clicked, Liv was out of the SUV and stalking through the parking lot, taking out her phone.

  “This damn woman!” Miles gritted out, snatching his keys from the ignition and following her. “Liv!”

  He c
ould hear Liv on the phone.

  “Taylor, come get me before I kill this man!”

  On the other end, Taylor was confused.

  “Kill who? Where are you?” Taylor questioned. “I thought you were out with Miles?”

  “That’s who I’m going to kill!”

  Liv looked up as Miles reached her side.

  “Go away, and leave me the hell alone!” She told him.

  “What is going on?” Taylor yelled through the phone.

  Miles put a hand on her arm. “Please don’t do this…” he said quietly.

  Something in his voice quelled her angry retort and she looked up at him.

  “Listen, I wasn’t trying to offend you.” Miles continued. “That’s honestly how I roll…”

  “Hello?” Taylor yelled.

  Liv replied, “Hold on…”

  Keeping her eyes on Miles, Liv said, “If that’s honestly how you roll...then I’m really sorry.”

  “What do you mean?” he asked.

  “Thank you for dinner,” she said softly. “Enjoy the rest of your night.”

  Liv turned and walked away.

  “Taylor...I’m at Katydids.” She said into the phone.

  “What is going on, Liv?” Taylor demanded.

  “Things just didn’t work out with Miles.”

  “What happened?”

  Liv sighed and turned to look where Miles now stood watching her along with his brother, who had exited the restaurant to see what was going on.

  “He’s not what I thought.”

  “Are you okay?” Taylor questioned.

  “Yeah...can you come and get me?”

  “Of course. I’m on my way.”

  Liv nodded. “Thanks.”

  ******

  “What the hell, Miles?” Lance said gruffly.

  Miles looked at him, still keeping an eye on where Liv stood on the phone.

  “She just started tripping.”

  “About what?”

  Frowning, Miles shook his head.

  “Some bullshit.”

  “You’re messing with my business having a screaming woman in my parking lot.” Lance told him. “Now what the hell happened?”

  “I told her that I don’t take females to my spot.” Miles shared.

  Lance looked confused, then looked at Liv in the black dress.

  “THAT woman was willing to go home with you?” he asked.

  “I told her that I don’t roll like that.”

  Lance looked at Liv again, then at Miles.

  “What is it that you don’t roll with?” He lifted a brow.

  “I offered to take her to a hotel.”