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

Throwing his head back, Lance groaned.

  “Were you going to leave money on the dresser after you crawled up out of her?” Lance questioned and Miles glared at him.

  “Let me do me…” Miles told him angrily.

  “How’s that working for you?”

  Miles walked over to Liv and looked down at her.

  “Can I talk to you?” he asked softly.

  “Taylor’s on her way, so you can go.”

  He stepped closer. “Can I talk to you?” Miles repeated.

  Liv stared up into his handsome face.

  “What do you want, Miles?”

  “I want to go back to before all this shit jumped off…”

  She continued to stare at him.

  “I wanted to be with you,” Liv said honestly. “I thought it would be amazing, but now…”

  Miles stopped her words when he cupped her jaw and covered her lips with his thumb.

  “Let’s just squash that.” Miles told her, tracing the fullness of her bottom lip.

  Liv asked, “And do what?”

  “I’m supposed to be taking you to the club.” He reminded her. “Don’t leave like this…”

  “Taylor’s on her way to get me.”

  “Call her...tell her I’ll bring you home later.”

  They stared at one another for a long moment.

  “I should say no…” Liv told him.

  He shook his head.

  “I promised to not give you a reason to say that tonight.” Miles stroked her cheek. “I don’t want to break my promise.”

  Liv paused for a moment and Miles waited.

  “Let me see if I can catch her.”

  Dropping his hand, Miles stepped back and Liv placed the call.

  “Hey, Taylor. You don’t have to come.” Liv said, keeping her eyes locked with Miles’.

  “What happened now?” Taylor asked. “Mathias and I were just leaving.”

  “Miles will bring me back to your place.”

  “Miles?” Taylor questioned. “I thought you were just going to kill him?”

  Liv saw Miles’ brow lift when he heard Taylor through the phone.

  “I still might, but not yet…” Liv replied. “I’ll tell you about it later.”

  “Are you sure, Liv? You were really upset.” Taylor reminded her.

  “Yeah, we’re just going to go to the club for a little while, then I’ll go home.” Liv explained.

  Taylor wanted to press, but she didn’t, knowing that her sister was going to do what she wanted.

  “Okay, call me when you get back if I’m not there yet.” Taylor responded. “I was going to stay at Mathias’ place because I wasn’t expecting you to come back to the apartment until late...if at all.”

  “Change in plans…” Liv said as Miles watched and listened.

  “Sorry…”

  Liv looked over Miles. “Yeah, me too.”

  Ending the call, Liv turned to see Lance coming toward them.

  “Can I leave you two out here?” he asked.

  “We’re good.” Miles assured him.

  Lance turned to Liv for her to confirm.

  “Yes, we’re good.”

  “I don’t want the police out here.” He told them.

  Miles frowned. “We’re good...and we’re leaving.”

  “Together?’ Lance questioned.

  Liv smiled. “Yes, together.”

  Lance looked at his brother impressed.

  “Alright now...that’s what I’m talking about.” He gave Miles a manshake, then headed toward the entrance. Miles placed a hand on Liv’s back and led her to his vehicle. Opening the door, he helped her inside, then walked around to the other side.

  Liv watched him slide into the seat and fasten his seatbelt. With a glance at her, he started the engine and took off. When they drove quietly in silence for a short distance, Liv turned to him.

  “Are we not talking to one another?” she asked.

  “Nah, I was thinking.”

  She nodded. “Okay…I won’t interrupt.”

  Sitting back, she looked out the window as they entered the freeway. Watching the lights pass, Liv sighed.

  “I don’t like arguing and fussing.” Miles said quietly, keeping his eyes on the road. “I’ve lived with enough of that shit.”

  Liv turned to him.

  “Okay…” she agreed slowly. “I’m sorry.”

  Miles glanced at her, then back to the road still handling the luxury vehicle.

  “That’s why I don’t have women at my spot. It’s my sanctuary...away from all the bullshit I have to deal with day after day…” He explained. “It wasn’t personal.”

  “Now see, if you would’ve led with that, we probably could have avoided this entire scene that involved your brother and my sister.” Liv told him.

  “You snapped.” Miles told her with a frown.

  “No, you made it seem like I was basic.”

  He smiled softly. “I’ve never thought that…”

  “I don’t want you to start.”

  “Apparently, you won’t let me.”

  Liv touched his face.

  “Now, doesn’t saying that you just like peace at your place sound hella different than that’s how I roll?” she asked gently stroking his beard.

  Miles frowned. “I’m not used to having to explain myself.”

  “I’ll just ask for clarification, if I need it.” Liv said, and removed her hand. “So, can we just enjoy the club? I’m only here for another day and I want to have some fun while I’m here.”

  “I want to show you a good time.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate that.”

  Liv sat back and enjoyed the rest of the ride, wondering what she was going to do with her purse full of condoms. She crossed her legs and and saw his head turn in that direction before turning back to the road.

  “Can I get some music?” she asked, to distract her thoughts.

  “Sure.”

  When the rap song came on, Liv felt the heavy bass fill the interior. The bars were fire and Liv nodded.

  “Oh, that’s hard!” she told him.

  “Detroit rappers…” he told her.

  As he drove, Miles began to drop the next lyrics in the song, and Liv listened closely then looked at him.

  “Wait! That’s you!” She yelled.

  He smiled and finished the verse, then looked at her.

  “You rap?”

  “Hell nah,” Miles told her. “That’s a mixtape. I was just fucking around with them dudes last night.”

  Liv gave him a look.

  “You’re a very talented man…” she complimented.

  He shrugged and pulled up to a building before turning to her.

  “I hope you like this place.”

  “I’m sure I will.” Liv smiled. “And I promise no arguing…”

  Miles leaned forward and touched his lips to hers gently, then got out and escorted her inside. Liv looked around the nice space and nodded. For some reason, she’d thought Miles was taking her to a regular get your freak on club, but this place was pretty upscale and laid back.

  They were shown to a private table and Miles waited until she was seated on the sofa then joined her. Unbuttoning his jacket, Miles looked over at her.

  “Is this cool?”

  “It’s very nice.”

  He smiled. “I’m glad you approve.”

  “I do.”

  The waitress arrived and smiled at Miles.

  “Hey Miles.” She greeted.

  “What up doe?” he replied.

  The woman smiled at Liv.

  “What can I get y’all?” she asked.

  “Cristal…” Miles answered, and she looked happy.

  “Bottle or glasses?”

  Miles smiled. “One bottle and bring two glasses.”

  “I’ll be right back with that.” The waitress hurried off.

  “Cristal? What are we celebrating?” Liv asked.

  He moved closer until his fac
e was next to hers.

  “Being priceless…”

  Chapter 6

  After the arrival of the bottle and they’d both drained a glass, Liv sat cuddled against Miles’ tall frame.

  “You know what?” Liv asked as the music played around them.

  “What up?”

  She sighed and placed a hand on his chest, looking up into his face.

  “My bad for tripping on you earlier…”

  He lifted a brow.

  “An apology?” Miles asked.

  “A genuine one.” Liv said firmly.

  Miles smiled. “Thank you.”

  “You seem surprised.”

  “I am.”

  “Why?” she questioned.

  “Most people don’t give a shit when they show their asses…”

  Liv frowned. “I didn’t say I showed my ass.”

  “Oh, you did. I’ll say it.”

  “This is probably why people don’t apologize to you.” Liv pointed out to him.

  Touching the frown on her face, Miles said, “Thank you for the apology. I accept it.”

  “You should apologize, too.”

  “For what?”

  She pouted her full lips.

  “For making me think you weren’t the man I’d hoped you be…”

  Miles traced her mouth, while holding her eyes.

  “What were you hoping for?”

  Liv replied, “A man who appreciates an interesting, beautiful woman...and knows how to show her.”

  “Will this interesting, beautiful woman allow me to show her?” he whispered.

  Her response was to lift her face to his, and Miles tasted her lips which were a combination of champagne and fire. The kiss deepened as Liv pulled him closer.

  “I didn’t knew we’d get a show.” A female voice said.

  “It’s Miles, so…” a male voice replied.

  Liv and Miles pulled apart and turned to the voices. Recognizing the couple, Liv smiled while Miles frowned.

  “Ethan…” Miles got to his feet, along with Liv.

  The two men shared a manshake, and the women greeted one another with a hug.

  “Hey, Liv.” Dawn smiled. “Nice to see you again…although I didn’t see you snuggled all under Miles.”

  Liv grinned and looked at Miles, who was talking with Ethan.

  “I heard you were in the spot,” Ethan told him. “So we just came to holla...didn’t mean to interrupt.”

  “You’re good.” Miles replied.

  “Why don’t we let the ladies chat for a moment?” Ethan suggested.

  Miles gave him a look. “Uh, okay…”

  Glancing back, he saw Liv engrossed in a conversation with Dawn.

  “We’ll just step to the side.” Ethan told him.

  The two men moved a short distance from the women and Miles lifted a brow.

  “Did you come here looking for me?” he asked.

  “Nah, but I was here...and so were you.” Ethan replied.

  “So what’s up?”

  Ethan said, “We’re meeting tomorrow to discuss the Neo Negus.”

  “I have a phone.” Miles told him.

  “So do I.”

  Miles frowned. “I’m just saying that you could’ve called or sent me a text.”

  “Thought it was better to tell you in person.” Ethan responded. “Plus, Dawn and I had a bet on who you were here with…”

  “What?”

  Ethan nodded. “Yeah, she said it was Liv.” He shook his head. “I didn’t think you did two nights in a row…you know what that says.”

  “To who?” Miles questioned.

  “Your rotation.” Ethan replied. “Unless, you’re leaving the game.”

  “I am the game.”

  Ethan glanced over to where Liv was smiling and laughing with his wife.

  “Okay, we’ll see how long the game goes on.” Ethan said smugly.

  “Thanks for the message.” Miles told him. “Text me the time and location.”

  Smiling Ethan said, “Will do.”

  The men returned to where the ladies sat thoroughly engrossed in their conversation and exchanging numbers.

  Ethan lifted a brow at Miles.

  “I can’t wait to watch this game.” He told him, shaking his head before going to take his wife’s hand.

  “Come on baby, you won the bet.” Ethan took her into his arms as she stood. “You get rewarded.”

  Dawn smiled. “I love winning.”

  They both laughed before leaving Miles and Liv alone again. He sat next to her and looked into her face.

  “Sorry about that.”

  Liv smiled. “It’s fine. I really like Dawn.”

  “They’re cool.” He agreed.

  “You know them well?”

  Shrugging, Miles answered, “We don’t hang out together, but I know them. Dawn’s my barber.”

  “She said that she’s the best in the city.” Liv reached up and touched his neat hairline. “I guess she’s right.”

  “She keeps us tight. That’s for sure…”

  Liv’s hand moved to his face.

  “That she does…”

  With the music in the background, Miles asked, “Do you want to dance?”

  “No,” Liv whispered gently rubbing his soft beard.

  “What do you want?”

  Smiling sexily, she replied, “You.”

  Miles sat back and studied her beautiful face. His body told him to immediately take her up on her offer, but his head warned him to think twice.

  “You’re afraid of me.” Liv said quietly, moving over and crossing her shapely legs.

  His eyes flew to her creamy skin and he licked his lips.

  “Not afraid...cautious.”

  She smiled and her full lips parted showing her pretty white teeth.

  “I won’t hurt you.” Liv teased.

  Laughing softly, Miles moved closer and placed a big hand on her thigh.

  “You promise?” he asked, and began kissing her neck.

  Liv felt his hand on her thigh move higher.

  “Don’t ever doubt me.” She told him.

  Moving his face back to hers, Miles captured her mouth in a kissed that sent them both up in flames. After a minute, they heard a woman gently clear her throat.

  Miles turned and saw the waitress.

  “Hey, just checking to see if you needed anything else?”

  Wiping the dampness from his bottom lip, he replied, “The check please.”

  ******

  Liv watched as Miles turned onto a street filled with large, stately homes in a very desirable neighborhood.

  “Is this still Detroit?” she asked.

  He nodded. “It’s called Indian Village.”

  “These homes are lovely.”

  “It’s a historical district. The homes were built in the early 1900’s and became the jewel of the city, where all the important people Lived.” He explained.

  She continued to stare out of the window until he stopped in front of one of the houses.

  “This is your house?” Liv turned to him in surprise.

  “I’m important.”

  Ignoring his response, she turned back to look at the structure.

  “It’s a mansion.” She commented. “I thought things were only big in Texas.”

  Miles laughed. “We got big things in the ‘D’. Trust me…”

  Liv looked at him again.

  “Last chance to run.” She told him.

  “Nah, I don’t run.” Miles held her gaze.

  Liv touched his face gently and he leaned over to touch his lips to hers.

  “I want to come inside,” Liv said softly.

  “So do I…” he whispered and she smiled.

  Exiting the car, Miles came around and opened the door for Liv. With a hand on her back, he led her to the front entrance. Opening the door, Miles stepped aside and allowed Liv inside.

  Standing in the massive foyer, Liv looked around while Miles turned
on some lights. By the time he came to stand in front of her, she was confused.

  “You live in this big ass house and you don’t bring anybody here?” Liv asked.

  “I like peace.”

  She took note of the silence inside the home.

  “It’s so quiet.” Liv commented.

  “I do all my partying in the streets, then I come here and I relax.”

  “Can I see the rest?” she asked.

  Miles took her hand. “Come this way.”

  Following his lead, Liv followed Miles through the thoroughly renovated and remodeled home, admiring the design.

  “Did you buy it like this?”

  “No, it was a rehab.” He explained. “My brother and his best friend are into real estate and hooked me up with a good deal. It took about two years to get everything done.”

  “It’s beautiful.”

  “Thank you.” Miles said, leading her upstairs. “Bedrooms are up here.”

  “How many?”

  “Five.”

  Liv frowned. “Are you planning to have a big family at some point?”

  “No.”

  “Then why do you have a place this big?”

  He turned and looked at her. “Because I can...and nobody ever thought I would.”

  They reached the master and Liv walked over to the large bed, dropped her bag and scanned the room after Miles flicked on some low lights.

  “Very nice. Did you pick out everything?”

  Loosening his tie, Miles shook his head. “Nah, I hired a designer...but it’s my taste.”

  “Then you have very good taste...which is evident.” Liv commented. “Can I see the bathroom?”

  “Did you come here just to case my house?”

  She smiled. “Shut up. This place is amazing and I want to see it.”

  “Yeah, you can see the bathroom.” He replied. “Just know that I’m the most amazing thing in here.”

  Liv looked him up and down. “Maybe…”

  While she went to scope out his bathroom, Miles removed his tie, jacket and shoes...then laid back on the bed, after sitting her purse on the nightstand. It felt different having another person in his home...outside of his family.

  “You know what?”

  He turned to the sound of Liv’s voice and saw her standing in the doorway.

  “What?”

  Miles watched her slowly approach the bed. Stopping, Liv kicked off her shoes, then put a hand on his stomach and felt his tight abs.

  “You definitely are the most amazing thing in here.” She told him, climbing to straddle his body.

  “Let me show you.” Miles pulled her face down to his.