His Sexy Bad Habit Read Free

causing them to break off the kiss.
    That kiss still kept him up at night, even after all the time that had passed. It kept him yearning for more from Serena, but he couldn’t get caught in her sexy web when he had A.J. and his business to run. Still, how much longer could he deny what he wanted?

Chapter 2
    Two days after Kandace and Solomon were whisked away to Dundret in Sweden for their snow-filled honeymoon, Serena stood in the townhouse that Kandace used to rent, unpacking her things, since she was going to staying in Charlotte until the restaurant was redesigned. She was happy that she’d allowed movers to bring in all of the heavy items like her bedroom suite, her leather living room sectional, and her heavy bookcases. Had she been smarter, she would’ve allowed them to unpack her books and set up the entertainment center.
    “Why did I bring all this crap?” she muttered as she looked around the maze of boxes. “It’s not as if I’m going to live here forever.” Serena plopped down on the edge of the sofa and reached for her cell phone to call Alicia and Jade. They could at least come over and help her unpack since they suggested she move into the townhouse, rather than take a suite at a hotel. Honestly,Serena knew she needed a place of her own if she was going to enact her plan of cracking Antonio Billups.
    Since the wedding, she’d only gotten a glimpse of him as he worked gutting the dining room of the restaurant. So far, Alicia and Jade had handled most of the business meetings because she’d been wrapping up her business in Atlanta. Now that she was in Charlotte she was ready to mix a lot of pleasure with a little business.
    “Hello,” Jade said when she picked up the phone.
    “What are you doing?” Serena asked.
    “I just tucked my son in for a nap. Are the movers done with you?”
    “Yes. I’m calling so you and Alicia can come and help me unpack.”
    “Alicia’s on her way back to Atlanta and Jaden just went to sleep, so it looks as if you’re on your own right now,” Jade said. “I’m actually surprised you’re not at the restaurant.”
    Serena smiled. “You know, I will go over there and take a look at what’s going on. By the time I get home, your son should be awake and you can come over.”
    “Serena, what’s so special about Antonio Billups? I’ve never seen you go out of your way for a man. Hell, they normally fall at your feet. This is more than about you wanting to sleep with him.”
    “No, it isn’t,” Serena said. “Don’t make it seem like I’m some man eater. He’s different. I just can’tput my finger on it right now. But I’m going to have fun trying to figure out just what’s going on.”
    “Please be careful. He’s the best contractor in town and the last thing we need is for you to give him a reason to quit on us,” Jade cautioned.
    “Trust me, what I want from Mr. Billups has nothing to do with our business,” Serena said. “And since you’re watching your sleeping baby, I’m going to the restaurant.”
    “What happens when a man sweeps you off your feet and you fall in love?”
    “I don’t believe in the whole fairy tale thing,” Serena said. “I can stand on my own and I like my feet just where they are, firmly planted on the ground.”
    “That’s what you say now,” Jade said. “Maybe Antonio is what you need—a challenge.”
    “A challenge? What are you talking about? He’s a man and soon enough, we’ll do what both of us want to do. Had it not been for you, it would’ve happened already.”
    “How is your quasi-obsession with this man my fault?” Jade asked.
    “We were close to sealing the deal that night when you walked in at the Westin,” Serena said, closing her eyes and reliving that kiss.
    “There have been other times for you to seal the deal. I swear, talking to you is just like talking to a man sometimes,” Jade said in an exasperated tone.
    “Please, I’m not as stupid as those so-called players you’re