repeated. “I
like it. Sounds hard. Strong. Virile.”
Marlowe smirked. “You should see your face.
Your eyes are glazed over like you’re giving a testimonial for
Viagra.”
“ I wish. It’s been a
minute since I’ve been tightened up.”
The two women laughed. Marlowe had to admit
the man’s rough sounding name made her think all kinds of nasty
thoughts.
“ But on the real, you need
to go on and hook me up with his number,” Toye said. “You’re having
sex on the regular. It’s not like you don’t get enough.”
“ Excuse you.” Marlowe
twisted her lips. “First of all, I’m not trying to hook up with
this man. It’s strictly business. And second, there’s no such thing
as enough sex.
Shit, there’s always room for more.”
“ Fine. I guess I’ll just
live vicariously through your phone conversation.”
“ It’s just business,”
Marlowe sang.
“ Whatever,” Toye sang in
reply.
Marlowe giggled as she dialed the man’s
number. She should have waited for Toye to leave before she made
the call. Her cousin was so damn nosey. But she needed the comfort
of someone else in the room.
“ Put him on speakerphone,”
Toye instructed.
Marlowe rolled her
eyes. Why do I have the feeling I’m about
to regret this?
Her heartbeat faltered when he answered.
“Roque Coleman speaking.”
“ Mr. Coleman? This is
Marlowe Jones.”
“ Ms. Jones, I’ve been
waiting to hear from you. I take it you’re calling to accept my
offer?”
Marlowe grimaced. The nerve of him! She’d
barely gotten a chance to say her name before he jumped all over
her like a hyena on a baby lion. “Um, no. I’m calling to get the
address where the property is located. I want to see this place for
myself.”
“ No problem. However, I
don’t mind telling you I’m dealing with a deadline. Do you have
time to look at the property today?”
She did. But she didn’t appreciate his pushy
attitude. She glanced at Toye who was nodding her head in
agreement. “Tomorrow would be better.”
Toye’s frown was comical.
“ That works for me,” he
said. “I’ll have a car pick you up at ten a.m.”
A car? Well, well, Mr. Bigtime. Why would he
send a car for her when she was perfectly capable of driving
herself? Was he trying to impress her or something?
She glanced at Toye who vehemently bobbed
her head up and down, mouthing the word, ‘yes’ over and over.
“ No,” Marlowe told Roque.
“I’ll provide my own transportation.”
Marlowe almost laughed as Toye muttered
under her breath. “Damn.”
“ I’m sorry, what was
that?” Roque asked.
Marlowe moved farther away from Toye so
Roque wouldn’t pick up any noise from her. “I said I hate to bother
you when I’m sure you have more important things going on.”
“ I wouldn’t consider it a
bother at all. Besides, it would give me a chance to go over the
paperwork with you on the ride over.”
“ I don’t think so. Any
legal documents would go through my attorney anyway. And also, I
don’t know you. I’m not taking a ride with a complete
stranger.”
“ All right.” His deep
chuckle warmed her insides like whiskey on a fall day. “I can
assure you, I don’t bite—unless you want me to.”
An image of him teasing her nipples with his
teeth sent a flush of warmth through her. She glanced at Toye, who
sat on the edge of her seat with her mouth agape. Then, just as
quickly, her cousin recovered, smiled, and gave her the ‘thumbs up’
sign.
Marlowe shook her head. “I’ll pass on the
biting, Mr. Coleman. But you can give me that address anytime. I’m
ready.”
“ 319 Club
Lane.”
She scribbled the address on the back of an
envelope. “Thank you.”
“ Are you going alone?” he
asked. “Or do you have a man to escort you?”
Unbelievable! Did this guy realize how
obnoxious he sounded? “I don’t see how that’s relevant.”
“ It’s a rough
neighborhood. I just thought I should let you know to be
careful.”
“ Trust me, Mr.