Cameron 6 by Jade Jones Page B

dimples. “Maybe… is it workin’?”
    “Maybe,” she giggled.
    Magyc took her small hand in his. “All I need is thirty minutes. Let me do that for you. No funny business either. I know how you get down,” he added before holding his hands up in mock surrender.
    Roxie had her reservations when it came to dealing with men of his caliber. However, she knew that she only lived once. Oh, what the hell? She wasn’t doing any harm by having lunch with him. Pushing her fears to the back of her mind, Roxie decided to take him up on his offer.
    “Okay.”
    Magyc was elated after she accepted, but he tried his best to play it cool. After plugging his number in her phone, he sent her cute ass on her way, and finished tending to business. With Jude temporarily out of commission, he now had to oversee the entire operation by making sure things still ran smoothly. A lot of the fellas weren’t feeling that since they’d been in the game longer, but it was what it was. His boss had given him a role, and he planned on playing it to perfection.
    Being the head nigga in charge also meant that Jude’s problems would soon become his own. Magyc just didn’t know it yet.

10

    Cameron had trouble grasping the fact that she was once again in her hometown, Cleveland. She had sworn that she’d never return, and like a menstrual cycle, she was back unexpectedly.
    Much to Cameron’s surprise, her city looked a lot different than it did two years ago when she left. A few old buildings were knocked down, and in its place were newly built structures. Cam was extremely shocked to see that Viking Hall had been demolished. Now all she had were memories of living on campus. She missed those days. Shit was so much less complicated. Back then, the only things she had to worry about were Pocahontas and her antics.
    Cam could’ve been tripping, but it looked like the city had come up on a little money after the new casinos opened. Horseshoe had the whole city buzzing. Cam even noticed a few new hotels downtown.
    Cameron spent her first two nights at Aloft before finally securing a cheap two-bedroom apartment on the Westside of Cleveland she’d found on Craigslist. The owners only wanted $475 for the 620 sq. ft. unit, and she couldn’t beat the affordable price.
    Cam didn’t have much to her name. Jude kept most of his assets locked away in a safe and foreign, untraceable bank account. He gave her cash whenever she wanted it, but she hardly if ever, needed anything. Cameron didn’t realize until then that that was his way of controlling her. His only means of keeping an invisible leash tied around her neck. Now that she was on her own, Cam had nothing but a few measly thousands to her name. It was pathetic.
    After paying the deposit and first month’s rent, she was left with $2000. Furnishing the place cost another thousand. When it was all said and done, Cameron had less than $900 in her possession. There was no way in hell she would call on anyone to help her. She had far too much pride. This was her life. She’d made her bed and now she had to lay in it. Cam knew eventually she’d have to make something shake. And from the looks of things, it might just be her ass.
    ***
    Table at Ten in midtown was the restaurant Roxie had decided on. Magyc only had her waiting five minutes before he waltzed inside and joined her in a booth near the window.
    Butterflies formed in Roxie’s tummy the minute she saw him walk through the door. She hadn’t stopped watching it since he agreed to meet her. She wouldn’t admit it, but she hadn’t felt that much interest and chemistry since Joaquin.
    Roxie quickly shook the dangerous thoughts from her mind. She knew she had no business thinking them. Besides, she’d made it more than clear that nothing would pop off between them.
    We’re just having lunch. Nothing more, nothing less, Roxie reminded herself. Still, she couldn’t deny her attraction to Magyc. He was sexy, poised, and magnetic. She hardly knew