Naughty by Nature by Brenda Hampton Page B

like a motherfucka.”
    Jaylin kept at it. “Why she so fine like that? There are some beautiful women in Florida, but they don’t come like that. And if they did,” he laughed, “my ass would be in trouble.”
    I was kind of shocked by the things Jaylin said, but I knew he couldn’t lie about the way Scorpio made him feel. “So, what’s the plan,” I asked.
    â€œThe plan is . . . She asked me to meet her for dinner tonight.”
    â€œAnd what’s the verdict? Are you or aren’t you?”
    Jaylin took a deep breath and walked back over to the couch. He unbuttoned another button on his shirt and lightly rubbed his chest. “I don’t know yet,” he said. “The last time we had dinner together, it was cut short and we wound up in a hotel room fucking. If I meet her, there’s no doubt that history will repeat itself.”
    â€œThen don’t go—unless you want to fuck her. It’s as simple as that. If you want to fuck her, go. And, if you don’t, then don’t go.”
    â€œShane, you’d better not ever repeat this to anybody, do you understand!”
    I placed my finger on my lips. “Secrecy, dog. Your words are safe with me.”
    â€œI wanna fuck her so bad that I can taste it. I ain’t never been one, nor will I ever be one to crave for something and not have it. Whatever I decide, you need to know that I love my wife, my kids, and I would never do anything to intentionally hurt them. Since I’ve been happily married, I have had no desire for another woman until today. Do not judge me, my brotha, and understand that I am human, and sometimes, the flesh gets weak.”
    I was silent because I definitely knew where the night was headed. A part of me felt angry for bringing them back together, and even though Nokea probably would never find out, I would always know the truth. I knew that if something went down tonight, I had to laugh in Nokea’s face and pretend that everything was good. More than anything, I knew that this love affair between Jaylin and Scorpio would be an ongoing thing.
    When 2:00 P.M. rolled around, I was pleased. Jaylin, Felicia and I sat in the boardroom with six investors from the Mayor’s Group. After Jaylin threw down on his professional speech about how competent Davenports was to move forward with their project in downtown St. Louis, I knew the offer was in the bag. When he finished, I picked up where he left off and shared with them the ideas I had for bringing our city back to life. Many developers had already begun to do so, but my ideas added an exquisite taste of its own.
    During my presentation, I noticed Jaylin drift off several times. I had to call his name three times to verify that he’d heard what I suggested. I knew he hadn’t heard me, but he agreed with everything I said. Nobody else seemed to trip, but no doubt, I knew where his mind was.
    By the time our meeting was over, it was almost 6:00 P.M. Felicia and I were overjoyed, as the Mayor’s Group agreed to let Davenports be the designers for their five and a half million dollar project. Now, we wouldn’t see all of that money, being the designers and all, but a large chunk of it was going to make its way into our hands.
    After they left, we all sat around laughing and talking about what had went down. I thanked Jaylin repeatedly and so did Felicia.
    â€œWe are in debt to you forever, my brotha,” I said, shaking his hand.
    â€œHey, y’all doing all of the work. I just made the introduction possible.”
    â€œWell, we really appreciate it,” Felicia said. “If only you’d let me repay you.”
    â€œYou can repay me by getting along better with Shane. I understand that there have been some squabbling matches between y’all.”
    â€œThere are always squabbles within a partnership, Jaylin. Some things can’t be avoided,” she looked over at me. “Right,