When A Woman Hustles, Danielle Martin [books to read in your 20s .TXT] 📗

there mouth wide opened completely dumbfounded on what just happened. "I'm gonna go now. Make yourself comfortable. I will have Pumpkin call you tomorrow so you can come pick up the keys to your new place. Oh and don’t forget, you have to work tomorrow night so make sure your prepared." He eyed her, hitting her with everything at once as she still attempted to re cooperate. "Uhhh... Okay." She stammered. Reese was dizzy and wanted nothing more than to collapse. Her body was 2 seconds away from climaxing. She nodded her head feeling slightly winded. He smirked than began walking towards the door. "Oh yeah one more thing." He stopped in his tracks again and turned back to her. "Do me a favor." Reese looked at him, wondering what kind of favor he could possibly want now.

"As far as what happens between me and you, I need you to keep it between me and you. And when I say that, I mean make sure you don’t go running around telling Pumpkin anything about us."

Reese flinched as he mentioned her name. She suddenly felt a hint of jealousy taking over as she prepared to ask the question she had been wanting to know since the first night they met. "Why? Do you mess around with her or something?" She was curious to know the answer. The way Pumpkin acted around King, she gave off a vibe that he meant more to her than just her boss.

He chuckled while shaking his head. "Absolutely not." He stated firmly. She breathed a sigh of relief. "Let’s just say Pumpkin is real protective of me. And we don’t need her finding out about this." He eyed her again to make sure she understood. Reese nodded. She would do anything he asked and keep things on the low if that’s what he wanted.

"I'm gonna see you later." He nodded his head towards her. "I promise you that." With that being said, he turned his back and walked away, out towards the door that they came. Reese stood there in silence for a moment, attempting to absorb everything that just happened. King wanted her. Little old Reese from the hood. His sudden advances took her by complete shock.  But she loved it and she wanted more. Reese stood still as she looked around the empty condo, not knowing where to explore first. I can’t believe I’m here right now. In his condo. Alone. She could still feel his touch as her insides tingled. First thing on her agenda, hop in the shower…

 

 

 

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

 

Where the hell is she at? I told her to be here at 5 o’clock. Who does she think she is leaving me here waiting on her?

Pumpkin anxiously tapped her foot as she waited outside the apartment building, constantly checking her watch waiting as the time ticked by. Pumpkin stood on the sidewalk, constantly looking to her left and right waiting to see the red infinity pull up the street. She took a deep breath.  Patience was not her virtue and she couldn’t stand waiting. She pulled out her phone to check and see if she had any missed calls. Swiping her finger across the screen, she located an unread text message and quickly opened it. REESE: Hey I’m up the street. Sorry so late. Got lost. Rolling her eyes, she threw her phone back into her purse. This girl was horrible with time. If she wasn’t late, she was too early. Pumpkin rolled her eyes as she waited wondering whether or not she made the right decision hiring Reese. Secretly, she felt like an idiot for recruiting someone that was so inexperienced. The stunt she pulled yesterday with her roommate indicated that Reese was a bigger, not a chooser. She was only here to collect.

Looking up, she caught sight of the candy red infinity cruising down the street. Pumpkin took a moment to admire her old car as it moved closer.  Why did I give her in the infinity? I should have brought her a new car. Pumpkin couldn’t help but think to herself. Purchasing the Infinity was a huge accomplishment for her and she foolishly gave it away as if it didn’t matter to her at all. She watched as Reese pulled up next her. Pumpkin cut her eyes, not hiding the fact that she was impatient and didn’t like waiting. Normally, Pumpkin would never go out on a limb. Unless there was some sort of profit or if something was in it for her. Reese had one person to thank for her generosity.  Giving her only 24 hours, King advised her to find an apartment for Reese, order furniture and decorate without going over $15,000. Reese is new to the game. She hasn’t even proved herself yet. What makes him think she deserves this type of luxury?? Her mind began to wander, once again thinking the worst. She couldn’t help it or deny the feeling in the pit of her stomach. Something wasn’t right.

 “You’re late." Pumpkin hissed at her. Reese threw her hands up quickly, preparing to apologize. "I'm so sorry. I don’t know my way around the area."

"Whatever." She waved her off, "Just park across the street."

Reese nodded her head, pulling off so she could parallel park directly across the building. Pumpkin stood by, watching as she backed the car in next to a parking meter. Her eyes narrowed as she glanced at the tires, which had been replaced with new rims. She also examined the body work which was neatly waxed and polished.  This girl is nothing like me. Pumpkin thought inside of her head. When Pumpkin received her very first lump sum payment at 18 years old, she put a down payment on a house. Not on designer dressers, jewelry, and flashy rims.

 Reese stepped out. She dressed casual in a pair of faded jeans and knee high boots. Again, her makeup was applied to perfection and her curls were neatly pressed. She trotted across the road to meet Pumpkin, closing up her leather jacket as the wind blew her hair behind her shoulders.

"I really didn’t mean to keep you waiting." Reese apologized as she approached. Pumpkin rolled her eyes in response, turning her back. "Just follow me. I've wasted enough time here already." She began trotting up the steps. Reese slowly followed up the stairs behind her. “I’m not going to tell you again about your timing. “ Pumpkin spoke over her shoulder. “You don’t show up late to anyone else’s job, I expect that same respect.” Pumpkin scolded her.  Reese didn’t protest. “Okay.” She responded lightly underneath her breath. Okay???  Pumpkin quickly became frustrated. Why doesn’t this girl have a back bone?? Why doesn’t she stick up for herself??? Pumpkin frequently tested her and pushed her buttons just to see if she would snap back. She never did.

They both trailed up the stairs and approached the glass door. She swiped with a badge to open. The doors began to circulate. Pumpkin casually stepped inside the revolving doors. Reese jumped inside behind her. Together, they walked into the lobby. The place was very upscale. Pumpkin always wanted to live here herself, pack up her big house and move into an apartment penthouse suite. She decided against it a long time ago. Pumpkin glanced at Reese out of her peripheral view. Her jaw practically touched the floor as she absorbed her new habitat. The floors were a cream marble, the walls filled with elegant paintings and statues. A water fall sat in the middle of the lobby, giving a sensual feel as the water flowed down the well. The male receptionist sat behind a brown oak desk, smiling excitedly as the new residents walked by. Pumpkin led the way, trailing across the foyer towards the elevators.

 "This is too much." She heard Reese speak as she trailed behind her. Pumpkin rolled her eyes. I agree. She chanted inside her head. They stood side by side, waiting for the elevator to open. The doors slowly opened. They both stepped inside. Pumpkin pushed the button for the 15th floor waiting silently as the elevator glided towards the top. She glanced over at Reese again, who was nervously fidgeting with her fingers as usual. Pumpkin took a deep breath, feeling with each step she was digging herself even deeper into a hole.

The elevator buzzed for floor 15, the gold doors opening allowing them to step out. Reese stayed behind her as Pumpkin led the way, trailing down the hallway towards apt #65. She approached the door waiting a moment before she entered. She hesitated. Apart of her felt Reese did not deserve this apartment. She didn’t know how to feel handing over the keys that easily. But there was nothing she could do about it now. This was not her money that paid for this apartment.  It was King’s money. She usually had a say so, but this situation was completely out of her hands.

Pumpkin retrieved the key from her back pocket. Sticking the key into the lock, she turned it to the left allowing the door to crack open. She nudged her head forward to allow Reese to lead the way inside. Reese hesitated as if she were unsure the coast was clear. "Come on, I don’t have all day!" Pumpkin snapped. Reese hurriedly stepped forward and pushed open the door. Her eyes were shut completely. She didn’t open them until she had stepped inside. Her mouth dropped open in shock. “Oh my god.” was her first response. Oh my God is right. Pumpkin thought inside of her head. She only chose the best of the best.  

The apartment was spacious. The walls were freshly painted in her favorite color. Bronze amber. Elegant paintings hung on the wall. Vincent van Gogh, his fine art decorated the sensual apartment.  A large crystal diamond chandelier lit up the dining room area, placing a nice glow around the living room. She looked over at Reese who still had her mouth wide open as she stared in a daze. "Oh my God...” Reese repeated a second time. "This is not mine. There's no way this apartment is mines." She stepped forward running her fingers against the bar which stretched around the kitchen leading from the dining room to the living room area. Pumpkin couldn’t help but to examine her work. She was impressed with what she could accomplish in such little time. She decorated this place as if she were decorating her own home. Outside of the street life, interior decorating had been one of the only talents she ever had. Pumpkin wanted to own her own business someday. Someday...

 "Wow Pumpkin. I'm speechless." Reese interrupted her thoughts. "I don’t know how to thank you."

"Don’t." She wasn’t in the mood to attend any pity party’s. If Pumpkin had a say so in this, she would have never put up money to put Reese into a fully furnished apartment. She would have threw her enough cash to rent a hotel for a few nights and allowed her to work and come up with the money on her own. Nothing was handed down easily. Pumpkin had to work for everything she had in life. She wasn’t cutting no corners and expected the same from Reese. She took a moment to think about King, knowing she was going to have to stop by