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

not ever happen. She had to let him go, or else King was going to be her downfall. She couldn’t let that happen. Without responding, Pumpkin turned on her heel and whipped opened the door to her truck. She hopped in, cranked up the ignition and drove off, leaving King sitting in the parking lot watching her drive away.  Chapter 15

Chapter 15.

 

Reese pulled her infinity next to the familiar building, her heart jumping out of her chest as she drove up the long narrow driveway leading to valet. She attempted to control her anxiety as she slowly approached a familiar face standing on the side of the curb. Stepping forward, the young man waved to her as she pulled up next to him. Reese rolled down her window feeling goose bumps travel up her shoulder. “Hello.” She spoke politely to the valet. The young man leaned down, returning her gesture with a friendly smile. “Hello mam. I remember you.” He smiled even wider.

She blushed, surprised he actually recognized her.  “I remember you too.” She glanced up at him. “Brian is it??” she asked. Reese remembered him very well. He was a well-respected young man who clearly looked up to King as a remodel. She was so touched by his genuinity and could understand why King had taken a liking to him. “Yes mam that’s me. I never caught your name?’ He extended his hand to shake hers. She accepted his offer, placing her palm in the center of his hand firmly shaking it back. “My name is Clareese.” She rarely introduced herself by her real name but found this situation to be appropriate. He nodded his head. “It is very nice to meet you as well, Miss Clareese. I’m sure Mr. White likes you a lot.” She blushed again allowing this young boy to make her nervous. “And why do you say that?” she asked. She was curious.

 He laughed. “No reason, I just don’t see any women visit Mr. White. You are the first.”

She couldn’t help but smile. For a moment, she felt special.  She pressed her lips together. She couldn’t give any insight on her relationship with King because she still didn’t know exactly what that relationship was. “Thanks Brian. He is up there right?” She asked nervously.

“Oh yes mam.” He answered quickly. “He got here around 10 o’clock this morning. He told me to send you right up.”

Reese took a deep breath, becoming anxious all over again. It had been a few days since the last time she was here alone with King, and even now she was confused on exactly what it was he wanted from her. He didn’t tell her why he invited her here, he only asked her to meet him at his condo 12 o’clock sharp.  “Do you remember the way up?” He asked her. She smiled at him again while nodding her head. “All the way the top.” Reaching into her middle console, Reese retrieved a 100 dollar bill. It wasn’t as much as the tip King gave the last time, but it was enough. She handed it over, watching his eyes light up all over again. “Aww man, thank you so much Miss Clareese.” He clutched the money to his chest, holding on to it as if his life depended on it. “I hope you and Mr. White really understand how much this money helps me out. If I don’t get this scholarship, I’m still saving up money to go to college. Every penny counts.”

She admired his ambition, nodding her head. She supported his hustle and had always wanted to attend college herself. She never had the money or any type of motivation like Brian to go to work for it.  “I can see that you’re a good kid. Just keep it up baby. These Baltimore streets don’t have anything to offer you. Get out of this city and make something of yourself.” He nodded his head, absorbing every word as he stuffed the cash in his pocket. “I will Miss Clareese. Thank you so much.” She smiled at him again while throwing her hand up, waving goodbye. Her infinity smoothly glided up the slope towards the parking garage. She held her breath as she pulled inside, making her way all the way to the top. Reese gripped the steering wheel feeling her palms turn sweaty. She was nervous as hell. She pulled to the top floor heading towards the penthouse suite. After turning the corner, Reese was surprised to see King waiting for her at the top of the building. He casually leaned on an all-black Mercedes which sat parked at the end of his row of vehicles. They made eye contact again as she inched forward. It was something about King that drove her crazy each time he laid eyes on her. She rolled her window down while pulling up. He didn’t appear upset but he didn’t smile either. She parked her car, hoping he did not call her here about Pumpkin. The last time she was here, Reese promised she would not say anything or speak about King to Pumpkin at all.  Unfortunately, things did not turn out that way. She honestly did not mean to let the cat out the bag about the inner harbor condo. She knew how much this place meant to him and she felt like an idiot for fucking that up.  She opened the car door, ready to face him now and get it over with. She nervously bit her lip, dropping her eyes to the floor as she trotted across the parking garage towards him. She gestured up the courage to look him in the eye as she approached him. He clenched his jaw, his eyes falling down to her all black sundress which clung to her waist. He looked her up and down before his bringing his eyes back up to meet hers. “Reese.” He spoke her name in a deep, smooth voice. Immediately she could feel herself drip inside her panties.

“King.” She responded, clutching her bag as if it gave her some type of support.

He clenched his jaw composing himself. Reese nervously fidgeted as she stood in front of him allowing him to stare her down. "What???" she nervously asked. He stood up while pushing his weight off his Mercedes Benz. He stepped forward, standing directly in front of her. “How did Pumpkin find out about the condo Reese?” he asked her jumping straight into it. She swallowed the large lump in her throat. “Ummm.” She stammered. Reese looked away attempting to come up with an excuse. She had none. She hoped he didn’t bring her here to confront her about spilling the beans to Pumpkin, but obviously she was wrong. “I was rambling King. I had no bad intentions, I swear.” She began to plead her case. The last thing she wanted was for King to think she was a snitch. He shook his head clearly unsatisfied with her answer. “I was hoping I could keep this place between you and me. But I guess I was wrong.” He frowned. Reese shivered. She wanted to run away and climb underneath a rock. This man had done so much for. In return, she betrayed his trust.  “I’m sorry.” She spoke underneath her breath, feeling ashamed. He took a deep breath. He had not taken his eyes off her. “And what else did you tell her?” He asked.

She held her hands up in surrender. “Nothing, I promise. She had questions, but I played it off. “

“Played what off?” he caught her off guard. Reese froze as she looked up at him. Again he was putting her on the spot. She hoped he hadn’t forgotten the way he forcefully groped her in the middle of his living room the last time she was here. There was no way he forgotten.

“Ummm.” She stammered again. “I don’t know King. I don’t know what that was.”

He nodded his head. “Alright.” He stepped to the side, allowing Reese to walk towards the doorway. He held his hand out, signaling for her to walk ahead of him. She followed his orders, nervously stepping forward and walking towards the entrance to his condo. They continued in silence, making her nervous.

 “So why did you invite me here?” she asked over her shoulder as she approached the door.

“We’ll talk when we get inside.” He reached around her to twist open the door knob. She held her breath as she stepped into the familiar hallway. She could feel King close behind her as he stepped in and shut the door closed. Together, they walked up the hallway towards the living room entrance. Reese stepped inside first, scanning the apartment which was just as breathtaking as it was the first time. She was still in disbelief that she was fortunate enough to stay here for a night.

“Have a seat. Make yourself comfortable.”

 Reese nodded her head. She walked towards the bar, having a seat at the bar stool. “Can I make you a drink?” he asked.

“A glass of wine would be nice.” She hoped liquor would knock this edge off of her. She rested her chin in the palm of her hands as she watched him retrieve two wine glasses. He opened the refrigerator and grabbed one of her favorite inexpensive wine brands. Alma Dean. She licked her lips as she watched him from behind. He was casually dressed in black pants and a black polo t-shirt. He wasn’t too flashy and she really liked that about him. Little did King know, he was not the first man with money that she dated. There was Levi. Hell, even Mr. Frank’s rich ass couldn’t stay away from her. But it was something about King that made him different from the rest. When she looked in his eyes, she saw more than just the money. She admired his muscles as he placed the wine glass in front of her. He was just right. Not too muscular, not too thin. His skin was smooth, no acne in sight. He always kept his hairline and mustache neatly. He was classy.

He smirked at her, catching Reese in a daze staring at him. “I don’t mean to sound shallow…” she looked up at him, beginning to feel as if she was about to speak out of character. “Whenever I pictured my perfect man, he always looked just like you.”

“Oh really?” he was shocked. He leaned across the counter sipping on his drink. “What’s so special about me??” he asked in between swallows.

She lightly chuckled. “I don’t know.” Reese shrugged her shoulders. “Why don’t you ask Pumpkin?” She laughed sarcastically. He did not laugh with her. His expression was blank as he narrowed his eyes at her ridiculous joke. She bit her lip, her smile faded. Her sense of humor was horrid and she cracked jokes at the wrong times. “Sorry.” She quickly apologized.

  “She has been through a lot. That’s why you don’t understand her.” He stood up from the counter, walking around the bar so he could stand directly in front of her. “Listen,” he planted his feet in-between her legs as she sat frozen in the bar stool. She could feel the tension between their bodies. It drove her insides crazy.

“Pumpkin can see you