The Way You Love Me Read online

  He knew what she wanted. He unbuttoned her blouse, and a groan rose from the pit of his belly when the soft full flesh made an appearance. He buried his face between the swell of her breasts then ran his tongue along the deep valley. He cupped her breasts in his palms and lifted them higher, nuzzling the delicate fabric away until he could take the pleading nipple into his mouth.

  Bailey cried out.

  Justin tugged her shirt off and tossed it aside. His dark eyes deepened as they scorched across her face and down along her lush body as he slowly disrobed her. He reached into the bowl and picked a piece of kiwi, squeezed the juice along her skin then licked it away.

  Prickly heat raced along her flesh. Her head spun from the thrill, the growing need. His hands and mouth seemed to be everywhere at once. She was on fire. She fumbled with the buckle of his slacks, unzipped and freed him. His groan intensified the heat that roared through her. She held him in her palm, stroked him, felt him grow and throb.

  Justin pushed her black panties aside and found her slick welcome. He fingered her and felt her entire body shudder.

  “You feel so good,” he groaned hot in her ear. He lifted her as if she weighed no more than a loaf of bread and pushed her up against the refrigerator. Bailey locked her long legs around his back.

  “Ahhhhh,” she cried out when he pushed deep inside her and buried her face in the hollow of his neck.

  Justin’s muscles tensed as the thrill of feeling her envelop him raced through him. “So good,” he groaned as he moved in and out of her.

  “More,” she whispered, pressing her fingers into his back.

  He tightened his hold on her rear, kneading the firm flesh and plunged deeper, harder, faster until the only sounds in the kitchen were the slapping of skin against skin and their moans that rose and fell in a chorus of ecstasy.

  * * *

  After, they stumbled laughing and naked up to his bedroom and tumbled onto his bed. Bailey draped her damp body across Justin’s. She placed tiny kisses across the expanse of his chest.

  Justin held her, feeling her heart beat hard and steady against him. He hadn’t expected to feel this way so soon, so fast, about anyone. But the more he was with her, the more he wanted, and he would do whatever he must to make that happen.

  “I know you said something to Vincent,” she whispered into the darkened room.

  He stroked her back.

  “You didn’t have to. I can handle Vincent.”

  “He’s not going to talk to you like that. No one is. Not when I’m in your life.”

  Bailey sat up, made out his face. “I don’t need you to come to my rescue, Justin.”

  He rose up and balanced his weight on his elbow. Her body was outlined by the moonlight. “What kind of men are you used to, Bailey? The kind that sit back and let things happen to the woman they care about? I’m not that man.”

  She turned her head.

  “Look at me.”

  “Is that really the kind of man you want? Because that’s not what you deserve.”

  Her features tightened. “You don’t understand.”

  “No. I don’t, so tell me. Be honest with me.”

  Her mouth worked, but no words came out.

  He reached out to her, held her arm. “Talk to me, babe.”

  “My mother committed suicide when I was twenty-seven. Never knew who or where our father was.” Her throat tightened. “He could have been any number of men that came in and out of our lives.” She sniffed and was glad for the darkness that masked the shame in her eyes.

  Justin gently squeezed her arm, stroked her thigh.

  “I had just started law school but after two years, I had to drop out to get a job to take care of my siblings, so I put my dreams of continuing law school on hold.”

  “That was quite a sacrifice for you,” he said in admiration.

  She uttered an abbreviated laugh. “I had no other choice.”

  “Tell me about your siblings,” he quietly urged.

  She tugged in a breath. “My younger sister Tory is under the misconception that she was destined to live the high life, no matter the cost. And my baby sister, Apryl, humph, there isn’t a man that misses her radar...” Bailey sighed heavily. “It’s hard to keep them on track.”

  “And all the weight fell on you.”

  “Yeah. I had to take care of them. I still do. They depend on me.”

  “I’m no psychologist but it sounds like your mother’s life and death affected each of you the same way.”

  “The same way?”

  “Yeah, everyone is looking for something to fill the loss. Including you.”

  She vigorously shook her head. “No.”

  “Think about it.”

  She pushed up from the bed. “Don’t you get it, Justin? I don’t want to think about it. I don’t want to talk about it anymore, either.” She stalked off to the bathroom and solidly shut the door behind her.

  Justin tucked his hands beneath his head and stared into the dark room. There was more to the story, that much he knew for sure. The feelings that he had for Bailey only deepened by her revelations. She may not need him or want him to rescue her, but he felt deep in his gut that it was exactly what she needed—to be truly loved—the way he wanted to love her.

  His insides jerked as if shocked. Love. Was he falling in love with Bailey? He glanced toward the closed bathroom door. He was in it to find out.

  Chapter 16

  They didn’t talk anymore that night about her past, the thing that haunted her. They talked about little things, the getting-to-know-you things, how she got to be a bartender, what it felt like being the youngest Lawson, places they’d been, favorite lines from movies. Those kinds of things that couples finding their way to each other talk about.

  “You all set up for school for the fall?”

  “Hmm, it’s coming together.”

  “I know you don’t want to hear this, but if you want me to make a couple of calls...”

  “No, Justin.”

  “All right. All right. All right,” he said in a pretty damned good imitation of Matthew McConaughey, that made her burst out laughing. He kissed the back of her neck, and she spooned closer.

  “Do you have plans for tomorrow?”

  “Spending the day with you, if you let me.” He kissed her again.

  “I’d like that.”

  “Yeah, me, too.” He held her closer, and they drifted off to sleep.

  * * *

  Bailey awakened and found herself alone in the massive bed. She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and languidly stretched. Everything ached in a good way, and it brought a smile to her face thinking about why she felt the way she did.

  She heard Justin’s voice coming from downstairs, and another male voice. What time was it? She checked the bedside clock. It was after ten.

  “Damn.” At least she didn’t have to tiptoe downstairs in search of her clothes. Justin must have brought them up while she was asleep. She scrambled to get dressed. Apryl was definitely up by now, and she must be worried. She checked her phone for messages. There was only one from Addison, calling to see if she wanted to catch a movie before her shift.

  Her shift. Her stomach rolled. She had no idea what Justin said to Vincent, and she didn’t want to know. But what she was certain of was that Justin made himself clear to Vincent. And she had a strong feeling that Vincent wouldn’t be giving her a hard time going forward. As much as she didn’t want to, it gave her a little thrill to know that Justin dealt with Vincent—for her.

  Bailey gazed into the mirror, studying her reflection. She looked exactly the same, but something inside her was changing. Justin’s laughter rose up the staircase. It was because of him, and she wasn’t sure if she could stop it, or if she wanted to.


  * * *

  Bailey came downstairs and followed the sound of voices that led her to the living room.

  “Hey, babe.” Justin rose from the arm of the side chair and came up to her. He placed a hand on her hip. “Hope we didn’t wake you,” he said quietly while his eyes scanned her face.

  “No. I needed to get up.” She inhaled his intoxicating scent, and that crazy need for him began to simmer.

  Justin stepped closer, blocking her from his guest. “I want you...” He placed a light kiss on her forehead, took her hand and turned around. “You remember Carl. He was with me the night we met.” Justin led her fully into the room.

  Bailey couldn’t think straight after that sexual gauntlet that he’d just thrown.

  Carl stood. “Good to see you again.”

  Bailey remembered to smile. “You, too.”

  “I told Carl that I owe him big-time.

  Bailey glanced at him. “Why?”

  Justin slipped his arm around her waist. “If he hadn’t insisted that I come to the Mercury Lounge that night and then told me to stay after he had to leave, we would have never met.” He kissed her full on the lips, lingering for a moment before guiding her over to the couch.

  Bailey felt so off balance, unaccustomed to public displays of affection directed at her. But as she was quickly coming to understand, that’s the kind of man Justin was—ready to take a stand and have his position made clear.

  “We were going to play a quick game of tennis out back while you go and check on your sister. I can swing by and get you about one—then we’ll find something to do. How’s that sound?”

  “Great. I’ll be ready.”

  “There’s coffee and tea in the kitchen, and there’s a plate for you on the warming tray. I’d love to take credit, but our housekeeper fixed everything.”

  It was awkward enough that she had to do the “morning-after walk” in front of Carl, but the housekeeper knew she was there, too.

  “Tough life this brotha has,” Carl teased.

  “Very funny.” He turned to Bailey. “I’ll get your plate.” He walked off before she could protest.

  Bailey eased over to the club chair and sat. “So...Justin’s been telling me about the venture.”

  “Yeah, he’s been talking and working on this for a couple of years. His father wanted him to go the corporate route and eventually follow in his political footsteps. It’s a major bone of contention between them. But Justin went along with the whole working-in-a-law-office thing for as long as he could—to make his father happy, but his heart was never in it. For a man who has everything, all he’s ever wanted to do was help others. Now he has that chance.”

  Bailey’s heart softened even more hearing about Justin from Carl.

  “You’ve made quite an impression on him.”

  Her eyes flicked toward Carl. “I have?”

  “Definitely. To be honest, you’re not the type of woman he usually dates. Don’t get me wrong. It’s just that in the circles that his family travels in—there are a lot of takers—for lack of a better word. All surface and no substance. From everything he’s told me about you—you’re nothing like them, and it’s what he’s been looking for.”

  “What who’s been looking for?” Justin placed Bailey’s plate on a lap tray and gave it to her. “What lies has he been telling you?”

  “Oh, my,” she said, taking in the cheese grits, turkey sausage, eggs and fruit. “This is too much.”

  “Eat what you want,” Justin said offhandedly.

  She smiled up at him. “Thank you.”

  “Anything you need,” he said only for her ears.

  “We were talking about The Justice Project,” Bailey said and shot Carl a conspiratorial look. She took a spoonful of fruit and had a momentary flashback of the night before.

  “Carl is going to stay with the firm for a while until we’re fully operational.”

  “Yes, my lovely wife has grown very accustomed to a comfortable lifestyle.” He chuckled. “Happy wife, happy life. As a matter of fact, you should bring Bailey to the house for dinner. Gina always wants to have a reason to lay out a spread.”

  “He’s right about that,” Justin added.

  “Besides, maybe once she meets Bailey, she’ll stop trying to play matchmaker.”

  Justin looked down at Bailey. “I’ve definitely stopped looking,” he said quietly. “Let us know when,” which was as much a statement as a question.

  “I’d like that,” Bailey said. She took a sip of orange juice.

  “Probably after the fund-raiser,” Carl said. “Gina is on the committee, so I know she’s busy until then.”

  “Right.” Justin arched his neck back. “Totally forgot about that.” He sat down on the arm of Bailey’s chair. “It’s a pretty big deal, and I want you to go with me.” His voice lowered. “So I can show you off.”

  Bailey swallowed back the rise of anxiety that bubbled up from her stomach. She’d never been to any foundation fund-raiser and could only imagine the glitz and glamour that she could never match.

  Justin registered the hesitation in her eyes. “We’ll talk about it, and you let me know,” he said, gallantly giving her a way out. “I know how crazy your schedule is.”

  “I’ll let you know.”

  He leaned down and kissed her forehead. “Whatever you want, babe.”

  Her throat burned with unspoken emotion. He understood. She gave him a smile of thanks. “And speaking of stuff to do...” She placed the tray with her half-eaten food on the table. “I’ve really got to go.” She stood. “Thank your housekeeper for me.”

  Carl rose from his seat, and Bailey realized how tall he was. He had Justin’s six feet three inches beat by at least two inches. The two friends cut an imposing figure. He extended his hand.

  “I’ll be looking forward to seeing you again.”

  “Me, too. Take care.”

  Justin walked her to the door. “Sorry we couldn’t have the morning to ourselves. I’d forgotten about the tennis game.” He leaned against the frame of the door, folded his arms and sucked her in with his gaze. “Seems like I’m forgetting a lot of things lately.”

  “Why is that?” she asked, a bit breathless.

  Dark orbs traversed her upturned face. “Because you’re all I think about.”

  Bailey’s heart thumped. Her breath hitched as he lowered his head and kissed her with an intensity that made her knees weaken. She gripped the tight ropes of his arms.

  “Mmm, sure you have to go? I can get rid of Carl,” he murmured, pulling her tight against his arousal.

  She gasped. “I can’t...”

  Justin drew in a tight breath and reluctantly stepped back. “I will see you later.”

  “Definitely.” She raised up and pecked him on the lips then quickly turned in time to avoid him snatching her back.

  Her laughter brightened the late-morning air.

  Justin watched her until she’d left the driveway before returning to Carl, which also gave him some time to tame the tiger.

  “I like her,” Carl said when Justin came back. “Something genuine about her.” He finished off his orange juice. “I’m happy for you, man.”

  A wistful grin lifted the corner of his mouth. “I like her, too. More than I thought I would. And you’re right. She does make me happy. Happier than I’ve been for a while.” If only she’d let me get past some of the walls she’s put up, he thought.

  Chapter 17

  Bailey jogged up the three flights of stairs to her apartment with the spring and bounce of a teenager.

  Apryl was up and resting on the couch. A pang of guilt thumped in Bailey’s chest. She had been so involved with her and Justin that she’d totally neglected to think about the help that Apryl wo
uld need just to fix something to eat or bathe or get dressed.

  “Sis, I’m so sorry. I should have been here when you got up.” She tossed her purse onto the table and went straight to the kitchen sink to wash her hands. She dried her hands on a dish towel and pulled open the fridge. “What do you want to eat? I have eggs, bacon—”

  “I’m not hungry,” she said petulantly.

  Bailey spun around. She leaned against the sink and folded her arms. Here we go. “What’s the problem, Apryl?”

  “You asked me to come here,” she snapped, rocking her neck as she spoke. “You said you would take care of me. You didn’t even bother to call. You didn’t know if I was dead or alive.”

  “Apryl...really?” She tilted her head to the side and squinted at her sister, who actually had the nerve to pout. “What did you say to me before I left last night?”

  “This is what Mom would do!” She threw a side glare at Bailey. “Just leave us...for some man.”

  Bailey rocked back on her heels as if she’d been pushed in the chest. Her gaze fell on the pile of the unpaid bills that mirrored her own dreams put on hold and the half life she lived because she’d always put her family first—above herself—wanting to be for them everything that their mother had never been. She’d mistakenly believed that in finally telling Apryl the truth about their mother, Apryl would realize what she’d been trying to do all these years.

  A pain that she had no name for opened up inside her. She felt ill. Addison’s words of wisdom about her family echoed in her head.

  “Sorry you feel that way.” She tossed the dish towel across the counter and walked off to her bedroom.

  Bailey sat down hard on the edge of her bed. She’d spent years of her adult life looking out for her siblings: coming to the rescue, covering finances, providing refuge, being the sounding board for their woes. And for what? A rude and painful awakening. An awakening that had always been there but she’d refused to see it. She had no choice but to see it now.

  She stripped out of her clothes and tossed them in the hamper then turned on the shower full blast until the room filled with steam. She stepped beneath the beat of the shower, letting the water pelt her skin as the sting of her tears flowed down the drain.