Free Theirs to Play by Kenya Wright Page A

making out with her.
    “You’ve said some cruel things about me.”
    “What’s the big deal?” she asked.
    “I don’t know.”
    “Yes. You do. You’re just too scared to say it out loud.”
    I dug my hands into my pants. “I like when women enjoy my company. I like it when they wish they were with me.”
    “Why, when you know you’re going to break their heart anyway?”
    “That’s not the fun part.”
    “Yet you do it.” She got off of the table. “That is the number one reason why I dislike you. The other things could be worked on. But in the end you are who you are, and you’ve been that way for many years now. You have. . .you know, issues.”
    She walked around me. I grabbed her arm. “What do you mean I have issues?”
    “Mommy issues. Commitment issues. Being a man issues. You probably have this big gripe against the female population or maybe you just never really learned to love a woman due to your dad being a negative role model.” She freed her arm from my grip. “Pick any of those, but I bet it’s a little bit of all.”
    “Don’t you think you’re being rude?” I sneered.
    “You asked for the truth and I don’t really know how to sugar coat it.”
    I twisted around. “And what’s your problem? You’re not perfect. Why did you end up with that rich guy three years ago? Why do you think he broke your heart? Why do you think he finally got rid of you?”
    She placed one hand on her hip. “You’re pretty bad at this.”
    “At what?”
    “Trying to piss me off in return. I have five brothers and one sister. I’ve learned how to give verbal jabs with the best of them.” She walked up to me and poked me in the chest. “But because I’ve hurt your feelings, I’ll tell you.”
    “Go ahead.”
    “I fell in love with the rich asshole because we went crazy about the same books and laughed at the identical silly jokes in comedy films that other people had never heard of. I enjoyed being around him, couldn’t wait to finish my job and race off to just touch his skin and know he really existed. I gave him every part of me because I thought that he’d done the same, and then when I got off early one day and rushed to his condo to surprise him, I discovered another woman in his bed.” She wagged her finger at me. “He never left me . I got rid of him. It’s why I don’t answer his calls even though he’s been ringing my number at nine o’clock on every Sunday night since I walked out of his life.”
    “He’s been calling you every Sunday for the past three years?”
    “Yes.”
    “That’s dedication.”
    “Or a millionaire that’s just bored and wants to have things his way.” She headed off.
    “Hold up. Come here,” I called after her. “I’m sorry.”
    “Our date is over.” She waved goodbye.
    “Are you sure about that?” I ran after her.
    “I’m certain.”
    “We didn’t eat.”
    “I’m no longer hungry.”
    I let out a nervous chuckle. “But that’s my boat. My captain doesn’t move until I tell him too.”
    “Then you better tell him, because I don’t feel like injuring you or him.”

Chapter 6
     
     
    ~Max
    D awn and I lounged on my yacht’s sun deck for my date. Jazz music played in the background. We met for lunch and a nice swim.
    I don’t know if I can win this.
    My first mistake was having us both wear bathing suits. That tiny bikini of hers fogged my brain with yearning. I had no idea she would have something that sizzling in her clothing collection. Turquoise and bronze beads decorated her top and bottom. I couldn’t tell if the beads were attached to fabric or if the whole suit was only made out of beads.
    If God is merciful, I’ll find out tonight.
    The game was still on. Last night, Frederick returned to our hotel suite in a bad mood, went straight to his room, and slammed the door behind him. He refused to talk about anything this morning. By lunch, he sat in front of the computer. When I glanced over his shoulder, I was shocked to