Free Confessions by Sasha Campbell Page B

next time.”
    Mr. Sexy had turned in his chair and was giving me his undivided attention. Did he really think it was going to be that easy? Hell, no. I swung around on the stool and gave him my back. “Whatever you say, Nikki. I’m not even about to argue with you. We’re still on for Saturday, right? You’re going…even if I have to drag your ass out the house.”
    She breathed heavily in the phone. “Yeah, I’m going.”
    â€œGood. We’ll talk later.” I hung up and put my phone back into my purse, anxious to get back to business. I reached for my drink, and I took a sip. It was good. The lights dimmed slightly and I focused on the man onstage. As the musician performed, I hummed along and sipped my drink. I knew Mr. Sexy was still watching, and I swayed my hips on the stool, giving him something to look at. When the performance ended, I didn’t have to turn around to know Mr. Sexy was on his way over to the bar. I smelled the Armani on his skin before I felt his presence by my side.
    â€œMay I buy you a drink?” he offered in a deep baritone voice.
    I gave him a quick glance, then shook my head and turned away. “No, thank you.”
    â€œYou mind if I take a seat?” he asked, pointing at the stool beside me.
    I playfully rolled my eyes. “Sure. It’s not my club. You can sit wherever you want.”
    He gave a deep, robust laugh. “Well, that’s good to hear, considering I am the owner.”
    Owner! Hell, yes! Ms. Netta hit the lottery for real this time. I tried to hide my excitement as he lowered on the stool beside me, but I was already trying to figure out how much this man was worth. “So you’re Smooth, huh?”
    â€œYep, that’s what they call me.” He slid his seat closer. “What brings a beautiful woman out all by herself?”
    I sat there sizing him up, wondering how much I might be able to get before the night was over. I was going to have to put in some work, but from the stories I’d heard about Smooth, he was worth the sweat. He owned clubs from here to the east side and even had a couple of chicken and waffle joints. Yep. With this one I was going to have to give him Ms. Netta’s deluxe package. “I just got off work and thought I’d drop in for a drink before heading home.”
    â€œYou married?” he asked.
    I gave him a piercing stare. “Aren’t we all?”
    Smooth chuckled, and I watched as that slick mothafucka slipped his hands inside his pants pockets. When he put them back on the counter, his wedding ring just happened to have magically disappeared. Give me a break. Didn’t he know, tricks are for kids? Maybe not, so I guess it’s up to me to show him how it’s really done. I leaned in close. “Let’s just skip the small talk. It’s obvious you like what you see.”
    He sucked his teeth while his eyes traveled the length of me. “I most definitely do.”
    I leaned in even closer and watched as his eyes dropped to my breasts. “What do you wanna do about it?”
    Reluctantly, he forced his eyes back to my face. “I’d like to leave here and spend some quiet time with you alone…if that’s possible.”
    I reached for my drink and spun on the barstool. “You ain’t ready for me. I’m nothing like these chicken-head women up in here.” I took a sip. “I have needs and wants, and I don’t think…you can afford me.”
    â€œLet me be the judge of that. Anything worth having is worth spending my money on.”
    â€œMy thoughts exactly.” I let my tongue run across my bottom lip. “Let’s go.”
    Smooth rose from the stool, then went and said good-bye to his friends at his table. While I finished my drink, I watched as some skank tried to push up on him. I saw her turn and look my way, then frown as he headed back over to the bar, where he tossed a twenty on