He Was My Man First

By Nancey Flowers and Courtney Parker

Valentine Daye is a product of the streets. Raised in the projects, she lost her father and her mother young. By fifteen, she was living the life with drug lord Colombo. But when Colombo and his crew are murdered, Richard Washington, one of Colombo's many street runners, swoops in and wastes no time making Valentine his queen.

Nine years later, Valentine and Rich are a happy couple who have weathered some "minor" problems. Valentine is well aware that Rich steps out on her. But doesn't every man? He always finds his way home. Or at least he did before Vanessa Knight.

Vanessa Knight is a woman who has everything . . . except Richard Washington. An heiress to a multimillion-dollar company, Vanessa is willing to forgive Rich's flawed background. However, she wants him for herself, and tells him that he must decide what's important to him—a flourishing career at clothier Jorge Jacobs, where she can make him a VP, or a life with his street past, Valentine?

When Daye meets Knight, each woman plots and schemes to steal Rich's heart. Rich must make a decision. Does he gamble and start a new life with the beautiful and cunning Vanessa, or does he stay with his around-the-way girl Valentine, who has been with him through thick and thin?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Publishers
• Release date: Mar 1, 2011
• ISBN: 9781429967440

Nancey Flowers

Nancey Flowers is the author of the #1 Essence bestselling novel Shattered Vessels. She also penned No Strings Attached and A Fool's Paradise, and contributed to Proverbs for the People and I Didn't Work This Hard Just to Get Married. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband, Michael.

Book preview

2

But He’s My Man Now!

Although her mouth was occupied at the moment, Vanessa’s mind raced with exciting thoughts of Richard. They had just been together the night before, but after having worked together for weeks on the presentation he had led this morning, Vanessa was proud of the job he’d done today on their behalf. Of course he deserved a little midday mouth-to-head reward for a job well done. And she was more than happy to give him that reward. Vanessa had been looking for a way up the corporate ladder for years now. Her stagnant director of business affairs and strategic marketing position had long worn out its welcome, and she wanted nothing more than an opportunity at the vice president position that would soon be up for grabs. When Richard was brought in a year ago to serve as co-director alongside Vanessa, she assumed the worst. It didn’t matter that she was overqualified for her job or that her family was well connected, she always suspected that her male-dominated office would never allow a woman of color to hold a higher position than a male at the same professional level. Part of the reason they even hired her in the first place was because of who she was, taking little to no notice of what she was actually doing. With Vanessa on board, her company was assured that New York’s finest was always either in Jorge Jacobs designs or at a Jorge Jacobs event. In Vanessa’s mind, since corporate America had no problem using her to fill quotas and maintain good standings with the diversity actions groups, she too would have no problem using anyone to get what she wanted.

Oh baby, you’re the best! Richard moaned as Vanessa continued to stroke his penis with her tongue.

You like that, don’t you? she teased. Savor it … won’t happen very often. Vanessa curled her tongue and moved her lips faster against his taut skin, causing him to cum.

I don’t know what I’m gonna do with you.

The question is what am I going to do with you? Vanessa asked as she walked over to her desk and wiped her mouth with Richard’s handkerchief. This is truly just the beginning. Our bosses have made it clear we’re up for the same spot. Rather than compete against each other, I figured I’d help you out. Vanessa cringed at her own words yet continued. I’ll help you make VP then serve as your official first lady. Doing whatever I have to and for you, to ensure my spot.

I got you, you know that, right?

Vanessa reached for the bottle of Scope she kept in her desk, took a swig, swooshed, and spit it out in her trash can. "Speaking of doing whatever we can for each other, have you left that woman yet?"

Vanessa could see the irritation on Richard’s face. She couldn’t understand why a man with such a prestigious future insisted on dwelling in an obviously hideous past, especially with a woman that clearly was stuck in that state. The nerve of Richard to continue to even entertain his longtime girlfriend, Valentine, annoyed her. Why anyone would want to be with someone whose name was Valentine Daye was beyond her. What kind of ghetto mother would name their child Valentine, especially since their last name was Daye? From what Richard stated, her mother wanted her name to reflect the love inside her … Vanessa chuckled a bit to herself. She should have loved her enough to give her a real name.

It’s complicated, babe. Val and I go way back. It’s just a timing thing; that’s it. Val is not like you, Vanessa. You’re polished, refined, and sophisticated. She’s from the street and capable of street mentality things. I don’t need her bringing that kind of drama to you. Not now, not with everything we’ve got going on.

So, your going home to her every night is a way of protecting me?

Yeah, it is.

Vanessa rolled her eyes. It was clear she wasn’t buying his excuse for one minute but she did like that he was giving her one. Richard’s little loyalty story about how she was there for him in the early days was becoming redundant and, even more, unimportant to Vanessa. This girl from his past clearly had nothing on her, which made her more determined than ever. Even if Valentine had been there first, Vanessa knew she was here now, and to her now was all that mattered.

I’m not afraid of her. Vanessa reached for his tie. You don’t have to stay there. Am I not everything you want?

I didn’t say that, but—

But, nothing. Sooner or later you’re going to have to let her go. Now I’ve been patient with you, have I not? Vanessa stroked her tongue seductively against his lips. And I’ve listened to your story of loyalty long enough, but I’m your future, baby, and the plans I have for us don’t include company. Vanessa unbuttoned the top few buttons of her purple silk blouse after locking the door to her office. Now I expect you to handle this. I’ll give you a little more time, before assuming you need my help.

Her blouse fell to the floor. Her skirt and hose followed. All that remained was a caramel-coated Vanessa in a black lace La Perla bra and thong. It’s time you returned the favor, she whispered while leaning back against her desk spreading her legs. Let me show you why you need me and not her.

Vanessa could tell Richard couldn’t resist her as he slid his legs out of his pants, which were already bagged around his ankles. He buried his head between her thighs, licking and sucking the wetness of her center dry. As a lover, Richard mastered the art of oral pleasure. He devoured her like a scoop of ice cream on a cone, sparing not even a drop of her goodness. Though Vanessa may have thought and acted like a woman when it came to Richard, she had sex like a man. Her goal was clear from the start where Richard was concerned, especially since they were fighting for the same promotion: she’d keep her friends close and her enemies even closer. Since it seemed certain that Richard was in for the VP position, she’d make sure she was sleeping with the

Reviews for He Was My Man First

[littlewatkins · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Truely a page turner but a bit too common. The emotions are on fire in this book. Once you start to read it you will not want to put it down. Women and men alike will be able to relate to the feelings that the characters are experiancing. This book is an easy read and will keep you on your toes. Some of it is a bit predictable although entertaining at the same time. At one point there were some things happening that took it to another level and then went backwards from there. It was a bit confusing and I thought I missed a chapter, but that is just the way it was written. All in all, it is a good read, but not one of my favorites.