Crank Me Up

By J.D. Walker

Marius Rabineaux lives with his daughter Sherie in an apartment complex. Across the hall is computer tech Xavier McDay, whose niece, Tonya, is best friends with Sherie. Taciturn, clueless nerds have never been Marius's thing, so no matter how hot he may find ‘Uncle Cranky,’ Marius leaves well enough alone.

One evening when Marius picks up Sherie from her playdate with Tonya, Xavier insults his parenting skills. Later, Xavier turns up at Marius’ workplace and, instead of apologizing, further offends him by disparaging his work ethic.

Xavier finally gets it and apologizes to Marius, who decides to give his clueless neighbor another chance. He accepts Xavier’s offer inviting him and Sherie to dinner. The evening is a fun affair, and while the girls have dessert in Tonya's room, both men get to know each other better.

Then Marius challenges Xavier to a night away from computers by going out to a night club. One thing leads to another, and they wind up back at Xavier’s apartment. As things crank up between them, will they get more than they bargain for ... and perhaps a chance at something more?

• Language: English
• Publisher: JMS Books LLC
• Release date: Apr 3, 2016
• ISBN: 9781634860604

J.D. Walker

J.D. Walker likes to keep her stories short and sweet. A multi-published author, she is also a musician, artist, and lover of all things knit and crochet. For more information, visit lifebyjo.com/jdwalker.

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Crank Me Up

By J.D. Walker

Published by JMS Books LLC at Smashwords

Visit jms-books.com for more information.

Copyright 2016 J.D. Walker

ISBN 9781634860604

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Cover Design: Written Ink Designs | written-ink.com

Image(s) used under a Standard Royalty-Free License.

All rights reserved.

WARNING: This book is not transferable. It is for your own personal use. If it is sold, shared, or given away, it is an infringement of the copyright of this work and violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

No portion of this book may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher, with the exception of brief excerpts used for the purposes of review.

This book is for ADULT AUDIENCES ONLY. It may contain sexually explicit scenes and graphic language which might be considered offensive by some readers. Please store your files where they cannot be accessed by minors.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are solely the product of the author’s imagination and/or are used fictitiously, though reference may be made to actual historical events or existing locations. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Published in the United States of America.

NOTE: This ebook was previously published by Amber Quill Press.

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To K. You are my rock.

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Crank Me Up

By J.D. Walker

Daddy, Daddy! Sherie ran into the kitchen, almost bumping into the table as she skidded to a stop by my side where I leaned against the kitchen counter. Putting out a hand to steady her, I gave my little miss a stern look.

"Baby girl, how many times do I have to tell you not to run in the apartment? You could hurt yourself." My daughter was a bundle of energy, couldn’t stay still for a second. When she was excited about something, it was off the chain.

I know, Daddy, but I can’t find my pink shoes! I looked everywhere. She glanced up at me with big brown eyes, small brown hands clasped under her chin. Please help me find them!

I swear this child could misplace her entire bedroom if she tried hard enough. Following her down the hall, I asked, Where did you leave them last time? Didn’t you wear them to school yesterday?

"Yes, and now I can’t find them. I can’t go to school without my favorite shoes, Daddy!" Now she was nearing hysteria. My little drama queen.

Take a deep breath, princess. We’ll find them. I searched the hall closet, the tiny living room, her bedroom, bathroom, and both of mine—still nothing. Then I had an idea.

Wait, didn’t you spend some time with Tonya last night before bedtime? Tonya was her best friend who lived in the apartment across the hall with her uncle, Xavier McDay. Uncle Cranky, I liked to call him. The man had never cracked a smile at me, and even though he had to be the best looking man I’d ever seen, all five-foot-eleven inches of edible dark brown hotness, dude seemed to be moody as hell. Maybe it was all that time spent with computers. At least, Sherie had told me that’s what he did for a job.

That’s it! I left them next door. Can I go get them, please? She tugged on my arm and bounced in place.

"Go