A Real Love

By Porscha Sterling

It seems that Baby Taylor has it all: love, happiness, and a blossoming new career. But when her soon-to-be husband is arrested with federal charges on her wedding day, her life takes a turn in the unexpected.



With nowhere to go, she finds herself at the mercy of her best friend, Mona, and her husband, Memphis. But with the past that Memphis and Baby share, things begin to get even more complicated, and taboo emotions that Baby buried long ago threaten to come to the light.



When she finds herself weak to resist love’s call, will she be strong enough to do what is right, or will she fall victim to the urgings of her heart?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Leo Sullivan Presents
• Release date: Apr 21, 2018
• ISBN: 9781946789327

Porscha Sterling

PORSCHA STERLING is an influencer, publisher, and national bestselling author who is widely considered the exemplar of self-publishing success in the digital age. Winner of the SHEEN Magazine Literary Excellence Award, she’s best known for her book series Bad Boys Do It Better.   Sterling holds an MBA, which helped her in the development of her publishing company, Royalty Publishing House, a stronghold in the African-American literary community, publishing many top-selling novels in the urban, contemporary romance, interracial romance, and women’s fiction genres. Sterling has also partnered with fellow best-selling author and publisher, Leo Sullivan, on the launch of a mobile app, known as the LiT Reading App, which connects readers with exclusive material from independent authors. To find out more information about Porscha Sterling, visit all of the social media outlets at @Porscha_Sterling and her website, PorschaSterling.com.

Book preview

Part I

A Love Like No Other

The Beginning…

B aby, roll the edges of those shorts up! You got nice legs so show them! Mona commanded as she reached down and touched the ends of her own ‘barely there’ shorts.

It was the summer in HotLanta, and the parking lot of the Westgate Shopping Center off Campbellton Road was packed full of ballers sporting their nice clothes and their nice ass rides. The hood’s elite were shining bright, with necks, ears, and wrists draped with jewels, rides sitting on flashy and expensive rims, and pockets full of stacks of cash wrapped by rubber bands.

No matter what she had to do, Mona was determined to get her one. Being beautiful came with its perks and being able to easily snag any man was one of them. Standing with a slim-thick build at five feet five and 125 pounds with cool butterscotch-brown skin, the most peculiar gray eyes, and long chocolate brown hair that had a soft curl when wet, she was a dream to look at, and not only did she know it, everyone who looked her way did too.

Baby also knew it. And though she loved her best friend, she couldn’t help the fact that she’d grown tired of always feeling as if she played second runner up to her beauty. It wasn’t that anyone ever said it or that she had a real reason to feel that way, but she just did—Mona was the most outspoken of the two, and naturally, any attention given was usually focused on her.

Baby was also five feet five but was slightly thinner than her friend at 115 pounds, leaving her lacking in the chest and looking much younger than she was. She had thick and curly natural hair that she kept braided in a long ponytail, striking dark chocolate eyes that sat well against her amber-colored skin, and a regal look about her that made her peculiar to look at. She was beautiful in the most regular of ways, but it worked for her, and she didn’t even know.

Even still, when it came to boys or men, after having their fill of staring at her and wondering what ethnic mixture she was composed of, their eyes would travel over to Mona where they’d stay captivated. Which was why while she seemed to have a new boyfriend before she could even get rid of her old one, Baby had yet to have her first boyfriend and was still a virgin—a fact that she would blush at when Mona teased her inexperience, but something she was actually prideful about.

I’m not out here to be showing my legs, she remarked, pulling the hem of her shorts even lower. She hated that she hadn’t had the nerve to tell Mona no when she had suggested them for her to wear.

I’m only here because you made me come, she reminded with an indignant snort. I’d rather be studying for the test that I—

Don’t be such a nerd, Baby. I know you well enough to know that you don’t need to study anymore, and you’ll still get an A. Plus, this is only Saturday. You’ve got all of tomorrow to—Oh my God!

As if stricken by fright, Mona gasped loudly and threw her hand to her chest with her eyes pinned on to something ahead of them. Baby turned and strained her neck to see what she was concentrating on, nearly giving in to her natural instinct of fight or flight. But when she looked, there was nothing to explain how Mona was acting.

What? she asked finally. When she brought her attention back to Mona, she could tell by the all-too-familiar light in her eyes that her reaction was not from fear but from lust.

Here we go again. She slightly sucked the skin off her teeth.

The guy ahead! That’s Memphis. Mona gushed as if that was all she needed to know in order to share in her excitement.

Giving in to her curiosity, Baby scanned the crowd of people situated around them but ended up even more confused. Who was Memphis? And why should she be excited by him?

Memphis? Baby repeated with her nose scrunched up into a confused frown. Mona eagerly wagged her head and gave her a pointed look. Baby finally followed Mona’s eyes, and her focus settled on a tall figure standing not too far away from where they were gathered, looking like the odd couple; Mona, the smitten prom queen, and Baby, the displaced and clueless college girl.

Yes! Mona nearly squealed. He runs the streets. Her eyes widened, and her brows wiggled, letting Baby know that she meant this in the figurative rather than literal sense.

"I mean… he runs this shit. Ain’t nothing dirty being sold in and around here without him knowing and approving it. He’s that dude. And he’s sexy as hell!"

With that proclamation from Mona, Baby turned to look at the man once more to decide for herself whether that were true. Her eyes connected with his face, and she was able to fully scrutinize the object of Mona’s thirst, and immediately, her attention was held hostage by his bold and obvious allure. He was well over six feet tall, with dark brown, almost black skin… about as black as the night. His hair was cut low, but he had a head full of waves that made perfect 360-degree swirls around his head. Although Baby knew nothing about labels—that was Mona’s department—she knew that he was sporting only the most expensive threads, and he looked utterly and effortlessly breathtaking in them. In fact, he did seem to take Baby’s breath away as it seemed she actually forgot to breathe while looking at him. He was just that fly.

I’m going to go get a Coke, Mona announced all of a sudden, her eyes still glued to the man that had stolen the attention of nearly every woman in a three-mile radius. Let’s go.

Baby mired and dampened her lips as a brush of anxiety came upon her. Although she felt childish for her reaction, she would soon learn that it wasn’t her fault—Memphis had that effect on everyone. Next to where Memphis stood with his crew, laughing and celebrating the good life, was the food truck that sold food and drinks. It was immediately obvious to Baby why Mona all of a sudden wanted a drink, being that she would have to sashay her wide hips right in front of Memphis to place her order. The only problem was, Baby was positive that she didn’t have the nerve to do the same with even half as much elegance as she would have liked.

When it came to men, she lived up to her name. Instead of holding the confidence that a nineteen-year-old, almost full-grown woman should have, Baby retreated into herself when in the presence of men that she’d found the least bit attractive. But looking at Memphis had her questioning whether she’d ever really found anyone attractive before, because what she was feeling after looking at him was an emotion far different from what she’d felt from the little boys who attended college with her. They were boys but this—this was a grown ass man. Baby was caught up at first glance.

Licking her thin lips, she watched him as he spoke to one of the members of his rather large entourage, seemingly unaware of how utterly irresistible he was even while doing the simplest acts. He smiled at his friend, showing the dimples in his cheeks along with perfect white teeth, and Baby creamed within her pink lace panties. Mortified by her body’s response, she squeezed her thighs together and shook her head at Mona.

Um… no. While you do that, I’m going to go and get some cotton candy, Baby replied although she had no appetite for anything at all. Still, the lady selling cotton candy was in the opposite direction from where Memphis and his friends were, and she was positive that she had the nerve to at least do that. Maybe…

Okay, fine. I’ll meet you over there once I’m done.

Before Baby could even acknowledge her words, Mona had already turned and was walking in Memphis’s direction, her shapely hips twisting seductively in the wind, earning more than a few stolen glances from every man she passed. Watching her, Baby suddenly wished that she had listened to Mona’s urgings when she’d first told Baby to opt for the short Chanel romper she’d lent her. It was form-fitting and definitely showed off what little shape she had in ways that might grab attention, but Baby was always more low-key than flashy, and given the opportunity to show off her ass, she’d quickly decline. Mona, on the other hand, lived to show her beautiful body off to the world. After all, she worked hard to maintain it and considered it to be her most prized investment, which was the reason she spent more time in the gym than in class.

As Baby sauntered over to the cotton candy stand on the corner, she couldn’t help but sneak a few lustful glances over at Memphis as he joked and spoke with his friends. They all seemed to relish being in his presence and Baby found herself craving that same privilege. Leaning on the hood of an iced-out Wraith like a boss, it was obvious that Memphis was paid but Baby wasn’t interested in all of that. His pockets could have been filled with nothing but air, and she would still be just as caught up by him.

Hi, sweetie, what would you like?

I would like the pink cotton candy, please, Baby replied, pressing her lips into a slight smile as she brought her attention to the woman working the stand. She fought her desire to turn back toward Memphis and his boys.

The dark-chocolate woman ahead of her smiled back, her gentle eyes softening as she stared at Baby. She probably regarded her as a child… definitely much younger than she was. True to her name, Baby had a baby face that often made people underestimate her age, something her mother told her she’d learn to appreciate once she got older. Unfortunately, older wasn’t here yet, and Baby hated being seen as a child when she was, in all actuality, almost a woman.

Observing her nails, Baby waited as the woman got her order together, but the image of Memphis was still circling in her mind. She felt silly… Why was she spending so much energy thinking about a man she didn’t even know? A man who wouldn’t even give her the time of day, honestly. Memphis looked like he attracted grown women who had it all together—prestigious models with full careers, designer clothes, hi-rise apartments and fancy sports cars. Not little girls like her who had yet to go on their first date.

Here you go, baby. The woman smiled, unknowingly calling Baby by her name. Enjoy!

Nodding, Baby reached over and grabbed the cotton candy, deciding to push Memphis from her thoughts, and immediately stuffed her mouth with a huge handful of the sugary treat. It was delicious, much better than she’d even imagined, and she wondered if Mona knew what she was missing out on, trying to nab the attention of a man when she could be with Baby, enjoying a mouthful of cotton candy instead.

It any good? A deep baritone suddenly boomed from behind her.

Her eyes brightened at the question, and Baby turned suddenly to let the person know that the cotton candy wasn’t just good, it was to die for. But dying was exactly what she felt like doing when she saw who it was standing behind her, looking her right in the eyes, his beautiful browns piercing hers in the sexiest of ways. The way he looked at her was an addicting feeling, but she was certain that he didn’t even know the effect he had. His ignorance of how on edge he had her feeling, only made her stomach butterfly even more.

Yes, Baby mumbled through the glob of cotton candy in her mouth, instantly regretting it when a drop of drool slid down her bottom lip. She wiped it away quickly, feeling the sting of embarrassment in the pit of her stomach when Memphis chuckled at her expense.

I can tell, he replied and then pulled his eyes from hers, looking at the woman behind them. He gave his order, saying it with an equal amount of pleasantry as well as authority, and Baby eyed him, mystified by this sort of man who operated with a level of confidence she’d never seen before.

For some reason, Baby felt cemented to the ground and couldn’t move. It seemed like he hadn’t quite dismissed her… as if he still had something to say. Or maybe she only wished that he did. It wasn’t until the woman had handed him a small bag of Skittles and was counting out his change that Baby started to feel silly and told herself that she needed to walk away. She glanced quickly at him and then turned swiftly when she saw that he was already looking right at her.

Hol’ up, she heard Memphis say, and for a split second, she stalled, wondering if he was in fact speaking to her.

Baby had always thought that it was such a silly thing to have a crush on a man. It made women act in the strangest ways about the most trivial things. It made the smartest woman reduce herself to the dumbest airhead, and that’s why Baby had never bothered around with boys for long enough to develop a real crush. She liked to have her mind clear and vowed she wouldn’t be a silly little girl for anyone. But here she was feeling silly and probably looking silly too. And it was all because of him.

You’re talking to me? Baby asked, eyes wide while pressing her finger into the center of her chest as she asked the question.

He nodded his head and popped a few Skittles in his mouth, smirking slightly at the wide-eyed look she was giving him. His eyes were centered on her face, instantly making her feel self-conscious about herself and regretful of the decision to purchase cotton candy. It made her feel like a child, and that’s the last thing she wanted to feel like as she stood in the presence of this full-grown man.

Intrigued, Memphis couldn’t help but smile as he looked at the young woman in front of him, somewhat amused by the way that she was reacting to him. Sure, she was trying to keep her cool, but his eyes were trained to pick up on even the subtlest signs when it came to people—a skill he’d honed to perfection over his tenure in the streets. Always aware of his surroundings, he’d seen Baby stealing glances in his direction for quite a while now because, unknown to Baby, he’d noticed her far before she’d sneaked her first glance.

You from around here? he asked, curling his brows into a slight frown as if he was scanning his own mind for the answer. I haven’t seen you around here before.

I don’t get out much, Baby blurted out, cutting her eyes away from the intensity of his stare so that she could muster a few coherent words. I’m a student, and I kinda keep to myself.

Feeling nervous, she shifted her weight onto the balls of her feet before pushing forward to the front, teetering from back-to-front to offset her anxiety. Memphis’s strong features softened, and a sly half-grin crossed his face as he watched her, admiring the childish way she tried to hide her uneasiness. It wasn’t normal for him to be intrigued by chicks like this, but here he was, taking up her time and freely giving her his, something he didn’t do very often. Time was money, and although Memphis wasn’t short on money, he was always short on time, so he spent it wisely.

However, this young lady in front of him fascinated him for some reason. She had an innocence about her, and after spending the better half of the last hour looking at chicks who were desperate for his attention, prancing around barely dressed, shooting him seductive stares that let him know their pussy was up for grabs, it was somewhat refreshing to see something so opposite. Maybe it was the way that she was stuffing her mouth full of cotton candy like the shit was going out of style, or maybe it was out of sheer boredom, but for whatever reason, he wanted to speak to her a little longer.

Memphis’s boy Laz was the one who had come up with the idea to be out here anyways. It was the first day of summer, and this was what Atlanta niggas like Laz did on the first Saturday of summer: posted up in the parking lot with their fly ass rides in order to hook up with bad bitches. But Memphis had never been the type to sit anywhere for the sole purpose of getting a woman. Women came easy to him, even without using his money as bait. However, it was Laz’s birthday,