One More Night: Book Iv/Serenity Series

By Kyra Gates

Damn, you still drive me crazy, he said as he ran his finger down her exposed arm. Her skin was just as soft as he knew it would be and he hated that he never got the chance to explore more. Now, he was determined to make up for the stupid mistakes he made years ago. Marvel had wasted so many years wondering what could have become of the desire and passion he felt for Brittani but no more. You should leave, Brittani replied. Whyso you can run into the arms of another man? A man that cannot possibly make you feel that way I do. You think I dont see what I do too you?

You had your chance Marvel felt her heart beating fast against the palm of his hand. She wanted him as much as he wanted her. I dont want to make the same mistake againI cant let you go. I wont.

You had your chance Marvel felt her heart beating fast against the palm of his hand. She wanted him as much as he wanted her. I dont want to make the same mistake againI cant let you goCoco.

You have no choice His lips met hers and she opened to him, as he knew she would. It had been too long. As the kiss grew deeper, he knew without a doubt that he had to have her. If it took his last breath he would make her his. She tasted as good as he thought she would. When they had their first kiss, it was nothing like this but the sparks still flewjust as they were right now.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jan 14, 2013
• ISBN: 9781479763511

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CONTENTS

Opportunity Comes Once In A Life Time

The Negotiation

The Battle Begins

Old Habits Die Hard

One More Night

Four Stages Of Falling

Submission

Tree House

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Epilogue

"Damn, you still drive me crazy, he said as he ran his finger down her exposed arm. Her skin was just as soft as he knew it would be and he hated that he never got the chance to explore more. Now, he was determined to make up for the stupid mistake he made years ago. Marvel had wasted so many years wondering what could have become of the desire and passion he felt for Brittani but no more. You should leave, Brittani replied. Why . . . so you can run into the arms of another man? A man that cannot possibly make you feel the way I do. You think I don’t know what I do to you?"

You had your chance . . . Marvel felt her heart beating fast against the palm of his hand. She wanted him as much as he wanted her. I don’t want to make the same mistake again . . . I can’t let you go. I won’t.

You have no choice . . . His lips met hers and she opened to him, as he knew she would. It had been too long. As the kiss grew deeper, he knew without a doubt that he had to have her. If it took his last breath he would make her his.

OPPORTUNITY COMES ONCE IN A LIFE TIME

BRITTANI AWAKENED IN her Blue Orchid Beach Hotel Suite in Worthing Barbados. She had spent three luxurious, hot nights . . . hot nights on the beautiful island and was not quite ready to return to the states, but duty called.

She reluctantly packed her remaining belongings and headed for the shower. She would miss the tranquility of being in one of the most beautiful destinations of the world with its amazing white beaches and blue waters.

Yesterday afternoon her partner and mentor Dorian Wilson called to tell her that their plans for acquiring the TC Ravens’ professional Basketball team was a done deal and that he was moving forward with preparing for the upcoming season. Everything seemed to be coming in place with the exception of a General Manager who would be responsible for hiring a Head Coach. Things were moving quite fast, Dorian had explained and Brittani was needed back as soon as possible. So soon, that he had sent the private jet for her. Vacation over, Brittani thought sarcastically.

Brittani Madden, she answered. Britt as soon as you land get over here! I have someone I want you to meet. He may be just the man for the job. Bridgett should be calling with more details. We have a few interviews set up for today and a few others through the week but this one . . .

Wait who does Bridgett have in mind, is it one of the First Impression clients. I thought they only dealt with . . .

They deal with the mighty dollar. They have clientele from business power drivers, models, actors, ball players . . . you name it they have it.

Okay so who we got?

Danny Ferry, you know who that is. Javier Delgado, Jim Miller, and there’s another one I’m hoping is a shoe in but I don’t want to speak to soon. Don’t want to jinx this one.

Well do I know the person?

I don’t think so but he is from New York. Listen, we will talk when you get here. Just hurry up. Brittani hung up the phone and called Bridgett. She noticed that she had a few missed calls from her since last night and wanted to know what information she had. Alexis is Bridgett available?

No she’s in a meeting, is this Miss. Madden?

Yes, can you tell her that I called.

Sure thing.

She was anxious so she text her to find out what was going on. Seconds later, she responded.

In a meeting but I definitely need to talk to you

That was no help at all, so Brittani threw her cell in her designer bag and headed to the awaiting car.

Marvel’s life had not been a walk in the park or even a thrill ride on the world’s best roller coaster. Having money and fame had not brought him happiness and he was just sick and tired of being sick and tired. Three weeks ago, he ended a long-term relationship with the New Jersey Bullets in hopes of making a better life for himself and his daughter. Now do not get it wrong he was a wealthy man and did not often have to beg for the company of a beautiful woman but time had come where he needed to settle down and get his shit together. He was tired of the faceless women . . . he could not even remember half their names. The partying every weekend and the stale champagne had run its course.

His daughter would be six years old in a few months and she needed a positive female role model besides his mother to look up too. He could not replace her mother and neither could his mother. She was growing everyday into a beautiful young woman and she needed someone who could teach her how to be just that.

Once the news spread like wild fire through a lit forest, the offers started pouring in. He was a former MVP superstar and a decorated coach with an impressive record for attracting talent and getting super star players to gel and win games. He had spent five years of his career overseas and had been one of the few players to come back to the states and obtain superstar status. After he threw in the basketball shoes, he took a front office job as VP of Operations with the New Jersey Bullets, the same organization he had spent six grueling years offering his body too. Now he needed a change, he longed for it. So when he turned in his resignation it was no surprised to the Organization’s owner that he wanted out. It was due time.

In the last few years, he had gone through four agents none of which he would ever recommend to anyone. Imagine his surprised when a friend of a friend recommended First Impressions’. He had made a few calls and found out that one of his childhood friends was the Chief Financial Officer of the company and she had a few clients of her own. He had his lawyer, who was also a good friend get in contact with her and set up a meeting. He hadn’t seen her in years . . . about twenty years to be exact and she was just as surprised as he was when they had their first meeting. After about seven days of negotiations he was her newest client. Bridgett Wells formerly Bridgett Mathews had suggested another agent but he did not want anyone else he wanted her.

Bridgett was friends with his former . . . former childhood crush or for a better word, obsession. Brittani Madden was the only girl he had ever cared for and the only girl he had ever called his girlfriend. Though she had no idea. She had stolen his heart a long time ago and ran away with it. One night at a high school after prom changed their relationship for the worse. Since that night, she hadn’t said a word to him and he was stuck with a small reminder of her. He wanted to ask about her but he didn’t think he would be too happy to find out that she had gotten married and the odds of that were very good . . . hell Bridgett had gotten married and had three beautiful kids. He was happy for her.

The last Marvel heard of Brittani was when she was plastered up in Time Square after her college volleyball team had won their first National Championship. Not too long after that, he left the country. She kept out of the public eye . . . not that he was looking for her but he had not heard much about her since. He knew that she was doing well for herself, she was always smart, ambitious and beautiful and for the life of him he never understood why she hadn’t believed him all those years. Actually, she never gave him the time of day to explain. Well part of him understood, he would not have believed him either but it was the truth.

Hey momma, Marvel greeted as he kissed his mother on the cheek. His mother was his rock, his foundation, his heart and soul. How long will you be gone?

Um, no more than a week. If all goes well . . . start packing. Marvel took a seat in his mother’s living room. She stayed in a small suburb on the outskirts of New York State. She had lived there since his father pass three years ago. A modest condominium with high ceilings, hard wood floors, plush carpet in the bedrooms, a private balcony, and a chef’s dream for a kitchen. His mother loved to cook and every Sunday she showed just how much with her huge spread. Marvel was an only child but he had enough aunts, uncles, and cousins, to fill a football stadium. Florida is a long way from home son.

I know momma but I’m ready for a change and I have a feeling about this one. You wit me? He teased. You need me to move in as your in-house baby sitter, she teased back. Never momma. I can’t go to long without you and neither can Sage. What would we do . . . you and your home cooking? Marvel chuckled, her eyes glimmering with amusement. Starve . . . what else? They both laughed. I know you’ve always wanted to live in a warmer climate. If all goes well are you sure you won’t miss the snow and the Macy’s Day parade?

Oh no, I’m sure I can find something to do down there.

You’re really excited for me huh momma?

Yes I am.

Guess who my new agent is?

Oh lawd, who is it now? Please tell me it ain’t . . .

Momma its Bridgett Mathews . . . well Bridgett Wells now.

Oh my . . . has she seen . . .

Mom don’t start. We didn’t talk about her. In fact, neither one of us brought her up.

Boy don’t act like you aren’t curious. You wouldn’t have brought it up if you weren’t. He blushed, his mother knew him well. I haven’t seen or spoken to her in years but I know they are still friends.

Of course they are. Those two were as thick as thieves, didn’t they have another friend they hung out with all the time . . . what was her name?

Sonny.

Yes that’s her. Is she married too?

Yeap and guess to who?

Who?

Dorian Wilson, my old college buddy.

No kidding?

Uh huh. He’s the new owner of the TC Ravens so you know I couldn’t pass up this opportunity.

Baby! I’m so happy for you.

I’m just happy he thought about me. I asked Bridgett whom all they had in mind and she said Danny Ferry, Jim Miller, and Javier Delgado. Pretty tough competition but I’m ready. I’m just as good as Ferry and I run circles around Delgado. I’m just wondering what he’s actually looking for you know. Is he looking for someone with years of experience or some one like me, a go-getter, a firecracker? Someone who can bring in the big wigs.

Well son if he knows best, he’ll pick you.

I sure do hope so because from what Bridgett is telling me the starting salary is 10.5 over five years.

Wow that’s more than what they were paying you with the Bullets isn’t it?

Yeah, its one of the reasons I left. They weren’t paying me enough for the headache.

Marvel landed in TC Florida the following afternoon. There was a car waiting for him that would take him to the First Impressions’ office. He hadn’t been back in TC Florida since his last year in college. The city was beautiful and small, much different from what he was use to in New York. He could actually see himself here. Mr. Walton, I’m Nick Taylor. I’ll be your driver for the duration of your stay. They shook hands and Nick took his bags and placed them in the trunk. Is it always this hot here? Marvel asked. Usually its hotter, he grinned. Is this your first trip to sunny TC?

It’s been awhile. I did my last year of college here.

You played for the Bullets right?

Yeah that was a while ago.

You were pretty good. 17.5 per game, 12 assist, league MVP . . . damn good I’d say.

Thanks man, I appreciate that.

Brittani arrived at her office at Precision Legacy just in time to gather the notes her assistant had prepared and rush to her two o’clock meeting. Good afternoon Brittani. Dorian is waiting for you in his office.

Oh don’t tell him I’m here. For crying out loud, she had just gotten off a plane coming from overseas. Not only did she have jetlag she was hungry and hated that she had to shorten her vacation. She was the Operation’s Director at Precision Legacy and now she was part owner of the TC Ravens’ Professional Basketball team.

Precision Legacy’s offices were located in the Luxury Legacy Hotel that was connected to the exhibition center and arena. Her office sat on the 20th floor. From her office, you could easily see the LSU campus, the skyline of downtown TC, and Pacific Heights Lake. Her office was about 2000 square feet with a custom-designed glass top desk, which held a stack of papers that she knew she would have to get to sooner than later. On the opposite wall sat a small bar and two bar tools. There was a 56 inch flat screen television built into the wall, a fireplace, state of the art sound system, a black leather sectional, and a six foot mantel that held trophies and other accolades she had received for her community services through the years. A few pictures hung on the south wall, pictures that she had brought from Africa and France.

Brittani had so much work to do she did not even know where to start. She had less than a half hour before her first interview and she wasn’t anywhere near prepared. Hey girl!

Hi Sonny. Sonny was one of her best friends; they had been friends since she was at least eleven or twelve years old. She was the reason she traveled across the world to play volleyball in the small town of TC Florida, the reason in part for her success. They were like sisters, always had been and she missed her like crazy over her vacation. I’m so glad you’re back, I missed you, Sonny explained as they hugged. I missed you too!

So tell me how your time off was, Sonny asked as she went over to the bar to grab a can of Country Time Lemonade. She took a seat on the sectional and patted the spot next to her for Brittani to take a seat. Well my vacation was short . . . very short, thanks to your husband.

Oh I’m so sorry, she blushed. Well spill it how was it, tell me about your adventures. Brittani had lived life by the horns for as long as she could remember. Since she had gotten her first bra things had changed for her. Guys started noticing her and she loved the attention. It was beautiful, thanks for the recommendation. I absolutely loved Blue Orchid, oh and I brought you something back. Sonny starts bouncing up and down, she loved presents. Brittani handed her a gift bag stuffed with purple and gold tissue. Sonny rambled through the bag to get to the bottom were the present was buried. She pulled out a beautiful handmade tennis bracelet. It was made by the natives out of pages from a magazine, isn’t it incredible.

Yes, wow, Sonny, gushed as she slid the bracelet on. I love it.

I also got you a new Louis Vinton handbag, I can’t believe they actually had this over there and this here is called Black Soap. It smelled really good, so I thought you’d like it.

My mother uses this and you’re right it does smell good. Thank you sweetie.

Okay, I know you want to hear all about my adventure. The first few nights I explored the hotel and took some time for myself, facial, massage . . . Girl it was incredible.

Brittani get to the good stuff, the men . . .

Aren’t you married?

Yes happily that is but I want to hear how things went. Did you meet Rico, he owns the hotel.

Actually he was back in the states, so I didn’t get a chance to meet him. It started out at the bar, I was sitting sipping on a hurricane or something or another and then this guy came over. Girl he was fine. LL lips, cute and all about 6'6 give or take a few inches. When he took the seat next to me, I could see the muscles in his quads through his jeans. So he introduced himself and brought me a few drinks. But once he started talking I lost all interest. Sonny starts to laugh. What happened?

He couldn’t keep up a mature conversation and it wasn’t because he was intoxicated. I’m like all that sexiness and not an ounce of intelligence. I felt like I was talking to one of those guys back in high school you know the one . . . the one that always paid us to do his homework. Yeah that type. Not a pinch of intelligence. His favorite movie was Honey I Shrunk the Kids. No education and that’s fine and all but come on. When I told him I was a graduate of LSU he asked me how far was that from the hotel. I asked him what he did for a living; he said he was still working on it. So I ask, ‘are you between jobs’ you know because I understand that the economy is bad. But he’s like, ’naw I just haven’t figured out what I want to do yet’. He says that he has a few ideas, like he’s planning on cutting hair and opening up a barber shop. And that’s fine, but what else, I think to myself.

How did he get down to Barbados, and where was he from?

"We didn’t even get that far girl, I did the old, I gotta go to the restroom bit and got the hell out of there."

So what happened after that?

Oh yeah then the next day at the pool I meet this guy, Nathaniel was his name. Light skin, ripped of course . . . head full of curly hair. Kind of spooked me because he looked too much like CJ and Big Boi and I don’t really go for the high yellow types. Anyway, he sat down and offered to put sunscreen on my shoulders. I let him. He had big hands, and you know what they say about dudes with big hands. So we start talking and I find out he’s from Tampa . . . a little too close for me, but the conversation was good. He attended Bethune, intelligent and cute. That’s a plus right. That night we went out. I had a great time. He was a great dancer and he smelled incredible. I really enjoyed myself. Again, the conversation was on point. We talked about everything from the election to Wall Street. He was a college football coach. Or so he said. You know I checked. He said he coached at Florida A & M . . . not! Girl I was about to confront his ass on it the following night but ran into him and some girl in the middle of a screaming match.

Wow, I thought you said you had a good time?

I did. First off, I don’t need a man to have a good time. Men just flock to me, Brittani said arrogantly. "Well I did meet someone. His name is Bryant. Chocolate brother, fine as hell; ripped, tall, short-cropped haircut, gold tee from North Carolina. Girl I