X-Treme Measure (10 page)

So while I can’t say I didn’t enjoy those guys, I can say the intimacy wasn’t what I thought it would be. Nothing sparked and my toes didn’t curl in rapture. Whatever. Romance books were so full of shit about that.

I walked to the bed and crawled on top of the covers. Pulling out my phone, I opened the camera and then flipped the screen so it looked at me. I looked…boring. Pretty in a plain kind of way.

Nice teeth, straight nose. Even with glasses I didn’t look bad. My eyes were kind of beady, even with the cerulean blue irises. My blonde hair was awfully long, but I didn’t want to cut it. I liked it and only trimmed it to get rid of dead roots. Sometimes it was hard to fix and deal with but it didn’t over power my face like some girls with long hair did. My hair wasn’t super thick.

Shaking my head, I turned the camera off and unlocked my phone to open my messaging app. My mother was the only one with a phone and I tapped on the message and let her know I was okay.

With my birthday coming up I figured I should at least let them know I’m okay. It’s not like they ever worried about me.

I sent them money once a month. When I was in school I called them once a week to make sure they were doing alright. Or if they needed anything. Their answer always was the same. Send more money. I did when I could. Why? I don’t know. It’s not like either one of them had a job. They lived off my dad’s disability check and then the welfare check they got.

I texted her about the school situation and that I had to find a place in the city. I had no choice if I wanted to stay in the university. I had to continue working at the Chili’s here to make the type of money to spend of tuition. I was at to make the most money I could to take care of myself. I had plenty of regulars that always tipped me well. Since I was always in the lounge it was fast paced and I turned tables over quickly to make more money.

I sent it off, hoping she didn’t respond right away. It was late in the evening and they were probably already asleep, but I knew once she read that, she might have a real conniption fit. Which I was not ready to handle. Her bitching and arguing could last for hours. Luckily, she didn’t know where I lived. That and they didn’t leave the house unless it was important.

I set my phone down, knowing I could sleep in tomorrow. As soon as I laid my head down, and shut my eyes, my brain fired up and I was wide awake.

I laid there, trying to clear my mind, but as soon as I closed my eyes,
he
popped up. Daniel. If I was honest with myself, I liked him. I respected him. He was a good dad to Reighlyn. His mother was a total pushover when it came to him, if what I’ve seen at the restaurant had anything to say about that. He was so confident and strong. I was mostly asleep when he carried me to his bed that first night I fell asleep on his couch. I felt his arms around me; strong, firm and gentle. I felt so incredibly safe. Never had that happen before. Naturally, I couldn’t help myself snuggling deeper into his embrace. He was like a warm blanket.

And what the hell did Ashley mean? He watched me? When did he get the time? I barely saw him and I worked a lot of doubles. When I didn’t, I normally stayed at the apartment. I took care of any grocery shopping when I got off work.

There was no way Daniel saw me as anything more than just his pesky neighbor. I may have the hots for him, but I was positive that it was one sided. That stint at the restaurant was just his way of being over protective. Like some big brother. Or simply because I was female and he thought I was weak and helpless. Which only irritated me to no end.

Enough of this. I wasn’t going to think about it or him anymore, I got up, went to the bathroom in search for my ZzzQuil. I only took it when I couldn’t sleep, like exams week or else I’d never get rest. Thinking about Daniel and his actions at the restaurant wore me down. How good he looked in his jeans that cupped his ass perfectly, and the pastel green polo shirt he had on, painted on was more like it with the sleeves just a little tight on his biceps. It complimented his jet black hair so well. And his eyes. I loved his eyes. I only got a glimpse of them a few times and it was like getting lost. A dark pool of heat centered low in my belly. His deep, brown eyes were hypnotic and intense. Sexy. Burning a fire deep within.

Now I sound like a love sick puppy.

Whatever. I had to work in the morning. Another double.

I took a capful of Quil and slipped my fuzzy socks on. They always helped make me sleep better. I got under the covers. My last thoughts were still of Daniel.

Daniel was an enigma. One I should steer clear of.
Baggage
. I should remember that. Dad. He was a dad and I had a goal.

But then, why was that not enough to keep me from thinking about him?

The day of my birthday came by fast and I began noticing how much Ashley meant by Daniel watching me. Oh, not all the time and I didn’t feel like I was being stalked but whenever I found myself looking towards his apartment, he was outside with coffee. I thought he didn’t drink stuff like that with his health preferences. When I leave for work, he was just pulling up or walking out of his apartment. He has this stare that totally makes me forget what I’m doing. I feel like I’m falling into a dark abyss with no escape. So intense. It should scare me, but I loved it. It made me hot and antsy.

He never smiles. This scowl comes over his face but it’s sexy as sin. Part animal, part man. And it’s like a growl is only seconds away.

As far as I knew, Reighlyn spent a lot of time with Diana, since I only saw her in the early evenings. I needed to tell her about the hospital. She was excited when I first mentioned it to her. Knowing we could get all ponied-up was exciting for her. I loved volunteering at children’s hospitals. Sometimes at retirement/assistant living places. She’d have a blast.

Since it was Saturday, and my birthday, I thought I’d go all out. I wanted to look good for once. I didn’t have much shopping sense, but I definitely wasn’t going to ask anyone for help. Besides, I didn’t even have good friends like that. How hard could it be?

My mother’s been calling me; yelling and hollering about how I was messing up their lives by not coming home and taking care of them. How I was being ungrateful—her words, not mine. How selfish I was acting. I didn’t know what to do, so just like before, I let her calls go to voicemail and I left her texts unanswered. I didn’t know what to do about them. I didn’t want to hurt them, but I knew once I went back home and worked at the Chili’s out there, I wouldn’t have enough money for school. I wouldn’t be able to go back. Maybe that was just my lazy heritage showing, but I was so close to the end to give it all up now.

BLEH!

Bad and negative thoughts are not allowed on my day.

Today was my day. Nothing was going to ruin this. I slept in after a late night at work last night. Looking over at the digital clock it was past eleven. Ugh. I’ve never slept in this late before. I threw the blankets off, sat up, and prayed tonight would be spectacular. Even though I took one last night, I got up to take another shower. After dressing into some shorts and a tank, I slid on my sandals and made my way towards the kitchen.

“Morning Ashley.”

He peered up at me behind his own cup of Joe and nodded. “Afternoon, Moriah. What’s in the plans for today?”

“The girls from work are taking me out for a ‘girl’s night’ for my birthday.”

“It’s your birthday today?”

“Yup.”

“You didn’t say anything. Happy birthday.”

“Thank you and I don’t really advertise it. I don’t ever celebrate it.”

“Why ever not?” He laid his newspaper down and looked at me like I was crazy.

I just shrugged. “I normally don’t have anyone to spend it with. My parents don’t care enough to say anything and I usually work. I’m pretty sure the girls at work are only doing this so it’s an excuse to be off and go out drinking.”

“So they aren’t your friends?”

I sat down with my cup of coffee, and gestured with my hands. “I work with them. We don’t have slumber parties. I’ve never had many friends. College takes up a lot of my time if I want to graduate early, like I really want. I skipped a grade in high school and got it done early. I don’t have much further to go. Maybe two more years.”

“I can understand that. What do you plan on wearing?”

“Actually, I’m going to go shopping in a bit.”

“Oh, yes. Gotta be nice and hot for tonight, of course. Where do you plan on shopping?”

“The mall?”

He set his coffee down and gave me a once over. Taking in my glasses, hair, face and body (even though I was sitting) and covered his mouth with his fingers. Inspecting me.

Shaking his head, Ashley said, “You don’t know? Oh, alright, let’s go.”

He got up and went to the sink, cleaning his cup before setting it in the dish strainer.

“What do you mean? I can shop all on my own, you know. I am a big girl.”

“Of course you can, but will you buy what will make you look great? I doubt it.”

“Hey! What is that supposed to mean?”

“Consider this your birthday present. Come on.”

I narrowed my eyes, looking over Ashley and his tailored three piece suit. All he was missing was the jacket. He looked so good. Expensive. Even for a guy who was bisexual, he never hit on me. He was a complete gentlemen. Quiet. He was the only friend I had really. SO I gave in, but not without rolling my eyes.

I let him drive. Of course I did, he had a Porsche convertible. The top was up though and we drove to the Galleria.

Sometimes I wish I could just let someone take care of me. Not that I would ever admit it out loud. But my life just got so stressful and hard sometimes. I knew I could easily win over one regular at work or two. Some of the men that came in and sat in my section were wealthy and had hinted to me about quitting and working for them. One had even said he’d love to take care of me. Teasingly of course. That’s what I was taking it as, but I knew if I ever reciprocated, a few of them would jump at the chance. A hot, young girl to make them look good like a rutting peacock.

But I wasn’t a sugar baby. I knew if I wanted anything in this life, I’d have to go get it myself. My parents were losers. I was not going to let that be my life. I was a winner, dammit. Therefore I worked hard and never gave up. That and they’d probably want sex, and I couldn’t ever let myself get involved with an older man like that.
Eww
. The few times I’ve had sex were horrible experiences, but I wouldn’t ever sell my body to have someone take care of me. That wasn’t the kind of girl I was.

Ashley led me around, the little white chick next to this amazingly, hot, light-colored black man that made me feel almost insignificant. Like I was a pet. I knew that was crazy but he was like a pharaoh and I was the wandering idiot trailing behind me.

Ashley had this presence about him that just outshined everybody. And he wasn’t vain or selfish. At least not towards me. As far as I could tell, he worked hard for his dad and who knows what he did in his spare time. He never told me about his love life. Not like I could give any advice anyway. I was an old-maid type of woman.

Then he stopped in front of a store that looked like it could be on Rodeo Drive. I looked up at the name, Hot Couture Boutique. Oh, snap. This was way out of my pay grade. I rushed in, hurrying up to stand beside Ashley.

“Ashley, I could never afford anything from this place.”

He looked down to me and smiled, “Moriah, I told you, let this be my birthday present to you.”

“What if I ruin it?”

“The only way to ruin it, is if someone ripped it off of you. Or got it wet. Let’s hope neither of those happen…well, if the first happens, then it will be well worth it.”

“Yeah, like that would ever happen.” I scowled and rolled my eyes before looking around to all the high-end clothes that surrounded me and I felt cheap. Like flip flops sitting next to Louis Vuitton’s.

I walked around passed shelves and racks and there it was. Like a beacon. THE dress. I couldn’t stop staring. It was a halter top with a sweetheart neckline. Blood red, with red sparklies and the skirt was a pleated black skirt with matching red trimming.

“See something you like, madam?”

I looked over to the salesman who was an older man but salt and pepper hair.

“That’s my dress.”

He looked from me, giving my body a once over and then to the dress. “Why don’t you try it on?”

“I’m sure you don’t have it in my size.”

“Of course we do, a size eight?”

“No.”

“Why don’t you try it on first and see how it fits, first before you let it go.”

Then I felt a large presence behind me, I looked back to see Ashley looking at my dress. With a smile and a nod, he said, “That’s the one. Try it on.”

When I did? Oh. Em. Gee. It was a perfect fit. It had measurements instead of an actual size.

“Let me see, Moriah.”

With a silly excitement, I opened the door, and showed him.

“That’s it. The one you are wearing for your birthday outing. And it’s a nice party dress. You’ll have fun in it.”

The dress stopped at mid-thigh, showing off my legs.

“Now, for the shoes.” He raised a pair of pumps in front of me and I fell in love. They weren’t sky high either. Because God knows I couldn’t walk in heels but these were maybe only two inches, red with a black shimmery trimming.

Maybe tonight would be more fun than I originally thought.

I put the heels on, and looked myself in the mirror. Whoa. With a little bit of hair products, and makeup I could totally look hot tonight.

“Let's see, Moriah.”

Ashley was close by and I pushed back the fitting room doors to the small runaway area and Ashley gave a long, slow whistle.

“Now that's an outfit. And if you do not get a guy’s number I will be sorely disappointed.”

I laughed and turned, loving the way the skirt flared out. I lined my curves with my hands, loving how this made my body feel.

Beautiful.

“I wonder how much this dress is. There's no tag on it.”

“Don't worry about it, love. It's been taken care of.”

“What do you mean? Taken care of? I haven't even paid for it yet.”

“My gift to you.”

“I cannot let you pay for this dress. This is a gift to myself. Maybe I ripped it off while I tried it on. Lemme look in the fitting space.”

“Moriah.”

I looked up to see Ashley walking towards me and the amusement lighting his eyes and that devious smile made me squinting with a scowl.

“There is no tag because this store doesn't carry tags. They are designer originals. They are very expensive. I can guess that this little party dress is about three grand.”

“Ha.”

I couldn't help the laugh that flew out of me. Was he?

“You're serious?”

“Yes.”

“Oh. Em. Gee. I have to get this off of me. I can't ever afford something like this. Ever.
Fuck
.”

I felt the hot sting of tears clouding my eyes as I turned to hurry back to the dressing room.

“Moriah. I said it's been taken care of. Happy birthday.”

I stopped. Almost too afraid to look at him. How could he? He? Paid for this? Like I was some sugar baby?!

Then I almost got mad. I was close to exploding, but oh, hell. I couldn’t help it. I exploded.

“YOU PAID FOR THIS?!?! As in…already paid for? I am not a sugar baby, Ashley I don't need to be taken care of. A gift is something small. Like a gift card or flowers. Not a 3-k dress and heels.”

I couldn't stop the rising of my voice. I felt my body totally freaking out. I mean come on! This kind of shit didn’t happen to me.

“What about the shoes?”

“My pleasure. And of course you're not a sugar baby. Honey, God love you and I'm bisexual, but you're not my type. So. That being said, this is my gift to you.”

“I can't accept this. It's too much.”

The tears were now streaming down, I couldn't believe he—why?

“Why?”

“You're the first person who moved in. You know how long I've had that ad out? A long time. Male, female—it didn't matter. It was hopeless. Then you came along. Pretty desperate but you would have only said no if I said I was straight. So we're straight. It's all good. You don't have to worry about money with me. Now, change so we can grab a bite to eat before going home. You are going look so amazing.”