The thrill of victory filled Chailyn Malik as she looked at her hand then at the other occupants around the table.

“Uno.” She said as she quickly put down the card and held the other.

The groans around the table, was entertaining to hear. In their weekly game night no matter what they played there was some who were very competitive. She on the other hand just enjoyed the game…well that and the look on the faces of those who were more competitive when they lost. It was very entertaining as it was now looking at the pouts, scowls and expressions.

“This is the seventh hand she’s won.” Atkins, her brother, said before growling.

She patted his arm. “There, there you big baby. Losing is good for the soul. Builds humility.”

He grunted and looked at his cards his scowl deepening.  The others around the table joined in commenting on her winning streak and in case of the more competitive complaining that she was winning and had to be cheating somehow. Chailyn laughed and wiggled in her seat smirking.

“Then you should lose more so you can get some.” The man on her other side spoke.

With ruthless will she controlled her shiver at the sound of that deep sensual baritone voice.  Chailyn took a quick breath before she looked at him. He stared at her with those intense light gray eyes. He lowered his curly lashes shielding his eyes from view briefly. A slight smile curled his full lips that looked so very soft. His red hair surrounded a face that should be deemed dangerous to the libido.

“I’m very humble unlike some people.” She said looking at him deliberately.

He chuckled then retorted. “I’m humble when it suits me. Other times not so much. But for you I’d be so many things.”

Chailyn’s breath caught. There was no way he could be flirting with her in front of her family members that was here, and their friends. Lately everything sounded like an innuendo whenever he spoke with her. If she didn’t know him so well, she would swear he was doing it deliberately.  She narrowed her eyes. His smile widened.

She lowered her voice so the others talking around the table wouldn’t hear. “Now, now Payne you really don’t want to test me with what I would want from you.” She lowered her gaze taking in the dark blue shirt covering those broad shoulders and firm chest before lifting her gaze to his again. “You know they say it’s dangerous to mess with me. I’d heed those warnings.”

His eyes sparked with what she could swear was interest, and he leaned closer. She refused to back up. It wasn’t her style. She leaned in to meet him. His scent filled her senses and she resisted inhaling to take it in.

“You should know better than to challenge a man like that.” He spoke softly and his words resonated. “Especially one who would meet anything you choose to dish out.” He turned his head and he inhaled then groaned. “Why the hell do you always smell so good?”

“My lotion.” She whispered. “It’s coconut and vanilla.”

“I need to buy you a whole bunch of it.” Payne Callahan lowered his tone even more. “So when are you going to stop shying away from this?”

Chailyn stiffened. That confirmed he was indeed flirting with her. There was nothing good that would come from it. She’d known him a long time and knew he was a player with way too many women. She wasn’t about to become another in a long line of women.

“There is no this.” She paused. “We’re friends. You are one of my brother’s best friends and I’m not going to let a little lust mess up any of those relationships.”

“This isn’t lust.” Payne glared.

“What else could it be?” Chailyn couldn’t fathom what he would want from her.

“L…”

“She hasn’t won yet.” A man spoke from across the table.

Chailyn returned her attention to the game.

“Let’s see what happens when we go around the table.” Roman wiggled his eyebrows. “Someone please tell me you have something good.”

Pushing the conversation with Payne out her mind, for now, she focused on the others. They all looked at each other and she didn’t think she had any issues. She smiled widely and gestured with her hand for them to come on. They continued playing. As each card was placed on the deck she knew they didn’t have anything to stop her from winning. Finally it stopped at Payne and she looked at him. He smiled a slow grin. She waited to see what card he had to play. Eyes locked with hers, Payne set down his card. Looking at it and seeing it was a wild she waited for him to call the color.

He studied her. “Yellow.”

Chailyn smirked then laid her card over his. Those around the table groaned, grunted and cursed respectively.

“Draw Four.” Atkins sighed. “No wonder you already knew you won.”

“Yep. Winner again.” Chailyn wiggled in her chair.

“What happened to that humility?” Asher asked.

Chailyn smiled at the woman who was dating her cousin, Terrance.

“Doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate a victory.” Raina Malik – her sister replied.

Chailyn exchanged a look with her then her sister Mallory who was beside her. They rose and they shimmied. Laughing Chailyn went to join her sisters. They bumped shoulders and laughed. It was there victory dance of sorts. They looked at Atkins and he rolled his eyes then came to them, joining in.

“I’m not sure what I am seeing.” Sawyer – his girlfriend— who had been sitting beside him, stared a baffled look on her face.

Terrance who was on her left leaned closer. “There side of the family is weird.”

Chailyn looked at her siblings by her side and those still sitting. They all moved and picked up items from the table and pelleted Terrance. Laughing he ducked and moved closer to his sister, Tiana. She moved away then her husband Jameson pulled her into his lap.

“You’re on your own.” Jameson chuckled.

Chailyn smiled at the antics. She glanced at Payne and he was staring. She didn’t know what was up with him. Heck she didn’t want to know. She would stand behind what she said. It was a bad idea for anything between them.

Maybe if you say it enough times you can convince yourself. Even if she didn’t believe it she would stand by it.

“Let’s take a break and get something to eat. Then we can get back to the game so we can beat Chailyn.” Atkins said.

He slung his arm over her shoulder. Chailyn elbowed him and laughed. They went toward the kitchen. Sawyer came by Atkins other side and he removed his arm and went to her. He pulled her close. Chailyn was happy for her brother finding someone who fit him so well. She went ahead and picked up a plate. Raina joined her and came close speaking in a low voice.

“What’s going on with you and Payne?”

Chailyn looked at her sharply. “What? Nothing.”

Raina looked and clearly said she didn’t believe her. She opened her mouth.

“Stop holding up the line.” Tiana interjected.

Chailyn looked at her. Tiana winked and she knew she had overheard Raina’s question and stepped in. They all knew, when Raina got something in her head, she was relentless. For now there was some relief.

Hour later as they wrapped up their game night, Chailyn looked at her family and friends as they cleaned up to put her living room to rights. She was hosting this time for game night. It had been a great night with loads of fun, and just being with each other. A sensation of someone watching her filled her and she looked to her left. She met pale grey eyes and couldn’t help the hitch in her breathing or racing heart. The look in Payne’s eyes was one of need and she really didn’t want to see it. She turned away and went to help Raina and Tiana. They worked together and as the other two spoke, she didn’t say anything. All she was aware of was the man across the room, who was a temptation she couldn’t…no wouldn’t dare take a chance on. Yes, she might want him but knew that was a mistake. Payne went thought women like you changed clothing and she didn’t want to be another on his long list.

Payne may be attracted to her but she wasn’t going to give in. There was too much that was at stake. He was part of the family, being such good friends with Atkins, and it would be awkward afterward. As soon as the living room and other areas of the house that they used was clear people started departing. She stood in the living room as they did saying bye.

“So you and Payne.” Raina said to her right.

“You’re only noticing that now.” Morgan shook her head. “You’re losing your edge.”

“I’ve been out of town.” Raina pushed at Morgan’s shoulder.

“Please this has been going on for years.” Morgan did the same to Raina then smacked her on the arm. “Even when he played. The two of them have been circling each other for years.”

“Years!” Raina narrowed her eyes. “How did I not notice this?”

“Because you’re relationship stunted.” Morgan said.

Raina opened her mouth, probably to argue. “Okay I can agree to that. “

Shocked Chailyn looked at Morgan and she had the same look on her face she knew was on hers. Then they looked at Raina.

“What I can admit my strengths.” She smirked.

“Most normal folks would see that as a weakness.” Morgan pointed out.

“It’s an awesome thing that I’m not normal then.”

“Hell none of us or the family would be described as normal.” Chailyn laughed. “But then again some of us could be called normalish.”

“I could say so much to that but won’t.” Raina stared at her. “And back to subject. You and Payne.”

“There is no me and Payne.” Chailyn shook her head. “There can’t be. It would be messy and cause issues.”

“Why?” Morgan asked.

“Because Payne is Payne.” Chailyn said. “And I’m me.”

“What does that even mean?” Raina stared.

“Means that Chailyn is going to be Miss like to Control Shit and not give the man a chance.” Raina replied.

“Pot calling Kettle black.” Chailyn lifted an eyebrow.

“At least this Pot can see a good man and give them a chance.” Raina matched her with a lifted eyebrow.

“I…”

“Thinking way ahead of what happens when you all go your separate ways.” Raina stared her down. “What if you all don’t?”

“Don’t what?” Chailyn didn’t like being talked to like this. They had her boxed in.

“Don’t go your separate ways.” Morgan said. “What if you all have a wonderful time together?”

“It won’t last.” Chailyn crossed her arms over her chest.

“No getting into your lawyer mode.” Raina said.

“And you’ve done the same.” Chailyn looked at them. “Both of you have. You all are acting as you do when you are trying to get a client the best deal you can. Why do you all even care about if Payne and I get together?”

They both gave her a look.

“Ok. Dumb question. You give a shit about both of us.” Chailyn blew out a breath. “I get it you all care but in this it is between me and him.”

“But if you have your way, it won’t be between you and him.” Raina touched her arm. “I get why but you need to at least try.”

“I don’t get why?” Morgan shrugged. “To me, I think you all would suit each other. He’s easy-going while you are tightly controlled.  You all would complement each other.”

“The reason she doesn’t want to get involved is in her eyes, Payne is a player who goes through women.” Raina smiled. “But just as I am relationship stunted. I’ll say that Chailyn is Payne stunted.”

“Huh? What does that even mean?”

“You’ll figure it out.” Chailyn squeezed her arm. “I’m heading out. See you at the office.”

“Ok.”

“Me too.” Morgan said. “I have an early meeting tomorrow.”

Chailyn nodded. Her sisters left and moments later she heard the sound of the front door closing behind them. The three of them worked together. They were all corporate lawyers and their clients were businesses. Also because of their brother, they also worked with athletes in various sports. They had a few clients who were players for Miami Thunder, their brother’s old team. He retired a few years ago, along with a few others. Her thoughts turned to Payne.

“I thought people would never leave.” He spoke to her left.

She turned and saw him leaning against the open glass door to the patio. Chailyn stared at him. She thought he had left with the others.

“Obviously they haven’t.” She looked at him deliberately.

“Nope. I wanted to finish our discussion in private.” Payne smiled widely. “And figured since you are in your home and having home court advantage would make you more comfortable.”

“You don’t make me uncomfortable.” Chailyn narrowed her eyes.

“That’s not what I said.” Payne shook his head. “Stop trying to cause a fight to distract me. Distract us from this.”

“There can’t be an us.” Chailyn ignored the pang that gave her.

“Why not?” Payne didn’t move from his relaxed pose.

Yet she felt hunted. Payne might be easy-going but when the man had his mind set to something, he wouldn’t be swayed. She had seen it enough times in his work, as defensive coordinator for the Miami Thunder, and since he left the team, in his work. The man was stubborn and even she didn’t know if she could outmaneuver him.

Do you even want to try? Chailyn knew intellectually she should but her body was saying something different. She wanted Payne and she needed to be strong to resist him.

“Because I won’t become one of those.” She said.

“One of those?” Payne came toward her.

“One of your women.” Chailyn waved her hand. “The ones you dump when you get bored.”

“There is no need to worry about that.” Payne stopped before her. “You’ll never bore me.”

“Someone else would deny they dump woman because they get bored.” Chailyn said.

“Why deny the partial truth?” Payne shrugged. “I don’t believe in sugarcoating stuff. But I will clarify something about your saying I dump women because I get bored. That is partially true, I do get bored with them, but I also knew we were not compatible. So instead of to keep trying and faking it thus ending up hurting them anyway I told them the truth.”

“And how’d they react to that?”

“Surprisingly many since we had been dating knew me well enough that they appreciated it. Some didn’t react well.” He grimaced. “Those are the ones who went to the media and made me seem like such a player. The ones who appreciated my honesty did volunteer to rebut what they said but I talked them out of it.”

“Why wouldn’t you want them to defend you from those women?”

Chailyn had seen the stories and believed them. There had been so many of them that had said such negative things like he led them on.

“You believe me?”

“Why wouldn’t I? You don’t lie. Atkins has stated that many times to us. That he trusts your word when you say something. I have also seen it myself.”

“Well that was unexpected.” Payne smiled.

“Why?”

“I thought I would need to convince you more to give me a chance.”

“Wait.” She frowned. “My believing you doesn’t have anything with my giving you a chance.”

“Why not?” Payne smiled.

“Don’t smile at me.” She rolled her eyes. “Don’t be all charming and stuff.”

“I’m not the one who is part of Charm.”

She laughed. It was the nickname that her family and friends had for her, Raina and Morgan. They said when they combined, to get someone to do something they got them to do it.

“You look even more beautiful when you laugh.” Payne moved closer.

She resisted the urge to back up. The feeling of being hunted overcame her again.

“I’m not giving you a chance.” She shook her head. “Even if you broke up with women for a valid reason, of not leading them on, since you didn’t fit each other that’s fine. But you’ve dated a lot of women Payne. A lot.”

“I love women.” Payne said unapologetically.

“A lot of women.”

“Yes.” Payne didn’t offer any excuses.

“A normal person would try to defend why they dated so many.”

“I heard what you all said about normal.”

“You listened to our conversation.”

“Didn’t plan on it but did.” Again he was apologetic.

Chailyn looked at him. Even if he had offered a reason other than loving women, she wouldn’t have believed what he said. With him not making an excuse it was more honest in her opinion.

“Payne you are really tempting me.”

“Give in to temptation, it is a wonderful thing.” He took another step toward her.

“Payne…”

“Come on.  Give in you know you want too.” Payne took another.

“Payne…”

“Chailyn.” He took another and smirked.

That blasted look made her want him. Payne wiggled his eyebrow then smiled that endearing grin.

“Don’t smile at me.”

“I like smiling at you.” Payne moved closer. “And when you smile at me.”

“Stop flirting with me.”

“Chailyn this isn’t flirting. If I had been flirting, all this time, you would already be mine.” He sobered. “This is me being me. Honest that I want you and think we can have something.”

“Why me?”

“Woman you’ve been driving me crazy for years.” Payne slid his hand along her waist. “But I wasn’t ready then. I am now. Are you ready for me?”

Chailyn didn’t know if she was. There are so many things about Payne. The friendship between him and her brother. Payne having so many women he had dated. She knew about that, because the news loved showing his conquests, then those he left. Since he left the Miami Thunder, there hadn’t been any stories about him. She frowned thinking of that. Maybe the media didn’t care about what he did anymore. Payne stared and waited for her to answer him. She knew he wouldn’t push but would wait even if she didn’t answer now. But Payne would expect an answer.

What am I going to do about him?

 

Payne watched as Chailyn studied him. He couldn’t tell what she was thinking. She’d slipped into what he liked to think of as her lawyer evaluation mode. When she was working on your behalf, that was a good thing. When she was not, then you were on the wrong side of the table. Chailyn didn’t like to lose and did everything so she didn’t. Now she was evaluating him and Payne was the one on the other side of the table. He wasn’t sure if that would go in his favor.

“Yes, I am ready for you.” Chailyn smiled. “Now you need to ask yourself if you’re ready for me. When you figure that out come find me. See yourself out.”

Chailyn pivoted and walked away. Payne chuckled. She’d laid down a challenge then dismissed him. It was just like her. He went to the front door and saw himself out. Outside he lifted his face to the darkened night sky. Chailyn had at least said she was ready. Although she had, he knew that wasn’t the last of it. Now it was up to him to make sure she stayed that way. Chailyn was stubborn and he knew she wasn’t expecting them to go anywhere. He already knew he wanted it all.

Yes it was years that he had wanted her but at the time he wasn’t in a place for it. Now he was, he wasn’t going to let her walk away.

I’m more than ready Chailyn. Now it’s a matter of you meaning what you said about being ready.