Page 8 of Tap In

Ryan securing the sale was what I liked to hear. He was connected to us from a program that we participated in that was sponsored by The Washington-Smith Brokerage Firm. He used to be heavy in the streets, and Khiaere Washington felt he had potential for something better, so he recommended him to our firm. After a conversation with my parents, we invested in him as far as getting his license. Once it was obtained, he was contracted to work for our firm for five years. He was now in the third year of his contract. He was younger than me at twenty-nine years old.

The sale that he secured was on an eight hundred-thousand-dollar home. That was the highest price tag that he’d secured thus far. His commission from the sale was a cool forty thousand.

“Oh, that’s great. Thank you for accompanying him.” She asked me if there was anything else I needed her to do before she left. I told her to have Ryan come to my office. She gave me her beautiful smile before she left.Damn, I want to be in her right now.

A few minutes later, Ryan came into my office. “What’s up, boss man? You wanted to see me?”

I stood then extended my hand. “Congratulations on the sale!”

He dapped my hand with enthusiasm. “Thanks, man! I was hype when she signed the commit papers. I’m happy that I did my research on her social media to see that she homeschooled her children. I was able to get the stagers in there yesterday to stage a classroom in one of the bedrooms.”

With a smile, I said, “That’s what the fuck I’m talking about. Like I told you, learn the client. Attention to small details like that will forever pay off in the long run.” We dapped each other again. “How’d everything go with Lark?”

“Man, it went great. She’s cool as hell. I’m thinking about asking her out on a lil date to see what’s up with her,” he said casually.

I sat there for a beat before my head tilted to the side. “Oh, you got a thing for Lark?”

Ryan chuckled. “Homie, every man in this office has a thing for Lark. Boss man, I know you like to keep it professional, but come on. Please don’t tell me that you don’t see that fine ass woman walking around this office like she owns it. Straight boss energy. I need that type of woman to bring home to my mama.”

I was at a crossroads. In my mind, Lark was mine. “I definitely see her, and I agree. She is everything that you said she is, and that’s why she’s mine.”That wasn’t what I intended to say at this moment.

The corners of Ryan’s eyes tightened. “Wait, you feeling her? I’ve never known you to be interested in anyone that worked under you.” His tone was even.

“Under normal circumstances, you would be right. Lark is an exception to the rules. I’m not a man to beat around the bush or set a man up for failure. You know that.”

His interest in her didn’t bother me. What man didn’t want a desired woman? His intention to ask her out was what was bothersome.

Ryan nodded his head with a smirk. “You right. I appreciate you being upfront so I didn’t waste my time. It seems like the two of you have some sort of history based on how you strong arming me about her.” He tittered.

“No strong arming, just a man that knows what’s his. In no way am I saying that you can’t ask her out. I’m just letting you know that you asking her out will not stop me from my pursuing her. From one man to another man, take that as you will,” I told him.

Ryan ticked up his chin. “I got you, big dog.” There was a short moment of silence before he left my office.

That entire conversation was against the grain for me. Sometimes you had to change the approach to make clear what you want.Fuck it!

* * *

This morning, I sent Lark some things that needed to be added to my calendar with my breakfast order. I also wanted her to accompany me to the home showing that I had today. The house that I planned to show today had a price tag of one point eight million dollars. It was a six-bedroom, four-car garage, custom-built container home that sat on six acres of land.

I’d been in the office for an hour and a half before there was a tap on my door. Lark came in and closed the door before I could tell her any different. She set my coffee and breakfast down on my desk. “Chance, we need to have a conversation.”

I took her in. As normal, she looked amazing. She knew what flattered her body, and she rocked it. Her straight legged pants business suit accentuated her curves nicely. “You look amazing today, Lark, as usual.”

She sat down with the corners of her lips reaching toward her now rosy cheeks. “Thank you, Chance. I wanted to have a quick word with you about a conversation that I had yesterday with Ryan. According to him, he was interested in asking me on a date but was hesitant because he was informed that I was yours. He didn’t want to ruffle any feathers. I was wondering where he might have gotten something like that from.”

“He got that from me. Ryan expressed that he was interested in asking you out. I let him know that was fine while also letting him know of my intent to pursue you.” I picked my coffee up from the desk. She ordered it perfectly every time. “While we are on the subject, I would like to take you to dinner Saturday.”

She sat there silently. When I noticed that she wasn’t blinking, I thought I’d have to get up and pat her on the back. I factory reset her ass or something. “Um, okay. Don’t you think that it’s a bit presumptuous to call me yours?”

“I don’t at all. Lark, let me ask you something. Is your pussy wet right now?”

Her eyes popped wider open at my question. “I don’t think that is an appropriate thing to ask in this environment.”

My left ear leaned toward my shoulder. “You are right. We can table this conversation until a later time that is more appropriate. Perhaps on our date Saturday.” I placed my coffee back on my desk. “Let’s get into my schedule for today. The showing is in about an hour, so please be ready to leave in the next fifteen minutes.”

She shifted in her seat. “I’ll be ready. Do you know what time you would like to take me out on Saturday?”

My brow copied the corner of my upper lip by raising. “Our plans will start at seven p.m. If you’re comfortable, I can pick you up, or you can meet me at the venue.”

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