Page 25 of Jaeda

He winked at me as he walked out the door. I quickly closed and locked it behind him in case anyone doubled back. I let out a sigh as I rested against it. My mother chuckled.

“Mommy, it’s not funny.”

“It is. Your daddy gets on my nerves at times, but I love the way he loves you all. You’re his kryptonite. He won’t stand foranybody hurting his babies, no matter how big you all get.” She kissed my cheek. “Come on. Let’s get you ready. My baby has a date!”

She did an excited shimmy, and I couldn’t help but laugh. I guess I could allow her to bask in this moment since it didn’t happen too often.

An hour and a half later,I was looking over myself in my full-length mirror. My mama did her big one in helping me get ready. She did my hair, makeup, and she picked out my outfit. When I would have gone for something on the conservative side, she picked something sleek and sexy.

The black formfitting, spaghetti strapped dress clung to my curves. The neckline tastefully accentuated my cleavage, and the split up the front exposed a good amount of thigh. On my feet were a pair of sleek Red Bottoms.

My mother curled and pinned my hair into a curly bun with two tendrils hanging in the front. The finishing touch was a light beat of makeup that looked extremely natural.

My mother dramatically fanned her face. “You look so beautiful,” she said with a whimper.

“Mama, please don’t start crying.”

“I can’t help it! It’s the hormones! I cry about everything these days. This is what I get for getting pregnant at my age.”

I laughed. “You didn’t think about pregnancy when you let Hershel shoot the club up?”

“Shut up, girl.” My mother wiped her eyes and took a deep breath. “Seriously . . . you look beautiful, baby. Come on hereand take this picture so I can send it to your aggravating ass daddy.”

I posed for several pictures, feeling better with every click of the camera. No sooner than she was done did the doorbell ring. I froze as my heart leaped from my chest to my ass. This was it. My mother rushed us out front and went to answer the door. When she opened it, there stood Quaid.

He was dressed in black from head to toe, his tattoos peeking out from beneath his short-sleeved button up. His line up was fresh and crisp, and his jewelry was simple.

A smile spread across his face as he extended a hand to my mother. “Good evening, ma’am. I’m Quaid Michaels. It’s nice to meet you.”

My mother returned the smile. “Tavia Jenkins, Jaeda’s mother.”

His eyes widened. “Mother? No way.”

Mom blushed and giggled. “I was there. It’s nice to meet you. “Come on in.”

“Thank you, ma’am,” Quaid said, stepping inside. He jerked his head over his shoulder. “The guard dogs are on the lawn.”

My mother stepped outside as I went over to the window. Sure enough, my brothers were waiting next to their golf carts on the side of the road. They passed a blunt between each other as they watched the house.

“Oh my God,” I mumbled.

“If y’all don’t take your asses home!” my mama yelled, slamming the front door behind her.

I palmed my face, thoroughly embarrassed. Approaching footsteps caused me to look up and into Quaid’s handsome face.

“I’m so sorry about them.”

He shrugged. “It’s nothing. I’m not worried about them.”

He grabbed my hands and leaned in to kiss my cheek. I stifled a whimper as his scent was intoxicating. What the hellwas it? It smelled like something that would have my panties coming off . . . I mean, . . . if I were looking for that.

His eyes shamelessly perused my frame from head to toe and back up again. I felt myself heating up under his gaze.

“You look amazing,” he said sincerely. “Damn.”

I blushed. “Thank you. You look very handsome yourself.”

“Thank you. I hope you’re hungry. We have dinner reservations.”

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