Page 1 of Taeja

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Taeja Marley was herfather’s greatest disappointment.

She’d never wanted anything more than affection from her old man, but even good grades in school and staying out of trouble couldn’t grant her only wish. It seemed the only time he paid attention to her was when she did things he disagreed with…

Like last week’s incident.

Cringing at the memory, Taeja grabbed the shot glass of tequila off the bar’s counter. She turned it to her head, welcoming the burn in her throat as she washed the liquid down.

The woman sitting beside her glanced at her, raising her brow. The glitter of her eyeshadow winked beneath the club’s flickering light as her eyes settled on Taeja, who was ordering another shot. “You good, girl?”

Not sparing her a glance, Taeja nodded. “I’m great, Liyah.”

Aaliyah’s brow raised further. “Me look like eedyat?” she asked, shaking her head and clicking her tongue against the roof of her mouth as Taeja downed her second shot of the night.

“Sometimes,” Taeja coyly replied before she hopped off the stool. “Dance with me!” She grabbed Aaliyah’s hand, using the other to grab her purse off the counter before tugging them toward the dance floor.

Smoke from the machines stationed in several corners of the room drifted over the floor, lightly grazing her skin as she walked wherever her feet led her. Dancingbodies brushed against her. A poignant mix of scents was in the air — liquor and sweat had a musk that even expensive colognes couldn’t mask.

Her feet brought her not too far from the private sections, which were an elevated area barred off by silver railings. Taeja released Aaliyah’s hand, then allowed the Caribbean music blasting over the speakers to lead her pace. Aaliyah grabbed her waist, smiling and laughing as Taeja danced on her.

Thrilling as it was, Taeja’s mind tormented her with yesterday’s memories…

Sitting on a desk. A man between her legs. Her father storming in and his mouth hitting the floor.

Her father had grabbed her arm and hauled her out of his boss’ office, the words on his tongue giving sailors a run for their money.

On the outside, Taeja had been scowling. But inside, the part of her that craved her father’s attention soared away on Cloud Nine. If this was what she had to do to get Jerry’s attention, then this was the woman Taeja Marley would be now: a woman who frequented the beds of desperate married men who were on the brink of divorce and exploring their options. For only a night, she’d sell a fantasy. A fantasy where she was theirs and they were hers.

But after her last run-in, Taeja decided she wanted more.

She wanted something meaningful. Something that could last.

She wanted someone she could hold hands with. Someone who’d call her princess in public and treat her like the perfect slut in bed.

Taeja thought she’d never find that. In fact, she’d given up on searching. That was what brought her out clubbing with Aaliyah. Taeja needed alcohol to numb her mind, but all it managed to do was spike her need to be wrapped in the arms of an older man.

What could she say? Old habits die hard.

It didn’t even help that the club reeked of sex — from the raunchy music blasting over the speakers, to the low red lights to the… man sitting on a cushioned seat in the private section and blatantly checking her out.

There were inches of distance between the two, yet Taeja was captivated by eyes she couldn’t see. But she could feel them — raking up her long legs and stripping her from the lavender dress that clung to her dark skin and stopped mid-thigh.

She wanted him.

Maybe she was a whore to want to fuck a man who she didn’t even know. What if he was a stalker or serial killer? But Taeja Marley had always known what she wanted in life. And right now? She wanted this intriguing stranger.

“I’ll be back,” she yelled into Aaliyah’s ear.

Aaliyah followed Taeja’s line of vision, then looked back at her. “Mek sure mi can find yu when mi ready,” she warned.

“No promises,” Taeja said with a cheeky grin, to which Aaliyah glared.

Aaliyah had grown used to Taeja’s escapades. Aaliyah’s many warnings to be careful always fell on deaf ears. Taeja prided herself on being the self-proclaimed young and carefree queen.

She danced her way through the crowd, her fingers curling around the railing as she waltzed up the staircase. With each step toward this man, her breathing grew short. How was it possible that he had yet to touch her, yet her skin was already set aflame?

Stopping before him, her breath got caught in her throat. This was… possibly the most handsome man she’d ever seen. His complexion was a few shades lighter than hers. He had a head of waves that looked soft to the touch, eyes that pierced hers, and a sharp jawline with a light beard. Beneath the black shirt that was rolled up to his elbows, she could tell that he had a bulk build.

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