Page 16 of Dark Temptations

“This isn’t done, baby,” Xavier said.

She stopped and faced him. “It actually is. Remember, that’s what you said more than once.”

He gritted his teeth.

She walked through the kitchen to the solarium her mother kept filled with plants and flowers.

Her mother turned and hugged her. Ariana held on a little longer and tighter than normal and felt her eyes sting.

Her mother tightened her arms. “Whatever it is, we’ll figure it out.”

“It’s about stubborn, stupid men,” Ariana said.

Her mother snorted. “Damn, I’m sorry, baby, but that’s a hopeless cause. No one can help them. It would be easier moving to Mars.”

Ariana giggled, sniffed, and released her mother.

Her mom took her hand, led her to a corner, and sat them down in white wicker chairs, keeping ahold of her hands.

“Tell me,” Janessa said.

“I went to a club a few weeks ago. I didn’t like it. It scared me.”

“You were with Kelly and Macy?”

Ariana nodded. “There was some kind of commotion around me, and that’s when the manager, Xavier, got me and took me home.”

Her mother’s brows pinched together. “Xavier Knight?”

Ariana nodded.

“He’s not the manager but the owner.”

Ariana’s mouth opened. “Why would he tell me he’s the manager?”

Janessa shrugged. “It’s one of those man things we’ll never understand.”

“Anyway, he took me up to my condo and kissed me before he left. Oh, Mama, it was the most passionate kiss I’ve ever gotten. When we finished, he said we wouldn’t see each other again.”

Janessa scowled. “Did he say why?”

Ariana shook her head.

Janessa rolled her eyes. “Go on.”

“A week or so later, I was at a restaurant with the girls and saw him with a few men. He wouldn’t stop staring at me. I got so nervous I went to the ladies’ room. While I was washing my hands, he came in.”

Janessa sputtered and then laughed. “Oh, dear, that’s something your father would do.”

“Oh, hell. Anyway, he said ‘one more’ and started kissing me again. It was slow and sweet, and we would have kept on if an older woman hadn’t come in. I was so embarrassed.”

Ariana watched Janessa biting her lip to keep from laughing.

“Mama,” she said, perturbed at her mother’s humor.

“Oh, honey. I’m sorry. It’s just that he’s very much like your father.”

“Is that good or bad?” Ariana asked.

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