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  “Doesn’t take long. My kids just started kindergarten.”

  “You’re just getting started,” Reggie says as we walk over to the cream colored 1965 Ford truck. He lets out a low whistle. “She looks good.”

  “Runs even better. Keys are in there, why don’t you start her up and take her for a test drive?” I say.

  Reggie climbs inside and turns the key.

  “Listen to her purr. You put some serious TLC into her, Houston.”

  “Couldn’t do it without my crew. Hector, lift the door up and let him take her for a spin.”

  “On it,” Hector says.

  I get a deep sense of satisfaction as Reggie pulls out into the parking lot. Another car saved from the junkyard and restored to its original beauty. They didn’t make cars like they used to, and getting to breathe new life into a piece others considered a lost cause amped me up.

  I settle Reggie’s bill, send him on his way, and close down the garage for business. I want to check in with Shannon, our stylist to make sure she got the memo about the changes. She’s set up shop in my office, so I head that way.

  “Houston, is there something wrong?” Shannon asks. She bats her lashes and moves closer, invading my personal space. The petite brunette with big blue eyes and a plastic rack, Barbie would envy is sweet, but not my type. We’ve worked with her for the past year, and she’s spent a large chunk of that time trying to catch my eye. I’m not oblivious to women flirting. I just don’t care.

  “I’m sure Ollie told you, Lane’s sick today.”

  “He did. I figured we could double up with photos of the other girls. Maybe some group shots?”

  “I’ve found a replacement with the same look. I believe she’ll be bringing her own make-up artists, and doing her hair.”

  “Oh, will she fit the outfits? They’re the only ones I have in those large sizes.” She wrinkles her nose and frowns. Her disdain for the curvy body type is clear.

  “Liv, the girl, filling in for Lane, will fit them just fine. Plenty of men like women with meat on their bones. I think that frame is just right.”

  “Oh.” Her cheeks turn red. I can’t stand people with exclusivity issues. We’re all unique. It’s part of the beauty of life. We’re all unique gifts, perspectives, and skills. This bullshit belief that one cookie cutter ideal of perfection fits all gives too many small minded people an inflated sense of self.

  I’m too old to let a perky set of fake tits, and a small frame turn my head when her attitude is stank. I want a woman who can hold her own, help me raise my children with manners, intelligence and sense of self. I have girls. My job as a father is to build them up so strong, the world won’t be able to tear them down. There are double standards, and pressure I never thought about as a man. Then I had three children, two were born with the XY chromosome, and my eyes were opened.

  “Make sure the clothes and accessories are ready to go. Ryan will be here soon. I’m going to be taking the lead on this project along with Ollie to make sure things run smoothly.” I leave her in the room.

  ***

  I can’t help the smile that lines my lips. Originally from Haiti, Efia has a lilting accent I enjoy hearing. Couple that with her bright smile, and fun loving attitude, the girl is nearly impossible not to like.

  “Good. And you?”

  “Great. Work and travel are steady.”

  “I’m shocked, she caught you at home,” I say.

  “If my girl is going to be on a publication in front of God and everyone, I need to be here to make sure she’s on point.”

  “The stylist, Shannon, is in my office if you want to take a look at the outfits, and talk to her. The photographer will be here in another thirty minutes or so. You guys are running early.”

  “Early bird always gets the worm. Not that I think you’d let my girl be misrepresented.”

  “Not in a million years.”

  She pats my shoulder. “That’s why I like you. I’ll introduce myself. You work on calming her down.”

  I nod and turn to face Liv as the hurricane known as Efia whirls on toward her next victim.

  “I guess she doesn’t want me to introduce her," I say.

  “There’s not a shy bone in Efia’s body. I’m sure she’ll be fine,” Liv replies dryly.

  I reach out and twist a lock of shiny, soft hair around my finger. Straightened, it flows around her shoulders.

  “We figured this would give us the most versatility. Usually, pin-ups are all about intricate hairstyles and volume.”

  “I didn’t realize it had gotten so long.” I run my fingers through the thick mass, knowing its’ an honor to do so. She babies her hair.

  “I told you the shrinkage is real,” she says referring to her hairs pension to curl up into tight spirals.

  “Yes, but I love your curls.”

  She smiles up at me. “Me too.”

  “No matter what you do, you’re beautiful.”

  “Thank you. Tell me exactly what you need me to do.” She shifts the topic, and I go with the flow. I’m bidding my time. A smart man knows when to take action and when to wait.

  “Channel your inner model. Come on, you can meet Shannon and see the clothes they’ve picked out.”

  I watch her thick ass jiggle as she walks toward the office in her black yoga pants and a black tank top. She doesn’t have to put effort in to making me want her. I never knew that kind of deep connection before. A look says as much as an hour of conversation. I’m in tune with her on a soul level. Amazing what a few more years of living can teach.

  ***

  Liv

  “Okay, we’re going to need everyone out for these next shots,” Ryan says.

  I turn to the long haired blonde photographer with the baby face.

  “We do?” I whisper. He’s made this process as painless as possible, but contorting my body and giving face aren’t things I do during the ordinary course of my day. I scan the room for Houston and find him gazing back. I shake my head. He smiles. Not me. He mouths. I release a sigh. I’ve found the warm weight of his stare comforting and sexy. I’m not thinking about the camera when Ryan asks me to give him sex. I’m thinking about the hot bearded man I can still taste on the tip of my tongue.

  I’m the last one to take solo photos. All the girls, sans a few who’ve been hanging out flirting with Ollie and being shut down by Houston, have gone.

  “This is where I take my leave,” Efia says.

  “Thank you again for doing this.”

  “I would’ve been pissed if you hadn’t asked,"Efia says making me laugh.

  “I know, that’s why I called you.”

  She walks over and hugs me gently, careful not to mar my make up or muse my clothing. “You look incredible, and I’m not the only one that noticed. Put the man out of his misery.”

  “Love you too Ms. Bossy Booty.”

  She pulls away taking her laughter and lightness with her.

  “I’m going to let you two have a moment while we get the last scene ready,” Ryan says, following Efia out.

  “Why do I feel like you had something to do with this?” I ask Houston as I lean back against the black Chevy.

  “I asked them to give us a minute. Come here.”

  I push away from the car and walk over on four-inch black heels. I’m a sneakers and flats kind of gal, so I step with care. He holds out his hand, and I take it, curious about what he’s been hiding beneath the blue car cover. He pulls it down to reveal the maroon car that holds so many bad memories for us both.

  “Houston?” I peer up at him confused. The car's been a silent reminder of pain. I never understood why he didn’t sell it.

  “I wanted to ask you to leave the past behind with me today. The car has been a symbol of hurt and shame for far too long. I want to turn it into the representation of new beginnings.” He leans against the hood, spreads his legs and crooks his finger. “I think it’s time we take the next step in the healing process.”

  “What�
�s that?” ask feeling breathless as I move between his powerful thighs.

  “Confronting the elephant in the room. We’re not young and impulsive. I know my mind and my heart, and I’m willing to put my neck on the chopping block first if you promise, to be honest.” His hands singe me through the black taffeta material.

  “Always.”

  “I don’t want to date, or test the waters. This is not a crap shoot. I love you, Liv Honora Cole. You’re the woman I want to wake up and see at my side and raise my children with. I want you to have my last name, wear my ring, and be my partner. That’s the ending I’m working toward. We don’t have to move at a breakneck pace. But we need to have the same end game.”

  “You’re my best friend, Houston. I trust you in a way I’ve never thought I’d be able to trust another man. All these years you’ve been restoring my faith in the male species, and I didn’t realize. I love you, and I want this with you more than anything.”

  Joy sparks to life in his eyes. He rests his forehead against mine. “Liv.”

  “Yes.”

  “I want to be buried so deep inside you I don’t know where you start, and I begin.”

  “Yes,” I whisper.

  “I wanted to do this right, candles, flowers, and no rush, but I need to be inside you so bad right now it’s all I can think of.” He runs his fingertips up my fishnet stockinged legs. His touch sets me on fire. I run my fingers through his beard.

  “I think we’ve waited long enough, don’t you?” Is that my voice so husky and full of need? He starts small fires everywhere he caresses. The rip of nylon makes me gasp.

  “Need you, Kitten.” His lips crash down on mine. I lose myself in the glide of our tongues against each other and the sharp minty taste of his mouth. His beard is silk on my skin, and his scent is a cocoon blocking out the rest of the world. He works his thick fingers into the hole he created and strokes my slit. I moan into his mouth moving my hips as he guides me like the pied piper with his rhythm. He pushes my panties to the side and pushes into my slick cavern.

  “Oh, yes.”

  “So tight and wet.” He rasps.

  “Mmm.” He moves his fingers, and I grip his shoulders as I snap my hips onto his fingers, eager to feel him deeper.

  “That’s it. Ride my fingers. We need to get that pink pussy of yours ready to take me.” I flex my muscles. “You like that thought of that?”

  “So much.” I grind on him. He crooks his fingers, hits my g-spot, and shatters me. I’m shaking, speaking in tongues, and calling out for him.

  “Damn, Kitten, you know how to make a man feel a million feet tall, but I promise you, it’s only going to get better.” My legs tremble, and my head spins. “Turn around for me.” He rests me against the car and sinks to his knees. He hooks his thumbs in the tattered remains of my stockings and seamless underwear and pushes them around my ankles.

  “Spread those long legs for me.”

  I do as he asks, and he dives into my pussy face first. After years of selfish lovers who hate to give head his enthusiasm is a revelation. I grip the back of his he and grind into his face.

  “Oh my God. Right there, Hous. Yes.” Blood whooshes in my ears and my toes curl in my pumps. He thrust his tongue inside my sheath, and my world goes white.

  The cool press of metal against my face and stomach as he lays me against the hood of the car.

  “Lift your leg up baby, let’s get this heels off.”

  He pushes my leg up on the curve of the metal and tugs off my shoes and the restricting material still around my ankles. “Now put that leg up, there you go.” He rubs his hand across my ass. He rubs his thumb over my rosette, and I jerk.

  “One day I’m going to take you there too. I won’t be satisfied until I’ve had every part of you.” I shiver at the possessive tone in his voice. He pushes two fingers into my center and pumps, scissoring and stretching. The jingle of his belt heightens my anticipation. He removes his fingers and taps my ass with his cock. I peer over my shoulder and watch him stroke his thick cock. His mushroom-shaped head is purple and swollen. Two veins stand out on either side of his eight-inch girth.

  He slips it between my lips and pushes forward nudging my clit with his head.

  “You’re so wet for me, beautiful. Give me some more of that sweet cream.”

  “Feels so good, Hous.”

  I’m thankful for Pilates as I turn my head and meet his mouth. He nibbles at my lips, swiping his tongue over the sensitized areas before sipping at me like wine. I cup his head, massaging his scalp with my fingertips.

  “You ready for me, Liv? I want to show you what it means to be loved by a real man.”

  I swallow hard and nod.

  “I need to hear you say it, baby. Tell me you’re ready to become mine.”

  Coming from anyone else the words would be corny. The sincerity and love turn the sentence into a Shakespearean sonnet.

  “I ready to make love with my best friend.”

  He cups my ass and pulls me closer to him. “Lift that leg. Just like that.”

  He eases in tip dip.

  “Oh, God.” I bow my head as he stretches me. My breath stutters in my chest as he presses past my ring of tight muscles.

  “Relax and let me inside, Kitten. I promise I’m going to make you feel so good.” He peppers my neck with kisses as he fills me to the brim. It’s a delicious burn that yields to a pulsing pleasure. Fully sheathed, he stills.

  “You feel so damn good.” He whispers against my skin. His voice is raw with emotions. “Give me a minute. You got me ready to blow my load. This is a pregame. It’s been too long for me to last.”

  I snicker. “Who are you telling?”

  His body shakes with laughter. “That’s why we’re a perfect pair.” He pulls out and eases back in, oh so carefully. My heart races. Goosebumps break out over my flesh. “We’re going to have to buy this dress. Because I’m about to make a mess.” He covers my hands with his pinning me in place as he picks up speed. He’s touching more than my body. He’s reaching my soul, plastering up the tears left behind by others who were reckless with my heart.

  “Oh.” My voice warbles. My vision blurs as I lose myself to the swell of pleasure and emotions he’s evoking with his sweet loving. I submit to the experience, trusting in the love built on friendship. Once admitted, the truth could no longer be contained or ignored. I open myself to the man offering me everything I’ve always wanted.

  “Yes, Houston. Love me.” My voice cracks.

  “Hold on baby, wait for me. Wait for me.” We move together in a frenzy of hips, limbs, and words. He drives deep, and I come, hard, trembling and praying as the release floods over me like water from a broken dam. He grunts and grips my hips tight as he spills inside me with a warm and endless flow of his seed. I welcome his weight as we catch our breath.

  “You okay?”

  “That doesn’t even begin to cover what I am.”

  He chuckles.

  “What are the chances they didn’t hear anything?” I whisper.

  “I wouldn’t bet on those types of odds, but I can guarantee you no one will say a thing to you, or they’ll be dealing with me.” He eases out, and I instantly miss the feel of him. He helps me stand. A goofy smile spreads across his lips.

  “What?”

  “You look good with my come inside of you and your lips swollen from my kisses.

  I touch my lips with two fingers.

  “Don’t move.” He yanks up his pants and pulls out his phone snapping a few shots. “I want to remember this moment, forever.”

  “You don’t need pictures to remember what’s impossible to forget.” I cup his face and kiss him, claiming him as I let the emotions I’ve struggled to stifle free. I rise up on my tip toes and tilt my head this way and that, deepening our kiss. I want to crawl inside him and live. He’s the sum of all my hopes and dreams packaged in a rugged package, and I am never letting him go.

  “You’re stuck with me now, Housto
n Cabhan Maloney.”

  “Wouldn’t have it any other way, My Livy.”

  ***

  Houston

  I’m a man reborn as I watch her pose for the shoot. She has a ruffled, ruffled expression I take pleasure in seeing. When we emerged, Ryan took one look at the situation and shot me a look that said he’d heard everything that happened. Wisely he kept his trap shut, and began the last shoot. There was something to using the car for the shot. It’s lost its hold over me.

  My lips twitch up. I’ll always associate my first time with Liv with the Cadillac Sixty Special. She possesses enough goodness and light to wash out the darkest moment of my exists.

  “Okay, darling. I’ve gotten more than enough shots for today. I think the hard part will be deciding on which we’ll use. You’ve got a great look.”

  “Thank you. But this was a one-time thing as a favor. I’m much more comfortable giving orders than I am taking them.”

  “You got your hands full with this one, don’t you?” Ryan says.

  “And he likes it,” She says.

  “I do,” I agree.

  Ryan throws his head back and laughs. “I like you. You have sass for days.

  “Are you good here?” I ask.

  “Yes, I’m going to pack up. This doll can change back into her casual gear.”

  “I’ll meet you in the office?” I say thinking of the mail I’d forgotten to look at.

  "I'll come find you when I'm finished," Liv says.

  “You need anything else from me?” I ask Ryan.

  “No, it’ll take me at least a day to run through all the photos and pick the best. Once I have them done, I’ll link our computers, and we’ll go over them on three-way with Ollie?”

  “Sounds good to me. I’ll talk to you then, man.” I pat his back and step outside.

  Ollie looks up from his phone where he’s lounging on the couch. “You need me for anything else?”

  “I’m good. If you have any special requests or directions for Ryan, you might want to catch him before he leaves. He’s packing up at the moment.”

  “And Liv?”