Page 27 of Myself

It sounds unrealistic, I know. If it was so easy, then why hasn’t someone else already done it? Because there are too many, that’s why. I’ve done the research, and there were over sixty-two thousand homeless people in New York City in December 2016. That is a breathtaking number. Twenty-four thousand of those are children. What kind of future do they have? Do they go to school? How would they get there? I know how shelters work. At night, they have to turn people away due to capacity.

I have a trust fund that currently sits at a little over two point four million dollars. You know how much fabric that money could buy? How many blankets for the children who have to sleep on the streets or in their cars? A lot! I didn’t earn that money. I don’t deserve it. I know almost everyone will argue with me. Live without it, and you’ll feel differently, some would say. You try being one of those homeless people, and you wouldn’t give it all away. I’ve seen the ugly side of what that kind of money does to people. I watched my grandpa die, and my family fight over it like he was a piece of raw meat lying in the road and they were all vultures wanting a scrap. It divided my family. Why can’t it be spent to do good as well?

I’m standing in my kitchen, fixing myself a cup of coffee, when my phone beeps. I look down, expecting it to be from Jaycent, but it’s from Conner. I don’t have his number saved in my phone anymore, but I can’t seem to forget it.

Unknown: Please have dinner with me tonight.

I exit out of it, ignoring the request, and place my phone on the counter. It goes off again, and I growl as I snatch it back up. I frown when I see it’s the front desk to the Q’s. “Hello?”

“Hello, Ms. O’Kane. You have a delivery from a Mr. O’Kane.”

I smile, wondering if it’s from my father or brother. I’m guessing Ry. “Send it on up.”

Minutes later, the doorbell rings, and I open it up to see a man holding two very large fruit bouquets. “Thank you,” I say before taking them from him.

I’m setting them on the kitchen counter when I see Ashlyn appear from her room. I wasn’t even sure she was here.

“What is that?” she asks.

I point at the one closest to her on the counter. “That one’s for you.”

Ashlyn reads the card, and I could see it all over her face that she did not appreciate Ryder’s gift. Although she did end up eating the fruit, she called him about the spa day he got us. The spa owned by Jaycent’s sister, no less. It’s one of the most expensive spas in town. Her father bought it for her twenty-first birthday. I’ve always admired his sister. She is very business savvy. Driven and gorgeous.

When Ashlyn called Ryder to complain about this gift, he proceeded to tell her that we were all going out tonight. And for once, I’m in the mood to go out and have a few drinks. The only problem is how am I gonna be around Jaycent while Ryder is there also?

**

At eight o’clock on the dot, I’m opening our apartment door for my brother. He frowns when he sees me. “That’s what you’re wearing?”

“What’s wrong with it?” I ask, running my hands down over the silk fabric. It’s a navy dress with a deep neckline. It’s simple yet pretty. Ashlyn bought me this dress for my birthday last year. It’s not designer or expensive, but it’s one of my favorite dresses because my best friend took time out of her day to get me something that reminded her of me. It was perfect then, and it’s perfect for tonight.

“There’s not enough to it,” he says, and I hit him on the arm.

I roll my eyes. “Get inside.”

“Are you ladies ready?”

“I am. Ashlyn is still getting ready.” He walks down the hallway, and I hear the doorbell ring again. I straighten my hands down my dress and take a deep breath before opening the door. Jaycent stands there with his right hand on the doorframe above his head, and the other in the pocket of his black slacks. His head is down as he stares at the floor. When he lifts his light brown eyes to meet mine, my breath catches in my throat. A slow and sexy smile spreads across his face as he watches me stare at him in amazement. He looks mouthwateringly good. I tighten my legs to help ease the tension between my thighs, and his eyes drop to my chest. The smile slowly fades, and he licks his lips. “Jayce ...” I say softly as I lift my hand and push a piece of brown hair behind my eyes nervously. He’s the only man to ever make me feel this way.

He pushes off the doorframe and removes his hand from the pocket of his slacks. Without warning, he leans down and kisses me on the cheek. “Hello, gorgeous.”

I pull back from him and look around the inside of our apartment quickly. “My brother is already here,” I say, and he shrugs. “Jaycent,” I snap. “We have to be discreet.”

He sighs, running a hand through his hair, and I see his jaw tighten. “Babe...” I whisper. “What’s wrong?”

He reaches for my hand and grabs it. I allow him to pull me down the hallway, and I peek into Ashlyn’s room to see Ryder sitting on the end of her bed and no sign of Ashlyn. She must still be in her bathroom getting ready.

He pulls me into my bedroom and shuts the door behind me. Before I can say a word, his lips are on mine. I moan as his right hand goes to my thigh and lifts it around his hip. My lips part wider, and my tongue seeks out his as I moan. His fingers dig into my already sensitive skin, burning me with his touch.

I can feel his cock start to harden against my pussy, and it throbs with want. Why did I say we should take it slow? I feel like we’ve taken it slow for way too long.

He pulls away too soon and leaves me up against the wall panting. “Jaycent... we can’t ...”

“I know.” His deep voice sounds breathless. “I just needed to kiss you.” He kisses my forehead and then pulls me away from the door. I stand on shaky legs as he exits my room. He doesn’t say anything, just walks away and knocks on Ashlyn’s door. “Let’s go guys.”

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JAYCENT

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