Page 4 of When Darkness Comes Knocking
I’d never seen a man so damn fine. This handsome stranger had my clit jumping like she was at a Kris Kross concert. I wasn’t alone though. The way his eyes wandered over my body looked as if he’d temporarily forgot whatever dilemma he was in.
I cleared my throat, and his eyes instantly snapped to mine. “How can I help you?” I probed, easing toward him and the little girl I’d finally noticed that stood next to him. She looked between eight to ten years of age.
“This morning, my daughter got gum in her hair. I’d tried everything online said to do to get it out, but nothing worked. Now her hair is all messed up, and I’m supposed to take her back to her mom’s house in an hour. Can somebody here please help me?”
I looked at my employees, and instantly, all of them diverted their eyes and focused on their clients. Now the heffas wanted to be busy, but just a second ago, they were ready to lick his skin off.
“Y’all so irritating,” I voiced.
They giggled while styling their clients. I focused back on the fine man in front of me. “My ladies are all busy, and it’s my lunch break. I’ve been on my feet for a while.”
“Ma’am, I’m not asking for a miracle, but I am begging for some of your time. I’ll buy you lunch and double the price of her hair. I’m at your mercy right now,” he pleaded.
His daughter removed her thumb from her mouth and grinned at me. She was a cutie patootie, just like her papa, except she had naturally honey blonde colored hair. Just looking at her made me think about my twin girls, Tahari and Tahiri. They were nine and my pride and joys next to my seventeen-year-old son JJ or Jace Jr. He was his father’s namesake.
Their dad and I started young having kids. Big J was what I liked to call a driven father. Every time he stopped by to see them, it was always some shit.
Once I got pregnant with the twins, I knew it was time to call it quits. Big J refused to be faithful and grow the fuck up, so I made the decision for him. I moved the hell on with my life.
Later for his punk ass though. I focused back on the man and his daughter. “I’m going to take you up on that offer. There’s some time between my last client of the day, so I’ll make it work. Come on, little mama, and take a seat in my chair,” I directed.
“Thank you so much. I truly appreciate you. What’s your name? I’m Fortune Makers.” He held his hand for me to shake.
“Nice to meet you, Fortune. I’m Perrae Powers. Welcome to my braiding salon.”
“The pleasure is all mine. Please believe me. Your salon is amazing.”
My mind went blank again, but I didn’t miss a beat. The moment my hand embraced his, his large hand practically swallowed mine. I also couldn’t shake the warmth and electric feeling that traveled up my hand and arm, then nestled in my chest.
Our eyes connected, and there was so much emotion that swam freely in his light brown irises. There was something there. I just couldn’t put my finger on it at the moment.
He released my hand after holding it a few minutes too long, then directed his daughter to my chair. “This is my daughter Madison. Madison, meet Ms. or Mrs. Powers,” he expressed, staring at me instead of her.
“Perrae is just fine,” I asserted.
Fortune smirked. He looked down at my hand. “No ring or tan line. Duly noted, Perrae. What can I get you for lunch?” he quizzed, eyes focused solely on me and hands clasped in front of him like most real men stand.
My lips were pursed to the side, but I knew my dimples had given me away. Fortune laid his charm on heavy, and I’d be a liar if I said he had no effect on me. I was slightly smitten, to my surprise.
That didn’t happen often, because I refused to give men my time of day. I was over all those jack-in-a-box ass niggas. What I craved most was peace, and that was what I had. Fortune on the other hand made me think about what could be.
I cleared my throat. “There’s a little restaurant two doors down to the right of my salon. Just let them know you’re placing an order for me, and they’ll get you right,” I finally replied. I placed a small pink cape over little Madison and snapped it at the nape of her neck.
Fortune chuckled. “So, I can’t know your order?”
“Why you wanna know? After today, we might not ever see each other again. Do you make it a habit of knowing women you just met takeout food orders?”
“I make it a habit of getting to know the woman I find intriguing. Tell me your order, Perrae.”
I exhaled and smiled. “My order is six flat wings fried hard with lemon pepper and a Caesar Parmesan salad with an iced tea that’s half lemonade. Does that make you happy?” I inquired with a small smile.
“It does, actually. Thank you for indulging me. I’ll be back, beautiful.” Fortune swaggered his sexy ass away from me and out the door of my salon.
“Whew.” I exhaled. That man was too damn fine. I shook my head and got to work on little Madison.
There had to be something wrong with him if he and Madison’s mom split. He seemed too good to be true. If he was anything like my kids’ father, Big J, Fortune didn’t have to worry about me. My days of freely parlaying with toxicity were over.
What if Fortune wasn’t that type? I allowed my mind to wander as I slowly and vertically cut the gum from her hair. Afterwards, I parted Madison’s hair and braided the sections with intricate parts.
