Yield to Love Read online

  “Whatever! I’m not in the mood to split hairs, Roque.”

  “Well, if you’re going to falsely accuse me, at least you could get your facts straight.”

  She thrust her hands on her hips. “You forced those people out of their homes, and now you’re trying to bully me. Sorry, honey, but I’m not easily intimidated.”

  She had some nerve coming in here biting his head off. He’d tried to do one nice thing, and look where it got him. He didn’t have to explain himself to her or anyone else. “No one forced those people to sell.”

  “A covetous developer harassing them isn’t considered force?”

  “I didn’t hear any complaints when the checks were being cashed.”

  “That’s all that matters to you, huh? Throw money at a problem until it disappears.”

  “I did those people a favor. They were living in squalor.”

  “Those people? You really are a callous bas—”

  Suddenly, Marlowe’s glance shifted from him to a spot on the Italian tiled floor. Her eyes grew wide. Her full mouth crumpled into a grotesque sneer. The wild, predatory look on her face sent chills down his spine. Roque followed her gaze to where a giant hairy spider crawled on the floor not far from where he stood.

  Before he could stop her, Marlowe leapt forward and stomped the tarantula beneath the thick sole of her boot.

  Jade let out a blood-curdling scream.

  It was too late. Marlowe squished the spider, repeatedly grinding the thing into the tile.

  Roque gasped. Oh, shit!

  Brett flew to the open door. Roque had never seen his calm and cool assistant even jog.

  “Sir, is everything okay?” Brett asked, alarm coloring his features.

  Jade burst into tears. “Murderer!” she accused Marlowe. “You killed Charlotte! Daddy, she killed Charlotte!”

  FIVE

  “Now we lay Charlotte to rest. She lived an idyllic existence, but her life was stripped from her by a vicious assailant.”

  Marlowe listened to the mournful words of the pimple-faced minister dressed in a wrinkled black robe. Unbelievable. They were having a funeral for a spider. She watched as Jade placed a white shoebox with the remains of her pet tarantula into a hole that had been dug in the backyard. A young woman Roque referred to as Jade’s companion covered the box with dirt.

  “From the dirt Charlotte came, and from the dirt she will return,” the minister vowed.

  Marlowe smirked. “Is that guy even a real minister?” she whispered to Roque, who stood beside her, dressed in a black suit for the somber occasion.

  “He’s a seminary student Brett knows,” Roque replied. “But as far as Jade knows, yes, he’s a real minister. You’ve already made a bad first impression on her,” he chastised. “I wouldn’t tell her about the fake minister.”

  “Jeez, I still don’t see why I have to be here.”

  “I should think it’s obvious. You’re a murderer.”

  “It was a damn spider.”

  “It was my daughter’s beloved pet.”

  “How was I supposed to know?”

  Roque touched a finger to his lips, motioning for her to be quiet.

  Marlowe stood in silence as she waited for the funeral to end. This was all Roque’s fault. If he hadn’t sent that heavy duty clean up team to her property, she would have never stormed to his office. She was in the middle of her rant when something big and black caught her eye. She had no idea it was a pet spider. Hell, she saw that hairy fucker and she freaked! Now, she was paying for her rashness. But she would do it again, if given the chance. She was raised to take care of any crisis. A freakin’ spider the size of a man’s fist qualified as a crisis to her.

  When the fake minister finished, Jade’s companion began singing Blessed Assurance.

  Ridiculous.

  Ten minutes later, the song ended, and so did the funeral. Marlowe stood awkwardly while Roque thanked the minister and the singer and then sent them on their way, leaving her alone in the living room with Jade. The girl continued to glare at her. Marlowe wasn’t sure what to say to the kid. She never thought she’d be glad to have Roque back in the room.

  When he returned, he wrapped his arm around his daughter’s shoulder. “I’m sorry about your spider, baby. We can get you another first thing in the morning, if you want.”

  “No thanks, Dad. I’m not ready right now. I need some time to be alone.” She gave Marlowe another glare.

  Marlowe scrunched up her nose. The two stared each other down for a few moments before Jade walked solemnly upstairs to her room. A slamming door signified the release of her anger.

  Roque turned to Marlowe. “Happy now?” he asked.

  “A girl her age should be collecting clothes, not bugs.”

  “So, if she were a boy, it would be okay?”

  “I wasn’t referring to her gender, I was speaking of her hobby. Why don’t you get her a dog or cat or a fish?”

  “That’s not what she wants.”

  “You spoil her.”

  “Look who’s talking. It takes one spoiled brat to know one.”

  Marlowe marched toward the front door. She would not stand here and be insulted by him. “You are enabling her. No! You’re crippling her by indulging her every whim.”

  “Everyone can’t be a terrible parent like your mother.”

  She gasped. “There’s no need for rudeness.”

  “And killing my daughter’s pet isn’t rude? Please tell me, so I can be straight on the proper etiquette.”

  “You wouldn’t know proper etiquette if it jumped up and bit you on the ass. Any man who purposely disregards the wishes of someone and sends his goons to destroy someone’s mother’s possessions can’t possibly be concerned with etiquette.”

  His eyes narrowed. “You’re still pissed at me about sending that truck?”

  “Give the man a gold star! He actually has some sense of perception.”

  “I’ve already explained I was being helpful.”

  “You were helping yourself.”

  “I told you I was on a deadline.”

  “And I told you I wanted a chance to go through everything.”

  “You can go through it in Juan’s truck.”

  “That’s not your call to make!” A cocktail of anger and frustration surged through her. It was as if she were losing her mother twice. She would not cry in front of Roque. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing her weakness. “Did it ever occur to you this is traumatic for me? My mother has been dead for over twenty years. All I have is the things she left behind, and you’re trying to take that from me.”

  “Do you hear yourself?” He grabbed her by the shoulders, sending a jolt of electricity through her. “This is just stuff, Marlowe. The real memories you have are the ones inside you.”

  “Damn you, Roque Coleman. You think you can just wave your magic wand and the whole world should fall in line?”

  He smirked. “Not the whole world.”

  “Just me? Well, I’ve got news for you. I don’t fall in line. I’m at the head of the line. I make the rules.” She shrugged from his touch.

  “You’re too emotional to make a decision right now.”

  “And you’re not? Your emotion is pride. Fueled by greed.”

  “And you’re high maintenance. I bet this has nothing to do with you wanting to go through your mother’s belongings. You just want to annoy me—and you’re doing a damn good job of it!”

  “When it comes to being annoying, crass, and arrogant, you’ve got me beat. It’s a wonder anyone can stand to be in your company.”

  “I was thinking the same of you, lady.” He got in her face. His nose was inches from hers. “I’m glad I’m not your man.”

  “Hah! You should be so lucky. You couldn’t handle me, anyway.”

  “Oh, I assure you, once I handle you, you won’t want to be handled by anyone else.”

  “You arrogant bore.”

  “Spoiled brat.”


  “You don’t know me.”

  “I know your kind. You need a man who can be firm with you.”

  She scowled. “You need a woman who will stand up to you.”

  “Woman, I would rock your world.”

  “I would leave you begging for more.”

  Roque stared at the firecracker in front of him. Marlowe Jones had him heated up. His temperature was through the roof. Every one of his nerve endings was on fire. He’d never found her sexier than at this moment. He’d like to test her theory. Would he really beg for more? He’d never begged a woman for anything in his life.

  He leaned in and crushed her mouth against his. He would show her who’d be the one begging. He swept in, his tongue invading every corner of her mouth. He wouldn’t stop until he forced her unconditional surrender.

  As he explored her warm, wet mouth, her tongue battled with his. She wasn’t backing down, wasn’t submitting. Her hands came up and draped around his shoulders, her fingers playing with the locks of hair at the nape of his neck. Electric volts shot through him, and he pulled her against his hard body. The soft lines of her breasts melded against him. He took everything she offered and then more.

  He was triumphant when he heard her whimper beneath his mouth. His ego soared. No, he hadn’t rocked her world, but he’d tilted it on its axis. He pulled away, eyeing her swollen lips.

  He gloated. She’d enjoyed the kiss. He knew it and she knew he knew it.

  She didn’t even bother to say goodbye. She turned on her heel and walked toward the door. It was as if her surrender made her even madder at him.

  He couldn’t resist the chance to rub it in. “Ms. Jones,” he called after her. “You were right,” he admitted when she turned to glower at him. For a split second, a flicker of hope flared in her eyes. He was happy to burst her bubble. “I am greedy.”

  He smiled as she flung the door open and slammed it behind her. It was the second time today a door had been slammed in his house. This time, it was music to his ears.

  ###

  “Oh, I think that would look gorgeous on you,” Toye remarked as Marlowe held up a royal blue, floor-length crepe dress.

  “You think?”

  “Yes, it would go perfect with those sapphire chandelier earrings you have.”

  Marlowe had a better idea. She would wear the beautiful citrine necklace her sisters had given her for her twenty-fifth birthday instead. The orange and yellow gemstones would contrast nicely with this blue.

  “The question is where are you going to wear it?” Toye asked.

  “I can always use a formal dress. With all of the functions I attend on behalf of Three Sisters Construction, this will come in handy. In fact, Gabe’s investor mixer is coming up in a few weeks. He has an annual event where he gets all of his clients together, introduces them, and gives them a chance to network. I’m helping him coordinate this year’s event.”

  “Girl, this dress will dazzle every client in the room!”

  Marlowe summoned one of the salesladies in the chic boutique, who added it to the growing pile of clothes in Marlowe’s dressing room.

  This was exactly what Marlow needed—a little retail therapy. She’d spent the last couple of days going through the items in Reesa’s old house.

  Her mother had so much stuff in there, it would take an entire lifetime to go through everything. She and Toye had barely finished the bedrooms. She dreaded to think what objects lay in the boxes stacked high to the ceiling in the living room.

  She had to admit, this was indeed a daunting task. For a fleeting moment as she lay in bed last night trying to claim some sleep, she thought of just giving up and going with Roque’s idea to have the entire house demolished. But something wouldn’t let her do that. Maybe it was the fact that it had been his idea to begin with, and not hers. She didn’t want to give that man the satisfaction of knowing that he was right about anything. Especially about the kiss they’d shared a few days ago.

  He’d said he could rock her world. She was ashamed to confess, those words titillated her. She wanted to see what he was working with. So, she hadn’t resisted when he branded her lips with a kiss so hot she’d put the A/C in her car on full blast the moment she left his doorstep. She was no slouch in the bedroom, having brought many men to their knees; but something about Roque Coleman was a challenge to her. He was what any woman would consider a conquest. But after that kiss, she was afraid she’d be the one conquered—not him!

  So far, she kept her feelings to herself, not even bothering to confide in her cousin. Not for the first time, she wished her sisters were here. Then, she could tell them about her erotic encounter with Mr. Coleman. The man was driving her crazy!

  She couldn’t believe she was trippin’ over one fucking kiss. But oh, what a kiss it had been. She’d never thought the ruthless man capable of delivering such passion. His mouth wasn’t cold and calculating, like him. It was surprisingly warm and welcoming, but demanding. His bold kiss was an indication of how he’d be in bed. Rough, demanding, and all-consuming.

  It made her even angrier that her body had betrayed her that day. She’d practically purred in his mouth, eager to receive everything he had to give.

  That’s it. I’m a horny ass hussy.

  She was always at her sexual peak right before and right after her period. That had to be it. She was just horny. If it hadn’t been Roque, it could have been anyone, including her on and off again friend with benefits, Jamari. She had a high sex drive, and Jamari always delivered. Maybe she would call him tonight and let him release some of this pent-up energy.

  “Let’s go to that new designer shoe store that just opened on the second level,” Toye suggested.

  “I’m down. I need to find some strappy stilettos to go with this dress anyway.”

  As Marlowe made her way toward her dressing room, her cell phone rang. She didn’t recognize the number, but she answered anyway. With Ronnie and Candace still on their honeymoon, she was holding down the fort for Three Sisters. The call might be important.

  “Marlowe Jones speaking.”

  “Ms. Jones, this is Jade Coleman. I need your help with something.”

  Marlowe stopped in her tracks. “How did you get this number?”

  Jade huffed. “Easy. I found it in my dad’s contacts on his computer. Duh.”

  Marlowe gritted her teeth. This child had more sass than the law allowed. “How can I help you, Jade?”

  “There’s something I need.”

  “Why are you calling me? Ask your dad.”

  “He can’t help me with this…I need…I need you to do it.”

  Marlowe scoffed. She had better things to do than play games with this girl. Dealing with her father was bad enough. “Look, if this is about that spider—”

  “It’s not about that. It’s something else. I need you to meet me at my house.”

  “What? I’m in the middle of a very important business meeting, Jade.”

  Marlowe would have gotten away with the lie if Toye hadn’t talked all loud in her ear.

  “Girl, my dress was twenty-percent off!” Toye squealed. “I’m getting two pairs of shoes. Hurry up.”

  Marlowe motioned for Toye to be quiet.

  “Are you shopping?” Jade demanded.

  “Yes,” Marlowe admitted. “I’m with a client. I’m super busy.”

  “Yeah, right.” Jade called her bluff. “This works out better anyway. Where are you? I can meet you there.”

  “Excuse you, young lady. I just said I’m with a client. I don’t—”

  “Listen, Ms. Jones,” the girl suddenly sounded dejected. “All I’m asking for is a little of your time. I wouldn’t be calling you if I had any other options. Besides, you owe me.”

  Marlowe didn’t feel like she owed this bossy little girl a damn thing. She’d already attended a spider funeral, something she never thought she’d ever do in a million years. But she could sense the vulnerability in Jade’s voice. This child was just like her daddy. Sh
e didn’t know the meaning of the word, nice.

  Marlowe let out a deep breath. “Fine. I’m at Merrick Park Mall. That’s about thirty minutes from you.”

  “I know where it is. I’ll meet you at Neiman Marcus in an hour.”

  “Wait! How do you plan on getting here?”

  “I’ll have Gator drop me off, of course.”

  Marlowe shook her head as the girl hung up. “That’s the bossiest child I’ve ever met.”

  “Who was that?” Toye asked.

  “Roque Coleman’s daughter, Jade. She’s coming here to meet me. Says she needs my help with something.”

  “What?”

  “She didn’t say.”

  “How’s she getting here?”

  “She’s going to have her limo driver drop her off.”

  “Damn!” Toye’s jaw dropped, obviously impressed. “Can Roque be my daddy?”

  “Girl, you’re only a few years younger than him.”

  “I meant my sugar daddy!”

  Marlowe cracked up laughing. “C’mon, let’s go get those shoes so I can meet this little girl.”

  “I wonder what she wants.”

  “That makes two of us.”

  SIX

  Roque hated coming here. This place was for weak-minded people who couldn’t get a grasp on reality. He was not weak. He strode through the double doors and walked across the stark white Formica toward the front desk. The scent of bleach assailed his nostrils. At least the staff kept the place clean.

  “Hello, Mr. Coleman. I haven’t seen you in awhile.” A pretty red head dressed in pale blue scrubs held a clipboard to her chest.

  He struggled to remember her name. Jackie? Joslyn? He was no good with names. He only knew she was always nice to him whenever he visited. Well, everyone here was nice. They knew he paid the bills. What he liked about this lady was she never tried to flirt with him. He appreciated that. It was one less thing he had to deal with.

  She shifted her clipboard and he saw her nametag. Jenny. “Hello, Jenny. I’ve been busy.”

  “No worries. Come right this way. I’m sure your sister will be happy to see you.”