Pushing Up Daisies by Jamise L. Dames Page A

hummed under her breath, hoping to God that Adonis wasn’t still breathtaking.
    “Come in, Daisy. It’s open.”
    The apartment’s cool atmosphere was welcoming as Daisy stepped into the room. The sensual, sweet scent of myrrh wafted from the vents. Daisy walked into the living room and sat down on one of the fluffy, butter-yellow sofas that sat opposite each other. Not wanting to give Adonis the wrong impression, she hugged one of the accent pillows, covering her breasts. She knew what the coldness of the room would do to her, and she didn’t want her girls standing at attention.
    As her eyes scanned the room, she regretted that she’d come. Sexy jazz was playing, and several candles were lit. Damn, he must be having company. Daisy cursed the thought of Adonis welcoming another woman.
    “Hey, you.” Adonis took her hand, pulled her from her seat, and embraced her. He squeezed her against his hard body before she’d had a chance to look at his face.
    “Hey, Adonis.” Daisy pulled back and took in every inch of him. She froze in his gaze. Her heart backflipped, and her womanhood throbbed. She couldn’t believe her eyes. His Hershey’s-brown frame towered over her. His goatee, trimmed to perfection, emphasized his full, luscious lips, and his eyes, as deep as a midnight sky, engulfed her. He was still the finest man she had ever seen.
    “Look at you, Daisy.” He smiled. “You sure have it together. Come by the window so I can get a good look.”
    “I’m still the same.” Pull yourself together, girl. He’s only a man.
    Adonis put his hands on Daisy’s shoulders and leaned close to her face, his minty breath tickling her nostrils. “Stop that. Don’t tell me you’re shy.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her in front of the windows.
    Daisy held her breath and let it out in small, unnoticeable—she hoped—spurts. “I’m…not…shy.”
    She studied Adonis. She knew his every movement by heart, how his veins protruded on his forearm when he turned it a certain way. She prepared herself for his killer smile and anxiously awaited the wink that accompanied the twinkle in his eyes. She knew him because she had always wanted him.
    “So how’ve you been, Daisy? Still beautiful as ever.” He winked confidently. “I swear, you haven’t changed. What’s it been…five, six years? And you haven’t aged a day, have you? Have a seat. I’ll get you something to drink. It’s hot out there.” He disappeared into the kitchen and returned with two tall glasses. “Here you go, lovely. Freshly squeezed lemonade.”
    Daisy sat down, basking in the compliments. Adonis was hallelujah-praise-the-Lord fine, but he didn’t know it, and that made him more attractive. He had always been more beautiful inside than out, which was no small feat.
    His features could have been chiseled out of stone. He had smooth, flawless skin, the kind that teenagers prayed for. His chocolate complexion was sweet enough to cause toothaches. Delicious. Daisy felt her heart skip.
    Lord, what am I thinking? I know better than this. He and my son are practically related.
    As much as Jay still haunted her thoughts, Daisy couldn’t help flirting. “Oh, Adonis, stop it. You ’ re the one who’s looking good. So what brought you to New York?” She sipped her drink nervously, flushing when she felt the wet coldness run down her chin. She’d been trying to play it cool and had practically drooled on herself.
    Adonis grabbed a napkin from the table, reached over and dabbed her face, then her blouse. Daisy flinched.
    He pulled away. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything—”
    “No, no. Don’t worry about it. It’s me, not you. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
    Daisy could still feel his hand at the top of her cleavage. She hadn’t been this jittery in years.
    Adonis took her hand. “Daisy, are you okay? You seem uneasy.”
    “No, I’m fine. I guess I’m just a little nervous. I haven’t seen you in a while, you know. I guess I