Rent Me By The Hour by Leslie Harmison Page B

even ask a question without my friends thinking I need something stuck in my cookie. “I just asked who he was.” I think my freaky friend likes that word.
     
    He keeps looking my way and he’s licking his lips the way he did in his hotel. Oh my god. He kindly stopped his conversation with Rick and now he’s walking my way. Nervously I take another chug of my beer. I pray he acts like he doesn’t know me, because my friends will be nosy asking me how I know him. Why am I acting like this all of a sudden? He knows what he’s doing to me. He shows me his pearly whites and his dimples connect with his beautiful smile. I can notice his muscular physic through his grey t-shirt and black khaki shorts. I can tell he works out because I do not see an inch of fat anywhere. He licks his lips the way a man does before devouring on a woman’s hidden secret.
     
    As he gets closer to me he has that incredible scent that stays in my memories forever. He has to be wearing a potion because I am just so drawn to his aura. My two matchmaker best friends pace near me eavesdropping. “Hi. My name is Jeremiah. And your name is?” He holds out his hand winking.
     
    So he knows how important discretion is. Thank god.
     
    Just as I’m reaching for his hand, Jordan yells. “Mom I want some more crawfish.”
     
    Jeremiah scoops crawfish out of the ice chest and pours it into Jordan’s tray. I’m kind of touched. No man has ever done anything for my kids since they father passed away. Well except Matt and Rick, but no one else. But then again I’ve never been attracted to any man. Jordan tells Jeremiah thank you, and he continues to chow down on the mudbugs.
     
    “Thank you.” I delightedly smile.
     
    “For what?” Jeremiah queries.
     
    “Giving my son some more crawfish.”
     
    “You’re welcome.” He tilts his head and his pearly whites gleam. “So are you going to tell me your name?” He looks around to see whose watching and makes sure my two best friends who are in a corner whispering hear him asking my name.
     
    Calvin creeps up behind me and lightly touches me at the small of my back, and stretches his hand out to Jeremiah, “Hi. My name is Calvin.”
     
    Stunned, Jeremiah shakes Calvin’s hand with a smirk, “Jeremiah.”
     
    “ So how do you know Jacquelyn?” I move from Calvin’s grip.
     
    “ We just meet.” I can see Jeremiah is starting to get agitated at Calvin. “How do you know her?”
     
    “ Matt and Victoria have been trying to set us up.”
     
    “ Is that so?” Jeremiah looks at me expecting me to say something.
     
    “ Yes it is. So if you don’t mind, please let she and I get acquainted.”
     
    “ Let’s ask her who she wants to get acquainted with?”
     
    Both men stare waiting for an answer. Calvin is a straight dick head. I do not want to get to know him anymore than I already have. And even though both men are sexy, Jeremiah is sexier, and he’s actually easy to talk to. Well kind of easy to talk to. When he’s around me, I forget how to talk, but he’s a sweeter man than Calvin. My best friends always know how to save the day. Victoria and Cynthia walked up to us asking Calvin to follow them which he did.
     
    “ So you and that guy huh?”
     
    “ Don’t start. As I recall, it’s none of your business who I talk to, the same way it’s none of my business who you talk to.”
     
    “ Jacquelyn right?” He holds his hand out.
     
    “ Yes Jacquelyn.” I stretch out my hand, our chemistry is so electrifying. I press my lips together trying not to show my excitement. Get over myself. I’m acting like a girl in high school. When the boy they have a crush on ask them to a dance or a date. There is something about him that piques my interest client or not. And the fact he did something for my child, that’s a plus for me.
     
    He repeats my name, “Jacquelyn. Huh. That suits you.” He winks, “Have you eaten yet?” Jeremiah grabs two trays and invites me to eat