Chapter 3

Chapter Three

Right up until the moment Thiago laid eyes on Jerricka, he was kicking himself for letting his mother drag him into her web. He'd successfully managed to side step every previous set up she'd crafted for him. Church. Her nail salon. She'd even tossed him at random women at the stores she had him take her to. He'd evaded them all.

However, when he saw the first picture of Jerricka, something inside him shifted. He didn't immediately let on to his mother. She'd made certain he installed the dating application on his phone before he left her house. But she kept it on her phone as well. Thiago knew it was to keep an eye on him, so he didn't accidentally delete it.

The first time the notification bubble appeared in the right corner of the app icon, he ignored it. By the fifth time, he was ready to delete the damn program and deal with the consequences. It was when he actually opened it and scrolled through the women who'd made contact that he changed his tune.

Jerricka wasn't the first or second woman to make contact. She wasn't even near the top. But once he saw her, the others ceased to exist. He didn't bother to respond to any of them. What he did do was send a message to the beautiful woman with the open face, and a spirit which jumped out at him from her photo alone.

Now, as he stood with the wall against his back waiting for her to join him at the arena, Thiago had to put his hands behind him to keep them steady. He hadn't been this nervous for a first date since he went on his actual first date ever. At least this time, he didn't have to borrow his dad's truck and he could afford to buy her more than a meal at the local sizzler.

When the woman from the photos came into view, Thiago had to remind himself he needed oxygen to survive. He had to consciously tell his lungs to function, because the automatic response had stopped. It was a very good thing the wall was there for support, because it took him a solid minute to get himself together before he pushed away from it and his feet took him toward temptation on two legs.

Thiago had always had a weakness for generously curved women. Jerricka turned his weakness into a full-fledged addiction without putting one, cute manicured finger on him. The heels she wore made her legs look longer to accompany the thickness leading up to rounded hips, which he had no doubt supported an ass designed to make him weep.

Her waist nipped in slightly below bountiful breasts. The long, braided hairstyle framed her face, making her appear much younger than the thirty-eight years listed in her profile. Since he didn't know any woman over the age of thirty who'd lie about being older than they were, he dismissed the fleeting thought of the information being incorrect.

The smile tugging his lips across his face was as involuntary as the increase in his gait as he approached her. Their paths converged well before the entrance to the arena. So, they didn't block anyone trying to get inside when they came to a stop. Realizing he was staring at her while saying nothing, Thiago cleared his throat. Extending a hand into the space separating them, he breached the silence.

"Hello, Jerricka. It's great to finally meet you in person."

Internally cringing at how stiff he sounded, Thiago was only able to cut himself a break when she returned the gesture. A gentle smile curved her lips and lifted her cheeks. Her skin was silky smooth in his hand and he was loath to let it go. There was no doubt it was going to be a battle to not get ahead of himself and start treating her as if she was to him in reality what his thoughts had conjured. His. All his and never to be touched by anyone else.

"It's nice to meet you in person as well, Thiago."

His eyelids lowered at the way she said his name. Her pronunciation was perfect, without one hint of hesitation or the appearance of struggling in any way. Offering her his arm, he lifted the other toward the arena doors.

"Are you ready to enjoy some basketball?"

"I was born ready, sir."

Her breath hitched when the last word left her lips, and his heartbeat picked up before moving south. Thiago wasn't a Dom or a part of the lifestyle, but having Jerricka call him ‘sir' stirred feelings he wasn't aware were inside him. Knowing the timing was nowhere near right for him to pick up the vibe she unintentionally put down, he forced his legs to move.

The most important interview of his life was off to a spectacular start when Jerricka's eyes widened at his courtside seats. When they were communicating via chat, he'd mentioned having season tickets, but he didn't say they were center court. He didn't have to guess as to if she was impressed by the potential cost of such seats or of their proximity to the action, because she let him know.

"Oh, wow. These are great seats! I'll be able to eavesdrop on every word out of Queen Sano's mouth when she's talking to the players."

Thiago grinned and nodded as he gestured toward Kari Sano, standing next to the head coach for the Atlanta Fantasy.

"She doesn't talk much—other than to Coach Miller. But, when one of the guards is really messing up, you can hear her getting in their shit about it from here."

Jerricka's smile was filled with joyful anticipation. It didn't dim for a second as the waiter came by to take their orders. After tip-off, Thiago was torn between watching the action on the court and watching her. Eventually, he settled into watching the game. The competition between the two teams was fierce.

During time outs and television breaks, he and Jerricka effortlessly slipped into conversation. It was actually easier to talk to her in person than when they'd communicated via inbox messages inside the dating app. They hadn't exchanged actual phone numbers yet, but Thiago had it on his list. There was no doubt he wanted to see Jerricka again. Truth be told, he didn't want this night to end.

Although he wasn't completely awkward with women, smooth wasn't something Thiago would ever call himself when it came to dealing with the opposite sex. He tended to be blunt to a fault and what some considered rough. However, he pulled from a well he didn't know he had when his fingers grazed Jerricka's exposed forearm, getting her attention as they were leaving the arena.

"This has been so great; I don't want it to end." Gliding his digits down her arm to her hand, he tangled his with hers. "Have a late dinner with me. You didn't eat much during the game."

"Who could eat with a nail biter like that going on in front of them?" Jerricka smiled while reminding him of the exceptionally competitive basketball game they'd just witnessed.

Still holding her hand, he stepped into her path—stopping her in her tracks.

"So... Is that a yes to dinner?"

Jerricka's bottom lip disappeared between her teeth for a moment. Her lashes partially shielded her dark eyes as she stared up at him. What he wouldn't give to suck that lip instead of allowing her to torture it with her teeth. When she finally released it, he couldn't stop himself from tracking the motion with his eyes.

"Sure. I'd like that."

Her slightly husky voice skimmed over his skin, heightening his awareness of her overall feminine appeal.

"Excellent."

Tightening his grip on her fingers, he tugged her toward his truck. He might have to thank his mama for meddling in his business after all.