Loving Jiro Read Online Free PDF Page A

trying to get back with her. He wanted what he couldn't have.
    He stopped her before she could get out. “Wait, here take this.” He put a wad of bills in her hand.
    Her eyes widened. She had never been in love with money or one of those people who did anything for it, but when a person is so desperate, temptation was easy to give in to. “No, I can't take that.” She held it out to him. “I said I would paint a few murals..."
    "You know I don't like that crap, Kiara. Take the money. You need it, and I've got it. No big deal."
    "It is a big deal,” she insisted. She set the cake on the table again and turned to shove the money into his pants pocket. “The first time your desires get out of hand, you'll feel I owe you, that I have an obligation to open my legs to you. I won't let myself get into a situation like that. Thank you. Really. But no thanks. I'll make it on my own.” She snatched up the plate and fled the room.
    When she entered the living room, Odell looked up from the TV. His eyes narrowed on her. “What have you been doing, and why are you rushing in here?"
    Common sense should have told him that she was rushing from an unwanted situation, but when his brother entered soon after Kiara, his mind conjured deception on Kiara's part. She knew the signs. His fingers tensed around his can of beer, squeezing so hard liquid sloshed over the top onto his pants. That sent his temper up another notch.
    Kiara sat down and quickly served May a slice of cake. “Nothing. I just wanted to give May this cake while it was still warm. It's best straight from the oven."
    He frowned. “Whatever."
    Otis came around the back of the couch and sat down in the love seat. His erection was so obvious, even his mother noticed. Odell surged up from the chair, knocking over the coffee table and the plate.
    May shouted, “Now look what you've done, Odell. Clean this mess up. You've ruined the cake."
    "Sorry, Ma.” He grabbed Kiara's hand and dragged her up from her seat. “Let rich boy over there do it. He ain't got nothing to do with himself since he doesn't have a girl. I do.” His meaning was clear. “Let's go, Kiara!"
    At the door, May stopped him. “Now you wait right there, Odell. Let me say goodbye to May properly.” May shuffled toward them. “Come here and give me a hug, Kiara."
    She glanced at Odell, and he nodded tight-lipped. In a fog, knowing what note her night would end on, she moved to hug May some feet away. Over May's shoulder, she saw worry on Otis’ face but ignored it. “Night, May."
    May squeezed her. “Leave him, baby,” she whispered in Kiara's ear. She pushed something in Kiara's pocket. “Take this and leave him. I know he's my son and I love him, but I'm scared that...” She didn't finish. The elderly woman sniffed, stiffened her back and patted Kiara's shoulder. “Okay, y'all come back and see me real soon."
    "Yes, ma'am,” was Kiara's wooden response. She joined Odell at the door. He pinched the back of her neck and guided her outside.
    All the way home, he grumbled under his breath. His nostrils flared as he blew out his frustration. Yet, his anger mounted with each step. Eight blocks seemed like eight steps, and she desperately wished it was longer. She found herself looking around them at the cracked streets, the marble steps they passed, darkened alleys, wishing someone would jump out and mug them. If only someone would just distract him like what had happened Friday when whoever had been at the door helped to calm his anger.
    No such luck. She stepped behind him into the darkened apartment, and like a magician, she spirited away the money May had pressed into her pocket. As yet, Odell had not discovered her hiding place. No doubt May had given him something to shut him up. She could only wish it was enough for him to go find a bar and leave her be.
    Instead, when she hung the keys on a hook and slipped out of her shoes, without him turning on a single light, his fist found its mark. She