Powerful Love Read online

  Powerful Love

  Niya James

  Copyright © 2019 by Niya James

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

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  Contents

  1. CARA YOUNGER

  2. Antonio De Serra

  3. Cara

  4. Antonio

  5. Cara

  6. Antonio

  7. Cara

  8. Antonio

  9. Cara

  10. Antonio

  11. Cara

  12. Antonio

  13. Cara

  14. Antonio

  15. Cara

  16. Antionio

  17. Cara

  18. Antonio

  19. Cara

  20. Antonio

  21. Antonio

  22. Cara

  23. Antonio

  24. Antonio

  25. Cara

  26. Antonio

  27. Cara

  28. Antonio

  29. Cara

  30. Antonio

  31. Cara

  32. Antionio

  33. Cara

  Epilogue

  Preview - Enforced Love

  1. Eden Noble

  2. Simone De Serra

  3. Eden

  4. Simone

  CARA YOUNGER

  “Cara, you’re doing it again,” my best friend and coworker Nell Barr complained. “You’re zoning out on me. What are you looking at?”

  I didn’t even try to hide the front page article I was reading as Nell scooted her chair around the small round table until she was at my side and pulling the paper out of my hands. “Okay, well now I get it. He is delicious,” Nell grinned at the picture of District Attorney Antonio De Serra, better known as Virginia’s Court Assassin.

  “This article is already a week old. He won that case. Just like the others. Oh shit, did you read about that case he took on for women’s rights?”

  “The suit he took against the paper that posted pics of his brother’s girlfriend wrapped in a sheet? How is that women’s rights?” I asked shaking my head as I tried to tug the paper back from Nell.

  She held on stubbornly. “Fine. Pro women then. I’m not giving this back until you tell me why you’re studying it so hard. I mean he’s sexy no doubt but you’re burning up our lunch hour here.”

  “It’s just… I know this guy. I mean I don’t know him anymore, but I used to know him. I was thinking about asking him to look into Jerome’s murder.” It still hurt even to say my brother’s name but I refused to shy away from it. Jerome deserved to be remembered and talked about. He deserved justice.

  Nell’s grin returned and she studied the picture closer. “How well did you know him, Cara?”

  I knew she’d ask me that very question. It was why I’d been hesitant to tell her what I was mulling over. “I knew him well. Okay?”

  “Um no. Not okay. That isn’t near enough information for one best friend to give to another when it comes to men.”

  Just answer and she’ll move on.

  “He and Jerome were really close. Best friends for a long time. I think it was from sixth grade through their second year of college.”

  “Wow, that means this ultra-sexy, melt my panties, sugar lips was around a lot.”

  I nodded.

  “And?”

  “We did end up sort of hooking up for a few months. Then he broke it off when Jerome found out and that was that.”

  Nell exhaled and frowned at the picture. “So… you knew him damn well.”

  I drank deeply from my water bottle.

  “And now you’re hesitating about getting him involved in your brother’s case that’s gone ice cold because you know your boyfriend isn’t going to like it? Who cares if he doesn’t like it. This is about finding the person who murdered your brother.”

  It didn’t help that Nell wasn’t much of a fan of my boyfriend, Darice Dempsi. I couldn’t quite tell if she was telling me to go for it so I’d piss off the sexy NBA player I was dating, or if she really thought it was the right thing to do.

  “I think you’re encouraging me for the wrong reasons but I don’t feel like I have any other choice. Things really are at a standstill and there’s those threats I’ve been getting.”

  “Are they still coming? Even after you and mister NBA got an apartment together?”

  I hated when she called him that but if I pointed it out, Nell would only use the nickname more. “He’s been out of town at an away game for the past two nights.”

  “Are you lovely ladies talking about me?” Darice leaned in from behind me and kissed my neck. He didn’t notice the way I jumped with him just popping up behind us out of nowhere, but Nell did.

  “You’d think we were even if we weren’t,” Nell said flashing one of her pretty smiles.

  Darice continued to smile and then gave me the look that meant he wasn’t sure if she was being rude or not. I’d just let him believe he was beloved by all. It kept him in a good mood and I didn’t want him to encourage me to stop spending time with Nell.

  “I got back in town and had to come see my girl. You miss me, baby?” He squeezed my breast as he kissed my ear.

  “I’m right outside work, babe. You can’t be grabbing me like that.” I moved his hand and turned my face toward his; kissing him so he wouldn’t pout. “Of course, I missed you.”

  His handsome smile grew and he held still for a bit longer than was the norm. I followed his gaze and caught the group of teens snapping pictures of him with their cellphones.

  Okaaaaayy.

  “How about you let work know you’re taking off early today and we can head to that party I told you about?”

  “Party? You said we were going out to dinner.”

  He laughed. “My sexy girl is always so distracted. You must have misunderstood but it’s cool because it’s a dinner party. One of the guys on the team is holding a little get together at his place.”

  I’d gone to a few of the so-called get togethers his teammates held and knew already it wasn’t something I wanted to do. In fact, Darice knew I didn’t like them which is why he omitted that detail in our previous conversation.

  “Actually, sweetie, I can’t. My job isn’t really one of those kinds of jobs where I can just leave early. People arrange their schedules to meet mine and they’re counting on me to help them. You know? Anyway, it turns out I have to meet with an attorney after work so I can get some movement on my brother’s case.”

  Darice nodded. “You’re telling me to go to the party without you.”

  “Or you could skip the party and go with her to see the attorney, you know show some support,” Nell chimed in from her position next to the door to the Physical Therapy center where we worked.

  Darice looked at me like he was a teen boy worried that his mom was going to tell him he had to stay home instead of going to a party. “I mean, I thought that first of course but you know how it affects me when you cry. It breaks my heart and I can’t pull myself back up. It’s game season and I can’t mess up my concentration. I just want you to be proud of me.”

  Nell went into the building, probably to keep from saying something she knew would be over the line.

  “I am proud of you. Don’t worry, I know you have to at least show up and let your teammates see you’re a team supporter.”

  Darice smiled again but that time it was all for me. His muscular arms wrapped around me, gathering me close. “I’m crazy about you, Cara.”

  “See you tonight,” I said an
d gave him a quick kiss. Lunch break was over and I could feel the gaze of my next patient on me through the tall windows that lined the front of the therapy center.

  “You’re gonna feel me too,” he called after me.

  I waved to him and stepped inside the therapy center where Nell was holding the newspaper with the picture of Antonio facing me in one hand and giving me a thumbs up with the other.

  “So subtle,” I laughed and waved to my patient who I called Captain Ron because he made sounds like a pirate or sea captain when he was straining.

  “Get ready to have your mind blown. I’ve got some serious range of movement developed since last time. You’d think this hip was the one I was born with.”

  Antonio De Serra

  I was feeling annoyed as I gathered up my notes and paperwork from the bench. My team of lawyers and understudies must have picked up on the vibe of annoyance I was sending out because they didn’t fire questions at me as per usual after court was dismissed for the day.

  Of course, Bridget and Sapphire were offering to help me with whatever odds and ends I wanted to iron out before we returned for closing arguments when court resumed. Lots of people don’t think it’s a good idea to fuck the people they work with. I know it’s a bad idea. I’ve handled far too many cases where a work romance soured and ruined lives.

  No thanks.

  “I’ll see you both at work tomorrow,” I told them just as I always did. They didn’t ever take the hint because they’d seen how sleeping with the boss could launch their careers. Hell, maybe not. Maybe one of them actually liked me. Being a lawyer tended to make a person cynical.

  “District Attorney De Serra, do you feel confident that you have the Loughen Group Case in the bag?” One of the few reporters still hanging around the outside of the courthouse asked me. The light coming off the cameraman’s gear was blinding and since it wasn’t dark enough yet for the need of so much lighting, I found it annoying.

  I kept walking. The case was of little interest and needed no statement. Besides, answering the press was like feeding a Great Dane at the dinner table, once the dog got the taste for it that huge animal would be in your lap and overpowering in order to get more.

  With ditching the reporter and her headlight-toting cameraman in mind, I was taking big steps with my long legs with an aim of making my quick exit. The reporter called a few more questions after me but we both knew she was waiting and hoping to catch a bigger, juicer story than what was already in yesterday’s news.

  I considered visiting my brother Marcello’s bar, it was a great place to get a drink and Silva, friend of the family, was always great about playing my wingman when he was there. That annoying feeling was really starting to grow and I knew the best way to get rid of it was to fuck the brains out of a woman with a sweet ass, bright hope-filled eyes untarnished by the shit of society, and soft full lips.

  Walking up the incline of the parking structure I spotted a pair of feet clad in silver heels standing next to my car. As I continued up the incline, I followed the smooth, caramel brown skin with my eyes from ankles to knees. I could see the sheer white material rippling with the wind behind her where the back of the dress ran long.

  Who is that?

  Another ten feet gained gave me an even better view. I was still taking in tight candy brown skin as her thighs came into view. They were shapely, firm, and so fucking perfect I was half convinced that I was imagining the woman.

  The thin hem of white that hugged those sexy thighs was barely longer than the crotch of the white, lacey jumper. I was admiring the way that white lacey material was hugging without constricting the tiny round of the pussy I already was hard enough to sink my dick into.

  Whoever she was, the answer was yes.

  Yes, I would represent her. Yes, I would pay off the mortgage and past due lines of credit.

  Bend over for me sex goddess, I’ll take you right here, right fucking now.

  I forced myself to raise my gaze from that sexy lace clad pussy; I wanted very much to unwrap. There was an upside down V-shape where the white transparent skirt opened in the front, and only about five inches above that was a right side up V shape that gave me a view that made it hard for me to walk my pants were suddenly so very tight.

  After turning quickly and using my briefcase to and cover up what I was doing to hide the necessary cock readjustment I had to make, I looked again at the underside of her cleavage and followed that line of heaven to the top valley between her breasts. It was long sleeved though they were the same white transparent material as the skirt.

  “Looks like I guessed right,” the woman said snapping me out of the fantasy I was having of opening up that vee and teasing her nipples with my mouth.

  I knew that voice.

  “Cara Younger,” I said meeting her green eyes.

  Fuck me, they were still just as beautiful as they always had been. The light shade of her eyes in contrast to her brown skin was striking and hypnotic. They were sexy no doubt, but they also reminded me of her brother, my once best friend.

  “You always said that you’d buy a Sixty-Seven Camaro, but I thought you were going to get it in Marina Blue?”

  “Some things change I guess. It’s called Metallic Blue Velvet,” I said looking at my car instead of at the woman who was my weakness. “You’re not here to tell me I got the wrong color.” I had a smile on my face but even I could hear how cold I sounded.

  Her silky, long black hair slid forward in front of her shoulder, caressing her skin where her dress opened. “You’re right about that. Any chance we can talk somewhere that isn’t a poorly lit, city owned parking structure?”

  Talk? Us? What about Jerome?

  “Is that really such a good idea, Cara?”

  I could see that my question stung, like an old wound that stirred up to remind you how you’d always pay for whatever mistake you made that led you to the injury. She tried to act as though they didn’t. Her unique, beautiful green eyes that reminded me so much of Jerome remained on me. “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t feel it was important.”

  “Sure. My brother owns a bar near here.”

  “A bar? I really do need to talk to you, bars are loud.”

  I unlocked the car with the push of a button, yes an upgrade to a classic but I thought it was a damn good one. “Get in.”

  After I dropped my lawyer gear into the trunk, I got behind the wheel and did my damnedest not to ogle her sexy legs in that short ass jumper dress.

  Fucking impossible.

  I wondered if she put that outfit on that was designed to torture a man, with the thought of making me suffer. It was working. Gripping the steering wheel was about the only thing I could think to do to keep from reaching over, pushing aside that lace and fingering her pussy.

  “Is this about Jerome?” I asked as I backed out of the parking space and then turned straight to the exit.

  “Jerome?” The way she said his name sounded off somehow.

  I pulled onto the street only to have to stop for a red light. Thank the heavens my dip-shit cousin who started the bar in the first place picked a location close to where I work. The bar was doing much better since Marcello took it over, which meant I’d need to use Valet. I hated letting anyone drive my car.

  Cara was still looking at me but not talking. “Well, you said it was important. It can’t be about us, I know that. Even in that sex kitten outfit you put on I’m not about to repeat past mistakes.”

  She turned her gaze to the road in front of us. “When I saw this car, I thought, no way would Tony get the Camaro when he’s worth billions. Then I remembered how you talked about this car. You loved this car, like you loved Jerome. You were just as much his brother as he was yours, blood be damned. That’s why I knew it had to be yours. When you really love someone or something, you never, ever let it go.”

  “Is Jerome in some trouble? Tell me where to meet him and I’ll get him out of it. You know I’ll do anything for him after what happened
, so just say it.”

  Cara cleared her throat, and looked down her body at her hands that were folded around the matching lace clutch on her lap. It wasn’t like Cara to get quiet, not when it was important. When she finally did speak again she kept her gaze on the clutch. “I thought you would have heard about Jerome.”

  I turned into the parking lot, straight into the valet line of cars. The valets knew my car and headed toward us, skipping everyone who waited ahead of us.

  “Heard what?” I asked. My stomach had a bad, sinking feeling that made me want to leap out of the car and miss the answer to the question because I knew from the way she gripped that damn purse, it was bad.

  “He was murdered.”

  I heard the doors open and the car shift slightly as Cara stepped out of the car. I’d known it was going to be bad and in fact I was afraid she’d say he was gone, but murdered?

  “Mr. De Serra? Do you want me to park the car for you sir?”

  I got out of the car feeling the weight of my grief, a very familiar companion of mine grow heavier in my chest. Anger wasn’t far behind.

  “I’m sorry you had to hear it like that, and from me,” Cara said. She was standing at my side. The car had already been driven away to be parked and I was standing in the road like a stoned idiot.

  I couldn’t find words, I felt like I was choking. Leaning forward I got myself walking, leading us toward the entrance. The bouncers knew me as part of the family and so both the double doors were opened for me to enter. I must have been walking fast, too fast for Cara to keep up with me in her heels because I could hear her explaining to the bouncers that she was there with me.