hem. A smirk spread across his face, making my heart skip a beat. "
oxicating scent that wafted from him. "I wouldn't say pleasure, Mr. Blackho
amusement. "What brings you here?" he
r business, Mr. Blackhood," I sai
towering height, at least six foot nine, made
th sending shivers down my spine. "I can shu
zed to the lady," I protested, a
f not for my guest, I could say a waitress from Billiards Restaur
alice as he spoke, and m
lub," I denied, trying
wn my spine. "Well, you are, if I say it to th
thinly veiled threat that left
adjusting his tailored royal blue suit. The change from
ut, and he paused,
me?" I demanded, trying
filled the air, sending
I want," he said, his ey
a low, husky tone. "How about you work for my company?"
ouch had sparked a strange, fluttery sensatio
ou," I declared, trying to sound fir
g with a knowing light, as if
rk still plastered on his face. "Y
anger simmering jus
his parting words dripping
ight. I let out a sigh of relief, praying to God that I
w moments, Maya finally emerged,
he said, her eyes sparkling with
ke off the lingering annoyance
s soon as we walked in, I made a beeline for the sho
ng familiarity of my own space, I couldn't shake off
the nurse, a sense of urgency cre
ympathetic. "I'm afraid Mrs. Jen
nk. "Why? Wh
t, it's because the payment for her care hasn't been
told you I'd pay by the end of the mo
but we couldn't accommodate your mother's stay in the ward
"Okay, where is her new ward?"
art attack when I was just seven, she became my sole caregiver. She worked tirele
irthday, I received the devastating news that my mom had been
urgery and care, but it was a Herculean task. The
open the door to my mom's new
a revise
as I took in her frail appearance.
int smile on her lips. "I'm oka
me, I brought something for you to eat," I
filled with gratitude. "Y
"I know you don't like hospital f
bed, I cautioned, "Careful,
erything that had been going on in my life.
e you saying that?" I asked
her cheeks. "You didn't get to enjoy your teenage y
't say that. You're an amazing mom. If I didn'
I don't want to lose you just so I can
ul. "But look, you don't care about
e me for now, okay, Mom
tears. "I pray you find a m
good-naturedly. "N
ness in her voice. "I just want my daug
won't be anyt
r creaked open, interrup