Hate the Game

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER TWO

“Ooh look at you.” Morgan teased Leslie, approaching her on the rooftop. “Looking all good in the moonlight.”

“What is up with you?” She tugged on his off-white golf shirt. “Why do you have that weird grin on your face?”

His eyes turned into half-moons as he kissed her. “It’s a stunning night, isn’t it?” He held her, guiding her head to his chest. “You can see every star in the sky.”

The white dots speckled through the darkness.

“Ever wished upon a star?” Morgan closed one eye and peeked at her with the other.

“You’re so silly.” She laughed. “But, that’s what I like about you. I love how you can make me smile or laugh even when I’m not up to it.”

“It’s my job to make you up for it.” He sucked behind her ear, hitting one of her sweet spots.

Leslie moaned.

“Hm.” Morgan slipped his hand up her blouse. “You like this?” He sucked her neck, making her knees quake. “It’s time.”

“Is it?” She tried to pull away, but he held her. “Morgan—”

“Uh-uh.” He gave her a sloppy, loud kiss. “It’s time.” He scooped her buttocks into his giant hands.

She arched her back as he licked the front of her neck. “This feels too good.”

He shoved his tongue into her mouth, holding her senses hostage. “I want you so bad. Let me show you.” He massaged her breast underneath her b*a. “Would you like that?”

“Morgan.” She panted. “I—”

“Don’t say you’re not ready.” He kissed her between speaking. “Your body says different. We can’t keep holding out, Leslie.” He dropped to his knees, lifting her blouse. “It’s not healthy...” He licked her trembling belly button. “Don’t deny us from making each other happy.” He slurped as he kissed her stomach. “It’s the final step to show how much we care.”

“Morgan.” She pushed at his shoulders. “Stop okay?”

He lowered the rim of her pants and kissed the top of her panties.

“Morgan.” She groaned from pleasure and irritation. “Stop.”

He kept going.

“Stop.” She pushed him.

He leaned back, his handsome face etched in anger. “What the hell, Leslie?” He got up.

She fixed her clothes.

“I’m sick of this.” He stood, exhaling into his hands. “You don’t think I see what’s going on?”

“And what’s going on?”

“You act like I’m a damn disease when I get close to you. Why don’t you want me?”

“I want you—”

“Then what?” He held his waist. “We’ve been together three months and have done nothing except kiss. That’s not acceptable. Is it because you’re a preacher’s daughter and you don’t wanna do anything before marriage?”

“Course not. Jeez, I’m not some naïve, teenage virgin.” She stroked her shaking hands. “I need you to be patient.”

“Patient?” He laughed. “What if I can’t?”

“You don’t have to be here then.” She turned to the side, crossing her arms. “It’s your choice.”

“Don’t you get it?” He grabbed her. “I’m in love with you, but you need to give me something. If not then what are we doing? Is this gonna go anywhere?”

She took in a sharp breath, slipping her light-brown fingers in his pale hand. “I love being with you and you mean the world.”

“I told you I’m in love with you.” He huffed. “Can you say the same?”

“You’re putting me on the spot here.”

“You damn right I am.”

“Yes.” She hugged him. “I’m in love with you,” she lied.

She adored Morgan and loved spending time with him, but love? She wasn’t there yet.

“I promise I’ll be worth the wait.” She gave him a peck on the mouth. “I guess part of it is I’ve been depressed.”

“Why?”

“I was hanging on to lost hope.” She made her way to the chairs that surrounded the outdoor pit fire and sat. “I called my dad.”

“You did?” Morgan’s eyes spread. “How come?”

“He was so cold, Morgan.” She sobbed. “So cold and I hung up.”

“Oh, honey.” He sat beside her. “Come here.” He held her. “It’s okay.”

“It’s not okay. A father isn’t supposed to hate his daughter.”

“He doesn’t hate you.” He kissed her cheek.

“What would you call it? We haven’t spoken since I was eighteen when he threw me out the house. Who does that? I could never do that to my child, never.”

“I don’t get it either.” He shook his head, staring at the small flames of fire shooting from the pit. “Family means everything. I couldn’t go decades without talking to my parents. Where do you get your strength from?”

She wiped her eyes. “I wonder if he’d even come to my funeral if I died.”

“Leslie.”

“How can you cut your daughter out our life?”

“It’s time to tell me why you and your father ended up like this.”

“I don’t wanna talk about it.” She got a napkin off the table. “My emotions are all over the place. I’ve gone through huge changes and it’s killing me that my father isn’t here for me.”

“I didn’t mean to pressure you.” He rocked her in his soothing arms. “You’re a great person, Leslie. You’re more than your father deserves.”

“What should I do?” Tears crowded her eyes.

“Leave it alone.”

“What?” She folded her legs Indian-style.

“For years you’ve been reaching out and getting nothing in return.” He moved strands of hair from her face. “It’s not healthy to let him t*****e you like this. You need to move on. It’s affecting your emotional state and your relationships.” He touched her lips. “It’s standing in your way of living.”

“I’ve tried to let it go.” She closed her eyes. “But, my biggest dream is to have a relationship with my father again. It keeps me going.”

“I’ll stand by you.” He massaged her shoulder. “I love you, Leslie. Please believe me.”

“I do.” She smiled. “You’ve been amazing and it’ll pay off.”

“It better.” He teased, pinching her nose. “I don’t know how long I can wait...”

Leslie’s cell phone rang.

“Hold on.” She checked the screen.

Unknown number.

She placed the phone to her ear. “Hello?”

“Hey there,” a husky, male voice responded. “Long time no see, huh, Leslie?”

She dropped the phone. “Oh my god.”

Morgan picked it up. “Who’s that?”

“No one.” She faked a giggle to play it off. “Will you give me a few seconds alone, please?”

Morgan stood, glaring at her. “I’ll get more wine.”

She waited until he left then picked up the conversation. “Please, tell me I’m having a nightmare.”

“Nope,” Max Ace said. “I’m baaaack.” He cackled.

“How dare you call me like this? I was hoping to never hear from your a*s again.”

“Aw, Leslie. That hurts my feelings. It’s been how long...six months? I’ve missed you. How’s life been treating you?”

“I’m warning you, Max. Leave me the hell alone. Go back to where you came from.”

“I’m heading back to town, baby.”

Her heart skipped a beat. “You can’t be serious.”

“Oh, I am. One thing I don’t like is playing games.”

“Please, that’s all you do. I’m hanging up now—”

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you. We have unfinished business.”

“You and I don’t have shit.”

He sounded as if he were crunching on something.

“Are you eating?”

“Walnuts.”

“Max—”

“I want us to meet.” He chewed.

“I’m not going anywhere near you.”

“Things have changed a lot for you, huh?”

“Oh no.” She rubbed her forehead. “No, no, no. Are you trying to get money? Don’t even think about it.”

“I don’t have to try. Do I have to remind you I get anything and everything I want?”

“I’m hanging up now.”

“I’ll call you and we’ll meet if you know what’s good for you.”

“Stop it, Max.” She stood. “Leave me alone, please.”

“Sixty million dollars?” He whistled. “Yep, we have a lot to discuss, Leslie. Hey, been to Kansas lately?”

“What?” She covered her mouth. “Max—”

“That’s where you’re from, right?” He chomped into the phone. “Your daddy is a big time preacher there isn’t he? Built up quite a name for himself.”

“Max, I’m begging you. Please leave me alone.”

“You’ll do what I say when I say it or your daddy’s gonna pay the price.”

“Don’t do this.”

“Wait for my call. I’ll tell you when we can meet.”

“Max, please.” She rocked. “Max?”

He hung up.

“God.” She plopped in the chair, shaking. “Don’t let this s**t happen now. Not now.”

Morgan walked out, yellow brows furrowing. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah.” She swallowed, praying to herself. “Poor me a big glass of wine.”