“Marcus,” she whispered sweetly. “Marcus.”

     Marcus turned away from the voice echoing in his head, sinking deeper into his favorite pillow. He hated waking up early when he didn’t need to, especially with the fantastic dream he’d been having. Squeezing his eyes, he tried to ignore his annoying inner voice until he couldn’t hear it anymore.

     “Marcus,” she said a bit louder, taking hold of his ear and wiggling it. Marcus brushed her hand away lazily as if she were a fly.

     “Marcus,” she whined.

     Marcus slowly opened his eyes, blinking them a couple of times until the blur cleared, revealing the familiar image of his beloved Black Panther poster he had framed for his wall. Good, I made it home. Sluggishly, he turned his head back when his eyes met those of a beautiful woman with long brown hair looking back down on him with a smile.  

     Shit, who the fuck? Squinting at her, Marcus remembered her face but struggled to recall where or her name. Sheila, no, Chandra. No, Sheila. Fuck. I knew I shouldn’t have had that last drink. How did I even bring this woman home with my car in the shop? Marcus blinked two more times. Fuck, I’m not imagining her. It’s too early for guessing games.

     Puckering his lips as a greeting, he chose the path of uncommitted silence. Sheila or Chandra happily pecked at his offering.

     “Good morning.” He sighed, discouraged. How do I get her outta here before Jordyn gets here?

     Giving his eyes a good wipe, he reached up toward the vaulted ceiling, stretching and letting out a long yawn as he peered at her. This is fucking ridiculous. Dropping his arms, he continued to gaze at her as he schooled his frustration.

     “You headin’ out?” he asked, more as a suggestion.

     “Yeah. I’ve got to get to work,” she said, giving him another peck. Excellent. I have plenty of time to straighten up and get in a good shower.

     “Okay,” he said, figuring it was best to move on and ask the guys later about what happened last night. “I’ll walk you out. What time is it?” he said, swinging his legs over the edge of the bed.

     “It’s eleven,” she said, playfully pushing him onto his back so she could straddle him. I thought she said she was leaving. “I love your hair,” she said as she pushed her fingers deep into his spongy locs.

     “Thanks,” Marcus said, a hollow smile on his face. Taking hold of her hands, he brought them to his lips to give them each a kiss before dropping them so she wouldn’t feel rejected.

     “Eleven, huh?” he said, taking hold of her hips as he sat up. “Wait, eleven!” His eyes glared as he scanned his alarm clock on the nightstand. “Shit!”  

     “Actually, it’s 10:56,” she said as he read his alarm clock.

     “I gotta get movin’.” Picking her up and quickly placing her aside on the bed. “I thought it was closer to nine.”

     “Do you really got to go? I can call out sick.” She sighed in discontent when he suddenly heard her laughing.

     “You got money sticking out your ass.” She giggled again. Marcus touched his rear and felt the bills, barely held in by his cheeks, and brought them forward. He counted six single-dollar bills.

     “What the fuck?” He chuckled as he shook his head. Folding the bills together, he threw them on his dresser. “I wish I could, but I can’t cancel.”  As he headed to the bathroom, he grabbed a towel from his linen closet, but was intercepted as the woman stepped in front of him, wrapping her arms around his waist as she glanced up into his eyes.

     “Let’s shower together then.” She leaned her cheetah print panties, brushing against his morning erection. “I’ve got a little time before I need to go.”

     Marcus grinned. There was a time such an offer would have been an excellent start in the morning. But today it just wasn’t happening. Scooping her up by her bottom, he gave her a soft peck on the lips and looked into her eyes. Nope, still don’t know who she is.

     “With this sexy ass,” he said, tapping her rear, hoping he would make some connection, but nothing seemed familiar at all. “I’ll never leave.”

     “Is that so bad?” she said, trying to reach for a kiss, which he deflected by talking.

     “I made a promise to help a friend move. Another time,” he said, committing to only a peck on the lips again in hopes that it would spring forward her exit. “I’ll walk you out.”

     “That’s okay, I can let myself out,” she said, sulking as he lowered her to the floor. Marcus gave her another peck on the lips, then a smack on the rear, sending her walking toward the door.

     “I’ll see you later.” He winked before going to the shower, which made her smile as she picked up what he believed were her clothes.

     Marcus began his shower, waiting for the water to warm up before he stepped in to cleanse himself. As he fiddled with the faucet, he noticed the extra shine of glitter on his hands. Damn it, did I get that from her? Marcus took extra care to remove all evidence of his former guest. As the water hit his face, he thought of Jordyn returning. It’s going to be great having Jordyn back. She’s going to love that new zipline course at the zoo. Not to mention the rock climbing gym. Marcus thought it over as the water hit his face. Perhaps I’ll wait a week to start making plans with her. I mean her and the guys. When his friends, Alex and John, asked him to help them book their cousin Anthony’s birthday party in the VIP section of his uncle’s club last Friday night, he knew he had them. That’s how he was able to make a deal with them to help him move a client with him today. Marcus made sure not to mention that it was Jordyn, or he would have heard their smack talk all night.

     “All I know is, after all that drinking last night, they better show up on time,” he said aloud.

     Marcus took longer than expected in the shower. When he opened the shower door, the steam flowed out into the bathroom, assaulting all the mirrors. After drying off, he tied the towel around his waist and wiped his hands across the mirror to see himself.

     Damn, this beard needs at least a little touch-up. Why didn’t I do this before I went out last night? Taking out his clippers, he committed to doing a light touch-up so he could get dressed, but before he knew it, fifteen minutes passed. Giving himself one last check, he was finally satisfied and walked back into his room, only to find the woman lying back on his bed, wearing only an open cheetah jacket matching her exposed underwear.

     “You’re still...?” Marcus said, before catching himself. I can’t believe she’s still here with just a coat.

     “You didn’t get dressed? Aren’t you going to be late?”

     “This is all the clothes I came in.” She smirked. “I just ordered my Uber. Now you’re seeing me later,” she said as she stood and walked over, hugging him.

     “Cute,” he answered, giving her a weary mile.

     She got that from “see you later?” Now, this is going to be a long goodbye. I need to get her moving. Marcus looked at the clock, which now read 11:20. His shoulders slumped, and his brow furrowed as his squinting eyes glanced at her, then back to the clock, and then at her again. Damn it!

     Quickly coming up with a distraction, Marcus swept his stranger off her feet and cradled her in his arms, to which she pealed in laughter. With a couple of pecks on her lips to distract her, and with quickened but stealthy steps, they arrived at his front door in less than ten seconds before he put her down.

     “I’m sorry our day had to end,” he said, reaching for the door handle.

     “Me too,” she answered, wrapping her arms around his waist again, loosening his towel. I don’t want to be that guy, but…damn.

     “Maybe we can meet up again tonight.”

     “Probably not. I’ll be moving all day, remember?” he said, tilting his head slightly to the side, to which she frowned. “But, we’ll talk.”

     “Okay, I’ll call you tomorrow,” she said, reaching up for yet another kiss. Marcus sighed before leaning down and pecking her back, before finally turning the knob, opening the door, and certain this would send her on her way. Just as he pulled away, he heard his name, unfortunately, from a most familiar sweet voice.

      “Hey, Marcus,” Jordyn said. Marcus noticed a shift in her face as she looked at his guest before returning her eyes to him, the tiniest twitch in the corner of his mouth. Not quite a smile, but close enough. Now Jordyn’s judging me.

     “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you would have company. I would have called first.”

     “You’re good,” he said, trying to retain his dignity as he tightened his grip on his towel. Even with her laughing at me, she looks scrumptious. Marcus quickly cataloged her look. Just look at her… her hair in two large, yet cute, Bantu knots, a fitted black T-shirt that slightly stretched the word "H.E.R." across her breasts. And a pair of blue denim shorts that are somewhat hugging her delectable, round ass a hell of lot more then he remembered before she left. All topped off by her big brown eyes, oblivious to it all.

     “I’m Jordyn,” she said, jogging him from his admiration, reaching out her hand to the woman. “I’m like his sister. I used to date his brother.” She turned to Marcus, whose mouth opened briefly.

“This is—"

     “—Tara,” Tara’s voice cuts in sharply, much to his relief. Tara barely touches Jordyn’s hand before removing it as if she were avoiding a plague.

     “Yeah, Tara, this is my friend Jordyn,” he announced, accenting the word “friend” to correct Jordyn’s sister's reference. “She’s who I’ll be helping move. It will probably take us a couple of days. So, see you later. I mean, I’ll call you, Tara,” he said, not wanting her to confuse “later” with her coming over on her own.

     Tara turned back to Marcus and, in what he believed was an effort of territorial pissing, reached up to kiss his lips, but he turned, letting it land on his cheek while giving her a friendly hug. Opening the door wider, he let Jordyn into the house, and around them. As Tara walked away with a look of defeat, he closed the door behind him and leaned on it.

     So much for making a good impression, Jordyn looked at him with one eyebrow arched and laughed.

     “Busy morning.” She tilted her head. “You didn’t know her name, did you?”

     “I knew it was Sheila,” he said.

     “You mean Tara,” she corrected, walking up to him with a smirk.

     “That’s what I said, Tara.”

     “You know you’re quite shameful.” She shook her head before as she brushed her thumb across his chin, inspecting his beard.

     “This is new.” She gave his beard a couple more strokes with her thumb and forefinger. The sensation caused him to close his eyes, then open them again gently. “It suits you,” she said, taking a step back.

     “Glad you approve,” he said, happy to glance her over in peace. She filled in really nicely.

     “I thought you said eleven,” she said, looking over his place. “I could’ve picked you up later.”

     “Don’t try to renege.” He moved from the door. “You promised to order us food tonight and that you’d make me dinner next weekend for helping you. I already cleared my schedule. You ain’t getting out of it.”

     “I think you’re the one trying to get out of it.” She smirked as his towel dropped from his waist, the end of it having snagged in the closed door.

     “Sorry,” he said with a cocky smile as he quickly opened the door to free the towel. Jordyn covered her eyes with her hand, but left a part between her fingers so she could still see him.

     “I don’t see anything.” She laughed as he wrapped his towel back around him.

     “I’ll be back,” he said, imitating the Terminator voice, and rushed to his room. Wasting no time, he put on a pair of blue jeans and a red short-sleeved T-shirt, throwing his keys and wallet in his pocket before putting on his socks and sneakers.

Entering the living room, he found Jordyn scanning his family pictures hanging in a grid on the wall. He walked up behind her to look at them with her.

     “Nice pic arrangement.” She turned back to him too quickly, bumping into his chest. Marcus swiftly placed an arm around her waist, pulling her close so she wouldn’t fall back. Surprised by the move, she glanced up at him with her big eyes.

     “I try,” he answered, releasing her. She stepped back from him and started studying the room.

     “This is a bigger place. You renting?” she said as she walked around the room.

     “Bought it. Figured I’ve flipped enough houses. Time to live in one.”

     “It’s such a big place for just yourself,” she said, walking past him, still scanning around.

     “But perfect for flipping later if I need to. Ready for the tour?”

     “Yeah, a quick one,” she said, peering at her watch. “I want to get to my apartment before they deliver the pods.”

     “You always cushion your time with thirty minutes, but I got you.” Marcus glanced at his watch and set his timer.

     “But I’ll do it in three.” He took her by her hand, almost dragging her, laughing as she tried to keep up with him.

     Stopping abruptly in front of the first room, he announced, “This is one of the smaller bedrooms. I didn’t need an extra bed, so I made it a workout room.” As Jordyn tried to look around at his equipment, he retook hold of her hand. “No time for absorbing,” he said, tapping his watch and tilting his head. “We got a schedule.” This time, when he took off, she kept her pace with him until he made a sudden stop.

     “This is the guest bathroom. Not much to see here. Toilet, sink, shower, all the basics. Pretty boring,” he said. She glanced at it before they almost jumped to the next room.

     “This is the second bedroom. Figured I'd better put a bed in it and make it nice. Just in case I have a guest.” He nodded his head.

     Jordyn smirked, “I thought your guests slept with you.”

     “Rude.” He cut his eyes playfully at her. “You can see that there is another bathroom through that door. It’s a Jack and Jill bath that’s shared with the first bedroom I showed you. Same thing, toilet, tub, the works.” Just before he could say they had to go, Jordyn took off to beat him to the next room on the other side of the house. Marcus didn’t catch up until she was already there.

     “This is the master bedroom?”

     “Yes,” he concurred, pretending to be winded. “Complete with a messy bed, personal bath, and a half-full walk-in closet.”

     Her face scrunched up. “I swear you decorated this room like a college dorm,” Her finger pointing out all his movie posters.

     “Stop hatin’. Those posters are collectibles.”

     “Next is the—” was all he was able to say when he felt Jordyn try to run past him. Marcus caught her arm and pulled her back behind him so he could run ahead. Jordyn then grabbed his arm and tried to pull him back, but he plowed his feet on the ground one in front of the other as she held on, dragging her behind. Jordyn let go and tried to run past him, alternating sides, but Marcus kept holding out his arms each time she tried to get by. Thinking she had given up, Marcus was about to go for a full sprint to the kitchen when she ran up and jumped on his back and held on.

     “If you won’t let me by, you’ll be my horse.” Jordyn sniggered.

     “So be it.” He turned back and gave her a wicked grin as he took hold of her legs and started running forward, causing her to shriek with laughter.

     “Stop, Marcus!”

     Ignoring her plea, he continued. “This is bedroom three, laundry room, and that’s my office,” he called before they entered back into the main room. Dodging furniture, Marcus ran a lap around the living room as she let out cries of his name, feigning distress, before stopping in the kitchen.

     “And of course, that was the living room and the kitchen.”

     Taking a better hold of her legs, he heaved her further up his back.

     “What are you doing?” she asked as she tried to sit up on his back.

     “I’m going to try to clear the sofa,” Marcus said, clicking his alarm and bending over.

     “You crazy!” Jordyn tapped on his back. “You won’t make it. Put me down.”

     “I didn’t put you up there. I suggest you hold on.” He looked back and gave her a wink.

     “No!” she repeated, laughing, taking a firm hold of him before he took off. Jordyn screamed cheerfully as Marcus got close to the sofa. But instead of jumping, he stopped short and flung her onto her back on the couch, with her shrieking.

     “You ass!” Jordyn laughed, her eyes gleaming.

     “Hey,” Marcus said, putting his hand to his chest in mock offense. “I’m no donkey. I’m a purebred stallion. Didn’t you see the hedge I cleared back there?”

     Marcus glanced at her lying down and decided to join her. Lifting her legs, took a seat and settled her legs back on his lap with one hand securing their position.

     “I can’t believe you threw me.”

     “Consider yourself a VIP. That was an exclusive tour perk.”

     Marcus listened as her chuckles softened much like his own. Fully relaxed, his head leaned back as he relished this moment.

     Man, she’s always up for something silly. I wish—

     “Marcus,” Jordyn said softly. Marcus turned his head leisurely toward her, realizing he was unconsciously brushing the spot where he had held her leg, and he stopped. Jordyn locked eyes with him. He waited for her to say something, but instead, she slightly grazed her lip with her teeth and turned away, releasing the breath he didn’t know he was holding.

     “We'd better get going,” she said as she started to rise. Marcus helped her slide her legs from his lap to the floor. What was she going to say? When she rose fully from her position, he pulled her in for a friendly hug.                                                                                                

     “Glad you're back,” he said softly in her ear, reveling in her warmth. This feels so right. Suddenly, he could hear his brother Miles’s admonishment in his head, “What are you doing?” and let her go..

     “We all are,” Marcus said, trying to play off the awkwardness.

     “Thanks, it’s good being back.”

     “Maybe, don’t go away so long next time.”

     “You missed me?” she said, poking her lower lip, feigning a pout as she patted his shoulder.

      “Girl, I’m just hungry,” he teased, giving her a nudge. “I haven’t had a decent meal since you left. I think you owe me at least two weeks of prepacked meals.”

     “Aw,” Jordyn said sarcastically. “Yet you're only getting one full meal with a possibility of leftovers.” She raised a brow. “That’s if we get to my place in time for the pods. Otherwise, I’m slashing your fee.”

     “Oh, it’s like that. Give me your keys, then. I’m driving.”

     Marcus hit the gas as he drove her car to her apartment. Luckily, they arrived just in time for the pods to arrive. As soon as Jordyn finished directing the movers on where to place the pods, Alex pulled up on his motorcycle, followed by John in his car.

     “What the fuck! What are you doing here?” John called out to Jordyn, walking quickly over to her with a raised eyebrow and a sly smile.

     “I took a train in yesterday.” Once she was close enough, John wrapped his arms around her, picking her up. Still in her embrace, John glanced at Marcus over her shoulder and mouthed the words “Oh my God!” pointing at her thighs, then her rear.

     Marcus mouthed back, “I know, right?” Then he put his finger to his lips, hoping John wouldn’t mention it. John pretended to bite his fist before returning his arm around her waist. Jordyn patted John’s chest to put her down.

     “Okay. You’ve met your quota.” She laughed, tapping his chest again.

     “Yeah, John. She gets it. You miss her. Put her down already.” Marcus laughed, too, half-joking, the other half wishing he had the power to burn with a glance. John smiled, putting her down, but took her hand, giving her a twirl as Alex walked up with a smirk on his face, clearly enjoying Marcus’s discomfort.

     “Girl, you thick,” John said, causing Marcus’s grin to fall.

     “Really?” she said, looking back at her rear and waist uncomfortably. “I guess I have put on a few pounds. I’ve been trying to find time to work out before I got back.”

     “And get rid of all this? Don’t you dare. You filled in all the right places. Wouldn’t you say, Marcus?” John said, giving him a wicked grin. Marcus's eyes squinted dangerously at John, whose smile remained unfazed. Damn, I want to punch him right in his teeth. Jordyn looked back at him, waiting for his response.

     “Yeah, you look great,” Marcus answered with a smile that melted into a scowl at John the moment she turned her face toward Alex.

     “But then, so do you,” John said, inspecting Marcus’s beard. “Who trims their beard the day after they go out clubbing? It’s almost like, I dunno, there was someone else you wanted to impress.” John's brow furrowed as his eyes gleamed, exposing his true meaning.

     “You do look good, Jordyn,” Alex said, coming in for his hug, pulling her close as he eyed Marcus and mouthed the word “Dammmn.” Marcus squinted at him as he put her down. Alex continued, “It’s great seeing you again. I just wish I knew it was you and not one of Marcus’s clients we were helping. I’d have brought you something.”

     “Yeah, Marcus,” John reiterated. “Why didn’t you tell us it was Jordyn we were helping?” he asked with wide eyes, feigning curiosity.

     “I thought this would be a great way to surprise you that she’s back in town.” Marcus glared at them.

     “Oh, we’re definitely surprised,” John said, cutting his eyes to Alex, then back to Marcus. “And yet not surprised at all,” Alex added.

     “Which floor are you on?” Marcus asked Jordyn, ignoring them.

     “I’m on the second floor. But my door has a private stairway.”

     “Damn stairs,” John winced.

     “Come on. You’re big boys. You can handle it.”

     “Let’s do this,” Marcus said, happy to move on.

     Jordyn had three and a half pods of furniture and boxes from her previous apartment. Now that they were all finally done, they crashed on her sofas to take a breather.

     “Woman,” Marcus said, looking over to her. “Where will all this crap go? This looks more like you emptied a house, not an apartment.”

     “Trust me. I got a system,” she answered, scanning the tall piles of boxes.

     “I feel like if we move these boxes just right, we can make a hedge maze.” Alex chuckled. “This was a lot of shit. And you better not let me find out you threw a single thing away now that we moved it.”

     “Of course not, at least not unless someone breaks something by sitting on it,” Jordyn said, giving John a smirk as the guys chuckled.

     John's brow furrowed instead. “It was an accident.”

     “Seriously, who sits on a table?” Jordyn rolled her eyes.

     “Be honest, Jordyn, it was a fake plastic table. Albeit a convincing fake. I’ll get you a real one.”

     “Then—”

     “Dah dahduh dadaduhdahduh” rang the Super Mario Theme on Jordyn’s cell phone before she answered it.

     “One sec, guys.”

     After listening to her go back and forth with what sounded like the apartment manager, she hung up.

     “I’ve got to pick up my mailbox keys now, or I’ll have to wait til Monday to get them. I’ll be right back, don’t leave, alright?” she said.

     “Okay,” Alex answered. The men listened as she walked down the stairs until the door opened, then closed. They glared in the direction she had left a couple of seconds before, to make sure she was gone, before both John and Alex turned to Marcus, glaring at him.

     “What?”

     “Really, Marcus?” Alex said his brow furrowed as his hand went slowly down his face, then rested on the side of his chin. “This is still going on?”