Read Online Relentless by Cheryl Douglas - Free Book Online Page B

lover’s quarrel,” he said, rolling his eyes. “Sorry if I disturbed anyone.”
    “Someone did call down to report the commotion, sir. I’m going to have to ask you to give the lady her space tonight.” He shrugged. “Who knows, maybe she’ll be willing to hear you out in the morning.”
    Patience was not a virtue J.T. possessed. The thought of waiting six longs hours to have it out with her was torture, but he didn’t see that he had a choice. “I hear ya, buddy,” J.T. said, sighing. “I know you’re just trying to do your job.”
    The middle-aged black man with a wide grin chuckled. “I wish everyone was as easy to deal with as you, my man.” He slapped J.T. on the back. “You know how it is with women; they get pissed, but they eventually come around when they’ve had time to calm down.”
    J.T. knew that was the case with most women, but Nikki wasn’t like most women. She was special. If she weren’t, she wouldn’t have been able to get under his skin, wearing only sweats and a messy ponytail. He walked down the hall with the security guard.
    Crooking a finger toward one of the closed doors, he said, “My brother’s in this room. I may have better luck with him.”
    The man, whose nametag read Joe, laughed. “You’re probably right, my friend. The ladies can cut you off, but your family’s stuck with you, whether they like it or not.”
    J.T. chuckled, shaking his head. “Ain’t that the truth.”
    Joe pushed the elevator button and raised his hand. “You have a good night, and don’t make me come back up here.” He flashed a quick grin. “You interrupted my game of solitaire.”
    J.T. laughed. “Sorry ‘bout that, man. I’ll keep it under control.” He raised his right hand, grinning. “I swear.”
    “Think nothin’ of it. I’ve got a wife at home myself.” He winked. “You know what they say: happy wife, happy life. You’d do well to keep that in mind.”
    Not that J.T. ever expected to be in the position of trying to keep a wife happy. “I’ll keep that in mind, Joe.” He raised his hand, knocking on his brother’s door as the elevator doors closed. Ty was bound to find out about what happened with Nikki sooner or later because if J.T. had his way, it would be the first of many, many times. Might as well bring his brother up to speed and deal with the fallout now. Besides, he needed to vent to someone.
    Ty opened the door. “Hey, what’re you doin’ here?” He checked his watch. “It’s late.”
    “Sorry about that, man. Mind if I come in?”
    Ty stood back, gesturing toward the room’s small sitting room. He had his guitar propped against a chair, his laptop open, and papers littering the coffee table. “Yeah sure, come on in. I couldn’t sleep so I was just workin’ out a song that’s been doggin’ me for the past couple of weeks.”
    “I didn’t mean to interrupt,” J.T. said, suddenly feeling uneasily. How was he going to tell his brother that he’d just slept with his boss’s daughter after he told him, in no uncertain terms, to keep his distance from her?
    “No problem. I was havin’ a hard time hammerin’ it out, anyway. You wanna drink?” Ty pointed to the open minibar.
    A drink was exactly what he needed right now. “Yeah, thanks.” He poured a small bottle of scotch into a highball glass. Barely more than a shot. It wouldn’t begin to take the edge off.
    “So, what’d you wanna talk to me about?” Ty asked, leaning back into the cushions. He propped an arm on the back of the couch and stared at his brother, waiting for him to fill in the blanks.
    “How’s Avery? Did you talk to her?” J.T. asked, stalling for time.
    Ty grinned, leaning forward. “Yeah, I did. Get this; it’s not the flu after all. She did one of those home pregnancy tests tonight, and it looks like we’re gonna have another baby.”
    “No freakin’ way,” J.T. said, raising his glass. “Congratulations, man. That’s great news.”
    “Yeah, we think so too.