Naughty 2: My Way or the Highway by Brenda Hampton

the mall. You should go out there yourself.”
    Chad ignored Pat and left the kitchen. She told me to have a seat, while she went upstairs to put away her shoes. LJ was sound asleep in his baby seat, and I didn’t want to wake him. I would have asked Jaylin to watch him, but LJ was already spending too much time with him. I was feeling kind of neglected. Since Nanny B had moved in with Jaylin, he was coming over to pick up LJ every chance he got. I didn’t mind, but LJ running back and forth from both of our houses was driving me crazy. When I tried to complain, Jaylin said I wanted to deny him time with his son, which was something I definitely didn’t want to do, so I kept quiet.
    Pat was taking forever, so I went to the refrigerator and pulled out a pitcher of lemonade. As I reached for a glass on the shelf, Chad came in and stood behind me.
    â€œLet me get that for you, Nokea.” He reached up and took a glass from the shelf.
    â€œThanks, Chad. So, how’s the cleaning business going? Pat said it’s been booming.”
    â€œYeah, it’s doing okay. She’s just spending money as fast as we can make it.”
    â€œWell, you know how she is. Hasn’t changed a bit since you married her.”
    â€œNo, she hasn’t. So, uh, how are things going with you? She told me about what happened between you and Jaylin. Sorry that it didn’t work out.”
    â€œYeah, I’m sorry too, but at least we got that little precious child over there to share.”
    â€œHe’s adorable. I wish Pat and I could have some children. We talked about adopting, but she keeps putting it off.”
    â€œDon’t go giving up just yet, Chad. It might happen one day. Seems like she’s seeking all options from what she’s telling me.”
    â€œThat might be what she’s telling you, but Pat really don’t want any children, Nokea. Every time I talk about having a baby she just blows me off.” Chad frowned and took a seat at the kitchen table. I walked over behind him, and placed my hand on his back.
    â€œIt’ll be fine, Chad. If she can’t have any children, there are plenty of them waiting to be adopted.” He dropped his head, and with true concern, I softly rubbed his back. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. You and Pat have a wonderful marriage. What’s meant to be will be.”
    I poured him a glass of lemonade and wondered what was really going on. He seemed like he was going through something. I wasn’t sure what, though, especially since Pat made everything seem all good between them.
    As I stood with the glass in my hand, gazing out the window, Chad came up from behind me again. This time, he put his arms around my waist, and touched his lips to my neck. I immediately turned and pushed him back.
    â€œWhat are you doing?” I yelled.
    â€œYou are so beautiful, Nokea. The way you touched me, I knew—”
    â€œWait a minute,” I said sharply. “What do you mean by the way I touched you?”
    Just then, Pat came back into the kitchen. “What’s all the fussing about? I hope y’all ain’t in here arguing over those shoes. Listen, Chad, if it’s that big a deal, I’ll take them back.”
    â€œNaw, baby, you don’t have to. Nokea and I were just arguing over who LJ looks like.” He waited for a response, but I didn’t say a word. I was so stunned that he would step to me like that, I didn’t quite know what to do.
    He kissed Pat on the cheek, and went back into the living room. I gathered LJ’s things and hurried to go. Pat noticed my demeanor.
    â€œAre you okay?” she asked.
    â€œI’m fine, Pat. I just got a severe headache all of a sudden. I’d better get home and lie down.”
    â€œOkay, you do look a little flushed.” She felt my head. “Seems like you’re running a fever, too.”
    Pat helped me gather my things and walked me to my