Intertwined

Chapter Three: Carmine Devereaux

Midway through her daily fuck Rod rant her phone rang. Rod was calling. She willed herself not to answer but caved before it went to voicemail. "Hello," she answered formally. "Hey Carmine. How are you today?" He asked nonchalantly. He spoke as if he hadn't avoided her for over a week. "I'm great Rod. What's up?" She refused to give him the satisfaction of knowing she wasn't okay. "You have plans today?" she was excited but determined to play it cool. "I have a couple things to do this evening. Why? What's up?" she didn't have a thing to do but she wanted to give the illusion she had a full and happy life. "Don't worry about it. I don't want to encroach." She hated playing chicken with him. He always won. "I'll be free after 7." She caved. "Can you come by my place once you're free?" he asked. She agreed and they ended the call.

She knew what he wanted. She wanted him to want more but she decided to take what she could get. She pulled up in front of his home just before 8. She checked her makeup and and sprayed on some Daisy Dream Forever. She didn't care much for the smell but she had smelled it on him quite a few times. She gathered his newest interest liked the smell. He liked her. So it became Carmine's new fragrance when going around Rod.

She rang the bell and waited for him to answer. She was looking sexy as fuck. One thing that was undeniable was the attraction he had for her. His dick got hard as soon as he seen her. Sometimes he would fight it but it was always there. "Thanks for coming. I knew you'd come through." She walked in and saw a few other people in the living room. "Carmine this is a friend of mine Bryce Allen. Bryce this is one of my oldest friends Carmine Devereaux." She shook the hand that was extended at her. "Bryce is the assemblyman for district 60. He has had a hard time with finding competent help. When he asked if I knew any hardworking competent people naturally I thought of you." Carmine smiled but inside she was pissed. She didn't need a job she needed her man to stop playing and be her man. "He is putting together an amazing team to do amazing work in the community. He has the potential to climb the political ladder. With you having his back I know that just increases his chances." Rod smiled that smiled that made her go full retarded. "I know I can be a real pain in the ass but I assure you my role in all of this is minimal you'll only have to work with me about once a month or so."

Carmine had to give it to him. He was good. At the rate he had been distancing himself from her working together was looking like the only way to guarantee she would get to spend time with him. She would let her body do the rest. "Before I agree let me do some background research on your positions and look over the employment contract. How's 72 hours to give you a decision.?" Bryce smiled at her. She noticed how attractive he was for the first time. Working with him could be fun. Young, black, handsome and successful. He could be just the motivating factor Carmine thought Rod could use. Maybe he could even be the man she needed to get under to get over Rod.

A week later and she was in office being the hardworking professional Mr. Allen was looking for. He really cared about the community he served. It was an attractive quality. They worked late every day. There was always a meeting or event they had to attend. Often multiple in a day. Although Carmine minored in political science she didn't think politics were for her. She quickly got pulled into the fight and issues of the community.

"We should celebrate an amazing productive first week." Bryce suggested. Although she was tired as all get out, she agreed. She could tell he was attracted to her and she was ready to explore her options. "What do you have in mind?" she asked. She was hoping for something private so she could openly shoot her shot. "I have one engagement I have to go to. My line brother opened a business and he's having a grand opening party. If you're available to go we can stop by for a few minutes then grab dinner and drinks after." He winked his brilliant Michael Ealy looking eyes at her and she was in. Light skin men weren't usually her thing but there was just something about Bryce.