Not Always Read online

  NOT ALWAYS

  By

  Ancelli

  Kindle Version

  Copyright © Ancelli 2014

  All Rights Reserved

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system, copied in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise transmitted without written permission from the publisher.

  This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously. This is an explicit and erotic novel intended for the enjoyment of adult readers only.

  Chapter One

  “Daddy, I don’t want to go!” Carlitos Martinez shouted as tears streamed down his cheeks. “Why are you sending me back?”

  José Martinez stared at his son’s red-rimmed eyes as they begged him not to send the boy home with his mother.

  “Your mom won’t allow you to stay with me.” José kneeled in front of his son, taking his hand in his, trying to console him. Carlitos backed away from his touch. It hurt José to see his son like this; however, Olga had full custody of their son.

  “But you’re my dad,” Carlitos huffed. “You have a say, too.”

  José wiped his son’s tears with his thumbs.

  “You don’t love me?” His little chest heaved as more tears rolled down his freckled cheeks.

  “Of course I love you.” José cupped his face, staring into eyes that mirrored his.

  “Then let me stay here with you,” the boy hollered, hiccupping.

  “You can’t stay,” José whispered. “It’s complicated.”

  “Mom was right. You don’t love me!” Carlitos ran away from his father in tears.

  José stood straight, watching as his son threw himself into his Auntie Jewel’s arms. He wanted his son with him, but what would he say? You can’t stay with me because I have nothing to offer you. José had been trying to change his ways. He went out looking for work every day. Just that morning he’d gone to a construction site, but they weren’t hiring. If he had a good job, he could fight Olga for shared custody. Right now he didn’t have anything on his side: no education, no job. He had to wait until his life was in order.

  “Auntie Jewel, please don’t let Daddy send me back. Please tell him to let me stay!” Carlitos hugged her tight. She embraced him, and looked up at José with concern in her eyes.

  “It’s going to be okay.” Jewel rubbed his back. “Your daddy doesn’t want you to leave, but he has no choice.”

  “But I don’t want to live with mama. I want my daddy.” He rubbed his face on her stomach. “I finally have my daddy.”

  José’s eyes watered. He’d made so many bad decisions and they’d all affected his relationship with his son and family. Javier, his baby brother, had never turned his back on him. He’d even let José crash at his house for a couple of months, giving him a new start. Now it was time to man up, but where would he start? Javier acted like the oldest, when it should have been the other way around.

  Jewel took Carlitos’ hand and went toward the back yard. Carlitos was visiting over the Thanksgiving break. Olga had fought him all the way. At the last minute she finally agreed to let him visit, and only after his mom had spoken to her.

  “Why aren’t you fighting for your son?” Connie asked with her arms crossed over her chest. She was his sister-in-law’s coworker and friend. He’d met her at his brother’s military ceremony about year ago.

  José looked her over, watching her features and figure. Connie was a caramel beauty with medium-length auburn hair. Her black dress fit her like a glove. Her thin eyebrows arched as she waited for his answer. There was something about her. He really liked her, and not just in a sexual way. Maybe she would be a start to his new life.

  “What do you care?” José asked, looking away from her, watching Jewel talk to Carlitos.

  “I may not care about you, but he’s a little boy.” She stepped closer. “Step up and be the father he needs you to be.”

  He glared, shooting daggers at her. “This is none of your business.”

  “It is when I see a child in pain.” She paced. “Your son doesn’t want to go home. Maybe there’s a reason why?”

  José just stared at her.

  “I know your story, José.”

  He crossed his arms over his chest. “And what exactly do you think you know?” Her comments were making him a bit angry.

  “You left your son with your mother when he became an obstacle in your womanizing ways.” She glared at him with a judgmental stare.

  “You don’t know shit about me.” José’s nose flared as he spoke.

  She got in his face. “Then tell me.”

  “I loved my son from the day he was born.” José brushed his fingers through his hair.

  “Then why did you turn your back on him?” Her voice was softer now.

  “Because I have nothing to offer him!” he yelled, making Jewel and Carlitos look their way.

  “Then do something about that.” Connie pointed at him. “Be the father he can be proud of.”

  “I’m trying.” He sighed. “I didn’t finish high school, and no one will hire an ex-convict.”

  “Don’t expect me to feel sorry for you. Get up off your ass, and go finish high school. Get yourself a GED. When one door closes, another one opens.” Connie dug into her purse, and pulled out a business card. “Here, if you really want a job, come by my office next Monday.”

  José grabbed the card and looked at it. “You’re really going to give me a job?”

  “I can’t promise you much.”

  “I’ll take anything.” He placed the card in his pocket.

  “Even a janitorial job?”

  José smiled. “Of course. I’m not ashamed. As long as it’s a honest job, I’ll take it.” He’d given up his bad-boy ways. Hustling in the streets was in his past.

  “Then I’ll see you next week at seven o’clock sharp.” She extended her hand.

  He wrapped his fingers around hers, and gave them a firm shake. “Thank you, Connie.” He rubbed her palm, making her jerk back.

  “I didn’t do it for you, I did it for him.” She pointed at his son, on the swing with Jewel. Connie turned, heading toward the kitchen to join José’s sister-in-law Jazmine.

  José walked out to the back yard, and watched Jewel making his son laugh. She always found a way to make Carlitos feel special. He smiled as she pushed him on the swing. She had a way with kids. No wonder she’d chosen to be an elementary school teacher.

  Their eyes met. Jewel kissed Carlitos on his head. “I’m going to talk to your dad.” She strolled over to him.

  “Thank you.” José stepped toward her.

  Jewel stopped in front of him. “For what?”

  “Making him feel better.”

  “I deal with kids every day, and your son happens to be very special to me.”

  He observed her lips as she spoke. They were full, reminding him of a perfect bow. She had almond-shaped eyes and long lashes. And her skin was the color of milk chocolate, radiant against the white shirt. She always wore slacks and a polo shirt whenever he saw her. He’d never seen her with a man and he sometimes wondered if she swung the other way.

  “Remember I’m Auntie Jewel.” She grinned, showing her pearly white smile, until she looked up and saw him staring at her. “Do I have something on my face?” she touched her cheek. “Do I have a booger?” She giggled, wiping her nose.

  He laughed.

  “What?” She moved her braids away from her face.

  “Nothing is wrong.”

  “Then why are you watching me like that?”

  “Just looking at the resemblance bet
ween you and Jazmine.”

  “We don’t really look alike; she looks more like mom. I look like our grandmother.”

  “Your grandmother was a beautiful woman.”

  “Whatever.” She smacked him on his chest. He could see her blush. He’d never known black women blushed, but there it was: a deep red color on her cheek. For some reason it made him chuckle.

  “You’re not used to compliments?”

  “Not from a big tease like you.” She turned to look at his son. “He’s a very intelligent boy.”

  “I know. He got his mother’s genes in that department.”

  “Nonsense.” She now gazed at him. “Stop putting yourself down.”

  He gazed back at her. Jewel always had something nice to say about everyone. Every time he saw her, she had a smile on her face. He’d never seen her mad, or even sad. She didn’t let the small stuff and bullshit get her down.

  “I heard what Connie told you.” Jewel touched his arm. “For what it’s worth, I think you’re fine just the way you are. You have to change because you want to, not to please anyone else.”

  “Connie’s right, though, and you are too. I want to do this for me and for Carlitos.”

  “We all make mistakes. It’s how we learn from our mistakes that counts. I can see the determination in your eyes, the hunger to be better. I think you can do anything you want if you put your mind to it, and now you have me.” She placed her index finger to her mouth. “Okay, I have an idea.”

  “What is it?” José and Jewel had hit it off from the day they’d met. They had so much in common, but there was no romantic interest. First off, she was family, and second, she was probably a lesbian. She wasn’t his type, but Connie? Yes, she was what he needed, a new flavor of candy.

  “I can help you study for your GED. Teaching is what I do for a living. I can have you ready.”

  “You’ll really do that for me?”

  “Yes, dude!” She giggled. “You’re family now.”

  “I think I got a job.” He looked over at his son, grinning.

  “I heard, and you better be the best damn janitor you can be.” Jewel stared at the wrap around tattoo on his bicep. “I believe in you, and we all have to start somewhere.”

  “Thanks for the pep talk.” He pulled her into an embrace.

  She hugged him, laughing. “I only say what I see.” Jewel slowly pulled back.

  “Do you think his mother is hurting him?”

  She looked at Carlitos. “No, I don’t think so. I believe he is happy to finally be spending time with you. He hasn’t seen you in months, José. He misses you.”

  “I missed him, too. I’m going to really try to be the father Carlitos can be proud of.”

  Jewel took his hand in hers. “He’s already proud to have you as his dad, but you have to be proud of yourself.” She squeezed his fingers. “You have a job, getting a GED…you’re on the right path, and I’ll be there every step of the way.”

  “I’m so thankful Javier married your sister, because you, my sister-in-law, have been heaven sent.” José caressed her fingers. “New Year, new me.”

  Connie and Jazmine walked out toward them. He could see the way Connie stared at their hands. Jewel released his grip and smiled wide.

  “Is Carlitos feeling better?” Connie asked, glaring at José.

  “Yes, we had a nice chat,” Jewel answered before he could. “Carlitos, let’s go get some ice cream.” She wiggled her hand.

  “Yeah, is Nicolas coming?” Carlitos asked, running toward them.

  “Yes, he is.” She took his hand in hers. “Don’t you have something to say to your dad?”

  “Daddy, I’m sorry,” he whispered sadly.

  José messed up his son’s hair. “Forgiven.”

  “I’m coming along too. José, can you watch Haven?” Jazmine asked.

  “Yes,” he answered, walking into the house.

  Jewel, Jazmine and the kids exited the house, leaving José and Connie together.

  “Are you and Jewel,” she swallowed. “A thing?”

  José started chuckling. “Really, Connie, she’s like a sister to me.”

  “Are you sure?”

  He shifted his torso closer to hers. “I’m sure. Why, are you jealous?”

  She glared at him. “No, why would I be?”

  “Because you want me.” He moved so he barely touched her. José could see her chest heaving; Connie was definitely nervous. Yes, she wanted him. “Tell me you don’t.” He cupped her face, pulling her forward until their lips met. Her eyelids closed as her lips parted slightly. He took control of her tongue with his, sucking hungrily there before moving to her lower lip. He smiled against her mouth, then pulled back. “I thought so…”

  Connie’s fingers touched her swollen lips as her eyes fluttered open.

  “I think I hear Haven.” José walked away, leaving her with a surprised look on her face. His lips curled into a grin as he opened the door to the baby’s room.

  Chapter Two

  José rushed into the office building, gasping for air as he pushed the button to the elevator. He shouldn’t have stayed out all night with—what was her name? Nikkie. He took a couple of deep breaths to regain his composure. The doors slid open. José entered, then began tugging at his button-down shirt and black slacks. It was the same outfit he wore to every interview. He stepped out on the third floor, still a little nervous. He needed this job if he was going to change his life around and make his little boy proud.

  He marched over to the front desk, where there was a young brunette behind the counter. She was kind of cute, speaking on the phone while filing her red nails. He cleared his throat to get her attention.

  As soon as she saw him, her pink tinted lips curled up. “Lisa, I have to go. I’ll call you back.” She hung up the phone.

  “Sir, how may I help you?”

  “I’m here to see Ms. Connie Browne.” He placed his palm on the counter.

  “Your name, sir?” She stared at him, and then at his hand.

  “José Martinez.”

  Her manicured fingers typed on her keyboard, he assumed searching Connie’s calendar. “You don’t look like a janitor,” she said, picking up the phone. “Connie, your seven o’clock is here.” He eyed her, as she listened to Connie. “Okay.” The secretary hung up. “You can go in, and welcome to Research Visionary.”

  “Thank you.” He started walking then turned in her direction. “Hey, sweetheart, what’s your name?”

  Her cheeks blushed to the endearment. “Michelle.”

  “It’s nice meeting you, Michelle,” he winked. “I’ll see you around.”

  “You will,” she answered with a big smile.

  “I promise!” José continued to Connie’s office. He knocked on the door and entered when he heard the muffled “come in”. She looked up from the papers she held.

  “Sorry I’m late.” He moved to stand in front of her desk.

  Connie stared at him. “Mr. Martinez, I gave you an opportunity. The least you could do was be on time.”

  “Connie, I’m grateful for the chance you’re giving me.” He sat in the chair with his legs wide open, “I don’t know the bus schedule to this route, but I promise it will never happen again.”

  “First, it’s not Connie, its Ms. Browne.” She leaned forward in her leather chair. “You took the bus. I thought you had a car?”

  José stared back at her. “I don’t.”

  Connie glared at him, entwining her manicured fingers. “I hope that’s not going to be a problem.”

  He sat up straight. “I told you it wont.”

  “Maybe you should invest in getting a car.”

  “Look, Ms. Browne. I’m here for a job. I don’t think my employer has the right to question whether I do or don’t have a vehicle, if it doesn’t have anything to do with my job duties, right?” He arched an eyebrow.

  Connie smiled, eased back in her chair, and handed him a folder. “I need you to sign and date
all these documents.”

  José grabbed the papers and started reading them.

  “Can you read and write, or do you need help?”

  He clenched his jaw. Did she really think he was that dumb? But when he glanced at her, he could see the concern in her eyes. She wasn’t trying to be hurtful. “I can read and write.” He grabbed a pen off her desk. “I dropped out in eleventh grade, if you want to know.”

  “I didn’t mean to offend you, José.” She gazed at him.

  “It’s Mr. Martinez, and you can’t offend me, looking that beautiful.” He continued reading as she started blushing.

  “Just sign and date, I’ll take care of the rest.”

  Her skin reminded him of peanut butter, and Reese’s was his favorite candy. Even so, she was going to be a challenge. José smiled and began signing.

  “There’s just one more thing before I take you down to meet your supervisor.”

  “Yes?” He did not look up.

  “You don’t know me or Jazmine.”

  He stopped what he was doing and stared at her. “Huh?”

  “No one can know you’re Jazmine’s brother-in-law or that we know each other. This company has a strict policy against hiring family members.”

  “If this is going to cause any trouble for Jazmine, I don’t want it.” José placed the folder on her desk.

  “José, I pulled a lot of strings for you, and Jazmine is in on it. This could work. Don’t you want this for your son?”

  He sighed. “Yes, but I don’t want to jeopardize Jazmine’s or your job.”

  “You won’t. We’re big girls, we can take care of ourselves.” She stood. “Come on, let me show you around, and introduce you.” She passed him, and he couldn’t help it, he stared at her ass. She had on a black suit with a silk white blouse. Her auburn, shoulder-length hair was pulled back behind her ears.

  He rose and followed her. Connie placed her hand on the knob, and he came up behind her, barely touching her. “I know you want me,” he whispered. “I’ll let you know when I’ll be picking you up for our first date.” He nipped at her neck, making her tremble. Seeing the effect he had on her made his cock jerk. Before he took her out, he needed to make some extra money to impress her. A woman like Connie deserved the best. He would need to cash in some favors.