He Was Never Mine To Keep

Mia

I stood in front of a mirror and admired my outfit for the tenth time. I had to look my best because today is the women's business conference and I will stand in front of everyone giving a speech. The media will be there, and so are the city's most important people and I have to look my best. "You look amazing." My friend Talia says holding my two-year-old son Sam, looking at me through the mirror with a smile on her face.

These two are my life, Talia has been my friend since college and was with me when I was pregnant with Sam. She was also there when his father left us and she helped me raise Sam. She has been like a sister to me all these years and without her; I don't know what my life would have been like or what it would be like if she were to ever leave. I have no family and I am a single mother. But with Talia on my side, I am not alone; I feel like I have a family, in her, I found a sister.

"Thanks, Talia, I have to look my best today, not only as a guest speaker but also as a businesswoman and who knows. I might just get an investor to expand my business." She gives me that dimpled smile of hers. "Well, I hope an investor is not all that you get tonight, we traveled far for you to just get an investor." She winks at me, I know what she means, since Jason left me, I have dated no one, I focused on my business and raising Sam.

I look at my wristwatch and it reads 20h00. It's time to leave, "My people, I will see you when I come back, Sam be good for aunty Talia, okay? And I expect you to watch me on TV and tell me all about it when I come back." I kiss Sam on the forehead and hug Talia. "You know I will, be good and kick ass." I laughed as I exit our hotel room, I took the elevator down to the lobby and out the door.

When I get outside my limo is already waiting and the driver has the door opened for me.

"Miss Black, you look gorgeous as usual." This middle-aged man has been driving me to business conferences for two years now and each time he would say these exact words. He is more like a brother of a sort, "Thank you, Steve." He gives me a small smile before closing the door then jogging to the driver's side.

Soon the car merges into traffic, and I look out the window. The night is beautiful and the streets are still busy with people going about their business. It's hard to sleep when you have to hustle and I understand just how these people feel. I was like this once when I was starting my business, there was no time to sleep, I had to make it work and provide a better future for my son than the one I had.

The car comes to a stop at the venue and it's buzzing with media. I see a few faces I know talking to the media and taking pictures for the next day's paper. Prominent business women looked dashing in their evening gowns holding their partner's arm as they posed for pictures. Well, I have no partner and it won't be the first time I appear in these events alone, and am okay with that. A man will just be a distraction and I can't afford that. Not now when my business is doing so well. I need to focus.

My turn comes, and Steve opens the door for me. As soon as I step out flashing lights blind me for a moment before my eyes adjust and I offer my practiced smile walking on the red carpet. "Miss Black, you look gorgeous tonight, who dressed you?" asked one reporter. "Miss Black, we heard you will be giving a speech tonight, can you tell me how you feel about that?" another asks, "Miss Black, there is a rumor that you are secretly seeing someone, are the rumors true?" always the same questions all the time.

Can't a woman just be single and not harassed about it? "No comment." That is all I say before posing for a few pictures then walk into the venue. I sighed as I walked in feeling like it was going to be a long night, I take a glass of Champaign from a passing server and walked around looking for my table. I find it right on the second row to the front and I take a seat. I know I have to mingle but right now I just need some alcohol in my system and this Champaign will give me the courage I need to get through this night.

I spend a few minutes enjoying my drink and looking around. The place is decorated beautifully. "Miss Black, good evening." Lord Jesus! Can't a lady just enjoy her drink without being bothered? I wear my practiced smile before turning to the gentleman that just greeted me. "Good evening, Mr...?" I raised an eyebrow, and he gives me a cheeky smile. "Williams, Nathan Williams." He gives me his hand for a handshake and I took it. "A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Williams." He smiles and I just want him to go away. But it would be rude to ask him to.

"Can I sit with you for a moment?" I point to the chair and he sits. "I have heard a lot about you, Miss Black, a businesswoman who started her business from the ground up, I must say, I am impressed." I take a sip of my Champaign. "Thank you, Mr. Williams, am sorry but I don't know who you are." He smiles widely and I just want to disappear. "Well, Miss Black, you are looking at the heir of Williams Enterprises, we specialize in oil and you might know my older brother Cole, the CEO of the company." I know his brother but I don't know him and how can he be the heir when his older brother is the one running the business?

Before I could say anything, people take their seats as the event is about to start, the gentleman, Nathan, stands up and fixed his suit jacket then smiles at me. "We will talk again, Miss Black." He bows a little before leaving and I sighed relieved that he is gone. People fill the tables and the master of ceremonies starts the program. The first speaker takes the mic and makes his speech then the next.

My turn comes, and I am called to the stage. I greet everyone and start my speech but I can't help but feel like I am being watched. Strange I know because at this moment, there are a lot of eyes on me but this feels different. I get distracted for a moment scanning the room for whoever is looking at me and then I see him. Third row, middle table, he is looking at me intensely and I can't help the shiver that runs down my spine when our eyes lock.

I hold eye contact for a few seconds before going back to finishing my speech then stepped down. I can't help but find him with my eyes when I descent the stage and I find him already looking at me. I break eye contact and walked to my table taking a seat. "That was a brilliant speech, Miss Black, and congratulations on your business." A lady next to me says. "Thank you." I turned my head again looking for those icy blue eyes that I can still feel on me and indeed. They are looking straight at me making me feel strange, not in a bad way but in a way that I haven't felt in a long time. Who is that man?

"That is Mr. Liam Brown, president of Brown Logistics and his company is the one that sponsors most of the businesswomen you see here today." The lady next to me tells me, she must have seen me looking at him. "Oh, I know his company but I don't know him and I have never seen him in these events before," I tell her then look back at Mr. Brown but this time he was talking to the gentleman next to him.

"That is because his projects coordinator is the one that always attends, Miss Lisa Anderson." I know Lisa, we have to meet three times before and she is the one who asked me to be the guest speaker here today. I was wondering where she is. "I didn't know he was Lisa's boss; I know her and she is the reason I am here today. Excuse me, I need a lady's room."

I stand up and head to the ladies.

I get in and look at myself in the mirror. "Get a grip Mia, you don't need a man, he will only be a distraction in your life and you need to focus." I give myself a pep talk before walking back out closing my bag as I walk, I bump into someone and I stumbled back before a pair of hands hold me and steady me. "Am sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going," I say fixing my bag and dress. "It's quite alright, Miss Black." My mouth went dry upon hearing the voice, it makes me want to look up and I did.

There they were, the icy blue eyes looking at me. "Mr. Brown." My voice comes out as a whisper and I wanted to kick myself. What was that pep talk for if I am going to act this way in his presence? "That is me, Miss Black, are you alright?" I swallow saliva to wet my mouth as it feels awfully dry right now. "Yes, I am. Have a good evening, Mr. Brown." I go around him and went back to my table without looking back. My palms are sweating and my heart is beating fast.

There is only one thing on my mind now. "Get away from him, he will ruin things and he is a distraction." I take a glass of Champaign and drank it in one go. "Are you okay, Miss Black?" asks the lady when I take another glass. "Yes, I am alright." I down my second glass then sighed and look toward the ladies. There he stood, looking at me making my heart boom in my chest as if it was going to jump out.

I need to stay away from this man or everything I have worked hard for will go down the drain because I can already feel that he will consume me if I get involved with him and I am not ready for that.

Liam

I so hate Lisa right now, I didn't plan on being here this weekend; I wanted to spend time with my wife and kids. Then she went and got sick and now I am stuck here. Don't get me wrong, I like what my company is doing for these women and I like the work that they put into their businesses. Invest in women and you will see returns because when a woman is dedicated to something, they give it their all.

But I just wanted to be a normal dad and husband for this weekend. I don't get to do that much because of business and I thought I will get to make up for it this weekend.

But luck was not on my side because my coordinator got sick, and I am here. The program began and I take my seat with my best friend Carlos sitting next to me. "Remind me to send a get-well-soon gift to Lisa, will you?" He smirks looking at me.

"You mean a thank you gift for being sick and getting me stuck here with the likes of you?" I raised an eyebrow looking at him and he chuckles. "You don't send a thank you gift to a sick person Liam, you send a get well soon gift. Although, mine might as well be considered a thank you gift since her illness got you here." He winks taking a small sip of his drink. I missed him as well, it's been a while since we hung out.

"I missed you too Carlos, now focus, we are already here so we might as well pay attention." They call out the next speaker and it's a Miss Black. I look to see who stands up and when I see her, I can't take my eyes off her. She is a goddess and has this thing that is pulling me towards her. She climbs up the stage walking like a model on the runway, her hips swaying side to side and I am mesmerized. Who is this, Miss Black?

"Hey, I have been calling you for the last two minutes, where did you go?" Carlos pats me on the shoulder bringing me back, I take my eyes off Miss Black for a moment and look at my dear friend. "What were you calling me for?" I ask then look back at the stage where Miss Black is standing giving her speech, she is impressive, and the way she moves those thick lips of hers makes me want to taste them. I want to know how they would feel against mine, are they as soft as they look?

Will they be cold or warm against mine? "No, no Liam, Lindy is a good woman and has been with you through a lot. Please don't do this to her." Carlos warns, his right, Lindy is a good woman, and we have been through a lot together. I love her and I don't want to do anything that will hurt her. But then again, Miss Black, there is something about her that makes me want to know her more, something that pulls me to her, something I don't think I can ignore.

"Why would you bring Lindy into this, I have done nothing." I deny hoping he buys it, I don't need Carlos being a pest right now. "You have done nothing, yet, but I know you will." He tells me looking serious. "I have been married to Lindy for a long time now and in that time have I ever done anything to hurt her?" come on Carlos, let it go. "No, you have done nothing but then again, I have never seen you looking at any woman the way you are looking at that woman right now." He tells me and I look back on stage.

She must have felt my intense stare because she discreetly scans the room and her eyes find mine and I can't look away. Those thick lips of hers are parted slightly and I want nothing more than to have my tongue explore that mouth of hers. She is beautiful! "Look at you man, stop what you are doing and stop staring at her so much. You know what, I need something strong to deal with you right now." He stands up and leaves the table.

The lady leaves the stage and goes back to her table. She looks my way and finds me already looking at her. Oh, she is a real goddess, beautiful in every way. The lady next to her says something, and she looks away. I hate that woman right now; I need Miss Black to look at me so that I can see what it is about her that has me mesmerized. She stands up and heads towards the lady's room and I follow. I need to talk to her, when I get to the lady's room, I contemplate on going in but then I hear her.

"Get a grip Mia, you don't need a man, he will only be a distraction in your life and you need to focus." Mia, what a beautiful name she has, and she is single. Am sorry Mia but looking at you does something to me and I don't think I can leave you alone until I find out what it is. She comes out closing her bag not looking where she is going and a stand in her way. She bumps into me then stumbles back and I hold her to steady her. Her skin feels so soft and I want to continue holding her but that is not how a gentleman behaves.

"Am sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going." Oh, but I was Mia, and I wanted this to happen. "It's alright, Miss Black," I tell her and she stiffens then lifts her head and looks at me. She blinks then her beautiful thick lips part and I have to fight the urge to pull her into my arms and kiss the living daylights out of her. "Mr. Brown" if she knew what whispering my name like that does to me, she won't risk doing it again.

"That is me, Miss Black, are you alright?" she steps back a little before she answers and I just want to step closer to her and maybe claim those lips of hers. Damn it! Why am I feeling this way? "Yes, I am. Have a good evening, Mr. Brown." She goes around me and leaves me standing there. I turned to look at her as she leaves, what are you doing to me, Mia? I stand there for a moment before going outside to the balcony and took out my phone.

I dialed my head of security. "Boss" he answers. "Find out which hotel Miss Mia Black is staying, you know what, get me everything you can on her." I don't just want to know which hotel she is staying at but I want to know everything about the goddess that is making me risk my marriage like this. "Yes sir, give me half an hour." I cut the call and walk back inside and went to take a seat at the table. "Where have you been?" Carlos asks. "I was taking a call outside, what did I miss?" he looks at me suspiciously.

"Nothing much, come on, let's get out of here." I see what he is doing, he is trying to get me away from Mia and I will let him but I will look for her again. "Sure, where are we headed?" he looks hesitant like he wasn't sure I will agree. "I don't know yet, but we will find a place to get a few drinks then go rest for a few hours before another day of this boring conference." He says standing up and I do the same.

I look at Mia's table and find her looking at me. 'Don't worry, sweetheart, we will see each other again and that is a promise.' I wish she got the message I am trying to convey with my eyes. I straightened my suit jacket then turned to leave but my heart is back there, with her. Fucking hell! What the hell is wrong with me? I love Lindy, I love my wife, and so what am I doing? Carlos is right I need to stop this.

A few drinks and a distance might help me forget about her. "I think I need more than just a few hours; it's been a while since we got drunk together." Carlos smiles. "Now you are talking, call Lindy and the kids now so that you don't call them when you're drunk. I know how in love, you become when you are drunk." I chuckled and took out my phone and called my wife. Her voice comes through the line and I feel guilty for what I did. "My love, how is the conference going?" I clear my throat before answering.

"It's going well my darling, how are the kids?" I asked and she sighs. "They are fine but it took a while for Caroline to fall asleep busy wanting to call you and talk to you before she sleeps." I chuckled, that's my baby girl. "Tell her I will call her in the morning, I was calling to say good night and that I love you all, so much." I feel so bad now, my wife is a good woman and doesn't deserve what I know I am going to do to her. I don't know what it is with this woman but I can't get her out of my mind.

"We love you more, my darling." I cut the call and looked at my friend. "Now that is a woman that deserves your attention, not Miss Black." He tells me and I nod. I know he is right, Lindy and I have been through much but I need to know what it is about Mia that pulls me to her. Until then, I will not stop, I need to sit down with her and talk. "I know man and you are right. Now let's go get drunk." He smiles content by what I said. I don't like lying to my friend and I have never done it before.

We have always told each other everything but I can see that this time it will be different, he won't understand this thing with Mia, I don't understand it myself but I will find out; I need to, then maybe I will stop.

Mia

It was already after midnight when I got back to the hotel, Talia and Sam were sleeping. I took off my dress and got into the shower. I showered thinking about Mr. Brown with his piercing blue eyes, the way he held me when I bumped into him, the way he looked at me when we spoke, and the way he kept looking at me from where he sat. 'No Mia, this is not what you came here for, forget him.' I give myself a pep talk again then got out of the shower.

I wore my pj's and went to bed after kissing my son goodnight, falling asleep proved to be difficult as the thoughts of Mr. Brown kept invading my mind. I am not sure when I fell asleep, but Sam woke me up calling me. "Mama! Mama! wake up." I opened my eyes and found my son's big brown eyes looking at me. He has Jason's eyes, big and beautiful. "Good morning, baby," I say pulling him into the covers with me.

"No, you don't get to sleep again, you have to tell me who B is." Talia comes in holding a bouquet of yellow roses. "What are you talking about? Good morning." I ask sitting up on the bed. "I am talking about the gentleman that had these flowers delivered for you this morning." She gives me the card, and it reads as follows.

'Good morning, Mia.

It was a pleasure meeting you last night; I know we didn't have time to talk besides bumping into each other but I would like to change that.

Meet me at the lobby of your hotel for a cup of coffee.

I will be waiting.

B'

I closed the card with my heart beating fast, B for Brown, he is the only one I bumped into last night. What does he want to talk about? 'Oh, come on Mia, he is a business owner, what else would he want to talk about besides business?' right, business, I hoped to find an investor to expand my business and Mr. Brown could be it. "So, are you going to tell me who B is?" asks Talia. "Mr. Brown of Brown logistics, I bumped into him last night but we didn't get to talk much." She smiles widely.

"So, are you going to keep the man waiting, or are you going to take a shower and go meet him?" she asks. "It's not like that Talia, it's just coffee and this is purely business," I tell her getting out of bed with Sam in my arms. "Did you guys eat breakfast yet?" I change the subject. "Oh, we ate alright, you go shower B is waiting." She says taking Sam from me and I laughed going to the shower.

After my shower, I wore a summer dress, and sandals then took the elevator to the lobby. Am nervous and I don't know why, I mean I shouldn't be nervous, it's just coffee with a prospective investor, that is, it. When I got to the lobby I look around for Mr. Brown. "Excuse me, Miss Black?" a server says. "Yes?" I questioned with a raised eyebrow. "Mr. Brown asked me to show you to his table, Miss, shall we?" I nodded and let him lead the way.

Mr. Brown was sitting at the back on a table near the window, he was looking out as we came with a cup in his hand, his shirt sleeves rolled up and the two buttons at the top opened. He looked my way when we got closer to the table and stood up. "Thank you, Oliver, Miss Black, we meet again." He says to me and gestures to the chair in front of him and I took a seat. "Indeed, we do, Mr. Brown." He smiles then looked at Oliver the server.

"Could you bring Miss Black a cup of coffee, please Oliver." Oliver nods then leave. "Why am I here, Mr. Brown?" I questioned, and he smiles looking at me with those eyes. They are making me weak and I don't know how I am going to survive this coffee date with him looking at me like that. Wait, did I just say date? That is not what I mean. "Liam." He says snapping me out of my over-imaginative mind. "Excuse me?" I asked. "Call me Liam, Mia." He repeats.

"Alright Liam, why am I here?" I ask the question again. "For coffee just like I said and here it is." Oliver places the cup in front of me then takes our breakfast orders. "Okay then." I took a sip of my coffee and Liam puts his hands on the table and that is when I catch a glimpse of his wedding ring and my heart sank. Of course, all the good ones are married. "Mia, what's wrong?" he asks, and I shook my head trying not to show how disappointed I am that he is married.

"Oh, nothing Mr. Brown, I just thought of something that's all," I tell him, Oliver comes back with our order and places it in front of us then leaves. "Clearly I am not doing a good job if you still have time to think about whatever it is that changed your mood like that. Come on, eat up we have somewhere to be." He tells me and I raised an eyebrow looking at him, he said this was just coffee and I don't want to go anywhere with a married man.

"Where are we going, Mr. Brown?" he looks at me with those piercing blue eyes with a serious expression on his face. "Call me Mr. Brown one more time Mia, I dare you." I swallowed hard but another part of me wanted to know what he will do if I call him that again. "Mr. Brown, I don't know where this is going but I would like to know where we are going after breakfast." He chuckles looking at me.

"Don't blame me when I punish you for this Mia and to answer your question, we are going to check out some buildings. You want to expand your business, do you not? Or you lied at the conference when you said that." He tells me raising an eyebrow but my mind is far away now, he lost me at punish, how would he punish me? Somehow, I want to provoke him and see how he would punish me.

"I didn't lie, of course, I want to expand my business. Mr. Brown, I am a businesswoman and I attend those events for things like these. To get investors and expand my business." He squints his eyes when I call him by his last name again. "You know what, let's go, I see you don't listen and if we don't leave now, I will end up punishing you right here and now." He stands up taking a few notes from his wallet and placed them on the table then looks at me.

"Get up and follow me, Mia." He tells me then starts walking away, I get up and follow him. When we get outside, there is a car waiting, and he opens the door for me and gestures for me to get in. I do so and he gets in next to me then the driver drives off. He says nothing during the drive instead he looks out the window. I won't say I am not disappointed because I am, I thought he will punish me as soon as we get into the car.

The car comes to a stop in front of some building, and we get out. He takes out keys from his pocket and opens the door. The location is good for a bakery and a coffee shop; I follow him in and he closes the door behind him. I walk further in but before I could go any further; he pulls me by my arm turning me to face him then cups my face and kisses me. I moan into the kiss; his lips feel so good against mine.

He pulls out after a while and looks at me. "Why won't you listen to me, Mia?" I don't know what he is talking about my mind is foggy from the mind-blowing kiss, he just gave me. "To you, I am Liam, not Mr. Brown, are we clear?" he asks but my mouth is dry and I am looking at his lips as he speaks. He takes my silence for defiance as he pushes me against the nearest wall and pins me against it resuming the kiss.

He nibbles on my earlobe then whisper in my ear and the sensation drives me crazy. "Say my name, Mia." I moan instead of saying his name, dear Lord there is something seriously wrong with me, the man is married but I can't seem to get it enough of him. When I don't answer he goes to my neck and finds my weak spot making me moan a little louder. "Liam..." I moan his name. "Yes, my darling Mia, that is my name, say it again." His voice sounds different now.

"Liam," I say it again and he comes back to my lips and kisses me. He pulls out after a while to take a breath; my lady parts are throbbing and I am feeling something I have not felt in years now. "Never call me Mr. Brown or your punishment will be more than just wonderful kisses. Now let's get down to business." He tells me then moves away from me and I miss the warmth of his body against mine as soon as he moves.

What the hell is wrong with me? "Do you want more, sweetheart?" he questions with an eyebrow raised, I take a deep breath to try to compose myself. He takes steps towards me and I hold out my hand to stop him. "Business." That is all I manage to say, and he nods his head and steps back. I push myself off the wall and walked further into the room. "I was thinking this will be a perfect location for a coffee shop." He says following me close behind.

I want to answer but my mouth is still dry and I don't trust my voice right now. So, I do the next best thing and that is to nod in agreement.