Bands of Gold

by Angela Benson

  “I didn’t think of them as a couple. I only think of us as a couple.” Robert raised up and put his fingers on her bare breast.

  Liza moaned softly. “Couldn’t you tell there was something between them?”

  Robert caressed her with his mouth. “There’s too much between us. Take off those panties.”

  Liza pressed closer to him. “Robert, I’m serious. Don’t you think they’re attracted to each other?”

  Robert eased his hand into her underwear. “I think I’m attracted to you.”

  “I know that. What about them?” Liza took his head in her hand and brought his face to hers. “What do you think?”

  “I think Jackson wants to be in her panties as much as I want to be in yours.” He rubbed his fingers against her to make his point. “What do you think?”

  “I think she wants him as much as I want you.”

  Robert looked into her eyes. His gaze never left her face as she leaned down to remove her underwear.

  Naked, Liza lay down next to him, not touching. “Goodnight,” she said.

  Robert rolled over until he was poised over her. He began kissing her. “It’s going to be a good night, all right,” he said. Then he began making those words come true.

  ***

  Jackson and Christina got back to their hotel a little before eleven. “The bar’s open. How about a nightcap?” Jackson asked.

  “Good idea,” Christina answered, to Jackson’s surprise. He hadn’t expected her to take him up on his offer.

  He led her to a booth and ordered drinks for them. “Did you have a good time tonight?”

  “I did. It was good seeing Liza again. I didn’t realize how much I’d missed her.”

  “I like them. Liza and Robert are good people.” He paused. “You were different tonight.”

  “Different how?” she asked.

  “I can’t really describe it. Most of the time you’re so in control, so staid. Tonight you relaxed. You were a bit like that in the airport last night, but tonight you reached another level.”

  “I did, did I?” Christina said. She slipped her shoes off and leaned back against the booth. “I needed to get away from the office. Even if this is business, I feel more relaxed.”

  “It wasn’t all business,” Jackson reminded her gently.

  Christina closed her eyes. “No, it wasn’t, was it?”

  Jackson watched her sitting there. She looked good enough to eat. “How long have you known Liza?”

  “We started at CL together. That makes it about eight years,” Christina answered. Her eyes were still closed.

  “This was your first time meeting Robert?” It was a question, but Jackson didn’t really care about the answer. He just wanted to keep her talking, keep her here with him. The feelings she’d awakened in him refused to be put back to sleep. He was going to have to deal with them...and so was she.

  “Yes. I found out Liza was getting married when she came to Atlanta to interview. We lost touch the past couple of years. She was in Fort Worth. I was in Boston. We were both busy.”

  “Two career women. Work came first.”

  Christina opened one eye. “I think Liza found time for a little more than work.” She closed her eye again.

  “She and Robert appear to be happy together.”

  She opened both eyes. “They love each other. It’s so real between them that I can feel it.”

  Jackson wondered at her tone. “Have you ever been in love?”

  “Sad to say, but no.”

  But he’d bet plenty of men had fallen in love with her. He wondered how many men she’d cast her spell over. “And why is that?”

  Christina shrugged her shoulders. She wasn’t going to answer that.

  Finally, he said, “I could offer a guess or two.”

  “I’m probably going to regret asking this, but what’s your guess?”

  “It’s no deep insight,” he said. “You’ve probably always focused on your career and never taken the time to invest in a relationship. Too much time and too much energy.”

  “Sounds like experience talking. Have you ever been in love?”

  Jackson shook his head. Never been that unfortunate, he thought. “Never been that fortunate,” he answered.

  “Your work a problem?”

  “That’s part of it.” The smaller part.

  “And what’s the other part?”

  “I’ve never met a woman I knew I could trust.”

  “Ah, trust.”

  Jackson didn’t say anything. He watched Christina close her eyes again. She was a beautiful woman. A part of him believed he could trust her. He wondered what she would do if he kissed her. He knew she’d taste sweet. At that moment, she opened her eyes as if she’d heard his thoughts. She didn’t move away so he leaned across the table and kissed her. He was right. She was sweet.

  He pulled back to look into her eyes. She leaned toward him and he took her lips again. This kiss was longer and sweeter. He moved closer and wrapped her in his arms. This time when he pulled back, she followed.

  “We’re acting like teenagers,” he said. “Let’s go upstairs.” Christina nodded. Jackson left money for the drinks and led her upstairs.

  ***

  Christina couldn’t think. She knew she was in the elevator with Jackson. Correction—she was in the elevator wrapped in Jackson’s arms. She knew she had kissed him. She knew she liked it. She knew this was probably the wrong move to make, but she couldn’t stop herself. She wanted to be with him. She loved being in his arms.

  The elevator stopped. She looked up and saw that it was her floor. He gave her a short kiss and led her down the hallway. He kissed her again at her door. Somehow, she found her keys and opened the door. He walked in with her, closed the door behind them, and kissed her again. God, she loved it. He was good at this. He must have kissed more than a few women in his time.

  “God, Christina, you taste so good,” he said between kisses. “I knew it would be like this.”

  Her answer was to return his kiss.

  “Ohh…,” he moaned. “I want you, Christina, like I’ve never wanted any woman.”

  “Yes . . .” she answered. She was still kissing him. She couldn’t get enough.

  He raised his head and looked down at her. “I want to make love with you.”

  She heard him, but she didn’t want to answer. She wanted him to kiss her again. She put her hand behind his head and pulled him closer until his mouth touched hers.

  He gave her what she wanted. The kiss was electrifying. She felt it in her heart, her head, all over her body.

  He pulled back again. “Let’s go to bed.”

  Christina looked deeply into his eyes. She could love this man. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I’m not ready for this.”

  Jackson smiled. “Yes, you are. Do you want me to show you how ready?” He kissed her again.

  She responded with everything she had.

  He lifted his head. “You’re ready.” He leaned down and kissed her again.

  God, I could do this forever, Christina thought. Jackson began to unbutton her blouse. Next, he took off her bra. His large hands seemed to caress her all over. The pleasure was unbearable. He kissed her again. He started with her lips, moved down her chin, her neck, her shoulders. When he went lower, her knees went weak. She’d never felt anything like this before.

  Suddenly, he picked her up. He kissed her mouth again as he carried her to the bedroom. He laid her on the bed and looked down at her. His eyes were full of passion, his breathing ragged, his need obvious.

  She lifted her arms to him and he came to her. He laid his full weight on her. She loved the feel of him as he continued his thorough assault of her physical and mental senses.

  He moaned. “I can’t wait any longer.” He stood up and began to undress.

  The ringing telephone stopped him. He looked at Christina and then he looked at the phone. She sat up
and answered it. He didn’t move. He watched her chest rise and fall with unmet passion.

  “Hello,” she said, her eyes never leaving his face. “No, Walter, this isn’t a bad time. What do you need?” She paused. “Hold on a minute, I have to get my notebook.” She covered the phone and looked at Jackson. “I have to take this,” she whispered.

  “I can stay,” he offered.

  Her head was clear now and she couldn’t let what was happening between them continue. “I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”

  “Is that the way it is?” he asked, a frown settling around his mouth.

  “That’s the way it is,” she answered.

  Jackson stared at her. He opened his mouth as if to speak, but closed it without saying a word. He buttoned his shirt and righted his clothes. “You’d better watch yourself, Miss Marshall. You’re beginning to look a lot like a tease.”

  As he walked out of the bedroom, Christina went back to the phone. “Okay, Walter, I’m ready.”

  Nine

  “Your admirer again, Christina. This time red roses. He must not have wanted you to get tired of pink ones,” Penny said, as she arranged the bouquet on Christina’s desk.

  Christina looked up from her work. The roses were a welcome surprise. Roses from Reggie had been at her house when she’d gotten back from Boston. They’d been a well-needed lift after the fiasco with Jackson. She had called to thank him and ended up talking for over three hours. By the time the conversation ended they’d planned his visit to Atlanta.

  She smiled as she reached for the card. Reggie was going overboard, she thought. She loved getting them, but she’d have to tell him to stop. Maybe. “Ugh . . .” Christina moaned, as she slumped into her chair.

  “What is it? Are you ill?” Penny asked. She walked behind the desk to get closer to Christina. “What’s wrong?”

  Christina said nothing. She handed Penny the card.

  Penny read to herself. “I can’t believe this. Who would send this?”

  Christina tried to regain her composure. “I have no idea. Who delivered the flowers?”

  “They were on your desk when I arrived this morning. I didn’t see the delivery person.”

  A knock at Christina’s door interrupted them. “Come in,” Christina said. Jackson walked through the door. It was the first time she’d seen him since the flight in from Boston.

  He was talking as he walked in. “I need to talk to you before the staff meeting this afternoon. Do you have some time?”

  Christina didn’t answer immediately. Staff meeting. This afternoon. Oh, yes. “What do you want to talk about?”

  Jackson sensed something was wrong. He looked from Penny to Christina. “Did I interrupt something?”

  “No.”

  “Yes!”

  Both women answered at the same time. The no belonged to Christina; Penny gave the yes.

  Again, Jackson looked from one woman to the other. “What’s the problem?”

  Penny looked at Christina who said nothing. “It’s the roses,” Penny said.

  Jackson noted the red roses on Christina’s desk. “I don’t get it. What’s wrong with them?”

  Penny handed him the card. “This came with them.”

  Jackson opened the card. The word “Bitch” was printed in big red letters. Jackson looked directly at Christina. “When did you get this?”

  “They were here when Penny came in this morning.”

  “They were here in your office or out on Penny’s desk?” Jackson asked.

  “They were here,” Christina answered.

  “Did you see anybody?” Jackson asked Penny.

  Penny shook her head. “I was the first one in the office this morning. I even beat Christina in, which is unusual.”

  Christina thought about her late-night conversation with Reggie. “I did get in later than usual this morning.”

  “That’s true,” Penny said. She looked at Christina. “I saw the roses when I came in with your tea. I was surprised you weren’t here.”

  “How long had you been here before I walked in?” Christina asked.

  “I came in with the tea at seven-forty-five, as usual. I had just walked in when you arrived.”

  “You didn’t see anything suspicious?” Jackson asked.

  Again Penny shook her head. “I saw the roses, but I didn’t think much about them.” She looked at Christina. “You’ve been getting roses regularly. I assumed these were from the same person.”

  Jackson focused his gaze on Christina. “Who sent the other roses?” Jackson remembered the name “Reggie,” but that was all he knew.

  “A friend,” was Christina’s only answer. “I’m sure it wasn’t him.” Christina spoke to Penny. “Check with security to see who was in the building this morning. Don’t look so worried. No harm was done.”

  “If you say so, Christina,” Penny said. “I’ll call security.” Penny left the room.

  Christina spoke to Jackson, “So what did you want to talk to me about?”

  “You really have no idea who could have sent the roses?”

  Christina shook her head. “No idea at all. I thought they were from Reggie. I don’t understand it.”

  That was the first time she’d spoken Reggie’s name to him. “I don’t understand it, either, and I don’t like it.”

  “There’s nothing we can do about it now, so let’s get down to business.” She asked again, “What did you want to talk about?”

  Jackson wanted to inquire more about the roses, but seeing Christina seated at her desk, he realized it was time to get back to work. “The status meeting. I wanted to talk with you about it. We need to split the groups now, before Liza gets here. That way, her people can get a head start on their new work. What do you think?”

  “I’ve been thinking the same thing. Liza would probably prefer picking her own people, but we don’t have time for that option. Let me talk to her and see what she thinks.”

  “Sounds good to me.” He started for the door. Looking at the roses, he asked, “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  “I’m fine.” She nodded toward the roses. “I should have Penny throw those out.”

  “Let security get rid of them. They might lead them to the culprit.”

  “You’re right. On your way out, ask Penny to come back in here. At least she can take them out of my sight.”

  Jackson left the office wondering who wanted to scare Christina. He was sure those roses were meant to scare, not to harm. He still hadn’t ruled out this Reggie character. He stopped at Penny’s desk. “Christina wants you to remove those roses from her office.”

  As Penny got up to go into Christina’s office, Jackson stopped her. “How often has she been getting roses?”

  “She’s been getting a dozen every week for about a month now. The others were pink. This is the first dozen that’s been red.”

  “Do you think they’re from the same person?”

  “When I first saw them, I thought they were from the same person, but now I don’t know. If he cares for Christina, why would he do this? If he didn’t care for her, why would he have sent the others?”

  “Maybe they’re having a fight or something?” Jackson offered.

  “I don’t think that’s it,” Penny responded. “Christina was happy when she saw the roses. Like she expected they were from the same person. I don’t think that’s it.”

  Since Penny was being so open, Jackson continued, “Have you ever talked to this Reggie before?”

  “I’ve taken calls from him a couple of times. He’s a nice man.”

  “Okay,” Jackson said. Nice man. What could you really tell from a voice over the telephone? “I’m just concerned about Christina’s well-being. Don’t forget to make that call to security.”

  “I won’t,” Penny said. “I’d better go remove those roses now.”

  ***

  Christina sat alone in her office. Penny ha
d removed the flowers, but Christina still had the card. Who would do such a thing? She couldn’t believe it. She’d heard of things like this happening in the movies, but not in real life. Somebody wanted to get to her. Why? Though she thought hard, she could come up with no answers. There was a positive side to the incident, though. Her meeting with Jackson had a focus other than their weekend fiasco. She had dreaded seeing him, unsure what effect the Boston trip would have on their relationship this morning. She was touched by his concern. She twirled the card in her fingers. Yes, she thought, there was a positive side to this nasty incident.

  ***

  Christina sat in the restaurant at Hartsfield Airport. She thought of the last time she was here, the day she and Jackson had flown to Boston. They had eaten lunch in this very restaurant. She smiled thinking about it. Today she was meeting Reggie’s flight. She had waited at the gate until she’d learned his flight was delayed. Now she sat in the restaurant to pass the time.

  She thought about Jackson and she thought about Reggie. She wondered what would have happened if she’d slept with Jackson. She replayed the scene over and over in her mind. What if, what if, what if? She was glad she hadn’t. The relationship would have been too complicated. Her best bet was to see what happens with Reggie.

  She and Reggie had talked regularly since Mobile. She felt she could come to love him, but she knew she wasn’t there yet. Reggie knew his feelings were more serious and told her so. She had to make him take it slowly.

  She checked her watch and headed back for the gate. His flight had just touched down. Reggie would be coming out any minute now. She took a quick stop by the restroom to freshen up. She wanted to look her best.

  ***

  “You look gorgeous,” Reggie said, before he kissed her softly on the lips. “I’ve missed you.”

  “You have, have you? We’ll have to see how much,” Christina teased.

  “I hope that’s a challenge, because I’m going to prove to you this weekend how much I’ve missed you. Now, where are we going for dinner? I’m starving.”

  She laughed. “I thought you’d want to check into your hotel first.”

  “Let’s eat first. Who knows? Maybe I won’t have to stay in a hotel, after all.”