Almost Perfect: A BWWM Billionaire Single Parent Romance

by Alia Thomas

  The definite reminder that her past was ever present in all that Kimberly did, was her bedroom. Breaking the color scheme, it was a girl’s room. Pinks, lilacs, purples and powder blues made the landscape of her sanctuary and it was her secret treasure. As a girl, she longed for one of the dream bedrooms displayed in the random flyer ads dropped in her absent mother’s mailbox.

  A canopy bed in the middle and a small vanity on the wall were the center of Kimberly’s pride. She did her makeup every morning sitting on the upholstered stool, occasionally wondering if she could be any more favored by the spirits that had once taken her life on such a rough path.

  The closet was walk in, but not filled with expensive clothes. Instead, Kimberly chose to fill it with sale items from sample sites. Every morning around nine, an email was sent to her inbox and inside she would find Italian and other international brands at sometimes as much as eighty percent off.

  The right of the closet was more cramped and reserved for business attire. The scant left side spoke to her lack of a social life as fewer than ten outfits hung from felted hangers. Still, there were options.

  Thumbing through the limited choices, Kimberly arrived at a salmon colored gown. Small waves of almost transparent fabric, cut on the bias, flowed down from her hips, the dress barely swept the floor. A bib like bodice covered her breasts. Suspended by thin straps over her slender shoulders, it gave the illusion of a full dress, but the back revealed flesh from neck to lower back. No bra could be worn with this dress.

  Kimberly’s ass had developed even more after the yoga sessions became a staple. Secretly, she hoped not to be judged as lewd for her figure in such a dress, but the decision to wear it was already made. To reassure herself further, Kimberly repeated her new motto, “new job, new attitude.”

  *****

  Diamantes on her heeled sandals sparkled as Kimberly placed her first leg on the paved driveway of the Bill Masters Estate. The breeze was cool and the decorative shawl on her shoulders added no protection. She would hand it to the attendant inside where it was sure to be warmer.

  Maybe it was apparent to others that she was not from money, maybe it wasn’t. Kimberly stared at the magnificent construction before her nonetheless. Vines added a distinct vintage look to the well kept building and only the cars moving up and down the drive way gave any indication that this was 2015. Slowly, Kimberly ascended the stairs, clinging to the aged wrought iron banisters while gripping the dress and appearing very lady like. As promised, her name was by the door, but finding the illusive Shelly would prove to be a task among the over two hundred and fifty folks mulling around before dinner was announced.

  People were staring, unbeknownst to Kimberly. She was busy chatting with an old college mate who intercepted her search for Shelly. Ronald was now the president of a small fortune five hundred company and was pleased to see her.

  “Kimberly! It’s been forever since I saw you last. Oh my God! How have you been?”

  “Ronald? I can’t believe it! I’m great… I really am!”

  The usually silent competition that took place between long lost acquaintances started. Where do you work? Who do you know? Husband? Children?

  The last two inquiries meant different things coming from a man than a woman. With a female she would be measuring the status of another’s womanhood with that question. Coming from a man it meant, are you available to sleep with me?

  For most, the answer would have been yes because Ronald was handsome. His skin was a delicious brown and his eyes appeared to give him a depth of character that would be attractive to an intellectual lady. The dollars in his bank account and the Mercedes he drove would have added the superficial and simplistic women to the pool.

  The conversation deepened and two of the few black faces in the place went to the corner to catch up. Kimberly’s freshly curled tresses bounced as she laughed at the jokes of the man towering over her. Her painted lips parted with appreciative smiles of the glowing compliments her companion was dealing out. The evening was turning out better than she anticipated.

  *****

  Lena was quipping about the quality of the champagne being served and Richard was tired. Males should not be seen in public with their mothers at social events past the age of fifteen, Richard lamented internally. There was no question in his mind as to why his father left her. The alimony was enough to keep Lena happy and buy dad peace of mind as he frolicked in the sunshine of the Caribbean. Old white wives could be so boring.

  A tall blonde had interrupted Richards scowl at Lena as she tossed a miniature kebab back into the silver tray of a server with words about missing salt and pepper. The poor girl was not the chef and could do nothing but drop her head and return to the kitchen.

  The blonde was invading Richard’s personal space. Alissa, she said her name was, and her Daddy was Pierce Angelo. He owned a recycling center and paper mill in the south and was dripping with money. The drippings extended to his daughter’s neck. Alissa’s throat was heavy with rare gems and while wanting to appear regal, she looked strained under the weight of her own wealth.

  Tilting, Richard tried to play the bachelor game and whispered in her ear. It wasn’t a joke, it was a question, but Alissa laughed anyway and he immediately knew that any treasures she possessed didn’t extend past the exterior.

  Lena was not such an excellent judge of character and lunged at the opportunity to change her lonely, divorced son’s status from single to taken. Interviewing the girl replaced any desire Lena had to yell at the staff, and soon Richard became ignored by both women.

  Taking the opportunity to wander off, he rested assured that mother dearest would return with a passing verdict on Alissa and press for a date. It would never happen.

  Mulling through the crowd and shaking hands with the other industry players, Richard pretended to be good at socializing. Jared Simmons had an unassuming name but packed a punch in the financial area. They were discussing the stock market when heads began to turn. Both men and women alike stared at a passing person, but Richard couldn’t see. A very tall black man was shielding the subject of everyone’s curiosity.

  Lena had found herself at Richard's side again and of course, tried to deliver a report on the girl with the decorated throat. Calling his name repeatedly, she realized that he was craning his neck to see something she could not. Old and aggressive, Lena had no time to gawk from afar. On her trod forward, the black man shifted to the corner, holding the elbow of the woman everyone seemed fixated on.

  As the ass came into view and then a naked back covered in brown skin, Richard's mother stopped in her tracks and followed his intense gaze. “Kimberly?” His lips said, and his face scrunched up with confusion and excitement balled into one. Were his eyes deceiving him or was she really there in a dress that made his and every other man’s blood race? As he stepped forward slowly, ignoring his still talking friend, his mother looked back and forth, connecting the dots. Taking a long stemmed flute from a passing server, she shook her head and sipped viciously. There was going to be a problem.

  Chapter 4

  This is nice, Kimberly thought, socializing and chatting with an actual man. Yes, this was definitely nice. Roland was a talker and he had much to share. He was on to the messy divorce with his wife Sondra, who Kimberly also knew, when an equally tall figure emerged behind him. Admiring the dress of the girl he approached with, Kimberly was unaware of Richard’s presence until his smooth voice said, “Excuse me for interrupting, but I thought I saw someone here that I knew.” Roland was not the rude type and genuinely glanced around for who he might mean, totally oblivious that the subject of Richard’s search was Kimberly.

  Richard had watched her for what seemed to be an eternity before he walked over. As if possible, she looked even more stunning than her daytime splendor and by God was her figure epic.

  The ringlets of curls made Kimberly appear youthful and innocent but her body was that of a developed woman-in every way. Pouting lips were exaggerated w
ith the deep plum lip color she wore and whatever she added to her eyes made them appear to be as black and mysterious as midnight itself. He wasn’t aware that he was gawking until his mother’s incessant voice barged through his thoughts. The old woman was his mother, but she wasn’t dying or ill. Whatever her latest tirade was about could wait. Kimberly was here.

  Richard was convinced that he was having a TV slow motion moment where all the activity in the room ceased, and everyone but Kimberly stood on suspended animation. The way she touched her chest as she paid a compliment to the girl next to her, and the way she laughed graciously as they exchanged comments, was timeless. In a second, he was expecting the soundtrack from an old soap opera to strum in the background.

  “Richard?” Kimberly asked, looking up at the sound of his rich baritone. “What a surprise to find you here!”

  “No,” Richard said, “I am the one who is surprised!”

  Ronald had allowed Richard to interject in his conversation and unfortunately for him, Kimberly would now be occupied for the rest of the night.

  “If I knew you were coming here I would have escorted you.” Richard said. In her usual assertive manner.

  Kimberly replied, “That’s fine Richard, I am a big girl, I can escort myself.”

  She flashed a grin and Richard’s heart turned to mush. The butterflies in his stomach were feasting on it. What was she doing? Would this appear unprofessional? He thought. Yes, it was a social outing, but still things could be misinterpreted for something else if the hound dog reporters picked up a scent. Richard was unsure if he cared.

  The Chef appeared from the back of the large dining room to announce that dinner would be served momentarily. Again, clasping her hand over her chest in that gentle way only she could, Kimberly was suddenly concerned that she didn’t know the seating arrangements. Better informed guests were moving to their tables and she stood still.

  “Kimberly,” Richard said, above the din of pulling chairs and shuffling feet. “Would you like to sit at my table?”

  “I don’t know if it works like that boss. It seems everyone knows where to go except me.”

  Authoritatively, he took her hand and said, “Come with me.”

  If sparks could have flown from the electricity that the two connecting palms ignited, it would have created a brilliant firework show. Both aware of the heat, Kimberly and Richard hesitated momentarily, knowing that this was quickly becoming more than a boss-employee situation.

  Stalking past Lena, who stood with her mouth open, Richard pulled out a chair and seated Kimberly to his left and then took his rightful place at the head of the table. Tabletop made hefty donations to many environmental committees represented here. He would have whoever he pleased at his table.

  Mother dearest was the one who made the ruckus, and anyone would have sworn she was an organizer of the event. With her deceptively sweet smile she walked over to the pair who had just begun whispering to each other and cleared her throat.

  Richard looked up from his important conversation as though agitated by the intrusion, and cocked his ear to his mother while the girl with the overly decorated neck stood behind her.

  “Son, I had arranged for Alissa to sit with you, but I see you have a guest.”

  She was waiting for an introduction and Richard decided to drag out her agony a bit more.

  “That’s unfortunate Mother. I’m afraid I have to bid the beautiful Alissa my most humble apologies.”

  The statement didn’t give Queen Lena what she wanted, so she skipped the coyness and asked. “And who exactly is this exotic specimen you are sitting with on a grand evening such as this?”

  Alissa backed away and Richard felt proud of killing another money, status and social shark looking to marry well.

  “Never patient are we Mother?”

  Lena produced a smile that mothers gave to children when they were moments away from severe punishment. Richard yielded. “This is Kimberly Walsh. She is the new lawyer for Tabletop and I have invited her here as my personal guest. I will be sure to inform you of all my dates in the future since you now seem so interested.”

  Daggers made of ice and fire were silently fired through Lena’s gaze and she snapped her head around at Kimberly’s now extended hand. Being a lady, Kimberly was taken aback when she received only a cursory nod from the matriarch of the Damask family, and quickly lowered her hand back to her lap. There was a time and place to chastise little old ladies. This was not it.

  The old woman’s nose immediately went up into the air and she walked around the table stiffly before taking her place adjacent Kimberly at the table. What an interesting night this was turning out to be. In a matter of minutes, Kimberly was reminded that Old Money thought there were places for her people. Sitting at the head table was not one of them.

  Sipping on the pre dinner alcohol made Kimberly senses heighten. The mention of her as a date by Richard did not go unnoticed. Yes, definitely and interesting night. Zucchini curls on a bed of arugula salad, dressed with a creamy sauce were served with pickled shrimp in white wine vinaigrette.

  Selecting the salad fork, Richards’s mother began to eat her first course slowly, while darting her eyes from Richard to Kimberly and then back to Richard. They were chatting a bit too closely for her comfort and occasionally Kimberly leaned too close to her son for Lena’s liking. She would have to call her ex husband in the morning to address the matter of the boss and the help fraternizing.

  Kimberly was enchanted by the presence of her boss and the friendly manner in which he dealt with her. The mother issue was not something to be concerned about and she ignored the old goat completely. There was something happening under the table and it was unnerving her. Though the table was spacious, Richard’s legs were long and every time he leaned forward for a forkful of salad, the one nearest to her rubbed against her thigh. Separated by layers of fabric, the warmth of the masculine leg stimulated Kimberly in ways she found unnerving. How was it that the simple leg of a not so simple man could make the breath in her chest feel insufficient?

  Maybe she was misinterpreting the messages she was reading from Richard. He was a rich white man with luxuries she had only been recently introduced to, and she was a black woman with a tormented history. This would be an unlikely pairing, and Kimberly struggled to keep the thought out of her mind. Richard would have liked if Kimberly could sit closer. The smell of the food was delicious, but nowhere near as alluring as the fragrance he inhaled when she came close to listen to his whispers.

  Watching the rise and fall of her breasts as she laughed at his dull jokes, Richard wondered if her breasts were just as soft as her palms. She was a woman- full of ambition and she probably had an active social life anyway. Money didn’t seem to be her only objective in life and he found himself imagining what it would be like to be with her- alone.

  *****

  Though the tension wire of attraction was pulled tighter than ever, both Kimberly and Richard managed to keep their interaction to an employee-employer level. The dancing after dinner proved to be a challenge as both the dismissed Alissa and Roland returned for a chance to get closer to their targets.

  Longing glances across the dance floor were exchanged and stares diverted as Kimberly’s and Richard’s dance partners filled their ears with meaningless chatter. The applause at the end of the final waltz was rousing and all present agreed that it was a truly pleasant evening.

  Alissa never had the chance to solicit a personal invitation from Richard Damask, because he abruptly left her side to escort Kimberly to her ride. Giving Roland the excuse that he wanted to discuss some brief company business with her, the two headed for the door.

  It was not a request and Roland understood this as he backed away, bidding the stunning Kimberly Walsh a splendid good night. Maybe he would have another chance but it wouldn’t be today.

  Crisp air greeted the now warm guests as they emerged from the cozy house, and it was a good cleanse for the lungs. Forgetting about
the shawl, Kimberly hugged her shoulders as Richard joined her side. They both waited for the valets to bring the cars around, amid the other officials directing the now overflowing traffic. Richard was eager to speak with her about anything. He just wanted to be in her presence without interruption.

  “Did you enjoy yourself?”

  “Yes, I did. It was the most fun I’ve had in a long time. It’s evident I don’t get out much.” They laughed heartily at the joke and without thinking she touched his chest affectionately. Withdrawing her hand swiftly, Kimberly was aware that she may have crossed the line.

  Grabbing it and placing it back on his chest, Richard said, “You don’t have to be so cautious around me. I won’t push anything.”

  Kimberly’s girlish innocent smile spread across her face and then it was quickly replaced with something else. Richard was no expert in women and he needed help with this one.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Your mother is coming.”

  Richard was a grown man. Responsible for an empire and with billions of dollars under his belt, he still couldn’t get his mother to act like anything less than an ice queen. It only took a second of his time to glance around at the pending storm called Lena, and when he looked around to reassure Kimberly that all would be well, he barely caught the flash of her heeled sandals as she closed her limo door. She waved goodbye and mouthed, “See you tomorrow,” just before ordering her driver to take her home. Damn it!

  Lena approached his side as he glared at the leaving Limo in annoyance. As usual, she had words of wisdom to leave with her son. “Richard, it would do you well to remember that all are created equal, but some more equal than others.”

  The animal farm reference was dropped, Richard’s mother stepped into her chauffeur driven stretch. As the black driver closed the door and walked around to his side, Lena rolled up her window and disappeared down the driveway.