For the past three weeks, Simon spent every free moment working with her and the ever-present intern. Regina’s schedule clashed with his, so finding time to do anything other than research and writing the proposal was impossible. He’d hoped that there would be at least one time that he could meet with just her, but unlike the two of them, Jeremy’s calendar was overly-accommodating.
Uptown or downtown, neither was an issue for the young man. His class schedule didn’t even present a problem, and no matter how hard Simon tried, Jeremy managed to be the one sitting next to Regina. If he was late, the urchin would already be there. If he was early or on time, the pest arrived with her. If he wasn't such a thorn in my side, I'd have to respect the boy’s game.
His elbow resting on the arm of the chair, Simon hid his clenched teeth behind his hand, watching the pesky cock blocker gaze at Regina with puppy dog eyes. Of course, she didn’t see his game. To her, he was “J,” the office innocent with the boyish grin. Everything he did in her eyes was harmless or an accident, but he wasn’t fooling Simon. I’m sick of Lurch’s hovering. Enough was enough.
While he managed to keep his upper body composed, his left leg shook incessantly.
“Everything okay?” Regina caught Simon’s attention and then cast her gaze down to his shaking leg.
Simon stilled his leg with his hand. “Dandy.” He bolted upright in his seat and folded his outstretched hands on the table. “We’ve proofread the proposal twice already. I think it’s time to call for a review committee.”
Regina stiffened her back and returned to examining the proposal. “If you’re in a hurry, you can leave. J and I can handle this.”
Jeremy gloated behind her, and it was all Simon could do not to jump across the table.
“No, staying isn’t a problem. It’s just been my experience that overworking a proposal can negatively affect the final presentation.” He rested his elbow on the conference table and held out his hand to Regina. “We don’t wanna overthink it. How about I ask my assistant to take a look? It’s always good to have a fresh pair of eyes.” He spread his lips into a heartening smile.
Regina gave Simon the papers and laid her hands on the table. “I guess we’re done here.” She pulled her shoulders back and pivoted her chair until her long legs emerged from under it.
“Great.” Simon stood and put the papers in his backpack. “I’ll talk to my assistant in the morning. How about I escort you home?”
“Thank you, but that’s not necessary. I’m a big girl.” She thinned her lips and shot him a piercing stare.
“Please.” Simon mustered a flirtatious smile. “Allow me. It’s late, and I’d feel better about it.” He picked up her purse with one hand and help his arm to invite her to stand.
Regina’s gold hoop earrings swayed as she tilted her head to one side. Simon gleaned the twinkle in her eyes before she lowered them. “Okay.” Her mouth curved into a slight smile. She stood and took her purse. “I’ll get my coat.”
Simon walked over to Jeremy, grabbed his hand and pat him on the arm. “It’s been a pleasure working with you, Jeremy. You must be exhausted from all the runnin’ around.”
Jeremy flinched and looked at Simon like he was speaking gibberish. “It’s been fine.” He turned his head, following Regina. “I can still help with more.”
Simon tugged the young man’s arm, regaining his attention. “No, you’ve gone above and beyond here,” he continued despite Jeremy’s thin-lipped smile. “I’ll have to make sure and tell Marcus how impressed I am with you.” After throwing his backpack strap over his shoulder, he reached to put his arm around Jeremy’s. “Now why don’t you go have some fun?” I’m gonna get you as far away from Regina as possible tonight. It’s past time I had Ms. Kent to myself.
-
Regina looked back at Simon talking to Jeremy. I guess he is a man who knows how to take care of business. The clumsy first impression dissipated around the erect Simon brandishing a confident grin. She walked towards the coat room but noticed light filtering out of her brother’s cracked office door. His voice drifted into the hallway as she approached.
“I’m gonna try and get home soon, sweetness.”
Another late night? Is he trying to make things between him and Toni harder? She opened the door and leaned against the door jamb.
The heels of Marcus’s shoes clicked against the hardwood floor as he paced the span of the room. “No, I won’t be going to the gym.” He fixed his gaze towards the ceiling, rubbing his head. “I already promised not to go until the treatments were over. Can’t you just trust I’ll be there?”
Regina knocked on the door, making sure to smile. They were fighting about the fertility treatments again. Now was not the time to be flippant or contrary.
Marcus motioned her into the room before flopping in his chair. “Toni, Toni.” He rested his arm on the desk and rubbed his forehead. “I know that Toni. I’m heading home in about an hour. Damn it, we have enough time. Hello?” Marcus slammed the phone in front of him.
Regina flipped the phone and checked the screen. “Toni upset?”
“That’s putting it lightly. These injections make her crazy. I’m trying to be an understanding husband, but she lashes out for no reason sometimes.”
“Oh, boo-hoo. She’s the one going through all the procedures. Suck it up and stop makin’ it about your ego.”
“You’re biased.”
“Damn straight, and I make no apologies about it. I love you and Toni. You’re the best couple I know outside of mom and dad. I don’t want you guys messing things up because of crazy hormones.”
“Oh, you think I do? I’ve dealt with all this shit during the first round of treatment, and now we’re doing the same thing again. We never used to fight before. Now it’s a sick cycle of anger and tears.”
Regina’s phone chimed.
Simon: Did you leave?
Regina: No, I’m in the office with Marcus. I’m going to need a few minutes. You don’t have to wait.
Simon: But I will.
“Is that Toni? How mad is she?” Marcus began shifting stacks of folders on his desk.
Regina put her hand on her hip. “You really like taking advantage of the fact that your wife and sister are best friends.”
Marcus snorted. “Trust me, it’s more of a liability than an asset.” He reclined in his large black executive chair.
Regina slipped her phone in her bag. “No, it’s not Toni.”
“Jeremy?”
Regina scoffed. “No.”
Marcus squinted and sat straight. “Who is it then?”
She bent over the desk. “Why are you in my business? You need to go home and handle yours.”
She flung the door open.
“See how easy it is to walk out? Try it. The woman you love is somewhere crying. Fix it.”
Marcus’ booming voice followed her into the hall. “You still didn’t tell me who was on the phone.”
“And I ain’t gonna.” She hurried back to the conference room. Disappointment ebbed at her when she walked into the dark emptiness. She sighed and pulled her purse strap further up her shoulder. Simon must have run out of patience and decided I’m not worth the wait. His loss. She went to get her coat, shaking off the realization that she was looking forward to spending some time with him alone, even if it was just to take her home.
They’d had some pretty nice conversations between the times they worked on the proposal. Simon was smart and funny. Tonight could’ve been a chance for me to get to know him better, but he obviously isn’t all that interested if he couldn’t wait a few minutes.
Once inside the dimly-lit waiting room, Regina stopped. Her stomach fluttered at the sight of Simon leaning against the reception desk with his long, crossed legs extending from his full-length black coat.
He glanced from his phone and smiled. “Ready?”
“I thought you left.” Simon reached for her coat and held it in the air.
His arms enveloped
her as she stepped into it. “I told you I would wait.” He slid his hands over her shoulders and down her arms.
Regina trembled at his touch. “Indeed, you did.” She turned her head. Their lips almost touched and for a moment, time and her breath stood still. She lifted her lids. A slight redness blushed behind his light freckles. She’d never noticed them before. They invited her to smooth her lips across them. She concentrated on buttoning her coat before she gave into the temptation to do so as well as bite his luscious bottom lip. “Where’s Jeremy?”
“We’ll not have the honor of Mr. Stack’s company tonight.” Regina cast her gaze down and smiled. Simon leaned closer. The smell of his cologne drifted into her nose and titillated her already stimulated senses. “It’s just us. I hope that’s okay.” The promised mischievousness twinkling in his gorgeous angular eyes sent a charge of excitement down her spine.
She swallowed the lump in her throat. “I’m fine with that.” She quaked at the feel of his hand against the small of her back but managed to appear composed despite the craving burgeoning inside her.
He raised his hand towards the door and tilted his head. “Let’s go.”
Chapter 4
Dinner and a Cab
Simon wound through tables and chairs, leading Regina through the restaurant. The maître d’ led them past the bar and into the tent-themed dining area. Cloth hung across the ceiling and down the walls, where electric lanterns provided a soft glow. Regina glided onto the chair Simon held out for her. The sight of her radiant face in the flickering candlelight made his pulse race. He tried his best to make sure he didn’t reveal the raging passion growing at the base of his stomach. This was the first chance he had to talk to her outside of their volunteer work withoutJeremy. I’m gonna make the best of this.
“Would you like to see the wine list?” asked the waiter, handing them each a menu.
“Oh, I don’t drink,” announced Regina, shooting Simon a quizzical glance. “I hope that won’t be a problem?”
“That’s fine,” chuckled Simon. “I hope you don’t mind if I imbibe?
Regina raised her palm and slowly blinked. “Knock yourself out.”
“Then I’ll have a beer. What would you like, Regina?”
“Do you have Shirley Temples?” She attempted to sound as adult as possible while ordering a drink typically reserved for little girls. Simon fought the smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
“We do, ma’am.”
“I’ll have one, please, and may I have two cherries?”
“Of course. I can give you three, if you like.”
Regina giggled. “No, thank you. Two is fine.”
“Anything you want, ma’am.” The waiter closed his pad and gave Simon an approving grin before dashing towards the bar.
Regina gazed down at the menu. She had the ability to remain strong and even intimidating to the strongest opponent. He’d read the quick work she made of some of her blog commentators. However, at this moment, she was ordering kiddie drinks. He was interested and excited to learn more about what made her tick.
Regina looked at him and shrugged one shoulder. “What?”
“A Shirley Temple?” He ended the futile effort to keep from smiling.
“Shut up, Young.” Her pout, feigning hurt, enhanced her beauty. “I had it once at a wedding when I was ten and got hooked.”
After ordering dinner, Simon watched as Regina looked around the restaurant. Throughout the weeks of trying to shake the tall tagalong, He’d thought hard about the perfect place to bring her. The impressed look on her face proved he made the right choice.
“So, shall I start asking you the usual questions one asks a date?” She slid a finger up and down the dewy glass of water.
Simon raised his eyebrows and poured beer into his glass. “You consider this a date, then?”
Regina’s eyelashes fluttered and she adjusted the napkin on her lap. “Perhaps, dinner between friends would be more appropriate.”
There was a certain sense of accomplishment in watching her squirm in her chair. The impromptu dinner plans were working. “Honestly.” He reached out to her hand on the table and caressed her wrist, temporarily mesmerized by the goose pimples forming under his touch. “I have no intention of being just friends.”
Lamp flames flickered in her sparkling eyes. “You’re pretty sure of yourself, Young.”
“About things I want, yes.” He clasped her hand and passed his lips over her knuckles.
Regina grabbed her necklace and slid the small charm on it back and forth across the gold chain. “Interesting.” She squeezed his hand and leaned slightly over the table. “I can be the same way.”
Simon took a drink with his free hand and cleared the lump in his throat. “So, what’s your first question?”
“Sorry?”
“Your first date question. What do you want to know?”
Regina glided her tongue across her lower lip before holding it between her teeth. Everything evaporated around them for Simon. He waited for the first query about his life, not completely sure if he wanted to answer.
The waiter approached the table with a large serving tray. “Your food.”
Simon released Regina’s hand to accommodate the steaming plates laid in front of them. “Is there anything else I can get for you?”
“Did you want anything, Regina?”
“No, I’m good.”
Simon glanced at the waiter. “No, thank you. We have everything we need for now.”
Regina wrapped her full lips around a stuffed grape leaf, closed her eyes and made a soft moan. “You have to try these.”
“I can’t wait.” He held her gaze and slowly opened his mouth.
She placed the rest of the grape leaf on his tongue. He circled her wrist and closed his lips over her finger tips. Putting the leaf in the back of his mouth, he softly licked each tapered fingertip before releasing his grip.
Regina bit her bottom lip. Her eyes fixed on his mouth as he chewed.
He wiped his mouth with the napkin and shot her a boyish grin. “I’m dying to answer your question.”
“Oh, yes. My question.” She poked her fork at the food on her plate. “Why did you become a lawyer?”
“My dad. He was a great lawyer.” Simon stared and turned the beer bottle on the table. “I remember him bringing me to his office sometimes. There’d always be a client needing his help. He helped everyone he could until his illness prevented him.” He erected and grabbed his fork. “He was a great father too. I want to be everything he was.”
“I’m sorry for your loss.” Regina’s eyes glistened with sympathy.
“Thank you. I was small when he died. He made sure my mom and I were financially secured. It was still hard, but, we had each other and pulled through.” He took a deep breath. The conversation was not going in the direction he wanted. He cut a piece of meat and held it in front of Regina. “My turn.”
Regina laid her hand over his and pulled the food into her mouth. She swallowed and licked one corner of her mouth with the tip of her tongue. Simon’s insides jolted with hunger, and not the type satisfied by food. This was one the best meals he ever experienced. “Very good, but at this rate, we’ll never finish dinner.”
He let out a low chuckle, and they continued to eat. “What about you?” He asked between forkfuls, “what made you decide to become a social justice blogger of all things?”
“I’m an intelligent Black woman with a lot to say. How else can I get people to listen to me?” Regina popped a kebab in her mouth and laid one hand over the other while looking into the dim restaurant. “I do write for other publications, but I like having my own platform.”
Simon studied her as she spoke, admiring the confidence in her voice and demeanor. He was fully absorbed by everything about the woman sitting across from him.
“I watched my mother struggle for years with the nonsense in academia. As a Black female professor, she caught a lot of crap from people wh
o really didn’t want to hear what she had to say. With my blog, I’m in control. Even if only one person reads it, it’s still mine.”
“I agree.” Simon presented another forkful of food to Regina. She smiled and returned in kind. “I read some of your articles.”
Regina tilted her head and played with an earring. “When?”
“Honestly, as soon as I decided that I wanted to know as much about you as possible.” Simon looked at her over his glass as he drank.
She braced her chin in the palm of her hand. “And, let me guess,” she pronounced in a dry tone, “I’m too aggressive. I focus on race too much, and I need to do away with all the feminist talk.”
“Actually, no. I think a lot of what you write is spot on.”
“Really?” Regina lifted her head and smiled. She played with a lock of her hair. “That’s refreshing to hear. Normally, someone has a problem with at least one aspect of my approach.”
“Not me. I’ve a lot of respect for smart women who aren’t afraid to express their opinions.”
“You do?”
“Yes.” Simon concentrated on making tiny circles on the back of her hand. “As long as there isn’t a problem when I express mine.”
He made sure to leave the waiter a generous tip before leading Regina out of the restaurant. Rain poured on the street. People dashed by the doorway suspending umbrellas or anything anything over their heads that would help keep them as dry as possible. A black car stopped in front of restaurant. “You wait here,” Simon directed Regina, “I’ll make sure it’s ours.”
“Okay.”
Simon held his coat over his head ducked to talk in the open window. He then turned back to get Regina from under the restaurant awning. He guided her to the car, itching to slide his hand below the small of her back but didn’t want to risk a slap. He was bold but not reckless.
They settled into the back seat for the trip back uptown. The rain caused her soft coils to tighten, allowing Simon to gaze at the nape of her slender neck as she looked out the car window. He tried to calm the urge to nibble it. Resting his arm across her shoulders, he shifted his body closer to hers. “Are we almost there?”
My Way to You (Brothers in Law Book 1) Page 3
