It occurred to her how remarkable Walker was in so many ways. He had the kind of spirit she found easy to get along with.
“You might as well have a seat while I get dressed.”
The hallway opened into her living room and she placed the vase on the coffee table. “Have a seat Mr. Perrault.”
“Please call me Walker.” He smiled. “Oh my, what a strikingly beautiful room this is. I can see it holds so much of your wonderful personality. You know Albert Einstein said to know that which is impenetrable to us really exists, manifesting itself as the highest wisdom and the most radiant beauty. This room is so beautiful. Just like the woman who created it,” he softly smiled.
Janeshia shrugged. Walker always did have an odd formal way of talking. His words seemed to march to a beat all their own.
“Oh, I’ll take that as a compliment,” she smiled. “Thank you.”
Her formal living room was painted in a very soft, elegant, warm, deep gold, with white linen on the crown molding floor base. The formal dining room stood directly at the far end. The formal dining room was divided by a large walkway that led on the left to a great room and gourmet kitchen.
Janeshia had mastered eye catching details that looked elegant, different and expensive.
“That’s an interesting coffee table,” he said curiously peering down at the hand carved legs with ball and claw feet. “Is that a Chinois figure in the scenery?” Walker asked.
She smiled softly, “Why yes, it is.”
“I believe they call that a chow table. I’m impressed. As a matter of fact, we seem to have similar tastes in decor.”
“How wonderful I’m sure. Maybe I should take another decorating class,” she said with a condescending smile.
“I’d be happy to take a class with you,” he suggested.
“That would be fun I’m sure but no... No, thank you,” she said abruptly.
He heard the acid tone in her voice and could detect the hint of mockery in her voice. He cleared his throat. “Ah, Ms. James do you have any refreshments?” He asked.
She stared back at him a frown marring her brow. “Excuse me?”
He shrugged and smiled, “I mean a drink; my throat feels a little dry.”
“Oh, I’m sorry for not thinking of that. Yes, I do. Would you like coke, diet coke, orange juice, I may even have some milk if you like.”
Walker shrugged. “Being that I’m kind of nervous and all. I guess asking for something stronger is out of the question?”
“No, I mean yes I do.” She shook her head. “Never mind I don’t know why I feel I have to explain. Look Walker I have a bottle of port. Well really, it’s my father’s. I mean he brought the bottle over for a family dinner here. Oh, never mind,” she said walking to get the bottle.
She retrieved the bottle.
Walker smiled. “Will you please join me in a glass?”
Janeshia grabbed two glasses “Okay, but don’t say I made us late for dinner.”
She watched as Walker poured.
He couldn’t take his eyes off of her. “Remember I’m early, so we have plenty of time,” he raised his glass. “I’d like to make a toast to the only women I know who could have taken on running the foundation and doing it so well. To the sweetest, loveliest woman I know who loves Blue Violets. Here’s to you Janeshia.”
Their glasses clinked.
The two of them drank, in silence.
Janeshia’s eyes glimmered with appreciation as she finished her port. It made her feel warm inside.
Walker filled her glass again.
She gulped down a big swallow and stared back at him. The port was making her feel warm inside. “Thank you for that nice compliment Walker and thank you for the very lovely vase of Blue Violets,” she said. Something occurred to her. The Blue Violets someone had left on her car windshield. “So, Walker you wouldn’t know anything about an array of Blue Violets with a small heart shaped card with no writing, that were left on my car windshield would you?”
Walker’s eyes sparkled as he looked back at her. The guilty look was all over his face.
“Explanation please?” She finished her port in one gulp.
Walker poured her another glass.
He glanced back at her through his thick curly lashes. His fiery piercing gaze bore into her. His eyes held hers relentlessly. “Yes, I’m guilty of putting those there,” he said caringly. “I asked Tamara and she said you loved Blue Violets. Once I knew they were your favorite, all I could think of was that they would brighten your day.”
She could feel herself losing control. She felt Goosebumps from his honest admission. If he touched her now she didn’t know what she would do. She tried not to stare at his lips. It was really getting hard to try keeping things just business between them. Flustered, she said the first thing that popped in her head. She regretted her words before they even got out. “Oh really? How do I know you weren’t just staking me?” She went to turn away.
“Hang on a minute. I wasn’t stalking you,” Walker said as his protective instincts showed in the tone of his voice. It was tender and protective. “I just wanted to make you happy. I didn’t mean any harm. I promise. Did it upset you?” He reached out and gently touched her shoulder.
Dangerous emotion crept over her at the feel of his touch. Something warmed in her heart. She could have sworn her heart was murmuring “rescue me I need your loving.” She smiled softly with her thoughts. His expression told her he was telling the truth. The man was making it hard for her not to like him more than she already did. Her eyes lingered on his lips. Those lips she had dreamed about.
She looked up at his eyes. What she saw staring back at her wasn’t what she expected. She could have sworn it was desire greeting her.
“Janeshia,” Walker whispered in a husky voice. He’d wanted to touch her all over. He tried to restrain his hands. He reached out and framed her face with his hands.
The feel of his touch sent shivers down her spine. Maybe it was the glass of port talking but she really wanted to kiss him.
His deep green eyes looked longingly into hers as he gently pressed his lips to hers.
He broke the kiss. “I’m sorry, I couldn’t help myself.”
She didn’t plan it, but her fingers reached out and touched his lips.
His arm slid around her bringing her body close. His mouth lowered again slowly until it reached hers. His lips trembled as they came down on hers. Fierce and hungry, she softened to his kiss. She parted her lips wanting more. He pushed his tongue deep into her mouth and her tongue danced with his.
He moaned and came up for air. “Oh, Janeshia I knew we were going to be lovers.”
She drew a ragged breath. “Oh, it would be great wouldn’t it?”
Walker kissed her ear. “Do you want to go to your bedroom or would you like to do it right here? Don’t worry your loyalty to the foundation is safe with me. I won’t let our being lovers get in the way of your position with the foundation,” his mouth gave a moan. “In fact, if our love making puts you in the family way, we just consider that your position with the foundation is forever. In fact, I’d consider it a consequence of action.”
Janeshia felt something cringe inside of her. “What do you mean by that remark?” His words broke her out of her trance. She pulled out of his embrace.
“I’m just saying you already have the job. So, what we’re doing now won’t complicate things. I won’t put this off in the office gossip grapevine if you won’t. We’ll just consider this scratching an itch. Or consider….”
The heat of passion vanished. She felt so ashamed. She pulled out of his embrace. “Why you arrogant overbearing, conceited, rude Geek of a man,” Janeshia murmured.
“What?”
She took a deep breath. “Walker you are totally out of line?”
“Wait a minute. You wanted me too,” his thoughts raced. He had to fight his instinct to keep from grabbing her and making her change her mind. “What did I say that was so wr
ong?”
“I’m not going to sleep with you to keep my job. Maybe you should leave.”
“Look Janeshia, I just don’t understand. I didn’t…” He couldn’t believe it. He had said something stupid. He’d been so close to having the woman of his dreams. He couldn’t believe he may have messed up. He studied her. “You think I was serious about what I just said. I…I…” He didn’t want to say something that he’d regret.
“Look Walker why don’t you just leave.”
He wanted her. “Leave? Leave? I can’t leave. We are supposed to go to dinner. In fact, we are supposed to meet some very important people tonight,” he nodded and hoped she didn’t see through his lie. He hesitated and swallowed hard. “Look, I apologize for any misunderstanding. I may have gotten off course here. But tonight, is a business dinner, and you will attend. In fact, I insist upon it.”
Janeshia fumed. “Oh really? I assume this is another consequence of action?”
Her response provoked his rage. He intended to teach her a lesson. “Yes, it is! So, go and get dressed!”
Chapter 10
My Favorite Geek…
A half hour later Janeshia returned wearing her favorite black studded hip fitting tunic and jet-black jeans. She carried her lambskin black leather jacket with the full faux fur collar.
“You look stunning. And that jacket will keep you warm,” Walker smiled. “It’s a good thing too, because we’re headed towards San Francisco.”
A few minutes later they drove away from her building. Janeshia sat in silence.
“Where did you say we were going?”
“I didn’t.” Walker shrugged. But sensing her tension he said quickly. “We’re having dinner at Kingfish. It’s a favorite restaurant of mine.”
Janeshia turned her head and studied Walker.
The only thing Janeshia knew well about Walker Edward Edmond-Perreault was that he was the son of a wealthy family of influential people who held a longtime commitment and a sponsorship relationship with the foundation that she worked for. He was highly intelligent and a bit pompous at times. He was a man who was accustomed to being in charge and giving others instructions. Other than that, she really didn’t know him.
Sitting in the car so intimately close to him gave her the chance to see him from a different angle.
Janeshia pretended to look at the speedometer to check his driving. She coughed softly and turned her head to study him.
In the dim light of the car she could study him as lights bounced back from the headlights of cars passing by gave her a chance to catch the shadows of his prominent high cheek bones. In the dim light of night, he looked remarkably like the late actor Gregory Peck.
She thought back on the many meetings they had together. It wasn’t hard to remember them. She could see him clearly. He was a handsome man and a man she remembered who could be fair and just. Sometimes to a fault. She hated to admit it, but she almost thought that he seemed sexy in the moonlight.
One thing Janeshia thought was a fact. Walker didn’t look at all like someone who would enjoy Kingfish. Maybe he wasn’t the stick in the mud kind of guy she thought he was.
Her eyes darted quickly at the speedometer again and then back at him.
All at once Walker reached out his hand and caressed hers softly. His touch felt sweet, yet erotic.
“Am I driving safe enough for you?” He asked tenderly. “Or are you just having a sweet dream that is yours alone?”
Janeshia froze instantly. She wasn’t sure if it was from the warmth of his touch or how close he came to reading her thoughts.
Walker cleared his throat softly. “We’re almost there. Is the car warm enough for you?”
She drew in her breath. “Yes.”
Janeshia didn’t speak again until they turned off highway 101 in San Mateo. Walker took West 3rd Avenue.
They pulled into the restaurant’s parking lot and found a space. Walker got out of the car and held the door open for her. His polite gesture made her smile.
They entered the restaurant and were led toward the stairs.
The room was crowded.
“Walker, if you don’t mind, I’ll just go to the ladies’ room. I’ll only be a minute.” Janeshia smiled.
“Of course, I’ll wait for you.”
Janeshia quickly made her way to the lady’s room. She walked to the mirror and stood gazing at herself. She looked at the black studded top. Her gold dangle tear dropped earrings sparkling and glistening back at her made her heart shaped face appear elegant and classic. She turned around quickly and almost collided with a young woman. Once Janeshia looked closer the woman wasn’t as young as she thought. Her titian colored hair framed her face like it had been carefully and masterfully done so to achieve the most flattering effect. A huge diamond ring sat on her left hand. Its brilliant light glistened off the ceiling light fixture. The woman was older, much older than she appeared. She was dressed in a form fitting dress that accented her every curve.
The woman stared back at Janeshia. “Oh Miss, is that Walker Edmond-Perreault with you?”
Janeshia paused and steadied her gaze. The woman had to be over six feet tall. “Have we met before?”
The woman and Janeshia exchanged a look.
Janeshia turned away. She didn’t want to appear rude. She pretended to need to fix her face.
“No, I don’t believe we have,” she smiled. “My name is Elizabeth Desmond.”
Janeshia noticed the points that reached eye level. She cleared her throat. “Hello Elizabeth, I’m Janeshia.”
The moment seemed awkward.
All at once Elizabeth looked at Janeshia and said, “Honey don’t let these magic bullets scare you. They’re just breasts. I come by them naturally. I was born with them.” She smiled easily. “You know it’s hard on a woman with big breasts not to be stared at. If it wasn’t for the natural valley of my breast a lot of folks would just think that I was a cross dressing man.” She laughed out. “Oh, go ahead and have a laugh at my expense. This is the part where most folks do,” Elizabeth said. “I would if I were you.”
The moment felt tense. Nervously Janeshia cleared her throat. “Is Walker a friend of yours?” She asked.
“Yes and no. You see,” Elizabeth mused. “I know Walker’s mother well. You’re the woman in the photo with Walker? I’d know that face anywhere Janeshia James, you look exactly like yourself.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” Janeshia said.
“You know each year Walker’s mom shows the Gala Event photos to our luncheon group.” Elizabeth patted her hair in place. Her voice oozed a cool admiration. “I’ll say this for you, you’ve got skills on how to date and get a rich man. You should give lessons.”
Janeshia’s mouth went dry. “I beg your pardon?”
“Oh, I didn’t mean any offense,” Elizabeth said softly. “I was just wondering how long the two of you have been dating?”
“I’m sorry but whatever gave you the idea Walker and I were dating?”
A puzzled look crossed Elizabeth’s brow. “You’re not here on a date with Walker?”
Janeshia winced. “No, we’re not on a date.”
Elizabeth coolly smiled “How very fortunate for me, please understand, nothing that happens from this moment on is personal.”
“I don’t get your meaning.”
“Believe me sister you will,” Elizabeth said firmly as she brushed past. Her pungent fragrance rose up between them like a shield of armor on a knight in battle.
Janeshia took a step back.
Elizabeth laughed coarsely as she walked out of the door.
She stopped and turned her head. “Oh, by the way Janeshia, it was very nice meeting you.”
Janeshia breathed out slowly wondering what all of that had been about.
Her brief encounter with the woman named Elizabeth wouldn’t darken her mood.
A few minutes later she returned to join Walker. He was standing at the bar. He grabbed her han
d and placed a drink in it. “Janeshia I hope you don’t mind. I ordered an N’Awlin’s Hurricane for you. I thought after that long ride you could use a drink.”
The warm touch of Walker’s hand felt good. “Yes, thanks,” she said lifting her glass and taking a sip. The drink felt good on her dry throat. She licked her lips. “So, what did you order for yourself?”
He grinned. “I’m just having a Weed Wacker. It’s a house specialty. We can still order wine with our dinner.”
She turned and studied the décor. The walls held a large collection of authentic Louisiana folk art. She found them interesting.
She took another sip of her drink. “Walker, can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“Do you know a lot of people in this area? I mean, do you come to this restaurant often?”
He sipped at his drink. “I did grow up not too far from here; my mother has several good friends who frequent this restaurant. Why do you ask?”
“Oh no reason,” she murmured taking another sip of her drink and realized how little she really knew about Walker.
Walker watched her take another sip of her drink. He needed to touch her badly. “Our hostess is ready to seat us now, Janeshia. Come,” he said taking her hand and placing it on his arm.
The feel of his hand touching hers sent a shock wave through her system.
Their alert hostess noticed her eyes as she seated them. Their table was located right next to a cozy fireplace.
Candlelight added to the ambient experience. Soft music filled the air. The sitting arrangement forced Janeshia to sit closer to Walker.
Janeshia stared around the room. It was very cozy and inviting and made her smile.
The two of them never spoke.
Their waiter came by and took their orders.
Janeshia ordered the Jambalaya with a hot tea and lemon to warm her up.
She watched attentively as Walker’s lips moved when he ordered the Braised Short Rib Gumbo with a bottle of Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. His lower lip was larger than his top. She’d never noticed before how sensual his lips looked.
The Proposition Page 6
