Janeshia’s fingers trembled as his hand brushed hers as he handed her the box.
Touching Janeshia sent shivers up his spine. He needed to touch her again. His hand reached up to comb a lock of her hair behind her ear.
“More gifts?” Janeshia moved nervously away and fumbled with the box. She pulled out a strange shaped stone. “It’s beautiful! What is it?” She asked stroking the egg-shaped stone. “The stone makes me feel so happy.”
“The egg shape represents both the male and the female from where all creation was formed, like Adam and Eve. It’s great as a paperweight.” He sighed. “I figured it was the perfect gift to ask you out on our first date. So how about it my little Eve where would you like to go Saturday? We can do whatever you like.”
She looked up in surprise. A date with Ramsey was everything she wanted. The sudden realization that he was asking her out tomorrow shattered her moment of happiness. She had already agreed to go out with Walker. “This Saturday? Tomorrow?”
“Yes, of course tomorrow night.”
“But I can’t,” she sighed. “However, about Sunday or next Saturday?”
Ramsey stood abruptly. His eyes flashed furiously. “This can’t be happening. I made plans for tomorrow,” he hissed out bitterly.
“We can meet for a date on Sunday,” she suggested.
His eyes probed hers. He reasoned. “I can’t change the time. I’m only available tomorrow night. Can’t you cancel whatever little old thing you have on your schedule?”
Flabbergasted she stood. “You don’t even know how important that little old thing is that I have on my calendar. It’s a work meeting that I can’t miss,” she corrected him.
He laughed out humorously. “Mine is work related also.” He paused. “I know I want to go out with you. And you want to go out with me. And I must go out of town. I leave early Sunday morning. I won’t be back for at least several weeks. Look, I’m a game player,” he said begrudgingly. “My point is, let’s put it down in dollars and cents. You could cancel what’s on your calendar. It can’t be worth that much in dollars and cents, while my meeting is worth millions.”
Janeshia was irritated and annoyed. “Then I guess you should leave now. We wouldn’t want you to lose millions on my account,” she fumed. “Besides, I don’t like your attitude Ramsey Montgomery. Maybe we shouldn’t go out on a date at all!” She quickly began compiling words of protest in her head. She went to open her mouth.
Ramsey regretted what he said as soon as he saw the glint of rage forming in her green eyes. She was like a drug he couldn’t get enough of. He knew this was not the way of handling things if he wanted to get anywhere with Janeshia James. The best thing to do with her now was to do the unexpected. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean it the way it sounded. Please forgive me Janeshia. I do apologize for my bad behavior just now,” his eyes pleaded. “Come now, you weren’t taking me seriously? I just had a bad day at work and was letting it come between me and the woman I want to know better.”
“Oh,” she said with a baffled content expression.
He studied her for a moment. She seemed to be buying what he said. He pushed the envelope. “You should be flattered I even want to have dinner with you.” He grinned lecherously. “I’m on the board of several wealthy committees. I could make it worth your while. I can make Silicon Valley Making a Difference Foundation well on its way to easy street. And I can make you the most influential director this valley has ever seen. If I were you I would play the game with me and reconsider having dinner with me tomorrow night.”
“Well, you’re not me!” She said fuming. “I can’t believe this,” She muttered under her breath and slowly packed up her things.
Ramsey rubbed his brow. He realized that he had pushed the wrong button. He tilted his head slowly studying her. She wasn’t like any woman he’d ever met. Any other woman would jump at his offer. He needed to change his strategy if he wanted her to like him enough to go out with him. “I’m sorry, again,” he muttered under his breath.
Janeshia glanced back at him flustered and upset.
He realized she probably hadn’t heard him. He fought his instincts from reaching out and touching her. He cleared his throat searching for the right words. “Janeshia, sometimes I let my tongue run astray. I still like you very much Janeshia and I hope you still like me. I’m so sorry for what I just said.” He drew a deep breath. “I’m so sorry if I made your meeting feel less important than mine. I hope you still like me enough to consider giving me a rain check on going out with me sometimes.”
Janeshia’s eyes flashed at him. She didn’t answer.
“Your eyes tell me I still have a chance,” his features softened. “And I’ll take what I can get. I guess I’d better go.” He turned and walked to the door.
The next thing she heard was the conference room door closing.
Chapter 15
Wants, needs create an embarrassing situation …
That Saturday night, the cold night wind from San Francisco Bay whipped by chilling the air with its windy breath.
Janeshia stared up at the sky and studied the stars as Walker drove his car leaving San Francisco.
She studied him. Dangerous emotions churned inside her when she looked back at him. Visions of trust and hope crept into her mind.
Walker checked his rear-view mirror and then noticed her staring. “What?”
“I can’t believe it,” she sighed.
“What are you talking about?” he quickly looked at her then turned his attention back to the road.
“Oh, that we had dinner, sat together for over two hours and you were civil the whole time,” she smiled wide. “I’m not upset about that. In fact, I just wanted to give you a compliment.”
Walker smiled softly with his thoughts. “I live for watching you smile Janeshia. Therefore, I am a very content man."
A few minutes later, Walker took the Junipero Serra exit and the sign for Burlingame’s Prestigious Country Club Manor Estates came into view.
“Very impressive town, I’ve never seen so many luxurious estates in one place before,” she complimented nodding her head.
Walker’s voice resounded joyously. “Yes, this is a very fine town. I know the area well.”
Janeshia excitedly smiled. “I wish I lived here or knew someone who lived here. For no other reason than to be invited to one of the fabulous house parties these folks must give.”
Walker’s grin nearly split his face. “That’s good to hear. I have to make a quick stop.”
Janeshia gasped turning her head to look at him. She sat back and watched as the lavish homes went by. Expensive champagne and the best caviar had to be what folks who lived here were used to, she thought.
They drove down a twisting curving canyon road.
Walker slowed down and turned into a rustic charming elegant drive way with a wrought iron locked gate with thick pillars of stone sitting on either side of it. Janeshia noticed a voice monitoring system located on the left-hand side. Walker didn’t even use it. He pressed a button located on the dash board of his Mercedes and the gate slowly opened.
Janeshia gushed. “I didn’t know you were rich enough to live here.” As soon as her words were out she regretted them.
Walker only shrugged his shoulders.
The road led to a beautiful home sitting perfectly on its very own hill. It stood perfectly alone. The car’s lights shone on the home and made it look stately and majestic in the dark.
Walker turned off the ignition. And walked around and held her door.
Janeshia noticed immediately the quietness of the night and the isolation of the home.
Walker could tell Janeshia was uneasy. “Don’t worry my dear. I’m just stopping by to pick up something. Just relax.”
Walker reached for her arm and led her toward the massive front door.
For the first time that evening she felt the need to stay close to Walker.
The house was a breath-taking rich ble
nd of English and French designs.
Opulence and luxury greeted her. “While I’m amazed,” she said. “This room is even more beautiful than the outside.”
“This is no room.” Walker said grabbing her hand. “It’s just the foyer.
She glanced up at the Foyer’s oval, high-domed ceilings and nodded.
“Come on I’ll show you the rest of the house.”
Walker led Janeshia down an impressive hallway.
She felt like she was Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, shaking in her shoes as her heels clicked on the marble floor. “Is this the part where the girl is supposed to start screaming for her life?”
“Janeshia,” he whispered huskily.
“Yes.”
“No horror movie jokes okay? I just want to show you something.”
Finally, he led her into a beautiful room where paneled walls set off the delicately carved statuary. He walked her past a massive fireplace that sat in the center of the wall.
“There,” he said softly. “Do you notice anything?”
Janeshia walked over and stood in front of the massive ten-foot-high and ten-foot-wide window. She felt the massive window tower over her as she beheld a breathtaking view of vast night sky, as a luminous magical full moon met her gaze.
The moon rose higher and right before her eyes and the stars twinkled brightly piercing the sky as she watched. She stared back in a dreamlike state as the moon slowly cast its spell. At that moment she felt a stirring as old as time. She was a woman who only wanted to be loved.
“Enchanting!” She exclaimed letting out her breath slowly as she walked in front of the sofa sitting in front of the window. “God this view is so deliciously beautiful. Whoever designed this room thought of everything? Look, there is a warm blanket to curl up under and look at the moon,” she said. “Just look at that full moon cascading over the foot hills. It looks just like the ones in the movies.”
Walkers’ eyes beamed. Slowly he walked over and stood in front of a full table top bar. He poured a clear liquid from a crystal decanter into two glasses.
“Oh, my goodness! Those paintings are fabulous,” she exclaimed noticing the fireplace. She studied the two paintings hanging above it. One was of a baby crying with a hand reaching. The next was a woman crying reaching towards the baby. The look on the mother’s face planted an indelible memory of true love in her mind.
“You like them?”
Enthusiastically she walked closer. The painting was vivid and life-like.
“Yes, what’s there not to like?” Her lips twitched studying the paintings. “I think it’s the most beautiful part of the room. It has such feeling it makes you want to cry.”
“Well, I think that was the effect the artist was going for,” he said.
Janeshia’s voice gushed. “This room is the most romantic place I’ve ever seen. It does something to me.”
“You are the most beautiful part of this room my dear,” Walker thought to himself. “Would you like a drink? I make the best rum and coke. It’s guaranteed to warm you and quench your thirst,” he smiled holding the glass.
She sat down on the sofa and leaned back sipping her drink. She looked out of the window, gazing at the stars.
A few minutes later Walker sat down on the sofa. He stretched out his arm and made himself comfortable. After a few minutes he put his arm around her.
She looked up at his handsome face and smiled softly. It seemed like a perfectly natural thing. Having Walker’s arm around her felt good. She closed her eyes for a second and savored the moment.
The two of them sat in silence several minutes sipping their drinks.
As Walker sat with his arm around her his fingers gently caressed her shoulder.
Janeshia exhaled with a long sigh of contentment, before she broke the ice. “So, whose house is this anyway?”
“I don’t want to boast but the home belongs to my family.”
“What do you mean your family?” She looked at him puzzled.
“This is my parent’s home, Janeshia. Well, it’s my mother’s home, since my father passed away a few years ago. But someday it will be mine.”
Janeshia looked surprised, “You still live at home with your mother?”
“That’s a firm no.” He paused looking embarrassed. “I have my own condo in Los Altos. I…” He hesitated. “I …I”
She smiled. “So, is your mother here?”
“No, my mother is away in Monterey visiting friends.”
“So, you only brought me here to look at this view?”
He was so close she could feel the warmth of his breath and the smell of his male aroma. He turned to face her. “Yes and no,” he said. “I…I brought you here so that you could be here beside me and look at this beautiful view together,” his eyes held a sheen of purpose. “So that I would have a memory of us being here in this spot that I would cherish forever,” he said squeezing her shoulder softly.
The gravity in his voice transfixed her. The heat of his skin touching hers sent her emotions reeling. She tilted her head and stared back at him.
His eyes held her piercingly gentle, caring and loving. Like the eyes of the mother for her child in the painting above the fireplace. “I care deeply about you Janeshia. I brought you here because I wanted you to see it, my family home. The place where I grew up and played as a child. I wanted you to see a different side of me as a man, and I hope you would maybe then feel something for me,” he murmured low.
An intense emotion filled her. Janeshia felt over-whelmed. She struggled with what her letting go could do to their working relationship. Her thoughts raced. She thought about what her best friend Larissa had said about having sex with Walker. She shook her head and clumsily the hand shook holding the glass. Walker’s strong hand steadied her. He took the glass from her hand.
His voice oozed sexual tension as his green eyes probed hers. “So, do you like my view Janeshia?”
Her breath caught in her throat. She was hypnotized by the slow mellow sexual tone of his voice.
Janeshia steadied her gaze on his. She didn’t want Walker to think his wealth interested her. She still worked for him. “None of this matter,” she raised a brow and looked around. “The wealth thing, this view, I still work for…”
“Stop thinking Janeshia. Do you know how much I want you, I need you?”
She watched the desire rage in his green eyes. Her heart was lodged in her throat pounding. “I want you too. But sometimes wants needs and desires...” she found herself whispering.
He moved in close. His lips just inches from hers. “Don’t think about this too much. Just let the desire take hold.”
A feeling of intense pleasure leaped between them.
He pulled her close and let her feel his arousal. “Look at me Janeshia Aurore James. Do you feel how much I want you?”
His mouth lowered to hers, the kiss was soft, warm and electric. The taste of him felt like a drug and she had to have more.
Janeshia leaned in closer. Her arms encircling his neck as she kissed him harder. “You know I like the sound of hearing you say my full name like that,” she said leaning in and kissing him harder. His kisses were addictive.
As Walker devoured her with kisses his hands traced her body. His hands went to remove her clothes.
She pulled out of his embrace and tugged out of her top. Walker reached over and pulled out her top and helped her with her jeans. She stood before him in her underwear.
Walker had to fight with all his restraints. He stared back at her black satin corset and matching thong. “God you’re beautiful.”
She helped him with his shirt. His torso was muscle-toned beautiful. His soft tone olive complexioned skin greeted her. His muscles were taunt and prominent. She could smell the scent of his body. It was intoxicating.
Then Walker moved forward and lowered his head and took her nipple into his mouth, sucking softly. He eased her down on the sofa. He’d wanted her so long. The touch of her flesh undid
him. Tonight, he was hungry for his release.
Janeshia moaned as her whole body tingled.
Walker pushed her legs apart as he levered himself down. She felt his body there. Hot, probing, pushing, penetrating, He drove himself into her.
She shuddered in the pleasure he was bringing. “Don’t stop,” she commanded wrapping her legs around him. The intensity of the union was so overwhelming she thought she might die.
His mouth found hers again. Their tongues matched the rhythm of the song of sex their bodies played.
Walker cried out as his orgasm blasted through him.
Janeshia shouted out. “If this is a dream I don’t want to wake up.
They both trembled.
Janeshia relaxed and Walker pulled her close and held her tight. She felt safe with the heat of his body. She snuggled in close and fell asleep.
Hours later, the sound of heels clicking on the marble seemed so far away.
Janeshia nodded as if waking out of a dream. She was naked lying crushed against the hard strength of a muscular body. She wasn’t cold and realized someone had thrown a warm thick blanket over her.
The man stirred and wrapped his arms securely around her. She snuggled in closer enjoying his warmth.
Slowly her eyes opened. She looked out of the huge picture window in front of her. She watched the silvery moon slide from behind a blanket of clouds. It made her sigh with contentment. Slowly she started to close her eyes.
There was that noise again. It sounded like heels clicking on a marble floor.
Instantly bright lights flooded the room.
“What in God’s name is going on here?” A woman’s shocked voice gasped and sliced the air.
“Mother!”
Embarrassed, Janeshia threw the blanket over her head as she buried her face into Walker’s chest.
“Young lady your face looks familiar, she gently said. “The few seconds that I saw of it”, the lady softly chuckled. “Well son, are you going to introduce us?”
Walker peeked under the blanket. “Janeshia this is my mother Claire Marie Edward-Perrault. Mother, this is Janeshia James, as I am sure you very well know.”
The Proposition Page 9
