by Stacy-Deanne
“Then we shouldn’t see each other again.”
He left.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
The next morning, Max got off Osana’s elevator as Leslie approached with a basket of laundry.
“Morning, Leslie.” He winked at her. “You’re looking delicious today.”
She had her nose in the air as always when Max was near. “There’s a million things I’d rather do than talk to you.” She held the basket to one hip and pushed the elevator button.
“Leslie, wait.”
“I have things to do.” She tottered into the elevator, nose still high.
He held the doors open. “Where’s Osana?”
“Having breakfast in the parlor.”
“Is she still upset with me?”
“You had no right to drag her out of Shad’s place last night.”
“Her carrying on with Sidney could ruin everything I got going.”
“That’s not the only reason.” She lifted the basket higher. “You’re not fooling anyone but yourself.”
He forced the doors from closing, grunting. “What are you talking about?”
“You have feelings for Osana, don’t you?”
“I made a mistake last night. I didn’t mean to hurt her.” He swallowed his anger. “She loves pushing my buttons though. She won’t stop seeing Shad no matter what I do.”
“Want my opinion?”
He pushed against the determined doors. “What?”
“Be honest with her and show you have feelings because right now she doubts you’re even human.”
“What about you?” He stared into her refreshing, brown eyes. “Do you think I’m human?”
She shifted as if surprised he asked. “I gotta do the laundry.”
He let the elevator close and readied himself to face Osana.
Apologizing wasn’t his strong suit.
He entered the parlor, holding his breath as if he were heading to his execution.
Osana sat on the couch with her computer on her lap and a bagel in one hand.
He grinned, trying to cut the tension in the air. “Workaholic.”
She kept her focus on the computer, chewing.
“How are you?” He fidgeted.
She took a huge bite out her raisin bagel.
“I’m sorry, Osana.” He sat on the loveseat.
“What are you apologizing for?”
“For last night.”
She nodded. “For doing what last night?”
“You know what.” He sighed. “Don’t make me feel worse than I do.”
“Why not?” She glared at him. “I should spare you humiliation but you didn’t do the same for me? Do you realize how embarrassed I was when you dragged me off like a piece of property?”
“I’m sorry.”
“You know, my mother had an affair with Anthony’s nephew, Ulysses.” She scoffed. “And Ulysses exposed their affair in front of a meeting at Spears Corp. He showed a sex video of them. I was dating Ulysses and didn’t know they were together. I thought that was the most humiliating moment in my life.” She shrugged. “Until last night.”
“What can I say?” He lifted his hands. “I shouldn’t have done it, but I can’t change it.”
“Why do you get so mad about Shad? Please don’t say it’s because of the scam.”
He sighed, dull pains annoying his stomach. “You remind me of someone.”
She sipped from a glass of orange juice. “Who?”
“You were right when you said there was someone who hurt me.” He cleared his throat, adjusting himself in the chair. “She was the love of my life.”
“I remind you of her?”
“Oh yes.” He nodded. “She fought me at every turn too and kept me in line. I got my life together because of her.
She set the laptop aside and tilted her body in his direction.
“We’ve lived different lives, Osana. You grew up on Wall Street and me on Main Street. You have no idea how hard I had it. My dad left and my mother was a cocaine addict and prostitute.”
She squinted.
“I went through more before the age of eight than people who live a hundred would ever go through.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “My mother had a pimp who elected himself my daddy.” He grew sick at the memory. “He abused my mother and took advantage of her habit. He set her on fire when she was sleeping.”
“What?” She gasped.
“Because she’d used his cut for her drugs. She was having withdrawals because she hadn’t turned a trick in a few days. She kept telling him, ‘Her pussy hurt.’”
Osana lowered her head.
“He didn’t care how she felt. He wanted his money. So one night we were sleeping in our shitty, one-room apartment and I smell smoke. I get up and run to my mom’s room and…” He exhaled.
“Take your time.”
A tear trickled. “He’d poured gasoline on her and set her on fire.”
“Max.” She closed her eyes. “I’m so sorry. How old were you then?”
He bit his trembling lip. “Fifteen. If I hadn’t acted when I did she would’ve died. She had burns on over fifty percent of her body. Most of it on her face and upper body. She stayed in the hospital three months and had five surgeries just to look somewhat human.”
“I can’t imagine how horrible that was for you.”
“Some good came out of it though.” He tapped his foot. “Her pimp went to prison for attempted murder. My mom got clean and turned her life around. But, I couldn’t let go of how bad I felt. I locked my emotions away.” He gestured to her. “You can relate.”
She batted her long eyelashes.
“It turns out I was the one who found it harder to give up the street life. Mom kicked me out because of the trouble I was causing. I ended up selling and then doing drugs.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “I know humiliation, Osana.” He poked his chest with his index finger. “I’ve lived it my entire life.”
“I haven’t lived in your world, but it doesn’t mean you can’t change and be a better person, Max.”
“Don’t you get it?” He scooted to the edge of the loveseat. “She changed me.”
“The woman you loved?”
“Yes. She got me out of all that shit, and I thought we’d be together forever. I planned everything so it would be perfect.”
“What happened to her?”
“She left me.” He breathed through his nose. “And after that I stopped caring for anyone and decided I was gonna go back to caring about myself. She hurt me ten times more than being abused and living on the streets ever could. I’d never loved anyone like I loved her.”
“You still love this woman,” she whispered. “Who is she? Where is she, Max?”
“I didn’t kill her.” He half-chuckled. “Are you asking because you care or, so you can dig into my business?”
“I meant what I said. I’m sorry for what you went through. You can change again.”
“Why? Money is the only thing I can depend on now and I’m not giving that up.”
“All the money in the world won’t make you happy if you long for more, Max. Trust me, I know.”
“But it can take my mind off a lot.” He smirked then got serious again. “You’re forcing your way into my thoughts, Princess.”
She looked away.
“You wanted me to share so I am.” He rubbed his chin. “I’m human, Osana. I need you to see that.”
“I…” She got her laptop and stood. “I gotta go to work.” She hurried to the doorway.
“Osana?”
She stopped with her back facing him.
“I don’t wanna hurt you.”
“Then stop this, Max.” She turned. “Please, let’s get an annulment and forget we ever knew each other.”
“I can’t now.” He walked to her. “I don’t wanna let you go. I want it all. You and the money.”
“That’s never gonna happen.”
He caressed her hand. “You
sure about that?”
“If you cared about me you’d let me be with Shad and leave me alone.”
“I can’t do that.” He sniffed her lemon scent. “I don’t give up when I want something. I love a challenge.”
“I love Shad, and he’s the only man for me.”
“You know what they say, Princess.” He touched her cheek. “If you can’t be with the one you love, love the one you’re with.”
She hurried from the room.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
The gorgeous blonde stood outside Shad’s office when he approached.
“Gloria.” He groaned with the cup of hot coffee stinging his hand. “What are you doing here?” He exchanged greetings with his secretary and got out his office key.
“You’re upset with me,” Gloria said.
“That’s an understatement.” He unlocked the office.
She touched his back, and he turned toward her but not far enough to see her face. “I’m sorry about last night. I feel horrible.”
“This isn’t the place to discuss this.”
“Can we talk, please? It won’t take long. I gotta be at work in about thirty minutes.”
He showed her inside his office. “You could’ve apologized on the phone.”
“That’s not the only reason I came, but I am sorry.”
“Didn’t expect that from you.” He shook his head, lifting the plastic lid off his coffee.
“It wasn’t me.”
“What made you act like that? Throwing yourself at a man isn’t your style.”
“I’m going through so much, and you’re the only one I can turn to. Please don’t shut me out over a stupid mistake.”
He nodded with a blank expression. “What else did you come down here for?”
“I worked up the nerve to go through Preston’s things. You won’t believe this.”
“Try me.” He leaned against his desk, sipping from the cup.
“Preston was having an affair with Asha Westbrook.”
Shad gulped as he swallowed. “What?”
“I found DVD’s Preston had and watched some of them.” She grimaced. “Only for a few seconds because I couldn’t stand to see more. They were videos of he and Asha having sex. Shad, they kept it a secret. She kept it a secret even after he got murdered.”
“There could be many reasons she didn’t say anything. She’s probably embarrassed she was sleeping with her boss. In the corporate world that’s a big deal.”
“Please, almost everyone does it.” Gloria paced, stroking her hair. “This gives Asha a motive. What if she didn’t want those videos to get out and Preston was holding them over her?”
Shad blew into his coffee. “But that would hurt his reputation too.”
“But he was the boss and a man.” She rolled her eyes. “He wouldn’t have felt half the scrutiny she would’ve, and she’d be ruined career wise.”
“Gloria—”
“I feel in my heart there’s more to the story with Asha. You were right when you said I didn’t know everything about Preston. Why would he sleep with his secretary? That’s so unprofessional.”
“Like you said...” He rubbed his smooth hair. “It happens all the time. Some bosses take advantage of their positions.”
“You wouldn’t.” She stared at him in a daze. “You’d never use your position to get close to someone.”
“Eh….” He fidgeted, lowering his cup. “I tried to do the same thing when I wanted Spears Corp to partner up with Swipe Play. I was doing it to get my hands on Osana.”
“That’s different. You love her.”
“How do you know Preston didn’t love Asha? It might’ve been serious.”
“That makes her look worse.” She held her hip. “If she cared about him then how come she didn’t tell anyone this? I took the DVD’s to the police. They’re gonna question her again.”
“I understand where you’re coming from but you gotta tread lightly on this. Just because Asha slept with Preston doesn’t mean she killed him.”
She crossed her arms. “It doesn’t mean she didn’t either.”
****
“Miss Royal?” Clarice’s voice rang through the speaker in Osana’s office. “Everyone is waiting in the conference room for you to start the meeting.”
“Thanks, Clarice.” Osana popped a peppermint into her mouth and got her folder off the desk. “I’ll be there in a minute.”
“I’m going on my break if that’s okay.”
“Sure.” Osana looked through the folder of the latest company reports. Once she confirmed the materials were intact, she got her purse and rushed to the door.
Shad swayed in with his hands in the pockets of his creased slacks. “Hey.”
“What are you doing here?”
He closed the door. “We need to talk.”
“It can wait.” She checked her watch. “I have a meeting.”
He grabbed her as she rushed past him. “The meeting can wait.”
“Shad, what the hell are you doing?” She broke free. “I’m not playing with you. I have a very important meeting that started a minute ago. There’s nothing we need to talk about that can’t wait.”
He blocked the door. “You’re not leaving.”
“I don’t have time for this shit right now.” She pushed him, but he didn’t budge. “Get your ass out the way.”
“Uh-uh.” He crossed his arms in his navy blue blazer, glaring at her as if he were in the FBI or something. “I’m sick of you dipping and dodging when I ask about Max and him dragging you from my home last night was the last straw.”
“Why are you talking about this now? It’s not the time. I have investors and partners at this meeting. We can talk about this later.”
He seized her arms. “Later is now.”
“Let me go.” She gyrated. “Shad, let me go. What’s wrong with you?”
“The madness ends now, Osana.” He pushed her against the wall.
“Shad.”
“I love you too much to let this go on.” He rubbed her cheek with his thumb. “The meeting can wait but this can’t.”
“You think this is funny? I’d never show up at Swipe Play and do this to you. You’re fucking around with my business.”
“And you’re fucking around with my heart.” He took the folder and set it on her file cabinet. “Don’t you understand that it’s killing me to see you with Max?” He inhaled then eased the breath out. “I’m dying here, Osana. I love you so much.”
“Don’t do this,” she whined. “Let me go.”
“Let me in.” He held her face in his warm palms. “I can help you. You gotta trust me.”
“No.”
“Yes.” He forced her eyes on him. “There’s no man who will ever love you like I do.” He kissed her, taking the peppermint from her mouth. “Mm.” He sucked it for a moment then swallowed.
She turned away, her head bumping the wall. “You’re a bastard for doing this. Please leave this alone for the last time, Shad.”
“No.”
Someone knocked on the door. “Osana?” a man called out.
She recognized the voice of a senior executive. “Y…yes?” She glared at Shad.
“The meeting started five minutes ago. Everyone’s waiting on you.”
“I’ll be there in a minute,” she bellowed. “Can you start the meeting for me?”
“Are you all right?”
“Yes,” she shouted. “I’m taking an important call.”
“Okay, I’ll get things rolling, but you need to hurry.”
“I said I’ll be there.” She listened as the executive walked away. “What do you want from me, Shad?”
“I’m not letting you leave this office until you tell me why you married Max. I’m tired of standing around while the woman I love is suffering.”
“I can’t see you anymore.”
“What?”
“This entire thing is a mess, and I have no right to put you through it. You des
erve better than that.”
“Why are you saying this?” He glanced sideways at her. “You don’t mean it.” He pressed his chest against hers. “Look at you now.” He sniffed her neck. “You’re about to explode because you want me inside you so bad.”
“Stop it.” She closed her eyes.
“This is Max talking.” He shook her until she opened her eyes. “Did he threaten you?”
“He threatened you, and I won’t put you in harm’s way.”
“I’m not scared of Max.”
“You should be.” She tried to go around him. “Shad, please let me go.”
“Not until you tell me the truth.”
“Move or I’ll hit you.”
“Hit me.” He swayed from side to side. “I’m not leaving.” He kissed her, smacking. “Tell me the truth.”
“No.” She shivered with rage and arousal. “Get off me.”
“This is me, Osana.” He took her purse and threw it on the floor. “You can’t lie to me. What’s he got over you, huh?” He kissed her, grabbing her ass through her skirt. “Trust me, I can get rid of Max.”
“You can’t.” She moaned as his tongue massaged her earlobe. “Shad—”
“God, you’re so sexy.” He held her arms to the wall.
“Shad,” she whimpered. “Don’t do this.” Her legs shook. “Leave this alone.”
“I can’t leave you alone.” He lifted her skirt.
“What are you doing?” Her breath caught in her throat. “Shad—”
“Tell me,” he mumbled with his lips on hers. “Why did you marry Max?” He undid his belt.
“Are you…” She held onto his shoulders. “This can’t be happening right now. You’re fuckin’ insane.”
“It’s just you and me.” He pushed his pants and underwear halfway his legs. “You can’t lie when you’re in my arms.”
“Oh.” She squirmed. “You gonna fuck me right here?”
He watched her with his eyes turned downward and slid down her panties. “What do you think?”
“We can’t.” She sucked her lip. “My meeting.”
“Fuck the meeting and everything else.” He snatched the hairpin out her hair, demolishing her bun. “Your mouth can lie, but your body can’t.” He lifted her leg.
“Shad.” She pushed on his chest as he entered her. “Ah.” She moaned. “We can’t.”
