“Sshh!” Rose shushed, pointing towards the back. “Lower your voice, she’s here,” she hissed. He looked up and saw the door of Chantelle’s office closed. He looked at Rose again.
“Here sweetie, have my coffee and the pastry. It’s the cheese one we like,” he said to her, smiling, then walked away.
Rose turned to see him leave, and called after him. “I’m going to tell Phil you are hitting on me!” She heard him laugh, then turned back to sip the coffee while she continued to work— Once Jonathan had planted that seed in Phil, he couldn’t manage to stop thinking about Rose. So he broke off whatever it was he had with Victoria, took Rose on their first date, and never looked back. They had been together for the past four and a half years.
Jonathan walked into Chantelle’s office, and slammed the door behind him.
“Jesus! What is it with you?” She asked, startled.
“Do you have to be so fucking horrible to Rose, all the time?” He yelled.
She rolled her eyes. “Oh, please. Rose this, Rose that. What is she, your girlfriend? I thought she was dating Phil!” She yelled, sarcastically.
“No. She’s my friend, and ‘helping’ you is not one of her job descriptions. So just leave her the fuck alone!” He roared.
“Fine!” She yelled again.
She huffed, leaning back in her chair and crossed her arms, then pouted like a spoiled little brat. Jonathan couldn’t help but laugh.
She looked at him and gave him a sexy smile. “So are you going to punish me, tiger? I have been bad.”
Jonathan smirked, locked the door, and walked to her desk. Picking her up by her arms, he pulled her from the chair and pushed her harshly against the wall.
“Mmm, I love it when you play rough.”
He pressed his body against her, pinning her between his chest and the wall. Chantelle looped her arms around his neck, and kissed him with the same intensity. Pulling back, he slid his fingers through the space between the buttons on her breasts and ripped her blouse open. The buttons flew everywhere. He began kissing her neck, while his hands massaged her breast, lowered the zipper of her jeans and pushed them down. She began panting as his hand moved down her belly until he reached her inner thighs. A moan escaped her lips, unable to be stopped. She stepped out of her jeans, giving him full access. Placing his forearms under her knees, Jonathan pulled her up, and pressed her again between his body and the wall. She held on to him, and muffled a moan, as he began to rock into her.
Jonathan zipped up his jeans, and finger combed his hair while looking out the window of Chantelle’s office.
“I’m not complaining about the passion, tiger, but can you not ruin my clothes, please? You literally ripped my Channel blouse,” she said annoyed, walking towards the armoire she had in her office, and pulling out a new blouse. He rolled his eyes.
“You’ll survive,” he said, and turned around to leave her office. He stopped at the door, and looked at her over his shoulder. “Leave Rose alone. I mean it, Chantelle.”
Walking into his corner office, he closed the door, rested his back against it, and let out a heavy breath. Once he sat at his desk, he dialed the HR department. The automated system answered, he pressed Marie’s extension.
“Hi, Marie. It’s Jonathan Smith, Jr. Partner. Listen, regarding the replacement of my executive assistant. I want to request that Rose Miller be promoted to that position. This request is final, please start interviewing for her replacement at the Corporate Law reception on Monday. I need Rose to begin training to work for me immediately, thank you.”
*
Once done with work, Jonathan walked out of the office. It was noon and he was starving. He stopped in his tracks, when he reached the reception and saw Rose sitting at her desk.
“You are still here?”
She turned, and nodded reluctantly. “I was done with what she needed about an hour and a half ago, but she gave me more things to do.”
“That fucking little…” he muttered, looking in the direction of Chantelle’s office, and noticed the door wide open.
“She left already,” Rose said, rubbing her eyes in an attempt to relieve the pressure that had built. Jonathan reached around her chair, and turned off her computer. She looked at him confused, but he smiled.
“Come on, we are going to lunch,” he grabbed her purse and stepped back to give her room to pass. Walking towards the elevator, he texted Phil to meet them at the tavern close to their place. By the time they got there, Phil was already sitting at a table.
“I ordered burgers,” Phil said, as they sat down with him. Rose gave him a kiss on the lips, and looked at Jonathan with a smirk, then to Phil again.
“Honey, I’m sorry to have to be the one to tell you this, but your best friend is hitting on me,” she said, matter of fact. Jonathan laughed.
“Really? Again dude? What did he do this time my love?”
“He gave me his breakfast this morning, signature espresso and everything!” She said, pretending to be appalled, and Phil opened his eyes wide, in mock horror.
“Oh, that is it, dude! You and me outside, right now!”
“I mean, everyone knows that any man who gives a woman his signature espresso, wants to get into her pants,” Rose added.
“True,” Phil answered, nodding pensive.
“Listen, butt face. I know I’m deliciously irresistible, but please try to show some control. You can’t have me.”
Jonathan covered his face with both hands, his body shook with laughter so hard, that he actually cried.
Phil laughed, and kissed Rose. “You are amazing.”
“I know,” she said, grinning.
Jonathan leaned back, taking a settling breath, and wiped his eyes. “Chantelle called her into the office early this morning. She didn’t even give her a chance to grab breakfast, so I gave her mine,” he explained, getting upset again.
“Thanks, man,” Phil’s said, and looked at Rose full of love. He put his arm around her and kissed her. She blushed. “Ok, my love. You are going to have to stop blushing with me at some point. We’ve been together for over four years already,” he kissed her lips again, and she smiled.
“Oh my God, he remembers. He’s a keeper ladies and gentleman.”
“I’m serious, my love.”
“I know, but you still make me nervous every time you look at me, and today your eyes are kind of intense. You’ve never stared at me like that before.”
Phil chuckled. “Well, you left today before I awoke, and I love you, sometimes I can’t help myself. Also, you look beautiful today,” she smiled, blushing again. He leaned in and kissed her.
Jonathan looked at them, and the sight tugged at his heart. He cleared his throat, prompting Rose to break the kiss.
“Phil, you are making Mr. Grinch uncomfortable.”
Jonathan chuckled. “Just because I don’t believe in the lie of love, doesn’t…”
“Yeah, yeah, we know,” Phil said, interrupting him. “Don’t rain on our parade, dude,” he looked at Rose, and began kissing her again.
Jonathan rolled his eyes. “Anyway, I have good news, Rose,” he said, beating the table for a drum roll, and effectively ending their kiss. Phil groaned.
“What are you up to, now?” Rose asked, looking at him suspiciously.
He smiled wide. “You have been promoted to be my new Executive Assistant. You get more days off, and paid vacation time, as well as a big salary bump. Not to mention that Chantelle can’t touch you now.”
Her eyes widened in surprise, and she took a deep breath suddenly fighting tears. She knew exactly why he did it, and she was really grateful to have him as a friend. She stood up, and gave him a big hug. “Thank you.” She said, and dabbed at her eyes with a napkin. “You see, honey? The lengths he will go to, just to be close to me. He’s hitting on me, Phil. I’m telling you!”
They laughed. Phil gave him a pat on the back. “Thanks, man. I appreciate it.”
“Nah, it was the rig
ht thing to do. She’s sweet, hardworking, and knows everything about the business thanks to Chantelle’s abuse. I have no doubt she’ll be better than the assistants I’ve had so far,” Rose gave him a kiss on the cheek and sat down again. Jonathan smiled tenderly at her, and then turned to Phil. “Did you see that? Now who’s hitting on who?” He said, smirking. “You better control your woman.”
Jonathan stepped out of the elevator, and into his penthouse. Rose and Phil’s apartment was right next-door to his, but they had decided to go to the movies, so he went back alone. He changed into his swimsuit, grabbed his cell and dialed.
A woman’s voice answered. He smiled. “I’m here, meet me at the pool.”
The private pool for penthouse resident’s overlooked the city, and was located on the terrace of the seventh floor. Jonathan placed his towel and keycard on a chair and dove into the water. A few laps later, he resurfaced to find a voluptuous Moroccan beauty standing at the edge, barely dressed in the gold bikini she was wearing. He smiled and extended his hand to her, his eyes roaming her deliciously tanned body as she immersed herself into the water. The moment she stood in front of him, he kissed her. Her hand went into the water, pulled on the string of her bikini bottom, and brought it out. With a sexy smile, she placed the bikini around his neck, turned around, and dove in, giving him a glorious view of her. He smirked as his body responded to the sight, and laughed when she tossed her top at him, from the other end of the pool. Looping it around his neck, he swam after her.
Three hours later, Jonathan sat on the plane on his way to Springport, for thanksgiving. Placing his earphones in, he pressed play on his iPod. Coldplay began to play, and he closed his eyes dozing off. Suddenly, he felt a nudge on his arm and opened his eyes to find the flight attendant smiling at him.
“I’m sorry to wake you, sir. We have arrived in Detroit,” he sat up disconcerted, and looked around to find the plane almost empty.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I guess I was more tired than I originally thought,” he chuckled, and stood, grabbing his leather jacket, and his carry-on. The hands on his watch marked 12:55am. He lifted his gaze and walked towards the exit to hail a cab. He had told Angela not to worry about coming to pick him up. He would arrive too late for her to drive all the way to Detroit.
As he walked, he carelessly dropped his leather jacket and stopped to pick it up. The moment he stood straight again, he was rendered speechless by the beauty standing across from him.
“Mmmnn,” he hummed letting his gaze roam her body. The sight was deliciously enticing, and it was already working its magic on him. Her beautiful golden blonde hair, fell slick in layers all the way to her lower back.
“I’ve always had a thing for blondes,” he murmured, amused. Unfortunately for him, the moment his eyes searched for her face, she put her fingers in her hair and flipped it to fall to the side, covering it from him. He stared at her profile, and allowed his eyes to continue roaming down. Her body was slender and firm. “She might be a runner, or a power walker,” he mused. She was wearing a black, tight turtleneck that hugged her breasts like he wished his hands could, showing them off to him. They were full and seemed completely natural by the way they sat on her body. Her waist was small. She had hips to die for and long, beautifully toned legs. Her thighs were perfectly accentuated by the tight black jeans she wore, and the torturing stiletto, knee-high black leather boots.
“Babe, walk all over me, why don’t you?” He murmured, and smirked, walking towards his prey. As he approached, her cell rang and she bent down to get it from the pocket of the long, red coat that hung from her suitcase.
“Hello? Ok, I’ll be right out.”
Jonathan stopped in his tracks. That voice, seemed so familiar. He stood there, confused as the blonde put on the red coat, and looped a black and white flowered scarf around her neck. He began to walk again, hoping to catch her.
“Sir? Do you need a cab?” a man stood in front of him and he stopped. He blinked, looking at the man then stepped to the side quickly, but the blonde was already gone. His eyes returned to the airport attendant.
“Uhm, I’m sorry. Yes I do.”
“Ok, just go through that door and you will find the taxi line there, waiting for passengers.”
He nodded, disconcerted, looking in the direction where the blonde stood just a moment ago. “Thank you,” he said, put on his leather jacket and walked out of the terminal, and into the freezing cold.
Jonathan arrived at Grandma Rose’s house, about half an hour earlier than he was supposed to, thanks to the maniac that was driving the cab.
“What the heck is wrong with you? You are going to kill somebody driving that way! What the hell do you think this is, Formula 1?” He said paying the man and got out of the cab upset. He pulled out his suitcase, and leather bag. “Maniac!” He shouted, as the guy skidded away.
He walked up the steps, and found Grandma Rose opening the door. She came out to greet him with a big smile, and her arms wide open. He smiled, and rushed the last few steps hugging her.
“Grandma, you are going to freeze. You should have just waited for me to get in,” he said, kissing her cheek.
“You are worth the cold, dear,” she answered, smiling, as they walked into the house.
Grandma Rose held his arms, and held them wide open then stood back to look at him.
“Oh, my boy is so big! Look at you always in those fancy clothes. You look right out of a catalog, dear,” she pinched his cheek, and he chuckled.
“Thank you, Grandma. Here, I brought you something,” he opened his leather bag and handed her an elegant grey bag, with the words Saks Fifth Avenue on it.
She gasped opening it and finding a box with a beautiful crystal vase inside. “Oh no, dear. I can’t accept this, it looks expensive.”
He chuckled. “It should be, its Baccarat Crystal. The lady told me it’s very special, just like you, Grandma,” he answered, kissing her cheek.
“Thank you, dear.”
“There he is! My gorgeous and important Boston Lawyer of a son,” Angela said, walking towards him, and hugged him tight in her arms.
“Hi, Mom. I brought you something too,” he handed her a small Chanel bag and she gasped.
“Oh, is the perfume I love. Thank you, honey,” She hugged him again.
Jonathan placed his bag down, next to the suitcase by the foot of the stairs, and walked to the kitchen, sitting on the table with them. “You shouldn’t have waited up for me, it’s really late.”
“Oh, nonsense!” Grandma Rose said, waving it off.
“So, tell me. How is everything going on your big city job, son? Any girlfriends you will be bringing home soon?” Angela asked, and he chuckled, shaking his head.
“Well, my job is going very well, I made Jr. Partner at the firm.”
“Oh, son. That’s wonderful. Congratulations!”
He smiled, and then sighed. “As far as the girlfriends, nope. None. I already have you two in my life, that’s more than enough for me,” he winked.
“Are you ever going to give me grandchildren?” Angela protested.
“Mom, please. I’m tired. Let’s not have that conversation tonight. Let me at least regain my energy before you lecture me again.”
Grandma Rose held his hand, “Tell me dear, how is Rose doing?”
His smile returned. “She’s great. I just promoted her to my executive assistant, and Phil told me he’s going to propose to her on Thanksgiving.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful, son.”
“Yeah, she’s a great woman, and a really good friend.”
“Well, her name is Rose, isn’t it? She had to be great,” Grandma Rose said, smiling, and he chuckled kissing her cheek.
He took a deep breath, suddenly looking concerned. “I really don’t think they should do the whole marriage thing, though.”
Angela rolled her eyes, while Grandma Rose grunted.
“Dear, don’t tell me you still see love in that ridiculous way?”
“I don’t want to talk about that, Grandma, please. Ok, ladies. If you don’t mind, I’m going up to take a shower and go to bed. I hope you’ll excuse me, but I’m completely drained,” he kissed them both, and rushed upstairs.
Angela held Grandma Rose’s hand looking into her eyes, pained. “Oh Mom. I hope someday he’s able to move on from the pain he carries. His Father and I never meant to hurt him like this. He deserves better, Mom. My son deserves to be happy.”
Grandma Rose smiled, caressing her hand. “One day he will. I just hope it is not too late.”
*
After the shower Jonathan walked into his room with the towel around his waist, as he combed his hair back. He stood in front of the window, staring at Samantha’s house, like he did every year when he came over for thanksgiving. His eyes roamed the house and he noticed Frank’s car missing. He checked the time on his phone. It was 2:45am.
“That’s weird,” he thought, leaning towards the window. “He gets back from the factory every night at 9:35pm. His car should be there… maybe he is visiting a girlfriend,” he chuckled, and began to turn when Frank’s car pulled into the driveway. He noticed Frank getting down from the passenger side, instead of the driver side and stepped closer to the window. Maybe he did have a girlfriend after all. Now Jonathan was curious. Not that there was anything wrong with that, but from his understanding, Frank hadn’t been with anyone since Grace died.
The driver’s door opened, and a leg clad in a knee-high black leather boot stepped out. A woman wearing a long red coat got down from the car and he looked at it confused. She flipped her long golden-blonde hair, and his heart stopped. He immediately realized it was the woman from the airport… and that woman was Samantha. He closed his eyes, trying to get his bearings. His heart began pounding against his chest. He looked out the window once again and saw Samantha walking towards the trunk. She opened it, and Frank took out her suitcase. His eyes followed her, unblinking, as she walked into the house with Frank.
Jonathan turned, and pressed his back to the wall. He was almost certain he was about to hyperventilate. He shut his eyes again, fighting the wave of memories that he had fought so hard to repress for the past five years. Samantha smiling at him, kissing his cheek, and lying on the grass at the pond, while he held her in his arms and talked to her about the constellations. Him giving her caring kisses on her forehead, holding hands at the library as they studied. Kissing her at the tavern, his hands on her waist, and how her body felt when she held him close to her on his bed. Samantha crying on the stairs on graduation day, the last kiss she gave him full of emotion, and the haunting look of despair in her eyes… her running away from him.
Chasing Time: A Love Through Time Novel Page 20
