“You’ve always been sure of yourself, Mr. Morgan.”
“I know what I’m capable of, Ms. Reilly.”
“Don’t speak to soon. I’ll have to see.”
“Does that mean you’ll come with me?” he asked, eagerly.
“Yes.”
Shawn’s smile was priceless, and she felt the corners of her own lips turning up in content.
Over an hour passed when Alexia realized that they were one of the few people remaining at the reunion. Evidently while they were outside on the balcony talking about almost everything under the sun that had occurred over the last decade, people ate, drank, enjoyed themselves, and began leaving. The time had whizzed by in a flash, but in this moment there was a feeling of comfort.
When the hotel staff began appearing to clean up, they took the hint and Shawn walked her to her car.
“I’ll pick you up around four. Thanks for agreeing to go.”
“No problem.” She fumbled for the key fob in her purse and unlocked the doors.
He pulled the door open for her. “Drive safe.”
His eyes seem to travel up the length of her leg as she got into the driver seat. She probably should have worn stockings with this short of a dress anyway.
“Goodbye, Shawn.”
“Goodnight, Alexia.”
The way he said her real name brought tingles up her spine. Warmth rushed to her cheeks and she turned to avoid his direct stare. The same man who could make her at ease with his smooth talk could also turn up the heat with one stare.
“What have I gotten myself into?” she whispered as she drove off.
Chapter Three
Shawn took the elevator of the high rise condominium up to the sixteenth floor. Though relaxing, the elevator music playing through the speakers above reminded him of a carousel. He dragged his palms down the sides of his pants for the fifth time. As the numbers ticked by on the display, his attempt to hide his nervousness proved futile.
Why in the heck was he so nervous? He’d been on dates before. It had been years since they’d seen each other, but Alexia was barely a stranger to him. Yet, all day he couldn’t keep his mind off her and yearned for the intellect and conversation she offered last night.
Just before the elevator doors opened, Shawn glanced at his reflection in the shiny metal and tugged at his tie once more. Dragging his hand across his freshly shaven face, he suddenly wished he’d left the day old stubble intact. It made him look older and wiser, according to other women he’d dated in the past. He shook his head to rid himself of the women of his past and made his entrance onto Alexia’s floor.
Taking the cues from the directional signs posted on the wall just outside the elevator, he walked down the corridor to Alexia’s condo. As he rapped on the door, his heart sped up once again. He felt like he was meeting a business prospect on his very first assignment. That’d been years and years ago. He wasn’t a rookie anymore. Now he had the knowledge and confidence to know that what he offered was what the client needed. In his business, there was no room for error. He aimed to please every client to secure their future business.
Shawn had learned long ago that women weren’t like a business. You couldn’t run them like one. They were a whole different ball game. Each was unique…different. They came with their own positives, and unfortunately, with negatives as well. Some stressed him out more than one sixty hour work week. So, it surprised him last night when he became completely at ease with Alexia Reilly.
Just as he thought to knock a second time, she opened the door. The refreshing sight and scent of her greeted him all at once.
She grinned. “Hi.”
Her brown eyes sparkled as she took him in. He loved the way she wore her makeup. He couldn’t even tell if she had any on. Her natural beauty shined through and nearly took his breath away. Instead of the pinned up in curls that she wore at the reunion, her hair fell straight to her bare shoulders.
The ruby metallic one-shoulder dress clung to her curves like butter to bread, and he almost pinched himself for standing there like an idiot. She smelled of cucumbers and lemons. There was no other way to describe it. It was the same fusion of scents that he’d reminisced on the whole day. Could it have actually been her perfumes that calmed him or was it that mesmerizing voice of hers?
“Ummmm…am I too formal or what?” She held up her hands, palms up. “I can change into some—”
“No, no. Don’t change.” He took a step back and took the chance to admire her again. The heeled pumps she wore made her legs look like they went on for days. “You look absolutely stunning.”
Alexia looked at him incredulously. “Thanks, but you’re probably just saying that.” She motioned for him to come inside. “Can you wait inside? I need to take care of one more thing before we leave.”
Shawn couldn’t take his eyes away from her, but she finally disappeared into a room in her condo. As he waited, he took a look around. He’d always been able to tell a lot about a woman by where and how they lived. Yet, nothing about her decked-out, modern condo said mechanic. There were a few photos of old classic cars on the faux fireplace and a side table, but other than that there was no indication that she had a love for cars like they’d talked about.
He ventured into the kitchen, expecting to find the lemons and cucumbers he smelled all throughout her place. However, the kitchen was sparkling clean and there wasn’t any sign of food anywhere. It didn’t really look like the kitchen was being used. The stove and countertops were crumb-less. Dirty dishes…nowhere to be found. He could certainly use a lesson from her in neatness. If it wasn’t for the maid he hired on a weekly basis, his house would look like a disaster. Of course, he blamed it on his demanding job.
Stopping to glance at the refrigerator, he saw his reflection in the steel. On instinct, his hand went to his tie, and he tugged once more.
“Would you like something to drink?”
He turned to see Alexia standing in the kitchen with her clutch purse and keys in hand.
“No, I was just ogling your spotless kitchen,” he joked with a smile. “I envy you.”
She giggled, and then covered her mouth with her fingers to stop herself. “My maid left a few hours ago.”
“You too, huh?”
“I thought we’d discussed this already,” she teased. “Sixty hour work weeks and a spotless home just don’t mix…not unless you have a maid.”
He nodded. “I agree.”
“Should we leave, or would you like a tour of my place?”
Shawn glanced at his wristwatch. “We should leave since I arrived a few minutes late. My apologies. But I would really like a tour…” he lifted a brow in question at her “…when we get back, maybe?”
She gave him a suspicious look, and her forehead and nose crinkled slightly. “There’s not really much else to see.”
He was becoming fond of the cute faces she made at him. “I’m sure there’s a lot more to see.”
He thought he noticed a slight glow in her cheeks then, but he certainly didn’t miss the way she lowered her eyes in modesty.
“Let’s go, Mr. Morgan.”
“Lead the way, Ms. Reilly.”
***
Despite the casual conversation about the stock market on the way to the event, Alexia felt anxious. Although, she was at ease with Shawn most times when they were alone, they were only moments away from being surrounded by a bunch of unknowns. She was a true introvert and suddenly, the more she pondered it, the thought of the gathering intimidated her.
Alexia would be out of her element and he would be encircled in his. She hadn’t forgotten that he was the type of business man that thrived on social networking. People automatically flocked to him. Not only was he extremely attracted, but once people got to know him they all agreed that he was a down to earth guy. That simple fact hadn’t changed since high school. He was, indeed, the extrovert.
A soft gust of night air hit her legs when Shawn opened the door. He reached ins
ide and offered his hand. She took one last swallow and accepted.
The Brownstone Country Club was famous for being the oldest, most well established meeting place in the town. It was undoubtedly where the elite class in town came to talk about money, spend money, and make money.
“Thanks for joining me,” Shawn said as they walked to the entrance. “I have to admit that I felt completely out of element the last couple of times I was here.”
“Why? I thought you loved the crowd.”
“I do. Some of Brownstone’s members are already my clients, but I’ve never considered myself as…on their level.”
Alexia turned to assess him and contemplate his statement in disbelief. “Don’t pretend you’re not making enough dough. Isn’t it why you got the invite?”
He smiled and shrugged. “Could be. They’ve been soliciting my membership for a while now.”
“You’d fit right in.”
“You know, thirty years ago, someone like me would never have been welcomed in this place. It’s one reason why no one in my family is a member.”
Alexia’s eyes swept over him. Not many people knew that Shawn was the product of an interracial marriage. He took after his Caucasian father, all the way down to his good looks. She had never seen his African American mother in person, but it was said that she worked in Europe as a model before meeting Shawn’s father.
“Times have changed, Shawn,” she said.
“Yes, they have.”
As soon as they entered the place, they were greeted right away by a host and offered drinks. Naturally, Shawn charmed everyone he came in contact with. Not one time did he fail to introduce her, but Alexia knew who they were really interested in. She was by no means jealous. As far as she was concerned, she had a lot to learn from Shawn.
Alexia downed the rest of her champagne just as they took a seat at an empty table.
Shawn got the attention of a server and placed two more glass of champagne between them. “That wasn’t so bad. This is where I usually take a breather. As I thought, I know most of the folks in here.” He tipped his chin the direction of the outdoor patio. “Including the owner. At most of these events, I get a lot of referrals. That’s how most of my leads come. By word of mouth. Now is the time when I assess who I don’t know. If they’re not interested, they usually have a friend or family member who is.”
“So, it’s all about the business…even at personal events.”
“Half of my clients are met on leisure time. I may not have offered anything to them at first meeting, but once they learn about what I do for a living and how I’ve helped people, it’s not long before they’re asking what I can do to help them. On the other hand, I run an office in the city, so I do obtain drive-by clientele.”
She grinned. “Cool. You seem to have enough knowledge and experience to gain trust with someone’s money.”
“Knowledge, experience, a proven system, and track record…all that is key to attaining the client’s trust. Here’s one way of looking at it, and also an example I use with my clients…If you weren’t a mechanic, would you change your own oil, repair your own transmission, or even rebuild your engine. I don’t get many mechanics seeking my help, unfortunately, but most of them would never attempt to do those things on their own and risk ruining something they saved up many years to obtain. The same way people trust you to fix their cars, is the same way they trust me to fix their debt or money problems.”
It was no wonder that Shawn was so successful. Back in the day, he had the charm to talk the panties off many girls…now that same charisma was used to get big spenders to open their wallets. Alexia couldn’t blame him. He made his living doing what he knew how to do best.
She picked up her chilled champagne and took a sip. “I guess at some point we should talk about how you might be able to help the Reilly business. Maybe—”
“Hey, Shawn! Is that you?”
Alexia looked up from her glass. There was a red-headed woman rushing toward them. By the eager look on her face, she’d been the one who’d interrupted her and made the outburst. A man followed closely behind her.
“What are you doing here?” she asked Shawn, then smoothed the back of her short white sundress and plopped down in the seat next to him.
“Elizabeth…hi,” Shawn said, suddenly straightening his back in his chair. He stood and offered a hand to what appeared to be the red head’s date or husband. “Shawn Morgan.”
“Rick Walter.”
Rick sized up Shawn with a strained smile on his face, and took a seat next to Elizabeth.
Alexia had learned how to read body language during her lawyer days, and Shawn looked as uncomfortable as an army recruit being interrogated by his Drill Sergeant. What did this woman do to make him look unnerving?
“This is Alexia Reilly,” Shawn said, turning to introduce her.
Elizabeth gave her a quick sweeping look with a slight frown on her face, and muttered, “Hi.”
“Hi.” Alexia grabbed her drink and took a long sip. It was apparent that she’d come to see Shawn all along.
“How are things at the office?” she asked him. “Have they found my replacement?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact, they have. Our new receptionist started last month.”
“It didn’t take long, huh?” Elizabeth shrugged, and then smiled brightly. “Hey, I heard you were up for district manager.”
Shawn nodded. “Word does get around.”
“Excuse me.” Rick placed his hand on Elizabeth’s arm. “The table we asked to be seated at is vacant.”
“Well, what’s wrong with sitting here?”
Rick got up and put both hands on the back of her chair. Alexia thought he would pull it out from under her, but Elizabeth gave Shawn an indifferent look and finally got up from the table.
“Nice seeing you again, Shawn.” She waved a hand, and following behind her date.
Alexia couldn’t help but to laugh. She covered her lips with her fingers. “Well, that was certainly…strange. Let me guess…your ex?”
Shawn turned and lifted an eyebrow. “Not entirely.”
“What does that mean?”
He shifted in his seat. “That’s not something I’d rather talk about. Not here. Not with you.”
She shrugged. “Oh, I get it. I’m not privileged to that information.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Well…I asked you what you meant.”
Shawn exhaled loudly. “Okay. She’s someone I met right before she got hired with our company. It was a short fling.”
“I see.”
It all made sense now. The way he looked on in surprise at Elizabeth. The way he shifted in his chair as she spoke. These were the actions of a man who was embarrassed, and maybe a little regretful about the encounter.
“So, is that the kind of woman you prefer?” Alexia asked, nonchalantly.
“My type?” Shawn wrinkled his nose as he glanced at her in deep thought. “Sometimes you don’t know what you prefer until she’s staring you directly in the face.”
Alexia dropped her gaze to the table when he refused to stop staring at her. “Don’t you ever answer questions directly?”
“Nah.” Shawn shook his head. “She’s easily influenced. Something like you…on the other hand…”
“You’re right.” Alexia matched his smile. “Someone like me isn’t so easily influenced. And I’m not quite convinced that you would know what you wanted even if she was staring you directly in the face.”
“And she is…”
She shook her head. “I’m not your type.”
“Are you telling me?” He raised an eyebrow. “Or asking me?”
“In all honesty, Mr. Morgan, I’m a grown ass woman now. I’m not the innocent girl who you stole the calculator from long ago. I doubt you would be able to handle me now.”
Shawn grinned. “With all due respect, Ms. Reilly, I’ve been known to prove people wrong.”
Chapter Fou
r
Shawn would have never thought that he’d catch himself daydreaming this long about a woman. He didn’t remember over the last year about a time when he thought heavily about anything other than making his bank account bigger or developing a plan to retire over the next five years. It was easy to delve on materialistic things when you had nothing else that truly mattered. Besides spending time with his mother on routine occasions, he couldn’t recall going out of his way to please or impress anyone else.
As he entered his home through the garage, he threw his keys down on the island in the center of the kitchen. Just as he leaned to grab a beer from the refrigerator, he noticed the blinking red lights on his answering machine. Every day, after work he came home to at least a dozen phone calls. There was always one that caused him to pull out his briefcase and work after hours and sometimes throughout the night.
To hell with those calls tonight, there was someone else on his mind.
He took a swig of beer, and then pulled his cell phone from his pocket. It had been several days since he’d last talked to Alexia. Most of their calls were short and had been strictly business. He’d find out right now if he was meant to stay home on a Friday night hunched over his laptop crunching numbers.
The phone rang three times before Alexia picked up. “This is Alex.”
Her voice was a breath of fresh air, and he caught himself smiling as he walked past the foyer and into the living room. “It’s Shawn.”
There was a bit of silence on the other end. “You know what? I totally forgot I was supposed to call you back yesterday about the CDs. I got tied up in things at the shop.”
“I figured you were busy. Are you still at work?” He hoped he didn’t catch her at a bad time.
“I’m on the way to pick up dinner, and then I’m heading home.”
“Tired?”
“You bet.”
His shoulders drooped. It was probably a bad idea to ask her out on a date after a long week. He didn’t want to seem to be a bother. “This is probably bad timing, and you can say no or leave me alone or whatever, but…”
Mz Mechanic Page 3
