by Jade Maxwell
"Do you like scary movies? I'm guessing you are more of a romantic comedy fan. "
From someone else the comment may have sounded condescending, but coming from Roderick it reflected the confidence that he wore like a second skin.
"Actually, I like all kinds of movies but westerns are my favorite. Blame my dad. Our special treat was staying up late on Friday nights eating homemade popcorn and watching spaghetti westerns."
"Sounds like good times.”
After Roderick turned the movie off, the screen dimmed and the room grew quiet. The talk about spaghetti left him thinking of more than food, rather Laila's mouth. How it would taste? He wondered how her mouth would feel pressed beneath his. If he kissed her now, feasted on her pouty lips, would she object?
Laila broke the silence.
"You know what I hate about horror movies?"
"No. Tell me." Roderick was enjoying the impromptu conversation while thoughts of ravishing her, lingered.
"Why is that the woman always takes off running in high heels? Or drops her keys and can't find them when they are right at her feet?"
Roderick joined in.
"Or the person hears a noise downstairs, calls out, but then continues downstairs though no one responds and its dark?"
"I never got that."
"So what would do, in that situation?” Roderick asked, playfully.
Laila laughed. "I'd close the door, kick off my heels and run for the nearest exit. Of course while maintaining perfect hair and makeup."
Roderick chuckled. Soon their eyes met, Roderick's stormy with passion.
"Well, I should be going." Laila started to rise.
"Wait." Roderick said, gently placing a hand on her forearm.
"Don't go. Stay with me. I suddenly have the urge to watch a spaghetti western."
His offer was tempting and Laila would probably just toss and turn if she went to bed anytime soon, thoughts of their encounter permeating her thoughts.
"Sure. But on one condition. The cigar has to go." Laila waited for his response.
Roderick hesitated, mulling over her request.
"Deal. But I pick the movie,” he finished with a grin.
***
Each evening Laila dined with Sarah and on occasion, Roderick when he wasn't away on business. The three dined on the chef, Alain's, delectable creations while discussing a wide array of topics. Though Laila was from a working class family and in addition to Roderick's wealth, Sarah's family could trace their lineage to the Mayflower, the three enjoyed a warm interaction imbued by their mutual passion for sports, arts and literature. Laila's mother, Lydia, had always encouraged her children to read a wide variety of books, from the time they could read, always extolling the virtues of education. While she hadn't finished college, instead instructing dance until she grew ill, Lydia had wanted more for her offspring and Laila had set the example for her younger siblings, beginning college just after her seventeenth birthday.
Though he was a very busy man, who seemed perpetually focused on his business empire, Laila couldn't help but notice that Roderick seemed so unreserved engaging, during those intimate dinners, particularly in his mother's presence. Laila wondered if any of his other employees got to see this intriguing side of him. But she doubted it. In the business world, he had a well known reputation for being guarded to all but a choice few, and unquestionably indomitable. She supposed it must be due to being in his castle, not imagining that her presence had already ignited a remarkable effect upon the tycoon.
“Boom. Crack. Boom."
Thunder and it’s electric twin, lightning. Laila tossed and turned. Finally she reached over and flicked on the light. The alarm screamed out 3:32 in large red digits. It was time to check on Sarah, though no alarms from Sarah's room had gone off.
Laila had on a cotton chamise. Quickly she paired it with its matching sunflower hued robe and slippers.
She headed to Sarah's room next door. The oak door was slightly cracked and she quickly slid in. The soft glow from a single lamp showed that Sarah was fast asleep,rhythm of her breathing even and strong.
Laila retreated and returned to the hallway. She was thirsty so she decided to make the kitchen her next destination. She wound the steps and was soon surrounded by state of the art oven, large commercial refrigerator, gleaming stone countertops. It was as opulent as it was modern. But Sarah had insisted on adding a homey touch with bursts of orange, sky blue and various plants. It was beautiful and here chef, flourished.
After pouring a glass of water, Laila heard a noise on the nearby veranda.
She finished her water, placed the glass in the behemoth of a dishwasher and as she exited the kitchen, she saw a familiar sight that immediately elicited excitement.
Roderick, solely in pajama bottoms, stood on the veranda. A slight mist remained in the air, as the moon provided a luminous silhouette over his gorgeous face and chiseled frame. She thought about heading straight back to her room but as if sensing her presence, Roderick turned and stared at her, his eyes suddenly dancing.
"Hello," she offered, approaching.
"Hello yourself. He turned to face her."
"Spectacular isn't it?"
"It?"
"The thunder and lightning."
"Well , it's certainly not to be ignored.I couldn't sleep."
Roderick huskily shared,
"I love the sound, the current. It's always fascinated me. Current. The coming together of elements." He stated at Laila, his enigmatic eyes seeming to convey much more than his perfect mouth was saying.
"When I was a girl, I would crawl into my parents bed, soon the other kids too. It would become a slumber party. Crowded but cozy. ". Laila smiled at the memory.
Roderick asked, " Do you think about her often, your mother?"
"Every day. For awhile, I was so worried about my father, they were so close. We all were. But he says having us kids, is what helped him make it. It was definitely hard,though, losing his soulmate."
" Yes, my mother is still grieving my father. I guess we all are."
He grew pensive then quickly shifted. Roderick walked a step closer to Laila. She could almost feel his breath. He drew even closer and they were almost touching. Was he about to kiss her? Laila smoothed her hair as he drew closer, feeling heat even in the night's cloak of cool air surrounding them.
Her eyes slightly closed. She waited. Expectant. After a heartbeat, nothing.
Roderick's arm reached up and gently removed a tiny feather nestled in Laila's hair .
"There.From your pillow."
"Thank you," Laila said, slightly embarrassed that she had been anticipating a kiss. Fantasizing about finally tasting his mouth.
"Soul mates," Roderick quizzed. Do you believe in soulmates?" He stared at her intensely. She looked so beautiful. Every day it was getting harder to conceal his emotions, the highly charged attraction, the burgeoning love he felt for his newest employee.The swell he felt at seeing her everytime she entered a room.
"I do. I think that everyone has one. Hopefully we are all blessed to find that one in our lifetime."
Their eyes locked. The level of passion rivaled the lightning that had flashed mere moments before.
Perhaps it was time to take things to the next level, lay all his cards on the table. Roderick was about to reveal his feelings when Laila foiled his plans, quietly whispering,
" I guess I should head back to bed. "Goodnight."
She felt off kilter, but it was from more than the thunder and lightning consuming the sky outside.
"Goodnight," Roderick finally returned silkily.
There was no way that he could get any sleep now, so Roderick headed to his study, tried to temporarily banish thoughts of Laila from his mind. Though he knew it would prove to be an impossible task. He thought about her, fantasized about her every day and she invaded his dreams by night, regularly. He had never even thought of entertaining a romance with an employee. It made for bad policy. But what he
was feeling for Laila was too intense, too real to ignore. Roderick detested waiting when he wanted something. And Laila McKay was what he wanted.
Chapter 4
Two weeks later, Roderick was finishing his review of the third quarter financial analysis. He typed a few sentences then saved the information to the excel spreadsheet. Glancing at his watch, he noted that Laila was due to meet him in five minutes. He grabbed the bow tie of his tuxedo and closed the laptop, planning to resume his review when they returned from the gala. Had the event been purely social, he would have begged off and continued working but he had given his word that he would be in attendance at the fundraiser. As his father Jean-Luc had often repeated, a man's word is his bond.
Roderick had requested that Laila accompany him to the black tie affair that evening, since she had mentioned on a previous discussion that she supported the work of the well esteemed foundation, herself. He had ordered several dresses be delivered from an upscale boutique, for the object of his affection, to select from. After her initial surprise, Laila had agreed and he was anxious to see which she had chosen. As he headed to the foyer, Laila was descending the curved stairs. She was fitted in a champagne colored floor length gown, strapless, with long ringlets of hair cascading down her back. Her only jewelry was the pair of pear shaped diamond earrings that were delivered that afternoon, from a jeweler that catered to the wealthiest clientele on the west coast.
"You look stunning." It had been his favorite of the gowns sent over from the boutique. Apparently, she had been taken with the exquisite dress as well.
"Thank you. And you look quite handsome, though your tie needs some help."
Laila reached up and adjusted his tie, the brief contact elevating the raw current running between them.
"Merci."
"Shall we go?" Roderick escorted Laila to his sports car and settled her in the passenger seat before climbing into the driver's side.
Roderick drove his prized cobalt Bugatti as they began the trek to the private function, being held in Beverly Hills, thirty minutes away. As they traveled the highway, they chatted, the unspoken attraction causing them both to become more garrulous as they focused on everything but their obvious yearning for each other. For Roderick it was torturous, being so close to her, longing to hold her, touch her, kiss her. But not right then, with her perfume, her closeness, the way she looked, having fully aroused him. If she so much as lightly brushed his arm at that moment, he'd likely run off the road. So he let her do most of the talking for the remainder of the ride, lost in his ardent thoughts, trying to settle his pervasive desires.
Thanks to his lead foot, they soon arrived at their destination and the valet was parking the luxury car. Roderick and Sarah entered the grand ballroom and almost immediately they were greeted by his assistant, Summer Emerson, who was dressed in chartreuse colored sheath and matching stilettos, her chestnut hair in loose curls that framed her heart shaped face. She gave Roderick a warm hug then greeted Laila with a tepid,
"Oh, Hello."
Her smile didn't quite reach her hazel eyes. Laila knew that Summer wasn’t sure what to make of her. Was it disapproval, jealousy or mere protectiveness reflected in her eyes? Summer had worked for Roderick for the past seven years and was loyal, efficient and fiercely protective of her boss. Summer reminded Roderick that he was to give a brief introduction of the chairman of the board of directors, after the cocktail hour. The fundraiser typically netted several million dollars and the nonprofit’s board hoped that year’s event would be no exception.
They spied the mayor, a few city council members and various members of Southern California elite. As they mingled, Roderick introduced Laila to some of his friends as well as business associates. His arm remained wrapped securely around her waist and Laila couldn't help but wonder what would it feel like to truly be his woman? As an unknown woman dressed in an emerald gown suddenly grabbed Roderick and embraced him, Laila felt pangs of jealousy singeing through her body. But he was her boss. She had no right to feel this way!.
She soon learned that the affectionate woman was the wife of the Vice President of Channing Enterprises, Benjamin Whitcomb, who appeared at the attractive redhead's side moments later. Laila needed a breather.
"Roderick, please excuse me.”
She hastily retreated to the ladies room to gather her runaway thoughts.
In the large lighted mirror, she blotted her foundation and reapplied her lipstick. Though her heart was still pounding, she was determined not to appear affected by her boss. Why did he have to be so handsome, sexy and all around perfect, but off limits to her?
Exiting the modern and expensively designed ladies room, she heard two men ahead of her, talking animatedly.
"That Channing. You heard about the deal he just made. Now the word is, he's got his eye on the Simstone Corporation."
"Well then, I feel sorry for them. Once he sets his sights on something, it’s over. Finito"
"Yes, he's certainly one ruthless bast...”
"Gentlemen, can I interest you in an Hors d'oeuvre?" a server with silver tray in hand, interrupted.
Was Roderick truly ruthless as the men stated? When it came to family and friends, his concern and loyalty was unquestionable. Laila reasoned that a man as successful as he was, could expect to have a few detractors, even enemies. Laila shuddered at the thought of being his enemy. She couldn't imagine it. Not with the state of her rising feelings for Roderick. No, thinking of him made her feel things she had never felt before, made her want to do things she had never done.
Laila continued down the richly carpeted hallway to the main ballroom, rejoining Roderick.
"Are you alright?" Roderick saw that Laila's face was flushed.
"I'm fine," Laila retorted, intent on appearing unaffected.
Recognizing that dinner was due to be served, she quickly suggested,"Let's eat. I'm famished." She hoped that the meal would provide a welcome reprieve from his questions as well as her capricious emotions.
***
After dinner the band began to play. The soft notes of a love song had barely began when Roderick asked,
"Join me for a dance?"
Laila had never even considered that accompanying her boss would include such intimate contact. But she did what her heart commanded and simply said, "Yes."
As Roderick held her close, she could feel his heart beating. It sounded like a thousand wild horses galloping. She felt the exact same way. His strong arms encircled her and her head rested just below his firm jaw. She inched even closer and closed her eyes.
It felt so good, so right being in his arms. Laila had to stifle a moan. He smelled of cologne that was as a delicious elixir, handmade solely for him: Potent. Virile. Handsome confident, powerful. It just made him all the more attractive, irresistible. Yet Beyond that, there was a connection that had been forged between them, that was real. She felt like when they were together she never wanted that moment to end. And when he left, her mind was enthralled with when they would meet again. Butterflies, the quickening pulse,wayward thoughts. In a short time, he had managed a devastating effect upon her emotions. But how did he feel about her? Laila sensed the mutual attraction but was it more than that? Did he care for as she had begun to care for him. Did it even matter? Laila had to keep her emotions under control. Dating the boss was off limits. Or she had to find a new assignment. She would rather not find new employ. It wouldn't look good to abandon assignment. Moreso, Laila had grown rather fond of Sarah, and Sarah in return. But these feelings for Roderick were dangerous, how long could she keep them stifled, unfulfilled? Tonight she wasn't the nurse Laila McKay. The daughter. Or the sister. She was Laila McKay, the woman falling head over heels, against her better judgement, for Roderick Channing.
Chapter 5
Laila had been working at the Channing estate for nearly six months. She had quickly taken to Sarah Channing and truly enjoyed interacting with Roderick's delightful mother. But then Mrs. Channing's health began to
take a turn for the worse. She was unable to walk more than a short distance and became increasingly confined to her bed. But Sarah insisted that she maintain her most cherished activities, such as her annual tea that benefitted local arts programs.
Laila had assured Roderick that it might do his mother good, that he could hire a planner to organize the event, alleviating any potential stress to Sarah.
“Even in her state, she still needs to be active, involved, in her own way,” she suggested.
Roderick's eyes had angrily flashed, his response adamant. “I know my mother rather well and what's best for her."
Laila sighed. "Well then you know how important this fundraiser is to her," she argued.
"Sometimes, my mother pushes herself too far. Last year, she was clearly overwhelmed and her health was far better. No, I won't have her taxing herself. And that's the final word."
"Well you are the boss," Laila proclaimed, with more than a hint of attitude, not caring that he noticed.
She exited hastily, not bothering to close the door. Normally Roderick would have fired an employee for being so impetuous. But not in this case. He actually admired Laila and her willingness to stand up for what she believed in, even to him.
He smiled for a moment then grew serious again, as he continued to reflect. He supposed that if his mother had an organizer and per Laila's suggestion, if she was on hand, with his mother's physician on call, it would probably be fine. It would make his mother happy, undoubtedly. Now, more than ever, that mattered to him.
He sighed. Roderick wasn't a man that often apologized. But he could admit, at least to himself, that he may have been wrong. And it touched him immensely that Laila truly cared for his mother, too.
***
Sarah was receiving a light massage followed by hair styling ,in the salon located on the second floor.
Laila planned to grab a sandwich then join Sarah in the salon. She quickly greeted the chef and despite his protests that lunch was about to be served, declined, instead gathering condiments, meat, cheese and whole grain bread for a light meal.
