Mix'n Business With Pleasure

by Hadley Raydeen

  The place he referred to was not nearly as upscale and nice as the place Jaxon had taken her the night before, but he was right, she did enjoy their food well enough…. Fourteen years ago when she was a college student. Goes to show, time had passed, he didn’t know her well anymore, and wasn’t really making an effort to find out. “Okay, fine, Robert, whatever.” She rolled her eyes, even though he couldn’t see her.

  He chuckled at her though.“Can you hold on just a minute, baby? I have another call coming through” He clicked over before she could say yes.

  “Well okay, then, guess I’ll just wait. And I’m not your damn baby,” she said to the quiet line. She tapped her pantyhose covered foot on her carpeted floor waiting for him to come back on the other line. She didn’t appreciate being kept waiting by anyone especially this ass hat. There is a reason an ex is an ex, Bevin. What are you doing?

  The intercom on her desk buzzed and she leaned over to hit the green button. “Yes Tanya?”

  “Mr. Stewart is requesting time to meet with you… right now.” Bevin could hear his voice in the background, but couldn’t make out what he was saying.

  “It isn’t a good time, Tanya. I’m on the phone. Tell him maybe tomorrow.” She released the green button before the young woman could respond. She sank in her chair and leaned her head back waiting for Robert to come back on the line.

  Jaxon pushed through the door, leaving Werries’ Media, fuming.

  ‘Ms. Thomas is busy right now. She asked to set an appointment with you at a later time.’ He played back in his mind what the young receptionist had told him.

  Really? Busy? I got your busy right here, sweetheart. He climbed into his truck and just sat there, thinking. He needed to do something to get back in her good graces, but what? Flowers were too cliché. She wouldn’t have dinner with him. Hell, she barely would look at him this morning. Sara sure messed up the progress he’d made so far. He could just kick her little gold digging ass. He pulled out his cell and punched the speed dial for his office. He waited a few minutes before his assistant answered the phone.

  “Amy, any messages for me?” He listened as the girl ran off the activity for the day. “Thank you. I’ll handle those items when I get back to the office. Can you do me a favor?”

  “Sure. What did you need?” his efficient assistant asked.

  “I need you to look something up for me.”

  She hesitated. “Um, okay, what’s up?”

  “Check out the Thomas account. First name - Bevin.”

  “You mean the residence we painted this week?”

  “Yes. How much do they owe?” he asked.

  He heard her type in the system. “That account has already been paid in full.”

  Damn it. Leave it to her to be prompt with payment and not set up installments. “Did they request any other work on that house?”

  “Hmm, there are notes in here about a deck. Her brother wanted an estimate, but he thought his sister would want to invest in that next spring.”

  He did remember her mentioning a deck when they walked around her house that night.

  “I don’t know if it was about money or not. He said he’d take care of the painting now, and the deck in the spring. I didn’t push beyond that,” Amy responded.

  “Schedule the install this weekend,” he said, not thinking twice.

  “Okay?” Amy questioned.

  “We will cover the cost.” he continued

  “Well, who should I schedule to do this work on such short notice? We are booked pretty tight.”

  “I’ll do it myself if I have to.”

  “Jaxon. What is going on?”

  “Please schedule the installation for this weekend. I’m headed home.”

  “I thought you said you were coming into the office?”

  “I changed my damn mind!” he barked into the phone.

  He ended the call before she could ask him any more questions about his request. He didn’t feel like explaining himself, nor did he feel like he had to. He slid the key into the ignition of his truck. Before he could start the vehicle, he noticed Bevin exiting the building and walking into the parking lot. She had her cell phone to her ear. He watched her as she conversed. She looked annoyed and was rolling her eyes. He rolled down his window so he could hear her speak and caught the name Robert. “No, it’s okay. We can do lunch instead. Really, it isn’t a problem. I’m walking to the car right now. Do you still want to go to the Pasta Factory?”

  Who wants to eat at that dump? This had better not be a date. She deserved more than a shitty restaurant and changed plans.

  He had to prove to her that he was interested in her and could give her better. He sure as hell wasn’t going to miss out on an opportunity with her to some guy that was taking her to the Pasta Factory for lunch.

  He waited until she got in and started her car before turning the key in his ignition. He waited until she started to pull from the lot before he pulled from his space.

  All of a sudden he was in the mood for some pasta for lunch.

  Robert came back on the line apologizing. He had to change their plans. Lunch plans with her would work better for him, because he had something come up for tonight. He hadn’t explained what that “something” was. No doubt another woman. Robert had no qualms about keeping a beautiful woman on his arm at all times. Even though she believed he was in fact married. His wife was either really stupid or she was into her own extracurricular activities. She didn’t seem to give a damn about what Robert did in his spare time. His playboy ways were one of the many reasons he broke Bevin’s heart. He swore ‘it’s not like that, baby’ every time she brought up the other women. He failed to mention what it really was like though.

  She immediately started for the door as Robert continued to apologize for the inconvenience of switching their plans. She confirmed she would meet him at the Pasta Factory in twenty.

  When she arrived, Robert greeted her as she entered the crowded restaurant.

  “Bevin! How’ve you been, baby?” He wrapped his arms around her. He kissed her cheek and continued to hug her tight. The embrace was awkward and carried on much longer than needed. She pushed back from him, staring up at the attractive black man that used to make her heart do flips. Still handsome, he was dressed in an expensive, tailored suit; all the way down to his Italian leather shoes. He’d always worn the hell out of dress clothing. He looked good every day she was with him She cleared her throat, running a hand over her own business attire.

  “I’m fine, Robert. How about you?” she finally responded, her tone stiff.

  He smiled a huge grin. All those damn teeth. Cheshire grin covering up no good. “I’m good, real good. It’s great to see you. It’s been too long.”

  Fourteen years, six months, eight days but who the hell is counting…? “Yes, it has been quite a while.” She tried to force a grin on her face, but his wide grin was doing the work for both of them.

  “I got us a table right over here.” He turned, leading the way. She followed him through the tight space to a booth. He waited for her to sit before sliding in the seat across from her. “It is so great seeing you. Thank you for meeting me on such short notice. I wanted to catch up. See how you’ve been. How is work? You know, all of those things. You look well.”

  Her mind wandered back to the way Jax treated her the night before. Definitely not a “booth” type date.

  She smirked. “I know, I’ve been helping Russell with Werries’ Media. It’s been head down and work work work.” She was thankful for the interruption of the server.

  “Can I get your drinks?” the woman asked while cracking gum and tapping her foot.

  They both opted for water, though she could have used a glass of wine to get through this lunch. She should have just declined. But what could he possibly want?

  “Oh, work… You know what they say about all work no play, sweetie.” He playfully frowned, but then winked at her.

  “No, I’m not quite sure. What
do they say, Robert?” she challenged him.

  He raised a brow. “The woman gets feisty with age, huh?”

  “I’m not the same impressionable girl I was at twenty, I guess.” She looked away from him, unable to look him in the eye.

  “I know that. A lot has changed. You are definitely not a girl anymore.” His gaze left her face and roamed a bit lower over her neck to her neckline and the bit of cleavage that peeked out there. “Like I said, you look great”

  She cleared her throat and he met her gaze again. He chuckled. “You can’t blame a man for appreciating a beautiful woman, Bevin. You’ve always been sexy.” He reached his hand across the table linking fingers with her. “We haven’t seen enough of each other in my opinion,” he pouted. “I’ve missed you.”

  “Do you miss me or the young girl you thought you could seduce into getting you what you wanted out of Russell’s company? Because as I remember it, you had no problem booting me to the curb the minute he told you to kick rocks.”

  He narrowed his eyes, but the waitress came back with their drinks and a bread basket. They ordered their lunches—lasagna for him and seafood penne Alfredo for her. After the server hurried away, Bevin eyed the man, fourteen years her senior, warily. “I don’t mean to be a bitch. I guess enough time has passed for me to get the hell over it. But you know sometimes it creeps back up and… well, you know, it still gets under my skin a bit how you treated me. How have you been? Are you okay?” she asked, needing to calm down before she ended up telling him off or throwing her drink in his face.

  Robert sipped his water before answering. “Yea, babes. I’m more than okay.” He broke off a piece of bread. “I just wanted to see you and make sure you were doing okay and see what you were up to.”

  She raised a brow at his rambling. This wasn’t Robert’s style at all. He was usually smoother with his communication. He always had the right things to say and very humorous in his approach.

  “Okay, let’s cut the bullshit. What is wrong with you? You told me you needed to see me. You could have asked me what I’ve been up to via text. What do you want, Robert?”

  He snapped his head up and stared at her. The look of realization came over his face and he dropped the piece of bread on his plate. He laughed. His sly grin and charismatic attitude returned to the table.

  “Oh, I see years in business have given you a keen eye. Beautiful, smart and perceptive. I like it, Bevin.” He cleared his throat scanning the restaurant. His gaze stopped briefly at the door, but she didn’t turn around to see what had caught his attention. Probably, another gorgeous woman.

  “Robert, let’s stop the aloof song and dance here. Tell me what it is you want.”

  “Look, I didn’t realize when I asked you to lunch that you were still harboring some type of resentment toward me because of what happened between us back then. Hell, it’s been, what did you say, how long?”

  “I didn’t say.” She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of the exact years months and days she’d been trying to forget about him. Forget that! “But it seems you aren’t fazed by it, regardless. Let’s just say enough time has passed. And, you are right. It is high time I let the past stay there which is why agreed to meet you.”

  The server brought their food. “Now that is service! Look how fast that got here.” Robert said, causing the young server to smile.

  “Is there anything else I can bring you?” the woman asked. Bevin rolled her eyes. “I’m fine, thanks.”

  Robert requested refills and winked at the girl before she damn near skipped away.

  “I see the charm never stops for the ladies,” Bevin quipped. “Oh, come on. I was just being friendly.”

  “Mmm-hmm.” She looked him dead in the eye this time.

  “Damn, you make me feel bad. You know I only had eyes for you when we were talking, Bevin. I hope you know that.”

  She didn’t respond.

  “Well damn. Okay then, well, I’m sorry you feel that way about me. I never meant to hurt you.” He switched gears when she still only stared at him and didn’t respond. “So, please, tell me about you. Are you seeing anyone?”

  She dug into her seafood penne. Her thoughts wandered to Jaxon. She couldn’t really say they were “seeing” each other after one date that ended pretty shitty. “No, I’m not seeing anyone. I have work. Russell has me working on a new projects all the time. I just don’t have the time to give a man the attention that’s needed, and more importantly he deserves.” She looked up from her plate and caught Robert watching her. “What?” she asked, taking a bite of her food.

  “I think the lady doth protest too much,” he smirked at her.

  Her skin warmed and she looked back down at her plate, thankful her caramel colored skin would hide the hue of embarrassment. She knew better than to sugarcoat things with Robert. She was just as transparent to him as he was to her.

  “Bevin, you and I rocked each other’s worlds your last two years of college. I knew you very intimately. Sexually…” His voice caressed the hell out of that word, like he used to caress the hell out of every area of her body. “But, I’d like to think we got to know each other deeper, too. I know you want to be loved. You want someone to show you the attention you deserve, regardless of work and whatever Russell has you doing. If you’ve found someone that can give you what you need to, latch onto it. Don’t be afraid to give.”

  “There is nobody…” she tried again, but he laughed.

  “Regardless of what you are telling me and what you are trying to tell yourself, I know you better than you think. I know when you are telling me the truth and when you are feeding me a crock of shit. I’m sorry, my dear, but shit isn’t on the menu today. Who is he and why are you denying yourself?”

  She put down her fork and stared at Robert. “It’s nothing really. Just a guy—”

  “Mm-hmm. I’m gonna need more details than that,” he cut her off.

  Oh hell. She rolled her eyes. “I’m not getting into this with you.”

  He laughed loudly. “Can’t talk to me about the new man in your life? Does he rock your world, Bevin? Does he know how to make you purr like I used to?” He winked.

  “Stop it.” She shook her head. This was all jokes to him. She wanted to kick herself for agreeing to this lunch.

  “Oh, I’m sorry, baby. Hey, I wasn’t trying to upset you.” He reached for her hand across the table.

  “Please don’t, Robert. This lunch was obviously a mistake.”

  “No, no. I don’t regret one thing about us, ever. I don’t want you to either. We crossed paths at the perfect time back then. We both are obviously in different places now and we can respect that as two professionals. Right? But it doesn’t hurt to take a walk down memory lane. But if it is too much, I will stop.”

  “It is too much. Especially over lunch, in such a flip way. Now that we are halfway through our meal, how about you tell me the real reason we are here.”

  He sipped his water and wiped his face before he spoke.

  “There is some word on the street that Russell is expanding his business.”

  “Oh for fucks sake, Robert.” She threw her napkin on the table and grabbed her purse.

  “Hear me out,” he said quietly. “I reached out to you to tell you to watch yourself during the growth.”

  “What are you talking about? I have a steady role in the company. I’m a Senior Vice President.” She narrowed her eyes.

  “I heard that. Congratulations. I’m not talking about that though. I’m talking about the people Russell is trying to do business with. I’m not exactly sure if they are on the up and up.”

  “What do you mean? What people?” she asked.

  “What has Russell told you so far?”

  She pushed her plate away and stared at Robert. “I’m not exactly sure what you are getting at. Russell told me he would bring me to the table when things were ready for negotiation. I’m not exactly sure who he is working with, yet. He really hasn’t even started a
ny planning. He’s had maybe one meeting.”

  “Who is funding the project?” Robert asked.

  “I don’t know, Robert. Why don’t you call Russell and ask him yourself. Is this really what you asked me here for today? You are using me to get to Werries’ Media, again?”

  “I’d rather you deal with someone you know then get in bed with the devil and regret it later!” Robert countered.

  “I’ve already done that!” she yelled.

  He flinched. She put a hand to her mouth as people around them turned to look. “Robert, I’m sorry.”

  “Forget it. Be stubborn and let whatever happens, happen. Just remember, I warned you.”

  When the server returned with their refills he also asked for the check. “You don’t have to pay for me,” she protested.

  “I asked you to lunch. I’ll pay.” Robert’s voice was cold.

  “Fine. Thank you,” she muttered.

  Robert took care of the bill and they both stood and walked to the door. He wrapped his arm around her and kissed her lightly on the cheek. She stiffened. His lips traveled to her ear.

  He whispered, “I think your Prince Charming has been watching us this whole time. There is one pissed off looking gentleman that walked in the restaurant shortly after we arrived. She pulled back from Robert.

  “Oh my God, what, where? How would you even know who…”

  “Take my hand, honey. We will walk out to the car. Let’s see if he follows.”

  She took his hand and followed him out the restaurant.

  Chapter 12

  “Can I get you anything else, sir?” The waitress tried flirting, but he didn’t care. Hot anger flashed over him when he saw the handsome black man kiss Bevin in the front entrance of the restaurant. His skin grew warm. His blood boiled and he wanted to punch the man square in the jaw. Bevin didn’t push him away. She allowed him to kiss her. He then hugged her and caught sight of Jaxon staring at him. He whispered in Bevin’s ear, took her hand and led her out of the restaurant. Jaxon angrily dug his wallet out of his back pocket, threw a few bills on the table to cover lunch and tip and rushed from the building. He looked in all directions for her. He knew he was acting like a crazy man, but he didn’t care. He’d seen that man before, he just didn’t know where. He sure the hell didn’t like seeing him again with Bevin. He couldn’t get her out of his system and he didn’t want to. “Damn it, Bevin. Where are you?” he mumbled. He wasn’t going to lose her to some sharp-dressed man. He turned the corner of the restaurant and quickly stepped back, so as not to be seen. He caught sight of them standing by her car talking. He could hear her voice.