“My best friend Laura established the foundation her freshman year in college. At that time, it was just a place pregnant teenage girls could go to for counseling and help with baby supplies. I met her in the library on campus; I was a sophomore, and she was a junior. We hit it off great, she was the first real friend I had who like me for me.”
“You must be talking about Laura Tierney. I read about her death in the paper. I’m sorry you lost your friend. You must have loved her a lot to become CEO of the foundation.”
“She was like a sister to me. The work she did with the Cabbage Patch Foundation's philanthropic endeavors has aided many young people. I expanded the programs of the foundation, and it’s almost to the point where it’s self-funding.”
“How so?”
“Laura opened an adult toy store to offend her family, but it turned out to be a smart move. Sex sells even in a bad economy, and the first year net sales were a quarter of a million. We have two locations, a warehouse, and we have a website. I'm currently negotiating the sale of The Purple Feather.”
“I always wondered how you got into the adult toy business.”
Connie polished off her pancakes and finished her soft drink. “Are you saying that you don’t think I have what it takes to run an adult toy store?”
Thomas’s imagination ran wild; he would give a lot to see Constantina peddling her wares. “You can invite me to your store anytime you want. I’m willing to purchase anything you have to further the cause.”
“That doesn’t live up to your reputation as a councilman.”
“I’m surprised at you Constantina, being a councilman hasn’t unmanned me which you had proof of earlier today. If you want more proof, why don’t you come home with me and let’s see what kind of trouble we can get into.”
“You’re too much man for me Thomas. You forget that I’ve seen you in action and women who hook up with you don’t fare so well.”
“You underestimate your charm. You have something that I’ve been looking for. Something that I’ve never found in any woman I’ve dated.”
“Really. What’s that? I’ve seen the women you’ve dallied within the past, and I’m not up to their standards at all. They look as if they come straight off the runway.”
“You have courage, and you’re extremely loyal, something I value far more than beauty and style. You’re the kind of woman I should have married in the first place. Instead I married a popular, beautiful woman with a powerful family, and she screwed me over royally.”
“I understand that Thomas. I’ve never had a relationship with a man that didn’t have strings.”
“No strings Constantina. I just like being with you. There’s something about you that appeals to me. I can’t describe it even if I did I would sound like a fool.”
Oh yeah, it was time to steer this conversation back to a cooler topic. Thomas was hypnotizing her with his velvet voice and piercing gaze. She looked down at his plate seeing that he’d only finished half his meal. “You really weren’t hungry at all."
Thomas traced a finger across her knuckles. “I’ve got a hunger Constantina, I’m hungry for you. When you get tired of running from me, I’ll be there waiting.”
“I'm not running from you Thomas. I like sex just like any other woman and I choose my partners on my terms. If I had sex with you that's all it will be, and I'll walk away when it's over. If you’re done I’ll go pay for the meal.”
Did she truly believe that just wanted a quick conquest? “You can run all you want Constantina, but there’s no hiding place.”
***
Connie was working on a new client's file when a flower delivery arrived. Beth brought the flowers back and sat them on her desk looking at her with anticipation "What?"
"Well aren't you going to uncover them and read the card." Sometimes Beth just didn't understand Connie. If someone had sent her flowers, she would have been over the moon.
The floral arrangement was heavy and larger than her torso. She ripped off the tissue paper. The beautiful arrangement of pale pink roses and Stargazer Lilies astounded her. No one had ever sent her flowers before. She searched for the card, the message read ‘You can’t run from fate!’ it was simply signed TG, for Thomas Galvin.
"Who are they from?"
"Oh there just a thank you from a friend?"
"Right! That arrangement must have costs hundreds of dollars. He must be some kind of friend." Beth chuckled all the way back to her desk.
The fragrance of the flowers permeated the room, she had to get rid of them before Jenna and Samantha showed up. They were taking her to lunch today and will be here any minute. Connie picked up the arrangement and sat them on the break room table. She picked up the tissue paper, threw it in the trash, and palmed the card before she stuck it in her desk. Before she could sit down Samantha and Jenna walked in her office.
“Hey girl, you ready for lunch? I sure hope so; we have to get this pregnant woman some food, and fast before she goes into premature labor.”
“Connie what’s wrong?”
“Uh, nothing. Let me grab my purse, and we can leave.”
“We’re not leaving until I go to the restroom.” Jenna took off her coat and waddled to the back room.
If Jenna went to the back room, she would see the flowers and Connie would never hear the end of their razzing. “Jenna you don’t want to go back there my restroom’s not very clean, why don’t you use the one at the restaurant.”
Jenna pushed Connie to the side, “Never mess with a pregnant woman on a mission.”
Samantha perched herself on Connie’s desk with a look of total disbelief on her face. “What’s going on?”
“Why would you think something’s going on?”
“Connie we’re your friends, you just tried to encourage Jenna to use a disgusting public restroom when you know you scrub yours every day. So what’s in the back room that you don’t want us to see?”
Connie tried to behave normally; she sat down and started drumming her fingers on her desk. “You know me “I always get agitated during tax season.”
Samantha shook her head, giving Connie a knowing look. “Connie you’re the most level head person I know. You can multitask better than anyone, but you’re no good at lying.”
Jenna came back into the office area pulled her wallet out of her purse and handed Samantha a twenty-dollar bill. “She hid them in the back room.” She turned to face Connie with a look of disappointment. “Connie I can’t believe that you would have me pee on myself than have Samantha and I find out someone sent you flowers.”
“Don’t look so surprised we saw the delivery man pull off. We walked in the front door as Beth carried the flowers back to your office. I bet Jenna twenty dollars that you would try to hide them from us.”
Connie tried to act insulted, but Jenna and Samantha’s good-natured ribbing wouldn’t allow her any peace. “I’m glad you guys had a good time at my expense.”
Jenna sat down in a chair facing Connie’s desk and began rubbing her belly. “Cut to the chase did that sexy councilman send you the flowers?” Before Connie could respond, a delivery guy from Jimmy John’s walked in.
“I have a delivery for Samantha Archer.”
Samantha paid the delivery guy, “you can keep the change. Thank you!” She shut Connie’s door, handing Jenna and Connie their sandwiches and drinks before pulling another chair up to next Connie’s desk. “I placed the order earlier, we figured you would be more likely to spill your guts about Mr. Sexy in your office.”
“Thomas and I are working on a business deal, and he sent me the flowers as a thank you. You know that I would never get involved with a self absorbed jerk like him.”
“Ooh give us the dirt! You can’t fool us because we know that you genuinely like him.”
“Connie what’s holding you back? You like him and he obviously wants to jump your bones.”
“If I were single I would jump Thomas in a heartbeat. He reminds me of the guy
who played Wind in His Hair in the movie Dances with Wolves.”
“Rodney Grant!” Jenna chimed in between bites of her sandwich.
“Yes that’s his name. Rodney Grant was hot in that movie. His body was built in all the right places. Thomas Galvin has that same intensity in his gaze, except he has those wicked green eyes. He’s so…”
“Dangerous!” Connie didn’t mean to yell, but Jenna and Samantha were getting carried away. “You’re right Samantha he’s sexy, intense, an alpha male to the nth degree. So, what does he want with me? You’ve seen the tricks he squires around town. I’m not like those women; I’m a small time business woman who spends a lot of time working with non-profit organizations.”
“Why wouldn’t a man like Thomas Galvin want you? You’re classier than any of the women I’ve seen him with.” Samantha finished her sandwich and sipped on her drink giving Connie an evil glare.
“Exactly my point! What is his obsession with me?” Connie stood up and started pacing around. “Thomas is dangerous to my equilibrium; he makes me yearn for his touch. No man has ever had that much power over me, and I don’t like it.”
Jenna pondered Connie’s question of few minutes before responding. “Have you ever thought that he might be ready for a serious relationship?” Jenna held up her hands before Connie could respond negatively. “Just think about the men in our lives. Mike was a free living bachelor nailing anything in his path until we met. Allen wasn’t too discriminating with the women he dated until he met Sam.”
Samantha got up and hugged Connie, “Sweetie I know you’re scared about getting serious. Jenna and I h had problems with our relationships, but we had to on love. What if Thomas is your chance at happiness?”
“Sam I’m not good at intimate relationships, I’ve never had an orgasm during sex. How do I tell a man like Thomas about my intimacy issues? I own an adult sex store for goodness sake! He’s going to expect me to be a marvel in the bedroom.”
Jenna got out of her chair, waddled over to Connie, and gave her a hug. “Forget about trying to be something you’re not and just be you. All we’re saying is, give Thomas a chance, maybe he’s the man that will develop your sexual repertoire. One more thing, I sure hope you’re on birth control. Thomas looks like a virile man. If you walk into a bedroom with him without protection, you will be pregnant by the time you come out.”
Connie started laughing so hard she began to hiccup. “Lord, what would I do without my friends?”
“Let the church say amen! You’re still going to the Valentine Day’s dance at Carruther’s this year. Right?”
“Of course I’m going. The foundation is sponsoring the dance.”
Samantha picked up her trash and threw it away. “I picked out a dress and shoes. I’ll drop them off at your house later this week.”
“I just hope this time my breasts are fully covered.”
“I promise you that you’ll love this dress. Trust me. Would I lie to you?”
Connie didn’t like the expression on Samantha’s face. “Sam, omission is the same as a lie.” Samantha didn’t respond, she and Jenna left in a fit of giggles after waving good bye. Connie shut her door and went back to work.
***
Chapter 6
Later that evening Connie was watching a show about a serial killer when her phone rang. She wondered who could be calling her at this time of night. "Hello."
"Did you like the flowers?"
Connie pushed the stop button on the remote and curled her feet under her secretly glad Thomas called. "The flowers were beautiful. I just don't understand your motivation for sending them."
Thomas fell back on the bed in his hotel room and loosened his tie. "Well I would have brought them to you in person, but I'll be out of town for two weeks."
Connie was disappointed, two weeks without Thomas popping up unexpectedly. "Wow that's a long time to be away on business."
Thomas grinned; he could hear the disappointment in her voice. Good. This was a part of his plan to make her realize that she wanted him in her life. "Believe me Constantina I'm working hard so I can get home and resume my courting campaign."
Connie could not contain her laughter. "You just don't give up do you? I thought I told you on Saturday not to waste your time."
"I'm going to call your bluff. If you can make love with me and walk away I dare you to try."
"I believe I said, if we had sex, that's all it will be. What makes you so remarkable?"
"Constantina, when I'm with a woman I give her my full attention. I'm not satisfied unless my lover is satisfied too. You need a man like me in your life. Take me on for size and I'll show you what you've been missing."
Connie's imagination was rearing its ugly head. She could hear Thomas whispering the words of seduction in her ear as he stroked every inch of her body. Then she remembered why that wasn't a good idea and came to her senses. "Better men than you have tried and failed."
Thomas laughed; he didn't expect Constantina to go down without a fight. Which was good for him, he liked a challenge. "Yeah I got a secret weapon that the other men in your life don't have."
"Really! What do you have that I can't get from any other man in Omaha?"
"I have the upper hand because you want me. There's no way you could kiss another man the way you kissed me on last Saturday. If I had been a little quicker, I would have taken you in the back seat of my SUV. I'll bide my time because I believe our first time together will be exceptional. When we make love, I want to feel your hot little body responding to me in a bed. I'm going to touch every inch of your body, and you'll scream my name for more."
Connie began fanning herself. "You must feed that ego of yours several pounds of meat a day."
"I'm a meat eater as you'll find out. Good night Constantina. Dream about me because I'm sure as hell going to dream of you."
Before Connie could respond, Thomas had already hung up. She was in big trouble. Thomas wasn't going to go away. Too bad, she couldn't just let him catch her. Connie couldn't imagine explaining her intimacy issues to any man, especially a sensual man like Thomas.
***
Connie was amazed by all the foot traffic in her office today. Those who expected a nominal amount on their income tax returns filed as soon as possible. Those who owed waited until the last possible moment. She left her office later than usual accommodating a couple who arrived at her door ten minutes to five. At least they had all their paperwork; she was able to fill out and file their return today.
Now here she was running late with less than an hour to make it on time to the foundation's Valentine's Day dance. To her disappointment, Thomas was still out of town. His two week business trip ended up being closer to a month. She spoke with him often enough, but she missed him; she would give a lot to be his valentine. She took a quick shower and washed her hair. Her dress and matching lingerie set were already draped across the bed.
Connie hopped out of the shower put a little hair mousse on her hair and blow-dried her hair, while brushing it back into style. One thing about a great haircut, it always falls back into place. She slathered Carol's Daughter's body butter all over, from her neck down to her toes.
The dress Sam picked out for her was a strapless tiered dress the color of champagne with a matching shawl. She even included a lacy cream colored bra and thong set with a pair of silk thighhighs. Candy red Whistle Pump shoes completed her attire.
She quickly donned her bra, thong, and silk thighhighs before rushing back into the bathroom to complete her makeup. She applied bronze and copper eye shadow to make her blues eyes pop, with a touch of eyeliner in the corner to achieve the smoky look. A little dab of mascara and a swab of strawberry gloss for her lips. She finished off her grand appearance with her momma's ruby and diamond earrings and a gold cocktail ring.
She grabbed her studded clutch and pulled her black hooded cloak out of the closet. She was ready for an evening full of excitement and dancing. She was determined to raise a pot full o
f money for the Cabbage Patch Foundation tonight. Connie and Laura double dated with Laura's lovers at last year's dance. Donald and Lawrence Hughes turned out to be fascinating dates. Connie tried not to judge Laura's lifestyle because of her background, but it was obvious to everyone including Laura that the brothers were besotted with her.
The Hughes brothers wouldn't attend tonight. They were still mourning Laura, but they honored her memory by sending a $250,000 check for the cause. She heard rumors that they put up a million dollar reward for any information regarding Laura's murder. She didn't know if anyone ever collected, all she knew is that she missed her friend.
***
The Valentine's Day dance was a huge success. Hundreds of people milled around the ballroom networking and socializing with acquaintances before dinner was served. Connie wasn't surprised at the turnout; the Valentine's Day dance was the most popular fundraiser even at $1000 per person. She figured it was a cheap way for rich people to celebrate the holiday.
This year she and her organizers decided on a new venue with a better menu. Prime rib instead of rubbery chicken, they even planned a vegan meal for the vegetarians in the audience. Connie got up and gave her speech; thanking everyone in attendance for their support. She also used this opportunity to share the progress of the foundation. People liked knowing that the money they donate to a worthy cause is actually paying off.
Connie knew the precise moment Thomas walked into the ballroom. A chill ran over her body causing the fine hairs on her neck to rise. She had trouble swallowing as she struggled through the rest of her speech. She hadn't seen him yet but felt the intensity of his gaze boring a whole inside her chest. Was it fear or was it excitement? She gave a toast, lifting her glass of champagne to the attendees, wishing them joy and a pleasant evening.
Shortly after her speech, the dancing commenced. Samantha's dress selection was on point, she was correct in thinking that a majority of the women would be sporting red. . Connie's gown was unique and stood out in the sea of red. She had danced three times before Thomas grabbed her hand whisking her off onto the dance floor. "I didn't expect to see you tonight."
No Ordinary Romance Page 6
