After thanking the association for honoring him, he launched into the altruistic part of his acceptance speech.
“While it’s great for our firm and other firms like ours to provide free legal help to those who can’t afford it, we know that’s not enough,” O’Reilly declared. “Despite the rise in minority enrollment in law schools across the country, the partnership ranks at most firms, including ours, remain essentially white and male.” O’Reilly paused to glance around the room.
“At O’Reilly & Finney, we’re committed to recruiting bright young minority attorneys. And we fully recognize that getting them through the door isn’t enough. We must mentor them so that they can successfully make it to partnership.” A chorus of applause caused him to take another brief pause.
“I’d like to take a moment to introduce one of our senior associates whom I’ve been lucky enough to mentor.” O’Reilly stopped and looked around the room again, although he knew exactly where the firm’s table was located. “Vernetta, could you please stand?”
I rose from my seat, modestly acknowledged all the looks that came my way and quickly sat back down.
“Vernetta Henderson is one of the best young trial attorneys we have, and I hope to be calling her a fellow partner pretty soon. She was raised in Compton and is also an active member of your organization. It’s our hope to recruit more dynamic young attorneys like Vernetta so that our firm begins to reflect the full diversity of this community. Thanks again for this honor.”
O’Reilly smiled, exchanged handshakes with the emcee, then lingered at the podium, lapping up the applause.
I smiled over at James, sitting two tables away. I was lapping it up, too.
CHAPTER 21
Across town, Hamilton pulled to a stop in front of Crustacean in Beverly Hills and eased out of the driver’s side of his silver Mercedes-Benz S600. He watched with pride as the parking attendants drooled at the sight of Special gracefully gliding out of the passenger door.
She had really outdone herself tonight, Hamilton thought, staring over at her. Her leather skirt was both short and tight enough to double as a tube top and her beige fishnet stockings hugged her legs like the skin on a snake. He was a leg man and Special had a pair that would make Tina Turner turn a mean green. Her low-cut Lycra top was so tight he could calculate the diameter of her nipples.
“What’re you staring at?” Special said, smiling at him as they walked arm in arm toward the entrance of the restaurant.
“The beautiful lady I have on my arm,” Hamilton replied, opening the door for her.
Special leaned over and parted his lips with hers and gently sucked on the tip of his tongue.
Damn, that turns me on! Hamilton loved being with a woman who did not mind public displays of affection. Denise, his ex-wife, was always worried about appearances. He glanced over Special’s shoulder and spotted two guys at the bar staring at her ass. Sorry, fellas, all mine tonight.
As the hostess showed them down a narrow aisle to a staircase in the far corner of the restaurant, every man in the place, and most of the women, too, turned to watch Special prance by. Hamilton had never met a tall woman who was as comfortable with her height as Special. He purposefully lagged behind so he could observe the reaction on everyone’s face.
The hostess showed them to a table on the second level, handed them menus and left.
“You look gorgeous tonight,” he said as they settled in.
“Thank you, counselor.” This time she gave him a full tongue kiss.
A male waiter with blond streaks throughout his black buzz cut walked up to their table. Special ordered a Long Island iced tea and two appetizers—the coconut prawns and the California rolls. Hamilton settled for just a cognac.
Staring at the mounds of flesh bubbling up out of Special’s top, Hamilton imagined the feel of his lips brushing across her breasts. He definitely could not wait much longer to get with her. Tonight would have to be the night.
“Hey, sweetie,” Special said softly, running her hand along his forearm. “Are you listening to me?”
“I’m sorry,” Hamilton said apologetically. “It’s hard to concentrate sitting here with somebody as fine as you. What did you say?”
“I was asking how your day went.”
“Not bad,” he said. He paused as the waiter set their drinks on the table. “Just rescuing my clients from themselves.”
Special snuggled up closer to him. “I have something I wanted to talk to you about.” Her voice was now extra soft and feminine.
Hamilton’s shoulders tensed. He hated it when women wanted to talk. Whenever Denise had mentioned that word, it usually meant she had something to bitch about. Hamilton hoped Special was not about to corner him about making a commitment this early in the game.
“Sounds serious.” He took a swallow of his drink.
“I’m a pretty good cook,” Special said. “I was hoping you’d let me prepare a gourmet meal for you some time soon.”
Hamilton smiled. A freak and a good cook. He had definitely hit the jackpot. “You name the time and the place, baby, and I’ll be there.”
Special kissed him again, letting her hand rest on his thigh, dangerously close to his trigger point. He glanced at his Rolex and tried to think of something other than Special’s beautiful, naked body. It took every ounce of control he had not to guide her hand to his groin and have her jack him off right there. The waiter reappeared and set the appetizers on the table.
“Can I take your order now?”
“Sure,” Special said. She picked up the menu with both hands, holding it so close to her chest that it blocked Hamilton’s view of her cleavage. “I’ll have the Asian Caesar salad and the lobster for my main course. And can you bring us some more California rolls? And I think I’m about ready for another Long Island iced tea.”
Hamilton scratched his forearm. She had the appetite of a horse!
“And what can I get for you, sir?”
“I’ll have the shrimp, but hold the garlic noodles.”
“You must be doing the no-carb thing,” Special said, once the waiter left. “That must be how you stay in such good shape.” She playfully fingered the chest area of his V-neck sweater.
He took a quick sip of his cognac. Everything about the woman excited him. Nothing in the world could match the thrill of new pussy. Absolutely nothing. He wrapped his arm around Special’s shoulder and kissed her neck. Even her scent turned him on. “Why don’t you tell me about your day?”
Hamilton zoned out while Special babbled on and on about the headaches of being a supervisor at Telecredit. He had purposely refrained from asking her anything about Vernetta on their first two dates. Now seemed like an appropriate time to find out if she had any worthwhile information to share.
“How does my competition feel about us hooking up?” he asked.
“She ain’t exactly happy about it. But like I told her, she works for O’Reilly & Finney, not me.”
“Now that’s what I like. A woman who runs her own show.” He leaned over and kissed her on the neck again.
Hamilton emptied his drink and signaled the waiter for a refill. “I’m really looking forward to going up against your girl in the Randle case,” he said.
“Whoooaaa, cowboy,” Special said, holding up her hands and forming a cross with her index fingers. “I’ve been given specific instructions to avoid any discussion of that case.”
“Then you do know something,” Hamilton teased.
“I don’t know a thing. And my girl is hella paranoid, so let’s just change the subject.”
The waiter appeared with their dishes and began arranging them on the crowded table.
“Do you guys still serve that chocolate lava cake?” Special asked eagerly.
“Sure do,” the waiter replied.
Special turned to Hamilton. “Hey, sweetie, you have to save some room for dessert. The chocolate cake here is absolutely incredible!”
“Okay,” Hamilton said, g
rinning. You eat up, baby girl. ’Cause I want you strong and sturdy for the workout I’ve got planned for you tonight.
CHAPTER 22
It was just after nine o’clock when LaKeesha drove her white Honda Civic into the gates of the construction site and rolled to a stop about twenty feet from the trailer that housed Jones-Parks Electrical. As she stepped out of the car, her stiletto heels sank into the soft dirt. Her ruby-red spandex dress fell just a couple of inches below crotch level.
There’s no way Jefferson can resist me tonight.
LaKeesha pulled her book bag higher on her shoulder and gingerly climbed the four steps leading up to the trailer. She stuck her key in the door even though she knew it was probably unlocked.
When she stepped inside, Jefferson looked up from a blueprint spread out on his desk. “Hey, LaKeesha, what’re you doing here?”
“I was hoping to get some studying done.” She resisted the urge to tug at the hem of her dress, which had crept farther up her thighs. “I was at a party with some friends, but I got bored. I figured I could make better use of my time by coming over here to study.”
LaKeesha headed over to Stan’s desk. “Is it okay? I promise I won’t bother you.” She kept her back turned and hoped Jefferson was enjoying the view of her ass.
“No problem,” Jefferson said.
He sounded preoccupied, but she planned to fix that very shortly. “How about some coffee?” LaKeesha asked, turning around. She was disappointed to find Jefferson’s eyes back on the blueprint.
“That would be great,” he said, without looking up.
LaKeesha prepared the coffee, then settled in behind Stan’s desk. She opened her psychology book and pretended to read. After a couple of minutes, Jefferson yawned and began rolling up the blueprints.
“You’re not leaving, are you?” LaKeesha asked with a bit too much anxiety in her voice.
“Not until I have that cup of coffee.” Jefferson wrapped a rubber band around the blueprints and placed them underneath his desk. “LaKeesha, it’s not a good idea for you to be here by yourself this late at night. Isn’t there someplace else you can study?”
How about your place? “Not really,” she said. “The library closes at ten on Saturdays. I live with my grandmother, my sister, her son and two teenage cousins. Trying to study there is impossible.”
“Where’re your parents?”
“My mom died of breast cancer when I was twelve,” LaKeesha said. “I never knew my father.” Actually, her father’s new Bible-thumping wife had put her out nine months ago. The woman insisted that she dress like a nun and spend every freaking night in church and LaKeesha wasn’t having it. The part about her mother, though, was true.
She could tell from Jefferson’s expression that he felt sorry for her. Excellent.
When the coffee finished brewing, LaKeesha hurried over and poured Jefferson a cup, then walked it over to him. She strolled back to the coffeemaker to pour a second cup for herself.
LaKeesha could not afford to wait much longer for things to get rolling with Jefferson. Londell, the married man she had dated for the past year, had started having a guilty conscience and broke it off with her so he could go to counseling with his boring ass wife. But that was going to be a futile effort. From everything Londell had told her, his wife was too evil and too selfish to keep him or any other man happy. LaKeesha did not understand why married women acted so bitchy. Didn’t they realize that there were busloads of women out there willing to treat their man right?
“So what’s your major?” Jefferson asked.
Getting next to you. “Psychology,” she said. “I want to help people solve their problems.” She paused, then softened her voice. “Do you mind if I ask you for some advice?”
“Hey, you’re the future psychologist, not me.” Jefferson chuckled and took a sip of coffee. “I can’t promise you my advice will be worth much, but go ahead.”
LaKeesha ran her fingers through her braids. “I’m really having a hard time finding a decent boyfriend.”
Jefferson grinned. “If you can’t find a man, then the brothers around here must be crazy,” he said. “Just be patient, the right guy will come along. I didn’t get married until I was in my mid-thirties.”
“Are you saying I should set my sights on an older man?”
Jefferson smiled. “No, that’s not what I meant. You should concentrate on getting your degree. Everything will happen when the time is right.”
“I wish I could find a man like you,” LaKeesha purred.
“You’re smart, you own your own business and you seem to really love your wife.”
“That I do,” Jefferson said.
LaKeesha walked over to the coffee machine and pretended to straighten up. “You ever mess around on her?” She glanced at Jefferson over her shoulder.
“Nope.” Jefferson said. He was no longer smiling. “My wife is also my friend. And I don’t fuck over my friends.”
Sure you don’t. Men always professed to be so true blue. But not one had turned her down yet. “Don’t get mad at me for saying this,” LaKeesha said, bent on her mission, “but if you weren’t married, I’d definitely wanna be with you.”
Jefferson looked away. “Uh…” He stood up, then quickly sat back down.
But not quickly enough. LaKeesha was certain she had spotted undeniable proof that she had gotten Jefferson aroused.
“Hey, LaKeesha,” Jefferson said, “I don’t know where this conversation is going, but I think we need to cut it short.”
“This conversation can go anywhere you want it to go.” She glided across the room and perched on the edge of Jefferson’s desk. He wanted her. She could see it in his eyes.
“LaKeesha, you’re a very attractive girl,” he said. “But I’m married. Happily married.”
“I can deal with that,” she said, sliding her butt farther back on the desk, allowing her dress to rise even higher.
“But I can’t.” Jefferson fiddled with his empty coffee cup. LaKeesha could tell that he was nervous. “I think it’s about time for you to go home,” he said.
So he was going to play hard to get. Fine. She needed a challenge. “Well, why don’t you walk me out to my car?”
“You’ll be fine, LaKeesha. I’ll watch you get to your car from the window.”
LaKeesha hopped off the desk, put a hand on her hip and cocked her head to the right. “You don’t want to stand up ’cause you don’t want me to know you’ve got a hard-on,” she teased. “You got excited just thinking about being with me, so just admit it.”
Jefferson did not move for several long seconds. Then he gripped the edge of his desk, slowly pushed his chair back and stood up. No erection in sight.
“Since you’ve been doing such a good job around here, LaKeesha, I’m going to pretend this conversation never happened.” Jefferson spoke with a fatherly firmness.
“Now pack up your stuff and go home.”
The muscles in LaKeesha’s face throbbed with anger and embarrassment. The disapproval in Jefferson’s voice reminded LaKeesha of her stepmother. She snatched her book bag and headed for the trailer door.
Jefferson stepped in front of her and pushed the door open. “Drive safely.”
As she squeezed past, LaKeesha looked up at him with a wicked smile. I ain’t done yet, boss man. ’Cause what LaKeesha wants, LaKeesha gets.
CHAPTER 23
Hamilton steered his Benz down Buckingham Drive and spotted a parking space directly in front of Special’s apartment building, but on the opposite side of the street. He had been a perfect gentleman all evening and now he expected to be rewarded for his restraint.
“Thanks so much for dinner.” Special looked over at him with a demure smile. “I had a great time. Why don’t you just double-park and walk me to the door?” Her legs were crossed, revealing far more leg than skirt.
Hamilton ignored her suggestion and concentrated on trying to shake off the urge to reach over and ease his hand between he
r legs. He pulled into the parking space and cut off the engine.
“You’re not going to invite me up for a nightcap?” A street lamp directly above the car cast a soft shadow on Special’s face.
“I don’t think it’s time for that just yet,” she said.
Hamilton turned away and bit his bottom lip. This was precisely the reason he refused to date women with self-esteem. It was too much friggin’ work. “Exactly how long will I have to wait, Special?” He tried not to sound as frustrated as he felt.
“Not long,” she said.
He was about to say something, when she leaned over and quieted him with a long, deep kiss. Before he knew it, Special had snaked her hand underneath his sweater. He couldn’t believe how soft her hands were, and he loved the way she gently tugged on his nipples and rubbed his chest hairs between her fingers.
“You know, you’re quite the little tease,” he said, feeling an erection coming on.
“And you know you get off on it, too,” she whispered between kisses.
“Yeah, I do,” he said. But this high school petting stuff is getting old. “Why don’t we just go inside and—”
Special put a finger to his lips. “Until the time is right, how about a special treat.” In the blink of an eye, she had unbuckled his belt and unzipped his pants.
“Baby, this is really nice,” Hamilton moaned as she caressed him. “But can we please just take it inside?”
“In time, sweetie. In time. How does this feel? Does it feel good?”
Hamilton grunted. “Hell yeah, it feels good.” He hit a button on the side of his seat, causing it to slowly recline.
“Then tell me,” Special said softly. “It turns me on when you talk to me.”
“Good, baby,” Hamilton muttered, struggling for the right words. “Yeah, uh…um…real good. It feels real good.” He had never been able to think straight when his Johnson was experiencing a blood rush. That talking crap took too much energy.
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