Tender Touch

by Emery, Lynn

  Marlene let out a puff of air between her plum-colored lips. “Wasting his time away from the business with that silliness.”

  “Has he mentioned anything to you about the grant?” Tavis ignored her reference to head off a tirade.

  “He mentioned something about how much more could be done in that neighborhood.” Marlene tossed off the comment in a distracted manner.

  “Did he say anything about Bill? I mean, they didn’t exactly admire each other in school from what I understand.”

  “He said something about maybe Lang had changed. Frankly I didn’t pay much attention. I couldn’t think of much else once it was clear how that little hussy has him fooled.”

  Tavis chuckled. “Some fine young thing had my boy’s nose open, eh? Well, let him have his fun.”

  “If he was only having fun, I wouldn’t care one bit about her. But he’s stupid enough to think he’s in love. With Jade Pellerin of all people.”

  “What did you just say?” Tavis looked up with a jerk of his head.

  “Jade Pellerin has her hooks in my son—but not for long.”

  “Damn! Jade is doing Damon Knight,” he murmured low. Tavis rubbed his jaw. A wide smile stretched his face as the implication of this bit of news hit him.

  “Something’s got to be done about her.” Marlene pursed her lips. “Damon can’t see past his hormones, like most men.”

  “Man, oh, man. Life is about to get real interesting.” Tavis nodded.

  “What does that mean?” Marlene noticed his expression for the first time.

  “Nothing. I was just thinking about department business.”

  Marlene studied him for several minutes out of the comer of her eye. “You’re buddies with Bill Lang, right?”

  “We’ve known each other for a while, sure. He’s helped me a great deal since we hung out together in grad school. I was the older student who’d worked before I could go back.” Tavis grunted.

  She winced at the reference to the years between them. Tavis was forty-one, only a few years older than Damon. And he was ambitious. Marlene knew her connections had been as attractive as her experience and skill in bed. A suspicion formed in her mind.

  “Damon is working with Lang on this grant thing. And this isn’t the first time you’ve asked me questions.” Marlene walked over to stand in front of him. “Don’t get any ideas about using my son, Tavis. You’re not that good, and I’m not that stupid.”

  “Hey, baby, I’m just curious is all.” Tavis put his arms around her waist. “Lang and I don’t have anything going.”

  “Oh, really?”

  “I’m in the policy and planning office, babe. I write those dull manuals stuffed with rules for the civil service worker bees to follow.” He slid a hand up her thigh. “I rarely even see Bill these days.”

  Marlene gasped at the touch of his fingers on her. She shook her head to clear it. “I knew that,” she said in a husky voice. “Just don’t get any ideas.”

  “Oh, I’ve got ideas all right.” He pulled her down onto his lap.

  * * *

  Kathy crossed her arms. A fierce look made her girlish features look menacing. Bill was seemingly intent on packing. Expensive folded shirts fresh from the laundry were lined up in the deep suitcase as were several silk ties. A garment bag held three suits.

  “You could help. But I guess that would be asking too much.” Bill did not look at her.

  “So you can conserve your energy for that assistant of yours?” Kathy spat out the words.

  “This trip is all business.” Bill pressed his lips together. His expression was one of amused contempt.

  “I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself.” Kathy threw the clothes brush she was about to hand him down to the floor. She stomped out of the combination dressing room and walk-in closet into the huge master bedroom.

  Several minutes passed while Bill completed his preparations with unhurried motions. He followed her but only to retrieve more items to pack. “Kathy, don’t be such a pain. Give it a rest.”

  “You’d like me to be a smiling doormat,” Kathy spat out. “I’d have to be blind not to see what’s going on.”

  “This is getting so tedious.” Bill brushed past her but stopped when she grabbed his arm.

  “Tell me it’s all lies then. The whispers and rumors about you two.” Kathy’s voice was like a rubber band pulled too tight.

  “There’s talk about Jade and I?” Bill seemed more intrigued than upset. “Wonder who...?”

  “Nina says—”

  “Good old Nina. Your best friend with too much time on her hands. I should have known. Instead of occupying herself in some useful way, she floats from one luncheon to the next, scooping up more garbage than the city trash collectors,” Bill said with disdain.

  “And she’s rarely wrong.” Kathy stared at him. “Take that last little escapade of yours.”

  “How Nina keeps a top job at the legislature is a mystery to me. When does she work?” Bill ignored Kathy’s attempt to delve into past affairs.

  “Her job is to archive and do research. Gathering information is her business, Bill. You’d do well to remember that.” Kathy spoke in a level tone, her eyes narrowed.

  Bill froze in the act of splashing on Calvin Klein cologne. “What was that?” He held the opened bottle in one hand, the top of it in the other.

  “Nina knows quite a lot about the goings on in state government. In fact the Department of Health and Hospitals is a major topic of discussion down at the capitol these days.”

  “Let me tell you something, Kathy.” Bill crossed the room in one long stride and jerked her to him. His face was only inches from hers. “Don’t ever threaten me again. I’ll—”

  “You’ll what, Bill?” Kathy stiffened in the face of his wrath. She swallowed hard. “Hit me if that will make you feel like a man.” Seconds passed as no words were spoken.

  “When I get back, I’ll be talking to my lawyer.” Bill let go of her. “I’m sick of putting up with your tantrums.” He turned his back on her and picked up a tortoiseshell hair brush.

  “You wouldn’t dare!” Kathy blinked as though he had hit her with a stinging blow.

  “Don’t be so sure.” He brushed his glossy dark brown hair with long strokes. “You’ve spoiled my last Saturday afternoon.”

  “What about our assets? The family real estate? I’ll take you for all you’re worth.”

  Bill sneered at her in the mirror. “Take it. It’ll be worth every penny.”

  “You can’t mean it.” Kathy’s defiant stance crumpled. “We’re talking about more than ten million dollars in—”

  “You’re forgetting something, babe. Most of my inheritance is in a family trust. You can’t touch it.” Bill chuckled. “My grandfather had a shrewd lawyer, don’t forget.”

  Kathy glared at him. “But my money has made you even richer. Not to mention how your family benefited from my brother’s investment advice. All that will dry up the instant you walk out on me.”

  “You overestimate your value, as usual. I don’t need your brother, or you.”

  “You slimy b—” Kathy raised a hand to slap him. He caught it in midair.

  “Tsk, tsk. You better learn to control your temper.” Bill squeezed her small hand tight.

  “Let go,” Kathy gasped. A frown of pain twisted her face.

  “Now that we understand each other...” He released her and then straightened the collar of his shirt.

  Kathy spoke in a quiet voice, her expression unreadable. “I won’t give you up, Bill. Understand? I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you.”

  “Drama was always your best subject in college, Kathy. You really should have gone on the stage.” Bill laughed at her.

  “Don’t you dare leave. I’m not through talking!”

  “I’ll be at the club, playing golf. I might even stay there for dinner. Have a nice day.” He sauntered out without looking back. Kathy went into the den and sat fuming for several minutes.

/>   She picked up the telephone. “Yes, this is Kathy. About that information your friend is interested in...”

  * * *

  Jade felt cramped and tense after the flight. The ride to the hotel was even more unpleasant because she was wedged between Damon and Bill. Bill’s good humor vanished when Damon arrived with her at the airport in Baton Rouge. The displeasure stamped on his face was clearly directed at Damon. But why? Jade had never mentioned Damon would attend the conference, but then there was no reason for it to come up. She was certain the look Bill had given her was one of censure. It was as though she’d offended him in some way. Damon noticed something was wrong. By the time they arrived at Hotel One Washington Circle, Bill was barely speaking to them. Damon adopted a “What’s-his-problem?” attitude that did not help matters. Thankfully there was no mix-up with their hotel reservations.

  “I’m going to take a rest before the keynote speech.” Jade was eager to escape them both for now.

  “Sure, honey.” Damon placed an arm around her shoulders. “We’ll take a stroll around later. I want to show you Washington in all its springtime glory.” He pecked her on the cheek.

  “Don’t forget to fit this conference into your schedule,” Bill said with a tight expression that tried to be a smile.

  “Oh, we’ve got it all planned—right, babe?” Damon pulled Jade closer to him. “We’ll soak up lots of knowledge from the workshops and have a good time. I know all the things Jade would enjoy.”

  Bill stared at him for several seconds. His face relaxed. “I’ve got a killer headache. The meeting with Chester Howard Friday afternoon was not good. I’ll tell you about it later, Jade.”

  “Sure, Bill.” So that was it. Jade felt a flood of relief. He was uptight because he’d not been able to talk to her in private. “Why don’t we plan discuss it later, around four. I’ll look for a small meeting room.”

  “That won’t be necessary. I have a suite.” Bill turned to sign the credit card receipt handed to him by the desk staff.

  Jade glanced at Damon. He was busy registering. The last thing she needed was for him to hear Bill inviting her to his room, no matter the reason.

  Bill followed her gaze. He seemed about to speak when Jade cut him off.

  “See you later, Bill. Damon, I’m going to take a short rest first.” Jade grabbed Damon’s arm and walked with him to the elevator behind the bellboy pushing a cart with their luggage.

  Damon had a slight crease in his forehead. “I thought we’d have lunch together at this little restaurant nearby. They’ve got great soups and sandwiches.”

  “Not just yet. I need to unwind.” Jade gave his arm a squeeze before leaving for her room.

  “See you later then,” Damon called after her as he walked several doors down the hall to his suite.

  By the time she came down for the first speech, Jade was feeling much better. She scanned the crowd streaming in to hear Marian Wright Edelman start them off with words of inspiration. Everyone seemed excited at the prospect of hearing from one of the leading children’s rights advocates in the world. International leaders from at least six other countries would speak on child labor, sexual exploitation of children and poverty. Damon joined her, and both looked over the list of workshops that would be presented over the next three days.

  “I wish I could go to everything,” Jade said in exasperation. “Look, a presentation on self-help groups for teen mothers. And here’s a program in New York that arranges after-school programs. Damn, they’re at the same time.”

  “Yeah, and I wanted to hear the panel discussion on Rwandan war orphans. I thought the kids at Gracie Center might organize an aid drive. We could incorporate it into our African studies program.” Damon flipped through pages of the program.

  “That’s a wonderful idea, Damon.” Jade sighed. “How am I going to choose?”

  “Tell you what; let’s divide up all the good stuff. Then we can share information.” Damon led her to two empty seats around a table with four people already engaged in animated conversation.

  “Perfect.”

  For the next hour, they were riveted by the dynamic woman who had come to symbolize all their aspirations to improve the plight of children in America and the world. Jade sat in awe of the speaker. Yet her thoughts strayed to the man beside her. Damon was so intent on the words of Marian Wright Edelman that he leaned forward as though he did not want to miss even one. The profile of his strong jaw sent a tingle through Jade. Damon had everything going for him. He was a member of a prominent wealthy family—handsome, intelligent and a successful businessman. Damon could easily have confined himself to once-a-year charity, like most other men in his position. But he made time to really get involved in the lives of people in a neighborhood far removed from the way he’d grown up. Jade wondered why.

  Later they sat in the hotel restaurant having coffee before her meeting with Bill. Jade and Damon mapped out their strategy for the conference.

  “Now except for a couple of presentations, we’ve got all the workshops covered between the two of us. That’s teamwork.” Jade sat back satisfied and took a sip from her cup.

  Damon placed a hand on her thigh underneath the table of their booth. “Yeah, we’re a perfect fit in more ways than one.”

  “I’m impressed with you.”

  “Oh?” Damon’s eyes glittered.

  “You’re really dedicated to making a difference. You want to be hands-on with the center.” Jade relished the intimacy of being with him even in a strange restaurant surrounded by people. She wanted to share even more with him.

  “Why?”

  “Warren Coates is why.”

  “Who’s he?” Jade was intrigued with his answer.

  “A guy I made friends with while I was doing volunteer work. Warren was something. He had fifteen brothers and sisters, most of them in foster care. His mother was on welfare, and his father was in prison. Three of his older brothers were big-time drug dealers, a couple of others small-time thugs. But he was trying to escape.”

  “Sounds like he was a special young man,” Jade said.

  “He was real special. Warren had it rough, but he survived with good humor. His foster mother was part of the reason. He had a good heart, you know.” Damon smiled at the memory of his friend.

  “Amazing how some children can survive hell and come out beautiful, caring human beings. I’ve seen it before, working with abused kids.” Jade remembered her days working with child welfare agencies through the Louisiana Children’s Cabinet.

  “That was Warren. He was working after school and helping old folks get home-delivered meals on the days he didn’t work. He got a scholarship through the United Negro College Fund with help from a black fraternity. He was going to be an engineer.” Damon spoke with pride as though Warren was his brother.

  “And he inspired you. So Warren is somewhere helping to run a place like Gracie Street Center in his spare time?”

  Damon’s face became stiff and grim. “He probably would be if... Warren never gave up on his brothers. One night he was standing in their old neighborhood, talking to one of his younger brothers, Quince. Seems Quince had a feud going with another dealer. A car drove up and there was gunfire. Warren died on the comer of Gracie and Eighteenth Streets.”

  “Oh, no, Damon. I’m so sorry.” Jade put her hand over his on her thigh. She hated to see the pain in his eyes. “Quince was hurt, too, I suppose.”

  “No, not a scratch.” Damon took a deep breath. “He’s on death row at Angola State Penitentiary. He killed one of the boys who took part in the drive-by shooting.”

  “Violence is a vicious cycle, isn’t it?” Jade felt a kind of despair at the waste of life.

  “Kids, Jade. Quince was sixteen; the boys who killed Warren were between fourteen and seventeen.” Damon looked at her.

  “Doing nothing would have been like saying Warren meant nothing to me. Trying to make a change in the community is how I honor his memory.”

  “I u
nderstand,” Jade said in a soft voice.

  “The first time a kid I helped graduated from high school and go to college, I was hooked. It was such a good feeling.”

  Jade was hooked, too. No words could express the love she felt for him at the moment. But no words were needed. Damon pulled her to him, and the rest of the world just went away for a few magical moments.

  “You’ve made a difference. And with the grant, you’ll be able to do even more.” Jade wanted to smooth away the sadness from his dark brown.

  “We’re sure going to try.” Damon gazed at her, his brown eyes lit with affection. “Thanks.”

  “For what?”

  “For listening, for being here, for being you.” Damon brushed his lips across her forehead.

  Jade closed her eyes. “Anytime, babe, anytime.”

  Damon drew back. “Speaking of time, don’t you have a meeting to attend?”

  “Damn it.” Jade groaned. The last thing she wanted was to discuss work. “I wish we could start our tour right now.” What she really wanted was to make love to him hard and fast.

  “We’ll be together in just over an hour from now.” Damon touched her lips with his fingers. “And tonight is going to be all ours. Now go on and help steer the ship of state.” He gave her a gentle nudge.

  “From the look on Bill’s face, I’d say we might need to start bailing water hard and fast,” Jade quipped. “Wish me luck.” She waved goodbye as he gave her a thumbs-up sign.

  * * *

  “Come in, Jade,” Bill said. He glanced at the gold Rolex watch on his wrist.

  “Sorry I’m late.” Jade felt a flicker of guilt, showing up fifteen minutes after their appointed time. She was surprised to find Mike Testor with Bill. “Hi, Mike.”

  “Hello, there,” Mike said. He managed to make a simple greeting sound like a dirty suggestion.

  “As I was saying...” Bill shot Mike a testy look of warning. Mike cleared his throat and wiped the slight leer from his face. “The latest round of cuts will have a big impact on the mental health clinics. Advocacy groups have been swarming over the capitol, collaring every legislator they can get their hands on.”