by Cam Johns
"I have to go home. You know why..." I whisper. He closes his eyes and shakes his head.
"I know." Oh, I feel bad. I don't like seeing him so pouty. I want to make it better.
"One more kiss, then I have to go." He looks up finally, smiling. He leans in and kisses me softly, pulling me in tighter. I wrap my arms around his neck and invade his mouth with my tongue. He plays with my lips, sucking them into his mouth as he manhandles my bottom. This is so public, so reckless.
"Oh God Karisma, I want you right now." He whispers.
I straighten his hair back. "Me too. But..." He growls at me before I can finish.
"I know. Okay. I'll wait." He releases me from his grip and opens my car door. I start the car and roll the window down.
"Ok, I'll see you tomorrow." I say smiling.
He smiles back at me. "I can't wait." He waits while I pull off before walking to his Audi R8.
Oh fuck…I can't believe he was right. When we kissed it was so passionate, like our lips were meant to touch, as if being in his arms is where I belong. What am I saying, I can't bring a white man home to meet my mother…she'll go nuts. Tomorrow is a new day. Jackson and I are on the back burner, for now anyway. I have to talk to him tomorrow first thing about his promise to not touch me. Who am I kidding? I hope I keep my hands off him!
I get home from work...and Jackson, within twenty minutes. I compose myself and try to leave what happened where it happened. Kevin's car isn't here so I check my phone to see if he called or texted. He hasn't. I call him to see when he's coming home…doesn't answer.
Me:
Hey. Where are you? Call me.
I head in the house to make some dinner and shower. When I walk in, Kevin's shoes are on the floor at the front door. I put them away and head upstairs to see if his suits on the bed. It is...so he's been home. I wonder why he didn’t let me know he was going out. I try not to worry about it and eat, shower and lay down for bed.
It's two in the morning when I hear a racket downstairs. I jump up and grab the bat I keep at my side of the bed, immediately thinking of what happened to my father. I look over and Kevin's still not home, so I stop myself from calling the cops in case it is him being stupid. I open the door slowly and creep down the stairs. Once I get closer, I see Kevin's jacket on the floor. Whew. Wait, what the hell is he doing coming home so late? I walk in the living room and see him on the floor talking to himself. Is he drunk? He doesn't drink like that. I get closer to him and he rolls on his back.
"Kevin...are you drunk?" I ask surprised.
"I may be a little." He starts to chuckle. I've never seen him like this. I bend down to him putting my hand on his face.
"Why?"
"Because I’m liar… you gonna leave me." He says like a pouting child.
"What?" He closes his eyes and falls asleep.
"Kevin." I say shaking him. "Kevin...wake up." I shove him in his chest one last time and he snores. Son of a bitch! I have to find out what he's keeping from me. I decide to leave him there on the floor. I guess we're both keeping secrets. I head back upstairs and lay back down in the bed...alone.
Chapter Nine
I wake up early the next morning, turning to see if Kevin made it up the stairs, but that's a no go. I shower and get dressed instead of checking on him. Walking downstairs, I think about what he said last night. Because I’m a liar and you're going to leave me. To my surprise he made his way to the couch. I don't wake him, and instead I head out for work.
I've never been here this early before. The garage is pretty empty. I pull into a spot when my phone rings through the car. I'm sure it's Kevin.
"Yeah." I answer the phone annoyed.
"Where are you? I went upstairs and you were gone."
"I came to work early. Didn't really feel like dealing with you…hope you're feeling better though."
"Umm...yeah. I'm sorry that I came home late…like that."
"We'll talk about that later. I have to go...Bye."
"Okay...bye ba-" I hang up before he could finish and get out of the car.
Walking toward the elevator, I suddenly get nervous. I look around to see if anyone's around, but it's empty. I just have this eerie feeling that someone's watching me, so I start to walk faster toward the elevator. Finally making it there, I aggressively press the call button and the feeling just intensifies.
"Karisma." I turn, startled and jumpy dropping everything to the ground.
"Oh my goodness...Julia. You scared me half to death." I say anxiously, laughing and picking up my things.
"I didn't mean to scare you. I thought you saw me pull in." She says bending to help me retrieve my things from the ground.
"No, I didn't...I didn't know you get here this early."
"I don't usually, but Jackson asked me to." She's barely able to contain her fantasy. My eyes dart up at her angrily. Luckily, she wasn't looking at me.
"Why is that?" I say trying hard to disguise my disdain.
"Not sure. I'll see you soon though." She smiles eagerly. Keep your paws off bitch, I think to myself as I step out of the elevator.
"See ya!" I know she threw that Jackson comment in my face on purpose. I shouldn't be so jealous anyway. What did I expect? It's not like I'm in any position to complain.
I get to my office, hang up my jacket, put my purse away and start a list of what I need to do to get ready for my move upstairs. You know women and our lists.
"Good morning, Miss Washington." I smile realizing who it is at my door.
"Mr. Turner…good morning." He walks in and takes a seat in front of me unbuttoning his suit jacket. He is so smooth, looking dapper and well-groomed as ever in his gray three piece suit. "You're here early." He says slightly smiling.
"Yes, I wanted an early start." He just stares me down not saying a word. "Were you coming here for a reason?" I ask wanting him to stop staring.
"Julia told me you were here. I wanted to see you." He says biting his bottom lip and staring. I wish he would stop that.
"Oh, you're admirer actually told you…I'm surprised. How was your private little meeting?" I say as sarcastic as I could.
"My admirer," he repeats amused, "I don't know about that. Actually I think you being here slipped."
"So, you do know she has the hots for you." I say slightly annoyed.
"What was that look? You can't seriously be jealous of her."
"Who said I was." I snap back at him screw faced. He gets up and walks to my door shutting it. Oh, that gets my attention. I sit back in my chair and watch as he turns to face me. He takes off his suit jacket laying it on the back of the chair. Yum.
"What are you doing?" I asked anxiously. He smiles at me, standing stationary with his hands in his pockets. Oh he wants to play games. I take the pen I have in my hand and start to slide it across my lips, then open my mouth slightly letting the tip fall in before letting it slide down to my breast slowly, not looking away from his gaze.
"Okay, Okay you win." We both laugh.
"Well stop playing around...I’m a woman honey." He walks over to me and leans his butt on my side of the desk. He grabs my hands, pulling me up to stand between his legs.
"You have no reason to be jealous of her or anyone. Understand?" He says softly.
"I don't...no. I can't expect you to sit around waiting while I decide."
"I know what I'm doing Karisma. I'm really not concerned with your decision. Just know that I’ll be here." He brushes hair from my face. "You're beautiful." He says staring through me.
I blush as he stares down at me with sincerity. I can't do this. I grab at him impulsively and kiss him forcefully. He wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me into him. I fist in his hair grabbing and pulling at it. Oh no, I think I'm going to let him fuck me. He stands and pushes me into the wall behind me hard, leaning his body into me. I can feel his passion possessing my body. I want him inside me. Now. His hands roam my body frantically, wanting to feel all of me, then lands on my warmth. Sh
it! Thank goodness I'm wearing pants today. Without thinking about it, my hands begin loosening his tie while he kisses me. He backs up from me abruptly and leans back on the desk, fixing his tie back.
"Karisma...not...yet." He says trying to catch his breath. "Trust me, now is not the time."
I look up at him with mixed emotions. I want him, but I can't have him. I'm pissed because he pulled away, although I understand why he did. I just stand there trying to calm down my heightened hormones and embarrassment.
"I'm sorry." I whisper.
"For what,” he walks over to me, lifting my head up, "you know how hard it is to resist you. Our time will come." He kisses my forehead. "Okay?"
“You're right."
"Okay, I think its best that I keep my promise not to touch you, but Karisma if you do that shit again, I'm not gonna be the one to stop. I don't care where we are."
I giggle. "Okay."
"Listen, Julia is up there training your assistant. Finish here and head up...okay?" He says putting his suit jacket back on.
"You got it boss." I say giggling.
"Cute." He says smiling and walking out.
I need to figure out a way to calm my hormones, which will be difficult since his rousing smell is still lingering on my clothes right now. I take a seat in my chair to catch my breath and my mind shoots to Kevin. I no longer feel upset about whatever he's been keeping from me. Probably because he's been with another woman during our relationship...two wrongs don't make a right however. If he wasn’t keeping secrets, I wouldn't be opening myself up to another. Or so I'd like to think anyway. I decide to let things happen; everything comes out eventually.
My thoughts are interrupted once more with a knock at the door.
"Yes."
Julia walks in with another man. He's maybe 25, a little taller than me, dark skinned, well dressed, low Caesar cut and glasses.
"Hi Karisma, this is Michael, your new assistant. I thought you two might want to get acquainted…he can help you move upstairs."
"Oh yes...thank you Julia." Bitch. She smiles at me then Michael and walks out. "Nice to meet you, Michael." I say walking to shake his hand.
"And you, Miss Washington." He smiles. Wow, his teeth are so white.
"Karisma please." I smile. “I wanted to be all packed and upstairs before everyone got in, but that didn't work." That damn Jackson. "So I'll finish up this paperwork here and maybe you can put my things in this box."
"Not a problem, Karisma." He says softly.
After about thirty minutes, we are ready for my new office.
"So, Michael, were you always here or did you work somewhere else?" I ask as we head to the elevator.
"I worked with Jonathan, Jackson's brother at his security firm." And that explains it. All the tight security here. "Jonathan called me last night and asked me to come work here…for you." He smiles.
"Oh, wow...you must be good at your job. I hope it wasn't an inconvenience." That Jackson…I really don't want special treatment.
"Not at all. Jonathan is cool, I enjoy working for him.” I wish I were able to talk to him more. Get to know him…and Jackson for that matter.
"That's good to hear." I say smiling. We step out of the elevator and I scan the lobby, not believing I work up here now.
"Your office is the first door on the right." He points the opposite direction of Jackson's office. "How would you like your coffee?"
"Black, two sugars please." I walk toward my office, eyes wide glaring at all the fancy offices I pass on my left. There aren't many people here yet, so it's pretty quiet. As I get closer it sounds like people are arguing.
"Why now?" Sounds like Julia.
"Please, it was never." And that's Jackson. I’ve never heard him sound so terse.
"It's because of her isn't it? Ka-ri-sma." she says mocking my name. Ooh, no she didn’t.
"I don't know what the hell you’re talking about…but if you try and touch me like that again, you'll be gone." He snaps.
I hear her shoes coming toward the door, but there's nowhere for me to go. Oh no. She walks out and sees me standing there. The anger and resentment in her eyes is palpable. Oh, that's no good. I stand at the door looking at Jackson, staring out of my new huge floor to ceiling windows. Oh what a view. And I do mean Jackson. I knock on the door.
"What!" He snaps, not turning. I don't know if I should be alarmed or turned on by that. My clit pulsates so I guess she's decided on the latter.
"Umm...Jackson..." I say softly. He turns quickly realizing it's me. Before I know it he's standing in front of me.
"Oh Karisma, I'm sorry, I didn't know it was you." He grabs my hand.
"You thought it was Julia again?" I say looking up at him through my lashes. He drops my hand and steps back.
"Oh...you heard that?" He says retreating to his intimidation stance: legs apart with his hands in his pockets.
"Yes, and I don't think she's happy that I did."
"Let's not worry about that." He pulls me into the office. "So…what do you think?" He spans his hand around the room.
"I love it Jackson.” I smile from ear to ear.
"Good." He smiles down at me and I stare at his piercing blues. I want to attack him again.
"Karisma, don't." He says giving me that don't play with me look. All I could do is laugh at him.
"Here's your coffee Karisma." Michael walks in and Jackson releases my hand.
"Thank you Michael." I say.
"Ok, I'll be at my desk," he points across the way to the cubicles, "when you're ready for me."
"Thanks."
"Ok, you ready?" Jackson asks grabbing my hand again.
"I'm ready for you." I reply sensually, bouncing my hip against him, smiling sneakily.
"Cut that shit out before I toss your ass on that desk."
"Hmm, that sounds fun." I say, swiping my finger down his arm.
He growls at me. "Oh, Miss Washington it will be." He pulls me toward the desk and I pull him back laughing.
"Oh alright. I'm just playing around." We both laugh. "I'm ready to work."
He smiles. "Let's go." He takes my hand to head out of my office. “Michael, we're going down to my office. Come." Jackson says assertively.
Once at his office he shows us his schedule for the week so Michael can incorporate it with mine. Apparently my first event will be tomorrow evening and it's mandatory, but he doesn’t go into detail about it. We spend most of the day going over my responsibilities, learning important names, and touching base on his other businesses. Before I know it, it's four and we've skipped lunch.
"Ok, I think that's enough for the day." Jackson says standing.
"Yeah, I agree. Okay Michael, you can go ‘head home. I'll see you tomorrow morning." Michael looks at Jackson who nods.
"I'll be right back Karisma.” Jackson says walking Michael out of the office.
I decide to enjoy the view in his office. The cloudy Seattle view looks beautiful from up here. My thoughts roam to Kevin, who doesn't even know about my promotion. I'll tell him when I get home. I'm looking forward to talking to him about last night, but I don't think I'm going to tell him what he said. I don’t want to hear any more lies.
"Deep in thought?" Jackson asks standing beside me.
"Yeah, I guess you can say that."
"Is there something you want to talk to me about?"
"No, I don't think so."
"Must be about Kevin." I look up at him, seeing the disappointment in his eyes and nod yes. "Listen, I'm not trying to make things difficult for you. Just let things happen."
"Okay." I say inching closer.
"So, about the event tomorrow, will I be able to pick you up?"
"Umm...I think that'll be inappropriate."
He growls. "Yes, you're right."
"Okay, well I'm gonna head home." I say smiling up at him not wanting to leave him.
"You sure?" He says with puppy dog eyes.
I giggle. "Don't look at me like
that."
"Like what?" He says smiling at me from ear to ear.
"Ummhmm." I swipe my hand by his as I leave his office. On the way out I see Julia giving me the evil eye…she is ruthless.
I head home thinking about Jackson. How is he so sure I'm going to be with him? He must know something I don't. He can't be that arrogant. I did get a kick out of him putting Julia in her place though. That was intense. My thoughts are interrupted by the phone ringing.
"Yes."
"Karisma! You too good for us little people or something?"
"Lizzie. Hey, we were super busy today. I didn't get a chance to see you."
"I know it's cool."
"So, how was it?"
"It was okay. Nowhere near as hard as I thought. I even have an assistant now."
"That's great…but I meant how are things with Jackson?"
"Well, they're okay but I think I like him more than expected."
She sighs. "Karisma, what about Kevin?"
"I don't know. Jackson says to let things happen and that's what I'll do."
"Ok, sounds like a plan."
"Lizzie I'm home. I’ll see you tomorrow."
"Later girl."
Well Kevin's car isn't here, however I am home quite early. I decide to go and start dinner. Maybe I'll make Kevin's favorite, lasagna.
Me:
What time will you be home?
Kevin:
About an hour and a half.
Me:
See you soon
Kevin:
OK.
After putting the lasagna in the oven, I run upstairs to jump in the shower and change while waiting for it to cook. Once changed, I set the dining room table for dinner. I think I'm going to make one last effort to make things right for us. We just need to get everything out and see where we want this relationship to go. I set the table with good china, candles, some wine and placed the food in the center. I finished just in time for him to walk in, but he doesn't. He doesn't an hour later either. I call but there is no answer. I think I’m being stood up.
