by Jada Jordan
*****
Yasmin had a tough time focusing on her work. She eventually gave up the pretense of working and rose from her desk to stare through her window. She could see the Hudson River and Brooklyn Bridge in the distance. She crossed her arms and gazed at it unseeingly. She’d been waiting for Dean to come into her office and mention meeting with Ryan. Although he came to see her several times, his meeting with Ryan never passed through his lips. She was frustrated beyond belief with the situation. She considered Dean a good friend and was disappointed that he would conspire with Ryan to harbor a secret from her. Maybe Dean wasn’t the friend she had thought him to be; it certainly appeared that he wasn’t. It was late in the day and Yasmin could see the sun setting. It was about the time that she would normally go home; but she didn’t want to. She didn’t want to face what waited for her there. It was possible that Ryan’s meeting with Dean was innocent. But if that were so, why wouldn’t Dean have mentioned it by now. No, the meeting was clandestine and she wasn’t supposed to know anything about it. It was too coincidental that they would meet during the time of her sabbatical decision. They’d been discussing her life as if she had no say in it; and that made her blood boil. Yasmin heard her door open and closed quietly. She turned to see Dean standing behind one of her visitor’s chairs. He wore a sheepish look on his face. Maybe he was finally about to fess up.
“Dean. Is there something you wanted?” she asked coolly.
Dean was of medium height with brown eyes and hair. He wore fashionably style glasses that gave him a look of authority and intelligence. He was a good-looking man and could see why women pursued him despite the obvious ring on his finger. But right now, all Yasmin could see was a man who had deliberately tried to dupe her. Dean looked at Yasmin closely. Her demeanor toward him was chilly at best. Had he not known better he would think that she knew about his meeting with Ryan. But that was impossible – although her arraignment had been postponed. Where had she gone when she left the courthouse? Back to the office? Dean shook his head mentally. He was thinking the worse unnecessarily. Yasmin hadn’t been in the coffee house. He would have seen her if she’d been there. He glanced at her frosty cinnamon eyes and wondered what she was thinking. He would not want to be the focus of her ire; although circumstances dictated that he soon would be. He took a deep breath.
“I want to speak with you,” he began.
“About what?” she snapped.
Dean narrowed his eyes. She knew something. He felt it in his gut.
“I met with Ryan this morning,” he said quietly.
Suddenly Yasmin could breathe. It was as though an anchor had been lifted from her chest. Dean was going to tell her. She took several breaths before speaking.
“Why?”
“He is concerned about you taking a leave of absence. He wanted me to persuade you to stay,” Dean said truthfully.
Yasmin gasped. She had suspected that had been the topic of their discussion. But to hear her suspicions confirmed was rather shocking.
“He actually asked that of you?” she asked in disbelief.
Dean nodded.
“Yes.”
“And what was your answer?” Yasmin demanded.
“Since I am standing here telling you of our conversation, I think you know what I answered,” Dean replied.
He was correct. She did know and her heart was bursting with gratitude for the man standing before her. He was, indeed her loyal friend.
“Thank you, Dean,” Yasmin whispered.
“No thanks are necessary. I would never try to influence you from doing what your heart truly desires,” he responded. “Although I had planned to offer partnership to you at the end of the quarter, I will not use it as a bargaining tool to keep you where you don’t want to be. The promotion would be a well-earned reward for all of your hard work; not a leverage chip.”
Yasmin crossed the room to hug her friend. She then pulled back and smiled ruefully.
“That promotion would be a very magnetic reward. And had you offered it two months ago there would have been no hesitation on my part of accepting it,” she said wryly.
“And things have changed so dramatically in two months?” he asked.
“Yes. I need a break from the grind. Oh, I know that I’m on the cusp of success and fame worldwide,” she said softly. “And I must be crazy for wanting to walk away from it all. But I have to. I need the opportunity to explore my art and I can’t do that on a part-time, when I get a chance basis. I have to devote all of my time to it to see if I am really any good.”
“I’ve seen your work, Yas. You are very good,” he responded.
“But apparently not good enough where Ryan is concerned,” she said despondently.
“Give him some time. He’ll come around,” Dean said. But he was not at all convinced by his own words. Ryan had been too adamant in his position to switch gears.
“Maybe. But somehow I doubt it,” she replied soberly.
“”Thank you for supporting me, Dean. You are such a good friend. And I won’t leave you in a lurch. Is three weeks enough time to replace me?” she asked.
“There’s no replacing you, Yas. But three weeks is more than sufficient time to find another lawyer. Know that my door is always open, Yasmin. You can come back at any time. Remember that, Yas,” Dean said sincerely.
Tears sprang to Yasmin’s eyes and she hugged him again.
“I’ll remember, Dean. Thank you again,” she whispered.
Dean felt a bit of choking in his own throat as he pulled from her embrace.
“I’d better get back to my office. I have a brief to go over before I can go home,” he said.
“Alright. I’ll see you in the morning,” she responded.
“Goodnight, Yas.”
“Goodnight,” she said softly.
Dean left Yasmin’s office and quietly shut her door. Yasmin cleared her desk mechanically as she thought about her coming conversation with Ryan. She was not looking forward to it but knew she had to speak with him. She put on her coat, grabbed her purse and briefcase and left her office. It was going to be a long night.
Chapter 2
Hunter sat in a corner booth listening to the blues quartet. They were very good and he came into the club to hear them as often as he could.
“May I join you?”
Hunter looked up to see a slender, long haired blond woman swirling a cocktail in her free hand. Her other hand rested on the back of his booth behind his shoulder. Her thumb lightly caressed the back of his neck. She swung her hair from her chest to her back, giving him a clear view of her sizable breasts in her low cut dress. She was very aggressive but Hunter was used to overly assertive women. She wore a black, form fitting mini dress that barely concealed her private places. She smiled sensually at him and her eyes told him where they’d end up if his answer was yes. But Hunter was not in the mood for a one night stand. His mind was preoccupied with another lady who was light-years removed from this woman standing before him. He instinctively knew that Yasmin would never approach a man in this manner nor make him sexual offers. She wasn’t the type and neither was he tonight.
“No. I’m sorry,” he answered mildly. He smiled to soften the blow.
The woman was startled and more than pissed.
“Well,” she hissed as she stormed away from him in a huff.
The corner of Hunter’s mouth rose as he turned his attention to the band. He’d rather sit alone with his cognac and think of Yasmin than to sleep with a strange woman. He wondered what she was doing tonight and wished she were here with him. Hunter took a sip of his drink and looked up as the hostess led a patron to the booth in front of his. The single woman scooted into the booth and placed a drink order. She then settled back to watch the band. Hunter observed her more closely. It was dark in the club and he could only view her profile but she looked oddly familiar. He leaned across his table to get a better look as her phone rang. She picked up the phone to see who was calling. The light
from her phone cast enough illumination for him to see her clearly. He sucked in his breath.
“Yasmin,” he murmured softly. She grimaced as she ignored the caller and set the phone back on the table. Apparently she was in no mood to speak to whoever was calling. He wondered why she was here alone. Although she had not said she was unavailable when he’d asked, he’d gotten the feeling that she was taken. She had stuffed her hand in her pocket as if wanting to hide a ring on her finger. If that was the case, why wasn’t her significant other with her? Perhaps he was parking the car. The server arrived with a glass of wine then left. Yasmin had ordered only one drink. Surely she would have ordered two if her boyfriend were coming in. He would wait a few more minutes before approaching her. He wanted to make sure she was running solo tonight. Her cell phone rang a second time and again Yasmin looked at the view panel and ignored the call. Hunter smiled. Maybe there was trouble in paradise and he could lend a listening ear. He made his move.
“May I join you?”
Yasmin glanced up in surprise. She knew that voice the moment she heard it. She had been thinking of him and here he was. It was like he’d somehow heard her thoughts and manifested out of thin air. It was creepy but exciting as well.
“Yes,” she heard herself saying. She probably should have said no. She had enough male problems at the moment. But she hadn’t wanted to. She wanted him to share her booth and make her forget her worries. She instinctively knew that he could do that.
He slid in beside her and set his drink on the table.
“What brings you here tonight?” he asked smoothly.
“Probably for the same reason that you are here. The music,” she smiled.
“Touché! Are you enjoying it?” he asked.
“For the most part, but…..” she trailed off.
“But what?” he probed.
“I’m just a little distracted—which is a disservice to the band for they are terrific. They deserve my full attention,” she murmured.
Hunter shrugged.
“I’ll bet they’re used to it. They play the blues; a genre of music for sad hearts,” he remarked.
“Fitting for my mood. I must warn you, I am not the best of company right now,” she said wryly.
“I’ll take my chances. People tell me I’m a great listener. What is troubling you?” he asked.
Yasmin looked at his handsome face and his sparking green eyes drew her like a beacon. Maybe she needed someone to unload on. She had tried contacting her best friend Shay but she was working at Le Reef. She could talk to him and forget about it for it was unlikely that she would ever see him again.
“What’s your name?” she asked curiously.
“Hunter. Hunter Treveign,” he answered.
She extended her hand.
“And I am—
“Yasmin Beauchamp—attorney extraordinaire,” he smiled.
“How did you know?” she asked in bewilderment.
Hunter opened his mouth to explain then closed it. Maybe he should have allowed her to say who she was. Now he was in a predicament of having to explain his sleuthing into her background. Not only had he followed her to her work but he had gone online and checked her out on her firm’s website. He couldn’t tell her all of that; it might scare her off. She may think that he was a crazed stalker.
“I happened to have an appointment in your office building and I heard one of your co-workers say your name,” he fudged.
It wasn’t a complete lie; just not all of the truth. The appointment wasn’t the truth but he did hear her co-worker say her name.
“Oh,” she said. She seemed to accept his explanation and relaxed as she sipped her wine. “I am an attorney at Beckman and Associates and I’ve had some success.”
“Quite a lot of success. Public records don’t lie and the rumors are fantastic,” he grinned.
“Don’t believe everything you hear. The tabloids love to spread untruths,” she frowned.
“I’ve only heard great things about you. All of the gossip is good,” he responded. “So why are you so bummed out?”
Yasmin looked into his amazing eyes and the entire sordid story tumbled through her lips. How her day had started and how her horrific fight with Ryan resulted in her sitting alone at the Moody Horn drowning her sorrows. Hunter gave her his full attention as she related her story. It was obvious that she was hurt; her raw feelings were on total display as she fought to make sense of what had occurred. He was empathetic to her situation yet pleased that she and her boyfriend were on rocky ground. He couldn’t help it. More than ever did he want to pursue a relationship with her and that jerk she was involved with needed to be out of the way. Hunter felt that Ryan was a fool not to support Yasmin and her art. She would most likely be just as successful as an artist as she was as an attorney. But Ryan didn’t have the imagination or foresight to see that. He was selfish and only thought of what she could do for him as a lawyer. Hunter was mildly surprised about his attitude. He never became entangled in love triangles; in fact, he avoided them like the plague. But Yasmin was different. She deserved better than the gold-digging Ryan. Ryan had had his turn and he blew it. This was now his opportunity to convince Yasmin to take a chance on him.
“You must be tired of listening to me babble on. I apologize for subjecting you to my problems,” she sighed.
“You were not telling me anything that I did not want to hear,” he replied.
She looked at him curiously.
“That’s a strange way of putting it,” she responded.
“I’m not your regular kind of guy,” he said as quirked an eyebrow.
Yasmin turned to face him directly. She rested her left elbow on the back of the booth as she brushed her out auburn tresses out of her face.
“What kind of guy are you, Hunter Treveign?” she asked.
He looked into her warm, cinnamon colored eyes that were full of questions. He could drown in her beautiful eyes. He wanted nothing more than to reach out and tuck the wayward strands of her hair behind her ear. But she was looking at him expectantly and he had to answer her.
“I walk to the beat of my own snare drum. I’m known to be unconventional, untraditional and a bit of a dare-devil in that I will take chances,” he mused.
“What kind of chances? With your well-being? Your safety?” she asked in alarm.
“No. I care too much about this great face to put it in harm’s way,” he grinned as he caressed his chin.
Yasmin gave him a disparaging frown.
“Then what?” she prompted.
“Chances in business. I will take the risk when other businessmen will shy away from it,” he replied.
“And the rewards were worth the risk?” she questioned with a smile.
“Very much so,” he answered.
“So you are a millionaire entrepreneur,” she remarked.
“I am a billionaire entrepreneur. The rewards have been very big,” he grinned.
“Whoa! Are you kidding me?” she exclaimed.
“I’m serious. However, I don’t generally go around saying so for obvious reasons,” he said.
“Well, in that case you can buy me another drink,” she quipped.
He laughed.
“It would be my pleasure,” he chuckled. He signaled for the server to come to their booth.
“Another glass of wine?” he asked.
Yasmin smiled wryly.
“Yes. I had better not mix my drinks or else I’ll not be able to walk out of here,” she grimaced.
“That wouldn’t be a problem. I would take very good care of you,” he promised.
She looked at him warily.
“I bet you would,” she responded.
He grinned as the server arrived. Hunter gave the drink order and the server left.
“So what kind of businesses attracts your interests?” Yasmin asked.
Hunter told her about his various business ventures which included technology, gemstone mining, natural fuel and the expo
rting of agricultural products to countries in need. Yasmin soon learned that the exportation of crops to third world countries was an effort that was dear to his heart.
“This country is rich in its minerals and cultivated products compared to Zimbabwe, Liberia, Laos and the Philippines,” he said soberly. “These people need our help desperately and it is our responsibility as a country and as individuals to do all that we can to end world hunger.”
Yasmin could hear the passion in his voice. This cause was very important to him and she could relate for it was important to her as well.
“I understood you feelings about assisting those in need. I donate to several charities that feed the poor in the United States as well as overseas. But it doesn’t seem to be enough,” she said softly.
The server brought their drinks.
“Maybe we could join forces in our efforts to annihilate the problem,” he suggested.
“I would like that,” she smiled.
She sipped her drink and they spoke on a variety topics. She found Hunter to be intelligent, humorous, well-read and intuitive. He seemed to be able to read her thoughts before she could voice them. That was a little unnerving at first but she soon got used to it and found herself completing his sentences for him. They laughed a lot and simply enjoyed one another’s company. By the time Yasmin looked at her watch it was twelve forty-five in the morning. They had been talking for hours.
