by Kylie Walker
“Ok,” she said, putting her hands up apologetically. “Are you hungry? There are some left overs in the fridge.”
“No, I’m good. I ate before I came home.” He was so short with her. But then his tone changed a bit and he said, “So how did your presentation go?”
“I thought you would never ask,” she said with a smile. She went over and plopped down beside him on the couch. “My new client loved it! We will be doing a photo shoot just after the Fourth of July weekend which means that once it is all finished, we will be working together on a few things. Oh and guess what? I know her, my new client I mean. When Joanne took me to that private event, well it was my new client’s private event. Her name is Ana McAllister, partner of McAllister Stock Cars. Pretty cool huh?”
“That name sounds familiar.” Thomas said looking at her. Taking a long pull of his beer, he laid his hand on her knee. “Listen, I’m sorry for acting like an ass. I was kinda pissed you stood me up for lunch and then my day just went to shit from there.” Thomas gave her a sad look.
“It’s ok. We all have bad days. I am really sorry. I had every intention of going. Speaking of the day though, something weird happened today that I wanted to ask you about.” Angela circled the ring of her glass with her finger. “At the end of the presentation when everyone was gone there was a tense conversation between Ana and Kimberly. All I heard was “He already told you it’s over” and to “let it go,” or something like that. Anyway when Ana left Kimberly was clearly pissed.” She took a sip of her wine. “You’re close with Kimberly. What was that about, do you know?” She was trying not to sound like she was prying, but she clearly was.
“I’m not sure. I know she met someone about two months ago because that is all she ever talks about. How gorgeous this guy was, how he spoils her and makes her feel like no other man. It gets old.” He said, rolling his eyes. “Maybe they are fighting over the same guy?”
“Huh.” Angela shrugged her shoulders. Turning to the football game Angela’s mind wandered back to her encounter with Steve in the storage room. It made her stomach flutter just thinking about it. She knew they would bump into each other again. He said he did business there. But what floor did he work on? How did he know she would be in the storage room? He must have watched her, she thought. Regardless, the next encounter would be cut short. Things were moving too quickly and she wasn’t ready for any of it.
“Well I think I will call it a night. I’m exhausted. See ya in the morning.” She bent over and gave Thomas a peck on the cheek.
******
Finishing his beer, Thomas turned the TV off. He turned off the lights in the living room and made his way down the hall. Just before entering the bathroom his head swung around, eyes glued to the mirror armoire in the corner of Angela’s room. Her door was open just a slit, just enough to see her reflection in the mirror.
Thomas leaned against the bathroom door knowing that she couldn’t see him. Standing there he watched her undressed. He examined her long shapely tanned legs, and let his eyes trail to her black satin panties and then to her breasts. They were covered by a black lace bra but he could see the swell of them over the lace. Licking his lower lip he watched as Angela began to slowly rub lotion on her legs. Thomas’s mouth turned up into a grin as he slid into the bathroom and closed the door behind him softly so Angela wouldn’t hear.
Chapter 7
Angela was on the phone when there was a knock on her office door. “Come in,” she said, covering the phone receiver.
“I have a delivery for a Ms. Angela Black?” The delivery man said reading from his chart. “Yes come in.” She told him.
The delivery man walked over and laid the package on her desk. He handed her the sheet to sign. Angela signed it quickly while holding the phone receiver between her ear and shoulder. She then mouthed, “Thank you,” to the man and he left, closing the door behind him.
Hanging up the phone she looked at the package puzzled, wondering who in the world would send her something. It must be from Thomas she thought. Maybe it was his way of apologizing for his behavior last night. Searching for a card but not finding one, she pulled on the outer package. She ripped the outside and tore it off. Pulling the paper away fully, her eyes fell on a tall beautiful crystal vase that held over two dozen lily’s. Not just any lily, but her favorite ones, Passion fruit.
She noticed the small card that was hidden amongst the paper. As she was about to open it up, Kimberly walked in her office.
“Do you have a minute?” Kimberly asked as her eyes fell on the flowers. “Wow, those are beautiful, secret admirer, huh?” She asked with a grin on her face as she shut the door.
“I honestly have no idea who these could be from.” Angela said, still staring at the card in the envelope.
“Well open it.” Kimberly pressed her, sitting down in the plush brown chair across from Angela’s desk.
Angela opened up the envelope and her jaw almost fell on her desk. It read:
I can’t wait to taste you again. Until next time Angela. It was signed, “S.”
Flustered she tried to shove the small card back into the envelope but her hands were shaking so badly the card slipped and fell on the desk. Kimberly leaned in and grabbed it before Angela could reach it.
Angela watched Kimberly’s hand come up and cover her mouth. She let out a little giggle. “Well, well. Sounds like someone had a great time. What does “S” stand for? Obviously you have left quite the impression on this guy.” Kimberly laughed and slid the card back towards Angela.
“Just some guy I met at a club a few weeks back,” she said, feeling her face turning crimson. “It’s nothing really. The guy is just persistent.” She realized that she was almost stuttering.
Angela sat back in her chair and threw the card in her desk drawer. Looking up at Kimberly she said, “You wanted to discuss something?”
“Yes, actually, it’s in regards to the McAllister’s marketing plan. I will be tagging along on that photo shoot. You know, just want to make sure everything goes well. Also, I wanted to talk about the conversation that I know for a fact that you heard between myself and Ana.” Kimberly’s tone changed to a nervous one as she said, “Ana can be a nosey bitch and we tend to rub each other the wrong way if you know what I mean?”
“No worries Kimberly. I only caught the last part. It’s none of my business, really.” She smiled and watched Kimberly shift in her chair. Her boss ran a hand through her hair and looked uncomfortable.
“What is it Kimberly?” Angela asked.
“It’s just this damn guy has been driving me nuts. I have been seeing him for over two months and he is everything I have ever wanted in a man. One minute he tells me he loves me and the next he says we need to slow down and take a break.” Kimberly blurted all of that out and looked at her as though she would have a solution.
“I don’t know what to say Kimberly,” Angela told her in a sympathetic tone. “Honestly, this is not my area of expertise. I have only been with a few men before I met and married Blake. I have been out of the dating game for a long time.” She smiled softly. “But if it were me,” she went on, leaning into her desk. “I’m a pretty black and white type of girl. Either you’re in or you’re out. I hate games. Tell him how you feel and what you want. If it was meant to be it will happen. But that is just my opinion.” Angela leaned back in her chair.
“How old are you again?” Kimberly laughed, kidding.
“I guess that’s what marriage does to do you. Plus, I was raised old school by my folks.” Angela laughed.
“Sounds like you had the perfect guy.” Kimberly looked at her with what almost looked like envy.
“I did. He was everything to me, my entire world.” She smiled sadly as she thought of Blake. “But unfortunately fate had other plans for both of us.” She started to move the papers around on her desk not wanting to talk about it anymore.
“You know we should go out for drinks sometime and let loose, just the girls.” Kimb
erly told her.
“That sounds like a lot of fun. Yes absolutely,” Angela smiled.
Kimberly left her office and Angela’s mind drifted back to the beautiful arrangement of lilies that were now sitting on her desk. She felt excitement building in her core just thinking about him. Yes, he was extremely attractive…but very aggressive. That was something she was not used to at all. Angela couldn’t understand how he could possibly know that was her favorite flower. Maybe it was time to just relax and let things take its course if that is the way it was meant to be. Maybe I should take my own advice she thought smiling to herself.
Angela filed the handful of papers that she was working on and stretched back in her chair. She suddenly decided she was ready to go. She grabbed her satchel and headed out the door.
“Good night Marg.” She said, giving her a smile as she walked by. Walking down the hall almost at the elevator doors she heard that low familiar sexy voice. She whipped around to see where it was coming from when her eyes landed on Kimberly’s office. She watched as Steve leaned against the door frame slightly holding the door open while talking to Kimberly. She watched her boss grab the arm that was holding the door open and pull him into her office. Angela was flushed in the face as she repeatedly pressed the elevator button. Heart racing and slightly shaking she felt a hand on her waist a moment later. “Don’t you dare put your fucking hands on me,” she hissed the words between her teeth as she turned quickly around. Her eyes landed on Thomas’ confused face.
“What the hell Angela?”
“I’m...I’m sorry Thomas, I thought you were someone else.” She said apologetically. She looked past him at Kimberly’s closed office door.
“Apparently,” he said with his eyebrows raised. “Is someone bothering you? He looked over his shoulder in the direction Angela was staring. Let me know and I will kick their ass.” He smiled, trying to lighten the situation. The elevators doors opened and they both stepped in. His mood sobered as he said, “Are you sure you’re alright? You’re shaking for Christ’s sake,” he rubbed her arm lightly.
“Yes I’m fine.” She tried to flash him a smile and cleared her throat. “So are you cooking tonight?”
“No, there is a great little sub shop just down the street. Grabbing something there and then heading to a friend’s house to watch the game. You?” He looked down at her while they exited the elevator.
“Joanne’s coming over for a bit,” she said, repositioning her satchel on her shoulder. “I will see you back at the apartment later then.”
As she exited the building, Angela’s head was whirling. Her strides were fast while she tried to figure out why Steve would be in Kimberly’s office. There was only one reason. He was the snake that Kimberly just told her about earlier in the day and it made her blood boil. How dare he? He was playing the two of them at the same time. She felt so stupid to have let him seduce her so easily. She was stronger than that. She had always been strong. She always stated what was on her mind and didn’t have a problem saying no. But something about him got under her skin. It was like she was drugged and being pulled into his essence when he was around her and she wanted more, she couldn’t control how she felt. However, she could control her actions.
Opening the door to the loft she dropped her satchel on the floor, threw her keys on the hall table and made her way to the kitchen. She grabbed a bottle of wine and poured herself a glass. Her mind thought back to the flowers he had just sent her. “My God am I an ass,” she said out loud, taking a long drink of her wine. She was laughing to herself as Joanne walked into the apartment.
“Hey Ang. Already into the wine, huh?” Joanne smiled and flipped her long blonde hair over her shoulder. She grabbed an empty wine glass from the cupboard and placed it on the kitchen bar, “Well are you going to pour me a glass or just sit there with that smirk on your face? What’s going on? You’re acting weird.” She looked at Angela and grabbed the bottle, pouring her own glass.
“I’m a complete idiot. That is what is going on.” Angela took another long drink. “That guy, Steve that I met at the club and then again outside of my work, then in the storage room…” Angela blurted out and then drank the rest of her wine. She paused and reached for the bottle to refill her glass.
Joanne cut her off, “Whoa...Hold on a second, the storage room?”
“And then the asshole sent me my favorite flowers today. Oh and guess who else he is fucking?” Angela said staring at Joanne with an angry glare on her face, “My fucking boss. Priceless, isn’t it?” She huffed and took another sip.
“Ok, slow down woman.” Joanne grabbed her arm and gently pulled it back down to the table. “You fucked him?” She asked with raised eyebrows.
“No I didn’t fuck him. He seduced me in the storage room this week.” Joanne’s hand cupped her mouth as she tried to conceal her smile. “Holy shit! Um…Details please.” Joanne nudged her with her elbow.
“There aren’t any. He’s a slime ball, one I want nothing to do with regardless of how fucking hot and attractive he is. He seduced me and he is apparently screwing my boss. He sent me my favorite flowers to my office today. God knows how he learned that information,” she sighed swiping a hand through her dark hair.
“So how do you know he is screwing your boss?” Joanne asked, confused.
“Today when I received the flowers from him, Kimberly came into my office. She told me about this guy that has been stringing her along for a few months. When I left for the day I saw Steve leaning against her office door and then she pulled him in her office and shut the door behind them.” Still running her hand through her hair she looked at Joanne’s face.
“So you automatically assume he is the guy she was talking about?” Joanne asked with her eyebrows arched.
“Yes, I do.” Angela said. “Quite frankly there is no other explanation. And you know what? I don’t even understand why I am so mad about this. I have bumped into him two or three times. Yes, he seduced me and sent me flowers, big deal!” She got up and opened the fridge.
“You’re developing something for this guy Ang. Whether it’s sexual or emotional, it’s there. That’s why you’re pissed.” She said with a smile.
“I don’t know how to play this game Jo and I don’t want to play.” Angela told her. “I just want to focus on work, eventually get my own apartment and someday meet someone again when the time is right.”
“Well then don’t play. Tell him where to go the next time you see him and don’t even give him a chance to explain…unless you really want to of course.” She grinned and took a sip of her wine.
“Jesus, Joanne, you’re seriously too much.” Angela glared at her, but she laughed.
“I’m just saying that there may be a lot more to the story than you’re actually seeing.
Chapter 8
The following week Angela went about her business avoiding all conversation with Kimberly about her mystery man. When Kimberly would bring up the topic she would just block her out or pretend she had to do something. She had not seen Steve in a week, and it was exactly how she liked it.
“Need a re-fill?” Thomas held up the bottle of wine as he leaned up against the bathroom door watching Angela get ready. Thomas was taking her out to dinner and she was really looking forward to it.
“You read my mind.” She smiled and grabbed her glass. She held it for him while he poured. She sat her glass down on the counter and dabbed a little more gloss to her full lips. “So where are you taking me?” She asked, looking at him in the mirror.
“It’s a cool little place called “The Cecconi’s” on Melrose Avenue. You’ll love it and the food is amazing,” he told her with a smile. “Are you almost ready?” Looking at his watch he said, “Our reservation is for seven and it’s already six-thirty.”
Fingering her hair one more time, she said, “All set.” She smiled and took a long sip from her glass.
“You look stunning,” he said as his eyes took in the tiny black dress that hugged her f
rame perfectly.
“Why thank you. You look pretty darn handsome yourself.” She winked at him and walked past in to the kitchen.
She drank the rest of her wine, grabbed her small clutch purse and followed Thomas out of the apartment.
*****
Cecconi’s was beautifully cascaded with sculptured greenery flanking the entrance. The tiny lights sparkled in the green foliage looking like little fireflies as nightfall set in. Once in the restaurant they were shown to a quiet booth near the terrace and given their menus.
“This is stunning Thomas,” Angela said as she took in the scenery around her. The place and the customers both screamed high society.
“I knew you would love it. Wait until you taste the food.” He said, looking at the menu.
“Can I get you something to drink?” The waiter asked.
“We’ll each have a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon please,” Thomas said.
“Very well.”
“Is that a red wine?” Angela asked when the waiter was gone.
“Yes, it is. It’s very good.” He grinned at her. A few minutes later, the waiter returned with their drinks and took their orders.
“I’ll have the organic salmon, broccoli & basil pesto please,” Angela said, passing the menu to the waiter.
“And for you sir?” he turned to Thomas.
“Alaskan halibut, leeks & summer squash, thank you.” They sat quietly for a moment taking in the atmosphere and enjoying the soft background music. “So how are you doing Angela?” Thomas looked serious all of a sudden.
“What do you mean?” She asked, puzzled.
“Well you have been here for a little over five weeks now. How are you feeling about the move, the job, the loft?”
Angela tucked a long strand of hair behind her ear. “Good, I guess. I mean it has really helped me to get out of my shell by focusing on everything else other than Blake.” She looked at Thomas and took a sip of her wine. “I really enjoy my new job and am finally getting a little more familiar with the city. You know I can’t thank you enough for everything you have done for me. If it wasn’t for you I would still be in Miami.”
