by Darrien Lee
He kissed her. “You know I didn’t mean it that way. When did you get in?”
“This afternoon. Surprise!”
“I’m glad you here.”
Brandon ran over and hugged Craig’s leg lovingly.
Craig patted him on the back. “How was your day, Brandon?”
He smiled up at Craig. “Good! I have the hiccups.”
They laughed and Craig said, “Come, let me give you some soda to make them go away.”
He took Brandon by the hand and led him from the room, but not before giving Venice a seductive gaze. She blushed and nearly spilled the bowl of beans.
Nanna said, “I swear, you two act like you did when you first met. I see the winking, blowing kisses and the naughty looks. I think it’s sweet. You and Brandon have made my grandson so happy.”
“Craig’s made us happy and I thought we were being discreet, Nanna.”
“Honey! I was young once also, you know. You can’t get nothing past an old girl like me.”
In the kitchen, Brandon sat at the table while Craig poured him some soda. He asked, “So Brandon, have you thought of anything yet?”
“Not yet. I didn’t think it would be this hard. Can’t you help me?”
He rubbed Brandon on the head. “No can do. This has to be your decision and your decision only. I want it to be something you’re comfortable with. Okay?”
“Okay. Can I go up to my room now?”
“Sure, but dinner will be ready soon.”
“Okay, tell Momma and Grandma I’ll check on them later.”
“I will and don’t spill your soda. Your momma will throw a fit.”
“I won’t. Oh, I forgot. My daddy told me to tell my momma to leave the window open, but I forgot. Can you tell her for me?”
Craig turned and asked, “What did you say?”
“Daddy told me to tell Momma to leave the window open. He said she’ll know what it means.”
Craig tried not to appear stunned. He calmly asked, “When did you talk to your daddy?”
“He came to see me when I was at my granddaddy’s house one night.”
Craig leaned down eye-level to him. “Are you sure you weren’t dreaming, Brandon?”
Brandon took a sip of his soda. “I’m sure. He tucked me in and everything.”
Craig saw the seriousness in Brandon’s eyes. “Okay, I’ll tell her. Now go on up to your room.”
“Thank you.”
Brandon hurried upstairs to get on his computer. Craig had bought him a CD showing all types of animals and the countries they lived in. Brandon was fascinated with animals and he thanked Craig over and over for the CD. Craig didn’t know how to accept the information Brandon had just given him. He didn’t know whether he should tell Venice or not. If he didn’t, Brandon might ask her about it. If he did tell her, it might upset her far worse than he’d ever seen. Brandon seemed to accept the possible visit from his dad very well. Could it be that he still didn’t fully understand that Jarvis was dead and he shouldn’t have been able to see him? Was it a figment of his imagination or did Jarvis really visit him? Craig ran his hand over his head and decided to think about it a little longer before going to Venice.
After dinner, Nanna turned in while Craig, Venice, and Brandon watched a movie. It was about ten o’clock before Brandon fell asleep. He had gotten too heavy for Venice to carry, so Craig made it a point to carry him up to his room. When he returned, Venice snuggled up close in his arms and laid her head on his chest. Still troubled by his conversation with Brandon, Venice noticed he was distracted.
“Are you okay, Bennett?”
He looked down at her and said, “I’m okay. Are you?”
“I’m fine.”
She raised up, took him by the hand, and said, “Let’s go to bed.”
She took the remote and turned off the movie. Smiling with a devilish grin she led him upstairs and into their room. She turned and said, “Take off your clothes and I’ll be right back.”
He was speechless, but did as he was told. Venice proceeded downstairs and heated up some lotion in the microwave. She returned to find him nude and lying across the bed.
“What is that?”
“Turn over, Bennett. It’s only lotion. You look like you could use a massage.”
He smiled and turned over as she began massaging him with the hot lotion. His muscles were tense, but she worked the knots out of each one. Craig closed his eyes and seemed to drift into a relaxed state of mind as she massaged his arms and back. It wasn’t until she reached his buttock and thighs that his body reminded him of his maleness. Venice heard him suck in a breath.
“Are you okay, Babe?”
“No.”
Whispering, she asked, even though she knew the answer, “What’s wrong?”
He rolled over to reveal the answer to her question.
“Oh, my.”
“Come here, woman.”
Venice giggled and went willingly into his arms. His kiss was hot and gentle. Her clothes were discarded and the massage stopped and passion filled the room.
Sometime around midnight, they lay in each other’s arms. Neither was asleep, just recuperating.
“Venice?”
Her weak voice responded, “Yes, Bennett.”
“We need to decide where we’re getting married. I don’t care. We can do it right here as far as I’m concerned.”
She raised up on one elbow and looked into his beautiful dark eyes.
“Bennett, it doesn’t matter to me either.”
She ran her hand over his cheek, then down to the silky hair on his chest.
“I don’t care about a big wedding, but it’s not my first. If it’s what you want, I’ll do it for you and your family.”
Craig played in her hair and said, “If you don’t want a big wedding, that’s fine with me, but I would like a nice reception. My family will understand.”
She smiled. “That’s settled. Now where?”
He pulled her atop his chest and asked, “How about Ocho Rios with just our families and close friends? That is where we began.”
Venice nibbled at his neck. “That sounds good to me, but what about the reception? I think it would be a good idea to have it in Dawson.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure.”
“Then it’s settled. We’ll tell Nanna and Bernice so they can get to work. In the morning, I’ll call the travel agent to make arrangements for Ocho Rios.”
Venice smiled. “I’ll call Momma tomorrow and tell her to let everyone know. Craig, I want this to be as private as possible. I don’t want to look up and have journalists flashing cameras in our faces.”
He hugged her tightly. “I’ll take care of that, too, Babe.”
She nuzzled her face into his neck. “I knew you would. I love you, Craig.”
He stroked her back. “I love you, too. Sweet dreams.”
Nanna stayed a week, then returned home with ideas for the reception. She had discussed several of them with Bernice over the phone prior to her departure. Venice and Craig let them have full control of the reception plans even though Craig was somewhat worried they would get carried away.
Nanna said, “It’s not every day that my favorite grandson gets married.”
CHAPTER Twenty Five
Manley and Joshua tracked down Katrina’s source at the tabloids. He was Nathan Bowers, an ambitious writer for Philly’s most notorious rag magazine. Manley also found out that Nathan was a former lover of Katrina’s and in her own way, she still had control over him. He would do almost anything she asked him to.
After asking around, Manley found out that Katrina was notorious for using men to get where and what she wanted. Nathan was no exception. She didn’t care who she stepped on to get there either.
Brandon had a huge list of items he wanted Santa Claus to bring him. He also asked Santa to bring gifts for Venice and Craig.
Venice said, “Now Brandon, you know your list is a l
ittle longer than it should be. You need to go back over it and only leave the five items you want most.”
“Aww, Momma. Santa won’t get mad. He knows I’ve been a good boy all year.”
Venice patted him on the bottom. “I know you’ve been a good boy, but your list is still too long.”
“Okay, Momma.”
He sat at the kitchen table and began studying his list. He asked, “Can Santa Claus take gifts to heaven?”
Venice was stunned. She calmed herself.
“No, Sweetheart. Once you get to heaven, there’s no need for material things. God makes sure you have all you need.”
He looked seriously at her. “So I can’t get Santa to give my daddy a present?”
Venice hugged him.
“No, Baby, but you can send Daddy a Merry Christmas in your prayers. That will be gift enough for him. Okay?”
“Okay, Momma, but I really miss my daddy.”
“I know, Baby. So do I.”
Brandon continued to go over his list. Venice walked into the pantry to steady herself. Brandon was still a thoughtful and loving child toward his daddy. She put her hand over her mouth and stifled the tears, which tried to fall.
“Momma! What’s taking you so long?”
“I’m coming, Sweetheart!”
She straightened herself and reentered the kitchen to help Brandon with his list.
Back in Venice’s hometown, Mrs. Anderson started working on the laundry. When she went into Portia’s room to put away some clothes, she noticed a familiar container. Inside her closet was a box containing six packs of birth control. Mrs. Anderson gasped and, for the first time, realized Portia was coming of age. She’d had talks with her regarding sex, diseases, and her body. Her problem right now was wondering whether or now Portia was sexually active. She thought Portia would confide in her about sex, but she had been wrong.
Venice had told Mrs. Anderson about how her brother, Bryan, caught his fifteen-year-old daughter kissing a boy in their recreation room. He was furious and glad he caught them when he did. Had he not, they may have gone further than they did. Portia and Venice’s niece, Crimson were best friends. Mrs. Anderson had to know if Portia was having sex. She just couldn’t go through a repeat episode like she did with Jarvis, when Venice became pregnant at seventeen. She just couldn’t handle it. Craig hung up the phone after making sure the wedding director had all his instructions for the ceremony. He wanted it held in a private ballroom in one of the most exquisite hotels on the island. He knew Venice loved lavender, but that was the color used at her previous wedding. He requested a variety of tropical flowers in an assortment of colors. Venice didn’t want to do anything but pick out her dress. She wanted it to be elegant and breathtaking. She wanted Craig to remember their wedding day the moment he laid eyes on her.
Brandon would walk her down the aisle and there would be no bridesmaids or groomsmen. After the ceremony, he planned a small dinner reception for the family at the hotel. Then he and Venice would leave for a private villa on the other side of the island. Here, they would spend the next four days before coming home for Christmas.
Craig was pleased with his organizational skills. Now all he had to do was sit back and wait for their departure day to arrive. He smiled and picked up his phone and invited Lamar to lunch. After Craig left his office, he failed to put the paperwork with the wedding itinerary in his briefcase. When Francine and Katrina came back from lunch, she followed Francine into Craig’s office.
“Girl, thanks for lunch. You know next time it’s my treat.”
“You’re welcome. Anyway, it was my turn to buy lunch.”
Katrina looked around the office. “My Lawd! I can smell the man and he ain’t even in here.”
Francine watered the plants. “Katrina, you shouldn’t be in here.”
“Why not? I work here just like you do.”
Francine stopped watering the plants.
“You know why. You’ve been trippin’ lately. I hope you’ve chilled on trying to get with him.”
Katrina went around to Craig’s chair, sat down and let out a loud, sexual moan. Francine shook her head at Katrina’s antics.
“After I finish pouring this water out, you’re out of here, Kat.”
“Okay, okay.”
Francine went into Craig’s private bathroom to dump the water. Katrina was playing with trinkets on his desk when something caught her eye. The word, “ceremony.” She glanced up to see if Francine were watching, then hurried out to make a quick copy. By the time Francine exited the bathroom, Katrina was standing at the door. Francine asked, “What’s wrong with you?”
“Oh, nothing. I think I’ll head on back to my office. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Okay, I’ll see you at four.”
Francine had never known Katrina to be in a hurry to leave Craig’s office before. She decided to see what Katrina was up to. As she looked over Craig’s desk, she also noticed the paper showing the upcoming itinerary.
Francine put it down and said, “So that’s it. Katrina, I can’t let you go through with whatever you’re up to. I just can’t.”
Katrina’s face felt like it was on fire. She hadn’t had an opportunity to read the paper, but the nearest ladies room was just around the corner. She checked all the stalls and found the room empty. She then entered the last stall and sat down to read the copy she made.
The Majestic Hotel in Ocho Rios. Saturday, December 17th at 5 p.m. in the Diamond Ballroom, Flowers, Music, Food, and Drinks.
Katrina was stunned. What exactly did she have in her hand? The note was in Craig’s handwriting, but what was the occasion? It could be for a friend, associate or family member, but her gut told her something different. It must be wedding plans, especially since it was in Ocho Rios. Her head immediately started throbbing. She put her hands over her eyes and screamed, “No!”
Almost as soon as she screamed, she started laughing. “Well, the joke is going to be on you, Venice. I will see how you like getting your private wedding ruined and covered by every newspaper in the country. This would be the perfect place to air Venice’s dirty laundry and embarrass her in front of the world.” As she left the bathroom, she sang, “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…”
A few days later, Lamar stopped in at Roan’s to drop off some more plans. His Armani suit fit him to perfection. The ladies always said he was one of the best-dressed men in Philly and he wore his label well. Tressa didn’t even have to look up to know who the heavenly scent belonged to.
Slowly she raised her eyes from the paperwork and with a smile said, “Well, how are you, Mr. Fletcher?” His dimples were what captivated her as well as the gleam in his warm, sensual eyes. He returned a smile.
“I’m doing fine, Tressa, but I would be doing so much better if you would have dinner with me tonight.”
She stood and glanced over her shoulder to see if her father was in the vicinity. When she saw that he wasn’t, she said, “I’m sorry, but I don’t date clients. Plus, from what I hear, you have plenty women to keep you company.”
His six-foot-four frame leaned forward and whispered, “Don’t believe everything you hear, Tressa. Besides, I only want to have dinner with you, so please say yes.”
Tressa trembled as the closeness of his body to hers caused her to react. No man had ever challenged her father or been as persistent as Lamar Fletcher. He was definitely a handsome, confident man, but the fact remained, he had a reputation.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Fletcher, but…”
“Lamar…I insist you call me Lamar. Furthermore if are you serious about not dating clients, we at Bennett & Fletcher can take our business elsewhere.”
Tressa was startled, especially since Bennett & Fletcher was one of their most prestigious clients. She saw the mischievous grin on his face.
“You’re not playing fair, Mr. Fletcher.”
He took her hand into his and an instant spark went through both of them. His gaze met her chestnut-co
lored eyes.
“Who said anything about playing? I’m dead serious, Tressa. I would like to get to know you better and I hope you feel the same way. You must admit that we are attracted to each other.”
She was frozen as she enjoyed the warmth of his hand covering hers. He pulled a single yellow rose from behind his back. “Well, if you’ll have dinner with me, the other eleven will be waiting on you at our table. If not, please accept this one as a token of my affection. I’ll be dining at Salimar’s at seven. Goodbye, Tressa.”
He turned her hand over and kissed the back of it before turning and exiting the door. Tressa had to admit, the man definitely knew how to seduce a woman. Not that she’d had a lot of firsthand knowledge. Her dad made sure of that, but she was twenty-eight years old and it was time she started living her own life. Maybe tonight would be the night to take that stand. Lamar was a mysterious, sexy man and she was curious to know more about him. Besides, what could having dinner with him hurt?
Back at the office, Lamar couldn’t help but burst into Craig’s office and bring him up to speed on his progress with Tressa.
“Craig, you should have seen the way her beautiful eyes lit up when I gave her the flower and invited her to dinner.”
Craig stuffed his briefcase with paperwork.
“So is she joining you for dinner tonight?”
Lamar jumped up out of the chair. “I don’t know, man. She’s still hung up on all the rumors about me. I guess I’ll know tonight at seven.”
“They’re not rumors, Lamar. You have too many women.”
Lamar flicked lint from his pants leg. “Man, I’ve cut my list down to two. If I can get Tressa, she’ll be the only one.”
Craig grinned. “So, you’re still going to the restaurant?”
“Hell, yeah! What if she shows up and I’m not there? That’ll blow all my progress out the window.”
“I guess you’re right. Look, if it doesn’t work out tonight, I’ll talk to Venice about having you guys over for dinner. Maybe she would feel more comfortable on a double date first.”
“Maybe so. Well, I’d better get out of here so I can get ready for dinner. What are you guys up to tonight?”
