by Tiana Laveen
“We’re not interior designers but we’ve both had extensive training in inland strategies and have connections for such a thing. Our main focus would be on the habitat creation, functionality, horticulture, and improving the overall layout and flow of the place, inside and out. We would work with designers we already have an established relationship with to focus on the aspects you’re asking about, explain your desires to them then oversee the process.”
“Ahhh, I see.” She stopped in front of an elevator. “Would you like to go upstairs and have a look?”
“Of course…”
I’d rather go down on you and have a look… but this’ll do for now…
They entered the elevators but before the doors shut, a bloodcurdling scream made his eyes just about jump out of his skull. The doctor calmly hit the up-arrow button, totally unmoved.
“We’re having a water birth… The patient is in active labor, hard hitting contractions,” she explained with a sweet smile on her face. “I imagine that’s where Dr. Piot is.”
“How many doctors work here and will they have input?”
“Two others that are full time, one part time, and they’re all OB-GYNs. They have input but the final say is mine. This is my practice… I own the building, I started it. It’s time for a change and they’re all in agreement.”
The head honcho… perfect.
The elevator doors opened and he immediately walked into a cloud of dust. The doctor flipped on the light, flooding the area with almost blinding fluorescent light. Cardboard boxes, plastic tubs filled with odds and ends, creepy mannequins and detailed human body charts were strewn about.
“This used to be a clothing factory and high-class clothing and accessory shop,” she explained as she moved about, her jacket flapping about behind her. She pulled hard on a withered, sun damaged blind and it flapped open, allowing ample sunlight to filter into the dusty place, along with a trapped moth which twittered about as if it were on fire.
“This is a great space.” He walked quickly from wall to wall, nodding in approval. “I see it is just one vast area versus broken up, however. That actually may work in your favor… a blank canvas.”
“Yes, the lower level from my understanding was used for bridal consultations for gowns, fittings, things like that.” He nodded. “So, I’m thinking downstairs can be the rooms for exams, consultations, checkups, and up here will be the classes for Lamaze, breastfeeding, doula support, and so forth.”
She took a deep breath and clasped her hands together, but the expression on her face appeared peppered with concern.
“Everything okay?” He placed his bag down and stood with his hands clasped over one another. She moved away from the window and approached him, standing close to him, so close he could clearly see her features—the dark, diamond shaped beauty mark above her lip, her prominent widow’s peak, a wispy strain of gray, a small scar along her right cheek that resembled one left behind from a bout of chicken pox, the vanilla and citrusy scent of her skin, and gorgeous, dark brown eyes with a black awning of eyelashes that pulled him in, making him fall into whatever medicinal magic potion she used to attract him and keep his attention.
“I just want so much for this place… I feel a bit overwhelmed.”
His lips upturned in a grin.
“You have absolutely nothing to worry about. You let me do the worrying, you understand?” He loved the way she smiled at his words, then sighed, as if a huge weight was off her shoulders “I’ve got this.” He pointed at himself. “This is my expertise. This is what I do all day, every day. I can’t do what you do, and you can’t do what I do. We’re specialists in our chosen fields. You’ve told me what you want. I’m going to go back to the office and draft up some ideas and then get back with you in a few days. Does that sound okay?”
“Yes, I look forward to it. All right.” She smiled wider and then laughed, her eyes filling with mirth. “You definitely seem confident and competent. I’ll take you back downstairs.”
As the doors closed behind them and they journeyed the short distance, he couldn’t stop staring at her. She was still smiling… still smelling good… still looking beautiful. He blinked, but nothing changed. This was his new reality. The doors opened and they exited, their steps in sync. He took a glance at her bare ring finger. Not married. Extending his hand, they shook once again as he stood at the front door.
“It was nice meeting you Dr. Ke—”
“Please, call me by my first name, Carmen.”
“It was nice to meet you, Carmen. Here’s my card.” He reached into his front briefcase pocket, removed the laminated card, and handed it to her.
The Bellmore Firm
Tristan Bellmore – C.E.O. and P.L.A. – Professional Land Architect – building relationships and structuring lives, one brick, sapling, and smile at a time.
“This is nice.” She twirled the thing about in her hand, a slanted grin creasing her face.
“Thank you. I’ll be in touch. Call me if you have any questions.” He began to walk backwards from her, taking her in one last time.
“I will, thank you. Goodbye, and enjoy the rest of your evening.”
“I sure will. You do the same.” He winked.
The woman grinned a bit wider, crossed her ankles and staring at him until he turned his back and made his way back to his Mercedes. Sliding inside the car, he started it up and drove to the main road, eager to get on the case and present some ideas to knock her damn socks off.
This wasn’t so bad after all… beautiful potential for the place. If she likes my drafts then it’s going to be a nice ass payday, that’s for sure. If she’s happy with the work, then she’ll tell others. The best advertising is word of mouth. She’s got nice staff it seems, too… They definitely need an upgrade. I want more than this contract though…
She’s a gorgeous woman, and a doctor… Shit, that’s a jackpot, right? I’m secure, she’s secure…She’s a bit granola I suppose, the whole new age vibe shit going on. Egyptian symbols, cats, ’70s shit, not really my thing but I don’t mind a bit of eccentricity. Hell, she might be fun… this could be exciting.
He smiled as seedy thoughts roamed about the long, nasty, tawdry halls in his mind.
Turn these lemons into lemonade, right? I’m gonna make her into a Bellmore believer… in more ways than one…
CHAPTER TWO
Sushi, Shih Tzu and Spousal Serum
Osaka Sushi and Hibachi on Hudson Road was Carmen’s and several of her girlfriends’ favorite haunt. The four would meet up, gossip, drink, and discuss their jobs, dating, and married lives. Carmen looked forward to these times when she could be herself, unwind and let loose. This place in particular served the best sashimi she’d ever had, except for the one time she’d actually travelled to Japan at the age of twenty-three for the mere hell of it.
She sat at the table rocking her foot back and forth as the breeze caught the hem of her long, yellow skirt. Holding a martini in one hand and a big grin on her face, she succumbed to the giggles from the ridiculous conversation playing out before her.
“So, then he went into the bathroom, right?” her friend Heidi said with a roll of her dark brown eyes before flinging her long, poker straight blond hair over her shoulder. Sitting there with her tall lovely self, the lady rattled on about her latest fouled hookup from the Tinder app. “Ten minutes later, I ask him, ‘Are you all right in there?’ He says, ‘Yeah.’ I figured he was dropping a load and would be reaching for the spray soon.”
Staci burst out laughing, an adorable, petite best friend of hers since high school whose thick, dark afro rivalled the perfect circle of the sun. Dressed in an orange dress that looked amazing against her deep, rich mocha skin, she looked radiant as she shook a bit of low sodium soy sauce on her spicy tuna roll.
Carmen was so happy to see all of her friends looking and feeling good. She loved seeing fellow women enjoying life, especially those whom she loved.
“I had told him not to or
der that bean dip, but whatever.” Heidi waved her hand lazily about as she sucked her teeth. “So, this motherfucker walks out of the damn bathroom wearing a mangy ass dog costume with a fuckin’ blue collar and leash around his neck!”
Carmen spit her drink out as everyone erupted in fits of laughter.
“Damn it!” She laughed, almost choking as she snatched a napkin and patted the table dry. Rubbing her weeping eyes, she tried to keep it together as Heidi rambled on.
“I. Kid. You. Not! He starts barking and snarling!”
The four of them roared.
“You’re lyin’! Throw the whole damn story away!” Patrice cackled as she rocked back and forth in her seat, losing complete control. The woman had on a bright red jumpsuit, her deep caramel skin glowing under the lights. “No offense, but that’s some White boy shit!”
“Hell, maybe it is!” Heidi laughed. “But most of the guys I’ve dated are my own race, Patrice, and trust me, not one of them ever dressed up like an animal and put on an all-star performance!”
“Did he perform tricks?” Carmen taunted before giggling again, her eyes glossing over as unspent tears of mirth threatened to fall.
“Oh, I’m getting there, believe me. Oh, and get this! The crotch of his getup was cut out and his floppy, little ass cock was hanging out of it. I wasn’t impressed.”
“So, you would’ve considered a bit of bestiality had he been hung like a horse… or maybe dressed like one?” Staci taunted, causing all of them to burst into a raucous round of hysterics once again.
“Maybe!” Heidi shrugged and winked. “All I can tell you is that I was on full alert and confused as hell. The fur on this damn costume was all brown and matted, and he had an intensity in his eyes that scared the bejesus out of me! He then started to prance around and twirl and beg for a treat, said he wanted my kitty cat and beef curtains for his meal. This was in between snarls, of course. He asked if I had a big bowl that I could sit in, so he could act like he was lapping my pussy from a dish.”
“How romantic!” Carmen hollered. “Nothin’ says ‘You’re my yin to my yang’ more than begging for beef curtains and treating it like Alpo.” The ladies hooted.
“He jumped on my bed and pretended to be scratching with his hindleg and then he grabbed my leg and bit my ankle. That was the last straw. I told him to get dressed and get the fuck out.”
“I would’ve been on the phone like, ‘911… we have an emergency!” Carmen downed the rest of her drink and shook her head, finding it hard to suppress the mirth. She patted her eyes with her cocktail napkin and sighed, the laughter good for her soul.
“He should’ve stopped by my pharmacy and picked up his medication. People nowadays are sick. I’m not one to knock creativity in the bedroom. Hell, if you like it, I love it, but that’s crazy!” Patrice rolled her eyes, a look of disgust on her face. Staci and Heidi nodded in agreement.
“So, Carmen,” Staci began. “Rena told me that you’re moving forward with having your office redesigned. How’s that going?”
“Good, actually! I had a consultation with the company I was interested in, after doing months of research, of course. I met the owner. He came in person… and uh…” She paused, then burst out laughing.
Her friends looked at one another in puzzlement.
“What?” they asked in unison.
“Okay, before I get into this I want to say that you know I’m not superficial.” Patrice dramatically rolled her eyes but kept quiet. “What is going on inside of a person is what counts to me but—”
“Yes, that’s why ugly ass Ronald was able to date you… He should’ve never been able to get the likes of you and not to say that you’re a supermodel or anything but you’re not bad on the eye. If I were gay, I might date you. You did go through that phase though when you weren’t shaving your legs back in college. Hopefully, that’s over and done with. Hell, it may explain why you’re single. Legs looking like a werewolf… I’m surprised you didn’t completely change during the full moon.”
All the ladies burst out laughing.
“Oh, thanks, Patrice!” Carmen grimaced. “That happened one time and you won’t let it go!” She chortled. “And thanks for reminding me that I’m not a super model. That was truly necessary to say, right?! I know I may not be runway material, but I’ve never had any problems getting a man and if I say so myself, I think I’m quite attractive, so there!” She smirked.
“No, don’t go getting all sensitive!” The woman waved her hands back and forth. “That came out wrong. I mean, you’re approachable and stuff, very pretty! You know you’re pretty, girl!” This time Carmen was the one rolling her eyes. “My whole point is that Ronald had the nerve to look like the inside of a cow’s lower intestines and treat you like trash. He should’ve been grateful you even gave him the time of day! Sittin’ over there looking like something that didn’t go down on the first flush.”
Patrice huffed before waving the waiter over for another round of drinks. Carmen grinned at her brutally honest friend.
“Ronald did not treat me like trash; he was inconsistent. We didn’t date long enough for him to treat me like garbage. You know I don’t waste a second moving on when things are not going well. Anyway, his looks aside, I’ve dated across the spectrum as you know. I’ve had gorgeous men, so-so guys, rich and those working pay check to pay check. There are more important things to me than the physical. I have to connect on a spiritual plane. I care very little about how a man appears. As long as he is clean and well put together, that’s fine for me. Back to my story though. I was saying, the guy who came in was goooorgeous! You know I don’t say that, but I’d be doing him a great disservice by not sharing that tidbit. Ladies, I mean… if you saw him, the way he looked, was dressed, the whole nine, it was unreal. Even my staff who got an eyeful were talking about him when he left. It was that serious!”
She had all of her friends’ attention now, their eyes glued to her like moths to a flame. “One of my nurses watched him leave and was talking about his car. She’s into that sort of thing.”
“What does he drive?” Heidi asked, her brow arched.
“It was a cherry red Mercedes, looked to be fresh, plucked right off the lot.”
“Damn…” Staci shook her head with glee.
“What’s his name? Where does he stay? How much money does he make? Does he have any brothers?” Heidi rambled off, causing another round of laughter as their new drinks were placed before them.
“Shhh!” Staci grimaced. “Let ’er finish her description of the man first before you toss your hat into the ring, daaaaang!”
“What?! I was just asking a question!” Heidi protested, looking downright insulted. Heidi and Carmen had been friends going on eight years. The woman was a six-foot one blonde bombshell who worked as a host on QVC.
“You didn’t just ask a question, you gave an entire telemarketing survey call in the middle of dinner. And the woman is not even dating the man. She only said he was attractive and had a nice car!”
“Oh, be quiet, Staci!” Patrice snapped. “Nobody is acting like—”
“Would you all stop it!” Carmen laughed. “Every time we get together and drink, the alcohol flowing, you three get all crazy.”
“Us three?!” Staci pointed at her chest. “Let’s talk about crazy, all right, Dr. Carmen? Should I refresh your memory about what happened last year at Doris’ Halloween party when you took off your top and—”
“Okay, okay, okay!” Carmen chuckled nervously, not wishing to relieve the tale of her getting naked while in the throes of a drunken stupor at a mutual friend’s shindig. “All of us, okay?! We all get silly. Can I finish my story?” Once more, they all nodded in agreement, like the three Musketeers. “Thank you. Okay, so I see the man and damn…” She sighed. “He was stunning. He knows he’s the shit though, you know? He just has that look.”
“Mmmm hmmm,” all three women mumbled, knowing the type.
“I mean, he wasn’t conceited or
anything like that. Well, he might be, but he wasn’t going to that extreme. I could tell from how he spoke, moved, everything though that his confidence level is off the charts.”
“Describe him,” Patrice said in a sultry voice.
“He’s tall, about six foot four.”
“Whew! Giiirl!” Staci fanned herself with her hand.
“He has short dark brown hair, sideburns cut at sharp angles, a low-cut beard and mustache, and his eye color is a bit hard to describe, but it’s sort of a bluish gray. Really thick dark brows but they were perfect… a little too perfect. He was wearing a suit, a very nice one I might add, and he seemed to have a lovely physique underneath. And, oh my God, he smelled sooo good!”
“Sounds like you have a crush, Dr. Kinley. I haven’t heard you go on and on like this about a guy in a while.”
“I do have a crush on him,” she said, biting her lip coyly. “But it’s no biggie.”
“What’s his name?”
“Tristan.”
“Ohhh, I’ve always liked that name!” Heidi perked up. “It sounds sexy, but trustworthy.”
“I think it’s his attitude that really drives his sexiness into overdrive for me.” She sighed as flashes of the man raced through her mind. That wink he tossed her way before leaving at the end, for example…
He was probably just flirting a little to make sure he got the deal. Either way, I enjoyed every second of it.
“So, when are you asking him out?” Patrice asked with a huge, mischievous grin.
“I’m not going to.”
“Oh, come on, you modern, bra burning, hear me roar woman! I thought you said you didn’t care about things like that… that if you were interested in someone, you’d just ask him out?” Heidi questioned.
