He rubbed the bulge of his erection against her.
“Well, knock it off. Remember the counselor said you can’t control the behavior of other people around me, but you can control your feelings about me. I am the one who counts. I control my behavior. I deal with those men on a professional basis.” They’d tried several sessions, then quit the counseling. Maybe they should go back. Then again, maybe not. It was a total waste of money.
“I know your job is important to you. Part of me knows that you have to do a little schmoozing. Maybe you can stick to Perrier?”
She turned and pulled back. “I am an adult woman. You need to trust me to make the right decisions. If you rob me of my power and my independence, then what will I have left?”
“I understand.” He lowered his gaze, but she wasn’t finished.
“I don’t go out with a client very often, but sometimes I have to for my livelihood. I don’t want to hear you complain about it again!”
“I’m sorry if I overreacted.” He brushed a loose strand of hair off her face and blinked his big, brown sultry eyes, which instantly melted her resolve.
Manipulator.
The argument had exhausted her, and Carmala wanted a nap, badly.
“Let’s take a nap and then get ready for tonight.”
He put his arms around her and kissed her neck, right where it gave her shivers.
Ah, the tingles felt so good running up her spine and exploding in her brain. She couldn’t help it. She wanted more. He didn’t deny her, kissing her neck, licking between her breasts while lightly, ever so lightly, he touched the tips of her nipples. He continued to tease her. Before she knew it, she was moaning in his ear, begging him to take her. But he wasn’t going to give her what she wanted yet. His mouth met her areola on her left breast, and he licked around it repeatedly and then slowly moved to the other, doing the same while lightly touching the other nipple.
Wet now, more than enough to take him, she tugged at his hips, but he pulled away. He continued his slow progression, sucking on her nipples with firm pressure and moved his hand down to her legs, spreading them wider and then barely touching the delicate folds of her essence. Guido applied more pressure, tapping her clitoris. She orgasmed against his fingertips.
Nibbling and licking a trail, he lowered his mouth, arousing her passion once again. Then, finally, touching his tongue to her sex, he took possession of her. She gave into the sweet assault, and her mind went blank, riding waves of pleasure and feeling orgasms rippling through her. When she could take no more, she burst into another orgasm that raked her whole body.
He continued to lick until she pushed him away. But she wanted something else. As though reading her mind, he lay on top of her, plunging deep, over and over. Mindless passion washed over her as one final internal orgasm gripped her while at the same time, he released his own.
Now spent, Carmala collapsed into Guido’s arms. The arguments and disagreements could never outweigh the passion they shared.
Chapter Five
Thursday, the day before Carmala’s last day at Banter, the office bustled with activity. Not a good time to talk. She called Bill Cicieri and explained she had news for him and wanted to meet him for lunch. Luckily he was available and agreed to meet with her.
Only a five-minute walk from her office, the Thai Bistro had been a favorite lunch spot for Carmala because of its healthy fresh food. The clamor of the crowded restaurant assaulted her ears as she entered the restaurant at the height of New York lunch hour. She spotted Bill right away. As soon as she sat down, the waiter came to take their orders. No doubt, he was anxious to get them going, so he could serve more tables. Bill ordered pad Thai for himself. Carmala quickly decided on the shrimp and veggies with garlic sauce.
She fought through the noisy chatter around them to explain the details of her job switch to Synergy Plus, Inc. “The terms of employment have been finalized, and I’m starting on October thirty-first.”
“That’s my girl. Nothing but pure, decisive action. You’ll be much happier. Every time you talk about Synergy, your face brightens up. I think if you spent any more time at Banter you’d turn into an android without knowing it.”
It amazed Carmala that she and Bill had become such great friends. She feared she’d broken his heart during college. They’d started out as friends and somehow became more. He so wasn’t her type. Not that he was a geek. He’d played quarterback for the Fairmont High Rangers and then for the Temple Owls. Maybe the whole problem with their having a relationship was that he was just too predictable for her.
The waiter came with their meals.
“Wow, they seem like they’re in a rush to get us out of here.” Carmala laughed as she dug in her plate of shrimp and veggies. Not caring about the garlic after-breath, she savored the pungent spicy sauce. “How are things by you?”
Bill hesitated and swallowed before answering. “Speaking of taking action, I’m ready to make a major life decision myself.”
“You are? What? Hmmm, should I guess?” She gave him a knowing smile.
“I’m going to pop the question to Jane.” His chin quivered, and he smiled searching Carmala’s eyes as though seeking her approval.
She had known it was coming. She hadn’t expected it to be now. Jane had just arrived back home from Georgetown Law after taking her bar exam.
“I finally worked up the courage to ask her. And I’d like you to help me pick out the ring. Tiffany’s, of course.”
“Of course.” Carmala considered herself a Tiffany connoisseur. She’d started with barely visible diamond stud earrings. Come to think of it, she’d forgotten all about them and didn’t know where those earrings were. She wore the heart and atlas charm bracelets, garnet beaded necklace, and one of the many pairs of earrings she’d purchased there, every day.
“You’re kidding me?” She feigned a happy look. Although this announcement was going to come sooner or later, she wished it were later. Surprised by how negatively it affected her, she tried to show her happiness for him. After all, she gave Bill up as a romantic partner years ago. Still she couldn’t help wondering what her life would be like if she had accepted his proposal when they were seniors. Maybe she’d be happily settled down now like Margo.
“I knew this was coming, and of course, I’ll go with you to Tiffany’s. Um…what if she says no? I mean, you have to consider that under the circumstances.”
“You make it sound like her marrying me would be a hardship. We’ve been seeing each other regularly since her second year in law school. Now that she passed the bar exam, I thought I’d take her for a four-day weekend getaway to Paris and pop the question.”
Carmala’s heart sank. A Tiffany diamond and a trip to Paris. What else could a girl ask for? She’d wished a man would go to all the trouble for her. Okay, she had to stop the self-pity; this was about Bill. “I remember how badly she hurt you in the past. Are you sure about this?”
“The past is past. She never meant to hurt me. She wanted to concentrate on her studies at Georgetown. Now that’s behind her. The timing is right.”
“You thought it was the right time in high school. You guys were prom king and queen, the star quarterback and the cheerleading squad captain, and then, poof, it was all gone. She left you in the dust and wouldn’t talk with you until six years later.” She caught herself. Why did she even bring this up? She needed to be supportive, but she didn’t want Bill hurt because he’d misread Jane’s signals again. Bill lamented the loss of his relationship, and whenever he’d spoken about her, it was with a defeated and pensive air. It’d taken Carmala the first two years of college to get him out of that depression. “It’s her coldness that I remember. Are you are sure you want to do this?” She pushed the half-finished plate to the side.
Bill leaned forward. “I’ve wanted her for so long, Carmala. You know that. Things have been going good since her last year in law school. We’ve been talking about the future.” A distinctive note of doubt laced the tone of his voice.<
br />
“You have? You haven’t mentioned that to me before. She’s always been skittish.” She finished her water.
“Jane’s ready, I feel it in my bones. She’s been talking about her biological clock, surely that’s a sign…” He cleared his throat. “Come on, Carmala, try to sound a little more enthusiastic.”
“I’m happy for you, Bill. You’ve wanted to marry Jane all along.”
“Jane’s been dropping hints lately. She wants a family, and I think she’s finally ready for this.” His voice caught in his throat.
Hmm. Why did he seem nervous? She’d bet he was worried Jane would let him down again.
“Didn’t she want to work in Philly? How is that going to work?” The waiter delivered the check. Carmala glanced at the check, put enough cash in the jacket, and returned it to the waiter. “Consider this a congratulations lunch.”
He smiled. “Thanks for the treat. Listen, with Jane’s credentials, I doubt that she’d have a hard time getting a job here. Besides, this is the best place to work. I mean, Philly is great too, but I think the opportunities for her would be greater here.”
She took a deep breath and pasted on her most winning smile. “Okay, so when do you want to go to Tiffany’s? I’m ready to shop.”
They ended their lunch, and Carmala headed back to the office. On the way, she reflected on the sad times Bill went through without Jane. Now he’d gotten his chance with her. Good for him.
Still, she feared heartbreak could be waiting around the corner to blindside him. Jane Green struck Carmala as self-driven and narcissistic. She and Guido had double-dated with Bill and Jane a few times when Jane came to town. The way Bill went on about her, one would think that she’d be charismatic or charming. But even Guido thought Jane seemed dull and self-centered. No matter what Carmala or anyone thought, Jane would always be the love of Bill’s life, and Carmala would make every effort to build a closer friendship with her.
The impending engagement caused Carmala to reflect on her relationship with Guido. She wished, at least in this moment, they were ready for such a commitment. Who knew? Maybe they were getting close. Sometimes she had to accept fate and make the best of it. That’s why she kept trying to make things work with Guido.
****
Telling Carmala about his proposal to Jane made the engagement all the more real. Now back at his office, Bill questioned whether he should go ahead with getting the ring without discussing it with Jane first. Carmala had hit a sore spot. Jane had let him down before. Would she disappoint him again?
He pulled out a well-worn letter from his wallet. Jane had given it to him at her law school graduation last spring, and he’d been carrying it with him ever since.
Dear Bill:
Never in a million years would I have thought that you’d be in my life again! It is with joy and gratitude that I write this to you today. I’m so glad we found each other again. If you weren’t a guest speaker at the law review conference, I don’t know if we’d be seeing each other today. Destiny has a way of playing out, doesn’t it? I’m incredibly grateful that you are with me, Bill, and I love you. Thanks for not giving up on us!
Love Always,
Jane
They’d reunited at a convention where he was asked to speak about investments and debt consolidation. And his life hadn’t been the same since. He’d been on a roller-coaster affair with Jane since she took him back midway through law school, and fallen head over heels in love with her for the second time in his life.
He never forgot Jane, even when he was with Carmala. At the time, he’d thought if he married Carmala, he’d forget Jane. When Carmala turned down his marriage proposal in the last year of college, he’d been relieved. The breakup only made him more determined to reunite with Jane. He kept tabs on her through her family and saw her about town when she came in on school breaks. Bill started his plan to win her back with a campaign of love letters, most of which were ignored. Undaunted, he continued to pursue her. He knew he’d marry her, someday, some way.
He smiled as he thought back to the day he met her, long ago at football practice.
Out of the corner of his eye, he’d spotted her. The glint of bright green eyes and long, luminous blonde hair blowing in the wind. She would be Jane Ellen Green, cheer captain for the Fairmont High Rangers and student extraordinaire. He missed his pass, stumbled to the ground, retrieved the ball, and then let it slip through his hands. The team burst out in laughter.
Coach Brewer got all over Bill. “What the hell was that? I didn’t chance quarterback on some dumb freshman who’s going to be distracted by the first skirt he sees!”
“Coach, I swear, it won’t happen again. I just—”
“Just my ass.” He directed his attention to the team and screamed, “All right, you girls, stop the giggling. I want to see that play perfected, or nobody goes home today!”
His best friend, Mike, thought Bill didn’t stand a chance with Jane. But when he discovered her, he deemed her the girl of his dreams, and no one would convince him otherwise.
He racked his brain trying to think of a perfect date idea for Jane. After several no’s, she finally agreed to meet him for a movie and dinner. He suggested pizza, but she said she never ate pizza and would have a salad instead.
By the end of sophomore year, they were a steady item. At their graduation party, Jane got a bit too tipsy. Bill took her home and practically carried her to her room while her parents looked on. Whether it was because of embarrassment or disinterest, she didn’t return any of his calls after the party.
When she finally called him back, she agreed to meet him for a coffee at a local café.
She breezed in, sat down, and gushed about her college plans. “I’ve already gotten to know a couple of girls in the sorority, and they seem studious, driven, and fun to be around. Also, the living expenses are cheaper at the sorority rather than independent apartment living.”
“You sure you won’t get sucked into the party scene?”
“No, the requirements for sorority membership are pretty stringent. You need to maintain a three-point-four average and have extracurricular activities.”
“Then I’m glad for you. You won’t be too lonely.”
“Right.” She glanced down, then added, “I won’t have time to be lonely anyway. I’ve applied for the honors program, so my studies will be more rigorous than the average student.”
“No time to miss me either?”
She spoke softly, “Actually, Bill, I don’t think we should continue.”
His heart dropped to the pit of his stomach. “You can’t be serious. Long-distance relationships work. We’re both going to be completely absorbed in our studies, so it’s no big deal.”
“It seemed like a big deal to you. You were ready to talk marriage.”
“Not exactly.”
“Look, I can’t afford any distractions. You want to take this relationship in a more serious direction, and you have the right to do that, but it’s not right for me right now.”
“Jane, we have the entire future. We can wait. Let’s not lose what we have.” He couldn’t let their relationship end.
But she was adamant. She gave him a cock-and-bull story that she loved him but couldn’t keep up with a commitment with her studies. He suggested they could visit on holidays and occasional weekend football games. She would have none of it. And she’d left him with a kiss on his cheek and his unfinished coffee to cry in.
The disturbing memories of his break up with Jane were interrupted when Bill’s phone rang at his desk. He jolted back to duty as he took an order for a stock trade.
High school was far behind them. Jane was ready for marriage. He could feel it in his bones. She’d say yes this time.
Chapter Six
Tom Johnson, CEO and president of Synergy Plus, Inc., had taken an immediate liking to Carmala Rosa. She was one of the brightest and youngest auditors the firm had ever engaged. After three audits, he could finally welcome her on
board his staff. Banter gave him the nod because he’d handled the hiring through the John Halfway agency. With a seasoned auditor on his staff, his company would have the edge it needed in the market.
Tom chuckled to himself as he observed Carmala walk into his office on her first day. She wore an austere business suit and a crisp white-collared shirt. He made a mental note to tell her to loosen up now that she was on the sales side of the business world.
Carmala grinned from ear to ear, exuding more confidence than he’d expected from someone so young. He didn’t blame her for being happy. They’d paid her richly for coming to Synergy Plus. She’d be worth every penny. He stood and took her firm handshake.
“Welcome, Carmala. We’re so excited that you’ve finally joined us.”
“Thanks, Tom. I’m glad to be here.”
“Please, sit. Make yourself comfortable.” She sat down on the edge of the chair opposite his desk, obviously raring to get to work. Tom took his seat behind his desk. “Would you like a cup of coffee or tea?”
“No. Thanks. I’ve already had mine.”
“Have you started to look for your new digs yet?”
“Not yet. I’ve been busy wrapping things up at Banter, and I wanted to make sure every open audit had the proper documentation before I left.” Carmala shifted in her seat.
Ah, she was like a racehorse chomping at the bit.
“That’s good. We need to keep those guys on our side. You’ll have plenty of time to look around for a new apartment over the next couple of weeks. We’re not going to give you too heavy a workload right away.”
“I’d like to shop around over the next couple of weekends.”
“I’ll have Tina Brown, our real estate person, contact you. She’s one of the sharpest in Manhattan. Tell her what you’d like, and she’ll make it happen.” Tom pulled out his center desk drawer, located the Realtor’s card, and handed to Carmala. “Without any further ado, let me show you your new office.”
Tom led Carmala down a hallway to the left of his office. He directed her to a small private office. A decent-sized desk, credenza, and filing cabinets filled the room. It was the standard office size for their junior account managers.
Having Fun with Mr. Wrong Page 5
