Garrett: BBW (Members From Money Book 30)

by Katie Dowe

  *********

  Afiya found her mother sitting on the porch swing. She hurried up the steps and sat next to her. “All his things are gone. He waited for me to leave for work and then he cleaned me out. I should have known. He hasn't spoken to me in days because I was cussing him out to go and look for a job. I mentioned that your father was such a hardworking man and would certainly not sit around depending on a woman to take care of him. He told me that he knew I thought he wasn't good enough for me.” She turned to look at her daughter. “Every cent I had saved up is gone.”

  “Have you called the police?”

  “I did and they sent someone over. He disconnected his phone and I have no idea where he is.” She shook her head. “If I find him before they do I'm going to be charged for murder,” she added grimly.

  “I have some money saved up and the inheritance from grandmother.”

  “Honey, that’s your money. I'm going to be staying at Eloise's for the time being, until I save up some more money. The children have been asking me to stay over with her because she tends to wander around during the night. I've already called them and they said yes.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I'm sure,” she nodded. “This place is too big for me anyway. I think I'm going to rent out a portion of it to a young couple I met the other day.”

  “Oh Mama, I'm so sorry.” Afiya squeezed her mother’s hand.

  “I married him for the wrong reason baby girl, and that’s what you get for jumping feet first into a situation. You get the wrong end of the stick.”

  “What if I take you to dinner?”

  “That’s the last thing I want to do right now, baby girl,” her mother told her gently. “Your old Mom will be okay eventually. This is just another lesson in life.” She got to her feet. “Would you help me write down what he took? I have to do it for the police report.”

  “Of course,” Afiya linked her hand through her mother's as they made their way inside. She tried not to utter a gasp of shock as the emptiness greeted her. Her mother hadn't exaggerated. He'd taken everything, even some paintings off the walls that weren't the least bit valuable. “Why would he do something like this?” Afiya wondered out loud.

  “To spite me.”

  Afiya walked through the rest of the place and noticed that he hadn't touched what had been her bedroom. “I think you're right,” she said quietly as she reached for a notepad and pen. “Let’s get to work.”

  Chapter 5

  “If we can cut across the street and make a road next to the Treasure Trove then it can work,” the contractor said with a frown on his forehead. “It's going to cut into a small piece of her land and as long as the lady doesn't mind the parking lot being so near to her then it might just work.” He looked over at Garrett and he could tell they were nervous about what he would say. “What do you think?”

  Garrett stared at the improved image and nodded.

  “We're going to have to ask her approval before we go ahead.”

  “I'll talk to her,” Garrett told them.

  “Okay, good. Then it's all settled. We want to break ground before it gets cold.”

  “Are we done?” Garrett asked them.

  “Yes.” They gathered up their material and made their way out quickly. He sat there twirling his pen and looking pensive when Gertrude came in with a cup of coffee. “Who is she?” she asked as she placed the cup before him.

  “What?” he looked at her as if just noticing that she was there.

  “Who is this woman who has you in such a knot?”

  “You're imagining things.” He took the coffee and sipped it. “I have a lot on my mind.”

  “You usually do, but this is the first time I've ever seen you so spaced out and drinking yourself half to death. It has to be a woman.”

  “That’s sexist,” he told her dryly.

  “If you were a woman I would tell you it’s a man,” she told him with a grin. “Grace has been calling.”

  “And I've asked you to tell her that I'm busy.”

  “Is that the real reason?”

  “Do I pay you to sit around and pry into my personal life?” he demanded.

  “For the amount of money you pay me I should be running your personal life,” she countered as she pulled out a chair and sat. “You're sitting around gazing into space and not working. Tell me that’s normal?”

  “I work hard and I'm entitled to a little off day every now and then.” He got to his feet. “I'm going into my office to do some work if you don’t mind.” Without waiting for her to answer he strode from the room.

  *****

  She was about to turn the sign from 'open' to 'closed' when she saw him coming from across the road. She closed her eyes and wondered if it was too late for her to pretend that she wasn't around. But she wasn't a coward and had never been. She opened the door as soon as he came towards it and stood there waiting until he got closer. She opened the door wider and stepped out of the way as he came into the shop. “I should have called first but I was in the area.” He made sure not to touch her. He'd battled with whether or not he should go over but had told himself that he was being ridiculous.

  “That’s okay,” her voice sounded stilted but she couldn't help it.

  She walked away from him and went to stand behind the cash register, telling herself that she wasn't hiding from him or from what he made her feel. He stood where he was near the door. “I just came by to tell you the good news.”

  “It can work without uprooting my store?” her dark brown eyes glowed with excitement.

  “Yes. We're going to have to take a little bit of your land but you'll be compensated As long as you don’t mind the car parking being so near to you,” he told her as he shoved his hands into his pockets.

  “No problem.” She wanted to clap her hands in relief but she contained herself. “Thank you for coming to tell me.”

  “You're welcome. I won't keep you from closing up.” He made to turn and she moved just then, coming towards him. She'd forgotten about the box that she'd been unpacking and the things strewn on the floor. She tripped and would have fallen if he hadn't caught her. But maybe he should have allowed her to fall as hard as that sounded because as soon as he touched her it happened again. Only this time more powerful. As soon as she regained her balance he pulled her to him as if it was the most natural thing in the world. He couldn't help himself! Afiya felt a shiver, as if she was suffering from some sort of fever. His trembling hands cupped her round face as he bent his head to hers. She lifted her head up and waited for his kiss with an urgency that had her heart beating fast against her breast. His lips touched hers lightly and it was as if an explosion had been set off between them. The hunger beat at them with a frantic urge that had her sagging against him and gripping his light blue cotton shirt. Her skin felt clammy and hot to the touch. Her mind whirled in a million directions and she couldn't for the life of her form a coherent thought. His fingers dug into her hair, messing up the neat braid as his tongue dove into her mouth with a ferociousness that almost knocked her over. She wanted more, she thought as she clung to him. She needed more and she had no idea what she was going to do if she didn't get it.

  Garrett felt the heavy desire batting at him. He was drowning in the kiss and he was afraid that there was no way out. Her mouth tasted like nectar that he wanted to keep on feeding from, he didn't want to stop, he couldn't stop no matter what happened. But then commonsense kicked in, beating at his subconscious. With a supreme effort at self-control he dragged away from her, his body shaking. He backed away and was brought up short by the door as he stared at her. The swollen lips, the disheveled hair and the glow in her dark brown eyes. He opened his mouth to apologize but nothing came out. He reached behind him and fumbled for the door handle and without a word he practically ran from the building.

  *****

  Afiya paced the length of her small room. She'd locked up after he'd left and gone upstairs to her room. Her body felt hot to
the touch and she'd gone to take a bath. Her nipples were hard and painful and too sensitive to the touch! What on earth was happening to her? She'd finished the shower and went to put on her nightgown. She had never felt such desperate need in all her life. She'd been kissed several times by mild mannered men and that one disaster of a relationship had made her feel comfortable, but this was something else. This burning in her pubic area, this need to have him inside her was something she hadn't experienced before. She wasn't supposed to be feeling this way about a total stranger. He was a man who was a billionaire and one who wouldn't normally look at her twice. He was in a small town and probably thought it amusing to be with the fat girl. She blinked as she remembered that was what her first and only boyfriend had said to his friends. “Under all that layer of flesh she's really not that bad a lay,” he'd said with a laugh as his friends joined in. It had almost destroyed her and she was certainly not going to allow that to happen again.

  *****

  Garrett drank steadily. If he wasn't careful he was going to become an alcoholic, he thought grimly as he downed the third glass of whiskey. He shouldn't have touched her, he thought angrily. He could have made a phone call and told her the news, but something had propelled him there and he'd felt helpless, knowing that he had to go. It had been a big mistake because now he wanted her more than ever. He downed the drink and poured another. He was going to have a bitch of a hangover tomorrow but right now he didn't give a damn.

  *****

  He was gone for two weeks. He called Gertrude and told her to hold down the fort until he got back and he boarded his private plane and headed to his home town. The first thing he did was stop at the house he'd bought for his mother. It was a four-bedroom ranch type building that had gone on the market after the owners had found it difficult to make the payments. It was in an exclusive, quiet neighborhood and he'd gotten quite a kick out of putting his mother among such an elite group of people. She'd protested but he hadn't paid her any mind. He'd hired the best interior decorator to get rid of the gaudy furnishings and put in something that suited her. He'd also hired a landscaper to prepare the land for planting. There was a huge swimming pool as well as a tennis court. His mother had asked him teasingly if he was going to come by to use up the court and he'd told her that he just might. A woman kept the place for him, coming by each day to tidy and dust and to make sure everything was okay. There was also a full time gardener there as well. He let himself in and caught the smell of freshly cut flowers. He smiled as he realized that Mrs. Howell, the housekeeper, was keeping the tradition that his mother had made her way of life. The place was spotless but empty. In the past when he'd come by for visits it would always smell of freshly baked bread or some delicious pastry. Now the emptiness and silence was astounding. He went straight into the room that had been hers and could swear that he could still smell her delicate perfume. He sat on the edge of the bed and clasped his hands loosely between his legs as he looked around. He'd parted with her clothes several months earlier when he could bring himself to do so, but had left back some of the things she wore often; like her aprons and a silk blouse that he'd gotten her on one of his trips to Europe. His light green eyes misted as he looked around the elegant room. It had her stamp all over it. He flopped down onto the bed and crossed his hands beneath his head, staring up at the ceiling. He wished she was here. He could always talk to her about anything. She'd been the wind beneath his wings for so long that he didn't know what to do without her now. “Hey Mom,” he whispered softly. “What would you say to me if I told you that I'm caught in an unusual situation?” he smiled slightly. “You were always telling me to follow my heart and not look at the outward appearance of a person.” He sobered. He couldn't do it. He had a certain image to portray and he couldn't be seen with someone like her. “Maybe if I had sex with her once or twice I could get it out of my system—” He stopped abruptly as if his mother could hear him.

  *******

  “I'm looking for something for a baby shower,” the preppy blonde said as she flitted around the store. She was wearing a denim shorts that barely covered her pubic area and a pretty red and white cotton top which exposed her cleavage and her belly button. Macy Rivers was the town’s tart and was on the lookout for a rich husband. Ever since Garrett King had come into town she'd been trying her best to catch his eyes with little success, but she was determined to keep trying. “Eleanor is about to pop any minute now,” she trailed long talon-like nails along the shelves, her lazy blue eyes looking from one place to another. “I have no idea how she does it. Three children without a husband. I want to find myself a rich man who will take me away from here.” There were other customers in the shop but she didn't care.

  “Just look around and see if there's anything you like Macy. I'll be with you shortly,” Afiya said politely.

  “Take your time honey, I'm in no hurry,” she said, smiling prettily.

  Afiya attended to the other customers and then made her way to her. “What is she having?”

  “Another girl!” Macy said with a tinkling laugh. “Three girls, can you imagine?”

  “She must be so excited.” Afiya went over to where she had some items already packaged for the occasion. “How about this?” she took up the package and showed it to her.

  “Perfect.” She took the package from Afiya. “I told her this is the last one I'm buying. She needs to tie her tubes.” She leaned over the cash register and added, “I hear that Garrett King is gone away for two weeks.”

  “Oh.” Afiya busied herself with the card machine and didn't look at her.

  “He has some business to take care of. He has businesses all over the world. When he comes back to town I'm going to invite him to dinner at the Rolls Royce club. It’s fancy enough and I know he's used to fancy.”

  Afiya didn't answer her..

  “I understand that he stopped seeing that skinny model he was seeing before. I think I have a chance with him. I'm his type, blonde and skinny but not too much. I'm sure a man like Garrett likes a little meat on the flesh of a woman he takes to bed.”

  “Here you go,” Afiya handed her the card and willed her to get out of the store.

  “Thanks so much!” she trilled. With a wave she turned and walked out.

  “I'm sure you are as relieved as I am to see the back of her,” Mrs. Logan said with a shake of her greying head. Afiya had forgotten that the woman was still there.

  “Macy is mostly harmless,” Afiya said with a rueful smile.

  “Like a barracuda. Garrett King has too much class to give a woman like her a second look.”

  Or me, Afiya thought grimly.

  *****

  He concentrated on work. He'd come back with fresh resolve. He was chalking it up to temporary insanity and as long as he stayed away from her he could combat it. He'd tried to be with someone but it hadn't worked out so he'd given up. He'd called her up and invited her to dinner but had ended up being bored by her many questions and her constant talk about the case she was working on. He'd kissed her but hadn't felt anything and had told her that it wouldn't be a good idea for them to go any further. Grace was away on assignment but he knew that there was no way he could rekindle that.

  The blueprint for the mall had been approved and within the next two weeks they would be breaking ground. The press release had gone out and some of the big networks had even picked up the news, which meant that there would be a lot of publicity. His phone had been ringing off the hook since he'd gotten back; potential investors wanting to cash in. There was no time to think about his strange situation, that is until he went home to his empty apartment. He'd deliberately avoided that side of town so that he wouldn't see her. The temperature had gotten cooler and he'd been told that by October it would get icy. He'd also been approached by Macy Rivers who had invited him to have dinner with her. “I think it’s time we get to know each other,” she'd told him in a sultry voice. The move hadn't offended him, he'd been amused by her bold approach. “I was
thinking we could have dinner when you're not so busy.”

  “I'm afraid that would not be such a good idea,” He had told her lightly.

  “Why not?”

  “You're not my type,” he'd told her bluntly.

  “I've seen you with women who look like me,” she'd said sulkily.

  “I've outgrown that type I'm afraid. I'm sure that with so much businesses coming to town you'll hook yourself a rich husband before too long.”

  She'd brightened up at the prospect. “Do you really think so?”

  He had laughed wryly at how quickly she'd gotten over him. “I'm positive. Just be patient.”

  “I'm going to do just that.” She had batted her lashes at him. “You have no idea what you are missing.”

  “I'll take your word for it.”

  Now he sat at his desk and twirled the paperweight over in his hand. It had been a fluke, that was the only explanation.

  *****

  He saw her the moment he arrived. The groundbreaking ceremony, which had been scheduled for the very first week in September, had been put back to the second Sunday and everyone in town had been invited. The huge open lot where the mall was to be built had been graded down and was ready for the foundation to be laid. He hadn't expected to see her here. The Mayor was standing at the makeshift podium, giving her speech about moving the small town forward and how excited everyone was for the change. Locals had been hired to help with the building and there was an air of excitement and hope among the people. He saw her as soon as he arrived. He'd been avoiding her, not going that direction and not dealing with her at all. He'd asked Gertrude to do all the calling and his lawyers had settled the paperwork with her so he was done with her. His heart jolted as he looked at her. The Sunday afternoon was cold, indicating the change of weather, and she had on faded jeans and a white cotton blouse with a light blue sweater. Her hair was in that usual single braid that went down past her shoulder and rested on top of one breast. She had on big silver hoop earrings and he could see the flash of her dimples as she spoke to a plain-looking woman next to her.