by AliyahBurke
While he changed in his room he overheard Cathy and his mother speaking. “I don’t like the fact she was here in his condo. You know her kind, always up to something.”
“Now, Cathy. She delivers food to the elderly. That is a nice thing to do. Perhaps we shouldn’t judge her so.”
“No, you shouldn’t.” There was a firm warning in those words as both women looked upon a once again impeccably dressed Gavin.
“Of course, son. Let’s go. I’m hungry.”
So Gavin spent the day with his mother and the woman she wanted him to fall for. As the day dragged on and on, his dislike for Cathy grew by leaps and bounds. Finally the day was over and he made it back into his condo. Shutting the door behind him, he decided to shower first and do whatever later. Like usual he dropped his clothes and left them where they fell as he headed for the shower. He took a long hot shower, enjoying the thought of Sanura sharing it with him. The look of her smooth brown skin as the water cascaded over it. Her hair slick with water and her mouth open to receive his kisses.
Gavin’s shower lasted about thirty minutes as he brought himself release with his hand and a fantasy about the lilac scented goddess who had been in his condo earlier in the day. His body was nowhere near being totally satisfied, but it was better than before. He noticed the message light flashing on his machine and pressed the button. It was Clint.
“Hey, Gavin. You and me. Tonight. Jazz club. Won’t take no for an answer. I will be by around eight.” Click.
Gavin looked at his clock and saw it was a little before eight. He glanced at the door and groaned when the bell chimed throughout the condo. He opened it, still toweling off his damp hair and stared directly at his friend Clint.
“Good, you’re getting ready.” Without waiting for an invitation, he pushed by Gavin and entered the apartment. A low whistle escaped his lips, “Damn, man. Clean this place up.”
As silent as a mute, Gavin walked to his room and put on a clean pair of khakis and a clean black shirt. He was dressed up, but it was also semi-casual. Similar to what his friend wore.
Reentering the living room, he saw Clint had straightened up some of the magazines and had scooped the stray clothes that had been spread around to a pile by his bedroom door. With that, he made the place look so much better.
“Good. You look good. Let’s go.”
“Where are we going?”
“A jazz club. Good music, pretty women, good drinks. Let’s go.”
As the men entered the busy club, the place was packed, with people dancing on the floor and a band playing up on a stage. There were a few open tables, but they were filling up fast. Grabbing one of the remaining empty tables left, they sat down only to hear moments later, “Can we join you?”
They looked and saw David Kitridge from the firm and his date. A flamboyant redhead in a pink dress. Clint waved them down and as they sat the band began to play another song.
* * * *
Sanura and Allison were sitting by the stage as they listened to the music and talked. Both women wore cute cocktail dresses. The dresses were different as Sanura wore one that fit tightly and Allison’s was a little looser to hide her pregnancy.
The women sipped drinks, cranberry juice for Allison and a Mojito for Sanura. Allison was driving. Two guys approached their table, both handsomely dressed and looking fine. One white and one black.
“You ladies care to dance?” the brown haired one asked.
“Who’s asking?” Allison quipped.
“My name is Jason. And the one who is staring at your friend there is Warren.”
With a grin, both girls reached out hands to be completely engulfed by the men’s larger ones. They walked out to the dance floor and began to dance to the slow music.
“You are a wonderful dancer,” Warren said to Sanura as he took them around the floor.
“Thanks. You’re not so bad yourself. My friends call me Mac.” He was a fine looking black man, clean shaven and well dressed.
“Mac? Very nice. I really like your tattoo.”
“What are you doing looking?” Sanura had a black panther tattooed on the back of her right shoulder and a Celtic trinity knot on the side of her left breast by her heart.
“I noticed it when we walked up. I haven’t seen a panther looking that good in a long time.”
“Oh, that one. Sorry.”
One black brow rose in question, “You have another one that isn’t so obvious I should see?”
“Not for one dance.”
“Well, shall we make it two?” He flashed a grin showing off his straight white teeth gleaming against his dark skin.
“Sure, but you still won’t get to see it.”
He laughed, a rich warm laugh as he spun her around on the floor. Sanura saw as Allison and her dance partner, Jason, whirled around as well.
“Do you dance to swing?”
“I’ve been known to do so.”
“In heels like you are wearing?”
“Don’t worry about me. Just try to keep up.”
“I accept the challenge.”
Both of them were laughing as they danced the next couple of songs, until they were both tired and went back to sit down with Allison and Jason.
* * * *
Sanura was out on the dance floor when Gavin saw her. At first he didn’t think it was her until she spun around and he got a good look at her face. Her dress made part of him jump up and salute.
It was short, too damn short. Stopping above the knee, its formfitting style allowed the men in the club to ogle her body. The dress had two thin straps holding it up and a plunging neckline which only enhanced her chest. The color was a mixture of lilac and gray; it shimmered with the flashing lights in the club and Gavin desired her even more.
He watched as she danced with the same guy over and over. They were having a good time he could tell by their endless laughing. An unreasonable anger began to fill him at the thought of another man touching her body. When they went to sit, his crystalline gaze followed her all the way.
Gavin saw his chance when she rose and headed for the bar. He slid his chair back and spoke to Clint, “I’m going for another drink. Want anything?”
“Sure, whatever you are getting.”
“Fine.” Gavin walked off without an offer to David and his obnoxious date.
Shouldering his way through the throng of scantily clad bodies until he was beside her, Gavin leaned on the counter and ordered, “Two beers please.”
* * * *
She’d know that velvety voice anywhere. It was the voice that took away her reason and convinced her to follow a practical stranger into his condo. Sanura turned her head and took in his black-shirted torso. The man didn’t have any right to look that good. Many women were staring at him, but he ignored them all and put those baby blues directly on her. His steady gaze stilled her breath and kick-started her heart at a much faster tempo.
“Good evening, Sanura.” His voice, when did it get so sensual? Who was she kidding, it always had been.
“Good evening.” He smelled so good; she wanted to gobble him up. All of him, from his toes to the top of his head. Is there no safe place for me from him, Lord? Or is this another push towards him?
His eyes took in her skimpy dress and she saw the appraisal in his eyes as they burned a little hotter. But he didn’t say anything else. A small blonde popped her head up beside him and batted false eyelashes as she chirped, “Buy me a drink?”
With one more quick glance, Sanura gathered the drinks for her table and left the bar without another word. Very difficult since all she really wanted to do was snatch the blonde hussy and beat her for looking at her man. That thought stopped her cold. When had he become hers? They had barely even had one conversation. Feelings someone evoked in you didn’t make them yours. Did they? No help from upstairs on this one?
*
Monday morning found Sanura once again delivering to the firm across the street. She was back in the uniform she
wore for deliveries. Since it was getting warmer out she was going to have to start wearing shorts. Oppressive summer heat was coming and it was coming fast. Her ponytail spilled out of the back of her baseball hat as she walked into the break room with the first two boxes of donuts. She placed them down and set them out on the platters.
That done, she went back to get the muffins, and when she returned he was in the room. Gavin wore another expensive suit. He stood by the coffee maker with his broad back to the doorway.
He muttered to himself. It sounded like he was arguing with himself. A grin slipped across Sanura’s features as she realized for all his money and arrogance he was just like everyone else. Prone to moments of craziness. But, she wouldn’t cast any stones for she conversed with the Lord all the time.
“You know, people will begin to talk if you keep muttering to yourself. Probably bad for your image.”
Startled, he spun around and glared at the person who dared to mock him. His expression smoothed out as he saw who it was.
Sanura continued to tease him. “What’s the matter? Something finally jump out of the mess at your place and bite you?”
A grin snaked across his face and he replied in that dangerously sexy timbre of his, “Something bit me, alright. Want to see it? Come over and I’ll show it to you.” There was definitely a challenge in that statement. Not to mention the sexual undertone.
“What makes you think I would dare set foot in that tornado stricken place you call home?”
“Perhaps I cleaned it up. Maybe you should come check it out?”
“Humph. Probably some trick to get me to clean your house for you.”
“Guess you won’t know until you stop by.”
Not one to resist a challenge, her eyebrow rose in determination. “Very well. This Friday. If you change your mind by then, let me know.”
“I won’t change my mind. Will you?”
I’ll be there. “Very well then. I’ll see you tomorrow. Don’t forget, don’t talk to yourself.” Before she left, she walked over to him and straightened his tie, an intimate act usually done between husband and wife, without even thinking about it. That done, she executed a perfect military spin and strode out of the break room, leaving him speechless for once in his life.
Chapter Four
That Monday Gavin began to eat lunch at the diner across the street. Clint came with him and as they entered the eatery they were given a warm welcome by the people behind the counter and the waitresses.
Allison bounded into the back room and glanced at Sanura, who was doing some last minute planning for next week’s delivery. “Guuurrll, guess who came in and sat down?” she drawled as she waited for Mac to acknowledge her.
“Who?”
“Gavin Rawlins.”
Sanura felt heat flood her entire body at the mention of that name. “Well,” she began as she tried to pretend he meant nothing to her, “this is a restaurant and even rich men need to eat.”
A devilish glint filled Allison’s eyes as she all of a sudden sat down at her desk and put her head down. “I feel a little faint. Perhaps you should take over for me for a bit.”
A hiss escaped from Sanura. “You wouldn’t.”
“I am sorry, I am really tired and a bit nauseated. You don’t mind, do you?” Not that it mattered. For all intents and purposes Sanura was going to be the one who went back out there.
“You little bitch. You will pay for this.”
Without even raising her head, Allison waved her off. Her slender shoulders shook as she tried to control her laughter. It was unsuccessful.
Sanura rose and smoothed down her clothes. She wore a charcoal gray pantsuit that had green and gold running through it. Brought out the green in her eyes. It made her look good and she knew it. Her hair was gathered at the back of her neck with a golden barrette.
As she entered the dining area she was waved at by Sherry, who was on the phone. She walked over to her and waited as her eyes scanned the room.
“The bus is coming. They want to know if we are ready.”
“Of course. Always. Let me go get Allison and we will start to push tables together.” She spun on her heels and walked back down the hall.
She stuck her head in the door and spoke, “Yo, Ali. I need you up front.”
“What for? Can’t you handle Mr. Rawlins alone?”
“We have about twenty sailors coming in. Come help me move the tables.”
“Is it Bryce?” Even Sanura caught the hopeful note in her question.
“Don’t think so, Sherry took the call. They are on their way. Come on.” Allison rose smoothly. No hint of being tired or feeling faint. “Must have been a real quick feeling of weakness. What, did it disappear the second I went out the door?”
A sheepish grin crossed her face. “I was thinking of the tips, as he likes you so much better than he does me.”
“You are horrible.”
“I know. That’s why you love me so.”
“Ali, what am I going to do with you?”
The two friends walked out into the main part of the dining area with two other workers and began to shove tables together.
* * * *
The noise got Gavin’s attention. His head turned and he saw her moving tables. He could see the question in Clint’s eyes, but at that moment their waitress came over with their order.
“Who is the woman in the gray suit?” Clint asked.
“That’s Mac. She and Allison own the place.”
She set their order down and left. Clint flicked his gaze back to his friend. “Only you, Gavin.”
He popped a hot salty fry into his mouth before he answered, “Only me what?”
“Only you would fall for a black woman while working for one of the most racist firms in the city. You know they will pull their offer for partnership if they find out.”
“My personal life is none of their damn business. And I am not sure they would pull it. You know who my mother is and all.” Bitterness coated each word.
“Hey, don’t take it out on me. Personally I don’t care. I was giving you a warning. I’m your friend, you know.”
“I know. Sorry. They’re taking the Morris account. Because the other one is run by a prominent black man. I want out. I’m thinking of beginning my own firm. What do you think?”
“Well, if you are offering me a position in it then I would say it’s about damn time. If you weren’t, I would say offer me a job and then it’s about damn time.”
“Of course I would offer you a job. I would offer you half. Want to become business partners?”
“That takes time to plan. We would need some clients. What’s your plan?”
“Meet here every day for food and get the Harris account, they have more money than the Morris one anyway, and go from there.”
“Any particular reason we will be meeting here, every day?” Clint’s blue eyes sparkled. As if he didn’t already know.
“Just one. And her name is Sanura.”
“I thought her name was Mac. Who is Sanura?”
“Same woman. Mac is her nickname.”
“What do you know about her?”
“Nothing much, except when she looks at me my heart speeds up and I get a funny feeling through my whole body. I crave seeing her in the mornings and wish I could grab her and not let go.”
“Sure it’s not lust?”
“Pretty sure.”
“What makes you think she would be interested in you?”
“I will have to convince her. I want her, Clint.”
“Why?” That direct question stopped him dead.
“I am not sure. I feel attraction for her but I don’t know why it is so strong.”
“Before you do something dumb, make sure you know the reason you are doing it.”
Gavin glared at his friend. “Why would my pursuit of her be ‘dumb’?”
“I was talking about you chasing her. Not because of her skin color. Calm down, Gavin, you know I don’t c
are about things like that. I have seen you when you want something, you don’t always think of the consequences of your actions. You assume because you are an extremely wealthy bachelor everyone should cater to you. Her life could seriously be ruined by you if you aren’t careful. This is a person you are dealing with, one who on top of having feelings will also have the public to deal with if you handle this wrong. You know how lots of people around here still are. Just tread cautiously.” Clint finished his speech and took a drink.
“I know. Thanks.” They continued to eat and enjoy their food. Gavin kept his eyes on the woman that moved with a cat-like grace across the room. His woman, she didn’t know it yet. Or did she?
Finally she stopped and came to his side of the restaurant. She stopped by each table and spoke to the people eating there. Everyone rewarded her with smiles and her own was brilliant in return. It was obvious she loved her job. She was great with people.
He waited anxiously for her to get to his table. Finally she did and her subtle lilac scent reached him and twirled around him, imbedding itself into his soul.
“Good afternoon, gentlemen. How is everything today?”
“Wonderful, thanks,” Clint said.
“You never told me you owned this place,” Gavin spoke, wanting her attention on him, not Clint.
“You had made your assumptions about me. Is there anything else I can get you?”
“Your phone number?” Clint asked with an impish twinkle in his eyes. Gavin growled low in the back of his throat. His friend didn’t need to even think of Sanura in that way.
Sanura swung her verdant gaze to the man at the table with him. She flashed him a luminous smile as she replied, “Sorry, hon. I’m not in the habit of giving out my number to a man I hardly know. Besides, I don’t think I am the right woman for you. You seem like a nice man, I am way too pushy and outspoken. I have an atrocious attitude and am horribly mean. I would drive you batty within a week. You know, drive you to talk to yourself and other crazy things.” That last statement she flicked her eyes over to Gavin as if a small reminder of how she found him this morning.
“Crushed. All the beautiful women are taken.” Clint placed his hand over his heart as if she had wounded him.