ALittleTasteofHome

by AliyahBurke

  “I mean as far as a wedding. Did you have dreams of a large wedding, the white dress . . . all that stuff? Are you disappointed you didn’t get to have that?”

  “I guess in some way I am. Sure, I remember talking with Ali about the large wedding we would each have. Everything from the dress to the chapel to the flowers to the superstars we were going to marry. I remember having that talk once, after that I don’t recall ever going over it again. I’m not sure I really expected to get married.”

  “What about the guy in Ireland? The one you had been talking to? Ali said you had had thoughts of marrying him, but didn’t want to leave her.”

  “So that’s where that came from. Is that what the hussy said? She lied to you. I had never planned on marryin’ anyone. Much less not doing so because of Ali. Seamus was a possibility but I wasn’t sure I wanted to get married again, so I kept putting him off, not to mention it hadn’t even been a year since I had left you.”

  “So she lied to me to get me over there?”

  “Yep. Did she even give you a name of a guy?”

  “No, all she said was you would most likely be in County Kerry and she couldn’t remember the guy’s name.”

  “That’s ’cause there wasn’t a guy. I knew some people in County Kerry because that is where Sherry is from and it’s why I went there. But, for what it’s worth, I am glad you came after me.”

  “I will always come after you, Sanura. Always.”

  “I love you, too, Gavin.” She felt the squeeze and her heart swelled with contentment.

  “That still doesn’t answer my question. Would you like to have a big wedding? I feel bad about the whole hotel room scene and lack of family, friends and flowers for you.”

  “No. I don’t need a large wedding. I would like to get some pictures of us, but I don’t need a large wedding. We could do a reception or something.”

  “Whatever you want. I will start to arrange it tomorrow.”

  “Careful, Gavin. You’re beginning to spoil me.”

  “You deserve all of it and more, kitten. Believe me, if you would only let me I would give you the moon.”

  “I think you already have.” She pulled the blanket up a little more. “Are we sleeping out here tonight?”

  “You want to?”

  “No, I would like to get out of this dress. It is not doing much to stop the chill, and although you are keeping me warm I still want a shower. I was sweating tonight.”

  “So what are you saying, my woman climbed onto my lap all funky?”

  She burst out laughing. “Damn straight. So let me up.” Together they went in the house and upstairs. As they were climbing into bed Gavin asked, “Want to ride in together tomorrow?”

  “Can’t. I have a doctor’s appointment.”

  “What’s wrong?” Panic filled his voice.

  “Chill. Just my yearly physical.”

  “Want me to go with?”

  “No. I’m sure I can handle this on my own.”

  “Who’s your doctor?”

  “I go to Dr. Rosenberg. And before you ask, yes he is a man and yes he is married. His wife works at the restaurant. You’ve met her, Sherry. Okay? Problem solved.” She slid into the bed and willingly went into his arms as he did.

  Gavin was gone when she finally woke up the next morning. She showered and went to her appointment. Her next stop was the restaurant where she called in both Sherry and Tati for a meeting.

  “Thanks, both of you, for coming in. Especially you, Tati, since it is your day off. I wanted to speak to both of you about the restaurant.”

  Sanura told of her decision to back off of the work a bit and how she wanted them to take over in her position. Sherry and Tati would take the place of her and Ali.

  “I need to spend some time making sure the other places are opening up as well as this one. I would like for you both to be general managers of the whole thing. There are going to be many more opportunities to oversee a place around the state, thanks to Harris’ decision to have restaurants in his buildings. So if you wanted one of those places then let me know. Everyone here will have the opportunity to go somewhere else and maintain a position of management. I can’t spread my time right without your help. You both have been here since the beginning. I trust you both implicitly and so does Allison. You understand what type of service we want and believe in giving to the customer. We treat everyone as family and make sure they have a wonderful experience once inside. You help to make A Little Taste of Home what it is today. Something I am so proud to be a part of.”

  Sanura placed her hands on her desktop and glanced between the two women watching her. “I also will be helping out Gavin and Clint with some of the business end of their new firm. They are growing quickly and he has asked for my assistance in some of the decisions. Well, think it over and let me know what you decide.” Sanura slid two sealed envelopes over to each woman and said, “Take this home, talk it over with your husbands. And get back to me.”

  She stood and gave each a hug before sending them on their way. The rest of her day was spent talking to the rest of her employees in private and each one of them received a packet as well with the same instructions.

  With two boxes in her hands, she climbed into the elevator to the architectural firm of Hartford & Rawlins. She got out on the tenth floor and headed for the reception desk.

  New furniture and a whole new attitude filled the floor. People smiled and actually looked happy to be at work. She nodded to the receptionist and walked back to Janice’s desk.

  “Is he in, Janice?”

  The blonde looked surprised to see her and worried almost. “Yes, but there is someone in with him right now.”

  “Who?” She set one box down beside Janice who smiled her thanks.

  “Ms. Tremane,” Janice said in a hushed voice yet wouldn’t meet Sanura’s gaze.

  “Really, well, what are the chances that hussy has the need for a building to be built? I’ll let myself in, so you take the muffins and go hide so he won’t blame you.” Her words carried a low and dangerous tone to them.

  Gratefully, Janice nodded as she silently slipped off down the hall towards the break room. Sanura left the other box on Janice’s desk and took a deep breath before silently turning the handle on the door.

  She peeked in through the crack and heard Gavin speaking loudly to his guest. “I don’t know how many times I am going to have to say this to you, Cathy. No! Not now. Not ever. Are you going to leave quietly or am I going to have to call security and have you removed?”

  “You couldn’t possibly want her. I would make you so happy, I have known you longer and I am not a criminal.”

  “Watch how you speak of my wife. True, you have known me longer, but it is not you I love.” His voice turned colder. “Leave my office, this is your last warning.”

  “Oh, Gavin, put the phone down. You don’t need to call security. How about one kiss?” Her voice dropped to a blatant invitation.

  “Jesus, Cathy, put your clothes back on.”

  That was it. Sanura slid silently into the room and saw the back of Gavin’s chair as he was not looking at the woman who had dropped her dress in front of him. His hand was on the phone calling security.

  “Security will be here within seconds, you might want to put your clothes on. I also beeped my secretary.”

  “I will tell people you tried to rape me. Damn it, Gavin, I will ruin you,” Cathy yelled as he hung up the phone.

  “What in the hell is going on here?” Sanura’s voice sliced through the air. Gavin swung around and found him staring at his wife.

  * * * *

  Not again. Gavin felt his heart drop. Could his luck really be this bad? “Sanura, kitten. It’s not what it looks like, please. . .”

  The intense look she pinned on him stopped his words. She was livid. “Leave.” The one word came out like a shot.

  “What? Sanura, please let me explain.”

  “Gavin, get your ass up and out of this o
ffice. I need to have me a little chat with Ms. Tremane here.”

  With a nod he rose and walked through the door, closing it behind him. Janice was back at her desk and looked apologetic when he raised a brow at her.

  * * * *

  As soon as the door shut behind him, Sanura turned to the pale bitch dressed only in underwear and garters. “I thought I told you to leave him alone, bitch.”

  “He wants me, not you. Why do you think I am undressed?”

  “Because you were trying to get his attention.” Slow, deliberate steps brought her up to the small woman. “I don’t think you understand how serious I was about you staying away from him.”

  “You wouldn’t hit me.” She put her dress on and tried to back away from Sanura who kept pursuing her.

  “Really. And what would make you say that?” There was pure venom in her voice.

  “I would sue you.”

  “And tell people what, I hit you after finding you in a state of undress with my husband at his office? Come, come Cathy. What wife wouldn’t be upset at that?”

  Sanura soon had Cathy’s hair was tightly fisted in her hands. “Let me walk you to the door.”

  Her hair pulled tight, Cathy could do nothing but follow along. She stumbled over things, hurting her lower legs, but Sanura had an iron grip on her hair so if she didn’t keep up then she pulled the hair even more.

  At the door Sanura shoved her forward, smashing her head into the oak door. “Oh, sorry about that. I thought it was open. Let me try again.” Smack. And a third time.

  Leaning in close, Sanura whispered in a low and deadly voice, “I don’t ever want to have this conversation again. Understand?”

  “Yes.” The response was so quiet Sanura almost didn’t hear it.

  She tightened her hold on the hair and, as the woman winced in pain, she asked again, “What was that? I don’t think I heard you.”

  “Yes. I said yes, I understand.”

  “Good.” Sanura dropped the hold she had on the woman’s hair, opened the door and gave her a none too gentle shove out the door where they came face to face with security, her husband and quite a few others.

  * * * *

  Gavin heard some thumping around by the door and was ready to go in when the door opened and the two women came out. His wife was impeccable as ever. Dressed in jeans, t-shirt and her hiking boots.

  Cathy was another story. You could see the beginnings of a black eye. Her forehead had a cut on it and there was fear in her eyes. She was dressed, however, and she cast him one more scared look and bolted down the hall with security after her to make sure she left.

  “You, in the office.” Sanura raised that eyebrow at his demand. “Now, Sanura.”

  With regal silence she nodded and preceded him into his office where she sat behind his desk and looked at him, waiting for him to say something and appearing the CEO—except for her causal clothes—as she leaned back in his chair.

  Gavin shut the door with a slam before stalking over to his desk. “What did you do to her?”

  “What do you care?”

  “What if she files charges? Assault charges against you?”

  “She won’t. I didn’t hurt her. All I did was escort her to the door. I can’t help it she ran into the door before it was opened. Not my fault she’s clumsy.”

  “Dammit, Sanura. This isn’t a game,” he thundered as his hands slammed down on the desk.

  Gavin knew that got a rise out of her. Her hands settled on the desk and she rose slowly out of the chair to face him head on. The words were clear and concise but cold, very cold. “Oh, and I suppose what you did to Seamus was something entirely different. At least I can say I didn’t smash her in the face with my fist.”

  He blinked a little taken aback by her statement. “That was different.”

  “Really, so what exactly would have happened if you had come upon us in a room and him in nothing but his drawers?”

  “I would have killed him,” he ground out as the realization smacked him right in the face.

  “Well, at least this bitch is still breathing.”

  “You’re right.” He stood up and walked around the desk. “What did you do to her?” he asked as he sat down in the chair behind her and pulled her onto his lap.

  “I escorted her to the door and very politely told her to stay the hell away from you.”

  “So you were jealous?”

  “Duh. You should be glad it was only her I was angry with.”

  “It was, wasn’t it? You trust me?”

  “Yes, I do. But, to use your words, it’s the women around you I don’t trust.”

  “I was so scared you would think the worst. Thank you for believing in me. What did you do, smash her against the door?”

  “Only three times. That little skinny bitch should consider herself lucky that’s all I did to her.”

  He chuckled as he shook his head. “Please, no more hurting people.”

  Sanura gave a huff on indignation. “Fine, but tell all your hussies to keep away from you from now on.”

  “Deal. I love you, kitten.”

  “Ass kisser.”

  “Is it working?”

  “No.” She got off his lap and walked around the desk to a vacant chair to sit in. “I came to discuss work with you.”

  “Get everything squared away at work?”

  “I gave everyone the proposals and told them to take ’em home and discuss it with their significant others. I should know within the next week or so.”

  “So when can you start here?”

  “If you bring some of the proposals home I can start tonight. Otherwise tomorrow. I will have to divide my time between the two places.”

  “Okay. Make sure your schedule is clear for the sixteenth of January.”

  “Why?”

  “Please do it, kitten, okay. I have something planned for us and I need to make sure you have the whole day free.”

  “Alright, alright. Calm down. Just asking, that’s all.”

  * * * *

  The holidays came and went and, before she knew it, January sixteenth had come upon them. They had gone before the judge and dismissed the petition for divorce. Gavin woke her early to remind her this day was for the both of them together. All day.

  He flew them both down to the underwater exhibit at Sea World down in Florida in the morning, which she loved. Took her out for a fantastic lunch and in the afternoon Gavin flew them home and presented her with a dress to wear.

  “Why do I need another shower, I took one this morning?” she asked.

  “Because you smell like fish,” he replied.

  So she showered and did her hair, putting it up in an elegant twist, exposing her graceful neck.

  “What’s this?” she asked as she finished rubbing her lilac scented lotion on her legs, then took the box he held out and offered her. He was impeccably dressed in a tuxedo, looking as sharp as he always did. Gavin exuded the ability of being suave, handsome and breathtaking like always when he dressed up and having it look so easy, so natural. He was the true cover boy for GQ.

  “A dress.” Gavin watched as she unwrapped it. It was stunning. Made of raw silk, it was white. Opalescent. It was so delicate looking it stole her breath away. “Put it on,” he told her and she did.

  A pearl luminance made it contrast brilliantly against her skin. There was no way around it; white was a color she needed to wear more of. He zipped up the back for her.

  As she stood in front of him, he lost his breath. It was exquisite, she was amazing. “Gavin, this is beautiful. Thank you.”

  “Shoes,” was all he got out, and that was all gravelly, low and husky like he had a hard time forming that single word.

  “What?”

  “The shoes, I will get you the shoes.” He went to get them and didn’t see the smile that crossed her face at his bumble of his words.

  He brought her the box, and as she opened it she found a pair of heels covered in the same pearly color
to be an exact match to the dress. “Oh, Gavin. This is too much.”

  “It doesn’t even begin to repay you for what you have given me.” She stood there and allowed him to put the shoes on her feet for her. Her very own prince charming knelt at her feet putting on her glass slippers.

  He stood behind her and they looked at the picture they made standing together in the mirror. His hair was more brown now then blond and his eyes were more blue than green. Her skin shone with radiance and the white dress showed off her curvaceous body to perfection.

  “Ready, kitten?”

  “For what? Where are we going? I mean, you are in a tux and I am wearing this, for which I am scared of wearing for the simple fact I might ruin it.”

  “Our destination is a surprise. You’ll be fine. And here is the rest of your outfit, my queen.” There was a box sitting on the dresser he picked up and handed to her.

  “What is this?”

  “Just open it, kitten.”

  She unwrapped the box and stole a glance at him in the mirror before opening it the rest of the way. He was watching her every move in the mirror. Sanura flipped back the lid and there was a necklace and earrings. The necklace was made completely of emeralds. The earrings were teardrop shape and they also were emerald.

  “Gavin, what is this for?”

  “Because they remind me of your eyes.”

  Green, like a pair of emeralds, flashed through her memory. His lean fingers reached down to pluck the necklace up and fasten it around her neck. As he made sure the fastener was secure he placed a kiss to the back of her neck. Sanura put in the earrings herself and dropped her hands to look at herself in the mirror. She looked different even to herself. Pretty even.

  “Beautiful, honey. You are so stunningly gorgeous. It is not fair to the moon for you stole its most radiant moonbeam.”

  “Shush, you are going to make me blush.”

  “I like it when you blush.” Another kiss before he picked up the fabulously made jacket, tossed it over his arm and led her down the stairs where he helped her into a white leather floor-length jacket. As they stepped out into the early evening there was a silver stretch limousine waiting for them. The chauffer waited by the door and opened it when he saw them exit the house.