Jeffry (Members From Money Book 3)

by Katie Dowe

  *****

  Jeffry prowled his apartment restlessly. He was spoiling for a fight and he knew that the best thing to do was to head on into his fully equipped gym and work out his anger but he was too tightly wound for that. How the hell had he gotten to this point in his life? He could have any woman he wanted. He just had to make a damn phone call and one of them would come running. He did not have to put up with this woman and her very rude and arrogant brother. He could do so much better. He slammed his hands against the kitchen wall and felt the sting of the slap going up his arm. He certainly did not need this and he did not have to take it. He was Jeffry Rowland and he called his own shot! To hell with her!

  *****

  “I certainly did not grow you up to be some man’s toy honey,” Delia stared at her daughter with a frown. The man’s money did not impress her one bit and if Diana had told her that she was in love with him and him with her she would be dancing all over her newly renovated salon right now but her daughter told her that they had an ‘arrangement’ whatever that meant!

  “I am not his toy Mama,” she said forcing a smile to her lips. After last night and the confrontation between the two men she certainly did not want to go over the whole sordidness of it. Everything was spiraling out of control and he had not called her and she certainly was not going to call him. “We are contented with what we have but everyone is just making a big deal about it.”

  “Sex is a big deal girlie and you know that.” They were at the salon and at three in the afternoon on a Thursday the place was a little bit empty. The Valentine’s Day rush had finished and it was approaching spring with the weather becoming milder as the days went by. “You are not the type of woman to just enjoy a man’s body just for the heck of it and that is what is worrying me. You are trying to fool yourself that you don’t have feelings for this man and you are going to end up getting hurt.”

  “I have no intention of getting hurt,” she said with a bright smile, trying to still the tremor inside her. She had spent last night twisting and turning in her bed and wishing that he would call. Somehow it had become more than physical.

  “Can you sit there and tell me that you are not falling in love with him?” her mother demanded.

  “It’s just physical,” Diana insisted. Even to her ears the words sounded weak and of no effect.

  “You are either lying to me or to yourself,” her mother told her shrewdly. “Your brother is stubborn about this woman he has been seeing and is suffering because of it and now you.” She shook her head and waved to a client who had just come in. “I am going to leave you here to think and try to come up with some answers.” She left her daughter to go an attend to the client and for a long time Diana sat there feeling the weight of despair going over her.

  Chapter 8

  Diana applied makeup carefully determined to look her best. The spring event was in aid of down syndrome children and was hosted by the First Lady Melore Hawkins along with Leesa and the Copeland’s and it was a big to do that was being held at the Royal Palm hotel. She had not heard from Jeffry since the incident with her brother in March and she had seen him with a stunning brunette on his arm featured in the society pages in the papers. He had moved on quickly and so had she. Andre Blair was a very successful businessman and more to the point he was a brother and had expressed his interest in going out with her. He was a perfect gentleman who left her at her door each time they went out with a chaste kiss on the cheek. She ignored the fact that he did absolutely nothing for her and what her friends were telling her that he was as dull as the day was long. She also ignored her pining when she went to bed during the nights and how her dreams were centered around Jeffry. She was determined to forget him.

  The dress was new and the rose color looked great against her skin. It had a plunging neckline and showed hints of her generous cleavage. It had a narrow skirt and came just above her knees. She was wearing black high heels and carried a clutch to match. Her hair was secured on top of her head with pins and she had dangling earrings that came to her shoulders. Her makeup was flawless.

  She had told Andre she would meet him at the hotel preferring to drive herself there in case she felt like leaving a bit early.

  She smiled at the valet and handed him her keys, pulling her coat closer to her as she felt the chill in the air. Andre was there waiting for her looking quite dapper in a charcoal gray jacket and a light pink shirt.

  “Looking lovely as usual my dear,” he told her with a beaming smile as he took her hand and placed it onto his arm as they made their way inside.

  “Thank you.” She told him with a smile.

  The room was already filling up with people and she could see Leesa and the First Lady holding court with Carrie and Linda. Leesa was wearing a stunning lime green dress whit emeralds at her ears and throat and Carrie had on black as well as Linda. She still could not believe that Leesa had borne three children and Carrie two by the way they looked.

  “Darling you look lovely!” Leesa embraced her warmly enveloping her in her subtle expensive scent. “And you brought a date.” She eyed Andre quizzically.

  Diana made the introductions. “Go and mingle Andre,” Leesa demanded. “We ladies have some stuff to discuss.”

  “I thought you were seeing Jeffry,” Carrie said to her.

  “It’s over,” Diana said brightly. “How are the children?”

  She expertly turned the conversation around and they started discussing the children. She was just about to go and find Andre when Leesa touched her arm lightly. “Don’t look now darling but Jeff just came in with his date.” She did not turn to look but she stiffened and with a bright smile she squeezed her friend’s hand. “I am okay.”

  *****

  Jeffry saw her as she went across the room to go and get her date. His eyes narrowed as he watched her touch the man on the arm and led him onto the dance floor. His hand clenched into a fist as he saw her dance into his arms and the way he was holding her. That son of a bitch! He thought savagely wanting to go and wrest her out of his arms. He should not be touching her.

  “Darling how about something to drink?” Lillian purred as she stroked his arm.

  This had not been a good idea, he thought as he almost pulled away from her. “Okay.” He signaled to a waiter and passed her a glass of champagne. He took her over to stand with some of the other women and made his way to where the President and Patrick along with Brad and several others were standing.

  “Hey man we have not seen you at the club in weeks,” Patrick said to him.

  “I have been busy,” his eyes were drawn to the couple on the dance floor. Diana had her head on his shoulder and he was pretty sure that if he did not get a hold of himself he would be causing bodily damage pretty soon.

  “Why don’t you try and calm down?” Brad said to him seeing the expression on his face.

  “I have no clue what you are talking about.” He took a champagne glass and downed the wine in one gulp reaching for another one.

  “Your jealousy is showing man,” he told him in an undertone.

  “I want to knock the snug look off his face.” Jeffry said grimly.

  Brad hid a smile as his expression darkened. The man had his hand around Diana’s waist and was leading her off the dance floor. “You are also here with a date remember?”

  “Oh yes right.” He said grimly. “Two can play the same game.” With that he marched over to where Lillian was and taking her arm he pulled her onto the dance floor bringing her in so close that they were almost as one.

  Diana watched them for a moment and felt the hurt ripping through her, almost stifling her. She made her excuse to Andre and hurried to the ladies’ room where she stumbled inside. Making sure there was no one there she leaned against the cool tiles weakly, her body trembling and the tears very near. She blinked as she heard the door being pushed open and straightened pretending she was renewing her makeup. “I see it did not take long for him to dump you.” The sultry voice drawled b
eside her. She looked over to see the woman he had been paired with before he had been with her.

  “Excuse me?”

  “He is on to someone else already.” The beautiful blonde said to her with a smirk as she renewed her lipstick. “Don’t feel badly darling. You were never his type. You are how do we say it delicately? A little on the plump side and your skin color is too dark.”

  Diana felt the white hot rage go through her at the woman’s inference to her skin color. “So what does that say about your skinny white butt?” Diana asked her sweetly. “At least we had a pretty terrific time in bed and we knew that was all there was but weren’t you expecting a ring?”

  She looked on in satisfaction as the girl’s cheeks tinged with color and her eyes flashed. She moved as if to come nearer to Diana, her stance threatening. “Try it bitch! As you rightly put it I am a big girl and a black woman who fight dirty. So just try it.” They were so engrossed that they did not hear when the door pushed open until Leesa remarked softly. “Emma I think your date is looking for you. Why don’t you go on out?”

  The woman turned to look at Leesa for a moment and then with a nod she left the room banging the door behind her.

  “I think she will be leaving right about now,” Leesa came over and touched the side of her lips briefly.

  “I am sorry you had to hear that.” Diana said with a sigh.

  “I saw her come after you and made my way here figuring I would be needed.” She looked at the girl quizzically. “You are in love with him.”

  Diana opened her mouth to deny it and then closed it.

  “He is not oblivious to you darling. You two were putting on quite a show out there.”

  “I have no idea what you mean.” Diana used her lashes to shield her eyes. “I am with Andre now and he is quite a catch.”

  “Honey that man is as dull as a day in winter and no match for you.” Leesa told her bluntly.

  Diana looked at her startled and then burst out laughing. “My girlfriends would agree with you.”

  “I am not saying you should make it easy on Jeffry because he has been spoilt by all those foolish women fawning over him.” Leesa said with a shake of her head. “But try not to give that young man too much hope.”

  *****

  Michael called her. “We need to talk.”

  “About what?”

  “April please could you come over?”

  “I will be there in a little bit.”

  He tidied up and looked around to see if he had any clothes lying around. He made tea and waited for her. He had not been doing well without her and he figured he needed to do something about it.

  His heartbeat quickened as he heard the knock on the door. He took a deep breath and went to open it. He had had every intention of just having a conversation with her but seeing her there in front of him wearing skin tight jeans and light green sweater with her blonde hair streaming down her back he knew he was lost!

  With a deep groan he pulled her inside and took her lips with his hungrily barely managing to close the door behind her. He lifted her slight frame and went with her towards the bedroom where he placed her onto the bed.

  “I thought we were going to talk?” April said huskily.

  “Later,” he was trembling so much that he could hardly pull the sweater over her head. He stepped back and took off his clothes while she took off her jeans and underwear. He passed his hands over her white skin marveling at the contrast against his dark one. His penis felt as if it was bursting!

  “Michael,” she moved restlessly against his fingers and arched her body as he took her nipple between his fingers rubbing it softly. He bent his head and took it inside his mouth, shuddering as she cried out and arched her body against his. He reached between her legs and entered her wetness his fingers making a slicking sound as he thrust into her. April was mindless with desire as she dug her fingers into his shoulders. He lifted his head and looked down at her, his eyes roaming her face. She clamped her legs around his fingers her eyes begging him not to remove them. He bent his head and took her lips with his in a tender and soul searching kiss. She came immediately and sobbed inside his mouth. He continued to thrust inside her until she was weak and spent against him before he removed his fingers and rubbed it over the tip of his straining penis and then entered her. April wrapped her legs around his waist and brought his head back down to hers. Michael shuddered as she held him with her tightness and when she started moving he was almost undone as he pulled her up against him with a broken sigh.

  *****

  Diana twirled the spaghetti around on her fork and tried to concentrate on what Andre was saying. It had been two weeks since the event at the hotel and she had left shortly after the confrontation with Emma. She had glimpsed his head bent attentively to the brunette he had taken with him and saw the smile on his face and the way her face was turned up to his. Their eyes had met briefly before he had turned to look back down at the woman. She had told Andre that she was not feeling well and they had left.

  She had cried herself to sleep that night. Now she was out with Andre at an exclusive restaurant, the same one they had danced at and he had kissed her and she was wondering why she had agreed to come here with him when the memories kept assailing her. Something made her look up at that point and her heart slammed inside her throat! He was walking in with the same girl! She bent her head hoping that he would not see her but he already had! She looked at him coolly before leaning forward and surprising Andre by kissing him softly on the mouth. “My dear!” he said with a pleased smile as he prolonged the kiss a little bit. Diana hid her revulsion and settled back against the soft cushiony chair. She stole a look beneath her lashes and saw to her dismay that they were seated two tables away and facing them. There was no way she could bear to sit there and watch him with her, it was too much.

  Her eyes were drawn to their table as the girl let out a tinkling laugh. He bent forward and touched her cheek lightly and then ventured to her lips and Diana was sure she wanted to die. “Excuse me,” she muttered as she pushed back her chair. She hurried to the ladies’ room and pushed the door open to one of the stalls sitting on the open toilet, resting her head in her hands, her body shaking. She could feel the tears coming and remembered she had left her clutch back at the table. She blinked the tears away and taking a deep breath she went to one of the sinks splashing water on her face and using a napkin to dab at her face. When she was satisfied that she looked presentable she headed out with the intention to try and ignore them. He was standing right outside the door! Her body went weak at his nearness and she made to brush past him but his hand shot out to stop her. “Kindly let go of me,” she told him coldly.

  “Is he screwing you?” he asked her harshly as he held on to her arm.

  “That’s none of your business,” she told him frostily. “You were great in bed Jeffry but you served your purpose and I suggest you go back to your date and let me go back to mine.”

  “Is that so?” his voice was silky soft and his hand like steel band on her arm. “I served my purpose?” he was backing her against the wall, his body a solid mass of muscles against her. Before she could say anything more he ducked his head and took her lips with his in a savage movement that had her clinging to him. His tongue entered her mouth and found hers and the explosion between them was instantaneous! His hands went up to the back of her head and held her fast. They were so lost in the intense passion that they neither knew nor cared who came along. Jeffry felt the insane desire burgeoning inside him and knew he had to have her. He stumbled back as she pushed him away from her. She felt as if she was on fire! “Stay away from me!” she told him huskily, her hazel eyes wide and her lips swollen.

  “I suggest you go and fix yourself up before you go back outside darling. You look a mess.” With a mocking salute he turned and went in the opposite direction.

  Diana made a second trip to the bathroom and stared at herself in horror. As clueless and as stiff as Andre was he would kn
ow what had taken place! She splashed cold water onto her face again and tried her best to fix her hair. The evening was definitely over for her!

  *****

  “Darling I thought you were coming up?” Lillian said sultrily as they got to her apartment. He had cut the evening short as he watched her leaving with her date. He had spent a few minutes inside the men’s room trying to will his erection to go down but had not quite succeeded.

  “No.” he told her shortly. He could hardly wait for her to get out of his car and for him to be far away from her. He had not tried to take her to bed in the time they had been together because he knew it would have been useless. “I have an early meeting tomorrow.”

  “Will you call me?” she persisted.

  “Yes.” He almost snapped.

  “Goodnight darling,” she leaned forward and tried to get him to kiss her on the lips but he turned his head and her lips caught him on the jaw.

  He waited until she was safely inside the building before he drove off. He turned the car around and sped off in the opposite direction. It was still early only nine o’clock and he knew he wouldn't be going to sleep anytime soon. He nodded to the man who hurried over to take his jacket and headed to the bar.

  “The usual?” Marty asked him with a smile.

  “Yes.”

  The room was scanty because of the late hour with a few young members hanging around and drinking. Their laughter rang out occasionally as one of them made a joke. He sipped his drink with a lack of interest and wished he could engage someone in a hectic game of tennis. His eyes narrowed as he saw Brad approaching. “Leesa let you out for air?” he asked sardonically as the man took a seat next to him and ordered a drink.

  “I am just coming back from the site and Leesa and the kids are off to Florida to spend a few days with my parents. I am just trying to figure out how to go home to that empty house and my empty bed.”