Instead of going straight to his door, which was shut, I stopped at his secretary’s desk. She looked up at me then smiled.
“I love the blouse,” she said, paying me a compliment. “So bright and pretty.”
“Thank you. I purchased it on sale at Macy’s. I don’t always like bright colors, but I couldn’t resist.”
“Good choice. I take it that you’re looking for Mr. Taylor.”
“Yes, I am. Is he available?”
“I’m not sure. He was on a conference call about thirty minutes ago, but let me check to see if he’s finished. If so, what’s your name?”
“Sylvia. He knows me.”
She buzzed Jonathan’s office, and after telling him my name, he told her it was okay for me to come in. I thanked her then opened the door to his office. Almost immediately, my knees weakened at the sight of his rich chocolate skin and alluring brown eyes. The dark brown tailored suit he rocked fit his frame perfectly, and the gray in his hair and beard made him appear so manly and sophisticated. His macho cologne infused the entire office. The smell made me want to take off my panties and throw them at him. I was all smiles, but unfortunately for me, he wasn’t.
“I know you’re busy, but I just wanted to stop in to say hello,” I said.
He shot me a hard stare, appearing to have something on his mind. He then invited me to have a seat, but I wasn’t sure if stopping by was a good move. I wasn’t in the best mood, and apparently, he wasn’t either. There was a chance that things could get heated, and I definitely didn’t want that.
I took a seat in front of his desk then crossed my legs. His eyes scanned them, before his eyes connected with mine.
“How’s your day going so far?” he asked.
“So far, it’s going okay,” I lied in order to keep the peace. “Crissy left earlier, but she left me with enough work to keep me busy.”
“That’s good. I hope everything works out for the two of you.”
“I think they will. And the work thingy would have worked out for us too, if we hadn’t gotten involved. You have to admit that I was a pretty darn good administrative assistant.”
“The best. Always the best at what you do.”
I couldn’t help but to smile at his compliment, only because I knew he wasn’t just referring to my work skills.
“Thank you. You’re the best too.”
He nodded then opened a drawer next to him. After looking at a piece of paper, he laid it on his desk then shifted his attention back to me. Before speaking, he cleared his throat then licked across his lips.
“I’m glad you stopped by, because I wanted to tell you something. I’m not sure about us anymore, and I’m starting to regret what happened between us the other night. Lesa has been nothing but the best woman any man could ask for. It didn’t make me feel good to lie to her. I’m sure you understand where I’m going with this, don’t you?”
I took a hard swallow because I didn’t understand. He needed to be clearer. “No, I don’t get it. You’ve never been the kind of man who’s afraid to speak his mind, so say what you need to say and be done with it. On Friday, we agreed to approach this one day at a time. I’m not asking you to walk away from Lesa and tell her to go to hell because Sylvia’s back in town. What I’m asking you to do is go where your heart is. If that’s with me, fine. If not, I’m okay with that, too. But the last thing I want you to do is settle. Be happy, and be with who makes you feel at your best.”
I stood then paraded to the door. I turned to him before opening it. “When you’re ready to talk, you have my address, phone number, and you do know where I work. The next move is yours.”
I left, feeling slightly offended by Jonathan’s words, but standing by mine. The next move would have to come from him. The last thing I intended to do was chase after him. I wanted him to realize just how much he needed me back in his life. In due time, he would see that.
Instead of returning to my desk, I headed to lunch. I grabbed a quick bite to eat at Friday’s, and, soon after, returned to the office. Just as I was coming out of the ladies’ restroom, I bumped into Jonathan. He was strutting down the narrow hallway with several papers in his hand. His walk was pimp-like smooth, and that serious look on his face made him look mysterious and even more attractive. He nudged his head toward another hallway, and when I turned the corner, I definitely knew where he was going. We had been there numerous times before: in a spacious closet where the custodians kept several floor buffing machines, mops, and push brooms.
I followed Jonathan then moved aside as he closed the door behind me. The lights went out and the closet was now pitch black.
“I don’t have all of the answers right now, and I refuse to make you any promises,” he whispered. “All I know is you look damn good today. You told me to make the next move, so I’m making it.”
The papers that were in his hands went up in the air then hit the floor. Within seconds, my skirt was hiked up above my waist, and my back was against the wall. My legs were wrapped around his waist as he ground deep inside of me. I couldn’t even describe how I felt when his dick kept hitting my G-spot, but I tore into my lips to muffle my moans. My wetness covered his entire shaft, and the sounds of my juices popping sounded off loud and clear. Without even inquiring, he could tell I loved every bit of this. I neared an orgasm, so I wrapped my arms tightly around his neck and scratched at his flowing waves. My back squirmed against the wall, and my mouth quickly covered his. A sloppy, wet kiss was exchanged, before he lowered my legs and snatched my blouse open. My left breast popped out, giving him a hint to suck it. He did, and the heat in the closet rose to a higher temperature. Between the orgasm and breast sucking, I could barely catch my breath.
“No . . . no words can express how much I miss you. I miss this, Jonathan, and I will do everything within my power to get you back where you belong.”
He didn’t have to say a thing, because, thus far, I was off to a good start. I wanted him to know how I felt; maybe it would speed things along. He released my breast, but before he could tackle the other one, I fell to my knees. His pants were still at his ankles, and his hard muscle was right at my face. I opened my mouth wide, causing things to heat up again. He stroked my mouth, forcing his long goodness far down my throat. I loved the taste of him, and on my first day of work, I went into some serious overtime to make him nut. He gripped the back of my hair, squeezing it. His moans, as well as his words, pleased me more than he would ever know.
“No one isssss . . . is better at this than you,” he whined. “Welcome back, baby. It’s good to have you back.”
I appreciated a man who knew how to clean up his act the way Jonathan did. That mess he’d said in his office went in one ear and out the other. Damn right he was glad I was back. He knew, like I did, that it didn’t get much better than this.
After thirty long minutes in the closet, we walked out, hoping that no one saw or heard us. My hair was messy, clothes were wrinkled, and pussy was leaking. Jonathan looked as if he had indulged in something heavy too, but, thankfully, the coast was clear. I stole a quick kiss before we went our separate ways.
CHAPTER 5
JONATHAN
Shit. Shit. Shit. That wasn’t supposed to happen, but with Sylvia looking so damn good, I couldn’t help myself. Plus, I couldn’t stop thinking about what had happened between Lesa and me the other night. I didn’t know if my dick wouldn’t cooperate because of her, or because of me. I was getting older, and sometimes men had these little problems. I figured that if Sylvia would be able to help me get it up, then there was nothing on my end. She kept it live. Live as ever. I guessed it was now time for me to stop making excuses and stop pretending that she didn’t move me when she damn well did.
The sad part about all of this was I thought I was ready to settle down again. I was a much better man when I felt as if my feet were on the ground, home was safe, and my woman was happy. I didn’t like playing these kinds of games with people’s hearts, but I couldn�
�t tell Lesa that I still had desires for my ex. I barely wanted to admit that shit myself, and damn Sylvia for coming back when everything with me had been going so smoothly. Yet again, we found ourselves in a messed-up situation. I was the man in the middle, confused as hell. I hated this, only because I knew that I couldn’t sustain this kind of life. This wasn’t me, and with the help of Lesa, I thought I had become a better man.
For the next few hours, I was in and out while listening to a witness on the stand who talked about her abusive boyfriend, Tone Pinkston. I was his lawyer. I knew he was a lowdown, dirty dog, but I took his case because of money. He was loaded, and with his parents being filthy rich, he felt entitled. Entitled to kick women’s asses and make them do what he wished. I couldn’t stand him, but when it came to my business, all that mattered was my bank account.
After the prosecutor finished questioning the teary-eyed woman, I stepped around the table and went after her. While she was definitely a victim, she was a gold digger, too. I started by digging into her past and making her admit to the numerous times she claimed to be assaulted by her lovers.
“I mean, this isn’t the first time you’ve been here, is it?” I queried.
Her eyes shifted to the prosecutor, and she attempted to play dumb. “Wha . . . what do you mean? I don’t understand your question.”
“What I mean is you told my client that you would make all of this go away if he paid you one million dollars, didn’t you?”
She moved her head from side to side. “No, I never told him anything like that. I never said anything of the sort to anyone.”
“I don’t want you to perjure yourself on the witness stand, and I must inform you that there are cell phone records that tell the whole story. Either you come clean now or face dire consequences later.”
With more tears streaming down her face, she hesitated to speak. There was a crisp silence before she spoke up and admitted to making up the whole thing. This case had been a waste of some people’s time, but it was clear to me from the beginning that this woman was after something. Tone was unquestionably full of it, but this time he was the one being played.
I stood in the hallway with Tone and his parents, after the judge dismissed the case.
“We can’t thank you enough,” his mother said with tears at the rims of her eyes. “I knew something wasn’t right with that trick.”
This time, everything worked in their favor. I was sure that Tone’s parents would need my assistance again, and they would defend him no matter what. His father thanked me as well, and after they walked off, I headed to my car. From a distance, I saw a piece of paper stuck behind the windshield wiper. I snatched it off then opened the paper to read it.
YOU SLICK, DIRTY BASTARD! YOU WILL PAY, was written in red ink. Wondering who the letter was from, and who could’ve been watching me, I looked around the parking garage to see if I saw anyone suspicious. The letter made me real uneasy, so I quickly hopped in the car and reached for my cell phone to call Lesa. She answered with a laugh.
“These chicks are crazy!” she said. “I don’t know why I watch this mess, but these Atlanta housewives be tripping.”
“I don’t see how you watch that stuff. Too much craziness and drama.”
“Yeah, well, it’s my guilty pleasure. I just got home and didn’t want to miss it. You may want to stop and pick up something for dinner. I haven’t had time to cook a thing.”
“I’ll stop to get something. Are you hungry too?”
“I am, but I’ll pass on the fast food. I’ll grab some fruit or something.”
“You need more than fruit, don’t you?”
“What I need is for my man to hurry home and give me something that I’ve been waiting on since our little issue the other night. Do you think you can handle that?”
“Of course. I’ll be there shortly.”
The note didn’t appear to come from Lesa. She seemed as if everything was okay. The only other person who came to mind was Sylvia. She wasn’t upset about anything, and when I called her, that was confirmed.
“I thought you were calling to see if I was home,” she said. “It would be nice if you could stop by, but I’m sure you’re probably tired. If so, I’ll massage your back for you and wash you down real good so you can relax. All you have to do is let me know when to expect you.”
“I am tired. Had a busy yet interesting day. I just wrapped up a court case, so I’m heading home to get some rest in my bed. It’s been waiting for me all day, so we’ll have to catch up another time. I won’t be in the office until Thursday. Maybe we can do lunch or something.”
“Awww.Butokay. It sounds like a plan to me. Get some rest and we’ll talk soon.”
Our conversation confirmed that Sylvia wasn’t the one who had written the note either. Hell, maybe somebody put the paper on the wrong car. Slick bastard didn’t apply to me, so I crumpled the paper in my hand then tossed it out the window. I drove home, listening to one of my favorite jazz players blow his horn.
I entered the house a little after nine o’clock. Lesa was in the kitchen standing in front of the stove. I hadn’t stopped to get anything to eat, so I walked up from behind her to see what was cooking.
“Grits?” I said, startling her.
She jumped then turned around, holding her chest. “You scared the shit out of me. I didn’t even hear you come in.”
“I saw you gazing out the window. What’s on your mind and why are you cooking grits this late? I didn’t even know you liked them.”
“I do. And what’s the big deal with me cooking grits?”
I moved away from her then walked to the fridge. Maybe it was just me, feeling a little paranoid. Kind of thought she was cooking them to throw on me.
“No big deal,” I said. “If that’s what you want to eat tonight, fine. I’m opting for a TV dinner.”
Lesa laughed and continued to stir the grits. I told her I had to take care of a few things in my office and would see her in the bedroom in a few. By then, maybe she would be asleep. I wasn’t sure if I would be able to perform for her tonight, especially after what had happened between Sylvia and me earlier. The last thing I wanted was to embarrass myself in the bedroom again.
I closed the door then sat back in the chair behind my desk. The red light on my phone was blinking, alerting me that I had several messages. One by one I listened to them. Jaylin called again, this time telling me that it was urgent for me to call him back, so I did.
“John-John, what’s up?” he said.
“Not much. Same story, different day. Got your call and wanted to hit you back before I called it a night.”
“I’m glad you returned my call, because I need a favor. A friend of mine’s son got into some slight trouble at school. The police found drugs in his car, but he claims that they planted it there. With all that’s going on in the Lou, as well as around the nation, we know that this is a possibility. The family doesn’t have much money, but I want you to talk to the young man. His name is Taye. See where his head is. Tell me if you think he’s guilty. You know how to read muthafuckas, and if you believe his story, I would like for you to take his case. You know I’ll take care of the fees, as long as they’re reasonable.”
I couldn’t help but to laugh at his cheap ass. “My fees are never reasonable, but you already know that. I should have some time on Thursday or Friday to pay him a visit, so shoot me his information through text. After I speak to him, I’ll give you my take on things.”
“That’s all I ask. We’ll holla sometime next week when I come to St. Louis. You can give me your thoughts then.”
“Sounds good. Just let me know what day you’re coming and where you’ll be staying. I can’t keep up with you. The last time we spoke, you mentioned buying another house here.”
“It’s a wrap. Done deal, and I’ll take you to see it when I get there. You already know what neighborhood it’s in, and no matter how many places I have, you know the Lou is home. Having a place there is a must
.”
“I feel you. Can’t wait to see it. I doubt that it’s better than mine, and I’ll be sure to hook you up with my interior decorator.”
“No, thanks. If it’s the same one who hooked up that piece of shit-ass place you’re living in right now, I’ll pass.”
We both laughed and couldn’t resist the competition we always had. “My new interior decorator is in the kitchen right now cooking grits. I’ll be sure to tell her what you said about her style.”
“Cooking grits? Man, you’d better hurry up and get the fuck out of there. Any woman cooking grits at this time of the night is up to something. What in the hell did you do to her?”
I wanted to laugh but couldn’t. Why? Because it was the same thing I had been thinking. It was a little too late to be cooking grits. Something wasn’t right. I wanted to tell Jaylin about the letter, but I decided not to.
“I didn’t do anything to her. She was craving grits, and it’s probably a sign of her being pregnant. You know I’ve wanted another child ever since Dana lost our baby. Britney is my only child, and I wish I had more. My legacy is important.”
“I definitely feel you there, but you won’t have no legacy if those grits stick to that pot and start thickening. I guess you’ll tell me what you did when I get there. Until then, sleep with one eye open and have your Glock real close.”
Jaylin laughed then hung up. I didn’t see shit funny, so I hurried to check my e-mails then went back to the kitchen. Lesa wasn’t in there, but the pot was still on the stove. I lifted the top but dropped it on the floor when I heard her voice behind me.
“Got you,” she said, laughing. “That was payback for scaring me earlier. Is the top still hot? I was waiting on the grits to cool. You should try some. They’re real good.”
“Uh, no. No, thanks. I’ma go take a shower and chill.”
I walked to the bathroom while looking at Lesa from the corner of my eye. She opened the cabinet to get a bowl then worked on adding sugar and butter in the grits. I entered the master suite then the bathroom. Locked the door, just to be sure she didn’t come inside. Thankfully, by the time I left the bathroom, Lesa had fallen asleep on the couch while reading a book. I was relieved—for the moment.
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