Tragedy and Desire: An Adult Romance

by Locker, Nicole R.

  I looked back up at him, irritated at his condescending tone, empowered by the spike of anger it incited in me. “It’s already done. Now, if you please, sir, I really need to get back to work,” I said, hoping that would be the end of it. No such luck.

  “The cashier’s check will be delivered to your bank, and the money deposited back into your account by the end of the day.” He laid the check on the side of his desk.

  I turned to take my leave and was almost to the door when he spoke again. “If you really want to repay me, the only form of payment I’d be willing to accept from you, Ms. Fae, would be to have dinner with me.”

  Dinner? I don’t think so, I thought, shaking my head. “I’m afraid I must decline, but thank you, anyway,” I answered politely, still facing the door with my hand on the knob. “Goodbye.”

  I pulled the door open and began walking through.

  “I do hope to change your mind soon,” he said, and I could hear the grin on his face. Then he added, “Goodbye, Perla.”

  It wasn’t hard to deduce what he wanted from having dinner with me, and it wasn’t going to happen. I had done what I could and tried to pay him back. I knew that any further attempts would have just added fuel to the fire, so I decided to drop it, as much as I felt responsible for making good on a debt. It wasn’t worth it.

  JAX

  I hadn’t expected to see Perla as I approached my office that afternoon, so when I caught sight of her exquisite derriere standing at Norma’s desk, a jolt of excitement shot through me, not to mention my cock.

  To what did I owe the pleasure of her gracing me with her presence, I had wondered, and I wasn’t about to let her leave without a conversation, at least.

  When I had taken the envelope from Norma, I had hoped to find a personal note, perhaps letting me know she had changed her mind and wanted to take me up on my offer after all.

  I certainly hadn’t been prepared for the cashier’s check. Five hundred dollars, really? What could she possibly think I wanted with her money?

  PERLA

  The rest of the week at Fitzgerald, Vandergild, and Morrison was blessedly uneventful, save for a few more run-ins with Lisette. I had learned the basics of my new duties and was able to focus on doing them well, now that I had the foundation to build on.

  Amelie and I had lunch together on Friday in the employee lounge. She and I were quickly becoming fast friends the more we found out we had in common. We both loved the local arts, including the theater, and we planned to go see a stage play production of Neil Simon’s Lost In Yonkers together when it opened at Wyly Theater next week.

  “So what’s the story with Lisette?” I finally got the nerve to ask as we bonded over chicken wraps and diet soda.

  “Lisette is a character, isn’t she?” Amelie admitted. “I’m not sure why she was demoted, but there are rumors that went around for a while when it first happened.”

  “What kind of rumors?” I asked quietly with piqued curiosity, hoping to get the dirt I needed on Lisette.

  Amelie looked around, making sure no one was nearby to hear her next words. “Well, I can’t confirm this is true or not, but I heard that she tried to come on to Vandergild one night while they were here working late on a case.”

  “Vandergild? Seriously? I mean, I guess he’s a fairly attractive man as far as… older men go. He’s no Sean Connery.” We laughed.

  “I would’ve gone with George Clooney, but Sean Connery is pretty sexy for an old guy, too,” Amelie snickered.

  “It’s the accent. Clooney has nothing on that Scottish tongue,” I said as I fanned myself, raising my eyebrows suggestively.

  We had a good laugh before Amelie continued. “After that, I guess he told her it was inappropriate, and that he couldn’t work with her anymore. So, instead of firing her, she begged the partners to let her take over the vacant receptionist position.”

  “Wow. I wonder if they know what kind of first impression their clients are getting with her sitting right in the door as they come in.” I shook my head in disbelief. I went into detail about my first experience with Lisette and how she had told me they had gone in another direction with my position.

  Amelie didn’t seem surprised.

  I tucked the information I had learned about Lisette away, since I wasn’t sure how accurate the story was at that point. I would need more than that before I could do anything with it.

  We wrapped up our gossip session and got back to work. There was a lot to do, and I stayed busy right up until five when it came time to leave. I did a silent celebration once I got out of the building that day, having gone the rest of the week without any more food or beverages being spilled on me.

  There was no time to waste when I got home that evening to get ready for the Prosperity for Kids Charity Event. Uncle Dante would be there to pick me and Jada up at seven o’clock, which gave me only an hour and fifteen minutes to look fabulous.

  I quickly showered and blow-dried my hair. Thankfully, Jada helped me style it while I applied my make-up. I had just zipped my evening gown up the side and stepped into a pair of sparkly heels when Uncle Dante called, announcing he was there.

  Once Jada and I got down to the ground-floor and waved goodbye to Alex as we passed the lobby desk we made our way outside. A chauffeur was standing ready to greet us and allow us entry into the town car where Uncle Dante waited, already holding a tumbler of amber liquid on ice.

  “Girls,” he nodded in greeting. “Looking stunning, as always.”

  “You look handsome as ever, too, Uncle Dante,” said Jada. I agreed.

  Uncle Dante was a catch. He was tall, dark, and handsome. He was clean-cut and always dressed to impress. Of course, he was a hit with the ladies, but only those who knew him well knew that he preferred male companionship. He didn’t hide this fact, but he didn’t flaunt it, either. He wasn’t the flamboyant type. He maintained a masculine demeanor, although he had an impeccable taste in clothing.

  We chatted casually about our day on the drive through Dallas traffic. When we finally arrived at our destination, a luxe hotel sponsoring tonight’s event, we exited the town car and casually strolled inside.

  While I loathed being around the people who would undoubtedly attend this event, I reasoned that I wasn’t here for them. I was here for a cause I believed in, and for Uncle Dante. For those reasons, I could put a smile on my face and endure a few hours.

  As we entered, we signed up for a raffle for a pricey, mountain-lodge getaway for four in New Zealand. Inside was a beautiful ballroom set-up. There were flower arrangements on every surface. Modern art paintings in a vibrant array of colors graced the walls with ornately carved frames. Various sculptures were scattered about the room, some free-standing and some on tables.

  Frames that sat on easels here and there gave various statistics about the number of abused, neglected, and homeless children in our community. There were stations set up throughout the room where a silent-auction was taking place that Jada and I perused as Uncle Dante went separately to greet friends and acquaintances.

  Jada and I made our way to a bar area where we purchased cocktails before finding our table to sit and wait for dinner to be served. Thank goodness, because I hadn’t eaten since lunch that day, and I was starving!

  An elderly couple, the Weatherlies, stopped by our table to extend their greetings to us. I cringed as they approached, recalling how notorious they were for spewing out inappropriate comments.

  “Girls, so good to see you tonight,” Mrs. Weatherly said as she held her hand out to me. I extended mine to her in return and couldn’t help but notice the weak grip of her feminine handshake, like she didn’t like the idea of touching me but had to abide by the expectations of social nicety.

  “Mrs. Weatherly, Mr. Weatherly.” I nodded my head as they had moved on to shake hands with Jada.

  “We’re surprised to see you girls here tonight. I assumed you girls wouldn’t feel comfortable, since it’s for the orphans, you know.” It w
as Mrs. Weatherly’s inappropriate comment number one. “It’s a cause near and dear to our hearts, Mrs. Weatherly,” Jada explained politely as I gritted my teeth behind an insincere smile. Jada was always so polite and positive.

  Inappropriate comment number two came from Mr. Weatherly. “Well, you girls always were tenacious. Just like your father. You know, he put up a hell of a fight the night they were killed. Got that spark in ya, I can tell.” He held up a closed fist for emphasis.

  “It was good seeing you both. Do take a look at the flying lessons on the silent auction over there by the table in the front. That seems right up your alley, Mr. Weatherly. In fact, I thought of you when I saw it. You two enjoy your evening!” I said as I waved, effectively moving the old couple along in another direction.

  I nodded in disbelief as I looked over at Jada once they were gone. She had a smirk of disgust spread across her own face, and once our eyes met, we couldn’t hold back a giggle.

  “That was lovely,” I told her, dripping with sarcasm.

  We continued with some casual banter as we waited for Uncle Dante to make his way back around.

  “Wouldn’t it be great to win that getaway?” Jada asked, dreamily.

  “I think it would. Who would you take on a romantic New Zealand vacation?” I asked her.

  She shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe that guy,” she said as she pointed discreetly behind me. “He looks dreamy.”

  I waited a few seconds before turning to look, not wanting to draw attention to the fact that we were talking about anyone, but excited at the prospect of scoping out some attractive guys.

  I followed where Jada was pointing and immediately realized who she was talking about as my eyes caught on a tall, devilishly handsome figure in a tailored suit.

  Jax Maddox!

  I turned back around quickly, hoping he hadn’t seen me.

  “Perly-girl, are you okay? You look pale all of a sudden.” Jada’s hand went to my forehead to check my temperature.

  “I’m fine. I just… saw someone I recognized.” I slowly regained my composure, thankful that my back was turned to him.

  “Oh… you saw Grayson?” Jada asked, a knowing tone in her voice. “I was hoping you wouldn’t. I know this must be really awkward, but please don’t let him ruin your night.”

  “What? Grayson? No, I didn’t see him. Ugh, this is not what I need right now,” I said, shaking my head in disgust.

  I was already enduring the night as it was. Now I had the potential of running into Grayson? This was so not what I had signed up for, I thought.

  And to top it all off, Jax Maddox stood just twenty feet behind me in all his glory, commanding the room. I could see Jada ogling him still, despite the crowd of women hovering around him and nearby, all eyes on him.

  “Just ignore him. He’s in uniform, so he must be working security detail for the event. Maybe you won’t even notice he’s here.” Jada tried to smooth the situation over.

  I sighed internally. Grayson had always looked so good in his uniform. A ghost pain from the heart-break I felt over losing him flared inside me.

  “I need another drink. Would you like anything?” I offered as I stood to head back to the bar.

  “No, I still have over half of my drink left. I should be good for a while. Unless you want me to come with you?” Jada offered.

  “It’s okay. I’ll just be right back.”

  I walked to the bar requesting another cocktail. I made it half way back to the table before he approached me. I didn’t even see him coming.

  “Nice dress. You look great,” Grayson said as he blocked my way, putting a hand on my bare shoulder. There was a time his touch would have sent a thrill through me, but now it just made me cringe.

  “Uh, thanks. If you’ll excuse me, I was just getting back to my table,” I said, trying to maneuver my way around him.

  “Perla, wait. You haven’t answered my calls. I wanted to talk to you,” he said as he grabbed my free wrist, preventing my escape.

  I tensed, feeling the urge to toss the drink I still held in the other hand right in his face. “We have nothing to talk about. Now, would you please be so kind as to take your hands off of me?”

  I tried to pull away but was unsuccessful. I really didn’t want to make a scene right here in the middle of this crowd. Giving the people in this room any more fuel to gossip about my family was something I hoped to avoid at all costs. This could not be happening.

  “Perla, I just need you to listen to me,” he said through clenched teeth. His irritation was evident.

  “Grayson, please. Don’t do this here. I heard everything I needed to hear when I walked in on you and… her.” I was getting more and more uncomfortable by the second, but it seemed he was not about to let this, or my wrist, go.

  Where the hell was Jada or Uncle Dante when I needed them?

  “Perla, baby, there you are.” A strong, masculine arm snaked around me as the tall, commanding force of Jax Maddox moved in to my side. I knew it was him by the sound of his voice, and the way my body unwillingly responded to his nearness.

  I never thought I’d say this, but God, was I glad to see him right then. Though I wasn’t too naïve to not be concerned that I may come to have regret that later.

  I did not look up at him, but continued to stare straight ahead at Grayson, imploring him to let me go. I saw him look up at Jax, and I could see the challenge pass between them in a long, awkward silence.

  At last, my wrist was free, and in the same second, Jax was escorting me away from the ghost of my past. He left his arm wrapped around me in a display of ownership and affection.

  JAX

  I had seen her the moment I’d walked in, like I was subconsciously attuned to her presence. The backless dress was a nice touch, I thought, admiring the seductive lines of her back and shoulders she tastefully displayed.

  It was an event my mother had helped organize for one of our local charities, Prosperity for Kids. Since Victoria’s early challenges in life had made such as impact on her, she felt strongly about helping abused, neglected, and homeless children within the community. She also had a heart for children, though she was never able to have any more after me.

  I was here to show support for my mother, as well as make a sizable, anonymous donation to the charity. Imagine my surprise when I had received the added bonus of seeing the angelic face of Perla Fae sitting at a table not too far from mine.

  I hadn’t quite made it to my table yet, having been caught up in conversation by an eager group of aristocratic women of varying ages as soon as I walked in the door.

  My attention was drawn away from the crowd when I noticed Perla getting up from her table to get another drink from the bar. It also did not escape my notice that an officer in uniform had been watching her from a secluded area near the back of the room, which had immediately set off the warning bells in my head.

  When I saw the officer approaching Perla as she made her way back from the bar, something else went off inside me, a sort of protective instinct I didn’t recall having experienced before. I observed him grab hold of her wrist. The moment I saw her attempt to pull away, I excused myself from the crowd.

  This was bordering on becoming complicated, I thought, but the instinct to protect her was somehow greater than my aversion to complications.

  The man in uniform didn’t notice me approaching until I made myself known. “Perla, baby, there you are,” I purred confidently, seductively in her ear as I snaked my arm around her waist and pulled her in close against my body. I observed the name listed on his nametag, Sherriff’s Deputy Grayson Mitchell.

  Your move, Deputy Mitchell.

  I stared the man straight in the eyes. If he didn’t release her wrist in a matter of seconds, he would have me to answer to, uniform or no uniform. I had a sizable panel of the finest attorneys in Texas on retainer, and I didn’t back down from a challenge.

  Deputy Mitchell finally came to his senses and released his hold on her.
As he let go of her, I immediately steered her away from the danger zone. I could have dealt with this cocksucker, but my main concern at the moment was getting Perla away.

  I left my arm wrapped around her, enjoying the feel of her body against mine while it lasted, even through the layers of clothing we each wore.

  I hoped that soon enough, I’d feel her naked flesh pressed against me without the barrier of clothing getting in the way.

  PERLA

  Once we got outside of Grayson’s hearing range, I turned to Jax. “Thank you. I-” was at a loss for words. “Thank you.”

  “You looked like you needed a knight in shining armor. I just so happened to be in the neighborhood.” He certainly wasn’t lacking in the confidence department.

  I couldn’t hold back an involuntary eye-roll. “Yes, well, I guess I’m in your debt twice now, Mr. Maddox.”

  “You can call me Jax, Perla. You already know that I’d like to be on a first-name basis with you.” He winked.

  “Yes, you have made that very clear, Mr. Maddox,” I said disapprovingly, thinking back to his indecent proposal. He wasn’t getting off that easily.

  Jax paused for a moment, nodding in understanding. “I’m not such a bad guy, you know.” A mischievous, suggestive smile spread across his face. Then, he added, “I think you would find it to be a mutually beneficial arrangement. If you gave it a chance, that is.”

  I could feel the muscles tighten inside me. Yes, there. Ugh, I really needed to get laid. All this pent-up sexual frustration was really starting to be a nuisance, and this was so not the time.

  “I think I’d better get back to my table. It looks like they’re serving dinner now,” I said. I considered the subject changed, and I turned to leave before he could protest.

  As I sat at the table, rejoining Jada and now Uncle Dante, I took a large gulp of my drink. Please tell me I had gotten all the craziness out of the way tonight.

  “Perla, remind me to introduce you to Mrs. Sullivan later,” Uncle Dante spoke in-between bites of his food. “She’s the senior director of Prosperity for Kids. I mentioned to her earlier that you were working for a law firm now, and she was hoping to connect with you about possible representation.”