by Donna Hill
Tracy forced an artificial smile. “Thank you. I appreciate that.” She grabbed her belongings, spun on her heel and walked out.
Alexis’s body visibly softened the moment Tracy was out of the door. She didn’t like confrontations with staff, but she had no qualms about putting people in check when the need arose. It prevented bigger problems down the line. She hoped that at least from now on there would be a semblance of decorum between them.
Claire poked her head in the door. “Mr. Stone is on line two.”
Her stomach fluttered. “Thanks.” She waited until Claire was back at her desk. She picked up the phone. “Yes, Mr. Stone, what can I do for you?”
“You’ve done plenty, but I won’t dwell on that.” He chuckled deep in his throat and Alexis felt her cheeks heat. “I was wondering if you were free for lunch?”
“I’m sorry, I’d made plans to have lunch with Claire.”
“My loss. I was going to order in...lock the door, turn off the phone...”
She giggled. “You need to stop.”
“Dinner, then?”
“I think I can manage dinner. My place?”
“Can you give me the address?”
She laughed again. “Goodbye. Eight o’clock.”
“Can’t wait,” he said before disconnecting the call.
Alexis returned the receiver to the cradle, leaned back in her seat and smiled. She could fall for him. Fall really hard. But she had to keep a clear head. The bottom line was he was still her boss. This was a work environment and the last thing she needed was the added complication of an office romance becoming a distraction for her staff, especially when she was trying to establish a rapport and a level of respect from the members of her team. All of that would be out of the window if it was thought or discovered that she was sleeping with the boss. It was a scenario that she didn’t want to see played out, and she would do whatever was necessary to make sure that it didn’t happen.
She returned her attention to the overview portfolios of the schools under the R.E.A.L. umbrella. In total there were twenty-five schools, sprinkled across the country with a large concentration on the East Coast. There were two in California; one in Austin, Texas; Denver, Colorado, and one on the island of Antigua. Each of them had different needs based on demographics and the composition of the student base. What she was most interested in was how the schools were initially selected and how they had improved since becoming part of the program, and then there was the flagship school that was based in Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn that started out as a storefront and was now K–8.
The progressive graphs that showed the development of the schools were pretty irrefutable. Test scores, attendance and graduation, teacher retention, parent involvement were up at all of the schools that R.E.A.L. was a part of.
Before coming on board she’d done some research but being on the inside and seeing the phenomenal effects of this program elevated her opinion of Graham and his vision.
She turned toward her door at the sound of the light tap. “Hey, Claire.” She noticed she had her purse. “Wow, lunchtime already.”
“If you’re busy we can always reschedule.”
“No. I need to get up and out. And I’m actually hungry.” She put her computer to sleep, took her purse from her bottom desk drawer and walked out with Claire.
* * *
“I thought we could go to this great Ethiopian place. The food is great, they give you plenty and the service is prompt so you can actually finish a meal during the lunch hour without feeling rushed,” Claire said as they exited the building.
“Sounds good to me.”
They took the leisurely two-block walk as the Midtown Manhattan lunch-goers began to fill the streets and Claire pointed out some must-go places along the way: a day spa, nail salon and after-work lounge. Alexis had been to New York on many occasions, but always as a tourist. She was seeing the city through new eyes. She was now part of the energy that made the Big Apple so special.
The restaurant proved to be even better than Claire described. The decor was warm and inviting. It felt like a family neighborhood restaurant instead of one in the middle of Manhattan. The seating was huge overstuffed pillows in brilliant colors and textures beneath low tables. The aroma wafting from the kitchen was too tantalizing for words.
They were quickly shown to their seats. Claire suggested the Doro Tibs—a boneless chicken dish that was marinated in spices—along with Gomen, collard greens that had been simmered in vegetable broth and spices.
“So tell me a little bit about yourself. I’ve read your résumé, but tell me something that’s not on paper.”
Claire gave some verbal snapshots of her childhood, the youngest of three, she attended public school, and then Brooklyn College. She worked for a couple of years for the Department of Education before she heard Graham speak at a conference at the Harlem State Office Building.
“I believed in everything he was doing and was trying to do. I convinced him to take me on in any capacity. I started out in Human Resources, trained in pretty much every department on my way over and up.” She smiled, then took a bite of her chicken.
“Wow. Do most of the other staff members have similar stories?”
Claire was thoughtful for a moment. “Well, the majority of the staff came from other organizations. I’m the only one that I can think of that came through the ranks. They were all hired for the positions that they’re in.”
“I know you confided in me before about Tracy and that she has some hard feelings about not getting my job.” She took a mouthful of Gomen. Her eyes fluttered in delight. “I haven’t brought it up with Mr. Stone, but what are your thoughts? I’ve pretty much gotten the cold shoulder since I arrived. I know the job is part of it but I get the sense that it’s more than that.”
For the first time Claire looked uncomfortable. She kept her focus on her food. She kind of shrugged and gave an abbreviated shake of her head.
“If you’re uncomfortable, I don’t want to put you in an awkward position.”
Claire finally looked up. “I... There were rumors that something was going on between Tracy and Mr. Stone.”
Alexis’s heart nearly stopped. Graham and Tracy.
“I never believed it. Mr. Stone isn’t like that. But the rumors started because...they seemed so close. You know. They worked late nights, traveled together.” She sighed. “But then the rumors faded away, the organization grew.” She gave a tight smile.
That sick feeling that had settled in her stomach like a lead weight slowly eased. Rumors. That’s all. Nothing to it. This was all the more reason why no one would ever say the same thing about her. She shifted the conversation to the early days of the organization and where it was now. They shared brief stories about their life growing up, Alexis in Atlanta and Claire in Queens, NY. She liked Claire. Not only was she a stellar assistant, she was a really nice young woman.
* * *
They returned from lunch and the day marched on at its usual breakneck pace. Before she realized it, six o’clock was rolling around and the offices were emptying out. As busy as she’d remained for the balance of the day she couldn’t shake off what Claire had said about Graham and Tracy. What if it was true? What if that was the real reason behind the animosity—the failed relationship? Perhaps Tracy saw her as not only a threat regarding the job but a replacement for Graham’s affections.
She couldn’t broach the subject with Graham. To do so would break the pseudo confidence between her and Claire and she supposed the real reason for her consternation was, what if he lied to her? Would she know for sure?
Chapter 15
Graham and Alexis had fallen into a comfortable routine. They’d generally have an early dinner at one or the other’s apartment, go for a run and spend the night together. It was so easy and felt s
o right. They simply fit together mentally and physically.
But tonight, Alexis begged off, saying that she was really tired, wanted to make some calls and turn in early—for a change—she’d added with a smile. Graham reluctantly agreed to a night without her. At the root of it she wasn’t sure if she could keep from saying something to him about Tracy. She needed a bit of distance and some girl talk to get her head straight.
After their run and a quick, but passionate parting kiss in the elevator, Alexis took a long hot bath while her dinner warmed in the oven. By the time she finished eating and cleaning up the kitchen, it was nearing eight-thirty. She didn’t want to call Naomi while she was trying to get April ready for bed, but she also didn’t want to wait too long and wake her if she dozed off. Maybe she’d luck out and it would be Brice’s night to take care of the baby.
She propped herself up against the plump pillows on her bed and speed-dialed Naomi. Naomi picked up on the third ring, sounding remarkably bright and alert.
“Lexi! How are you? What’s been going on?”
Just hearing her best friend’s voice made her feel better. She settled against her pillows. “I’m good, girl. What about you and my goddaughter and your gorgeous husband?”
“We are all fine. Tonight is Brice’s night.” She giggled. “I’m curled on the living room couch, sipping a glass of white wine and watching one of these crazy-ass Housewives shows. They actually pay people for this foolishness.”
They both laughed.
“So what’s going on? We haven’t talked lately. How is the job? And the sexy boss?”
“Well...I can tell you because you know me and you know the kind of woman I am...”
“Lexi.” She dragged the name out. “What happened?”
Alexis took a breath. “I... We slept together.”
There was a moment of silence on the line. “Humph, as much as I was hoping against it,” Naomi finally said, “I had a feeling that was gonna happen. Well, girl, you done spilled the beans now. I want details, details and don’t you dare leave anything out!”
Alexis crossed her legs at the ankles. “Well, we took a trip to D.C....”
About a half hour later Alexis had brought Naomi up to date, including the revelation made by Claire about Graham and Tracy.
“So there you have it,” Alexis finally said.
“Wow, sis, I’m at a loss.”
“That’s helpful,” she droned.
Naomi blew out a breath. “After all the hot sex and great conversations and the wonderful working partnership, at the end of the day he’s still your boss, Lexi. More than likely things will go great between you, but...”
“I know...what if it doesn’t.”
“What if what Claire said is true and it’s part of Graham’s M.O.?”
“I can’t believe that. He doesn’t come across that way.”
“Are you sure or has he simply got your panties all twisted?”
Inwardly she laughed, thinking about the extra panties that she kept in her bottom drawer. “Both,” she readily admitted.
“All I can say is don’t let it interfere with your work or with how you interact with your staff. It could get messy.”
“I know,” she said quietly. “I’ve never known a man like him,” she said in a voice reserved for a confessional. “He’s everything I’ve ever wanted.”
“Wow. That’s a first. I don’t think I’ve ever heard you say that about a man. Ian was close, but...wow.”
Alexis felt all fluttery inside. She’d never confessed to feeling that way about a man, to herself or anyone else.
“Don’t think for a minute that I am trying to throw cold water on you, it would just sizzle anyway, but I do want you to be happy, Lexi. You deserve it. And it’s long overdue. Maybe Graham is the one, ya know.”
“Maybe.”
“Take your time. You’ll know if he’s Mr. Right or Mr. Right Now.”
“How?”
“When you wake up in the morning and your first thought is of him. When you get that funny feeling in the center of your chest whenever you think about him. When he steps into a room it seems as if the lights finally came on and you feel safe and secure when you are with him. All your doubts and fears shift to the background and are replaced with...joy. And you can’t imagine him not being in your life.”
Alexis took that all in. She listened to those words play in her head over and over until she began to drift asleep and an instant before she slipped off into a perfect slumber she thought, Mr. Right.
* * *
Alexis arrived at the office the following morning with the conversation between her and Naomi still playing loudly in her head.
The big question that she could not escape was, how did she let herself get in so deep and so quickly with Graham? It was like her crazed romantic alter ego had taken over her mind and body, like some sci-fi movie. What continued to give her pause was that she knew deep in her soul that it was more than good sex. That’s what scared her. Graham had inadvertently awakened a part of her that didn’t want it any other way.
“Good morning.”
The two words in that sexy British timbre snatched her breath away. Gingerly she put down her cup of coffee so as not to spill it all over her desk. Her heart jumped then settled to an almost normal rhythm.
Damn he was fine. Tall and slender with the muscle tone of an athlete, smooth milk-chocolate complexion and the most piercing dark eyes that devoured her after boring into her soul, showcased beneath sweeping thick brows with lashes that women would pay for. But his mouth. Oh, Lawd.
Alexis cleared her throat. “Good morning.” She offered up her best smile.
“Mind if I come in?” he said from the doorway.
“You’re the boss.”
If she wasn’t mistaken she would have sworn that he flinched at her offhand comment.
He strolled into her airspace and she grew so warm she felt as if she would self-combust. She followed his pantherlike prowl until he took a seat next to her desk.
Graham leaned a bit toward her. She caught a whiff of his scent. Her bud twitched between her legs.
“I missed you last night,” he said on a whisper that made the hairs on her arms rise.
Alexis sucked in a short breath and tried to swallow over the dryness in her throat. “I’m sure you found something to occupy your time.” She tried to hold his gaze but she couldn’t and casually reached for her cell phone and made a slight show of checking for any missed text messages. The moment’s reprieve got her head back in the game.
“What would you say if I told you that I didn’t want anything or anyone else to occupy my time?”
“I think I’ll refrain from saying anything and stay out of trouble.”
“You see—” he subtly reached over and ran his finger across her knuckles “—when I’m left alone like I was last night I have nothing but time on my hands to think about all the trouble I intend to get into with you.” His lashes lowered halfway over his eyes.
What she wanted to do was jump up out of her seat, grab him by his starched collar and have her way with him right in the chair where he sat.
She lightly ran her tongue across her lips. “Hmm, Mr. Stone, I do believe you have too much time on your hands.”
“Exactly. And I want to be sure that you change that. Tonight.” He pushed up from his seat.
She arched a brow, leaned back and folded her arms. “Is that right?” she challenged.
“Yes. Do you think you can?” he tossed right back at her.
Her eyes darkened. A smug smile tugged at her mouth. “I’ll let you be the judge of that, Mr. Stone.”
“Looking forward to it.” He turned and strolled out of the door.
Alexis released a long, hot breath. It was as if he
r nerve endings had been overstimulated and all he did was talk to her, brush his finger across her knuckles and she was on fire. Yet, she still knew it was more than the sexual string that he was able to pull. It was the whole package.
She sucked on her bottom lip in thought. She had to keep it cool and professional. There were no guarantees about where this would go and she wasn’t going to let her hormones rule her head. But in the meantime...she reached into her bottom desk drawer and retrieved her extra panties and went to change before heading to her off-site meetings.
Her first meeting was at R.E.A.L. Downtown, located in Brooklyn, for students K–5. She wasn’t sure what to expect, but whatever ideas she may have had meant nothing after seeing the program in operation.
First, the building was spotless. It was a renovated brick building that sat on the corner of Henry Street on a tree-lined block surrounded by shops, private homes and plenty of transportation. St. Francis College was nearby as well as Packer Collegiate, Brooklyn Friends School and NYU Poly. R.E.A.L. Downtown was clearly in good company.
After checking in at the front desk, she met with the head of school, Ms. Daniels, who had been with the program since it began five years earlier.
“It’s amazing what we do here. The children inspire me to be a better educator,” she said. “I’ve worked in private schools as well as public, and by far this is my most life-affirming experience. The concept is global,” she said as they walked out to the back of the building.
Alexis was stunned to see a blooming, vibrant fruit and vegetable garden that rivaled any she’d ever seen and it was being tended to by students.
Two groups were present. One group was listening to a talk on gardening, the other group was pruning, watering and picking and no one was older than ten.
“Is this part of the curriculum?”
“Absolutely. It’s part of their life. They get to see the vegetables and fruit grow from seeds. They take care of everything and usually once per month, the parents come in and ‘shop.’”