“You want some tea,” Jasmine asked.
“I was actually coming to see if I could take you to dinner,” Elijah answered.
Not having to be bothered with Delia today gave him an entire evening to himself.
“Yes, I’d love that,” Jasmine replied without hesitation.
Damian took the hint and rose from the couch. “I’ll leave now and let you get ready,” he told Jasmine sweetly.
She smiled and thanked him, telling him she hoped everything worked out and she would keep him in her prayers.
“Thanks Jazzy, that means a lot to me,” Damian told her softly, looking right into her eyes.
Elijah was mentally preparing a midnight visit to the man after he dropped Jasmine off from dinner. What is he really after, he mused silently as Jasmine walked the man to the door closing it behind him.
“Give me 20 minutes,” she asked as Elijah smiled and kissed her gently.
“Take your time,” he replied calmly, sitting and taking the remote she offered.
He turned up the TV set as he methodically searched her home. The noise drowned out his movements as he shuffled papers and opened drawers. He found the picture in a drawer under the telephone table. Just what I figured, Elijah thought reading the back and knowing the two had been a couple at some point. He could tell that for Jasmine it was over and she was genuine in her feelings of friendship. The man however had a far darker agenda and Elijah planned to show him the light tonight. Hearing her begin to come back into the living room, he returned to the couch, rising as she came into his line of sight.
“You look beautiful,” Elijah told her honestly as Jasmine blushed slightly and thanked him.
“Shall we,” he asked, opening the door as she smiled and walked outside, locking the door and taking his hand as they walked to the elevator together.
Chapter Ten
Kevin knocked lightly on the door hearing the reply before opening it and venturing inside. “Kevin, good to see you,” Perry greeted him. Perry Caldwell was the Deputy Director at the bureau. “I was definitely glad to get your call, have a seat,” the man told Kevin, all in one breath. Smiling, he took the seat offered as well as the coffee and began to converse with his superior. They talked for the better part of forty minutes with both of them agreeing upon a decision.
“I should have the paperwork done by the afternoon,” Kevin told Perry as he rose and the other man did likewise.
“That’s fine Kevin,” he told him walking him to the door.
“You’re an excellent agent,” Perry told him amiably. “Always been able to count on you and I definitely appreciate that kind of loyalty,” he finished as Kevin again thanked him and left his office heading back to his own.
He was still smiling when he rounded the corner and ran into Allison. She rolled her eyes as he smirked slightly and walked by her into his own office closing the door.
Allison was a bit taken aback by his demeanor. What exactly is he up too, she wondered as the office began to take on life. She saw people smiling and whispering excitedly.
“What’s going on,” she mumbled as the slight cramp hit her. The abortion had gone off without a hitch and she’d returned to work for the rest of the day. She was heading to her own office, adjacent to Kevin’s when she heard another of their colleagues speaking to him.
“Shit man, congratulations,” Tyler told him.
“Thanks man,” Kevin returned smiling broadly. “News travels fast as hell around here,” he murmured as the man burst into laughter.
“You know everyone’s been waiting for months now to know what was up,” he replied cryptically.
What the hell, Allison wondered as her office phone rang and she walked over to it. Smiling, she lifted the handset seeing Perry Caldwell’s name on her display.
“Hello Deputy Director Caldwell,” she answered politely. Perry returned her greeting asking her to come to his office. Smiling still Allison assured him she would be right up. I sure hope this is what I think it is, she mused leaving her office and heading for elevator. Kevin watched her from the glass enclosed office having a pretty good idea where she was headed. He shook his head lightly and returned his attention to the paperwork on his desk and getting it completed.
*****
“Wait a minute,” Marissa returned tersely. “What part of this bullshit am I supposed to understand, let alone go along with,” she ranted furious with Clayton’s admission and the position they now found themselves in. “You and this tramp been bumpin’ uglies for the last eighteen months, but me and Montgomery are supposed to be cool and understand that shit,” Marissa asked again, still incredulous. “Clayton I’ve put up with a lot of crap from you over the years, but I still stuck by you through all of it,” she told him as he sighed deeply.
“Oh stop acting like you’re such a martyr,” he returned finally fed up with her theatrics. “We have sex what maybe twice a month and even then you act like you’re doing me a favor,” he spat bitterly.
“That’s because you can’t fuck,” Marissa told him plainly as he rose from the chair and strode over to her.
“What,” she threw out defiantly. “You put your hands on me the headlines will scream your obituary,” Marissa informed him.
“All I want to know is that you’re going to play your part,” Clayton told her backing down.
“Why should I,” she threw back as he sighed deeply.
“What’s it going to cost me this time,” he asked defeated. Marissa rattled off a long list of things she wanted in exchange for her cooperation.
“Fine,” Clayton told her at the end. Satisfied she left him alone in the den heading upstairs to their bedroom, drink in hand.
He put his head in his hands wondering how the photos were obtained. Did he hire someone to watch her, he brooded of Montgomery and Delia. Clayton hoped the man hadn’t hurt her. He’d only seen his protégé that angry once before. The ending hadn’t been pretty at all. They ended up paying the man almost 50K to keep quiet about the incident and not report it to the police. He better not touch her like that, he thought angrily not above violence himself if Montgomery hurt Delia.
Clayton finally admitted to himself that he was in love with the woman. She was perfect in his estimation; far better than Marissa and her borderline alcoholism. Delia made him feel 20 years younger. She didn’t complain about his lovemaking, reaching orgasm time and again when they were together. I wish she would leave him, Clayton thought. She’d talked about it from time to time but he knew she was scared. He was a bit leery himself. He still had his political career to consider. What would his constituents think? Clayton sighed deeply realizing they were all trapped in the same sparkling maze. His cell vibrated and he sighed again seeing the text from Montgomery. It was a simple message stating time and place. Knowing what was up Clayton rose and headed upstairs to shower and change, then head out to meet his protégé, settling their differences so they could conduct their business.
*****
Allison was livid as she rode the elevator. The door opened and she stepped onto the floor as more people gathered at Kevin’s door. She frowned deeply seeing all the smiles and hearing all the well wishes. Managing to escape the melee, Allison retreated to her office and closed the door. She opened her desk drawer and retrieved the bottle of aspirin, immediately taking two. Her eyes fell on the .9mm that she kept inside the drawer, dark thoughts playing in her mind. Her door opened moments later and she looked up seeing Kevin entering. Sitting back in her chair she continued to regard him silently as he stood in front of her office.
“I guess congratulations are in order,” Allison told him sarcastically.
Kevin smirked again. “Yeah, I’d say they are,” he replied calmly.
Allison rolled her eyes at him.
“You need to adjust your fucked up attitude,” Kevin told her, no nonsense.
“If I don’t,” she replied defiantly.
“Then you can enjoy being unemployed Agent Register
,” he answered flatly.
“You certainly have already let your new position go to your head,” she told him bitterly.
Kevin was the new SAC, or Special Agent in Charge, for the office of Congressional Affairs. It was the job Allison had been awaiting word of.
“You said you weren’t even applying,” she accused angrily.
“I wasn’t,” Kevin replied immediately.
“So what changed, why would you back stab me like that,” Allison asked, the emotion in her voice.
“I figured one good fuck, deserved another, don’t you agree,” Kevin replied and she had her answer.
“All this because of the abortion,” she asked softly.
“All this is because you played me,” Kevin told her. “You played games with my heart, you used me, lied to me, all so you could get closer to Perry,” he went on. “What was your plan after me setting up the interview, to suck your way into the position,” he accused.
Allison sighed deeply regarding him coldly once again. “Well it’s not an issue anymore now is it,” she replied, not answering his accusation.
“No, its not,” Kevin told her. “You should take the rest of the day off, get your mind right so you can come in and do your job in the morning,” he directed.
Allison was absolutely furious. She was also impotent to do anything about it. Kevin was now her boss and since they weren’t sleeping together anymore she knew there would be no special favors. As angry as he was with her at the moment, Allison already knew she would get every dredge assignment he could find.
“Thank you sir,” she replied smartly. “I will see you in the morning.” Allison made it to her car and inside before the reality hit her and she began to cry.
*****
Jaheem was enjoying his meal wondering when he would hear from Montgomery. I know he’s opened that package, he thought, sipping his tea. He was once again at Morning perk enjoying an early dinner. He missed Jasmine being here to serve him. She was such a pleasant young woman, always professional, courteous and friendly. His waitress this evening, while professional, lacked a lot of the social graces he enjoyed with Jasmine. You’re spoiled, his mind chided. Jaheem smiled again thinking perhaps he was. He felt the slight vibration of his cell and pulled it from his pocket fully expecting to see the Alderman’s name on the ID. It was instead a specter from his past.
“Hello,” Jaheem answered calmly trying to steady his breathing.
“How’s it going Jah,” the male voice asked.
“It’s going,” Jaheem replied as his mind continued to race. “Glad to hear that,” the man spoke once again. “You have time for an old friend,” he asked as Jaheem’s sense of dread grew.
“Umm when are you talking about,” he hedged. The last thing he wanted was to see this person again in the flesh. “This evening would be good,” the man replied still calm and even.
Jaheem agreed to meet the caller and they settled on a destination before disconnecting. His mind was still whirling as his stomach did somersaults. Why the hell are they calling now, he thought,of his impending meeting tonight. Jaheem had far too much going on to get caught up in drama, and the person he was going to see tonight seemed to have drama attached to their hip. Sighing deeply he pushed the thoughts aside deciding to wait until he actually met them and they talked before passing judgment of their motives. The waitress returned and refilled his tea, asking if he needed anything else before leaving him alone once more. Come on Montgomery, do the right thing and call me, Jaheem thought. He didn’t want to put the man’s business in the streets, but to save his neighborhood he would. He didn’t want to see them swindled once again on a pipe dream that would quickly turn into a nightmare.
“I’m looking for Jasmine,” the woman told the cashier. Jaheem looked up hearing the waitress’s name.
“She’s off,” the cashier replied evenly.
The woman sucked her teeth rolling her neck before speaking again. “So when the hell will she be back,” LaNeesa asked.
She’d found Jasmine’s number in Damian’s phone the other night. She wanted to make sure that the woman knew she was with Damian now and they were having a child together.
“I’m not allowed to give out that information,” the cashier smartly told the woman, sick of her ghetto theatrics.
Jaheem sighed deeply as the woman called the cashier a foul name and walked out of the establishment. This is why they think we’re all a bunch of classless animals, he mused, rising and paying his check. He prayed that Montgomery called soon and that this meeting didn’t turn into a nightmare tonight.
*****
Elijah walked Jasmine to her door and waited as she opened it. “You coming in,” she asked turning to him. Smiling he followed her inside, closing the door behind him. He took a seat on her couch as she came and sat beside him. He liked her apartment. It was colorful but relaxing. The teals and greens were a nice blend Elijah thought finally turning his attention to the beautiful woman sitting next to him.
“You and him used to date,” he asked calmly.
Jasmine told him they did. “We broke up a year ago,” she informed Elijah.
“Does he know that,” he asked as Jasmine chuckled slightly.
“We went to the movies a few weeks ago, and,” she replied, shrugging slightly at the end of her sentence.
“Mmph,” Elijah grunted noncommittal.
“It’s not like that with us, Elijah, seriously,” Jasmine told him, hoping he believed her.
She was so caught up with him and the thought of him leaving her alone frightened her.
“Was he your first,” he asked again catching her off guard. Jasmine blushed, shaking her head yes.
“That’s why he won’t give up easily,” Elijah explained.
She found his eyes as she began speaking once again. “I don’t feel that way about Damian anymore,” Jasmine explained, putting a name to the face for him.
“I know,” he replied softly.
She smiled, glad he believed her.
“What about you,” Jasmine asked turning the tables.
“What about me,” he returned giving away nothing.
“Who’s in your life romantically,” she asked playfully.
Elijah stroked her face gently assuring her he wasn’t in a relationship with anyone. “At least not yet,” he added never taking his eyes from her. Jasmine smiled slightly very much liking the statement he’d made. “I don’t like games Jasmine,” Elijah told her finally. “I want to be very upfront with you,” he went on. “I’m extremely attracted to you and I’d like to explore that attraction.”
Jasmine swallowed hard, not trusting her voice but knowing she needed to speak.
“I’d like that,” she replied almost whispering.
Elijah smiled again, pulling her to him and kissing her deeply. Jasmine was wholly aroused as they kissed. His taste was delicious and his touch once again electric. Elijah held her tightly, stroking her back gently as they continued to kiss. The longer he kissed her, the harder she fell. When he finally ended the kiss and pulled away Jasmine was gone. She was his and at his mercy.
“So no more dating,” Elijah told her calmly as she smiled and told him she only dated him anyway. “No more visits from the ex,” he added giving her another look.
Jasmine told him okay as Elijah grunted slightly nodding his head. “The same applies to you,” she told him returning the look he’d given her moments earlier.
“Not a problem,” he returned smoothly.
Elijah had no issue calling each of his daily beauties and telling them it was done.
“You’re going to think this is very strange,” Elijah told her as Jasmine frowned slightly. “I want you to work on trusting me, explicitly, no matter what,” he told her as she continued to regard him curiously.
What is he trying to say, she wondered but said nothing.
“Will you try,” he pried since she remained mute.
“Yes, I promise I will,” Jasmine finall
y replied as Elijah smiled again and began kissing her one more time.
Chapter Eleven
Delia sighed softly as Montgomery came into the study where she sat. He was still deeply angry and she only spoke to him if he spoke first. “Maria has been given the rest of the week off,” he told her plainly, referring to the housekeeper. “I expect everything to continue to run as usual,” Montgomery added never taking his eyes off his wife. He was still absolutely furious with her for the betrayal.
“I’ll see to it,” Delia replied quietly.
Truthfully her mind was on overload trying to figure out how to escape the hell her life had become with Montgomery over the last few months. Meeting Elijah only intensified for her how very unhappy she truly was. Now with him on his one man crusade to annihilate her self esteem and self worth, Delia knew she had to get out.
“Come here,” Montgomery called to her as she shook the thoughts and regarded him.
He was resting on the small sitting couch, pants at his ankles, erection at full mast. Swallowing the tears Delia rose and went to him, sinking to her knees and doing what he wanted. Montgomery smiled to himself knowing how much she hated giving head. She told him it made her feel cheap and dirty. Bet she didn’t mind giving it to Clayton, his mind kicked in as he frowned and grew immediately angry.
Putting his hand on her head he pushed it further down his shaft gagging her. He didn’t stop even as he felt her distress, his anger wanting appeasement. He felt his orgasm looming and allowed her to pull back slightly. He still held her head in place however as his orgasm burst forth filling her mouth. Montgomery saw the disgusted frown come to her face as he forced her to swallow.
“Thanks tramp,” he told her nastily pushing Delia away.
The tears streamed down her face as she slowly rose to her feet.
“Where the hell are you going,” he inquired.
Stopping mid stride, Delia waited for him to once again speak so she could leave.
“I’m not finished,” he informed.
She spun around taking in his still hard member. What the hell, Delia thought. Montgomery normally came quickly and then only once. He wasn’t ever known for stamina. He grinned malevolently at her,knowing she was at a loss to his still being erect. He’d picked up a sexual enhancement notion last night at the XXX-store.
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