No Ordinary Romance

by Smith, Stephanie Jean

  "I always thought that tattoos were cheap and tacky, but this is truly a work of art. I bet they don't have anything like this in the tattoo galleries."

  "The Santee who did this tattoo did things the tribal way. He mixed the colors himself and used wooden tools to bleed them into my skin. At the time, it hurt like a son of a bitch. I've had it since I was seventeen and it still looks as vibrant as the day it was done."

  She kissed his chest and ran her thumbs across his nipples. "Do you want some breakfast before you go?"

  "Constantina it's rude of you to tempt me this way. If I eat breakfast, I'm going to take you back to bed."

  "Is that such a bad thing?"

  "A terrible thing since both of us has a busy day at work ahead. The way I'm feeling I won't let you out of bed for the rest of the week." Upon hearing her sigh of disappointment, he kissed again. "I wouldn't say no if you invite me back this evening."

  Thomas cradled her head onto his chest and held her tight; she didn't want this to end either. The reality of the outside world was intruding on their time together. "You're welcome in my home any time you like. I could make us dinner say around seven o'clock."

  Thomas kissed her again. "I'll be here Constantina, but I don't know if I'll be hungry for food." He picked the towel up and threw it over his shoulder. "It's seems I'm all sweaty again. Why don't you join me in the shower this time?"

  Thoroughly enjoying the view of his backside, Connie fell in behind him. "Somehow I got a feeling we'll both be late for work today."

  ***

  An hour later, Connie and Thomas left her bedroom. She was in a robe, and he was dressed for the office. She whipped around the kitchen making French toast, sausage, and strong coffee with no sugar or cream. She sat down at the table to watch him eat; her stomach was too jittery to eat. "You never did tell me about your business trip."

  Thomas impressed by the spread she made for breakfast. He only knew of one other woman who cooked this way, and she was his mother. "Well I had other things on my mind this weekend. Every time I came up for air you were stuffing me with food."

  "I wanted you to have plenty of energy to keep up with me."

  "In addition to being a contract lawyer, I'm the CEO of a family owned business. My mother, sisters, and I work hard to attract new business to Omaha. We got off to a rocky start because the scandal involving my ex-wife did a lot of damage to my reputation. As time went on, people began to forget my past and focused on what I could do for them and their companies."

  "I don't imagine anyone keeping you down for long. You've got too much pride and personality for that."

  "Are you still looking for a buyer for The Purple Feather?"

  "I've spoken with representative of several prospective buyers, and I hope to sell pretty soon."

  Thomas cleared the last bite of French toast from his plate followed by a sip of coffee. "I just don't understand your reasons for selling a successful business."

  "Successful. Yes, but it's carries a large raincloud with it, and I don't want the Cabbage Patch Foundation to suffer because of my ties to a sex store."

  "You think people are that narrow minded."

  "The kind that contribute to the foundation are that narrow minded. I don't need to provide the hoity toity of Omaha with ammunition to damage the foundation. We caught some heat for dispensing condoms at our clinics. Which I just don't get, you realize that last year Omaha had the highest rate of Chlamydia in the entire United States."

  "Constantina, the foundation is doing a lot of good things. Don't let a few stuffed shirts keep you from your path. Breakfast was wonderful, but I truly do need to be going, or I won't leave at all. Why don't you walk me to the door?"

  Thomas grabbed her hand and pulled her out of her seat. He put on his coat and gathered his suitcase as she followed closely behind him. When he got to the door, he turned around and stole another kiss. "Have a good day baby. I'll see you at seven."

  Connie stood at the door, watching him pull out of her driveway; she was so out of her league with him. "Thomas, please be the real deal," she whispered to herself.

  ***

  Connie was taking a short break when her phone rang. "Hello this is Connie Jacobs. How can I help you?"

  "Hey Con, it's Jenna and Samantha. We called to get the details on your weekend."

  "Do you guys have me on speaker phone?"

  "Yeah, but we're in Jenna's office, now spill it."

  "I don't know what you're talking about."

  "Connie, Sam and I saw the picture of you and Thomas in the local entertainment section of the newspaper. You can't make me believe that you two didn't sex each other up this weekend. Besides that, you haven't answered your phone all weekend. So give us some details! Now how good was he?"

  Connie didn't speak for several meetings. "Thomas is the best I ever had. He took his time to give me what I needed."

  "Woo hoo! When are you seeing him again?"

  "He's supposed to come over tonight for dinner. I don't want either one of you calling me, not unless Jenna goes into labor early."

  "Oh, damn! Every time I get comfortable junior presses against my bladder." Jenna left the office to go to the restroom.

  "What wrong with Jenna?"

  "She had to go pee. Now just between the two of us, do you think Thomas could become an indispensable part of your life?"

  "I don't know Sam. There are aspects about Thomas that I genuinely enjoy, but he also has a lot control issues. Tell me something Sam, why did you invite Thomas to your New Year's Eve party, especially after I expressed my dislike for him."

  "For the reason I told you. He looks at you as if you're a dream walking. When you're not pretending to hate him, your eyes get all misty every time he walks into a room. You want him Connie, and that's all the motivation I needed. I want you to be happy in a relationship and I'm all about doing my part. I'm just glad that you two finally started communicating."

  "We've been communicating all right. We communicated so well, we almost didn't make it to work this morning.

  "I heard from a reliable source that you and Thomas disappeared during the Valentine's Day dance. When you came back almost an hour later, Thomas couldn't keep his hands off you. Did you do something naughty with Thomas at the dance? If so, you know you got my approval, sex can be much more exciting when there's a chance you might get caught."

  "I am so not going to answer that question. We just took a little stroll to talk about his business trip."

  "Really! I don't believe that for one moment. Did you wow him with your sex toys this weekend? He seems like the type who would assuredly get into a little play."

  Connie pursed her lips together; she wasn't comfortable about discussing her sex life. "You're still on your honeymoon; I can't believe you're interested in my sex life."

  "I'm just teasing you Con, I know how tight lipped you are about sex and giving up the goodies. My advice to you is to live in the moment and stop looking for flaws. If you're not too busy this week give us a call, maybe we can do lunch or something."

  "Thanks Sam, I'll call you and Jenna later in the week. I was dreadfully swamped today, and I still have to plan dinner for Thomas tonight."

  "Connie!"

  Connie hung up the phone before Samantha could start plying her with questions. Jenna and Samantha were the best friends a girl could have, but sometimes they tested her sanity.

  ***

  Thomas was reviewing a contract for a new client when his secretary called him on the phone. "Yes Caroline,"

  "Mr. Galvin, uhmm Thomas, your ex-wife is here to see you."

  When he saw the picture of him and Constantina in the paper looking as though they're in love, he expected questions from his family. He wasn't surprised that Elise decided to show, she always was territorial, even though they're divorced. "Send her in Caroline." Thomas went back to reviewing the contract determine that Elise wouldn't ruin his day.

  "Thomas I know you're busy, but I would l
ike your full attention."

  Thomas finished reading the paragraph before turning his attention to Elise. "Okay Elise, what do I owe this displeasure?" Thomas had to admit that she looked good. Her glorious red hair fell down in waves around her shoulder. Her makeup, impeccable, she was excellent at playing up her green eyes. As usual, she dressed as if she were headed for the red carpet. She flaunted the diamond drop earrings with a matching necklace and bracelet. According to the rumor mill, she was getting married again to some Wall Street sucker.

  "Oh Thomas I was just in the neighborhood when I decided to drop by."

  Thomas gave her his full attention, "Quit playing games with me, state your business and be on your way."

  Elise took a seat directly across from Thomas, crossing her legs. "I saw your picture in the entertainment section of the newspaper. I just wanted to know if the rumors were true. Did you hooked up with that slag from the Cabbage Patch Foundation. I don't know what was more troubling the fact that you've stooped so low to find my replacement or that stupid lovesick expression on your face."

  "Jealous."

  "Not jealous darling. Just curious."

  "There comes a time in a man's life when he grows up and learns how to appreciate a real woman when he finds her." The flash of red on Elise's pale cheeks let Thomas know that his jab hit it home. If a man had called Constantina a slag, he would have beat him into the floor.

  "She's a little nobody that inherited everything she has. For God's sake, some black witch in North Omaha raised her. You're an established businessman with a reputation to uphold. How can you be so complacent when your future is at stake?"

  "I refused to discuss my relationship with Constantina to you of all people. I think you need a reminder of history. I was an up and coming lawyer when my wife and business partner, you took it upon herself to defraud our clients. You skated through prison just like everything else. How did you manage to serve only 18 months of a seven year sentence?"

  Elise smiled like a Cheshire cat, "what can I say, daddy has friends in high places. I was released for good behavior. This brings me to the real reason why I'm here. I know that you're the CEO of the Chisum Group. I have some property in Elkhorn that I need to sell before I moved to New York."

  "So contact a realtor."

  "I know that you have contacts with land developers looking for such an opportunity."

  "So why come to me, certainly you know that I would never take you on as a client."

  Elise uncrossed her legs and sat forward, "You've been tremendously successful bringing new business to Omaha. I have 500 acres of prime real estate left to me through my grandmother."

  "I'm sure your daddy has plenty of contacts. Why bring this deal to me?"

  Elise gave Thomas her brightest smile. "Well daddy and I are had a little disagreement on the sale of the property. He wants me to hold it in a trust for my future children."

  "Except that you're a greedy bitch looking for fast cash. You thought that I would help you unload the property and jab the judge at the same time. No dice Elise find another sucker to play your games. Now excuse me, I have urgent business to attend, you can see yourself out."

  "Okay Thomas, I hope you don't live to regret your decision." She left his office in a hurry and slammed the door on the way out.

  "Good riddance."

  "What did that viper want?"

  Aaron Colton, his best friend, and co-counsel stepped into his office thrusting his body into a chair. "Calm down Aaron, my witchy ex-wife isn't worming her way back into my good graces. She trying to pull a slick move on her daddy and thought I might fall for the bait."

  "I'll never understand what you saw in her. With those frosty green eyes and blood red lips, she's what I imagined a living corpse to appear."

  "You never expressed this opinion of her while we were married."

  "Sure I did. I told you if you married that poisonous bitch, she'd make your life a living hell. Once you were married I avoided her at all costs."

  "I remember you trying to save me from myself at the bachelor party, but what can I say I had my future all mapped out, and Elise was a part of that future."

  "Enough about that trollop, just talking about her makes me feel dirty. What's going on with you and Connie Jacobs? I saw your picture in the paper; you've been unusually low key about your attraction to her."

  "Constantina is like no woman I've ever met. When I'm with her, she makes me a better man."

  Thomas didn't know it, but he was in love with Connie Jacobs, this time he had Aaron's approval. "I knew she was important to you months ago when you chewed her out for changing her tire on I80."

  "She's lucky I didn't paddle her ass. I wasn't her favorite person back then; I was just as surprised as you were when she allowed me to drive her back to Omaha. The truce didn't last long we were back at each other's throats at the next city council meeting."

  I know you Thomas you've never gone through so much trouble over a woman before. Do I hear wedding bells in your future?"

  "No so loud, Constantina is not the most trusting woman. If she got wind of my real intentions, I'd never get close to her again, and that's just not acceptable."

  "Congratulations Tommy! This time you've chosen well for yourself. Don't rush her; Connie doesn't seem like the type of woman you can push around."

  "You're right about that, she's as stubborn as a mule, but she challenges me Aaron, and that's what keeps me coming back for more."

  ***

  Connie stopped at Walgreen's on the way home to purchase a copy of Sunday's Metropolitan Newspaper. She sat inside her car thumbing through the sections until she reached the cover of the entertainment section. "Oh no." She stared at the photo of her and Thomas. She looked like a woman in love, she had suppressed her true feelings for Thomas.

  Connie didn't know where this thing with Thomas was leading, but she hated wearing her heart on her sleeve. She hoped Thomas never saw the photo. No wonder Samantha and Jenna called her trying to pump her about Thomas. She drove home feeling more confused than ever; what would Thomas think if he saw that photo.

  It was 5:30 pm by the time she got home. She changed her clothes and went to the kitchen to make dinner for Thomas. Connie decided to make an easy meal of broiled pork chops and scallop potatoes. As she peeled the potatoes her cell phone rang, she didn't expect to hear from Jenna or Samantha, so Thomas was probably calling her.

  "Hello."

  "Constantina, it's Thomas, I'm going to have to take a rain check on dinner. I'm heading out to San Diego tomorrow on an unexpected business trip. I was hoping to catch you before you started on dinner."

  "Not a problem Thomas I was just starting to peel potatoes, so you're off the hook." Connie was surprised at the relief Thomas's call brought her.

  "Baby you've got it all wrong, I don't want to be let off the hook. Our relationship is new, and the last thing I want to do is go out of town. I would ask you to go with me, but I realize how unreasonable my request would be."

  "Thomas don't feel guilty because you have to work, believe me, I understand." She continued peeling potatoes, deciding to make a smaller batch for herself.

  "In case you're wondering, I do consider us a couple Constantina. Just because, I'm going out of town for a couple of days doesn't change that."

  "Don't I have any say in the matter?"

  "You do baby, and I got your answer last weekend. I staked my claim, and you accepted. I have to go. I need to finish the contract I'm working on before I catch an early flight out to San Diego tomorrow. I'll call you as soon as I can and save Friday night for me, I'd like to take you out to dinner."

  "Okay Thomas, I'll save Friday night for you. Have a safe trip."

  "Dream of me Constantina and stay out of trouble while I'm gone."

  "Good bye Thomas." Connie put the potatoes on the stove and retrieved the ingredients for a salad from the refrigerator. She was over thinking her relationship with Thomas. She would go with the flow and en
joy her time with him. When it was over, she would thank him for the memories and kiss him good-bye.

  ***

  Chapter 9

  It was early Tuesday morning, and Connie hadn't slept a wink. Thomas's defection bruised her ego, making her feel like an idiot. She opened herself up to him, and he took advantage of the situation. Just like a vampire draining the local blood bank. She refused to dwell in the dry riverbed of self-depreciation.

  Making love with Thomas this weekend was the ten greatest experiences in her life. Thomas didn't mislead her, he was a hunter used to getting any woman he wanted. She was just another in a long line of many. Connie would file their recent weekend together as a treasured memory and move on. She would not spend the day focused on Thomas. She had a business to tend to, and a foundation to manage.

  Connie attacked her morning workout with a high level of ferociousness. After a quick shower, to appease her ravenous hunger she ate an egg white omelet, washing it down with orange juice. She looked at the contents of her refrigerator deciding to splurge for dinner with garlic mash potatoes and a steak. She left her house at 6:30 am to avoid most of the rush hour traffic on I480. She reached her office in twenty minutes ready to jump into work.

  She hung up her coat and adjusted the thermostat. Once the coffee was on, she pulled up her files for the Cabbage Patch Foundation. The net amount raised from the Valentine's Day dance amazed her. From all accounts, the foundation added a half million dollars to its coffers.

  Roxie, the foundation's events coordinator provided her with the names of donors from the dance. She went through the database updating the donor list. Her eyes skimmed down the screen immediately noticing two new donors. Thomas donated five thousand, and the Chisum Group donated ten thousand. She recognized the Chisum Group as Thomas's client, the land swap client. Interesting, she wondered what Thomas did to wrangle a donation from the group.

  She looked at the calendar noting her speaking engagement at the Domestic Violence conference was coming up soon. The foundation's next fundraiser is the Mother's Day luncheon the Saturday before Mother's Day. It was not as successful as the Valentine's Day dance, but it was good to see mothers and daughters out for a day of celebration.