Her Man: An Interracial Romance (The Bentini Brothers Book 2)

by Jaye McCloud

  “Okay, then when can I see you? Tonight?” He asks hopefully.

  “I don’t know Allen, I’m really busy with these projects that Mrs. Bentini has me working on—” Cutting me off with obvious frustration, Allen demands. “Then when, Tiressa?”

  “Give me time to check my agenda to see what I’m doing today. I’ll call you and maybe we can meet for lunch.” Although he clearly is not pleased to be put off, he reluctantly agrees to wait for my call. As the elevator doors close, I release a pent up breath I wasn’t even aware I had been holding.

  ***

  “So, give me a run down on what has already been taken care of and what remains to be done.” Mrs. Bentini sits at her desk waiting impatiently for me to give her an update as Kathy and Michael Elliot, the party planner, take a seat at the small conference table in the corner of her large office. Mr. Elliot looks at me as if it’s my fault that Mrs. Bentini doesn’t ask him to give the update. “Yes mam. The venue, guest list, invitations, decorations, food and beverages, have all been decided on and taken care of. What remains to be done are the music selection, party favors, and entertainment. I’m sure you have your own ideas, but we’ll also need to meet with Adam and Jason to find out what their preferences are.” I reply, quickly scanning my notes. Looking up, I catch Kathy’s smiling wink as she covertly nods her head toward the event planner. Slanting him a look, I almost burst out laughing at his resentful expression…he is so full of himself. It takes a few minutes, but he eventually loosens up and the meeting goes smoothly with everyone contributing ideas and opinions.

  “The party is coming up very soon. I want to go over the additional staff that will be either provided by B&S or hired from outside by you, Mr. Elliot. Tiressa, meet with Antonio, to see what he has planned in regards to security for the event. Note to all, I want us to meet to discuss the progress of the party at least twice more before the day of the event. Girls, Mr. Elliot, I expect everything to go off without so much as a wrinkle. This is important to my sons; therefore it is important to me.” She gives us her ‘Don’t fuck this up look’. But she’s too much of a lady to ever say such words. And really, it’s not necessary, because that look generally says it for her.

  Although Michael Elliot appears offended at the mere suggestion that anything he’s involved with could possibly not be great, Kathy looks at Mrs. Bentini with confidence and assures her that we will make this party everything that Jason and Adam could wish for.

  I guess Kathy and Mr. Elliot can afford to brim with self-confidence. Although he’s a complete snob, he’s a professional and has worked with the Bentini’s before. I’m not anywhere near as confident. This is the first time that I have had such a large role in helping plan and launch one of Mrs. Bentini’s events. It’s imperative that we do an excellent job.

  “Kathy, I’m so glad that you know what you’re doing because I sure as hell wouldn’t be able to manage all the moving pieces on my own. You have the experience and I’m thankful for it.”

  “Thanks. I know exactly how you feel. Don’t forget somebody had to teach me. But I’ll tell you this –whenever you need to know anything about event planning, go to Ms. McDonald. She’s the expert of all experts and she’s always willing to share what she knows. I couldn’t have survived this long without her help.”

  After the meeting, Kathy and I go our separate ways. She has errands to run and I plan on working in my office.

  ***

  “Umm, I’ve missed you.” Antonio breathes against my lips as he wraps his arms around my waist and lifts me up for a tender kiss. “Antonio.” Winding my arms around his neck, I return his kisses with enthusiasm…until reality intrudes and I make him put me back on my feet –but I can’t get him to step away. “Antonio, I’ve missed you too and I’m so glad you’re back.”

  “You know I wouldn’t have left town if it wasn’t really important.”

  “Antonio, I’m not some clinging vine. I know that your business sometimes takes you out of town. I know that and I don’t expect you to change your business practices for me.”

  “That’s one of the things I love about you.” He says tasting my lips again. “I want to see you tonight. Although we’ve talked almost every night, we haven’t been together in days. Do you want to see me, Tiressa?” His voice is husky and hopeful as he leans in to nuzzle my neck. Turning my head, I capture his lips and show him how much I’ve missed him too. “Yes, Antonio. I want to see you tonight.” I whisper in between hot wet kisses. “And, as much as I love the way you’re making me feel, we have to stop. We’re supposed to be discussing the security you will have in place at your brothers’ birthday bash.”

  “Baby, men don’t have bashes. And I can’t focus on anything but the need to bury myself deep inside you.” He lustily admits as he tightens his hold and begins kissing me with more heat and a lot more passion; his fingers searching out my pebble hard nipples through my blouse. “How long are you going to keep me waiting, this is torture!” His long firm fingers glide down to stroke my tingling core through the material of my slacks and panties. “Are you ready for me to make love to you again?”

  “Yes, I’m more than ready, but we have a few more days before we can.” I pant nervously, because I suspect Antonio would take me on my desk if I let him. He has me so moist and aching that I’m not sure if I’d stop him or help him.

  We’re given a brief warning before my office door suddenly opens and Adam bursts in, coming to a surprised stop. I automatically jerk out of Antonio’s arms stepping back from him. Adam’s eyebrows are practically in his hairline as he stares at us in shock.

  “Oh shit! Excuse me! I didn’t mean to barge in.” He starts rambling. “I just wanted to talk to you about some ideas I had …well, actually never mind about that… I’ll talk to you later… apparently you’re—damn… I’m just going to leave...” Adam looks at his brother one last time and rushes out of my office.

  Antonio looks at me, lips quirked, obviously amused. “Deja vu.”

  “Yeah, deja vu. You’ve got to start locking my door when you come into my office, Antonio.” Chuckling, he agrees. “That would probably be wise, since I can’t keep my hands off you, especially when we’re alone.”

  “Oh Tony, it’s not funny.” My voice quivers, I feel like crying. I’m ashamed of being caught like that—with Antonio’s hands clearly where they shouldn’t have been, at least not here at work. “We’re supposed to be keeping our relationship a secret and now here’s one more person who knows about us.”

  Sitting on the edge of my desk, Antonio places his finger under my chin and coaxes me until I raise my face to his. “I hate seeing you so upset, Ti. You’re making more out of this than it is.” When I begin to protest, he silences me with a quick kiss. “I’ll talk to Adam. You’ll see, there’s nothing to worry about. Adam will keep our secret, the same as Will and Kathy.”

  “Oh no, not him too? William knows about us?” I can’t help trembling at the thought.

  “Ti, my brother is a lot of things, but stupid isn’t one of them. Of course, he knows about us. And if he had any lingering doubts, my behavior at the company picnic took care of that.”

  “Tony.”

  “Baby, why are you freaking out about this? This is an office building and any place there are people, secrets don’t stay secrets for long. You weren’t this upset when my father found out about us.”

  He’s right, it’s more distressing that William Bentini knows than it is that Mr. Bentini knows…at least Mr. Bentini is kinder and likes me.

  “Tony, what are we going to do?”

  “I told you, I’m going to take care of it.” Standing and pulling me up with him, he gives me an affectionate squeeze and a reassuring kiss. It doesn’t make me feel any better, but I do so enjoy the taste of his lips.

  “As much as I don’t want to, I have to go.” I love his hugs, there’s something comfortable and yet wildly erotic about being surrounded by so much hard body –It’s a bonus that he’s so
damn sexy. “I have a meeting in about—” he glances down at his watch— “In about seven minutes.” He says, touching his lips to my forehead before walking to the door.

  “What about going over security for the party?” Which is what we were supposed to be doing.

  “We’ll go over it sometime today. I’ll call you as soon as I get a break in my schedule. If not, I’ll see you before you leave tonight.” With that, he saunters out of my office.

  ***

  “Tiressa Hawkins.” My standard phone greeting.

  “You promised to call me.”

  Shit, I totally forgot. “Allen.”

  “I’ve been checking my cell every two minutes like a damn fool and you sound as if you never had any intensions of actually calling me.”

  “That’s not true Allen. It’s just that I got so busy that I haven’t even had time for lunch yet—”

  “Then come out for a quick bite to eat with me.”

  “I can’t be too far from the office today, I have a meeting sometime this afternoon, and since I don’t know the exact time, it’s best that I stay close by.”

  “Okay, we can have lunch in your office…or how bout walking over to the park across the street for a hotdog.”

  Knowing that it would be better just to get it over with, I agree to meet Allen across the street. “Okay Allen, I’ll meet you at the park by the hotdog vendor in exactly twenty minutes.”

  “Why don’t I meet you down in the lobby and we can walk over together?” My heart skips a beat at the thought…this is so not a good idea, but it wouldn’t seem right if I tried to avoid him –so, I agree to meet him downstairs. “Okay Allen, I’ll see you in twenty minutes.”

  Before going to meet Allen, I let Kathy know that I will be out of the building for a few minutes, and that I’ll be right across the street at the park. Although she gives me a questioning look, she doesn’t ask why; for which I am relieved. As soon as I get to the lobby, Allen walks up to me and tries to take me in his arms.

  “Allen don’t, this is just lunch, nothing more.”

  “If that’s how you want it.” He says reluctantly, placing a hand at the small of my back as we head towards the exit.

  Just my rotten luck, on our way out of the building, I run right smack into Jason and Adam on their way in. “Hi Tiressa.” “Hi Tiressa.” They both greet at the exact same time with twin sexy smiles. However, Adam’s smile drops almost immediately as his gaze switches to Allen, standing closely at my side.

  “Hi Jason, Adam.” I try, but I can’t get my face to relax and my smile feels just as fake and fixed as it is. I’m having a hard time holding Adam’s eyes…I wonder if he’s told Jason about how he caught Antonio and me together. Now, I’m going to be worried that he’ll think I’m some kind of office slut; first his brother, now Allen.

  “Do you know Allen Langston?” I ask, gesturing to a silent Allen.

  “Sure, how’s it going?” Jason says speaking to Allen, but Adam only nods his head in that manly way before turning his attention back to me.

  “Tiressa, we’d like to personally invite you to attend our party …bring a friend. Hell, bring as many friends as you like, especially if they’re female and especially if they’re hot!” Adam is not being very subtle…something else he has in common with his older brothers. I can feel Allen tensing up at the intended slight. “I’m not so sure that’s a good idea. You know how your mom feels about—” Jason cuts me off. “We’re not taking no for an answer. We’ll handle Mother.” He smiles with confidence, reminding me of Antonio when he’s determined to get something he wants. “Okay, thanks for the invite. I’d love to come celebrate with you guys…besides, I haven’t been to a club in a hot minute and I can use a little fun in my life.”

  We banter for a few more minutes before Adam asks, “So where are you two headed, I thought you were supposed to be with my brother this afternoon?”

  Once again, he’s not even trying to be subtle in his meaning. I feel defensive and guilty; like I’ve been caught cheating on Antonio. I don’t really want to say, but knowing that he can be as tenacious as a dog with a bone, I quickly tell him. “My friend Allen here is taking me out to lunch. I’m craving a hotdog from the vendor at the park. I’ll be back soon.” I toss the last part over my shoulder as Allen and I start walking towards the park. I didn’t miss the suspicious look in Adam’s expressive eyes.

  As soon as we enter the park, Allen insists that I have a seat at the picnic table while he gets our hotdogs and drinks. “I don’t really want anything to eat, Allen.”

  “Okay, then would you like something to drink?”

  “Sure, I’ll have a small orange Fanta.”

  “One Fanta orange coming right up.” He shoots me a dazzling smile. Oh, if only Antonio hadn’t entered my life and won my heart.

  When Allen sits down across from me with our drinks, he doesn’t waste time. “I want to show you my divorce papers.”

  “Allen, that’s not necessary.” But he disregards my protest and takes papers out of a folded manila envelope and places them in front of me. “See. Look closely at the seal and you’ll see that the paperwork is authentic. I’ve been divorced for almost three weeks. I’m not married Tiressa. I know I was wrong for not being straight with you right from the start and I’m sorry about that. I’m asking for a chance to correct my mistake. Please, give me another chance.”

  Gazing into Allen’s beautiful topaz eyes, I wish he had never lied to me. But, I can’t change any of that…and now, I’m with another man. “Allen, I believe you. But—”

  “Then we can start over.” Allen says hopefully.

  “Allen, we can’t…I need to tell you—”

  “Yes we can, Tiressa, all you have to do is forgive me; forgive me and give me another chance. I’m sorry and I’ll keep telling you how sorry I am for as long as it takes.”

  “Allen, I’m seeing someone.” I cut in, not wanting him to go on with his futile attempt to get me to change my mind.

  “What? Are you telling me the truth? Or are you just saying that to hurt me?”

  I genuinely like Allen, and I think that maybe he would have been the one, if Antonio hadn’t charged into my life turning it upside down. “I’m telling you the truth Allen.”

  “How long? How long have you been seeing him? Who is it? Is it that bastard Derrick Matthews?!”

  “No, it’s not Derrick Matthews. I told you we are just friends and that still remains true.”

  “Okay, if not him, then who is it?”

  “Allen, I’d rather not say who it is. Our relationship is relatively new and I…we…want to give it some time before we let it be known that we are…you know…that we’re dating.”

  “Tiressa, that sounds a bit like a cop-out.”

  “It’s n—” I begin, but then suddenly we are interrupted by another B&S security officer.

  “Excuse me Ms. Hawkins, Officer Langston. I have been directed to escort Ms. Hawkins back to the building.”

  Before Allen can ask any questions, I ask one of my own. “Johnny isn’t it?” Asking the officer to confirm his name, although I’ve seen him around B&S often enough. “Yes mam, Johnny Bennett.”

  “Officer Bennett, can you please tell me who sent you?” Just as he’s about to reply, I hear the low ring tone of my cell. “Excuse me gentlemen.” Pulling my cell phone out, I answer the call.

  “How in the hell do you expect me to keep our relationship fucking secret if you’re having a lover’s tryst right under my fucking nose. You don’t have any idea how much restraint it’s taking to keep from coming over there. But make no mistake about it, I will break his fucking legs if you don’t allow Officer Bennett to escort you to me.” The line goes dead, and for a few seconds more, I sit there stunned.

  “Tiressa. Are you okay? Who was that?” Allen asks with obvious concern. The sound of his voice snaps me out of my paralysis and I quickly get to my feet. “Allen, I’m late for that meeting I told you about. I have to go
, they’re waiting for me.” There’s a slight quiver in my voice and I don’t make eye contact with either men as I toss my drink in the receptacle and begin walking away with Officer Bennett. Allen jumps up. “Wait Tiressa. Can I call you?”

  “No Allen. That wouldn’t be a good idea.”

  ***

  Officer Bennett stays by my side even when we get inside the B&S building. “I’m sure you’re busy Officer Bennett, I can find my way there on my own.”

  “I’m sorry mam; I was given specific orders to escort you directly to Mr. Bentini himself.”

  “I understand.” I say no more as I continue walking quietly by his side. I thought he was taking me to the fifth floor where Antonio has an office, but instead we get off on the second floor. In all the time I’ve worked at B&S, I’ve never been to the second floor before. This area of the building is totally different from any other. It’s very masculine –overflowing with security personnel, both uniformed and plain clothes, tons of equipment and everything else needed to run a top notch security firm.

  Officer Bennett walks me to the reception desk. “Ms. Fuller, Ms. Hawkins is here to see Mr. Bentini.” I greet Antonio’s secretary. I’ve never met her before, but I like that she’s a middle-aged woman wearing a wedding ring. “Please go right in. Mr. Bentini is expecting you.” Officer Bennett walks me down a short carpeted hallway to an office with two huge doors. After receiving a terse “Enter”, he opens one of the doors and ushers me inside.

  “Ms. Hawkins, as requested, Sir.” Officer Bennett announces behind me, from just inside the doorway. Without turning from the large window he’s looking out of, Antonio thanks the officer. “Thank you Bennett.”

  I guess that’s Officer Bennett’s cue to leave, because without another word, he turns and exits. Not sure how to approach this Antonio–the detached all powerful executive—I remain standing just inside the doorway.

  As I’m waiting for him to speak to me, my eyes roam all over his brightly lit, understated, masculine office. After about a minute or two, Antonio finally addresses me. “It seems that part of my duties as your current lover, is warning off your old boyfriends. Why were you with Allen Langston?”