She peered at me as if she already knew that an alluring, sexy man was on the other end of the transaction. “What kind of deal?” she asked and clung to every word that had yet to come out of my mouth.
“With the devil, honey,” I said standing and walking around to sit on the edge of my desk, in front of an even more intrigued Shayla. “He’s this sexy as the devil gentleman named Montie Brown who’s outsourcing one of his software projects to us.”
“Well, you’re the best he could have found for coding software,” Shayla offered, but her side eye was strong as she studied me.
“Yeah, my team will do a bang-up job working with him. He will be pleased.” As much as I tried to fight away the thought of it, the inescapable vision of a satisfied look on Montie’s face as he did a bang-up job on me impaled my brain.
“I have no doubt about that,” Shayla said, calling my attention back to her side eye.
“About what?” I asked, having gotten lost in the banter.
“That you’ll do a good job for your client and that he will be pleased. Where is your head at? Wait a minute. You are smitten with him, already. No, what am I saying? Of course, you’re smitten with him already. Come on, Lissa…no.”
“Oh Shayla. I can’t stop thinking about doing things that have nothing to do with my assignment. I only have a track record of lasting a few weeks before I pounce on someone like him, so the struggle is about to get real having to be in the same space with the finger licking good eligible bachelor.”
“Cry me a river,” Shayla said, finally cutting her vicious eyes away from me. “You can handle not jumping that man’s bones if you exercise some self-control.”
Self-control. That’s exactly what I charged myself with doing this year. The ‘year of yes to no.’ It’s so incredibly amazing how fast that went out the window when Montie’s chocolate brown orbs licked me up and down and I didn’t want him to stop. But hey, that was just sexual frustration—something I’d be damned if I let it get in the way of true happiness again.
Whew. Glad I had that talk with myself. Now back to Shayla.
“I’m trying to control myself, Shayla. A man like Montie Brown gets all in your pores, though,” I began.
“Oh, where have I heard that line before?”
“I’ve never said that.”
“Yes, you did. You said it about Seth when we were on the airplane headed home from that conference and you also said, ‘it is going to be hard to go back to Atlanta and not think about him’.”
“I was such a poor and misguided soul back then.” I shook my head. “And you had no sympathy for my pain then, and you still have none now.”
Shayla laughed and nodded her head. “You’re right about that. I don’t have sympathy for you, because you decide whom to let in your life. When Titus was sleeping with Rhonda right under my nose, I decided to ignore it and pretend it would go away. I sacrificed my happiness for a shamble of a marriage, until I woke up and decided to face the music. If you jump in the sack with Montie, knowing that you have major business on the line and that he’s more than likely an Atlanta bed hopper, that’s you. I don’t advise it, but I won’t be mad at you either. I’ll be here for you in the end, good or bad—matron of honor or cell mate.”
“That’s what I love about you.”
“What part?”
“I get endless free therapy sessions. I’m working hard to stay on the right track, and sometimes I need a nudge back to the other side,” I admitted.
Work was my midnight passion. I had gotten used to not thinking about the prospect of any other love. Having confided my thoughts about Montie to Shayla, I still hadn’t convinced myself to never cross the line with him. However, when she left my office and I was alone again, I forbade the memories of Montie to enter my mind for the remainder of the day as my team and I worked diligently on the Holistic Medical software.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Montie
Hard Work
“Why if it isn’t Mr. Montie Brown of True Colors Technology! I was beginning to think your true colors were dodging my phone calls,” Mr. Bromage’s sarcasm greeted me when I entered his office on a surprise visit. Certain that the contents of my briefcase would make him a very happy man, I cracked a half grin and planted a firm handshake on him.
“Mr. Bromage, I haven’t been dodging your calls. I’ve been working. That’s what software coders do; we work behind our computers and leave the phone conversations to our assistants,” I corrected him in a tone that brooked no further bloviating.
“Well, I’ve been calling and leaving messages with your secretary. She said you were busy each time. I expect an open line of communication with all of my service providers,” Mr. Bromage said.
“Shalanda’s able to answer any questions that you may have in the future. She’s as knowledgeable about your project and any questions that you may have as I am. If there’s something she can’t answer, she’ll find the answer and get it to you within the hour.” A few moments of dead silence lingered between us before he looked at my briefcase. “On a different note, I think you’ll be more interested in what I was able to produce for you.”
“Touché.” Mr. Bromage pointed to the seat in front of his desk then walked around and sat behind his.
“As you know, I promised your software in one month with a stretch goal of two weeks.” I began unlatching my briefcase. “I’m pleased to present the final product to you today, ahead of schedule and under budget.”
“You have it ready now?”
I nodded.
“That’s worth the wait and all the missed calls, Mr. Brown. When can we get it loaded on our computers,” he squeaked out an octave higher than his usual voice.
“First, we need to test it out. Would you have time to do that, if we set up a test environment on one of your PCs?”
“Are you kidding? I have nothing but time for this, hold on.” He picked up his phone and dialed a series of numbers. “I need for you to reschedule any meetings I have on the book and hold my calls until I tell you different…okay…thanks!”
“I see I’m not the only one who holds calls to handle important business,” I joked.
He laughed and gave me a curt nod. “Touché again. Follow me into the coders’ office, and let’s take a look at this program.”
Three hours later, the software was thoroughly explained to Mr. Bromage and his staff. Accompanying directions were gone over in detail by Mr. Bromage and his management team. The design was vibrant and seamless, and everyone was pleased. His team navigated through the different systems within the first thirty minutes without much assistance. My team, along with the help of Lissa’s company, had created a masterpiece. I patted myself on the back as I walked out of Mr. Bromage’s office with a six-figure check and the promise to use our licensed software for more offices, both new and established.
“Lissa,” I called to tell her the good news and she answered on the second ring.
“Montie, how did it go?” she asked, her excitement barely contained.
“Knocked it out the park. He’s bought licenses for their network and will use the software for all new offices to come,” I said, with a smile that could stretch from Georgia to Alabama.
“This is celebration worthy,” she said before I had the chance to ask her to dinner.
“That’s why I called to ask you out to dinner,” I said.
“Give me about an hour and I’ll meet you somewhere. Where do you want to go?”
“Meet me at Debonair’s on Parkway Drive.”
“I’ll see you there in thirty,” she hung up.
I called Shalonda and asked her to set everything up for our late lunch date. I also invited her to join us, since she helped to make this success possible. Shalonda had a doctor’s appointment that she couldn’t miss, so she declined my offer. Lissa and I would be dining alone. That was a prospect I wasn’t disappointed about at all.
I drove to the bank to deposit Bromage’s check and to
have one drawn up for Lissa’s company. When I walked into Debonair’s thirty-five minutes later, Lissa was seated at our reserved table looking stunning. I stood by the bar and stared at her. She wore another of her signature navy blue dresses with an oversized red belt that fit snuggly around her small waist. She sat poised tapping her red heels against the tile floor and sipping on a mimosa. Her lips wrapped around her straw leaving traces of her golden gloss. What I wouldn’t give to be the soda flowing through her straw, being sucked up inside of her and becoming one with her composition. I shook that notion away and used mind over matter to will the erection burgeoning in my slacks back under control. Finally, I moved in her direction.
“Do you mind if I join you?” I asked with the sneer of a winner.
“Don’t mind if you do,” she stood and extended her arm for a quick hug.
I placed a drink order and began telling her about Bromage’s reaction to the software. “He was impressed by the colorful design that you came up with. That was the most creative design I have ever seen, so I know it’s going to be a popular draw.”
“Well, I’m glad he liked it,” she said in a humbled tone.
“Are you ready to take over the game?” I asked and raised my glass to hers.
She lifted her glass and clanked it to mine. “I just want to do what I love. It feels good to be paid for my talents.”
“In doing what you love, you have no option but to be at the top, because no one else can do you better than you, Lissa,” I told her.
“You’re right. I’m trying,” she said offering me a modest smile.
“I get that you’re humble about being the greatest. Don’t you do it to do your best…to be the best?”
“We all have different reasons, I assume.” Her gaze left mine for far too long. I couldn’t tell what was on her pretty little mind. I sat my glass down on the table and peered at her. The brilliant beauty sitting across from me intrigued me. How could she make it so far and not know that she’s the best of the best?
“What’s your reason?” I asked.
She placed her glass down and looked into my eyes. “To prove that I don’t depend on a man,” she said bluntly. “I’ve always been creative. When people saw things in black and white, I could envision the colors blended in. I knew the patterns that would make it pop and could imagine a blank canvas a thousand ways.”
“Yeah, I can see that about you. Your eyes lit up when I gave you the general idea for the holistic software and what you came up with was amazing.”
“It just comes to me all at once and I can see it as clear as day. The only thing I have to do is snap that picture in my mind and get it coded into actual software,” she said and took a sip of her wine.
“The technical part is probably where it’s less fun, right?”
“Yep,” she laughs. “I figured by this point in my life I would have recoded the world and moved to China with the man of my dreams to start a family, but this stuff apparently takes time,” she said and laughed.
“Oh, yeah? Ha! Why China?” I asked.
“Come on, it’s a techie’s dream, the technology superpower of the world. I think I would be in heaven there with all of the next generation thinkers.”
“I can see that happening for you,” I said and smiled. “I can see you accomplishing both of those goals.” There was a long pause, during the time we both take sips from our drinks.
“What about you? What’s your reason for opening your business and going out and landing juggernaut deals like you do? I mean, you have established a well-known business with high integrity and that says a lot about you.” She gave me her full attention as she awaited my answer.
“My family.” I pushed my drink to the side and fiddled with my silverware. “You want to move to China and start a family. Me, I decided to start a business for my wife and two children. With my degree, I could have easily gotten a cozy, high-paying job and we would have lived well, but I started True Colors Technology because I wanted to leave a legacy for my children. I wanted to build something that would feed my offspring for years to come. I had a vision of doing what I did today hundreds of times over and really growing a big company. I grinded day and night. I stayed up on the industry, networked and worked my ass off and, yeah, it took time.”
“From the looks of things, you have accomplished your goals. You should be proud,” she said.
“I am proud of the business,” I said. But what did I really have to be proud of outside of the confines of True Colors Tech? The very people I worked for fled the state to lead the life I imagined for them without me in the picture. The wealth I worked so hard to achieve was handed to Jacob when he was born, and what was his reward? My family. I worked hard and ended up without anyone to share it. What a shitty deal?
“Well, why does it seem like you’re not satisfied? Like there is so much competing for space in your mind right now?” Lissa asked with concern etched into the soft features of her face.
Was it that obvious? “I’m contemplating my next move. I always stay a step ahead of new blood looking to come along, review our software and one up me using my own creation as a template,” I shifted the subject to something more comfortable, and I was thankful she went along with me.
“Been there before, but you know what they say? The only reward for hard work…”
“Is more hard work,” I cut in, finishing her sentence.
“Don’t I know it?” She took another sip of her drink.
“Are you ready to order?” I asked.
“I thought you’d never ask. At the rate I’m going, I’ll be drunk before the food gets to the table.”
“Well, let’s get this party started.” I waved our waitress over to place our order.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Lissa
Close Call
“I had a lot of fun with you today,” I began. “So much fun that I don’t want it to end.” I stopped just before adding that I didn’t want to be alone. I didn’t do desperate. It had to be the mimosas talking, as is, since I had absolutely no problem admitting to Montie that I wanted to spend more time with him. We had already spent the evening together, sitting at the restaurant laughing and talking for hours on hours.
“I had fun with you, too. You really have a good sense of humor, Lissa.” A grin creeped up on his cheeks, causing an adorable crease. “Like when you told the waiter that knock-knock joke, I thought I was going to die of laughter because of how silly you were,” Montie cracked up, reminding me of just how carefree I allowed myself to be with him.
“I made a fool of myself, I’m sure,” I said, giggling.
“No, it was cute actually. I like that about you. You don’t mind exposing your fun side.”
“So, do you mind if we go for a walk? I’ll tell you more jokes,” I probed.
He stared into my eyes. I was sure he was considering if he wanted to spend more personal time with his colleague with whom he’d just signed a lucrative contract. I weighed the same thought and my desire to be in his presence longer won.
“I mean, if you don’t want to, that’s fine. I have a good book to read at home,” I pushed back my invite to avoid his rejection. “I just thought it would be better to talk to an actual human for a while longer,” I admitted, while running my hand slowly up and down my bare arms.
Montie took off his jacket and wrapped it around my shoulders to ward away the April night’s air. Again, a slight dimple creased his right cheek as he smiled. I should’ve ran in the opposite direction the first time my panties started melting over the sight of that dent. Instead, I moved even closer to where he stood and waited for his answer to my offer.
“I didn’t have anything but cleaning my patio planned for this evening. I’d much rather spend my time in the presence of a pretty woman, who’s smart and hilariously funny.”
“Don’t you flirt with me,” I said, patting him on the shoulder as the effects of the mimosas turned up a little more.
“Okay,”
he shrugged his shoulders.
“You give up quickly,” I laughed.
“You’re too much, Ms. Lissa.”
We began walking toward my car.
“I just like to have fun.”
He scanned the area, looking at the random people walking around. “How about we walk in my neighborhood? It’s pretty safe there.”
“That’s fine by me,” I agreed.
“Follow me, then,” he said.
Anywhere, I thought as “sure” slipped easily from my mouth.
***
“I can do the whop and the cabbage patch better than you,” I said and doubled over with cackles when Montie started rolling his shoulders to do the cabbage patch. We had walked for an hour around his quiet neighborhood, and I house- and people-watched, while we got to know more about each other. To avoid getting deep into our pasts, we talked about what we wanted out of the future. I found that Montie wanted nothing more than to be an outstanding father to his children, and watching his passion as he talked about them let me know that he already was. I didn’t have any children, so I couldn’t opine on the feeling of being a parent, unless you count the unspeakable joy I had for my god children. Therefore, when it came time for me to talk about myself, I told him of one of my well-kept secret joys, my love of dancing. That’s how our dance off began. Standing there watching Montie cabbage patch was funnier than any of my knock-knock jokes.
“I thought you said you could dance,” Montie said when he started kicking toward me, engaging me in a Kid and Play footwork battle. I joined him and we kicked. Our feet interlocked and we spun around.
“What just happened?” I asked, when he ended up with his arm around my waist pulling me to stand straight up. “Did your house just shift or is the earth moving?” I asked, knowing either one meant I needed to lay my drunk tail down.
“You almost fell when we spun around.”
“Good catch,” I said and touched the side of my head that was still spinning in circles.
Breathless 4: Loving Montie Page 8