The Shadow Box

by Ke, Alexis

  Side by side they walked to the area in front of the hotel. The company they were wooing was sending a car. Thank God, a third party.

  Chapter Two

  “What’s wrong with your head?” He’d probably seen her rub her temple and the back of her head on more than one occasion that day. Simon reached over to touch Afryca’s face and she withdrew, pushing herself to the far side of the chair. “What?”

  “Nothing.”

  “You’ve been rubbing your head all day. Did you hit it or something?”

  She coughed when the memory of how she got the lump resurfaced in her brain. “No, just a headache, that’s all.” She lied.

  No way would she ever tell him what had really happened. She laughed at herself and it pissed her off. The last thing she needed was her secret feelings for Simon to be thrown back into her face. She stared at him for the briefest of moments before cutting her gaze toward the window and at the passing cars.

  “I think I’m going to grab a rental and head straight home. This way you won’t have to go out of your way and drop me off.

  “You’ll do no such thing.” Simon steered the car onto the ramp leading toward the freeway and her home.

  She didn’t want him to be near her home. Wouldn’t that put him awfully close to her bed? What if he wanted to come in? Have something to drink. . . to eat. She shivered at the thought of him getting any closer to her than he had the past two days. The days had been grueling to say the least. Every day it was something new, something bolder. If he wore a suit during the day it was jeans in the evening. At one point she thought he was doing it to torment her, but that would mean he knew. He didn’t know she existed except as a friend and he certainly didn’t know how she felt about him and he never would. There were no plans in her future to tell him either. Even if he somehow found out about her feelings, he wouldn’t, couldn’t do anything about it. She would be mortified.

  She’d admitted to herself a long time ago that her insatiable passion for sex a little on the wild side was not the norm. She loved her body. She loved how it felt when aroused. To have a man’s tongue on her, stroking her, lapping and laving, drove her crazy. Just thinking about his cock impaling her drove her to explosion. The thought of Simon doing her the way she wished was unheard of. He was too tame, too quiet, and too safe.

  He’d probably run for the hills and never speak to her again if she told him her innermost secret fantasies of him in her bed, between her legs, behind her, on top of her and under her. Or his face buried between her thighs, or his tongue torturing her clit. She’d even fantasized about him imbedding his thick cock in her ass while she rode his fingers as they stroked her dripping pussy. She shivered inward and prayed when she got out of the car her butt didn’t have a wet spot on it because she was definitely wet. She squirmed in the seat.

  “Really, you don’t have to drop me off.”

  “Stop being a pain. Something’s been up your ass since yesterday.”

  Not you, for sure.

  “You’re not upset because we didn’t get the account, are you?” He gave her a quick side-glance before refocusing his attention on the highway stretching out in front of the car. “Did someone do something to you?” He gritted out the words, his temper rising. He gripped the steering until his knuckles turned white. “Did one of those ego tripping pricks say something?” his foot pressed hard on the gas pedal.

  She hated it when he was upset. It was dangerous. “No, on all counts. I’m just tired, that’s all. I promise.”

  He shot her another heated look, quickly searching her face for the truth. “I swear to God, Afryca, if I find out one of those people were out of place—.”

  “No one was.” She wished it were that easy. “This is something new.”

  “What?” He almost laughed.

  “You getting protective of me.”

  * * * * *

  It was new. He wasn’t even sure where his outburst had come from. But somehow it had clawed its way to the surface and popped out. Every time he stole a glance at her his feelings ran deeper and deeper still. He couldn’t explain it. He didn’t even understand it himself. The anger that bubbled up in his gut and tightened a band around his chest surprised him. He was ready to turn the car around, fly back to that hick town and kick some righteous hick ass if anyone had disrespected Afryca. Damn, he had it bad for her. He’d never been protective like this before, even with women he’d slept with. Maybe because he’d not had this bond. She had a fold on his heart like no other. If only she knew, understood.

  They drove for several long minutes in silence. He kept his eyes on the road and Afryca kept her gaze on the cars zooming by. Something was up and he was going to put it at the top of his priority list to find out what. This was out of character for her and he didn’t like it. Something had happened, something bad.

  Minutes later he was braking the car to a halt in front of her apartment.

  * * * * *

  “You don’t have to get out.”

  Simon ignored her, hit the trunk button and pushed his door open. Jumping out he strolled to the back of the car, tugged her bag out and started walking toward the front door. Damn him. She realized as she watched him he didn’t walk, he strolled, he stalked, but he didn’t walk. She moved behind him, shoved the key in the lock and kicked the door open. She held out her hand for the suitcase, hoping he’d hand it over. He didn’t. Simon pushed pass her, dropped the suitcase next to the sofa and flopped down in the soft cushions.

  Was he planning on staying? Spending the night? God, she hoped not. It wouldn’t be the first time and how would she tell him he couldn’t sleep over? He’d spent many nights on her sofa or in her guest bedroom. She’d never objected then, so why now? He would certainly have questions.

  She sucked in a breath, blew it out and sucked it up. “Do you want something to drink? I can put on coffee.”

  Simon glanced at the watch on his right wrist. “Naw, it’s kind of late. It’ll keep me up. There is something I’d like better.”

  Her heart slammed in her chest, causing the air to rush out of her lungs. Something he’d like better. Lord have mercy. She swallowed past the lump clogging her throat. She opened her mouth, closed it. She swallowed again. “Wh. . . what do you want?” Me!

  “A glass of ice water.”

  Ice water?

  Damn.

  He pushed up from the sofa, walked toward the kitchen and pulled the refrigerator door open. “That okay?” His head ducked behind the door. “Oh, I’ll take some of this cranberry juice instead, okay?”

  “Get whatever you want.” She grabbed her suitcase, dragged it to the bedroom and slammed the door behind her.

  She grimaced when the sound vibrated off the walls. She not intended to slam it that hard. She unzipped the case, dumped her clothes on the bed and started sorting them. Walking over to the dresser she pulled out the nightgown she planned to wear and then slammed the drawer shut. Any harder and she could have broken it. Maybe if she stayed in here long enough he’d be gone when she went back out. She knew there was no chance in hell of that. She didn’t know what to do. Her clit throbbed so hard with need she hurt.

  A soft rapping on the door drew her attention away from her misery. She walked over to the door, grabbed the knob and snatched it open. Simon stood there, his eyes quietly searching her face.

  “I know something’s wrong so don’t start by denying it.”

  She felt tears burn the back of her eyes. She blinked in an attempt to keep them at bay. “It’s nothing, really.”

  “Really my ass, Afryca. You don’t act like this, not ever. Is it something I did?” He reached up, and placed his hands on her shoulders, squeezed. "Tell me if it is and I will personally kick my own ass.”

  She smiled, a little. Now she really felt stupid. She was mad at him and she didn’t know why. It wasn’t his fault he was who he was. It wasn’t his fault he didn’t see her the same way. You can’t dislike a man for having different desires. Or c
ould you?

  Before she could shift her position he pulled her to his chest, his hands stroked up and down her back. “Is it something at work?” She shook her head. “Someone then?” She was nodding against his chest before she could stop herself.

  “Did you get a call while we were out?”

  She nodded again, lying.

  He put her at arm’s length, stared into her eyes. “Do you want me to kick his ass? I will, you know.” She nodded, pulled away from him and walked back to the kitchen. She needed something to drink, anything that would quench her suddenly dry throat.

  “It’s stupid. Stupid.” She sniffed, glanced up into his dark brooding eyes. “I think I’m coming down with a stupid cold.”

  “You said stupid three times.”

  “That’s stupid, huh?”

  “Naw, just odd for you.” He glanced over his shoulder toward the living room, then back at her and watched her gulp down the glass of water. “I think I’ll stay the night if that’s okay.

  She nodded, placed the glass in the sink and headed toward her bedroom. She’d have to lock her door tonight. Not to keep him out but to keep herself in. The last thing she needed was to sleep walk and find herself in the bed with him.

  * * * * *

  Damn it all to hell. He shouldn’t have touched her. He shouldn’t have stared into her eyes. He sure as hell shouldn’t have brought her to his chest and hugged her. All it took was one small whiff of her scent and he was lost. She smelled of flowers and cinnamon and he almost thought he caught a hint of arousal but he knew that was his mind playing tricks on him. He’d imagined on more than one occasion how her womanly scent would wrap around his mind, grip his heart and settle his soul.

  He’d imagined on more than a thousand times how he’d die a happy man and never ask for anything ever again if she’d allow him just once, the pleasure of burying his face between her breast, her thighs. Damn, he shouldn’t have touched her. He sure as hell shouldn’t have brought her head to his chest. Her breast pressed tight against his body, he thought he felt the hardened pebbles of her nipples though her blouse. His dick had been hard all day and now it was painfully so.

  He glanced toward the closed door to the bedroom, wondering what she was doing? He’d heard the shower moments earlier and his mind plunged into an abyss where her body was covered with water and bubbles. His cock twitched.

  She was acting awfully strange. Who called her and upset her? Anger sliced his gut. He’d have to do some investigating of his own. No way was any man going to upset Afryca and get away with it. He’d kick him to high heaven, whoever it was. He turned onto his stomach, groaned when his cock pressed between his body and the mattress. That was not going to work. Pain was one thing. Misery was another. Starting tomorrow, he’d focus his attention on whomever it was that upset her. That way his every waking moment won’t be concentrated on his imaginary cock buried deep in imaginary pussy. But it wasn’t imaginary. His hard cock was very real. It tormented him every day. Her wet pussy was very real. Too bad they weren’t real together.

  Chapter Three

  “So, how was the trip?”

  Afryca looked up from the computer keyboard she’d been pecking on for the last hour as she worked out the kinks. She shook her head and glanced back down at the computer.

  “What? Did you jump his bones and found out you could have had a V-8?”

  “Will you leave me alone, Tess? I really don’t want to talk about it.” She swiveled in the chair, grabbed her cup of coffee from the desk and took a gulp.

  And she really didn’t want to talk about it. Tess was the only person she’d ever confided in her feelings she had for Simon. She’d sworn her to secrecy but she always wondered when Tess would blab. If anyone ever found out then Simon would find out and she’d be mortified. She’d have to find another job in another city and change her name. She wouldn’t be able to face him.

  It was bad enough sitting at her breakfast table that morning staring at him. He’d surprised her and made breakfast. Her favorite, waffles with warm syrup and crispy bacon. He’d even fresh squeezed the orange juice, and it was waiting for her when she surfaced from her bedroom fully dressed and ready to walk out the door. No such luck.

  To start your day off bright, he’d said.

  Bright my ass. It only made it worse. She’d tossed and turned the entire night, her mind wavering from how he made her feel to what he was doing the next room over. When her clock illuminated three a.m. she’d tip-toed across the hall, tilted her head to his closed door and listened, wondering if he was asleep. She wondered what he’d do if she slid the door open and crawled in the bed with him. Would he actually toss her out or maybe, just maybe, if he was in a deep sleep think he was dreaming and have his way with her. She could always feign sleep walking if it didn’t work.

  She went back to her bed angrier with herself than she’d been when she got up. Now Tess was prying and teasing.

  “I’m kind of busy here,” she caught herself before she snapped the words out.

  “Well, yeah.” Tess walked over to the door and paused after she pulled it open. “When you want to talk call me, I may have something that will make you feel better.” Tess closed the door behind quietly.

  She folded her arms across the desk, closed her eyes and laid her head in the crook of her elbow. Maybe she was coming down with a cold. She felt horrible.

  Minutes passed before she opened her eyes and stared at the closed door. Work had been grueling to say the least. She’d only seen Simon once since he left her apartment that morning but that’s all it took. Her emotions were in such a jumbled mess. Maybe Tess was right. Maybe she should have told Simon how she felt, knocked him down and sat on him until he understood.

  She chuckled quietly to herself. Yes, she could have sat on him literally. She closed her eyes and leaned her head against the back of the chair and counted to ten. She opened her eyes, blinked and shook her head. No. She’d much rather keep Simon as a friend if she couldn’t have him as she did in her dreams. Yes. She nodded, blew out a breath. That was best. K.I.S.S. Keep it simple sweetheart. That way no hearts would be crushed and no lifelong friendships severed.

  She stood, stretched and returned her attention to the computer on the desk.

  “This is useless,” she told herself as she scribed a note on a sticky pad and then stuck it to the computer screen and another on the hard drive. She turned to leave, her heart still in her chest.

  “Are you finished yet?”

  Simon’s deep voice washed over her like warm air. Immediately her heartbeat pounded against her rib cage and her throat became dry. She swallowed, bringing her gaze up to his face.

  “Pretty much. I can’t fix it here. It’s gonna have to go back to I.T.”

  “Want to grab some lunch?” Simon asked as he glanced at his watch.

  “Naw, I think I'm going to work through lunch and leave early.”

  Simon wiggled his eyebrows, “Got plans.”

  She shook her head, “Just busy.”

  He arched his shoulders, stepped into the open door and paused. “Take something for that cold. I don't like it when you are sick.”

  “Me either.” She sniffled, pretending her nose was stuffy. She'd almost forgotten she'd told him she was coming down with a cold. She was such a bad liar.

  * * * * *

  Simon pulled the door shut behind him and headed toward his office. His appetite had suddenly disappeared. He’d watched Afryca for a few seconds before she noticed he was there. The look on her face was like a kick to his gut. He wasn’t sure if it was fear, remorse, anger or repulsion. The one thing he was sure of. . . he didn’t like it.

  If only he could find out what it was about him that she didn’t like. He knew as friends they were great together. But he didn’t need any more friends. He wanted a lover, a soul mate. Not. . . A. . . Friend. He rubbed the back of his neck and hunched his shoulder. Maybe it just wasn’t meant to be.

  * * * * *

>   “Tess. When you get a chance come see me.” Afryca said into the phone propped on her shoulder. She listened for a second before continuing. “No. Just come see me.” She hung up the phone, smiled.

  Maybe it was looking up. Maybe she could get Tess to go out with her and help her get her mind off of her troubles. Maybe Tess knew someone who was looking for a good woman who was a little kinky, a little wild and with a lot of heart. Just maybe.

  A minute later Tess was in her office, staring at her with amusement on her face. “Sorry dear. Can’t. Gotta babysit for my sister and no,” Tess smiled at her, “I can’t call in sick.”

  “I wasn’t going t—” she stifled a laugh. “Yeah I was.”

  “Did you talk to Simon?”

  “Urgh!” Afryca ran her hands through her hair and tugged. “It’s no use.”

  “Sure it is.” Tess strolled over to her, pulled her hands from her hair and patted her cheek. “Just ask him out. Dinner? Drinks?”

  “No.”

  “Why not? What can it hurt?” Tess stared at her for a long silent minute. “Ask him out to a damn movie, but hell you need to take a step or I’m going to kill you myself.”

  Afryca grunted a laugh and allowed the corners of her mouth to tilt into a soft smile. Maybe Tess was right. Regardless of what her gut told her, she needed to do something.

  “You’re in love with a man and afraid to admit it.” Tess interrupted her thoughts.

  “Not true. I admit it.”

  “Admitting it to me doesn’t count.” Tess laughed loud, robust and lively.

  Afryca joined her. Hearing it come from Tess made it sound as ridiculous as it was. It was time to let the man know. Tess was the only one whom she'd confided, the only one she trusted with her emotions and secrets. They’d even talked the sex talk. It was refreshing to know she wasn’t the only female with the desires to have her sex drive fed. If he didn’t feel the same then so be it.