Seduction in a Suit: An Office Romance Collection

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Seduction in a Suit: An Office Romance Collection Page 47

by Monica Corwin


  The sixty-one-year-old, gray eyes, gray suit, and gray personality stared at Malcolm from behind spotless glasses and thin, pursed lips. His salt-and-pepper hair did nothing to add character to the drab man, although his red-and-gray stripped tie reminded Malcolm of Sky’s splash of color.

  He tamped down the smile the thought of Sky evoked, then a frown that had him glancing at the clock on the wall behind Dean Alston.

  “Am I keeping you from something, Dr. Styles?”

  “I promised to drive a friend to the airport.”

  “Would that friend be Dr. Ellis? It’s my understanding that she’s slated to attend SUNY’s Summer Leadership Retreat at White Eagle Conference Center.”

  Until today, Malcolm had no strong feelings toward Dean Alston. He neither liked nor disliked the man. As a dean and supervisor, he was competent and dedicated, leading with transparency and vision. He also suffered from a case of egoism and an overdeveloped sense of paternalism.

  “Impressive for someone so young. Dr. Ellis is a beautiful woman. I can see why—”

  “Yes, I’ve read EBC’s relationship policy.” He didn’t like the path the dean seemed intent on going down and wanted to stop the snowball at the top of the hill. “EBC doesn’t forbid dating between colleagues.” They couldn’t, not at a public institution. Malcolm handed Dean Alston the envelope he held in his hand. The last-minute meeting request may have been unexpected, but that didn’t mean Malcolm came unprepared.

  “What’s this?”

  “An official letter you can put in my file.” The letter wasn’t mandatory under EBC’s relationship policy, but Malcolm knew better than to entrust his career and future to words spoken behind closed doors. He’d also asked Sean to draw up the letter. They were still on the outs, and it would be a while before they repaired the dent Sean put in their friendship. When it came to the law, however, Malcolm trusted no lawyer more than he did his brother-in-law. “I sent the same letter to President Hicks.”

  He didn’t bother adding that he also intended to forward the letter, signed by Malcolm and Sky, to the Vice President and General Counsel and to Director, Office of Civil Rights and Sexual Misconduct and Title IX Officer. Among the many lessons his parents instilled in Malcolm and Angie, thoroughness ranked high on the list. Even conservative, rule-follower Sky, who Malcolm thought he’d have to convince to sign the letter of mutual consent to their sexual relationship, agreed with his plan.

  Dean Alston opened the envelope and read the short letter. Gray eyes lifted to Malcolm and what he saw in their depths reflected Sky’s fears about engaging in an office romance. Too smart to voice his thoughts in front of Malcolm, the dean took his time refolding the letter and returning it to the envelope.

  There would be talk among the deans and vice presidents before trickling down to other administrators, then faculty and staff. By the opening day of the new school year, Malcolm and Sky’s relationship would’ve made the circuit of EBC’s rumor mill.

  He hated the idea of people talking behind their backs, of men, like Dean Alston, viewing Sky as a brown-skin, green-eyed exotic hire.

  “I only asked you here today to speak with you. There was no need to involve your lawyer. As you said, EBC doesn’t forbid coworkers from engaging in romantic liaisons. It does, however, stipulate that the parties’ supervisors must be made aware.”

  Malcolm pointed to the envelope still in Dean Alston’s hand. “You’ve been made aware. I would appreciate your discretion.”

  “Of course, but this is a college campus. Affairs have a way of getting out.”

  Malcolm bristled at the use of the word “affair,” especially the judgmental tone Alston used. Malcolm and Sky weren’t sneaking around on significant others. They didn’t have clandestine meetings in hotels. Nor did they hide their relationship from others. They’d spent the entire summer in and around Buffalo, Malcolm playing tour guide.

  Juneteenth, Buffalo Niagara Blues Festival, Fourth of July fireworks at the University of Buffalo, Buffalo Bookfest. Hell, they’d even spent a weekend in DC so they could visit the National Museum of African American History & Culture. Sky and Malcolm weren’t having a cheap affair. They had an adult relationship.

  Malcolm pushed to his feet. “As I said, I’d appreciate your discretion. Is there anything else?”

  “No, thank you for coming in during your summer vacation.” Dean Alston dropped the envelope on his heavy wooden desk, opened his mouth to say something else but met Malcolm’s hard gaze.

  He closed his mouth.

  Good.

  “You know the problem with educated men?” his father always asked Malcolm when he got caught doing something he wasn’t supposed to do. “They forget that civilizations weren’t built and sustained by men of great minds but by the least of our brothers and sisters. Be a smart man, son. Smart men know when to speak up and when to listen. Most importantly, smart men know when to fight and what’s worth fighting for.”

  Of course, it was Malcolm’s mother who told him the best man of them all was a smart-educated man.

  “Enjoy what’s left of your summer, Dean Alston.”

  Once out of Franklin D. Roosevelt Hall and into the sunny July day, he pulled out his phone and dialed Sky. Even if he ran across campus and to his car, then drove like a demon to her loft, he still wouldn’t arrive in time to drive her to the airport. They knew this would happen when Dean Alston’s administrative assistant called to arrange the meeting. Malcolm tried to schedule it for another day, but Alston’s schedule was tight, and he wanted to meet with Malcolm “sooner rather than later.”

  He sat on the closest bench near Roosevelt Hall when Sky answered. Salmon pink and green apple, Alpha Kappa Alpha colors. Malcolm glanced around, not an AKA in sight. Good, students could be territorial, even about school items they neither owned nor purchased.

  “It’s fine, Malcolm. I’m almost to the airport.”

  “I could meet you there.”

  “By the time you get here and park, I’ll be in the air. How did the meeting go?”

  “The dean knew, so I gave him our letter. Are you upset?”

  “Not really. I don’t like him forcing our hand. Our relationship is no one’s business, but we also knew it was a matter of time before it became public knowledge. Are you upset?”

  “I’m fine.”

  “Which means you’re upset about something Dean Alston said. But, knowing Alston and you, it’s something he didn’t say. Let it go.”

  “I wanted to see you off. He called me into his office as if we were caught screwing in the quad during freshman orientation. It could’ve waited until I returned to campus in two weeks.”

  “It could’ve, but men like Alston, every now and then, like to remind those who report to him that he’s in charge and nothing gets past him.”

  “I wonder how he found out.”

  “I have no idea. Someone from school probably saw us out somewhere and passed the information along to the dean. It doesn’t matter. I’ll deal with any potential blowback when I return. Look, sweetie, I’m about to park.”

  “Sweetie? That’s new.”

  “I know. It felt weird coming out, so don’t get used to it.”

  “Not one romantic bone, Sky. Not. One.”

  “Come on, not that again. What do you want from me?”

  “Flowers. Candy. A nice card. Hell, you could at least hold my hand longer than two minutes when we’re in public.”

  “I held your hand the entire way home to my apartment that first time.”

  “Name a time other than that one. You can’t, can you?”

  “You’re such a baby. I guess you expect me to bring you a souvenir from the retreat, too.”

  “That would be nice.”

  “I was joking. I’m not going on vacation. It’s a working retreat. I’ll be back August third.”

  “I’ll pick you up.”

  “Why? I have my car.”

  “Because I want to. Why does everything hav
e to make perfect logical sense?”

  “Did you call just to whine and start an argument before I got on the plane? Or are you still angry I wouldn’t let you join me on the trip?”

  “None of the above. Right now, I don’t need to be away from home and Angie.”

  He hadn’t told Sky everything about Sean’s pregnant ex-lover and the pending paternity test. She knew Angie and her husband were going through a rough patch, but Malcolm hadn’t gotten around to divulging the details. In truth, whenever they were together, the last thing Malcolm wanted to talk about was a couple not them. As it was, Sky still kept huge chunks of her life from him.

  They rarely talked about her family. Once, Sky told him about her mother, who he’d learned died when Sky was twenty. Of a grandmother who lived her entire life in Maryland until she passed away two years ago. But never of her father or siblings she’d alluded to when he’d asked her, three months ago, if she were an only child and Sky had replied with a cryptic, “Not exactly.”

  “I have to go. I need both hands to take care of my bags. I’ll call you once I check in and again when I arrive. After that, I won’t have time to touch base during the day, so I’ll call when I can. Or you could text me. I like your text messages, but I like hearing your voice more.”

  “Well, that’s the sweetest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

  “Sweet? That’s all I get. I was going for romantic. Don’t laugh.”

  “I’m sorry. I couldn’t help it. It needs work, but you get an A for effort.”

  “I’ve always gotten A’s. You’re not offering me much.”

  Malcolm laughed again. “I love your arrogance and sass.”

  “You, ah, umm, yeah. Well, okay, Malcolm. I have my bags out the trunk now, I have to go.”

  “I know you do.” In for a penny, in for a pound. “I love you, Sky, be safe and have a wonderful retreat.”

  He hung up before she fumbled through another inarticulate reply. What in the hell had he done?

  “How is she?” Early August in Buffalo, with a seventy-eight-degree high, took a bit of getting used to. She liked her summer’s hot, not lukewarm. Now, she sounded like Robert, which had her slamming her car door, turning on the ignition and blasting her air. “I can drive to the hospital.”

  “No, you’ve had a busy four days, and you’re tired.”

  “I’m not too tired, and I don’t mind.”

  The thought occurred to Sky that Malcolm may not want her there. Not only had she not expected his declaration, she also had no idea how to react. He’d blown her away and scared the shit of out her. The few times they’d spoken since she’d been away, he hadn’t repeated those three words to her and Sky pretended as if Malcolm hadn’t said them.

  He loved her. Malcolm couldn’t love her. Not enough time had passed since they began dating for him to have developed such strong feelings for her. She needed more processing time.

  “If you need me, I’ll drive to the hospital to be with you.”

  “No, that’s okay. Mom and Dad are with the kids and Sean is talking to the doctor. Angie’s asleep and stable. There’s nothing we can do around here but drive ourselves crazy watching her.”

  He sounded terrible and exhausted. Sky wondered when the last time Malcolm had slept and eaten. Knowing him, not since getting the call about his sister’s car accident.

  “Sweetie, drive to me or let me come to you. I can drive to your house, cook dinner and then draw you a hot bath. How does that sound?”

  “Wonderful. But I’ll be awful company.”

  “You’re always awful company, but I don’t mind.”

  His halfhearted laugh at her attempt at a joke had Sky driving away from the Long-Term Parking Lot and toward NY-33/Kensington Expressway.

  “All right, if you wouldn’t mind coming to me, that would be great.”

  “I’ll drive home first and drop off my things before coming over. Call me when you’re on your way home. Do you have food in your house or do you need me to make a grocery or fast food run?”

  “No, I’m good. There’s soup in the fridge Mom brought over yesterday.”

  “Okay, I’ll see you in a bit.”

  Sky was about to end the call when Malcolm spoke again, voice tinged with uncharacteristic worry and melancholy. “Don’t rush. Take your time and drive safely.”

  She forced herself to not speed. The last thing either of them needed was for her to get into an accident. Malcolm had called two nights ago about Angie’s accident. At the time, he had few details about the car crash and her medical situation. Sky had offered to leave the retreat and fly home, but Malcolm insisted she stay. She did, but her mind and heart were in Buffalo with Malcolm and his family.

  An hour later, she backed her car into Malcolm’s driveway and behind his SUV. He lived in a Cape Cod style brick home in Eggertsville, a suburb of Buffalo. The first time he brought her there, she hadn’t expected a literal house, although he’d used that word. She’d assumed, like her, Malcolm rented. Instead, the professor owned a three-bedroom house with a fenced yard perfect for family gatherings.

  Now, as she did then, Sky couldn’t help but think Malcolm had purchased the single-family home with the hope of filling it with a wife, dog, and children.

  He opened the door and let Sky in. Wrinkled T-shirt, sagging jeans, bare feet, a day’s worth of stubble, and red, weary eyes. This wasn’t her Malcolm Styles. Even his locks were pulled back in a haphazard ponytail.

  Sky hugged him. She should’ve gone with her first instinct and returned home yesterday.

  “I’m fine.”

  “You aren’t.”

  “I’m not, but I’m better now that you’re here.”

  Sky thought about dragging Malcolm into his eat-in kitchen, heating up a bowl of his mother’s soup and nagging him until he ate every drop. From the look of him, food could wait. There were two bedrooms on the first floor and one on the second, both levels with full baths.

  “Let’s get you into bed.”

  Malcolm remained silent the short walk down the hall and into the first guest bedroom. He said nothing when Sky sat him on the closed toilet seat and shaved his face, no more than he uttered a word when she finger-combed his hair before forming two neat braids from the locks.

  Dark-brown eyes watched her undress him, then pull Malcolm into the shower with Sky. Through it all, her tenderhearted, gregarious Malcolm kept quiet, which told her all she needed to know about Angie’s condition.

  “Go to sleep.” Sky kissed Malcolm, a short, heartfelt peck on his lips. “I’ll be here when you wake up.”

  Through thick, dark lashes, he stared up at her, the light on the nightstand behind her a soft glow of illumination.

  “It’s fine if you aren’t ready to say it back. I won’t leave you, if you need more time to get to where I am now. That’s not how love works for us Styles.” A hand reached up, found Sky’s nape, and pulled her down for a sweet kiss. “Thank you for coming, for wanting to take care of me. I would’ve managed, but it’s nice to have you here, better to know that you want to be here.”

  “I would’ve come yesterday.”

  “I know. But I was a mess then, and I didn’t want you to see me lose my shit. She’s so little, but Angie has a big personality that makes her seem eight feet tall. When I saw her for the first time after the surgery, bruised and unmoving, it felt like punches to my chest, breaking ribs and collapsing lungs. I couldn’t breathe, and I hurt everywhere. Sean broke down, crying over Angie’s prone form, mumbling apologies and promises.”

  Sky closed her eyes, fighting back the tears and images of her mother after what proved to be a fatal car crash. A car of teenagers, a nineteen-year-old with a provisional license, beer, and New Year’s Eve made for a deadly combination. She hadn’t told Malcolm the circumstances of her mother’s death, and now wasn’t the time to share that scabbed-over wound. Sky prayed Angie’s children wouldn’t, at such a young age, experience the loss of a mother. The pain hurt like
nothing Sky wanted to go through again. Even the passing of her grandmother hadn’t gouged her soul the way it had when her mother died.

  Sky burrowed under the covers and pulled Malcolm to her. He came, wrapping long arms around Sky and settling his head beside hers on the pillow.

  “You can stay for as long as you want. I’m not going anywhere. I’ll always be right here.”

  She wanted to believe him, wanted to accept his love and lower her walls. Wanted to trust her heart and not fear she’d given it to a man who would one day break it. Wanted to forgive her parents because their mistakes had become an albatross that had plagued her life for too long.

  “Goodnight, Malcolm.”

  “Goodnight, Sky, I love you.”

  7

  Thanks for coming with me, but you didn’t have to.”

  “It’s fine. I want to be here. I told you that already.”

  Sky and Malcolm stood outside Angie’s recovery room. This morning, he’d awoken to Sky in his arms. Soft and warm, she’d snuggled against him as if his chest and bed were the safest places in the world to be. Malcolm had smiled down at her and then went about awaking Sky with tongue and hands.

  On a sleepy moan, Sky had opened her eyes and legs to him, a silent invitation he’d happily accepted. Afterward, they’d shared a shower and breakfast. For the first time since Angie’s car crash, Malcolm’s heart felt lighter and spirits higher. If he thought she’d agree, Malcolm would run out today and have an extra key made for Sky, moving her in as soon as he could get her packed.

  Asking Sky to move in with him would likely send the woman running back to Maryland. Hell, her complexion had dropped a shade the minute they’d entered the hospital. Malcolm knew better than to ask the reason behind Sky’s obvious discomfiture. She may have wanted to support him but she damn sure didn’t want to do that by visiting Angie in the hospital.

 

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