Once You'Ve Touched the Heart

by Iris Bolling

  “I’m sorry, James, excuse me.”

  A little concerned with the expression on Tracy’s face, James said, “No, I’ll go with you.”

  As they approached it was apparent Ashley was uncomfortable talking with David. James did not like talking to the man or being in his presence for any amount of time. He went to Ashley, put his hand possessively on her shoulder and extended the other. “Hello, David. How have you been?”

  “Brooks,” David said, “I’m doing well.”

  “David,” Tracy sourly spoke.

  “Tracy Washington, how in the hell are you?” He looked her up and down. “You are looking good these days.”

  “Thank you,” she said, but her words were tinged with disdain.

  “I should have known if one was here the other was not far away.”

  “It’s a good thing we are like that.” Tracy smirked.

  “That was a great presentation you two gave,” Karen Holt said as she stepped beside her husband.

  “Yes, it was,” James agreed looking down at Ashley. “You two gave us that jolt we needed. Ashley, may I speak with you a moment?”

  “Sure,” she said with a smile. “Excuse us.”

  James put his hand on the small of her back as they walked away. David noticed the action and turned to his wife. “Honey, are you about finished here?”

  “I just need to go to my office for a moment. I’ll be right back,” she said and walked away.

  David looked at Tracy. “Damn, girl, if I had known you were going to turn out looking this fine, I would have hit that back in the day.”

  Tracy smirked. “You may have tried, like you did with everyone else. But you would not have made it; not man enough for me.” She turned and walked away.

  “Ashley, are you okay?” James asked.

  “Yeah, I’m fine,” she replied with a wry smile. “James, I am truly sorry this happened here. I had no idea David was Karen’s husband.”

  James shook his head. “It’s not an issue, Ashley. Please let it go.”

  “Well, thank you for the rescue.”

  David watched the exchange between Ashley and James. Hmm, we will talk again, Ashley.

  “You ready, babe?” Karen asked as she walked up behind David.

  “Yeah, I’m ready. What was all the hoopla about today?”

  “James had the efficiency experts do a presentation for the employees,” Karen answered.

  “How did they do?”

  “Great, those two are really good.”

  “Yes, they are,” he said as he looked back at Ashley. “It’s good to see some HU girls did learn something.”

  Ashley walked away once David and Karen left the room. She was embarrassed about the scene.

  “Is she going to be okay?” James asked Tracy.

  “Yes,” Tracy replied. “That was a really bad situation, James. Thank you for stepping in.”

  “It was no trouble.” He looked at Ashley. “She’s not as tough as she puts on, hmm?”

  Tracy smiled. “No, she’s not. But she does put up a good front.”

  Not knowing what the issue really was, James did not say anything more. But he had become very fond of both of the ladies from Next Level Consulting and, hence, very protective. “If he becomes an issue, be sure to let me know.”

  Tracy looked at her watch. “It’s still a little early. Would you like to meet at my office around three to go over some of those issues you mentioned?”

  “If you have the time that would be great. I’ll bring Angela along. I want her to hear some of these accusations.”

  “All right,” Tracy replied. “I’ll see you at the office.”

  Tracy went to help Ashley pack up. She pushed Ashley with her shoulder. “The asshole still looks good,” she joked.

  Ashley started laughing. “He did look good.”

  “Look, Ashley.” Tracy pointed to Cynthia approaching James.

  “Oh, no.” Ashley laughed. “We need to help James.”

  “You know, I think Cynthia may have met her match with James.”

  Ashley shook her head. “You’re right. Cynthia couldn’t get or hold a man like James.”

  Tracy looked at Ashley. “Is there something you’re not telling me about James?”

  “No. Is there something you are not telling me about James?”

  Tracy smiled brightly. “Not about James.”

  Ashley looked sideways at Tracy. “What you talking about, Tracy?”

  Tracy laughed. “We’ll talk later.”

  ♥

  Tracy, Ashley, James and his human resource manager, Angela, were going over several issues raised by employees at the event when JD walked through the door. “Hello, Monica, is Tracy busy?”

  Hearing Jeffrey’s voice, Tracy smiled. “Excuse me for a moment.”

  Seeing the smile on Tracy’s face, Ashley raised an eyebrow as she walked by. Ashley stood in the doorway of the office and watched as JD and Tracy approached each other. When they met, JD grabbed her hands and looked down into her eyes. “Hello.”

  “Hi.” Tracy smiled back. He then kissed her as if they had not seen each other for days.

  Ashley smiled and said, “Excuse us” to James and closed the office door behind her. She stood there watching them, as did Monica. They both were enjoying the moment, as were JD and Tracy.

  JD hesitantly broke away and just smiled into her eyes. “It’s been an interesting day. I just finished wrapping up a few things. So I thought I would stop to say hello before I went home.”

  Tracy smiled back. “Would you like to say hello again?”

  He smiled and kissed her again. This time he put her hands around his waist and his around her shoulders and gave her a long, hard sensuous kiss that made Monica exclaim, “Damn.”

  Ashley cleared her throat. “Excuse me, umm, Tracy, we have a meeting going on in here.”

  JD pulled away, because Tracy wasn’t.

  Sighing, Tracy said, “I’ve got to go back in.”

  He kissed her softly on her lips, rubbed her upper arms, not really ready to let her go. “All right, call me when you are finished.”

  “Okay.”

  “Ash, Monica, I’ll talk to you guys later.” JD turned and walked out the door. Tracy watched every step until he was gone.

  Monica looked at Tracy, then at Ashley, then back to Tracy. “You okay, Ms. Washington?” she smiled.

  “No, Monica, I’m not, I can’t breathe right now.”

  “Shit, me either.” Monica laughed.

  “Tracy,” Ashley said, laughing, “we have people in your office. We need to get back to them. Okay. Breathe, Tracy, breathe.”

  She did, several times.

  “Better?” Ashley asked.

  Tracy sighed heavily. “Yes.”

  “Okay, no harm done. Let’s go back in now, and before you go anywhere tonight you’re going to tell me what you were doing until four o’clock in the morning.” Ashley opened the door and pushed her in before Tracy could object.

  They wrapped up the meeting about 30 minutes later. Ashley was walking everyone to the door as James asked to speak to Tracy for a few minutes.

  “Sure,” Tracy replied.

  James closed the door after everyone left. He exhaled “Harrison? Do you know what you are doing, Tracy?”

  Tracy looked at him and then down at her desk. “That’s a little personal,” she said.

  “In case you haven’t noticed,” he replied, smiling, “I take things with you personally, Tracy. I am sure I shouldn’t, but that’s me.”

  “James,” Tracy started.

  He put his hand up to stop her. “Tracy, you are a special young woman. I respect and like you, probably more than I should. But with that said, please know this: I don’t want to see you hurt,” he said sincerely. “If you ever need me for any reason, all you need to do is call, any time.”

  Tracy smiled and lowered her head. She liked James. Not the way she liked Jeffrey, but as a friend. Tracy had t
o talk to someone about what was happening and she felt she could trust him. “This is all new to me, James.” She smiled while putting her hands on her hips. “I don’t know where this is going. I’ll admit I’m scared to death.” She let out a nervous laugh. “This man is totally out of my league and I don’t have the slightest idea,” she hesitated, “why he wants me. All I can say is: I’m on board for the ride and just have to see where it takes me.”

  James looked at her with that smile on her face, laughed, walked over to her and gently kissed her lips. “I know exactly why, you.” He turned to walk out the door.

  “James.” Not knowing what to say to him, she said, “Friends?”

  “Always. I’ll be in touch and please don’t forget what I said: any time, any reason.” He smiled.

  Once James and Angela were gone, Ashley was standing in Tracy’s doorway with Monica. Tracy was sitting at her desk.

  “Okay, what gives?” Ashley asked with her hands on her hips.

  Tracy sat there, not knowing what to say or how to say it. She started shaking her head with disbelief and laughing. She put her hands over her face and laid her head on the desk. “Oh God, oh God, oh God, oh God.” She looked up at Ashley and Monica, tears started coming down her face, and she still couldn’t say anything.

  Tears were coming down Ashley’s face now. “It took you two long enough,” she cried.

  Tracy really started laughing and crying all at the same time. Ashley and Monica joined in.

  “I want to know every detail,” Ashley stated.

  “Me too,” Monica joined in.

  Chapter 12

  Life was good, JD thought. Having Tracy in his life this way was what he needed; he just hadn’t known it. After talking to Al, he was ready to take the relationship with Tracy to the next level. He did not want to rush her, but it was getting hard for him to be with her without making love to her. JD accepted the realization that Tracy was now a part of him. He loved being with her and watching her become more confident about him. Tracy was at a point where she could be herself around him, like she was that day in his office years ago. JD could kick himself for letting her go back then, but he was going to make sure it did not happen again.

  Every now and then it seemed Tracy became a little uneasy around his friends or when they went to certain places. The average person would not notice, but he could tell, and so could Ashley. To anyone else Tracy appeared to be the most confident person in the room. But now, she was becoming more comfortable with him. Every so often one of his old girlfriends would stop by the table and say hello while they were out. JD would introduce Tracy, and most were very polite. However, one or two of them let their jealousy show. Tracy would say hello and excuse herself to allow him time to get the situation under control. He loved her tactfulness, but didn’t like her being in that position. There was even a time when the two ran into Carolyn, who was now very angry with him for not returning her calls. She made it very clear to everyone, in the club that night, JD and Tracy were now on her proverbial “shit list.”

  JD admired the way Tracy handled herself in that situation. He apologized and vowed not to let it happen again. But for a week or so afterwards, Tracy would not go out in public with him. He tried to understand and be patient, but he could not help himself. He had gotten to the point where he wanted her with him, wherever he went. To be clear, JD did not mind staying in with her. Hell, he would be content to come home from work, take her in his arms and just be with her for the rest of his life. But he knew with his career, they would eventually cross paths with Carolyn again. This was one of his issues and JD was going to have to find a way to control it. He did all he could to reassure Tracy that he had no interest in anyone but her. Nevertheless, Tracy had developed a serious complex when it came to Carolyn.

  About a week later, after a lot of begging and pleading, JD persuaded Tracy to go jogging with him in the park. She was hesitant, but decided to go anyway. As luck would have it, they had just come out of the park when they ran into Carolyn and Jackie. JD was carrying Tracy on his back and her arms were around his neck. The two were laughing and not paying attention to their surroundings when they heard her voice. “Taking your little friend for a piggyback ride, are we, JD?” Carolyn asked.

  JD put Tracy down. “Oh, shit,” he whispered under his breath. “Hello, Carolyn,” he replied.

  Tracy immediately started brushing her hair down. She felt so insignificant around Carolyn.

  “Hello.” Carolyn sneered.

  “Hi, JD, Tracy,” Jackie spoke.

  “Tracy, you remember Carolyn,” JD said as he held her close.

  “Yes, hello, Carolyn.”

  “Oh, yes, I remember meeting you now. You were with James Brooks if I remember correctly.”

  “Yes, he’s a client of mine.”

  “Really, is that all? I was under the impression there was more going on there.”

  JD pulled Tracy a little behind him. “Where’s Calvin, Jackie?” he asked.

  “I thought he was at the basketball court with you.”

  “No, I didn’t make it today.”

  “Well, what are you two up to?” Carolyn mischievously asked.

  Tracy held on to Jeffrey’s hand. “Just hanging out,” he replied, in a warning tone. “How is Gavin?”

  “Gavin’s fine,” Carolyn replied testily.

  “Well, we are going to go now,” Jackie interceded. “It was nice seeing you, Tracy. Bye, JD,” she said as she turned to Carolyn. “Come on, Carolyn, it’s time to go.”

  Carolyn put her hands on JD’s chest. “I’m sure we will talk later.” She smiled seductively. “Bye, Tracy.” She snickered.

  JD looked at Tracy and could see the immediate effect Carolyn had on her. “Tracy, she is nothing for you to be concerned about.”

  Tracy laughed and tried to pull her hand away. JD was not going to let go. They had come too far to slide back because of Carolyn. He pulled her to him. “Hey, we won’t let outsiders come between us; not now, not ever.” He kissed her long, hard and deep, then picked her up over his shoulder, smacked her butt and walked to the car. Tracy couldn’t help but laugh at him.

  When they got back to the condo, JD asked, “Where’s Ashley?”

  Tracy put the key in the lock and replied, “It’s Saturday. She is probably out shopping with Cynthia.”

  They entered the foyer at the bottom of the staircase that led to the living room. “Hmm, that means we are alone.” He smiled mischievously as he picked Tracy up over his shoulders and carried her up the stairs.

  Tracy laughed. “Look, Tarzan, you better not drop me.”

  As they reached the living room, he stopped at the hallway leading to Ashley’s master bedroom and looked in. “Just making sure,” he said laughing. He proceeded through the living room, just past the fireplace, to the door that led to Tracy’s master bedroom. He walked in and threw her on the bed. “Me Tarzan, you Jane.” He jumped on the bed beside her.

  She smiled. “I’m not sure I’m speaking to you yet.”

  “All right.” He stretched. “Then you’ll listen.”

  “Wait,” Tracy said, “is Carolyn Roth in one of the closets waiting to jump out at me?”

  JD laughed. “I certainly hope not.”

  He pulled her on top of him. She straddled her legs on both sides of him. She sat there with her hands on his chest and he covered them with his. Now JD’s mind was having a private battle, trying hard to stay focused on what he needed to say to her—but Tracy sitting on top of him was playing havoc with his concentration. Even in her sweats and ponytail she was a vision of pure sexiness. The white cotton tee shirt she was wearing showed the outline of her breasts, her flat stomach and tiny waistline. Yes, he was having a very difficult time thinking clearly.

  She squirmed to settle herself, but he reached out to stop her. “Don’t do that,” he said as he wrapped his hands around her waist and adjusted himself. He smiled at the sight of her and realized she had no idea what she
was doing to him. “I’m sorry about Carolyn. She is one of those issues I told you about,” JD began.

  Tracy looked down at him. She hesitated to have this talk, but knew it was needed. “Jeffrey, we really need to talk about her. I remember thinking the first day I saw the two of you together that Carolyn was the type of woman you should have beside you. She is beautiful and full of self-confidence.” She shook her head. “I don’t have any of that. Cynthia has told me for a while now that I did not fit into your world; maybe she is right,” Tracy said sincerely.

  “Tracy.” JD stopped her. “Listen to me, babe, I need you beside me.” He smiled at her. “With all your little quirks and insecurities. As for Cynthia, I ask you again: Why do you listen to her? I am not so sure she is a friend to you, Tracy.” She wiggled a little, and he held her still. “Don’t do that,” he said, and then continued. “A friend would not do the things Cynthia does to you. I see, she is a friend to Ashley, not you.”

  “She may not be a friend to me, but she is real with me. Cynthia never once concealed her feelings towards me. She has always been honest about that. I have to respect her for that, and she has my friendship, whether she wants it or not.”

  “All right, you can think that way if you want to; I have different thoughts on her,” JD replied irritably.

  “Cynthia is not important, but Carolyn and Turk are. Jeffrey,” she said, looking down shyly. “I don’t know a lot about relationships, sex or things that happen between a man and a woman. But,” she hesitated for a moment, “I know I love you and I would not do anything intentionally that I thought would hurt you. It would be too much like hurting me. My connection to Turk would hurt you professionally if it were ever exposed. So,” she breathed heavily, “before this goes any further, I will step aside with no drama, no issues and no bad feelings.”

  JD let her waist go and folded his hands across his chest. “Oh, you would?” he exclaimed.

  “Yes,” Tracy replied sadly.

  “You mean as in leave me, not see me anymore?” He asked almost in a whisper.

  “Yes,” Tracy said, missing the vein that was threatening to explode in his neck. “I’ll just step aside.”