Last night he’d agreed to meet Vivana at a luxury hotel in downtown Birmingham, just a fifteen-minute drive away. Johnny was glad the days were getting shorter, and that nighttime was coming faster, which would give him an excuse to leave early. On his drive to meet her, Johnny had already started developing his exit strategy. They would order room service, watch an in-room movie, and by that time Bernard would call, a little after nine p.m., as Johnny had asked him to do. He planned to tell Vivana that the call was about an emergency at one of the properties he managed, and that would be his ticket out.
Things would have worked out perfectly had Bernard remembered to call him. His friend had been too wrapped up in a romantic dinner with Candace, leaving Johnny to make up a flimsy excuse on his own. After fussing with Vivana for two solid hours, he’d finally left the hotel at eleven thirty p.m., which was just enough time to make it back home before midnight.
“If I’d known Geneva was gonna act like this I would’ve gotten laid last night instead of rushing back here for some bullshit,” Johnny said in a huff. Slowly, he rose from the bed and walked to his closet. He carefully selected a tan linen suit, crisp white shirt, and a money-green tie. After he finished dressing, he looked at himself in the full-length mirror and smiled, knowing he looked good. Then he thought about Geneva again. She’d stood in front of the same mirror less than ten minutes ago, and he had to admit that she looked good, too. Damn good, in fact. Her yellow dress complemented her curves and made her brown skin glow.
There had been a time when Geneva used to turn him on at the mere thought of her. But those days were well behind them. She’d transformed overnight from the hot girlfriend that he couldn’t keep his hands off of into a mundane housewife who no longer excited him. Their sex life had become as routine as paying bills, and because Geneva wanted children right now instead of waiting a few years like he wanted to, sex with her had become pressure, not pleasure.
Johnny longed for the thrill of the chase. That was why he didn’t feel as guilty about the adulterated lust and hot sex he found in other women whose standards in bed were more relaxed than his wife’s. That was one of the reasons Vivana had been able to ensnare him in her web. But that relationship had run its course and now he was ready to move on to other things.
Now, as Johnny slipped on his dress shoes to head out the door, he put his wife and his mistress out of his mind so he could begin his day.
An hour later, Johnny found himself sitting in the Whole Bean Café, waiting to have a late morning meeting with a new client, who had been referred to him by Mark and Marjorie Thomas, whom he’d helped find their ultimate dream house. They’d been so pleased with his top-shelf service that they’d sent him a bottle of champagne as a thank-you, and had been referring as many friends his way as they could.
Johnny looked at his watch and sighed. “I can’t stand it when people waste my time. This woman was supposed to be here twenty minutes ago,” he grumbled. Had it not been for the fact that the woman was loaded with money and connections, and came highly referred, Johnny would have left the café by now. He was a stickler for time because every second equaled dollars, and the potential to make more money. Johnny looked at his watch and sighed again. “I don’t care if she’s the Queen of England, she has five more minutes and then I’m outa here,” he said as he scrolled through the calendar on his phone.
“Hello, you must be Johnny Mayfield.”
Johnny looked up when he heard his name and felt a surge of energy. The voice, which carried a distinctly northern accent, belonged to none other than Councilwoman Charlene Harris. Johnny took notice that she was much more attractive in person, than in the photos he’d seen in the local paper from time to time. She was a stylishly well-dressed woman, well built, who smelled of expensive perfume. She wore success and confidence as comfortably as she did the designer shoes on her feet. He was instantly attracted to her.
Councilwoman Harris extended her hand. “Mr. Mayfield, please forgive me for being late. My office assistant didn’t synchronize my calendar.”
Right now, Johnny wouldn’t have cared if she’d been an hour late. The pleasure that she was giving his eyes made up for her tardiness. He rose from his seat and took her hand in his, giving her a gentle shake. Another surge of energy ran through him when she returned his gentle shake with a firm grip. “That’s no problem, Councilwoman Harris,” he said with a smile.
She glanced down at his ring finger, saw that it was bare, and smiled back seductively. “Please, call me Charlene.”
He returned her smile. “Only if you call me Johnny.” Five minutes into their conversation Johnny knew he could have Charlene Harris if he wanted her, and he wanted her in the worst kind of way. With a troubled marriage at home and an overbearing mistress whom he was trying to distance himself from, the esteemed councilwoman was exactly what he needed right now.
“Okay, Johnny,” Charlene said with a flirtatious smile on her face and in her voice. “I’ll get right down to business.”
“Please do.”
She smiled even wider as she uncrossed her legs. “I’m only interested in high-end properties. Money isn’t a concern because I have plenty of it, but I’m price-conscious just the same, and I want to stretch my money as far as it will go. I’ve gone over some of the comps in the area I’m looking in, and it appears that inventory is high, which will work to my advantage.”
Johnny nodded. “A smart approach. Beauty and brains look good on you, Charlene,” he said slyly. “And I’d expect nothing less from a woman of your obvious success.” He could tell that she was flattered because she actually blushed.
She took a small sip of her coffee and cleared her throat. “My children are all grown, living in different states, and since it’s just going to be me at home I’d like to downsize.”
Johnny thought Charlene was married, but apparently not, given what she’d just said. This information made him even more interested in her.
“I want the same craftsmanship and details that I enjoy in my current home,” Charlene continued, “but on a smaller and more manageable scale. I’m a busy woman on a tight schedule, and I’m not a fan of wasting time, which equals money, so I’d like to find something within the next thirty days.”
“That’s doable. Now that I know what you’re looking for I’ll run my comps and I’ll have a few properties that we can take a look at as early as tomorrow if your schedule will allow.”
She nodded. “Sounds good. Mark and Marjorie told me that you did a fantastic job helping them find their dream home, and I’m sure you’ll deliver great results for me as well. With any luck I’ll be closing on my new home next month.”
Johnny leaned forward and lowered his voice to a sexy whisper. “I like your approach, and I can definitely make that happen . . . along with anything else you might desire.”
When he saw a faint smile slide across her perfectly lined lips, he knew he’d read her like a book, and he was a hundred percent sure that he could get her in bed before the sun went down today. He couldn’t believe his great luck! This was perfect, because he knew that if they started seeing each other he wouldn’t have to deal with the problems from her that he was experiencing with Vivana. Charlene was older, mature, and direct. She was no nonsense, no muss, no fuss, and she wouldn’t demand his time because she was busy handling her business. He could tell by the look in her eyes that she was a woman on a mission, and if there was one thing that Johnny loved, it was the challenge and the thrill of conquering a new conquest.
Johnny enjoyed the way Charlene not so accidentally allowed her leg to touch his under the table, and when she drank the froth from her cappuccino, she licked her lips with her tongue in a motion that let him know she was ready and willing to lick other things, too. But for the sake of business he went through the motions. He talked with her long enough to assess her needs in terms of square footage and amenities, and to have her sign a contract retaining his services.
A half hour later, Johnn
y was breathing heavily on top of his new client as he thrust in and out of her, enjoying himself more than he’d imagined he would. For a woman her age, Charlene’s body was still in excellent shape, and she knew exactly what to do with it to make him feel good. The queen-size bed they were lying on, in one of the vacant units of a small condo building he managed for one of his wealthy clients, had served Johnny well over the years for his midday escapades.
He didn’t know if it was Charlene’s age and life experience that made her so good, or if it was the fact that she was one of the most stylish, sophisticated, and accomplished women he’d ever been with, but what he did know was that this wouldn’t be their last rendezvous. Johnny felt like he’d hit the jackpot. Not only was Councilwoman Harris someone he could do business with, she was someone who could give him immense physical pleasure. He was attracted to her even more because she’d made it clear that she wasn’t looking for anything outside of finding a house and an occasional fuck when she needed it. She’d even come prepared with her own condoms. “I’d rather have them and not need them than need them and not have them,” she’d said when she removed them from her handbag.
Johnny wanted to take a quick nap to recharge his battery, but he needed to get back to the office to go over paperwork for two closings that would take place tomorrow. As they slipped their clothes back on, smiling at each other from the pleasure they’d both received, Johnny made up his mind that he was going to continue to hook up with Charlene every opportunity he could. She was coming at the perfect time to fill the void once he got rid of Vivana.
Chapter 11
VIVANA
Vivana was so mad she couldn’t see straight. She fought to control her anger as she sat in her car, parked across the street from the condo building that Johnny managed for one of his clients. “I can’t believe that son of a bitch is cheating on me!” she said through clenched teeth.
“I need to find out who that bitch is,” she said. Vivana had taken one look at the woman’s clothes, accessories, and the sophisticated way she carried herself, and knew that she was someone of importance. Jealousy surged through her veins, enraging her even more.
Vivana wondered how long Johnny had been seeing the woman. She knew it couldn’t have been too long because his behavior had changed only recently. It was clear that the woman was the corporate type, given the stylish business suit she wore and the expensive, high-end handbag that was draped on her arm. Vivana even wondered if the woman was from the area at all because she seemed much too cosmopolitan for Amber. As questions swirled in her head, Vivana knew one thing for sure: even though the woman looked good, she had some age on her.
Vivana glanced at her reflection in the rearview mirror, comparing her looks to the mysterious woman Johnny was with. “I look damn good,” she said, appraising her profile. She felt she was holding up well for a woman in her mid-thirties, and, in fact, she knew she looked younger than she was. Her eyes sparkled, her skin was smooth, and her lips were the perfect shape and size for creating what makeup artists called a luscious pout. “What the hell does he want with that old bag when he’s got all this?” Vivana huffed.
The more she thought about Johnny cheating on her, the more upset she got. “That old bitch is the reason he’s been avoiding me since last week,” Vivana fumed. “He’s been plotting to see her this whole time!”
Vivana had been tracking Johnny’s movements ever since last week when she’d asked him if she could come by his office and he’d said no. Her womanly instincts told her that he had something to hide. She was determined to find out what he was up to, and was prepared to do what was necessary to uncover the truth.
Each morning, rather than sleeping in late as she normally did, she rose early so she could park her car in the vicinity of his office building, well before he arrived, then she’d keep a close watch all day on his comings and goings.
But this morning she was running late, thanks to her annoying husband. He’d kept her up well past midnight because he’d wanted to talk about his plans for Sandhill. When she told him she didn’t want to hear his long, boring, drawn-out ramblings about the school, Samuel became uncharacteristically argumentative and even aggressive. He told her that he wasn’t happy, and that he refused to continue living that way.
“The love that used to be there is gone,” he’d said. “I’ve tried to make this marriage work, but I can’t do it by myself. And honestly, at this point, nothing less than counseling is going to help us, or persuade me to stay.”
Vivana shook her head. “You want to waste good money to go and talk to someone about our problems, who probably has problems of their own? That’s just foolish.”
“This is hopeless. We have a real disconnect going on here. If it wasn’t for the fact that I’ve told people I’m married, no one would know. You’re never by my side. We never go out together or spend time talking like a husband and wife should. We don’t even sleep in the same bed anymore.”
Vivana rolled her eyes and huffed. “First you wanted to talk about the school, and now you want to talk about our marriage. I think you just want to argue, because that’s what we do best. I’m tired, it’s late, and I have a busy day tomorrow. I’m going to bed.”
Vivana knew that Samuel was right. Their marriage was on life support, but she needed to hold things together until she was able to get Johnny away from his wife, and whatever was currently distracting him so she could have him all to herself.
“I’m tired, too,” Samuel said, “and I’m not going to continue on like this. I can’t do this anymore.”
Vivana knew she needed to keep her cool. “What are you saying?”
“Exactly what you think I’m saying.” He’d delivered his words and then marched upstairs to their master bedroom and slammed the door.
A small wave of panic rose up inside her. She didn’t want their marriage to end until she was ready, but it looked as though Samuel had other plans in mind. She needed the financial stability he provided and the comfort of a nice home. Vivana knew she had to start treading lightly if she wanted to keep Samuel in place long enough to make sure she broke up Johnny’s marriage. Once she accomplished that goal she didn’t give a damn about what Samuel thought or wanted.
She’d stayed up a good part of the night worrying about how she was going to hold things together, and she’d been so tired she overslept. Little did she know that arguing with Samuel and staying up late turned out to be a blessing in disguise. She’d been so sleepy this morning that she needed coffee, so she drove straight to the Whole Bean Café instead of to Johnny’s office. When she parked her car across the street from the coffee shop, she saw none other than the man of the hour strolling inside.
As soon as she saw Johnny enter the shop she got excited. She thought about how nice it was going to be to finally do something with him as simple as share a cup of morning coffee. But in that same instant, something inside her cautioned her not to make a move. For once, she listened to the little voice in her head and stayed in her car, securely fastened in her seatbelt.
She watched Johnny through the coffee shop’s large glass window, noting how he kept looking at his watch, as if he was expecting someone. Her antennae went up when she saw an attractive, well-dressed woman approach him. Her eyes zeroed in on them as Johnny talked and laughed with the woman. At first glance one would have thought the two were old friends, given the way they interacted with each other. But Vivana knew better because she could read the expression written on both their faces.
She watched them the entire time they were inside, right up until they left the café, still smiling and laughing. Johnny walked the mysterious woman to her car, opened her door, and then pointed to where he was parked on the same side of the street. Once he got into his truck, the attractive woman pulled out right behind him, following every turn he made. Vivana was hot on their trail, driving at a safe distance so she wouldn’t be detected. “That bastard is up to no good!” she screamed from behind the wheel.
/> Vivana was crushed when Johnny’s truck reached the apartment building where she and he had met up for their first tryst five months ago. She wanted so badly to punch something, but that would serve no purpose. She knew she had to use her head, stay calm, and figure out her next move.
There had been many things in the history of Vivana’s turbulent love life that had hurt, dismayed, angered, and disappointed her over the years. From falling in love with numerous men whom she eventually ended up despising, to marrying a good man whom she had no feelings for, Vivana had been through trying relationships. But the emotions she now felt were so heated and intense that she was having a hard time controlling her anger. “I knew his ass was up to something,” she said in a low, venomous roar. “I knew it!”
Ever since Johnny had blown her off last week, Vivana had been anxious, pissed off, and worried about what was going on with him. She’d initially thought he might be having second thoughts about his marriage, given that he’d remained silent when she hinted about his sleeping arrangements at home. That, coupled with the fact that he didn’t want to upset his wife by staying out all night, had made Vivana start to wonder if Johnny was beginning to lose interest in her. That was something she couldn’t bear.
Although Johnny had never told her that he planned to leave Geneva, Vivana hoped it was just a matter of time before he did. But now that he was acting so strangely, that meant one of two things: either he wanted to give his marriage another try, or he’d found another woman. She had decided that the only way to calm her fears was to start tracking his moves to see what he was doing, and with whom he was doing it.
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