Owner of a Broken Heart

by Cheris Hodges

  “That would be great, but Yolanda’s going to be bursting through that door sooner or later.”

  “Umm, then we’d better make the most of the time we have alone together,” Clinton said, his arousal rising as he flipped Nina on her back. “Because I have some moves I want to show you.”

  Chapter 20

  A week passed since Nina and Clinton had reconciled. He was back in Charleston, but he hadn’t returned to the bed-and-breakfast because he didn’t know if he wanted his job back.

  Besides, he had a score to settle. He’d spent most of his downtime gathering the records he’d kept during his employment with Birmingham. He had evidence of his former boss cooking the books and lying to his stockholders as well as evidence of a mistress whom Clinton used to make monthly payments to.

  Part of him wanted to bury Randall Birmingham with this information, but that wasn’t his style. The only thing he wanted from the man was for him to leave the Richardsons alone and to give up his quest to possess the bed-and-breakfast. Since he had all of the information and evidence he needed, Clinton was ready to head to Birmingham’s office to confront him. But he was stopped by a knock at his front door.

  When Clinton pulled the curtain back to see who his visitor was, he was shocked to see Alexandria standing on his porch.

  “Alex?”

  “Clinton, I’m probably the last person you expected to see, but I need to talk to you.”

  He stepped aside. “Come in.” Clinton dropped his file folder on the sofa. “What’s going on?”

  “Why haven’t you come back?”

  “Sorry?”

  “Your job is waiting for you. I feel like such a fool. I know what kind of man Randall Birmingham is, but I fell for his lies.” Alex pushed her hair behind her ears. “It was never my intention to hurt you and Nina. But I did and I’m sorry.”

  Clinton folded his arms and peered curiously at Alex. “This is really big of you, Alex.”

  Alex dropped her head, then looked up at him quickly. “You’re a good guy, Clinton. More than that, you make my sister happy. Clinton, I was wrong and I don’t admit that often.”

  “Thank you, Alex. But I told Nina that I’d find another job because I don’t want her to think that I’m with her because I work for her father,” he said.

  “We need you. Your work is stellar. We’re getting a lot of press and a lot more clients because of your marketing. Nina knows that those things Randall said were lies.”

  “Made a promise to Nina. She means more to me than a job. I don’t want there to be any questions as to why we’re together.”

  Alex nodded. “I can respect that. But I know my sister and I know she doesn’t think you two are together because you work for Daddy. Think about it before you make a decision. Unlike Randall, I don’t want to let you go. But I can’t make you stay if you really want to go. Just promise me you won’t ever work for Randall’s trifling ass ever again. You’re better than that.”

  Clinton smiled. “You don’t ever have to worry about me doing anything with Randall but bringing him down. I hate what he tried to do to your family and what he did to my reputation.”

  “Then come back where you belong. I know I didn’t make things easy for you, but after talking to Nina and my dad, I know that I was wrong. Just think about it.” Alex headed for the door, then turned to Clinton. “My father likes you as an employee and a boyfriend for his daughter. You’re practically family.”

  Family, he thought once he was alone. I would love to start a family with Nina. That thought excited him and thrilled him at the same time. He’d never thought about marrying any other woman he’d ever been involved with and the thought of starting a family had never crossed his mind. Until Nina.

  Before he made his decision, Clinton was going to make sure Birmingham would no longer be a problem for the Richardsons.

  * * *

  Nina sat at her computer, staring at the screen. While she should’ve been working on her story about the upcoming playoffs in North Carolina high school basketball, she couldn’t get Clinton off her mind, the way he kissed her and how her body responded when he touched her. She crossed and uncrossed her legs as she throbbed.

  “Okay, I have work to do,” she said aloud, and began to type. Just as she was about to get into the flow of writing, her front door burst open and Yolanda walked in.

  “Give me my key back,” Nina said when she looked at her sister. “What are you doing here?”

  “I had an epiphany,” Yolanda said. “I’m moving my flagship store to Charlotte.”

  “What?”

  Yolanda kissed her sister on the cheek and twirled around the room. “When I was here last week, I saw what a happening place this is. So, I figured with all of the professional people in Uptown, Risqué will be a hit here.”

  “Why do I feel as if there is more to this story?” Nina asked as she put the final touches on her article.

  “There isn’t. So don’t go looking for something that isn’t there. Besides, Richmond is dead for me. Business is on the decline. So many people are trying to swagger jack my style and I’m tired of looking at my books being in the red all the time. I’ll be closer to my family and we can be roommates for about a month.”

  “I’ve been thinking,” Nina said, turning around in her chair and facing her sister. “Maybe I should relocate.”

  “What?”

  “I’m a freelance writer, I can write anywhere—why not Charleston?”

  Yolanda smiled knowingly. “This is about Clinton, isn’t it? You are so in love with him that it’s sickening. He’s good for you, though.”

  Nina nodded. “I know. Maybe I’m moving too fast, what if I go back to Charleston and things go south?”

  Yolanda rolled her eyes. “Why do you always expect the worst? Never mind, don’t answer that, let me rephrase the question—why do you keep expecting the worst from Clinton? Aside from that thing with the hotel when we all thought he was a liar and a thief, he’s a stand-up guy.”

  Nina couldn’t disagree with her sister, Clinton was a man of his word. He proved that he loved her and she didn’t have anything to fear, except for the tiny voices that warned her that there was no happily ever after.

  “After I file this story, I think I’m going to head to Charleston and talk to Clinton about our future,” Nina said.

  Yolanda waved her hands. “That’s not what you want to do. You rush down there talking about the future, you might scare the man away. Find out what Clinton wants before you browbeat him with what you want.”

  “So you’re saying don’t open up to him? Clinton and I aren’t like that. I can tell him anything and he doesn’t shrink away like some others did.”

  “At least call him first,” Yolanda said. “I guess you need a house sitter, huh?”

  “Not really, but you can stay.” Nina picked up the phone to dial Clinton’s number. Before she could dial, she got an incoming call from Alex.

  “Alex, everything okay?”

  “Maybe. Have you spoken to Clinton today?”

  “I was just about to call him. What’s going on?”

  “I need you to talk some sense into him.”

  “What do you mean?” Nina furrowed her brows.

  “Well,” Alex said with a sigh. “He thinks that you don’t want him to come back and work for us.”

  “I never said anything like that.”

  “We need him and you need to let him know that his employment has no bearing on your relationship.”

  Nina thought back to what Clinton had said when he showed up on her doorstep that day.

  “Damn that job. I can find another one, but I can’t find another you.”

  “Alex, maybe you should talk to him,” Nina said.

  “I did and he said he didn’t want you thinking that he was with you only to have job security. As much as I didn’t like him when he first started working here, I can admit that we need him and he’s a decent guy.”

  “Wow, ta
lk about a one-eighty.”

  Alex gritted her teeth. “Call your boyfriend and tell him to get his butt back to work.”

  “I’ll do one better, but I’m going to need your help,” Nina said.

  * * *

  Clinton walked into Birmingham’s office, not surprised to find his administrative assistant sitting in his lap. He cleared his throat, announcing his entrance. “Should’ve snapped a picture for the missus.”

  “Clinton, get the hell out of here,” Birmingham said as he pushed the young blonde to the floor.

  Folding his arms across his chest, he leaned against the wall. “Miss, you might want to head back to your desk so that you can grab the phones or whatever it is you get paid—on the books—to do.”

  The young woman straightened her skirt and blouse before dashing past Clinton.

  “What do you want?” Birmingham asked angrily.

  “To let you know that your plan didn’t work. And, you’re going to leave the Richardsons alone.”

  Birmingham flipped his hand at Clinton. “I don’t need you to get that bed-and-breakfast.”

  Clinton crossed over to Birmingham’s desk and dropped the file of incriminating evidence on it. “But you need me to stay out of jail and divorce court. See, these documents are authentic and proof that you’re a piece of shit.”

  Birmingham flipped through the file. “You son of a bitch. How-how did you get all of this?”

  “It looks like I did learn something from you after all,” Clinton said.

  “As soon as you walk out the door, I’m shredding all of this,” he said.

  “I have copies and if anything happens to me or anyone I love, packages will be mailed to your stockholders, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and your wife. Do you really want to test me?”

  Birmingham dropped his head. “What do you want from me?” he said in a tight whisper.

  “Leave the Richardsons alone, stay away from me and my father, and drop dead!” Clinton stormed out of the office, feeling as if he could look happily toward a future with Nina.

  When he got into his car, his cell phone rang. “Yeah?”

  “Clinton, it’s me,” Nina said.

  “Hey, darling, how are you?”

  “Lonely. I want to see you. Do you realize that summer is almost over and then the holidays are right around the corner? I haven’t looked forward to the holidays in years. It usually meant football games and being away from my family.”

  “Really?” he said.

  “But this year is going to be different,” she said. “Do you think you can meet me somewhere?”

  “That’s going to be pretty difficult with you being in Charlotte.”

  “Who said I was in Charlotte?”

  A slow smile spread across Clinton’s face. “Where are you?”

  “In a secret spot at the B&B.”

  “I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”

  “Follow the notes in the lobby,” she said before the line went dead.

  Clinton sped to the bed-and-breakfast, making it there in ten minutes, because he was excited to see what Nina had in store for him.

  “Hi, Clinton,” the desk clerk said when he walked in. She had a huge grin on her face.

  “Hello, Elaine.”

  “I have something for you.” She handed him a rose-scented envelope. Immediately he recognized Nina’s handwriting.

  “Thanks,” he said, then ripped the letter open.

  Come through the kitchen, pick up the wine, and follow the instructions.

  Clinton headed for the kitchen, wondering if the staff would let him through. When he arrived, he found the entire staff was all smiles and the cook handed him a bottle of 1997 Pinot Gris with a note taped to the front.

  “Here you go, Clinton,” the stout man said with a huge grin on his face.

  “Thanks,” he replied. Clinton ripped the note open.

  Walk out of the kitchen and follow the trail of lights past the pool. When you come to the door with the wreath it will be open. There’s an ice bucket for the wine, drop it in there and walk into the sitting room. I’ll be waiting.

  The kitchen staff smiled at Clinton as he folded the note and tore out of the kitchen. Once he reached his destination, he could barely place the wine in the bucket because he was filled with such anticipation.

  “Nina,” he called out before he reached the sitting room.

  She walked out into the front room in a formfitting red dress. “I thought I said follow the instructions and this isn’t the sitting room.”

  Clinton looked down at the stilettos she had on and couldn’t wait to peel the dress off her and watch her walk around in nothing but those shoes. He closed the space between them and wrapped his arms around her. “I’m not good at doing what I’m told,” he breathed against her ear.

  Nina pushed against his chest. “Not so fast. I lured you here under false pretenses.”

  “What? And here I thought I was going to be seduced.”

  “You are as soon as you answer a question for me. Why haven’t you come back to work?”

  “What? Did your sister tell you—”

  Nina placed her finger to his lips. “You loved your job, I know that. My father loved you and Alex grew to respect you. What we have has nothing to do with the fact that you work here. You got this job before you met me. You shouldn’t give it up because of what we have.”

  “I don’t want you to think that I’m using you to stay employed.”

  She shook her head. “That never crossed my mind. You told me what it meant for you to work here and how much you admired my father and this property.”

  “True, but . . .”

  Nina folded her arms across her chest. “No buts. Clinton, you’re being really silly if you allow that man’s scheme to keep you unemployed. You’re practically family.”

  “Am I?”

  She pulled him closer to her. “Go back to work so Alex will stop blaming me. Or at least go back to work so that we can make love on top of your desk.”

  A slow grin spread across Clinton’s face. “That’s a hell of a reason to go back to work.”

  “Then it’s settled?”

  “Yes. I’ll come back to work. But you’re going to have to make it worth my while.”

  Nina released him and picked up the remote to the radio from the settee. Marvin Gaye’s smooth voice filled the air, singing about needing sexual healing. She moved her hips like a professional dancer and put Clinton in a trance. Reaching out, she pulled at his waistband, urging him to dance with her. He fell into her sexy rhythm, then captured her mouth with his, placing a heated kiss on her. Her mouth was sweet and he devoured her tongue as she slipped it between his lips. A soft moan escaped her throat and Clinton felt as if he would burst through his fly as she fingered his zipper. He lifted her from the floor and wrapped her legs around his waist.

  “I want you so bad that it hurts,” he moaned as they broke off their kiss.

  “Then let me ease your pain. The bedroom is right behind you.”

  Clinton slowly walked forward, balancing Nina in his arms as he headed for the bed. The room was aglow with the light of several flickering candles. Rose-scented incense burned on a small table that held chocolate-covered strawberries and whipped cream.

  As he gently laid her on the bed, he stared down at her—his eyes filled with love and a mixture of lust. “You’re beautiful,” he said. “Perfect.”

  She wiggled her forefinger at him. Clinton followed her silent command and joined her in the bed. He slipped his arms around her and unzipped her dress, then peeled it from her body, kissing every inch of skin he exposed.

  Once she was completely naked, Clinton took the whipped cream and traced her hard nipples with the cream. “Now this is a dessert I can’t wait to taste,” he whispered before taking one of her nipples into his mouth and licking the sweetness away. Nina moaned as he continued sucking and kissing her breasts. She grabbed the back of his neck, encouraging him to k
iss deeper, harder, and faster.

  “Oh, Clinton.”

  He pulled back and looked into her eyes. “Do you know how much I love you?”

  Nina nodded, unable to speak as she felt his erection pressing against her thighs. She wrapped her legs around his waist and pulled him against her. “Do you know how much I need you?” Nina moaned.

  “Then aren’t we the perfect pair,” he said before kissing her lips.

  As their bodies joined, Clinton was taken away by ecstasy. Nina felt so good, so right. Her body was his wonderland and every thrust, every motion she made drove him wild. He liked it when she took control, he loved it when she allowed him to control her.

  Today, she was all about being in control as she shifted her body so that she was on top of him. Like a wild mustang, she rode him hard and fast. He gripped her hips and dove deeper into her lithe body, feeling as if he were floating on the warmest cloud. When she tightened herself around him, Clinton cried her name out so loudly that he was sure anyone within several miles heard him.

  Nina gripped his shoulders as they climaxed. He wrapped his arms around her and held her against his chest. Neither of them spoke as they basked in the afterglow of their lovemaking. She kissed his neck gently as he stroked her back.

  Moments later, the couple was up and eating the dinner that Nina had the kitchen prepare for them.

  “How did you get everyone to assist you with this?” he asked as he took a bite of his steak.

  “You’re well liked and when I told everyone that we’re a couple, they were happy to help.”

  Clinton smirked. “And this place?”

  “Used to be storage area. But Daddy turned it into a honeymoon hideaway a few years back,” she said. “He said he did it because newlyweds often forget that other people are around. This gave them a little privacy when they rented the honeymoon suite.”

  “Honeymoon hideaway?”

  “And I think he made that decision after we were all grown because he never wanted any of us to get the idea to sneak a boy in here. And when I say any of us, I mean Yolanda.”

  Clinton smiled, thinking that he’d marry Nina in the summer, winter, spring, or fall.

  Chapter 21