I know too much of anything eventually kills the excitement, but that wasn’t proving true here. It was quite the opposite. The more I had her, the more I wanted. I was still turning to her in the night, slipping into her for a nice sexy slow ride.
We’d usually roll away from each other afterwards until our bodies cooled and we missed the warmth of the other and turn to each other. We woke every morning wrapped around each other. Made me wonder what my problem was before. I never slept with anyone in my bed. I didn’t trust half the fucks I fucked; no way was I closing my eyes and being that weak in their presence.
With her, if I turned over and she wasn’t up under me, literally, I’d reach for her until she was back where she belonged. When we walked anywhere together, she always had her arm through mine like she was daring anyone to come between us.
It reminded me of all the women I’d had in her face when I didn’t know how she felt. And that would start the spoiling shit all over again. I was trying to assuage my guilt with diamonds and gold.
15
Solomon
The phone on my desk buzzed and I picked up the receiver absentmindedly as I perused the spreadsheets in front of me. “Yes?”
“Miss. Paine is here to see you sir.” What the hell could she want? It had been months since I’d seen or spoken to her. Might as well see what she wants or she’ll make a pest of herself. “Send her in.”
I looked up as she walked in and felt nothing but aggravation at the interruption. She smiled at me, and the look in her eyes left me cold.
“Jessica what are you doing here?” She came farther into the office, more like sauntered in and leaned against the desk.
Looking at her now, comparing the overdone makeup and that hungry look in her eyes to my doll, I wondered what the hell I’d ever seen in her. If the hunger was for me it would make a difference. But I had long come to realize that whatever feelings she had for me were wrapped up in my millions.
I checked my watch and saw that it was almost time for Alexandra to arrive. I didn’t want my ex here when she did, her heart was still a bit sore when it came to my ex lovers. I know because she’s forever telling me about the hell I put her through while I was busy with other women. She’s a jealous little thing and feisty with it too.
“What can I do for you? I’m busy.” She played with the pearls around her neck as she looked around the room before turning her gaze on me. “It’s good that you’re sitting down, I have news.”
“What could you possibly have to say that would interest me?” What the hell are you up to now? I know her well enough to recognize the look on her face. It was only after we parted ways that I learned more about what she’s really like. Had I known her lack of character I never would’ve taken her to my bed.
There were rumors of spiteful doings against anyone of the female persuasion that she deemed a threat. It seems the trait went all the way back to high school. Her family’s money had kept her out of jail, and from what I heard some of the shit she’d pulled could’ve seen her behind bars for a long time.
“I’m pregnant.” That shit stopped all thought and had me reeling back in my chair.
“You’re what?” I couldn’t have heard her right. She moved around the desk to stand in front of me and placed her hand on my shoulder. My body went cold and numb and I shrugged her off. I composed myself long enough to ask a very pertinent question.
“I’m not sure why exactly you’re telling me this. I haven’t seen you in well over a month.”
“How silly, it takes time to find out these things. Apparently, it was that last time we were together.”
“I don’t see how. We used a condom.” I couldn’t feel my fucking fingers or toes.
“You know those things aren’t fool proof.” She rubbed her stomach and I felt my gorge rise. I looked at her for the longest time trying to come to terms with what she was saying. This would crush Alexandra. That was the uppermost thought in my mind.
This can’t be happening. I saw my whole life flash before my eyes. How can this be happening now? Just then Alexandra walked in. My beautiful girl had the most amazing smile on her face. That smile that always brightens up my day. We were supposed to be going somewhere, I can’t for the life of me remember where now.
I looked at Jessica to warn her not to say anything but it was too late. It was then I realized her true purpose here. “Oh Alexandra, whatever are you doing here?” Alexandra stopped short when she noticed her. Her eyes went from Jessica to me, and back and I could see the wheels spinning. Hated the sick look on her face.
“Oh hi, Jessica I didn’t know you were here. I’ll just see you at home Solomon.” She turned to leave the room and I stood to stop her.
“Solomon? What happened to uncle Sol? Never mind that, I guess it’s only fair that you be the first to know.” “First to know what?”
“Jessica…”
“Well, that you’re no longer the only child in Solomon’s life.” She patted her stomach and smiled at Alexandra whose eyes flew to mine. “What do you mean?” Her words sounded empty, lifeless. “I mean that your uncle and I are having a baby. Isn’t that great?”
Alexandra lost all the color from her face as she stood stock still in the middle of the room. I moved to go to her but Jessica got in the way. She wrapped her arm through mine and turned back to the young girl that was dying right before my eyes. I pulled away from her and went to Alex but she turned and ran from the room.
“Wow, talk about not wanting to share. She’ll get used to the idea. We should start making plans for the wed…”
“Get out.”
“Excuse me?”
“Get the hell out of my office. I’ll see you later.” I all but pushed her out the door before leaving myself to go after Alex.
I hurt for her; never knew that shit was possible. The fact that it was I causing her pain was like a knife to my heart. I ran out of the building and looked up and down the sidewalk but she was gone. “Where is she?” Her team was scrambling to their car.
“She ran out and got into the car before we knew she was there. We weren’t expecting her…” I cut her off with a harsh ‘go’. I’ll fire every last one of them if something happens to her. They’d be lucky if that’s the worst I do to them.
I called her phone immediately but the answering service picked up. “Baby, where are you? Come to me.”
I headed for the car and ordered the driver to take me home. All the way there I was afraid. Afraid of what was happening to her innocent heart. I could strangle Jessica for telling her like that. I hadn’t missed the look of satisfaction on her face as she struck the blow. She was in for a rude fucking awakening though.
She wasn’t home, her car wasn’t in the garage and she hadn’t returned my call. “Fuck!” I didn’t know where to look. Should I start calling her friends? Her team had already called in with the fact that they’d lost her.
They were already fired by the time I hung up from that call. She’d been giving them the slip too often lately. That reminds me. I still haven’t learned who this White Rabbit person is. I’ve been too busy falling in love. And why the fuck am I thinking about that shit now when she was out there lost and alone?
When all my efforts failed I called the one person who could calm me down from the blinding rage that was ready to explode. “Mom, I can’t find Alexandra.” I was damn near in tears.
If anything happens to her, I won’t be able to forgive myself. What if she’d driven too fast and got hurt? What if she ran away and I never found her? Fuck that she wasn’t leaving me.
“She’s here son.”
“Oh thank fuck…thanks mom. Send her home; don’t let her drive, have your driver bring her I’ll get her car later.”
“Uh, she doesn’t want to come home just yet.”
“What do you mean she doesn’t want to come home?”
“She told me what happened Solomon.” There was a long pause after that that spoke volumes.
If she were going to take me to task for hurting Alexandra she’ll have to wait. I wasn’t in the mood just then and besides, she couldn’t tell me anything I hadn’t already told myself. “I think we should let her rest here for a few days and then…” I hung up before she could finish whatever madness she was about to say and headed out the door. My driver opened the door as my security team ran to their cars.
“Where to, boss?”
“My parents; hurry.” My gut was in knots as he sped through the streets and I stared out the window without seeing anything. Inside I was a mass of confusion. I didn’t know how to make this right.
The only thing I knew for sure is that I wasn’t letting her go. The thought of her alive in this world, living away from me, having an existence that did not include me, was like death.
I all but broke down the door to mom’s house when I arrived. She met me on the landing and tried to stop me. “Where is she?” She put her hand on my chest to hold me back and I’m ashamed to say I almost pushed my own mother to the ground.