Chapter Fifteen
“Since you moved out, I barely see you. I miss you girl,” Kat said over her glass of lemonade. Jamie and her former neighbor had met up for lunch at a local restaurant. Because of their busy schedules, Jamie didn’t get to see her friend as much as she would have liked, but they tried to get together at least a couple times a month. It had been weeks since she’d last seen Kat who now sported bright pink hair.
“I know, I wish I could see you more often but I’ve been so busy with classes. When I was doing my online courses, they weren’t so hard to keep up with because I was only taking a couple classes at a time. But now, I’m taking the maximum courses allotted to me per semester and I’m actually attending real classes. When I’m not studying my butt off, I’m spending time with Asa because his schedule has been so erratic lately.”
“I’m so proud of you, Jamie. You’re doing your thing and you genuinely seem happy. I trust that the good doctor is treating you right?”
Jamie felt herself blushing. Had it really been eight months since she’d taken the leap of faith and moved in with Asa. She’d been apprehensive at first but things couldn’t be better. “Yes, actually they’re going great. Asa has been so good to me. He’s like a dream come true.”
“He looks like a dream come true.” Kat grinned knowingly. “If you weren’t my friend, I’d be jealous. You’re living the life. You’re going to school and you’re dating a hunky doctor. And, I’m sure I didn’t imagine that sleek SUV you pulled up in. I didn’t know you could drive.”
“Before I met Asa, I couldn’t but he wasn’t comfortable with me taking public transportation everywhere so he taught me how to drive. I have to give him credit for being so patient with me because I nearly crashed his car several times. I was so nervous after the first time it happened that I didn’t want to try again but he just has a way of calming me down. I passed the written test the first time but I failed the driver’s portion. I was so disappointed.”
“But obviously, you passed your test.”
“I had to wait a few weeks before taking it again but I did it and Asa rewarded me with my own car. It was crazy. I’ve never received such an extravagant gift.”
“Sounds like he’s spoiling you.”
“He is. Asa is always doing stuff for me, taking me on shopping trips and buying me gifts. It’s almost like…” Jamie didn’t want to seem like she was complaining, especially when Asa was the first loving relationship she’d ever had.
“Just what?” Kat probed.
“I just feel that sometimes he’s too perfect.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s no secret that my life hasn’t always been easy. In fact, I used to dwell in a living hell. It’s like Asa came out of nowhere to rescue me. I can’t think of a better partner so I don’t want you to think I’m complaining but I feel like I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop. Like one day a switch will go off and he’ll decide that he doesn’t want me anymore.” There were a few other concerns in the back of her mind. A couple months ago, she woke up to go to the bathroom a little after midnight and he wasn’t there. Because of the nature of his job, he was sometimes contacted in the middle of night even if he wasn’t on call. Usually, he’d leave a note for her to find in case she was concerned about his whereabouts.
That night had been different, however, mainly because he’d been acting cagey for the days leading up to it. He seemed more intense and more possessive and more aggressive in the bedroom. Something seemed to be bothering him but she couldn’t figure out what. Besides that, there was no note saying he’d be out so Jamie had been worried and waited up.
Jamie curled up on the couch with a book from one of her favorite mystery writers but she couldn’t concentrate on the words and she couldn’t get back to sleep. So, she waited. After a couple hours passed, she decided to call the hospital only to be informed by the nurse that Dr. Stansfield was not on duty that night and that she’d take a message.
Where was he? Her worst fears were activated. Was he by chance out with someone else? It wasn’t beyond the realm of possibility after all, he didn’t have a shortage of women throwing themselves at him. All of her insecurities came flooding back. It was nearly four in the morning when she heard the front door open and the alarm code beep.
Asa strolled past the living room and looked in, probably because she’d left the light on. “Jamie, what are you doing up?”
“I woke up and you weren’t here.”
Something flickered in his eyes but whatever it was, she couldn’t quite discern it. A grin spread his lips as he approached her. “Oh, and did you miss me?” he asked wrapping his arms around her and giving her a kiss on the neck.
Jamie’s first instinct was to melt against him but instead, she steeled herself not to respond.
He raised his head and shot her a questioning look. “No kisses for Daddy?”
“Asa, I was worried about you. I called the hospital and you weren’t there. Where were you?”
His eyes darkened briefly. “Why did you call the hospital?”
“Because I thought that was where you might be. You usually let me know where you’re going.”
“I had a little problem that I had to take care of.”
“What problem?” she probed.
“Nothing to concern yourself with. Let’s just say that it’s a problem that will save a lot of people trouble in the long run.”
Jamie cocked her head to the side. “What does that even mean?”
“It means, that I had to take care of a problem.”
Jamie pulled out of his arms. “What was the problem?”
“I don’t want to talk about it right now but eventually, I’ll tell you everything.”
“Why can’t you tell me now?”
“Because I said, we’d talk about this later.”
“Or maybe because you were with someone else?”
He narrowed his eyes. “What if I told you that I was gone because I had to murder someone?”
She pushed away from him as tears flooded her eyes. “Now, you’re just making fun of me.” Jamie turned to walk away but Asa grabbed her and pulled her against him.
Before she could offer any further protest, he covered her mouth with his in a hungry passionate kiss. He pushed his erection against the juncture of her thighs. Jamie wanted to fight him off but he wouldn’t let go. He yanked off her bonnet and grabbed a handful of her hair before giving it a rough tug. He rained kisses and love bites against the column of her throat. “Does this feel like I want anyone besides you?”
“I…I don’t know.”
Asa released her hair only to cup her face in the palm of his hands. “Listen to me when I tell you this. I don’t want anyone but you. When I said you were mine that meant I’m yours as well. Don’t ever doubt my words again.”
“But—”
He cut her off with the press of his lips against hers. “When the time is right, I’ll tell you everything. But for now, you’re going to have to trust me.”
His expression was earnest and though some residual doubt lingered in the back of her mind, Jamie finally nodded.
That had been their only hiccup so far. Other than that, Asa had given her no other reason to worry but it was hard to overcome years of self-doubt and low self-esteem.
Kat must have picked up on that because she reached across the table to give Jamie’s hand a squeeze. “Honey, you can’t think like that. You’re a wonderful person. Even my jaded ass saw that when I met you. Despite all the hardships you’ve endured, you’re one of those people who have miraculously not allowed the world to corrupt them. You’re one of the sweetest people I know. And, you deserve all the good things happening to you right now.”
Jamie smiled. It was reassuring to her to hear that. Kat was so outgoing and self-assured. Jamie envied that confidence at times so it meant the world to her to hear her friend say it. Jamie realized she still had a long way to go before she stopped doubting herself but she’d come a long way. “Thank you. That really means a lot to me.”
“I only speak the truth, sweetie. Anyway, now that you’re a full-time student, have you decided what you want to major in?
“Well, after this semester, I’ll have enough college credits to apply to the local university as a junior transfer. I haven’t earned a grade lower than a B, so my chances of getting in are pretty good. I was thinking about going into social work. I want to help children who are in situation like I was. I know a lot of people in that field are over burdened with work and underpaid but I want to make a difference.”
“That’s pretty noble. See what I meant by you being a genuine person? Most people, I know, who hook up with a successful doctor would be living the good life but not you. You want to change the world. You’re better than me because if I met a man like your Asa, I would be eating lobster every night and running up his credit card bill. I’d be waited on hand and foot.”
Jamie giggled. “Why can I see you doing exactly that?”
“Because I’m lazy as fuck. That’s why I’m a club promoter. Sure, you have to have charisma and be a people person to do what I do, but let’s be honest, I mostly get by on my looks so it’s not that difficult for me. Plus, I get into all the best parties so there’s that.”
“At least, you’re doing something that’s making you happy.”
“I’d be happier if I had a sugar daddy.”
Jamie laughed. “You’re too much. So, are you working tonight?”
“No, even I have to rest sometimes.”
“Good, because I was hoping that you could help me out with something.”
“Sure, anything.”
“Well, the hospital is having a big charity event tonight and I have to pick out a dress. The last time Asa took me around his colleagues, I felt so underdressed because the dress I picked was really out of place.”
“What were you wearing that you felt you were underdressed?”
“Well, it was a dinner engagement for the president of the hospital. He invited some high-ranking hospital staff. I chose this nice floral dress with spaghetti straps. I thought it looked nice and Asa complimented me on it so I thought I’d done a good job. But when I arrived, all the women were decked out in these fancy designer dresses while I felt like I was about to go to church. You’re such a sharp dresser that maybe you can come with me to the mall to pick something out.”
“Do you, by any chance, have Asa’s credit card?”
“I do. He didn’t give me a limit.”
Kat grinned. “Say no more, my friend. Your fairy godmother is here to assist you.”
* * *
They’d skipped the mall altogether and Kat took her to a boutique uptown. When they walked inside the shop, she immediately felt out of place in her simple sundress. “This place looks really expensive.”
“If you want to fit in, you have to dress the part. Besides, I’ll try not to go too overboard.”
Any second now, Jamie was expecting some snooty sales woman to come over to them and tell them that they didn’t belong.
Kat squeezed her shoulders in reassurance. “It’ll be fine. We’ll find you the perfect dress.”
As they perused through dresses, Kat held up a little black number that plunged daringly low.
Jamie shook her head. “No way. That would expose my entire front and exactly what kind of bra would I wear with a dress like that?”
“You don’t wear a bra with this type of dress. You use tape in a strategic way.”
“That’s a hard pass for me.”
“You’d look fantastic in it.”
“No way.” Jamie saw a long-sleeved gray dress. It had intricate beading woven in the material which shimmered in the light. “This one is pretty.”
“Sure, if you were seventy years old. Don’t you want to look sexy for your man?”
“Well, Asa has never complained about what I’ve worn before.” Mainly because when they were in the house together, she barely wore anything. He said the less she wore the easier it was for him to fuck her. Just thinking about it now, made her tingle all over. That was certainly one aspect of her relationship that she had absolutely no complaints about. Asa was still as dominant as ever and could be quite rough at times but Jamie had developed a taste for his brand of aggressive lovemaking.
But, he wasn’t always rough. There were times when he made sweet love to her. As he moved in and out of her, their bodies joined as one, he’d drop light kisses all over her face and he’d tell her how beautiful and special she was to him. He hadn’t yet said he loved her but it didn’t matter because he made her feel it.
“Earth to Jamie,” Kat snapped her fingers in Jamie’s face.
Jamie shook her head to clear it of her lascivious thoughts. “I’m sorry what were you saying?”
“I was asking what you thought about this pink dress?”
“No way. I hate pink. It looks like that disgusting digestion medication.”
“It would look cute on you.”
“I’d look like a ball of cotton candy.”
Kat sighed with obvious frustration. “Jamie, we’ve been to several stores and we still haven’t found anything. You have to pick something.”
“May I help you ladies?” A sales lady walked over to them. She seemed friendly enough but Jamie eyed her cautiously.
“Well, I’m looking for a dress for a charity ball tonight.”
“And you’re having trouble settling on a dress you like? Let me take a good look at you.” The sales woman looked Jamie up and down. “Hmm, you have beautiful skin and I think you’ll need a warm color. And, you have a nice little figure. You’re petite, not too large on top but a nice round bottom,” the sales woman seemed to speak more to herself than she did to Jamie.
Jamie wasn’t sure if she should have been insulted but she decided not to take offense.
“I think I have the dress for you. Give me a minute and I’ll be right back.”
“Wow, she was direct and to the point,” Jamie noted when the woman was out of earshot.
Kat waved dismissively. “She was just being helpful, although I don’t know what she could find that’s better than this black dress. I say you should at least try it on before you poo-poo it.”
“I don’t need to try that dress on to know that it’s slit down to my navel. No thanks. I’m self-conscious enough as it is.”
Just then the sales woman returned with a red bodycon dress that looked modest but it was missing a back and it had a risqué looking slit.
Jamie looked at the garment with uncertainty. “I’m not sure if that dress is any better.”
“That dress is fire.” Kat nodded in approval. “The least you can do is try it on.”
After a few minutes of cajoling from Kat and the sales lady, Jamie gave in and took the red dress to the dressing room. To her surprise, it fit perfectly. The short-sleeved red number hugged her curves like a second skin. Though it covered the front of her body completely, it dipped so low in the back that it ended at the top of her buttocks. And just as she suspected, the slit came all the way up to the middle of her thigh.
It did look nice but she wasn’t sure if she had the courage to wear something like this in public. And what would Asa say about it?”
“Come on out!” Kat called to her.
Taking a deep breath, Jamie stepped out of the dressing room.
“Girl, you look amazing. Look at that cute little figure you’ve been hiding. You’re going to knock the good doctor’s socks off with that.”
The sales lady smiled and nodded in approval. “You do look fantastic in it.”
“Come on, Jamie. Live a little.”
Maybe for once it was time to throw caution to the wind. Besides, if Asa didn’t like it, he could always take it off of her. And she was definitely looking forward to that part of the evening. Jamie smiled. “I’ll take it.”