Chapter Three
Jamie’s mouth fell open. A clear look of disbelief shown on her face and mistrust glistened in her big brown eyes.
“If you keep your mouth open like that, you’re going to catch a fly. Or maybe, you’d like me to put something else in it,” he suggested.
She closed her mouth and looked down at the table again.
Asa chuckled before taking another sip of his coffee. He’d expected her to be a bit shy of him given her past but she was a lot more withdrawn than he anticipated. He figured after she got used to the idea of the two of them together, she would open up a bit more.
Asa, like most of the doctors at the hospital, didn’t really interact with any of the ancillary staff unless necessary. Although, he made it a point to be courteous to anyone he encountered. In most cases he wouldn’t have noticed Jamie, except one night when he happened to be on call. He was just finishing up a surgery and one of the nurses called to have someone clean the area.
As he headed out the room, Jamie was heading in with her cart, nearly colliding with him. She’d apologized profusely, not even raising her head to look at him. She hurried past him and went about her job. Asa didn’t think about her again until later when he was cleaned up and heading home. He saw her again pushing her cart down the hallway. She looked oddly familiar but he couldn’t figure out where he might have seen her.
It was the moment when she’d turned and their eyes collided. It was the first time he’d gotten a proper look at her face and in that instant, he became enthralled. Was she the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen before? No, but she had a face that was unforgettable. Stunning was the word he would have used for her, with large velvety brown eyes that seemed to take up a lot of space in her heart-shaped face. Her lips were also a thing of wonder. So full and perfectly formed, they seemed to be made for the express purpose of kissing. Her hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail that formed a huge afro puff in the back of her head. Asa wondered what it would be like if she wore it completely out. He bet it would rest around her face like a halo. Her rich melanin enhanced skin was smooth and perfect. She needed no makeup to enrich her unique looks but he could tell that she wasn’t very comfortable in her skin from the way she walked around with her head down. She moved around almost as if she were afraid of something.
As they stared briefly in each other’s eyes, he finally figured it out. She was broken, too. And thus, his infatuation with James Harrison had begun. After she’d scurried away from him as if the devil himself were on her heels, Asa had made a few discreet inquiries as to who she was which is how he learned her name. A name that sounded familiar. Curious as to why he would know who she was, he had googled the name.
That’s when he discovered that she was Closet Girl. It was the name given to the girl who had suffered years of abuse from her family. Apparently, she didn’t have her own bedroom and was made to sleep in a closet. She basically did all the menial work around the house. Most people didn’t know she even lived in the house because she didn’t go to school and was never seen with the family. It was only when the neighbors reported seeing a girl eating out of their trashcan that the extreme abuse was uncovered.
According to the newspapers, Jamie was only sixty pounds. She was so underweight and malnourished; the officials had assumed she was a small child instead of a 14-year-old teenager. The story had been all over the news for a while. Asa remembered that story. He remembered that girl and that face. He remembered all of the broken girls and boys but her story had struck a chord within him just as it had with the rest of the world at the time because her family had portrayed the perfect image to the world. Her father had been a deacon in his church and a mentor for youth in his community, while his wife was a teacher and also heavily active in the church. Everyone had been shocked when the story broke.
But like most news stories, the next big story came along and that one was forgotten. But, he never forgot. Seeing Jamie in the flesh had not only surprised Asa, it had stirred something within him that he didn’t think himself capable of- feeling.
So, he’d dug up everything he could about her and had even gotten hold of her old files through social services. What he didn’t know, he was able to figure out for himself based on his own experiences. Jamie had been through a lot. She was a survivor.
From then on, he watched her every chance he got, carefully learning her routines, who she hung out with. And the more he found out about her, the more he realized she was the right one for him. She was who he had been waiting for. But, he had no intention of slaying her as he did with the monsters he tracked. Asa intended to keep her.
Seeing Maria talk down to his Jamie this morning made him realize that it was time for him to make his move. Now that he was here with her, however, Asa realized that he’d have to go slower than he anticipated. He’d need to earn her trust to make her see that they belonged together.
Maybe he was crazy for fixating on this woman he’d never exchanged more than two words with, but he recognized that he needed her to calm the beast that lurked within him. Asa needed her to keep him from becoming one of the very monsters that he had vowed to slay.
“Eat your food, Jamie, before it gets cold.”
“I’m not…” her voice trailed off as their eyes met his once again. She picked up her fork and speared some potatoes with it.
“Good, isn’t it?” He said over the rim of his coffee cup. He was finished with his breakfast. He liked watching her.
Jamie nodded as she stuffed more food into her mouth.
Asa finished his coffee as Jamie polished off half of her French toast. She pushed her plate away. “I can’t eat another bite. I usually don’t eat a large breakfast.”
“You did well.”
Jamie took a deep breath. “This is still very confusing. I mean, so you know who I am. I don’t know how you learned about the other stuff but I’m not interested in being your charity case. My life might not be that exciting but it’s my life and I don’t need you to fix it.”
Asa grinned. “There’s that fire. I knew it was in you.”
“Are you making fun of me?”
“Now, why would I do that?”
“I don’t know. Someone like you doesn’t typically take notice of people like me. You’re a surgeon at a prestigious hospital and even I know your family has been connected to it for years.”
“Yes, my father was head of surgery and my grandfather Asa, my namesake, was once the president. I come from a long line of doctors who can probably trace their family tree back to the Mayflower. What’s your point?”
“That’s exactly my point, Dr. Stan—Asa. I’m just a custodian. You’re a surgeon. You’re obviously wealthy. I’m not. You’re white, I’m b—”
“A woman and I’m a man. I’m attracted to you and though you’re currently in denial, you’re attracted to me, too.”
She looked away from him, confirming what he already knew. “You sound very sure of yourself.”
“Because, I am. I don’t believe in false modesty. It reeks of insincerity. Just know this, Jamie, I’ll always be honest with you. And, believe me when I say that you and I are meant to be together. Not only that, we will be together.”
“Do I have any say in this?”
“Absolutely. There’s two little words I’m looking forward to hearing you say. Yes, Daddy.”
* * *
Jamie was still reeling from Asa’s declaration. Not only had he laid some kind of claim on her, he expected her to go along with it as if it was a done deal. Was he crazy for even suggesting it? Or was she the crazy one for even considering it? Maybe he was someone who fetishized black women and she was just someone he decided to toy with before he lost interest and moved on to someone more suitable.
After he’d basically told her that she would be his, or something to that effect, he’d paid for their meal and drove her home. Much to her relief, he didn’t attempt to kiss her or even touch her again. Pulling up to the front of her apartment building, he commanded her to wait until he could open the door for her. She wasn’t sure if it was because he was controlling or a gentleman. Either way, he walked her to the door and told her that he’d pick her up the following night for dinner and then leaving before she got a chance to reply.
She was still trying to figure out what the hell had happened when it occurred to her that she never told him her address. The fact that he knew alarmed her a bit. Maybe he got her address from HR but still, that didn’t seem like something they would just give out, regardless of how important the person was who asked for it.
Jamie should have been freaking out but she couldn’t help but think of how it felt when he touched her, his nearness. The smell of his skin. It was maddening that this doctor whom she had no business associating with had somehow seeped into the darkest recesses of her brain with just one real conversation.
Going into her apartment and showering, she lay down to sleep. But after nearly an hour of tossing and turning, she found she couldn’t doze off like she usually did after a particularly arduous shift.
She grabbed the book off her nightstand that’s she’d been reading for the last few days. Jamie tried to read but found herself unable to concentrate. The words were all jumbled as they often were when she couldn’t focus. Reading was one of her favorite pastimes because it was her means of escape. Besides, she never learned to properly read until she was in foster care. For years, she’d been told she was stupid and ‘challenged’ because she didn’t pick up the lessons as easily as the other kids. She’d even been held back in first grade. Jamie’s mother didn’t give a damn about her education. Things weren’t much better with her father who decided it was best that she was ‘homeschooled’ which basically consisted of her learning how to cook, clean, and wait on the family hand and foot. And when company was around, she knew not to be seen unless she wanted to be hit.
How did Asa know all those things about her? It was as if he’d stripped her bare and seen through the careful façade that she created for the rest of the world. Before breakfast this morning, she could almost pretend that she was normal and just like everyone else living their lives. But in reality, she was scared of her own shadow. It was one of the reasons she preferred to work nights. Being around a lot of people made her nervous and she hated sleeping in the dark.
It was hard for her to make friends because she was never sure of their motives. She had trust issues. And why shouldn’t she? The people who were supposed to love and protect her had treated her as an unwanted nuisance to use and abuse.
And it was why she was wary of Dr. Stansfield. Why this sudden pursuit of her? Why now? She’d been at the hospital for two years and all of a sudden, he was interested in her. Maybe her initial guess about him wanting to feel better about himself was the correct one. But, what did he mean when he said that she was just like him?
She was so deep in thought, she was startled when she heard the pounding on her door. Jamie frowned sitting up. She never received visitors. Grabbing the pepper spray on her night stand, she cautiously headed to the door and looked through the peephole. She breathed a sigh of relief. It was her neighbor, Kat.
“What’s going on?”
“I’m sorry to wake you but I couldn’t wait until the afternoon to find out about the fine piece of ass who walked you to your door. Damn girl, are you holding out on me?” Kat pushed her way into Jamie’s apartment and headed straight for the kitchen.
“Sure, come on in.” Jamie rolled her eyes. Kat had one of the biggest personalities she knew and at times could be a bit overwhelming but Jamie could honestly say that Kat was one of the most loyal people she’d ever met.
She had known Kat for the past few years they’d both lived in this building. They’d become friends mainly because Kat liked to talk and Jamie actually listened. Jamie found her friend entertaining. Kat always had the best stories about the night life and Jamie lived vicariously through her friend. Kat worked nights as a club promoter and they often ran into each other when they were coming home from work. It was how they’d become friends.
Kat pulled a bottled water out of the fridge before plopping on the couch. “Ok, spill the beans. Tell me about the hunk who dropped you off this morning.”
“How did you know about him anyway?”
“I was just coming home and I saw him drop you off and walk you to your apartment door. I figure he must not have stayed because he came back out shortly afterward. When he was walking, I happened to walk past him. Hmm, he was nice and all, just how I like them. He smiled at me as we passed each other and girl, I almost had a heart attack. Girl, he was so hot, I nearly took my wig off and embarrassed myself.” She flipped a rainbow lock over her shoulder.
Jamie joined her friend on the couch and sighed. “There’s not really much to tell. He’s just a doctor at the hospital who was nice enough to offer me a ride.”
“Why is my bullshit detector going off? There’s something you’re not telling me.”
“That’s really what it was,” Jamie denied.
“Okay, if that’s the truth then look me in the eyes when you say that.”
Jamie tried to meet her friend’s gaze but was unable to do it. “Fine. He offered me a ride and took me out for breakfast. It was a weird encounter. I don’t quite know how to explain it.”
“Well try because now I’m really curious.”
“He knows about me.”
Kat frowned. “Knows about you? Are you talking about your past?”
Jamie nodded. “I think he recognized me which is weird because it’s an old news story. Most people have long forgotten about that scandal.”
“But it was a big deal at the time especially since your father was such a well-known member in the community. Whatever happened to them anyway? I know there was a trial but… Sorry. I didn’t mean to be so insensitive.”
“It’s okay. I try not to think about them, actually. I think my stepmother was released a few years back and as far as I know, my father is still behind bars.”
“Do you have any contact with your sisters?”
Jamie shook her head. “None. I suppose they blamed me for what happened so they wanted nothing to do with me.”
“You sound so removed from it all.”
“I have to be or else I’ll never accomplish anything in my life.”
“That’s the spirit. So, getting back to that hot doctor of yours. So what if he recognizes you from news articles from years ago? It’s obvious he’s interested in you. When I saw him walking you into the building, he was looking at you in a way that said he wanted to eat you up.”
“You saw all of that from your car?”
“I sure did. I’m an observant person. So, will you see him again?”
“Well…he said he’d pick me up tomorrow at seven. But he didn’t tell me where he was taking me. I’m sure wherever it is, I don’t have any appropriate clothing. I have one nice outfit I got from the thrift shop for when I was interviewing.”
“Well, you’re lucky you have a friend like me because we’re going shopping.”
“Whoa! I never said anything about going out with him. He said that he intended to come get me at seven. I never agreed to this date.”
“Why the hell not? Since I’ve known you, I’ve never seen you with a date. All you do is go to work and come home.”
“Shortly after I aged out of the foster care system, I had a few roommates and I tried to keep up with them. I dated a few guys but I was so awkward and unsure of myself. And one guy…he was nice until he got what he wanted from me. I haven’t heard from him since. After that experience, I decided dating wasn’t for me. If I can’t handle some random guy who lived in his mother’s attic and delivered pizzas for a living, what makes you think I have any business dating a successful doctor? I mean, what exactly do I have to offer? I get so tongue tied in public situations. And, you’re my only friend. I’d be an embarrassment.”
“Are you kidding me?”
“You’re such a sweet person and you’re smart. You can recite all these random facts. Have you looked in the mirror? You’re gorgeous girl. Don’t sell yourself short. Now, I don’t want to hear you put yourself down again because I think you’re great and obviously, this doctor thinks so, too.”
Jamie saw no point in going into too much detail about her conversation with Asa. And while he scared her, he also excited her in ways she couldn’t explain. No matter the outcome, Jamie felt now that Dr. Asa Stansfield had stepped into her life, it would never be the same.