Chapter Four
“I find it perplexing why you’re calling me when I’ve made it clear our arrangement is over. How did you get my personal number anyway?” A vein throbbed in James’ forehead and he could feel his blood pressure rising. He had enough stress from his job without dealing with an ex-mistress who refused to take no for an answer. Megan was beautiful, charming, witty and so sophisticated. But among those attributes was the flaw of not realizing when things were over.
“Stella gave me the number. Don’t be mad at me Jaime. I needed to talk to you. You can’t leave things the way they are. How about you come over for a nightcap and I’ll—”
“And you’ll what? Be waiting for me naked and ready when I arrive?”
“Of course.” Her voice dripped with the smug arrogance of someone who was used to getting her way. “I know how to give it to you just the way you like.”
“Would you do anything I wanted?”
“Anything, darling.”
“Promise?”
“Cross my heart.”
“Be out of the penthouse by the end of the month and do not call this number again or you can forget about the bonus.” James ended the call without waiting for a response and immediately phoned his executive assistant.
“Yes, James?” Paul Winters answered on the second ring.
“Cancel Ms. Matthew’s cell phone account as well as any memberships she has. I’d also like you to personally see to it that all of her belongings have been removed from the penthouse. And I’d like for you to relay to Stella my number is not to be given out unless I say.”
“I’m on it.”
“I’ll be at the gym for the next hour in which time this phone will be off. I’ll need you to have those documents on the Garrison Group on my desk first thing in the morning. And I trust we won’t have any more slip-ups with Stella.”
“Will do.”
He hung up the phone and put it on sleep mode. Though it was left unsaid he knew Paul would let his secretary know if she overstepped her boundaries again, she’d be out of a job. James ran a multibillion dollar corporation where one bad decision could lose him millions and lay off thousands. He worked hard, giving his one hundred and ten percent and he expected no less from those he employed.
Despite the daily pressure, there were two things that eased his stress and that was sex or a good workout, both if he could squeeze it in. However, now that he was in between lovers he’d have to settle for sweating it out in the gym.
After changing and locking away his valuables, James headed for the treadmill. He usually warmed up with a four mile run before hitting the weights.
James popped his earbuds in and turned his MP3 player up loud enough to drown out all other sound. He started at a moderate jog and steadily picked up the pace to a full out run. With the cardio machines being located on the second floor, he could see the other patrons working out below him. He rarely paid attention to them but one woman caught his eye when she tripped over a dumbbell and face-planted. For a second she lay on the ground, unmoving and he debated cutting his run short to see if she was okay. The decision was taken from him as several people including some staff members rushed over to check on her.
She looked more than a little dazed as she was helped to her feet. He felt sympathy for the unfortunate woman but quickly pushed her out of his mind as he focused on his run. Afterwards he stretched and headed downstairs to tackle the weights. On his way to the free weights something slammed into his back.
“I’m so sorry,” a frantic voice cried from behind him.
It wasn’t the first time a woman “accidentally” bumped into him although not this much force was usually applied. More than a little annoyed, he turned around to see who his assailant was and came face to face with the woman he’d spied earlier. He planned on telling her to watch where she was going but stopped at the sight of her stricken face. This was no ruse to gain his attention. Judging from the tumble she’d taken earlier, the woman was nothing more than a klutz.
“I wasn’t watching where I was going. I’m really sorry,” she apologized again. “Are you okay?”
There was something about this woman that kept James rooted to the spot when he would have dismissed her by now. She was by no means a conventional beauty. At most, she was passably pretty but her face was arresting nonetheless. Possessing large, doe-like dark brown eyes crowned with long curly lashes, the mystery woman gave off an air of innocence. She was of average height, yet even beneath her bulky sweat suit he noticed her curves. She held an air of mystery—hidden depths that challenged him to slowly peel away each layer and discover the treasure beneath the innocent demeanor.
Her hair was pulled back in a short messy ponytail accentuating a heart-shaped face and an expanse of dark cocoa brown skin. Her nose was wide but still feminine and her lips were overly generous, but James couldn’t stop staring. The sudden urge to lean forward and sample her inviting mouth, hit James all at once and caught him off guard.
He’d ended his arrangement with Megan two weeks ago and hadn’t had sex since. It was the only explanation he could think of for reacting to a woman who in most circumstances wouldn’t garner a second glance from him. But still, he couldn’t bring himself to walk away. The lady in question was the one to speak first. “Well, uh, again, I’m sorry,” she said as she slowly edged away from him, cheeks stained maroon from her apparent embarrassment.
“Your name,” he demanded.
She looked around as if to see if anyone else witnessed their exchange. “Noelle. Noelle Greene.”
His lips twitched involuntarily at the wobbliness of her voice. He made her nervous. It had been a long since he’d been in the presence of a female who didn’t have a contrived reaction to his presence. James held his hand out to her, “James Rothschild.”
She looked at his outstretched hand before taking his in a surprisingly firm grip. “Nice to meet you. Your eyes are amazing.”
He raised a brow. “Excuse me?”
She yanked her hand away and slapped it against her forehead. “I’m sorry. That was awkward wasn’t it? It’s the artist in me. I notice things like that.” She looked at her feet while she spoke to him. “I’ve taken up enough of your time. Enjoy the rest of your workout.” She backed away but James was reluctant to see her go.
“Noelle, do you have plans after the gym? Perhaps you’d like to catch a quick bite to eat?”
She raised her head and pointed to her chest. “Me?”
This time he really smiled. False modesty was a huge turn off to him but this was no act. There was something strangely endearing about Noelle Greene. “Yes you. I usually grab a quick bite after the gym, nothing too heavy. There’s a deli down the street that makes sandwiches and wraps. My treat.”
Noelle furrowed her brows together and looked over her shoulder. “I ate before I came and I’m here with my cousin. Thanks for the invite but I can’t.”
Her rejection caught him off guard. James prided himself on being able to get a good read on people and he could tell from her body language, his attraction was one-sided.
“You can’t what?” A woman whom James assumed was Noelle’s cousin joined them. She was tall and slender but unlike Noelle her workout clothes hugged all her curves. This woman fit more into the classically beautiful category, more his type but the shy Miss Greene intrigued him.
“I was inviting Noelle for a bite to eat afterwards but I’ve been informed she’s eaten.”
“She barely touched her food. I’m sure she’d love to have a meal with you.” The woman smiled brightly.
Noelle slid closer to her cousin. “Simone, we came together.”
“I’m a big girl. I can find my own way home. Besides, Mr. ...?” Simone smiled up at him.
“James Rothschild,” he offered.
“I’m sure Mr. Rothschild will see you home. He looks like a nice enough guy and he’s a hunk. Besides, it’s not like he’ll try anything funny since I can now describe him to the police.” Simone paused with a frown. “I’ve heard that name somewhere.” She looked up at James expectantly but he had no intention of volunteering anymore information.
James smiled at Noelle. “Your cousin thinks I’m harmless.”
“She’d love to go. As a matter of fact, I was just coming over to tell her I was ready to head home, so why don’t you two go ahead. I’ll catch you back at the apartment Noelle.” She gave her cousin a wink before walking off leaving Noelle with her mouth wide open.
He hadn’t meant to put her on the spot and he wouldn’t if she truly didn’t want his company. “Look, Noelle, if you’re uncomfortable you don’t have to come out with me.”
She shook her head vehemently. “It’s not that, it’s just…”
“Noelle, it’s perfectly okay. I’ll tell you what. I’m going to finish my workout, shower and change. I should be ready in about forty minutes. If you’d like to go with me to the deli, we’ll meet at the front of the gym. Otherwise, no hard feelings. Fair enough?”
Noelle silently nodded. James gave her a tight smile before heading off to finish his workout. Once he was away from her he wasn’t sure what had possessed him to ask her out in the first place. Perhaps his libido was out of control. But why her? There were a number of women who would jump at the opportunity to share his bed. Since making his first million, women came easy to him.
As he hit the weights, he reexamined his motives. Perhaps it was the novelty of her apparently not knowing who he was. Her cousin had recognized his name but didn’t know where she’d heard it from. She’d find out eventually but by then it wouldn’t matter. He’d get what he wanted from Noelle and never spare her another thought.
Noelle remained rooted to the spot minutes after James walked away. Men like James Rothschild didn’t ask out awkward, dumpy women like her. That only happened in movies and the romance novels she used to read as a teenager. What could he possibly want from her when he was by far one of the most attractive men she’d ever seen?
The artist in her noted every line and intricate detail of his face, from the square jaw to the dark sinister brows slashing over intense, slate-gray colored eyes. His nose was prominent and slightly askew as it had had been broken at some point and not set properly, but it suited him. The slight imperfection humanized him, adding character to arrestingly handsome features.
James looked to be around six foot two or three because he had towered over her five foot five frame. His body was muscular but tone—a boxer’s build. She glanced in the direction he’d headed and saw him by the weights lifting way more than she could dream of attempting. The sheer power of his movements sent a shiver through her body. A woman would never be the same after being with a man like James. He frightened and fascinated her and Noelle wasn’t sure which emotion was winning.
“He’s something else isn’t he?” Simone’s voice brought her out of her silent perusal.
Noelle jumped. “I thought you’d left.”
“Not yet. I just wanted to stick around long enough to make sure you follow through on this date.”
Her cousin meant well, of that Noelle was sure, but it was no less embarrassing to be offered up like some prized pig at a county fair. “I could have done without your intervention.”
“Oh, I beg to differ little cuz. If I hadn’t walked over when I did, you would have allowed that Grade-A prime hunk to walk away. Someone that fine doesn’t come along often. Did you check out his body? If he didn’t have eyes only for you I would have given my number.”
“How do you know he isn’t some kind of serial killer? You said you recognized his name, maybe you saw it on the news because he killed a bunch of random women.”
“Girl, if the police were looking for him, I doubt he’d be here. No, I heard his name somewhere else. I could have read it online or in a magazine. I’m not sure but I’ll do a web search when I get home. Why, do you think there’s something wrong with him?”
Noelle was uncomfortable having this conversation in a gym full of people. “Can we go outside? I need air.”
“Are you okay?” Simone eyed her with concern.
“Yeah, but I’d rather not talk here, okay?”
“Sure. Let’s go.” When they were outside, Simone didn’t wait for Noelle to gather her thoughts. “Okay, spill it.”
Noelle leaned against the brick building for support. “I just don’t get it. What does that guy want with me?”
“Uh, he obviously wants to have dinner with you. I’ve been telling you to get out more and here’s your opportunity.”
“That’s not what I meant and you know it.” Noelle balled her fists at her sides in frustration. All the old taunts from her Aunt and cousins came back to her, bringing Noelle’s insecurities front and center. She had limited dating experience and even less confidence in dealing with the opposite sex.
Not a day went by when Noelle wasn’t told she was ugly, her hair was too nappy, her lips were too big, she was too dark and she was stupid, all by either her Aunt or her twin cousins, Derrick and Damon. Uncle Ebenezer simply ignored her most times except when they were at Church where he was Pastor.
Simone defended her as best she could but when Noelle realized her cousin suffered for standing up for her, she learned not to let anyone see her cry. She wouldn’t talk or complain about it. Noelle absorbed it like a sponge until she began to believe it. By the time Simone left home, Noelle had no one and the psychological beat down continued to the point where she couldn’t stand looking in the mirror.
It had been three years since she’d moved out of that house but the scars were still fresh. She’d shied away from any type of relationship since Walter, despite Simone’s attempts to set her up. The few times she’d been persuaded to go out on a blind date they ended in disaster. Nothing was worse than seeing the disappointment in a man’s eyes when they first laid eyes on her. And now this really together guy who looked like a Greek God was asking her out? Something had to be up.
“Then tell me what you mean, hon.” Simone gently prompted.
“I used to have a crush on the captain of the basketball team. His name was Antoine, really good looking and very popular with the all the girls and female teachers alike. I knew I never had much of a chance with him but when he started paying attention to me and I lapped it up of course. He asked me to the fall harvest dance. Aunt Frieda said I could go because she was having company that night and didn’t want me around. We agreed to meet at the dance. Even Derrick and Damon were being nice to me. They offered to drive me there with them since they were going to the dance anyway. I guess I should have known something was up then because those two were never nice to me. I was just so excited a boy liked me I didn’t stop to analyze the situation. Anyway, when I got to the dance, I saw Antoine dancing with Ramona Fields, one of the popular girls.”
“Up until that point, Ramona and I never said a word to each other but when they’d finished dancing, I walked over to Antoine to let him know I was there. I barely said hello when Ramona ripped me a new one. She made fun of my outfit, called me just about everything but a child of God. I was so humiliated. Antoine stood laughing and he told me it was just a joke and he didn’t think I’d show up.”
It happened years ago but the memory haunted her like it was yesterday. She tilted her head back to keep the tears from spilling. “Apparently most of the people at the dance were in on the joke except me. Derrick and Damon of course knew about it which is why they were so eager to take me to the dance. I was so mortified I left the dance and walked home. After that I knew better. Even that worm Walter had an ulterior motive for wanting to be with me. So why is James interested in me?” The memory of that humiliation still burned to this day. She wiped a stray tear that slipped from the corner of her eye.
“Oh, sweetie, those kids were a bunch of assholes. You’ve got to know that. As for my brothers…well you know they’re not worth the effort it took to bring them into the world.” Simone closed the space between the two of them and captured Noelle’s face between her hands. “I know you had it hard living with my mother, Ebenezer and the twin terrors but they can’t hurt you anymore. And those jackass kids who pranked you can all go to hell. If you buy into the bullshit they tried to sell you, then they won. Don’t give them that victory, babe.” She leaned forward and placed a kiss on Noelle’s forehead.
Simone’s heart was in the right place but some things were easier said than done. “Thanks, Simone.”
“You’re welcome. Now stop thinking about a bunch of rotten kids from high school. I’m sure James is nothing like them. He doesn’t strike me as the kind of man to play those types of games. Obviously he sees in you what I’ve been saying all along but you’ll never know for sure unless you give him a chance. Why not just go out with him for that meal and if it doesn’t work out then at least you won’t have to wonder what if.”
“But he’s so good looking—”
“And so are you.”
Noelle could see her cousin wasn’t going to give up until she acquiesced. She took a deep breath and nodded. “Okay. I’ll give it a shot.”