Jimmy
“Jimmy Sheldon.”
“You still not introducing yourself as ‘James’? Makes you sound like a teenage boy.”
“Markus?” I asked.
“The hell else would it be?”
“Holy shit. Markus. How in the world have you been?”
“I’m coming into town to check up on some things. You free?” Markus asked.
“Of course, I’m free. And it’s about damn time you came back into town. What’s it been, a year?”
“Little over that. I’m flying in on Friday and staying for a couple of weeks. I’ve got some business to handle that requires my face.”
“Who screwed up now?” I asked.
“You don’t wanna know. But I’ll fill you in over dinner when I get into town.”
“Can’t wait to hear what you’re gonna do to the poor soul. You always have the most creative solutions besides simply firing someone.”
“Firing people leaves you with a hole to fill. Makes more work for the businessman. But teach them a lesson they’ll never forget? Less work, more entertainment.”
“Sounds like the ruthless man I know,” I said. “You really need to get back to your biannual trips out here. Miami misses you.”
“I know, I know. Business has been up, and it’s chained me to my damn desk. When do you wanna get dinner?”
“Anytime you’re free,” I said. “And multiple times, if possible.”
“You got it. You’re the only person I can tolerate in Miami anyway. Which reminds me. Leave Nina at home.”
“Then you’re in luck. I broke up with Nina about a week ago.”
“Thank fuck. Do I have Ross to thank for that?” he asked.
“A bit, yes, but it was time for her to go. I had another woman who deserved my time anyway. She’s great. You’d love her.”
“That was quick. But then that’s always been your specialty.”
“Working quick or tearing through women?” I asked.
The two of us shared a laugh as I leaned back in my office chair.
“Her name’s Ashley. She’s our Account Representative for the investors.”
“Ah, dating a bit of corporate. Be careful with that. If things go south, I’ve seen companies go under for less.”
“We’re taking it slow. Ish.”
“Uh-huh. And how long did you two start this ... thing after you ended it with Nina?”
“Two days?”
“Right. Keep your wits about you. Pussy mesmerizes the best of us.”
“You know Nina and my relationship wasn’t traditional.”
“Boy, I’m well aware of that. Pulled a similar stunt before I ended up marrying the woman to save face to the public. It’s common for businessmen to do that, but I’m glad you got rid of her. I would’ve hated to see you make the mistake I did. I swear to fuck, I married Satan’s bride.”
“Call me the second you’re in town. If you’re not too jet-lagged, we’ll get some drinks. On me.”
“Hell, yeah, on you. I’ll be too jet-lagged to reach for my wallet,” he said.
“Talk to you soon, Markus.”
“Yep.”
I was beyond excited for Markus coming into town. I went by Ashley’s office at the end of the day and offered to take her out to dinner. She looked back at me with that beautiful smile and quickly closed her office down, and then the two of us headed to my car. We went to this quaint little restaurant on the corner and had a bite to eat, and I could feel the heat radiating from her body. Her feet kept sliding close to mine underneath the table, and I felt my neck blushing with lust for her.
Now that I knew what she tasted like, I wanted more of her.
“Wanna head back to my place?” I asked.
“Sure. I think it’s about time I see what you call home,” Ashley said.
“You’ll never guess who called me today.”
“Who?” she asked.
“Markus Bryant,” I said.
“Wait, one of our investors called you? Did I do something wrong?”
“No, no, no. It’s nothing like that. Markus isn’t simply any investor. He was the first investor I ever took on. It was his mentorship and guidance that shot Big Steps up the ladder as quickly as we got there. He only comes into town once or twice a year to check on things, but it’s always a good time when he arrives.”
“Wow. That sounds like a very important person in your life,” she said.
“He is. It’s been over a year since he’s been in Miami, and I can’t wait for him to get here.”
“You guys gonna go do all sorts of guy stuff? Like fish and hunt and stuff dead animal heads and mount them in your office?”
“Is that what you picture Ross and me doing whenever we go out?”
“Nope. You and Ross are men who play squash in those tight shorty-shorts with those loud grunts.”
“You imagine Ross in tight shorty-shorts?” I asked.
“Isn’t that what men wear to play squash?”
“I don’t know. I don’t play squash.”
We pulled into the parking garage of my place, and I led her up to my penthouse apartment. It was my second favorite place to be, especially now that Nina was no longer tainting it with her presence. I pressed my hand into the small of Ashley’s back as I guided her into my home. Her eyes took in the expanse of everything before her eyes fell on the view from my windows.
“Floor-to-ceiling windows must be your trademark aesthetic,” she said.
“I do like a good view,” I said.
Her eyes looked up at me as she blushed, but I could tell there was something wrong.
Still.
“What is it?” I asked.
“What’s what?”
“What’s bothering you, Ashley?”
I watched her face grow somber as she cast her gaze back out the windows.
“It’s Nina. All this ... stuff with her. But I promise to put my worries to the side. I know I can’t dwell on it forever.”
“I promise you really have nothing to worry about with her,” I said.
“I’ve always been a worrier. It’s written in my DNA.”
“Then I’ll do everything I can to settle you down,” I said.
My hands fell onto her upper arms, massaging them as a small sigh escaped her lips. I moved to her shoulders, massaging the tension from them as the sun finally set below the skyline. Darkness covered my apartment as Ashley’s curvy silhouette pressed into my body, into my warmth, into my touch.
I wanted to give her some kind of distraction, something to rid her mind of the worries rattling around in her head. I worked my thumbs up her neck as her head tilted forward, offering me all the access in the world.
Then, I tilted her head to the side and turned her lips to mine.
“You look beautiful tonight,” I said.
She responded by grasping the tie around my neck.