Preface
Musing
Nelson
Look at her. I’ve never seen a woman so full of life. Talina lights up a room from the moment she walks in. It’s in her complete essence, from the way she walks to her sultry laugh, to the way her eyes light up with that same laugh.
Talina just moves in a way that grabs your attention, with little to no effort on her behalf. I wish I could find a woman like her to call my own. Sadly, she has been in a relationship, since she started working for my company and it has always been my policy not to date employees.
No, instead, I’m stuck dating the same shells over and over. Women that are no more attracted to me, than I am to them. Not that they aren’t gorgeous women. No, I pull some of the finest. They just have no depth, not the kind of depth I’m looking for. Not what I need.
At thirty-eight, I need someone to compliment me and my accomplishments. It took me years to get here. I look around the ballroom of my company’s holiday party. It’s a big event for my marketing firm to kick off the holiday season, just before Thanksgiving.
Major clients flew out to see what my team has had up its sleeve. Thanks to minds like Talina Valentine, my company has launched a social media site and campaign that will serve several of our clients and allow us to cross promote and market their goods and services as a one-stop powerhouse.
We’re the leaders of who’s who in business. No one will touch what we’ve just created. I smile proudly. I’ve watched Talina grow over the last four years. She has found her voice and made me millions, going on billions.
It’s time for her to receive a promotion. It’s actually long overdue, but I’ve had the perfect position in my mind for Talina. I’ve just been grooming her for it, while getting rid of the current holder of said position.
I have other positions I’d love to groom her for, the thought runs unbidden through my head. I frown, as her boyfriend walks up beside her. They look like the perfect couple. Not only is Talina gorgeous with her mocha brown skin, but her boyfriend is tall dark and handsome.
He looks like he could be on the cover of a GQ magazine. Dark chocolate skin, a perfectly well-groomed beard, tailored suit, and he’s just as tall as I am, maybe six-three to my six-three and a half.
Watching her small frame stand next to him, I know she would fit me perfectly. Although, I’m not quite as handsome. Oh, I’m an honest man.
Most the women I date, date me because I have money. When I was dirty and broke, none of the women that drop their drawers for me now would have taken a second look at me. Don’t get me wrong.
I used to pull my fair share of women, just not the beauty queens I pull now. I’m confident in who I am, it took me awhile to get there, but I am now. At least, when it comes to every woman but Talina.
I can’t believe that at thirty-eight, I turn into a blushing mess around her. It is quite amusing and annoying, I must admit. I’ve tried to steer clear of her as much as possible because of it.
“She’s just as beautiful now, as she was ten minutes ago. You can stop staring,” I hear a Hispanic accent purr beside me.
I turn toward my childhood best friend. The one person that believed in me growing up. I wouldn’t have built any of this if it weren’t for her. Detra has this determination and ambition that’s infectious.
Detra is unique in every way possible, from her Puerto Rican father and Jamaican mother to her carefree style of living her life. Detra believes you have to try everything once.
“What are you talking about?” I murmur, taking a sip of the Brandy I’ve been nursing for the past hour.
Detra nods out towards the crowd below. “Her, your little dove. You can’t fool me. I see the way you look at her. She should have been yours by now,” Detra purrs.
“She’s involved,” I shrug.
Detra holds out a napkin to me. I lift my brow in question. Her full lips curl in the corners. “It’s for the drool,” she chuckles.
“Humph,” I snort and turn back toward my guests below.
“She’s the reason you’re up here and not down there with your clients and your accomplishments. This is a wonderful night. You should be down there celebrating,” Detra sighs.
“I’ve just been reflecting on a few things, before I join the party,” I shrug.
“Things like her. Who is this boyfriend? Does he deserve her?” Detra looks below, narrowing her eyes.
I turn to her sharply and point a finger. “Don’t,” I order.
“What,” Detra bats her lashes at me innocently.
“I know you and I know what you’re thinking. Don’t, I’m warning you. Don’t interfere in her life,” I say firmly.
“I would never,” Detra replies.
“Bullshit, and you know it. Besides, look at him and look at me. You would just be wasting your time,” I say turning back to look down at Talina.
“I hate it when you do that. You’re an amazing man. You’re smart, successful, and you’re one of the sweetest men I know when you want to be,” Detra says, her voice softening with her last words.
“Nowhere in there did you say handsome or sexy,” I scoff.
Detra’s eyes widen. “You’re insane. I shouldn’t have to tell you how sexy you are. The shit oozes off of you. Are you sexy in the traditional movie star way? No. You know I’m not going to bullshit you, but you have this thing.
“I can’t explain it. Confidence hums off of you and you just…I don’t know. You think the women that date you just do it for the money, but I’ve seen the satisfied looks on their faces,” Detra gives me a mischievous smile.
“And yet, you’ve never been curious enough to have a try,” I press my lips.
Detra sighs and places a hand on her hips. “First of all, you’re my best damn friend. I know way too much about you. We would never work. You’d strangle me five seconds into our relationship, fling, or whatever. Then, I’d have to cut your balls off.
“Secondly,” her eyes roll over me, her smile grows wider. “I lied that one time. I did see you naked. I’m just not ready for those types of problems. I like the construction of my walls.”
I throw my head back and laugh. It is a deep belly laugh. I figured she’d seen more than she let on. Just hearing her say it, only as she can, is hilarious.
“What? You know what I’m talking about,” Detra looks down at my crotch pointedly. “But seriously, you are handsome in your own way.”
“Sure,” I nod and take another sip of my drink.
Detra frowns. “Where is this coming from? I haven’t heard you talk like this in so long.”
“It’s nothing,” I wave it off.
“It’s her, but why,” Detra muses aloud.
I think over her question for myself. What makes me so insecure when it comes to Talina. She’s the one. The thought just pops into my head.
My heart has a mind of its own, when she’s around. I’ve wanted to get to know more about Talina, since the day I first laid eyes on her. I stammered over my words and botched the entire interview, like I was the one looking for a job.
I had to excuse myself and let Detra handle the remainder of the interview. I’d thought I was just off that day. I soon learned it was all because of her. Every time Talina is near I forget myself. I become the insecure boy I used to be.
“I don’t know,” I murmur to Detra, not daring to reveal the truth.
Detra glances at me, as if she can see through me. “Um, I see. You keep telling yourself that,” Detra huffs. “For now, let’s get to your guests. You worked hard for this.”
I sigh, “That I have.”
“Oh, and another thing. When and if the opportunity arises for you to pursue her, go after it,” Detra says firmly.
“Detra, I’m warning you,” I growl.
She holds her dainty hand up. “Remember, I work with these women. We talk from time to time. Things get said and passed around. Not everything you see is perfect. Picture perfect, yes, actually perfect, no.”
This time I let her words sink in. I may not fully understand them, but I will admit they give me a slither of hope. Not much, but enough, for now.