Chapter 13
She did her best to forget him! The ad campaign was finished with and he had not come back to the agency and she did not hear from him so she figured that he had really moved on from her and it was time for her to do the same. She plunged herself into work and did not leave the agency until she was exhausted!
She met Darius Montgomery one Friday night when she stopped at the local bar to grab a drink before heading home. Diana had gone to Connecticut for the weekend to visit her parents. Sasha had the soup kitchen to deal with tomorrow and she was idly thinking of going to church on Sunday. Chloe had been out of the hospital and was staying with Minister Brady and his wife and family. The treatment was going well and she was recovering.
"I will have what she is having," she heard the deep voice next to her and turned to tell him that she wanted to be alone but stopped as she stared at the tall, attractive, black man sitting on the stool next to her. He was wearing a thick blue sweater over his dark blue shirt and she saw a hint of red tie at his neck. He was clean shaven and had a cleft in his chin and he was attractive.
"I am drinking white wine," she said pointedly.
"I will have the same." He gave her a slow smile. "I hate to see beautiful women drinking alone."
"Is that the pickup line you use for all the ladies?" she asked him mildly.
"Only the beautiful ones," he returned as he accepted the glass of wine from the bartender. "My name is Darius Montgomery." He stretched out his hand and she took it briefly. "I don’t remember seeing you in here before."
"So this is your local haunt? The place you come to pick up women?" she asked him, with raised brows.
"I work a few blocks away and I come here on Fridays to hang out instead of going back to an empty apartment. It works wonders and I don’t need to pick up women as you put it." He sipped the wine as he looked at her. "I could not help myself when I saw you sitting here. You are a fine looking woman."
"I could almost believe you," she said dryly, feeling pleased at the compliment. "Why the empty apartment?"
He shrugged and sipped the wine contemplatively. "Messy divorce six months ago and I am still trying to recover."
"Kids?’
"Thank God, no!" he said feelingly. "That would have made a bad situation a disaster and it is already a disaster."
"I am sorry to hear that," Sasha murmured. "So you come in here to try and replace her?"
"Not at all. Right now, I intend to have fun being single. How about you?"
"I am single and loving it," she murmured, wishing it were true. "I was in something, but it did not work out."
"His loss." His dark brown eyes wandered over her thick dark hair which was loose around her face and shoulders and the way the thick white sweater emphasized her curves. "You did not tell me your name."
"Sasha Fullerton."
"Nice to meet you, Sasha Fullerton. I hope that this will not be the last time we meet up."
She eyed him a little bit before finishing her wine. "I am not interested in a relationship at this point."
"Neither am I. We could just be two friends hanging out at this bar or hanging out at dinner or over coffee. I work at the Blasdell Building at the corner of the street as an accountant."
"Accountant?" She wrinkled her nose and caused him to laugh.
"Yes, I am afraid so, but don’t let the title fool you. I am not in the least bit boring. I dance pretty well and know how to have fun."
"I bet you do," she said with a smile.
"So what do you do?"
"I am an account executive."
"That’s a pretty exciting career. No wonder you are not impressed by what I do."
"It has its moments."
"So, Sasha Fullerton, why is a beautiful woman like you sitting at a bar tonight?"
"I was just having a drink before I get back to my apartment, and for the record I am not lonely," she told him.
"I am sure you are not." He reached into the pocket of his vest and took out a cardholder. He opened it and handed a card with his name on it and numbers. "In case you want to grab a coffee, take in a movie, or just share a sandwich or just talk."
She took her eyes from the card and looked at him. "As long as you realize that this is just casual."
"I can do casual for now." He nodded. "Is it possible for me to get your number?"
She hesitated and then with a shrug, she reached into her pocketbook and took out her card and handed it to him. He looked at the card with a slight frown. "You work just up the street from me. How did I miss seeing you?"
"Maybe you were not looking for me," she told him with an amused look on her face.
"I will certainly be looking for you now." His look told her more than he was willing to say and she felt a little uncomfortable. She had told him the truth. She had told herself that she was moving on but she could not get Stephan out of her mind. "Nice to meet you, Sasha Fullerton."
"The feeling is mutual." She started to pay the tab, but he stopped her.
"It’s on me."
"I can pay for my own drink, Darius," she told him firmly.
"I know, but please, let me do it. I want to."
She nodded and slid off the stool. "See you around," she told him.
"Definitely," he said softly.
*****
"Are you okay?" Angelica asked the man seated opposite to her softly. She had come back from shooting the film three days ago and had headed straight to the apartment she kept in town so she could see him. They had not corresponded much since she had been gone, but she had been busy and so had he. But now she had time to get serious about the relationship and she was hoping that he felt the same way. She had been the one to suggest dinner and he had agreed, but she had a feeling that his mind was elsewhere. He had barely touched the shrimp salad he had ordered.
"I am fine." He forced a smile as he looked at her. She really was very beautiful, he thought with a pang. If only he could work up some sort of desire for her! "Tell me about this movie that you just finished filming."
She looked at him for a moment as she contemplated on what had him so preoccupied. "Are you sure you want to hear?"
"I am sure," he said with a smile. "You have all of my attention." They had been photographed coming into the restaurant and Stephan knew that their picture would be splashed all over the papers by morning!
"Well, it is set in the 1900s and I play the part of a damsel in distress. It is a classic love story of a war bride who finds love while her husband has gone off to fight a senseless war." She warmed up to the story as she related it to him. "Here is this woman alone and scared, living by herself with her husband gone off for God knows how long and then she is caught up with his best friend who pops by to check on her."
"Why didn’t he go to war?" Stephan asked curiously.
"An injury to his left leg," she said with a shrug. "He went to enlist, but he did not make the cut. He was quite bitter about it, but he told his friend that he would look out for her and he kept his promise. They started to feel an attraction for each other after only a few weeks and tried to fight it. He stayed away for a long time because let’s face it! She is his best friend’s wife and he should not feel anything except friendship for her, but he could not fight it and neither could she and they gave into the forbidden love."
"And the best friend ended up dying in the war?" he asked.
She laughed at that. "That would have been too easy. He came back after a year, but things had changed for him and for here. She was in love with his best friend and he had seen things that had scarred him for life. He was not the same person who had left a year ago. He was traumatized and did not know how to settle back into society. In the meantime, she was trying to be a wife to him while loving his best friend."
He was fascinated in spite of himself. "Tell me that there is a happy ending."
"What is happy about it, darling?" she said with a shake of her head. "If she went with the best friend, she ends up hurting her husband. If she went with the best friend, she ends up hurting the man she married."
"So?"
"She stayed with him and met the friend somewhere and told him with tears pouring down her face that she could never see him again. He told her that he was not letting her go."
"So what happened?"
"The husband found out."
"How badly hurt was he?"
"Pretty badly." She sipped her flavored water and eyed him curiously. "Do you believe that love has the ability to change things?"
"Like what?"
"Like the fabric of a person’s life. I mean everything around the person. Would you do anything for love?"
He stared at her for a moment before looking down into his glass of wine. "Love makes one vulnerable."
"Are you still in love with her?" she asked him softly.
His eyes flew to hers and narrowed as he looked at her. "I don’t know what you mean."
She laughed softly. "I am a beautiful and successful actress, darling. Men line up to get a chance to be with me. I pretty much can have any man I want except Stephan Coleman. I get it that you are this beautiful billionaire and women line up to be with you, but you are unavailable and untouchable because your heart is tied up with someone else."
"You are very imaginative," he said lightly.
"Am I? Or have I just hit the nail on the proverbial head?" She leaned forward and touched his hand. "I have eyes in my head, darling. You have not touched me intimately and we have been seeing each other for almost a month. You make excuses when I ask to see you."
"So why are you still here?" he asked her bluntly.
"Maybe it’s pride or ego or maybe I want to try and change your feelings. Whatever way I see it, I am interested in you and I want to try."
"Even though as you claim I am in love with another woman?" he asked her sardonically.
She nodded. "You may never get over her, but I am going to be my very best to try and see to it that you get over her."
"That may never happen," he told her bluntly.
She stared at him in silence for a moment and then responded. "I like a challenge."
He leaned forward. "Do you know why I have not touched you? I cannot touch you the way I touched her because it is virtually impossible for me to do so right now."
Her breath caught at the intense look on his face. "I will wait."
*****
"So I have this thing to go to and I was wondering if you could accompany me?" Sasha asked as she toyed with the foam cup. She had been to dinner with him and realized that she really liked him as a friend. Now they were having coffee with him.
"What thing?" he asked her.
"It’s this stupid Valentine’s Day party that a client I worked with invited all of us from the office. I did the ad campaign for them and they are really enthused about it. Shimmer! is the latest rage in underwear and it will be a party combined with the models strutting their stuff on stage so it is a big deal. Will you come with me?"
"You did the ad for the line of lingerie?" he asked, looking at her impressed.
"We did," she corrected him. "I did the initial thing and we worked on it as a team."
"I love that ad!" he told her with a smile.
"You watch lingerie ads." She shook her head. "Of course you do, you are a man."
"Exactly. And I must say that highlighting plus sized models to be part of the campaign was brilliant. Was it your idea?"
"I made the suggestion. Women are starting to wake up and realize that people come in different packages."
He stared at her for a moment. "I noticed that you eat mostly plain salad when we go to dinner and drink plain water. You do know that you are a fabulous looking woman, right?"
"I know." She shrugged. "But I have to fight to keep from getting bigger and keep the weight off and I have every intention of doing that."
He stared at her for a moment. "I like you, Sasha. You are beautiful, smart, and you speak your mind. I know we said just friends-"
"And I cannot do anything more right now," she interrupted him. "So will you come?"
"Try and stop me," he said lightly. "I don’t have to wear red and white, do I?"
She laughed. "I am wearing black."
"I am in."
******
Sasha applied the slash of Coral Deep lipstick over her lips and recapped the tube, staring at herself in the mirror. The dress she had chosen to wear was very provocative and outlined every single curve she had! It had a dip in the bosom and showed enticing slices of her breasts. She had included a silver necklace with a medium sized cross pendant that settled in her bosom. Her hair had been washed, deep conditioned, and styled by her hairdresser who had added extensions. She had scraped back the fronts and sides and made a big plait that went past her shoulders and past her breasts. She had added large silver hoops and several silver bangles dangled at her wrists. She stared at herself in the mirror and realized that she had become an expert in applying the foundation and the nude eyeshadow that blended in with her skin and made it appeared as if she was not wearing makeup. She got to her feet and passed a hand over her generous hips. She was starting to believe that she was indeed a beautiful woman, but she still dieted and took the time on the treadmill. She grabbed her long black leather jacket and headed out the door. She had told Darius to meet her there as she wanted to drive herself.
*****
Stephan was having a conversation with Kane and Bradley when he saw her come into the room. Their wives were part of the lineup of models who were modeling the line of lingerie. He had come with Angelica and had left her with her adoring fans and made his way over to his friends to have a chat. She was the last person he had expected to see! His eyes roved over her exquisitely made-up face and her curves hugged by the clingy material and he felt his heart thud inside his chest and his body tighten with need. His eyes narrowed as he saw the tall African American man who had his hand on her arm in a familiar way.
"Friend of yours?" Bradley asked him mildly as he noticed the way the man was looking at the woman.
"What?" He tore his eyes away from her and looked at the older man.
Bradley nodded in the direction of Sasha who was laughing at something the man said to her. His hands tightened into fist and he was not even aware of it!
"Relax, man." Bradley touched him briefly. "You would not want to cause a scene and your actress is headed this way."
"She is not my actress," he muttered as he stared at Sasha. Christ, she was sexy!
"Maybe you need to tell her that."
"Darling, how about a drink?" Angelica said as she came forward in a whirl.
He motioned the waiter who came over with a tray. He had to see her and talk - he shook his head. There was nothing to talk about. She was with someone else and so was he.
Just then, the show started and the models started coming out. He forced himself to be interested as the models made their way across the stage. He could not help but smile as the usually stoic Kane hooted as his wife came on stage wearing a shimmering silver blue lingerie that revealed more than it hid. She threw him a kiss which he caught and held. Bradley was no better when Leesa came forward wearing a champagne color teddy riding high on her long legs. Stephan saw the besotted looks on both men’s faces and felt a pang in his heart. He turned to search for her in the darkened room and could not see her. He tormented himself into thinking that they were somewhere making out. He had his hands on her and Stephan felt the rush of intense jealousy that he almost cried out from it!
"Excuse me," he said thickly as he turned and made his way out of the crowded room. He needed air!
He was heading towards the restrooms when he saw her coming towards him. She stopped as she saw him and so did he. His eyes wandered over her body slowly and Sasha felt the heat curling inside her body. What was he doing here? she wondered in panic. She was not ready to face him yet. It was too soon. His eyes came back to her face and lingered on her parted lips. He was not touching her, but she felt as if he was!
"Sasha," he murmured huskily.
"Stephan." She made the effort to appear casual and almost succeeded. "How are you?"
He moved towards her slowly and she knew if he came near she would not stand a chance!
"I have to get back to my date," she said desperately. He stood in front of her and stared down at her. She had on high heels but just came up to his shoulders.
"You are beautiful," he said huskily.
"I have to go." They were in the open and people could see them. Any minute now, a photographer could just come by and snap their picture. She turned to leave and he caught her arm to stop her. He pulled her over to a closed door and they went inside. It was an empty conference room.
"You are with someone." He had her trapped against the door and she could not move without touching him.
"So are you." She tilted her head up to look at him.
"I want you," he murmured without answering.
"I am with someone. His name is Darius and we are good together-" The rest of the sentence was cut off by his mouth descending on hers. With a tortured moan, she opened her mouth beneath his welcoming the heavenly kiss that took her breath away and made her heart beat faster inside her chest. The kiss that made her realized that she was far from being over him. A kiss that had her so twisted up in knots and had her clutching the lapels of his dark grey jacket and clinging to him. A kiss that had her wet with wanting him. This man that she had tried so hard to forget and could not get out of her mind. He broke off the kiss and placed his forehead, as he breathed through his mouth, his body on fire! He stepped back suddenly as he looked at her.
"Come home with me."
She straightened and took a deep steadying breath. "And then what?"
He frowned at her. "What do you mean?"
"You told me that I am not your type. Has that changed?"
"I only said that to get-"
"To get back at me for daring to say I will not marry you," she finished. "The situation still remains the same, Stephan. We are not suited."
"How can you be so damned stubborn?" he asked as he gripped her arms, his gray eyes blazing. "This thing between us is not going away."
"I cannot marry you!" Her dark brown eyes glittered with tears.
He released her suddenly. "I won’t ask you again, Sasha. When you finally come to your senses, it will be all you. Hopefully, it will not be too late." With that, he strode away leaving her standing there, the tears falling on her cheeks!