The Proposition (A Geek, An Angel) Read online

  “Names please?”

  “Janeshia you know I can’t give out a client’s name. Anyway weren’t we talking about you and Ramsey? Weren’t you upset with him about something?”

  “Yes I was and just for the record. I want you to know I know you are changing the subject.” Janeshia breathed out. “Anyway, at first I thought I was upset because Ramsey hadn’t tried to call me or contact me or anything. But the more I think about it, I’m more upset that Walker saw me at Adam’s house. And then the whole time during the drive when he took me back to my car, he didn’t say a word to me. Not a single word. It was the loneliest drive of my life. Oh what must he think of me?”

  Larissa watched her friend intently. “Janeshia, what’s gotten into you lately? You’ve been madly in love with Ramsey for weeks. Now you are worried about what Walker thinks?”

  Janeshia shook her head and choked back a sob. “Oh Larissa I’m so down in the dumps lately. I feel so unhappy lately. I just don’t know how to explain it. When I look at it, I really don’t have a lot in common with Ramsey. And then there’s Walker. When I saw him the other night,” she paused. “We are the same. We like so many of the same things. I don’t know. I’m just so miserable….” Her voice tapered off. She looked off into the distance with her thoughts.

  Larissa took another bite of food and peered back at her friend. “So do you just want a good listener or do you want me to tell you what to do?”

  “What did you say?” Janeshia asked anxiously.

  “Oh never mind, I know you’re not paying attention,” Larissa said but didn’t wait for an answer. “Anyway who cares if Walker saw you at Adam’s place? You’re in a romantic relationship with Ramsey. And as you will recall, Walker was going out with Phoebe Wright. And the girl does have assets men seem to love and women envy.”

  Janeshia looked back at her friend, her well arched eyebrows raised in surprise. “Well I’ll admit, when I saw Walker with Phoebe I was a little jealous. She’s not Walker’s type. I mean, I’m more of Walker’s type than she is,” she blurted out without thinking.

  Larissa looked thoughtfully at her best friend. “Oh and you think you are all right for Walker?” It was an outrageously personal thing to ask. She hoped it would encourage her friend to tell her true feelings.

  Janeshia laughed and shook her head and hoped her friend didn’t see the truth. “Ha! No……That is so not true,” she turned away. “Larissa, I didn’t say that I was right for Walker. I don’t know what I’m feeling about Walker. Sometimes I just miss some of the nice things he used to do. He used to say,” she said with a deep searching look. “Did you know he used to put a little array of Blue Violets with a small heart shaped card on the windshield of my car? Gosh I miss that,” she said with a deep sigh and murmured hoping she didn’t hear. “He did so many unexpected things that I just took for granted.”

  Larissa’s eyes brightened. “Hmmmmmm let me see if I can keep everything straight. You admit you are annoyed that Walker is seeing Phoebe? Yet you say you only miss him. Next you tell me you miss the guy but you say it’s not true that you really think you and Walker would be better for each other. And finally you are in a romantic relationship with Ramsey”

  Janeshia rubbed her brow. Her voice rambled and she changed the subject. “You’re over analyzing everything as usual Larissa. Anyway, who said I was in a romantic relationship with Ramsey?”

  “Okay, then next I’ll have to get the facts straight on just what Janeshia Arizona James believes is a romantic relationship. So answer me this question. It’s about Ramsey. Have the two of you had sex yet?” she probed.

  “Oh my goodness! I should have known you were going to ask that! And in that high society attorney voice you always use when you want to make someone feel like they are on trial,” she said amused. “You know I bet there is a shrink somewhere who would just love to analyze you to find out why you always talk like that when you talk about s-e-x.”

  “No there isn’t, because I only talk like that when it’s proper to do so. When I am actually screwing some guy, I say the word fuck. Now don’t change the subject,” Larissa demanded. “Anyway I can tell what you did with Ramsey just by looking at you.

  “Okay go ahead, tell me. I want to hear this,” Janeshia said gazing at her friend as if she was a loony.

  “My lawyer instincts tell me there’s been a lot of heavy petting between the two of you. That you wanted more. But no true sexual intercourse has happened between you and Ramsey.”

  “Your lawyer instincts,” Janeshia sputtered in disbelief. “Really Larissa, my sexual relationship with Ramsey……,” she hesitated and swallowed hard. “Well, it is a little bit complicated,” she sputtered out. “Oh how do you always know?”

  “Okay, I figured out as much. Now spill it. I want all the details!” Larissa shrilled.

  “I guess I may as well tell you the truth. Ramsey was lousy in bed. In fact we never had intercourse. He got way too drunk that night and he acted liked a teenager the whole time. I was glad when he passed out. But the next morning the guy did this it’s time we left thing and cut our trip short. We left within the hour.”

  Larissa shifted uncomfortably. Like an old observer in a courtroom. “Whew, that must have been a huge let down for you. I really don’t know what to say. Next time if something like that ever happens again you call me. I’ll come and get you. God knows what could have happened. ”

  “Yeah you’re right,” Janeshia shrugged. “You were right when you said some men look like the complete package but they are inadequate in doing normal stuff in normal ways.”

  Larissa’s smile widened. “What I really said was…..Some men who looked like the complete package can’t fuck worth a damn.”

  Both friends laughed out.

  “Come on, let me help you clear away this food,’ Larissa said making her way to the kitchen.

  The two friends chatted easily, catching up on old times and Janeshia’s recent dates with Ramsey Montgomery.

  Twenty minutes later the dishes were cleaned dried and put away. Janeshia grabbed a paper towel to dry her hands.

  Finally Larissa spoke up. “Whew! You and your men problems,” she said indifferently shaking her head. “I knew Ramsey was strange from the beginning.”

  “Okay, on wise woman with ten degrees from the University of the minds of men. What do you mean?”

  The two of them strolled leisurely from the kitchen back into the living room.

  Janeshia sat down in one of her two Ascot chairs and kicked her shoes off. She nestled in cozily.

  Larissa took the other Ascot chair and grabbed the pearl gold color pillow. She clutched it in her hands choking it. “I can’t put my finger on what it was exactly, but when I saw Ramsey, I just knew there was something sinister and shifty about him. I just wished I pushed the issue with you more to stay away from that man.”

  Janeshia glanced at her friend. “Oh come off of it Larissa, you don’t mean that. The man is exceptionally handsome how can you say he looks sinister?”

  Larissa glanced at Janeshia sharply. “Honestly, it was like a sinister animal was lurking within. He had such a negative look in his eyes, like something was incomplete, like he was hiding something. Maybe it was just from his years of being a CEO and always having to hide behind a poker face,” she said shrewdly. “And then he’s always off on one of those business trips, claiming he’s doing CEO stuff, yeah right?”

  “Yes well that is true. The man is a CEO.”

  Larissa regarded her with a quizzical eye. “Janeshia haven’t you realized that Ramsey never brings you around any of the local places where there’s a chance he might run into some of your friends or family?”

  Janeshia leaned back in her chair deep in thought as she studied her best friend. Larissa did have a point. “But….”

  Larissa looked back at her best friend with a deep concern. “But what? Janeshia I know you, Ramsey’s not being around much really does bother you. You need a man who’s a
vailable and exclusively yours,” she said touching her friend’s arm. “I know you tried so hard to get him and it’s none of my business. But is Ramsey really right for you? Does he make you happy?”

  The smile in Janeshia’s eyes vanished. She glanced up with a puzzled expression. Sometimes Larissa could make so much sense, she thought.

  The two friend’s eyes locked, understanding each other perfectly.

  A few moments later the door bell rang.

  “I’ll get it,” Larissa said. “You don’t have any shoes on Janehisa,” she quickly grabbed a napkin to wipe her hands.

  “Ding! Dong! Ding!” The bell rang out again.

  “I’m coming, hold your horses,” she yelped.

  Larissa peeked though the key hold and shrieked. “Mrs. Olsten?” She slowly opened the door.

  “Hello Larissa, my I come in? Where’s Janeshia?” Mrs Olsten asked but didn’t wait for an answer. She strutted into the living room. “Oh Janeshia there you are.”

  “Mrs. Olsten is everything alright? My, you’re dressed up,” Janeshia inquired.

  Mrs. Olsten frowned and sniffed the air. “It smells like Chinese food in here,” she said folding her hands in front of her. “Look Janeshia, I was on my way out to the dance at the Senior Citizen center when I happened to notice that young man of yours looking awfully sad waiting by the elevators,” she said pausing. “So I invited him in,” Mrs. Olsten said. “But he’s been over at my place for over a half hour waiting for your friend Larissa to leave and I’m afraid if he stays any longer, he’s going to make me late for my dance,” she shrugged her shoulders. “Janeshia I must beg you to please take your boyfriend off of my hands and get him off of my sofa before he leaves a permanent crease.”

  Janeshia swallowed hard. “Excuse me? My boyfriend?”

  “Yes you know the one you had over here before. That Walker fellow, the one I think is perfect for you,” she paused. “Stay right here I’ll go and fetch him for you.”

  Larissa stifled a laugh. “Janeshia has a boyfriend. Janeshia has a boy friend. Boy is this going to be interesting. Should I stay or should I go,” she laughed. “You know Janeshia I could just go and eavesdrop in the other room?”

  “Oh shut up!” Janeshia ordered.

  A few moments later Mrs. Olsten appeared at the door with Walker in tow.

  Walker darted into the living room and uttered quick greetings. He pushed his hands nervously into his pockets.

  “Janeshia here he is. I really must get going,” Mrs. Olsten said with dignity. “Now you two enjoy your evening. I know I certainly will enjoy mine. The dances at the center are so much fun.”

  Mrs. Olsten stopped talking abruptly and fixed her attention on Larissa. “Oh Larissa, I almost forgot that you were here,” she said sternly. “Shouldn’t you be somewhere else? I mean don’t lawyers have clients to meet or something to do? I don’t mean to be rude but you should give Janeshia and Walker a little privacy. Don’t you think?”

  “Yes, Mrs. Olsten you are completely right. I’ll just grab my purse and follow you out,” Larissa said, she loved that Mrs. Olsten was being the matchmaker.

  Larissa grabbed her purse and gave best friend a glance and pinched her as she walked by. “Janeshia, I’ll give you a call,” she said closing the door after them.

  Seconds later, Walker cleared his throat softly. He tentatively asked. “You maybe, were wondering why I was over at Mrs. Olsten’s?”

  Janeshia stood there staring silently.

  Slowly Walker walked further into the room. He was wearing a classic black men’s two button suit with a cream colored shirt. The combination made Walker look incredibly handsome.

  Walker brushed past her as he walked by strolling over to look out of the window.

  Janeshia closed her eyes and breathe in deeply. She loved the primitive sensual quality Walker always radiated. She felt the heat rising in her body. She wanted him badly. She smiled softly realizing that those feelings only happened with Walker. She shook her head remembering Ramsey could never make her feel as hungry for him as Walker did.

  Walker’s voice interrupted. “Janeshia are you alright?”

  Janeshia opened her eyes. Her mouth dropped open in wordless surprise when she found Walker staring.

  Her deep green eyes watched him like a hawk stalking its prey. She felt like she was walking through a dream. Her thoughts raced back to the last time he was here at her home. Desire shot through her. Burning and intense she could feel her body starving and burning for the lovemaking that only Walker could give. She spoke without realizing it.

  “God Walker, I never noticed how terribly handsome and sexy you are,” she softly said off of the top of her head. “It must be that suit. It’s torturing me, screaming out that you must really look good naked underneath,” she said boldly looking down at his crotch. “You look rock hard and standing at attention.”

  Walker gave her a quick glance. His body tensed. “What did you say?” he asked as he walked closer.

  Janeshia looked back at him. She was surprised to see a crooked grin tug at his mouth. Then she realized what she had just said. She clapped her hand over her mouth and blushed embarrassed.

  “Please excuse me. I don’t seem to be able to control the words that come off of my tongue. What I meant to say was would you like something to drink?”

  Walker looked deep into her eyes and his fiery gaze held her, refusing to release her. He closed the gap between them

  Janeshia stood there and couldn’t move.

  “Yes I’d love a drink."

  “I’m so sorry Walker. I have no clue why I said.”

  They stood facing each other.

  Walker looked at her questionably. “I don’t want you to apologize. I like the compliment,” he leaned down and clasped her chin with his fingers.

  She looked up at him.

  He saw her pulse, beating in her throat. He knew what he wanted. He murmured. “In fact, if the truth be told, I love the compliment and the woman that gave it. And I’d like nothing better than to make love to you, if you want me to.”

  The kiss was warm, soft and gentle as he lightly brushed her lips. Slowly he teased her.

  Impatiently she nipped at his lips wanting more. She groaned.

  He kissed her harder, licking and nibbling at her mouth until she gasped. He swept his tongue between her parted lips he caressed her tongue with his own.

  Abruptly she pulled away.

  He froze his heart stopping. “What’s wrong?” he protested.

  She pulled off her shirt. “I want to feel your hands touching my body,” she said as her hands reached out and started unbuttoning his shirt. She looked back at him.

  Walker looked back at her tenderly. He drew in the scent of her. Hurriedly he eased off his pants.

  He froze again and looked around. They were still in her living room.

  “What’s the matter?”

  “Janeshia are you sure you want to do this here in the living room?”

  “Yes!” She exclaimed exultantly. “We can do it again later in the bedroom. Right now I feel like the cork of a champagne bottle about to explode,” her lips curved into a sensual invitation.

  Walker’s hand eased her back on the sofa. His hands slide down and found her breast them. “Your breasts are like ripe fruit,” he said as his mouth covered one of them.

  Janeshia didn’t have a chance to respond before a shock of pleasure pierced her body. She drew in a deep breath and moaned.

  His mouth moved from her breast back to her mouth, smothering her moans as his hands slid down lower and lower, touching and possessing her.

  Her legs opened eagerly for him. Her body arched against his.

  She let her body surrender completely to the passion Walker’s touch ignited. She felt him there as his body probed, then pushed and then thrust against hers. She felt the hot pleasure of delight grow as she lost herself in the mindless pleasure of loving and being loved. Her hips moved frantically to the rhy
thmic contact of his body.

  She cried out with delight at the pleasure he gave. She felt the swift intake of breath when she shuddered with desire as she felt him release the physical delights of his body.

  Afterwards they laid still. Walker’s body imprisoning hers, slowly and quietly he rose up and looked down at her. “Look at me Janeshia,” he commanded. “I love you. Do you know that?”

  She swallowed hard. “But what you don’t know is that I love you too.”

  “Then that’s great, we should talk …….”

  She reached out and pressed her fingers to his lips. “Shhhhh. No more talking about love okay?”

  Walker nodded pulling her close.

  Chapter 26

  Claire Marie Perrault & her memories

  Two weeks later, Janeshia finally made up her mind. She had to break things off with Ramsey.

  Although she had spoken to him on several occasions ,she had still not seen him in person. When he’d called her at work earlier that Friday morning she told him things were over. It was time to move on. But Ramsey had proven to be unbelieving that things could be over between them. He persuaded her to meet him for dinner. She had agreed with the promise that if he didn’t show up for dinner, nothing else needed to be said.

  She checked her watch. It was well after eight thirty. She had been waiting for him for almost an hour. What a lonely way to spend a Friday night she thought. But this was her last time being stood up by Ramsey. Now he had to understand things were over between them.

  For several minutes she was caught up in her own thoughts and she forgot where she was. She slowly reached for her cocktail, finished it and smiled. Now more than ever she was sure she wanted to be with Walker. Quickly she waved her hand for her waiter to bring her check. She was about to pay her check and leave when she looked up and stared at the man walking her way.

  “Ready to order some dinner?” he asked leaning over to kiss her check.

  The question was ordinary enough but coming from Ramsey Montgomery whom she hadn’t seen for weeks, made her angry. How dare he walk in here saying nothing more than are you ready to order dinner when she hadn’t seen him for weeks?