The Proposition (A Geek, An Angel) Read online

  Adam didn’t want to get off the subject of why he was having lunch today. His mood shifted. He smiled softly. “Look, I really didn’t come here to discuss my sister’s college tuition. How long are you going to make me wait before you give me details about the dinner meeting you had with Walker the other night?”

  Janeshia tried to ignore him.

  Adam took the offensive. “By going out to dinner with Mr. Perrault you’ve basically put an end to your privacy,” he picked at the food on his plate. “You know there is a rumor going around the office that you have a crush on him, but that he’s really just putting up an act so that he can keep you running the foundation successfully?”

  Janeshia felt a faint heat heighten her cheeks. If he was trying to annoy her he was succeeding. She shrugged her shoulders. “And Adam are you the someone whose going around spreading gossip?”

  Adam laughed out a nervous denial. His dark eyes held a menacing expression. “No….No, I refuse to participate in idle office chit chat. Besides I didn’t over hear this information at work. I observed it.” He kept his eyes on hers. “I saw how you looked at him at the office. So how long have you had a crush thing on Walker?”

  Janeshia looked at Adam. She felt an uneasy sense of fury building. “You are way off base Adam.”

  “Am I? I figure I need to know how you are being perceived by some people in the office. You do want to know? Or do you care that your mannerisms are interfering with your working relationship in the office?”

  Janeshia stared back at Adam. Sometimes he made her feel like a piece of meat and not a person. “Look Adam, my personal life or crushes are none of your business.”

  “You know some folks are referring to you as being Walker’s private little outlet,” he paused. “So are you still telling me there is nothing going on besides business between you and Walker Perrault?” Adam’s thoughts raged. “Or is he getting some overtime in the sheets?”

  Janesha took a sip of water and tried her best to ignore him and hold her tongue. Adam St. Charles was annoying, but he was good at his job. She didn’t want to think about the delay it would cause if she had to begin interviewing for someone knew to do his job. They sat in silence several moments.

  “So Janeshia aren’t you the least bit concerned about what I heard? Don’t you want to know who said it?”

  “No Adam, I don’t want to know who said it,” she disarmed him with her expression. “I’ve had enough of office gossip. Besides, you’re spoiling my lunch.”

  Adam went to open his mouth.

  Janeshia interrupted abruptly. She rose. “Oh, Adam I’ve changed my mind. You should buy me lunch,” she said standing throwing her napkin on the table and rudely taking her leave.

  “But Janeshia……Ms. James!” Adam called after her in vain.

  Adam meekly sat back in his chair. Jealousy tormented him.

  “Bitch,” he muttered viciously under his breath when he knew she was safely out of distance.

  Chapter 13

  Roses will make you spellbound

  Janeshia walked out of her way going back to her office. The forty five minutes allowed her a chance to work off a couple of calories and burn off some stream. At almost two o’clock she returned to her office. She acknowledged Tamara’s presence before closing her office door. She sat perched in her chair gazing out of the window when a knock sounded on her door.

  Tamara opened the door. “An urgent package just arrived for you express.” She smiled tilting her head at the oriental vase she held in her hands. “This sure cheered me up. It looks expensive.”

  A black silver leaf fishtail vase was decorated in an intricate art deco design held an arrangement of white zinnia and blue periwinkles. The arrangement sent a bold message. Someone wanted to be Janeshia’s friend.

  Janeshia and Tamara looked at each other.

  “Who are those from?” Janeshia asked.

  “Beats me, unless you want me to read the card?”

  “No, I can do it myself. Tamara please put them on my desk.”

  She waited until Tamara closed her door before reading the card.

  Dearest Janeshia, “I will always feel you were a friend that was brought to me by angels. I still want to have lunch and talk. I want you to know that I believe you. Lately I have been remembering a lot of what happened in the past. And it made me thoughtful.

  The other day I was reading Edgar Allan Poe’s Stanza. The one that says, “Of what in other worlds shall be –and giv’n In beauty by our God, to those alone Who otherwise fall from life and Heav’n.” And it made me think of something that you once said.

  Janeshia you once told me. “Which of us have known with pure heart what happens in our brother’s nightmares? For that which happens late in the night springs forth as truths in the glow of daylight?”

  When you spoke then I didn’t understand. But now I do. What you meant was that what one person sees is often seen by other persons as plain old lies. I say this now because now I do understand. I now see how what you said fits so true to life. Especially what you said about Sheba, I believe you now.

  Please call me. You have my number. I hope you like the flowers. I wanted to get your favorite blue violets. But the lady at the flower shop assured me blue periwinkle were the way to rekindle an old friendship. Your devoted Best Friend Alice

  Janeshia laid the card on her desk and grunted out in anguish. She shook her head trying to clear her thoughts. She didn’t want to think about that. Sad raw energy shot through her. She trembled as the old memories flashed through her mind. She closed her eyes tight summoning the old memories to fade. She felt the coldness settle into the pit of her stomach as a tear rolled down her face.

  Moments later, a heavy knock drew her attention. Things couldn’t get any worst today she thought.

  Her door opened without warning and Tamara rushed in frantically pushing the door behind her, bolting it with her body. “I beg your pardon Ms. James, I tried to tell Mr. Perrault you were busy but he won’t take no for an answer.”

  Walker Perrault pushed past Tamara. “Like I told you Tamara, Janeshia and I have an appointment. She’s expecting me.” His face turned into a frown at the anguish he saw on Janeshia’s face.

  Tamara looked puzzled. “Janeshia are you alright? You don’t look so good.”

  Walker watched the sadness in Janeshia’s eyes. Her vulnerability overwhelmed him. Her eyes didn’t hold their usual sparkle. He stood spellbound, torn by the desire to pull her into his arms and comfort her. A familiar sense of sadness gripped his heart. He hated to see her this way.

  “Yes…..Yes of course I’m fine. Walker is right. We did have a meeting. I almost forgot. You may go Tamara. I’ll call you if we need anything.” Janeshia quickly composed herself.

  Walker pulled a chair closer to where Janeshia sat. He took a tissue from the box on her desk and gently wiped the tears on her face. “I hate to see you so unhappy Janeshia. If you need to cancel today’s meeting I will understand,” he said tenderly.

  Janeshia’s eyes locked with his. She wondered if he was whispering something. She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts.

  His voice came in clearer. She heard him say, “If you need a shoulder to cry on or a listening ear, I’m a great listener.”

  The last thing she needed was to have a relationship with her boss. Especially a boss she found very attractive and caring. “No, I’m okay, thanks. Let’s go over those reports,” she smiled wryly and quickly regained her equanimity.

  For the next hour and a half Janeshia and Walker sat talking about the business of Silicon Valley Making a Difference Foundation.

  Their time together today had been remarkably productive.

  Janeshia quickly recapped their discussion. “Well Walker I’ve noted the changes you want on the end of the year reports. I’ll make sure they get included,” she said.

  Walker had been pacing around the room. All at once he returned to his seat and pulled his chair closer. With
warm eager eyes he gazed at Janeshia’s face.

  With his eyes on hers Janeshia’s gaze locked with his. She wondered idly what it would be like to kiss his lips.

  Walker leaned in closer. Heat flickered brightly in his eyes. His lips curved in a warm smile. “Are you feeling better now Janeshia? I love it when you look happy,” he said. “Please promise me that if anyone upsets you again you will let me know about it? I want you to know I am here to help you in any way that I can.”

  She swallowed hard and breathed deep. “All right,” she said as her pencil trembled in her fingers.

  His hand captured her trembling fingers.

  The warm feel of his touch overwhelmed her. She became aware of a heat building inside. She liked his touch very much. Her mind seemed like it was in a fog. She wondered why strange things seemed to be happening whenever she was around Walker.

  Walker leaned closer. His mouth paused right in front of her. He wanted her.

  Janeshia hadn’t expected this. She thought he was going to kiss her. “Oh my God! Look at the time,” she said quickly regaining her equanimity. Nervously she rose and strutted toward her office door.

  Reluctantly Walker followed behind her.

  Janeshia paused to open her door and held it wide for him.

  He smiled smugly noting she was ending their meeting. He quickly stated. “When I pick you up this Saturday I’ll try not to be late or too early.”

  “What?”

  “I’ll try not to be on time,” he said.

  “What do you mean, early?”

  “Remember early, at the beginning of our meeting I mentioned it, and you shook your head in agreement. Didn’t you hear what I said?”

  She didn’t want him to know she hadn’t been listening to a word that he said. “Yes….Yes, I remember,” she lied.

  “Good, then I shall pick you up Saturday; let’s say 6:00 o’clock.”

  Chapter 14

  A powerful presence

  Ramsey Montgomery steered his black Jaguar into the parking garage. He found where Janeshia’s car was parked. Her black raven Cadillac CTS made him smile. She loved black cars, so did he.

  Ten minutes later, Ramsey made his way into the building lobby. He was a man of confidence. A man accustomed to people being in awe of his powerful presence. He was smooth and easy going; perfectly at ease and in complete control in any situation. There was a quality to his being that dominated his presence. It sent a message of power that people were drawn to. He relished in the power manipulating others gave him. He knew he was superior in intelligence to anyone. He was a genius. His eyes quickly glanced at the gentlemen’s name tag. He’d remembered where he’d seen the name before, at the security intelligence conference on homeland security held last year in San Francisco California.

  Ramsey prided himself on his photographic memory and his powerful presence. Some people thought he was arrogant. But it was just this lethal combination; when applied with a head for business, which made him a man capable of getting others to do his bidding. Handling the elderly gentleman sitting behind the security desk would be easy. Then he smiled the smile that he knew got results. “Forgive me for interrupting Mr. Joseph. I believe I met you before at the conference on homeland security. I’m impressed with your security software.”

  Joel Joseph grinned wide. “Well I’ll be, Ramsey Montgomery; you’re a sight for these old eyes of mine. What brings you around here?”

  A half hour later, Joel glanced up at the symbol on the door. It was the right door.

  The sudden knocking on the conference room door broke the quietness of the moment.

  “Yes.”

  The door quickly opened. “Hi Ms. James, I hope I’m not interrupting you?”

  Janeshia swiveled in her chair. “Hello Joel. How are you this evening?”

  Joel Joseph was the head of security for their building. His smiling brown eyes beamed back at her through black framed glasses. His heavily coffee stained teeth formed into a grin. “I have a gentleman here who says he’s a close friend of yours. He insisted I bring him up to you. I hope you don’t mind.”

  Joel stepped aside and Ramsey Montgomery stood in the threshold. She noticed he was only a few inches taller than Joel. His cool eyes studied her. Their gazes connected.

  She sucked in a deep breath and rose. “Ramsey? How on earth did you know where to find me?”

  Ramsey nodded his head. He quickly walked over and extended his hand in greeting. His other hand held a pink bakers box. “Good evening Janeshia. I apologize for barging in unannounced like this. My flight just arrived a little under an hour ago. I drove past your building and hoped you were working late. I hope you don’t mind my dropping by like this.” He eagerly extended his hand as he explained.

  The moment was awkward.

  When she didn’t respond he shook his head. “Please don’t get the wrong impression. I’m not stalking you. I just really hoped you where like me, working late. I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

  Janeshia’s pulse raced. Quickly she grabbed his hand in greeting. “No, of course I wouldn’t think that,” she exclaimed with breathless surprise. She held his hand longer than she should have. She was aware of the warm sensations of his touch. She didn’t want him to see how glad she was that he had found her. She finally let go of his hand.

  Her eyes sparked as he gazed back at her.

  Joel nodded approvingly glancing between them. “Well, now that we’ve established that Mr. Montgomery is not a stalker, I should be getting back to my desk. Security in this building is my number one priority. I don’t want to leave the closed circuit security monitors unmanned for too long,” he said.

  “Yes, you do that Joel,” Janeshia said without taking her eyes off Ramsey.

  “So how are you this evening?” Ramsey asked.

  “I’m fine.” She said smiling like the cat that just caught the mouse.

  Ramsey looked back at her with interest. “Oh by the way, these are for you. I didn’t know which one was your favorite. So I had the baker mix up something he calls a Girl’s Delight,” he said handing her the pink bakery box. “I brought napkins too.”

  Janeshia sat the box on the conference table. Her nimble fingers untied the string and opened the box. “Wow, I see two sugar cookies, two Fudge Brownies, two oatmeal raisin cookies, two lemon squares, two shortbread cookies, two Snicker doodles and two Macadamia Nut Chocolate chip cookies,” she smiled. “You’ve made sure you covered everything a girl could love.”

  “I love fresh baked cookies myself,” he said licking his lips. “As a matter of fact the smell coming from that box has been making my mouth water.”

  The man looked sexy and charming licking his lips. Janeshia nervously bit her lip as she stared at him.

  “Well, aren’t you going to offer me a cookie?” He playfully asked.

  She offered the box to him. He took a Snicker doodle heavily laced with sugar. She watched as he devoured it in two bites.

  “Your favorite I suppose?” She tenderly asked.

  “What gave me away?”

  “The sugar crumbs you have all over your face,” she suggested.

  He grinned. “Where? Get it off for me please?”

  Janeshia grabbed one of the napkins Ramsey brought with him and gently went to wipe the crumbs from around his mouth. Her finger softly touched his face.

  He tilted his head and his lips gently kissed one of her fingers. “Did I tell you that you are beautiful and tormenting at the same time? And that I’d like nothing better than to kiss you?”

  She drew in her breath as he leaned in and softly kissed her. His quick movement sent waves of warmth pulsating through her. She reached up and touched her lips where he had kissed her.

  She watched as he smiled a dangerous grin. Butterflies began to form in her stomach. One thing was for sure, she didn’t work with Ramsey. There wouldn’t be a problem if she had a relationship with him.

  Ramsey’s mysterious eyes watched he
r. Their intensity never wavered as if they were casting a spell.

  The air conditioner clicked on with a sudden rush of air. The breeze lifted papers on the conference table and brushed them to the floor. Their movements woke Janeshia from her fog. She cleared her throat and reached for the papers.

  Ramsey beat her reaching for the papers. He placed them back on the table before her. “Oh I almost forgot this is for you also,” he said reaching into his pocket. A tiny white box was revealed.

  Janeshia’s fingers trembled as his hand brushed hers as he handed her the box.

  Touching Janeshia sent shivers up his spine. He needed to touch her again. His hand reached up to comb a lock of her hair behind her ear.

  “More gifts?” Janeshia moved nervously away and fumbled with the box. She pulled out a strange shaped stone. “It’s beautiful! What is it?” She asked stroking the egg shaped stone. “The stone makes me feel so happy.”

  “The egg shape represents both the male and the female from where all creation was formed, like Adam and Eve. It’s great as a paperweight.” He sighed. “I figured it was the perfect gift to ask you out on our first date. So how about it my little Eve where would you like to go Saturday? We can do whatever you like.”

  She looked up in surprise. A date with Ramsey was everything she wanted. The sudden realization that he was asking her out tomorrow shattered her moment of happiness. She had already agreed to go out with Walker. “This Saturday? Tomorrow?”

  “Yes, of course tomorrow night.”

  “But I can’t,” she sighed. “However about Sunday or next Saturday?”

  Ramsey stood abruptly. His eyes flashed furiously. “This can’t be happening. I made plans for tomorrow,” he hissed out bitterly.

  “We can meet for a date on Sunday,” she suggested.

  His eyes probed hers. He reasoned. “I can’t change the time. I’m only available tomorrow night. Can’t you cancel whatever little old thing you have on your schedule?”