Twisted

Twisted By Imari Jade Copyright © September 2011, Imari Jade Cover art by For The Muses Design © September 2011 ISBN: 978-1-936668-28-1 This is a work of fiction. All characters and events portrayed in this novel are fictitious or used fictitiously. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form. Sugar and Spice Press North Carolina, USA www.sugarnspicepress.com

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Chapter One Oh shit. He had a whopper of an erection that wasn‟t going anywhere fast. Kevin Chen tried to take his concentration off of his student, Ballentina Ferrari‟s, cologne and put it elsewhere…anywhere. Nothing like this had ever happened to him before, especially not during a Kung Fu demonstration. The nearness of her body as he helped her perfect her battle stance made him lose focus. His eyes traveled up her back, taking in every curve of her body. Tina, as everyone referred to her, had a great ass, long, shapely legs, and a narrow waist that begged to be seized by his hands. Kevin shook the illusion of him touching her away. At this rate, the bothersome erection would never go away. Thankfully, his Taiji jacket came down to his hips to help hide it. He walked over to his other student, Alexis Bryant, the twenty-five-year-old secretary and best friend of Tina‟s. Alexis wasn‟t as tall as the statuesque five-foot-nine, Tina, but she was cute with short brown hair with blonde highlights. Alexis was just beginning to learn martial arts. She wore a beginner‟s Tai Chi uniform…a black short-sleeved top with a low-cut mandarin collar and loose fitting matching pants. The jacket had seven frog buttons to decorate and seal the front of the jacket while the pants had an elastic waist to give her free movement. Two tiny, brown feet peeped out from the hem of the pants. There, some of the pressure had been eliminated. Alexis‟ perfume didn‟t do to him what Tina‟s did. “A fighter‟s stance is very important,” Kevin explained to Alexis. “I will teach you how to control your body and to make it an immovable object.” He demonstrated for the two young women. “Try to move me.” Alexis approached him first, pushed him gently, but did not move him from his spot. “Try a little harder,” Kevin told her. “I won‟t break.” 1

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Alexis used a little brute strength this time. Still, she couldn‟t budge him. “Wow,” she said to Tina. “It‟s like trying to move a brick wall.” “That‟s exactly what it is meant to feel like. This is to keep the enemy from snatching you into a car or knocking you down,” Kevin told her. “See if you can move him,” Alexis said to Tina. Kevin steadied his stance again and kept his eyes on Tina. The young woman walked over to him, bowed, and then kicked his legs from under him. Kevin landed on his back on the floor. Alexis laughed. “Wow, girl. That was one powerful kick.” Kevin looked up and found Tina staring down at him with those big brown eyes and a concerned look on her face. “Are you okay, Sensei? I didn‟t hurt you, did I?” The sound of her deep, sultry voice made him weak in the knees and overconfident in other places. “No, Tina, I‟m fine,” he said. “Yeah, only his pride is hurting,” Alexis said, glancing shamelessly between his legs and noticing the condition that he was in. The erection had disappeared until Tina spoke to him. Fortunately, Tina hadn‟t seen it. She just extended a hand to help him up. Alexis, on the other hand, better knew how to keep a secret. Kevin accepted the hand, rose to his feet, and quickly pulled down the hem of his jacket. He bowed to Tina. Tina bowed back. She lifted her head and innocently gazed into his eyes. Kevin gulped, trying to remember that she was his student, as well as his new business partner. Letting her know that she was the object of his desire and the girl of his fantasies would surely ruin everything. For the last three years, she‟d been trying to get him to join one of her New York companies as a designer, and for three years, he had turned her down with every excuse in the book until she broached him with the subject of helping her create toys for handicapped kids. That really got to him that she cared enough to want to help kids have a happy life. Ballentina might 2

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be one of the richest women in the world, but she had a heart as big as all outdoors. So, he‟d be joining her company in a couple of days and was looking forward to working with the award-winning inventor, but dreading having to see her live-in boyfriend Erik Masters who also worked at the company. He‟d met the man only once, and that had proven too much. He didn‟t feel that the man had Tina‟s best interests in mind, since he noticed almost immediately the way Erik tried to manipulate her into agreeing to something she didn‟t want to do. In the end, he wore her down and Tina gave into him. He wondered how much money Erik‟s little proposition had cost her. “I think we‟ve done enough for today, but next week, we‟re going to practice Qi.” “What‟s Qi?” Alexis asked him, still with this silly smirk on her face. “Qi is your life force. It‟s the energy inside you. I will teach you how to use it to properly align your skeletal frame to promote good health.” “Kinky,” Alexis replied. “My skeleton can use a good aligning.” Tina smirked, but did not comment. “I‟ll see you two ladies in a couple of minutes,” he told them. “I need to shower and change.” He bowed to them again. The two women bowed back and headed toward the ladies‟ shower room while he limped toward his office. **** “I think Kevin likes you,” Alexis said to Tina once they had finished showering and began dressing. Tina sat on a stool, pulling on a pair of pantyhose. “Why would you think that?” “Because he didn‟t take his eyes off you the entire practice.” Alexis reached behind her and zipped her black skirt, then slipped her feet into a pair of red stiletto heels. Tina stepped into a navy blue skirt and tugged it up over her generous 3

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hips and then followed it up with putting on a light blue blouse that she tucked into the waist of the skirt before zipping it. “I haven‟t noticed a thing.” “Of course you haven‟t, sweetheart. Your mind is always off somewhere. You really need to think less about work and more on the things in front of you.” Tina ignored her best friend‟s advice. Alexis had been trying to get her to loosen up ever since they were kids. Why did everyone assume that she led a boring life? “Kevin is just a friend, nothing else.” “You never told me he was so good-looking,” Alexis continued as she slipped on the matching black jacket. “His looks never came up in the conversation,” Tina replied as she donned her long-sleeved, double breasted blue jacket. She hadn‟t thought of Kevin in that way. She supposed he was handsome. She had been taking Kung Fu, or Wu-su as it was correctly known, for three years and had been trying to get him to partner up with her on a project for just as long. Kevin always turned her down, professing that he liked working alone when he designed. “What‟s wrong, you don‟t like him because he‟s Chinese?” Alexis asked as she fixed her hair and makeup. “He‟s Taiwanese, and no, I don‟t have a problem with his ethnic origin. I‟ve been living with Erik for five years, or have you forgotten?” “I‟m trying to,” Alexis said. Tina smirked. Her best friend had never liked Erik, but she didn‟t know why. Erik was a fine black man and all their clients loved him. “And why are checking out Kevin? Aren‟t you still dating Jerome?” Jerome Bennett was a sexy pediatrician Alexis had met three years ago at a club in Manhattan. “Yes, of course I‟m still dating him. Do I look crazy? He‟s a doctor. My mother didn‟t raise no fool.” Tina took down her shoulder length dark brown hair, brushed it, and then twisted it back up in a neat chignon, wondering where this 4

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conversation was leading. “All I‟m saying is that if a man looked at me the way Kevin looks at you, it would be very hard for me to ignore.” Tina reached for her purse, slid it up her arm, and secured it to her shoulder. “I‟m not interested,” Tina said. “Erik is plenty enough man for me.” She headed toward the door with Alexis close on her heels. Erik might not be perfect, but she believed in monogamy. One man in her life was enough because she barely had time for him with all her charity work and her business obligations. She sighed. Being a billionairess had its disadvantages. They found Kevin waiting for them in the foyer of the dojo. He had promised to take them to a Thai restaurant that had just opened in the neighborhood. She‟d never had Thai food before, but had always wanted to try it. Kevin had changed into a double-breasted black suit with a high white mandarin collar. He‟d taken his long black hair out of the pony tail and let it hang. Tina looked hard because she‟d never seen it down before. He had really nice hair, dark, silky and unbelievably soft-looking. He even had bangs, which was something different. It drew attention to his dark brown, almond shaped eyes and long lashes. She blinked absently. Why hadn‟t she noticed how pearly white his skin was or how full his lips were? “Are you ladies ready to go?” Kevin asked, meeting her stare. Tina nodded absently. “Yes,” Alexis answered, pulling her forward. “What do you use on your face? Your complexion is flawless.” “Nothing special,” Kevin said, holding the door open for them. “I just moisturize twice a day.” Men use moisturizer? Tina wondered as they stepped outside. The sun had just started to set. And what is that amazing cologne he’s wearing? She noticed the streets lights beginning to come on. A dark blue late model BMW passed on the street in front of them. “Isn‟t that Erik?” Alexis asked as the car stopped for a red light. 5

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“It looks like his car,” Tina said, looking over at it and trying to make out the driver. “But I don‟t think it‟s him.” She could make out a man‟s image in the driver‟s seat and a woman was seated next to him. “It sure looks like him to me and who is that chick riding with him?” Alexis asked. The light turned green and the car moved away from the corner. “I don‟t think it‟s him,” Tina said, embarrassed that she did not know Erik‟s license plate number on a car she had purchased for him. And besides, Erik had better sense than to ride some woman around in his car. “He‟s supposed to be in a business meeting with an important client.” That‟s the only reason why she had agreed to join the two of them for dinner. “My car is around back in the garage,” Kevin said. “I‟ll get it and pick the two of you up shortly.” Tina watched him walk away with his hands in his pockets. He should wear suits more often. He has a nice set of shoulders. “The butt‟s not bad either,” Alexis said, as if reading her mind. “I wasn‟t looking at the man‟s butt,” Tina said as she walked down the stairs to the sidewalk. “Sure, tell me anything,” Alexis said, coming down to join her. “The man is a brilliant rich designer and inventor. He owns one of the biggest dojos in New York and he has a nice butt. What more can a girl ask for?” She shuddered like a love-struck teen. “And did you see those bangs? Makes my stomach twitch.” Tina shook her head as a black town car turned the corner and then stopped at the curve before them. Alexis is out of her mind. Kevin is just a friend. **** “Looks like we got here just in time,” Alexis said as they stepped inside the busy Thai restaurant. 6

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A young woman bowed and greeted them pleasantly. “Welcome to our restaurant. How many in your party?” “Three,” Kevin told her. “Right this way,” the waitress said. She led them into the main body of the restaurant. Soothing Taiwanese music filtered out through speakers. Alexis looked around. “This is nice.” The room was dimly lit with high-backed black booths and an assortment of tables strategically arranged away from doors and walkways. Business seemed booming, she noted. Almost every table and booth was filled with customers. The waitress stopped by one of the booths. Good, it has a window view. Alexis slid into one side of the booth while Tina slid in on the other side. Kevin slid in next to Tina. Alexis smirked. That girl wouldn’t know a good man if he bit her on the butt. The waitress gave then menus. “I‟ll be back shortly to take your order,” she told them. She walked way. Alexis opened her menu. Every now and then she‟d peek over the top. Kevin was busy trying to explain the dishes to Tina when the waitress returned with glasses of water, napkins and silverware. “Are you ready to order?” she asked. “It all seems so good,” Tina said. “Why don‟t you do the honors?” she told Kevin. Kevin looked over at Alexis. “I‟m game if you are,” Alexis told him. “Well, we‟ll start with Mu pin….marinated grilled pork on a stick,” he told the waitress. “Followed by Keng Phet Yang, Tom Yam Khon and Khao Phat.” “That sounds interesting,” Tina said sarcastically. “Don‟t worry,” Kevin assured her. “You‟ll like it.” “What about dessert?” the waitress asked. “We‟ll decide on that after dinner,” Kevin told her. “Would you like something to drink?” “I‟ll have a Coke,” Alexis said. 7

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“Me too,” Tina agreed. “I‟ll have iced tea,” Kevin said. The waitress left to put in their order. “This place is nice and homey,” Tina said. “They‟re bound to do good business.” “One of these days, I‟d like to take you to Thailand,” Kevin told her. “Then you can try the authentic thing.” Alexis busied herself looking out of the window and trying not to eavesdrop on their conversation. She spotted a familiar looking dark blue BMW in the parking lot, but didn‟t comment on it. Moments later, the waitress returned with their drinks, followed by the appetizers. “This is Mu Pin,” Kevin explained as each one of them picked up a stick. “It is marinated grill pork.” Alexis heard a familiar-sounding deep laugh. “Would you excuse me for a moment?” she asked. “I need to use the ladies room.” She slid out of the booth and headed in the direction of the laugh. She heard it again. It came from a nearby booth. She looked. Sure enough, the laugh belonged to Erik Masters. Alexis hurried past before he could spot her. The lying, cheating bastard was seated in a booth all hugged up with some woman. She couldn‟t get a good look at the woman‟s face because a large flower decoration hid her and obscured the view. But the man was definitely Erik. Alexis ducked into the ladies room for a few minutes and then made her way back past the booth where Erik and that woman were still sitting and hugging. She headed back to their booth. There was no way Tina would believe her if she told her so she decided to let her see for herself. Erik and the woman had to pass right by their booth since it was the only way out. Alexis arrived at the booth just in time for the main dishes…Keng Phet Yang, roasted duck in red curry, Tom Yam Kung Nam Khon, prawns in coconut milk, and Khao Phat, chicken and pork fried rice. They finished the delicious meal up with Khanom Tan, a palm flavored cake with 8

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shredded coconut on top. Alexis lifted her dessert spoon. She heard Erik laugh again, but this time, he sounded closer. She looked up. He was headed toward them with the woman. “Tina,” she said, getting her friend‟s attention. Both Tina and Kevin looked up to where Alexis pointed. Tina‟s eyes widened and she gasped loudly. Erik was holding the young woman‟s arm and like a fool. leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. Alexis still couldn‟t get a good look at the woman‟s face, but she could check out everything else. She was short, about five-feet-four, with rolls and rolls of curves, breasts, and ass squeezed into a yellow mini dress. She teetered on high heels…the kind that looked good but were horrible to walk in. They left the restaurant. Alexis looked over at Tina, who still watched the door after Erik and the woman left. She didn‟t say a word. She just turned her head toward the window. Alexis peered over, too, just in time to see Erik give the woman an affectionate pat on the rear end while helping her into the front passenger seat of the car. Tina went back to her dessert. Alexis looked over at Kevin. Their eyes met. His dark eyebrows knitted together, indicating anger. No one spoke. They just finished up dessert. Kevin signaled for the waitress to bring the bill. Moments later, they were back in his car headed for home. **** Tina busied herself getting dinner prepared. True, she wasn‟t hungry after eating Thai with Kevin and Alexis, but she made it a point to fix Erik a hot meal whenever he came home from work. Hell, she had even fired her cook so that she could do it personally. It didn‟t matter that she‟d seen 9

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him in the same Thai restaurant earlier…tradition was tradition. She removed the baked chicken from the oven and set the baking pan on a butcher block to cool while she fixed the au-gratin potatoes and green beans. She added the little cocktail onions to the beans just the way Erik liked it. Once both of them were done, she busied herself washing the dishes and setting the table. Erik came home three hours later looking tired, and the food was cold. Erik carried his jacket over his shoulder and his briefcase in his other hand. “Hard day?” Tina asked, coming down to greet him. Erik nodded and kissed her weakly on the cheek. “Sometimes clients are very disagreeable.” “Are you hungry?” she asked. “Just a little,” he replied. “What‟s for dinner?” “Baked chicken, potatoes, and green beans.” He yawned. “Sounds yummy. Warm me some while I go hop in the shower.” He hugged her this time, giving her an affectionate slap on the behind. “I‟ll only be a moment.” “Okay,” Tina said. She liked him when he was like this, playful and romantic. She watched him walk away, sniffing the air. He‟d changed his cologne. Tina frowned. She didn‟t like it because it smelled too feminine and he was all man. Erik didn‟t talk much during dinner, but Tina didn‟t mind because she wasn‟t much of a conversationalist either. He went to the den afterwards while she re-cleaned the kitchen and put the remaining leftovers away. Tina walked upstairs to their bedroom, pulled out a sexy new nightgown, and entered the bathroom for a bath. Erik still hadn‟t come up to bed by the time she exited. She glanced over at the clock. Eleven p.m. She had thought to surprise him with the new negligee, a see-through blue alluring thing that he pointed out in a magazine one day, but she didn‟t know how long she could stay awake. By midnight, she just gave up and went to sleep. 10

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**** Erik still wasn‟t in bed when the alarm sounded at five the next morning. Tina walked down the stairs and headed toward the den. He wasn‟t there either. Maybe he had come up later and decided to sleep in the guestroom instead of disturbing her. Tina put on a fresh pot of coffee, put a coffee cake into the oven, and was about to head back upstairs to dress when she decided to go outside to get the morning newspaper so Erik could read it while he ate breakfast. She opened the front door, stepped outside, and immediately noted something amiss. The garage door was open. She walked back into the house and grabbed the telephone just in case she needed to call the police, and walked back through the kitchen and opened the door that led to the attached garage. Erik‟s car was gone. Tina pressed the button near the kitchen door and lowered the garage door, walked back into the kitchen, and hung the phone back up. She sighed. He probably had an early meeting and forgot to close the door. Tina walked back through the kitchen and headed upstairs to dress, thinking she‟d just bring the coffee cake to work and share it with the other people in the office. **** Strange, Erik wasn‟t at work when Tina arrived, and no one had seen or heard from him. She gave the coffee cake to Alexis and walked to her office. After putting away her things, Tina reached for her cell phone and dialed Erik‟s number. It went straight to voice mail. Hum, she thought. He probably turned it off because he’s in a meeting and can’t be disturbed. Tina walked back to the administration office by Alexis to get a cup of coffee. Alexis had already cut the coffee cake into manageable slices and was busy filling the coffee area with disposable cups and condiments. “Have 11

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you found him yet?” Alexis asked as she poured a cup of coffee for both of them. Tina thought Alexis looked cute in the butter yellow and brown skirt set she wore. Alexis had great tastes in clothing and knew how to accessorize. “Not yet,” Tina replied. “The calls go directly to voice mail.” Alexis added cream and sugar to the coffee, stirred, and handed one of the cups to Tina. “Thank you.” “Did you ever find out who that woman was we saw him having dinner with yesterday?” Tina shook her head. “She was probably a client.” Alexis frowned at her. “That means you didn‟t ask him.” “No, why should I? I trust Erik.” Alexis turned up her nose. “Girl, you‟re too good. He never would have made it out of that restaurant alive if he was my man.” Tina nearly choked on the hot coffee. Sometimes, Alexis could be quite humorous. “So he wasn‟t home when you woke up?” Alexis had no problems asking personal questions. “No.” “Has that ever happened before?” “No, so it had to be something important that got him out the house so early,” Tina replied. “And has his ass late for work,” Alexis added. Tina peered at her over the coffee cup. “What? Just because he‟s sleeping with the boss doesn‟t mean he can break the rules. I‟d dock his ass if I were you.” That thought had crossed Tina‟s mind. Alexis was right. She couldn‟t show favoritism. “I‟ll give him to the top of the hour to show up. If he doesn‟t, I‟ll dock his ass, like you said.” She reached for a piece of the coffee cake and sampled it. Delicious. She‟d driven across town to find it, since it was Erik‟s favorite, and now he wasn‟t even present to enjoy it. 12

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Where could he be? Maybe she should check his calendar. He probably told her about the meeting and she just forgot about it. The office door opened and she and Alexis stopped talking and looked in its direction. Kevin entered carrying a briefcase and dressed in a dark blue business suit, tie and white shirt. Funny, it was the first time she‟d seen him in anything so businesslike, and she liked it. He looked very professional with his dark hair combed back from his forehead and wearing his glasses instead of contacts. He entered, walked over to them, and bowed. “Good morning, ladies.” Tina bowed back and Alexis just kind of stood there, openly checking him out with a smug expression on her face. “Welcome to The Design Factory,” Tina said once they ended the greeting. She wanted to make him feel comfortable on his first day. “Would you like some coffee?” “No, thank you,” he said. “I‟m more of a tea person.” “You have a complete tea set in your office,” Alexis replied. “Tina insisted.” “Thank you,” he said again. “We have coffee cake,” Tina said, still trying to get adjusted to his new look. “I know,” Kevin said, reaching down and retrieving something near her lip. “A crumb.” “Thank you,” Tina said, blushing as his finger lingered on her cheek. Kevin was such a nice fellow. “Let me show you to your office.” “It is right next to hers,” Alexis replied with a smile. “So she can keep an eye on you.” Kevin removed his finger slowly from Tina‟s cheek and chuckled at Alexis‟ joke. “I‟ll try to remember that.” “Don‟t pay Alexis any mind,” Tina said, leading him away from the nosey secretary. “She‟s just trying to be funny.” Tina glanced into Erik‟s office as they passed. He still hadn‟t arrived. She‟d hoped that he might have entered through the other door and would 13

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be busy at work when she walked by. Tina sighed. Who was she kidding? Erik never looked busy or productive at any time. The only time he showed any promise was when he was with clients. He felt administrative type duties were beneath him and better left to Alexis. Alexis, of course, had gotten a big laugh out of this when Erik told her, and she all but told him to kiss her butt. Alexis wasn‟t Erik‟s personal secretary, just Tina‟s, and now Kevin‟s. She had no doubt that Alexis would quit if Tina ever suggested she do anything for Erik. Tina stopped in front of a door. “We‟re here,” she told Kevin, who hadn‟t said much since they walked away from Alexis. She turned the knob, opened the door, and then she stepped aside, allowing him the first look. She‟d had it remodeled weeks ago to fit his needs after he agreed to join her in the business. “This is wonderful,” Kevin said, stepping inside. He walked over to the window. “And what a spectacular view of Central Park.” From his window, he could see the East Meadow lawns recently restored by the Central Park Conservancy. “I thought you‟d like it. All that greenery promotes harmony.” Kevin put his briefcase down on the modular desk. There was also a black meshed chair she‟d purchased to help his back. “There is also a private bathroom and another room through that door for you to relax in,” she told him. She led him over to the two doors on the other side of the room. The bathroom had a private shower, toilet and sink. The second room had a sofa bed, a nightstand, a telephone, and a television. “It‟s for those nights when you‟re working late on a project and are too tired to drive home.” “That is very thoughtful you,” Kevin said. “Is your office similar?” “Yes,” Tina replied. “Almost exactly the same, except my bathroom has a bidet.” “A what?” Kevin asked. “Never mind. Come on, let me introduce you around.” She paused. “And can you not mention that I‟m one of your students?” Kevin smiled at 14

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her and her heart sped up and then skipped a beat. “Does it embarrass you?” “No,” she said, trying to get her heartbeat to calm and return to normal. “It‟s personal. Martial arts are what I do for me.” “I understand,” he said, looking very charming. That‟s what she liked about Kevin. He was easy to please and never made waves. She took him around to the different sections, not missing the look of interest from the other female employees. Less than an hour later, they had completed the tour of the facility and had returned to the administration area. The rest of Alexis‟ crew had arrived and were helping themselves to coffee cake. She looked over toward Erik‟s door. “He hasn‟t arrived or called,” Alexis told her before she could ask. “I hope he hasn‟t been involved in an accident,” Tina replied. “Who?” Kevin asked. “Erik. He hasn‟t shown up for work yet and hasn‟t called.” “Didn‟t he tell you his plans before he left home this morning?” Kevin asked. Tina shook her head. “He was gone by the time I woke up.” Kevin scowled. “Is that normal?” “No,” Tina said. “That‟s why I‟m so worried.” “When was the last time you heard from him?” “Around ten last night. He came home, ate dinner, and went into the den to watch the news. I went up to shower and to get ready for bed, but when he didn‟t show up by midnight, I went to sleep.” “Stupid fellow,” Kevin replied. “What?” Tina asked. “Nothing,” Kevin said, pushing his glasses up on the bridge of his nose. “Why don‟t you try calling him?” Tina pulled her phone out and dialed Erik‟s phone. This time, he answered. “Hello?” 15

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“Where are you?” “I had a couple of stops to make.” “I was worried when you weren‟t there when I woke up,” Tina told him. “What time did you leave?” “Early,” he said. “I didn‟t want to disturb you. I just have to stop at the bank and then I‟ll be there.” “Okay, but next time call and let me know something.” “Okay,” he said. “Come on, Erik,” a female voice said in the background. “Who is that?” Tina asked. “Look, I have to go,” Erik replied. “I‟ll see you at work.” He disconnected the call. Tina looked down at her cell phone, pushed the red button, and then put it back in her pocket. “He‟s on his way,” she told Kevin. Kevin didn‟t ask a question. He just nodded. “Well, I‟m glad he‟s alive. I better get to my office and get some work done.” “Okay,” Tina said. “Are you coming to class tonight?” Tina nodded. “I live for it.” Kevin smiled and walked in the direction of his office. Alexis eased her way over. “You found him?” Tina nodded. “Yes, he‟s on his way.” “Where is he?” “He didn‟t say,” Tina replied, refusing to allow Alexis to play on her emotions. Right now, things were pretty messed up in her head. Who was the woman in the background on Erik‟s phone, and what was so important that he had to leave home before dawn and miss half a day‟s work? “Well, he better hurry,” Alexis replied. “His phone has been ringing off the hook all morning.” Tina smiled weakly, turned on her heel, and headed for her office. She was sure that Erik would have a good explanation for everything. He usually did. 16

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Chapter Two Damn woman always checking up on me. Who the hell does she think she is? Erik drove away from the bank and headed toward the office. Sometimes she acts like she owns me. Hell, I’m a grown man and I don’t have to answer to anyone. Erik drove down Fifty-Ninth Street and entered the parking lot of the building, going up seven floors until he drove into his assigned parking spot. He turned off the engine and got out, pulling his jacket out of the front passenger seat where he‟d tossed it after Shanna got out. Shanna, he deduced, was another problem. Talk about highmaintenance. He‟d already paid her rent, her cable and water bills, and now she was hitting him up for money to get her hair and nails done. That was one thing he could say about Tina, she never asked him for anything. She had a giving, caring nature, but she could get a bit clingy. Just because they lived and worked together didn‟t mean he owed her an explanation for everything he did. Erik closed the door of his BMW, noticing how the paint was starting to fade. Tina had purchased the car for him about two years ago and he figured it was time to see if he could talk her into buying him this sweet little Maybach „57 he‟d seen at the dealership a couple of days ago. He wanted it in candy apple red and the price was a steal at three hundred thousand dollars. He chuckled. That was pocket change for someone like Tina. Erik headed toward the elevator and stepped inside once it arrived. He rode up to the twelfth floor of the building and exited. He‟d also talk to her about assigning him a better parking spot. Hell, she owned the building. Why couldn‟t he have the vacant and bigger executive spot next to hers? He entered the main building, walked down the hall to the administration office, and entered. 17

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The office was busy with activity, as usual. Alexis had a phone glued to her ear and the rest of the clerks were manning the phones and on their computers. Alexis looked over in his direction, rolled her eyes at him, and then went back to her conversation. Erik ignored her. He didn‟t like her, had never liked her, and couldn‟t wait for Tina to fire her, which he knew would never happen since the two of them were childhood friends. He walked past them and headed for his office. A tall Asian man passed him. A new employee? Wait, no. It’s the designer, Kevin Chen. What is he doing here? Erik watched the man walk over toward Alexis. Is that her new man now? He wondered. Or is he here on business? He knew Tina was trying to talk him into joining her on another project. He didn‟t really know the man, but had heard some great things about him. Rumor said that he was rich and in demand. Erik sighed and continued toward his office. One day, rumor would be saying the same thing about him. The first thing to catch his attention was the red message light on his desk phone. Erik hung his jacket on a hook and then sat down in his leather chair. He looked down at his calendar. He had a meeting with a client at one and then he had to attend Tina‟s weekly staff meeting at three. Other than that, his schedule was pretty free. He lifted the telephone receiver and punched in a code to access his messages. There was one from a client and two from Shanna wanting to know if he got the money for her hair and nails. Damn, he‟d just left her. Did she think he had time to double back and bring the money to her? It was bad enough he snuck out of the house to be with her this morning and had Tina worried about him. And he knew Tina had heard Shanna‟s voice in the background of his phone. Any other woman would have cursed him out, but not mild-mannered, even-tempered Tina. She wasn‟t the type to make a scene and she‟d already forgiven his other little indiscretions. He‟d make it right with Tina if she inquired about Shanna. He‟d promise that it would never happen again and Tina would forgive him. Erik erased the messages, pulled out the business card for the car 18

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dealership, and scheduled an appointment to meet with them after work. He wanted to bring Tina along, but she had some kind of class scheduled. That didn‟t matter. He‟d just get the paperwork started and bring her along later to pay the bill. **** Tina kept expecting Erik to come into her office before lunch, but he never put in an appearance. Lunch time arrived and Alexis stuck her head into the door. “I‟m going out for lunch. Would you like to come with me?” “I can‟t,” Tina said. “I‟ve got a few calls to make and then I‟m meeting with Kevin.” “The man works across the hall now,” Alexis replied. “You don‟t have to schedule play time with him.” “Yes, I know, but I have the staff meeting scheduled for three.” “Okay, I understand that you‟re busy. So why don‟t I just order Chinese food for us? That way you can work and eat at the same time.” “Sound great,” Tina said. “You‟re an angel.” Alexis waved to her and left. Tina pulled out her tablet and began jotting down notes for her meeting with Kevin. She had a pretty good idea what she wanted to invent for their joint endeavor, but she also wanted to hear what he might have in mind. So far, both of them had become successful with their inventions, but she wanted to try something new…something that would aid society and not just make the company an obscene amount of money just because it had her name attached to it. Alexis popped her head back into the door. “The food is on its way and I just wanted to remind you not to make any plans for tomorrow after lunch because we have appointments at the beauty salon.” “Ooh, thanks for reminding me,” Tina said. “I almost forgot. My roots could use a bit of touching up.” 19

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Alexis waved again and left. What is wrong with me? I’m getting so forgetful lately. Tina pulled out her cell phone, accessed her calendar, and was about to log in the hair appointment when she spotted it already there. Apparently, she‟d just started losing her mind in the last month or so. She put her cell phone away and went back to her notes. Besides wanting to invent a new toy for Christmas, Tina also wanted to invent some helpful household gadget. The market was already inundated with these products, so she had to come up with something unique. She looked down at her watch. Noon. She pulled out her organizer and started making phone calls and answering email. Everybody wanted something. Sometimes, she wished she could clone herself so she could meet all the obligations she had with charities and social events. Her calendar was chocked with personal appearance requests and she still needed to put in some face time with her other companies. Someone knocked at her door about a half hour later. “Come in,” she said. Kevin entered brandishing a sketch pad, his cell phone, and a tablet for taking notes. “Am I too early?” he asked. Tina rose. “No, you‟re right on time. I just finished with phone calls and email.” “Good,” he said. “Have you had lunch?” she asked. Kevin shook his head. “I‟ve been too busy to stop.” “Good,” Tina said. “Alexis has sent out for Chinese food. We can have lunch together and not be disturbed.” “I‟d like that,” he said. She showed him over to the other side of the room where she had a drafting table and a dry erase board set up for them to use. “How are you adjusting to your first day?” “It hasn‟t been so bad,” Kevin confessed. “Most of the employees are nice and some have been very helpful.” 20

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“Let me guess, the young ladies from administration?” Kevin nodded. “And a few of the female designers and production managers.” Tina chuckled. “It will all calm down as soon as the newness wears off. You‟re the first male employee we‟ve had in a long time, and of course, you have that Bruce Lee thing going for you.” “What Bruce Lee thing?” Kevin asked curiously. “You know. You‟re a good-looking Asian with some serious muscles pushing out from under that jacket,” Tina teased. “Have you ever seen Bruce Lee in a suit?” Kevin asked. “I bet you‟ve never seen one of his movies. What were you, not even born during his heyday?” “I have to seen some of his movies,” Tina said with a playful pout. “Enter the Dragon.” She struck an attack pose. Kevin fell into the silly groove with her and posed. They were both giggling when Alexis knocked on the door, delivering their lunch. “Come in,” Tina said, still chuckling. Alexis entered carrying a bag of small white boxes and utensils. “What are the two of you doing? I haven‟t heard this kind of laughter out of Tina in ever,” she said. Tina smoothed out her suit and tried to wipe away her smile. Kevin slid his glasses up his nose and feint innocence. “Tina was just impressing me with her knowledge of ancient martial arts movies.” Alexis placed the food on the table. “Who are you expecting to eat all of this?” Tina asked as she began opening containers. “You two,” Alexis announced. “I didn‟t know what Kevin liked so I ordered a sampling of everything.” “I‟m not choosy,” Kevin said. “But this is a lot of food for three people.” “Two,” Alexis corrected. “My lunch is on my desk.” “You won‟t be joining us?” Kevin asked. 21

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“No. How can the two of you get down to business with me here?” “Huh?” Tina asked. Kevin cleared his throat. “Yes, well, I supposed you‟re right. Tina and I have a lot of work to do.” Tina didn‟t miss the little eye play between Alexis and Kevin. Are they flirting with each other? “Bye, you two,” Alexis said. “See you later for the staff meeting.” Kevin bowed to her and Alexis finally left. “The two of you seem like great friends.” “We have our moments,” Tina said, dishing some food onto paper plates and placing one in front of Kevin. “Thank you,” he said, accepting the food. Their fingers touched. Damn, he has soft skin. Kevin looked down at his hand, smiled, and then looked away. Tina removed her hand, fixed her own plate, and sat down next to him. Kevin said the blessing over the meal, broke apart a pair of chopsticks, and handed them to Tina. “You can‟t be serious?” she asked. “I‟ll waste food all over my clothes.” “Practice makes perfect,” Kevin told her. “You will need to learn for our trip to Taiwan.” Tina smirked at him. “So what have you been working on?” Kevin broke apart another pair of wooden chopsticks, placed them on the table, and got up to get his sketch book. He placed it on the table in front of her. Tina flipped through some of the pages. “Ooh, I like this.” “I thought you might,” Kevin said. She flipped another page. “This one isn‟t bad either.” He‟d come up with a couple new educational toys for both boys and girls. “Ooh, what is this?” “A house,” Kevin replied, looking over at the sketch pad. “It‟s beautiful, but don‟t you think it‟s just a little too much for a little 22

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girl?” Kevin chuckled. “Yes, but it‟s not for a little girl. It‟s for me. It‟s my dream home.” Tina looked the sketch over. It was truly beautiful right down to the landscaping. The drawing contained a lush green Japanese garden complete with stepping stones, and the house was nestled amongst cherry trees. The architecture of the house had a combination of western and Asian features that only he could come up with. It had a comfortable feel to it, like one could spend the rest of his or her life there and never grow tired of it. “How many bedrooms?” “Three,” Kevin answered. “It also has three baths and a fully operational kitchen, complete with a wok.” He flipped the page. “This is where I plan to build my exercise area, and next to it will be the swing set.” Tina looked at him curiously. “Aren‟t you too big for a swing set?” “No,” he replied with a smile. “You aren‟t planning to live there by yourself, are you?” “No,” he replied, looking into her eyes. “It‟s for my future family. I‟ve designed it completely green and environmentally friendly using natural light. The master bedroom will have a sky roof so I can stare up at the stars at night.” “Sounds romantic,” she said with a sigh. “Yes, it does. And I want to put a pavilion right here in this part of the yard,” he said, pointing down at the drawing. “This is a place where my future wife and I can sip tea and watch the sun set.” “Sounds heavenly and peaceful. Do you have any idea where you want to build this house?” she asked. “Taiwan,” he answered. “Oh.” “I‟ve always had plans to return there someday when I get tired of the rat race. Sometimes I like to enjoy the simpler things in life, like taking a nice stroll in a field of flowers or lying in a hammock in my backyard 23

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without the fear of someone bashing me in my head while I sleep.” “And the other two bedrooms will be energy efficient too?” she asked, trying to change the subject. She and Kevin shared similar dreams. She‟d been thinking of building a home to retire in away from it all when she decided to quit inventing. Of course, she hadn‟t done anything as elaborate as this. “Yes, the kids need to learn early about conserving energy.” “Kids?” Tina asked. “You want kids?” “But of course,” he said. “I need someone to swing with. I want a little girl as beautiful as her mother with big brown eyes and a sweet disposition.” “Wow, you‟ve really thought this out right down to the last detail.” Why is he staring at me like that? “Yes,” he said. His voice sounded huskier than it had earlier. “She‟s going to be a very lucky little girl to have a father who can design and build toys for her.” “I have the little table and chair set designed in my head already,” he told her. “And I‟ll buy her a tiny tea set that she can practice on while my mother is teaching her a tea ceremony.” “Your mother is going to live with you?” “Not in the beginning,” he replied. “But eventually, if something happens to my father.” That is so sweet of him. “What if you have a boy?” “I haven‟t considered that aspect. I guess I‟ll have to make sure the tea set comes with another cup so the two of them can play together, if they‟re getting along.” Tina smiled. “You have a very vivid imagination.” Kevin flipped the tablet back to the sketch of the first invention. “There‟s nothing wrong with dreaming,” he told her. “You can have anything you want if you want it bad enough.” That is true. She supposed he had some girl back home he planned to 24

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marry. “Ah, I didn‟t know you were a romantic.” “That‟s because you‟ve never gone out on a date with me,” he said. “I can be charming.” Why am I smiling? His eyes took on a smoky, dark hue as he continued to stare at her. He removed his glasses and his face took on a whole new look. He had the sexiest eyes she‟d ever seen on a man, and God, his skin was flawless. “Have you ever dreamed about the future?” Tina allowed her eyes to scan his face, taking in those extraordinarily long lashes, that slim nose, and those full lips. Ooh, she thought. They look downright delectable. She shook her head. What am I doing checking him out like he’s a piece of prime rib? “Not really,” she finally replied. “I suppose my life in the future won‟t be too much different than it is now, except I‟ll be older.” “Any kids in that future?” he asked. “I don‟t know,” she said, trying to keep her mind off his lips. “I‟ve never really thought about it.” Yes she had, but she didn‟t see Erik as the fatherly type. He was just too selfish. “But the thought must have crossed your mind once or twice when you‟re creating toys. I think you would make an excellent mother. You‟re kind, loving, and thoughtful.” Tina gulped. “Am I?” No one had ever told her anything like that before, especially not Erik. “Of course you are,” he said, leaning in to her. “A man would be a fool not to want to have babies with you.” She made the mistake of lifting her eyes to meet his. The dark pupils pulled her in seductively. She felt her head tilt as she leaned closer toward him. The scent of his cologne did funny things to her nervous system. Why didn‟t Erik say those types of words to her, and why didn‟t he smell this yummy? A knock on the door disturbed the moment. She smiled and moved to a safe distance. Kevin put his glasses back on. His cheeks looked rosy, like 25

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hers did when she blushed. “Yes.” Alexis appeared, looked at the two of them, smirked, but did not comment. “Are the two of you finished?” she asked. “It‟s almost time for your staff meeting.” Tina looked down at her watch. Had two hours passed already? “Yes,” she said. “We can continue this another time.” “Yes, we will,” he said, smiling innocently at her. He closed his sketch pad. Alexis came in and started clearing away the leftover food. Tina rose. “We usually have our staff meeting in the conference room,” she told Kevin. He looked at her in question. “Where‟s that?” Tina chuckled. “Go put your things up in your office and I‟ll escort you there. This is a pretty big place and I wouldn‟t want you to get lost.” “No, we wouldn‟t want that,” Alexis replied. Kevin rose and gathered the rest of his things. “I‟ll be right back.” He walked out of the room. “Did the two of you get anything accomplished?” Alexis asked. “Kevin showed me some of his designs.” “Were they any good.” “Everything that man creates is a masterpiece,” Tina replied honestly. As a designer, Kevin had some mad skills. “I think most of his suggestions will work.” “What else did the two of you talk about for two hours? You seemed pretty happy when I came in?” “We were talking about swings and tea sets,” Tina said, trying not to dwell on the fact that she‟d spent most of the time ogling the man. “I‟m not even going to ask,” Alexis said. “You two seem to work well together. I guess it helps to have something in common with a person when you choose a partner.” “That does help,” Tina replied. “He‟s one of the best designers in the world. That‟s why I wanted him on our team. We can always use good 26

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people.” “Kevin is good people,” Alexis said. Tina nodded in agreement. “And he‟s fine.” Tina tried to hide her smile. Kevin walked in before she could reply. “Come on, you two,” Tina said. She grabbed her notebook and walked out her door with Alexis and Kevin on her heels. **** Erik didn‟t even have the decency to show up at her staff meeting. He‟d left a message on her cell phone about having an appointment and just left the building again. Of course he was noticeably missing. No one actually came out and said anything to her, but she did notice a few people looking toward his vacant seat and then just shaking their heads. Yes, she would have a serious talk with him tonight once she got home from Kung Fu class. He had to straighten up his act or she would have to fire him. She would do it to any other employee, so why did he think he was special? Tina barely found a parking spot when she arrived at the dojo. Kevin‟s Wednesday night classes were always packed and tonight was no exception. He hired a couple extra teachers to help with the younger kids and the young adults, but he continued to teach the older students himself. Alexis was already there and changed into her Taiji by the time Tina made it to the ladies dressing room. She spotted her friend deep in conversation with Kevin. She waved to them and then ducked inside the little room to change. Moments later, she joined them and the other students who had arrived. “I need someone to help me demonstrate the technique of Qi,” Kevin said. No one raised their hand, but Alexis volunteered her by nudging her forward until she stepped out of line. 27

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“Thank for volunteering, Tina,” Kevin said. “Apparently, the rest of the class thinks I might hurt them or something.” There as a murmuring of agreement amongst the ranks. “Cowards,” he said, displaying a bright, charismatic smile. Tina tried not to swoon as she looked at him. For some reason, his smile now seemed to get a reaction out of her body. “For those of you who don‟t know, Qi is just a method of relaxation and control of the body.” He stepped behind her to pose her into position. His hands slid from her shoulder down her arms, sending the most delightful sensations through her. His body pressed into her back and his hands touched her arms until she had perfected the stance. The two of them had practiced this many times before, but her body had never felt as alive as it did now. “Maybe I should have volunteered,” an older female student said. “They make a great team,” someone else said. “I‟d kill for a body like hers, and her height.” A warm blush moved up her collar. She wasn‟t used to compliments and being the center of attention. Usually she stayed in the back of the class and just tried to blend in. The only time she took center stage was during her private classes with Kevin. Kevin moved away from her, taking his warmth with him. “In position, everyone,” Kevin said. Alexis and the others posed and tried to copy Tina‟s stance. Some of them did well. Class ended an hour later. Kevin said goodnight to everyone and disappeared into his office. **** Tina was tired when she arrived home from Kung Fu. Erik surprised her by being home and having dinner waiting for her. He‟d already showered and changed and walked around dressed in a white short-sleeved 28

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shirt and a pair of jogging pants. “How was class?” he asked as she stood in the doorway. “Fine,” Tina said, too tired to take her gym bag from her shoulder. All she wanted was a hot bath and possibly some of that fried chicken Erik had brought home. “We missed you at the meeting this afternoon.” “Sorry about that,” he said while he set the table. “I had an errand to run and got back later than expected. Anything exciting go on?” “Not really,” she said. They had discussed her upcoming trip to San Francisco, but she‟d tell him about that later. “Just the usual. We discussed our plans for the upcoming holiday season. We only have a short time to get our drafts off the sketch pads and into the hands of the toy makers.” “Yeah, I know. I have a couple of clients waiting to see what you come up with this year.” Tina didn‟t know if that was true or not, but at least she had his attention. “Who was that young woman you were with yesterday?” “What young woman?” Erik asked. “The one I heard in the background of your phone before you finally came to work.” “Oh, her. That was a potential client‟s wife. I took them to breakfast so we could discuss stocking some of our toys in their new children‟s boutique.” “Oh,” Tina said, noting that he could not look her in the face when he spoke to her. “Why don‟t you go up and change and come down and eat with me before the food gets cold?” “Okay,” she said. A hot bath was now out of the question so she would have to settle for a shower. She walked out of the kitchen and headed upstairs toward their bathroom, passing by her home office. The door was slightly ajar and she distinctly remembered closing it before she left this morning. Maybe Erik had gone in for some supplies or something. She closed the door and continued to the stairs. The house phone rang as soon as she entered the bedroom. Tina put her gym bag on the floor and reached 29

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for the receiver. She heard Erik‟s voice before she could say hello. “I thought I told you to never call me at home.” “But you wouldn‟t answer your cell phone,” a woman said on the other end. “I never heard it ring,” he replied. “It probably needs charging.” “Oh,” the woman said. “Are you coming over tonight?” “Did you get your hair and nails done?” “No,” she said. “I couldn‟t. It was too late to go after you brought me the money. I‟ll go tomorrow.” “I don‟t know if I can make it tonight,” Erik said. “Tina‟s home.” “Sneak out like you did last night,” she said with a giggle. “She‟ll never know.” “I‟ll see,” Erik said. “But I can‟t make any promises.” The young woman said something obscene about what she would do for Erik if he came, and he just chuckled. Tina looked down at the caller ID and memorized the phone number. She waited for Erik to end the call and hang up before she eased the receiver back down. Tina gathered some clothes and walked into the bathroom to shower. Fifteen minutes later, she sat across from Erik eating fried chicken and mashed potatoes with gravy. Everything went down into her stomach like a rock. She had indigestion before the meal ended. Tina said goodnight and went back up to the bedroom to find an antacid, leaving Erik to clean up the kitchen. About an hour later, she heard him tiptoe into the room when he thought she was asleep. He got some clothes and tiptoed back out of the room. A few minutes later, she heard the garage door open and close, and the sound of a car driving away from the house. Tina sighed. He was back to his old tricks again. The man couldn‟t stay monogamous even if she paid him, which she did. Tina yawned, suddenly too tired to keep her eyes open. She went off to sleep. A noise woke her about three in the morning. Erik had returned, and for once, he had the decency not to try to climb up in her bed. 30

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**** Kevin‟s eyes opened bright and early the next morning after another restless night. He stepped out of bed, pushed his feet into a pair of slippers, and then he walked to the bathroom to shower and get ready for his second day at the Design Factory. The first day hadn‟t been too bad and it would take a lot more on his part to get comfortable working around so many people. He‟d like being independent and working on his own, and the only reason he agreed to accept Tina‟s offer of partnership was to get closer to her. A fool reason, he supposed, since she had no idea how he felt about her. Lately, his cock had a mind of its own, choosing to spring into life whenever he was near Tina or just by thinking about her. He knew he shouldn‟t bother since she was in a committed relationship, but he couldn‟t help it. She was just so beautiful and had a gentle nature. He foolishly dreamed of a future with her, in the house from his sketchbook, with two point five kids. Who was he kidding? She‟d probably marry Erik and have a miserable life with his womanizing ways that everyone knew about, including Tina. Why she pretended she didn‟t see him with that woman in the restaurant he didn‟t know. It was just plain crazy and unhealthy to just keep it all bottled up inside and not discuss it with anyone. He finished with his shower and got dressed, and left his apartment with his briefcase in hand. Kevin stood on the stoop looking around the neighborhood. He didn‟t know how much longer he could take the emptiness or the loneliness. He hadn‟t felt this depressed since he‟d left Taiwan. He walked to the parking lot and got into his car. Minutes later, he was on the highway driving toward work. A familiar-looking dark blue BMW headed toward him. Kevin gazed over out of his window toward the other driver. Erik. And he wasn‟t alone. A female sat in the passenger seat, and it wasn‟t Tina. It was, if memory 31

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served him right, the young woman from the Thai restaurant. He remembered her hair….a brassy blonde and not the correct color for her skin tone. He sighed. Part of him wanted to pick up the phone and call Tina, but the other part told him to cool it. No doubt she already knew he was gone by now, or the filthy cheating scoundrel waited until Tina left for work and then he high-tailed it in another direction. Why didn‟t Tina say anything? She was like two or three different females. There was the intelligent one who designed and invented wonderful gadgets and ran successful companies, and then there was the one who always beat the shit out of him in Kung Fu. She was forceful and independent at those times. And lastly, there was the weak Tina with no sense of self-respect. He didn‟t know which one was real, but he desperately hoped it was the second one who came to life in the dojo two or three times a week. He needed a woman who would walk beside him as an equal, one who was willing to go the whole nine yards to get something accomplished. Not one who looked like she would burst into tears any minute. And no doubt the man was going to be late for work this morning, if he showed up at all. After yesterday, one would think he‟d be smart enough to be on time. He‟d even left early yesterday and missed the meeting, and he bet anything that Tina paid him for a full day‟s work. It was so unfair to the other employees who made it to work on time, who put in their eight hours, and didn‟t leave until the job was done. Maybe Erik was a salaried employee instead of an hourly one. Maybe he should have a little talk with Alexis to find out how things worked around the office. He didn‟t want to step on any toes, but as a full partner, he wasn‟t going to stand for paying someone who didn‟t work or couldn‟t perform. Kevin was at the office building before he knew it. He drove into the executive parking spot assigned to him. Tina‟s car sat in the spot next to his. He smirked. The woman wasn‟t pretentious. She could have had a driver pick her up and drop her off every day with the kind of money she had. She drove a sensible economy car that probably got good miles to the 32

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gallon, while her leach of a boyfriend drove a very expensive foreign car. Kevin turned off the motor and slid out of the seat. The only reason he could see why Tina continued to put up with Erik was that he had to be good in bed. He rolled his eyes, embarrassed that he‟d stooped so low as using the sex card. That had to be it. Why else would she keep him around doing what he did? And he didn‟t think it was love. Maybe in the beginning it might have been, but not now. He‟d known Tina for a couple of years now and not once had he heard the sentence, “I love Erik” come out of her luscious mouth. Nope, she didn‟t love him and he bet she fretted over how to get out of the relationship with him without either of them getting hurt. But there was no way around it. Tina needed to ditch that loser and get on with her life. He didn‟t remember walking to the administration office, but he stood there with Alexis‟ eagle eyes glued on him and a know it all smile on her lips. “Good morning,” she told him. “Good morning,” Kevin said. “How are you doing?” “I‟m fine,” Alexis replied. “How about you?” “Pissed,” he answered. “Anything I can help you with?” Tina took that very moment to come into the administration office. “Maybe later,” he said. “Good morning,” Tina said, bowing to him. “Good morning. What time is the staff meeting?” Kevin asked. “Ten,” Tina answered. That gave Erik three hours to make it to work. “I‟ll be in my office,” Kevin said, bowing to the two women. He walked off. **** “Why are meetings so exhausting?” Alexis asked as she and Tina 33

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entered the beauty salon. There were a few women already there before them getting their hair and nails worked on, while others had their feet resting in water preparing for a pedicure. “That‟s because people have a right to their opinion, which makes the meetings longer,” Tina explained. “Well, at least we get a break next week since you‟ll be out of town.” “Yeah, I‟m looking forward to a couple of days in San Francisco.” She was going there to talk with the toy crafter and manufacturers. The male owner of the salon waved them over. “What can I do for your ladies today?” “Hair, a pedicure, and a full set of nails,” Alexis answered. “Same for me,” Tina told the man. He pointed to two empty seats for them to have their pedicures done first. “And you‟ll have Kevin with you to keep you company.” “What is that supposed to mean?” Tina asked Alexis. She put her feet into the water. “I‟ve been on plenty of business trips before by myself.” “And what do you do while you‟re there?” Alexis asked. “You just stay in your room working and not going out on the town for a little sightseeing.” She eased her feet into the water and lay back in the seat. “That‟s because I‟m on a business trip. If I planned to sight-see, it would be called a vacation. Anyway, I probably won‟t be seeing much of Kevin. He has some friends in San Francisco that he might visit.” Alexis shook her head. She loved Tina like a sister, but sometimes she went through life with blinders on. She was going to be alone in San Francisco with a gorgeous man who liked her and all she thought about was work. “Maybe I‟ll get in some sight-seeing,” Tina said, non-committal. “Or, Erik and I can go on vacation there after the holidays.” Alexis tried not to let her contempt for Erik show on her face. The man had come to work late again today, reeking of cheap cologne and pretending that nothing was wrong. Even Tina couldn‟t be that blind. 34

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They moved over to the manicurists after their pedicures were done. Two young women entered and sat next to Alexis. One of them looked familiar to her, but she couldn‟t put her finger on it. “I need a full set of nails,” the one with the blonde hair said to the manicurist. Why is her voice so familiar? Tina looked up at the sound of the woman‟s voice, stared, and then looked back down at what the young Asian woman was doing to her nails. Was it her imagination or did Tina seem to know the young woman or recognize her voice? Alexis leaned to her right. “Do you know her?” “I don‟t think so,” Tina replied. “But her voice is familiar.” Alexis nodded in agreement and then relaxed in her chair. She closed her eyes. The conversation to the left of her interrupted her train of thought. “I told you Erik was going to come through with the money, girl. His old lady is loaded. She‟s some kind of rich bitch that owns the company he works for.” Alexis‟ eyes opened and she sat up a bit straighter. “What kind of company does she own?” the other woman with her asked. “Maybe she can hook us up with some jobs.” The blonde laughed. “Don‟t be crazy. I don‟t want to work. I don‟t need to as long as he pays all my bills and gives me spending money. And get this; he‟s taking me on a vacation this weekend.” “Girl, where are you going this time?” “The Bahamas.” “You‟re so lucky. He buys you jewelry, gets your hair and nails done, and takes you on vacation. Does he have a brother?” The blonde laughed. Tina looked up again. Her eyes narrowed in on the young woman, but she didn‟t say a word. Alexis knew who the young woman was the moment she laughed. She had been at the restaurant with Erik. No wonder he wasn‟t accompanying 35

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Tina to San Francisco. He‟d be in the Bahamas with this little gold-digger. “No, he doesn‟t have a brother, just a very stupid and naïve wife. He even snuck out of the house the last couple of nights to be with me.” Alexis wasn‟t prone to jumping to conclusions, but this could not be a coincidence. Too many pieces fit. Tina‟s nails got finished first so the manager escorted her over to the hairstylist, leaving Alexis alone to do more snooping. “And he said she‟s buying him a new car. He already has a BMW.” Both women squealed. “Ooh, maybe he‟ll give you the BMW.” Both women squealed again. “Girl, I‟d look good behind the wheel of that thing.” It’s her. Alexis looked over at Tina, wondering how much of the conversation she heard. Tina was laid back in a chair getting her long brown hair washed. Hum, Erik will be in the Bahamas with the hoochie and then Tina will be in San Francisco with Kevin the following week. Sounds perfect. Maybe Tina will wake up and finally see Kevin as a man and not just her Sensei. **** “Are you cheating on me again?” Tina asked Erik later that evening after returning home from the beauty salon. Erik looked up from his meal abruptly. “No, where would you get a crazy idea like that?” “What would you have me think?” she asked, toying with the peas on her plate. “You‟re sneaking out of the house during the night and then I hear some woman on your cell phone who sounds exactly like this chick in the beauty parlor with me this evening.” Erik stopped chewing. “You‟re imagining things.” He cut into his steak. “Am I? Because a lot of the stuff I heard this afternoon out of her 36

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mouth sounds vaguely familiar. How many Eriks do I know that have an old lady who owns her own business and who drives around in a BMW?” Erik put the steak knife down. “Didn‟t I swear to you the last time that I wouldn‟t cheat on you again? I meant it. What do I have to do to prove that I‟m innocent? I love you, Tina, and I want to get married and have some kids.” That last line was good, but far from believable. She sighed. She‟d heard it all before and every time, it ended up with him cheating on her again. There was a scant possibility that he was telling her the truth, but she doubted it. Erik wasn‟t having sex with her so he must be getting it somewhere else. She scooped the scalloped potatoes onto her fork and raised it to her mouth. And she liked sex. A woman could only take so much rejection. “I wanted to talk to you about something,” Erik said, changing the subject. Tina swallowed the potatoes. “Yes?” “I went to a car dealership today. That‟s why I couldn‟t attend the staff meeting.” “Is something wrong with your car?” She‟d just had it serviced and detailed. “It‟s old,” Kevin said. “It‟s only two years old,” Tina said. “Has it been giving you problems?” “No,” Erik said. “I just think it‟s outdated and I would like a new one.” The car she drove was five years old and not once had she entertained the idea of buying another one. “What kind of car?” Tina asked. “A Maybach fifty-seven. It has a V-twelve bi-turbo engine that can reach six-hundred and twelve HP and one-hundred and seventy miles per hour.” Tina gawked. Is he kidding? “A German sports car?” Erik nodded with a gleam in his eyes. “And it‟s a steal at threehundred and sixty-seven thousand dollars.” 37

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Did she have ignorant written all over her face? The car note alone would be astronomical. Where did he expect to get that kind of money? “That‟s the top of the line model.” “But it‟s so clean,” Erik said. “I can just see us rolling down the highway in it.” Tina smirked. She‟d never ridden inside of the BMW. “And clients would flip when I ride them around in it.” Yes, his clients would flip and probably not buy from him because they‟d think he was embezzling money from the company on a salesman‟s salary. “And I‟d want it in candy apple red or silver.” Tina rose and emptied her plate. Erik only saw her as a meal ticket. Of course, this was mostly her fault for spoiling him. “Where are you going? We haven‟t finished discussing it.” Tina leaned against the cabinet. “I thought you were finished. Is there something else?” “When can you take off and go look at it?” “What do you need me for?” Tina asked. “I can see it when you bring it home.” “Don‟t joke with me, Tina. You know I can‟t afford a car like that. You have to go to sign the papers.” Tina laughed. “Dream on, Romeo. Let the little blonde bimbo buy you that. You got her hair and nails done. That‟s the least she can do for you.” She walked out of the kitchen, leaving him to stew. **** Erik looked toward the kitchen door expecting Tina to come back in and apologize to him. But after a few minutes, he figured it wasn‟t going to happen. He frowned. He never expected her to turn him down or say no. She was always so accommodating. Now what was he going to do? Luckily, the car salesman hadn‟t allowed him to sign any contracts or he 38

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would have been legally bound and in some serious debt. Why is she being like this? He guessed she was still mad at him. Stupid Shanna. What were the chances of the two of them being in the same beauty salon at the same time? And there was no doubt that‟s what had happened. Tina wouldn‟t just bring something like this up out of the blue. He continued to frown, betting that Shanna had her big mouth friend Linda with her, and Tina probably overheard the conversation. He‟d have a talk with Shanna later. Why couldn‟t women just keep their damn mouths shut? Now look what happened. It had cost him his dream car. Erik finished up his food and emptied his plate. Maybe he should go up and try to plead his case with Tina. No, that wouldn‟t work. She would never fall for it. He snapped his fingers. Sex. That always worked with Tina. How long has it been since the two of them had made love? He asked himself as he headed out of the kitchen. Hell, he couldn‟t remember. He chuckled. She would be all over him if he went upstairs and turned the charm on. Sex was never one of their problems. Tina was always warm and receptive in bed, but he was always afraid to try anything new with her. Maybe tonight he might try. Who knew? Maybe she‟d be horny enough to be game for anything. Erik hurried through the house and climbed the stairs. He heard the droning of the television coming from their bedroom as he reached the top of the stairs. Erik turned the knob and walked into the bedroom. He found Tina fast asleep in bed with the covers pulled up to her chin. Oh well, her loss. He tiptoed over to the closet for a change of clothes. If he was quiet enough, he could sneak out of the house and go see Shanna and return before Tina woke up. He smirked. Maybe he‟d withhold sex from Tina a little longer. Then she‟d be begging to buy him that car. What else could she do? It wasn‟t like there was another man around who wanted her. She‟d see. By the time he returned from the Bahamas, Tina would be begging him to make love to her. **** 39

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“What is this?” Tina asked Erik the next morning when he walked into her office. He‟d snuck back into the house around three in the morning smelling like a woman‟s cologne, and had eased into the shower before slipping back out to sleep in the guest bedroom. “Plans,” he told her. He pushed a folder toward her. Tina opened the folder. It contained business plans for some sort of clothing store. She began to read. Erik wanted her to invest in a men‟s suit store. She sighed. This man was incorrigible. If she didn‟t want to buy him a car, why did he think she would invest in something like this? “Is this for you?” Tina asked, playing along with the game. She‟d funded other ventures for him before and it had ended up with her just throwing money down the drain. Erik never stuck to anything, always giving up for one reason or another. That‟s when she decided to give him a job at The Design Factory so she could keep an eye on him and keep her contributions to his ideas to a minimum. “Yes, I thought it was about time I strike out on my own again.” “You don‟t like it here?” “It‟s not that,” he said, coming around the back of her seat and gently massaging her shoulders. “I just think it‟s time for me to be the boss.” “I understand,” she said. Maybe he thought she‟d fall for this and help him buy the car. She continued to look over the paperwork. It looked like he had put some thought into it. Maybe he was serious this time. “I didn‟t know you had an interest in men‟s clothing?” “Well, you know how I like good suits.” Boy, did she ever. Erik never bought anything off the rack and he ran up quite a tailor and dry-cleaning bill. “I don‟t want to sell any of that hip-hop fashion crap. Hopefully, that type of dressing will go out of style soon. I want to create a store that the well-dressed man will want to visit….you know, businessmen.” It sounded like he had put a lot of thought into it, except he hadn‟t done his homework on demographics and trends. That hip-hop crap, as he 40

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called it, wasn‟t going out of style anytime soon. If he had any sense, he‟d incorporate some of that fashion into his store. The current plan would eliminate rap and pop stars from spending their money with him. And if he thought she was just going to sign off on this, he was very much mistaken. Not after what he did to her last night. She‟d be a fool to reward him for cheating. “So what do you think?” he asked. “It‟s a very good business plan,” she lied. “But I‟ll have to get back with you after I have my attorney and accountants take a look at it.” Erik stopped the massage. “How long do you think they will take? I have to jump on this before the realtors sell the shop to someone else.” “I don‟t know, maybe a couple of days. I should have an answer for you when you return from the Bahamas with your friends.” Every year, Erik and his friends got together and went on a vacation to get away from the womenfolk. Well, that‟s what she‟d thought up until yesterday. No wonder he never asked her to go with him on vacation. He just needed her to pay for it. She smirked. For the first time, she was glad to get him out of the house for a couple of days so she could have some face time with herself so she could get her life in order. “Okay,” he said, walking back around to the front of her desk. “I‟ll see you on Sunday when I get back.” He walked out of the office without a kiss or a goodbye. Alexis entered shortly after he left. “Are you okay?” Tina nodded. Alexis was such a worrier. “What did you say to him last night after you went home from the beauty salon?” “Was I supposed to say something to him?” Tina asked, feigning ignorant. Alexis put her hand on her hips. “Tina, not even you are this blind. Don‟t tell me you didn‟t hear that blonde woman talking about Erik.” Tina shook her head. “No, Alexis, I‟m not blind or deaf. Yes, I heard her.” 41

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Alexis relaxed. “Girl, for a moment I thought I would have to do an intervention on your ass. So you confronted him about her?” “I asked him,” Tina said. “But of course you know he denied it.” “So what did he come in for then?” Tina pushed the folder toward her. “He wanted me to look over this.” Alexis opened the folder and started reading. “You‟re not seriously considering doing that?” Tina shook her head. “Hell no. I‟m just letting him think I am.” Alexis knew all about Erik‟s little past indiscretions and inability to run a business. “I told him I was going to run this past my lawyers and I‟d get back with him when he returned from the Bahamas.” Alexis handed her back the folder. “You‟re still going to let him go even though you know he‟s not going with his friends?” Tina nodded. “The damage is already done. Let him have his little fun. I‟m just giving him enough rope to hang himself with.” Alexis smirked. “You‟d think he‟d have learned by now. I‟m sorry, Tina, but you don‟t need him.” “Yeah, I know,” Tina said. “So what are you doing for the weekend?” “I thought I‟d just sit around the house and relax,” Tina said. “You sure you‟re not going to sit around the house and cry because your man is cheating on you?” Tina smirked. “He‟s cheated for so long the tears have dried up. No, I won‟t be mourning.” “Let‟s go out. We haven‟t done the girls thing in a long time.” “That‟s because we have significant others in our lives. What is Jerome supposed to do if you go out clubbing with me?” “He left this morning for a medical convention and won‟t be back until Sunday,” Alexis said. “I guess I‟m free,” Tina said. “Good,” Alexis said. “I‟ll call Clarice and see if she‟s free.” 42

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Clarice Tate was one of their childhood friends, recently divorced and enjoying every minute of it. Clarice was a lawyer for a prestigious law firm in Manhattan. “Okay, I haven‟t talked to her in a while.” Alexis pulled out her cell phone and dialed. “Hello, Reece, this is Alexis. What are you doing tonight? Tina and I are thinking about going out and painting the town red around nine,” Alexis said. “I‟ve heard of this new place called the Lotus Garden that caters to us older broads.” She paused and listened to Clarice‟s response. “Yeah, lover boy is out of town. He took his girlfriend to the Bahamas and Tina knows all about it.” She laughed. “Yes, he‟s a fool. Only an ass would cheat on a billionaires.” Tina made a face, smiled, and then shook her head. “Yes,” Alexis told her. Alexis pressed the red button on her cell phone to turn it off. “She‟s meeting us at nine.” “Good, but I don‟t want the two of you feeling sorry for me this time. We‟re going out to have fun,” Tina replied. “Okay, you need some fun. You‟ve been under a lot of pressure lately.” “Not more than usual,” Tina said. “But you‟re right. Every now and then it is good to go out and have fun with friends.” Alexis nodded. She only had a few minutes to plan the best night of Tina‟s life. She smirked. What were girlfriends for? **** The club was already crowded when they arrived. Tina felt a little uncomfortable because she never liked crowds, but Alexis‟ enthusiasm spurred her into staying. They found Clarice seated at the bar deep in conversation with a black man around their age. He appeared to be a professional businessman, which was right up Clarice‟s alley since that‟s the only type she ever dated. She waved at them, said something to the 43

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man, and then left him to join them. Clarice looked good dressed in a pair of black slacks and a black and white symmetrical print blouse that came down to her full hips. Tina liked Clarice‟s new haircut. It was short and black with brown highlights that made her brown eyes look bigger. “I can‟t believe you came,” Clarice said, hugging her. “Alexis said I needed an outing,” Tina replied once her shorter, stockier friend released her. “And look how skinny and toned you are. Alexis told me that the two of you are taking Kung Fu. Maybe I should sign up for a few classes. I can stand to lose a pound or two.” “Kevin is a great teacher,” Alexis said, leading them over to an empty table. “And he‟s cute.” “Yeah?” Clarice asked. “How cute?” “Imagine a guy six feet tall with milky white skin and sexy, almondshaped eyes. Then throw in a slim, muscular build, a nice butt and long black hair with bangs. And he‟s single.” Tina smirked. Alexis made Kevin sound too good to be true and very appealing. “I‟ve never dated anyone of the Asian persuasion,” Clarice said as a young Asian waiter appeared at their table. She looked him over. “But I am game for something new.” The young waiter took their order, unaware that the three of them were checking him out. Tina tried to look around the dimly lit room and ignore her two goofy friends. She saw very few romantic looking couples, just a bunch of singles getting to know each other. She sighed, knowing that she had given up this type of scene a long time ago. Either the guys were too short or too boring or were into other guys. She couldn‟t imagine doing this on a regular basis. The waiter returned with their drinks. He handed Clarice a margarita, Alexis a glass of red wine, and a Pina Colada to her. Tina paid the waiter 44

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and sent him off so Clarice and Alexis could check out his butt again. “Tight,” Clarice replied as she picked up and sipped her drink. “But I don‟t think he‟s into girls.” Alexis chuckled. “Oh, I don‟t know. He did gaze over at Tina when he put her drink down on the table.” “Huh?” Tina asked, removing the straw from her mouth. “He did not.” “Yes, he did,” Alexis argued. “I was checking him out the whole while and he was looking at you.” The guy from the bar came over and asked Clarice to dance. “See you ladies in a few,” Clarice said, and followed him to the dance floor. Moments later, another guy came over and asked Alexis to dance. This one was tall and slender and had a bald head. Alexis rewarded him with a smile and then left Tina alone to guard the drinks and their purses. Tina didn‟t mind because she enjoyed the alone time. “You are the last person I expected to find in a bar,” a familiar voice said behind her. Tina turned around. Kevin? He nursed a drink in his hand. “What are you doing here?” she asked as he sat down next to her. “This is my hangout,” he told her. “And the owner is a friend of mine.” He lifted his glass to her. “That doesn‟t look like tea,” Tina replied. “Sometimes, I do enjoy a grown up drink,” he told her. “What are you doing here?” You‟re like a fish out of water.” Tina smiled weakly. “I let Alexis talk me into coming.” She pointed. “She‟s over there dancing with the fine black man with the bald head, and our other friend Clarice is the short woman in the black and white outfit next to her.” “You have another friend? Please tell me that she‟s nothing like Alexis?” “Worse,” Tina replied. “Clarice is a lawyer and recently divorced.” “So I can tell,” Kevin teased. “She‟s pulling out the good dance moves 45

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on that guy. That‟s a sign that she‟s available.” Tina chuckled. “You‟re so silly. Clarice is a good dancer and the three of us used to go dancing when we were young and single.” “You‟re still young,” Kevin said, taking her left hand into his. “And single. See, no ring.” Technically, he was right. She wasn‟t married legally to Erik, but they did live together and used to share a bed. Clarice and Alexis left their dance partners and walked to the table. She could hear Alexis squeal with delight the moment she saw Kevin. “What are you doing here?” she asked, hugging him around the neck. “Trying to breathe,” Kevin said. Alexis released her grip on him. “I‟m doing the same thing as you.” “Who is this, Tina?” Clarice asked, giving Kevin the once-over with her eyes. “Kevin Chen, this is my friend, Clarice. Clarice, this is Kevin, my new partner.” “Partner? Or do you mean lover?” Tina shook her head. “See, what did I tell you? She‟s worse than Alexis. He‟s my business partner, you dingbat. He‟s a designer, as well as my Kung Fu teacher.” Alexis and Clarice sat down. “Alexis was right. You are cute,” Clarice told him. Kevin blushed. “Thanks, and it‟s nice to meet you, Clarice.” “I hope you got room in your class for one more student. I have some mad moves I‟d like to show you.” Kevin laughed. “Yes, I have room for one more beautiful student. Alexis will fill you in on what you need and what nights I teach.” “Do you give private lessons?” Clarice asked, batting her long, fake eyelashes at him. “Only to gifted students,” he replied, looking at Tina. “Don‟t pay any attention to the two of them. They were checking out a waiter before you arrived.” 46

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“Which one?” Kevin asked. Tina looked around, found him, and pointed him out. “Oh, that one. His name is Shin. He‟s eighteen years old and the owner of this club‟s son.” Alexis and Clarice squealed. “They‟re into robbing cradles,” Tina explained. “I know Alexis better than that,” Kevin said. “Where is Jerome?” “Working,” Alexis answered over the music. “And before you ask, yes, he does know I‟m here.” He turned his attention back to Tina. “How did you escape?” “You sound like I have to ask permission to leave the house.” Both Alexis and Clarice mumbled something behind their drinks. Tina rolled her eyes at them. “I bet he‟s not home,” Kevin replied. Clarice and Alexis laughed. Tina threw them a murderous look. “No,” she answered honestly. “But that doesn‟t mean a thing. I am a big girl and I can do what I want.” “Then dance with me,” Kevin said to her. He rose, took her hand, and led her to the floor to dance to Shakira‟s “Hips Don‟t Lie.” Damn, she thought as Kevin got his hips moving to the beat. She liked the song and actually exercised and worked her abs to it. Tina had the hip rolling down to a science and before long, the two of them were dancing like the floor belonged only to them. Kevin, she discovered, was a real good dancer. He was light on his feet and graceful. She didn‟t know why that surprised her since he was that way with everything he did. Toward the end of the song, he moved closer to her and held her hand and did the salsa dance with her, moving her around so she could only dance for him. Tina was tired and sweaty by the time the song ended, but she felt good as she laughed with Kevin. He followed her back over to the table. “It was nice to meet you, Clarice,” he said, bowing to her. “You ladies enjoy yourselves and don‟t keep Tina out too late.” 47

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“You‟re leaving?” Tina asked as she fanned herself from the exertion of dancing. “Yes,” Kevin answered. “I have another stop to make and then I‟m heading for home. It‟s been a long day.” He bent down and kissed her on the head. “Have fun,” he whispered to her, and then he walked away. Tina turned and watched him walk to the bar, noting how good he looked in jeans. He slapped hands with an older Asian man leaning against the bar. Tina had noticed him earlier, watching them as they danced. He must be the club owner and father of the jailbait waiter. Kevin put his glass on the bar and then left. She found Clarice and Alexis staring at her when he turned around. “What?” “Girl, Erik is going to have a fit.” “Why?” Tina asked, lifting her glass and pretending she didn‟t know what Clarice was talking about.” “Mr. Kung Fu likes you.” “Nonsense,” Tina said. “Kevin is a dear friend.” “Sure,” Clarice replied. “Alexis, how many dear friends do you have who give you a tender kiss on the head?” “None,” Alexis answered, nursing her drink and not making the situation any better. “And did you check out their dancing? They were in sync, like they were doing a mating dance.” She put her drink down. “Did you tell him we were going to be here tonight?” “No,” Tina answered. “I don‟t know anything about this place. I never heard of it until you mentioned it. And besides, I haven‟t seen him all evening. It was just a coincidence.” “Sure,” Clarice said. “He‟s Asian, and we‟re in an Asian bar. There‟s nothing sinister about it,” Tina insisted. “Uh huh,” Clarice said. “Honey, wake up. He is definitely into you.” Tina finished her drink, ignoring Clarice. Kevin was just a friend. Two hours and two Pina Colada‟s later, Tina went home to bed, dreaming about that kiss. 48

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Chapter Three “Your muscles are pretty tense,” Kevin told Tina after their class ended. “Sit down and let me see if I can work it out.” She and Kevin had had a very strenuous workout and he didn‟t hold back on her like he did for those in the beginner‟s class. She was glad for this since she had some issues to work out. Tina sat down lotus style on the floor with her long legs folded beneath her. “You‟re very flexible,” he replied as he got down on his knees and came up behind her. “I took gymnastics as a child at the local YWCA. I wanted to compete in the Olympics, but then I kept right on growing and my dreams flew right out of the window.” Kevin chuckled and placed his hands on her shoulders just below her neck and began massaging. “No, there aren‟t many tall gymnasts, but you could have been a model.” “No,” Tina said. “Too much trouble. You have to smile all the time and pretend that you like all those god-awful clothes the designers want you to wear. And then you have to learn to grace the catwalk. No thanks, I think I made the right choice.” “I think so too,” Kevin replied, pressing his fingers into her neck and working the knots out.” “You‟re very good at this,” Tina said, relaxing and letting his fingers work miracles on her aching shoulders. “I‟m a licensed masseuse,” he told her. “Like you, I went through a lot of career choices. I haven‟t always been the suave and debonair Kung Fu master I am now. I got thrown around a lot as a child.” Tina found that hard to believe since Kevin stood well over six feet tall and had probably been a tall child. “And how long have you been into martial arts?” 49

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“Since the time I could walk. My father and grandfather were big into it back then. I was the youngest black belt in our area and they had me competing from a very early age.” “When did you have time for fun?” Tina asked, moving her head in a circle to work out a kink in her neck. “That was fun,” Kevin said. “And great exercise.” He moved further down on her shoulders. “That feels so good,” Tina moaned. Her eyes widened, realizing how that might have sounded. Kevin chuckled. “I‟ve never gotten a response like that before from a client, but then most of my clients aren‟t tall, beautiful billionairesses either.” He rubbed a little more. “You need to learn to relax and take it easy.” “Easier said than done,” Tina replied, closing her eyes and enjoying the full effect of Kevin‟s magical fingers as they made their way down the small of her back. “I‟d love to give you a proper massage,” Kevin said. “You‟re doing pretty well right now,” Tina replied. Yet the thought of a full body massage didn‟t sound like a bad idea. Most of the salons were probably already closed. “Too bad you don‟t have a table.” “What if I told you that I do? Would you allow me to do you?” Tina eyes opened at the sexy question. “Where?” she asked, not believing him. “I have one in a room, just outside my office. It‟s fully equipped.” “Seriously? You‟re a masseuse? I thought you were kidding.” “Fully licensed,” Kevin told her. “I can hit all your pressure points and awaken a few of those pleasure spots.” “Sounds inviting and a bit kinky.” She chuckled. Kevin was such a tease. His fingers went lower on her back and Tina jumped. “It‟s a knot,” he told her. “It needs to be properly worked out.” The spot he touched hurt like crazy. “Do you have music?” Tina 50

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asked. “Yes,” Kevin replied. “Tranquil, relaxing music, and iced tea.” “Do you do deep tissue?” “I can go deep,” he answered. Tina shuddered. “Would I have to undress?” She felt his fingers tremble. “That‟s entirely up to you.” “When?” she asked. “When what?” he asked. “We can we do it?” The massage stopped. “Now. Hit the shower and join me in my office in fifteen minutes.” He rose and helped her to her feet. “I‟ll try to be gentle,” he told her. Tina gazed up into his eyes. They twinkled merrily behind his glasses. “I trust you,” she said. “See you in fifteen minutes.” She grabbed her towel and walked away from him. **** Tina entered Kevin‟s office and looked around. She‟d been there hundreds of times before and even though she noticed the other door he‟d just come through, she never paid it any mind. Kevin had changed into a white outfit and beckoned her into the other room with a finger. “The room is ready,” he told her. “There‟s a folding screen for you to change behind if you have a desire to do so. Just get up on the table, lie down on your stomach, and cover yourself with the sheet.” Tina nodded that she understood and walked through the door. “This is nice,” she said, checking out the table and the beautiful Asian décor. Beside the shade, she spotted his degree in a frame on the wall, a cabinet next to the door with a towel warming machine, and rack of white towels. Oriental music filtered into the room. “I‟ll be back in a moment,” Kevin said, excusing himself and leaving 51

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the room. Tina walked over to the shade, stepped behind it, and began to undress. She wasn‟t modest and she and Kevin were friends. She was sure they could both handle it. Tina came from behind the shade, climbed up on the table, and covered herself with the sheet. Kevin came back in carrying a tray of oils and set it down on the cabinet next to the table. “I‟m just going to adjust the music and the lights,” he told her. “Okay,” Tina said, feeling a little self-conscious now about being nude in a small room with Kevin. The music changed to rhythm and blues and the lights dimmed. “I think you will be more comfortable now,” he explained. No, in fact, it had the opposite effect. Tina smiled weakly, thinking now how romantic music and dimmed lighting took on a whole new meaning. Kevin adjusted the sheet, lowering it around her shoulders and tucking it just below her shoulder blades. She heard him move the little bottles around on the tray, and then she felt his hands on her shoulders. “Just relax,” he told her. “Close your eyes and enjoy the music.” Oh, that feels so good, Tina thought. Kevin had big hands and nimble fingers and after a few minutes, he had her so relaxed she didn‟t care about her state of nakedness beneath the sheet. She felt a draft as he adjusted the sheet again, and then his fingers moved down her back. Kevin didn‟t say a word as he worked his way down her spine. “Ooh,” Tina said as he worked her lower lumbar area and her sides. His hands went down to her hips and his fingers gripped both sides and squeezed. His fingers were dangerously close to her behind, but he didn‟t lift the sheet. His fingers kneaded the side of each cheek near the hip to work out the stiffness. “Your glutes are phenomenal,” he replied. This is so embarrassing, Tina thought as he gripped her hips again and 52

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pressed his fingers into them. Kevin worked his way down the left leg to her feet and then continued on to her right side. Her body took on a new meaning of tense as he massaged her toes. “You can turn over now,” Kevin said, adjusting the sheet back up to her neck. Tina rolled over and sat up and watched Kevin as he poured her a glass of iced tea. She tucked the sheet around her breasts and held it so it wouldn‟t slip. Kevin walked back over to the table and handed her the iced tea. She kept one hand on the sheet. “I hope you like oolong.” “Never tried it,” Tina said. She sipped the tea. “This is good.” “And it‟s good for you,” Kevin told her like a doctor. He paused. “How do you feel so far?” “Your hands are magical,” she said, looking at him. He lifted a glass of tea and saluted her. “Thank you. I hope I‟m not massaging too roughly.” “No, you‟re doing an excellent job.” She sipped the tea again, very aware that he was staring at her. “I didn‟t realize I was so tense.” “It‟s from sitting all day behind a computer,” he told her. “I recommend that you get a massage at least once or twice a month.” “Most of the massage parlors are closed by the time I get off of work,” Tina replied. “Then I‟ll do it. I can fit you in whenever you need it.” “You know I was a little embarrassed at first to be naked under this sheet, but you‟re very professional.” Kevin put down his glass of iced tea. “You have nothing to be embarrassed about. You are a beautiful woman.” Tina sipped the tea, not out of thirst, but for the rush of heat in her loins. “Why are you blushing?” Kevin asked. “I‟m sure men have complimented you on your looks before.” 53

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“Not lately,” Tina said. She took a big sip of the tea, suddenly aware that the rest of her body was responding to the conversation. She handed Kevin the glass and lay back on the table. “May I?” he asked. “Yes.” Kevin adjusted the sheet to the top of her breasts, pausing slightly and then smiling. Tina blushed, sure that he got a glimpse of her erect nipples even though the sheet covered them. “Your cologne is nice,” she told him to change the subject. Kevin began massaging her clavicle. “Thanks, it‟s a special blend I‟ve created.” He didn‟t have to brag. The man was a genius. “You should market it.” “I‟m way ahead of you,” Kevin said, working down her arms. His hands dipped under the sheet, rubbing her sternum. “That‟s one of the reasons I‟m going to San Francisco. I have a meeting with a cosmetic company.” Tina‟s nipples hardened and budded as he neared them. He brought the sheet down to her waist, exposing her breasts and working the sides of her rib cage. “You have beautiful breasts,” he said, still massaging. “Thank you,” Tina said, in full blush. No more conversation. Kevin just continued down to her hips, moving the sheet up to cover her breasts and working his way down her legs. She didn‟t know her knees were so sensitive. Hell, she didn‟t know why her entire body felt like it was in tune with his fingers. Kevin massaged her left leg and then moved over to the right. Finally, he made it down to her feet, taking care of each little toe and stroking the soft padding beneath her feet. “You don‟t have any corns or calluses,” he said. “I try not to wear tight shoes,” she told him. “And I get a pedicure every two weeks.” 54

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“Good practice,” he said, gently massaging her little toe. Tina felt her stomach tighten. It’s just a toe. She moaned. Then why does it feel so good? Kevin worked his way up her legs again, his fingers coming to rest just at her hips near her behind. Tina closed her eyes again, imagining what those fingers would feel like thrust deep inside of her. “How are you feeling?” he asked. “So relaxed,” Tina moaned as his hands moved over to stomach and his fingers dug into her ab muscles. “I‟ve never had a massage quite like this before.” Kevin spread his fingers and rounded the area where she was sure her womb was located. He pressed gently and she got wet between the legs. “Ooh,” she said. “I had no idea I was so sensitive in the belly area.” “I‟m not hurting you, am I?” he asked. His voice dropped an octave. “No,” Tina said, trying to fight off the feeling that she was about to come. She bit her lip. How can this be possible? The man is just rubbing my stomach. She was going to die from embarrassment if he dipped those fingers any lower. He gently ran his fingers over her stomach just above her shaved mound and she trembled. Just an inch lower and he would know just how effective his massage was. He continued to rub the area, making her knees weak and her heart pound. Dip lower, she pleaded inside her head. Just a little more. Kevin moved his hands abruptly. “Oh no,” Tina groaned. “What‟s wrong with you?” Kevin asked, coming to the side of the table. “Nothing,” Tina said, quickly sitting up, bringing the sheet with her. “My body feels so alive.” Kevin chuckled. “Then we have to do this again real soon.” “I feel like I can go to bed and have pleasant dreams.” “Have you been having trouble sleeping?” His eyes weren‟t focused 55

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on her face, but on her breasts. “Yes,” Tina said, adjusting the sheet. “I‟ve had a lot on my mind.” “Do you want to talk about it?” Tina shook her head and her hair spilled forward into her face. She felt Kevin‟s fingers move it back. “No, it‟s personal,” she replied, aware of the tall Asian‟s heat radiating over to her. “Well, let me know if you ever do,” he said, gently stroking her hair back off her forehead. She wished he wouldn‟t do that since her body was still quite aroused from the massage. Tiny sensations ran through her and had her wondering just for a moment what it would be like to get with a man like him. She could picture him thrusting between her thighs, caressing her and making her feel like she was the only woman in the world. “Earth to Tina,” Kevin said. “You zoned out on me for a moment.” “Sorry,” she said. “I think I‟d better get dressed. Thanks for the massage.” Kevin smiled at her. “Any time,” he said, and then he left her to get dressed. **** Erik had returned from his vacation and Tina was busy unpacking his suitcase as she usually did to remove his dirty clothes so she could wash them. “What is this?” Tina asked picking up a filmy pair of red female panties. “What‟s what?” Erik asked as he sat on the bed with the remote control in his hand, flipping through channels trying to find some sports. “These?” Tina asked, holding them up by the band so Erik could get a good look at them. “Did you buy some new panties?” Erik asked, half looking and half paying attention to the television. “No,” Tina said, tossing them at him. “My ass isn‟t that wide. I just 56

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pulled these out of your suitcase.” Erik didn‟t answer. “Bad enough I have to wash your clothes, but I‟ll be damned if I wash your bitch‟s dirty drawers.” She bundled up his clothes and stuffed them back into his suitcase. “What are you doing with my stuff? That‟s a three-hundred dollar Italian shirt you‟re wrinkling. “Take them to her and let her wash them, and I know how much that shirt cost. I still have the receipt.” Tina stormed out of the bedroom and went down stairs to her office. She didn‟t know how much more of this she could take. She half expected him to follow her and try to give her some excuse, but the cheating coward didn‟t come down. She didn‟t care anyway because she had a class scheduled with Kevin in a half hour. She grabbed her car keys and her gym bag and dashed out of the house. It was another mixed class. Alexis had arrived and walked over to her. “What‟s wrong now?” she asked. “Nothing,” Tina said. “Girl, don‟t lie to me. I can see it written all over your face.” Tina refused to cry, but the tears welled up in her eyes. “Come on. You can tell me about it while you change.” Alexis ushered Tina out of the main exercise room before anyone could see how upset she was. Tina stripped out of her clothes and changed into her Taiji outfit. “I found a pair of red women‟s panties in Erik‟s suitcase,” she finally admitted. “Not yours, I‟m sure,” Alexis said. “No, they‟re a couple of sizes too big.” “Did you ask him about it?” Tina nodded. “He tried to play it off like a joke and then he wouldn‟t say a thing.” “Honey, what are you going to do?” “I don‟t know,” Tina said. “All I know is that I can‟t continue on this 57

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way. I‟ve tried to be understanding, and I even suggested that he get some help, but you know him, he won‟t admit that he‟s done anything.” “So, he took her on the trip with him. You knew that already from the conversation in the beauty shop. The only person who is stopping you from doing anything is you. Put his ass out. Send him packing.” “Where is he going to go?” Tina asked. “Who the fuck cares?” Alexis asked. “What are you going to do, take him back, and sleep with him again with the chance of him giving you something horrible like a pelvic inflammatory disease or crabs?” Tina sniffed, shook her head, and smiled weakly. “No.” “Then make a wise decision and get him out of your life. You don‟t need him. There are plenty of other men in the sea.” “I‟ll think about it,” Tina said. She sighed to herself. That‟s all she‟d been doing lately…thinking. It was getting to the point that she couldn‟t sleep for all the activity going on in her brain. “I don‟t suppose you‟ll be buying him that suit shop now, will you?” “Hell no,” Tina said as she zipped up her gym bag, sat down, and took off her shoes. “He‟d be lucky if I buy him soap to bathe with.” Alexis chuckled and led her out of the dressing room. “That‟s it, girl. Do the small things first and then advance up to the payback.” Erik wasn‟t home when she returned and hadn‟t come back by the time she went to bed. **** “How would you like to join Jerome and me for lunch today?” Alexis asked Tina the next day. Tina had just got out of a meeting with some big name executives whom she met with to talk about their contributions to her sponsored charities. “I don‟t want to be a third wheel,” Tina said as she straightened up her desk and piled the folders she had been using in her in-basket. “And you don‟t have to feel sorry for me, I‟m okay.” 58

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“What are you talking about?” Alexis asked. “Jerome and I would love to have you join us.” “What restaurant are you going to?” “Dominoes.” “Ooh, Italian.” “And you know how you love Italian food,” Alexis said. “I don‟t know. I don‟t want to be in the way.” “What if I invite Kevin to go along with us? Would you go then?” She hadn‟t seen her partner all morning. “Only if he agrees.” Alexis walked out of the office and returned a few minutes later. “He‟s going,” she replied. “Apparently, he likes Italian food too.” “What time are we leaving?” “You have five minutes,” Alexis told her. “Kevin has agreed to drive us to the restaurant and Jerome is going to meet us there.” “You got him to volunteer in just the two minutes you were out of this office?” “Girl, I got mad skills,” Alexis said. “Kevin couldn‟t wait to volunteer once he found out you were going too.” Tina looked at her oddly. Of course he would. She would make the perfect cover. “Okay, let me get my purse.” “I‟ll meet you downstairs in the lobby.” Alexis left out of the office. Tina grabbed her purse and her keys and walked out of the door. She peeped into Erik‟s office, but didn‟t see him. She knew he was there because she had heard him earlier when he arrived. He was probably in the men‟s room, or walking around the office charming the pants off some of the other female employees. “Looking for someone?” Tina jumped. “Don‟t do that. You nearly scared the life out of me.” “Why so jumpy?” Kevin asked as they continued down the hall together. “I guess I‟m a little tense,” Tina said. “Maybe I should take up jogging to relieve some of this stress.” 59

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“What stress?” Kevin asked. “You know, meetings, phones, email.” “Oh, that is called life stress. That can easily be remedied with a full body deep tissue massage.” “Don‟t temp me,” Tina said. “But I have a thousand things to do before we leave for San Francisco.” He pushed the button for the elevator. “Yes, I‟m looking forward to getting away for a couple of days myself.” The elevator door opened and Tina stepped in. “I‟ll see you downstairs in a moment after I get the car out of the garage.” “Okay,” she said. The door closed slowly, but not before Kevin rewarded her with a devastating smile that made her stomach do a somersault. The door closed. She put her hand against her abdomen and it throbbed with excitement. Why is it doing this? Kevin arrived moments after she made it down to the lobby. Alexis was busy talking with Hank, the doorman. “Good afternoon, Ms. Ferrari,” Hank said. Hank was a nineteen-yearold who‟d been working for them about a year. She remembered the day she hired him. She had been visiting a local orphanage and she learned that he was about to be put out into the world on his own as soon as he made eighteen. She‟d seen him a couple of times before that and he always spoke to her and had smiled. She knew what it was like to be alone in the world, without family and having to grow up quickly. Hank had good grades in school, but the most he could expect to find was a minimum wage job. Since joining her company, he‟d enrolled in college and was taking classes at night. She saw a bright future for him and she had plans for gradually moving him up into the company since he had a unique ability to know a lot about electronics and video games and she‟d been thinking for a while about branching out into something like that. “Good afternoon, Hank. Is Ms. Bryant bothering you again?” Hank blushed. “Girl, he‟s so cute,” Alexis said. “Just look at that smile. I already told 60

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him if I was ten years younger, I‟d give his girlfriend a run for her money.” “You have a girlfriend now?” Tina asked. Hank nodded. “We just started to date. She‟s a business major too.” “Good for you,” Tina said. “Tell her to look me up with she graduates. I can always use another business advisor around here.” “I‟ll tell her,” Hank said, opening the door for them and rewarding them with another smile. “Doesn‟t it just make you feel all horny inside?” Alexis asked when they got a safe distance away from Hank. “Girl, we‟re going to go to jail for having such thoughts.” “It‟s not illegal to look,” Alexis said, sliding into the back seat of Kevin‟s car and forcing her to sit up front so it didn‟t look like he was chauffeuring them around. “What‟s not illegal?” Kevin asked once they were both inside and seat belted in. “Ogling the doorman,” Alexis answered. “You mean Hank?” Kevin asked. Tina nodded. “Alexis has the hots for him.” “What is he, ten?” Kevin asked as he drove away from the curve. “Nineteen,” Alexis answered proudly. “What can you do with a nineteen-year-old?” Kevin asked. Both she and Alexis giggled. “They‟re like little Energizer bunnies. They keep going and going and going.” Kevin looked over at her. “Do you have the hots for him too?” “Who, me?” Tina asked. “No. I‟m only interested in him for his mind.” Alexis laughed again. “Sure you are.” “Shaddup,” Tina told her. “I might need him to manage one of my businesses one of these days and the last thing I want to do is sleep with someone on the payroll.” 61

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“Ooh, you did not go there,” Alexis said. “What if Erik would have heard you?” “Screw him,” Tina replied, suddenly serious. Kevin looked over at her but did not comment. That‟s what she liked about him. There was something about the strong and silent type that made her stomach weak. **** Doctor Jerome Bennett waited patiently in the restaurant when they arrived. The waitress brought them over to the table and Tina gave him a friendly, sisterly kiss on the cheek. “I haven‟t seen you in months,” she told him as Kevin helped her into a seat. Jerome wore a nice double-breasted navy blue suit and she bet he hadn‟t paid a fortune for it like the ones Erik wore. And Jerome looked good in it. He was clean-cut and shaven and he reminded her a little of an actor she watched on the television lately. Kevin looked equally good in a dark brown suit. He was much taller than Jerome, but Jerome outweighed him by a couple of pounds. “I‟ve been busy,” Jerome said. “Sometimes being a doctor has its disadvantages. It takes me away from my lovely girlfriend more nights than I like.” He rose, kissed Alexis on the cheek, and then helped her into a seat. “This is my partner, Kevin Chen,” Tina told Jerome. “Kevin, this is Alexis‟ boyfriend, Jerome Bennett.” The two men met and shook hands. “It‟s good to finally get to meet you,” Jerome said. “Alexis has told me so many nice things about you.” “All true,” Alexis said. “Nice to meet you, too,” Kevin told Jerome. “What field of medicine are you in?” “Pediatrics,” Jerome said as he walked back to his seat and sat down 62

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next to Alexis. Kevin sat down next to her. “That sounds exciting. Have you always wanted to be a doctor?” Jerome nodded. “Ever since my mother gave me my first doctor‟s kit as a child. I remember it came with a toy stethoscope and some candy pills.” He chuckled. “I used to play doctor on all the little kids in the neighborhood.” “Mostly the girls, I bet,” Alexis teased. “But of course,” Jerome said. “Alexis tells me that you‟re an inventor like Tina.” “Yes, and a designer too. Like you, I started out young building things with blocks and whatever odd things I could find around the house.” “I‟ve read about all the fine things you‟ve done for the community too.” Kevin blushed. “Oh, don‟t tell me you haven‟t told these two. This young man makes a big contribution to one of my favorite charities,” Jerome said. “The Leukemia Association.” “I didn‟t know that,” Tina said. “He also gives free Kung Fu lessons at the YMCA for the kids.” “Ooh, you should have told me about that. Maybe I can come with you some time,” Tina said. “Sure,” Kevin replied. “But don‟t beat me up too bad in front of the kids. I have a reputation to uphold.” Jerome laughed. “Yeah, Alexis told me about that too. I can‟t believe our little Tina has so much brute strength.” “She‟s good too,” Alexis replied. “She‟s Kevin‟s star pupil.” Tina felt a blush coming on. The waitress arrived just in time to take their order before Kevin had time to comment. Halfway into the meal, Tina heard a feminine giggle coming their way. Both she and Alexis looked up just in time to see Erik walk past them with the blonde from the hair salon. 63

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Erik didn‟t even see them because he was too busy holding her hand as she led him to a table. “Isn‟t that Erik?” Jerome asked. “Yes,” Alexis answered. “And his bitch du jour.” Tina bit her bottom lip to keep from screaming. Why was God doing this to her? It was bad enough Alexis knew Erik was cheating; now Kevin and Jerome knew too. “You‟re not going to make a scene, are you?” Kevin asked her. “No,” Tina said. “That wouldn‟t be ladylike. In fact, I‟m going sit here and eat my lunch and pretend I don‟t see them.” “The woman has the patience of a saint,” Alexis said. “I‟d be all over her ass.” The waitress came back with their drinks and Tina reached for a straw at the same time as Kevin. Their hands touched and she felt the warmth from his radiating through her. He picked up both the straws, opened them, and put them into their drinks. “Thanks,” Tina said. “Any time,” Kevin told her. She smiled at him, knowing he was trying to make her feel better about the situation. She was so glad she was leaving for San Francisco tomorrow. Erik came home late that night and didn‟t even bother coming up to see if she was home. Her telephone rang a few minutes later. “Hello?” “Hi, Tina, it‟s me, Kevin. I‟m just calling to confirm the time of our flight.” “Six a.m,” she replied with a sigh. “What‟s wrong?” “Nothing,” she lied. “I‟m just tired.” “Why don‟t you go to bed?” he said. “Do you want me to pick you up in the morning and we can ride in to the airport together?” “That would be nice,” Tina said. “Do you have something to write down my address with?” 64

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“Yes,” Kevin answered. “What is it?” Tina gave him her address. “I‟ll be there at five,” he told her. “Okay, see you then.” Tina hung up the phone, crawled into her bed, and went to sleep.

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Chapter Four “Where would you like to go for dinner?” Kevin asked Tina after their first meeting ended in San Francisco. “I don‟t know,” Tina replied. “I usually just order room service.” “Nonsense,” he said. “This is San Francisco.” He paused. “I tell you what, change, and we‟ll take in some sights.” “Okay,” she finally said. “I‟d like that.” Alexis was right. What good would it do her just to sit in a hotel when they had a beautiful city to explore? “Don‟t get too dressy,” Kevin told her. “We‟ll be doing a lot of walking.” “I heard that about San Francisco,” Tina said. “Are we going to ride the trolley?” she asked excitedly. “What is a trip to San Francisco without a ride on the famous street car?” he said. “I‟ll take you on a street car and anywhere else your heart desires.” Kevin was so nice, and she wondered why some lucky young woman hadn‟t latched on to him yet. “I‟ll meet you in the lobby in thirty minutes,” he told her as he walked toward the door. Tina nodded. “I‟ll be ready.” She mentally scanned her closet for something appropriate to wear. “Are you opposed to being seen with a woman in pants?” she asked. “I said dress comfortably, didn‟t I?” Kevin asked. “I imagine that stockings and heels are a bit bothersome.” Tina agreed. “If you think they‟re bothersome, you should try wearing a bra.” Kevin turned and smirked at her. “Don‟t wear one of those either if you don‟t want to. I will not complain.” 66

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Tina chuckled. “You‟re so silly. Go to your room and change out of that suit. I‟ll see you in thirty minutes.” Kevin smiled at her and left her room. Tina hopped out of the chair, tugging off her business suit and heading toward the closet. She found the perfect outfit, laid it out on the bed, and then dashed into the bathroom for a quick shower before she got dressed. Her cell phone rang just as she was about to go out the door. “Hello?” It was Alexis. “What are you doing?” “Getting ready to go out,” Tina replied. “Where and with whom?” her nosey best friend asked. “Sight-seeing with Kevin,” Tina answered. “How are things back home?” “Runny smoothly,” Alexis answered. “No fires to stomp out, no feelings to soothe. Everything is great.” “How‟s Erik?” Tina asked. She still never had a chance to talk to him about the panties or him being out on a date with that blonde. “He‟s okay. I guess. I see him every now and then, moping around. I guess he‟s figured out that you‟re not buying him his dream store.” “He‟ll get over it,” Tina replied, still pissed at him. “So how did the meeting go?” “The toy manufacturer just loved our designs. They started production before we left the office.” “And is Kevin enjoying San Francisco?” “I think so. He really was pleased by the way the meeting went, and everyone congratulated us on our partnership. So to celebrate, he‟s taking me out to see the town.” “You two do make a good team,” Alexis told her. “So, where is he taking you?” “I have no idea, but I‟ve got to go. I‟m supposed to meet him in the lobby in five minutes.” “Have fun, Tina,” Alexis told her. “You deserve to let your hair down a little. The company will still be here when you get back.” 67

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“I know,” Tina said. “And thinks for being there for me.” “Any time,” Alexis said. “I have to go too. Jerome is off tonight and he went out to get some champagne.” “Ooh,” Tina said. “Don‟t get pregnant.” “You either,” Alexis said, and then she hung up. “Well, I don‟t have to worry about that,” Tina said, shoving her phone into her pocket. She grabbed her purse and hurried out of the door. She found Kevin in the lobby waiting, dressed in a pair of blue jeans and a pull over shirt. “I hope I didn‟t keep you waiting. Alexis called just as I was going out the door.” “Is anything wrong?” Kevin asked as he held the hotel door open for her. “No, she just wanted to know how we did in the meeting. But she had to get off the phone because she and Jerome had this romantic night planned since he has the night off.” “Sounds exciting,” Kevin said. “But we‟ll have fun too.” He messed with her hair. “I like the ponytail. Now everyone in San Francisco can see your beautiful face.” Tina punched him playfully on the shoulder. “Thanks,” she said. “And we‟re wearing matching outfits.” She had on a pair of jeans and a light blue pull over sweater. “I‟m serious about your face.” “Thanks,” she said again. “You always know the right thing to say.” “I‟m only speaking the truth,” he said. He hailed a taxi and they climbed inside when it arrived. “Where to?” The taxi driver asked. “Fisherman‟s Warf,” Kevin said. Tina‟s eyes widened. She‟d always wanted to go there. **** “Thanks for a lovely evening,” Tina said as they walked around 68

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outside the hotel after getting out of a taxi. The night was a bit chilly, but pretty. “I don‟t remember the last time I‟ve had so much fun.” “You‟re quite welcome,” Kevin said. “We‟ll have to do it again sometime.” Tina nodded. It had been a successful day and Kevin had been very attentive and quite knowledgeable about San Francisco. “So, what are your plans for later?” “Resting,” Tina said. “I brought along my electronic book reader.” “Me too,” Kevin admitted. “I‟m hooked on this paranormal series called Blinders.” “I‟m reading that too,” Tina replied. They both laughed. “My library is filled with romance and paranormal,” Tina told him. “I‟m reading interracial romance too,” Kevin replied. “Are they any good?” Tina asked. Kevin nodded. “You get to learn about two different and unique cultures, and see the couple dealing with race and stereotypical issues.” “I might download one tonight,” Tina replied. She sat down on a bench and Kevin sat down next to her. “It‟s so nice out here this evening.” “The weather is perfect. It‟s not too hot or too cold.” He looked up at the sky. “I like looking at the stars.” “Does it rain much in Taiwan?” Tina asked. “Yes,” Kevin answered. “We have our rainy season and we have to deal with monsoons.” “That‟s the same thing as a hurricane, isn‟t it?” Kevin nodded. “But it‟s quite lovely in the spring when the flowers and trees are in bloom.” “Why did you leave?” He sighed. “I wanted to see foreign lands and go to school in the United States. Coming here has opened up a lot of doors for me. I can do things here that I could never do in Taiwan.” “Do you miss it?” Tina asked. She didn‟t know why she felt so 69

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talkative. “Yes,” he said. “I haven‟t seen my family in a long time and sometimes I miss the peacefulness of my village.” “Why haven‟t you gone back?” “I don‟t know. I‟ve been thinking about it a lot lately.” He sighed again. “Maybe I‟ll go in the spring. My parents are getting older and I miss talking with my father.” How sweet. He was a daddy‟s boy and worried about his parents. “Have they ever visited the United States?” “No,” Kevin answered. “Both refuse to fly, especially my father. He said if we were meant to fly, we‟d have wings.” Tina chuckled. “He sounds like a nice man.” “Yes, he‟s a great father and a bit of a comic at times.” “And he‟s raised a fine son.” She paused. “I‟d like to visit your village one day. It can‟t be too bad if you‟re a product of it.” “Thank you,” he said, bowing. It would be an honor for me to take you there. My family would just love you.” She leaned closer. “Why do you say that?” “Because you‟re a nice young woman who has contributed and dedicated most of your life to helping others.” She kissed him on the cheek. “You‟re sweet. You‟re going to make some young woman a wonderful husband one day.” “Maybe,” he said. “But at the moment, I don‟t have any young women beating down my door.” “And why is that?” Tina asked. “I‟ve never heard you mention a girlfriend. Do you even date?” “Not lately,” Kevin replied. “I am interested in someone, but she doesn‟t know I‟m alive.” “What? Is she blind?” Tina asked. “No, she‟s already in a committed relationship.” “Bummer,” Tina said. “What‟s wrong with us? I‟m dating a cheater, and you‟re in love with someone who has someone?” 70

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“We are just two romantics,” Kevin replied. “Has she been dating him long?” Tina asked. “Because she might not be happy and you might have a chance.” “I don‟t know. They have been dating for a while. They live together.” She wondered if he was speaking about Alexis. She had noticed them talking and eyeing each other across the room a couple of times. She sure hoped not. She liked Jerome and thought he and Alexis made an excellent couple. “Is she someone I know?” “No,” Kevin answered quickly. “She‟s someone I met a couple of years ago when I opened the dojo.” “Oh,” Tina said, satisfied. “Then maybe she might not be the right woman for you.” “Yes, I know. There is someone out there for everyone. Someone who shares the same interests and likes the same things that I do.” “I believe that too,” Tina said. “Then why are you still in a relationship with Erik?” “Wow, I hadn‟t expected that question.” “I‟m not blind, Tina.” “There was a time when I believed that he was Mr. Right. We grew up together in the same neighborhood and have always been together. Then our parents died and then there was just the two of us.” “So, you‟re just with him because you feel sorry for him?” “Not exactly. I feel comfortable with him. Erik liked me when I was penniless. He was poor then too, and I promised to take care of him.” “What were you, fourteen or fifteen at the time? Honey, he‟s neither poor nor a child any more. You‟ve done your duty. Even a mother hen kicks her babies out of the nest when they are old enough to fend for themselves.” “Then I‟ll be alone,” Tina said. “Erik is the only family I have.” Kevin pulled her over to him and pressed a kiss against her forehead. “No,” he said. “You are not alone. You have Alexis and me. I won‟t allow you to be lonely.” 71

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The feel of his lips against her skin sent a thrill through her body. “Thanks,” she said. “That‟s good to know. And since I don‟t have any other men beating my door down either, we can just be miserable together.” Kevin chuckled. “Mr. Right is out there for you, Tina, but I think we better get in. It‟s getting late and we have an early morning meeting with the distributors.” Tina rose and extended a hand to help him off the bench. “I had a wonderful time this evening, and thanks for the conversation.” “Any time,” Kevin said, leading her toward the front door of the hotel. Moments later, they were on the elevator heading up to their floor. A few minutes after that, she was alone in her room figuring out that maybe she might be mistaken that Kevin was interested in Alexis.

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Chapter Five “Oh my God, that was fun,” Tina said as she pulled her luggage through the airport lobby. “Yes, we‟ll have to do that again in the near future,” Kevin agreed. He led her out the terminal to the area where he‟d left his car when they went out of town. After paying the guy, Kevin walked back over to his car and opened the trunk. He put their luggage inside and then opened the side passenger door and helped Tina in. They continued to talk about the wonderful time they had in San Francisco from the power meetings to their adventures in China Town. A couple of rain drops hit the windshield and Kevin turned on the wipers. “What a perfect way to end a trip,” he replied. They hadn‟t had rain in New York in a while. “I love the rain,” Tina told him. “I like to hear it pinging against my bedroom window at night. It makes me sleepy.” “I will remember that,” Kevin replied. “Call me if you ever suffer from insomnia. I‟ll come over and do a rain dance for you.” “You‟re so crazy,” Tina said. Kevin popped a CD into the player as he waited for a red light to turn green. “Ooh, I like this song,” Tina said. “She sang a few chords and then began snapping her fingers to the beat. “You have a nice voice,” Kevin told her as he drove down the street. “I used to practice with Alexis and Clarice when we were kids. We were going to form this singing group.” “What happened?” “They discovered boys,” Tina replied. She laughed. “Alexis was awful. She couldn‟t carry a tune.” Kevin laughed. “That‟s another thing I will remember. Never let 73

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Alexis get drunk and sing around me.” The traffic was horrific the closer they got to town, but Kevin had been living in New York long enough to know how to navigate. They left the freeway and headed toward the suburbs where she lived. Moments later, he drove up to her house and turned off the engine. He got out and walked to the trunk to retrieve her luggage while she got out. Tina looked up at her bedroom window. She spotted a light on in her room and then Erik walked past it. “I‟d invite you in for a celebratory drink, but Erik‟s home.” “How do you know that?” he asked. “His car is in the driveway and I just saw him walked past the bedroom window.” Kevin looked up and saw the light. “He doesn‟t park in the garage?” he asked. “Sometimes, but most of the time he parks in the driveway so he can make a quick escape when I‟m asleep.” “He sneaks out of the house?” “Every chance he can get.” Kevin closed the trunk. “Are you going to confront him tonight about what you saw at the restaurant?” “That depends,” Tina said. “On what?” “What he has to say to me when I get inside.” “Well, let me know how that turns out,” Kevin said. She cringed at the sarcasm in his voice. “Call me if you need a shoulder to cry on.” “Thanks,” she said. She grabbed her luggage and rolled it up the walkway. Kevin stayed until she entered the front door and then he drove away. Tina closed the door quietly, leaving her luggage near the door. She‟d unpack it tomorrow, but now all she wanted to do was shower and get into her bed. 74

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She walked up the stairs, noticing Erik‟s discarded clothes on the stairwell. Trifling man, she thought. There was a hamper in the bathroom. The door to her bedroom was open. Tina approached. Her eyes widened. Erik was in bed, and he wasn‟t alone. She stood there for a minute, stunned. Some woman had her legs wrapped around his back and they were screwing like bunnies. The woman giggled. Tina cleared her throat. Erik stopped in mid-hump and turned around. “Oh my God,” he said. Tina backed out of the room and hurried down the stairs. Tears blinded her vision as she made her way toward the living room. She grabbed her purse and her keys and ran out of the front door. Once outside, she lifted the garage door. The light popped on in the garage. Tina looked up. Erik appeared with a towel wrapped around his waist. “Baby, let me explain.” “What can you possible say to make this right?” Tina asked angrily. She opened the car door, tossed her purse inside, and climbed in. Erik tried to talk to her through the closed window. Tina ignored him, started the car, put it in reverse, and backed out of the garage. She took one last look through her rear view mirror and saw Erik standing there in the rain watching her leave. The tears kept threatening to fall, but she knew she had to keep it together so she wouldn‟t lose control of the car. She didn‟t know where she was going, but she knew she had to put some distance between them. Her cell phone ring, but Tina refused to answer it. Erik could explain until he was blue in the face, but the truth spoke for itself. All these years she hadn‟t caused a scene, even when everyone around her told her that he was cheating on her. She rationalized it all by saying that it wasn‟t true as long as she didn‟t see it. Well, she couldn‟t do that anymore. She could have forgiven him anything, but not for fucking some bitch in her bed. Tina continued to drive until she reached the ferry. She drove her car aboard and just sat there thinking as the boat moved across the river to Manhattan. Once it landed, she drove off and headed for her office 75

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building. She drove into the near empty parking garage and drove up to her parking spot. She used her after-hours access card and let herself into the building, then she walked to her office and locked herself in. Tina turned on the light, walked over to her desk, and sat down. The phone started ringing off the hook. She looked down at the Caller ID. Erik, Erik, Erik. This went on for a couple of hours and then Alexis called. Tina turned up the volume so she could hear the message. “Tina, honey, where are you? Erik called here looking for you. He didn‟t tell me what happened, but I know it has to be bad because that rat bastard knows better than to dial my house. Please, honey, if you‟re there, pick up the phone.” No, she couldn‟t even talk to Alexis or Clarice at the moment. She just wanted time to think and she couldn‟t do that if everyone called badgering her with questions. Alexis also gave up after a couple of attempts. “Good,” Tina said. She left her desk and walked over to her sofa and laid down on it. She listened to the rain as it pelted softly against the window. Tina yawned, still groggy from the long flight, and angry. She closed her eyes. Maybe she needed to rest to make sense out of everything. The rain continued to lull her to sleep. Tina finally succumbed to it. **** Her cell phone vibrated and woke Tina up. She sat up, blinked, and glanced down at her watch. It was three a.m. She slipped the phone out of her pocket and looked down at the caller ID. Kevin? Why is he calling? Is he sick? Tina quickly answered the phone. “Hello?” “Thank God,” he said. “What‟s wrong?” “What‟s wrong? We‟ve been trying to find you for hours,” Kevin said. “Alexis is hysterical. She‟s says it‟s not like you to ignore your calls and just disappear.” 76

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“I didn‟t disappear,” Tina replied, waking up fully. “I just went somewhere so I could think.” “What happened after I dropped you off? Did you confront him about his infidelity? Did he hit you?” Tina tried not to cry, but Kevin sounded so concerned. “I will kill him if he touched you,” Kevin replied. “No, he didn‟t touch me,” Tina said. “He was just screwing some woman in my bed.” “What?” “I walked in and caught him on the down stroke,” she said, trying to laugh through her sorrow. “No wonder we haven‟t had sex in months.” Kevin cleared his throat. “Well, he‟s a fool,” he replied. “Where are you?” “At the office,” Tina said. “I had nowhere else to go. It was still raining when I arrived and I guess it just lulled me off to sleep.” “How do you feel?” “I‟m crushed,” Tina replied. “But you knew he was cheating on you.” “Yes, but I guess it finally hit home when I saw him doing her in my bed. I can put up with a lot of shit, but that just took the cake. I saw them and something inside me snapped.” She sniffed back the tears. “Don‟t cry, darling,” he said. “I don‟t like it when you‟re sad.” “I don‟t want to cry, but the tears won‟t stop,” she told him. “It hurts so badly.” “Do you want me to come to the office? You shouldn‟t be alone at a time like this.” “No,” Tina said. “I‟m okay.” “No, you‟re not. Can you drive?” Kevin asked. “You can come over to my place and I‟ll put you in the spare room. Erik is going to come to that office sooner or later looking for you.” “But I don‟t have any clothes. I left everything and just drove away.” “Don‟t worry about that now. I won‟t ask any questions. I‟ll just be 77

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here if you need to talk.” It was the best offer she‟d heard all day. “Yes, I think I better come there. I don‟t think I can see him just yet.” “Take your time. I‟ll be waiting for you to arrive.” “Okay,” Tina said. “Do you have tea?” Kevin chuckled. “Yes, any kind you desire.” “Oolong,” Tina replied. “I think I need something to relax me.” “Come to me. I will help you relax.” “I‟m on my way,” Tina said. She disconnected the call, grabbed her purse, and left the office. **** Tina sat inside her car outside Kevin‟s apartment, watching the rain beating against the windshield. What am I doing here? It was four in the morning and most sane people were asleep. She reached for her cell phone and dialed Kevin. “Hello,” he said. “I‟m here.” Kevin told her the code to punch into the pad to open the gate. “Thanks, I‟ll be up in a minute.” She hung up and drove the car closer to the gate. Tina got wet as she rolled down the window to enter the code, but she didn‟t care. The gate opened slowly and then she drove through. Kevin lived on the sixth floor of the building. Tina parked in a visitor‟s spot and climbed out of the car. She was soaking wet by the time she reached the building. The access door unlocked and Tina entered, dripping water as she walked. She trembled as the air hit her wet skin. With her luck, she‟d probably get pneumonia. Tina walked to the elevator and pushed the button. The elevator arrived quickly and she stepped inside and pressed the button for the sixth floor. Tina stepped out and found Kevin waiting for her. “You‟re soaked,” he said, pulling her into his arms. “I‟m so glad 78

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you‟re okay.” “You‟re getting wet,” Tina said, snuggling against him. She didn‟t know why, but it felt like a big weight was lifted from her shoulders. “That‟s okay,” Kevin said, releasing her. “Come on in. I‟ll find you something dry to put on.” A few minutes later, Tina stood inside of Kevin‟s apartment. “Thanks,” she said. “Wow, this place is great.” The apartment was far better than she imagined with vaulted cathedral ceilings and bright white walls. It had one of those open-floor plans where she could see into each of the bottom rooms no matter where she stood. “Is that food I smell?” She hadn‟t eaten anything since she left California. “Yes,” Kevin said. “I thought you might be hungry.” “Starving,” she admitted. “Come with me so I can show you where to change.” Tina followed Kevin up a carpeted, winding staircase to the second level of the apartment. There were two bedrooms up there and two baths. He took her inside one of the bedrooms. The first thing that she noticed was that the headboard of the bed took up an entire wall. No way he had purchased that from a furniture store showroom, which meant he probably had it custom made. Kevin opened a closet and dug around. He handed her a white t-shirt with a picture of a gerbil on it. “This should fit,” he said. “Thanks,” Tina said, accepting the shirt. Kevin produced some towels and pointed to the bathroom. “There‟s plenty of hot water,” he said. “Take your time and come down when you are ready.” Tina nodded and Kevin left her. Tina walked into the large bathroom, looking around at the deep tub with the gold fixtures. The vanity counter was stocked with toiletries like shampoo, deodorant, soap, and a liquid milk bath. The idea of a long soak sounded tempting, but she opted for a quick shower instead. Ten minutes later, she immerged from the shower feeling clean and revived. 79

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Tina slipped into the t-shirt, noting that it only came down to midthigh. She towel dried her hair and piled it to the top of her head in ponytail. She walked back into the bedroom and deposited her dirty clothes into a hamper. She joined Kevin downstairs a few minutes later. He‟d lit a fire in the hearth, making it feel toasty in the condo. Kevin had changed out of his wet clothes and now wore a pair of navy drawstring athletic pants and a white short-sleeved t-shirt that showed off his spectacular physique. Tina took her eyes off him long enough to look down at the food. He‟d outdone himself preparing eggs, Canadian bacon, and grits. Tina‟s eyes opened at the warm cereal. She hadn‟t eaten grits in years. She also spied the fresh fruit and the wheat toast. Her stomach growled. “Come and sit down, Tina,” Kevin said. Tina smiled and walked toward him. His eyes were on her, apparently enjoying the view of her body through the t-shirt. Kevin helped her into a seat. “Would you like your tea right now or coffee?” “Coffee,” Tina answered. Kevin walked over to a counter and retrieved the glass carafe from the drip coffee maker. He poured coffee into two cups. He placed one next to his plate and then brought the other over to her and placed it before her. He pointed to the bowl of condiments and Tina selected a plain powdered creamer and a sugar substitute. The first sip heated her tongue, but went down and warmed the rest of her body. Kevin sat down in a chair across from her and added creamer and sugar to his coffee. “I‟m glad you came,” he said as he began buttering a piece of wheat toast. “I hope you don‟t mind, but I took the liberty of texting Alexis to tell her that you were okay.” “Thanks,” Tina said, accepting the piece of toast from Kevin. “You didn‟t tell her to contact Erik, did you?” “No,” he replied. “I wouldn‟t dare.” “Good,” she said. “Let him worry.” “I don‟t mean to sound rude, but I don‟t think he‟s worried about 80

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you…just your money.” Tina smirked. “You‟re right, as always.” She looked around the kitchen as what he‟d just said sunk in. “You have a lovely home.” “I purchased it a couple of weeks after I arrived in New York and had it remodeled to suit my needs.” “It has a homey feel to it, kind of like the impression I got when I saw the sketch of the house in your tablet.” “You should feel comfortable in your home,” Kevin said. Tina sighed. She hadn‟t felt comfortable in her home in a long time and now she didn‟t ever want to return to it since Erik had violated it. They continued to eat, discussing everything except her situation. They were still talking after they left the kitchen and moved to the living room. Tina walked out onto the balcony to watch the sun come up. The rays from the sun toasted her skin and helped dry her hair. “This is one reason why I chose this place,” Kevin said, coming out behind her. “The view is breathtaking.” “It sure is,” Tina said, turning around to face him and noticing he wasn‟t watching the sunrise. The look in his eyes told her that she had been very wrong in her assumption that he was interested in Alexis. “I think I better go inside before the neighbors see me.” She walked past him, but Kevin grabbed her hand. “I don‟t care what my neighbors think.” “So do you often have half-naked women coming and going from of your apartment?” “No,” he told her, still holding her hand. “You are the first.” She didn‟t know if she believed him or not, but she did enjoy the attention. Kevin took her back inside the apartment. “Are you sleepy?” “Not really,” Tina replied. “I napped at the office before I came here.” “But you must still be exhausted from the flight.” “I‟m just a little stiff around the neck and the lower back,” she replied. “But it will go away eventually.” 81

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Kevin stepped behind her, placed his hands on her shoulders, and started massaging out the kinks. “That feels good,” Tina replied. “You really do have magic fingers.” Kevin ran his finger across the back of her neck. Tina trembled. Then she felt his lips against the spot. Tina shuddered. It had been a long time since a man had paid this much attention to her. She felt bad because Kevin wasn‟t just some man. He was her friend. “Do you want me to massage away the rest of the stress?” he asked. “Don‟t tell me you have a masseuse table in this apartment?” “No, but I do have two very comfortable beds upstairs. Either will suffice.” “I don‟t know,” Tina said, giving the idea serious thought. “You‟ve been so kind already and I don‟t want to impose.” He moved in closer, pressing his body into her back. “It won‟t be an imposition,” he said. “In fact, it would be an honor.” He took her hand and led her toward the stairs. “I will make you feel loose as a goose.” **** He chose the other bedroom as the backdrop for the massage. Kevin put on some relaxing music and led her over to the big bed. He removed the comforter and turned back the top sheet. “Assume the position,” he told her. “I will be back.” Tina nodded, unsure of what to do next and knowing that at least the choice she made would be hers. She slipped out of the t-shirt and stood there looking at the bed. She heard a sound behind her. Tina turned around. Kevin stood in the door holding a tray of oils. He turned away shyly. “Don‟t tell me you‟ve never seen a naked woman before?” “Not in a very long time,” he said, entering the room and placing the tray on the dresser beside the bed. Tina chuckled at his nervousness. She‟d always figured him to be a 82

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ladies‟ man with those looks and that killer body. She sat down on the bed. “Do you want me on my back or on my stomach?” “Oh, my,” Kevin uttered. “That is a loaded question, but I think on your stomach will be better to start.” “Okay.” Tina rolled over, positioning herself across the bed. She didn‟t even bother with the sheet since he‟d seen all the goods already. Kevin selected a bottle and moved onto the bed. She felt it dip from his weight. He sat down next to her and placed his warm hands on her back. He‟d selected a pineapple scented oil that reminded her of a fruit salad. Kevin began at her shoulders, rubbing and massaging and releasing the tension. His nimble fingers dug deeply into the muscles, getting rid of her tension. Tina gasped as his fingers kneaded the fleshy part of her backside. Kevin didn‟t say a word; he just kept right on massaging, obviously unaware of what his touch did to her. He massaged down the back of her thighs, fingers slowly moving down the calves and finally the feet. He rolled her over and stared down on her. Heat from his eyes seared her flesh. “Your skin is so soft,” he told her. “I love the feel of it.” He stopped touching her and reached up and released her hair from the ponytail. “What did you do that for?” Tina asked, not taking her eyes off of him. “I‟ve always wondered what it would look like spread out on my pillows.” Tina‟s eyes widened as she realized that he was serious. She smiled at him. “Are you satisfied?” Kevin nodded and then sat down on the bed next to her. “There‟s also something else I would like to do.” He leaned over and kissed her on the lips. He did it quickly and continued the massage. “That was nice,” Tina said as Kevin worked on her neck and shoulders. “I mean the kiss.” Kevin smiled. “You have soft lips.” “Can I ask you something?” 83

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“Anything?” Kevin replied as he worked his way down to her breasts. “Do you like me?” Kevin fingered one of her nipples. “I like you very much, thank you,” he replied. He bent over and kissed the nipple. Tina moaned. He had soft lips too. “Do you desire me?” Kevin nodded and then cupped both breasts in his big hands. “I‟ve desired you from the moment I first laid eyes on you.” Tina‟s back arched as Kevin‟s fingers kneaded the sensitive flesh. “Why didn‟t you tell me how you felt?” “Because you were in a relationship with Erik.” He lowered his head and captured the nipple between his lips. He moved over her, swirling his tongue around the areole until it grew in size. “I want to make love to you,” Kevin said once he released the nipple. “I want to awaken the desire buried deep inside. I want to find that passion I know you have.” Tina shuddered at the sincerity of his words. Could she go all the way with him? “I don‟t want to ruin our friendship,” she told him. “It means the world to me.” “It won‟t,” Kevin assured her. “But I‟ll understand if you think it‟s too soon after…” Tina shook her head. “No, it‟s not that. It‟s just that I don‟t want to disappoint you.” He cupped her face with his hands and kissed her again. “How can you disappoint me?” “I think I must be lacking in the romance department. Why else would Erik cheat on me?” “Because some men are just that way. It has nothing to do with you, Tina. You are a beautiful and appealing woman, and a man would be crazy to neglect you to way he does.” “But what if you‟re wrong? What if I‟m a dud in bed?” Kevin moved his hand down between her legs and pushed a finger inside of her. He extracted it and showed her the moisture. “You‟re no dud. You‟re wet and tight and irresistible.” 84

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He moved down her body, kissing her breasts before finally stopping below her navel. “Just say yes, Tina, and I‟ll make this the best time of your life.” “Yes,” Tina said before she could stop herself. Kevin parted her thighs and buried his head between her legs. “Oh, my God,” Tina moaned as Kevin‟s tongue snaked inside of her. It felt so good, and she couldn‟t do anything but just lie there and enjoy. Kevin spread her wider and explored her inner core. Her knees trembled as tiny sensations rippled through her stomach. He moved his mouth and replaced it with two fingers. Tina‟s body arched as he massaged her walls until she trembled with ecstasy. Kevin moved his fingers in and out of her slowly and methodically until she shivered. He removed his fingers and went back down on her nibbling on her clitoris. Her entire body swooned as his fingers went inside of her again while he worked her with his tongue and lips. Her legs tightened and threatened to lock as the orgasm peeked its sexy little head. Kevin, sensing what was happening, moved her legs apart, raised his head and continued screwing her with his finger, going in as deep as humanly possible until she came, screaming, loud enough to wake the dead. “Oh shit,” she said as the orgasm subsided. “Ooh, Kevin,” she moaned as her juices continued to spill. “You freed me.” Kevin lowered his head and ran his tongue around her labia, and then pushed his tongue inside of her until she trembled again and her knees knocked against each other. He lifted his head and joined her at the top of the bed. “Are you okay?” he asked, smiling down on her. “No.” She sat up quickly, wrapped her arms around his neck, and pulled him down on her. She found his mouth and kissed him deeply, rolling her body against him. “I think my body wants all of you now. Please strip so I can get a good look at you.” She freed him. Kevin inched his way off the bed, pulled the t-shirt over his head, and tossed it on the floor. Tina turned on her side to face him, surprised at how toned and 85

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muscular his upper torso appeared. Damn. She allowed her eyes to brazenly rake over his chest. “My God, your abs are spectacular.” Kevin smiled, untied the drawstring pants, and slid them down his hips and thighs. Tina bit her bottom lip and sighed, checking him out in the tiny black briefs. They were a perfect backdrop against all that milky white skin. And they covered a sizeable erection. Kevin eased the briefs down, slowly teasing her. Tina stopped biting her lip and ran her tongue over it instead as he revealed more of himself to her. “Wow, you are so frickin‟ hot, Sensei.” “And I have a good butt too,” he said, turning around for her to further check him out. Tina bit back a moan. “You sure do.” She patted the bed for him to join her once he faced her. Kevin approached cautiously. “Are you sure you want to do this?” he asked. Tina nodded. “I‟m sure.” What did she have to lose? Kevin wanted her and that‟s all that mattered at the moment. Kevin stooped down and took something out of his pocket. A condom. How sweet. He thought enough of her to protect her. She knew he wanted babies, but whatever this was between them was too new. He put on the condom then rolled over on the bed and wrapped his muscular arms around her. “I know you‟re very vulnerable right now after what happed with Erik. I can‟t promise to make it better or make the hurt go away, but I will promise to love and cherish you if you will allow me to.” Tina nodded, part out of confusion, but mostly out of desire. She‟d be stupid to turn Kevin down. She reached for him and Kevin responded, kissing her and wrapping his arms tightly around her as he lay on top of her. The object of his desire pressed against her stomach. Kevin kissed his way down her neck to her chest. He cupped one of her breasts in his hands and toyed with the nipple while sucking on the 86

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other one. Tina ran her fingers through his hair, freeing it from the pony tail and watching it spill and spread out around his shoulders. Kevin kissed her stomach again and Tina trembled. “I want you so badly,” he told her as he nudged his way between her thighs. Tina nodded that she understood. He was so hard now that he needed relief. He raised her legs slightly and used his fingers to part the lips of her pussy. Tina reached down, wrapped her fingers around his jock, and guided him inside of her. “Ooh,” she moaned as he pushed further in. It had been so long since she‟d had sex and he had just what it took to scratch her itch. Kevin rose slightly, balancing on his arm. He lifted one of her thighs and slid in further. Tina scratched at his back as he rolled his hips and sent his cock deeper. She wrapped both legs around his waist and joined him, grounding her pelvis against his, slowly and sensually at first until the passions took over and they blocked out the world around them. Kevin‟s kisses were as intoxicating as wine, and always arriving just in time as she felt her body shudder with desire. She knew he didn‟t want to come just yet, but she didn‟t know how much longer he could last. “I want to ride you,” she told him. Kevin turned over on his back and placed her on top of him. Tina slid down on his swollen member, burying it deep inside of her again. She might not be an expert when it came to men, but she knew what it took to get herself off. With Erik, it was over before it began. As long as he got his, he didn‟t care about her. Tina moved her hips slowly, smiling down on Kevin who watched her with interest. He reached up for her breasts and pinched both nipples before moving down to her hips. He used his upper body strength to slide her back and forth erotically. Tina took control of the move, grinding her pelvis against him. “You are so beautiful,” he told her. He let out a moan. “And you are so 87

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warm and wet.” Kevin took over, driving deeply inside of her until she exploded, drenching him once again with her juices. Her breath returned to her in gasps as she recovered. “That was a very lovely sight,” he told her as he continued to watch her. “I don‟t think I‟ve ever seen you look more enchanting.” He sat up slightly and wiped the perspiration from her brow. Tina ground her pelvis into his to let him know that the show wasn‟t finished yet. Kevin rolled her over on her back and went down between her legs again, tickling her sensitive cunt with his tongue before rolling her over on her stomach and putting a pillow under her hips to prop her up. His fingers gripped the cheeks of her behind and squeezed gently. “I like a woman with a fine butt,” he told her playfully. Tina giggled at his silliness and then she gasped as he dipped his fingers back inside her wet and sensitive hole. “I need to take you this way,” he told her. “Okay,” she replied. Kevin parted her lips and buried his dick deep inside of her again. He filled her completely, wrapping his body around hers and slow humping her. Tina moved the pillow down lower so her body wouldn‟t slip out of position. He tried to keep most of his weight off of her as he screwed her from behind. Passion over took them again and they sweated with their primal mating. Kevin‟s thrusts got more demanding and powerful and Tina rocked her hips back, giving him more of herself until he found her Gspot. He rubbed against it and then she felt his body shake behind her. “Hold on,” he told her as he lifted his body from hers, grabbed her hips, and moved her back and forth on his slick rod. “I‟m about to come.” Tina couldn‟t do anything for him because her body was doing battle with its own raging orgasm. “Me too,” she told him. “Hump harder.” 88

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“Ah!” Kevin said as the orgasm exploded inside of him. She felt his hands tighten on her hips and he sent his penis deeper inside of her until she too exploded. The world revolved on its axis as they fell to the mattress. Kevin rolled off her so she could breathe and then gathered her into his arms and pressed his lips against her forehead. “I love you, Tina,” he said. Tina‟s eyes widened in surprise and then she closed them, sighed contently, and went off to sleep.

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Chapter Six Tina was gone later that morning when Kevin awakened. She left a note on the pillow thanking him for being so nice and understanding, but didn‟t want to burden him with her problem anymore than she had. “Crazy assed woman,” he said, bolting from the bed. He balled up the letter and tossed it, angry at himself for not keeping a better eye on her. He looked over at the clock. It was ten a.m on a Sunday morning. Where could she have gone? He didn‟t want to think about the possibility of her returning home to Erik after what they‟d just shared. The earth didn‟t move with friendships. It only did that with love. Kevin reached for his phone and dialed Tina‟s cell phone number. It just kept right on ringing. He tried Alexis, but Alexis thought Tina was with him. “She was,” Kevin replied. “But she was gone by the time I woke up.” “What kind of state was she in the last time you saw her?” Alexis asked. She seemed blissfully happy when she fell asleep in his arms. “She seemed happy,” Kevin told her. “Was she balling her eyes out over that idiot?” “No,” Kevin said. “In fact, she barely mentioned him.” “Doesn‟t that sound a bit strange to you?” Alexis asked. “Yes, now that you mentioned it.” “Did you ever find out what happened?” He didn‟t like to gossip, but Alexis was Tina‟s best friend. “She came home and found him in bed with another woman.” “What? You mean that bastard had the audacity to screw some woman in her home?” “Yes, in her bed.” “Poor Tina,” Alexis said. “She must be devastated. Do you think she 90

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might try to kill herself?” “Why would you think that?” Kevin asked. “You know how infatuated she was with that bum. She‟d taken a lot of shit off of him over the years. Maybe this was the final straw.” Kevin‟s eyes widened. She didn‟t seem suicidal, but she had seemed a bit out of character. “I hope she put his sorry ass out of her house,” Alexis said. “I don‟t think so. I think she just drove away and left him there.” “Well, I wonder where she is. Tina is not a confrontational person. She wouldn‟t go back to that house and pick a fight with him.” “She could not have gone too far. She didn‟t have any clothes. It‟s early on a Sunday morning and I doubt if any stores are open.” “What do you mean she didn‟t have any clothes? What was she wearing the last time you saw her?” “One of my t-shirts. She came over in the rain and everything she had on was dripping wet.” “And?” “And nothing else, Alexis. It‟s not like I keep women‟s clothes in my apartment.” He walked to the other bedroom and opened the hamper. “Her wet clothes are gone. She must have put them back on to travel in.” “Poor baby could be walking around wet and cold,” Alexis said. “Look, I‟ll try to find her. Give me a call if you hear from her.” “I will,” Kevin said. He disconnected the call and walked out of the guest room. Where could she be? Last night, she had slept at the office. Maybe she went back there. He ran back into his room, dressed, and left the house. **** Tina drove around a couple of hours, not sure of what to do before deciding to do the least thing anyone expected… She went home. She raised the garage door, noting that Erik‟s car was missing, and then she 91

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drove into her spot. She lowered the garage door and got out of the car. Moments later, she stood alone in her yellow and white kitchen enjoying the quiet before heading upstairs to her bedroom to shower and change. She gazed at the bed as she walked past it and shuddered. The first thing she would do was get rid of it because there was no way she could ever sleep on it again after Erik and that bitch desecrated it. She continued on into the bathroom and scoured her toilet, sink and tub with a disinfectant cleaner, not knowing if the other woman used it or not. Then after she was sure everything was germ and bitch free, she showered and changed her clothes. Afterwards, she did a quick tour of her home. Erik‟s clothes were still in the closet. His suitcase still sat in the other bedroom where he‟d left it. Tina walked down the stairs to her office and entered. Nothing looked out of place. She reached for a telephone directory and looked up the phone number for a locksmith that was opened on Sunday. After finding one, she placed the call and then headed for the kitchen to prepare a late breakfast for herself. She was feeling kind of hungry after spending a delightful morning making love to Kevin, and she‟d sweated off the food he‟d prepared for her earlier. The locksmith arrived around noon and was gone by two. The next thing she did was go upstairs and started packing all of Erik‟s things. Everything he owned had to go and she didn‟t want him to come there looking for anything. She wanted every reminder of him gone. After five years, she‟d had enough. She took his things downstairs and out into the back yard and set everything on fire, thus closing the chapter on that part of her life. **** Kevin had searched frantically for Tina all day Sunday and even entertained the idea of calling the police. He even rode past her home a couple of times, but didn‟t see any sign of life, which worried him. Erik‟s 92

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car wasn‟t in the driveway, but that didn‟t mean he wasn‟t parked in the garage. No one that he knew had seen her and he was afraid that maybe Alexis might be right about Tina‟s state of mind. Kevin got dressed and drove to work, hoping Tina hadn‟t gone home and tried to confront Erik. If she didn‟t show up in the office today, he was going back to her home with the police and breaking the door down. Her car wasn‟t in the parking lot when he got there. Damn, where is she? She didn‟t have any living relatives and her two best friends hadn‟t seen her either. He hoped she‟d checked herself into a hotel until this thing with Erik ran its course or blew over. All yesterday he‟d fretted over the fact that possibly she‟d gone back to him…that their time together meant nothing. He kept playing the scenes over in his head…her passionately achieving orgasm in every position he had her and the kisses they‟d shared. It nearly drove him crazy. All his dread was put to rest when Tina walked in a few minutes after he did, carrying a box of pastries for the office. She looked happy and beautifully dressed in a black and white two-piece suit and matching accessories. “Good morning,” she said to everyone. “Good morning,” everyone said back to her. She headed toward her office and Kevin followed. He pulled her into his office, closed the door and locked it. He pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly. “I thought something had happened to you,” he said excitedly. “I tried calling, but you wouldn‟t answer your phone.” He released her from the bear hug and took her chin into his hand and kissed her. “Are you okay?” Tina nodded. “I had things I had to do,” she said once he released her. “When I woke up and didn‟t find you there, I started imagining all sorts of things and it just exemplified when I couldn‟t find you all day.” “I left a note,” Tina said in her own defense. “It said thanks and goodbye like I was never going to see you again.” “You were worried that I might go off somewhere and off myself?” Kevin nodded. 93

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“Please, no one is worth that.” “Where did you go? You weren‟t exactly dressed for being out on the town.” Tina smiled sheepishly. “I went home.” “Why? What happened?” “Nothing. Erik wasn‟t there. I suspect that he is still with that woman. So I showered, changed clothes, and called a locksmith and had all the locks changed.” “Good for you,” Kevin said. “And then I fixed breakfast and then packed up everything Erik owned.” Good. She wasn‟t suicidal. She was just getting things in order like a sane person would do after a relationship ended. “And then I took all his stuff into the backyard and set a match to it.” Kevin raised an eyebrow? “What did you do?” “I burned everything from his birth certificate to his socks, and I would have burned that damn bed if I could have gotten it downstairs.” “Don‟t you think that was a bit drastic?” Tina rolled his eyes at him and gave him much attitude. “No, I would have set both their asses on fire too had I gone home again and found them together.” Kevin pulled her into his arms. There was definitely something the matter with her. People just didn‟t go from light to dark that quickly. “Isn‟t there some kind of rule about burning stuff in a residential district?” “Checked that out before I did it,” Tina told him once he freed her. “What do you suppose he‟ll do when he comes home and tries to get in, and then discovers you‟ve locked him out and burned his things?” “Personally, I don‟t give a good fuck,” Tina said as she side stepped around him and unlocked the door. She tossed her hair cockily and walked out of his office. **** 94

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Shit, he was going to be late for work again, and it didn‟t help matters much that Tina was still upset with him. He‟d stayed away purposely for a couple of days so she could cool off. Yes, it was dumb of him to bring Shanna to their home, and even dumber to make love to her in their bed, but how did he know that Tina would come home a day earlier than expected? Erik turned the corner and drove down their street. He hoped she‟d left for work by now so he didn‟t have to explain anything to her until they got home from work tonight. And there was no way she would bring it up around the office for fear of someone finding out what had happened. Tina was a real private person and wouldn‟t air their dirty laundry in the street. Erik drove into the driveway and got out of the car. He yawned, regretting that he had to go to work. He‟d spent the night at Shanna‟s place. She had a tiny apartment in a crappy neighborhood and she didn‟t keep the place clean enough for him. Shanna kept badgering him to move her into something better. He chuckled. Did she think he was made of money? Erik walked up to the front door and put his key into the lock, but it wouldn‟t turn. What the hell’s the matter with this lock? He gave up after a few tries and opted for the garage door. He put in the pass code, but it wouldn‟t open. What the fuck is going on? The only other way in was through the back door. There was a padlock on the gate. When the hell did she put this on? He had to climb the fence, which was no easy fete, because he‟d gained a few pounds recently eating out so often with Shanna because she couldn‟t cook. He spotted a big pile of ashes, but he walked past it to the back door. He tried the back door key and frowned. That crazy bitch has changed the locks. He walked back over to the pile of ashes in the yard and looked down. “Damn, is that my shit?” He moved his foot around. He spotted his plans for his clothing store, his birth certificate, and the suit he‟d just brought. Fuck, Tina has lost her mind.

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“Erik just called and he sounds angry,” Alexis said as she stepped inside Tina‟s office while she and Kevin went over some sketches. “That‟s his problem,” Tina said. “What did he want?” Kevin asked. “He said something about Tina locking him out of his house and burning his stuff.” Tina smirked. “Did he say anything else?” “Yes, that he would be late for work because he had to go shopping for new clothes.” “I hope he has money,” Tina said. “Because I turned off all his cards.” Kevin stifled a chuckle. “Would you like to go out to lunch?” Tina asked Kevin. “Ooh, that‟s my cue to leave,” Alexis said, hurrying out of the room. “Sure,” Kevin said. “What are we celebrating?” “Hunger,” Tina answered. She pushed the folder of paperwork aside and stretched. “I just feel like getting out of the office.” “You‟re not afraid to be here when Erik arrives, are you?” “No, I own the place, remember?” “Any particular place you want to go?” “Thai food might be nice.” “You‟re in an unbelievably good mood,” he said to her. “I‟m feeling good.” She stretched again. “And I‟m as loose as a goose.” Kevin smirked. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed the restaurant. “Yes, this is Kevin Chen. I‟d like to make a reservation for two for lunch. Twelve-thirty. Thank you.” He disconnected the call. “Taken care of. What‟s next?” Tina looked at her watch. It was 11:30. “A nooner.” Kevin pushed his glasses down to the rim of his nose and raised a curious eyebrow. “Are you serious?” 96

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Tina nodded. “With me?” Tina nodded again. “I‟m feeling a bit experimental.” Kevin rose quickly. “Let me just grab my jacket.” He grabbed his folder and headed toward the door. “I‟ll meet you out front in ten minutes.” Tina chuckled as he hurried to the door. She grabbed her purse and walked out of her office. Alexis blocked her as she walked through the administration office. “Are you going out?” Tina nodded. “I have a lunch date with my partner.” “Oh, I was wondering why he dashed past me heading toward the parking lot. Will you be returning?” “Yes, I‟ll be back around two.” “Ah, a nooner.” Tina didn‟t answer. She just laughed her way past Alexis and left the office. **** “Oh my word,” Kevin said as Tina went down on him. He‟d never expected anything so splendid in his life from his shy and conservative partner. But he wasn‟t complaining. In fact, he felt a bit euphoric. Tina‟s hands moved down to his balls, squeezing them gently while she suckled his knob like a lollipop. His stomach clenched as her teeth raked against the sensitive skin. “You taste delicious,” Tina said as she momentarily came up for air. She returned to her mission, sucking a little harder while simultaneously giving him a hand job. Kevin inhaled deeply, trying to fend off the rising climax. No, no, no, not yet. He sat up and gently nudged Tina away. “I nearly came, you little vixen,” he told her. “Your hot little mouth is dangerous.” Tina bowed her head and ran her tongue over her lips. “Thank you, 97

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Sensei.” Kevin gulped. The tongue over the lip thing did not help, especially if the lips were Tina‟s. Hers were full and ripe like a plum, and right now they were swollen and dewy wet with his moisture. “Come here,” he told her. Tina crawled up toward him and wrapped her arms around his neck. Kevin lowered his head to kiss her and felt fingers working his hair out of the pony tail. It floated down to his naked shoulders. “I like it like this when we mate,” she told him. Tina kissed him deeply, burying her tongue into his mouth. She dug her fingers into his hair and tugged him closer. His hair spilled onto their faces and she kissed him breathlessly. “I have to have you inside of me,” she whispered against his lips. Lordy, what is happening to her? The kitten had turned into a tigress. The next thing he knew, Tina shoved him back, mounted him, and guided his erection into her moist pussy. She sank down on him, moaning. Kevin wrapped his arms around her waist to help her in the descent. Their bodies moved together in perfect sync. Tina rolled against him, taking him in deeper. She continued to kiss him passionately. It was like she couldn‟t get enough of him. Which was perfectly okay with him and he was only too willing to oblige. Tina came, shaking upon his lap, moaning incoherently and making him feel like he was the best stud in the world. “Ooh, my turn,” he said as he waited for her to calm. He used his calf muscles to quickly lift her from his lap and place her on her back, and then he slipped back inside of her. Kevin groaned as he came, shooting his load inside of her. He fell against her, exhausted. Ballentina Ferrari was phenomenal. **** “That must have been some lunch,” Alexis said as Tina and Kevin 98

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entered the building around two p.m. Tina glanced over at Kevin. His pale cheeks now had a rosy glow and his hair still hung free. “Quite filling,” Kevin said, bowing to both of them and then departing quickly to escape Alexis‟ inquisition. “I like the hair,” she called out behind him. “What did you have to eat?” “Thai,” Tina said, chuckling. “With a Taiwanese appetizer.” “Oh, girl, you‟re so bad,” Alexis said. “And I haven‟t seen you this happy in a long time.” “I haven‟t felt this way in a long time,” Tina confessed. “He makes me feel so special.” Alexis pulled her on the side and out of ear range of the rest of the secretarial staff. “How was he?” “On a scale of one to ten, I would say a twenty.” “Ooh, I‟m so happy for you, but what about Erik?” “What about Erik?” “Are you going to break it off with him?” Tina smiled and nodded. “I‟ve already started the process. He‟s locked out of my house and now my heart.” She walked past Alexis and headed for her office. Erik stopped her before she could do so. “Can I talk to you for a moment?” She walked into his office. “How was your lunch?” “Good,” she told him, trying to figure out why he needed to entertain her with conversation after what he‟d done. “‟I‟m going to be late tonight. I have a few errands to run.” “Okay,” she said. “So why are you telling me?” “Because you need to stay up to let me in. You changed the locks and I don‟t have a key.” “And that doesn‟t tell you something?” she asked. “You are no longer welcome at my home.” 99

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She started for the door and he grabbed her arm. “What do you mean?” “It‟s over,” she told him. “You think you can fuck some bitch in my bed and I‟m supposed to welcome you back with open arms?” “Baby, let me explain.” “Get your hand off of me.” Erik released her. “I‟m sorry.” “Sure you are. But I‟m not falling for it this time.” “What am I supposed to do now?” “That‟s entirely up to you.” She walked out of his office, leaving him there speechless. **** “What‟s wrong with you?” Shanna asked Erik as he entered her apartment. “Nothing,” he said, moving an armload of clothes so he could sit down. “I‟m just tired.” And disgusted. “I‟ll be ready in a moment,” she told him. “Where are you taking me?” Every night was the same thing. If he kept this up, he‟d be broke in no time. “When are you going to learn how to cook?” “Never,” Shanna answered. “Why should I learn to cook? I like going out to eat every night. It gets me out of this place.” “A job would take care of that,” Erik said, loosening his tie. “Why should I work when I have you?” “Because I‟m not made of money.” “No, but your woman is.” She chuckled and dashed off toward the bedroom. He didn‟t like the way that sounded. Erik sighed. And to think he‟d messed up a good thing with Tina for this one. He didn‟t know how he was going to tell her that Tina had cut him off emotionally and financially. Well, maybe he wouldn‟t have to tell her if he could find a way to win Tina back. 100

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Shanna came out dressed in a short blue skirt and a white short-sleeved sweater. She was a lot thinner when he‟d first met her, but eating out every night not only had her hips spreading, but her stomach how more rolls than a bakery. “You‟re getting fat,” he said rising, from the sofa and following her to the door. “More of me to love,” she answered. She opened the door and he followed her out. They were halfway to the restaurant and had stopped at a red light when he saw Tina‟s car approaching the opposite side of the street. She stopped for the red light. She didn‟t even bother to look his way. “Who is that?” Shanna asked. “Ballentina,” he answered. “Your old lady?” she asked. “Do you think she saw me?” “I don‟t think it matters if she sees you riding in a car with me or not. She saw me screwing you in her bed and it didn‟t even faze her.” He started driving again. “Yeah, well she‟s a better woman that I am. I would have kicked her ass if I was in her shoes.” “That‟s where the two of you differ. Tina is too classy to street brawl.” Shanna pouted. “What do you mean by that? You think she‟s better than I am?” “I‟m not saying that,” Erik replied. “The two of you are just different.” “Well, I must be better in bed. Why else would you mess with me when she‟s rich?” Why indeed? He wondered. “Anyway, I‟d like to see the look on her face when she hears the good news.” “What good news?” Erik asked. “That we‟re expecting a baby.” “What?” Erik nearly wrecked the car. “Surprise!” she told him. “And you thought I was just getting fat.” 101

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Chapter Seven Tina and Alexis entered the beauty salon and the owner walked them over to two chairs and got the water ready for their pedicures. Tina eased out of her sandals and placed her feet into the warm water. Alexis relaxed in the chair next to her on her left. The door opened and two young black women entered. One was a chubby blonde and the other, a thin young woman with braids. Ordinarily, Tina wouldn‟t have paid them any attention but the blonde wore a designer sweater that looked remarkably like the one she owned, right down to the color and monogram. “Is something wrong?” Alexis asked. Tina nodded toward the door. Alexis looked at the door and frowned, apparently recognizing the sweater too since she had given it to her as a present a couple of months ago and had it especially designed just for her. “A pedicure and a complete set of nails for both of us,” the blonde told the manicurist, who‟d come to the door to greet them. Tina recognized the woman‟s voice as Erik‟s girlfriend, the one he‟d been in bed with at her house. Alexis looked at her, nodded, then put her finger to her lips to silence her and then to her ear, indicating she wanted her to pay attention and listen. Tina nodded that she understood. It also gave her time to check the other woman out. She smirked. Erik could have at least gone up the food chain. Why did men cheat with women like these? The woman had the fashion sense of a circus clown. The expensive turquoise designer sweater did not go with pink dollar store Capris. And when was the last time she‟d gotten her tracks done? For the life of her, she couldn‟t understand why African American women wanted blonde hair. 102

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The young woman had light brown skin, but she couldn‟t pass for a Caucasian female by any stretch of the imagination. Her nose was too broad and her lips were too big. She ran her eyes over the young woman, taking in every detail, trying to make some sense of the situation. She was short and dumpy with big breasts and a wide ass. That must be why, Tina thought as she walked past her and climbed up into the chair next to her. Maybe Erik liked women with more junk in their trunks. Maybe he didn‟t find her attractive anymore since she had slimmed down with Kung Fun exercises. She sighed. If that is what he wanted, then more power to him. “So what did he say when you dropped your little surprise on him?” the one with the braids asked the blonde. “Girl, he nearly wrecked the BMW.” The other woman laughed. “Shanna, you‟re so crazy.” Shanna? Now she had a name. “He didn‟t say much on the way to the restaurant and then he had the gall to ask me if he was the father. I could have strangled the shit out of Erik for asking me that. What does he take me for?” “Sounds like he thinks you‟ve been messing around on him.” “Why would I do a foolish thing like that? The man buys me anything I want and pays my bills.” “Did you find out where his wife works? I still could use a job.” “They‟re not really married. They‟ve just been shacking up for many years. She owns this place called The Design Factory. It‟s just one of her businesses.” It could be possible that there were two companies with that name, but Tina knew very well that this wasn‟t the case. “Erik works at that business. He‟s some type of sales manager.” Nope, not a coincidence. “He won‟t work for her long if she ever finds out about the two of you,” the one with braids told Shanna. A manicurist arrived and began working on Tina‟s feet. “Girl, she already knows about me. She came home one night and 103

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caught Erik and me screwing in her bed and get this, she didn‟t do a thing,” Shanna told the other woman. “What? She didn‟t try to kick your ass?” “No, she didn‟t even raise her voice. Sister just left.” “Strange. Maybe she thought you weren‟t worth the effort.” Tina nodded self-consciously. “What do you mean by that?” Shanna asked. “I must be better than her in bed. Why else would Erik spend her money on me?” “So she didn‟t say a word to you?” “No, to be fair, I don‟t think she saw anything except my ass. We were right in the middle of getting busy and he was on top of me when Ballentina walked in?” “Ballentina? Is that her name?” “Yes, Ballentina Ferrari, but they call her Tina.” “Classy name,” the one with the braids replied. “Well, I don‟t know about that, but I bet she‟s homely-looking, and probably fat.” “Maybe,” the other woman replied. “I don‟t care about her anyway. I‟m about to get paid. I‟m going to have Erik giving me mad money to help raise this baby.” “Do you think he is going to tell Tina about the baby?” “What do I care? What is she going to do except give him money to buy my silence?” Tina frowned. The fact that she‟d been blind to the deception for so long pissed her off. It was bad enough that Erik used her, but now a baby was involved. “Girl, no woman is going to knowingly take care of some other woman‟s baby.” Shanna better listen to her friend, Tina thought. “This one will,” Shanna bragged. “She loves Erik and will do anything he tells her to do. Hell, I might even tell him to move me into their home. He‟s been complaining about being in my cramped apartment.” 104

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Tina smirked. Apparently, Erik neglected to tell her that he didn‟t reside with her anymore. “Yeah, she really would be stupid if she did something like that. I wouldn‟t put up with such foolishness.” The manicurist finished with Tina‟s feet and another approached. “We have a spot ready for you, Ms. Ferrari,” the woman told her. “Thank you,” Tina said in Vietnamese to her. Shanna looked over at her as she rose. The surprised look on Shanna‟s face was enough to satisfy Tina. Tina stared back at her, turned her nose up, and followed the manicurist over to another chair. Her cell phone rang as soon as she sat down. “Oh, hello Erik,” she said. “You want to meet with me tonight?” She giggled. “Sorry, I‟m not interested in doing that with you ever again. And while I have you on the phone, go to hell.” She disconnected the call and slid her cell phone back into her purse. Alexis got out of her chair laughing and joined her at the nail table. “What did that snake want?” “He wanted me to take him back. Do I have fool written all over me? Did I tell you that he has a baby coming in a couple of months?” “How is his poor ass going to take care of a baby?” Alexis asked, making sure she said it loud enough for Shanna to hear. “I really don‟t care. He‟s not getting another dime out of me.” **** Erik pitched his cell phone aside. What was wrong with Tina refusing his offer? He thought he was being generous. It had been a couple of months since they‟d slept together. She must be climbing the walls by now. It had also been a couple of days since she‟d learned about him and Shanna. She was just taking this jealousy thing too far. So what if he‟d slept with another woman and lied about it to her again? It was time for her to get over it and let him back into the house. 105

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He accessed the Internet and did a search for hotels near work. He selected one and tried to make a two week reservation. That was the amount of time he‟d give Tina to come to her senses and for Shanna to get an abortion. He could take a joke as well as the next person, but enough was enough. Erik selected a room and put in his charge card information. It came back declined. Erik pulled out another company card. It came back declined too. “What the fuck?” He‟d bet anything that Tina had turned them off. He tossed the cards aside. He reached for his desk phone and dialed Tina again. The call just went to voice mail. He pulled out the calendar. He had to find her and get her to turn his cards back on. He leafed through the calendar until he came to the date. She usually had her nails done and then she went off to exercise class. He strummed through the calendar until he found the name of the place. Maybe I’ll pay her a visit there and ask her to take me back. There’s no way she is going to make a scene in front of strangers. **** Later that evening, Erik arrived at the dojo. He looked outside the window. What kind of exercise could Tina be doing at a place like this? He spotted her a moment later. Luckily, he‟d parked a couple of businesses away and other cars blocked him from her sight. She was speaking to some other female. They both entered the building and he was just about to get out of his car when Alexis walked past him and entered the building. What are they doing here? He watched others entered. Maybe it’s not such a good idea. No, he needed money and a place to stay. Tina was his only prospect. Erik got out of the car, straightened his jacket, and walked toward the front door of the dojo. He entered the main foyer of the building, annoyed by how esoterically clean the place appeared. He passed several martial arts posters and posters with rules on behavior while inside. He 106

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approached a desk and caught the attention of a young man. “May I help you?” the young man asked. “I‟m looking for my girlfriend,” Erik told him. “What is her name?” “Ballentina Ferrari. She takes some kind of exercise class here.” The young man looked him over. “You‟re Ms. Tina‟s boyfriend?” “Yes,” Erik answered. “Her fiancé, actually.” The young man gave him the once-over again. “Funny, she never mentioned being engaged.” “Is she here?” Erik asked, irritated by having to entertain this kid with conversation. “She‟s changing for class,” he told him. “You can go in and watch, but please don‟t disturb the class.” Young punk, Erik thought as he walked away. The class had already begun when he entered. He walked over to a set of bleachers and found a seat with some other spectators. The students were all dressed in white karate outfits and they stood in uniformed rows at attention. He spotted Alexis and Clarice in the front row, and Tina in back with taller students. He never knew she was taking a martial arts class. All these years he thought she took aerobics or something girly like that. A door opened from the side and a man dress in similar garb as the students, but in black, walked out and stood facing the class. The students bowed to him and he bowed back. Erik couldn‟t get a good look at the man from where he sat, just the back of his head. He had a long ponytail and broad shoulders. And he was tall with a decent build. “Good evening,” the man said to the class. “Welcome.” He had an accent that sounded familiar. Erik sat back and watched as the class went through several drills before pairing off into couples to perform other routines. Tina walked to the front of the class and bowed to the teacher. The man bowed back to her and they paired off. That caught his attention. The teacher tossed Tina to the mat and she landed on her 107

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back with a resounding thud. She hopped back to her feet quickly and bowed to the teacher again. They sized each other up, but this time Tina managed to toss the teacher down to the mat. Erik chuckled. The teacher probably let Tina toss him because there was no way she could physically be that strong. The class ended about an hour later. The teacher sent most of the students to the showers, but for some reason, Tina, Alexis and Clarice remained behind. He thought it was the perfect opportunity to let his presence be known. Erik walked down from the bleachers and over toward them. Tina spotted him first. She gasped, alerting the others. They stopped talking and looked in his direction. It wasn't until he was upon them that he realized that the teacher was Kevin Chen, Tina‟s new business partner. “What are you doing here?” Tina asked him. “We need to talk,” Erik told her. “We have nothing to talk about,” Tina said. “I think we do. I need you to turn my cards back on.” “Fat chance of that happening,” Tina replied, wiping the sweat from her face with a white towel. “Can we go somewhere? There are too many ears listening in on our conversation.” Both Clarice and Alexis rolled their eyes at him. “Whatever you have to say, you can say it in front of them,” Tina replied. “They already know everything.” “Everything?” Erik asked. “Yes, everything, including you screwing some bitch in my bed.” “Don‟t call her that,” Erik said, defending Shanna. “I can call her anything I please. Nasty, dirty skank. You could have chosen someone with a little more self-respect. No real woman would feel comfortable in another woman‟s bed.” She walked away from him. “Don‟t walk away from me while I‟m talking to you.” Erik reached out and grabbed Tina‟s arm. The next thing he knew, she jerked away 108

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from him, spun around, and kicked his legs out from under him. He landed on his back, luckily on a mat. Erik groaned and sat up. “I am so going to kick your ass for this,” he told her. He struggled to his feet and grabbed at Tina. This time, she grabbed his hand and threw him back down on the floor. When he looked up, she was standing over him in an attack pose. “Get up,” she told him. “And whose ass are you going to kick?” Erik got up. Several people had come over to see what was going on. Most of them were men. His macho came out. He couldn‟t let other men see him beaten up by a woman, especially one who normally wouldn‟t hurt a fly. “Fun‟s over,” he told Tina. He grabbed her from behind and wrapped his arms around her so she couldn‟t move them. He pressed his body into her back. “You‟re no match for me, bitch. I can break both your arms with one snap.” He laughed. “I don‟t need to take martial arts to handle you.” He never saw her head move until she used it to butt him in the face. Erik screamed and released her. He touched his nose. It was bleeding. What is wrong with Tina? “Have you gone crazy?” “No, I‟m just defending myself. Why don‟t you leave while you can still walk away on your own?” Erik pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his nose. He turned to Kevin. “What have you been teaching her?” Kevin just shrugged. He reached for Tina, grabbed her by her uniform, and dragged her over to him. Then he back slapped her. “Ouch,” Tina cried out. Kevin took a step toward him. “What are you going to do pretty boy?” He was answered by a pair of hands grabbing his jacket and tossing him to the mat roughly. He looked up and found Tina standing over him again. “Don‟t you ever put your hands on me again,” she warned him. Her 109

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feet came down on his chest, knocking the wind out of him. “Don‟t move,” Kevin told him. “She can destroy your larynx just by applying pressure with her foot.” Erik chuckled, not believing him. “I‟m serious,” Kevin told him. “She knows what she‟s doing.” Erik stopped laughing and looked down at Tina‟s foot. She had it placed right over his Adam‟s apple now. “Move your foot, Tina, honey,” Kevin said tenderly to her. “He‟s not worth it.” Tina lifted her foot. Erik crawled to his knees. Tina was in Kevin‟s arms with her face buried in his chest. Kevin‟s arms held her protectively. “I‟d leave now if I were you,” Kevin told him. “What‟s this shit?” Erik asked, pointing to Kevin and Tina. “Exactly what it looks like,” Alexis answered. “Her man is embracing her.” “Her man? When did this happen?” “Does it matter?” Clarice asked. “You‟re out and he‟s in.” “This isn‟t over, Tina,” Erik shouted. “Yes it is,” Tina told him. “I got about a hundred witnesses here to prove that you came here and attacked me. So why don‟t you leave here, go back to your little pregnant slut, and never let me see you again.” Erik laughed. “Yeah, see you at work tomorrow.” “What work?” Tina asked. “Brother, you‟re fired, and if I catch you anywhere near my house our any of my businesses, I‟ll have you arrested for trespassing.” The other students applauded and Tina buried her face back into Kevin‟s chest. “She‟s a dud in bed,” Erik said, walking away. “No, she not,” Kevin replied. “She‟s magnificent.” The other students laughed at Erik as he walked out of the dojo training room. He made it to the lobby with what little dignity he had left. 110

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He paused to catch his breath. What was he going to do now with no home, no job, and a baby on the way? He stormed out of the front door and ran to his car. Shit, now he had to find another job. **** “Does your face still hurt?” Kevin asked Tina as she laid on his bed in his condo. “A little,” she said. “I guess the bruises will go down tomorrow.” Kevin looked down at her. There was just a slight bruising, but it wouldn‟t leave a mark. He leaned over and kissed the spot, and Tina threw her arms around his neck and pulled him down on her. Her tongue wiggled through his lips and then plunged into his mouth. She tasted faintly of wintergreen mint. Her hands left his neck and moved down his body, and he heard his pants unsnap. “What are you doing?” Kevin asked as he felt his zipper lower. The next thing he knew, she had lowered the waistband of his pants and was gently squeezing his buttocks with her fingers. “Feeling you up,” Tina replied. The fingers moved around to his penis and squeezed him gently. Kevin moaned. Her hand was so warm. “Why don‟t I get out of these clothes?” He rose and climbed off the bed. Tina sat up to watch him. “Slowly,” she told him as she began to undress on the bed. Kevin slowly disrobed. Tina‟s eyes stayed glued to him, watching with interest. She was nude on the bed by the time he shucked out of his briefs. She parted her thighs in a very sexy manner. “I need you deep inside of me,” she said, reaching up and freeing her hair from the ponytail. Kevin reached up and freed his hair. It cascaded down his shoulders. Tina growled at him and made room for him on the bed. The next thing he knew, she had maneuvered him on his back and she was astride him, lowering her body. 111

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Kevin gasped as his cock made contact with her wet pussy. “Ah, we forgot something, darling?” Kevin told her as she moved up and down on his Johnson, slowly. “What?” Tina asked without opening her eyes. “Oh,” Kevin said as she made her bottom revolve, sending him deeper inside of her. “A condom.” “Oh,” She replied, but did not stop riding him. “Well, I guess we‟ll have to get married if anything happens.” Kevin smirked. “My first proposal. How romantic.” Tina pinched one of her nipples and shuddered. Kevin raised an eyebrow at the sight. It made him harden and throb inside of her. He reached up and played with the other nipple, squeezing it hard. Tina made a guttural sound as she slowly screwed him. Her buttocks ground into his pelvis. She was in control, trying to find her own G-spot. “Do you need any help, honey?” he asked as he ran his hand down to her stomach and began messaging her belly. “No,” she moaned. “Just stay hard.” She shook her head and her hair moved in front of her eyes. “Ooh,” she uttered. “I like the way that feels. It‟s like you‟re preparing my womb for your seed.” “I am,” Kevin told her. “It‟s an ancient technique. Oh baby,” he said as his body shook with desire. “Guaranteed to work when two people are in love and plan to spend the rest of their lives together.” “Tell me more,” Tina said as she raised her bottom up until his cock slid out of her and then she slid back down on it. “It‟s also guaranteed to work if both parties come at the same time. The woman‟s womb should open at the precise time the sperm swims up to the door.” “You‟re so crazy,” Tina said. She bounced up and down on his jock. “Oh, oh, oh,” she said loudly. “Kevin, the door is about to open.” Her body shivered. “Oh my,” he said as his body reacted to hers. The semen left his sacks 112

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and sailed through his dick. He rolled Tina on her back, quickly lifted her right leg and sent his cock as far into her as he could humanly manage before the semen shot through the eye. They came together. “Oh shit,” Tina cried out. “I think we did it.” Kevin pulled out of her and placed his head against her wet abdomen. He kissed it tenderly. “I sure hope so, Tina. There‟s nothing more in the world I want than to create life with you.” He heard a strangled sob several seconds later. He rose up. Tina was crying. He gathered her into his arms. “What‟s wrong, honey?” “I want to make a baby with you too, and be a family and live in that house in Taiwan.” Kevin kissed her gently on the lips. “I love you,” he told her. “I love you too,” she said between sobs. “Let‟s get married.” Kevin chuckled. “Okay.”

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Epilogue Tina looked down at the tiny Taiwanese woman who looked up at her. “What have you done to my son? I‟ve never seen him so happy.” “Nothing, mother,” Tina said to her mother-in-law. “He‟s been that way since the doctor told him we were expecting.” The older woman reached out and touched her belly. “It is a girl.” Tina looked down at the hand. “How do you know that?” “Your womb just told me.” She chuckled. “And besides, Kevin just ordered a little tea set. That is a good sign.” The older woman led her out to the garden in the back yard. Kevin and his father were busy putting a crib together under the patio while his sister and some of his aunts sat around the picnic table handsewing baby clothes. Tina inhaled, not believing that this was now her home. After a spectacular Taiwanese wedding with Alexis, Jerome and Clarice in attendance, Tina had moved her offices clear around the world, leaving one in New York for Alexis to manage. “It‟s a girl,” Mrs. Chen announced to the other women in her native tongue. Luckily, Tina had taken several crash courses in the language and could communicate intelligently now with her new family. Kevin looked over at her and smiled. “Told you,” he said. They wouldn‟t actually know for another couple of days when she was supposed to go into labor. Right now, she just prayed that the baby was healthy. She sighed, looking over at the sun as it started to set. The rich orange, yellow, and red colors burned in the sky. Her belly wiggled and then strained painfully. Tina‟s hand went to her back as a contraction nearly sent her to her knees. “Are you okay, honey?” Kevin asked, rising to his feet and running 114

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over to her. “I don‟t know,” Tina said. “I think I need to use the toilet.” “No, no, don‟t do that,” Mrs. Chen said, joining her son at Tina‟s side. “You are having the baby. You don‟t want to have it on the toilet.” Another pain stopped her from giggling at her mother-in-law, and water gushed down her legs. “Awe,” she groaned. “I think my water just broke.” Kevin lifted her into his arms and dashed into the house. “Put her on your bed,” Mrs. Chen said. “I‟ll see to her and clean her up while you get the car started.” Kevin put her on the bed and left her with his mother while he grabbed her suitcase and ran to start the car. Ten hours later, she lay tired and exhausted on the delivery table, still trying to give birth. Kevin stood behind her, coaching her while the doctor gently tried to coax the baby‟s head out. “One more push, Mrs. Chen,” he told her. “A big one this time.” Kevin lifted her shoulders and held her while she pushed. “Oh!” Tina screamed as the baby moved from her body and into the doctor‟s waiting hands. Kevin lowered her shoulders back down on the pillow gently. She heard a sound smack and then a lusty wail. “It‟s a girl,” the doctor announced. Tina smiled, thinking how smart her husband must feel. She closed her eyes. Ancient Taiwanese secret. It was right on the money about the sex of their first child. “She‟s beautiful,” she heard Kevin say. “Just like her mother.” “Thank you,” Tina said as sleep overtook her. “I‟m going to take a nap. You have the first watch, Sensei.” The End

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