Chapter Twelve
Approximately seven hours later, I jumped behind the wheel of my car with a grin going from one ear to the other. I’d just left Mr. Sullivan’s office with high hopes. Because the inlets he wanted to see required the use of a helicopter, I’d arranged with one of our guys at the office to schedule the tour for another day. In the meantime, I showed Mr. Sullivan unretouched photos of pristine acreage with sandy white beaches, groves of palm trees throughout, with natural freshwater streams. Infrastructure was already in place, which was a huge plus, because of Mr. Sullivan’s concern of the added cost if he had to put in the infrastructure himself.
All in all, the meeting went well just as Reuben had expected. I left Mr. Sullivan with four vacant inlets to choose from – each starting at around thirty million dollars. To say I was ecstatic, would be a gross understatement. I was high as a kite and was now in the mood to really celebrate. When I got back to my condo, it was close to four in the afternoon – enough time to pick out something nice to wear for dinner that evening with Reuben. I was so excited about what this contract could mean for my career that I was bursting to tell someone about it.
I dropped my laptop and handbag on the sofa and then reached for the cordless phone out of its cradle. I noticed a red light blinking on the answering machine, which I instinctively played as I set out to dial Kimone’s number. The machine beeped a few times and then I heard his husky voice.
“I can’t get you out of my system…so warm…so inviting...going crazy thinking about you…call me…
Beep.
I replayed that message about half a dozen times before I decided to delete it. In silence, I walked to my bedroom and sat on my bed to cool the heat messing with my ears. Taj needed not say a whole lot to lure me back into that dark place – that place where it was almost impossible for me to ignore those ungodly desires. I suddenly became upset with Taj for having such control over my emotions. How was I to ever be free of this man if he continued to pursue me like this? Thoroughly confounded, I remained on my bed for nearly half an hour, trying to recapture my good mood.
I didn’t even want to call Kimone anymore. The internal battle between good and evil raged on within me and the only thing I wanted to do was to sleep it off. But just in case I overslept, I walked to my closet and pulled out a red, formal dress to wear for that evening. Picked out my shoes and matching accessories. Hopefully Reuben would be a good diversion to help me get my mind off of Taj.
But how absurd for me to think that Reuben would be good company when several hours ago I couldn’t stand being around him. He was handsome in his own way, but more importantly, he was unattached. Maybe if I were attracted to him, it would have made this situation less complicated. Lord, please, this is becoming too much.