In Between Lies (6 page)

Savannah
gathered her thoughts, pushing aside Kevin and what she could remember from last night
,
when she heard a clanging noise coming from the kitchen area. Realizing that she was only wearing her bra and panties, she reached for her robe. Her purple silk camisole and pants that she usually wore to bed hung over the back of her chair. She grabbed an old golf club that she never used from the corner of her closet and headed down the hall towards the sound. Her heart pounded furiously as she got closer. Jumping around the corner to catch her intruder, she screamed. Hands in the air she began swinging the club at whatever moved. Take care of business now and ask questions later.

A wild mass of hair ran towards him, screaming and swinging uncontrollably.  “Hey!! Hey!! Hold it! It’s me!” he tried to grab the club from her. Missing her aim a couple of times, one finally landed in his side. He snatched the club and fell back into the counter. Holding his side, he yelled once more. “
Savannah
!”

“Kevin? What are you doing in my house? Who let you in here?” She pushed her hair from her face and closed her gaping robe.

“You did.” He winced in pain and bit his tongue in anger. “I think you broke my rib.”

“Why the hell would I let a man I just met into my house?” She looked around the kitchen, making sure everything was still in place. Her attention then turned to the living room where most of her valuables sat. The beige, earth toned cathedral ceilings boasted a mural that housed art that would stir envy in the best of collectors; two Picasso’s and a one of a kind Van Gogh. Along the other walls and tables, an assortment of
African art displayed her taste
in the exotic.

She finally realized that he was standing in her kitchen in what appeared to be boxer shorts and socks. “Why are you undressed? Where are your clothes?” Rubbing her forehead she took a seat. “I want you to please explain to me what you are doing in my house practically naked, then I want you to leave.”

“Well it was obvious that you were drunk last night when I offered to bring you home. So I followed you to make sure you got here safely.” He walked over to her and placed a cup of steaming hot black coffee before her. 

All anger aside, she gazed at his body from foot to head and back down again, drinking in his essence. Chills hit her once aga
in. His smooth brown chest
rose as he breathed and spoke
,
then narrowed down to his torso; perfection in the making. She was mesmerized, pushing all angry thoughts to the back crevices of her mind. The strength of his long legs flexed with each step he took towards her.  Her only action was to admire his beauty.

“I felt it was my responsibility to make sure you got home since you were in my club.”
             

Snapping back to reality once his low voice stopped, she eyed the coffee wearily then sipped it. “That does not explain why you are not dressed and why you are still here. Thanks
,
though
,
for caring.”  She clasped her robe around her neck and asked, “Did you undress me?”

“Yes, but let me explain.” Her mouth flew open. He held up his hand to silence her before she bombarded him with what he knew would be emotionally slicing words. “I undressed you, placed you in your bed and covered you up. You literally passed out at the front door. The outfit you had on did not look comfortable enough for you to sleep in.”

“Whatever.”

“Honestly, I didn’t even look,” he lied. “Really, I didn’t.”

“Are you trying to convince me or yourself?” she questioned. The shrilling sound of her phone cut through their conversation. She let it ring, not moving from her spot. “Well, what about your clothes? Why don’t you have them on?”

He hesitated. “Mine were not comfortable enough to sleep in either,” he half laughed, hoping she would lighten up and laugh with him. “Besides, I did not want to wrinkle up my clothes,” he added.

He moved to the living room, grabbed his clothes from the back of the chair and quickly put them on.

“Better?” he asked. “Listen, why not get together later on today?”

She rose from her chair, and herded him to the door as a sheep dog would a field of sheep. “Thank you for helping me out. How thoughtful of you to do your gentlemanly duty and see me home. And I mean
“
see
”
literally.”

Opening the front door, she lightly brushed against him. Irritated that she was aroused by the sight and mere touch of him, even though she knew she should be angry, she politely pushed him out.

“Tonight?” he questioned. “Oh…and happy birthday.”

“Thanks, I may give you a call.”
Savannah
closed the door without hesitation and watched him through the blinds as he got into his car.

Feeling her presence and knowing that she was watching him, he slowed his pace to a crawl, hoping she would invite him back in for breakfast or something else. He reached for the car door and got in.
Okay, maybe she won’t invite me in, but I know I am in,
he thought.

             
Starting the car, he remembered how her breathing had become rapid when he moved towards her. He saw the light in her eyes as she looked at him. He knew all it took was just a matter of time. Time that he’d decided was worth waiting through. There was something about
Savannah
that drew him
,
and he intended to find out what it was and
if it was more than just a lust-
filled attraction. As he was quickly tiring from late night visits to his “friends” to fulfill his needs, he admittedly hoped that it was more than lust when it came to her.

225

In Between Lies                    
             
                                  S. Hill 
             
             
                                                                                                 

Chapter 4

“I
’
m sorry I forgot your birthday,” Richard said, placing a dozen yellow roses before
Savannah
’s face.

“See, you know you are wrong.” She smelled them and placed them over her fireplace mantle. “How could you have forgotten?” Or don’t answer that. I don’t care to hear about your escapades with the unknown female that you’ve been seeing lately.”

“Since you ask…. I had a good time…until I remembered that I forgot your birthday. And yes, you are right, I
’
m wrong.” He sat beside her on the couch. “So what did I miss?”

Savannah
’s face lit up, despite her answer. “Not much. Me and Jazzy went to this new club at the Drake. It was real nice…”

He motioned for her to continue. “And?”

             
“I met a nice guy. Hey, you know the weather guy on channel 17? Well he owns the club…”

             
“Kevin,” he interrupted, “I think that’s his name? Yeah man, I know him. Had a few words with him a few months back.”

             
“Oh really? I don’t remember you telling me anything about him.”

             
“Uh yeah, I did… he was the one that came in between me and Lysha. And you know I was pissed cuz that girl was a cold freak and had an ass like-“

             
“Nevermind!” She held her hand up, “Stop! That’s enough.”

             
He stopped. “Look all I have to say is if you are messing with that cat, you need to watch yourself. He’s a player. A charmer…he likes to hit and quit.”

             
“So what you are saying is that you don’t do the same thing? Quit hatin. And I never said it was him.” She didn’t finish telling him about her encounter with the ‘playa’ but made a mental note to watch her step with him. After all, she just met the man. Numbers exchanged….oh and he did spend the night…but she didn’t mention any of that…yet.  “I need a drink. Come have one with me.” Richard followed her to the kitchen.

**********************

             
“Tonight seems to be a bit on th
e cold side. Looks like Indian S
ummer has finally come to an end and the typical Chicago
F
all/
W
inter weather is here.” Kevin explained. “A cold front will be moving in by the morning, so dress warm and give yourselves time to warm up your car.  You may have to even grab the scrapper. Until tomorrow, have a good one. Back to you Larry.” 

With the predictions already done, Kevin unclipped the microphone from the inside of his tan jacket. Heading for his office, he loosened his tie and grabbed a cup of coffee. The first thing he always did was pull the video from the engineer so that he c
ould
replay his nightly performance. Always wanting to make it better, he criticized his actions and movements. What his profile looked like, which side was a better side to stand on, which jacket was the better one to wear.

His office consisted of a multitude of empty paper cups that had accumulated over the last few days. He grabbed the trashcan and scooped them into it and placed it outside his door for pick up. Since the club had opened, his mind had been preoccupied with keeping up the attendance, the money, the performers, and
Savannah
. It had been a little over a week since he’d met and seen her. She must have been really upset that he was in her house. Confident that she would appreciate his actions he’d stayed. He usually was not one to care much about what a woman thought. It didn’t matter due to his being sort of a local celebrity figure so to speak
;
women always ended up coming to him. He’d tried hard to not be labeled a player, he’d never considered himself one. It was what it was, no matter how it was thought of or looked at. It was nothing for him to be bombarded by women left and right. They made it too easy for him…practically giving away the panties.

In
Savannah
’s  case, for some odd reason, he seemed to care about what she thought of him. She was different. He’d known that from the moment he laid eyes on her….all of her. He smiled to himself. In the back of his mind, he knew his gentlemanly approach would always get the ladies, he wasn’t sure how it worked on her. However, it always backfired when they became emotionally attached to him at one time or another.

Back in his college days, he’d actually fallen for a woman to the point that he thought he loved her…she suddenly then up and left him for another man after she’d almost emptied him of his monetary resources.  Since he was feeling a bit burned he’d opted to leave the emotions to the ladies from that point on. Not one wanting to be in a steady relationship, he always pulled out before it was too late. He wasn’t so sure if he would with
Savannah
or not.

One thing he’d learned along the way is to stay charming. He’d always tried to put some time in, so he would never, ever make a woman feel like he just used them for sex even though that is what he ultimately was doing, knowing full well that a relationship was not even part of the equation. A rule he rarely held himself to, and his friends never complained of such. All was good, just the way he liked it…
Careful, man,
he warned himself.
Not too much.

Instantly attracted to this woman
,
he’d let his guard down a little and decided to take a chance on giving her a bit of the real side of himself. He’d never really bothered to let most women see that he could be a deeply caring person who would come up with romantic ideas or getaways. Since they always seemed to flock to him, he never really had to do anything, which was okay with him. He had to admit a lot of that went to his head sometimes. Reserved in action and thought, he knew he had to
move cautiously with
Savannah
. He’d gathered that she had been burned before and was not taking any chances.

But
Savannah
, on the other hand was different. He could tell this from the first conversation. The way she tilted her head slightly when she spoke, carefully choosing her words. The conversation she had seemed genuine and from the heart but at the same time not giving too much of herself all at once. She didn’t seem to be star struck, like most women he came across, with the intention of sinking their claws into him because of not only his status in the circuit but also because he was a club owner and deep money. She spoke to him as if he was just another Joe on the street. It was refreshing and turned him on instantly.

Deciding to give her a couple more days before he tried to contact her, he popped his performance in the VCR, then sat back and relaxed.

“You have a phone call on two,” a man said, sticking his head in the door.

“Who is it?” Kevin asked. “Tell them to call me back, I am busy.”

“Some woman…she would not give her name.”

“Okay…thanks man,” Thinking just by chance it may be
Savannah
, he leaned over this desk and took the call.

“Hello, this is Kevin,” he answered.

“Hi…I am glad that I finally reached you. It’s me Naomi Sanders, remember?”

**************************

After leaving Savannah’s place that next morning, he’d went back to the club only to find that Luther had cleaned up and had it set up and ready to go for the following Monday. Since they were promoting the new business, he’d had no idea what they took in or put
out that night in free drinks and
VIP tables. The one thing he did not know was that he had picked up another woman who wou
ldn’t let him go. She’d mistaken
his kindness for interest, when in fact he was just doing his job and promoting
the club
. Naomi left several messages for him at the club and now at the office. How she got anything other than the main number was beyond him.

“Why don’t you refresh my memory some. I think I know who you are but why don’t you just tell me.” He waited in silence.

“Who do you think I am? I know I look a lot different from our college days, but damn.”

Silence.

“Okay, it’s me Nama. You know from
Illinois
Stat
e
. You’re used-
to
-
be…girl
friend
.”

“Why did you change your name?” he questioned. “And we didn’t last long, or else I would have remembered you much sooner.”

“This is actually my stage name. I am an actress now. I have
done
a couple of commercials
,
and
am
now working on a major play here in town

“Hey it’s good to see you again then. I’m sorry I did not recognize you off the top.”

“No problem. So what’s been up? When I heard through the grapevine that you were going to be at the opening of the club, I made it my business to come and see you...well, I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see you again.  I must admit I was a little upset that you did not know me even when I grabbed you. But that’s all cool.” She paused to allow him time to speak.

Old memories of Nama or now Naomi flooded his mind. Especially the wild sex they had. Whatever he wanted, she was down for it.

“Thanks for coming to see me.” He also remembered her jealousy and why he finally had to let her alone. She’d actually tried to hurt a girl that he was messing with on the side and that was the last draw to their tumultuous relationship.

“How about hooking up this evening? Just a drink or two? Catch up on old times?” she’d asked, hoping he would take the bait.

*********************************

“Girl, that Gio is a hot mess,” Jasmine explained as she walked through the front door. “Were you busy?”