Kiss Lonely Goodbye (19 page)

“Deal. But we will talk about you being the boss man.” Nicole pointed at him.

“If you insist. Now, where is the fabulous meal you promised?” He cocked an eyebrow at her.

Nicole jumped from her seat. “I didn't promise fabulous.”

She put fettuccini in the now boiling pot of water. Twenty minutes later they laughed and joked over dinner. Nicole loved the cozy, intimate mood of eating in the alcove near the kitchen.

After dinner Marcus loaded the dishwasher while Nicole wiped off the stove and countertop. Then they went into the mini den just off the open kitchen. A wide sofa and chair upholstered in a plaid navy blue, dark red, and gold faced the
massive oak cabinet. Doors that slid back on rollers revealed a wide-screen television. After a short debate they decided to listen to music. They cuddled on the sofa. Nestled in his arms, Nicole felt sheltered from the chaos swirling around her.

“This is the right way to end the day,” she murmured. “A little wine, listening to D'Angelo sing his heart out, and you. Not necessarily in that order.”

“I was about to say,” he joked. “I'm going easy on the wine. I've gotta drive, you know.”

“Drink up, mister. You'll be here for hours.” Nicole rubbed the soft cotton fabric of his striped knit shirt.

“Then I'll need a clear head.” Marcus grinned.

“You're safe with me.” Nicole laughed.

“Am I?” he whispered. “I've been wondering about that since the day you put a Louisiana hoodoo spell on me.”

“No magic. Once we got over that first week of you being a sexist pig who didn't think I had the brains of a tick—”

“I had an attitude for about a minute,” he broke in. “Forgive me?”

Nicole looked up into his toasted almond–colored eyes. She traced the line of his jaw, then the oval shape of his full mouth. “Forgive what?”

She nibbled at his lower lip, delighting in the warm, moist, first contact. Marcus tightened his embrace. Their tongues teased and tasted until both sighed. Nicole made the first move by tugging his shirt out of his jeans. She ran her hands under the shirt and rubbed his chest.

“Bedroom,” he mumbled, still kissing her as he lifted her blouse.

“No, here. Now.”

In a red heat, she fumbled with the side zipper of her pants. Marcus moaned as he pulled the blouse over her head. He groped the single front fastener of her lacy pink bra until it
popped open. Nicole shivered when his tongue licked each nipple in turn. They completely undressed each other between feverish kisses.

“Be right back.” Nicole kissed him hard. He held on when she tried to pull away. “I've got to get a—”

“I'm armed and ready.” Marcus only had to reach out to where his jeans lay tossed across the sofa back. He retrieved a foil square from the back pocket.

“Boy scout. I like it,” Nicole murmured.

She took it from him. Looking into his eyes, she used both hands to unroll the thin latex over his erection. Marcus breathed hard as he watched her caress him. Nicole then pushed him back onto the sofa in a sitting position. She mounted him and began a gentle rocking motion as she licked his earlobe. He tenderly cupped her breasts in his hands. Her restrained rhythm gave way as she ground her hips faster against him. Deep inside a small pinpoint of craving spread over her body. She twisted and rocked frantically to satisfy the overpowering hunger that tore into her body and soul. Distantly she heard her voice and his answering cry a few moments later. Marcus dug his fingers into her hips and lifted them both as he came. Slippery with perspiration, Nicole cradled his soft wooly curls as he buried his face against her breasts.

“Baby.” His voice was low and hoarse. Marcus groaned when they both went limp.

She combed his hair with her fingers. “Scandalous. You seduced me in the den.”

“Your idea,” he panted. “Good one, too.”

“Catch your breath and then we'll take this party to the bedroom.” Nicole rubbed her cheek on the top of his head.

“Woman, are you trying to kill me?” He lifted his face to look at her.

Nicole threw her head back and laughed. “I only meant we could have dessert in bed. I've got fresh Louisiana strawberries and whipped cream.”

“Hmm, whipped cream. I'm getting an inspiration.” Marcus wore a wicked grin.

“Don't blame me for how you feel in the morning.”

“I'll be ready for the world tomorrow,” Marcus said. He wrapped both arms around her waist.

“Me, too. Not even Russell will get to me. I've got you.” She touched her fingertips to his face.

“We'll make it, baby. No matter what they throw at us,” he said softly.

“You and me.”

He nodded. “Me and you.”

 

Shaun crossed his arms. “I heard you wrong. Say again?”

“You got it right,” Marcus replied.

The two men gazed at each other. Standing face-to-face in Shaun's living room, neither heard the driving thump of hip-hop music in the background coming from the FM radio station.

“Romancing the rich girl is one thing. Now you gonna let them use you.” Shaun shook his head slowly.

“Nobody is using me.” Marcus strolled to Shaun's kitchen and got a can of root beer.

“Nicole is using you. She needs your brains to hold onto the business
you
should have gotten. She even admitted it.” Shaun followed him.

Marcus waved a hand and went back into the living room with Shaun on his heels. He sat down in a large easy chair. “Drop it.”

Shaun pulled a hand over his face. “Damn! You're in love.”

“I'm touched that you're happy for me,” Marcus retorted.

“You're headed for a big letdown. Something told me she was real trouble. But I didn't think my boy would fall for it.” Shaun dropped into the chair facing Marcus.

“I make my own choices. She's not just another woman.” Marcus stared down at the soda can he held.

“Summers Security should be yours. Wake up!” Shaun said loudly as though Marcus were in a trance.

“I'm not going to punish Nicole because the old man lied to me.”

“Fine. You got the hearts and flowers thing going. If you trust her so much, then tell Nicole what her uncle promised. See what she does.” Shaun gazed at him with a skeptical expression.

Marcus looked away. “No, I can't do that right now.”

“Uh-huh. You've got doubts.” Shaun jabbed a forefinger at him.

“That's not it,” Marcus replied too quickly. He frowned. “I want to wait for the right time. I don't see why she needs to know. What difference does it make?”

“Keeping your options open and your guard up. Now that's the first thing you've said that makes sense. She doesn't need to know if you end up running the business anyway.”

“I'm not playing her.” Marcus raked his fingers over his hair. “I want something I never knew I could have, something I didn't think existed.”

“What are you talking about?” Shaun blinked at him in bafflement.

“Somebody I can really be with.” Marcus grappled for a way to explain. Shaun's befuddled stare boring into him didn't help.

“Huh?”

“We don't have to talk sometimes. See what I mean?” Marcus tried again.

Shaun's eyes lit up with lustful comprehension. “Oh, yeah. I've had those kinda nights. All that blah-blah-blah ain't necessary.”

“I'm not talking about just sex.” Marcus blew out a breath in exasperation.

“Hey, done right it's never
just
sex, my brother,” Shaun said with a leer.

Marcus gave up. “Look, I'm not going after Summers Security or Nicole. We've got something real.”

“Something real,” Shaun repeated in a flat tone.

“That's it.” Marcus took a deep gulp of root beer.

“I see. All right.” Shaun tapped the arm of his chair for a few minutes as silence stretched between them. “I wasn't going to say anything, but…” His voice trailed off.

“Say anything about what?”

“I've had some financial setbacks lately. Don't let all this fool you,” he added when Marcus glanced around the room.

“How bad?”

Shaun sighed. “Bad. To tell you the truth, I was counting on that insurance thing I told you about. Plus, I figured you could help me out in other ways. Strictly legit.”

“Your insurance idea was barely on the right side of legit, Shaun.” Marcus put the empty soda can down.

“Hey, I'm willing to revise my business plan.” Shaun slid to the edge of his seat. “Just hear me out. You're not sure about Nicole and or her kinfolks.”

“I never said—”

“C'mon, this is me you're talking to. What do you think her daddy will say when he finds out about you two?” Shaun's eyes narrowed.

“He might not be too thrilled at first.” Marcus tapped a fist on his knee.

“Remember when you tried to date those bourgie girls in
college? You were too dark and too poor. We both know what his reaction will be.”

“I don't need a trip down memory lane, all right? I'll handle my own business,” Marcus snapped. Shaun's words hit too close to a sensitive spot. He wasn't sure Nicole would stand up to family pressure or generations of tradition.

“Just think about it is all I'm saying,” Shaun pressed. “You know I don't ask for help unless things get tight. We've always had each other's back, even when we couldn't count on family. Don't forget that.”

“I want to help you out, man.” Marcus rubbed his chin.

After a few moments Shaun's expression turned bitter. “To hell with it. I shouldn't have to be beggin' you,
brother
.”

“C'mon, don't trip. I'm not trying to leave you out.” Marcus spread his hands out in a gesture of conciliation.

“Yeah.”

“You've got skills. I know at least three people with big companies that could use somebody with your brains,” Marcus said. “I know, you like being your own boss. Look at it this way, you could make money, get on your feet, and start again. What about it?”

“I'll get back to you,” Shaun said dully.

“It's not the perfect solution, but you have options a lotta brothers don't have. You're one helluva salesman.” Marcus forced a light tone.

“Must not be. I didn't sell you,” Shaun said with a tight smile.

“I know you too well,” Marcus teased. Still, the tension between them hung heavy in the air. He stood. “I gotta bounce outta here, man. Early day tomorrow.”

“Uh-huh.” Shaun didn't get up.

“I'll call you, okay?” Marcus gazed at him.

“Sure. Later.”

“Right.” Marcus hesitated. Yet there was nothing more he could think to say. “Bye.”

“Bye.”

Marcus left without looking back. He didn't need to, because he could feel Shaun's gaze like a laser beam. Well into the night he tried to reconcile the pull of his old life with what he wanted now.

N
icole gazed through the car windows at a world she'd only seen in movies or read about in the newspaper. Marcus drove them through Bloody Fifth, the grim nickname for the Fifth Ward in Houston because of the high murder rate. An oppressive summer breeze that didn't cool or refresh stirred a few pieces of paper in a vacant lot. Late-model cars with speakers booming so loud that their frames shook cruised by or were parked on the curb. Groups of fierce-looking young men, some with bare chests, stood on a street corner. All wore tattoos on their arms. Nicole checked to make sure the doors to the Durango were locked.

“Why are you showing me this?” she said, still looking around uneasily.

“I want you to see where I came from,” he replied. He turned a corner.

“The Fifth Ward isn't you anymore.” Nicole glanced at the poised, handsome profile dressed in a Brooks Brothers gray pinstriped suit.

“The Fifth Ward will always be a part of who I am. If
you're going to be with me then you have to know that.” Marcus nodded toward a teenager with an angry scowl at no one in particular. “Look at him and you see me thirteen years ago.”

“Ready to fight the world. The same spirit that led you out of here.” Nicole placed a hand on his thigh.

He slowed the Durango until it rolled to a stop, then he pointed to a row house with faded and peeling brown paint. “This is where I lived. Mama moved us around a lot. We lived there the longest, six years.”

A small child with thick braided hair sat on the front steps, grinning and waved at them. Nicole waved back with a smile then turned to him. “Us?”

Marcus gazed at the house for several minutes before he spoke. His expression was unreadable behind the dark sunglasses. “I have three brothers.”

“They still live in the neighborhood?” Nicole looked for some resemblance in the features of men walking by.

“You're right. I don't know why I brought you. Let's get out of here.” He wheeled the vehicle away from the curb and into traffic.

Nicole waited a good fifteen minutes before she spoke. “You wanted me to know, so tell me about your family,” she said quietly.

“My oldest brother is dead. Darius was killed in a gang fight back in ninety-four. LeLand is serving a life sentence. He got revenge. My youngest brother, Dondre, lives with his dad's parents. I don't see him much, but I hear he's doing well. He graduated from high school this year.”

“And your mother?” Nicole watched him wince.

“She's around,” was all he would say.

Nicole decided not to press the issue. Marcus didn't seem ready to offer more at the moment. She realized suddenly
what it had taken for him to show her the Fifth Ward. Marcus had opened up a painful part of himself. More than anything she wanted to be worthy of this gift of his trust. Just when she was sure the touchy subject was closed, he cleared his throat.

“My mother didn't raise us. Her mother did. Mama had a lot of problems. With alcohol and men,” he added after a long pause.

“How awful for all of you.” Nicole waited patiently. Marcus seemed to struggle with how to go on.

“Yeah. Well, anyway, my older brothers kinda raised themselves on the streets. Grandma took us in when I was still young enough to listen at least some of the time. It was too late for them, I guess. She couldn't handle all of us, so my baby brother went with his father's folks.” Marcus spoke in a strained voice, as though pushing each word out.

“Grandmamma Pearl did a great job, considering she was almost sixty when we moved in on her. She put a lot of love and hard work into us. I didn't always appreciate it.” Marcus was silent for five minutes. “She died six years ago.”

“I'm so sorry, Marcus.” Nicole put a hand on his shoulder.

“I try to honor her in my own way these days,” he said softly. They rode in silence for several miles.

“Thanks,” she said.

“Instead of taking you to a cozy café for lunch I brought you to a high-crime area. Your father would have my head if he found out.”

Nicole looked back as they drove toward the freeway entrance ramp. She thought of the young men who seemed primed to strike out with violence any second.

“I'm not talking about this road trip, unique as it is. Not that I need to repeat the experience,” she said.

He laughed with genuine humor. “Don't worry, babe.”

“You took a risk bringing me to that other world and telling me about your family.”

“If you can't hang, then I want to know sooner, not later.” Marcus glanced at her, then ahead. “And then there's your parents.”

“They're not as judgmental or narrow-minded as you might think.”

“Uh-huh. How many dudes from the Fifth Ward have you dated?”

“Hmm, one so far.” She patted his thigh.

“So, I'm the test case. Great,” he deadpanned. “Sure you want to go through with the ordeal?”

Nicole leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Yes, I'm sure.”

“Okay, but I have some advice. Tell your mother I don't have a trust fund soon. That way she won't faint when she asks about my assets at our first family dinner.” Marcus grinned.

“Mother would never ask crude questions about money over dinner. She prefers to delicately extract information like a skillful surgeon. You won't even feel the incisions,” Nicole wisecracked.

His expression turned serious. “Let's put off that scene for a while.”

“No problem. We'll spend time on us first,” Nicole replied with a nod.

“You agreed real fast. Sounds like you're not eager for Mom and Dad to find out.”

“Was that suggestion some kind of test for me?” Nicole gazed at him steadily.

Marcus pulled into the parking garage for their office building. “No. Guess I'm being too sensitive.”

“It's okay. Anyway, you're right.” Nicole heaved a sigh. “More family drama is what I really don't need right now.”

“I know, baby. Here I'm making things worse.” Marcus
parked in the space reserved for Summers Security. He turned to her. “Tell you what, I'll take care of Russell.”

“Russell isn't going to listen to you. Wake up from that dream.” Nicole snapped her fingers in front of his face.

Marcus caught her hand and kissed the back of it. “He will listen to the right approach.”

“Such as?”

“My secret weapon. Trust me.” Marcus winked at her.

“In other words, you just thought up the idea and still have to figure out what to say. Right?” Nicole looked at him over her sunglasses.

“Something like that,” Marcus said with a mischievous grin. “Have a little faith. I've made a lot of tough sells in my time.”

“Good luck, hon.” Nicole tilted her head to one side. “You've got a devious side, Mr. Reed.”

“I'll take that as a compliment.”

 

Nicole clenched and unclenched her hands beneath the conference table. Her father and Uncle Lionel wore twin grim expressions. She wondered when Marcus would come back from lunch, and she glanced at her wristwatch once more.

“Let's start. Marcus can catch up when he comes in,” Uncle Lionel rumbled.

“Right. Nikki, I can't hold back the barbarians at the gates forever. How close are you to clearing up this mess?” Stanton folded his hands on the conference table's polished surface.

“You shouldn't listen to Russell.” Nicole couldn't quite keep the impatience from her voice.

“I'll be damned. I used to pat your pigtails, missy. Let me tell you—” He stopped when Stanton put a hand on his arm.

“We don't have time to bicker,” Stanton said to Uncle Li
onel. “These thefts give your cousins the ammunition they need,” her father said to Nicole in an unruffled tone.

Nicole flexed her fingers to release tension. “Of course. I've already told you the police are investigating. I spoke with Detective Dayna Tyler today after you called. She's still working several leads.”

“Do any of them lead back to Summers Security?” Uncle Lionel said bluntly.

“We might have to weed out some problem children. Nothing definite,” Nicole added quickly when their frowns deepened. “Just some coincidences that smell bad.”

“For instance?” her father asked.

“Several guards seemed to work the sites with thefts. These same employees have a history of disciplinary problems.” Nicole rubbed her neck. “I've spent the last few days reading personnel files.”

“Have Detective Tyler check them out,” Uncle Lionel said.

“She has. They don't have criminal records, thank goodness. It's their employment histories that are shady.” Nicole grimaced. “Russell was responsible for background checks back when these folks were hired. Bet he didn't tell the family that, did he?”

Uncle Lionel snorted with disgust. “Of course he didn't. We can definitely let Cousin Hilton and the others know.”

“Not so fast, Lionel. I don't want this to turn into a family grudge match with Nicole and Russell trading accusations. He might not see it, but neither one of them will win.” Stanton glanced at Nicole.

She smiled at him tiredly. “Don't worry, Daddy. I could have started my own whisper campaign if I'd wanted to. I've got enough evidence of his screw ups around here. But I didn't for the same reason you just gave.”

Her father nodded approval. “Smart girl.”

“Woman,” she said.

“Corrected,” Stanton replied with a grin.

“In the meantime, Russell and his bratty older sister are stirring up trouble. I'm tired of getting phone calls from my tedious kinfolks,” Uncle Lionel complained.

“Obviously your suggestion that I give Russell more authority didn't appease him.” Nicole shook her head. “He wants the company.”

“It was a long shot anyway.” Stanton shrugged and sat back in the leather chair.

“Jolene would never let him back down even if he were inclined to, which he definitely isn't,” Uncle Lionel added.

“The bottom line is we've identified the problem employees. Jesse has paired them with reliable staff. They won't be working alone,” Nicole said.

“Good.” Uncle Lionel's expression lightened for the first time.

“The bad news is two of the clients who have had thefts are coming up for contract renewal.” Nicole sighed. She rubbed her tight neck muscles.

“Not good. With the thefts still fresh on their minds, they might blame Summers Security.” Uncle Lionel frowned again.

“Right,” Nicole admitted. “Marcus and I have been holding their hands, so to speak. It might pay off. Mr. Phoung is so testy about the subject of who is to blame. He's even been checking around with our other customers.”

“And?” Uncle Lionel said.

“So far we've been able to convince them not to dump us for another company. Marcus has done a fantastic job of damage control.” Nicole lifted a shoulder.

“You two have become a real team, eh?” Uncle Lionel glanced sideways at her father.

“We got over that first week, thank goodness. Except for Russell we all work together very well.” Nicole smiled. “I'm doing much better at being a diplomatic executive.”

“In fact y'all have gotten very
close
, we understand.” Uncle Lionel's thick black eyebrows formed a V shape.

Stanton shifted in his seat as he stared down at the table's mirror surface. “Nicole, your personal life is your own, obviously.”

“Obviously.” Nicole swore silently. Jolene had been talking about more than her performance as CEO.

“Under normal circumstances I wouldn't say anything, but—”

“The conditions under which you took over this company are anything but normal, young lady,” Uncle Lionel jumped in. “You've got to be scrupulous in your behavior.”

“Meaning?” Nicole clipped.

“This place is in enough turmoil without adding a steamy office romance with your employee. I thought you had more common sense.” Uncle Lionel rapped the leather-covered arm of his chair.

“You know how much we respect Marcus. As vice president he's proven his worth repeatedly. But…” Stanton looked at his brother.

“Any kind of relationship with this man is not only bad for business, he's totally unsuitable. Your father might be reluctant to tell you the truth, but I'm not.” Uncle Lionel crossed his arms.

“By unsuitable you mean he's not rich and he doesn't come from a family you approve of.”

Nicole couldn't pretend she was surprised. She knew the
unspoken views of her older family members. Members of the old Creole families carefully orchestrated their children's social circles from kindergarten to college. Few of the younger generation bucked tradition.

“I'm sure Marcus is a fine young man, Nicole. But now is not the time to experiment.” Her father gazed at her steadily.

“Marcus isn't a school project, Daddy. Whatever our relationship, and by the way it's nobody's business, this company has not been affected. It never will be.”

“Nicole—”

“Do you have any more questions about business?” Nicole stared at them hard in turn.

“You're being way too stubborn. The rest of the family won't be so nice.” Uncle Lionel scowled at her.

“I know you, Nicole. Don't rebel for the sake of it. This is too important.” Stanton spoke in a fast, intense manner.

Nicole stood. “Uncle Hosea left me this company for better or worse.”

“We're trying to help you to hold on to what you've got,” Uncle Lionel said.

“I appreciate it, though in this case you're a little misguided,” she said crisply. “Marcus and I are careful about how we behave in front of the employees.”

“Not what I heard,” Uncle Lionel muttered.

“Stop listening to coffee break gossip,” Nicole barked. She placed her hands palm down on the conference table. “The subject is permanently closed.”