Love UnExpected (Love's Improbable Possibility) (26 page)

I gave a dramatic exhale. It must have lowered her guards.

“I see you have an admirer in that gentleman,” Sharon whispered with batted eyelashes. She knew she was toting the line, but I didn't mind. Again, I really liked Sharon. 

“
Who? That guy? Pssssssst!” I scoffed. “He'd just better stay in his lane. He was very bold seeing it was our first
professional
encounter,” I hissed.

“
Yes, he was a bit crass. But I don't think he'll be as
well-acquainted
in the near future,” Sharon joked referring to my cold shoulder to him. It was well intended.

“
Speaking of admirers, I'll have to tell mine...” I said while raising the small note card that accompanied the bouquet. “...that he needs to practice a little more discretion at my workplace,” I let out a long exhale.

“
Please don't,” Sharon absentmindedly blurted. I was taken aback by her candor. I gave her a look that asked for an explanation. She hesitated before relenting.

“
Ms. Brimm, if I can be briefly audacious, I like it. I like to know that you're being courted, and quite frankly, doted on. It makes you glow. Not that you’re ever unpleasant to the staff but you’re certainly more pleasant to be around. Most importantly, you’re such a private woman and the only friend I could assume you had is no longer with us. I thought we’d lost you.” She gave me a deep fortifying gaze to prepare for the next thing she was about to say. “That is why I gave Mr. Jacobs information on your whereabouts a few weeks ago. I took a risk in hopes of you not jumping off the cliff, so to speak.” She hit me with another pause. “Now, I've heard the “tea” on Mr. Jacobs—” I interrupted her.

“
The other therapists talk about us?” I was devastated at the thought of it.

“
No, ma’am. I’m lunch buddies with a few of Mr. Jacobs’ staff. And while they drool over him, they’ve made me aware that he is the utmost professional. There are no rumors or knowledge of him being inappropriate with his subordinates or dating them. So for me to see him esteem you with these thoughtful gestures makes him official in my book. Plus, you’re young, bright and would make a lovely life partner.” Overly enthused, she had a loss for words. “Well, it's just nice is all I'm saying. You deserve
nice
.”

It was my turn to be at a loss for wor
ds. I’d never seen her so introspective before. Her words reminded me of Michelle’s sentiments. I actually think I needed that.

“
Thank you, Sharon. And your thoughts are duly noted—all of them,” I said sincerely, yet professionally. 

“
I will send around the lunch menu momentarily,” she said, reverting back to her normal self. I walked off with her words still ringing in my head.

About an hour later
, while I was in my office catching up on my notes, there was a knock at my door. I looked up and it was Brian Thompson. He was really quite handsome. But I braced myself.

“Yes?”
I greeted with a mild smile that didn’t reach my eyes.

“
Is there another place you store patients’ files, Ms. Brimm?”

I thought for a moment.
“Ummm...yeah. At home.”
Well, my old home or my other home...oh, whatever!
I fought with myself.

“
Okay. Well, we'll need access to that computer as well.”

“
Okay,” I agreed with my eyebrows narrowed, somehow finding the thought of him or his team being in my home strange.

He cracked a boyish smile,
“I'll contact you at a later date to make the arrangements.” 

“Okay.”

I was once again feeling awkward because I had nothing more to say to him. I ha
dn't quite decided if I liked him or not. I took back to my notes and eventually looked up feeling eyes burning into my head.

He's still here?
 

“
Ummmm...my guys will be here for a couple more hours and have decided to work through lunch. I'm claustrophobic and need air. Is there any place in particular that you would recommend...or would you like to join me?” he sounded defeated with is offer, as he should.
I'm not interested.

I
mustered a smile, “We have been back logged for a while now, which is why I've ordered in for my staff. My lunch is already here. But next door...or a few doors over at the Rec center, they have superb culinary. Other than that, Sharon up front can share the menus for the locals.”

“
Oh, okay. Maybe another time. Thanks for the recommendations.” I nodded and then he left.
Good! Ugh!

Little did he know
, I had a manicure and pedicure appointment in twenty-five minutes and he was disturbing me from finishing up my work before I left. 

That evening after work
, I had gone to my house to pick up more things to move into Azmir's apartment. I felt I had the last of everything I needed in order to feel at home there. After packing the last bundle in the car, I went to lock up my house. As I walked out, I stood in the doorway and experienced a barrage of emotions. I had only been there a short time, but it was my first home and held an affinity in my heart.

“
Azmir, you had better be worth it
,” I murmured underneath my breath before closing the door to leave. I shot straight up Lincoln Blvd towards Marina Del Rey. 

The next day I decided to be trifling and get my hair done on my lunch hour. What I was getting done wouldn't take long. Adrian took me as soon as I walked through the door. As I was under the drier, I began to experience anxiety about Azmir's reaction to my moving in while he was away.

What if I would've waited for him to return home before moving in? What if he returns in a bad mood? What if his trip allowed him time to reevaluate his feelings for me? 

It took every fiber of my being to suppress those fears. This man has asked several times that I move in with him. That will just have to be my focus.
 

Adrian blew my hair out very nice and bountifully. Azmir had always seemed more impressed with my natural hair. I'm like any other woman who loves the convenience of a weave, wig
, or occasional braids, but I loved the way he responded to my natural hair. It
was
quite long and thick. Adrian maintained it well. It fell just at my breasts and below my scapula bone in the back. It had a slight curl and was full of volume. I was in and out in a little over an hour and my tip reflected my gratitude.

As I was leaving and headed back to the office I got those damn butterflies in my stomach again. This time it was pleasant anxiety and anticipation. The hours flew by and before I knew it
, I was back at the high rise preparing for the man of the hour to return home.

~~~~~~~~~~

Azmir

What a long and exhausting flight. I was so happy to be back on U.S. soil. As I walk into my apartment building I see Manny.

“My man, Manny. How’s everything?” I greeted the concierge as he runs over to me and retrieved my luggage.

“
Mr. Jacobs! Nice to see your back. How was your business trip?” Manny asked with the widest smile.

“
It was long, but successful just the same.”

“
Ah, so business is good, I see?”

He ushered me in when the elevator door swung open.
I sauntered in with him on my heels.

“
Business is sweet. But I'm damn sure happy to be back home. A man can't stay away from his throne too long, you know.” I let out a long sigh and rubbed my eyes.

“
Ahahahahahahahaha!” Manny belted out an energetic laugh. I didn't find what I said particularly funny but apparently he did. 

He brought my luggage to my front door. I heard music coming from my apartment. This was very unexpected.

With a huge frat boy smile Manny bode, “The best of evenings, Mr. Jacobs!” and scurried back to the elevator.

I opened the door looking for my guest
, but to no avail. So I quickly took my bags into my office and then shut the door. When I returned to the foyer I saw her standing off towards the living room wearing my dress shirt, her wide-waisted belt and the crystallized Christian Louboutin's I got her last week and instructed her to fuck me in. Her hair—natural hair—was pulled up to the top of her head into a loose ponytail. She had on red lipstick and dark eyes. I was immediately turned on. 

She appeared solicitous
, but after a hard swallow she murmured, “You're early!”

Okay maybe I frightened her
.

I gestured with raised eyebrows and pouted lips that I was here.

“Well, I'm happy to see you're home. I hope you don't mind me being so...
au fait
with your space.” This time she spoke more confidently.

I shook my head giving her an emphatic
“no”. Her apparent sensual manner had me enchanted.

“
Do you like chicken piccata? I've taken the liberty...”

I nod
ded my head.

“
I bet you're tired. I'll pour you a glass of wine. Red or white? Though they say Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc go well with it.”

“
I want what you're having.” I was hoping not to divulge how much I wanted her right now. 

“
One glass of Sauvignon coming up.” Rayna’s telling smile confirmed that she knew.

At the dinner table we're eating and talking.
 Dryly she asks, “So, how long will it be before you travel like this again?”

“
In a couple of weeks. We're traveling to South Africa…investing in a company that provides plumbing and water supply to impoverished villages.”

“Oh…nice.”

I see she isn't all that keen on the idea of me going away so I decided it was time for me to change the subject.

“
This is pretty good, Ms. Brimm. How many men have you baited with this recipe?” I teased.

She squint
ed her eyes and smirked. “I'll answer that question as soon as you tell me how often do you beguile women by leaving them for nearly a week in order to have them so eager and deliberate to please you?” Her tone was seductive. 

Word?
I let out a chuckle as I take her in trying to contain myself. I cleaned my plate. I guess I was on “E”. 

She looked at my empty plate,
“Belly full? That's how I need you.” We both laughed. “I have a surprise for you.”

“
And I, you. Me first. Let's go.” I grabbed my glass and her hand as I lead her out into the living room, guiding her to the couch. “Have a seat here. I'll be right back.” 

I went into my office and grabbed the shopping bags that I bought back.
When I returned to the living area, I found her sitting relaxed and sipping on her wine. As soon as her eyes met the bags she gasped. 

“
What is all of this?” she whispered.

“
You were thought of while I was away.” Again, I found myself a little uneasy because she always has trouble accepting things from me.

“
Are you going to open them?” I tried helping her with protocol.

With a stoic expression, she paused for a second before placing her drink on the center table and slowly approached the Hermes bag first, much to my dismay. I didn’t want her to become overwhelmed right away. Inside was a Birkin Bleu De Prusse Togo bag, a scarf
, and dog leash. In the next bag was a Fendi clutch with matching stilettos. She never closed her mouth and my anxiety peaked. She went into the third bag to find a black, 554 classic, quilted Chanel bag and an embroidered Chanel blazer. There were more shoes. Some by Alexander McQueen, Christian Louboutin, and Jean-Michael Cazabat—six in all. I watched cautiously as she opened each bag.

She sat back up on the sofa and looked up at me with a forced smile. I could take that.

“Mr. Jacobs, this is all...extraordinary, I'm sure you know. And...” she exhaled, “...and I appreciate it.” She said before bursting out in laughter. I had to follow her.

“
That seem quite contrived, Ms. Brimm.” I tried containing my laughter. 

“
You know this is all new to me...the gifts...having someone think of me in my absence. But I'm taking it all in.” She hit me with a smile. This one was authentic...confident even.

“
Well, you're very welcome. And I hope your graciousness extends itself to what I'm about to say,” I give my disclaimer as she gazed at me pensively.

“
I took the liberty of selecting a few pieces of...apparel for you. I couldn't bring them all back so I'm having them shipped to your place. They should arrive early next week.” Her expression changed and I could tell she was struggling with something internally. “What is it?” I sighed with my brows narrowed.