Personal Experiences (48 page)

Chapter Twenty-One

Present Day

The next few days flew by in a blur. Saturday after we cleaned up we went down to the restaurant and ate some amazing lunch. We traveled all over Burlington; we visited a museum, walked down the pier. As we walked along we could see clear out into the distance over the enormous lake. Boats were approaching and departing and it made me wonder where they were off to and where they were coming from.

We ended the afternoon renting bikes and following a scenic bike path that took us through some of the most beautiful scenery. We journeyed past beaches, the perimeter of some woods and even through a park. It's so different up here then it is in Georgia; for one the humidity is gone, but the air seems so clear, so clean. People-watching was also an exciting pastime for me. I love to see the different cultures of people, the variety of wardrobe people possessed; in Georgia most can be found in overalls and jeans; here, the apparel was not even close to that. I found out that some people wear the most eccentric pieces of clothing I have ever seen.

We stopped on our way back to the hotel by a cafe for coffee and a snack. We ended up talking about his travels, his home; which he tells me he is going to take me to before I leave. It sits on the Lake and has a beautiful view… so he says. The rest of the evening we layed in bed and ordered room service and watched movies. Which ended up in a make out session into which lead to me getting thoroughly fucked; more than once.

Here it was, Sunday. I was sitting in my t-shirt and a pair of TJ's boxers on with my bathrobe hanging over the back of my chair attempting to rearrange some appointments for the upcoming week when I heard the doorbell ring. I saw TJ come around the corner and looked up at him "Expecting someone?" I said in a condescending manner. He looked at me with his eyebrows lowered. He didn't have to say a word. I heard his room door shut as I raised my hands up and mouthed an "Ok" to no one.

I got up from the table and flung my robe around me and went to answer the door. Again, forgetting about the peephole and there in front of me stood Sam Fordham.

I didn't even get the door open all the way when he came barging through. "Morning, good looking, I brought you some coffee." He was walking straight to the dining room table as he spoke. He laid the bag of whatever he brought and the cup holder with two coffees in it on the table and turned around. I didn't think his eyes could get that big, but they did. I looked down and realized I didn't have a chance to tie my robe. I quickly threw it together and wrapped the tie around me.

"Sam…this isn't really a good time and how did you find out what suite number I was in?" He laughed and went into the living room and sat down on the couch. "I told the front desk I was your boss and that I had some work to deliver to you; Bagel?" My eyes went around the room in a matter of seconds. How in the hell was I going to get this man out of here before TJ came back in here. It only takes so long to put some clothes on. "Uh, no thanks. Sam, I don't think that was a real good idea. I'm really busy and I need to get back to work, I only have a couple more days here and then I'm leaving so I have to make sure I get everything that Mr.McHale needs done; done." I start walking towards the table to grab his things to leave when I feel him up behind me. I stand straight up.

I can feel him against me. "Sam, look I don't know if I gave you the wrong impression or what, but I am so not on the same page as you are. Now, I'm beginning to feel uncomfortable. Please, can you step away from me…now." I try to step away from him but he placed his hands on the chair back that was in front of me, caging me in.

"Sam, I'm not going to ask again."

"Come on Elle, you seem really uptight, can I help you relax a bit?"

His hands went up to my shoulders. I pushed off the chair with all my might which sent him stepping back a few steps.

"Come on, Elleny. You're a beautiful woman, you've known I was attracted to you; you had to know."

"See, that's where you're wrong, Sam. I don't have time for soap opera drama. I'm here to do a job and go; that's it. I don't know where you ever got the idea I was interested but you are way off on that."

He started to walk back to the living area and I began praying that TJ did not walk out right now. All the sudden he turned around and began to unbutton his pants. "Sam!" I squealed.

"What the fuck are you doing?" He stopped for a moment, "Well, if that's not what you're interested in, then maybe we could fuck a few times and be done." I can't believe what I am hearing. I have to giggle a minute because it's amazing how big this man's balls are to crash into my and TJ's hotel room and begin to undress, like I would just drop to my knees. I walked to the door and opened it. "Get the fuck out, Sam" I said and it wasn't nice. He continued to stand there. "Did you hear what I said? I said get the fuck out!" Now I'm beginning to yell, he's pissed me off, humiliated and insulted me I want him gone. "You don't mean that; just wait til you see the size of my-"

"I think you heard what she said Sam, get your shit and get the fuck out!" Oh shit, TJ walked out and saw Sam digging in his pants and me standing at the door trying to get him out.

"Trevor, what are you- "He didn't finish. He looked at Trevor then at me; he understood. He quickly began buttoning up his pants. "Don't like soap opera drama huh, Elleny. Well, you sure as fuck know how to pick em then; he's the main character. Goin through women like outfits. Don't worry honey, by tomorrow you'll be yesterday's news and then you'll come running to me but by then it will be too late. Ask him about Natasha, see if he tells you about the only woman he's ever given his heart to." I just stand there, shocked and hurt. I knew it and if I could find my voice I'd say that but I couldn't do anything.

"That's fuckin enough, Sam!" TJ demanded. I saw TJ looking at me and then looking back at Sam. "Sam, if you want to keep your job for one more day, I suggest you get the fuck out now. I will see you in my office first thing tomorrow morning to discuss your misconduct here today." He scurried by me and walked out the door. I threw the door closed but still didn't move.

"Ell-"

"Don't you fucking dare." I said quietly. "I'm going over here to this table and we're going to pretend this…" I said as I circled my finger around "…in addition to this whole fucking weekend never happened. Oh yeah, and if you ever feel the need to prop one of the other women that you supposedly love with all your heart up against the wall and fuck her until she says what you want to hear, use those same words; they'll be eating out of your hand in no time."

I walked back over to the table and grabbed my information, my laptop and headed back into my room and locked the door.

I sat there thinking what the fuck was wrong with me. Why did I want to believe him so badly, obviously he wasn't the same TJ I had fallen in love with. I could've seen that if my eyes had been opened wide. No, I had to look through rose colored glasses and I saw what I wanted to see.

I had to stop thinking about that, so I got back to work and finished with the scheduling and had every client that had pending contracts with Mac-Gentry scheduled with the last one on Thursday. I then called my kids, put my mask in place and told them I'd be home on Thursday evening. I finished up with them and slid into bed, never unlocking the door.

I slept like shit that night. Tossing and turning and not being able to get comfortable. Finally, at 5:30 am I got up and jumped in the shower. I was completely ready by seven. I ended up sneaking out of the hotel suite and taking a cab to work, I wasn't in the mood to see anyone. I just wanted to do my job and get home. I got in my office, got situated and sent Sara an email. It wasn't pleasant but I wanted to get my point across without having to stir up anymore drama. It read:

Sara,

During this week I have devised a system that will make these presentations run smooth and quick. I will have the contracts and presentations for the day set up and ready for that specific appointment. Once the contract is signed by all involved, I will record it onto the memory stick, file the original document and then place them in a box; Organized. You will come and collect the box at the end of each day and file them away. This will be the system that we follow. If you don't want to get behind, I suggest you cooperate so the faster we can get this done, the faster I will be out of your hair.

Sincerely,

Elle

I looked at my watch it; 7:15. I sent Mary a much nicer email telling her what time our first client was going to be here and if she would make sure that the conference room was set up with breakfast items and coffee; lots of coffee. Our first presentation was at eight. I began printing off everything I needed and placing it in the company folders. I grabbed the memory stick for that client then moved onto the next presentation. I had all of them done by the time our first client showed. I grabbed all that was needed for the presentation, locked my office door; I didn't trust Sara worth shit, and headed for the conference room. I walked by TJ's office and didn't even see if he was in there. I heard him call my name as I went by and I stopped outside the door. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I turned and headed in.

"Shut the door behind you, please."

I looked at my watch "Sir, we don't have time. The first cl-"

"I don't give a fuck about the client!" he howled.

I quickly turned around and shut the door. He turned the glass opaque and turned the music on but I doubt that was going to cover up the sound of his voice.

"Sir…"

"Did you just call me sir?" I looked down at my papers but didn't answer him.

"I just asked you a question, Elle"

"I think you heard what I called you…Mr. McHale. I don't feel comfortable calling you anything else."

He chuckled ominously "You don't feel comfortable calling me anything else, huh."

I saw it happen, but it was so unreal, I couldn't believe it happened. He started at one side of his desk with his arm and swiped the desktop completely clear as fast and as hard as he could. The laptop that was on his desk ended up hitting the wall. Crystal pen holders crashed into other fragile items that were atop the dark wooden desk. I gasped in surprise and fear all rolled up into one emotion.

"You feel comfortable now?"

I couldn't answer him. I was too busy trying to think of how to get a grip on all of this; everything was falling apart.

I held up my finger to him to show him hold on. I poked my head out of the door. Poor Mary looked like she had seen a ghost. I had to get this cluster-fuck under control.

I smiled at her "Mary, honey; could you go make sure the clients have breakfast, coffee, juice anything. I need a couple of minutes with Mr. McHale…thanks, hun."

I didn't wait for her to answer. I had to get back in here with TJ before heads started to roll and considering that the only heads in here were mine and his… well, I wasn't willing to take a chance.

I shut the door and set the file and stick down on the chair that was in front of his desk and stood there for a minute. TJ's breathing was rapid, I could tell he was still angry but we were on a time crunch so it was now or never.

"Ya bout dun, hun?"

I figured if I went southern on him he'd have to pay attention. When I made my accent come through I wasn't office Elleny, I was lover Elleny and he knew this. His head came up as his eyes locked with mine.

"Ya bout dun throwin yer fit?"

"Elle, I can't do this again. I can't have ya turn your back on me again. You won't let me explain about Natasha and I feel you're gonna walk away from me for no reason at all; again"

I closed my eyes. I couldn't take the pain in his voice. He was as scared as a little boy.

I walked over to him and stood in front of him and raised my head to look him in the eyes.

"TJ, we will talk about this… ok, baby… later. Honey, we gotta get through these signings so that you can get down to Richland. So, take a deep breath and let's go in there and do this, ok?"

He nodded his head and grabbed my face and barely touched his lips to mine. It was hard to be this close to him, I felt dizzy, so I grabbed onto his forearm to help keep me up. "I love you so much, Ellie-bean. I won't live without you this time." He informed me as he touched his lips to mine. I stayed close to his face for a moment and whispered "Love you, too".

We got through the first signing. I did what I had to do and put the paperwork in the box as I had told Sara I would do. We worked all afternoon like this. It went smooth and quickly just like I told her it would. By 6:30 I was exhausted. I set up everything for the next couple of days the same way and locked my door behind me.

We went home and I ordered room service and with that a bottle of wine and three beers for him so that he could relax and sleep well. I had to set myself up because I knew what was going to happen, this conversation. I tried to keep busy before dinner got there, I took a shower, blow dried my hair; I couldn't dawdle anymore. Hearing the doorbell, I was relieved, maybe he would eat and we'd go to bed, I even planned on giving him a blowjob just to keep him from talking.

"I'm ready to talk." He said this as he opened up his first beer. I didn't think I was ready to hear.

I grabbed the bottle of wine and went into the living area and had a seat on the couch. TJ sat in the chair across from me.

"I met Natasha two years ago. She was a buyer in my company. She was blonde, blue-eyed; extremely thin and a cutthroat bitch. She was the total opposite of you in every shape and form. She would continually flirt with me or ask me out. At first I ignored her, I'd push her away but she was persistent.

So one night, I had to go to a cocktail party; I asked her to come along. We went; we danced and drank and things happened; we ended up sleeping together. We went out a couple of times after that but nothing really became of us, because I wouldn't allow it. She wasn't you." I began to pour myself another glass of wine because I'd already finished off a full glass. He continued "a year went by, we talked and still worked together but we never went out again. Until one night she asked me over to her house, she was having a small get together and wanted me to come. I did. I'm not gonna lie, Elle, I slept with women but my heart wasn't in it."