Deception (Tamia Luke) (15 page)
Read Deception (Tamia Luke) Online
Authors: Naomi Chase
“Damn, girl,” Tamia exclaimed. “That’s some serious cloak-and-dagger shit right there! Who the hell is this client? The Pope?”
Honey got an odd look on her face. “Not quite.”
Tamia stared at her, eyes narrowed speculatively.
Honey nervously moistened her lips. “You know I’m not supposed to reveal the identity of my clients—”
“I know. And you probably shouldn’t start now.”
“I know. But for real, though? I’ve been
dying
to get this secret off my chest. I trust you, Tamia. If I tell you the client’s name, I know you won’t breathe a word to another soul, no matter how tempted you might be.” Her eyes tunneled into Tamia’s. “Right?”
dying
to get this secret off my chest. I trust you, Tamia. If I tell you the client’s name, I know you won’t breathe a word to another soul, no matter how tempted you might be.” Her eyes tunneled into Tamia’s. “Right?”
Tamia hesitated. “Right.”
“I’m dead serious, Tamia. This information absolutely
can’t
go public. I didn’t tell my grandma that I’m an escort because she has a weak heart. She survived Hurricane Katrina, but this shit right here would kill her.”
can’t
go public. I didn’t tell my grandma that I’m an escort because she has a weak heart. She survived Hurricane Katrina, but this shit right here would kill her.”
Damn
, Tamia thought.
Now, why did she have to go there when I have a soft spot for grandmothers?
, Tamia thought.
Now, why did she have to go there when I have a soft spot for grandmothers?
“So do you promise to keep my secret?”
Again Tamia hesitated, wondering if this was how Linda Tripp had felt before hearing Monica Lewinsky’s scandalous confession.
“Tamia?” Honey prompted.
She nodded. “I promise.”
“Okay.” Honey paused to take a deep breath, as if to shore up her courage.
Seconds passed.
Unable to take the suspense any longer, Tamia suddenly blurted, “Girl, please don’t tell me you’re fucking Bernard Chambers!”
Honey shook her head slowly. “Wrong father.”
Tamia eyed her incredulously as comprehension dawned. “Oh, my God.”
“Yup.” Honey smiled ironically. “My client is Bishop Yarbrough.”
Chapter 16
Brandon
“HAVE YOU LOST YOUR DAMN MIND?”
Brandon swiveled around in his chair to watch as Cynthia came charging into his office, her face suffused with fury, hands planted on her hips.
When she saw that he was on the phone, she abruptly pulled up short. But it was too late.
After murmuring an apology to the prospective client he’d been counseling, Brandon hung up the phone and calmly regarded Cynthia.
She had the grace to look sheepish. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were—”
“Close the door.”
“Brandon—”
“Close. The. Fucking. Door.”
She flinched, nostrils flaring as she moved to comply.
Facing him once again, she began defensively, “Look, I—”
He cut her off. “First of all, don’t you
ever
barge into my office like that again. Matter of fact, don’t even cross the threshold without knocking first.”
ever
barge into my office like that again. Matter of fact, don’t even cross the threshold without knocking first.”
Her eyes widened with disbelief. “Brandon—”
“I’m talking.”
She snapped her mouth shut, face reddening with humiliation.
“Second of all,” Brandon continued, his voice never rising above a low growl, “don’t you
ever
come at me like you just did, shrieking at the top of your lungs like you just lost your fucking mind. I won’t stand for that shit here at the office, or at home, or any-fucking-where else. You feel me?”
ever
come at me like you just did, shrieking at the top of your lungs like you just lost your fucking mind. I won’t stand for that shit here at the office, or at home, or any-fucking-where else. You feel me?”
Cynthia stared at him for a stunned moment, then suddenly burst into tears. “I can’t believe you’re sitting there scolding me over a harmless mistake!” she sobbed. “After what I just found out,
you
should be apologizing to
me
!”
you
should be apologizing to
me
!”
Brandon scowled. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“You know
damn
well what I’m talking about!” Cynthia raged, charging over to his desk and slapping her palms down on the surface. “How
dare
you offer Tamia a job without consulting me first?”
damn
well what I’m talking about!” Cynthia raged, charging over to his desk and slapping her palms down on the surface. “How
dare
you offer Tamia a job without consulting me first?”
Brandon arched a brow at her. “I wasn’t aware that I needed your permission to make hiring decisions,” he said coolly.
“
Are you serious
? Are you really going to sit there and tell me that you see absolutely
nothing
wrong with hiring your ex-girlfriend to be your assistant? Do you
really
expect me to be okay with seeing Tamia around this office every day, doing everything in her power to break us up? And don’t you
dare
open your mouth to tell me she won’t do that, because we both know better!”
Are you serious
? Are you really going to sit there and tell me that you see absolutely
nothing
wrong with hiring your ex-girlfriend to be your assistant? Do you
really
expect me to be okay with seeing Tamia around this office every day, doing everything in her power to break us up? And don’t you
dare
open your mouth to tell me she won’t do that, because we both know better!”
Brandon silently regarded Cynthia. Her face was ravaged by tears, her nose was running, and her lower lip was flecked with spittle.
He grimaced, torn between revulsion and guilt for reducing her to the emotional wreck that now stood before him. Whatever happened to the strong, sexy, confident woman he’d turned to after Tamia betrayed him? Where had
that
Cynthia gone?
that
Cynthia gone?
She sneered at him. “So you have nothing to say for yourself?”
Brandon reached across his desk, picked up a box of Kleenex, and wordlessly offered it to Cynthia.
She snatched two tissues out of the box, then whirled away from the desk to swipe at her face and blow her nose.
He silently observed her slender back, firm butt, and toned calves accentuated by a pair of designer pumps. She was too attractive, and had too much going for her, to cling so desperately to him or any other man.
“Look,” Brandon said, keeping his voice level, “I don’t want to argue with you.”
Cynthia rounded furiously on him. “Then why the hell did you do it? Why did you hire that bitch when you knew damn well how I’d feel about it? To add insult to injury, you didn’t even have the decency to tell me! I had to find out from
Addison
, of all people! And only because she and another associate were just laughing and gossiping in the restroom about how you totally owned Russ Sutcliffe during the partners’ meeting today. My God, Brandon, do you have
any
idea how humiliated I’m going to feel when your ghetto-ass ex-girlfriend starts sashaying around here like she’s the queen of the castle?
Do you?
Or do you even care?”
Addison
, of all people! And only because she and another associate were just laughing and gossiping in the restroom about how you totally owned Russ Sutcliffe during the partners’ meeting today. My God, Brandon, do you have
any
idea how humiliated I’m going to feel when your ghetto-ass ex-girlfriend starts sashaying around here like she’s the queen of the castle?
Do you?
Or do you even care?”
Brandon scowled. “First of all, chill with all that ‘ghetto’ bullshit. You may not like Tamia, but you know damn well she’s got more class than any of the pompous assholes who work at this law firm. I’ve checked your ass about that shit before. I’m not gonna tell you again.”
Cynthia eyed him incredulously. “I don’t believe this. After
everything
I just said to you, your only response is to chastise me for calling Tamia
ghetto
? Are you fucking serious? Why are you so offended by me speaking the truth? I mean, what else do you call a social-climbing fraud who lies about living in the hood and having jailbird relatives, who engages in public brawls—”
everything
I just said to you, your only response is to chastise me for calling Tamia
ghetto
? Are you fucking serious? Why are you so offended by me speaking the truth? I mean, what else do you call a social-climbing fraud who lies about living in the hood and having jailbird relatives, who engages in public brawls—”
Brandon tightened his jaw. “Cynthia—”
“—and cavorts with low-life porn directors. What else do you call a cheap whore who’d go to any lengths to hide the fact that she used to fuck complete strangers for a liv—”
Brandon lunged from his chair so suddenly that Cynthia jumped back with a startled squeak, her eyes wide with alarm.
He glared at her. “Shut. The. Fuck. Up.”
She swallowed audibly, staring at him as if he’d suddenly sprouted horns and begun speaking in ancient tongues. “What the hell’s going on, Brandon? Why are you defending her? And why are you behaving like
I’ve
done something wrong here?
You’re
the one who has totally disrespected me and showed no regard for my feelings. Like I said before,
you
owe
me
an apology.”
I’ve
done something wrong here?
You’re
the one who has totally disrespected me and showed no regard for my feelings. Like I said before,
you
owe
me
an apology.”
Brandon just looked at her, jaw tightly clenched, blood pressure escalating.
Cynthia folded her arms expectantly across her chest. “I’m waiting.”
A stab of guilt pricked Brandon’s conscience, telling him that she was right. He
should
apologize to her, and not just for hiring Tamia. For kissing her, holding her, and wishing like
hell
that he didn’t have to stop there.
should
apologize to her, and not just for hiring Tamia. For kissing her, holding her, and wishing like
hell
that he didn’t have to stop there.
Unlocking his jaw, he said levelly, “I’m sorry that you’re so upset, and I’m sorry that you had to learn about my decision from someone else.”
“And?” Cynthia prompted.
He frowned. “And what?”
“And you’re sorry for offering Tamia a job, which you will rescind
immediately
.”
immediately
.”
“No.” Brandon shook his head firmly. “That I won’t do.”
“What do you mean?” Cynthia protested shrilly. “She can’t work here, Brandon!”
“She can, and she will.”
Cynthia glared at him, her face contorted with outrage. “You know what? Contrary to what you may believe,
Mr. GQ
, you’re not the only game in town! And you’re not the only one in this relationship who has options. I can have
any
guy I want! Do you know how many celebrities and wealthy CEOs I’ve met through my father’s church? Do you know how many men have gone to my father and practically begged for my hand in marriage? And let’s not forget about Shane. Remember him? He still calls me on a regular basis. If I wanted to, I could have him back”—she snapped her fingers—“
just
like that. So don’t get it twisted, sweetheart. I have
plenty
of options.”
Mr. GQ
, you’re not the only game in town! And you’re not the only one in this relationship who has options. I can have
any
guy I want! Do you know how many celebrities and wealthy CEOs I’ve met through my father’s church? Do you know how many men have gone to my father and practically begged for my hand in marriage? And let’s not forget about Shane. Remember him? He still calls me on a regular basis. If I wanted to, I could have him back”—she snapped her fingers—“
just
like that. So don’t get it twisted, sweetheart. I have
plenty
of options.”
Unfazed by the threat, Brandon spread his hands wide and drawled, “By all means, please feel free to exercise them.”
Cynthia flinched, her face flushing with anger and indignation.
Quickly recovering her composure, she raised her chin and looked him squarely in the eye. “Maybe I will.”
“Do what you gotta do.”
“I will.” Fuming, she spun on her heel and stalked to the door, snatched it open, and stormed out of the office.
Exhaling a deep breath, Brandon sat back down and calmly reached for the phone receiver to call back the man whose consultation had been interrupted by Cynthia’s outburst.
Before he’d finished dialing the number, Cynthia came marching back into the room, her face set with determination as she shoved the door closed behind her.
Brandon couldn’t suppress a mocking smile as he set down the receiver. “What happened to exercising your options?”
“Nice try,” she said darkly, rounding his large desk, “but I’m not giving up on us that easily. That’s
exactly
what Tamia wants, but I won’t play into her hands.”
exactly
what Tamia wants, but I won’t play into her hands.”
Brandon sighed. “Look, maybe it’d be best if we—”
“
No
. Don’t even go there.” Cynthia hitched up her pencil skirt and quickly climbed onto the chair, straddling his lap. Her red-rimmed eyes bored into his. “Hear me out before you say another word, okay?”
No
. Don’t even go there.” Cynthia hitched up her pencil skirt and quickly climbed onto the chair, straddling his lap. Her red-rimmed eyes bored into his. “Hear me out before you say another word, okay?”
He hesitated, then nodded slowly.
“I
love
you, Brandon Chambers. I love you so damn much it’s ridiculous. Prior to April, I’d been waiting two whole years for you to see me as more than just a colleague and a friend. Two long, excruciating years of pretending I wasn’t interested in you like that. When you met Tamia and started dating her, I was devastated. I felt cheated, like she’d come out of nowhere and taken something that rightfully belonged to me.”
love
you, Brandon Chambers. I love you so damn much it’s ridiculous. Prior to April, I’d been waiting two whole years for you to see me as more than just a colleague and a friend. Two long, excruciating years of pretending I wasn’t interested in you like that. When you met Tamia and started dating her, I was devastated. I felt cheated, like she’d come out of nowhere and taken something that rightfully belonged to me.”
Brandon frowned. “Cyn—”
She pressed a finger to his lips, silencing him as she continued, “Obviously I
know
you didn’t belong to me. I’m just explaining my state of mind at the time. I was also frustrated with myself for lacking the courage to tell you how I felt about you. I tortured myself with a thousand
what if
s. What if I’d dressed more sexy around the office? What if I’d possessed more of that street vibe you find so damn irresistible in Tamia? What if I’d simply acted on my feelings
before
you met her? I drove myself fucking crazy with the
what if
s, Brandon. But I respected your relationship. I didn’t try to come between you and Tamia, even as I realized that you were getting serious about her. No matter how hard it was, I didn’t make a move on you.” She paused, shaking her head at him. “It’s not
my
fault that Tamia didn’t appreciate the good thing she had.”
know
you didn’t belong to me. I’m just explaining my state of mind at the time. I was also frustrated with myself for lacking the courage to tell you how I felt about you. I tortured myself with a thousand
what if
s. What if I’d dressed more sexy around the office? What if I’d possessed more of that street vibe you find so damn irresistible in Tamia? What if I’d simply acted on my feelings
before
you met her? I drove myself fucking crazy with the
what if
s, Brandon. But I respected your relationship. I didn’t try to come between you and Tamia, even as I realized that you were getting serious about her. No matter how hard it was, I didn’t make a move on you.” She paused, shaking her head at him. “It’s not
my
fault that Tamia didn’t appreciate the good thing she had.”
Brandon held her gaze for a long moment, then glanced away, his eyes landing on the yellow legal pad where he’d scribbled notes during his phone consultation. A ghost of a smile touched his mouth at a memory of Tamia teasing him about being old school and cajoling him to buy a OneNote tablet so that he could join the twenty-first century. Maybe one of these days he would.
“Brandon?”
When he didn’t respond, Cynthia framed his face between her hands, gently drawing his attention back to her. Her expression was earnest. “You know what, baby? Some of my friends think I should have just left you alone, because rebound relationships are doomed to failure. But I don’t care what they say, because I know damn well that not
one
of them would have given you up if they were in my shoes.” She paused. “I’m not stupid, Brandon. I know you still have feelings for Tamia. But I also know that she’s not right for you, and if given the opportunity, she’ll hurt you again. I don’t intend to give her that opportunity, and neither should you.”
one
of them would have given you up if they were in my shoes.” She paused. “I’m not stupid, Brandon. I know you still have feelings for Tamia. But I also know that she’s not right for you, and if given the opportunity, she’ll hurt you again. I don’t intend to give her that opportunity, and neither should you.”
When she’d finished speaking, Brandon raised a brow at her. “Are you done?”
She frowned, her hands dropping limply from his face. “Is that all you have to say after I just poured out my heart to you?”
Brandon sighed heavily. “Look, baby, if you’re so confident that Tamia’s not right for me, then you have nothing to worry about. Right?”
She hesitated, biting her lower lip.
“Right?” he repeated.
“I suppose,” she reluctantly conceded.
“Good. I’m glad we had this talk.” He briskly patted her ass. “Now get up so I can return this phone call before it gets too late.”
“Not so fast,” Cynthia protested softly, looping her arms around his neck and kissing him. “We just had a big argument, so now we’re supposed to have really hot makeup sex.”
Brandon couldn’t help smiling against her mouth. “Later,” he promised.
“Why put off until later what we can do right now?” she purred, provocatively gyrating against his crotch until his dick began to rise.
As he tried to pull away, Cynthia followed, pinning him against the chair as she nuzzled his throat.
He closed his eyes. “This isn’t a good time, sweetheart.”
“Since when? Have you forgotten that the very first time we made love was in your office on a Friday night?” She laughed coyly. “Seems to me that this is the
perfect
time. And do you realize that you’ve been partner for three months, and we have
yet
to christen your new office?”
perfect
time. And do you realize that you’ve been partner for three months, and we have
yet
to christen your new office?”
“Really?” Brandon murmured. “I didn’t realize that.”
“I did.” She nibbled his earlobe. “I’ve been dying for you to fuck me on this huge desk and all over that cushy leather sofa.”
Brandon grimaced. “Not tonight.”
“Why not?”
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