Secret Liaisons (16 page)

Chapter Forty-Four

Mona pinched herself to make sure she wasn't dreaming. Terrance lay next to her snoring. She leaned on her side and watched him. They'd made love several times throughout the night. Terrance definitely put in some overtime and her body was a little sore but it was worth it.

She tried to come clean with him about Garrett. She wanted him to know that Garrett wasn't competition because Garrett was no longer a part of her life.

She slipped from underneath the covers. She went to the bathroom and made herself a bubble bath. The hot water soothed her muscles the moment she sat in the tub. She leaned back and closed her eyes. She opened them when she heard the bathroom door open.

Terrance walked in wearing nothing but his boxers. “You should have wakened me. We could have bathed together,” he said.

“It's still not too late.” Mona held bubbles in her hand and blew them in Terrance's direction.

Terrance removed his shorts and got in the huge, sauna-sized bathtub. They each took turns washing each other. The intimacy between the two drew them closer together. Mona faced Terrance. Terrance cupped one of her breasts with his hand after washing it. He wrapped his lips around her nipple and flickered his tongue back and forth.

Mona eased on top of Terrance's erection. The water moved to their movements. Mona's head fell back. Right now she was in total bliss.

“I love you,” they both moaned.

Terrance held her by the waist as they climaxed together.

They were now in Terrance's room. “I'll have to meet you in the office later,” Mona said. “I need to go by my place and change clothes.”

“Wait right here.” Terrance went to his closet and returned holding a hanger with one of Mona's pants suits and in his other hand; he held some of Mona's underwear. “These were in the dirty hamper and I'd just never returned them.”

Mona took them from him. “So what were you going to do with my panties? Keep them as a souvenir.” Mona joked.

“I would have returned them. Eventually,” Terrance responded with a smirk on his face.

“Yeah, right.” Mona slipped on her underwear.

“Let me help you with that.” Terrance walked behind Mona to assist her with her bra. He cupped her breasts with his hands and pinched her nipples.

“Don't start something you can't finish,” Mona teased.

Terrance moved her hair and kissed the back of her neck. “You know I can finish anything I start.”

“Don't you have an interview with the reporter from
Ebony
around ten?” Mona asked.

“Saved by an interview.” Terrance stopped kissing her. He grabbed each side of her bra and snapped it into place.

Mona dressed while Terrance went to his closet and dressed. She gave him a once over. “Looking good, Mister.”

“Just in case they want to snap some photos. Maybe you should come with me. Plus, if it wasn't for your script, I might not be getting this opportunity.”

“You're good, so the network would have worked with you regardless.”

“Come on, Mona. I need you there for moral support,” Terrance said.

“I have several things to do like approve the final payment on the last movie you worked on.”

“Oh yeah, I forgot about that. See that's why you're good for me. I hope the new assistant is just as competent as you are.”

“I'm sure she will be. I checked her references. I'll make her an official offer today.”

“Good. Well it's close to time. I'll walk you out.” Terrance held the bedroom door open.

Later, Mona practically skipped into the office. Since Terrance had the interview, she would be by herself for the next few hours. The flower delivery guy stopped by for the second time. He'd just delivered a nice tropical bouquet of flowers an hour before.

“I'm back,” he said.

“I see. What do you have this time?” Mona asked.

He handed her a box of
Godiva
chocolate candy and a single red rose.

Mona reached into her purse to give him a tip.

The delivery guy refused to take it. “I told you. The tip's already been taken care of.”

Mona read the card on the box out loud. “The single red rose is because you're the only one with my heart. This box of chocolate is because you're so sweet.” It was signed T.

“Awe,” she sighed.

Mona hadn't eaten anything and after her morning love-making session with Terrance, she was starving. She removed the plastic off the box of candy and took a bite. She chewed on it like it was the best piece of chocolate she'd ever tasted. She ate two more pieces before closing the box and placing it on the opposite side of her desk.

She finished approving the payroll and made the deadline with ten minutes to spare. Terrance's text indicated he would be gone all day due to a photo shoot with the magazine.

His presence wasn't forgotten because each hour for the next few hours, Mona received more flowers, a teddy bear and an assortment of fruit from Terrance. Mona's smile brightened the room. Terrance's outward display of affection worked on erasing some of the doubts she had about him being ready for a commitment.

Chapter Forty-Five

Terrance's day hadn't gone as planned but he found himself enjoying the photo shoot. He'd only expected to be gone for two hours for the interview. But the
Ebony
reporter had ideas of doing a photo shoot in Santa Barbara.

He wished he could have been there to see Mona's expression after she received the deliveries. He smiled when he got her text messages expressing her gratitude.

Terrance was now hitting the highway. He dialed Mona's number. “Dress in something sexy. I'm taking you out tonight.”

“What time do you want me to meet you?”

“Seven will be fine and I'm picking you up at your place. Well, unless there's a reason why you don't want me to?” Terrance asked.

“Of course I don't mind. Call me when you get downstairs and I'll come out,” she said.

They ended the call. Terrance felt a twinge of jealousy. Garrett got to go inside. Why didn't he have the same privilege? Terrance needed to snap himself out of it. He'd never been an insecure man and he wasn't about to start now. He knew he was what Mona needed and would continue to woo her so she would know it for herself.

Terrance took Mona to his favorite Japanese restaurant. The dim lights gave it a romantic ambiance. They were led to their own private room. The waiter held Mona's chair for her.

“I've heard about this place but it's my first time coming here,” Mona said.

“The food is good. You'll love it.” Terrance took a seat across from Mona.

The waiter took their drink orders. He handed them each a menu.

Mona glanced around the menu. “Since you've been here before I'll let you order for me.”

“Oh, you trust me to do that?”

“It's a test to see if you know me as well as you think you do.” Mona winked.

She placed the menu down in front of her.

Terrance placed their orders when the waiter returned.

Mona's smile outshined the candles flickering. “Terrance, you surprised me today with all of the deliveries. Very creative too with the notes.”

“I can be romantic when I try to be.” Terrance winked.

“And to think you did it all by yourself; without me having to do it for you. That's what made it more special.”

“I am helpless without you,” Terrance responded.

“Terrance, your flattery will get you everywhere.”

They both laughed.

Mona's cell phone rang. She glanced at it and placed it back in her purse.

“You could have answered,” Terrance said. He wanted to see what she was going to say.

“It was my sister and I'm not talking to her right now.”

“Do tell.”

“She and I always get into it, so it's nothing. Tomorrow, we'll be telling each other we love one another.”

“Are you sure?” Terrance asked.

“Positive. If it was about my parents she would have texted me nine one one and she hasn't so whatever else she has to say can wait.”

“I just had an idea. Before things start getting hectic around here with our schedules, why don't you take a trip home? And of course, I'll tag along.”

“It's not in my budget,” Mona admitted.

“With the money you'll be making from the sitcom, money will no longer be an issue for you. Besides, I suggested the trip because it's my treat.”

Mona looked puzzled. “I don't know. You and I are still trying to figure us out. If I take a guy home to my parents they will think it's more serious than what it is.”

“At least think about it.” Terrance hid his disappointment.

“I'll think about it and let you know.” Mona took the last bite of her food.

“Would you like to go dancing?” Terrance asked.

“After eating all of this, I do need some exercise.” Mona looked at the empty dishes in front of them on the table.

“I have the perfect spot in mind.”

After leaving the restaurant, Terrance drove them to a popular club. The line to gain access was wrapped around the corner. Terrance, with Mona beside him, bypassed the long line and went directly to the front. Terrance whispered something into the bouncer's ear and slipped him a couple of twenty-dollar bills.

“Right this way,” the bouncer said, as he moved out of the way so they could enter.

Terrance could hear several curse words from some of the people who had been waiting in line.

“Ooh, that's my song,” Mona said, grabbing his hand and leading him to the dance floor the moment they stepped through the club doors.

They danced off three songs. The deejay came on the loud speaker. “We're going to slow it down a little. This is a new joint by Sean Maxwell. So fellows grab your ladies and let them know you love them.”

Terrance wrapped his arms around Mona's waist and pulled her close to him and they swayed along to the slow jam. He stared into Mona's eyes. Her luscious red lips were inviting. He forgot they were out in public and kissed her. She laid her head on his chest. He wandered if she could hear his heart beat just like the song said.

Sean's voice sang, “With every beat of my heart, know this love's for you. With every beat of my heart, I'll die without you.”

Terrance felt like the lyrics. Without Mona, he felt incomplete. Now that he'd given in to his feelings for her, he didn't want to lose her. He would do everything it took to hold on to her.

The song ended. “I'm thirsty,” Mona said.

Terrance looked around. “There's a table right there.” He pointed. “I'll grab us some drinks and meet you there.”

Terrance stuck out his chest with pride as he watched the men admire Mona. He smiled because he knew she was with him so the other men could look, but they were not going to be able to touch.

Chapter Forty-Six

Mona had never felt loved the way she did now. In a matter of twenty-four hours, her life with Terrance was back on track. His out pour of love amazed her. She was glad she listened to Charlotte.

She'd almost stuttered when Terrance asked about her sister. She didn't want to tell him why she was mad at her sister. He didn't need to know that her sister gave Garrett her contact information without checking with her nor without warning her that he'd reached out to her. She would deal with her sister when she was in the mood to.

Mona thought about Terrance's offer. The idea of visiting Texas seemed enticing.

“Mona, what are you doing here?” Garrett's voice asked as he stood in front of her.

“Garrett?” Mona was surprised to see him.

He took a seat next to her without bothering to ask for her permission.

“Good to see you. I always wondered if I would ever see you again.”

“Garrett, I thought you'd given up hopes of you and I being together.”

“I agreed to let you go, but there's always hope.”

“No, there isn't.” Mona shook her head.

“Can I at least have this dance?” Garrett asked, ignoring all of the signs that Mona didn't want him sitting at the table with her.

“No, you may not,” Terrance said from behind. “She's here with me.”

Garrett stood. “She doesn't belong to you.”

“Mona's not a piece of property meant to be owned,” Terrance stated.

He and Garrett were now face-to-face.

Mona liked seeing Terrance stand up for her.

Garrett looked at Mona. “Are you here with this dude?”

Mona got out the chair and stood by Terrance. She looped her arm through his. “Yes. Terrance and I are here on a date.”

“Mona, he could never love you like I do.”

Terrance intervened. “Didn't she tell you we're on a date and you're interrupting it, so can you please leave us alone?”

Mona could tell that things were about to get heated. In order to diffuse the situation, she jumped in and said, “Garrett. I'll talk to you later. Now can you please honor our wishes and let us be.”

Garrett popped his collar. “Fine.” He walked away with a scowl on his face.

“Can you believe that dude? I came
this
close,” Terrance used his hand to illustrate what he meant, “from punching him out.”

Mona grabbed Terrance's hand. “I'm glad you didn't. Where's my drink?”

Terrance removed the drink from the table and handed it to her. She took a sip and savored each drop. It was a Cosmopolitan and it was fixed just right. The situation could have exploded into something more she thought as she exhaled.

After they finished their drinks, Mona was ready to get back on the dance floor. She and Terrance moved through the crowd. The deejay played back-to-back songs by the Black-Eyed Peas. By the time the music marathon was over, Mona and Terrance were drenched in sweat. This time they headed straight to the bar.

Terrance handed Mona a napkin. “Let me go to the ladies room. I'll meet you back here.”

Terrance wiped the sweat from his face. “Okay, babes.”

Mona went to the bathroom and used a wet paper towel to wipe her face. She reapplied some of her make-up before exiting.

She bumped straight into Garrett when leaving out.

“Whoa,” he said, catching her before she could trip.

“Thanks.” She said and began to walk.

Garrett grabbed her by the arm stopping her.

“I know the glitz and glamour can be enticing but men in that world don't know how to be faithful. I don't want you to get hurt.”

Mona jerked her arm away from Garrett. She got close to him because she didn't want to cause a scene. “Don't ever grab me like that again. Who I see is my business. I loved you at one time, yes. Could it have worked out? Maybe, but I've moved on. For the last time, you need to move on too.”

“I have. I just want you to know that when he hurts you, I'm here.”

Garrett walked away without saying anything else.

Mona smoothed her dress. She walked back to the bar and located Terrance.

He leaned in and kissed her on the cheek when she returned. He handed her a drink. It didn't take her long to down the apple martini.

“Do you want another one?” Terrance asked.

She saw Garrett staring from across the room. She turned her back towards him. “Yes. One for the road.”