Taming Precious Sinclair (23 page)

“Yes,... Really. You said that you’ve never seen where I live... Well, I’d like to show you my home. Well, actually, my place in LA is just one of my homes. I spend most of my time there, primarily because the company is headquartered in LA.”

She nodded, saying...

“Sure... That makes sense, but Hamilton. I’ve been away for weeks. I really need to get home. I can’t even begin to think about the workload piled on my desk.”

“I’m sure your father saw to that.”

“Yes, I’m sure he did.”

Hamilton heard the disappointment in her voice. Precious took pride in her work and she didn’t like the idea of her father filling in to shield her absence. So, he avoided this topic. Instead, he said...

“I’ll tell you what... Call your secretary. She can give you a heads up. Your job is portable. All you need is a computer, a wifi connection and a phone. You can work from my home office. I’ll even throw in a fax machine, and a back massage.”

She laughed, saying...

“Sounds tempting...”

Precious closed the suitcase. She turned around to look at him. Hamilton offered up his hand. She accepted, then he drew her near him, landing her on his lap. He stroked the length of her ponytail. His kissed her cheek, then he said...

“Look... I’m just trying to give us a little more time together.”

“I know... I know... But, I’ve been away from my work for too long. Hamilton, I have a job to consider.”

“Yes,...but I can help you.”

“I don’t want your help.” She snapped, and immediately she flinched due to her abrupt response. Quickly she said...

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say it like that.”

His beautiful gray eyes brushed over her face. He smiled, then said...

“Don’t apologize. I understand. We can figure this out. It may take a little time but...”

“I want this Hamilton.” She said and her voice soothed him. Precious continued. “I want us. But... I need to get home. So much has happened to me, and I need to put some things back in order.”

He nodded, then said...

“Will you let me help you?”

She pressed her lips on his forehead. When she kissed him, she drew back just enough to let the words flow from her mouth.

“You have helped me. And I’ll never be able to repay you.”

“I did it at no charge.”

She laughed.

“All right... But I’ll think of some way to show my gratitude.”

He knew a way. He knew the only way. He wanted her to say yes and marry him. He watched as she slipped away from him. Precious walked over to the closet, closing the door. She said...

“Well, that’s it for me. Should I take these bags to the front room?”

He shook his head, then he said...

“No, I’ll take care of it.”

He lifted the luggage, hating what this all meant.

****************************

When the limo pulled in front of her parents house, Hamilton felt a gut wrenching pain. His heart thrummed, threatening to shatter into a million pieces. Without asking him too; his driver came around, opening the passenger side door. His driver didn’t give them the minute or two that he wanted to share with Precious before going inside. To make matters worse, from the second the plane landed; Hamilton’s cell phone had been constantly ringing. He tired of the interruptions, so he switched the ringer off; placing the phone on vibration mode. Precious had seen this, but they each pretended that the interruptions had not occurred.

Even now, the phone vibrated in his pocket. He ignored his phone; placing his attention on his current concerns. Precious looked over her shoulder at him. He wasn’t sure, but he thought he’d seen a hint of hesitation. She said...

“You really don’t have to go inside. If you don’t want to. Besides, my dad can be a bit much to handle.”

Hamilton reached for his doorknob, saying.

“I’ll see you to the door.”

Before she could say another word, his door opened, and Hamilton was out, then he closed it behind him. When she stepped out on her side, he was standing on the curb, watching his driver lending her a hand. Precious straightened out her dress, then she said...

“Okay... Let’s get this over with.”

Summarily, this was the end of the road for him. He was returning her to her parents house and his responsibilities had ended. What did that mean? He thought to himself. They still had not ironed out the specifics. He didn’t clearly know where he stood with her. Nothing had been resolved. He knew that she loved him, yet he couldn’t comprehend her crazy obsessions nor did he understand her dislike of commitments. Man... He wanted to shake some sense into her. As they neared the house; Hamilton wanted to pull her away, taking her back to the limo. The thought had been seeded in his brain. He even imagined himself doing this. But alas... The front door to her parents house swung open. Out came her mother Camille, followed by her father, then their family attorney. The Sinclair entourage; he thought to himself. A heavy sigh rushed from his lungs because Hamilton had just lost his last opportunity to seal his fate with Precious before leaving her with her parents.

“Precious, sweetheart. Welcome home.” Her mother said in a singsong voice.

Mr. Sinclair, bounded down the steps meeting them halfway, with his hand extended to shake Hamilton’s hand.

“When you said that you would take care of this... You really meant business.” Colten Sinclair said.

By the smiles on their faces; her parents appeared pleased. His PR team had drummed up a miracle. Their countless hours of diligent work had paid off in a big way.

Colten reached his arm around his daughters shoulder. He hugged her tight. He spoke but with Hamilton standing near her; he overheard Colten’s whispered words.

“Don’t worry pumpkin. Your job is still secure. Take a few days off. There will be plenty of time to roll up your sleeves, jumping back into the snake pit with your colleagues.”

Colten pulled back, wrapping his arms around her waist. He was leading her in the direction of the house, and when she realized this; Precious slowed her pace, until their feet came to a stop. She glanced at her father then over her shoulder at Hamilton. She said...

“Dad... I need a quick word with Hamilton. I’ll meet you and mom inside.”

Her parents looked at the producer. She still had not told her parents that she wasn’t returning to the show. They backed away, turned then headed for the house; leaving them alone to talk in private.

Precious led off by asking...

“Will you come in for a while? I’m sure my parents would like to properly thank you.”

He frowned, because this wasn’t the homecoming he had in mind. As they flew from LA, to Detroit Metro. Hamilton had asked her again, to stay with him for a night. There were still so many things he wanted to discuss with her. But Precious refused his offers. After talking to her parents, she was eager to get her professional wheels on the pavement and rolling. In spite of her fathers suggestion; Precious had already made up her mind. If the coast was clear; and it appeared to be so. She would return to work tomorrow. She hated the feel of being idle and after nearly a month; hibernating in the California Mountains. Well, she needed a fresh infusion of blood. An awaking of bells and whistles; the sound of Wall Street and money. She needed to nourish the financial part of her brain that thrilled at the sight of balance sheets.

She stepped closer to him; enjoying the smell of him and his aftershave. But she also noticed his displeased expression. She soothed him by saying...

“Don’t be angry Hamilton. I know that you still want to talk...and we will. Just not now. I need to get my life back on track. Then, we can see where we stand as a couple.”

“I know where I stand Precious. I’ve already told you.”

“Yes, you have. And I appreciate that but I still haven’t figured us out. You live in LA. I live in Grosse Pointe. That’s a lot of distance Hamilton. I’m willing to try a long distance relationship but apparently you aren’t.”

“I want more than a relationship Precious.”

He stared at her, pointing out his meaning; and in his gaze, she clearly understood. Precious peered over her shoulder; in the direction of her parents home. Knowing her father, he wouldn’t give her much time to say her goodbyes. She said...

“I still need to tell my parents that I’ve quit the show.”

He nodded, then said.

“You should also break the news to your friends. Don’t leave this to Artie. He isn’t delicate when it comes to matters like this. I think this news will sound better coming from you.”

She nodded and she hated that their goodbye was ending this way. He inhaled, knowing that he couldn’t force her to do something she wasn’t ready to do.

Hamilton pulled her into his arms; resting his chin on the top of her head. He didn’t care who saw them. Then in his pocket, he felt gyrating moves, vibrating from his mobile phone. The callers were persistent and he couldn’t keep ignoring them. He said...

“I’ll call you in a few days. After you’ve had time to get settled on your job.”

She lay her head on his chest; wetting the fabric with her tears. She did love him but telling him again would only spark another disagreement. But she risked telling him anyway. She wanted him to know this before he drove away.

“Hamilton... I wish I could make you understand my choices because, me wanting to stay here has nothing to do with my feelings for you. I love you but, staying is something I have to do. My family is here, and so is my job and my life. I wish I could make you understand that.”

Her tears had soaked through to his skin. He wondered if she even knew how difficult she was making this for herself. She hurt just as much as he did. Hamilton pressed his lips on the crown of her head, then he said...

“Well... You’d better leave before I change my mind. I’m only letting you go because of your promise.”

She recalled what she’d said to him. Precious had told Hamilton that she would be the first to travel across country. She didn’t give him a day or a month; but she said that her visit would be their first. He could only hope that she would come soon. But soon wouldn’t be nearly fast enough for him.

He released his hold, stepping back, widening the distance between them. As he did this, he shot her with one of his deadly sexy smiles. He was allowing her to go, because proving herself to her father was important to her. Even more than she knew. But that was a topic for another time, because he was certain that Precious would never admit this.

He turned his back to her, because seeing her was causing his heart to ache. When he opened the door, climbing inside of the limo. Even then, he refused to look or wave goodbye.

He told the driver.

“You can go now.” Hamilton looked at the screen on his mobile phone. Earlier, the caller ID had said Audrey’s name but now his screen said that Sammy was calling. He frowned, wondering why his stepdaughter and Audrey were blowing up his phone with back to back calls. He lay the phone to his side, trying to get his mind in a good place.

The limo pulled away from the curb, pointing its wheels in the opposite direction. That was it for him and now the ball was in her court. Precious would have to make the next move; proving that she loved him and she wanted to be with him. He couldn’t make her see reason. She would have to wade through the muck until she finally found crystal clear waters. He had faith in her and Hamilton was willing to wait. She was worth the wait but it wouldn’t be a comfort. Being separated from her wouldn’t ease his pain.

**********************

Chapter 11

Oh, what a web she weaved

Precious stood surveying her closet. One hand held a goblet, while the other perched on her hip. The past few weeks had been a hair jostling roller coaster ride; and she still hadn’t found sure footing.

When Precious returned to work, her secretary informed her about a startling set of events. Before her unexpected hiatus; Precious had been creating a list of potential investors. Her ambition had been to create a new hedge fund for the company. Her fishing expedition had been promising, and more than a few good connection had been made. However, during her absence and as each week passed; explaining her unavailability had been tricky because her secretary didn’t know where Precious was. No one knew that Precious had been in California. Moreover, her disappearance created another problem, but the results weren’t what one would expect. When the investors called, asking to speak to Precious, then learning that she wasn’t available; these callers weren’t annoyed. Instead, they interpreted her silence as something else. They began to believe, that this new fund held more promise than she’d let on. Not hearing from Precious had created a frenzied bubble. On the day of her return, when she gathered her wits; Precious got busy returning her calls. To her surprise; the investors practically held checks in hand. Each person recited amounts as well as routing and account numbers. She had to slow some wheels; telling the investors that she needed to see a few of them face to face. On the second day, she found herself flying across the Atlantic. One of the financier’s lived in London; his home was her first stop. From there she traveled to Algiers, then to Cairo. She made a stop in Monte Carlo before continuing on to Hong Kong. Precious had emptied her closet to prepare for her travels. And now that she was finally at home; she was readying herself to leave again.