The Chase II (5 page)

“You must be Ms. Fuller.” A tall man with deep russet coloring and a short faded hair cut walked towards me outside the office.

He was the definition of tall, dark and sexy and in this little town, I was sure he was taken by now. Although there was no ring on his finger, he had to be seeing someone. Anyway, I wasn’t on the market, so it really didn’t matter.

“Yes. You must be Tee.”

“That’d be me.” He smiled and my goodness, a mouth full of white teeth.

He was taken.

“Follow me and we’ll get started.”

We sat and I explained everything, but first had to get his word about the confidentiality and how he planned to extract the information I needed. Specifically about the things that I knew about, but also things that I didn’t. He was so shocked that I wasn’t looking to see if he was cheating. I explained to him what type of man Xavier was, so cheating was not my issue. He nodded, then said, “Sounds like my kind of man.” My head reared back and he said, “No, I mean I know men like that. I am a man like that. Cheating is not an issue, but when I have to take care of business, then I have to do what I have to do. Especially when it comes to my family or my lady.”

“Gotcha.” I sat back in my chair, then asked. “Okay, since you’re that type of man. Do you think I’m overeating or what? Give me an honest answer. I’m a big girl and I can take it.”

“Listen, lady. I don’t know you. You come off to me as very accomplished and like to have control. Your man seems to be the same. I’ve heard of him, as a matter of fact, but not for anything nefarious. He’s just a business man that is pretty strategic and he gets results. There’s nothing wrong with that. In regards to these accounts and the FBI looking into him. This could be something the stalker cooked up or it could be something that is real and he met with the wrong people at the wrong time, so he’s being investigated too. Or he could be guilty as sin. I don’t know. What I do know is that, any woman worth her salt, should definitely find out about a man who you’re clearly in love with and make a calculated decision about her future.” He down at the buzzing on his screen, then looked back at me. “One thing I’ve learned about women is they want to know what’s going on and if they hear it from somebody else, they get very upset. You’re hearing shit from somebody else, so you’re very upset. I get it. What I can do is give you facts, figures and proof of what you are looking for. IN regards to your man. I got nothing, because I got my own relationship problems to deal with.”

I smiled at him.

“Thanks. I figured you must be in a relationship. You’re pretty good looking for this small town to not have the women throwing themselves at you.”

He smiled again, “Well, they might be, but the one I want to throw herself at me, fights me tooth and nail.”

“Now that sounds like my type of woman.”

“Oh shit.” He shook his head, “you’re one of those.”

I burst out laughing at the anguish in his eyes. The woman must be putting him through the ringer.

“Well, it takes a special kind of man to tame women like us. It’s definitely not for the faint of heart.” I smiled at him.

“Clearly.” He rubbed his temple with bended fingers. “So, since we are on the subject. Tell me your thoughts.”

“Shoot,” I waved my hand towards him. “I can’t help myself, but I will surely try to help you.”

“She’s hot for me, one minute and cold for me the next. It’s almost like it goes in cycles. Her friend tried to warn me about it, but my heart don’t listen. It wants what it wants. Anyway, what do you make of that?”

Hmm, this was interesting.

“Well, I’ll tell you this Tee. When I am hot and cold towards a guy, it was usually because I didn’t think I deserved him or I was trying to push him away, because there was something about me, that I wasn’t settled with. Sometimes I would fail at moving him. That’s when I’m hot for him. The other times, when he started to get close to me. Really finding out about me. I would get cold on him. It probably means, she wants you, but doesn’t want to want you. Like there is something that is hindering her from committing, but when you find out what that something is and you can deal with it, no matter what it is. Then you’re it for her. As crazy as Xavier might sound to you. He did that for me. If what you find out is as bad as I think, I will let him go. We will be done, but there probably won’t ever be another guy for me. That’s not just hormones that is just because that man proved to me that he loved me no matter what. In all my craziness and though I would cut him loose. He stole my heart and I doubt he’ll ever give it back.”

He leaned back in his chair, contemplating on my words with his crooked finger to his chin and his upper lip tipped up in thought. A few seconds later, he nodded and said, “Ms. Fuller, I’m so glad that I met you. I think you just cracked my own unsolvable case.”

I gathered my bag on the chair next to me and said, “Tee, glad I could be of service and please call me Xena.”

He stood up. “Xena, wow. I hope that this is all a big misunderstanding, because this guy Xavier would be a fool to lose someone like you.”

I laughed at his words. “Well, I do appreciate you taking this on. When should I expect to hear back from you?”

“In the next two days. I will definitely have something. I don’t trust the phones, so do you mind coming back down here.”

“No, no. I prefer coming to you. I don’t want anyone to know who I’m meeting with and I’ve been all over Brooklyn’s papers, so I’d rather keep this discreet.”

“Well, that sounds good to me.” He led me towards the door. “So, I’ll see you Friday afternoon?”

“Yes, see you then.”

Walking back to my car, I looked around the college and the town. It was a nice quaint place. A great area to raise kids and settle down.

Maybe one day.

On my drive back, I called Milan to let her know that there would be no way I could face Xavier alone over the next two days, so if she could stage a sleepover at my house. It wasn’t done, but they’d need to speed it up. I called the manager of the project and told him, I’d be home around nine, so he and his guys had to get the place at least looking presentable. The good news was that, he said, they had finished the house yesterday morning and called Xavier to let him know. Of course, he didn’t let me know that.

That man.

I texted Xavier:

- Hey X, Milan is having issues with her husband and stress from her job, so she’s going to stay with me for a couple of days at my house, since it’s finished.

The phone rang almost immediately.

It was him, of course.

Damn.

“What, now?”

“Hello to you too.”

“Xena.”

I sighed, “Milan is staying with me for a couple of days, so I won’t see during that time.”

“She doesn’t have any other friends?” He was not happy.

“Xavier, I’m her closest friend. She’s the one I went to Italy with.”

“Oh, I know exactly who she is. I just don’t.” He sighed. “Two days?”

“It will fly by, Xavier. Calm down.”

“Wait, how about I buy them a couple’s retreat package in the Bahamas or something?”

“Are you crazy? Just for two days?” I shook my head. “It’s just two days. It’s not even a week, which it might be, but two damn days. She needs a breather, okay.”

“Fuck.” He breathed.

“Stop pouting.”

“Fuck.” He repeated. “I’ll send you guys some spa options. It’s on me.”

“Xavier.” I called.

He hung up.

Now, I felt bad for lying to him, because he wanted to be with me. How the hell do you comprehend this complication man?

Crazy about me - plus two.

******

Milan came over with an overnight bag and she brought in a bouquet of flowers with her.

“Oh flowers, you shouldn’t have,” I clapped my hands once and went to grab them from her.

“Oh, girl, please. I didn’t. They were outside your door.”

“Oh, okay.” Taking them from her, I looked for the card.

The vase was immaculate, like it was hand made with stencil and embroidered raised lines throughout the entire outside. The colors were all earth tone, as the flowers were all ivory. (WHAT KIND) There was a large card, instead of the usual miniature one. It had my name on it in familiar chicken scratch and it read,

Xena, I’m missing you already. You and Milan have a good time. Here are tickets to the REDD spa in downtown after work tomorrow. They are expecting you both at 6:30 PM and the chef at _______ is expecting you on Friday at 6:30 for his signature dish. Enjoy.

Love you,

X

Crazy for me - check three.

How the hell do I fight against this? What was wrong with me?

Milan looked over my shoulder and started jumping up and down.

“What?” I asked.

“Girl, have you been to REDD’s? The wait is fucking ridiculous and Chef ___ is one of the best in New York. Raymond is going to be so jealous, when I post this. OMG.”

I shook my head at her. Girl, don’t post it, just show him the picture. Remember, y’all are on the outs.”

She laughed, “Oh yeah. He is going to be hot.” Then she stop smiling and asked, “Wait, did he cheat on you, hit you and give you a disease?”

“What!?” I exclaimed. “Girl, hell no. Do you think I’d be sitting here talking to you? I’d be on the phone asking you to bail me out.”

“Oh, because I was about to say. We can’t take his bribes.” She walked over to the couch and plopped down, “Now, let’s get some ice-cream and tell me what the hell’s been going on. All I remember is when you got back from Italy, he was sitting outside your door, looking like a hobo.”

I laughed and grabbed the ice creams and spoons off the counter. Throwing her one of the chocolate peanut butter, I plopped next to her and we ate and gabbed until midnight. Milan started fading a little before midnight because her bedtime was way before mine. I usually did not go to sleep until midnight or one in the morning. 

As I shut down the house, I walked around to look at the work that was done to the house. I absolutely loved this place and so glad Matt found it for me. It was everything that I wanted, with all the amenities and the access. A place to park my car and the neighborhood was a lot safer, like Xavier insisted. He helped me buy the place and he had it updated and cleaned.

Crazy for me - check four, five and six.

The next day, I was anxious all morning. Waiting to hear back from Tee and Reese about what I had given and sent them, this caused me to be a little on edge. Penelope wanted to talk to me, but I had a meeting, yet assured her I could speak with her after school. She seemed okay with that, so I made a note to follow-up with her. Around 11:30, the bell for lunch rang, which alerted everyone to report to the cafeteria. Since most of my job was the behind the scenes, keep the school open sort of thing, I did not always make it there, but I tried to be there on a regular basis at least three times a week.

As I was typing away, my door opened, causing my heart to jump. Nobody just opened my door and walked in like that, unless it was an emergency. I looked up and saw Xavier Andrews in a three piece tailored navy suit, pale yellow shirt, with gold cufflinks. He had a fresh cut and his goatee looked beyond enticing. There was a bag in his hand and he had a smirk on his face, like he was about to do something bad.

“Hey, what are you doing here?” I asked.

“Lunch.” He simply said, as he walked towards me. “You must be hungry. Janice said you haven’t had anything to eat all day.”

“Where is Janice?” I asked, feeling a bit trapped.

“I sent her to an early lunch,” he smiled. “We have an hour.”

Oh boy.

See, the man is no dummy. Even if I wanted to avoid him, I couldn’t. He made it so that I couldn’t.

Fuck.

“Right. Well, thanks for lunch, but I have a deadline that needs to be met. Therefore, I can’t really take the time to eat it right now. Maybe we can set a lunch date up later?”

“What’s going on with you?” He asked as he rounded my desk, meeting me on my side. “You’ve not been the same for a week now. Is this still about the whole thing width Gavin?”

“Uh, I’m just busy Xavier. I have a school to run. Donors to get and shit to do. Okay?”

“No, it’s no okay. If there is something wrong, then I should know. Right?” he pulled me up, so I was standing. Then he put the bag on the desk. “Remember that whole thing about partnership and we need to communicate better and be partners. Not do things without the other’s consent. Shit like that.”

Shit.

“Ri-ight.” I stuttered.

His proximity was too close and he was too calm. He had to have known. Somebody told him.

“So, I’m asking you what’s wrong and you’re not telling me.” He pulled me into him, so I could feel the entire length of his body on mine.

“Xavier, I’m stressed. Okay? I’m fucking stressed and I really just need to get shit done. No interruptions, no hassling, just work.”

“You’re lying. Something is bothering you and I will find out.” He growled, while looking into my eyes.

I almost broke down and told him, it was him. That I didn’t trust him and that he left me no choice but to have him be looked into, then he kissed me. Not one of those, kiss you I miss you kisses. One of those, kiss you, I’m ready to fuck you kisses.

Goddamn.

There was no way, I could stop. My hand even went up to push him away, but it did its own thing and wrapped around his neck to pull him down into me further. Xavier growled and in one move picked me up and had me against my closet door behind my chair.

He pulled his head back and asked, “What’s wrong?”

I sighed into his mouth, “Nothing is wrong.”

“You do know I know you right? I know how you think, how you process, how you work, how you deal with stress, when you are genuinely happy, sad, upset. You do get that I know you by now. I’m still learning, but for the most part, I know when something is wrong.”

I tried to avert my eyes from him but his finger and thumb tilted them right back, so our noses were touching.

“Fine, if you won’t tell me, at least let me give you a way to relieve the stress.”

“Xavier, that’s not necessary,” I started to say, until he touched the back of my neck with his left hand, then kissed my spot on the other side of my neck.

Goddamn.

“I’m, I’m at work.”

“Nobody is around for another hour,” he put me down. “Clothes off.”

He backed up and started unbuckling his belt.

“Xavi--”

“Now, Xena.”

“Wai--.”

“Do you want me to shred that shirt?” He walked towards me, “I hope you have another one, or you’re leaving early. Now which way?”

My fingers started unbuttoning my blouse as he finished with his pants and did the same to his tailored suit. He walked to me and unzipped my pants, and slid them down along with my panties.  He spun me around so I was facing the closet, then I felt his lips touching my ear.

“I should spank your ass.” He kissed my neck, causing me to shudder. “I would if I knew there was no way, someone wouldn’t hear my hand tanning your sweet ass.”

I moaned at that thought, then he pressed into me. I could feel him, nice long and hard against my butt. His palm grabbed one of my globes, then he asked, “Whose is it?”

Pushing my body back into his, I whispered, “Only yours.”

Xavier low groan could almost be mistaken for a lion’s moaning when they were on the prowl.

“Spread them.” he whispered. “Wide, baby. Going to fuck you up this wall.”

It was my time to moan. I wanted him to do just that.

“Your nipples rubbing against the door as I go in and out of your tight wet pussy.”

Oh God.

I moaned again, while spreading my legs wider.  He lined up his cock to my wet center and pushed up. He took two steps into me, pushing me up against the wall and standing on the toes of my four-inch heels and he started to rock into me.

My God.

He was right, I was damn near climbing the wall. He felt so good inside me. It was sexy, erotic, and us.  I wanted to tell him. I needed to, but I couldn’t.

Xavier latched onto my ear lobe with his teeth, then grounded out, “God, I love you.”

“Fuck,” I breathed against the wooden door.

“How’s it feel, baby girl.” He kept pushing inside me, “How does it feel?”

“So good,” I moaned.

He wrapped on hand around my waist, right above the cleft of my clitoris and started making circular motions.  I screamed because that one touch almost had me there.

“Shh,” He said in my ear. “Hold on to the door and face your left.”

I did as he said, then he placed three fingers in my mouth and pinched my clit, causing me to scream. This was muffled by his hand, which I bit down on. He pinched it again and his hips started pushing faster.

“That’s it, baby girl.” He was in my ear. “Come for daddy.”

Fuck.

Those words sent me all the way over. He knew I liked them. I loved them coming from him. Outside of him, they seemed demeaning, but this man could spank me and call me baby girl, whenever the hell he wanted.

Shit.

He was right behind me as he came and curled his fingers in my mouth, pulled my head down and pumping into me a few last times.

Goddamn.

Xavier slowly let me go and grabbed a few tissues off my desk and began to wipe me clean as his essence started to trickle down my leg.

Oh shit.

My leg.

“Xavier, we didn’t use a condom.” I gasped.

“You’re on birth control.” His eyebrows rose. “Right?”

“Yeah, but I missed a few days.” I stepped away from him and growled, “Shit.”

He came behind me and grabbed my shoulders. “Calm down. We’ll go and take the morning after pill tomorrow. Okay? I’m clean. Haven’t been with anyone since you. We’ve seen each other’s bill of health and we’ll take the pill. Okay?”

I nodded. “Okay. Okay.”

He pulled me to him and said, “Darling, I’m not sure what’s wrong with you, but I don’t like you like this. When you’re ready to tell me, I’ll be here. Okay.”

“I keep telling you there’s nothing to tell.”

“Xena.” He pulled my chin up, so I could look him in the eyes. “You never forget your birth control pills. Something is up.”

I wanted to tell him, but my mouth wouldn’t open.

He kissed my mouth and said, “I miss you. Can we do lunch or dinner on Saturday? If Milan is back at home and I’m hoping that is where she will be. Do you need me to talk with her husband?” 

“Absolutely not.” I pushed him away. “There will be no talking to Raymond. And I don’t know about Saturday, but I’ll let you know for sure.” 

He studied me for a bit, then reached down to pull up his pants. I went to grab mine, but he pulled me towards him. I yelped, as he picked me up and put me on the desk.

“Time to eat.” He said as he reached in the bag.

“Xavier, I don’t need you to make sure I eat. I’m going to eat.”

Folding my arms over my chest, I huffed. He pulled out a few containers and began to uncover them. The smell rose to my nose and my internal smile was beaming. He brought all of my favorites from the Thai restaurant. Drunken noodles with chicken and shrimp, spring rolls and their Thai chicken.

Crazy for me - check seven.

“Xavier. This is sweet, but you didn’t have to do it.” I said, as he held the fork full of the drunk noodles in front of my mouth.

Opening my mouth, he slowly inserted the food and I slowly chewed it.

“I know, but I’m worried about you.” he grabbed a spring roll and dipped it in the sesame sauce.

“There is nothing to worry about. In due time, things will be clearer.”

He stopped and turned to me, “What does that mean?”

“It means, things will be clear. We’ll both have a better understanding of what’s happening, what has happened and move on. You know, what’s the saying? It’s all work out.” I had to back pedal. This is why I shouldn’t have said anything.

His eyebrows pulled together as he assessed me, “No, I know the saying, but that’s not what you said.”

“That’s what I meant.” I countered. “Are you feeding me or critiquing my poor sayings.”

He slowly looked back at the spring roll and held it up for me.  Xavier didn’t say much, but continued to feed me and himself as I sat on the desk. Twenty minutes later, he licked every drop of sesame seed sauce that he dropped on me and we re-dressed.

Xavier had my hand in his as he walked to the door.

“Let me know about Saturday and I want you to know,” He stepped to me. “I’m sorry, okay.”

“Sorry for what,” I asked.

He looked at me, then kissed my lips. “Just sorry. Love you, darling.”

“Mmm.” Was my only response.

He looked at me again, nodded his head, then left.

Great.

******

An hour later I received an email from the unknown address again.

To: [email protected]
From: UnkNowKn
Date: ______________
Subject: Missing Someone???

Is he familiar to you?
Do not worry, this is how your man solves problems.

--

Attached to the email was an article about a missing person and the person on the cover was Kevin.

Holy shit!

I hadn’t heard from him, but fucking missing. This is how he solves problems. What the fuck? I had enough. As I read through the article, I found several disturbing things. Kevin Lowe lived with his grandmother in Flatbush. He had been missing for at least three weeks and he was under investigation for insurance fraud. His grandmother reported him missing when he failed to take her to the doctors. At first she thought he was with his lady friend, but after a week of no call or answer from him, she filed a report.

What in the goddamn fuck?

Fumbling for my phone, I called Milan. She answered on the third ring and said, “What’s wrong, you never call me during the school day?”

I couldn’t get the words out or any words for that matter. Shell shocked, stunned and

“Xena, what’s wrong?” Milan’s voice was high and urgent.

I tried to speak again and she said, “I’m on my way. Just stay there and I’m on my way.”

Fifteen minutes later, as I sat there staring at my computer and reading over the article again and again. Milan burst in with Janice on her heels.

“I got this.” Milan barked at Janice.

“Xena, is it…” She saw my face, nodded and closed the door.

My face was wet with tears streaming down as I felt disgusted, angry, played and betrayed. It couldn’t be true. It wasn’t true. I’d kill him myself.”

“Girl, what the hell is wrong?” Milan asked, as she threw her bag on the sofa. 

She came around my desk and saw what I still had on the screen. She murmured a little, then gasped some, then turned to me and asked, “Is that your Kevin?”

I nodded my head or I think I did and she looked again.

“Who sent this to you?” She didn’t wait for my answer as she scrolled down the page. “Unknown. This sounds like some bullshit.”

“I don’t know,” I finally croaked after almost a half-an-hour of not speaking.