DUBIOUS (20 page)

“
Oh, you’re going to show them to me?” I immediately sat back down. All thoughts of leaving had disappeared.

He left the room in search of his work. I didn’t know what to expect, but I was certainly curious.

“
It’s kind of long, so you can take it with you.” He had placed it in a large envelope so I couldn’t even see the title.

“
You sure about this?”

“
Yeah, it’s cool. Just make sure you give it back and don’t share it until I decide what I want to do with it.” He put his arm around my shoulder.

CHAPTER 22

“
Felicia, Mr. Jennings is here to see you,” Talisa said over the intercom.

My hands were shaking just from the thought of seeing this fine hunk of a man again. I struggled to remain professional. I had on my best suit and my makeup and hair were done to perfection. If this were just a mere business meeting, I would be fine because I had thoroughly gone over his file and knew precisely what I was going to suggest to him. It was the man himself that gave me goose bumps.

“
Send him in please.” I stood up to greet him.

I walked around my desk so he could get a look at my beautiful legs and slender hips. From the light in his eyes, I was sure he had appreciated my efforts.

Instead of sitting across from him at my desk, I led him to a small conference table where I had spread out his entire file. “Please have a seat.”

“
If you don’t mind my saying so, you look lovely.”

“
Thank you.” I blushed and could not hide it.

He placed his briefcase on the floor and crossed his legs. I could tell his shoes were freshly shined. I was a sucker for a polished man. I liked a man who kept his nails short and clean, but I drew the line with the clear polish. To me, that meant gay or a down-low brother. I didn’t have time for either.

“
May I call you Sherman?”

“
Of course.” He smiled, showing off his white teeth.

“
Sherman, I’ve read all the fine print, and I must say this is a very lucrative deal they are offering you. I’ve only one area of concern, and I hope it won’t be a deal breaker for your company, Macro Systems.”

“
What’s that?”

“
They want total rights to your idea. I believe you should fight to have this clause renegotiated every five years. Macro Systems made millions because they had patents on everything whether they created it or not. Those poor saps that designed the programs are living from check to check because they signed a Noncompetition Clause. I would like to see that stricken from the contract as well.”

“
I don’t know if they will go for that.”

“
What I’m proposing is that you won’t compete against them in similar software, but it won’t restrict you from designing something even better.”

“
I like the way you think.” He rested his chin on top of his fists.

I sat my phone on the table. “Would you like to make the call here just in case they decide they want to play hardball? If they balk at our suggestions, we can always offer to sell the idea to Orange.”

“
Let’s make the call.”

I thumbed through the pages of his file to find the number of Macro Systems. I was a little nervous, but I did my best not to show it. I dialed the number. “Good morning. I would like to speak to Mr. Harvey.” I was told to hold on while they checked to see if he was available. I took this time to place the call on speaker phone.

After a brief delay, he spoke through the phone. “Harvey speaking.”

“
Mr. Harvey, my name is Felicia Clark; I represent Sherman Jennings with regards to a new program he has created.”

“
I see.”

He didn’t appear to be too happy to learn that Sherman had sought representation.

“
Mr. Harvey, I’m no computer geek. But from what I can tell from this paperwork, this new program will reinvent Macro Systems and place them in the forefront of the computing business.”

“
I’ll admit it’s a remarkable concept,” Mr. Harvey said.

“
As such, I wanted to make sure my client is properly compensated.” I gave Sherman the thumbs up. “While your initial offer is generous, there are a few clauses in the contract that we have some objections to. Just so you know, I have Mr. Jennings in the room with me to answer any technical questions that I cannot answer.”

“
Hello, Sherman,” Mr. Harvey’s voice didn’t sound pleased at all.

“
Sir,” Sherman said.

I paced and talked. “Mr. Harvey, your contract requires that Mr. Jennings turn the entire program over to your company for a one-time compensation fee. We feel that this clause should be modified both in price and option clauses.”

Mr. Harvey said, “What do you mean by option clauses? Do I need to get my legal team in here as well?”

“
If that would make you feel more comfortable, then by all means do so.” When he didn’t respond, I continued: “Basically, what I mean is that Mr. Jennings should have the option to renegotiate the contract after five years, and he shall retain all rights to the program. He agrees to the Noncompetition Clause for similar programs; however, if satisfactory negotiations cannot be met after the five year period, he has the option to remove the product from Macro Systems.” I nodded at Sherman. In addition, any upgrades to the software shall be subject to new terms and conditions, predicated by the severity of the upgrades. We also believe that since Mr. Jennings is totally reengineering your company, he should be offered stock options at less than retail value.”

Mr. Harvey let out a long sigh. “Couldn’t that be construed as insider information?”

“
Not in my opinion. Mr. Jennings is simply investing in his own ideas. I see nothing wrong with that.”

“
Ms. Clark, you drive a very hard bargain. I am going to have to speak with my investors before I give you an answer.”

“
Fine, this offer will be on the table for twenty-four hours. Thanks so much for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you.” I disconnected the call before he could say anything else and smiled at Sherman.

“
Wow! Do you think you pushed him too hard?” Sherman asked, worry etched all over his face.

“
Not at all. He really has no other choice. Macro Systems has not had a major update since 2000. Your upgrades will take their product well into the twenty-fifth century. Why should he reap all the benefits of your hard work?”

“
When you put it that way, I guess you have a point.”

“
Plus, he knows the alternative is to give the program to his number one competitor. I know he’s not that stupid.”

The phone hadn’t been resting on the cradle but two hot seconds before Mr. Harvey called back.

“
Ms. Clark speaking, how may I assist you?”

Mr. Harvey said, “Draw up the contracts and have them delivered to my office in the morning.”

“
Consider it done. It was a pleasure doing business with you.” I hung up the phone and did a little dance around my desk.

Sherman jumped up, grabbed me in his arms and swung me around. When he finally set me back on the floor, he kissed me.

I wasn’t talking about a mere kiss on the cheek. He grabbed my face, lowered his lips to mine, sucking them as if they were Godiva chocolate, and plunged his tongue into my mouth. His hands ran up and down the length of my body, and I shamelessly returned the kiss. I could feel the bulge of his dick pressed against my thigh; my taunt nipples pressed against his chest. His cologne filled my nostrils, banishing all other thoughts from my mind. Had we been anyplace other than my office, we would have been fucking—that much I was sure of.

Reluctantly, I pulled away from his embrace. My cheeks were on fire and my panties were soaked. We stood there looking at each other, neither of us knowing exactly what to say. I backed away, bumping into my desk. That was bound to leave a bruise. My heart was beating so fast, I didn’t know whether to shit or go blind.

“
I guess I should apologize for my outburst, but I’m not. Our business is finished. He closed the space again. “I can now treat you like the woman you deserve to be treated like.”

“
Uh … we don’t have the signed contract yet.” I inched my way around the desk.

“
That’s just a formality. You and I both know that he will sign it so stop hiding behind this business façade. You’ve been doing it over a month now. I know you find me attractive, and I think you’re beautiful.” He was being bold and cocky and I liked it.

I managed to find my way back to my chair. I needed to put some hardwood furniture between us or else I would wind up in his arms again. It had been so long since I’d been made to feel like a desired woman, I just didn’t know how to act. “Sherman, I’ve been married to the same man for thirteen years. I don’t even know how to be with another man.”

“
Felicia, I’m not asking you to sleep with me. All I want to do is feed you.”

“
Didn’t I hear that line in a movie?” I laughed to cover my embarrassment.

“
We could do a movie, too, if you would like.”

“
You don’t give up do you?”

“
Not when I see something I want. So can I pick you up tonight at eight?”

“
Uh … sure. Do you need my address?”

“
I know it already.”

I raised my eyebrow.

“
I told you I’m relentless when it’s something I want. I’ll see you tonight.” He blew me a kiss and walked out of my office.

Talisa came in as soon as he left fanning her hands. “I don’t care what you say, that motherfucker is fine.”

“
Isn’t that the truth. What do I have on the schedule for the rest of the day?”

“
Let me go get your book, but I think you’re free.” She walked out, and I thought about the way Sherman had kissed me. She came back in a few seconds later and confirmed my availability.

“
Do me a favor,” I said. “Call Kenya, ask if she can squeeze me in. I have a date tonight, and I need to run by the mall and get something sexy to wear.”

“
So you’re taking my advice?”

“
Sort of. I believe we settled his case, so he’s not officially a client anymore. We are going out to dinner.”

“
Well go head, Ms. Thang. I ain’t mad at ya. Just make sure it falls above the knee.”

“
I think I can do that. Hit me on my cell if she can get me in and out. If not, I’m just going to have to go like I am.”

“
Ain’t nothing wrong with your hair now, but I can understand your wanting to look brand new.”

“
Oh, I also have to stop by the kennel. I’ve been avoiding the place since I hired, what’s his name, and I want to make an appearance. Please call him and tell him I’m on the way. There are some things in Randy’s old office that I need to get out of there so now would be a perfect time.”

“
Done. Make sure you call me tonight if it’s not too late and tell me how things went.”

I gave her a devilish glance. “You are so nasty.”

“
I done told you, ain’t no shame in my game.”

CHAPTER 23

I stopped at the kennel with mixed emotions. Although Talisa had called ahead and told Sam to expect me, I wasn’t sure what type of feelings visiting the kennel would evoke in me since it marked the beginning of the end of my marriage.

Sam was sitting at the front desk when I had entered.

He stood to shake my hand. “How are you today, Ms. Clark?”

“
Please, let’s not stand on formalities. My name is Felicia, and I’d like to call you Sam, if that is okay with you?”

“
Sure it is. Would you like to take a walk around? We have quite a few new pups, and they are coming along nicely.” He stretched.

“
I’d like that.” For it to be a kennel, it was quite. There were no yapping dogs or fowl odors. It was clear that Sam was running a tight ship. The pups were kept away from their mothers and only brought to them for feeding. I found this odd. “Why do you keep the puppies away from their mothers?”

“
Since we are breeding the pups for sale, I find it easier to separate them if they are not bound together constantly until they are sold. The pups in this first cage are already sold. We will keep them for another two weeks, then we will let them go. The pups in the other cage are only a few weeks old, so we will have them for another month or so.”

“
Business appears to be good,” I said.

“
Do you want to see the books?”

“
Sure, I may as well since I’m here. I also want to clear out some of the things my husband left in his old office.”

“
I hope you don’t mind, but I boxed it up and stacked them in the corner. I needed the space.”

“
No, I don’t mind. You saved me some time to be honest.”

We went into Randy’s office and looked at the books. I was astounded that the business was doing so well. In fact, under Sam’s direction, we were making even more money than when my husband was running the place.