Eye Candy (17 page)

“Well, I’m glad you see it the firm’s way,” said Mr. Bradshaw with a smile. “Now, if you could just transfer all the electronic files over to Sebastian today that would be great. And don’t forget to have any and all paper drafts copied to him, too.”

“Yes, sir, I’ll get on that task right away.”

Mr. Bradshaw then finally moved from beyond the back of his desk and towards me. As he walked to me he extended his hand out.

“Thank you for understanding everything, Aaron.”

“You’re more than welcome, sir,” I said as I firmly shook his hand.

Sebastian and Mr. Black had now risen to their feet. We all shook hands with the agreement that had just taken place. Then I made my way back to my office.

“There you are Mr. Malone,” said Jane as I came into her view in front of her desk. “Ms. Tiffany Towns has called you three times since you have been in your meeting with Mr. Bradshaw. She said it was urgent she speak with you.”

“Well, the next time she calls tell her I’m out of the office and simply send her to my voicemail,” I said in a direct tone.

“Yes sir.”

“There’s one more thing I need for you to complete as soon as possible, Jane.”

“Yes, Mr. Malone.”

“Pull the complete electronic file for the revitalization project along with all the paper drafts and forward same to Sebastian Carter today.”

“Sure thing Mr. Malone,” said Jane looking confused.

After my last request to Jane, I retired to my office for some peace of mind. Reclined in my chair from behind my desk, I watched the slow-moving traffic on the interstate attempting to soak in what had just happened.

CHAPTER 19

It was the middle of the evening rush hour and traffic was hectic as usual. Sebastian had just left the office as his brand new fire-red Chevy Camaro inched through downtown Atlanta. Confident with what had transpired earlier in the day he picked up his cell phone and made a call.

“Hello,” said the mysterious woman who was his date a few weeks earlier.

“Baby, you’re not going to believe what happened to me today,” he said in an excited voice.

“Sebastian, is everything alright?”

“It’s more than alright, it’s great!”

“Well, don’t leave me in limbo, what happened?”

“Mr. Bradshaw, my boss, just reassigned the revitalization project to me today. Isn’t that great news?”

“Yes, that is,” she said with little effort in her voice.

“What’s the matter, baby? You don’t sound like you’re proud of me and my accomplishment.”

“I am, Sebastian. It’s just I’m somewhat saddened with all that has happened to Aaron.”

“Well, don’t be. He’s strong and will bounce back from it all.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

“Besides, Mr. Bradshaw only reassigned the revitalization project to me on a temporary basis. However, it’s just enough time for me to show and prove to him how talented I am.”

“So maybe that promotion you have been seeking is actually right around the corner.”

“Absolutely,” he said more confident than ever. “Now, it’s time for us to celebrate.”

“How did I already know you were going to say that?” she asked with a smile.

“Because we’re made for each other,” he answered. “Listen, I’m actually in your vicinity and wanted to come by with a bottle of champagne.”

“That’s fine, Sebastian, I would love for you to do that. I’m in bed right now with something real sexy on.”

“Well, you just stay put because I’ll be there shortly.”

Light rain began to fall as the two disconnected their call. Sebastian quickly turned on his windshield wipers along with his headlights. He knew he’d better get to his destination fast as traffic would go from hectic to horrible once the rain drops increased.

“Now, where can I find a liquor store around here?” he asked himself exiting off the Seventeenth Street Bridge.

Then like a mirage that would appear to a lost survivor in the desert, he focused his eyes on bright neon lights ahead of him. The sign clearly read: The Liquor Store.

“How fitting,” he said out loud as he maneuvered his car closer to the store in front of him. “That’s what I call keeping it simple.”

He finally stopped his car in front of the tiny establishment while he noticed the parking lot is full. Then he finds a parking spot on the street nearby. After he exits his vehicle, he jogs to the front door of the liquor store as the rain drops were falling faster now. As he enters the store, a bell chimes and he notices a man who looks to be of Arab descent standing behind the counter.

“Where’s your champagne?” Sebastian barked out.

“Towards the back near the beer cooler, sir,” answered the friendly man pointing.

Sebastian made his way back to where the man had instructed him to go. As he did, he heard the door bell chimed again behind him as another patron had entered the store. While standing in front of the champagne bottle display, he contemplated which brand to select. Finally, he grabbed one bottle of Moet, hesitated for a moment, and picked up a second bottle.

“Well, aren’t we celebrating really big tonight,” said a woman who walked up to the wine display next to where he was standing.

Sebastian actually got a whiff of her seductive perfume before she started speaking. The scent was light yet strong enough to peak his attention and interest. When he turned to her, he noticed the attractive woman wearing a black cocktail dress. Her figure was impressive too.

“Oh, it’s just a little joyous celebration for tonight,” he said. “Nothing too major I can’t handle.”

“Well, maybe you can help me out in selecting a good wine.”

“Sure, what’s the occasion?” he asked admiring her as she turned her attention back to the platform of wine in front of her.

“My date and I are going to a friend’s independent film screening tonight.”

“Wow, that sounds like some real fun.”

“Yeah, I just wanted to unwind the night down afterwards with a little bit of wine,” she said still looking indecisive. “But I can’t decide on whether to go with a red or white wine.”

“Red wines are mostly served while dining out and can be a bit heavy. White wines are more commonly sipped for relaxation.”

“I knew a sophisticated man like you would have the right answer,” she said. “So, I should get the white wine, right?”

“That would be an excellent choice,” he said smiling back at her as she picked up a bottle of white wine. “The register is this way, as always, ladies first.”

As Sebastian motioned for the woman to move ahead of him, his eyes were glued to her backside as she walked. When they arrived at the counter, there were two customers ahead of them.

Then out of the blue and unexpectedly, a man opens the front door into the liquor store. The doorbell chimes again as he remains outside, yet holds the door open, looking in.

“Darlene, what the heck is taking you so long?” he angrily screams out as he’s dressed in a black tuxedo. “I thought you said it would only take you two minutes to pick out some wine.”

“I’m coming, Bradley,” she snapped back at him. “Can’t you see I’m at the register, now?”

The man looked at her in disgust and then eyeballs Sebastian. Finally, he closes the front door of the liquor store and heads back to his car.

“He can be so damn impatient sometimes,” she said looking a little embarrassed at the commotion her date caused. “I’ll be glad when the night is over.”

Sebastian took this opportunity to pull his business card from his pocket and presented it to the woman.

“Well, if you’re looking for less stress and no drama maybe we can meet for lunch sometimes,” he said handing her his card. “By the way, I’m Sebastian.”

“Yes, I think I would like that,” she said grabbing the card then placing it in her tiny purse. “It’s nice to meet you, Sebastian.”

“Ma’am, are you ready to check out?” asked the man from behind the counter.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” she said turning her attention away from Sebastian. “Is it my turn already?”

“Yes ma’am,” replied the man politely.

She took a few steps closer and placed the bottle of wine on the counter as Sebastian followed closely behind her. The man quickly scanned the wine through the point-of-sale system and began to place her wine in a bag.

“Is that all for you, ma’am?” the man asked.

“Yes, that’s it,” she replied back.

“Actually, you can add these two bottles of Moet and I’ll pay for everything,” Sebastian quickly said placing his items on the counter.

“Sebastian, you don’t have to go through all the trouble and pay for my bottle of wine,” she said with an astonished look.

“It’s no problem at all, Darlene,” Sebastian said with a simple grin.

A few more customers began to mount up behind Sebastian as the man behind the counter now scanned the two bottles of champagne through the register. Then he handed Darlene her bottle of wine.

“Well, I’ll see you later, Sebastian, and thanks again for everything,” she said with a glow.

“Yes, I will and you’re very welcome,” was Sebastian simple response.

She took her bottle of wine and walked out the liquor store. Sebastian kept his eyes on her backside again continuing to smile.

“Will that be debit or credit, sir?” asked the man interrupting Sebastian’s thoughts.

“Always credit,” he said handing the man his American Express card but kept his eyes firmly on the woman he had just met until she was out of his view.

By the time Sebastian reached his car, the rain was coming down in buckets. Agitated slightly, because he had gotten wet, he quickly opened his drivers’ side door and dove inside the confines of his car. The two bottles of Moet rested in the passenger side seat next to him.

“Now, that’s what I like to hear,” he said to himself as the rain bounced off his Camaro’s roof. “That’s good music to have sex to.”

He turned on the car by pressing the start button which was located near the steering wheel. Then he pressed the gas pedal until the engine revved up making a loud howling noise. The double dual exhaust blew out a colorless smoke from the car’s rear end. A split second after putting the car in drive he punched the accelerator onto his final destination.

As the wide high-performance tires parted the water on the roads and hugged the black pavement, Sebastian continued to go faster. With the engine growling even louder, he felt his muscle car was superior to any vehicle on the street and he had the horsepower to prove it. Driving dangerously fast through downtown, with his adrenaline rushing, he finally turned with precision into the high-rise condo’s parking garage which was dry and well lit. Once he found a parking space he took a moment and continued to listen as the Camaro’s engine purred like a kitten not missing a beat.

“Damn, I love this car!” he exclaimed out. “It’s the power and style I’ve been searching for.

Then he calmly turned off his toy and grabbed the two bottles of champagne. The woman upstairs was patiently waiting for him to arrive and he didn’t want to disappoint her.

Sebastian managed to find the woman’s residence quite easy this time without getting confused. Once he reached the front door, he lightly knocked and waited for a response. He heard someone walking to the door from the inside and then saw a familiar face as the door opened.

“There you finally are,” said the woman standing on the on the other side of the door. “I was beginning to worry about you since it’s raining so hard outside.”

“There’s nothing my new Camaro can’t handle,” he said making his way into her residence. “Not even a little rain.”

“The woman closed the door behind him. She was dressed in one of his white tee shirts which hardly covered her purple laced panties.

“Well, you look sexy barely dressed,” he said clutching the champagne bottles close to his chest.

“I thought you would like it,” she said. “It’s simple and straight to the point.”

The two finally embraced after their short dialogue had ended. He kissed her to let her know he missed her.

“Come on, let’s go to your bedroom,” he said after their kiss had concluded.

“Wait a minute, Sebastian, you’re always so anxious.”

“Good news and what I’m looking at now makes me so horny.”

“Well, let’s make a toast and celebrate the good news first,” she said stepping back from him. “What’s in the bag?”

“A few bottles of Moet,” he answered.

“Okay, then follow me into the kitchen so I can get the glasses.”

Sebastian did as he was instructed and walked behind the sexy woman as his imagination began to unravel. His eyes were looking through her tee shirt as if he had x-ray vision.

Once the pair reached the kitchen, she reached into the cherry-stained cabinet, with her back towards him, looking for the perfect glasses. Sebastian impatiently pulled out one of the bottles of champagne from the bag and began to open it. He managed to pop the bottle open, keeping it in his hand, as fizz and suds from the champagne flowed down the bottle. It would eventually find its way to the hard-wood floors he was standing on. Then he took the entire bottle and turned it up cowboy style.

“Sebastian, what are you doing?” she asked turning around after she found the glasses. “You’re making a mess all over the kitchen floor.”

He failed to answer her question and simply moved closer to her. Suddenly, he violently grabbed the back of her long hair.

“Come over here and kiss me again,” he said in a demanding tone.

“Sebastian, stop it you’re hurting me!”

“I thought you like the aggressive side of me.”

“I do but this is ridiculous,” she said sounding frightened and barely holding on to the two glasses.

He kissed her again but this time much longer than when he first walked through the door. After that, he placed the bottles of champagne on the counter. Then in a quick fashion, he takes his huge hands and rips her tee shirt completely off. The glasses she was once carrying fall to the hard-wood floor and shatters instantly. Shocked, surprised, and scared by his actions she looks into his menacing eyes while standing there in her panties.

“Now, take my hand and let’s go to your bedroom like I requested before,” he said in a smooth tone reaching towards her.