For Better or For Worse (10 page)

When I first approached
Gilman with my proposal he was a little leery at first but a quick
review of my past work won him over into at least listening to what
I had to say. Before I knew it I had to come up with this whole
presentation to showcase in front of all of the big business
tycoons at Good and Weldnes’s celebration dinner. I was a little
intimidated by all of the people that were here tonight and I
struggled to be cool. I looked up from the dinner table glanced
around the room. There were so many different people from different
cultures mingling together but they all had one thing in common
…money and plenty of it. Who would have ever thought that same
twelve year old street dealer would have made it all the way to New
York City speaking about deal plans to a room full of corporate
moguls. But I was here and I was nervous, scared to death that I
was going to make a fool out of myself. That only thing that could
calm me down at moments like these was looking at Lucy’s face in
the crowd smiling; reassuring me I could do it.

But there was no Lucy
tonight and from the way I was feeling I didn’t give a damn if she
was there…but I did. I quickly shook it off as I saw Frank motion
for me to come up to the nearby podium. It was Showtime. I slowly
rose from my seat and straightened out my business attire. I met
Frank at the stairs of the podium. “Hey man you ready?” He looked
more nervous than I did as I noticed his hands shaking. “Yeah, as I
am ever going to be.” I looked over him and prepared myself to face
the crowd. He nodded and patted me on the shoulder. “Alright kick
ass.” “Sho nuff.” I patted him on the shoulder and made my way to
face the audience. As I stood at the podium, I noticed all eyes
staring my way and the room grew silent instantly upon my
arrival.

I tensed up but kept my
composure.
Just do it Grant, the faster
you start it the faster it is over with
, I
thought. “Good evening everyone, for those who don’t know who I am
my name is Grant Smith, Head Supervisor at Good and
Weldness.”
Oh my Lord I sound so
stupid,
I thought. I tried to keep a smile
plastered on my face but my nerves were getting to me. I stared at
their faces all staring back at me and felt my mouth dry out.
“Everyone has come out tonight to celebrate the corporation’s
success, but I’m here tonight to share with you new ways to further
the success of Good and Weldness.” I felt like I was struggling and
I pictured Lucy’s face in the crowd to calm me down, my gaze fell
on a woman sitting at the bar. She had on a dark slim dress but I
couldn’t make out who she was in the dim light.

She kept her eyes focused
on me and gave me sweet smile pushing me to continue. “When I first
decided to become a welder I never thought I could achieve the
rigorous task…if I hadn’t had someone there pushing me to go on and
accomplish my goals. The welding tech program did just that for me
and many others in my position. This program took young males like
myself who had low income pay and little education and showed us
how to better not only ourselves but our lives too. After much
training in the Welding Tech program I was able to land a job in my
local town which then led me to Good and Weldness
Corporation.”
Doing good Grant,
I thought. I occasionally glanced at the woman at
the bar, for some reason it was as if she were helping me to keep
me going. “This training program helped me to not only become a
welder at Good and Weldness, but a now leading Supervisor within
the corporation and now I want to give back by introducing you all
to Project reach out.

By combining the welding
tech training program with Good and Weldness Corporation we would
be opening doors for so many young men and women to find work in
this spiraling economy while increasing the income of the
corporation.” I noticed head nods and intriguing looks across the
room coming my way which let me know I had them in the bag. “With
this training program on our side we would be able to further
branch out among not only New York, but California, Florida, and
many other states. Project reach out is a beneficial campaign for
not only or corporation but many people in wait of a given
opportunity to better their lives and themselves.” I gathered my
note cards and exited the stage as applause rained down.
Rough start but smooth sailing.
I thought making my way down to the main
floor.

Frank was waiting for me
grinning like a Cheshire cat. “Not bad buddy…not bad at all.” He
said pulling me into a hug. “Thanks man, I was shaking like a leaf
up there.” He shook his head. “Couldn’t tell.” My eyes searched for
the woman at the bar but couldn’t find her but they did find Gilman
who nodded in approval of my speech. The business dinner went great
for the most part, everyone was laughing, joking, and discussed
improvements for the company. I was in the mist of more praises of
my speech when I noticed the woman in the black dress moving
through the crowd and this time I knew exactly who she was. I was
most definitely shocked to see Alexia there but something inside me
was very grateful she had come; she made my speech a lot easier to
get through. I would think a girl like her would be out on a date
or something but she was here with me. After I gave my presentation
on project reach out the big officials came to me to give the final
verdict, after carefully explaining to them by offering training
programs for inspiring welders would increase jobs and company
revenue with more workers.

Increasing more workers
could get more work done and more work meant more money. And I knew
they would jump for joy at the sound of that. After it was all over
the officials were thinking of promoting me and I couldn’t contain
my excitement, hell a promotion…that was cause for celebration.
Alexia came up to me, she was wearing a very eye catching black
dress and it definitely caught my eye. “Oh wow, you were amazing,
they loved it.” She embraced me and I could smell her perfume, it
was very sweet just like her. She wore her hair down around her
shoulders but it wasn’t hiding her pretty face. “Thanks, I wasn’t
expecting you to come.” I said honestly. She looked at me confused.
“Why wouldn’t I be here? You were giving your presentation
tonight.” I looked at her astonished.

“
You came for me?” She
smiled. “Don’t look so shocked.” Alexia gently nudged my chest.
Gilman made his way over to us. I found it hard not to smile every
time I saw him because he reminded me of the KFC man just a little
taller and in an Armani suit. “Grant my boy, you were amazing,
can’t wait to put this project to work.” I shook his hand. “Thanks
I’m willing to do anything to help the company.” He grinned. “You
see Alexia, this is why I wanted him to take you under his wing.
Show you the ropes, this man is going places.” She kept her eyes on
me still smiling. “Yes …he is.” Gilman made his way around the
party and Alexia and I stood in the same spot just starting at each
other. “Well it’s um getting late. I’m going to head home.” She
started to walk away. “Wait…” I said stopping her in place. “Let me
take you home.” She turned around and searched my eyes. “You sure.”
I shook off my guilt and nodded. “Least I could do.”

We drove in my Range Rover
until we reached an underground vacancy a few blocks away from
Fifth Avenue. I parked the car and walked with her to the elevator
of her building, she walked in a head of me and I watched her hips
sway, I easily was able to tell she was naked under her dress. “Are
you coming? “She asked blocking the elevator door from closing. I
hesitated but eventually walked in. “So you live in a studio
apartment?” I asked to get rid of some of the nervous heat building
up inside of me. Alexia inhaled. “Yes, it’s kind of artsy, that’s
why I like it.” I nodded and glanced over at her. I could see the
curves of breast down the opening of her dress that pressed tightly
up against her skin. If it was catching my attention in a dim lit
restaurant, it was most definitely catching it right now. I felt so
much heat pressuring down on me in the elevator and something told
me by the way she kept touching herself she did too.

“
You ok?” I turned and
asked her. I had an intense stare in my eyes, she noticed and
instead of getting out of the elevator Alexia stopped it. “You know
I really have been wanted to thank you for helping me adjust to
working at the corporation.”
Really,
because I want to thank you too,
I
thought…
A lot
. I
swallowed hard. “No need, it’s been a pleasure… I mean it’s been
good to work with you.” She smiled…Damn that sweet smile. I swear I
was sweating bullets. “Grant you are a wonderful man, a brilliant
man, and I want you to know I appreciate you.” Oh God... she was
staring at me in that way, that way that all lovers stare at each
other…when it was about to go down. We both knew what was coming.
Alexia grabbed the back of my head and brought my mouth down to
hers. As our or tongues twisted and turned I never felt something
so strong in my life; I was losing all feeling in my legs. I broke
away from her gasping for air. She backed up and was practically
placing herself against the wall.

I walked back over to her;
we stood so close I could feel her breathe on my face. She reached
for my belt and felt around inside my pants. I groaned while she
bit on my bottom lip calling my mouth back down to hers. I put my
hands under her dress, picked her up and placed her on my groin. I
couldn’t believe how moist she was and we hadn’t even started yet.
I lowered my pants and placed her hips all the way down as far as
she could get; she gripped my shoulders and moaned as her body
stretched to accommodate me. When I got her in a fixed position I
began to work my magic. Alexia tilted her head back and wrapped her
legs around my waist, holding on for the ride. I worked her body up
and down like a jack hammer, ignoring her cries of passion; there
was a need inside of me that only she could fill and damn it I was
going to get full tonight. I felt my own orgasm about to peak and I
knew it was time to bring it on home.

I lowered her body all the
way down and hammered away till I climaxed. I didn’t pay attention
to Alexia’s panting until I let her down. I used my weight for her
to lean on while she caught her breathe. She lifted her head and I
could tell she was in deep thought. I wrapped my arms around her
waist bringing her closer to me. “What are you thinking about?” I
kissed her cheek. “Huh?” She brought her eyes to mine and kissed my
lips. “I want to go to my place, now.” I looked at her, body
sweating and still calling for me and nodded. “Lead the way.” She
opened the elevator and I followed her to her apartment. I placed
kisses on her neck and ear as she opened the door. We made our way
inside and Alexia flung her purse and keys to the floor.

I turned her around and
found her mouth again. We stood there touching, feeling, and
slobbering each other down before I noticed the door to her
bedroom. She saw where I was looking at and led me inside. It was a
nice place, with a lot of familiar art work hanging up. She had a
queen size bed with dark lavender covers just waiting. I pulled her
dress off and exposed her naked body. My word she was beautiful,
her tanned skin glowed in the moonlight and her firm breast became
more noticeable. “Lie down.” I instructed, she did as asked and
placed herself on the bed kicking off her heels. I removed my
already loose clothing and joined her. I lowered my head softly bit
her knee, caressed her thighs with my tongue then buried my head
between her legs. “Oh…Grant…” She moaned. It was hard to ignore her
screams especially when she squirmed up under me.

But I continued to show no
mercy as she exploded in my mouth. I looked up at her; she couldn’t
even open her eyes. The throws of passion had completely taken over
her. I crawled up her body teasing her with my tongue along the
way. “Open your eyes.” I whispered as I placed a kiss on her lips.
Alexia forcefully looked at me unable to mask the unbearable
pleasure she was feeling. Knowing I had her attention I inserted
myself inside her again, she tensed up but I leaned over her making
sure she kept her eyes on me the entire time. Her nails clawed into
my back as I increased my speed. I placed kisses all over her face
to make it bearable. “Ughhhhh…” She moaned. Her breathing grew
rapid and she couldn’t stop her body from shaking. I pushed on
shaking the bed until I collapsed down on her. “Oh my God!” Alexia
panted as she welcomed my body weight unto hers.

She was finally able to
uncurl her toes and let her body relax along with mine. I attempted
to roll over but she pulled me back down to her. “Don’t move…please
baby don’t move. Stay right here with me.” She placed kisses on my
neck as I rested with my head in the pillow. I remembered feeling
like this before, this complete satisfaction that felt like a drug.
I felt this before but I couldn’t remember where.

***

Grant/1997

“
Whoa!” I yelled as Lucy
and I fell off the bed to the floor. I felt pain shoot through my
shoulder as I hit the ground. “Damn.” I shook my head at how far
Lucy and I were going into dangerous territory. It had been two
months since we had first made love and ever since then it was
nonstop. I had managed to come up to the university and give her a
surprise visit… turns out I got the surprise. I rolled over on the
floor and struggled to catch my breath. “Woman do you know you
roommate could be back here any moment.” Lucy laughed at my
comments and placed her naked body back on top my of me. “Doesn’t
that make more exciting? The fact that anyone could come in here
and see us right now.”