Here Comes Trouble (16 page)

The thought of surprising him had entered her mind last night while they talked on the phone, one of the few times they’d been able to speak this week. She’d been busy, working hard to give the proposals for the community center one last review, and working on other projects, which included preparing for today’s speech. The luncheon had been successful. She’d picked up a couple of clients and earned the association president’s promise to send business her way. Matthew had been busy, too, held up in workshops all day and networking events at night.

She stopped at the receptionist’s desk. Rahab handed her a copy of her confirmed ticket and boarding pass. “All set, boss lady.”

“Awesome. You’re a lifesaver.” She scanned the ticket, double-checking the flight times. Matthew planned to fly back tomorrow, but she knew she could convince him to fly back with her to Atlanta on Sunday so they could spend a little time together in New York. She hadn’t visited in years, and it would be nice to get in some sightseeing.

“These came for you.” Rahab brought forward a vase of summer flowers from behind the partition and set it in front of Lorena. A big heart-shaped balloon with “Thinking of You” printed on it floated above the bright bouquet.

“Again?” Lorena said happily.

She opened the small envelope to read the message
. I love you
, it simply said. The constant attention Matthew paid to her went straight to her head, as he’d planned. She was too easy.

“Flowers every day of the week for no reason,” Rahab said with a sigh. “Just like in my romance novels. Does this man have a brother?”

Lorena smiled at her friend. Rahab was a hopeless romantic. Every time Lorena had ever seen her with a book in her hand, it was a romance novel. She read tons of them every month.

“Yes, two, and they’re both married.”

“Just my luck.”

“I’ll be back to get the flowers,” Lorena said, heading to her office. “I need to grab the proposals to send them by FedEx before I go to the airport.” With the proposals done, they had to wait for the committees to review them. The winners would be announced next year. 

“Does he have any single cousins?” Rahab called out.

“Get back to work, Rahab,” Lorena said with a laugh over her shoulder.

****

Matthew shoved the keycard into the slot of the door. When the light turned green, he entered his hotel room. He’d begged off of dinner with his colleagues, planning to take a shower and order room service before going over the day’s notes. He would call Lorena while he ate to see if she was free to talk for a bit.

With both of them so busy, this had been a rough week. He couldn’t wait to see her tomorrow. Instead of catching an afternoon flight, he was going to the airport first thing in the morning to see if he could get a flight on standby. There wasn’t much going on tomorrow anyway, because most of the important workshops had been conducted during the week. He didn’t plan to attend the networking breakfast tomorrow. He’d done enough networking to last him until the next IT conference.

Unbuttoning his shirt on his way to the bathroom, he paused when he heard a soft rap on the door. Frowning, he looked through the peephole.

He muttered an expletive. What the hell was she doing here?

He swung open the door.

“Hi, Matthew.”

“Hi, Reshemah.”

Reshemah Wright. Temptation personified. Her lilac-scented perfume filled the air around them.

She had a body that wouldn’t quit and leaned in the doorway, her arm draped above her head on the frame in a sexy pose. The Texas hottie had rocked his world at the last two conferences. They’d hooked up a third time after she’d looked him up when she had a layover in Atlanta on her way to visit family in Florida.

Her easygoing, playful attitude made her an anomaly in the IT world. Everybody liked to be around her, and she was known for playing pranks on unsuspecting victims. Maybe another time they could have worked out, but Lorena was the only woman he had any interest in.

“Aren’t you going to invite me in?” she asked. Her brown eyes ran idly down his bare chest, exposed because he’d unbuttoned his shirt on the way to the bathroom.

Matthew fumbled with the buttons, closing them up. “That’s really not a good idea.”

“Oh, come on, Matthew, I saw you in the elevator. I stood way in the back, and I couldn’t believe you were here. I had to get off and follow you so I could find out what’s going on. You gave me the brush-off the last time I came to see you in Atlanta. You seemed to be going through some things, so I forgave you, but I want to know why.”

She sidled by him and sashayed over to the bed, her hips moving in a tantalizing manner beneath the stretchy fabric of her miniskirt. Something must be wrong with him, because all he could think about was how inappropriately she was dressed for a professional conference.

“I can’t believe you’re here and didn’t call or send a text. My feelings are hurt.” She sank onto the bed with a pretty pout and crossed her legs.

“Look, Reshemah,” Matthew started, rubbing the back of his neck, “the reason I didn’t call is because I’m seeing someone. Me and you…I can’t do this again.”

Reshemah fell quiet and seemed unsure. Then she smirked. “Okay, Matthew, we’ll play it your way. You want to be a good boy, I’ll make it easy for you. One more time for old times’ sake.” She leaned back on her elbows and tossed him a come-hither look. “I won’t tell if you don’t.” She uncrossed her legs. “By the way, I’m not wearing any panties.”

****

Lorena stepped off the elevator, her heart galloping in excitement. She’d found the restroom downstairs and removed her underwear—a bold move she’d read about in
Cosmopolitan
magazine that said going pantiless could drive a man wild. She’d never done anything like this before, and it made her feel so naughty.

She turned the corner, searching for the room number she’d cleverly finagled from Matthew when they talked the night before. She often wore slacks, jeans, or sweats, feeling more comfortable in those clothes. Today, she’d gone all out to impress him. After rushing home, she’d put on one of her few dresses, a colorful ensemble in green and yellow with an A-line skirt that made her look as if she had some curves. The silver-toned necklace and matching bracelet complemented the outfit, and a pair of heels finished off the look. She couldn’t wait to see his face.

She stopped in front of room 1020 and set the small rolling suitcase beside her. Planting a big smile on her face, she raised her hand to knock. Wait a minute. Maybe she should strike a sexy pose.

No. How silly. She quickly swept her fingers through her curly locks and checked her face in the compact in her purse. She wore more makeup than usual, but it was all part of the plan. He wouldn’t be able to resist her. She was certain of it.

She knocked on the door and waited, but when it opened, the smile on her face died.

“Can I help you?”

Time screeched to a halt, and her heart stopped.

Matthew didn’t stand in the doorway. A woman did, with flawless brown skin, wearing a tight miniskirt and a clinging top that showcased her long legs and hourglass figure. She had the kind of curves Lorena wished she had.

And that scent. Her stomach contorted into knots…lilacs.

The same perfume she’d smelled on Matthew the night they’d argued before their breakup two days later. It couldn’t be a coincidence. The unmistakable cloying scent of the perfume permeated the air.

This was her—the woman he’d claimed nothing happened with.

No…
no
.

Nothing happened. Right. Lorena surveyed the other woman with envy, feeling as though she fell short. No way could a man resist this woman—certainly not a man as highly sexed as Matthew.

Bile burned up her throat.

“I-I…um,” she stammered, seeking a way out.
Please, please, let it be a mistake.
“I-I was looking for someone.”

“Are you looking for Matthew? Do you want me to get him?” She turned her head to yell into the room. “Hey—”

“No!” It wasn’t a mistake. This was his room, and this…this woman was here with him. Lorena laughed, pretending to be embarrassed. “Wait a minute, this is room 1020. I’m looking for my friend, and she’s in room 1002. I’m sorry to disturb you.”

“Oh, don’t worry about it. I think room 1002 is down the other hall. When you got off the elevator, you should have turned left instead of right.”

“Of course.” She could barely get the words out. She wouldn’t fall apart in front of this woman. “Thanks.”

She took the handle on her suitcase. As she turned away, she heard Matthew’s distinct voice ask, “Who was at the door?” right before the door clicked shut.

As if he’d touched her, her skin burned from the mere sound of his voice. How could he do this?

“I love you,” he’d said.

Today he’d sent her a text.
I miss you
.

I miss you too
, she’d texted back, taking secret pleasure in knowing before the end of the day they would see each other.

On unsteady feet, she stumbled and the suitcase bumped her leg, a sob breaking from deep inside of her. He’d lied.

She sagged against the wall, immobilized by her pain. Tears streamed down her face, and she shook uncontrollably.

“Ma’am, are you okay? Do you need some help?” a uniformed staff person asked, deep concern filling his voice.

“No,” she whispered, swiping the back of her hand across her cheeks. She kept her eyes lowered.

“Are you sure? If you need anything…”

With a vigorous shake of her head, she assured him his assistance wasn’t necessary. He hesitated for a moment before walking away. Lorena grabbed her suitcase, but she didn’t get far because she needed a moment to regroup. She ducked into the ice machine alcove and stared down at her simple dress, embarrassed when she thought about how she looked in comparison to the other woman in her tight, clingy outfit. How could she be so naive to think she could keep him satisfied? Look at the competition. Soft, curvy women like her chased after him all the time. She couldn’t even compete.

And how could she be so stupid to believe his lies? He’d fooled her into trusting him. He’d seemed so sincere.

He’s not worth it.

She repeated the words to herself, hoping if she said them enough, eventually she could trick herself into believing them. She sank to the cold floor, with an ache like a hole in her chest.

“I just need you to trust me a little bit, okay? You won’t regret taking me back. I promise.”

She buried her face in her hands.

He’d promised.

****

Matthew had quickly used the bathroom, and when he came out, he’d asked Reshemah who was at the door.

“A woman, but she came to the wrong room.” She put her fist on her hip. “Does this Lorena chick know how lucky she is?”

Her eyes traveled over him with regret. They’d had a long talk, and she now understood the nature of his relationship with Lorena and how important she was to him. As tempting as Reshemah was, she didn’t hold a candle to his woman.

“I’m the lucky one, believe me.” He put his arm around her shoulders. “Come on, I’ll buy you dinner. For old times’ sake.”

Reshemah pouted. “I’d rather have sex.”

“Dinner’s all I’m offering tonight, hot stuff.” They exited the room and walked down the hall, past the nook with the ice machine. “What are you doing in this sexy outfit and no panties, anyway? Are you trying to drive all these geeks wild?”