More Than A Four Letter Word (8 page)

Clarissa didn’t have any feelings for Julian.
She just extricated herself from one relationship, and she isn’t
ready to jump into another one so soon. Julian is a fascinating
man. She has a feeling he would be an excellent boss. God if only
she could make herself believe that she isn’t attracted to him.
“Today would have been a perfect day to stay in bed.” Clarissa
groans to herself as she a sips her coffee.

***

The meeting with Rosscom's representatives
and her office managers is going better than expected. She wants to
make a smooth transition before she gives her final good-byes to
her staff. They were interrupted by Clarissa's secretary Wanda. She
knows it has to be important, or Wanda would have waited for a
break.

"What's wrong Wanda?"

"I'm sorry to disturb you Clarissa, Mrs.
Ivory Tate is here, and she's determine to see you."

Oh Lord, now she has to deal with Lawrence's
mother. "Thanks Wanda, please show Mrs. Tate into my office. Please
excuse me; I have some business to discuss with Mrs. Tate."
Lawrence often referred to his mother as a delicate southern
flower. Clarissa knows from experience that the only thing delicate
about his mother is her stature.

As she approaches her office, she sees
Harrison, Mrs. Tate's driver standing outside her office. According
to Lawrence, Harrison has been with his family since his childhood.
"Harrison would you like something to drink while you wait?"

"No, thank you Miss Marks. I'll just wait
here for Mrs. Tate."

Mrs. Tate seems to be enjoying the view from
Clarissa's office. As always she is the picture of a genteel
Southern Belle with a waspish tongue. Always polite and
considerate, but her cold blue eyes belie the true meaning behind
her words. She dressed as if she were going to a garden party for
the rich and famous. From her fashionable sun brim hat to her
Stuart Weitzman shoes.

Clarissa shut the door behind her and
addresses her almost mother-in-law. "Hello Mrs. Tate can I get you
anything to drink."

Ivory Tate hugs Clarissa before sitting down.
"I know what transpired between you and Lawrence this past weekend.
He tells me that you refuse to discuss the breakup. He asked me to
come and plead his case with you."

"Mrs. Tate I've said everything I have to say
and rest assured the wedding has been canceled."

"I'm sorry that you feel your relationship
can't be saved." She sighs before pressing forward, "When Lawrence
introduced us, I had a feeling that your relationship with him
wouldn't work out, but as the wedding drew closer I had hopes for
you and Lawrence."

"Why did you think Lawrence and I were doomed
from the outset? What is because my parents' aren't rich or my skin
isn't Lilly white?"

Mrs. Tate gives Clarissa a fleeting smile, "I
know why you would think that about me. I was born into a wealthy
family, and I knew that the man I married would have the same
background. I knew what to expect from my husband and my place in
the marriage. When I first met you, I had you pegged as a career
woman who would never be content just being a rich man's wife."

Clarissa is at a loss for words, "You're
right Mrs. Tate I would never be satisfied with the label rich
man's wife."

"Lawrence is like his father in all
respects."

"Really, how so."

"On my wedding day, I caught my husband
having sex with my best friend in the cabana. Our union wasn't a
love match by any means, but I expected my husband to conduct
himself in a manner that wouldn't embarrass the family name. I also
learned how to select better friends."

"Why would you ever settle for an arrangement
like that?"

"Clarissa I know that you don't understand,
but I was groomed to marry for connections and wealth. To my
recollection Tabitha was the only person in my family who married
for love. I had hopes that Lawrence would break the cycle as well
by marrying you. As I've gotten older, my taste for tradition has
fallen by the wayside."

"You're right Mrs. Tate I don't understand
how anyone could live that way."

"Are you positive you can't forgive Lawrence
for his indiscretion? I know you don't believe me, but he honestly
loves you."

That last thing Clarissa expected is Mrs.
Tate's approval. "Mrs. Tate catching Lawrence in bed with my sister
makes me realize how much I don't love him. If I truly loved him, I
may have been open to mending our relationship. I would never marry
a man for anything less than love, and I'm grateful to Lawrence for
showing me how a man who professes to love me shouldn't
behave."

"Clarissa dear, I may not have married for
love, but I know what love is, and the love of my life stays close
by my side. Well I've said everything I needed to say. I'm going to
California I want to be on hand when my grandchild is born."

Clarissa likes Lawrence's sister Tabitha and
speaks with her frequently on the phone. "The baby isn't due for
another month."

"That's true dear, but your wedding is
canceled, so there's no reason for me to hang around. "I wish you
all the best Clarissa, and I'm truly sorry for any pain my son has
caused you."

Before Mrs. Tate exited the office, she
gently patted Clarissa's cheek. "Give Tabitha my best."

"Of course dear, Harrison I'm ready to
leave."

"Good bye."

This is the longest conversation she can
recall having with Mrs. Tate, which is a shame, she missed a
positive relationship. Clarissa walks over to the window staring at
the scenery just as Mrs. Tate did less than 20 minutes ago. She
stands there long enough to see Mrs. Tate and Harrison walking arm
and arm like an old married couple enjoying a stroll. Harrison
opens the back door of the opulent silver and blue Bentley. Before
getting in the car, Mrs. Tate rubs his hand. Maybe Mrs. Tate did
find that special love, is seemed as though she didn't waste her
life being one of the idle rich. "I refuse to live a life without
love too."

***

How long has she been standing there staring
out of her office window looking down at the busy streets of
downtown Chicago? She's in the middle of a security project for the
EPA, but her mind isn't on work right now. Clarissa has been
working for Rosscom for more than four months, closer to five. It
still hasn't been enough time to work out her feelings for her boss
Julian Ross.

He's a busy man, and she sees him sometimes
once or twice a week. When their paths cross, Julian is always
pleasant and professional, not the sensual man she encountered in
Orlando. Maybe she put too much stock in their initial meeting; she
thought she would have to beat him off with a stick. Well seems
like the joke is on her. He isn't doing anything to change the
status quo.

Julian is like no other man in her
acquaintance, and Clarissa is afraid that she might be falling for
him. She can't stop thinking about Julian's full, kissable lips and
his slightly titled onyx eyes, surrounded by long, thick eyelashes.
If absence makes the heart grow fonder, she must damn well be in
love. Clarissa wondered if this is Julian's plan all along. Tease
her and make her want him and then treat her as if she doesn't
exist. Talk about a sexual let down.

Clarissa turned around upon hearing the
tapping at her door. She works in a secure environment and doesn't
get many visitors. She opens the security door, only to see Julian
standing on the other side. "Come in."

Julian walks into Clarissa office, shutting
the door behind him. "Clarissa, you and I need to talk. I could
have invited you to lunch, but your office will have to
suffice."

Clarissa practically stumbled before falling
into her chair. Sitting behind her desk gives her a feeling of
safety. It's a good thing she's sitting down; just looking at
Julian makes her weak in the knees. Damn she needs to get laid. No
man should have that much sexual magnetism. "Sure Julian what can I
do for you?"

Julian eyes roam freely over her face and
breasts. His plan is to give her a little time to get acclimated to
Chicago before he pounces, but he is out of patience, and she is
out of time. "I need you to act as hostess tonight for my house
warming party."

"What?" She certainly didn't expect him to
ask her to be his hostess. "I don't think I'm qualified to act as
your hostess. I'm sure that you know plenty of women who would die
for a chance to host your party."

"I don't want another woman. You may have me
pegged as Chicago's number one playboy, but I never take my lovers
home to meet my son. My liaisons were about sex and nothing more.
You, on the other hand, have managed to worm you way into my son's
favor. So it's only fitting that you play hostess at our house
warming party."

Thinking about Julian's son Micah puts a
smile on her face. Micah is an adorable little charmer. At the
company Christmas party, they talked about a variety of subjects.
"I've bumped into Micah a couple of times since the Christmas
party, and I don't recall anything I said that would make a lasting
impression on a ten year old."

Clarissa has no idea how others viewed her.
Initially upon meeting her, his only objectives were to get her in
his bed and keep her there. Now he's considering a more permanent
arrangement. Julian loves his son more than anything, and he puts
Micah's needs before his own. Meeting Clarissa has turned Micah's
world around. Seeing Micah's interaction with her, makes Julian
realize that a growing young boy needs the influence of a loving,
strong woman.

"You have him wrapped around your little
finger, and the only thing I've been hearing since Christmas is
when can I see Rissa again. Did you tell him that it was okay to
call you Rissa?"

Clarissa could feel herself blushing under
his intense gaze. "Back in Orlando, I had an art group for children
at the neighborhood Boys & Girls Club. I told the kids to call
me Rissa; I wanted them to feel at ease in my presence. I was there
to help them explore their creative side as a friend."

Julian approaches her desk, his eyes never
leaving hers. "Well I need a friend tonight Rissa. When would you
like for me to pick you up?"

Clarissa blinked a few times to break the
spell Julian put on her. She takes a deep breath before she answers
him. The last thing she wants is being confined in a car with
Julian. She is horny as hell and would probably do something rash
like jump him inside the car. If it takes all night, she would find
his house by herself. She has been to his house once before for a
meeting, so she is certain she can find his house.

"I'm sure I can find your house, it’s not
like I haven’t been there before."

“
Yes you have, but that
happen a month ago and you weren’t driving.”

"Don't worry I've become rather adept at
maneuvering around Chicago."

Julian watched Clarissa closely for signs of
fatigue. She works too many late nights and is usually the first
one to arrive in the morning. Julian wants to know what drives her
to work the way she does. He's a workaholic himself, but he has
nothing on Clarissa and the time she spends working nights and
weekends. "Drive carefully tonight."

Clarissa gives Julian her brightest smile. "I
promise to drive safely."

"One more thing, you may not realize this,
but I've been watching your interactions with the staff here at
Rosscom. You are admired and respected, and no one here would ever
think that you were hired because of my sexual interest in
you."

Clarissa rolled her eyes and snorted. "Julian
I don't know what you're talking about?

"I've been biding my time, giving you a
chance to settle in, but the drought is over Clarissa. I've been
delegating my duties to my competent executives. Now I can focus my
time planning your seduction." He winked at her before vacating her
office.

After watching Julian leave her office, she
must have stared at the closed door for several minutes lost in her
own thoughts. She got on the phone and made a couple of calls.
Clarissa decided that she would take the rest of the day off in
preparation for Julian's party. "Arrogant man! We'll see who's
going to seduce whom."

***

As Julian got ready for the party, his mind
drifted off. Ever since, his wife died, women were just a means to
an end. Julian's aunt nagged him to get married again. She wanted
him to have more children so that she could spoil them rotten.

Julian thought about getting married a lot
over the last three months; Clarissa is the only candidate so far
that comes close to the type of woman he wants. If she could look
into his mind, she would probably pack her bags and run back to
Orlando. He has been keeping his distance, which is more than he
would do for any other woman.

He has given her ample time to get settled at
the job and into her new home. The die has been cast, now it is
time to claim his woman. He may have been staying out of Clarissa's
way, but his mind is filled with thoughts of her. He even dreams
about her when he sleeps at night. His attraction for Clarissa is
getting out of hand and disrupting his life. Julian doesn't believe
in getting involved in office romances, but this situation with
Clarissa is so much more than an office romance.

Julian pulls his tuxedo out of the closet and
lays it across his before heading for the bathroom. He inspected
his face in the mirror, knowing that he would have to shave again.
Because of his Italian ancestry, he always has to shave twice a day
especially if he has an evening engagement.

His grandparents were born in Palermo Italy;
they became United States citizens back in the 1930's. His mother
and her older sister Reva were born and raised in Philadelphia. As
a child, he remembered his grandmother chastising his grandfather
about his scratchy face. He lathered his face, taking out his
grandfather's straight razor and quickly shaved his face. He had an
electric shaver, but it didn't give him the close, clean shave of a
straight razor. Julian checked his face in the mirror again to
ensure his five o'clock shadow has disappeared.