Slow Seduction (11 page)

Mark noticed his empty glass and cursed. “Do either of you want another drink?”

The couple on the couch shook their heads, “No, we’re fine,” the man answered.

“Okay, I’ll be right back. I need a refill.” He turned and left the room.

*

“I think we should get out of here. I want to get back at Campbell Construction and Design for making us serve eight months in jail for insurance fraud, but I don’t want to go back for murder. We lucked out getting out earlier for good behavior.”

Patting his nervous wife’s hand, William Griffin remarked, “I think we know too much to back out now.” He now regretted bringing his wife into this horrible mess. He thought back then that revenge would be the best thing, but now he saw how wrong his decision was. He didn’t even know anything about this Jenisha Roman woman or even why Mark hated her. “Mark wouldn’t let us live. We just need to go along with him, then disappear at the first opportunity.”

“Do you really think he would kill us?” Stephanie Griffin asked.

“Yes, I do. Have you ever noticed that odd look in his eyes?

Hearing Mark coming down the hall, they ended their conversation.

“Are we still a team?” Mark said the second he stepped back into the room “Will we do everything according to plan?”

“Yes, I think the plans are still a go,” William replied. It’s not like the two of them had much of a choice.

“Wonderful,” Mark smiled. “The two of you better get going and work on the things we discussed. I’ve a meeting with Mr. Campbell and Jenisha tomorrow. After talking with them, I may have more for you to do.”

“Call us when you need us,” William said. He got up from the couch and yanked his wife out the door behind him. He prayed Mark wouldn’t call them back, but he knew that was too much to wish for. They were already knee deep in it with him.

“
Excuse me, has Mark Kimball arrived yet?” The hostess looked up from the reservation list into a dark pair of mesmerizing green eyes.

“Yes, sir, he came in about five minutes ago. Let me take you to your seat,” she offered.

Looking across the crowded restaurant, Clinton spotted Mark sitting in the back. “No, I see him. I can seat myself.” He walked toward the table, ignoring the female stares coming his way. He didn’t need to return any of them now since he had Jenisha. “Nice to see you, Principal Kimball,” he said once he reached the table.
Remember what Jenisha said. This guy is a jerk. Don’t let him get under your skin.

Sitting his coffee on the table, Mark smirked at him. “T
hank
you. It’s nice to see you again too, Mr. Campbell.” He gestured toward the seat in front of him. “Why don’t you sit down? We can talk until Jenisha arrives.”

His eyes narrowed at how Mark used Jenisha’s first name with such familiarity, but he didn’t say anything. He knew Principal Kimball did it to get a rise out of him and he wouldn’t fall for it. Taking a seat, he signaled for the waiter, and then ordered a cup of coffee. After the waiter left with his order, he got down to business. His plan was to get finished with the slime all before Jenisha had a chance to show up for the meeting.

Reaching into his suit jacket, Clinton grabbed a small note pad and pencil and tossed them on the table. “Have you seen any problems with my designs thus far?” he questioned. “I need to know today to be able to fix them before the crew comes next week. My two best men are finishing up an assignment in Florida. They should be here by the end of next week.”

“Mr. Campbell, your designs are clean and very original. I’m very pleased with your sketches. I know the finished product will be even better,” Mark stated.

He was about to respond to Mark’s comment, but the waiter came back with his coffee, cutting him off. He waited until the server placed his drink in front of him and left before he resumed the conversation. “I’m very glad to hear that.”

With his back to the entrance, Clinton couldn’t see when Jenisha arrived, but Mark did. He made another personal remark to rub Clinton the wrong way. “Here comes Jenisha. She’s sure is one hot looking woman. A woman that sexy has to be good in the bedroom. Wouldn’t you agree Clinton?”

Clinton’s hand tightened around the china coffee cup, almost breaking it. He heard his heart pounding in his ears. It was taking all his willpower not to get up and punch Mark in the face. But, if he did, Jenisha would lose her job and Campbell Construction and Design didn’t need the attention. His brother had worked too hard and lost too much getting the business off the ground.

Mark was impressed with Clinton’s control over his temper. Most men would have already punched him out by now, but Clinton just stared at him with rage boiling beneath the surface. He knew he was going to love taunting Clinton.

Jenisha headed toward the table, wishing she hadn’t overslept. She didn’t want Clinton spending too much time alone with Mark. He possessed a way of poisoning your mind without you knowing it. Clinton wouldn’t be able to control his temper once Mark got started. She hoped the outfit she chose to wear looked professional, yet cute enough to draw Clinton’s attention.

The flowing, knee-length skirt brushed her legs as she walked faster to the table. The dark pink v-neck short sleeved top enhanced her dark brown skin, making her more beautiful to the males in the restaurant. Today she had pulled her long curls up to have more of a business look at the meeting. She didn’t want to encourage Mark or make Clinton feel like he had to protect her. Even from this distance, she could tell Clinton was angry.

She finally made it to the table and hoped that it wasn’t too late. From the strained look on Clinton’s face, she barely made it in time. “Good Morning, gentleman, I apologize for being late.”

Clinton got up and pulled out her chair for her. “T
hank
you,” she whispered.

“My pleasure,” Clinton answered. Retaking his seat, he turned his attention away from her and back to Mark. “When would you like for me to start bringing in the site manager so he can determine if we have enough space for all my designs?”

“I thought you already took care of all of that,” Mark questioned.

“I did, but I always like to have a second opinion,” Clinton replied, making her so proud of him. He did listen when she told him how Mark was.

“Well, I’m taking my wife on vacation for a couple of days, so how about ten o’clock Friday morning? Is that a good time for the both of you?”

“I can’t speak for Mr. Campbell,” Jenisha interrupted. “But, I know I already have plans at ten o’clock. I won’t be able to make it. Will that be a problem?”

She didn’t miss how Clinton looked at her, surprised by her answer.

“No, Miss Roman, I don’t have a problem,” Mark answered. “Anything you need to know I’m sure Clinton will tell you about.” Giving Clinton his attention, Mark continued. “Does your silence mean you will be able to meet me at that time?”

“Yes, ten is fine with me,” Clinton answered.

“Good, “Mark muttered. He started to say more, but his cell phone rang. “Sorry, let me see who this is.”

“Hello,” he grumbled into the phone.

“I need to see you,” a voice whined on the other end.

“I’m busy right now.”

“Look, either you come to me or I’ll come to you. I know you’re having breakfast with Clinton and Jenisha.”

“Where are you?”

“Why do you always sound so pissed to hear my voice?”

“Don’t do this right now. Just tell me where you are.”

“I’m at home.”

“Good, stay there I’m coming right over.”

“T
hank
you.”

Mark disconnected the call and shoved the phone back into his suit jacket. “I have to leave. Someone I know needs my help.” Without waiting for a reply, he got up from the table and left the restaurant.

Jenisha watched Mark leave the restaurant with a sigh of relief. Anytime he left her space it was a good thing. He was way too eerie for her. But, he did remind her of a Hollywood actor.

“Isn’t it amazing how much he looks like the actor Billy Zane from the movie
Titanic
,” Clinton asked.

“You’re right, he does look like him,” she agreed. “I was sitting here thinking he resembled someone. I’m surprised you know who he is.”

“One of my ex-girlfriends loved that movie and made me go see it with her. I can say I don’t want to see it again. Too much of a chic movie for me. I’d rather go see
Bad Boys
,” he mumbled.

“Hey, I love that movie,” Jenisha laughed. “Martin Lawrence and Will Smith are so hilarious.”

“Are you ready to leave?” Clinton asked.

“Sure.” Jenisha waited while Clinton called over the waiter and paid for his coffee. After that was done, he helped her out of her chair and escorted her from the restaurant.

“Where are you parked?” he asked, standing in the middle of the sidewalk looking around the crowded parking lot.

“Over there near the park,” Jenisha said, pointing off toward the left.

Taking her by the elbow, Clinton took her to her car. “Here you go, precious,” he whispered next to her.

She pulled her keys out of her purse and started to unlock the car door, but Clinton stopped her by laying his hand on top of hers. “What kind of plans do you have on Friday?”

“Sweetheart, I don’t have to tell you everything.”

“If I haven’t made myself clear, let me do so now,” Clinton said. “I’m not dating anyone else and I would love for you not to either.”

Jenisha couldn’t believe how quickly Clinton jumped to conclusions. “Clinton, I don’t’ have a date with another man. Becky and I planned to have a day at the spa over a month ago. I’m not about to cancel it for Principal Kimball.”

Clinton felt a lot better knowing Jenisha was still his. “Baby, I won’t be able to see you the next couple of days because I need to start calling suppliers.”

“That’s fine with me. I have a stack of papers to grade plus start a new lesson plan. How about we try for a date on Saturday?”

“I hope I can make it to then without seeing you,” he sighed.

Kissing him quickly on the lips, Jenisha muttered, “I know you can. You’re a lot stronger than you think. Now, I really need to go. I have so much to do at home.”

Clinton caressed the side of her face with his fingers. “Do you know that was the first time you made a move toward me?”

“It was?” she replied.

“Yes, and I think I liked it,” Clinton grinned, causing his eyes to wrinkle at the sides.

“I think I liked it too.”

Clinton opened the car door for her and let her slide in past his body. Shutting the door, he leaned in the window and kissed her goodbye one last. Smiling at him, she started her car and drove off.

Mark knocked on his daughter’s front door. He hated how needy she was for his attention. He never wanted children and now he had this nuisance of a daughter. Running his hand through his hair, he knew he had to deal with her. But, at that moment, he couldn’t fit it into his schedule. Maybe after he dealt with Clinton and Jenisha he could write a nice big check and pay Robin to disappear.

Surely, she had a price. Most people did. He was tired of waiting for her to answer the door. She had called him in a panic and now she wouldn’t come to the door. He raised his hand to knock one last time when Robin opened the door looking dazed. “You actually came,” she gushed at him.

The smell of liquor coming from her breath sickened him. “Are you drunk?”

Robin opened the door wider, showing him the Vodka bottle in her hand. “I’m not drunk yet, but I’m on my way there, daddy.”

He snatched the bottle out of her hand and shoved her back into the house. “Listen, I don’t have time for this,” he yelled, slamming the door. “Why are you drinking this early in the morning?”

“I’m trying to drown my sorrows at having an uncaring, selfish bastard as a father,” Robin tossed back.

Mark sat the half-empty bottle on the living room table in disgust. How was she going to be able to help him in the condition she was in? “I’m going fix you some coffee. After that I’m going to give you an assignment. I know it will be something you will enjoy doing.” He prayed that she was bright enough to carry it off.

Twenty minutes later a sober Robin was sitting in front of her father with her mouth wide open. “I can’t do that. There’s no way he’ll fall for me. Have you not noticed how in love he is with Jenisha?”

“You don’t understand what I’m saying,” Mark corrected. “He doesn’t have to really be in love with you. Jenisha just has to think he is for my plan to work. So, first thing tomorrow morning I want you to show up at his house wearing something cute, but not trashy.” He wondered if his daughter even knew the difference between the two. “Invite yourself in by saying you have some papers for him to look at.”

Robin’s eyes lit up with pleasure. “I understand what you want me to do.”

“Do you think you can handle that?” He had to give Robin something to do to occupy her time so she would leave Jenisha alone, or she would ruin his plans all together.

“I won’t let you down, dad.”

Mark got up from the table. “Don’t say that out in public or everything will be ruined. How about you just call me Mark? I haven’t been a father to you.”

Big sky blue eyes looked at him with hope, “Would you like to become more of a father to me?”

He pushed his chair back under the table. Standing behind it, he shoved his hands into his pants. “Robin, I worked very hard during my sexual encounters not to get a woman pregnant because the thought of having a child bored me. If I had known about you, I can honestly say I would have told Ann to end the pregnancy.”

Robin gasped at his cruel words. Mark shrugged his shoulders at the sound. “Don’t take it so personally, Robin.”

“I’m a man who never wanted kids in his life messing things up. I only wished I had my surgery before I met Ann and none of this would be happening now. But, here you are, and you’ve found a way to worm yourself into my well-balanced life.”

Robin’s eyes started to burn from the tears she was holding in. She didn’t understand how her sweet mother had fallen for such a cruel man. “How did my mother end up with you as my father?”

“Your mother was a very attractive woman back then, and I loved having pretty things. A few soft spoken words along with several gifts, and she was mine for the taking.”

Mark rolled his eyes and stared off into the distance. “Now, I truly believe she thought I would marry her and have my family disown me for even associating with a girl from the wrong side of town. I remember laughing in her face the first night we made love because she thought we were going to get married”

“I said I could never marry a girl whose mother was our maid. She had gotten dressed in record time and ran from my bedroom. I never heard from her again. So, imagine my surprise when you showed up at my doorstep,” he snickered.