“I’ll be back in a moment,” he told the young lady behind the grill.
“No problem. Take your time.”
Barron grabbed bottle of Chardonnay, clutched it under his arm, and headed toward Danielle. She was wearing a fitted black suit, uniquely tailored jacket had one button, and the skirt offered a view of her shapely hips. Barron drew in a breath. He was more attracted to this woman than he had ever been to anyone in his life.
“Hello, Miss Mitchell,” he said, approaching her.
The handsome man in front of her made Danielle forget what she wanted on her sandwich. “Uh…um…Hey Barron.”
“What kind of spread, Miss?”
Danielle’s eyes traveled from Barron’s eyes to his full lips. She remembered the way they felt against hers, soft and sweet.
“Miss?”
Barron cleared his throat, breaking her daze. “Danielle, he wants to know what kind of spread you want.” Barron thought of another spread he would like; her thighs spread with her sitting on his bed and his head between them. He twisted his mouth and grinned. “Danielle?”
“Oh.” Danielle slapped her palm against her forehead. “I’m sorry. Honey mustard, and a little mayo, please. I didn’t know you ate this kind of food. I thought five star dinners were your thing.”
“I like to taste a little bit of everything, Miss Mitchell,” looking at her.
“I remember,” Danielle said.
“Do you?”
“Yes.”
He smiled. “Tell me what you remember. I want to hear.”
“Nope.”
“Aww, come on Danielle. You gotta stop shooting me down like this. It hurts me.”
“Whatever. Subject change. How is your work coming on the Tornadoes presentation?”
Barron thought about what Mr. Simmons had said earlier. “Why don’t you join me for lunch and I’ll tell you about it.”
She peered into his waiting eyes.
“I’ll be a gentleman,” he said, raising his hands in a defeated stance. “I promise.”
Danielle lowered her eyes. “Here we go with the promises…”
“Ma’am, your sandwich.”
Danielle took it from the man and followed Barron to the check out line.
“If I say I’m going to be a gentleman, I will. And to prove it, lunch is on me.”
“No, that’s quite all right,” she said, reaching in her purse.
He looked down into her eyes and pulled out his wallet. “It’s just lunch Danielle.”
“Fine,” she said. “Go ahead.” She grabbed two lemonades from the refrigerated section near the registers.
“Anything else?” the cashier asked.
“No. We’re good,” Barron and Danielle said in unison.
“So why did you hang up on me the last time we spoke?”
Danielle’s arched brow shot up as she recalled the incident. “I don’t know. Sometimes you catch me off guard. Where are we going to eat this?” she asked, smoothing her hair.
“There’s a park down the street. We can go there.”
Danielle looked skeptical.
“It’s a public place Danielle. I can’t do anything to you there.”
“The beach was a public place too,” she said, walking past him.
Barron shook his head and chuckled to himself.
At the park, they found a picnic area with a table near the lake. Danielle took a seat and Barron sat across from her. As he looked at her unwrap her sandwich, he realized is current appetite had nothing to do with food.
“What are you looking at?” she asked, feeling his eyes on her.
“You.”
“Why are you looking at me?”
“Maybe I like looking at you. Do you mind?”
Her eyes sparkled as though she was playing a game. “Yes, because you make me nervous.”
“Now you finally admit it,” he said, taking a bite of his food.
Danielle bit her sandwich.
“My boy saw our picture online. He said we look like an old married couple.”
“Oh Lord, it’s on the internet too? Now I bet everybody has seen it.”
“I liked our picture,” Barron added. “And we do look good together.”
Danielle wiped the corner of her mouth with a napkin. “Good enough to make people talk.”
“I’d be worried if they weren’t talking about me. At least people are paying attention to what we’re doing. That can mean more business.”
“I guess, but I prefer to remain out of the spotlight.”
“And I prefer to see you in it,” Barron said, gazing at her. His eyes were dark and intense.
“If you say so.”
Barron cleared his throat. “Can I ask you something Danielle?”
“What?”
“Why do we have to keep playing games like fifth graders? Why can’t you just admit that there’s something between us that neither of us can really explain.”
“Barron, please.”
“Please what? Why can’t you admit you like me? You already know I like you.”
Danielle opened her lemonade. “Too much to deal with right now.”
“For you maybe. I’m fine.”
“I am not jeopardizing my career for you.”
“How would I jeopardize your career exactly? This is your town, isn’t it? Well, at least that’s what you told me.”
Danielle didn’t reply.
“I’ll take your silence as a yes,” Barron said. “You can keep this up if you want to but I know you wouldn’t be sitting here with me if you didn’t want to be sitting here with me.”
“I guess you want me to admit that I enjoy your company?” Danielle said, looking up at him.
“I guess I do.”
“Fine, I enjoy it Barron. Are you satisfied?”
“Not nearly baby,” he said in a thick, heated voice. “So now that we’re past that, can I make a real effort to date you?”
“No.”
“No?”
“Yes, no. I don’t think dating you is a good idea.”
“Danielle, you just said you enjoy my company. What’s wrong with dating me?”
“I just don’t want to. Now can we please move on.”
“Aight, fine.” He ate the rest of his Chicken Marsala in silence.
“What’s the matter with you?” Danielle asked noticing the frown on his face.
“Nothing.”
“Are you sure?”
He gave her a look so hard she turned away.
Danielle thought he was being selfish. “So is this how it is when you don’t get your way? You sulk?”
“Yeah,” he admitted. “I told you I was a selfish asshole from jump street. I want what I want when I want it, and that includes you.”
“Wishful thinking, so I guess I may as well leave now.”
“Already?” Barron asked, perplexed.
“Yes,” she said.
A confused look filled his eyes. “Why?”
Danielle pulled her blazer on and buttoned it. “Because when we’re together I find myself asking what we’re doing and I’m trying very hard not to answer that question.”
“You love to run from me for some reason.” She noted the disappointment in his eyes.
“Do what you do,” he said.
“Well, I guess I’ll see you on Friday at Mr. Washington’s party.”
He nodded and looked away.
“Goodbye, Barron,” she said, backing away.
He waved but didn’t reply.
Later in the week Danielle found herself thinking about Barron so she was completely surprised when he showed up at her office requesting to speak with her a few days later.
“Danielle, Barron Weston is here,” Clarice said in a low voice.
Danielle’s heart skipped a beat. What was he doing showing up at her office? She opened the bottom drawer and pulled out her purse. She reached for her lipstick and smoothed it on as she checked herself in the mirror.
“Okay, just send him in,” she said straightening her skirt.
“You sure?”
“Yes.”
“Okay…Mr. Weston you can right in,” Clarice said with a doubtful look in her eyes.
“Thank you.”
Barron’s powerful aura took over the room when he entered it. He was wearing a navy pinstripe suit, with a matching light gray shirt and tie. He looked every bit the debonair gentleman he was. Danielle evaluated him silently. She folded her arms across her chest clutching her elbows.
“What brings you by?”
He looked her up and down as he shut the door. He moved toward her and licked his lips. He bent down toward her chair. She drew back, clutching the sides of the chair. She was dressed in a gray crepe, wool shift dress and black heels. She had pearl choker on with matching earrings and her hair was pulled back into a neat bun. She was a bit more conservative than usual. Barron thought she looked very sophisticated—and sexy.
“I came to see if you we could start over again.” His eyes roamed over her seductively as she stood in front of him.
“S-Start over?” she asked.
“I know you still feel some love and hate toward me.”
“Love and hate. I don’t love you…but I don’t hate you either.”
Her innocent expression aroused Barron. He liked the game she was playing. “You left me so suddenly the other day, you hang up on me, you confuse me, yet you engage me all at the same time.” His eyes looked right through her. “I just wish you would just tell me what I need to do to make us right again. Please.”
Danielle got up to close her door. “First off, Barron. I didn’t just leave you. I had work to do. Second, this thing between is just the past lingering.”
“It’s not the past I’m concerned with, it’s the future I want us to work on.”
“And then what?” Danielle asked looking into his eyes.
“And then it’s whatever…” Barron said, coming closer.
He traced her lips with his finger. “Whatever you want from me, you can have it.”
Danielle’s knees were weak.
As her eyes slid closed he slipped his tongue between her lips. He moved it in and out slowly, smothering her lips with a demanding kiss. “Denying yourself all I have to give you is a terrible thing…”
“…I’m not…denying…”
He pushed her toward the wall. “Yes you are…” he loosened her bun and let her hair fall against her shoulders. “Admit it...” his lips moved to her ear.
Danielle exhaled in a trembled breath. “Barron…”
“Yes?”
His mouth covered hers slowly again, then his lips found her chin and eventually her neck. His kiss sent chills down her spine. Somehow she allowed herself to slip her arms around his neck. He smiled but didn’t stop kissing her.
“We have to stop,” she said pushing him away.
He threw his hands up in defeat.
Danielle paced the floor rubbing her temples. “What are we doing?”
“I don’t know,” Barron sighed. “But let’s figure it out over dinner.
The intensity in his eyes let Danielle know he was serious.
“Just dinner?” she asked, looking at him.
“Yeah.”
She contemplated his request for a moment. If she said yes, she wouldn’t have to cook tonight. Danielle loved to eat but she hated cooking. Not that she couldn’t do it. Being so busy at work she had little time to prepare meals.
“Fine. We’ll have dinner.”
“I’ll pick you up at your place around seven.”
Danielle went to her desk to write her address down. Then she handed Barron the paper. “See you tonight, Mr. Weston.”
“You sure will,” he said with a smile.
Barron arrived at Danielle’s townhouse right on time. She was still getting ready so she invited him in. Usually she was punctual but she stood in her closet for nearly twenty minutes trying to figure out what to wear. She didn’t want to do put on anything to revealing or to tight, so she opted for something in between: a fitted navy blue Dolce & Gabbana sheath dress and matching Jimmy Choo heels. Now all she had to do was put it on.
“Would you like something to drink, Barron?” she asked, putting on her earring.
“Sure, but I’ll fix it,” he said, catching a glimpse of her lingerie clad body. “You might wanna fix that,” he said, pointing to her gaping robe.
“Oh!” Danielle said, retying the belt. “Wet bar’s over there, she said pointing to the setup near the patio. I’ll be right back.”
Danielle rushed upstairs while Barron poured himself a glass of Hennessy. He looked around Danielle’s place, admiring her good taste. Everything seemed to be in its place and was very clean. Growing up with three sisters, Barron knew a thing or two about keeping being neat and orderly. He browsed Danielle’s movie collection. She had a ton of romantic comedies and action flicks, and thrillers. Barron loved suspense thrillers, and just like those movies, Danielle offered the same challenge.
A few moments later, she came downstairs wearing a strapless, silver chiffon Phillip Lim dress and matching Louboutin slingbacks.
“I’m ready,” she said, grabbing her shawl from the closet. She had changed her mind yet again when she saw Barron sporting his gray suit. She wanted to complement him.
“Yes you are,” Barron said, admiring her appearance. She complemented him well. He was wearing a dark gray suit, a slate blue shirt, and tie. His was hair was freshly cut, and his goatee trimmed around his full lips. Danielle thought he looked simply delicious.
“I meant to tell you, you look very handsome.”
“Thank you. You look beautiful as always.”
His words gave her great warmth. “Thank you. Shall we go?”
“My chariot awaits,” he said, softly.
She walked past him to the front door, giving him a chance to inhale her perfume. Gucci by Gucci. He loved that scent. As he shut the door behind them, a smile crossed his face. Danielle was in for one hell of a night.
Downstairs they walked to a waiting car. A tall man in a black suit stood with the rear door of a Mercedes six series sedan open.
“You hired a driver?” Danielle asked, stopping at the foot of stairs.
“Yes, his name’s Maurice,” Barron said smiling.
Barron smiled as Maurice opened the door for them. “Good evening Miss Mitchell,” Maurice said.
“Good evening…Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Maurice said, inclining his head.
Danielle slid across the seat to give Barron some room. “I made reservations at La Belle’s.”
“La Belle’s? You were able to get reservations?”
“I’m connected, baby,” Barron said, pulling out his Blackberry Storm.
“Oh, yes, I forgot.”
“And as you know, I always get what I want.”
“We’ll see about that,” Danielle said smiling.
At La Belle’s they dined on lobster bisque, shrimp Creole, crab cakes, new potatoes, green beans with lemon butter, Caesar salad and fresh garlic bread. Barron had specified that he wanted Danielle to have whatever she wanted and since she was a huge seafood fan, she wanted a little bit of everything. The staff was very accommodating, and the lobster bisque kept coming. Danielle had never had such splendid service at a restaurant in her life, and Barron was the perfect companion.
“I can’t lie, this is the best dinner I’ve had in a long time,” Danielle said, pushing her plate away.
“Glad you enjoyed it. Make room for dessert.”
“Oh Barron, I can’t eat another bite.”
“Of course you can. Trust me, you’ll want some of this…”
She wondered if he was talking about food or something else.
Dessert was a pile of fresh beignets topped with homemade vanilla bean ice cream. Since one serving was enough for two, Barron and Danielle shared the dish. Danielle loved beignets. She always had them on her trips to New Orleans.
“How is it?” Barron asked, his voice smoky with desire.
Danielle licked the powdered sugar off her fingers delicately. “This is sooooo good Barron, ohmigod.”
“I knew you would like it. I had them make it for you.”
“Really?”
“Yes, the dessert doesn’t come on the menu but I figured you would want some beignets.”
“How did you know? I love seafood and beignets.”
He smiled. “You told me once, and I always remember what’s important.”
Her glance slid to his lips and then to his eyes. Lord how she wanted him to kiss her again.
“If you’re ready I’ll get the check,” he said.
“I’m ready.”
Maurice was waiting patiently for them when they finished dinner. Barron sent him inside to get something to eat so that he and Danielle could talk in the car.
“I really enjoyed dinner, Barron. Thank you again.”
“My pleasure,” he said, pulling out his Blackberry.
“I see somebody works more than I do,” Danielle said, nudging him.
“I try not to, but I’m addicted. I’m somewhat of a perfectionist.”
“Can I ask you something, Barron?”
“Anything.”
“Why did you really leave Los Angeles? I mean you were at the top of your game, you had tons of clients. What made you leave?”
“L.A. wore me out. I had to leave and something tapped me on my shoulder and told me it was time for me to move on. I’ve never been the most spiritual brother, but for some reason, I really felt like I needed to do the man upstairs was saying. I felt like I really needed to be here.”
“Surprising...” Danielle said.
“…But I can’t lie, I knew you were here and I wanted to be closer to you.”
She turned away then looked back at him.
“What?” he asked, turning her chin toward him.
“Nothing...”
“One day you’ll be able to tell me how you really feel. But until you do…” Barron pulled her mouth to his and brushed his lips against hers. “I’ll just have to try and convince you.”
Danielle’s heart began to hammer in her chest. He gave her slow, drugging kisses. There was no sense in fighting it. She was attracted to him and she did want him. “Good Lord..."
“Good Lord what?” he asked seriously.
“Your kisses...they’re intoxicating.”
“Good,” he said checking his watch.
It was almost time for them to get to his second surprise for the evening. “Before I take you home I have something else to show you.”
“What?”
Maurice jumped in the car. “Ready Mr. Weston?”
“Yeah, we’re ready.”
Maurice started the car and they left.
“Barron, where are we going?”
“You’ll see.”
A short while later, the car came to a stop. Danielle peered out of the tinted window but couldn’t see anything. Maurice came around to open the door and Barron stepped out.
“Come on,” he said, reaching for her hand.
“Where are we going? Wait, is this the…”
“African-American Art Museum. I know how much you like art, so I thought I would surprise you.”
“They’re closed Barron,” she said, as the back door opened.
“Not for us they’re not.”
As they walked up the steps, the doors to the gallery opened. Inside, two tuxedo-clad gentlemen greeted them as if they were royalty.
Barron had used his connections to plan the special night for Danielle. Because the museums owner was a fellow frat brother, he was more than happy to appease Barron’s request.
A woman wearing a black evening gown who looked about fifty approached them. “Welcome Miss Mitchell, Mr. Weston,” she said, smiling. We’ve been anticipating your arrival. Please have a glass of champagne on the way to your tour.”
“Thank you,” Barron said as they went inside. The woman smiled and winked at Barron.
Danielle followed Barron’s lead as he went to a table in the foyer for their champagne. He handed her a glass.
“Ready?” he asked, extending his arm.
“Yes,” she said, excited. He took her by the hand as she took a quick sip of champagne to calm her nerves. Her heart was beating a mile a minute. How Barron managed to pull this off was a mystery. They walked through the gallery, observing the paintings. Danielle was silent, mainly because she couldn’t believe she was where she was and with who she was with. The art was fascinating, but not nearly as fascinating as the man who brought her to see it.
“There’s this collection by this dude out of Harlem I want to show you. He only used charcoal and he has some of the most fascinating work.” They took a few more steps and wound up in a small area that featured a ten-piece collection of the most exquisite charcoal pictures Danielle had ever seen.
“Wow,” she said, looking at one of a woman who looked like she was crying.
“Nice, huh?”
“Yeah, it’s so lifelike. So real. I can’t believe you got them to let us in here this late.”
Barron observed her with a sweet, musing look. “You like you’re in shock.”
She smiled bright and looked at him, “I am.”
“I told you, I always get what I want. If you stick with me, you will too.”
She looked at him. “Are you always so sure of yourself?”
“Yup,” he said, confidently. “If I’m not sure of me, I can’t expect anyone else to be.”
“You’re right about that.”
“Come on. Let me show you the rest.”
After an impressive tour of the museum and more stimulating conversation, Danielle and Barron decided to call it a night. They arrived at Danielle’s house a few minutes before midnight. As Barron walked her to the door, Danielle couldn’t keep the smile off her face. She was the happiest she had been in a long time, all because of a man she believed she would never be able to be with again.
“I guess I was wrong about you after all,” she said. “You really surprised me tonight. I’m impressed.”
Her compliment was reassuring. “Glad I was able to do something to impress you.”
“Well, you succeeded. I mean, wow. You had a museum shut down for me...No one but you could’ve thought of something like that.”
“You’re probably right,” Barron said honestly. “All I wanted to do tonight was see that smile that I’m seeing now.” His gaze was as potent as his words.
“Well again, thank you again,” Danielle said nervously. “That was one of the best dates I’ve ever had.”
“You’ve thanked me enough and you’re welcome. Just kiss me goodnight and we’ll call it even.”
She hesitated at first, then walked right up to him and put her hands on his chest. She planted a warm, slow, sensuous kiss on his lips. She held the back of his neck and allowed her emotions to steer her into a more passionate kiss. Barron groaned softly, thankful that she had finally let her guard down. She belonged in his arms and he was going to do everything he could to keep her there.
“Good night, Barron,” Danielle said pulling away. She hesitated a moment then wrapped her arms around his neck again. She savored one more kiss, then bit her lips as she pulled away.
“Good night, Danielle,” he said softly as he watched her walk up the stairs. She waved and then she went inside.
Inside her townhouse, Danielle leaned against the front door. A smile crossed her face as she cheered excitedly. She really enjoyed her evening with Barron and couldn’t wait to see him again. She wouldn’t have to wait long…
