Discipline (6/?)

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"Reminisce" Mary J. Blige

"Rocket"  Beyonce

"U Got It Bad"  Usher
"Love & Happiness"  Al Green
"Cruisin'" D'Angelo

I opted to work from home the next day.  I couldn’t get it together to get out of bed at my usual time, so I just kept my nightgown on and walked into my office.  I buried myself in proposals, reviews, potential clients, budgets, employee evals, current client needs, all the stuff bosses have to deal with.  Before I formed a law firm with Tyson Fairfield and Cornelius Littleton, I used to be a litigator.  I wasn’t one of those paper tigers; I was a fucking beast who lived for nothing but the trial.  I was the one they called when it was time to go to court because I had no problems eviscerating the opposition and loved every second of it.  My briefs were stellar and it did not take long for me to make a name for myself.  But when it was time to move on and move up, I did.  When the chance came to have my name on something coupled with superior financial backing and even greater professional support, I snatched it.  My dedication to my career has always been first and foremost; I will shed blood for my firm.  I have.

It, of course, left me little time for anything else.  I was not bothered by this, because nothing fulfilled me more than winning.  I’m not the kind of woman who could ever be a wife, unless he is an extraordinary man who was comfortable enough in his skin to let me be in mine.  I’ve never wanted kids.  I like my life as it is; that I happen to have a wonderful friends with benefits situation with my sexy-ass neighbor is just icing on the cake.  I didn’t need anything else.  I don’t need anything else.

Damn.  I was fine until I let my mind drift to him.  Yesterday, he spent probably two good hours kissing me breathless.  My cheeks, my forehead, my eyelids and eyebrows, my nose, my earlobes, my hands, my fingers, my wrists, my neck, my shoulders, the skin above my lips, the insides of my elbows, the sides of my arms, and oh God…my lips.  My lips, my lips…covered by his lips, caught in his teeth, caressed by his tongue…oh lord…while King Bey sang in the background.

Got me screaming to the Lord boy, kissing me…pray we don’t overflow…baby I know you can feel it pulse…

I was getting hot just thinking about the magic of his marvelous mouth.  And he, being exactly the man I expected him to be, didn’t take it any further than that…though he did get a tad rough with my nipples.  But I didn’t mind; not one bit.  I also didn’t mind that he brought his knee right up against my snatch and kneaded it; the barrier being no more than denim and gauze, and I couldn’t help myself.  I couldn’t help what happened, couldn’t stop it from happening, and couldn’t control my body’s response to his sensual Machiavellian ministrations.  I closed my eyes as he dropped kisses on the corners of my mouth.  It was several moments later when I realized he was talking to me.

“Mmmn.  Are you sure you don’t want me to lick that up?”

“Omigod,” I moaned.  “Shut up!”

“Your mouth is everything I thought it would be.  Keeping it from me was a mistake.”

“Can you please…be…quiet…?”

“Why are you so afraid of this?  You got to know I got it bad for you...”

*

I shook my head sharply once…twice, realizing that my email was sounding off.  I clicked the mouse and was amused to see that I got a message from Mr. Trahan.  Glad to have my attention diverted, I read his email with more than a little glee as I turned on my music.  Lord, it was Al Green.

Ain't nothin' wrong with bein' in love with someone, yeah...

I read my email.

Miss Iolanthe,

Shall I pick you up at ten a.m. this coming Saturday?

I frowned.  Morning?  Oh, what the hell.  Then I side-eyed the message and responded.  That bastard wasn’t slick.

Mr. Trahan,

You can pick me up from the office.  Why so early?

Next thing I know, my IM popped up.

Ah, so we’re back to formalities now.  Is that too early?  How often does one go out on a date with one’s boss?  This is a first for me.  I daresay that I would prefer to maximize this unique opportunity to the fullest.

I smiled.  I couldn’t help it.  The man was ridiculously charming even through a computer screen.

It’s fine.  Should I wear anything in particular?

I would like for you to be as beautiful and as comfortable as you can be.

I was actually amused by this, for I had no idea what he was planning.  But it was safe, very safe, to have him pick me up from the office than knowing where I lived.

That’s fine with me.  May I know of your plans?

Do you trust me, Iolanthe?

I don’t know you…Kelton.

Well, are we or are we not trying to rectify that situation?  What must I do to assuage your fears, dear lady?  You did leave it all up to me. 

I sighed.  I did, at that.

Though I must ask as a courtesy, do you have any food allergies I should know about.

No.

I promise you, you are safe with me.  We will be in public and I’ll be as pure as the Virgin Queen.  I won’t lay a finger on you outside of common chivalry and you may feel free to slap my face if you are displeased with my actions.

Al sang like a champ.  Love'll make you do wrong, make you do right...

I smiled as I typed.  I hope that won’t be necessary.

Are you feeling ill today?

I’m fine.  How did you know I wasn’t at work?

Your secretary told me that you weren’t coming in.  I hope that you are well.

I’m fine, Kelton.  Thank you for asking.

There was a delay and I found myself sitting at my computer, waiting for him to respond.  I haven’t done that since I was in college.

I’m afraid I must get back to work, Iolanthe.  My boss, she would be most displeased to know that instead of doing my job, I am instead sitting here chatting with you.  I do not want to get fired, so you’ll please forgive me if I truncate this conversation.  She’s a bloody slave driver.

Well, then you’d better go.  Have a good day, Kelton.

You too, Iolanthe.  I look forward to seeing you this weekend.

I smiled at the last sentence and decided to let the conversation end where he left it.  Then I thought about what just transpired.  I was going on a date.  For the first time in years, I was going out on a date.  The knowledge made the rest of my day easier to handle.

*

Because I had no clue as to what his idea of a morning date entailed, I thought it wise to attire myself in a simple, elegant cotton sheath with espadrilles and a scarf wound in my hair.  It was hot and I didn’t want to be the least bit uncomfortable, so I made sure to pack a hand towel, baby wipes, and a spray fan.  I also decided at the last minute to pack a changing bag, just in case.  I instructed him in our final emails to each other to pick me up at the front door and I would be standing there waiting for him.  I also cautioned that he’d better not even be ten seconds late.

He picked me up in a bright red convertible Aston Martin.  I couldn’t help but smile at how ostentatious it was, but when he got out wearing jeans and a simple blue shirt, my heart smiled.  While the car seemed to match the image of the man I worked with, the way he was looking right now caught me completely from the left.  He looked like a regular guy.  A regular great-looking guy.  His hair was tied back with a leather strap and his sleeves were partially rolled.  His bracelet shone in the sunlight and his smile… I decided that I liked him better this way.  Don’t get me wrong; the man gave a new definition to rocking a suit, but this…this right here was very nice.

 “I hope you don’t mind a drive, Iolanthe,” he said as he opened my door.

“Where are we going, Kelton?”

“Would you mind being patient?  It’s kind of a surprise.”

I smiled at him as he got in the car and put on a pair of Ray-Bans.  “It’s your dime.  I’m just along for the ride.”

“Well, do you mind the top being down?”

“Not one bit.”  I adjusted my sunglasses and put on my seat belt.  And we were off.

tbc