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For about ten seconds the screen froze then flickered. Mia held her breath. Jasmine had warned her about this and advised her not to panic. She’d been meticulous about entering the code. She’d gone over it three times to be sure she’d typed in the correct HTML string.
The first screen finally opened and Mia exhaled as Ashley’s voice gave the text and images verbal support.
While everyone was engrossed in the presentation, Mia felt around inside her tote bag, which she held on her lap beneath the table, and unzipped her “go bag”—her little carryall that held some of her tools of the trade. It looked like a makeup pouch. She felt around for the recording disk that looked like an eye-shadow pot. She had to unscrew the cap and lift the disk out. It was no bigger than a dime and nearly slipped from her fingers. One side was sticky and would adhere to any surface, virtually inconspicuous. She pressed the sticky side underneath the table, felt it to be sure it was secure then dropped the circular pot back into her go bag.
Ashley had about three more minutes. Mia began to breathe a little easier.
“I’m impressed,” Michael said when the screen went blank.
Brenda turned on the lights.
“How soon can you get started?”
“Michael—” Brenda cut in.
He held up his hand.
Mia and Ashley glanced at each other.
“As soon as you’re ready,” Mia answered.
“That’s what I like to hear.” He stood. “Let’s seal the deal over lunch.”
Mia tossed a triumphant grin in Brenda’s direction. Triumphant in more ways than one.
As they walked out, Mia hesitated. “I need to use the restroom.”
“I’ll take you,” Brenda offered.
“That’s fine. Just tell me where it is. I’m sure I can find it myself.”
“I’d love to see the rest of your space,” Ashley chimed in, hearing her cue.
“Sure,” Michael agreed. “Mia, we’ll meet you up front.”
“Down the hall, make two lefts,” Brenda reluctantly instructed Mia.
“Thanks. I won’t be a minute.” She walked in the general direction of the restroom. She decided it would be pointless to try to get in the control room, but Michael’s office was a different story.
She hurried down the hall, passing a few employees along the way, who didn’t pay much attention to her. She glanced at the nameplates on the doors. The offices were set up like a maze: short hallways that led to different departments, quick turns and dead ends. She felt as if she should have left bread crumbs so she could find her way back.
Finally, she found Michael’s office after following a sign for administration. She hoped that it wasn’t locked. She tried the knob and the door opened. Taking a quick look left then right, she stepped inside and shut the door behind her.
Mia was pretty certain that if Michael were involved in anything, the last place he would have microphones and cameras would be in his office.
The rectangular office screamed masculine. Brown leather furnishings, vertical floor-to-ceiling blinds in a bronze color that gave the room a warm glow. An antique oval rug covered the center of the wood floor. His desk was pure Michael—rich and dark. His mantra screen saver crawled across the monitor: “I’m dreaming of great things and doing them.”
She went directly to his desk. The first thing she did was insert a recording device into his phone, then she took a CD out of her bag and put it in the computer. After it loaded, she hit the Enter key and the disk whirred then exited.
Mia checked her watch. She’d been gone a little more than five minutes. Hopefully, Ashley was running her mouth and asking a zillion questions. She took one last look around, went to the door and cracked it open. The hallway was empty. She stepped out and shut the door behind her.
Briskly she walked down the hallway, turned right and ran smack into Brenda.
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” Mia sputtered. She pressed her hand to her chest.
Brenda stared at her. “This isn’t the way to the ladies’ room.”
Mia smiled and shook her head. “I got totally turned around. I should have taken you up on your offer.”
“It’s this way,” she said with quiet deliberation. She extended her hand in the opposite direction.
Mia clutched her purse tighter in her hand and secured her tote on her shoulder. “Thanks.” She followed Brenda to the door with the image of a woman emblazoned on the front. Mia pushed the door open.
“I’ll wait for you so you don’t get lost again.”
“’Preciate that.” Mia stepped inside and nearly collapsed against the door. Another minute and Brenda would have seen her coming out of Michael’s office.
She walked to the sink, turned on the cold water and looked at her reflection. “This is only the beginning,” she said to the reflection, “so get it together.”
Mia ran her wrists under the cold tap water to slow down her racing heart and lower the heat in her body that was making her light-headed. She dried her hands then took her lipstick from her purse and touched up her mouth.
* * *
Brenda was leaning against the wall when Mia stepped out.
“All done!” she said with a cheery smile.
Brenda stepped up to her, so close that Mia noticed she was wearing individual false eyelashes and a couple of them had come out.
“I don’t know what your deal is,” Brenda said with chilly calm. “But stay away from Michael.” With that she spun away on her two-inch heels before Mia could digest the veiled threat and deliver a comeback.
Stirred but not shaken, Mia followed the scent of Brenda’s perfume and joined the trio at the receptionist’s desk.
Brenda Forde was going to be a problem.
Chapter 9
“You’ve been pretty quiet today,” Blake Fields said to Steven as they reviewed the blueprints for a co-op they were helping to develop. “Everything cool?”
In Steven’s circle of friends, Blake was at the center. They’d been tight since college. Steven was Blake’s best man when he married Savannah and was godfather to their daughter Mikayla. They’d shared a great deal through the years, the good and the bad, and they never lied to each other, no matter how much the truth might sting. That was the cornerstone of their friendship. If there was anyone that he could talk to about what may be going on with Mia, it was Blake. It helped, too, that Blake’s wife was Mia’s best friend.
Steven put down his drafting pencil and looked across the table to Blake, who was rerolling the blueprints that needed to be stored.
Blake turned from the pigeonhole where the blueprints were kept and focused on Steven. His brows drew together in concern. “I’m listening.”
Steven linked his fingers together while his tumbling thoughts settled down. “It’s about Mia.”
The frown line deepened. “Is she okay? She’s not ill...pregnant?”
Steven released a short chuckle. “Naw, none of the above.”
“Oh, cool. So what is it?”
“Man, I don’t even know where to start or if I’m making something out of nothing.”
“Start at the spot that’s buggin’ you the most.”
He ran his tongue across his lips and blew out a breath, leaning slightly forward. “Me and Mia have this bangin’ sex life, no pun intended. Anyway, lately she hasn’t been there, ya know what I mean?”
Blake nodded.
“I know my woman. I know her body and I know when she’s faking.”
Blake’s eyes widened.
“She acts like she’s into it but I can tell she’s not. And last night...” His voice drifted off. He wasn’t sure that he was ready to tell his buddy that he couldn’t satisfy his woman.
“Have you talked to her?”
“I’d feel like an idiot. It’s probably just in my head.”
“If it’s in your head, it got there for a reason.”
Steven was silent for a moment, trying to pinpoint the date and source of his unease. “I guess it started about two weeks ago. She’s been distracted and kinda secretive. I mean, I’ve walked in on her a couple of times and she shuts the computer off or abruptly ends a call. And she’s been evasive when I ask what she was working on. Then the whole sex thing.” He looked away.
Blake was quiet for a moment. He’d been in Steven’s shoes, or at least his wife, Savannah, had been in Steven’s shoes. Tristan Montgomery—a client—had decided that she wanted Blake as an addendum to their business contract, and she made life very difficult for him, to a point that he seriously considered ending the contract, returning the money and moving on. The tension played havoc with his marriage and Tristan’s tireless come-ons could wear down the best of men. But he couldn’t imagine that someone was hovering in the background of Steven and Mia’s relationship. Unfortunately, however, anything was possible even in the best relationship.
“Look, man,” Blake said, straddling a chair and bracing his forearms along the top. “You know the mess I went through with Tristan. The only thing that saved me and Savannah was talking. Once I let Savannah know what was really going on, it removed her doubts, it gave me strength and then as a team we dealt with it together.”
“I guess the thing that shakes me the most is that it’s always been me who was holding all the cards, the one who raised the questions, the one who got to walk away.”
“Hey, hold on. That’s taking it to the extreme, don’t you think?”
“I know, I know, I’m just saying...I feel out of my element. I’ve never let a woman get this close to me. And move in with a woman!” He snorted. “I took a big chance with Mia. If she messes over me...” He shook his head.
“We all thought we were playas until the right woman came along. Even you couldn’t outplay me until Savannah came along,” he teased.
That drew an appreciative chuckle from Steven. “So whatcha sayin’? I’m your wingman?”
“And a damn good one, too,” Blake said, laughter rumbling over his words. “Bottom line, my brother, you have to admit that your playa card had been pulled. And the sooner you accept that and give in to what you feel for her, all that other macho BS about being in control and in charge won’t mean jack. But you gotta talk to her. Tell her how you feel, what’s been on your mind.”
The waning afternoon light played on Steven’s eyes, turning them a darker shade of grayish green.
“Yeah, guess I’m gonna have to. This just isn’t my thing, spilling my guts.”
Blake gave a crooked smile. “You’ll get used to it.”
“Do me a favor.”
“Sure.”
“See if you can pick Savannah’s brain. Maybe Mia might have said something to her.”
“I’ll try. But haven’t you heard of the girlfriend oath?”
Steven frowned. “The girlfriend oath?”
“Yeah, no boys allowed.”
* * *
When Steven arrived home, he had every intention of talking with Mia, as Blake had suggested. But the truth was, talking about insecurities and being vulnerable to a woman didn’t sit well with him.
He lived by the example set by his father. A man was a man. Men didn’t cry, show fear or give in to their emotions. You never let a woman get beyond those defenses, no matter how much you loved them. If a woman could get to you in that way, then your enemies could get to you through her.
His father, Frank Long, had been a street hustler since his early teens and carried the mantra of the street deep in his soul. Although Steven knew that his father loved his mother, there were never open displays of affection or words of love tossed freely around. Frank showed his love through things. They had a stunning home on Sugar Hill in Harlem. His mother had more jewelry than she would ever wear, and he and his brother and sister never wanted for anything.
It was his mother, Grace, who provided the affection, some softness in their lives, but his father’s lessons and the way he lived his life were heavily ingrained in Steven.
He knew he felt deeply for Mia, more than any woman he’d been with. She anchored him and he didn’t want to be with anyone else—this was a first for him. Having more than one woman at a time had been a way of life for him. It kept him from becoming too involved, caring too much. Steven Long was a playa to his heart, but as Blake had clearly pointed out, Mia had pulled his card.
Did that mean he was in love? Or in deep like? It must be something, he thought as he tugged off his tie en route to the bedroom. He’d given up his bachelor pad and moved in with Mia. That had to mean something, which made how Mia had been acting all the more unnerving for him.
He flicked on the bedroom light, took off his jacket and tossed it on the lounge chair near the window. He pulled the curtain back and gazed out at the street below.
Twilight was settling over the city. That in-between time of day and night when your eyes played tricks on you and things weren’t quite as they seemed.
Just as he was about to turn away, he saw Mia’s Lexus pull up in front of the building. He waited for her to exit. He loved to see her walk. When she didn’t get out, he grew curious. He peered a bit closer and the outline of her body was defined by the streetlights. She had her head down on the steering wheel. And several times she hit the wheel with her palm.
Finally, she sat up, flipped down the mirror and checked her appearance. Then sat for a couple of minutes more before she gathered her things and got out. He watched her approach the building; the usual bounce and sway in her step was missing. Mia usually walked as if she was ready to take over the world—head held high, long smooth strides, determination etched on her face. But tonight her body language shouted defeat.
He turned away from the window once he saw her enter the building. Something must have happened at the office or with a client or with one of her friends. Mia never got rattled, so it had to be something major. Whatever it was, they’d deal with it. He heard her key in the door and went up front to meet her.
She came in and when she glanced up and saw him standing there, a smile to light up Broadway bloomed across her mouth.
“Hey,” she greeted him. She pranced over to him and kissed him softly and briefly on the lips. “How was your day?”
“Fine,” he murmured, totally confused by the woman he’d seen outside only moments ago who was obviously upset and the woman standing in front of him who acted as if the world was hers for the taking.
She brushed his cheek with her fingertip and moved past him. “Hungry?” she called out over her shoulder.
“No. I’m good. Late lunch.” He followed her into the bedroom. “So how was your day? Anything exciting happen?”
“Not really.” She gave him the benefit of a quick look before sitting on the side of the bed to take off her shoes.
Whatever was on her mind, she apparently didn’t want to share it with him. He turned abruptly and headed back to the living room.
* * *
Moments later Mia heard the sound of the evening news coming from the living-room television.
Briefly she let down her guard and the weight of her day consumed her. The tension she dealt with at Michael’s office while she planted the devices, followed by a two-hour lunch with him, Brenda and Ashley, all came closing in on her at once. They’d been seated in a booth for four and Michael took the liberty of sitting next to Mia.
Although lunch was very businesslike and aboveboard, she couldn’t mistake the intermittent bump of thighs beneath the table or the brush of fingertips as they reached for the same item.
She could barely concentrate on the conversation going on around her and then as they left Michael was right behind her and whispered, “I want to make love to you, and I will.”
The words were as much a promise as a threat. Michael Burke never said he would do anything without fully intending to do it.
When she and Ashley returned to their office, Mia was unusually subdued, but that didn’t stop Ashley from voicing her opinion.
“I can see why you and a hundred other women would be attracted to Michael Burke,” she said, taking a seat opposite Mia’s desk without being asked. “And I also see that he still cares about you. But the only thing that really concerns me is that I see the same thing in you for him.”
Mia’s eyes flashed in Ashley’s direction. She started to debate the point, but it was useless. She did have feelings for Michael. What they were she wasn’t sure, but they were there just beneath the surface. She covered her face then finally found the courage to look at Ashley.
“I don’t know what to do,” she finally said.
“Look, I can take over this account so you won’t have to deal with him.”
“If I could have you do that, I would in a heartbeat.”
“This is the part you can’t talk about.” It was more of a statement than a question.
Mia nodded.
“Then I’m fresh out of suggestions.” She pushed up from the seat. “But whatever I can do to help, let me know.”
“Thanks.”
* * *
“Is something bothering you?”
Mia’s head snapped up. She turned toward the doorway. Steven was standing there.
“Just a little tired, I guess. Kinda busy day at work. Nothing that a hot bath and a good night’s sleep won’t cure.”
“You sure that’s it?”
“Yes. Why?”
He rocked his jaw a minute. He started to tell her that he’d seen her in the car and had been standing in the doorway while she sat motionless and totally unaware of him. But he didn’t want to hear her lie to him anymore.
“Nothing. Just asking. Look, I’m going to run out for a while.”
“Oh.” Mia focused on him as if seeing him for the first time. “Out?”
“Yes. Out. I’ll see you later.” Without further explanation he turned and walked away.
Mia sat there for a moment, too drained to react. It was probably best that Steven did go out for a while, she reasoned. She needed some time to push away Michael’s words, wash away the heat of his breath on the back of her neck, the touch of his hand at the small of her back and the look in his eyes that said, I’m coming for you.
Her cell phone chirped. She dug it out of her tote and immediately recognized the number.
“Hello, Jean.”
“I’m calling to remind you that I’m going to need an update from you by the end of the week.”
“Of course.”
“How much progress have you made?”
“I’ve made contact and I’ve established an opportunity to get inside the company.”
“Excellent. I knew you would be the perfect one for this assignment. I’ll expect a complete update.” She clicked off without so much as a goodbye.
However, as much as Mia didn’t want to admit it, Jean’s call was just the kick start that she needed. With Steven out of the house, it was the perfect time to check and sync all the devices. If she got really lucky, she might hear something worthwhile.
Chapter 10
Steven got in his BMW and headed off with no particular destination in mind. Driving usually cleared his head, especially when he was working on a difficult design problem. He usually didn’t take evening drives to get his head right regarding relationships. If he drove somewhere, it was either home or away for good.
This was different. But everything about his and Mia’s relationship was different. He was treading in brand-new territory and he had no idea where the land mines were.
He took the exit to the West Side Highway and headed south toward the Chelsea Piers.
The area had been totally revitalized over the past few years with bike and roller-skating lanes, benches and trees. The set for Law & Order was inside the pier as well, just off 23rd Street.
He slowed, pulled into one of the parking areas and got out. If there was one thing that could always be counted on in New York, it was that there was guaranteed to be people out doing something no matter the time, day or the weather. Truly, the city that never sleeps.
Steven set the alarm on his car and began to stroll along the docks. Anchored crafts bobbed in the water and the masts of the massive, once-military vessels, jutted toward the darkened skies.
A young couple Rollerblading streaked past him, followed by several joggers. A stiff fall breeze blew in from the water. He drew up the collar of his jacket around his neck. Lights ahead drew his attention and he walked toward them.
On one of the commercial strips was a small restaurant and bar located next to a bowling alley that was also still open for business. He decided to go into the restaurant.
“Good evening,” said a young woman dressed in black. “Will you be having dinner or would you prefer to sit at the bar?”
“The bar is fine. Thanks.”
“Up the stairs to the left. Enjoy your evening.”
Steven walked toward the bar and found an empty seat in the middle of the horseshoe-shape counter.
“What can I get for you this evening?”
Steven glanced up.
“Steven? Steven Long?”
He focused on the attractive face and tried to place her. “I’m sorry...” he said helplessly.
“Michelle Dennis. You used to date my friend, Renee McDonald.”
Recognition popped in his eyes. “Wow.” He shook his head in embarrassment. “I’m sorry. Spaced out for a minute. How are you?”
“I’m great. Doing a little moonlighting,” she said with a smile, giving an expansive look around.
“You were modeling, if I remember correctly.”
She laughed a sweet sound. “That, too. In my real life I work at the post office. So how have you been? I think the last time I saw you was about two years ago.”
“I’ve been doing well. Business is booming. Can’t complain.”
“That’s a good thing.”
“How’s Renee?”
“Renee is married and working on her second baby.”
Steven let out a burst of surprised laughter. “You’re kidding. Renee?”
“Yep.” She bobbed her head.
“’Scuse me, can I get a little service down here?” a man called out from the other end of the bar.
Michelle made a face. “Sorry. Be right back.”
Steven took a brief look around. For the middle of the week, the place was fairly crowded with a combination of the straggling after-work patrons and the locals stopping in.
It had been a while since he’d been out alone at a bar. Since he and Mia had gotten together, he’d shut down that part of his life. Funny how a bar was the first place he’d ventured to. He supposed old habits die hard.
Michelle returned. “So what brings you out?” she continued as if they’d never been interrupted.
He shrugged slightly. “Needed some air.”
She leaned forward, exposing ample cleavage that Steven could hardly ignore.
She lowered her voice. “Unfortunately, if you’re going to sit here, you have to order something. If you don’t, my boss will kill me.”
“Sure. No problem. I’ll take a Coors.”
“Coming right up.” She turned and bent into the fridge to retrieve the bottle, giving Steven a good solid look from the back. She turned and set the bottle down in front of him, along with a glass and a napkin. “Out for some air, huh?”
He looked at her. When he and Renee had been together he’d seen Michelle several times. She’d always been with a guy, so he hadn’t paid much attention to her. Now he did. She was a good-looking woman. Not necessarily a showstopper, but there was something appealing and sexy in her open expression, engaging smile and inviting eyes.
She wore her hair natural in short spirals that took years off her age—middle to late thirties—and her skin looked soft and supple to the touch, with a body that you wouldn’t toss out of bed.
“Something like that,” he finally said, responding to her question. He took a swallow of the icy-cold beer. “How many nights do you work here?”
“Just two and every other weekend. Helps keep the bills at bay.” Her gaze drifted over him. “I get off at ten.” She turned and walked a few paces away to serve a customer. She tossed Steven a last look.
Steven looked up the overhead clock above the bar. Ten. He could keep himself occupied until then. Maybe a diversion was just the thing he needed to get his head right. He sipped his beer and relaxed to the music.