BOMBSHELL (15 page)

Our schedule was changed for Friday, so we weren’t working in the morning, but the evening, because of a prior client negotiation. Craig and I were working on the final touches of phase two, when he suddenly jumped up, yelling, “Alura.” She beamed at him and they embraced.

Wait, one fucking minute. How the hell did he know Alura?

“Darling, it’s so nice so see you again,” she exclaimed.

“Yes and you look ravishing,” Craig replied.

Alura turned to me and said, “Oh, Samantha. So nice to see you again. I see you’re burning the midnight oil.”

“Hey Alura, nice to see you too. Yeah, we’re hard at work here.”

“Yes, Joshua tells me you and Craig make quite the team.”

I looked at Craig and we both smiled at each other. We had been working very well together. I hadn’t anticipated it would be this way.

“Alura,” a deep voice called. That was no one but Joshua, who stood in the doorway, looking at me.

“Oh darling, I want to catch up with Craig and Samantha, we have plenty of time to get there.” Then she turned to me, “You aren’t going to the ball tonight, Samantha? I’m so sorry you missed out…”

“Alura,” Joshua interrupted her.

“Uh, no.” I looked at Joshua in confusion, “no ball for me. I have a date.”

Joshua looked at me with fire in his eyes, while Alura put her hand to her chest and said, “Oh, I didn’t know.”

At this point, Joshua was next to Alura with his arm through hers pulling her away.

“We have to go,” he commanded looking down at her disapprovingly.

“Have fun Alura, you guys look great together,” I said.

Joshua tensed at my words and Alura beamed. They left without looking back.

JOSHUA:

That fucking woman. It was like she could smell trouble and gravitated to it. I had no intention of going down to the 36
th
floor because I knew Samantha was there. I guess when I asked Alura to join me, she got suspicious and wanted to find out for herself. Well, fuck me. She insisted on meeting me at my penthouse because she didn’t want to go into the ball alone on the Red Carpet. Why didn’t I just take someone else? Because I didn’t want Samantha to think I was actually dating someone? I figured if I took Alura, she would think I was fulfilling a final obligation for her grandfather. I knew there would be pictures from the Red Carpet, so she could possibly see that I had gone, but this was a fucking disaster and now she probably thought I lied and deceived her more.

This was the second time Alura had sabotaged something I was trying to set up with Samantha. Come to think of it, she had purposely told Samantha that she was my wife, didn’t tell the story right, and lead her to believe we were in love. But that was furthest from the truth. She might have been, but I told her a long time ago, I didn’t love her. She must still have feelings then and I didn’t want to lead her on. I couldn’t do this.

As I was looking up at the ceiling, deep in thought, I saw Alura push the stop button on the elevator. I turned to see what was wrong and her eyes were low. She started to strut towards me with determination and purred, “I knew,” she shook her head and her extended index finger, and continued swaying her skinny hips towards me, “I just knew you wanted me.”

What the hell?

This bitch is crazy. 

I stood at my full height, looked at her square in the eyes and said, “Alura,” I halted her progress to get in my personal space by extending my arm the entire length and placing my hand on her center chest, “you and I were done fourteen years ago, while you were still in business school. I explained to you that I did not think of you that way and I never have. It’s been years now and you haven’t understood that?” 

She blanched at my words. Like, I had physically slapped her. She held on to her purse for dear life, then it dropped and everything seemed to happen in slow motion. She lunged at me with her nails, scratching my face with her right hand, swinging her left claws towards my eyes, I saw it coming and moved back. In that process, I hit my head on the elevator wall, which caused me to close my eyes. Thankfully, the elevator jolted as it started to move again and Alura lost her balance in those five inch heels and fell to the floor which left her ankle twisted in a nasty way. She screamed when she fell and kept screaming when the doors opened. I thought she was in that much pain, so when the attendant came and asked if I was alright, I told him to call an ambulance. 

“And call the fucking police?” Alura screamed.  I turned to her and saw she was pointing at me with tears in her eyes and yelling to the attendant, “Call the fucking police, he attacked me.”

I stood there in shock. This woman I’ve been married to as a favor, turned on me when I rejected her and tried to have me catch a case. I turned to the attendant and said, “Wally, please call the police and make a copy,” I pointed to the top right of the elevator, “of the footage from,” I looked at my watch, and continued, “5:30 – 5:45 PM.” 

I looked at Alura, who was still on the floor and said, “I’d like to press charges.”

She turned ghostly pale and huge tears came down her cheeks. Her mouth was wide open and if I didn’t think she would scratch the other side of my face, I’d close it for her. 

“Yes, sir. I saw the whole thing.” He added with a sound of sympathy for me.

“You wouldn’t,” she murmured. 

“Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t dare, but after what you just pulled on me, with my woman and then tried to have me catch a case. I damn sure would,” I said, calmly. 

“She’s not your woman,” she snarled. 

“Oh, she is, always has been. You on the other hand, could never compete. I’m not sure why you tried or why I even went along with this charade for so long.”

“You’re pathetic, she’s going on a date with another man and you’re still wrapped up over her? I would have given you everything,” she screamed. “Everything. I was there for you all those years and you throw me away like a piece of gum stuck on your shoe? This is not the gratitude I deserved.”

I stepped towards her, because I couldn’t believe how diluted she was. “I’m pathetic?” I laughed, “No, darling. I’m not pathetic. I didn’t rope someone into marrying me, just to get money to start a business and keep them married to me in the hopes they would love me. I might have been the fool to not see through your ploy until recently, but I was never pathetic. Now, you are a different story.” 

She slumped back off of her elbows and dropped her head to the ground, crying. I decommissioned the elevator cart, so it wouldn’t move. It was at least another 30 minutes before the cops and the ambulance came. We explained the situation, showed them the tape, and the officers took my statement. At first Alura was hysterical, then they put her on a gurney and gave her something to calm her. She was still glaring at me, but no noise was coming from her. 

The other elevator door pinged and Craig and Samantha walked off, with shocked looks on their faces. Craig and Samantha saw Alura on a stretcher and ran to her. Samantha looked to me and asked with pleading eyes, “Is she alright?” 

“It was a sprain” I said automatically, trying not to let her know exactly what transpired.  “Well, it was more than…” “Oh my God, Joshua, what happened to your face?” She reached up and moved my face to the left.

“Alura stopped the elevator, tried to seduce me, and when I rejected her, she attacked me until she fell when Walter started the elevator again.”

“Stop playing,” she said with a smile.

“It’s all on tape,” I said seriously. 

I thought Samantha said, ‘that bitch’, but I couldn’t hear her clearly. 

“Wow,” she said louder. 

“Yeah, aren’t you going to be late for your date?” I said, trying to lighten the mood.

“Oh yeah, damn. You aren’t going to go to the gala?” 

I held my finger up to my face and said, “Not like this.”

“Ah, I see.” She looked like she was pondering on something, so I helped her make her decision.

“You are going to be late, get going,” I prompted.

She looked at me and said, “Are you sure? I’m here if you need me.”

“No, go ahead, I’ll be fine. I’m pressing charges.”

“What,” she gasped. “That’s your wife.”

“Ex-
‐
wife, and she was going to press charges on me, until I showed her that I had the tape.”

“That bitch,” she said it loud enough for me to hear that time.

“I know.” I smirked.

“I can stay, help you clean your face up,” she said.

“No, Samantha, go ahead. The paramedics can help with that,” I insisted.

She looked at me square in the eyes and it looked like hurt passed through, but then it was gone. She nodded her head, like she’d just solidified her decision and said, “Have a good evening, Mr. Kelly,” then she walked away.

“Bye mama,” I murmured.

SAMANTHA:

I couldn’t believe that crazy bitch did something like that. I almost wanted to see the tape. I didn’t want to go on my date with Raymond – I wanted to be with Joshua. She fucking attacked him, I wanted to show her how we got down in DC, but that was none of my business as Kermit the frog said and drank his tea. He actually encouraged me to go out on this date. I would feel some type of way if he went out on a date, but I guess he was done with me. So much so that he called Alura – bitch. I hope he doesn’t press charges on her. That would be bad press. Billionaire presses charges on his estranged wife or secret wife. She could sling his name through the mud. Who knows, she could say he cheated, I needed to mind my own business. I guess he had a publicist for all of that. He hired me and my company to help with Stark, not his personal life. 

I walked down the street and it suddenly registered that he said, “Bye mama.” That could have just been my imagination, but I swear he said it. 

My date with Raymond was alright. I was distracted and he could tell. I apologized at the end of the evening and I told him that I wasn’t ready to date just yet. I wanted to be friends, and who knew where that might lead. He said ‘the friend zone’. I laughed out loud, because that was funny. He actually had a good sense of humor and once I actually got over Joshua, I would consider trying to get to know him better. 

I arrived home around 11 PM to start my weekend, which included going to Florida to see my parents. They had retired, were currently living it up and left their only child to fend for herself. Well, that is what I told them, so they suggested I come spend the weekend after making them feel guilty. The only traveling they wanted to do was to the beach. On Saturday, I took a flight from DCA to ORL, which was quick and sweet, no delays, no turbulence and no talkative seat buddies. I brought my bathing suit, some summer dresses and was excited to be in some heat for a change. DC was still freezing cold, with snow sporadically coming and going when it pleased. 

My mother met me at the airport and right away knew something was wrong. She said she heard it over the phone, but she was never one to pry in my business. Since I was an only child, I had always been pretty independent, which is one of the reasons why they felt it was okay to move to Florida, because I wouldn’t need them as other parents children do. I understood the logic, but somewhere deep down, I felt like they left me. Like they did their duties as parents and then kicked the ‘little bird’ out of its nest to learn to fly. They didn’t do that, of course, after I graduated from college and then went to grad school, they totally supported me. It wasn’t until I moved from ‘the dunce’ to start my own that they decided to officially move. They had visited Orlando quite frequently, which is why they had so many miles they could give me on short notice.  They supported me financially and every other way, but I know they worked hard all their lives to give me a good life and teach me how to support myself, and it was their time to relax and get back to them. I got it, but I guess I was feeling rather emotional. I spilled to my mom about Joshua and she listened, didn’t offer advice, but asked probing questions, so I could answer my own doubtful thoughts. Dad just simply hugged me, called me his baby girl and said, ‘give ‘em hell.’ That was his signature line to me and he would be proud to know I live up to that motto. After baking in the sun, getting some highlights in my hair with my mom, and enjoying their company, I set off to leave on Sunday evening around 6 PM and would be home by 8 PM. The flight was delayed due to a rising storm. All the flights were delayed at ORL and around 9 PM, I decided it was time to let them know I wouldn’t be back at work tomorrow morning. I emailed Vicki, Craig, and Joshua, explaining the situation and that I would keep them posted.  

Several minutes later, I get a text from Joshua:

              Which airport are you at?

Samantha:

Orlando (ORL)

Joshua:

Flights aren’t delayed in Melbourne

Samantha:

What is Melbourne?

Joshua:

              Another airport

Samantha: 

I know nothing about this, 
I will wait the storm out.
Vicki can handle everything
We will remain on schedule

Joshua:

              I can get you a flight at Melbourne

Samantha:

That’s alright. I’ll just wait it out

Joshua:

Get to Melbourne and I’ll get you a flight in two hours

Samantha:

Mr. Kelly, that is completely un-
necessary. The project won’t be
delayed. I guarantee it

Joshua:

I’m not worried about the project, I’m worried about you

Samantha:

              I’m doing just fine. 

Joshua:

              Good, get to Melbourne 11:30

I knew there was no point in arguing with this man. I called my mom to tell them ‘not’ to come get me, but that I was going to Melbourne, because Joshua insisted on getting me a flight. She said that was her kind of man and even if I was no longer interested in him, she’d want to meet him and thank him for taking care of her only child. She was such a sucker. He just wanted his project done, that’s all this was. I didn’t tell her she wouldn’t ever meet him, because we were nothing and wouldn’t be. He’d made that clear. 

The weather was not so bad, that the taxi drivers weren’t on duty, so when I mentioned Melbourne, they gladly accommodated my request and had me there in one hour. When I arrived, I asked the attendant if my name was on the list for a flight. She gave me a bored, ‘no.’ I texted Joshua to see if he booked the flight yet, he said yes and told me what gate to go to. I waited for about thirty minutes, before a plane landed at the gate and the attendant asked me my name, if I was here with Kelly International and told me to head out to the plane. He took my bags and I walked to the private plane. It was so elegant. There was chrome paneling around the inside of the aircraft, comfortable chairs, private rooms, a food tray with fruit, avocado slices, guacamole, chips and water. My favorite things! I wonder if he told them that. 

I sat down, grabbed some food and started to eat, and that’s when I smelled the ocean. He was here. I turned around to see him standing in the doorway looking at me. 

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

“It’s my plane,” he replied.

“I know, I just didn’t expect you to come. Um, I’m sorry. Thanks for doing this, but Vicki could have really handled it and I could have worked via the phone and email.”

“I told you, I’m not worried about that, I was worried about you being stranded. What were you doing in Florida, anyway?” He sat down next to me and ate some of my chips. 

“I came to visit my family. I haven’t seen them in months.”

“Ah, nice visit? You have a beautiful tan and I like your hair.” He smiled. 

“Thanks. It was a nice visit. It was good to relax and not have to worry about things.”

“I hear that. I need to take a vacation too, I think I will when this is over. Where do you think I should go?”

“No idea. Depends on what type of weather you like.”

“Ahh, I’m not sure I’m too particular about the weather. I want to relax, rejuvenate and revive myself.”

“Sounds good.”

“So, where would you go if you could go anywhere?”

“London.”

“For a vacation?”

“Yeah. Um, what are we doing here? Having small talk?”

“Yeah, you can’t have small talk with me?”

“It’s not that I can’t, but I’d rather not. You know, I appreciate you coming all the way down here to help me out, but it was unnecessary and I don’t want to have to owe you anything or have friendly conversation, I’d just rather…”

“Keep your distance.” He finished for me. “Like you’ve been doing for the past two months.”

“Yeah, like we’ve," I emphasized, “been doing for the past two months.”

“I see.”

“Is there a private room or someplace I can lie down? I’m really tired and would love to sleep, since I have to be at work tomorrow morning.”

“No, you are off tomorrow.”

“What?” I turned to look at him, “No I’m not.”

“Samantha, you might get home around three in the morning, there is no way you can get up by six, do your routine and be fully functional tomorrow.”

“So, then why the hell did you come all the way down here to pick me up, if it’s not for work?” 

He stared at me, but didn’t answer.

“Ugh,” I stood up, grabbed my tray and opened every door, until I found one with a bed.

I nibbled a little more on my snacks, got in the queen-size bed, and pulled the covers over my head.  This man was giving me a headache.

Overbearing, bossy, ridiculous, sexy, and a stimulating jerk. 

JOSHUA
:

Why the fuck did I grab the company plane and fly two hours away to get a woman who I clearly irritated, but couldn’t get out of my system? Shit, if I knew. I sat looking out the window at the dark skies, wondering what laid in store for her, for me and for us. Could there be an ‘us’? Had I annihilated us completely? God I hope not. The plane experienced some slight turbulence and I immediately thought of Samantha. Was she okay, was she scared, how was she feeling? The same reasons I came here, I realized, I wanted to know that she was okay, let her know she was protected and if I had anything to do with it, I’d move all heaven and earth to make sure she would remain that way. 

Before I realized it, I went to the room she was in, opened the door and climbed in bed behind her. I wrapped my arms around her, because I wanted her to feel safe, but I also wanted to feel whole again. I inhaled her scent and immediately relaxed. 

“Joshua,” she sleepily murmured. 

“Yeah, mama, I’m right here,” I replied against her neck. I lay a small kiss there. 

“Okay,” she sighed and went back to sleep.

God she felt so good. What the fuck was I thinking, torturing myself by keeping us apart, trying to wait for this whole Stark business to be over with before I would claim her again? No more. I’d have what’s mine. That was my final thought as I drifted asleep with my woman in my arms. 

Two hours later, the attendant woke me up to tell me we were back in D.C. I picked Samantha's sleepy body up, put her in the limo and drove her to my penthouse. She stirred a little, but remained sleep as I carried her to my bed. I removed her clothes, turned off our phones and I joined. 

The next morning, I was awakened by a sudden jerk.

What the fuck? 

“Joshua, wake up?”

“What,” I murmured. 

“Wake up, wake up.” She shook me. “What happened?”

I leaned up on my elbows and saw Samantha had the sheet wrapped around her body, covering her front. “What happened with what?” 

She pointed between the two of us and said, “Us, what happened?”

I grabbed the sheet and said, “nothing yet, now go back to sleep.”

“Joshua,” she shrieked. “What are you doing? We can’t do this.”

“We haven’t done anything and the last time I checked, I can do what I damn well please.”

“Where are my clothes?”

Oh no, she wasn’t leaving. 

I lunged for her, grabbed her by her waist and turned her body into mine, so her front was to my front. “I’m going to tell you this once, I’m tired and I want us to sleep. Now are you going to lie down like a good girl?”

I swear her eyes twinkled at that. I knew she liked it when I talked dirty or used terms of endearment, but the look she was giving me now made me forget how tired I was, but how much my cock missed her sweet hot pussy. 

She didn’t answer me, right away. So, I asked again, “Are you going to lie down like a good girl, or will you be a naughty girl for me?”

Yup, her eyes twinkled and her nipples became instantly hard. I wanted to suck them, shit I was going to. Those were mine. I latched on to her brown nipple and started to suck. She yelped and arched her back, so I could get full access to those beautiful breasts. I stopped sucking and said, “Answer me, now.”

“Yes,” she said hoarsely.

“Yes, what,” I asked back.

“Yes, I’ll be a good girl.” She blushed.

That’s my baby.

I latched on to her other nipple and started tweaking the moist one. She moaned and purred under my touch. Oh how I missed this. I started going lower to her stomach, towards her vagina and all of a sudden, she leaped up and made a mad dash for the bathroom. What the fuck? I got up to follow her, until I heard her retching and throwing up. I dampened some towels, pulled her hair back and put the cold compress on her neck. When she finished throwing up, I put the other damp towel on her forehead. She didn’t have a fever and she wasn’t overheated. It might have been the stress of the airplane, the different food and sudden climate change. 

“Want me to call the doctor?”