Tender Touch (44 page)

“I need to make a few phone calls. But I
expect you in my office twenty minutes from now, Lang. You, too,
Mike.” Howard didn’t look back before heading down the hall.

“Thanks, Ms. Pellerin,” Secretary Chauvin
said as he stood.

“Should I bring any additional information
to the meeting?” Jade’s heart thumped so hard she was sure the
entire building could hear it beating.

“You don’t need to attend.” He nodded.

“Yes, sir.” Jade walked out of his office,
her legs weak with relief.

Testor came out with a look of desperation
on his blunt features. He blinked hard at Bill, but seemed unable
to find form a question or speak. Finally he swallowed hard and
walked down the hall toward the elevators like a condemned man.
Bill paused outside Secretary Chauvin’s office to confront
Jade.

“Why did you do this to me? You know how few
of us are in positions of authority,” he growled at her in a rough,
low voice. He looked over his shoulder.

“You instructed me to pulled together
information on how decisions were made, remember? Like you said, we
make a good team,” Jade replied mildly.

“Damn it, I didn’t ask you to go back so
far—and you know it. I won’t forget this, Ms. Pellerin.” Bill spoke
through tight lips, his fury barely in check.

“Neither will I, Mr. Lang.” Jade met his
wrathful gaze without flinching. “Should I help you prepare for
this next meeting, too?” she said in an innocent voice.

Bill went pale with the effort not to lash
out at her. The veins in his neck stood out. With a muttered curse,
he spun around and stalked off.

Shaena emerged from a small office. “Well,
that was touch and go.”

Jade jumped with surprise. “Girl, what are
you doing here?”

“On standby. The cavalry so to speak. Brad
told me about the meeting.”

“And just what did you think you were going
to do?” Jade looped arms with Shaena as they walked to the
elevator.

“I was going to get his secretary, Vonice,
to put in a call to Howard so I could talk to him.” Shaena winked
at her. “I helped him out a few times.”

“Howard, the conservative? You’re kidding.”
Jade’s mouth dropped open.

“Vonice slipped in to give Secretary Chauvin
a message. She said you were too nervous to notice. But she heard
enough to know Bill Lang is in deep you-know-what. So I decided to
wait here for you.”

“Thanks, my friend.” Jade felt a lump in her
throat. She pressed her cheek to Shaena’s. Jade raised an eyebrow
at her. “But you all cozy with conservatives is a bit hard to
take.”

“Honey, we both know poor folks never did
get to see even half the money from a lot of programs. It ended up
in the pockets of men like Steve Franklin. They run around
protesting how we need more programs, and then make sure their pals
pocket lots of the money.”

Jade took a deep breath. She and Shaena had
argued over this many times with Jade defending the social
programs. After seeing Bill Lang in action this morning, it was
hard to argue with her friend. Still, Jade could not agree with the
conservative solutions to cut entire programs.

“We can write in safeguards so services do
what they were intended to, not ditch worthy programs because of a
few greedy jerks,” Jade said.

“A lot are plain political pork, Jade. You
know it.” Shaena waded in with her familiar charge. “Nothing more
than spoils for delivering votes to old-boy network black
politicians.”

“Then let’s fight the devastating cuts and
men like Bill who use programs for their own benefit.”

Shaena steered Jade through the open doors
of the elevators. “Yeah, yeah. I’m sure we’ll be debating more
social issues at great length some time—just not now.” She wore a
mischievous grin as she waved goodbye.

“What?” Jade turned to find herself in
Damon’s arms.

“Hello, pretty baby.” Damon winked at her.
“Going my way?” He kissed her long and deeply as the elevator doors
whisked shut.

* * *

Jade purr with satisfaction at the deep blue
sky overhead, emerald green water below and a warm breeze that
tickled her cheek. Soft white sand gleamed in the late afternoon
sun. From the restaurant patio, the beauty of the island seemed
laid out just for her. She became even warmer at the sight of Damon
approaching. The light green cotton shirt clung to his broad chest.
His muscled thighs—dark skin set off against the white shorts he
wore—rippled as he walked. Female heads turned, their eyes taking
in the sight of such marvelous masculinity on parade. Down girls,
this one is all mine, Jade giggled to herself.

“Here we go, sweet thing.” Damon handed her
a tall glass with slices of pineapple. “One for you and one for
me.” He settled down in the chair beside her.

“Paradise. Barbados pure and simple.” Jade
took a sip of the rum concoction and wiggled her scarlet-painted
toenails.

“Especially with you here.” Damon’s gaze
traveled from her feet up her body to her face. “Hmm, hmm
good.”

“You sassy thing.” Jade pinched his arm.
“Seriously, thank you for the wonderful idea of getting away. If
you hadn’t, I’d still be slogging away in the bowels of state
government.” She stretched with a languid movement.

“You needed a break after the last few
months.” Damon did not need to add more.

“Yes, but maybe I shouldn’t have left my
family just yet. Lanessa has a long hard road ahead, Damon.” Jade
bit her lip.

Lanessa was far from cured. Jade knew that
each day was a challenge for her sister, especially now that she
was back at home. Lanessa had insisted on living in her own home.
She rejected her parents’ suggestion that she live with them or
Jade’s offer to move in with her.

“She’s determined to make it, Jade. And she
will with the love and support she’s getting from y’all,” Damon
said.

Jade remembered her last visit with Lanessa
before leaving on vacation. Her older sister had seemed more in
charge, more at ease than ever before. “You’re right.”

“Well, you won’t have to worry about Bill
Lang for a while at least. He’s gone down in disgrace, back to his
old position.” Damon gave a grunt of approval.

“I hear he’s pretty much considered poison
these days.” She stared out over the water.

Jade could not help but feel some sympathy
for the man. Bill was back in his old civil service position with
little authority to do much—painful for someone grown accustomed to
power. He was given meaningless tasks, no staff and shared a
secretary with employees with less rank. Still, he would
survive.

“He’ll land on his feet like any good alley
cat.” Damon seemed to read her mind. “Don’t waste any tears on
William Jefferson Lang.” He put down his glass. “Now let’s forget
everyone and everything else back home for the next few days.”

“You’re right. What next?” Jade happily
joined in his effort to sweep away serious thoughts.

“Come here.” Damon stood up and extended his
hand.

Jade’s heart skipped at the sight of him
reaching out to her. This beautiful man was all she wanted for now
and forever. Framed against the lush, tropical background, he was a
dream come true. She put her hand in his. Damon led her down onto
the soft sand. Music from a steel drum band in the lounge began to
play as though on cue. He swept her into his arms around in a
circle to the sensuous Caribbean rhythm, their hips swaying in time
to the beat.

“Jade, will you marry me?” Damon whispered
in her ear.

“Oh, my goodness.” Jade pressed her forehead
against his chest.

“I want to be with you for the rest of my
life.” Damon brushed his lips against her earlobe. “I want to make
love to you in our bed. Will you marry me, baby?”

“My goodness” was all she could manage. She
felt a dizzy, marvelous kind of intoxication that did not come from
liquor.

“I love you with all my heart.” He lifted
her chin and kissed her with tenderness. “Now this is the part
where you say...” he murmured, his lips against hers, coaxing,
urging her.

“Yes,” Jade whispered. “Oh, yes.”

So... What happened to Lanessa? Read her
story!

If you would like a personalized digital
autograph visit my page at:

http://www.authorgraph.com/authors/LEmeryWriter

~~
About the
Author
~~

Lynn’s novels are set in the Bayou State and
explore Louisiana’s exciting present and exotic history. From the
big cities to the stunningly beautiful and mysterious swamplands,
stories of intrigue, secrets and murder play out on the pages. A
native of the state, her knowledge of folklore, the uniquely
colorful politics and crime combine to spice up each tale. For a
complete list of Lynn’s novels and to read more about her
visit:

:

Visit me on the web at:

www.lynnemery.com

Connect with me on:

Twitter:
www.twitter.com/LEmeryWriter

Facebook:
www.facebook.com/lynn.emery.author