Page 26 of Mr. Blackwood

Soft classical music played in the main office on Jabari’s floor, and his secretary, Frankie, was sitting at her outer desk when I arrived. Jabari had told me that she had an office as well as the desk right outside of his to greet any guests that he had scheduled for the day.

“Hi, Frankie. Is Mr. Blackwood in?”

“He is, but he’s not taking any visitors without an appointment.”

I tried not to take an attitude with her, because I was sure that Jabari hadn’t told her that we were involved, although I was sure she guessed as much by how often I visited his office.

“He’ll want to see me.”

She smirked, and it confirmed what I already suspected; she knew about us. “One moment, Ms. Valentine.”

I nodded, crossed my arms, and turned my back to her, trying not to listen in on their conversation. Extravagant paintings hung on his cream colored walls, thick Oriental carpets divided the seating areas, and brown, luxury leather club chairs made up seating groups throughout the lobby. There was a large fireplace surrounded by marble on one wall, and on the other there was a large wall of windows.

Everything about Jabari’s office screamed wealth and extravagance like the man himself.

“I’m sorry, Ms. Valentine, but he says that he doesn’t have an opening to fit anyone else in today, and he’ll be in his next meeting for a few hours.”

Her tone was apologetic, and in her eyes, I saw sympathy. I was just pissed that he was playing games with me the way that he was. Jabari was very adamant about not wanting to play games with me, but he had just disappeared from my life without a warning or explanation.

I blew out a breath and headed back to my office. Before I entered my office suite, I hopped on the phone and called Courtney. When I got her voicemail, I left a long, rambling message on there, as if we were actually talking as I walked back to my office suite. It would be too difficult to face Riann after she had warned me, and I didn’t want to look like a fool, but I damn sure felt like one.

***

Three hours later, around seven, I heard a noise outside of my office. I knew that everyone was gone for the day, so I suspected it was the cleaning staff. I was surprised when my door jerked open, and Jabari stood there.

Damn, he was a sight for sore eyes. My eyes gobbled him up in his all-black suit. His shirt was unbuttoned three buttons down, and a silver pendant hung around his neck. The same capsule was attached to it as always.

His eyes were dark and unreadable, but there was a dangerous energy emanating from Jabari. As much as I wanted to jump up and wrap my legs around him, I had to maintain my distance. I refused to permit him to mistreat me, and that was exactly what it would be if I were to give in to what I wanted to do.

He casually strolled into my office as if he needed no permission. “You’ve been looking for me?”

I scoffed and rolled my eyes before I crossed my arms over my chest. I stood from my desk, ready to escort his ass out of my office. With my eyes squinted at him, I asked, “Is this what we’re doing?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about?”

Why did that deep, sexy ass voice run chills through my body and make my pussy wet the way that it did?

“I’m a grown woman, Jabari. I can handle a booty call if that’s what it’s supposed to be. But you’ve wined and dined me, taken me on expensive dates, and then spent almost every available moment with me for the last couple of weeks before you just disappeared. I didn’t think you were doing all that just to have sex with me repeatedly and then grow bored of me. If that’s what it was, just say it. What I don’t appreciate is feeling like I’ve been used. If that’s what it’s gonna be, let’s make this a mutual exchange.”

He walked around my desk and stared down at me. “Are you done?”

“Yes, I’m done. Done with you and this game you’re playing.”

“Camilla, the one thing I don’t do is play games. My time and my money are way too valuable for that. I have no problem with telling a woman that I only want sex, and I’ve never had that problem in the past. If the only thing I’m looking for is sexual entertainment, I can fly to North Carolina to Club Prestige or to Miami and visit Kings and Queens and have all of my wildest fantasies fulfilled.”

“Then why did you go MIA on me?”

“Those same billions that allow me to visit clubs like those I mentioned or fly out of town on a whim also demand my presence in various locations at any given time. There was some business I had to attend to that didn’t allow me to be here.”

“It would have been nice if you would’ve communicated it to me.”

“I didn’t know we were doing that, but the next time, I’ll remember to call you.”

“I’m not sure there’ll be a next time. I’ve got better things to do than waiting for you.”

He tipped my chin back. “Let me make it up to you.”

“Time was lost; you can never regain that.”