Tender Touch Page 15

  Damon threaded his long fingers through a lock of her hair. “If you mean am I for real, the answer is yes.”

  He thought of the lies, machinations and half-truths that had marked his marriage. Now he had a sense of freedom from the past. Seeing Rachelle had only convinced him to let go of the past. Damon cradled her to his body.

  “But you know what my new philosophy is?” He spoke in a serious voice.

  “What?” Jade grew very still. A flutter started in her stomach.

  “Love makes the world to ’round,” Damon said. A deep rumble of a laugh shook his chest.

  Jade gave him a small poke in his side. “Very deep, Socrates. But really, you’re not afraid we’re getting involved too fast?”

  Damon stopped laughing and stared into her eyes. “I couldn’t stop this feeling even if I wanted to...and I don’t. Are you unsure?”

  “No,” Jade said without hesitation. No fears or doubts could withstand the force of her craving to be with him.

  “Good. Now that’s settled, let’s move on to a more difficult decision.” Damon grew serious again.

  This time Jade was not fooled. She nestled down next to him and closed her eyes. “Which is?”

  “Are we going out for breakfast, or will we eat in?”

  * * *

  “Who was that on the phone?” Oliver Knight frowned slightly at the noise distracting him from the newspaper article on the state of business in Louisiana.

  “Rachelle. She’s having lunch with Damon in a couple of days.” Marlene tapped a manicured fingernail on the hardcover novel she held.

  “Hope you know what you’re doing.” Oliver stared at her for a few seconds. “Interfering this way could do more harm than good.”

  “Nonsense. I intend to stop that Pellerin girl from worming her way into this family. Clarice no doubt passed on her social ambitions to her daughters.” Marlene wore a sour look.

  Oliver lowered the newspaper and stared ahead. “Not all poor girls are mercenary,” he said in a quiet voice.

  There was a long silence as Oliver seemed to slip into a reverie of his own. Marlene put the novel down on the end table at her elbow. The loud thump made Oliver blink as though awakened from a dream.

  “I know the type, Oliver. Remember?” Marlene’s voice was laced with acid.

  He avoided her gaze. “Damon thinks she’s nice.”

  “Nice? Oh, please spare me from nice girls of humble origin,” Marlene snapped.

  “Marlene, please don’t start on—”

  “Don’t worry. I’m talking about the Pellerin girl.” Marlene wore a look of contempt.

  Oliver sighed. “Fine. Then let Damon make his own choices.”

  “Family interests come first.” She gave him a heated look. When Oliver did not respond, she gave a short laugh. “Damon is sensible. He’ll see Ms. Pellerin for what she really is.”

  Chapter 8

  Jade tried hard not to fidget under the hostile scrutiny of Kathy Lang. “Bill is still tied up with those legislators. He could be in there until lunchtime.”

  Kathy bared even white teeth. “I’ll wait a little longer. It will give us a chance to chat. It’s fascinating to see a young African- American woman so close to power. You must be exceptional in many ways.”

  “Thank you,” Jade said in a controlled voice. She swore once again not to assume everything Kathy said had a double meaning that hinted at an insult. “I’ve worked hard to understand how the department operates.”

  “Don’t you find this work dry and boring?” Kathy cast a glance at the bookshelf filled with huge policy manual. “My goodness, pages and pages of tiny print. Some bureaucrat had a field day coming up with it all.”

  Jade relaxed a bit. Kathy’s comment seemed to confirm that she wanted only to pass the time. She was simply restless and maybe more than a little lonesome. “But that’s the challenge, making the system work to help people even with all the red tape.”

  Kathy seemed to become interested. “Like what?”

  “Hmm, let’s see. There are a ton of rules about getting disabled people into a program to keep them at home and out of institutions. With input from families and the people who get the services, we’ve begun a process to change the rules.”

  “But that takes a long time. Even I know that from listening to Bill complain.”

  “Usually it does, but we can publish an emergency declaration that there are people at risk. That way we can start a much shorter process than the usual way.”

  “So being in the system can be helpful sometimes. I never thought of bureaucrats in such a light.” Kathy raised a shapely eyebrow in amusement.

  “We have our moments.” Jade gave a short laugh.

  “Jade, you seem nicer than my husband’s other assistants. You actually can hold a conversation with complex sentences,” Kathy said. Her pretty face twisted with a trace of bitterness.

  “Oh, come on.” Jade couldn’t help but chuckle. “I’ve had male bosses before. And people always gossip if he’s nice to you or tries to help you advance. Maybe you’re being too hard on them.”

  Kathy shook her heard. “No, and I’m not mistaken, either.” She studied Jade for several seconds. “So you pretty much know your way around all these regulations and such?” She nodded at the mounds of paper around them.

  “Sure. After over ten years, I should.” Jade glanced around then back at Kathy.

  “Then you know the requirements to do things according to laws and other stuff like that?” Kathy tapped a perfect lacquered nail on the arm of the chair she sat in.

  “Well...yes.”

  “Did you know Bill before he came to this job?”

  “No, not really. Of course I’d heard of him.” Jade was curious about the direction of this conversation.

  Kathy seemed to come to some decision. “Listen, I feel like we could get along. Be very careful. Bill doesn’t always follow rules.”

  “Most people who make things happen don’t. Radical for us bureaucrats.” Jade smiled. “But he knows that change sometimes has to come from within a system.”

  “No, I mean—”

  “Kathy, what are you doing here?” Lang stood in the door, wearing a frown of displeasure. “I’ve got a very full day and so has my assistant.”

  “I was just nearby and...Kathy’s voice trailed off at the look of disbelief on his face. “I thought we could have lunch.”

  “Impossible. Mike expects me to have lunch with him in the capitol dining room. We have to discuss several issues before our next meeting.” Lang looked at Jade. “Did you get the file from Chester Howard’s office?”

  “Nothing was in the morning mail.”

  “See if Chester Howard’s assistant has it. They promised we’d have it by eleven, and it’s almost eleven forty-five.” He seemed to have dismissed his wife.

  “I’ll do it right now.” Jade flipped through her Rolodex for the number.

  “Thanks, Jade. You’re priceless,” Lang said. He stood next to Jade with a hand on the back of her chair. He reached across to retrieve a sheet of paper. “Oh, here’s that memo from Secretary Chauvin. I was looking for it.”

  Jade looked up to find the cold glare of dislike back in Kathy’s light brown eyes. “Uh, I have to go up to the eighth floor for something else anyway, so I’ll stop by and get it.” She rose from her chair and moved away from Lang.

  “I seem to be in the way here.” Kathy got up and blocked Jade’s exit. “It has been very enlightening observing you in action. Sorry to interrupt your important work,” she said in a soft voice.

  “No problem. Drop by anytime.” Jade did not want this woman to be her foe.

  “Yes, I plan to.” Kathy stared at her for a few seconds then faced her husband. “Remember we’re meeting the Richards for dinner at six-thirty.”

  Lang seemed relieved that she was leaving. “Of course. I’ll be home by six, and we will drive over to the restaurant. Now bye, dear.” He cupped her elbow and guided her down
the hall.

  Jade took a deep breath. Before she could leave, Lang came back to her office.

  “I hope my wife wasn’t rude to you, Jade.” He came in and closed the door.

  “Oh, no, Bill. Just small talk.” Jade tried to make her response casual.

  Lang gave a slight shake of his head. “You’re very gracious, but I know my wife. Look, you and I are going to be working very long hours in very close quarters. We might as well get this out on the table. Kathy is very jealous—and for no reason, I can assure you.” He ran a hand over his neatly cut hair. “I’m sorry for anything she might have done.”

  “She wasn’t out of line, honest.”

  “But she was questioning you, admit it.” Lang eyed her.

  “She asked about routine department business.” Jade lifted a shoulder. “Very harmless stuff.”

  “But she wanted to know if you were qualified or were just window dressing. She’s caused me no end of grief with her obsessive suspicions. But if she ever upsets you, let me know.” Lang wore a look of concern.

  “She wasn’t that bad.” Jade felt a twinge of guilt talking about Kathy this way. Not to mention her desire not to get involved in her boss’s marital strife.

  “But she did take a few digs at you?”

  “Listen, I—”

  “I knew it.” Lang took a deep breath. “I really care for Kathy, but her behavior has begun to worry me. I want to help her. But I spend most of my time defending myself or apologizing to her.”

  Jade shifted from one foot to the other. She wasn’t sure what to say, but she tried to think of some way of getting out of this discussion. “Well, things can get rough in a marriage. I hope you can work it out.”

  “Sometimes I just don’t know,” Lang said in a quiet voice. “Thanks for being so understanding.” He squared his shoulders. “I’m sorry for dumping my chaotic personal life in your lap. You certainly didn’t sign on to be my therapist.”

  “Don’t worry about it.” Jade thought of how she’d felt when her marriage began to shatter. Lang looked so worn down, very much unlike the usual dynamo filled with purpose and confidence. “Hang in there. Like the song says, trouble don’t last always.” She gave him a pat on the arm.

  “Thanks.” Lang gave her a weary smile. “Guess I better get over to the capitol to meet Mike. I’ll see you this afternoon.”

  “Okay.”

  Jade watched him leave. Poor guy had his hands full with such a paranoid wife dogging his footsteps. Jade knew the heartbreak of an unhappy marriage all too well. Unhappy? Miserable was more accurate. Angry, ugly fights that led to nowhere only made going home a dread. Instead of love and refuge, there was resentment. Yet thinking about it didn’t cause the sharp ache it once did. Now she could look forward to the sweet embrace of a wonderful man. Damon brought her a kind of peace and calm that no man had ever inspired. His slightest touch was like a full body massage. Tension melted away at the soothing sound of his rich, deep voice—and soon they would go on their first trip together. She intended to make it very special, too. Jade’s mood became bright as she thought of her plans to be with him. Bill’s marital woes slipped from her mind.

  * * *

  Lanessa came into her living room with a glass in her hand. She moved with deliberateness as though afraid she would trip. When the doorbell rang, she jumped. “Damn, it’s six already. Gotta get rid of this.”

  She darted into the kitchen and started to pour the liquor out. After pausing for only a second or so, she downed the rest of her drink and put the glass in the dishwasher. The doorbell sounded again.

  “Just a minute,” she called out. She went to the hall bathroom on her way to the front door and sloshed mouthwash around in her mouth before spitting it out. “I’m coming.”

  Alex stood at the door with an impassive look on his nutmeg brown face. “Hello, Lanessa.” He made no move to enter the hallway.

  “Hi there. Well, don’t just stand there—come on in.” Lanessa swung the door wide.

  He walked past her into the spacious living room done in warm beige, green and red. The room was made even more inviting by the fire that filled the fireplace. Lanessa moved with practiced grace, a sensuous sway in her hips. The satin lounge belted jumpsuit she wore was ocean blue with the Victoria’s Secret emblem stitched on the chest pocket. Though it fit loosely, the lush curves of her body were clear beneath the fabric. Alex sat down on the large sofa.

  “Can I get you something?” Lanessa stood poised to serve him.

  “No, thanks.” He gazed up at her then looked away. After several seconds, he cleared his throat. “So how’ve you been?”

  “Okay, I guess. You know the drill, work all day and crash at night.” Lanessa sat down next to him. Alex seemed about to move away then stopped.

  “Yeah, same old treadmill of the working masses.” He gave a hoarse chuckle that sounded more like a cough.

  “What about you?” Lanessa relaxed against the sofa pillows. She stretched an arm across the top of them.

  “No different. We’ve taken on a new contract with the state to develop a financial application to handle purchasing, payroll, contracts—the works. We’ll be working twenty-four-seven for at least the next nine months.” He pulled at his tie. “I’ll be really busy.”

  “I see. No social life for you, eh?” Lanessa clucked her sympathy. She rubbed his shoulder. “Poor thing.”

  “Yeah, well I’m pretty used to it.” Alex went rigid when she touched him. “But it’s great for business.”

  “Wonderful.” Lanessa moved closer to him.

  This time Alex did inch away from her. “But I’ve got an early day tomorrow. Uh, what was it you wanted to talk over with me?”

  Lanessa smiled. She seemed not to notice his reluctance to be near her. “Last time we were together, we parted on a sour note. I don’t feel like we really talked.”

  “I think we did.” Alex did not look at her. “We’d been talking for months, Lanessa.”

  “That’s not true. You lectured me for months,” Lanessa snapped. Seeing the reaction to her tone, she softened her expression. “I mean, maybe we can take a different approach this time.”

  “Like what?” He looked at her.

  “Listen, we all have our little faults. I nagged you about wanting to go on nice trips to Houston or New Orleans. I can’t help it if I love the theater, concerts and exciting nightlife. You would, too, if you’d give it half a chance.”

  “I’m just not a nightlife kind of guy, Lanessa. You’ve known that about me since we were both in college.” Alex shrugged. “But that’s not—”

  “Maybe I can compromise. I suppose I can be a little selfish sometimes. We don’t have to go every weekend.” Lanessa shrugged. “In fact, maybe nice quiet evenings along are just what we need.” She slid up to him and rubbed her body against his. “Used to be you couldn’t wait to get me alone.”

  “Lanessa, it goes deeper than whether or not we go out or stay in. You want the fast lane in everything. Expensive nights out, shopping at Lord and Taylor’s, Neiman Marcus, the best restaurants. I’m into the simple things.” Alex gripped his knees with his large hands. He seemed not to be affected by her provocative behavior.

  “Baby, we can work it out,” Lanessa whispered in his ear. Her hand moved up his thigh.

  “We’ve been through this a hundred times,” Alex said. “I’m willing to talk about us. But you know what I want to hear first.” He stood up and looked down at her.

  “What is it with you?” Lanessa jumped up to face him.

  “No games this time, Lanessa.”

  “Who do you think you are anyway? Just because you’re one of the famous St. Romaine clan, that makes you better than everyone else? I don’t think so,” Lanessa said in a scornful snarl. She paced in front of him.

  “This isn’t about my family, and you know it.” Alex’s eyes narrowed slightly at the veiled insult.

  “Like hell it isn’t. As far back as I can remember your fa
mily has been looking down their noses at everybody, including me. Your sisters especially.” Lanessa hurled words at him like arrows.

  “I’m not going to cover the same old tired ground.” Alex got up to leave.

  “I practically beg you to come over here, and now you want me to crawl.” Lanessa stopped pacing and faced him again. “That’s what you want, isn’t it? Me on my knees? It’s payback time.”

  “You’ve lost me.” Alex stared at her with a look of genuine puzzlement.

  “I broke up with you over a year ago and dated Maurice Whittington. Now you’re getting back at me, right? The male ego can’t take rejection.”

  “Don’t push your luck, lady.” Alex’s voice was even, but his jaw muscles twitched. “I’ve taken crap off you for a long time, overlooked a lot. But it’s never enough for you.”

  “Oh, please,” Lanessa snorted.

  Alex reached out to touch her then jerked back his hand. “Lanessa, I’ve cared for you since we were kids. But you’ve always taken for granted that I’ll jump whenever you crook your finger and whistle.”

  “Yeah, make it all my fault.” Lanessa turned her back to him.

  “No, maybe a lot of it is my fault. You’ve been under my skin for so long that taking you back was easy.”

  “How noble of you to shoulder some of the blame!”

  “This isn’t some competition to prove who’s righteous,” Alex shouted. “Everything gets twisted when it comes out of your mouth. You don’t know the first thing about sharing love with a man.”

  “What does that mean?” Lanessa shouted back at him. Her eyes blazed with fury.

  “Swinging your butt and wearing tight pants isn’t all there is to being sexy. That’s what I mean.”

  “You didn’t complain all those nights you climbed into my bed.”

  “A real woman knows how to give, not just take and take all the time. You’re always grasping for more of everything.”