Tender Touch Read online

  “Absolutely, just added in as food for thought on down the line,” Franklin put in quickly. He seemed just as eager to play down his earlier suggestion. “Might not even be necessary.”

  Jade watched Damon Knight, fascinated with the way he pursed his lips when deep in thought. How would it feel to press her lips against them? When his gaze met hers, she felt a rush. Those smoky eyes sent a thrill through her she’d never experienced before. Not even with Nick. She looked away. No thank you, Mr. Heartbreak. I will not give in to hormones this time.

  Damon dropped the pen he was holding and sat back in his chair. He turned away from Jade. “Fine. Then I suggest we concentrate on teenage fathers with equal emphasis and work with local school systems to offer programs as either part of their health education curriculum or as an elective.”

  “Okay, that’s a good place to start,” Lang said.

  For the next hour, the group went back and forth debating the merits of various approaches. They agreed to very general goals but decided to wait until the grant award was made official. Throughout the meeting, Jade avoided making eye contact with Damon—a difficult task since he sat directly across from her. Despite the distance of several feet, he seemed too close for comfort. His presence was a palpable force that she had to make a conscious effort to resist. At last the meeting came to a close, with Lang thanking them again for coming. Jade suppressed a huge sigh of relief. She hoped Lang would not include her in future meetings. Damon and Lang stood talking even though the others had left.

  “Ms. Pellerin, could you come back please?” Lang called out to her.

  Jade reluctantly went toward the two men. Damon did not look in her direction. His square-jawed face was impassive. She spoke in a cool tone that contradicted the heat she felt looking at Damon Knight. “Yes sir?”

  “Mr. Knight has some excellent ideas. In fact, his program aimed at teen dads is one of only two in the state. I’d like you to work with him once the grant comes in, which I’m sure it will.” Lang nodded at Damon.

  Jade clamped her jaws shut to keep from blurting out a loud refusal. Why was she afraid? “Yes, Mr. Lang.”

  “Eddie Simon can give you all the information you need.” Damon smiled at her. “But of course if you need anything from me, just ask.” He looked down at her legs then cleared his throat. “I’ll make myself available.”

  Jade felt a charge of aggravation. So he thought a lift of his dark eyebrow in her direction would make her melt, did he? “Thanks, but I doubt I’ll need to bother you, Mr. Knight. I’m sure Mr. Simon, as the director, has all the information I’ll need,” Jade said in a clipped tone. She took a step back to stand behind her boss.

  Damon picked up his leather portfolio. “Of course.” He shook Lang’s hand and strode off without another word.

  Jade forced herself not to smirk at putting him in his place. His long stride was a study in fluid motion. A tiny prick of regret grew as Jade watched him go. Stop it, fool. Be glad he’s gone. She made a determined vow not to think of him again. Yet forgetting those eyes would take great concentration. Bill Lang’s high energy level helped. She juggled assignments the rest of the day with no time to daydream about full blown lips and strong arms.

  By the time she fought rush hour traffic to arrive at her condo at six that evening, Jade was spent. She kicked off her pumps and plopped down on her sectional sofa. Before she could relax with a diet soda and watch the network news, the doorbell rang. Her mother’s face was magnified in the glass of the peephole.

  Jade rested her forehead against the door. This was not the way to end a long day. She opened the door. “Hello, Mama. Hi Lanessa.”

  Clarice Pellerin swept in ahead of her oldest daughter. Her gold lightweight wool cape hung just so on her shoulders. Neatly coiffed hair dyed a dark auburn fell in soft curls swept away from her face. Lanessa looked to be a younger version of her mother. They were frequently mistaken for sisters and turned male heads when they made an entrance either together or separately.

  “Hello, baby.” Clarice gave Jade a peck on the cheek. “We saw a simply stunning sofa at Rosenfield’s that would do wonders for this room. Wouldn’t it, Lanessa?”

  Jade clenched her teeth. “I’m not looking for new furniture. I bought this set only two years ago.”

  “Hi, Jade.” Lanessa gave her sister a look of apology. “I’ve always loved this sofa and love seat. That soft fawn color is perfect with those drapes.”

  “Thanks, Nessa.” Jade shot her a look of sister-gratitude. “Hmm, well...” Clarice cast a critical gaze that said she did not agree. “So what are your plans this evening, Jade?”

  “To curl up with a good book and enjoy a cup of herbal tea. I’m really beat tonight. Getting to bed real early will feel so good.” Jade stretched, hoping her mother would take the hint. Clarice took off her cape and settled in.

  “With that jazz concert down in the Atrium at eight, you should be going to that. I swear, you’d think you were my age. Lanessa has a date with Alex—what a catch!” Clarice beamed at her oldest daughter with pride.

  “To tell you the truth, I’d just as soon stay home myself. Alex St. Romaine isn’t exactly Mr. Excitement.” Lanessa crossed her long legs.

  “Nonsense, he’s perfectly wonderful. He’s a computer program analyst or something high-tech like that.” Clarice waved a hand, dismissing her statement. “He makes a ton of money, too.”

  “Too bad he can’t buy some personality,” Lanessa said with a snigger.

  Jade started to giggle, but both daughters stifled their mirth at a sharp look of disapproval from Clarice.

  “Lanessa, Alex cares a great deal for you. I hardly think you should be making fun of him behind his back,” Clarice scolded her.

  “Oh, come on, Mother.” Lanessa tossed her dark reddish brown hair. It set off her cocoa brown skin beautifully, and the long curls fell just below her shoulders. “Alex is no Prince Charming by any stretch of the imagination—but he’ll do it in a pinch.”

  “Baby, he’s perfect for you. The right family and a good profession. You’ve known him practically all your life, since grade school. You should appreciate what you’ve got.” Clarice tried to reason with her.

  “Whatever,” Lanessa quipped. “So, Jade, what’s up with your superfine new boss? I hear he’s got it.” A gleam was in her eyes.

  “Well...”

  “Oh, don’t embarrass her, Lanessa. You know she won’t keep that position with her old boss gone.” Clarice gave Lanessa a significant look before turning to her youngest daughter. “Now, Jade, you’ll get another little job. Why, maybe your daddy can help.”

  “I have a job. In fact, I’ll be working for Mr. Lang as his administrative assistant,” Jade said with an edge to her voice. Clarice always managed to belittle anything she did.

  “Why, that’s nice, baby. Isn’t that nice, Nessa?” Clarice nudged her.

  “Great, kiddo. Keep climbing. I admire the way you make it in that jungle out there.” Lanessa took a deep breath. “I doubt I could do it.”

  “With that hefty settlement from your second divorce, I don’t know why you work at all.” Clarice pursed her lips at Lanessa. “I mean really, Lanessa, wasting your time.”

  “Hey, there are lots of fine, well-to-do businessmen hanging around the state capitol these days. More and more African-American men, Mother.” Lanessa smoothed her dress over her curves.

  “Re-ally?” Clarice lost her frown as she contemplated this fact. “I hadn’t thought about it like that.”

  Jade looked from her mother to her sister. Clarice had groomed Lanessa from the cradle to be the wife of a wealthy man. Lanessa seemed to have the perfect temperament for it. She hated getting up early or any activity that required too much work on her part. Males of all ages raced each other trying to make life easy for her since kindergarten. Jade, on the other hand, was the “competent one” as her mother loved to tell anyone who would listen.

  To Jade this meant unattractive and that s
he needed to pursue a career since her marrying prospects were slim. Jade had taken her height and build from her father’s side of the family, taller than average with healthy curves. Lanessa, at five feet three, had a lean frame and looked like Clarice had at her age. Not only that, but Lanessa shared her mother’s temperament. An outsider, which was what she was in her own family.

  Alton Pellerin doted on his baby girl but was gone much of the time, tending to a successful dry cleaning business. The familiar feeling of sad resentment flooded her as she watched the two of them in easy camaraderie discuss men.

  “I guess we should be going if you’re going to have time to get ready for your date.” Clarice stood and lifted her cape to her shoulders. Jade jumped up and helped her. “Don’t work too hard, sugar.” She pressed her lips to Jade’s cheek then rubbed the smear of lipstick from her skin. “Such lovely skin runs in our family.”

  “Bye, Jade-girl,” Lanessa said. “Really, it’s great about your promotion. You deserve it.” She held Jade’s hand a moment before letting go.

  “Thanks, Nessa.” Jade felt a rush of affection. A fleeting shadow of...something passed over her sister’s face. Sadness? Regret? “Are you okay?”

  “Hey, fine as wine.” The old Lanessa, confident and self-possessed flashed a dazzling smile. “Child, I’ve got a sweater dress that is going to have old Alex’s tongue hanging out all night. With any luck I’ll have a diamond necklace this Christmas. Then it’s so long, sucker.”

  Jade laughed in spite of herself. “You ought to be ashamed of yourself, girl.” Even with all her vanity and being favored by Clarice, Jade could not help but have a deep sister-love for her.

  “Don’t you sit around alone every night. With your looks you could have a dozen fine men to choose from.” Lanessa shrugged into her leather pant coat.

  “Oh, yeah. I had to change my phone number three times to avoid them,” Jade said with a snort. “Besides, I’ve had my fill of men for a while.”

  “Hey, your divorce was final a year ago. Forget about Nick, he didn’t deserve you.”

  “I’m over Nick. My life has gotten one hundred percent better since he’s out of it. And no other look-so-good brother is going to mess with my mind again,” Jade blurted out with force—too much force not to make Lanessa take note.

  “Who have you met? Some man has got you more turned on than you want to be.” Lanessa was never so self-involved that she could not read her little sister like a book. The accuracy never ceased to amaze Jade, or annoy her.

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” Jade said. She looked down at the carpet. “I’m just making a general statement.”

  “Uh-huh.” Lanessa started to say more when Clarice called out. “Lanessa, you and Jade can talk about me behind my back later. Now come on.”

  “That woman thinks she’s the center of the universe.” Lanessa rolled her eyes up to the ceiling. She gave Jade a quick hug. “And the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” Jade murmured with good nature as she watched the dove gray Lincoln Continental drive off.

  Finally able to enjoy a peaceful night, Jade put on her big nightshirt with matching knee socks. A steaming cup of Sleepy Time tea sat on the end table near the sofa. As she flipped through television stations looking for some bland old move that would not tax her thoughts, Lanessa’s words came back to her. Even hours later it seemed the stamp of Damon Knight’s powerful and magnetic effect on her was visible. The man was sexy, no use denying it. Just sitting a few feet across from him had set her body thrumming with the desire to feel his hard chest pressed against her. What was this? Until now, abstinence had been an easy choice. Now she had to feel a sensual ache because of one encounter.

  “It’s just the natural effect of being without a man for so long. Nothing more,’’ she said out loud as though hearing her own voice would make it so. But even as she spoke the words, she felt a small glow at the possibility she might see him again very soon.

  * * *

  Damon sat in the second-floor office of his carpet and floor covering store on Coursey Boulevard. The store manager, Joe Kinchen, and other employees had locked up long ago and most were gone now. He’d reviewed the inventory and sales reports at least three times in the last hour. To his deep dismay, the face of that gorgeous assistant of Lang’s kept coming back, sending his mind off on a very un-businesslike reverie. Just his luck she sat across from him. One look at those dark lashes and eyebrows framing the most startling cocoa brown eyes made his libido come alive.

  Joe stood anxious to leave. “Everything in order, Mr. Knight? I mean, you got any questions...?”

  “Hmm? Oh, sorry, Joe. No, everything is fine.” Damon rubbed his eyes.

  “If you need to get the shipping lists, they’re right here.” Joe went to a metal file cabinet.

  “Damon, I thought you were at the Main Street location today. Hi ya, Joe. How’s that new baby?”

  Damon’s younger brother strode in and gave Joe a handshake. Trent Knight had the same good looks stamped on his nut brown face as his older brother and father, but the similarity stopped there. Oliver Knight was a dour workaholic. Damon did share his trait of being serious and hard working, though he was not as humorless. On the other hand, Trent always had a joke or was ready to laugh at himself. He owned his own business, cleaning up construction sites and commercial buildings. That he did not follow in the family business was a constant source of tension in the family.

  Damon felt a rush of guilt. Here it was almost seven o’clock at night, and he was keeping Joe from his family. All because he could not keep his priorities straight and stop mooning over some woman he had seen only once.

  “Go on home, Joe. I’m sorry for keeping you here so late.” Damon jumped up from the chair and crossed to him. “I’ll finish up. Tell Beryl hello for me.”

  “Thanks, Damon. Night.” Joe waved a hasty goodbye.

  “Give that sweet baby girl a kiss for me, man!” Trent yelled after the fleeing proud papa. A muffled reply came back. “Can you believe how he turned his life around in two years?”

  “Sure. Even when I met him in jail, I could see Joe was a man who wanted something more in his life.” Damon began to organize the papers in brown file folders.

  “And he’s got it. A lovely wife and baby.”

  “Uh-huh. How’s business with you?” Damon did not want to talk about happy nuclear families. It brought too much pain at what he did not have.

  “Great. That new Lancaster Estates development has been keeping my crews busy.” Trent sprawled his lanky frame in the large leather chair opposite his brother.

  “You’ll be adding more employees soon then?” Damon paused in his task of arranging the documents.

  Trent held up a hand. “Yes, and I’ll interview a couple of boys from your program.” He laughed. “Always putting the touch on me for those little scamps, as Grandma would call them.”

  “You get as much of a kick giving those kids a break as I do, so don’t even try it.” Damon gave him a playful punch as he passed to get to the file cabinet.

  “That’s true. Well, I’m on my way to pick up Carliss. Say, you ought to join us. Her friend—”

  “Forget it,” Damon cut him off.

  “But she’s a fabulous lady. A corporate attorney.” Trent twisted around in his seat.

  “Sure. Just what I need after being taken to the cleaners by Rachelle in that divorce settlement—to spend time with another lawyer. No, thanks.”

  “Come on, bro. Don’t get all bitter on me.”

  “I’m taking a time-out from the mating game for a while. When I start dating again—and it won’t be soon—I’ll take it slow.” Damon thought of Jade’s lips, touched with lipstick the color of dark red wine. Her hair, parted down the middle, was a soft coal black frame to that lovely face. No, he was not falling into that tender trap again. Not him. He shook his head and went back to the desk.

  “I see.”

  “Real slow. No more getting turned around by a fine wo
man who... uh, anyway I’m doing okay. I don’t need it.”

  Trent watched him for a while before speaking. “Who is she?”

  “Who is who?” Damon shuffled the files in front of him.

  “I got a strong impression that you had one particular female in mind. That wasn’t a theoretical fine woman that put a spark in your eyes just now.”

  “My point is it’s only been a year since I finally had Rachelle surgically removed from my life. I don’t mind telling you it’s been a peaceful twelve months.” Damon heaved a sigh.

  “Yep, you had it rough.”

  “Ten years of The Marriage from Hell. I’m happy to be lonely these days. So let’s talk about something else.”

  Damon did not want to dwell on the memory of Jade. What had she done to him to leave such an indelible mark of arousal that came back at the mere thought of her? He needed to put a halt to any weakening in that direction. Beautiful women were trouble. And pain. An image of Rachelle, cold and calculating, made his stomach clench. Rachelle was as heartless as she was beautiful. No way. Jade Pellerin had heartache written all over her.

  Trent took a melodramatic deep breath. “Okay, I’ll let Carliss know she’ll have to give up trying to find you a new love.”

  “Definitely. Now have you seen Dad lately?”

  “Have I! Will he ever get over me not running these stores with you?” Trent let out an exaggerated groan.

  Damon snorted. “You know the answer to that. At least he’s following the treatment plan these days.”

  “Yeah, he’s got more movement in his left arm than ever before. But it’s been a long way back for him.” Trent lost the irritated expression at the reference to how ill their father had been.

  “That stroke could have killed him.” Damon spoke in a sober tone, saying what Trent would not. “A year of treatment and he’s still weak. But at least he’s doing much better.”

  “Sure, nothing wrong with his mind—or his mouth,” Trent said.

  “Don’t let it get to you. Besides, fussing and carrying on is his hobby. I think it helps him stay alert.” Damon grinned at the grimace his comment caused Trent.