Her Man: An Interracial Romance (The Bentini Brothers Book 2) by Jaye McCloud Read Free Book Online Page B

sure.  Mom’s
going to be furious when she finds out.”
         “She’s not going to find out…at least not for
a while.”  Lying back on his chaise with a tired sigh, he adds.  “And it may
not matter at this point because she won’t have anything to do with me.”
         “Who mom?”  Nicholas asks with confusion.
         “No, dimwit.  Tiressa.”  William lets out a
low chuckle and then asks Antonio, “Would you care to share what the problem
is?  Maybe we can help you solve it…we’re pretty clever men.  Well, at least
you and I are…not so sure about your little brother there.”  Will and Tony have
a good laugh at Nick’s expense.  But he doesn’t appear to mind and after a
minute laughs himself.  The brothers spend the next hour drinking, joking, and
coming up with idea after idea, until finally, Nick yells, “I’ve got it!”
         “Got what?”  Will asks with a slur in his
voice.  Ignoring his brother, Nick turns to Antonio.  “This can’t go wrong,
Tony!  You’ll see!”
     
    ***
     
         I haven’t met with Allen again, but that
doesn’t mean that he doesn’t ask me to.  Even though I keep telling him that we
don’t have anything more to say to each other.  Exiting the elevator on the
fifth floor, I wave to Ms. Mason, the receptionist, and as I round the corner,
I run into Kathy coming from the lounge with a cup of coffee and a bagel.  “Well
good morning.”  She exclaims.  “I’m so excited…it’s almost time for the b-day
party tomorrow night.  I haven’t been to a nightclub since Wi— well, I haven’t
been in a while.”
         I smile at her enthusiasm and compliment her
on her hair and outfit –Kathy has great fashion sense.  As I unlock my office
door, I invite Kathy in so we can go over some of the last minute items for the
party.  Turning back to enter my office, I come to a surprised stop.
         “Oh My Gawd! Tiressa.  Who are they from?” 
Kathy breathes in delight as she sniffs one of the twelve bouquets of colorful
roses set in beautiful clear vases throughout my small office.
         “I don’t know.”  I take in the beautiful scene
the roses make as I search for a card that indicates the sender.  Walking over
to my desk, I see an envelope propped against one of the bouquets with my name
on it.  Opening the envelope, I silently read the card inside, “I can’t be
sorry for being angry when I see you with another man.  I can’t be sorry for
making love to you in my office.  But I am sorry, and I greatly regret causing
you to feel the way you felt.  I don’t understand how you can ever see yourself
as cheap, when you are priceless to me.  For making you feel that way, I am
sorry.  Loving You Always, Antonio.”
         “Well?  Who are they from?  What does the card
say?”  Kathy can barely contain her curiosity.  “They’re from Antonio, but I
can’t tell you what he wrote, other than to tell you that it’s an apology.”
         “Wow!  You got an apology from Antonio Bentini. 
Well damn, girl!  That’s a reason to celebrate.” 
         “Yes, I suppose it is.” I say with a big wide
happy smile.  I’ve missed him so much!   Beaming my bright smile towards
Kathy, I ask for her help.  “I can’t keep all these roses in here.  They’re
beautiful, but they are taking up a lot of space and oxygen.  I’ll keep two
bouquets, you take the one you want and help me think of who in the building we
can share these with.”  We easily come up with a list that includes:  Mrs. Bentini;
Mrs. Fuller- Antonio’s receptionist on the second floor; Ms. Mason- the fifth floor
receptionist; Ms. Carlito- the executive assistant to Mr. and Mrs. Bentini, Ms.
McDonald-head of hospitality; Mrs. Weaver- in the personnel office, and Mrs.
Honeycutt- Bentini’s Housekeeper at Bentini Mansion.
         I can hardly wait to see Antonio.  I thought
for sure that he would show up at my