Twenty-Six

“You ready for your big weekend?” Edwin stood behind his desk buttoning his pants back into place. Faith still knelt on the floor by his chair, the office lights low.

“Yes, and no. I’m excited for the opportunity, but nervous about being away. I’m also afraid of the mess I’ll find when I return.”

“You don’t think Nessa can handle it?”

“I’m afraid Cherish will drive her away.” Faith was still angry about her sister’s accusations and about her run in with her mother at dinner. She was tired of being the brunt of their unhappiness. Cherish would sabotage Nessa just so she could say that Faith hadn’t trained her properly before leaving. She wanted Faith to fail and didn’t care if it ruined another in the process.

“It’ll be fine. All Nessa has to do is keep up with everything. There aren’t any new jobs, so she won’t have to worry about getting crews set up with stuff, and even if there was, Terry can handle it.”

Faith placed her hand on the desk and lifted herself to her feet, a look on her face that said she didn’t believe Edwin’s version of how things would go. “How about you? You going to miss our morning sessions?”

He walked over to her and placed his hand on her cheek as he gazed into her eyes, his filled with a longing she had not seen before. “More than you know. It’ll seem like an eternity.”

Faith stepped into his arms as she slid hers around his waist, laying her head on his chest. “It is. I’m going to hate it. I just got used to this. I don’t want you to forget me while I’m gone.” She glanced up into his eyes, her face a serious mask. “And Nessa is only to take my place at my desk, not under yours.”

Edwin laughed, his head tilting back as if he laughed at the ceiling. “Promise. No hanky-panky with Nessa.”

“Or anyone else.”

Edwin gazed down into her eyes, a soft smile on his lips. “Or anyone else.”

She sighed as she laid her head back onto his chest. “I better go get set up for my training session.”

She felt his lips on the top of her head. “Yeah, I guess you better. I’ll check in on you.”

She squeezed him tight. “I count on it for my sanity around here.”

Nessa arrived as the doors opened, excited to learn something new and do more than just answer the phones. Faith took her through the short steps of contracts and filing, what to do if a truck needed issued, and how to handle the job assignments in the computer. Regardless of Edwin’s assurance to her that there would be no new jobs during her absence and that Nessa would merely handle normal paperwork, Murphy's Law dictated something unplanned would happen.

“Could you teach a little quieter,” Cherish snapped. She arrived thirty minutes late without as much as an “I’m sorry” or even a “Good morning.” For the most part, she kept to herself, which was just fine with Faith.

Faith patted Nessa's hand as she ignored her sister. “Every once in a while, throw the lion a bone. She gets cranky if not fed properly.”

Faith ignored the daggers she knew Cherish aimed at her back. Nessa's eyebrows rose with surprise, but she said nothing. With that mindset, Faith figured Nessa would survive the week filling in for her. Of course, Faith wasn’t at all sure what Morgan would have her doing in Tampa, but the trip was set and ready to go. A note waited on her desk when she arrived that morning, telling her to be at the office by seven Monday morning and to pack for a week. There was a chance they might not stay the whole week, but it was better to be safe than sorry. The entire trip would be on the company checkbook—meals, room, transportation. Of course, Morgan would drive so no issue with transportation. Plus, she would get paid extra for making the trip. It would be like a working vacation.

“Are you excited?” Nessa asked.

Faith nodded. “Nervous as well. I’ve never been away from Selby that long. It’ll be strange.”

“Is he jealous? Morgan’s not a bad-looking man.” Nessa gave her a playful, mischievous look.

Faith laughed. “It’s a business trip. Get your mind out of the gutter. Besides, Selby doesn’t get jealous.”

Nessa shrugged her soft shoulders, a knowing smile on her lips. “The gutter’s more fun.”

“How did you get Selby to allow you to go, anyway?” Cherish asked, cutting into their conversation.

Faith glanced at her sister from over her shoulder. “I asked him. Are you saying Glen wouldn’t trust you on a business trip?”

“I’m saying, I’m surprised Selby trusts you. He must not know about your current behavior.”

Faith spun around to face her sister, arms across her chest. “And just what is my current behavior?”

“I think I’ll get some water.” Nessa stood and left the sisters to duke it out.

“You know what your behavior is like, you little slut. We’ve already had this conversation. You’ve been throwing yourself at anything with a penis. And what’s with the sudden early mornings? Are you trying to fuck your way to the top? You think you’re the only skirt Edwin chased around the office? You’re not. He’s a walking hard-on poking his way around for his next notch.”

Faith glared at her. “So, have you been one of those notches, and you’re talking from experience, or has he turned your advances down? Is that it? You’re jealous people pay me attention, and you get ignored? Perhaps you should try loosening up a bit and having some fun. No wonder Glen looks so sad. He’s married to a nun.” Faith propelled herself out of her chair and flew from the room. It was probably better than flying into the rage she could feel boiling up inside of her.

Cherish was so judgmental about everyone except herself. She couldn’t just be happy that Faith was happy. Oh, no. Cherish had to destroy it; call it ugly. Faith wouldn’t allow her sister to tarnish what was truly none of her business, however. She was having fun, and she intended to continue having fun. Screw what Cherish thought.

“I take it that didn’t go well.” Nessa stood just inside the break room door, leaning back against the wall, sipping a bottle of water.

Faith shook her head. “Not hardly. She can be so damned condescending. It pisses me off.”

Nessa turned and walked back into the break room. “C’mere and sit down.”

Faith looked at her, confusion covering her face. “What?”

Nessa tucked some of her dark tresses behind her ears and gestured to one of the hard plastic chairs. “Here. Sit.”

Faith finished entering the room, nervousness filling her. Nessa spoke to her as Edwin did when he wanted her to do something. It had instantly put her stomach in knots and made the nectar drip from her sweet lips.

Still, Faith obeyed, crossing the break room threshold and taking the seat in front of the honey-skinned woman, each step placed hesitatingly in front of the other. She wasn't sure what started the butterflies in her stomach, but she knew her lace thong was already drenched.

Nessa set the bottled water on the table before putting both hands on Faith’s shoulders and beginning to massage. “Oh, wow. Your sister has you all in knots. Why do you let her bother you so much?” Nessa’s fingers were small, but there was strength in them. She squeezed and twisted Faith’s shoulder and neck muscles with determination, grinding the tension from Faith’s body.

Why did she allow Cherish to rile her up so much? It was a good question. She should be used to Cherish’s tactics by now. Faith almost shrugged, but Nessa's hands kept her still. “I just hate judgmental people. Cherish is so much like my mother in that area I can’t stand it.”

Faith closed her eyes and could feel Nessa’s breasts rubbing across her back as the younger woman worked her magic. Nessa's breathing was in Faith’s ears, steady and strong, in rhythm with the massage. Faith took a deep breath trying to shake the lustful thoughts in her mind, but it was impossible. She kept her legs closed, pressed together, hands prayer-like in her lap. Her body still burned from that morning’s activities with Edwin with no release for herself. Nessa may not have purposefully tried to ignite Faith’s inner flames, but it worked, nevertheless.

“Yeah, I hate those types as well. People need to be free to live their life as they choose as long as they’re not hurting anyone. Everyone has a right to enjoy their life. I’m lucky my family respects how I choose to live my life. They may not approve, but they love me and don’t condemn my choices.”

“Choices? You seem pretty normal to me. What wouldn’t your parents approve of?”

“They’re parents. It’s their job to hate our choices, especially if we’re enjoying our life in a way that doesn’t exactly match up with their views.”

Nessa’s fingers slid further down Faith’s chest, and Faith felt her breasts being pulled upward. Her nipples tightened at the sensation, becoming sensitive pearls against the fabric of her bra. Her breathing grew huskier, lusty.

“And...Um...I am enjoying my life,” Faith mumbled, her head lolling forward. “What’s wrong with having fun?”

“Nothing. Trust me, I enjoy having fun.”

Faith, lost in the pleasure of the massage, could only moan. “So do I.” As Nessa worked her muscles, all Faith could think about was Tracey. At first, it caught her off guard that it wasn’t Edwin in her thoughts, but then she thought it was because Tracey became more aggressive in her thoughts and actions. The fiery redhead took charge while they shopped and didn’t seem at all hesitant about making Faith strip in front of her. While Edwin was the one Faith was exploring with, it was different with Tracey. The smaller woman was more like…family?

Faith popped her eyes open at the thought. No. She’s a friend. She’s Selby’s play partner. We’re close, yes, but…

Nessa squeezed tighter on Faith’s shoulders, jerking her thoughts back to the massage and who was actually giving it. “You’re really good at this.”

Nessa squeezed harder as she leaned close to Faith’s ear and whispered, “You’d be surprised what my fingers are good at.”

Faith heard herself moan at the thought of what those fingers could be massaging.

Faith focused on the Formica table in front of her. She could feel the naughty thoughts making her smile. “Perhaps one day I’ll find out.” Nessa may have thought Faith referred to her, but it was Tracey consuming Faith’s mind at the moment.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Tracey closed her Styrofoam container, lunch over for the day. “We should go dancing tonight. The clubs down here hop pretty well on the weekends. Might be fun before our girl leaves for a week.” She dumped the trash into the wastebasket behind the counter. “Unless, of course, you were planning to keep her all to yourself all weekend.”

Selby watched as she tidied up from their afternoon meal. “No way. If I can have my two favorite ladies with me, I’ll take it every time.”

Tracey pushed up on her tiptoes and kissed his nose. “Good answer.”

“I’ve been practicing.” He smiled at her. “It’s true. I stand in front of the mirror wondering what you might say and then rehearse my answers, so I look sharp.”

“I’m sure that’s what you practice in front of the mirror.” She leaned against him, her breasts firm against his chest, and gave him a slow, soft kiss. Her eyes were still closed when she pulled away, savoring the moment. When she opened them, his eyes smiled back at her. “I’ll meet you at the Upper Floor around nine.” She patted his thighs as she pushed away from him.

“We’ll be there.” He squeezed her hands tight before allowing her to walk away. As she closed the door, he couldn’t help but think how wonderful his life was going at the moment. He never imagined having anyone else in his life besides Faith. Not only was he allowed to be with Tracey, but his wife had even suggested it. Eat your hearts out, men.

He walked to the door and stepped outside to the sidewalk. The March breeze blew, rustling the fallen leaves and keeping the day cool even though the sun beat down. With a quick nod, he made his decision.

Reaching back inside, he hung a sign on the bookstore door. “Closed due to illness.” It wasn’t really a lie. He was sick of working. He locked the door and started walking. It was a beautiful Friday, and he didn't want to waste it by sitting in his musty bookstore. That was, after all, why he went into business for himself, to be able to enjoy moments such as this.

The March breeze was brisk, low seventies with no humidity. In Florida, you enjoyed those days to the fullest, because all too soon the temps hit the high nineties.

He crossed New Haven, walked down Glover to Melbourne Avenue, and turned east toward the marina just past the railroad tracks that crossed Turkey Creek. Manatee Park sat along the waterline and bench-sitters could watch the round, gray sea cows floating around. It was popular with children and lovers. Selby liked it for the peaceful romance of the place. Something about being near the water calmed a person’s spirit. He needed to come here more often.

Mullets broke the creek’s surface every once in a while, enjoying the sun for a brief second before falling back into the murky water. A bum slept on a white concrete bench under a massive oak, and a couple strolled hand-in-hand along the wood deck path. Boats, the size of small houses, rocked slightly in the water where they moored until whoever owned them needed to show them off again.

Selby watched the couple, their arms gliding back and forth, fingers interlaced, as they whispered the things lovers whispered to each other when alone. Their bodies pressed into each other, as if not able to get close enough.

Suddenly, Selby missed Faith. Next week would be long. Too long.

He pushed his hands into his jeans pockets and walked on, letting the future loneliness fall from his mind. It was just too gorgeous of a day for depressing thoughts.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Cherish had been stubbornly quiet the rest of the day for which Faith was grateful. It had enabled her to focus on Nessa’s training until the younger woman saw dancing numbers in her vision. Finally, it was time to go home.

Edwin poked his head into the Girls’ Den as Faith slung her purse over her shoulder. He glanced around the office. “Nessa gone?”

“As fast as she could.” Faith laughed as she walked toward the door. Cherish punched away at her keys, ignoring both of them.

“How’d she do?” Edwin asked.

Faith gave him a rundown of the day and of Nessa’s progress. Cherish pretended not to listen, but it was obvious she hung on every word, because her typing slowed a bit.

Edwin nodded, obviously satisfied at all he heard. “You ready for your night of dancing?”

“You keep pretty good tabs on your employees,” Cherish said, her focus still on the monitor.

Faith knew it irked her sister that Edwin had known her plans and she didn’t. “I am at that,” Faith said as she crossed the room. At the door she patted Edwin’s cheek. “Try not to miss me too much.” She smiled as she slipped through the doorway.

“I’ll walk you out,” he offered as he turned to follow her out.

“An escort. Nice.” Faith crooked her finger and motioned him to follow her.

The office was pretty deserted. Ashlynn had already left, Deon was on a job, and Grady never showed up. Jed was in the back poring over blueprints, and Terry was locking down the warehouse. As soon as they were out of earshot of any stragglers, Edwin said, “I have a meeting tomorrow with Mr. Polawski.” Faith thought he was about to cancel their Saturday date, which would suck since it was only their second and would be her last before her trip. Instead, however, he asked to see her on Sunday.

“Going to miss my services while I’m gone, are you?” She smiled as she unlocked her truck.

“Yes, as a matter of fact. But I’m going to miss you more than your talents.”

She smiled as she turned to face him. “Good.”

To be honest with herself, she knew she would miss Edwin’s attention as well. She grew to look forward to their bantering every day and their short but satisfying rendezvous.

“When?”

“I’ll be here till 5:30.”

“At the office?” Didn’t they play enough at work?

“Grady’s covering for me on Saturday, so I’m covering his Sunday. It’s quiet. If anyone works, it’s in the morning. Will that be all right?”

She smiled up at him. “Yes, sir. You’re the boss.” She realized she hadn’t thought about clearing it with Selby first. She would do it. She had to. It was her last chance to be with Edwin before the trip. Selby would just have to understand.

“Good girl.” He held her door open as she slid in, giving her a wink before walking away.

Her stomach was a gymnast competition as she thought about Edwin and wondered what he had in mind for Sunday. She fantasized about it all the way home, putting Cherish, her mother, and their bitchiness out of her mind. It would be something for her to remember in Tampa.

And she would need it.

Selby’s car was already there when she pulled into the garage, and Faith felt envious he started his weekend early. Still, that was her carefree husband, always at the whim of the weather. It was worse in the fall when leaves were falling and the air cooling. Then, his mind was always drifting off with the breeze, and she never knew where he would land. Of course, it was one of the things that endeared him to her heart. Selby was never a nine-to-five type of guy, at least not for very long. It was probably due to the two years he wandered the mountainsides and Florida highways. He loved roaming and exploring. He had settled down for her, and she couldn't begrudge his day trips.

Faith passed through their front door at five thirty-five, and Selby had already changed into slacks and a long-sleeve lavender shirt, sipping hot tea. “There’s my girl.”

She slid up beside him, purse dangling from one hand as she wrapped the other around his neck. Their lips pressed in a tender lock of longing. She tousled his hair with her fingers as they pulled away. “I missed you, too, lover.”

He patted her ass with that rogue grin plastered on his face. “I took the liberty of laying out your attire for the evening,” he said. “I was thinking of dinner at that new sushi place before tripping the night fantastic.”

“Dinner and dancing? I’m such a lucky girl.”

Selby chuckled as he pushed her to the bedroom. “Yes, you are. Now, go get ready.”