Sixteen
Jermiane stood steady at the end of the hallway of Bristol Plaza. After LaToya storming out early that night, he couldn’t understand why she hadn’t understood mentally that he really wanted it. He knew that somehow, she believe him, but she was holding herself back for some reason.
When the sunrise started, Jermaine got up and took a hot shower letting the aching of his bones be forgotten. It had been months since a sexually transaction happen and he couldn’t say he was “okay”, but for some reason he didn’t feel the need to go out there and “risk something good”. He made sure that Victoria, his assistant had his meetings postpone into later Monday afternoon. Lately, there had been a lot of postponing of some of the biggest meetings of his career because his mentality had disappeared and he couldn’t comprehend as well.
At exactly, 9 o’clock that morning, he got off the elevator at LaToya’s apartment, and unfortunately the building brought back unwanted memories and he immediately hated being in an environment where his past started reflecting his present.
Ignoring his problems, he finished the hallway and stood in front of 5432, wanting to knock, but his interior thoughts stopped him. He could use the spare key that he had the downstairs staff supply him with, but he knew she would flip out.
Jermaine was the biggest investor and representatives for Bristol Plazas around the tri-state area. He made sure the stock market didn’t drop and that came from rent and mortgages being paid on time. So, that meant he made the settlement for evictions. The Plazas didn’t do a damn thing without his approval and that’s how Jermiane found out about LaToya and Nicole’s move there. Two and a half months ago, LaToya signs the lease on the place and soon added Nicole’s name to it. Jermaine did the research finding out Nicole was actually at Jefferson Towers before moving with LaToya, but that there was no complications on her end. And she only brought herself out the remaining of the 5 months lease.
When he looked over LaToya’s application, and he noticed she lived at Bristol’s he knew he had to make some actions. He knew he couldn’t take the idea through Evan because he would question why, but he did ask one of the associations and of course the key was approved.
Shaking his head, he walked away from the door and put the key away. He knew she would leave home soon, because of last night. There was no way after the disagreement they had, she’ll stay up in the house. She wasn’t like most girls he had dealt with, and one thing they did for sure were stayed in the house after not having their way.
Within, 20 minutes Jermiane was ready to go home and try to work from there. He didn’t know what he’ll do when he seen her, but he knew that she would run and not return for a long time. He didn’t want to risk anything, so he put his keys away and grabbed his phone.
The sound of a door closing, caught his eye and he seen LaToya standing in too tight jeans - for him anyway- and a Beyoncé’s Flawless sweater. It was still cool from yesterday’s raining and just being the normal New York’s weather. He too, had on a 49ers hoodie, a pair of cargo pants, and a pair of Black Timberlands. He knew that he wouldn’t dress this normal for anything. His “normal” attire would have been a pair of slacks and a button-down shirt. Being around LaToya definitely made the “normal” Jermaine come out.
The look that flashed through her eyes made Jermiane almost flinched. He wouldn’t, not in front of her anyway. He wouldn’t let LaToya know she had so much control over him, because in all honesty it would break him down if she walked away forever and he barely knows her.
“You have to be kidding me right now. You came to my apartment?” At this point her and Jermiane were face to face…somewhat. She had this tone that he craved and for some reason, her smart mouth was intoxicating to him. She wasn’t fearful of him and was able to make judgment without his opinion and stood on her own determination.
That wasn’t just sexy for a man, but woman too.
“Come with me.” He said grabbing her hand. This time, she didn’t fight him and he was thankful. This is one of his many places of business and also past figures…right now wouldn’t be a good time to put up a fight. But, he knew LaToya wasn’t into public exposure, just the little times they have been together he could imply that.
When they reached his office, Jermiane used the key and unlocked the doors. Here, he would lay everything out on the table and leave it for LaToya to decided.
He made sure the cameras in the room were deactivated and that the door was locked. The walls were sound-proof, but behind Jermaine’s desk was a wall made of floor-to-ceiling windows. The room was huge to say the least. It had a sitting area when you first enter and 7 TVs on the wall directly in front of the chairs. They all showed time and weather for: New York, Los Angles, Houston, Austin, Dubai, Colorado, and San Antonio. Further towards the back, there sat a substantial size desk there and 3 chairs sat in front. A Mac Book Desktop that was painted black, matching the rooms and Jermaine’s signature color. A bit of red was thrown around from pillows on chairs and a couple pictures, but not too major.
“Have a sit LaToya, I’ll order some breakfast for this morning and later we’ll go somewhere for lunch.” Jermiane was taking control today. Lately, he had been LaToya’s puppy. Maybe with his “true colors” coming out, she’ll understand.
“Jermaine-” Shaking his head, he ignored her and started his point making.
“LaToya, we’ll talk.” Taking a seat next to her, he pulled out his phone and texted the personal chief for them waiting for his request downstairs. He made sure he informed him that it was more than him and that they would love enough to fill them up. He order, bacon, grits, eggs, toast, Splashberry juice, and sausages.
When he finished, he noticed LaToya was also on her phone and for some reason he couldn’t help, but hate the feeling. So he stashed it away, tucking it in his pocket.
“First off, Jermaine don’t ever take something-”
“LaToya, I’m trying here, but you always find a way to get under my skin.”
“And you wonder why?” Taking several deep breaths, Jermaine continued.
“I actually do because-”
“Do you realize that you’re my boss’s boss? Do you realize this can be a problem hanging over both us? An office affair, is sexy to you now Jermaine?” All the questions upset him, honesty. He never wanted to think about the effects of this! Not because he was afraid of her being fired or him being fired, hell he was the “boss”, he was the business executive and owner of all his companies. Nothing was shared, not even with Evan Travis. Evan and Jermaine had their own “things” going on. But what upset him was the questioning and defying him of something. It pissed him off every time.
“LaToya you have to understand, I’m the boss. The man in charge is me and there is no one able to control that. If I plan on fucking you in my office, on my receptionist desk, in the closet, or on the top of the building; I have every fucking right to do so. Anyone who tells you different can shut the fuck up.” His voice came out tight and bothered, but who could guess less when your authority is being questioned.
Jermaine Cole had been a CEO since he was 20 year old. Inheriting his mother’s success after she retired and decided to be a “housewife” and take care of Jermaine’s younger sister. At first it took time to get used to, but now his actions, authority, and persona aren’t to be played with. He employs over a hundred people and has no problem firing any.
“Jermaine,” The sound of LaToya’s voice was uncomfortable. Not that he didn’t want to hear her, or even that she was becoming aggravating or annoying, but because it wasn’t her normal “sassy” tone. She was worried or upset about something, and he couldn’t help, but feel he was to blame.
“Jermiane…I don’t know what’s holding me back. I honestly don’t know and that’s the part that has me running away. I usually just go with the flow, but right now the flow is to leave you alone,”
Nodding, he could understand and there were secrets that as his girlfriend she should know, just because of the principles of everything. For right now though, he couldn’t spill his heart out. She hasn’t said “Yes” yet and that’s killing him more than anything.
“But, I want you you….so bad.” And with that she ended and he turned to look her in the eyes. LaToya’s eyes always told the truth, rather if her mouth did or didn’t; her eyes do. And right now, she was telling him the truth. But, hell he didn’t need recognition for that. Her body language yells that to him every chance it gets.
“I know, so why are you putting both of us through hell right now? Why can’t you just say “Yes” and let that shit go. I can promise you that you can trust me, and nothing is going to change that.” At this point, he was pleading with his heart that she made the right decisions. The same girl who was only supposed to be in his life for 7 months, he now was scarfing his own motives for her.
“Promise me something?”
“Sure, what is it babygirl?” Biting her lip, she put her down and said. “You won’t hurt me…emotionally and physically.”
He couldn’t promise her that, but….
“I promise.” He just only hopes that the slogan “Promise were made to be broken,” was fitted for him and her.
Their food arrived 20 minutes after Jermaine’s “promise” and they ate in silence. Jermaine ended up taking a phone conference with Morgan Eason’s team over the course of time and that gave LaToya time to wrap her head around everything going on. She was, officially Jermaine’s, but she hoped she didn’t regret it. Luckily for LaToya she wouldn’t say anything pertaining to Jermaine and for some reason she planned on letting it say that way. She wasn’t telling anyone right now. For now, it’ll be there little secret and she’ll keep Nicole worry-free with “subject change” whenever it came up.
By 12 o’clock that afternoon, Jermaine had finally finished the two-hour conference call and told Victoria that he would be in on tomorrow morning. He wanted to get all the meetings he had postpone to be rescheduled for tomorrow. The companies who couldn’t make the meetings, he wanted to see them by Monday. If they couldn’t make the deadline, then cancel the appointments.
“Jermiane, I have to go.” He was so busy with emailing and sending request to Victoria that he forgot that she was in the room. He could feel her presence, but because she keeps to herself he didn’t realize she was so close.
“Why is that?” He didn’t mean to come off mean or uptight, but he wasn’t 100 percent behind her leaving either. Her presence brought….comfort.
“I have some things to get together, plus Nicole is on her way back.” Leaning back in his chair, he studied her body against the door.
She’s lying.
“Give me five minutes and we can leave together.” He didn’t take his eyes off her and he didn’t care who didn’t like it, but he couldn’t help but feel he had everything to do with her dismally nodding her head and flopped back down on the chair.
When the five minutes were up, Jermaine had yet to depart from his computer and LaToya was now sitting in front of his desk scowling at him. He only ignored her and finished his work, then gave her his attention.
“Why are you so ready to leave LaToya?”
“Because it’s boring here and I’m tired.” Immediately her dream controlled her mind and for some strange reason, she wanted him. And not in the emotions of where she cared and potentially loved him, but sexually. The feeling had been there for weeks and when she left his house last night, it was the one of the many that was keeping her from walking away completely. That may explain why she had the imitate dream.
“LaToya….come here.” Closing everything out of his computer, he pushed the papers in the cabinet and slides his chair back.
He wanted her directly in front of him, no bullshit.
LaToya got up and walked over to him, she felt the feeling tighten inside her as she walked toward her, and Jermaine could feel the energy radiating off her. It wasn’t the first time, but into she begged him for sex, he wasn’t doing it.
He patted the desk and watched as her body settled. He had one request for her before he started and he be damned if she disagreed to it.
“Now you promise me something?”
“Sure,”
“You’re mine, nobody else. Do you understand?”
Nodding, she couldn’t respond and she hated it. He was turning her out and he knew exactly what he was doing.
LaToya was now his submissive and girlfriend and there was nothing going to change it.
He spreads her legs, and then unbuttons her jeans, and just as he starts his feast,
“Jermiane…” slips out LaToya’s mouth, yeah…he owns it.