Betrayed by Trust (8 page)

“Joan, thank you so much for setting the party up,” Blake said.

Joan
handed him a sheet of paper with the details of the party listed. “Happy engagement,” she said, before leaving him alone with his thoughts.

The first installment
Blake received from his uncle’s estate was enough to put Banks Telecom back in the black. Blake had to cut back in certain areas but he was no longer hurting financially. He would be able to save his company and continue to live the lifestyle he had gotten accustomed to living. According to the will, Blake would receive the rest of the installments in phases, with the bulk of it, after he and Caitlyn remained married for a year.

He called
Caitlyn on her cell phone. No answer. Where could she be? She had been avoiding him since lunch the day before. With her being a project manager, most were required to update their schedules in an online database which he had access to. He logged online to check her schedule and there weren’t any meetings set up, so he concluded she purposely avoided his phone calls. She could avoid him at work, but he would be stopping by her place later, so he hoped she didn’t plan on standing him up.

Blake
spent about an hour at home preparing for his date with Caitlyn. He glided through traffic in his sleek Jaguar. Holding a small bouquet of red roses, he knocked on Caitlyn’s front door. He waited and waited. No one answered. Feeling dejected, he turned to walk away.

“I almost let you stay out here,”
Caitlyn said, as she pulled the door open.

Her floral scent escaped out the door and attacked his senses before he heard her voice. He turned around. She stood fully dressed in an emerald green knee length dress that accented her hips. His eyes glided from her hips to her face. Her dimples hypnotized him for a few seconds.  “These are for you,”
Blake said, as he handed her the roses.

Caitlyn
sniffed them. “Thanks. Come on in.” She pushed the door open.

Blake
walked past Caitlyn into her apartment. Silence loomed between them. Caitlyn exited the living room. Blake, feeling awkward, took a seat on her elegant sofa.  While waiting on her to return, he picked up a women’s magazine off her coffee table and flipped through it.

“I never would have thought the manly Mr.
Banks read women magazines,” Caitlyn teased. She sat on the other end of the couch.

“You got jokes.” He laughed and placed the magazine back on the table with the rest of the magazines.

“I owe you an apology.”

He blinked his eyes a few times. “Don’t wake me up if I’m dreaming.”

“I did plan to stand you up tonight, but realized I can’t keep avoiding you if we are to pull off this charade.”

“My ego thanks you.”

She shook her head. “Men and their egos.”

“I admit I don’t like rejection.”

She stood up. “Dear, you’re not getting everything you want from me, so you might as well get used to it.”

Two hours
later, they were enjoying each other’s company over a meal of enchiladas and burritos after attending a Mothers Against Drunk Driving charity event. After watching the videos at the event, he needed something to cheer him up. Blake felt himself mesmerized with Caitlyn. Her laughter was contagious.

“You should laugh more,” he stated.

“Keep me smiling,” she teased.

“I have plenty of ways to do that, so test me.” He took a bite out of his burrito. Some of the juices fell on his shirt.

Before he could react, Caitlyn had dipped her napkin in her water and attempted to remove the stain.  He hated to tell her it would only make it worse. Her being in such close proximity made his heart skip a beat.

“You’re such a big baby,” she commented.

“You bring it out of me.”

“Looks like you’ll be taking this to the cleaners, because I can’t get the stain out.”

“Thanks for trying.”

“No problem.” She scooted her chair back.

“I wanted to discuss our engagement party. He reached into his pocket and unfolded a sheet of paper and handed it to her.”

She reviewed it.  “The Anatole. That’s a nice place to have it.”

“Joan needs your list of people by tomorrow if you can have it.”

“I can do that. There’s only a few people I want to invite.”

“I have something else for you too.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out an envelope. “This is yours.”

Caitlyn
opened up the envelope. She held up the platinum credit card with her name written on the front of it. “What’s my limit?”

“There’s no limit.”

“Get out of here. Now you know better than telling a woman she has no limit on a credit card.” She winked.

“I trust you won’t go overboard.”

“But you don’t know that.”

“You’re always within budget on your projects.”

“That’s business. You’re talking about me having access to anything I want without having to worry about a limit.” She closed her eyes and opened them back up. “This is better than an orgasm.” She shivered.

“If I would have known I would get this type of reaction, I would have given you a card last week.”

Caitlyn placed the card back in the envelope before putting it in her purse. “I’m going to have fun with this. First thing I’m getting is a new outfit. I need to find me something to wear to our engagement party. We should coordinate our colors.”

“I had planned on wearing a gray suit. Nothing too fancy, but debonair.”

“I’ll find me a smoky gray dress that’ll knock your socks off.”

He sipped his drink. “You’ll look good in whatever you wear.”

She smiled but looked away. She looked back at him. “This seems real.”

He reached over the table and touched her hand. “It is real. We can have many more nights like this.”

She stared into his eyes. He sensed she was feeling the same thing he felt; a desire that went beyond the physical. They connected in more ways than one. He wanted to explore the feelings she stirred in him, but didn’t want to get hurt. Would his fantasizing become a reality? He hoped to find out soon.

The next two weeks went by in a blur. She spent a lot of time trying to cover her tracks so the number fudging on a few projects couldn’t be traced back to her. Although the rumor mill had her seeing Blake, they were not aware that the party they were invited to was to announce her and Blake’s upcoming nuptials.

Her time was also limited because
Blake insisted they get together a few times so they could learn more about each other. She wasn’t too thrilled about it, but knew if they were going to pull it off, the more she knew, the more convincing she would sound when talking to others.

A few days before the event, he surprised her with a candlelight dinner at his house. She didn’t want to admit it to him, but she loved his mini-mansion. The house seemed too big for two people, let alone one person. Moving in with him, would be one of the few perks she enjoyed. It was big enough for them each to have their own suites.

Caitlyn fantasized about her life in the Banks mansion.  She felt guilty for getting caught up in the excitement. Blake snapped her out of her fantasy. “Do you think it would hurt you to show a little more enthusiasm?” he asked. “We are supposed to be getting married.”

“What would you like me to do? I promise to smile and pretend like I’m overjoyed,” she said, sarcastically, while rolling her eyes.

“Follow me.” He reached for her hand.

She took it and followed him into a room beautifully decorated with roses of various colors. “All of this for me.” She let go of his hand and walked over to get a closer view and smell of the flowers.

“Are these enough flowers for you?”

“Beautiful. Okay, you get a few brownie points for this move.”

“Wow. I finally did something right.” Blake clapped.

“You’re not too bad.”
Caitlyn hated to admit that Blake would make a good boyfriend. A part of her wished the whole ordeal was real.

“How about a toast?” he walked to the bar and came back with a bottle of Moet and two flutes.

They sat down on the soft leather couch. She waited for him to pour his glass and they toasted. “To a new chapter of our lives,” she said, as they clicked glasses, each taking a sip of their drink.

Blake
placed his glass down on the table. He picked up one of the roses and handed it to Caitlyn. “To my future wife.”

She
sniffed the rose. Something sparkling caught her eye. She put her drink down and used her free hand to remove the ring lodged in between the rose petals. She held it up and inspected it. “This is big.”

“
Caitlyn, would you do me the honor and accept this ring as a symbol of our commitment to one another?”  Blake took the ring from Caitlyn’s hand and placed it on her finger. “It looks beautiful.” His eyes seemed to twinkle as he said, “Just like you.”

Caitlyn
cleared her throat. “Sure. I mean we have to look the part don’t we.” She moved her hand away. Caitlyn wasn’t expecting Blake to act romantic. She sure didn’t expect the gorgeous ring. She knew he would get her something but this ring was huge.

She stood up and pretended to view the other flowers. It was only an excuse to get out of
Blake’s close view. She didn’t want him to see her vulnerability. If he touched her, she would lose her reserves and they would end up in bed and it would mess up her whole world. She had to get away and now.

“
Blake. The ring. I love it, but it’s time that you take me home.”

“It’s still early. What’s the big rush?”

‘It’s ten o’clock. Some of us have to work.”

“I thought you were taking Friday off.”

She did. Now she had to come up with another excuse. “I have a full day of pampering and I need my beauty rest.”

He stood up and reached for her. She jumped back almost knocking over a vase. He caught her just in time.  Their eyes locked.
Blake said, “I’ll take you home.”

The ride home seemed long. Neither one said much to the other.
Blake refused to let her walk up to her apartment by herself. She didn’t want to argue so she walked first with him close behind.

Caitlyn
unlocked her door. She held up her hand. “Thanks again for the beautiful ring.”

Blake
took her hand and kissed it sending chills through her body. “This is only the beginning. Let’s ride with the feeling.”

She jerked her hand away. “I’ll see you on Saturday night.”
“I’ll be by to pick you up around six.”

“Until then.”
Caitlyn surprised both of them when she kissed Blake on the lips.

The Opal, a hot Dallas night spot, usual Friday night crowd seemed to be doubled. Blake said “excuse me” many times before making it to the table Trent reserved. He wasn’t surprised to see a couple of beautiful women hanging off Trent’s arms when he approached.

Trent stood up and gave him dap. “This here is my man
Blake. Blake this is. Forgive me ladies.”

“Cassie,” the one with long brown tresses said, while extending her hand.

The blond haired one brushed Cassie’s hand away and said, “And I’m Mindy.”

“Nice meeting you both.” He removed his jacket and placed it around the chair before taking a seat.

Trent said, “Blake’s about to get married.”

“The good ones are always taken,” Mindy said, as she pushed her chair closer to
Blake. “But maybe we could have a little fun before you take the plunge.”

Blake
moved his chair back some. “I’ll have to pass.”

“Darn.” Mindy stood up. “Cassie. I’ll catch you later. I have some more mingling to do.”

Cassie said, “Don’t pay her any attention. She just broke up with her man and she’s looking to get laid.”

Blake
looked at Trent. Trent shrugged his shoulders. He motioned for the waitress. She rushed over. “Give my man here anything he wants and put it on my tab.”

He ordered his usual Heineken and sat back and observed Trent and Cassie’s public display of affection. Cassie’s voluptuous assets were enough to make any man drool and he bet Trent hadn’t taken the time to find out what else she had to offer but a good time. He found himself thinking about
Caitlyn. The way she licked her lips or the way she tilted her head right before letting out a hearty laugh. And her dimples. He wanted to dive into them. The twinkle in her eyes which alerted him she was teasing him.

“Man, isn’t she a cutie?”

Blake wasn’t aware Cassie had left. His mind filled with thoughts of Caitlyn.  His eyes followed Trent’s gaze. “She’s alright.”

“Man, you know she’s a dime piece.”

“I got it bad and I don’t know what to do.”

“You haven’t hit it yet?”

“I don’t kiss and tell. You know that.”

“I sure would like to kiss that and would tell the world.” Trent pointed in the direction of the door.

Blake turned around. “Man, that’s my girl. I mean Caitlyn.”

Caitlyn
, accompanied by Tasha, wore a black mini dress that clung to each one of her curves accenting her ample breasts. The four inch black leather boots made her look even sexier.“No wonder she got you swearing off other women.” Trent held up his bottle of beer. “You the man.”

“She didn’t mention going out tonight.”

“Whose the woman with her?”

“She’s one of my employees.”

Before he could tell him more, Cassie had returned to the table. She plopped down in Trent’s lap. “Miss me?”

“Of course.”

“Three’s a crowd. I’m about to go mingle.”

Blake
made his way through the crowd. Caitlyn and Tasha were no longer in sight. He stood by the door and scanned the room. He spotted them at one of the bars.  “Hi baby,” he said, loud enough for the man trying to push up on her could hear. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her on the cheek.

“This is
?” the other man asked.

Before
Caitlyn could respond, Blake said, “Her man.” He extended his hand out. The guy shook it. “I guess I’ll be moving along.”

“Yes, you do that,”
Blake said, as he possessively put his arm around Caitlyn’s shoulder.

She laughed. “Jealous are we?”

“It’s not funny.”

She pulled him closer. “Lighten up. You’re taking this fiancé thing too seriously.”

“Where’s your ring by the way?”

“I didn’t feel like explaining anything to
Tasha yet, so it’s at home.”

Tasha
walked up to the bar. “Hi boss.”

“You can call me
Blake.” He shook her hand. “What are you ladies drinking?”

“Virgin daiquiri for me,”
Caitlyn said, taking a sip of the drink she held in her hand.

Tasha
said, “Long Island iced tea. I’ve had a hell of week. I need a little something stronger.”

Blake
pulled out a hundred dollar bill and handed it to Tasha. “Drink up. Now let me steal your friend away.”

“She’s yours.”

“Traitor,” Caitlyn yelled.

Tasha
took Caitlyn’s drink and pulled her out of her chair. “Dance with the man.”

Caitlyn
looked between the two of them. “You both leave me no choice.”

As if on
cue, the music slowed down. One of his favorite Luther slow jams blasted through the room. He pulled Caitlyn closer to him. She relaxed and laid her head on his chest as they moved to the beat of the music. He inhaled the fresh floral scent of her hair.  He whispered, “I’m so glad you’re mine.”

She responded as if on beat with the lyrics of the song, “If only for one year.”

He grabbed her hand and led her off the dance floor after the deejay sped it up with one of the latest hot dance songs. Trent and Cassie were no longer at their reserved table. He pulled out a chair. Caitlyn sat down exposing more of her legs as her dress crept up when she sat down.

Blake
hoped Caitlyn couldn’t see the imprint of his pants. He shifted in his chair until he got comfortable. Blake hated to admit it, but his attraction to Caitlyn went deeper than lust.  An internal tug of war between lust and love made it hard for him to ignore what his heart felt.