Salsa Heat (11 page)

“You-you let him do you in the
ass?
How
could
you? You wouldn’t even allow Michael to touch
that.
”

“Linden was different. He’s a gentle lover; a giving-passionate man. It felt natural—right in his arms. He swept me away and believe me Tee, I
wanted
to be swept away,” she mumbled, tears once again sliding down her cheeks.

“Girl, I’ve never seen you this way. Now you’re mooning over this guy, Linden?”

“I
need
him. I
love
him, Tee!”

“You’re just an island fling to him,
cuz
!”

“No, I won’t and don’t believe that.”

“Has he called you since you returned home, Shay?”

“No, he hasn’t called me as he promised. But he will.”

Look, Linden gave me
this,
” Shay said, extending out her pendant in Tatiana’s direction.

Tatiana’s eyes lit up to the diamond, star pendant gracing Shay’s neck.

“He paid a pretty penny for that,” Tatiana declared.

She knew her jewelry. The brilliant color and the shine reflecting from the diamonds said it all.

“He spends money like water, Tatiana.”

“That’s a goodbye gift, Shay!”

“It
wasn’t
a
goodbye
gift.”

“Shay…Michael hurt you, and Linden will do the same if you don’t wise up. Besides, it can’t be anything more, and you need to give your love to a brother!”

“When you fall in love Tee, it isn’t with the color of a man’s skin. I fell in love with him. Our souls connected. Linden’s a passionate lover, and we revealed personal, intimate details about ourselves. He spent a lot of money on tickets for the last night of the jazz festival. His gift to me was a manicure, a pedicure, a hairstylist, and he purchased a dress for me that evening.”

“You said he spends money like water. That gift doesn’t prove a thing.”

“But he did it for me! No
one
has
ever
done that for me,” Shay said, as she slapped her chest. “He’s here,” she said pointing to her heart. “I’ll admit it was a one-night stand that led to seven days of sexual bliss. I love him, Tatiana, and I know he loves me!”

“It’s been three weeks since you’ve returned. Why hasn’t he called you?” Tatiana questioned. Her tone was as gentle as it could be. Her cousin was heading for a big fall.

“I don’t know,” Shay mumbled, tears rolling down her cheeks.

§

Two weeks later, Shay passed out at work. It was a Wednesday morning, and she was escorted down to the nurse’s office. The nurse suggested Shay make an appointment with her family doctor. Shay didn’t
need
to see her doctor. All she needed was some rest; so she left work early that day, and climbed into bed. Linden invaded her dreams, and all she
really
needed was a decent night’s sleep.

Thursday morning, as she prepared for work, her eyes glanced over at the calendar and noticed the date. Shay realized she’d missed her last monthly cycle, and she
could
be pregnant.

Instead of going to work, she walked over to the nearest pharmacy and brought a popular home pregnancy test. She seen the commercial on television and it was supposed to be accurate and quick. Shay
needed
to know
now
if she was carrying Linden’s baby.

§

In hours, Shay had her results.

Damn! How could I have been so stupid?

She was pregnant. The test had confirmed that, and Linden was avoiding all of her calls. Things weren’t going to go down like that. First, Michael dogged her, and now Linden. He
would
be
accountable
for his actions!

We created this baby together, and he’ll see me!

Chapter Nine

Shay left Philly that Friday morning. She caught the first Amtrak train smoking headed to New Carrolton, Maryland and took a cab to his office. He had given her one of his business cards, and she planned to visit him at his office. He couldn’t avoid her
there
.

Linden was the CEO of Stewart International, an office supply company. Shay had every intention of seeing him
that
day. But if he chose to ignore her again, a
sistah
would have to come out of her face, and
everyone
in his company would
know
about their little secret!

Three hours later, Shay stepped into his office dressed in a conservative navy blue pantsuit and gold tank top.

“May I help you?” An elegant, matronly woman sitting behind a desk stamping envelopes for outgoing mail asked.

“Yes, I’d like to see Mr. Stewart,” Shay said politely.

“Do you have an appointment?” She asked, smiling up at Shay.

“No, I don’t, but he’ll see me. My name is Shay Bennett.”

“I’m sorry, Ms. Bennett, but Mr. Stewart is out of the office for an extended period of time. Would you like to see his vice president of sales, Mr. Chandler? He’s handling all of Mr. Stewart’s clients.”

“Yes, I’ll speak with him, instead.”

Mr. Chandler turned out to be the blond-haired suit—one of the men with Linden at the club in St. Lucia. He was working out of Linden’s office, she noted, as she stepped into the office. Linden’s name was boldly embossed across the door.

“Where’s Linden?” Shay demanded the moment the secretary closed the door. She marched up to the desk with a serious attitude.

“He’s out on medical leave. May I help you?” he asked, politely. There was a smug look on his face as if he was covering for Linden.

“Why don’t you
cut
the
bullshit?
He was fine the last time I saw him. I’m not leaving this office until I see him!” she announced.

“You’re in for a
long
wait because he’s
not
in the building. How may I help you?”

He asked, sitting high and mighty behind the desk in Linden’s office.

“Do you
remember
me?”

“Yes, you created
quite
a show at that club in St. Lucia, Ms. Caramel Delight. Peter and I had bets on you, and I betted that you’d make it with the boss.”

“My name is Shay Bennett, and I really need to see him. Don’t
make
me create a scene in here.”

He stared at her for several seconds.

“I’ll plant myself in this office until I received what I came for,” she threatened.

Finally, he gave her what she wanted.

“Linden was in a car accident on his way home from the Baltimore/Washington International Airport, returning from St. Lucia. There was a head-on collision with a tanker truck, and now he’s recuperating at his parents’ home in Virginia.”

Panic, like Shay never known before, tightened her throat.

“H-how badly was he hurt?”

“He’s
paralyzed,
Shay.”

“No!”

Her chest felt as if it would burst, and she collapsed in the first chair nearest to her. Tears rolled down her cheeks. Now, she knew
why
she hadn’t heard from him. He really wasn’t avoiding her.

He needs me!

“I need to see him. Please…may I have his parents’ address?”

“Linden isn’t receiving visitors, Shay.”

“He’ll see
me!
”

“You were
just
an island fling, Shay. You can’t possibly believe Linden was serious about your relationship?”

“That’s none of your
damn
business! I’m not leaving this office until you give me their address.”

“I’ll call security,” he countered.

“Call them, and then
everyone
in this company will know about my relationship with Linden,” she added, sweetly.

“You’re
quite
a bitch when you don’t get your way.”

Shay didn’t back down. “Give me his parents’ address, and I’ll need a car to take me there!”

§

The Lincoln Town Car entered a winding driveway pulling in front of a mansion, in Shay’s opinion.

Damn, Linden comes from money, and this house is impressive,
she thought.

A corner property, beautifully landscaped lawn with burgundy and white bricks, spilt-level ranch house, attached garage, and a gazebo that sat on a half acre of land. Shay was indeed impressed.

A cold knot formed in Shay’s stomach as she waited for the front door to open. It felt like she had been standing there forever. There was a silver Bentley and a navy blue Lexus parked in the driveway, so someone
had
to be home. A middle-aged, woman of color, who appeared to be annoyed by her presence, opened the front door as Shay rang the doorbell for the third time.

“H—hello, may I see Linden?” Shay inquired, her stomach churning with anxiety.

“Linden’s sleeping, and he’s not receiving visitors,” she said puckering her upper lip. Her doe colored eyes seemed to stare right through Shay.

The woman gave her the once-over.

“Ma’am, I took the train all the way from Philly to see him. When I stopped by his office, Chandler informed me of the accident, and he hired a car to bring me here. Please…may I wait for him to wake up?”

“Natalie, let the girl in,” a familiar-sounding voice called out.

Reluctantly, the woman opened the front door wide enough for Shay to slip through and she saw him from the foyer. Linden was the spitting image of his dad.

“Mr. Stewart, I apologize for just stopping by unannounced like this, but I just found out about Linden’s accident. I was hoping I could see your son.”

“Please, come in and have a seat.”

On trembling legs, Shay nearly collapsed on the deep red sofa cushion grateful for something steady and solid to hold her weight. Nervous, she pulled at the hem of her suit jacket. She tried to play it cool—as if she normally hung out with white people.

“Did I hear you say you arrived from Philadelphia?”

“Yes, sir.
I took the train out this morning.”

“You never told us your name!” That arrogant woman exclaimed, a sarcastic tone in her voice.

For a maid, that woman is rude and outspoken. Mr. Stewart must have given her free reign in running his home,
Shay thought
.

“I’m sorry; where are my manners? My name is Shay Bennett.”

Mr. Stewart and that annoying woman stared daggers at one another. You couldn’t miss the message in their eyes.

“Natalie, bring our guest a glass of your delicious, sweet tea. I would like a glass as well,” Mr. Stewart added.

She opened her mouth, and then closed it as she stomped out of the room mumbling something under her breath.