Makena looked at her phone for the fifth time that day.
Only 32 minutes and fifty six seconds left until lunch time.... screw you Father Time....
she thought. Since school was closed for the day, Marcus and Anna were coming to take Makena to lunch. She was so excited; Makena had spent all of her free time with them for the few months. Now she all but bounced in anticipation to be in Marcus' arms again, and to have Anna in hers. Someone knocked at her door.
"Come in!" she yelled.
John Francois walked in, the epitome of the word "debonair". "Good afternoon, Makena. Can I speak to you for a minute?"
Makena wanted to roll her eyes.
How many different ways do I have to say "you can't have my goodies" for him to get it?
"How can I help you?" she asked. John sat, uninvited, into one of the seats in front of her desk. He pulled out several menus.
"Which one of these five star restaurants should I take you to tonight?" he boldly inquired.
Makena's jaw fell off its hinge, hit the edge of the desk and rolled onto the floor. Taking a deep breath, she quickly gained her composure. Makena stood and leaned over the desk. "Not a damn one!" she whispered aggressively. "Mr. Francois, who in the hell do you think you are? You are a temporary fixture here, a guest! I am by all means your boss and I can, and will give you back to Mr. Calder and the publishing network! While I appreciate my sister company's work ,I will not be harassed, sexually or otherwise!"
She walked to the door with her stilettos clacking and gestured out of it. "This needs to be your next move, if you want to keep your job. I heard about the trouble you got into with your previous boss. That won't be tolerated here."
John got up and smoothly walked to the door. He towered over her, even in her four inch heels. Though his face was blank, he radiated heat and angry disappointment. "That's fine, Miss Makena. No dinner then. How about lunch?" Makena opened her mouth, ready to attack or be attacked.
"Actually," said a soothingly deep Southern voice from the hall," Makena has lunch plans." Marcus walked up to the doorway with Annalynne in tow, wrapping his arm around her silk covered waist and kissed her cheek.
"Miss Kena! Miss Kena!" Anna ran from her father's hand and hugged Makena's legs. "Hi! I missed you!"
Makena rubbed Anna's back. "Hi, Sweetie. I missed you too!" When she looked back at the two men, she was taken aback. The two men were politely giving each other murderous looks. Makena cleared her throat. "Marcus, Honey, this is Johnathis Francois the illustrator I was telling you about. Mr. Francois, this is my boyfriend, Marcus Chatham and his daughter Annalynne."
Anna shyly waved. "Hello, Mr. Francois," she murmured. John politely waved back. "Hello, Miss Anna," he said.
That kid looks awfully familiar...
Rather abruptly, Marcus stuck out his hand. "Good to meet you man." Johnathis looked down at his hand with disdain.
"A pleasure for you, I'm sure," he drawled turning to Makena, "Makena, I have work at my desk. Do enjoy your lunch." With that, he walked off.
Marcus wrapped his long, muscled arm around Makena's waist pointedly and kissed her neck. "I swear all the home training in the world wouldn't have kept me from kicking his ass if Annalynne wasn't here," he whispered. He then left a trail of quick kisses along her collarbone. He straightened up, fixing his tie and picking Anna up. "Come on my beautiful ladies. Let's go get some grub."
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Johnathis closed the door to his office. Angrily, he plopped down in his chair and punched his desk "Fuck!" he exclaimed.
Who in the hell told her about Jada?
He wondered. Johnathis stood and began pacing. He did not like losing, especially to a guy like Marcus. The guy looked like a virgin.
I bet he is a fucking virgin...he looks like a fucking Southern bumpkin virgin ass mother fβhe looks fucking familiar!
Johnathis stopped pacing. He knew Marcus Chatham.
Ain't this a bitch...
The wheels in his head began turning.
I can use this. I will get that juicy sweetness Makena's hiding...
Johnathis slowly sat down at his desk. He picked up the phone and dialed the number of an old friend.
"Hey, it's John....Guess who I saw today...."
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"I'm so full!" Anna exclaimed. She patted her stomach and snuggled closer to Makena. She was enamored by the woman. She gave her hugs when she was sad, and braided her hair....she was nothing like Miss Jada. "Daddy, where are we going now?" she asked, hoping they were going to Miss Makena's house.
Marcus, who had been absentmindedly rubbing the back of Makena's hand, sat up a little straighter. He cleared his throat nervously. "Well sweetie, you are going to Uncle Jake's house to play with Jamie and Jazzlyn for the weekend. Won't that be fun?" Anna's eyes lit up, all thought of hanging out with Makena gone.
"Yay! Can I take my dolls? I wanna wear my blue dress! When do I come back home? Are you and Miss Makena gonna drop me off?" Anna blurted out quickly. Marcus and Makena laughed.
Once he gained his breath again, he explained, "Yes you can take your dolls, Auntie Kyra helped me pack your bag and your blue dress is in it. You'll come back Sunday evening and Miss Makena and I will be dropping you off. Then I will be taking her on a small trip for grown folks."
Makena started choking. Taking a sip of her wine, she cleared her throat. "A trip for grown folks?" she squeaked. "What about going back to work? I did have a lot to finish today"
"I made arrangements with your assistant, Honey. Tonight's just going to be about me and you." Marcus smile at her from across the table. Makena's cheeks grew dark with realization.
A trip for grown folks....Sweet Jesus....
She thought. She knew what they were doing. "Oh...."
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Marcus got out of the car, Anna's bookbag in hand. "Love? Could you get her booster seat? I'd really appreciate it."
Makena's cheek once again darkened. "Me? Sure." She squeaked again.
Southern hospitality, sweet baby Jesus....
Marcus opened her door, breaking her from her thoughts. He quickly got a dozing Anna from her seat and grabbed her bag. Makena and Marcus deposited Anna and her belongings in the arms of Kyra and Jake. When they got back into the car, Marcus chuckled. "Why are you so surprised? I asked you about this weeks ago. We are taking a little drive up north for the weekend. I hope you don't mind, I used my key to pack a bag for you....And I bought a few things," He finished sheepishly.
Marcus and Makena had exchanged keys for emergency purposes about a month ago. Marc was worried she would be upset because he'd used it outside of its purpose...and because he'd spent even more money on her after he'd promised he would slow down on the gift giving. He needn't worry about being crucified about the key though.
"Marc! I thought we agreed no more gifts! You can't keep spending money on me like this Iβ"