Rendezvous at Silver Lining

Damien

My father and I were on our way to the Silver Lining company to close on a deal. For years, he was adamant about not doing business with the McCoy’s, but he recently changed his mind. He’s not an easy man to persuade on anything, so something must have happened. My father would’ve done work with Raphael’s father, but he already retired, so mine wasn’t too thrilled to work with someone he hasn’t seen real results from. I’m really curious as to how we got here? I spoke to him a few days ago about it. He mentioned his mind being changed had nothing to do with Rahpael or any McCoy for that matter, but a worker at Silver Linings.

She’s apparently a bright young woman who has a way with words. My father is an excellent judge of character, so I’m assuming she must be an amazing person by default. He talks about her like she’s the daughter he’s never had, although he already had one. My mother has met her too and speaks highly of her as well, which is scary, cause she likes no woman being around my father. A lot of women still clamored to get to him, and I and my mother will have none of that. They both say she’s a beautiful young woman whose calm and gentle demeanor is refreshing to them. She isn’t eager to simply speak of herself. She alway addresses the company she works for and their staff that works tirelessly on the work she presents. She's shy and unsure of her looks and is modest. She speaks to them casually and leaves space for any questions and open dialogue. They adore her. I’m very curious to meet her. I don’t truly believe she’s this knockout my mother and father both say she is, but we’ll just have to see. I believe she's pretty at most, but nothing above that.

DAMN!

I was f*****g wrong. When I walked into the room after my father, my eyes landed on the ebony nymph. She was leaning over another woman’s shoulder looking at a laptop, before sliding into the chair next to her. I took a seat and my father took his after me. He saw where my eyesight had landed and nudged me.

"Told ya she’s beautiful."

He had the biggest smirk on his face, and for once, I didn’t mind being wrong. She is literally breathtaking. My eyes glided across every inch of her that I could see. She was looking around the room, then she landed on me, and studied my face intently. She looked embarrassed when she realized I was already staring at her, and she gave a small smile. I returned it and she looked away.

I want her badly.

I know she’s intelligent. My status would mean nothing to her, plus she already has my parents on her side. All there was left to do was to actually get her. We shared banter before the meeting began, and I could tell I flustered her with my comments.

She’s adorable.

We went through the rest of the meeting professionally, and it ended on amicable terms. She did have a great way with words. She would make a great executive one day. I spoke with some of the other employees when I noticed Divinity gearing up to leave. I excused myself and made my way to her. She piled things in her hands, maneuvering like a person used to this. The little curls that laid around her face looked bouncy, which made me wanna run my fingers through her hair. She had the prettiest light brown eyes. They weren't hazel, but they seem too pure of a color to be categorized as a simple brown. Her person is like a magnet, pulling me into her orbit. Next thing I knew, I'm calling for her. Is it me, or does she always look flustered when speaking with me? I guess she really is a little shy. With how she presented the work and communicated with everyone, you wouldn't expect this timid side at all.

We spoke for a little while, and she apologized for not knowing who I was and extended her hand out to shake.

Is she for real?

She’s professional and not, all at the same time. I'm used to women trying to fall in my arms or rub shoulders with me, that actually being presented a hand to shake is new to me. She had such an innocent side to her that it'd be hard not falling for her.

I smiled and gave her my hand. She looked down at it, and in that moment, her entire vibe shifted. She licked and bit her bottom lip before looking up at me from above her glasses. With that, my whole view of her changed. She's hiding from me. She's hiding, and I want to find out what it is she keeps secret. My playful gaze turned lustful, and it was all I could do to keep from taking her lips right then and there. She felt the heat of my gaze, and her legs buckled, but I'd never let her fall. I held her close to me, inhaling her light fragrance. Her body was soft and comforting, like I could lay with her forever. I whispered, asking if she was ok in her ear. She struggled to find her words and tried to get free of my hold, but I wasn't ready to let her go so soon. Raphael came over to check on her or check to make sure I'd stop touching her. I've noticed how he gazed at her. I wonder if he even notices he does that. I know they've never dated from what my father has told me. So, he either wants her but doesn't know how to get her or afraid I’ll try to steal her away from his company. I doubt it's the latter considering all the offers she's been given and turned down. She leaves the room with her friend and goes for lunch. Raphael and I watch as the nymph leaves our site. I couldn't help but tease him. I was right to assume he had feelings for her. I let him know that I knew he wanted her, but I don't intend to let someone like her be single for much longer. He's had her under his nose for four f*****g years and never attempted to be with her. I won't wait a second to let her know I would love to have her. Raphael leaves the conference room after our little discussion and I turn my attention to my father.

"Divinity is one of a kind. I'm mad you haven't introduced us before."

My father scoffed at me and chuckled.

"I told your ass to come to the meeting with your mother and I a few weeks back, but you didn't want to. And if I'm correct, you seem to have taken a liking to her, and I'm assuming you've noticed Raphael does too. Haha. You could've had a head start, son. Good luck! I'd love to see who wins this war. You already know your mother, and I love that girl. So it's up to you to get her and knowing you, quitting is not an option."

He chuckled again and patted my shoulder.

"Just like your old man."

My father left, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I'll not waste a second. I headed toward my nymph to begin my mission. I saw Divinity eating with her friend, I think her name's Robin. I was about to walk over to them when I received a phone call. I walked into an empty room and closed the door.

Phone call:

"Go."

"I've received the information you've asked about. Colin Hinges definitely plays a role in something much bigger than he's letting on. We traced the funds to an offshore account, and guess who fingers dip into that account often?"

"Ross Latham."

"Exactly. I don't want to give you half assed info, so let me do some more digging before I give you all the goods. Just know to watch your back. I know your father's company plays ball with them. If they're too deep, I'll give you the heads up to depart from them before you take them down. I know you want to start building up your own soon, so I'll try to be swift."

"Take your time and be thorough with your investigation. When you find out everything, let me know immediately. If it's something too important to wait for, let me know. Keep me updated."

"You got it, man."

"Alright. Thanks, B."

End of phone call.

I f*****g knew they were a part of this as well. It's fine. They will get their just due in time.

I sat there for a few minutes to gather my thoughts and headed back out to the cafe to find Divinity again. Once there, she was nowhere to be found. I saw her friend Robin and figured I'd go speak with her. She was sitting by herself. I pulled up a chair and took a seat.

"Hello, Mr. Becker. Divinity will be right back."

I laughed at her forwardness.

"How do you know I was looking for her?"

She gave me a look of 'be f*****g forreal' and smiled at me.

"Oh please.You want her and you've made that known, so cut the bullshit."

I liked her bluntness. Divinity probably does, too. I smiled at her.

"It's that noticeable, huh?"

"Were you even tryna hide it?"

"Not really. So could you help me out?"

"Ha! Not a chance. Vinnie is my best friend and I don't play about her. If you want her, you're gonna have to do that on your own."

"Fair. Can you at least tell me if I have a chance or not? Is she seeing anyone?"

"She's not seeing anyone and whether you have a chance or not is completely up to you. She's a sweet girl but she's more than what meets the eye. She has some fire, and you'd get burned if you play with it."

"I don't intend to. Trust me."

"Yeah, well, I'll trust what I see. Also, she's had a crush on Mr. McCoy for a long while now. He's probably your only competition.That man is so cold towards her at times. I wasn't too sure if her feelings would ever be reciprocated, but today assured me he definitely has something for her. My poor friend is not the best at reading signs.Truthfully, I don't care who she ends up with, as long as she's happy.That being said, don't f**k with her cause I would personally f**k you over. I don't give a damn who you are."

I chuckle at her threat. She's loyal. Good.

"You don't have to worry. My parents love her. They'd kill me if I hurt her. Unlike your boss, I don't sit on my feelings. I want her and I'll have her, if she'll have me. That's the only way I'll leave her alone, and even that may be ignored."

She suddenly sat up straighter and flaged at me.

"Shh, shhh, she's coming over. Don't tell her I told you anything. Got it?"

"Got it."

I pretended to throw a key away after locking my lips shut. Divinity’s scent reached me before her beautiful self did. She really is majestic. How has she not been snatched up yet? Don't worry, my nymph, you'll soon be mine. She walked over, looking a little out of breath.

"Hey Vin! We got some company. Is that cool with you?"

She looked my way and smiled. I swear it could light up a room.

"Of course, that's fine. It's nice to see you again, so soon, I might add."

She laughed at her comment. Everything about her is so stinking cute.

"I had to come see you again. It's been almost an hour since we spoke last. That's too long."

"Hahaha. Is that right? How old are you again?"

"I'm 29. I'll be 30 in a few weeks. Why?"

"Well, you've lived 29 years without ever having a conversation with me. How is it an hour too long?"

Ok… she has a little bite.

"After meeting, how could I not be eager for our next interaction. You're too special to be left alone. I don't want someone else stealing you away from me. We can't have that beautiful, now can we?"

She looked bashful hearing my comment. She better get used to this.

"Uh, umm. Right."

She smiled at me and turned her attention to her friend. They spoke of random things. She then began to talk about her feet hurting or, more specifically, her leg with the strings wrapped around it.

"I can assist you with that."

"How?"

"You trust me?"

She looked at me, then her friend and back to me. She slightly nodded her head, and I proceeded to stand. I crouched down in front of her, raising her leg into my lap. She immediately tried to protest, but I completely ignored her. I unwrapped the strings and started to massage her leg, my fingers fluttering up and down her leg. She felt as smooth as silk. I was in direct eye level to be able to see up her dress. It hiked up some because of the position of her leg. It was taking all my strength to not look. I noticed her leg and thigh tattoo. I saw the ankle one earlier but not the thigh one. It was hidden underneath her dress. It's an old-fashioned microphone on a mic stand with roses and lilies surrounding it. Around both the mic and flowers, a music staff wraps around the entire piece, either music notes and symbols all throughout the staff. The flowers, staff, and notes go all the way up, up further than I can see. I can only imagine where it ends. It's a nice tat.

"Are you a singer, or do you just love music?"

"Both. Not many people know of my love for music."

I smiled. I love the fact that I'm getting to know something most don't. Robin chimed in. I almost forgot she was there.

"She can sing her butt off, too. I'm surprised she hasn't tried to dip a toe in that field. She'd kill it."

Divinity hit Robin to get her to shut up, and Robin played as if she's really hurt. I began to retie her strings and stand. I pulled down her dress, feathering my fingers over her luscious thighs. She stood, looked around, and put her head down, no doubt embarrassed by my actions in front of everyone. I could care less. She extended her hand again for me to shake as a thanks, but we're not doing that a second time. I slip my finger under her chin to get her to look at me.

"I'd love to hear you sing for me sometime. Don't make me wait too long, my little songbird. And you're welcome for the massage. Please do ask if you need another."

I stepped back and went to Robin. I asked for her phone. She looked confused but gave it anyway.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm giving you my number to give to Divinity. I don't want her to have a heart attack if I ask for her number. And I know you'll make sure she'll call me. I have to go. I fully expect at least a text coming from you tonight, songbird."

Both Divinity and Robin were shocked and at a loss for words. I walked to Divinity and gave her the softest kiss to her cheek, then rubbed my finger against her smooth skin where my lips just were.

"I'll talk to you soon, songbird."

I left without another word, anticipating that I'll speak with her sooner than later.