Chapter 9 #3
“Besides, you’ve been through a rough time. I don’t want you to end up wondering if you only wanted me that night because I happened to be there at the right time. I’m already struggling with that part as it is.”
“Well, maybe it was the only reason I was so bold about it, but trust me, I would have wanted your big, sexy self either way.”
He actually blushed, making me smile even harder. “I want to get to know you, Z. I don’t want you to think you’re just another conquest for me.”
“I don’t think that. I can tell by the way you make me feel.”
“And how do I make you feel?” he asked.
“Wanted. Safe.”
Instead of responding verbally, he just nodded. Picking up one of the miniature cheesecakes, he popped the whole thing in his mouth before washing it down with the rest of my wine.
“Good.”
I was so stuffed that I couldn’t make myself eat more than a couple of the macarons. It didn’t matter. It was still the best meal I’d had in a long time. Sawyer helped me up and walked me back to my room in silence.
“Alright, mama. This is your stop,” he said, scanning a card that made the lock click.
I opened the door, then turned to face him. “Did you want to come in?” I asked, holding my breath and hoping for the right answer.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. I need to take care of some business.”
“Or are you just afraid that I’ll try to seduce you?”
“Afraid, no. Concerned, a little. I need to know your state of mind is good before we go back into that dynamic. You gave something that I can’t give back, and I’m not even sure I deserved it, mama. Let us both process that before we go any further.”
“I thought you said you were my new man, or was I hearing things?”
He took a step closer, making me back up into the room.
He towered over me as he held onto my chin and brushed his lips against mine.
His tongue invaded my mouth as he gripped my ass in one hand, pulling my body against his hard frame.
Heat pooled at the base of my stomach as I silently hoped this meant he’d changed his mind.
“Good night, gorgeous,” he said right before placing another gentle kiss on my lips.
Without waiting for my response, he headed back down the hall toward the elevators.
“Don’t make me show you what I’ll do if one of these niggas gets the impression that you’re not mine,” he said before stepping onto the elevator.
There went my panties.
I slept all night long for the first time in a long time.
A full stomach and good wine seemed to be a good nightcap.
I felt so good and refreshed when I woke up at seven in the morning that I showered and changed into the navy-blue scrubs that Denise had delivered to me.
Once I was dressed and wearing the black rubber shoes they gave me, I took the route down to the basement and hit the button that would open the rear doors.
Against her protest, I wanted to go ahead and get started.
When I stepped off the elevator, the smell of heat and industrial cleaners greeted me.
“Excuse me?”
I turned my head in the direction of Denise’s voice and found her with her hands on her hips and her lips pursed as she tilted her head.
“Good morning. If you don’t mind, I would rather keep myself busy today.”
“Well, ain’t you a hardheaded little something.”
“I’m feeling much better. I didn’t want to lay around all day, feeling sorry for myself, and I’m not much of a gambler.”
“There’s more than gambling going on around here. I’m sure Sawyer wouldn’t mind helping you find something to do.”
“I’m sure I’ve occupied enough of his time. I would rather do something on my own. Besides, I miss working.”
“What kind of work did you do?”
“I was a seamstress for a tailor. We specialized in wedding dresses.”
“Oh, well you know your way around clothes. This isn’t as fancy as all that. You’ll be in the third post. When the linens are dry, you will fold and store them in the bins on the wall. There are four other girls in your post. They’ll show you the ropes. Let me walk you over.”
I followed Denise closely as she walked past a row of giant washing machines and dryers.
The laundry area was a lot bigger than I expected it to be.
I took a deep breath, inhaling the fabric softeners as we passed the dryers.
I always loved the smell of freshly dried clothes.
For some reason, it was comforting. When we made it to a row of long steel tables where a group of women were folding sheets, Denise walked over and placed her hands on the table.
“Ladies, this is Iris. She will be the newest addition to the laundry department. Iris, this is Jasmine, Kisha, Monique, and Glenda.”
“Welcome to the dungeon,” Jasmine teased.
“Don’t scare the poor child before she can get started,” Denise warned.
“She’s just kidding. Don’t take anything she says serious,” Monique advised.
I shrugged. “I get it. I mean, it kinda is a dungeon.”
“I trust you ladies will show her the ropes. Enjoy your first day, Iris,” Denise said before walking away.
“Child, it ain’t no ropes to show. The dryers bring sheets and towels over here, and we fold them,” Jasmine said with a casual shrug.
“Ropes shown.” I returned her shrug.
“See, I knew I liked you,” Jasmine replied.
“This is a boring job, but it pays well for the labor.” Glenda finally spoke up.
“We spend most of our time over here gossiping. Tell us about yourself,” Monique requested.
“There’s not much to tell. I’m an only child. I broke up with my high school sweetheart and wanted a change of scenery. So, I drove all the way across the state. I found out this place was hiring, so here I am.” It was disturbing how easy it was for me to lie on the spot.
“Men,” Glenda commented, shaking her head.
“Girl, don’t even get me started. Did I tell y’all Johnny called me on the bullshit again last night.
He hasn’t paid child support in three months.
Now he’s talking about how he can’t keep the kids this week because he has stuff to do.
Stuff like what? The main reason we work opposite shifts is so I don’t have to worry about paying for childcare. ”
“That’s the least he can do,” one of the girls said.
For the next few hours, I listened to their lively commentary while we folded so many sheets, pillowcases, and towels that I literally lost count.
Mindless work seemed to keep me from obsessing over what was going on back home.
Well, for the most part. I worked through lunch while they relieved themselves in the staff dining room.
I felt like if I took a break, I would start to spiral.
Staying busy had always been my thing. Keeping my mind occupied worked for me.
By three o’clock, my feet were killing me.
I was used to being on my feet for work, but standing in the same spot for hours at a time was different.
“See you tomorrow,” Kisha called over her shoulder as the four of them filed into the elevator. I wasn’t sure that I wanted them to know that I was living in the hotel, so I hung back with plans of riding up to my room alone.
“How was your first day?” Denise asked as she approached me.
“It was cool.”
“We didn’t work you too hard, did we? I don’t want Sawyer thinking I’m down here slaving his baby.”
I bit back a smile. “It’s not like that, and I’m fine.”
“It may not be like that for you, but he’s never asked me to hire anyone personally. I damn sure have never seen him come down here to watch anyone.”
“He was here?”
“He came down right after lunch.”
“Oh wow, I didn’t even notice him. I’m sure he’s just worried about me.”
“I don’t think he wanted you to see him. He hung back near my office.”
“He didn’t think I should start yet. Even you said that. I’m glad I did, though. I feel better than I have in a long time.”
“Make sure you tell him that. I don’t want to get fired for letting you start before the boss man said you were ready.”
I laughed softly but nodded. “I will.”
“Speaking of the boss man who’s not your man. He’s here to get you,” she said, motioning behind me with her head.
I suppressed the urge to grin like a little girl as I turned and walked over to where Sawyer leaned against the wall.
“Checking in on your newest employee?” I asked.
“How was your first day?” he asked, opening the door to lead the way into the hall.
“It was good. I was glad to be able to take my mind off things. Keeping my hands busy usually does the trick.”
“That may be true, but you have to face your problems eventually.”
“Be that as it may, I don’t even want to think about them right now.”
Sawyer hit the button for the elevator, and the door immediately slid open. He let me walk in first then stepped on behind me.
“Don’t let me hear that you didn’t eat lunch again.”
“I’m not even going to ask how you know that.”
The elevator dinged, and Sawyer stepped out and reached for my hand. “I know everything that goes on around here.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
“Back to what I said, don’t let me hear anything about you not eating again.”
“Yes, Mr. Ash.”
When we made it to my door, he scanned his card to open it. Before I could step inside, he grabbed my arm and whipped me back to him before kissing my cheek.
“Order food and get some rest. I’ll check on you later. Let me know if you need me. Supreme has a show tonight. There’s a comedy show, too, if you feel like getting out.”
“That sounds good. I need a good laugh.”
“Dial 1711 for my room after six.”
“OK.”
“See you later, mama,” he said, kissing my forehead.