Deceptive Nights Read online

  Looking at the mirror, she first studied her face.

  Her mother always thought Phoebe was beautiful with her oval face; deep almond skin with wide expressive dark burnt orange eyes, full moist lips and a pert nose sloped downward. Phoebe always thought her one hundred forty five pound body was too much, but to Patricia it was just the right size. She wasn’t too skinny or too fat.

  Turning around to study her backside, she noticed all her stretch marks were almost gone. Phoebe had gotten them in her fifth month of pregnancy and drowned her skin in vitamin E since them. More came, but not so harsh. She still had a slight discoloration and silvery lines underneath the small bulge of her stomach. When she stood straight the bulge almost disappeared.

  Forget it, she told herself. Her last ten pounds were the hardest to get rid of and if she did lose them, he wouldn’t come back – they never came back. They had gotten what they wanted from her and that was it.

  That didn’t stop her from getting on the floor and doing her fifty sit-ups with her thoughts still on men leaving her.

  When she was done with her exercise, she pulled her permed, black, earlobe length hair in a tight ponytail, and then wrapped it for the next day. Washing up quickly, she put on her favorite red pajamas.

  Standing five feet four and a half, she figured herself to be good to the eye of any man, but it wasn’t what was on the outside that bothered her much - if she didn’t think too hard about the extra ten pounds. Phoebe possessed voluptuous breasts (more than a regular handful) and backside. Before pregnancy she had been a nice 34C cup. Now she was a 38D and one size up than her usual ten since high school. Twelve wasn’t so bad, she guessed just on the brink of being a plus size. Even though no man was around to encourage her or compliment her, she refused to let her body go to waste. With the DeproVera shot, which she highly enjoyed not because she was sexually active - which hadn’t happened in two years - but because it kept her period away, she still had gained weight all over.

  It was inside that made her upset. As much as she promised herself she wouldn’t allow a man to use her again, she was scared she wouldn’t listen to what she wanted and do the same thing over again. Phoebe knew she needed to become stronger and really make a stand when it concerned her mental happiness.

  Yes, she would be open to dating, but she wouldn’t let a man come into her life ever again, use her like a piece of tissue and then throw her away. She needed to really resolve herself to using the men just as they were using her.

  Closing her eyes, she did her affirmations to herself out loud. “I am a good woman and any good man would find me a pleasure and joy to be around. I will never let a man take anything from me without getting something in return before giving it away ever again. I will not let my past or any man take away my joy. Happiness in my life is my number one priority.” She said a little pray, asking for a good man would come into her life and for inner strength. Lastly, she prayed for a financial solution to all her debt problems.

  When Stephen and Stephanie were sound asleep, she joined her mother, who had fixed a plate for her at the dining room table. The home was just like when she was a little girl. Her mother hadn’t changed a thing, and the furnishings in the home were kept in good condition through the years. Phoebe had learned from her mother how to keep a good house and how to raise good children. The twins were highly intelligent and very obedient. She was blessed with good children and thanked the Lord every day for giving her the patience of being a good mother so that her children would be well taken care of.

  At the other end of the table, her mother had the bill book open as always trying to keep everything all paid up, even Phoebe’s own debts were listed in there. Her father, before his death, had made sure Phoebe’s college expenses were paid up and the mortgage on the house her mother lived in was paid off, but not the funeral expenses and other bills like the family’s credit cards and the car note.

  Phoebe had not known about this stuff until after Daniel had taken off with the money. Guilt surrounded her at not being able to help her mother out, which was why she tried her best to help her mother out by paying the bills with her own check after she paid daycare and paid a little off on her own debt. Usually she just gave the entire check over to her mother, trusting Patricia to make all the decisions about the household finances.

  Hopefully in the near future, Phoebe’s diligent prayer would be answered soon. Somehow.

  “If I sold the apartment building, I could have enough to pay the taxes,” Patricia surmised with a mentally tired sigh.

  “Mom, you need that to pay for the other ones and your other expenses. You can’t and you won’t do that,” Phoebe protested. “You know that apartment building meant a lot to Daddy.”

  “Well, five thousand dollars isn’t going to drop in our lap.”

  Phoebe sat back in her chair. “Just give it a little more time, okay?”

  “We’ve only got four months with the taxes, honey, before they take everything away. I really don’t want to file for bankruptcy.”

  “I’ll figure something out. Just another month, okay, I’ll ask Madeline for a raise or an advance on my check. Maybe I’ll look into more child support from Daniel. I’ll figure out something, Mom, before you get rid of what is important to you.”

  “This isn’t your business, Phoebe. I should not allow you to sacrifice your life to help me out when you have so much of your own going on.”

  “I don’t mind. Helping you out is beneficial for both of us. You’re helping me with the kids, Mom. It’s the least I can do.

  Patricia put the subject to rest. In truth, her mother did need her help very much and it was a joy for her mother to have the grandchildren around. Tomorrow morning, Phoebe would be driving with Madeline up to Lansing, and then taking the Greyhound back to Detroit.

  Phoebe had her own car, but she insisted her mother use it because Patricia picked up the children more. Plus, she didn’t mind catching the bus. It saved her a lot of money than paying for parking downtown, which was very expensive.

  Her mother always told Phoebe to get out more socially. Patricia would encourage her daughter to find more friends, but Phoebe always avoided this with different excuses. Patricia then started suggesting church social functions or to get in touch with old friends. Phoebe constantly just put it off, devoting all her time to her children, her job, and the home without the least bit of anger or frustration.

  Phoebe loved unconditionally, which made her a good target for men who wanted to use her, but with time and her repeated prayers for strength, she knew that she would forgive and forget and maybe try again. One day.

  Chapter 4

  Lawrence picked Jacoby up bright and early. After breakfast, he took Jacoby to the clientele office also in Downtown Detroit. A young man named, Mr. Bowen greeted them at the door explaining, “The office manager isn’t in today, but she’s left detailed instructions and I will be able to assist you on any questions you might have.”

  Mr. Bowen showed them to the room where the server was so Lawrence could get to work. While in there, the young man called his boss, who had taken a trip to Lansing, but wanted to speak with Lawrence as soon as he arrived.

  Lawrence had explained to Jacoby, “I was told the office manager hired here recently is a highly intelligent young lady - Every just rave about her constantly. The office manager single-handedly saved the company’s largest account.”

  “You sound as if you were eager to see her today,” Jacoby said with a nudge.

  “I was pretty impressed with how she was described,” Lawrence admitted. “I’ll have Mr. Bowen show you around after I get done with this phone call.”

  Jacoby was pretty impressed by the operation and how smoothly everything ran even without the office manager being there.

  “Is she old?” Jacoby asked the office assistant.

  The young man gave him a look as if he should know whom the office manager was, but then answered after a brief hesitation. “Oh no. She’s y
oung. She just really loves to work and work hard. Our turn around time deadline has been made continually because of her.”

  Jacoby’s pager went off. “Can I use the phone privately, please?” He had left his phone in the limousine.

  “Sure,” Mr. Bowen said, showing him to an empty office near where Lawrence was working.

  Jacoby saw on the door it had the office manager’s name on it. “She won’t mind me using this office, will she, Mr. Bowen?”

  “Oh no,” the young man assured him. “Don’t worry. Just dial nine to call out.” He closed the door to give Jacoby privacy.

  He went over to the phone and dialed his lawyer, who had just paged him. Jacoby was presently buying out a small research firm located near Davenport, Ohio. He was also going to put his corporate offices in the downtown area of Detroit. Abraham Blue, his lawyer was setting up a meeting for the buyout and Lawrence was going to arrange the videoconference tomorrow afternoon to make the deal final. Instead of Jacoby flying down to Ohio, he could stay in Lawrence’s Detroit office and discuss it through fiber optic lines.

  As he was put on hold for Abraham, Jacoby noticed the pictures of the two children sitting and smiling the most beautiful smiles. Immediately he could tell they had to be identical twins although of different gender because of what they had on and how they looked. Their eyes were so expressive and wide. He could just imagine the mother with the same beautiful eyes and smile. If he really concentrated he could just imagine him, the happiest man in the world with this beautiful family.

  “Jacoby!” Abraham’s deep rumbled voice came on the line suddenly. “Sorry to keep you on hold.”

  “That’s quite alright. My thoughts were elsewhere.”

  Abraham continued talking and Jacoby turned away from the pictures. The mother had to be beautiful to produce the twins. Intelligent, highly self motivated as Lawrence had described her, but would she be great in bed? Even though Jacoby had personal dealings with Madeline, they didn’t discuss each other’s business when they were together. So that’s why Jacoby had never heard of this fantastic office manager. They never discussed anything when they were together.

  Jacoby forced himself to concentrate. What the hell did it matter, he wouldn’t marry her. With two beautiful kids like that a man would have to be stupid to leave them.

  All the good women were taken and she seemed like a good one. She was definitely taken - married or not.

  ****

  Cold, hungry, and tired she walked the eight blocks from the Greyhound Station to her job where she had some crackers in her desk drawer. She didn’t realize she shouldn’t have refused Madeline’s offer for food until after she was well on her way back to Detroit. They had eaten breakfast with some clients, but after that they had been in meetings the rest of the day.

  She stuffed the crackers in her mouth until she almost choked, then forced herself to swallow. Stuffing what she had left in her purse, left out the office and tracked back down Jefferson heading to Cadillac Square, still tired, hungry, and cold. Phoebe had called her mother from the bus station to let her know she was back in town and was going back to the office to see what kind of day everyone had without her. Since there was nothing on her desk, she figured Simon would have the list of stuff for her to do tomorrow.

  Right now, she felt she didn’t want to think about work until she had a good night’s sleep. While talking to her mother, Patricia told her the mail had delivered a bill from the tax office again and she had been denied the loan on the apartment due to her credit.

  Phoebe, of course told her mother not to worry about it. Things would work out eventually.

  Phoebe hoped.

  Chapter 5

  Was it fate? Hell, it couldn’t be said more plainly.

  Jacoby had left Desmond at Lawrence’s city apartment, The Jeffersonian, which had a lovely view of Downtown, the river, and Canada. Jacoby was too tired to go to any club and drink. He just wanted to get to the hotel to sleep his misery and horniness away.

  There she was, standing on the corner this time across from where the limousine had stopped at a light, yet nevertheless the same young respectable woman. He decided the best method would-be to get out and approach her. He told the driver to follow her.

  She was coming across the street and he stood on the corner to wait for her. “Excuse me, miss,” he said.

  Phoebe looked up at him, hesitating before stopping. “Yes?”

  He made a note she actually put an “s” at the end of her word, so she was somewhat educated or at least very articulate. “Are you headed home?”

  “Of course, are you lost?” She looked up at him with brows up, very warily.

  “Somewhat for words. I stay at the Ponchartrain.”

  She gave him a “what-do-you-want” glare clutching her bag tightly too her.

  “I want to know if you’d be...” his voice trailed off. “Look in no way do I think you-” He sighed frustrated and never before felt so confused and flustered before in his life.

  He seemed to be a very confused and flustered man. What he wanted was still a mystery to her and she decided to help him out. “So you’re not lost?”

  “No. I’ve never done this before.”

  “Talked to a stranger?” she guessed teasingly.

  “Can I give you a lift, I saw you last night and it’s so cold. I felt since I saw you again, I should ask.”

  “Why do you think its fate?” she teased. “You must be from out of town.” She smiled the most breathtaking smile, leaving him mesmerized.

  Yes, he wanted her, he determined at that moment. “So you’d like a ride?”

  “I was born at night, not last night mind you. So I don’t want a ride.” She started to walk away, but Jacoby smoothly moved in her way.

  ****

  Quickly, he said, “Miss please a moment. I don’t want to offend you-”

  Phoebe cut him off. “You haven’t yet. Do you always speak this way?”

  “What way?”

  “Beat around the bush. What do you mean offend me?” she asked suspiciously. He was quite an attractive man and his embarrassment only made him cuter.

  She watched as he took a roll of bills out his jacket. Hundreds! It looked like thousands of them. “I want you to be with me.”

  With a look of insanity, yet hope, passed through her eyes as if he were the answer to her prayers. Phoebe stayed dead silent and frozen until she heard footsteps approaching behind her.

  Moving toward him, she covered the hand with the money using her own and held it against her chest. “You can’t go around flashing that much money around, sir.” Two strangers passed by them going on down the street not paying them any mind.

  “It’s Jay,” he introduced himself abruptly.

  “Have you lost your mind?” she asked incredulously.

  “No. I saw you last night and I want you still.”

  Why did his words send tingles through her? Compose yourself, Phoebe. “Put that money away before someone comes and shoot us both.”

  He was not one to give up so easily. Plus, if she weren’t the least bit attracted to him, she would have walked away after giving him a sound slap across the face. “How much?” he asked putting a handover hers keeping her close.

  “You have no idea who I am,” she said exasperated.

  “Then tell me your name.”

  She sighed. “If I tell you will you put the money away?”

  “Maybe.”

  She decided to give him her middle name. “April.”

  “So how do I propose, April, into just speaking with you?” he questioned.

  Phoebe looked at her watch. “Speaking with me?”

  “Ten minutes of your time to just interest you in what I would like to offer. One hundred dollars for ten minutes.”

  He was either crazy or desperate!

  “Ten minutes of my time for a hundred dollars?” she questioned in disbelief.

  “Ten minutes to interest you.” He started to touch
her cheek, but inches from her skin, he realized how forward it might be, so he withdrew his hand, but noted that she didn’t move away from him almost touching her. “If we’re not interested with each other in ten minutes, you’ll still have one hundred dollars.”

  A cold breeze went straight through her. She was highly interested, but it seemed so crazy. “I’ll time you,” she warned.

  He handed her a bill and opened the limousine door. “Not until we’re inside.”

  Warily, Phoebe moved past him and ducked her head in the limousine. “Wait!” She stood up again out the car. “Give me your ID or something.”

  He pulled out his wallet and passed her an American Express Gold card. “Is that good enough?”

  “I guess.” She clutched it tightly in her hand, then ducked into the limousine and moving over so he could get in next to her. “Are you hungry?” he asked.

  “Ten minutes,” she warned again. “And tell your driver to head to Cadillac Square.”

  He instructed the driver immediately, and then put the divider up for privacy. She had her arms wrapped around her waist practically sitting across from him for distance.

  With a hesitant look on his face, he seemed to not know how to really begin, but started off saying, “I guess I should get to the point.” He answered her previous question. “Yes, I could have had any woman on the strip, but they were not you.”

  “Flattery will get you nowhere. What makes you think I’m not diseased or something?”

  “Are you?”

  “No!” she said insulted he would think so, but she had asked for it so she shouldn’t be so touchy. Plus by taking his money, it had initiated the fact that it was possible for her to be bought for with a price.

  “Neither am I, so we’ve gotten that out the way. I’m willing to take any precautions necessary to ensure safety. I just want to know how much.”

  “I can’t believe you are not crazy. You must be. You can’t go around and ask ordinary women this.”