By Design (BWWM) [Complete]

Chapter 6: Damaged Pearls

Silence rang in his ear and it was quite deafening. Taiwo called for a cab, not wanting to face the situation she'd created. She'd freaked out for no reason! Or perhaps it was a misunderstanding on his behalf. He knew she was a prideful woman who wanted things a certain way, but for the life of him, he just could not comprehend the uproar she had made. Pulling into the garage, he stalked towards the building, ready to settle this mishap between them. The elevator doors opened, welcoming him. Reaching the fifth floor, he greeted the small staff then headed to his office. Upon entry, he saw her door closed and blinds drawn. With a sigh, he marched over to her door and knocked.

"It's me. Can I come in?"

"It's your office." Opening, he noticed the scowl over her downturned lips.

"Tai, I don't know what happened."

"I thought I made myself very clear."

"You're so flighty, always ready for a fight."

"I have to be! I'm supposed to fight against wrong."

"What exactly is wrong?"

"I'll tell you what's wrong. Everything my people has ever had has been taken from us! Stolen. Other people profit off what's ours. We don't even get the chance to share what we have before someone claims it as their own! My culture is not appreciated, nor our people or our ways."

"I appreciate you."

"Don't do that."

"Don't do what? Tell you how I feel? Let's get something straight, I haven't taken anything from you. I've given you credit for your designs. You created this problem but you want me to fix it? You really need to check yourself Tai because you really do have a problem."

"Yeah, because people like you created them."

"People like me?" he retorted insulted. "You know what, I'm going to walk away."

"You do that. Run." Spinning, facing her, he pointed a finger in her direction.

"Run? You're the one whose been running. You're the one who picks needless fights. You're the one who's afraid and you won't even admit it!'

"I'm not afraid."

"Bull. Everything with you is one-sided. You don't listen, only react. What more do you want me to do?"

"Nothing. I'll have my things out of here tomorrow morning."

"There you go again, Tai. You're running."

"Obviously we're not going to get an understanding of one another so I may as well leave."

"We will get an understanding and you're not going anywhere." Slamming the door, he strode over, pushing her up on the desk and possessed her mouth. Quieted and drowsy, she learned into his kiss, exploring the valley of his tongue. Her back arched as he ran his fingers down the length of her spine. Weaving fingers through her wild cocoon of curls, he seared kisses down her neck, settling at the opening of her white blouse. Suddenly a knock tapped at the door.

"Connor, are you in there?" Taiwo's heart slammed erratically against her chest, her mind struggled with hanging on to Connor and crawling under her desk in embarrassment. Sensing her rising panic, he scooped her from the desk and set her in her chair. She hadn't had the strength to do it herself nor had she found the time to recover before he opened the door.

"What is it Tolbert?" Tolbert leaned over Connor's shoulder looking at the distressed lines etched in Taiwo's face.

"Is everything alright?"