The Secret We Could Never Keep 2 (SAMPLE)

Chapter 1

David- I Had High Hopes for Us Baby...

"Can I get you anything, sir?"
Looking up from my Rolex, I politely answered no. The same waiter had asked me that same exact question at least five times since I had arrived here. The longer I sat here, the more I contemplated leaving, and then there she was.
She illuminated the room as soon as she stepped through the door. Watching her, my mouth watered at the sight of her. All eyes were on her as she held her head high with ease and talked to the hostess. She was just as beautiful as she was the first time I saw her. I'd forgotten the exhilarating feeling of being lost staring into those brown globes of hers. Her long lashes fluttered as she talked. I was fixated with the blood flowing to her cheek bones, leaving a red tint in her skin. I could feel the temperature rise in the pit of my stomach, watching her lips curve into a smile. My eyes were focused on the contour of her flawless face as she approached nervously. Intrigued with the sight of her bare breasts peeking out of the top of her dress, my eyes traveled down the rest of her gorgeous frame. I couldn't keep my tongue in my mouth. Staring at her hips, I could feel myself suffocating between her thighs.
In all my years of living, I'd never met a woman quite like Naomi. Everything about her captivated my attention from day one. I found myself infatuated with a woman I barely knew. I couldn't label what it was that we had, but I knew it was something that I didn't want to live without. Naomi and I shared chemistry unlike anything I had ever experienced before. No matter how hard I tried to forget the night we shared, I couldn't forget the feel of her skin against mine. I couldn't count how many nights I stayed up thinking of her.
Words couldn't describe the look on her face as she laid eyes on me. Standing to my feet, I made my way around the table. Staring in her eyes, I grabbed her hand, planting a kiss on her hand before pulling out her chair.
Making my way back to my seat, I sat down, and I simply stared at her. She was just as beautiful as ever, but something was missing. The dark cloud that used to dim her light was no longer there. She had a new glow, and she looked as if she'd been enjoying life. That little sparkle in her eyes was indescribable. Craving the feel of her skin, I took her hands in mine. Rubbing small circles on the back of her hand, she continued to look me in my eyes. I knew she was surprised, probably trying to figure out how it never occurred to her that it was me all along.
Truth be told, I took every precaution that came to mind when it came to keeping my distance. I knew that it was the best thing for me, but for some reason, I couldn't stay away. I went through hell fire just to steal her client, only to ask her for her help. We never spoke to one another directly whenever we needed to talk. The vast majority of our communication was through email. If there was a meeting in place, I would send someone else to represent me. Staying away from Naomi was like moving mountains.
The feelings I had for Naomi, I couldn't find with any other woman. As much as I wanted to believe that tonight would be a joyous occasion, I knew that the fickle truth would have to present itself soon. For the last five years, I'd been in solitude, trying to make sense of the situation with Naomi and I. Resentfully, I never expected for things to be the way they are now. Shit wasn't supposed to turn out this way.
From the first day I laid eyes on her, I had to have her. In that very moment, I knew I would have her by any means necessary. At the very beginning of our friendship, I wished for nothing more than a quick fuck, but I didn't expect Naomi to be so hell bent on remaining faithful. Seeing her as a challenge, I befriended her with hopes of having her in my bed, but I didn't expect to fall for her. For the longest, I'd tried to convince myself that it was just sex, nothing more and nothing less, but I couldn't forget the euphoric feel of being buried inside of her while she scratched away at my back.
Being with Naomi showed me something different. She showed me intimacy. For the first time, I wanted more than just a physical attraction. I wanted more. I needed more of her, and if I couldn't have all of her, I wanted none of her. Now that my feelings for her had changed, I was finally facing the music and coming clean about my intentions.
"How have you been, Mrs. Knight?"
Looking her in her eyes, I watched my voice take over her as she shivered in her seat. Chill bumps infested her skin as she let out a shaky breath. Looking in her eyes, she seemed to be shocked and confused.
"It was you the entire time, and you didn't say anything. I should have known because you are the biggest asshole I've ever met thus far," she spoke firmly, snatching her hand away. I only laughed because I knew she had every right to be mad with all the last-minute cancellations and the countless request to speak to me directly.
"Do you know how hard it is to work with a man that refuses to talk to you for no reason at all!"
She looked around, making sure she wasn't making a spectacle of herself.
"I'm sorry. I know I've made the past year very difficult for you, and I'm truly sorry for that."
She relaxed a bit, hearing an apology.
"I might accept your apology after you tell me why you've been such an ass."
I wanted to take her emotions serious, but she was making it hard for me with the faces she was making. She was so damn sexy when she was mad. With her eyebrow raised, she looked at me with an intense glare on her face.
"Well, I was trying to keep my distance. At the time, I knew any contact between the two of us would have been a problem for me. I needed to give myself some space. Maybe I went about it the wrong way."
"David, if space is what you wanted so badly, then why would you steal my client? Then you had nerve to ask me for my help, knowing you couldn't work with me in a professional setting. Even though you went about in the wrong way, I do appreciate you keeping your distance."
I just sat and listened to what she said. I couldn't keep my hands to myself, so I slowly took her hands in mine again. She talked in circles for about ten minutes. I wasn't complaining. Maybe it would make this night a little easier for me.
"Well, I think you will be happy to know that I took a huge loss today. They finally reached a settlement. Mrs. McCrae walked away with half of our client's fortune, full custody of all three children, and both homes."
"Good. She finally stood up for herself."
"Yeah, after you had your little talk with her, she came back with guns blazing. Her attorney presented with us with her list of demands. She refused to comply with any compromise we presented her with. Once the representatives from the Falcons started threatening to drop him from the team and all the press and the tabloids, he didn't have any choice but to give in. What exactly did you say to her?"
I looked at her curiously. I really wanted to know what she said to the woman.
Tracey McCrae was the most cherished celebrities from the city of Atlanta. He played pro football for the Atlanta Falcons. After ten years in the NFL, his name carried a little bit of weight. Once word got out that he was looking for an attorney, I pulled some strings, flashed some cash at a couple of people, and got a meeting in with him.
At the time, I hadn't been informed that he was looking for an attorney for criminal charges. My only interest was the commission I would stand to make when representing major athletic contracts. I had to practically beg Naomi to help me with the case. She needed the publicity, and I needed for her to beat the charges so that I could take on Mr. McCrae as a permanent client. He was facing charges of domestic violence. The charges surfaced shortly after his wife fled their home, begging for her life while he chased after her with a firearm. After Naomi beat the criminal charges, Mrs. McCrae went on to compensate her pain and suffering with financial gain.
"Nothing that any other woman wouldn't say. No woman should have to be afraid for her life in her own home. He mutilated that woman, and I wish I would have buried his ass under a damn cell when I had the chance."
"At least you did your job and won the case."
"I did my job, but that doesn't make me feel any better about it. I knew he was guilty, and I did everything in my power to make sure he was proven to be innocent while I knew he was anything but."
"It comes with the territory."
"I know, and I hate it."
Before she had the chance to say anything else, the waiter asked us if we were ready to order. In an intense gaze, I watched as she skimmed over the menu. I could only imagine what life would be like with her by my side. The grass would be greener, and the sun would shine brighter. In a lifetime of suffering would be a life worth living if it meant she would be by my side. Everything about her had me by the balls. It was more than just her physique that captured my heart. It was her personality. She had a way of making the complexity of life so simple. It pained me to say that after tonight, she may never look at me the same. I would be just like any other man that sold her a dream.
"David."
Coming back from my thoughts, I noticed the puzzled look on Naomi's face while the waiter just stood there awkwardly waiting for my order.
"I will have the scampi-style steak and scallops with roasted asparagus and a bottle of Louis Roediger Cristal Brut Champagne."