Page 4 of The Aries Alliance (BLP Signs of Love #14)
Unexpected
Scarlett Kane was an enigma, sassy, beautiful, and funnier than should be allowed. I inwardly chuckled that we matched in a navy blue, brown combo that would have us looking like a power couple, if we took a picture together and actually liked each other.
Although she was a brilliant, high-performing, strategic employee, the words in-your-face accompanied her name when most leaders spoke of her at EFU. They warned me to be careful about what I said in her presence, since she was a troublemaker and a whistleblower.
From the minute she entered my office in her knee-length navy blue, polka-dot dress, with shapely legs that had me taking second and third glances, I sensed that she was ready to light my ass up. I braced myself to be labeled a villain but knew I would only let her go so far.
As Scarlett spat out her insults, I forced myself not to stare at her wet lips and delicate ankles.
When I made her uncomfortable, she squirmed and readjusted her body in my straight-backed office chair, pulling her long beige wrap over her perky breasts.
No matter how alluring she was, I kept my eyes on hers, allowing her to run off at the mouth like an undisciplined child.
I knew about the details of her investigative report, but I wanted to see how she responded when she didn’t get her way.
I had to give her credit. No one else at EFU had ever pushed this hard against the administration.
At least I hadn’t witnessed it in my fifteen years in HR and five years at Ember Falls University.
Scarlett’s fire was dangerous and edgy, making me want to stand over her and grab her neck to rein in her mouth so she would not bring more harm to herself.
As the son of a mother who had been scorned by EFU, I knew intimately my role as the director of HR in this place.
No matter how independent or bold Scarlett thought she was, a woman in her position needed a leader, protector, and possibly a savior on the inside.
Without the assistance of an ‘Uncle Tom’ like me, she might not survive.
The walls of my office seemed to close in on me as Scarlett infringed on my territory. Despite her insults, over the years, I’d perfected my craft and studied the rules of engagement in the workplace.
“Are you listening to me, with your rude behind?” Scarlett’s sharp tone pulled me from my thoughts as she shook her head like a bobblehead.
How stereotypically Black. I let her continue that ratchet mess of a show as her copper-red locs that extended to the middle of her back leaped like flames.
Even from across the room, I smelled her seductive scent, which reminded me of an essential oil my former girlfriend wore.
Her overall energy was an entire brand that aligned well with her blatant hunger for retribution and justice.
“Are you done?” I yawned and stretched my long arms as if I hadn’t slept in a week.
She stopped, cocked her head, and opened her mouth as if no one had ever appeared to be disinterested in her over-the-top thoughts. She planted her nude heels firmly on the ground, one foot before the other as if she was ready to leap up and attack me.
“Am I boring you as you do your job , Mr. Redmond? Do you have narcolepsy or some other condition that makes you exhausted? That is the only reason I would give you a pass for being so rude.”
“My medical history is none of your business, Dr. Kane. Please answer my question. Are you almost done?” I checked my watch as if I had someplace to be.
“Uh, . . . we haven’t discussed my concerns about the report, so no.”
“Maybe you should have spent more time getting to the point than paying attention to how I dress or behave. Unfortunately, I have another meeting and need to walk across campus. Tell you what. I’ll read that email and send you a response with my thoughts.
Does that sound like a plan?” I rose, indicating that even if she wanted to continue this conversation, I was not giving her any more time to do so.
Scarlett eased from her chair and nodded, the humblest I’d seen her since her arrival. I walked to the door, opening it for her to exit and ushering her toward the long hallway with my arm.
“Thanks for dropping by. Have a great day.” I gave her what my mother always called my charming, disarming smile.
She passed in front of me slowly with her head held high.
I peered down at her over my glasses when she paused directly in front of me.
Her pretty brown eyes lingered at my chest and lowered to my crotch.
What was she looking for? My print? I widened my stance and thrust my hips out a little to be ornery.
Her eyes popped back to my face as she smirked. When she licked her lips, I grinned.
“Do you like what you see, Dr. Kane?”
“Mediocracy is everywhere at this institution, Mr. Redmond.” She sniffed and held her head high.
Her mouth may have spoken of her disgust, but her lingering gaze let me know the answer to my question was yes.
I winked at Scarlett, eliciting a sudden frown that would have made me back off if I hadn’t noticed the way she bit her bottom lip to hide her smile.
“Look for that email, Doc.”
“Okay.” Her breathy response surprised me, confirming that Scarlett Kane had the potential to be logical and compliant if she needed to be.
On my walk across campus, I checked out Scarlett’s social media profile on my phone. She was easy to find on all platforms, not hiding her personal and professional photos or thoughts. As I expected, she was a strong advocate for all things Black, especially women and girls.
I enlarged her profile picture. She looked like a fun, carefree woman who enjoyed life and hanging out with her friends and family. In every photo, she was front and center, as if she were the life of the party.
Scarlett was the perfect name for her, with flaming brownish-red hair that complemented her mocha skin to perfection. I wanted to touch both.
Why couldn’t I stop thinking about her? Maybe it was her diva-like Aries personality, which aligned with the late March birthday I found in her personnel file.
Ironically, we were born two days apart, making her thirty-nine years old.
Maybe that was why our dominant personalities clashed, and we argued like cats and dogs.
Scarlett carried herself like the baddest of bitches, with arrogance that repelled and intrigued me.
Our banter sizzled, full of spice and heat that made me want to push her against the wall in my office, right under my degree, so I could show her my real credentials.
I’d cover that smart mouth of hers with mine until she screamed my name in ecstasy. With her feisty ass.
I removed my round-rimmed glasses and rubbed my tired eyes, unable to believe I had possibly found a missing piece to a puzzle I had been trying to put together my entire life.
Stop, War. She may appear abrasive, but she’s nothing like you. Or is she?
I would find out soon enough.