Indiscretions by Donna Hill Page A

to—”
    â€œHey, girl, you ready?” Charisse said, appearing as if on cue. She looked from one to the other. “Something wrong?” She eased her way in between Alex and Khendra, which forced Alex to take a retreating step.
    Khendra had never been so happy to see anyone in her life. Intense relief flooded through her taut body. “No. Mr. Counts was just leaving.”
    â€œIs this the Mr. Counts?”
    â€œYes.” Khendra clenched her jaw. “Charisse Carter, this is Alex Counts, one of the senior partners at the firm.”
    He turned to Charisse and flashed a smile. He extended a tanned hand, which she took. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Carter. Perhaps we’ll have a chance to meet again.” He turned back to Khendra. “I hope you’ll think about what I said.” He nodded his goodbye to Charisse and walked toward the elevator.

    â€œWhat in the hell did I just walk in on?”
    Charisse stepped into the apartment, tossed her bag on a chair and turned to Khendra. What she saw made her rush back to Khendra’s side. “You’re shaking all over.” Her eyes whipped around the room for any signs of disturbance. “What the devil did he say to you? What did he do?” She put an arm around Khendra, closed the door and ushered her into the living room.
    Once she was seated, Khendra felt her heartbeat slowly return to normal. Charisse kept a protective arm around her until some of the trembling stopped.
    â€œYou just sit right there,” Charisse commanded, pointing a warning finger. She entered the kitchen and searched through the refrigerator and cabinets. “Don’t you have anything stronger to drink in here than cranberry juice?” she called over her shoulder.
    â€œYou know I don’t drink,” Khendra mumbled. “There’s some Coke on the bottom shelf.”
    Charisse grabbed a glass, loaded it with ice and poured the fizzling Coke over the cubes. Returning to the sofa, she pushed the glass into Khendra’s trembling fingers. “Drink this,” she ordered. She stood over her, watched Khendra’s shaky hands bring the glass to her lips, and waited until she had drank the last drop. “You feel like talking now?”
    Khendra nodded. Slowly, she began with the veiled comments Alex had made at the office, and led up to his visit to her apartment.
    â€œWhy didn’t you tell me about this before?” Charisse demanded, furious at Khendra.
    â€œI had hoped I was mistaken, and I thought you’d think I was overreacting again.” She looked up guiltily at Charisse, who just shook her head.
    â€œYou should know better than that, girl. Especially when it comes to something like this. Did he threaten you? Did he put his hands on you?”
    Khendra rose from the sofa and began pacing, her long, slender fingers dramatizing her words. “It wasn’t so much what he said, Cee Cee. It was how he said it and what it implied. If you hadn’t walked in when you did, I don’t know what he may have tried.”
    â€œI’m sure he’s not a stupid man, Khen. He’s choosing his words very carefully. That’s why he’s so sure you won’t say anything. It would be your word against his. And if I take it at face value, he’s actually said nothing or done anything that’s threatening.’”
    â€œI know. That’s what’s so frustrating and what makes me so damned angry.” She stomped her foot and turned pleading eyes on Charisse. “I have to find a way to deal him. This is all very touchy. If I say or do the wrong thing, I could be ruined. I’m finally beginning to understand how innocent people are painted as bad guys.”
    Charisse sighed. “You just have to stand your ground. He wouldn’t dare try anything at the office, and just don’t let yourself be alone with him. You don’t have anything on him unless he tries