Special Kind of Woman

By Jamallah Bergman

Collin Noonan has the world in his hands, being the youngest top executive at his firm, the envy of all men as well as the lover of many women. Collin along with some of the other executives takes part in a game, a game in which they must date a woman who is basically ‘shy, homely and undesirable’. Collin has won this game every year and this year will be no exception that is until he meets Regina Talbot

Regina Talbot is your average ‘Plain Jane’. She’s never been part of the ‘in crowd’ always keeping to herself and is extremely painfully shy towards men. She never would think that any man would be interested in her, especially that of handsome Collin Noonan.

Watch as Collin and Regina began on a road of self-discovery of themselves as well as the obstacles that will eventually cause problems for their future.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jamallah Bergman
• Release date: Mar 26, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386863861

Jamallah Bergman

Writer Jamallah Bergman was born in Jamaica Queens, New York. Although her family moved around a bit; from New York to Alabama to Georgia. Jamallah's childhood was mostly spent in Roswell, Georgia.At the age of twelve, Jamallah started writing scripts for her doll babies. As she got older, her inclination to write grew.Soon after reading her first romance novel at fifteen; she became hooked on romance and deviated from writing her doll baby stories, to romantically inclined stories.Her thirst to write eventually sent her from one out of the box experience to another. She eventually engaged her thoughts and writing into writing erotic stories.As Jamallah's interest as a reader grew, questions aroused her curiosity. Why were the heroines in the stories she loved so much, nothing like herself. She felt none of the women were full figured, or plump. To coin a phrase from the well known comedienne Mo'Nique, like "Thick Madame", a thick and curvy woman.Often she became upset because she felt there should be stories out there about all types of women, including thick, beautiful women like herself. Why were there no stories about full figured women who got the handsome hunk? She would ask herself after reading another romance story where the beautiful main character was thin.After researching and finding very few stories about curvy women, Jamallah thought it was time the romance readers market read more stories about full figured heroines.She started to write stories where the full figured woman 'ALWAYS' got her man!

Book preview

Dedication

Iwant to first and foremost thank my mom, daughter and brother who have always believed me and my work.

To my oldest friend Amy...thanks so much for always being there to listen and give me good input on my stories.

To Jimmy Thomas for gracing my 1st cover and also for being such a great friend

I cannot forget to thank Tony and April down at Gino’s on Peachtree Rd. I want to thank you both for letting me come to not only be able to have some great food but also to let me crash there while writing and editing this story. Thanks guys!

CHAPTER ONE

I ’m here, come on down. Regina clicked the button on her phone before putting it down into the cup holder. She watched as minutes later, Maxine walked down the steps of her apartment, wearing a black pencil skirt with a fuchsia blouse. She always envied how her friend wore such nice things. She could never wear such things with her full figure.

Good morning, I didn’t think you were going to be here to pick me up on time, Maxine replied with a teasing smile, getting into the car.

Now you know I’m always on time to pick you up. She shook her head, not taking the bait. How was your date last night?

Oh, you know I enjoy picking on you Regina and as far as my date, it went just fine. He took me to that fancy new French restaurant over off of Ivy and Dunne, Maxine told her while checking her mail on her phone.

Lucky girl, I heard that place is really nice. Regina often resented hearing about Maxine’s date nights. Though she would never let her know this because it was fun to live vicariously through her exploits. She’d never be lucky with men like Max.

Regina wasn’t your average everyday girl from around the way. With her smarts, she didn’t quite fit in with most people. She wasn’t outgoing or the life of the party like a lot of women her age. She was lucky to have a friend like Maxine, who helped her get a job in the mailroom, when she moved to the small town of Henderson.

She’d been working at Nichols, Tatum, Rutherford, a marketing company for about eight months and despite her lowly job, it kept her happy, except for when she actually had to go and deliver the mail. Interacting with new people was the part of the job she honestly didn’t like. A bit of a loner, Regina’s shyness toward men was known to get the best of her, usually to the point of literally freezing up.

She also wasn’t one to follow fashion or be the trendy type. Today, was no exception as she wore a pair of black slacks and red shirt, along with her trusty black sneakers that she always wore while delivering the mail. Her hair, despite its constant messy state, was always worn in a bun held by at least three or four pens and pencils.

When they got to the office building and went inside, Regina turned to her friend. I’ll talk with you later, have a good day Max.

You too Regina, I’ll meet you for lunch.

When she walked inside the mailroom, she saw Linda, Ada, and Patrick already sorting through some of Saturday’s mail.

Hey Gina, could you please help us out once you’ve clocked in? Patrick asked, who managed everybody in the mailroom, yet didn’t mind pitching in where needed.

Once she clocked in, Regina started helping out.

Say Gina, can you keep a secret? Linda whispered while they organized everything in their little mail carts.

Sure, what is it?

I’ve been dating this guy and it’s been so amazing. I had to tell somebody about it and I knew I could trust you with anything. Linda beamed as they started toward the elevators.

Regina smiled a bit. No wonder you look as if you’ve been on cloud nine lately. That’s wonderful. Who’s the lucky fella?

He’s one of the executives here in our building and he’s so handsome, girl. I never thought a girl like me could hook up with someone like him. We’ve been going out to eat every other weekend for about the past month now. I told him I wouldn’t tell anybody about us but like I said, I trust you Gina, Linda told her as they got inside and headed up.

Your secret is safe with me girlfriend, you know I’d never tell a soul. Regina tried to pretend she felt happy but deep down, she honestly wasn’t. Why couldn’t she find happiness like that as well?

I’ll check you in a little bit, Linda told her as she got off on her floor and the door closed. But instead of going up, the elevator went straight down.

What the hell, I pressed ten? Regina wondered while continuing to the basement, where the garage was located. When the doors opened, Regina’s whole body froze as her heart skipped a beat.

COLLIN NOONAN WAS IN bed with his latest conquest from the night before. He looked over at her lying next to him, her dark brown hair covering her entire face. Glancing at the clock, he was thankful he didn’t have to be in for at least another hour. As she started to stir, he leaned over to kiss her shoulder softly. You better get on up sweetheart before we are both late for work.

The woman, Carol Miller, worked in the same building as he did, looked over and smiled sleepily at him. When can we meet up again Collin?

Collin had no intention of meeting up with her again, so with a fake smile, he said, I’ll give you a call. You want to take a shower?

No, I better head back to my place. I can’t go to work wearing the same thing I wore the other day, but do call me, all right? Carol told him while getting out of the bed and gathering her things together. She slipped on her slacks and her jacket excluding her underwear and blouse. Walking over to him, she gave him a kiss on the lips, smiled and walked toward the door.

Satisfied with himself, he went to go take a shower.

Collin was a man who had fought hard to get where he was, being one of the top executives at Nichols, Tatum, Rutherford, and the youngest at thirty-five. A second generation Irishman, he was born in New York to a family with ten boys, so he knew how it was to struggle in life. You could tell who the members of Noonan clan were by the fact they all inherited their father’s striking red hair and hot-headed temper. But each son also had their mother’s soulful green eyes and sense of humor making growing up together much easier.

His time consuming work ethic kept him from dealing with the fairer sex. He thought of women as nothing more than fun bed partners, when he had time to indulge. The idea of being in a relationship was a dream. Collin couldn’t fathom any female—besides his mother—being worthy of long term commitment.

Quick and loveless worked for him.

While fixing his tie, he heard his cell phone ringing. Looking over at the clock he realized it was time for the morning meeting. What’s up John? Thanks for synching me in.

Gentleman, now that we’re all here in spirit if not body, Marcus Tatum interrupted, I want to report the new venture we’ll be getting into this week will put our company on top. I’ve been talking with Pilkington and McCormick for the past month now and with their cooperation we’ve got it made.

Collin smiled as he heard the celebrating going on.

So now that we have that in order, I’ll have John get to what we’re really here for this morning.

All right fellas, as you all know the party is two weeks from now. If you haven’t found a lady yet, you better get on the ball. I know that half of us have so the rest of you guys, good luck with searching.

Some of the men snickered a bit.

You know, I’ve been talking with this one girl in my building. You should see her, she’s a complete mess. I know she’ll win it for me this year, said Benjamin Clarkson.

Now Ben, you know and I know the man to beat this year and basically every damn year has been Collin. I don’t know where the hell you get these women, man, but my God, it seems they get homelier and homelier with every single party. Have you found anybody yet?

Collin chuckled as he started his car and made his way out of the garage. Not yet John, but you know I like to take my time with these things. I have to find the right contestant before I know she’s my winner.

Snickers and groans echoed through the line.

Okay gentlemen, I’m headed into heavy traffic. Be there in ten. He closed his phone and tossed it on the passenger seat.

A car cut him off as he got near the parking garage. Move! Oh come on, where the hell do you think you’re going man! Shaking his head, Collin flashed his card to the guy in the booth, the arm went up and he went straight to his personal parking space. Before getting out, he grabbed his phone and took a deep sigh. He walked toward the elevator and pressed the button.

As the doors opened, Collin saw her standing there, his winner. He didn’t know what to say, so he started to fumble with his phone to stop staring. Actually he’d been watching her for the past couple of days. Today’s unexpected encounter was the perfect time to make his move. How are you today?

I’m doing just fine, thanks. He noticed her swallowing hard while she watched the numbers light up overhead.

He could tell she was nervous. Collin enjoyed watching a woman squirm, especially one he suspected wasn’t used to men talking to them. Have you been working here long? She never looked him in the eye and he could tell she was trembling because the cart in front of her was rattling. As she rubbed her lips together, Collin had to admit, even though she was a nervous wreck, she did have some very luscious pink lips.

As soon as the doors opened, the poor girl made a hasty retreat from the elevator. He watched her go down the aisle with her little cart and around the corner. Chuckling a bit, he continued on his way toward his office to start off his day. Good morning Nancy, any calls for me?

Just one from John and another from your mother, she says to call her when you get the chance, she wanted to know how you were since she hasn’t heard from her son in a couple of weeks. Nancy smirked, as he took the note from her, chuckling.

Did she really say all that?

She nodded.

Amused, he continued towards his office and laid the briefcase down on the desk. Grabbing the phone, he pushed the button especially programmed to speed dial his mother’s number. After the second ring, someone picked up the phone.

It’s about time you called your mother, Alannah Noonan told her son.

I’m sorry Mom. You know how busy I can get. Then when I get home it’s too late for me to call you. How have you been doing lately? he asked, sitting in his chair while Nancy brought him a cup of coffee.

Well, I’ve been doing fine my darling boy. I was making some of your favorite colcannon and I said to me self, I wonder what me boy Col has been up to, I know he would be eating up the entire bowl if he was here. He heard her laugh a bit and his stomach started to growl because it had been a long time since he had a bowl of his mother’s colcannon. He’d tried once or twice before to follow the recipe himself, but there was nothing better than his mother’s cooking.

I’m going to make time to visit sometime this month. I have something coming up in a couple of weeks but once that’s done, then I’ll be home for a hug and a big bowl of colcannon. Collin smiled as he continued talking with his mother some more. After he hung up with her, he quickly called John.

What’s up Big Red?

Nothing much my friend, let me ask you something, who is the black chick from down in the mailroom? Collin knew John had info on every single woman in this building since he’d probably gone to bed with the majority of them.

Oh, you mean the silent one. I think her name is Regina. She doesn’t talk to anybody except for those she feels comfortable with. Extremely shy, I mean so shy that even if a guy says hello to her, she breaks out in a sweat. Why are you asking?

Collin only smiled and said, I think I’ve found the one.

Really, you think she’s the one who’s going to win it for you this year?

I think so. She’s been so uneasy around me the past couple of days now that I’ve noticed her, I find it really intriguing. I’ve never had a woman react that way, not even the last few I had taken to the party. So, this one is going to be a refreshing escapade my friend and I’m going to enjoy every bit of it.

The party in question was something of a tradition the top executives had been doing for a number of years. The objective was to get a date with one of the homeliest or shyest women in their office. Wine and dine her, take full advantage of her if possible, to the point of the girl more than likely falling in love. Before the party, each man would invite their woman to basically be paraded around to the rest of the executives so they could figure out who won the bet. The prize—all-expenses paid week-long vacation to wherever they wanted to go.

I can’t wait to see the guys’ faces when you bring her to the party, John told him with a chuckle.

MY GOD, THAT WAS A close call, Regina mumbled before breathing a sigh of relief. She’d never felt so scared in her life as when he started talking with her. She needed to overcome this fear of being around men. But of course, that was easier said than done for Regina Talbot. Right now she needed to concentrate on giving everybody their mail