by Kailin Gow
“What?” I asked. “What is it?” I walked up to Tate who sat back down at my chair.
“It’s nothing,” Tate said. “Just big brother playing big brother.”
I gulped. This tension between Tate and Collins was not good at all.
I took a look at the note and my face went pale.
Scrawled in a hasty feminine handwriting was a note…from Jennifer to “Sawyer”:
Hi Sawyer – great job! I’d like to meet you after your shift at Sawyer House. I’m Jennifer, but I’m not really a cheerleader with an ex. I’m an actress, and I really really like how you sound. You passed the test. Let’s celebrate on me. Literally on me.”
“So that call wasn’t real?” I asked Collins and Vincent.
“It’s a way for me to measure how much progress Tate was having here,” Collins said. He looked over at Tate. “From Jennifer’s response, I’d say you’re doing really well. You’re capable of working as a peer counselor on your own now. That’s a record, isn’t it, Sam? You were able to only after a month. Now Tate… he’s able to after only a few weeks.”
“So Jennifer isn’t at all what she was,” Tate said, still surprised.
“No, but she really wants to meet you,” Collins said. “Maybe you’ll make a friend. Who knows. Her father works for me, and she wanted to try to break into acting.”
Tate looked over at me and said, “Sure.”
“Good,” Collins said. “Then I’m taking off for the day with Sam, while Vincent can be your company today. I have some important things to do with Sam this afternoon and maybe even this evening. Vincent can drive you and Jennifer anywhere you want to go tonight.”
Tate looked down at the note before smiling back at Collins. “In that case, I will give Jennifer a call.”
Collins grabbed my purse and jacket while leading me out of Sawyer House to his shiny new Silver Jaguar.
“I heard everything that horny little bastard said on the call,” he said. “He’s right about that advice, though. Guys at that age are thinking only with their dicks. I did, and I know Tate is.” Collins opened the passenger’s door for me for me to slip into his new car where he buckled me in before getting into the driver’s seat. He had bought this new car when he had reassigned Vincent to drive Tate around in the limo.
“I thought he did a great job talking to Jennifer,” I said.
“He did,” Collins said. “Which is why I think he and Jennifer may hit it off.”
“But all the things she said,” I said. “Do girls in high school really…”
Collins laughed. “It is true about what they say about Pastor’s kids…well, not in your case. What do you think?”
“I’m a naïve sheltered one to ask,” I said, “given that I have a history of trying to avoid anything related to sex before I met you, but I do know of some girls who are very experienced while some who aren’t.”
“So…Jennifer, well, she’s precocious, which, of course, Tate is, too.”
I nodded. I got it.
“I’m hoping that would get Tate’s mind and hands off of you,” Collins said. “I still see how he looks at you. The boy craves you like a dog craves meat. I don’t blame him, though. He takes after me, in many ways, including being highly attracted to the same woman.”
“Collins,” I said, “Please. I see Tate only as a little brother. Yours.”
“Good,” Collins said. “Because it would hurt me deeply, if you and Tate were to betray my trust in you two.”
“You don’t have to worry,” I said.
“He didn’t try to kiss you or touch you after the ‘hot’ call with Jennifer?” Collins asked.
Oh God, did Collins set up that call to test me out with Tate, too?
I couldn’t answer.
“Did he try anything?” Collins asked.
I bit my lips and said, “You already answered your own question, Collins. You know he liked me. He didn’t try to kiss me, but we did touch. We hugged, and it was for good reason, too.”
Collins turned to me and kissed me hard, his tongue dipping in to taste mine. “You are mine,” he said. “And I will spend every waking hour letting you know how much you mean to me. I brought Tate back into my life after reconsidering it before because of you…because of us. There are ghosts, demons, whatever you would call them haunting me which I have to put to rest before I can truly be free.”
“And Tate is one of them?” I asked.
“Tate is one of them.”
Chapter 5
I would never have guessed what Collins was up to when he stole me away from Sawyer House. He was unpredictable, which made everything with him so exciting.
“Where are we going?” I asked as he maneuvered the Jaguar through traffic on the highway heading straight to the airport.
Collins gestured towards the back seat of his car. There was a duffle bag and a leather jacket. “It’s a surprise.”
“So sneaky,” I said. “Is there an occasion?”
“Nope, don’t need one,” Collins said. “I don’t need one ever to treat my woman like a queen.”
“Queen?” I asked.
“Queen, of course, Sam. Every woman should be treated as a queen by her man.”
“I don’t need to be a queen,” I said. “I’m happy being me.”
“You are a queen,” Collins said, taking my hand and kissing it. “You are the Queen of my heart.”
I took his hand and kissed it right back before placing it against my cheeks, caressing it. “You’re the King of my heart, Collins,” I said softly.
Collins pulled into a parking space, got out, took the duffle out and the jacket, and came over to my side to open my door. “I want to share everything with you, Sam. I want you in my life. I want you part of my life. Tonight is just a slice of it, Sam. I hope you will enjoy it.”
“I wish you could tell me what it is,” I said, laughing.
“I would but I want to surprise you,” Collins said. “I want to see your expression tonight.”
“Okay,” I said. “But it better be good because I’m missing tonight’s re-run of Breakfast at Tiffany’s with Audrey Hepburn, and I was planning on wearing my hair up and go full dress up for it.”
Collins stared unbelievingly at me, his mouth dropping slightly open. “Really? I didn’t know you did that.”
I smiled wide and said, “Gotcha. No, sometimes I do get dressed up in fancy long dresses with Nydia and Mom to watch a movie on television. It was a memory I love because Mom was always sober for those occasions. Her favorite films were the classics…especially with Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly. Mom is such a fashionista, and I loved those films with such style.”
Collins smiled cryptically. “Those are good memories, Sam. I’m happy you have them.”
“Me too,” I said. “Mom was such a dreamer, and I’m glad she did have big dreams. Hopefully one day she will, or I will, or even Nydia will fulfill them.”
Collins nodded. “Maybe someday you all will.” He kissed me lightly on the cheeks and took my hand, leading me into a building off the side of the main airport where there were private planes parked in hangars.
We walked up to one of the hangars, and a man in an Armani suit greeted Collins. “Sir, your plane is ready.”
I glanced at Collins, and he said, “Thank you, Robert. Is everything in place?”
“Yes, sir, as you ordered,” Robert nodded. “May I escort you to your plane?”
Collins said, “Of course, Robert. Please do. And Robert, this is Miss Samantha Sullivan, my girlfriend.”
“Pleased to meet you, Miss Sullivan,” Robert said.
“Samantha, this is Captain Robert Smith,” Collins said. “He will be flying us to New York today.”
I nearly dropped my purse. “New York?” I asked. “That’s the surprise?”
Collins beamed. “That’s one of them.”
He stuck out his elbow for me to put my hand on it, and led me, while following Captain Smith to a sleek Bombardie
r Challenger jet. For some reason, I knew what kind of jet it was because of Dad’s interest in jets. How ironic, now that Dad had divorced Mom. Dad would have gotten along well with Collins with their shared interests in business and other things.
“A Bombardier Challenger, Captain Smith,” I said when I stepped into the luxurious sleek jet. “Very impressive.”
Both Collins and Captain Smith’s eyebrows rose. “Thank you, Miss Sullivan,” Captain Smith said. “Mr. McGregor only prefers the best.”
I smiled, just knowing that Captain Smith had just paid Collins and myself a compliment.
A beautiful tall blonde lady almost Collins’ height and dressed in a black sheath dress with a Hermes scarf tastefully knotted, greeted us. “Mr. McGregor and…”
“Miss Samantha Sullivan, Janna,” Collins said.
“Miss Samantha Sullivan,” the lady smiled. “Welcome. We have everything you ordered for dinner and entertainment. And your private room is well-stocked.”
She took Collins’ leather jacket and duffle bag, placed them in a closet, and led us to our seats.
Although I’ve read about them almost all my life, it was the first time I’ve been on a private jet, and it was more luxurious than I had imagined. Decorated in rich woods and cream leather with flashes of gold and silver fixtures, it was impeccably furnished like all of Collins’ places.
When Janna left to go get us drinks, I turned to Collins. “This jet…it’s yours, isn’t it?”
“I guess so,” Collins said. “Technically, it is the Collins Companies’ corporate jet, but yes, I do own it.” He took my hand and squeezed it. “So my little Valedictorian. You know a little about airplanes, do you?”
“Just having grown up reading airplane magazines that Dad had around his office at church and always visiting flight museums as a kid. I do appreciate the craftsmanship of airplanes. Knowing and deciphering how things work, had always been a fascination of mine. Does that make me less of a girl?”
Collins laughed. “No, Sam, it makes you a whole lot sexier and intriguing, that’s for sure! I love it when a woman has a genuine interest in things considered a manly sport. It’s the ultimate man’s dream…a sexy woman whom they can talk to like a guy about sports, business, or anything considered a man’s interest. Sam, going from Audrey Hepburn to talking about jets…you really are full of surprises.”
“Well, Mr. McGregor, since you are the King of my heart,” I said, pretending to bow my head, “I aim to please you, sir, in each and every way possible.” I looked up at Collins after down casting my eyes for dramatic effect, and when I saw his eyes, they were filled with a sudden hunger, along with amusement.
“Ah,” Collins said. “I can imagine so many ways that you can please me…so many delicious ways.”
His eyes looked up as Janna came back with drinks and a plate of fruit and cheese on a tray.
After she set it down, Collins said, “Eat up, Sam. I want you to have energy for what we are about to do and for tonight.”
A thrill shot through me with the way Collins’ eyes blazed at his hint of what was to come tonight or later on this afternoon, at least.
I ate up, not having had anything to eat for a while, and was about to reach for a magazine on the wall next to me when Collins handed me a box wrapped up in a Tiffany blue bow.
“For me?” I asked. “Collins, you don’t have to…”
“I want to, Sam. Plus, it’s much better than that magazine you were reaching for. Open it.”
I didn’t want to ruin the pretty bow and packaging on the box, so Collins took it and opened it for me. He then took the gift out of the box and handed it to me.
The latest brand new Kindle Fire reader that I had my eyes on.
“Here,” Collins said, taking it from my hands. He turned it on, and began showing me what it could do. “Look at the clarity of the screen,” he said. “I also bought and downloaded hundreds of kindle books for you, especially those hot romances that would get you in the mood for me and even psychology books, self-help books, cookbooks, foreign language guides…there are so many books, magazines, and even newspapers that you could read right in one small device.”
“Wow, Collins,” I said. “This is amazing. This is something I know I would use all the time…not like some fancy dress I’d wear once to a gala or an expensive necklace. I love love love this, Collins.” I threw my arms around Collins’ neck and kissed him passionately on his lips.
“It makes me happy to see you happy, Sam,” Collins said. “I know how much you are doing helping me out with Tate, and I appreciate it. I know you have your own family issues so I am doubly appreciative of you mentoring and spending time with Tate.”
“Collins,” I said. “You don’t have to buy me things to show your appreciation, though. Although I love love love my Kindle, I would help you in any way I can, without strings attached. I love you, Collins. You. Not for your money or fame, but for you. That and your hot body.”
Collins unbuckled his seatbelt and reached over to unbuckle mine before he swept me off my feet, literally, and carried me to the back of the plane where he pressed a panel in the wall, and a door slid open, revealing a private bedroom, complete with a soft bed, and a closet.
“Wow,” I said, looking around. “I didn’t know Bombardiers come with this.”
“They don’t,” Collins said. “I had this installed into the jet. I could never really sleep well in a chair, and I need a comfortable bed to get well-rested for my 18 hour days.”
He closed the door shut behind us and pushed me unto the bed with his knees. I fell back onto the softest, most luxurious bed that felt like I was floating in air. Then he was on top of me, kissing me and undressing me.
“So, this bed,” I said between kisses. “It serves to provide endless restful sleep on flights?”
“Yes,” Collins said, between kissing my mouth, my neck, and my shoulders.
“And endless amount of pleasure?”
“With you,” Collins said. “That’s what I had in mind when I installed this room a week ago.”
“So no one else had ever been with you in this room, on this bed?” I asked, hoping to not sound jealous if he had.
He kissed the hollow of my breast, while slipping off my bra. “No one else but you, Sam. You are the only one I’ll let into this room. Onto this bed. This room, this bed…it’s ours.”
Then he proceeded to show me how much he meant it, as we spent the rest of the flight in that bed.
Chapter 6
“As soon as the jet landed, Collins took my hand and led me off and into a limo that drove us to the Waldorf=Astoria where he checked us into a suite. The room was tastefully furnished, and instantly comfortable yet grand without being ostentatious.
My mother would be so impressed with this New York adventure, since it was the type of dream adventure out of a scene from her favorite movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
“Although you must still be full from the steak dinner we had on the plane,” Collins said, “we have to get ready for dinner.
“More surprises?” I asked.
“Of course,” Collins said. “This is your well-deserved New York adventure, Babe, and I intend for it to be the best first trip to New York experience you’ve ever had.”
“Okay,” I said. “I’ll get ready.”
Collins opened the closet and handed me a long black velvet and diamond dress with a halter top encrusted with diamonds, pearls, and gold beading. “How’s this dress?”
My mouth did drop then. “This dress…this beyond gorgeous dress, was in that closet?” I asked. It was the most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen, no doubt custom-made, and something out of a high-end couture fashion magazine.
Collins slipped off my clothes and slipped the dress over me. “A beautiful one-of-a-kind dress fit for my queen.” He kissed my shoulders from behind me, and buttoned the back of my dress. Once completely buttoned, he twirled me around to take a look at me.
It was more a
gush than a gasp as he took me all in. The exquisite gown clung to every curve, yet flowed gently and seductively down, emphasizing the feminine figure. It was backless, and the back dipped down low past my waist to the top of my tailbone, providing for a sexy exit as well as an elegant and sexy entrance. With it going down so low, it meant I had forego wearing any bra or underwear. I’ve never felt so exposed, yet so glamorous.
“You are stunning,” Collins said.
“Thank you,” I said. “I feel overdressed for dinner, though.”
“You’re not,” Collins said. “Listen, there’s going to be some ladies coming to our room to help you prepare while I’m getting into my tux.”
“Tux?” I asked.
Collins smiled. “Yes, my penguin suit. It’s that kind of dinner.”
“Ah huh,” I said. “The plot thickens.”
“And boils,” Collins joked. Just then the doorbell rang, and Collins went to get the door. “They’re here! Your hairstylist and makeup.” Collins greeted them. “Ladies, this is Samantha, my girlfriend. While I’m getting ready, work your magic on her. It’s her big night.”
The blonde and redhead smiled while looking appreciatively at Collins.
Probably thinking how did I get so lucky to land someone like Collins, I thought nervously, looking at their skeptical faces.
As soon as I sat in front of the vanity table and mirror, my nervousness went away, as we chatted about New York, all the sights to visit, their families, their boyfriends, and girl things. We were all suddenly each other’s best friends and favorite people.
And I looked like a fashion model. I couldn’t even recognize the sophisticated almost flawless woman staring back at me in the mirror.
The door from Collins’ room opened, and he stopped in his tracks. “Whoa,” he said. He gulped. “It is impossible. How can you get more beautiful than you are already? He came up to me and kissed me, his tongue swirling in so gently to touch mine before he pulled away to look me in the eyes. “I had to see if you’re Samantha Sullivan.” He licked his lips. “From the taste of you, I’d say it’s definitely you.”
