“Only the best Thai food in New York! You won’t be disappointed.”
We get up and share the food she brought. I crack open a couple beers and hand her one. It’s comfortable being here with her. I like the way she tucks one foot under herself on the chair when we sit down to eat, and the way she tucks her hair behind her ear before taking a bite. It’s like she’s just as comfortable with me as I am with her.
I never thought I’d want this, never thought I’d actually look forward to spending time with one woman so much. She laughs at something I say and her face lights up, eyes crinkling a little bit at the corner. My heart beats a little bit harder and I wish I could bottle some of that laugh and take a sip of it whenever I’m feeling down.
I wonder what this feeling is, why my heart feels light. And then it hits me: I’m happy.
“I still don’t think you should sell this place,” she says to me. “It’s too perfect. And you worked so hard on it. Can’t you go to Seattle and keep it, at least for a little while? Rent it out or something?”
“I hadn’t really considered that. I kind of just wanted a clean break. There’s nothing holding me in New York anymore.”
“Anymore? What happened?”
“Nothing. What is this, the Spanish Inquisition?!”
She laughs that gorgeous laugh again. “Fine, sell it, but make sure you sell it to one of my clients because I wouldn’t mind the commission.”
We sit on the couch together and I put on one of the movies I chose. I look at her sideways and notice a freckle on her neck, right below her ear. I lean over and kiss it without thinking. She giggles and turns her head towards me, finding my lips and kissing me softly. The movie starts up and she turns towards it.
“Oh! Pulp Fiction! One of my favourites!” she exclaims. I look over at her in surprise.
“Really?! Me too. Girls don’t usually like this movie. I thought you’d want to watch The Notebook or something.”
“Girls don’t usually like this movie?! What kind of girls?! I thought you weren’t a ‘hang out on the couch and watch movies with a girl’ kind of guy. And plus, The Notebook is a classic and I’d appreciate it if you spoke about it with respect.” She nudges me in the ribs with her elbow and I laugh. I put my arm around her and we settle in for the movie.
I didn’t know I could be so content just sitting in my apartment on a Saturday night.
Chapter 29 - Valerie
I leave Clay’s apartment early Monday morning, and I need to rush home to get changed before going to work. What a weekend. I didn’t think I’d stay over all day Sunday but I didn’t want to leave, and he didn’t want me to either. All we did was talk and laugh and fuck and eat and sleep. I wish I could spend every day that way. It’s so nice to be around him, we fit so well together and have been instantly comfortable around each other.
My heart is soaring as I head to work, and I can’t stop smiling. I should be angry or disappointed that the sale didn’t go through this weekend, but I don’t care. I’ll get another sale somehow. I still have time to make it to the top of the sales board. Right now I’m just enjoying the feeling of knowing I’ll be seeing Clay again tonight.
Maybe things are moving too fast. He did say he was moving to Seattle soon, and I have no interest in being in a long distance relationship. It’s just so easy, so nice to be around him. We like all the same movies and shows, we laugh at the same things. I’ve never clicked with someone so easily.
And of course, I’ve never had orgasms before him and I’m not sure anyone could give me one after. It’s like he knows my body better than I know it myself. I’m still just exploring my own body with him, discovering new sensations and new sensitive spots with Clay’s help. Just the thought of his hands on me makes the blood rush to my centre and I can feel the wetness growing inside me.
I pull into the work parking lot and feel like I should have brought a change of underwear. My phone buzzes.
You miss me yet?
I smile. It’s like he knew that I was thinking about him, that I wanted to feel his touch.
Was just thinking how much I want your hands all over me.
I have a surprise for you tonight. Come by my place when you finish up at work.
A surprise! I wonder what he has in store. I’m buzzing today, getting things done that I’ve been putting off and even closing a small sale. Things are going well. Chris emails me apologising for the mix-up on the weekend. I smile as I read his apology. If only he knew that the mix-up was the best thing to happen to me in months, maybe even years. I respond as graciously as I can without telling him anything about my personal life.
If anyone found out I’d slept with a potential seller it would be the end of my career. I’m sure if anyone found out he slept with a patient it would be the end of his. We’re both playing with fire, but the heat feels too good.
Anytime my thoughts flick back to Clay I can feel the blood rushing down between my legs. I didn’t know someone could have such an effect on me. It’s not just the sex though, it’s nice to be around him and laughing with him. He has a calming influence, even when he’s making me as excited as I’ve ever been.
I need to remind myself he’s leaving soon, and I shouldn’t get too attached.
Five o’clock finally hits and I jump out of my desk. It’s nice to have something to look forward to after work. I rush home to shower and change into my favourite tight jeans and head over to SoHo to see Clay. I don’t remember the last time I was this excited to see someone. A small part of my brain is screaming at me to be careful, to take it slow, but how can I take it slow with him! All I want to do is be next to him. I shove those thoughts away, to the back of my brain. Right now all I want is him.
He opens the door as if he was standing there waiting for me. I rush towards him and he wraps his arms around me, holding me close to him. I can feel his hands sliding down my back as I lift my lips towards him. There’s no need for words. I already feel wet with desire, and spending all day at work thinking about it hasn’t made it any easier. His strong, muscular body is wrapped around mine as he pulls me into his apartment, kicking the door closed behind me. He puts his hands on my waist and lifts me up, placing me down on the kitchen island next to us.
My feet are dangling off the edge and I wrap them around his hips. He pulls my ass closer to him and kisses me again, crushing his lips into mine and letting our tongues dance between them. I tangle my fingers into his hair and pull him closer to me, and then reach down and unbutton his jeans. I slide them down his thighs frantically and he helps me to drop them the rest of the way.
His cock is hard, pressed up against the waistband of his boxers. I stroke it gently through the fabric as he kisses me, and his moans slip through our kiss. He slides his hands over my waist and up towards my breasts, cupping them in his hands as I stroke him. Then his hands slide back down and it’s his turn to undress me. In an instant I’m sitting on his kitchen counter with nothing on below the waist.
He reaches down to his jeans and pulls out a condom. He doesn’t even bother taking his boxers off, just flips his cock out and rolls the condom on. My heart is pounding as I watch him, my opening flooded with my desire. I’ve never wanted anything as badly as his cock inside me. He grabs me by the ass and pulls me to the edge of the island towards him. In one smooth stroke, his cock glides inside me and I moan with pleasure.
His cock fits perfectly inside me, and it feels like his hands are exactly where they are meant to be. Every touch of his fingers sends sparks down my spine and I wrap myself around him, trying to get closer, deeper.
He grunts as he thrusts into me harder. He’s being more rough than this weekend and I’m loving it. All I’ve been thinking about all day is his hard cock rammed inside me. He grinds his cock into me harder, and his eyes are half-closed with pure desire.
My arms fall back and I lean back on my elbows, letting him support my ass as he thrusts deeper. Every time his cock enters me it sends a shockw
ave through my body. My moans turn to screams but I don’t care. He’s grunting with every thrust and the look on his face is a laser focus on my body. He looks down at his cock sliding in and out of me and lets out a breathy moan.
The sound travels through me and I feel myself teetering on the edge of orgasm. I slide my hand towards my bud and tentatively touch myself. It’s the first time I’ve ever touched myself in front of someone. Clay moans as he watches me and my tentativeness disappears. He thrusts his cock inside me and I circle and rub my clit until I feel myself letting go.
My body erupts, explodes, contracts. I can feel my pussy contracting around his
cock, gripping it tightly as he moves it in and out of me. My screams get louder as I come, mixing with his moans of pleasure. He pulls me ever closer and my whole body shakes like a rag doll until he fills the condom with his seed. With a shudder he stops and we stay motionless for a second.
He pulls himself out of me and my legs fall down. I lay back on the island, needing a moment to recover. Once again my head is spinning and I can’t speak for a few moments.
I take the opportunity to watch Clay. I look at the man who has been able to make me come all weekend and watch the way he moves. His huge body is almost graceful as he gets rid of the condom and pulls his boxers and pants back on. I love watching the way his muscles contract and ripple under his skin, the way his shoulder blades move on his back. I could just lie here and watch him all night.
He turns towards me and helps to lift me off the island. I slip to the ground and wrap my arms around his neck.
“So was that my surprise?” I ask with a grin. He looks over at me sideways.
“Get dressed, sexy. I’m taking you to my secret place.”
“You’ve already taken me to my secret place today so I’m happy.”
He laughs and plants a kiss on my lips, and then motions for me to get dressed. I wonder what his secret place is?
Chapter 30 - Clay
I wasn’t planning on fucking like animals the minute she walked in, but how could I resist when I saw her. She’s the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen. I watch her as she slips her shirt back on, the way her tits move up her chest and then back down. It’s not right for something to feel this good.
She’s dressed and turns to me expectantly. I grab her by the hand and pull her through the front door, closing it behind me.
“Where are we going? Am I dressed okay? If I’d have known we were going out I would have dressed up a bit more.”
“Shh, Val. You look perfect. Too many questions.”
“I think you like it when I pester you with questions,” she says with a grin.
I pull her along the hallway past the elevators. At the end of the hall there’s a heavy metal door. I push it open and let her step through. We go up a flight of stairs to another doorway that Val pushes open herself. I hear her gasp as we step out onto the roof.
It’s my favourite view of the city. A clear view of the skyline, the cars and people rushing below. It’s my oasis. I built a small deck up here and have a table set up with two places set. I walk over, light the candles I’ve prepared and open a bottle of wine. Val’s eyes are wide as she takes it all in.
“You did all this? You did all this for me?”
I say nothing, only pour her some wine and pull out the appetisers I’d prepared earlier. It’s simple, just some smoked salmon and capers with some bread, but she seems impressed.
We share the food and she looks around at the lights of the city with stars in her eyes.
“It’s beautiful up here,” she says dreamily. “This wasn’t advertised on the listing, it would be a major selling point.”
“I love coming here. I haven’t technically got planning approval for a deck up here, but I built it anyways. No one’s complained so it’s been my secret spot for the past few years. It’s where I come when I need some space from the city.”
“You built this?! It’s amazing. And this food!” She groans in in approval and my cock twitches in my pants. I watch her for a moment and then jump up.
“Food! Shit!” I get up, almost knocking over my glass of wine and rush downstairs. I pull out the roast beef from the oven and thankfully it’s not overcooked. Our little romp on the kitchen counter delayed my serving dinner, but it looks okay. I dish up a couple plates and bring them up to Valerie.
“Clay, this looks perfect. This is perfect. I couldn’t ask for a better evening.”
“I’ve really enjoyed spending the past couple days with you, Val. More than I’ve enjoyed the past couple years on my own. You’re making me rethink my whole attitude.”
“What’s your attitude?” She’s taking a sip of wine but I can tell by the way she’s looking at me that she’s curious. I sigh.
“You know, just… wanting to be on my own. Putting my career above everything else.”
“Career is important,” she says slowly. “I’ve also been putting my career first. I don’t think it’s necessarily an either/or, if that’s what you’re saying.”
“I just… I guess I didn’t think I would enjoy this.”
She cocks her head to the side and looks at me quizzically but says nothing for a few moments. I look at the way the candlelight flickers over her face and I feel my heart swell in my chest. I don’t want to fight that feeling right now, I just want to enjoy it. I can tell myself to let her go later, when I move. Right now I just want to sit across from this beautiful creature and enjoy her company. She opens her mouth to speak.
“You know, I was with my ex for four years. I thought we’d end up together, married, kids, the whole nine yards. But then I realised it wasn’t what I wanted. He wasn’t what I wanted.” She pauses. “When we broke up I thought my life was over, like I had to start back up at zero. I haven’t been with anyone since then. Until you.” Her eyes look up to mine. “I didn’t think I wanted this either, but it just feels so right to be with you. I can’t explain it.”
I lift my glass and we cheers together.
“Let’s not think about it too hard,” I say. “I just want to enjoy this.”
She smiles. “Agreed,” she says.
I can’t believe how nice it feels to be open with someone, to tell her what I’m thinking and how I feel. I haven’t been able to do that, not since my ex. She mentioned her ex as well, and I’m desperate to ask what happened but I don’t want to pry. I don’t want to go telling her all about my past either. Not yet.
We sit in a comfortable silence on the roof, enjoying our food. I clear the plates away and pour some more wine for her, and then pull out my favourite cheesecake from the bakery down the road.
“Not bad for a Monday night,” she laughs.
We eat and laugh and talk until I see her shiver. “Let’s go inside,” I say. “It’s getting cold.”
And plus, I can’t wait to lie down next to her again and hold her in my arms. I’m not even thinking about sex right now, I just want to feel her heartbeat and the heat of her body next to mine. We clear the table and go back downstairs. We do the dishes together and then head towards the bedroom. My heart is at peace.
Chapter 31 - Valerie
It’s Thursday already, the week is flying by. Clay and I have been spending every evening together and I look forward to it every day. My follow-up doctor’s appointment is today so I get ready to leave work a bit early. Just as I’m stepping out the door to leave, I hear my phone ringing in my purse. It’s Emma.
“Val! Where have you been?! I don’t mean to interrupt the fuckfest that I’m sure you’re having with your hot new doctor but need I remind you that you have a best friend and that that best friend is currently languishing in this city all on her own?!”
“Hey Emma,” I chuckle. She does have a penchant for the dramatic. “How have you been? Let’s catch up, maybe this weekend? I could introduce you to the doctor.”
“Fucking finally!” She exclaims. She’s got a mouth like a sailor, I think.
“How about Saturday brunch again? You can fill me in on your week then too.”
“Sounds perfect. Love you Val, see you then.”
“Love you too Em.”
I hang up the phone and smile before the realisation hits me that Clay might not want to meet her. He’s always talking about just enjoying the moment, not taking things too fast. Maybe introducing him to my friends is moving too fast. I need to keep reminding myself that he’s leaving. Sure, it’s not confirmed yet but he’s always said his career comes first. I get that, my career comes first too.
I’ll have to talk to him tonight when I see him, and ask if he’d like to meet her. It seemed so natural to me, to set up the brunch but he might hate the idea! We have an understanding that this is just enjoying the present, taking it slow. We both have careers that aren’t going to take a backseat to a relationship. I’m just going to have to wait and see what he says, and bring it up as casually as possible.
I head over to the doctor’s office and I wonder if I’ll run into Clay. He knows I have an appointment with Doctor Sherry today but I’m sure he’s busy with other patients. I don’t have to wait long until an older woman in a white doctor’s coat comes out to the waiting room. She’s got pure white hair but her face doesn’t have too many wrinkles. Her pink lipstick and thick-rimmed glasses make me think she’s got a big personality. She has a warm smile when she sees me and immediately makes me feel at ease.
“Are you Valerie?”
“Yes,” I respond, getting out of my chair.
“Follow me.” She has a really kind voice, like a grandmother or an aunt would have. I am not surprised to see her at one of the top medical practices in the city, she’s instantly made me more comfortable.
She leads me down the same hallway that Clay’s office is on. I glance at his door and see his name: Dr. Clay O’Neill. Even knowing he’s in there makes my heart jump a little bit.
Swear to Me_A Second Chance Mountain Man Romance Page 27
