by Katie Dowe
Hailey had thought about that too. Bill was a very successful business man who owned a number of software companies. He had told her that his wife had been caught with a younger man, and even though that was five years ago, the broken heart was still there. His children were grown and living on their own and he lived alone in an apartment uptown. He had invited her there but she had told him not yet.
“I am not ready for that.” Hailey pulled her fingers along the moisture on the glass. She missed David, she thought with a pang. She missed his devil may care attitude and the laughs they had together. But she was pragmatic enough to know that they could never have anything more than something physical. They were worlds apart.
Her mother looked at her curiously. “You need someone who is going to love you for who you are.”
*****
“I see the old you is back,” Martha commented as her son stepped out of the pool. Her eyes wandered over to where two young ladies were lounging on blown up plastic dolphins with their hands trailing in the water. It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon and she was just back from her luncheon meeting with some friends of hers.
“Mother, you look gorgeous.” He planted a wet kiss on her cheek before going for a towel to wipe the water off his body. She had noticed that he had been moping around the house for the past week or so and had hoped that it had to do with a woman who had somehow touched his heart. “How was lunch with the gals?”
“Good.” She ran her hand briefly along his muscled arm. “Who are they, darling?”
“Friends,” he said with a grin. “Don’t worry. I am getting them out of your hair soon. We are going to the club.”
“May I speak with you for a moment inside?”
“Uh oh. Am I in trouble?” he asked with his brows raised.
She angled him a glance and turned around to walk to the house.
“I will be right back,” she heard him shout to the women.
“It’s okay, Belinda. Nothing for us. Would you see to it that we are not disturbed?” Martha said to the maid who came forward.
She went into the cool living room and sat on one of the small sofas.
“I will stand. I am still wet.” His dark blue eyes searched her face. “Mother?”
“I have spoiled you over the years.” A smile hovered around her lips. “When you were born and I saw how beautiful you were and how much like me you looked, I was in heaven! Daniel warned me against coddling you too much, but I did not listen and when I had Marissa and saw that she was also a girl it got worse.” She folded her hands together. “I love you more than I can ever tell you and that is why I am going to tell you this. Get your act together. Get involved with the company and be prepared to take over. You are not just going to be the handsome face on our products, but you are actually going to start earning your way. Marilyn works hard, too hard, and she needs you with her to maintain the company. I am stepping down shortly and I need my son to take over, but the way you are behaving now, I cannot in all honesty recommend you to do so.”
He looked at her silently for a moment and then wandered over to the window. She sat there looking at him. The air had dried the wetness from his body and his dark hair was starting to curl. He was tall and handsome and had such a perfect physique. If he had not been born with money, he could have been a successful male model. He turned back to her and folded his arms over his chest. “Are you giving me an ultimatum?”
“I was hoping it would not come to that. I don’t want to see you with different women each week. Settle down and be your age. You are David Snyder and people are watching you like a hawk. The board members think you are a joke. You are too old for gallivanting, David.”
“I met someone once,” he told her suddenly. “She was the only woman who made me ever wanted to settle down.”
“What happened?” she asked him quietly.
He shrugged and the pain came back full force. “It did not work out.” His voice had a tinge of bitterness. “I have been trying hard to forget her, but it is not working.”
“Is there any chance?”
“She does not want anything to do with me other than the physical aspect,” he said with a harsh laugh. “I supposed I am reaping what I sowed all those years. I have not touched a woman since I have been with her. I tried taking one to bed the other night and I could not.” He had forgotten that he was talking to his mother and he gazed across the room. “I am trying to forget, but it is very hard to do so.”
Martha felt the hope stirring inside her. She would love to meet this woman who did the impossible! She walked over to him. “You gave up?”
He looked down at her in surprise. “She is seeing someone else.”
“That has never stopped you before,” she said softly.
“Mother.”
“I have never heard you sound this way over anyone before, darling.” She touched his arm briefly.
“She is older than I am.”
“So?”
“She is not taking me seriously because of the age factor and who I am.”
“Then change the way she looks at you.”
“She has moved on,” he said suddenly.
“Somehow I find that very hard to believe.”
“You think I still stand a chance?” Suddenly, the hope sparked inside him and he straightened.
“I think you do,” she said with a smile. “Find this woman and fight for her, darling. You usually do not take no for an answer.”
“You are right.” His eyes so much like hers glittered as he looked down at her. “Thanks, Mother, although I have a feeling you are doing this as much for you as for me.”
“All for you, darling,” she said with a smile. “Go get your woman and find happiness. We all deserve it.”
He bent to kiss her on the cheek before moving away. “I will ask those ladies to leave.”
“Thank you.” She glanced at the slim Gessner on her wrist. “Maybe offer them a little refreshment before sending them on their way?”
He laughed at that. “Always the perfect hostess.”
“Of course.” She inclined her head and watched him head out with a spring in his step. A smile hovered around her mouth and she went upstairs and into her living room. She had a feeling it would work out!
Chapter 7
Hailey was so busy with a student that she did not see him come in. Usually, she would take the class outdoors, but it had rained earlier and beneath the huge oak tree she had her class was wet so she had decided to have it indoors. It was the last week of the summer classes and only the more mature people were in attendance. So it was no wonder they did not make a stir when he came into the room and sat at the back.
She was just walking around and looking at the paintings when she saw him sitting there. Her heart slammed into her breast as she saw him. Every turbulent feeling she had thought had disappeared from her came tumbling back in full force! He was wearing a plain black t-shirt and black denims. His hair was brushed away from his face and there was stubble on his jaw as if he had forgotten to shave. It took every ounce of professionalism in her to make her move and appeared unaffected. She walked over to him with a smile on her face. “Mr. Snyder,” she greeted him politely. Her students were busy with their drawings, but she did not take the chance of someone listening. “I am very busy-”
“I paid for the class.” He held up a receipt.
Her eyes narrowed as she looked at the paper in his hand. “The course is almost finished-”
“So they told me in admissions, but I told them I would pay for the entire thing anyway. It was an offer they could not refuse. And besides, I am a Snyder after all.”
Her lips tightened. “What do you want?”
“To learn how to paint the sunset.” His eyes met hers. “How to paint you. That cute little mole on your upper thigh maybe and the way your eyes darkened to chocolatey velvet when you are about to erupt. “
She looked around swiftly to see if anyone had heard him. “I will not
have you disrupting my class.”
“I am not going away, Hailey, so deal with it,” he told her softly. They stared at each other and she knew that he was not just talking about the class.
“No fan club with you today?” she asked him sweetly.
“Nope. Just me.”
She turned to walk away. “Where do I start?” he asked her.
She turned back to him with a forced smile on her face. “Find an empty stool and set up an easel. I will be right there.”
He was quite good and had a penchant of charming the elderly ladies there. He was quite helpful too washing out brushes and setting up props for them. By the time the class was almost finished, he was the most popular one there which was no surprise to her! She tried to ignore him, but it was too difficult and when he brushed against her as he turned to look at her she felt the electric jolt straight through her body! She had fooled herself into thinking that she could forget him but seeing him turn up in her class room had brought the feelings tumbling back and she had a dinner date with Bill tonight!
He waited until the students had all filed out from the room and helped her to pick the stuff up and put them away. “What do you want, David?” she asked him as soon as they were finished.
“You.” His dark blue eyes were direct as they looked at her.
“Too damned bad!” she said angrily, her dark brown eyes flashing. “You cannot have me.”
“I am not going to stop trying.” He forced himself not to pull her into his arms. “I was an idiot to let you get under my skin and made me mad so I gave up. I am not going anywhere.”
“I have a date with Bill tonight,” she blurted out.
He looked at her for a moment and then to her infuriation, he smiled at her. “I am not threatened by him. Go on your little date with him and fool yourself that he can replace me. I will still be here.”
“You have already been replaced,” she told him heatedly, feeling torn by his arrogance and the fact that he was here and not giving up. “I slept with him.”
He tilted her chin up to him. “It’s not in you to lie, Hailey.” He bent his head and kissed her lightly. Hailey opened her mouth to him hungrily wanting to feel his tongue deep into her throat. He pulled away from her. “Go on your date and tell him it’s over.” Without another word, he turned and walked away. Hailey looked after him angrily, her body trembling! Damn him!
******
“My dear, you are not eating. Is the salad not to your liking?” Bill asked her in concern. Hailey looked over at the attractive nature man and wished with all her heart that she could fall in love with him! She wished that she could ask him back to her apartment and let him make love to her until she forgot about him! But she knew that that would not happen!
“I had a big lunch and the heat has a way of making me lose my appetite.”
“I know what you mean.” He sighed as he dug into his own salad. “I went out for a spot of coffee earlier today and I could not believe the humidity. How was your class?’
She looked at him startled. “It was quite good actually. I am going to miss teaching it. I have two days left,” she said with a smile.
“What are you planning on doing for August?”
“I might be going to Paris.”
“I have a few weeks coming up. I would love to go with you,” he said softly.
Hailey felt ashamed for using him like this. “Bill-”
“Don’t say anything yet, my dear.” He reached out to take her slender hands in his. “I know that we agreed to take it slow, but I really like you.”
“I like you too. It’s just that-”
He lifted her hand and kissed it softly. “We don’t have to talk about it now. Let’s finish eating.”
******
He was waiting for her when she got to her apartment and this time he was standing by the door waiting for her. She had told Bill that she was fine going home by herself and had left as soon as they had finished eating. She had made the excuse that she had to prepare for classes in the morning. She dug into her pocketbook for her keys and when she looked up she saw him there.
“Go home, David.” Her heart skittered inside her breast and her skin felt clammy.
“Neither of us wants that.” He took the key from her and opened the door, holding it for her to get inside. She walked past him and stepped out of her shoes.
She turned as he locked the door behind him. “What if I had invited Bill inside?”
“I knew you would not do that.” His eyes wandered over the thin light blue cotton dress she had on. She had worn a small jacket over it and had taken it off. Her small breasts peeked over the fabric and he could feel the hunger starting inside him. “If you had, I would have to kick him out,” he whispered as he came nearer to her. “You are mine.”
“If you think that then you are a fool.” She wanted to sound authoritative but failed as her voice petered off raggedly. He slipped the straps off her shoulders and the dress fell away from her leaving her only in her small blue silk panties. His palms cupped her small breasts and watched the nipples hardened instantly.
“The body never lies,” he murmured as he bent his head to take a nipple inside his mouth.
“No,” she moaned softly. Her body ignited slowly heating up as his tongue swirled around the tight bud. Her hands came up and gripped his soft black hair tight, her body quivering with need. She had missed this so much! His mouth on her body. Oh God! What was she going to do?
He lifted his head and looked down at her. “Do you want me to leave?”
“No. Damn you!” she whispered. He picked her up and went with her into the bedroom placing her on the bed. He moved away but only to take off his clothes and join her on the bed. His hands wandered over her slender curves, taking his time as he familiarized himself with her body after staying away for so long.
“I missed you,” he said hoarsely. He was already painfully hard and his penis brushed her leg as he moved closer to her. She wanted him buried deep inside her!
He moved over her and started kissing her. His lips brushed against her cheek and then moved to feather against her lips before entering her mouth. He ravished her mouth and had her clinging to him before dragging himself away from her lips he kissed her neck and then ventured down to the hollow of her throat. He did not touch her aching nipples but went to her stomach and lingered at the small hole of her belly button. By this time, she was burning hot inside and out! She wanted more! When his mouth touched her mound, she reared up and cried out sharply. His tongue licked at her eagerly before closing over the flesh and pulling it inside his mouth. Hailey screamed! Her fingers curling into fists as her body heaved and bucked. His tongue entered her just as the orgasm ripped through her body and had her calling out his name in frenzy! He tongued her ruthlessly and it felt as if the orgasm would never end! She felt the tears flowing down her cheeks and could not identify them for what they were! He eased out of her gently and came over her. He bent his head to lick at the tears on her face gently causing more of them to come. She could not stop and she could not feel anything but him!
“Damn you,” she said shakily as she opened her eyes to look at him.
“I love you, baby,” he said softly as he looked down at her.
“Don’t!” She shuddered as he entered her slowly. “Don’t.” Her breathing was ragged as she wrapped her legs around his waist. He took her lips with lips, moving over her mouth in such a gentle way that she wanted to weep. She curled her hands around his neck and dug her fingers into his thick dark hair. He moved inside her and the momentum built up as he increased the pace. She clung to him tightly as she abandoned her reservations and her uncertainties and gave in to the incredible passion that she only found with him! He gathered her close to him and felt their bodies melded together. He wanted to make her his in every sense of the word. He wanted to wake up and see her next to him or on top of him each morning. He wanted to be with her every single day barring none and he wanted to spe
nd every moment with her.
“Come with me, baby,” he said raggedly as he dragged his mouth from hers, his heart hammering inside his chest. “I am waiting. I will always wait for you.”
“David,” she whispered as she arched her body closer to his. It was unbelievable, this passion that they shared. She could feel the orgasm building again and she moaned with the wonder of it. They came together, their cries echoing around the room as the buildup of passion exploded around them!
*******
She pushed him off her when she had the fortitude to do so. It had taken a few minutes for them to recover, but even now she was not sure she had recovered or if she ever would! He let her go knowing that she wanted a little space. He watched out of slumberous eyes as she reached for her robe and wrapped it around her slender body. Even he had been surprised by the tremendous burst of passion that had enveloped them. She walked out of the room and he had a feeling he knew where she was going. He gave her a few minutes before he went to find her. He had dragged on his pants and not bothered to button them up and he went into the little room she used as her home office to find her curled up on the sofa and looking out the window.
“I want to be alone,” she told him, without turning to look at him. Her hair was disheveled. In profile, she looked pensive and troubled.
“I think you have been alone for too long,.” He came into the room.
“What is that supposed to mean?” she asked, turning to look at him. To his shock, he saw the bright tears in her eyes.
He came and kneeled in front of her. “I don’t want either of us to ever be alone again,” he told her softly.
“You have never been alone,” she sneered at him.
“That’s not true. You can be in a crowd and still be alone,” he told her softly. He wanted to pull her and cradle her in his arms, but he was not sure she would appreciate it just yet. “I need you in my life, Hailey, and you need me-”
“Stop!” She sprang up from the sofa and stepped past him. “We don’t belong together. Don’t you get it? I am forty-five years old. I am past my prime. I am not able to give birth because my biological clock stopped ticking some years ago. You are David Snyder, heir to a vast fortune, and you expect to have children. I cannot give that to you!” She buried her face in her hands and stumbled backwards. He got to his feet and came to catch her before she could fall. She tried to resist him, but he held her firmly and burying her face in his bare chest, she allowed the tears to fall!
