by Sorcha Grace
He looked at me. “Catherine, I want to share everything. If that’s what it’s going to take, ask me anything.” He was back to kissing my neck, and I felt his morning hardness press against my leg. It would be easy to give into temptation and let the issue drop, but I couldn’t. It was too important.
“You said I could ask you anything. I want to know who was on the phone last night.”
His body went still, and he ceased nuzzling. He rose on his elbows and looked me straight in the eye. “George.”
I waited, but when he didn’t go on, I realized he wasn’t elaborating. “George? At one in the morning?”
“We’ve had a security issue,” he said, his voice clipped. I imagined this was what he sounded like when involved in business negotiations. “George is taking care of it. That’s what he does. He’s good at his job, but it’s important to be kept up-to-speed on what’s happening. Even if that means phone calls in the middle of the night.”
A ball of concern formed in the pit of my stomach. I sometimes forgot how rich and powerful William was and how dangerous his position could be. “Should I be worried?”
“No, Catherine. You definitely should not be worried. More questions?” His eyes flashed stormy grey.
I was trying his patience, but who knew when I’d get another chance? “What’s the story with you and Lara Kendall?”
William groaned and lowered his head. “Seriously Catherine? Can’t you feel this?” He pushed his rock-hard erection against me. “You make me so damn hard. All I want is to bury myself in you. Only you, Catherine. Lara Kendall means nothing. We went out a few times. She’s a social-climbing dilettante who went to school with one of my cousins. We were never serious. If you keep making me talk about her, this is going away. I guarantee it.” He moved his hips, pressing his hard-on against me.
I felt my body respond, but I wasn’t ready to give in. It was fun keeping William at bay, seeing his impatience. “Did you sleep with her?”
“No. I did not.” He tickled me playfully, but I could see he didn’t enjoy the question. His expression was serious, his tone authoritative. “That’s enough.” He nipped my shoulder. “No more talking. No more questions.” His mouth trailed to my breasts. “I need to be inside you. Now.”
I was more than ready, and when he entered me, I forgot every other question—everything but William and me and our own little world.
*****
We spent most of the morning in bed. It was wonderful not having to be anywhere or talk to anyone—to just exist in our cocoon. Wrapped up in one another, we enjoyed being back together. The day was full of possibilities.
I finally managed to crawl out of bed and take a shower.
A few minutes later, as I lathered my body with shower gel, the shower door opened, and William joined me. “Now this is a lovely sight,” he said.
I laughed. “You’ve seen me naked for the last twelve hours.”
“That’s how I like you best.” He was hard again, and I was truly amazed. The man had admirable stamina. He kissed me, sliding his wet hands up my soapy back and over my slick breasts.
“I want this to be slow,” he said, “but I need you now.”
“Fast is good,” I said, breathlessly. “I want you inside me.”
He groaned again, and he lifted me and pushed me against the wall. I wrapped my legs around him, feeling his hardness pressed intimately against me. He rocked against me, once, twice, and my desire was so great I had to bite my lip to keep from begging. His mouth captured mine, his hands cupping my face, touching me as though he couldn’t believe I was there. I rubbed my slick hands over his shoulders, feeling the combination of muscle and sinew beneath my fingertips. I caught our reflection in the bathroom mirror and marveled at my flushed face and his strong, powerful back and legs.
His mouth curved over my jaw, and his lips skated over the sensitive flesh of my neck. The gruff sound of need he made when his lips reached my breasts made me wet. His mouth worked on me, sucking, laving, teasing until I was panting and close to coming.
“Not yet.”
“What happened to fast and hard? I want you, William.” I rocked against him to prove my point, and his hands tightened on my breasts then slid to my thighs. I shivered and rubbed my hands down his chest. All those 4:00 a.m. workouts had paid off. I ran my fingers over the ridges of muscle and saw his control waver momentarily. The hot water from the shower warmed us and made our bodies slide against one another.
In the mirror, I could see my hands skate down the sleek, bronze skin of his back. His hands on my thighs tightened and slid upward. He stroked me, slowly working his way up until he brushed my sex.
I moaned as his fingers slid into me. I clenched around him as he thrust hard then pulled back and circled my clit. I could feel the first stirrings of my orgasm building.
“You want it, don’t you?” he said against my ear. His fingers slid inside me again. “Go ahead. Come.”
I did. I arched hard, pressing myself against his fingers as he slammed them into me until I cried out and shattered.
“My turn.” He adjusted the way he held me, and in the mirror I saw the muscles of his ass flex as he pushed against me. I throbbed, and I made a mewling sound. His hand cupped me again then moved away until I could feel him hot and hard, resting against me. He rubbed the tip of his cock on my sex, and I almost came again. “Patience,” he demanded. “I’ll make the wait worth it.”
Slowly, he filled me until I was impaled and blinded with pleasure. He rocked me against the wall, and I whimpered.
“More?” he asked.
“Yes. Please.”
He slid in and out, filling me so completely I didn’t think I could take it. I watched his buttocks flex in the mirror as he thrust inside. I felt him swell as he all but lifted me with a final thrust. His hand came between us, his finger pressing against my clit, and I exploded again as I felt him come. He called out, pushing me against the wall.
Finally, he lowered his head, resting his forehead on my shoulder. “Catherine.” It was a plea and a prayer.
The water had turned lukewarm, but neither of us had the energy to turn the knob toward hot for several minutes. We adjusted the temperature, rinsed off, and stepped from the shower. I should have been exhausted after so little sleep and so much sex, but I felt energized. I wrapped the robe around me and dried my hair, and when I emerged, William was standing beside the bed, dressed in dark pants and a sweater. I opened my mouth to ask where his clothes had come from, but then I saw the divan. He had an outfit laid out, and his eyes were on my face, gauging my reaction.
I smiled and lifted the lovely green cashmere wrap-dress. Along with it were cable-knit tights, buttery soft riding boots, a charcoal cashmere coat with fur trim…and, of course, gloves. He had not forgotten the lingerie. In a small box filled with tissue paper were a matching ivory lace bra and panties.
“William,” I breathed. “Thank you. This is so thoughtful.”
“Do you like it?” he asked.
“I love it.”
I did have reservations. None of this was what I would have picked for myself, but he had been right about the red gown. I would give this a chance. And, not surprisingly, once I was dressed, I felt comfortable, as though I’d had this outfit for years. I studied myself in the dresser mirror and smiled. I looked sophisticated and elegant.
I didn’t know how he managed to choose the right style and do it without seeing me in the clothes. He really did have exceptional fashion sense.
“You look beautiful, Catherine,” he said, when he saw me. “Breakfast?”
While I’d dressed, he’d ordered room service. I was, once again, ravenous.
When we finished eating, he asked, “Are you ready to go?”
“Yes.”
We would return to my apartment to check on Laird, but after that we had no specific plans. These were the kind of days I loved—days where anything was possible. We took the elevator down, holding hands, and th
ere was a black Range Rover waiting at the valet station. I waited for Anthony to emerge, but William opened the door for me and then climbed in the driver’s side. This was a first. I’d never seen him drive. I suspected he did it well, like everything else.
We pulled out of the hotel and drove up Lake Shore Drive, heading north. William held my hand in a casual way.
As I looked at the frozen lake, I knew today I would tell him my feelings. I had to find the right moment. I could spot blue open water past the icy shore. There wasn’t snow on the ground, but it was bitterly cold. The weather app on my phone read twenty-one. It was too cold to spend much time outdoors, and there were more clouds than sun, and the temperature was not predicted to warm. We’d already spent much of the day inside.
“What would you like to do, Catherine?”
I leaned my head on the seat rest and looked at him. “How do you usually entertain your girlfriends?” I spoke mostly in jest, but William didn’t smile.
“I told you—I don’t have girlfriends. But I now have a girlfriend.” He looked at me with a smile. “What you would like to do, girlfriend?”
I laughed. “Well, boyfriend, it’s your job to come up with ideas. If you don’t have any, I might think of something. Do you feel like a drive?”
“Where do you want to go?”
“There’s an exhibit I’ve been dying to see.”
“At the MCA?”
“No, in Milwaukee.”
He nodded. “That’s a good idea. It’s a great museum. And I know a perfect place to hit for an early dinner. You’ll love it.” He squeezed my hand and laughed. “We’re going to Wisconsin.”
I laughed as well. The trip was unexpected and impulsive. I loved it.
A little while later William parked on the street across from my condo. We walked over, hand in hand, and I spotted Hans and Minerva as we entered the vestibule.
“Catherine, dear! Hello!” Minerva called.
“Hi.” I turned to William, gesturing. “Hans and Minerva Himmler, this is William Lambourne.”
“It’s lovely to see you again,” Minerva said, giving William a kiss on the cheek. I could tell the gesture surprised him. Hans shook William’s hand and said something about having heard all about him.
“You’ve set the bar high for us men,” Hans said with a smile.
“And why not!” Minerva said. She gave me a knowing smile. “Any man who would cook you a meal is one worth holding on to. Don’t let this one go, Catherine. Especially because he’s so good-looking.” She winked.
I laughed and gave Minerva a warm hug. As we embraced, Minerva whispered, “I’m so glad to see you happy.”
It felt good to be happy.
William and I headed upstairs, and I unlocked my door. Laird wagged his tail and jumped with excitement, calming when I gave the order, then exposed his belly for rubbing. He eyed William warily, but that was a step up from his response to people he didn’t know well. That response involved barking incessantly and cornering my guest.
“Beckett?” I called. No answer, so I headed into the kitchen. There was the evidence of Beckett’s culinary sleepover—a half-dozen cupcakes on the counter along with a note.
My latest creation: New York cheesecake cupcakes with berry compote filling. Decadent, sexy, and perfect with champagne. Hope you’re not eating alone! XO, B.
I squealed with delight. “Oh, my God! These are my favorite!” I snatched one and tasted it, closing my eyes at the delicious flavor. “So good.”
“What’s going on?” William asked, walking into the kitchen.
“Beckett stayed over last night to bake in the AGA and watch Laird.” I took another bite, unable to resist. “He left me these cupcakes, and they are to die for,” I mumbled.
William raised a brow. He’d never seen me so enthusiastic about food, but he’d be a convert when he tried one. “Here, taste this,” I said and fed him a bite. He took it, licking my fingers as I placed the morsel in his mouth.
His eyes widened. “This is delicious. Beckett made these?”
“Yeah, aren’t they great? I know cupcakes are cliché these days, but this isn’t all he can do. He’s an amazing baker.” I took another bite, polishing the cupcake off.
William looked thoughtful. “Beckett? That’s interesting.”
“How so?” I eyed the cupcakes, deciding whether I should eat another now or later.
“I’ve been thinking about a dessert endeavor.” William lifted a cupcake and ate another bite. “These are good. Oh, I almost forgot. I have something for you.”
“A present?” I asked.
He’d left half the cupcake uneaten, and I wondered if he was going to finish it. If not, maybe I could…
“You might say that.” He reached into his coat and pulled out a monogrammed handkerchief. Setting it on the counter, he carefully opened it. I forgot about the cupcakes when I saw the Patek Philippe watch he’d given me upon returning from London. I’d left it at his penthouse when we broke up. Beside the Patek Philippe was my ugly Walgreens watch. “I didn’t know what to do with these, so I thought I’d ask. What time is it, Catherine? Is it…”He glanced at the Patek Philippe. “Eleven forty-two? Or is it…” He looked at my black plastic watch. “Is that eleven fifty-eight? It’s hard to tell if that’s an eight or three.”
I slapped him playfully.
“Which one?” He dangled both watches in front of me.
“William, I know what time it is. It’s morning. And it’s before noon. I think that’s good enough. Not everything needs to be exact. And don’t make fun of my plastic watch. I’ve had that one for four months now, and it’s done a good job.”
“I imagine a fine Swiss timepiece from your boyfriend will do a better job. May I?” He gestured to my wrist. I held my arm out, and he slid the watch on and closed the delicate clasp. There was a jolt of electricity between us, even in a gesture as simple as this. I felt the connection coursing through me.
“I’d like you to look at this at precisely eleven forty-two every morning and think about me touching you… like this.” He leaned close and kissed my neck, making me shiver. “Like this…” His hand drifted down and gently caressed my breast. My nipple was instantly hard beneath his hand. “And like this…” His hand traveled leisurely down my body, leaving a path of heat wherever he touched.
Finally, he delved between my legs, cupping me, and rubbing my sex. He must have felt scorching warmth emanating from my core, even through the material of the dress and my tights.
“Every morning, think about my touch, Catherine.”
“William….” I blushed, feeling a familiar stirring. Of course, I knew, despite my embarrassment, I would do exactly as he asked.
“I have something for you too,” I said with a smile. I took my plastic watch from the counter and said in the same tone he’d used a moment ago, “Hold out your hand.”
With a bemused expression, he held out his left wrist, on which he already sported an impressive Rolex.
“No, the other arm.”
He offered his right arm, and I strapped on my cheap watch. It suited him, as it was a man’s style. I was a little surprised William went along with this. He probably found it amusing. He had a wicked grin on his face.
“I want you to look at this at least once every day,” I said, “and realize that you don’t always have to be on time. I just want to know where you are.”
William laughed, throwing his head back. He gave me a deep, genuine smile. “What are you doing to me, silly girl?”
“Exactly what you do to me. Will you promise?”
He shook his head. “I adore you, Catherine Kelly. Yes, I will do as you ask. I promise.”
I hadn’t thought about the gesture, but it suddenly meant a lot that he had accepted it and promised. I was giddy with the closeness I felt, the love I felt. William pulled me to him, embracing me, and whispering, “ I love it. Thank you.” His mouth found mine, and he kissed me deeply, showing me how much my s
mall gesture meant.
“Maybe I should give you cheap gifts more often.” I looked into his eyes and knew this was the moment. I wanted to tell him. William, I love you.
He kissed me again, passionately, his hands running up and down my back. Perhaps we wouldn’t make that trip to Milwaukee after all...
Then, I felt something vibrate against my arm and pulled back.
“Damn,” William said, pulling his phone from his coat pocket. He glanced at it and stepped back. “Shit. I have to take this. Yes?” Holding the phone to his ear, he walked from the kitchen into my living room.
All the happiness and pleasure I’d felt drained out. The day had been perfect so far. Finally, I’d been happy—happier than I had been in so long. I’d been content, and I’d felt safe with William. I didn’t want it to end.
I looked at the beautiful watch William had given me. It was a perfect reminder of him. My gaze traveled to the remains of the cupcake William had been eating. I could hear him speaking in a low voice, so I took a bite. Laird had followed us into the kitchen and wagged his tail hopefully, so I fed him a morsel.
“Pretty good, isn’t it?” I said. “Want more?”
I tried not to eavesdrop on William’s conversation, but it was difficult not to hear. His voice rose. “Damn it! I can’t.”
I froze, listening now.
“Now is not a good time.” There was a long pause. I wondered what the person on the other end was saying. Was it George? Someone else?
“Are you sure?” William sighed loudly. “No, it’s has to be me. I’ll go myself. It’s the only way.” Another pause. “I understand. I’ll call you from the jet.”
I clenched the counter as my stomach dropped. The jet? He was leaving? Now? Hadn’t we talked about this? Hadn’t he said he’d keep me informed?
And what about our day—our plans? I didn’t know how this relationship would work if it was always like this—if I would always take a backseat to William’s demands.
William strode into the kitchen. He’d been running a hand through his hair in frustration. It was tousled and going in all directions. His jaw was set, his eyes steel grey and somber. “Catherine…”
