by Sorcha Grace
My head slowly cleared enough that I figured out where to find the section that housed books on lighting techniques and special effects photography. I stopped in the photography section and began to read the book titles. Asa loitered nearby. I supposed something nefarious could happen in the Russian history section or maybe in the deserted aisles with the volumes on building codes. I was done taking chances, and I was glad Asa was ready for any eventuality.
I pulled out a book on photography techniques and started paging through it. Nothing. I shelved it and grabbed another. I flipped pages, then replaced it too. I flipped through at least five books before I found a promising chapter heading in one of the technical books. I paged to the chapter and smiled. This was exactly what I was looking for—a detailed description of how one photographer pulled off the very shoot I’d been tasked with achieving. I scanned the account of the photographer’s experience with the elusive champagne cork pop and realized I was going to need all sorts of props. I thought about digging in my bag for a pen and paper to jot them down and then decided I could use my neglected library card and just check the book out. I made a mental note to let William know that I’d need, at minimum, a plastic tarp, PVC pipe, and a laser timer.
“Would you like me to carry that for you, Miss Kelly?” Asa asked, nodding toward the book in my hand. It wasn’t a particularly big book, but it was a sweet gesture.
“Okay, I guess,” I said. I handed the book over and watched him tuck it under his massive, muscled arm. “Thanks,” I added.
“No problem. Which way now?”
“The circulation desk? I need to check out.”
“Lead the way. I’ll follow you.”
I headed back through the tall stacks and toward the stairs to the first floor and the check-out desk. On the way, I spotted a bank of computers. Asa was right behind me, and since I wanted a moment of privacy, I said, “I just need to check one thing, Asa. Could you give me a sec?”
He nodded and moved to the opposite side of the room, enough space to give me breathing room. I sat at one of the available computers and logged in using my library card number. I clicked out of the card catalog and onto the internet, then pulled up Google. I glanced over my shoulder. Asa was still standing in the same spot. I took a breath and typed in: Can I be pregnant with an IUD?
Bile rose in my throat, and my belly churned. I pressed my lips together, hit Search, and watched the results come up on the screen.
* * *
Once I’d checked out my book and was settled again the back of the SUV, I heard myself say, “Asa, can we make a quick stop at Walgreens before we go back to the penthouse?”
“Of course, Miss Kelly.”
Nineteen
At the last minute, I talked myself out of it. The closer we got to Walgreens, the clearer it was that I was majorly overreacting. My life had literally become a crazy mess lately so no wonder Aunt Flo was a little delayed. Being supervised 24/7 by my boyfriend’s armed guards was more than a little stress inducing.
What I really needed was to stop panicking, start taking care of myself, and get my life back to normal. So I told Asa to skip the drugstore and take me directly home. Then I pulled out my phone and texted Beckett.
How about hot yoga tomorrow? Know it’s a longshot...
It had been weeks since Beckett and I had gone to hot yoga and an hour or so of Saturday morning sweaty centeredness was exactly what I needed. What we needed.
He responded immediately. Can’t in the am + too tired. Lunch @ noon instead?
Ok, I texted. I’ll yoga and meet you after. Spanglish? Need a taco fix.
Spanglish Mexican Kitchen was a casual little taqueria in the South Loop, and I loved their tacos. I loved tacos, period.
Done. See you manana. XO
I put my phone back in my purse then pulled off my scarf and opened my coat. It was freezing outside, but I was suddenly too warm. I could feel beads of perspiration breaking out on my forehead, so I pressed the button on the door to open the window. It didn’t budge. Shit. I was sure child locks in the backseat were another of William’s security measures.
“Asa, can you turn the heat down back here? I’m roasting.”
“Sure thing, Miss Kelly. Sorry about that.”
I watched as he leaned forward and adjusted a dial on the center console.
“It should cool down in a minute.”
A refreshing blast of air washed over me, and I leaned my head back and closed my eyes. I knew that getting my butt up and out of bed tomorrow morning for yoga was going to suck, especially since William would be in that bed. Even if I was pissed at him about the party, one look from him was all it would take to derail my plans, but I’d have to stand my ground. I needed some me time.
“Are you more comfortable now, Miss Kelly?” Asa’s question startled me out of my thoughts.
“Much better. Thanks.”
I wondered if I should bring an extra mat for Asa tomorrow. An image of my big, burly protector going through the Bikram posture sequence alongside me popped into my head. This was getting ridiculous. I hoped Asa liked tacos, because he would inevitably be joining Beckett and me for lunch too.
* * *
George Graham walked out of William’s building just as I was walking up. His coat was slung over his arm, and he had car keys in his hand.
“Hi George.”
“Hi Miss Kelly.” George’s granite expression looked even more stony than usual.
“Is everything alright?”
“Just fine, Miss Kelly.”
Something about George’s extra-steeliness didn’t feel right at all, and my heart started racing in response. So much for my moment of calm in the car.
“Is William home?”
“He is, Miss Kelly.”
Once upstairs, I strode through the penthouse’s oversized rooms, a little panicked and looking for William. I finally found him in his enormous closet in the master suite. He turned as I walked in, as though he’d been expecting me.
“Hey, love,” he said, coming over to greet me with a kiss. Circumstances aside, I loved that I got to come home to this man every day.
“Hi.” I leaned against the door after William released me. I eyed him suspiciously. He was in workout clothes—a black compression T-shirt with tight black gym shorts. His hair was messy and damp in the back and curling, and his face flushed. “Slow day at the office or something?” I asked.
“Not exactly,” he replied.
I continued to look at him. William regularly hit the gym in the early morning—in fact I was pretty sure he’d hit the gym this morning. Not that I minded seeing him like this. God, I was so fucking lucky. His body was pure muscled perfection, proportioned and ripped in just the right places. I loved his big shoulders and defined biceps. He was in incredible shape, so how was it that all his fine wining and dining didn’t seem to effect his physique at all? I wished I was so lucky.
I watched as he flipped through a row of neatly hung suits that were organized by color. Maybe he was going back to the office.
“Counting your Tom Fords? You have at least a dozen.”
“Is that so?”
Whatever strange vibe I had picked up from George was coming from William too. He looked casual and relaxed, but he was acting weird.
“Which one are you going to wear to Beckett’s party?” I asked. That might have been a low blow, but it got his attention and I could feel my temper flaring.
His back was to me, and I watched as he hung his head and exhaled loudly. “Shit.” He turned around and our gazes met. His eyes were hooded and he looked tired. “I hadn’t thought that far ahead.”
I folded my arms across my chest. “I saw Beckett today and made an ass of myself. Why didn’t you tell me?”
William’s jaw tensed. “I’ve been meaning to tell you, Catherine, but we’re still sorting out the security and it is, like everything else, totally fucking complicated.”
His eyes were that clear icy blue,
but I sighed with frustration. Even going to a party wasn’t fun or simple anymore, but I wasn’t going to let him off the hook just because he liked to censor things.
“If it’s any consolation, I just ripped George a new asshole about twenty minutes ago.”
Well, that explained George.
“I’m sure the security is a pain in the ass. But that doesn’t explain why you didn’t just tell me. Beckett is my best friend, and it seems like everyone else has known about this for weeks. I know we’ve both been busy, but really? I thought we were past this kind of secretive bullshit.”
He took two steps toward me until we were only inches apart. I could feel the heat radiating off of him and smell his musky, post-workout scent. He looked down at me.
“We are. And I had every intention of telling you, but I simply forgot. I have a lot on my mind right now.”
“You’re not the only one with a lot on your mind, William.” I answered softly. I lowered my eyes and caught sight of a carry-on bag lying open on a leather bench at the back of the closet. I stared at it. His evasiveness made sense now. “You’re leaving?”
“I have to,” he answered.
“Where?” My stomach sunk like it was weighted with stones, and I suddenly felt abandoned. All of my anger about the party instantly dissipated. I couldn’t believe he was leaving and that he hadn’t told me. “Where?” I asked again.
“Japan,” he said quietly. “For a week.”
I looked up at him. “That’s the other side of the world.” It seemed like such a silly thing to say. Obviously it was thousands of miles away, but there was going to be an ocean between us for an entire week. I suddenly had to blink back tears.
“Come with me.” He pulled my hands into his.
“What do you mean come with you? To Japan?” I pulled against his hands, but he held them firm.
“Why not? I hate being apart from you. So come with me.”
“When would we leave?” I sputtered. I’d always wanted to go to Japan and I always wanted to be with William, but my head was spinning. This was too much.
“The jet’s being prepped now. We should be in the air by,” William released my hands and glanced down at the big Rolex on his wrist, “eight o’clock or so.”
That was in just over two hours.
“I...can’t just pick up and go to Japan. I have deadlines and work, and the champagne shoot to get ready for. Plus I’m meeting Beckett for lunch tomorrow.” I looked up at him, his face impassive as I rattled off my reasons for not accepting his invitation. “If you’d asked me a few days ago, I maybe could have rearranged things. But I can’t just drop everything and leave tonight. I can’t. Why didn’t you ask me earlier this week?” I tried not to sound whiny, but my heart was breaking as I asked.
William ran one of his hands through his hair, mussing it wildly. “I didn’t know until this afternoon, Catherine. That’s why. I was hoping to avoid going at all, but we’re closing on a major deal and there was a last-minute change in plans. I need to be there in person.”
“You’re buying something in Japan?”
“No, they’re buying. I’m selling one of my companies to a group in Kyoto. I been working on this deal for months, and I’ll be damned if I let it fall through when I’m this close. I’ve done everything I could to avoid leaving you for this trip, but now it can’t be avoided.”
A lump that felt like a tennis ball lodged in my throat. I was a grown woman who had lived alone for years. I wouldn’t even be alone with all of the security William had assigned to me. But I needed William more than ever now. Everything had been so strained and different between us since he’d found out about the plane wreckage. We needed time to find our footing again.
“I wish you could join me, but I’ll be back before you know it. You have a full schedule and so will I. I’ll only be a phone call away.” He squeezed my shoulder.
I shook my head, not wanting him to worry, or to see the tears that were ready to spill down my cheeks. “I’ll be fine.”
He notched my chin up with his thumb. “I know you will. But I love you, beautiful girl.” His voice was low and serious now. “And I’ll miss you.” He pulled me into his arms then leaned down and kissed me softly. His lips were warm and sweet and I sighed into his mouth, which only made him pull me tighter to him. Being wrapped in his strong arms, our hearts literally pressed together, was all I needed to remind me that William was mine and I was his.
“If we keep this up, I’m going be late.” William smiled down at me softly. “Come on, I need to get in the shower.” With that, he grabbed my hand and pulled me along from the closet into the nearby master bath. I wasn’t in need of a shower, so I hopped up on the counter of the giant Carrera marble–topped vanity that ran the length of one wall.
“You’re not joining me?” he asked, as he pulled his shirt up over his head and revealed his sculpted chest and washboard abs. He dropped his shorts next and stood in front of me magnificently naked. He wasn’t fully erect yet, but he was clearly getting excited to see me.
“I’m not the one who just worked out. Why did you, by the way? I thought you went to the gym this morning.”
He walked to me, pushed my legs apart, and moved to stand between them.
“I did work out this morning, while you, my love, were still sleeping.” He leaned in and started planting tender kisses along my neck. “But I’ll be on the jet for about sixteen hours and I need to sleep for as much of the flight as I can. It helps if I’m actually tired.”
My poor, sweet man hated to fly and who could blame him? William had told me as much on our trip to Napa, right before he’d downed some anti-anxiety medication with a big swig of bourbon.
“Kyoto is fifteen hours ahead of Chicago,” he said as he switched to the other side of my neck. I tilted my head to give him better access. “Which means I’ll arrive there at about three am on Sunday.”
All his feather-light, hot kisses and nips were taking effect and a full-body shiver unleashed in me just as his lips reached that sensitive spot under my ear.
“My first meeting isn’t until Monday, so I’ll have most of Sunday to get acclimated.”
“William,” I mewled softly. I didn’t need a shower, but if my boyfriend was going to be gone for a week, fighting a fifteen-hour time-zone adjustment, not to mention all the stress related to closing a big business deal, he deserved a proper send off.
I hopped off the vanity and pulled my shirt over my head. My breasts felt heavy, straining to be released from my lacy bra. William was in front of me before I finished with my shirt.
“Let me help you,” he said, reaching behind me for my bra clasp. He flicked it open and pulled the bra down my arms and tossed it on the floor. He made quick work of my jeans and panties until I was naked before him.
“I want to look at you, Catherine.”
I stood perfectly still as his hot grey eyes raked over me and paused on my breasts. “Fuck, your tits are amazing,” he said wistfully before palming my left breast and starting to massage it gently.
I hissed in a breath as my breast seemed to swell in his hand, my nipple instantly pulling into a tight, hard peak. Then his mouth was on my other breast, skillfully drawing my nipple between his lips and coaxing gently.
“Oh God,” I moaned breathlessly. Every pull with his lips shot straight to my core.
He lifted me, seating me back on the vanity, then returned to my breast. I ran my hands through his thick, dark curls as he pleasured one side, then the other, then switched back again. We stayed like that for a while, William adoring me with his mouth as tendrils of pleasure rocked through me with every gentle suckle of my nipples. So much for me giving him a proper send off.
Finally, he raised his head from my breast, my red swollen point popping from his mouth. “I really am going to be late if I don’t get in the shower. Come on, love.” He stood and swiftly pulled me off the counter. I wrapped my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist, and he walke
d us like that into the large shower.
Like just about everything in the penthouse, the shower was massive and opulent. Over the past few weeks, I’d come to deeply appreciate the seven jets that were placed so powerful streams of water could simultaneously hit just the right spots. But today William didn’t turn on the jets. Instead he turned on the two huge rectangular showerheads in the ceiling. The effect was like being in a gentle summer rainstorm, waves of warm mist and steam curling around us.
With the water sleeking our skin and our hair, William maneuvered over to the built-in bench and sat down, keeping me nestled securely on his lap. My legs splayed to either side of his, and I could feel his hard cock pressing firmly against my belly. He didn’t hesitate and began kissing me hard until we were both breathless.
Words weren’t needed now. I lifted up and carefully slid him into me, his thick hardness filling me completely. I started to move slowly, rocking and lifting, then sliding down the length of him over and over again. I cupped his face, the stubble of his beard soft and wet under my fingers, and pressed my lips to his. Our mouths stayed connected as our bodies moved together, me taking him into my very center while completely surrendering to him, to us. There was no punishing pace this time, no denial, no urgency, just the innate rhythm of us, of our love, of becoming one.
I could feel myself quickening and tightening around him, flutters and tremors that urged him deeper.
“Let go for me, baby,” he whispered.
So I did, my climax unfurling like a wave, rising higher and higher to a glorious peak before crashing down.
“William,” I cried, my calls echoing in the shower as my walls gripped him tighter.
He groaned, pulled me impossibly closer to him, and spilled himself completely into me. We stayed connected like that, my head resting on his shoulder, until our breathing slowed.
