by Terri Lane
He still looked annoyed. “I’ll make it up to you,” he promised. “Thank you so much for your time, Tasha. I will make sure you still get paid for the whole day.”
“Oh, no need,” Tasha replied. “And don’t bother driving me back. It’s fine. I want to ride my bike home.”
“Are you sure?” He looked concerned.
“Absolutely.”
He squeezed her hands and for a while seemed to be contemplating on whether to kiss her or not. Then he turned around and left without another word.
*
“So what happened? Did he kiss you?” Alex was eager to know.
Tasha laughed at her best friend’s excited face. “No. It’s just been what? Five days since we met?”
“So what?” Alex countered, frowning.
“So… I don’t even know if he’s interested in that way,” Tasha said.
The two of them sat in Paul’s Pancakes that Sunday, digging into delicious burgers and pancakes with milkshakes. Alex was on break and it had become a habit for Tasha to drop by every Sunday for lunch with her.
“The two of you have been together almost every day the past week! I can’t believe nothing has happened!” Alex exclaimed.
“Maybe he’s conservative?” Tasha suggested.
“I don’t think so.”
Tasha shrugged. “Maybe it’s because we’re always surrounded by his entourage or staff or whatever you call them.”
“He would have planned for time alone with you if he wanted to.”
“Exactly,” Tasha said, feeling a bit disappointed. “Maybe he’s just not interested.”
“Or he’s got a lot on his mind,” Alex mused. “He’s also attending to these European business partners, right? Either he’s busy or you’re sending him the wrong signals, Tasha.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Tasha said nonchalantly. “I mean, I’m not really after having any kind of relationship with him. Besides, I don’t even know how I feel about him. It’s all too soon to tell, I guess.”
“Yeah, I guess,” Alex agreed. “But did you ever get to go to the vineyards or ride horses and watch the sunset on a hilltop?”
Tasha shook her head. “He’s been having a lot of spontaneous meetings.”
“Too bad,” Alex said. “Those activities were bound to lead to a kiss or even more!”
Tasha wanted to laugh, but then she recalled sharing some very romantic moments with her ex-boyfriend eight years ago when they had visited Solvang. Alex had no idea she was still not completely over him. Even she found it hard to believe.
Alex was already chattering about her own budding affair with a cute tourist who’s been hanging out at Paul’s lately. Tasha tried to focus on her story instead, but from time to time, a picture of Carter appeared in her thoughts, making her feel queasy.
Late that afternoon, after shopping for a dress to wear for dinner, Tasha got a call from Amy Quinn of MileRun. Unfortunately, their meeting to discuss Tasha’s proposal was cancelled.
Tasha felt disappointed, but at least the woman said she would contact her again soon to reschedule.
Glamming up for dinner with Bret and his business partners kept Tasha preoccupied. She soon forgot about the cancelled meeting.
She was picked up at home by Bret’s limo and taken to the hotel to meet him and his colleagues from Europe.
Clad in a brand-new little black dress that hugged her body in all the right places, she was pleased to see how Bret’s eyes seemed to be fixed on her the entire time.
He donned a black suit that also flattered his great physique, and she too could not take her eyes off him.
At one point, while they were discussing business with the others, she felt his hand rest on her thigh. The warmth of his skin seeped through the flimsy material of her dress.
Her heart was pumping hard. She was very, very conscious of every movement of his fingers.
The three Europeans sitting across from them seemed to be oblivious.
Bret’s fingers gently rubbed the dress, causing the hem to slide up. She could now feel him touching her skin.
Her body temperature shot up. She could feel a warm sensation pooling between her legs.
The sexual teasing went on for a while, making her breathless. She could hardly eat. It took all of her self-control not to jump him right then and there.
Throughout the rest of dinner, she couldn’t concentrate anymore. It was a good thing Bret was always filling in for her when she couldn’t give an appropriate response. She was turning into putty in his hands, which she didn’t like. But her physical desire for him was increasing with every second that passed.
His fingers had gone up her inner thigh. She gasped softly.
“Is anything wrong?” One of the guests asked.
Panic rose in her throat but she managed to compose herself quickly. “I, uh, just feel full now,” she said hastily with a smile.
The man brushed it off and went back to the conversation.
She took another gulp of her wine. She was used to drinking wine, but seemed to have consumed a lot more that night by the end of dinner.
When Bret finally stood up to say goodbye to his partners, she could feel her wetness yearning to be caressed. Her body seemed to be on fire. Her legs felt wobbly. All sorts of sensual thoughts were racing through her head.
She didn’t even remember herself saying goodbye. All she could recall was how Bret had whisked her off to the elevator afterward.
No bodyguards. No assistants.
He pressed the button for the top floor.
As soon as the elevator doors closed, neither of them could hold back any longer.
They started kissing passionately, their hands entwined in each other’s hair. He pushed her against the wall, his hand dropping to her leg and raising the edge of her dress.
At any time, the elevator might stop and someone might get in but Tasha couldn’t contain her growing desire. She didn’t care.
Two of his fingers found their way into her lace panties. As they weaved past the tangle of hair and folds of skin, he kissed her neck with immense vigor and hunger.
She wanted him so badly.
The elevator stopped. The doors opened, revealing the receiving area of the penthouse.
They stumbled out, still kissing. Their tongues twisted around each other in a sensual dance, their lips locked in an intimate kiss.
Tasha did not have time to admire the luxurious space nor the extravagant view. In the darkness, she groped his body with longing. She felt for his rock-hard manhood and began touching him playfully and sensually.
He moaned with bliss, almost clawing at her dress to take it off.
Soon they stood naked in the center of the living room, their feet bare on the carpeted floor.
Bret cupped each of her breasts in his hands, placing them one after the other in his mouth, his tongue flicking across the nipple until it was taut.
“I want to fucking have you.” He whispered hoarsely as his mouth traveled downward, stimulating her further.
“Oh, yes, please,” Tasha whispered back, watching him kiss her entire body before pushing her backwards to a sitting position on the sofa. He opened her legs and began licking the outer lips of her sensitive area, making her moan loudly.
When she was almost climaxing, he climbed on top of her on the sofa and entered her with his stiffness. His lengthy shaft filled the opening completely and moved deep within her, shoving harder and harder.
She could feel the pleasure soaring to heights she hadn’t experienced for long. She climbed higher and higher until she burst into sexual gratification.
He shoved deep into her one last time before he too reached his climax.
As they later lay side by side on his bed, she took a peek at the handsome rich man sleeping soundly. She couldn’t believe she’d just had sex with a real billionaire.
*
The heavy work load for Walton Enterprises has started. Tasha could hardly juggle overseeing th
e development of websites for the new client, her latest baby project, along with other existing projects she was handling.
Above everything she was doing for Winters & Company, she had this growing relationship with Bret that she didn’t know what to make of. For the first time she chose not to overthink the situation and to just enjoy this fresh, exciting part of her life.
“I don’t have time for a social life anymore,” she once commented to Alex while the two of them were sharing a hurried breakfast at home.
“Are you complaining?” Alex asked with a teasing grin.
Tasha giggled. “Nah.”
They both laughed.
Bret had been traveling back and forth between Solvang and New York for the few past weeks. He had two major reasons to keep coming back to town: his flourishing hotels and Tasha.
One bright and breezy afternoon, Tasha had just left her favorite spa, feeling rejuvenated, when her phone rang.
It was Amy Quinn from MileRun. Her heart raced. Despite her busy schedule, she was still hoping to close this other deal.
“Hi, Miss Winters,” the woman greeted from the other end of the line. “It’s Amy Quinn. I’m the Executive Assistant of Mr. Crawford, the President of MileRun…”
Tasha’s heart skipped a beat. It was like a repeat of the Walton Enterprises deal! She couldn’t believe she wasn’t being called by just one of the smaller departments of these global businesses.
“Yes, good afternoon, Miss Quinn,” she said in a pleasant voice.
“I’m calling to ask if you’re available tonight? I’m sorry it’s late notice, but Mr Crawford and I are in town for a few days only.”
“Sure!” Tasha immediately responded despite her earlier resolve to declare the whole day as her relaxation time.
“Great,” Amy said. “Can we meet around six at Bellissimo?”
She was referring to the only Italian restaurant in town, known for its classy interiors and award-winning chef and dining experience.
“Definitely,” Tasha said. “I’ll see you there.”
As Tasha made her way home, something caught her attention from across the street: a good-looking man in a casual jacket and khaki shorts who looked very, very familiar.
It can’t be, she thought with anxiety. She froze on the spot, staring at the man as he entered a café. The height and build seemed to be the same, except that he appeared to be more muscular now. His dark brown wavy hair was longer, reaching below his ears. He was now clean shaven, no beard or goatie or anything. He looked more handsome than ever, but his lips were drawn in a straight line. He seemed more serious and mature, but it was really him. Her Carter.
Without thinking, she crossed the street to catch up with the man now inside the café. Once her hand touched the handle of the door, she hesitated. What will I say to him? What if he pretends not to know me?
Fear, anger, and worry flooded her mind and heart. The emotions were so overwhelming that she was suddenly in doubt of her ability to face him after all these years.
Why did you leave me without saying goodbye? It was the biggest question in her mind that she wanted to ask. If she left now, she might never have another opportunity to talk to him and find out once and for all what had happened. She would never be able to move on.
Taking a deep breath, she pushed the door open and stepped inside. The café was full of people. She scanned the place for a sign of Carter.
Near the back of the room, she spotted him. His back was on her. He was deep in conversation with a hot young woman with long blonde hair. She couldn’t hear them, but she could see that they were having fun. They seemed to be close and friendly.
Intense pain seemed to sear Tasha’s heart. She could feel her eyes watering.
The woman he was with leaned closer and placed a hand above his.
It was too much for Tasha. She turned around and ran.
*
She had not been prepared to see the man she’d been about to marry a long time ago, the same man she had loved with all her heart but had suddenly disappeared without a word.
A few months after celebrating their anniversary in Solvang, she’d heard he had left the suburbs of Los Angeles where they used to live. He had not informed anybody except their landlady.
Tasha had tried to contact him and find him to no avail. She had tried to reach his parents who lived in another city. They had apparently left too. The family had vanished. He was an only child. They also didn’t have any close relatives or friends, so she didn’t know then who else to turn to. It had been so difficult to move on without knowing why he’d left in the first place.
She had cried buckets of tears for years. Finally, she’d decided to let go. She had to release herself from the clutches of his memory and the dream that they had both built, or she would never have made a name for herself.
She had always imagined what she would say to him if she ever saw him again. She had forgiven him, yes. But she not forgotten. Seeing him again now…
Why did you hurt me like that, Carter? I trusted you.
Tasha was dressed in a simple mid-calf dress and cream-colored blazer. Her wavy light brown hair cascaded wildly past her shoulders. It was the hairstyle Carter had always loved. Was it the reason she wore it that way now, or just that she didn’t have time to fix it before her meeting?
She had shed tears, but not buckets like before. Her chest had constricted, but at least she’d regained control of herself. It gave her the energy to push on. After all, she had an important matter to attend to that night. It also helped that Alex had been home to comfort her.
In Bellissimo, she had a smooth discussion with Amy Quinn. The woman was about her age, and they hit it off at once. She had plenty of questions, but Tasha seemed to have satisfied her with her answers.
“I’m very much impressed, Tasha,” Amy said. “For a rising web development company, you have certainly achieved a lot already. Your portfolio is fantastic!”
“Thank you,” Tasha replied, beaming.
“I want to seal the deal now,” Amy said. “Let me just send a message to my boss.”
Tasha nodded and waited.
Amy’s phone rang after a while. Her face became all serious as she listened attentively and murmured “uh-huh” every now and then. Finally, she said, “Yes, sir.”
She put the phone down and gave Tasha a wide smile. “We’re in luck. My boss is on his way. His other meeting got cancelled so he said he’s going to join us and sign the contract.”
Tasha wanted to jump with joy. But instead, she returned the smile. “That’s amazing,” she told Amy. I have struck gold two times in one month. And now I’m about to meet another billionaire. To hell with Carter and my stupid heart!
While Tasha and Amy were exchanging stories about their work experiences, Amy’s eyes suddenly shifted upward. Her face turned serious as she signaled that her boss has arrived.
“Hello, sir,” she greeted to someone behind Tasha. “I’d like you to meet the founder and head web developer of Winters & Company, Miss Tasha Winters.”
Tasha turned around with a big smile and froze in shock. She had not known who to expect because Mr. Crawford had always been a very private person. His name wasn’t even published as the major stockholder of MileRun. Furthermore, she couldn’t find any picture of him on the Internet. According to Amy, he was a workaholic who preferred to stay behind the scenes and always demanded full privacy.
In front of her stood an all too familiar fine-looking gentleman in dark blue jeans and a polo shirt underneath a casual jacket. He was a bit taller than she was and still had that air of mystery about him. His brown eyes flickered with confusion for a moment. His face, however, remained stern.
“Hello, Tasha,” he said in a grim tone. “It’s nice to see you again.”
*
Twisting and turning in her bed, Tasha couldn’t push away the vision of Mr. Crawford. Carter Crawford. Her Carter. Apparently, he’d changed his last name and had probably hidde
n all traces of his past life too.
Carter had signed the contract and left in a hurry before she even had the chance to talk to him further. She couldn’t very well have an outburst in front of Amy and all those people in the restaurant.
At least he’d acknowledged that he’d known her before that meeting. It’s nice to see you again. Those were his words, but he obviously did not mean the message.
How could she sleep that night? It was impossible.
After a few more minutes, she decided to just go out and wallow in her misery, confusion, and anguish. What better way to make herself forget and fall asleep faster than downing a few bottles of good craft beer at The Good Life!
Soon she found herself slumped at the bar, chatting up the bored bartender. Solvang was also known for the best breweries, so it wasn’t a surprise that many tourists were also there for late night enjoyment.
“Hey,” somebody said in a deep, seductive voice.
She looked up to find a strange old man grinning at her. He looked sleazy and drunk. She was tipsy but still in her right mind. “What do you want?” she demanded.
“A taste of you,” the man said without any hesitation. He reeked of alcohol. He probably wouldn’t even make it out of the bar awake.
“Go away,” Tasha said. “I want to be alone.”
He snaked his hand up the back of her thigh. It was a good thing she’d changed into jeans and a sweater before going out.
She slapped his hand away, but in a careless manner.
He chuckled. “I like a woman who fights,” he slurred.
Tasha looked at the bartender for help. But he only shrugged and walked away. He obviously did not want to get involved.
She pushed the old man away. “Don’t touch me.”
Suddenly, she saw a middle-aged bald guy come up. “Is this man bothering you?” He asked in sort of a growling voice. He was wearing a plain black shirt that clearly showed off his beefy torso and strong biceps.
Before Tasha could answer, her unknown hero pushed the other man threateningly. The dirty old man threw his hands up in the air to surrender. Then chuckling and snorting, he stumbled off to the other direction.
