Another glass of wine and another scoop of ice cream later, I picked up my phone but couldn’t bring myself to call Jay. I opened my messages.
Really sorry I had to cancel today, can I make it up to you with dinner at my house on Friday? Maybe we can take up where we left off? A
My thumb hit send before my brain had the chance to chicken out. I threw my phone onto the sofa and downed the rest of my wine with a shaking hand.
My phone beeped moments after it hit the cushion, and my heart leapt.
Sounds good, but I can’t do this week. How about a week from Saturday? J
Anything as long as you do me, Jay. I wonder how he’d react if I sent him a text like that? Maybe I should text him a shot of my tits. No, that idea was so far beyond my reality it wasn’t even funny. But then, so was having a man like Jay interested in me. And I canceled on him. I was an idiot!
Works for me, see you at six
Chapter 10
“Morning, Abbie,” Sam said as I slung my purse onto my chair for yet another week of working for Calvin.
“Hey.”
“So, how was it?”
As I filled her in, her facial expressions reflected the roller coaster I had ridden over the weekend and ended with hope. Hope for Saturday. Though she, like Jenny, thought I should pursue a real relationship with him. Neither of them had been betrayed the way Matt had betrayed me. Jenny always tried to insist that she’d been betrayed by an ex, and that somehow I should see that as the same. Yeah, like a little infidelity can begin to compare.
“Abbie, can I see you in my office?” Calvin asked.
I snarled my lip at Sam, making her laugh quietly as I stood to follow Calvin into his office. Calvin sat at his desk and looked at me with disgust. At that moment I decided Jenny was right, I did have to get out of this job. Though more for my sanity at having to deal with Calvin than for any extra money.
And I had to get out before Calvin fired me. This was going to be a long week. After talking at me about some new report he was concocting in his pea-sized brain, I left his office. That was thirty minutes of my life I would never get back.
My phone beeped, and I pulled it out of my purse.
Scored two tickets to the game tonight, up for it? J
On a work night? Oh well, it was Monday so technically I hadn’t seen him since last week. And I wasn’t going to see him this coming weekend so I wouldn’t see him at all this week. That wasn’t too intense.
Would love to
I hit send and I swung my chair around, kicking my legs.
“What’s up with you?” Sam asked.
“Jay is taking me to the game tonight.”
“What game?”
“Dunno. Don’t care, either.” I struggled to contain the enormous smile on my face.
The second the clock hit five, I stood. I’d already put my sneakers on ten minutes before, and watched the seconds tick until I could leave without incurring Calvin’s wrath.
* * *
Once home, I ripped off my work clothes, had a short shower to rinse off my pits and bits, and stood in front of my closet. I overheard some co-workers chatting about ‘the game’ tonight, and I tuned into their conversation and gathered it was basketball. A sport I knew zero about. Not that it mattered. I’m always up for a new experience but it would be nice to know what sort of clothes I should wear.
In the end I opted for tight-fitting jeans. Tight from my fatness, not style. And a navy long-sleeved blouse. The hem sat mid-way over my ass and the billowy front showed off some, but not too much, cleavage. I reasoned it was both appropriate for a sports event and sufficient to say take me home and fuck me.
As arranged, I waited for Jay at my condo. He said he’d be here at six-thirty, and that we’d grab a bite to eat before the game. At six-twenty my intercom buzzed, and I eagerly buzzed him up. It buzzed again.
“Yes?” I said into the intercom.
“There’s no point in me coming up. Come down here.”
“Okay,” I said. I guessed if that was what he wanted…
The elevator opened and I could see him standing on the other side of the glass doors, in yet another expensive suit. One that sat oh so perfectly on his shoulders.
He had his back to me, but turned to face me and smiled when I opened the door. My heart leapt. In the two days since I’d seen him, I’d almost forgotten how hot he was. Or maybe I’d convinced myself that my memory was playing tricks on me, building him up to a level of gorgeousness that he simply didn’t have. Yet here he was, standing right in front of me in all his undeniably beyond gorgeous state.
Chapter 11
“Hi, beautiful,” he said. He put his phone in his pocket and hugged me tight against him. I closed my eyes and inhaled. His earthy scent traveled through my lungs and down to my crotch, filling me with heat.
“Hey.”
“Are you okay to walk to the stadium?”
“That’s the beauty of central living.”
“Okay, let’s go. I thought we’d eat at the arena.”
“In the stadium? That food is so overpriced!” I guess he never went to any major sporting event, everyone knew what stupid money the places there charge.
“They are? That’s fine, we’ll stop somewhere on the way.”
Our bellies full, we filed through the stadium doors with the rest of the twenty-thousand spectators. Jay held the tickets out for the woman, and we were through the doors.
“Beers?” I asked.
Jay looked at me with his dazzling smile, “Absolutely.”
When we each had a beer in hand, we entered the stadium. I followed Jay. He seemed to know where he was going. The place was already buzzing and even though I knew nothing about basketball, the atmosphere was electric and I couldn’t help but be excited.
“Here we are. That’s your seat.” Jay pointed to a seat and I furrowed my brow.
“Are you serious?”
He let out a burst of breath. “Of course.”
“How the hell did you score courtside seats?”
His eyes flared. “Buddy of mine.”
“That’s a nice friend to have.”
“He took pity on me. I told him I needed to woo a pretty girl and he offered them.”
I blushed. “You didn’t need fancy tickets to impress me.”
“I’m not trying to impress you.” I didn’t know what he meant by that comment. Sometimes he was too difficult to read. Almost like he didn’t care what anyone thought of him.
“Oh,” I said.
He leaned over, his lips to my ear and said, “If I were trying to impress you, I’d have taken you to an old movie house.”
His words sent a tingle down my spine. No. I shouldn’t approach this as a relationship. This was sex. At least at some point I assumed we were going to do it.
The lights dimmed and spotlights swooped around the stands, which set off the crowd. As the teams emerged and began warming up, the cheering became so loud I scrunched my face in an effort to plug my ears. From my seat at the edge of the court I watched mesmerized as the fast-moving giants did their stuff.
At halftime, a man and woman I recognized from a local TV station appeared center court and began talking to the crowd. A half dozen guys ran out around the court. One stopped in front of me, startling me. He shot some T-shirts out a cannon, then moved down a few seats to shoot off some more.
Jay turned to me, “I want to apologize in advance.”
“What for?”
“Because I have to be somewhere at five tomorrow morning, so I have to take off right after the game finishes.”
“Oh.” So much for sex. This was just a date. A date, as in a relationship. I didn’t like that.
“I’m really sorry, I have a busy week,” he said.
“Doing what? I thought you said you don’t have a job.”
“I don’t. I just have some stuff to do.”
“I don’t get you, Jay. You say you don’t work, you hang around downtown,
sit courtside at basketball games, and have an endless wardrobe of what appear to be very expensive suits.” I tried to sound lighthearted. However, the truth was I didn’t really care, since this wasn’t a relationship.
Jay pursed his lips but didn’t respond to my comment. I smiled at him, leaned into him and kissed his cheek. My hand had landed on his bicep, and I let it linger. I thought, but couldn’t be sure through the suit jacket, that he flexed it a little.
* * *
By the time we’d reached my building, we were laughing and chatting and I didn’t want him to go.
“Come up for a coffee?” I asked. My left eyebrow raised in hope, hope blending into begging.
Jay pulled me close and squeezed me, “Not tonight.”
“Tomorrow?”
“I’m coming for dinner, remember.” He kissed the top of my head but didn’t relax his squeeze on me.
I looked up and tried not to pout. “But that’s almost two whole weeks away.”
He released his grip on me. “I know. There’s nothing I can do about it.”
I stretched up to find his lips, and kissed him lightly, hoping I could entice him. His lips responded, and pushed my lips apart, allowing his tongue to explore my mouth. His hand explored down my side, sliding over the curve of my hip until it made its way around to my ass. My entire body stood on alert, yearning for more.
All too soon, he broke away from me, leaving me standing, wanting more at my door.
“I’ll see you at dinner,” he said, he then turned and walked away.
Chapter 12
The rest of the week dragged. I spent the weekend blitzing my condo, in anticipation of Jay’s visit the following weekend. I hated dusting, but I made sure every surface was clean. Then I tackled the chair in my bedroom. It was the spot where I dump clothing, from stuff that had an hour or two of wear and didn’t warrant washing to stuff I put on to wear and then decided I looked too fat in it.
I folded everything into two piles. I put the clothes from one away and stuck the other pile on the top shelf in my closet.
The workweek sucked. Calvin seemed to be getting more and more aggressive to me. He even wrote up some report on me to HR. Something about my attitude and work ethic. But I did get around to updating my resume, and sent off a copy to Marla as well as a few other agencies I’d found online.
On Friday after work, Sam, Jenny, Marla and I sat in the bar, sipping margaritas. The three of them chatted about the plans for Jenny’s thirtieth birthday. Even though Jenny was my best friend, I had trouble joining in. Calvin had shit on me all week, and I needed more than a drink to lean on. I also knew Jenny would be more than happy for me to cry on her shoulder, but her big party was only three weeks away and I didn’t want to be a downer.
“So, what are you cooking tomorrow?” Sam asked me.
“Huh? Oh, I’m going to do a simple lasagna.”
“The daydreamer awakes,” Jenny laughed.
“I knew the mention of her date with Jay would pull her out,” Sam laughed.
I forced a laugh, “I’m sorry, girls, I just have a lot on my mind.”
“Yeah, a lot of cock,” Sam said. They all burst out laughing.
“Look at her. She’s red,” Marla said.
“Enough, okay?” But my weak plea fell on deaf ears.
“Abbie’s getting laid, Abbie’s getting laid.” Sam chanted.
“I sure hope so,” I said with a smile.
“Abbie and Jay sitting in a tree…” Jenny sang.
“No, not that. Just getting laid,” I stated.
Jenny sighed. My continual resistance to a new relationship drove her nuts, but she was going to have to accept it. I would live the rest of my life in a series of meaningless sexual entanglements.
“Fine. Whatcha gonna wear?” Jenny asked.
“I haven’t decided yet. Would it be too forward to open the door naked?”
“Maybe tie a big red bow around your waist.” Sam said.
“Wear that strapless fuchsia number, he’ll be peeling it off you before you can blink,” Jenny said.
“Are you sure? I don’t look like too much of a floozy in it?”
“Just wear it already,” Sam said.
“Here, we got you a present.” Jenny tossed a small box wrapped in red heart paper onto the table. I furrowed my brow, what on earth were they up to now? I picked up the parcel and shook, it was light and didn’t make much sound.
“Just open it already,” Sam said.
I tore off the paper. “Nice,” I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm as I held the three pack of condoms aloft.
“We figured it wouldn’t occur to you to buy some,” said Jenny.
“You’re right,” I said laughing. “When’s the last time I’ve even seen a condom?” I had been on the pill since Matt moved in with me. After he moved out, I stayed on it because it made my periods more bearable. For whatever reason, disease prevention didn’t occur to me.
“Put them in your purse, and when you get home remember to put them beside your bed!” Jenny said, and the four of us burst out laughing.
Chapter 13
I buzzed up Jay and awaited his arrival at the door. I hiked up the strapless fuchsia dress one last time. It would be a struggle to not keep pulling at it during dinner but I would have to force myself.
The noise of the elevator door opening carried down the hall, and Jay’s footsteps rushed over the carpet. I didn’t wait for him to knock, and I opened the door.
“Hi, beautiful,” Jay said, his eyes roaming over me.
He was wearing another pair of jeans that clung to his thighs. I couldn’t wait for him to turn around to get a look at his ass in them. On top he wore a buttoned dress shirt that stretched tight over his muscles.
Jay held out a bouquet of sunflowers. Our fingers brushed as I accepted them from him, the touch rousing. Attached to the bottom of the bouquet was a DVD of The Clock. My heart paused when I saw it. I couldn’t believe he even remembered that conversation.
“I hope you still have a DVD player.”
“Thank you, I love them, both the flowers and the movie. I haven’t watched it in ages,” I said, and went up on my tiptoes to kiss his cheek.
As I leaned into him, he planted his hand on my hip, sending electricity through me. We stayed still like that for a moment before I moved aside to let him into my condo.
“I thought we could watch it tonight.”
“That’s a great idea. I’ll put these in some water,” I said, waving the sunflowers and walking to the kitchen area.
“It smells wonderful in here,” he said.
“I hope you like lasagna.”
“Love it. See you’ve still got the jeans on the wall.”
“Of course, they stay there until the day I can wear them.”
Jay laughed. “Here, I also brought bubbles.” He held out a foil-topped bottle.
“Ah, you didn’t have to do that. It’s too much.”
“No, it isn’t.” He pulled off the foil and the little wire cage. With expertise, he pushed his thumbs against the cork and it popped.
“I’m sorry, I don’t have any Champagne glasses.”
“That doesn’t matter. Regular wine glasses will do.”
I pulled some out of the cupboard, and he poured us each a glass.
“Thanks,” I said as he passed me one.
“A toast… to a wonderful dinner with,” Jay paused, his eyes boring into me, “the most beautiful woman I’ve ever had the pleasure of dining with.”
A lump formed in my throat at his words. And I could tell by the look in his eyes that he was being sincere. I clinked my glass to his, wishing I could find some kind words to say back to him.
Instead, I set down my glass and kissed him.
His lips were wet with Champagne, and fizzled on my lips. He pulled me tight against his body while our mouths explored each other. My heart thudded in my chest, not quite believing the only thing that had kept me going through m
y hellish week was actually finally happening.
I pressed myself a little harder against him, squeezing out all the air between us. The exposed skin on my shoulders zinged underneath the pressure of his fingertips. I urged him to take a few steps backwards until he was standing beside the sofa. Thank goodness for a small condo. I took another step, sending him toppling backwards onto the sofa, and me with him.
“Whoa,” he blurted as he tumbled but he found my lips again to continue our kiss.
In our tumble, my breasts popped out of my dress and partially out of my strapless bra. But Jay didn’t seem to notice. Or if he did, he didn’t react. Instead his hands caressed my exposed back, then ran over my dress and stopped on my behind.
I let out a soft moan of approval as his hand lingered on me and pressed into my cheeks. His hardened cock dug into me. With incredible restraint, I refrained from reaching down and grabbing it.
With me on top of him, he craned his head to nuzzle my neck, trailing kisses to my shoulders. I reached up and ran my fingers through his luxurious hair. Without warning, he hoisted me up so that my breast was on his lips, making me gasp.
His wet tongue lapped at my breast, working its way closer and closer to my nipple, still hidden in my bra. He reached the edge of my bra and pulled it down with his teeth.
The oven timer bleeped. Again and again. I cursed it.
“You need to get that,” Jay said.
“No, just ignore it.” But it wasn’t going to stop until I pushed the button.
He pushed me off him and he sat up. “You’ve worked hard on it, you don’t want it to burn.”
“Trust me, it’s not hard to make. It’s lasagna, the worst that will happen is it browns a little on top.”
The high-pitched beeping continued.
Jay stood, “Get it.”
I walked to the oven, wondering how he had managed to order me to do something. Before I knew it, he was alongside me, holding the plates while I cut two pieces from the pan.
Billionaire's Secret: The Complete Series Page 4
