by Amanda Aksel
“So, what are you saying?”
“I’m saying that I don’t know what’s happening between us anymore. But I’m not sure I’m comfortable with where it’s going.”
He gives me a sweet, apologetic look. “Can I at least come in so we can talk about this?”
I shake my head. “No. If I let you in, then we’ll end up naked in five minutes and I can’t have sex with you right now.”
“I promise, no sex.” Even though that’s what I want. I’m almost sad to hear him utter such a phrase. I’m also not sure I can trust that promise.
“I don’t believe you,” I say, searching his eyes for the truth.
Drew holds three fingers up and says, “Scouts honor.”
I give him a strange look. “You were a boy scout?”
“No, I learned it from television. Would you rather I pinky swear?” He sticks out his pinky finger and I know if I touch any part of him, my mouth will fall on his and my panties will magically end up hanging over the lampshade. It wouldn’t be the first time.
“No, that’s okay,” I say and invite him inside.
Drew follows, shutting the door behind us. “I understand everything you’re saying, but you only have five days left here and this thing we have at this moment in time will be gone. This is the most fun I’ve had with someone in a while. I don’t want to give you up while you’re still here.”
I don’t want to give him up either but I feel like I’m on the edge and another minute with him might push me over into uncharted territory. “What happens after I go home?”
“You go back to your normal life and I’ll do the same. I’m sure it’ll take a few days to get used to it. And I’ll definitely miss you. You’ll miss me too, but eventually, with enough time and space, we can both look back on this and smile. It’ll be one of those little moments in time, a great memory of the days when we were young, wild, and free.”
The crazy thing is that I feel like I can be young, wild, and free with Drew forever. But I know this is his usual routine—love ‘em and leave ‘em. Clearly, this isn’t a different situation. He’s probably right. I’ll get home and back to normal and I won’t really think about him that much. It’s not like I’ve ever gotten attached to a guy anyway. I’m probably just consumed with the moment. And it’s been good for me. So good for me. Why should I give it up now, when we still have a few days left? “You’re right. We should make the most of it. No regrets, right?”
He smiles. “That’s my girl.”
I giggle, loving when he calls me his girl.
Drew steps over and envelops me in his arms. I inhale a mix of what’s left of his cologne, the London air on his jacket, and him, finding it alarmingly comforting. He kisses the top of my head and I expect his hands to trail down my body next, but he just releases me and sits on the love seat, motioning for me to join him. As I step closer, he grabs me by the waist and pulls me down on his lap. I curl into him, resting my head on his chest, listening to the steady sound of his heartbeat.
“How was the wedding?” I ask. “I bet it was beautiful.”
He makes an irritated grunt. “I guess you don’t follow any of our friends on Twitter.”
I squish my brows together. “No, why?”
“There was no wedding. Mick called it off.”
I jolt up and scoot next to him, curling my feet beneath me, and realizing now that his weary expression isn’t about us. “What happened?”
“Nothing good. She’s been having an affair with her guy best friend for years. I think she was just with Mick for the perks.”
I pout my lips, feeling sick over the news. How could someone do that to another person? “Your poor brother. He must be heartbroken.”
“He is. Practically drank a bottle of whiskey on his own this afternoon.” Drew shakes his head slowly. “I got a bad vibe from her all along. So I think it’s for the best.”
“It’s really scary when you put yourself out there. Trusting someone with your heart like that. And marriage, I mean, wow.” I can’t even imagine being in a situation like Drew’s brother. How awful.
“So, I guess you don’t really trust anyone with your heart?” he asks.
I lower my eyes, thinking about how tempting it is to trust him with mine. And even though I feel like a new, braver, sexier person when I’m with him, Drew’s not the kind of guy you give your heart to.
“No, I suppose we have that in common.”
“I’m sorry about Kent by the way. Sometimes he takes it too far,” Drew says, taking my hand and I rub the rough skin of his palms with my thumb. “You should be getting an apology from him tomorrow.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, he better make it right.”
“The twenty mil would help.” I let out a sigh. “But it’d be too weird working with him now. I’m gonna set up some meetings in New York. I have a lot more connections there.”
Drew tilts his head. “You do? Why didn’t you go there first?”
“Because I don’t want the money as a favor. I want someone who believes in my company.”
“Well, after you showed up in that little red thing at my door, I definitely believe in your company.” He gives me that intense stare with those amazing brown eyes, and I can almost feel my panties slipping down my legs on their own. I know he wants me. I want him too. But instead of taking me right there on the sofa, he stands and pecks a nice kiss on my cheek.
“I’m beat. I should go,” he says.
I take his hand, lightly kissing his knuckles. “You can stay here tonight. If you want.”
He glances down at our intertwined fingers. “If I stay, I’ll break my promise. Scouts honor, remember? And I really should get back. Both of my brothers are at my place.”
Damn, Little Kate was just waking up. “Of course, you should get back.”
“I’ll call you tomorrow?”
I nod, dropping his hand as I walk him to my door.
He touches the doorknob, then turns back to me. We stare at one another for a brief moment, then his hands cup my face and he presses his warm lips against mine. I grab hold of his back, taking him all in. He pulls away. “Goodnight, Kate.”
I blink a few times, catching my breath, my knees so weak I don’t think they’ll hold me up much longer. “Goodnight,” I manage to say.
I don’t get much sleep the next five days. I pretty much work my butt off during the day and let Drew work me all night long. We get a lot of mileage out of each other and I’m secretly hoping to store enough orgasms to last through the impending winter that my vagina’s about to endure.
The afternoon of my flight home, I show up at his doorstep fully clothed in a button-down shirt and easy-access skirt.
“Come in,” he says.
I strut around him, my heels clacking on his hardwood floor. I gaze over his penthouse and out the wide windows that peer over the city. I can feel it in my gut. This is the last time I’ll ever be in his apartment, and it makes me sad. Everywhere I look harbors a memory—a very fun, speed-up-your-heart-rate memory. Like sharing martinis over Welsh rarebit, singing Billy Joel songs and dancing in front of the fireplace, the way he went down on me against the front door. It seems nearly impossible for anything else to come close to what we had here.
I turn around, holding up a small black gift bag with red tissue paper. “I got you something.”
“You didn’t have to do that. What is it?” he asks.
“It’s just a little something to remember me by,” I say. “Open it.”
He takes the bag and sticks his hand right in, pulling out the black ribbon thong I wore during the photo shoot and that night under the tree in the park. “You know, I like these a lot better when you wear them.” He dangles the panties from his fingers.
I step closer, running my hand over the soft fabric of his shirt between his pecs. “Well, in case you forgot, my ass is going back to L.A. soon. Besides,” I whisper, peppering gentle kisses along his jaw. “I thought you liked them better on the
floor.”
“There’s that too,” he says, lowering his chin, pulling me in for his classic, delicious kiss. My body swells, opening for him. I need to have him one more time before I fly home.
Drew slows his lips. “Thank you,” he whispers. “I actually have something for you too. But you have to come with me.”
Oh, yeah . . . I’m already wet and ready for my going away present.
He takes my hand, leading me down the hallway. I’m literally vibrating with excitement at the thought of his naked body on mine one last time. Damn, why is it so good!
Drew passes the bedroom door and I stop, yanking him back. “Are you sure this farewell gift isn’t in here?”
He laughs, pulling me forward. “Yeah, I’m sure.”
We stop in front of a door at the end of the hallway. A room I’ve never been in before. “Are you ready?” he asks.
“Ready for what?”
He gives me a cute stare. “I’m about to show you something I’ve never shown anyone.” I raise my eyebrow. “Is this your BDSM closet?” Billionaires always have a fetish, right?
“No, this is way better than that,” he says playfully, then cracks the door open. The room is pitch black until he flips a switch. A dim red light glows, somewhat revealing the room.
“What type of sex room is this? And why haven’t I seen it before?” I ask.
Drew spits out a laugh. “What? This is my dark room. For developing photographs.”
That’s when I notice equipment on the counters and photos hanging in the center. “Oh.”
“You thought I had one of those sex dungeons or something?”
I shrug. “Maybe. I haven’t seen this place yet. Thought you might have a fetish.”
Drew leans in and nibbles at my earlobe. “Darling, the only fetish I have is with your gorgeous ass.” He rubs his hand over my skirt.
“So, this is the surprise?” I ask, glancing around the dark room.
“No, this is.” He takes one of the photographs down, careful to not leave prints on the new development.
I glance over and immediately recognize the tree in Hyde Park. “This is for me?” I ask.
He nods. “Do you like it?”
A smile spreads across my face. “It’s beautiful. I love it.” I kiss him, mustering every ounce of gratitude I can for the photograph, and everything about those last weeks with him.
There are so many things I want to say, but I can’t think of any of them as I stand there staring at his red-lit face. He gently places the photo down and walks me back against the counter behind me. Cupping me beneath my skirt, he lifts me off of my heels, and places me as carefully on the counter as he did the picture. He says nothing, just stares into my eyes, unbuttoning my shirt from top to bottom, slowly and purposely, revealing my skin inch by inch. After the last button, he slides it down my shoulders and trails his tongue and lips over the crook of my neck. The tips of his fingers caress my back, sending a tingly shiver up my spine. I pull him closer, feeling his jeans between my thighs.
Our tongues play together and he unfastens my bra. The moment that my bra slips down my arms and onto the floor is my favorite. It’s so natural and freeing. I tie my legs around his waist, scratching at his T-shirt, trying to rip it over his head as quickly as possible. Finally, his naked, strong chest presses into mine. My nipples harden at the feel of his body. I trace my hands down the sides of his wide chest, then let my fingers play in the maze of his abs before tackling his belt.
Drew kisses my shoulders. “I’m gonna miss your body so much,” he whispers.
My head falls back, breathing heavier. Damn, I’m going to miss this.
He steps back, letting his pants fall, revealing his glorious cock. It’s unbelievable what he can do with it. What he does to me with it. I’m crazy about it and . . . him.
Drew grabs onto my thighs, then tugs at my panties. I don’t even know why I still wear panties around him. “If I make you come, can I keep these too?” he says in a low, sexy growl.
“Uh-huh,” I say in the sultry tone I’ve used more in the last two weeks than I have in my whole life. He slides a digit over my clit, circling the swollen peak, edging at that spot he knows drives me crazy. I tug gently at his dick, running my fingers back and forth over his shaft. I get wetter and wetter with every second that his hand’s up my skirt. “Damn, you feel so good,” I say, biting the smooth skin of his shoulder.
I spread my thighs wider and push my hips forward while he slips on a condom. The counter is the perfect height and I watch him slide right into me.
He throws his head back with a moan. I grab his chin and kiss him hard, moaning into his mouth and moving my hips with his.
“You’re so fucking sexy,” he says. When I’m with him I feel so fucking sexy.
I smirk, then slide my fingers around the base of his slippery cock as he thrusts in and out of me. His mouth falls open and he whispers another moan. He presses his forehead against mine, slowing down his hips. “You drive me absolutely fucking crazy.”
I bite my lip, tangling my fingers in his hair. “And you make me absolutely fucking wet.”
He kisses me. “Oh, yeah?” He drags my hips closer and I lean back on the counter. With his thumb massaging my clit, he sucks my nipple, slowly and softly, rubbing my other nipple between his fingers.
“Oh, Drew, I’m close.” I hold myself up with one hand and tug on his hair with the other.
“Mmm,” he says, licking up my chest and neck, then meeting my mouth. He pulls me close to him, keeping his finger between my legs. And I feel it, that glorious wave of intense pleasure ripple throughout my whole body.
I scream out, digging the tips of my fingers into his back.
“Oh, baby,” he growls and I know he’s made it too. We stay there for a few moments, looking into each other’s eyes and kissing softly.
I know this is it. That I have to leave. I know that no matter what, he can’t go with me. But in this moment, I want to stomp my foot and bitch at the universe. Why do I have to give him up?
I remind myself that it’s just a fling and that I’ll eventually sleep with another man who makes me feel this good.
Yeah, right, I don’t believe that for one second.
He must’ve been thinking the same thing, romanticizing our time together a little more than he should, because he says, “You sure you have to leave tonight?”
“Yeah,” I say, hopping off the counter and snatching my intimates from the floor.
“These last few weeks went by fast, huh?” he says, fastening his belt.
“Time flies when you’re having fun. Isn’t that what they say?” I button my shirt up most of the way and he leans in to kiss me.
“It was a lot of fun. I’ll never forget it.”
“Neither will I,” I smile, thinking back to the moment I spilled my martini down his pants. I knew there was something about him, but I had no idea I’d end up a little heartbroken over him.
He slides the photograph into a large envelope and hands it over. “And if you hang this on your wall at home, you definitely never will.”
That picture has totally earned a spot on my wall at home, and even a spot in my heart. I’d like to decorate my whole house with his work. “Hey, do you think you could send me a few more prints?”
“Really?” he says, looking surprised.
“Yes, I’d love to have a few more of your pieces.” I pull out my phone. “I’m texting you my address where you can send them. And if you’re ever in L.A., don’t be a stranger.”
He kisses my forehead, folding me into his arms. “I won’t.”
We walk hand in hand to the front door. “Are you sure you don’t want me to take you to the airport?” he asks.
“No, I think it’s better that we just say goodbye now. It’ll just make it worse.” I’ve spent so much time with him already, and no matter how much more time we have together, it’ll never be enough. He’s become my addiction and the only way to get over
an addiction is to stop. Just stop.
“You’re right,” he says. “Well, have a good flight. I’m sure you’ll be happy to be home.”
I glance up at him wondering if we’ll ever be face to face again. “Thanks . . . for everything. You’ve been amazing to me these last couple of weeks. This time with you was exactly what I needed. I won’t ever forget it.” And I won’t. How could I forget the man who helped me find the fiercely sexy part of myself? I’m different because of my time with him. Better.
Drew touches his hand to my cheek. “I don’t say this to many people, but if you ever need anything, I’m here for you. You’re a good girl, Kate. I’m gonna miss you.”
My heart flutters. “I’m gonna miss you too.”
He kisses me harder than ever like it’s the last time our lips will meet because it is the last time our lips will meet. I pull away, looking at that irresistible face of his again.
“Goodbye, Drew,” I say, turning toward the door.
“Kate,” he says. I pause, then look back.
He just smiles. “Never mind.”
I wave goodbye and close the door behind me. And the moment I hear the latch click, it’s as if there’s a huge hole in the middle of my chest. I can literally feel the emptiness. I don’t want to leave. I usually can’t wait to go back home after weeks of being away. It takes every ounce of strength I have to get on the elevator, leave his building, and get on that plane.
Ten
DREW
Black and white. Those are the colors I always wear, the color of the photographs on the walls. I walk throughout my entire penthouse and there’s no color. The color left twenty-four hours ago. Kate is red for sure. But she’s also the yellow, the blue, green, and purple. And now it’s just black and white.
Kate hasn’t called or texted since she left. Maybe she walked into her house, back into her normal life, and forgot about me. It was foolish to think that I could forget about the moment she walked out my door. I haven’t even changed the sheets since the last time she was in my bed.
It’s pathetic, right? Me being all lovesick over a woman. This doesn’t happen to me. Ever. I try to stop thinking about her, but everything reminds me of her. My bed, my music—even the songs we didn’t listen to together. And Black Jack too. I can’t go anywhere or do anything without thinking Kate, Kate, Kate.
