Felisha Goulding's Stolen Innocence Series

by Felisha Goulding

  Feeling a little nervous that Frank would walk in on them at any moment, Meg pulled Drake along with her, down the hall and deposited him into Frank’s office. She made her way to the kitchen and started a fresh brew of coffee. Once the coffee started percolating, she leaned back against the wall, closed her eyes, and tried her best to get her emotions in tack. Tears threatened to fall all morning and she desperately needed that coffee. Other than Drake, coffee just happened to be her biggest weakness at the moment. She wished it would brew faster and not allow her so much time to think. Meg placed both hands over her eyes for a moment and felt the sting of tears. God, Meggie. Get a grip. You knew this would be over, that he would have to go back to his life, his business. She couldn’t help but think she would never see him again. Despite their promises, he was about to go on a trip that would bring him to the other side of the world and she wouldn’t see him for another two, maybe three, weeks at least.

  A large but gentle hand touched her cheek, his touch was tender. It was odd. She didn’t as much as hear the door open, but there he stood directly in front of her. He caressed her face with the pad of his thumb and wiped away the tears. No words were spoken between them, and within seconds, Frank’s voice came bellowing though the office.

  Meg removed Drake’s hand, “Go, please, Drake, just go. I’ll be out with the coffee. I just need a moment.”

  “But, Meggie, please…”

  Meg pushed him out the door, and before it fully closed, she got a glimpse of the look in his eyes. He was concerned for her. Meg had no doubt that he cared, but was that enough to make him come back to her? Would it be enough with so much time and distance between them? Would he really come back for her? She felt like the biggest loser knowing he had seen her this way. Her walls were crumbling down around her and she wiped at the tears with the back of her hand. Quickly, she composed herself and focused on preparing three cups of freshly brewed coffee.

  Meg approached Frank’s office. She hesitated a moment before opening the door. She hoped like hell that Frank wouldn’t see that she’d been crying. What could she possibly say to him, how would she explain that she was falling in love with the man that was about to purchase his company? How would he react to that?

  She worked up the courage and walked in with a fake smile plastered on her face. “Good morning, Frank. I take it you’ve met Mr. Noble, I, umm, made fresh coffee.” She handed a cup of the hot liquid to Drake. Their fingers touched slightly and sent a shiver through her. She put the other on Frank’s desk as he settled into his chair and then she turned to walk out the door. She turned back to both men who were staring back at her. “I’ll close the door and leave you two to get down to business. If you need anything, I’ll be at my desk.”

  “Thank you for the coffee, Ms. Malone.” Drake said using his professional voice. But she could sense the affection along with concern that still lingered in his eyes.

  “You’re very welcome, Mr. Noble,” she returned with a soft smile.

  Frank stood up again and moved toward the door, “Thank you, Meg.” She wasn’t expecting him to follow her outside into the hallway, but he did. He wrapped his fingers gently around her upper arm. “Meg, are you okay? You don’t look so good. If you want to go home, I understand.”

  Seeing the affection in Frank’s face, and the gentle way he spoke to her, made Meg even more vulnerable. She wanted to burst into tears and hug him for comfort, but she didn’t dare. She braced herself, “I’m tired. It was a busy weekend, but I’ll be okay. Go ahead and get back to your business meeting. This is an important day for you, Frank. Don’t spend another minute worrying about me. I’m fine, but thank you for asking.” Meg turned to walk away, hoping he wouldn’t see through the façade she was trying desperately to hide.

  After sitting back in her chair, she took a deep breath, wondering how the hell she would get through the day knowing that Drake Noble was less than ten feet away from her behind closed doors. She thought about the night ahead of her and how she would miss him terribly. The thought of him being so far away left a heavy ache in her chest.

  “Hey, Meg,” she heard the familiar voice of Ed from sales approach her, taking her out of her thoughts. “Who’s the suit in with Frank?” he asked curiously.

  “Well, good morning to you too, Ed,” she replied in a sarcastic tone and narrowed her eyes at him. “I think he’s a client of some sort. He hasn’t said much to me other than he was expecting a visitor today.”

  “I’m sorry, good morning, Meg,” he said a little embarrassed. “Did you get the guy’s name? He looks familiar.”

  “I know his first name is Drake, but no, I didn’t get a last name,” she lied. Meg tried her best to keep a straight face and the conversation light and to the point. She busied herself with responding to e-mails, and he finally took the hint. She did her best to get back in to work mode. It had proven to be an extremely difficult task, but she busied herself with tedious work. She couldn’t stop thinking about Drake the entire morning.

  * * * *

  At two in the afternoon Frank came out of his office and appeared to be in a good mood, and that led Meg to believe all was going well with the sale. He approached her desk and asked Meg to reach out to Diane on reception and have her order Tia for lunch. After being locked up in Frank’s office the entire morning, both men had worked up quite an appetite. She wanted to ask how things were going but decided to hold off until Drake had left and have that discussion with Frank when he had more time on his hands. “I’ll have her order right away. It may take approximately forty-five minutes or so before lunch arrives. I’ll have Diane set it up in the small boardroom and let you know once it’s delivered,” she assured her boss.

  Lunch was delivered as anticipated, within forty-five minutes. After Diane had set everything up, Meg called Frank’s office to let him know lunch was ready. He was kind enough to ask if she would be joining them, but she declined and decided it would be best for her to avoid being in the same room with both of them right now. She was riding high on emotion and far too tired. She didn’t think sitting in the same room with these two men would be such a good idea right now. One look from Drake would set her off and she could no longer hide the emotions welling inside of her. She noted his concern earlier and didn’t want him to feel out of sorts in anyway.

  * * * *

  At six that evening, Meg decided to call it a day and go home. Reluctantly, she shut down her computer and walked over to Frank’s closed doors. She knocked lightly before entering and stuck her head in letting Frank know she was leaving but that she would be available by cell if they needed anything. She stepped further inside and walked over to Drake, who stood up as she approached him. Her heart ached from the loneliness she knew would be coming her way the moment she walked away. She wasn’t sure where she found the strength to hold back the tears, but somehow she managed. “Well, Mr. Noble, I’m sorry we didn’t get to spend any time together during this visit,” she said with a wink. Frank stood in the doorway and her back was toward him. “I certainly hope everything works out for both of you and wanted to drop by to wish you a safe return before I left the office.” Meg extended her right hand and he took it in a firm handshake, his fingers stroked the inside of her palm affectionately.

  “It was a pleasure to see you again, Ms. Malone. I also want to thank you personally for everything you’ve done in assisting Frank and I with this deal.”

  Meg looked deep into those blue eyes of his and time seemed to stand still. “I will certainly make myself available if you need me during this transition. And the pleasure was all mine.” Before she turned to leave, she mouthed the words call me and turned quickly on her heels.

  Regrettably, she walked away, but slowly this time. She was in no rush to get home to her lonely condo. A big part of her was hopeful that he would come running after her, but that only happened in movies she reminded herself. After stepping inside the elevator, she pressed the button for the main lobby and the doors started the
ir descent and closed quietly. Her heart sank in her chest. This was it, and she wasn’t sure if or when she would see Drake Noble again.

  Once she made it out to the front of the building, she recognized Matt right away as he sat and waited in the limo they had rented for the weekend. She recalled sitting next to Drake that very morning, feeling his thick hard-muscled thigh leaning against hers when they sat together, the kisses they stole, the looks they shared. She approached Matt who smiled in her direction. He immediately opened the door and stepped outside to greet her. Meg handed him the gift bag she had for Drake. “I forgot to give this to Drake this morning. Would you please make sure he gets it?” Matt assured her he would do so. “Ms. Malone, I hope you enjoyed your weekend with Mr. Noble. Are you okay?” he asked, his expression was formal but also sincere.

  Tears escaped and Meg’s bottom lip quivered. She wiped the stray tears away with the back of her hand. “No, I’m not okay. I wish he weren’t leaving. Take good care of him, Matt. You were right, he’s a good man and I’m going to miss him terribly.”

  Matt reached down to touch her cheek and wiped at her tears. “He’ll be back. Don’t give up on him, Ms. Malone. I can see how much he cares for you. I’ve never seen him look at anyone the way he looks at you, and I have never seen him this happy. Give him a chance,” he said. “I know it won’t be easy, he travels a lot and not many women can handle being apart for a long period of time while in a relationship But you two are meant to be, be patient,” he whispered.

  “Good-bye, Matt. Thank you for everything,” she managed in a tiny and uncontrolled voice.

  After spending the entire day trying to hold back the tears, Meg gave in and let them fall freely.

  Matt’s phone buzzed and he removed it from his pocket. “Ms. Malone, I have been instructed by Mr. Noble to drive you home and see to your safety.” He opened the back door for Meg to step in, and she did as he requested. Meg was in no mood to take the subway in this state and welcomed the offer.

  * * * *

  The condo felt empty and void of any life. The sound of Drake’s voice was still fresh in her head. Even his smell lingered on her clothes. Meg dropped everything in the hallway and drew a nice hot bath. She walked out to the kitchen and opened a cheap bottle of red wine after searching the cupboard for her favorite Seven Deadly Sins and realizing she had run out. She filled her glass to the rim and undressed. She turned the music on and kept the volume down low. Her choice of music was sad…the kind that made you weep when feeling sorry for yourself. She settled in to the warmness of the water, laid her head back, and closed her eyes. An hour must have passed before she heard her phone going off in the distance. She let it ring. Even if it was him, she couldn’t endure the sweet sound of his voice just yet.

  * * * *

  After changing into her comfy PJ’s, Meg realized she hadn’t eaten all day. She was hungry, but there was so much going through her head right now that her stomach was in knots. She grabbed the remote from the coffee table and turned on the TV. Her phone rang again, and this time her heart raced when she reached to see who it was, hoping and praying it was him.

  “Hello?”

  “Meggie?”

  Oh God, it’s him! “Drake?”

  “Yes, baby, it’s me.”

  “You sound so far away.”

  “You left so abruptly. I didn’t get a chance to say good-bye. When I got to the elevator, you were gone.”

  “You came after me?” she asked hopefully.

  “Of course I did. I told Frank I had to use the washroom, but when I got to the elevator, the doors had just closed and you were gone. I was hoping to steal one last kiss from those insatiable lips of yours that I’m missing so much right now.”

  Meg held on to his every word and tried to hide the shakiness in her voice and the tears that flowed silently down her face, before she responded. “I wanted to wait for you, but I wasn’t sure how much longer you would be and I’m sorry. I’m not good at good-bye.”

  “God, Meggie, I miss you, I miss your touch, your smile, and hearing your voice right now is making me ache for you all over again. This isn’t good-bye, Meggie. I promise you, this is not good-bye. Do you hear me?”

  “Yeah, I hear you. I feel the same way. I feel so lost, and I’ve never felt this alone. Where are you right now?”

  “I’m on my way to San Francisco. I should be arriving there in a few hours.”

  “When do you leave for Japan?”

  “Wednesday morning.”

  “Oh yeah, I forgot. You mentioned that last night. So, how did your meeting go with Frank? I take it that things went well?”

  “It went well. I’m pleased. I’m pretty sure he’s happy and celebrating as we speak, but I’ll let him bring you up to speed on all the details. We had a few minor gray areas to work through, but it all worked out well in the end.”

  “Did I wake you, Meggie?”

  “No, I was watching TV. Well, actually, I was thinking about you, about us, and this past weekend. I’m glad you called, I was dying to hear your voice.”

  “Oh, before I forget, thank you for the Christmas ornament. I love it,” he said appreciatively. “Did you open your gift from me yet?”

  “Drake, I didn’t get it. You didn’t give it to me.”

  “Obviously, you didn’t empty your overnight bag yet, did you?”

  Something stirred inside of her. Meg jumped up from the couch in excitement with the phone to her ear and went in search of the overnight bag she had left on the floor in the hallway earlier. She rummaged quickly through the contents and managed to dig out the gift bag and opened it.

  “Meg’s lips turned upward in a warm smile. “Drake, oh my God, what are the odds? I can’t believe we got one another the exact same thing! The only thing different is the inscription. Holding the shiny red ornament up to the light, the inscription in gold sparkled calligraphy read Drake & Meggie, Niagara-on-the-Lake. “Thank you,” she whispered into the phone, “I love it.” Meg held the ornament close to her heart. Somehow it made her feel a little closer to him.

  Silence took over for a brief moment followed by a familiar low and oh-so-sexy voice. “So, Ms. Malone, what are you wearing this evening?” He murmured lightly in her ear.

  Meg’s eyes popped wide open, and she gingerly placed the ornament on the coffee table in front of her, for fear that she would squeeze too hard and break it. She sat back on the couch and prepared herself for a very heated telephone conversation. Wishing Drake was here next to her, she figured this would be the next best thing.

  “Umm, nothing,” she lied, “I’m not wearing a thing, Mr. Noble.”

  A low chuckle came over the phone, followed by a quick intake of breath. “You’re lying to me, Ms. Malone. I can’t picture you as the type to sit about watching TV wearing nothing at all. Although, I have to admit, I find that thought to be very intriguing. In fact, I wouldn’t be the least bit offended if you lounged around all day naked when we’re alone together.”

  “Okay, you got me. I was hoping to add to the excitement of where this conversation is headed. But you seem to be taking the lead quite naturally, Mr. Noble. I would love to be alone and naked with you this very moment. Keep talking. I like where you’re going with this,” she added breathlessly.

  “Okay, I’ll ask you again. What are you wearing?”

  “PJs,” she whispered a little embarrassed. She wished she were wearing something much sexier, something that once described, would heat up his insides.

  “Tell me what they look like.”

  “They’re cotton, light pink capri’s with a tank top, a little old but comfy.”

  “Tell me what you’re wearing underneath?”

  “Ah, you see, Mr. Noble, now this is where it gets rather interesting,” she responded in a sexy soft voice. “Let’s just say after seeing you today in that lovely black pinstripe suit, well, you filled my head with all kinds of naughty thoughts of what I could do to you if we had taken a walk to the boa
rdroom alone.”

  “Mmm,” was his response. Meg could tell he was getting as aroused as she was. Feeling inclined to tell him more, she continued. “I’m naked under my PJs.” She heard a sharp intake of breath on the other end. “You see, I took a long hot bath, and when I changed, I remembered what you said to me two nights ago.”

  “Oh, what was that?” His response was lazy and sensual. Meg pictured him with his hand down the front of his pants and slowly stroking himself.

  “You said you wanted me naked when I’m around you, with no panties, so I decided not to put any on. You see, Mr. Noble, I like to plan things ahead of time, and because you have left me with so many delicious memories, I can relive them over and over in my head and of course with BOB.”

  “Should I be jealous of BOB?” He asked as he chuckled in her ear. Meg could hear the playfulness in his voice now, and it gave her a comforting feeling inside.

  “Nah, he’s an old friend. He likes to fill my lonely nights, but he isn’t anywhere near as good as you are. I can still smell you, Drake. I can almost feel your touch just listening to your voice over the phone.”

  “Touch yourself, Meggie. Let me hear you.” Meg’s hand traveled downward slowly over the swell of her breasts, she massaged and tweaked her nipples before moving further south. Her hand hovered above her clit, feeling the sensitive tissue there, desperate for stimulation, she massaged lightly. She was already tingling and not too far away from orgasm as she sat back listening to him talk in that sexy deep voice of his.

  “Drake?”