Sweetest Obsessions - Anthology

by Anthony, Jane

  A bolt of fear went through me even though we were no longer together. I would never want anything to happen to Austin.

  “What did he have?”

  “Lyme disease. I think he got it when he was visiting me. He was miserable, and after she left, I stayed with him for a while. He was so bad he had to take a semester off.”

  I took a sip of my wine. “I’m sorry. He never told me any of this.”

  “I suppose it might be because he wanted to put it behind him. Can you blame him? After the pregnancy thing, I thought he would never get involved with a woman again, until you. He seemed genuinely happy.”

  “I tried, but he was so angry. I gave him the ring back.”

  Edith grabbed my hand, holding it between her own. “Do you still love him?”

  I looked away from her gaze. “I don’t know. Austin said some very hurtful things.”

  She squeezed my hand. “He’s hurting. I can hear it in his voice. He refuses to talk about you. I was hoping we would bump into each other. I wanted to get your side of the story.”

  Edith ended up having dinner with me, telling her friends we had some things to discuss. We did. I told her everything that happened between us because I felt even though she was Austin’s grandmother, she wouldn’t place all the blame on me. She didn’t.

  When our meal was over, I promised to get together with her again. Edith gave me her contact number and address. We parted ways on the street, and she hugged me tightly. I felt more settled than I had in weeks. Austin still loved me, but it was his fear and pride that prevented him from coming to me.

  My talk with Edith comforted me and the sliver of heart which opened, remained. I was a little kinder to my employees at Tailwind and apologized to Luna for my brashness. In talking with her, I found that she was married with two boys who were in a basketball league on the weekends. I prevented her from watching their game. I felt sorry about that.

  From then on, we worked together well. She was my eyes and ears when I was away from Tailwind, just as Marina was when I was away from Spotlight. I couldn’t get my mind off Austin. I missed him more than I cared to admit, and it was compounded when I would have weekly lunches with Edith. He wasn’t doing well.

  We were now into the second day of November and Tailwind’s management had been totally restructured, new policies were in place, and a children’s film about puppies and kittens was about to be completed. Hassan and the board were impressed with what I was able to do in just a month. I was working ninety-hour weeks, excluding flights to and from each coast. I was exhausted and would need a break soon. I still had my vacation booked in the Maldives, hoping I could go in early January.

  I was settling down in my office at 7:00 AM the next day when my cell rang, which was unusual at this hour. The screen flashed Edith’s number.

  I picked up right away. “Edith, how are you?”

  “Something’s wrong. I fell,” she croaked.

  My heart jumped into my chest. I was fond of the woman and knew how important she was to Austin.

  “When? Where are you?”

  “It hurts.”

  There was a clatter, and all I could hear was her heavy breathing. I kept calling her name, but when she didn’t answer, I called an ambulance and ran out of the office. I begged the cabbie to drive faster, coaxing him with a big tip, and when I arrived at Edith’s building, they were taking her out on a stretcher.

  I grabbed one of the paramedics by the arm. “What happened to her? Is she going to be alright?”

  He looked at me, and I let his coat go. “Who are you?”

  I lied. “Her grandson’s fiancée. She called me.”

  “She was unconscious when we got to her apartment. It’s probably shock from injury,” the paramedic said.

  I backed out of the way as they loaded Edith into the ambulance. It was very early in Los Angeles, but I needed to contact Austin since I didn’t have Roman’s number. I dialed as soon as I caught a cab to the hospital. His cell rang several times and went to voicemail. I called again and again.

  He finally answered on the fourth try. “What!” he growled.

  “Austin, it’s Samantha.”

  “I fucking know that. What I can’t understand is why you’re calling me at this hour.”

  “It’s your grandmother. Something happened to her.”

  His voice softened and was on the edge of panic. “What happened to her?”

  “She called me and said something was wrong, then passed out. I had an ambulance come, and I’m following in a cab.”

  “Jesus Christ. Call Roman.”

  “I don’t have his number.”

  “I’ll text it to you. Call him immediately. I’ll be out there as soon as I can.”

  He hung up, and a minute later he texted me with his brother’s contact information. I called Roman and explained what happened.

  His voice was just like Austin’s. “I’m not in New Jersey. I’m at a tradeshow in Las Vegas. Have you contacted Austin?”

  “He’s on his way out. I’m not family. I don’t know if they’ll tell me anything.”

  “Find out all you can. I’ll be back on the next flight. Call my wife.”

  He rattled off a number, and I tried to commit it to memory, but I was flustered.

  “Roman, can you text it to me.”

  “Yes. Thank you.”

  “Mrs. Doyle has a broken arm.” The ER doctor said.

  I breathed a sigh of relief but knew even that could be dangerous for a woman her age.

  “Why did she pass out?”

  “Shock from the pain. She’s stable at this point, and you can visit her if you like. I’m Doctor Pavlik.” He offered his hand, and I shook it.

  “I would like to see her.”

  I’d been sitting in the hospital waiting room for the last two hours hoping for some good news on Edith. In the meantime, I was working off my phone, sending emails and making calls. Luna was relaying any urgent messages to me. Before I visited with Edith, I texted both Austin and Roman to let them know she was okay. I didn’t receive any replies which left me to assume they were both en route to New York.

  I was directed to her room down a long white sterile hallway. Edith was lying in a hospital bed with a drip bag attached to her uncasted arm. She was pale but gave me a weak smile when I walked into the room.

  “I’m sorry I disturbed your day,” she croaked.

  “Nonsense. I’m glad you were able to reach me. What happened?”

  “Stupid me. I got some water on the kitchen floor and slipped. I was able to get the phone off the table and call you.”

  “I called Austin and Roman. They’re on their way here.”

  “This won’t go well. They’ve been after me to move in with Roman. I love New York.”

  “What about hiring someone like a live-in maid?”

  Edith frowned. “I like living alone. I don’t need a babysitter.”

  “Suppose you hadn’t been able to get to the phone?”

  “I don’t know, but I like my independence.”

  “I was very worried about you.”

  I grasped her hand, and she squeezed. “You can go. I know you don’t want to see Austin.”

  That couldn’t be further than the truth. I’d been dreaming of him almost nightly. I still loved him even though he said those horrible things.

  “I’ll be fine. I don’t want to leave you.”

  I stayed with her most of the day until a weary Austin walked through the door of her room. He stopped short when he saw me. Edith was dozing, and he gave me a disarming smile, which allowed me to relax.

  “How is she,” he whispered.

  “Fine. She slipped in the kitchen.”

  “I got your text. Thank you for taking care of her.”

  “I’m just glad I could help. I should go.”

  “You can stay.”

  “I need to get back to the office. I’ve been out all day.”

  “I’m sorry she took you away
from your work.”

  “It’s no trouble at all. I like Edith very much.”

  His grandmother woke, and he went to her. I slipped out of the room and headed back to the office. Austin texted me to say Edith would be staying in the hospital for a few days, and then she would be home. I thanked him for the update. I didn’t expect to hear from him again, but he texted me as I was leaving Tailwind.

  * * *

  Can we meet for coffee?

  * * *

  My stomach twisted in knots as I read the text.

  * * *

  Where and when?

  * * *

  The Bean Nut near my grandmother’s place. Do you know it? I could meet you there at seven.

  * * *

  Yes. I know it. I’ll see you then.

  * * *

  It was just after six, which gave me some time to get back to my hotel, change and meet him at the little coffee shop. I rushed out of the building.

  I arrived a few minutes early and scanned the place for Austin. He wasn’t here yet, and I sat at one of the square tables against the wall facing the door. He strolled through the door five minutes later, and I felt my heart begin to speed up at the sight of him. I stood as he approached.

  “I need a large cup of coffee. Can I get you something?” he asked.

  “Large cup as well.”

  “One sugar and a splash of milk?”

  I smiled that he would remember how I took my coffee, and I nodded. I watched him go to the counter and order. He still looked as hot as ever except his usually short hair had grown just below his collar and was a bit shaggy. The jeans he was wearing hugged his sculpted backside, and I couldn’t help but fixate there. When he returned, he set my coffee in front of me and sat down.

  Austin took the top off his paper cup, inhaling the steam before he took a sip. “I appreciate you taking care of my grandmother.”

  “It was no problem. I like her very much.”

  “She told me that. She said you two have lunch every week. I didn’t know.”

  “I met her the first week I was here. We had dinner together, and she told me some things.”

  “Things?”

  “Things you never told me and should have. It would have made things easier to understand.”

  “What did she tell you?”

  “You were sick and had a fiancée. I thought I was the only one.”

  Austin stroked his chin. “You were the only one who counted, and I fucked it up with my stupid hang-ups.”

  “I’ve let it go.”

  “I haven’t. I shouldn’t have said those things to you. You weren’t her, but it all came flooding back.”

  “Do you honestly believe I would’ve done what she did? I loved you. I would’ve taken care of you if you got sick.”

  “You loved me?”

  I couldn’t admit to Austin that I still loved him. My heart was starting to open up again, and if he rejected me, I would be lost forever.”

  I fixed my eyes on my coffee cup. “I moved on. You said we weren’t right for each other.”

  “You said it, too. Do you believe it?”

  I looked up at him. “It doesn’t matter what I believe. It’s over.”

  “I want to be friends. Can we do that?”

  “I’m not sure. I’m afraid we’ll tear open old wounds.”

  “I can move past our relationship.”

  “I’m not sure I can. It hurt. I’m a bitch again, thanks to that failure.”

  “I don’t think that’s true.”

  “Ask my employees. My job is my life. I work, I travel, bark out orders, and get things done. I think my destiny was always to be alone. It’s how I was brought up. With that said, I enjoyed our time together. You made me happy.”

  “And now?”

  “I just am.”

  Austin frowned. “Don’t you want more? A husband, children, a life outside of work?”

  “I did, but that’s not what my life’s plan is.”

  He took another sip of coffee. “Are friends part of that plan?”

  “They could be. I don’t have many, and my employees hate me.”

  “They don’t know you.”

  I fixed my gaze on him. “Did you? Did you ever?”

  Austin stared back. “I thought I did. I got to see a side of you. I’m sure others didn’t. Does anyone know you? Do your parents? Where are they now?”

  “They don’t know me. I’m not sure if they ever did either. They’re in South America somewhere.”

  “I’m sure they were happy we broke up.”

  “They were. I’m glad I never told them we were engaged. It would’ve just made the failure harder to bear.”

  Austin ran his hands through his hair, mussing it up to a sexy mess. “I didn’t want it to end the way it did.”

  I lowered my voice. “You wouldn’t even listen to me. I tried to compromise, but you didn’t want to hear it. Do you know how that made me feel?”

  “I let my past relationships bubble to the surface. I put that shit on you.”

  “I was willing to quit Spotlight. That’s how much I loved you. But when I saw how hostile you became, I gave up.”

  “Maybe we’re both not designed to be in relationships. Most of mine have failed miserably.”

  I was growing upset as my chest tightened and changed the subject. “I tried to talk your grandmother into getting someone to live with her, a maid perhaps.”

  “I bet she would’ve stamped her foot no if she could.”

  I chuckled. “She said no. I hope you can work something out with her. This situation could’ve been pretty bad.”

  “I know. I’m taking a week off. Roman is working on getting an aide to be with her until she gets better. Otherwise, she’ll be put in a nursing home.”

  My eyes widened. “For good?”

  “No, just until she recuperates.”

  “Edith won’t like that very much.”

  “Would you see me while I’m here? Where are you staying?”

  “Spotlight has me at The Pierre.”

  Austin whistled. “Nothing but the best for the CEO.”

  “I deserve it. I’m working ninety hours a week or more between here and Los Angeles. I sleep more on the planes then I do in my hotel room.”

  “So you’re traveling back and forth.”

  “I told you I would be. It’s not so bad besides the disruption to my eating, sleeping, and workout schedule.”

  “You still work out?”

  “Only when I’m in Los Angeles. I’m still sore from last week. Jay is killing me.”

  “Can we have dinner this week?”

  “I guess, though I might fall asleep on you.”

  “Does The Pierre have a restaurant? That way if you’re falling asleep you can go right upstairs.”

  “They have dining, or we can eat in my room.”

  “Your room?”

  “Your choice.”

  “We can discuss it.”

  I put my hand over my mouth and yawned. I was fading fast and had a busy day tomorrow.

  Austin gave me a sympathetic look. “You’re exhausted. I can see how tired you are. Why don’t we call it a night? Thank you for talking with me.”

  “Thank you for the coffee.”

  “I don’t think it’s helping.”

  “Me either, but it was worth a shot.”

  Austin and I decided on dinner for Thursday since he would be leaving the next day. The hotel restaurant was booked solid, so I opted for dining in my hotel room. I was tired and didn’t want to stray too far from there. Austin arrived just after seven dressed in a pair of black jeans, gray v-neck sweater, and a blue pea coat. He looked handsome as always with a two-day growth of stubble on his face.

  I’d changed into a pair of light blue jeans and a long-sleeved t-shirt when I got home from Tailwind. He surprised me with a bouquet of yellow roses.

  “For friends.”

  “Thank you; they’re beautiful.”

>   He came inside and marveled at the rich décor and expensive finishes.

  “This place is gorgeous.”

  “The bed is very comfortable, top of the line.”

  He crooked an eyebrow at me. “I’ll have to check it out.”

  “What would you like to eat?”

  I handed him the menu, and he looked it over. I wasn’t very hungry and would order a salad with some white wine. Austin placed the menu on the table and turned to me.

  “I don’t want to eat.”

  I crooked an eyebrow at him. “What would you like to do?”

  “Try that bed out with you in it.”

  I shook my head. “That’s not a good idea.”

  “Why? Remember when we were in the Maldives? You suggested we have sex without a relationship. I pushed for more.”

  “We have history now.”

  Austin made two long strides and wrapped his arm around my waist. My belly clenched tightly. It had been weeks since I had sex and thinking about what he could do to my body didn’t help. His hand snaked up the back of my untucked t-shirt, and he stroked my bare flesh.

  “We can’t,” I whispered.

  “Give me one good reason, why?”

  “It wouldn’t work. We would hurt each other again.”

  My protests did nothing to stop him. He pressed his lips against mine, and his tongue forced them apart, thrusting into my mouth. His free hand expertly opened my jeans, and he slipped his hand down my belly until he was touching my cleft. My body gave me away, and I pivoted my hips toward him. He broke his mouth from mine and whispered in my ear.

  “You protest, but you’re soaked. You want my big cock inside you. Admit it.”

  “Please,” I whimpered.

  The tip of his fingers touched my clit, and I moaned. I couldn’t help it. He rubbed me and had me coming in thirty seconds. I buried my head into his chest as I spiraled through my orgasm as I clung to him.