“Good. Dad here?” I asked.
“Yes. He’s with Mr. Blakely. I think they were waiting for the some of the board members to get here and I know some of our people have already arrived. You ready to do this?” he asked.
No sooner did the words spill out of my brother’s mouth, K.K. made her appearance in my door, looking beautiful. She leaned around the doorframe.
“So, you ready to do this?” she asked.
I gave them both a firm “yes.”
I walked from behind the desk and my brother stepped in behind me. I stopped short of the door and grabbed K.K. by the hand. My brother stopped behind me and looked at the both of us. I looked at K.K. and pulled her to me, kissing her fully on the mouth. I didn’t care who was around. I wasn’t hiding my feelings, now, or ever. I loved her.
“I won’t call you baby at this office, or rather, I’ll try not to call you baby at this office. But do know that when we’re together, I won’t play at this whole friend thing. If we are going to make this whole thing work, I can’t have you acting like we’re strangers. No hiding. Promise me,” I said looking into her blue eyes.
She kissed me back. “No hiding. Just us being us. I promise.”
Jake shook his head at the both of us. “Let’s go love birds?” he chided.
K.K. turned from me, wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him on the cheek.
“And for God’s sake. Will you two stop with all the affectionate playfulness? It makes my blood boil,” I said shaking my head at them both.
“Jealous much?” she questioned.
“Only over you. Now let’s go sign some contracts.”
Chapter 19
Kasey
The boardroom was full of suited men with a few woman sprinkled in. My father and theirs headed the conference table, the documents laid out before them. They both signed the contracts making the long awaited merger official. The next couple of hours went by quickly. Champagne was poured liberally and handshakes were abundant. My father came to Josh who was sitting next to me and reached down to shake his hand. Josh stood, taking his hand in his and placing his other hand on his shoulder.
“Congratulations, sir.” he said.
“Thank you,” he replied. “I hope my daughter hasn’t played too much havoc on your heart. She can be frustrating at times, but she’s incredible and worth it.”
“Daddy,” I said, shocked at his comment.
“You are, K.K.,” he replied.
“Frustrating?” I asked.
“No honey. Worth it.” He beamed with the sincerity only a father knew.
I jumped up and threw my hands around his neck. “I love you, Dad.”
“I love you too sweetie. I have a few things I need to attend to before tonight. What time is the party?”
“Six o’clock.”
He nodded, put his hand on Josh’s shoulder, and walked out of the conference room. Josh grabbed my hand and I was ushered out of the conference room, as well.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“Home,” he replied.
“Where home? My home?” I questioned.
“Yes. I had Jake text Beth. It’s ready. I want us to see it together. I also have a little surprise of my own. Besides the party doesn’t start for three more hours and I can’t wait another minute to be inside you.”
I stood on my toes and whispered in his ear. “Makes me wet just thinking about it.”
“Oh my.” He eyed me up and down. “Keep that up and I’ll take you into the office and fuck you on that new desk of mine.”
“I’ll get my things then, because the thought of that hard desk isn’t that appealing,” I laughed.
I got my things and we left Blakely, hand in hand, headed to my newly renovated penthouse. We decided to take a cab back and held hands the whole ride home, our fingers tangled with his thumb rubbing the top of my hand. I stared out the window willing my mind not to travel too far from the present. I was nervous to see my place, but even more nervous about Josh. My feelings for him grew by the minute and I knew he was supposed to leave tomorrow. It made my stomach turn thinking about him getting on a plane for L.A. He gripped my hand tightly sensing something in me.
“Quit brooding,” he said.
“What makes you think I’m brooding?” I pouted.
He looked at me with his head cocked to the side and an eyebrow raised. “Really?”
Okay, so he did know me better than I thought. “I’m thinking about you leaving tomorrow,” I said sadly
“And…?” he questioned.
“I feel sick to my stomach. When will I see you again? I don’t want you to live somewhere else Josh. I like having you here. With me.” I meant it, I did feel sick at just the thought of seeing that plane takeoff. I was looking directly at him when he touched my cheek.
“Come home with me,” he said.
“What?” I blinked.
“Come home with me. Stay with me for a couple of weeks and see how it feels to run the companies from L.A. I’m not asking you to leave New York forever. Yet.” He was so close to my face I could smell the champagne on his breath. “I’m asking you to give it a chance. Give us a chance.”
“My home is here, Josh.”
“My home is there, K.K.,” he replied back.
“And here we are. In the complicated place, I knew we’d be. It’s going to break me tomorrow when you leave. I can’t go with you tomorrow.” I pulled my hand from his and put it in my lap. I looked out the window as the cab came to a stop. We both exited the cab and walked into the building. The air was now thickening around us…again. Josh took my hand and pulled me close. I curled into him and put my head against his chest.
“We’ll work this out. I promise. Don’t worry about it.” He sounded so sure.
“Okay.” It was the only thing I could think to say in reply, but I was worried anyway.
When we emerged from the elevator and entered my unit, I stood motionless to move in utter shock and virtually glued to the floor. It was a totally different place. A few of my pieces were still there, but almost everything else was new. It was absolutely gorgeous. Even the walls were painted a different color. Tones of brown and tan filled the main area and a variety of earth tones in the others. My living room floor was covered in several pelts of different size and color—steer or cowhides, I believed from the looks of them. A massive antlered coffee table stood on top of them. The couch was a sectional in the most incredible waxy brown leather. It looked rich and worn, but smelled brand new. Thick, expensive silk drapes lined the windowed wall, but were pushed into single lines, puddling the floor, but open so that the view of the city was front and center. Josh and I moved from room to room taking it all in. It was amazing. I was sure she’d spent every penny I’d authorized and I’d probably be getting invoices by mail in the coming weeks, but I didn’t care. My friend was truly amazing at her craft.
“I love it,” I managed to say. “I’ve got to call her and maybe find out what this set me back. I can’t imagine this was fifty. She must have had an entire crew here for the last two days.”
Josh walked over and looked at the cowhides on the floor. “I think I love these the best. It’s kind of rustic and rich at the same time. It’s an amazing transformation. I loved your place before, but this is incredible. It looks like a whole different place. She is really talented. We need to use her to do all of our corporate work as well,” he said and I could imagine how she’d react at the corporate offer – thrilled.
“Do you mind if I call her real quick?” I asked.
“Sure. I’m going run down stairs and get out of this suit and then I’ll be right back up.”
“Sounds great. Don’t be long,” I said smiling.
I walked over and gently sat down on the couch, taking in the smell of the new leather and the fresh flowers that were in a vase in the middle of my coffee table and scattered all over my house.
“Yes,” she answered, drawn out and waiting for my rep
ly at the discovery of my new home.
“It’s the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen. You’ve got talent, girl,” I said sincerely.
“Did you ever doubt it?” she asked, baiting me for more compliments and I’d have razzed her any other time, but right now, she more than deserved them. She’d come through and on a moment’s notice. I was proud of my place and proud of her.
“Yes, yes, yes. You are the greatest interior designer and decorator ever.”
“Now that’s more like it,” she chuckled. “I’m so glad you like it. It wasn’t quite my original idea, but it turned out fabulous.”
“Okay, so how much did this bad boy set me back?” I asked.
“Maybe that’s something we should discuss in person.”
“Oh, hell no. You spent everything and then some didn’t you?”
I heard the soft shuffle of footsteps behind me and glanced back to find Josh had made it back. He was now dressed in jeans and a tee shirt. I went back to my conversation, slapping my hand against the seat next to me, as indication that I wanted him to come join me.
“Spill it sister,” I said. “I promise I won’t be mad. You know I love it, I already told you you’re the absolute bomb. You have my word, whatever it cost I won’t be mad.”
I could feel the weight of Josh’s body next to mine on the couch and turned to look at him. He had his hand out gesturing for the phone. I looked at him inquisitively, cocking my head slightly to the left. “Josh wants to talk to you? You’ll be here tonight right?” I asked before handing the phone over.
“Yes ma’am. Can’t wait. Put Josh on.” I handed him the phone, now more confused than ever.
“You’ve done an amazing job with K.K.’s place. We may have other work for you at the company if you’re interested.” I could imagine her lighting up like a hundred watt light bulb at the offer.
As Josh continued his conversation, I looked adoringly at my smashing new digs.
“Got it handled. We’ll see you tonight.” He hit end and laid the phone down on the coffee table. Turning back towards me, he put his hand gently on my knee. “So you like then?”
“Like is an understatement. I love it!” I placed my hand over his and pulled him back into the couch next to me.
“Great. Don’t be mad at me when I tell you something then. You have to promise.” I turned to look at him and he looked slightly nervous. “Okay…I promise.”
“I paid for this,” he said.
The look of astonishment that overcame me at that moment was overwhelming. I pulled myself upright, moving to sit on the edge of the couch and turned to have a better view of his face and eyes. I didn’t know if he was serious or joking.
“You did what?”
“I wanted to pay for it. I knew it was something you did on the fly and I kind of talked you into having the whole thing here anyway. So, I paid Beth.” I sat speechless just looking at him. I didn’t know if I was supposed to be happy or mad. I was just shocked that he’d done it, first and foremost, and as much as it was such an awesome gesture, I couldn’t accept it. It was such a great deal of money. It wasn’t that he didn’t have the money. It was more that I’d done nothing to deserve such a gift.
“I can’t accept it. And before you say anything, know that I’m not mad at all. I am actually shocked that you’d do such a thing, but it’s too much,” I said.
He pulled me back to him. My chest was now on his and our faces only inches apart. We were eye to eye and the intensity we’d always shared not wavering.
“You will accept my present and we will not talk about it again. I wanted to do it.” I didn’t know if I wanted to kiss him or slap him. He was stubborn and I knew that he wouldn’t change his mind. I’d just have to find another way to get his money back to him, but for now, I leaned further in and kissed him.
“Thank you,” I said, gliding further up his body. “Now it’s time for a present from me.”
I slid back down, rolling fully onto him and gliding down between his legs and onto my knees. I put my hands on his knees and ran them up his jeans, the denim heating under the weight of my strokes. He smirked at me and I was sure he was fighting the urge to touch me, but kept his hands at his sides and allowed me the freedom to do what I wanted. I unbuttoned the top button of his jeans and then pulled the zipper down. I folded the opening back encouraging him to lift up so that I could take them off. He lifted enough for me to pull them down his thighs and over his ankles before slipping them off and tossing them onto the new couch. I turned back and his eyes were glassy and soft. The tent rising from his boxers made me smile.
“Excited?” I questioned, stroking my hand up the flesh of his thighs, getting teasingly close to his penis but stopping short.
“Yes. Very. Hadn’t you noticed?”
“I had, that’s what made me laugh,” I was still smiling.
“A) get up here and kiss me, and B) don’t ever laugh at a man’s penis.”
I eased back up his body kissing him fully, his arms now around my neck and back, pulling me close. I could feel his penis pressing into my stomach and reached down into his boxers to touch him. He moaned in my mouth.
“I love it when you touch me,” he whispered on my lips.
I stroked him with one hand and put my other hand on his face, pulling him more aggressively into my kiss. He was holding onto me when I broke free and slid down his stomach pulling his boxers down and taking him in my mouth. His hands were instantly on my head, softly caressing my hair as I gave him my mouth’s full attention. I could feel his solid length over my wet tongue, sucking him to the back of my throat and taking him all the way. He moaned and I could feel him get harder in my mouth. His thighs tensed and he pushed his hips up to meet my mouth. He cried out my name as he came in my mouth. I swallowed everything he had to give before pulling my mouth away and licking my lips.
“That was the best present ever,” he said smiling. “What else can I buy you?”
I smacked his thigh playfully and within seconds I was on the floor, his weight on top of me, and his face over mine.
“I like you so much. Having you as my partner and girlfriend means everything. You know that right?” he said sweetly, but serious.
“Girlfriend? Am I your girlfriend?” I asked smiling up at him playfully.
“Yes you are, you little shit.” He planted a kiss on my lips and reached up to put his hand on my cheek. I could tell the mood had changed from playful to something more serious. “You are definitely my girlfriend. I don’t want to be anywhere but here. I want you to come back to California with me for a couple of weeks and before you say no, think about it. We can work on the pipeline deal from there and maybe schedule a meeting, then we can shore up some of the other things we have going on. I don’t want to leave, but I have to see my dog. I promise you if you come home with me you won’t regret it.” He kissed me before I could reply, trying to stifle whatever response he assumed would fall out of my unpredictable mouth.
“Okay.” I relented.
“Really? You mean it? You’ll really come home with me?” I couldn’t believe the excitement in his eyes. It was like looking at a child surrounded by presents. Not knowing what was in the boxes, but thrilled at the prospect of tearing through the wrapping paper to find out.
“Yes,” I repeated, feeling the weight of my answer and trying to look surer than I felt. I reached up and kissed him softly on the lips. “Boyfriend,” I said playfully seeking his reaction to my choice of words.
“I like it,” he replied.
The tide of our relationship was changing, becoming stronger. I was no longer fraught with the idea of him leaving. The knowledge of my going home with him had eased the weight we’d both been feeling the whole day. I was nervous, but the idea of him leaving me behind made me feel even worse. I knew it wasn’t a long-term solution, but we’d work it out. I needed to place enough trust in him and me that we would.
We showered and got ready by four-thirty, knowing th
e caterers and bar staff would arrive early to set up. Things had never felt more perfect. We’d signed the contracts making Blakely and Crawford one, Josh and I were moving ahead as a couple, and we were about to celebrate it all in my newly renovated penthouse. I had no complaints. My head was light and my heart was full.
It was half past five when Beth arrived. She had her red hair messily pulled back and she had on the most beautiful emerald shift dress, skin toned strappy pumps, and the emerald earrings her Dad had given her for Christmas. I knew by the looks of her that she came to impress and I wasn’t the intended recipient of her effort.
“You look stunning,” I said, smirking with a knowing look.
“You don’t look so bad yourself.” She rolled her eyes and moved past me to make sure that everything was in place and that everyone was ready for the party.
I’d chosen a black wrap dress that flattered my breasts, which I knew Josh would love. It was dressy, but casual, and clung to all the right places. I’d decided to wear simple black ballet flats because I wanted to be able to move with ease around my guests.
I’d moved to the bar when I felt his presence behind me. I’d come to discover in a short time when Josh was near. It felt magnetic and it was like nothing I’d ever experienced. He walked up behind me and wrapped his hand around my waist, leaning down to kiss the side of my neck.
“Hey, beautiful,” he said. I turned and looked up into his blue eyes.
“Hey, beautiful,” I replied back and meant it. He was dressed in black slacks and a cashmere pullover. He still hadn’t shaved and the hair growth on his face was sexy as hell. He smelled incredible and the feel of his body near mine had my senses on high alert. I could feel my heartbeat and I had to work to control my breathing. He had such an effect on me. I’d never felt more alive. He moved his hand under my chin, tilted my head back slightly, and placed a deliciously warm kiss on my mouth. His kisses were powerful and telling. They were claiming and I was willing to be claimed with each one.
Merger Page 18
