"Did he hurt you?"
Henrik mumbles to me as I walk back into the bedroom from seeing the driver out.
"No. Thank you for coming to help. I am quite surprised you did."
He is curled up on his side as I make my way to face him. Henrik smiles and looks up at me while squinting.
"I'm surprised too but as much as I never wanted to see you again I couldn't let anyone hurt you. In fact, if those two guys had not shown up I would probably be facing murder charges right now."
"But if you did that, it would just make it easier for me to take your job," I joke but he's not laughing. His smile disappears and he turns his gaze onto my clock.
"It was a joke, Henrik. Not a very good one, but still a joke. I don't want your job ... well not if I have to hurt you to get it."
His eyes snap back to my face and he winces as he adjusts his position.
"But you admitted that you knew Bechmann was showing up so you could get me in trouble."
I just stare at him and roll my eyes. I'm no martyr so I can't take him hating me. If he is mad that is one thing, but hate is too strong even for me. I shake my head and walk into my bathroom to retrieve the first aid kit. Once I return I get down on my knees in front of him and try to lift his sweater to see where he is hurt, but his arm grabs my wrist.
"Why did you lie to us-- or did you, Morgana?"
I sigh and turn my head to face him. He's confused and I'm a liar. I lied to Evaleen and I lied to Henrik. As much as I don't want Henrik to lose his job I don't like to lie. It is unsettling.
"So you wouldn't lose your job, Henrik. As much as I want to get into the Executive Development Program -- and believe me I want it almost as much as I want cake-- if you lost your job with the company it would not just hurt you but also the people at Mimir. Even if they hired a great executive to take your place I honestly don't think that person could ever do as good of a job as you. Mimir is like family to you and it would be their loss if you went away. If I got fired, well ... it may be a nuisance for you to have to find another assistant but the company would be fine without me. If anyone has to leave, it's best for the company if I leave."
Henrik remains quiet for a minute staring at me. I try to raise his shirt again but his hand continues to push it away. Finally, he begins to sit up so I help him until he is standing.
"Give me the first aid kit. I'll do it myself."
"Henrik, seriously stop being a baby and just let me take care of you."
He holds out his hand as if he didn't hear me so I groan and begrudgingly give him the kit. Henrik walks into my bathroom and shuts the door. I head out into the kitchen and put the kettle on to make us some tea. I am mainly a coffee drinker, but there is a special tea that my father would drink when he came back from hard training or a mission. My dad is an ex-Navy Seal. Once my dad learned about what Trevor did to me I never heard from Trevor again. My dad swears he didn't make Trevor disappear. He tells me, "I'm not in the Mafia, Morgana." And then he just chuckles and mumbles something under his breath. I really hope he didn't kill Trevor.
Anyway, the tea is supposed to help with aching muscles. So, carrying the steeping cups into the bedroom, I wait for Henrik to emerge. I never took him for being shy about his appearance, but people surprise me all the time.
Henrik comes out and stands in front of me, his eyes burning into me. Something in me aches as I gaze up into his darkening eyes.
"I made some tea. It will help with the pain." My words tumble out of my mouth a little too fast. His head turns to the cups and then back to me. I swallow trying to suppress a moan. Henrik bends and winces while picking up the tea bringing it to his lips as he sips. His face scrunches as he squeezes his lips together.
"Ugg, that's awful. Are you trying to kill me, Ms. Drake?"
I bring up my fingers, pinching the air.
"Just a little, Mr. Payne."
He chuckles and then grabs his side in pain.
"Here come lie down and I vow not to make you laugh, but I can't promise anything about poison."
His eyebrow lifts as his lips crease into a smile. Henrik puts down the cup and crawls onto the bed to lie in the middle. I get up and get a few things from my dresser then turn to him as I make my way to the door.
"I'll sleep out on the couch if you need me. I know the tea tastes bad but it really will make you feel better by morning so try and drink it."
"Morgana?"
"Yes."
"Stay with me tonight."
Chapter 24 - THE Big Movie ...
I don't have much strength saying no to men I'm attracted to, hence why Trevor and I stayed together as long as we did. But tonight as I stand in the doorway of my bedroom looking at a tired, beat up yet amazingly sexy Henrik Payne for the first time in my life I say no even when I really, really want to say yes. God, I want to say yes so bad.
"I don't think that would be a good idea Mr. Payne. Besides you are hurt, you need your rest. I'll be right out here if you need anything."
He nods but adds, "Thank you, Morgana, for taking care of me tonight. I ... I ..." he growls and shakes his head.
"Just thank you."
"You're welcome." I smile at him and shut the door.
Once I have the couch set up and am sporting my PJs I turn on the TV because I know I am not getting any sleep with Henrik in the next room. Putting on my glasses that lay on the coffee table I flip the channels and find The Big Lebowski. I settle in knowing a comedy always cheers me up. That and cake. Wait, I still have some leftover cake in the fridge.
I get up and grab the slice then make myself at home for the almost perfect night on the couch. The only thing missing is Henrik's penis in my vagina, but we can't have everything, now can we.
It's the bowling scene when I hear my bedroom door creak open. A very frustrated Mr. Payne appears in the living room, standing next to our "nice" IKEA overstuffed chair.
"I'm sorry, is this too loud? I can turn it down."
I put the cake plate on the coffee table and search for the remote now buried in the couch.
"No, do you mind if I join you?"
Did he just pleasantly ask permission for something? He never asks for anything, it's always a command. Maybe he has a fever. I better check.
"Here come sit beside me, Mr. Payne."
He walks over and with some hardship lowers himself to the couch. I raise my hand to his forehead, no temperature.
"Are you sure you feel all right, Mr. Payne?"
He is staring at the screen nodding at me, but I can tell he's too engrossed in what is occurring in the bowling alley to care about his health. Suddenly he is laughing and shaking his head.
"God this is a great movie. When I heard it I had to come out here."
"Oh, that's what led you out. Well if I knew The Big Lebowski was the way to your heart I would have worn a mask of The Dude around the office."
He stops laughing and turns his attention to me.
"Don't ever wear The Dude mask at the office. I think that would scare me more than anything and you already do enough stuff to shock me to an early grave."
"You love it." I counter scrunching my face at him and smiling.
His eyes darken and flicker to my chest and then back to my eyes. I am suddenly very aware that there is no bra under the flimsy T-shirt I am wearing.
"I do." He answers.
A few moments of a burning gaze pass between us when he glances at the table and leans over digging his finger into the leftover icing on the plate. I watch him as he brings it to my mouth.
"Open up, Ms. Drake, and take it. All of it."
Who would say no to that, especially when cake is involved? He most likely won't be my boss anymore, so what is stopping me? Not like that ever prohibited me before.
I do as he commands and his sweet finger glides into my mouth. My lips close and my tongue curls as I suck the sweetness from him. Henrik's eyes flare and I can hear him groan. He leans in nipping at my neck while he removes
his hand and paints my neck down to my shirt.
The heat of his breath is overpowering my senses and before I realize it he lifts my shirt to fondle my bare breast. As my hand grips his neck for support my other hand ventures to find firmer ground. Yes, I am talking about his dick!
Henrik grinds into my palm and his head drops to rest on my shoulder. A second later his head lifts and he pins me with his dark stare. He removes my hand from his erection and places it on my breast.
"Touch yourself, Morgana." His voice is low and husky. I do as he instructs because I can't seem to ever say no to the man. There is a flood of heat that travels to my core as I begin to pinch my nipple. My back arches just as I feel his fingers brush past the waistband of my pajama pants and push down to my clit.
My belly squeezes as I moan my pleasure as his touch penetrates inside me starting a slow rhythmic drive.
"I notice, Morgana, always. When you enter a room, I notice. The way you look at me, I notice. Those fucking sexy glasses of yours, I notice. But then I think I want more."
Instinctively I adjust my glasses but drop my hand as his thumb starts to circle my sweet spot and he continues to thrust in and out of me.
"I want to hear you laugh, but then that's not enough. I want to hear you sigh. But that still isn't fucking enough. I want to hear you whimper, moan and then I want to watch you break apart for me as you come."
His thrusting grows intense and I feel myself tighten around him. It is all so much, his words, how his eyelids fall anticipating my release. My hips move sporadically and I tease my nipple for it is the only control I have.
"That's it, Morgana. Come for me."
My eyes roll back as I tighten around his fingers. I cry out, "Fuck! Henrik." Tremors overtake my body as I rise high above everything and very slowly drift back down. My eyes open to find Henrik staring at me with a soft smile etched on his face.
"You are so beautiful, Morgana. I didn't think you could be more striking and then you came."
I pull him to me causing his lips to crash onto mine. They are soft but demanding and his tongue darts out seeking refuge. He groans as I lick his lips and I push him back so I can climb on top of him.
Suddenly the door knob jiggles. We turn our heads to see Aria push open the door and walk inside.
Chapter 25 - THE Disagreement ...
After the best orgasm of my life by the sexiest man I have ever been with, my roommate, Aria, walks in breaking the sexual high. I quickly grab at my shirt and pull it down just as she notices us on the couch. Her eyes enlarge as Aria brings her hand to her mouth.
"Oh God. I'm sorry. Don't mind me."
She briskly closes the door and darts off into her room.
"Buzz kill. Aria has the worst timing!"
I shake my head and look back at Henrik who is laughing which turns into wincing.
"Oh you're in pain. We shouldn't have done that."
His hands grab either side of my face pulling me toward him so our foreheads meet and he gifts me with chaste kisses.
"Even if I knew I wouldn't be able to walk again after what we just did, it still would have been worth it to watch you come."
My arms wrap around his neck and I deepen the kiss. His breath warm with the lingering scent of the spirit he drank earlier in the evening. I part my lips and let his velvety tongue sweep into me and dance with mine. This kiss is for both of us, not just to arouse me. His fingers dig into my hips and force me to grind onto his erection. Henrik breathes in gasps and I feel the vibration of a moan from his chest. What we have done up to this point hasn't held as much meaning as this kiss. Before it was sexual tension and play, but this is more.
It strikes me he has had his hand on my crotch four times since we met but this is the first time our lips have touched. I pull away from our embrace as my eyes try to focus on him.
"Henrik do you realize this is our first kiss?"
His lips are nipping at my neck as he murmurs his knowing response.
"That's funny. It never really occurred to me. Usually people kiss first and then the sex stuff happens." I comment trying to stay focused on my thought while his lips send shivers down my body. His hand is cemented to my breast again and I arch into his touch.
"I never kiss before someone has an orgasm."
I push away and blink a few times at him.
"Uh, what?"
He smirks and his hand starts to lift my shirt again. His fingers lazily trace my nipples leaving me both wet and confused at the same time.
"It's just one of my rules. I don't want to get romantically involved with women and I find there is a lot of emotion in kissing. So, if I limit the kissing to the afterglow of sex then it's easier to walk away."
You see what has happened right here. This, this right here ... the words that exited his mouth is what he's good at. He draws me in, turns me on and then walks away. Except this time he is putting into words what will happen. God damn it! How can I be so fucking stupid? I should have known. Fuck, fuck ... fuck!
I climb off him lowering my shirt as I rise.
"So this is just ... what ... a one-night stand? You're okay with having your way with me now that you don't have to see me at work anymore?"
He's smiling at me ... like a dick.
"No, no, Morgana. I mean, yes we probably won't see each other again at work but we haven't had sex yet. I only do that after sex."
My mouth falls open and my blinking turns wild.
"Oh, so maybe when you are healed you can nail me and then never have to see me again. Is that it?"
He stands and tries to take my hand but I yank it away.
"I think you are making too much of this. I like you. I think you are the sexiest woman I have ever met. But I don't do romance or the boyfriend thing. Let's just enjoy this while it lasts, okay?"
He is just. The. Worst. I hold my hand up to his face to get him to stop talking and shut my eyes taking a deep breath. When I open them again and look at him that's when I see it. I realize what he is, a very lost man. Whatever is going on in his life or happened to him it isn't about me. Yes, he is attracted to me but that isn't enough. I don't just want more; I need it ... from him.
As much as I don't want to admit it, I'm falling for him. Why else would I have jeopardized my entire career for him? He needs to know he can't just have me when he wants and then tell me to go away expecting me to be happy about it.
"You need to leave, Henrik."
He steps toward me and places his hands on my shoulders but I turn my gaze away from him.
"Morgana. Please understand that I am not saying this to hurt you but because I care and respect you. I want to be honest and upfront here. I can't make promises if I know I won't keep them."
My eyes turn back up to his and I see sadness behind his smile.
"Neither can I Henrik. I like you. As much as you piss me off sometimes I have feelings for you. Jesus, I wouldn't have screwed my own job if I didn't care for you. I love the company, but not that much. So, what now? Some sloppy sex to thank me for saving your job and I'm left with nothing. You get to keep going same as usual in a week or so when they call you back to work, while I'm left jobless and no shoulder to cry on? I understand perfectly fine, Henrik. I think you're the one who is confused. Please leave."
I pull away and open the door motioning for him to get going. He walks back into my bedroom and about thirty seconds later emerges with his shoes on. Henrik stops just outside in the hallway and turns to me. He hesitates before speaking
"I'm ... uh ... I'm sorry for everything." Then he turns and that's the last I see of him.
Closing the door I can hear my mouth chuckling at me, "Well, Morgana, I would say I'm sorry but I'm not. But I will admit he is a good kisser."
I roll my eyes, "Why don't you just shut up Mouth. Now is not the time to rub it in. You got what you wanted. Now I'm alone and will be feeding you cake instead of cock."
I can hear my mouth sigh, "Look, Morgana, I was just mad fro
m the years of terrible kissers and pencil dicks you put in me. How about a truce? I'll admit, I don't think I would have minded his cock so I'm a little disappointed I didn't get a taste."
I walk into my bedroom and fall face first on my green duvet covered bed.
"You and me both, Mouth."
I hear footsteps in the doorway. Turning over I see Aria looking around the bedroom.
"Is he still here?"
Bringing my hands to my head and rubbing my eyes with my palms I groan.
"No, he went home. Feel free to walk around naked if you like, no one but us idiots around."
Aria comes to the edge of my bed and I roll toward her.
"Do you know, Morgana, that the flightless winged-"
I hold up my hand and cover her mouth.
"Not now Aria. I know you mean well, but just ... don't. I kind of want to feel like shit right now."
She nods and brings her fingers to my head to massage.
"What happened?"
A small chuckle escapes my lips.
"The same as always. We do a little somethin' somethin' and then he gives me the 'I don't do relationships' talk. You'd love him Aria, right up your alley."
"Yeah, probably but he doesn't have eyes for me. From what I've seen of him I think he is all talk."
I scrunch my brow at her and shake my head.
"Even if that were true, which I don't think it is, then he needs to figure that shit out on his own. Unfortunately I might not be here when he does."
"Well, in the mean time I brought home a bottle of champagne. More like smuggled out. I quit tonight so let's both drown our sorrows."
I sit up and place my hand to her back.
"What? Why would you do that?"
"Are you serious? Jackson almost raped you. Do you think I would work for a man like that? No, and I am going to tell everyone I know to stay the hell away from that place."
I flop back down on the bed and stare up at my ceiling.
"Great now we both don't have jobs. How are we going to pay rent?"
Cake Love: All Things Payne Page 30
