“Earth to Grace.” I hear Carver laugh. I shift my position on the couch and look back at him with a warm smile. I rarely see him anymore and it's ridiculous how much I miss him considering that we live together.
“Seems like the wheels were really turning there. Everything okay?” He asks, dropping his work bag on the floor and throwing his keys on the island.
“Yeah, just writing.” I say, holding up my notebook. It has pages and pages of useless notes and scribbles but I am convinced that a bestselling novel or a number one hit song is hiding in there somewhere.
“Anything interesting?” He asks, crossing the living room and plopping down next to me on the couch. I close my notebook and cram it into the side of the couch before he makes a grab for it.
“I'm working on it.” I smack his hand away with a laugh.
He pouts out his lip in the most adorable way, tearing another laugh from me. “I'm not letting you read it Carv.” I say, shaking my head at him. “Besides, the pouty face only works on Em, but good try.” I say, patting his leg.
My phone starts ringing from its spot on the kitchen counter and for a moment, I consider ignoring it, but curiosity sets in and I push myself off the couch, grabbing my notebook before making my way quickly into the kitchen to get it before the voice mail picks up.
I don't recognize the number, which is not that uncommon, so I slide the screen and click answer. “Hello.”
“Hello. May I please speak to Grace Morgan?” A woman asks, her voice both polite and professional with a hint of southern drawl to it.
“This is Grace Morgan.” I say, not really sure who I am talking to.
“Hi Grace. My name is Hannah Bower and I work for Fischer Literary Agency. Is now a good time?” She asks.
“Yes, of course.” I try to keep my voice even but my heart suddenly feels like it's beating in my throat.
“Wonderful. I received a sample of your manuscript from a work colleague and I must say, I am very impressed with the material I was given. I would love to have the opportunity to read the full manuscript if you have it available.” She says.
I run through the proper things to say and yet I come up short. I am at a complete loss for words. She wants to consider my manuscript? This seems too good to be true. And then suddenly I realize something. I never submitted my manuscript to this agency.
“I'm sorry but how did you say you received my sample pages?” I ask, praying I don't come across as unappreciative or rude for that matter.
“The owner of Fischer Literary Agency, Todd Fischer, received it through a business associate. He passed it onto me yesterday and asked me to take a look at it and I must tell you Grace, I loved what I read.”
I know without asking any further questions that Zayne is somehow behind this. For a moment, I consider refusing to do any business with her out of sheer spite but knowing I could never walk away from an opportunity like this....
“I would love it if you could send me the full manuscript. You can just email it to me and hopefully I can get back to you in the next few days.” She says, her voice still chipper.
“Okay, yeah that would be great.” I stutter, still a bit in shock.
I grab my pen and notebook off of the counter next to me and quickly jot down her information. After promising to get it over to her within the next day, I hang up, still not entirely sure if that actually just happened.
I drop my phone on the counter and look over at Carver, who is looking at me with wide eyes and a large smile.
“She's interested in my manuscript.” I say slowly in disbelief. “Oh my god Carv, she's interested in my manuscript!” I say, suddenly not able to stand still.
I sprint into the living room and jump into his lap, my arms flying up around his neck. “I am so proud of you Gracie.” He says into my hair.
While I am thrilled to share this moment with Carver, there is one other person that I need to speak to. One that I am not sure if I am going to kiss or punch, that part is still up for debate.
****
I arrive at Zayne's house just after seven, having tried his cell phone multiple times with no response. If it were any other day, I would simply wait for him to call me back but my anxiousness and nerves over this entire situation would not allow for it.
I need to know what he did and how.
I punch in the code to his front door and let myself in. Though he told me I was welcome here anytime, this is the first time I have shown up unannounced and honestly, I feel like I am trespassing or something.
“Zayne?” I call out, not really expecting a response so I'm not surprised when one doesn't come. He's no doubt still at the office and I knew that coming here but I am so full of energy right now, I thought maybe it would be easier to wait here. As I wander his empty apartment, I now see how wrong I was.
Without Carver to at least talk to, I have nothing but the eery silence to focus on until Zayne arrives home. Just as I am about to leave and come back later, I hear the lock click and the door opens. Zayne walks in, not spotting me in the shadows of the living room, throws his keys down and then pulls his phone out, scrolling through the screen.
A smile lights up his face and he clicks something on his phone and then holds it to his ear. Immediately my phone begins ringing in my jeans pocket and echos through the silence. We both jump simultaneously and then, realizing that I am here, he drops the phone on the counter and stalks towards me.
“Why are you hiding over here?” He asks, reaching out and pulling me into his arms.
“Sorry, I.... I didn't want to startle you.” I say, momentarily forgetting my purpose for being here and simply losing myself in his arms, his touch.
“I missed you.” He says, kissing my hair.
“I missed you.” I repeat, squeezing my arms around his lean torso.
“Is everything okay?” He asks, clearly not missing the fact that I never show up like this. Suddenly my irritation over the literary agency somehow getting a hold of sample pages of my manuscript comes boiling back to the surface and I push out of his embrace.
“How did you get a copy of my manuscript?” I ask, knowing full well that I have not given it to anyone, including Alec.
“What?” He asks, clearly caught off guard by my question which makes me second guess myself.
“A woman from Fischer Literary Agency called me today. Said her boss received sample pages of my manuscript through a business associate and passed them along to her.” I pause, hoping he will jump in and explain, only he doesn't. He just stands there, arms crossed in front of him with the cutest damn smile I think I have ever seen.
I melt a little under his loving stare but refuse to let him distract me.
“It was you wasn't it?” I question, my hands instinctively going to my hips, as if every woman's instinct is to do this when upset.
“I may have played a small part.” He admits, his smile only growing wider.
“How did you get a hold of my manuscript?” I ask, this time my voice showing a hint of my aggravation.
The thought of him seeing it, reading it, causes a sick feeling to form in the pit of my stomach. I know that someday, hopefully, I will put it out there for the world to read, but it's not ready, not by a long shot and I don't want anyone reading it until it's perfect, especially given how personal it is to me.
As if somehow sensing my dilemma, he takes a step back and leans against the arm of the couch. “I didn't read it if that's what you're worried about.” He says, his smile fading a bit.
“How did you get it?” I repeat, crossing my arms in front of my chest.
“I called World Lit. You had mentioned it was one of the places you sent your manuscript to. I talked to one of the assistants there and after some convincing, she agreed to forward the pages to me.” He says with no other explanation.
“And you thought this was okay because?” I ask, completely thrown off by his lack of remorse for going behind my back.
“I didn't want to ge
t your hopes up. I know how badly you want this and I didn't even want to mention it until I knew for sure that something would pan out. Obviously it did?” He phrases it in a question like he doesn't already know.
“Obviously you know that it did.” I say, irritation evident in my voice.
“Actually I didn't know. Congratulations.” He says, another smile pulling up the corners of his mouth.
It's nearly impossible to focus when he's standing there looking at me like he wants nothing more than to end this conversation and devour me on the spot but I somehow manage to stay strong and push forward. When he sees that I am not going to just drop this, he finally decides to give me a little explanation.
“I talked to Todd about you during a business lunch, which, for the record, Alec started, not me. He seemed genuinely interested by what Alec had to say and so I decided to see if I could get my hands on a few pages to send him. I'm sorry that I went behind your back. But if it means that you might get a shot to follow your dreams, then I'm not sorry at all.” He says, reaching his hand out to me.
I can't resist the urge to go to him and collapse into his embrace. “I wanted to do this on my own.” I say into his chest. “That way, if I succeeded, I would know that I earned it.”
He pulls back to study my face for a beat before responding. “If you succeed, you will have earned it. I didn't write the book. I didn't force Todd or his agents to read it. And I certainly didn't make the agent that contacted you like it. All I did was open the door for you, it's up to you to make it happen once you get inside.” He says, kissing me sweetly on the tip of my nose. “Grace. You are an amazingly talented woman. You just need to believe in yourself. You can do this. And now, you have a real shot. That's all I want for you. For you to have the chance.” He says, his eyes boring deeply into mine.
Every ounce of the frustration I feel just melts away under his stare. I am starting to believe that there is nothing this man can't talk his way out of. And as his lips gently take mine, I realize something very important. I don't think there is anything this man wouldn't do to make me happy. And I know without a shadow of a doubt that there is nothing I wouldn't do for him in return.
Chapter Twenty
Three days was all it took. Three days until I received the news that I had been praying for. Turns out, Hannah not only loved my manuscript, but was pretty certain that after some editing, she would have no problem selling it to a publisher.
So as I walk out of the tall brick building that houses Fischer Literary Agency (or FLA as they call it), I am in a state of absolute bliss and, utter disbelief. I officially have an agent and my dream of becoming a writer finally seems obtainable.
I am already kind of working on my second novel, and while it is much different from the first, I feel really good about where it's heading and even better after talking to Hannah and getting her reassurance that my ideas sounded great.
I've written about tragedy and loss, I thought maybe I would try my hand at love. While my novels are definitely fiction, I base them off my real life experiences. My first novel is almost spot on the time in my life when Kyle died and what happened in the months that followed.
But lately I have new inspiration and as such, the manuscript I have been jotting down ideas for is based heavily on my relationship with Zayne.
It's strange that I am writing about this breathtaking, whirlwind love affair and I am actually living what's on the pages. It doesn't seem real. Men like Zayne don't exist, love like this doesn't exist. Or at least that's what I used to tell myself. Only now do I see how very wrong I was.
So as the sheer magnitude of what just happened to me settles in, there is only one person I want to see. One person that I want to share my news with. And even though I may run into Alec in the process, I know that I can play it off as I'm there to see him if I do.
I start walking in the direction of Zalec Developing. It's only about six blocks from FLA and with the summer heat dying down unseasonably early, I am enjoying the outdoors more and more.
The city really is an amazing place and if you can get past the crowded streets and run down buildings, there is unbelievable beauty hidden down alleyways and tucked in tiny corners. I think the majority of people pass by without really noticing, so lost in their daily routines that they don't take the time to really appreciate what's around them.
My mind continues to wander, so much so that I don't even realize I have arrived at my destination until I am staring at the steps that lead to the entrance of Fredrick Tower. Maybe it's that I am actually paying attention or simply that I am viewing things in a different way, but today the city seems more alive than usual and it's near impossible not to be sucked into everything going on around me.
I take the steps two at a time and quickly make my way through the lobby to the main set of elevators on the other side, completely bypassing reception. I have been here enough times to see Alec that the receptionist only nods in my direction when she spots me.
As the elevator climbs, I realize that coming here probably wasn't the best idea. Surely someone will mention to Alec I stopped by if I don't see him here, but honestly, I am in such a good mood right now, I really don't care.
I have something I want to talk to Zayne about and right now, it can't wait. I feel a sense of urgency to finally define a relationship that to this day has only ever been called things like affair and fling. I don't want that anymore. I want so much more than that. What's making one dream come true when I have a shot to make them all come true?
A couple of people nod my way as I cross the lobby. Again, I don't stop at reception, buzzing past Jane, the beautiful brunette that is so perfect, it almost hurts to look at her. I am practically a regular here anyways so no one really pays me any attention.
When I hit the hall, I follow it to the left and then down a little ways, past a corner, to the very end of the next hall, where Zayne and Alec's offices are located. In all the times that I have been here over the last few weeks, I have never seen Zayne's office.
I wouldn't dare risk being caught by Alec, and because of this, I have always only ever visited my brother here. But today I feel bold and adventurous. Today I feel alive.
I throw a long enough glance towards Alec's open door to assess that he is not in his office. Zayne's door however, is shut and I can't see through the designed, clouded glass to know if he is in the middle of anything.
I reach out and knock lightly, the glass pane clattering lightly under my hand. I hear movement and then after a few moments, the door opens and Zayne is suddenly staring down at me with wide eyes.
“Grace.... What.. What are you doing here?” He questions, as I place my hands against his hard chest and push him backwards into the office, pushing the door closed behind me and twisting the lock in place.
“I wanted to thank you in person.” I say, stepping forward until my chest meets just below his. I drag my fingernails slowly up his torso and then gently clasp my hands around his neck, pulling his mouth to mine.
The moment his lips hit mine, I can feel his smile as he registers what I am thanking him for. “You got it?” He laughs against my mouth.
“I got it.” I squeal, pulling back just far enough to stare into those breathtaking blue eyes that stand out against his tan skin and almost black hair. Every time I register his face this close up, I literally lose my breath. I don't think god could have created a more beautiful creature.
“I knew you could do it Grace. I am so proud of you.” He says, his excitement for me evident in his voice. In the way his eyes sparkle and how his smile stretches across his face.
“I couldn't have done this without you.” I say, reaching up to brush his bangs away from his forehead.
“Yes you could have and you would have.” He says, matter of fact. “It may have just taken you longer.” He says, a cocky smile pulling up his mouth.
“Oh shut up and come here.” I say, still smiling when his mouth is on mine once again. He deepens the ki
ss, a soft groan sounding from his lips.
“Grace.” He breathes, trying to step away before things get too intense. Only, that's exactly what I want. This wasn't my plan, but the moment I feel the familiar hum in my lower belly, suddenly everything feels too hot.
“Shhh.” I pant against his mouth, my hands running under his suit jacket and pushing it over his shoulders. It falls to the floor with a soft thud and is soon followed by his tie. As my fingers fumble down the buttons of his shirt, he stills my hands on the last one, pulling back to look at me.
“Grace.” He gets out breathless, looking from me to the door.
“I don't care.” I say, desperately trying to pull his mouth back down to mine.
“You say that now.” He warns.
“And now is what matters.” I say, launching myself at him and roughly taking his lips with mine. My hands dive into his hair, pulling and tugging the thick strands between my fingers.
At first I think he's going to try to resist, but I can feel the very moment that his resolve falters and I take full advantage, pushing him back against his desk. I make quick work of removing his shirt and once it has been discarded to the floor, I run my hands from his shoulders to his hip bone so slowly that I can feel his skin prickle under my touch.
When my mouth replaces my hands, his fingers immediately tangle through my long curls, tugging and urging me forward. He knows exactly what I want and he is more than willing to oblige. I take my time, nibbling and teasing.
So much so that by the time my mouth finally closes over his erection, he's so worked up he can barely contain himself. Gripping my hair more firmly, he gently begins guiding my head. Taking me almost to the base and then back up again, slow at first and then at a steadier pace.
It takes only minutes before I can tell that he is close and when he pulls me away from him and twists me around, pushing my chest down onto the desk, it only solidifies that fact.
He throws up my skirt and has my panties off my body so fast, I barely have time to react before he is right there, toying at my entrance. I grind my ass back, urging him forward, wanting nothing more than to feel him buried deep inside of me.
Embrace (Two Hearts Book 2) Page 13
