Stay With Me

by E. R. Wade

  Seattle. Isn’t that where one of the firm’s clients, Xanthar Inc. is based? Nadya was talking about it last week.

  “Xanthar?”

  “Yeah. Gina and I had a meeting with them.”

  Gina? She was in Seattle with him? I didn’t even notice that she wasn’t in the office. She doesn’t socialize with me, Erin, Alana and Lucas. It seems like she feels more comfortable with Julian and Tom than with anyone else.

  “You just tensed up. What are you thinking about?” He sounds mildly curious.

  I didn’t realize that my body had gone stiff. I deliberately relax my body. There’s no way I’m going to admit that I think he should have gone alone or with either Tom or Nadya, rather than with Gina. No, I’m definitely not going to admit it.

  “I was thinking about your meeting. I assume it went well.”

  “Yeah, it did. We should get started in a few weeks.”

  “And what do they want the great architect Julian Scott to do for them?” I ask teasingly.

  He chuckles at my question. I’ve never seen or heard him laugh. It brings a smile to my lips.

  “We’re going to design their new headquarters. It’s a multi-story office building.”

  “How many floors, and what’s the floor space?”

  “Thirty five floors. It’s a little over a million square feet.”

  “Wow. That's a high-rise.”

  “It’s not as tall as the Skye Tower,” he murmurs languidly. “When did you break up with your ex?”

  “What?” His question is completely unexpected and came right out of nowhere.

  “Your ex,” he answers patiently. “When did you break up?” I can’t read a single thing from his expression except that he still looks as relaxed as he did before he asked the question. I have no idea why he wants to know.

  “A few months ago. Why?”

  “Just curious,” he says. His tone is casual. We could be talking about the weather. From what I can see, he doesn’t look curious at all. I assume that since he asked me a personal question, I can ask him one too.

  “Is he the reason you left your previous job?” he asks before I can ask the question on my lips, the question I am eager to know the answer to.

  “No.” I hesitate. “I needed a change. I felt like my career wasn’t growing as fast as I wanted. I wanted more responsibility. And when the opportunity to work for you came, I took it.”

  “Your former boss said you were one of their brightest and hardworking employees.” His hand is still stroking my skin. I could get used to this – me and him lying on the bed, us talking, him touching me for no reason at all. I seriously could get used to it.

  “Yeah, I heard that a few times.” Yet I had to hear ridiculous comments from time to time about how my job was largely cosmetic, and required only after the real work was done by the architects. In the interior design department, which absurdly was headed by an architect who had no scruples about taking the credit for everyone’s work, we had one male interior designer and he was frequently teased about doing a woman’s job. Most of the architects never took us seriously. It was downright annoying, and even more annoying when you consider that we were bringing in a significant amount of revenue. My experience in Julian’s firm is vastly different. I have job autonomy, and my work is clearly appreciated. Nadya and Tom made it clear to me during my interview with them that they wanted someone who would set up and lead the interior design unit.

  I like it there and I can see myself working for Scott Design for a very long time. However, having sex with the boss is sure to throw a monkey wrench in my plans.

  “You don’t seem happy about that,” he observes.

  “I am, but I’m happier working for you.” I hesitate then decide to just ask the question that I’ve been wanting to know the answer to. “Why don’t you date?” I blurt out.

  For a few seconds, he doesn’t say anything. I don’t think I’m going to get an answer and I wonder if I should try asking a different question or push for an answer. All of a sudden, I feel his hand moving lower. He stops at my clit, and then starts stroking it. Shivers of awareness course through me, and I just manage to bite back the moan that has risen to my lips.

  He pulls me to him so I’m lying cradled in his arms.

  “Open your legs for me,” he murmurs sexily. My body obeys instantly before my mind processes his words. He continues stroking my clit, almost rendering me mindless with desire.

  “You should tell me to leave,” he murmurs against my neck. This is the first time he’s held me, and he’s nuzzling my neck. It’s unexpected but I like it. I really, really like what he’s doing to my body.

  I know he doesn’t want to leave. I don’t want him to either.

  “Stay,” I say. “I don’t want you to leave.” I stroke his back and he shudders slightly.

  He kisses me on my lips and then slowly kisses his way down my body. Taking his time, Julian stimulates my entire body and makes love to me slowly. It doesn’t feel like just sex, it feels much more intimate. After giving me two more mind-blowing orgasms, he doesn’t linger but leaves immediately after. For the first time in a long time, I fall asleep relaxed, happy and content.

  I wake up the next morning still basking in the afterglow of last night. It isn’t until I’m about to leave for work that I realize that Julian never answered my question.

  FOURTEEN

  Julian - Three years ago

  I walk into the house and I’m greeted by darkness and silence. Addie called hours ago to say that she was going out with Elle and she’d be home by seven, in time for us to have dinner together. I switch on the lights in the living room as I loosen my tie. My mind drifts to the meeting I’ve just finished which took much longer than I expected. The client is a consortium who wants to build an office complex. It should have ended by six but went on for an hour and a half longer. I called Addie to apologize for being late as soon as the meeting was over and to let her know I’m on my way home but all I got was her voicemail. I go to our bedroom and change into sweatpants and a T-shirt. Walking barefoot to the kitchen, I grab a bottle of beer from the fridge and switch on the TV in the living room. I don’t feel hungry just exhilarated at the outcome of today’s meeting. I am eager to share the news with Addie.

  After a couple of hours, I start to get worried. She hasn’t returned my calls and I have no messages from her. I call her again and I get sent to voicemail, and then I decide to call her sister.

  “Hey, Elle.” I haven’t called her in a while.

  “Julian! What a pleasant surprise. How are you?”

  “Doing good. You?”

  “Great,” she answers.

  “I’m trying to get hold of Addie. I keep getting her voicemail.”

  “Addie?”

  “Yeah, she said she was spending the day with you. I just want to make sure she’s okay.”

  “Oh yeah . . . Right. You just missed her. She left about a minute ago.”

  “Okay.” I feel like I’m missing something. Elle sounds a little flustered. “I’m glad you’ve been spending a lot more time together.”

  “Yeah, me too.”

  Addison walks into the house an hour later, just before eleven. She walks through the door and drops her keys in the silver ornate bowl, pausing to draw in a breath. She makes her way into the living room and it takes her a moment to realize I’m sitting on the couch watching her. She’s a little startled.

  “Julian. I didn’t see you there.”

  “Where have you been?” My concern has given way to annoyance.

  “I’m sorry I’m late. I lost track of time. Have you had dinner?”

  “Addie, where were you?”

  “I told you, I was with Elle.”

  I know she’s lying. She meets my eyes bravely but I can tell that she’s nervous.

  “When did you leave?”

  “Leave where?”

  “What time did you leave Elle?”

  “I left her place about thirty
minutes ago. I’m sorry darling, I know I said I wanted us to have dinner together tonight but I was having so much fun with her, I forgot the time. I‘ll make it up to you,” she says coming towards me with a smile, trying to placate me.

  I know how she intends to make it up to me and I am not interested. My expression doesn’t change and my hard stare doesn’t leave her face.

  “You left thirty minutes ago?” I ask her calmly.

  “That’s what I said.”

  “I spoke to Elle over an hour ago and she said you had already left.”

  It takes her a few seconds to understand what I’m getting at. It’s one of the three: she’s lying, Elle is lying or they’re both lying. I’m going with the third option.

  “What? Are you stalking me now?”

  “No, I was worried about you. I called you a number of times and sent you texts but you didn’t bother to answer your phone or return my calls,” I say calmly. “Where did you go?”

  “I don’t appreciate you accusing me of lying. I went out with Elle and we went back to her place, and then I came home.”

  “Who were you with?” I’m starting to lose patience with her.

  “Do not accuse me of anything or say something you’ll regret tomorrow,” she snaps at me.

  I look hard at her and I know that our marriage is in big trouble.

  “Addison, answer the damned question. Who were you with?” A flicker of surprise crosses her face. I’m no longer sounding calm. I have never spoken to her that harshly.

  This conversation is either going to end in her trying to pull me into a screaming match which I have no desire to be part of or her storming off. She always does that when she gets upset. Her tears are reserved for manipulation.

  “I didn’t realize I was a prisoner in my own home. If I had known I would not be allowed to visit a friend, I would have thought long and hard before accepting your proposal,” she throws at me angrily.

  I don’t bother pointing out that she was the one eager to get married. She didn’t stop asking me when I was going to propose to her until I eventually did.

  “Friend or sister?” I ask darkly.

  She doesn’t respond but storms off, and I don’t follow her.

  I sleep in one of the guest rooms that night and leave for work in the morning while she’s still asleep. I get back home by nine o’clock, and I can tell that she hasn’t left the house today. She called me earlier in the day and I sent it to voicemail, and later, she sent a text to ask if I’d be home for dinner. I responded with a simple ‘No’.

  She’s sitting in the living room, staring at the blank TV screen. She’s wearing grey yoga pants and a soft pink T-shirt. Her lovely blond hair is tied up in a ponytail. She knows I like seeing her this way – natural, casual and relaxed.

  “Hey.”

  She turns to me, and gets up slowly. “Hi. I didn’t hear you come in.” Her eyes are red-rimmed. I can see she’s been crying. I feel a twinge in my chest. I can’t bear to see her unhappy. “I know you said you wouldn’t be home but I made dinner in case you’d be hungry.”

  “Addie –”

  “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry darling. I didn’t mean to upset you yesterday. I went to see Elle, and then Kath called. She wanted me to meet her new boyfriend. She wanted my opinion of him, and it was supposed to be for just twenty minutes but I had a few drinks and forgot to check my phone or the time. I didn’t tell you last night because I didn’t want you to be mad at me for driving home after drinking instead of calling a taxi.”

  She starts to cry. Damn. She always gets to me with her tears. I’m not sure I believe her story but I take the olive branch she’s offering. I go to her and take her in my arms. She cries into my chest, soaking my shirt with her tears. I make soothing noises and tell her that everything is going to be okay.

  I guide us down to the couch and cradle her in my arms until she calms down.

  “Give me a sec,” I say, letting her go and grabbing the box of tissues from the counter in the dining room. I give it to her and hold her while she wipes away her tears.

  After a few minutes of silence, I ask, “You okay?”

  She nods into my chest.

  “Do you believe me?”

  Could I answer honestly? For the first time, I lie to my wife. “Yes.”

  She raises her head and smiles waveringly up at me. “Will you sleep in our bed tonight?”

  “Sure.”

  “I’m sorry baby. I won’t do it again, I promise.”

  Won’t do what again? Have a drink with her friend? Forget to call? Miss dinner? Do these warrant the amount of guilt and remorse coming from her? No, I don’t think it does . . . except they are born out of something more serious. Those two emotions are written all over her face which is unusual for her. Addie always does whatever she wants and has no time for guilt and apologies. Her parents have always indulged her and I joined them in doing so when we started dating. Now I wonder if that’s a mistake that’s going to cost me.

  She slides down to the floor, and kneels between my legs. Her intention is clear. Her hands go to my belt, and she starts to unbuckle it. This is how Addie likes to apologize. Sucking my cock is her specialty.

  I stop her hands from going farther. “Addie, you don’t have to.”

  “I want to. Please let me,” she says beseechingly. I let go of her hands, and she finishes the task of freeing my soft cock. She strokes it and circles the head with her tongue, and I feel myself getting hard.

  “Can we spend the morning together? You could call in late,” she suggests, looking at me with wide sultry blue eyes.

  “Okay. I’ll call Lana and let her know I won’t be in till noon,” I accede, stroking her soft blond hair. Lana is my receptionist and secretary. The only other people who work with me are Nadya and Tom. They are both architects.

  She smiles up at me brightly, and gives me the best blowjob I’ve had in a long time.

  FIFTEEN

  Julian

  It’s another Saturday evening and I’ve just stepped into Sofia’s living room. Although this is the sixth time I’ve come to her apartment, I feel the same way I did the first time – eager to be with her. Every time I leave her, I start counting down to the next time we’ll be together again. There have been many times during the week I’ve wanted to be with her but I’ve held back because I don’t want to feed my intense attraction to her and overly complicate what’s between us.

  I hand her the box of lemon cake I got for her. I ordered it earlier today, and drove to the out-of-the-way charming little bakery.

  She looks pleasantly surprised. “What's this?” She peers into the box. “You got me lemon cake?”

  This might not have been my best idea. I look away from her as I answer. “Nadya mentioned that it’s your favorite dessert.”

  Shit! I shouldn’t have said that. What the hell am I thinking? I should have acted like it isn’t a big deal and I just happened to pick up the cake by chance. She didn’t have to know that I knew it was her favorite and I deliberately got it for her. I don’t want her reading any meaning into it.

  “Thank you,” she says, looking up at me and smiling sweetly. I can’t help staring at her. Sofia is a beautiful woman. She is utterly captivating. Something tugs at my chest. If I were a better man I would have ended this by now, but instead I find myself going deeper with her. I’ve tried to stay away but so far it’s proven to be impossible. She occupies my waking thoughts and my dreams when I’m asleep. It’s clear I have strong feelings for her. I can’t fathom how this happened.

  When she finds out the truth about me, I have no doubt that she’s going to walk away and hand in her notice at work. I just hope she doesn’t hate me too much. I almost laugh at myself. I can’t believe how much of a selfish bastard I am.

  This is why I can't stand secrets and lies, and even though I haven’t told an outright lie, I’m lying by omission. She deserves better. A whole lot better than me.

  “It’s not a big de
al,” I say as casually as I can.

  She looks at me searchingly. I know she can see through my façade. She’s an intelligent woman.

  “Would you like some?”

  I’d rather have her for dessert.

  “No, thanks.”

  “Not even a slice?” she asks. If I were a better man, I’d say yes and let her eat hers but I’m not. I‘m a hungry man.

  I tilt my head slightly to one side, taking in her blue sleeveless dress which ends a few inches above her knee. She looks exquisite. Definitely perfect for dessert.

  “I know what I want to eat and it’s not lemon cake.” I say thickly.

  Heat flares up in her eyes and I know the cake has been forgotten. She wants to be dessert.

  Closing the distance between us, I take the box from her and place it on the coffee table. I clasp her face in my hands and kiss her. Her lips are so sweet. I could stand here and kiss her all day, and I would still want more. I can’t get enough of her. She’s in my blood. She’s taken up residence in my head and in heart. I end the kiss and push her gently down to the chair beside us. She looks up at me with excited green eyes and swollen, moist lips. I almost forget that I want to go down on her. Her lips make me want to put my cock in her mouth but I resist. I want to be between her thighs. I need to taste her.

  I drop to my knees in front of her. My hand goes to her dress, pushing it up and exposing a wisp of light gray lace. Fucking sexy. I lean forward and press a kiss on the center of her panties, and breathe her in. She smells so good. Unable to wait another second to see her, I quickly remove her panties, and then slowly kiss and stroke her inner thighs working my way to her wet core. My fingers rub her clit and she lets out a little whimper of pleasure.

  “You’re so perfect,” I murmur. I put my lips on her and she trembles with pleasure. “You taste exquisite.” My mouth covers her clit, and my tongue slowly and softly moves from left to right on it. I swirl my tongue, lick and suck her until she starts rocking her hips.

  I run my fingers down her thighs as I continue to lick her. Sofia is moaning and writhing in response, and I have to stop and grab her hips to keep her still.