by Lacey Legend
“I’ll let you finish that off, seeing as I have to go and get ready,” she winked. “It’s actually a nice ending to what’s been a pretty horrible week for me.”
Yvonne stopped suddenly. She knew her boss had been low, but was surprised to hear Tabitha discussing it openly. It wasn’t really her style.
“Is there anything I can do?”
Tabitha shook her head.
“You’ve done loads. You can enjoy your weekend and as I’ve survived the board meeting, I can enjoy mine too.”
Yvonne impulsively hugged her superior. Tabitha squeezed her tight.
“We’re going to make this work,” she promised Yvonne. “Right now I need to dash, if I’m going to blend in on the red carpet.”
Charming and adept in social situations, Freddie still loathed and detested hospitality duties. He chatted amicably to his fellow directors and their overseas visitors, but wasn’t looking forward to the film premiere.
It wasn’t until Tabitha stepped out of the building to await the stretch limousines taking them to the cinema that a genuine smile played on his lips.
Adorned in a vibrant red strapless folded gown, the flowing skirt with a split to mid-thigh, his eyes bulged out of his head. The six inch black heels made her legs look longer and more toned than ever. The crisscross pattern of the material was eye-catching and it flashed through his mind that she may gain more attention from the paparazzi than the actual stars of the movie.
As the limousines pulled up to take the small entourage to Leicester Square, Tabitha deliberately went to the end vehicle to ensure she was separate from Freddie. Freddie knew he’d been moody that week having fallen out with Isabella. Throwing caution to the wind and having assigned people to their relevant transport, he strode down to the end limo to climb in with Tabitha.
Her eyebrows rose as he budged in next to her.
“You look exquisite,” he announced.
The two American guests approved heartily with Freddie’s observations.
“And your presentation this morning has the entire company feeling positive for the future of Hastings-Bass.”
His tone was formal, but Tabitha could see desire and admiration cloud his ocean blue eyes. As the cars arrived at the entry point on Leicester Square to walk down the red carpet to the large Odeon cinema, Freddie discarded office etiquette. He slipped out and assisted Tabitha from the limousine. Tabitha linked her arm through the one Freddie offered and they both ambled confidently toward the cinema.
“I meant what I said,” he whispered conspiratorially in her ear.
“I know,” she said simply.
They made a striking couple. Freddie felt at ease for the first time all week. The only thing niggling him was that he wished he could send his sister a photo of him and Tabitha or at least call her to fill her in on how successful the day had been. He pushed the thought to the back of his mind determined to focus on Tabitha.
Chapter Ten
“Are you upset we didn’t stay longer at the after-party?”
“Not at all. It’s been an evening of surprises. The way this week has gone I didn’t think I’d ever see the inside of your flat,” said Tabitha drily.
They’d left in separate cabs, having attended the after party for an hour. Tabitha was stunned when Freddie texted, giving her his address to pass on to the taxi driver. To date they’d spent all their time at her place. Finally, she was sharing a bottle of wine with Freddie in his kitchen.
“I’m not as expert at preventing personal problems interfering with my professional life as I make myself out to be,” confessed Freddie.
“Did you want to talk about it?”
Tabitha was convinced it was to do with Isabella. She’d disappeared last Friday night and Freddie had closed up emotionally since that night. Given the radio silence from Izzy, Tabitha suspected it was something she had done to divide the siblings. It niggled on her mind, but she knew Isabella knew better than to harass Tabitha or pry with Freddie.
“Not really. Talking is the last thing on my mind.”
He silenced Tabitha with a kiss. There was genuine warmth in his lips. It was as if he was searching for comfort in their embrace. His hand stroked her cheek. She let her eyes open to see that Freddie’s were shut. His face looked more like a lost little boy’s than the self-assured man he tended to portray.
As Freddie’s tongue pushed into her mouth, she closed her own eyes to allow herself to get swept up in the moment.
Her hands went to the front of Freddie’s trousers. Rubbing his crotch, she could feel the hard outline of his erection. Freddie groaned in her mouth as she massaged him through the material. Her hands fumbled to undo his belt. Finally managing to free it she unzipped his pants and reached in. His hard-on was throbbing against her hands as she pressed on his boxers.
Freddie broke the kiss and nibbled on Tabitha’s bare shoulders. She trembled as his teeth grazed over the erogenous zone. Freddie traced kisses across her shoulders and nuzzled her neck before taking her earlobe in his mouth. He sucked the lobe and nipped it. Gently he breathed in her ear.
Tabitha stared up at him. His eyes were challenging her to make the next move.
Tugging at the elastic of his boxers, her hand dived between his boxers and bare skin. He managed to maintain eye contact even as her fingers tightened around his pulsating shaft. Rhythmically she moved her hand up and down his length. Her touch and the motion of her grip forced Freddie to bite his bottom lip, shut his eyes and tilt his head toward the ceiling.
Dropping her second hand into his underpants she cupped his testicles and kneaded them as she worked his shaft.
Growling under his breath, Freddie reached behind Tabitha to unzip her dress. He pulled the gown low to release her ample breasts. Grabbing one breast roughly he lifted it to his mouth. In the cool air of the flat, the nipple became a bullet. Freddie’s mouth clamped on it and he bit it hard enough to make Tabitha yelp in surprise.
Leaving one hand massaging her breast, his mouth attacked the other nipple. He licked the area round the nipple, blowing gently on it before taking it between his teeth and sucking hard.
Freddie manhandling her breasts in such a lusty manner made it difficult for Tabitha to concentrate on the task at hand. She shoved his boxers lower to make accessing his cock easier. Gazing downward, Freddie’s shaft was hard and straight.
He reached under her gown to find her panties. Driven by hormones and passion, he tore the underwear completely off her. The ripping of the sheer, silky material was an aphrodisiac to them both.
Freddie squatted and lifted one of Tabitha’s legs so he could drive his dick into her while standing. The six inch heels gave her the height required. She bounced slightly and was able to sink on Freddie’s thick hard-on. He jerked. The restriction of taking Tabitha standing up was frustrating. He withdrew and spun her round so that she was facing the breakfast bench in the kitchen.
Tabitha lowered to bend over the kitchen bench. Grabbing handfuls of the skirt to push up, Freddie was finally able to see her peachy round buttocks. Tabitha parted her legs slightly to show Freddie the slit he was so desperate to invade. He plunged his full length inside her. Tabitha gasped at how he stretched her pussy.
His chest pressed to her back he pounded her relentlessly. The neediness of the encounter had Tabitha dizzy. She placed her hands firm on the marble surface to secure her body to withstand the force Freddie was driving into her with. His breathing was becoming heavier and more irregular.
One of Freddie’s hands went from her hip and slipped around to her pubic mound. He moaned at the silky feel of it. His fingers stroked it softly before creeping southward. In seconds his fingertips had located her clit. Freddie let his fingers slide between her slippery pussy lips. Wet and lubed, he let his index and middle finger circle round her bud. Tabitha knew she was grinding against the two fingers searching for her own climax.
Teasing her, Freddie would exert pressure directly on her bud and then release
and return to caressing her clit. Tabitha was becoming frustrated at being brought so close to the edge and then released.
Driving into her again, Freddie kissed the back of her neck and dislodged fully. Stunned, Tabitha spun round to face him. Without words, Freddie lifted her to sit on the kitchen bench.
His hands went to her knees and he spread her legs wide. It appeared as though his erection had grown even longer and thicker. Wriggling herself to the edge of the bench she knew what was coming.
Freddie’s hand went to the base of his shaft and he directed the head into her entrance. She whimpered as he slowly inched himself in. Buried deep inside, he kissed her mouth tenderly. From there his movements were smoother. He glided the full length of his rod in and out of her, but the motion was controlled and loving. Keeping their lips locked, Freddie let his hands explore Tabitha’s body. He squeezed her pert breasts, stroked her flat tummy and traced the curves of her figure.
Sitting up, Tabitha was able to unbutton Freddie’s shirt to let her hands roam his defined chest and broad shoulders. She let her fingers wander his muscular arms. Tabitha felt the safest she ever had with another human being. Breaking the kiss, she looked up at him and voiced what was on her heart.
“Let it always be like this, Freddie.”
Freddie nodded to confirm he’d heard and understood Tabitha.
Kissing her deeply, he lifted her from the bench. Her legs immediately clamped around his slim waist and her arms tightened around his neck. Moving unhurriedly he gyrated his hips to let his shaft go deep inside Tabitha. As he slid in and out of her, his pubis rubbed firmly on Tabitha’s clit. She began bucking in climax. The tightening and spasming of her internal vaginal muscles massaged Freddie’s shaft and brought him to orgasm. Holding her and kissing her a final time he very carefully let her slide down his body until she was standing securely on the floor.
“I want it to always be like this Tabitha.”
*
By Monday morning, Tabitha entered the office walking on air. An entire weekend spent in bed with Freddie had done wonders for the couple. She didn’t think anything could dampen her day until an email from Director of PR, Samantha Dawson, popped up in her inbox.
Skimming the contents of the email, she noted Samantha was requesting an emergency meeting with herself and Freddie. Racking her brain, Tabitha was at a loss as to what could possibly warrant their immediate attention.
She ambled out to Yvonne to discuss what times were convenient in her diary for the meeting that day.
“Good weekend?” she asked Yvonne.
“I celebrated Friday’s success for the whole weekend.”
“Any idea what this meeting with Samantha and Freddie is to do with?”
Yvonne shook her head.
“I haven’t a clue to be honest. Samantha’s already booked a spot in your diary for eleven am.”
“Can she do that?”
Yvonne nodded.
“The computer system is set up so that the directors can access one another’s diaries to accommodate impromptu meetings.”
Tabitha’s eyes flickered to her wristwatch.
“That doesn’t give me much time to prepare, but then seeing as she hasn’t made mention of the nature of the meeting I guess I don’t have anything to prepare.”
Yvonne smiled and Tabitha detected a note of sympathy in her eyes.
“Is there something I should be aware of, Yvonne?”
“I guess not. It’s only sometimes people are threatened by the achievements of others and will do whatever is in their power to jeopardize someone else’s potential success.”
“And Samantha’s one of those people?” inquired Tabitha.
“You know that’s not an opinion I can share.”
“I think you just did – thanks!”
Tabitha felt the time drag to her impending meeting. She had an urge to ring or email Freddie for reassurance, but decided to exercise caution. As eleven am neared she made her way to the elevator to travel to the third floor meeting room.
Entering the glass room she saw Freddie and Samantha sitting at opposite ends of a small desk. She threw them both a winning smile. Tabitha was never quite sure how to behave around Samantha. She had no problems with her co-director, but was aware that her colleague despised her for unknown reasons.
“What’s this about then?” she asked, breezily.
“I didn’t like to broach this issue at Friday’s meetings with our friends from America present. I need Freddie’s advice on this matter and feel it only fair that I’m open with you Tabitha.”
She was speaking in riddles, but Tabitha knew there was something ominous in her tone. Freddie remained mute, studying both the women.
“Tabitha’s marketing strategies are very forward thinking and I’m sure the reason they succeeded in the States was because the American’s don’t value history as much as the British. Let’s be honest, they’re a far younger nation than us, hence it has little impact on them.”
Tabitha prickled at the generalization. Her nation was younger, but they had a history they embraced. In her view, the statement bordered on xenophobic. She cast a glance at Freddie to see if he was as outraged as herself, but he remained nonplussed.
“Bringing in a cheap youth line may be suitable for America, but it will damage the Hastings-Bass label long-term if it’s done here. We’ve been long established as one of the best men’s tailoring brands in the country. To suddenly permit lower income brackets access to our label will diminish the worth of Hastings-Bass. In terms of Public Relations it’s a disaster. My contacts are with the wealthy and the exclusive, the work entailed in reaching a new demographic will be massive.”
“That’s your job,” snapped Tabitha. “If you aren’t able to generate PR for the new line it’s a reflection on your abilities or lack thereof.”
“That’s enough,” said Freddie coolly. “We aren’t here to offend or personally criticize one another.”
“Are you joking?” asked Tabitha through gritted teeth. “You act as if it’s perfectly acceptable for Samantha to make sweeping statements about America and claim that only the upper classes are deserving of our label. The minute I defend my position you accuse me of personally insulting her.”
“You need to get yourself under control, Tabitha,” he warned.
“And you need to grow a pair, Freddie.”
“You haven’t been here very long, Tabitha. I really don’t think it’s wise you talk to Frederick in that manner. I invited him here to guide us through this situation,” smirked Samantha.
“And what worldly wisdom can you bestow upon us, Freddie?” scowled Tabitha.
“Samantha, Tabitha has made her presentation to the company. If you see major flaws you felt you couldn’t voice at the time, I suggest you approach the other directors with your concerns. Once you’ve got them onboard we can revisit Tabitha’s new youth line.”
“Thank you, Freddie.”
“We can conclude this meeting now,” declared Freddie, standing and walking out quickly.
Samantha deliberately took her time collecting the documents and folders she hadn’t even bothered to use. Tabitha remained seated in stunned silence. She watched Samantha strut out of the room. Part of her wanted to burst into tears. Hadn’t Freddie promised her that he was the first member of her team and her biggest supporter when they first embarked on their relationship? Freddie hadn’t provided any support in the meeting. He hadn’t defended any of her hard work. She’d slaved away in obtaining the enthusiasm and encouragement from the other directors and the one person who she’d counted on unquestioningly had let her down at a critical point.
Disheartened and confused, she meandered back to her office. Tabitha was someone who made a point of respecting the wishes of others and never forced herself on anyone. However, in her current circumstances case she needed a friend.
Leaving the office at lunch, Tabitha embarked on the two minute walk to No 5 Cavendish Square. She should�
�ve felt awkward, but the sight of Isabella lifted her heart. Izzy could see Tabitha was in pieces. She embraced Tabitha tightly.
“Don’t cry,” she whispered.
“Is it that obvious?” gulped Tabitha.
Izzy nodded.
“Come on in. Lunch is my treat.”
The beautiful listed Georgian building had Tabitha assuming the restaurant would be very prim and proper, but upon entry she realized the building housed a nightclub and four bars as well as a restaurant.
Izzy watched Tabitha sizing up the interior. The bars were modern and exclusive and Tabitha correctly guessed that the patrons of the nightclub would be a wealthy crew. The restaurant however was grand and formal with an air of country comfort to it. Scanning the Modern European menu, Tabitha couldn’t keep back what was bothering her.
“Why did you stop contacting me, Izzy? Did I do something that night to upset you; behave in a way that caused a problem between you and Freddie?”
Izzy shook her head slowly.
“No, Tabitha, you did nothing of the kind. You’ve been a casualty of a sibling war. Freddie asked me to stay out of his personal life and that meant keeping my distance from you. I shouldn’t have taken him at his word, because I realize in doing so I’ve actually been an awful friend to you.”
“Why wouldn’t Freddie want you and me to be friends?”
“Because Freddie likes control. When we were younger and our parents divorced he felt helpless to make things better for mother and father, and more so for me – I struggled considerably with the separation. The one thing Freddie has never been able to control is his emotions. He has genuine feelings for you and it scares him. Because he and I are close, he knows I can read what’s going on in his heart and it makes him feel vulnerable and unable to manage his life. He would also be aware that he can’t control our developing friendship. I suspect with the two of us being important people in his life it would worry him if you and I ran into emotional difficulties. He hasn’t thought it through sensibly yet. I was giving him time. It was my way of proving a point to him. He can’t always use shutting himself off from people as a coping mechanism and he can’t compartmentalize everyone in his life to make things emotionally easy for him.”
