by Jean Joachim
"It's more about me than about them. I want to get married once and have it last forever. I'm picky…okay, maybe fussy is a better word…but look at you…and how lucky I am?"
With his last words he bent down and kissed her. Carrie tried to remain angry but couldn't. His kiss stole her anger away.
"Stop that," she said, pushing him away. "You're trying to make me forget."
"Am I? I thought I was enjoying kissing my girl," he whispered.
"This is how you made your money, isn't it? Sweet talk, charming people into getting your own way."
"If I had my way, we'd be back in our bedroom in the cabin doing something completely different than arguing about a dumb list." His eyes made contact with hers while his hand touched hers tentatively.
"So what exactly was that third item on your list," she asked, casting her gaze at the rock for a second before looking into his eyes. She linked her pinky with his.
"Sure you want to know?"
"I asked, didn't I?" she said, turning angry eyes on him.
Grey shifted his weight and cleared his throat before he explained the third item on the list. Carrie stared at him in disbelief, then she burst out laughing.
"I can't believe you've basically told all your friends and family how I feel about sex…that I'm as horny as a man. And then you sit there telling me I'm foolish to be embarrassed!"
"Oh, I thought you were really laughing there, for a minute. Actually it is funny if you look at it from a different perspective…"
"From what perspective? I can't face the other three horsemen and your sister…your sister who was too embarrassed to even make reference to it…and her husband who probably knows all about it…" Tears spilled over and streamed down cheeks flushed with humiliation.
"What's wrong with being sexy?" Grey said, taking her in his arms.
"It's private. What goes on between you and me is private," she stated.
She gave him token resistance but stopped when he wouldn't let her go. Carrie loved being in his arms. She felt safe, loved and protected. She closed her eyes and let those feelings wash over her again.
"Let them all be jealous that we are so…so…compatible," he chuckled.
"Compatible! You've told them I want sex all the time! Which isn't true, by the way," she said, then turned her face into his chest.
"I never told anyone that…or mentioned anything we do together. I spoke of you that way and I wouldn't," he insisted.
She burrowed her face into his shoulder while her breathing returned to normal.
"Let's not let this ruin our weekend, Carrie. We're here in this great cabin with Jenna…and I could tell you plenty of embarrassing things about her…and Bill, too. I just might if they give you a hard time. Let's be together and be in love, honey," he said, stroking her hair.
Carrie was seduced by him as always. His soothing manner, his sense of humor and his sexy, hard body coupled with his desire for her…she found him irresistible. When she moved back and looked up at him, his mouth came down to cover hers in a passionate kiss.
"I'll try," she said, wiping her cheek with her fingers.
Grey pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket and dried her tears. He pushed off the rock to his feet then offered his hand to Carrie. She took it allowing him to pull her up. They turned to find their way back to the cabin, Grey with his arm around her shoulders and Carrie with her arm around his waist.
They arrived at the cabin to find Jenna and Bill had put out some cheese and crackers and opened a bottle of wine. A small fire was getting started in the fireplace. They turned and looked at Carrie and Grey as they walked in the back door. Jenna's eyes didn't meet Grey's. Grey took a piece of paper out of his pocket, wrote something on it and walked over to the fireplace.
"Here it is, The List," he said.
Then he ripped it into pieces and tossed it into the fire.
"And I forbid anyone in this room from ever mentioning it again."
Bill poured two more glasses of wine and handed one to Carrie and one to Grey. Then he raised his glass in a toast. Jenna joined him.
"I'll drink to that," Bill said, taking a healthy sip of his wine.
Chapter Thirteen
"When your work schedule calms down, maybe you can come up to my place for a night," he said, closing the screen on her fireplace and standing up.
The fire he laid jumped to life as flames shot up and the small logs began to catch. He watched it and grinned in satisfaction as he sat down on the sofa. Carrie put down her glass of cabernet sauvignon and settled her right foot in his lap. Grey took another sip, returned the glass to the coffee table and began to massage Carrie's foot. She closed her eyes and sank down into the sofa resting her head on a red print pillow leaning against the arm.
"Tough day?"
"Hmm," she said with a nod, "but we always talk about me. How about your day?"
"A drag. I spend the whole day going over figures for a new company, a solar farm. It was boring as hell."
"Are you going to invest in the farm?" She asked, a small sigh of pleasure slipping out of her mouth as he kneaded under the ball of her foot.
"I don't know yet. Farms are risky but if this one could exist only on solar power, it might work."
Carrie picked up her right foot and moved her left foot into his lap.
"Do you have plans for Thanksgiving?" He tried to keep his voice nonchalant.
"Thanksgiving?" she asked her tone weary.
"You know, the holiday that comes every year…the third Thursday in November?" He teased.
She shot him a dirty look.
"I'm not brain-dead…not yet, anyway. I usually spend it with my aunt Delia and whatever boyfriend is the flavor of the month," she said.
"Do you think she'd mind if you spent it with me and my family?" He kept his tone even, but his pulse was racing, listening for her response.
Carrie sat up and raised an eyebrow.
"Didn't Jenna say something about Thanksgiving being a special holiday at your house?"
"All holidays are special with my family…" he began.
"No, no, I specifically remember her saying Thanksgiving."
"Well…sort of, maybe. Might be. But it's just the family."
"This year you want it to be just the family and me?"
"I'd like that." His hand stopped rubbing and closed around her small foot.
"Delia's not the overly sentimental type…I doubt she'd miss me that much and she definitely likes you…hmm," Carrie stroked a pretend beard on her chin.
"So that means you'll come," he asked, eyebrows raised.
"If you want me to, sure," Carrie said, grinning at him.
"Great! You're coming!" Grey dropped her foot to the side and pushed up off the sofa, rushing eagerly to the balcony to make a call.
He kept his voice low as he spoke to his mother and watched Carrie sink into the sofa and close her eyes.
"So we're finally going to meet this mystery woman of yours, eh?" His mother remarked.
"Looks that way. She's coming for Thanksgiving…"
"Thanksgiving!"
"Yes."
"John! John! Grey's bringing his girl out for Thanksgiving!" Grey heard his mother speaking to his father on the side.
"Gotta go, Mom."
"Wonderful, dear. We're so happy she's coming then."
"Nothing out of the ordinary, okay?" he asked with a tinge of worry in his voice.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Grey laughed. "All right. I'll be ready for anything." He said, running his hand through his hair.
He heard his mother chuckle before she hung up the phone and for a second he wondered if this was the right move. Hell, what did he know about the right move? He'd never gotten this close to a woman before and the confident businessman realized he was navigating uncharted waters…completely out of his element.
By the time he got back to the sofa, Carrie was fast asleep. He picked her up and carried her i
nto the bedroom. Undressing her was a treat for him though it didn't appear he'd get to do much more than enjoy looking at her. She tossed and stretched but didn't seem to come fully awake. He took off his clothes, too, and joined her in the bed.
He switched off the light and turned on his side, slipping his arm over Carrie's naked body and pulling her in close to him. She sighed and placed her hand over his. He buried his face in her neck breathing in the faint scent of her lilac perfume still lingering there and the sweet smell of her skin. He didn't know what he was supposed to do next. He was flying blind, letting love lead the way.
His mind wandered to Thanksgiving upstate with his family and Carrie. He shuddered slightly to think of how many references to marriage his mother would make in Carrie's presence, or how his older sister Barbara would trot out every baby picture she could find of him, especially the most embarrassing ones. But then there was Jenna. Surely she would make Carrie feel more comfortable. Grey closed his eyes. He hoped all would go well. This would be the first test…no actually finding out about the list was the first test. This was the second. Poor Carrie. He hoped their love would survive a day with his family as he drifted off to sleep.
****
Carrie awoke at three a.m. to go to the bathroom. Feeling wide awake, she slipped on a robe because the apartment felt cool, and padded into the living room. She perched by the window to watch the moon. It wasn't a full moon but only half. Still it shone down on the sleeping City with a silvery white glow. The moonlight on the bare branches of the trees shaded them, emphasizing their roundness. It created creepy shadows that could be providing hiding places for thieves or lovers with nowhere else to go.
The chill in the apartment penetrated her thin silk robe so she returned to the warmth of her bed. Grey was asleep, on his stomach with his arms up around his head. She slipped in quietly, trying not to jostle the bed and wake him up but he rolled over on his side anyway, the covers sliding down to his waist. Lying on her back, Carrie gazed at his face and his chest in the dim light from streetlights filtering in her window. His face appeared relaxed and boyish with his hair mussed by sleep, except for the slight growth of beard on his cheeks belying his age. How handsome he is. His strong chest had a light coating of sandy colored hair. The feel of it called to her and she reached out, flattening her hand against him slowly. He barely moved. She ran her hand ran up and then down his chest as she enjoyed the feel of his skin and muscle beneath her fingers. A small sigh escaped her lips.
Grey slung his arm around her, his hand on her back as she faced him. Carrie rolled over, her back to him, fitting herself into the curves of his body, snuggling up against him.
A few unintelligible sounds escaped from his throat as she took his hand and pulled his arm around her, resting his hand on her belly. Grey splayed his fingers against her skin and pulled her up tight against him.
"Cold," he muttered.
"Not anymore," she whispered, feeling the heat from his body penetrate hers.
Grey moved his hand up slowly across her ribcage to rest on her breast. A small shiver raced up her spine.
"Still cold?" he asked, now awake.
"Not cold…"
"More?"
He closed his fingers around her breast and began a gentle massage. She closed her eyes and let his hand work its magic on her body. His lips caressed her neck with small kisses, sending another shiver up her spine. He chuckled.
"You're a magician," she whispered.
"Am I?"
His fingers gently tweaked her peak, sending signals down to her core. She squirmed, wiggling her bottom up against him and felt his growing arousal.
"You touch me in one place and I feel it in another."
He laughed softly. Then he glided his hand slowly down her smooth skin to her thigh.
"You feel soooo good," he whispered.
Carrie rolled over on her back and placed her hand on his shoulder. He slid his fingers to her inner thigh as she parted her legs for him. Burying her face in his neck, she opened her mouth and sucked on his skin gently, caressing it with her tongue, eliciting a moan from him.
His fingers moved to up into her core. She groaned and hooked her leg over his hip as heat shot through her body.
"Oh, God," she moaned, removing her lips from his skin and throwing her head back against the pillow. In the dim light she could still see his eyes, staring straight into hers. Her breath came quickly as desire claimed her.
"I want you," she muttered, her eyes never leaving his.
She reached down, curling her fingers around his erection. "Oh, my."
He laughed.
"I guess you want me, too."
"Could say that," he agreed as he brought his hand around to the back of her thigh and moved it up to her butt.
"Ready?"
"Been ready…"
Grey chuckled.
Carrie lifted her leg higher, folding it against his body as his hand pulled her close enough for him to slide into her. She gasped as he entered her, closing her eyes again, focusing on the amazing feeling of him inside her.
"Ohhhh…honey," he moaned, holding her tightly against him.
He started to move in and out of her, slowly at first.
"Oh, God…Grey…" she groaned.
As she got more excited, he moved faster. Carrie managed to move her hips with him only slightly as his grip was tight. Still, pleasure coursed through her veins, growing with every thrust. As the intensity grew, she panted and her grip on his shoulder tightened. As the excitement spiraled up, her climax exploded, tensing every muscle and nerve before releasing bliss all the way down to her toes. Carrie emitted a stifled cry. Grey pushed harder. But that didn't last long as he let out a long groan signaling his release.
They laid in each other's arms. Carrie reached up to touch Grey's cheek and felt the dampness on his forehead. He kissed her lightly, his hand brushing back her hair.
"You beat an alarm clock…hands down."
She laughed. "I bet you say that to all the girls."
"Never had one wake me up in the middle of the night to make love before."
"Really?"
"Really. Fantastic," He kissed her again, then pulled up the sheet and blanket, draping it over her body to protect her from the cold air in the bedroom.
"That wasn't my intention. I couldn't sleep but when I saw you lying there so peacefully…I…I…got turned on."
"Music to my ears. You can wake me up that way anytime, Honey."
"Feeling sleepy now," she admitted, yawning.
They cuddled together in spooning position.
"Sweet dreams, Carrie."
"You, too, Grey."
Chapter Fourteen
Pressure continued to mount during the next weeks at her job. Late night after late night, corrections, constant revisions, whole campaigns were scuttled only to be begun again. She was exhausted, frazzled but also wildly in love. Carrie never met anyone like Grey and the more her work life deteriorated, the more she craved his company.
Carrie hustled in early on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving to see Mr. Goodhue, the president of the agency, who wanted to meet with her at eight o'clock. She was nervous because he never wasted time with unimportant meetings or unimportant people. He had a staff to take care of trivia, so if he wanted to see her, it must be important.
She came into his office quietly. He looked up at her, nodded and motioned her to sit down.
"Coffee?"
"Thanks," she said, raising her cup to show him she brought her own.
"Carrie, I have watched your progress for three years now and have been very pleased to see you blossom from the shy, unhappy young woman who started here to a confident, accomplished writer. Your work on the new business team is excellent. I think the next piece of business we bring in that you spear-headed might be your promotion to creative director."
She smiled at him, pleased at the praise, but noticed he did not smile back. Her stomach sank and her heart rate in
creased. Somehow this didn't feel good.
"You're well liked, too. Rosie has been singing your praises on working with the production department…and…" he continued.
"Mr. Goodhue, this sounds like either a eulogy or obituary. Which is it and why am I dead?"
"We're in a difficult situation with Country Lane Cosmetics," he said, putting up his palm when she tried to speak.
"I know the account is in jeopardy. This is a different kind of jeopardy. You know Country Lane got a new president, one who has his own favorite ad agency he's worked with for years, right?'
"I've been killing myself working on the pitch to keep the business."
"You know how many people are involved in this business, here at the agency, right? How many people would have to be let go if we lost Country Lane?"
"Plenty."
"Do you know someone named Grey Andrews?" He asked her, picking up his mug for a sip of coffee.
She gulped and felt her face get hot. Her eyebrows shot up.
"Grey? Why do you ask?"
"How well do you know him?"
"Well enough, what does that have to do with…"
"Are you sleeping with him, Carrie?" Nathan put down his coffee cup and stared hard at her.
Her face got redder when anger combined with embarrassment.
"That's my private business, Nathan…" she sputtered.
"Not when his sister is the new ad director at Country Lane, it isn't."
"What?"
"So are you…on intimate terms with him?"
"I'm in love with him."
"Oh, boy," he said, looking down at his thumbs, "this is going to be harder than I thought."
"I don't see the problem. What does Grey have to do with anything?"
"The new president is pushing to have us fired. Barbara Andrews likes the work we have done. But she told me at breakfast yesterday you're involved with her brother. It could be construed as undue influence if she evaluates us and recommends Country Lane keep us as their agency. If that information leaks out to her boss, she'll get fired for showing favoritism. She wants to make a fair decision, one she can support to her boss, but if he finds out about you and this guy…"
