by Peyton Banks
Baxter picks me up. “Bathroom.”
“That door.” I point to my bathroom and he carries me in, setting me down next to the tub. He tugs at his clothes, popping off a button as he pulls off his shirt. I reach down and remove my shoes while he finishes undressing.
We’re both naked and under the spray. His hands rove over my body, touching me everywhere as he gets me clean while making my thoughts dirty. His fingers slip lower on my abs to my slit. He slides his fingers over my clit and I gasp. He knows what he’s doing as his finger presses gently.
His kisses distract me for a moment then his fingers slide into me before moving back to my clit, circling ever so gently. I’m about to come undone. I want more and thrust my hips forward. Baxter chuckles and removes his hand.
“We go at my pace. The last two times I moved too fast. This time, I want to draw it out.”
My body is vibrating with need, and I'm going to come just from his words. It has been days since I've had an orgasm, and I need the release. I moan and don’t want to wait.
His tongue slides over my neck to my ear. He nibbles on the fleshy lobe while he toys with my clit. I’m so close to shattering and start pumping my hips. He reaches down and stills them again.
"We've got all night." His head lowers and he sucks my nipple into his mouth then tugs on it. I cry out and arch against him.
His fingers slide into me and his thumb grazes over my clit. It’s too much. My hands grasp at his arms as I try to stay upright. He’s got me so hot I can hardly stand it.
His moan against my breast pushes me over the edge. I come, unhinging as he holds me up, keeping me on my feet. This was the type of sex I’d dreamt of but never had. Even the last time we’d had sex wasn’t as good as this.
Baxter lifts my leg and wraps it around his waist. He slides in, sinking deep, taking my breath. I hold on, knowing I could easily lose myself to this man. He knows how to get to me. I shouldn’t let him into my life, but I want to. I want to have more nights like this. I want to feel his body pressed up against mine. I’ve seen snatches of his true self, where he’s not being a jerk and I like him.
The roll of his hips drives me crazy as he shoves in deep then almost pulls out. He’s masterful with his movements, and I’m close to coming again. My lips land on his neck and I suck hard. He pistons in fast, his cock hitting just the right spot. I shiver and let go, coming just as he stills and his muscles tighten.
“God, Heather,” he whispers before pulling back then slamming into me. “Fucking perfect.”
Blood roars in my ears as he stills and gasps. After a few seconds of him gasping and holding me close as he tries to slide in even deeper, he pulls out and helps steady me. I reach back, holding onto the wall so I don’t fall over.
“You okay?”
I nod at Baxter’s question. “That was amazing.”
“Good, because I want to do that with you again and again. How does that sound?”
I chuckle and reach for the soap. He takes the bar and washes my body, being very gentle between my legs. When we finish our shower, I'm exhausted, but I don't want him to go. I lead him to my bedroom, hoping he'll really spend the whole night. He stops still. It's kind of hard to miss the rack of clothes on one wall or the stack of fabric, or the half-dressed mannequins.
“You have a lot of clothes.”
“Um…I do.”
He moves to my drawing table and stares at my latest design before he turns to face the mannequin wearing the dress I’m sewing for the Met Gala. He glances at me, his brows raised.
“This is very nice.”
I nod and move closer. “The woman who will be wearing it likes it.”
He sits on the side of the bed and then turns to look up at me. “Tell me one thing, the clothes you wear, they aren’t just things you’ve bought, are they?”
I shake my head. “No, they aren’t.”
He nods and then looks at the racks of clothes again. “You made these. All of them, right?”
“Yes.”
“Funny thing.” Baxter scratches the back of his neck as he stares at the floor. “There’s this new store I pass by sometimes when I go to my parents’ apartment. I’ve never really paid attention to it before, but I walked past last week and noticed the clothes were similar to what you wore. I even went in and browsed around, thinking about what I’d like to buy for you and what you would look good in.”
I laugh and move to the bed, plopping down beside him. “You didn’t buy anything, did you?”
“No, but one of the sales clerks is going to help me pick out something next week.”
“That’s too funny.”
“So you own HipFeather?”
I nod. “Yes. I have two stores in California and the one in New York. I’m looking at Chicago and Austin, Texas. I’ve been in talks with a company in Paris and one in Barcelona. I’ll probably have something in London too.”
He stares up at the ceiling, his lips thin. When he turns to glance at me, I see sorrow in his eyes. “I’m so sorry.”
“For what?”
“I never once even tried to figure out what you did for a living. I was so focused on me and my problems. I discounted you and I never should have. You were talented when we were in school, and I can see the same talent in your designs. I should have paid more attention and not doubted you.”
I nod, knowing I have to ask. “When you yelled at me, what was going through your mind?”
“I don’t know. Maybe I was jealous of you. You’re so positive all the time. You know what you’re doing. You’re always so happy.”
I shrug. “I am happy.”
“How can life be that simple?”
“You have to find something that makes you feel good.”
He shakes his head. “I don’t know what makes me happy. My dad is angry at me. Right now, I still have my job, but he’s talking about coming back and taking over the business. They never left New York this time, and Mom is beside herself. She doesn’t want him to die, but he’s miserable in Florida and she hates New York.”
I laugh then shake my head. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t laugh.”
“It is funny. It’s one big comedy of errors.” He turns and grabs my shoulders. “I don’t want to be like him.”
“Then don’t,” I whisper.
“I’m not sure how to stop. I don’t know what to do. What if I can’t change?”
“One day at a time,” I suggest.
Baxter leans his forehead against mine. “Can I stay the night?”
“Yes.” The answer slips out quickly, revealing my need. I want him in my bed and in my life. Part of the problem was me too. I should have told him up front I wasn’t okay playing the part of his fiancée. I should have revealed I had a business to run and wasn’t just some cool hippie chick that had no cares in the world.
“I’m not perfect.”
My fingers play over his shoulder and down his arm. “Maybe we won’t work out, but I want to try.”
“Me too. I’m sorry I yelled. Give me a chance and I’ll show you I can be better.”
“I want you to give you a chance too. Do you really want to work for your dad’s company?”
He blows out a breath. “I don’t know. Maybe, maybe not. I used to think I could do some good in this world, but then I came back here.”
He yawns and stretches. I take his hand and hug him. “Let’s get some sleep. You can take your time to think about it.”
His gaze is unfocused as he gives me a small smile. “Sure.”
Once the lights are off and I’m wrapped in his arms, I can’t help but feel happiness. He needs to work on himself. Maybe his dad coming back to run the company would help Baxter.
7
Baxter
* * *
I need to make some changes. First on the list to “fix Andrew Delaney Baxter-Scott” is to change how I deal with my dad. I can’t allow him to continue to try and control me. At one point, I had an idea I thought woul
d work, but I wasn’t sure I could do it now. I’d sold my soul when I’d gone to work for my dad. Now, I need to reclaim my life.
The hardest email I’ve ever written sits in my outbox waiting for me to press send. I call my dad because I can’t do this any longer and I’m not going to hide my actions. I’ll be up-front with him because I’m not ever going to go back to being the type of guy who hides from problems.
“What do you want, Jacey?” The greeting from my dad was about what I’d expected.
“I’m turning in my resignation.”
“You little shit. I’ve given you everything you’ve ever had.”
“No, Dad, you haven’t. I’ve worked hard for what I’ve had. You have tried to thwart me at every turn. You didn’t pay me when I was in college, and you didn’t pay for my undergrad degree. Don’t you remember, your father set up the account for me and paid into it? You decided I can’t have the company though I’ve worked hard to understand the ins and outs of the business. I don’t know what you think you’ve given me.”
He says nothing so I hang up. Next, is turning in my resignation. After facing my dad, it’s easy. I send a note, telling the CEO I’m done. I don’t get into why, just that I’m leaving the company.
I spend the next hour tying up loose threads, making sure whoever takes my place can manage the area effectively. My absence will probably be celebrated. This company is toxic because my dad wanted it to be that way.
My mom calls before I can leave for the day. She tries to convince me to stay. “You’ll regret this.” Her voice goes shrill as she yells into the phone.
“Mom, I know what I’m doing.”
“What? Like dating that low-class girl.”
I bristle, wanting to tell her to go to hell. Instead, I keep my voice even. “She isn’t low class.”
“Well, we certainly don’t approve. She’s one of those—”
“Don’t say it.”
“Don’t date her. We don’t approve.”
I laugh at the absurdity of her statement. “You don’t approve of me. You never have, so knock off the manipulation. I’m not going to ever be what you and Dad want.”
I don’t wait for her to reply. With my phone turned to vibrate, I head out, waving off questions because at this moment, I don’t give a flip.
I catch the 6 train uptown and head to Heather’s store. She’s talking to a woman in red who doesn’t look like she would ever wear Heather’s clothes. The stuff at HipFeather was too free-spirited. Heather catches my eye and smiles. I nod and run my fingers over a dress, thinking it would look good on her.
“Hey.” Her voice startles me out of my thoughts.
“Hey yourself.”
“You’re off work early.”
“I quit.”
“What?” Heather’s eyes are wide, her smile genuine.
“I called my dad and told him I was done. My mom called and I told her the same thing. I sent a note to my boss and said I was leaving. He hasn’t called me back or sent an email, but I’m sure he will after he gets an earful from my dad.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know. I tossed my dreams in the trashcan long ago.”
“You have time, right?”
“I think so. The place I rent is cheap. I was saving money to buy an apartment close to my parents. I guess I’m glad I never made the purchase.”
“So you have money to live.”
Her concern was endearing. “I do.”
The door dinged and Heather glances over. One of her employees is taking care of the customer and Heather weaves her fingers with mine, leading me outside. We walk toward Central Park. It's nice to be together. I'm amazed by the amount of traffic. I'd spent the last few years bowing down to my father, working all kinds of hours so I might be chosen to lead the company—of course, it wasn’t ever going to happen. I’d stopped living when I moved here and I hated what I’d become.
There's a fruit vendor where Heather stops and purchases us apples. She's so easy and relaxed; it makes me smile. How could I have ever walked away from her?
“You’re a smart man, Baxter.”
“I don’t really feel smart.”
“Well, you are. How about I cook you dinner at my place?”
I nod and take another bite of the apple. “I’d like that.”
We wander back to her office, her pointing out the architecture she likes and clothes she thinks looks good on people. She also points out poorly made clothing. I enjoy our walk and her easy attitude. Spending time with her makes me happy. For so long I’d ignored my happiness in sacrifice for some elusive promise my father never intended on fulfilling.
She tells me she has work to do, and I realize I need to do some more work on myself. I head home and open my computer. My email has blown up. My dad has thrown his weight around and he’s bitching at the CEO and my boss. But it won’t do any good. I’m done with bowing down to him.
I take the time to send the CEO and my boss emails, telling them they haven’t done anything wrong. Next is an email to my dad, telling him I won’t be party to his meltdown.
I sit back and watch the traffic on York. Since moving back east and starting on my master’s degree, I’ve not taken time for myself. Life revolved around pleasing my dad. There are so many options out there, but what should I do? The only thing I’m sure of is I won’t bow down to my dad anymore. It’s time I start making my own way. Volunteer work intrigues me.
At six, I pack a bag and take a car to Heather’s place. I hope she lets me stay because I really like the idea of waking up next to her. She’s the fresh shot of goodness I need in my life. I should have stayed with her in California, but back then, I’d not been ready.
She’s just putting the food into the oven when I show up. “It smells good," I say.
Her lips turn up. “Just wait until it’s cooked.”
“What are we having?”
“It’s a chicken and squash casserole I’ve been trying to perfect.”
I place my bag by the sofa, hoping I don’t appear too presumptuous. Heather comes over and takes my hand, leading me into her bedroom. She tugs at my shirt, untucking it.
“We’re having dessert first,” she purrs.
Blood rushes from my head to my cock. I have a hard time thinking around her when we have our clothes on, but when we’re naked, it’s a lost cause. Any thoughts about a job I’d wanted to talk over with her flee. She tugs off her shirt, and my brain short circuits. She’s beautiful and amazing. I drop to my knees and tug her pants off before leaning in and licking her slit. She gasps and then sighs. That little noise ramps my desire higher. She drops to the bed, and I put her legs over my shoulders as I go to work making her life better.
I circle her clit with my tongue before sucking the nub into my mouth. Heather cries out and throws her head back. I do a long lazy lick up her pussy before I slide in two fingers. She arches her back and I hold still, loving the feeling of her getting wet around me.
Her fingers tug on my hair, and I let out a low chuckle. This is what I've been waiting for all day. The taste of her on my tongue sends my desire higher as I lick her clit again. Her fingers tighten in my hair. I want to feel her pulsing around me. After grabbing a condom, I unbutton my pants and push them low. Rolling the rubber on isn't as easy as it should be because my tongue is still tasting her. She's moaning and arching against me and I'm more than ready to push in and enjoy the feeling of being connected to her.
I move her legs off my shoulders and she complains, but she has no time to do more than raise a few small objections before I slide in. She's grabbing at my shirt, tugging it open so she can get her hands on me. I push in deeper and she gasps.
“Do you like it?”
“Baxter, my God. More, give me more.”
She asks for it, and I oblige, pulling out all the way before shoving in. I’m rocking against her, our bodies damp with sweat. Her eyes open and drill right into me. I swear I’ve lost my soul
to her. It’s more than I can take. She pushes me over the edge of sanity.
I reach between us and press on her clit. It’s all she needs and she shatters, coming hard as her inner walls grasp my cock. This is the best cock massage I’ve ever had. My heart is pumping hard as my head spins. This orgasm feels so good because she’s wrapped around me. This is where I need to stay. No work, no other woman, nothing comes close to how Heather makes me feel.
After we finish, we head to the bathroom to clean up. She slips into sweats and a t-shirt. I grab the shorts and a t-shirt from my bag. Hanging out with her is comfortable, almost like we've never separated. I can’t escape the fact that I left California and Heather. I never should have walked away.
“What are you thinking about?” Heather asks.
“I want to be better. I don’t want to spend my life regretting things.”
“You’re thinking about when you left?”
I nod. “Sure am.”
“We were young. I made mistakes back then. I should have kissed you, but I was too scared.”
“I didn’t want to ruin our friendship, but I did that anyway.”
The oven timer beeps. She grabs the food from the oven, and I realize I'm starving. We sit at her tiny table and dig into the delicious meal she's made. I look up and catch her gaze. We smile at each other, and I feel like maybe we can make it this time. She’s the best person I’ve ever met and I want to be something special to her.
This is how life should be, not what my parents had, but this. No amount of money, no wealth could come close to what I feel for Heather. I had made a huge mistake leaving her behind. I wanted to make up for the mistake.
After dinner, she pulls out her sketch pad and begins drawing. I watch for a little while, then I check my email. I’ve received a note from the CEO and the chairman of the board. I open the email from the chairman first. It’s not bad news at all.
They are tired of my dad’s antics. The company may have been started by my family, but it hasn’t been helped by my dad lately. The company is more profitable now that my dad is out. He wants me to come for a meeting in the morning. I confirm I’ll be there.
