The Interview_New York & Los Angeles
Page 13
“I have standards!” she shouted.
“Really? Because from what I’m seeing, you don’t, or else you wouldn’t be going after a man who isn’t worthy of your attention. Do you really want to waste your time on someone who will never express his feelings to you or call you his girlfriend? Aren’t you worth more than that?”
“Yes, of course I am.” She settled down.
“Then stop wasting your precious time on this one.” I pointed to Wyatt. “Life is too short to be chasing after the wrong guy who can never give what a woman like you needs and deserves.”
“I guess you’re right.” She reached into her purse, pulled out a check, and handed it to Wyatt. “This is from my father’s company. Have a nice life, Wyatt. I can’t say that it was a pleasure knowing you.”
“Umm, thanks, Adele.”
As soon as she walked away, his brows furrowed as he glared at me.
“You’re welcome.” I smiled as I threw back my drink.
Chapter Twenty-Six
The fundraiser was a huge success, and when the night was over, we went back to Wyatt’s penthouse and had incredible sex. Watching him give his speech and radiate the confidence he had turned me on in such a way, it freaked me out.
“Fuck, Laurel,” he spoke with bated breath as I collapsed on top of his muscular body.
My lips curled up into a smile as his hands gripped my ass, making sure I didn’t move until he was ready for me to.
“I’m sure going to miss this when you leave,” he spoke.
“Me too.” I grinned as I pressed my lips against his.
He lifted me off him, pulled the condom off, and tossed it in the small trash can next to his bed. He held his arm out, suggesting that I snuggle into him. I did, and I never felt more secure than I did at that moment.
“I’ll have to call and thank your father for the generous donation,” he spoke as his fingers lightly moved up and down my arm.
“I’m sure he’ll appreciate that.”
“I should be thanking you because there’s no way he would have known about the fundraiser unless you told him.”
I lifted my head from his chest and looked at him.
“I did tell him, and you did thank me.” I smiled.
“Ah, you considered what we just did a thank you?”
“I do. It’s not every day that a woman has one orgasm right after the other.” A smirk crossed my face.
“You’re easy to please.”
I laid my head down, and as I listened to the soft rhythm of his heartbeat, I thought about how I wasn’t so easy to please.
“I love your sister,” I randomly spoke to change the subject.
“I’m glad. I do too. We’re very close.”
“I can see that.”
“You’re not close with your brother and sister?” he asked.
“Not really. I mean, we are in a way, I guess. I always just did my own thing growing up while my mother tended to the two of them.”
“It sounds to me like you’re jealous of them.”
I sat up, covering my naked body with the sheet.
“I’m not jealous of them. Why would you say that?”
“Because it’s something I’m picking up on. You moved across the country to get away from your family.”
“So? People move across country all the time for work.”
“That’s true, but I can hear the resentment in your voice every time you talk about your family.”
“I came to see my sister perform in the ballet, didn’t I?”
“Yes, but I suspect if you didn’t have to come to New York to interview me, you wouldn’t have.”
He was right, and I hated that he was.
“The Holloway’s adopted me when they were told they couldn’t have children. Two years later, Alfie was born and then came the second surprise, Bella.”
“I had no clue you were adopted.”
“Things changed when Alfie was born and even more so when Bella arrived. I remember walking down the hallway to my room one night and I heard my mother talking to Bella while she was feeding her. I stopped by the door, which was slightly opened, and listened. She told Bella that she and Alfie were gifts from God and that she had never been happier than when she found out she was pregnant with them.” Tears started to form in my eyes. “I don’t talk about this shit with anyone.” I wiped my eye as I looked away from him.
He brought his hand up to my cheek and softly stroked it.
“It’s okay. Maybe this is what you need, Laurel.”
“I stood there thinking that I was a gift from God, and that I was born so they could have me. But she never told me that, and once her ‘real’ children were born, I was pushed to the side. She never made me feel like I was loved equally. She always picked me apart and argued with everything I did. But never with Alfie and Bella. They were perfect in her eyes, no matter what. I remember Alfie hit me in the head with one of his toy trucks because I wouldn’t let him play with my toys. I had to get four stitches, and instead of punishing him, my mother told me that I needed to learn to share.”
“Where was your father?”
“He worked all the time. We barely saw him. Not only was he building his company, he was building his list of mistresses. Alfie is just like him. Supposedly, he’s proposing to his girlfriend, but when he stayed with me at the Airbnb, he was fucking someone else.”
“They always say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” Wyatt spoke.
“Well, this apple who isn’t a part of their tree,” I pointed to myself, “fell as far away as it could. Like fell, rolled down a hill, and ended up in a field thousands of miles away.”
The corners of his mouth curved up into a sexy smile as he let out a chuckle.
“When I was ten years old, I remember overhearing my father on the phone one night in his study. I wasn’t feeling good, so I got up to get a drink of water. On my way to the kitchen, I heard him telling someone that he missed her and that he scheduled a business trip and asked her to come with him. Ever since that night, I paid more attention to the way he behaved. When he came home from that business trip, he was as happy as a clam. But after a couple of days, the happiness wore off. It became a pattern, and after a couple of years, my mother suspected. She never told him, though; she just thought an eye for an eye. I was too afraid to ever get in a relationship with a boy because of them. They proved that relationships don’t last and that you could never love one person for a lifetime. So, I dated and broke boys’ hearts before they could break mine. Then I met David in college, and he made me feel different. I let down my guard and became his girlfriend. Then he cheated on me with my best friend, proving my theory right.”
“And what theory is that?” he asked.
“That giving your heart to someone for the rest of your life isn’t logical because nothing ever lasts and that nothing in this world is permanent. When two people enter a relationship, it changes them, or at least one of them. You want so badly for the other person to love you that you give up the person you are to become the person you think you should be in order to hold on to them.”
“Come here.” He pulled me into him and kissed the top of my head. “Let’s get some sleep. We can talk more about this in the morning.”
“Good idea. I’m exhausted, but we won’t be talking about this again. Good night, Wyatt.”
“Good night, Laurel.”
I closed my eyes, but instead of falling asleep, my mind became congested with thoughts. Thoughts about Wyatt and how I felt when I was with him, along with thoughts about going back to Seattle. My heart started pounding and my skin became heated. The air in my lungs was constricted and I felt like I was smothering. My body began to shake, and I jumped up and went into the bathroom. Clutching the edge of the sink, I stood there and tried to calm down.
“Laurel, what’s wrong?” Wyatt asked as he came up from behind. “My God, you’re shaking.”
“I’ll be fine in a minute.”
“Drink this.”
I took a few sips and set the bottle on the counter.
“Thanks. I’m okay. Go back to bed, Wyatt.”
“No, Laurel, you’re not okay. It looked like you were having a panic attack. What’s going on?”
“It was all that talk about my family,” I lied. “It stirred up a lot of memories.”
“I’m sorry. I never should have asked you about them.”
“It’s not your fault. Please don’t apologize.”
He wrapped his arms around me. I was exhausted and all I wanted to do was go to sleep.
“Come on. Let’s get you back into bed.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
I opened my eyes as the sunlight peered through the sheer curtains of the bedroom windows. Grabbing my phone from the nightstand, I saw the time was eight a.m.
“Shit.”
Climbing out of bed, I slipped on my robe and went downstairs, where I followed the smell of something burning in the kitchen.
“Shouldn’t we be at the office? Why didn’t you wake me? And what is that smell?”
“Good morning.” A sexy smile crossed his lips. “We’re not going into the office today. I didn’t wake you because you needed to rest, and that smell is the toast I burnt.”
He poured me a cup of coffee and handed it to me.
“Thank you. What do you mean we’re not going into the office?”
“We’re going on a road trip. I need you to go get ready now, so we can stop and grab breakfast first. I thought I had eggs, but I guess I don’t and I already burnt the toast. So, it’s just best we let someone else take care of breakfast for us.”
I couldn’t help but let out a light laugh.
“Where are we going?”
“Long Island.”
“Why?” I narrowed my eye.
“You’ll see when we get there. This will conclude your article on me.” He leaned over the island holding his coffee cup between his hands. “Dress comfortably. Jeans, a t-shirt, and tennis shoes if you have any.”
“Now you have me really curious, Mr. Coleman.”
“Go on. I’ll give you about fifteen minutes. I’m starving.”
I took an apple from the basket on the counter and tossed it to him.
“I can’t promise to be ready in fifteen minutes. I am a woman, you know. This should tide you over in the meantime.” I gave him a wink and walked out of the kitchen.
Making my way back up to the bedroom, I picked up my phone and noticed I had a missed call from George. After changing into my clothes, I propped my phone up in the bathroom while I put on some makeup and facetimed him.
“Hey, Laurel.”
“I was going to call you later. We need to talk.”
“Is everything okay?”
“I had a panic attack last night, here at Wyatt’s home, basically in front of him.”
“Why? What happened?” he asked with concern.
“I don’t know, George. I’m overwhelmed,” I spoke with sadness in my voice.
“Oh, Laurel. I knew this day would come eventually.”
I heard Wyatt walk into the bedroom.
“I have to go. Wyatt’s coming,” I whispered before hitting the end button.
“Were you talking to someone?” Wyatt asked.
“My best friend, George. He called earlier, and I missed it.”
“You have a gay best friend?”
“George isn’t gay. He has a girlfriend whom he’s head over heels for.”
“Oh. I apologize for being presumptuous. I didn’t think guys and girls could be close without any sexual tension in the way.”
“They can be. George and I have been best friends since college. I met him the same day I found my ex banging my best friend. We’ve been stuck together like glue ever since.”
“It sounds like he’s very important to you.”
“He’s like a brother to me.”
“Are you ready yet? I ate the apple, but I’m still starving.”
“I’ll be ready in five. I promise. Then we can go fill your tummy, so you can stop whining.”
“I’m not whining.”
“You are.” I smiled as I pulled my hair back into a ponytail.
We climbed into the back of the limo, stopped at a diner for breakfast, then headed to Long Island. I had no clue what it was he wanted to show me, but I sure as hell was curious to find out.
“Feel better now that your tummy is nice and full?” I smirked.
“Actually, I do. You seemed to fully enjoy those Belgian waffles you ordered.”
“I did.”
“More than my cock?” A cunning smile crossed his lips.
“Let’s just say both satisfy me in different ways.”
We were on a dirt winding road for about a half a mile before passing through a double white gate that led to a two-story red brick sprawling mansion with trees that lined the surrounding area for maximum privacy.
“What is this place?” I asked as Wyatt helped me from the limo.
“This is my home away from the city.” He smiled.
I stood there, looking around, and took in the peacefulness of the area as a light wind swept across my face.
“This is where I come to get away from it all. My mother loved it here.”
A smile crossed my lips as I hooked my arm around his and he led me around the house, towards the back where four horses were out grazing.
“Mr. Coleman. I didn’t expect to see you today.” An older woman smiled as she walked up to us.
“Hello, Betsy. It was kind of a last-minute decision. I’d like you to meet Laurel Holloway. Laurel, this is Betsy. She and her husband Jerry take care of the place for me.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Laurel.”
“You as well, Betsy,” I spoke as I placed my hand in hers.
“There’s someone else I’d like you to meet,” Wyatt spoke as he led me to where the horses were grazing. “Hey, buddy. How are you today?” He smiled as he ran his hand across his back. “This is my horse, Apollo. Apollo, I’d like you to meet Laurel.”
“Hello there.” I smiled as I ran my hand down his mane. “He’s beautiful. Well, well, Mr. Coleman, I would have never in a million years taken you for a horse guy.”
“My grandfather owned this place. My mom, sister, and I spent a lot of summers here growing up. When he passed away, he left it to us. So, I’ve been around horses my whole life.”
“Your mother never remarried?” I asked.
“Nah. She dated a few men, but with her having MS, she didn’t want to have to put anyone through that, so nothing ever got serious. Do you like horses?”
“I do.” I grinned. “He’s an Arabian, right?”
“Yes. Have you ever ridden?”
“I have. Several times,” I replied.
“Good. Because today, we’re going to ride.” He smiled.
“Whose white horse is that?” I pointed.
“That’s Arabella, Sammi’s horse. Isn’t she a beauty?”
“She certainly is.” I smiled.
“And the black horse next to Arabella is Callie. You’ll be riding her.”
“She’s beautiful as well.”
“Hey, Betsy?” Wyatt called out. “Can you take Apollo and Callie and get them ready to ride?”
“Of course, Mr. Coleman.”
As soon as the horses were ready, Wyatt helped me up onto Callie and then hopped onto Apollo, and we set off to some trails not too far from the house.
“It’s so beautiful out here, Wyatt.”
“I know. Like I said earlier, this is where I come to get away from it all.”
“How often do you come out here?”
“As often as I can. I usually come out here on Sundays for the day. Sometimes, I’ll escape for the weekend, depending on i
f Sammi and her boyfriend are here or not.”
“Do you escape alone, or do you like to bring someone with you?” I arched my brow as I glanced over at him.
“Alone. I don’t ever bring anyone here.”
“And yet you brought me?”
“I figured it would be good for the article. Just don’t put the location of this place.”
“I won’t.” I smiled. “But I will need to get some pictures of you on that horse. We can do it out here.”
We rode for a while longer and then I climbed off Callie and took some pictures of Wyatt on his horse. My heart skipped several beats as I clicked each picture. Suddenly, my phone dinged with a text message from Eric.
“I booked a flight back to Seattle for you. Your plane takes off tomorrow at noon. I need you back here, Laurel. No attitude. I’ll send George to pick you up from the airport.”
A sick feeling erupted in the pit of my stomach and I didn’t respond.
“Are you okay?” Wyatt asked.
“Yeah.” I forced a smile. “I just got a text message from my boss, Eric. He booked me a flight back to Seattle tomorrow at noon. He needs me back in the office.”
“I see. Well then, we better make the most of the time we have left. Let’s head back to the ranch. Betsy is making dinner for us and then we’ll head back to the city.”
“Sounds good,” I spoke as I climbed back on Callie and we turned around and headed back.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
We got back to the city, and as soon as we stepped into his penthouse, Wyatt grabbed my hand and led me upstairs to the bathroom, where he started the shower.
“You’re taking a shower?” I asked.
“No. We’re taking a shower together.” He winked at me as he grabbed two towels from the cabinet.
I walked over to the oversized tub and started the water.
“What are you doing?” Wyatt asked.
“I’d rather take a bath.”