by Kat T. Masen
“Samantha isn’t home. She’s in San Francisco for the night babysitting her nephew.” He looked over, watching my reaction. I was relieved. Not that I was doing anything wrong, but there was something about him that made me feel comfortable. I felt my body relax.
“Nice place. It’s very cozy.”
We entered the living room, my eyes drawn to the enormous fireplace nestled against the back wall.
“It’ll do for now. Unfortunately, my wife doesn’t seem to think it’s good enough.”
“I’d love a place like this. But then, again, I love fireplaces. Nothing beats curling up in front of one reading a good book.”
“You don’t sound like a normal teenager.” He laughed.
“Define normal?”
“Well, definitely, not my sister,” he chastised. “I’ll be back in a sec. I’ll try to find these jumper leads. Help yourself to anything in the kitchen if you’re hungry.”
Alone in the living room, I walked over to the mantelpiece to look at the picture frames that sat perfectly aligned. There was one of Alex on his graduation day standing proudly with his mom and dad, another of Alex and Adriana when they were kids. It was adorable. They were both wearing cowboy hats and holding up an ice cream cone with three scoops. It looked enormous compared to them. There were a few others which I assumed were of Samantha and her sisters. The one that caught my eye was the one of them on their wedding day. She looked stunning in her dress. Her face was radiant as she looked into his eyes. Alex was holding her, his eyes a different shade of emerald than what I normally saw. I had no idea how that was even possible.
Despite that, he looked happy, and I reminded myself again to ignore these feelings that were starting to build inside me. My focus needed to be on my grades if I wanted to attend an ivy league school next year.
“I found them,” he murmured, standing close behind me.
We weren’t touching, but the electricity was radiating off him. His slow breaths were blowing against my skin, whooping my body into a frenzy. I closed my eyes, just for a second, allowing myself to live in the moment. His face was inches away from mine. I started to panic because this struggle around him was uncharted territory. Until I understood what these feelings were, I needed to keep my distance.
Thankfully, his phone started ringing and broke us from the temptation. He took the call in the kitchen, talking briefly before hanging up and walking back to the living room, though, this time, stopping a few feet away.
“Sorry, that was Samantha, talking my ear off about her nephew.” His tone is bitter, and I wasn’t sure if it was because of the baby talk or the fact that she called and interrupted us.
“Are you guys thinking about having kids soon?”
I regretted asking almost immediately.
“She wants to, but I think we’re way too young.” He sighed. Clearly, it was a touchy subject.
Why, oh why, did I open my big mouth and bring this up? Now I had visuals of them having sex. I was getting annoyed with myself, and this strange possessive feeling was nagging at me. This jealousy was all kinds of wrong.
“I’m sorry, Alex. I didn’t mean to pry.”
“No, it’s okay. It’s just that I’m kind of sick of this topic being brought up. I don’t understand why she can’t see how young we are. That there are still so many things for us to do before settling down… like our careers, traveling. Are you sure you don’t want anything to drink or eat?” he asked politely, changing the subject.
I was starting to feel awkward being here, not with him, just in this place—her house. The feeling tormented me, the voices in my head telling me to let it go, walk out, and not look back. “No, I’m fine. We probably should head back. It’s getting darker outside.”
He grabbed his keys and the jumpers, turning all the lights off before we headed back out to the car. I climbed in, this time the music was low, playing a Bon Jovi ballad. We were awkwardly quiet. Had I done something wrong? I wanted to look at him but was afraid he’d catch me in the act.
“I never got to thank you for helping me out with the whole prom-dress thing. It was quite funny watching Adriana’s reaction. Unfortunately, she was a pain in my backside all day, but I’d take that over trying on dresses.”
“So, it worked? I’m guessing you’ll eventually have to go shopping for one, though, right?”
“Yes, unfortunately, I do. Stupidly, I agreed to go with some guy at school a few months back. I’m still kicking myself for saying yes, but hey, there’s always online shopping.”
“Who?” he asked, his voice changing tone.
“Who what?”
“Who are you going to prom with?”
“Oh... Carter. He’s just a guy I’ve known pretty much most of high school.”
“As in the Evans kid? Good luck with that. The jerk can’t even pitch a ball right.”
“Wait, are we talking about baseball or sex? Number one, I don’t care for sports. Number two, I don’t plan to have sex with him. Not every prom needs to end in a cheap rented hotel room, except for your sister.”
Whoops, wrong person to bring that subject up with.
“Please don’t go into my sister’s sex life. In my eyes it doesn’t exist nor will it ever.”
“It’s not that bad. You’ve got to get used to them being a couple. Sex is no big deal. At least she’s with one person. Most girls our age change partners more regularly than underwear.”
“Do you change sex partners more often than underwear?”
“Okay, this conversation has now hit an all-time high in awkwardness,” I tell him, unable to stop my face from flushing in embarrassment. “No, I don’t, but I’m not like all the other eighteen-year-olds. You said that yourself.”
We finally arrived at my car, and I couldn’t have been more grateful. He opened up the hood and connected the leads on the battery, attaching the other end to his car.
It finally started.
Hallelujah!
Alex removed the cables and shut the hood.
“All done. Sure you’ll be okay?”
“I’ll be fine.” I smiled, relieved I didn’t have to call Dad to come help since I knew he was on the road today and wouldn’t be home until late. “Thanks for all your help.”
Tilting my head upward, I kissed him on the cheek. I caught him by surprise, lingering more than I should have, lost in his scent and the feel of his skin. I pulled away, the loss of contact unbearable.
Alex sighed.
Had he felt it too?
Think of something else, Charlie, anything else. Why is the sky blue? What’s the square root of pie? It’s working. My inner self high-fived my brain.
“Don’t forget, eight tonight. It’s the continuation of the hitchhikers who went missing along Route 66.”
“You’re a twisted little one, Miss Mason,” he replied, smirking as he shut my door.
The first thing I did when I got home was jump into a steaming hot shower. I stayed in there for like half an hour allowing the water to relax my muscles. I felt extremely tense, the kind of tense that would usually be eased with a massage. My thoughts drifted again, so I quickly turned off the water. How was I going to get through the night?
I was dressed in my pajamas when I plonked myself on the couch, armed with my bowl of popcorn and a rolling pin. It was my safety blanket, plus it would hurt anyone who came near me. I grabbed my cell, now fully charged, and decided to text Alex to say thank you.
It wasn’t the rolling pin that accompanied me to bed that night. It was his hockey jersey. I held onto it tight, inhaling his scent.
Fact—he was married.
But was he happy?
The short conversations we had around this topic indicated that he wasn’t, but he was bound to her, in sickness and in health, ‘til death do they part and forsaking all others.
I was holding a match, lighting up the kerosene, playing with fire.
So what? We fuck once and that ruins his marriage? I wasn’t tha
t type of girl, and what about Adriana? She was my best friend and would never forgive me. These thoughts needed to leave my head. Immature, teenage dreams over someone I couldn’t have.
I tossed and turned that night, replaying everything in my mind, falling asleep at the break of dawn.
LEX
Present
I sit at the table trying to concentrate on the business meeting.
It’s impossible.
I need to take care of things, and my mind has questions that require answering. How the fuck did this happen? Out of all the places in the world, she’s here, in New York City, eating Japanese with her, whatever the fuck he is. I have to wrap up the meeting. I need answers now.
“Mr. Klein, the numbers you have shown meet our profit expectations. Have your business plan ready for me before I leave on Monday.”
“Of course, Mr. Edwards. It was a pleasure doing business with you again,” Klein responds.
We all stand, shaking each other’s hands. I sign the check and grab my phone, immediately dialing Kate’s number, asking her to meet me at the hotel.
Outside the restaurant, I’m greeted by the warm breeze. How long has she been in Manhattan? She was all dressed up—fucking hot, actually. I wonder what her profession is? Fuck, I need answers. My mind is scattered, and I’m unable to process anything in my normally controlled fashion.
I hail a cab, not being bothered to call my driver to come pick me up. The cab pulls into the traffic, only to be met with red lights as soon as we turn the corner. Pulling out my phone, I scroll through my contacts until I find his number. Bryce Callahan was recommended by a close business associate and came at a high price. I never asked questions about his background, knowing that his line of work wasn’t exactly legal.
“Bryce, it’s Edwards. I need you to look into someone for me.”
“Yes, Mr. Edwards.”
“Charlotte Olivia Mason. She resides here in Manhattan, I assume,” I tell him, only realizing this mission could be a needle in a haystack. She could reside in Brooklyn, Long Island, and the possibilities are endless with a state this large.
Bryce asks a few more questions, including her date of birth. I answer everything I can, desperate for anything on her.
“I need this information today. Anything you can get,” I demand, not willing to waste any time.
“Yes, Mr. Edwards. I’ll call you as soon as I find something.”
I end the call, my mind still reeling from the events. Charlotte was angry, and I understand that I left without giving her an explanation, but then again it was nine years ago. I thought she’d be happy to see me, like two long-lost friends, except we weren’t two long-lost friends. I promised her things. I promised her a future, and then I had no choice but to walk away, or at least I thought so at the time.
It’s just after two when I arrive back at the Waldorf. The cab ride didn’t take as long as I expected. Kate’s already in the suite typing away on her laptop. As soon as I walk in, she stands to greet me. “Good afternoon, sir.”
“Kate, nice of you to be early,” I sarcastically respond, considering I’m the one who’s actually late.
So, I sound like a prick, but I’m fucking going crazy.
This isn’t like me.
I’m always in control.
What has she done to me?
And all this by just seeing and talking to her.
Removing my jacket, I throw it onto the couch and pour myself a bourbon. I don’t normally drink during work, but today is different. I could easy down the whole bottle in one gulp if Kate wasn’t standing there.
“What’s the schedule for next week?” I ask, praying I can stay here.
“Tomorrow night is the charity ball. Your sister will be meeting you here at five o’clock sharp with your tux, and apparently your… um… date, Brooke.” She clears her throat, continuing, “On Sunday morning you have another meeting with Mr. Klein to go over your expansion of After Dark. Two o’clock will be another inspection of the new office. Then on Monday morning we catch a red-eye back to London.”
I’ll have no time to find her or even spend time with her. I pour myself another glass, the first one obviously not doing the trick. The first thought floating through my head is to cancel going to the charity event.
Yes, I’ll cancel that.
At least I’ll have all Saturday night free to find her.
“Tuesday at eleven is the stakeholder meeting. That’s expected to run until five. The Hilton conference room has been booked for the event.”
It has taken us months to organize this meeting. I know I can’t get out of it. I grit my teeth as she continues on and based on the schedule she reads out, I won’t be back in Manhattan for three weeks.
Pacing the room in short spans, I scrub my hand over my face willing the impending headache to stop. I’m starting to feel like a lovesick teenager except I’m thirty-fucking-four, a successful entrepreneur with money to do whatever the hell I want, which proves absolutely pointless at a time like this.
My phone starts to buzz—it’s Bryce—so I make my way into the bedroom and close the door behind me.
“Bryce.”
“Mr. Edwards, I have some information regarding Miss Mason.”
“Go on...”
“Her current employment is at Mason & Romano where she’s a partner in the firm.”
“Firm?”
“Yes. She’s a lawyer here in Manhattan. The boutique firm is located on Madison Avenue…” he advises, pausing while I listen quietly. “She graduated with honors from Yale.”
So, she was in New Haven all that time? Her mother gave me no inkling of that when I went to look for her. I try not to focus on the regret starting to creep in at not finding her and telling her how sorry I was. Why didn’t I try harder? Why didn’t I continue until she was in my arms again?
“Her status is showing single. Never registered as being married.”
For now. Anger is boiling inside of me at the thought. Images of the ring flashing before me, my grip on my phone tightens as I try to remain calm to process anything else he has on her.
“She currently owns an apartment in the Upper East Side as well as a home in Connecticut.”
“What’s the connection in Connecticut?”
“I haven’t been able to get a connection yet.”
“Thank you, Bryce. Please update me as soon as you find anything else.”
I hang up the phone, a little more at ease now because I know more about her. Yale, wow. I always knew she was smart, but she never mentioned anything about wanting to be a lawyer. Our last conversations revolving around college was her trying to stay close to home, and after our relationship became more involved, a huge part of that was to stay close to me.
My curiosity piques—all of this is very unlike her.
She always walked away from drama, even at school. Being a lawyer and arguing for a living seems very left of field as her chosen profession. Financially, she appears to be well off, but this house in Connecticut keeps bugging me. It isn’t the type of area you would invest in, so why would she own property there?
I walk over to the window, watching the city pass by. All I can think about is the fact that she has become this beautiful woman.
Her attire is another thing I wouldn’t have expected—she always hated heels and dressing up. The glasses—oh, fuck me sideways. I stir at the thought, my cock hardening. I need a release, but Kate is outside, and even I have my boundaries. Adjusting my pants, I walk back into the living room.
We spend the afternoon on conference calls with Human Resources regarding the recruiting of the Manhattan office. If all goes according to plan, we’ll have a fully functional office in less than two months. Now, more than ever, I want this office up and running, giving me an excuse to spend more time in the city.
By six, I’m done. Kate left to spend the night with a friend she had met in the city, so I decide to go down to the bar in the hotel lobby. It’s busy for a
Friday night, the usual business crowd letting their hair down after a stressful week. A few young girls are dancing. I sit at the bar and order a scotch. One of the brunettes from the dance floor walks up to the bar, stopping beside me.
“Bartender!” she yells, chuckling while intoxicated.
The bartender stands at the end of the bar, trying his best to chat up another girl. Young people, honestly. If he were under my watch, I’d have fired him on the spot.
“Oh, c’mon, excuse me!”
The bartender looks up, reluctantly walking over to serve the brunette.
“Can I please get another Cosmo?”
She’s pretty hot, maybe early twenties. She has long brown hair tied up in a high ponytail while wearing a short, black skirt with a low-cut gold top. Tackily dressed, but she has a nice pair of tits. She waits at the bar before turning my way. Licking her lips, she looks me up and down, not at all ashamed she has made it so obvious.
“Alone tonight?” she asks, her body moving closer to mine as her hand rests on my thigh.
“That depends if you’re going to walk back to your posse or stay and drink with me.”
I know I sound like a cocky motherfucker but I have this one in the bag, and I need a release after what happened today.
“You’re not from around here? I love a man with an accent.” She smirks.
Don’t all American women? She looks at me, smiling, her lips covered in bright red lipstick. Jumping off the bar stool, she grabs my hand and drags me through the bar to the restroom at the back. Slowly looking around, she opens the door, pushing me inside. What a little firecracker. She grabs my pants, unbuttoning them quickly. Pulling them down, she releases my cock.
“Damn, you’re one fine specimen. And this…” she says as she wraps her hand around my cock, “… needs to be in my mouth right now.”
I look down, watching her take in all of me until I feel it tap the back of her throat. Hmm, great gag reflex. I close my eyes, remembering when Charlotte would do the same, her long brown hair covering me. I grab the chick’s hair, lusting over the brown strands, watching her, but all I can see is Charlotte, all I can feel is Charlotte. It doesn’t take me long before I need to blow, the girl pulling me out of her mouth as she jerks me off in her hand.