Because of Them: Heartfelt Romance

by Melissa Macomb

  She leans back further into the depths of the couch and lifts her hips as I place her legs over my shoulders. She’s wide open before me now, holding nothing back. I look deep into her eyes before leaning in and taking my first taste of her. She’s sweet as honey and the smell of her fills me with pure lust. I lick and suck at her, not able to get enough, until I hear her take in a deep breath and release it with a sexy moan. I slide my fingers inside her and feel her orgasm pulse around them.

  Knowing I won't be able to hold out much longer, I pick up the condom and tear it open with my teeth. Tessa smiles at me as she takes it from me and gently but expertly starts to roll it down my dick. I have to close my eyes and think of math equations to stop myself from coming then and there.

  I feel her small warm hands on my hips as she guides me to sit on the couch, exactly where she was just moments ago. I lean back and let her take control, but I can’t stop my hands from touching her as she puts first one hand, then the other on the couch behind my shoulders, steadying herself as she climbs on top of me. I hold each of her breasts in my hands. They’re perfect. I want them in my mouth. Tessa reads my mind and leans forward, still up on her knees that are planted on each side of my thighs. I can feel my dick rub against her wet pussy as she lets me take her nipple between my lips and suck. I want so badly to push her hips down on me, to fuck her fast and hard, but I also want to let her set the pace. The delay is torture, but it’s pleasure too.

  Tessa is moaning softly as I tease her nipples with my tongue. I can’t stop my hands from caressing the silky skin of her arms, shoulders, her back, then her ass. I know I can’t hold off any longer. I pull back and look in her dark brown eyes, asking her a question silently. She understands, and with a sexy smile, she leans in and begins kissing me deeply as she lowers her hips fully onto my rock-hard cock. She slowly starts to raise and lower herself on me and I feel like it's the first time I've ever fucked. Tessa leans back and lets me look my fill of her sexy body as she rides me. She's so wet and warm and tight, and she's looking at me with those big brown eyes full of desire. I can't stop. I come inside her with all the power and longing and love I have for her.

  "Tessa." I only realize I said her name out loud as I hear myself saying it. She leans in to kiss me and begins rubbing herself against my lower belly as she raises my hands back to her nipples. I watch in wonder as she orgasms again by rubbing herself against me.

  "Yes, Bram?" Her voice is breathy and teasing as she pulls back and looks at me expectantly.

  "You're incredible."

  "So are you."

  Of all the ways that I imagined this meeting would go, I never dreamed it would end with Tessa, naked and happy, straddling me on my office couch. The real reason we are even in my office comes back to me in a flash, causing my happiness to hit the ground with what I can't believe isn't an audible thud. We're supposed to be discussing how we're going to work things out for the children, but I don't even know myself how to solve this. I want to be able to tell her I'll come to Oklahoma, but I know for a fact that won't happen. I'm too invested in my business and life here, but I also know that I want and need her here, too. I know as soon as I open my mouth to try to explain any of this the sweet and beautiful start we've just made will be ruined. I really can't imagine trying to tell her I'm going to be hosting a dinner party with Kat Friday night, either.

  She must feel me mentally pulling away because there's now a crease in her forehead between those bottomless brown eyes. I hate that I put it there, so I lean forward and gently plant a kiss across it. "The kids will be awake soon." She pulls away from me and starts collecting her clothes from the floor.

  "You're so beautiful, Contessa." I know I can't tell her everything I want to right now, so I let the love I feel for her color my words. She stops in her tracks and stares at me, clutching that damn yellow tank top to her chest and says something that has me scratching my head all day.

  "Your kisses taste better than chocolate."

  20

  Tessa

  I can’t believe that just happened. I know I’m grinning like the village idiot, and I don’t even care. I’m happy. I’m so happy that it makes me wonder if I’ve ever really been happy before, because this has all other feelings beat hands down. Giddy is a word I’ve read in romance novels and now I know what it feels like. Bram feels the same way, I know he does. I saw it all over his face today. Not just when we were having sex, either. I saw it earlier when we were with the kids in the park. That’s what made me take that next step. It’s what made me throw caution to the wind and tell him that I wanted him to make love to me. I still can’t believe how wonderful it was.

  I don’t know what this means for our future. I don’t know why I never let myself have even a minute of pure joy without ruining it by worrying about what it means. Because it’s too important, that’s why. Whatever this means affects my future and the futures of Abbie and Archie. Too late, I remembered Bram and I were supposed to have been discussing that future. I had resolved to tell him that I’m taking the kids home on Monday. Instead, I went in and threw myself at him.

  Well, at least now I have some idea of how he feels about me. I know I didn’t imagine that he cares, at least a little. That gives me a more solid rock to stand on when we discuss the kids.

  “You’re looking way too serious for someone who just got…”

  Hearing Bram come up next to me, I whirl around just in time to stop him from saying that last word, and luckily, too, because the children are up from their nap.

  “Hello, sweethearts, are you ready to help us make dinner?”

  The four of us go into the kitchen, laughing and talking over each other. I’ve missed this, so much, the sound and feel of a happy family. Glancing over at Bram, I see that he’s watching me and smiling, so I smile back. It feels right. This feels right. But we can have the same thing in Oklahoma City. I’ll tell him so tomorrow. No more messing around.

  I wake up early on Friday morning, and look around me, disoriented in the early morning light. Oh, yeah. I’m in Bram’s room. I can feel that I’m blushing like a schoolgirl, which makes me giggle and I feel Bram stir in his sleep next to me. I crawl out of bed and get dressed quickly. The twins will be awake soon, if they aren’t already, and they very often head straight for my room if I’m not already up and in the kitchen. I don’t want to confuse them with information they’re not mature enough to handle yet.

  Sitting on the edge of the bed, I reach out and brush a strand of long brown hair from Bram’s face and it startles me when he opens one eye.

  “Why are you dressed?”

  “Because I can’t stay naked all day.”

  My remark causes a slow smile to creep across Bram’s handsome face. I know exactly what he’s thinking, and it makes me go wet, hot for him all over again. He flips over onto his back and lets the covers fall away and I can see clearly that he’s ready for me, too. My heart skips a beat when he reaches out for me and pulls me down on top of him. This is more than sex. I’m starting to have real feelings for him. I never expected to feel something this strong, so soon after Mitch. But I have to admit, what I felt for Mitch doesn’t even compare to this. I don’t know how or why, but I think I’m falling in love for the first time.

  My thoughts scare me. If I thought I’d been in love with Mitch, but now know I wasn’t, makes me question if this is real. Maybe it’s just really good sex.

  “Whatever you’re thinking that’s causing that frown on your face, stop it. You’re going to give me a complex.”

  “You think much too highly of yourself to get a complex. I’m thinking that we need to get up. The twins might already be awake as it is, but I don’t want them to find us like this. It’ll be too confusing for them.”

  It’s confusing enough for me. I can’t explain to them what I can’t explain myself.

  "What are we going to do today? I was thinking since it's so hot, we could take them to the New York Public Library. I've always wanted
to go there, and it's a great place for kids..." I stop mid-sentence because Bram has a weird look on his face.

  "I'm sorry, Tessa, but I really have to work today, and I'll be out this evening, as well. I wish it was something I could get out of, but it's not."

  My body goes cold as a memory surfaces. That woman. Kat. Was it just yesterday? The day before? She told Bram not to forget about dinner Friday evening. Today is Friday.

  I want to ask him who she is, if she means anything to him, why he has to still keep a date with her, but what we have is too new, too fragile. I’m afraid the answers will break it into a million pieces and I’m not ready for that. But I’m also not ready for my heart to be broken again. Inwardly, I curse myself for conveniently forgetting that Bram has a history with women. Lots of women. I’m a fool if I think he’s going to change that for me.

  “I see. Well, don’t concern yourself with us. We’ll be just fine while you’re gone.”

  “Don’t be like that, Tessa. It’s only work, and I’ll be all yours again tomorrow. We can go to the library then.”

  I guess he expects me and the kids to wait around here for him, in a state of suspended animation, until he’s finished with this Kat woman. Yeah, I don’t think so. I’m going to do what I should have done a week ago. As soon as he’s gone, so am I.

  I remind Bram the children will be up any time and escape to the privacy of my own room. Thankfully, the kids are still asleep. I peeked into their room before going into mine and collapsed in a crying heap on the bed. I’m as angry as I am hurt. Not just at Bram, but at myself, too. He’s never tried to hide who he is. Even after that woman interrupted our kiss, he didn’t bother explaining to me who she is or why she has a claim to him and his time.

  I need to be back home, anyway. I need to be back among my own things, my own people, in my own home. My time in New York City has given me big ideas, made me forget who I am. I need to feel the earth under my feet instead of concrete. I need the big blue sky instead of the endless windows of building after building.

  My only regret is that I can’t take Mrs. MacThomas with me. I don’t know where she’s staying or how to reach her. I could ask Bram, but that’s the last thing I want to do, and it might make him suspicious. I have to get out of here today, while he’s gone, because of course, the children are coming with me. He’d try to stop me if he knew. Roman’s letter nudges at my conscience. I’m sorry, big brother, but I can’t do it. If I’m not careful I’ll fall in love with him and watching him with all those other women will kill me. Even watching him with this one will kill me. Please don’t expect me to do it.

  The next hour goes by quickly. The children wake up, and Bram gets ready to leave for work. I hear him stop by the room where the twins are playing after having eaten their breakfast. I hear him ask where I am and little Abbie answers that I’m in the shower. I’ve actually just stepped out of it, but I stay in the bathroom, hiding from Bram. I can’t bear to look at him. There’s also the chance he’ll see on my face that I’m planning to leave, if only by the anger that’s still bubbling over. When I hear him go, I hurriedly finish getting dressed. I’ve got a lot to do to get the three of us packed and to the airport on time.

  Goodbye, Bram.

  21

  Bram

  I’m a million different kinds of a fool. I should have told her about Katrina. I should have explained why I have to work today, and why I have to have dinner with Kat tonight. But I didn’t because I’m a coward. I’m afraid she’ll have second thoughts about me. Also, if she knows the reason I have to meet with Thompson Davis is for the expansion of the company, then she’ll suspect I don’t have any plans to actually leave New York for Oklahoma.

  That’s not all, though. I’m ashamed of my life before I met Tessa. I’ve been seeing it through her eyes and it’s not pretty. I’ve used women and now I’m using Katrina. I know she has feelings for me, and I’m using her to get to Davis. If I tell Tessa, then she’ll go back to thinking I’m nothing but an ass.

  Kat’s a big girl. She knows what she’s doing, enticing me to dinner with the promise of meeting her godfather. That’s what people do, they use each other to get what they want. It’s not my fault Kat wants me. I’ve told her the truth all along. Her incorrect expectations aren’t my fault.

  My thoughts are making me sick to my stomach. I know Tessa won’t see things the way I do. Tessa isn’t the type of person to use people, and deep down, I know this is the reason I haven’t tried to explain to her what I’m doing.

  I just have to get through tonight, make my pitch to Davis, then I can shut Kat down and put her out of my life forever. This will be the last time I ever lie, even by omission, to Tessa. She deserves better and I’m going to be better. So, I go to work and spend the next few hours going over the accounts, making sure everything is correct. Thompson Davis will be looking over it all, and that man has a shrewd mind for business. If even one column doesn’t add up right, he’ll walk away without investing. The afternoon I spend making sure everything else is running smoothly. The time I spent in Scotland meant that a few things had to be put on hold. I worked as much as possible remotely while I was away, but there’s always a few things that need more personal attention, so this afternoon, they got it.

  Since there’s no way I can face Tessa again before going to Katrina’s, I change at the office. I always keep a few extra changes of clothes on hand and my private restroom has a shower and changing room attached. Tonight is black tie, and I look at my face in the mirror as I pull my hair back and secure it. I look as ashamed as I feel, so I turn away with disgust.

  I have to do this one thing, then I can come clean to Tessa.

  Pulling up in front of Katrina Rutherford’s Upper East Side mansion, I take a steadying breath. Tonight could secure the future of my company as a world class business. I’ve worked hard for this, and even though I’m ashamed of the tactics I’ve had to take to get here, I feel I deserve the win. It will further secure the futures of everyone I care about, as well. This will help me to fulfill all my duties and responsibilities to my niece and nephew, as well as mean I can expand the business and provide livelihoods to even more people than I do already. That’s something to be proud of.

  Once this is done, I’ll be able to devote more time to the twins, and I’ll even fly to damn Oklahoma City if it’s that important to Tessa. Visiting there doesn’t mean I have to live there.

  Reluctantly, I leave my car and walk up to the huge, ornate front door. This isn’t the first time I’ve been here, but it’s the first time with Kat as the owner. When I was last here, it was to visit Lily Morrison, who was Kat’s grandmother. Lil, as the old woman insisted everyone call her, had been a dear friend of the Carter family. She’d been the last of the ‘grand dames’ of New York Society. I grew up listening to Lil’s stories of life in New York back in the 1930’s. Stories that involved old Hollywood legends like Mickey Rooney, Kirk Douglas, Lauren Bacall, and Rita Hayworth. Lil had even been close friends with Jackie Kennedy. She passed away a few years ago and not only did the city lose a legend, I lost a dear friend.

  Kat had grown up elsewhere, I can’t even remember where. All I know is that Katrina didn’t even know Lil. There was some family estrangement that meant Kat only found out about her grandmother when Lil passed away and left the house and most of her money to her only grandchild.

  I barely get the chance to knock on the massive front door before it opens.

  “Hello, darling. You look magnificent. Don’t just stand there, come inside and let me have a proper look at you.”

  As I step inside, Kat steps forward, clearly wanting a kiss. It’s the last thing I want to do, but I also don’t want to piss her off before I meet Davis, so I lean down slightly, as she’s nearly as tall as I am with her heels on, and give her a quick peck on the lips. Well, I meant for it to be a quick peck, but Kat has other ideas. Her arms have gone around me and are holding me in a death grip as she pushes her body closer to mine. />
  I hear a strange whirring noise and manage to pull back from her in search of the source.

  “Oh, don’t worry, darling, it’s just Tony, the photographer I’ve hired for the evening. You know how it is. I wish I didn’t need to sell photos to the gossip columns, but this old heap takes a fortune to run.”

  Great, so this pic of us kissing could show up in the local tabloids. “Pictures of me aren’t part of the bargain, Katrina. Make sure that one stays out of the papers.”

  “Of course, darling, anything you say.”

  It’s irritating that pictures of the evening will make the society pages, but not uncommon at all, so I know I’ll have to put up with the man whirring his camera all night. Most people don’t mind because it’s good for their image to be seen out and about, especially somewhere as legendary as the Morrison Mansion. I mind, but there’s bigger things on the cards tonight, so I hold my tongue.

  “When will I get the chance to speak to Mr. Davis, Kat?” It’s hard to keep the impatience from my voice, but the sooner I can make my pitch the sooner I can get back home. Right now, my new little family is probably gathered around the kitchen table eating spaghetti and meatballs. Man, I wish I was there.

  "Oh, he'll be along soon, don't worry. I've told him all about you and sang your praises to high heaven. He's really interested in your company, Bram. I mentioned you were looking to expand into Europe and he’s very intrigued. Let's just get through dinner first, then you and he can slip away upstairs to my private sitting room."