by Claire Angel
CHRIS
I was too wired to go to sleep, so I went downstairs to the indoor pool and swam a few lengths, hoping it would tire me out. It was close to midnight, and the hotel was relatively quiet. I could smell Lauren on my skin. When I closed my eyes, I could see her pouty lips, her long legs, her beautiful, round breasts, and I couldn’t stop grinning like an idiot.
I glided through the cool water, freeing my limbs, as thoughts of us together spurred me on. Meeting Lauren was so unexpected. Making love to her in the olive grove was one of the most exciting experiences of my life. She was perfect. I swam for an hour before I returned to my suite, happy and ready to drift off to sleep.
I decided not to check my phone for emails and other work issues. The night had been such a wonderful one, I wanted to hold onto it for as long as I could. It was a little stuffy in my bedroom, so I opened the fold away doors and allowed the cool breeze into my room. I drifted off to sweet sleep, with Lauren’s green eyes always before me.
I awoke the next morning with a spring in my step. I lay in bed, looking through the open doors at the sunrise, a searing burnt orange playing across the horizon. Ordinarily, my first thoughts would be dedicated to whatever work issues and plans lay ahead for that day. Not that I didn’t enjoy the challenge of each day, but it felt good to focus on Lauren instead. I looked forward to seeing her. Lovesick puppy or horndog? It was hard to say.
After my continental breakfast, I enjoyed a refreshing shower and made my way down to the lobby. The Platinum Events’ soldiers were busy setting up the room for the day’s proceedings, and I had to admit that I was more than just a little disappointed when I didn’t see Lauren with them. Not that the job wasn’t to my satisfaction, but because I longed to stare into her beautiful green eyes and watch her lips as she spoke.
I turned to leave the hall, when the ever bouncy Scotty came across and tapped me on the shoulder.
“Good morning, Mr. Carter.” He smiled at me, as a chocoholic would look at a Snickers bar.
“Hi, Scotty. The hall looks great. Tell me, do you know where I can find Lauren?” I asked, trying my best to look casual about it.
“Oh, I thought she told you,” he said.
“Told me what?”
“She had to leave for home, unexpectedly. Family emergency,” he said.
“No, I wasn’t aware. I hope it’s not too serious. I’ll give her a call later. If you hear from her, would you ask her to call me, please?” I hoped the disappointment wasn’t painted across my dejected face. It was a guy thing.
“Sure thing, Mr. Carter.” Scotty gave me one more grin, then went back to what he was doing.
I dragged my disappointed ass back to the lobby. Lauren didn’t seem the flighty type. Whatever happened must have been serious enough for her to drop what she was doing in France and fly home in a hurry. She wouldn’t just drop what she worked so hard for, for nothing, that I was sure of.
I’d give her a few days, then call her in New York. I didn’t want to pry, partly because I wasn’t sure what she’d told her crew about us, if anything, and partly because I didn’t want to be that guy, who read more into a situation than there was. I’d had more than enough one night stands to know that not every earth shattering orgasm guaranteed an automatic start to a meaningful relationship.
If Lauren and I were meant to be, it would happen organically, without me hounding the poor woman while she was trying to cope with a family emergency. The rest of my week was going to be long and dreary without her, but I put on my big boy pants and got on with it. Success in business wasn’t achieved by allowing your emotions to dictate your choices. I had to focus on my job and leave Lauren to hers. That’s where the smart money was.
***
LAUREN
I felt as if my heart was torn in two. My father was my hero, and the love I had for him was unequalled, but leaving Chris behind without so much as an explanation, was painful.
I wondered what he would think when he woke up and found me gone. Then again, my ego may have been a tad overinflated. It wasn't as if a roll in the hay would make Chris Carter fall head over heels in love with me. How much did I really know about him? Was he a cad or a genuine guy? It was too soon to tell.
The flight back home felt like a lifetime. I wished I could check my phone for messages during the flight, but I couldn’t. Time stood still. My mind kept replaying the events of the night over and over in my head, until the memory of my father and I on one of our camping/hiking trips, cut in, leaving me filled with guilt. My father was more important to me than any other man, even Chris Carter.
Diana was waiting for me at the airport when my plane landed. I saw her waving at me through the glass while I waited at the roundabout for my bag.
“Ah, come here, you,” she said and hugged me tightly.
“I can’t believe it, D. How’s Dad?”
“He’s still in critical condition. The doctors are doing all they can for him. Your mom refuses to leave the hospital, so I said I’d fetch you. You got everything? Let’s go.”
Together we walked to the underground parking lot, put my bag in the trunk, and battled the traffic to the hospital.
“I didn’t even ask you how your trip went,” she said as she snaked in and out of traffic, in her usual ‘get out of the fucking way’ manner.
“It was amazing, actually. Oh, shit!”
“What?” Diana asked as I dug in my purse for my phone.
“I forgot to tell my aunt that I had to leave. She’s expecting me tomorrow, or today, or whatever the bloody time it is in Lyon.”
“Oh, yeah. I wouldn’t worry. Your mom called her when she couldn’t get hold of you,” Diana said. “Sorry, I was supposed to tell you but in all the chaos I forgot.”
“Thanks, D. No problem.”
“I want to hear about everything you got up to in Paris. But I think I better get you to the hospital first, and then we can chat tomorrow.”
Diana pulled up at the entrance to the ER. “You go in. I’ll let you be alone with your mom. I’ll see you tomorrow, Lau.”
“Thank you, D. You’re a love,” I said and ran into the reception area through the double doors. The receptionist told me what floor my dad was on, and I thanked her and headed for the elevator. It was crazy how two elevator rides could be so different. One filled with dreams of a new lover, and the other filled with nightmares of a beloved father dying.
I saw my mom pacing in front of the theatre door, when I got off the elevator. She didn’t see me until I was practically on top of her.
“Mom,” I spoke softly to her. “I’m here, Mom.”
“Oh, Lau Lau, my darling,” she cried and crumbled into my arms.
“What happened, Mom?”
“The brakes failed on a delivery truck, and the driver hit Dad’s car side on. It’s a miracle he’s still alive, darling. They had to cut him out of the car.” Mom stopped talking and started to cry. I stood there holding her tightly as I tried to keep myself composed. I couldn’t lose it. Not when my mom needed me so desperately.
“Where is he now, Mom? Can I see him?”
“He’s in surgery. The doctor promised to tell me how he is as soon as he’s out.”
“Come on, Mom. I’ll buy you a coffee,” I said, and led her gently away from the door and toward a little coffee shop I saw when I entered the building.
She seemed reticent to leave, but I was firm. “Please, Mom. I could really use a hit of caffeine right now.”
“Okay,” she whispered. I told the nurse on duty where we were in case the doctor needed to speak to us.
“You must be exhausted, Mom. How long have you been here?” I asked, trying to distract her.
She looked at her watch. “Uh, I’m not sure, actually. About ten hours, I think. You must be tired, my pet. Did you manage to sleep on the plane?”
“I tried, but I just couldn’t. What are Dad’s injuries, Mom?” I was sorry to bring it up while she looked so fragile, but I had to kno
w the truth.
“He’s got a broken pelvis, a shattered arm, broken collar bone and cracked ribs. They did a CAT scan, which showed a brain hemorrhage, so they’re operating to relieve the swelling.”
The more my mother spoke, the colder I became. The shock that I’d managed to stave off since the phone call about my dad was starting to take hold of me. My hands were shaking and I had to sit down before I collapsed. The waitress in the coffeeshop clearly had experience with traumatised patrons, being slap bang in the center of a hospital and all. She gave me one look and came over with the coffee pot and a slice of chocolate cake.
“Here you go, honey. This will make you feel like a new person.” She smiled and left the cake in front of me. It was really sweet of her, but I wished it was a bottle of tequila—a fat lot of good that would have done me, but ho hum. There was a lot to be said for the placebo effect of the golden elixir.
“Dad’s as strong as an ox, Mom. He’s gonna be just fine,” I said after I downed the coffee. “This chocolate cake is delish. Please have a bite,” I said, holding a piece up to her.
“I can’t eat, Lau. I’m too nervous. Why don’t you tell me about your trip? Is Paris in full summer swing?”
“It’s beautiful, Mom. The resort where we hosted the event is spectacular. You should see the rose gardens. You’ll love it.”
“That’s wonderful, my love. Such a pity your trip was cut short. I know your aunt was looking forward to spending some time with you.”
I pushed the half-eaten cake to the edge of the table. I wanted to tell my mom about Chris, but the time wasn’t right. I wondered if he knew yet that I had left. I wondered how he felt about me. I couldn’t believe I allowed the thought of him to insert itself into my thoughts when my father was lying on an operating table, fighting for his life.
“We better get back upstairs, darling,” my mother said, after looking at her watch.
“Okay, I’ll get the cheque. You go up so long,” I said.
My mom kissed me on my forehead and made for the elevator. I waited for the bill, then paid with my card.
“You alright, sweety?” the waitress asked. If I thought she was nosy, I would have told her to mind her own business. But she seemed really interested and compassionate, so I took her question at face value.
“My dad’s in surgery. He’s hurt pretty bad, so my mom and I are trying to keep it together,” I said, glad to vocalise my fears. I didn’t want to show my mom how scared I was, so telling this stranger made me feel less of a fatalist.
“I’ll pray for ya, honey. You hang in there,” she said sweetly. “And don’t you worry, the cake’s on me.”
“That’s very kind of you, Sally. Thank you.”
I left the change on the table, and made my way upstairs. That time, I used the stairs. By the time I opened the door to the ward on which my dad was being operated, I saw my mom slumped in a chair, crying. The doctor was standing over her with his hand on her shoulder. My heart was suddenly trapped in a vice grip, and I found it almost impossible to take a breath.
“Mom, what’s happened?” I looked at her but she couldn’t speak. Then I turned my attention to the doctor.
“How’s my father? What’s going on?”
“Hi, you must be Lauren,” he said.
“Uh, yeah, sorry. Please, tell me what’s going on.” My heart was pounding, fighting to break free from the grip of fear that clung to it.
“Your father is a strong man. I’ve seen many people in the same condition as him doing very poorly. He isn’t out of the woods yet, but he’s showing signs of improving. The next forty-eight hours are crucial. He’s in the hands of our top team of specialists, and we are doing our level best for him.”
“Mom, are you okay?” I asked her as I kneeled in front of her.
“Why is she crying, Doctor? Is there anything you’re not telling me?”
“I can only imagine that the shock has finally taken a hold of your mother. She’s been very strong up until now. It’s good to let it out. May I suggest that the two of you go home and rest for a few hours? There’s nothing you can achieve by staying here. Your father is going to need all your strength when he wakes up, and you can’t help him if you’re exhausted. Please, go. I’ll phone you if anything changes.”
He spoke with such authority and conviction, that I felt greatly comforted.
“Come, Mom. Let’s go home for a bit. We can come back in a few hours. Come on,” I said softly, as I helped her to her feet. “It’s gonna be okay, Mom. If Dad can wrestle a bear, he can beat this, hands down.”
“Wrestle a bear? Is there something I should know? What do you two get up to out there in the jungle?” Mom said through her tears.
“I’ll let Dad tell you when he wakes up. It’s his story really.” I grinned.
And with that, the two of us left for home, completely exhausted.
Chapter 10
CHRIS
“Oh, dear. Yer filly gone off and left ye, did she?” Harry said softly as he sat down beside me on the bench outside the dining room.
“What makes you think that, Harry?” I asked.
“Oh, come now, Jnr. How long have we known each other? I can tell when you’re smarting, son. Come on, out with it.”
“She’s back in New York. A family emergency of some sort.”
“Sorry to hear that. You should give her a call.” He winked.
“I will. But, for now, I’ll let her deal with whatever she has going on at home,” I said, trying to look upbeat.
“Ye do that. Now, grab yer paddle, Jnr. Let’s put some of my Varsity rowing team skills to good use. There are a few young upstarts I need to put in their place.” He stood up and waited for me to follow.
If ever I needed distraction, Harry had spades full to go around. I was glad he was on the trip. After a fiercely competitive paddling session, after which Harry looked like a beet, our motley crew hit the bar. True to form, the men ogled the sexy waitresses, pinched tight asses, and made rather inappropriate propositions. I found their drunken antics amusing. Usually, I was right there in their midst, less obnoxious, but there, nonetheless. But my mind was somewhere else. Somewhere in New York.
I was starting to think that our night together hadn’t meant as much to Lauren as it had to me. I admit that my bruised ego forbade me to reach out. It may have been ego, but it may also have been fear. The fact that I hadn’t felt about a woman the way I felt about her in a long time, scared me.
I was used to getting what I wanted. Ever since I was a boy, I used to set my mind on whatever I desired, and I worked tirelessly until I got it. That was why I had attained billionaire status. The money was great, no arguing that, but it was the challenge, the chase, the taste of sweet victory that appealed to me. I hated losing—a character flaw, no doubt—so I refused to relent.
My mother often tried to explain to me that matters of the heart weren’t as cut and dried as making money was. In theory, I understood what she was saying, but in practice, I kept banging my head against the same wall. Misplaced determination could be a curse, and I had it, bad.
Towards the end of the evening, when I’d had more to drink than I should have, Giselle smelled blood in the water and moved in for the kill. I was a sitting duck by then, not that it was an excuse. I was weak, a little pissy and dejected, and a whole lot of sorry for myself in a small space. That’s usually when otherwise smart men gave into their egos and made giant cockups.
“Hi, handsome,” I heard a voice whispering into my ear.
I looked up to see the busty blonde leering at her prey. Her eyes shouted ‘fuck me!’, and I’m ashamed to say that I allowed my small head to do the thinking.
“Hi, there,” I slurred a bit. She wasn’t leaving anything to the imagination when she bent down and kissed me on the mouth. Call it a reflex, but I kissed her back, and that was the start of my slippery slope. There was no turning back.
Giselle took a firm hold of my hand and dragged me off acro
ss the lobby, to the elevator. When the doors closed, she pushed her body up against mine, and kissed and grinded the shit out of me. I was a red-blooded Texan, and even though I knew I was making a mistake, I was honor bound to finish what I’d started.
The elevator doors opened on my floor, and with the skill of a pickpocket, Giselle took the key card from my pocket and opened the door. Before I knew it, she unzipped my pants and took me into her mouth. I closed my eyes and saw Lauren. My mind convinced me that it was my green-eyed goddess I was with. My body completely ignored my common sense and my will, and took over. I lifted Giselle off her feet and walked her to the bed.
There was no foreplay. I buried myself deep inside of her, thrusting ever deeper. She groaned with pleasure, but all I heard was Lauren’s voice, her moans. I lied to myself over and over, until I came with a shudder. The disappointment of being left behind spilled out of me. I wanted Lauren, and only her. With great shame and self-loathing, I fell asleep.
When I awoke the next morning, I found Giselle asleep in my bed. I was pissed off with myself. But the damage was done, and I had to face it like a man.
“Good morning, stud,” she cooed.
“Hi.”
“Is it just me, or was last night incredible?”
I didn’t want to be a dick about it, but I had to get my message across to her. The last thing I wanted to do was encourage her, but it was my fault for being an asshole, and I felt ashamed.
“Last night was a mistake, Giselle. It was all my fault, I’m truly sorry. I should never have taken advantage of you,” I bumbled.
“Mistake?” she snarled. “This was no mistake, Chris. You’re just too scared to admit to yourself that we belong together. Give it time. You’ll see that I am the woman for you. This is so right, Chris.”
Fuck. Well done, Christopher. Of all the women you could have slept with, you had to pick this crazy bitch. You’ve only got yourself to blame.
I wished the earth would open up and swallow me whole. Where was a natural disaster when you needed one?
I spent the better half of the day dealing with a hysterical, jilted lover. Giselle wasn’t going down without a fight. After two days of borderline harassment from the busty blonde, I decided to cut my trip short and return to Paris. I knew I was taking the easy way out, but honestly it was the only thing I could do after the tiptoeing I’d already done, unsuccessfully mind you.