She nodded, reluctantly, “ok, fine.”
“I’m not a rags-to-riches story. I was raised a very privileged kid and it got to my head. So my father sent me kicking and screaming to Ghana because he wanted to ‘teach me a life lesson’. I worked on a farm for a summer with a local Ghanaian man. He became like a mentor to me and introduced me to all the people in the village. By the end of the summer, I had become best friends with a lot of the kids my age. Before I left, I promised the man that I would help take care of the children when I inherited my dad’s company.”
Gloria hadn’t taken a sip of her coffee since I started the story. “That’s the coolest thing I’ve ever heard.”
I stood up. “Come with me. I want to show you something.” She bit her lip, shaking her head.
“Relax. I’m not going to fuck you yet,” I said jokingly, although that was exactly what I could wish for right at that moment.
Her face froze and she lost all of her composure; she was speechless. “Well, good because… that…would be interesting.”Gloria immediately regretted her words. She didn’t know what she was saying. I chuckled as I took her hand, leading her down one of my hallways.
I opened a door, presenting her with my art collection from Africa. She dropped my hand and scanned the walls, each one exhibiting rare collectibles ranging from paintings to statues.
“Oh my God…These pieces are wonderful! Did you pick all of them yourself?”
“Yes, every one of them.” I was so happy that she appreciated them. Most people just glanced in the room and then complimented me on my 60-inch flat screen.
I walked over to a 19th-century mask, hanging by the window. “This is my personal favorite.” I flicked on a special light that illuminated the details of the wood carving.
Gloria stepped closer, covering her mouth with her hands. “Are you serious?! You filthy rich animal. I am sooo jealous of you.”
I could tell Gloria didn’t think of herself as “hot” or “beautiful” but her face, with its youthful glow and delicate feminine features, was the real piece of art in the room.
Her shoulder leaned into me as she examined the authenticity of the mask. “I cannot believe you own the Fang Ngil mask, this is my favorite piece as well... You know it was a huge influence on Picasso?”
I nodded and reached out, running my finger along her soft cheek. “That’s right, he was fascinated with masks.” She tilted her head down, blushing. I slowly lifted her chin back up; her eyes locked with mine. “Picasso said, ‘Are we to paint what’s on the face, what’s inside the face, or what’s behind it?’ ”
She gently pressed her cheek against my hand, revealing a softer side of her that I hadn’t seen yet. I pulled her chin towards me and kissed her. Her lips parted gently, inviting my tongue into her mouth. It was the warmest and most tender space I had ever entered.
It was adorable the way she surrendered her body into my arms. I ran my hand over her firm, round ass and gave it a good squeeze. I wanted all of her to be mine. There was no way I was letting her go.
She gently pressed on my shoulders, pulling herself away. “I’m sorry. I don’t usually do this, especially with co-workers, or I mean bosses or whatever.” She was suddenly a bit flustered. “I think we should get back to work.”
I turned off the light over the mask. I knew she didn’t usually do this which is part of why I wanted her so bad. I rested my hand on her back and lead her back towards the living room.
GLORIA
Some hours later, I woke up on Aiden’s couch. I was a little startled in the dark living room, but gradually remembered eating Chinese food and then dozing off while doing the seating chart for the event. I was wrapped in a blanket with a pillow placed under my head. I recalled Aiden’s lips, kissing me and I exhaled. I could still smell him on me.
A soft, warm light spilled out from the kitchen and I heard some shuffling around. I peeked my head into the kitchen. Aiden was bent over, pulling out a snack from the refrigerator. His shirt was hiked up, revealing the firm muscles along his back as he pulled out some strawberries. He was wearing simple sweats with a white V-neck T-shirt, exposing his burly arms. God, I wish I could be his late night snack.
He turned around with a concerned look. “Everything okay? I set you up on the couch after you fell asleep. Your last words before falling asleep were ‘no more carbs before the event’.” I giggled. That sounded like typical me.
I really wanted to go home and avoid crossing any boundaries with Aiden. We had so much work to focus on and I was nervous about getting involved with this sex trap. But it would also take me two hours to get home on the subway at this hour. He put his strong hand around my waist. His scruffy hair and full lips were irresistible. My brain started sending more warning signals about work, but they were drowned out as I gazed into his eyes.
“It would take me a long time to get back to Brooklyn at this time. You don’t mind if I stay?”
He pulled me towards him; I could feel his bulge pressing up against me. Everything in my periphery became blurry. “I don’t mind at all.” He dangled a piece of fresh strawberry over my mouth. My body craved some fresh fruit after the salty Chinese food. I went to bite it, but he pulled it away. “Uh uh…not yet. First, tell me where you want it.”
I licked my lips. “In my mouth.”
His bulge was getting harder. “And when do you want it?”
“I want it right now.” I stretched out my tongue and he slowly lowered the strawberry onto it.
The cool, fuzzy skin of the strawberry touched my mouth and sent tingles down my whole body. I chewed the fruit and grew increasingly wet between my legs. I wanted more than just the strawberry on my tongue. He cupped my neck with his hand and pulled in for a kiss. My body instinctually submitted to him and my eyes closed. My strawberry-flavored tongue explored his mouth.
His available hand slipped up the back of my shirt, undoing my bra with ease. He clearly had experience. He pulled off my shirt and lowered the bra to my waist; my full tits fell into his hands. He circled his tongue around my aching nipples, sending shivers through my body. I helped him take off his shirt and marveled at his chiseled physique. He dipped his hand under my skirt, pulling down my underwear. My legs trembled as he ran his fingers along my womanhood. “Wow. You’re so wet for me.”
My eyes rested on his large bulge; I wanted to reach in and pull it out, but I was nervous. He removed a condom from his pocket and I took a step back.
I whispered, “Aiden…It’s been a long time.”
He ran his fingers through my hair, relaxing me. His gaze was understanding and his tone of voice, caring. “It’s okay. We’ll take it slow.”
I nodded as he guided me back to the couch. He lowered me onto my back and pulled down his pants, revealing his thick, long shaft.
“Oh my God…Aiden, I don’t know if I can fit all of that.” It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. He wrapped it with a condom while holding me in his eyes. “You’re going to take it one inch at a time.”I nodded as I spread my legs.
He leaned over me, surrounding me with his broad shoulders. He entered me slowly, making me moan in a quivering, high pitch voice. He pulled out and then pushed himself back inside, this time going deeper. He smirked. “You sound like a choo-choo train.” I pressed my hands on his firm chest as he penetrated me completely. “Ride me like a train then.”
He stretched me open with his massive girth. His pace was slow but steady. My thoughts were no longer lucid; my body was entering a pool of pleasure. I was already close the edge, but I tried to hold myself back. He sensed it and thrust faster. My legs tightened around his waist. “Oh, Aiden…yes.”
He gripped the couch with his hands and pounded me. My head tilted back as waves of ecstasy pumped through my body. His cock penetrated me in a constant but relentless motion, bringing me to a point of dizzying euphoria.
“Cum for me now.” As the words left his mouth, my legs
convulsed and a storm of light-filled particles spiraled up to the crown of my head. My hips pressed against him, swallowing every inch of his firm cock.
After a final exhale, I released him from my clench and rested back on the couch. He fell down next to me and opened his big arms for me lean into. “I can’t believe you were so nervous. That was some of the best sex I’ve ever had.”
I didn’t believe him. “Really?” He ran his fingers gently along my bare shoulder. We looked out at the Manhattan skyline and I dozed off, staring at all of the little lights, glistening on the buildings.
AIDEN
Already dressed and showered, I placed a tray with scrambled eggs and bacon on the bed beside Gloria. The first hints of morning light leaked through the curtains. We had an hour to kill before starting work. Gloria sat up in bed, showing me a picture on her phone of a black, button-down Channel blouse that was for sale. “What do you think?” I took the phone from her hand and discreetly emailed myself the link. “It’s nice.” I handed her the phone back. She sipped from the orange juice. “Ughh…I’d love to wear something like this at the event. It’s sexy but still professional.”
It made me happy to see her happy. She stretched her arms, making a groggy sound. “Is it true that you’ve never had girlfriend or been married?” She had a way of asking direct questions in a very casual way. “Yes, what you’ve read in the papers is true.” She nibbled on another piece of bacon. “Why not?”
Just because I was a private person didn’t mean I was ashamed of my beliefs. I just didn’t like to share them with everyone. Gloria wasn’t everyone, though; I felt a strange magnetic pull towards her and I wanted to be honest with her. “I’ve been waiting for the one.”
She chuckled. “You have a lot of dating experience for a man who’s ‘waiting’ around for the one.”
I smirked. “I’ve been actively waiting.”
I pushed the last piece of bacon towards her. “Normally, I can keep my emotions separate from sex.”
She was wearing my T-shirt; the cotton outlined her perfect, ample breasts. I wanted to devour them. She glanced at me, her blue eyes softening. “Normally? When have your emotions gotten mixed up?”
I ran the back of my index finger over the two, tiny beauty marks next to her right eye. “Last night.”
She leaned her cheek against my hand, a gesture I was becoming addicted to.
I fed her the last piece of bacon. “Why did you freeze when you saw me in my office? You noticed something.”
She wiped her mouth with a napkin. “The two small beauty marks next to your eye; they’re similar to mine. I got a reading from a cheap psychic on a drunk dare from my friends once. And she predicted I’d meet someone important who had a similar mark on their body, but it was in regards to my career.”
She pushed the tray aside and climbed out of bed, pulling my shirt down over her exposed thighs. “Thanks for breakfast. Where’s the bathroom? I’m going to shower up and check emails.”
“Down the hall; third room on the right.”
My phone rang as she walked out. I put Darek on speaker phone as I opened the blinds. “Mr. Ford, Gloria sent John Dee’s donation confirmation to Mr. Hayes, our donor who is considering other charities. Mr. Hayes called me early this morning, pretty upset. He said we’re putting him in an awkward position by revealing to him how much money John Dee is contributing.” I almost slammed my phone on the ground.
Gloria entered, dressed in her business skirt and blouse.
“Yes, find out what Jake’s availability is between now and the event, and resend his resume.”
Gloria put her hands on her hips. “Why are you reconsidering Jake?” I hung up. If Gloria was responsible for this, then I would have to replace her. This was an unacceptable, rookie mistake. “Why did you send John Dee’s confirmation email to Mr. Hayes?” Gloria’s face turned white.
She flipped open her laptop and checked her emails. “What? That’s not possible! I sent it to the email we have on file for Mr. Hayes.” She scanned through some files. “I used the email list Darek shared with me…wait a minute…that’s strange.”
I walked around her computer and glanced at the list.
“Look, the VIP donors contact sheet was updated yesterday afternoon and then again this morning at 5 am. Darek is the only person besides me who can alter the sheet.”
Something about it was suspicious.
She opened the settings for our file sharing database and located the previous version of the VIP donors contact list. “Look, I told you! Mr. Haye’s email was originally placed next to John Dee’s name and then it was moved back at 5 am this morning.”
I dialed Darek back, putting him on speaker phone. “Darek, the contact sheet you originally sent Ms. Haggerty had the wrong contact information for John Dee and then you reverted back to the correct email this morning at 5 am. You have 30 seconds to explain yourself.”
Darek stuttered. He was clearly caught off guard. “Well, I am frequently altering the list. I must have made a mistake. I am very sorry.”
My gut told me it was intentional. Darek had been resistant to working with Gloria from the beginning. “Darek, this is a rookie mistake and it is unacceptable with my charity. But, you’ve been working for me for six years and done a great job so far…I will take your word on this. But no more mistakes between now and next week’s event. Understand?”
Darek maintained his defense. “Yes, Mr. Ford. Sorry about that. I’m not sure how it happened.”
I hung up.
Gloria had packed her briefcase and was putting on her coat. “I’m going to work from home until the event. We can communicate by email.”
I helped her get her arms into her jacket sleeves. “Why? You have a desk at the office.”
She grabbed her bag. “I’ve uploaded everything online so there’s no more need for me to come to your apartment or the office. I’ll just be more focused.”
I could sense she was upset. “Gloria, you’re still the charity’s head coordinator.”
She zipped up her coat. “You considered firing me for a moment. You asked for Jake’s resume.”
I blocked her path to the door. “I am a businessman. I will always take the best decision for my company.”
She looked at me. “And if we were a couple, would you have a backup plan for me?”
She was strikingly beautiful, even when she was upset. “No. I would be all in.”
For a brief second, she bit her lip, but then shook her head, and helped herself out the door.
GLORIA
I threw my keys on the table. My apartment might have been dilapidated and there may be a tiny mouse living with me, but it was my home and I loved it. I opened my laptop at my desk and started working; I was on the clock after all. For the next few days, everything went pretty smoothly. I didn’t think of Aiden that much. I organized the whole event from my computer and Aiden was respecting my space.
And then my new neighbors moved in and started having sex on the other side of the wall. All of the images from my night with Aiden came rushing back to me.
They must have been college kids because I heard them five times over the course of the day. It was getting me hot and bothered, making it difficult for me to focus. I looked across my room at the plant Chuck gave me; the leaves had turned brown and the root was bent over like a little old woman. I had given it more than enough water throughout the week.
“Hey, you…I don’t know why you’re dying on me. I’ve watered you three times this week just like Chuck said. You hear me…Katrina? It’s not my fault… There is nothing else I can do so I hope you enjoy the rest of your day.”
I continued typing at my computer while my neighbor reached her climax.
With just a day remaining until the event, I got a phone call from Nancy. “Mr. Ford would like to speak with you.”
I took a sip of water. “Put him through.”
His voice came on
the phone; it was deep and steady as always. All of my feelings came rushing back to me, and I realized how much I missed him.
“Ms. Haggerty.”
A few butterflies flew around my stomach. “Mr. Ford?”
His voice was professional. “I need you to come to the office and have a meeting with me today at 2 pm.”
Damn, I want him.
My underwear was practically tugging on me to go see him, but I didn’t want to lose my concentration. There were only 24 hours left until the event. “You said I could handle everything by email.”
His voice became firm. “I made it very clear in our first meeting that you must be available to me at all times until the event tomorrow. I will see you at 2 pm.” He was ultimately right, and I didn’t know how much longer I could go without seeing him.
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