by Lynn, Sandi
He sat across from me and slowly shook his head.
“Everything is going to work out. Don’t worry about it,” I said.
“I just don’t see how fucking with someone’s life and emotions is going to work out.”
I left the office early to go home, shower and change clothes before heading over to Harper’s apartment. On my way there, I had Damon drop me off at the florist so I could pick up a dozen baby pink roses for her.
“Good evening, Mr. Rhodes.” Sammy smiled as he held the door open for me.
“Good evening, Sammy.”
“Beautiful roses.”
“Thank you. They’re for Harper. She’s having me over for dinner.”
“Ah. I helped her earlier with her groceries. She’s a great woman.”
“She is.” I smiled as the elevator doors opened and I stepped inside.
Knocking on the door, I stood there holding the bouquet of roses behind my back.
“Hi.” A wide grin graced her face as she opened the door.
“Hi. These are for you.” I handed her the bouquet with a smile.
“Grayson, they’re beautiful. Thank you. Come in.”
The moment I stepped inside, the aroma of a home cooked meal smacked me in the face.
“Wow, Harper. It smells delicious in here.”
“Dinner will be ready in a few minutes. Make yourself comfortable.”
“What can I do to help?”
“Nothing. Everything is just about done.”
She went into the kitchen to place the flowers in a vase and I walked over to the table that was set.
“You didn’t have to go to all this trouble,” I spoke as I walked into the kitchen.
“It was no trouble at all. I love to cook. You can take the salad over to the table.” She handed me the large wooden bowl which held a beautiful-looking antipasto salad.
Walking back to the kitchen, she arranged what looked like stuffed zucchini on a plate.
“What are those?” I asked for they looked and smelled delicious.
“Italian sausage stuffed zucchini.” She smiled.
I took the plate of zucchini and the bread she cut up over to the table while she pulled a glass dish out of the oven.
“I hope you like Caprese Chicken,” she spoke as she set it down in the center of the table.
“It’s one of my favorites.”
I took a seat at the table and looked at the meal she cooked for me. Caprese Chicken, Italian sausage stuffed zucchini, antipasto salad and fresh bread.
“Shit. I forgot the wine,” she said as she began to get up from her seat.
“Sit down. I’ll get it.”
“It’s on the counter and there’s a glass in the cabinet next to the stove. Would you mind grabbing me a bottle of water from the refrigerator?”
“Coming right up.” I gave her a wink.
Not only was she a good designer, she was also an excellent cook. I didn’t think I’d ever had a home-cooked meal this delicious before.
“Where did you learn to cook like this?” I asked.
“My mother taught me. My aunt never cooked, and if I wanted to eat, I had to do all the cooking. My mom was a huge cook, and she always had me in the kitchen helping her ever since I was about two years old. I learned a lot from her and over the years I found that being in the kitchen was therapeutic for me. It calms my mind down if that makes sense. Plus, there’s the creative aspect of it.”
“I can understand that,” I spoke as I took a bite of the Caprese Chicken. “This is amazing.”
I wasn’t just telling her that to make her feel good. I genuinely meant it. Everything about this dinner was exceptional. Especially the Italian sausage stuffed zucchini. I’d never had it before, and it was quickly becoming one of my favorite foods.
When we finished dinner, I cleared the table while she started to clean up the kitchen. When I walked in with the dishes in my hand, she was standing over the sink washing the glass dish she cooked the chicken in. Walking up behind her, I placed my hands in the soapy water on top of hers.
“Let me clean this up,” I softly spoke in her ear. “You go sit down and relax.”
She froze and slightly turned her head.
“Thank you. I got this.”
“But I insist.” My breath traveled down her neck.
I heard the sharp inhale of her breath as I removed her hands from the water, grabbed a towel and began to dry them off. She turned around in my arms and instantly our eyes locked while I finished drying them off.
“You’re my guest,” she softly spoke.
The corners of my mouth curved upward as I stared into her beautiful eyes. Removing the towel from her hands, I set it down and placed my finger under her chin.
“I want to,” I spoke in a mere whisper as I slowly leaned in and brushed my lips against hers.
To be honest, I didn’t know what to expect. Maybe she’d return my kiss, or she’d pull away and slap me. She welcomed my lips and with a slight part, I slipped my tongue inside and met hers for the first time.
Chapter 20
Harper
My body was on fire. The softness of his lips against mine was tantalizing as was the warmth of his tongue dancing with mine. His hands moved up and down my body as mine tangled through his hair, and the hardness of his cock pressed against my belly.
“I can stop if you want me to,” he whispered as he broke our kiss and placed his hand on my cheek.
“I don’t want you to stop.”
Instantly, his mouth smashed into mine while he scooped me up and carried me into the bedroom, laying me gently on the bed. He hovered over me, his lips tangling with mine as his hand fondled my breast. He sat me up and lifted my shirt over my head and tossed it on the floor. His eyes diverted to the cleavage that my push up bra so eloquently provided. Reaching around my back, he unhooked my bra and slid it off me.
I lay back down while his mouth traveled to my breasts, softly stroking each one with his tongue before taking my hardened peaks in his mouth. A moan erupted from me.
“Your breasts are so beautiful,” he whispered as he cupped one of them in his strong hands while his mouth worked the other.
Before I knew it, he’d unbuttoned my pants and slid them off my hips, taking them off with one smooth pull. He brought his mouth up to mine as his hand slid down the front of my panties and his finger dipped inside me. A louder moan erupted from me as I arched my back in ecstasy. He touched me in ways I’d never been touched before.
“Before I bury myself deep inside you, I want you to come for me.”
It wasn’t hard to grant his wish as he skillfully explored me. I was at the edge of the cliff and ready to dive off into a beautiful mind-blowing orgasm. The feeling was unreal and unlike anything I’d ever felt before. I’d had plenty of orgasms in my life, but never one as heightening as what I was about to experience. My fingers gripped the comforter as the release happened and I couldn’t help but let out noises I didn’t even know could come from me.
“Perfect. Absolutely perfect.” A smile crossed his lips as he stared into my eyes.
He climbed off the bed and started to strip out of his clothes. He removed his unbuttoned shirt and tossed it to the floor. His body was a gift from the gods. A beautiful ripped, toned and muscular body. I held my breath in anticipation as he unbuttoned his pants and slid them down. I couldn’t help but stare at his all black boxer briefs that fit him like a glove. He gripped the sides of his briefs and pulled them down revealing the package I fantasized about since I’d met him. He was blessed, and I was about to be.
“Do you trust me?” he asked.
“I do.”
“Enough not to use a condom. You’re already pregnant so we don’t have to worry about that, and I can guarantee you that I’m one hundred percent clean,” he spoke as he hovered over me.
“I trust you.”
Reaching up, I placed my hand on the back of his head and pulled his lips to mine. He slow
ly thrust inside me and I gasped at the feeling that overtook me. Moving in and out of me with precision, I felt intoxicated. Moans escaped both of us as we enjoyed each other, and my body geared up for another orgasm. I howled in delight as my legs tightened around him and a rush of warmth flooded me. His thrusts slowed and suddenly stopped as his cock buried itself deep inside me and exploded. His body collapsed on mine while his hands tangled in my hair and my arms tightened around him. I could feel the rapid beating of his heart and suddenly I knew I was done for.
“Shit,” he spoke with bated breath as he rolled off me and laid on his back with his hand over his heart.
I rolled on my side and snuggled into him as his arm wrapped around me and his lips kissed the top of my head.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been better.” I smiled as I lifted my head from his chest and looked at him.
“Can I ask you a personal question? If you don’t want to answer it’s fine. I’ll understand.”
“What do you want to know?”
“What happened to the baby’s father? Did he not want the baby or something?”
I knew that question would come eventually, and I was fully prepared to answer it. I sat up, grabbed the blanket at the end of the bed and wrapped myself in it as I faced him.
“I chose this pregnancy on my own with the help of a sperm donor.”
“I see. Do you personally know the donor?”
“I only know him as Donor 137665.”
“You went through a cryobank?” he asked.
“Yes. The only thing I ever wanted was a family. After my parents died, I never had another family. My aunt never wanted me because she was too selfish to ever think about anyone but herself and her alcohol. She was my mom’s sister and they hadn’t spoken in three years.”
“What about your father’s side of the family?”
“My father was originally from Germany and left when he was twenty years old. Him and his parents had some kind of falling out and he left and never looked back. He told me that he’d tell me the story when I was old enough to understand, but he never got the opportunity. So, CPS tracked down my aunt and shipped me off to her.”
“I’m sorry,” he spoke as he grabbed my hand and held it.
“My relationship with men never really seemed to pan out. And as for my last relationship, my fiancé ended it three months before our wedding.”
“You were engaged?”
“I was. Then he told me he wasn’t sure that he loved me enough to spend the rest of his life with me.” I looked down as the words I spoke still hurt.
“What a bastard. But it was better that you found out before you married the asshole.”
“I know.” I gave a light smile. “So I decided that I was going to raise a child on my own. It wasn’t something that I just decided one day when I woke up. I’d given it serious thought for about a year. This baby means the world to me.” I placed my hands on my belly.
He stared at me as he ran the back of his hand down my cheek.
“I think you’ll make an amazing mother.”
“I hope so.”
He leaned forward and softly brushed his lips against mine.
“I should get going. It’s late.”
“You can stay,” I spoke with the hopes he’d say yes.
“I need to be at the office early tomorrow. Perhaps another time.” The corners of his mouth curved upward as he ran his thumb across my lips.
Chapter 21
Grayson
I climbed out of bed and slipped into my clothes. A part of me wanted to stay but I knew I needed to leave.
“Are you coming to the office tomorrow?” I asked her as I sat on the edge of the bed and slipped into my shoes.
“Yes. Mondays and Wednesdays like we agreed.”
We both walked out into the living area and I realized we didn’t finish cleaning up.
“Shit. We didn’t finish cleaning up. I’ll help you before I leave.”
“No.” She placed her hand on my chest. “I can do it. There’s not that much.”
“Are you sure? I don’t mind staying and helping.”
“I’m positive. Go and I’ll see you in the morning.”
She wrapped her arms around my neck, and I brought my lips to hers.
“I’ll see you in the morning,” I spoke.
I walked down to the lobby and exited the building just as a cab was pulling up to the curb.
“Are you available?” I asked the driver through the window.
“Sure. Get in. Where to?”
“829 Park Avenue.”
The moment I got home, I poured myself a bourbon and sat down at my piano. Holding the glass in one hand, I stroked the keys with the other. I’d sealed the deal tonight and had Harper right where I wanted her. I finished my drink and went upstairs to take a shower. The smell of her was all over me and as much as I loved it, I couldn’t give anymore thought about what happened between us. I was only in this to get my company. Nothing more. I was sorry for what she went through with her fiancé, but she was pregnant now and getting what she always wanted.
I lay in bed and tossed and turned for a majority of the night. I’d finally fallen asleep when the damn alarm went off. My eyes flew open, and I rolled over and turned it off. I needed to get up and get to the office before Harper did. After all, I told her I couldn’t stay the night with her because I needed to be in early. Climbing out of bed, I let out a long yawn and stepped in the cool shower with the hopes it would wake me up. I had Damon make a detour to Starbucks so I could grab a coffee that I desperately needed.
“I take it you didn’t sleep well,” he spoke.
“Not really.”
“Too much Harper Holland on the mind?”
“No. I’ll be right back,” I said as I climbed out and went inside.
Thankfully, there were only two people ahead of me. Looking over at the glass case, I spotted a cranberry muffin.
“Good morning. What can I get you?” the barista asked.
“A Grande Flat White with three shots of espresso, a Grande dark roast and a cranberry muffin.”
“Name for the order?”
“Grayson.”
I pulled out my wallet, handed her some cash and waited for my muffin and coffees. I grabbed the bag and drink carrier, climbed in the back of the Escalade and handed Damon his coffee.
“Thank you, Grayson.”
“You’re welcome. Now tell me why you said what you did earlier about Harper.”
“Because you had dinner with her last night and I’m assuming it went well.”
“It did. She’s an excellent cook.”
Damon wasn’t stupid. He’d known me for years and he always had my back where my grandfather was concerned. He was the only other person besides Julius that I would trust with my life.
“She almost sounds perfect.” He smiled.
“Listen, Damon, you’ll be seeing Harper a lot. But I want you to remember that not everything will be as it seems.”
“What are you doing, Grayson?” he asked as his eyes darted at me through the rearview mirror.
“My grandfather gave me a year to find someone and fall in love or else he’s signing the company over to someone else.”
“So you’re using her?”
“In a sense, yes. And there’s something else you need to know. She’s pregnant. She used a sperm donor from the cryobank.”
“The one where Julius works at?”
“Yes.”
“I see.”
“I don’t want or need your judgment. I need to do what’s best for me and my future. Harper just happened to fall in my lap at the right time.”
“There’s more to life than a high-powered company and money, Grayson.”
“Not for me there isn’t.”
He pulled up to the curb of my building and I climbed out.
“I’ll see you later, Damon,” I spoke as I shut the door and walked
inside.
Stepping into my office, I turned on the light, set my briefcase down and took a seat behind my desk. Pulling my phone from my pocket, I sent Harper a text message.
“Good morning. When you get here come straight to my office.”
“Good morning. I’ll see you soon.”
I sighed as I turned my chair around and stared out into the busy morning streets of the city as I sipped my coffee.
“Morning, boss,” I heard Christine speak as she stepped inside.
“Morning.” I turned my chair around.
“Here are the reports you wanted first thing. I’m surprised you beat me here this morning.”
“I wanted to catch up on a few things. Thanks for the reports. Keep an eye out for Harper. I told her to come right to my office when she gets in.”
“Will do. Do you need anything else?”
“No. I’m good.”
I was looking over the reports when there was a light knock on my door.
“Come in.”
The door slowly opened, and when I looked up, I saw Harper walk in with a smile on her face and her hand behind her back.
“Good morning. You wanted to see me?” She grinned.
“Good morning.” I returned her smile as I got up from my seat and grabbed the Starbucks bag from my desk. “I got you something.” I held out the bag to her.
The smile on her face widened.
“I got you something too.” She held the exact same bag from Starbucks.
We took the bags from each other and opened them. Inside, was a cranberry muffin.”
“I can’t believe you bought me a cranberry muffin.” Her face lit up like a kid on Christmas day.
“And I can’t believe you did the same for me.”
“I stopped at Starbucks on my way in and I saw it and had to buy it since you liked it when we shared one.”
“I did the same thing.” I smiled as I leaned in and kissed her soft lips. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. And thank you. Is that why you wanted me to come here right when I got in?” she asked.
“Yes. I wanted to surprise you and now we’re both surprised. How is the design coming?”