by Lynn, Sandi
“Good evening, Connor,” the older gentleman spoke as he shook his hand.
“Hello, Robert, Courtney. I would like you to meet a friend of mine, Ellery Lane.”
He took my hand and lightly kissed it. “You have beautiful friends, Connor.”
I gently smiled at his compliment and looked over at his wife, who was eyeing me up and down.
“This is my wife, Courtney.” Robert smiled.
“It’s nice to meet you.” She hesitantly smiled at me.
Courtney was extremely attractive, and she was about twenty-five years younger than her husband. Robert put his arm around Connor and walked him over to the side, whispering so we couldn’t hear. Connor nodded his head, and the two of them came back to where we were standing.
“What was that about?” I asked.
He looked at me at strangely for asking. “It’s just business.”
He lightly put his hand on the small of my back and escorted me back to the table while he excused himself to the restroom. I was taking in the beautiful sound of the band playing soft melodies as Courtney came over and sat next to me.
“So, you’re Connor’s new toy,” she remarked.
I looked at her, trying to absorb what she meant.
“Connor and I are nothing more than friends.”
She nodded her head. “Right, well I’m only saying this for your own sake, woman to woman, because you seem like an innocent and nice person. Stay away from Connor Black.”
I narrowed my eyes at her then looked around to see if Connor was on his way back.
“Why would you say something like that?” I asked.
“Because Connor will use you until he emotionally breaks you down and physically wears you out, then he’ll toss you to the side like a piece of trash.” She got up from her seat and put her hand on my arm. “It’s just some friendly advice.”
She walked away and left me sitting there, pondering her words. The way she spoke led me to believe that she was a victim of Connor’s. I didn’t want to think about it as I got up and headed to the bar for another glass of wine. I glanced over to the side where there was a small hallway and raised my brow when I saw Connor talking to the same woman who slapped him at the club. His eyes looked angered as he grabbed her arm and led her out of sight. My stomach tied itself in knots. What the hell was I doing here? I didn’t even know anything about this man I was with.
I was standing at the bar when a gentleman approached me.
“Hello, I’m Andrew. I was wondering if a beautiful woman such as yourself would like to share a dance with me?”
I looked around and Connor was nowhere to be found. The nerve of him just to leave me alone like this.
“It would be my pleasure.” I smiled.
I didn’t mind dancing with Andrew. He was handsome with brown hair and hazel eyes. He was tall, and as he put his arm around my waist, I could feel his strength. Before we had a chance to finish our conversation, Connor came up from behind.
“Excuse me, Andrew, but she’s here with me.”
Andrew looked at Connor with what looked like a fear in his eyes.
“Mr. Black, I apologize. I didn’t know she was yours.”
He stepped away as Connor took his place. His? I wasn’t his or anybody else’s. Connor stared at me as he put his arm around my waist and took my hand in his.
“I leave you alone for a minute, and you go off and dance with strange men? Is that what you call behaving?”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “You left me alone to go disappear with the woman who slapped you at Club S.”
His look turned to fire. “You saw that?”
I nodded my head. “I think a lot of people saw that.”
“So, let me get this straight: you saw me before you found me drunk outside?”
“Yes, I was sitting at the bar. Why do you ask?”
The corners of his sexy mouth curved up. “Interesting.”
I cocked my head at him. “What’s interesting?” Then it hit me. “Oh, I get it now. You think I had my eyes set on you from the start.”
He wickedly smiled at me. “Your words, Miss Lane, not mine.”
I rolled my eyes and leaned into him, taking in his alluring scent as I whispered in his ear, “You are a delusional man, Mr. Black.” Aloud, I asked, “May I ask why this specific charity?”
He looked at me with the cock of his head. “Why not this charity?”
I dropped the subject about the woman in the hallway and where he disappeared to, but I wouldn’t let this one go.
“Why, though?”
He stopped looking at me and looked straight into the crowd. “It’s just a charity that my company is involved with. Why is it so important that you know a specific reason?” His words came across as cold, almost as if he didn’t trust me enough to tell me.
“Just forget I asked.” I kept my eyes straight ahead, refusing to look at him.
“You’re mad,” he spoke.
“You’ll know when I’m mad, Mr. Black.”
The song ended, and we walked back to the table that was now filled with some associates from Black Enterprises. Connor went around and introduced me to some of his staff. I glanced over at the next table, and there she sat, the beautiful tall woman from the club. Her straight, jet black hair sat just above her shoulders, and her tanned skin glowed beneath the ballroom lights. She sparkled in her long, silver dress and high, silver stilettos. Diamonds took their place in her ears and on her neckline, and she didn’t miss a beat when it came to applying makeup. She was a stunning woman and she kept staring at me—or, should I say, glaring at me.
Dinner consisted of filet mignon or fish. Connor took the liberty to order me the filet since he felt I needed to put some meat on my bones, as he so kindly put it. During dinner, a man stepped up to thank everyone for coming and thanked Black Enterprises for donating five hundred thousand dollars to the charity. Everyone applauded.
I excused myself to the restroom as I heard someone call my name. I turned around and froze when I saw Dr. Taub coming out of the men’s bathroom.
“Ellery, fancy meeting you here,” he said.
“Dr. Taub, I’m here as someone’s guest and would appreciate it if he didn’t see us talking.”
My stomach felt sick while my heart picked up its beat.
“You haven’t returned my calls or rescheduled your appointments. You need to finish our sessions, Miss Lane. It’s important, and you know it.”
“Dr. Taub,” I whispered as I looked around to make sure no one, especially Connor, saw us talking. “I will. Just give me some time, please.”
“Time is not on your side, Ellery. It’s important you schedule your appointment.”
“I can’t talk about this here. Please, Dr. Taub.”
He walked away, shaking his head.
I walked into the restroom and checked my hair and makeup. I glossed up my lips, and as I opened the door to step out, I was startled to see Connor standing against the wall with his arms folded. He glared at me as I spoke.
“Uh, hi? Why are you standing there like that?”
“Because you’ve been gone for quite a while, and I was checking to make sure you’re okay. I was giving you five more seconds before I was opening the door and coming in after you.”
I walked away from him. “Wow, stalker much?”
I heard him sigh. “For the last time, I’m not a stalker. I was concerned for your safety.”
I rolled my eyes. He had safety issues, and it was starting to annoy me. We walked back to the table, and as we passed the one next to us, Connor looked over at the tall, beautiful woman as she smiled at him.
“Are you ready to leave?” he asked.
“I am if you are.”
We walked outside where Denny was waiting for us. Connor stopped and turned to me.
“I’m going to have Denny take you home. I have something that I need to wrap up here.” He took my hand and lightly kissed it. “Thank you for coming wit
h me tonight. I hope you had a good time.”
His lips were warm on my skin, but I was focused on the fact that he wasn’t coming to drive me home.
I stared into his eyes. “I had a wonderful time, Connor. Thank you for inviting me.”
He nodded and opened the door. I slid into the back seat and waved goodbye, trying to hide the disappointment in my eyes.
“Good evening, Miss Lane,” Denny said as he looked in the rearview mirror.
“Hi, Denny,” I replied as I looked out the window.
Chapter 12
The night air was exceptionally warm for September, and I wanted to do something other than go home to an empty apartment.
“Denny, could you please drive me to the beach?”
He looked up into the rearview mirror.
“Sorry, Miss Lane, but my orders were to take you straight home.”
I politely smiled. “Denny, either you can drive me to the beach, or I will call a cab the minute you drop me off at home. Mr. Black doesn’t own me, nor does he have the right to tell me what to do. I don’t care if he told you to take me home; I’m telling you otherwise. Now, please, drop me off at the beach.”
“Fine, Miss Lane, if you say so.” He sighed.
“I do say so, and if Mr. Black has a problem with it, then I will deal with him.”
* * *
I took off my shoes and carried them as my feet hit the soft, warm sand. The ocean looked beautiful at night with the moonlight shining down, illuminating each wave that pushed its way to the shore. I threw my shoes down and ran to the edge of the water. I laughed as the cold water stung my feet, making me feel alive and exhilarated. The peaceful sound of the waves lapping against the shore and the sweet smell of the salt water were enough to let me escape into a world of my own; a world I created. I was enjoying the serenity of my world when I heard, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” I sighed, for I knew that angered voice all too well. I turned my head to see Connor standing a few feet away from me.
“What are you doing here, Connor? Don’t you have things to wrap up?”
I considered the possibility that his wrapping something up involved sex and the tall, beautiful woman.
“I’m here because you didn’t make it home and forced my driver to disobey my orders.”
His voice sounded angry.
“Well, it was such a beautiful night, and I wanted to be here. It’s my favorite place to visit.”
“There’s a time and place for that, Ellery, and now is not the time.”
“I’m sorry you feel that way, but I’m not done here yet, and I’m not leaving.”
He raised his voice. “Let’s go now, Ellery.”
Who the fuck did this man think he was?
“Don’t be so grouchy, and if you want me to go, then you’ll have to catch me.” I laughed as I started running down the beach.
“For fuck sake, Elle, you’re pissing me off!” he yelled as he started chasing after me.
I turned my head and looked behind me as he was catching up. I swore I saw a small smile escape his lips. He was a good runner, but he had an advantage; he wasn’t wearing a long dress. I started to run out of breath and slowed down as he came up from behind me, picked me up, and put me over his shoulder. I kicked and screamed.
“Put me down, Connor Black!”
“Not a chance! You’ll just run again, and I’m done playing games.”
I was out of breath.
“I won’t, I promise. I’m out of breath anyway, if you couldn’t tell.”
He gently put me down, and I sat in the sand. He looked down at me, shaking his head as I held out my hand for him to sit next to me.
“I’m not sitting in the sand in this tuxedo.”
“Live a little, Connor. Life is too short,” I spoke as I stared out into the moonlit water.
He sighed and finally sat down next to me. We sat in silence for a moment, and I was feeling somewhat emotional—I’m blaming the wine—when I started to speak.
“It was my sixteenth birthday when I was diagnosed with cancer.”
I felt him look at me as I just stared ahead, listening to the whispers of the ocean.
“Hey, happy sweet sixteen! Guess what, you have cancer.” I felt the tears starting to sting my eyes.
Connor took hold of my hand.
“You don’t have to do this,” he whispered.
I wouldn’t look at him because if I stared into his beautiful green eyes, I would have lost it. I proceeded with my story.
“I couldn’t bear the thought of my father having to go through that torture and pain again like he did with my mother, so I decided I was going to spare him from having to.”
“Ellery,” he whispered as he leaned closer to me.
“He was going out on one of his drinking binges, and I knew he wouldn’t be home until the middle of the night, if at all, so that was my opportunity to put my plan into action. I filled the bathtub with hot water, laid back, and took a razor blade to both my wrists.”
I heard him take in a sharp breath as he gently rubbed my scar with his thumb.
“Can you believe it was the one night he forgot his wallet and came back to the house? Talk about fate, right? He found me and called 911. I almost didn’t make it. I had lost so much blood.”
Connor didn’t say a word. He didn’t have to. I could tell he was choked up.
“I guess God had other plans for me. I went through a year of chemo and went into remission. I was given a second chance at life, and for that, I’m grateful. Like I said yesterday, I was young and stupid, and I had made a terrible mistake.”
Connor let go of my hand, put his arm around me, and pulled me into him. I rested my head on his shoulder. It felt good to be held by him.
“That’s why you have this overwhelming need to help others, isn’t it?” he asked as he lightly kissed the top of my head. “You’re a good person, Ellery Lane,” he whispered in my ear.
I smiled and closed my eyes. I felt his strong arms pick me up as he carried me across the sand and to his car, which wasn’t his limo; it was a Range Rover. He carefully laid me down on the front seat, and as I stirred, he whispered, “Sleep, angel.”
He pulled up to my apartment, opened my purse to find my keys, and then carried me to the door. My arms were tightly wrapped around his neck as he inserted the key into the lock and lightly kicked the door open with his foot. He carried me to the bedroom and laid me gently on the bed. I was somewhat aware of what he was doing, but I was too exhausted to move.
He covered me with a blanket and brought the back of his hand to my cheek as he softly stroked it.
“Sleep well, angel, and sweet dreams.”
Chapter 13
The next morning was a work day, but I didn’t have to be there until noon. I dragged my ass out of bed and got out of my evening gown. I was thankful he didn’t undress me. Okay, maybe I wanted him to because the moments we shared on the beach were something that I never wanted to forget. I felt something change in him last night.
I stood under the hot water and let it overtake me. I couldn’t stop thinking about Connor and how sweet and gentle he was with me last night. I exposed my deepest secret to him, and now regret was settling in. I shouldn’t have shown him that side of me. It was too dangerous. I dressed in my leggings and long tunic top, put my hair up in a ponytail, and headed to the kitchen to make some coffee. I couldn’t shake the feeling of stupidity for telling him; sometimes I just don’t know when to keep my mouth shut.
As I waited for the coffee to brew, I went into my purse, grabbed my phone as saw there was a text message from Connor.
“Hi, I hope you slept well. I just wanted to see if you were up and how you were feeling.”
A small smile escaped me as I replied.
“Good morning, Connor. I slept well, and I’m feeling fine. Thank you for your concern. I hope you have a great day, and don’t work too hard!”
“I’m glad you’re feeling fin
e, and I always work hard. It’s why I’m as successful as I am.”
“I believe that. Thank you for taking care of me last night. I owe you one.”
“Consider it repayment for when you got me home safe. I have a meeting that I need to get to. TTYL!”
“Bye, Connor.”
I poured some coffee into a mug that read: “I’m not gay, but my ex-boyfriend is,” compliments of Peyton. I walked over to the desk that housed my laptop, opened the drawer, and took out the piece of paper that sat neatly on top of a magazine. I looked over the paper and, with a pen, I scribbled on it and put it back in its place until I needed it again.
I stepped outside and walked down the street. I had an hour before I had to be at work, so I decided to walk the few blocks it took to get there. The air was cooler today as the sun hid behind a stream of clouds. Today was a different sight than it had been in months. People had broken into their fall wardrobes and pulled out their chilly-day clothes. Pants, long sleeves, cardigans, and light jackets graced the streets of New York City as people prepared for the arrival of fall.
I passed Starbucks on my way to work and, of course, I had to stop, as I needed more caffeine. I walked in and stood in a line that took up half the café. I reached in my bag and grabbed my phone. I promised Peyton I would call and tell her about last night. I dialed her number and waited for her to answer. After a few rings, it went to voicemail.
“Hey, Peyton, it’s me. I had a fabulous time last night with Connor. I’m on my way to work. Call me later for girl talk. Love you.”
It was finally my turn as I ordered a Grande Cinnamon Dolce Latte. I paid the barista, walked outside with my coffee in hand, and made my way to work. As I walked down the crowded street, I noticed a black limo parked across from a tall building. The limo door opened as a familiar woman got out, and then came Connor, following her and adjusting his tie. My stomach felt sick, and my heart started racing; not out of passion, but out of nerves. He looked over and saw me standing there a few feet away. I couldn’t let him know the rage and jealousy I was feeling at that moment seeing them together, so I smiled and waved just like any friend would do. His face looked pained when he saw me. He didn’t smile back. He could only manage a small wave. They walked up to the tall building and went inside. As I walked past, I noticed the name of the business on the large double doors: Black Enterprises. I never realized that was what this building was as I passed it all the time.