by Lynn, Sandi
I smiled at her. “Thank you.”
I walked away, and Denny looked at me with a grin on his face.
“She’s a smart girl, and she’s playing one hell of a game. Have I told you, Connor, how much I love Ellery?”
“Knock it off, Denny,” I said as I shot him a dirty look.
We boarded my plane and flew back to New York.
* * *
A week had passed, and I was missing her. It was killing me not to know what she was doing or what she was up to. I was in my office at the penthouse when I heard a light knock on the door. “Come in,” I said, and Peyton walked through the door.
“Peyton, is everything alright?” I asked in a panic.
“Everything’s fine. I just stopped by to tell you that Ellery is okay physically, but mentally, she’s a wreck. She misses you, and I want to know when you’re going out to California to see her.”
I sighed. “Her birthday’s next week. I’ll fly there before her birthday. There’s no way I would let her spend it alone.”
“Why don’t you just go now? What the hell are you waiting for?” she asked.
“I’m giving Ellery time. She went out there for a reason, and I’m giving her space. Remember, she’s the one who walked out on me.”
Peyton rolled her eyes. “I’m going to be honest when I tell you that the both of you make me sick. Get over yourselves, and just love each other.”
“I do and always will love her. Don’t worry, Peyton, I’ll make things right.” I smiled at her as she turned and walked out the door.
Since I told Peyton that I would be in California for Ellery’s birthday, I got to thinking about what I should get her. I was going to make sure that she had the best birthday she’s ever had. I remembered that time I was at her apartment, and I saw her list of things she wanted to do. It suddenly hit me. That was her bucket list. How the hell didn’t I see it before? On her list, it said she had always wanted to go to Paris, so I had Valerie make up two tickets. We would be taking the company plane, so we could go whenever she wanted to and stay for as long as she wanted. I also wanted to get her a piece of jewelry, something that represented the two of us. I grabbed my coat and headed to Tiffany’s.
I was looking at the necklaces in the display case when something to the side caught my attention. I asked the saleswoman if I could see it. She pulled out a beautiful bracelet. It was made up of numerous infinity symbols that were encased in diamonds. I couldn’t stop thinking about the infinity symbol that was tattooed on her wrist. This bracelet was perfect for her as she was perfect for me. I walked out of Tiffany’s and headed to the Apple store. Her last gift was a new iPhone to replace the one she threw in the trash.
I spent the next few days working a lot and trying to keep Ashlyn calm. It’s hard work trying to make up things to keep her busy and out of my hair. In a few short hours, I’d be on my plane, heading to California to be with Ellery. I packed my bag and made sure I had her birthday presents tucked away safely. It was almost a six hour flight, and I wanted to be in L.A. first thing in the morning because I didn’t know where she was staying. She went to some serious lengths to make sure she didn’t leave a paper trail. It was two a.m. when I had Denny drive me to the airport.
“Thanks, Denny, I appreciate you driving me at this hour,” I said as I got out of the limo.
“No problem, Connor. Just bring Ellery home.” He smiled.
“I will. I promise.”
I boarded the plane and looked out the window as it took off down the runway and headed for California.
It was around eight am when I arrived in Los Angeles. I’d already made arrangements to have a rental car waiting for me at the airport. I drove to the area surrounding Cedars Sinai Grace Hospital. If I was right, Ellery was staying somewhere close by because she loved to walk. I pulled up to a set of apartment buildings and walked inside the rental office. I showed the manager Ellery’s picture and asked if she was renting an apartment. The woman looked at her picture and said she had never seen her before. I thanked her and headed off to the next set of apartments. I searched four different apartment complexes in the surrounding area, and Ellery was not staying at any of them. I had one more down the block to try. I pulled up to the curb and walked around the side to the rental office. As I walked through the door, the manager gave me a strange look.
“How can I help you, sir?” he asked.
“I would like to know if this woman is renting one of your apartments,” I said as I showed him Ellery’s picture.
The manager told me to hold on a minute and immediately called someone to come to the office. Within seconds, another man came through the door and stared at me. I was beginning to feel a bit uncomfortable. The manager, Mason, introduced himself to me and then introduced his partner, Landon, as well. I thought to myself that they must know Ellery. I asked them again if they knew her, and Mason started jumping up and down and clapping his hands while saying yes. I breathed a sigh of relief. I’d finally found her. I asked them which apartment she was staying in, and they told me how she had gone to the store, but she’d be back soon. They both went on and on about how much they love Ellery. I smiled at them because it was impossible not to love her. I thanked them and walked outside to wait for her. I leaned up against the black Porsche I rented and waited for her to come back.
Just as I checked my watch for the time, I saw her coming up the street. She was looking down, and it looked like she was taking the wrap off a candy bar. I smiled, because not only was she beautiful walking up the street, but also because she loved her chocolate. She looked up and came to a complete standstill when she saw me.
“You’re a hard woman to find, Miss Lane.” I smiled at her.
She dropped her bags on the sidewalk and ran to me as fast she could. She jumped up and wrapped her arms and legs around me as tight as she could. I closed my eyes as I held her, taking in the familiar scent that I’d missed so much. I could tell she was crying as she buried her face into my neck.
“I’ve missed you so much,” I whispered in her ear.
“I’ve missed you too, and I’m so sorry,” she cried.
Ellery lifted her head up and kissed me passionately. Our tongues met with excitement and exhilaration as our long-lost kiss left us both breathless. Tears were running down her face as I put her down and softly wiped her cheeks with my thumb.
“Let me look at you,” I said while I spun her around. I grabbed her and held her tight. “You look just as beautiful as when you left.”
Mason and Landon emerged from their apartment, clapping. I explained to Ellery how the three of us already met and what great friends they were. Ellery took me up to her apartment. I closed the door as she turned around and stared at me, and I ran my finger softly down her jaw line and over her lips.
“You have a lot of explaining to do, but first, I’m going to make love to you,” I spoke softly. I brushed my lips against hers and heard her gasp as my tongue trailed down her neck. It felt like forever since I tasted her. I wanted her more than anything else. I craved her and now it was time to satisfy my need.
“You taste so good. It’s been too long, Ellery. I need you. I need to be inside you.”
I picked her up and carried her to the bedroom, my lips never leaving hers. I set her down in front of the bed, lifted her shirt over her head, and tossed it to the side. My hands ran up and down her sides and over her hips as I unhooked her bra and let it fall to the floor. I cupped her warm breasts and fingered her nipples as my tongue explored her navel. I unbuttoned her shorts and made my way up to her breasts with my mouth, lightly nipping her hardened nipples. My body was on fire as was hers. She brought my face to her and kissed me, letting me know how much she needed and wanted me. I groaned as her hands took off my shirt, and her nails lightly dug into my back. I broke our embrace, kicked off my shoes, and tossed my jeans on the floor. I gently laid her down on the bed and hovered over her fiery body as I stared into her eyes.
“You ma
ke me feel alive like no one ever has.”
I moved my hands from her breasts downwards until I reached the edge of her thong. I pushed it to the side and felt the warmth of her skin. She let out a moan as I slowly inserted one finger and felt her excitement. Her moan grew louder as I inserted another finger.
“Baby, you’re so wet,” I whispered in her ear.
“This is what you do to me, Connor. Feel every bit of it,” she said.
I slid in my fingers in and out of her slowly as she arched her back, forcing them to go as deep as they could. I circled her clit with my thumb and felt it swell with pleasure. My mouth found their way to her lips as our tongues joined each other and danced.
“I want you to come now, while my fingers are inside you and pleasuring you,” I whispered as I softly kissed her neck.
Her body started to shake as she let out a scream of pleasure. I smiled as I softly kissed her lips.
“That’s my girl.”
She reached down and firmly grabbed my hard cock in her hand, moving her fist up and down the shaft in a slow and steady motion. The feeling was amazing as every nerve in my body was tingling.
“Oh god,” I moaned as she moved her thumb over the tip in circular motions.
She started to sit up, and before I knew it, I was lying flat on my back. She smiled as she straddled me and my cock slid in her with ease. I tilted my head back as I felt her form around me. She was taut and warm as she slowly moved up and down, taking in every inch of me. I fondled her breasts and grasped her hard nipples between my fingers, tugging and rubbing them. We stared at each other as she swiftly moved her hips. I grabbed her hips as she rocked herself in slow circles. She was amazing and she felt so good. I could feel her swell around me, and that she was getting ready to come. She started moving up and down at a faster pace. She had me so close that I could barely stand it. Our breathing became rapid as she moaned when I placed my thumb on her clit and rubbed it as she fucked me.
“Ellery, come with me, baby,” I panted. “I want us to come together, and I want to hear what I do to you.”
She screamed my name as she released her orgasm all over my cock, and I filled her body with my come, never taking our eyes off each other. She collapsed on my chest, and I held her tight, letting our heart rates slow down. I kissed the side of her head, and she turned and smiled at me. She rolled off me and laid herself on her side, running her finger across my chin as I tucked her hair behind her ear. I asked her what she was thinking, and she told me how happy she was that I found her. I slowly leaned in and softly kissed her lips.
“Come on, baby. Let’s get something to eat. I’m starving.” I smiled.
I climbed out of bed and put on my jeans. I followed Ellery out of the bedroom and walked in the kitchen to grab a bottle of water. I stopped when I saw several brown containers lined up against the back of the counter. I quickly counted them; there was fifteen total. I got nervous and a fear crept up inside me.
“Care to explain what these are?” I asked.
“I’m in a clinical trial study. That’s why I came out here.”
I started to interrupt her, but she put her finger over my mouth.
“Let me finish.”
I smiled as I took her finger in my mouth and sucked on it. She giggled and continued.
“I have to take these pills every day. Once a month, I go to the hospital and get a set of three injections. It’s called some type of ‘Immunotherapy’. I have to do this for a period of three months. Once I complete the three months, the doctor will test my blood to see if the cancer is gone. If not, then I will continue for another three months. I don’t even know if it’s going to work,” she said as she looked down.
I saw the anguish on her face and heard the sorrow in her voice. I lifted her chin, so she was looking at me.
“It will work. It has to work.”
“It’s only a trial, Connor. It’s the first time it’s been done on humans, so right now, I don’t know what to think,” she said distressed.
“You’re strong, Elle. You’re the strongest and most stubborn person I’ve ever met in my life, and if anybody can pull through this, it’s you, but you have to stop running away from me,” I told her as I stroked her cheek.
She told me she was scared, so I took her hands, turned them over, and lightly kissed both her tattoos.
“Don’t be scared. I’m here, and I’m going to help you through this. Even if this trial doesn’t work, it doesn’t matter because I will fly you around the world and find you the treatment that will work because…” I took in a deep breath, “I love you, Ellery Lane, and I will protect you at any cost.”
The feeling that crept inside me as I spoke those three words was amazing. Tears streamed down her face as she hugged me tight and whispered, “I love you too.” I closed my eyes and nuzzled my face in her hair. I kissed her head and held her face in my hands as I brought my lips to hers and kissed her passionately. Curling my fingers under her shirt, I slowly brought it up over her head, taking it off and tossing it on the floor. We smiled at each other as she led me to the couch where we made love.
Chapter 19
It was a beautiful sunny day in Los Angeles. The first half of the day was spent in bed, and the second half was spent at the beach. After a picnic lunch, great sex in the lighthouse, and long talks, we headed for home. As we entered the apartment, I walked over to the easel that held a beautiful painting. I stood there and stared at the Cape Cod style house with an archway, a boat, and a lighthouse. The painting was stunning, and it made me smile to see such talent, especially from the woman I loved.
“I have to say, Ellery, you’re a very talented artist. This painting is stunning.”
She walked over to me, slipped her hands into my back pockets and put her chin on my shoulder.
“Thank you. This is a glimpse of my future. It looks so peaceful there.”
“It’s very beautiful. I suggest you keep this, and don’t sell it,” I said.
She kissed me on the cheek. “Maybe I will.”
“I was going to tell you, you know,” she said.
I reached for her hands and brought her arms around my waist. “Tell me what?”
She took in a sharp breath. “About coming here and seeing Dr. Murphy. I wanted to talk to you about it that day, but you were so angry. I heard you on the phone in your office with Ashlyn.”
I looked down. “I’m sorry, Ellery. I never should have said those things to you. I was…”
“You need to tell me about her, Connor. We can never move forward if you don’t, and I think I have a right to know,” she pleaded.
I turned around and pressed my forehead against hers. “I know, and I will. Just not tonight.”
I’d just found her, and we shared a perfect day. There was no way I was going to ruin it by discussing Ashlyn. I could see the disappointment in her eyes when I told her not tonight. I hated doing this to her, and I knew it was wrong not to come clean about Ashlyn, but I didn’t know if there would ever be a right time to tell her. I picked her up and smiled as I kissed her soft beautiful lips.
“I think we need to go to bed.”
“But I’m not tired.” She devilishly smiled.
“Sleeping isn’t what I had in mind. We won’t be doing that for at least another three hours.” I smirked as I carried her to the bedroom.
* * *
I woke up early to get things ready for Ellery’s birthday. I was going to make sure this birthday was the best one she’d ever had. I carefully removed her arm from me and slid out of bed. I was pretty sure she wouldn’t wake up, because after last night, I knew she was exhausted. After slipping on a pair of jeans and a navy blue t-shirt, I walked into the living room and over to the easel, to look at Ellery’s painting once more. She mentioned last night how she’d envisioned this painting as her future, and I was going to make sure she got it.
I carefully opened the door and quietly shut it behind me. As I was walking down the stairs,
I saw Mason coming out of his apartment.
“Morning, Mason.” I smiled.
“You’re up awful early. Where are you sneaking off to?” he asked.
“I was just heading down the street to that café to pick up some breakfast for Ellery. Today’s her birthday.”
“I know, and it’s so exciting! Did she mention going to the club tonight?” he asked.
“Yeah, she told me last night. It sounds like fun,” I said as we both walked out the side door.
“Have a good day with Miss Elle. Please tell her happy birthday from us and to get her dancing shoes on, because tonight, we’re going to bring down the house!” he excitedly said.
I laughed as we parted ways on the sidewalk. I reached the café and placed a takeout order. It didn’t take too long, but I was nervous Ellery was going to wake up before I got back and wondered where I was. When I arrived back at the apartment, I quietly opened the door and set the bag on the counter. Walking into the bedroom, I saw she was sleeping peacefully. I took off my jeans and shirt and put on my grey pajama bottoms. I walked back to the kitchen and searched her cupboards for a tray. She didn’t have one, so I ran downstairs to Mason’s apartment and borrowed one from Landon. I came back and arranged Ellery’s breakfast on the tray. On the way back from the café, I bought her a single red rose from a vendor selling flowers on the street. I searched the cabinets for a vase and found a small one that would hold one flower. I filled the vase with water and set the rose inside. Everything was perfect.
I climbed into bed and pushed her hair back as I lightly kissed her neck. She rolled over and smiled.
“Happy Birthday, baby,” I whispered as I kissed her lips.
She took my hand and interlaced our fingers as she nestled her head into my chest.
“Thank you.” A bright smile crossed her lips.
I held her for a few minutes before I told her not to move, and that I’d be right back. She looked at me and smiled while biting her bottom lip. I went to the kitchen, grabbed the tray and walked back to the bedroom. She looked at me with a hunger in her eyes, and I knew she wasn’t thinking about food. I smiled as I walked over and set the tray on her lap. I could tell she was excited from the grin she was displaying from ear to ear. She asked me how, when, and where. I laughed as I told her it came from the café down the street. I opened my hand and handed her the pills.