I’m dreaming of her again, except it’s not a dream this time. She’s fucking standing in my bedroom with some slick Sopranos wanna be. Why is she here?
“Do you guys know each other?” Tony Soprano says in the exact meathead voice I expected of him.
My head is pounding and I’m having trouble processing what’s going on. Valerie Brooks is standing in my bedroom with some guy. I feel a pang of jealousy seeing her there with him. She turns towards him and I can’t take my eyes off her. She looks so good, like that skirt was painted on her ass. She reaches up and touches his forearm and the anger flashes through me. I can’t think straight. What the fuck is going on!
“Marino I am so, so sorry about this. I got the confirmation from his agent this morning it was ready to show but he obviously didn’t do his homework. I’m really embarrassed right now but if you’re still interested we can definitely reschedule.”
The viewing. I completely forgot. The realisation hits me like a train going at full speed. I try to get out of bed but stumble as I get up. I think I’m still a bit drunk because the floor wasn’t where I thought it would be.
“Look, Val, I’m really sorry I completely forgot about this I’ll get out of your way you guys can have a look around,” I blurt out as I I try to get up.
“Oh my God!” she exclaims as she looks at me and then turns away suddenly. Tony Soprano starts laughing. As if things are moving in slow motion, my confusion starts clearing when I feel the cold breeze over my ass. I look down and realise too late that I’m completely naked. My hands fly to cover my crotch and I stand frozen. I can feel the embarrassment burning through my body as I stand in front of them completely exposed.
Valerie takes the meathead by the arm and ushers him out of my room. She grabs the doorknob and before she closes the door behind her she glances back at me. The fire burning in her eyes is pure anger.
I can’t help but think about how good she looks, or how I wish she would look at me like that again. She slams the door behind her and I hear both their voices trail off as they leave the apartment. I lay back down in bed and put my hand on my forehead. My head is splitting. I feel like I’ve been run over. What the fuck just happened!
My phone is on the bedside table and I see seven missed calls from Chris. I’ve never felt like such an idiot. I turn my phone around and lay back in bed.
If I ever thought I had a chance with Valerie I’ve definitely blown it now. She’ll never look at me again. I groan and turn around in bed, trying to forget this morning ever happened. At least I’ve passed her file on to Sherry and I won’t have to see her at the office again.
Still, I secretly hope I do run into her. Maybe she’ll be wearing a skirt like she was today and I can watch her walk down the hallway and imagine what that ass would feel like in my hands.
I groan at the thought of standing in front of her, hungover and naked.
I try to piece together what happened last night. I remember Dave leaving me on my own at the bar, and just drinking one after another after another. I couldn’t stop thinking of Valerie and it was making me crazy. I couldn’t look at any other girls let alone talk to them. I sat on my own at the bar for ages.
I have no idea how or when I got home, but by the look of my bedroom I wasn’t in great shape. As my eyes sweep across my room I feel another wave of embarrassment and shame wash over me. She was here, right in front of me and I’ve acted like the biggest screw up in town. She’s seen me like this. Look at the fucking state of me!
Her face was dripping with disgust when she looked at me and she didn’t even say a word to me, just turned around and walked out. At least I got to watch her walk away in that skirt for a few seconds. The thought of her face and the anger in her eyes makes my cock twinge.
Maybe I can make it up to her. I’ve got to do something. I can get her phone number from her file at the office and apologise. That’s what I’ll do. I feel a bit better with a plan, so I lay back and try to close my eyes. The pounding in my head is not getting any better.
Today is turning out to be a lot worse than I could have imagined.
Chapter 17 - Valerie
Marino just drove off in his Lamborghini and I let out a sigh. What a disaster. He wasn’t happy, clearly annoyed that his time was being wasted, and I don’t blame him. I tried to hold it together while he was here but the anger that I was controlling is about to erupt. I can feel my blood boiling as I think about what has just happened.
The first call is going to Chris. He picks up on the first ring and answers with a cheerful voice that pisses me off even more.
“How did it go? Didn’t I tell you it was - “
“Shut up Chris,” I interrupt. “You have no idea what the fuck you’ve just done. You told me the property was ready! You’ve just cost me this sale with your sloppiness!”
“Wait what? Wasn’t it ready? I got the confirmation from the owner, was it dirty?”
“You’re lying. You most definitely did NOT get the confirmation from the owner because I witnessed him waking up.” There’s silence on the line so I continue. “Yes, it was dirty. Bottles and glasses all over the place. He’d been out all night drinking by the look of him. Not a fucking stitch of clothing on him either, Chris. Do you understand what I’m saying? I took my best client through a property only to find a drunken, naked man in the bedroom I’m trying to sell. How could you put me in that kind of position?!”
“Val, I..”
“Chris, just save it. That was my best client and you’ve just made me look like a fucking amateur. I cannot believe you’ve put me in that position. You know what, I gotta go.”
I hang up the phone without waiting for a response. I’m shaking. How dare he lie to my face like that! If he was in front of me I could slap him. And the doctor! What a fucking state he was in! Drunk, naked, confused, completely irresponsible!
I’m trying not to think about how good his body looked when he was standing there naked, better than I could have imagined. His chest and abs were chiseled and his arms look thick and strong. They looked like they’d feel really nice wrapped around me. And his cock… well, I don’t even want to think about that right now.
I inhale and try to get the image out of my head. It doesn’t matter. What matters is that he’s cost me the biggest sale of the month and my spot as top sales agent. Not to mention my commission.
I look over at the building, glancing up at the wall of windows. I’m still holding the keys. I look down at the keychain in my hand and can feel my resolve strengthening. I’m still seething with anger, and he needs to know what he’s just done. He needs to understand that his actions have consequences, he’s not some college frat boy anymore. He’s a doctor, for crying out loud! How irresponsible can you be!
My righteous anger demolishes any hint of shyness in me. I march across the street and let myself into his building. He’s not getting away with this without getting a piece of my mind.
Chapter 18 - Clay
I must have dozed off into a half-sleeping hungover state because I jump at the sound of banging on my front door. It stops, so I sit up and listen for a few seconds. It starts again and I hear her voice.
“Doctor O’Neill! Open the door.”
More banging.
“Doctor O’Neill! I need to talk to you. Now!”
She came back? I jump out of bed and pull on some boxers, hopping from foot to foot to get them on. I’m still pulling them up when I get to the front door. With a deep breath I turn the knob and open the door.
She bursts past me in a flurry of anger and blonde hair. I catch the sweet smell of her perfume, the same one she was wearing at her appointment. I close the door and turn around. She’s squaring off in front of me. Her eyes are shooting daggers at me and her fists are balled up.
I can’t help but look her up and down and notice how good her body looks in that suit. She takes a deep breath and I wait for the yelling. She surprises me by speaking in a low, even voice. It’s almost
worse than getting yelled at.
“How dare you,” she starts. “Do you have any idea what you’ve just done? What you’ve cost me?”
Her eyes are blazing, burning holes through me. Suddenly I wish I was wearing more than just my boxers.
“Val, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t fucking call me Val,” she snaps. “My name is Valerie. Miss Brooks to you. We are absolutely not on familiar terms.”
Her blonde hair is bouncing with every word. Her cheeks are flushed and I’m finding it hard to look away from her eyes. It’s the same determination I saw in my office when she told me she had never had an orgasm. Except this time, her look is spiked with vitriol, and it’s directed fully at me.
“I would expect a professional like yourself to understand the importance of keeping appointments,” she spits at me. “You’ve just cost me my most important client, and for what! To go out partying all night?! How old are you?!”
She pauses and I wait for her to speak again. My silence seems to enrage her even more. Then she sighs and her shoulders seem to deflate. She turns around and marches to my sofa, collapsing down onto it. She lifts those long legs and places her feet on my coffee table. Her head is in her hand as she looks out the window at the street below us.
I don’t know what to say, so I walk over slowly and pick up the glasses and bottle that Dave and I left here last night. She’s right, this is completely embarrassing and unprofessional. She has a right to be mad.
I bring the glasses to the kitchen and get us both glasses of water. When I hand it to her she accepts it without a word and takes a gulp. I sit down on the couch across from her.
“Listen, Valerie.” I pause. “Miss Brooks. I don’t know what to say.” How could I begin to tell her I tried to get obliterated last night just to get her out of my head? That’s going to sound like total bullshit if I try to explain. She’s got those blue eyes drilled on me now and all I want to do is pull her over to my sofa and crush my lips against hers. I want to rip that skirt off her and grab her perfect ass.
“I have no excuse, and I’m sorry,” I continue. “If there’s anything I can do to - “ She takes a deep breath and holds up her hand.
“Look, thanks. I don’t even know why I’m here. I’m sorry to barge in like this.” Her voice is softer and she looks away from me, staring off out the window again. Her neck is long and graceful, and the way the sun is hitting her face makes it look like she’s glowing. I’ve never seen a woman like this before.
She’s tough and successful, obviously, but there’s a softness to her that makes me want to touch her. My hands are aching for her. I can feel my cock twitching in my boxers and I will myself to get up and look away from her. I need to get some pants on.
When I walk back into the living room, fully clothed this time, she’s standing and walking towards the front door. I rush towards her. She can’t leave yet!
“Where are you going? I mean.. Can I make it up to you?”
She turns on her heels and looks at me, eyes narrowing. There’s a glint in them that I don’t recognise.
“I’m going home, Doctor O’Neill. And then I’m going to go to lunch with my best friend and I’m going to tell her exactly what your penis looked like when you fell over trying to get out of bed.”
What did she just say? My mouth drops open and once again she’s rendered me speechless. The glimmer in her eye makes me want her even more. We stand still in front of each other. She raises an eyebrow, waiting for me to respond. The corner of my mouth twitches up into a smile.
“Call me Clay,” I finally say. “I think seeing me naked qualifies us for first name basis.”
“Alright, Clay.” She pauses, as if she’s tasting the way my name feels on her tongue. “I guess we can go with Val for now. But you’re on probation,” she says, pointing her long finger at me. I like the fire in her.
She relaxes now, tucks her hair behind her ear and undoes the button on her blazer with a sigh. Her body looks incredible. She’s wearing a tight top that makes her tits look perky and gorgeous, right above her small waist. In a second, before I know what I’m doing I’ve crossed the distance between us and wrapped her in my arms.
My heartbeat fills my ears as I tangle my fingers into her hair and tilt her head up. In an instant I’m crushing my lips into hers. Her mouth opens and my tongue explores her, tasting how sweet and soft she is. I pull her into me and nothing matters except the way her smell surrounds me and the way she tastes and feels in my arms. It’s more than I could have imagined. My cock is rock hard, and I don’t think it’s ever felt this good to hold a woman close to me.
I want this moment to last forever, and I run my hand from the small of her back to the top of her ass. How can it feel this good to kiss someone! And then, it’s like she comes to her senses. Her body tenses in my arms and she pushes me away. Her mouth is hanging open in shock and all I want to do is taste it again. I try to move towards her but she backs away instinctively. Without a word, she turns around and rushes out the door, once again slamming it behind her.
Chapter 19 - Valerie
My exit from Clay’s apartment is a blur. I’m practically running to my car. My heart is in my throat and my chest is heaving as I gulp in the air. The noise of traffic is just one big wall of sound assaulting my ears. I need quiet. I need stillness. Finally I make it to my car. I jump in the driver’s seat and close the door.
What. Just. Happened.
The world is rocking and I feel like I’m going to be sick. I can’t think straight. That felt too good, too nice to have his arms around me. I wanted him to touch me and grab me and hold me close. I could feel the ridges in his abs as he pressed himself into me. And his cock, his cock!
My hand flies up to my chest and I close my eyes, leaning back on the headrest. I could feel the hardness of his cock through his pants. It was enough to send a rush of blood between my legs. I’ve never been so turned on in my life.
Why did I run away? It was just too much. How could I want him so badly? Especially after what happened this morning! How dare he grab me and kiss me like that!
My head is spinning. I don’t know what to think. My body runs hot and then cold when my anger is replaced with desire, and then outrage, and then pure, feverish, red-hot lust.
How DARE he.
But… I liked it.
A lot.
Who am I kidding of course I liked it! I haven’t been able to stop thinking about him since I first laid eyes on him. And his body felt so good, strong and warm and muscular when he pressed himself against me. I practically melted into a puddle on the floor the minute his lips touched mine. I close my eyes and imagine his taste and the way his tongue played with mine.
It’s not right to want someone this badly.
Chapter 20 - Clay
Her lips tasted better than I could have imagined. My heart is racing just thinking about how close she was to me, the way her body fit into mine, the feeling of her breasts pressed up against my chest. My arms feel empty now that she’s gone and I don’t know what to do about it.
All I want is to feel her in my arms again, to press my lips against hers. I need her. My head's a mess right now. I turn around my apartment not knowing where to look. The bright sunlight is streaming in through the windows but all I can see is the emptiness of my apartment.
Without thinking I grab my keys and run out the door after her. I can’t let her slip away like this. I run down the stairs and out onto the street, looking all around for her. Where did she go!
I take a chance and turn left, sprinting down the road. People are jostling on the street to get past me and I feel like a salmon swimming upstream. I rush through them, trying to get a glimpse of her. Any head of blonde hair makes me look twice as I move down the street. I turn around and look behind me. My eyes are scanning the crowd, back and forth.
When I saw her out the window on the weekend she got into a silver car. I’m scanning the street, looking for her or her car or any h
int that she’s here. I slow down and make a full circle, taking one last look around me.
She’s gone.
I let my hands fall to my side and then bring them up to rub my head. She must have gone the other way or driven off already.
I can’t believe I let her leave like that. I had her in my arms and I let her slip away!
Deflated, I turn around to head back to my apartment. I round the corner when I hear something. It sounds like someone calling my name.
“Clay!”
I turn around and there she is, running towards me. It’s the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen. The sun is glinting off her blonde hair and it looks like spun gold. She’s struggling to make her way through the people, her blazer open and trailing behind her. Our eyes are glued onto one another and I start moving towards her.
She came back.
My heart jumps to my throat and I move towards her, taking a few steps until she jumps into my arms. Our lips meet once again and I taste the sweetness of her kiss. I feel whole. Nothing matters right now except the woman in my arms, her touch, her smell, her kiss.
We stumble into my apartment and she claws at my shirt. Her skin is the softest I’ve ever felt and we fall into each other without restraint. Her hands run over my body, exploring me. Her touch is soft but insistent, I never want her to stop touching me.
Her top disappears somewhere between the living room and the bedroom. I grab her by the waist and lay her down on the bed, laying myself down on top of her. I can feel her breasts pressing into my chest again, her stomach against me, her legs intertwined between mine. I can’t stop kissing her. Our breath mixes as we rush to touch each other, to feel each other, to push our bodies together like they’re not meant to be apart.
Her hands are all over me and I never want her to stop touching me. Every time her hand passes over my chest I feel my heart jump to meet it. This isn’t supposed to feel this good. I slip my hands behind her back and unclasp her bra. Her tits fall free and I bend my head down to kiss them. She moans as my mouth meets her nipples, licking and biting them gently. I’m almost frantic, just wanting to be nearer to her. My cock is so hard it hurts as it strains in my pants.
Swear to Me_A Second Chance Mountain Man Romance Page 24