Secrets (Lords of the City)

by Alice Ward

  “I’ll buy you a new one,” he rasped, ripping the seams of the wide shoulder straps. The dress fell to the floor, tangled around my feet. Drake licked and nibbled at my neck before dropping his head again. I tore off my bra, eager to feel his hot mouth on my nipples. He kissed and sucked at them while he slid one hand beneath my silk panties. The elevator doors opened into the penthouse and I jolted with panic.

  “It’s okay,” Drake whispered calmly, pushing two fingers inside me. “I gave the staff the night off.” With his free hand, he hit a button to keep the elevator doors from closing again. He moved his other in firm, circular strokes, stoking a slow burning fire within me.

  “You like that, baby?” he cooed.

  “Oh God, yes,” I moaned.

  “I thought so,” he continued, increasing the pressure of his hand. “You’re so wet. He leaned forward, sucked my clit through the soft silk, and then pulled away again. “And you taste so good. Do you want a taste?” he prompted, driving his fingers deeper.

  “Yes,” I cried out as I climbed closer to the edge.

  Drake’s fingers slipped out of me, denying me my release. He slid my panties down before leaning into my pussy again. He probed me with his tongue, moving it in clockwise circles before finishing with two long lashes. Then he rose, replacing his tongue with his fingers and pushing his body to mine. His firm, throbbing cock pressed into my stomach as our lips met. I reveled in the taste of my juices on his lips as his tongue moved in teasing, clockwise circles around mine.

  “I’m going to make you come so hard,” he breathed into my ear. “Over and over again, for the rest of your life.”

  “Promise?” I moaned through waves of pleasure.

  “Say it again, Chelsea. Say you’re going to marry me.”

  “I’m… going… to…” I gasped as Drake’s fingers moved deeper with each word. When I reached “to,” he added his thumb to the mix, stroking my magic button with a firm touch.

  “To…?” he pressed, circling just around my G-spot.

  I managed to exhale “marry you,” and Drake moved his fingers a fraction of an inch to the right, launching me over the edge. He held his open mouth to mine, inhaling the sighs of my ecstasy. Before I’d recovered my breath, he lifted me in his arms and carried me towards his bedroom. Our bodies tangled together as we fell onto the mattress.

  My body was on fire with passion and despite my release, I felt unsatisfied. I needed to feel the weight of Drake’s body on top of mine, to feel our bodies connect the way they were always meant to. I rolled Drake onto his back and he propped himself up on the headboard as I crawled onto his lap.

  “I’ll buy you a new one,” I told him, reaching up to the neck of his shirt. I grabbed it with both hands, popping the buttons as I ripped it from his body. Drake pulled the shirt off of his arms and tossed it to the floor.

  “I need to feel you, Chelsea,” he said, his tone full of urgency. He wiggled out of his slacks and boxers, adding them to the pile beside the bed. He took me into his arms, rolled over, and hovered above me, his cock throbbing against my hips. We kissed slowly, tracing teasing trails over each other’s bodies with light, electrifying touches.

  When my body felt like it would explode with desire, I pulled away and looked Drake in the eye.

  “I have a surprise for you,” I confessed.

  “Oh yeah?” he asked, raising an eyebrow in curiosity. “What’s that?” He dropped his head and bit at my nipple as his fingers pushed into me again.

  “This might not be the most romantic topic, but I went to the doctor after our first night together. I’ve been on the pill for exactly a month today.”

  Drake’s cock grew harder against my hip. “You mean we can…”

  I nodded back at him. “Take me,” I begged. “Take me now.”

  Drake quickly repositioned himself and guided himself into me with one swift motion.

  “Oh my God, Chelsea,” he moaned. “You feel so amazing.” He moved slowly, sliding the entire length of his shaft out of me, holding it there for a moment, and then pushing back in.

  “So do you,” I purred, moving my hips slowly beneath him. Time seemed to stop as our bodies rocked in harmony.

  “I don’t know how much longer I can hold myself back,” Drake warned, his soft lips against my earlobe.

  “Don’t even try,” I whispered.

  Drake increased his pace his thick, twitching cock probing me deeper with every thrust of his hips.

  “Oh God, Drake,” I gasped as a second orgasm built within me.

  “Look at me, baby,” he moaned, moving with animalistic instinct.

  I stared up into Drake’s half glazed eyes. “I love you,” I whispered.

  “Ahhh…” he cried out, his eyes rolling back in his head. His hot seed filled me, triggering my final release. Drake collapsed on top of me and then rolled onto his side, pulling me with him. He held me close, his cock still twitching within me.

  “I have a confession,” he whispered after a few moments of sweet silence.

  “What’s that?” I asked with a grin.

  “I’ve never done that before, without a condom I mean.”

  I propped myself up on one elbow and stared at him with surprise. “You haven’t?”

  Drake shook his head. “No. I never trusted anyone this much. This has been the most intimate night of my life, Chelsea.”

  I kissed him hard and gave him a smile. “I’ve never done that before, either,” I told him, falling back into his arms.

  “Here’s to a lifetime of firsts.”

  CHAPTER 5

  e

  The following week passed in a blissful haze of happiness as Drake and I celebrated our news with the people we cared about most. Stacey and Oliver were thrilled that Drake would officially be their baby’s uncle and my parents gave us their blessing, after we assured them that we planned on having a long engagement. I gave notice at the historical society, promising Pete that I’d stay on until he found my replacement.

  Knowing that it would be my last event, I actually enjoyed getting ready for the Founder’s Gala. The Saturday before the party, Stacey, Piper, and I braved Fifth Avenue to find them the perfect gowns for the occasion.

  “I look like a whale in everything I put on,” Stacey sighed, stepping out of her dressing room. She had on a black satin gown with an empire waist and looked slimmer than half of the women I knew who weren’t pregnant.

  “You look radiant,” Piper insisted, beating me to the punch.

  “That’s sweat,” Stacey said, rolling her eyes. “Between the sweating, vomiting, and peeing, I’m surprised I haven’t collapsed from dehydration. I’ve been a disgusting mess. I don’t know how Oliver is putting up with it.”

  “Oliver loves you,” I reminded her. “And Piper’s right, I’ve never seen you look so gorgeous.”

  Stacey looked at me with a raised eyebrow. “That’s a lie, but I appreciate it. Please tell me that you won’t have the wedding until I’ve dropped all of this baby weight.”

  “Drake and I were thinking of waiting until next spring,” I announced. “We’re just going to have a small ceremony up at the beach house. I suggested that we just go to City Hall, but he vetoed the idea.”

  “As well he should,” Piper said, examining the rack of gowns our saleswoman had delivered to the private dressing area. “It’s your wedding day, Chelsea. It should be a big deal.” She pulled an aqua slip dress off its hanger and stepped behind a curtain.

  “I don’t think I’m a big wedding type of bride,” I argued. Stacey studied herself in a three way mirror, sighed, and sank down next to me on the couch.

  “If I could go back, I’d have had a smaller wedding,” she confessed. “Do you remember the panic attack I had right before we left the bride’s room?”

  I nodded and the image of Stacey hyperventilating in her wedding gown filled my head.

  “I was so focused on planning the perfect party, I forgot that it was going to end with a l
ifetime of marriage. When it was time to go to the sanctuary, it hit me that I was about to pledge my life to another person.”

  “That’s exactly what I want to avoid,” I said with a nod.

  “I understand. But while you might not be a big wedding bride, you’re marrying in to a big wedding family,” she warned. “I spent the other morning googling your future in-laws. Those people know how to throw a party and they like to show off their money while they do it. Did you know that Paul McCartney performed at Richard and Rebecca’s reception?”

  “That doesn’t surprise me in the slightest. But the Waters aren’t going to have anything to do with my day. Drake and I have already agreed on that. We’ll invite them, of course. But Drake’s made it pretty clear that they should keep their opinions to themselves.”

  The morning after our engagement, Rebecca called Drake and threatened him with the loss of his inheritance if he didn’t end things with me. He reminded her that he’d made millions of dollars of his own money and offered a threat of his own: if Rebecca tried to interfere with our relationship again, he’d go to the press with the truth about his parents’ marriage. We hadn’t heard from her since.

  “I think this is the one,” Piper said, stepping out from behind the curtain.

  “You look like some sort of ocean goddess,” I told her as she spun in a circle.

  “This is Martin’s favorite color,” she explained. “He says it reminds him of the sea.”

  Look how far we’ve come. It seems like just yesterday Piper and I were in that resale shop, buying stuff for my trip to South Hampton. We were both convinced that we’d never find men who were right for us. And now we’re both in love.

  “Your eyes positively pop in that shade,” Stacey offered, rising to her feet. “I have to pee again. And then I’ll probably vomit, then pee a second time. I’ll try to hurry, I know you two are ready for lunch.”

  “Take your time,” I insisted as she shuffled out of the room.

  Piper stepped back behind the curtain to change. “Do you think she’s okay?” she called from the other side of the fabric.

  “I don’t know. I think this pregnancy’s been harder on her than she’s letting on,” I confessed. “Oliver said she’s been really sick. And her belly’s getting bigger while the rest of her is shrinking.”

  Piper joined me on the couch in her jeans and t-shirt. “I noticed that too, but I didn’t know if it was normal. I’m more concerned about her mood. Did you notice her tone when she was talking about her wedding day? I thought I heard a twinge of…”

  “Regret?” I offered. “I heard it too. But I’m sure there are lots of women who’d like to go back in time and redo their wedding day. I don’t think she’s regretting her actual marriage.”

  How could she? Oliver might work too much, but he’s awesome.

  “I’m sure you’re right,” Piper agreed, crossing one leg over the other. She lifted a glass of champagne from the silver tray on the ottoman and took a long sip. Then she looked at me, hesitated for a moment, and transitioned to the subject I longed most to avoid.

  “So… I’m assuming now that you and Drake are engaged, you’ll be moving soon?”

  I nodded slowly. “This is the one part of being engaged that I hate. I wish we could be roommates forever.”

  “This is how it’s supposed to be,” she reminded me. “And I’m incredibly happy for you. I was just wondering what kind of time frame you have in mind. I’ll either need to find a new roommate or find a new apartment.”

  “Drake’s scheduled to visit Hong Kong two weeks after the gala. He wants me to go with him. He’s going to have someone move me while we’re gone and then we’ll both come home to the penthouse. But I’m going to cover my half of the rent until you figure things out.”

  “You don’t have to do that, Chelsea,” she insisted.

  “I know. But I want to,” I replied, taking her hand. “It’s the least I can do. You’re my best friend, Piper. And if you hadn’t pushed me to go to that party, Drake and I would never have met.”

  Piper squeezed my hand and turned to me with a blush. “I’m sorry I wasn’t more supportive when you first started seeing him. I acted terribly when you first mentioned leaving the society. I understand now, how falling in love can change your priorities.”

  “Piper,” I squealed. “Are you falling in love with Martin?”

  “I think I am,” she nodded, her mouth curving up into a grin that challenged Mona Lisa. “And I can’t stand it when he spends days at a time on the ocean. They go so far out he doesn’t get cell reception and I can barely hear his voice when he calls on that damn satellite phone. I’ve caught myself daydreaming about following in your footsteps. I could quit the society and go out on the boats with him.”

  “Does Martin feel the same way about you?”

  “I met him at the docks Monday morning before his boat launched. Right before he boarded, he told me that he loves me,” she said with a grin.

  “I’m so happy for you, Piper.”

  “Did you ever think a time would come that we’d both be blissfully paired up?” she asked with a laugh.

  I shook my head. “I was just thinking about that earlier. So much has changed in such a short time. It kind of makes me sad, in a nostalgic sort of way.”

  She squeezed my hand again. “Some things will never change. I will always have your back.”

  “Right back at you,” I said, taking my turn to grin.

  “All right,” Stacey announced, stepping back into the room. “I’ve reached the two hour window of my day where I actually feel like I want to eat something. I’m going to change and have the saleswoman ring up this satin tent I’m wearing. Who’s in the mood for pasta?”

  ***

  The first half of my work week was chaotic. Between making sure all of the deposits were paid, sweet talking donors to buy the few remaining empty tables, and confirming the caterer, wait staff, and bands, I barely had time to think about my new life. On Wednesday afternoon, I finally finished everything I could do before the morning of the gala. I popped into Pete’s office to tell him I was leaving early and then disappeared into the city for some much needed time alone. I decided to spend a few hours walking through Central Park and then stop by the penthouse to surprise Drake when he came home from work.

  I made my way through Manhattan, trying to decide what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I was overjoyed to be engaged to Drake, but I couldn’t squelch the instincts telling me not to let my life revolve around any man, regardless of how much I loved him. It no longer bothered me that Drake would be paying all of our bills. But the thought of ignoring my passions to follow him around the world while he chased his was unsettling. I loved Drake, but I wanted to stand next to him, not behind him.

  I glanced across the street and saw a guy in a NYU sweatshirt duck into the subway station. On a whim, I decided to follow him.

  I’ve probably missed the application deadline for fall semester. But I probably shouldn’t even think about starting until after the wedding. I’ll just get some information, see what kind of programs they have available.

  I boarded the train and my heart raced all the way to the Greenwich Village station. Stepping out into lower Manhattan was like stepping into a different world. The pace was slower, the people less formal. The streets were alive with history; I imagined Allen Ginsberg writing at a battered café table and Bob Dylan playing his guitar on a fire escape.

  It’ll be hard to sign up for online classes. I could get used to this place.

  I made my way to the campus and to my surprise, one of the admissions advisors was available to speak with me. She led me into her small office, its widows looking out on the College of Science and Arts campus.

  “My name is Nancy. What can I help you with today, Ms. Tyler?” she asked with a smile as she squeezed behind her desk.

  “I’d like some information on your graduate programs. I have a bachelor’s degree in anthropology. I
’d like to do a dual major of anthropology and library sciences, and then finish out with my PhD,” I explained.

  Nancy nodded, her eyes fixed on her computer screen and her fingers flying across her keyboard. “Where did you earn your bachelors? Do you happen to have a copy of your transcript?”

  “Rutgers and no,” I replied. “But I graduated with a 3.9.”

  “That more than meets our admission requirements. Have you taken the graduate record exam?”

  “Not yet,” I confessed with a blush.

  She hit a few more buttons and the printer in the corner sprang to life. “If you’ll fill this out for me, I’ll put you on our email list,” she said, offering me a clipboard. I accepted it and started filling in my name and contact information.

  “You can download your application and submit it online. I went ahead and printed you hard copies of the application requirements, as well as information on the GRE. Now, let’s talk about financial aid.”

  “I won’t need aid,” I told her, almost embarrassed to admit it.

  She furrowed her brow in confusion. “I’m not sure you’re aware, but a dual masters followed by a doctoral program will run well into six figures, Ms. Tyler.”

  “I understand. It won’t be a problem,” I assured her. “My husband will be covering the cost.”

  “Oh, I see,” she said, dropping her eyes to the desk. It was obvious by her tone and her body language that she was suddenly taking me less seriously. “You marked single on your contact form,” she pointed out.

  “I’m engaged,” I explained. “My fiancé travels a lot for his work. Will it be possible to take a majority of my courses online?”

  “You’ll find all of that information on our website,” she said, tightening her lips into a forced smile.