The heat and steam from the shower loosened my body, but did nothing to diminish my mounting arousal. After I slid into the heavenly fabric of my white silk robe, I found David focused on the computer screen in his office.
“Come in,” he said without looking up.
“You look busy.”
“I am. I’m not used to taking days off.”
“So I’ll let you work,” I said with a step backward.
“Wait.”
I froze.
“Turn around.”
I bit my lip and rotated slowly.
“I maintain that that robe was the best purchase.” My body, out of my control, reacted to the way his eyes drifted over me. My breasts swelled, my tummy tightened and my hands burned with the thought of touching him. I had urges that I wanted to satisfy by climbing into his lap. He looked like a god, backdropped by the nighttime Chicago skyline. A god in a plain, white t-shirt and, I hoped, those sexy grey sweatpants.
He pointed to the couch. My gaze followed until it landed on my laptop. “Work with me,” he said. “Write.”
“I won’t distract you?”
“You will most certainly distract me, but this way I won’t worry about what trouble you’re getting into.”
I smirked. Because I couldn’t help myself, I crossed the office and kissed his coarse cheek. My finger ran over the spot my lips had just been.
“Sorry,” he murmured. “I haven’t shaved all weekend.” I kissed him again, because I loved the way he felt.
It was easy to get caught up in my new project even though David was distracting as well. When he focused, the angles of his face sharpened so he looked equally menacing and attractive. I sighed longingly even though he was mine for the taking. All mine.
After a weekend of breaking through barriers and uprooting longtime fears, I was more relaxed than I had been in a long time. But I knew I could’ve lost him, and so, I was extra grateful to have him. With that in mind, I wanted to make things right with Lucy. I knew once she saw my happiness, my transformation, she would understand everything. When I’d finished writing for the evening, I decided to e-mail to her.
From: Olivia Germaine
Sent: Sun, November 18, 2012 08:16 PM CST
To: Lucy Greene
Subject: Hi
We need to talk. I miss you dearly, and I want a chance to explain. I’m happy, Luce.
Will you agree to see me for a coffee this week? Or maybe, if I dare, lunch?
-O
David was watching me when I looked up. “Busted,” I said.
“You’re the only one allowed to stare?”
I blushed, cursing under my breath.
“Don’t think I don’t know,” he said. “I’m acutely aware of when your eyes are on me. It’s actually very frustrating.”
I smiled because I knew the feeling well. “It’s bedtime,” I informed him. I’d had enough staring and was ready to act on the fantasies I’d been having all day.
“It may be your bedtime, but I usually work for another hour.”
“Oh.” I slammed my laptop shut and stood to stretch. I reached for the ceiling, aware of where that would place the hemline of my short robe.
His gaze dropped to my thighs just as he licked his lips. When he looked back up, he smiled sinfully. I was suddenly wondering what he planned to do to me with that sinful mouth.
“But I guess things are different now,” he said. “Give me a few minutes to wrap up here.”
I smiled giddily and tried not to skip to the bedroom. On my way, I imagined how and where he might fuck me tonight. Against the refrigerator? On the bathroom counter? On the balcony? Standing? Sitting? Right side up? Upside down? An excited thrill was making its way through me when I grabbed my phone from my purse and found a text from Bill.
Nov 18, 2012 8:01 PM
If you don’t come get your stuff tmrw night, it’s going out w/ the trash
Nov 18, 2012 9:25 PM
I’ll do it while you’re at work
Nov 18, 2012 9:27 PM
I changed the locks. It’s already in boxes, I’ll be home after 6
I sighed and immediately texted Gretchen to ask if she would help me in exchange for dinner. Bethany had a truck I knew she’d let us borrow, since David’s cars wouldn’t fit the boxes. I doubted he’d let me drive his car anyway.
I bit the inside of my cheek to discomfort as I read Bill’s texts again. He’d changed the locks already. His patience seemed to be dwindling. I reasoned that my things were constant reminders of my absence, and if I were in his position, I’d want them out too.
“You’re deep in thought.”
I snapped my head up. I was right: David was a god in yummy grey sweatpants. “It’s nothing,” I said, tossing the phone aside and already envisioning him shirtless.
“Nothing?”
“Bill wants me to clear my stuff out tomorrow night.”
His brow furrowed. “That’s fine. We can go after work.”
I folded my knee under my bottom and held my palms open in front of me. “Actually,” I squeaked, “I thought I’d just go with Gretchen. We’ve already arranged it.”
He snorted. “That’s not gonna happen.”
“Hear me out,” I said. “Bill’s been through enough. Showing up with you would just be pouring salt in the wound.”
“Did you think I was joking when I said you couldn’t be alone with him?”
“I wouldn’t be – ”
“Did you?” he barked.
“No,” I answered slowly, and then, “that’s why I made plans with Gretchen.”
“Having her there won’t do shit. My answer is no.”
“I wasn’t asking.”
My heart faltered when his face tightened into a steely gaze. “Do not test me, Olivia. I’ll take you if you like, but you’re not going alone.”
I gawked at him. “Are you forbidding me from seeing my husband?”
“Yes.”
“You can’t – ”
“The hell I can’t!” he roared. “You are not to be alone with him ever.”
I recoiled at his tone, and we stared at each other for a tense moment.
“It’s not safe,” he said, softer but still heatedly.
“Is this about my safety? Or something else?” I stood and walked across the room, stopping a couple feet in front of him. “I’m so sorry for how I handled things this week. But I’ve made up my mind. Things are completely done with him; he’s not a threat.”
“That’s not my concern,” he said, unmoving. “I don’t want you in a position where you might get hurt.”
“He’s not going to hurt me. All my things are packed, I just have to pick them up.”
“How will you transport them?”
“Gretchen’s roommate has a truck. My stuff won’t fit in either of your cars anyway.”
“I’ll find something.”
“Thank you for the offer, but you can’t come. I’m sorry. It’s not fair to him, and it’s not necessary.”
His eyes narrowed. “You’re with me now, not him. Don’t take his side.”
“I’m not,” I insisted. “But I’m not going to rub his face in it. Honey, it’s just a few boxes.”
“I don’t care. Your safety isn’t a game to me.”
Everything in my body tightened and frustration coursed through me. “Well, it’s happening, so get over it.”
“Excuse me?”
“I said: get over it.”
His face marred with a menacing glare. “Are you trying my patience on purpose?”
“I’ve made up my mind. I’m going tomorrow, and you can’t stop me.”
“Don’t test me.”
“Or what?” I challenged.
“Or you’re going to piss me the fuck off.”
“What do you call this?” I asked, jutting my hand at him. His frame suddenly seemed overwhelmingly big, so I stepped back.
“I call this angry, but I’m about to get pissed.”
I bit my lip and took another step back when he took one forward.
“So what’s it gonna be?” he growled.
“You can’t come,” I said. “And now I’m pissed.”
He was almost vibrating and I shrank back, finding he’d somehow backed me into a corner of the room.
“I told you,” he said, each word sharp as it sliced from his mouth, “you’re not to be alone with him.” He took another step forward, and his voice rose. “He touches you, and that’s on me! What are you going to do with Gretchen there if he tries to hurt you? Huh?”
I just stared at him in shock.
His fist hit the wall behind me. “Answer me!”
My eyes were riveted to him, and I shuddered at the intensity of his anger. I tried to comprehend what was happening, tried to formulate an answer. Before I could, he turned and stormed out, slamming the door thunderously behind him. I watched after him for a few moments as I collected myself.
I didn’t want to fight with him. I hated to see him that way, but wasn’t it important to set boundaries? What right did he have to order me around? Bill didn’t deserve to have his broken nose rubbed in my new relationship.
I sighed and climbed back onto the bed, wondering where he’d gone. I hoped fervently that he hadn’t left the apartment. His apartment. His bed. I had nowhere to go when I was upset. He was so incredibly angry, I wondered if he would he even want me sleeping beside him.
I grabbed a pillow and silently opened the door. Light spilled from under the closed door of his office, and I was filled with relief that he hadn’t left. I forwent the guest room in favor of curling up on the couch.
I sank into the pillow promising myself that we’d work it out in the morning. That once he’d cooled off, he would see things from my perspective.
~
I heaved a sigh and opened my bleary eyes. Even through my sleepiness, David’s handsome face took my breath away. Were his eyes so intense that they could penetrate even my sleep?
“Why are you out here?” he whispered as he stared down at me.
“You’re mad at me,” I said in a small voice, coiling tighter around my pillow.
He crouched down and cleared a piece of hair from my face. “I’ll never be so upset that I don’t want you sleeping next to me.” He bundled me in his arms and lifted me to his chest. I closed my eyes and burrowed my nose into his t-shirt, inhaling fresh laundry and David while he carried me. I was almost asleep again when he set me in the middle of the bed and wrapped himself around me.
“I’m still mad,” I murmured.
“Me too.”
CHAPTER 20
I AWOKE STILL IN MY ROBE, unable to remember how I’d gotten from the couch to the bed. The faucet started in the bathroom, and I quickly ran through David’s and my conversation from the night before. My stance hadn’t changed, but since my plans for the night had been thwarted, I decided that I’d be up for angry sex if he was.
I wasn’t looking forward to our impending conversation however, so I avoided the bathroom altogether and gathered my things for the day. I grabbed my laptop from his office and noticed a mess of papers on his drafting table that hadn’t been there the night before. The blueprint on top was labeled Home. I leaned closer, my eyes darting over the drawing of the Oak Park house, trying to envision what he had created. My heart filled with love as I took in all the care and detail he’d put into the plans. I ran my fingers over the copious and hasty notes scribbled in his handwriting.
“That’s just a rough sketch,” he said from behind me. “Obviously I want to get your input before we get to the next phase.”
I turned around. He was already dressed for work in a crisp, royal blue dress shirt and black slacks. “You’re amazing,” I said. “And whatever you do will be perfect.”
“Perfect?” he asked with an arched black eyebrow.
“Perfect,” I repeated because I meant it. “Thank you.”
He came into the room and stepped around me, pulling the chair out from under the desk. He sat down and rolled closer before gesturing that I should sit in his lap.
I obeyed cautiously while holding my robe closed, unsure of his mood. His fingers grazed against my neck as he swept my hair away, and his chin hovered over my shoulder. “See this here?” he asked into my ear, pointing to the bedroom.
I nodded.
“I’m picturing a bathroom like the one in this apartment but even bigger. We can put in a gigantic shower, and then over here, a clawfoot tub.”
“I like those,” I said.
“I thought you might. That would mean losing a little space in the bedroom, especially if you want a walk-in closet.”
“I do.”
“I thought you might.”
I smiled to myself as he laid out the rest of the bedroom. Sliding his fingers down the hallway, he explained that he’d need one room for his office, that way he could work from home more often.
Across the way was a room that had noticeably fewer notes. He lingered there a moment before speaking. “This is a free room, unless you have any ideas. I suppose maybe a guest room would be a good idea. At first anyway.”
I didn’t tense despite my body’s impulse to. He would notice, and I couldn’t have that. Not after we’d gotten this far and hadn’t even had a chance to really enjoy each other yet. Because his implication was clear. I didn’t know how a discussion about children would go, but, I thought fleetingly, it was the only thing left that had the power to destroy us.
“It’s not a huge house,” he continued, “so as time goes by, we may want to . . . add. I’ve taken this into consideration, and we’ll have the ability when it comes to that. Unless you want to do it now.”
My heart pulled, and I shook my head quickly. Add? Exactly how much does he want to ‘add’?
He proceeded through the remainder of the house, describing his ideas and what they would entail. I was confronted with the immensity of the project, from replacing the plumbing system to reroofing, retiling, repainting . . . I sighed at the fact that he was doing this, essentially, for me.
“What’s wrong?” he asked gently, raking his fingers through my hair to tuck it behind my ear.
“It’s absolutely perfect. But it’s a lot of work, David. And money.”
He was quiet as he continued to pet me. I closed my eyes, succumbing to the power of his hands on me. “I always knew I wanted to be an architect,” he said. “I was lucky, I guess. I never even considered anything else . . . I don’t know why. It felt like my calling. It has given me a lot – purpose, gratification, wealth. It’s hard work, but it’s also my hobby. And you are my passion. I want to do this for you. I need to.”
“I love you,” I whispered, leaning back against him with my eyes still closed. His now smooth cheek passed against mine. His hands came around the front of my slinky robe, passing over my breasts and hugging me close. He pressed his lips into my cheek, remaining there as my body responded to his touch. Desire, already simmering at the surface, blossomed deep inside of me.
“I have to leave,” he said without letting go.
I groaned and wrapped my arms over his.
“Do you want to take one of the cars to work?” he asked.
“You’d let me?”
“Yes, but you hurt it, there’ll be consequences.”
Though I didn’t think I’d mind the consequences, I only laughed and said, “I’ll take the train.”
“I have a really full day, but we still need to talk about getting your stuff tonight.”
“Okay,” I sighed softly.
“Can you come to my office on your lunch break? I’ll have something delivered.”
“Yes.”
“All right, up you go,” he said, lifting me off his lap and setting me on my feet.
“Are we going to fight?” I asked.
“I hope not, baby. I don’t like when we do.”
“Me neither.” I placed my hands on his chest and rose up for a kiss. “
Have a good morning.”
“I already am,” he said. “See you in a few hours.”
~
As the elevator at Pierson/Greer ascended, I tapped my foot and thought about what was to come. I was unsettled over the previous night’s fight and wasn’t looking forward to rehashing it. In the office, I met a new receptionist. She was pretty and on the younger side, but I quickly checked my tinge of jealousy when I noticed how nervous she was. It was obvious that I intimidated her, likely because David himself was so intimidating.
I gave her my coat, and she showed me into David’s empty office. Back in his bubble, I relaxed. I wandered around the room, picking up a photo of him with his family. I was surprised at the surge of affection I felt just looking at them, even though I’d only met them twice. I’d never had those warm feelings toward Bill’s stoic family – nothing remotely close, actually.
I heard David send the receptionist out for lunch before striding into the office and shutting the door behind him. Earlier I’d noticed how his royal blue shirt set off his dark features, but now I had the urge to jump into his arms and beg him to take me. My anger and arousal were commingling, becoming one and the same.
My unsettled feeling returned however when I noticed he seemed edgy; a dark, brooding cloud entering my hemisphere. “I don’t have much time so I just grabbed Mexican from downstairs,” he said, setting a full plastic bag on his desk.
“I’m not hungry.”
The look on his face indicated the scolding to come, but I was saved by the ringing of his desk phone. He whipped off his jacket and threw it over the couch. “One minute.” I watched him round the desk and fall into his chair, leaning back as he answered the phone. “Dylan. Yes.” His eyebrows knit. “Yes.”
One thing I’d not yet gotten was my businessman David. I’d been thrumming all morning, and quite often over the past few months, I’d yearned to see what was underneath David’s perfectly-tailored suits. I strolled over to his chair and before he even looked up, dropped to my knees between his legs. The leather chair groaned as he sat forward suddenly.
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