“What do you mean?” I ask raising my eyebrows at her.
“What if I really like them and they all hate me? What if I make a complete arse of myself?”
“Well first off it is impossible not to like you. I tried when you almost blew the man I am in love with, so trust me. You are the most likable person ever. Not to mention, have you seen you? You look freaking hot.”
“Really?” she asks and I nod. “Okay well, what if I do something stupid?”
“Well then as your friend I promise if you do something stupid I will do something twice as stupid so one notices what you did.”
“Thanks Cora,” She smiles a small smile and loops her arm through mine. We walk down stairs arm in arm. The second our feet touch the bottom three very handsome men are there surrounding Claire. I give her arm a little squeeze and slip away.
I have only taken a few steps when a glass of wine is thrust into my hands. “This can be a bit surreal your first time,” Jane smiles at me as she sips her own wine.
“It is a little. Thank you for the wine. Have you been to a lot of these?” I ask. God this wine tastes good. It is one that I have come to love only since being here.
“Yes, I have but to be totally honest they aren’t really my kind of party.” She gives me a coy smile.
I am about to ask what type of party is her kind when I feel someone grab my elbow.
“Oh, I am so sorry,” the very good-looking man says. “I thought you were someone else. I am Thomas Williams and you are?”
“Cora Allen,” I say holding my hand out. He takes it and gently kisses it. What is it with guys kissing my hand lately? I turn to say something to Jane as a way out of the conversation but she has vanished.
Thomas begins asking me about where I am from and as I am explaining, a small group of mostly men have gathered around me. They each seem intrigued but what I have to say. I feel a little bit like an American on display.
“No, I really don’t mind the weather here,” I answer a young man named Sean. He is really stunning with jet black hair and blue eyes. “Where I am from in America has pretty much the same kind of weather.” My wine is gone and I really could use another. I scan the room looking for a waiter, or whatever their official title is, but I can’t seem to find one.
“Here you go Miss Allen,” a man with a slight Scottish accent says to my right. He is holding a fresh glass of wine. He takes my empty one and sets on the tray of someone passing by.
“Thank you so much,” I respond taking in my savior. He is tall and with a broad build. Even in his tux you can tell he is very muscular. He has short light brown hair and hazel eyes with bright flecks of gold. He offers me a lop-sided smile and he is hands down the second most attractive man under this roof. The first being my wonderful Eric. Now if only I could find him.
“I am Harrison MacGuire. I am a friend of Tristan’s and he has told me quite a bit about you.” What the heck? How could Tristan tell anyone anything about me?
“Well it is nice to meet you Mr. McGuire.”
“Please, call me Harrison.” The crowd around me has started to disperse. I am really pleased since my feet are starting to kill me. I have been wearing such high heels lately it is a wonder I can walk anywhere.
“Well, then thank you for the wine, Harrison. I think I am going to sit down for a moment,” I say as I walk away. I really want to find Eric. Better question is why hasn’t he found me yet?
“Oh, I believe there is a free space over here,” he says guiding me to a seating area that has been set up just for the occasion. I sit in one of the wingback chairs. It feels nice to be off my feet. I will give up trying to find Eric for a moment. “So Cora, if you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go?”
“Oh wow. That is a hard one for me,” I smile at him. He has no idea how happy I am to be answering questions about something other than being American. “Probably India. The culture has always fascinated me and there are still pretty large parts of the country that have little to no access to clean drinking water.”
“Clean drinking water?”
“Yes, Cora is our resident philanthropist,” Tristan smiles and winks at me as he sits on the loveseat opposite us.
“Is that so?” Harrison asks sipping his brown liquor. The light reflects off the gold in his eyes making them sparkle. I can’t believe how many good looking men are in this house right now. The women are mostly gorgeous too. I feel a little uncomfortable with it all.
“Well I don’t know about that but yes, I feel everyone should have access to clean drinking water. I would like to start a charity someday to help people.”
“I think that is wonderful,” Harrison responds his eyes softening a little. “You know Japan has a wonderful water distribution system. It is literally considered one of, if not the, best in the world.”
“Really? I actually didn’t know that.”
“Yes, they lead the way in payment for ecosystem services before really anyone else was doing it.”
“You are interested in water?”
“Well honestly not really. But I am interested in the software that controls those facilities. That is what I do. My company designs computer programs and one of the ones we did is for the UK water facilities.”
“Alright, well you two are boring the shit out of me now,” Tristan interrupts rolling his eyes. “So why don’t we talk about something a little more interesting. Cora, what is your view on anal sex?”
“What?” I gasp, spitting wine. Harrison chokes a little on his drink.
“What is your view on it? Are you for or against?”
“Well,” I pause to see if Harrison is going to save me but he is sitting silent watching. “I would have to say against because I have never tried it.”
“Really?” Tristan asks standing. “That is a damn shame. You know, we could always remedy that.” He winks and saunters off.
“Well, that was unexpected,” is all I can manage.
“That is Tristan for you,” Harrison says with a laugh.
After Tristan walks away a few of the men from earlier wander over. I am entertaining them with a story of Mr. Johnson from the pub. They all laugh so loud we draw the attention of everyone around us. Talking about the pub makes me a little sad. I really do think about Maggie often. I wonder if we will ever be close again. I doubt it.
Suddenly my spirits lift as Eric walks over to our side of the crowded room. His eyes lock on mine for a second and he smiles. He then takes in the boisterous men and scowls. I try to signal to him to please come over when he is cornered by a pretty blonde woman. She is flirting with him so obviously it is pathetic, not that I can blame her.
Eric in a tuxedo is truly a thing of glory. At the first sight of him I feel the blood in body rush south and I am sure my panties are damp. I am looking him over and waiting for him to dismiss the blonde when she puts her hand on his arm. He doesn't do anything about her touching him. He just keeps talking with her like her hair twirling is the most wonderful thing he has ever seen. I start to get angry. I understand what is going on with him and I really don’t like it. I am vaguely aware that Harrison has asked me a question.
"Yes, actually I really enjoy horseback riding,” I answer turning from Eric and the bitch.
"Splendid! We will have to go sometime,” Harrison says with a warm smile.
"Yes that would be nice”, I say absent-mindly. “You know I am very tired. I think I will head up.” I look right at Eric and once again his eyes find mine. I take a step towards him and just like that he turns his back on me and walks away to see Jane. I feel like someone just punched me in the stomach. Harrison is at my arm.
“Are you alright? Maybe I should see you up,” he asks, obviously concerned.
I let him guide me to the foot of the stairs. “Thank you I am good from here. It was really nice to talk with you,” I say, smiling and I mean it.
“It was a pleasure for me too. I hope to see you tomorrow.” He kisses me lightl
y on the cheek. I see Eric once more and once again our eyes lock. This time I repay him by turning and walking up the stairs. I walk calmly all the way to my room.
Once in my quite dark room, I feel my eyes get hot with tears. I know he has obligations but that is no excuse for ignoring me like that. I take a scalding shower washing away the night. As I soap up I can't help but think of Harrison. He was unexpected and really nice. It might not be so bad to have another friend in the country. It certainly doesn’t hurt that is so good looking. He seems to be really muscular, more so than Eric. I wonder what Harrison looks like with his shirt off. I decide to get out of the shower before I need a cold one.
I am curled up in bed naked. I just didn't feel like finding pajamas. I replay the night trying to sort it all out. I really wish I could just talk with Eric. I am also worried that I wouldn’t like what he has to say. Harrison was fun to talk to. I wonder if he will be here all weekend. Slowly my thoughts start to blur. I fall gently to sleep with muddled thoughts of Eric, Tristan, and Harrison.
I don't know how long I have been asleep when I feel the other side of the bed dip as someone slides in next to me. Holy shit! Someone is in bed with me and I don’t know who it is. I hold my breath. I am not sure if I should scream or run. Well fuck! I can't run. I am naked! Why in the hell didn't I put on pjs? Or better yet why didn’t I lock the door? I start inching to the edge of the bed. I hope I can reach the command center.
“Honey, are you awake?” Oh thank god; it is Eric! What the fuck is he doing here? He couldn't be bothered to even talk to me and now he thinks he just climb in my bed? “Come here.”
He wraps his strong arms around me and pulls my front to his. God he smells so good. Spicy, clean and just Eric. My body betrays me and responds instinctively to him. I uncurl and melt right against him.
He is naked and warm. The feel of his skin on mine sends shivers up and down my body. He cups my face in his hands and crushes me with his kiss. I know I should still be angry with him but my body continues the betrayal as it aches for him instantly.
His hands roam my body rubbing every inch of me. His touch setting my skin on fire.
“You are so beautiful,” he whispers against my mouth. Suddenly my head clears. I push away from him.
“Well clearly not beautiful enough for you acknowledge me in front of your friends.”
“Are you fucking joking? Cora,” he says in a sexy breathy whisper. He crushes me to him again. His kisses are urgent and powerful. He plus back from me only slightly. “You are mine. Do you understand? Mine. Every inch of you is mine. This sweet mouth with your perfect pink tongue. Mine,” he says biting my lower lip gently, erasing all rational thought from my mind.
He kisses down my neck. “Mine,” he says pushing me to my back and takes a breast in each of his hands kneading them gently. He leans down and licks and sucks on one nipple. “Mine,” he says then turns to the other nipple. “Mine,” he says as he comes back up and kisses my mouth again.
His hand slides down my torso until he reaches my wet aching center. He brushes his thumb across my swollen clit. “This is mine and this,” he says sliding two fingers inside me, “is absolutely mine and only mine. I don't want anyone else inside you ever again. You belong to me, Cora. You are completely mine and I cannot live with less.”
He pulls his hand free and rests his body between my legs. I can feel the tip of his hard cock against my folds. The ache I am feeling for him is almost unbearable.
“Eric, please,” I plead softly.
“Tell me you understand. Tell me who you belong to,” he says gently nipping at my neck.
“I am yours completely. I am yours body and soul. I don't want to belong to anyone else,” I confess, meaning every word. I stop just short of telling him that I love him.
“That is my sweet Cora,” he says pushing himself into me to the hilt rocking his pelvis against me. I am about to come undone that quickly. “You. Are. Mine,” he says punctuating each word with a thrust.
“Oh god!” is all I can respond. He keeps rolling his hips, grinding my clit as he moves in and out of me in a punishing rhythm. I can feel my body building as I clamp down around his perfect cock.
He leans down and whispers in his gravelly voice. “Let go honey. I want to feel you come. I want to know you come only for me.” His breath on me sends me over the edge as my orgasm moves through my body. I raise my hips off the bed meeting his continued assault.
With just a few more thrusts he follows me over the edge. He calls out my name as he slams into me pulling me hard against him. When his shuddering stops he collapses on top of me.
“Mine,” Eric murmurs against my mouth softly kissing me. He rolls off of me and on to his side. He pulls my back against him nuzzling his face in the back of my neck.
“Cora, no matter what happens I need you to know that you belong to me and I just need you. I need you more than I should,” he says in a sleepy voice.
“I think I got your message.”
“Good. Now go to sleep my beautiful sweet girl.” And with Eric holding me tightly, I do.
Chapter 24
I am late. Really late. Like last one there late. Eric is going to kill me. I am rushing through the house as fast as I can in stilettos and this gown. I am grateful that even though it is floor length it has a slit up one side to the top of my thigh.
The gala has been set up in a huge white tent on the lawn. I step through the opening into the large created space. There must be warm air being pumped in because it is really comfortable for how cold it is outside. Everyone is dressed to the nines and then some. The men are in tuxes with white ties and the women are in absolutely beautiful gowns.
I find Eric right away. He is in the middle of what looks like a very serious conversation with two men I have never seen before. I think I will wait until he is finished with that. Maybe he won’t notice how late I am. I need a drink anyways. I head to the nearest bar and get a glass of white wine. My dress is pale pink and I don’t want to risk spilling anything on it.
Claire is just a few feet away talking to Lucinda. As much as I want to avoid Lucinda I really want to talk to Claire. Before I can go over to say anything to them I feel a hand on the exposed small of my back.
“You are late,” I feel Eric breathe on my bare neck sending chills through my body.
“I know I am so sorry,” I turn to look at him. He is spectacular in his tux. My mind instantly jumps to taking it off him and my body responds in favor.
“It is fine. If you are going to show up somewhere looking like that you can arrive anytime you want. You know you can almost see the top of your ass in this dress?” He smiles at me. The spark of desire in his eyes makes me smile back.
“I think that is the point.”
“Well if you want to get people’s attention, you succeeded. I have had no less than six men and one woman ask me who the gorgeous blonde in the pink sparkling dress is. You have been here for less than ten minutes.”
“That is good to know but the real question is; did I get your attention?”
“I would love to show you how much of my attention you have but I feel you would object to me taking you in front of all these people.” With the way he is looking at me I am not sure I would. Right on cue, Dean walks up to kill the mood once again. I swear he stands by waiting for Eric and me to have a moment and then ruin it. I am going to have to make sure I am locking my bedroom door or he will end up in there next.
“Eric, there is a minor situation I need to speak with you about,” he says, very serious. He’s handsome in his tux too but he is so grouchy all the time.
“Just one moment, Dean. Cora, darling, please have fun. I will find you later.” He winks at me and rests his hand on my back for just a moment before rushing off with Dean in tow.
I finally make my way over to Claire with a slight spring in my step.
“Cora! There you are! You were so late I thought you changed your mind,” Claire’s happiness is so
contagious I wonder how anyone could be in a bad mood around her but of course Lucinda isn’t just anyone.
“Hmm, wouldn’t that be a pity,” Lucinda sneers not looking at me.
“No, I just lost track of time,” I smile at Claire and pretend that I didn’t hear Lucinda.
“You look fantastic! This dress is something. I can’t believe it is completely covered in crystals.”
“Thank you. I really love it but it is so heavy. It has to weigh as much as I do.” I pick up the skirt and give it a little shake to demonstrate.
“As much as you? It must be made of lead,” Lucinda quips as she walks away.
“Oh don’t pay her any mind. You are almost rid of her,” Claire reminds me.
“Thank God! Don’t get me wrong I am going to miss having you and Brad around but it will be nice to have Eric to myself for a while.”
“Oh, I don’t take it personally. How long is it you have before Ellie and Marissa arrive?”
“Ellie and Marissa?” I run through the conversations I have had with Eric in the past few weeks. Those names don’t trigger anything.
“Yeah, the new charges. I think it is a week. Does that sound right?”
“Yep, that sounds about right.” I lie, unable to admit that Eric never mentioned anyone else would be showing up. Why wouldn’t he tell me? I am lost in my thoughts when Jane approaches.
“Hello Cora,” she says, smiling at me and then nodding at Claire.
“I am going to go see how Brad is faring,” Claire says as she walks off in the direction of the bar.
“Cora, you look stunning in that dress. That shade of pink is perfect for you.” Jane compliments. I appreciate her being nice but I still feel so plain next to her. Her long brown hair is pulled up in an intricate knot at the nape of her neck. It is secured with a clip that has probably twenty diamonds on it. She is also wearing a long sleeved grey lace dress that I recognize as made by Ellie Saab. Her petite features are set off by just a touch of make-up. She could make a super model shy about having a picture taken with her.
“Thank you,” I say simply and smile weakly. Since she has been here, she has occupied most of Eric’s time. It has made me a little resentful of her.
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