“Saarah, there’s a black tie ball tonight at the Waldorf; it’s an annual fundraiser honoring the work I do for Meds Without Borders. There’s still one empty seat at my table. My shrink thought it would be a good idea for me to ask you to come.” He paused. “I was going to ask you to come on Tuesday night but…”
His voice trailed off. He didn’t want to think about his ex and neither did I. Collecting himself, he looked deep into my eyes.
“Saarah, I still want you to be my date—that is, if you don’t have plans with your other ‘boyfriend.’”
Smart aleck! The glow on my face said it all.
“Well, Saarah?”
“I think I can cancel my other date. I’d love to go.”
The big smile that brightened his face could light up the sky. He kissed me once more, lightly on the side of my neck. Then I froze. Yikes. What was I going to wear? I didn’t exactly have a closet full of ball gowns to choose from. And I couldn’t exactly borrow one from Lauren, who I’m sure had many, because we were built totally differently and wore different sizes.
Ari read my face. “Don’t worry, my pretty princess. Andre will take you to Bergdorf’s. Go to the fourth floor—the Personal Shopping Department. Dawn will be expecting you. She’ll pick out something beautiful for you to wear.”
“B-but, I can’t afford anything at Bergdorf’s.”
He flicked the tip of my nose. “Princess, don’t worry. You can pay me back.”
“But, Ari, I can’t.”
“I don’t mean in dollars.”
Before I could respond, Miss Thatcher’s voice again filtered into the room. “Will Miss Greene still be needing the car?”
Ari rolled his eyes, then gave me an affectionate slap on my ass. “Go. And be ready by six.”
How could this man make everything so much better? He was a healer, emotionally and physically. And he was my lover. If it weren’t for my torn up knee, I would have skipped out the door like a giddy child.
Curling my good hand around the doorknob, I looked over my shoulder. He was leaning against his massive desk, his legs crossed, looking as sexy as ever. Damn him. He was just waiting for me to turn my head.
“Saarah, don’t be running into any muggers or serial killers. I want you whole tonight.”
“Right.” Smiling, I swung the door open and let it close behind me. I was already dreaming of the night ahead.
Ari
Immediately after Sarah left, I made two calls. The first to Dawn, the women’s personal shopper at Bergdorf’s, to let her know that I was sending a new client her way and to take care of her. I told her to go the distance and let Sarah have anything her heart desired. My only regret was that my princess couldn’t text me pictures of her naked in the dressing room while she tried on gown after gown. In retrospect, I should have arranged for her to pick up a new cell phone to replace the outdated one that bastard stole. Stupid me. I was just going to have to use my imagination.
The second call was to Dr. Martin Chernoff, the head of oncology at the University hospital. Marty was a great guy, and we shared a mutual admiration. He was on the forefront of curing cancer, and one day, I thought he would succeed and win a Nobel Prize. He was a big supporter of Meds Without Borders, but unfortunately wasn’t able to attend tonight’s gala as it was his twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. He was surprising his wife with a romantic dinner at one of Philly’s finest restaurants and was flying in his Boston-based, college-aged twin daughters for the occasion.
“Ari, what can I do for you?” he asked after I jokingly rubbed it in that I was hurt that he chose her over me.
I told him what was on my mind.
“Excellent!”
I smiled as I ended the call. In my mind, my decision had just brought the world closer to the end of cancer. And me closer to the woman with whom I hoped to celebrate a twenty-fifth anniversary.
“Saarah.” I couldn’t help but say her name out loud. Just a whisper, it took my breath away. Though she’d left me only minutes ago, I already missed her like crazy. Tonight couldn’t get here soon enough. I couldn’t wait to see her again…all dressed up like the princess she was. And Ben would be thrilled she was sitting at our table. The only loose card was Gwen, but my shrink, Dr. Zimmer, who would meet Sarah too, had given me the courage to veto my headstrong sister’s opinions.
Saarah. This time I said her name silently to myself. Something had changed between us today. Her hurt and vulnerability had melted me. Fucking her in the tub was by far the most sensuous experience of my life. My cock came alive inside her as if it had found its home. It had knocked the memory of my earlier encounter with goddamn Cassandra right out of my head. Sarah was so unlike my ex. She was soft and so sweet, caring and submissive, loving and kind. While Cassandra was a spawn of Satan, Sarah, sweet Saarah, was a slice of heaven on earth. I swear I saw stars when I came with her. An epic orgasm of Star Wars proportions. My Princess Leia had sent me orbiting. And I still hadn’t landed on earth. My cock was aching for her. Tonight we’d all go home together…Sarah, Ben, and me. The time was right. There was no doubt in my mind that Ben would be totally okay with her waking up in our apartment and seeing her in my arms. Even in her pajamas—likely a pair of my boxers with a T-shirt or an oversized shirt of mine. I chuckled out loud. I couldn’t wait to see the expression on the face of my beloved housekeeper, Luisa. Ay, caramba! It would be the first time since my divorce a woman would be staying over and sleeping with me in my bed. A life-changing breakthrough.
I stared at my computer screen. There were at least three dozen emails from around the world all marked “URGENT,” but I couldn’t focus. All I could think about was Sarah. My cock throbbed beneath my desk. I shouldn’t have let her go. No, I should have fucked her right over my desk. The image of her bent over, her gorgeous tight little ass in the air filled my mind, and I closed my eyes, letting my fantasy play out like the scene of a movie. My cock spiked beneath my trousers.
“Saarah, bend over.”
She silently did as I asked, and as she bent over my desk. I yanked down her skirt. Good girl. She wasn’t wearing panties. I’d trained her well. My eyes took in her magnificent ass. Two sculpted side by side hearts. Flawless. A piece of museum-worthy sculpture.
“Saarah, have you ever been fucked in the ass?”
An adorable little squeak spilled from her mouth. Obviously, not.
I breathed against her neck. “Relax, princess. You’re going to love this. Can you trust me?”
Wordlessly, she nodded, her long ponytail sweeping across the surface of my desk. I was so fucking turned on.
“Okay, now spread your legs a little.”
Quietly, she again did as I asked. I loved how obedient and submissive she was. She was in a ready position.
I unzipped my pants. My enormous cock sprung out, ready for action. My eyes flashed to the large tube of Dermadoo sitting on my desk. Our research department had recently discovered another benefit of our amazing moisturizer. It was the perfect lubricant for sex. It made things better for both partners, every which way—especially the backdoor kind. Once the secret got out, the highly sought after product was going to be even harder to find. The total miracle cream. Our fourth quarter earnings were going to end up in the stratosphere. I was ready to give it a try and test it out. Squirting a generous amount of the cream onto my palm, I slathered it all over my gigantic cock. And then I squirted a dollop onto the tip of my thick middle finger. Before I plunged my cock into her, I wanted her to get used to the sensation of something long and hard inside her butt, and this would be a good way of lubricating her. I wanted to pleasure my princess, not hurt her.
“What’s going on, Ari?” she rasped.
“Just relax, princess,” I repeated as I plunged my finger into her hole.
She let out a little shriek as I pushed it in further, the hot tight pucker driving me insane with lust and want. She was definitely a virgin when it came to butt fucking.
“What are
you doing?” she groaned.
“Getting you ready for my cock,” I replied as I went as deep as I could before sliding my finger back down. “This is going to feel a little strange and uncomfortable at first, but you’ll get used to it quickly.”
“Is it going to hurt?” Anxiousness laced her voice.
“Princess, I’d never hurt you. In fact, pretty soon you’re going to be loving it so much you’ll be begging for more.”
I trailed kisses down her gorgeous back as I shoved my digit back in and began to finger fuck her ass. Within minutes, her muscles were relaxing and soft moans were filling the room.
“How does it feel?”
“Oh my God.”
“Look at me.”
She swiveled her head and gazed up at me as I continued my ministrations. Her sensuous lips were parted with hunger, and feverish lust danced in her big brown eyes. Oh, yeah. She was ready for more. Something bigger and better. I could have easily made her come with my finger, but why settle for less when I could give her the best.
My soaked finger, shimmering from the mixture of the Dermadoo and her sweet juices, exited her hole, and seamlessly, I inserted my well-lubricated cock, slowly pushing it into her inch by thick inch. Another shriek, this one much louder, poured out from her mouth. I, in turn, hissed. Her hot, tight little pucker all around my mammoth cock was pure bliss. So fucking good.
I kissed her on the shoulder as I took it to the limit and then slid my length back down.
“Hold on tight, baby. I’m going to fuck you hard. So hard I may be carrying you home tonight.” And my cock may need a sling.
“Yes. Fuck me. Fuck me hard.”
On my next breath, I began to pound her, so turned on by her begging. So turned on by her need for me. And my need for her. As I picked up my pace, she rocked her hips into me, meeting my powerful thrusts. Her groans mingled with my grunts. One arm cinched her waist while the hand of the other found its way to her delicious pussy. Without slowing down in her backdoor, I stroked it. She was so hot and wet. I promised her pleasure and I was going to deliver. My thumb moved to her clit, rubbing it vigorously. Her moans and groans morphed into uncontrollable whimpers. They were like music to my ears.
“How are you doing, baby?” Seriously, did I have to ask?
“Oh God, Ari, I’m going to come.”
That was the plan. I, too, was so close to coming I could taste myself. On my next deep thrust, I squeezed her clit, and I combusted inside her with a burst of my release as she came all around both my cock and my finger. The screams of pure ecstasy that saturated the room were as intense as our orgasms.
Holding her steady, because I was sure her legs had turned to jelly, I slowly withdrew my hot pulsing cock and then collapsed on top of her, resting my head on her warm upper back. I basked in the softness of her skin as my breathing calmed down.
“Holy shit. That was so fucking amazing,” I found myself saying aloud.
“What’s amazing, Mr. Golden?”
The familiar voice caught me by surprise, catapulting me back to reality. I snapped my eyes open. It was goddamn Miss Thatcher holding a stack of files. I felt myself flush. Stupid me. I had left the fucking door open, giving her easy access to my office.
I caught my breath, well aware of the raging boner beneath my desk. I squirmed in my chair as she cleared her throat.
“You need to read these contracts over and sign them. And then get ready for the board meeting.”
“Fine. Bring them here, please.”
There was no way I was going to stand up and let my secretary see the pitched tent between my thighs. The truth is, the spindly spinster had probably never seen one in her life. And that’s the way I wanted to keep it.
Wordlessly, she dropped the folders on my desk. “Oh and by the way, while you were busy, your sister called and asked for you to call her back. She said it was urgent.”
My breath hitched in my throat. “Thank you, Miss Thatcher. Hold all my calls and please shut my door.”
My phone was already in my hand as the prude marched toward the door, closing it behind her as she exited my office. Wasting no time, I immediately speed-dialed Gwen. My heart beat into a frenzy as she told me the news.
One of her PIs had spotted Cassandra heading into Bergdorf’s but then had lost her. Shit. That’s where my Princess was going and she should be there soon. I had to call Sarah. Warn her. Fuck. I couldn’t. I cursed again, now berating myself for not having gotten her another phone.
The next best thing. I called Andre. Except I couldn’t get through to him. All fucking circuits were busy. Shit. In a panic, I asked Miss Thatcher to contact our cell phone carrier, and I learned soon enough the entire system was fucked up. It could be hours until the problem was fixed.
A Molotov cocktail of rage and apprehension consumed me, including my hard on. Grabbing my letter opener, I stabbed it into the pile of folders and then flung the stack all over the floor. Madness surged through me as all my delicious thoughts of Sarah were replaced by my inability to control my psycho bitch ex. As powerful a man as I was, I felt powerless. I slammed my fist on my desk.
Goddamn fucking Cassandra.
Sarah
During the long, uneventful ride back to Manhattan, only one person filled my mind. Ari Golden. The complicated head of Golden International was no longer a stranger on a train. He was the man I unconditionally loved.
Obviously, I was important to him. He had admired me from afar for months and kept a photo of me on his desk. He had also mentioned me to his therapist. I wondered—had he discussed his feelings about me with his shrink? And had the L-word ever entered the conversation?
There were only three words I longed to hear from him: “I love you.” Until I heard him say them, I wasn’t sure what the future would bring.
###♥###
Andre let me off at the main entrance of Bergdorf’s on Fifth Avenue; he was going to wait for me until I was done, then take me home.
I had been here only once before—to pick up a Chanel lipstick for Catherine, Ari’s ex-wife. The thought of her made me shudder, but I remembered my mother’s words of wisdom. “Sarah, you are a warrior princess. Don’t let her stand in the way of your career or the man you love.” I took a deep breath and pretended I was Xena as I entered the store. I was back on track and I wasn’t going to let the Queen Bitch derail me.
Mentally holding a spear, I headed straight to the elevator bypassing the makeup department along the way. My knee was still stiff so it was difficult to move quickly. I was the last one to step into the elevator before the doors closed. I was surrounded by a bevy of chicly dressed, perfectly coiffed women, who reminded me of the main women in Ari’s life—his mother, sister, and ex. Although my Sarah, plain and tall, persona was already knocking at the door, I held my own. Several shoppers shot me looks of surprise when I alone got off on the exclusive fourth floor.
When I stepped out of the elevator, my jaw dropped. I felt like I was in a fairy-tale land. Amidst mirrors, Lucite, and gilt, the softly lit floor was filled with dazzling gowns in all colors. Every one of them looked like it belonged on a princess and was ready for its first dance.
An attractive, smartly dressed woman, who, with her tight chignon, reminded me of a younger version of Ari’s elegant mother, immediately greeted me. Dawn. Adjusting her half-moon glasses, she gave me a once over and smiled. The glimmer in her eye told me she approved of Ari’s choice in women. I wondered if she once dressed Cassandra. Fortunately, she cut my mental ramblings short before I let them rattle me.
“Dear, let’s start with the dress and move our way to shoes and accessories and then on to hair and makeup.”
Hair and makeup? My heart stammered. I had no idea that Ari was giving me a total makeover.
“I’ll show you a few gowns that Mr. Golden might like; we have more to choose from in the dressing room.”
The first dress Dawn showed me was a silver-blue Armani sheath with a thigh-high slit. The se
cond was a strapless red crêpe de chine number by Valentino. While they were both stunning and “so Ari,” neither of them really spoke to me. In fact, they were much better suited for Catherine with her supermodel figure. To my dismay, she again crept into my head. Dammit. Calling upon my warrior princess powers, I hurled my imaginary spear at her and banished all thoughts of her.
My mind re-focused on what to wear. I wanted something different. Something that called out my name. My eyes darted around the salon and then landed on a mannequin that was wearing a dress that transported me to another world, another time. My heart fluttered as excitement pulsed through me. It was an extravagant blush pink ball gown with a pouf of tulle that cascaded over a full taffeta skirt. Two spaghetti straps held it up. “I’d like to try that one on,” I said, pointing to it.
“Oh, the Dior.” Dawn smiled approvingly. “It just came in. It’s couture and by special order. The one on the mannequin is a Size 4.” She looked me up and down, her smile widening. “I think it’ll fit you perfectly.”
While I was normally a six, I was sure I’d dropped a size from my stressful week. Even the skirt I was wearing was too big.
Dawn studied my outfit. My ill-fitting pink career girl ensemble finished off with a pair of scruffy combat boots. God, what must she be thinking? Instead, another smile spread on her face.
“I can already tell from what you’re wearing, pink becomes you. I’ll get someone to bring the gown into the dressing room.”
After summoning a young sales assistant to transport the dress, Dawn escorted me to the dressing room. Room 4. My eyes grew wide. With its peach-upholstered walls and matching plush carpet, it was bigger than my living room. There was a rack of other dresses that might interest me along with velvet ottomans, a three-way lighted mirror, and a wall phone. I imagined that the room had been used by many royals, heads of state, and women of means. I wondered—had Catherine ever set foot in it? The thought chilled me. Stop it, Sarah, Warrior Princess!
Trainwreck 2 (Trainwreck #2) Page 9