The Hourglass

by K. S. Smith

  My heart stopped for a split second. Sitting up straight I glared into his eyes. “And where should you have been?” I demanded from him. Climbing onto my chair with me Luke pulled me into a tight embrace then nipped the lobe of my ear with his teeth, trailing his fingers between my exposed cleavage. “In Denver, between your legs. But instead I was in St. Louis for a conference.”

  Tossing Kat’s suspicions aside I lounged back in my chair, curled up in Luke’s body and watched the beautiful California sunset, drinking a delicious cocktail with my even more delicious man by my side. Sunday was spent lounging by the private patio, where Luke and I managed to christen every ounce of the pool from the shallow end, all the way to the deep end.

  As we collapsed into our first class seats, I sighed and drew my legs up to my chest then rested my head against the window.

  Luke lifted my hand and placed a light kiss on top of it. “As soon as this bad boy takes off I want you to meet me in the lavatory. There’s no one else I'd rather join the mile high club with than you.”

  Wrinkling my nose I shook my head. “I don’t think so. You aren’t getting into these pants anywhere near a public restroom. That’s just bad hygiene.”

  Leaning his head against mine, he said, “Oh come on, babe, live a little.”

  Shaking my head I gave him a light push to get him off of me. “Luke, that’s gross, you don’t know what’s gone on in those bathrooms.”

  Laughing lightly he amended, “That’s why we have to be the first ones in.”

  Rolling my eyes I relaxed as the plane prepared for its take off.

  Twenty minutes later the fasten seatbelt light turned off and Luke stood. Coming in close to me, he whispered, “Count to fifty and then come knock three times.”

  Sighing, I grinned as he made his way into the bathroom. How can this man talk me into doing anything he wants? After counting to fifty, I got up and discreetly made my way toward the bathroom, knocking three times as he had instructed.

  Before I knew it Luke opened the door and pulled me into the tiny bathroom. Pressed up against his body he began kissing me, hiking my maxi skirt up my legs. “How in the world do you think this is going to go down?” I asked laughing quietly.

  “Just hold on” he said, lifting me up onto the tiny sink. Before I could get another word out Luke went in for the kill, giving me the answer to my question.

  Two minutes later, I was adjusting my outfit and slipping out of the bathroom first, hurrying to my seat before we were caught by one of the many flight attendants. A moment later, Luke made his way back and sat next to me with a huge grin on his face. “You’re a freak,” I whispered into his neck as I lightly placed a kiss under his ear.

  Slinking his arm around me, he pulled me closer to him and kissed my head. “That’s why you love me.”

  Nodding my head in agreement, I snuggled up under Luke’s arm and drifted off to sleep for the remainder of the flight.

  Monday morning arrived before I knew it, and I was back to the grind at the office. I was in the middle of reviewing emails as a phone call came into my direct line. “Savannah Prescott, how may I help you?”

  Kat’s voice rang through the phone. “Are you in front of your computer?”

  Laughing I responded, “You did call my office phone. Of course I’m in front of my computer, what’s up?”

  Kat hesitated before speaking again. “Check your email, I just sent you something. I don’t think you’re going to be a happy camper.”

  Opening her email, I saw five pictures attached, labeled BL. Clicking on the first photo I felt like the wind was knocked out of me. Clicking to the next was even worse. By the time I made it to the fifth picture I was filled with rage. “That son of a bitch has been playing us this entire time!” I yelled into my phone.

  Kat sighed. “I’m sorry, girl, but I told you it looked just like him, and by your reaction you just confirmed my suspicions were correct.”

  Furious, I cut the call short. “Thanks for the pictures, I’ve got to run.” After I hung up on her, I clicked through each photo again, examining them more closely. As I continued to click through them over and over again my entire body fumed with anger.

  Taking in a deep breath I tried to compose myself, and once I was as calm as I was possibly going to get, I stood and went straight to Brooke’s office. Shutting the door behind me I sat across from her. “We need to talk. It’s about Luke.”

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Brooke

  “SAVANNAH, NO, PLEASE,” I begged in desperation. I didn’t want to go through all of this again, I physically couldn’t. “I love you, and I hope we can find our way back to being friends, but don’t drag Lucas into this. He is so sweet and caring; he has stood by me through all of this turmoil between us. Literally the perfect gentleman.”

  Savannah fell into a fit of hysterics, leaving me sitting there baffled. I stood and walked over to her, concerned she was having a mental break or something. “Sav, are you okay?” I asked.

  “Brooke…” Savannah began gasping for air. “He’s playing us.”

  “What?” I asked confused by her accusation. “No. No, he wouldn’t.” But despite my vehement protest, I read the sincerity in my friend’s eyes.

  “Brooke,” she implored, her voice more serious this time. “He has been with both of us these last few weeks, pitting us against each other, and sleeping with both of us.”

  I began trembling, as I fell back into my chair. This was impossible. How could he? He had been with me. “He said he was in love with me,” I whispered as my heart began to shatter into a thousand pieces. I was most definitely falling in love with him. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t think you could just fall blissfully in love at first sight, but over a few months. Well, there was no denying the feelings I had developed.

  Savannah’s delicate hand stretched up and wiped away a stray tear that had slipped out of my eye. “Brooke, I’m sorry—“

  “How do you know? I need proof,” I turned to look at Savannah just as her jaw dropped in disbelief. “I believe you, I do. I know you better than anyone does. I can see it on your face. But I just need to see the proof for myself.” The wheels in my head began spinning as Savannah pulled her phone out, accessing her text messages and showing me an endless slew of Lucas’s text messages to her. Shuddering as I read the parts he wrote about breaking up with me, and how I was too innocent.

  Anger quickly replaced the pain. Boiling hot, I wanted to strangle him with my bare hands. I jumped to my feet and slung my door open then barreled toward the elevators. Savannah was hot on my heels, chasing me down.

  “Whoa, Whoa, Whoa! Brooke!” She barricaded my way to the elevator that had just delivered people to the Hourglass lobby. Brushing past her, I repeatedly pressed the call button to go up to the Nike offices, the little orange light screaming for me to stop pressing the small plastic button.

  “Brooke, he is a player. I knew it, but just thought I knew the game better and would see it.”

  “Right, well now I’m going to kill him, so game over,” I said dramatically, making a slicing motion over my throat. The thought crossed my mind, that maybe I should do an Internet search for a defense attorney on my way up. I was furious, not sure for which reason exactly, because so many were ping-ponging around in my head. I’d trusted him, he had lied to me. I’d slept with him. Repeatedly. And he was screwing my best friend. He destroyed my most cherished friendship, pitting us against each other, and we had just fed right into it.

  I began jamming the button in again. Where was the damn elevator? Ding. Finally, a metal door slid open granting me access, I dodged Savannah and jumped in. Though I tried to push the button to close the doors before she jumped in with me, I failed.

  “Brooke, what are you going to do? I am just as mad, believe me. When Kat sent me the photos of you two in New York, I was livid.” Her eyes lit up mischievously, and I couldn’t help but turn to face her. Savannah pressed the elevator hold button, halting our upward m
omentum. “Here is the thing. Guys like him, they think they are so smart. Better than us. He has outmaneuvered us this entire time and gotten away with it. So I say, let’s get even. Let’s hit him where it hurts the most.”

  Murder suddenly seemed like the easy way out for him. Revenge, now that sounded like a plan I could get in to. Nodding in agreement, I smiled and pressed the hold button. The elevator began to rise again.

  “Brooke?”

  “It’s okay. I’m with you. I’ll run in real quick, give him a little pressure and then meet you at Starbucks. Text me in like five minutes,” I instructed as the doors whooshed open. Stepping out of the elevator, I turned to look at a nervous Savannah. “I got this,” I reassured her as I held my hand up displaying five fingers. “Five minutes, see you soon. Oh, and Savannah, I love you,” I called as the doors sealed shut.

  Forcing a smile, I adjusted my outfit to be a bit more alluring and sashayed toward the devil in disguise himself. His door was open and I continued in unannounced, hoping to catch him off guard.

  “Brooke.” His voice reeked of nervousness as his eyes darted to the door I’d left open. Everything suddenly seemed so suspicious to me, making me replay our last weeks together to see how naïve I had been. “Babe, what are you doing here? I’m really busy today. Can we talk later?”

  “Oh Lucas,” I said slipping between his legs and hopping onto his desk to give him a view I knew he’d enjoy. “I just missed you so much, after your work trip this last weekend. Where did you say you went again?”

  “Oh, umm,” Lucas scrambled for words. “Florida. They had a big convention for runners.”

  “Hmm,” I nodded in understanding. “Well my new condo is all set up and I’m anxious to begin christening all the rooms.” I giggled as I trailed my fingers along his arm. “Do you know a man for the job?”

  Sex. Sex, Lucas could do with ease. I could see his brain switch gears as a debonair smirk graced his face. “Of course, I do,” he teased, running his finger up the inside of my thigh. My phone vibrated in my hand, right on cue. Honestly, I couldn’t have timed it better. Leaping up from the desk, leaving Lucas there with a new appendage growing, I smiled enthusiastically.

  “Oh Lucas, it’s wonderful!” I let the excitement carry through my voice. “I ran into Savannah in the park the other day while on a run. We weren’t able to really talk, but I told her I missed her, and get this,” I paused for effect watching the color drain from his face as he forced a smile to match my own. “She just texted me to meet for coffee!”

  Lucas leapt to his feet and strode over to where I stood. “Brooke, I don’t want you to get hurt. Are you sure this is a smart idea?” Oh he was good, very good.

  But I was better.

  Shaking my head, I switched my expression up for a more forlorn one. “I know what you mean, Lucas. I’m scared. But she is my best friend, and I don’t have anything going on at work at the moment, so I should try, right?”

  “No.” The answer fired out of his mouth before he could sensor it. Quickly recovering he continued on. “I mean, she almost tanked your career, Brooke. How do you know this isn’t a trick? I’ve got a better idea. Why don’t you show me your condo? I felt so bad about you having to deal with the moving company by yourself this weekend. I really wanted to be there.” He flashed his heart-stopping smile, but I was now immune.

  “Aww, Lucas, that’s a great idea. Let me go tell Lisa, and let’s meet at the condo in let’s say…” I peeked down at my watch, hiding a grin. “…an hour?”

  “Perfect!” he yelled a bit too overzealous planting a kiss on me.

  In the elevator ride down, I began laughing uncontrollably. Oh, this would all be too much fun. Savannah was right; torture was the way to go. Rushing into the coffee shop, I spotted Savannah immediately at a table with her drink and one for me.

  Sipping my chai tea, I sighed in appreciation. “Thank you,” I said in gratitude for everything. “Lucas is on his way to the condo to meet me, so we’ve got an hour to catch up and then I think you forgot something at home,” I said with a wink, making Savannah laugh.

  “Hi,” I began. “How have you been, minus the whole crappy best friend and boyfriend?” I asked trying to start anew.

  “Well, I had a very peculiar doctor’s appointment last week,” she began laughing again as she went into the whole sordid tale of the torturous visit. We spent a blissful hour catching up and restoring our friendship, before Savannah darted off with a mischievous smile and a wave.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Savannah

  GETTING OUT OF my car I made my way into the lobby of my condo. Like clockwork Luke came strolling in, just as I did. Putting my game face on, I seductively made my way toward him pressing my body up against his. “What a wonderful surprise. How’d you know I’d be home?” His eyes began darting around the lobby as he separated our bodies, looking in every direction. Smugly smirking, I linked my fingers with his. “Why don’t you come upstairs for a quickie before I head back into the office?” Tugging on his arm, I forced him into the elevator with me. This is going to be more fun than I could have ever imagined. I shoved him against the elevator wall. Gripping his ass, I pulled his middle up against mine and slowly began taunting him with my body.

  The elevator doors opened to my floor and Luke rushed toward my condo. “Hurry up, I’m meeting a client and I only have a few minutes.” He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and started in on a text message. Meanwhile, I did my best to hide the grin on my face as I unlocked the door. Knowing full well he was more than likely messaging Brooke.

  Lifting my body off the floor, he slammed the door behind us and had me pinned against the wall in no time, assaulting my neck with wild kisses. Stifling a giggle, I went along with him, grasping his hair between my fingers. Just as his eagerness grew to its full attention, I stopped him from kissing me and forced myself out of his tight grip.

  His breath was hitched and he tried to pull me back in. “Babe, what are you…”

  Lightly placing my hands on his chest. “Luke, I am so sorry. I totally forgot I have a conference call that I’m late for, and I’ve already pissed this client off once this month. I can’t do it again.” Opening my door, I shooed him out as he stood in my hallway utterly confused and fully aroused. Grinning mischievously, I said, “I hope you can take care of that before your client meeting. There’s a bathroom in the lobby if you need to clean up.”

  Closing the door on his horrified face, I danced quietly around my condo in excitement and then grabbed my phone and shot off a quick text to Brooke.

  He’s all yours. Make it interesting!!!

  Pacing back and forth in my condo, I could have worn a hole in the hardwood floors. I decided against going back into the office, instead thinking it’d be best if Brooke and I got a jump start on “Operation Destroy Luke Wellington.” But being alone for the first time since Kat had called me finally allowed me to process everything, and I was so angry. Angry that I allowed myself to be played in a game where I was an expert, but more so that I’d thrown caution to the wind and had actually begun to fall for Luke Wellington. Sure I wasn’t in love with him, but I was definitely more connected with him than I’ve ever been with any other man, which for me was saying a lot considering my history. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks, causing me to stop dead in my tracks. Shaking my head, I continued pacing as I talked to myself out loud. “Get it together, Savannah. Luke isn’t the end all and be all, there are plenty of other eligible bachelors out there who are a million times better than Luke. Don’t let one man ruin your chance with someone else. One day you’re going to find a man who totally sweeps you off your feet. A man who makes you so complete you’ll never even consider being in another man’s bed, ever again.” Stopping myself again I laughed. Okay, maybe I’m taking this too far. I’m only twenty-five for goodness sake, I don’t need to worry about that one man just yet.

  Half an hour later, there was a light knock on my door. I darted over
and pulled the door open to see Brooke standing there with a shit-eating grin on her face. Tugging her hand, I rushed her in and over to sit with me on the couch. “Oh my gosh, tell me everything. I’m dying to hear all about it.” Brooke’s face lit up like a Christmas tree as she went into the details of the last half hour.

  “Well, when I saw him I pointed out his premature excitement to see me, which had him sweating like a pig. He tried to bail at that point, but I insisted he meet Carl, which had poor Carl all flustered right along with him. Remind me to send Carl a gift card or something. So then we headed up to my condo, which was more me dragging him up like a kidnap victim. The whole elevator ride talking about what a bitch you were, and how I was going to try to get you fired, and I made him promise to tell you he wasn’t happy with your work and wanted a new photographer for Nike. By that point, his phone held more interest, and he ran out the door claiming an important meeting got switched.”

  The tears poured down my cheeks as laughter escaped my throat. “Brooke Reid, I didn’t think you had it in you to be such a manipulative little bitch.”

  Slapping my leg, she pretended to be hurt by my words as we both laughed hysterically. “Well, I learned from the best.”

  Shrugging my shoulders I grinned. “You certainly did.”

  The next few hours were spent catching up, deciding that we needed a break from all things Luke for a moment. It had been quite some time since she and I just hung out without wanting to kill each other, and it was a relief to have my best friend back. Brooke filled me in on her newest project at work, the annual Hourglass Charity Auction. “You’ve got to help with the preparations. Monica is going to kill me. Plus, after my last event she is hesitant to give me much leeway.”

  Making a funny face, I giggled. “Oh shit, maybe I should talk to her?”

  Brooke shook her head. “No way, I totally deserved it, or so you thought. Honestly, I would have done the same thing. But enough of the heavy, why don’t we head up to my condo so I can give you the grand tour?”