He nibbles my nipple for the last time and then rearranges my bra while smiling amused. I glance at the desk to see if I have something heavy so I can smash it on his head and leave him for dead right here but I can’t find anything.
“Dolores has been waiting for more than an hour for me to pick her up. Baby, I have to go.”
He rests his forehead against mine, caressing my nose. “I'll make up for it, I promise.”
He recuperates and I see him compose himself in a matter of seconds. He unzips his zipper half open, and then puts his shirt inside and he’s ready, as if nothing happened here.
How does he do it? My legs are still trembling because of his touch and he leaves. Dolores has been waiting for an hour for him. So what? She can wait, damn it! I can wait, but the happy long-legged assistant can’t?
Damn that shit! I'm not going to wait while his majesty leaves. I’m no one’s fool, I adjust my blouse and try not to stare at him. I'm dying of jealousy but it’s not noticeable. Just what I needed at this point is to discover that I’m an uncontrolled jealous person. Thanks, Reed Blackman!
“I'll pick you up and we can go together to Hansson's house.” He orders from the door.
“That’s not necessary.” I still don’t look up pretending to adjust my skirt, “You won’t have time. I'm going straight there.”
I look at him out of the corner of my eye and see how he curses looking at his watch.
“Okay, but you'll wait for me at the door.”
“Yes.”
“Anne...”
“Go. We don’t want Dolores to get angry.”
“You can’t imagine how much, thanks for understanding.”
He rushes out and I snort furiously. This man is a constant whirlwind. I press my forehead hard. This can’t be happening to me, I'm falling hopelessly in love, at full speed and without brakes.
With Reed I don’t feel safe, with John even the insults were predictable but with Reed the passions are inflamed and rationality vanishes. I can’t refuse to be by his side. His passion consumes me and feeds me. Every minute we spend together I feel like he’s getting under my skin making me feel a passion I’ve never lived. I’m traveling directly to an abyss and I’m not able to stop myself. My body begins to respond to him before I do. God, why couldn’t this have happened to me with a man like Marc or Suraj? It had to be you?
“I see he’s abandoned you. I need you to sign these papers for me.” Mary saw him run out and she seems to gloat with my poker face. Someone tell me why don’t I fire her!
I return the documents quickly. I don’t want to talk to anyone and a lot less with her.
“He will hurt you.”
“Sorry?”
“You're not the kind of woman who knows how to control a man like that. You have neither the experience nor the self-love to master him. He will hurt you until you’re crawling on the floor.”
My poker face must have fallen because she instantly added.
“I care about you and I say it for your own good. Blackman is a wild stallion impossible to tame. You can’t play in his league.”
Who the fuck does she think she is? Am I so stupid that even my secretary thinks she has the right to tell me whom I should or should not sleep with? Have I let myself be dominated so much in my life to get to this point?
“Go away!”
“I'm your friend and I'm just looking out for the best for you.”
“Don’t love me so much, friends like you are what makes me rethink loneliness as a good option. I don’t want some damn advice from you. Close your damn mouth and go through the door right now if you don’t want to finish updating your resume from home.”
Her feet were faster than my words. Perfect. I have enough with my own insecurities than to feed them more with the comments of an envious little girl.”
I pick up my purse furious with Mary, with Reed, with myself and with the holy trinity.
I go home to change clothes; I need to recover my courage and my outraged femininity.
“I won’t be back. Any urgency call my cell phone,” I cried out to my secretary without waiting for an answer.
I'll take a shower and get dressed for the occasion. Alexander Hansson is waiting for me at his house and I think I’m up to it.
You don’t have to look any further
I stretch my white jersey sweater that fits me perfectly and combines beautifully with my maroon tube skirt and my six-inch high heels. This is my first mission as a treasure hunter and I plan to enjoy it. John locked me in a hole and I managed to escape, I don’t plan to back down. I've been climbing up stairs in my life for three years and I'm not going to go down any. Self-esteem accommodates the neckline.
“You were supposed to wait for me.”
I drop the hand that was about to ring the bell, and I look at him with control of the situation. I am still annoyed by his eternal bad character and his continuous allusions to the happy Dolores.
“I'm getting tired of being scolded like a girl.”
“Then don’t behave like one. This is not a game.”
“I'm not playing! I came to see to the authentication of a relic. We don’t know anything else about Alexander and I don’t see why we should suspect him yet.”
“Alexander? Is it Alexander now?”
He looks me up and down and I feel intimidated. Trust don’t abandon me!
“You changed your clothes.”
“Yes, and I don’t feel bad about it. I look perfect and you won’t spoil it.”
I cross my arms with determination.
“I would never think of it. A question, is that lipstick that you’re wearing one of those indelible ones that don’t smear?”
“Of course, don’t say that...”
I'm about to look for the mirror in my bag when Reed frames my face in his hands.
“You are precious.”
His breath burns as his tongue runs down the inside of my teeth. The taste of his tongue mixes with my saliva and I feel how he moves trying to possess me with concise movements. His teeth bite impatiently at my lower lip showing me who is in control but I'm not willing to let myself be dominated. This Anne controls her life, her feelings, her sex and her fucking kisses.
I catch his neck between my hands and open my mouth to drag his tongue into my body. My mouth sucks his and I feel him growling, disturbed and terribly excited. He separates himself by cursing aloud.
“Ring that lucky doorbell and let's finish this so I can take you home. I'm going to get between your legs for the whole damn night.” He said hoarsely.
“You could be a little more...”
“Romantic, delicate...?”
“I’d be happy with a little less beast.”
“Honey...” He puts on a face of feigned innocence and an enjoyable smile, “let’s finish soon with this mission and I’ll take you home because I want to get lost in your caresses. I want to love you with overflowing passion and if the heat of our bodies is not enough to satisfy your woman's cravings... I think to fuck you again and again until your legs hurt and your orgasms leave me dry. So is that better?”
“You're a wild brute.” I laugh unintentionally and caress his torso over his shirt, “we’d better think about work or I won’t be responsible for my actions.” I sigh and ring the bell.
“Good morning, I'm Anne Foster of the Stonebridge Museum and this is Reed Blackman.”
“Please come in, Mr. Hansson is waiting for you in the guest lounge.”
The butler opens the door and accompanies us inside to leave us there alone.
What a mansion I’ve never visited any similar house. It’s a palace but with works of art worthy of a museum. Is the one on the wall an Eknut Ekwall? Impossible! Most of his works are recorded. I stop in front of the painting enraptured with its power.
“Miss Anne Foster. I see that you like art. I'm Alexander Hansson.”
“Mr. Hansson, let me tell you that this work is magnificent.”
His
perfect smile stands out in a perfect face, with a perfect nose and perfect dark blond hair.
“I appreciate that you appreciate art as much as I do. I see that not only are you beautiful but also know how to distinguish another beauty besides yours.”
“And here we go again!” The colors of shame rise up. One of these days I’ll go to the doctor and get a prescription.
“That’s how Anne is, I’m Reed Blackman in case you're interested.”
And now what bug bit him? Alexander is most attentive and Reed speaks to him in an apologetic tone. I don’t get it.
“Mr. Hansson, let me tell you that the selection of antiques in your living room is wonderful.” I speak ecstatically.
“Please, sit down. Frederick! Bring us some refreshments and some appetizers, but please bring something salty, with Miss Foster we have so much sweetness in the room.”
I smile shamelessly and without warning. What a gentleman! Did I just sigh? Yes I did.
“We'd like to see the Fabergé egg.”
“Relax Mr. Blackman. Is he always that authoritative?” He asks me with amusing complicity while he extends a delicious natural tropical fruit juice and I pleasantly answer.
“Mr. Hansson, we don’t want to bother you. You’re a very busy man.”
“Please call me Alexander.”
“Well Alexander, we don’t want to waste your time.”
“Not so, it’s not every day I have a visit in my own home from the director of a museum as important as Stonebridge and to top it off she’s an exquisite beauty.”
Who me? I’m the one with freckles on her chest and dark circles under her eyes when getting up?
“Anne, I would like to show you the Greek art relics in the main hall. Mr. Blackman, you can stay here if you wish.”
“I’d rather not.”
Reed approaches and rests his hand on my shoulder marking his territory. I look at him raising an eyebrow but say nothing, his arm holds me hard, it’s uncomfortable. The tour turned out to be longer than usual and the truth is that I don’t feel very relaxed with the situation either. Alexander exudes kindness and Reed is in alert mode as a lion ready to show his claws if the time comes.
We visited two rooms complete with incalculable treasures of value and I can’t stop admiring those pieces that are worthy of a museum that belong to the use and enjoyment of a single person. A real shame
“Alexander, it's getting late. Is it possible that we see the Fabergé egg?” I lightly ask.
“I don’t have it here.”
“What?” I start worrying. What the hell is he planning?
“We came for nothing,” Reed sounded furious.
“You came here because I wanted it so,” Alexander answered with the same tone, “I wanted to check if you were able to analyze my relic.”
“And have you approved or have you thought about another dumb game?”
“Anne is fully approved.”
Both men look at each other fighting a fight without words. The situation is so uncomfortable.
“Tonight I will give a gala party for a group of friends. The piece will be here by then. Anne,” he looks at me in a gallant way, “I’d be happy if you’d participate in the event and you can check the authenticity of the jewel. I want you to be my guest. There isn’t anyone better than you for such a famous event.”
Alexander plays the rich boy who can do everything, I don’t like his attitude a bit but I have to play along. If the egg is an original piece, I will be able to exhibit it in the museum and the benefits will give us six months of wages.
Reed closes his fists to the side and Alexander observes him annoyed. I'm also upset to see these two fight to see who of the two takes the girl to bed. I'm exploding.
“We had plans but we will be here.” Reed goes ahead with the answer.
“Frederick, accompany the gentlemen to the door. Anne, I'll wait anxiously for your return.”
He gives me two kisses before leaving without looking at Reed.
We both left quietly and got into the car in the same way. We are disgusted and I imagine for different reasons. We arrive at my house but as much as I try to discover the cause of his normal miserable mood I don’t get it. I haven’t done anything wrong to have to put up with his unhappy face.
As soon as the car stops I get off hastily, I have to get ready for a gala party that I don’t want to attend, and I don’t want to have to endure any nonsense, from Reed or anyone else.
“See you.” I try to say goodbye.
“Don’t even think about leaving!”
I turn almost exploding.
“You've been like a grumpy ogre all afternoon. Supposedly we need that relic in the museum but you keep looking for a fight. Alexander has only been kind. I don’t understand why you behave in such a dominant way.”
“You would understand if you hadn’t melted on seeing him!”
“I was only acting with education!”
“Fuck, Anne, he wanted to take you to his bed!”
“He's a rich man accustomed to being a gentleman. Nothing more.”
“He’s dying to fuck you!”
“You are unbearable.”
“And who’s to blame?”
“Surely it’s me, as it seems to be the custom in everything that concerns your life.”
He snorts nervously as he moves his hand trying to tame a hair as rebellious as its owner.
“Today you have abandoned me in front of Bruce, you leave with my best friend, and when I propose a more committed relationship and I give you my medical analysis, you answer me...” Mmm, wait let me think... Nothing! You don’t say a damn word!”
“I'm sorry you went through all those misfortunes, but as it turns out I wanted to leave you because you lied to me! I'm the one who endured a meeting with your mentor without being able to tear your hair out for lying and the one who had to be composed in front of a handsome rich but terribly pompous man’s attention, and to whom I can’t send to hell because economically I need that exhibition. Now I'm going to prepare myself to attend a dinner that I don’t feel like going to but I have no other choice. If it seems fine to you, I will enter my house, and if you don’t like it, you can leave and go from where you came from.”
God! I haven’t held anything back. I'm exploding. He had a bad day but mine has not been better.
“Anne...”
“No, I can’t send you to hell and now you say my name with that accommodating tone. I have to be strong or this relationship will end up consuming us. You have to give up control and believe in me or we are lost.”
I try to open the lock when I feel his breath on my neck. He seems calmer. We both needed this fight; the tensions exceeded our own self-control.
“Please... Go home. I’ll see you later.”
I need some time in the solitude of my home. Reed is my particular roller coaster and I’m too dizzy to take another ride.
“I can stay with you. We can shower together, we can caress, we’ll relax and I’ll ask that they send me one of my suits. Dolores will know how to choose the right one.”
I turn around and look at him stunned. Will he ever let me rest?
He smiles at the thought of Dolores. “And what was that story about women and your lack of feelings?”
“Dolores is much more than a woman.” He approaches me but I’m too tense to accept his cuddles. The jealousy that I have never felt for anybody shakes me all at once. I know he is very handsome and I have to get used to it but I’m dying of anger when I think of him in the arms of another woman. I can’t stand it.
“Why don’t we talk about what I really want?” He whispers in my ear.
To be between my legs. He never lacks for words when it comes to ask for sex. Go with your dear Dolores and stop playing with me.
“I want to be alone.” He moves away and I notice he looks disturbed.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
His fists clench to his sides and his l
ook cools off as a glacial itself.
“I'll pass for you at eight o'clock.”
He is upset again. I notice he seems disoriented and a part of me understands him but at this point I don’t even know what my name is. In one moment I adore him and in the other I want to kick him before he hurts me irretrievably.
“I can go in my car.”
“I’ll stop by to pick you up.” His Arctic coldness freezes me... “And don’t even think about discussing which fucking car we will take.”
I sigh resignedly. I don’t want to argue.
“As you wish.”
I turn the latch to enter. I can’t look at him. This isn’t healthy. In bed I feel as if I’m in heaven but when we talk outside of it, the arguing consumes us. I'm entering through the doorway when he clings to my waist behind my back. His hands squeeze me with strength and fear.
“I warned you, I said I’d screw up. I’m trying but it’s not easy.”
I turn annoyed it’s enough with his nonsense of changing moods.
What's wrong with my damn feelings!
“What is your problem? To be nice, to show a little confidence, offer me respect. What exactly is so difficult to do? What!”
“Damn my jealousy!” He lets go of me as if my body were burning him. “I would have smashed his face by looking at you like that.”
My eyes go out of their sockets because of the confusion. He’s jealous because of me? We’re in an upside down world.
“I'll come for you at eight.” He reports in a low voice as he releases me, climbs into his sports car and leaves in less than a second.
God, this can’t be real. The cold and hard treasure hunter, jealous of the boring museum director. The most handsome man and for which women drool over, is jealous of a rich fool. What am I missing?
Reed Blackman, you're going to drive me crazy. I don’t know how to interpret your signals. You tell me about shared sex and then you tell me that you’re jealous? You ask me for an opportunity as a couple and then you leave with Dolores. In a minute you hurt me with subterfuge and secrets and the next instance you cover my heart with hundreds of bandages.
Fabergé
My nerves are dominating me. Alexander insists on pursuing me without rest and Reed simply observes me without saying a word.
Diana Scott - [Stonebridge 01] Page 13