New Beginnings

by Elle M Thomas

  The door was pulled open fully by Grayson now and with an arm around her waist, resting on her hip, he paused by Kirsty's desk.

  “Kirsty, Holly,” he said, gaining both women's attention. “This is Eve, Eve Mariner, my girlfriend, so in the event that the topic of who or what my type is comes up, you can now answer with a name as well as a description.”

  Turning away to escort a very flushed Eve to the lift, Grayson found Sam and Tim staring open mouthed at him, having heard his words to the two secretaries.

  “Sam, I'm just walking Eve to the lift and then I'll be back,” he said flatly.

  “Oh, okay,” replied Sam before looking at Eve. “Did Gray tell you about dinner?”

  “Yes. Thank you and I'll see you later,” finished Eve as Gray escorted her along the corridor, past an open plan area where several sets of disbelieving eyes glanced up and finally past the redhead at reception who couldn't disguise her shock at seeing Eve with Gray and their unmistakable familiarity. Once standing at the lift doors, Gray reached across Eve and hit the call button.

  “That was quite a show, Mr Sharp,” she told him.

  “Glad you approve,” he replied as he leaned in and kissed her on the lips, gently caressing her warm skin with his own.

  “Thank you, Grayson.” She was unsure exactly what she was thanking him for.

  “You are most welcome, Evelyn,” he replied and regretted it as he felt her tense next to him.

  “What?” he asked confused.

  “Don't call me Evelyn, please. I don't like it.”

  The ping of the lift arriving gave Eve the perfect excuse to avoid another necessary conversation, but she chose to acknowledge it.

  “Gray, I will explain, but for now just know that I don't particularly like my full name and it makes me uncomfortable,” she said, stepping into the lift.

  “Okay, baby. Seven o'clock, be ready.” He waved to her as the lift doors closed. Looking at himself in the mirrored doors of the lift he shook his head disapprovingly at his wave if nothing else, “Sap!” he called to his reflection and turned to see the receptionist, Connie, who he now noticed was a redhead, not the blonde he'd remembered her being.

  She was watching him and looked more than a little shocked at the show she'd obviously enjoyed being played out in front of the lift, but realising he was on his way back she looked down quickly.

  “Connie,” he called.

  “Yes, Mr Sharp.”

  “How long has your hair been red?” he asked curiously.

  “About three weeks.”

  “Ah, that explains it then,” he said to himself, realising that her hair colour change had coincided with him meeting Eve and all women other than her had ceased to exist in his eyes. “Oh, and Connie, my girlfriend, Miss Mariner, Eve, works in the building so if she pops in, don't worry about whether she's on my visitor's list or not.”

  “Yes, Mr Sharp,” agreed Connie wondering how much more surreal this conversation could become.

  “Oh, one last thing. Mrs Stone's secretary, Holly, is she a friend of yours?”

  “Yeah, well, she’s family.”

  “I see. It seems someone at this end of the company has led her to believe that there may be other opportunities for her, with me,” he said cryptically but Connie knew exactly what he was saying. “There aren't, she needs to understand that, or Miss Mariner may get upset and I won’t let that happen, do you understand?”

  “Of course, Mr Sharp. I'll speak with her.”

  “Thank you.” Gray turned and returned to his sister's office for their meeting.

  Chapter 11

  Eve stood and admired her reflection and smiled. Dinner with your new boyfriend's family was a definite smart casual occasion and she was fairly certain she'd gauged it right as she swished the skirt of the black midi dress that was lifted by the small, orange floral print that covered the pleating fabric that clung around her chest before flaring slightly over her breasts to her waist before the elasticated waist pulled it back in and then the skirt flared to the hem that fell at her knee. The spaghetti straps meant that a bra was not really possible, but her heavy, aching breasts were grateful for that even if it was due to hormones rather than arousal or post coital recovery.

  She grabbed a wide, orange, stretchy belt that emphasised her small waist, large breasts and full behind. Pursing her lips, she knew that she needed something else and after rifling through a couple of drawers behind one of the wardrobe doors she found an orange short sleeved cardigan that matched her belt perfectly.

  Slipping on a pair of black, open toe sandals she was happy with the overall look. She gave herself a twirl and was very pleased that she had bought these shoes despite her reservations at the time, but with the suede sling back, an additional buckled ankle strap, slight platform and chunky high heel it looked sophisticated with just a hint of sexiness about it, definitely one-hundred and fifty pounds well spent.

  Her hair was up, but not as severely as the bun she'd worn that afternoon. Tonight, she’d curled it into big rolls and then pulled it into a loose ponytail at the back of her head before twirling the curls round and over the band of her ponytail. The bangs she'd left hanging around her face softened the look further, as did the natural make-up she'd applied, a light foundation, beige and gold eyeshadow, a coating of mascara and a very shiny, peachy lip gloss. She was considering jewellery when she decided on a slight dangly earring consisting of two small beads, one black and a smaller orange one on top with a matching necklace with a single black and orange disc on a black string. A quick spray of perfume and her small, suede, black handbag was all she needed when the doorbell rang.

  Grinning as she swung the door open, she was pleasantly surprised at the sight of Gray in front of her wearing blue faded jeans with a black, long sleeved top that had a full collar and three buttons from the neck. She reached out and placed a hand across his chest that the fabric was stretched over tightly and smiled, making him laugh.

  “This is why you need to be ready to go when I pick you up or we get side-tracked.”

  “Good point,” she agreed, smiling as she dropped her glance to very expensive looking leather, lace-up shoes that she was sure she really could see her face in, they were so shiny.

  “I just need my phone and keys,” she told him as he followed her through to the lounge. “Sorry, two minutes,” she called as she disappeared into the bathroom.

  Standing next to the media unit he looked down onto the street before turning and noticing a picture of Eve and Sally with a man; a man in his late twenties with curly dark hair, a warm and happy smile, no, a grin and twinkling green eyes. He stood slightly taller than either of the women who Gray assumed would be in heels making this man with an arm around each of the girls about his height, maybe an inch or two shorter. Looking at the man's arm around Sally, Gray noticed that his hand rested on her waist casually, loose. When he turned his attention to the arm around Eve the man's grip was firmer, holding her hip, maybe her behind, possessively.

  He suddenly felt sick with rage and jealousy at the notion of her with another man and then came the gut wrenching moment when he noticed her hand that was across her body and her fingers linked with his and as she was turned towards him her other hand was resting on his shoulder, her hand that bore a diamond wedding band. Looking back to the man he noticed a plain gold band on his left hand, this was Max. The happy, smiling scene before him was Mr and Mrs Pardoe, with her best friend, cousin, Sally.

  He hated himself at that moment, then he realised that his anger and jealousy were subsiding as he remembered that Max was no threat and never would be as he was dead. Gray made a mental note not to get jealous and make an issue of a dead man, a man he was glad was dead. What did that say about him? He also thought there was something a little odd in the looks being exchanged on the photo—

  “Hey, I'm read—” Eve stopped abruptly as she saw what Gray was looking at. “That's Max with me and Sally on her twenty fifth birthday, sorry,” s
he said sincerely.

  Turning towards her he felt even more of a shit than he had before. Stroking her cheek gently he smiled. “Don't apologise, Eve. He was your husband, you loved him and he certainly loved you, I can see that and I find it hard to think of that, so I’ll try not to, but I can see that's you and he's a guy who isn't me, but do not apologise, okay?” he asked, wondering if what he'd said had made any sense to her because he wasn't sure that he understood it.

  Wrapping her arms around his neck and stretching up to kiss him she smiled. “I get that this must be a bit weird for you. It is for me too, but I don't want to make you feel weird and that is one of only a few photos of me and Max here. If it ever makes you uncomfortable though you should say. You must say.”

  “Thank you,” whispered Gray putting the photo back as Eve allowed her lips to find his and gently kissed him before invading his willing mouth with her tongue before he pulled back from her.

  “We need to go or we will be late and I’m only willing to turn up late if I get to kiss and lick every inch of your beautiful body, baby,” he told her, making her smile.

  “If that's your proviso we may never be on time for anything ever again.” She grinned as she walked away swinging her hips.

  “Please tell me you're unique in that you only have one day periods,” he called after her, making her laugh loudly.

  Gray pulled up in front of the double fronted detached house that was situated off a country road along with about thirty other houses evenly spaced out across both sides of the road. She guessed it was of pre-war construction with what appeared to be original windows and doors. Standing on the doorstep, Eve took a deep breath to calm the butterflies she could feel fluttering in her belly and as if sensing her nerves Gray took her hand in his and squeezed it firmly before the door flew open to reveal a smiling Sam dressed in a black, sleeveless cat suit with kick flare legs covering silver toe-post sandals.

  “Gray, Eve, how lovely to see you,” exclaimed Sam more to Eve than Gray.

  “Thank you for inviting me,” replied Eve graciously, before stepping over the threshold followed by Gray who placed a supportive hand on her hip as they walked through the hallway towards the bright, airy kitchen at the back of the house where Tim was singing along to something playing.

  “If you didn't want visitors you should have just said rather than subjecting us to Tim's singing,” said Gray dryly.

  “I have real talent,” protested Tim defensively.

  “As what? Because it's not as a singer.” Gray’s hand still gripped Eve's hip protectively.

  “I’m ignoring you. Hello, Eve, lovely to see you again,” smiled Tim, leaning across to kiss her on the cheek. He lifted the lid off a pan and stirred the contents before turning to everyone. “What do we all want to drink then?”

  “Coke or water is good for me. I'm driving and I assume it's wine with dinner,” said Gray.

  Tim grabbed a can from the fridge and passed it to his friend and brother-in-law before turning to the two women in turn.

  “Ooh, I think one of your Martinis would hit the spot, sweetheart,” giggled Sam, kissing Tim on the nose.

  Tim turned to Eve now. “Eve?”

  “Erm—as Sam is so convincing in her praise I'll go with the Martini.”

  “Atta girl!” Tim grinned as he began gathering glasses and bottles.

  “Let's go through to the lounge,” suggested Sam, taking Eve's hand and dragging her from the kitchen to the adjoining room that revealed a huge lounge, the full length and half the width of the house with open French windows halfway down. It was decorated in brown and cream with red accents, huge, overfilled sofas at one end of the room and a large screen TV. At the opposite end was a dining room with a table that could accommodate eight easily, but set for four.

  Sitting down, Eve found herself under a little too much scrutiny as Sam sat next to her and turned towards her, smiling.

  “You look fantastic,” said Sam with a slight slur.

  Eve assumed Tim's Martinis may have been flowing for a while. She smiled. “Thank you.”

  “You manage to look classy at the same time as smoking hot, sexy.” She grinned making Eve laugh.

  “Thank you again,” she replied, grateful to see Gray and Tim appear.

  “How many have you had?” Gray frowned as Sam accepted a glass from Tim who was dressed in black jeans and a white t-shirt.

  “Not nearly enough.” Sam’s reply carried a distinct wobble, confusing Eve.

  “Sammy,” said Gray softly. He crouched in front of her and clasped her hands in his. “It will happen, but this isn't the way to deal with the disappointment of it not happening this month.”

  Suddenly, Eve understood and smiled up at Tim sympathetically who smiled back with a slightly apologetic frown.

  “Have you been trying for long?” Eve wondered whether saying nothing would be better as she accepted the glass Tim offered her.

  “Only about four months but I just thought it would happen sooner,” cried Sam as she patted Eve's knee.

  “That's not very long, not really and I am sure it will happen soon.” Smiled Eve compassionately.

  “Thank you. You really are a sweetie.” Sam smiled in response. “You hang onto this one, Gray,” she said looking at her brother who was standing now.

  “Right, dinner.” Tim scurried off to the kitchen.

  “Let me help you.” Sam hurried to her feet and rushed after him.

  Gray slumped down on the sofa next to Eve and inhaled the scent of her hair before kissing it.

  “I feel that I should apologise for my sister's emotional state and we've only been here ten minutes.”

  Eve laughed at Gray’s words if not at Sam’s emotional state. Turning to face him she stretched up to gently stroke his face. “No apology necessary and if it turns out that you need one by the end of the night, I'll be sure to let you make it up to me.”

  “I do hope you mean with sex.” He groaned, making her laugh.

  “Is there any other way of making amends?” she asked innocently.

  “God, Eve, this next week is going to kill me, baby.” He grimaced.

  “I can't offer you a unique one-day period, but courtesy of the pill I can usually do a four day one,” she explained making him frown.

  “You're on the pill? Why am I risking bankruptcy buying condoms when you're on the pill?” he asked in a shocked whisper.

  “Because I have never had sex without a condom, and I don't know where you've been. No offence meant,” she added making him laugh.

  “No offence? You make a sideways dig about my sexual health and say, no offence?” he asked with mock offence in his voice making her laugh.

  “Could we talk about this later, please? It somehow seems insensitive to discuss contraception with your un-pregnant sister in the next room.”

  “Okay, baby. We'll add that to the ever-growing list of topics we need to discuss,” Gray replied, taking Eve's hand and linking his fingers with hers.

  Looking down at their hands she smiled.

  “What?” asked Gray confused.

  “Nothing.” Eve flushed.

  “Tell me,” he insisted.

  “When you do that it makes me think of sex because you often hold my hands like this when we have sex,” she whispered, making him grin.

  “I like that you think of us as much as I do.” He placed their linked hands over his erection that she hadn't realised was there.

  “I'll take care of that for you later, Mr Sharp.” She licked her lips slowly and purposefully.

  With a groan and a frown, Gray cupped her chin and covered her mouth with his and kissed her gently on the lips and after a quick lick across her lips he pulled back and replied, “And that is a date Mrs Sha—I am really struggling to drop that whole Mrs Sharp thing,” he admitted making her smile.

  “Maybe we should have a regular date night at The Stanford if only to play Mr and Mrs,” Eve suggested.

  “That is a genius ide
a, Miss Mariner,” he replied using her own name.

  “Right, let's move down to the table before Sam sinks another Martini on an empty stomach,” interrupted Tim who was rushing through with an armful of serving dishes.

  With the addition of food Sam became less emotional and more coherent so that by the time they were onto coffee she was positively sober.

  Conversation was easy and relaxed and for the first time Eve felt genuinely comfortable in their company until the conversation turned back to babies.

  “What do you think of IVF?” asked Sam suddenly.

  “Samantha!” warned Tim.

  “What?” she replied, “I have listened to your opinion and I’m interested to hear other points of view, that's all,” she said defensively.

  Eve became aware of Sam's focus on her.

  “Me?” she enquired. “Erm, it's expensive and invasive and comes with no guarantees, plus you haven't been trying for very long,” said Eve, nervous of causing offence.

  “The cost and invasive nature aren't issues for me and nothing is guaranteed. And four months is a lifetime when you want something so desperately,” Sam replied tersely.

  “Sorry,” said Eve.

  “Eh, Sam, I get you're upset, but you asked for Eve's opinion so you can't get pissy with her because she doesn't say what you want to hear,” said Gray firmly.

  “Sorry, Eve. I just want a baby so badly.”

  “Look, I am no expert on babies, maternal instinct or IVF, but I understand wanting until you're desperate,” said Eve empathetically and ignored the irritated glance that Gray was giving her now. “My sister-in-law, Max's sister, had been trying to get pregnant for about a year and after some investigations they found that IVF was probably her only way to conceive, so they re-mortgaged the house and invested £30,000 into it and with their final attempt and their marriage hanging by a thread she conceived twin boys and they are three-years-old now, but if it hadn't worked I really think Amy and Paul would have lost their marriage and the house. To be honest, I'm not sure that they still won’t, although I haven't seen them for a while. Obviously, they wouldn't be without the boys, but I suppose I’m just saying be careful. Sorry, ignore me, I probably don't know what I'm talking about,” she added with a smile.