“Wanna try something new?” Aaron asked and I froze, unsure of what he meant.
He grabbed me by the waist and bent me over the side of his bed. My knees were on the floor, but he spread them apart with his body.
“Let’s do it doggy style,” he said as he fumbled between my thighs, and rubbing with his fingers. He parted my wet labia and I felt a rock hard rod enter me. He thrusted hard right away, just like he had done just a few days before. I moaned as my body accepted the full length of his cock.
Aaron pushed himself in and out with vigor and my body reacted by getting more wet. Then he grabbed my ass cheeks and spread wider so that he could get deep inside me each time he rammed himself.
“Oh,” I moaned, immobilized on the bed. He moved his hands up to fondle my breasts and then he put his fingers in my mouth.
“Yeah, Kai, yeah,” he said as he grinded against me.
Chapter Four
{Three years later}
Aaron and I ended up dating for a couple years. I’d become addicted to his touch and craved him. He made me feel dirty and bad. I liked it. But ultimately he was the naughty one. Aaron was cheating on me and when I found out, I dumped him.
It was a crap relationship and it was over. My friends were overjoyed that Aaron was gone. They assumed that I would be able to recover and find a new, better boyfriend. But I felt damaged after Aaron because it wasn’t healthy. I didn’t want to date.
When I graduated, I was able to interview with some of the top design firms in New York City. The idea was that I could be near my parents in Chinatown. It was going to be wonderful. The interviews went well and I ended up getting a couple different offers. I went with the one that I thought was the best mixture of pay and benefits, thinking of my dad’s advice.
To work in a gorgeous suite overlooking Central Park, felt like a dream come true. The little girl from Chinatown was working in the right part of Manhattan. For the first six months everything was perfect. I had creative control of everything in the studio. I got to set out in a beautiful way. It was feng shui heaven, actually. I worked with the creative director and I could see my career path right ahead of me. It was the most freedom I’d felt in my life.
The clientele of the design firm included both private individuals as well as corporations that would need to design a space. It ranged from lobbies to entire floors of incredible buildings in the city. It was all very exciting for me.
People from New York, Chicago, LA, and Miami were clients. The creative director and I traveled to meet private clients in their cities, but sometimes they just came into the studio. Most of the time, clients made appointments and didn’t just walk into the studio. But we were open for business. In theory, anybody could walk through the door.
One day a tall, confident man walked in and I couldn’t take my eyes off of him.
He was tall, wearing a black suit with a purple tie. I could tell the suit was expensive because it fit him perfectly. The purple tie was playful.
I prepared myself to walk over to him and immediately worried about what I was wearing. That day I had chosen a black pencil skirt with a white shirt and a purple pashmina scarf over my shoulders because sometimes it was a little chilly in the studio. My hair was long and loose, falling down in waves over my shoulders. I took a deep breath and took a step forward. I was going to deliver the script.
“Hello, welcome to Watermark corporation’s New York City’s premier design studio. My name is Kai. What can I do for you?” I put out my hand.
He shook my hand and warmly smiled, wiping the serious expression that he walked in with.
“Hi, my name is Adrian Moretz and I’m here because I need to completely redesign my new home in the Hamptons,” he said, smiling. I noticed that his chestnut brown eyes gleamed every time he grinned.
“Let's go sit over here and then you tell me what you are looking for from a design agency.” We made our way over to the white contemporary coaches that were on one side. I got out a simple unlined black notebook where I started writing Adrian Moretz. Oh god, it’s the guy that owns Columbus Circle.
“I just purchased this property that I need to completely restore it. It has already been gutted, well some parts do need more attention than others. It has to have all everything done from top to bottom. I should say that I’m very excited about creating my dream home.”
I was ready to say my canned response of I’d love to work with you to come up with a proposal that works for both of us, but it didn’t feel genuine. There was something about this guy that made me want to do more for him. I felt a connection when I looked at him. I guess that it was his smile and the way it felt like his eyes bored right through me.
“Your enthusiasm is catchy. I’m really excited to learn more about your vision,” I said, which still sounded kind of canned, but I actually meant it. He met my eyes and I couldn’t help but look away. Luckily he kept talking.
“I purchased this home as a getaway from the city. It’s what I’ve always wanted: 6 bedrooms and 9 baths with a private tennis court. It’s got this pond on the east of the lot that’s perfect for a little rowboat. There’s an old world feel to the place: it is stone with arched entryways. I want to keep a very classical feel throughout the property with a grand piano, maybe in the lobby as you go walk in.”
I nodded, furiously taking notes in my book. The place sounded like a dream. A dream to live in and a dream to design.
“I’m thinking it will not be a primary residency right now, but I will need office space set up so that I can work from there if I need to. I’d like the basement to be a ‘man cave’ with a billiards table. There’s space for a private screening room for movies or whatever. There’s an indoor pool, too. But like I said, I expect this to be a total gut job,” he looked at me and smiled deeply. He was clearly enjoying talking about his property.
I couldn’t believe the opulence that he described. To make the place into what he imagined, it sounded that it would need to be designed in a way that would accentuate the stone feel, but also let in enough light so that it didn’t feel dark.
“Your new home sounds incredible. My head is spinning with ideas for the property. I think considering there is a lot of stone and you want a classical feel, we would need to make sure that we get enough light into the space so that it’s not weighted down. I don’t want your home to feel heavy or overly-masculine – even though you want a man cave. We can keep the testosterone in one place.”
“Kai, you are right. I definitely want to let the light in at my new home. I’m calling it Fox Hunt Estate, which you can feel free to use as well. Being a guy I want the masculine stuff, but since I don’t have a woman in my life, I need help making it accommodating for all guests.”
My heart skipped a beat when he said he was not with anyone. He was stretching out on the sofa, leaning back and putting his hands behind his head. I watched as he relaxed, noticing bulging biceps and the outline of his thighs in his pants. He was ripped.
“Mr. Moretz, I’d like to show you some of the homes I’ve worked on. I’m just going to get my iPad,” I said, getting up.
I walked away, but out of the corner of my eye I saw him check out my legs and my ass. Oh my god, could he be checking me out? This could be dangerous.
I brought back the iPad and sat down next to him so that I could show him the screen. He held the iPad and scrolled through several finished products, while I leaned in and described what we had done. I had several before-and-after pictures. Every now and then, I caught him looking at me out of the corner of his eye. Sitting close to him, I felt electricity running through his body. I could smell his cologne. It smelled like something expensive and French.
He handed the iPad back to me and looked me in the eye, “Kai, this home is my baby. It’s a home I want to keep forever. Looking over what you have done in the past, I think that we can go ahead with a design contract right now. I’d really love to have your input on my home,” he said, standing up.
/> “Well, that sounds fabulous to me –”
“Kai, I have to go, but I’d like to continue talking about the property and take you for a visit so that you know what it feels like being at Fox Hunt. Do you think we could meet after hours for an in-depth discussion? How does tomorrow night sound?”
For a split-second I thought that maybe I needed to pass him on to a different partner. I was still new. It was obvious I felt something for this man and it wasn’t professional to work with clients that you found attractive – that is if you couldn’t control yourself. He could sense my hesitation.
“Don’t worry, Kai. Tomorrow will be strictly business,” he smiled and held out his hand, “But do please call me Adrian. Mr. Moretz is my dad – I might be old, but I’m not that old yet.”
I smiled and shook his hand, “Adrian, you have a deal.”
“Great, Kai. I’ll swing by the studio tomorrow and pick you up at seven.”
Chapter Five
I brought a change of clothes to work the next day and my hair curler. I couldn’t imagine wearing the same thing I’d worn all day to a date. Well, it wasn’t a date. I had to remind myself that it wasn’t a date. My body kept reacting like it was a date with little electrical impulses shooting up my spine at random times. I felt dumb because it had been so long that I’d been on a date. He said it was strictly business and you could be just totally desperate to think he has a thing for you.
At 6:15, I raced into the studio’s bathroom to put on a body conscious faint white lace mini-dress with black accents around the neckline. I was pairing it with plain black pumps and an oversized black bag. I looked at myself in the mirror, turning to check out my butt. It looked good because the dress stopped mid-thigh. The pumps gave me inches and made my legs look longer.
I pursed my lips in the mirror and refreshed my lipstick and eye make-up. My hand shook slightly as it worked around my face. Oh man, I was nervous. I guess I was hoping that he liked me. It had been so long since I had felt that way about a guy, if ever. I didn’t want to blow the deal, either.
I gave myself one last look in the mirror. I loved how I looked in the dress, but I made sure to cover up with a coat. If things were cool between us, the coat could stay on all night. If things warmed up, I could whip off the coat.
*Ding dong*
It was seven and he was right on time. I buzzed him in and when I opened the door, I saw him making his way up the stairs. Adrian didn’t see me yet. I saw him put his hand through his hair, like he was nervous too. I felt my stomach lurch because just in that moment he turned around and looked at me. I could see his eyes get wide upon glimpsing me.
“Hi Adrian,” I said, as he walked up to me with arms open, taking me in.
“Kai, you look incredible.”
“I hope the dress is not too much. I wasn’t sure where we were going.”
“Oh my, you are a wonder in that dress. It’s perfect. We’re going to eat at the Gramercy Tavern.”
My heart jumped at his comment. I’m a wonder. Wow.
Adrian couldn’t have known that my family was in the restaurant business, but hearing I would be going to the Gramercy Tavern made me a little woozy. It was a name that even my parents would recognize. The place was fancy, but stately in a way that could mean that this really was a business meeting, just over food. Strictly business.
Adrian got the elevator for me and as he pushed the numbers and the door closed, I got the urge to grab his hand to hold it. It was a weird impulse and I did not give into it. But it did feel very much like a date. I’m so going overboard in my own head.
We exited the elevator and Adrian’s driver was there with his car. Adrian waved off the drive and opened the door for me personally. It was getting darker by now and I shivered a little as we got into the car.
“Are you cold?” Adrian asked, “I can ask Jorge to turn up the heat.”
“That would be great,” I said.
The buildings zoomed by for a few blocks and then we got caught in traffic.
“I’m normally not traveling by car so it’s a different perspective,” I said looking out the window, “I walk or take the subway.”
“Where do you live?” Adrian asked me.
“I live in Park Slope, which is just a quick subway ride to work,” I said, “Do you live in Manhattan?”
“Yes, I do, but once work is done on Fox Hunt, I’d like to be there as much as possible. I’m getting a little tired of the city. I’ve been working in Manhattan for twenty years.”
“I’ve lived in New York City my whole life so it does feel like home, but I can relate to wanting a change of scenery. I went to Cornell for my bachelor’s degree and I really got used to the rural feel. Moving back to the city felt natural, but I want to travel,” I said. Adrian’s ears perked up to that comment.
“Where would you like to go?” Adrian asked.
“Well, I haven’t traveled internationally as much as I would have liked, but I’d like to go anywhere in Europe. Of course one day I’d like to take a heritage trip to China,” I said.
Adrian looked at me, but paused before his next comment.
“We can start by having you come out to Fox Hunt and getting a feel for the place and why I like it so much. It’s my refuge,” Adrian said, staring into my eyes, “How about next weekend?”
“I’ll have to check my calendar and get back to you,” I said.
“Of course,” Adrian said, looking out the window, “It looks like we made it.” The car stopped and Jorge came around to open the door for me and then Adrian.
We quickly shuffled into the restaurant and the maître d’ motioned us to follow him to our reserved table. It was off to one side and partially-secluded. We would be able to talk without really being heard by other patrons. The maitre d’ held out my chair and I brushed my dress underneath me.
“I’m so looking forward to this,” I said, letting down my guard.
“Me too,” Adrian replied, “It’s been some time since I’ve been here, but I thought it would be a great place to take you so we could talk design.”
I nodded. Of course, just design not romance.
“What do you recommend here?” I asked.
“Why don’t I order for the both of us?” Adrian said with a wink.
“Sounds wonderful, thank you,” I said, handing him my menu. Our hands touched and I felt electricity shoot up my spine. I was attracted to my client: how in the world could this work out?
I couldn’t talk after we touched hands, but that was okay because he was reading the menu. I decide to reach out to take a sip from my water glass. My hand shook slightly as I brought it to my mouth.
He’s got to know that I think he’s hot. He could easily just seduce me and then leave me. Then our company loses the contract, too. I’m such a small fish to him. Could I just fuck him and move on and be okay? After I thought about it, I realized that I just didn’t operate that way. I couldn’t fuck him and just shrug it off.
“What are you thinking about? Your face looks so serious,” Adrian asked and I almost jumped out of my skin.
“Oh, lots of stuff,” I said, “Why don’t we talk about you and what you like about design?”
“Design? It’s not something I think about on a regular basis. I feel like I have a good eye about what’s good and what’s bad, but I don’t think I know enough to do anything myself. That’s where you come in. How did you get into designing?”
“I went to Cornell, like I said before, but I have typical Chinese parents who expected me to be pre-med. Science didn’t speak to me as much as I thought it would. Cornell has a world class hospitality school and I jumped right in. It’s more than just making things ‘pretty.’ Good design can change people’s lives for the better,” I said to him, “Working at Watermark is a way for me to find out more about design. If I’m going to be perfectly frank, I’d like to have my own design business and really apply my design to hospitals and other public spaces to help people feel better a
nd healthier.”
“I guess you are kind of ‘pre-med’ then,” Adrian said with a smile.
“You’re right. It will all come full circle one day, Adrian,” I said his name and he smiled widely, “Is it okay that I call you that? If it feels personal to use your name, I can stop.”
“Well, I’ll just have to say your name too, Kai,” he said and I couldn’t help myself from blushing. The way he said my name was like the vowels just rolled out of his mouth.
The food arrived and we both marveled at the Kobe steak served NY strip-style. It came on one plate with two forks. I quietly tasted the first morsel. Flavors exploded in my mouth and I couldn’t help myself – I gasped.
“Everything okay over there?” Adrian asked.
“This is unbelievable. I couldn’t stop myself from gasping. Thank you again for bringing me here,” I said staring deeply in his eyes.
“You’re very welcome.”
The night continued with me marveling at the exquisite flavor combinations and yet the delicate nature of the food.
After Adrian paid for dinner, we stepped outside into the crisp night air. I shivered and pulled my jacket around myself. His driver was waiting and pulled up.
“Adrian, I just want to thank you for this wonderful night,” I said while facing him. My heart was beating in my chest.
“Kai, it was a pleasure,” Adrian said, motioning to his car, “Can I talk you home?”
I hesitated because as much as I wanted to fuck this man, I didn’t want to screw this up, both professionally and personally. Also I didn’t really want to ride the subway.
“You don’t want to take the subway, right?” Adrian asked.
“No, I really don’t want to. Not in this dress! I’d love to get a ride home.” I stepped into the car and I sat down. Adrian followed and sat next to me.
It felt a little awkward. We’d done a lot of talking already. It felt like the next step was a kiss. I wanted him to kiss me. I decided to put that vibe out there.
Work Before You Fuck (Before You Fuck Series Book 2) Page 2