His Under Contract

by Fiona Murphy

  Catching her close, I carry her to the couch where we do some serious necking until I leave her neck and chest covered in enough hickies I’d be ashamed, if I wasn’t so proud to leave my mark on her.

  I resent the arrival of the food until she whispers a promise, as she guides me by my hard cock to the dining table. We eat from the boxes using our fingers. We spend dinner talking about our favorite places to eat in the city. Once we’re done, I help her clean up the kitchen then start the dishwasher.

  “Movie in bed?” I ask as I take her hand, walking her toward the hall.

  “I need a long hot shower first. Not to sound like an excuse, but I haven’t washed my hair in a few days. I’ll be in after a little bit, okay?” She offers a kiss.

  I take it, “My bed when you’re done.” I order, she nods as she laughs.

  Waiting for her, I flip through the channels without interest after I take my own quick shower. Almost twenty minutes later she comes in, wearing a red teddy that looks like the black one she wore. I lose interest in the idea of a movie very fast.

  ****

  The next morning, Amelia is waiting in my office. Good girl. She usually doesn’t come in for another hour. I sit down at my desk, waiting.

  “I’m sorry, Ethan, for everything I said last night. There I was pushing you together, then it happens and I’m a jealous baby about it. I promise I’ll apologize to Holly. I love her. She’s practically my best friend. Please don’t be angry with me, even though I deserve it.”

  “You keep telling me that you want me to treat you like an adult, act like one, damn it. You’ve been avoiding me for over a week, lying to me and Holly about lunch dates in order to hide your new relationship.”

  Blushing, she refuses to meet my eyes. “I know. It’s just that you do the big brother thing in high gear the minute I mention a guy. Running background checks on them, asking them questions, like they’re on the witness stand, making them defend their life. A new relationship needs time to grow before it gets trampled on by your heavy handedness.”

  “All right, I’ll try, I really will, to respect this time you’re talking about. As long as once you get comfortable enough, you will be a grown up and introduce me. Then I’ll do the background checks, and while I reserve the right to question them, it won’t be an interrogation.”

  Nodding, she smiles, trying to get me to as well. I’m not feeling it just yet. “I will, Ethan. I promise.” She knows she isn’t completely forgiven, but leaves while she thinks she’s ahead.

  The only problem is I still don’t trust her. Short of putting her under surveillance there isn’t anything I can really do. Even I’m not willing to go that far.

  I call Holly, needing to hear her voice, “Hey, have you heard from Amelia yet?”

  “Yes, she texted me this morning begging forgiveness, and asking to meet me for lunch. I’m delaying answering right now.”

  “Whatever you want do is fine with me. Enough about Amelia, I’ll be home around seven-thirty, sounds good?”

  “Sounds very good.”

  ****

  And things are good, very good. Until Friday, when I say fuck it and leave early around four. I have to be at a work dinner at eight tonight, and a client’s launch party Saturday that starts at six, but I won’t get there until after seven. Already, I’m resenting not getting home to Holly until late. Once I’m home, I don’t see Holly, but I hear her phone go off in her room. I know she usually reads in her room once she’s done for the day.

  “Hey, Amelia, nothing much. I’m just reading the book for the book club on Saturday.”

  There’s silence for a few minutes.

  “Umm, I’m sorry, but I can’t do that.”

  More silence.

  “Okay, no, I won’t do that either.”

  Amelia’s response is much longer.

  Before Holly’s voice had been soft now she sounds pissed. “No, I’m not going to lie to Ethan. One, I don’t lie to people I care about, it always comes back to bite you in the ass and two, I’m not a good liar. Ethan would see right through me and he won’t be forgiving about it. Didn’t you tell him just a few days ago you were going to be an adult? Tell him you have plans on Sunday with your guy, or maybe we can all have brunch together where you finally introduce them. Since Ethan doesn’t usually take me out, we can do it here. I doubt he’ll listen to me much, but two buffers between Ethan and the guy are better than one. Your brother cares about you. I get he’s not the sweetest guy about it, but I believe what he told you. He isn’t trying to control you, he’s trying to protect you. Don’t hold that against him.”

  Silence for less than thirty seconds.

  Now Holly sounds sad. “That is a low, fucking blow. You know what, Amelia? Fuck you. You are such a fucking child. You go on and on about Ethan not treating you like an adult. It’s because you never fucking act like one.”

  Fucking Amelia. I walk into Holly’s room to find her in a ball her eyes are filled with tears but she looks like she’s trying to keep from crying. Without hesitation, I lay on the bed and pull her into my arms. Her arms go around my neck, she sniffles. “I’m sorry I called Amelia a bitch.”

  “You didn’t, you just told her to fuck off. However, you were well within your rights to call her a bitch. What she asked of you wasn’t fair. You said ‘no’ nicely more than once. But that’s Amelia, she’s always pushing to get her own way. Do you want to tell me what she wanted you to lie about? You don’t have to. I’m simply happy you weren’t willing to. I’m glad to know your policy on lying.” I squeeze her tightly to assure her.

  “She wanted me to tell you we had brunch, then shopping plans for basically the whole morning and afternoon on Sunday. Essentially, she and her boyfriend, even though she shied away from the title, are doing the brunch thing then movies. Since they both work a lot, Sunday is one of the few days they can get together.” She snuggles into me with a sigh. “What are you doing home so early? Not that I’m complaining.” A hand goes down my chest.

  “I have a client dinner tonight at eight. The guy’s a nice man, however he always keeps the meeting going until at least midnight. I don’t want you waiting up, because if you did, I’d keep you up way too late.” She laughs. Fuck, her laughter makes my chest ache. “When I come home, I do want to find you in my bed.” It’s an order.

  “Yes, lord and master Bishop. Dressed or undressed?”

  “Guess.”

  Holly giggles like a little girl and I’ve never heard anything so cute in my life. My arms tighten around her. “I’m sorry I listened in on your conversation. I should have let you know I was here. However, I won’t say I’m sorry to learn you’ll never lie to me. You’re right, you’re as clear as glass and I hate liars.”

  “It is your home and it’s okay. Lying only ends up getting you all tangled up trying to keep everything in order. You’re right though, I’m horrible at lying. I was always so sure my dad knew I was lying. I think I’m still sure people can tell.”

  “Feeling better?”

  “Yeah, sorry I got all weepy on you.”

  Squeezing her tight, I shake my head. “No apologies. If anything, I should be apologizing for Amelia.”

  “You home in the middle of the day feels like a special treat even if you’ll be gone tonight. How about I give you a special treat?” She asks as she unzips my pants.

  Damn, I’m lucky.

  Chapter Twenty One

  When my phone rings and I see it’s Amelia, I’m happy. I hate the idea of being at odds with her. I had given in to lunch, but it had been stilted and uncomfortable, without our usual goodbye hug. Then she starts talking. Asking me to tell Ethan that on Sunday we’ll be out for brunch then shopping. The idea of lying to Ethan is wrong, no way. When I tell her no, she asks for me to simply agree with her version of the day. She’ll give me her card, I can spend it shopping or at the bookstore. Not going along with her makes her angry. She goes on and on about how she helped me land Ethan. I owe her at least th
is one little lie. It’s no big deal, just go along with her.

  Now, I’m annoyed. I don’t like lying, period. I never lie to the people I care about, the truth always comes out. It makes me angry to hear her talk like I owe her and maybe in a way I do, but not at the cost of what I have with Ethan. Then she says if I didn’t like lying, then why haven’t I told Ethan I was in love with him?

  That’s when I lost it, saying horrible things I could barely remember. When Ethan’s arms come around me, I melt in relief. I love it when Ethan holds me, he’s so strong, vital, and he makes me feel safe every time. My world is right when I’m in Ethan’s arms.

  I’m barely done cleaning him before he lifts me up and over his mouth. God, he’s so good at this I want to weep from relief, especially when he can go for what feels like forever. Before, it felt like something I had to endure, now, I simply melt in a haze of pleasure. When I’ve come for the third time, he pulls me down over him.

  He sits me on him, and oh, my god, this position is new. A thrill goes through me as I take him inside me, only a few inches in. I nearly come from the hot heat of him burning into me. I’m lost, not sure what to do. My hands go down to his chest while his hands go down to my hips. His grip is tight as he moves me on him. He urges me to move, his hands guiding, crooning low in his chest the way he does when he’s having a hard time maintaining control.

  I pick up on the movement he puts me through, my reward is the hiss of my name on his lips. Oh, god, he feels so good, so damned good. For the first time, Ethan has let me take over, and it’s so amazing I never want it to end. So why can’t I stop, why am I moving faster? Ethan’s hand moves between us and rubs my clit until I come, but I’m also coming from him inside, and between both I can’t keep the scream in as I fall on Ethan’s chest.

  Slipping into sleep, I don’t hear Ethan dress for his dinner or even hear him leave. I don’t mind that he goes out without me. He went out Wednesday for a long planned client dinner. Before he left in the morning, he told me he would be taking another woman, as it would be expected. The whole day I told myself it didn’t matter, refusing to admit it did. Only, it really didn’t. Because even though he reeked of another woman’s perfume, he was on me the minute he walked through the door. His lovemaking, voraciously intense, told me what I needed to know. I’m the one he wants. I’m the only woman he wants.

  The clock tells me it’s a little after seven. I stumble into the kitchen, starving. I’m lazy and go with scrambled eggs on toast. Checking his calendar when I finish, I check to see if he’ll need dinner tomorrow night. Nope, he has a client launch he’s been invited to. Just in case, I take out chicken breasts and stick them in the fridge to defrost. I clean up after myself then take a quick shower before changing the sheets. I put them and a few other things in to wash. I’m in love with Ethan’s washer and dryer. They wash better and dry faster than anything I’ve ever known. Where a few loads would take all day, now they only take a few hours.

  After I change the sheets, I climb into bed with the remote. By ten, I’m nodding off. I set the remote onto the bedside table and cuddle up into the soft silky sheets. I’d never have thought it before, but I’ve not only grown used to sleeping naked, it’s the way I feel comfortable.

  Ethan wakes me in the morning in the best way possible. Slow and sweet from behind. Saturday is almost a replay, except this time I manage to remain awake while Ethan gets dressed. “Hey, sweetheart,” He sits on the edge of the bed. “Amelia invited herself and her new man to brunch tomorrow. However, since neither one of us are feeling very forgiving towards her right now, I figure Goldfinches is better, they have a wide selection for brunch. You can say no if you want. I wouldn’t blame you if you do.”

  Oh hell, he is the sweetest, even if he doesn’t think so. “I’ll go.”

  Relief is clear in his eyes as he kisses me goodbye. I’m glad I said yes.

  ****

  Sunday morning shines way too brightly for me. Ethan picks me up and takes me in for a very sexy morning shower. The bench does hold the both of us very easily. I’m still moving slowly, Ethan leaves me with a kiss to get dressed. I finish, wrap a towel around myself, and go into my room where I find Ethan looking through my closet. I sit on the bed and watch. He’s very good at surprising me.

  “Ethan, I don’t think those are in your size.”

  “What you wore to visit Ray was too fucking sexy. I’m surprised you didn’t give him a heart attack. I just want to make sure when I take your ass out, men aren’t eyeballing you like they were last time.”

  I try not laugh at how serious he sounds. Only, I know Ethan is very serious. Even though I should find it sexist, I don’t. The fact is I love the Ethan Bishop, who once thought I wasn’t perfect enough for him, is now worried other men will be eyeing me, and is jealous at the thought. I lounge back and wait for him to find something that will please him.

  He lays a bright pink dress, tight in the bodice then long to my ankle, and of all things, a matching cardigan. I smile and bow my head. “Yes, lord and master Bishop.” I unwrap the towel as his eyes are on me.

  “Brat, get dressed. We don’t have nearly enough time.” He tugs my hair on the way out of the room.

  It doesn’t take me long to get ready. Ethan is leaning against the island. When he sees me, his calm disappears. “I fucking knew it! You have gone down at least a size. Holly, what are you doing to yourself? You aren’t starving yourself are you? Please don’t do this because of me. I fell in lust with your body the way it was. I don’t want you to change a thing about yourself.”

  Do not cry, do not fucking cry. My nails are buried so deeply into my palms I wonder if they’ll bleed. I don’t think he’ll ever know how much his words mean to me, how they make me love him even more. Taking a step toward him, he shakes his head, stepping out of reach. My voice wobbles, “Ethan, it’s not what you think.”

  “What I think is I’m a fucking idiot for letting you get near me. If I had known you’d do this I never would have touched you, no matter what.”

  “Damn it, Ethan! I know this is hard to believe, but not everything is about you. I’ve been working out since the day I found out about your secretary, before I even thought we would end up together. The only exercises I’ve been doing are walking using the incline, changing it up for a half hour, then very light weights. I don’t want to be a size four. This had nothing to do with you and everything to do with me. Me feeling like it was a constant battle with my weight and having to take constant breaks from cleaning because I was tired. Now that I’m a fourteen, all I want to do is maintain. I like my body as much as you do. I’m not changing for anyone but me.”

  His eyes are intent, trying to see inside my brain. When he sees the truth, he exhales. Pulling me into his arms nearly crushing me to him. “I’m glad.” The words come out of him strangled. “Now, go change into that floral sundress with the big pink and purple flowers. Keep the cardigan just in case. The breeze is cool out.” He pushes me back toward my room as he turns away.

  I know he’s working to hide his feelings. I’m glad he gives me the time I need, as well. Before I change, I splash cold water on my face as I take a few deep breaths. In the closet, I find the dress and change.

  When he sees me, he nods with satisfaction. “Let’s go.”

  At the restaurant, Ethan asks for two mimosas before the waiter even hands us the menus. He sees my look and smiles. “Their orange juice is fresh squeezed and their champagne is great.”

  Then Amelia and her new man arrive. He looks like he stepped out of preppy times. Maybe it’s because he’s a ginger that I take an instant dislike to him, or maybe it’s because he holds my hand too long and too tight. Ethan sees it and I feel him tense at my side as the guy finally lets go. Amelia introduces him as Richard Lake, he adds “the third” with a look of annoyance at her. When Ethan takes the man’s hand, I can see his struggle not break the man’s hand. I sit down, exhausted by the tension surrounding me. Richard helps Amelia
into her chair before sitting. Holy fuck, are his eyes on my breasts?

  Over the next hour, I think I would rather have endured a root canal. Richard lists his achievements as well as his family’s, going back to the first Richard Lake. He graduated from Yale law and now works for a philanthropic foundation. Loudly stating he feels those who only cared about billable hours are bottom feeders. As that’s what both Amelia and Ethan do, I wasn’t sure if Richard Lake is brave or stupid. The only time he really speaks of his relationship with Amelia is in terms of how she is an asset in her beauty and intelligence. Yet, even when he’s speaking, his eyes are on my breasts.

  It finally ends with him pleading the time, as he had tickets for a Russian film he had heard great things about. Watching them leave I look at Ethan. “I feel nauseous. Does she always pick men like him?”

  “No, they are usually too old for her and treat her like she’s their servant. Some of them have been real asses, but I’ve never wanted to put a fist through a face like I wanted to with him.”

  “Am I being vain or was he constantly checking out my breasts?”

  “Didn’t I tell you I wanted to put my fist through his face? Come on, let’s take a walk, it’s nicer out today than I thought. What would you rather see first, the Shedd or the Art Institute?”

  “Oooh, Art Institute sounds great. I haven’t been in forever.”

  Chapter Twenty Two

  Holly’s running commentary as we walk through the Art Institute is clever, interesting, and has me laughing more than a few times. Fuck, she was sweet to put up with my ass and Amelia. I know she’s feeling uneasy about this new side of Amelia, but she hasn’t whined or complained about it or held it against me. Long after brunch, I still have a bad taste in my mouth from it. Holly helps me forget all about it as she moans how much she wants me.

  The next few weeks fly by in a sex soaked dream I’m sure will end every night, yet it doesn’t. Away from Holly, I’m cranky, not happy until I have her against me, the feel of her skin against mine. During my few moments of sanity, I mutter lectures of getting it together, my body doesn’t listen. More mornings are spent buried in Holly than working out, and afternoons are spent working my ass off to get home early to her.