“Oh, yes…,” she responded, her breath coming out in deep gulps.
Leaned back on his haunches, he held himself and slowly slid the tip of his hot, sheathed skin against her wet seam. She writhed beneath him, surrendering to the thrumming sensation.
“If it’s too much, tell me to stop,” he whispered gruffly. A moan escaped from his lips as she tilted her hips upward to meet him, and he filled her.
“Oh, God,” she could barely utter, his fullness unexpected and deep. She gripped his powerful back wishing the lights were on so she could watch him in all his glory. They pulsed together, slowly at first, before they both teetered on the edge. David became more aggressive, slamming into her with purpose. She welcomed the force, surprised at how badly she wanted it.
The pleasure came fast and hard, the two of them tangled in a flurry of hands and hot mouths desperate for each other. They were undoubtedly connected—as near as two humans could possibly get, coming completely undone, together.
Chapter Eleven
Lauren sat across the breakfast table for two from David, demurely taking small bites of a triangular piece of wheat toast covered in raspberry jam. They both wore the white St. Regis robes and eyed each other shyly. That morning, they made love several times, the most recent in the giant shower, lathered from head to toe in designer body wash and shampoo. She was sure her hand prints sliding down the sides of the glass mid-orgasm would leave an impressionable mark on the cleaning staff.
David smiled at her over the rim of his coffee cup.
“What?” she asked, licking jam from her lips.
“You’re quite beautiful in the morning sun. Your hair is especially golden, like an angel’s halo.”
“An angel’s halo?” She couldn’t help but giggle as she ran her hand through her hair, still damp from the shower.
He reached his hand across the small table to hold hers. “You’ll have to forgive my cheeky comments. You’ve done quite a number on me over the past few days.”
She squeezed his fingers. “I have?”
“Yes.” He placed his cup in the matching saucer. “Last night was incredible.”
She looked down at her plate of half eaten scrambled eggs and bacon, flushed from his compliment.
“Come here,” he requested.
Pushing back her chair, she gripped the lapels of the robe and obediently went to him. He opened his arms wide and pulled her into his lap, pushing her damp hair over her shoulder.
“I would like to continue to see you—make a go of this. But I need to know that you want to as well. Being together won’t be easy geographically, but if we really try to make an effort, I think we could make it work.” He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it lightly. “I’ve never had this kind of instant chemistry with anyone before. Lauren, please say we can try? Please….”
She stared into his bottomless blue eyes and bit her lower lip in an effort to suppress a huge grin. Her heart was about to burst with joy as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Is that a ‘yes’?” he chuckled, running his large hand up and down her back.
She nuzzled the crook of his neck and tugged gently on his earlobe with her teeth before whispering into his ear, “Yes.”
***
Her apartment was empty when she got home except for Morris who greeted her with hungry meows. She figured Jordan was still working her shift at the hospital, more than grateful for the time alone to decompress from everything that had happened in the last twenty-four hours. She placed her clutch on the counter and poured some kitty food into a bowl, feeling like she was floating on air the entire time.
Saying good-bye to David was excruciating. They stood in a corner in the lobby holding each other, oblivious to the people around them while they waited for the car service to load his bags. He peppered her face with tender kisses, promising they would see each other soon. He gave her his private cell number, letting her know that less than ten people on the planet had it. After one final passionate kiss, he disappeared into the backseat of a dark suburban with tinted windows and drove away. She gripped her fingers in a ball at her chest, tears spilling down her cheeks, as she watched the car drive away.
Before she started her own car in the parking garage, she sat there in the confines of the chilly interior bawling like a baby, surprised when her cell phone lit up with his name. Trying her best to answer with a cheerful tone, he could tell she’d been crying and was touched by her emotions. His soothing voice calmed her, reiterating he couldn’t wait for her to come to New York. By the time she got home, she was floating on cloud nine again, anxious to make arrangements to fly to the Big Apple in the next few days.
She changed into comfortable sweats and a sweater and pulled her hair back into a low ponytail. Rummaging through a few bathroom drawers, she found an unopened pack of birth control pills and popped one in her mouth, downing it with a gulp of water from the faucet. She was thankful David used condoms during their time together which gave her some time to get back on the pill. Looking in the mirror, she ran her index finger across her damp lower lip. There was a noticeable change in her appearance. She couldn’t put her finger on it, chalking it up to having the best sex of her life with the most gorgeous man she’d ever met. Her inner thighs ached from the lustful thrusting and contorting. She didn’t mind, as it was a reminder of the intense pleasure they had shared.
Whether David admitted it or not, he was an experienced lover, introducing her to an ecstasy she didn’t know existed. To be able to join him in one of her favorite cities and experience that kind of love-making again had her mind spinning. She grabbed her cell phone ready to make the necessary calls to change her schedule for the upcoming week.
***
David grinned, looking at the screen of his lit up cell phone ringing as he sat in the VIP lounge waiting to board his flight.
“Hello dear brother! Did you shag the beautiful Lauren or did you peter out?”
He could hear the crashing of ocean waves in the background.
“Well, hello to you too Mrs. Brady,” he chuckled.
The newlyweds were staying at Brian’s Hilton Head Island beach home for a few days before resuming their schedules, the plans for their month-long honeymoon still in the works. The image of his happy sister on the Eastern shoreline basking in the glow of being newly married filled his heart with joy.
“Well, did you or didn’t you? I should certainly hope so!”
“A gentleman never discloses his private matters. But I will tell you that I have officially asked her to be my girlfriend, and she said, ‘yes.’” He had to pull the phone away from his ear to keep from going deaf at the sound of his sister’s happy screeching.
“Good for you David! Good for you! It’s about time you had someone fun to share your life with. I was beginning to give up on you.”
He listened to her chatter about how happy she was and how Brian had carried her over the threshold of his beach house. He couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy and wondered if Lauren could be the missing piece to his life, images of carrying her over a threshold making him pause. The girl had definitely surprised him that first night at the St. Regis bar. He’d been feeling sorry for himself, intent on consuming one too many martini’s before facing the wedding hoopla the next day. As her sweet, intoxicating voice lulled him into a state of bliss, he knew he was going to approach her. When he stopped her in the hallway near the bathrooms, he could feel an instant chemistry and was smitten by her gumption when she threw back his martini.
When she joined him later for a drink, he knew without a doubt that he wanted to spend more time with her and get to know her. His impulse to offer an invitation to his sister’s wedding was the best decision he’d made in a long time. Lauren Rose was classy and refined in her own way. An “old soul” much like himself. There wasn’t a hint of prima donna or entitlement in her being, something he was put off by in the usual women he was set up with. Her casual grace drew him in like a m
oth to a flame. He couldn’t wait to have her come to New York and see him in his element. If things worked out like he hoped, who knows, they might be calling his sister one day, experiencing her same happiness.
“They’re boarding first class, Catherine. I must go.” He stood, gathering his computer case and overcoat.
“I love you darling! Have a wonderful week in the city with Lauren. Call us when you have a moment.”
David boarded the Delta Boeing 737 aircraft and placed his case in the first-class overhead compartment. He had to bend his large frame to get into the seat by the window. An older flight attendant took his coat and hung it up in a small closet before offering him a beverage. Normally, he would have asked for a stiff drink to take the edge off his disdain of flying. Today was different.
“I’ll have a sparkling water, please,” he requested, offering the attendant one of his trademark, dazzling smiles, making her blush.
With a contented sigh, he pulled his cellphone out of his pocket and typed a text to Lauren before putting it on airplane mode.
“Boarded the plane to NY. A piece of my heart is left here in Atlanta. Let me know ASAP when I can fold you into my arms again.”
Smiling, he looked out the tiny oval window overlooking the tarmac and absentmindedly ran his index finger across his bottom lip.
“Well, hello.”
He turned and looked up at a buxom brunette with vivid green eyes. She was impeccably dressed in a form-fitting, designer dress and had a fur coat draped over one arm. Her seat was obviously next to his and the look on her face indicated trouble.
“Hello,” he replied politely before retrieving his sunglasses from the seat pocket and shielding his eyes. Digging his ear buds out of his pocket, he blasted Tony Bennett with his favorite song on repeat making him smile. He wasn’t in the mood for a female stranger to eclipse the moon he was flying to.
Chapter Twelve
Lauren managed to rearrange her entire schedule for the week, including her standing gig at the St. Regis on Friday. She knew several professional female singers in the area and had no problem subbing out the gig, with Miles approval, of course. He was thrilled she was throwing caution to the wind and wished her luck on her New York adventure. Her accompanist at the Spruill Arts Center, Brandy, screamed when she told her about her plans, promising to handle her classes on Saturday. There were no other gigs or obligations pending for the week other than a couple of classes she’d been interested in taking, making the whole process hassle-free. She figured she could leave on Wednesday and stay through Sunday—five full days and four nights with David.
They discussed all the details over the phone once he settled in his suite at the Plaza Hotel in New York. He insisted she fly in on Wednesday morning so she could meet him at his photo shoot in Central Park. She’d be flying into LaGuardia airport and taking a car service to the Plaza, check in and hop across the street to the shoot location. It all sounded very glamorous and fashionable. David was the epitome of an English gentleman and insisted he cover all costs for the impromptu trip, including hooking her up with his glam squad before the awards ceremony on Thursday evening. The handsome Brit wanted to treat her to his entire team being at her beck and call, providing her with a designer dress, shoes, make-up and hair. The idea excited her and she couldn’t wait to enter the ceremony on the arm of her new beau, knowing if she looked half as stylish as him, the world might possibly accept her as his girlfriend.
“So, you’re leaving tomorrow?” Jordan asked, hunched over the counter, digging a spoon into a jar of peanut butter.
“Yes. Tomorrow morning. My flight leaves at ten fifteen, so I need to take the train to the airport around seven.” Lauren opened a cupboard and grabbed a glass, filling it up with water.
“Damn girl. It’s like you won the male lottery. Does David have any single friends?”
“I don’t know. I could ask,” she giggled.
Jordan twisted the lid back on the jar and tossed her spoon in the sink with a clatter. “Well, for what it’s worth, I’m proud of you for going outside your comfort zone and taking a chance. I have a feeling you won’t regret it.”
“Thanks.” She offered her roommate a sincere smile and watched her walk back to the couch and plop down with her laptop. Sipping her water, she wondered how she got so lucky.
Wednesday morning came quickly and Lauren walked briskly in the cold morning air three blocks to the MARTA station pulling her wheeled luggage behind her. Stressed about what to pack, she tried on countless outfits for hours before deciding on the perfect accessories and shoes. The weather in New York was colder than in Atlanta, which was another factor. She ended up wearing her Valentino boots to save room in her suitcase and pairing them with several layers of leggings, skirts and sweaters that were interchangeable.
The train ride was uneventful and she checked her bag in at the Delta terminal in record time. Unbeknownst to her, she had priority seating, and a friendly airline agent pointed her in the direction of a much smaller line to go through with her status bypassing the long security lines circling the concourse.
On the other side of security with extra time to spare, she grabbed a coffee and the latest fashion magazine and sat by a large window overlooking the tarmac full of planes. To say she was excited was an understatement. She sent David a quick text letting him know she was at the gate waiting to board and that she couldn’t wait to see him. He texted back almost immediately a kiss emoji and let her know to look for the car service who would greet her with her name on a sign at baggage claim. He explained he was going to be out-of-pocket for most of the day and instructed her to check in with the concierge at the Plaza who would provide the arrangements in accessing his hotel room and the fashion shoot. Staring out at the drab winter sky, her morning was bright and she couldn’t imagine what was in store for her.
David had bought her a first class ticket, something she’d never experienced before. She felt odd sitting in the front section of the aircraft, sipping on a glass of champagne in the middle of a Wednesday morning. Odd and strangely exhilarated. An older gentleman in a suit sat next to her and nodded politely before burying himself in the New York Times. As the plane pushed back from the gate, she inhaled deeply, grateful for this turn of events in her mundane life. Grateful for David.
***
“What do you mean, your girlfriend is coming to the shoot?” David’s assistant, Sabrina Watson asked with a peculiar look on her face. Her facial features were angled and sharp and her blonde hair was flat ironed perfectly in a chin-length bob, making her look like an uptight school teacher. The English native had been by his side since he landed his first modeling contract. He depended on her and trusted her with all of his day-to-day activities including travel arrangements, photo shoots, interviews and important galas and ceremonies. There hadn’t been any time to fill her in on how he met Lauren before he arrived in New York. As he sat in a makeup chair getting prepped for the Central Park photo shoot, he was doing his best to get her up to speed.
“David, this isn’t funny. You have important work to do. With the launch of your fragrance, you don’t have time for a pet much less a girlfriend.”
Clearing his throat, he handed her a piece of paper.
“What’s this?”
“It’s my girlfriend’s itinerary for today. She arrives at LaGuardia at half past twelve. I’ve already arranged a car service for her to be transported to the Plaza. The concierge is aware of her arrival and will make sure she gets to the security station in the park and checked in. I would be immensely grateful if you would show her around the shoot location until I can be with her.”
Sabrina looked over her tortoise shell glasses at the piece of paper. “Lauren Rose… well, you’re not joking at all.” She shook her head with repugnance and leaned on the counter in front of a wall of mirrors outlined with large, brightly lit bulbs. “Why now, David? With everything on the line with this launch, why now? You know everything needs to go smoothly. Yo
u’ve got one shot at this.”
David rolled his eyes. “Why not now, Bri? And it will go smoothly. When have I ever asked anything remotely this personal for you to do? Meeting Lauren was unexpected and wonderful and I’m extremely happy. Don’t you want me to be happy?”
The makeup artist mumbled for him to quit frowning and to relax.
“Sorry…. I believe my unexpected happiness could enhance what is happening to me professionally, not hinder it.”
Sabrina sighed and sat in the empty chair next to him. “There’s just so much on the line. We need your undivided attention.”
“And you have it. I’m committed to this launch 100 percent. Meeting Lauren is an enhancement to my commitment, not a detriment.”
Her lipped pursed into a tight line as she nodded in defeat. “How long is she here?”
“Till Sunday. I’m counting on you and the team to help her before the GQ awards on Thursday evening. A dress, shoes, hair, and makeup—the works. Everything else, I’ll take care of for the week. Can you handle that or do I need to call on someone else?”
“David! You cut me to the quick! Of course I can handle it.” She stood with her hands on her hips. “You know I’m just trying to protect you.” With a heavy sigh, she seemed to concede. “If she makes you happy, David, then I’m happy for you too.”
He looked up at her with a lopsided grin. “Truly?”
She rolled her eyes before admitting defeat. “Truly.” Leaning toward him, she kissed him on both cheeks. “I will be on the lookout for a Miss Lauren Rose.”
David watched as his assistant shrugged on her coat and walked out of the trailer into the frigid air, mumbling to herself. “Let’s hope she doesn’t have any thorns.”
Chapter Thirteen
The Nearness of You: A British celebrity, standalone love-at-first-sight romance Page 8