by Crystal Shaw
“My poor baby, it’s not fair that you are in such a difficult place with the media. It’s all a bunch of nonsense.” I can hear her getting heated. I must get my temper from my mom. “Don’t you worry about a thing, sweetheart. As soon as I get a chance to fly to New York, I’m going to take you two out on the town.” I snicker a little at the thought of her ‘out on the town’.
“How about we take you out on the town?” I feel the smile on my face. My mom’s light-heartedness is infectious and I welcome it. There’s giddiness in my voice when Thomas paces back into the room. His body is less tense; he looks like my loving husband. He’s wearing his blue flannel pajama pants hanging from his hipbones and nothing else. I eye his perfect muscular physique. Yum.
“I have to go, it’s getting late.” I can’t take my eyes off him. I feel scandalous having a conversation with my mom while I quietly admire every inch of his body. I wonder if he knows what I am thinking. He’s not looking at me; he doesn’t notice me or my gaze. He’s concentrating on finding something in one of the larger suitcases. I feel awful that I ignored him and made everything more difficult for him. I want to make it up to him, tell him I’m sorry and that I love him. Exhaustion may put that on hold.
“I love you Emma, sleep well and call me tomorrow.” She puts emphasis on “call me tomorrow.”
“I will Mom I love you too.” Thomas sits down next to me, moving my hair to the side and kisses my cheek.
“I’m sorry about everything today and so is Thomas.” I feel terrible that she had to see all of that. I can’t imagine what was going through her head or how she reacted. I need to delete those voicemails; I don’t want to know.
“Oh pssh! It’s not your fault. You two did nothing to be sorry about.” I helplessly grin at her tone. “Tell him I love him too. Give him a big kiss from me.” Her approval makes me smile and my whole body relaxes, sinking deeper into the soft mattress. “Good night, Emma.”
“Good night, Mom.” I hang up the phone and reach across the bed stretching my body to put it on the nightstand. It’s almost dead but I don’t have the energy to dig through my bag to find the charger.
Thomas grabs my waist and pulls me to his chest. I impishly object letting out a small playful groan.
“I’m so sorry, Baby, I really can’t tell you enough.” He whispers in my ear and gives me small kisses on my forehead, my cheek, and my neck.
“No more apologies just make it all go away.” I feebly look up at him and kiss him under his chin and then on his throat. I take in his scent, his masculine fragrance. I just want it all to go away, I don’t want to think about it anymore. A thought awakes my curiosity.
“What are you going to do to the broadcast station?” I nudge his chin with my nose. He looks down at me passed his eyelashes. He has enough money to buy the entire company and fire everyone if he really wants to. Part of me wants that bitch that reported all of this, with that smug smile on her face, to get her ass out kicked out onto the street. I know it’s not her fault, but I can’t help but to feel indignant. Resentment starts coursing through me. Thomas can tell I’m angry. He runs his hand through my hair and tilts his head to the side. His look calms me.
“Nothing. I’m not going to do anything.” He says calmly. I’m a little bit shocked. He’s not going to do anything? I eye him with curiosity.
“I'll issue a statement tomorrow before work. Just saying they were photos from a long time ago and that we are happily married and a little shaken that someone would go through so much trouble to hurt us.”
I guess that’s reasonable, more reasonable than what I would do and more reasonable than what I would like him to do.
“Don’t worry about a thing, Emma. I'll take care of everything.” He whispers in my ear and I lay my head on his chest. His warmth comforts me and again I believe every words he says.
“I can’t keep my eyes open.” I mutter as my eyelids fall unwillingly. My entire body relaxes lying against him.
“Sleep, Baby.” He gives me another kiss and shifts me slightly so he can turn off the light. “Everything will be better in the morning.”
It sounds like a promise.
Chapter 5
Everything is sparkling white and dripping in diamonds. The most beautiful roses, nearly thousands of them, are huddled in perfect centerpieces on every table and existing surface. Taller arrangements are lining the immense windows of the candle-lit ballroom. The snow is gently falling and the twinkling of Christmas lights surrounding Fifth Avenue is so romantic that, for a moment, it steals my gaze. I can see all of our guests seated in black-tie formal attire, happily chatting with one another.
They can’t see me just yet; I’m peeking through the gap between the oversized walnut doors. Thomas seems amused by my child-like giddiness. Who would have thought, just a year after spilling coffee on the most eligible bachelor in New York I would be exchanging vows with him? Fate, I think as I close my eyes and take in the intoxicating floral aroma.
He holds my hand tightly as the doors open and we make our grand entrance. There’s an immediate applause followed by an eruption of knives clinking on champagne flutes. An amorous melody begins to play in the background. His soft blue eyes meet mine as he moves to twirl me on the dance floor. He pulls me in close, forcefully embracing me for a kiss. He leans into me, and whispers. “I will love you forever.”
I smile and let out a small teasing laugh. He spins me again and again allowing my full ball gown of a dress to expand. His hand gently caresses my waist pulling me towards him, pushing me away. Lace is hugging my body and gravity pulls me outward. Soft loose curls are gently falling on my back. I open my eyes and see his gorgeous face. His blue eyes pierce into me with passion and endearing love. He kisses me, gently biting my lip. He smiles when I open my eyes. And with a move of his arm I am twirling on the dance floor once again. I am overwhelmed with pure happiness. I close my eyes and wonder, how could life get any better?
It can’t you fool. And when you can’t go up, you must come down, crashing hard, smashing onto the cold concrete into a million shards of nothingness.
A chilling shudder runs through my body and I open my eyes, mid spin; I think I see a woman outside, not amidst the guests. In that fraction of a second I thought I saw the silhouette of a woman tightly grasping her long white coat around her chest, glaring at us. My smile disappears for a moment but on the second twirl around, I don’t see her. I stand still, pushing him away. The music stops, silence. The warmth in the room is replaced by a cold, so cold that I’m immobilized. I stare at the window. Where did she go? I feel her behind me.
I JOLT AWAKE GASPING FOR AIR.
“Emma, wake up!” Thomas is here, holding me, his fingers gripping into my trembling shoulders. I glance around anxiously; we’re in the hotel room. My body is shaking and the pounding in my chest deafens me.
“I saw her.” I take a deep breath and then another, trying frantically to calm myself. Tears start falling down my face. “I can’t get her out of my head.”
He takes my head in his hands and pulls me to his chest. He gives me soft kisses on my lips and wipes my tears away with his thumb and then gently moves his thumb to my lips quieting me. His soft blue eyes are compassionate. I rest my head on his shoulder and nuzzle under his chin doing my best to relax my breathing.
“I’m scared.” I feel weak as I say it; the words I speak are hopelessly true.
“Hush Baby.” He kisses my hair. “Everything will be all right. You have nothing to be scared about.” He holds me for a moment until my sobbing stops, his warm embrace sooths me, calming my quivering body.
Thomas has had stalkers in the past. This is easily fixed. In just a few days life will be back to normal. I shouldn’t be so shaken up. But then again, I’ve never come so close to his stalkers, at least not that I’ve known about. I steady my breathing; everything will be all right. He will fix everything.
As I finally calm, the throbbing in my head and a pounding on my temple
s cripples me. Ugh, hangover. As if he has read my mind, Thomas releases me, kissing my upper neck and laying me into the comfort of the duvet. I feel lonely as he leaves me. I sit up slightly and surround myself with the warmth of the blanket, burying my head in my knees. Huddling the white sheets close to me, I think, it was only a nightmare. Thomas returns softly sitting on the edge of the bed and hands me a glass of water and two Advil’s.
“This should help.” He looks at me with a humorous grin.
“Don’t tease me.” I playfully warn as I crane my neck up to sip the water and swallow the precious medicine. The water alone is enough to immediately ease some of the pounding. I lay my head on his comforting shoulder, moving my hand to his chest, and feel a sense of happiness. I’m safe in bed with my loving husband.
His thumb travels down my cheek and rests on my bottom lip. He pushes my mouth open just a little, enough to get the tip of his thumb wet. He moves his warm finger down past my chin and down my throat. I look up at him past my lashes, fragile. “Thom-” I start to speak, but he interrupts me with a forceful kiss, nipping my bottom lip.
He moves one of his hands to my waist, keeping the other grasped around my neck. His deft fingers push past my shirt and move up my curves to my back. His capable hand glides gently over my skin, sending a sweet sensation down my body. His touch makes my lips part as I release a demanding moan. I don’t know if I have the energy for this, but it feels so good. I have been craving his touch, needing his touch.
“Baby, I want you.” His voice lowers as he kisses my neck tenderly and then whispers in my ear, “so bad.” I feel his hot breath on my neck and he kisses me past my throat down to my chest. In a swift movement he takes my shirt off and carelessly tosses it on the floor. He grazes my breasts with his lips, then back up my neck, finally meeting my wanting lips. His hand on my back gently moves to my waist, making me wriggle under him.
My lips part as his kisses comfort my neck and move lower. I feel heated, wanting his touch, wanting him to love me. His hands go to my hips. His fingers curl around the soft fabric of my thong. I tilt my hips up, giving him the permission that he wants. He slips them down moving them past my knees, slowly sending an intense sensation down my body as his fingers caress my skin. He kisses my breasts, my nipples, moving from side to side, down to my navel as he removes my thong completely. He stays below my waist, as I close my eyes and enjoy his tender kisses. He brushes his nose against my clitoris making me moan a soft sweet gasp. A rush of warmth surges through my body. I arch my back in response to his tongue on my wetness, my fingers carelessly comb through his hair.
“I need you inside me,” I whisper. He kisses me, down there, and looks up at me with his longing eyes. I hear him remove his bottoms and I squirm, I don’t want to wait any longer. In a swift move he pulls my hips up to him, with his hands on my lower back, and he enters me, slowly, achingly slowly. He kisses my collarbone as he gradually moves out and then in over and over. I push my hips to meet his, wrapping my legs around his waist. His lips meet mine and I feel his hot tongue in my mouth.
He pushes quickly deep inside me making me throw my head back and moan.
“Uh! Thomas.” The gentleness is replaced with force, sweet lustful force.
He looks at me, staring into my eyes, he thrusts deep again and pushes me back against the wall. My hands reach up grabbing the headboard and he pins them there, holding my wrists in one of his hands. He leans down and kisses my nipples, biting down and pulling them gently, making them hard. He moves his body faster, making me moan louder.
“When you didn’t answer today,” his voice is low and sexy as he moves out of me slowing his pace, “it made me very mad.” He pushes all of himself into me sending a wave of ecstasy through my body.
I struggle to look into his eyes, surprised and entrapped in his gaze. He slams in deep again, forcing me to lean my head back and bite my lip. I muffle my moan.
“You know I don’t like to worry.” It’s an overwhelming sense of pleasure, so hard to concentrate on what he is saying. “I don’t want you to ignore me again, Emma.” Another forceful thrust and I feel like I am almost there. “I don’t want to worry again.” I force my eyes open to meet his and gently kiss his lips. His face is forgiving, but his eyes are angry, the soft blue is replaced with intensity. I feel his chest move, brushing against my breasts as he kisses my neck.
“Tell me you won’t do it again.” His eyes penetrate me and again he slams into me. I love it when he fucks me like this.
“I won’t, I promise.” I utter and kiss him hard trying to move my hands from his grasp. I want to hold him, reassure him that I won’t do it again.
“I want to hear you say it.” He slams in harder and holds himself in me deep inside as he kisses my neck.
“Oh Thomas! I promise I’ll answer the phone. I won’t make you worry.”
He kisses me softly on the side of my mouth releasing my hands. His motions pick up and I feel myself reaching for his back, burying my head in his neck. He reaches down and rubs my clitoris in motion with his body. God this feels so good.
“I’m so close,” I moan in his ear.
“Come, Baby, come.” He breathes into my neck.
My body gives with his, trembling with a merciless wave of ecstasy.
I take a deep breath as he gently pulls out of me; I feel sore instantly. He takes me in his arms and gives me a loving kiss on my jaw line. Taking his head in my hands I kiss him back sweetly.
“You are mine and I will love you forever,” he says with a satisfied curl to his lips. His blue eyes look tired but full of sincerity. He pushes a loose strand of hair behind my ear, away from my face, and kisses me tenderly on my neck.
“You are mine and you better love me forever.” I look him dead in the eyes as I say it and then rub my nose on his devotedly. He smiles at my response, a coy smile. I rest my head back on his chest, “I love you, Thomas.”
He kisses the top of my head and I fall asleep in his arms. I don’t dream of her invading my most loved memories. Instead I dream of Thomas, making me his, forcefully but sweetly, and loving me. Only me. Only Thomas.
Chapter 6
My body is still aching from the riveting night of makeup sex. We’re alone in the elevator, waiting for the doors to open to the first floor so we can meet Kate for breakfast at the hotel café. I lean into Thomas’ chest as he wraps his arms around my waist. I nuzzle into his neck. He releases one of his hands from my body and pushes a button, halting the pulley in its tracks. I smile shyly, looking up at him.
“I want to enjoy you for a minute,” he says as he tucks my hair behind my ear.
“If you’d called off from work, you could be enjoying me all day.” My eyes plead with him; hopeful that maybe he’ll change his mind.
“Not today, Baby.” He gives me a soft sensuous kiss on my lips. “A man’s got to make a living.” I roll my eyes at him.
“I’m sure that they would be fine without you for a day.”
“I can’t today.” He kisses my hair as I move my head back to his chest. I wish he would just take off and stay with me. I still don’t know exactly what he does at work. It mostly sounds like setting up meeting, going to meetings, and making plans for more meetings.
“I promise I'll make everything better.” He breathes out a deep breath as he speaks.
“Did they find her?” I can’t help but to ask. It’s been on my mind all morning. I didn’t want to bring it up. If ignored long enough, most problems just go away.
“Not yet, but don’t worry. I'll take care of it.” His voice is determined and his gaze penetrates me, willing me to believe that everything will be just fine. I nod gently, not taking my eyes off of his. His hand moves to the back of my head, embracing me for a kiss.
A small sigh leave me as he reaches over and again pushes a button, the elevator moves. We readjust ourselves. PDA is not allowed in public.
The door opens and I’m relieved there aren’t paparazzi in the front e
ntrance waiting for us. When we first got engaged, they were everywhere, unrelenting predators. Thomas squeezes my hand and I see his body relax. He’s relieved too.
BREAKFAST WITH KATE went much better than I thought it would. A bit of rest is all we needed I suppose. Last night was just so damn dramatic. I crave normalcy.
“I’m not paying you back for this.” Kate points to her ivory chiffon top with a broad grin.
“I’ll tell Michael he chose an acceptable outfit for you.” He takes a sip of his black coffee. He sounds serious but I can see he’s holding back a smile.
“So is the crazy bitch out of my house?” She asks so casually that I’m forced to let out a small laugh.
“She is,” Thomas’ smile dims as he responds. His face becomes a little more serious. “I would still like you to have security with you until the police find her.” He puts his coffee mug down. “They found her car by a motel outside of the city.” His eyes watch his index finger rubbing the rim of his mug. “They’ll find her soon.” Uneasiness settles in my stomach.
He pulls a folded envelope out of a pocket in his jacket and hands it to Kate. “The keys to your house, Madam.” He says jokingly, lightening the mood.
“Why thank you, Good Sir.” Kate takes the envelope with a grin.
I giggle at their playful banter. As I take the last bite of my omelet, life seems fairly normal. Somewhere deep down in my gut I don’t feel that it is possible but, on the surface, normalcy has returned.
We say good-bye and head back to the hotel room to grab my purse. On our way to the elevator I see Kate chatting with one of two men dressed in black suits escorting her to her car. I bet she’s flirting with him. That’s my Kate.