The One of Many

by M. Jane Early

  “Did you share her?” I asked seductively.

  “Really?” He laughed. David laid his hand on the outside of my thigh, pulling me to him.

  “I gotta ask.” I shrugged.

  “No, you don’t. To be honest, watching them just made me miss you.” He moved my hair behind my shoulder.

  I pulled David to me, meeting my lips with his. He moved me off his lap and stood me in front of him. He lifted the bottom of the shirt to peek at my underwear.

  “Cute,” he said.

  I rolled my eyes and turned around, raising the back to show him it was a thong. I looked at him over my shoulder.

  “Better.” He smirked.

  I laughed.

  He turned me around and put his hands on my hips, then laid his forehead against my stomach. Furrowing my brow, I ran my hands in his hair. The stress of the day was still on him. I took a breath to tell him we didn’t have to do this now when he unbuttoned the shirt from the bottom to the top. He stared up at me. The pain still resonated on his face, but I let him continue. I ran the back of my hand against his cheek, feeling the soft stubble on my fingers.

  He opened my shirt, exposing my breasts, then kissed my stomach where his head had lain. His hands reached up in the shirt and pushed it down my arms until it fell to the floor. He nudged me backwards and stood. A slight smile showed as he removed his shirt over his head. His eyes burned into mine.

  He put both hands on the sides of my neck and drew me near. The familiar scent of Cognac filled my senses and hypnotized me as he sealed his mouth with mine. His hands moved down my body. One cupped my breast and played with my nipple while the other drew me closer. He pulled me down and switched places to hover over me. We continued to kiss as I crawled to the pillow at the head of the bed, and he rested his body on me.

  David’s hunger for me was clear, but he didn’t rush. The times before, we had devoured each other in a matter of minutes. This felt different. He was meticulous with his hands and mouth, leaving behind tiny fires with his fingertips and tongue.

  When we were both fully naked, he stopped kissing me and stared.

  “Whatever happens with us,” he whispered, “please know, no one’s ever made me feel like this. You don’t understand the effect you have on me.”

  Whatever happens? I didn’t like the sound of that. Like he was looking for the end instead of enjoying the beginning. It was too late to stop and ask what he meant as he trailed kisses down my chest to my stomach, past my hips. Then, with no hesitation, he tasted me with his mouth. I gasped.

  I arched my back while he grabbed my thighs, flicking his tongue, causing my vocal outbursts. Our poor neighbors. They must have thought he was killing me or giving me the greatest orgasm of my life.

  When he halted his dominance, he rose above me and rolled on a condom. I put him inside me and raised my hips to meet him. He moved in and out with precision and patience. He stopped and looked at me, not speaking but saying so much with his eyes. He was lost and needed to be found. He needed someone to be his safe space, his home. I hoped what I relayed back was an understanding that I wanted to be that and more. I wanted to be David’s everything. His confidant, friend, lover, whatever he needed when he needed it.

  When he couldn’t stand it anymore, his rhythm picked up. Still watching me, he continued to ask those questions without uttering a word. I cried out an audible yes, hoping he understood it wasn’t the sex I was agreeing to. I was agreeing to be his, for as long as he’d allow me to be. Forever if he wanted.

  Our bodies tensed in unison, climbing that hill together, then sliding down the other side with our release. David buried himself in the crook of my shoulder, kissing along my collarbone and up my neck. Tears rolled down the side of my face, the nerves in my body still heightened. He laid his head on my pillow, facing me.

  He rubbed his thumb against my cheek, wiping my tears away. “I mean it,” he whispered.

  I placed my hand over his. “I hope so.”

  Twenty Seven

  “Tell me about your fiancé,” I said, spreading butter on my toast. David was lying sideways across the bed, shirtless. I was at the foot of the bed in my terry-cloth robe, with food on a tray between us.

  “What do you want to know?” He took a fork-full of scrambled eggs into his mouth.

  “I want to know why it didn’t work out.”

  He set his plate down, then wiped his mouth. “Because I didn’t want to be married to someone I didn’t love.”

  I furrowed my brow. “Then why did you ask her to marry you?”

  “I didn’t. Our fathers arranged it.” He took a sip of his orange juice.

  I stopped chewing and met his eyes.

  The corner of his mouth lifted. “Imperium was in a lot of trouble, financially. They needed a partner to pull them out of it. Make the company more recognizable, then more profitable. Enter Pablo Mason.”

  I looked away, trying to recall where I’d heard that name before. “The CEO of Pixel Technologies?”

  David put his finger to his temple. “You got it. Pablo was willing to let Imperium sell his devices and take most of the profit. He had my dad by the balls because Imperium was a sinking ship. He could ask for damn near anything.” He shook his head and sat up straight. “I met his daughter at some event when I came back from Mexico. We went out, she told her dad about me, hence a marriage joining the two companies was put in place.”

  “Why would you ever agree to that?” I asked, dumbfounded.

  “Because it’s what my father wanted.” He moved the tray and crawled to the end of the bed so he could sit by me. “I thought it was what I needed to do to help. To make him happy.”

  I exhaled. “Seems like a lot to sacrifice to make anyone—even your father—happy.”

  “That’s why I didn’t go through with it. I was allowing him to control my life because I was afraid he didn’t love me.” He scoffed. “Probably still doesn’t.” David’s jaw clenched.

  I rested my head on his shoulder. “He loves you, David,” I whispered.

  “You didn’t hear him after I called off the wedding. The deal fell through, Imperium sank further into financial trouble. He had to partner with a lesser-known cell phone company to prevent from declaring bankruptcy.”

  “Is that where Nick got his flip phone?” I chuckled.

  “Probably.”

  I looked up at him. “I know there’s bad blood between you and your father, but don’t you think he recognizes that you’re trying to save what he has left? You’re trying to make Imperium profitable again. He has to see the merit in that.”

  “I think it’s too late.” He looked down.

  “Maybe you should try to explain it to him. Make him see that you’re not doing this as a big screw you. You’re really trying to help. It may make the conservatorship easier to take. He doesn’t have to like it, but he has to respect it.”

  David put his palm on my cheek and traced my lip with his thumb. “You’re amazing, you know that?”

  I smiled. “Go talk to your dad, David. We don’t have to leave until tomorrow. You have plenty of time. Try to make it right. Or at least explain.”

  He sighed. “Okay.” He leaned over and kissed me.

  WHILE DAVID WAS GONE, I caught up on the project. We were only three weeks away from launch and my emails were piling up from the team. Without Nick, I was the sole manager in charge. We were on task and up to date, but there were still things I needed to handle.

  I buried myself in work until I got hungry. The clock read six, and I hadn’t heard from David all day. I grabbed my phone and called him.

  A female picked up the phone.

  “Allison?” I hoped.

  “Hey, Farren,” she answered, exhausted.

  I exhaled with relief. “Is David with you?”

  There was a pause. “No. He’s not with you?”

  “No.” I stood from the bed. “If he’s not with you, why do you have his phone?”

  “Things�
�got a little out of control.”

  I closed my eyes. “What happened?”

  “Today wasn’t a good day for my dad. He was frantic because he was looking for my mom and couldn’t find her. When David came in, my dad lunged at him.”

  “Oh my god,” I whispered. “Is your dad okay?”

  She paused. “You’re worried about my dad?”

  “David is 6′2″ and solid. Yes, I’m worried about your dad,” I pushed.

  “He’s alright. He got a few good licks in before I pulled him off. Pretty sure David’s gonna have a black eye.”

  “Fantastic,” I mumbled. “How long ago did David leave?”

  “A few hours.”

  “Shit. He could literally be anywhere in Maryland right now.” I took off my sweats and changed into my jeans.

  The silence from Allison’s end was loud.

  “Are you there?” I asked.

  “You really do care about him.”

  I sat on the bed. “Of course I do. Allison, I know your brother has been with some shady women in the past, but I promise you, I’m not with him for his money. I’m with him because he’s an amazing man. I couldn’t care less if he was broke or a billionaire.”

  She laughed. “Well, he’s definitely not a billionaire.”

  “I know that. And it doesn’t matter one bit.” I stood and exhaled. “I gotta find him.”

  “Do you want me to come help?”

  I smiled. “No, thank you. Stay with your dad. I’ll call you if I find him. Can you do the same if you hear from him?”

  “Sure.”

  “Thank you, Allison.”

  There was a pregnant pause. “Ally.”

  I stopped moving, shocked. “Thank you, Ally.”

  I hung up and grabbed my jacket to leave the room.

  When I got off the elevator, I heard a familiar laugh coming from the short corridor to my right. I stopped moving until I heard it again, then wandered into the bar area. A man sat on a stool, talking to the bartender, but that wasn’t who I heard. I rounded the corner, finding David with a blonde woman who was leaning over a pool table, about to take her shot. Their backs to me.

  I stood there astonished. He and the girl in the tight black dress were laughing and flirting. She hit her shot, then gave him a high-five and a hug when it sank. Both had obviously had too much to drink. She hung on her pool stick, watching him shoot, and she whistled when the ball sank in the pocket.

  My jaw clenched, and my anger and defenses shot up in a matter of seconds. I wanted to go back to my room and pack, catch a red-eye back to LA, leaving him here to wonder where I went…or not.

  Unfortunately, my pride wouldn’t let me.

  I rushed to where they were and stood behind them. He told her she needed to line her shot better by looking down the stick to the ball, so she’d know where to aim.

  I waited to see which one would notice me first. I crossed my arms over my chest, staring daggers at the back of David’s head.

  The long-legged blonde turned her head to me. “Hi.”

  As much as I wanted to tell her to take her fake boobs and fuck off, this wasn’t her fault. I was positive she had no idea who I was.

  “Hello,” I answered back.

  David angled towards me. “Hey.” There was a dark purple welt under his left eye.

  At least his dad got him for me.

  “Hey?” I responded, irritated. “Is that seriously all you have to say to me?”

  He furrowed his brow. The confusion on his face said he didn’t know what I was talking about, which pissed me off more. As if he wasn’t caught red-handed standing in front of me with another woman.

  I turned around and left the bar. Not only could he not say anything, or even apologize, he acted as if this scene wasn’t disrespectful and unacceptable. I walked towards the front desk.

  David caught up to me and grabbed my elbow, turning me to him. “What’s wrong?”

  “Don’t you dare act like I shouldn’t be mad,” I spat.

  He let go of me. “You can be mad, I just want to know why.”

  I exhaled, trying not to cry. “When did you leave your father?”

  “A few hours ago.”

  “But you couldn’t come upstairs?” The tears welled.

  His voice got small. “I needed to be alone for a while.”

  “Alone? Is that what we’re calling her? Is that her name?” I pointed towards the bar.

  He looked behind him. “That’s Terry.”

  “Good for Terry.” I walked in the direction of the front desk again.

  The attendant smiled at me. “Can I help you?”

  “Can I have a single room, please?” I replied.

  David was at my side in a moment. “Farren, what are you doing?”

  “Giving you whatever space you need with Terry.” I didn’t look at him.

  He turned me to him. “That’s Terry,” he said, then moved me away from the desk to look at the bar, “and that’s her boyfriend, Rich. The two people I played pool with yesterday?”

  The guy at the bar waved at me, his girlfriend by his side rubbing his back.

  I exhaled and threw my head back, looking at the ceiling in embarrassment. Once again, I had let stupid insecurity control me. I took a deep breath to relax and looked at him. “I assumed again.”

  He came closer and reached out for me. “I wouldn’t do that to you, Farren.”

  “However,” I said with caution as I stepped back from him. He watched me, perplexed. “You would have this big blowout fight with your father and not come talk to me. Not tell me where you are. Not tell me how you feel or just…be with me instead of strangers.” I kept my voice low but firm.

  David’s eyes searched mine as he struggled to think of something to say. I waited for an apology or an explanation.

  Nothing.

  I went back to the desk and paid the attendant for the additional room, then went to the elevators without looking back at David.

  Lying on the room’s bed, staring at the ceiling, I tried to figure out if I could deal with David’s shortcomings. A lack of communication and trust would make or break our relationship. Crew and I didn’t communicate correctly. I didn’t want David and me to turn out the same. He had to talk to me.

  There was a small knock on my door. I rolled off the bed and walked to the peephole, looking through. I debated on whether or not to open it. My head said to ignore him and lay back down. My heart knew that wouldn’t happen.

  I cracked it open and met those eyes that floored me.

  “You forgot your toothbrush,” David said, holding my purple toothbrush out.

  I opened the door wider and took it. “Thank you.”

  He grabbed something else from his back pocket. “And toothpaste.”

  I tried not to smile and took that too.

  “And your charger.” He held up the cord and brick.

  I couldn’t help it anymore and chuckled.

  “Farren, I’m sorry.” He moved forward.

  I watched him. “David, you’re not ready for this,” I mumbled.

  “What?”

  “You’re not ready to be with me.” I couldn’t hide the sadness in my words.

  “Farren.” He pulled me out of the room by my hand, letting the door close behind me. “I know I’m not the best at talking to you, telling you everything that I’m feeling—”

  “I don’t need every feeling, David. I just need you to talk to me about what’s going on. I had to call your sister to find out what happened.” I stopped and took a breath. “I know you don’t trust anyone, and I don’t blame you. But what do I have to do to get you to trust me?”

  “I could ask you that same question,” he blurted.

  I took a step back. “What?”

  “Farren, without even asking, you thought I was flirting with another woman in the same hotel you were staying in. Since the beginning, you’ve thought I would cheat on you, blatantly and right under your nose. You think I hav
e no respect for you?”

  I hesitated. Crew Dawson had been out of my life for months now, but he was still in my head. “You’re right.” I looked down, then nodded. “I’m sorry.”

  He put his finger under my chin and lifted it. “I know what you went through, and I know you need time. But I do too. If you need me to tell you how important you are every day to feel secure, I will, without hesitation. But I need you to understand that I’m out of my comfort zone here. No one has ever been this important to me.” He pulled me to him. “I’m trying,” he whispered.

  I ran my hands up his arms. “That’s the best explanation you’ve ever given me.” I smiled.

  “See, I can do it,” he teased.

  I laughed and reached up to kiss him.

  “Come back upstairs,” he whispered against my lips.

  “I have to.”

  He cocked his head. “Why?”

  “You locked us out.” I pointed towards the door.

  David laughed and pulled me into a hug as we walked towards the elevators.

  “THANKS, ALLY.” DAVID TOOK his phone from his sister as we stood at the airport drop-off area.

  “I stole all your passwords and credit card information.” She smiled.

  “As if there was any money in there,” he said cynically.

  She shrugged. “I’m sure after the phenomenal Imperium rebranding, I’ll be able to rob you blind.”

  “Ha-ha.” He hugged his sister hard and kissed her head.

  “David,” she pulled back, “you know he’s sorry for what he did.”

  He looked her in the eye. “No, he’s not.”

  Ally looked down. “I’ll make sure he signs the papers.”

  David nodded, then went to grab our bags out of the back of her SUV.

  I walked over to David’s sister. “It was nice to meet you, Ally.”

  She gave me a half smile. “You too.” She glanced at David, then got closer to me. “My brother is complicated. But he has a good heart. Don’t let him get away with shit, but don’t run away too soon either.”

  I nodded and smiled. Ally got in her car and shut the door. David joined me and took my hand as she drove away.

  The plane ride from Baltimore to LAX was long, and I was exhausted. I leaned my head on David’s shoulder while he worked. The trip to Baltimore, though stressful, gave me more insight into David’s life. I was thankful Ally had warmed up to me, but I worried about what the scuffle between David’s father and he meant. David was barely holding it together because of Mr. Powers. I was afraid this visit would push him deeper into wherever he went when it concerned his dad.