Taylored to Perfection (Taylor Made Book 2)

by kj lewis

  Graham pulls me onto the couch with him positioning us behind Teague.

  “Put your legs on the couch,” he says, resting my back against him with my legs out in front of me.

  “This is a Sikorsky helicopter. It’s very safe. Jim has flown one for years.”

  “Can you fly it?” I ask him, catching my breath as we lift into the air.

  “And yes. I can fly anything.”

  “Do you like flying?”

  “I love it. Wish I could do it more.” He says still holding me.

  “Why don’t you?”

  “Time mostly. Before you, I worked a lot more than I do now.”

  “Is that a problem for you? You know I would understand if you needed to work more.”

  “I didn’t have a reason to not work then. Now I do. I don’t want to be away from you all the time. I’m learning to rely more on my immediate team. Those are the perks of being the boss.” He kisses the back of my head. Once we’re underway, I relax a little more and close my eyes. They’re only closed a few minutes when I feel a hand at my stomach.

  Without moving his body, Graham undoes the button to my jeans and slides the zipper down. His hand slides inside my panties and he fingers my clit. I tighten and look towards Teague as Graham leans his head against mine and talks dirty in my ear, telling me what he wants to do to me tonight, where he’s going to do it, how he’s going to do it. Telling me how wet I am. How he loves to fuck me. How he loves the noises I make when I come. How he loves the taste of me.

  “Don’t worry about Teague,” Graham says. “Just feel.” He increases his pace and pressure. My breathing picks up.

  “Quiet,” Graham reminds me. “I love how wet you get watching my cock slide in and out of you. How turned on you get watching. How turned on you were when I fucked you outside and you could see people looking down at us.” Between the words and increased pace, I come silently against him. He holds his finger in place, pulsing it in intervals against my clit to prolong my orgasm. When he knows I’m done, he slowly pulls his hand out of my panties and places it against my lips.

  “Suck it.”

  Opening my mouth I draw his finger in, cleaning it, tasting myself, humming and biting his finger before I release him and button myself up.

  Ten minutes later we land on the roof of Taylor Organization.

  “How was it?” Teague asks as we enter the elevator.

  My eyes grow wide. Had he seen? Did he know what we were doing? When he sees my expression he says, “I meant your first time in a helicopter.” He rolls his eyes. “Ugh. Never mind.”

  I giggle as Graham exudes male pride.

  “Next time I get to ride up front,” Teague says sourly while Graham shakes his head and I laugh.

  “Love you,” Graham says before he exits on his floor.

  Teague rides down one more with me.

  “Text me when you’re ready,” he says heading to his office.

  “Richard Raines is on line two for you,” says Cassie, the assistant George assigned to me. “Oh, and congratulations!” Her smile is genuine.

  “Hi, Richard.” I greet him as the announcement of mine and Graham’s wedding pops up on the screen. His media team is beginning their controlled release of information.

  “Hi, Emme. I’m sorry we missed the grand affair. We didn’t arrive back into the country until last night.”

  “I know. We missed y’all being there. Thank you for the generous gift you made in our honor.”

  “My pleasure. Listen, I was wondering what your schedule is like today. I would like to meet with you for a few minutes.”

  “Let me look. I actually haven’t looked at it in a few days.”

  “I imagine you haven’t,” he chuckles.

  “I can meet at two, if you like.”

  “Perfect. See you then.” He hangs up and I message Teague that we will be going out of the office later.

  About thirty minutes later a message pops up on my screen.

  Graham Taylor CEO: Wife, I forgot I have an event tonight. Can you go? Our parents will be there.

  Emme Taylor: Yes. I was looking forward to our first night home, but I can. I have a meeting with Richard Raines at two then I’ll be back here. We can ride home together.

  Graham Taylor CEO: Love that your name says Taylor now. Sounds good. The event starts at 7:30 downtown.

  Emme Taylor: Me too! Also looks like our wedding has made the headlines.

  Graham Taylor CEO: It was released yesterday. Stalker-azzi is already outside. Teague and Myles will know what to do.

  Emme Taylor: I’m not hiding.

  Graham Taylor CEO: No one is saying you have to hide, but I don’t want you subjected to the vultures either.

  Emme Taylor: Yes, sir.

  Graham Taylor CEO: Fuck. Now I’m hard, and I’m about to walk into a meeting.

  Emme Taylor: I could come relieve the pressure for you.* bats eyelashes *

  Graham Taylor CEO: My office, noon.

  Emme Taylor: My pleasure. *licks lips*

  Graham Taylor CEO: Noon!

  “How are you?” Harry asks knocking on my door, bringing me out of my reverie.

  “I’m good. This is a treat. I wasn’t expecting to see you today.” I walk around the desk to give him a hug.

  “The wedding was beautiful.”

  “It was. When did y’all come back to the city?” I ask taking my seat.

  “Sunday. Remember?”

  “That’s right,” I make a face at my forgetfulness.

  “Eloise wanted me to see if you are going with Graham to the benefit tonight.”

  “He was just messaging me about it. I’ll be there. What’s it for any way?”

  “It’s a political fundraiser disguised as a charity event. You can’t imagine how boring it is. Eloise will be happy you are going so she doesn’t have to endure it alone. “

  “Now I wish I had said no.” I make a disappointed face.

  Laughing, Harry gets back up and closes my door before sitting down again.

  “I wanted to take a minute to talk with you about the offer Mark Johnson made you.”

  “What would you like to talk about?”

  “Have you given it more thought?”

  “I have.”

  “And?”

  “And I would be lying if I said I wasn’t considering it.” I lean back in my chair.

  He doesn’t say anything for a minute.

  “Just say it,” I tell him.

  “I’m not keen on the idea.”

  “You’re not or Graham’s not?”

  “I’m not. It’s not my job to fight Graham’s battles for him. I’m not thrilled with your implication I would.” He corrects me.

  “Sorry.” I replace my imperious tone with a gentler one. “You’re right. I know you wouldn’t.”

  “If you met Richard Raines on the street or out and about, do you imagine his response to you would be any different than when he first met you?”

  “I’m not following.” I say confused.

  “If Richard had met you pre-Graham, would you think he would have treated you differently?”

  “No. I think he is genuine.” I respond still trying to figure out where he is going with this.

  “If you had met Mark Johnson under different circumstances do you imagine his response to be any different?”

  “How so?”

  “I think Mark Johnson’s motives are based on your connection to Graham.”

  “You think he’s using me to get to Graham?”

  “I do.”

  “But I thought you liked Mark?”

  “I like the way he runs his business,” Harry continues. “I think he’s a good fit for the mentor program. I don’t think he’s a good fit for you.”

  “What are his intentions with Graham?”

  “Money. Support. Bragging rights.” He pauses before adding, “The ability to have control over Graham by having control over you as your boss.”

  I
nod, listening to him.

  “You can do anything you set your mind to, Emme. Working for Mark isn’t thinking broad enough. Stop and think about what you want to do.”

  “People are always going to see me as Mrs. Graham Taylor, aren’t they?”

  “If you’re doing what you want to do and effecting the change you want to effect, what do you care what they think?”

  “I don’t care what people think, but I do want to be seen for my own merits.”

  “The people you care about will know. The others aren’t worth considering. You have a keen sense of people. Honor it. If you look at Mark objectively, I think you would already have your answer.”

  I know he’s right. In my gut I have felt it. I have been fighting this for all the wrong reasons.

  “Emme,” Harry says “It’s time to dig in. You are Mrs. Graham Taylor. If you didn’t want the job you shouldn’t have said yes.”

  “Of course I wanted to say yes,” I say, a little bruised by his frankness. But I know it’s the kind of kick in the pants only a parent can give.

  “Then take responsibility for it. Graham is one of the wealthiest men in the world. You are his wife. You need to identify with the man who is your husband and the power he has. You have his ear. That means you wield a lot of power. If you don’t wrap your head around that soon, you’re going to get hurt.”

  I absorb everything my father tells me. He’s right, I need to dig in. I didn’t go into this blind, so I need to quit acting like I did. I need to stop fighting Graham every step of the way. It’s not Graham’s role to find my place in life. It’s mine, and I have to do it as Mrs. Graham Taylor. Scratch that. I get to do it as Mrs. Graham Taylor. I smile at that revelation.

  “There she is,” he smiles when he sees I’ve put it all together. “You lost your way a little, but you’re back.” He stands.

  “I love you,” I tell him as I come around the desk to hug him.

  “I love you too, sweetheart.” He kisses my forehead. “You are an amazing person who is going to do amazing things as Emme Taylor.” He gives one more hug before releasing me.

  I escort him to the elevator.

  “Emme!” Reggie hugs me as I enter the eating area.

  “Hi Reggie. Love your look.” I straighten his bow tie.

  “You looked so beautiful this weekend. Terrance is going to be at dinner tomorrow night if you can make it.”

  I think for a minute. “I need to look at my calendar again. I can’t remember what I have tomorrow.”

  “Grandma Pearl said to tell you she is making meatloaf and mashed potatoes.”

  I salivate just hearing it. “I will definitely do my best to be there.”

  “Hi fellas.” I acknowledge the guys while taking a bite of my apple.

  “Emme.” Bear greets me. “Congratulations.”

  “Yes. Congratulations,” say the others.

  “Thank you.”

  “You want to play fall ball with us?” Greg asks.

  “Let me know the schedule. I’ll have to see. Who do you play for?”

  “Taylor Organization,” they say in unison like I’m a turnip short of a full truck.

  “I didn’t know we had a fall league?” I take another bite of my apple.

  It’s refreshing to have normal conversation with people who don’t have ulterior motives. Like everyone, they want to know they are important to their boss, but other than that, they like my company regardless of who I’m married to.

  “We had a jersey made for you.” They hand me a baseball shirt with “Taylor Organization” on the front. Turning it over to see what number they gave me, I can’t help but smile at the back. “Mrs. Taylor, 14.”

  “You look beautiful.” Graham stops and drinks me in when I walk into the kitchen. I’m wearing a simple cream dress. It’s long and fits me like a second skin. From the front, I am completely covered including my arms. The back however is another story with it’s opening reaching below my waist. The gown is tailored to me. I chose a long gold necklace that I’m wearing down my back instead of my front. Gold shoes and a bronze clutch and I’m ready for the event. The assortment of metallic accents my wedding bands perfectly.

  “Seriously. You are exquisite.” He touches my chin before planting a soft kiss to my lips.

  “Shall we go Mrs. Taylor?” He escorts me to the elevator.

  The event is large and we are bombarded with press and the onslaught of questions about the news of our wedding. Walking the red carpet, Graham looks calm and collected, but inside I know he is displeased by the questions I am being asked. I assume it’s only natural that people will think I married him for his money, add to it the speculation that we married in record time because I am pregnant. Graham curses it all under his breath while we smile, wave, and answer the tamer questions about how it feels to be married.

  “So. Why are we here?” I ask as Graham moves me forward. We are stopped several times before we make it to Harry and Eloise.

  “Money. Political advantage. Building relationships.” He grabs us each a glass of wine off a waiter’s tray.

  “Eloise, you look beautiful.” I interrupt him to greet her.

  “Thank you, sweetheart.” She squeezes my hand. It’s not long before Graham and Harry leave us to mingle and handle business.

  “Harry told me he had a talk with you today.”

  “He did. He’s right, too. I need to pull it together. Was adjusting hard for you?”

  “It was in that Harry is an enigma on his own. He commands a room, but does it from the background. People have always been fascinated by him. He rarely gives interviews, so people would try to get to him through me. I learned some hard lessons along the way. I told Harry to give you time, but he’s not willing to let you figure it out on your own if it means you might get hurt. There’s a difference when it’s your little girl. It changes what you’re willing to endure.”

  “Emme, you look beautiful.” Mark Johnson walks up and gives me a polite kiss on my cheek. His hand lands on my lower back.

  “Mark,” Eloise says, drawing his attention to her, allowing me to move slightly out of his reach. “I saw you announced today. I look forward to hearing your response to the issues.” I watch her and realize I have a lot to learn from the women I have around me. Each of them are formidable in their own right.

  “Emme, may I have a moment with you please?” Mark looks to me, and I look to Eloise.

  “Would you let Graham know where I am if he returns before I do?”

  “There are a few people I’d like you to meet,” he says before introducing me to two strangers. “Mr. and Mrs. Bagley, I would like to introduce you to Emme James. She is the one who started the mentor program I’m involved with.”

  “Emme Taylor,” I correct him and notice the recognition in their eyes and the coolness in his. I make polite conversation while glancing around for Graham.

  “Mark,” I stop him before he introduces me to someone else. “I want to tell you how much I appreciate your offer, and while it is truly flattering, it’s just not the right fit for me at this time.”

  “Are you sure? I appreciate that you are newly married, but I am giving you the opportunity to carve out your own niche. Be your own person. Together we can run this town.”

  “That’s just it. I have a niche, I am my own person, and together to me means me and Graham.” It’s in that moment that I am hit by overwhelming clarity.

  “Mark,” Graham says, wrapping his arms around my hips and pulling me to him.

  “Graham, great to see you. I was just introducing Emme to a few people.”

  “Thank you, but as her husband, I’ll make that decision.” CEO Graham is here and not to be messed with. Having made his point, Graham moves on. I know he is making a point to Mark, so I don’t give him the shit I should over his ‘make that decision’ statement. The twitch in his eye lets me know he registered my aversion. “I hear you’re running for Mayor.”

  “I am. Not sure if you h
ad a chance to see it, but I announced today. I’d love to discuss a few things with you.”

  “Emelia and I were returning from our honeymoon, so we didn’t have the chance to see it.” His second point made. “I’d be happy to talk with you. Contact my father. He handles any political meetings. Now if you’ll excuse us, there are a few people who need my wife’s attention.” His third and final point made. Graham offers him his hand, never moving his eyes.

  Mark returns his handshake, but only nods to me.

  “What took you so long?” I ask dryly.

  “I got held up.” He places a kiss to my temple. “Why did you leave Eloise?”

  “I wanted to let Mark know I was turning down his offer.” I lean back to watch Graham absorb my words.

  “You are? Why?” He doesn’t object, but is curious to the reason.

  “I don’t want to be a team with Mark. I want to be a team with you.”

  “We are a team baby. That’s never going to change.” His hands cup my face and he kisses me slow and deep, not caring that we are drawing the attention of most everyone in the room.

  “Follow me.” He grabs my hand and leads me into a small room. My lower belly does a flip in anticipation of what he wants to do, so I’m a little disappointed when I see our parents are waiting for us.

  “What’s going on?” I ask.

  “Dad wanted to talk to you both,” he says, motioning for Ben to take the lead.

  “I just got off the phone with the lawyers in Memphis about fifteen minutes ago. You’ve won your case. Harry officially has custody of Addie.”

  “What?” I ask standing up, my arms falling to my side.

  “You won. You have control of what to do for Addie,” Ben says gently, not sure about my response.

  “Thank you, Ben.” Harry shakes his hand before pulling Eloise into a celebratory hug.

  “That’s wonderful news. Thank you so much Ben,” I tell him, ignoring Graham’s assessing gaze.