Taylored to Perfection (Taylor Made Book 2)

by kj lewis

  “Sir,” I whisper giving him better access to my neck before my hand touches my swollen clit. My wetness is audible as I work myself into my last orgasm of the night.

  “Why are you dressed like that?” I ask, coming into our closet.

  “What would you prefer I wear?”

  “You look great. I’ve just never seen you wear jeans to work.”

  “I’m not going to work.”

  “You’re not?” I touch his forehead to make sure he is feeling okay.

  “Nope. I’m spending the day with my wife.”

  “You are?”

  “Yep. I’m prolonging the happiness.”

  “I’m happy.”

  “Prolonging the lightness.” He kisses my lips before walking his fine ass out of the closet.

  Vinnie has made a fantastic breakfast and I’m starved.

  “So, husband. What are we doing today?”

  “I thought we would ride through the park and maybe take-in a museum. How does that sound?”

  “It sounds perfect.”

  The weather is beautiful. The trees are changing into rich hues of reds and golds. We snag some Citi bikes after grabbing a hotdog from a street vendor and take a ride through Central Park. We find an empty bench on the Mall and Graham reads to me underneath the poets that line the sides. After our honeymoon, his reading to me has become something I cherish. It’s our time to enjoy these quiet moments. We’re photographed by a few paparazzi, but other than that, they mostly leave us alone.

  We’re on the east side of the park now, so we return our bikes and walk hand-in-hand to the MET and take-in an exhibit on Art in Fashion Design. Seeing some of the older pieces gives me a few ideas I’d like to take back to Jules.

  “You really love fashion,” Graham says when I point out the detailing on a hem.

  “I do. It seems like such a silly thing, but clothes really can make a difference in how someone feels about themselves. I like helping people feel confident and strong.”

  We view a few other exhibits before meeting Smith in the car. I close my eyes, my head resting on Graham’s shoulder. Today has really been wonderful.

  “What do you want to do for dinner?” I ask not opening my eyes. “I can cook.”

  “I was thinking we would eat out.”

  “Okay. Where?”

  “We’re here.” He seems nervous.

  “Where’s here?” I accept his proffered hand as we get out of the car.

  “Come.” He pulls me in stride beside him. We walk to the end of Pier 25 and up a plank where he stops in front of a beautiful yacht and slides his shoes off. I follow suit and take a seat where directed. Graham picks up a phone letting someone know we are on board and ready to go. He fixes me a drink before leading us up a level through doors to a large bedroom surrounded by windows.

  “Do you own this?”

  “We own this.” He removes his shirt and jeans. I run my fingers over a picture of us from our wedding.

  “Emelia, you have ten seconds to start getting naked, or there will be consequences.”

  Watching him as he starts a countdown from ten to one, I try to decide if I want to push for a consequence or not. Chewing on my lip as he hits four, I slowly slide my top off.

  “Too late,” he scolds.

  I wake a couple of hours later. Graham is nowhere to be found. It’s close to dinner time. There’s a note with some flowers on the bed saying Graham is on the main deck. He’s laid my favorite sweater of his on the bed, along with some leggings and socks.

  When I step off onto the main deck, I stop and can’t help but watch him working on his laptop. The sky is dimly lit and watching him makes me wonder what I ever did to deserve someone like him. As if sensing me, he turns and watches me as I walk to him.

  “What were you thinking about?”

  “How did I get so blessed to have you in my life?” I run my fingers through his hair when I come up beside him.

  “I ask myself the same thing every day.” He closes his laptop and walks us onto the deck. An attendant brings me a glass of cranberry juice and carbonated water.

  “So, we have a boat?”

  “Two. This one and a sailboat in the Hamptons. I thought we would eat outside tonight while cruising around the city.”

  “Graham. This is crazy.”

  “I’ve been meaning to get you out here for some time, but we’ve been so busy I haven’t had the chance. It occurred to me that we haven’t been on an official date.”

  “What better time to start dating then after you’re married,” I tease. “What’s her name?” I snuggle into his side watching the city float by.

  “Lucy. Dinner’s ready.”

  Dinner is delicious, and my time with Graham is even better. Add one of the most beautiful cities in the world as the back drop, and it really doesn’t get better than this.

  “Emme. I refuse to argue with you about this. Get your butt in the car,” Teague growls.

  “Teague, we’re going out of the city. I want to drive. I like driving. I miss driving. I’m driving. Now, get in the car or get left behind,” I reply coolly.

  “Emme, you ride in the backseat. It’s how this works.” He steps in-between me and the front door. I cross my arms and refuse to budge.

  “Emme!” he yells at the peak of his frustration.

  “I feel for ya, buddy.” Graham slaps him on the shoulder as he and Smith pass us to get in the Bentayga.

  “How about we compromise?” I suggest.

  “I’m listening.” He crosses his arm.

  “I drive there, and you can drive back.” I gesticulate like I just devised the greatest plan ever.

  “Fine. But you’re driving the speed limit.” He says opening the driver door for me.

  “Don’t I always?” I smile sweetly before clicking my seatbelt in place.

  The drive to Harry and Eloise’s is a nice change from the usual pace of stop-and-go city traffic.

  “Emme Taylor.” I answer my phone via Bluetooth.

  “Who won?” Graham asks and I can hear the smile in his voice.

  “Guess.”

  “Don’t speed. I want to ask you about Evan.” I can feel the shift from good humored Graham to CEO Graham.

  “What about him?” I accelerate onto the interstate.

  “Teague took a picture of a man last week when you were leaving Bryant Park. It’s someone he’s seen before.”

  “Watch the road.” Teague points straight ahead catching my angst over him not telling me this.

  “And?”

  “And Smith got a tip on the guy this morning. He’s trailing Evan and his dad’s campaign.”

  “I wonder why?”

  “I’m more curious as to why that means he’s also looking into you. We had someone show the photos to your friend in Memphis who had said someone was asking about you. It’s the same guy.”

  “I’m not sure what you’re looking for Graham. Until the fundraiser and then the impromptu meeting at the park, I haven’t seen Evan since before Addie’s accident. We didn’t keep in touch.”

  “So there’s no history I need to be aware of?” His tone sets off the hair on my arms.

  “What are you insinuating?” I pick up speed to pass a car.

  “I’m not insinuating anything. I’m asking.”

  “Can we talk about this when I’m back in the office this afternoon?”

  “Teague, we don’t know what he wants, so when you get back, I’m putting Myles on detail fulltime.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “See you when you’re back here.”

  “Love you, too,” I say sarcastically to a dead line.

  “What is his problem?”

  “Emme, I know you think you understand, but you don’t. Trying to find the balance in protecting you and letting you have some freedom is a difficult task. Graham is trying to determine how much leash to give you. You know what I mean,” he raises his hand to halt my protest. “Don’t get all P.C. on me no
w. He wants you to have the freedom you want, but to also keep you from harm.”

  “I understand, Teague. I really do. I want him to be safe too, but his perception of safe and my perception of safe are measured by two different rulers.”

  “Just give him time to get the lay of the land where you’re involved. It hasn’t been that long that you two have been together.”

  “Sometimes I wonder if anyone is telling Graham to give me time,” I mumble to myself, to which Teague wisely chooses not to respond.

  The morning with Harry and Eloise goes as planned. We finalize the arrangements to have Addie brought to New York. Harry and Graham won’t tell me how they are handling Tony, but I know they are dealing with the package he sent. I make plans to see them in the city later in the week, and Teague and I start the drive back.

  “Emme.” Teague pulls me out of my thoughts. “We’re here.” He nods towards Myles who is walking towards the car. “Myles is taking you up.”

  “Thank you.” I pat his forearm before getting out of the car. Myles escorts me to the waiting elevator.

  “Emme.” Cassie is waiting for me when I exit with a Diet Coke.

  “Thank you.” I accept it gratefully, rounding the corner to George’s desk.

  Graham is in his office with his back to the door. There are three other people in there. Two I recognize, one I don’t—a curly redhead who is blatantly eye-fucking my husband. He nonchalantly steps to the side when she puts her hand on his arm. Without turning to see me, I know he knows I’m in the building.

  “George, why is Orphan Annie eye-banging my husband?” I pat Cassie on the back when she chokes on her drink, trying to keep her composure.

  “That’s Gretchen and because she wants to fuck him, ma’am.”

  “I always appreciate your candor, George.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He eyes Cassie and I know this has not been the first time they have had this discussion.

  “If you’ll excuse me.” I enter Graham’s office.

  “My love.” Graham pulls me into his side before placing a soft kiss to my lips. I know he is uncomfortable with her advances.

  “Emme. The piece in Vanity Fair, you were perfect,” Charlie praises.

  “She was,” Graham interjects proudly, and the look he is giving me lights a fire between my legs.

  “Far from it.” I roll my eyes. “If you would excuse us. Charlie, I would like to go over a few items with you.” I effectively dismiss the other two people in the room without acknowledging them. Graham’s hand tightens on my hip and I shrug, letting him know I don’t give a fuck if I’m being rude.

  “Language,” he whispers in my ear, reading my thoughts. He guides me to the couch where we spend a few minutes with Charlie going over the remaining press items. The plan seems to be working in that the paparazzi have moved on to bigger and better things.

  “How are your parents?” Graham asks after Charlie leaves.

  “Good. We finalized the plans to bring Addie here.” I rest my head against him.

  “Sir.” George enters. “Your next meeting is in the conference room, and Police Commissioner Ralston is here.”

  “Let them know I’ll be a few minutes late and tell the Commissioner I’ll be right with him.”

  “Actually, sir, he’s here to see Mrs. Taylor,” George clarifies.

  I note the confusion on Graham’s face. “Can you show him to my office please?” I ask George.

  “No, show him in here and reschedule my 2:30.” Graham stands buttoning his jacket.

  “Teddy.” Graham extends his hand in welcome.

  “Graham. A pleasure as always.”

  “What can I do for you?” Graham gets to the point.

  “Actually I’m here to see Emme.” He looks to me as I join them.

  “If this is about John Michaels, you can speak in front of Graham.”

  “No. But I have kept my eye on the situation and it appears to be handled.” He looks to Graham who nods. I make a mental note to ask him later what handled means.

  “Please have a seat.” I direct him to the sitting area. “What can I do for you, Commissioner?”

  “First, let me congratulate you on your marriage.” His oversized mustache raises with his smile.

  “Thank you.”

  “I’ll cut right to it. I understand you have a relationship with the leader of the Apostles.” He watches my reaction.

  “I do.” I hesitate to say anything without him giving me a little more information. I notice Graham on his phone beside me, but his attention on Teddy.

  “How would you describe that relationship?”

  “Why do you ask?”

  He smiles at my question.

  “You might as well tell me what you want to know. I’m not going to give you any information unless you do.” I am aware that my need to protect Terrance is a pretty good indication of our relationship.

  “Your charm is disarming.”

  “I have charm?”

  Smith enters the office and stands against the wall. I assume that is who Graham was texting.

  “Yes.” His belly rises and falls with his laugh. “I’d like you to set up a meeting with Terrance.”

  “Why?” I ask, scooting to the edge of my seat.

  “We’ve had some activity that concerns him, and I’d like to discuss it with him.”

  “I’m not your girl. I care for Terrance deeply. I’m close with his grandmother, and his brother is part of a program I started for at risk teens.”

  “I know about your program and would like to talk with you about expanding it to other areas of the city, namely my department, but one has nothing to do with the other.”

  “Commissioner, you’re going to have to give me more information. I won’t betray Terrance’s trust. I know who and what he is. I don’t make excuses for him.”

  “I suspect you don’t.” He takes a deep breath and sits back in his chair. “In the scheme of gangs, the Apostles are mild in that they are more about protecting their area and members than they are about controlling or bullying people in the neighborhood. Compared to other gangs I deal with, Terrance is a saint. Nonetheless, he is the leader of a gang that breaks the law. Choir boys they are not. Word on the street is Terrance is losing control of his members. They’re starting to step out on their own. Violence is escalating and I am getting word of a hostile takeover.”

  “Is he in danger? I mean more than the usual danger you’re in as a gang leader.”

  “I believe so. I have an informant in one of the rival gangs who tells me they are planning to overthrow the Apostles. Emme, when one gang tries to redraw its territory lines, it sets off a domino effect in my city that I am not willing to wait for. I need to get ahead of this and the only way I can do that is to meet with Terrance. He has information that can help me put away the other gang before this happens.”

  “And if he says no?”

  “Then I can’t protect him, and they will kill him.”

  “Will you arrest him?”

  “No, Emme. I won’t. If you can get him to talk to me, I will make sure that even if he says no, he will be released. I’m not asking you to serve him up on a platter, I just need an in to meet with him.”

  “Why not go through Reggie?” Graham asks.

  “We don’t think Reggie has the influence on Terrance that we need to make this work.”

  “What is it you want my wife to do exactly?”

  “My sources tell me you have dinner with his Grandmother every other week.”

  “I do. I’ve missed a few because of my schedule, but I went last week.”

  “I would like you to schedule a dinner and see if you can get Terrance to meet you somewhere, for whatever reason you think he’ll buy, and I’ll be there. I’d also like you to try to talk to him. He appears to care for you and listens to you.”

  “No. I won’t mislead him. I’ll have to tell him what he’s walking into. If I break his trust, I won’t have any ground to influenc
e his decision.”

  “You’re not going to be there.” Graham dictates.

  “Graham.” I put my hand on his knee.

  “No, Emelia. And you aren’t allowed to go there for dinner.” He turns to Teddy. “I’m sorry, Teddy. I’d like to help you, but I’m not allowing Emelia near Terrance after the information you just gave us. There’s no way.”

  “I’m sorry. Can we back up to the ‘allowed’ part of your response again?” I attempt to keep my temper in check.

  “Emelia, I’m not going to argue with you about this. I’ve said it’s not going to happen, it’s not going to happen.”

  “Graham, I can assure her safety. I’ll even allow Smith to have his own team there if that will make you more comfortable. No one will know.”

  “You’ll forgive me if I don’t trust that,” Graham says.

  “Why do you think I’m here, unannounced? I’m not handing this off to someone else. My detail will be there every step of the way. She’s in no danger by going there for dinner. I won’t let anything happen to Emme. You have my word.”

  “And after? What if Terrance tells someone and word gets out that Emelia worked with the police to help bring down this other gang.”

  “Terrance wouldn’t do that,” I tell Graham. “He would never do anything that would put me at risk. Terrance is very protective of me and Reggie.”

  “No, Emelia.” Graham bellows.

  “I’m not sure this decision is yours,” I tell him softly, knowing he is not going to like my comment. “If something happens to Terrance because I didn’t try…”

  “Are you saying you wouldn’t forgive me?” Graham staggers.

  “I’m saying I wouldn’t forgive myself.”

  “Smith, can you join us please?” I motion to the chair next to Teddy, hoping my business like composure will keep Graham calm. “Let’s just entertain the idea for a minute. Appease me.” I put my hand in Graham’s. “If we did this, what would it look like?”

  “I would want you to go to dinner as usual. It’s commonplace. People are used to you there. When Terrance gets there, I’d like you to bring up the meeting. Tell him honestly what it’s about if you must. I’ve purposefully not given you the name of the other gang or the informant, so you can tell him honestly that you don’t know. I’d like you to convince him that in this instance, I am the good guy. His friend. Tell him that he has my word that I have no interest in his gang as of now. Tell him not to trust anyone, even his closest members. I need you to convince him that I am a man of my word, so he’ll come ready to trust that I know what I’m talking about. If you can do that, I won’t need you at the meeting. I can take it from there.”