Finally in desperate need of air, Calida pulled back resting her head against the door as Edric stared down at her with bright green eyes.
“I don’t think…” Calida began only to be stalled when Edric lifted a hand away from the door to put a finger over her mouth shaking his head.
“Let’s not think about anything else right now,” he said huskily the other hand sliding down to her waist pulling her closer to him and Calida’s eyes scanned his seeing so much, and yet not enough. Something deep inside told her not to trust this man even though it was also telling her that she was falling in love, which Calida found unacceptable so she pushed it to the side. It was a physical attraction she told herself as her body curved into his and although it was something she never let herself indulge, she felt as if she ignored this chance then she would never have it again. As he took her lips in another kiss, Calida relaxed telling herself that she wasn’t going to regret this decision no matter what happened later.
Edric continued kissing her pushing everything to the back of his mind as he stepped back toward the bed taking her with him.
“Edric,” she moaned out as he backed them up only to gasp as they fell back on the bed and he rolled them over so he hovered over her.
Calida stared up at him hazel eyes drowsy with passion but she didn’t stop him as his hand trailed down her neck and traced the edge of her shirt.
“If you tell me no, then we will stop here,” he whispered roughly leaning down and kissing her neck as she arched giving him better access.
Calida knew that she wouldn’t stop him as she closed her eyes feeling his hands going down to the edge of her shirt sliding under it slowly, and she pushed lightly at his shoulders forcing him to stop. He sat up a look of disappointment in his eyes as Calida followed him up but his eyes widened briefly when Calida pulled the shirt over her head and her hands went to the clasp on her bra.
Edric stopped her as he slid a hand up her back and her hazel eyes flared with emotion when he leaned forward kissing her collarbone easily unsnapping the clasp before sliding the straps down her arms.
He leaned back watching as she blushed lightly her arms coming up to stop the straps from falling completely off as she said hesitatingly, “You may not believe this, but it is my…”
Edric stopped her sentence as he leaned forward stopping her words with his lips feeling a thrill go through him although he didn’t let her finish and he whispered against her lips, “Thank you.”
“For what?” She said huskily as she let her arms fall to her sides and he finished taking off her bra throwing it to the floor as he gazed down at what the bra revealed.
“Trusting me,” he told her lifting his green eyes to hers before he slipped off his jacket and unbuttoned his shirt with a speed that Calida envied in that moment as she watched him.
He laughed as he tossed the shirt to the floor before he tumbled her back to the bed and she shrieked with laughter at the suddenness.
He smiled down at her watching her hazel eyes flash with laughter and an answering smile on her face as she laid back against the bed her hands interlocked with his.
“No regrets,” he said looking down at her and for some reason, he needed her to not regret what was happening between them.
She looked at him strangely before she nodded her head and told him sincerely, “I already promised myself no regrets no matter what happens later on.”
Hearing those words, Edric felt something in him pause but as she lifted herself up to kiss him, he let it drift away and he followed her down to the bed.
A few hours later, he spooned her from behind one hand tangled in her hair as the other nestled around her waist while he asked, “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
Calida shook her head the strands running through his fingers at her movement and Edric smiled letting his eyes close as he pulled her tighter against him. He didn’t go to sleep though as he felt her own breathing even out letting him know that she was asleep. His eyes opened briefly to look at her his hand still tangled in her hair and he frowned lightly before he settled back down next to her as sleep claimed him.
In his subconscious, his sister was crying and shaking her head at him as he told her over and over I’m sorry, Adela, I’m sorry.
The next morning, Edric was standing at the window looking out when Calida stirred slowly in the bed and he turned around to look at her.
“Good morning,” he said as she opened her eyes and he smiled as he saw the sleepiness in her eyes before she remembered where she was at.
“Good morning,” she said in a low voice sitting up keeping the sheet tucked around her body.
Edric laughed as he walked over to her and sat down on the edge of the bed putting a hand to her cheek but there was hardness in his eyes as he looked at her.
He went to say something else when there was a knock on the door and Ms. Welsh called out, “Edric, Sophia is here to see you and also something came for you in the mail.”
He frowned at the news but it was more at Calida’s stiffness when she heard that Sophia was there.
“You can go and see her,” she said pulling his hand away from her face and holding it for a few minutes before she eased off the bed.
“Calida,” he began the hardness leaving his eyes but she only shook her head and leaned over giving him a quick kiss before she picked up her clothes heading to the bathroom.
As the door closed behind her, Ms. Welsh knocked on the door one more time before she opened it slowly and seeing Edric sitting on the bed said, “Edric, you…”
She stopped when she noticed the look in his eyes as he stared at the closed bathroom door and she said quietly, “I hope that you are not thinking about hurting that young woman, Edric.”
Edric turned to look at her his eyes slightly narrowed but he didn’t comment as he shifted his eyes back to the closed bathroom door that Calida was getting changed behind.
Edric stood up with his eyes still focused on the door told Ms. Welsh, “Tell Sophia that I have something planned for today so I can’t help her, and as for the envelope,” Ms. Welsh smiled and walked over handing out the envelope to him, “thank you Ms. Welsh.”
Their attention was suddenly diverted as the bathroom door opened and Ms. Welsh smiled, “Good morning, Calida.”
“Good morning, Ms. Welsh,” Calida said a note of embarrassment in her voice.
“Would you like something to eat, Calida?” Ms. Welsh asked before she frowned and walked over to her looking at her clothes.
“Nothing Ms. Welsh, as I’m going to call Jake and have him pick me up,” Calida said watching as Ms. Welsh walked over to Edric’s closet pulling it open to take out his robe.
“Go put this on, Calida, and give me your clothes so I can wash them,” Ms. Welsh told her giving her a stern look.
“Ms. Welsh, I can call Jake and change at home,” Calida said only to be shocked when Edric walked over and grabbed the robe holding it out to her.
“Either you can change, or I can help you change,” Edric told her with a roguish grin as he lifted an eyebrow.
Calida muttered under her breath as she took the robe and stepped back inside the bathroom giving him a narrowed look before closing the door behind her.
“Make sure to bring down her clothes,” Ms. Welsh said glancing back at the bed before she added. “Bring down the bed linen too, Edric.”
Edric glanced over at the bed sheets seeing the signs of Calida’s innocence that stained his sheets and he said absently thinking about last night, “I will, Ms. Welsh.”
Ms. Welsh opened her mouth to say something else but closed it before she sighed silently knowing that anything she said wouldn’t change Edric’s mind if he had something planned and she glanced at the bathroom door once as she left the room closing the bedroom door behind her.
Edric glanced at the bathroom door again before he opened the envelope and took out the file within with a frown before he started reading it. His eyes narrowed as he began t
o get absorbed in what he was reading that he didn’t hear the bathroom door open Calida walking out engulfed in Edric’s robe.
Calida tightened the belt of Edric’s robe and glanced up about to speak when she noticed his concentration on the file in his hand and when she recognized the file, she smiled slightly as she moved soundlessly and stripped the bed. Adding the sheets to her clothes, she quietly left the room and headed down stairs wondering what Edric was going to do with the file he received.
She was so lost in thought that she didn’t see Sophia waiting at the bottom of the stairs until Sophia said, “What in the hell are you doing here?”
Calida glanced up her eyes still lost in thought as she answered truthfully, “I spent the night.”
Sophia’s face went red and suddenly the house echoed with the slap she dealt to Calida’s face and Calida put a hand up feeling the sting from the slap as Ms. Welsh hurried out from the kitchen area.
“What,” she began only to stop when Sophia screamed at her, “You whore.”
Calida rubbed her stinging cheek as she stared at Sophia and she didn’t look up when other footsteps started down to them.
“You told me yourself that he likes to play around,” Calida said moving her jaw lightly before she continued. “We decided to play.”
Sophia’s hand went back again and as it swung forward Calida’s eyes narrowed but it never made contact since Edric caught her wrist in his hand.
“Is there a problem here?” He asked in a cold voice as he dropped Sophia’s wrist glancing at Calida whose hazel eyes were still narrowed before his eyes drifted down to her clenched fists.
“Sophia, I believe Ms. Welsh told you that I had plans for today and that I wouldn’t be available to help you,” Edric told her as he reached down and unclenched Calida’s fist to slide his hand in hers.
Sophia didn’t notice his action as she said with a smile, “We made plans today, Edric, or don’t you remember?”
Edric lifted an eyebrow as he asked, “Did we Sophia?”
Sophia swallowed slightly seeing the look in his eyes challenging her to continue with her lie. “No, but I thought you would help me out as you usually do,” she said slowly.
Before Edric could speak, Lida started laughing as she came down the stairs making sure to leave her robe to her nightgown open as she strutted down bumping in Calida causing her to fall against Edric, and in response, he let go of her hand to slide his arm around her waist.
“Sophia, Calida is good about getting a man interested in her,” Lida said throwing Calida a smug look which was completely wiped off when Edric spoke next.
“Maybe so, but she hasn’t given herself to anyone until last night,” Edric stated loud and clear, and Calida felt her face grow hot with embarrassment at his words.
“Edric,” she muttered in a low voice as Edric tucked her face in his chest before he turned hard green eyes to Lida.
“Ric,” Lida began on a sigh only to stop when she saw the sheets in Calida’s arms and the bloodstains were more than evident.
“But your brother told me,” Lida began only to stop as Calida’s head snapped up after she gathered the things in her arms closer to her to hide the evidence of what happened last night.
“My brother can lie with the best of them,” Calida told her with complete sincerity her voice low but her eyes were flashing with anger.
Ms. Welsh stepped forward and said, “Calida, let me take those from you.”
Calida nodded her head as she handed over the sheets and her clothes as Edric asked, “Is breakfast ready, Ms. Welsh?”
“Yes, Edric,” Ms. Welsh said with a smile and a nod as she headed to the laundry room.
Edric tightened his hold on Calida’s waist when he felt her move to follow Ms. Welsh as he offered, “You are more than welcomed to join us for breakfast, but afterwards Calida and I are going out so I suggest that you do the same.”
He nodded his head maneuvering Calida around Sophia and Lida as they continued down the stairs to the kitchen, and Tomas followed them keeping his smile to himself.
“The bitch,” Sophia said with complete venom as she turned on her heel and followed them not going to leave Edric alone with her. She would find a way to ruin their day together no matter what it was she had to do.
Lida didn’t notice anyone’s leaving as she continued seeing the evidence of Calida’s innocence on the bed sheets she held in her hands. “I don’t understand,” she mumbled to herself before she rushed upstairs to get changed and within minutes she was out of the house her eyes narrowed as she headed out to learn the truth.
Edric glanced over at Calida’s plate as she picked at the food on it a thoughtful expression on her face while Sophia said, “Ric, I really need your help today, and I don’t think Calida will mind if you help me.”
She turned a smile to Calida who wasn’t paying her any attention her mind still repeating what Lida had said in the hallway.
“Calida,” Edric said reaching over and touching her hand getting her attention as her head shot up.
“I’m sorry,” she said shaking her head and glancing at him before turning her attention to Sophia. “Did you ask me something?”
Sophia’s mouth tightened for a second before she said, “You don’t mind if I borrow Ric for the day, do you? I really need his help with something.”
Calida stared at her for a second before she glanced back down at her plate telling her, “Sure, but only if you need his help with something related to business and not helping you choose an outfit for your modeling gig this afternoon.”
Edric stifled his laugh at her words as Sophia’s eyes widened in her face and she stuttered out, “Why you bitch.”
Calida pushed her plate away and lifted her eyes saying with a polite smile although her eyes were slightly narrowed, “You slapped me, Sophia, after you were the one who told me that he liked to play around but eventually he would leave me to go back to you. Now why would I let you have him now if that’s the case and he will go back to you later? I should enjoy him for as long as he wants me until that time.”
Ms. Welsh standing at the stove began to cough and Tomas picked up his cup drinking quickly to stop his laughter only to burn his tongue and he spit out the coffee on the table catching Sophia’s dress in the process.
“Tomas!” She screeched pushing her chair back and standing up swiftly.
Tomas waved his hand as Ms. Welsh gave him a glass of water and he took a gulp before apologizing, “It was hot, Sophia, but I didn’t mean to get coffee on your dress.”
She glared at him before she turned on her heel and stormed out of the kitchen, and a few seconds later they heard the front door slam shut followed by the reviving of a car as it tore out of the drive.
“It was hot,” Edric repeated looking over at Tomas as Calida bit her lip to stop from laughing but when she glanced up catching the smirk on Tomas’s face, she couldn’t hold it in.
Calida collapsed against Edric as she laughed and he nodded his head to Tomas in ‘thank you’ for knocking her out of the mood she had been in earlier.
“So what do you want to do today?” He asked her when her laughter finally calmed down and she glanced up at him from his shoulder that her head was resting against.
She frowned as she sat up and said, “Unfortunately, I have to work today so we will have to do it some other time.”
Edric smiled as he pulled his cell from his pocket and dialed a number while Calida looked at him questioningly until he began to speak.
“Hi, ma’am,” he said, and Calida shook her head as she reached for the phone and he caught her hand kissing the top of it. “I was wondering if I can steal my fiancée from you today.”
Calida’s mouth dropped open in astonishment as she looked at him and he smiled as he said in the phone, “I would really appreciate it as we got engaged last night but since I forgot to get her an engagement ring, I wanted to take her out today so she can pick out the one she likes.”
He flinched as he listened for a second before he admitted, “Yes, ma’am, we’ve only known each other for a short time, but I know she is the one I want to marry.”
There was more silence until a smile crossed his face and said, “Thank you, and I promise we will invite you to the wedding.”
He laughed before he said ‘good bye’ and hung up giving Calida a smug smile. “So we have the whole day after we go ring shopping,” he told her with a wink.
“Edric,” Calida said with a frown. “You don’t have to go that far.”
Edric shook his head and kissed her hand again as he asked, “Ms. Welsh are her clothes ready?”
Ms. Welsh laughed but admitted, “They will take some time, Edric.”
He frowned but sighed and nodded his head. “All right so I will use the time to do some work in the office,” he said giving Calida a look which she nodded her head giving him an okay to work. “Tomas, can you come with me before you leave to see Mariah?”
Calida laughed as Tomas winced at his words and Edric stood up running a hand down her hair before they walked out of the kitchen.
Ms. Welsh smiled and continued doing her work unaware of what the two men were talking about in the office.
“I received this in the mail,” Edric said handing him the file which he went upstairs to get before going to the office.
Tomas opened it and went through it his eyes widening in disbelief before he asked, “Is this accurate?”
“I don’t know, but I would like you to find out for me,” Edric said sitting down at his desk, and Tomas nodded his head closing the file a frown on his face. “Also if it is true, we can use this to negotiate with the other shareholders.”
Edric sat there thoughtfully for a moment as he asked, “Do you think I should make a phone call to Matt, or should I wait until we can verify this information?”
Tomas nodded his head as he said, “I think we should wait until we verify the information first so I will get on it right away, Ric.”
Past Sins Revisited Page 14