One Night

by Ramona Gray

  “Look at me, Kate,” he demanded.

  Her eyelids fluttered open and she stared hazily at him as he plunged in and out of her. He kissed her again, pushing his tongue into her mouth until she could taste her own arousal, before biting her lower lip.

  She cried out, her hands digging into his arms as he pumped his hips rapidly. He dropped to his elbows, his chest brushing against her breasts, and kissed her repeatedly. She met each of his thrusts, bracing her feet on the bed as they rocked together in a rapid rhythm that sent him over the edge quickly. She watched as his head fell back, the cords in his neck straining in stark relief, as he climaxed with a harsh shout before collapsing against her.

  She rubbed his damp back as he panted and shuddered against her before kissing her throat. He rolled to his side and spooned her, cupping her breast and kissing the back of her shoulder. “Stay with me tonight, Kate.”

  “All right,” she whispered.

  He cupped her face and turned her head toward him. “Happy Birthday, Katie.”

  She returned his kiss before he pressed her back into the pillow. “Thank you, Edward. Good night.”

  “Good night, Katie,” he mumbled.

  She listened to his breathing slow and deepen as she laid in the darkness. She touched the necklace around her neck, tracing the heart with her fingers, and was careful not to make a sound when she started to cry.

  Chapter 15

  Kate stared out the small window of the plane. The captain had just announced they were making their final descent and she was beginning to see glimpses of the city beneath them through the thick layer of clouds. She had been quiet the entire flight and when Edward had questioned her about it, she had given the excuse that she was tired. She twitched when Edward took her hand in his.

  “Your hand is cold, Katie,” he said.

  “Bit of a nervous flyer,” she fibbed before squeezing his hand and giving him what she hoped was a natural smile. It must have looked more natural than it felt because he relaxed in his seat and closed his eyes. She returned her gaze to the window, knowing the rolling sensation in her stomach had nothing to do with flying and everything to do with the decision she was wrestling with.

  You can’t keep doing this, she reminded herself sternly as the plane descended steadily toward the ground. “It’s too dangerous to keep sleeping with Edward. Sooner or later you’ll get caught and then you’ll be out of a job or worse yet – you’re going to fall in love with him.

  Oh, Kate, that ship has long since sailed.

  Shut up! She hissed furiously at her inner voice. I am not in love with Edward.

  Still holding her hand, Edward stroked her thumb gently with his.

  “Okay?” He murmured quietly.

  She nodded, giving him a pale smile as the plane landed with a gentle thud. They departed from the plane and retrieved their luggage without problems and Kate didn’t protest when Edward led her to his car in the long-term parking.

  Edward remained quiet on the drive to her place but Kate could feel him stealing small worried glances at her. He parked and shut off the car and as he popped the trunk, Kate gave him another pale smile. “Thank you for the ride home, Edward.”

  “You’re welcome,” he replied. He stepped out of the car and before she could stop him he was carrying her luggage to her front door, waiting patiently as she fumbled through her purse for her house key.

  They stepped into the hallway and as Chicken raced down the hallway toward them with loud, insistent meows, Kate bent and scooped up the old cat before burying her face in the cat’s soft fur.

  “I missed you, Chicky-Chick Chicken,” she mumbled. Whether she had missed her or because she had caught sight of Edward, Chicken purred softly, making no attempt to free herself from Kate’s embrace.

  Edward reached forward and scratched Chicken under the chin. “Glad to see us, old girl?”

  Chicken kneaded the air before butting her head against Kate’s chin. She set the cat on the floor and brushed the hair off the front of her shirt. “Um, did you want a drink?”

  Idiot! Send him home before you do something stupid!

  “I’d love one,” he replied.

  He carried her suitcase to her bedroom as Kate grabbed a bottle of wine and two wine glasses. He met her in the kitchen and as she poured them both a glass of wine, he snuck a look at the note taped to the fridge.

  Welcome home, Katie! Drop by our place tomorrow night at six for your birthday party. Your parents will be there but Lina couldn’t make it – I’m sorry! It won’t be anything too crazy – just a few friends and some people from the office. Can’t wait to see you! Love, Olivia.

  A stupid twinge of jealousy went through him. Olivia hadn’t sent him an invitation to Kate’s party, but why would she? He had no right to feel hurt.

  He looked away as Kate turned around, not wanting her to see him snooping, and she handed him a glass of wine. They both took a sip as Chicken weaved anxiously around Edward’s feet, meowing loudly.

  “Kate, I…”

  “Edward, we need…”

  They stopped and stared at each other.

  “Ladies first,” Edward said. He sat down at the table and Chicken leaped into his lap, purring loudly. He stroked the old cat’s head as she placed her front paws on his chest and butted her head against his chin.

  Kate leaned against the counter and gave him an uneasy smile. She was pale and ill looking and Edward stared worriedly at her.

  “Katie, are you okay? Are you feeling sick? Maybe you should sit down.”

  “No, I’m fine, I just need a minute.” She took a few deep breaths. “I guess we both know that we can’t…”

  She trailed to a stop as Edward stared solemnly at her.

  “We can’t,” she paused again before suddenly shaking her head, “we can’t let others know we, uh, slept together but I still wanted to invite you to my birthday party tomorrow night. Olivia’s throwing a small get-together and there will be other people from the office there, including Arthur, so it won’t look too odd if you’re there.”

  “You want me to come to your birthday party?” He asked.

  “Yes. If you want to,” she said.

  He set Chicken on the floor and put his arms around her. “I would love to. Thank you for inviting me.”

  She smiled shakily at him and he stroked her back. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  “Yes,” she said. “What were you going to say?”

  “Just that I had a really great time with you in New York.”

  Sunday, Kate thought. I’ll end this for good on Sunday.

  Edward breathed in the sweet scent of Kate’s hair as she relaxed against him. It was almost seven and he should probably leave and let her go to bed. Despite her assurances she looked tired and unwell. As she sighed and buried her face in his neck, he hugged her tightly and stared out the small window over the sink. He didn’t want to leave. He didn’t want to go home to his dark apartment, open the fridge and find nothing but juice and stale bread. He didn’t want to wander around his empty place, thinking about Kate and what she was doing until finally going to bed alone. He wanted to stay in her warm, bright kitchen, have dinner with her and then take her to bed and make love to her, bury himself in her warmth and the sound of her soft voice crying his name.

  He reluctantly let go of her as she stepped away and picked up her glass of wine.

  “I should probably go,” he said. “I’m sure you want to have a bite to eat and go to bed.”

  She smiled uncertainly. “Would you like to stay and have dinner with me? I’ll understand if you’d rather go home, but I’m going to be cooking anyway and it’s just as easy to cook for two.”

  Relief rushed through him and he grinned broadly at her. “I’d love to, Katie-did.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I’m positive.” He leaned down and kissed her thoroughly. She groaned softly and leaned against him as he urged her mouth open with soft, gentle kisses.

>   “Maybe we should change into something more comfortable before we eat,” he said as he cupped her breast with one large hand. His cock was pushing against her hip and she reached down and stroked him firmly.

  “Sounds like a good idea to me,” she whispered before he took her mouth in a hard, demanding kiss.

  Neither noticed when Chicken padded from the room toward the front door. She hissed softly when it opened before racing for the bedroom, her tail stuck up stiffly behind her.

  Kate moaned softly, letting her head fall back as Edward placed warm kisses on her pale throat. He reached down and cupped her ass, pulling her tightly against him. She was just reaching to pull his shirt from his jeans when someone cleared their throat loudly behind them.

  They broke apart and Edward stared at the two women standing in the kitchen. One was shorter and on the chubby side with long dark hair and the other was tall and slender. Her hair was the same colour as Kate’s and she was staring at them in shocked silence.

  “Mom? Lina? What – what are you doing here?” Kate sputtered.

  “Surprise,” Lina said. “We’re here for your birthday party.”

  “But Olivia’s note said you couldn’t make it,” Kate said. She realized she was still standing in Edward’s embrace and, blushing fiercely, she pushed away from him.

  “I wanted to surprise you,” Lina said.

  “We picked Lina and Aiden up at the airport and then drove straight here,” Kate’s mother said. “Your dad and Aiden are getting the suitcases from the car. We thought we’d spend tonight and tomorrow with you because your father and I have to leave the party early. Your dad is taking your Uncle Earl on a fishing trip at the lake early Sunday morning.”

  She hesitated, glancing at Lina, before saying, “I’m sorry, we didn’t mean to interrupt. We used our key because we thought you wouldn’t be home yet.”

  “That’s fine,” Kate said.

  She hugged Lina hard, blushing furiously when Lina whispered in her ear, “Holy shit, he’s hot.”

  She hugged her mom as her dad popped his head into the doorway.

  “Surprise, Katie-bear! Happy belated birthday!” He dropped the suitcase and stepped into the kitchen, giving Kate a rough one-armed hug and kissing the top of her head with a loud smacking sound. “Say, did you get a new car? It’s a damn nice – “

  He stopped and stared at Edward before holding out his hand. “Alvin Jones.”

  “Edward Turner.”

  “You’re dating our Katie, are you?” Alvin asked as they shook hands.

  “No. Dad, this is my boss,” Kate said hurriedly.

  Behind Alvin, Kate’s mother’s eyebrows rose and she stared wide-eyed at Lina. Lina grinned cheerfully at her as Edward controlled his own urge to laugh.

  “You must be Kate’s mother,” he said before holding out his hand.

  “I am. I’m Julia. It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Turner.”

  “Edward, please,” he said pleasantly.

  “Hello, Edward, I’m Lina.” Kate’s sister gave him an impish grin and he shook her hand as another man entered the kitchen. He was tall with dark hair and he put a possessive arm around Lina’s waist before kissing her on the top of her head.

  “Katie, this is Aiden. Aiden, this is my sister, Kate.”

  “Hi, Kate. It’s nice to meet you – Lina’s told me a lot about you,” Aiden said politely.

  “It’s nice to meet you as well,” Kate said. “This is my boss, Edward Turner.”

  They shook hands and there was an awkward silence that Kate hurried to break. “Edward gave me a ride home from the airport and we were just, uh…”

  She trailed off as Lina gave her an innocent look. “Just what, Katie?”

  “We were just discussing dinner options,” Edward said smoothly.

  “Dinner?” Alvin said loudly. “We brought dinner with us didn’t we, Julia?”

  She nodded, grimacing slightly. “You father brought some salmon he caught yesterday, I swear I’ll never get the smell out of the car.”

  “Katie loves my barbequed salmon,” Alvin protested. “I was doing it for her, honey.”

  “Well, now that you have dinner plans, Kate, I’ll leave you to it,” Edward said.

  “Nonsense!” Alvin bellowed. “There’s plenty of fish for everyone. Why don’t you stay and have dinner with us?”

  Edward looked at Kate who said nervously, “Dad, I’m sure Edward has other things to do.”

  “Not at all,” Edward said. “I’d love to stay for dinner.”

  “Excellent!” Alvin cried. “I’ll just go grab the cooler from the car while you and Aiden start the barbeque.”

  * * *

  “I like your family,” Edward said as they stood on the porch.

  “They like you too,” Kate said. “Thank you for having dinner with us. Sorry about all the fishing talk from my father.”

  Edward grinned at her. “I didn’t mind. I had a good time.”

  There was an awkward moment and then he pulled her into his embrace, stroking her hair gently as she wrapped her arms around his waist.

  “I was going to ask you to stay the night,” she whispered.

  “I was going to say yes,” he replied.

  He cupped the back of her head and kissed her. It was unexpectedly warm and tender and she blinked back the sudden tears.

  “I’ll see you at the party tomorrow, Katie-did.”

  She nodded, not trusting herself to speak, and watched as he walked to his car. When he was gone she stood in the front hallway as Chicken crept down it and stood at her feet. The tears were slipping down her cheeks and she wiped them away as she crouched and petted the old cat. She could hear Aiden and Lina talking quietly in the living room and the louder voices of her parents in the kitchen.

  “That Edward seems like a nice enough fellow,” her father said. “Did you like him?”

  “I did,” Julia replied. “He’s very well-spoken.”

  “I think he might have a bit of a crush on our Katie. Did you see the way he looked at her?”

  Her mother made a small sound of agreement.

  “Well, he’s not big on fishing so that’s against him but I suppose she could do worse,” Alvin said thoughtfully.

  Kate smiled and wiped her cheeks a final time before heading toward the kitchen.

  * * *

  “Kate, wake up.”

  Kate muttered and buried her face in the pillow as the side of the bed dipped. “C’mon, Katie, wake up. I have coffee.”

  She sighed loudly and blinked at her sister. “What time is it?”

  “Just after seven.”

  “What are you doing in my room?”

  “I wanted to talk and mom and dad are still sleeping and Aiden’s gone for a run so this is the perfect time.”

  “No, the perfect time would be noon,” Kate grumbled as she struggled into a sitting position and yawned.

  She took the offered cup of coffee and sipped at it as Lina reached out and tentatively petted Chicken who was sitting on the pillow beside Kate. The cat hissed loudly and swiped at her before flouncing off the bed.

  “That cat,” Lina laughed, “is a menace. This is why I have dogs.”

  “Where are the dogs?” Kate asked. “And how is Daisy doing? I keep meaning to ask.”

  “They’re staying with our friends Joe and Stephanie and she’s doing so much better. I swear, you’d never even know she had been stabbed,” Lina replied.

  “You look really happy,” Kate said.

  “I am happy. The last few weeks have been really good.”

  “I’m glad, honey. Really, I am. Aiden seems like a nice man.”

  Lina laughed. “Nice isn’t the word I would use to describe Aiden but damn if I don’t love that man.”

  “He’s very good looking.”

  “Isn’t he? And he’s an absolute rock star in bed. I thought I was terrible at sex, Kent certainly went on and on about how bad I was, but Aiden helped me see the truth. He was
so patient with me and all of my sex issues. Now I can’t wait to get naked with him.”

  Kate laughed. “Nice job, Aiden.”

  “Very nice,” Lina said solemnly. “And he’s got a lovely big dick and a wickedly talented tongue.”

  Kate choked on her sip of coffee and Lina grinned at her. “Too much information?”

  “Maybe just a little.”

  “What about Edward?”

  “What about him?”

  “Does he have a lovely big dick?”

  “Lina!”

  Lina laughed loudly. “Spill it, Katie. You know you’re dying to give me all the dirty details.”

  “Why would you think I have any dirty details to spill? He’s my boss, remember? I’m not allowed to have a relationship with him.”

  “Oh please. The way you were practically undressing each other in the kitchen suggests you’re more than just co-workers. I’m guessing the ‘one night’ thing didn’t really work out for you?”

  “I tried,” Kate said. “We agreed to just one night of sex and then it just…”

  She trailed off and Lina stared sympathetically at her. “You both needed more.”

  “Yes,” Kate replied. She set her coffee cup on the bedside table and stared at her hands. “We tried to stay away from each other, really we did, but I was completely miserable and then he flew me out to New York to help him with some files and I just… there was no one there to catch us, you know?”

  “I do know,” Lina said solemnly.

  “So I decided I would just sleep with him a few more times when there was no worry about being caught only he was so sweet to me, Lina. He bought me this necklace for my birthday, he took me sight-seeing, and then I met his family and – “

  “Whoa – you met his family?” Lina interrupted. “I haven’t even met Aiden’s family yet.”

  “It just sort of happened. They wanted Edward to come for dinner and insisted he bring me along. Edward told them we were just co-workers but his brother’s fiancé heard us having sex in the office so she knew we were more than that and the rest of his family totally treated me like I was his girlfriend.”