by S. E. Lund
I stood there, feeling trapped, my fists clenched. "It's not at all what you think. We're friends."
"How do you know what I think?" my father asked.
"You told me that you think he's like his father," I said, reminding him what he'd said earlier about Josh. "You said he was probably a chip off the old block, if I recall correctly."
My father crossed his arms and held my eyes. "When can I meet him?"
Damn...
"You can't and there's no reason to."
"He owns the company you work for. I think that's a good enough reason. Where's his office?"
"He doesn't work here. He's turned over the management of the publishing company to someone else. Besides, he's in California with his brother, who was just in a very bad accident and is recovering." I glanced at my mother, but she was smiling, happy at the thought I was dating a very rich handsome bachelor. "He opened a new office in LA and he won't be back in town for a week or so."
"I'd like to meet him when I'm back in town in two weeks," my father said, placing his hand behind my mother's back. He pointed to the door. "Now that it's settled, let's get some lunch."
My mother gave me this excited smile. She didn't care about Josh's father and his involvement in my father's business partner going to jail. All she cared about was finding me another husband.
Oh, God...
We had a nice lunch down the street at the Italian restaurant where Josh and I went for world-famous meatballs. If I could have been honest with them, I could have raved about how romantic it was that Josh took me there when I first arrived, but I didn't want to give out too much info. I hoped to convince my father that we weren't serious, and that he was just a friend. I knew that if he thought were serious, he'd be all over Josh, expecting to meet him and talk to him about life and his views on government intervention in the marketplace or something else he championed as a politician.
Josh was a liberal and my father was a conservative. I figured they'd be like fire and gasoline.
It wouldn't go well, especially if my father brought up his former business partner...
Finally, when it was time for them to go to the airport, we said goodbye and I waved down a taxi to take them to JFK. We kissed and hugged, and my father looked in my eyes, his voice serious.
"I want to meet this Josh when I'm here again."
"Father, it's not what you think. We're not dating."
We're fucking our brains out every night exclusively.
"I know you," he said, shaking his head. "We'll have a drink and get to know each other."
"We're not serious. We're just friends," I insisted, my fingers mentally crossed because I honestly didn't like to lie.
"Just a drink and maybe dinner."
Then he got into the taxi and my mother waved at me through the window as they drove off.
"We're not dating!" I called to the taxi as they drove away.
My mother blew me a kiss.
Later that night, after I'd fixed myself a cup of ramen and a bagel with peanut butter for supper, I sat down on the sofa and checked my cell for messages. It was still early back in LA and Josh was probably at home with David and his other brother, Christian. I wanted to talk to him, but I didn't want to interrupt, especially if his brother wasn't doing well emotionally.
I missed him. I'd grown used to having him every night since we started to see each other. I hadn't seen him for only three days, but I still felt a hole in my life where he usually fit. I hated the thought we'd be apart for another few days.
Maybe I was falling for Josh, despite my best intentions.
Falling hard.
My cell dinged, and I grabbed it, hoping to see a text from him.
It was my mother.
MOM: Sweetie, you're going to have to admit to your father that you're dating Josh.
ELLA: What makes you so sure I am?
MOM: I texted Steph and she fessed up.
Oh, my God. I was seriously going to kill Steph. She of all people should have known that was in the vault...
I texted Steph right away.
ELLA: STEPH WHY DID YOU TELL MY MOM ABOUT JOSH???
The little dots floated away for a good thirty seconds as she replied.
STEPH: Oh, my God. You didn't tell her?
ELLA: No, I didn't tell her! If I had, I would have told you.
STEPH: She faked me out. She pretended that she knew you were dating Josh and asked me what I thought about it. Seriously, Ella. I figured you told her, and it was common knowledge. I'm so sorry!
ELLA: UGH. Now my father knows, and any chance Josh and I had at privacy is out the window.
STEPH: Seriously, I'm really sorry. She seemed to know and well, you know what your mom is like. She was so excited that I figured you told them when she came down to visit.
ELLA: It's okay. I'll deal with it but damn, I swear that woman could get a confession out of a priest.
I turned back to my conversation with my mother.
ELLA: Mom! You shouldn't have asked Steph. I didn't want Dad to know because he'll pester Josh about his father and the case involving Mr. Harrison...
MOM: Don't worry, dear. I'll work on him. I'm excited that you've met someone already. And Josh is so handsome.
ELLA: He is handsome but he's more than just a pretty face. He's really smart and he's honorable. He's out West looking after his brother. He's the head of his family now and he takes that very seriously. He's a good man, Mom...
MOM: I knew it. You're in love with him. :) :) :) <3 <3 <3
Her text was followed by an annoying string of hearts and smiley faces.
ELLA: I like him, Mom but I'm not in love, okay? Whatever you do, don't let Dad think that we're serious or anything. We're just casual. The last thing Josh needs is for Dad to give him the third-degree.
MOM: He wouldn't do that. He'd be very interested in meeting Josh and talking to him, but he's got some tact, dear. He's been in politics for years. Give him some credit.
ELLA: He has a blind spot when it comes to Mr. Harrison. You know that.
MOM: That was twenty years ago. He's mellowed a lot since then. We'll be back in town in two weeks, so if you two are still seeing each other, I want to meet him. Promise me.
ELLA: *sigh* okay. If we are still seeing each other when you come back, I'll introduce you, but seriously, it's not a big thing. We've both been burned before and neither of us are interested in being burned again.
MOM: Then, get married and stay married. Simple. ;)
I found the winkie emoticon the most annoying.
ELLA: Easy for you to say. Fifty percent of all marriages end in divorce. Some engagements don't even make it to the wedding day.
MOM: Relax. Let it happen. If it's meant to be, it will be. *Kisses and hugs*
ELLA: Back at you.
I put my cell away and sat there for a long moment, wondering how my father would react the next time he was in town. If Josh and I were still seeing each other -- and I hoped we were -- I knew my father would want to meet him.
ELLA: The cat is out of the proverbial bag.
In a few moments, Josh responded.
JOSH: Who's in the know? Your father?
ELLA: The very one.
JOSH: What happened? I thought you were dead-set against me meeting them. I was willing to, I'll remind you.
ELLA: I pretended I was dating a guy called Keith who was a bicycle courier who worked in the building. Of course, who did we run into but Keith...
JOSH: Ahh. Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive...
ELLA: Tell me about it. When we were meeting people from the office, my mother mentioned me dating Keith to Becca and of course, she had to correct my mother's mistake. I denied it, but my mother faked out my supposed best friend forever and she confirmed my mother's suspicions. My dad wants to meet you the next time he's in town.
JOSH: Does this mean rapiers at dawn? Do I need to perform six feats of strength and bravery lik
e Heracles?
ELLA: Probably just answer a dozen questions successfully about your father's expose on my dad's business partner, Matt Harrison.
JOSH: I'll read up on the case and prepare. Does your father favor the Socratic method, or will there be a multiple-choice questionnaire?
ELLA: Well, he was in the Military Police before he went to law school, so I expect the thumbscrews and bamboo under the fingernails approach is more likely.
JOSH: I'll make sure to do one hundred sit-ups and pull-ups a day in preparation.
ELLA: I'm so sorry about this. You can bow out if you like and I'll totally understand.
JOSH: Relax. I've been wanting to meet your father since I learned who he was.
ELLA: Really?
JOSH: Oh, yeah. He's notorious. A rainmaker as they call politicians who bring in lots of business to their states. I don't plan on going into politics, but Christian wants to run for public office. Your dad could be a good contact.
ELLA: Okay, but you should be prepared.
JOSH: I'm always prepared. Speaking of which, what are you wearing? *Hint hint*
ELLA: Right now?
JOSH: Yes. Please describe in exquisite detail. Better yet, Skype me. I have a serious need to see you pleasuring yourself.
ELLA: You're in need, are you? *Slowly pulls off her sweatpants and baggy t-shirt to reveal creamy naked skin*
JOSH: That's what I wanted to hear...
After that, we didn't speak about my father again, caught up as we were trying to get the proper angle with our laptops and cellphones, so we could watch each other masturbate to completion.
After my day of stress and frantically trying to deny I was dating Josh, it was a needed distraction.
10
Josh
Each day saw more progress and by day five of his being released from the hospital, David was sitting up for long stretches of the day, eating far better and being more talkative. He was still preoccupied with being a survivor while his friend and the other driver had died, but he seemed better overall. I had almost wrapped up the work I had planned to finish while in LA at the new office, and so I felt confident that Christian could handle David until the therapist we hired to come in daily and check on him started the following Monday.
I didn't want to leave David, but at the same time, I had meetings and important deadlines back home and needed to leave. Christian was capable, so I knew I could leave and be assured that whatever happened, he could handle it.
"Thanks for coming and spending time with me. And for being there when I needed you."
"Hey," I said and bent down to give David a hug. "Don't mention it. We're brothers. I'm always there for you or any of the brothers if you need me. Seriously. If you want me to come back out at any time, or if you want to come and stay with me out East, you just have to say the word."
David nodded but he looked a bit down in the mouth that I was leaving. We'd been through the event together and I understood how he felt about it, even if I didn't lose anyone close to me.
"Later," he said when I kissed his cheek and gave him a final embrace.
"Call or text me any time," I said, my voice choked at having to leave.
"I will. Give your girl a hug for me. I can't wait to meet her when I come out there."
"I will," I said and waved at Christian. "Come out as soon as you're able."
Then I drove my rental to LAX and waited for my plane.
Once our plane landed at JFK, I stood waiting for my limo service and checked my cell to see if Ella had texted me. She hadn't, but that was to be expected. It was the middle of the workday and I had only told her I'd be back in the afternoon.
There was yet another email from Penny, asking for more money, since she'd needed to pay rent.
Sure, Penny. Rent in the middle of the month...
I had to realize that addicts would say and do anything to get their hit. They couldn’t help it.
I sent her another hundred dollars and knew that at some point, I'd have to do something to get her on the right track or she'd just kill herself with an overdose.
As I stood reading about the rehab place in California, a man walked by me in the terminal wearing a black fedora. Something about the man made me take notice. Then I remembered the man at Ella's building. I shrugged it off, thinking maybe he was just waiting for someone, but still. I was sure it was the same man.
Once back at the office building in Manhattan, I went up to the apartment to unload my bags and have a quick shower. When I was dressed, I removed a condom from the box I kept in my washroom and slipped it into my jacket pocket, just in case Ella and I were able to find a moment together. I headed down to the MBS offices to check on my inbox and once I went through my emails, the first item on my agenda was to pop into the office of Macintyre Publishing and take a much-needed grope and kiss with my girlfriend.
I sent her a text first, so she could be ready.
JOSH: The photocopier room. 5 Minutes. Be there or be square.
Of course, Ella responded right away.
ELLA: Why, Mr. Macintyre, I do believe that's against the company's fraternization policy.
JOSH: You mean the company's *old* policy that I conveniently ripped up, because I'm the CEO and I can do that kind of thing...
ELLA: You should take care not to take advantage of your power over me to elicit favors...
JOSH: Only if you promise to do the same.
ELLA: What power do I have over you?
JOSH: Just that you occupy my every non-work-related thought almost 24/7 and I salivate with anticipation every time I think of spending time alone with you. Now, get yourself to the photocopy room toot sweet.
ELLA: Toot sweet? What are you? In seventh grade?
JOSH: Sixth. I'm on my way.
ELLA: Perhaps the photocopy room isn't the best place to meet.
JOSH: I prefer it because it has that forbidden quality to it. We might get caught. It makes everything more intense as a result.
ELLA: Are you into voyeurism perhaps?
JOSH: I'm hoping I'll soon be into your panties.
I took the elevator down to her floor. I said a brief hello to Sarah, the receptionist, and asked where everyone was.
"There's a conference call in the boardroom, but it should be over in about thirty minutes."
"Thanks," I said and found my way through the halls to the photocopy room. With everyone except Sarah in a conference call, I had a brief window of opportunity, which I planned on exploiting to the maximum. When I opened the door, I saw that Ella was already there, a smile on her face.
I closed the door behind me and locked it, then went right over to her, pulling her into my arms.
"Finally," I said, my eyes moving hungrily over her face and body. "Why aren't you in the conference call?"
"It's just for the editors," she said. "Us lowly editorial assistants don't get invited."
"Lucky for me," I replied. "You are a sight for sore eyes."
I kissed her, not giving her a chance to offer a saucy reply. We kissed deeply, her arms sliding around my neck. She pressed her body against mine, her groin finding mine and feeling my erection. I slid my hands down her back to her buttocks and then slipped a hand under her dress, lifting the hem and running my hand up her thigh to her ... her naked buttock.
She wasn't wearing panties.
"Oh, God," I moaned against the skin of her neck. "What you do to me..."
I slipped my fingers around to her pussy and slid them between her lips to feel her wetness.
"I need to fuck you right now," I said, pulling back, my eyes meeting hers. "Right here on the table."
She didn't hesitate and helped me pull off her dress. She wore a black lace bra and I managed to remove it in no time, burying my face in her magnificent breasts while I unbuckled my belt and unzipped my slacks. I lifted her up onto the table and she spread her legs wide so I could see her beautiful folds.
I knelt between her thighs and covere
d her pussy with my mouth, licking and sucking her clit and slipping my fingers inside her body. She rested her legs on my shoulders and leaned her head back, her mouth open.
Soon, her breathing became shallower and a flush spread up from her chest to her neck.
"I'm going to come," she murmured. I kept up my tongue's motion on her clit and was rewarded with the sight and sensations of her orgasm, her body clenching around my fingers, her thighs shaking.
When she pushed my head away, I stood and slid the condom I had tucked into my jacket pocket over my erection and then I entered her slick wetness, groaning from the sheer pleasure. We kissed briefly and then I started thrusting inside of her, enjoying the sight of her breasts moving with each thrust.
"Touch yourself," I said, meeting her eyes. "Make yourself come again."
She slid her hand down to her clit and stroked it while I thrust. While she did, I bent forward and took one of her nipples in my mouth, sucking on it before moving to the other.
After a few moments, her eyes became drowsy and she leaned her head back. "I'm going to..."
I thrust harder, knowing that she was close. I wanted to time our orgasms so that we came at the same time, and when I felt her body clenching around me, I was almost there.
"Oh, fuck, fuck..." I groaned as my own orgasm began. I thrust through it, the pleasure blinding.
Finally, when my ejaculations subsided, I leaned over her, kissing her tenderly.
"That was fantastic."
She smiled, her eyes still closed. "It was."
I pulled out and removed the condom, tying it off and wrapping it in some tissue from my jacket pocket. I didn't want to leave it in the garbage can, so I tucked it back into my jacket pocket.
"We don't want to leave evidence of our indiscretion lying around."
She smiled and pulled on her bra, then after I finished zipping and buckling up, I helped her on with her dress. She smoothed her hair and then ran her fingers through mine.