My Exception
My Exception
Kia Carrington-Russell
Crystal Publishing
Copyright
CRYSTAL PUBLISHING
Published by Crystal Publishing (Australia)
Copyright © Kia Carrington-Russell 2015
The moral right of the author has been asserted.
Cover Design: © www.123rf.com
Interior Cover Design: © www.123rf.com
All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced or partially used by any means unless prior permission by the publisher.
ISBN 978-0-9942999-5-6
Contents
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Epilogue
About The Author
Also Available
Dedication
To my editor, Ashley Patterson— so much love and gratitude for what you do for me. Without you my books would not be the same. You and I make beautiful books together, someone once told me.
To my family, I love you all dearly and thank you as always for helping me in my book cover decisions and the random messages you get from me for “honest opinions.”
To my partner, Scott, thank you for being my outside-of-the-box person. I love your advice and thoughts on all of the things I do. I love you dearly.
To my best friend, Keeley, thank you for listening to my every thought on the book. One by one they are manifesting, and a huge thank you goes to you for that. Thank you for believing in me and thinking of me as a star. Wouldn’t be here without you.
To my readers, thank you. You have supported my writing endeavours and it really brings me confidence in my books. Thank you so much.
My Exception
A relationship is to find that one person who will be your one exception,
that one person you will attempt to better yourself for,
whether they see you as flawless or not.
It will be a rollercoaster of emotion. You must find yourself,
not because they force you to, but because you want to be their equal.
You will work on yourself, so you can work on your relationship.
A beautiful friendship and progression of love.
An exception in your life no matter what has happened to you in the past.
This person is your one weakness, your love, and your life.
Chapter One
“I will be back before you know it. I’m packing my bags now, checking out of the motel, and then leaving for the airport. Stop sulking,” I joked, adjusting the phone between my shoulder and ear. I grabbed the souvenirs on the bed and packed them roughly into my bag before eyeing the room appreciatively one last time. The wooden frames of the bed contrasted nicely with the light beige of the walls. This was my first time in Singapore, and although I hadn’t the biggest room, it was still very luxurious.
“Clover,” Damon’s voice growled through the phone. “You have a man here whose workload has been far greater this month than usual while you traipse all over the countryside. I need a release and I can only think about one thing,” he pleaded. The rough edge to his voice sent shivers down me as I thought of how he might welcome me home.
“And yet that tight behind of yours is not here. I am starting to fear you don’t care about my needs...” he trailed off dramatically.
“Aww. Baby had to go without for a week,” I teased, moving to the opulent bathroom and collecting the last of my cosmetics.
“Clover, your tone hurts. There is a ridiculous amount of hours in one week,” he retorted sharply.
I rolled my eyes, imagining him here with me. It would’ve been so wonderful if he could have come. But for the past six weeks, his sister Michelle had had a few medical issues, and because of this, Damon had been temporarily made CEO of Be True magazine. I wanted to support him, and I did, but being away so much every month was difficult at times. I wanted to see inside of his head and ask what he was really thinking. He hadn’t said much on the matter of his sister, which alarmed me. After his mother was taken by cancer, he worried about the fate of his sister. She had been so quiet about her scans and reasons for going to the doctors.
I pushed the thoughts from my mind. “And have you been feeding Pudding every night?”
“Please Clover, me and Pudding are so close I could hardly imagine myself neglecting him. I would more likely forget to feed you than that amazingly handsome fat cat.”
“How many times has he scratched you?” I asked, raising an eyebrow as I carried my small cosmetic bag back into the main room.
“No more than you usually do on a daily basis. You can’t see it, but I’m winking,” he laughed through the phone, making me miss him more.
“I can only imagine your goofy expression. Oh, did my parcel come yet with Mom’s gift in it?”
“Not yet, but it will shortly. Stop panicking, her birthday is still two weeks away.”
The upcoming birthday would be the first time my sister Megan and my mother would meet Damon. I knew that they would love him, but still, I was nervous. “Do you think you will still be able to come, what with Michelle taking time off and you running Be True?” It came out quieter than I expected, more like a whisper.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” He was silent for a moment before continuing. “Michelle called me this morning; when you come back from Singapore she would like it if we could go over to her and Phillip’s house for dinner. She wants to talk with us.”
“Of course. Are you okay?” I sat down on the edge of the bed.
Damon was silent again. I never knew what he was thinking when he went so quiet. I could imagine his hard face, his dark eyebrows slightly furrowing as he considered what to say next. “It will be okay. Hey angel puff, I have to go. A client has just arrived for our meeting. I’ll pick you up from the airport.”
“Oh! My very own personal escort,” I teased, trying to lighten his mood once again. If he didn’t want to discuss it right now, I was okay with that. I would much prefer to speak with him when I was home.
“I will see you then, tantalizing lady.” I could hear the smile through the phone.
“Don’t call me that,” I snorted.
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”
I slipped the phone into my lap, looking up at the painting that hung above my mid-sized TV in the hotel room. It was a picture of a purple distorted cat. I inhaled deeply, deliberating over what Michelle might say. I knew what Damon’s greatest fear would be right now. His silence cut through my chest every time. He was so masculine, charismatic, handsome, clever, and confident. Yet I had seen his vulnerable side. I knew his secrets, and seeing that sensitive and so damaged part of him made me want to heal him. Sometimes, when I reached out to him, he would brightly brush my hand away, confident he could fix everything himself.
My thoughts drifted to Michelle. Wi
thout her presence in the office, it was quiet. That woman was professional through and through. I had much respect for her, as did all the workers there. She was hard but fair. Her expectations of her workers and magazine were extreme, but that gusto was what made it one of the leading magazines in Manhattan. Although she didn’t show her more playful side to others, often she would slip into my office now and then for a five-minute break, just sagging into the chair and kicking off her shoes.
Damon and I often went over to her home, for drinking of course. She was an alcoholic, hands down; she drank every night. But she was happy and gleeful all the same. The stress of her position would most likely have forced her into the excessive drinking. I enjoyed drinking wine with her. I even bought one of Singapore’s more renowned wines for her. It was not of origin from Singapore as they only imported wine. I trialled a few and after drinking so many nights with her, I figured this particular wine would best suit her palette.
I clicked the side of my phone so my screen would light up, revealing a photo of Damon and I at one of Candice and Clive’s’s events. I smiled; this was the first photo taken of us, when he had been my escort and pretended to be my boyfriend. How far we had come since we first met on that night. I loved this man more than I could describe; he was the first and only man who had kept my attention for so long. Now, I couldn’t imagine myself without him. The distance was a killer when I had to leave for my work as a travel columnist. It was what I had always aspired to do, and I loved my job. I never thought it could affect my relationship. I slapped myself internally. Damon and I had no issues; I simply missed him was all. At least this time I would have two weeks at home before travelling on to Fiji.
I slid my phone into the back pocket of my jeans, brushing my fingers through my very curly hair and pushing it to one shoulder. I collected my bag and headed for the reception. Less than one day now until I see my man, I told myself.
Chapter Two
The terminal was bustling at this time of day. I looked at my watch: 16:08. Only thirty minutes later than what I had told Damon. I was painfully aware of every minute our reunion was delayed. One of the travellers on the plane had been taken to quarantine. I supposed the authorities might have been scared of a virus being spread.
I watched impatiently as the many bags dashed in front of me on the conveyor belt, finally finding my black one and grabbing a hold of it. After clicking the handle up, I started to push through the crowds. It was a long plane trip and I was slightly jetlagged, but I was impatient to see Damon.
I searched for his noticeable profile. Through the crowd I spotted his pale blue shirt and deep navy tie. He was speaking with an elderly lady nearby a water fountain. She was sitting in a wheelchair and he stood chatting next to her, putting a smile on her face with his idle chat.
My admiration stopped as I read over the sign he held in one of his hands. It read, ‘My Candy Crush; have you seen my Candy Crush?’ I was so embarrassed that I had to force myself to continue walking towards him.
The elderly lady looked my way, pointing towards me as Damon looked up as well. His perfect smile flushed my mortification away. After waving goodbye to his new friend, he walked towards me with his hands spread wide. “There’s my Candy Crush; thank the heavens I found you,” he said theatrically, pulling me into the embrace I had longed for.
I snuggled into his shirt, embracing the smell of him, and looked up into his adoring blue eyes. “You are an idiot, you know that?” I said, wrapping my hands tighter around him.
He pushed away my hair from around my face so we could look into each other’s eyes. The skin underneath his looked a darker shade than usual, proving that work and stress had reached his beautiful face.
“You have been back within my presence for only a minute, and you insult me already,” he pouted in a childish manner. “You hurt me.”
“Shut up,” I said with a grin, wrapping my hand around his neck and pulling him in for an intimate kiss. As soon as our lips and tongue mixed, I felt my whole body shudder with warmth. I had missed this man more than anything. I loved my time away, but my god, did I miss this man.
“Clover,” he whispered as he continued to meet my kiss. “Unless you want me to take you here in amongst the middle of the crowd, you best be slowing down.”
I bit my lip, trying to cover my smile.
“I thought you would be tired after your long plane trip?” he asked, grabbing the handle of my bag.
“I was,” I smiled brightly. “Give me that.” I grabbed his sign, throwing it hastily into a nearby bin.
His expression was one of disbelief. “You will make up for that, you do know that,” he teased.
I entwined my fingers with his, a bright smile on my face. “I know.”
He led me through the crowds of people to where a limo waited for us. I raised an eyebrow at him. I hadn’t been in a limo since our last business party. Damon was never a man to flash around his money and drive about in a limo.
“I know what you are thinking, but it is not like that. I hadn’t had much time the past few days, and my car is still at my apartment. I figured this would be quicker considering we have to be at Michelle and Phillip’s tonight. Before then you should have a rest at yours.” He kissed the top of my forehead and opened the back door for me. He accepted the help of the driver, who took my suitcase.
I dipped my head as I got into the limo. It was far too big for only two. The door was closed behind Damon and a dull blue light lit the space around us. The leather seats smelled fresh. The partition between the driver and us was closed.
As I was assessing the limo, I felt Damon’s hand slide over mine. When I looked into his beautiful blue eyes, a wicked smile stretched past his lips. “One whole week, Clover, is a very long time,” he smiled with an arched eyebrow. I could feel his body heat. Despite how exhausted I was on the plane, as soon as I was in the presence of Damon, my body only cried for one thing.
I stroked the leather seating. “You said this limo was for convenience, huh? Convenience of what?” I let a small smile stretch over my face.
“Well, I don’t think it would be safe if I were to drive.” He shuffled closer, his eyes striking me like a snake. The limo purred lightly beneath us as it started to move. “And I knew I wouldn’t be able to contain myself the moment I saw you.”
His lips brushed past mine for permission and I greedily accepted. It’s not like the limo driver can see, I reminded myself. His tongue intertwined with mine and his hand brushed past my breast to pull me in closer. My hands acted on their own, quickly unbuttoning his shirt, my fingers enjoying his chiselled stomach. It was exhilarating to be touching him in such a place. My heart raced as his lips pulled away from mine so he could pull my shirt over my head and connect our lips once again. His warm hand on my back pulled me in closer. I tore his shirt, requiring his help to pull the sleeves fully back so I could throw it to the floor.
I grabbed his tie, pulling him over me as I lay back on the cool leather. I could feel his shaft brushing over my jeans. He intertwined his hands into mine, pushing my hands above my head as he kissed my neck gently. My whole body rolled towards him, wanting more from his kiss.
“Did you miss me, Clover?” he growled.
A small giggle passed through my lips at his stupid question. Looking up at him, I answered, “What do you think?”
He released his grip of my hands, his tongue interlacing with mine and taking my breath away. His warm fingers trailed down my stomach to my jeans, where very quickly he was able to unbutton my pants. He roughly tugged at them, smiling at me as he did so. I bit the bottom of my lip, unable to contain myself as my legs rubbed together in anticipation. I lifted myself slightly to make it easier for him to tug the jeans off, laughing as he struggled to do so.
“Shh,” he smiled, looking over at where the driver must have sat. I covered my mouth, forgetting where I was. Yet it was what made it so hot and enticing as well. I lifted myself closer towards him, grabbing his tie
again and pulling him into me. I felt around for the zip of his smooth black pants.
“You said you missed me,” I coaxed, raising an eyebrow and nibbling at his ear. “Prove it.”
A wicked smiled spread over his face as I pulled his pants down with his underwear, revealing the hard shaft that I had missed for the week it was out of my reach.
“I’ll prove it over and over,” he warned. It sent shivers down my spine.
Chapter Three
I wobbled out of the limo, red streaking across my face in embarrassment. The limo driver did not look at us any differently, but I still straightened my shirt and hair nervously. I looked back at Damon, trying to contain my smile as I noticed him adjusting his tie, which never came off. He brushed his hand through his hair, neatening it. His beautiful blue eyes struck me, amusement pooling from them.
He politely took my bag from the limo driver, thanking him. “Could you be back at six this afternoon?” he asked him, handing him over a tip. The limo driver nodded, gratefully accepting the tip before walking back to the driver’s side.
I looked up happily at the apartment block I lived in, like I always did when I got back from a business trip. It was nice to be back home. Damon came to my side and took my hand before we walked towards the doors. I greeted the security guard, who asked how my trip was. I told him it was lovely and I would tell him more about it the next time I saw him after I’d gotten some sleep. Now, after my body receiving what it required from Damon, the jet lag had crept up on me.
While waiting patiently in the elevator, Damon looked over me again suggestively.
“Okay, now I have to rest,” I said, putting a hand to his chest and pushing him back. He smiled wickedly, giving me a small kiss of acceptance before the elevator doors opened. He fumbled for the keys in his pocket before opening my door and letting me enter first.
My Exception (My Escort #2) Page 1