by Kelly Kay
Then he nudges my leg open and pushes in from behind me. He drapes my leg over his to open me further. He goes up on his elbow and looks down at me as I caress my own tits for him. He’s thrusting up, and we can barely contain ourselves. I meet his every thrust, and it’s all over quickly with a tremendous shudder from both of us.
We’ve not spoken. He tosses the condom away and pulls me back towards him. Soft kisses to the back of my neck and shoulders then I hear his breathing even out. He’s asleep again. I wish I could be. I kiss him sweetly, but he doesn’t stir. I have to be responsible and leave this gorgeous muscled man behind for work. His broad pecs and perfect shoulders beckoning me to nestle down on his chest and stay.
I sneak back to my own room to freshen up then down to the courtyard to clean up the rest of the party. Samantha’s supposed to meet me around 9 a.m. I also grab my bag that’s packed for my overnight in the city. I kiss his lips, and he semi-responds and rolls over.
I pray Samantha brings coffee and morning buns from the Basque Boulangerie. Those flaky pieces of sugary heaven can’t fix all of the world’s problems, but it can undoubtedly fix me up this morning.
Josh and I went to bed in full sunlight. It’s been about three and a half hours, but I need to soldier through. I’m headed into San Francisco to meet with some potential winery buyers today who have questions. Then a dinner meeting tonight in the city for the winery followed by a full day of meetings tomorrow. I swallow a fistful of Advil and leave the house. I do indeed feel every inch of what he did to me. I wish I didn’t have to leave him right now.
We fell asleep on the couches post-coital snuggling. There was lots of talk about the future, and I think I’m good with it in the light of the day. I want him. And he wants me. This incredible man I once doubted proved to me that he wants all of me. I didn’t want to fall for him. I fought it hard, but he slowly but surely found his way into my heart. I trust him.
He woke me up to watch the sunrise and then we put on LC/W merch and collected our tattered clothing and headed to the Farmhouse. He insisted I curl into him. I could get used to being told what to do.
Asher will be at the meeting this afternoon and dinner tonight with the Vino Groupies. I assume he’ll be there because he missed the dinner last night with all the winery families. So we’ll meet with them today. He claims he can speak to both sides of the sale. Will and I are going tonight, but I’m hoping Josh will tag along. I don’t really want to go. I don’t really want to be out of bed.
As I round the corner to the tasting room and the courtyard, I grin uncontrollably. Even if my entire body is sore with the pleasure aftermath, I can’t stop smiling. Thinking about it, I start to dampen my panties again. We talked about future things. Not coupley things, so to speak, but dirty things involving my ass and innocent things like going to my favorite restaurant in Austin. In those conversations, we both felt the promise of tomorrow, even if we didn’t flat out say it.
I see Samantha on the couches with a large bakery bag and a large man kissing her. I call out to them so they know I’m here.
“I take it the night went well?”
Sam says, “Well, if it isn’t the first lady of cold-hearted bitches.”
I raise my hand in a regal wave as he stands up. My friend Sam beams at his friend Sam. He leans down and kisses her, and I hear him say, “Tonight I cook. Any allergies, Sammy?” Sammy. That’s so cute. Now I can tell them apart in conversations.
She smiles, “None. Can there be more bubbles?”
“Plan on it.” He attacks her again with kisses.
They’re adorable. Sam strides over to me in his clothes from last night, and as he does, he points at my chin.
“That’s a mighty interesting stubble burn you got going.”
“I still hate him.” I smirk, knowing I’m lying.
“Fine line, Cosmo. A fine line between love and hate.” I nod at Sam, and he squeezes my shoulder and heads out.
“Sammy?”
She giggles, “Shut up. You can’t call me that.”
“I’m going to need to so that I don’t get the two of you mixed up. And just how mixed up did you get last night?”
Sammy and I get to work, and she regales me with tales of last night. It was romantic and wonderful. I tell her I slept well and say nothing about Josh. She probably knows, but decorum stops her from asking for gossip about the bosses’ son. We finish, and I hug her as she thanks me for Sam. I feel as if I’ve done a good thing. As well as some deliciously bad ones in the last twenty-four hours.
I’m sitting with their former branding agency at what was supposed to be a quick Sunday gathering, not a meeting. I’m exhausted and other people’s brand meetings suck. This is going WAY too long, and I hate this shit. I’m bored, and my mind keeps drifting back to this morning. My nipples keep getting taut every time I think of him. I want to go back and do it all again right now.
I look forward to more orgasms tomorrow. My phone vibrates, and I wish I were sitting on it.
JOSH: What am I supposed to do with this tree trunk that’s lifting the covers looking for you?
ELLE: You’re a smart guy, surely you can handle a little wood?
JOSH: Why aren’t you here? I need those lips. I didn’t say you could leave.
ELLE: Sadly. I’m in a horrible meeting right now with my thong drenched thinking of you. But I’m in the far-off distant land of San Francisco.
JOSH: Fuck. How did you get forty minutes away from me?
ELLE: It was like an hour with freaky Sunday traffic.
JOSH: How are you this responsible? I thought I told you to give up control. I guess it’s more jacking off thinking about you.
ELLE: MORE?
JOSH: Let’s just say you’re a frequent visitor to my fantasies.
ELLE: Pick one out, and I’ll make it come true. Soon.
JOSH: You are the perfect woman. Perfectly filthy.
My day drags on, and then Will blows off the Asher dinner. It’s going to be pure drudgery listening to Asher go off on his own attributes. I'm almost ready when Josh texts. I take a quick selfie of my cleavage for him.
JOSH: Why aren’t you home yet? When can I expect you on my dick?
ELLE: Tomorrow.
JOSH: WHAT? Nope. That was not cleared. That was certainly not approved. Sam’s off banging Sammy. I should be banging you.
ELLE: At the dinner your Dad blew off and then have a 7 a.m. breakfast thing. Am staying in San Fran. Come here.
JOSH: Mom wants to talk to me about something. Come home. Then go back early tomorrow.
ELLE: It will be so, so late and so early with traffic. Can’t.
JOSH: I don’t want you driving late. If I can scoot out of here, I’ll try and get to you. I'll text.
ELLE: Kiss your mom for me. Headed to dinner.
The dinner is essential, but I want to be in Sonoma, not in San Fran for the night. I opened the door for substantial corporation interest like Constellation in a medium production but high-end LaChappelle/Whittier. I was dazzling after Asher was boring as hell.
I scoot out of there before Asher can corner me alone. I was cordial, and he did whisper a strange innuendo in my ear. I told him that I was seeing Josh. Hopefully he gets the message.
I’m grabbing one last glass at the hotel bar. There’s an insanely tall and muscular man sitting off to the side of me at a table. His dark eyes look familiar. He was in the restaurant at dinner too. He’s so distinctive looking. Now that I piece my day together, he was at Starbucks earlier as well. He must live in the neighborhood. He’s staring at me, so I nod and smile. He returns my look but no thanks, not interested. I need a long soaking bath and lots of sleep. Before I go upstairs to my hotel room, I text the one person I wish was here.
ELLE: Asher was at dinner.
JOSH: Did you blow him?
ELLE: My jaw was still tired.
JOSH: LOL. I keep replaying so much of last night.
ELLE: Good. Me too.
JOSH: I’m headed out with Sam. I owe him a night. You cool with that, baby?
ELLE: Can I just say that I like when you call me baby. I like that you are a touch possessive.
JOSH: Good. I’ll let you be away from me but just for tonight.
ELLE: Just tonight.
JOSH: I need to chat with you about something later. I need you here, under me, over me. Whichever you choose.
ELLE: No, so wiped out. And I’m super sore. Hard to even walk to the car. I can only make it upstairs. Be back noonish tomorrow. Call me when you get up.
JOSH: Shit. I didn’t know that. I need your calendar immediately.
ELLE: So, you can cancel my dinners and meetings?
JOSH: If it interferes with fucking you, then yes. Tell you my thing later.
ELLE: Tell me now. Call me now. I’ll try to stay awake.
JOSH: At Sonoma Market, picking up late-night ice cream for Mom. Then I’m headed out. What will you do tonight?
ELLE: Same as you. Touch myself thinking of you, come, and then go to sleep.
JOSH: Can you still feel me?
ELLE: Of course, I can. That giant root of yours stretched me out pretty good. Can I say I wish you were here to share my giant hotel bed with me?
JOSH: Ritz?
ELLE: Duh.
JOSH: I want to take you out on a real date tomorrow. Come home to me early.
ELLE: I’ll try. But right now, I’m so tired, I think I’m seeing things.
JOSH: Like stars in your eyes when you remember coming so incredibly hard?
ELLE: Ha! There’s a guy here who I think I saw at dinner. And at Starbucks this afternoon. But he looks so familiar. Maybe we’re on the same schedule.
JOSH: What man? Have you ever seen him before today? I’m calling you.
ELLE: It’s nothing. I said I like the possessive thing, but this is ridiculous.
JOSH: Describe him.
ELLE: Fine. He has dark eyes and muscles and looks a bit like a bulldog, but he’s like basketball player tall. Jealous?
JOSH: Shit! Get out of there, please.
ELLE: You are jealous! That’s cute.
JOSH: Not jealous. Seriously, do me a favor. Pay your bill and go to your room. NOW. Just go. Elle. Get out of there, please.
ELLE: WTF. Calm down. I'm not going to do anything. Uh oh, the mystery man is coming over.
JOSH: FOR JUST ONE FUCKING TIME. DO AS I SAY. GET OUT OF THERE NOW.
My phone rings.
Chapter Sixty-One
Josh
She picks up instantly asking, “What’s wrong?”
“Don’t say a word. Elle. I swear to god. Please Hellcat, just be quiet. I promise to explain everything later. Just pay your bill. Go to your room, and I’ll call you in five. You have to go to the room. Please do this for me, Cosmo.” Fuck me. The threats weren’t idle. I hang up and immediately text this asshole.
JOSH: Leave her the fuck alone.
SAL: Joshie. Who? This one?
My phone dings and I lose my shit. It’s a picture of Elle sipping wine, looking at her phone. Sal’s there, not a goon. I know he won’t get blood on his hands, but that doesn’t make me feel any better.
JOSH: Bax. Are you in the city?
BAXTER: Yes.
JOSH: Get to the Ritz Carlton bar as fast as possible and find Elle from last night. Escort her to her room and make her stay there. I’ll explain later.
BAXTER: On my way. I’m only a couple of blocks from there.
JOSH: Thank fucking god.
Bax will get her. He’ll make sure she’s okay without asking questions. Fucking Sal.
JOSH: Sal, if one hair on her fucking head even gets frizzy, I will end you. I will ruin everything about you.
SAL: You can fucking try. In the meantime, it’s time to go home, Joshie. And remember, I’m a ghost. You tell no one about me. Do not explain why you left. Let everyone think you just went home. Not one fucking word to a single soul or you’ll see that I don’t do empty threats. Do not come to see Blondie. Meet me at Napa Airport- hangar 17 in forty-five minutes. I’ll give you a ride home.
JOSH: Do not go near her or my family.
He sends me another picture. It’s my mom walking the dogs from earlier today.
JOSH: I’ll be there.
SAL: I know that you will.
JOSH: Fuck you. Until the end of time, fuck you, Sal.
SAL: Tick tock, Joshie. 44 minutes left.
He’s got my fucking balls in a sling. I call Elle, and there’s no answer. Fuck.
BAXTER: She’s not here, man.
JOSH: Keep looking. Is there an Italian man in the bar?
BAXTER: No, just some suits. That’s it.
JOSH: Thank you. Now get out of there.
BAXTER: Do you want me to go upstairs to her room? You okay?
JOSH: No. No. Thank you, man. Call you tomorrow.
I’m freaking the fuck out. I call and leave another message. Just when I’m almost to the Jeep to break every traffic law in the world and ignore Sal’s demands, my phone rings. I exhale.
“What? That’s like nine missed calls. Mr. Mysterious,” she says exasperated.
“Elle. Where are you?”
“Changing and washing my face in the bathroom of my hotel room. What the hell is going on?”
I vamp. I can’t tell her any of this. Sal warned me, and I don’t know if my phone is tapped. “I just wanted you alone. I wanted to see if you’d like to…”
“No. Too tired, baby. And I’m too sore, my Josh.”
I like being her Josh, but I’m not sure I’ll get to keep the title after tomorrow. I need to get off the phone now that I know she’s safe. Fuck. There’s no way to explain this to her. I’ll have to put my faith in our connection. But for now, my Elle, I need to burn it down. Cruel to be kind, I guess. I can’t have her chasing me. I can’t have her trying to fix the situation. I can’t have her on his radar or even in my sphere. Fuck. It’s going to destroy me, but I won’t put her in danger. She won’t understand, but hopefully, in time, she can forgive me.
“Okay. Hellcat. Are you already in bed?”
“Yes. Drifting off thinking of you.”
“Elle. Oh God. Sweet, sweet, strong, beautiful, smart Elle. I need for you to keep believing that I’m always thinking of you. Can you do that? Last night was perfect. Perhaps the most perfect night of my life. Don’t doubt that. I meant everything I said.”
“Hmmm. Yours.” She’s already drifting off.
It stabs at me that tomorrow I won’t be hers. “Sleep well, baby. Get yourself in working order for the next time I see you.”
“Goodnight, Suit,” she says dreamily, and it’s ripping my fucking heart out.
“Until later, Cosmo.”
I couldn’t bring myself to say the word tomorrow because I know she won’t take my call.
“Glad to see you’re finally fucking get this. Turns out you can listen.”
I don’t even look at Sal as I board his plane. I take a seat in the back and ring my hands.
“Joshie, talk to me because we need to lay some ground rules.”
“You mean in this new hellscape that I’m fucking trapped in. Is this who you are Sal? Was I that fucking wrong about your humanity?”
He leaps from his seat and towers over me. I’m scared for my family and for myself. But I will not show one ounce of fear to this piece of shit.
He roars at me, “This is who I am when I’m at war. This is not who I am in life. And this is certainly not who I want to be but right now it’s who I have to be. I’ve shielded you as best I could Josh but that ends today. I don’t have time to fucking separate the two and hold your pussy ass fucking hand. So do as I say and we all get the fuck out of this situation. Don’t make me have to handle you too. Don’t contact Blondie. Don’t contact your friends. Your parents are already traceable but keep it brief with them. You use only this phone to contact me.”
“What the fuck?”
“Anyone you con
tact gets put on list. I won’t let your people be used as my liability. Don’t doubt that I’ll take care of it first. But I need you. There will be a man at your house and office twenty-four-seven. You take on no new clients and no new partners. You don’t take a shit without telling me first.”
I nod. My balls are a bit tied up for a while. “How long am I your bitch?
“As long as I need. Last uprising was almost a year. So tuck in for a good long fucking time. Josh, I don’t want to hurt you. You’re the only person I can completely trust right now.”
“You know I don’t give a shit what you do to me.”
“And that’s exactly why I need this to matter.” He pulls up his phone and shows me a picture of a hotel door. He has someone outside her door. “You and I are the same. It doesn’t matter what happens to us, only them.” He turns and heads back to his seat. I don’t say another word, mostly because there are none.
Chapter Sixty-Two
Elle
My breakfast meeting became a lunch meeting, and I’m finally finishing up with the event company that’s going to put on an end of summer city event for us. The thought of his touch overwhelms me, and I begin to blush. I just want to be with him now. I think I could fall in love with him. Actually, I think I am falling in love with him.
The man in front of me asks if I’m too warm. Damn this sensitive skin, hides nothing. Nope, not hot, just thinking about Josh again. I’m left alone at the table for a moment, and I text Will to see if he needs anything from the city. I’m a little tingly and nervous at the thought of seeing Josh. Other than his cryptic texts and odd phone call, he’s been off the communication grid today. I’m sure he’s sleeping. I slept like a rock last night. I hope he’s still in bed when I get home.
WILL: I need the chocolate and cheese. Puleeeeze.
ELLE: COME ON! I’m nowhere near that store.
WILL: You work for me.
ELLE: No! I’ll pick up Ho’s Szechuan green beans on the way out of town if you want.