Merger

by Miles, Heather

  “I agree,” Josh said smiling.

  “The ocean, twit, not me.” I laughed, shaking my head at his overt prowess over me.

  “Twit?” He grabbed his chest like I’d stunned and offended him.

  “It was a joke my love, just a joke.” His eyes hit me hard and dead on. I guess the use of the word ‘love’ was also a stunner even for him, and I felt my heart swell as he looked at me hungry for my longing words. I was truly falling in love with him, but wasn’t ready to say it just yet, so I brushed over his stare and grabbed his hand, brought it to my lips and kissed it.

  “So, I guess I must prepare myself for all the swooning women. Looks like Tia’s no different than Megan. Honestly I’ve never been the jealous type, but damn it’s hard not to be when they’re all but throwing themselves at you.” I looked at him sipping his wine and he brought my hand to his face and kissed it.

  “Tia is just a hostess at a restaurant I frequent a lot because it’s close to my house and Megan works for me. Neither of whom you will ever have to worry about. I don’t want anyone but you K.K. and you obviously have no idea how beautiful you are. Those two don’t hold a candle to you, my love.” I was momentarily halted by his use of the word ‘love’ and smiled at the innuendo.

  Then, as if on cue, her long legs preceding her, in walked Megan. What the hell?

  “Hey Josh, I thought you’d be here. I was in the area and I thought I’d stop by for a quick drink. The sunset is beautiful don’t you think?” I looked at Josh and he was looking straight at me. He was caught between the weight of our previous conversation and his assistant standing before him.

  “Yes, it is,” he said drawing his eyes from me, but reaching for my hand as he directed his attention to her.

  “Can I get you a drink Megan?” Josh asked.

  I wasn’t shocked that he’d asked because he was always the consummate gentleman and would never make anyone feel uncomfortable, but I wanted to kick her when she accepted the offer.

  “Sure, chardonnay would be great.” She pulled up the chair next to me and gingerly sat down. I assumed by the length of her dress it was hard to find a way to sit without exposing herself. It was with this thought that I knew suddenly why she’d chosen to sit next to me instead of her intended target. Josh rose to his feet kissed my hand and walked to the bar to retrieve her chardonnay, still oblivious to her overt flirtation or merely playing stupid for my sake.

  “So, Kasey, we are all so happy about the merger. The Crawfords have all been working so hard to make it a success. Josh especially has been putting in a lot of long hours at work. I’ve made sure that nothing went unattended while he was away.” I bet.

  “That’s great,” I said with a hint of sarcasm and wondering if she’d detect it or if all the bleach processing of her blond locks rendered her stupid. Then she smirked back and hit me with her ultra-white smile.

  “Yes, I take care of all of Josh’s affairs.” She beamed. “So how long will you be staying in L.A.?”

  “I haven’t really decided. We have a few business deals that we are going to try to put into place and then I’ll just have to see from there,” I said.

  “Do you need me to help with any of your hotel arrangements?” And finally, there it was, no more playing around it. Where was I going to be spending my nights? I didn’t know if Josh’s relationship had ever crossed the line with Megan, but I sensed that if it hadn’t, she’d be open to the idea of it.

  “No, that won’t be necessary. I’m staying with Josh.”

  “Really?” She looked at me and I could almost feel the flush of jealousy come over her. “Aren’t you guys business partners now? I just didn’t think it was more than that. I was actually shocked at the way he was with you this afternoon. I’ve never seen him so attentive to anyone. I guess I was just a little shocked.”

  “We are partners and we’re seeing each other as well. Is that a problem for you?” She’d never admit to it, but it was.

  “Why should it be? I work for Josh and we’re friends.”

  “Great.” I turned away, let my smile abate, and pulled a long sip from my wine, hoping it would settle my urge to slap the blonde next to me. Josh came up behind us and handed Megan her drink. She beamed from ear-to-fucking-ear and thanked him. He sat down across from me and grabbed for my hand. I had the sudden urge to pull it away, but knew I was just being a baby. She’d gotten under my skin and I wasn’t going to take it out on him. I confidently intertwined our fingers, feeling the warmth of his hand in mine and gaining my reassurance.

  She’s a super freak, super freak…rang at half tone in my clutch and I pulled my hand away, thrust my wine on the table next to me and grabbed for my phone to stifle the song. I really needed to change that ring tone. It was embarrassing. Josh rolled his eyes and I nodded to excuse myself from him and Megan and walked over to the rail that separated me from the beautiful tan sand below.

  “Thank you friend,” I answered.

  “Thank you for what?” Beth replied.

  “I just had the pleasure of meeting Josh’s assistant, who is still sitting in the chair next to me, smug and blonde and legs for days. She clearly wants to do more than take a little dictation if you know what I mean?” I said with growing irritation.

  “You clearly have nothing to worry about, K.K. Sometimes you are so dense.”

  “What the hell are you going on about? I’m about to get into a catfight with a girl I’ve just met and I’m dense?” I said hoping my voice was low enough not to draw their attention.

  “You’ve never gotten it, K.K. Sometimes you are dense. Do you even look in the mirror every day, or do you just put that mascara on blindly? K.K. I don’t care if she just fell off the cover of Cosmo, she not half as pretty as you are, nor as smart. It you don’t believe that, than the catfight is going to be between you and me, not that blonde bimbo.” It was so incredible how she could lighten my mood. I laughed at her comment and sighed. “You’re the best Beth.”

  “I know. I miss you, and you’ve only been gone a day. When are you coming back?” she asked.

  “I’m not sure yet. Josh asked me to stay for two weeks, but I’m just going to see how it goes. I want to get to know the Los Angeles staff and board members. I think Josh and I are going to put our feelers out on a new pipeline deal while I’m here and then he wants to show my ‘his’ L.A. And, if it’s anything like ‘his’ Malibu house I’m in for a surprise. I’d say you’d love it, but from the renovation of my place you can get the picture. His influence over the design is apparent.”

  “He was so enthusiastic about it K.K. I let him kind of dictate what his vision was for your place. I’m sorry if you don’t like it.”

  “Are you kidding? I love it. No apologies necessary. I just mention it because his house is incredible. You’d love it,” I replied.

  “Great, because I’ve submitted your penthouse to Architectural Digest. I’d love to make the cover.” I could hear how proud she was of the work and my admiration of her couldn’t have been more. “And, as for the house, I’m coming to L.A. this weekend. Jake asked if I’d fly out.”

  I couldn’t have been more thrilled to hear that she was coming to L.A. “Awesome, Josh and I will make plans and we can all go out Friday night.” I turned to look at Josh and he was staring at me as Megan talked to the side of his head. Maybe he didn’t notice her. Maybe I didn’t need to worry about all the other women who vied for his attention.

  I looked back at him and made my way back to my chair and wine while closing my conversation down with Beth. “Listen, I’ve gotta go, but I will see you Friday night and we’ll hit the town. Do me a favor and check in on my Dad this week. I hate that he’s alone?”

  “Sure,” she replied. “See you Friday night, and I’ve got your Dad covered. I’ll take him lunch tomorrow. Tell Josh I said ‘hi.’”

  “Will do,” I replied.

  I hung the phone up and reached for my wine glass. Josh in one fell swoop pulled me onto his lap and w
rapped his arm around my waist. “I missed you. How’s Beth?”

  I looked over at Megan, who was now standing to excuse herself and I blessed the stars above.

  “Oh, Megan. It was nice to see you again. I guess we’ll see you at the office tomorrow.” I said smirking and reached out for her hand. She reciprocated reluctantly, with daggers in her eyes.

  “It was a pleasure to see you again as well. Take good care of my boss.” She was now looking at Josh instead of me, so I gave her hand a firmer grip drawing her attention back.

  “You can count on it,” I said.

  “Have a good night, Megan,” Josh chimed in. “We’ll see you tomorrow.” She eagerly released my hand and walked away, the sway of her hips exaggerated for us both to see.

  “Ugh. Really, Josh. She couldn’t have been more obvious.” I turned to look at him.

  “What are you talking about?” He pulled me into his warm chest and kissed me. I could taste the wine on his tongue and his cologne was messing with my head.

  “Have you ever had anything more than a working relationship with her before?” I leaned back enough to gauge his answer.

  “No.” He looked past me and I knew something stunk.

  “No? As in I’ve never fucked her or no as in I’ve never had anything with her? She is all but pissing on my leg. Trust is everything right? If we’re going to make this work, I’ve got to know what I’m up against.”

  He sighed and put his forehead to mine. “I might have kissed her once, but it was years ago, and I was drunk. I swear, I have never allowed anything unprofessional to happen since. It was wrong and we were on a business trip. I’d drank a lot and when she went to kiss me I let her. It was a stupid thing to do and I realized it immediately. I apologized and it’s never been spoken about since.”

  “I knew it. Damn it, Josh. That girl wants you and I’m not talking about a working relationship.”

  “K.K., it was three years ago, I assure you there is nothing there. I’ve been out with several women in the last three years and she’s never once acted as if there was anything between us. She is my assistant and that’s it. I promise you.”

  I hated this kind of crap; the kind where we have to talk about the relationships before ours. It sucked when you really liked someone, or in my case, loved someone and had to hear about past relationships. I’d assumed that Josh’s experience was on a much greater scale than mine, but didn’t like the idea of hearing about it.

  “That must have been one hell of a kiss.” I looked into his eyes and I could tell he was looking at any way possible to avert this conversation further.

  “It was nothing. You are all I want and all I need.” I knew this wouldn’t be the last of my dealings with Megan, but right now I would succumb to my beautiful man. I let him draw me closer, closing the gap I’d created and wrapped my arms around him.

  “Look at me, K.K.” He put both of his hands on my cheeks. I could feel their coolness against my wine flushed face. “It’s only you,” he repeated. I brushed my soft lips to his. He opened his mouth and lapped his warm tongue over mine. My pulse increased with every swipe and my sex grew heavy and eager between my legs. He still held my face and pulled back to meet my eyes. “I’m yours,” he said.

  I thought my heart couldn’t get any fuller, but with those simple words, I melted into him. “I’m yours too, Josh.”

  Dinner came and went and I was grateful to spend time with Josh. All thoughts of Megan were now a thing of the past. He talked to me about his relationship with his Dad and brother and how he’d fought going to work for his Dad in the beginning and now couldn’t imagine being anywhere else. We talked about Jake and Beth and I’d shared that he’d invited her to L.A. for the weekend. He’d shared that Jake and Beth had spent the last night in New York together despite the fact he wasn’t supposed to tell me and I knew then that we’d never have secrets. I loved hearing him talk about his life, and his passions, and came to understand what a rare and awesome man he was. I could see my future in his words and admired his ideals. Family was as important to him, as it was to me. We’d both suffered the loss of our mothers, but found strength in ourselves.

  We finished up the last of our meal and made our way to the house. The windows were down, Sade was playing No Ordinary Love on the radio, and the ocean breeze cooled my face. We pulled into the garage and I went to open my door.

  “No. Stay.” I looked over at Josh as opened his door, bolted around the car, and opened the passenger door. I smiled and threw my legs onto the garage floor, grabbing his hand to help myself from the car. He pulled me into his chest and I stood on my toes to gain access to his mouth.

  “You know I’m a sure thing…right? All this chivalry is great, but not necessary.” He bent his knees and scooped me into his arms, pulling me tightly against his hard chest.

  “It’s absolutely necessary and you’re my sure thing lady.” He kissed my forehead and I buried my cheek against his chest as he carried me into his house.

  Josh kissed my head softly and set me down on my feet. I kicked my shoes off and walked over to pet Daisy. Josh moved from the kitchen into the living room and suddenly the house filled with the sounds of Adele. My man knew his music. Eclectic and cool. I felt him pass behind me as he moved to the wine fridge and brought out a nice bottle of red. It was still early; the weather perfect. He grabbed the wine, two glasses, and ushered Daisy and me onto the wraparound deck that flanked his kitchen and hearth room. It was an exquisite night; balmy, but cool from the ocean below.

  Josh sat on the lounge chair and pulled me between his legs. He maneuvered around me to pour the wine.

  “Nice!” I exclaimed after savoring the tasty red liquid against my tongue.

  “You like?” He wrapped his arm across my chest, grazing my nipple, which instantly hardened to the touch and pulled me into his chest. I laid the back of my head against his shoulder and he rested his warm cheek against mine.

  “Very much, tastes like Pinot Noir.” He stroked my arm with his free hand still wrapped across my chest. Every stroke made me more and more aware of my overwhelming need. My nipples were tight beneath his arm and my pumping heart shuddering beneath my ribs. I let my eyes close as he spoke softly in my ear.

  “Nicely done. It’s Penner Ashe, one of my favorites. I’m glad you approve.”

  I tilted my head back yearning to feel his mouth on mine and when his lips touched mine, it was pure magic. I opened to the feel of his tongue against mine and the heat between us became palpable. I reached over to place my wine on the side table and spun around to face him. His eyes were now heavy with the same lust. He hardened against my stomach and I licked my lips. He put his wine glass down and I pulled my body up his to kiss his neck. He tilted his head back giving me better access to him. His body became more rigid beneath me as I moved up and down him.

  “You are so fucking hot,” he said then reached around and pulled me heard against his mouth. My body felt hot and shaky as I let him take my mouth roughly. I knew that need and wanted him to have me in any capacity he desired. I moved my legs to straddle him and sat up.

  “I want you to take me out her on the patio. I don’t want to wait another minute to have you inside me.” I removed my shirt and bra and watched as his mesmerized eyes roamed my bare breasts. He didn’t speak, nor did I. Nothing needed to be said. Our desire for every ounce of each other was like life support, neither able to sustain without it.

  He leaned up and gripped my nipple tight between his fingers as he sucked and pulled the other into impossible hardness. I gasped at the sting of his fingers and teeth as the ache became yearning. I slid my hand under his shirt wanting to feel his hot skin against mine. He pulled it over his head and I helped slide it over his arms and onto the patio floor beside me. I leaned into him and he wrapped his arms around my back cradling me into his tight warm chest. I moved my hand to his face and my mouth to his ear.

  “You’re all I want and all I need,” I said, stealing his wor
ds. I moved my head up to face him, knowing he’d want to see my eyes with his repeated profession from earlier. His blue eyes were exacting on mine. The heat of his breath was against my mouth. His thumb brushed against my lips and he pulled me into the deepest kiss. I could feel my eyes become watery, so I closed them to hide any signs that I was overwhelmed. His thumb ran across my lid and scooped up a tear that had fallen.

  “Open your eyes and look at me baby.” I wanted to hide, but it was no use. I loved him and the realization of just how much I felt for him was overpowering. I didn’t need to wait to hear the words from him. I was ready to tell him how I really felt. I may lose my heart to this devastating man, but knew without a doubt it was the realest thing I’d ever felt.

  The world around me seemed lost as I opened my eyes to look at Josh. I could feel my body shake with every one of his touches.

  “This thing right now, right here, it’s real. It’s as powerful as anything I’ve ever felt.” He grabbed my wrist and pulled my hand across his heart. “Do you feel that, K.K.?” I nodded, but didn’t speak. “That’s my heart about to beat right out of my chest.” He pulled my hand from his heart to his cheek. “I love you.”

  I reached my other hand to his cheek and stared into his beautiful eyes. “I love you too. I’ve known it for a while but I’ve been too scared to acknowledge it or say it.”

  He pulled me closer and said it one more exquisite time.

  “I love you.”

  He sat up, moved both of his legs to the patio floor, and flipped me onto my back. Everything had changed with that statement and there was no turning back. This was forever. My heart was swollen and full, my body still shaky beneath me.

  “Please…I need you baby.” With that confession, his hand moved inside my jeans and over my wet hot sex.

  “This is mine baby. I love it that you’re so wet for me.” He thrust his fingers deep inside me and I raised my hips to meet him.

  “Yes…” I said heavily in his ear.

  His kiss came down on me and his tongue moved against mine as deeply as his fingers. I pushed my pants down and kicked at them with each ankle working the legs down and off my feet. It felt good to widen my legs and the aching of my sex and core weighted with every thrust of his fingers driving in and out of me. I was riding the edge of my orgasm when Josh’s thumb circled my tight budded clit into sweet circles.