We get to his parents’ house in record time and I feel like a teenager skipping school, although I never did. He grabs a bag from the back. “I had Charles bring me a change of clothes.” He answers the question I’m sure he sees in my eyes. He takes my hand and leads me to the front door, unlocking it and stepping aside for me to go in first. This is such a beautiful house. If we ever do a layout of older homes, I will definitely recommend we shoot here.
“I’ll be right down,” he says as he disappears to change. He’s down in less than five minutes, in ripped jeans, a tight fitting blue polo shirt, and Nike’s. He looks like he’s ready for class.
“I’m ready for you,” he says in such a sultry voice and my nerve endings tingle and shiver as my body craves his touch. Concentrate Ali.
“Lets go,” I say and take a cleansing breath.
I have him lie on his back under the huge Magnolia tree, his arms beneath his head, while staring into the sky, contemplating his invention and another him staring straight into the camera. We do a few shots of him leaning against the tree, legs crossed at the ankle, arms across his chest. His shirt looks like it will rip under the strain trying to contain his muscles. My insides churn with want for this man as desire runs all through me.
You forgot extra panties. A little smile crosses my face.
Back inside, he leads the way up to his childhood bedroom. That feeling of skipping school and doing something naughty comes back and I have to not stand so close to him. I take this chance to ask him about his whiteboard.
“If this is the big secret to your success, then why haven’t you erased it? Why leave it up, exposed for someone to come in and steal it?”
“The pivotal part which makes it work isn’t up here. This was my final drawing after I figured it out. I don’t know why I leave it. I guess to remind me where I started from if I ever get ‘too cocky.’”
I have to laugh. “I think it’s a little late for that. If this is your reminder, you should put it in your permanent home.”
“You find this amusing?” he asks, moving toward me in a slow, deliberate walk. His strong arms encircle my waist and there’s mischief in his expression. Oh crap. Not here. Not now.
“Bryce.” My voice cracks a little and I clear my throat. “We need to get these pictures while I still have the light.” My plea falls upon deaf ears.
Removing the camera from my hands and placing it on the desk behind him, I’m pulled into a fierce embrace as our bodies clash together. My arms fall weak by my side before grasping his biceps as he kisses me with abandon. Grabbing fistfuls of his hair, I press into him, and his loud groans echo through the room, blending with my own moans of pleasure. I’m drunk on lust for this man, and can no longer deny my feelings for him.
Never breaking contact, walking us back until I feel the edge of the bed behind my knees. I tremble in his arms as he lowers us down, our lips conjoined in the continuous kiss. Facing each other on our sides, the breathlessness I’ve experienced with him before, returns. Bryce’s hand runs up and down the side of my thigh, hooking my leg over his hip. His hands roam over my back and down and he grabs my ass and gently squeezes. We’re making out.
“I want you so much,” he murmurs against my lips, pulling me so close, an atom couldn’t penetrate the space between us. His tongue plunges into my mouth, deepening the kiss as his pelvis grinds against mine, and matching his rhythm, my hips move on their own accord. The feel of his hard cock digging into me, screaming for release, stimulates my unwavering desire for him.
My chest thrust out as his hand moves under my shirt, kneading my breast through my bra with gentle strokes. When his fingers twist and pinch my nipple, an electric current shoots straight to my clit and we both let out an exaggerated moan.
His tongue glides down the side of my neck sending tremors throughout my body, my skin hypersensitive to his touch. A strong awareness of my own racing heartbeat pushes my body temperature past its limits, and like the energy from a single lightning bolt, it feverishly radiates through me. Oh fuck, what a sensation that is.
Both our eyes fly open when we hear a voice calling out from downstairs, “Bryce. Are you here? Bryce?”
Bryce jumps up off the bed, bringing me with him. “Looks like my mom’s home.” His lips turn down into a pout. He’s acting like a schoolboy who almost got caught banging his girlfriend. We both almost got caught. I internally giggle at the thought.
“Yes, Mother. I’m upstairs,” he calls out, his voice is anything but pleased. He adjusts himself before sitting back down on the bed and crossing his legs. I hear footsteps coming up the stairs. I fix my clothes and smooth my hair before grabbing my camera off his desk, trying to get my composure back.
“Bryce, what a pleasant surprise. I didn’t expect to see you here today,” his mother says as she walks over to the bed, placing a kiss on his cheek.
“Some of the pictures didn’t come out, so we’re re-shooting. Mom, this is Alixandra Quinn, the photographer. Alixandra, this is my mother, Lori.”
I hold out my hand and shake hers. “It’s nice to meet you,” I say nervously, wondering if I look guilty.
“We have a few more shots to do,” he tells her. I think he’s hoping she’ll leave.
“Oh, of course. I’ll leave you to it then, and will see you downstairs in a bit.” When she leaves, huge sigh passes his lips and he gives me a sideways grin.
“Things were getting interesting, don’t you think?” he asks while his fingers glide down my cheek.
“Things were getting out of hand. Maybe it’s a good thing she showed up.” I didn’t want my first time with Bryce to be in his childhood bedroom, but at the same time, I wonder what would have happened if she wouldn’t have interrupted us.
“Oh, I think I had quite a handle on the situation,” he says, his mouth slowly turning upward, flashing his perfect, toothy smile.
“Shall we finish what we didn’t start? I need to get these pictures done while I still have the light.”
After twenty minutes, I finally finished. I want to get back to the office and upload these to Jodi before six p.m., so she can have a restful weekend. We make our way downstairs and his mom is the living room waiting for us, when his dad walks through the front door.
“Bryce, it’s good to see you son,” his Dad says as they shake hands. He turns his attention to me. “Who is this lovely young lady?”
“Dad, this is Alixandra Quinn, the photographer for The Bridge magazine.”
“It’s good to meet you, Ms. Quinn.”
We shake hands. “It’s good to meet you.”
“Did you get the pictures you needed, Ms. Quinn?” his mother asks in a sweet voice.
“I did, thank you, and please call me Ali. You have a beautiful home.” I look to Bryce, hoping he can tell by my expression that we should leave.
“Thank you,” she replies.
Before she has a chance to say anything else, Bryce says, “Mom, Dad. We need to be going. I need to drop Ms. Quinn at her office and I have some ends to tie up before my trip.”
“I wish you didn’t have to leave so soon, but I understand.” She pulls him into a tight embrace. “When you see Raleigh next week, tell her to give us a call. We know she’s busy, but we miss talking with her.” Bryce nods in agreement.
“It was nice meeting you, Ali.” They both shake my hand again.
“It was a pleasure meeting both of you.” Bryce can’t get me out the door fast enough.
Once back in the car, he looks over at me. “That was close.” I don’t tell him how I have mixed feelings about his mom coming home when she did.
Bryce brings my hand to his mouth, kissing each finger from my pinky to my thumb. I’m nervous because I’m afraid he’ll see the scar in the middle of my palm. Over the years it’s faded but the definitive line down the middle is still visible. Like the other scars, it’s a constant reminder of the trauma I once endured. For a moment I think back to
my dream last night. Is it a warning I shouldn’t let him get too close? I’ll check for Dr. Hunter’s call when I get back to the office, but for now, I put it out of my mind.
His tongue trails up and down my palm as he stares at me, my legs clench together and my fears disappear, replaced once more with fiery desire. I take a deep breath, and he grins. We sit in silence on the ride back to his office. I’m not sure what he’s thinking, but he would be shocked at my thoughts. I’m shocked at my thoughts.
“What are you doing tonight?” he asks softly, while still holding my hand.
“Steven and I are going out.”
“Oh? Where?” he asks.
“To a bar. Tonight’s Karaoke night.”
“Karaoke? You sing?”
“Well, I wouldn’t call what I do singing. We’re competitive, so we’re both always trying to out do the other. He and I each pick songs the other has to sing. There’s lot of shots, beer, and a little money involved.” A huge grin plasters my face as I think about how much fun I’m going to have tonight. “Have you ever done it? Oh, wait, I guess you wouldn’t. A man in your position.”
“My position?”
“Have you ever heard an upstanding CEO sing Karaoke in public? No? I didn’t think so,” I tease and he bumps me with his shoulder.
“Can I come with you?” He sounds as though he really wants to.
“No. What will happen tonight won’t be pretty. When I say we’re competitive, I mean it. It can get ugly. Besides, you have to get ready for your trip next week.”
“I’m all ready to go. I said that to get away from my parents.”
“Oh. Well, the answer is still no. Besides, we’ll see each other tomorrow, remember?”
“Yes.” I can tell he’s disappointed.
We arrive at his building and stop near my car, which I had parked across the street. Bryce carries my things to my car and helps put them in. “Are you sure I can’t come tonight? This is something I’d like to see.”
“Bryce, I don’t think you would have any fun. That’s all,” I say softly, hoping his feelings aren’t hurt.
“Why don’t you let me decide what I find fun and what I don’t?”
“I’m sorry. That came out all wrong. I didn’t mean for it to sound like that. This is something Steven and I do together, our ritual if you will.” Is that why I don’t want him around me tonight? I feel it’s an intrusion? I brush my lips against his as a peace offering. He envelops me into his arms, as he returns my kiss.
“I want us to spend time together before my trip next week, but I understand.” He kisses me again, which does nothing to quell the burning ache raging within me. We hold each other for a while but as much as I don’t want to break our embrace, I do.
“Bryce, I need to get these to Jodi before she leaves.”
“I’ll call you later. Have a good time tonight.” We kiss one last time before I get in my car and speed off.
With camera in hand I rush into my office. As I start the upload process, I’m ecstatic how wonderful the shots turned out. The natural light was perfect. After an hour, they’re all uploaded and I send off the ZIP file to Jodi. There, that should do it.
All packed up and as I turn to leave, I run into Jodi who is standing in the doorway. She doesn’t say anything, but pulls me into the biggest hug she’s ever given me.
“Jodi, what? What is it?” I ask anxiously.
“Ali . . . You’re the best lifesaver ever. The pictures are fantastic. Perfect. But how?”
“I called his assistant, explained what happened, and asked her to find out if we could do a quick re-shoot. I guess he wasn’t busy since I was able to get them.” A little white lie to Jodi won’t hurt.
“I still can’t believe it. When we go big, you’re getting a huge raise. I have to get back to my office to process the photos and determine what goes where in the article.”
“I’m glad I could do the save, Jodi. Have a good weekend.” I don’t think anything could wipe this grin off my face.
I’m about to walk out of my office when my work phone rings. I answer and am met with silence. “This is Ali. Hello? Is anyone there?” I repeat a couple of times. The person on the other end of the line hangs up. At least they could have said they had the wrong number.
CHAPTER 16
With happiness comes sadness, two sides of the same coin. A dark shadow of doubt sweeps over me as I check my phone and see no missed calls from Dr. Hunter. I know he’ll call me when he can. I want to have a good time tonight, and it’s not an emergency, so I force those thoughts from my mind.
Taking off my underwear before hopping in the shower, I see the slick evidence of my time with Bryce today, and the effect he has on me brings a smile to my face instantly, erasing any doubt. Maybe I should’ve let him tag along tonight.
Dressed in my favorite jeans, linen shirt, and sandals, I’m ready to go. As I bound down the stairs I hear Steven on the phone on my way into the kitchen to grab a beer. Tonight’s not a wine kind of night.
“Hey, you ready to go? I thought we could eat there, you know, unhealthy bar food.” Steven says. I know he thinks he’s going to get one over on me tonight, but he’s got another thing coming.
“Sure. Is Sampson coming?”
“Yeah, I just talked to him and he’ll be here in a minute. I need to finish up,” he says and disappears to his room.
As I transfer the necessities I’ll need for tonight into my little going out purse, the doorbell rings. “I’ll get it,” I yell.
“Hey, Ali.” Sampson gives me a brief hug. I know he’s happy to be back with Steven and that makes me happy.
“So, what song are you singing tonight?” I ask just to tease him.
“Oh, no. I’m not getting on stage,” he answers with a horrified look on his face.
Steven appears and we head out for some competitive Karaoke. Thank goodness on party nights like this we can walk to the bar from home.
The waitress comes by and we order our first round of shots and a bucket of beer. I’ll have to run, skate and do tae kwon-do kicks for the next two weeks to work off the calories from the fried pub food I just ordered.
We sit at separate tables, going through the books of songs, picking our “poison” for the other. The moment I pull out my phone to check the time, Steven and Sampson abandon their table to come sit beside me, a teasing grin on Steven’s face. He looks at me and his expression falls.
“Ali, what is it?” Steven asks.
I show Steven my phone. “I’ve waited all day for a call back from Dr. Hunter to talk about the nightmare I had. I’ve missed his call. I’m not in the mood to stay now.”
“He’s out of the office, Ali. Don’t let your past ruin this evening or the progress you’ve made. If you do, you’ll never go forward and you might as well put up your white flag and surrender.” Steven’s words are biting but true.
“I know and I’ve been looking forward to having a great time tonight. I saw Bryce today,” I say and feel my lips form a smile.
“Did you know the second you said Bryce’s name, your entire face lit up? You’ve started to let it go and I, for one, couldn’t be happier. Don’t let last night’s bad dream get in the way of that. You know Dr. Hunter will tell you the same thing, don’t you? Can you wait and talk to him tomorrow maybe?”
I know he’s right. I don’t want anything to ruin my evening, or the rest of my life. I’m stronger than this. I make a decision right then. “You’re right, Steven. I’m not going to let it ruin my evening, especially after what I’ve planned for you,” I say with an evil grin, tapping my song list. Then I notice he and Sampson are both doing the same thing to me.
“What are you two up to?” I ask as I squint at them both.
“Oh, nothing that you’re not ready for, Doll.” Steven does love a show.
Tonight’s going to be so much fun. I can’t wait to see the look on his face. There are only two other peop
le singing, which makes this all the more sweet. We have a rule that we each get to pick our own first song. I pick “Hit Me with Your Best Shot” and belt it out, singing directly to Steven. He gets up and sings “Beautiful.” This isn’t his usual M.O. He doesn’t usually sing Christina Aguilera songs.
Then he comes to me and says we’re doing something different tonight. “Before we get into the nasty part of the evening, you know, where you concede that I’m better than you, I want us to do a duet.”
“What? A duet? We’ve never done that. Ever.”
“I know, but I like this song and you do too. It can only be done with two people. Ali, come on. Live a little. Go outside your comfort zone here.” The devious look on his face is also out of character for tonight’s fun. He’s planning something and I know what it is. It’s something he’s threatened to do several times over the years.
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