by Raina Wilde
She pulled out the list of all of Drew’s developments from across the globe. Excitement, and anticipation kept her up into the late hours of the night as she prepared a generic letter to send to every single location that had been built since the Matherson patriarch’s retirement. The list included hundreds of projects, large and small. Neelia wanted to know the truth of each location and she was going to find out.
The next morning she shocked the post office clerk with her box of letters before leaving for her final tour. MaryAnn, the woman from the previous tour, had instructed her to meet again at the main development office.
When Neelia drove up she found her guide waiting outside of a small, blue pickup truck.
“Hop in.” she shouted. “This is my favorite part of the tour.”
MaryAnn proceeded to shock Neelia for the rest of their day together. She took Neelia to the local school, where Drew Matherson had personally donated a new recreational center including an indoor pool that offered hours of availability for public use. They drove past the nature park that had been designed to replace the green space that had been allocated for the sub division. Neelia interviewed children and teens at the local youth center that Matherson Development contributed annual donations and scholarship funds through and finally, she spoke with local residents who said that all of the local Matherson projects were maintained and run by local employees, increasing the job opportunities and income for residents of the area. Many of the employees, they informed her, were even offered opportunities to continue their careers within the corporate levels of the company.
Neelia was floored. How could the story have been so corrupted? Did reporters really profit more from making Drew out to be purveyor of destruction and loss? She knew that his main flaw was deeply rooted in his refusal to contradict the claims. His desire to keep his personal life private had become his greatest weakness. This woman, Melina, had taken advantage of the assumption that Drew would not speak out against her to exact her profitable revenge. If the other developments responded with similar claims, Neelia was determined to make this right.
The drive back to Hillary’s house seemed like too much time alone to think. Neelia was having trouble maintaining her original opinion about Drew. Somehow, she had misinterpreted his personality. That isn’t to say that he had not purposely annoyed her at the wedding but perhaps he was not a bad person overall. Perhaps, his attempts at hiding his true personality, and intentions, led him to misrepresent his own true nature. Neelia was not entirely sure where her opinion of the man stood, only that it was on shaky ground. If she found out any more good about him she would be in serious risk of losing her heart, something that she had vowed never to do in regard to a subject of her journalism.
When she arrived, Hillary and Jake were out. Neelia realized that she had not informed them of a time which she intended to return. She found that she did not want to spend any more time alone with her own thoughts. She was debating whether she preferred an early bedtime or a drive into town when the object of her musings walked casually through the door.
“How was your trip?” Drew asked after the usual greetings.
“Informative, and yours?” Neelia replied. It seemed unfair that he was both thoughtful and attractive. Neelia wished for some tragic flaw to resurface. She found that he was much easier to ignore when she hated him.
“I suppose informative would be a good word for it. It was just business as usual.” He took a step towards her. Neelia took a step backward. She did not trust that she had enough control of herself to be in close proximity to him.
She thought it was interesting that he would call it business as usual. Were the additional community developments considered usual for him? Did Drew even realize how wonderful the Matherson contributions really were? Did he know how much the community that she had visited had loved his work?
“Where are Jake and Hillary?” he asked. “I was going to invite all of you to dinner at my place tonight, but I didn’t know if I would be back in time.”
“They’ve already left.” Neelia informed him. “I don’t think they expected either of us to be back tonight.”
“Hmm,” he mused. “Well, I’ve already purchased the steak.” He held a hand out in invitation. “Would you like to join me?”
Neelia shook her head. The thought of spending an evening alone with Drew, in his home, was about the most dangerous idea she could think of.
“Come on.” Drew revealed that captivating half-grin that caused Neelia’s heart to beat fast. “I promise to behave like a perfect gentleman.”
She stared at him for a long moment before tentatively agreeing.
“I need to change first.” She informed him as she headed up the stairs. She hated wearing the blazer and skirt that was a staple of her trade. Jeans were what she needed at the moment. As she climbed the stairs she muttered, “Who is going to make sure that I behave?”
“What was that?” came the shout up after her. Neelia placed her hands on her cheeks as she continued on her path. There was no way that he had heard her exact words, but it was another reminder that she needed to carefully monitor her behavior tonight. It was clear that she was already testing the limits.
Neelia returned in jeans and a golden tank top. She had pulled her hair up into a high ponytail and added the slightest hint of makeup to accentuate her bronzed features. The look of appreciation on Drew’s face made her feel like the most beautiful woman on the planet. Neelia smiled shyly and followed him out into the night.
“I’d like to drive separately.” She informed him. To her surprise he did not object.
“Will it make you more comfortable to have an emergency escape?” he teased.
“Yes,” She laughed. “but only because there is no need for you to drive me home tonight.”
“This isn’t a date?” he pretended to be offended. Neelia liked this type of teasing much better. She found that the casual banter made it easier for her to avoid focusing on her appreciation of his features, anything to make her stop thinking about his wide shoulders and narrow waist. Were those creases in his shirt or were his muscles truly that defined?
Neelia gave herself a mental shake.
“No, it isn’t a date.” She smiled.
“Too bad.” He brushed a stray hair out of her face. “I like your smile.” Drew turned on his heel and walked toward his car.
Neelia took a moment to compose herself before getting behind the wheel. His ability to rattle her in a moment and then act as if nothing had happened was unsettling, to say the least. Neelia had a feeling that she was already in way over her head.
True to his word, Drew was a perfect gentleman during dinner. His home was on the opposite side of the lake from Hillary and Jake’s. In the distance she could barely see the twinkle of lights on their back porch. Neelia enjoyed a glass of wine while Drew manned the grill, beer in hand. He prepared seasoned potatoes alongside the steak, creating a flavor combination that made Neelia’s mouth water. She sat on the porch steps and watched the rippling water, trading tales of their lives like old friends.
Neelia was surprised at how comfortable she felt in Drew’s home. It was neither the mansion that she had expected, nor a bachelor pad, but somewhere in between. It was comfortable, yet clearly lacking a woman’s touch.
They ate outdoors, on the patio set, before moving inside to light a fire when the night air became too chilled. She did not feel uncomfortable around him any longer. In fact, the night had quite the opposite effect. Neelia found that the reality of Drew’s life was much different than she had imagined, less pompous somehow. His home, in a strange way, reminded her of her own apartment in New York City. She had always felt that her home was casual, but never truly lived in. Her mother told her that would change when she had a family of her own, but Neelia had never found a compatible match that had made her home feel full.
Neelia moved away from the fireplace, where she had been warming her hands, and sat beside Drew where he lounged
on the couch.
“You know,” she turned toward him and mirrored the way that he leaned against the back of the couch. “I’m really glad that I came here tonight.” She admitted. “I feel like this place explains more about you than anything else.”
“What do you mean?” he asked.
“It’s…” she searched for the word but could not seem to find it, “simpler than I expected.”
Drew laughed. “I’m not a complicated person, Neelia.”
“Drew,” she raised her eyebrows and tilted her head at him, “you are a very complicated person.”
“I don’t try to be.” His brow furrowed. He had clearly never considered this before.
“I know.” she placed a hand along the side of his face, “I think that is the best part.”
Drew placed his hand over Neelia’s and whispered her name. She could tell that it was a plea not to test his limits. She could see that the struggle to keep his distance had been wearing on him all evening and yet, she very much wanted to see what would happen if he let go.
Neelia leaned forward and pressed her lips against Drew’s. She knew exactly what message she was sending him, but could not bring herself to feel that it was wrong. Everything about connecting with this man suddenly felt right. It was difficult to remember the negative feelings that she had harbored for him only five days before. It seemed as if months of understanding had finally been made clear to her in a sudden revelation that had shocked her to the core.
Neelia wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled herself into his lap. She knew that Drew would honor his promise unless she made it perfectly clear that she was receptive to his advances. She felt his arms slide around her waist and settle on the curve of her lower back. Neelia pressed herself against him, her breasts crushed against his chest. She could feel his growing need pressing beneath her.
As she slipped her tongue into his mouth Drew released a sound that was a mixture of groan and growl. His vocalization exactly matched the raging desire that was coursing through her veins.
Neelia grasped the hem of his shirt and pulled it up over his head. She needed to feel their skin against each other. When she pulled her own tank top off Drew pulled back to stare at her body. His hands rose to her breasts and cupped her full bra. His thumbs stroked the mounds that rose and fell with her gasping breath. Never once did Drew look away.
“You have the most beautiful skin.” He muttered, more to himself than to her, she realized. His fingers trailed over her smooth shoulders, down her arms and over her stomach before coming to rest once again at her breasts. He raised his eyes to Neelia’s “I could look at it all day.”
Neelia smiled. This subtle worship of her body was something that she could get used to, and she did not want it to stop. She leaned forward and pressed her lips against the hollow of his neck. She could see the pulse beating fiercely against the skin.
“Would you mind if I stayed the night?” she spoke against his skin.
Drew exhaled. “I would love it if you stayed the night, Neelia.” The way he said her name sent shivers down Neelia’s spine. With a quick flick of the wrist he released her bra, peeling it from her body and allowing it to fall somewhere on the floor behind her. Neelia finally pressed herself against his firm chest, the blending of their bodies creating the sensation of rippling silk. A chill of excitement raced through her, causing the peaks of her breasts to contract. Drew hummed against her mouth. Whatever words he had been attempting to say were swallowed by Neelia’s kiss.
When her hand slipped down between them to rest against him, Drew’s reaction was instantaneous. He slipped an arm beneath her knees and shot off the couch, carrying Neelia with purposeful strides down the hallway and to his bedroom.
He set Neelia down carefully on the edge of the bed. In moments they were both devoid of clothing. Neelia giggled at the barely contained control that she saw on Drew’s face. He was reigning himself in for her sake, but she could tell that this moment was something that he had been wanting for a long time. It occurred to her that a part of her had been anticipating it as well. Even from the time of Hillary and Jake’s wedding the sexual tension that sparked between them had been immeasurable.
Neelia lay back against the pillows and took in the glorious view of the man approaching her. His skin was gently tanned from the summer sun, his muscles defined like some ancient hero of legend, and his engorged manhood stood before her in all its glory.
He joined her on the bed, pressing the front of his body against the length of her side. His fingers trailed lazy circles across her skin sending tendrils of heat to the center of her body. Their gazes collided when his hand came to rest at the joining of her legs. He paused, waiting for any sign of her discomfort. Instead, she leaned toward him and brought their mouths together with a passion that left him smiling against her mouth.
Neelia pressed her body against his hand. She could not help it. As his fingers danced against her warmth Neelia found her hips searching for more, searching for what she knew was to come.
When his finger slipped inside of her, Neelia threw her head back and gasped. She had never felt intensity quite like this moment. Her body was torn between the desire to allow him to continue and the need to shout that the sensation was too much for her to handle. When his mouth bent to cover her breast, Neelia could no longer contain the quiet sounds that were slipping past her lips.
His mouth transitioned to her other breast and Neelia, lost in the passion of the moment, cried out his name.
“Now.” She begged. Drew lifted his head to kiss her once more. “Drew, now.” She commanded, giving him a look that clearly stated that she was on the verge of losing control. He sheathed himself from the nightstand and positioned himself with his body suspended above her, the edge of his erection pressed against the heat of her center.
“You’re sure?” he looked into her eyes.
Neelia lifted her legs to wrap them around his waist, increasing the pressure between their bodies.
“I’ve never been more certain in my life.” She replied.
Drew’s mouth descended upon her at the very same moment that he eased inside of her. They both released a breath of air as the full length of their bodies collided. The connection was unlike anything that Neelia had experienced and she would guess, from the groan of pleasure elicited from her partner, that he was experiencing much the same reaction.
Neelia had the sudden realization that she had grown to love this man. Her heart urged her to utter the words that she had never spoken to a lover before. Her mind put a halt to the action in time for her to experience the gentle rhythm of their lovemaking, sending them both over the edge of an uncontrollable climax.
Neelia did not know what to expect from Drew after their lovemaking. She had been so floored by her realization that she had kept painfully quiet afterward. For a moment she considered returning to Hillary’s house. She was afraid of overwhelming Drew with the magnitude of her emotion, unsure of her ability to hide the truth for very long.
She had almost decided to leave when Drew wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close against his body. He nuzzled the back of her neck and mumbled something about her hair smelling wonderful, before they both drifted off to sleep.
The next morning Neelia awoke feeling slightly tender from their repeated lovemaking. She hung in the pleasant space between dream and reality, basking in the warmth created by Drew’s larger body.
As her brain lit on a thought, Neelia sat up with a jolt and a gasp. Her hand covered her mouth and she stared down at Drew who was watching her with an amused expression.
“What are we going to tell Hillary and your brother about where I’ve been all night?” Neelia muttered from behind her hand.
Drew pulled her back down, now facing him, and wrapped his arms around her.
“Would it be such a bad thing to say that you were with me?” The kisses that he was trailing along her neck were distracting Neelia from the problem at hand.
“I’m a journalist, and you are my subject.” She giggled as the shadow of his facial hair tickled her skin.
Drew leaned back and stared at her with a suddenly serious look.
“Does that change the truth? Would it affect the way that you write?” He asked.
“No.” Neelia admitted. It pleased her that he trusted that her story would not be swayed by their relationship.
“Good.” He returned to his trail of kisses. “Then we can say that you were with me and that you plan on staying here every night.”
“Every night until I leave” she giggled again. His hands had now joined in roaming over the sensitive areas of her skin.
“Hmm,” he hummed against her breast, “Only if I fail at convincing you to stay indefinitely.” He nipped at her skin with a playful tug that turned their laughter into passion very quickly. Neelia only had a moment to wonder if he had been serious.
***
The next few days were a blur of happiness for Neelia. She spent the daytime writing and researching her article and the nighttime wrapped in the warm embraces of Drew Matherson. The newlyweds were not the least bit surprised at the turn of events. In fact, they seemed to have expected the couple to come to this conclusion as the looks of I told you so passed from wife to husband with a knowing smile. Drew did convince her to extend her stay for an additional week, though indefinitely had not yet been discussed.
The story was coming along beautifully. She had already received dozens of email responses to her letters, confirming the statements from MaryAnn’s tour. It had all the workings of a major award-winning piece. On Monday morning Neelia sent an outline to her editor, promising a final draft in the days to come.
Tuesday morning Drew crawled out of bed and left for work, as usual, promising Neelia that he would be back in time for dinner with Hillary and Jake. There had been no indication that the day would go any differently than those before.