“What do you say, Natalie? Care to join me?” Kayla’s hand left my shoulder and she smiled over to me.
“I’d like that.”
“Don’t be too long though. We want to get back at a decent hour.”
“Of course, my dear brother. I won’t keep your darling Natalie away from you for too long and then you can escape back to New York until another family obligation drags you back home.”
“Your sarcasm is noted. Now, go and have fun.” Drew walked over, kissing me on the cheek before Kayla led me outside.
It was cold out, but we didn’t have to go far. It was only a few minutes before Kayla was pulling her sporty Mercedes into the parking lot of a little café.
“I hope you don’t mind that we skipped out on breakfast, but I’ve had my dad’s waffles and they’re actually pretty terrible,” Kayla laughed as we settled into a booth.
“No, it’s fine. I’m glad Drew can spend time with your parents.”
“And we can have some time before you guys disappear into the city again.”
The way she smiled at me was warm and sincere. The difference between her and Christina was startling. I didn’t have the chance to say anything before the waitress appeared. Kayla ordered a coffee, while I settled for a cup of hot tea with lemon.
“You’re not a coffee drinker?” she asked as we browsed through the menu.
“I’ve tried. I never could force myself to like it.”
“You’re smart. You never have to worry about coffee breath,” she said and I had to laugh. Kayla was so laid back, it was easy to relax around her. She was nothing like I’d imagined her to be and it was a pleasant surprise.
It was quiet then as we continued browsing the menus. When the waitress returned with our coffee and tea, I ordered a ham and cheese omelet and Kayla settled on the French toast. I stirred some honey into my tea and then took a sip as I eyed Drew’s sister across from me. Even though she was easy to be around, I was still nervous, especially since she swooped in and pulled me away to breakfast so unexpectedly. She poured some creamer into her coffee and after a sip of it, she set her cup down and smiled over to me.
“You’re probably wondering why I dragged you away this morning.”
“I have to admit I am curious.”
“I had a long talk with my brother last night. Long after you’d gone to bed and after he’d kicked all of our asses in poker.”
“I’m glad you and Drew had some time to catch up.”
“Natalie,” she said, taking another drink and then setting it down. “I can’t recall a time I’ve seen my brother so happy and I know that happiness comes from you.” I felt a smile, both timid and proud, creeping up on my face. “He pretty much thinks the sun and moon revolve around you.”
I laughed out loud at this point, and while she was still smiling, there was a seriousness about her expression.
“I don’t think I’d go that far,” I said, taking another sip of tea.
“I’ve seen the way Drew has struggled over the years,” she said and the smile faded. I watched as her eyes drifted over my shoulder, as if she was lost in a memory for a moment before looking over to me again. “He probably hasn’t shown that side of himself to you and I wouldn’t expect him to. He doesn’t like to seem fallible. Drew has worked to create this hard exterior. He does a good job of only showing people what he wants to show them. It’s how he copes. Hell, it’s how he’s gotten to where he is today. He’s so guarded. I don’t know why really, but he is. He’s letting down his barriers with you though and I wanted to have a moment alone to tell you I appreciate that. I only want my brother to be happy.”
Our eyes locked and I was surprised by the love I felt for this women I’d only met a day before. I was struggling to recall a time I’d ever felt so comfortable with a practical stranger.
“Thank you, Kayla.”
“I also want to apologize for Christina,” she continued and I tried to fight the scowl attempting to form on my face at the mention of her name. “I don’t know what was said exactly, but I know whatever it was, you need to let it go. In one ear and out the other.” There was a snicker on her face and she looked away again briefly, before returning her gaze to me. “I love my sister, I do, but…” Kayla stopped for a moment as if she was pondering how to proceed. “I don’t know what Drew has told you about her.”
“He’s only said she’s had some problems. He doesn’t seem to want to talk about it though.”
“That’s typical Drew. Focus on the future. Forget about the past,” she sighed and I thought I heard frustration in her voice. “She fell apart in high school. I don’t know why. I was away at college, but my mom said she fell in with the wrong kids. Either staying out all hours or locking herself in her room…being totally over dramatic, not unlike the way she is now. It’s amazing she actually graduated and then she started drinking during college. She was a mess. She even ended up in rehab,” she sighed, shaking her head and rolling her eyes. “When she met Greg and they got married, I thought that was the end of it. She finally seemed okay, but then they got divorced and now she’s so unhappy with her own life that she doesn’t want anyone else to be happy. She takes her issues out on the wrong people and I’m sorry you were a target last night.”
The waitress appeared then, setting our food in front of us and I started picking at it, thinking what I should say to her. For whatever reason, she felt the need to pull me aside and make me feel welcome, while her sister had done her best to show me how much she detested me.
“I appreciate everything you’re telling me. Both times I’ve spoken with Christina,” I said, pausing for a moment. “They’ve made me question everything about Drew and me. I don’t want to let it bother me, but if I’m being honest, it’s hard not to.”
“I know, but don’t take it personally though. I promise…it’s not just you,” she said, pausing for a moment and then giving me a nervous smile. “You’re good for him. He loves you. Just love him back.”
She didn’t need to tell me to love him, I already did and I couldn’t imagine anything that would make me stop.
~~~
When Drew opened the apartment door and we stepped inside, I didn’t realize how much I’d missed our home. We’d only been in Connecticut a couple of days, but I’d missed our sanctuary and I was glad to be back.
“Home sweet home,” Drew sighed, tossing his duffle bag on the couch before taking my bag from me, throwing it next to his and then turning swiftly, grabbing me by the waist and pulling me to him. His mouth was on mine a moment later and then I was against the wall, his lips moving from my mouth to my neck as his hands made their way under my shirt. They were warm against my skin and I closed my eyes as he moved over my body, loving the freedom we’d lacked while at his parents’ house.
“I’ve missed touching you like this whenever I wanted,” he moaned. “We’re never leaving the city again. We’re never leaving this apartment again.”
I started laughing as his lips continued to possess me and then he pulled back abruptly, eyeing me hungrily.
“You think this is funny?” A taunting smirk spread over his face and then his eyebrow cocked. “You think I’m kidding, Miss Vasser?”
“You plan to keep me here against my will?”
“I guess you’ll have to wait and see.”
He scooped me up suddenly, one hand under my arm and the other under my knees and we were then moving swiftly across the apartment until we were in the bedroom. I was sprawled on the bed as he stood above me, quickly undoing his belt, his pants dropping to the floor before he reached for my jeans, extracting me from them expertly. Both of us were too eager for foreplay. There was a time for that. Now was not that time.
His weight was nearly crushing as he climbed on top of me and I was lost in him instantly. I loved how he could take me out of my body to places I didn’t know existed and when I opened my eyes, I could tell he was just as lost as I was. It didn’t take long before we’d both reache
d that place we’d been searching for and he collapsed onto me. For some reason, I found it incredibly arousing that we both still had our shirts on. He obviously didn’t because he reached up, pulling his off and then doing the same to mine.
“I want to feel you,” he whispered as he pulled the covers back, encouraging me to climb in. I rested my head on his chest and he tickled my arms with his fingertips as our breathing started to calm as he kissed the top of my head, breathing in deeply. “You always smell so damn good. It drives me crazy, Natalie.”
“That’s my goal, Drew.”
“Mission accomplished then, baby,” he said and I laughed. It was quiet again as I focused on the beating of his heart and I was glad he’d finally been able to follow through on his threat the night of his mother’s birthday party when we’d been making out in the hallway like a couple of horny teenagers.
“What are your final thoughts on Connecticut?” he asked as we laid there.
“I liked getting to know your family.”
“I’m glad they didn’t scare you away.”
He chuckled and I laughed too.
“Kayla saved you.”
“Oh yeah?”
“I like her.”
“Breakfast went well then?”
“Yes, it did,” I said and then propped myself up, turning so I was facing him. I stroked the smooth skin of his chest. I could tell he liked the way I touched him by the way his muscles twitched beneath my fingers. “Kayla’s sweet. She loves you, Drew.” I paused, drawing my gaze from his chest to his green eyes. “I love you, Drew.” I felt my face soften as I looked at his. He had the most beautiful face I’d ever seen. Strong. Powerful. Perfect. And yet, as I looked at him now, thinking back to what Kayla had said, I saw vulnerability in his eyes. He had perfected the ability to mask it, to seem untouchable, but as I’d grown closer to him, truly gotten to know Andrew Saben, I could see it was there.
“What is it, babe?” He reached up, pushing a piece of my auburn hair behind my ear. “You look troubled.”
“Not troubled.”
“Why are you looking at me like that then?”
“I guess I’m still trying to figure you out.”
“I’m not a complicated man, Natalie. I thought you knew that by now.” His face curled into a lighthearted smile, but I didn’t return it.
“You’re actually the most complicated man I’ve ever met.”
“I am?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
“You are.”
“Go on then, Miss Vasser,” he said, tracing his fingers over the tops of my breasts. “I’d love to hear this theory.”
“You’re strong.”
“I am,” he grinned, his fingers crawling up my neck and then pulling me to him for a quick kiss.
“You can be ruthless when you want to be.”
“Only with you,” he grinned, pulling me to him and slapping me teasingly on the ass. I couldn’t help but laugh and he held me tightly until I finally pulled away, glaring playfully at him.
“I’m attempting to have a serious conversation with you, Drew.”
“Sorry.” He moved back and folded his hands behind his head, a sexy grin on his face. “Proceed.”
I tried not to stare at him, but the way he was looking at me and the exposed view of his flawless chest made that nearly impossible. All I could think about was throwing myself at him and having him take me again. I resisted though and inched further away from him. I foolishly thought more space between us would make me want him less. It didn’t, but I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to compose myself and when I opened them again, I started talking.
“Kayla alluded to something,” I began. I’d gotten his attention, but I was surprised by the concern on his face.
“What allusion did she create?”
“That perhaps you’re not as strong as you appear. That you have struggles you haven’t shared with me.” My voice was quiet and I was hesitant when I saw the sudden change of his expression. His brow furrowed and he crossed his arms guardedly across his chest.
“That’s one downside to growing up with three sisters. They like to read into things that aren’t there and they never forget the past.”
I inched next to him, closing the gap I’d just created, reaching for him, undoing the knot he’d made with his arms. I linked my fingers with his and stroked the back with my thumb.
“I hope you know you can talk to me. I want you to talk to me…if something’s ever too much…if you need someone to listen…if there are things I need to know. You don’t always have to be the strong one, Drew.”
His brow continued to furrow for a moment, but then it softened.
“Having you is all the strength I need and all you need to know,” he said, his voice a longing growl as he pulled me to him so my chest smashed against his and our lips were nearly touching, “is that I love you and I’d do anything to make you happy.”
I couldn’t respond before his lips were on mine again, biting and tugging with surprising force that I had trouble keeping up with. He suddenly sat up, bringing me with him, our lips never parting, until he was pushing me down into the softness of the mattress again. I couldn’t fight him. I didn’t want to fight him and as the weight of him consumed me, my worries about Drew were gone. He was the man I’d fallen in love with. A man in complete control and at that moment, that was everything I needed from him.
Seven
It had been a week since our weekend in Connecticut. Drew and I hadn’t spoken much about it since we’d gotten back. We’d returned to our bubble and that was the way I liked it.
The week back at work had been a long one. Although I’d passed my probation, I was still nervous about making mistakes and I’d been even more meticulous when going through stories. I’d just finished one about a new tax the mayor was introducing on the city when Ava approached my desk.
“It’s been a long week. Kara and I are heading out for a drink. Wanna join us?” she asked, referring to a field reporter she often worked with.
If I was being truthful with myself, I really just wanted to go curl up on the couch with Drew, order some take out and do nothing, but I accepted anyway. Ava was nice enough to try and include me and I didn’t want to appear rude.
“Yeah. Sounds good,” I told her.
“We’re heading out in ten,” she said and then turned to head back to her office.
I picked up the phone and called Drew to tell him where I was going and while he seemed disappointed I wouldn’t be coming home right away, he didn’t give me a hard time. He said he’d stay late at work to catch up on some things he’d fallen behind on and then made a throaty remark about what he planned to do to me when I got home. When he was done, my face was flush and all I could think about was his hands on me. I hoped these girls were quick drinkers.
I met Ava and Kara in the lobby and we made small talk as we walked to the subway and towards the bar in Midtown Ava had insisted on.
“They make the best martinis here,” she said as we found three seats at the bar.
“She should know, she’s intoxicated about seventy-five percent of the time,” Kara laughed and Ava swatted her on the arm.
“I’m not. Really, I’m not,” Ava insisted as she whipped her blonde hair and waved to the bartender. He gestured that he’d be right over and she brought her attention back to us. “I do like my drinks, but I swear I’m sober at work.”
The bartender came over then and I watched as Ava spoke to him. She batted her big blue eyes and twirled her blonde hair that looked entirely too well styled for this late in the day. At work she seemed the total opposite of what she was exuding here. I decided I’d go on Ava’s recommendation and get the martini just as she was. A few minutes later the drinks were in front of us and Ava and Kara turned their attention to me.
“So,” Ava began. “You’ve been at the station for a while now, but we know hardly anything about you. What’s your story, Natalie? How’d you end up at Channel 5?”
“Dumb luck,” I said and we all laughed a little. “I actually applied for every job I was remotely qualified for and somehow landed this.”
“You’re very good at it so far,” Ava said.
“Thank you. I never expected to be doing something like this, but I think I like it.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re part of the team.”
“Where’re you from originally?” Kara asked.
“Iowa,” I answered and I saw the surprise on both of their faces.
“You’re a long way from home,” Ava remarked. “How’d you end up here?”
“Long story.”
“And we’ve got time,” she said eagerly.
I didn’t want to tell them everything. I’d only known these women a short time and it’d only been in a professional setting. I decided the Cliff’s Notes version of my sordid tale was the best bet.
“I moved here after college with my former boyfriend, but we broke up a few months ago.”
“And you decided to stay here anyway. You’re a brave girl,” Ava said, taking a sip of her martini.
“I wouldn’t call it bravery,” I replied, also taking a sip of mine. “I like it here and I met someone else, so I’m staying for the foreseeable future.” I decided it was best they not know how Drew and I had ended up together. No matter how much I loved him, I’d never feel okay about what I’d done to Ethan. It was something I chose to ignore. It was easier that way. “What about you guys?” I asked, wanting the subject diverted from me. “What’s your status?”
“I’m engaged,” Kara said, holding up her left hand and flashing a diamond in my direction.
“Congratulations,” I said, holding up my glass to her and we all toasted.
“And I’m perpetually single,” Ava laughed, but I could tell it was forced by the way she took a large gulp of her martini and set it down with a big sigh. I found the fact that Ava had anything to complain about in regards to men surprising. With her long blonde hair, blue eyes and her figure, romance did not seem to be something she would struggle with. “I’ve come to the conclusion there are no guys left in the city worth anything. All they want is one thing…”
The Heart of Tomorrow (Book Two) (The Tomorrow Series 2) Page 6