“Which you’re all too willing to give,” Kara interrupted with a boisterous laugh. Ava glared and then turned to me.
“Don’t listen to a word she says. By the end of the evening she’ll have you convinced I’m some alcoholic sex fiend.”
Ava took another swig of her drink and then I watched as her eyes drifted behind me, curiosity in her gaze and a smile spreading on her face.
I turned around and knew instantly what had caused the sudden change in mood: the man in the charcoal gray suit. Drew. Our eyes met and he smiled at me as he continued his confident walk towards us. I sometimes forgot how striking he was, because I’d gotten to know the real person underneath the impressive physique, but then there’d be times like this, when I’d look up and a million reminders would come showering down on me.
“Hello ladies,” Drew said, stopping at the bar.
“Hey,” I said, standing up, ready to greet him with a kiss on the cheek, but just as I leaned in, he turned his head and our lips met head on, which wasn’t necessarily a good thing because kissing Drew always made me want to do other things with him, none of which could be done currently in the bar. “What are you doing here?” I asked when he’d pulled away.
“I was on my way home and thought I’d swing by.”
He looked away, focusing his attention on my co-workers. I was used to the looks on their faces. It was the same look most women got when meeting Drew for the first time, the same look I know I’d given him.
“This is my boyfriend, Drew Saben,” I said and Ava and Kara both smiled at him, doing their best not to look flustered, when I knew they probably were. “Drew, this is Ava and Kara.”
“It’s nice to meet you ladies,” he said, extending a hand to both of them.
“Likewise,” Ava answered and Kara nodded, a shy grin on her face.
“I won’t keep you from your evening,” he said, turning back to me. “I was just passing by and wanted to say hi, but I’ll see you at home.” He leaned in, kissing me again. “I’ve taken care of everything at the bar. Order whatever you’d like.” Ava and Kara both said thank you and then he looked once more at me. “Have fun. I’ll see you at home.”
And with that, he was gone.
“What. The. Hell.” Ava was staring at me, mouth nearly gaping as the words came out forcefully from her mouth. “That is your boyfriend?” I nodded, feeling a little childish at the excitement I got from admitting that, like I was in high school dating the quarterback. “Then why are you here with us and not home getting a piece of that?”
Kara started cracking up and I couldn’t stifle my laughter either.
“I’ve got plenty of time for that later,” I said, raising a suggestive eyebrow, thinking about what I knew lay in store for me when I got home.
“I know I’m engaged, but holy crap,” Kara said, finishing off her drink and not hesitating to order another one now that Drew was picking up the tab.
“Where did you find him?” Ava prodded.
“He’s a partner in an architectural firm downtown. I worked there when I first moved here.”
“And you quit when you started sleeping with him?” Ava concluded with a grin.
“It was a little more complicated than that, but yes, once we made it official, we both decided it’d be better if I worked somewhere else.”
“But you’re living together,” Kara stated.
“For the time being. I’m going to start looking for my own place.”
“Hold up,” Ava interrupted. “You’re moving out of that man’s house?” I nodded and she openly flinched. “Can I ask why the hell you’re doing that?”
I sighed, taking another drink.
“I’ve got my reasons.”
“And what reason would be good enough to justify moving out of his place? Does he want you to move out?” Ava continued.
“Just the opposite. He wants me to stay.”
“Then why the hell are you leaving?”
Ava was obviously not going to drop this.
“Let’s just say that Drew is comfortable and I don’t want people thinking that’s the only reason I’m with him.”
“You are too good, Natalie,” Ava said, reaching across the table and grabbing my arm. “That man could be homeless for all I care, but I admire your integrity and if you’re seriously going to move out of Shangri-La, my sister’s roommate just moved out. She’s looking for a replacement. You’re more than welcome to come check out the apartment. She’s got a nice place.”
“She wouldn’t mind?”
“Not at all. She can’t afford the place on her own and it sure beats the hell out of putting an ad out on Craigslist. I’d much rather she not get murdered while interviewing new roommates.”
“Okay…” I said, pausing for a moment, wondering if I was actually going to do this. “Yeah. I’ll check it out.”
“Great! Are you free tomorrow?”
“I am.”
“She and I were going to grab lunch, but you can come over before then. And feel free to bring your boyfriend along,” she winked and I nodded, thinking about how I was going to break the news to Drew.
~~~
I could feel the nerves when the elevator opened and I saw the apartment door before me. I opened it and any chance I’d hoped to collect myself before talking to him was crushed when I saw him sitting on the couch watching TV. He looked relaxed in a pair of flannel pants and a white t-shirt, a far cry from the serious suit he’d been sporting at the bar. I hadn’t yet decided which way I liked him best. He was equally enticing ready for a board meeting or for a night of Netflix binging.
“Welcome home,” he said, turning off the TV, standing up and coming over to me, relieving me of my bag and then sliding my coat off. “I was beginning to think you weren’t ever coming home.”
“It’s not that late,” I said as we walked into the living room.
“It was too late the moment I walked in and you weren’t here.”
He set my bag down and then kissed me just slow enough to make me forget for a moment what I needed to talk to him about.
“The girls were appreciative of you picking up the tab tonight,” I told him as we sat down side by side on the couch, sinking into the smooth leather as he put his arm around me.
“Did you have a good time?”
“I did.”
“That’s great, but I’m glad you’re home now.”
He pulled me closer, kissing the top of my head and then threaded our fingers together. He began tracing the back of my hand with his thumb and we were quiet. I didn’t want to ruin the moment, but I needed to tell him about Ava’s offer. He knew the time would eventually come and that time was now, even though I wondered again why I was doing this when sitting with him after a long day at work felt perfect.
“Ava told me tonight that her sister’s roommate just moved out. She’s looking for a replacement.” I could feel his body stiffen as he realized what I was implying. “She said I should come by and check out the place to see if I might be interested in moving in.”
“I take it since you’re telling me about it that you plan on going.” I couldn’t tell how to read his voice.
“I am. I’d like you to come with me if you can.”
“Of course,” he said and the speed in which he agreed surprised me. Part of me expected him to protest, but deep down I knew he wouldn’t. I’d said my piece, even if I doubted it myself sometimes, not wanting to leave the comfort of what Drew and I had built.
“I’ll let Ava know I’m coming for sure then,” I said, pulling myself up from the couch, our arms still linked as he eyed me from where he still sat. I loved when his eyes trailed over my body the way they were now.
“Whatever makes you happy, Natalie,” he replied as our hands finally separated. I knew those words were the closest he’d come to expressing his disappointment anymore.
“I’ll be right back,” I said and he nodded as I went down the hall and into our bedroom to change out
of my work clothes. “Hey!” I called out as I slid my sweater off, projecting my voice loud enough so he’d hear me down the hallway. “You wanna pop some popcorn and we can watch a movie or something?”
I expected a response right away, but it didn’t come and as I turned around, I saw Drew standing in the doorway, arms folded, staring at me standing in only my bra and skirt. His eyes traveled my body again and the side of his mouth curled up as he watched me.
“A movie?” he said, stepping into the room, but keeping a safe distance from me. “Do you not recall our phone conversation in which I told you what I had planned for you when you got home from your little girl’s night out tonight?”
“Hmm,” I said, giving him my best clueless expression. “I must’ve forgotten.”
“I’m a little insulted, Miss Vasser,” he said, walking slowly as the gap between us closed until he was just inches from me, so close I could smell his fresh aftershave. He cupped my cheek with his palm and he began massaging my lower lip with his thumb. “I’ve been told by many, yourself included, that I’m fairly unforgettable.”
“You must not be as important as you think you are then, Mr. Saben.”
“Oh, I know I’m important. You’re the one who needs to be reminded.”
I expected him to kiss me, to swoop in and seduce me right there, but he didn’t. Instead, with one steady motion, he’d picked me up, my legs dangling from where they draped under his hold. A second later, we were in the bathroom and then he’d set me down on the counter…the same counter that my eyes always drifted to whenever I stepped inside.
“As I recall and you may too, Miss Vasser,” he said, matter-of-factly, peeling his t-shirt off and tossing it to the floor. “We’ve been here before. Do you remember that or has that slipped your mind as well?” He raised a playful eyebrow at me, but his face remained chiseled in seriousness.
“I remember that night quite vividly,” I answered and he suddenly reached under my skirt, rolling the tights off until they were next to his shirt.
He grinned, reaching around and undoing my bra, tossing it aside without a second thought.
“I’m glad you remember something.”
His voice was low as he traced my breasts with his fingertip until he suddenly stopped. I heard the sound of his zipper and I felt myself burning, knowing what was coming next. He pulled me to him, kissing me hard and deep as he pushed my skirt up and then he grabbed my legs, wrapping them around his waist. Our mouths separated and he stared at me, his green eyes never leaving mine because neither of us could look away. I remembered that night when we had to be quiet, when we had to hide what we were doing, the way I’d bit my lip to silence myself, even though I hadn’t been able to remain completely mute. Tonight we were alone though and we didn’t have to try and hide anything.
When it was over, I clung to him, his body slick with sweat and he was breathing heavy. There wasn’t anything spoken for a long time, but then he pulled away, helping me off the counter, my skirt falling back to my knees.
“I’m pretty sure you won’t forget that,” he smirked playfully.
“I’m pretty sure I won’t forget that either,” I said as I continued to try and catch my breath. He reached for his t-shirt, sliding it back on and then took my hand, leading me back into the bedroom. He walked over to my side of the dresser, pulling out a pair of pajama bottoms and a shirt, setting them on the bed as I shimmied out of my skirt.
“I’ll go pop that popcorn you requested now. We’ll watch a movie before I find another way to make you never forget me,” he said with a wink as he left the room. Round two would only be for fun because Andrew Saben had been unforgettable from the first moment we met.
Eight
There was no way I could turn down the apartment when Drew and I went to check it out. It was a nice place and I instantly felt at ease with Ava’s sister, Monica. She definitely had style and it was warm and homey. I’d have my own room, which was surprisingly big, and there was enough space to stay out of each other’s way. I couldn’t reach for my checkbook fast enough, handing Monica the amount for the first month’s rent before Drew and I left to head back to his place so I could start packing.
He’d been quiet on the ride home, holding my hand the whole time and when the cab pulled up to his building, he only let go of it to open the door and help me out before taking it again. The elevator ride up was just as quiet and the apartment seemed to echo once we stepped inside. He helped me slide off my coat and hung it up before turning to me.
“I have a few errands to run. Mind if I step out while you start packing?” he asked, not bothering to remove his jacket.
“I don’t mind,” I said and I wanted to press him for more information, but when I saw the despondent look on his face, I decided to leave him alone.
“I won’t be long.”
He kissed me on the forehead and then he was gone, leaving me in the hollow apartment. I stood there for a few moments, looking around. I’d been living here for three months, but there was no trace of me. It was all him. Nothing had changed. It was the same monochromatic color scheme, screaming of masculinity. Unless you looked in the bathroom at my array of hair and skin products, there was no hint that a woman lived in this place. It was his home and now I was getting ready to leave it.
I found the suitcase I’d brought with me from Iowa in the closet of the guest room and moved it into the bedroom Drew and I shared. I’d told Monica I’d move in the next day. It wouldn’t take me long seeing as I had no real possessions aside from my clothes and I wanted to get settled before the work week began. There was no point in putting it off. I’d been planning this from the night I moved in. I’d told myself this was only temporary, but as I walked into the large closet I shared with Drew and began taking out the clothes and placing them in the suitcase, my eyes drifted to his clothes. There were the sleek, serious suits that transformed him into the sexy businessman hanging next to the designer jeans and sweaters he wore on more casual days. And then there were the hoodies he wore when we were hanging out, when he seemed like a regular guy and I was able to forget for a few moments that he was far from regular.
I’d miss seeing his clothes every day and watching him change. I always looked forward to seeing what he’d come out in. No matter what, he never looked anything short of incredible.
I worked methodically, not allowing myself to think about the hole the absence of my clothes was leaving in the closet and soon I’d filled two suitcases. It was hard to believe how many clothes I’d acquired since moving to New York when I was struggling to find outfits to wear to work when I first moved in. It was just more proof how much my life had changed since I’d met Drew.
“It’s looking pretty bare in here.”
His deep voice startled me and I turned to see him in the doorway to the closet, his coat off, standing in the jeans and a long-sleeved black t-shirt he’d put on in the morning, arms folded across his chest as he looked around.
“I didn’t realize I had so many clothes,” I said, reaching for another sweater. I started to fold it, but Drew stepped towards me, taking it from my hands and tossing it into the open suitcase on the floor.
“Come with me.” He took me gently by the elbow, leading me into the living room, sitting down on the couch and encouraging me to sit beside him.
“Where’d you go?” I asked him, looking for any signs of the errands he’d excused himself to run, but saw no evidence of anything.
“I’m calling your bluff, Natalie,” he said suddenly, ignoring my question.
“Excuse me?”
“Your need to prove to me and everyone else that you’re a strong independent woman. I get it, but I already knew that. You already know that.” His index finger was resting on my sternum, pointing to my heart and my eyes were drawn to his, the tense expression on his face surprising me. “I know you can take care of yourself. I have no doubts about that, Natalie, but I want to take care of you too. Call me selfish, but I do.” He t
ook a breath, pausing for a moment before continuing. “I left because I needed to think. I needed to try and clear my head from the fact that tomorrow night you won’t be here. I tried rationalizing with myself because it’s what you want, but I can’t sit here and just let you leave. You’ve proven you’ll do it. You’ve already paid Monica for Christ’s sake. I get it. I really do, but if I’m being honest with you and myself, I have to tell you I don’t want you to go. I’m being selfish and asking you to stay here…with me.”
He was talking quickly, so unlike his usual collected self. Drew Saben never seemed frazzled, but he appeared to be now and he took my hand in his, kissing the back of it gently.
“My sister was right,” he said suddenly and those four words immediately piqued my interest. “I’m not as strong as I let on. I don’t trust easily because I’ve been burned before. You’re the first person I’ve let into my life in a very long time and I can’t have you leave now, just when things are falling into place.” He paused again, grazing his fingertips over my cheek, his green eyes locking onto mine. “Are you not happy here?” His voice was low and worried and I had to take a moment to think because I couldn’t understand how he could think I wasn’t happy.
“Of course I’m happy here,” I finally answered.
“Then why are you leaving?”
“Because…” I said, my voice trailing off because I really couldn’t think of a reason.
“Why are you trying to fix something that isn’t broken?”
“Because,” I tried again, attempting to formulate my words so maybe he’d understand. “I want you to know that I love you…for you.”
“And you think I don’t know that?” His hand had left my cheek and was now tangled in my hair, pulling me closer to him. “I tried telling myself to shut up…to not say anything to you. I told myself I needed to be supportive of your decision, but you’re finally going through with it and I can’t keep quiet anymore. I love you, Natalie. I love having you at my side every night. I love knowing that no matter how bad my day is, I’m coming home to you and it doesn’t matter what happened at work because you’ll be here.”
The Heart of Tomorrow (Book Two) (The Tomorrow Series 2) Page 7