“There was quite a stir in the office yesterday after you showed up.”
“A stir?”
“Word got around that Drew was unavailable, but that didn’t mean some of the girls hoped he’d only said that to avoid any interoffice flirting. Then you showed up live in person and crushed a few of their dreams.”
He was laughing and I smiled too, but I didn’t like the thought of the women in the office lusting over him the way I knew they did. I felt a little ball of worry form in my stomach too. I’d seen some of those women. They were beautiful and I knew Drew was aware of that. He was a red-blooded man with a healthy libido and I lived 3,000 miles away. It wouldn’t be hard for him to get a little relief on the side and I’d be none the wiser.
“Would Drew mind if I asked you to dance?” Anthony asked tearing me from my thoughts.
“No,” I said.
“No, he wouldn’t mind or no you won’t dance with me?”
He was smiling at me, his teeth almost blindingly white against his dark skin.
“Of course I’ll dance with you,” I said, hoping a jaunt on the dance floor would take my mind off my sudden worry.
He extended his hand to me and I took it as he led me into the crowd. A small jazz band was playing at the front of the room, a far cry from the last place I’d danced: a back alley club in Manhattan in the arms of my gay friend.
It became obvious quickly that Anthony knew how to move. His body glided effortlessly over the dance floor, almost like we were on a cloud, and I hoped I was doing a semi-adequate job of keeping up or at least not embarrassing myself.
“You’re a good dancer,” I said as he spun me.
“Fifteen years formal training will do that.”
“That’s impressive,” I said as we continued to move over the floor. “What’s your specialty?”
“Contemporary, but I’ve studied all forms.”
“Did you dance competitively?”
“I did. I still do actually,” he added. “That’s why I’m in L.A.”
“You’re not from here then?”
“No. Salt Lake City. Dancing is big in Utah. I’ve been here the last couple of years trying to pursue a career.”
“How’s that going?”
“Not as well as I’d like, hence the job as Mya’s assistant.” He laughed and he reminded me very much of Ethan moving to a new city to follow his dreams. “I even tried out for So You Think You Can Dance when I first moved here.”
“Really?”
“I was on TV for about a millisecond and I made it to Las Vegas, but got cut there.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. It was a good experience and made my drive that much stronger. I’ve done a few musicals and I do competitions when I can.”
“You’ve thoroughly impressed me, Anthony.”
“Then I’ve achieved my goal,” he said, dipping me and pulling me back up. “What about you, Natalie? What do you do?”
“Currently I’m a non-linear editor at Channel 5 back in New York.”
“Pardon my language, but what the hell is that?” he said with a laugh.
“I’m basically a proof-reader.”
“Sounds thrilling.”
“It can be interesting. I’ve been going out with one of the field reporters lately and I like doing that.”
“Is that something you want to do then?”
“No,” I said quickly.
“Why not?”
“I don’t know. I never really thought about it until I got this job.”
“Would you consider it?”
“I’d have to go back to school and I don’t know if I’m really at that place in my life right now.”
“What do you want to do then?” he asked and I didn’t know to respond. My life had been so mixed up ever since moving to New York City. I’d followed Ethan to Manhattan to support his dream without ever having a dream of my own.
“I don’t really know,” I admitted and he grinned. “It’s probably safer to stay where I’m at…or move out here with Drew for a little while.”
“I guess that’s okay when you’ve landed a man like Drew. I hear the guy is loaded.”
I planted my feet firmly on the ground so we stopped dancing and Anthony looked confused.
“You’re very bold,” I said. “And that’s not always a good thing.”
“I’m sorry if I’ve offended you.”
“I’m not with Drew for his money.”
I knew I sounded defensive and I realized it was probably because Anthony had pointed something out to me that I’d been ignoring. I didn’t like realizing that in my move to New York with Ethan and when falling in love with Drew, I’d lost a small piece of myself that dreamed I could be something.
“I apologize for my insinuation,” Anthony said and I could tell he was sorry.
I stood looking at his apologetic face and I didn’t quite know how to respond.
“It’s fine,” is what I settled on and then he held out his hand.
“Can we at least finish our dance?”
I nodded and took his hand. He started leading me across the dance floor again. I glanced around the room, my gaze landing on Drew whose arms were around Dr. Reynolds as they danced, obviously wining and dining her to fix Mya’s mistake. It’d been my idea after all. I was the one who told her I was his sister in order to give him that freedom. I didn’t like it though. I didn’t like watching him smile at another woman, even if she was nearly twice his age. That just meant he’d be even more appealing to someone younger.
I tried to clear my head of my conversation with Anthony and the thoughts of Drew with another woman, but I suddenly longed to be back in New York and the simplicity of the little life we’d created in our bubble where I didn’t worry about any of those things.
Anthony and I put our momentary tension behind us and ended up dancing two more dances before I finally excused myself to get some water. I was surprised when I felt a touch on the small of my back before it vanished. Drew was beside me, glancing discreetly at my cleavage.
“My sister? Really, Natalie?” he whispered. “Now I have to keep my hands off you the rest of the night unless I want Dr. Reynolds to assume I’m an incestuous pervert.”
He started laughing and I had to admit that he was right. Ordinarily, I would’ve reached up and kissed him or at least taken his hand, but my little white lie meant hands off the rest of the evening.
“I’m sorry. I thought it would help,” I said. “And did it?”
“Actually, yes.” His confident tone was accompanied by a confident smile. “I was able to sweet talk her into forgiving Mya’s mistake and give our firm another chance.”
“How’d you do that?”
“I assured her I’d be overseeing the project.”
“And she liked that idea?”
“I think she did,” he said, raising an eyebrow.
“Do I need to be concerned?”
“Of course not, little sister,” he said and I couldn’t help but laugh. “Do I need to be concerned?”
“Why would you need to be concerned?”
“I noticed your dance partner earlier. You and Anthony looked to be having a good time together.”
“He was keeping me company while my brother charmed Dr. Reynolds.”
“Well,” he said, turning to face me. “I didn’t like seeing another man’s hands on you.”
“Oh really?” I teased.
“Not one bit and now I have to keep my hands off of you the rest of the night. I can’t even dance with you.”
His voice was playful, but I knew there was some truth behind it.
“Again, my apologies, Mr. Saben.”
“I guess we’ll just have to rectify this situation tonight when we’re alone.”
The way he was looking at me was even hotter because we both knew we were under a strict no touching order. I could feel how badly he wanted to touch me, just as my body was aching to feel him as well.
“Then I look forward to meeting up with you tonight.”
“As do I,” he said, surreptitiously taking my hand for a second before letting go. “Now, I’m off to mingle again, but remember, I’m watching you.”
He held up two fingers to his eyes and I started laughing, shooing him away and wondering what lay in store for me tonight.
Twenty
It was late when the evening started winding down. My feet hurt from standing too long and I was bored as Drew made his rounds. I stayed by myself mostly, drinking wine and munching on the hors d’oeuvres and engaging in occasional conversation with Anthony and Mya. I was relieved when Drew approached me, telling me we could leave.
“Finally,” Drew groaned the moment the limo door closed and we were alone.
I didn’t have a chance to respond before he took my face in his hands, pressing his mouth hard against mine. His lips were greedy, but I didn’t mind and when he pulled back, I was breathless.
“Don’t ever make me stand in a room with you again and not be able to touch you.” His voice was stern and his brow was creased as he stared at me. “That was torture, Natalie, and something I will not endure again.”
“It wasn’t easy for me either,” I replied as I saw the lights of downtown L.A. pass by through the heavily tinted windows. “But I’m glad everything worked out.”
“Me too,” he said, his eyes focusing on my thigh that was exposed from the slit in my dress.
I watched as he rested his hand on my skin, slowly inching it up, my breathing quickening the higher it got.
“What are you doing?” I whispered.
“I told you I was going to rectify the situation when we were alone. I always keep my promises.”
“But, Drew…we can’t…not here…the driver…” I was silenced by his finger on my mouth.
“It’s taken care of, Natalie,” he assured me quietly. “He can’t see anything or hear anything. I told him we wanted a long drive around the city before returning to the hotel. We’re all alone with nothing but time.”
His hand moved even higher and I couldn’t stop the soft moan that escaped my lips as he started pulling my panties off, so slowly I almost couldn’t take it. He took off his jacket, loosening his tie and undoing the first few buttons of his shirt before kneeling before me, both hands gripping my thighs now as his lips began making a trail in my inner-thigh.
“This is what I’ve wanted to do all night,” he whispered. “Just sit back and let me.”
I knew better than to argue and I closed my eyes, resting my head against the seat, doing my best to stay quiet as he explored my body and just as I was about to lose all control, he stopped, leaving me panting for more as he stared at me. He reached over pulling down the straps of my dress and slid it all the way off. I wasn’t even embarrassed that I was totally naked and he still had his clothes on, not with the way he was looking at me as if I was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.
Positioning himself between my legs, he leaned in kissing me deeply and then pulling away so that our lips were almost touching.
“Every time I see you, you’re even more beautiful than the last time.”
I didn’t say anything because he kissed me again. As our mouths danced over each other, I quickly undid his shirt until it was off, moving to his pants next and he sat down beside me.
“Come here,” he said, his hands on my hips as he encouraged me onto his lap.
I didn’t protest and I took a deep breath knowing what was coming next. Even though I’d tried to be quiet, there was no stopping the moan that left my body as we became one. I’d experienced so many things I never imagined before Drew, but this moment was unlike anything else. He made me lose all inhibitions and just live for the moment. Never would I have imagined doing something like this, but with Drew, anything seemed possible.
~~~
When the limo pulled in front of the hotel an hour later, we had collected ourselves. I couldn’t bring myself to look at the driver though as we left, but I noticed Drew handing him another tip and I expected this one was much larger than the first one.
Drew took my hand and led me into the lobby. We were quiet the entire way up to our room, but when we closed the door behind us, he took off his coat, tossing it onto the bed and flopping himself down in the chair.
“I’m beat.”
“Perhaps we shouldn’t have exerted ourselves the way we did.”
“Are you kidding me? That was one of the hottest things we’ve ever done. I’ll be thinking of that for days, wondering when we’ll get to do it again.”
“Hotter than the club in Tokyo?”
“Ooh…that’s a tough one. Tokyo was incredible. Nothing beats the first time.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at how giddy he looked, almost like a little boy who’d just conquered the video game he’d been working so hard at.
“In order to preserve my honor, I have to assure you I have never engaged in any sort of activity like that before. I’ve always been a good girl…until I met you that is,” I said as I began undoing the dangly earrings I’d worn.
I was trying to make a joke, but I could see he didn’t think it was funny. He sat up quickly and made his way to me.
“I hope you’re not ashamed of us, Natalie…of the things we share.”
“I’m not, Drew. I just wanted you to know I don’t usually strip down to nothing in the back of a car,” I said with a smile, but he still didn’t appear to share my lighthearted mood.
“I don’t care what you’ve done in your past. All that matters is now and I happen to think you’re the most incredible woman I’ve ever met.” His hand was on my cheek, his eyes moving slowly over my face until they rested on mine, staring hard. “I know you’re not the same person you were when you met me. I know you still feel guilty about what we did to Ethan. I know I’m the reason for that and I’m sorry for making you think you’re no longer a good girl,” he said, forming the words in air quotes. “You’re different now though. You’re a woman now. You’re living now and I don’t think you knew what living was until you came to New York.” I knew he wasn’t trying to insult me. He didn’t mean it to hurt me. The truth was, he was right. I’d spent my whole life in Iowa always doing the safe thing. Safe was good, but taking chances made life exciting. I’d learned to take chances ever since Drew came into my life and I thought that was a good thing. “I don’t think you have any idea how much I love you, Natalie.”
“I think I do know,” I said softly, smiling at him.
“I hope so because I try and show you every day,” he said as he kissed my neck and then it grew quiet for a few moments.
“Do you know what I missed most tonight?” I finally asked and he turned me to face him, holding my hands.
“What was that?”
“That we didn’t get a chance to dance. We’ve never done that.”
I watched as a smile spread slowly on his face, one eyebrow rising a little higher than the other.
“Are you saying you want to dance with me?”
“I am,” I said and his grin grew bigger.
He went to the dresser, picking up his phone and doing something with it until I heard music begin to play. It was the unmistakable intro to the U2 classic With or Without You. He set the phone down and came over to me, extending his hand.
“May I have this dance?”
I smiled at him, placing my hand in his and he pulled me to him, sliding his hand slowly around my waist. We began to sway gently to the beat, back and forth. He was so light on his feet and I was surprised at what a good dancer he was.
“I didn’t know what a good dancer you were.”
“I try,” he said, suddenly letting go of my hip, pushing me so I glided away from him for a moment before spinning me and then pulling me back into him.
“How’d you like that?” he grinned.
“I liked it very much, Mr. Saben,” I said and then both of his hands were on my hips and he was li
fting me into the air as he spun and set me back down, wrapping his arms around me again. I rested my head on his chest and he held me closely as we moved together. I loved this feeling. I loved having him so close.
“Are you enjoying yourself?” he asked softly after a few moments of silence.
“Immensely,” I answered.
“As am I,” he said and it grew quiet again. I could hear his heartbeat and I closed my eyes as we swayed together. I forgot for a moment that I’d be returning to New York soon and it was anybody’s guess as to when we’d be together again. I didn’t want to think about it. I only wanted to think about now.
“I love you, Drew,” I said a few moments later and he stopped, stepping back and holding me at arm’s length.
“I will never grow tired of hearing that from you,” he said, leaning in slowly, his lips meeting mine.
His kiss was light and sweet as his finger tips framed my face. I could feel myself starting to get lost in him as the song faded, but then the familiar guitar strums of U2’s Vertigo started blasting through the air and he pulled back.
“Talk about a mood killer,” he said with a laugh.
“I got my dance though.” I grinned and he took my hand.
“And I promise it won’t be our last.” He stared into my eyes and then kissed me softly. “Let’s go to bed,” he said quietly.
We changed into our pajamas and after I brushed my teeth and washed my face, I climbed under the covers where Drew was already waiting for me.
His arms were open and I went to him, resting my head on his chest as he reached over and turned out the light before wrapping me in his arms.
Life with Drew was exciting. He’d shown me passion I’d never imagined and love that had proven to be unconditional, but it was times like these I enjoyed most…quiet times in each other’s arms. It was these times where I could feel just how much he loved me.
We didn’t say anything for a long time. The only sounds I could hear were the deep breaths he took and the fan from the air conditioner. My mind started drifting and it eventually found its way to my conversation with Anthony. I told myself not to think about it, but I couldn’t stop. What were my dreams? What did I want for myself? What legacy did I want to leave? I’d been so caught up in the drama of my life since moving to New York I’d almost forgotten about myself and perhaps it was time to remember.
The Heart of Tomorrow (Book Two) (The Tomorrow Series 2) Page 14