by D. C. Gambel
I blushed remembering our extensive love making session last night, but his heart beat caught my attention. It was slightly rapid. He was anxious about something, but I didn’t know what.
“I gotta go. Call your dad back.” He leaned down and kissed me chastely on the top of my head before he was gone.
A few days later, I was leaving my father’s nest after a meeting. I had decided taking the job was a way to form some semblance of a relationship with him. I was on the phone with Grayson as I rode the elevator down.
“It went well. I have an idea as to what he’s looking for. Luxury meets decadence.”
“That’s wonderful Gaby. What are you up to now?”
“Nothing. I think I’m going to call and try to have lunch with Shawn before I head home.”
“So you’ll be there before me?”
“Hopefully, but you know how Shawn and I are when we get to talking.”
“So don’t expect you for dinner then?” He joked.
“I’ll try, but I make no promises,” I laughed.
After we hung up, I looked up in time to see Sebastian walking through the door. His leather jacket hung open framing his body. His blonde hair looked slightly tousled, but in a way that looked deliberate. My steps faltered, but I quickly recovered before he could notice. I had a sudden urge to jump behind something to keep myself hidden, but quickly dismissed that idea, not by how childish it would appear, simply because there was nowhere to hide in the open room.
“Gaby?” Sebastian’s gaze locked on me.
“Sebastian,” I offered with a nod. I hoped a simple hello would suffice to get me past him, but as he slowed to a halt in front of me, I knew that hope was lost.
“It’s good to see you. Damien go over his party ideas with you?” His attempt at small talk felt awkward and forced, which was strange. When we spoke the other night out on the balcony it seemed easy, almost natural.
“He did.” I didn’t know what else to say. We stood there in silence for a moment. I saw Sebastian’s eyes catch a glance of something over my shoulder. His face morphed as he glared at it, then his face returned to normal as his gaze settled back to me. I quickly checked my phone for the time, hoping to hurry him along. It didn’t have the desired reaction.
“Am I keeping you from something?”
I knew I couldn’t lie to him. He may not be a vampire, but his senses were just as heightened. “No, I was going to try and catch lunch.”
“Oh, I was just going to do the same. Do you mind if I join you?”
“Um…” He caught me off guard. I expected him to let me be on my way, not invite himself along. I didn’t think Grayson would be happy with me spending time with Sebastian, but if I didn’t, wouldn’t that be confirming his insecurities had precedents? I didn’t know the right answer to the question and luckily Sebastian didn’t make me come up with one.
“I know this great deli that makes the largest sandwiches you have ever seen.” He led me out the door through the busy streets of Manhattan.
Once we were away from The Angelo Tower, the conversation flowed between us like we were long lost friends. We talked for so long that we lost track of time. It wasn’t until the deli was closing that it became apparent how much time had passed.
“Ohmygod!” I exclaimed catching the time. “Grayson expected me home over an hour ago.” I franticly reached for my bag. I paused looking at Sebastian who was calmly staring at me. “What?”
He chuckled then shook away his expression. “Nothing. If you want, I can get you there pretty quickly.”
“How? With your special angel powers?” I teased.
“Something like that.”
I didn’t know what he meant. I assumed he meant flying. It didn’t matter. Explaining to Grayson that I was late because I spent the day with Sebastian would be bad enough without having Sebastian fly me in.
“No thanks. I think I’ll stick to the human transportation.” I explained.
He shrugged. “Have it your way.”
I stood and Sebastian stood with me. “Thank you for lunch and well dinner, I guess.”
“The pleasure was mine, Gaby. Maybe we should do it again.” He didn’t ask, he more just stated. I didn’t want to explain how that wasn’t a good idea so I just gave him a tight lipped smile before walking out the door. I didn’t turn back. I didn’t need to. I could feel his eyes on me as I left.
When I got home, the apartment was surprisingly dark and quiet. It was strange. I had expected Grayson to be home waiting for me, but there was no sign of him. Since it was already late, I decided a hot shower would help me get ready for bed. And it did. Once I was finished, I had just sat down on the couch when Grayson came in.
“Gaby, I’m so sorry I’m late. I’m working on this new contract… I hope you ate without me. I hate the idea of you hungry because I was late.” He seemed flustered, which wasn’t Grayson. I studied him for a moment before telling him, I ate. “Good. I’m glad. I’m going to take a quick shower.” He gave me a hard peck before disappearing into the bedroom.
I heard the shower start and I began going over how I would explain to Grayson my having lunch with Sebastian. I didn’t have anything decided when the shower cut off. A few minutes later, Grayson walked back into the room.
“Have you fed?” He inquired. I shook my head and he busied himself in the kitchen. I stood to follow him. I leaned against the counter as I watched Grayson pour the contents of the blood bag into a sauce pan.
“Grayson…”
“Gaby…” We spoke at the same time. I closed my mouth giving him the go ahead to speak first. He sighed looking down at the ground. After a few moments of silence, he spoke. “Would you come have lunch with me tomorrow? There’s something at the office I need to show you.” Something about his statement seemed to trouble him so much, but I had no idea why.
“Okay,” I drew out.
He seemed visibly relieved by my response and yet more anxious. He finished prepping the blood before handing me my mug.
“Shawn called me at the office earlier.” With that one sentence, my stomach sank. “You didn’t have lunch with him?” I listened for some accusation in his voice, but there was none.
“No. As I was leaving Damien’s office, I ran into someone and had lunch with them instead.”
“Well, that’s good. I’m glad that you didn’t eat lunch alone since he had a date with Clive.” He tipped back his glass, finishing it before rinsing it out in the sink. “I’ve got a long day tomorrow. I’m off to bed. Care to join me?” He held out his hand to me. I smiled and took it, figuring I’d tell him about my lunch with Sebastian later.
CHAPTER THRITEEN
The following day I found myself at Alexander Holdings Incorporated. The elevator doors opened onto the familiar floor where I was greeted by Grayson’s secretary.
“Gaby, it’s so good to see you. I’ll let him know you’re here.” I nodded and took a seat. “You know, I think it’s so amazing how you’re not even jealous.”
I didn’t know what she meant by that. “Excuse me?” I was confounded by her statement.
“Oh, you know. I don’t think I’d be nearly as comfortable as you, if I was in your situation. I guess it just takes confidence,” she chuckled lightly.
I still had no idea what she was talking about. Maybe the fact I was unemployed? I decided to play along to see if she’d give me answers. “Well, you know it wasn’t easy.”
“I’m sure. How could it be easy for your boyfriend to be working with his ex?”
It felt like someone punched me in the gut. His ex? I tried not to display my reaction. “Like I said, it wasn’t,” I forced a smile.
“But you seem to be handling it well. Oh, and the fact that you were okay with how late he was last night. I have to say I was amazed you weren’t ringing the phone off the hook. Then again if you were okay with him showing up late to the function you had the other night because he was having a business dinner with her, I shouldn�
�t be surprised. Now having lunch with the two of them? It’s all incredibly mature.”
Grayson chose that moment to walk out of his office. I stood turning my sights on him. One look at me and he could see the storm brewing that I was struggling to contain in front of his secretary.
“Ms. Giles, forward my calls and take your lunch,” Grayson hissed.
“Yes, sir.” She seemed startled by his demeanor. Poor woman didn’t know that she had just let the cat out of the bag. She made quick with her task all the while Grayson and I stood staring each other down; me with my heated glare and Grayson with his apologetic eyes. Ms. Giles grabbed her purse and left as quickly as possible. As soon as the elevator doors closed, Grayson began apologizing.
“Gaby, I’m so sorry.” He took a step towards me and I responded by stepping away. I couldn’t let him get closer to me. I was liable to punch him in the face with full vampiric force.
“You seem to be using that phrase a lot, Grayson.”
“I asked you here to tell you.”
“To tell me? No. You want me to meet her. Your ex. The woman you’ve been seeing without me knowing for God knows how long now,” I shouted.
He had the audacity to roll his eyes. “I haven’t been seeing her. You’re being ridiculous.” The moment the words left his mouth, he realized his mistake.
“Ridiculous?” I spat.
“Gaby, I didn’t mean…”
“No. I’m being ridiculous. Me? The person who didn’t know her boyfriend was spending so much time with his ex.”
“I’m your fiancé.” His tone became sharp. “And I asked you here to tell you now.”
“Really, Grayson? Why didn’t you tell me last night or the night you were late to my father’s? You knew you were going to be spending time with her.”
“Because, I knew how hard it was for you just being around your father. I didn’t want to make it worse by telling you about Chloe.”
“Chloe? Really?” I fought the urge to laugh. The fight in me began to fade as I chuckled over the fact that Grayson dated a woman named Chloe. Chloe sounded like the name of the little girl you babysat for, who only ever wanted to play with her Barbies, not the name of a business woman who had dated one of New York’s most eligible bachelors.
“Well, I’m glad you find it amusing.” He took a step towards me and this time I didn’t back away. Instead, I walked into his embrace. He held me tight, cradling my head to his chest until my mirth left me. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, but I really was trying to make it easier on you. I didn’t want you worried about her.”
I tilted my chin up to look into his smoky gray eyes. “And I have no reason to be worried?”
“None.”
“You’re not concerned that working this close together will stir up any old feelings?”
He smirked then cupped my face between his hands. “See this is the reason why I didn’t want to tell you.” He kissed me lightly on the forehead. “There is absolutely no chance of that happening. Not just because Chloe and I never really had a connection, but because no one compares to you. You, Gaby, are my future wife, my mate, my love,” his eyes dropped to the diamond necklace draped around my neck. “Only you will have my heart.”
“Forever?” I whispered.
“Forever,” he grinned.
I was quiet as we rode down the elevator. I really didn’t want to do this. Meeting his ex would make it real for me. I wasn’t ignorant. I knew that unlike myself, Grayson had been with other women before he met me. I had no illusions of his chastity, but being face to face with someone who he had kissed, touched, seen naked, was a little more than I could stomach. Now I would have a face to put with the disturbing images whenever they’d creep into my thoughts.
When the elevator came to a halt and the doors slid open, Grayson studied me for a moment before leading me from the small chamber.
This floor was different from the one that housed Grayson’s office. Scattered throughout were cubicles cramped collectively. Along the walls were doors that led to conference rooms or small offices.
Grayson led me through the clusters of preassembled walls, to a desk resting just outside a door.
“Susie, tell her we’re ready for lunch,” he stated before walking away, not waiting for a response. Grayson then walked to a neighboring door. He held it open for me as I walked over the threshold. There had been no seats out there to wait in, so waiting in a conference room made sense. I stood looking out the large glass window, seeing downtown functioning like a well oiled machine, when I heard the blinds close creating a veil between us and the rest of the office.
“What are you doing?” I wondered. Before he replied, Grayson used his vampire speed and was instantly behind me. He pulled my hair back, giving him access to my neck.
“Do you really think that I’m going to let you remain in this foul mood?” He whispered his breath warm against my ear. I looked at him over my shoulder realizing I hadn’t fooled him. “Now lean back against the table, before I bend you over on it.”
I bit my lip, trying to prevent the smile that was aching to show and did as I was told. I rested my palms on the table and leaned my weight against it. Grayson’s eyes locked with mine as he dropped to his knees and slid his hand up my dress. With a cocky half grin, he pulled my panties down to my ankles, before tucking them into his pocket.
“What if someone walks in?”
“Then they’ll learn that next time, they need to knock before busting through a closed door.” He shoved my skirt up to my hips and lifted me onto the table before burying his head between my legs. I gasped with the sheer ferocity. His skilled tongue flicked and swirled over my moist, sensitive flesh. My fingers thread through his hair coaxing him closer. I opened my eyes and looked out the window before me. Out there the entire city could be watching this man bring me to the brink. I’d be lying if I said that the thought hadn’t turned me on. Gripping my hips, Grayson pulled me closer, sending me straight over the cliff I was resting on. My eyes closed as the moans of ecstasy escaped me. White stars covered the blackness behind my eye lids.
When I opened them again, Grayson was standing before me with a devilish grin on his handsome face. “Better?” He asked.
“Not quite,” I insisted, sliding off the table tugging my skirt back in place. His brow knitted, probably thinking that his mad skills hadn’t left me completely sated. They had, in a way, but not in another.
A wicked look spread across my face as I pressed my hand against his chest, forcing him to step back, until we had traded places. Running my fingers down his lean, defined muscles, they came to a stop at his belt. Making quick work of it, I unbuckled it.
“My turn,” I suggested as I dropped to my knees. I took my time freeing him, letting my hand grip and stroke his hard manhood. When I finally pulled him from the confines of his clothing, I looked up at Grayson from under my lashes. I kept my eyes locked on his as I took him into my mouth. He groaned, closing his eyes from the pleasure of it. Part of me felt giddy and for a brief moment I had forgotten where we were and why I was there. I moved my mouth up and down on him. I swirled my tongue around his tip, doing anything and everything I could to draw the moment of ecstasy out as long as I could, when suddenly the door opened.
“Grayson, here you are,” a woman uttered, not noticing that I was in front of him.
Without thinking, I released Grayson and peeked around him to see who had interrupted us. Her eyes locked on me and her cheeks flamed with embarrassment. She quickly put her back to us, but didn’t leave.
“Oh, I am so sorry. My assistant said you were ready for lunch.”
I stood and both Grayson and I tried to make ourselves less disheveled.
“It’s alright Chloe. I thought I had locked the door,” he mumbled, feeling the frustration from the lack of gratification.
“You probably did, but they don’t lock. My guess is to prevent things like this from happening.”
Once Grayson was back to
his earlier perfection, he started walking around the conference table, towards the door. I quickly grabbed his arm, halting him.
“What about my panties?” I whispered, barely audible.
“Think about it as justification. We’re both left wanting something we can’t have at the moment,” he whispered back, just loud enough for only me to hear. With a quick wink, he headed towards the door. “Shall we?”
Sitting across the table from Chloe, I realized I didn’t like her. It started with her first comment from the moment we arrived at the restaurant, when she tastelessly questioned,
“So when did you become Mr. Exhibitionist? I remember a time when you didn’t even want to have sex outside of the bedroom, forget about doing it at the office.”
And just like that, I now had repulsive images of her and Grayson in the bed we shared. Now, we sat across from her listening to her babble on about her sex life and the strange places she’s had it in. I guess it was her way of trying to relieve the awkwardness of her stumbling in on us. It wasn’t working.
“What about you, Gaby?” she pried.
“What about me, what?”
Grayson had been leaning back in the booth that we sat with his arm casually draped around me. He now sat forward, joining the conversation.
“Chloe, I don’t think that that’s…” he started, but she cut him off.
“Oh come on, Grayson. We’re all friends here.” She then turned her gaze onto me. “So where are some strange places that you had sex, before Grayson?”
“Chloe?” Grayson was trying, but she just wasn’t listening.
She was leaning across the table readying herself for my answer. I wasn’t sure why she was pushing so hard.
“Nowhere,” I stated casually.
“Oh, come on. I just caught you two in the conference room.”
“Leave it alone, Chloe.” Grayson spoke firmly.
“What? Do you not know each other’s history?”
“Not that it’s really any of your business, but I am immensely familiar with her history. Now can we please change the subject?” Grayson’s words did little to sate her as she continued to press. I had finally reached my breaking point.