by Alexa Riley
She’s been over the moon about me being back home, which has made me a little slower on finding a new place to live. She turns around when she hears me, and a giant smile brightens her face. Her curly gray hair bounces a little, and it makes me realize how happy I am to be home.
“I made chocolate chip pancakes,” she sing-songs, making my heart ache a little more. It’s always just been her and me, making us superclose.
My mom wanted a child more than anything in the world, so she chose to go through artificial insemination. I never had a dad, but I never felt like I was missing out either. My mom filled this house with so much love that there was never room for me to wish for something else.
“Bacon?” I tease
“Always,” she says, setting a plate in front of me at the breakfast bar. “How goes the new job?”
“Good. I really love it. I have more freedom, and they give me free rein with all my ideas. It’s refreshing,” I tell her.
Being back in New York has been better than I thought it could be. I feel more like myself. I don’t know why I’ve been running from it for so long. This might not have been my plan, but it’s turned out to be a fantastic opportunity. I’m putting my past behind me and not shedding any more tears. It’s also hard to be sad when I’m getting to spend more time with my mom.
“That’s good, honey.” My mom kisses me on the top of the head. “I’m supposed to meet Susan this morning. Have a good day at work,” she says, picking up her purse and heading for the door. Sometimes I wonder how we’re related. My mom can’t seem to sit still while I’m content on the sofa with a book for days. That said, I love that she’s so active.
I dig into my breakfast, feeling better than I have in weeks. My reasons for hiding from New York all this time seem so small and stupid now. I’ve felt more content since I’ve been here, but a mom can do that to you. Maybe all I really needed was to be around her again.
After putting my plate into the dishwasher, I grab my purse and laptop bag and jet out the door. I make it down the stairs and then freeze when I see it’s pouring rain outside. Great.
Not wanting to make the walk to the subway, I have the doorman wave me down a cab. He motions to me a second later, and I run out, jumping in as quick as possible, yet still getting a little wet. The door shuts and I pull out my compact and see my mascara has run a little. Apparently the waterproof I’m testing isn’t holding up so well. I’ll need to add that to my list.
I lean my head back, letting my eyes fall closed for just a second. I stayed up way too late reading last night, and I know I’m going to feel it for the rest of the day. I wish I liked coffee like the rest of the world. It would be wonderful to have something wake me up on a day like this. Maybe I could try some hot cocoa for a sugar rush.
My eyes pop open when someone slides into the seat next to me.
“Hey, buddy, this one’s taken!” the cab driver shouts.
I’m frozen as I focus on the man who’s sitting next to me. I can’t even find words. Time has gone by, but I’d never forget his eyes. They stare at me, and he seems to have the same reaction. My heart starts to pound. Silence falls between us for only a beat before he speaks.
“Take her where she needs to go, then drop me after.” He reaches into his back pocket and pulls out his wallet. He hands the cab driver a stack of bills and the driver looks at them before pulling away from the curb.
I’m still shocked that I’m sitting next to Henry. Part of me wants to jump out of the cab. Another part of me wants to pretend that I don’t care. That this is a happy accident and I’ve moved on.
Before I can react to him being in the cab with me, his mouth is on mine, taking me by surprise. His full lips press against mine as his hands go to my hair in a possessive hold. His tongue pushes into my mouth demanding entry, and my body obeys, giving him what he wants.
All the time that separated us falls away, and I melt. His mouth makes love to mine, and for a single moment I give in to what I’ve longed for, for over ten years.
But as all dreams do, this one comes to an end, and I realize what’s happening. Reality falls around us, and I push against his chest, breaking our kiss, then smack him right across the face. I take myself by surprise at the action, but I don’t apologize. I can’t believe I really just did that.
The sting of the slap lingers on my palm, and damn it, Henry smiles at me, making me want to smack him again.
He’s even more handsome than I remember, and I don’t know if that makes me hate him more or less. My eyes begin to water as all the suppressed feelings I’ve had for him come rushing forward.
“Don’t,” I snap.
“God, I’ve missed seeing your face,” he says, ignoring my words.
He reaches out, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear. I stare at him, still shocked to see him. How is this even possible? The one person in all of New York I wanted to avoid is sitting beside me in my taxi. The man I’ve dreamed about for years. The man who shattered my heart and made me never trust any man again. I’m a twenty-eight-year-old virgin thanks to him, and I want to scream at him, but instead I get lost in his eyes.
“I’ve missed you,” he adds, and a tear slips down my face. I swipe it away as fast as I can, hating that I gave him that. I don’t want him to know he has this effect on me.
To my shock, the taxi stops, and I see I’m at work. I jump out, hoping to get away, but he follows suit, chasing after me.
“Kory! You’re not getting away from me again. I can promise you that,” he yells from somewhere close behind me, but I move faster, pushing through the doors of my building. I scan my ID card to get through and hit the elevator button. He keeps calling my name, and panic rises in my chest. I push the button over and over like it will make the elevator come faster. I’ve got to get away from him.
Too many emotions are pushing forward and I just need distance. I feel like I can’t breathe.
“Kory!” he barks again. I glance over my shoulder to see a security guard pushing him back. The elevator doors finally open and I flee inside, pushing the button for my floor. When the doors close, relief floods me.
I can’t believe what just happened. I fall back against the elevator wall. My pounding heart finally starts to calm as I reach my floor. I take a breath, trying to get myself together. I step off the elevator and head for my office, then drop off my bags at my desk before heading for the lab. I want to get lost in my work and not think about Henry Osbourne.
Henry.
The man I’ve dreamed about so many nights. The only man to ever turn my head. The only man to ever take my heart.
I try to forget about the incident, but my mind keeps going back to him. That kiss. How long have I wanted to know what it would feel like for his lips to meet mine? God, I’m ridiculous. How am I twenty-eight and just having my first kiss? It’s pathetic. What happened to being strong, Kory? I scold myself. Maybe I’ve been lying to myself all this time. I bet he’s had hundreds of kisses. The thought makes my stomach roll with nausea.
I hate the idea of him kissing other women. In school all the girls wanted him, and they complained about how he never dated. I think it’s part of the reason why it drove them crazy that he asked me to the prom. Not only was he set to be one of the richest men in the world, but he ignored all the girls. Except me. It made me feel special, and for a short time, I let that feeling take hold.
I should’ve known it was too good to be true—the most popular and most handsome boy in the school giving me attention.
A throat clears, making me looks up from what I’m doing. Henry leans against the doorjamb, as casual as can be. As if he owns the place.
I stand up and my mouth falls open. I’m shocked at how he got in here. Everyone needs to be cleared and have a name badge. Or so I thought.
“What are you doing in here?” I demand.
“You’re not
running from me anymore,” he replies easily. I glance around the room, wanting to flee, but there’s nowhere to go. He takes a step into the lab.
I shouldn’t be shocked he got in here easily. I bet with one call he was able to pass the security and was told where I was.
“Don’t do this.”
I hate how weak I sound. I thought I was past this, but something about Henry makes me unable to think straight. I want to tell him all my problems and have him comfort me. Which is crazy. It’s been ten years. I don’t even really know him, but just like years ago, he feels like home. Like he’s mine.
“I’ll buy this whole company if that’s what it takes to get you to talk to me.”
I stare at him, knowing he has the means to do this.
“What do you want?” I snap, my anger rising.
“You.” His voice is deep and filled with certainty. It’s like he’s been waiting on me to ask the question, and the answer takes me by surprise. My heart flutters.
“You shouldn’t be here.” I pull my goggles off my face. I don’t want to address what he just said.
“There isn’t any other place I should be,” he responds, closing even more distance between us. I step back, nearly tripping over my own feet, and remind myself how awkward I used to be as a teenager. He’s bringing it all back.
“I want you to leave.” I don’t want all these emotions he’s churning up inside me. He’s bringing back everything I’ve fought to forget.
“Have dinner with me.” His voice is like velvet.
“No,” I reply instantly
“I’m not leaving until you agree.”
I study his face. He’s changed over the years. The time when he still had a baby face is long gone; he looks like a man now. But there’s something about him that remains the same, and the part of me that wanted it back then can see it.
Broad shoulders, hard facial features, and his blue eyes aren’t as soft as they once were. It’s easy to see he has power even without knowing him. He exudes control.
“Then take a seat.” I motion to the chair in the corner of the room. Without missing a beat he walks over and sits down. I’m a little shocked but return to my work.
I wait for him to say something else, but he doesn’t. I feel his eyes on me as I turn around and try to concentrate on my tasks.
Hours pass and he sits there watching me. He hasn’t said another word and neither have I. The whole day has been wasted because his presence is making it impossible for me to focus. I’ve felt his stare on every inch of me, and it’s more than I can handle.
I’ve had enough and I slam my hands on the table. “Fine!”
He stands up and walks over to me. “I’ll pick you up at five when you leave work.”
Before I know what’s happening, he snakes an arm around my waist, pulls my body against his, and takes my mouth in a deep kiss.
I should fight him, but my body does the opposite of everything my head is telling it to do. It feels like my heart has found its missing piece, and I give in.
His palms press against my spine, pulling me as close as possible. When they slide up to the top of my ribs, I gasp and jerk back. The pain from the bruising shoots up my torso, and the shock of it takes me by surprise.
“Did I hurt you?” Concern shows in his face.
“No, sorry, it’s just... I...”
“Tonight,” he says, cutting me off and placing a soft kiss on my lips.
He takes a step back and then smiles at me before leaving the room. I’m left alone in the lab wondering what I’ve gotten myself into. I’m not sure my heart can take much more.
Chapter Four
Henry
Kory and I didn’t have much time together, but the things that reminded me of her never left. I saved what I could from that night, and I cherished it. Even if most of it was only a memory.
Seeing her today in the cab was more than I had ever imagined. I watched her run from her building into a cab, and I didn’t have a choice. I jumped in the back without thinking, and then I mauled her like an animal. Maybe that’s what I’ve become. I’ve been denied what I’ve wanted for far too long and I could only react to her presence. One look at her and I had to kiss her. All those years of fantasizing what it would have been like, and my imagination wasn’t even close. The feel of her lips against mine, the curve of her body, and the sound she made when I tasted her.
I wasn’t prepared for what seeing her would do to me, and I lost control. I almost lost it again when she got away from me in the building, but one phone call got me into her lab.
Watching her work for hours was strangely calming. It was as if my soul knew she was close and it could finally relax. We weren’t going anywhere without her, and I made sure of it. I couldn’t take my eyes off her as she moved around the room. From the way she held her hands to the way her legs crossed, she was erotic. Everything about her turned me on, and I didn’t want to blink and miss something. It had been so long since I’d seen her, I didn’t want to leave her side again. But this pit stop was important, and I want tonight to be perfect
We’ve got some catching up to do, and I want all the cards on the table. I let her get away once, and I won’t let it happen again. After all this time, I worried she might not feel the same way as I do. But after feeling her in my arms, and knowing she felt it, too, it’s clear that not one thing has changed.
Chapter Five
Kory
When the clock strikes exactly five o’clock, I grab my bag and stand from my desk. Terror grips my throat, and I don’t know if it’s because I’m afraid Henry won’t show, or if I’m afraid that he will. Today was somewhat productive after he left. I spend the past few hours trying to sink myself into work and forget about the possibilities tonight might bring. I’ve always considered myself a strong woman, once I grew up a little. I’m someone who doesn’t need others, but with Henry I’m weak. I try to give myself a pep talk as I take the elevator down, but I know the second my eyes lock on his I’m going to be a goner.
When I get to the lobby I don’t see him and a sinking feeling hits my chest. Would he really stand me up after the big fuss he made this morning in the lab? Just as I’m about to walk outside, one of the security guards comes over and smiles at me.
“Ms. Summers, if you’ll follow me, please.” She holds out her hand in the direction I should go, and I realize this must be the way to Henry.
I follow her through the lobby and around the south entrance of the building. It’s not my usual way of entering for work, so I don’t come out this way much. It’s close to Central Park, but my mom’s place is in the opposite direction. So even though it’s a much more beautiful walk out this way, I never get to enjoy it.
When I step outside, the security guard nods to me and smiles, then goes back inside the building. It’s a warm night out, but there’s a breeze and the sun is beginning to set. I look around and see a large fountain straight ahead, and there’s Henry standing in front of it.
I put my hand over my mouth to muffle my gasp when I see him surrounded by candles and flowers. It’s then I notice the whole place is free of people, and it’s just him and me in this gigantic space.
I walk over, and he comes to meet me halfway. The smile on his face is from ear to ear and it’s infectious. A giggle forms in my throat and the hollow place in my chest warms. Suddenly I’m a teenager again and I’m head over heels for a man I don’t even know. I always thought it was a silly schoolgirl crush, but even now, after all this time has passed, my light for him never dimmed.
He leans in and I think he’s going to kiss me again, but instead he wraps his arms around me in a hug and just holds my body to his. God, his warmth wrapped around me makes me want to cry. How I’ve ached for this embrace.
He places a kiss on the top of my head then moves his lips to my ear. “I think I may have gone
a touch overboard.”
I laugh and lean back to look up at him. “You think?”
Once again, I look over to his display of candles and flowers, and I’m awed by the gesture. I can’t believe he did all this.
“Are we eating here?” I ask, as he takes my hand and leads me over to the fountain.
“I wanted a quiet place to talk,” he says, and his words are heavy. I know what he wants to talk about, but I don’t know that I’m ready to visit that subject just yet.
“Henry—” I try to step away from him but he stops my movement. I shouldn’t even be here after what he did to me at prom, but I finally want to know why he did what he did all those years ago.
He shushes me softly. “You promised me dinner, and I’m holding you to it. Come with me.”
He leads me to the edge of Central Park, where there’s a dock with rows of small boats. A man is there to greet Henry, and he takes us over to one of the boats. They are big enough for a couple of people and the one he takes us to is set up with candles and a picnic basket. It’s so over-the-top romantic, and the girly part of me is squealing with excitement.
Henry speaks to the man before stepping into the boat and then holds out his hand to help me board. I hesitate for only a second, and before I know what’s happening, his hands come to my lower waist and he lifts me, placing me inside it with him.
I laugh and shake my head as I take a seat across from him, and he grips the oars. He begins rowing us out onto the lake, and I look around at the fairy lights lining the trees and twinkling across the water.
“You did all this?” I ask, feeling like Ariel in The Little Mermaid.
“I wanted to make sure you couldn’t run from me.” He shrugs and winks at me.
His chiseled jaw and day-old stubble make him look even sexier in the shadows. I should probably be angry he got me in the middle of a lake in order to talk to me, but I kind of like that he’s willing to do this to keep me.
“I’m a great swimmer,” I say, leaning back in my seat, trying to seem in control, like he doesn’t have the upper hand here.