He dropped his hands from my arms only to feel bereft in my hopes of being kissed. He turned back to his desk as he glanced at the picture again before sliding it in between the manila folder. His fingers pressed against the cream color before looking up at me. “I’m excited about us. I think it’s really going to work out nicely.”
“I’ll give you my all,” I said, meaning more than he realized. I bit my lip in the process to keep from smiling like a lovesick idiot.
“Good. Go get dressed. Remember, it’s a charity function we’re hosting. I definitely want us to be seen together as a couple. Not too sexy, but enough to really show off your new hair style.”
My heart strummed with excitement as I smiled back at him in response to his suggestion. “Aww. I guess my hooker outfit isn’t what I should wear tonight, huh?” I teased.
Gregory shook his head with a smirk. “I’ve always loved your sense of humor.”
As I closed the door behind me, I fist pumped into the air as I jumped up and down.
This was going to be the best night ever.
AND…fast forward through the most boring night I’ve ever had. Lying in my bed, I stared at the white ceiling as I went over last night’s chain of events. Or lack thereof really. There was a tasteless dinner, even more mundane speeches and a lot of fake smiling from me. Gregory held his arm around me most of the night, I assumed to keep up the appearance, but that was about as far as he went. I spent most of the first half of the night leaning into him, trying to see if he would give me any sort of PDA. None. At least I put on a show trying to seem like we were in love. The only thing he gave me was a small smile every now and then.
During the limo ride home, he said, “Well, I think that went well, don’t you?”
And that’s when it hit me.
Hard.
This was it. This was as much as I would get for the rest of our marriage. However long that might be. I pressed my lips attempting to form a smile to appease him. “And you. You were great.” He swung his arm around my shoulder and squeezed. “You were like a sexy kitten sinking into me. I bet that looked great for everyone. I’m sure there’ll be picture in the paper for that one.”
I continued thinking about last night and how excited he was thinking how good we looked to everyone. This marriage was only for appearance and I needed to get it through my head. A business arrangement and nothing more.
But…I’m also a little bit stubborn. I’ve had my heart set on this turning into something more between us, a relationship that I’ve always wanted with someone.
I slipped on my blush colored silk robe and went out to the kitchen. Mrs. Stavel gave me a smile and greeted me. “Mr. DuBois is out on the patio having breakfast if you would like to join him. I’ll bring you some scrambled egg whites and whole wheat toast. Coffee is already out there,” she informed me.
I nodded, thanking her, and then walked toward the patio. I straightened my posture. I was still disappointed with my realization, but I wouldn’t let Gregory know this. I inhaled deeply as I pulled the patio door open. The heavy French door also pulled a rush of air to me, blowing my robe open slightly. I stuck my leg out, hoping he might notice and stir something within him. He didn’t look up. Strike one.
Sitting at the small table, he was already dressed for work in dress pants, shirt, and tie. Clean-shaven and his cologne wafted toward me in the breeze as I took the closest seat to him. After I greeted him, I sat down and let my robe fall open again as I crossed my legs. His eyes darted to my silky skin and I watched him swallow. Well, good. There’s some sort of interest in me. I’ll take that initial strike one back.
I leaned forward to pick up the carafe of coffee, making sure my lapel gaped. I had nothing on underneath. Would this be a strike or would he be tempted at all? Disheartened is what I felt when he chuckled and shook his head lightly. “Something funny? What are you reading?” I held his gaze, my heart beat faster every second we stared.
“The cameras aren’t around. You don’t have to be so seductive.”
“I was reaching for coffee. I wasn’t trying to do anything.” His smirk let me know he wasn’t buying it. I sighed and slumped into my chair. “Do you not want me to try at all?” I added a pout to make sure he might be a little sympathetic to my question.
“I’m asking enough from you. I don’t want to risk you getting hurt. If we keep it as business-like as possible, when you decide to leave, it’ll make it easier on both of us. Don’t you think?”
He was right. I should try to keep my heart out of it considering this is nothing more than a friend helping out another. He needs a wife to keep his parents happy and I need something different in my life. The money he already paid me, coupled with my monthly “paychecks” from him was more than enough to set me up for life. Learning his business and his thought process would help me if I decided to open my own business one day,
I put my coffee down and felt his gaze still on me. Our eyes met and immediately I felt the electricity between us. Knowing there’s something there, I took a chance. I spread my legs slightly and leaned forward. My elbows rested on my knees. I let my hair fall into my cleavage. The cleavage that was draped open slightly which allowed him to see his business partner in a different light. “I think we’re grown adults. We’re getting married soon.” I paused as I placed my hand on his thigh and glided my fingers back and forth. “Not to mention, we could make it work out for both of us.” I bit my lower lip seductively, as I laid all my cards out on the table for him to see.
He placed his hand on top of mine and held it for a moment. My breathing was fast as I realized I put myself out there and I’m about to get turned down. Fire swept through me as his thumb began to run back and forth and his hand caressed mine. The quiet between us felt like it lasted forever. My eyes flicked to his crotch, his reaction to me was completely noticeable. My gaze returned to his eyes and I swallowed awaiting some sort of answer.
He leaned forward and took both my hands causing my heart to beat faster than I thought possible. “I don’t know what will happen between us, but I can’t risk losing the friendship I have with you. You and Vanessa were always there for me in college. You know I suck at friendships. I don’t have many. I can’t trust anyone. You. I know I can trust you.” His eyes glanced down to my chest. My nipples were already tight buds and I took a deep breath to make sure he noticed that too. His smile returned as he tugged at his bottom lip with his teeth. He closed his eyes and I wondered what else he was going to say. Anticipation mixed with hope rushed through me.
Until he let go of my hands.
The moment he stood up my hopes were dashed. My heart clenched as I waited for his words to sink in. “I’m late for work. We’ll talk more later.”
Stubborn as I am, I jumped up and wrapped my arms around his neck. My body tight against his, feeling his arousal pressed against my stomach, I reached up on my tiptoes and placed a tender kiss on his neck. His arms snaked around my waist and pulled me tight making my breath hitch. I love this—the electricity that flows between two people in the beginning, connecting them. Both of us filled with heated desire.
“God, no woman has ever turned me on like this.” Whoa. Stop everything and let me just enjoy this moment. I held my breath hoping for more. My body pressed against his, hoping for some sort of act to propel this into something more.
He stood still, not making any type of movement. That pause gave me such hope. One moment I thought we had a connection and the next it was gone. As he let go of me, I felt everything in my body deflate. I watched with a heavy heart as the curtains swayed around him while he disappeared back into the condo.
I stared after him and wondered how long it would take before he relented. I was up for the challenge. I had to make this work the way I wanted it to. Not to mention, occupying my mind with how to make this work might just help take my mind off my returning nightmares.
IT HAD BEEN a couple days since that morning that I threw myself at him. After Greg
ory had come home each evening, he went straight to his office and closed the door. It was clear that he was avoiding me. I couldn’t figure out if I was more hurt that he turned me down sexually, which hardly ever happens to me, or that he wasn’t talking to me.
Boredom filled my days. Each night I waited for him to just talk to me, something considered a normal part in any kind of relationship. My days were spent shopping, spending time on the internet and working out furiously. My nightmares were in full swing, but I refrained as much as possible from walking across the condo to steal some calm from Gregory. This was my new life and I needed to figure out how to get my calm a different way.
Thursday night arrived along with another function to attend, another evening to show off my amazing ability to be a doting fiancée. I couldn’t wait to get out of the apartment just to be around other people that I might be able to converse with, other than at a coffee shop or the sales clerk helping me pick out my size clothing.
The night began with the usual drab things at a charity function. Sitting at the head table, smiling and pretending you’re really interested in what the annoying snotty rich people say. I kept my focus on being a proud and attentive fiancée, especially when he stood to give his speech. Afterward, we stood around the bar discussing business with the other guests.
Glancing around the room, I noticed that the men and women were divided into their own groups by sex. Obviously, I was acting out of the norm by hanging around a group of men. If I didn’t pick a circle and work my way into it now, I might find myself isolated from the women in the future. The truth is, I already felt their eyes on me most of the evening. Usually, it doesn’t concern me; however, I was trying to fit into Gregory’s world and I couldn’t figure out a way “in” with the other wives. Men are easy. Women, too much cattiness can make it really tough. Not that I really felt like trying tonight. Gregory made sure to wrap his arm around me and hold my hand once in awhile. Every touch from him made my breath hitch, heightening what I felt for him. I had no desire to move away from him or to lose that connection.
I wasn’t sure if it was the stares from the other men that may have caused Gregory to pull me close to him. I’d like to think it was me, but maybe he was trying to make them jealous? Right now, I could care less. I nursed a drink, hoping I could try and heat things up a little more in the limo on the way home. Just the thought of seducing him again intensified my desires.
However, every time my eyes darted across the room, I noticed the stares and the laughter in our direction. A woman from what I would call the “mainstream” circle, headed toward the bathroom. Approaching one person versus a group might work out a little better for me. I squeezed Gregory’s hand and whispered to him where I was going. The kiss that he placed on my cheek made me rethink leaving his side. I gave him another kiss on the cheek and hoped that I still had his attention when I returned. I laid one right below his ear, my lips barely touching his skin. I felt his breath hitch and knew I affected him.
With butterflies dancing in my stomach, I reluctantly headed to the bathroom. I couldn’t help but wonder if this one woman would accept me into their group or be the one that casts me off before even meeting me. I pushed open the door, headed to the sink area and began my fake primping. I guess I did need more gloss on my lips and as I pulled my tube out from my purse, the stall door opened and she walked out. My eyes quickly glanced back to my reflection as she approached the sink next to me.
“So you landed one of the hottest bachelors in town,” remarked the women as she began primping herself next to me. Her lips were already smothered in lipstick, but that didn’t stop her from applying more of it.
I was pretty sure I shouldn’t engage in a conversation with her because my smart ass mouth sometimes gets me in trouble. So I simply gave her a shy smile, hoping to tame her with niceness.
“Good luck to you. I’d hate to marry him and have to deal with that mother of his,” she remarked with an odd smirk as she turned to leave.
The one thing I feared the most when Gregory first approached me was how his family would accept me. Panic set in and I couldn’t help asking my question and hoped she didn’t notice my nervousness. “Wait. What do you mean by that?” I realized there was no way to conceal the anxiety I felt. She noticed.
She scoffed and gave me an odd expression as if I were stupid. “You haven’t met his mother yet? Wow. You’re in for a treat.” That was all she said before she pulled the door open and walked out. I stood there and tried to analyze why she would say that. As if I weren’t already nervous enough to meet his mother, now I was terrified. Meeting her this Sunday was not something I looked forward to, particularly after that statement.
Turning my attention back to Gregory, I gathered myself as best as I could and walked back out to him.
My breath hitched when I saw my handsome fiancé at the bar. The power Gregory portrayed was exhilarating. It was obvious the other men envied him and I glanced quickly noting most women had their eyes on him. He was laughing with another man and kept looking around. Finally, his eyes landed on me and his smile broadened. The curl of his lips made me forget all about meeting his mother or the catty women staring at me at that moment. I walked over to him and he didn’t take his eyes off me, but continued to nod his head in agreement to whatever the man next to him was saying.
His arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me close to his side. Reaching for my drink on the bar, I pressed my body into his. He leaned down and whispered, “You look so beautiful tonight.” I swallowed as I grabbed my drink and leaned into him, attempting to calm the flutters dancing in my stomach. This time they were there out of excitement. Maybe all of this was for show right now. And maybe I’d be disappointed later, but I was going to enjoy every moment of this as much as I could. I was sure the limo ride home wouldn’t be the fantasy I was putting together in my head from his small touches, but that didn’t keep me from thinking them.
Watching him order a couple more drinks during the next hour, I realized the alcohol was really starting to affect him. He doesn’t usually drink. He’s always been the type of guy that’s in control at all times. So to see him like this was pretty amusing. That was actually more of an understatement. He was cracking me up with the things he was saying. With his arm draped around my neck, he leaned on me as if the world were tipping. It was adorable. He kissed the top of my head and inhaled deeply. “God, you’re the best, Aubrey.”
“And you’re drunk, Gregory,” I whispered to him and chuckled. He stopped his conversation with two men and looked me deep in my eyes. His slight sway made me giggle, especially when he tried to steady me with his hands on my shoulders. Those beautiful lips were glistening from the sip he just took from his glass. My eyes remained on his mouth, my body flushed from wanting just a taste of him.
“No, Aubrey. I’m serious. Out of all the women in the world, I’m glad I’m going to marry you. You make everything fit right into place.” My heart stopped right then and there. I stared into his emerald eyes that glistened just enough to make me want to believe it was for me. The words I’ve wanted to hear from a man for so long.
Well, they were close enough.
He wanted me.
His lips brushed against mine making my whole body light with fire. As I watched his eyes close, I couldn’t help by say a silent prayer. Please, God, please let him love me. I felt his strong hand reach around my neck pulling me closer to him just as our lips touched ever so softly. Slowly his tongue explored my mouth, our lips engaged in pure pleasure. His other hand grabbed my dress tightly, gripping my hip as if he couldn’t get enough. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and snaked my hand through his hair, loving how soft it was and not caring how we looked in public.
“Mmm,” he moaned. I opened my eyes as he pulled from our luxurious kiss. He smiled, pressed his forehead to mine and then pecked my nose with a kiss. My feet felt like they barely hit the floor when he grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the exit.
&nb
sp; IT WASN’T the best sex I’ve ever had. But, nonetheless, Gregory and I finally had sex. During the limo ride, I made sure that kiss we shared before we left the party continued. I made sure my hands were all over him at all times. His cock was so hard and if he hadn’t stopped me, I’d have given him a blow job in the limo.
But he had stopped me.
Maybe it was because he didn’t want our first time to start out with me pleasing him. Maybe he just couldn’t wait to be inside me. Maybe…
And that’s where we were right now. In his bed, my dress was hiked up around my waist. The strap to my gown was off my shoulder, exposing one breast completely. His hand had barely touched it because he seemed so anxious.
Or was it me that was anxious?
I heard him grunt and then felt him collapse on top of me. It’s okay that I didn’t come.
We finally had sex! I was mentally high-fiving myself that we’ll finally be sleeping together. I wouldn’t have to find my calm by doing push-ups in my room anymore. And I wouldn’t have to lie in bed wondering what he looked like while he slept.
So many thoughts swirled through my mind as I stared at the closet while Gregory’s heavy body was on top of mine. Wow. He has a lot of clothes. I debated moving my clothes into his closet, but wasn’t sure if there would be enough room. Mrs. Stavel would probably figure all of that out for us. I chuckled to myself as I started to wonder if she’d be able to tell that we had sex.
Soft snores interrupted my thoughts as my eyes flitted to the ceiling still slightly giddy that we finally had sex. I should probably move him off me. And out of me. I gently slid up on the bed, allowing his softened cock to fall out of me.
Ever so carefully, I slid off the bed and went to the bathroom. I stared at my reflection as I wiggled out of my evening dress and went to the bathroom. I stepped out of my heels and left them in the bathroom as I took off my bra. I wasn’t sure why I wanted my clothes strewn about his bathroom. Maybe it was the female version of staking my claim on my man. Whatever it was, it made me smile even more. My cheeks hurt just from this short amount of smiling.
Alluring Promises Box Set (Books 1-3) Page 94