by Katie Dowe
“What happened?” Avia had abandoned her wine on the side table and was giving her friend her whole attention.
“I came home one day early and saw him having sex with his secretary. Very cliché I know, but I ran out of there and fell down the stairs. I lost my baby.”
“Oh, honey.” Avia abandoned her seat and came over to sit next to her friend. “I'm so sorry.”
Morgan blinked back tears and nodded. “For weeks I was in the hospital suffering from depression. When I came home I asked him for a divorce and he gave it to me without hesitation. Apparently he'd been having the affair even before we got married and said he was in love with her.”
“So why marry you?”
“He was pressured into it by his parents. They got married and had children together.”
“That bastard! He doesn't deserve an ounce of happiness.”
“He's miserable. I looked up his Facebook page to find they're now separated,” she said with a watery smile.
“That’s karma for you,” Avia said with satisfaction as she squeezed Morgan's hand.
“I was never able to conceive again.”
“Honey I'm so sorry. You never said anything.”
“I didn't want to be a downer, and besides I thought I'd put it behind me.”
“You don't just put something like that behind you. Is it going to be a problem for you, me getting pregnant?” Avia asked her anxiously.
“Not at all! I'm going to be the aunt who puts other aunts to shame!”
“Of course you are.”
*****
Grayson sat back in his chair and perused the figures, his mind not quite on the columns of numbers going down the page. He hadn't bothered to tell his mother that he'd put off his trip to New York and was spending another night in the city. He was still toying with the idea of leaving later today. He picked up the paper weight on his desk and toyed with it absently. He had to admit that he was thinking of Avia Whyte. Her singing plus her beauty and the conversation they'd had. She wasn't coy like other women. She'd told him her age and what she was about and she'd only just met him. Amelia had called him after he had reached the apartment and he'd ignored the call. She'd called this morning as well and he'd told her brusquely that he had work to do.
“I don’t understand why you're being so mean to me,” she'd said tearfully, and he'd realized that she used the word ‘mean’ very often, as if she were a five year old child. She was beautiful and rich but her conversation skills left a lot to be desired.
“I'm sorry you think that way,” He'd told her with a hint of impatience in his voice.
He smiled as he thought about Avia Whyte. He was looking forward to seeing her and hearing her perform.
Chapter 3
Her dress was chartreuse and barely skimmed her knees. It had a high neck and was cut low at the arms, allowing the patrons to see glimpses of her flawless complexion. Her thick dark hair was secured high on her head with a jeweled comb and when she crossed those long graceful legs her black high heeled shoes were brought into play. The song was beautiful and soulful and everyone there could see that she'd put her entire self into it.
Grayson nursed his whiskey and watched her, listening to her singing, feeling as if he'd lose himself in the song. He glanced at the heavy silver watch on his wrist and saw that it was almost time for her to finish. He almost wished she didn't have to finish, he was quite enjoying himself and was very happy he hadn't invited anyone with him tonight.
He looked up and he could swear that she was looking directly at him. He felt his flesh quivered slightly and frowned at that. The song ended just then and with a graceful bow, and to the usual thunderous applause, she came off the stage. He waited a little, giving her time to change out of her costume before going backstage.
She'd changed and was dressed in faded jeans, knee length boots and an oversize shell pink shirt that was opened at the neck and partly down her chest, revealing the thin lace camisole she had on underneath. She'd taken out the comb and was running her fingers through her thick black strands. She looked up and didn't look surprised to see him. “Hi there,” she said softly as she got to her feet.
“You were very good out there,” he murmured as he came further into the room. He'd closed the doors behind him.
“Thank you. I'm always happy to hear from a fan,” she smiled, revealing the dimples. “Are you a fan, Grayson?” she walked over to him and her delicate perfume tickled his senses.
“I am.” He tipped her chin up and looked into her dark brown eyes. He had no idea what he was doing but the compulsion to be with her was there. “I put off going to New York to take in the show.”
She slid her hands up his chest, he wasn't wearing a tie and his snowy white shirt was unbuttoned at the neck. “You are certainly a fan.” She murmured as she tipped her head up to his.
“Do you know what you're doing?”
“I do.” She whispered. He bent his head and took her lips with his slowly, uncertain of what was happening and proceeding with extreme caution. Grayson felt himself harden as the kiss deepened. Any minute now Selena or someone else could make their appearance and he could not have that. He lifted his head and was about to suggest they went elsewhere when she spoke. “My apartment is not far from here,” she said throatily, “you could follow me.”
“Do you do this often?” he asked her cynically. He was hard as a rock and felt like he could take her right here in this room.
“You mean want to have sex with handsome club owners?” she asked impishly as she gathered up his coat. “You're the first, so you're special.” She leaned in and nipped his bottom lip, sending shards of white hot desire through his already charged body. “Coming?”
He followed her. There was no way he was going back to his apartment now.
*****
“Wine?” she asked silkily as she hung up her coat and took his. He'd somehow slipped his guards and followed her home.
“No,” his hazel eyes followed her movements as she walked around the elegant living room.
“Me neither.” To his surprise she took off her shirt and allowed it to fall to the floor. The white camisole clung to every curve of her body and he could see that she wasn't wearing a bra. Her nipples stood out clearly against the material, hard and sensual. “Let me show you my bedroom.”
She crooked her finger and he followed her like a puppet on a string. Her bedroom was large and was dominated by a huge walk in closet. She sat on the side of the bed and pulled off her boots, then shimmied out of her tight jeans revealing the sheer white lace panties she was wearing. She got to her feet and came over to push the jacket off his shoulders. His hands caught hers as she started to unbutton the shirt. “Let me do something,” he rasped.
She stepped back and watched as he took the shirt off. His eyes narrowed as she pulled the camisole over her head, revealing her small breasts with the puckered nipples for his hungry gaze. He finished undressing hurriedly, not caring how it looked. She climbed onto the bed and took her panties off. She certainly wasn't shy and he wondered how many times she'd done this before. It occurred to him that this could be a trap that he'd walked into willingly but he couldn't seem to help himself. He climbed over her and she heaved a sigh as she saw his erection.
“What is it?” he whispered as he hovered over her.
“I'm going to be well satisfied,” she whispered back as she slid her hands up his muscled chest. He wondered at her strange statement but pushing it aside he bent his head and took her lips with his slowly, carefully exploring her mouth, feeling his body heating up and the passion curling all the way into him. He hadn't been with a woman for several months because he'd been so busy and he was tired of the expectations of a wedding ring. She was basically a stranger who made him feel something that he'd never felt before. She moved beneath him restlessly and he felt when she reached between them and touched his erection, her fingers teasing and titillating and sending him into a crazy spin. He lifted his head
and looked down into her passion filled face and couldn't take his eyes off her full parted lips and her slumberous eyes. “I'm ready,” she whispered.
He nodded in understanding and reaching between them he put his penis inside her, edging into her surprising tightness and going further until she was wrapped around him like a well fitted glove. He couldn't move for a moment as he stared down at her. She was the one who started moving. She was the one who brought his head down to hers and took his lips in a kiss that almost blew him away. He thrust into her slowly at first but as she wrapped her legs around his waist he knew she wanted more and he gave her more. He was more than willing to do so. The urgency was there, the quick, frenzied passion that had them both moaning and their bodies moving against each other in a way that left no doubt as to the passion they were
*****
Avia felt gloriously, wonderfully free and had no doubt that she was doing the right thing. She dug her fingers into his muscled back as he went deep inside her, touching her soul. After tonight she wasn't going to be able to experience anything like this again but she didn't care. Apart from the child she would be getting out of this, there was the unbelievable pleasure she was getting from this meeting with Grayson Whitfield and she was never going to regret it. Now she understood what Morgan meant.
She tore her mouth from his as the sensation curled inside her womb and transferred upwards, heating her body with a flame so intense that she couldn't stop the cry that escaped her lips. He gripped her hips against his and went in so deep that she knew that he had touched her soul. He came in the middle of her powerful orgasm and poured his seed deep inside her and couldn't seem to stop.
“We need wine,” she murmured as soon as they were able to talk. The shaking had taken a little while to stop and when it had he'd rolled off her.
“I didn't use anything,” he said harshly as commonsense came tumbling back.
“I'm safe.” She ran gentle fingers down his back, enjoying the ripple of muscles there.
“You told me yesterday that you wanted a child,” he turned to look at her suspiciously.
“Not with you darling. No offense but you're not the right color.” She kissed his lips and nibbled at the bottom one leaving him weak. “How about that wine?”
“I have to go.”
“No you don’t. It’s late and I'm not going to be responsible for Grayson Whitfield being accosted on his way back from my apartment. Spend the night.” She climbed onto his lap and played with his semi erect penis.
“What are you doing?” he asked with a groan.
“Going for round two,” she murmured as she lifted herself up and put him inside her. “Ah,” she moaned. “Darling you're hard again. I want it rough.”
He accommodated her and almost tumbled them both off the bed.
*****
She murmured and turned around as she heard movements on the other side of the bed. She opened her eyes to see him putting on his clothes and then looked at her clock to see that it was barely six a.m. “It’s early. Where are you going?” she whispered huskily.
“I have a plane to catch.” He pulled his shirt on and passed his hands over his mussed up hair. He'd spent the night with this woman and he was troubled by it. He wasn't going to see her again, he was going to make sure of that. But how he'd enjoyed himself. How he'd lost himself in her delectable body. “Look what we did—”
“Won’t be repeated,” she finished for him. His eyes narrowed as she climbed off the bed and stood before him naked. She really wasn't shy. She moved with sinuous grace and came to stand in front of him. She reached up to wrap her arms around his neck. “It was wonderful,” she murmured huskily, “and whenever you're in town we probably can do this again. I'm not expecting a wedding ring darling. I'm not in the whole looking for a husband deal so you can set your mind at ease.” She brought his head down and he took her lips with his, drowning out the voice that told him that he should stop. She dragged her mouth away from his, and took a deep breath before she spoke. “Do you really have to leave right this minute?”
Without answering he lifted her and took her back to the bed where he made love to her again.
*****
Avia waited anxiously in the silent as a tomb waiting room. She felt as if she was waiting to hear if she was going to live or die, that was how anxious she felt. It had been four weeks since the amazing night with Grayson Whitfield and a week since she'd started to feel the symptoms that she had dared to think were what she'd been hoping for.
He hadn't called her and she hadn't expected him to but she was happy that she'd somehow gotten what she wanted. She didn't think about the legalities of it and what she was going to tell him when the time came. She had every intention of involving him in the child’s life.
“The doctor will see you now, Ms. Whyte,” the smiling receptionist told her.
Avia got to her feet swiftly and went into the office with a smile. “Good to see you Avia,” Dr. Branford said with a kind smile on his elderly face. “I have some very good news for you.”
“I'm pregnant.” Her smile was wide and her eyes sparkled. “I suspected when I started feeling nauseous in the mornings.”
“Three weeks pregnant. You're due sometime in early October. I'll give you some vitamins and I will be monitoring you closely throughout the pregnancy. I'll let the receptionist give you the dates for your visits.”
“What are the risks?” she asked anxiously.
“Minimal right now. You're healthy and strong and as long as you eat the required amount of vegetables and fruits, I foresee no problems.” He paused a little as he looked at her. “Is the father going to be involved?”
“Not right now,” she said with a tinkling laugh. “Dr. Branford I could just kiss you right now but I'm sure it's inappropriate.” She leaned forward and gave his hand a squeeze. “Thank you.”
The doctor still had a dazed look on his weathered face asshe'd gone.
*****
“Mr. Whitfield?” Claude looked at Grayson strangely as he sat there. He'd been reading off the reports and making arrangements for a trip to Europe.
Grayson shook his head and looked at his curious assistant. “I'm sorry Claude. Could you give me a few minutes?”
“Of course sir.” Claude gathered up his laptop and got to his feet. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes,” Grayson nodded. “I just need a few minutes.”
Grayson waited until he'd left the room before he went to pour himself a stiff drink. He'd left her apartment that morning four weeks ago and it had never been the same again. He'd been tempted to go back but he knew it wouldn't have been a good idea. He drank the liquor and grimaced as it hit the lining of his stomach. He hadn't been back since he'd left but had been getting reports from Selena on how she was performing. The Valentine’s Day show was coming up and they had something special planned. He was toying with the idea of going back to see her perform but he had some appointments in Europe. He hadn't called her and although he'd told her that it couldn't happen again he'd hoped she would have called. He had sounded out Selena with the hope that she'd been asking for him but she hadn't said anything about that.
He made the call. “Mr. Whitfield, is everything okay?” Selena’s voice was a little anxious and he had an idea that she was wondering why he was calling so frequently.
“Yes. How are things?” he felt very awkward asking that inane question.
“Very well. We're preparing for the Valentine’s Day special. Avia will be headlining the show we have planned.”
“How is she? How is her performance?”
“She was written up in ‘Showcasing Clubs’ the other day,” the woman said with a pleased note in her voice. “Did you see it?”
“No.” He hesitated a little and then added. “Keep up the good work.” Grayson hung up, feeling more frustrated than before he'd called.
*****
“We are celebrating!” Avia declared with a beaming smile as she brought out a b
ottle of alcohol free wine and two glasses and glided into the living room. Morgan had stopped by on her way back from the art museum and Avia had a free night away from the club.
“You're pregnant!” Morgan burst out before her friend could say it. “How? When?”
“One step at a time, darling.” She poured the wine in the containers and handed one to her. “You cannot tell anyone, especially Kyle. It is still Kyle right?”
“It's still Kyle,” Morgan sipped her wine and eyed her friend. “Who's the father?”
“A guy I met at the club.” Avia was hesitant about telling her his name. She knew her friend was discreet but when it came to the men she was seeing she tend to be chatty.
“And you were all over me when I told you that I met Kyle at a bar,” Morgan said accusingly. “What’s the difference?”
“My guy is a respectable member of society and besides that I'm not into it for the relationship.”
“What's he say about that?”
“He doesn't know yet.”
Morgan stared at her as if she'd taken leave of her senses. “Was he aware that you were into him for his sperm?”
Avia grimaced and felt a touch of anxiety at that. “We had a mutually wonderful experience, darling. We both had a night of passion and fun which carried over to the next morning. When the time is right I'll tell him that he's a father and we'll go from there.”
“Are you crazy? What if he's involved with someone? Are you just going to drop that on them?”
Avia thought for a moment. She hadn't thought about that aspect of it. “I'm sure he isn't seeing anyone right now.”
“What about in the future?” Morgan insisted.
“Will you stop raining on my parade?” Avia asked in exasperation. “I refuse to let anyone darken my sunshine, not even you darling.”
But that night after her friend had left she felt anxious and unsure of what she'd done. She had deliberately trapped a powerful man into giving her a child and something like that had consequences. She'd always been too determined for her own good. If she wanted something, she went for it without thinking about anything else. She stood inside her bathroom and stared at herself in the mirror. She didn't see any difference and she suspected that she wouldn't be seeing any for some months now. Heaving a sigh she shrugged off the uneasiness and went to bed. She'd cross that bridge when it was right in front of her.