Mr. Always & Forever

by Ashlee Price

  Dante told me to have a good time and smiled at me in a way that made me breathe a little faster. What was going on? It was like I was in the middle of a game, but I didn’t know which one it was, so I had no idea of the rules that I was supposed to be following. Going in and meeting Drake’s eyes did nothing to qualm my nerves. He eventually had to motion me in because I was frozen where I stood.

  “Come in, Erin. You look even lovelier than you did the last time I saw you in that dress. It really does become you, and I’m glad you were charitable enough to wear it for me.”

  I looked down at the black dress and kind of shrugged. I still felt amazing in it, but the way that he was looking at me then let me see me through his eyes, and I couldn’t deny that I liked it. He really liked it and the gleam in his dark depths made my face get hot. I was all out of sorts, but when he motioned me down to the seat next to him I finally started to move. I sure hoped that I didn’t look like an idiot.

  “Thank you for inviting me.”

  He kind of smiled in that way that he had. “Well, it was not like I didn’t have to force you to come.”

  I didn’t feel forced, but coerced was definitely a part of it, and we both knew it. I had forgotten how handsome he was. His smile was one of the things that I couldn’t keep my eyes off. His lips were so soft looking, and I couldn’t look at them without thinking of how they would feel on my own. His large hands made me wonder what they would feel like on my body. Everything about him came back to one thing. I was convinced that he was oozing sexuality and that was why I was so simpleminded when he was around.

  His suit was much like the one that I had seen him in before. The only difference was that this time there was no tie around his neck and the top was open a few buttons. He had dark chest hair that was coming up through the opening, and so help me, my fingers itched to touch him. I wanted to so badly that it was hard to stop myself. When I felt my hand start to move, I pulled myself together, trying not to give in to the crazy feeling that was coming over me and embarrass myself.

  “I’m here now, so I’m holding up my end of the bargain.”

  I looked at him to let him know that I expected him to do the same. It wasn’t like I didn’t want to be there. I did, more than I was comfortable admitting, but that was as far as it was going to go. It was a fact that I had to keep reminding myself of.

  “Yes, you are. I didn’t think you would wear that dress for me, Erin, but I have to admit that you are quite beautiful. With the lights in here it makes you look like an angel that just came down from heaven.”

  He was laying it on thick, but even though it sounded like a line, I somehow knew that it wasn’t. There was just something in the way he was making me feel that told me all that I needed to know. Drake saw me as something else that he wanted to possess, but I liked that I had caught his eye, even if it was for that reason. I wondered what it would be like to be with a man like him. I wasn’t supposed to think that way. It had just been too long. I had to remind myself that was what it was.

  “I wish I could see what you’re thinking.”

  I looked up and smiled at him. I knew that my face was going to blush from what I was thinking about. I was feeling the air thin again, mostly, I was sure, because he was sucking it all out.

  “I assure you that you would not.” I bit my lip so as not to say anything else.

  Drake sat back and put his arm around me. I couldn’t talk when he was so close, and all of my newfound bravery was fading away quickly. Did he know that he drove me crazy? This date was not at all what I’d thought it would be. He had something in mind, I could tell, but I still wasn’t sure what he wanted. I thought I had known, but he hadn’t made a move.

  Chapter 3 – Drake

  She was nervous, really nervous, and her innocence was hard on my senses. I wanted to make her mine right there, but I had made promises that were going to be hard to keep. I’d told her I just wanted a date and maybe a kiss. That was just the beginning, though; in the end I knew that I wanted more than that. I wanted all of her, to possess her, and the only way that it was going to happen was to change her mind about me.

  The meal was served up in the VIP room, and after a couple of drinks, Erin started to loosen up. She even began leaning on me a little. Her eyes had softened and were bright blue as she looked down on the people below.

  “Are you enjoying yourself?”

  She kind of nodded. The music was a little too loud then for a conversation, so I asked her if she would like to dance. Erin thought I meant in there and was willing to do so, but I wanted her out in the main area where I could get a good look at her. The VIP lounge was not big enough for much more than just twirling on the floor. I wanted to see what other surprises were in store for me. Erin had been changing my mind about her every few minutes since I met her, and I wondered what she would be like on the dance floor with the energy of the place around her.

  As soon as I had my hands on her waist, pulling her closer, I knew that she was mine forever. There was a soft sound of surprise as I pulled her onto my hard body. I was going to make sure that she remembered me. That was how I was going to get what I wanted. I was going to make her want me as much as I wanted her. There was one way to do it that I knew of, and I started laying plans.

  The next song was slow and I was able to feel Erin even more. I didn’t let her leave my sight and I could tell that everyone there had their eyes on her. The museum curator was a sight to behold, and I liked that she was in my arms. For a time it became more than just a way to seduce her. I found myself liking the way she felt in my arms. I liked it a bit too much, actually, and I didn’t want to let her go.

  Finally she pushed away from me. She was panting a little. We had danced for several songs and there was a new light in her eyes that had taken over the slight buzz she had started with. I could tell that she was thinking about me in a different way, and I liked to believe that I had her body ready as well.

  “Let’s get something to drink, Drake. I’m thirsty.”

  I nodded and leaned in. It was just a whim, but I pulled her closer. Her lips were resistant at first, but it didn’t take long for her body to succumb to mine. I felt her melt against me, and there was a moment where I didn’t care who was watching. I never wanted to let her go, and when a soft moan escaped her lips, my whole body was on fire. I needed her right then and there.

  When I pulled her closer and my hands moved to her round backside, she finally realized what I was doing and what I had planned. I heard and felt her telling me that she had had enough, but I didn’t want to stop. I didn’t want her to stop me.

  “Erin.”

  “I’m sorry, Drake, but I have to go.”

  Her departure was quick, and I knew that there was nothing that I could do. I had pushed too hard and too fast. It was my own fault that I was watching her get away from me as quickly as she could. Her taste was still on my lips, and I pressed them together to savor it a little longer. Far from a quick score, Erin was turning out to be more of a challenge than I was used to. The strangest part about any of it, though, was the fact that it just made me want her even more. I stood on the dance floor long enough for the song to change. She was gone and all there was left was the sweet smell of the cotton candy perfume that she had worn.

  I finally went upstairs and back to the VIP room. She had left her phone behind and I picked it up. Going back to the office, I could only think of Erin. Then I got a call from the driver of the limo to tell me he was back out front from taking her home. I had known that she wouldn’t just storm off into the night, and I liked that she had taken the ride back to be safe. The only problem with the whole scenario was that I was not with her. I should be beside her right now in bed, but instead I was there at work, wishing I was somewhere else.

  A knock startled me from what I was thinking about and I looked up to see Mary in front of me. “Hey, Mary. I didn’t know you were here.”

  She kind of nodded at me and sat down. She was lo
oking at me rather strangely, and I was too exhausted to deal with her. We had had sex a couple of times when the mood was right, but it was the very last thing on my mind just then. While Mary was gorgeous and had a killer body, she wouldn’t be enough. Even with her model-like looks, at the end of the day, she was still just another girl. Mary was not Erin, and Erin was all that I wanted.

  “Yeah, I came in to see you. I haven’t been here that long, only long enough for a couple of songs.”

  It was the way she said it that made me look at her a little more closely. Something was definitely bothering her. I waited for her to bring me her problems. I was a problem solver to everyone around me, and I wondered what she needed.

  “Well, here I am. What’s up?”

  “Have you met with Rose Woods about the shoot?”

  My mind took a minute to pull away from the kiss and to really understand what she was saying to me. “Yeah, I talked to her and met with her already. The job is coming up, and I’m sure she will do great.”

  Mary didn’t look so sure. “Is something wrong?”

  Her blonde hair moved from side to side as she shook her head no. It was like a woman saying she was fine: the facial expressions did not match the words, making it harder to believe. I just didn’t have time for her tonight, and I could feel myself getting agitated. We had an agreement, and it had worked out well for a couple of years now. I don’t know why I was feeling so short-tempered with her, but I was.

  “No, I just don’t think that she is a good fit.”

  The change of subject threw me off more and I looked at her carefully again. Something was definitely wrong.

  “You were the one that told me to use her, Mary. I went to her on your advice alone. The contract has already been filled out, so whether we use the shoot or not, she will be taking the pictures.”

  “Of course, Drake. I didn’t mean…”

  I cursed myself silently for being so harsh. Everything about me was wired up and it showed. I was used to being calm and relaxed, but waiting on Erin was becoming more of a burden than I would have thought.

  “Sorry, Mary. I don’t know what is with me today.”

  She started to say something and then stopped. I was sure that I didn’t want to really hear it anyways, so I didn’t ask what she wanted to say. Mary was not the type to keep it in long, so I was going to take it as a blessing that she was willing to do that today.

  Mary kind of grinned and there was a look that I understand all too well. She wanted me, and when she moved to the door and locked it behind her, I knew exactly what her angle was going to be. I couldn’t deny that my body was raring to go for that very thing. It didn’t matter that she wasn’t Erin. She was hot and wet and would be willing and ready for me. For a moment, I almost went with the easy way out, knowing that it wouldn’t be enough.

  “I don’t think now is the time, Mary.”

  She kind of pouted a little, but she was still moving closer to me. I was still sitting down, and before long she was on her knees in front of me. I watched her, a little transfixed at where she was and what she was planning. I couldn’t help it. She was gorgeous and so damn willing.

  “Just relax, Drake. I know what you need, baby.”

  She did, God, she did, but I wasn’t ready for it. I pushed her away as gently as I could, but it took a little more pressure on her shoulders for her to really get it. I didn’t want that or her, and suddenly a look of fury was on her face. It may have been overrun quickly with a more acceptable emotion, but for a moment she looked at me with hatred in her eyes.

  “Come on, Drake. I know that you want me. Look how hard he is.”

  She grabbed the hardness, and I growled at her. It was as close to torture as I had ever experienced, and the last thing I wanted to do was keep it going. I sat up and moved towards the closed door. Unlocking it and flinging it open, I tried to catch my breath and fix the hard length that was getting pulled and pressed on. “I’m sorry, Mary, but I really must ask you to leave. There is a meeting in a little while and I have to prepare.”

  I knew that I had made her mad, upset her, so many different things, in my actions of the last few moments, but I couldn’t help it. I wasn’t going to pretend that I wanted her, when all I could think about was Erin. That woman was really starting to get to me, and it became clear that I wasn’t going to be happy until I had her in my arms.

  Chapter 4 – Erin

  The ride home was a long one. I couldn’t believe that I had left. It made me wonder if that was going to be considered reneging on my end of the bargain, but I didn’t care. He had got what he said he wanted. Drake had gotten a date from me and even a kiss. The latter was still making my lips tingle a little. Why did he bother me in such a way? It was bad enough when he was close to me, but when we had been dancing and his hands had traveled up my back, there was nothing that I could do to stop it. Me pushing him away was the only thing that I could think of, and it had been a last ditch effort to save myself.

  Now I was regretting the move. I wished more than anything that I had let him kiss me and seen where it was all going to turn out. I wanted him, and since it had been so long since my last boyfriend, I was ready to move on to the next step. As soon as his lips had touched mine, there was nothing else that had mattered. Why had I ended it, knowing that it was something that I needed more than life at the moment?

  I looked through my purse to grab my phone. I wasn’t even back to the museum yet and I was already thinking about calling him. Maybe I could invite him over for a nightcap, anything to get him next to me and looking at me like that again. When I realized that my phone was not there, there was a minute of worry, but before long I saw it as a blessing in disguise. The last thing I needed to do was to contact Drake and let him know how desperate he made me.

  Instead, I went home and shut myself up in the apartment above the place where I worked. It was quiet when I got there. After sitting in the dark for a time, I got undressed and went to bed. I knew that I had messed up and let things go too far, but so help me, I was more upset for stopping it than starting it. The man was handsome and confident, two things that I was attracted to because I lacked both. How many chances would a girl like me get, with a guy like him?

  The next morning, when I finally got down stairs and got into my office, I was greeted with several vases of flowers. All of the roses in my office made the place smell heavenly and I didn’t have to look at the tag to see who they were from. I knew that it was Drake who had done it, and I couldn’t help the slight melting of my heart. Maybe I was wrong about him. Maybe he wasn’t just interested in a few moments in bed, maybe he wanted more. I really wished I didn’t have so many unanswered questions in my mind. I wished I just knew where I stood with him.

  ***

  He asked me out the next night, and the next night. We went out for a week straight, and every night I waited for him to kiss me again. I just wanted him to touch me like he had that night we went dancing and he swept me off of my feet. I was falling for the man, but after a couple of weeks of dating him every night, I was starting to think he was never going to make another move. It was driving me so crazy that I almost started a kiss myself a couple of times. It wasn’t in me, though, and instead I just waited for him to want me again. His eyes and face told me that he did, but to my chagrin he never made a play for more. I was starting to think that he was just trying to make me insane, and if that’s what it was, he was doing a very good job of it. I didn’t know what was expected of me, but I did know that I wanted Drake. After he drove me home and pecked me on the cheek, I wondered if I would go out with him again. There was nothing that could be done about it, though. I went home alone and spent another long night thinking of him.

  When he called me the next day, I wasn’t as enthusiastic as I usually was. I had spent the last two weeks thinking about nothing but Drake, but it wasn’t doing me any good. Instead of being happy and floating on clouds like I had first imagined, going out with a handsome bill
ionaire was harder than I had thought. He took me to all of the finest restaurants, but he just wasn’t making a move for what we both really needed. Was it all because I had denied him the first time, or had he lost interest?

  The idea of it made me nervous, so when he called to ask me out, I told him no. I had to work late at the museum, true, but I knew that I could have gotten out of it if I was so inclined. The fact was that I couldn’t take another night of torture from him. Not the way I was feeling. I figured it was best for both of us if I kept my distance. I didn’t know what I was doing anyways.

  ***

  The museum was dark, and I was starting to think that I needed some lights on so I wouldn’t spook myself. There was nothing else to do, but I hadn’t gone upstairs like I should have. I didn’t want to face lying there thinking of what I couldn’t have, so instead I just started doing some paperwork for the following week. I was up and figured I might as well get something done.

  When I heard the sound behind me, it made me jump. I wasn’t expecting the very man I was avoiding to be there.

  “Drake, what are you doing here?”

  He waved the keys a little and smiled at me. “Thought I would take a look at the place. I saw the lights on and was hoping that you were still down here working. How long are you going to avoid me?”

  I looked away from the searing look in his eyes and shook my head to tell him that I wasn’t avoiding him. I was just busy, I assured him. He didn’t believe me, and there was something in his dark eyes that made me pause a little. The look of the first date we had together was back, and I didn’t want to change his mind. I had spent all of this time telling myself that there was nothing going on, but now I thought that there could be again, and it was all I could think about.

  My back was against the receptionist desk and the solid wood made me feel trapped in a way. Drake had me cornered, and I thought he was finally going to give me what I really needed. He didn’t stop until he was right in front of me and his hand went up to touch my cheek ever so softly. “Can I kiss you?”