“No, it’s okay...” I stood up. “Thank you.”
Chapter 31
Claire
I rearranged my clothes in the hotel suite’s closet for the umpteenth time and shut the doors. Bored, I walked into the living room and sat across from Damien.
“Is that five or six shipments?” He gave me an apologetic smile as he continued to talk on the phone. “Can you get that verified by receiving please? Yeah...No, I’m at the Juniper conference...Seven days, so that gives you plenty of time to figure out what’s going on...Alright. Keep me posted.” He set his phone down and sighed. “I’m so sorry, sweetheart.”
“It’s okay. It’s a working vacation. I completely understand.”
“Come here.” He locked his eyes on mine and I walked over, prepared to sit in the other chair, but he pulled me into his lap. “Are you okay? You didn’t say much on the way over...”
I stilled. I didn’t think he’d noticed that since his music had been so loud. I’d kept my head turned towards the window for the entire two hour drive, wondering why I’d agreed to come here when I was still so wrapped up in someone else.
“I’m just a little stressed,” I said. “I guess I just need to relax.”
“Hmmm.” He pressed his head against the back of my shoulder. “Do you want to do something to relax together then?”
“Depends on what it is...”
He ran his hands up and down my hips and kissed the back of my neck, making my body yearn for more. “Lay down with me?”
I nodded and eased out of his lap.
He clasped my hand and led me into the bedroom, pulling the covers back and using the remote to dim the lights. He disappeared for a moment and I decided to get more comfortable.
I took off my earrings, slid out of my shoes, and suddenly felt him unbuttoning my pants from behind. I felt my nerves running wild, but not out of desire or anticipation; it was out of anxiety.
Why do I feel like this is “cheating”?
He spun me around and unfastened my shirt and my bra, sliding them off my shoulders as he looked into my eyes. Then he smiled and pulled me onto the bed.
Motioning for me to get in first, he started to undress himself, leaving nothing but his briefs on.
I climbed into the bed and sighed as he climbed in behind me, as he started to press kisses along my bare back. I rolled around to face him. “I don’t know if I can—”
He cut my words short with a deep and inviting kiss, making me forget whatever I was about to say.
I tried to hold back, tried to resist, but I couldn’t help it; I kissed him back—letting my tongue dip deeper into his mouth, running my hands against his hard chest.
He tore his mouth away from mine and began kissing down my neck, my collarbone, my breasts. He sucked one of my nipples into his mouth and softly bit it, making me cry out in pleasure.
Ohhh....Jonathan...
He gripped my other breast and kneaded it with his palm, using his fingertips to pinch the most sensitive part. Before I knew it, he’d started moving his kisses down my stomach—past my belly button, and another memory of Jonathan crossed my mind:
Jonathan pulled his mouth away from mine. “I love kissing your lips, Claire...”
“Which set?”
“Both.” He ran his hands against my bare thighs.
“Well...” I stifled a moan as he started to move his lips lower and lower. “Which one is better?”
“I believe it’s a tie, but I’ll do a comparison right now to make sure...”
I felt Damien attempting to pull my pants down as he placed another kiss against my navel.
“Wait.” I sat up and folded my arms across my chest. “We can’t...”
“What?” He kissed my stomach again and looked up at me. “Why not?”
“I’m...” I needed one hell of an excuse. As much as I wanted to deny it, my body was on fire and I knew he could feel it. “I’m on my period this week... I’m sorry that I didn’t—”
“Is that why you’ve been so tense today?” He raised his eyebrow. “You think the only reason I invited you was to have sex? Or that if we didn’t have sex this week I wouldn’t be interested in you anymore?”
Um yeah. “Um...”
He shook his head. “I’m sorry, Claire. I’m not usually this forward and I don’t want to rush things with you at all. It’s just...Being around you sometimes, it’s hard to control myself.” He smiled as he re-buttoned my pants. “You wouldn’t believe the effect you have on me...”
He moved so he was lying next to me and kissed my cheek. “Will your period prevent you from letting me hold you?”
I laughed. “No...I would like that very much.”
He wrapped his arms around me and I leaned back against him, not feeling comforted at all; his embrace wasn’t the one I needed.
I emerged from the bathroom in a long purple dress, one of Jonathan’s purchases from months ago. I figured I might as well put all the dresses he bought me to use; they were all too elegant to wear to anything else.
“Wow...” Damien stood up once I walked into the living room. “I’m not so sure about going to this ball now...”
“Why is that?”
“Because someone might try to steal you away from me...You look too good to be true.” He looked me up and down. “I think the highlight of the week will be getting to see you in a different dress every night.” He kissed my lips and led me out into the hallway, onto the elevator.
We were heading to the seventy fifth floor’s “sky room,” to attend the conference’s welcoming ball. He’d told me that all the power players needed to make an appearance and that it was pretty much an opportunity for the CEOs to show off their dates and size up the competition.
If it were up to me, I would be back in our suite scarfing down the cartons of mint chocolate chip ice cream I’d ordered, not rubbing noses with the elite. Nonetheless, I’d already talked him out of making me go to the “Ladies Only Meet and Greet” and I didn’t want to push my luck.
He held the door to the ballroom open, and as soon as we stepped inside, I had to hold back a gasp.
The sky room was colossal—it looked like it was large enough to hold an entire football field; its ceiling and walls were made of plated black glass and I counted at least twenty silver chandeliers hanging several feet above our heads. There was even a massive stage at the far end that stretched across the room’s imposing walls.
Damien held me against his side as we walked around the room, as he introduced me to each of his friends and colleagues as his “girlfriend.”
“Wow...” “Where’d you find someone like this to put up with you?” “She’s too pretty for you.” “If you ever get tired of him, I’d be happy to take you out, Miss Gracen.” “She’s a vision, Damien...”
I smiled at all his friend’s compliments, and once he and his CFO started discussing acquisitions, I excused myself to the beverage bar that lined the side of the room.
As I was pouring myself a glass, the lights above flickered and everyone started clapping.
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 2013 Juniper Conference!” A woman walked on stage with a mic in her hand. “Over the next few days, we’ll all be sharing our ideas on the direction of technology advancement, relaxing at one of the retreat’s many spas, and trying not to kill each other since we’re all fierce competitors.”
The room erupted in laughter.
“Tonight’s opening ball was generously sponsored by Lowell Enterprises. Unfortunately, Mr. Lowell’s flight has been delayed so he’s asked for his former apprentice to make the opening statements instead.”
I looked around to make sure no one was watching me and poured an extra pint of vodka into my drink.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome founder and CEO of Statham Industries, Jonathan Statham!”
The crowd cheered and I dropped my glass onto the floor, turning around to look for him.
Jonathan walked onto the st
age from the side, smiling at the applause, surveying the crowd. He waved at the people who were playfully screaming his name, stopping to make eye contact and say “hello” with those he knew personally. As he continued to look over the audience, his gaze veered towards the beverage bar and his eyes met mine.
He stopped walking and blinked. He opened his mouth like he was about to say something, but then he turned towards the crowd again and smiled as he took to the podium.
“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen,” he spoke.
“Good evening,” the crowd responded.
“As many of you know, this week is about fostering new friendships, and rekindling ones that may have gotten lost in the madness that is technological advancement. That said, I’m looking forward to reconnecting with all of you—no, just a few of you...”
The crowd laughed.
“Mr. Lowell isn’t a man of many words and he only wanted me to say a few things: Let’s make sure that this conference is as unforgettable as the ones that came before it, and that tonight—the first night—is all pleasure and no business whatsoever. We have all week for that.” He flipped over a notecard. “To the newest attendees, be sure to network with those who are in your same field and choose your morning sessions very wisely. To those who have been here before, I’m sure I don’t need to say much about how this works. And to those who are here with a date,” he said as his eyes met mine again, “there are plenty of things for you to do here during the day if you choose not to accompany your date to the tech events. Thank you all so much. Enjoy the rest of your night.” He kept his eyes on me as the audience clapped, and then he walked off the stage, shaking hands with whoever stepped in front of him.
I turned around and made myself another drink. Then I felt an arm wrap around my waist.
Jonathan?
“So, this is where you disappeared.” Damien laughed. “Are you having a good time so far?”
“Yes.” I need to get out of here...“Could you tell me where the restrooms—” I felt Jonathan getting close before I could see him. That electrical current that rushed through my veins whenever he was nearby suddenly shocked me into silence.
“What were you saying, Claire?”
“Good evening, Mr. Edwards.” Jonathan’s deep voice made both of us turn around. “It’s interesting to see you again.”
“Well, well well, it’s Jonathan Statham.” Damien pulled me closer, making Jonathan clench his jaw. “I’m shocked you didn’t bring up your new sPhone red in your speech. Are you actually becoming classier or are you taking classes on how not to be an asshole?”
“I’m taking classes—from the same lawyer who handles your divorces. Has he prevented your ex-wife from suing you for all your worth yet or wait—how many ex-wives do you exactly have now? Three? Four? Are we counting the six week wife from Vegas these days?”
“Touché.” Damien rolled his eyes. “Claire, this is the royal pain in my ass I’ve been telling you about—Jonathan Statham, and Jonathan, this is my girlfriend, Claire Gracen.”
“Girlfriend?”
“Yes, girlfriend. She used to work as a director in your marketing department. Small world, right?”
“Too small.”
“Mr. Edwards?” A woman tapped Damien’s shoulder. “We have Tamisha J. from our overseas headquarters here to see you. She wants a quick picture if you don’t mind.”
“Not at all.” He kissed my cheek. “Be right back, sweetheart. Jonathan...” He walked away.
I looked up at Jonathan and we stared at one another, not saying a word for what felt like an eternity. My heart was pounding against my chest, my nerves were jumping up and down, and the palpable electricity between us was pulling me closer and closer to him.
Even though his eyes were cold and his lips were pressed into a subtle scowl, he looked sexier than he’d ever looked before.
I took a few steps forward, without taking my eyes off him, and tried to keep it together. “Jonathan...I am so sor—”
“I didn’t leave you with my competition for too long did I?” Damien pulled me against his side. He kissed my cheek again and I could see a vein in Jonathan’s neck swelling.
“Have you heard about Hannigan from TruCorp, Jonathan?” He didn’t wait for him to respond. “Differences aside, I think he’s really onto something with his new data configuration board. It looks pretty promising.”
“I’ll have to look into that.” Jonathan stated dryly. “Thank you, Damien.”
“What are bitter rivals for? I’m actually glad you decided to show up here for a change. It’ll make for a more interesting week.”
“Yes.” Jonathan narrowed his eyes at me. “It will definitely be interesting.”
Chapter 32
Claire
Coming here is the worst decision I’ve ever made...
I was sitting near the edge of the resort’s private beach, pretending to read my e-reader, but secretly watching Jonathan walk alongside the shore with another woman. However, this woman wasn’t just any woman. She was Stacy Rodriguez, world class supermodel and designer extraordinaire. She was easily one of the sexiest women in the world—beautifully tanned and slim body with naturally huge breasts, wavy jet black hair, and dark gray eyes with speckles of light blue that glimmered in the sunlight.
I’d been watching her and Jonathan all day: At the conference’s first breakfast, they’d sat too close for comfort, laughing at little private jokes that I’d strained to hear. While Damien and I were taking a tour of the art gallery, I’d looked down from the windows and saw the two of them having a private picnic on a blanket below. I’d even seen the two of them driving carts around the resort’s perfectly trimmed golf course while we were eating our lunch.
“Stop it, Jonathan!” She squealed as he tossed her into the water.
I jumped up, tempted to run over there and slap him for letting her get that close to him, for letting her touch him. Yet, I quickly sat back down, realizing that too many people were around and I didn’t want to make a scene.
Jealous, I put down my e reader and narrowed my eyes at the sappy scene that was playing in front of me.
How can he possibly be upset with me about Damien when he’s dating a damn supermodel? And of all supermodels, Stacy Rodriguez, the most famous one?
“Daiquiri?” Damien stood in front of me with an umbrella drink.
“Please.”
“You’ll have to pay me for it first...”
“What? What do you—”
He bent down and kissed me—a slow, passionate, ‘I-know-this-is-making-you-melt’ kiss. He tilted my chin up, pushing his tongue further and further into my mouth, softly biting down on my bottom lip each time I tried to control the pace.
I didn’t care though; I kept trying to force him to let me take the lead. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pressed myself against him, and let my tongue explore every inch of his mouth.
“Whoa...” Damien pulled away from me. “Kiss me like that again and we’ll have to lock ourselves in the suite for the rest of the week.” He smiled and handed me the drink.
I took a sip and saw Jonathan staring at me out the corner of my eye, knowing that he’d just seen me kiss Damien.
His fists were balled at his side, his face was a deadly red, and his eyes were thin slits. He took a few steps in my direction but Stacy grabbed his hand and tugged him down the shore.
“Are you okay, Claire?” Damien put his arm around my shoulder. “Is something wrong with the drink?”
“The drink is great...” I tore my eyes away from Stacy and Jonathan. “What other events are happening today?”
“Well, I have a few tech sessions to go to this evening, but there’s the late night benefit ball at midnight.”
“There’s literally a ball every night this week? I thought you were joking...”
“I wasn’t. It’s a tax break thing.” He laughed. “There’s an early entry for the highest contributors, so you and I will have to be there a lit
tle early.”
“What happens at early entry?”
“It’s just a bit more intimate than the regular ball—dimmer lights, small candle-lit dinner, and first dibs on the silent auction items. If you want anything that’s up for bid, let me know and I’ll buy it for you.”
“Oh, I probably won’t even go near—”
He pulled me on top of him. “You should...And you should let me buy whatever you want.” He placed a light kiss on my lips. “I want you to enjoy yourself this week so don’t be shy about doing things that make you happy.”
He began rubbing my back and I looked over my shoulder—to see if Jonathan was watching, but Damien turned my head back around to face him. He slipped his tongue into my mouth again and all my thoughts blurred, leaving me lost once more.
“Just like that, Claire...Two steps forward, one step back...Very good...”
Damien spun me out of his arms and quickly drew me back. “You’re a wonderful dancer, Claire. Did you learn or are you a natural?”
“I learned...”
“Well, whoever taught you is one hell of a teacher. I’m impressed.” He placed his hands around my waist and I leaned against his chest.
As we waltzed around the dance floor, I started to wonder if I could develop feelings for him with time, if he and I might have a chance after all.
He’d been extra attentive ever since we left the beach: He skipped one of his tech meetings to join me at my massage appointment, arranged for me to take an evening horse riding lesson, and even helped me pick out which dress I should wear tonight.
I leaned against his chest and looked out over the room. It was dark with a few massive candles providing the only light. On the far end of the room—in a corner that was illuminated by a yellow haze, a group of violinists played a beautiful song that reverberated throughout the space.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” the lead violinist said as her companions continued to play, “we have a lot more songs that we’re going to play for you tonight, but we want you to know that the lights are about to be slightly brightened since the early entry portion of the ball has ended.”
Mid Life Love: Complete Series Boxed Set (Books 1 & 2 ) Page 38