by Amy Brent
“How do I lose the upper hand in this with you every time? I’m so frustrated.” She threw her hands up in the air.
“You know I can fix that…the frustrated part I mean.” He gave her a wink and she threw the cup of water in her hand at him, jumping up to put her hands on her hips. “Jerk.”
She was still laughing at the startled expression on his face. She knew he was going to retaliate and being up was a far better advantage. She waited for him to make his move, smiling as he walked slowly towards the door, and not her. She frowned puzzled.
He carefully closed the shades to his office and locked the door with deliberate slowness. He turned then to face her, his eyes full of light. He began losing his clothing as he walked, his jacket then his shirt. She gulped, silently feeling her body react to the site of him as he moved closer and closer still. Soon he was standing before her in nothing at all, and she felt her breath catch in her throat. She moved backwards as he moved closer still to her, until her back was pressed against the desk she had been working on.
She would be lying to herself, and anyone who asked her if she said she didn’t want to feel him pressing himself against her. Or that she didn’t want to reach out and touch his body. She looked up at him as he lay nestled between her thighs.
“You know Tempest, if you wanted to get some dirt on me you could have simply asked me. I would have given it to you.”
His mouth branded hers like a fire. She felt the heat of him course through her body and she instinctively moved her hands up to his chest, feeling the hardness there as he wound his hand in her hair, holding her mouth there for his kiss. She wanted to stop him, to tell him no but as his right hand moved up the fullness of her thighs she knew she was lost.
She felt him grip her tightly pulling her down the desk some as he pushed her skirt up higher and higher until it was up to her waist. His mouth never left hers as he moved, his hands first squeezing the fullness of her thighs before slipping in lower until he found the heat of her. He moved carefully, rubbing and moving until she lost all sense of self control.
“Reed...” She moaned his name and looked up at him. He was looking at her his eyes hooded in desire. She felt him pull her blouse off tossing it on the floor leaving her in her lace bra, and he wasted no time with unhooking it. Instead he simply slid his hand under and pushed the bra up until her caramel globes gently fell loose of the constraining material. His mouth was hot as he suckled her breasts one at a time, pulling and tugging on her large nipples until they puckered and stood at attention.
The heat was overwhelming as he moved his hand away now. She was panting lightly as he pulled her panties down and free from her legs, only moving once more to rub his now hard member against her opening. He glanced up at her once, and she nodded as he pushed into her, slowly and then deeper than she could have imagined.
He stayed there, then began moving until they moved together. Both seeking and searching as they moved as one until they hit that glorious peak, first her and then he followed. She felt the pressure of him laying against her and she let her eyes meet his. He pulled away then, both of them unsure what had just happened. She redressed, smoothing down her skirt and he unlocked the door, both regaining some composure once more.
“I should go.” She wasn’t really sure what else she could say. He was in his chair staring out into the night. She slipped out and down the elevator into the night.
The next few days she stayed home. He never reached out to her and she knew he was as confused as she was. They had started something, and now it would shift the dynamic of their relationship entirely. She sent him a message telling him she needed a break and he had agreed, telling her to be safe. She decided to go to visit her mother, spending time with someone who she wished could tell her all of the right answers about her situation. She settled into the hotel, and decided to wait until the following morning to go over and see her mom.
Reed
What the hell had he been thinking? He let the thought cross his mind again, only the thousandth time today. He wasn’t concerned about the sex, that had long been in his plan with her, but he was feeling bad about it now. THAT was something he wasn’t used to dealing with. The company had sent over someone to take over training for her, and it was just as well since he wasn’t in his own right frame of mind at the moment. There were too many emotions involved now where Tempest was concerned, and a joke had gone too far.
He could still feel her beneath him, the smoothness of her skin and the whimper she let out without even knowing it. She had been good… too good and that was where the problem was. He couldn’t get her out of his head, or his heart at least a little. Before when had actually looked forward to going to work, and knowing she would be there and now… it was business as usual. She had gone on an extended vacation, that’s what they told him. Every message he sent her was unanswered and despite his best efforts he couldn’t get her out of his mind.
She had been gone two weeks now, maybe a little longer and soon he would have to go out on the tour. The thrill of golfing was still there, just buried deep and overshadowed by his desire to go out and find Tempest and make sure she was ok. He needed a distraction, though that seemed hard pressed at the moment. He laid back in his chair hoping to eliminate the headache he felt coming on but it was no use.
“Always working hard. Take a break have fun old man.”
He sat up quickly, taking notice of Lydia in the doorway.
“You seem to have enough fun for the both of us dear.” He arched an eyebrow in her way, obviously making reference to her outfit.
“Ha ha so funny. I have a party, that’s true but I am free after that. Maybe I’ll come by and we can make each other feel better.”
He didn’t say no, but then he didn’t say yes either he just shooed her out, pressing his fingertips against his eyes. He knew the paperwork would keep him there all night if he let it, so he settled in for a long night. A few hours later he found himself dialing her number, something he had yet to do. As it went to voicemail he left a message.
Hey its Reed. I’m worried about you. Just let me know you’re ok… please Temp
He hung up, tossing his phone on the desk in front of him. She would say something, at least he hoped so. All he could do now was wait. Another hour went by and he stood, finally ready to go home. Grabbing his jacket, he set off for the door when he saw her there.
It was almost like she was a ghost the way her frame filled up the doorway and her face was so alive.
“Tempest, hey are you ok?” He didn’t hesitate, instead he pulled her in close to hug him.
She smiled back up at him. “I am good, great actually. I have quite a few things to tell you. I know I have been distant and quiet lately, I lost my phone the last time I was here. I decided to take a break from life for a little while.”
She glanced down at the floor, and then back up to his desk no doubt remembering…
“I get it, believe me. You back for good now?” He leaned forward, hoping to appear as eager as he felt.
“Yes, and no. I am here for now but I will be going on leave in a few months. Some family matters have come up I need to address.”
“I see.” He didn’t, why couldn’t they figure it out themselves? “I need a drink; can I get you something?”
“Water, please.”
He went into the kitchen and paused, doing his best to decide what to say to her, how to express himself. Everything he had done had always been easy for him but dealing with this…emotion he felt for her was too much. He loved her, there was no other way to describe it. He had spent hours and hours with her and she had brought out the best in him.
He took a long drink from his glass and then refilled it. Whatever he decided to tell her he would need some encouragement.
Tempest
He would ask her why she was only drinking water. She had planned it just like this. When he came back he would ask her that and that’s when she would tell him that she was pre
gnant. It seemed to be the only way of breaking the news to him. He had told her on more than one occasion he didn’t want kids, and yet here she was, ready to tell him everything.
She loved him, being away had been like losing a part of herself in the process. But the time she spent with her mother had been priceless, and then realizing that she was pregnant had given her a new fresh perspective on life. She had so much to do, to plan for now. She had thought about never saying a word, but she cared too much for him to do that. No, he would know the truth and she would raise the child herself if need be. She waited, patiently waiting for him to arrive.
She heard the door turn and as the person came through she was surprised to see Lydia. She was in a negligee of pink silk, barely covering her body and hugging her natural assets. It was clear now that not only had she come at a bad time, she had clearly disrupted something.
“Oh my goodness, what are you doing here lady?” Lydia did her best to cover up.
“Excuse me?” Tempest had a threshold and this woman was sorely testing it.
“Where is Reed, he is expecting me. Maybe you should reschedule honey, he has plans that are a little more exciting.” She snickered at Tempest, and the burn of humiliation was there, like a gut punch.
She stood to go, but not before she turned to face Lydia.
“You know honey, if he really wanted you. All of this.” She pointed at her outfit. “Wouldn’t even be necessary, if he really and truly wanted you he would just sit you up on his desk fully clothed and take what he wants. Trust me sweetheart, I’d know.” With that she tossed her head around and walked out of his office and into the elevator.
It wasn’t until she was safely in her car that she allowed herself to feel hurt. She had come to tell him she loved him, that she missed him and that she was pregnant and instead of feeling anything at all for her, he had simply stayed late for a rendezvous with an old flame.
The real pain stemmed from the idea that he must had moved on casually and quickly after she’d gone. There was nothing left for her to do now but to go pack and move out of the main part of town and to a smaller place near her mom. There was no one else around to help and it was all she had left now.
Reed
He took one last drink and made his way back into office with water in hand. He knew what to say, and all he had to do was put it out there. He pushed open the door and turned to face her once more.
“Lydia!? What the hell are you doing here?” He glanced frantically around the room once more.
She stood their hands on hip scowling. “Me what am I doing here what the hell was Miss Piggy doing here? That woman had some nerve, she eluded to having sex with you on your desk can you imagine?!”
“Lydia, I have known you for a very long time and so I am not going to fire you for your mouth, or the way you talk about Tempest. I will, however tell you that this is your one and only warning about how you talk to people. Don’t ever, and I mean ever let me hear you say another cross word about her is that clear?”
She paled and stuttered slightly.” Ye..yes Reed I got it. I’m sorry ok.?”
“As for my sex life that is none of your business, not anymore. We are done Lydia, no more. If you said or did anything to run her off I swear Lydia, you will be on the unemployment line by Monday morning.” He grabbed his jacket and made his way out of the office and into the garage to get his car. I she could run off for weeks and not say a word, surely she could go away again, but there was no way he was letting her go not this time.
He found her apartment complex easily enough. It wasn’t as run down as he had feared, but it was in a rough part of town. He saw her car and he internally sighed with relief. He still had time to make thigs right. He parked his car, jumping out and knocking on her door.
She opened it and after the look of shock came one of concern.
“Reed, what are you doing here?” She crossed her arms and he knew she was upset.
“Can I come in and talk Temp, please just for a few minutes. Then I’ll go if you want.”
He saw her thinking about it and after another moment she opened the screen for him and he went inside. It was small and quaint but meticulously neat. It was seeing that that helped him relax even more. He turned to face her.
“Listen Temp, Lydia and I …we are done there isn’t anything going on there… not anymore.”
“Why are you telling me this Reed, what you do in your personal time has nothing to do with me.”
“What if I want it to?” He waited for her to say something, anything.
“What do you mean?” It was a whisper but he heard it.
“Temp you left, and I didn’t even want to come to work anymore. I don’t know how you did it but I tried to play this game with you to get you in bed, and somehow you turned it on me making me fall head over heels in love with you.”
He waited, letting it sink in. She raised her head to look at him and he saw the tears in her eyes.
“Don’t tell me you don’t feel it Temp, you have to.”
“I don’t know what to say Reed. I came to see you to tell you somethings and when she showed up it just all seemed so clear somehow. Now, your standing here telling me you love me.” She threw her hands in the air, letting the tears fall.
“Why is that bad Temp?” He pulled her close to him, framing her face with his hands. “I never wanted to settled down until I met you. I don’t ever want you out of my life again.”
“Its bad because I don’t know if we want the same things Reed.” She looked up at him.
“I don’t know whether but that’s part of it, finding out more and more about the other person.”
“Reed it’s not that simple.” She pulled away and doing it was breaking them both.
“Why not, damn Tempest your killing me here.” He stood there his heart breaking.
“Because I am pregnant Reed, that’s why.” She stood there and he felt something move inside him.
“What?!” He was unsure he had heard her correctly, and he was afraid no matter what her response.
“I am pregnant Reed. I was coming to tell you tonight. I know you don’t want kids, you made that clear so I was coming to tell you I can do this on my own you don’t have to anything at all. I won’t ask you for anything and you don’t have to…”
She was cut off when his lips met hers. The kiss was hot and searing and full of love. He nipped at her mouth gently as he searched her face then slowly he pulled back, gently placing a hand on her stomach.
“I’m going to be a dad.” He said it incredulously.
“Yes.” She whispered.
“We are a family Temp, I want all of it, you baby and hell…three more for all I care.”
He lifted her in his arms and held her close, once more reveling in the feel of her body molded to his. There was nothing more perfect than they were in that moment.
“I love you Tempest, now let’s go home.”
“I love you too Reed.” He looked down into her eyes, glistening with unshed tears, albeit this time happy ones.
“Well it’s about time you said it back.” He grunted and she swatted at him playfully before he sealed their love with a kiss.
THE BILLIONAIRE PLAYBOY’S BABY
Ray
“There is just something special about that Ray Markley.”
He smiled as he closed the door to the coffee shop. He knew it wasn’t his good looks, or a smile. No those two things had been a part of him all his life, and had made high school quite a pleasant experience. More than likely it had to do with his career, and the fact that him making it big in baseball had put their little town on the map. But deep down, he knew it was the way he carried himself. He wasn’t cocky, no he was confident, and he didn’t deal with anyone’s craziness. He knew what he liked, and he knew if he wanted it he would get it. He loved this small town, full of most of his friends growing up, except a few that had decided this life wasn’t for them, him included. At 28 he was in the prime of his lif
e. He sported a head of wavy sandy brown hair and the darkest blue eyes possible. Something the ladies seemed to like.
He loved the game, loved the way the ball flew when it made direct contact with the bat. It had been a part of his growing up, and the one thing he shared with his dad before he left. It had been the biggest part of his life and over time he had made it. Right into the majors. Something he was proud of, and worked hard at. His life in Bayberry had quietly taken a back seat to the other world he had created out in New York.
He loved the flash of lights in the big city and the people there, but every now and again he would come home and visit his mother, who refused to leave this place, and to remind himself of his roots. This visit, however, was tinged with something else, and he still had yet to work it out. With a shake of his head he set off for his car, knowingly carrying a box of the donuts his mother loved. He would take his time driving down the dusty road out to the ranch and he would settle in there for a few weeks at least until training started up.
Nothing had changed really, the tall oak by the main road had fallen, probably from a storm of some kind and there were a few more houses that were scattered along the way that hadn’t been there before but aside from that, life was its usual out here. He heard the ringing of his phone and glanced at the caller id on the dashboard, feeling his insides turn, before hitting the ignore button. The red heat of anger curled up inside him and he felt his knuckles turn white as he gripped the wheel. No matter what anyone said the guy had I coming, and even the police had said so.
He swung the car into the spot where he always parked and made his way inside. The house smelled just like it always had, sugar and coffee, and he smiled as he enveloped his mother in a hug.
“Hello mom, I told you I’d be here today.” He kissed the top of her head, a full two foot shorter than his own. She gave him a smile as she walked carefully back to her chair.
He frowned as he watched her, at 88, she was no longer the young, carefree woman that should be running a ranch. He knew that she had help, however, he had hired a few men to run the horses and keep things running smoothly. He had also remotely hired a nurse to sit with her and take care of things at home, and a cook, who shared a wing of the ranch with the live in nurse. Even still, he felt guilt deep down every time he went back home.