by Whitney G.
Before I could ask him when he planned on going grocery shopping, I heard the tell-tale sound of heaving. Then vomiting.
“I don’t feel good.” Violet wobbled into the room, looking up at Preston. “My tummy hurts.”
I sighed. “Can you get your driver and her car seat, please?”
“Driver’s on his way,” he said, tapping his phone. “What car seat?”
Violet vomited again before I could answer him.
TWENTY
Preston
TWO HOURS LATER, I set Violet’s brand-new car seat next to my dresser. I made a mental note to use the fluffy key my brother left me to retrieve some things from his place later.
Violet lay under the sheets on my bed, taking small sips of ginger ale as tears fell down her face. As if her teddy bear was sick as well, she held the straw to his lips every few minutes.
Tara wiped away the tears with Kleenex, shaking her head at me. “You left out all the other things you let her eat over the past few days.”
“I didn’t think there was anything wrong with pizza.”
“There isn’t,” she said. “But she can’t eat that multiple days in a row with lollipops for breakfast, no matter how many times she asks you for it.”
The Bear asked for it.
“Noted.” I watched as she took Violet’s temperature and made her eat the last spoonful of chicken noodle soup. She saved the grape medicine for last, and although Violet insisted that she wasn’t sleepy, she was knocked out within minutes.
I dimmed the lights and motioned for Tara to follow me into the living room. She sat on my couch and opened my laptop, typing the password.
“When are you going to tell her about her parents?” she asked.
“Sometime this week.” I was still debating on what approach I wanted to take. “A better place” never worked for me, “in heaven” just meant she’d spend countless hours asking questions about where that was, and “they were killed” was unnecessarily cruel.
“You need to get her a temporary nanny in the meantime,” Tara said. “I’ll get some recommendations and have them watch her in your private bedroom suite during work hours until you hire someone permanent who can watch her here. You also need to have a designer come in asap and get her bedroom designed. She needs to have a space of her own and get accustomed to living with you.” She continued listing all the things Violet will need, and by the time she was finished laying everything out, it was a little after midnight.
“Do you need anything else tonight?” she asked.
“I need you to be my date to the Mister New York gala this weekend.”
“No. I still don’t think that’s—”
“Appropriate?” I rolled my eyes. “That word went out the window in the conference room, and I highly doubt anyone will think anything about you being my date. If you haven’t noticed, you’re with me all the time.”
“Fine,” she said. “So, all I have to do is help you with Violet for six weeks, find my replacement, and go to the gala with you this weekend to be released from my contract. Is there any fine print?”
“There isn’t any print at all.” I extended my hand. “This is a genuine, verbal offer, and I promise to be honest with you about everything until the deal is done.”
“I’ll do the same.” She shook my hand and stood up, heading for my private elevator.
I followed her and pressed the down button. “Thank you.”
“What?” She looked as if she’d just seen a ghost. “What did you just say to me?”
“I said thank you. Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Because you’ve never said that to me. Ever.”
Silence.
“Well, I mean it.” I watched her step onto the car. “Thank you very much, for everything.”
“You’re welcome.”
TWENTY-ONE
Tara
That weekend
I BIT MY TONGUE FOR the umpteenth time tonight. I didn’t know why I thought that Preston having a child in his life would soften him in the slightest, but I was now convinced he would always be an asshole. Even after getting him the best nanny in the city, hiring the best bedroom designer, and ensuring that someone in every field would be able to assist him with all of Violet’s needs, he was still the same.
We’d barely spoken since he picked me up for the gala, and he made it a point to introduce me to everyone as “my quitting assistant who won’t be here too much longer.” There wasn’t any humor in his voice when he said it, and if the person thought it was a joke, he followed with, “Good help is so tough to find these days...”
I felt foolish for spending half a day getting ready for this event, for hoping he would at least offer a goddamn compliment.
I’d spent over two thousand dollars on a custom pink and grey dress that fell just past my thighs, and a pair of brand-new, sparkling silver stilettos from Christian Louboutin. My makeup was done to perfection, and my hair was pinned up in curls with custom glittering pins.
Hurt, I pulled out my phone and sent a quick text to Ava.
Me: Fuck everything I said earlier about this man “maybe” having a softer side. He’s done nothing but treat me like shit tonight, and I can’t wait until my six weeks are up.
Ava: Don’t let him treat you like that for another second, then. Get the hell out of there. I’ll call you when I land in France tomorrow.
“It’s nice to see you at one of these things with someone for a change, Preston.” The CEO of Marriott stepped in front of me as I was putting my phone away. “Nice to finally meet you in person, Miss Lauren. I’ve heard great things.”
“Have you heard that she’s quitting?” Preston asked.
“I haven’t.” The Marriott CEO smiled and pulled out his business card. “Since he mentioned it, I’d love for you to consider us.”
“Well, as long as the person I’m reporting to isn’t an asshole, I’ll consider it.”
His eyes widened, and I turned away, heading for the exit.
Preston was at my side seconds later, matching me step for step. “This gala isn’t over yet, Tara.”
I didn’t respond. I kept walking.
“Tara—”
“It’s Miss Lauren for you, forever.” I turned around to face him. “It’s bad enough that I've wasted two years of my life working under you while you treated me like shit, but I’m not letting you ruin my last six weeks. I’m done expecting anything else from you, and I’m done with you tonight. Done.” I stormed away with him on my heels.
I made it to the lobby, and he grabbed my elbow from behind, pulling me into the closest bathroom.
“We had a deal that you would attend this with me.” He hissed. “That means you leave when I leave. It also means—”
“Fuck you.” I glared at him, cutting him off. “Did you not hear what I just said out there? I am done with you. I’ll help Violet for the next six weeks because she’ll be in your unfortunate care, but I’m only doing the minimum for everything else.” I seethed. “I hate you.”
He let go of my elbow. “You hate me?”
“I didn’t stutter.” I tried to move past him, but he gripped my hips, keeping me in place.
A woman stepped into the bathroom and approached the sink. She caught sight of us in the mirror and quickly left.
Preston walked over to the door and locked it. Then he walked toward me, making me step back until my ass was pressed against the towel rack.
He looked down at my dress and pressed his forehead against mine. “I know why you’re upset with me, Tara.”
“I told you not to call me that anymore.”
“You wanted me to tell you how fucking sexy you look tonight?” He trailed his finger against my collarbone, setting my nerves on fire. “How I would’ve preferred that we stayed at your place so we could finish what we started in the boardroom instead of coming here?”
“No.”
“Yes.” He brushed his lips against mine. “I knew yo
u wouldn’t go for that—even though you know damn well you want to. I’m sure you still have no idea how hard it is to deal with wanting a certain someone for over two years.”
“I’ve wanted a certain someone to treat me right for over two years.” I hissed. “Trust me, you have no idea how hard it is to deal with that.”
“For the record, he’s never hated you.”
“Too bad I’ll never be able to say the same.”
“I thought we said we were going to be honest with each other during these last few weeks?”
“I am honest.”
His hand slipped between my legs, and he slid his hand against my pussy. “This doesn’t feel like you hate me at all.”
“That doesn’t mean anything. It’s beyond hate at this point.”
He narrowed his eyes at me and bit my bottom lip. “Prove it.”
He pressed his lips against mine and my lie lasted all of two seconds, as I couldn’t help but give in. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I moaned as he slid his hands up the back of my dress.
Kissing me recklessly, his eyes remained locked on mine, and he didn’t give me a chance to direct the tempo at all. He controlled my tongue with his, squeezing my ass each time I attempted to lead.
Tearing his mouth away from mine, he stepped back. “Turn around.” He gripped my waist and spun me around so I was facing the full-length mirror, so our reflections were right in front of me.
Staring at me through the glass, he slowly unzipped the back of my dress—letting it fall to the floor in a pool of silk. He unclasped my bra and pushed it down my shoulder, letting it fall just as slowly. He slipped his hand through the lace band of my panties and ripped them off, placing them in his pocket.
With only my stilettos on, I stood stark naked in front of the mirror, watching him plant hard and rough kisses against my collarbone. Feeling him bite my skin each time I made a sound.
“Bend over and grab the counter,” he whispered, biting the back of my neck.
Swallowing, I leaned forward and gripped the cold marble.
I glanced down at the floor, but he threaded his fingers through my hair, gently pulling my head up so I was facing the mirror again.
“I want you to keep your eyes on us,” he said, using his other hand to unbuckle his belt. “So you can see how much you’ve always hated me.”
“I always will.”
He smirked and let my hair go, taking a condom from his pocket before letting his pants fall to the floor. Splaying his hand against my back, he wedged his knee between my thighs to spread my legs a bit more.
With his eyes on mine in the mirror, he took his time putting on the condom—slowly rolling it over his huge length. When he was finished, he gripped my hips and placed his cock against my soaking wet slit. Rubbing it against me, he teased me for several seconds before slowly filling me inch by inch.
He held me steady, and I did my best to keep a straight face in the mirror. I tried to resist giving him any satisfaction of knowing how good he felt inside of me.
I bit my lip to hold back my moans, hating that I knew he could see right through me. That the years of sexual tension between us were finally falling away in a rough, passionate standoff.
“Ah...” I couldn’t help but cry out when he was completely inside of me. “Oh my god...”
Without warning, he pulled out of me and thrust back in—damn near knocking me over with the force. I gripped the marble harder and became even more turned on, and I watched the reflection of him pounding into me repeatedly.
The sound of our skin slapping echoed off the walls, and my stilettos scraped the floor each time he re-entered me.
Letting go of my hips, he caressed my breasts and gently twisted my nipples.
“Fuck, Preston...” I murmured, watching him own my body with two different tempos.
He suddenly lifted my left hand from the counter and placed it against my pussy.
“Touch your clit for me,” he whispered, moving his left hand to my hair—to pull it hard. “Now.”
I slid my hand lower, circling my clit with two fingers.
“Is this how you want to be treated by the person you hate?” He hissed, glaring at me in the mirror. His expression was a mix of anger, lust, and something else I couldn’t quite make out.
“Is this what you wanted?” he asked, his voice a bit harsher.
I didn’t get a chance to answer. All I could do was moan as he fucked me harder and harder.
“Tell me.” He growled, pulling me back by my hair until my head was tilted up and my pussy was throbbing against his cock. “Do you still hate me?”
I couldn’t get anything to fall from my lips but moans.
“Miss Lauren,” he said, mocking my voice from earlier. “Do you still hate me?”
“I’m—I’m about to come,” was all I could manage.
His thrusts came even harder, served with slaps against my ass, and I felt my legs buckling beneath me. I gripped the counter with both hands and tried to hold back, but I felt the orgasm overpower me.
Screaming his name, I shut my eyes as wave after wave of pleasure wracked its way through my body. I felt him steadying me, felt him thrusting inside of me a few more times as he found his release and harshly said my name.
Our gazes met in the mirror, and we remained entwined for several minutes. Dripping in sweat, we both looked freshly fucked, and I knew there was no way we could return to the gala without arousing suspicion.
Without saying a word, he pulled up his pants. Then he picked up my bra and took his time slipping it over my breasts. Clasping it, he pressed a kiss against my back before helping me into my dress.
“Here,” he said, taking off his jacket and placing it over my shoulders.
He buckled his belt and looked at me. “You never answered my question.”
“You asked me more than one.”
He smoothed my hair. “You know which one I’m talking about, Tara.”
“No, I don’t hate you, Preston...As much.”
“Hmmm.” He pressed his hand against the small of my back and walked me to the door.
When he unlocked it, I realized there was a long line of women waiting. Feeling my cheeks reddening, I looked down.
Preston let out a low laugh and led me toward the exit doors.
“Mr. Parker! Mr. Parker!” A blonde reporter stepped in front of us. I’m a reporter from Page Six. I was wondering if you could give us a quote about your place in the latest top five nominations for this year’s Mister New York.”
“I’ve told you all repeatedly how I feel about your top five.”
“If I tell you that you’re in the top two will you give me a quote?”
“I’ll give you that once I’m number one.”
“Well, can you tell us who your date is tonight, then? She looks familiar to me, but maybe give us a little insight into your relationship status?”
He led me past her and outside to his waiting town car. Letting me in first, he slid in next to me.
“To my condo, Simon,” he said, looking at me. “And I need you to roll up the partition, please.”
“Yes, sir.” The partition slowly rolled up to the ceiling, and Simon turned up the volume on his music at the front.
We made it two blocks before his lips latched onto mine and his hands ran through my hair.
Unbuckling his belt, he took out a condom. Then he whispered, “I want you to ride my cock all the way home.”
I leaned over his lap instead, taking his cock into my mouth—catching him completely off guard.
Slowly bobbing my head up and down, I gripped his base and listened as he groaned in pleasure.
“Fuck...” He ran his hands through my hair. “Tara.”
I briefly twirled my tongue around his tip, then I took him deeper, all the way down my throat. His cock hardened even more in my mouth, but I didn’t slow down.
His breathing became heavier the longer I pleasured him, and I felt his legs tens
ing under me.
“If you don’t want to taste me, or let me come in your mouth,” he said, whispering. “You need to move.”
I didn’t. I took his length all the way down my throat again, gripping his knees as he came in my mouth. I swallowed every drop.
He slowly pulled me up and looked into my eyes. Looking beyond impressed, he gave me a look that let me know we were just getting started for the night.
When we arrived at his building, we stepped onto his private elevator and kissed each other as if we were trying to make up for lost time. There was a tinge of regret in his eyes, and I wondered if he could see that I felt the same.
Stumbling onto his floor, he unlocked the door, and the lights immediately came on.
“Oh, thank God!” A female voice broke us out of our spell. “You’re back early.”
We stepped away from each other and watched as Violet’s nanny jumped up from the couch.
Fuming, she put on her shoes and stuffed toys and books into her bag. Violet was sitting by the window wearing headphones, looking beyond upset.
“Something wrong, Miss Julie?” Preston asked. Then he muttered to me. “This is going to take some getting used to.”
“Yeah. Your daughter—”
“She’s my niece.”
“Whatever.” She shrugged. “Your niece is a hellion. A gifted hellion, but a hellion nonetheless.” She walked over and handed him a check. “I won’t be cashing the check for next week. These past few days have been more than enough. Goodbye and good luck.”
She left without another word, and I slid Preston’s jacket off my shoulders. I started to tell him goodnight as well, but something told me to stay.
He walked over to Violet, and her face lit up immediately.
“I don’t like Julie, Uncle Preston.” She took off her headphones. “I want my Daddy.”
Preston sighed and extended his hand. “Can we talk about your dad in your bedroom?”
“Okay!” She grabbed her teddy bear and clasped his hand. She looked over at me and smiled. “Hey, Tara.”
“Hey, Violet.” I looked at Preston. “I’ll um, I’ll just—”