by K. J. Lewis
Her comments put me on edge, and I can feel myself bristling. I sit up straighter and taller so there is no confusion of the control I want, feel, and need.
“When we’re done?” There’s an edge in my voice.
“Have you ever had a relationship that didn’t end?”
I want to say, No, but I’ve never been in love before. But I don’t. It would send her running for the hills. So I settle for, “I want to explore more with you, Elise. I was hoping you would want the same.”
“I want that, too. I do. But you have nothing to lose. The company will still be yours. I will be the one without a job if this doesn’t work out. Do you know how scary that is in today’s economy?”
“You have my word, Dove. I will make sure you always have a job.” My thumbs run over her nipples, and reflexively she bows her back and pushes down onto me.
“Think about it.” I end the conversation by rolling her onto her back.
We had a naked picnic of room service on the bed before I made love to her one last time. I let her sleep as long as I could, but I knew she wanted to be back before daybreak, so we had to get on the road. I thought we might talk some on the drive, but Elise fell asleep about fifteen minutes outside of the city and didn’t wake when I stopped for gas. It’s almost 3 a.m., and I am ready to be in bed, asleep next to OctoElise. I shake the goofy smile off my face and finally pull off onto our road. I park and come around to her door.
“Dove? We’re here.”
When she doesn’t stir, I lift her into my arms and make my way inside. I shift her slightly to reach for the door handle when it opens. Theo is standing there. He looks pissed, but his countenance immediately softens when he looks at Elise. I carry her inside. His face darkens when I take Elise into my room and put her in my bed.
I remove her jeans and pull the covers over her before kissing her forehead. Might as well get this over with. I turn to head to the living room to have the talk with Theo, only to find him standing in the doorway watching me. His expression is threatening.
“Now,” he says before turning and heading into the kitchen. I follow, steeling myself for my friend’s discord.
We face each other for a couple of minutes, him trying to control his temper, me trying to decide if this will go easier if I let him start first.
Fuck it. I’ll start.
“Theo.”
“What the fuck are you playing at, man?”
Okay, he’ll start.
“Elise is the real deal. The whole package. She isn’t some girl you pick up in a titty bar and fuck for your amusement.”
Yep. This is going to get ugly.
“You know, fuck off, Theo. I know you are upset, man. I understand. Really I do. But this isn’t a hook-up for me. You are one of my closest friends and I respect you, but I’m not going to walk away from this because you don’t like it. I want Elise. I’m not giving her up. I…I love her, Theo.”
He straightens up, and I swear he’s gotten three inches taller since we walked into the kitchen. “You sure as fuck better decide what love means to you. ‘Cause if you make her cry…”
“She’s a big girl who knows what she is getting into. We both have been very clear with each other.”
“Yeah? Well, let me be clear about something.” He takes a step closer to me. “You are one of my best friends and soon to be my business partner. Make sure you know what the hell you are doing, because if this goes south, I choose Elise.”
I nod and release the breath I was holding. As far as confrontations with one of your nearest and dearest goes, it could have been worse. Theo steps to the side to move past me. His shoulder pushes into mine.
“Also, to be clear, Elise isn’t yours to not give up,” he says coolly. “She’s mine and will be until I entrust her to someone. It’s yet to be determined if that someone is you.”
The room is dark, so it takes me a full minute to get my bearings. I remember we drove home late last night. Reid is asleep on his stomach next to me. I watch him, thinking about our day together yesterday. I’ve never dated someone who responded like this to what happened to me. His fierce reaction was matched only by those closest to me at the time. I had told Robert about it, and his reaction was to ask me if I was looking to be raped again when he saw me dressed to go out with some friends. Reid’s response was much more understanding.
I rest my head on his bicep, drape a leg across the back of his, and take him in. His smell, the way his skin feels, the heat his body gives off. His dark curls. Everything about this man calls to me, and it is terrifying. I have never felt this for anyone. Exhaling deeply, I close my eyes and try not to freak out. I rub my hand across his back and it comes to rest on his shoulder. I feel the pull that automatically calms my spirit. He stirs and turns his head to face me, but he doesn’t move.
“I love feeling you wrapped around me.”
His voice is deep and gravelly with sleep. His green eyes are steady and don’t hide from me. I run my fingers through his hair; he shifts slightly and kisses my nose.
“Theo knows.”
The minute his comment sinks in, I sit straight up in the bed.
“What do you mean Theo knows? How do you know he knows?” My question is harsher than I intend, but I don’t know if I am ready for Theo to know. I’m just now coming to terms that this is more than a crazy hookup. Reid sits up and looks at me. It’s clear he is not pleased with the accusation he hears in my tone.
“He was here when we got home. You were asleep, so I carried you inside. I could have gone right to his room or left to mine. I went left.”
“How could you do that?”
“How could I do what?”
I was right. He is not pleased.
“How could you make the decision about when we tell Theo.”
“He’s one of my closest friends, and I am about to buy controlling interest in his company.”
I shift onto my knees.
“But he’s my Theo. You didn’t have the right to tell him. You should have asked me first.”
“You wanted me to hide what is happening between us?” The disbelief in his voice is almost my undoing.
“For a little while, yes.”
He starts to say something, but he just shakes his head and stands to pull on some shorts. My body immediately feels the pull to his, and I feel a dampness between my legs.
“Don’t fucking look at me like that, Elise.”
“Reid.”
“I can’t get women to keep their mouths closed, and the one woman I want to lay claim to doesn’t want it public. Fanfuckingtastic.”
His movements are sharp. He’s sitting with his back to me, and I can feel the tension in his shoulders. He ties his shoes with such force, I’m surprised the laces didn’t snap.
“Reid, just take a minute to see this from my perspective. Theo is my heart. He deserved to hear this from me first. And no, I don’t want it out there. You’re a man. You don’t understand. When a man sleeps with his boss, he’s given a promotion. When a woman does it, she’s sleeping her way to the top. She’s a slut. There is more at risk here for me—”
“Just stop, Elise. I know you felt it yesterday. I just… I just thought you were braver than this. My mistake.”
I know the words from someone I met less than five days ago shouldn’t have the power to slice through me, but his words cut to a place I thought I had encased in steel. My breath escapes me, and his eyes reflect regret, but no other part of him backs down. Without another word, he leaves. I sit in the wake of his anger, not really knowing what to do with it or how to feel about it.
Time to face the music.
A walk from one side of the chalet to the other has never felt so long. Theo doesn’t have the blinds closed, so this room is filled with light compared to the dark one I just left. Fitting, I muse as I slide under the covers. Without opening his eyes, he lifts his arm for me to come to a rest against his body like I have so many times in my life. When I’ve settled and
my arm rests across his torso, he wraps his arms around me.
“I’m sorry you heard it from Reid before me.”
“I’m sorry about the Bowens case. They’re family and I didn’t know how to say no. I didn’t want to believe it was true.”
“I’m sorry it was.”
“The more I do this shit, the more I realize I am making the right decision selling to Reid.”
“I know you are.”
“I was mad at you last night.” He pauses. “When Reid took you to his room and I realized what was going on between you two, I thought I would kill him.”
“Theo.”
“But then I called Ross,” he says quickly. “He reminded me what a great guy Reid is and how he has never let me down or disappointed me before. He said maybe I could take a step back and see that he is someone I would trust with you. Someone I would be okay giving you to.”
“It’s been less than a week. I don’t think we are talking about giving me to anyone.”
“Did you tell him about your history?”
“Yes.”
“And?”
“And, he was really great about it. I think it was a shock for him at first, but once he had a minute to absorb it, he was all in.”
“That’s good right?”
“It is. Better than Robert who basically said I deserve to get attacked when he didn’t like what I was wearing.” I cringe that I let that slip. Theo’s body tenses up.
“Yes, well, that is better.” He grinds out and I breathe a sigh of relief that he is going to skate pass that one.
I can remember being seven and sneaking out to Theo’s house. We would talk and share secrets, or just listen to music. We would lay then like we are now. It was our ritual. My parents weren’t crazy about me sleeping in the same bed with a guy, but they grew tired of grounding me. Eventually our parents stopped fighting it. I think they knew we were friends at heart and were never going to have romantic feelings for each other. Theo has always been my rock, and my parents grew to value him for that.
“I think I messed up with Reid.”
“Not possible, babe. If anyone is going to mess up it would be Reid.”
I sit up and look at him. “No, it was me. I got upset that he told you before I had the chance to, and then I basically said I didn’t want anyone to know.”
“Now or always?” He sits up.
“Now. It’s just a lot, you know? And I know guys don’t think this is true, but it’s harder for girls in the business world. We are measured not only by how we perform, but how we function outside of work. And forget it if you want to embrace your sexuality and be good at what you do. It only takes one rumor to ruin my career. I just need a minute to think about that and make sure I am ready for that to be a consequence.”
“Maybe this will be the best thing you ever did. Maybe this was all meant to be. Me selling. You meeting Reid.”
“That’s some pretty big maybes, and I live in the real world. The odds of this working are not great. Reid is an admitted player who doesn’t commit and I am…well, I’m me and all that entails.”
“I love all that entails.” He reaches out and grazes just the right spot under my chin that tickles and makes me laugh.
“Theo,” I warn him.
“Elise,” he sings, watching me as if I’m prey. As soon as I make a move, he uncoils and wrestles himself on top of me, tickling me with no mercy. I try to turn the tables on him and get to his ticklish spots, but he’s stronger than I am. It only takes one move for him to capture my wrists and hold them above my head in one hand while the other continues to torture me.
“I am going to pee all over you.”
He bends to kiss my nose. “Wouldn’t be the first time and won’t be the last.”
“Please don’t pee in the bed. I would like to take a nap, and I don’t want to do it in a puddle of urine.” We hear a familiar voice.
Through my tears of laughter, I see a vision propped up against the door frame. I catch my breath long enough to say, “Ross! What are you doing here? Save me!”
“I wanted to be here when you guys tell the team today. Theo, let her go. Deep, dark, and broody over here is about to pummel your ass.” Ross nods his head at Reid, who is standing in the doorway with him dripping in sweat. He must have gone for a run.
“I don’t know how you put up with it,” Reid says to Ross.
“I know my man’s heart. He’s a better man because of his love for Elise. And when I catch him on top of her,” he looks to Reid, “I remind myself that my man loves dick.”
“Not just any dick.” Theo stands and pulls Ross into a hot kiss. “Only yours.”
“Fuck yeah,” Ross growls. He grabs Theo’s face and kisses him like a man possessed.
“Elise.” Reid gestures for us to leave the room.
“Are you serious? This is like gay porn. I could sell tickets to Fran and Gabby.”
“Elise, get the fuck out,” Ross growls again, pulling Theo’s shirt over his head.
“Fine,” I giggle. Reid grabs me under my arm and pulls me out of the room. We enter the living area and I stop. I meet his eyes.
“I’m sorry if I hurt you earlier.”
Before he can answer, he’s interrupted by a loud thump from the bedroom. It sounds like someone’s trying to tear a wall down. We both look back in the direction of the bedroom when front door opens. Blake, Gabby, and Fran enter with Ryan following behind.
“We brought muffins and cards,” Fran says.
There are several more loud thumps, and Reid’s lip twitches.
“What the hell are they doing in there?”
“I know I don’t have to explain it to you of all people.”
We make our way to the kitchen, and Reid pours us each a glass of milk while I pick through the muffins.
“Thanks for bringing breakfast,” Reid says to Fran.
“No problem,” Gabby says, reaching for an orange. “I know how you love a good muffin.” I have to hold in a laugh. Reid gives us both the side eye before putting the milk back in the fridge.
“What kind do you want?” I lift the box for him to choose.
“I’ll just take a bite out of yours.”
I look around to make sure we’re alone.
“Mine has crème in the middle.”
“Even better.” He leans towards me and runs his tongue along my jaw line.
“Blueberry.”
“What?” he asks, pulling himself away.
“You get blueberry.” I put one on a plate and hand it to him before picking up my milk and heading to the outside deck. It’s a beautiful morning.
“So, what’s the plan for today boss?” Blake asks, shuffling a deck of cards. Reid comes out and takes a seat across from me.
“I’d like to have a low-key day. The rest of the team is with Owen. We’ve wrapped up the emergencies, and I’d like to go over a couple of things, do some brainstorming.”
Ryan takes a seat next to Fran, and his eyes bug out with an ‘I don’t think so’ look when she announces that she can take 6 sets. Fran, Gabby, Blake, and I are starting another game of spades.
“So, if you could have dinner with one person, who would it be?” Fran asks while rearranging her cards.
“Carol Burnett,” I answer.
“Oh, good one,” Gabby says. “I like that. I think that’s the dinner I’ll go to.”
“You can’t choose someone else’s dinner,” Blake tells her.
“Why not?”
“’Cause it’s not yours.”
Shrugging, I say, “I don’t mind if she comes to my dinner. Gabby makes for good conversation. I imagine Carol Burnett would enjoy us as much as we enjoy her.”
“That’s not how this works,” Blake continues.
“Oooo, think she would yodel for us?” Fran asks, laying her next card down.
“Now you’re going?” Blake shakes his head in frustration.
“Can I borrow your pink sparkle heels for the di
nner?” Gabby asks Fran. “I think they will go great with the dress I would wear.”
“To where?” Ryan asks.
“To the dinner with Carol Burnett.”
“You know it’s pretend, right?”
“You have no vision, Ryan.”
“What happened with the guy you met at the bar last night?” Blake asks Fran.
“Ugh. I’m flypaper for freaks.” She shakes her head in frustration.
“Too many freaks, not enough circuses.” Ross joins us on the deck with a chocolate muffin on a plate and a cup of coffee.
“What did I tell you about talking in t-shirt quotes?” Theo warns, taking the seat next to him looking more than pleased with himself. Reid and I both chuckle at the same time. Theo raises his eyebrow at us.
“Elise, I almost forgot. The girls dragged me into town yesterday, and I saw this and thought of you.” Blake pulls a plastic phone case out his back pocket. I reach for it and turn it over. It has red, white, and blue bomb pops on the back of it.
“Blake.”
“Why are you looking at me like that?” He has a shit-eating grin on his face.
“Yes, Elise,” Ross says. “Why are you looking at him like that?”
“No reason.”
“Spill,” Ross says to Blake. I have to admit, Ross has one of the best profiles I’ve ever seen. The man is ruggedly handsome and always sports what looks like a three-day beard. His hair goes in a hundred directions, but it works for him.
“Blake,” I warn before I throw my next card.
“Alright, now I’m intrigued,” Ryan says. “What does Blake know that I don’t?”
“I’ll be right back.” Blake hands his cards to Ryan, who of course shows them to Fran. “I saw that,” he says, returning to the deck. He takes his seat and sets something covered in white paper in front of me. I reach for it, and as soon as I feel the cold, I know what it is. Blake cannot contain his joy.
“How long have you been waiting for this?” Theo asks, shaking his head. He already knows where this is going.
“It’s melting, Elise.” Blake’s eyes never leave mine. Mine cut over to Reid, who has silently been watching this entire interaction. “I never pictured you to be a scaredy cat.”