“It’s for work. I have to do a speech and attend a couple of workshops.”
“That’s not all you’re going to do in freaking New York City?” Lara asks incredulously.
“I’m not sure how much time we will have. I’ll try to squeeze in some sightseeing. Hey, would you guys like to come?” It’s not like we would spend all the time together, and it might be helpful. Haley and Carter are polite with each other, have been from the beginning, but I sometimes wish that two people who mean so much to me could understand each other better, go beyond basic respect. Of course I’m selfish and want Carter all to myself, all of the time. On the other hand, it’s not so long ago that we came back from Bora Bora and the blessed privacy of the island resort. Since I’ll be busy with work anyway, it’s a small sacrifice to make.
“I wish,” Lara says, “but there’s no way. I also have a trip of my own to make for work, nothing as grand, but I can’t skip it. Thanks for the offer though.”
Haley is silent for a few moments, and I realize forging ahead might not have been the best idea. They have lives, different from mine, and that’s okay.
“That’s fine. I’m sure we’ll have another opportunity.”
“Well, I still have to talk to Ryan, but I’d like to come if that’s okay,” Haley says. “I won’t be in your hair all of the time, I promise, and of course I’ll pay for it.”
I’m surprised at the turn of events, but then again, maybe this is even better. Haley and Carter probably just need…a moment. They are both smart and kind women, and they will find some common ground eventually, I’m sure.
“Please, don’t. We’ll take the jet anyway, and it will be much easier if I take care of the rest. Next time, I swear.”
“Okay. Thank you so much.”
“I’m not listening,” Lara says with a sigh. “Are you guys hungry? We could order a pizza.”
“How about we go over to my place and I’ll have Marlene make us one?” I’m on a roll. Life is better than ever, even though it’s also busier than ever. I love my friends for being able to sustain some sense of normalcy through all those drastic changes. Everything could have been a lot more complicated for me after returning from the Caribbean island where Carter took me for my own protection, where a fake FBI agent tried to kidnap me and eventually, a real one brought me home. I am so grateful for the status quo. Maybe on the weekend, when Brenda comes to visit us, I’ll invite my parents as well, plan a family dinner with Marlene. That could be fun.
“That’s what we’re going to do,” Lara says. “You know I’ll never turn down a dinner at your house.”
“It’s okay. I wouldn’t want you to.”
We head over to the mansion that has been my home for almost a year now, the fact still stunning me every single day. The fountain, lit up at night. The sheer size of this estate, and the staircase leading up to the entry. Sometimes it still feels like a dream that I actually live here. There I thought the house on the island was huge.
I find Marlene in her own office, and she graciously agrees to make the desired pizza for the three of us.
“Carter isn’t home?”
“Not yet,” she says. “I assume there’s a lot to catch up on.”
“Yeah. We’ve been out of the country a few times.” I wonder if it’s purely selfish to want Carter in New York with me. It’s not worth it if she needs to pull all-nighters in order to make the time, and now Haley will be there. I have to ask her again, make sure she’s not doing it just for me.
“Where would you like it, in the dining room?”
“The kitchen will be fine. We’ll just have a glass of wine in the den while waiting.”
There were times when I was hesitant going to the wine fridge, because I was afraid I’d accidentally open a bottle of something extremely old and valuable. Carter assured me that those were in the cellar. Something new to learn every day.
Chapter Five
Standing in my closet, I am trying to figure out what clothes I need to bring for the trip. Something more casual for the workshop. An outfit that’s a little more high-end and classic for the presentation. A few dresses for going out to dinner.
Carter had most of my clothes shipped from the island where I was first confronted with the extremes of what money can buy. She provided me with a complete wardrobe and more, a quantity of clothes that felt overwhelming at first. I learned to manage that too, and the packing is done quickly. I figured out what is appropriate wear for a life at her side, working in her business, going to restaurants that people like her frequent. I can’t help smiling when choosing lingerie for the next few days, remembering the night before last night…No matter what, there’s always a little element of surprise. Sometimes, I surprise her.
Calm down, I tell myself. It’s for work. Haley will be there. Maybe there won’t even be time for sex. The thought makes me laugh. Who am I kidding? We’ll always make time—even though in the past couple of days, I’ve barely seen Carter, and I have yet to tell her that I invited Haley along. I didn’t want to do that on the phone or in a text message.
Meanwhile, I talk to Marlene about my plans for the weekend and a lavish four- to five-course dinner. “That’s no problem,” she says. “I’ll have everything ready when you’re back.”
“Thanks. You’re amazing.”
“It’s my job. I hope you’ll be happy with it.”
I wonder if we ever overcome that last bit of hesitation, awkwardness. Nick and Marlene are the only people who know in detail what really went down between the $1,000 tip Carter gave me at the Café Vienna, and my re-emergence as her lover and not much later, wife. When I first met Marlene, I thought she was just another person bought by a billionaire who could do whatever she wanted to, no matter the costs. We’ve come a long way too, though I think the people in Carter’s life are still somewhat surprised the wedding actually happened.
“It sounds amazing. I’m already hungry. Did you talk to Carter today? Will she be home for dinner?”
The day when we made love early in the morning, and then again at night seems like forever ago. We’ve hardly exchanged more that a few words in the last couple of days, but that’s what it’s like when Carter is busy. I know there will always be a reward after phases like this.
Did she take on a new project? In that case, she should stay here at home.
I spend the rest of the afternoon going over my presentation and later call Haley to confirm the time we’ll pick her up tomorrow morning. I know where to go and what to say for the next few days, what to wear for which occasion. Marlene has made a warm chicken salad with mango and strawberries for dinner which I take to the media room. After the rush of the past few days, so many preparations, I have nothing to do. I can’t help feeling stressed, not so much about the upcoming presentation or how people will receive it, but about the sudden void.
It makes me restless, which is silly. I’m well prepared. Everything is fine. I should relax and enjoy this moment to myself. I zap through the channels for a bit, then bring the dishes back to the kitchen before I head to the master suite. I take my e-reader to bed, willing to give the annoying guy in the book another chance, which is how I fall asleep.
The soft sounds of someone walking carefully in the room alert me to Carter’s presence. I hear the shower come on, and not much later, she curls up next to me. Her arms come around me, her touch awakening my body for real, but her hands still.
“Hey. It seems like forever that we met in this house.”
She sighs. “I know. You’re ready for tomorrow?”
“Absolutely. Wait. There’s something I meant to tell you.”
“Okay.”
“I might have invited Haley and Lara to come on the trip with us,” I blurt out. “Well, only Haley said yes. Lara would have loved to be there, but she already had something else planned.”
“You decided that yesterday?”
Is there an edge to her tone or did I imagine that? “No, but I didn’t want to
tell you over the phone. Actually, I meant to tell you much sooner. I’m sorry. I hope it’s okay with you?”
“You don’t want to be alone with me?”
I can’t tell if she’s joking, so I turn around. Carter looks tired.
“Of course I want to, but this is a business trip in the first place. Haley would like to come see me speak, but she doesn’t have to be entertained all the time. There will still be room for us.”
“I guess. You organized everything for the weekend?”
“Yeah. Marlene is amazing. She will have everything ready when we need it. Is there anything we should talk about? Look, I’m sorry about Haley, but she had a hard time accepting…everything, so I thought it would be nice to show her…”
“Show her what? I’m not that much of a bitch?”
“Come on!”
It’s late, our flight is early tomorrow, and I don’t want to fight. However, I need to know what’s going on here, and if it’s more than just Haley’s unexpected presence during the trip.
“She never said that, no one did. I said I’m sorry.”
“Yeah, me too.” Carter leans in to kiss my neck, softly, then my cheek, my mouth. By the time she releases me, I’m breathless. “God, I missed you the past few days. It’s crazy, right? I’m sorry. That’s the possessive and overbearing side of me.”
“You’re not…” The temperature in the room seems to jump several degrees, and I find it hard to concentrate.
“Oh, I am, but if you really want me to, I’ll stay right here. You can go, do the job part and then have some fun time with Haley. Go shopping.” As she’s saying this, her hand is wandering up my legs and between my thighs.
“I really missed you,” she whispers, kissing me deeply.
Okay then. I will tell her that she’s absolutely welcome to join me in New York, and that I’d understand though if there’s something here she needs to take care off, on or off the books. First of all, I will enjoy every second of this warm rush that her touch gives me, a preview to the ultimate pleasure.
“I missed you too. You absolutely have to come. We can do shopping one afternoon, but I don’t want to sleep alone.”
“Me neither. As long as we have a few minutes here and there…”
“A few minutes?” My voice goes up a notch at the end of the question, words blurring into a wordless moan as her fingers glide into me. She’s not so far off though, because it’s not much longer before the quick orgasm takes me by surprise.
“Told you.” The soft-spoken words are like a caress against my neck, making me shiver once more.
“Yes you did. You’re never wrong.”
She leans into me with a sigh, holding on tightly. “You have no idea. I’ve been wrong many times. Just not with you. This was the best and sanest decision I’ve ever made.”
“Even if it could have gotten you into prison?” I’m genuinely curious.
“You are worth all that. Besides, you know I have good lawyers.”
I’m relieved that the tone between us is a little lighter. “Thank you so much. You’re sure you don’t mind Haley coming along?”
“No. You’re right, it might be good for her to see that I didn’t shamelessly manipulate you into this marriage.”
I can’t argue with that. I try to move in the circle of her arms, but she holds on to my wrists.
“Let’s stay like this for a bit?”
Sometimes, those moments give me a pang of worry, that in some way, whatever I do might not be enough for Carter, that I’m not enough regardless of the vows that we made. I have to accept that this is the way it is, that sometimes she needs to be in control to feel safe. I can do that, even though my fingers are tingling with want. When she said “a bit,” she knew it wasn’t going to take me long to fall asleep.
* * * *
We leave at four a.m., arrive at Haley’s at exactly 4:15. She stands on the curb with her suitcase, looking excited. Behind her, the house is dark, Ryan and the kids still asleep.
“Wow, I’m used to getting up early, but this is different. Penny, Carter, thank you so much for the opportunity.”
“It’s no problem,” Carter says. “Your first time?”
The driver stows Haley’s suitcase into the trunk, and she climbs inside next to him. “Oh yes. We talked about going sometimes, Penny, Lara and I, but—somehow we got sidetracked.”
Carter shoots me an amused look, as I never mentioned this to her. Those conversations took place, of course, before either of us had the financial means. Our collective world has changed.
“Well, now you’re going. The flight isn’t that long, so I thought we could have breakfast once we’re there, or if you’re hungry, the flight attendant can serve you whatever you like. Penelope has a couple of workshops around noon, and in the afternoon you could go shopping if you like.”
I know Haley thinks it’s strange that Carter calls me by my full name, I, on the other hand, love how this distinguishes her from everyone else.
My grades were good, but not great. Since I didn’t manage to get into college right away, I worked fulltime for a few years before I tried again, but that meant that many students were younger than me, the same with the colleagues at the Café Vienna. Sometimes it feels like only now, after the experiences on the island and everything that came after that, I became a grownup. My name on her lips reminds me every time—if it’s not the clothes I’m wearing to work, or now, on my way to attend workshops and give a speech in New York City.
I’ve been drifting, and I realize Haley and Carter have struck up a conversation about the house market in the city. The atmosphere is a lot more relaxed than I could have hoped for with these two women in close quarters, so I lean back and close my eyes for a moment.
The next thing I know is Carter waking me gently. We have arrived at the airport. We can board the plane right away, but then we have to wait on the tarmac due to an arriving plane being late. By the time we are good to go, we’re all hungry. Carter orders a full breakfast with champagne for the three of us.
“To Penelope’s success,” she says. “I think this intern has a permanent job once finals are over.”
I stare at her in confusion. Sure, that was the long-term plan, but not now? I still have so much to learn. “You think I’m ready for that?”
“Traci thinks you’re ready for that,” Carter says. “I trust her judgment, and you enjoy the work. You don’t have to be afraid of jumping. The net is already there. You built it.”
Haley studies the exchange with interest.
“Wow,” I say. “I didn’t expect that.”
“You can take a few business classes on the side, get some experience in other departments, but there’ll be time for that. Traci has nothing but praise for you. If anything, she might be a little annoyed with me, because I pull you out when I need you for something more important, like our honeymoon. As far as she and I are concerned, it’s a done deal. No pressure on your presentation though.”
It takes a few seconds until the humor in that registers, and we all laugh.
“You’ll do great,” she says. “If we hadn’t met the way we did, I would have been lucky to hire you anyway.”
I notice the curiosity in Haley’s gaze, thinking I better leave it at that one glass before some secrets spill out. This is a dream. Yes, I’m aware that lately doors I didn’t even know existed, have opened for me, easily. Contrary to my fears, I don’t just sit around waiting for her. I have a purpose, and I’m able to make a difference in other women’s lives, while my own has become blessed beyond imagination. I couldn’t be happier.
“I’m the lucky one,” I say.
I use the flight to go over the workshop material once more while Haley sleeps and Carter is working on some emails. This is nothing like the trips around the world we did earlier this year, Vienna and Zurich, Paris and L.A., Bora Bora. No one is being threatened or arrested.
This—it feels normal, like a present I can easily get used to.<
br />
* * * *
Carter is visiting one of the local offices downtown while I’m attending the workshops. Haley decides to use the time for a museum visit at the MET and a stroll through a part of Central Park. We’ll meet in the afternoon for shopping and later, dinner with Carter.
It’s fun to hang out in a group where I’m not one of the oldest ones, and no one cares that I married rich—it’s all about the job, how to best assist organizations that work tirelessly for women’s rights around the globe, what they need to do their job, what we can do for them beyond money, raise awareness here at home. Okay, so Forbes Inc. is one of the sponsors of these events, but so far, I have managed to keep a low profile.
Between sessions, we take a quick lunch in the cafeteria, and I get to talk some more to my fellow participants, Martha, Peter and Jennie. They all come from different states and like me and Traci, coordinate funds for education, disaster relief and long-term support.
I love the atmosphere of learning and working towards a change, but I can’t help wondering if any of their bosses have little sideline projects on the verge of illegal. Nevertheless, I feel energized when I meet Haley who spent the morning exploring indoor and outdoor culture of the city. I regret a little that I wasn’t able to join her in the museum, but this is something Carter and I do a lot during our trips, and we’ll certainly come back sometime soon.
I’m ready for some BFF time.
“Okay, all I bought so far are some souvenirs for Ryan and the kids,” Haley says. “I gave myself a budget for shoes and clothes.”
“Should I be the enabler or the voice of reason?”
She laughs. “Let’s take a look first, okay?”
We get some suspicious look from a guard watching over designer shoes, and for a moment, I’m tempted. Do you know who I am?
No, being undercover is relaxing. My marriage to a billionaire is still somewhat interesting to the local press, but here in New York City, it’s ancient news. We spend some girl time on Fifth Avenue. Haley emerges with a couple of dresses, I buy one, and we treat ourselves to a pair of shoes each before we sit down for a coffee.
Surrender Forever (Surrender Trilogy Book 3) Page 3