by Dawn Umrie
Closing my eyes, I feel safe in his arms. “Good night, Seth.”
“Good night, sweetheart.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Merissa
An early wake-up call, courtesy of Seth’s mouth, confirms my declaration that Sunday remains my favorite day of the week. I’m still lying in bed with the pillow over my head, my muscles languid. The man was up at the crack of dawn, but you won’t hear any objections from me even though I’m known to be a lazy Sunday girl. He made coffee and a light breakfast, and we ate it right here, getting toast crumbs in the sheets… but I don’t care.
“Hey sleepy head,” he says while laughing, pulling the pillow off my head.
I know I must look like a hot mess, but not all of us could wake up looking like a cover model. “I’m going to get up, go into the bathroom and brush my teeth and hair, then I’ll return to this very spot—and, you will relax with me because somebody didn’t get the memo about Sundays—and what not to do.”
He kisses me on top of my head. “Maybe not, but I did get the memo on what to do on a Sunday.”
I giggle while getting out of the covers. “You’ve got a point. You know what, I’m going to take my shower now… then return to bed.”
He smirks. “Take your time. I’m going for a run then we’ll meet right back here,” he says while patting the bed with his hand.
“I’ll be here.”
“Hey, you good with going to my parents for dinner later?”
I smile. “Of course.”
* * *
We’re back in bed, but at least we’re both clean and fed. Who goes running on a Sunday morning anyway? Even, The Bangle’s Song, “Manic Monday,” basically tells you that you don’t have to run on a Sunday. Although, I didn’t think he got his physique by just eating a bag of carrots. The extent of my Sunday exertion involves feeding the birds, and if I’m feeling really ambitious, I might even put a bra on.
“Okay, now that I’ve shared all the heavy stuff about my past, and you’ve shared about your perfect childhood…” I say to him while pinching his stomach, which is difficult to do when there’s not an ounce of flab.
He slaps me on my ass. “I wouldn’t go so far as to say, perfect, but it was pretty great.” He runs his hand down my back. “I’m sorry, baby, for how you’ve spent the last several years.”
I look up at him while I stroke his chest up and down. “Thank you.” I place a kiss on his chin and love how his facial hair tickles my lips. Continuing my previous thought process, I put my arm upon his chest and lean my chin on it. “Let’s share the goodies.”
Laughing at his questioning look, he says, “The goodies? Is that short for me sharing all of my sexcapades?” A slow smile spreads across his face, letting me know how much he loves to tease me.
“What! Sexcapades? I don’t EVER want to know, got it?”
Seth laughs and it’s deep and rich, and it makes me high. “You would laugh. How about we talk about MY sexcapades, hmm?”
A serious look crosses his face and I could feel the sudden tightness in his muscles. “Yeah, fuck no.”
I roll my eyes at him, earning another slap on my ass. “Ouch, I’m going to turn around in a minute.”
He responds with a wink that says, I will do it again, and you will like it—and he wouldn’t be wrong.
“I give up, what are the goodies?”
“All the little treats that make up a person, it could be as simple as a favorite color… to something that no one else knows about you.” I’m excited to get to know these things about him.
“I’m game for your goodies and treats.” He says with one eyebrow raised in challenge “Although, I don’t think we’re both talking about the same things.”
“Stop, I can’t concentrate when you’re playful, Seth. We won’t start with anything big.” I give him a look of warning and he shuts his mouth, replacing it with a grin. “I’ll ask you a ‘What’s your favorite’ question, then I’ll give my answer right after you. Favorite color?”
“Black.”
I roll my eyes, “Not technically a color, but I’ll let it slide.
Seth rolls his eyes right back. “Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t know we were going to criticize in between answers.”
I scrunch up my nose, “You’re right. I’m sorry… not sorry.” The last part said in a whisper and I scoot away before he could slap me again.
“Anyways, mine’s pink. Favorite food?”
“Pizza.”
“Pasta,” I reply, before moving on quickly. “Favorite movie?”
He thinks for a minute. “The Godfather… all of them. I know yours is Titanic, so give me a second favorite.”
“How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.”
“Really?” he says like I’ve lost my mind.
“Really. No criticism remember?”
He pretends to zip his lip with his thumb and index finger.
I ignore him. “Favorite T.V series? Past or present.”
“CSI or Criminal Minds.”
“Sons of Anarchy.”
He raises both eyebrows but doesn’t say anything.
“Favorite smell?”
“Your pussy.”
“Seth!” I slap him right across the chest, and he grabs both of my wrists and plants a rough kiss on my lips.
“I’m being honest here.”
“Fine, your cologne then. A few more questions, then the finale, okay?”
“I can’t wait.” He says with a chuckle after I pout like a five-year-old child.
“Sweet or salty?” I begin.
“Sweet.”
“Same. Sunrise or sunset?”
“Sunset.”
I palm his cheek. “Aw, me too.”
“Then, we’ll have to watch one together, sweetheart.”
When he calls me that, I melt faster than butter on a hot day.
Sucking in my bottom lip, playing coy, “Top or bottom?”
“Both.”
I laughed, having anticipated his answer.
“It has to be either-or. Not both.”
“It’s a draw.”
“Alright, forget it. Bottom.” He seems to like that answer a lot if the squeeze he just gave my hips is any indication.
“What could you tell me that no one else knows about you?” I question.
I see the wheels in his head turning. “That I’m afraid of flying.”
“But, you fly for business all the time?”
“Yeah, and I fuckin’ hate it. Pretending not to mind is even more stressful.”
“Poor, baby,” I say with my lip sticking out.
He looks up at the ceiling, then shakes his head. “Yeah, I feel so much better now,” he says sarcastically.
I cover my mouth, so I won’t laugh, but it’s still escaping through my palm, making it sound weird.
“You will pay for that, woman.”
I bat my lashes at him. “Is that a threat, or a promise?”
He smiles at my childish question.
“Both. Your turn.”
I’m nervous, debating whether to say what I really want to. He trails his finger down my cheek in encouragement.
Here goes nothing.
“No one else knows that… I’m in love with you.”
He looks stunned.
He says nothing.
His body is completely still.
“That’s not true,” he says, his voice gravelly.
Hating myself for always saying what I’m thinking. “I shouldn’t have…”
“Shh.” He puts his finger over my lips. “It’s not true that no one else knows that… because I already knew.”
“You did?”
“I love you, too, sweetheart—I have for a while.”
“You have?”
“Yes—to both of your questions.”
His eyes almost appear darker than seconds ago, their intensity, unmistakable. “Are we done? Because, I want to experience a couple of my favorites.”
My answer comes in the form of a slow kiss, pausing long enough to breathe out. “You are my favorite, Seth.”
“You’re my favorite… and mine.”
I love this man so much that it’s painful and comfortable… terrifying and reassuring.
* * *
Dinner at the Vastola house can be added to my approved Sunday activity list, and believe me, it’s hard to make it on there.
His family is everything I’ve ever imagined a real family would be, everything I’ve fantasized about during nights all alone with my thoughts. For a long time, my mother was enough. We were a team. She was my family. But years later, when I lost her to her addiction, I had nobody—and those were the times I would dream of a loving, supportive family.
Today, I was embraced, not just in the physical sense, but in a way that felt like my prayers were answered – that these wonderful people were becoming my family. I helped with the meal preparations beside his mother and sister, while Seth was talking about Blue Diamond with his dad in the living room. When Seth walked into the kitchen and put his arm around the three of us asking,” How are my girls?” he had no idea the impact that those words had on every fiber of my being.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Merissa
My second work week at Blue Diamond ended without a hitch. It’s been like going to a party each night, only I get paid for it—and the tips have tripled. Seth’s rotating schedule has been a godsend, not having to work every night until three in the morning. However, I can’t help but miss him, not having the same amount of time with him that I’ve been spoiled with when the club was closed. The first week, he showered me with texts and phone calls and a couple of nights he’s come to the club unannounced, sitting there in his suit, straight from work. He’s slept over on those nights, but I just wish it could have been more time… so much more.
But, after that, he’s been working long hours, absorbed in a business deal that he says is dominating his days and nights and doesn’t want to bring the demands of his job into our relationship. He’s got his plate full, I could tell, so I’ve been patient, not hearing from him until late at night after he returns to his penthouse, sometimes just by text. I know I’m being selfish; I just long for him in every way possible.
ME: Hi, miss you.
SETH: Same here, baby.
Me: Want to come over tonight? I could make us a nice dinner.
SETH: I was just going to call you. I just found out that I need to take a red-eye tonight to California. Can you stop by my office today?
ME: Sure.
SETH: I’m sorry.
ME: It’s okay, Seth. Does 3 work?
SETH: I’ll make it work.
ME: XO
Why am I being so damn needy? It doesn’t suit me and it’s totally out of character. I know the juggling act Seth must perform on a daily basis as CEO of Vas, but he’s hidden and handled business in such a way that I’ve almost forgotten.
I blame it on his wooing abilities, always the focus of his attention, and now that he’s noticeably dealing with something important at work, I need to cut the crap and be supportive.
Starting right now.
I stopped and got Seth a blueberry muffin, figuring it will lighten his mood. Thinking of the day he joined Tim and I uninvited and ordered that of all things brings a smile to my face as I clutch the brown paper bag in my hand and walk into the elevator to Seth’s floor. Today, I’m wearing tight black leggings with a white button-down blouse and a pair of black loafers.
When I get off the elevator, the same woman from last time waves and tells me to head down to Seth’s office. His door is closed, so I knock. He opens the door, a smile spreading across his face as he looks me up and down.
“Hi, beautiful.” He kisses my forehead and I whisper hi back. “Come on in, Janine and I were just finishing up.”
Janine is holding files in her hands and rises from the chair. “Hello, Merissa. Nice to see you.”
I’m shocked that she got my name right. “You, too, Janine.” Not really.
I sit in the chair she was just occupying, taking out my phone so I could at least pretend I’m not being nosey.
Which, I totally am.
Janine turns her attention back to Seth, who’s rolling his neck. “I booked our rooms at The Enclave and gave them the dates that we’d need their boardroom. I arranged a driver to pick us up from the airport, and I called Mr. Peters to appraise him of the current situation with the Windemere Group.”
He gives her a curt nod. “Did you have Bill draw up the new contract with the change in terms?”
She hugs the folders to her chest. “The documents are being finalized as we speak.” She walks in heels too high for this type of work. “I’ll meet you at the terminal tonight, Seth.”
Seth clears his throat and glances at me for my reaction. “Yes, see you tonight.”
She’s smiling from ear to ear, waving the folders at me “Goodbye, Merissa.”
I repeat, ‘I am not jealous’ in my head like a mantra. She’s Seth’s PA for cripe’s sake, so of course, she would be going with him.
I’m now convinced that I’m PMS-ing.
I force a smile because I’ve just decided that she’s not my cup of tea, but I don’t have to work with her. “Bye, Janine.”
She closes the door behind her and Seth brings me into his arms, the bag now against his back. He kisses my lips.
“I’ve missed you,” he talks against them. “I’ve missed these.” He says while sucking my bottom lip into his mouth.
That’s all it takes to bring my mind back to what’s most important—my love for this man.
He looks down into my eyes before placing his cheek on my neck. His arms coming around my waist as he lifts me off the ground and places me back onto the floor.
He runs his nose across my neck. “Mm, you smell so amazing.”
Seth is everywhere.
My heart is melting, causing me to remain silent as a lump forms in my throat.
He pulls away, his hands coming around my upper arms. He notices the bag and smiles, but his eyes look so tired like he hasn’t slept. I push my worry away.
“It’s a blueberry muffin.”
He lets out a deep chuckle. “Thank you, but it reminds me of that fucker.”
I laugh. Seth doesn’t sugar coat his words.
“Look, I’m sorry I have to leave on such short notice. I have a lot to do before my flight tonight, but I wish I could spend more time with you.” He grabs my hand and kisses my knuckles.
Wiping my forehead at the sudden hot flash he’s causing me, especially since we haven’t seen each other all week. “No need to explain or apologize about your job, Seth.” Even if I’ll be pining for you every minute that you're gone. “How long will you be gone for?”
He runs his hand through his hair, “One week.”
Shit. That’s a lot of pining.
He speaks again. “But, listen. I forgot to mention to you with the way work has been. The Saturday after my return, I’m having an office party to commemorate 10 years for Vas… I want you to be here.”
“Then, I will be.”
He’s sitting on the edge of his desk, so he opens his legs wider when I step towards him. My arms latch around his neck and kiss the corners of his lips. He holds my neck turning it into a deep, passionate kiss, twirling his tongue with mine and I let out a soft moan.
“Fuck.” He says breaking the connection. “I want you so bad, but I should get back to work.”
I run both hands down his cheeks, his facial hair longer than usual. “I’ll see you when you get back. I hope everything works out… whatever it is.”
He gives me an earnest look. “I’m sure it will. Before you go, dance one song with me.”
My eyebrows knit together, “Like, right now?” I look around the room, not sure what I’m looking to find.
He gets up taking me with him and reaches for his phone on the desk. He’s scrolling and clicking before h
e places it on a Bluetooth speaker.
He grabs my hips and pulls me to him. My arms go around his shoulders to hold him, or maybe to hang on. My cheek rests on his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat, his chin leaning on my hair.
I want to hang on to this.
I never want this moment to end.
Rob Thomas’s song, “Pieces” wraps us up like a cozy blanket.
Warm and comforting.
I wipe a tear that falls, knowing how busy he is, but he finds time to give me another dance.
“I love you,” I say against his chest.
“Love you, too, baby.”
* * *
Seth and I have been talking as much as our schedules have allowed us while he’s been in California, which hasn’t been all that much. When we do, he sounds stressed, an emotion I haven’t seen come from him, so it’s worrisome, even though he told me that everything would be ironed out by the time his trip was over. I was disappointed after he informed me of the three additional days he had to add to the week, which means that we won’t see each other until his office party.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Merissa
WHY?
A couple of hours before Seth’s office party and I’m 50 shades of green. When I talked to Brook and told her that, she was hysterical on the phone, telling me that at least my humor was surviving.
How reassuring.
I’m sitting on the patio trying to eat a piece of cinnamon toast, but it might as well be a piece of sandpaper. I had to go and eat a pint of rocky road ice cream right before bed, so now I’m paying the consequences. Although, I won’t rule out the stomach flu since Stacy from work was out with it the other night.
My nose scrunches up in distaste as I sip on ginger ale in hopes that it will do the trick. My mother always gave it to me when I was sick growing up, so I relate the drink to that, and only that.
* * *
I get up and a new wave of nausea hits me, so I stop and breath slowly as the bile slides back down my throat.