“Our favor.”
“Yeah.” She climbs out of bed. “Be right back.”
Whilst Avery attends to her morning bathroom needs, I let it sink in what’s about to happen, feeling a bit panicked that it won’t work. I’ll come across as I always do- arrogant, cold, elitist. When Avery returns, she climbs in bed and snuggles next to me.
“I do have one concern,” I say.
“What?”
“What if people think I’m an arse?”
“They won’t.” She looks up. “Remember the award ceremony? You were just you, and they got it. Put down your sword, and you’ll be fine.”
“You have so much faith in me.”
“Because I know you.” Her hand slides beneath the sheets, stroking my dick that already stands at attention. “Is that a banana in your pocket?”
I laugh. “I’m just happy to see you.”
“How happy?”
“Shall I show you?”
“I think you should.”
I push my way under the sheets and between her legs where I dine on her essence once more. Just as I thought in Paris, I literally can’t seem to get enough of her. Every time I taste her, it’s just as mind blowing as the last time.
Gripping her waist with one arm, I pull the sheet down with the other, then grab her tit, squeezing as I assault her pussy with my mouth. She moans and squirms beneath me, until I flip her over, spread her legs, and resume my meal. As her body shakes, I know she’s close again, so I nip and bite at her flesh whilst driving two fingers deep inside her. She spreads her legs, murmuring my name in her orgasm induced delirium. I release her, surprised when she flips over, lies on her back and eagerly sucks me into her mouth. As I tower above her, squeezing her tits, she buries my cock down her throat whilst massaging my sack in her delicate fingers. I throw my head back, amazed at how good this feels.
Opening my eyes, I reach forward and slide my fingers in her again whilst she continues sucking me. She starts to grind against my hand, and it drives me mad just watching how she gets into it. She pulls my cock from her mouth, smacking it softly against her lips as she looks up at me with those sensual eyes.
“Fuck me.”
Without a word, I slide down her body, twist around and enter her roughly as she wraps her legs around my waist. She’s flat on the bed, except for her raised hips, providing me the perfect angle to go in as deep as possible.
“Fuck, Avery, your pussy…”
“Is it good?” she whispers, grinning at me, as she licks the very tip of her nipple.
“Oh fuck. Do that again.” She does it again, managing to get the whole of it just between her lips. I didn’t know she could do that. I increase my speed, bouncing her on the bed as I bury my cock as far as it will go. “You’re fucking amazing.”
Her hand slides between her legs, rubbing her clit. “I want you to come on me.”
My eyebrow raises. “Sorry?”
“When you’re ready, pull out and let it go all over me.”
I nod, with a creased brow. “Why?”
“You’ll see.”
That’s all it took. “Fuuuccck!” I moan as I pull out and release onto her belly and tits. As I watch her with hooded eyes, she drags her fingers through it and slowly licks them clean, causing my jaw to drop before muttering, “Jesus, Avery.”
“I just wanted to taste you.”
“You’re literally blowing my mind right now.”
She smiles. “Tonight, I’m going to blow more than that, and I’m gonna finish so all of this yummy you can be in my mouth.”
I stare at her in disbelief. “And I will taste you again.”
“Mm, a little sixty-nine before bedtime?”
“What could be better?”
“Nothing that I can think of except this beautiful cock of yours shoved inside of me again.” She sits up, so close our lips almost touch, but don’t. “You are perfection, Ellis. You’re everything I could want in a lover. In a friend.” She rubs my beard. “In a man. I love you.”
I kiss her hard, pulling her into my arms as we fall backward into the bed. After several minutes of this, I release her only slightly, dragging my fingers through her hair. “And I love you, Avery.”
◆◆◆
Avery finishes setting up my flat the way she wants it to appear on camera, softening it with touches from her flat, which I admit, does take the edge off a bit. It’s important this goes well. We looked over the questions Willis plans to ask of us and found nothing to disagree with. He left it mostly open-ended, allowing me to elaborate where I wish to. The morning was spent with Avery test interviewing me so I could compose my responses. I am to be open, unguarded, real. I am to be the Ellis only select people see. I am to bare my soul to an audience of strangers. As the deep sigh leaves my lips, Avery looks up at me as she arranges a stack of books on the coffee table.
“It’s gonna be fine, Ellis.” She smiles. “Just believe.”
“I wish I had your confidence in this situation.” She walks over to me where she wraps her arms around my waist, gazing up at me. “You are so beautiful, Avery. I can’t get over it.”
“Please don’t.” She brushes my cheek with her fingers. “I kind of miss the beard.”
“Perhaps I’ll grow it again the next time we hide out for a week.”
“There’s always the next trip to Paris.”
“Count on it.” I bend down and kiss her. “I’m going to do my best for you tonight and always.”
“It’s you who has to believe in you. I already do.”
I nod. “A fair point.”
She looks at her watch. “How about I make us a couple of cocktails to help us relax?”
“Perfect.”
Not long after, there’s a knock at the door that we were expecting since the front desk called to make sure it was okay to let a camera crew up. Avery winks at me as I open the door to see Willis and several people standing behind him.
“Mr. Worthington,” Willis says, shaking my hand. He’s dressed very smart in a dress shirt and slacks with his dark hair slicked back. I wonder how old he is since he looks barely old enough to have a job. “Thank you for allowing us into your home. We are honored.”
“Thank you for coming. Please come in.” I step to the side as he and about five people filter in. A woman stops in front of me. She’s very tall, very thin, with a thick mane of brown hair, pale skin and wearing a frumpy brown dress. She smiles revealing the need of a good dentist, even by British standards, and extends her hand.
“I’m Kate, Willis’s sister and executive producer of The DBC News network. It’s an honor and a privilege to cover your story, Mr. Worthington.”
“Pleased to meet you, Kate, and please call me Ellis. Welcome.” She enters, and when I turn around, Willis is watching Avery in awe as she directs everyone to her vision of the interview. She’s already decided the tour will be at the end when I’ve had time to warm up, a good call on her part. She certainly knows what she’s doing.
The crew sets up the lighting and cameras around the two armchairs Avery has selected for the interview. Willis will sit in a chair from my home office we pulled out earlier. Kate stands beside me watching it all.
“She’s very skilled,” she says.
“Yes, that’s why I hired her.”
“Willis said he’s seen her in action and it’s quite impressive.”
“I think so.” I glance at Kate. “She’s a fantastic woman.”
Kate smiles. “We’ll make sure the world knows that tonight.”
“Thank you.”
Not long after, Avery smiles and motions for me to join her.
“We’re ready.” She squeezes my hand. “I trust Willis.”
“I will too then.” I look down at my outfit. “Are you sure this is the right look for tonight?”
“Of course I’m sure. You need to look approachable and the way you dress at home, not in your suits the way people always see you. Besides, your ass looks amazin
g in jeans.”
I smile. “And with that, let’s get on with it.”
I take my seat beside her whilst Willis sits across from me and Kate stands behind him watching the camera crew. Willis smiles at me as he crosses his legs and gazes into the camera.
“Tonight, we have an exclusive interview with Equis Financial CEO, Ellis Worthington, who plans to address the accusations aimed at him as well as recent revelations about the nature of his relationship with his American publicist, Avery Kennedy. My name is Willis Morgan and this is The DBC, news you care about.” He shifts his attention to me as the cameras follow him. I’ve been on this end of the camera many times, but never to do what I’m about to do. “Thank you, Ellis, for having us tonight in your home, and you, Avery, for joining us.”
“We’re pleased to have you,” I say.
“We’d like to start with discussing what the past six months of your life have been like since allegations of inappropriate relationships with your employees were lodged by Eva Lisbon.”
Her name causes an unpleasant reaction in me. She is the source of all my problems, but my anger subsides when it hits me that without her, I wouldn’t have met Avery. Talk about irony.
“Ask me anything.”
“Can you describe, from your perspective, what your relationship with Ms. Lisbon entailed?”
“Certainly. As you know, Ms. Lisbon was employed at Equis Financial from 2012 on. She was in the sales department, responsible, with others, for expanding our market presence in various parts of Europe.”
Willis nods. “How much interaction did you have with her on a daily basis?”
“None. Equis is a large company, and unfortunately, it’s difficult for me to interact with every employee regularly. I had no knowledge of Ms. Lisbon at all, until last winter when, on a rare occasion, I accepted an invite from one of my managers to attend an after work get-together for an employee who was retiring. She was there, as were many others, but as the night wore on, the group dwindled until it was just the two of us. I was surprised to find myself alone with her when I returned from a trip to the restroom and said my goodnight as soon as I settled the tab.”
Willis nods. “And then? Ms. Lisbon asserts this is the part where you propositioned her to come back to your flat.”
“Yes, that’s what she said, but that isn’t what happened. She had had a bit too much to drink in my estimation, so I helped her out to the curb where I hailed a taxi for her. She attempted a kiss, which I rebuffed, and then I helped her into the taxi. I honestly chalked it up to excessive alcohol and thought nothing else of it.”
“Were you angry?”
“Not at all. It was awkward, yes, but as I stated before, I never even saw her round the office, so I just went home and continued on as usual.”
“How did it end up that Ms. Lisbon was dismissed?”
I pause, concerned over this next part, but recalling my conversation with my attorneys earlier in the week. “Ms. Lisbon was dismissed for reasons that had absolutely nothing to do with any fabricated interactions with me. In fact, when she sued me, we presented evidence of the reasons to her attorneys, who suggested she drop her suit. It’s unfortunate that information was not sufficient to clear my name.”
“How did you feel when you found out about her accusation?”
I glance at Avery as the memory floods my mind. “Devastated. My integrity means everything to me. Until recently, except for a select group of people, it’s all I had. I was raised that a man’s word, his integrity, how he treats people, is what makes him a gentleman, and I took that very seriously. My mother, my father too, raised a man who would never take advantage of a woman in that way. I’m no saint and have never claimed to be, but my shortcomings have never led me to do something not only unethical, but entirely illegal.” I pause for a moment. “If people knew how much Equis meant to me, they would know I would never jeopardize that for physical pursuits.” I offer the slightest of smiles. “And quite frankly, I’ve never had to look inside my company for women willing to spend time with me.”
Willis smiles slyly. “If Ms. Lisbon is watching tonight, do you have anything to say to her?”
That question wasn’t on the list, but it’s a very good one. I look at Avery again, then at Willis. “Yes. You hurt me with your lies, but you didn’t just hurt me. You hurt my mother and my family. You hurt the people who work there and rely on the company for their livelihoods. You hurt the charities that I work with that had to be concerned about how this scandal may affect them. You hurt so many people for no reason. I don’t know why. Perhaps because you were humiliated. Perhaps because you are delusional. I don’t know, but please, if there is any part of you that is human and compassionate, please tell the truth.”
“We’ll take a break,” Willis says. He smiles at me. “You’re doing such a good job, Ellis. You tore at my heart.”
“I’m just being honest.”
“It’s good. I’ve watched literally every interview you’ve ever done, and I have to say, it’s like you’re a completely different person.”
I squeeze Avery’s hand. “I believe I am.”
We each sip some water as Willis explains he’s going to introduce my relationship with Avery next.
“Well, here we come tumbling out of the closet,” she says, laughing.
“Oddly enough, I prefer it this way.”
“Me too. You’re doing great. How do you feel?”
“Surprisingly well. He makes me feel comfortable.”
“He’s good at this.”
“Yes.”
“Ready?” Willis asks as he takes his seat again.
As I smile at Avery, I reply, “We are.”
Chapter 36 Avery
The cameras flicker on again, so I smile as Ellis wraps his hand around mine, and Willis goes into interview mode. I didn’t want to let on that I was a little worried he had the skills to pull this off so well, but I’m glad I trusted my decision to contact him. He’s even tucked away the fangirl mode he goes into whenever Ellis is around.
“Welcome back,” he says to the camera. “Tonight we’re here talking with Ellis Worthington and Avery Kennedy.” He shifts his attention back to us. “Avery, prior to coming to London, you had an infamous falling out with American actress Atlanta Page. Are you able to talk about it?”
“To some extent.”
He nods. “Your career in America is dotted with numerous accomplishments and many said you were the best go-to publicist in Hollywood. Then it all came crashing down. What happened?”
“There are a lot of details of my relationship with Ms. Page that I’m not able to discuss for legal reasons, however, I think the easiest summation is that we didn’t see things the same way. She had expectations I wasn’t able to meet in her eyes, so we parted ways. In retrospect, although it was one of the most difficult periods in my life, it led to my decision to come to London.” I glance at Ellis. “A decision I’ll never regret.”
Willis smiles. “Let’s talk about that. What did bring you to London? The opportunity to work with Ellis?”
“No, actually I didn’t know anything about him when I first came. My sister lives here with her husband, and she invited me for a holiday to help me refresh my spirit and adjust my perspective. Once I got here, I was presented with the idea of working with Ellis, and I said yes.”
“Why? You didn’t know him did you?”
“Not at all, but David, Equis COO, my brother-in-law, and Ellis’ best friend told me what occurred, and I just felt compelled to help. I believed him from our first conversation that he didn’t do what he was accused of, and I decided to do what I could to clear his name.”
“Yes you have. Since you’ve arrived on the scene, your name has been in the papers more than his. It seems you’ve captured our English imagination. How did you react to the media’s interest in you?”
“I was surprised. I’ve always just been in the background, and that’s where I’m comfortable. It definitely ca
ught me off guard.”
“I imagine it did.” He crosses his legs fixing a serious expression on his face. “Which brings us to the news that broke earlier this week about a relationship between you and Ellis. I’ll start by asking the obvious. Is it true?”
I already know this is where images of us will play on the TV screen. Images of us at the Eiffel Tower, standing on the balcony at the hotel, having an intimate moment at the cocktail party. The only thing missing is our trip to Versailles. At least something is still sacred.
I glance at Ellis before answering, who smiles at me with the most loving expression. “It is true.”
“How did this happen?” Willis asks. “How did it evolve?”
Ellis squeezes my hand. “I’d like to answer.” I nod, smiling. “It’s obvious from looking at Avery that she’s an extremely beautiful woman. When I first met her, I had hoped I would have the opportunity to romance her, however, it was quickly revealed that her proposition was strictly business. I accepted because just from looking in her eyes, I believed she could help me. I saw a tenacity and determination I hadn’t seen before, and I wanted to see what she could do.” Ellis smiles before continuing. “Frankly, I was impressed with her lack of intimidation in dealing with me. She didn’t back down, and I admired that very much. I still do.”
“When did the personal relationship begin?” Willis asks.
“Friday last. Although we’ve been drawn to each other since the beginning, we were committed to our professional relationship.” Ellis smiles. “I suppose Paris proved too much for our defenses.”
“Oh,” Willis says. “So this relationship is new?”
“Not even a week old yet,” I add.
“Right,” Ellis says. “We planned to return home and figure out how to transition from colleagues to…” Ellis pauses. “To what we are now.”
“Which is?”
“Completely, madly in love.” Ellis and I gaze into each other’s eyes as he lifts my hands to his lips and kisses them. “You see, Willis, I’ve never been in love before. I’ve never met anyone who even encouraged such thoughts, but as each day passed, I fell for Avery until I couldn’t keep it in any longer. I was willing to further risk the public’s perception of me because Avery is worth it.” I’m both surprised and overcome with emotion at how he’s revealing himself. “That’s why we decided to do this interview. We haven’t done anything wrong, and we don’t have anything to hide. We’ve entered a new and different phase of our relationship, and I for one, have never been happier.”
Mind the Line Page 30