by Allie Hayden
Without taking his hands off the piano, he looks up at me. “You want to hear something I wrote recently?”
I bite the inside of my cheek and squirm. “Yes, I’d love to.”
He turns his gaze from me and looks down. He rhythmically moves his body while his hands dance left and right along the width of the piano. The melody reminds me of a day I’d stay inside because it was cloudy. It’d still be a lovely day, despite the weather. And I’d be staring at a completely serene scene outside my window, where it would all take my stress away.
The light of the moon shines down on him from the solarium window. By the way he plays, I know he’s been playing since childhood. I don’t know many people who can write music. Not that sounds this good. His skill is beyond anything I could’ve imagined. I have to shake myself awake when he stops to take a breather. Before he can say anything, though…
I dive in for a kiss.
Oops.
I told myself I wouldn’t break. I said I wouldn’t fall for him. But at this point, that promise seems hopeless because I’m so sick of holding back any longer.
I want him.
He grabs me and pulls me in closer, wrapping his hands around my stomach. Our tongues are interwoven around each other. His mouth is so warm, and his lips are so soft. He breaks away from me, leaving his lips just slightly out of reach.
With his thumb, he brushes over my bottom lip.
“Damn, Molly. You do something to me,” he whispers.
What are we doing? We’re just digging ourselves into a deeper hole. It’ll be so hard to climb out when we need to face the consequences. But maybe now isn’t the best time to be thinking of future problems.
I’m met by his ravaging tongue, and some light biting. My breasts perk up. Every time I pull away, he nips at my lower lip, bringing me back. My hands find themselves roaming through his hair.
We stop for a moment, and he gets up. He’s still focused on me, and only me. With his big, strong arms, he grabs my thighs and picks me up effortlessly. I tighten my legs around him, grabbing his neck, kissing him ferociously.
He maneuvers us to the living room and to the couch. He lays me down and hovers over me, making sure to look down at me from above. His hair falls away from his face. From this angle, I can really see his boyish looks.
My thighs are wrapped around him, my skirt is around my hips. My hair must be out of place. There’s no telling with my makeup. There’s just no way I look presentable right now. But god, did I not give a flying eff.
He runs his hands down the sides of my stomach, creeping them down to my outer thighs. Every touch, no matter how small, from his roaming hands makes me writhe in anticipation. I’m surround by his arms like a blanket. Underneath his stare, I can tell he’s holding himself back. I’ve got the best seat in the house for his emerald green eyes. So direct and so alluring, his stare sends shockwaves through my body. I grab his arms and arch my back, begging for him to spread himself inside me. He dives in for another kiss. I feel a pressure down inside my groin. His finger is inside me, pulsing around felicitously. I let out a moan. My body gives into him. I breathe and gasp heavily.
We keep kissing. My cheeks become more flush and hot for him. He moves his fingers skillfully. I want him to feel good too. I prop myself up and pull my top over my breasts. He smiles and takes off his shirt, and I help him with his jeans. He grabs me and flips me around on the couch, so my butt is propped up and ready for him.
When I exhale, I feel something ram into me.
He’s so big.
I feel him hitting my walls. I hang onto the couch cushions. Loud moans of ecstasy escape me. There’s nobody here but us, so I can be as loud as I want to. He pulls the rest of my shirt up and over my head and grabs me from behind. I can’t help but convulse and twitch from the multiple orgasms he delivers.
I’m no quitter, and neither is he. We keep going, taking short breaks to talk about the next place we could do it. The stairs, the guestrooms, and the kitchen. We perform oral on each other in all different positions, standing up, lying down, sixty-nine. We end up on his bed at the end of the night. Hours have passed by. Finally, he’s run out of breath. We collapse on top of his bed together, naked and tired.
“That was amazing.” I lay down on his chest and wrap my arms around his body.
He looks down at me. “So, now that I’ve shown you my talent, will you show me yours again?”
I look up. “You mean singing?”
“Yeah.” He closes his eyes. “I love it when you sing.”
14
Carlyle
All I remember from last night was a copious amount of sex. Not that there’s anything wrong with sex. But I wake up in a state of grogginess with a naked Molly wrapped in my arms. I wouldn’t mind this moment lasting all day, but by the looks of it outside, it’s already morning.
I start trailing kisses along the back of Molly’s neck just below her ear. I make small circles with my finger around her belly button. She’s so soft. It’s not just her skin that’s soft, but it’s in the way she feels. She’s something I haven’t had in a while.
Spontaneity.
She’s like a small bird I have to remember not to hold too tightly. Literally, and metaphorically. She would run from me if I held her too close. She’s a girl who needs breathing room, different from the girls I’ve dated in the past. Then her body rustles in my arms and I know she’s awake.
“That was quite a night,” she sighs.
I chuckle. “It was. What’re you doing today?”
She turns her hips around so we’re facing each other and slings her arm around me. “I don’t have much to do today, to be honest. There are a few errands I can think of, though. How about you?”
“I wouldn’t mind staring into your eyes all day.” I brush a piece of hair behind her ear. “But I’ve got a few things for today. Family business stuff.”
“Of course,” she smiles.
“The next few weeks or so are looking pretty busy for me. I thought I’d keep you in the loop. It might be hard to reach me during this time. But I’ll still reply to you if you message me.”
“Should I not expect to see you, then?”
“I’ll try to make time and we’ll keep in touch. But I’ve got all these obligations right now.”
Molly looks at me in confusion. “Obligations?”
I’m not sure if I should tell her about what’s going on with my family right now. It’s none of her concern, and I don’t want to make her worry any more than she needs to.
“It’s nothing.”
“Tell me.” She firmly grabs my arm.
“Well…we’re being sued by the government. Apparently, we have unpaid taxes, so my whole team is focusing on it this week. I’ll be leading the cause and making sure we don’t leave any stones unturned.”
She gives me a troubled look.
“I found out about it yesterday. I’ll admit, I was stressing a bit. But you helped me through it.”
She nuzzles herself into my chest. It’s so warm under the sheets with Molly in my arms. But as it stands, there’s a lot of work I need to get done to stay on schedule. The image of the paperwork mountain probably on my desk this morning makes me shudder. I know better than to avoid things I don’t want to do.
We both get up and start getting ready together. I grab a dress shirt and a watch for the day. Peeks of Molly running back and forth behind the bathroom door alert me that she’s almost ready.
“Hey Carlyle,” her voice comes from the bathroom. “Could you drive me home?”
“You didn’t drive? How did you get here?”
“I walked.”
I chuckle. She keeps charmingly surprising me. For a girl coming from a family like hers, I didn’t think she would subject herself to something so laborious as walking.
My personal calendar is filled with meeting after meeting. There’s a lot on my plate right now. I have the lawsuit to deal with, my dad is in the hospital, and the majo
r project with Xander should be finishing up soon. Molly doesn’t know a lot about what happens behind the scenes of my projects. It doesn’t appear that she wants to know, though, only that she wants to spend time together. I’ve learned from previous relationships to be mindful of how I put work first. I’ve been known to get lost in it for days. However, Molly is different. She hasn’t complained once.
We get to her house after a short drive. The rays of sun cause a warmth in the car. Her family mansion looks a bit intimidating in this light. She leans over to kiss me on the cheek.
“I know you’re going to be busy, Carlyle. But when should I expect to see you next?”
“I’ll text you for sure.” I place my thumb on her chin and plant a kiss on her lips. “Don’t worry. We’ll be in touch.”
After the hot clarity of downtown LA, my office is a stark contrast of fluorescent institutional lighting that reminds me of the coming battle ahead. Seeing the bright morning sun still rising in the sky makes me wish I could spend the day outside. Work is usually my escape from my everyday troubles. But with Molly now in the picture, I have a new escape. When I’m with her, my problems seem to melt away. She gives me hope to keep pushing forward.
At the office, Jeff has assembled ten of his people to help go through ten years’ worth of receipts. They are already going through the thick binders filled with paperwork. Even with each and every single person examining them, it still looks like a long and tedious venture.
I pull Jeff outside of the boardroom. “Thanks for arranging all this. A lot of work still needs to be done, but it looks like you’ve got it handled.”
“Thank you, Carlyle. I want to be as prepared as possible for this court hearing.”
“Thank you, my friend.”
Jeff has been with the company since I could remember. He sat on my dad’s council and since then, he’s been doing his due diligence to work for me—the next CEO in line. Right after I escort Jeff back into the boardroom, my phone goes off.
It’s the hospital.
“Hello?”
There’s a woman’s voice on the line.
“Mr. Cartier. I have an important message for you. Are you somewhere you can talk?”
“Yes.”
That’s when my mom’s voice comes through the line.
“Carlyle, honey. It’s your dad—he’s awake. If you come now, he’ll be able to see you.”
“I’ll be right there.”
I must’ve been running without realizing it, because a janitor tells me to slow down in the halls. There’s no time to waste. I want to get every single possible moment with him. I veer around the corner and swing myself into his room.
There he is. Awake.
“Dad,” I say as I walk in.
There are IVs hooked into him. A respirator sits next to him, indicating that he can’t breathe without assistance. I make sure to hug him very carefully.
“Carl. I’m so glad to see you.”
His voice is fragile, still weak from being in a coma. I’m just happy he knows who I am. We embrace.
“When I heard you woke up, I raced here.”
“The doctors are saying I need to stay here until my vitals look good. I told them I’m fine and I think I can go home now.” He grabs my hand.
“You need rest, Dad.”
He smiles warmly. “Come here, son. Let me get a good look at you.” He pats the side of his bed.
For someone in his late sixties having gone through a stroke, then a coma, and waking up, he’s still got lots of vigor. To me, he looks like a healthy man, a man with many years in front of him. He’s just in recovery.
“Listen, Carlyle. I’m really glad you came. We need to talk.”
There’s seriousness in his voice. He always cuts to the chase when there’s something urgent. He’s one of those people who never rests easy, always with something on his mind. I bet being out of commission so long makes him feel on edge.
“Take it easy, Dad. You just woke up, so why don’t we talk about it after you get some more rest?”
“No, I don’t need any more rest. We have to make haste on this. This old man needs to get things in order. Who knows how much time I have left?”
I open my mouth to speak, but Dad shuts me up.
“Carl—it’s imperative we get the trust in order.”
It’s the last thing I want him to be concerned with right now. But I also know how important it is. The state of our family finances is at stake. We haven’t been a normal family for a while. Whether we accept it or not, the truth of the matter is—we have a responsibility to uphold. Even in the face of death, Dad is still keeping to his responsibility as the leader of our family and the owner of his firm.
“What do I need to do?” I ask.
“You don’t need to do anything. I did everything before you arrived here. Everything I have, all of the family business, I’m putting it all in your name, Carl. Your mom will get a big portion too. But son, you’re going to keep the family name strong. You’re going to be the sole heir of the Cartier family fortune.”
I can’t believe my ears. I knew this day would come. I’d rehearsed it over and over in my head. But I never expected it would come so soon. My dad is a proud man. A fighter who doesn’t give up until his very last drop. But I can tell he’s tired now. To ease himself from his worry, the burden needs to be lifted from him. I’ll rise to the occasion. I always have.
Then, there’s a click at the door.
Mom peeks her head in. “Oh, I’m sorry to interrupt.”
I wipe a tear from my eye before anyone can see. “It’s okay, Mom. Come in.”
She takes a seat beside me and holds onto my dad’s hand.
“How you doing, sweetie?” she asks him lovingly.
“I’m doing much better now that you’re here.”
I smile seeing them smile. They have so much love for each other. I could only dream of being anywhere close to their level. My parents were the ones who showed me how to have compassion. All I ever wanted was for them to be happy. And now here they are, at the pinnacle of their marriage. From high school sweethearts to being by each other’s side through sickness and health.
My mom turns to me after she kisses my dad’s forehead. “Sweetie, I told your father.”
“Told him what?” I look over.
“There’s no need to explain, Carl.” My dad puts his hand on my wrist. “I’m surprised you didn’t tell me you have a girlfriend.”
He’s got on the slyest of expressions.
“I’m sorry—there’s so much other stuff going on right now,” I reply.
“Well, when am I going to meet her?” Dad jokes.
“You will.”
“Honey,” my mom starts, “I have something for you.”
She reaches into her pocket and pulls out a small box. I know exactly what it is, and I can only wish it might be earrings. Ma opens the box and inside is the loveliest ring I’ve ever seen. There are sapphires surrounding a princess-shaped diamond in the middle. I look between Dad and Mom, who are both smiling at me.
“Mom, it’s beautiful.”
“Give it to her when the time is right.” She pats my lap. “It’s been in the family for generations. It’s yours now.”
“As a lot of things will be,” my dad adds, smiling.
15
Molly
The last time I saw Carlyle was more than a week ago. We aren’t boyfriend and girlfriend, and we aren’t in any kind of romantic relationship. So, who am I to question where he is or even expect that I’m a part of his life. We’re two people keeping up a lie for our own mutual benefit.
Yes, that’s right. We’re both in it for our own sakes. And that’s how things are going to be from now on. No more pining. No more walking room to room just to pass the time. No more going through our old pictures and wishing there could be more. I get it now. He’s avoiding me, and I have no right to be upset about it.
Besides, I’ve been busying myself with
friends and family. It’s not like I’ve been waiting around staring at my phone, waiting for him to text me. I hate to admit, though, I am starting to miss him.
That’s when my phone starts to vibrate and his name flashes across the home screen. I stumble to pick it up, and it flies over the edge of my bed. I jump out from under the covers and dive for my phone.
“Hey doll, miss me?” his text reads.
I must have the stupidest grin on my face, and I can’t help but giggle at myself just a moment ago. Guess he didn’t forget about me after all.
“Maybe a little,” I text back, playing hard to get.
“If you’re free, I’d love to see you tonight. How about you be ready by five, and I’ll handle the rest?”
I look around the room, holding my phone to my chest. Hopefully, no one heard me break into squealing noises just now. I’ll be sure to wait a while until I text back. I have to keep him on his toes too. Until then, I suppose I should choose my clothes. Just the right amount of fun and classy.
“What are you getting ready for?”
I jump. Cassandra peeks into my room, probably because of the commotion earlier.
“I’m meeting with a boy tonight.”
“Oooh, a boy? Do tell me more.” She waltzes into my bedroom.
Sometimes I forget that Cassandra doesn’t know about my relationship status.
“He’s just someone I’ve been seeing for a while.”
She watches as I take outfits from the closet and lay them out on the bed.
“You should wear that red one.” She points to the dress in the back.
I look at it but give her a look of disdain. “That one? You think so?”