Authors: Ella Celestine
Dax was feeling pretty good on Wednesday when he walked out of the marketing meeting for the new affordable luxury line. He had impressed his father and the creative director was over the moon about the style videos Norah shot of him. “You look a million years younger,” Misha had told him. Coming from fifty-five year old Misha, he felt properly embarrassed.
The videos showed a man how to go for several different looks using the clothes from the new HOLLINGSWORTH line. From casual to business and even formal, Dax had to admit that Norah had done a fantastic job. He’d had Misha do mock ups of what the print ads would look like and he knew, it would look incredible. Now that everything had been approved—by him—new photos would be taken using models and they would be rushed to the printers. The new billboards and digital ads would be live by next week, and once he spoke to Norah the videos would be the first wave of the HOLLINGSWORTH blitz.
Riding on a cloud of success, his mind raced with visions of celebrating with Norah. In her bed, in her shower. He stopped mid-stride in the executive hallway on the top floor. His house! He’d spent the week after they made love perfecting his marketing pitch and he’d only seen her twice. Once for dinner and a night of pleasuring her body, and once again for a classic date. Dinner and a movie. But their last date was already a week ago and he was craving Norah. Her laughter, her sexy smile, those luscious lips and curvy body. He didn’t miss her sense of humor though, since she often sent him hilarious texts and videos throughout the day.
“Someone is riding high,” his father told him with a smile and a clap on the back. He laughed at his son’s shocked expression.
“That meeting went really well. I’m proud of the work I’ve done on this and, yes Dad, you were right about Norah. She’s amazing.”
Kurt and Dax ducked into the CEO’s office and closed the door. “Have a sit, Dax.” He poured them both a few glugs of good scotch and toasted their success. “I saw those videos son and I’m pretty sure it isn’t just the new campaign that has you skipping and whistling down the halls.”
Dax froze. “I don’t whistle or skip.” He didn’t say anything else because he and his dad were men, they didn’t talk about their feelings or relationships. Not since Mom died.
Kurt nodded. “Perhaps but that isn’t really the point, is it? You like Norah.”
It wasn’t a question because his father knew him too well. “I do like her, Dad. I like her more with every minute I spend with her.”
“That’s great. I think she’s a wonderful go-getter and a talented businesswoman. One hell of a looker too.” He laughed at the red flush that stole over Dax’s face.
“She’s beautiful, but she’s intelligent, funny, ambitious and completely independent.” He hadn’t seen her in a week and she hadn’t once complained or whined about his inattention. She sent him messages when she wasn’t busy, otherwise she had her own life to lead.
“Sounds like a keeper. I’m glad to hear it son. You’ll need a strong woman as your wife to keep you grounded when you become CEO.”
Dax froze, his drink halfway to his mouth. “What? Who said anything about a wife? We’ve just started seeing each other.” He closed his eyes for a long moment and pictured her smiling face and that luminescent brown skin, her vibrant bohemian style by his side as he entertained business associates. What he saw disturbed him and he refilled his glass. “It’s early days, Dad.” He stood, hands shoved deep in his pockets.
“You alright, son?”
Dax shook his head. “I don’t know, Dad. I need to get some air. I’ll talk to you later.” He waved over his shoulder and left the office in a daze. The warm day and the bright sunshine were exactly what he needed to put things in perspective. How could he have been so stupid and fallen for someone so…inappropriate? Norah would be miserable as his wife and she wouldn’t fit in with the other wives. “Dammit!” He startled a couple of old ladies dressing in pastels and pearls but he didn’t care. He was falling for Norah and she was all wrong for him.
But dammit if he could stay away from her. He couldn’t.
***
“Ooh child, did you rob a department store?” Thad glanced around Norah’s apartment, brimming over with boxes of merchandise marked HOLLINGSWORTH.
“Shush, I’m working here.” The boxes arrived yesterday and she’d spent every hour since cataloging the clothes and jewelry and hanging them on the wardrobe rack. She needed to create a production schedule and put outfits together. There would also have to be a beauty line for the makeup, moisturizers and facial masks. “I have a lot of prep work to do if I want to start shooting by Friday.”
“Well you’ve certainly got your work cut out for you. Where’s Lover Boy?”
She shrugged. “I assume he’s working, it is that time for suits, you know.” Norah hadn’t heard much from him other than the odd
LOL
or smiley face. She knew he’d been busy putting together his marketing presentation for the launch, but she also thought he’d gotten what he wanted and was moving on to greener, more suit appropriate pastures.
“Trouble in paradise?”
Norah didn’t look up. “No paradise, just a few dates and a few more orgasms.”
Thad practically swooned. “I bet that man gives good orgasms,” he fanned his face with his hand. “Oh yes, I’d pay for a night with him.”
“I’ll give him your number,” she mumbled as she pulled eight pairs of shoes from a box. She stopped and looked up at Thad. “What’s up?”
“Oh nothing, girl. I’m just checking in. Kip and I are going to Santa Barbara and we leave tomorrow night.”
She smiled. “Things are getting serious, then?”
“Oh yes, I’m supposed to meet the parents soon. Hooray!” He twirled a finger in the air and rolled his eyes. “Things are great but, I’m not looking for all the obligations that come with a blue blood family.”
Norah nodded. She understood that better than most. She’d dated more than a few of those types, hell she was sort of dating that type right now. Obligatory family functions, charities and all kinds of other things that prevented one from being a real person. “Talk to Kip and tell him you’re not willing to give up every single weekend to his family. If you don’t talk about it now, he’ll assume you’re alright with it.”
Thad nodded. “When did you get so smart?”
She looked up at him. “Just learn from my mistakes, buddy. And be back by Sunday so I can use you as my male model, please?” Thad nodded and she thanked him with a blinding smile. Norah turned back towards the product and lost herself, unaware that Thad had quietly left her apartment. It was just as well, she wouldn’t be doing much for the next few days. Shooting off a quick text to Thad, she grabbed a glass of water and immersed herself in the new HOLLINGSWORTH affordable luxury line. The products were beautiful and well made, but they made her think about the ebony haired hunk who’d been disturbing her dreams for the past week.
He’d also been noticeably absent but she wouldn’t worry about that. She hadn’t had a man in more than a year so there was no reason for a few dates to make her feel ill at ease being alone. It was fine, really. She liked him, more than she thought she would when he’d shown up on her doorstep weeks ago, looking smug and arrogant in that expensive ugly suit. He was funny and not quite as stuffy as he looked. But she knew Dax was completely career obsessed, seeking validation by climbing that ladder. It was his worst trait and she knew, somehow, it would cause problems for them in the future.
For now, she had work to do.
***
“Hey,” Norah answered tentatively when she opened the door to find Dax’s gorgeous face smiling and holding bags of food.
“Hi yourself, beautiful. Sorry to stop by unannounced but I left work early today and all I wanted to do was see you.” He leaned in and gave her a chaste kiss on the lips before entering her apartment and making his way to her kitchen. “So how have you been?”
“Busy,” she answered, feeling unsettled but unable to pinpoint why, exactly. It had been twelve days since she’d seen him and ten since she’d heard his voice. Walking into the kitchen with fists on her hips, she stared at him. “Why are you here?”
He frowned and paused in unloading the food. “What do you mean? I came to see you.”
“Yes but I haven’t seen or heard from you in nearly two weeks, Dax. I know you’ve been busy but still.”
He set the Chinese food carton down with a sigh. “I’m sorry, Norah. You didn’t complain so I figured you were fine with it.”
“We don’t owe each other anything, Dax. But I assumed you were done and then you stop by on Friday night with dinner.” She knew why he’d come. Sex. She wanted it too, and she would probably give in because she craved his body.
He walked over to her and pressed a kiss to her forehead, both cheeks, her nose and her mouth. “Seriously, Norah, I really am sorry. I missed you all week but I was busy and my mind was all twisted up over you. I needed to focus, and you,” he kissed up one side of her neck and down the other, “are a major distraction.” He kissed both shoulders and then took her mouth in a searing kiss that made her legs shake.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, easily sinking into the kiss and into his body. “God you feel so good,” she told him with her head tilted back, enjoying his kisses.
To hell with it
, she said and moved her hand to his shirt, undoing his buttons. Soon his shirt was on the floor with his pants and she was kissing his chest, sucking the ridged muscles in his stomach.
“Babe,” he moaned, “your lips are perfection.” He tangled his fingers in her hair as she kissed every inch of his body. “Norah, I need you.”
“Me,” she kissed one nipple and swirled her tongue around it, “too,” she gave the other the same treatment, making him shiver. Turning her back to him, she removed her shirt and tossed it to him, removing another piece with every step. “Coming?”
“Oh yeah. You too, sweetheart.” When he made it to her bedroom she looked like a pagan goddess, long curls haloed her head, naked body spread out like an offering to the gods. “Fuck me you are gorgeous.” He jumped on the bed making her laugh, but when his tongue curled around her nipple the laughter stopped. He kissed her mouth until her hips pressed against him, silently begging for more. Without breaking the kiss Dax lined his erection up with her opening and slid in slowly, torturing them both.
“Oh god, Dax. Yes!” Something was different this time and Norah tried to ignore it, the intensity and seriousness of it all. It wasn’t serious, this was a drop in booty call and she’d do well to remember that. She tried to keep that in mind, she really did, but when he thrust hard and deep inside her, she could barely remember her name. And then she was splintering apart while he drove deeper and faster until he’d reached his own climax.
“Damn Norah, I love loving you.”
She closed her eyes against his tender words. He didn’t mean them, it was something men said in the heat of passion. He didn’t mean it. He couldn’t. Her stomach growled loudly and she patted her belly. “I guess it’s a good thing you brought dinner.” He laughed as she got up and walked out of the bedroom. Naked and unashamed.
Chapter Five
Three days. Seventy two hours. That’s how long it had been since Norah realized something disturbing. She was in love with Dax Hollingsworth. It had only been about six weeks, but the stuffy old fashioned guy had wormed his way into her heart. Three nights ago he’d shown up with her favorite mocha chocolate chip ice cream, a smile and he’d loved her so well she’d slept until eleven the next day. But it was while sharing that ice cream that he’d told her how special he thought she was and admired her determination to create a career she was passionate about. She swooned internally as her heart squeezed and sang out in joy, in love for the first time.
Norah had pushed it to the back of her mind, terrified she would admit her feelings in the throes of passion. She hadn’t, but the way they made love had been so different she’d almost shouted her love several times.
She couldn’t afford the distraction of falling in love, with Dax or anyone else. The launch was quickly approaching and Norah had been busy making more videos than she ever had in such a short period of time. In fact, when she’d made the decision to leave the corporate world it had taken her two months to create enough videos to build a channel. Now she’d done the same amount of videos in a week. She was exhausted and in need of a vacation but in seven days the blitz would be over.
She’d published the first HOLLINGSWORTH videos last week and they were attracting plenty of followers, about forty percent more than usual. She was more than satisfied with that because it told her just how success these videos would be for her and HOLLINGSWORTH. She planned to do a livestream of her getting ready for the launch party celebrating the new line to cap off the campaign.
A glance at the clock told her she needed to shower and get dressed if she was going to meet Kurt Hollingsworth for lunch. She had no idea what he wanted to discuss with her, but yesterday she had agreed and she now had ninety minutes to get dressed and to the downtown HOLLINGSWORTH office.
An hour later she was pulling into the underground parking structure for HOLLINGSWORTH. The top two levels were reserved for guests so she parked, took several long breaths to fortify herself for the meeting ahead. Norah had a minutes long elevator ride to worry over what Kurt wanted to discuss with her and when she stepped into the reception area she was greeted by a buxom redhead with a friendly smile. “I’m Norah Tompkins and I have an appointment with Kurt.”
“Sure thing. He’s expecting you so just go on back.”
It wasn’t what she was expecting of a generations old luxury corporation. She thought someone would print a visitor’s badge like a visit to the FBI building and escort her to the CEO’s office. Instead she was allowed to wander down the plushly carpeted hall, enjoying the artwork on the walls. She stopped at what she was pretty sure was an original Monet and took in the circular brush strokes, lost in the painting until a few employees strolled by. She straightened and turned down what the redhead had told her was the executive hall. The closer she got to the corner office, the clearer two male voices became. She identified them as Kurt and Dax.
“You said you like her son, so what is the problem?”
She heard a heavy sigh come from Dax. “She’s independent and ambitious, Dad. She’ll never be happy taking a backseat to my career.”
“And? Who said she had to? This isn’t the 1960’s son, you don’t need a perfect little housewife to get the promotion.” Kurt’s deep laugh echoed around the room, startling Norah who stood with her ear pressed to the opening in the door.
“I know that, dammit. But,” he trailed off and she could just imagine him running his fingers through his thick black hair.
“But what? Say what’s on your mind Dax.”
“I think I’m falling in love with her, Dad.” She smiled at his words and her heart began to soar as he’d voiced what she’d been struggling with for the past three days. “But she isn’t exactly appropriate for a CEO, is she?”
Kurt slammed his hand on the desk. “You think she’s inappropriate because she’s a social media star? Son need I remind you—again—that it isn’t the 1960’s. She’s a beautiful woman and you’d be lucky to have her love.”
“Dad be realistic. We both know I’ll need someone more…sophisticated and demure on my arm, not a YouTube celebrity.”
Norah’s heart cracked open at his words.
So this is what it feels like to get bitten in the ass.
She pushed the door open, her brown eyes trembling with tears. “At least now I know how you really feel.” She turned to Kurt. “I’m sorry Kurt but I’m going to take a raincheck on lunch.” With a sad smile at Kurt she turned and stormed out of the office.
She breezed past everyone, even the concerned hazel gaze of the receptionist in an effort to get as far from Dax as possible.
Stupid idiot
, she berated herself because she’d known men like him weren’t her kind of men. She’d thought Dax was different, understood and respected her career choice but like all the others, he hadn’t. He was a pretender and she’d had enough of those to last a lifetime.
The damn launch couldn’t come soon enough.
***
“I never took you for a coward, Dax.”
He hated that disappointed look in his father’s eyes, but how could he be sure that Norah was the right woman for him. “I’m not a coward, Dad, I’m conflicted.”
“No son you’re being a coward. You’re not sure of her feelings for you so you’re turning this into some stupid corporate wife problem. This is a family company so you don’t need to impress anyone with your choice of wife but me. And I like Norah. A lot.”
“You don’t think she would feel out of place with the other wives?”
“No I don’t. She’s an intelligent woman with a solid sense of who she is. She doesn’t need their acceptance,
she’d
be the CEO’s wife. They would have to be accepted by
her
.”
He hadn’t thought of it that way. “You’re right,” he sighed and fell to his seat. “I messed up.”
“Yep.”
He looked up at his dad with a
really
look on his face. “You have no sympathy old man.”
“Oh I do. I feel bad that you’ve missed out on a great woman.”
“I need to go.”
“If you hurry you might find her in the visitor’s garage.”
That was all Dax needed to hear. He ran down the hall like a man on fire, surpassing the elevator in favor of the stairs. When he finally made it down to the garage he saw her turning right in front of him. “Norah!” He called to her and their eyes connected, her watery gaze tearing at his heart. “Norah, stop! Please.” He watched with his heart in his stomach as she drove past him.
He whipped out his phone and pressed the green button by her face. The phone rang and rang until the sound of her sweet husky voice told him she was unavailable and to leave a message. “Dammit!” He dialed again, feeling his anger rise when she sent him straight to voicemail. “Norah I’m sorry. I was just being scared and I didn’t mean it. Call me back. Please.” He slid the phone back into his pocket and re-entered the elevator, punching the level where he’d parked. If she didn’t want to answer his calls, he would go to her so they could talk face to face.
Battling traffic in Los Angeles was awful on a good day, today when he actually needed to be somewhere it was rage inducing. An hour later he pulled into the guest spot at her apartment complex and bounded up the steps two at a time. When he reached her door he pounded his fists on the door for a minute straight.
“What the hell, man?”
He whirled around at the sound of Thad’s voice. “Where is she?”
Thad shrugged. “I have no idea but if she isn’t answering she probably doesn’t want to be bothered.”
“That’s not good enough,” he growled at Thad who was completely unaffected.
“Tough. If she’s ignoring you then you messed up, so deal with it.” Thad slammed the door and cranked his music, which let him know Norah was inside his apartment.
He waited for two hours before he finally gave up and went home.
The next morning Dax stood in his father’s office, pacing and frantic about the launch. “I think we need to push back the launch and rework our marketing strategy.”
“Why would we need to do that?”
He stopped and stared at his father. “Seriously? It’s obvious Norah isn’t going to continue with the videos and we’ll be screwed and I’ll be humiliated.”
“You should be humiliated but I assure you that Norah is a professional. Since yesterday she’s posted two videos on her channel and updated her website several times, most of it was for HOLLINGSWORTH. Just because you messed up doesn’t mean Norah can’t do her job.” Kurt stood and leaned over to look Dax in the eye. “You screwed up big time Dax. Fix it or move on.”
“That simple, huh? Just move on.”
Kurt held his hand up. “Or fix it. If you really love her, you will at least try.”
“And if she can’t forgive me?”
He shrugged. “Then at least you tried.”
“Yeah,” he stood to leave. That didn’t make him feel any better.
***
“Mail call,” Thad sang as he breezed into Norah’s apartment.
“How did you get my mail, again?” Norah was certain he bribed the postal worker to get her mail.
“The post office,” he rolled his eyes as though that was explanation enough. “Anyway it looks like we got something fancy so get your cute little behind up here so I can see too.”
She laughed but her heart wasn’t in it. “Ugh, fine. Give me the damn letter.” Thad handed it over and she skimmed it, tossing it on the coffee table when she was done. “It’s the launch invitation for HOLLINGSWORTH.” She knew it was coming, she’d only hoped it wouldn’t.
“Oh goodie! Please tell me I’m your plus one. I mean, come on I rock the HOLLINGSWORTH line like a boss.” He struck a pose, making her laugh.
She shook her head. “I’m not going to the party. You and Kip can have the tickets.”
“What! You have to go, Norah. This is work.”
“No it's not. My job was to promote everything they sent and I’ve done that. This is a perk, that’s why I got an invitation not a mandate.” She reached for the invitation and set it on his lap. “Just come here and let me dress you both before the party and they’re yours.”
“I hate that you’re not going but I’m super ecstatic that I get to go! There are going to be all kinds of celebrities there for me to ogle.” Thad wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “Aw honey, I’m sorry about all of this. Dax Hollingsworth is a dick.”
She squeezed him back, sinking into his embrace. “Thank you, Thad. I needed a hug. I’ll be alright.” She knew she would be, it would just take some time. And the last thing she needed was to see him all dressed up, mingling with the beautiful people while her stupid heart was breaking.
“You really fell for him, didn’t you?”
She nodded, feeling the tears welling up in her eyes. But she refused to let them fall. Enough tears had been shed over him. She was done, that part was behind her and she clenched her teeth hard until the urge to cry subsided. “I was starting to, but I’m glad to know what he really thought about me and my job. It would have come out eventually and I’d rather it come out now rather than later.”
“I really thought he liked you. The way he looked at you was like a man in love.” He shook his head in bewilderment.
“Yeah well we’re all allowed to be wrong once in awhile. Anyway, I need to get back to it. There are just a few days left and lots to do. Don’t forget to stop by.” She kissed his cheek and shoved him out the door, sinking against the door once it clicked shut. The past few days had been a blur of activity and she wanted to complete the blitz with a few tutorials on accessorizing. HOLLINGSWORTH had some amazing jewelry so she’d put together a few outfits to highlight how they could be worn.
When she was done, she opened a bottle of wine and sat down to binge watch a few episodes of Project Runway. In a week, Dax Hollingsworth would be just another suit that made another chapter in
The Awful Mistakes of Norah Tompkins
. She really needed to seek out a new type of man. One who wore jeans all the time and who loathed the rat race. Maybe an artist or musician, maybe a chef. Anyone but another good looking corporate type who thought everyone and everything
not
in their world wasn’t good enough.
Yep. She would be over him soon.
Really, really soon.