Next August (6 page)

There goes that sexual energy rolling off of him again. I press my legs together to stifle the throb between them.

“I take it Anna won’t be coming home tonight?”

I shake my head and drink my coffee. I have a feeling that I’m indeed going to want to be sober for what he has in mind.

☀

I hand him the key and he unlocks the apartment. He pushes me inside, shuts the door and presses my body up against it.

“Do you have any fucking idea how much I want you right now?” He rubs his hand at the hem of my dress.” The thought of you dancing with all those men in these damn boots of yours.” He breathes into my mouth. His hand blazes a trail down my leg and I want to combust. Body heat radiates off him.

“Tell me what it is you want, Nash.” He growls against that spot just below my ear. He spins me around and pins my palms to the door. I feel his hard length against my ass as his kisses trail down my neck. I break his grasp on my hands and turn around to kiss him. My greedy hands find his belt.

“I want you.” I rub my hand down his rock hard cock. “I want this too.”

His eyes widen and he picks me up.” Which room is yours?”

“The one on the left.” I barely get the words out before his mouth is on mine again. As he is carrying me, my itchy fingers find the buttons on his shirt. I feel my feet hit the ground as my hands find his ripped abs. I bite his nipple.

I loosen his belt and tug at his pants until he springs free. I wrap my hands around him and he sucks in a deep breath. This might be the only time I have control over this man. I’m going to relish in it.

I get on my knees and I taste him. I am so wet with a hunger for him. I start at the tip and take him in shallow at first. Soft and slow. I listen to his strained breathing. I apply pressure and take him deeper in my mouth. He grabs my hair, and pulls, and mutters a few curse words. As he pops free of my mouth he pulls me to my feet.

“Enough. My turn to take what I want.” He pushes me back on the bed and pulls off my boots.” These, we will use another day. I can’t wait to get my fucking hands on you.” He stares at me with stormy eyes.

Sweet Jesus, let the storm come down.

He strips me of my panties and then my dress. He coaxes my legs apart. I am completely exposed to him. I blush when he looks at me. He’s like a starving man who suddenly finds himself at a feast as if he can’t decide where to begin satiating himself. He licks my clit, and I feel it vibrate. I try to close my legs, but he won’t allow it. He sucks at me.” You taste sweet,” he mutters. His words and his mouth rock me to my core. He keeps licking and teasing me until I can take no more.

My eagerness for him is tenfold, despite my orgasm. I cannot wait to take him inside of me. He grabs his pants and takes a condom from his pocket. His cock throbs as he rolls it onto him.

The intensity of in his eyes has me on the verge of another orgasm.” You are wet and ready for me.” He runs his hand over my clit.

“Yes,”I whisper into his shoulder.

His body covers me, and I’m panting. I hitch my leg over the tight muscles of his thighs, landing on his equally tight ass. I wiggle beneath him, trying to coax him into me. He grabs my hips and kisses me. I can taste myself on his tongue. He slips just the tip of his cock into me.

He is in complete control of my body. My need for him to be inside me is blinding. He suddenly thrusts, deep, and I let out a cry of pleasure against his mouth. I relish the feeling of fullness of him. He drives into me and my body achingly, deliciously accommodates him.

“You are so fucking tight.” He rotates his hips and hits that spot inside of me that sets me on the edge of another orgasm. He senses it and holds back for a moment. His pause staves off my orgasm.

He slowly starts again, thrusting in and out of me. His strokes are calculated. Thrust, pause, thrust. My release is so close. His mouth covers mine again, and it's like he’s devouring me.

“August, please.” I don’t recognize my own begging voice. I have never felt such pleasure.

“Trust me, baby.” He whispers. He grabs my ass and drives deeper. I scream out his name again. He touches parts of me that have never been touched. I grip his shoulders as he thrusts hard again. I clutch his hair.

“Fuck, baby. Come for me now.”

My body clenches around him as my orgasm ravishes my body. He lets out a roar and pulses inside me.

Our breathing slows and I collapse against him. Our bodies are tangled together. I softly kiss his shoulder and grin up at him.

He smiles back.” Something humorous?”

“Not at all. I just didn’t know sex could feel that good.” I rest my cheek on his shoulder and hum in satisfaction. He pulls me close and squeezes me.

“I need to go take this damn condom off.” He pushes me back onto the bed and stands. I want to follow him but I don’t think my legs will work. I watch his fine ass and muscular thighs. I’m glad I didn’t move. I’ve never seen such a finely sculpted man. I shiver. He’s swept through my life like a tornado and has obliterated my senses.

☀

I wake up to light peering through my blinds. For a moment, I think last night was a dream until I roll over and see August sleeping on his belly. He is beautiful, and his just fucked hair has my fingers itching to run my fingers through it again. His body is so relaxed. As my hand goes toward his back, his eyes pop open and he lifts his head.

“Hey, blue eyes.” His voice is gravely.

I splay my hand on his back.” Hey, yourself.” I kiss his shoulder blade.” I have to go to work.”

He rolls over and pins his body to mine.” Quit today, and we can have a repeat of last night. Or even better.” He kisses my chin.

I laugh. “It gets even better? I won’t survive.”

“Spend the day with me in bed.”

“As tempting as that sounds, I can’t. We’re already shorthanded at work.” I untangle my body from his. He lays there and watches me as I unabashedly saunter to the bathroom, hoping to tempt him into the shower. I leave the door open and turn on the water. I wait until it’s warm, and as I walk in, he comes in behind me.

Needless to say, I am going to enjoy being late for work.

CHAPTER EIGHT

August

I have been unfocused since I stepped out of Nashville’s shower on Sunday. I still have hints of her scent on me, even though I’ve been stuck in Seattle all week preparing for the launch party. I thought once would be enough, but I want her even more. She’s been so busy at work she’s been sending monosyllabic responses to my texts. It’s driving me batshit crazy.

She moves in today and I’m stuck here, in Seattle, in this office. Last Sunday, while she was getting ready for work, I rummaged through her closet to see what size dress she wears. I ordered her a navy blue gown for the party. I laid it on her bed so that she will see it as soon as she gets to the house. I’ve envisioned her in it several times today. I couldn’t sit in my office with a raging hard on, so I went to the gym in my building and worked out. All that did was feed my endorphins and I ended up in a cold shower. Thank god that worked, or I was going to have to give myself a hand job before my meeting with a new client.

The meeting goes off without a hitch, and the day flies by, until Bob, one of my financial advisors calls me. He tells me that the family that had blamed my father for their son’s death, in the second car accident, are snooping around again.

As far as anyone knows, my father himself is dead. Only my staff knows he’s lingering in a vegetative state, and I want to keep it that way. I refuse to continue to pay for my father’s sins. I need to protect what I have built. Besides, before my mom died, I loved my dad. He was a good man, but he blamed me for her death. I can still hear him drunkenly yelling through my bedroom door, “If you weren’t such a pain in the ass crybaby, maybe your mother would still be here.” Then there were the beatings, of course, As I got older, I knew that he was to blame for her death. He was the one drinking and driving the car. I was just a scared kid. At least my rational mind knew that. No matter how old you get, the idea that one of your parents, and in my case, my only remaining parent, hates you, does some damage.

They were celebrating their ten-year anniversary the night she died. I was at a sleepover with a classmate and we got in a fight over something. I don’t even recall what it was. His mom called my parents to come pick me up. They had both had a few drinks, so they didn’t use good judgment getting behind the wheel. So I lived with that guilt my whole life: the sleepover fight, and my crying in the car and distracting my dad. The second crash, however, I had nothing to do with, and I refuse to feel guilty about it.

“I will have our security team on alert,” I say. “Thank you for letting me know.”

I pull out my phone and punch in speed dial for Wayne. I update him on the new information and have him beef up security.” I want a man at the front gate of my house. Just as an extra precaution.”

“Consider it done, sir,” says Wayne.

I hang up. I punch in Nashville’s number. I need to let her know, but it is really just an excuse to hear her voice.

“Hey. I just arrived at your house,” she says.

“Good, I’m glad you’ll be living there. I wanted you to know that there will be a security guard at the front gate. I’ll have you cleared before he even starts.”

“Did something happen?” She sounds alarmed.

“No, nothing to concern yourself about. I miss you.” I want to change the subject, and it’s not a lie.

She is quiet.

“Is something wrong?” I ask.

“No…. it’s…. . just, well I think we got involved a little too quickly.”

“Are you having regrets?”

“I don’t regret anything we have done to each other. I rather enjoyed myself, it’s just a little complicated for me working for you. We need to have some boundaries.”

I don’t think I can have boundaries where she is concerned.” We’ll work it out. I enjoy spending time with you, Nash. We can go a little slower if you like.” I have no intention of slowing down what is between us. I have never felt this way, and I want to explore it even more.

“Thanks for saying that, I really want to get settled here and start working with your father right away. I’m anxious to see what kind of progress I can make with him.”

I am not really interested in his progress. I take care of him out of loyalty, nothing else. I hate what he has done and who he had become. There are days I just wish him dead. I’m sure if I said these words out loud, it would make me a monster.” Don’t get your hopes up too much Nash, he has been this way for a while. Work on getting settled in and making yourself at home. If you need anything, please let Stella know.”

“I have everything I need. Quit worrying about me. I can take care of myself.”

“Did you get the email with the agenda on Saturday?”

“Are you sure you want me to go? I don’t want to hinder you at the party and I’m not so sure about fitting in with everyone.” She says.

“I’m absolutely positive that I want you on my arm. I’ll be honored to show you off.” I reassure her.

“Okay,” she says, “I’ll see you on Saturday.”

☀

My panel of experts is wrapping up their final plans for the launch when Margaret walks in and whispers in my ear.

“You have a phone call, sir.”

“Take a number. I’ll call back.”

“I think you might want to take it. The man is very insistent. He says if you don’t talk to him he’ll talk to a reporter.”

“Thank you for all of your hard work ladies and gentlemen. I have a pressing issue I need to address.” I follow Margaret out.

“I’m so sorry I interrupted your meeting.”

“You did the right thing, Margaret. I’ll take it in my office.” I close the office door and my desk phone rings. I call Wayne on my cell.

“I need you to track the call on line three. “I hang up and take the incoming call. “Hello?”

An unwavering male voice responds.” Is this August Rylan?”

“Yes. Who’s this?” I lean back into my chair.

“My name isn’t important, but you need to listen very carefully. I’m going to ruin you. Your father took something from me and never paid the price for it. You’ll pay for his sins. I think you’re hiding something and when I find out what it is, I’ll destroy you.” The phone line goes dead.

Wayne dials in as soon as the call ends.” He wasn’t on long enough sir for me to trace him. I have already doubled security on the main floor, and I put a guard by the elevator on your floor, sir.”

“I’m more concerned about my home.”

“I’m on it, sir.” He hangs up.

Shit. When is it ever going to end? Now I’ve drawn Nashville into this mess. This is why I’ve had no life. As soon as I let my guard down, this shit starts up again. If the accident would have been my father’s fault, I would have handed them over every penny the man had left, but it wasn’t. The twenty-eight-year-old man driving the truck was on his cell phone at the time he ran into my father, who was parked on the side of the road. When he struck my dad’s car from behind, he lost control. His truck hit the railing on a small bridge. He plummeted over the edge into the water. Yes, he died, but my dad was passed out in his car. He never even knew what happened. He was drunk, but he was parked off the road. The man’s family insisted that my dad’s drunkenness played a key role in the accident, and he should pay. The court dismissed all charges against my father, but the family has been out for vengeance ever since. I thought if they believed he was dead, then they would let it go. Evidently not. They want me to pay.

I need some air.

I take the stairs to the rooftop. I walk over to the railing and stare out into the city. I can see Pike’s Market from here. There is always a crowd by the water. As much as I love this city, I would rather be in Utah. It is a different kind of beauty. It has a peacefulness that I can’t find here.

I loosen my tie to release some of the forebodings that phone call brought with it. I wonder if I should call Nashville and cancel our plans. I should keep things on a professional level with her. The thought displeases me. I don’t want to keep her at arm’s length. I want her in my bed. Still, I don’t want her any more involved in the secretive part of my life than she already is.

I call her with every intention of canceling until I hear that sweet southern drawl.

“Did you miss me so soon?” She teases as she answers.

I just can’t do it.” Yes.”

She must sense my ache.” Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m better now that I have heard your voice. It’s just been a long rough day at work.”

☀

“Margaret, I need a car. I have a meeting.”

“I’ll have a driver wait out front for you, but I don’t recall a meeting on your schedule?”

She keeps close tabs on me.” I don’t need a driver. I just need a car. It’s a last minute meeting. I forgot to tell you this morning.”

“I’ll take care of the car, but it’s not like you to not update me.”

I can’t be angry with her for her concern, but I just need to get the hell out of here.” You’re right. I usually don’t forget. But I did today. I need the car in ten minutes.”

☀

I feel a little unsteady when I park at the cemetery. The loneliness I feel here always depresses me, but I need to see her. I walk through the maze of headstones. For years, there was only a small memorial on her grave. With the first real money I made, I replaced it with a statue of an angel. Canailles surround her. She used to grow them in our yard. The smell of them reminds me of her. Our house never felt like home again after she died. Dad made life so difficult. I know he missed her and blamed me, but I missed her too.

“Hi, Mom. The flowers are looking nice. You would love them. Dad is the same.” I swallow hard.” Sam just graduated from high school. You would be proud of him, just like I am. And Claire…you two could have been good friends. She reminds me of you. Shit has stirred up with dad again. I should’ve expected it.”

I sit on a bench I had placed by her gravesite.” I have a beard now.” I fumble for words.” I cut my hand when I was mountain climbing with Sam and I met a girl. She has the most beautiful blue eyes. She’s sweet and smart. She’s not at all like other woman that I’ve met. You would love her. I’m not sure what to do with her. My life has been so fucked up for years, I don’t want her involved, but I feel like this woman could be my lifeline. The funny thing is, I just met her, but her soul draws me into her. She has a light about her that I can’t explain. I need her, and I haven’t needed anyone in years.”

I ignore the phone vibrating in my pocket and I keep talking to her like she hears me. I used to do this every week, now I don’t come but every couple of months. Some people would be surprised to see a grown man talking to a stone angel, especially a man who is as serious as I always am. But I don’t care. Sometimes I just miss my mom.