“Yes. Actually, I do. You wouldn’t believe how the women who work for me behave.” He smirked.
"Well, I already figured that out about you. If you’re single, I would love for you to meet my best friend and roommate Jasper. He’s a chef.”
He looked intrigued as he walked from behind his desk, helped me out of my chair, and put his arm around me.
"So, tell me more about this friend of yours."
By the time I got settled into my tiny office, met the rest of the staff I’d be working with, and was shown around the building, it was lunchtime, so Lucas and I headed to the corner deli. As we were eating lunch and he was going over a few things with me, I heard my phone chiming with a text message.
“I hope you're enjoying your lunch with Lucas. Phillip will pick you up in front of the building after work. I miss you.”
I rolled my eyes at the fact that he knew I was having lunch with Lucas.
“I am enjoying my lunch. Lucas is great. I miss you too.”
“Lucas is great and he’s gay, so don’t get any ideas.”
“Damn it!”
The day went by fast and before I knew it, it was five o'clock. I grabbed my purse and headed to the lobby. As soon as I stepped outside, the black Escalade was waiting just as Andrew promised.
"Good day, Addison," Phillip spoke as I climbed in the SUV.
"Hi, Phillip, how was your day?" I asked.
"It was fine, thank you. How did your first day go?”
“It went very well.” I grinned.
He pulled around the back of the building and Andrew climbed in next to me. He barely had the door shut before he was on top of me, cupping my breasts and pressing his mouth against mine. A low groan escaped his lips.
"Christ, I've been waiting all day to do that."
"Well, hello to you too, Mr. London." I smiled.
"I thought we could order in at my place tonight,” he spoke as he ran his finger up and down my arm.
I was starting to find it odd that since we’d been seeing other, the only time Andrew and I went out was to Annie’s Apple late that night after the club. We'd been ordering in or cooking together ever since.
"I have an idea. Why don't we get dressed up and go out tonight?"
"As much as I’d love to, it's been a long day, and the only thing I want to do is take you home and take you to bed.” He smiled.
We barely made it into the apartment before he picked me up and carried me straight to the bedroom. He laid me down on the bed and removed my shoes. His hands pushed up my skirt and I let out a satisfying moan as his tongue slid up my inner thigh.
"I love hearing you," he whispered. “This is all I thought about all day.”
His fingers gripped the sides of my panties, and as he pulled them off, his tongue explored me. My moans grew deeper with each flick of his tongue and my hands tangled through his hair. He dipped a finger inside while his mouth continued to explore me. My body reacted, and a wave of heat filled me. My legs began to quiver, and I lost all control as a warmth rushed through me.
"That's right, baby, come for me.”
I lay there, rapidly breathing as he stood up and stripped out of his clothes. He climbed on the bed and brushed his lips against mine before sitting me up and taking off my cami and bra.
“God, you’re so beautiful,” he whispered as his mouth was mere inches from my ear and his finger lightly swept over my shoulder. "I want you so bad, Addison."
Andrew pulled back the covers and motioned for me to lie down on my stomach. His hands roamed up and down my back before his tongue slid down my spine. Before I knew it, he was inside. The feel of his hard cock pulsated through me. He moved at a steady pace as his moans deepened. I gripped the bed sheets while my body trembled in preparation for another orgasm. He reached around and firmly held my breasts as his thrusting started to slow. Leaning down, he whispered in my ear, “Are you ready?”
“Yes,” I breathlessly replied.
He removed his hands from my breasts, firmly gripped my hips, and pounded in and out of me with such intensity, sending my body into a full blown cosmic orgasm. The sounds of pleasure escaped my lips as he slowed down and exploded inside me.
He collapsed on top of me, softly kissing my shoulder while trying to regain his breath. I lay there, every limb of my body weak. He took hold of my hand that was resting on the pillow above my head and laced our fingers together.
"I’m in love with you, Addison Rose."
My eyes widened, and my body froze, for I’d never told him my middle name. But not only that, he told me that he was in love with me and all I felt was a deep warmth inside because I was in love with him too. He rolled onto his side and propped his head up with his hand as he traced the outline of my breast with his finger.
I’m in love with you too, Andrew.” I brought my finger up to his lips.
He smiled and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into his chest as he rolled onto his back.
Chapter Thirteen
“We need to decide what to have for dinner,” he spoke as he stroked my hair. “I’ve worked up quite an appetite.”
“How about Chinese? We could go to this great little restaurant over by my apartment,” I spoke.
“That sounds good, but I already told you that I’d rather stay in. There’s a take-out place right around the corner from here.”
I lay there, debating whether or not to say something to him about never taking me out. But I didn’t. I was tired, and I had a feeling if I said something, it would start an argument.
“Sure. Let’s do that.” I smiled as I lifted my head and looked at him. “By the way, how did you know my middle name was Rose?” I asked.
“What?” He cocked his head.
“When you told me that you were in love with me, you called me by my full name. I never told you what my middle name was.”
“You caught me.” He smirked. “I took a peek at your file.”
“And why would you do that?” I grinned.
“Because I wanted to know more about the woman who stole my heart at first sight.” He leaned in and brushed his lips against mine. “Let’s go order some dinner.”
“Is it okay if I take a bath?” I asked.
“Of course it is, Angel.” He smiled.
Andrew left the room and I went into the bathroom. As I started the water, I noticed a bottle of my shampoo and conditioner sitting on the shelf in the corner. I thought that was strange since it wasn’t there before, so I opened the cabinet and saw my deodorant, hairspray, flat iron, makeup remover, toothbrush, toothpaste and the other personal things I used.
“Hey, Andrew?” I called out.
“What’s wrong?” he asked as he walked into the bathroom and came up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist.
“Why are my things in your bathroom?” I asked as I narrowed my eye at him through the mirror.
“I was going to talk to you about that later. I purchased everything you use to keep here for our sleepovers. I cleared out a side of my closet and a couple of drawers for you as well and took the liberty to have my personal shopper fill them with everything you need.”
I turned and faced him.
“You did what?" I voiced loudly.
He grabbed my hand. "Come look. See for yourself.” He grinned like a kid at Christmas.
I walked over and opened the dresser drawers, only to find bras, lace panties, socks, and four gorgeous silk nighties in a variety of colors. I was speechless and confused. I walked over to the walk-in closet and one side was filled with clothes.
"Andrew, I...I…" The words just wouldn't come out. "It's too much. Why would you do this?” I spoke as I turned and put my hand on his bare chest.
He took my hand and gently kissed each finger.
“Nothing is too much for you. I want to buy you nice things. Spend the night with me, you have everything you need here."
I took inventory of the clothes and shoes and everything was of perfect si
ze.
"Your personal shopper has excellent taste, Mr. London. Have you used her before?" I glanced at him.
"No. Actually, it was my first time and she took a personal interest in you." He winked as the doorbell rang and he left the room.
I was overwhelmed by all of it and I didn’t know what or how to feel. I grabbed my phone from my purse and sent a text to Emma.
"Great taste, thank you."
"Don't thank me. Thank your boyfriend. Thanks to him, I made a huge commission! Enjoy your new things."
“Don’t you think it’s a little strange?” I asked.
“Who cares. You got a bunch of new clothes. Enjoy them. He’s so into you, Addison. Let him be. Don’t hurt his feelings. And make sure you thank him very well.”
I rolled my eyes. All of this was like a dream and things were moving really fast. The words Charlie used to say to me keep haunting me. "Addison, if it's too good to be true, then it probably is."
Andrew called me from the kitchen. I could smell the aroma of the Chinese food down the hallway.
"Let's eat by the fireplace," he spoke as he took our dinner and a bottle of wine to the living room. “Please tell me you’re not upset for what I did.”
“I’m not. I just didn’t expect it. No one has ever treated me like this before. I was caught a little off guard, that’s all.”
“Well, then all those other guys were blind fools.” He winked.
****
I thought the alarm was going off, until I fully awoke, and realized it was Andrew yelling from another room. I looked at the clock and it was six forty-five am. I stumbled out of bed and quietly walked down the hall, following his angry voice.
“I don't give a shit. I pay you a lot of money to do what I tell you and I told you to get the papers signed."
I'd never heard that tone in his voice before. It was chilling. I opened the door to his study and he looked up at me from behind his desk.
"I have to go. Do what I ask,” he yelled as he slammed the phone on his desk.
"Is everything okay?" I nervously asked.
He was agitated. That much I could tell.
"It's nothing for you to worry about," he spoke as he got up from his chair and left the room.
I walked over and ran my fingers along the mahogany desk. One wall was lined with ceiling-to-floor windows that housed blinds. The opposite wall was lined with paneled arch bookcases that displayed a variety of books from Shakespeare to fiction and poetry. Two wing-backed chairs sat on each side of a fireplace. As I glanced at his desk, my attention was drawn to a small seashell that sat in between a pencil holder and a paperweight. I picked it up and examined it.
"What are you doing?" his voice snapped.
I jumped and dropped the seashell on the floor.
"Christ, Andrew, you scared me." I bent down and picked it up.
"Maybe you shouldn't be in here snooping around,” he spoke with anger in his tone.
I put the seashell back in its proper place and turned on my heels to face him.
"I wasn't snooping. I noticed the seashell and it brought back some memories from my childhood.” I stomped out of the study and headed toward the bedroom.
"Addison, wait. I didn't mean it like that," he spoke as he followed closely behind me.
"Save it, London. You're obviously upset about something and instead of talking to me about it, you're shutting me out and I hate it," I yelled as I thumbed through my new clothes, looking for something to wear to work.
"I'm not shutting you out. It has nothing to do with you and I don't want you involved or worried. It's a work thing."
I turned to him with a pointed finger.
“Just because you’re having problems with a work thing, doesn’t give you the right to snap at me the way you did! I'm not discussing this right now. I have to get ready for work."
I went into the bathroom and locked the door as I heard him curse under his breath. I put on a pair of black dress pants, a burgundy camisole, and a matching jacket. I didn't have time to do my hair, so I twisted it and secured it with a clip. I threw on some makeup, brushed my teeth, and was ready to go within twenty minutes. I opened the bathroom door and Andrew wasn't in the bedroom.
I walked to the kitchen and there he stood, looking as sexy as fuck in his dark gray designer suit holding a travel mug filled with hot coffee.
"Thanks." I lightly smiled as he handed it to me.
"Am I forgiven yet?" He pouted.
The look on his face made my heart melt and I couldn't help but lightly kiss his bottom lip.
“Yes. You are forgiven. Just be a little more mindful next time.”
He cupped my chin with his hand.
“Thank you. I’m sorry and I will be. Tell me about this childhood memory you had," he spoke as he poured himself a cup of coffee.
"Remember when I told you we went to the Hamptons every summer? I was friends with this boy and we used to go to the beach every day and collect seashells.”
Andrew looked at me with an arched brow. "Should I be jealous of this boy?" He smirked.
I laughed. “Jealous of an eight-year-old?”
"Sounds like you two hung around a lot.”
"We did. He was my best friend. After we collected our seashells, we’d spend hours building sandcastles. In fact, we both loved to build so we would have contests.”
“Who won?” he asked.
I smiled. “It was usually a tie. So, when I saw the seashell sitting on your desk, it reminded me of him.”
"Do you remember his name?" Andrew asked.
"His name was AJ,” I said as I grabbed my purse and we headed out the door.
“I think you had a crush on him,” he spoke as we climbed into the backseat of the Escalade.
“I think you’re right.” I smiled. “We had a lot of fun together. Those summers were the happiest times of my life. I never saw him again after the summer Charlie died.” I looked out the window. “Madeline couldn't bring herself to ever visit the Hamptons again. I always thought about him and wondered how he grew up, what he does, what he looks like now as a man. I wondered if I would recognize him if I ever passed him on the street. We had this connection from the moment we met when we were five years old.”
“Five? Isn’t that a little young to have a connection with someone of the opposite sex?”
I laughed. “Looking back now, yes. But at that time, he was the only person I wanted to spend time with. If that makes sense.”
“What about his parents?”
“I don’t know much. We didn’t really talk about our families. We were just focused on us playing on the beach, collecting seashells and building sandcastles. I know his mom didn’t work and his dad was some type of businessman. They were rich. I knew that much. A few times, our families would get together for barbeques and me and AJ would just sit on the beach and play in the sand.”
Andrew took hold of my arm and pulled me into him.
"Listen, I'm sorry about earlier. I love you."
"I'm over it. Please don't give it a second thought. I love you too.”
Chapter Fourteen
After work, I went back to my apartment because Andrew had a couple of late meetings and I didn’t want to sit at his place by myself. I needed some time with Jasper and Emma. When I arrived home, I could smell the aroma of Jasper’s cooking throughout the apartment.
“Hey.” I smiled as I walked over and kissed his cheek.
“Hey, baby girl. Have a seat. Dinner will be ready in a minute.”
“It smells amazing in here. I’m starving.”
I walked over to the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of wine and grabbed a glass from the cabinet.
“I was surprised when you called and said you were coming home. I figured you’d be a permanent fixture at Andrew’s place,” Jasper spoke.
“He has a couple of late meetings and I didn’t want to stay there by myself. Listen, something’s been bothering me, Jasper,” I spoke as I too
k a seat at the island.
“What is it?” He cocked his head.
“Ever since Andrew and I have been seeing each other, he hasn’t taken me out and he won’t.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
“No. I’m not. The only public place we went to was that restaurant the night after the club. Every time I suggest we go out to eat or something, he always has an excuse as to why he doesn’t want to.”
“Maybe the man is a homebody. Some people are like that. They’re happy staying in and doing things. But, I’ll agree with you, that is weird. “Have you talked to him about it?”
“Not really. Every time I try to bring it up, we end up in bed.”
Jasper leaned over the counter with a smile on his face.
“Is he as good as I imagine him to be?”
The corners of my mouth curved upwards. “Better.” I took a bite of my filet.
“Damn, Addy.” He grinned. “Maybe what you need to do is cut him off for a while. No sex until he takes you out.”
“Isn’t that a little harsh?” I asked as I raised my brow.
He shrugged. “Something isn’t adding up. There’s got to be a reason he doesn’t want to go out. A man like Andrew London doesn’t seem to be that type of guy. Did you Google him?”
“Yeah, and it’s like he’s a ghost. The only thing that came up was an article of him taking over London Arc Corporation after his father died.”
“There’s no pictures of him and other women?” Jasper asked as he shoved a forkful of green beans in his mouth.
“Nope. Nothing. It’s weird.”
“Then you’re left with no choice but to talk to him about it.”
I sighed. “I guess I’m going to have to.”
After Jasper and I ate and cleaned up, he left for work and I laid down on the couch. I closed my eyes for a few moments and must have drifted off to sleep.
"Addison," AJ yelled from the lawn of my house.
I ran out of the house as Madeline would yell, "Don't slam the door." Nonetheless, I always slammed it anyway.
AJ would wait for me and we’d grab hands, running down to the beach and planting ourselves in the sand.
"I brought the buckets to build the sandcastles,” he spoke.