SkyeI was jolted out of my deep sleep when light filtered through the blinds in Derek's bedroom. I grinned, feeling more at ease than I ever had before as I could still feel Derek's arms around me. From the way he handled my anxious outbursts to the frequent laughter he brought me, to how passionately we connected, everything about him made me feel good inside. It felt more natural for me to wake up in his arms, on his bed, and in his apartment than anything else I had ever done.While listening to him move behind me, I moved my hands up and down his arms. I flipped over and kissed his nose as I waited for his eyes to gradually open. When he saw that I was still there and that we were still bundled up under the covers, he pulled me in closer and grinned. He gave the time a quick check before sitting down next to me and ran his fingers through my tangled mass of hair.“Good morning, handsome,” I whispered .“Good morning, beautiful,” he said, smiling. “I’m glad you’re still here .”“M
DerekFinally, the end of the work week rolled around, something that had seemed so far away just a couple days before. I loved my company, but I needed a break with the amount of work we were putting into these new projects. I was barely getting any sleep at night, and I missed having Skye in my bed when I woke up in the morning .I climbed out of bed and made my way to the bathroom, where I shaved and showered, but I took my time doing so. It was Friday, and I deserved a little bit of relaxation just like everyone else at the office .When I was done with that, I picked out a nice Armani suit, a dark teal button-up, and a dark gray tie, nodding in approval at myself in the mirror. I did my hair slowly and methodically, not wanting to look like a mobster with slicked-back hair. When I was done, I made a cup of coffee and put it in a travel mug, not wanting to deal with the lines at the café, especially since Skye didn’t start working until the afternoon .I walked quickly through th
Skye The lights were flashing across the entire club, and the music was loud. We ultimately settled on going to the Expose Club despite my promise to Mandee that we would have a girls' night out. The fact that I never had to wait in line to enter the club and that my father was well-known made this place appealing to me. Mandee enjoyed it because it allowed her to relax, have a few drinks, flirt with gorgeous people, and let all the stress from her graduate school worries go. In light of the recent anxiety that everyone had experienced, it was undoubtedly an excellent use of our time on a Saturday night. Derek had already sounded troubled when we spoke the last time, which worried me. I let all of it go, though, and tried to have fun as Mandee and I danced around the club while admiring the sight. I wanted to make sure Mandee enjoyed herself because she didn't go out much. We had a few drinks to start, did some dancing, and then stopped for a while to have a few more drinks before g
Derek I swore as I grabbed the boiling-over saucepan and burnt my hand. I was preparing supper for Skye, but my anxiety was out of control. I would have to tell her about David and explain to her that we had to let everyone know about us since time was running out. I knew the talk would be challenging since I wasn't sure which direction to go in. David could inform everyone, which would have a negative impact on all of us. I could approach Spencer and the press before David to try to ease some of the burden. Or, and this was hardly a concept in my head at the time, I could cut things up with Skye and hope she realized it was for her own benefit. As the entrance door opened and closed, my thoughts were jolted. Skye had arrived, and I was beginning to lose the last of my courage. I leaned in and kissed her passionately since she seemed so comfortable, almost unrecognizable. She smiled and said, "Well hello." I responded, "Hey," while feigning anxiety. "How's it going? ” She grinned
Skye As his cock moved up till it touched my neck and then pushed back down, I could feel how hard it was as it pressed between my titties. I never imagined that titty-fucking my lover would be so sexy, but with each thrust and growl, I could feel the moisture gathering in my underwear. I knelt down and sucked his cock's swollen tip as it passed past my breasts. He continued to press before sticking out his cock, reaching up for my face, and yanking me in his direction. He placed himself next to me and put me on my back while removing my underwear and stroking my soaking wet pussy with his fingers. His fingers slipped between my folds and into my secretions as I parted my legs and opened up, gasping. Derek parted my lips with his tongue as he pushed forward and placed his mouth against mine. He then swirled his tongue around in my mouth. He pushed back down after rubbing up and down on my pussy and twirling around my clit. He slid his middle and ring fingers deep inside of me while u
Derek Exactly one week after David had handed me the ultimatum, it was Friday. I was reluctant to meet at that filthy, outdated diner. It was beneath me and gave me the impression that I was actually doing improperly. Instead, I emailed David that morning and asked him to join me for brunch at the Love house. I was familiar with this place, but David hadn't felt at home there since I had fired him from the firm. He was going to feel as uncomfortable as I could possible make him if he was going to blackmail me in this way. To help me relax as I waited, I ordered a Bloody Mary and a cup of coffee. I had no doubts about what I needed to accomplish. Even under the most dire circumstances, like this one, I was going to do everything in my power to make sure Skye was happy and cared for. When David entered through the door, I looked up and gestured him toward the table. He warily peered about, not knowing who may be at the other tables. Fortunately for him, significant people were at work
Skye It was just another day at Avalon Bistro, only I couldn't get Derek and the whole incident with David out of my head. Derek had texted me that he was meeting with him this morning, but I had no idea what he had decided. I figured if it wasn't a breakup with me, I'd find out about it pretty quickly. I jumped at the sound of my father's voice, just as that notion entered my thoughts. "How could you, Skye?" He yelled at me as he dashed toward the café. My cheeks flushed instantly, and I raised my hand to prevent my father from approaching the counter. The sound of my father yelling through the foyer startled my manager. Before setting it on the counter, I removed my apron and folded it. I rushed up to Gabby, who had just been promoted to manager, and leaned in to speak with her. She was appalled by what was going on around her. "I'm very sorry, Mavie," I murmured, trying hard not to cry. "I'll be right there." She nodded and walked over to the counter to assist the clients who
Derek Skye then returned to the café to continue her shift there. When she was finished, I met her in the lobby and led the way up to my apartment by holding her hand. As we ascended the elevator to my level, she firmly grasped my hand and grinned at the nosy elderly ladies who were chatting among themselves in the adjacent corner. As the door swung open and we stepped outside, Skye laughed against my arm. As soon as we entered, we embraced as the day's tension finally began to wear both of us down. I got a glass of wine for each of us and we sat down on the couch. She sighed and added, "I feel so much better." I affirmed, "Me too. At first it was frustrating that everything was out in the open, but now I don't feel like I have to keep anything from anyone. I have no problem kissing you in the middle of a busy area. We don't need to remain hidden in the back if we want to eat dinner at the Love house." She leaned down and kissed my lips, saying, "Everything is working out preci
Ryder - SIX WEEKS LATERLexie and I flew to Croatia on December 26. I told her we could go anywhere for a week, so I was surprised when she said she wanted to go there."Not the Aspen house?" I asked.She put her hand on her stomach and gave a shrug."Maybe the year after. Even if I could ski right now, I wouldn't be able to.""Then how about someplace warm?" I put my hands over hers and wrapped my arms around her from behind. Even though her stomach looked as flat as ever, I thought I could feel the start of a bump."There's a pool that's warm. That's all I can take." She leaned back so far that her head rested on my chest. Her golden hair smelled like the rosewater shampoo I was using every day since it nowww became a fixture in my bathroom.Our bathroom."What's so special about Croatia?" I asked to find out what was going on. At this time of year, it was cold and rainy. I thought it was interesting to see the snow-covered castles and Plitvie Lakes National Park, but I was surprise
LexieI was hoping to wake up to the aroma of apple turnovers or pumpkin bread when I got up, but I didn't smell either of those things. Instead, it was the sweet and nutty aroma of freshly brewed coffee that hit me first. I shifted in my position in the bed and took a deep breath, savoring the aroma while simultaneously pondering its source. My mother always had a pot of coffee on hand for her best friend and next-door neighbor Lorraine, but my sister and I would much rather drink soda or tea. It seemed like an odd time to start brewing it for us at this point in time.As I padded out of the room, I put on an old, tattered robe that I had worn in high school and was half expecting to see Lorraine seated at the table. Instead, I was confronted by Ryder.Even though he had his back turned to me, I recognized him right away.As my jaw dropped open, my eyes travelled from his broad shoulders to the expression on my mother's face. She gave me a gentle smile. "How are you doing today?"I w
RyderWhen I was in the air, approximately halfway to the East Coast and the inevitable, Lyndon gave me a call. He inquired as to whether or not I desired for him to take any action in regard to Kim.What are you going to do about her? I echoed. "I thought you said you didn't have anything," the person asked.He said it in a matter-of-fact manner, "I told you I hadn't found anything."I understood what he meant. He always carried something in the pocket behind his back. A frame, a fix up, a trap. Should he put Kim in one? Did I want him to?I gave it some thought as I fixed my gaze on the back of the seat in front of me. If Lyndon were able to conjure up an incriminating counter to what Kim had on me, it would make my life a hell of a lot easier. Despite the fact that Samantha loved her very much, she had long since lost Samantha's ability to give her the benefit of the doubt. She would be aware that accusing me of setting her up would only serve to drive a wedge between her and Saman
LexieAfter I left Ryder’s place, I wandered around LA for hours, unable to face going to Samantha’s condo. There were too many memories there. I’d find somewhere else to go. Anywhere. But when the rain kicked up, I admitted defeat and made my way back. I had to walk past Ryder’s apartment building to get there, and I forced myself to look straight ahead. I wouldn’t look up longingly at the penthouse, and I definitely wouldn’t turn my head to stare into the lobby in hopes that he was emerging from it. I couldn’t stop my ears from listening for him though. Desperately hoping to hear my name break through the quiet night. And then to hear an explanation. An apology. And I couldn’t stop my mind from creating the picture of our reunion — romantic as a movie in the pouring rain.But it never came. Instead, I just got soaking wet by walking so slowly, and I ended up in Samantha’s condo alone.I couldn’t leave this late at night, but I could do the next best thing. For the second time, I yan
RyderAfter Lexie had left, I stood there transfixed on the elevator for the duration of the meaningless time that passed. Perhaps it was only a minute, or perhaps it lasted the whole night. When I finally tore my eyes away from what I was looking at, it was still night. That was all I knew. The air had become cooler, and the fiery red clouds that had been hovering just above were now beginning to move across the sky. In Los Angeles, the aroma of rain was neither musty nor clean. It had a flavor reminiscent of metal. A bitter aftertaste to linger. As soon as I stepped outside, I inhaled deeply of its fresh air. The first drops of rain were already beginning to fall gently. The blazing flames within the candles trembled angrily as they evaded the petty spats that were occurring between them.I stood there in front of the table for an additional uncountable amount of time, taking everything in. She'd gotten herself into a bit of a pickle. The carbonara and fettuccine were both dishes th
LexieWhen I should have been shaking with fear, I was instead overcome with an overwhelming sense of happiness. My more rational and logical side worked hard to calm it down.What exactly makes you happy about life right now? You are only twenty-three years old. You have not even begun your studies in the legal field. You intend to advance your professional life while taking care of a child? That's going to be... interesting.It's funny, because I never realized how condescending my rationalist mind could be until now. I responded to it in a defensive manner. Absolutely, there will be plenty of excitement. And amazing. Ryder accomplished this feat when he was only nineteen years old, and I can do it too. In addition to that, I won't be going at it by myself.Is that so?The internal debate that I was having with myself was interrupted by a quavering sensation of dread. When I saw the positive sign on the pregnancy test, it was like seeing the future in front of me at the same time. R
RyderFor a very long time, it appeared to those who were looking in from the outside that I was the very best person in the entire world. I had accomplished everything I had planned to do when I was a scared-shitless nineteen-year-old kid who thought he only had one chance to make a life for himself and his baby daughter. I had believed that I only had one chance to provide a good life for my daughter. My name has always been associated with achievement. It gave people I cared about the opportunity to demonstrate what they were capable of doing. My youngest child was almost finished with college and would soon be able to succeed at anything she set her mind to. I had so much money that I didn't know what to do with it, and I had so many houses that I didn't know where to put myself. Even real friends, which were even more difficult to come by in this town than success, were on my side. In point of fact, they only cohabitated on occasion. I was aware that I should be confident because
LexieAfter Ryder dropped Samantha off at the airport on Monday at noon, I went to his penthouse to wait for him there. It was eerie how similar it was to being back in familiar surroundings. As I went from place to place, I stopped to examine the vegetation. As if they had known each other for years. As soon as I entered his room, I was overcome with a surge of excitement. Soon. Soon.When he arrived, I was so excited that I couldn't help but run into his arms as soon as I saw him.He had the ability to catch me, and then he lifted me into the air. After wrapping both of my legs around his waist and both of my arms around his neck, I climbed on top of him and laid down. It was a wonderful experience to be squished up against him in this manner. A release that was not solely attributable to sexual activity. I was concerned about him.When we were both naked and lying in bed later, I told him, "I missed you.""Me, too. I missed you." It was very cute, but the way he was rubbing his thu
RyderThere were a lot of factors contributing to why Samantha's visit was so distressing.To begin, I am proud to say that I have never lied to my daughter in the past. Now I did nothing else. The answers to even the most basic questions had to be lies.Where have you been that you are now so dressed up and so late?Toil and trouble.Who among these actresses would like to play the role of my stepmother this week?No one special.Don't you love Lexie?It is fine with her.As a result of her visit, I was unable to see Lexie for a period of three days. Not really see her that often, anyway. On Friday, while I was in the middle of negotiating a contract, I couldn't help but look at the back of her head instead of the document. Because I was accustomed to spending Friday night and the entirety of Saturday with Lexie, those days now feel depressingly empty to me. Then there was the time that we all went out to dinner on a Sunday night, and it was a terrible experience. I hadn't seen her s