“Go. I’ve got you covered.”
Caleb doesn’t need me to say it again, he flies out the door, leaving a whirlwind of excited energy in his wake.
“Send Leah my love,” I shout after him with a chuckle.
“Will do,” comes a distant reply.
I log onto the server and download a copy of Caleb’s presentation. As management, we have a directory set up to cover each other in cases like this, when someone needs to step in.
Once it’s downloaded, I head up to the meeting room.
“Ladies, gentlemen, it’s good to see you. Caleb has been called away, so I’ll be taking you through today’s presentation.”
I go around the room, shaking the hands of all those present. We’ve all met before, when I was involved in the initial discussions. Simon nods in my direction. I shoot him a look that lets him know I’m not here to step on his toes. I know he’s got this.
The presentation goes well. I really have heard Caleb give it enough times to deliver it myself.
I enter my office and check my phone.
CAL:
Beautiful twin girls.
ME:
Congratulations to everyone.
I smile at the message and click on the photo of a tired-looking Leah, holding two tiny bundles. Gabriel is grinning down at her and their two latest additions, his love shining through. Leah’s made it to thirty-seven weeks. Between hermum, Francesca and Kat, I know they’ve all been helping out after the doctor demanded full bed rest following the New Year.
New Year.
My mind wanders to Kat.
Is she there too?
My body hardens at the memory of us together. The storm kept us trapped within the summerhouse until five AM, not that either of us complained. The time flew by as we enjoyed each other’s bodies.
When the storm finally subsided, we’d crept back into the manor like a couple of naughty teenagers, narrowly missing Betsy, who was heading down to the kitchen.
There was not much talking about the future. We discussed our Christmases, my parents, and her siblings. I left her at her bedroom door with one final smouldering kiss, but when I emerged a few hours later, she was gone, a note pushed under my door, explaining that she was being called back to London to deal with an emergency at one of the hotels.
Coincidence?
I sigh.
We’ve hardly spoken since the New Year. Work and life are pulling us both in different directions. I can’t even blame Kat. Two days after I returned to London, I was required to fly to the US for a week, only to have one of our older clients demand my presence at a meeting.
I can’t regret the time we spent together. When I opened my eyes in the shower and saw Kat standing there, her bottom lip pulled between her teeth, her body on full display… My cock was already throbbing simply from her proximity. When I pulled her into my arms, there’d been no rational thought, only a driving need to sink into her silky depths until she was screaming and coming around my cock.
I know Kat wants to keep our relationship professional, and I appreciate that. But I also crave the woman, like I’ve never craved another. The simple thought of her ties me up in knots, has me breaking out in a sweat, my body tingling with need.
I sink into my chair, adjusting myself.
I open my laptop and type out an email, copying in Simon and Caleb, outlining the meeting. Trish, Caleb’s PA, took the minutes, but I want to give my take. It’s something we’ve always done after every investor or client meeting. Gut feel. Make sure everyone is on the same page going forward.
My phone pings.
More pictures.
