Fervent Desires

Chapter 14 - Reunion?

Anna practically jogged behind me as I briskly walked through the office. “You have a nine o clock this morning and a presentation at eleven. I also need your signature-,” I was only half listening as she ran through my appointments for the day. The past two weeks had been awkward with Erica and I trying to avoid each other as best we could. It was painful seeing her but I had a feeling that not seeing her would hurt even more.

I stopped suddenly and Anna almost bumped into me. There was no escaping this morning; Erica was standing by the water cooler, which happened to be directly in my path. My feet felt like lead as I approached her. This happened every time I saw her and I was sure that people had started to notice.

“Good Morning,” I smiled stiffly as I walked by.

“Good Morning Ms. Vanderbilt,” she replied.

My back stiffened, it had been this way since the altercation in my office. Everything was strictly professional; I couldn’t stand it. I was going to have to win her back somehow. I quickly made my way to my office and collapsed into a chair. I considered my office my safe haven these days, It was the only place that I was sure to be far away from prying eyes.

I spent most of the morning trying to distract myself with work and by lunch I was happy to be out of the office, that place had become stifling. Vaughn had invited me to lunch and I was more than happy for the distraction. I pulled up to the restaurant twenty minutes earlier than we planned and sat at the table waiting for Vaughn. I was sipping the last of my margarita when Erica walked in. Her eyes met mine and all of the feelings I’d been trying to suppress came rushing back.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

“I’m meeting Cindy for lunch,” she answered. “You?”

“Vaughn asked me to meet him here,” I responded.

We instantly realized that we had been set up. “I’m going to kill her,” she said through gritted teeth.

I wasn’t angry, to be honest I was quite thrilled. I’d have to thank Vaughn later for his little stunt. “Well the least I can do is buy you lunch,” I extended a hand toward the empty seat in front of me.

“Oh I don’t think that’s such a good idea,” she said apprehensively.

“Erica please,” I was desperate.

Erica grudgingly took the seat and I motioned for the waiter.

“How have you been?” I asked when we were alone again, “I miss you,” I added when she didn’t respond readily.

“You hurt me; more than you know,” I could hear the pain in her voice.

“I’m sorry Erica,” I said quietly “I never meant to hurt you, believe me this is all a misunderstanding.”

“Really? Explain it to me,” she said.

I had wanted this for weeks, but now I struggled to find the words. “Noelle and I were never a couple. We use to have s*x from time to time when I was in L.A., but since I moved to New York we haven’t been together in any way,” I reached across the table and took her hand in mine. “Since I met you I’ve left all that in the past, I don’t want anything to do with my old life,” and I meant it.

“I don’t know if I should give you another chance,” she was hesitant.

“Let me prove myself to you, come over tonight and I’ll make you dinner,” I pressed.

“You cook?” she asked with a raised brow.

“I’ll order in,” I laughed, even in the most intense situations she had the power to make me laugh.

She finally gave in and as if on cue the waiter arrived with lunch. We spent the better part of an hour talking; for the most part the conversation was light and airy but, I was curious to know where she had been. It turns out she knew I would be looking for her at her place so she went home to her parents for a couple of days. Plus, it didn’t hurt that she wanted to get away from the city. I noticed that towards the end of lunch Erica’s demeanor had softened towards me and I was grateful. “I can’t wait to see you later,” I admitted as I hugged her goodbye. She smelled like lavender, her signature smell. “I’ll see you later,” she whispered in my ear before I reluctantly let her go.

........

Erica arrived at my condo at exactly 8:00 PM. She looked stunning, she wore a dress so short that if she bent over it would leave nothing to the imagination, paired with heels so high I had no idea how she didn’t topple over. I knew she wore that outfit specifically to punish me, and it was working. As soon as I saw her, I felt my desires stir but I didn’t mind; as long as she was here I didn’t mind the torture.

I cleared my throat, “You look beautiful”.

“Thank you,” she responded. She glanced at me through the corner of her eye; she was enjoying this.

“Have a seat,” I offered as I pulled out a chair for her.

“What are we having?” she asked. She pulled her chair in and her voluptuous breasts almost bounced out of her barely there dress.

“Breasts,” I slipped. I hurriedly averted my eyes. “Grilled chicken breasts” I knew she had caught my blunder.

I watched her intensely all throughout dinner, she finally caught me staring at her while she sipped her champagne and blushed in response.  She smiled shyly and I returned hers with a warm smile of my own. This seemed to comfort her and she looked like she actually began to enjoy my gaze. I allowed my eyes to roam over her for the first time in weeks. I loved watching her. My eyes settled on her cleavage again and this time when she saw me I didn’t bother looking away.  I took a sip of my own champagne; my eyes slowly rising from her cleavage. We locked eyes across the table and everything else seemed to fade away.

We were in a world of our own and I was sure she could feel my desire. Erica gazed at me over the rim of her glass before abandoning it for the fruit platter. She reached for a chocolate covered strawberry and I seized her hand before it could reach her lips. I held eye contact as I slowly and deliberately took a large bite, before feeding her the rest. The meal had gotten silent, we had abandoned words and the air was thick with our mutual desire.

We shared a single chocolate mousse. It was as if time stood still as I fed her bites of the rich and creamy dessert. She smiled with pleasure at the sweetness and I was captivated by the intimacy of the moment. I leaned forward and kissed her, tasting her for the first time in weeks. Her lips were sweet both from the mousse and from my longing for her.

She was mine. Time was standing still in our little world and I wanted to stay there forever. However; our bliss was to be short-lived. Erica and I were still reeling from our kiss when the elevator opened into my apartment. We both looked up to see Noelle walk through the door.