Escaping to the CEO

Chapter 13

Eric POV

"Move in with me?"

The look on her face. The shock: Her jaw dropped open, her eyes open wide. I felt panic surge through my chest. She was going to turn me down. I don't know how my heart is going to take this rejection. Maybe I should take it back. Maybe I should say I was just kidding and that I was going to have some of Michael's men keep watch over her. As I was about to see, she started talking.

"I was just.."

"I'm not sure if I'm ready to live with you. We just found each other. We haven't been with each other since we were 13. I want to get to know you again. Spend time with you. I still have feelings for you and I don't want living with you to cloud over, I want them to bloom and shine."

"I understand. How about I have some of Michael's men watch over you and Anna? You won't know they are there and that way, I'll know you are both safe."

"OK. I think that's a good compromise."

"Great. Time for lunch. Stay right there beautiful."

I stood and walked into the kitchen. The lasagna was piping hot as I pulled it from the oven. I cut us two large thick slices, placing them on the plates. I grabbed 2 glasses and filled them with Rosé wine, her favorite. I put everything onto a tray and carried it out into the living area. She was looking at a photo book that was on my coffee table. All the buildings that my company has built over the last few years.

"Find anything interesting?"

"Yea. These buildings are so beautiful. They take my breath away. I like the architecture, the way the glass reflects what's around in a way that it's like you're looking into the soul of the world."

"I'm glad you like my work."

"You designed these?"

"Yes and no. I have a team of designers who work for me, and they draw up the buildings. I just make their designs come to life."

"These are just spectacular. I can't stop looking at them."

"Do you want to go see them in person?"

"I would love that."

"We'll go tomorrow. Working for me means knowing about the buildings we create."

She smiled at me. I placed the tray on the table and handed her the glass of wine.

"How'd you know?"

"I know everything about you baby. I know you love Italian food, but when given the opportunity, you'll eat Tai food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I know you tolerate coffee and prefer a hot coconut with cherries in it. I also know that you need one to sleep because you need to feel safe and are afraid that someone is going to jump on you in the dark, and you want to be able to see their face. I almost know that you prefer fun flirty clothes over baggy ill-fitted ones. I know that you like light kisses along your chin, leading to a passionate one ....."

Her blush was so deep red while I was kissing her along her chin. I gripped her thighs and slid her closer to me. My mouth met hers and our lips pressed together in a hunger-induced kiss. My free hand slid up the back of her head, my fingers entwined in her hair holding her in place. She tasted like strawberries in cream. Her scent of wild flowers invaded my nose. I was completely intoxicated by her.

We broke the kiss and I took the glass out of her hands, placed it on the table. Before turning my attention back to her. I ran my fingers over her cheek and tucked the loose strands behind her ear. She gave a shy face, turning a smile.

"I love your smile. I love the way you pretend to be shy even though we both know that's not you."

"I love you making me smile. It's been a long time since I've had something or someone in my life making me smile and bringing out my true sense of self."

We looked at each other a bit longer before we dug into the food. She moaned as the spices pleasured her taste buds. Her hand went over her mouth after realizing she had made the noise, and her cheeks reddening once again.

"You can make that noise anytime you're with me, baby, as long as I'm the reason you make it."

She smiled behind her hand, her eyes slanted down. She finished chewing before she removed her hand. She had a small drop of sauce on her lip and I couldn't resist it. I used my finger to wipe the sauce off and licked it off.

"Tastes even better coming off your lips."

"Why not taste it direct from the source?"

She clapped both hands over her mouth in shock.

"I can not believe I just said that out loud."

I leaned in, lowering her hands from her face.

"I can."

My lips met hers, and we were kissing once again. My lips were brushing hers with the force. She climbed over my lap and was straddling over me. Her chest pushing into mine, my hands wrapping tightly around her back.

We spent what felt like an instant, but was really closer to two hours just making out with each other. The only reason we stopped was because my phone was vibrating in my pocket. 'Michael'

"Hey man, what's up?"

"Hey, I'm over at CD's, but she's not there. Anna said she hadn't seen her since last night."

"I got her. She's at my place."

"Oh, thank gawd. I was about to put a hit out on Joe thinking he took her."

"I mean......."

"I need probable because I can't go starting s**t with one of Texas' top lawyers."

"I mean beating his wife, holding her hostage in her home and bringing in several other women, doesn't it count?"

"It does, but I still need to keep stuff in the books. I don't need a war starting and I need actual proof before we um.... make him disappear."

"Fine.... ugh... Fine. Just keep an eye on him. Also, while I have got you on the phone, I'm going to need a couple of you guys to keep an eye on the CD and Anna. I want to make sure that they're both safe and stay safe."

"I can do that. I'll have Angelo, Jeremiah, and Sean with them."

"Thanks man. I appreciate it."

"Any time. Alright, you two love birds, have fun."

I hung up the phone. The CD had made herself comfortable, her legs off my lap and tucked underneath her and her head on my chest. I had been subconsciously rubbing her hair and must have put her to sleep. She was lightly breathing, her arm wrapped around my middle. I slowly shifted her, careful not to wake her. She was still so thin. I carried her into my room and laid her gently on the bed. I took my jeans off and laid down behind her, curling her into my chest. I was amazed she was asleep the whole time.

I must have fallen asleep too, because when I awoke, she was turning into me and kissing and sucking on my neck. A deep moan came out of my throat.

"You can wake me up anytime you want like this."

"Good because I intend to... Oh my gawd, what the hell is wrong with me? I keep saying What's on my mind?"

"It's because we're comfortable with each other, and you feel safe enough to say what's on your mind."

I leaned my head down and kissed her gently on her still bruised lips, causing a slight moan to come from her chest. She is my heaven. She makes the dark that my life became without her turn to light. She makes me want to better myself and be a better man. My feelings for her are so deep and wide I couldn't imagine another day without her being in my life.

We eventually fell back to sleep with her head and arms resting across my chest.

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"Wow! These buildings are incredible. It's like I'm looking into the future."

"I told you they were a sight to see."

"I believed you but sometimes believing is seeing and seeing is believing."

"You quoted Casper."

"You should remember it's my favorite. We watched it like a hundred times."

"Oh I remember."

I came up behind her as we were standing in front of the North Building. I whispered into her ear…

"Can I keep you?"

She started giggling and shrugging her shoulder away. I kissed her cheek and she blushed so hard.

We walked hand in hand around the industrial park with all the buildings my company designed and built. There were about a dozen or so that were unique and interesting. The others were your normal run-of-the-mill very basic brick buildings. I described what each of the buildings held for businesses and what the initial design was supposed to be. She absorbed my words like a sponge. Asking really thoughtful questions.

We got dinner at a small local diner before I took her back to Anna's. We talked more about the type of work that she would be doing and how I can't wait to have her become the face of my company.

Pulling into Anna's driveway, I walked the CD back to her door.

"I had a really nice time with you this weekend. Do you want me to pick you up for work or are you coming in with Anna?"

"I'll just catch a ride with her. No need for you to come here, just to turn around and head the other way again. That's silly."

"It's not silly. I would do anything for you."

I leaned down and gave her a good night kiss. She entered the house and waved goodbye as she closed the door. I walked down the steps heading over to my car. I saw Jeremiah sitting in his car. At the edge of the property. He was hidden by a shed and the trees but had a good view of the house. I nodded at him and he nodded back. I hopped in my car and headed for home. Tomorrow was going to be a good day.