The Open Road

Chapter 15

Flashback

Bob

I stood wide eyed in the foyer watching as Sue cascaded down the stairs in a stunning sequined silver dress that made my stomach flutter. My mouth suddenly became dry and I felt my body temperature swiftly heightening with each step she took towards me. Her matching silver heels and elegant jewelry completed her royal look, her royal sexy look. Did I mention she had decided to put on light make up and natural hair due? I scarcely wondered whether the event we were headed to was necessary. It's not every day that you get to gaze upon such a refined form of beauty. I shook my head; terming her as beautiful was a cruel understatement. As I sauntered across the floor to meet her in the middle of the foyer, I knew without a doubt that I was the luckiest man alive.

"Ready to knock them dead Mr CEO?"

Sue asked while playfully tugging my hair. Normally I would respond by swatting her hand away. Now I just stood there, gaping.

For some reason words became scarce and stuttering became my new habit. I felt like a dumb man who had just been granted the ability go speak.

"I-I well, y-ou lo-ok-"

"What he is trying to say is that you are simply a sight for sore eyes Suzie."

An annoyed huff escaped my mouth as Sue giggled at this compliment. I had instantly known who had spoken and I decided to slap the flirtatious comment away from Sue.

Sue was mine.

"Darren, I thought you would meet us at the penthouse like the rest of the employees at my company."

I knew the effect of the words and I enjoyed seeing them slice through him like a knife dipped in ice, simply satisfying. I watched as his easy smile disappeared leaving a deep frown in its place. He soon regained his composure and placed his signature plastic smile on his furrowed face.

God I hated him. Couldn't I have been born as an only child?

"Well big brother perhaps you would like to brush up on your stuttering and develop a little eloquence for the grand CEO speech."

Darren nodded politely towards Sue before taking her hand and bending slightly to plant a kiss on it. Before his lips made contact with her hand, however, I pulled him back. He responded by aggressively swirling around. For a minute we just stood there, grunting and glaring at each other.

The tension was palpable and from how Sue was heavily breathing I could tells she was growing increasingly uncomfortable.

"Best be on your way little brother...you want to find a good seat for the occasion."

"Might as well leave you...Clearly you need to recover your ability to speak."

Darren shifted his bodyweight towards Sue and proceeded to shoot her a grin. He then exited the mansion finally leaving Sue and I to ourselves, or so I thought.

"Sir, you are being summoned at the penthouse, you are running late and certain people are not pleased."

Maureen, my designated nanny and part time mom, appeared out of the blue announcing my urgent requested presence at the CEO reveal ceremony in the penthouse. I was sure my father had requested her to come fetch me, typical. Maureen's cheeks turned ruby red once she noticed Sue in my arms. She soon scurried away, disappearing as stealthily as she had appeared. In another life she should have been a magician or a thief, well a magician. Sue let out a chuckle around the same time as mine came out.

"I see no one wants us to have our moment...how cruel of them!" Aue commented, her tone laced with amusement.

"Might I just say, you are the most breathtaking creature I have ever come across. Tonight, your beauty has literally uttered me speechless."

A soft rosy blush appeared on her cheeks and my lips itched to kiss her. Her pout was a sign of wanting, it was a signal for me to indulge in some lip play with the most gorgeous woman in the planet. Oh the things she makes me say in my mind.

I angled her face towards me, drawing in her fragrance as I dipped my head to press my lips against hers. As I did this, I noticed that she was biting the inner part of her lower lip. I let a smile make it's way on my mouth; even after all this time I still had the ability to make Sue nervous.

"Now now son, you no better than to kiss in front of your elders. Do you have any idea how traumatizing it is for me?"

Sue and I quickly disentangled ourselves from each other upon hearing the intruder. I whipped my head, curious to know who had decided to invade my privacy, yet again.

I really needed to get a guard particularly for this task. Or a bigger door. Yes, a bigger door. My thoughts scattered at the sound of Sue's audible gasp. I followed her line of sight and released a gasp of my own.

"Mom?"