Because of You (4 page)

She took her purchases upstairs, hiding her vibrator and handcuffs in her nightstand and the teddy on the back of the bathroom door. Boy, was Adam going to be in for it tonight. She rubbed her palms together in delight.

***

When Jackson told Adam to sit down after telling him they had a great deal to discuss, Adam felt like a kid back in school sitting in front of the principal. What was the worst that could happen? Getting fired. No the worst thing was imagining Aloe doing backflips in delight.

“It didn’t take me much digging to come up with the truth,” Jackson said. “I know who was responsible for the cost overruns, who instructed production to shut down. In fact, I know the entire story, Adam.”

Here it comes
. Adam felt his throat close as his stomach went into freefall. The tuna sandwich he’d eaten for lunch threatened to resurface.

“I’m sorry you weren’t here to see security escort Charles Aloe off the premises. It was quite a spectacle. The lying sack of shit actually tried to pin it on you, but we had him six ways from Sunday.”

Adam realized these were not the words he’d been expecting. It took him a moment to internalize them. “I’m glad you know it wasn’t me,” he replied, relief washing over him.

“Me, too. ‘Cause now you have to fly to Buffalo and smooth some very ruffled feathers at Hudson Food. Convince them everything is back on track. The corporate jet will be waiting for you at La Guardia. You’re booked into the Hyatt Regency.”

Adam nearly groaned aloud. That was the last thing he’d desired to do tonight. “Does Fried expect me?”

“Most definitely. You have a dinner date with him at 8 PM at E. B. Green’s in the hotel.”

Adam got up to leave and got as far as the door when Jackson stopped him. “And Adam…”

Adam turned around.

“Make the man happy.”

Adam took the agency’s car service to the airport. He always kept a packed overnight bag at his office for emergencies, so he didn’t need to go home to pack. He called Jill on the way.

“Hey, babe,” he began.

“Hopefully you’re on your way home. I have a surprise for you.”

“I do, too, but I have a feeling yours would have been better,” he replied.

“What do you mean?”

“I’m on my way to the airport—”

“Damn it, Adam. Why?”

“It’s a long story, but the short version is that my boss was canned and I have to save an account.”

“The director of client services?”

“Yeah.”

“Are you the only capable guy in that agency?”

“Right now, yeah. I’m sorry. I’d rather be home with you.”

“Yeah, sure,” she said not disguising the disappointment. There went their special night.

“I’m really sorry,” Adam said again, but Jill had already hung up.
If she only knew the half of what I’ve gone through today, maybe she’d be less judgmental,
Adam thought irritably. Then he caught himself.
Well how would she know when you won’t tell her, you coward
?

Chapter Seven

By morning Jill had calmed down after her pity party and a thorough breaking in of her new vibrator. Her book was due to hit the bookstores in a day or so. She should be in a celebratory mood, not bawling her eyes out. Besides, she should have expected something like last night to happen. After all, it happened a great deal.

She had forgotten how important it always had been for Adam to become the director of client services. That was what he’d been striving for. All the extra hours and Saturdays had been to impress his bosses.
And how has it worked out for him? They dangle that position like a carrot in front of Adam’s nose and he chases after it as if it were the Holy Grail. He does it for us, he says. Well, maybe it’s really for him. She was happy with what they already possessed. Why couldn’t Adam be content?

***

Adam was able to smooth things over with Joel Fried. The delicious steak and cocktails at E. B. Green’s classy restaurant helped, but, it was the fact that Adam guaranteed his ad would be on time and threw in a complimentary color spread in
House & Gardens
that really brought a smile to Fried’s face.

He felt good about saving the account for the ad agency, but truly wished he could be the conquering hero in Jill’s eyes. Alone in the hotel, Adam thought a great deal of how things had disintegrated between him and Jill. They hardly made love anymore—hell, they hardly spoke without jumping down each other’s throats.

This was not what Adam wanted. He loved Jill and always had ever since he first saw her. He noticed her beautiful amber eyes with the gold flecks held a gleam that no makeup could improve. Those eyes were sometimes mischievous and other times dancing with laughter, but always deep enough for him to drown in. And yet, he loved her eyes most not when they glowed with enjoyment, but when they brimmed with tenderness and passion. He missed that passion.

The passion that he shared with Jill he’d never known with any other woman. No one could make him feel like Jill could. Because of Jill, he’d reached heights of pleasure he'd never thought possible. Closing his eyes he pictured her beautiful face with its delicate high cheekbones and soft, creamy, mocha skin that tasted as good as it looked. Merely touching her always sent shivers of delight through him. Her sweet kisses always left his mouth burning with fire, and sometimes he couldn't get enough of them.

Just thinking about Jill made him hard. He stroked his erection thinking about what he’d do to her when he got home.

***

When Jill got home from work, she found a box by her front door left by the mailman. She opened the door and carried the box inside. Excitement bubbled within her as she noticed the stamped return address. Ripping the box open and nearly breaking two of her nails in the process, she took out one of her books and gingerly thumbed through it. The cover was shiny and gorgeous. But the best part of it was her name in big bold letters. She had done it!

Jill immediately called Lynne and told her she was sending her a book.

“Don't you dare!”

“Why not? I want to autograph it, as well.”

“I want to buy one. You could autograph it when you come to visit.”

“Why spend the money when I can send you a free one?” Jill said.

“Because I want to have the pleasure of telling the cashier that this is my sister's book. Didn’t I tell you that I wanted to be the first one to buy it?”

“I love you, Lynne.”

“I know, and I love you, too. But hell, I'm so damn proud of you! You should send a copy of the book to Mom and Dad.”

“Yeah, and I'll autograph it ‘your loving daughter’— right.”

They shared a laugh.

“All laughter aside, you know, Sis, if your book becomes a bestseller, they're gonna know.”

“I'd rather they find out that way. If I sent them a book, they’d probably toss it in the garbage.”

“Yeah, they probably would. By the way, has Adam seen it yet?”

“No. He flew straight from work yesterday to Buffalo. One of these days, it’s going to be me or that job of his.”

“Word to the wise, don't make it an ultimatum,” Lynne advised. “Communication 101.”

“I know. It just gets to me sometimes.”

“Just don't let it get the better of you.”

“I won't. Somebody's beeping in—”

“Answer it. I've got to go anyway. Speak to you.”

“Hey, Jill,” Adam said, “I'm on my way home.”

“Does that mean you expect dinner?” But before he could answer, she said, “Only kidding.”

“See you soon,” he said.

As Adam disconnected his phone, he realized that Jill sounded happy.

***

When Adam came into the kitchen, he found Jill humming as she placed the dinner plates on the table. He'd noticed the box on the cabinet in the hall and peeked inside to find it filled with her books. They did look impressive. No wonder she was so happy.

He came up close behind her and kissed the back of her neck. She turned to look at him questioningly as he handed her a long-stemmed rose. It wasn’t their anniversary, so she was at a loss for the reason. However, she didn’t care. It only added to her great mood, but it didn’t stop her from teasing him. “Uh-oh! An unexpected gift. Has somebody been bad?”

“Yup. You’ve caught me.”

Jill stopped what she was doing and turned completely around to face Adam.

“I just wanted to tell you that I’m sorry I’ve been working so many long hours. And that I’m very proud of you,” he said, a lazy smile on his lips.

He looked like a little boy apologizing for breaking the cookie jar. But when he opened his arms and she melted into them, he felt like the loving man she’d married. A sensuous heat flowed between them. Then their lips met and all thoughts of dinner were forgotten.

In a fluid motion, Adam swept Jill off her feet and into his arms. She buried her head in the crook of his neck as he carried her upstairs and into the bedroom and put her gently on the bed. He opened his pants, pulled down his boxers and pants in one motion, and let them drop as he joined her on the bed. Quickly he hiked up her skirt and pulled her silk panties off. His fingers confirmed her readiness. She was hot and wet. A beat later, he was inside her. Jill moaned as she began to move with the rhythm of his strokes.

“God, Jill,” he growled as he plunged into her. “I’ve missed this.”

His mouth covered hers, his tongue tangling with hers. His strokes became more forceful, his hips slapping hers. As the turbulence of passion swirled around them, their movement reached a feverish pitch quickly. Jill abandoned herself to the electric sensations as she felt an orgasm approaching. It consumed her, taking her to an awesome, shuddering ecstasy.

Moments later, Adam bellowed his release then collapsed atop her, spent, as well. Jill clutched him and stroked his muscular back. She truly hoped things would be better now. Perhaps, the passion that had originally brought them together had resurfaced. Or was this the obligatory sex they had every so often, the small, doubting voice in her head asked.

Chapter Eight

Within a week, Jill’s book was already at number eight on the
New York Times
bestseller list. Jill could hardly believe what had transpired. It was as if the fabric of her entire life had changed overnight from cotton to silk. True, she’d poured her heart and soul into writing her first book, but she hadn’t been prepared for the results.

Call it beginner’s luck, but not only had her novel gotten published in record time, it had become a bestseller. Jill was at a loss to fully comprehend her good fortune. Somehow all the pain of rejection had been avoided and an unknown novice had become an overnight sensation. Jill couldn’t keep count of the times she pinched herself to make certain she wasn’t dreaming.

Adam made good on his word to celebrate her publishing her book. That Saturday night he took Jill to a celebration dinner. He selected a very romantic, upscale restaurant, not too far from their house, called Limani, which meant “seaport” in Greek. The imposing stone and glass restaurant was located on Northern Blvd. in Roslyn. The décor, with Pendelikon marble columns made of the same stone as the Pantheon and large clay pots called pitharia, was inspired by the art of ancient Greece.

Dining there was more of an experience than having a meal. The restaurant had an open kitchen and served seafood from all around the world, but adhered to the traditional Mediterranean diet. Utilizing a Greek concept, fish was sold by the weight. All olive oil was imported from the Peloponnese region in Greece, the saffron came from Kozani, and the capers from the island of Santorini.

There were also two wine-tasting stations, but Adam ordered a bottle of champagne. For an appetizer, they selected mussels. Adam’s entrée was a veal chop with lemon-roasted potatoes, while Jill opted for the Arctic char, a pink trout imported from the Arctic. Along with that, she ha
d
spanakoriz
o
, a spinach and rice dish with onion, dill, and olive oil.

Adam made a toast to Jill that nearly brought tears to her eyes. “May the sale of this book bring you everything that you desire and undoubtedly deserve. And may it be the beginning of a long career as an author.”

They clinked glasses. Jill blinked away the tears filling her eyes. “That was lovely, Adam.”

Adam smiled and took a healthy sip of his champagne. What she saw in his eyes sent her spirits soaring and a warm glow flowing through her.

Jill sipped her champagne and felt the bubbly slip down her throat. “This place is beautiful. How on earth did you hear about it, Adam?”

“I’ve eaten here before with some of my important clients.”

The waiter delivered a tray of pita bread, humus and an olive oil mixture. He topped up their champagne glasses and left once more. A few minutes later, he returned with a heaping bowl of mussels.

“Try the mussels, Jill. They’re unbelievable.”

Jill took his advice and discovered they were delicious. Everything she’d eaten so far was excellent. It had been quite a while since they’d gone out to dinner at a fine restaurant, but the best part was spending time with Adam.

He couldn’t be any more attentive. It actually made her heart sing. When he asked her to tell him about the book, she was flattered by his interest.

Now as they conversed, each time his gaze met hers, her heart turned over in response. Perhaps the bubbly had gone to her head and she was reading more into his looks then there was. However, she didn’t care, because right then and there she felt wonderful. Nothing else mattered. Since she had found success as an author, perhaps her personal life would eventually transform for the better, as well. No matter what, this was her night and she would enjoy it to the fullest.

Adam pulled into the driveway at their home in Locust Valley. As he opened the passenger door for Jill their eyes met. A sensuous light passed between them, causing her to feel the familiar tingling in the pit of her stomach. Heat rippled under her skin as she recognized the flush of sexual desire. The anticipation of making love jolted her heart and made her pulse pound.

Jill had the urge to throw herself into Adam’s arms. As if reading her mind, Adam closed the front door behind them and enfolded her in his arms. His mouth found hers as he backed her against the door and crushed her to him. One of his hands delved straight to her breasts, pushing the bra up over them. As he tweaked a nipple, Jill felt the sensation shoot to her clit.

When they broke for air, Jill whispered, “Oh, Adam, love me,” before his lips sought hers once more.

After hastily shedding their coats, Adam lifted Jill into his arms and carried her up to their bedroom. Along the way, she buried her face against his neck and breathed in the combination of his aftershave and unique smell. Her body instinctively responded to him and she felt pleasure coursing through her body like an awakened river.

They fell back onto the bed and began to undress one another with the enough urgency to rival that of her characters. It all seemed so surreal. She felt as if she were playing a scene ripped from her novel. Script or no script, the sensations and pleasure she was feeling was real.

Jill’s restless hands stroked Adam’s broad, toned back and threaded through his hair as he kissed and suckled her breasts. She nibbled at his ear lobe and kissed his neck as she rubbed herself against him.

Adam’s lips found Jill’s once more and he took her mouth with a savage intensity. Her lips continued to burn as he planted a series of slow, shivery kisses down her body to explore her core. She felt her blood pound in her brain as she breathed in erratic gasps. Jill arched her back as Adam sucked her sensitive nub while he stroked and kneaded her pebble-hard nipples ratcheting up her pleasure.

Passion now surged throughout Jill’s entire body. Her insides felt as tightly wound as the mainspring of a watch. She needed to have Adam inside her now and felt her impatience loom to explosive proportions. Taking matters into her own hands, she reached for his penis and guided it home. As it filled her, she closed her eyes and gasped with pleasure.

As their bodies began to move in harmony, they reveled in the pure pleasure of the passion flowing between them. Before long, their desire had risen to a feverish pitch. A moan of ecstasy slipped through her lips as she surrendered to the whirlpool of delight that shook her entire body.

By the time the last pleasurable sensation of her orgasm faded, Adam grabbed Jill’s buttocks and pounded into her several moments before his body tensed and he reached his own climax. Seemingly spent, he collapsed on top of her.

They lay like that for several moments, and Jill couldn’t help but hope that they’d reached a turning point in their marriage. Perhaps, from this moment on, things would be different. Adam would realize how much he’d missed their intimacy and spend more time at home with Jill. And this hadn’t been obligatory sex.