Bending the Rules: Breaking the Rules #2 (14 page)

Morgan

I had to come up with a plan of how I’m going to get through
an evening with my family and the Thompsons without drinking. I couldn’t think of
an excuse for why I can’t drink without everyone figuring out about the
pregnancy. I decided that although I’m normally a gin martini gal when it comes
to ordering cocktails, perhaps a vodka drink with a splash of cranberry for fun
and color would be the perfect cocktail to sip on during the evening without
anyone being the wiser that there really isn’t any vodka in my drink.

Instead of hitting the restrooms I make a beeline to the bar
to speak with John who is tending bar for the evening.

“Morgan, it’s nice to see you this evening. You look
beautiful,” John says with a fond smile. I think he has worked here since I was
a little girl.

“Thanks, John,” I say, reaching across the bar to shake his
hand. I’ve palmed a few hundred dollars into his hand, and as he accepts the
money he looks at me quizzically. “This is a little something to keep the vodka
out of my vodka sodas this evening. Our server will let you know they are for
me. There is also enough there to ensure you don’t mention this to a single
person. Also could you do the same for the Bloody Marys I’m sure I’ll be
ordering during Sunday brunch for the next few months? I really appreciate it.
Merry Christmas, John, and thank you,” I say with a smile, and head back to my
table leaving a very stunned John behind the bar as I walk away. Surely he
understands what I’m insinuating.

Dinner has gone by smoothly without anyone questioning my
drink of choice. I allowed myself a sip of champagne during the lovely toast
Mark Thompson gave. My doctor assured me that now that I’m in my second
trimester just a sip here or there would be okay for the baby, not that I plan
on making a habit of that. I have always enjoyed spending time with the
Thompsons. I let my mind wander a bit thinking of how lovely it is that my parents
are such great friends with Adrian’s and if my situation were a little
different than it is now, I could easily picture spending holidays and other
special times together with Adrian’s parents as my in-laws for as long as we
both shall live.

Our dessert plates are being cleared as Adrian turns his
chair towards me. With a wry smile he reaches into his suit jacket pocket and
produces an envelope. He places it before me and I see my name scrawled across
the front in Adrian’s handwriting.

“Merry Christmas, beautiful,” he says to me and leans in to
give me a soft kiss on the lips, and my face immediately turns a new shade of
crimson. I’m not sure why I’m so embarrassed by the display of affection, he
has kissed me many times in front of our parents. He gives me a smile and nods
towards the envelope, letting me know he wants me to open it now in front of
everyone.

With a shy smile I reach for the envelope and open it.
Inside I find first class plane tickets to Switzerland leaving December 30
^th
.
I look at Adrian with surprise and uncertainty. “A trip to Switzerland?” I ask.

“You have been working so hard the last few months, Morgan,
and I know this year hasn’t exactly turned out the way that you planned. I
thought it might be nice for you to get away and clear your head in a beautiful
part of the world and start the New Year…with me,” he says, gazing into my eyes
with a hopeful look.

“Adrian…I uh…I don’t know what to say,” I stumble through my
shock.

“Say you’ll go with me. I have reservations at the Ritz Carlton
in St. Moritz. They throw an amazing New Year’s Eve party every year, complete
with fireworks overlooking the Alps at midnight. I’ve heard it’s magical,”
Adrian says.

“Of course I’ll go. Thank you, Adrian, this is a very
wonderful and unexpected gift. I look forward to getting away. I think starting
the New Year somewhere fresh and new sounds exactly like what I need right
now.”

“I’m looking forward to spending more time with you, Morgan,
and starting my year with you,” Adrian says softly so that only I can hear. He
takes my hand in his, never breaking our eye contact as he lifts my hand to his
lips, kissing it gently.

“I have something for you too, but after such a nice
surprise from you I feel like it’s a little silly. Would you mind if I save it
for our trip?” I ask.

“Absolutely. It will give me something else to look forward
to as well,” Adrian says, still holding my hand. He stands and slowly pulls me
to my feet. “Would you mind taking a walk with me?” Adrian asks.

“Of course,” I say as he helps me into my coat. Adrian then
slips into his and leads me out of the dining room.

“I thought we could enjoy a little crisp air,” Adrian
explains as we make our way to the front door. He guides me along the shoveled
cart path to the putting greens, then turns to me and says, “You know, I never
got to show you my skills on the golf course this fall. That’s something I’m
really looking forward to doing this spring,” he says with a smile.

I nod in agreement as he takes both of my hands in his and
continues, “Morgan, I can see in your eyes that although you enjoy spending
time with me when we are together, it’s someone else that you wish you were
with.” I start to speak and he puts a finger to my lips to silence me.

“It’s okay, Morgan, please let me explain. I understand your
inability to fully let go of Drake. I’m not asking you to do that. I’ve never
been able to let go of you, so I understand how you are feeling, especially
with the holidays here. I spent the last few Christmas Eve dinners at home with
my parents, wishing I was here with you and your parents.

“I’m not asking you to forget your past and the wonderful
time you spent with Drake. It’s the memories we collect along the way that make
us who we are. I just wanted to have a moment in private to tell you that I’m
looking forward to getting away with you. I’m looking forward to spending
quality time in a romantic place, just the two of us. I’m looking forward to
starting my new year, and hopefully my future with you. I wanted to tell you
this without our parents as an audience because I’m asking you to think about
what this trip could mean for us as a couple. I’d like you to think about a
possibility of us moving forward romantically. You know I’m in love with you. I
know you loved me once before. I know you are struggling to let go of the love
you have for Drake, and accepting the fact that he most likely isn’t coming
back. I’m not asking you not to love him, Morgan. I’m just asking that you find
room in your heart to love me too.

“I’m the man for you, Morgan. I’m here now and will never
leave your side. I want to travel the world with you, smile and laugh with you,
make love to you, and be there for you. For whatever you could need. Take some
time over the next few days to think about whether or not you can see me being
that man for you. All that I ask is that you think about it, then take this
trip with an open mind.”

A tear escapes my eye and Adrian soothes it away with his
thumb, resting his hand on my jaw as he lovingly cups it. He has been patient,
kind, and so giving these past few months. He’s made sure not to pressure me
into a relationship and still isn’t. I can tell he wants this to happen between
us, and is doing everything in his powers to show me he can give me the life I
want. He’s told me he will support my independence while offering to simply be
the person I can always turn to. I so wish Adrian was the one for me, but right
now my heart tells me he isn’t.

“Adrian, thank you. I don’t know what more I can say. I
promise to think about things and take this trip with an open mind, but I can’t
promise you anything more than that,” I explain simply.

“Beautiful, that’s all I’m asking. Let’s get back inside
before our parents start a search party,” Adrian says, shifting gears to guide
me inside. Before we make it to the front door of the club, Adrian stops and
pulls me into his arms. He gives me a hard, passionate kiss, showing me in his
own way the depth of his feelings for me. When he breaks the kiss he looks deep
into my eyes and says, “I love you, Morgan Lane. Merry Christmas,” then leads
me back to our parents, not needing me to say a word.

Chapter 14

Morgan

I’ve spent the last few days enjoying Christmas with my
parents, and thinking of my trip with Adrian. This really is a wonderful gift and
I look forward to spending time in Switzerland. I’m not much of a skier so
hopefully Adrian will be down for spa treatments instead. I could really go for
a massage right now. My lower back has been killing lately and I’m barely even
showing. I’d hate to think of what it will feel like as the baby really starts
to grow.

The holidays have now come and gone and I still haven’t
heard from Drake. Knowing how sentimental he is, I figured if there was any
time he might reach out, it would have been in the last few weeks. Although I’m
excited to get away for the New Year, I’m still a little reluctant to go with
Adrian. I really need to clear my head though, and I can’t think of a better
place to do that than the fresh air of the Swiss Alps. I plan on using the fresh
clean air to give me some fresh clean perspective as I start 2014 with the
reality that although I’m achieving my dreams of creating a career and life for
myself, I’ll also be doing it as a single mother. I’m more positive now than
ever that Adrian and I don’t belong. I sat him down last night to explain that
to him and he simply said the vacation was already booked and paid for so we
might as well still go and enjoy our time together in whatever capacity I’m
comfortable with.

Adrian is sending a car to my apartment to pick me up for
the airport. He said there is a bunch of year end business to take care of
before we leave and it might take him until the last minute to finish. He says
that he won’t be able to relax on vacation if it isn’t done the right way, so
he has to be the one to do it.

The limo driver helps me curb check my luggage and after
getting my boarding pass, I meet Adrian at security. With our first class
tickets we get to breeze through the shortened VIP security line, much like
when I flew out to Vegas to meet Drake.

“You look beautiful as always,” Adrian says as he kisses me
softly on cheek.

“You look handsome too. I love that you dressed nicely. It’s
a pet peeve of mine that people think it’s appropriate to travel in their
pajamas. I’m all for comfort on a long journey, but that is taking it a bit too
far if you ask me,” I say, realizing I might be sitting a little too high on my
horse.

“Ah, that sass. I agree with you though. It’s not hard to
dress yourself first before leaving the house. We have a little time before our
flight takes off. Would you like to check out the duty free shop, or should we
go straight to the first class lounge?” Adrian asks.

“Let’s go to the lounge. We can relax in the comfy chairs
and use the free Wi-Fi a little longer before the long flight,” I say.

As our flight takes off I’m overcome by the memories of when
I flew to Vegas to see Drake. That was the happiest weekend of my life and also
the last time I spent with him. Remembering the fun I had with Drake dancing at
Tao and the way he looked at me when he said he couldn’t wait to marry me is
more than I can take, and tears start to stream down my face.

Adrian notices and gently grasps my chin between his thumb
and forefinger, turning my face in his direction. When I look into his eyes I
see concern as he asks, “Morgan, are you okay?”

“No,” I say with a sigh. I wipe the tears from my eyes and
with as much confidence as I can muster I say, “But I will be.”

Adrian

When my father called me into his office to let me know that
Drake Jr. had cancelled the orders for the European division of Baylor
Industries my suspicions were confirmed as to his whereabouts. At first I
figured he disappeared for a week or two until everything blew over, but when
he didn’t return after a month and hadn’t reached out to Morgan, I figured this
was Drake Sr.’s doing. I have to admit that I’m surprised he has been radio
silent with regards to Morgan. As deep as their connection seems to be, I can’t
believe he hasn’t found some way to break his rules, or at least bend them.

I know the European headquarters for Baylor are located in
Switzerland, and it only took one call into the company to find out that Drake
plans to spend New Year’s Eve at the lavish party thrown by the Ritz Carlton in
St. Moritz. I spent some time between the sheets with Drake’s assistant, Alina,
when she interned for our company a year or two ago and it’s only by complete
coincidence that she now works for Baylor. I happen to know she is one of those
social opportunist girls that will do anything to land a man with money and
social stature, so it wasn’t difficult to talk her into doing everything
possible to be a distraction for Drake. She has reported back a few times that
Drake has denied all of her advances but finally agreed to join her group of
friends and other Baylor colleagues in St. Moritz. I booked the plane tickets
while I was on the phone. This is an opportunity I cannot pass up.

Morgan has said that she and Drake have never had their
closure. I’m hoping that running into Drake half pissed in the arms of a
brunette bombshell halfway across the world will be just the closure she needs
to finally move on from Drake with me.

****

Morgan has been raised among affluence and has traveled
around the world with her parents and on her own most of her life. Because of
this she is a wonderful travel companion. She doesn’t over pack, is well
prepared and courteous of other travelers. Because of this I was especially
pleased when Morgan was awestruck amid our arrival at the Ritz Carlton.

Upon check-in we were escorted to one of their Zaren Suites,
which I thought would be most appropriate for our stay. Not only is it spacious
and gorgeously decorated in soft neutral colors so as not to detract from the
breathtaking natural surroundings just off the balcony, but it has two
luxurious master bedrooms both equipped with en suite baths. Although I’d
prefer that Morgan stay in my master suite with me I know she most likely would
prefer her own space and I don’t want to pressure her. I heard her last night
when she came over to let me know this trip would not be a romantic one for
her, but after she observes the real Drake Baylor Jr. tomorrow night, I hope
she changes her mind.

I tip the concierge generously and he leaves the suite
promising to reserve the best table for us tonight at the Carlton bar, which is
better for small bites and cocktails before and after a meal, but after
traveling all day I thought keeping it low key would be best.

“Are you hungry, Morgan? I thought we could head down to the
bar and have some small bites and something to drink. We could head over to Da
Vittorio if you would prefer and have some delicious Italian food, but I
thought after traveling all day a light bite sounds better.”

“The bar sounds great, thank you. Maybe after we eat we can
go for a stroll to stretch our legs?” Morgan suggests.

“Absolutely. The gal at the front desk told me where to find
the best hot chocolate in town and I was planning on taking you there after
skiing tomorrow, but maybe we can check it out tonight as well,” I say.

“I love hot chocolate. I can only imagine how true Swiss hot
chocolate tastes,” Morgan beams.

“I’m going to run through the shower and put fresh clothes
on. Would you care to meet me here in about twenty minutes, or would you like
more time?” I ask, not wanting to rush her.

“Twenty is fine. I’ll see you in a bit,” Morgan says, then
turns to her suite, closing the door behind her.

Twenty-five minutes later we are downstairs sitting next to
a fire, sipping on some wine when I see Alina and her posse walk into the
lobby. She meets my gaze and gives me a wink before heading over to the
reception desk. I love it when everything goes according to plan. A minute or
so later I thank my lucky stars that Morgan has her back to the front door when
Drake walks into the lobby. My heart sinks to my stomach with the anxious
feeling that Drake will see Morgan sitting here with me and my plan will fail.
I keep my eyes trained on Drake, ready to divert Morgan’s attention if needed,
but he is distracted by something on his cell phone. Drake pauses and starts to
turn in my direction. Morgan notices that I’m completely preoccupied and starts
to turn in the direction of my eyesight. Just as I’m sure Morgan is about to
notice him, Drake refocuses his attention on the cell phone in his hand and
starts to walk in the opposite direction. He doesn’t look up as he walks to the
elevator banks. He also doesn’t check in so I’m hoping Alina has convinced him
to stay with her, which will only give credibility towards their fake
relationship when Morgan finds out about them.

After a quick bite, I suggest we go find the chocolate shop
and get some hot cocoa as we stroll through the streets. Fresh snow is falling
and the moon looks beautiful on this clear night. Mother Nature could not be
supplying a more romantic backdrop for our walk and I grab Morgan’s hand,
gently rubbing it with my thumb.

“I’m glad you are here with me, Morgan,” I say, breaking our
comfortable silence as we stroll, “You are the only one I want to ring in the
New Year with, even if it’s only as friends.”

“Thank you, Adrian. For this trip, for your friendship…for
everything,” she says as she leans her head on my shoulder and snuggles into my
chest a bit. I let go of her hand, wrapping that same arm around her waist, and
pull her closer to me. We continue our comfortable silence as we make our way
back to the hotel.