Merger (12 page)

I was falling fast for Josh
. I tried to play it out in my head. How would we make something between us last, with me in New York and him in California? Even if he had a place here, he’d be needed there and vice versa. Both of us would be working as managing partners in one of the largest holding and resource companies in the world.

Long distance relationships almost never lasted
. He’d make promises and so would I. It made me sad to think about it. Right now, all I wanted to do was to enjoy the time I did have with him. Beth was right. I did deserve it. I’d been everything to everyone, always in total control and now I just didn’t want to over think it. I really did like him.
Really, really, really.

I walked up the stairs to my bedroom and fished through my closet
, grabbing various clothes and shoes and putting them in my bag. I grabbed two dresses, jeans, tee shirts, and a variety of other things. I grabbed a small bag of makeup and my blow dryer. I’d just finished packing the last of my things, rechecked myself in the mirror and headed towards the door, then stopped to grab a bottle of wine when my phone chimed. It was a text from my Dad.

BACK AT THE HOTEL. MR. CRAWFORD INTENSE. NEED WINE AND MASSAGE STAT. MISS YOU.

I replied.

LITTLE DO YOU KNOW? JOSH IS THE MOST AGGESSIVE OF THEM ALL. HE’S THE PERFECT FIT. YOU’LL BE IMPRESSED. PERFECT PARTY PLANNED WITH A TWIST YOU’LL LOVE. I’M SO PROUD OF YOU PAPA! LOVE U.

He replied.

AGGRESSIVE IS GOOD. JUST MAKE SURE HE KNOWS YOU AREN’T PART OF THE NEGOTIATION. BUSINESS AND PLEASURE NEVER MIX K.K. KEEP YOUR HEAD.

I replied nervously.

TOO LATE FOR THAT. SORRY.

He responded.

THIS WILL ONLY END IN A BROKEN HEART. CALL ME!!!!

And with that last text, I didn’t even have time to hit his contact on my phone before it started ringing in my ear.

“Hey,
Dad,” I said not really wanting to have this conversation.

“Tell me what’s going on before I come home
. I will not walk into some fiasco. You do understand this right?”

“I met him before I left for California in the gym of my building
. He’s staying at a friend’s place. I didn’t know who he was and at that point he didn’t know me. Honestly, I know this sounds stupid, but I was so enamored with him from the moment I met him. I came home early to be with him.”

“What?” He cut me off, “You came home early for him?” he questioned again.

“Yes.” I replied, but didn’t continue.

“K.K. how will this look
? How will this work out? Baby girl, everything, is riding on this one deal. You and Joshua have to manage these corporations into the future. Mr. Crawford and I won’t be around forever. I know that I won’t be around forever. You guys cannot screw this up.”

“I know
, Dad. I have done nothing but think about this since the minute he told me who he was, but I have to be honest, there is something very special about Joshua. I just don’t know what to do?” I spoke with the deepest sincerity. I was desperate for answers.

“You are the most level headed, most beautiful, smart, charming, witty
, and hardest working person I know. If you want to take a chance at this, I won’t stop you. You don’t take anything lightly and K.K., if you think this is a real chance at something, then you have my blessing. However, I will not mince words with you or Joshua, despite whatever you have going on personally, business cannot suffer at the hands of lovers,” he said sternly.

“No pressure…right?” I said in response
. My stomach was churning and my heart heavy.

“I’m here for you honey, you know that
. I just want the best for you. If you think this guy is it, then I will give him a fair chance. His Dad sure believes in him. Everyone deserves a chance…right?”

“Yes, they do
,” I responded. “I’m not sure of anything at this point, but I will tell you this…he’s good.” I beamed.

“Good?” my father countered.

“Okay…he’s great, incredible, amazing!” I replied.

“That’s better
. Any man who wants to date my daughter had better by more than good,” he said.

“I love you
, Dad,” I replied.

“Are you cutting me off?”
he asked jokingly.

“Of course not
!”

“Okay, honey
. I’ll see you tomorrow. Make sure Benny is there to get Mr. Crawford, Jacob, and me at the airport.”

“Will do
,” I said, hastily trying to end the conversation.

“Okay baby, I know you’re done talking to me now, but you know that I will always have your best interest at heart
. It’s just you and me now, K.K. Since your mother passed away, I think I have become a little overbearing. I’m sorry, honey. I just want what every father wants for his daughter…the best. If he’s the best, then you have my blessing.”

“Thanks
, Dad. See you tomorrow.”

I picked up my wine and moved to the door with my overnight bag in hand
. My Dad was right, there was so much at stake. I was so unsure of myself but entered the elevator anyway. I was torn with the decision to stay with Josh or just go and get a hotel. I pushed the button and descended for the eleventh floor. When the doors opened, I stood in the elevator, not moving forward, not moving at all. I hit the button for level ‘L’ and proceeded down. I walked out the spinning glass door and hailed a cab, unsure of where I was going.

Chapter 12

Joshua

I entered the condo on the eleventh floor and grabbed a glass of wine
. I felt high on life. I liked K.K. She made me laugh, she was beautiful, smart, and incredibly sexy. I knew this was a lot for her, but I needed her to take a chance on me…on us.

I almost hated to let her go to her place alone
. She was probably up there brooding about the last twenty-four hours. Dissecting every moment. The thought of her on her knees made my cock start to stand erect. Her hot, sweet mouth around my length was almost more than I could think about. I hadn’t wanted anything more in life. It was kind of scary to think someone could pull at your emotions and draw you into something so unknown, so unfamiliar. I was already feeling her absence, so I texted her phone to get her ass moving.

WHERE ARE YOU? 30 MINUTES IS NOW 60. MISSING YOU. GET YOUR SWEET ASS HERE NOW! XO-J

Nothing came back in response to my text. I waited and waited, now pacing the floor.

YOU’VE GOT MY ATTENTION, WHAT’S UP? AM I BACK TO BEGGING?

Still nothing. Then suddenly there was a response.

NO BEGGING. I JUST NEEDED A CHANCE TO THINK.

Oh fuck, just what I was afraid of
. I responded.

I AM BEGGING NOW! PLEASE COME TO ME.

She replied.

I’M ON THE WAY BACK NOW. SEE YOU IN 10.

I replied.

GOING TO JUMP IN SHOWER. WINE OPEN ON COUNTER. HELP YOURSELF.

She countered.

GREAT.

I walked up the marble stairs and took my clothes off, feeling as if I had just dogged another K.K. bullet. She was here and there, all in and then gone. I knew this was new, and it was complicated, but what more could I do to suppress her fear? I stepped into the steaming shower and stood still as the heat rolled down my head and back. My thoughts now directed to what the night would hold and how I would proceed forward with my complicated and beautiful lover and newly found friend.
Hell, my business partner and confidant. All mine.

My elbows rested against the tile wall, as the hot water rolled down my face
. I stood still in thought, motionless as the warm water cascaded down my spine and legs. I was only brought from the silence as the sound of the glass door opened and there she stood, naked and beautiful.

“Come here
, baby,” I said pulling her into the warmth.

“I’m sorry
,” she said.

“Don’t be
,” I replied. “I’m sorry this is so hard for you.”

“It’s not hard
.” She grabbed my waist and pulled me close. “Josh, I’ve just never let anyone down if I could help it. Not my father, my mother,” she said now looking at the tiled floor. “I don’t want to disappoint you.”

“K.K.
, give yourself a chance and step out of your own way, my God. Please baby.” I reached for her chin and pulled her eyes back to mine.

“I’m trying
, Josh. Please be patient with me. I know I’m making this hard on you, but I promise you I’m worth it. You told me that you were worth it, and I’m telling you the same. I may take a little longer to come around, but I assure you the best is yet to come.”

“If it gets better, I’m in trouble
. You just need to quit overthinking everything.”

“It’s hard
. I’m a complete control freak, and I feel so out of control,” she said.

“Give it away
,” I replied.

“I can’t
, Josh.” She pleaded for understanding. “Please just be easy on me. I want you too, but I feel fragile like this could really hurt me.”

With that statement
, I pushed her against the wall of the steaming shower and lifted her legs around my waist. “I’d never intentionally hurt you baby,” I said, kissing her deeply, taking her mouth fully into mine. My cock was hard and rigid at the entrance of her hot, wet sex and I licked and sucked at her mouth with unbridled passion. I was so into her, and I knew it, every time she looked into my eyes.
I was never letting her go.

“I want you
,” she said, her eyes now lazy with lust.

“What do you want
, baby?” I asked.

“Please don’t make me beg
, Josh…please,” she said painfully, almost breaking my heart. It was weird to see her so strong and fragile at the same time. But I did want her begging. I had given her everything and still she was unsure of me.

I kissed her hard and gripped her thighs
. I wanted to feel her warmth around me.

“We don’t have a condom in here
. Do you trust me? I promise a clean bill of health. I don’t ever have sex without a condom; it’s kind of been a rule of mine. But, I want you so badly and don’t want to wait till we get back into to the bedroom. Having you in this shower with your body pressed against mine has made me as hard as a rock. Touch me, baby,” I said heavily into her mouth.

Her hand came up under the ridge of my tight cock
. Drawing me out till I was impossibly hard and paining to take her. “Are you sure?” I asked, needing her response.

“Yes
,” she replied softly in my ear. I picked her up higher lifting her onto me and feeling her as she glided down over me. The feeling of skin on skin was a new sensation for me and it felt incredible to be inside her. I knew I wouldn’t last long like this. My balls retracted into my stomach as the feel of her warm pussy took hold of me and my mind went blank.

I stroked her back and thighs, lifting her up and down over my hard length
. I pulled her down hard over me and could feel her arousal tighten around me. She watched as our bodies moved in and out of each other’s. The warmth of the water and our actions made us both pant excitedly. I licked and sucked as her supple breast, grazing her nipple with my teeth. She let out a small guttural moan and grabbed my neck pulling me closer.

“Oh, Josh
,” she said hotly in my ear.

“That’s it
, baby,” I moaned into her neck. She thrust up and down riding me with little to no knowledge of her surroundings. Just pure ecstasy and abandon.

“You are incredible
,” I said. “I love being inside you bare.”

I pulled her legs higher, spreading her further and widening her opening for my pulsing cock
. I looked into her crystal blue eyes and her soft swollen lips as I plunged into her impossibly deep, as if to capture her heart with my cock. She started to shudder beneath me and I knew I had her. Her orgasm spilling over me and taking hold of me. Her hair laid limp around her face and neck. I put my hands through her long strands pulling it back around her neck and holding her tightly as I pumped in and out of her, deepening my stride as my length became impossibly stiff and my balls tightened with every thrust. It was all I could take, as I pounded against her. She buried her nails into my shoulders.

“I can’t get enough K.K
. Tell me you want this? Tell me you want me?” I said, needing to hear the words.

“I want you, I need you
,” she pleaded. I crushed my mouth to hers and cut her off as she spoke the words I desired. I was lost in her. My body, my mind, and everything in between.
I was overwhelmed.

I came hard inside her
. Unable to control the force she had on me, I steadied our bodies and looked into her beautiful eyes.

“I’m glad you came back
,” I said. I pulled out of her and placed her feet and legs beneath her. I held her until she steadied herself.

“Me too
,” she replied. “I wouldn’t walk away that easily. I just had to process what my father said.”

“And, what was that?”

“That he didn’t want this thing between you and me hurting our working relationship.” She paused, trying to gauge my reaction, then continued. “He assured me, he’d give you a chance if I thought you were worth it.”

“So
. Am I worth it?” I asked.

“Verdict is still out
,” she joked.

I grabbed her naked waist and started to tickle her as the water pelted my body and hers
.

“Okay, okay
,” she gasped, trying to regain her composure. “You are absolutely worth it.” She looked at me more lovingly and genuine than the playful girl of a moment ago. “Definitely.”

I got out of the shower first and grabbed the towels
. I wrapped one around my waist and held the other one open. She emerged from the shower and I engulfed her in the warmth of the towel, drying her off completely and holding her bare body next to mine. She looked up at me like a child, her eyes soft and gentle.

“We better get dressed or you’ll never get me off of you
,” I said.

“I think I’d like that
.”

“Me too
,” I said. “But, I have other plans for tonight. What would you say to Italian? I know this great place uptown that has the best lobster ravioli.”

“Sounds great
. Maybe I can get you to indulge me a little dancing afterwards,” she said smiling widely. Her eyes filled with excitement.

“We’ll see
. I’ve been known to dance a little.” I said shaking my hips and spinning her around for effect. “Let’s get ready.”

We both moved to the double vanity and proceeded to get ready
. It felt comfortable and easy, like we’d been together for years, not days. I’d long since forgotten how it felt to be comfortable in a woman’s presence. Most of the women I had dated in the past were shallow and only interested in the limelight or the money. I’d quit really trying at any real relationships for some time now, only having the occasional sexual fling and walking away before any real attachments occurred.

Watching my brother rip through woman all but ruined it for me
. The way they threw themselves at him foolishly only to be cast away in the end.

It had been a long time since I’d shown an interest in a woman and I wasn’t going to take it lightly
. I’d chosen the one woman that couldn’t have been more off limits. Or was it the perfect choice? I knew I’d have to work hard to make it work. I’d move here, she’d move there. We’d be bi-coastal partners in business and partners in life.

She was four years younger than me and while I knew she was a force in business, I also could see her as a wife and a mother
. Where would those things fit in for her? Did she want those things for herself? All women wanted those things right? I looked over at her applying her mascara with exacting skill and hoped she was truly mine. Not just today, but forever.

“I’m going to grab a glass of wine
. Interested?” I asked.

“Sounds great,” s
he replied. “I’ll be down in a second.” Her eyes glistened with contentment, which made me insanely happy. “You look great, Josh.”

“Thank you,
” I replied. “Come down when you’re ready.”

I went downstairs and saw that she’d brought some wine from her place
. I grabbed two glasses and turned on the stereo. The instant sounds of Sade’s melodic voice captured me and filled the room. I poured the wine and sat on the couch waiting when my phone lit up, then rang out. I grabbed it and hit the answer button already aware of whom it was.

“Hey,” I said casually.

“Hey, what’s up in the Big Apple?” Jake asked. “Dad and I will be there tomorrow. He’s glad to be putting this merger into place. Honestly, I’ve never seen him more at ease about anything. It certainly didn’t hurt to have Mr. Blakely’s daughter here on Thursday. He absolutely loved her. Not to mention she’s hot as hell.”

“I agree with his analysis completely
,” I replied. “I think she’s fantastic.”

“What do you mean she’s fantastic
? I didn’t think you guys had met yet?”

“Honestly, we met Thursday morning before she
went to L.A. She lives at the top of Brian’s high-rise. I met her in the gym, but didn’t know who she was and then ran into her again that morning. I asked her out before I found out who she was,” I said.

“Oh
, hell. Dad is going to bust your ass when he finds out. I don’t even think he really wanted me to drive her back to her hotel Thursday night after dinner. He was very protective of her. You better back the fuck off, dude,” he said. “You know what they say about business and pleasure.”

“Dad already knows
, douche bag. Besides, Dad’s right about her, she is incredible. And you can quit sending her flowers. She’s way out of your league,” I said laughing, but serious, because she was too good for my brother, the consummate womanizer.

I continued.
“Dad has already warned me. But, I’ve got be honest Jake. She’s like a magnet for me. I’ve never felt anywhere near this for any woman. I can’t stay away from her and I don’t intend to. I will make it work, or die trying.”