The Heart of Tomorrow (Book Two) (The Tomorrow Series 2) (3 page)

He went straight to the shower and I changed from my work clothes into a pair of black yoga pants and an oversized sweatshirt.  I pulled my hair up into a ponytail and went into the living room, sitting myself on the couch.  I reached for the remote, but realized I wasn’t in the mood for TV. 

I leaned back into the comfortable black leather, wondering if maybe I shouldn’t have brought up the subject of me finding my own place.  I didn’t think he’d react the way he did though.  I told him the night everything fell apart with Ethan that it was temporary.  Maybe he didn’t think I was serious and to be honest, at times I didn’t think I was serious either.  I loved living with Drew. I loved the routine we’d created. I loved having him be the first face I saw in the morning and the last face I saw before I fell asleep. I loved the way he held me at night. I felt peace and safety in his arms.  I loved him and thinking about all the reasons I loved living with him, I was beginning to wonder why in the hell I wanted to leave.

I heard his footsteps coming down the hall and I turned to see him in gray lounge pants and a black t-shirt.  His hair was still damp from the shower and it was slicked back as he walked towards me.  The smile had yet to return to his face, but at least he didn’t look agitated anymore. 

He sat down beside me a moment later, leaning back into the corner of the couch and I tried to figure out what he was thinking.  He was hard to read sometimes.  I think it was the businessman in him.  He had to be able to hide his emotions, to keep them in check, to keep them secret, which didn’t always work to my benefit. 

“I want you to know, Natalie,” he began and I turned to face him, tucking my foot under my leg as I folded my hands nervously in my lap. “I offered my place to you because I want you here.  I don’t want to spend any more time away from you than I have to and when I have a shitty day at work, I want your face to be the one I come home to.  But,” he said and he sighed before continuing. “I understand why you feel you need to do this and I support you in this decision, but I also want you to know I don’t want you to leave.”

I brought my eyes to his and I could feel the edges of my mouth curling into a careful smile.  

“Thank you, Drew,” I said softly, inching closer to him, taking his hand and holding it in my lap as I stroked the back of it with my thumb. “I don’t want you to think I’m not grateful for what you did for me when I had nowhere else to go and I want you to know how much I love living here…with you.”

“I’d tell you to stay here with me then, but I won’t because I don’t want to pressure you.  I know you need to do this.  I’ve known this was your plan.  I guess I didn’t think…or I guess I should say, I hoped it wouldn’t happen.”

I watched as he smiled a little, but I knew it was forced.

“I hope you understand,” I said, moving even closer as I brushed my fingertips over his cheek. “I know I’ve gotta be crazy to leave this place and you, but…I have to…for a little while anyway.  It’s only been a few months…things between us…they could change.” My voice trailed off because I didn’t like talking about the future with him this way.  If I’d learned anything from my breakup with Ethan though it was never assume things will work out the way you plan.  I thought I’d be with Ethan forever.  I thought we’d get married and have kids and grow old together.  I’d been wrong and I didn’t want to delude myself that Drew was my happily ever after.  I’d never met anyone like him.  No one had ever made me feel the way he did, but I wasn’t naïve enough to believe it would always be that way. 

“You’re right,” he said and his response surprised me, even though I knew it shouldn’t.  Drew was a businessman.  He was a realist and he knew what I said was the truth. “We don’t know the future, Natalie, and I understand your need to feel secure in your ability to be self-sufficient and to be honest,” he continued, the smile finally making its way up to his eyes, “I find that drive an incredible turn on.”

I watched as his eyes began traveling over my body, making a slow run from my face all the way down to my feet and then back up to my eyes again.  I felt that familiar want begin to take over my body and I leaned into his touch when he rested his palm on my cheek, pulling me to him so that his lips met mine softly.

“Can I assume when you find your new place that you’ll invite me for sleepovers on occasion?” he asked, his voice in that low, rugged tone that caused my heart to beat faster as his lips hovered so close to mine.

“All the time,” I answered.

“Good, because if you said no, I’d have to tie you up and never let you go.” 

I started laughing, but was silenced when his mouth crashed against mine as he crawled over me, forcing me into the softness of the couch as the weight of him pressed against me, his hands crawling under my shirt, goose bumps exploding when his skin touched mine.  Everything about him felt right and I felt like a fool limiting my access to him and these feelings, but I didn’t have time to dwell on that as his hands continued inching up my body.   

“You’re gonna miss this,” he whispered in my ear, a deep throaty whisper that made me want him even more as he moved to my neck, planting a kiss at the base, his lips lingering there, soft and warm, before his tongue began a trail up my throat across my jaw line until he was at my ear. “And you’ll miss this every night.” He nibbled at my earlobe, pulling and sucking, his breath heavy and deep, and I felt my hips begin to move again. “If you’re this eager when I’m right here, what will you do when you’re all alone in your apartment?” He propped himself up on his elbows so he was staring down at me, the smug grin on his face that always did me in.

“I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it,” I said, pulling him closer to me.  The grin left his face and our eyes locked, focusing on now, not what would happen when I no longer shared this apartment with him.  I’d learned in life to make all you can of the moments you’re given and as we moved together, there was no other moment I’d rather be living. 

~~~

We went to bed early that night.  After watching TV for a little while, Drew turned it off and we headed down the hall to the bedroom.  We were both tired and had to get up early for work the next morning. I changed into my pajamas and I pretended not to notice that Drew was watching me.  He always watched me when I undressed.  It had embarrassed me a little at first, but now I liked the way it made me feel…that he wanted me. 

Once in my pajamas, we made our way into the bathroom, brushing our teeth side by side.  My eyes drifted to the spot on the counter, just like it did every time I was in that bathroom, thinking about what Drew and I had done there the night of Thanksgiving, the night Ethan found out about us.  It had been one of the most sensual moments I’d ever experienced and now whenever I entered the bathroom, I couldn’t look at it without blushing.  I wondered if Drew ever thought about it.  I’d never asked him, but I thought maybe I should because someday I wanted to recreate that moment.

Drew finished brushing his teeth first and he smacked me playfully on the ass as he walked out of the bathroom.  I grinned and rinsed my mouth, following him to the bed.  I crawled under the covers and watched as he peeled off his t-shirt, standing there for a few seconds, his lounge pants hanging the enticing way they did on his hips before he slid them off, only his boxers remaining.  He pulled back the sheets and climbed in beside me.

“Good night, Natalie,” he said sweetly, smiling at me before he kissed me and then flipped off the light, leaving us in darkness.  While my eyes adjusted, I turned away from him, resting my head on the pillow and spooning into him.  He wrapped one of his arms around me and he played with my hair with the other. 

“Good night,” I said back and I felt him kiss the top of my head.

“And this is what I’ll miss,” he said softly. “Holding you every night like this.” He paused for a moment and I didn’t know what to say. “I love you, Natalie.”

“I love you too,” I said quietly.  He held me tighter and I knew this is what I’d miss most too.

Three

Drew didn’t use his car very often.  Truthfully, I didn’t even know he owned a car until I moved in with him.  Between cabs, the subway and walking, cars were completely unnecessary in New York City and were actually more of a nuisance.  But luckily Drew did have a car he kept parked in the underground lot beneath his building.  I’d assumed it would be a BMW or a Mercedes, a status symbol for people with too much money, but I’d been wrong.  It was a shiny black Range Rover and while I knew he must’ve paid a pretty penny for it, I didn’t find it as presumptuous. 

I sat in the passenger’s seat, perfectly toasty from the freezing temperatures outside thanks to the heated leather seat, as we made our way to Connecticut.  It’d taken us a while to get out of the city in the bumper to bumper traffic, but once we cleared that, we drove smoothly down the interstate, eventually crossing into his home state.

“Should I stop so we can take a picture of you under the welcome sign?” he said with a chuckle.

“If you’re mocking the fact I’ve never been to your insignificant state, I don’t think it’s funny.”

“Insignificant?” he laughed. 

“I’m assuming so.”

“I’m sure you’ll have a different opinion by the end of the weekend,” he said, reaching across the console and taking my hand.

“You told your mom I was coming, didn’t you?”

“I told her I was bringing someone special. Like I said, you were the main reason they wouldn’t stop pestering me about coming.”

“But you didn’t say who I was?”

“I love torturing my mother. It’s killing her to find out more about my mystery woman,” he said with a playful grin.

“I’ve gotta be honest, Drew.  I think I’m starting to freak out a little.”

“Relax.” He kissed the back of my hand, squeezing it supportively as we continued driving.

I tried to smile, glancing over to him, his face focusing on the road.  He seemed completely relaxed and I knew he wasn’t anxious. I shouldn’t be either, but he wasn’t the one trying to impress his family.  

“Are we almost there?” I asked him.

“About another half hour.”

“What’s the name of the town again?”

“Danbury,” he answered as he switched lanes. 

I pulled down the visor, double checking my make-up and hair.  I’d wanted to make a good impression, choosing a pair of nice jeans and a white sweater.  It was casual, but dressy and I hoped his family would approve.  My hair hung in loose waves down my back and I reached into my purse, taking out my lip gloss and reapplying it.

“You look beautiful, Natalie,” he said, squeezing my hand reassuringly.

“I just want to make a good impression.”

“And you will.”

“I mean…I’ve only met them once.  I was with Ethan then and now…I’m not.  What will they think of me?”

“They will love you, just as I do.”

I looked in the mirror again before closing the visor and breathing in deeply.

“I want them to like me.”

“I know you do, but please relax.  We’re going to have a great time.”

I didn’t say anything.  I looked over at him and he glanced over to me for a second and smiled before turning his attention back to the road.

“Here’s our exit,” he said a few moments later and I felt my nerves kick in as we eased off the interstate.

I looked around the town as we drove.  It was a decent sized city, but it seemed small at the same time with modern looking buildings and parks, but houses that looked as if they’d been around for at least a hundred years.  It was covered in snow and I imagined it must be beautiful in the fall.

It wasn’t long before he was pulling into a driveway and I felt my stomach twisting in knots from anticipation.  The house wasn’t what I’d expected.  For some reason I thought Drew’s family would live somewhere more opulent.  The house before me seemed too ordinary for him.  It was a large colonial with gray siding and maroon shutters.  Nice, just different than what I’d pictured.  A walkway had been shoveled out with at least a foot of snow on either side and my eyes followed it to the oak door at the end.  I was suddenly terrified of stepping foot through it. 

Drew unbuckled his seatbelt while I gathered my things.  He was at my door a second later, opening it and holding his hand out to me.  I took it and he helped me out, not letting go of my hand as he turned me to face him.  There was a playful grin on his face and he smoothed my hair back as our eyes met.

“You look like you’re being led to the guillotine,” he said and I couldn’t help but smile. “It’s just my family.  You don’t need to be nervous.  Everything will be great and I assure you, they will not cut your head off.”

He leaned in, kissing me sweetly on the cheek and for moment I started to relax.  He was right.  It was just his family.  He was the one whose opinion mattered, not theirs.  He loved me and that was all I needed to remember as I met the firing squad. 

“Let’s get this over with then.” I sighed and he kissed me again before taking my hand and leading me up the icy walkway.  He opened the door, taking me inside as I tried to keep my nerves in check. 

The house smelled clean, like the floors had just been scrubbed and a hint of Pine-Sol hung in the air.  Drew led me through the entryway and I checked out the décor as we walked.  It was homey with a primitive flair and I couldn’t deny it felt comfortable, which helped me to relax.

“Mom?  Dad?” he called out.

“Andrew, honey!” His mom’s face peeked out from around the corner and she looked exactly as I’d remembered when we’d met before. Her silver hair was in the same pixie cut and she was smiling the same friendly smile she’d given me the night of Thanksgiving.

“Hi, Mom.”

We finished walking into the kitchen and he hugged his mother for a few seconds before pulling back and turning his attention towards me.  His mother’s eyes moved over to me and I knew she tried to hide it, but I could see the surprise on her face when she recognized me.

“You remember Natalie Vasser from Thanksgiving, don’t you?”

I smiled, nervously reaching out my hand to her.  She shook it, but I thought I saw her smile dip a little.

“Yes.  Yes, of course,” she said, stumbling over her words, obviously surprised at seeing me again under these circumstances. “You’re one of Andrew’s assistants.”

“I was,” I corrected. “I haven’t worked at Taylor and Saben in a few months now.  It’s good to see you again, Mrs. Saben.”

“Janice, please.”

“Thank you, Janice.”

“Well,” she said and I could tell she was trying to keep her surprise at bay, even though I could see right through it. “I’m glad you could make it.  How was the drive?”

“Terrible traffic trying to get out of the city, but once we got onto 84, it wasn’t bad,” Drew said as he followed Janice into the kitchen.  Drew’s father walked in then and I could tell he was just as surprised to see me as his mother had been. “Hey, Dad.”

Drew walked over, shaking his father’s hand before his dad pulled him in, hugging him with a hearty slap on the back.

“Dad, this is Natalie.  She was at Thanksgiving.”

“Yes, I remember.  It’s nice to see you again, Natalie.”

“It’s good to see you too, Mr. Saben.”

“Call me, Kent,” he said and I smiled at him.  I knew both of Drew’s parents hadn’t been expecting me, but they were doing their best to make me feel comfortable. 

We made our way into the living room.  It was spacious and just like the rest of the house, it was cozy.  I sat beside Drew on a fashionable gingham loveseat while his parents took a seat on the matching couch.  Drew leaned back, draping his arm comfortably over my shoulder.  He was obviously not the least bit apprehensive about showing affection in front of his parents and I tried to relax as I leaned into him. 

“How’s work been, son?” Kent asked.

“Can’t complain.”

“Any big projects planned?”

“Not since we finished up the Tashawa project.  I’ll have to show you some pictures of the construction later, which should be completed in the next few months. I’ve got a few small things in the works though but it’s good to have some down time,” Drew continued and I couldn’t agree more.

“And what about you, Natalie?” his mother chimed in. “Now that you’re not working at Drew’s office, what are you up to?”

I tried to decipher the look she gave me.  It was curious, but I couldn’t determine if it was also suspicious, as if she was trying to figure out my motive.

“I’m actually a junior non-linear editor at Channel 5,” I told her and I watched as a little smile formed on her lips, the suspicion lessening.

“I’ve never heard of such a thing. What exactly does a junior non-linear editor do?” she asked.

“I help with editing stories for the newscasts mostly. Sometimes I meet with producers and guests and I’m hoping to learn a little about video editing in the future.”

“Sounds exciting.”

“Sometimes it is and sometimes it’s rather boring,” I said with a laugh.

“Just like every job,” Janice agreed and I could feel myself relaxing. “Perhaps we can go out for coffee while you’re here and get to know each other better,” she said to me and I felt Drew’s grip on my shoulder tighten.  He must’ve felt my nerves kick in as he held my shoulder, because he gently started rubbing it to put me at ease.

“I hope we can work that out,” I told her, hoping she believed me when the truth was that was the last thing I wanted.  I didn’t think we were quite at that stage yet.

“Me too.  It’s been forever since Drew brought anyone home to meet us,” she said, eyeing her son. “This is quite a treat for us.”

“I think you’re being a bit dramatic, Mother,” Drew said, the sarcasm thick in his voice.

“You know it’s true, Andrew.  You hardly share anything of your personal life with us.”

“Because there’s not been much to share,” he said and Janice stared curiously at her son.

“And there is now?”

“Can we please change the subject,” he said and I was grateful he was trying to shift gears.  I wasn’t comfortable with his mom scrutinizing our relationship so openly.

“As you wish,” Janice said, but I had a feeling she and Drew would be having a private conversation later. “Can I get you something to drink, Natalie?”

“No.  Thank you though.”

“What about you?” she asked, looking at Drew.

“I’m good, Mom.  I think Natalie and I are going to go get checked in at the hotel…”

“Hotel?” she interrupted quickly. “What are you talking about?  You’re not staying at a hotel.”

“It’s not a problem, Mom.  We won’t be in your way then.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.  I want you to be in our way.  You hardly ever make it home.  I’d like to have you under my roof for a change.”

“I don’t want to put you out.”

“You’re not.  I’ve already got your old room made up and Natalie can stay in the guest room,” she began, but then looked between us hesitantly. “Unless, of course, you wanted to stay together.”

“No,” I said quickly. “Separate rooms are fine.”  I didn’t know if his parents knew we were living together.  It would be less awkward to sleep in different rooms, to at least pretend we weren’t sleeping together for his parents’ sake.

“We really don’t mind,” his father added. “You’re both adults.”

“Natalie will be fine in the guest room and so will I in my old bedroom.”  It appeared as if Drew wanted to make our stay at his parents’ house as easy as possible and separate bedrooms would be one way to do that. “Let’s go out and get our bags.” He turned to me and I nodded, getting up from the couch and following him outside, grateful for the breather.

~~~

The rest of the evening was not as awkward as when we’d first arrived.  Janice made us dinner and we sat around eating pot roast and potatoes in the dining room.  It was so normal and as I watched Drew sitting across from me, I felt as if I was seeing a different side of him.  He seemed younger, more naïve.  Ever since I’d known him he’d embodied power to me.  He was always in control.  I’d never thought of where he’d come from.  He’d appeared in the conference room the day of my interview seeming bigger than life, an enigma in a way, and even after all we’d been through to get to where we were now, he still sometimes seemed a mystery to me.  Being around his parents in the house he grew up in brought a human aspect to him that I sometimes forgot, realizing that before he’d found his success, he was just a kid in this house like every other kid, not much different than myself. 

We played a card game with his parents after dinner, something I hadn’t done in ages and I’d forgotten how much fun it could be.  His parents went to bed when the game was over and then we watched some TV, heading to bed shortly after that. 

I followed him up the stairs, looking at the pictures that donned the walls.  I stopped when I saw one of him in a little sailor suit.  He couldn’t have been more than three years old and he was adorable.  His hair was a little lighter than it was now, but his eyes were just as green.

“You were so cute,” I said and when I looked at him, I thought I saw him blush a little.