This Time Forever (13 page)

Chapter 18

The days following the salon opening and Renee’s and Elliott’s reunion seemed to float along effortlessly.  Ben and Lena had returned to LA, but kept in contact with Elliott, the kids, and Renee by Skype. 
Renee wanted to take a brief tour of the renovations at the women’s center, so she arrived a little earlier than usual.  Everything looked very nice and things were going along very smoothly.  She recognized the material used for the pillow coverings in the TV room as the same material that Liza had purchased during their shopping adventure.   As she was walking to the front office, Mya was coming in.  “You’re here early,” Mya said brightly as she took off her jacket and hung it on the back of her chair.  “Yeah, I wanted to come in and look around before the day got busy.  Everything looks really nice.”  Mya took a sip of the coffee that she had brought with her and said, “Yeah.  Oh, did you see the pillow coverings from Liza?  She said she wanted to surprise you.”  Renee said “They’re beautiful.   I was with her when she picked out that fabric.  She told me she was going to use it to redecorate pillows in her bedroom.”  Just as Mya was about to say something, Renee’s cell phone rang.  “Hi.  Yes, I folded them and put them in the closet on the top shelf.  Sounds good.  Okay, but remember I’m at the women’s center today.  See you then.”  Mya said, “Your new salon is fantastic.  I already booked an appointment with one of the stylists.  I really need help with all this mass of hair.  I don’t want to cut it and I’m spending way too much money on products that don’t work for me.”  Renee told her that the stylists were the best in the business and that she would love her hair afterward.”  Mya eyed Renee carefully and said, “So, was that Elliott I saw you talking to at the opening?  My goodness, he’s fine.  He and Matthew look like brothers.”  Renee said “Yes, that’s Elliott.  He’s actually taking me to lunch today.”  Mya teasingly said, “Is that what you kids call it these days?”  Renee was about to respond when Liza walked in.  “Hello lovelies,” she said as she opened the door, the cool autumn wind breezing in behind her.   They stood there talking until Mya’s desk phone rang.  Renee showed Liza the rest of the renovations and thanked her for the pillows.  As Renee settled into her chair, Liza remained standing.  Renee looked at her and said “What?”  Liza eyed her suspiciously and said, “Don’t even . . . You and Elliott have been sexing it up like horny teenagers.”  Renee said, “Liza, what makes you think that?”  Liza sat down and said “I’ve known you for years now.  You always call after major events like, say, salon openings.  You didn’t call this time.  Add that to the fact that Joe has been trying to get in contact with Elliott but his calls go straight to voicemail.  It’s not hard to figure out.  Oh, did I add that you have a definite sex vibe going on?”  Renee said, “Maybe I just wanted to get some rest since getting ready for the salon had drained me of my energy.  I just needed to relax, and as for Elliott, well, maybe he . . . “  Liza cut her off, “St. Claire, you are a horrible, horrible liar.”  Renee opened her mouth to speak again, but nothing came out.  They both burst into laughter.  Renee told Liza about Elliott’s coming over to see her after the opening and everything that happened afterward.  Liza said, “See, honey, I told you things would be okay.   Don’t you feel better, now?”  Renee nodded in agreement.  “He’s taking me to lunch today, so I’d better get started on some of this paperwork.”  Liza stood up to leave and said, “See, I told you that your dry spell was coming to an end.  And if my instincts are right, and they always are, this current wave of sexual glory will be around for a very long time.”  Renee chuckled as Liza walked out of her office.

After having lunch with Renee, Elliott stopped by Joe’s office.   After they reached Joe’s 36
th
floor office suite and as they sat in his office overlooking the city, Joe said “Did you get everything taken care of today?”  Elliott said, “Yes, everything was ready when I got there, so it didn’t take long at all.”  Joe asked, “Are your folks going back to LA today or tomorrow?”  “Today,” Elliott said, “I’m on my way now to pick them up and take them to the airport.”  They talked for a bit longer until Elliott looked at his watch and said, “I’d better get going.  Don’t want to make Mom and Dad late for their flight.”  As they rode the elevator down to the lobby,  Joe said, “Liza and I have been trying to see if you and Renee would like to come over one evening, but our calls keep going to voicemail.”  Elliott said, “Oh, well, I guess she’s been busy and I had to take care of some things . . . “ Joe gave Elliott a hearty pack on his back, laughed and said, “Stop fumbling for answers, man, I already know.   Haven’t seen or heard from either of you since the salon opening.   Coincidence?  I don’t think so.”   Elliott knew he was busted, so he didn’t counter.  He did say, “I’ll give you a call about getting together soon.”  Joe waved and went back up to his office.

When Elliott got back home, Matt and Kayla were there getting in a last-minute visit with their grandparents before they left.   Before leaving, Lena made beef stew and roasted chicken with vegetables.  She made enough so that Kayla and Matt would have some, too.   Ben and Lena were talking to the kids about coming to visit them in California.  “Grandma, I can’t wait until break.  I have always wanted to go to California and see what everybody is talking about.  Winter break can’t get here quick enough.”  Lena chuckled at Kayla’s enthusiasm and told her that time would fly by and winter break would be there before she knew it.   Ben and Matt were also discussing his and Kayla’s trip to California.  Ben asked Matt, “So, how serious are things with you and Victoria?”  Matt felt his face flush a bit, not at the question his grandfather was asking him, but because he knew that Ben had overheard him on the phone earlier in the day asking Victoria if she was going to spend the night with him that night.  “I really like spending time with her, you know?  She’s really smart, and really pretty.  I mean we’ve spending a lot of time together and . . . “ Ben chuckled and said, “Son, I remember what it was like to be your age.  And yes, she is smart and pretty, and I can see that she really likes you too.  I just wanted to say that when you come to visit, you’re welcome to bring her along as well.  Matt thanked Ben and told him that he was sure that Victoria would be very excited about coming to California.  Elliott was putting Ben’s and Lena’s luggage into the car as Lena and Kayla walked out behind him.   Kayla hugged and kissed her grandparents.   Ben gave Matt a solid hug and Matt gave Lena a hug and kiss before they got into the car. 

After he dropped Ben and Lena off at the airport, Elliott called Renee.  “I was thinking maybe we could go out for dinner tonight.  Try out the new seafood place that just opened up close to my house,” he said.  “I have a few things here at the office that I have to take care of.  Is 6:00 okay?”  She replied, “Sounds great.  I’ll pick you up then.”  Renee said, “If you’d like, I could just meet you there, and that way . . . “  Before she could finish he was saying, “I’ll pick you up at 6:00.   Oh, and just in case we end up staying out late, maybe you could pack a few things to bring over.”  She was silent for a bit before saying, “Elliott, I don’t know . . .”  He said, “Please at least think about it, okay?”  Renee agreed that she would consider it before they hung up. 

When he arrived at her apartment that evening, Renee was dressed and ready to go.  She was dressed casually in a pair of dark indigo jeans, a burgundy-color drape neck sweater and low-heel ankle boots.   Elliott pulled her close to him and said “Maybe we should just stay in.”  Renee said, “Uh-uh, you promised me seafood this evening and I’m holding you to it.”  He gave her a quick kiss on the lips and said, “So, where’s your bag you packed?”  She looked at him and said “Elliott, I don’t know about . . . “   “Renee, you know I won’t ask you to do anything you don’t want to do.  I just thought it would be nice for us to spend a few days together.”  There was something in the way that he said it and the way that he looked when he said it that caused Renee to take a deep breath, go into her bedroom and pack a small suitcase of her favorite things.  “Okay, can we go eat now?  I haven’t had anything to eat all day and I’m really hungry.”  He chuckled and took her rolling suitcase from her.  “As you wish,” he said. 

The restaurant was quite busy, but they were quickly seated.  “Have you heard from your parents yet? “  Renee asked.  “Yes, they had a safe trip back.  Said they already miss the kids.  They also said they hope to see you again soon.”  Renee took a sip of her water and said “I’m glad they had a safe trip and they don’t have to worry about missing Kayla and Matt too much.  They live on Skype and Facebook, so it’ll be just like they’re with them all the time.”  After they finished eating their meal, Renee said, “That was absolutely, positively delicious.  I think I’m going to have fast the rest of the week and go to the yoga studio three times a day for the next two weeks.”  Elliott chuckled and said, “You look just fine to me, Renee.  You don’t need to do anything different.”  She blushed slightly at his compliment and excused herself to the ladies’ room.  When she returned a few minutes later, Elliott had already paid the bill and asked her if she was ready to leave.  “Yes, we probably should leave.  I have an early day tomorrow and need to get to sleep early.”  Elliott didn’t say anything, but held her hand as he led her out of the restaurant. 

When they walked into Elliott’s house, Renee said, “This place is beautiful, Elliott.  Liza did an outstanding job of decorating.  He took her on a tour that ended with them in the master suite.  She hesitated a bit before completely entering.  Elliott placed his hands on her shoulders and gently guided her all the way into the room.  She went into the sitting room that was connected to the suite and then went into the bath area which contained an oversized tub, a huge shower, and separate vanities.  Back in the bedroom, Elliott had turned on the fireplace and the room was warm and had a beautiful ambience to it.   As she was standing in front of the fireplace, Elliott was coming in with her suitcase.  “Is it still too cold in here?” Elliott asked her as he put her suitcase on the bed.  “No, I’m fine.  I just really need to get to bed.  I have a really busy day tomorrow.”  Elliott walked over to where she was standing in front of the fireplace and said “Oh, I agree.  We should get you to bed right away.”  He pulled her into his arms and kissed her.  Renee responded, placing her arms around his neck and fully kissing him in return before pulling away and saying, “I could sleep in one of the other rooms, you know?  That way we would both be nice and . . . “ He replied “Yes, I suppose you could do that, but it would such a shame.  I mean here we’re already in
this
room, and I was really hoping that you would want me just as much as I want you . . . “ He was walking her toward his bed as he was saying all of this to her.   After he removed her sweater, she inhaled a deep breath and said, “Well, since I’m already in
this
room, as you say, I guess it wouldn’t hurt to just go ahead and stay for a little while.”  He was sucking her earlobes and kissing her neck.  “It wouldn’t hurt at all.  In fact, it’s going to feel real good.”  He pulled her to her feet and unfastened her jeans and she stepped out of them.  She removed his sweater and he laid her down on the bed.  “Renee, I love you.  I never stopped.”  Before she could respond, Elliott’s lips and hands were doing things to her body that made it ache in anticipation for him.  She wanted to respond to him, to tell him that she loved him, too.  Before she could say anything, Elliott was inside of her, slowly withdrawing out of her only to go back in deeper and deeper each time.  Before going any further, he withdrew out of her, and positioned himself so that his back was resting against the headboard.  He took Renee with him and she positioned herself on top of him.  As he was entering her again, Elliott whispered “Renee,” as he took her taut nipple into his mouth.  Renee breathed in a sharp intake of air and slightly arched her back.  “Aaaah, Elliott,” she whispered to him.  She ground her sex onto him, slowly at first.   Elliott continued sucking her hardened nipples and fondling her round, shapely bottom.  As their excitement grew, Renee was grinding with more intensity, in a circular motion with her hips while balancing herself by holding onto Elliott’s thighs.  Feeling that she was about to go over the edge, Elliott grasped Renee’s hips so that he could thrust deeply inside of her.   “Renee, come for me baby.  I wanna come with you.”   She moaned softly as she was overtaken by her own orgasm as well as Elliott’s.   As she slid her hot, wet sex against him, she said, “It’s so good Elliott.  Please.  Don’t stop.”  Once again Elliott took her nipple between his lips.  As he thrust into her, he placed his fingers on her throbbing clit and gently massaged it.  Renee’s body arched and she cried out his name softly.  “Aaah, yes, Renee, feels so good to me too, baby.”  After their steamy night, Renee sleepily said, “See, I told you I shoulda slept in one of the other rooms.   Now, I’m gonna be looking all sleepy and out of focus tomorrow.”  Elliott said, “You’re right.  You could’ve slept in another room.  Wouldn’t have felt nearly as incredible as that just felt.  But yeah, you’d be well-rested and focused.   Besides, it’s your company.  You could probably just reschedule your meeting for later in the day.”  She kissed him on his full, sensuous lips and said, “Mmmm, that did indeed feel incredible.  And yes, I can reschedule for later in the day.”  He said “Can I ask you something?”  She said, “Of course.”  He was lying on his back and she rolled onto her stomach so that she could face him.  “It’s kind of a hard question to ask so I’ll just come right out with it.  All this time we’ve been apart, I imagined that you had met someone, gotten involved in a relationship, you know?  Then, the other night at your place when we were together . . . “  She said, “Elliott, if you’re asking me if I’ve slept with anyone else since the last time you and I were together, the answer is no.”  He said, “I’m sure you had plenty of opportunities.  She smiled and said, “Nah, men just don’t come around so much.  He laughed and said, “You’re making that up, Renee.  I see how men look at you.  You just don’t notice it, but trust me, they see you.”  She told him that she after she had the kids she was busy with school, then work, and finally trying to establish a business.  She didn’t have much time for a social life.  “What about you?” she asked him.  “LA certainly has no shortage of beautiful young women.   Surely some sweet, young thing has caught your attention, no?  He told her that he had dated a few women.  “But really, setting up my own practice took a lot of work and keeping it successful is equally as hard, so I really don’t have a lot of time for that.  Besides, Renee, you ruined me for all other women.”  She laughed a little and rolled onto her back.  He was on top of her again and said, “I mean that, Renee.  I never felt about any other woman the way I feel about you.”  She kissed him softly and said, “You shut it down for other men. “  They kissed, touched, and talked into the night.  As the fire crackled in the fireplace, they drifted into sweet slumber.