Chapter 31

Claire

I rearranged my clothes in the hotel suite’s closet for the umpteenth time and shut the doors. Bored, I walked into the living room and sat across from Damien.

“Is that five or six shipments?” He gave me an apologetic smile as he continued to talk on the phone. “Can you get that verified by receiving please? Yeah...No, I’m at the Juniper conference...Seven days, so that gives you plenty of time to figure out what’s going on...Alright. Keep me posted.” He set his phone down and sighed. “I’m so sorry, sweetheart.”

“It’s okay. It’s a working vacation. I completely understand.”

“Come here.” He locked his eyes on mine and I walked over, prepared to sit in the other chair, but he pulled me into his lap. “Are you okay? You didn’t say much on the way over...”

I stilled. I didn’t think he’d noticed that since his music had been so loud. I’d kept my head turned towards the window for the entire two hour drive, wondering why I’d agreed to come here when I was still so wrapped up in someone else. 

“I’m just a little stressed,” I said. “I guess I just need to relax.”

“Hmmm.” He pressed his head against the back of my shoulder. “Do you want to do something to relax together then?”

“Depends on what it is...”

He ran his hands up and down my hips and kissed the back of my neck, making my body yearn for more. “Lay down with me?”

I nodded and eased out of his lap.

He clasped my hand and led me into the bedroom, pulling the covers back and using the remote to dim the lights. He disappeared for a moment and I decided to get more comfortable.

I took off my earrings, slid out of my shoes, and suddenly felt him unbuttoning my pants from behind. I felt my nerves running wild, but not out of desire or anticipation; it was out of anxiety.

Why do I feel like this is “cheating”?

He spun me around and unfastened my shirt and my bra, sliding them off my shoulders as he looked into my eyes. Then he smiled and pulled me onto the bed.

Motioning for me to get in first, he started to undress himself, leaving nothing but his briefs on.

I climbed into the bed and sighed as he climbed in behind me, as he started to press kisses along my bare back. I rolled around to face him. “I don’t know if I can—”

He cut my words short with a deep and inviting kiss, making me forget whatever I was about to say.

I tried to hold back, tried to resist, but I couldn’t help it; I kissed him back—letting my tongue dip deeper into his mouth, running my hands against his hard chest.

He tore his mouth away from mine and began kissing down my neck, my collarbone, my breasts. He sucked one of my nipples into his mouth and softly bit it, making me cry out in pleasure.

Ohhh....Jonathan...

He gripped my other breast and kneaded it with his palm, using his fingertips to pinch the most sensitive part. Before I knew it, he’d started moving his kisses down my stomach—past my belly button, and another memory of Jonathan crossed my mind: 

Jonathan pulled his mouth away from mine. “I love kissing your lips, Claire...”

“Which set?”

“Both.” He ran his hands against my bare thighs.

“Well...” I stifled a moan as he started to move his lips lower and lower. “Which one is better?”

“I believe it’s a tie, but I’ll do a comparison right now to make sure...”

I felt Damien attempting to pull my pants down as he placed another kiss against my navel.

“Wait.” I sat up and folded my arms across my chest. “We can’t...”

“What?” He kissed my stomach again and looked up at me. “Why not?”

“I’m...” I needed one hell of an excuse. As much as I wanted to deny it, my body was on fire and I knew he could feel it. “I’m on my period this week... I’m sorry that I didn’t—”

“Is that why you’ve been so tense today?” He raised his eyebrow. “You think the only reason I invited you was to have sex? Or that if we didn’t have sex this week I wouldn’t be interested in you anymore?”

Um yeah. “Um...”

He shook his head. “I’m sorry, Claire. I’m not usually this forward and I don’t want to rush things with you at all. It’s just...Being around you sometimes, it’s hard to control myself.” He smiled as he re-buttoned my pants. “You wouldn’t believe the effect you have on me...”

He moved so he was lying next to me and kissed my cheek. “Will your period prevent you from letting me hold you?”

I laughed. “No...I would like that very much.”

He wrapped his arms around me and I leaned back against him, not feeling comforted at all; his embrace wasn’t the one I needed.

––––––––

I emerged from the bathroom in a long purple dress, one of Jonathan’s purchases from months ago. I figured I might as well put all the dresses he bought me to use; they were all too elegant to wear to anything else.

“Wow...” Damien stood up once I walked into the living room. “I’m not so sure about going to this ball now...”

“Why is that?”

“Because someone might try to steal you away from me...You look too good to be true.” He looked me up and down. “I think the highlight of the week will be getting to see you in a different dress every night.” He kissed my lips and led me out into the hallway, onto the elevator.

We were heading to the seventy fifth floor’s “sky room,” to attend the conference’s welcoming ball. He’d told me that all the power players needed to make an appearance and that it was pretty much an opportunity for the CEOs to show off their dates and size up the competition.

If it were up to me, I would be back in our suite scarfing down the cartons of mint chocolate chip ice cream I’d ordered, not rubbing noses with the elite. Nonetheless, I’d already talked him out of making me go to the “Ladies Only Meet and Greet” and I didn’t want to push my luck. 

He held the door to the ballroom open, and as soon as we stepped inside, I had to hold back a gasp.

The sky room was colossal—it looked like it was large enough to hold an entire football field; its ceiling and walls were made of plated black glass and I counted at least twenty silver chandeliers hanging several feet above our heads. There was even a massive stage at the far end that stretched across the room’s imposing walls.

Damien held me against his side as we walked around the room, as he introduced me to each of his friends and colleagues as his “girlfriend.”

“Wow...” “Where’d you find someone like this to put up with you?” “She’s too pretty for you.” “If you ever get tired of him, I’d be happy to take you out, Miss Gracen.” “She’s a vision, Damien...”

I smiled at all his friend’s compliments, and once he and his CFO started discussing acquisitions, I excused myself to the beverage bar that lined the side of the room.

As I was pouring myself a glass, the lights above flickered and everyone started clapping.

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 2013 Juniper Conference!” A woman walked on stage with a mic in her hand. “Over the next few days, we’ll all be sharing our ideas on the direction of technology advancement, relaxing at one of the retreat’s many spas, and trying not to kill each other since we’re all fierce competitors.”

The room erupted in laughter.

“Tonight’s opening ball was generously sponsored by Lowell Enterprises. Unfortunately, Mr. Lowell’s flight has been delayed so he’s asked for his former apprentice to make the opening statements instead.”

I looked around to make sure no one was watching me and poured an extra pint of vodka into my drink.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome founder and CEO of Statham Industries, Jonathan Statham!”

The crowd cheered and I dropped my glass onto the floor, turning around to look for him.

Jonathan walked onto the stage from the side, smiling at the applause, surveying the crowd. He waved at the people who were playfully screaming his name, stopping to make eye contact and say “hello” with those he knew personally. As he continued to look over the audience, his gaze veered towards the beverage bar and his eyes met mine.

He stopped walking and blinked. He opened his mouth like he was about to say something, but then he turned towards the crowd again and smiled as he took to the podium. 

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen,” he spoke.

“Good evening,” the crowd responded.

“As many of you know, this week is about fostering new friendships, and rekindling ones that may have gotten lost in the madness that is technological advancement. That said, I’m looking forward to reconnecting with all of you—no, just a few of you...”

The crowd laughed.

“Mr. Lowell isn’t a man of many words and he only wanted me to say a few things: Let’s make sure that this conference is as unforgettable as the ones that came before it, and that tonight—the first night—is all pleasure and no business whatsoever. We have all week for that.” He flipped over a notecard. “To the newest attendees, be sure to network with those who are in your same field and choose your morning sessions very wisely. To those who have been here before, I’m sure I don’t need to say much about how this works. And to those who are here with a date,” he said as his eyes met mine again, “there are plenty of things for you to do here during the day if you choose not to accompany your date to the tech events. Thank you all so much. Enjoy the rest of your night.” He kept his eyes on me as the audience clapped, and then he walked off the stage, shaking hands with whoever stepped in front of him.

I turned around and made myself another drink. Then I felt an arm wrap around my waist.

Jonathan?

“So, this is where you disappeared.” Damien laughed. “Are you having a good time so far?”

“Yes.” I need to get out of here...“Could you tell me where the restrooms—” I felt Jonathan getting close before I could see him. That electrical current that rushed through my veins whenever he was nearby suddenly shocked me into silence.

“What were you saying, Claire?”

“Good evening, Mr. Edwards.” Jonathan’s deep voice made both of us turn around. “It’s interesting to see you again.”

“Well, well well, it’s Jonathan Statham.” Damien pulled me closer, making Jonathan clench his jaw. “I’m shocked you didn’t bring up your new sPhone red in your speech. Are you actually becoming classier or are you taking classes on how not to be an asshole?”

“I’m taking classes—from the same lawyer who handles your divorces. Has he prevented your ex-wife from suing you for all your worth yet or wait—how many ex-wives do you exactly have now? Three? Four? Are we counting the six week wife from Vegas these days?”

“Touché.” Damien rolled his eyes. “Claire, this is the royal pain in my ass I’ve been telling you about—Jonathan Statham, and Jonathan, this is my girlfriend, Claire Gracen.”

“Girlfriend?”

“Yes, girlfriend. She used to work as a director in your marketing department. Small world, right?”

“Too small.”

“Mr. Edwards?” A woman tapped Damien’s shoulder. “We have Tamisha J. from our overseas headquarters here to see you. She wants a quick picture if you don’t mind.”

“Not at all.” He kissed my cheek. “Be right back, sweetheart. Jonathan...” He walked away.

I looked up at Jonathan and we stared at one another, not saying a word for what felt like an eternity. My heart was pounding against my chest, my nerves were jumping up and down, and the palpable electricity between us was pulling me closer and closer to him.

Even though his eyes were cold and his lips were pressed into a subtle scowl, he looked sexier than he’d ever looked before.

I took a few steps forward, without taking my eyes off him, and tried to keep it together. “Jonathan...I am so sor—”

“I didn’t leave you with my competition for too long did I?” Damien pulled me against his side. He kissed my cheek again and I could see a vein in Jonathan’s neck swelling.

“Have you heard about Hannigan from TruCorp, Jonathan?” He didn’t wait for him to respond. “Differences aside, I think he’s really onto something with his new data configuration board. It looks pretty promising.”

“I’ll have to look into that.” Jonathan stated dryly. “Thank you, Damien.”

“What are bitter rivals for? I’m actually glad you decided to show up here for a change. It’ll make for a more interesting week.”

“Yes.” Jonathan narrowed his eyes at me. “It will definitely be interesting.”