Ford
The building is really starting to shape up, which is hard to believe since we are almost four days behind schedule. The termite issue threw a huge wrench into the mix. Luckily, that area has been contained.
The only problem is, I need the termites to be a huge problem if I’m going to pull this project off without Bianca finding out. She has enough things to deal with as it is. She doesn’t need to worry herself about this. I have it all under control.
Digging my phone out of my back pocket, I swipe it to life, “Hey, Derek, I need you to buy us some more time. Yeah. I understand, but can you go ahead and tent the whole building? I know...I’ll pay for the tarping. That’s fine. Yes. I get it. Just bill me, and I’ll take care of it. I know. That works. So, tell me. If we were actually doing this, how long is the process? That’s it? Yeah. I guess it will work. I was hoping to buy more time, but six days will have to do. Thanks, man.”
Heading to the hotel, I try to find an easy way to break the news to Bianca, that won’t break her spirit...she is already at the end of her rope and I don’t want to unravel her completely.
My phone buzzes, and I see it’s Celeste. I wish I didn’t have to work with her, but if I’m going to make this club thing work, Bianca can’t know anything about it.
“Talk.” I answer the phone. Celeste is good at what she does, but she also tries to land every client in more ways than one. I can’t go there. Well, not again.
“I know you are working on borrowed time, so I stayed up all night working on this.”
“Thanks, Celeste. I owe you.” I instantly regret the words.
“Yes, you do. Lunch later in the week?”
Shit!
“Celeste, let’s keep things professional.”
“I’ve been told I’m extremely professional.” She laughs, but we both know she was being serious.
“I don’t think that is a good idea. Wrong clientele here.”
“Fine. Lunch on you.”
“That I can do.” I’m already planning a way out, one that she can’t complain about.
Everything is finally starting to come together after years of planning. The building is taking shape, the club is just a few weeks from being completed. Now, I just need to find Bianca the perfect place to showcase her art. How hard can that be?
She’s amazing.
**********
Bianca
Staying in a hotel isn’t as bad as I thought it would be. It’s a luxury I didn’t know I was missing. Especially the huge tub. I’ve never seen one this big. I bet you could fit a family of four into this thing. I mean, I wouldn’t want to do that, but if Ford were to walk in right now…I wouldn’t complain if he wanted to join me.
Filling the tub, I add some of the bubbles I picked up from the small shop downtown. I’m not too big on scents, but this is something so light and sensual that even my nose can handle it without getting a headache.
Letting my robe drop to the ground, I step in, one foot at a time, testing the water. “Ahhhh.” Sitting down, I close my eyes and take myself back to a time when I wasn’t stressed and Grans was still alive.
“Well, this is a site I wasn’t expecting, but it’s a welcomed one.” I open one eye to see Ford standing in the middle of the bathroom.
“I think I’m in love with this tub,” I confess.
“I can see that.” His brows furrow at the bubbles covering my naked frame. “Looks like you have room to spread out in there,” he adds.
“I bet you can fit two in here.”
“Do you think we should check out that theory?” He takes off one shoe at a time as he pulls his shirt over his head.
Keeping eye contact, he unfastens his pants and drops them to the floor, leaving him in just his black boxer briefs.
Not being able to help myself, I watch the show. This is a channel I’m not about to change.
“Eyes up here, B,” he orders as he slowly removes the only piece of fabric separating him from the tub.
I do as he says, but the moment he springs free, I can’t help but take a peek.
Oh! My! Lord!
I’ve felt his skin on mine more times than I can count since meeting him, but to have him on full display for me is an image that I’m imprinting on my brain.
“B?” He taps my shoulder.
Mouth open, my eyes meet his.
“Good. Now, scoot up.” He chuckles.
I scoot forward and he climbs in behind me, pulling my back to his chest. “Can you hand me that.” He points to the bath gel while wetting the washcloth he grabbed before getting in.
“Sure.” I lean up, quickly grabbing the gel and falling back, splashing water over the sides. “Sorry.”
Not sorry.
Falling back caused me to slip and slide against his body, and instead of sitting in front of him, I’m now on top.
Someone is happy to see me.
I inwardly smile.
Taking the washcloth from my hands, he pours a little soap and lathers it up. “Lean up.”
Ford slowly massages my back as he washes me clean. Slow and soft is driving me crazy, but as soon as I relax into his touch, he moves to the front.
Just where I want him.
Tapping my leg, he points to the side of the tub. Understanding what he wants, I prop my leg up. But just to make sure we are on the same page, I lift the other, getting it out of the way.
Leaning back, I tilt my head up and give him a wicked smile, daring him to give me what we both want.
“Is my girl dirty?” he teases.
Nodding is my only answer.
His hand slowly works my body from top to bottom, kneading and massaging every muscle. Not exactly what I wanted, but what I needed.
Loving the feeling of being taken care of, I almost fall asleep, but as I do, I’m suddenly awakened by a slow ache that is building between my legs from the slow, lazy circles Ford is making. Cleaning, caring, loving on me in a way I don’t want to end.
“Ford…” I beg.
“Let me make you feel good.” His voice is soft and raw, whispering.
“It’s…it’s just…oh, God.”
The pressure is growing inside, the feeling more than I can handle. Throwing my head back, reaching around for his neck, I pull it down, claiming his mouth, desperately attacking it. Gently biting down on his bottom lip causes him to move more urgently, his hand moving faster and faster. I invade his mouth with my tongue. Tangling it with his, I move it in time with his hand.
Losing control, I move my hips, trying to find the pressure I need.
“Ford, please.”
I reach down and remove the cloth and replace it with his hands, begging him to do the things it can’t. One touch turns me on and sends me over, falling apart at his fingertips.
After the events of the past weeks, combined with what just transpired, I’m spent. I have nothing else to give.
As if sensing my exhaustion, Ford stands, grabbing an oversized, fluffy towel from the rack and gently lifts me out of the tub.
“Let’s get you to bed,” he whispers in my ear as he carries me to the bedroom, laying me tenderly on the bed. He dries every inch of my body. “Get some rest.”
“But I don’t wanna sleep,” I pout.
“Turn that frown upside down.” He chuckles, brushing my hair out of my face. He begins to pull the covers up over me.
“Hold me.”
Two simple words, but they expose so much.
With a nod, he dries himself off, climbing in after. He pulls my back to his front, wrapping me in his arms, and our legs intertwine. The gentle caress of his hand on my hair and the rhythm of his heartbeat make my eyes grow heavy and sleep overcomes me.