Chapter 21
Lara
I was wishing I’d taken Mason up on his offer to join me. I didn’t know what we were in terms of our relationship, if we could call it that, but being at the beach, staying in a beautiful room, and not worrying about what anyone who saw us thought would have been a fantasy come true. I wasn’t sure if Mason was a holding hands kind of guy, but I had a feeling he would do it if I asked.
Checking my phone, I looked to make sure I was at the right address. I was. I opened the door of the small shop and asked for the owner, then introduced myself.
“Good morning. I’m Lara McCall.”
The young lady who claimed to be the owner took me by surprise. “I’m Emma. Thank you so much for coming up here. I know it is usually the other way around, but I couldn’t make it work.”
“It’s no problem. I like to see where the clothes are produced anyway. Is this where you make everything?”
She smiled and nodded. “It isn’t much, but yes. Between me and a couple of my friends, we make each item.”
She led me through a door, and I was surprised to see the relatively small work space. There were four desks set up with sewing machines, a large cutting table, and another area where the finishing would happen. Boxes and packing materials were stacked in a corner.
“Wow,” I said, not sure what else to say.
Emma giggled “I know this is probably not what you are used to. We’re a small business and don’t like big manufacturing gigs. Our goal from the very beginning was to keep it small, to keep it authentic and handmade, for real. I hate tags that say handmade but the only handmade part is the slapping of a sticker on each box. We make every piece with fabric one of us can personally vouch for.”
“This is really amazing, Emma. Can I see some of the clothing you’ve made? Are these your own designs?”
Another soft laugh. “I don’t know that I can claim the design of a onesie, but we like to experiment with different designs when we can.”
She opened one of the boxes and pulled out some of the clothing they had made. “These are gorgeous. Just perfect,” I told her, running a hand over the soft pink cotton.
It was hard not to imagine my own baby wearing the little outfit. I wanted all the clothes. I wanted my baby to wear everything and, of course, to take a picture of each outfit.
“Thank you. I know we’ve chatted back and forth via email, but we can go into my office and work out the details if you’re interested.”
I nodded. “I am definitely interested.”
We spent the next hour talking about pricing, her catalog, and what kind of deliveries I could expect. The clothing was very unique, and I had a feeling that once people discovered it, it would be a hot seller. Because the items were truly handmade, they weren’t going to be readily available, which was actually a good thing. It would increase the demand. At least that was what we were both counting on.
We were going to meet again for dinner with the rest of her partners. That would give me a chance to look over the numbers and come up with the buying contracts before I left tomorrow. I was excited about the new line and hoped it would be lucrative for both of us.
“Can you recommend any good places for lunch?” I asked her.
She quickly gave me several options. I thanked her and set out. I would grab a quick lunch and then head back to the hotel to get the contracts drawn up. I checked my watch and realized it was still early. I could walk the boardwalk and maybe do a little shopping.
I called Kali while I meandered down the street that would take me toward the beach.
“Hey! Busy?”
“Nope. Not a customer in sight. How’d it go?”
“Great. The clothes are going to be hot sellers. I can tell already. Each piece is a little different, and they are truly handmade. The ladies have sewing machines set up in a back room!” I told her with disbelief.
“They actually sew the things there?”
“Yep. One by one. They purchase fabric from one of the sellers we are familiar with, so I trust the quality. I think these little outfits are really going to set us apart. She doesn’t sell in any boutiques and thus far has sold online only. I’m heading back to the hotel in a bit to draw up the contracts. I’m hoping she will agree to an exclusive deal.”
“That would be amazing! Do you think she’ll do it?”
I heard a man’s voice and paused. “Uh, Kali, do you have a customer?”
She was quiet for several seconds. “No.”
“Are you being robbed?” I asked dryly.
“No.”
I released a heavy sigh. “I suppose that would be Brian I hear?”
She giggled. “Yes. He stopped by. Seems he can’t get enough of me.”
“Nice. Tell him I said hi. Anyway, I’m hoping to get the deal signed tonight at dinner and then I’ll head back first thing in the morning. I have a flight booked at noon, just in case there are any last-minute details to take care of. Call me if you need anything,” I told her.
“Have fun. Relax a little and I’ll see you tomorrow or sometime,” she mumbled, clearly distracted by something I suspected I didn’t want to know the details of.
I slid my phone into my purse, pulled off my sandals, and stepped onto the sandy beach. This was a beautiful place. I only wished I could share it with someone. Someone like Mason. I spent longer than I had anticipated roaming the beach and picking up a few new outfits in some of the shops. I didn’t have time for lunch, and it was really too late anyway, so I had a quick snack from the vending machine while I worked.
The contract was one I had used in the past. It was simply a matter of changing names and figures and then it was ready to present. I was confident the partners would agree, but there was always a chance they would want a bigger cut of the profits.
I changed, putting on one of my favorite business suits. It wasn’t too harsh, but it conveyed professionalism yet was still feminine. These ladies were very bohemian. Showing up in thousand-dollar shoes would send them running for the hills, but I needed to assure them that I was successful and that their clothing would sell in my store.
When I walked into the restaurant at the address Emma had given me, I almost laughed. It was a vegan restaurant. I should have expected as much. I would definitely be ordering room service when I got back to the hotel. I was already dreaming of a juicy burger and greasy fries.
“Hi!” I greeted Emma when I saw her. She quickly made the introductions and we got right down to business over a plate of tofu and veggies.
It was almost eight by the time I got back to the hotel. I was buoyed by my success. I had gotten the contract with exclusive rights. I couldn’t wait to tell Kali and Mason. I wanted to tell him about my day, which felt odd but strangely right.
“Hi,” I said when he answered on the first ring. “I hope I’m not bothering you.”
“You could never bother me. How’s it going? Did you get your deal?”
His interest in my work made me feel all warm and tingly. “I did.”
“Good job! I knew you would. No one can turn you down.”
“Thank you. Thank you for asking, too. That was very sweet. So, how was your day?” I asked.
“Same old stuff. But, I went out with Brian last night,” he said in that low voice that always made me feel like warm goo inside.
His words sank in. “You did what? I know he’s not in the hospital or jail because he was with Kali this morning.”
He chuckled. The deep timbre of his voice vibrated through the phone. “There was no punching this time. We were both good boys. I invited him out for a beer. I wanted to clear the air.”
“And?” I asked, desperate to hear how it had worked out.
“And we’re cool. We talked and he is okay with you and me being together. No pressure, but I wanted to make sure I didn’t have to worry about him giving you any grief or trying to kill me if he caught me at your place,” he said.
“Oh. Good. I’m glad,” I said, forcing the words out.
I was glad, but I was also nervous. I didn’t want to be in a relationship with him or anyone right now. I had decided months ago I was going to be single, and now it felt like I was tumbling into another relationship that would only leave me bruised and alone. I couldn’t do it, not yet.
“Don’t,” he said in a low voice.
“Don’t what?”
“Don’t freak out. I didn’t ask him for your hand in marriage. We can take this as slow as you want. I’m not pressuring you, but I didn’t want there to be any problems between you and your brother because of me.”
“I know, and thank you. So, I should be home around four or so tomorrow. Did you still want to go out?”
“Of course! I’ll meet you at your place.”
“Sounds good. I better run. Bye, Mason.”
“Bye,” he said, and the line went dead.
I held the phone in my hand for several seconds, realizing how much I wished he was here or I was there with him. I missed him. I hated it, but I did miss him terribly.
Crawling into the massive king-size bed, I felt more alone than ever. Mason would have spooned against me, making the bed feel small and cozy. I closed my eyes and imagined his arm around my waist and his warm breath in my ear.
It didn’t take long for my imagination to go somewhere else. I drifted off to sleep and fell right into an erotic dream with Mason as the star of the show.
His dick was hard against my ass. I made a move to roll over, but he held me in place. His hand moved between my legs, lifting one thigh and pushing it forward. The same hand stroked up my inner thigh before he slipped a finger deep inside. His mouth was on the back of my neck, licking and sucking while his finger stroked in and out. My climax stirred, but it felt too far away. I moved my leg back, trying to rub my legs together and trap his finger deep inside me, but it wasn’t enough. The orgasm was still out of reach. I moaned and begged for him to fuck me. He lifted my leg and I froze, knowing what was coming next. With one smooth, filling motion, he pushed his dick inside me. My orgasm tried to break free, but it wouldn’t come. Please! I begged him to give me the release my body was so desperate for. He kept moving, slow and deep, driving me higher and higher. I could feel it. It was so close! I silently pleaded with him to fuck me harder. I need it harder. Why wasn’t he giving me what I needed? The orgasm was right there, one touch. I only needed one small touch—
My eyes popped open a second before I got to reach my orgasm. Dammit! I had been so close. I rubbed a hand over my tingling pussy, hungry and aching for release. The dream had been unexpected. My panties were wet with need. Mason was in my dreams. I couldn’t get away from him if I tried. I couldn’t wait to see him tomorrow. For now, I would have to rely on my vivid fantasies. Hopefully, in the next dream I would find the orgasm that had been so elusive. If I couldn’t get it in my dream, tomorrow would be very long.