Chapter Nine
“I’m sorry I’m late,” Simone greeted. Noelle stood up to give her cousin a hug. “I was meeting with investors for my boutique.”
“No problem. I’m just glad you could make it. I’ve only been here for a little while anyway. I went ahead and ordered you lemonade if that’s okay.”
“That’s fine. But why would you think I wouldn’t come? I was glad to hear from you.”
Noelle had wanted to call Simone every day since she’d moved into James’ penthouse but didn’t have the nerve. She was still uneasy about the way things had been left between them but Simone was family and they’d always been close. Remembering this, she finally broke down and called to invite her to lunch. “We haven’t spoken in weeks. I told you I’d give you my number when I was settled in and I didn’t.”
Simone took a sip of her drink before responding. “I figured you were busy but I was wondering when I’d hear from you. I would have called you myself if I had your number. And since you’re the last person on Earth to not own a cell phone I had to wait.”
Noelle pulled her cell phone out of her purse and placed it on the table. “I have one now.” James insisted she have one if he needed to get in contact with her at a moment’s notice but she wouldn’t tell Simone that for fear of being lectured.
“I’m impressed. My little cuz has stepped into the twenty-first century. Did my eyes deceive me or did I see you rocking Kate Spade’s latest handbag.”
“The sales lady said these were very popular.”
“I got to admit, you look like a million bucks. Your hair looks nice.”
Noelle touched her hair self-consciously. She’d never worn a weave in her life and was still adjusting to having foreign hair. James seemed to like it though he never came right out and said it. She could just tell by the way he liked to pull her long tresses during sex. Noelle had been uneasy about spending his money so freely but once she realized it was what he expected of her, she’d gotten a makeover from head to toe, including a brand new wardrobe full of labels she’d never heard of but cost more than anything she’d ever owned in her life.
“Thanks. I only wish I had your fashion sense. Speaking of which, how did your meeting with the investors go?”
Simone’s grin widened. “That’s why I’m late actually. They seemed really impressed with the location I’ve chosen and my business proposal. They said they’d get back to me by middle of next week but I believe my boutique will be a go.”
“That’s amazing, Simone. If anyone deserves to have her dreams come true it’s you.”
Simone reached across the table and gave Noelle’s hand a squeeze. “Aww, thank you girl. When I decided to take on this endeavor, I didn’t think the ball would get rolling so quickly. You’re the one who encouraged me to go for it and now it’s actually happening. I know they say seventy percent of businesses fail in the first year but I realized if I don’t take this opportunity now, I’ll wonder ‘what if’ for the rest of my life.”
“You won’t fail. Anything you set your mind to you end up accomplishing.”
Their conversation was halted when the waiter returned to the table to take their order. Once he was gone, they resumed dancing around the subject that had caused their rift.
Finally, unable to take the underlying tension between the two of them, Noelle broke down. “Look Simone, I’m really sorry for the way things were left between us when I moved out. You’ve done so much for me I could never repay you for. I love you and I don’t want us to be mad at each other. That’s why I haven’t called you. It was because I’m ashamed of how I acted. I know you meant well when you told me what you thought.”
Simone shook her head. “No. I’m the one who should apologize. I was way out of line. You’re an adult and free to do what you like. Even if I don’t always agree with the decisions you make I’ll always be here for you, hon. All I’m concerned about is whether you’re happy. Are you?”
Noelle nibbled her bottom lip. She wasn’t sure how to answer that. She was happy when James took her until she was breathless. Her pussy got wet whenever she thought about their sexual escapades. But afterwards he’d pull away and become distant. There were moments when he’d share a little about himself but those occasions were rare. It was those times that kept her anchored to him, what made her yearn to be closer to James in not just the physical sense.
It frightened her but Noelle fell for him a little bit more each time they were together. However, deep down Noelle knew James would be finished with her if she admitted it.
She pasted a smile on her face. “Yes, I’m happy.”
Simone didn’t hide her emotions well either, and by the expression on her face, Noelle could tell her cousin still had reservations. “Well, that’s all that matters.”
Once that awkwardness was out of the way, the conversation flowed. It was nice having her cousin to talk to. She didn’t have many friends beyond a few acquaintances at art school because she always felt self-conscious and insecure. Simone was one of the few people who put her at ease.
“So how have you been keeping yourself busy?” Simone casually asked over their shared dessert of a pear tart.
Noelle swallowed the piece of tart in mouth. “I watch a lot of movies and I shop. Nothing too productive, I’m afraid. ”
“Well you look like a million bucks. That outfit looks great on you.”
Noelle snorted. “I wish I could take credit but all those highfalutin stores I have accounts with all have personal shoppers. They pick out outfits, I wear them.”
“You wear them well, though. It’s funny because you never liked going shopping with me.”
Noelle still wasn’t a huge fan of shopping but it embarrassed her to admit she only shopped because James expected her to uphold a certain image. Noelle realized her cousin wasn’t fond of Noelle’s situation; she didn’t want to give Simone another reason. “Something to fill the time I guess.” She quickly redirected the topic. “I’ve been baking a lot lately. I found my mom’s old recipe books and I’ve been trying them out. She wanted to own a bakery one day.”
“You mentioned that about Aunt Dot.”
Noelle shrugged. “The subject never came up. She used to be something else in the kitchen. I don’t think I’ve been able to replicate Mom’s baked goods but I’m getting pretty darn close.”
“I’d love to try your baked goods sometime.”
“I have a fridge full of chocolate cupcakes if you’d like to come back to the penthouse with me. We can walk from here. It’s a nice day.”
“You had me at chocolate cupcakes.”
They chatted and giggled the entire walk to the penthouse. It felt like they were teenagers again.
“Oh, my God! Girl, are you serious?” Simone exclaimed when she stepped inside the penthouse. “This place is unbelievable!”
Noelle laughed uneasily. “Yeah, it’s a bit overwhelming isn’t it?”
“I wouldn’t say that but it looks like you’ve moved on up like the Jeffersons.”
Noelle giggled. “You’re so silly.”
Noelle gave Simone the full tour of the penthouse and then the two women browsed through the extensive blu-ray collection in the entertainment console finally settling on an old movie they both enjoyed watching. Noelle popped some popcorn. It was like old times. The movie was only half way over when Noelle felt another presence in the room. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up. It was unnerving how easily she could sense James without having to lay eyes on him.
He’d never told her she couldn’t have visitors but she felt guilty nonetheless. She slowly turned to see him enter the room. His jacket was slung casually over his shoulder.
Noelle stood up to greet him. “Hi, James. You remember my cousin, Simone, don’t you?”
Simone, who had been engrossed in the movie, noticed James for the first time and stood as well. “Hi.” The greeting lacked the warmth it had from their first meeting at the gym.
James, seeming unaffected, smiled at Simone, going into full charmer mode. “Nice to see you again, Simone. Noelle mentioned you were going into business for yourself?”
Noelle was surprised he’d remembered.
Regardless of how her cousin felt about James, he found her Achilles’ heel. She beamed with pride. “I am. It’s still in the beginning stages but thus far it’s been an exciting process.”
“It certainly can be. I remember when my first hotel opened. I wish you luck in your endeavor. Simone, would you please excuse us?”
“Uh, sure.”
“Noelle, a word please?” James turned on his heel not bothering to wait for a response.
Noelle shot Simone an apologetic look before she followed James to the kitchen. James leaned against the island, his arms crossed over his broad chest.
“Is everything okay?” she asked nervously.
“I believe I made my conditions clear in the beginning. I want you available to me at all times, not entertaining guests at random.”
“Simone is not a random guest, she’s my cousin. If you had a problem with me having company you should have made it clearer. I’m alone in this penthouse ninety percent of the time so I thought—”
“You’re not here to think. You’re here to do as I say. Get rid of her.”
“But I haven’t seen her since I moved here. And I...” The stony expression on his face shut her down.
“Then by all means, when she leaves you can go with her and the two of you can spend as much time together as you need.”
Noelle didn’t need clarification to understand what he meant. She bit the inside of her lip to hold back an angry retort. He’d just given her the opportunity to tell him to shove it but she couldn’t bring herself to take it.
Not trusting herself to speak, Noelle attempted to leave the kitchen but James grabbed her wrist and turned her around to face him. “Are we understood?”
The moment she met his intense gaze she lost the will to fight. “Yes.” Noelle snatched her wrist out of his grip and stalked out the kitchen.
“Is everything okay?” Simone asked as Noelle approached.
“Um, no actually. I was wondering if I can have a rain check to watch the rest of this movie. James…” She saw no need to finish when it was clear her cousin got the message.
Simone pursed her lips and shot a disgusted glare toward the kitchen. But to Noelle’s relief, her cousin held in whatever it was she wanted to say.
“I’m really sorry. Maybe we can go out another time. Or I can come by the apartment with the movie so we can finish watching it together.”
Noelle waited for Simone to collect her purse and walked her to the door. She stepped into the hallway with Simone and closed the door behind her so James wouldn’t hear their conversation. “Please don’t be mad at me,” she pleaded to her stiff-backed cousin.
Simone released an exaggerated sigh and turned to face Noelle. She placed her hands on Noelle’s shoulders, leaned forward and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Sweetheart, I’m not mad at you.”
“But you’re annoyed. I can tell.”
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t. But it’s not directed toward you. I can’t tell you how to live your life, just know, no matter what happens, I’ll be here for you. You’ll always have a place to stay with me. And before you think I’m jinxing your relationship, I’m simply saying I have your back. Okay?”
Noelle’s eyes welled with tears as she walked into her cousin’s open arms. Noelle hung on to Simone for as long as she could. “Thank you. That means a lot.”
“And you mean a lot to me.” Simone gave her one last squeeze before letting go. “I’m going to take off now but don’t take too long getting in contact with me again okay?”
“I’ll call often. I promise.”
“You’d better.”
They hugged again before Simone left. Once her cousin was gone Noelle quickly wiped away a stray tear that slid down her cheek. Leaning her forehead against the door, she worked up the nerve to go back inside. Part of her feared he’d be done with her because of this faux pas and the other half didn’t think that was a bad idea. Once she was sure she wouldn’t break down, Noelle went back inside.
James leaned against the bar, drink in hand.
“She’s gone,” Noelle announced. James took another sip from the tumbler he held in his hand. Unable to stand the tension, Noelle headed to her bedroom. She lay on the bed and closed her eyes, trying to make sense of his coldness. She might be his mistress but it didn’t mean she wasn’t entitled to a little courtesy.
Dealing with James’ standoffishness after sex was bad enough but this outright disregard for her as a person was a blow to her spirit. He never told her his comings and goings. There’d be periods when he wouldn’t show up for days, yet he expected her to be here to wait for him in case he did show. She only left the penthouse for a couple hours at a time to either shop or take a walk. At times she felt like a princess trapped in an ivory tower.
When she was in his arms Noelle felt special but when she wasn’t she felt cheap. Soft foot falls alerted her to his presence. She lay still, making no attempt to get up.
“Noelle.” The low timber of his voice was like a sultry music to her ears. The bed dipped beneath his weight. A strong finger moved down the center of her back sending a shiver through her body. He leaned over and kissed the side of her neck.
She didn’t want to respond but her body’s betrayal was absolute. Her pussy tingled and her heat index rose. Noelle squeezed her eyes shut as hard as she could to ward away the temptation he offered.
James tugged at her shoulder until she was flat on her back. “Open your eyes, Noelle.”
Reluctantly she did. “James I—”
“Noelle, I realize I was unfair to you earlier. And you’re right I never said you weren’t allowed company. But there will be times when I visit that I need you right away and you weren’t ready for me.”
This was the closest James had ever come to apologizing and this was probably as good as it was going to get. “I understand but I haven’t seen my cousin in weeks. There’s only so much shopping I can do to pass the time.”
“I’ll tell you what; I’ll have Paul call you when I’m traveling. At least then you’ll know when not to expect me.” She was surprised he conceded that much to her; it was then she realized how tired he looked. It was hard to stay mad when she caught something that almost seemed like sadness in his gray gaze.
“James, is everything okay with you?”
“I’m fine. I just need you, Noelle. Need you so bad.” His gruff admission caught her off guard, leaving her mute. He took advantage of her slightly parted lips to push his tongue past them. The skillful mastery of James’ kiss had her stomach fluttering and body quaking.
Noelle wanted him to open up and trust her with whatever secrets he currently guarded, but thoughts of his well being were pushed from her mind as he continued to conquer her with his kiss. She kept her fists balled at her side, unsure of what he wanted her to do.
James stood up and placed his hands on either side of her head. “Touch me, Noelle.” He bent over to brush his lips against hers, still holding her face.
His request almost sounded desperate and she wanted to demand he tell her what was bothering him. But the spark of sadness she’d glimpsed earlier touched her soul, making Noelle want to soothe whatever ache he felt. It suddenly dawned on her when he said he needed her it wasn’t in the physical sense. He needed her.
She reached up and cupped the side of his face in her palm. “What happened? What’s the matter, James?” she asked again, hoping he’d open up some more.
He didn’t reply right away but he didn’t break eye contact with her either. Finally he answered, “Nothing some time in your arms won’t solve.”