She flies with her own wings (11 page)

His hands run up and down my arms. “But you’d agree that I can give you a much better orgasm than you can give yourself?”

“Much as I’d love to wipe that smug self-satisfied look off your face, yes. What you give me far outreaches anything I can give myself.”

Looking absolutely, devastatingly, beautifully smug he says, “So can we reach a compromise?”

“A compromise is just a way of stopping somebody from getting what they want when the other has already lost.”

“Still,” he grins. “I promise to watch out more for your body signals, try and understand them. Trust me when I say I only want the best for you even when it might not seem that way.”

“Just never call me a ‘good girl’ again.”

“I’ll do my best.” He winks. “Deal?” He offers me his hand, which I take reluctantly.

He lowers his head, kisses me softly on the lips and we fall into bed again.

“Fine,” I say.

“Good girl.”

I punch him in the chest. “Will!” I yell, and he kills himself laughing.

My alarm goes off after just two hours of sleep. I fight the urge to turn around and crawl out of bed. My body feels like it had sex half the night. My muscles ache, and my pussy feels a little sore. I hobble into the bathroom and into the shower.

My muscles relax under the hot stream. I soap myself and wash my tangled hair and enjoy the quiet. When I get to the kitchen dressed and ready, there’s a latte and Nutella roll waiting for me. Next to it is a sprig of pink peach blossoms that smell beautiful.

I hear footsteps behind me, and Will’s arms encircle me. He kisses me softly on the cheek.

“Morning, beautiful.”

He pours himself a coffee and sits next to me. I smile at him and bite into my roll hungrily.

“We have to leave at seven this evening. Will you manage?” he asks me and I nod.

“I plan on finishing earlier this afternoon. I still have to get a dress.”

“Do you want me to come with you?” he asks, and I almost choke on my roll.

“You’d do that?”

He grins at me. “There’s not much I wouldn’t do for you,” he says, and I feel myself blushing. Come on, Thea; get a grip!

“Three o’clock, Union Square?” I ask.

“Perfect.” He looks at his watch. “I have to go, baby.” He kisses me softly on the lips, licks a spot of Nutella off the corner of my mouth and is gone.

I slowly sip my coffee and continue to breathe in the scent of the blossoms. Just a few days ago one of the guys had laid out a sprig of lilac and now one of peach blossoms. Does this mean something? And where the hell are they finding spring blossoms in fall?

At three o’clock, Will is waiting for me at the red heart in Union Square and kisses me hello. He pulls me into the first store, and it’s the kind of place I’d never have the guts to go into. But with Will it’s no problem.

One look at his bespoke suit and that face, and the assistants hurry over.

“Can I help you?” asks one of them.

“We’re looking for an evening dress for my girlfriend,” he says and raises my hand to his lips. I can’t help but laugh at the dirty look she throws my way. I try to ignore it, but Will sees something in my face and looks at me questioningly. I just shrug my shoulders in response.

“Of course, sir. If you’ll just follow me.” She turns and looks over her shoulder at me. “What size are you, ma’am? Ten?”

I nod to that. She shows us a variety of beautiful dresses, but somehow there is not one that I really do like. Will is trying to persuade me to try something on, but it somehow doesn’t feel right.

“What about this one?” he asks and shows me a deep blue one.

“That’s not really my color,” I answer and look through more fabric and sequins and tulle.

Finally my eyes fall on a caramel-colored silk Cavalli dream. It’s covered in sequins, strapless, and cut deep in the back. It’s love at first sight. I go into the changing room, try it on, and it fits perfectly. I usually don’t go strapless, because I am afraid that my boobs might fall out, but this one is so perfectly cut, that the girls are safe. As I come out of the changing room, my eyes fix on Will who’s sitting on a sofa to the side. I watch his eyes look me up and down, then twirl his fingers. I turn on the spot slowly and feel his eyes come to rest on my ass. When I’m facing him again, he gives me a thumbs up.

“It is perfect, isn’t it?” I ask and stroke the material of this dream come true.

“It is.” He approaches me and lays his hands on my hips. “Now for shoes and underwear,” he says to the shop assistant and she disappears on their next mission, not without sending a longing glance his way.

I decide on a pair of simple Jimmy Choo heels and don’t bother with underwear. I can’t wear a bra under the dress, and I know Will is going to appreciate me not wearing any panties.

I’m about to pay when he grabs me and kisses me passionately. By the time I get my breath back, he’s already paid with his card.
Smooth
, I think, and punch him lightly on the arm. “I wanted to pay for this,” I say and he puts an arm around my shoulders.

“I know,” he says, “but I’m not letting you pay $6,000 when I know that’s what you earn in a month.”

“It’s not and how do you know what I earn?” I say. He’s actually right, or in the right ballpark.

He grins at me. “Everyone knows that ColtonTech pays less than average,” and I look at him darkly. He lifts his hands in defense.

“Hey, it’s just a fact, I don’t mean anything by it, but while we’re on the subject, I’m not a fan of your company and wish you worked somewhere else.”

“Right, sure, and who’s going to put a woman in her ‘birthing years’ in a director’s position?” I ask, in a slightly bitter tone.

His eyebrows go up. “Let’s go to a café and chat.” He takes my hand, and we leave the shop.

He stands in the queue while I find us a place to sit. 

“Okay, start talking,” he says when he sits down.

“There’s nothing to talk about,” I mumble.

“Sure there is. Spill.”

“Fine. When I left college two years ago, all I did was fill out job applications, millions of them. I graduated from a reputable college with a PhD and honors, have outstanding references from all my internships, and I got exactly
one
interview. ColtonTech.” I take a sip. “I’ve been putting out feelers in the last two years, I’m not stupid, Will. I know this job is far from ideal, but even though everyone’s impressed with my work, no one wants to give me a job.” I take another sip. “This possible promotion: If I were a man, there’d be no discussion, but because I’m a woman I would have been passed over were it not for the two female board members who voted against it. And now I’ve got this appraisal on my back. It’s a damn travesty.” I let my head drop into my hands and sigh. “You know what the worst part is? My boss let slip that the reason the board don’t want to give me the job is because I might get pregnant and I can’t do anything about it. If it went to court, they’d say I’d only been there two years and they’d opted for someone with more experience. But it wouldn’t matter if I was a male or female over forty.”

Will is silent for a moment. “Why didn’t you apply to BioKing?” he asks, and I look at him surprised.

“How do you know I didn’t apply?”

He shrugs. “I checked. I was curious after I found out whom you worked for. So why didn’t you?”

“I didn’t want.”

“Why the hell not?”

“Sorry, Will, but your head of HR is a misogynistic asshole,” I say, and he looks shocked.

“I’m sorry, what now?”

“Hendrick Pierce. I met him at a conference and the whole time we were talking he just stared at my breasts. When I asked him about an internship, he said he’d never offer that kind of job to a girl like me.”

“Girl like you?” Will is openly irritated.

“I asked him the same thing, and he said that girls like me should stay at home and be fucked rather than turn guys on in a lab. No work would get done, otherwise.”

Will’s eyes go to ice. “He said that?”

I nod. “I didn’t—and don’t—want to work for a company that tolerates those kind of people. I thought you were like that too.”

“I hope I’ve proven otherwise,” he says and looks at me earnestly.

I take his hand. “Of course you have. It only took me a second to realize that.”

His thumb strokes the top of my hand.

“Thank you for telling me, Thea. I mean about Hendrick. I will take care of that. And the other thing? I’m sorry you’ve had to go through that. I’d love to tell you it’s not always the case, but I’d be lying.”

“Don’t worry about it, Will. I’m a big girl, I can take care of myself.” I smile at him, it might not be the widest smile, but it is sincere.

“Thea, baby, I know you’ll say ‘no’ now, but know that there’s always a job for you at BioKing. Whenever you want. No matter what happens between us. No matter what. If you need a job—and I know you’d only take it if you really needed it—it’s yours.” He looks at me so sweet, and my heart melts.

“Thanks, Will,” I whisper, and he grins at me.

“Okay, baby, one more stop before we go home. Come on.”

We walk a few blocks, and Will carries my shopping. He stops at a door and pulls me in.

“Mr. King?” asks the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.

“Yes and this is Ms. Bennet.” He kisses me on the lips. “Go with this lady. I’ll wait for you here.” He sits on the sofa and gets out his phone.

I follow the lady and realize I’m in a beauty salon. For the next two hours I let myself be pampered with a massage, mani-pedi, hair, and make-up. I float on cloud nine. Will’s an angel.

When I’m finished, I almost fall into Will’s arms. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

“Does that mean you enjoyed it?” he asks.

“More than that.”

“Okay, baby, we need to go, it’s almost half past six.”

“Oh God, how will I manage?”

“Relax, you’re almost done. Just dress and shoes and this.” He picks up a box from the table and opens it. Inside is a diamond bracelet.

“Will…”

“Do you like it?”

I nod and put it on. “I can’t accept it.”

“Yes, you can,” he grins. “We did agree you wouldn’t be so bitchy anymore.” And before I can protest, he closes his mouth over mine for a long kiss.

He gets out of the car and holds his hand out to me. I grab and follow him, which isn’t easy in an evening gown and killer heels. He rests my hand on his elbow and lowers his head to mine. “Don’t be nervous,” he whispers.

We go in slowly. We’re barely through the door when we’re stopped as somebody starts talking to Will, and I notice people staring at us. Females glancing at him and wishing they were me. I try to appear confident. I refuse to let them rip at my nerves
. Fake it ’til you make it
. Even though I’m at his side, I can feel the barracudas closing in. They stare, longer than necessary, jostle for position to show off their cleavages and bite and lick their lips. One of them even has the nerve to remove my hand and nestle herself between Will and me. As I go to make room, Will grabs my hand, pulling me close, puts an arm around my waist and twinkles at me. He sees her look and kisses me possessively on the mouth. I open my mouth for him, and his tongue is in me for a second before he pulls back and gazes at me with warm eyes.

I hear someone clear his throat near us and we both turn to face a very good-looking older gentleman and a stunning woman who are looking at us. She beams as she takes both my hands.

“You must be Thea,” she says, and I’m surprised she knows my name. I look back at Will who looks slightly uncomfortable.

He introduces us, “Thea, these are my parents, Robert and Miranda King. Mom, Dad, this is Thea Bennet.”

His parents. He told his parents about me?

His father offers his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Thea.” His smile is warm, and his tone genuine. His mother takes my arm and ushers me to one side.

“I am so glad to meet you, darling. William talks of nothing else these days,” she says, and I blush, struggling to think of something to say. I think she exaggerates, because it’s not even a week since I met the boys.

“Oh, don’t panic, darling. I’ve been hoping I’d see the day my son fell in love, and he couldn’t have made a better choice,” she smiles happily, “I know you probably think I’m a little crazy,”
I was thinking just that
“because I don’t know you, but I can see how good you are for him. He tends to retreat into his little world and not let anyone in but since you’ve come into his life, I’ve seen quite a difference in him. He smiles all day, he’s more open to other people and he’s opening his heart.” She smiles again, so lovingly that I almost break down. This is what it must be like to have a caring mother.

“Just do one thing for me, darling. Whatever it is you’re doing, don’t stop.” She pulls me to her and kisses me on the cheek.

“I…thank you, Mrs. King,” I whisper.

“Call me Miranda, darling. Or you can just start calling me Mom.” She winks at my shocked face.

We are stopped by her friends, and she introduces me to them, tells me funny stories about them, and makes sure that my champagne glass is never empty. She makes me feel like I have known her forever, and she’s opening her heart for me. Already.

At some point, Will and his father return to us. Will puts his arm around my waist and pulls me closer to him when I suddenly hear my name being called. I turn to see my therapist, Carmen. She smiles at me, and we hug. She’s more of a trusted friend than a therapist really. She turns to the Kings and greets them like old friends.

“I didn’t expect to see you here, Thea.” She smiles. “And with an good looking guy.”

Shut up, Carmen! “Carmen,” I say, through gritted teeth, but she’s not listening.

“I love seeing you out and about, dear,” she says and I am kind of glad that she didn’t say anything more embarrassing. We have an unusual kind of relationship. Sometimes it feels more like friends than therapist and patient, so it could always happen, that she just says something out of line..