The Sanctuary (39 page)

“Lost without you.” I finished his sentence and snuggled next to him. “I don’t know if I can last six months without you. I can’t even leave for a month.”

He chuckled and reached for his cell phone. “Excuse me. I have to cancel my plans for tonight.”

I watched him as he spoke on the phone. He seemed too thin, almost frail. As soon as he hung up, I ran my fingers down his abs. “You’ve lost weight. You’re too skinny to lose weight. I’m going to hire a chef for you.”

“Don’t be silly. I can fend for myself.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “Lonely nights, bastardly tiring days, and you know how much I enjoy shopping for food.”

“You need me,” I teased.

He leaned into me, pressing me flat onto the bed. “Yes, I do. In more ways than one.” He quickly undressed me and mounted me, devouring my breasts with his large hands.

“Owww…Be gentle with those. They hurt.” I moved his hands away from my tits.

He kissed my neck, ignoring my comment and grabbing my nipples and tweaking them while slipping his cock inside of me. Normally, he would feel just right inside, but every area of my body felt extra sensitive to his touch.

“Oww…” I pushed his hands away again.

“Did you forget how I touch you?” He chuckled and thrust his cock deeper into me.

I squirmed underneath him to reposition myself so he wouldn’t penetrate me deeply.

“What’s wrong, Eve?” He stopped mid-stroke to question me.

“It’s nothing. It’s probably because I wasn’t feeling right all week.”

He cocked an eyebrow upward. “We can stop if you’re not up to it.”

“Are you crazy?” I shook my head. “This is all I dreamed about on the flight here.”

“So what am I, a booty call?” He chortled and slowed his strokes down. He held me tight to his body, one arm wrapped around my shoulder, drawing himself closer to me, his other arm resting against the bed.

He groaned in pleasure as he thrust his cock deep, exploding inside of me. “Fuck!” He collapsed, breathing deeply into my ear. “I didn’t mean to come so soon. I’ll make it up to you.”

“Sorry, Val, I’ll be right back.” I pushed him off and made a beeline to the bathroom, shutting the door and turning on the fan. I was secretly glad he’d come so soon. The plane food combined with his rough handling had sent me over the edge. I hung my head over the bowl, submitting to the demands of our sensitive baby.

“Are you okay?” Val burst into the bathroom. “What’s going on, Eve? You’ve been sick all week.”

I stood up and turned the faucet on. “I forgot to take my medicine.” I splashed the water on my face, rinsed my mouth, and headed back to bed to lie down.

I grabbed my purse from the dresser and pulled out a vial of pills. “I thought I had this beat, but I guess not.” I popped a pill into my mouth and downed water.

He eyed me and picked up the pills. “What’s this for?” He scanned the bottle, looking for clues.

“I should have told you this before, but I wanted to tell you in person.”

His eyes darted to mine.

“We’re having a baby.” I smiled, and immediately his face lit up with the news.

“When did you find out?” He lay down next to me and snuggled me into him.

“Monday, but I wanted to make sure everything was all right before I told you.” It was a relief to tell him. It had been such a heavy burden all week.

“How far along are you? When are you due?” He extended his hand to my belly and gently caressed it.

“I’m eight weeks pregnant. We conceived around Christmas. The baby is due September twelfth. You’re not going to feel anything, Val. It’s not big enough yet.” I giggled at his gesture.

“I know that.” He blushed and smiled, keeping his hand on my belly. “What are the pills for?”

“Nothing serious. Anti-nausea meds because the doctor thought I might dehydrate.”

“And how is she doing?”

“She? We don’t know the sex yet.”

“I have a feeling.” He winked.

“She’s fine, if she is a she. She could be a he, too, you know.”

“I can’t believe it.” He shook his head and leaned over me, tenderly kissing my stomach. “Why don’t you stay here? I could take care of you.”

I shook my head and watched him. He began singing softly in Finnish. I couldn’t believe how gentle he was. His demeanor was beautiful to behold.

“What are you doing?”

He eyed me from below. “Singing, what does it sound like I’m doing?”

“She can’t hear you.”

“My child will know my voice before she’s born. And when you deliver, she’ll immediately know who I am.”

I laughed at his silliness. “And if we’re a country apart, how do you plan on accomplishing this?”

“I guess I’ll have to postpone the record,” he stated.

“I prefer if you’re home during the first year than with me during the next nine months. I can handle this. I’m okay.”

“You could move here. Don’t you have offices here you need to transition also?”

“I’ve got people on it already. Besides, my doctor is in New York.” Suddenly, my phone rang. It was Vicki. I knew this wasn’t going to be good.

“Where are you? You’ve got everyone worried sick about you.” Her voice boomed so loudly Val could hear her.

“I’m in L.A. I didn’t know I needed to answer to you.”

“Well, you never told Edward, and Jude stopped by, and you weren’t home. We’ve been trying to call you.” She paused. “Wait, you’re in L.A.? What the fuck are you doing in L.A.?”

“I took the first flight out after work. I wanted to celebrate with Val.” My call waiting beeped. “Hold on a sec. Jude is on the other line.” I switched over, annoyed at their antics.

“What do you want?”

“Hey, baby, I thought we had dinner plans for tonight. You stood me up. Where the hell are you?”

“Stop calling me condescending little pet names. I’m in L.A. with Val. I will see you on Tuesday at the office.” I hung up the phone and switched back to Vicki.

“Vicki? I have to get going. I’ll see you Tuesday.”

“Wait, Tuesday? You’re leaving me with Jude all day on Monday? Hell no. I refuse to work with him alone.”

“Then call out sick. I’m no longer your boss.” I hung up the phone and tossed it aside.

Val’s voice deepened. “Why did you have a date with Jude tonight? More importantly, why is Jude involved with your business affairs?”

I supposed now was as good time as any to tell him. “He bought out fifty-one percent of my company, and it wasn’t a date.” I watched him for his reaction.

“Why would you sell to your ex? Don’t you see he’s trying to weasel his way back into your life?”

It was funny how both Val and Jude tried to twist things against each other. “It’s not personal. It’s business. It was the only way I could wipe my hands clean. He has the financial backing I needed to be bought out.”

“And for the rest of your life, he can dangle this over your head. Don’t you see it’s just a way to hold you to him?”

“Honey, I don’t care about the business. I care about you and our baby. Please stop. I wasn’t thinking about myself when I made this decision.”

“Well, I’m not happy with it.”

“You don’t have to be. But it was the only way.”

“I wish you would have spoken to me first. I don’t like it when you make decisions without telling me what you have up your sleeve.” He bit his lip.

“Don’t accuse me of being deceitful. I wanted an out, and he was there. That’s all.” I threw my hands up. This wasn’t an argument I was going to win.

“Don’t you think it’s a bit underhanded not to talk to me about things that will affect us?” He pressed his fingers together, which was typical when he was angered.

I jumped up from the bed. I couldn’t believe we were arguing. “Would you rather have me fold the company and take a loss, or would you rather have several million in the bank?”

He ran his fingers through his hair. “Speaking of which, my accountant needs your info because we have taxes to file, and I know nothing of your personal accounts.”

“It doesn’t matter what accounts I have. Most are offshore anyway. And I’ll have
my
accountant take care of
my
taxes. We will file separately.” I closed my eyes. Shit was going to hit the fan.

He rose from the bed and faced me. “What are you hiding?”

“Nothing. Nothing except my hard-earned money.”

“How much money? Are you doing something illegal?” His nostrils flared.

“I’m not doing anything illegal. The government can’t tax my interest earnings, that’s all.”

“And that’s illegal. No wonder why you were so eager to sell the company and move.” He growled, “How much money are we talking, Eve?”

I snapped, “I wanted to sell and move to be with you. How many times do I have to tell you?
It’s not about the money
!”

His voice was harsh. “How
much money
, Eve? And don’t make me ask you again.”

I gulped. “Before the buyout, around sixty million, including my real estate.”

He gasped and backed away. “When the hell were you going to tell me this? Event planning doesn’t make you that rich. What are you doing?”

“Investing wisely, that’s all.”

He rubbed his eyes. “This is too much. I don’t know what to say.” He sat down on the bed. “Do you know how much we’ll be taxed on this in Finland?”

“That’s why we have lawyers and accountants. I’m sure there is a work-around, and if there’s not, I’m happy just being your wife, rich or poor.”

“I can’t believe I married a criminal.”

“I am not a criminal. I’m just protected.” I smiled, hoping for a change of topic. “Come on, Val, don’t be mad,” I pleaded. I hated when he was angry.

“I’m upset that you didn’t talk to me about the business. And I’m also a bit shocked to learn how much you’re worth. Suddenly, my success seems insignificant."

“That’s not true.” I knelt down. “Your work will live on forever, but no one will know my name when I’m gone.”

He groaned. “I’ll get over it. Just give me time."

Jude and I got along exceptionally well during the three months that preceded the buyout. He took the reins quite nicely under my direction, and the company flourished with both of us running it. Of course, Jude claimed no responsibility for any of the actual organization. He had no time for that. His skill set was better used schmoozing clients. The press once again loved us and acknowledged the merger as a powerful force in the industry, one that could almost be seen as a monopoly over the other elite firms across the country. Our client list was one to be reckoned with. We carried the most exclusive clientele.

Although Jude had been a prick, his attitude slowly diminished, and we became closer. He turned into my confidant, friend, and all-around support system in New York. Since neither of us had any family here, we clung to the fine strands that held our lives together. Having such a long history together made the present more relaxed and cozy. It was like wearing an old T-shirt. Just because it had some holes, there was no reason to throw it out.

Val, on the other hand, was the pillow I preferred to snuggle next to, but the distance began to put a strain on our relationship. I often wondered if we weren’t legally bound to each other whether we would still be together. He had grown easily accustomed to the L.A. lifestyle. However, he never grew used to my business relationship with Jude and occasionally argued that I was too close to my ex-fiancé. He would often ask how I would feel if the roles were reversed.

However, when we spoke about the baby, or if I called him with news, he instantly transformed into the sensitive artist I’d once known. He would make me place the telephone on my belly so he could speak to our baby, who he called “our daughter.” He wanted to ensure she knew his voice even if she couldn’t feel his presence. It was touching to see him so in love with her. I knew if we didn’t stay together, he would be a good father to our child.

“Have you heard from Val?” Jude asked as the waiter stepped away from our table.

I shook my head. “I haven’t heard from him since Sunday. But he’s been working sixteen-hour days and crashing. I’m sure everything is okay.”

He rolled his eyes. “How much can he possibly do? He’s a singer for Christ’s sake.”

“Oh, will you stop it? He works hard and puts in long days.” I crossed my arms. My hands touched my opposing elbows, and suddenly it triggered my memory of when Val and I had our first session in New York. I missed his touch. I missed his kisses. I missed him.

“When’s your next appointment?” Jude’s words snapped me out of my daydream.

“Next week.” I glanced around at the other non-pregnant patrons. I was extremely jealous of them. Oh, how I wished I could fit into my “skinny” clothing again.

“Do you want me to come with you?

“If you’re free, sure.” Jude was supportive during my pregnancy, making sure work didn’t interfere with my appointments. He even took trips with me to the doctor’s office when I asked him to. I hated going alone. Seeing other couples together sharing in the process stirred my emotions. I would often arrive sad that Val wasn’t there. But my sadness often morphed into anger that Val had never taken the initiative to accompany me at least once to the doctor.

“Are you going to find out the sex?” Jude pressed.

I shook my head no. “I’m going to keep Val in suspense like he does to me.”

Jude raised his eyebrows. “What do you mean?”

Unexpectedly, my phone rang. It was Val. “Hey, baby,” I crooned into the phone.

“Hello, darling. How’s my baby?”

I laughed. “Would that be me or her? I hate to compete for attention.” I’d begun calling the baby “her” because it felt natural, after five months, to say it as well.

“You, of course. How are you feeling?” Val asked me sincerely.

“Fat. But okay.”

“You’re not fat. You’re beautiful. And I bet more beautiful in person.”

I couldn’t help but blush from his comment. “You’re sweet.”

“I only have a few minutes to talk. I was wondering if you can take vacation next week.”

“I have a doctor’s appointment next week for an ultrasound. It’s been booked for months. I can’t reschedule.”

“Is everything okay?” He sounded concerned.