Forever Us (13 page)

He looked at me as the corners of his mouth curved slightly upwards. “Yes, I am. But that doesn’t stop me from looking at beautiful women. Apparently, it doesn’t stop you either because you’re sitting here with me.”

I gulped as I got up from the stool. He reached over and placed his hand on mine as an electrical shock shot through my body. “Thank you for coming down and meeting me.”

“I have to go. Thank you again for the trays,” I said as I walked out of there as fast as I could.

Everyone was waiting for me in the limo. As the driver opened the door for me, I slid in next to Mason.

“Are you all right? You look flushed,” he said.

“I’m fine. Now let’s go and have a good time.”

Chapter 26

We arrived at the first club and had dinner up on the rooftop. I couldn’t stop thinking about the man from the elevator and how it had felt when he touched me. Needing to see if I had any missed calls or text messages, I pulled my phone from my clutch and saw nothing. I wondered what Connor was doing and I felt like I needed to text him.

“Hi, babe. I just want to make sure you’re having a good time.”

A few minutes later, a reply from him came through.

“Hey, baby. We’re having a great time. How about you?”

“Yeah, I am. I just wanted to tell you that I love you,”
I typed with guilt.

“I love you too. Remember to stay safe.”

“
I will.”

As I put my phone back in my clutch, I grabbed my glass of wine and drank it as fast as I could. I put all thoughts of the man from the elevator out of my mind so I could enjoy the evening that I
had spent months planning. We ate, drank, and had a good time. But the fun didn’t really start until we walked into the club called X. It was a high-class strip club that was divided in half. One side of the club was male strippers and the other half was female strippers.

We sat at the table
, waiting for the show to start. Peyton was already drunk and so were a few of the girls. I needed a drink and didn’t want to wait for the waitress, so I excused myself and walked up to the large bar that was shared by both sides of the club. As the bartender approached me, I ordered a shot of Jack. He put the shot glass down in front of me and I threw it back, allowing the burning sensation to coat my throat. Suddenly, I was startled by a voice in my ear.

“Well, isn’t this a coincidence seeing you here. It must be fate,” the deep voice whispered as his scent captured me and his hot breath warmed my neck.

Once again, my heart started beating rapidly as the lower half of me started to ache. “Are you following me?” I asked without turning around.

“I was just about to ask you the same question. Do you always come to strip clubs?”

“No. I told you before that it’s my best friend’s bachelorette party.”

“Ah, that’s right,” he said as he traced little circles on my shoulder with his finger.

My skin started to heat up at his touch. There wasn’t anywhere I could go. He had me trapped between the bar and the stool. “Am I making you uncomfortable?” he asked.

“Just a bit,” I answered nervously.

“I apologize. You better get back to your friends,” he whispered as he leaned in closer to me and I felt his lips slightly touch my neck.

I flinched and he moved his arm so I could get by. As I walked away, I turned around, even though every part of me said not to. But I did, because I could feel his burning eyes all over me. I sat back at the table just in time for the show to start.

“Where were you?” Landon asked. “We were going to start a search party.”

“The bar was packed. It took forever to get the bartender’s attention.”

The show started and one male stripper walked onto the stage. Peyton started going crazy and yelling. I looked over at her and laughed because she was standing on the chair. I needed to use the bathroom, so I got up from my seat and told the group that I’d be right back. I was feeling a little tipsy from the Jack and coke I was drinking and then the champagne I had earlier. I couldn’t find the bathrooms, so I had to ask one of the waitresses. She pointed down the long hallway and said they were on the left. After peeing, what seemed like forever, I washed my hands and, when I opened the door, I was startled to see the line of people down the narrow hallway. When I stepped out of the bathroom and tried to make my way through the crowd of people, I felt two hands grab my waist. I turned around and it was him.

“It’s okay; let me guide you out of here,” he said.

As we were reaching the end of the hallway, two drunken girls stumbled and pushed us up against the wall.

“Hold on
. Let them pass,” he whispered in my ear.

I gulped as the ache down below came back and my senses were heightened by his tantalizing scent; an unfamiliar scent to me. Once the girls passed by, he grabbed my waist and led me out of the hallway.

“Don’t turn around, but hold out your hand,” he instructed.

I did what he asked
and I held my hand out in front of me. He put a piece of white paper in it and then he closed my hand.

“Don’t let anybody see that. It’s only for you,” he whispered and then walked away in the opposite direction.

I opened my hand and unfolded the piece of paper. It read:

My room, tonight
, after your party.

Room 4709

I’ll be there, waiting for you.

As I stood there staring at the note, I heard someone call my name. I looked up and closed my hand tightly as Mason walked towards me.

“What’s taking you so long?” he asked.

“Look at the line,” I said as I took his hand and we walked back to our table.

Our time at the strip club was finished and we needed to move on to the last club. As I helped Peyton into the limo, she wouldn’t stop talking about the lap dance she received from the stripper. Everyone was cracking jokes and having a good time. I was starting to get a bit worried that Peyton was too drunk to go to the next club, but she insisted she was fine. When I opened my clutch to pull out my phone, the white piece of paper fell onto the floor.

“Oops, you dropped something,” Landon said as he reached down and picked it up.

“No! I can get it,” I said in a sharp tone.

Mason picked up the paper and handed it to me. “Wow, calm down, Elle, it’s only a piece of paper. “

“I’m sorry,” I said.

***

The club was packed. The music was blaring
, and the floor was thumping. I tried to get my mind off of him, but I couldn’t. His tall stature and assurance were startling, but in a way that was to be desired. To distract myself from the thoughts of him that seemed to consume me, I lost myself in the music, dancing, drinking, and having a good time. When it was time to leave, Landon had to carry Peyton to the limo as the girls and I stumbled behind, laughing and practically falling on our asses. I pulled my phone from my clutch and there were no messages or missed calls from anyone. Not too long after we left the club, we were back at the Waldorf. Landon carried Peyton to the room and collapsed on the couch. I pulled the white piece of paper from my clutch and stared at the room number. It wasn’t the same room he had gone into earlier in the day. This room was on the top floor of the hotel.

I took in a deep breath
and stepped off the elevator. I knocked quietly on the door of Room 4709. Immediately, the door opened, and he stood there with a smile on his face.

“Please come in,” he said
. “I wasn’t sure if you’d show.”

“I wasn’t sure if I would either,” I said as I stepped inside his room.

“Would you like a drink?”

“No, thank you. I’ve had way too much already.”

The corners of his mouth curved up when I said that. “Is that so?” he said as he walked closer to me, took my clutch from my hands, and threw it on the chair. He stood in front of me, and as I looked down, he cupped my chin in his hand and lifted it up until I was forced to look at him.

“Someone as beautiful as you should never be looking down.”

As I took in a sharp breath, he took his finger and ran it across my jaw line. “You’re so stunning. From the moment I laid eyes on you, I wanted you. I know you felt it too. I could tell by the look in your beautiful blue eyes. Did you feel something?”

I nodded my head lightly as his gaze held mine.

“Say it. I want to hear you say that you felt something when you saw me.”

“I felt something,” I whispered.

He leaned closer to me, gently nipped my bottom lip, and then looked at me. “Do you want me to fuck you? Because I’ve wanted to since the moment I saw you,” he said as he traced my lips with his finger.

The words wouldn’t escape my lips, so I nodded my head.

His mouth crashed into mine as my lips parted slightly, allowing his tongue to explore my mouth. Once he had me against the wall, he cupped me below, feeling my soaked panties as his fingers pushed them to the side and he inserted his finger inside me.

“I knew I turned you on,” he said as his lips pursued my neck.

While I ran my fingers through his hair, he took down both straps of my dress and let it fall to the floor. “I want you to leave your shoes on,” he commanded.

His right hand kneaded my breast as his left ripped the panties right from me. I gasped as he dipped two fingers inside. He moved them in and out of me while he unbuttoned his pants with his other hand and took them down. My breathing was rapid and my moans became louder as he inserted himself into me. He was rock hard and so strong that each time he pushed deeper into me, he sent my body into convulsions. I wrapped my legs tightly around him as he held me up against the wall and continued to thrust in and out of me.

“Oh my God, oh my God,” I yelled as my body shook and he brought me to an amazing orgasm.

“That’s right. I want to feel your
pleasure all over me,” he said as he forcefully pushed himself into me one last time and I felt him explode inside of me.

With my legs still wrapped around him, he looked at me and kissed my lips. “Well played, Mrs. Black.” He smiled.

“Touché, Mr. Black.” I laughed.

I unwrapped my legs and he gently put me down. “Please say you’ll stay with me tonight instead of going back to your room. I don’t want to sleep alone.”

“Of course I’ll stay here. I love you so much, Connor,” I said as I wiped the sweat from his forehead.

“And I love you, Ellery.”

We climbed into the luxury bed and Connor wrapped his arms around me.

“Did you know I was here? I asked.

“No. I had no idea you’d be here. I had a Vegas room set up in the suite for Henry’s party and one of the other guys arranged the strip club. When the elevator doors opened and I saw you standing there, you took my breath away, and I felt like it was my first time ever seeing you. That’s why I wanted to pretend that I didn’t know you, and when you played along, that’s when I decided to play it out.”

“We should do this more often.” I smiled as I rolled over and his arms tightened around me.

As he softly kissed my back, he whispered, “We’re going to have a little talk in the morning about that dress you were wearing.”

I smiled as I closed my eyes and fell fast asleep.

Chapter 27

Connor

One month later…

“I don’t give a shit if his wife left him. You tell him that the Chicago building better be ready next month for the inspection. I’ve paid him good money to see that it gets done, and it better be ready! Because if it’s not, you tell that son-of-a-bitch that I’ll see him in court,” I yelled as I threw my phone across the desk.

“What’s going on?” Ellery said as she walked into my home office
, carrying Julia.

“Just people not doing what they’re supposed to be.” I sighed as I got up from my desk and walked over to her.

“Is it the Chicago building again?”

“Yeah, baby, it is, but I don’t want you worrying about it,” I said as I kissed her head and took Julia from her. “Have you finished the last painting?”

“Yes, I have. I just finished it a few minutes ago.” She smiled.

“Great. I’ll have them wrapped and shipped to the gallery. They’ll be there just in time for the opening next week.”

I looked at Julia and she stared at me with her big blue eyes as I talked to Ellery. She was growing so fast. Ellery had started her on baby food and she’d learned to sit up by herself.

“Peyton and Henry come home today from their month
-long honeymoon,” Ellery said.

“They had a great wedding. I can’t believe how fast it came and went.”

“I know. Time is going by so fast. Look at how big Julia is getting already,” she said.

We heard the elevator doors open and Mason announcing
that he had arrived.

“Are you ready to hit the gym?” I asked Ellery.

“You bet I am. Let me go and grab my bag.”

We walked out of the office and I handed Julia over to Mason. “There’s the little princess.” He smiled.

While Ellery grabbed her bag, I took mine from the hall closet and grabbed my keys. “I forgot to tell you that I’m driving us today. Denny called me this morning, and he’s not feeling well.”

Ellery turned and looked at me. “What? What’s wrong with him?” she asked with concern.

“I’m not sure. He just said he wasn’t feeling well and that he’s sorry, but he couldn’t work today.”

“Denny is never sick,” she said.

“I know. I’m a little worried about him, but I’m sure he’s just picked up a bug. People at the office are sick.”

“I hope he feels better soon.”

“Me too, baby,” I said as I put my arm around her and we headed to the gym.

***

After our workout, Ellery dropped me off at the office and took the Range Rover with her. I told her that I’d catch a cab home this evening. Valerie followed me into my office, rattling off all the meetings that were scheduled for today. As I sighed, I set my briefcase down on my desk and looked out the large window that overlooked the city. My mind wouldn’t stop thinking about Denny. In all the years I’d known him, he had never once been sick, and I was concerned.

“Mr. Black, are you all right?” Valerie asked.

“I’m fine, Valerie. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a couple of things to do before my first meeting.”

She nodded her head and walked out of the office, closing the door behind her. As I turned my computer on, the screen displayed a picture of Ellery and Julia. After a few minutes had
passed, Phil and Paul walked into the office, summoning me to the meeting. I left my phone on my desk and grabbed my files.

While I sat in the board room on a conference call with Sakura Nakamora, CEO of Takashi Enterprises, a Japanese company we
were trying to negotiate a contract with, Ellery came through the door. As I saw her, I jumped out of my seat.

“Ellery, what’s wrong?” I asked
, as I could tell she looked panicked.

“Connor, I’m sorry, but it’s Denny.”

“Finish this meeting without me,” I said as I looked at Paul and Phil.

I placed my hand on the small of her back
and led her out to the hallway. “What happened?” I asked as we walked to my office.

“Dana called me and said that Denny had a seizure, so she called an ambulance and they immediately rushed him to the emergency room. We both tried calling you
, but you weren’t answering your phone.”

“Shit. I left it on my desk while I was in my meeting. I’m sorry, baby,” I said as we walked into my office
, and I grabbed my phone.

“I tried to call Valerie
, but she wasn’t at her desk. I knew you had a meeting, so when you weren’t in your office, I figured you were in the board room.”

We raced down to where Ellery
had parked the Range Rover. We got in and I drove as quickly as I could to the ER. Once we arrived, the nurse took us back to where Denny was. When we walked into the room, Dana got up from her seat and I gave her a hug.

“Connor, Ellery, thank you for coming,” she cried.

“What happened, Dana?” I asked her as I looked over at Denny. He was sleeping.

“He woke up this morning, said he wasn’t feeling well, but he couldn’t describe what was wrong. He said he felt dizzy. So I made him lie down for a while and when he went to get out of bed, he fell to the floor and started seizing.”

“Are you sure it was a seizure?” I asked.

“Yes, my sister used to have them all the time,” she said as she cried.

As I held her tightly and told her that he was going to be okay, Denny opened his eyes.

“Why the hell are you hugging my wife,” he said with a slight grin.

“Why the hell are you lying in that bed in the emergency room? You were supposed to work today.” I smiled as I put my hand on his shoulder.

“Yeah, well, I’m sure you’d survive without me,” he said.

“I wouldn’t be so sure of that,” I said with a serious tone.

He looked at Dana and held out his hand to her. She took it as more tears started to fall. Ellery walked over to her and clasped her shoulders.

“Dana, stop the tears,” he said. “I’m going to be fine.”

The doctor walked in with the nurse and told Denny that they were going to run a CT scan to see what was going on. As they took him out of the room, I took Ellery’s hand and we waited in the waiting room of the ER.

“I could use a glass of scotch right now,” I said.

“How about some coffee instead?” Ellery asked as she smiled at me.

I put my arm around her and we headed to the Starbucks that was inside the hospital. Ellery handed me my coffee and, on our way back to the waiting room, we ran into Dr. Taub.

“Ellery, Connor;
it’s nice to see you. Ellery, are you here for your annual blood work?”

“No, Dr. Taub. A friend of ours was brought into the ER and we’re here visiting,” she replied.

“Oh, well, I hope your friend is okay. Don’t forget about that blood work. You know how important that is,” he said as he walked away.

We waited an hour before Denny was brought back to his room
. As we were sitting there with him, the doctor walked in and asked to speak with Denny and Dana alone.

“Whatever you have to say, you can say it in front of them; they’re my family,” Denny said.

The doctor cleared his throat before he began to speak. “The CT scan showed a tumor in the brain.”

Immediately, Dana broke down and started crying. As I grabbed her, to keep her from falling, Ellery took a hold of Denny’s other hand.

“I’m not a specialist, but I’ve called one in to come see you.”

“What’s his name and how good is he?” I asked.

“He’s one of the best neurosurgeons we have on staff. He’s very reputable. His name is Dr. William Armstrong and he’ll be in tonight to see you. Until then, we’re going to keep you here overnight, and after Dr. Armstrong consults with you, then we’ll have a better understanding on how to proceed.”

Denny’s expression never changed as he listened intently to every word the doctor spoke to him.

“Is the food here any good?” he asked.

Ellery laughed as she squeezed his hand. “It’s not that bad,” she said.

“Okay then, I’ll stay.”

The doctor smiled as he walked out of the room. Denny looked over at Dana and squeezed her hand. “Stop crying, woman. Everything’s going to be fine. I’ll be all right.”

“Of course you will be.” Ellery smiled at him.

Hearing the news that Denny had a brain tumor sickened my stomach. I didn’t know much about them, but what I did know was that they
weren’t good. As I stepped out of the room to make a phone call, Ellery followed me. I took my phone out of my pocket and dialed Bernie.

“Bernie, it’s Connor. I need you to dig up everything you can on a Dr. William Armstrong. He’s a neurosurgeon at Mount Sinai Hospital here in the city. I want everything
; do you understand me? This is important.”

“Yes, Mr. Black, I’ll get on it right away and get back with you.”

“Thank you,” I said as I ended the call.

Ellery grabbed my hand. “What’s that all about?”

“I need to make sure he’s the best, because if he isn’t, then I’m flying in the best.”

***

Ellery and I left the hospital to go home and be with Julia for a while, before coming back later when Dr. Armstrong was going to be there. As I set Julia in her highchair to eat and, while Ellery was getting her food ready, my phone rang. It was Bernie.

“What did you find out?” I said as I answered.

“Dr. Armstrong is rated one of the best in his field. His credentials are excellent, Connor. I don’t think you have anything to worry about.”

“Thank you, Bernie. I appreciate it,” I said as I ended the call.

“What did he say?” Ellery asked as she set the jars of baby food on the table.

“He said that he’s one of the best. So, we’ll have to wait and see.”

As I took the baby spoon and dipped it into the jar, Julia started to squeal. I smiled as I brought the spoon to her mouth and she gracefully took it.

“Mason said that he would watch Julia for us tonight while we’re at the hospital. Have you called your mom and dad yet?”

“No, I still have to do that. I will as soon as I’m done feeding Julia.”

Ellery walked over to me and put her arms around my neck. “I can feed her, babe,” she said as she kissed my cheek.

“I want to finish feeding her. I’ll call them after.”

When Julia was finished eating, Ellery cleaned her
up and took her out of her highchair while I went and called my mom and dad. They were upset when I told them the news and said to let them know what was going on and when they could visit. About an hour later, Mason stepped off the elevator with Landon.

“Hey, you two,” I said.

“If it’s okay with you, we’re going to take Julia with us furniture shopping,” Mason said.

“Oh, that sounds like fun!” Ellery exclaimed.

“That’s fine,” I said as I walked upstairs.

I went into the bathroom and splashed some water on my face. Things weren’t sitting right with me
, and I had a bad feeling. I stood with my hands on the counter when Ellery walked in and looked at me.

“Connor, are you okay?” she asked.

“I don’t know, Elle. To be honest, I don’t know what I’m feeling right now.”

She walked over to me and wrapped her arms tightly around my waist
. I needed her now more than ever before. I closed my eyes as she rested her head on my back.

“Let’s try to think positive about this, Connor. I know it’s hard, believe me, but positivity is the key to staying strong, and we need to be strong for him and Dana. Your strength is what pulled me through my illness, even when we thought there was no hope.”

I turned around and held her face in my hands. “I never gave up hope. Hope was all I had. I wouldn’t have made it through without it. The thought of losing you to that illness flooded my mind every day, but I never once gave up hope, and I never once gave up on you.”

Tears formed in her eyes and her bottom lip started to quiver. “I had given up. I lost all hope for me. Then I met you. You made me fall in love with you, and you showed me there was a
reason to fight. You had enough hope for both of us and, if it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be here today.”

A single tear fell from my eye as I listened to her words. I pulled her into me and held her as tight
ly as I could. She was my safety, my saint, and my savior, and I thanked God every day for not taking her away from me. She jumped up and wrapped her legs around me and I carried her to our bed. I gently laid her down and stared into her eyes as I softly kissed her lips. Believe it or not, that was all I wanted. I just wanted to kiss her and nothing else.

***

When Ellery and I went up to Denny’s room, Dr. Armstrong had just left and Dana was crying. Ellery walked over to Dana to comfort her, and Denny gave me a sullen look.

“What’s wrong? What did Dr. Armstrong say?” I asked as I went and stood at his bedside.