Sharing Nicely (10 page)

A phone call came through moments later.

“I want you back.” Darren didn’t even open with a greeting.

“I’m sorry, you can’t have me,” I replied. I was thoroughly turned off by the whiny note in his voice.

“But, Kerry, we were so good together. You’re not with him, are you? You’ve not chosen Greg over me?” The vehemence in his voice took me back.

“Oh, I should have known. It’s all part of the stupid game you two play. You can’t bear to lose to him, can you? Well, not that it’s any of your business, but I am not yours or his. I am my own woman. Now leave me alone. Stop sending things to the club. I don’t want them.”

“But—”

“No buts. I don’t care how rich you are, pal. You can’t buy my love. Goodbye.”

I would have slammed down the phone, but it’s impossible with a mobile. I just pressed the end call button emphatically and pushed the phone back into my pocket.

Part of me had liked the gifts, the fact that Darren had at least tried to win me back. I’d had nothing from Greg at all. I’d said sorry, I’d hoped he’d at least open some kind of dialogue with me, to find out more. I was willing to do whatever it took to get him back but I’d obviously meant even less to him than I’d thought. I’d not even got a text.

I was surprised by how much it hurt me. I felt like my heart was breaking, which was daft
—
we’d not even been in a proper relationship, we’d just been fucking around. Deep inside, in that place we all have where our most essential truths and seediest secrets are hidden, I knew that I was in love with Greg and that I would always be in love with him even if he never spoke to me again. It hurt. I wanted to wallow in self-pity, but I couldn’t. I was too busy for a start.

I had got one thing from the experience, though. I trusted Taylor with looking after things at work. I regularly got to have a night off and that made me feel better. I loved Diamonds but everyone needed a break to do something different now and then to recharge the batteries.

A few days after the grand break-up over the phone with Darren and thankfully no new presents at work, I took a Sunday off. It was generally a quiet night anyway, when no bank holiday followed, and I found myself at ease knowing my team wouldn’t be overwhelmed in my absence.

It was a cold winter’s day. The sun never came up, it stayed grey and dull even at noon. I prepared myself a hearty brunch of bacon and eggs and thick sliced toast and tried not to think of a similar dish created for me that morning that seemed a whole lifetime away. I pushed thoughts of Greg from my mind and settled down in front of the TV to veg out and stay warm.

When there was a knock on my door I nearly jumped out of my skin. For a start, people were meant to use the intercom to get in, so I was used to hearing a buzz not a knock. I wondered if it was one of my neighbours, since they’d not needed to use the intercom, but what would they want? I was tempted to ignore the noise but curiosity made me move.

Dragging myself from under my big woollen blanket, I straightened my large baggy jumper and surreptitiously checked for egg stains. I ran fingers through my unbrushed, untamed hair and opened the door.

“Greg?” I gasped. “What are you doing here?”

“Good question,” he sighed. “Can I come in and explain?”

I nodded. He looked tired, his shoulders drooped and the skin under his eyes appeared grey, like he’d not been sleeping well.

“I apologise, it’s a bit, erm, homely in here.” I smoothed down my blanket then picked up my breakfast plate to take into the kitchen. “Would you like a cup of tea?”

“Oh, yes, please,” he replied. “I’d love one.”

Quickly I disappeared into my little kitchenette and clicked on the kettle. I was very thankful for the comb and mirror I kept there, since every morning I sorted out my hair while I waited for my toast to pop. I couldn’t do anything about my clothing, but at least I had got dressed today even if it was only in a pair of jogging bottoms and a jumper. I had thought about staying in my PJs all day since I had no plan to see anyone.

I’d been wanting Greg to call so desperately, but what was I going to do with him? What would I say? Could I make things right? I was plagued by questions, including the biggie—why was he here at all?

“Do you take sugar?” I shouted.

“No thanks,” he replied. “Just a little milk.”

I filled the mugs with tea and gripped their handles. I took a deep breath and walked back into the living room. Greg had straightened out my blanket and smoothed it over the couch like a throw. He’d also picked up the discarded sweet wrappers from beside my chair and placed my part-read book on the coffee table.

“You really would make a great cleaner,” I quipped, “if you ever want to start a side business.”

“I had to do something to still my nervous energy.” He smiled. A little light came to his jaded eyes.

“Well, thank you,” I replied, placing his mug on the table before him, and sat next to him on the sofa. I was sure to leave a little space between us. “So what’s brought you here?”

“I started out at Diamonds, but you weren’t there. I need to talk to you.”

Nodding once, I put down my cup before I spilt hot tea all over me. My heart leapt in my chest and I was aware of the blood whizzing through my veins. I was nervous, I didn’t know what he’d say next.

“When I saw that picture on the front of that horrid rag I was enraged. I couldn’t believe you’d be so pally with him. I knew deep down that the write-up was journalistic crap, but the idea of you and him going into business together or, worse still, marrying made me so angry I couldn’t think straight. I didn’t give you time to explain, I didn’t want to. I wanted to put an end to it all. I couldn’t afford to give you a second chance. I wasn’t sure I could trust you. But, and I am so scared of telling you this”—he paused, exhaled noisily and ran a hand through his thick, dark hair—“I couldn’t stop thinking about you. Every night before I sleep I see your face and you’re on my mind when I wake up. I haven’t been able to forget you. In fact, as time has gone on I’ve missed you more and more. I’ve become more restless, I’ve not been able to concentrate at all. I’ve never felt like this about a woman before.”

Greg glanced back up at me then directed his gaze to the floor again. I wanted him to continue, to clarify what I thought he was telling me.

“So I had to come and see you. I’m absolutely petrified that you’re going to tell me to piss off and leave you alone but I have to tell you this. I
have
to tell you this.” He took a breath. I held mine.

“I think I might love you, Kerry.”

Stunned, I said nothing at first then he looked up at me and he looked so tortured, so scared that I had to reach out and cup his cheek. I felt the prickly stubble there. He’d not shaved in a while. I leaned in and kissed him. I kissed him hard and deep and I hoped my answer came through in the passion of my assault.

“I was terrified you’d reject me, or you’d be engaged to— Well, I’m not going to mention his name,” he said when we took breath. I hugged him tightly and kissed the curve of his neck. “I am
so
sorry, Kerry.”

“Sorry? Why sorry?”

“Because I didn’t treat you right before. I wasn’t good enough for you.”

“No,” I shook my head. “No, you were a perfect gentleman.” I sat back and took his hands in mine. “I had a fantastic time with you, I really did. I should have been totally upfront with you, and I was the one who ruined everything, but to put your mind at rest, I finished things with Darren. He wasn’t the man I wanted.”

Greg let out a shuddering breath. “You don’t know how relieved I am to hear you say that. I was dreading you telling me you were in love with him.”

“No.” I shook my head. “No, I’m not in love with him. I think I’m in love with you. I’ve not been able to get you out of my mind. It really hurt that you didn’t try to communicate with me. I thought I’d completely blown it, I’ve been heartbroken.”

“I should have done this earlier,” Greg pulled his hands from under mine and wrapped me in an embrace. “I’m just a stupid man with a big ego who doesn’t know how to love.”

“Maybe we can learn together?”

“Sounds good to me,” he said. “Now kiss me, please kiss me, I need you.”

So I did and it felt like it marked the beginning of the rest of our lives together. It was the perfect way to start, lip to lip and heart to heart with a man I could discover love with.

“I’ve missed you so much,” he whispered, his breath caressing my ear as his big, familiar hands captured my hips.

“I’ve missed you too.” I worked on the buttons on the front of his shirt. “You’ve been constantly in my thoughts, I’ve not been able to think straight.”

“I should be in New York right now,” he replied, shrugging the material from his shoulders then pulling up my jumper, revealing my lack of bra beneath, “but I sent someone else instead. I couldn’t bear being without you for even a moment longer.”

He kissed my neck and I curled my arms around him, revelled in the heat of his body against mine. “I’m so glad you came. You won’t get into trouble for missing your meeting, though, will you?”

“I’m the billionaire boss, sweetheart. I hand out trouble, I don’t get any back. Well, apart from off you. You seem to have a knack for it.”

“Trouble? Me?” I attempted my best innocent look. Greg laughed, the joyful sound prompting my own giggles.

“Yes, you. I should spank you for all the heartache you’ve caused me.”

“Oh, please do.” I bit my lip but the brazen words had escaped before I’d really had time to think about them.

“Cheeky madam,” he exclaimed then sat back on the sofa behind him. After making himself comfortable he patted his lap.

I gulped, danced from foot to foot, and as his stern gaze burned through my resistance I sank down over his lap, fingertips touching the floor one side, my toes the other.

“I have dreamed about this so many times,” he cooed and pulled down my tracksuit bottoms and gave me a light opening slap. “Your arse is fucking perfection, especially once I get a little flush of pink on it.” He stroked my bum lovingly and I really felt cherished. Tears pricked behind my eyes, not with pain but with joy.

He continued the spanks. Rhythmically he increased the force behind each hit until I was squirming in a genuine bid to get away. It really hurt and I sobbed as the tears continued to fall down my cheeks. It might sound like he was abusing me to someone who didn’t understand the way I worked, but he wasn’t. I really needed it. Greg had aroused this need in me, something I hadn’t realised was missing before I met him. I found the freedom to cry and let go of all the negativity that had built up inside was incredibly freeing. As the tears dripped, I felt the weight of sorrow within me lessen. On top of that emotional release, I needed the physical pain, because not only was it retribution for my stupidity, it also marked me as his and I wanted that. I wanted to wear my spanked red cheeks like a label proclaiming him to be my master.

“Now that’s perfection.” Greg traced his fingertips over my stinging cheeks, trailing tingles of sharp pain beneath his stubby nails. “And my, you are a naughty, naughty girl,” he continued as he slid his fingers into the heat between my legs. “You’re so fucking wet.”

He slowly inserted a finger into me then when he drew it out he added more digits and slammed them back inside, stretching me and making a rude, squelching noise as my juices clung to his thrusting fingers.

Pleasure pumped through me in time with his powerful thrusts. I could feel an orgasm building and I was so close to tumbling over into ecstasy when he withdrew his fingers completely.

“Stand up,” he commanded. “I’m going to fuck you now.”

I scrambled up off his knees and waited for him to join me. He grabbed my hand and pulled me into the bedroom. I cringed at the sight of my unmade bed, but he just tossed the duvet to the floor then started to undo his trousers.

I clambered onto the bed, eager to feel him inside me. I lay back and traced my fingers lazily over my breasts as I watched him shed his clothes.

“Condom?” His tone conveyed the question and I nodded to the decorative box on the table beside the bed. He opened it up and took out a package and jumped onto the bed beside me. I rolled to my side and caressed his chest. He crinkled and crumpled the packet and pulled out its contents.

I watched him sheathe himself and continued to trace my fingertips across his flesh. When the condom was seated properly I climbed to my knees and he pulled me over him until I straddled his waist. He guided me down onto his cock with one hand on my hip and the other on his erection, guiding it between my wet lips.

I closed my eyes and enjoyed the stretch of him inside me. I’d thought I’d never see him again, never feel him again. I wanted to remember every moment of this coupling—it was going to be the beginning of something special.

“Oh, Kerry,” he groaned, and when I opened my eyes I saw him gazing up at me. “I love you,” he continued and I could see the spark of vulnerability in his eyes and that struck a chord within me.

“I love you too, Greg, I love you too,” I chanted. “I’m so sorry.”

“Sh.” He lifted his finger and pressed it to my lips. “You don’t need to say it, we don’t want to dwell on it. We’re here now together, and I want to be with you forever, that’s all that matters.”