Chapter 24-Callie
When it’s all going so well…
It’s hard to believe that it’s only been a couple of months since I ran into Ezra at that masked ball. Especially when I watch him with Wyatt. They’re making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for Wyatt’s lunch tomorrow and sharing vital information.
“Did you know a peanut went to the moon, Ezra? Did you? I did.”
“Yes. Alan Shepard took one with him during Apollo 14’s mission. He wanted to eat the first astro-nut.”
Wyatt silently repeats ‘astro-nut’ and the delighted laughter which follows has him nearly falling off the stool he’s standing on. Ezra swiftly but gently grabs hold of him and sets him on the counter.
Grinning, I return to the work I’m doing at the kitchen table just as a rather cryptic email arrives from Dean. I’m being instructed to join the partners’ board meeting early tomorrow morning. That’s a first. I swallow the nervous lump in my throat and compose a reply that I’ll be there.
“Which way do you want this cut, Bump?” Ezra asks about the sandwich.
“Dragon… I mean, dia-die-gone… that way,” Wyatt huffs, growing impatient when a word is hard for him.
“Diagonally.Good choice.”
Ezra Sokolov, retired pro hockey player, billionaire CEO and beautiful man, making sandwiches with my son. Every day he makes me melt in a dozen new ways. The hummingbird tattoo blew my mind but even the little things get my butterflies stirred. I don’t know how this has suddenly become my life but I don’t want it to end. The hardest part for me is keeping the right balance between overly cautious and diving in head first.
“Did you know I thoroughly enjoy eating you out, Callie? Did you? I did,” he playfully murmurs from between my thighs a couple of hours later.
“I’ve noticed,” I hum in reply. “Now, be a good man and don’t stop.”
He doesn’t stop.
Once he’s left me with a goofy, contented smile on my face, he lets me know we’re not done yet. He rolls me over and pulls me up to my knees. “Be a good girl and let me stare at this fine ass while I fuck you into this mattress,” he rasps in my ear with his gorgeous hard body pressed against mine.
I make this whimpering, pleading noise in response that I might be ashamed of if I didn’t want him so much.
He slides his thick head through my swollen slit, spreading my arousal over his cock to ease his entry. He’s a lot of man to take in. “But, it fits,” he says, chuckling. He sneaks a hand around to play with my clit and spreads me open.
When I’m perfectly positioned for him to take me, I rear back, encouraging him to slip right in. But, he keeps teasing me. He bounces his cock against my clit a few times, making me giggle and clench. His warm hand caresses my back and finds its way into my hair. He tugs, pulling me up for a demanding kiss.
Then, he pushes my head down with my ass up, grasps my hips and slams inside, a fierce, hot possession. His thrusts are so powerful I slide across the bed but I’m with him every step of the way. He grunts my name, his fingers digging into my flesh. I love it. My fingers curl into the sheets and I muffle my gasps and moans with my pillow.
The slaps of his body against my ass grow louder. It’s undeniably hot but my child is asleep down the hall and the bed is squeaking in protest beneath us. “Ezra…”
“Alright, darling,” he says, quickly rolling me over before sliding right back in. On knees and elbows, he moves above me, slow, rhythmic thrusts at a quieter pace.
He’s graceful on the ice and the dancefloor so it’s no real surprise he’s got the moves in bed, too. Even with his lengthy period of abstinence, he’s an expert at building me up from one high to the next, edging me until I’m desperate and then watching me shatter.
“Nothing beats seeing you fall apart for me, beautiful,” he whispers, kissing my temple.
When we’re both exhausted and sated, I stretch like a cat as he folds me up in his arms, stroking my side. “I sleep best like this,” he murmurs.
Ever since I caught Chase cheating, I’ve expected the worst from men. Ever since I had my baby in secret, I’ve dreaded the day that it might someday be discovered by his famous father. Years of playing it safe and looking over my shoulder make it hard for me to believe the good stuff when it comes my way. I wish I could tuck moments like this away to keep forever, a reminder that my luck isn’t always bad.
“Callie, I love spending time with you both but can I take you to dinner soon? Just us?”
I grin. “Are you saying you want to date me on top of fucking me?”
“Yeah, I’m saying that.”
“Okay. And, would it be a good idea for Wyatt to have a sleepover with his grandparents that night?”
He chuckles, the vibrating rumbles felt against my back. “If it could be arranged…”
“I believe so. I’d enjoy spending the night in your bed this time.”
“You belong in my bed every night, hummingbird.”
Oh, that was… a little too soon perhaps? Or, a little too close to perfect for this twice-shy heart to accept. Better to daydream about date nights and overnight visits with Wyatt at his grandparents’ house.
And, what about his other grandfather?
Ezra’s father. Chase’s father. Definitely a little too soon to think too hard about that.
“Speaking of your place, you never said why you agreed to an interview with Amber there that day.” I know how he dreads a press conference but he’s also mentioned how uncomfortable one-on-one interviews make him.
“She was… just being overly persistent.”
My bullshit meter picked up something there or is that just me being paranoid? “She’s made no bones about her interest in you.”
“Well, I’m not interested in her and she needs to get the memo.”
He kisses my shoulder, making me forget about the reporter. When he stifles a yawn, I hate the words I feel compelled to say next. “I’d love to keep you here but you know you can’t stay the night.” It was one thing when I was sick and he was taking care of us but I don’t want too many awkward questions from Wyatt at this stage.
“I know. Just a little longer.”
And, soon enough, his sleepiness has passed. “Hard again, huh?” I ask teasingly though I’m willing and ready for more.
“Six years, Callie,” he growls, nipping at my ear. “All I did was fuck my hand and think of you.”
I open my hips, loving the way he holds me from behind in this position with our fingers intertwined. “Don’t stop thinking of me, Ezra.” Don’t ever stop.
∞∞∞
The next morning, I’m at the office by 7AM in the nicest business suit I own. I’ve spent hours going over all my extensive notes regarding Botty, the Fog’s web design and cybersecurity and the entire arena’s tech infrastructure. It was an unexpected and massive project that Dean and Mr. Sorvino asked me to co-head with Mr. Reynolds last summer and our hard work is nearly done.
At the time, I hated it because I knew it might eventually bring me into close contact with Ezra. Now, I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished. But, am I tooting my own horn too much? Is there something I’ve missed? I look back over the email I received last night.
Partners’ meeting – 8:00 AM. Join us in the executive board room. Don’t be late because Sorvino can still be an asshole occasionally about people being late.
Dean Culver,
Chief Operations Officer
I’ve heard that about Mr. Sorvino and I’d rather walk through hellfire than be late for a meeting with him.
“Good morning, Grace.”
“Callie!” she squeals, jumping up to give me a hug. How she manages to be married to Anthony Sorvino and work as his assistant and constantly maintain her sunny personality is beyond me. “I’m so glad to see you up here this morning.” I don’t come up to the executive floor often and Grace has little reason to spend much time with me and the other techies under Samuel but I don’t know what to think when she pats my arm and adds, “I’m looking forward to that changing. Let me show you to the board room.”
She walks me down the marble corridor toward the board room, pointing out a smaller executive office that’s empty and chatting about some upcoming party for the partners and executive-level personnel but my heart is pounding so loudly in my head with building nerves that I don’t catch half of what Grace is telling me.
“Here we go. You’re the first one here but they won’t keep you waiting long. I’ll grab the coffee pot and-OH!”
My eyes are as wide as Grace’s when I see Daisy lying on the floor of the board room on top of a rumpled jacket. She jumps to her feet, pale skin turning the shade of an azalea blossom. “I’m so sorry, Mrs. Sorvino! I got dropped off extra early today and thought this would be a quiet spot to, um… wait for the rest of the cleaning crew to arrive!”
“No worries. You just gave me a fright, that’s all,” Grace says, affably.
But, it’s obvious Daisy was sleeping in here. Why? How early was she dropped off?
Before I can ask or figure out a way to alleviate Daisy’s acute distress, Mr. Reynolds silently joins us. Wordlessly, the CSO inspects the cleaning girl from head to toe and there’s something knowing in his expression when he passes one of two boxes to Grace. “Bagels for you and the other assistants, Grace.”
“Oh, that’s sweet of you, Jameson,” she gushes. “I’ll go start some coffee for the meeting.” Her eyes flit between Daisy and us with concern as she leaves.
I feel the powerful urge to step between the young woman and this intimidating boss but it doesn’t appear necessary. Mr. Reynolds opens the remaining box of bagels and holds it out to Daisy. “Take something. Eat.”
Her cheeks are still a brilliant pink but his tone brooks no argument so she selects one with the same discomfort I noticed when Tabitha offered her a muffin a few weeks ago.
Bagel in hand, she picks up the jacket she was using as a pillow and hurries toward the door. “Oh, and Daisy?” Mr. Reynolds says, stopping her.
She freezes. “Yes, sir?”
“It’s best if you only clean the executive floor during normal business hours.”
“Yes, sir.”
“There’s a sofa in the small meeting room near my office. It’s free for you to use on any mornings you happen to… arrive early.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Head bowed, she darts out the door in the nick of time because Grace is back with the coffee pot and Mr. Sorvino. He gives me a curt nod as Grace hands him a bright green smoothie. “Ms. Anderson, glad you could join us today.” It’s a simple statement but my anxiety is back in full force.
“You should’ve eaten breakfast at home, my grumbly bear,” Grace whispers to her husband.
“You didn’t feel like eating so I waited,” he replies, placing his hand on her belly.
My eyebrows shoot skyward at this rare display of his softer side at the office when Dean walks in. He smiles at me, that easy-going smile I’m familiar with and really appreciate today.
He pours us both coffee and glances at the Sorvinos before murmuring, “Don’t worry.”
Don’t worry? Have there ever been two words in the English language less likely to prevent worry?
Mr. Barclay joins us as Grace leaves, looking mildly annoyed as usual. “Didn’t you get any cinnamon raisin ones, Reynolds?” he asks, eyeing the bagels.
“I gave it to Daisy.”
“Who?”
“Quit complaining and eat one of the others if you’re hungry.”
I’ve not seen Nick Frost, the most silent of silent partners, around headquarters in months and months but he follows Grant’s arrival. We’ve barely exchanged ten words since I started but he strides over to shake my hand saying, “Lovely to see you again, Ms. Anderson.” What the hell is happening?
Samuel is last to arrive, smirking my way before closing the door behind him. “Shall we get started?”
“Yes. Everyone, take a seat,” Mr. Sorvino barks, tearing off a bite of bagel.
They all look at me, waiting on me to sit first. Grant pulls out my chair. They can be unexpectedly old-fashioned at times but I feel like a deer surrounded by wolves as I sit. Have I screwed something up?
But, even as my heart beats like a hummingbird’s wings, I think of how Ezra has called me strong and how I shouldn’t be intimidated by my bosses. “Hummingbirds are fierce little fighters,” he’d told me. I lift my chin, square my shoulders and wait to hear what this is all about.