Chapter 26-Callie
Watch for falling shoes.
“Is the vineyard still operating?” Anthony asks, fascinated by the machinery.
“Not now but perhaps again at some point,” Mr. Barclay replies. “Did your family have any agricultural interests in Italy?”
Our CEO smirks and shakes his head. “My ancestors might’ve harvested grapes and olives but they never owned the land they worked.”
This conversation seems surreal. This entire Saturday afternoon feels surreal. I’m strolling around the manicured grounds of the enormous Napa Valley estate Grant’s family has owned for over a hundred years listening to talk of wine production. Go figure.
And, how the hell did Grant get talked into hosting this little meet-and-greet to welcome me to the executive team? True, he’s been perfectly courteous since we arrived but he’s still stiff as a board under that crisp white polo. The ultrarich must be born with sticks up their asses. I wonder if he had the servants count the silver this morning so he might take inventory after we leave.
“Did you grow up here?” Ezra asks, watching the swans glide around the ‘swan pond.’ There’s apparently another one the ducks prefer called the, you guessed it, ‘duck pond.’
“More or less,” our host replies, vaguely. “It is… well, it was my grandfather’s home.”
“I’m sorry for your loss, Mr. Barclay,” I murmur, unsure what else to say. I’d only learned the older Barclay had passed away recently after we arrived today. He’d been Grant’s closest living relative yet I don’t remember him taking any time away from work to mourn.
“Thank you, Ms. Anderson,” he says, clearly not wishing to discuss it.
“Is there still a hedge maze? I remember you mentioning that back in school,” Dean chimes in, trying to lighten the mood. Dean grew up in the same circles as Mr. Barclay though he never acts as if there’s a stick up his ass. They even attended the same exclusive, all-boys boarding school.
“The hedge maze is still here but it’s off-limits,” Grant clips, decisively ending that discussion as well. “Shall we rejoin the others?”
He strides briskly ahead with Anthony and Dean following. Ezra and I lag behind, taking a moment to walk hand-in-hand and enjoy the mellow, lingering warmth of the autumn afternoon.
“Thank you for coming with me today.” I’m grateful for Ezra’s presence though I worry he’s uncomfortable among so many strangers, especially with the partners all still giving him the side eye.
He nods, staring at our intertwined hands. “Of course. Though, I don’t believe I’m very popular with your bosses.”
“That’s my fault. I might’ve…”
“Talked shit about me, yeah. Most of it might’ve been true, too.”
“Not really. I thought you coming with me today might help them see that things have changed but I’ll say something when the time is right to make it clearer. It’s been a busy week.”
“Undoubtedly. Lots of changes to absorb but you seem to be adapting well. I’m very happy for your success.”
I smile, feeling that hum of satisfaction again when I recall the partners’ meeting. It seems even more surreal than this afternoon and my surroundings. “I never expected it this soon. I’m not sure I expected it at all. I’m the only Black woman who holds an executive position at the company.”
“The only and the first. That’s important but I don’t believe you’ll be the last either. You’re something else, hummingbird,” he says, kissing my temple.
I feel my cheeks growing warm from his praise. “We’ve spoken of nothing but my promotion and Wyatt this week. How have you been?”
“Fine.”
One word and I don’t think it’s a true one. He’s seemed exceedingly tense the past couple of days. Maybe because the Fog lost their first game.
“Callie, come over here for a sec!” Tabitha cries when she spies me. The other ladies are circled around Grace and it’s obvious there’s something up.
“Go on,” Ezra says, noting my torn expression. “Looks like time for girl talk to me.”
“What do you know about girl talk?”
“Enough to know guys aren’t usually welcome to interrupt it.”
Gratefully, I see Samuel walking toward us, a couple of drinks in hand. He hands one to Ezra and asks him about the team so I slip away to join my friends. The other men soon join Ezra and Samuel, their deep voices following me across the lawn.
The so-called girl talk is big news. Grace is pregnant and the other partners’ wives along with the handful of female executives and our assistants who are present all raise a toast to the new mom-to-be. Her sister-in-law, Kiara, full of spirit as always, wraps her arms around Grace, declaring all the ways she wants to spoil her niece or nephew and spare them Anthony’s bad moods. Grace laughs, covering Kiara’s hands with her own, her obvious joy making the whole day seem even brighter.
I remember what it was like to share my baby news with the people I loved, the people I could count on. It had been an anxious time for me in many ways. I wasn’t at all sure what I was in for or if I’d be a good mother but I never once doubted my decision to have Wyatt once I’d made it. I can’t believe he’s almost five. He wanted to read something besides Grumpy Bumpy last night at bedtime. I quickly agreed but I was admittedly stunned and wondering what would change next. Adios, Cinnamon Toast.
“Hey, you okay?” Remi whispers as the other women are still flocked around Grace.
I blink the tears out of my eyes. “Yeah, just thinking of Wyatt.”
She nods, knowingly. “Nicola’s one but it already feels like it goes so fast.”
You don’t know the half of it.I almost laugh at myself for the smug thought. I’m sure my mama would roll her eyes at me for acting like five came too fast and say, ‘Just you wait.’ Might I someday give him a sibling though? My eyes flit to Ezra before I swallow down the hopes I’m scared to admit to this soon.
“It does. Excuse me.”
Wandering inside, I find a mahogany-paneled hallway full of portraits, Grant’s ancestors. High collars and stern faces. Did he really grow up in this grand but cold and forbidding house? I find refuge in the guest bathroom and dab at my eyes. There’s a knock at the door a few seconds later.
“Just a sec!”
“Callie, are you okay?”
It’s Ezra and I can’t deny the huge relieved sigh that escapes me. I open the door, inviting him in and welcoming the strong arms surrounding me. “I’m good. I promise. Are you having a miserable time or just checking on me?”
“I’m checking on you. Not a miserable time at all. They’re alright.” Rising to my tiptoes, I kiss his stubbled jaw. “However, if you wanted to make our excuses to leave…”
Laughing, I shake my head. “I think as the guest of honor, I’m forced to stay until we eat at the very least.”
“Alright, we’ll stay for food. Then, I’m taking you back to my place.”
All the surreal and emotional mom moments of the day are banished in an instant. Ezra’s place and all night to be together without little ears down the hall. I can’t wait.
∞∞∞
We had a quickie as soon as we’d arrived here over an hour ago since we were both pent up from the ninety-minute drive back to the city. It’s getting late now but I still have plenty of energy. I step out of his bedroom, wearing the old jersey he gave me the night we spent here weeks ago. It’s going to smell like him again before I leave.
“Your penthouse has an amazing view.” After taking a moment to savor it from the wall of windows behind me, I turn to admire the view on the sofa, Ezra in only his boxer briefs.
“I love this view more,” he says once I’ve straddled his lap. His hands explore my thighs and he realizes I’m not wearing panties. I love the way his beautiful eyes darken and drink me in. “Nice jersey.”
“You’ve not even seen whose name is on the back yet,” I tease.
“If it’s anyone’s but mine, I’m tearing it off of you and then taking you out on the terrace to fuck naked.”
“You would not.”
“I’d make you scream for me for all of San Francisco to hear.”
“You’re not completely turning me off to the idea,” I say, giggling as my hands caress his toned chest with its sprinkling of dark hair. We kiss and he’s hard as a rock beneath me. I’ve soaked the front of his underwear with my arousal when we stop to catch our breath.
“The TV is still on.” We’d turned on a movie while we drank a bit of wine after Round One. We weren’t really watching so it’s muted.
“I’ll turn it off.” He leans over to grab the remote and then tenses. “Shit, I’m definitely turning it off now.” It’s him on the screen – footage of him at the game the other night sitting beside his father in the owner’s box.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t be there.” In truth, I’m a little nervous at the prospect of being spotted too frequently with Ezra, especially if Wyatt is with us.
“It’s fine.”
There’s that word again that I don’t think he means and the tension seems to be rolling off him in waves. I decide to take his mind off the loss. I grab the remote and click off the TV before lowering my mouth to his ear and whispering, “You know… I’m no puck bunny, Ezra Sokolov.”
He chuckles, the tension easing. “I’m well aware.”
“But, sitting in your lap while wearing your jersey, I could almost pretend I am.”
He shakes his head. “No, Callie. You’re not after a trophy fuck and I want more than a quick release. This thing between us is definitely more.”
My heart speeds up and my fingers fumble to work his briefs down. More. Freeing him, his length is hot as molten lava where it rests against my thigh.
He gives me a playful grin. “Are you going to get on that?”
“Hell, yes, I am.” Aligning him with my entrance, I slowly take him in, both of us groaning as he fills me. His fingers trail over my ass as he lifts the jersey to start sucking on a nipple. Stars of pleasure burst all through my veins and I rock my hips, finding the rhythm. We’re good at this, our bodies fitting together perfectly.
As I get closer to my climax, his muscular arms loop under my knees and he lifts me, taking complete control of how deep he goes. I gasp, my nails digging into his shoulders. The pleasure borders on pain yet it ratchets my building orgasm up to the next level. “Ezra…” I feel like my brain’s about to melt.
“That’s it. Take it, darling.”
Oh, I am. Ezra coaxes me there with hot, dirty words. The world narrows behind my eyelids. Yes…
But, an unexpected noise – a loud electronic beep – has my eyes opening. The next second, we both freeze when the penthouse’s front door opens. Honey sugar iced tea. My heart thunders with terror.
“I take it you”re busy,” a man drawls from the doorway.
Someone is here!
Someone I know!
I’m dead and in hell or this is a nightmare. But, mostly, I feel surprisingly… pissed. How dare he interrupt like this?
Ezra yanks down the jersey to cover my breasts. “Chase?” he growls, so deadly soft I shiver.
“Dad gave me your keycard and told me I should surprise you. Surprise! Who’s your friend?” Chase asks, chuckling.
“Get the fuck out of here!”Ezra roars. The ferocity and volume makes me tremble and I’m so shaken I try to climb off of him. He claps his hands down on my waist, locking me in place. “Not you. You, stay right where you are, dammit.”
It’s still a growl but softer and his nose gently nudges my cheek. My butterflies take flight, my pussy remembers the very nice, thick cock inside of it and my heart whispers this isn’t nearly as mortifying as walking in on Chase with that other girl felt.
You could let him know how that felt, the little devil on my shoulder whispers.
Oh, I simply couldn’t,Good Girl Callie whispers back.
Or, could I?
I lift my head and glance over my shoulder. It’s admittedly satisfying when my cheating ex-boyfriend’s jaw hits the floor. “Callie?! Is that you?!”
“Hello, Chase,” I say in a bored tone before I turn my attention back to Ezra. “I wasn’t finished yet. Were you?” My eyebrows raise, a silent plea - Let him know how it feels. For me?
His wicked grin makes all those butterflies in my tummy soar and any hint of embarrassment I feel runs far, far away. “No, we weren’t finished. Chase, get out. NOW!”
“Sure, sure,” Chase mumbles, clearly shocked as he edges back to the door.
Soon, we’re alone again. Sort of. “He’s probably standing in the hall by the elevator, you know,” Ezra says.
“Do you care?”
“Not if you don’t.”
We both smirk. “Ezra?”
“Yes, darling?”
“Make me scream.”
He happily obeys.
∞∞∞
Soon enough, my little devil is proud of me but Good Girl Callie is having a conniption fit. How could I do that?! I’d retreated to Ezra’s bedroom and decided on a shower so he could face his brother alone but I can’t hide here indefinitely, can I?
Turning the water off, I hear raised voices in the living room and then a door slams. Guess Chase just left. Damn, this is awkward. The orgasm was fucking fantastic but my bravado has faded.
Also, why is Chase here? Ezra didn’t even mention him finishing his rehab program, let alone coming to town. Is there stuff going on he hasn’t shared? Should I be worried? I want to believe in him. But, I can’t be stupid and trust him blindly, can I? I have to put Wyatt first. He is all that matters.
Maybe I should go. I mean, I can’t believe I’m here at Ezra’s penthouse taking a shower after I let him fuck me with his brother right outside the door instead of being home with my son. Selfish, Callie. How could you?
“Whatever is spinning in that head of yours, I’d like to know,” that deep, beloved voice rasps behind me and I jump.
I pull the towel tighter around my body. He’s tense again and, this time, I can guess why. “I’m not trying to come between you and your brother.”
“I never thought you were. What else is it?”
“I’m thinking maybe I should go home. Back to Wyatt.”
“Callie, I swear I didn’t know he’d show up like that tonight. Certainly not like that. I hadn’t expected him at all. You don’t have to be afraid of him.”
“I’m not.”
I think I’m more worried about what chaos Chase might bring to our lives than actual fear now. I can’t stand the thought of Wyatt meeting his father only to later feel rejected or be let down by Chase like I was.
As for Ezra, I know I am afraid. Losing him would hurt. So much more than any hurt I’ve ever known and it wouldn’t just be me hurting.
“What do you want to do, darling?”
“Could you drive me home? I’d like a little time to process…”
“Time, yeah,” he finishes for me, heavily.“I’ll drive you home.”