Chapter 14 #2
I stare at him but remain silent.
“Would you consider entering a relationship with this woman?” he asks.
“No.”
“Why not?”
I screw my hands together as I contemplate my answer.
“This is a safe place, Edward; you came to talk this through, so let’s talk this through.”
“I just don’t understand how I can feel more attached to her than I do to a woman who I’ve been with for over twelve months.”
“You feel an emotional attachment to Alora?”
I shrug. “It doesn’t make sense….” My voice trails off. “It was one weekend of sex. It meant nothing.”
“It makes a lot of sense, actually. This is physiology.” He swings on his chair as his eyes hold mine. “Forgotten memories shape our behavior, Edward. Our bodies keep score.”
“What do you mean?”
“Your body is just doing its job.”
“Speak fucking English,” I snap.
“When we as humans have a heightened sexual experience, our brains release a hormone called oxytocin. Have you heard of that before?”
“I’ve heard of oxytocin but….”
“Do you know what it does?”
“Makes you happy.” I shrug. “I guess.”
“It’s a bonding hormone.” He writes something down and underlines it. “When you and Alora spent the weekend together, I’m assuming the sexual compatibility between the two of you was heightened?”
“Yes.” I twist my hands as I listen. “Very much so.”
“If the orgasms were extremely strong and over an extended period of time, then your body would have released a huge amount of oxytocin into your bloodstream.”
“So?”
“Oxytocin, often called the love hormone, plays a crucial role in bonding with a mate by promoting feelings of trust, affection, and attachment. It’s released during physical affection like hugging, kissing, and sexual activity, strengthening the emotional connection between partners.
Oxytocin also enhances empathy, communication, and positive relationship memories, contributing to the maintenance of long-term bonds. ”
I sit back, disgusted.
“The interesting thing is that she would have had it released into her bloodstream too.”
I frown as my eyes hold his. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying that whatever confusion you are feeling right now is probably being mirrored in Alora’s life.”
I begin to hear my heartbeat in my ears.
“I don’t care what’s going on in her life,” I snap. “Why would I?”
“Is that so?” he asks. “Are you sure about that?”
We stare at each other for a moment.
I hate this fucking guy….
“I have to go.” I stand.
“Sit down, I haven’t finished.” He points to the chair.
“Hurry up about it,” I snap impatiently as I sit back down. “Because I have.”
“Is it true that you have been coming to me for a long time because of your inability to form emotional attachments to the women you spend time with?”
I twist my lips, annoyed. “Yes.”
“And now that you have found one, are you really going to walk away from it?”
“My point exactly, I shouldn’t have one. Do you listen to me at all? That is why I am here; I want you to erase it. This is a huge overreaction; it was three days and a very long time ago.”
“And yet she has you completely rattled.”
“No she doesn’t.” I stand. “As usual, I’ve got nothing from our visit.” I walk to the door. “This was pointless.”
“Will you be flying to London to see me again next week?” He smirks.
Sarcastic asshole.
“Absolutely not.”
He smiles as he writes on his stupid notepad. “We’ll see.”
I storm out through reception.
“Would you like another appointment?” the receptionist asks.
“No.” I march past her and open the door.
“Should I call you later to discuss?”
“Don’t bother.”
ALORA
I shuffle through my pile of mail.
Sender…
Royal Scholarship Institute.
What?
I tear it open.
Dearest Alora,
We value your sponsorship and would like to extend an invitation for you and a friend to attend.
THE MOON AND THE SEA
An art exhibition with heart.
Two gold tickets slide out and fall onto the floor and I bend and pick them up.
“What’s that?” Helene frowns as she walks into my office.
“Not quite a swingers party.” I shrug as I hold up the tickets. “We’ve been invited to an art exhibition.”
“Hmm.” She twists her lips. “Sounds extraordinarily dull.”
“But it’s a night out.” I shuffle the gold tickets.
“I guess.” She sighs. “But if they serve bad wine we are leaving immediately.”
“Deal.”
EDWARD
THREE WEEKS LATER.
I readjust my earphones so I can watch the video on my phone.
“Good morning.” She smiles. “I’m Alora from Sorenson Antiques and this is our morning run-through of our store. This arrived yesterday and isn’t she beautiful.” She runs her hand over the double doors as my breath catches.
“This is a Baroque armoire, circa early seventeen hundreds.” She points to the carved details and my eyes drop down her body, even only onscreen every inch of me is entranced. “As you can see it has beautiful craftmanship, fully hand-carved cherubs and detailing around the edges.”
She smiles and catches her bottom lip in her teeth and I feel it all the way to the tip of my cock.
Fuck….
My heartbeat the only sound I hear.
I sit forward in my chair, mesmerized.
“This armoire has been in the one family for many generations and is in perfect condition.” She opens the doors and drawers. “The lock has both solid brass keys still working. Have a beautiful day everyone, au revoir.”
“We’re about to land in Vegas, sir.” The flight attendant interrupts my thoughts as she walks up the aisle of my plane.
“Thank you.”
Just one more….
I scroll through her Instagram business page and click on another video.
I’m sick, I know it. But like an addiction I need to feed, I can’t stop myself from watching these over and over again.
Hearing Alora Sorenson say good morning is my new obsession.
I’ll stop tomorrow….
“Ban him.” I turn back to my computer.
“Sir,” Belinda stammers. “He’s a whale, we can’t just ban him.”
“I just did.” I hit send on my email.
“He spends millions here every year.”
“And yet he treats our staff like shit. He’s out, I warned him last month, this is it.”
She shakes her head. “Let’s talk about this tomorrow when we are fresh.”
“Let’s not.” I turn back to my computer.
“Why are you still here?”
I glance up at her. “What do you mean?”
“You’ve been here since 9 a.m. this morning.”
“And?”
“It’s 2 a.m. and you’re still working?”
I glance at my watch. “Fuck.” I look around. “Where are my boys?”
“Outside your office.” Belinda folds her arms as if unimpressed. “Like always.”
“I work them too hard.” I sigh.
“I know.”
I stand and call downstairs. “Niall.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Send your six best girls up to my office, please.”
“Yes, of course. For you, sir?”
“For my guards.”
“Yes, Mr. Prescott.”
I hang up. “I’m leaving now. You go home too, Belinda. Thank you for today.”
She gives me a lopsided smile. “You work yourself way too hard too, you know?”
“You don’t need to worry about me, I’m fine.” I begin to close down my computer.
“How long are you here for?” she asks.
“Until I get everything I need done. Probably until the end of the week.”
She watches me for a moment. “Why don’t you let off some steam and take those girls for yourself?”
“They have nothing I want.”
Knock, knock.
“Come in,” I call.
Six beautiful women dressed in evening dresses appear, looking like walking wet dreams, curvy and glamorous. “You called for us, sir?” They smile hopefully.
“Yes, please come in.” I smile, my eyes drop down their heavenly bodies as they walk past me.
Delicious.
I open the door on the other side of my office that leads out to reception. “Boys.”
They glance up. “Come in here, please.”
They walk into my office and their eyes linger on the women. “Hello.” They nod politely.
“I lost track of time and I’ve worked you too hard today.” I gesture to the girls.
“Each pick two of these beautiful women and retire for the night. Late start tomorrow.”
Their eyes flick to me and then back to the girls.
“Hurry before I take them all myself.” I sigh.
“Unnecessary, sir,” Philippe replies.
“But enjoyable just the same.” I raise my eyebrow.
He smiles, words not needed. “Good night.”
I wink. “Have fun.”
They disappear out the door with the girls and I smirk as I imagine the night they’re going to have.
“Look at you.” Belinda smiles as we walk out of the office and lock it behind us. “You make out you’re so tough.” She tuts. “I see you.”
“I just gave my staff blowjobs wrapped in hot flesh, Belinda. Not puppies in wicker baskets,” I reply as we walk down the corridor. “I wouldn’t get carried away.” I get into my private elevator.
“Good night, sir.”
“Good night.” As the elevator rides up to my penthouse, I take out my phone. Hermione….
9 Missed Calls
I exhale and stuff my phone back into my pocket.
Great….
ALORA
“Good morning.” I walk into the store to find Helene and Jonty already filming content.
“Hi.” They keep filming as they walk around.
“Don’t forget the lamps,” I mouth as I point to the corner.
Jonty nods as he keeps filming.
Helene looks me up and down. “Oh, I love,” she mouths as she gestures to my outfit.
“Nice, huh?” I mouth. “Fifty euros.” I glance down at myself, I’m wearing a cream cashmere vintage Prada dress, it’s fitted with a big cowl neck and long sleeves. I’ve teamed it with wedged knee-high camel-colored suede boots.
“Why can I never find this good shit in the flea market?” she mouths back.
I flick the kettle on, unwrap my scarf and hang it on the brass wall hook in my office. My hair is loose today with the leftover curls in the ends from last night. I neaten it in the mirror and reapply my red lipstick.
“You ready?” Helene calls.
“Coming.” I pour the water into our tea cups and make my way out. “What are we doing?”
“We’ve already filmed the stock and did the walk-around; you just have to talk about one of the new arrivals and then talk about our market night in two weeks.”
“Right.” I frown. “It’s going to be hell.”
“I know, but we have so much new stock coming in and with nowhere to put it we need to get rid of some pieces. You know our market nights always sell out.”