Chapter 31
CLOSE CALLS AND COUNTERTOPS
WILL
The next day was a blur. My head pounded, my mouth was dry, and every cell in my body screamed at me for the reckless amount of alcohol I consumed.
I hadn’t partied since college. It was a night I wouldn’t soon forget, thrilling and completely out of character for me.
Natalie made me do things I never thought I’d do, like having sex, up against a door, in a damn ballroom.
Who was I? And why did I feel so alive with her?
I reached for my phone on the nightstand, half-hoping to see a message from her.
Nothing. I flopped back onto the bed, wishing she was next to me.
I could still picture her laughing, see the way she tossed her head back exposing her neck, or that freckle on her nose I hadn’t stopped thinking about since I first noticed it.
She consumed me. The way she smelled, the sound of her voice, the way her lips curled into a teasing smile…but the reality lingered like a shadow. She had a husband. A husband I didn’t know and didn’t want to know. Maybe it was better that way, so I didn’t have to picture her life with him.
My phone buzzed. Not Natalie. Kelly. Her text was vague but unusual.
Kelly: We need to meet this week.
Meeting outside of a courtroom or a strained parent-teacher conference was rare for us lately. I didn’t know what she wanted, but I agreed.
Will: I can make Friday at 1 work.
Kelly: Fine
I suggested a coffee shop near school pickup. She replied with a simple OK. Typical Kelly, curt and detached.
I wanted to text Natalie. I wanted her to come over, to erase the ache in my chest that seemed to grow every second I wasn’t with her, but I knew better than to reach out first, especially not on the weekend. Weekends were for her family. Her husband. Not me.
Later that night, an email popped up from her. My chest tightened as I opened it. But instead of a formal farewell, or anything like it, it was a teasing question about adding a deserted ballroom to my home décor. Impulsively I emailed back.
Re: Subject: Random Question
Natalie,
Meet me for lunch tomorrow so we can discuss.
Will
The whole day I spent contemplating if this was too much, too fast. Was I pushing too hard? I didn’t hear back from her until Monday afternoon.
Sorry for the delay. Today was busy. I can’t tomorrow. Friday?
Damn. That was when I’d planned to meet Kelly. Of course, without even realising it my ex-wife was interfering in my sex life. My fingers hovered over the keyboard. I wasn’t about to let a whole week pass without seeing her.
Thursday instead?
I stared at the screen, waiting. It didn’t take long before her response popped up.
I think I can make that work in the morning. Right after drop-off? Maybe I can actually try those bagels this time.
Perfect! I would get her an entire breakfast spread if it meant seeing her again.
The week dragged on. Work was relentless, closing deals, putting out fires, and fielding angry calls.
My mom called in the middle of it all to berate me about being a “terrible date” to Suzanne’s daughter, Jessica.
By Wednesday night, I was spent, but the thought of seeing Natalie the next day kept me going.
Thursday finally arrived, and by 8:30, she was at my door. The sight of her standing there with a hint of nervousness in her eyes made my pulse quicken.
“I only have an hour. Work meetings. Is that okay?” I asked as I let her in, though every part of me wanted to cancel the rest of my day just to keep her here.
“I think an hour will do,” she replied with a playfully coy smile.
We sat at the counter, bagels on our plates, but neither of us made much progress. My eyes kept drifting to her, how she bit her lip as if debating something, the way her foot tapped lightly against the stool. The air between us was charged with unspoken words and mounting anticipation.
Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore. I reached for her hand, and she let me guide her closer, as if she’d been waiting for me to make the first move.
Without hesitation, I lifted her onto the counter, my hands sliding to her waist as I pulled her toward me.
Her breath caught as I started unbuttoning her cardigan.
The sound of her quickened breathing drove me wild.
I couldn’t move fast enough. Her clothes hit the floor in a blur, my hands following the heat of her skin.
When I slipped my fingers between her thighs, she gasped.
Her body arched into me, already soft, slick, and wanting.
The need between us was a fire barely contained, and I was seconds from burning alive.
“I want to take care of you first,” I murmured against her neck.
My voice was thick with need. I wanted to watch her fall apart, to feel her come undone beneath my touch.
And when she did, when her legs trembled and clenched around me, her breath catching in my ear, it was almost enough to finish me, too.
Her eyes fluttered open, dark and hazy, locking onto mine. In an instant, her fingers tangled in my hair, pulling me down into a deep, hungry kiss. She reached between us, her palm sliding down my stomach, her fingers closing around me.
I gave a low groan as she stroked me, slow at first, then with purpose. Teasing. Testing. My control snapped. I pushed my pants and briefs down my legs, my desire pushing the limits of my restraint.
I gripped her waist, pulling her closer, lifting her just enough to align us before pushing inside.
A sharp breathless moan escaped her lips, her body arching and her nails digging into my shoulders.
My forehead dropped against hers as we both exhaled, completely lost in the moment where nothing else existed but this—us.
The world narrowed to her body, her sounds, the way she pulled me deeper like she never wanted to let go. It was raw and desperate, a rhythm that built and broke until we both shattered, falling together in the heat of it all.
Afterward, I pressed a soft kiss to her nose, still catching my breath. The air between us was thick. The countertop was cool against our heated skin as she traced slow, lazy circles over my shoulders. She smiled faintly, her cheeks flushed, and how I wished we didn’t have to leave this bubble.
I glanced at the clock. “Shit, it’s 9:20,” I muttered, already scrambling to zip up and get my act together. Reality came rushing back, but all I could think about was how soon I could see her again.
“Call me when you can,” I said, walking her out and kissing her hard. “I’m really falling for you,” I admitted.
Her eyes widened. She didn’t say anything back, but she kissed me once more.
Friday was my meeting with Kelly. I was ten minutes late, which didn’t go over well.
“Glad you could make it,” she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. And not one to beat around the bush, Kelly jumped right in, wasting no time. We didn’t need to prolong this. “I wanted to let you know I’m seeing someone, and it’s serious.”
“Okay,” I replied, already guessing it was this Jeff guy she’d mentioned before. “So, this is with Jeff?”
“Yes,” she confirmed. “I wanted to make sure everyone meshed before telling you.”
“Anything else?” I asked, keeping my tone neutral. She didn’t like that I wasn’t more interested or hurt. I wasn’t sure what she expected from me. “I have to take off,” I said, standing up.
She looked baffled but handed me a gift bag. “This is for Ivy’s friend Bebe’s birthday party on Sunday. I emailed you the location and time. Don’t forget the gift,” she said, her tone clipped.
By the time school pickup rolled around, I was parked, taking a work call. But I spotted Natalie’s car pulling into a spot close to mine. Without hesitation, I ended my call and sent her a text.
Will: Come to my car.
Natalie: You’re joking
Will: Let’s talk outside the gate. Like old times.
When we met up, she just shook her head, but she was smiling.
“So, how are you?” I asked.
“Just fine,” she replied.
“So… it’s Bebe’s birthday on Sunday,” I ventured.
“Yes, it is,” she said, her expression unreadable.
“Well, I’ll see you there,” I said.
She looked as pale as a ghost.
The bell rang, and the gate opened as kids poured out. Ivy and Bebe came toward us, hand in hand. James trailed behind.
“Daddy,” Ivy said, running over. “Can Bebe come over?”
“If it’s okay with her mom,” I replied, glancing at Natalie.
Natalie didn’t look thrilled, but she nodded. “All right, that’s fine. Do you have an extra booster seat?”
“Nope,” I said. “Can I come get yours?”
“Sure.” she replied absently.
As we walked toward her car, her fingers brushed against mine, a light, fleeting touch, but enough to send a jolt through me. The awareness of what had passed between us was impossible to ignore.
“I’ll bring her home if you want,” I offered.
“That’s okay,” she said. “I’ll come get her around 5:30.”
We went our separate ways, but I caught myself glancing back once before heading to my car.
The girls ran ahead, giggling. Their laughter cut through the quiet tension that still hung between us. They had no idea. No idea how I felt, no idea how different things had become.
“Can we get ice cream?” Ivy asked, already grinning.
“Let’s do it,” I said, shaking off the moment.
I took the kids for ice cream before heading back home, but even as the day moved forward, a part of me was still stuck in that space beside her, in that touch that didn’t last long enough.