Out of the Ashes Read online

  Grasping his proffered hand, we make our way to the exit. “Oh, wait. I need to let the rest of my group know I’m leaving.”

  His face darkens and he looks slightly annoyed. “Would that include the man I saw you with earlier?”

  “He’s a friend of my roommate. Please this’ll only take a minute. I’ll meet you out front in less than 5.”

  Reluctantly he releases my hand and whispers, “Please hurry” as his lips brush against my cheek.

  I find Gavin still at the table with Stacia, both giggling drunk already. “Gav, I’m heading home.” I tell him, trying not to spill the whole story in front of all his friends.

  “Darling, we just got here.”

  “Can I speak with you over here for a minute?” I pull him a few feet from the table for a little privacy.

  “What’s with all the cloak and dagger? OMG you’re taking him home!” At that moment, Mark appears back at the table. With an inquisitive look from Mark to me, Gavin raises his eyebrows. “Wait, who are you taking home?”

  Mark slides up next to Gavin just catching the end of his question. “You’re leaving?”

  “Yes, I’m tired and I have a long day tomorrow so I think I’ll head home.”

  “Bullshit, Celeste. I just heard Gavin say you were leaving with someone.” He’s clearly pissed now and barely containing his rage. “And it’s obviously not me.” Then he turns and walks back to the table.

  Gavin gives me an apologetic look. “I’ll talk to him. Go and have fun.”

  “Gav, I’m sorry about Mark. I really am. But, well, can I explain tomorrow? He’s waiting outside.”

  “That’s fine, gorgeous. But I want to make sure you’re safe. So text me when you get to the apartment. I don’t want to have to worry that you’ve taken some serial killer home for the night.” He says, placing a kiss in my hair. “Oh and don’t worry about Mark. He’ll be fine. He’s just not used to his ego taking this kind of blow. Have a good night. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Wait, you’re not coming home tonight?” A sudden jolt of fear runs through me. What if he isn’t the man I remember? What if he is like the man from the past? And what if Gavin doesn’t come home and something happens? I’m paralyzed by my fear.

  Sensing the change in my mood, Gavin gives me a hug. “How about I plan to be home later and then you let me know if my presence is no longer needed.” He grins at me, knowing I will definitely be texting him later to tell him not to come home.

  “Enjoy yourself with whoever this mystery man is. You’ve earned it. But tomorrow you will tell me the entire story with all the dirty details.” He gives me a wink and a smile then makes his way back to the table to do a shot with the rest of the group. Ignoring Mark’s dirty looks, I walk out the door.

  Stepping out onto the sidewalk, he wraps me in his arms and lifts me off the ground. “I was beginning to worry that you were having second thoughts.” He nibbles on my earlobe as he whispers in my ear.

  “Never” is my only reply as he opens the door and helps me into the car. I give him the address and he relays it to the driver before closing the panel between the front seat and us.

  “Are you sure we haven’t met before?” He tips my chin up to look into my eyes.

  “No, I don’t think so. But everything about you does seem familiar like déjà vu or something.” I run my hands up his thigh to cup his growing erection.

  “Well, sweetheart,” he says leaving a trail of kisses down my neck, “when I see something I want, I tend to take it.” His lips set fire to my skin. “But perhaps introductions are in order before we arrive at your apartment?”

  “If you don’t mind, I’d rather just keep it anonymous. I’ve been so wrapped up in life for the last few years that I need a night to let go.” To forget, I think to myself. “Please. For tonight?”

  “For tonight? Sure, but I can pretty much guarantee I’m going to want to see you again so after tonight, we’ll have to talk. There’s no way I’ll be able to get the taste of your sweet skin out of my head.”

  As much as I wish that this could be more than one night, there’s no way it’ll be any more than this. I would’ve thought it would make me feel cheap to give myself to a man I hardly knew because despite the past, I barely know him. Being with him though, I’m overcome with a sense of peace. A sense that, at least for tonight, I’ll be in arms that will protect me from all the evil, which constantly threatens to catch up with me. As we near the building, I find myself longing for that protection and security more and more.

  This is dangerous ground to tread on. Bringing my past way too close to my present but I have to have him. I just need to keep reminding my head and my heart that after tonight we’ll just be nameless strangers to one another. And I have to be okay with that if I’m going to go through with this. There’s no doubt in my mind that one night with him will break my heart but the memory of tonight will sustain me for a long time to come, probably the rest of my life. So I settle into his lap to enjoy the rest of our brief ride to my apartment.

  Entering the elevator, the sexual tension is thick between us. He pulls me close as his hands find the pins holding my hair. He releases them allowing my hair to flow over my shoulders and down my back. His fingers run through the loose curls causing my scalp to tingle. The tingle shoots all the way from my scalp down my body to settle between my legs, where it became a constant throb.

  The ding of the elevator, signaling our arrival to our destination, is the only thing that keeps me from ripping his clothes off right then and there. I can’t believe how brazen I am this evening. This isn’t me at all but then again isn’t that why I came to New York in the first place? To get as far away from the old me as possible? I unlock the door and usher him through into the living room. “Can I take your jacket?” I ask as he drapes it over the back of the sofa.

  “Is this alright?” He asks indicating his jacket. I can only nod as the electricity builds between us.

  Wetting my lips again, I ask, “Would you like a drink? I believe we have some cognac here.” Letting him know that I noticed his drink of choice earlier. “Or we have some champagne.” His gaze drifts to the counter separating the living room from the kitchen and rests on the champagne in the ice bucket and two glasses. “Oh sorry, my roommate and I had a couple glasses before we left for the club. Tonight was sort of a celebration for me.” I shrug as if to say it was no big deal. “But there’s still plenty left and I have another bottle in the wine fridge if you’d like some.”

  “Champagne would be wonderful. So what were you celebrating? I feel a little guilty pulling you away from your friends knowing that you were out celebrating.” In a few long strides, he stands in front of me. “But I won’t say I regret it.” His lips once again find mine; the champagne and questions are all but forgotten. My hands tangle in his hair and his grip on my waist tightens like it’s his only lifeline. Not wanting to break our kiss, I gently guide us down the hallway to my bedroom. He moves us through the door and in a swift move kicks the door shut with his foot. Once the door closed the need engulfing, my body grows exponentially. I reach for the buttons on his shirt wanting to remove all barriers between us. My clumsiness and inexperience are definitely noticeable but he doesn’t say anything, just helps guide my fingers from one button to the next until the shirt lies in a pool at our feet.

  I reach up the side of my dress and find the zip. Pulling it down with the dress, it soon joins his shirt on the floor and I stand before him in a lacy bra, thong and my heels. His breathe catches in his throat and I can tell he definitely enjoys the view. “My god, you are so beautiful.” He pulls me to him and takes my mouth once more then begins his exploration down my body. Trailing kisses from my neck down to the tops of my breasts and then over my stomach until he is kneeling before me. He looks up at me silently asking permission. I fist my hands in his hair and throw my head back in answer. If I thought his intention was just to remove the thong, I was very wrong. With a slight tug, t
here’s a ripping sound as the small piece of fabric falls away from my body. He holds it in his fist for a moment just staring at my naked pussy before he lowers his lip to my clit and sucks hard. The sensation almost causes me to fall over. Sensing my weak knees, he pushes me back against the bed until I’m sitting as he continues working me over with his tongue. “Ah god, that feels incredible.”

  “Angel, you taste incredible. You are incredible. I was right before when I said I wouldn’t be able to get enough of you in one night.” His fingers slip between my folds and he presses one into me. I gasp at the feeling. “Shit! You are so fucking tight. This is heaven.”

  I moan in response; this is definitely heaven. Suddenly I’m saddened by the fact that I will never experience this again but I have to push the thought from my head and concentrate on just tonight. “Please,” I whimper indicating I want more. He is happy to give me exactly what I ask for, running his tongue over my pulsing clit while continuing to push his fingers in and out of me. I feel the tension building between my legs. With a gentle nip at my clit, I come apart in his mouth, moaning my satisfaction.

  “That was incredible. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. And the noises you make when you come for me, well…” He trails off. He kisses his way up my body stopping at my breast to pull down the cups of my bra revealing my taut nipples. Gently he takes each one in turn into his mouth and sucks and nips at them.

  “Oh god.” I can’t stop the scream that comes from me. His touch, his lips are the best things I’ve ever felt. “I think you have entirely too many clothes on though, sir.” I grin pulling at his dress pants. He slowly unbuttons them and lowers the zipper to let them join the rest of the clothes on the floor. “I don’t think you will be able to do what you need to with those on either.” I indicate his boxer briefs, which are barely containing his sizable erection. Holy shit! I may have bitten off more than I anticipated for my first time in almost 3 and half years. As he pulls them off, my lust breaks those thoughts and I pull him down on top of me. “I need you. I need you inside me. Please.”

  Somewhere in the depth of my subconscious, I realize that I’m begging him, begging a stranger to fuck me but I don’t care. “Sweetheart, anything for you.” Removing a foil wrapper from my nightstand, I open it and slowly roll it down his length. He settles between my legs and crushes his lips to mine. I can taste some of myself still on his lips and tongue and this only causes my excitement to grow. As his tip presses against my entrance, his fingers find my clit and rub in gentle circles. With a single thrust, he fills me completely. “Aaaahhh.” I cry out with the pleasure and pain of him inside me.

  “Fuck! You are so tight. I don’t think I ever want to leave.” His hips begin pushing into me and I feel his length grow even more within me.

  “Fuck me,” I whisper, my tongue flicking at his ear. I run my fingernails over his pebbled nipples and then up and down his back. I grip onto his shoulders as I ride the waves of pleasure that are building within me. “Oh god!” I scream as I shatter around him.

  With a few more hard thrusts, I can feel him pulsing inside me. Still bearing his weight he collapsed on top of me holding me close. “I could get used to hearing you call me a god when I’m making you come.” He kisses me deeply and holds me in his strong arms.

  A few minutes later, he pulls from me and walks to the en-suite to discard the condom then rejoins me in bed. “I know we need to talk but you’ve exhausted me.” He rolls me into him and wraps his arms around me; we’re both asleep in a matter of minutes.

  Several hours later, I wake to an empty bed, an empty room and as I search, an empty apartment. I knew this was the MO for hook ups like this and I tried to prepare myself all night for the pain that I knew would come with the loss of him but I apparently hadn’t done a good enough job. I crumple in front of my bedroom door and cry myself to sleep on the hardwood floor.

  I wake again a few hours later to Gavin screaming my name. “Celeste! What the fuck is going on? You didn’t text me and I’ve been calling and texting like crazy for the last several hours.” Noticing my red face, “What the fuck did he do? And where is the bastard? I’ll kill him.”

  Finally finding my voice, “No, Gavin, it wasn’t like that.” My emotions are clear in my voice. My broken heart threatens to burst again with every word. “He was wonderful. I knew I needed to prepare myself for this as a one-night thing but I guess I didn’t do a very good job.” I wipe at the moisture as it runs down my cheeks. “He’s a wonderful man and my current state isn’t his fault at all; it’s my own. I’m sorry; I completely forgot to call you.” Though since you are just now coming home you must have thought I would be fine, I mumble. “I’m sorry to have worried you. But I’m really glad that you’re here now. I need to go to bed. Can we talk about this after I have gotten a few more hours of sleep?”

  “Darling,” he kisses my forehead. “Of course. You should get some sleep. Do you need me to make you some decaf tea or something to help calm you down?”

  “No, but, and you know I hate to ask this, would you just lay with me until I fall asleep?”

  “Of course,” he said following me into my room. He tucks the covers around me before lying down on top of them and holding me until I drift off.

  Chapter 2

  The lobby of Jacobs’ Tower is pristine. All cream and pale gold, travertine tiles that make the heels of my shoes click as I walk through the entry. The lobby is sparsely furnished with just a small seating area, the receptionist desk and a bank of gold elevator doors off to the right of the desk otherwise the space is completely open with giant two story windows across the front. I grip my portfolio and approach the receptionist. She gives me a once over as I introduce myself and explain why I am here.

  Then she picks up the phone, talking briefly before returning her attention back to me. “Ms. Caldwell will be down shortly to take you up for the interview. If you wouldn’t mind waiting over there.” She indicates the sitting area.

  I politely thank her and make my way over. I reach down into my bag to get out the information I’ll need for the interview and look up when I hear some commotion across the lobby. Oh no, poor guy he almost knocked that vase right off the table. Good catch though. I don’t get a good look at him as I’m distracted but as he makes his way to the receptionist, I can tell from the back that he’s very fit. Man, those pants are doing great things for his butt not that he probably needs it. After a few moments he walks over to the elevators and is gone. Maybe if I get the job here I’ll have a chance to see him again.

  “Ms. Brooks?” After a few minutes, the receptionist calls over to me from the desk.

  “Yes.” I say smoothing my pale gray pencil skirt and grabbing my bag from the floor next to me. I made sure to look my best today. My smartest gray suit paired with a purple silk blouse. My roommate, with all of his vast fashion experience, was so nice and helped with my hair because lord knows I’m hopeless in that department. All in all, I feel really good about today and ready for this interview. After last night, I thought about not even showing up since he owns this company but after explaining everything to Gavin, he talked me into still taking the interview. Besides as he pointed out, it’s a large corporation and I will be working in one small department; he and I will probably never even see each other. The thought saddens me once again but I push it down focusing on what I need to do to land this job.

  “Sorry for the delay; Ms. Caldwell just phoned and was called into an emergency meeting a few minutes ago and so there’s a bit of a delay in the interview schedule. If you would just head over to elevator 3, security will see you up to the conference room.”

  As I make my way to elevator 3, I hear, “Ms. Brooks?” The voice is vaguely familiar but I can’t quite place it. A large gentleman in a pitch-black suit appears in front of me as I approach the elevator. This is not what I was expecting for a first interview; this place has more security than a maximum-security penitentiary. Why do I need an escort to my i
nterview? I suppose they don’t want people just traipsing all over the building but this seems like a bit of overkill. She could have just given me directions to the conference and I could have made it there on my own.

  “Yes, I’m Celeste Brooks. The receptionist said that you would assist me up to the conference room?” I don’t mean it to but it comes out as a question.

  “Certainly, miss.” His smile softens his serious expression but his tough exterior still screams grizzly bear not teddy bear.

  I board the elevator and it quickly whisks us up to the penthouse conference room. As we step out of the elevator, I’m beginning to wonder if they have the right person. “Sir,” I mutter quietly. “I’m sorry but I think we are in the wrong conference room. I am supposed to be meeting with Rebecca Caldwell in HR to go over the accounting position.”

  This room looks like a high roller suite in Vegas. It is beautifully appointed with a large mahogany conference table and leather chairs in the center. Along one wall are beautifully appointed cabinets with a wet bar beneath. There are various crystal decanters filled with amber colored liquid that I can only assume are cognac or scotch. The other wall is completely glass overlooking the city below. Off to one side is a sitting area that anyone would be jealous off; plush, soft leather sofas and worn tables that look like they could have been made from reclaimed wood. There’s a set of dark mahogany French doors in the seating area leading to what appears to be an office but all I can see from here is part of a desk. My “escort” only smiles that peculiar smile at me again and gestures for me to have a seat at the table. “Can I get you anything to drink?”

  “Um, a water. Please.” It would probably be completely inappropriate to ask for some of that lovely looking scotch or cognac or whatever it is.

  He walks over to the cabinet and I hear a fridge open and shut then he is back in front of me with two bottles. “I didn’t know if you would prefer sparkling or plain so I brought both.” He says and places the bottles in front of me. I immediately pick up the bottle of Perrier and take a large drink. I’m sure my unease is very apparent at this point and while I would normally make small talk with him, my nerves are making it very difficult to form a coherent thought. This is so not what I need today. I was perfectly put together; ready to jump into this job. Now I have no idea what I’m doing here.