Caleb, page 7
“Want me to go and find a mom?” Caleb teased him.
“I want you to fall in love with someone who will also love me, Dad,” the boy said seriously.
“I want that too but until that happens, you will have to suffer with just me.”
“I guess I will have to.” He said woefully, causing his father to laugh. “Even though you play a lousy game of tennis and are getting on in age.”
“You will take that back!” His father threatened as he started tickling him.
“Dad stop!” The boy shrieked as Caleb pulled his hands up and started on his armpits.
“Cry uncle.”
“Uncle!” The boy shrieked.
“Good, now you realize just who is the boss here….”
*****
Caleb sat in his favorite chair in front of the fire, a glass of scotch in his hand as he stared into the flames. He had left his son half-asleep, making sure to turn the light out and pull the door shut before making his way to his own suite. He had also taken a shower with the intention of going straight to bed, but his mind was too occupied. The questions from Christian had stirred up some pretty bad memories. He had been careless but that had been his hallmark when he was younger. Sara had not been part of their society but a girl who was friends with an associate’s daughter. He was fresh out of college and unwilling to settle down. He had told his dad that he wanted to have some fun before he took his position in the company and he had been allowed to do so. He had had sex with Sara in the pool house and when she told him two months later that she was pregnant he had denied it and accused her of trying to trap him with a kid that was not even his. He had also been afraid to tell his parents about it, but Sara had taken things into her own hands and told them before he could. His father had been furious, and he remembered how disappointed his mother had been. They had come to some sort of compromise when Sara had told them point-blank that she did not want to be a mother. She would have the kid, but she was expected to be paid handsomely for carrying the baby and she would disappear out of their lives if her demands were met. She had been given the best care and put up in an apartment until it was time to deliver the baby. There had been no need for DNA testing because as soon as the baby was born, it was evident that he was a Compton through and through. The anger had dissipated as soon Caleb laid eyes on his son and he had fallen in love with the boy. So had his mother and father who had set forth to spoil him with endless gifts A trust fund had been set up for him and he was welcomed into the family with pride and love.
Caleb rubbed the back of his neck to ease the strain there as he continued to stare into the fire. His mind drifted to the woman who had sat inside his office and stirred his senses. Throughout the day, he had thought about her, remembering how she looked and the smoothness of her skin. He was also thinking about the best way to tell her that he wanted a relationship with her!
Chapter 6
“Geraldine, could you do me a favor before you leave?”
“Of course!” The prim and efficient woman stood in front of his desk with her hands folded in front of her as she awaited his instructions.
“Have the kitchen send up a meal.”
“For one or two?” Her expression had not changed one iota and not for the first time, Caleb wondered what she was thinking and how she managed to keep her face so expressionless.
“Two.” He said with a glimmer of a smile. “What do you recommend?”
“That depends.”
“On what precisely?”
“On whether this is business or personal.”
Caleb leaned back in his chair and sent her an amused look. “Both.”
“Then I would instruct Tony to prepare the duck a la’ orange. It is quite good.”
“Have him do that.”
“What time is this date/business meeting?”
This time, his smile widened, and his blue eyes twinkled. “Seven or thereabouts.”
“Is there anything else you require of me before I leave?”
“Nothing else - but thanks. Good night Geraldine.”
“Good luck sir.” This time he was not mistaken about the faint smile hovering at her lips.
“Thank you.” He told her solemnly. For what he had planned, he was certainly going to need it. He waited until she had left the room and closed the doors behind him before he pushed back from his seat and wandered over to pour himself a drink. He had been communicating with her back and forth for the past three weeks and he had to make his move now. She had been by his office three times already and the campaign, as well as the restoration downtown, was in full swing. The first phase had gone through and he had managed to untangle the red tape and wade through the usual political bullshit in order for that to happen. Now downtown was a hive of activities. The heavy snowfall a week ago had slowed things down somewhat but work had started back up again, and he was grateful for that. Huge billboards depicting the area in its dilapidated state and what it would look like when it was completed were prominently displayed. The statement: ‘This is your town, let’s work together to make the vision come true’ had been dreamed up by her and approved of by him. He had watched her work and knew that she was a professional and incredibly good at her job. The more he spent time with her, was the more he realized that the attraction was intensifying and he wanted her more than he had ever wanted another woman before. He had no idea where the relationship would end but for now, he wanted to get to know her and wanted her to end up in his bed and with them making love until they were exhausted.
He frowned into his drink as he contemplated on where to take her. He had apartments at his disposal and had never taken a woman to the manor because of his son. He might suggest one of the apartments for now and later take her to the manor- he stopped abruptly as he realized where his thoughts were taking him! He was thinking long term with a woman he had just met, a woman he did not know. With a wry chuckle, he finished the drink and went back to his desk to finish sending off some emails.
*****
Sydney struggled with the portfolio as she reached for her phone. Nodding gratefully to the security guard who had pulled the heavy glass door open for her, she answered the call.
“Hi.”
“Hi. I thought we were having dinner.”
“Were we?” Sydney cradled the phone between her shoulder and ear as she punched the button.
“Syd today is Friday and you promised that we would go to the theater and dinner afterwards.”
“Oh Lord! Marlon, I am so sorry. I have work….” She watched the doors slide open and stepped into the hushed luxury of the lobby that would take her into the suite of offices that belonged to Caleb. “I have work on this campaign I am doing. Can we do it tomorrow?”
“Okay, no problem.” She heard the strained patience in his voice and felt guilty. But she had told him that her work came first, and she was not promising anything.
“I really am sorry!” She waved at Caleb as he opened the door for her to walk into his office. “I will make it up to you tomorrow.”
“Problems?” He asked her smoothly as she hung up and dropped her phone into her tote.
“I did not remember I had dinner plans with a friend tonight.” She said with a shrug as she put her stuff onto a chair. Her eyes alighted on the table in the middle of the room and he answered her unspoken question.
“I figured we could eat while we work. I hope you are hungry?”
She stared at him in surprise, appreciating his courtesy. “I am starving! I think I ate a club sandwich for lunch and that was precisely at noon. Thanks.” She told him as he pulled out her chair.
“Do you do that often?”
“Do what?” She asked as she lifted the silver cover and sniffed at the heavenly scent.
“Forget to eat.” Caleb felt heat invading his body as he stared at her. She had on a raspberry colored sweater that molded her curves and looked great against her skin. Her hair was in its usual center part and hung straight and thick to her shoulders. Long silver earrings dangled from her lobes and silver bangles adorned her right wrist.
“Jeremy, my assistant usually makes sure I have something to eat but he was out today. He is a pain in the ass but is a dedicated one.” She flashed a smile at him that effectively turned up the heat. “I am sure you don’t have that problem.”
“A pain in the ass assistant?” He teased her.
Sydney looked at him and burst out laughing. “Forgetting to have a meal. I have seen your assistant several times now and everyone knows that she puts a whole new meaning to the word efficient.”
“Geraldine is a prize.” He murmured as he handed her the breadbasket. “She used to work for my dad before.”
“And she made the transition easily?”
Caleb nodded with a smile as he cut into his meat. “She is quite loyal to the company and made a seamless transition. I knew her when I used to come here during summers to work and was afraid of her.”
Her tapered eyebrows lifted as she stared at him. “You were not.”
He chuckled. “I was. She appeared to be this fearless person – like a dragon guarding the cave of her master or some such analogy. No one could get into my dad’s office without an appointment and she did not care who you were or what relationship you have with him. She once had the Vice President waiting for several minutes because he had stopped by without an appointment.”
“The Vice President as in….”
“VPOTUS.” He confirmed with a grin. “She is loyal to one person and that person was my dad and now it is me. I once told my father that she was mean and that he should fire her.”
“What did he say to that?” Sydney asked as she stared at him in fascination.
“He told me that he would rather have me replaced as his son than fire Geraldine.” He chuckled at the look on her exquisite face. “He did not mean it naturally but was just showing me how important she was to the company and to him.”
“And now? Are you still afraid of her?”
“A little bit,” he admitted with a smile. “I ask her approval before I do most things. One of the things some executives or CEOs forget about the people who work for them is their experience and ability to see what we cannot. Geraldine has been at the company for over thirty years and her experience is priceless. She knows more about Compton Corp than all of the management team put together. I bow to her superior knowledge and listen to what she has to say. I don’t consider her an assistant but rather as my partner and I make her feel that way. I do not ask her to fetch my coffee or make sure my meals are sent in here. She does it on her own and that was the way my father treated her as well. She knows she is valued and because of that, it makes her work even harder.” He handed her the glass of wine he had poured for her.
“That’s highly commendable.” Sydney felt her admiration for him increasing. She had been working with him for the past three weeks and found that he was not stuck up or arrogant because of his wealth. He did not dictate to her but listened with courteous interest on what she had to say and the recommendations she provided.
“Thank you.” He inclined his head and they resumed eating in silence.
“You have provided a wonderful meal which means that all I want to do now is stretch out on a bed and go right to sleep.” She said with a laugh as soon as they were finished.
His dark blue eyes scanned her face and Sydney did not realize that she had given him the opening he was looking for.
“Shall we?” Getting up from the table, he came forward to pull her chair out and indicated the sofa with the back facing the window. Night had fallen and the spectacular view from outside greeted them, causing her to comment on it.
“The sky seems so near when we are up here,” she murmured as she stood there looking at the neighboring buildings towering upwards and the backdrop of velvety dark blue sky with millions of stars dotting it. The full moon glowed luminously and cast shadows inside the room.
“I usually keep the blinds up whenever I work late just to enjoy the view.” He murmured.
“Shall we sit?”
“Do you want me to get my portfolio?”
“Not just yet. I need to talk to you for a bit.”
“Okay.” She sat and watched as he did the same, sitting close enough so that his dark blue dress pants brushed against her knee.
“I find myself at a loss for words.” He told her wryly as his eyes held hers.
“Why?” She asked feeling very puzzled.
“Because I would like to say this to you in a way that will not offend you.”
“I am not easily offended.”
“I like you Sydney.”
“I like you too.”
He laughed at that. “I am attracted to you.” He watched the surprise on her face and was grateful it was not revulsion or indifference. “I would like us to explore the idea of a relationship.” He held up a hand as she opened her mouth to say something. “I know you are going to say it is not a good idea because technically, I am your employer, but I am sure we can look past that. This man - does he mean a lot to you?”
“He is a friend.” She said dazedly, her head spinning.
“Just a friend?”
“We were intimate at one time, but I ended it.”
“I am not going to ask why because I do not want to know. I would like us to get to know each other and I would very much like to make love to you. But before you outright refuse me, I would like you to give me a chance to show you that the attraction might be mutual.”
“How….?”
“I would like to kiss you.” A smile played around his lips. “In fact, I have been dying to do so since the moment I met you.”
“I can-t….”
“Please.” She jumped slightly when he took her hands in his. “I already know the obstacles you are going to throw between us, and I have thought about them since we met. We take it slow if that is what you think you need to do. Me…!” He gave a mocking smile. “I want to jump in because I am attracted – extremely attracted to you, Sydney. I want to tell you to let us throw caution to the wind and go for it.” He turned her hand over and Sydney felt a dart of something when he trailed the tip of his finger in the soft palm. “We could skip the boring parts and go straight to the best part.”
“And that is?” Sydney could not believe the hoarseness in her tone or her reactions to his touch.
“The part where I undress you,” he lifted her hand and pressed his lips to her open palm, sending darts of electricity through her body and tingling her nerve endings. Strip off your clothes slowly, covering every part of flesh with light kisses until it is built up into an inferno that takes us over.” His blue eyes had darkened as he held her gaze hypnotically. “I would take my time, even though I would be impatient to have you, bury myself deep inside you. I would take my time because I would want you to experience what I am experiencing. I would have the pleasure to see you seeing you melt beneath the time and effort I want to lavish on you. I want to love you – show you what you do to me….” He broke off with a groan, realizing that his erotic summation was serving to drive him insane with need!
Dropping her hand abruptly, he lunged to his feet and walked over to look out the window, his hands shoved into his pockets as he stared out at the buildings in his view.
Sydney was still, her breath coming in pants as she stared at the darkly attractive man who had managed to strip through her cool façade and laid her emotions bare. She could not be in a relationship with him. But oh God! She wanted to. He had kissed her palm and she had wanted him to do just what he said – take off her clothes- she reigned in her thoughts as he turned to look at her, a faint smile touching his very sensuous lips – lips she realized that she wanted to feel them on hers very much!
“I moved too fast.” He struggled to rein in his raging desire as he walked back to the sofa. “Something to think about…. Will you do that?”
“I….”
