Into the Light, page 19
part #2 of Dark Angel Series
“How can your simple words calm me?”
“Because that’s what we do, calm each other in the midst of a storm or mini meltdown.”
“I love you, Charlotte.”
“I love you, Lex. Now, please get to work because I need that coffee that's been torturing me all morning.”
He smiled, placing his laptop in his bag. He kissed me goodbye, promising to call me throughout the day. I poured myself a coffee and, with much delight, took a sip. In an instant reaction, I spat it back out.
“Oh by the way, it’s decaf. Sorry, no regular for you.”
“That witch! She got to you, didn’t she?”
“She got to everyone,” he laughed as he walked out and left the apartment.
…
There was something comforting yet odd about sitting at my desk. This had been my home away from home, but today it felt slightly off. It was because I missed him, and it was only 8:45. Fuck, ten hours was a long time. I made my way to the boardroom for our weekly Monday meeting. I wasn’t surprised that Eric dragged me into the most random conversation with Emma, but I had to admit it made me laugh and took my mind off this separation anxiety I was feeling. After the meeting finished, I grabbed the number to book in the ultrasound from Nikki. Sitting back at my desk, I opened my emails, not surprised one bit that there was already one sitting in there from Lex.
* * *
From: Lex Edwards
Subject: Breakfast Buffet
Sent: December 3rd, 2012 9:45 AM
To: Charlotte Mason
So, I’m sitting here listening to why we need to sell our shares in another division, but all I can think about is your morning breakfast feast this morning.
Lex Edwards
P.S. This is driving me crazy.
* * *
From: Charlotte Mason
Subject: Long day ahead
Sent: December 3rd, 2012 10:10 AM
To: Lex Edwards
Hmm, by morning breakfast feast I'm assuming you're referring to my protein shot?
Yes it has crossed my mind, too… Okay maybe like a million times.
Charlotte Mason
P.S. Do you realize it's only 10 o’clock?????
* * *
From: Lex Edwards
Subject: Separation anxiety
Sent: December 3rd, 2012 10:12 AM
To: Charlotte Mason
Yes I do realize that. I also realized that it was every minute in between the second I left you till now. Was the stock market always this boring?
Lex Edwards
P.S. Your glasses will be the death of me.
* * *
From: Charlotte Mason
Subject: Gutter mind
Sent: December 3rd, 2012 10:15 AM
To: Lex Edwards
I think you need to get your mind out of the gutter and back into the boardroom, Mr. Edwards. A productive CEO always sets positive examples for his staff.
By any chance is Kate free for a coffee at 2pm?
Charlotte Mason
P.S. They actually serve a purpose, not just for your pleasure.
* * *
From: Lex Edwards
Subject: Productive CEO of the Gutter
Sent: December 3rd, 2012 10:24 AM
To: Charlotte Mason
Yes and my staff says hello and that she is free for coffee at 2pm if you are.
Yes I said you will order tea.
Lex Edwards
P.S. This is the last message I am passing on between the both of you.
* * *
From: Charlotte Mason
Subject: Party Pooper
Sent: December3rd, 2012 10:31 AM
To: Lex Edwards
Tell her I said SWEET.
Boo you’re a party pooper.
I’ve got a client who just arrived.
Love you, Mr. Uncooperative Edwards.
Charlotte Mason
* * *
At 2pm on the dot I sat at the coffee shop in front of Kate. It was so good to catch up with her now that everything was out in the open. I just didn’t know how our friendship would work when all I wanted to talk about was Lex fucking me a dozen times in the past forty eight hours.
“So... how’s everything going?” she asked as she took a sip of her cappuccino.
“Is this going to be weird? You know, talking about him?”
“As long as you veer off the subject of anatomy I think it’ll be fine.”
“Please, I’m not Eric.”
“Aah touché.”
“I guess it’s been great, I mean you know, like it’s surreal. All of a sudden I’m living with him and pregnant with his baby, but you know, it’s been like a day. We both have busy schedules and it’s going to be hard for us to find time to just chill.”
“Right Mr. Edwa... I mean Lex is a workaholic but I know he is making time to clear his schedule. Just this week is crazy with the chancellor being in town and we have this huge deal riding on him. I’m surprised he let me have coffee with you... but then again he probably wants me to check up on you,” she chuckled.
“Well you can tell him I’m fine and I won’t shy away from having a catch up with a good friend.”
She smiled. “Yes, a very good friend.”
“This is weird though, right?”
“Totally weird. I get it, he is Lex to you, but to me he will always be Mr. Edwards. Blimey, he is a lot to handle.”
“You’re telling me. I can only imagine what he is like in the office.”
“Uh, let’s see... control freak… obsessive...to put it mildly.”
“Mmm kinda hot though. Tell me what’s going on with you.”
“Hmmm bugger all, I haven’t gotten laid in like a month. I believe I’ve been re-virginized. The men in New York suck... I seriously cannot find anyone decent.”
“You won’t find anyone going clubbing with Eric that’s for sure. In fact, if you want to go on a man hunt, do not involve Eric. Since my man hunting days are over I am more than happy to accompany you, just for support.”
“Oh please, and get fired in the meantime? Lex would kill me for dragging you along. No, it’s okay. I wish to live a long healthy life. Just without mind blowing sex. Seriously though, how long before I become a virgin again?”
“I don’t know… a year? Can we google this?”
So that’s what we did for the rest of our time, looking at Google images of ladies who believed they were virgins again. I couldn’t stop laughing, it was one of those things that Eric would never do, and just looking at a vagina sends him into heaving vomit-like symptoms. We said our goodbyes and I headed back to the office to drown myself in work so that time could pass quickly.
The afternoon got busier and I barely found myself able to catch up on emails or even Eric. I looked at my schedule; it was jam packed this week but hopefully it would settle by next week. It was Christmas soon and I hadn’t even begun to think of what to buy for everyone. I marked in my calendar to organize a shopping day with Eric. He had been quiet today, not his usual flamboyant self. Before I knew it, it was 6pm. The office was quieter and I realized that I had buried my head in this brief for the last four hours. I quickly checked my emails before closing the office and heading home.
It was after eight when I sat on the couch, reading over a case, waiting for Lex to come home. I received a text startling me from the paper.
Sorry stuck downtown with Chancellor Walsh.
Won’t be home till late.
Sleep well beautiful, I promise I’ll make it up to you.
I was disappointed when I read the text, but I knew Chancellor Walsh was the head of a group of prestige schools in the country and according to New York Times he was only in New York for today. This was Lex’s life; I don’t know why part of me expected that it would be different now, that we would both be home by six every night, cook dinner together and have a lovely meal followed by hot sex and mindless TV. He was a fucking billionaire for god sakes and obviously worked hard to get to that position. I climbed into bed and took out my What to Expect When You’re Expecting book, but fell asleep soon after conception.
It was dark, but I felt him slide in beside me. His body smelled amazing, freshly showered, and with heavy eyelids I opened them slightly to see my clock. It was just past midnight. I stirred, trying to wake myself up.
“Sshh,” he whispered.
“It’s late,” I mumbled.
“I know. I’m sorry.” Struggling to maintain any sort of conversation, I fell into a deep sleep until the morning light crept into the room.
I was awoken again but this time his lips were all over me, his cock pressing hard against my thigh.
“Good morning,” he whispered into my ear before sliding in.
I gasped, unprepared for the pleasure that spread throughout me since I had just woken up. Plunging further into me he fucked me hard before I called out his name, riding out the orgasm which only took me two minutes to get to.
“That’s a nice way to wake up.”
“I’m sorry about last night.”
“It’s okay Lex, you work, I get it.”
“But it was our first official night.”
“We’ll have plenty more nights.”
He pulled himself off me and lay by my side, resting on his elbow.
“I have some bad news.”
“What?”
“I have to go to California on Saturday, but just for a day. I’ll be back on Sunday night.”
Of course, I was sad. I mean it would be our first time apart and it hadn’t even been a week. I tried my best not to show it, but my damn hormones were all over the place.
“Okay. Will this happen all the time?”
“No... I mean, occasionally. I’m sorry I couldn’t get out of this one. Look at me, please.”
I turned to face him, trying not to cry. Fuck me dead I never really cried, I wasn’t one of those girls but it was almost impossible to hold back that one tear lingering on the surface.
“This is an adjustment for both of us. I’m not use to having to factor someone else in just like you aren’t. But I’m learning the word delegate... please be patient with me.”
“Of course I’ll be patient with you. This is a huge adjustment for me, too.”
He wrapped his arms around me, burying his head into my chest. Stroking his hair I remembered the ultrasound appointment, scolding myself for forgetting to email him yesterday.
“I booked in the ultrasound, it’s at midday. I’m sorry I completely forgot to tell you. Will it be okay or should I reschedule?”
“I’ll be there... wouldn’t miss it for the world.” He smiled.
At midday we were in the ultrasound room as the sonographer moved that wand-looking thing around my belly, which was smeared with lube. Oh gross, it so reminded me of Eric’s endless KY stories.
“Okay, so I’m just going to take a few measurements first.”
She continued to click on buttons and type as Lex sat resting his hand on my forearm. Both of our eyes were glued to the screen, waiting in anticipation for her to finish the important stuff. Lex, having a medical background, was analyzing the image, his face serious as he watched her do her job. Secretly I think she was intimated by his persistent stare.
“So this here is your baby,” she said, pointing to this little pea shaped thing on the screen.
“And judging by the size, you are about nine weeks along.”
“Nine weeks already?” I asked, stunned.
“Give or take a few days. Now time to hear the heartbeat.”
She turned up the dial on the monitor and I waited, holding my breath until the loud thumping sound echoed through the room. It was like music to my ears, the tell-tale sign that our baby existed, but this time I treasured this moment. This unbelievable life changing moment that consumed me so much I was ready to burst out into tears. My eyes wouldn’t leave the screen as I watched our baby, in its tiny form move up and down on the screen. It may have been black and white, making absolutely no sense, but that little pea was our baby and I couldn’t take my eyes off it.
“You have a very happy baby inside there.” She smiled.
I looked over at Lex, who was unable to hide his happiness, his eyes dancing, so bright as if the emerald lit up the dark room. His grin was infectious as I watched him experience this moment he had been so desperately waiting for.
“Did you hear that? Our baby is happy.” He beamed.
The sonographer handed us a photo of the baby, my hands were shaking as I looked at the image until Lex asked to hold it for a moment. He took out his phone and took a photo of it.
“What are you doing?”
He showed me his phone, the wallpaper now a photo of the baby “Doesn’t matter where I am, I can see our baby anytime now.”
It was his heartfelt words that caused that single tear to drop down my cheek. Wiping it with his thumb, he kissed the spot where it fell. I pulled him into me, sobbing into his perfectly pressed suit. He gave me a moment before lifting my head so our eyes met.
“I love you. Obsessed together forever,” he whispered, rubbing his nose against mine.
“Obsessed together forever,” I mouthed back.
Chapter 17
Lex
Our first two weeks as a couple were pure bliss, well at least that’s what I tell myself. The reality was, we argued over the pettiest of things. But arguing leads to one thing and the only thing that was on my mind - hot, off the charts, animalistic, raw sex. The kind of sex that did nothing to diffuse my erection, if anything it made me want more and more till the point where I had to remind myself we still had to function as human beings outside the apartment. Well, that sucks balls, I can tell you.
It wasn’t the first time I lived with a women, but seven years living in a bachelor pad had me set in my ways. I wasn’t a slob, quite the opposite in fact. I was extremely anal and it turns out so was Charlotte. The problem was we had different ways of doing things and we didn’t always see eye to eye.
“The toilet paper should face forward, over.” She pointed out.
“I disagree,” I answered back.
“Why on earth would it be under?”
“Because it looks tidier this way.”
She looked at me, the argument far from over. Bathroom politics were not hot, although Charlotte standing there in her tank top showing her erect nipples and cute ass panties was, which lead to me fucking her in front of the mirror; and so that was Monday.
On Tuesday we decided to eat McDonald’s, much to my horror. Charlotte’s cravings were all over the place, and being the great husband that I am and so she wouldn’t feel so bad, I ate what she ate.
“Did I just see you dip your fry into that chocolate sundae?” Cringing, she waited for my response with a clear look of disgust on her face.
“Yes, Adriana and I use to do it as kids.”
“That is gross! Potato and dairy?” I dipped a nugget in there and the look of disgust intensified.
“Lex! Who does that? I bet you that you are the only one. Prove to me someone else does it?”
“If I do, will you flip the toilet paper my way?”
“I’m that confident that, yes, we can have the toilet paper your way.”
I reached for my phone and googled fry in sundae. Video after video appeared. I hit play and a very pissed off Charlotte huffed. “Whatever.”
I had won the toilet roll battle, the compulsive neat freak side of me metaphorically sat in its smoking jacket with a pipe and slippers. It also resulted in me licking chocolate fudge off her erect nipples; I heard no complaints from her, only two screaming orgasms.
Wednesday was our first official ‘real couple’ fight. After much persuasion, Charlotte agreed to go apartment hunting with me as we needed something bigger. Surprisingly something perfect came up almost immediately and I was ready to put in an offer.
“The kitchen is fully equipped with everything a professional chef would need. I assume, Mr. Edwards, you would have a full time chef?” Anita, the realtor, asked.
“Yes, as well as a live in housekeeper and possibly a nanny,” I boldly responded.
“What?” Charlotte asked, her pitch high. I sensed she was annoyed- Why? I had no idea.
“Charlotte, please, I wouldn’t have it any other way. If you’re worried about the money…”
“I don’t care about the money! What makes you think I’m going to be one of those women who sits around with hired help? I wasn’t raised that way and don’t intend to raise our child with hired help either. I’m not like that and I don’t give a shit about your fucking money!”
I asked the realtor to excuse us. Attempting to control my temper, I clenched my fists, remembering that this was the women I loved and she was carrying my baby. Fuck, women were so unpredictable!
“Was that really necessary in front of the realtor?” My voice was low, trying my best to remain calm.
“Probably not, but right now I don’t care. I understand that you are wealthy but you don’t control everything, we do, do you understand that? I don’t want money to dictate our life. If you want me then you need to learn to consult me about things like that. I may like clothes and shoes but I do not want to be known as some stuck up New York housewife. I worked very hard to get where I am, I am proud of what I have achieved. It was never my intention to work hard and have others serve me, it just doesn’t sit right. You want a woman like that – perhaps you need to go back to Victoria Preston.”
Where the fuck did that come from? Charlotte knew I was never with Victoria; this was so left field.
“Is this your hormones talking?” I asked, confused.
Shit – I went there. Her face contorted into pure rage until she stormed out, slamming the door behind her. I apologized to the realtor who no doubt would run to the press with a “Lex Edwards on the Verge of Break Up” headline. God, what the fuck was that? Why couldn’t Charlotte see how difficult it was for me to factor someone in. I am use to making my own decisions. I can’t be so fucking accommodating all of a sudden.
