Saving Amy, page 15
Feeling lonely all by myself in such a mammoth bed I reluctantly clambered to my feet, grabbed one of the fluffy white complementary gowns from the en-suite and set off in search of him.
I still couldn’t acclimatise to the sheer size of the place. It was a whole apartment in its own right, minus a kitchen. Though it wouldn’t have surprised me if I found one hiding somewhere. I casually started to wonder just how much access Richard had to his parents’ finances. I wasn’t sure how much his own salary was worth but I was almost certain he lived beyond an average doctor’s means.
After making my way down the spiral staircase I found Richard in the larger part of the living room, sitting at the large oak dining suite and helping himself to food from a silver cart that definitely wasn’t there when we went to bed. I stopped in my tracks for a moment, admiring him from afar. He looked completely edible, even with bed-hair, morning stubble peppered across his chin and a hotel gown which was gaping open at the top, exposing his defined chest. Yum.
He stopped humming along to the music trickling from the speakers behind him when he caught my eye and motioned me to join him with a wave of his hand.
“Croissant?” he asked, taking two from a silver salver and placing them on separate gold-rimmed porcelain plates.
“I’d rather go back to bed.” He raised an eyebrow and flashed me a deliciously suggestive grin. “I meant to sleep,” I clarified through a yawn before becoming unable to stop myself from giggling.
“Well you can’t. You have a busy day ahead.”
‘I’ have a busy day ahead?
“You need to eat, shower and be ready for ten-thirty.”
Yes sir! I mentally saluted him.
“Where are we going?” I asked inquisitively as I joined him at the table, peeling open my croissant ready to smother it with jam.
“That’d be telling,” he said craftily, throwing a salacious wink my way and leaving me more intrigued than ever.
Eager to get ready for my surprise I rushed breakfast and headed to the wet room to take a shower. It was a fairly small – yes, small – room in comparison to the rest of the suite, tiled floor to ceiling in shimmering white granite. I stood, weary and naked in the centre of the room, absorbing the powerful spray of steaming water which rained from the ceiling above me.
Closing my eyes I let the reviving water wash over my tired face. Then my entire body stiffened, momentarily startled, when I felt two strong muscular arms wrap around my waist. Richard pulled me into him, my back to his front, and swept the damp hair from my neck before kissing along the vein which was now very awake and throbbing with desire.
My eyes still closed, I felt him bend down to the freestanding shelf unit beside us and select a complimentary shower soap. He squeezed it liberally into his palm and worked it into a warm, foamy later between his fingers before smothering the full length of my naked body with it – massaging the citrus fragranced crème into my skin and following the trace of his touch with kisses.
I spun myself round to face him, needing to see him. The sight of him - his deliciously wet, naked body smothered in thousands of tiny, reflective drops of water, his vibrant green eyes blazing with need… it charged my veins with hunger. Hunger for him. Automatically I reached up and cupped his face in my hands, my eyes absorbing every visible inch of him. Then I splayed my fingers into his dripping, auburn hair and pulled him into me.
My heart was pounding, thrashing against the walls of my chest. My breathing was ragged. Every inch over my over-sensitised skin was tingling with that mysterious charge that never failed to invade the atmosphere between us. My body never seemed to tire of him. The more I got to touch him, to taste him, inhale him… the more I wanted him. The more I needed him.
Teasing entry into his mouth with my tongue I kissed him hard – bursting with passion and longing. Then in one lithe movement he lifted me, hitching my legs up and around his waist. I wrapped my arms around his neck for support and I could feel the veins in his neck throbbing as hard and fast as mine. Taking us away from the cascade of water lashing over us, he carried me to the edge of the room and forced my back into the smooth, wet tiles – the ice-cold granite sending delicious shivers down my spine.
My head threw itself backwards, exposing the pulsing, desirous vein in my neck. I clutched Richard close to me with all my strength, my fingernails boring into the flesh on the back of his neck as he buried his face in my chest. Within seconds he thrust himself deep inside me, warming the tiles along my spine as he glided my hot, moist skin up and down against them.
“I love you so much, baby,” he whispered through gritted teeth. My breathing was too erratic to respond with words. Instead, I moved faster against him, supporting my weight with my arms across his strapping shoulders. “So. Fucking. Much.”
That beautiful sensation – the sensation only Richard has ever given to me – started to build, growing desperate and heavy between my legs until it was almost unbearable.
“Come on, baby,” he muttered harshly straight into my ear… and it undid me completely. My whole body shuddered violently, the vice grip my legs had around him becoming too weak to support me. “Fuck, Amy,” Richard cried as he pounded impossibly hard into me for the very last time. Then he lowered me to the floor with trembling arms, my sweltering skin welcoming the coolness that the lower down tiles still possessed as I slid gently against them.
“I love you too,” I finally murmured. Suddenly, nestling into Richard’s damp chest without the steaming water or the heat of passion warming my veins, I was freezing.
“You’re shivering. Let’s get you dressed.” Richard stood and offered his hand for me to take. He pulled me upright, shut the water off and then wrapped my cold, exposed body in a soft white towel from the heated rail. It felt heavenly – almost as comforting as Richard’s arms… but not quite.
After throwing a towel a little less meticulously around his own waist he led me to the bedroom by the hand before opening the set of fitted, cherry-wood closets. Inside all the new unnecessary clothes from my suitcase were hanging neatly. I wondered when he’d found time to do this as I stepped closer to choose an outfit. The vast array of strappy tees and vests seemingly answered my question about the Florida climate. Judging this closet, the weather must be hot even at this time of year – though our suite’s air-con gave nothing away.
I eventually settled on a pair of ivory boot-cut pants, cerise spaghetti-strap top and flat black sandals. Noticing the time – 10:10 AM – I threw them on quickly. There was only twenty minute to spare before the big reveal and I still had to do my hair. Where is he taking me?
After running the compact travel dryer over my damp hair I swiftly scraped the blonde mess into a loose ponytail. Then I applied the bare minimum of makeup required to make me look presentable and skipped to the living room to join Richard. I found him standing by the window, dressed impeccably in smart black slacks and a lilac pinstripe shirt with a rich purple tie. Following his gaze I noticed he was staring wistfully towards a picturesque lake ahead. Is that where we were going?
“You look perfect,” he complimented when he turned and noticed me loitering in the doorway. I felt anything but. I wasn’t used to wearing such bright colours – any colours for that matter. My wardrobe had always tended to colour coordinate with my mood; black, grey… brown if I felt like mixing things up a little.
“So, where are we going?” I asked curiously, feeling a little underdressed next to his full-on business attire.
“I’m going to the medical centre. I’ve been asked to head a meeting there this morning.” What about me? My brow dropped along with my heart. “Ready for your surprise?” he asked eagerly with a wicked glint in his eyes.
No, my disenchanted subconscious piped up. Some surprise if he wasn’t even going to be with me.
“Come with me,” Bossy Doctor said before striding forwards to take my hand. He led me to the door and then paused, rummaging through his pockets. “Here’s the room key.” He passed me a little blue card. “And here’s some money. If you need any more the safe combination is nine two six three.” Grudgingly I swept the cash from his hand. Any more? There was easily five hundred dollars here. I couldn’t help the pout which suddenly took over my face. I felt like a prostitute.
I need my own money…
“Oops, almost forgot this,” he tacked on. Forgot what? His hands were empty. But then, cupping my face in his warm hands he planted a soft, lingering kiss on my lips. Wow. In that moment, all my frustration melted away.
Richard led me down to the lobby and it appeared we were heading in the direction of the hotel bar. I glanced up at his face, searching for clues in his expression and I was met with that beautifully irritating wicked grin of his. He was so obviously pleased with himself about something. But what?
We hovered outside the arched glass doors that led inside the bar. Richard glanced at his watch then pulled his cell from his trouser pocket before tapping away at the screen. My feet drummed impatiently against the marble floor. I was getting increasingly frustrated. And nervous. And sad that I wouldn’t be spending the day with him.
“We’re all set,” he said, looking up from his cell. “Go meet your surprise!” he said with a mischievous wink, extending his hand into the bar as he opened the heavy glass door. My eyes wandered eagerly into the bar. My body followed shortly after. I scanned the room starting from the far left and when I reached the centre I spotted my surprise.
“Julie!” I screamed, catapulting myself across the room and throwing myself onto her with outstretched arms.
“Jeez, Louise!” she said when I almost knocked her over. “Steady, girl!”
“Sorry! I’m just so happy to see you! What are you even doing here?” My arms were still wrapped around her. I didn’t want to let her go.
“I was invited,” she said, nodding her head towards something behind me. Releasing her, I followed her gaze – landing on Richard. For the first time, I had completely forgotten his existence. How did he contact her? How did he know where she lived? I must’ve have told him, though I didn’t remember. Eventually I dismissed all my questions, deciding I didn’t care. Julie was here. I was here. Everything else was irrelevant.
“I’ll leave you two ladies alone.” Richard winked and flashed me that familiar hypnotic smile. I turned and hugged him… hard.
“Thank you,” I whispered meaningfully into his ear.
“I love you,” he whispered back.
“I love you more.”
“Impossible.”
“Sweet Jesus, enough already!” Julie interrupted, grabbing my arm and pulling me away from him. Naturally, I flushed beet-red. Richard just snickered – clearly harder to embarrass than I was.
“Goodbye, ladies,” Richard said with a cheeky glint sparkling in his green eyes. I stared after him as he turned and disappeared, then – in an instant – forgot all about him as I turned my attention to Julie. I’d missed her incredibly. I didn’t realise just how much until now.
“You look amazing,” she enthused.
Me? Was my instinctive reaction. But then I remembered just this morning, eyeing myself up in the mirror, I barely recognised myself. My cheeks were a little fuller, my skin brighter – less grey.
“I feel it,” I replied honestly.
“Good looking son of a bitch isn’t he?” Julie winked at me and of course, she meant Richard. I nodded proudly.
“You need to tell me everything. How did it happen? Do you love him? Does he love you? Is he treating you right?”
Woah, slow down! She fired questions at me faster than a bullet and my overwhelmed mind struggled to keep up.
“Steady on, Jules! We’ve got all day. Let’s get the drinks in first.”
“Good idea. Though, I think we should go somewhere else. I’m sure even breathing the air in this place costs money,” she muttered while her blue eyes – wide with awe – scanned the room.
“Don’t worry, I’ll get them.”
“Of course you will,” she said with a smirk and I knew she was accusing me of being a kept woman. I immediately resented the thought… until I realised that’s exactly what I was.
We headed over to the burnished white bar and I ordered two caramel lattes. After Julie’s innocent quip I suddenly felt ashamed pulling Richard’s money from my purse. I let it go – for now – refusing to allow it to dampen my day. However I knew my subconscious would have a field day when I was alone later.
I led Julie over to a glossy black table surrounded by four curvy white leather chairs at the end of the far room beside a floor to ceiling window.
“I still can’t believe you’re here,” I declared as we settled into our seats.
“Well, when Mr Gorgeous Pants called there was no way I’d have said no! I’ve missed you, Amy.”
He called her? How? When?
“You look so different… so happy. Is he good to you?”
“Oh, Julie, like you wouldn’t believe. He is so good to me… too good.”
“Bullshit! Don’t you dare sell yourself short like that. You deserve happiness, and it’s about time too.” I smiled bashfully at her and idly wondered if I’d ever believe that was true.
“How’s things with your mom and dad? You haven’t mentioned them in a while.”
Can’t it stay that way?
“I haven’t seen or heard from them since I moved in with Richard.”
“Seriously? Things that bad huh?” I shrugged nonchalantly. “So they don’t approve of you and Richard then I take it?” I smiled inwardly at her blissful naivety. I was glad she never discovered the half of it. I didn’t think I could bear the shame.
“Something like that.” I nodded impassively, hoping to wrap up that particular topic. “So, how’s college life?” I asked, turning the attention onto her and knowing it would easily distract her. Once Julie got going, it was almost impossible to stop her.
“I’m loving it. New opportunities, friends, independence… what’s not to like?” I was sure my golden eyes must have been exuding some not-so-subtle hues of green right now. I blinked it away, my subconscious reminding me this conversation wasn’t about me or my failures. “And as of last week I have a job too!”
Ooo this is news. I blinked the now blazing green away a little more forcefully.
“I thought your parents helped out?”
“Don’t get me wrong they’ve been amazing. They pay for my apartment and transfer two hundred dollars a week into my account, but with food and bills it’s just not enough. There’s nothing left for a social life, and I’ve been thinking it’s about time I get a car.”
“Well then I’m real pleased for you. Where is it?” I asked, wondering how she even found the time.
“I am now officially a waitress at The Olive Branch,” she announced with a proud, beaming grin. “It’s a little family-run Italian a few blocks from here and I work Monday through Thursday evenings after college and all day Sundays. It’s nothing exciting but it brings in some cash.”
“Sounds great. But how do you find the time? Doesn’t studying take up most of it?”
“It should, I suppose. I try and work it around lectures and on Saturdays,” she admitted with a defiant shrug. “If I’m not too hung over that is.” Julie threw a familiar mischievous wink my way – the kind that used to mean ‘let’s ditch this place after registration’. I’d missed it and I couldn’t help but giggle.
Julie continued to fill me on everything that’d happened in her life since leaving Seattle over two more lattes. After just over an hour my ears were starting to ache a little and I now felt like I knew Julie’s new friends personally. I was also pretty confident that I knew my way around The Olive Branch well enough to carry out a full shift there with ease.
“Fancy coming back to mine? I’ll give you a tour of my palace,” Julie asked and the enthusiasm in her voice was hard to resist.
“Sure. I’ll go ask reception to call us a cab.”
“We need a smoke first. Let’s head outside,” she said while reaching into her purse for her cigarettes.
Hold on a minute… I didn’t smoke anymore. How did that happen? It hadn’t even crossed my mind while living with Richard. How the hell do you give up something that was once as instinctive as breathing without even realising?
“What’s up?” Julie asked upon noticing my furrowed brow.
“I, um… don’t smoke anymore.” Her eyebrow shot up and I couldn’t work out if she was surprised or amused.
“Wow. Mr Mega Wallet really has changed you,” she said dryly and it felt like she was mocking him.
“It’s got nothing to do with Richard. He’s never had a problem with anything I do,” I blurted, feeling compelled to defend myself – and Richard. Julie surrendered her hands, playfully it seemed, and on reflection I realised I answered a little too snappily.
“Sorry. Maybe I do need a smoke,” I teased with an apologetic smile before heading off to arrange a cab.
Chapter Ten
What a day. Jesus, Julie knew how to talk. I’d missed that about her – just having to listen without thinking of a reply. I was exhausted. My limbs were so heavy it felt like I’d gained 100lbs. Raiding the mini-bar – though I struggled to actually find anything ‘mini’ about it – I settled for an ice-cold bottle of freshly squeezed OJ and two candy bars for a much needed energy boost.
Slumping back into the soft brown leather recliner, I kicked off my shoes, unwrapped the first bar of orgasmic smelling fruit and nut and lay myself back. I noticed the time on the overstated grandfather clock in the corner of the room. It was 5:45 in the evening. Where the hell was Richard?
I didn’t know whether to laugh, cry or sleep. Today had been an overwhelming rollercoaster of emotions and I was physically and mentally drained. Excitement followed by disappointment, superseded by sheer elation, regrets, jealousy…
