Taking His Woman(13)

Her steps stumbled when she saw his face. The smile was replaced with concern.

His cup went to his desk. Her hand shook, which caused some of the liquid to spill over the rim. Chris cursed, making her jump more. She tried to clean the mess but only succeeded in spilling more of it.

“Stop,” he said. She paused, pulling away. He cleaned up the last of the mess. She stood on the opposite side of his desk, her hands twitching together in front of her. She looked terrified.

“I’m sorry.”

“Did I say you could speak?”

Erica shook her head. The golden strands were highlighted from the sunlight shining in his office. Chris wanted to reach out and touch the strands. The silky smooth feel of her hair as it glided through his fingers was still clear to him.

“I’ve decided it’s not working out. You’re going back down to handling the mail and delivering drinks to people. You clearly haven’t got what it takes to be working so high up the ranks. This will be effective immediately.” Chris knew he had to get her away from him. He wasn’t ready to give himself to any woman.

“What? I don’t understand?” She looked confused and heartbroken.

“You’re not working here anymore. Go back downstairs. Helen is waiting with your old badge. Your file has already been updated with your demotion.” He placed the file in the tray, sitting at his desk. In his mind she had been dismissed.

When she made no move to leave, Chris looked up. Her arms were wrapped around her stomach. Her tears were spilling down her cheeks.

“Was I not good? I thought this weekend.” She stopped, turning to look at the wall.

“Honey, this weekend was great, but did you really think anything would come of it? We had fun.”

“That was more than fun.”

Chris gripped the edge of his desk. He knew he was about to hurt her. “You’ve got a lot to learn about men, baby. This weekend was a bit of fun. I wanted to see what you’d look like with your legs wrapped around me as I sank into your cunt. I got what I wanted, and now I’m done. Deal with it. I’m sure it won’t be the last time you’re used for pleasure.”

****

Chris came out of his nightmare, gasping for breath. He recalled the words he’d spoken, the way he’d treated her after spending the best weekend of his life. Chris sat up in bed, checking the time. It was only four-thirty. The same nightmare had plagued him ever since he’d spoken the words to her.

Erica had become his whole world, and at the same time, she ceased to exist. He’d not taken any other woman to bed. For the tabloids he’d escorted beautiful models and actresses, but none of them went to bed with him. For the past three years the only loving relationship he’d had was with his hand.

He walked into his bathroom. Turning on the light, he glanced at his reflection. He looked like shit. The grey at his temples appeared more pronounced. Aging didn’t bother him as much as he thought it would. Being alone and old bothered him. He wanted a family with Erica. Splashing water onto his face, Chris cleared the last of his nightmare away. It was hard to do as he knew it was the reality of his life as well as the remnants of a dream. Pushing his thoughts back, he climbed back into bed. Thoughts of Erica and the picnic he had planned helped him to drift off to sleep.





Chapter Six





The following morning, Chris walked downstairs and saw his father burning something on the stove. Trent was reading a book while John and Luke were texting on their phones. Blaze and Cassie were nowhere in sight.

“Where are the others?” he asked, grabbing an orange and sitting down at the table.

“David is attempting to cook mum breakfast. If she eats anything this morning I’ve got the ambulance on speed-dial,” John, his youngest brother, said.

“How many times have I told you to call me ‘dad’?”

Chris watched as John shrugged his shoulders, Luke smirked, and his father went red in the face. Molly walked into the kitchen several minutes later.

“What is that smell?” she said. A hand went under her nose.

“Your breakfast, mum.” Trent told her. Chris couldn’t help but laugh at her expression. She went pale then a shade of green.

She walked over to her husband. “Let me do that.” Chris watched her reach out, and her father scowled at her.

“I can cook some bloody breakfast without your interference,” David yelled.

The damage was done. Molly went paler, and Chris cursed. Luke and John stormed out of the kitchen, frowning at their father.

“Fine. Trent, would you like to go out for breakfast?” Molly picked up her bag, walking away from David.

“I’m making you breakfast, woman,” David said.