Business: Phoenix #1 (5 page)

Casey

The first day spent in London has been so much fun, it
really was nice to let my hair down and enjoy some time off with Matt. We
didn’t really get bothered too much; just the odd photo request. I think we
would have been stopped a lot more if we were in America, Matthew Jackson isn’t
a big name over here just yet but given time I have no doubt it will be.

Matt planned the day for us, first we went on the London
Eye, he paid extra for us to have a private capsule, and this was a perfect
opportunity for us to chat and get to know each other more by continuing our
game of ‘ten questions’ which seemed to turn into ‘twenty questions’.

Next he arranged a car to take us to London Zoo. We had so
much fun strolling around hand in hand. We stayed back to watch the bird show,
tigers live, and penguin beach live, we also watched a spider talk show – I
don’t know if Matt noticed but my eyes were closed for the majority of that.

The extras he added on must of cost a small fortune – I
offered to pay my way but he declined each time.

The majority of the ride back to the Corinthia hotel is
silent. Matt is sat looking intently at his phone before he starts typing
furiously. He looks annoyed, what with I’m not sure but I decide to give him
some time, when he is ready to speak he will.

I look out the window and take in all the sites; I should
really come to London more often. Especially to shop, I type a quick text to
Han –

Hope everything is well there, had a brill day today,
will update you when we’re back x

Within a few minutes there is a reply waiting.

Glad U are having fun, everything is going smoothly here;
see if Mr. Lover has a friend for me, maybe we could double date. Ha ha. TC x

I put my phone back into my bag and stretch my legs out in
front of me. It’s the first time in a long while I have been able to wear jeans
and UGG boots – normally I wear business attire so it is nice to wear something
casual for a change.

Back in the Royal Penthouse Suite I walk to the table and
put my bag down on one of the chairs and turn to look at Matt, he hasn't spoken
to me since we set off from the Zoo over half an hour ago.

"Sorry Case, I'll be back with you soon, I've got a
few things I have to take care of." He kisses me on the cheek and makes
his way up the stairs to the second story of the suite, once upstairs I hear a
door slam shut, the bang startling me.

~~~~~

Matt

What a shitty fucking ending to the perfect day.

I scroll through my contacts to find my brother James, and
dial. The first attempt goes straight to voicemail.

"Answer the fucking phone God Dammit!"

On the third attempt he finally answers.

"Hey Matt, what's up?" I look at my watch and
realize that it's 6pm here so it will be around 10am in Cali. The lazy bastard
has probably just got out of bed.

"Fucking Jess has been ringing Kate to check up on
me!" I fume.

"She tried calling me yesterday but I avoided her
calls." James sighs. "Then she tried grilling Grace and all she told
her was that you’re in the UK working on a big deal."

"I've had nonstop texts and emails from her, she
won't fucking leave me alone!" I stop myself from picking up the chair in front
of the dressing table to throw it. Instead I sit down on the end of the bed and
put my head in my hand and rub my forehead. Think Matt think. "She's
insisting the child is mine." I blow.

"I've heard. She's told everyone. Grace asked her to
take a DNA test to prove it and save all the drama but she wasn't prepared to
do so. Honestly Matt, do you think the baby’s yours?" Concern in his
voice.

"I honestly don't know, James." I exhale the
breath I didn't realize I was holding. "She told me she was on a contraceptive
injection."

"She could have tricked you, you know what women like
her are like. They try anything and everything to get a sparkly ring; maybe she
thought she could trap you with a baby."

"Fucking slut." Is all I can manage.

"We will sort it when you get home; we have a good
team of people around us." He keeps his voice cool.  "How is the deal
going? I've had regular updates from the team but I haven't heard much from
you."

Oh shit. I hope they haven't mentioned anything about me
and Case spending a few days together.

"Things are going well; we've spent the past few days
going over figures and the agreements." I have been going over figures,
but not the type he is thinking of.

"That's good. Look I've got to go. I have a meeting
with Derek in five. See you in a couple days."

And the line goes dead.

The next person I call is Kate. She answers straight away.

"Hi Matt, How are you?"

"Fine, look, if anybody calls, whether it is James or
Jess, anyone, do not tell them where I am. Is that clear?"

"Yes, of course, Ma-"

I cut her off "Good. See you soon." I end the
call.

I throw my cell to the floor and put my head in my hands.

What
if the child is mine? I always said I never wanted children. I'm not worthy to
be a father and I certainly am not ready.

I
should of known what she was like when I first started fucking with her a few
years back..

~~~~~

Casey

I don’t know how much longer Matt will be but I’m not
sitting around like a fool waiting for him, I make my way up the spiral staircase
to the luxury bathroom. I notice the closed door of the master bedroom and walk
past.

 Once inside the bathroom I close the door, but don’t lock
it and start to fill the tub. I look to the toiletry shelf and pick up the
bottle of luxury relaxation bubble bath and pour half of it in before sliding
my jeans off.

Just as I pull my shirt off over my head I hear the bathroom
door open. I turn to face an agitated looking Matt. His eyes travel down my
body and back up to my tits which sit nicely in a red bra.

I watch him as he starts towards me and he stops when his
face is inches away from mine.

“Hi,” I whisper.

He doesn’t reply. Instead he moves forward and kisses me.
He doesn’t kiss me like how he has previously. This time it’s soft, his tongue
slipping into my mouth to tangle with mine. He tastes delicious, he is
addictive.

He palms my ass and I wrap my hands around his neck, our
lips never losing contact. He moves his hands up and starts to fumble with my
bra clasp until he finally releases it, he steps back and pulls the bra off. I
can feel him looking at me; hard.

I bring my arms back to him; to his shirt and with his
help we lift it over his head. He watches my bare chest rise and fall, the
corners of his mouth turn up to form a smile.

His strong arms lift me up, his mouth back on mine, this
time our hunger evident as our tongues crash against each other, he carries me
over to the counter and sets me down, our kiss unbroken, he pushes my thighs
open and stands in between. I dig my nails into his back whilst his hands
travel down and start to play with my nipples, stroking, pinching.  I moan and
start to undo his jean zipper. He steps back an inch and pushes his jeans and
shorts down and kicks them off to the side.

His hard cock stands proudly and with one strong hand he
rips my panties off of me, clean off. Gone.

He bends my legs so they rest on the counter, one hand
resting on my leg whilst the other hand moves to rub my clit. His cock inches
away from my pussy.

I can’t help but look down at the view, his cock against
my bare pussy.

“Are you ready? I’m so turned on. It’s going to be rough.”
He groans.

My eyes meet his lust filled eyes. “I’m ready.”

His hands grasp me tightly on my hips and plunges into me,
deep and hard, my nails dig into his back as he picks up speed, my walls
tightening around him, accommodating every inch of him.

I kiss his neck before moving up to nibble along his jaw
line, his stubble tickling my lips as I do so. He groans. 

He keeps moving, bringing his hand to my clit his
breathing changes and suddenly he’s pressed against me. My pussy clenches
around him as my orgasm hits me fast and hard. He drives into me, pulses and
pushes, finding his release. He squirts inside of me.

Time passes, I don’t know how long, our breathing slows. I
feel boneless.

He wraps his arms around me and kisses my neck. “You’re so
beautiful.” He whispers and with that he lifts me and carries me over to the
tub, he steps in and sits down with me still in his arms. He sets me down beside
him and wraps an arm around me; I rest my head on his shoulder.

We both lay there, in silence, both of us lost in our own
thoughts and I never want this night to end.

Casey

The next day we head into London City Centre, again
walking hand in hand. People will probably assume that we are a couple from our
body language and I really don’t mind.

We head to the shops and when we get to Victoria’s Secret
Matt’s eyes light up. I laugh and squeeze his hand “Oh come on then.”

I pick up numerous items – matching bra and panty sets,
thongs and a couple of new sports bras.

And then we get to the ‘racy lingerie’ section. Matt
points out items he likes – three baby doll nighties, suspenders, crotch less
panties... I don’t know where this new found confidence has come from, but
everything he points out I throw into the basket.

We get to the checkout and the girls behind the counter
can’t take their eyes off Matt, I feel like I am invisible. Even though he
knows he has so many eyes on him he remains cool as a cucumber.

The assistant finally takes her eyes off him for one
second to look at the screen, “That will be £429 please.” She flashes me a fake
smile before turning her attention to Matt.

As I reach for my card in my purse Matt passes her his
card.

“Matt, I can pay!” I argue but he ignores me and continues
with the payment. The assistant passes him the four bags with my items in and
we make our way out of the shop.

I grab his bicep to stop him once we are out. “Hey I can
pay my way you know.”

He turns to face me with that gorgeous arrogant smile of
his “Oh I know you can. But now you can’t say no when I ask you to model them
for me later.”

“Asshole!” I laugh and he bends to kiss me on my forehead.

“By the way, I forgot to tell you, you look hot in jeans.”

“You too.” I wink and playfully slap his ass, “Come on
Jackson, we’ve got more shopping to do.” I walk a few steps in front of him but
I know he will have that sexy smile on his face.

A few more shops and purchases later we’re just about
shopped out and ready for some food until I spot the Alexander McQueen shop
across the road. I turn to look at Matt and as if he reads my mind he nods his
head.

I could spend tens of thousands of pounds simply on
Alexander McQueen dresses but I narrow it down to just two. A fitted midnight
blue knee length dress and a white skater style dress. I study both of them but
can’t choose one.

I hold both the dresses up to Matt.

“Which do you prefer?” I ask.

“I like both, just get them both.”  He suggests.

“Pick one, Jackson!” I playfully grit my teeth.

“The fitted one, your curves would look so sexy in that.” 
He nods towards the blue dress.

~~~~~

That night Matt takes me to Helene Daroze’s two
Michelin-starred restaurant at the Connaught in Mayfair for an intimate dinner.

I had never been there before but Matt told me he had
heard about it and thought that it would be an experience to remember; he
insisted since it was our last night in London that we make the most of it.

I wore my new Alexander McQueen dress and he wore a
midnight blue suit, we looked like a real couple – colour coordinated outfits.

When the Limo pulls up outside The Connaught, the
doorman in his top hat and tails opens our door, Matt gets out first then
offers me his hand.

“Welcome to The Connaught Restaurant.” Says the
doorman as he ushers us through the revolving door.

“Thank you.” We both reply at the same time, I giggle
a little and Matt just grins at me.

The restaurant is not what I expected, I thought it
would be one of those toffee-nosed joints all expensive and cold, but was quite
surprised by the ambience. The big armchairs done in yellows and some in
purple; and soft cushiony booth seats with small round tables for two with
their spotless white tablecloths and shiny glasses, cutlery and oversized
napkins in pretty silver rings. The walls were all wood panelling and had the
feeling of being very old but also contemporary as was the feeling of the hotel.

After we are seated in a private little corner, the
waiter explains how the restaurant works, we were asked to choose ingredients
then Helene (the Chef) would make us three courses that allowed each ingredient
to shine.

Matt and I chose scallops as our starter with fish for
mains and strawberries for dessert and tell the waiter that we trusted Helene
to surprise us with the accompaniments to each dish.

While we wait for our starter to arrive the waiter
offers us a glass of bubbly that would complement our first course and also
fills our water glasses with chilled bottled water.

I reach out and take my glass of wine, have a sip and
say, “Thank you for an amazing time. It’s been nice to get away, I’m just sad
that we go back tomorrow.”

Matt holds his hand out across the table and I take
it. “Me too, Case, me too.”

Our starter arrives and it is almost too beautiful to
eat, the scallops are done to perfection inside a shell and garnished with
seasonal vegetables and decorated with snow pea sprouts, parsley and baby
beetroot leaves.

We are both quiet while enjoying the food and after
the main course has arrived I think to myself I'm not only sad at the fact we
go back to reality tomorrow, I'm sad that Matt goes back to America in a few
days. I can't believe how attached I have gotten to him over the course of the
past week. He has reminded me how to have fun and enjoy myself.

He's seen me in ways nobody has ever seen me before. I
have bared myself to him.

After the waiter takes away our plates and before the
dessert arrives, Matt takes my hand again across the table, he rubs his thumb
over the back of it and asks, “Tell me what you are thinking Casey?”

I take a deep breath, “I’m going to miss you when you
go back to America.”

“Don’t give yourself a chance to miss me, come with
me, spend a couple of weeks over there – if anybody asks say it is a business
trip.” He offers, hope in his eyes.

“I can’t just up and leave, I have a business to run,
our
business.” I point out.

“Yes you can, you have just proven that by coming to
London with me, you have a good team who can take care of things for you;
everything will be fine. Besides with internet, phones and Skype you won’t be
out of touch.” He reassures me. “Plus, you can finally meet James and his wife,
Grace.”

Our desserts arrive and we eat in silence, I avoid
making eye contact with him, I look at the table, the business of the
restaurant around us, people eating, waiters carrying food and wine; then back
down to my extraordinary strawberry and chocolate dessert that although the
best I have ever tasted also seems to be tasteless to my confused state of
mind.

Matt slips his credit card into the bill wallet after
adding a tip to the bill and tells the waiter to give our regards to the chef,
that we enjoyed the meal immensely and would be certain to tell our friends and
business associates all about them. I just nod my acceptance and smile at the
waiter; I slowly sip the last of my desert wine that came with the strawberries,
while we await the waiter’s return with Matt’s card.

Once Matt has replaced his credit card in his wallet, he
slips it back into the inside pocket of his suit jacket, he stands, helps me
out of the booth seat and walks me out to our waiting limousine, his hand on
the small of my back every step of the way.

~~~~~

As he opens the door to the penthouse he turns and stops
in front of me.

"Talk to me, Casey. What's stopping you coming with
me?" He asks, eyes pleading for an answer.

"Nothing, I just think this whole situation is crazy.
We haven't even known each other two weeks and I’m so attached to you  - I’ve
just set myself up to fall down and I can't let myself get hurt like I did
before." I explain.

"Casey, I would never, ever hurt you." He steps
forward, his hands hold onto my arms at my side.

I read his eyes and I believe him, I don't think he ever
would hurt me. He’s nothing like Darren, in fact, they are the total opposite.

"You feel it too, don't you, Case?" He asks.
"What's happening?"

I can't speak, I just nod. Yes, I feel it too.

That night, we have slow, passionate sex. We kiss every
inch of each other’s bodies. It was different to any sex we previously have
had.

I
am almost certain that what we were doing was making love and afterwards, I fall
asleep in his arms.