Made in America (27 page)

When I hear the door to Grant’s office open I take a deep breath, and swivel around in his chair to face him. The look in his eyes is priceless as his mouth forms a shocked, but pleasant O when he sees me.

“Raven? What are you doing here? And why did Abel insist on bringing me to the office instead of home?”

 “Aww, miss me?”

“I…I, uh—”

“He and I had a nice little chat while you were out gallivanting around today. We talked—”

“Gallivanting around? He didn’t tell you where I was?”

I shake my head. “No, and it doesn’t matter. Not right now.”

“Why not?”

“Because I have a surprise for you.”

He drops his coat on the desk and I stand, coming around front to secure my place by his side. My smile falters as I notice for the first time how bloodshot his eyes are, but there’s no scent of alcohol coming from his breath, so at least he’s not drunk. Still, I can’t help but wonder if those tears are because of me, or if something else happened.

“Raven,” he groans, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “It’s been an extremely long day, and as elated as I am to see you, do you think we could just do this tomorr—”

“Tito!” I shout.

Grant jumps at my sudden outburst, and we both look toward his executive bathroom, where Tito’s been hiding my surprise.

He emerges wearing a pair of black slacks and a white, button up dress shirt. I think it’s part of a tux ensemble, which is the dressiest thing in his closet. He waves to Grant, while winking at me. “Hello, ladies,” he teases.

“Tito?” Grant asks, totally confused.

“Mhmm, and I brought a friend.”

“I swear to you two, if Frankie comes out next dressed in a—”

“Who’s Frankie?” a gravelly voice booms, followed closely by the man it belongs to.

Nelson McCreedy.

Once again, the look on Grant’s face is priceless, and I can’t help but giggle as he quickly reaches for his suit jacket in order to make himself look more presentable.

“Nelson,” he gasps. “I didn’t…I wasn’t expecting…”

Grant is completely flustered, struggling to get into his jacket. I help him out, holding it steady so he can thread his arms through.

McCreedy holds up his hand, patting the air. “Relax, Huffman, this isn’t a business call. Well, not really.”

“It’s not?” he says, looking to me for clarification.

“Abel wasn’t the only one I had a nice little chat with today,” I whisper coyly.

“No, she wasn’t,” McCreedy says, moving toward the desk. “Huffman, I don’t know where you found this woman, but whatever you’re paying her it’s not enough. She’s got a lot of guts doing what she did.”

Grant raises an eyebrow at me. “What did you do?”

“She showed me your proposal, that’s what she did. Came to my house, bribed the doorman, and somehow managed to make her way past my housekeeper, and God only knows how she did that. Helga is a tough cookie, but apparently your little bird is a fighter.”

“Been fighting all my life, sir,” I look at Grant to add, “and I’m not done yet.”

He puts his arm around me and holds me close. The feel of his body next to mine is as comforting as it is sensual, reminding me just how much I’ve missed him. All of him.

“Nelson,” he says, “I don’t understand. I thought you signed with Danziger.”

“Yes, well, you would think that, wouldn’t you? I assumed that when he said he was starting his own company, that he was actually starting his own company, but since meeting with him I haven’t heard a peep. No paperwork, no updates. Nothing. Truth be told, if you’re girl hadn’t come to see me today, I was actually going to call you next week to apologize.”

“Apologize.”

“Yes,” McCreedy frowns. I get the feeling he’s not used to apologizing to anybody. “It seems I may have been a bit hasty in my decision. I put quantity over quality. Danziger may have been able to double my portfolio in mere hours, but looking at what you and Miss Young put together, I see now that my money belongs with you so it can grow steadily over the long run. There’s less risk doing it your way—more stability—which given my last experience with The Monroe Group is something I sorely need right now.”

Grant’s eyes snap to meet mine. His mouth opens and closes like he wants to say something, but he’s too awestruck to put thoughts into words, and all I can think is that this—everything—has so been worth it.

When I went to McCreedy’s place today with Tito, I had no idea what to expect. Part of me thought I’d be in jail right now instead of standing next to Grant, but after concocting my scheme and laying it all out for Tito to hear, he added a little bit of extra flair to it by way of bribery and distraction, allowing me to fend off Helga all on my own. I didn’t think she’d crack, but after telling her a story I made up on the spot about how Nelson got me pregnant and that I’d go to the press unless she let me see him, the older—and slightly terrifying—housekeeper let me through.

And I did it all for Grant, because the truth is, there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for that man.

“And besides,” McCreedy says, “I don’t think I want to do business with a man like Alan Danziger, not after the things your bird told me. Fun bags, indeed. I thought he had a little more class than that. I guess I was wrong, and I swear to whatever God is up there, Huffman, if you tell anybody I said that—”

“Your secret’s safe with me, sir.”

Nelson keeps his judgmental gaze fixed on Grant for a long while until he’s satisfied. Then he extends his hand and says, “Have your people draw up the papers, and I’ll sign them. I trust you’re more efficient in that department than Danziger is, correct?”

“Correct, sir, and thank you. You’re not going to be disappointed.”

“I’m sure I won’t,” he answers, looking to me. “Do think about what I said, too. This woman deserves much more than the title of Assistant.”

“I will,” Grant smiles. “I’ve actually been thinking about that a lot lately.”

The two powerhouses shake hands and say their goodbyes as I meander over to Tito, who beams proudly at me. “We did it!” he squees.

“Thank you so much for today, I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“You owe me big time, baby doll. Do you know I had to promise that doorman a date with Taylor Swift? Hopefully your man has some connections.”

Laughing, I nudge Tito before looking to Grant, who seems right in his comfort zone doing business with a man like Nelson McCreedy. I’m proud of him for adapting so quickly to the situation. I know it was a surprise, and though he may have been caught off guard at first, he’s handling himself like a true professional now, despite looking a little rough around the edges.

Why is that?
I wonder, staring curiously at his back as he sees McCreedy out.

“Earth to Rave, come in, Rave.”

“Huh?”

“You okay?”

I tear my eyes away from Grant, only to see a look of concern on Tito’s face. He’s been such a champion all day, but I think it’s time this little gathering gets whittled down to two.

“Yeah, of course. I was just thinking about Grant’s desk and—”

“Say no more,” he answers, raising his hands in surrender. “I’ll get out of your hair. Call me later?”

“Definitely,” I smile, opening my arms for a hug.

As Tito makes his exit after receiving Grant’s solemn promise to get in touch with T-Swift, I make my way to the seat behind his desk. It’s a chair I’m becoming quite used to, if I do say so myself.

Grant stands in front of me, resting his ass on the hard wood while folding his hands across his lap. He looks absolutely exhausted now that everyone’s gone and it’s just us. Like he can finally take off the mask he’s been wearing in McCreedy’s presence, but what I see isn’t what I expect. I expected hope, joy, maybe even a twinge of happiness, yet the look in his eye goes from pleased to devastated, and the red rings surrounding them become more pronounced the thicker his tears become.

“Grant?” I stand, completely in shock. I place my hand on his chest as he takes a deep breath, trying to control his emotions. “What is it?”

“This morning you said we both had some stuff to work through. Is that what you meant? McCreedy? Were you planning this all along?”

“No,” I shake my head. “Of course not. It just came to me. Honestly, I don’t know what I meant. I just thought we needed some time apart so we could—”

“I don’t want to be apart from you, Raven. Not now, not ever. I love you.” His voice wavers as the tears stream down his cheeks. He looks so fragile. So…broken. “I love you so fucking much.”

He grasps on to me, holding my body tight against his. I feel him quake while his emotions pour out of his eyes and croak from his throat in sobbing grunts that leave me feeling helpless.

“Shh,” I offer, rubbing his back. “It’s okay. I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.”

After a few more minutes of holding on, Grant’s grip loosens enough for me to grab the box of tissues on his desk. I hand it to him, and stare into his eyes as he wipes them dry before blowing his nose. I’ve never seen him this shattered before.

“Sorry,” he murmurs.

“You don’t have to be sorry,” I answer softly. “Not anymore.” He looks at me with a questioning gaze—head tilted slightly—and I nod, “I forgive you.”

Drawing him close, our lips touch in the tenderest of ways. I can taste the salt from his tears on them as my tongue laps sweetly at his mouth. This kiss is different from all the others. I can feel it in my heart. It’s not a kiss of passion or desire or the unbridled hunger we’ve experienced in the past. It’s a kiss of love. A deep, longing sort of love that connects us in a way we’ve yet to imagine. It’s a kiss that melts our souls together, searing them as one.

When we part, Grant rubs my shoulders, whispering, “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” I chime.

We trade places, and he sits behind his desk, loosening his tie before lazily hanging his arm over the chair and releasing a tired sigh. “Amanda’s gone,” he says.

I stand, unsure of what to do or say. His eyes rake up my body and land on my face to see my baffled expression. “Why didn’t you tell me?” I ask.

He shakes his head. “Tito, McCreedy, take your pick. I couldn’t tell you something like that with them here.”

I shoo his knees together and sit down on his lap, placing an arm around his shoulder while trailing my fingers whimsically up and down the buttons of his shirt. “I’m so sorry. I would’ve been there with you had I known, you know that, right? Despite everything, I never want your pain to be yours alone.”

“It had to be, Raven.”

His gaze is telling, letting me know his statement is final, and there’s nothing more to say. He might tell me what happened in time, or he might not. That’s his decision to make, and certainly not mine to force out of him.

Clenching my lips together, I move my fingers up to his hair, playing aimlessly with it as I look into his eyes. “Are we going to be okay?” I ask.

 He takes a deep breath and places a hand on my thigh, rubbing it gently. His touch is electric and soothing all at once.

“I feel…hopeful,” he smiles, his words echoing my own from earlier this morning.

“Me too.”

I lean in and give him another kiss, and it isn’t long before we find ourselves in his apartment, doing nothing but cuddling the night away.

- EPILOGUE -

Grant

10 Months Later

“God you feel so fucking good,” I grunt, grabbing Raven’s hips and pummeling her from behind. Her face is smashed up against the bathroom mirror, and her dress is hiked up around her waist and I can’t…stop…fucking her.

“Shh,” she manages between pleasurable gasps for air. “They’ll hear you.”

Outside, the beach is awash with guests ready to get the party started. It’s been a beautiful day for a wedding, and having Tito and Frankie tie the knot on Edisto Island couldn’t have been more picturesque. With the sun shining and the ocean waves crashing in the background, they exchanged lifelong vows that Raven and I both held hands through, gazing into one another’s eyes while the feelings of desire rose to a fever pitch.

As soon as they both said I do, we were out of there, heading back to the beach house for a quickie.

“Fuck me harder,” she begs.

“Don’t have to ask me twice,” I smile, catching her glance in the mirror.

Our flesh slaps maniacally together as we both lose ourselves to each other. She pushes back, and I heave forward, burying myself deep inside her pussy from behind while gazing down at her glorious ass.

The last ten months have been a whirlwind of sex, work, and honest nights spent telling each other everything about our lives. After saying goodbye to Amanda, I found it easier to open up, and though that day still haunts me and I’ve yet to speak about it to Raven, I’ve told her just about everything else there is to tell about myself, and she—in turn—has done the same. Former lovers, crazy family gatherings, workplace horror stories; we’ve shared almost as much as two people can share with one another, and it’s only left us hungry for more.

“I love your cock so much,” she purrs, reaching down to rub her clit as I furiously fuck her.

I can’t imagine my life without her in it, and I’m glad I don’t have to. As much as I hurt her, the healing process has been one we’ve both been able to get through together. It hasn’t all been roses and champagne, though. It was hard at first to tell her things about myself, and that did cause some tension as we worked on our relationship, with Raven’s temper and my mouth getting the better of us sometimes, but in the end we always found our way back into each other’s arms, and for that I couldn’t feel more blessed.

“I’m going to come,” I groan.

“Do it,” she begs. “Fill me up.”

Now? We’re doing okay. Like all relationships, it’s a process. One we work at every single day to improve, but we’re in a good place. Tito and Frankie helped indirectly with that. Seeing them together getting ready to be married was something the both of us hoped we could work toward one day, and with their love being ever-present in our lives, it made it easier to show the love and affection we have for one another, despite the bumps we’ve experienced along the way.