One White Lie: Barrington Billionaire's Series: Book One (13 page)

She did as he asked. As their eyes met she saw the raw passion within him. His need was great, and she knew he couldn’t wait any longer. “I’m yours, Brice,” she said breathlessly.

In one quick thrust his shaft filled her, and she gasped as the brief pain turned into sweet pleasure. He waited for her to become accustomed to him before moving. Her body clenched around him. He groaned in pleasure. “Yes, Lena, take all of me.” He entered further.

Lena began rocking her hips. He moved to meet her. He let go of her hands and grabbed her hips, pulling her up to meet him faster and harder.
I’ve missed you so much. I’ve needed this so badly.
“That feels so good.”

“Baby, I’m going make you lose your mind.” He plunged into her again and again. Her body was on fire. She was gasping for air, clawing at the sheets. Her body was begging to release, yet not wanting it to end. “Now, baby. Give it to me now.”

His words ripped through her last restraint. Her climax was stronger than she had experienced before and rocked her again and again. A high-pitched scream escaped her lips and was met by a deep animalistic growl. Both of them tensed before he finally collapsed on top of her.

She could feel his heart pounding against her chest as he lay still.
This feels like heaven.
She wrapped her arms around him, kissed his shoulder, and heard him sigh softly before he rolled off her. Although he was much heavier than she was, she missed the weight of him instantly.

Now lying on his back, he reached around her and pulled her to rest on him. “Now my sweet angel, I need some sleep, then maybe breakfast.”

It wasn’t long before she heard his breathing relax and he was out cold.
Sleep now, but I haven’t forgotten, we still need to talk.
Tightening her hold on him, she too began to doze.
I better enjoy this now because it’s probably the last time you’ll ever want to hold me.

L
ena had slipped away while Brice continued to sleep.
Whatever you’ve been doing while out of the office, it seems to be stressing you more than usual.
She had decided that today was the big day. Time to come clean about what happened three years ago. Exactly how she was going to start that conversation wasn’t clear. The only thing she knew was it had to be done. The more time that passed, the more difficult it was becoming.
The more I care what his reaction is going to be.
Caring meant he had somehow made his way back into her heart. She tried telling herself it was only because she had been sexually frustrated, and it was only his touch she missed. That was far from the truth. When he took her to what had been her favorite restaurant and remembered what she liked to eat, it spoke volumes. All this time she had thought he had forgotten her, yet he seemed to remember everything about her.
Except how to pick up a damn phone and call me.

Neither of them needed to have gone through this alone. She would have supported his decision to leave his father’s company and start his own business. Had he thought she would tell him he was crazy to walk away from such a successful business? Did he think she wouldn’t stay with him while he struggled to get it going?
We could’ve struggled together instead of apart.

Thinking about what could’ve been was a bad way to start the day. There was nothing she could do to change what happened. He didn’t call her, and she had made the conscious decision not to make the first move either.
God, we’re both so stubborn. Maybe we both made the right choice for where we were back then. Have we changed now though? If anything, he is a harder man than before.

Was it possible he also was questioning his choice? Did he at least regret the harsh breakup? Had he been as tormented by his words as she had been? Part of her hoped so. No one should speak to someone they supposedly cared about in that manner.
Maybe that’s what is stressing him out. His guilt. But that doesn’t explain his cold contempt when he first saw me outside his office.

You never really could run away from it. It was always part of you whether you acknowledged it or not. You did have options of what to do with it. Either live with it and have no future, or take what you have learned, apply what you can, so tomorrow you don’t make those same mistakes.

Could it be more than what was transpiring between them that was causing his tension? Then she remembered he had a guard placed at her apartment. He knew where she lived.
What else does he know? Has he already figured out he is a father? Is that why he’s demanding I come and stay with him? Is it all a lie about some huge threat from Trundaie? Can he be that controlling? Can he be that manipulative?

Nothing at this point would surprise her. But if he knew, then why hadn’t he asked to see Nicholas?
Maybe he’s sending someone there now.
Uncontrollable panic filled her. Losing her son would kill her.
He won’t do that to me. He can’t.

Grabbing her cell phone, she stepped outside and dialed her mother.

“Hi, Mom. I’m just checking in.” Lena tried to cover her anxiety but knew her voice still trembled as she spoke.

“Hi, Lena. Your brother Gary is here playing with Nicholas. Can you believe he bought him a fishing pole and a book on different types of fish? I told Gary that Nicholas wasn’t going to able to use that when he goes back to Boston, but Gary insisted he could use it when you come for visits on the weekends.”

He’s there. Safe and happy.
Why had she thought any differently? Her parents would never let anyone take her child.
Not even someone as rich and powerful as Brice Henderson.
One thing she knew was once a Razzi, always a Razzi. No one was going to change that. Family was everything to them. Of course, that was why it hurt her parents so much when she didn’t live close by. “I’ll make sure he gets to use that fishing pole as often as we can, as long as Uncle Gary is willing to teach him.” She was pleased her family’s early morning fishing adventures with the guys were going to be passed down to the next generation.
I don’t know if you’re into fishing, Nicholas, but you’re going to have to learn how to fake it. Just like I did.

It felt good knowing at least one of her brothers had taken some serious interest in her son. The first few times Gary had seen him, he didn’t even want to hold him. “I don’t do babies,” he had said. She didn’t blame him. They were delicate and needy beings, and her brother had been worried he would drop him. It was funny to watch. A roofer by trade, he didn’t have a fear of heights, but a little seven-pound baby shook him to the core. He said his rough hands would probably scare the baby, but she knew it was more than that. Even then he’d loved his little nephew and had feared he would do the wrong thing.

Lena was very familiar with that feeling. Every night a parent questions the day, and then in the morning starts it all over again.
How did you handle it all without driving yourself crazy with worry, Mom? It seems that’s all I do.

Confident everything was safe back home, she could relax. After she showered and dressed, she quickly found herself bored. Having nothing to do became old quick. She was used to a routine, one she enjoyed. Sitting alone twiddling her thumbs didn’t suit her at all.

With the house still quiet, she went to the kitchen where her uneaten breakfast waited. Wasting food wasn’t something she normally did, but hours had passed, and there was only one place for her breakfast now.
The trash.

She finished washing the dishes from her uneaten breakfast and debated if a second attempt was in order. He had promised her breakfast, yet it was already past noon.

Leaning with her back against the sink, she wasn’t caught off guard when Brice came around the corner. He walked over and kissed her lightly. “Good morning.”

Smiling she replied, “Good afternoon.”

“Guess I was more tired than I thought. Have you eaten yet?”

That’s what I was trying to do when you came home this morning. Not complaining, though.
“I thought I would wait for you.”

“Do you remember that little diner we used to go to that served breakfast all day?”

The one we used to go to every Saturday morning after making love all Friday night? Yeah, how could I forget?
“I think so, but I thought we were going to talk.”

“Not on an empty stomach.” He pulled her into his arms. Grabbing her by the ass, he jacked her up against him and kissed her firmly. “It’s been a long time since I had a weekend off. Let’s enjoy it.”

It sounded wonderful to her. A weekend like they used to share, but it wasn’t real. None of this was. Once she told him about Nicholas, it was all going to change. “Brice, there is something I need to tell you.”

“Later. I promise, I will listen to anything you feel you need to say, but not at this moment.”

Okay, Brice. I will do it your way. But just remember, I wanted to tell you, you just wouldn’t listen. Just like three years ago.
Warning bells echoed through her.
That doesn’t bring me comfort. In fact, it makes me feel worse.

Having her here all weekend was good.
Too good.
It reminded him of how things could’ve been had they stayed together. Life would be so different than it was now.
Who knows, maybe I would even have a family of my own.

It didn’t look like any of the Henderson clan was headed in that direction. Five boys and one girl, all of them incapable of a serious relationship.
Thanks, Dad. You fucked up every single one of us.

He found Lena sitting on the couch with her feet up, totally absorbed in the book she was reading. Brice didn’t want to disturb her, but it was his shift at the hospital, and he didn’t want to just disappear on her. Especially considering how comfortable she finally was around him.

Brice lifted her feet, sat on the couch, and rested her legs across his lap. “What are you reading?” A hint of pink came across her cheeks. “Hmm, that good huh? Want to read it to me?” He enjoyed teasing her but wouldn’t have minded one bit if she read to him.

She put the book down. “Are you going somewhere?”

He nodded. It was time for the talk.
Or at least the beginning of one.
“Yeah. Do you remember Zoey calling?”

“She called you a few times. Do you mean the one time you actually took the call?”

Don’t miss much, do you?
“Yes that time, smart ass.” He laughed. “She told me my father was in the hospital and not doing well.”

Lena sat up, touched his shoulder, and said, “I’m sorry to hear that. Has he been sick long?”

How much should he tell her? Opening up wasn’t something he liked to do. He wanted a new beginning with her and the only way to do so was to try to be as they were before. Brice wasn’t positive what the result for such honesty was, and he wasn’t sure he knew what the truth was.

“Lena, you know I wasn’t close to my father when you and I were dating. He is a difficult person to be around. Always has been.”

“Everyone’s family has issues.”

This is beyond most. I would call it child abuse.
“True. But there were reasons why I didn’t take you to my family’s home often. I didn’t want you exposed to that type of treatment.”

“He was . . . outspoken.”

Brice laughed. “You just can’t be mean, can you? That’s one thing I’ve always loved about you. No matter how fucked up someone was, you still wouldn’t call them out on it.”
Unlike me.
“I have no problem telling you my father has always been a complete asshole.”

“Brice, you shouldn’t say that. I’m sure he tried his best.”

Shaking his head, he replied, “He tried to do only one thing: Make us all miserable. For the most part, he succeeded.”

“I only know you and Zoey, but you both seem to have turned out okay. He must have done something right.”

Was she correct? Did he blame his father for everything or were some things his fault? He had been searching for those answers ever since he saw his father in the hospital for the first time two weeks ago. Even now he didn’t know. He had six children for some reason.
At some point, he must have loved us. Wanted us.

“We turned out better than him so maybe you’re right.”
I can’t think of anything, but there must be something.
“So the night I didn’t come home I was sitting with my father. He’s in a coma, and we’re not sure if he is going to pull through.” He watched her eyes glisten on the verge of tears. He knew his father had been far from kind to her, yet she was a sensitive soul and obviously she didn’t want to see anyone suffer, even someone who had been unkind to her.
You’re such a better person than me, Lena. Always have been and probably always will be.

“Think positive, Brice.”

“I’m not telling you this because I want your sympathy. It has brought up a lot of old feelings and issues. Things I hadn’t thought about since I was a teenager, and honestly, I prefer it to stay that way. Unfortunately, sitting in a hospital room with no one to talk to leaves a lot of time to think, to dwell on things you normally wouldn’t.”

“That can be a good thing sometimes.”

“Some of it was. It made me think of things I want to be different in my life.”
I might not be able to change everything, but I refuse to be him.
“That’s where I’m heading now. We’re taking shifts, and mine is tonight.”

“Would you like me to go with you, so you don’t have to sit alone?”

You’re an amazing woman, Lena. I’m not sure I would offer to do the same.
“Thanks, but you don’t want to spend the night there, trust me. I don’t even want to be there.”

“You don’t have to be alone, and it would give us a chance to talk.”

Leaning over, he kissed her on the forehead. “Sleep tonight. After work tomorrow, we can go to dinner and talk then.”

He could tell she wanted to argue with him, but he didn’t want to hear it. This weekend had been nearly perfect, and he wanted to keep it that way. Whatever she needed to tell him could wait.
Twenty-four hours won’t make that much difference.