The Heart of Tomorrow (Book Two) (The Tomorrow Series 2) (9 page)

Eleven

I was still a little buzzed when I walked through the door and was surprised when I saw the glow of the TV. I could’ve sworn I’d turned it off before I left, but with the way my head was floating, perhaps I had left it on. I turned on the light and went to the coffee table, picking up the remote and turning it off. It was nearly midnight and the night of dancing and drinking had worn me out. The bed was calling me and I couldn’t wait to change and crawl under the thick down comforter.

“I was just about ready to call the police,” a deep voice said from behind me.

“Holy crap!” I exclaimed, grabbing my chest as my heart nearly flew out of my mouth. I jumped, spinning around quickly to see Drew standing there, leaning against the doorframe, his arms folded across his bare chest, a pair of black sweats hanging enticingly on his hips.

“Surprised?”

“You scared me, Drew,” I whispered, still trying to compose myself, my heart continuing to pound in my chest.

“I’m sorry, Natalie. I didn’t mean to frighten you,” he said and then his eyebrow creased and he looked at me curiously. “Where’ve you been? I’ve been trying to reach you.”

“I was out with Court. I guess I didn’t hear my phone. I’m sorry.”

He left his post against the doorframe, crossing the room slowly, his eyes traveling hungrily over my body as he drew closer to me, sliding his hands around my waist and pulling me to him when he finally reached me. His body was warm against mine and I closed my eyes, breathing him in for a moment before I opened them again, looking up to see his deep green gaze staring down at me.

“What are you doing here?” I asked softly, my lips aching to feel him.

“I had to see you. This past week has been hell.”

His eyes moved around my face as if he was studying it, and then he pushed a piece of hair off my forehead, leaving a trail of goose bumps where his skin touched mine. I’d missed him, but I didn’t realize just how much until this moment.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”

“I just decided this morning.”

“This morning? That must’ve cost a fortune.”

“You’re worth every cent,” he said gently and I felt myself choking up.

“You should’ve told me you were coming home.”

“I wanted to surprise you. I didn’t realize you’d be out painting the town red,” he said leaning down and sniffing me for a second. “And drinking.”

“Am I that obvious?”

“You smell a bit like a liquor cabinet,” he said with a grin. “Are you drunk?”

“Drunk, no. Buzzed? Perhaps,” I said, laughing. “How long have you been home?”

“About an hour. I have to say, I was surprised when you weren’t here. Part of me thought you’d come to your senses and left me.” He smiled and I laughed a little. He knew I was the lucky one. If anyone would ever come to their senses, it would be him.

“Court convinced me to go to a show at a club. I’m sorry I wasn’t here.”

“Doesn’t matter. It just matters that you’re home.”

Before I could respond, his mouth was on mine, kissing me slowly, emotions rising and falling each time his tongue met mine. I was breathless when he pulled away.

“How long are you here for?” I asked, afraid to hear the answer.

“Two days. I take the red-eye back Sunday night. I’ve got a meeting at noon on Monday.”

“Will that give you enough time?”

“I’ll be fine. I wanted every minute with you.”

“I love you,” I said and he smiled.

“And you know I adore you.”

He pulled me to him, kissing me on the forehead before letting me go and taking my hand, leading me down the hall to our bedroom. He went to the dresser and pulled out a pair of my favorite yoga pants and an old t-shirt. He knew me too well.

“You look like you want to be wearing something more comfortable.”

He set the clothes on the bed and came to me, taking my jacket off before pulling my sweater over my head, leaving me standing in my bra. He reached around, undoing it, leaving me topless. He looked at my breasts, a hunger in his eyes. I expected him to throw me onto the bed and have his way with me, but he didn’t. He reached for the t-shirt and slid it over my head. He urged me to sit down on the bed and then removed my jeans, replacing them with the yoga pants. There was no denying the way his eyes soaked up the bareness of my body and there was something incredibly arousing about the way he watched me and then covered me up. Every ounce of my body wanted him to touch me, but he didn’t.

“You look tired,” he said, kissing me on the cheek.

“So do you,” I answered.

“Let’s get ready for bed then.”

He took my hand and we made our way to the bathroom, brushing our teeth side by side, the way we usually did and I loved doing this mundane task with him. I’d missed the simple things like this. I washed my face as he went back to the bedroom and when I was done, he was already under the covers, holding them out to me. I crawled in beside him and he instantly wrapped me in his arms, my back to his front and he reached over and turned out the light.

“I didn’t expect to fall asleep in your arms tonight, but I’m glad I will be,” I said as I stroked his arm.

“This is what I missed the most this past week. Holding you. Waking up next to you. Keeping you safe.”

I flipped to the other side so I was looking at him, the subtle light highlighting the perfection of his face.

“I thought by now you’d have me completely naked doing all kinds of dirty things to me,” I said with a wanting grin and he laughed.

“While your body is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen and I can’t wait to do all the things I dreamed about while I was gone to you, we have all weekend for that. Tonight I only want to hold you,” he said and I knew he saw the curious look I was giving him.

“Is everything okay?”

“Everything’s perfect now that I’m with you again,” he said softly. “Now get some rest because you’re going to need your energy in the morning.”

A playful grin spread on his face and I knew by the way he looked at me he meant every word he said. I kissed him, snuggling deep into his arms, excited for the morning, but enjoying the simplicity of this moment. 

Twelve

I woke up before him. He was breathing hard as if he was still deep in sleep and I watched him for a few minutes. The morning light highlighted his face and his dark hair hung on his forehead. His mouth looked as if he was smiling a little and I wondered what he was dreaming about.

I slid out of bed, careful not to wake him and I grabbed a quick shower, washing the smell of too many drinks last night off of me. He was still asleep when I got out and I went to the kitchen to make him breakfast. There wasn’t much in the house. I hadn’t gone shopping since he left, but I managed to scrounge up some eggs and veggies to make omelets.

“Good morning.”

I heard his voice and I turned to see him walking into the kitchen. He still looked sleepy, but he came to me anyway, sliding his hands around my waist and then started planting kisses on my neck.

“How’d you sleep?” I asked him.

“Like a rock. You?”

“Best sleep I’ve had in a week,” I answered and then he abruptly spun me around so I was facing him. He didn’t say anything before his mouth was on mine, kissing me deeply as the eggs started to burn. “The omelets,” I managed to whisper as the assault on my lips continued.

“To hell with the omelets,” he said forcefully, pulling away, moving me aside as he removed the pan from the burner before quickly turning the stove off. “I was a gentleman last night. I’m not feeling so chivalrous this morning.” His eyes locked on mine and I could see he was hungry for me. “Come here, Natalie.” His words were low and serious and he reached out, gripping the waistband of my pants and pulling me to him. His body was warm and hard against mine as his breathing labored. He suddenly scooped me up, not saying a word as he carried me to the bedroom, laying me down gently before climbing on himself, his body crushing mine as he started kissing me again. Our hands moved over each other’s bodies, reacquainting ourselves. It’d only been a week, but it felt like forever since he’d touched me like this.

He sat up, taking off his t-shirt quickly and then he pulled at me until I was sitting up so he could peel my shirt off too. He grinned a needy smile before laying back and encouraging me on top of him. Our gazes never broke as we moved with each other until I collapsed onto him, his chest hot and sweaty as he wrapped his arms around me.

“I missed you,” he panted. “I missed you so damn much, Natalie. I can’t be away from you again.”

I couldn’t say anything, so I closed my eyes, trying to calm myself. I couldn’t agree with him more though. We’d only been apart a week and it had been too long. I didn’t think I’d be able to say goodbye once Sunday came.

“Let’s not think about that right now,” I whispered and he nuzzled in closer to me. It always amazed me how much he seemed to need me at moments like this. At the office, he was all business, strong and fearless, but when it was just us, like this, he was so different, so vulnerable and it made me love him that much more.

He sat up slowly, easing me off of him so my head rested on the pillow and he hovered over me, propped up on his elbow. He had a slight smile on his face as he ran his fingertip across my jaw line. His breathing had slowed a little, but he was still trying to regain his composure completely.

“Take a walk with me,” he said softly.

“It’s freezing outside.”

“That’s what coats and gloves are for. C’mon. Take a walk with me in the park. We’ll grab some coffee and bagels.”

It’d been forever since we’d been to Central Park together and even though it couldn’t have been more than forty degrees outside, he’d made a very persuasive argument and I nodded.

“Let me grab a shower and we’ll go,” he said, climbing out of bed.

“I already showered, but after our little romp, I think I could use another. Mind if I join you?”

“Let me remind you, my dear Natalie, you never have to ask to shower with me. It’s an open invitation.”

I smiled as he held his hand out to me. I took it and gladly followed him into the bathroom.

~~~

I’d bundled up in my favorite winter coat while Drew had chosen a black pea coat, forgoing a hat so that his dark hair blew in the slight breeze as we walked into the park. We’d had a few nice days that had teased us with spring, but they didn’t last long and for the past few days it felt more like January than the end of March. The wind was cold and he pulled me closer as we walked arm in arm. We’d stopped at a bakery before crossing the street to the park. The sky was cloud covered and I couldn’t wait for spring to arrive. Even though it was my first winter in New York City, I was well aware of the fact it was one of the harshest winters in recent memory. It seemed as if it snowed at least once a week and I was tired of the cold and the snow and was ready for flowers and short sleeves again. But for now, I’d settle on using Drew to keep me warm.

We were quiet as we walked, making our way through the winding path, surrounded by bare trees and brown grass. A few tulip and daffodil bulbs had sprouted thanks to the few days of spring-like weather we’d had, but the flowers remained tightly closed, too smart to bloom just yet.

“What about here?” he said, gesturing to a bench nestled amongst the trees.

“Looks good,” I said and we sat down.

He reached into the paper bag and handed me a cinnamon raisin bagel with cream cheese. The bagels were still warm, just as I liked them. He’d chosen butter for his bagel and soon, we sat quietly on the bench, eating in our solitude. I was glad the park wasn’t crowded. A few people had strolled past us, but for the most part, it seemed as if we had the whole place to ourselves.

“Remember when I found you here in the park? The day we went to the MOMA?” he asked a few minutes later and I nodded.

“Of course I remember,” I said, my mind drifting to the past. I wasn’t aware of it, but that was when things first started to unravel for Ethan and me. He’d chosen work over me and I’d not been happy about that. Looking back, I knew he hadn’t done it to hurt me. He’d only wanted to take care of me, but it didn’t matter at that moment. I’d been hurt and upset and then Drew had appeared. I could still see what he looked like that day: hot and sweaty as he jogged, the perspiration dripping down his face when he noticed I was sitting alone. I’d had feelings for him even then, even if I wouldn’t admit it.

“They say it takes time to fall in love with someone. That you have to know a person inside and out before you can love them, but I don’t believe that.”

“Why is that?” I asked as he set his bagel down and turned to face me.

“Because after spending that day with you, laughing and talking with you…that was the day I knew I was going to fall in love with you and I was right.”

He brushed his lips against mine softly, letting them linger there for a few moments before pulling back.

“I think I knew that day too,” I said softly and I watched as his mouth curled into a little smile.

“I had no idea how much you would change my life when I walked into that conference room and saw you sitting there. Everything happens for a reason, Natalie,” he said, taking my hand and pulling me closer to him. “I don’t know why you came into my life when you did, but I do know the last six months have been the best of my life, even when you were with Ethan. Even though I knew you belonged to someone else, I was still grateful to have you in my life. Knowing every day I came to the office, you’d be there made my whole day better. It didn’t matter that all I wanted to do was pull you into my office and rip off all your clothes,” he said with a grin that made us both laugh. “All that mattered was that I would get to see you…to be in your presence and I was okay. You make my life okay, Natalie, and this last week apart has proven that to me even more. My life isn’t okay when you’re not there and I need my life to be okay again.”

He was holding my hand tightly and the teasing from a moment before was gone. His face was serious. His eyes were staring into mine and I watched as he swallowed hard.

“I feel the same way, Drew, but we’ll be okay,” I said gently, cupping his cheek with the hand he wasn’t holding. “This won’t be forever. You’ll get the office set up and running and then you’ll come home and this time apart will only be a memory.”

He didn’t say anything for a few seconds and I noticed that he swallowed hard again.

“I don’t think I’ll be home for a while,” he said and I felt my stomach drop.

“What do you mean?”

“That I don’t know when I’ll be back in New York for good. I guess I was naïve to think it wouldn’t take that long to get the merger finalized. I was wrong and I don’t know when I’ll be coming home.” His tone was gentle and nervous and I could tell he hated saying these words to me.

I sat quietly, wondering how I should react. I felt a growing lump in my throat that was starting to burn as I tried to stop the waiting tears from forming in my eyes. My stomach was starting to feel sick and I opened my mouth to tell him it would be all right and that we’d get through this, but no words would come out because I knew it wouldn’t be okay.

“I came home to tell you that. I didn’t want you to hear about it over the phone. I wanted you to hear it from me and I wanted to talk to you about something else,” he said and I could hear the apprehension in his voice.

“What else?” I managed to get out through my stinging throat.

“I can’t leave tomorrow not knowing when I’ll see you again. I want you to come with me to California.”

His words hit me like a rock and I could tell he was completely serious.

“What do you mean, come with you?” I asked softly.

“Come stay with me in L.A. I need you there, Natalie. I can’t come back to an empty hotel room anymore.”

“You want me to come tomorrow?” I gasped.

“Ideally, yes, but I know you won’t. I know you’ve got work and you won’t just drop that, but can’t you come out for a few days at least? See how you like it and then we can talk about if you’d stay on a more permanent basis.”

“Drew…” I stumbled. “I don’t know. Visit, maybe, but…to move out there for a prolonged time…I…I don’t know. It’s California. I’ve never even been to California.”

“I’m not asking you to make any decisions now. I’m simply asking you to come for a visit and then we’ll talk.”

My mind was racing. It hadn’t been that long since I’d packed up my life to come to New York with Ethan and now Drew was asking me to consider a move to Los Angeles. I couldn’t make heads or tails of the emotions I was feelings. Of course I wanted to be with Drew. Part of me would follow him to the ends of the earth, but another part of me told me to get a grip and think rationally. I had my own life I was trying to figure out and I couldn’t very well do that if I was picking up and moving to follow a man around.

“Please consider it, Natalie,” he said softly, his eyes moving slowly over my face as his fingers curled around my neck, pulling me to him so he could kiss me on the forehead. 

“I haven’t been at my job that long. I don’t know if I can get time off already.”

“Will you try?”

“I’ll try,” I said quietly and he pulled away, a hopeful smile on his face.

“Thank you. We’ll book your ticket as soon as you find out if you can get the time off,” he said and I nodded, but I think he sensed my apprehension, because a gentle smile spread on his face. “I hope you know what you mean to me, Natalie. You’re my everything.”

“I love you,” I said softly, the lump still burning in my throat and then he pulled me to him, kissing me and I hated thinking of him leaving tomorrow. Like he’d said, the world was okay when we were together, but when we were apart, I couldn’t imagine a worse place to be.