A Winter Awakening (9 page)

After what felt like an eternity, the doors opened.

Mr. Bennett led her to the waiting limo. She was grateful to have his arm, as her instability was greatly reduced with his strong stature there to support her.  

Once safely in the limo, Ellie cleared her throat.

"Mr. Bennett?" She glanced in his direction, then back to the front again, not wanting to maintain any kind of eye contact or encourage a moment that may test her willpower. 

"Mr. Bennett," she said again, this time with a little more confidence in her voice. "I was wondering. Is there..." she paused, remembering that Mr. Bennett had been close friends with her uncle. "I don't mean to be indelicate, but back home my husband and I, we lead a simple life, and I, uhh..." She placed an extra emphasis on the words my husband, and glanced his way again to see if he noticed.

He did. He acknowledged it with a crooked little smile.  She straightened her spine and continued, "Is there...? Is it complicated? I mean to say, the businesses... are they difficult to run?" 

I am still a bumbling idiot, s
he thought. 

"I thought I covered this with you yesterday," he replied.

She dropped her jaw and shifted in her seat to face him.

With a chuckle and a glance toward her cleavage, he continued, "He had just made a big play to acquire additional resorts. This tapped all his cash. This is one of the reasons you will be selling the assets on the open market."

I will be selling? Is he asking or telling me,
she mused.

"One of the reasons?"

"Yes. We were right in the middle of this big play in the resort arena and are currently in a pivotal point. You aren't tough enough to see this through. The portfolio is highly leveraged. We have debt, not much cash, and in the current state, we don't have much income either. It is best for you to sell." He patted her on the arm and resumed looking out the window.

Is he patronizing me? And what is with the lingering glance at my chest? Remembering the Great Elevator Debacle, no doubt,
she thought. 

"What is left to be done for these projects to be complete?"
Ellie held her breath as she waited for her answer.  No sooner had the words come out of her mouth did she wish she could rewind time and take it back. What was she thinking?

Mr. Bennett shifted to face her. She could feel the charge between them, but at the moment, she was too angry to allow herself to take any notice of it. She fixed her eyes to his. 

Is he amused? Or maybe it is anger. I wish he would say something.

After what felt like an eternity, he finally said, "We had just purchased a handful of resorts in Mexico. We are midway through the development of the plans to remodel and rebrand these properties. Once remodeled, we were going to roll them out with grand re-openings under the umbrella of our resort brand."

Well, that seems straight forward enough,
thought Ellie. 

Ellie looked back out her window and the rest of the ride was in silence, though Ellie's head was swirling.

Another man has just seen my chest in all its glory.  And I responded! My body. It was aroused. I love Jacob. How will I ever explain to him that it was an accident? And, this inheritance. The business. The money. Jacob. Oh, Jacob.  Things were already so tense, and now another man has not only seen me but touched me. 

Ellie had to rest her head against the car window. She didn't have the strength to hold it up any longer. The outside world seemed to be spinning. Her nerves were still pulsing at the memory of Nick's touch. She had not experienced this feeling since she and Jacob dated, years ago. 

When they entered the board room at corporate headquarters, Ellie just saw a blur of color. She was grateful for Mr. Bennett's hand on the small of her back, otherwise she may have walked in circles. The first concrete, identifiable thing she noticed was a chair. Mr. Bennett pulled it out for her, and she took a seat, with stiff, robotic moves. She turned to him, hoping the familiarity of his face would anchor her in the room.  With a nod in her direction and a squeeze of her arm, he took the seat next to her, at the head of the table. 

Ellie focused on her breath, specifically her lungs. She tried to feel the air filling that cavity within her, then leaving again. Filling, and leaving. Ellie vaguely became aware of a sound. First, it was a distance buzzing. She continued to breathe long and slow, but turned her attention to the buzz. 

Bees? No.It isn't Bees. Voices? Yes. Conversation through a long, narrow tunnel. Wait. Are the conversations in this room?
Ellie looked around. For the first time, she saw faces. Many faces. They were all looking toward... toward Mr. Bennett.

"After we vote, Miss Sanderson will sign off and we can begin liquidating." Clarity. Mr. Bennett's face. Mr. Bennett's voice. Ellie was so grateful to be out of the fog.

But, shit. What did he just say? A vote?

She leaned to him. "A vote on what?" she inquired with a hushed tone.

"To liquidate the business holdings." Mr. Bennett was clearly annoyed.

With this, Ellie suddenly regained feeling to her leg muscles. Somehow, the pampering, the penthouse, the event in the elevator had empowered her. Her legs moved against her better judgment, lifting her up and out of her seat.  

What are you doing, girl? Sit back down, s
aid Miss Sensibility, but her body wouldn't obey.

"No need to vote. I will not be selling." Ellie heard her own voice echo through the room. 

With horror at her own actions, she momentarily froze and glanced at the room. All those faces had now turned to her.  Not knowing what else to do, she lifted her chin and walked out of the room. She was careful to avoid the only eyes she knew, those of Mr. Bennett. Instead, she focused on her feet, feeling the floor with first one foot, then the other.

Don't fall. Don't fall,
she repeated to herself.

On the energy of adrenalin alone, she found her way to the lobby. Once there, the rush of energy was fading quickly and she focused on finding the nearest chair. She collapsed into the soft cushions.

Holy Fuck. What was I thinking?
She leaned forward and placed her head between her knees, so as to stop the impending vomit.
Is it even possible? Can I stop a vote like that? Where did it even come from? Why wouldn't I want to sell?

But the answer came clearly from deep within her. She loved her uncle. She missed him dearly. She would keep his business in the family, she would honor him in this way, and she would be good at it. 

Her thoughts were interrupted by a warm touch on her shoulder. The electric surge she felt in her groin told her who it was. She slowly lifted her head to discover that Mr. Bennett was kneeling in front of her.

"Come." His voice was gruff, and his eyebrows were pushed down, shading his eyes. She didn't understand what this expression meant. He jerked her out of her seat by the arm and led her out the door. The limo driver was already waiting just outside the lobby door, with the front door open.

Did Mr. Bennett call ahead?

Ellie could feel the tension, and it was not of a sexual nature, the entire ride home. Mr. Bennett was seething. Once they arrived at Silver Towers, he grabbed her by the wrist and led her quickly to the elevator. This ride was much different than the one that had occurred just a few hours before. Mr. Bennett was silent, anger radiating from every muscle in his body. 

With the ding of the elevator, indicating that they had arrived in the penthouse, Mr. Bennett grabbed her wrist again, and drug her out into the foyer. The moment he could turn her toward the penthouse, he grabbed a hold of her other arm as well, and backed her into the wall length window. She found herself pinned there by a very angry man.

"What the hell are you thinking?" His voice bounced around in Ellie's head. He squeezed her arms into her body. Ellie actually looked over her shoulder to be sure the massive penthouse windows didn't shatter with his booming voice. 

Jacob could be a bit, controlling, yes. But he had always been respectful. Ellie had never experienced a man's direct anger like this. 

Hold your ground,
Inner Goddess sounded like a dragon as she insisted on this. Ellie was surprised at the force of the command, but she knew she must listen. If the goddess was taking on dragon like qualities, it was for an important reason.

Miss Sensibility argued, W
hy are you being so defiant?
 
First, coming on this trip against Jacob's wishes. Now, behaving so defiantly in the board meeting.
Not to mention the Great Elevator Incident. Did he pinch you, or was it your imagination? 

Mr. Bennett tightened his grip on her arms, bringing her attention back to the present moment.

"Well?" he asked.

"Well What?"
Once again, she had no idea what he was talking about. Why did her head always swim when she was around him? She stared at him with a fury that seemed to come out of nowhere. 

Who the hell does he think he is?
Inner Goddess chimed in again.

Mr. Bennett's voice cut through her inner musings, "What are you thinking? You can't hold up this vote. The company has no leadership. Your inheritance will disintegrate to ashes if you don't liquidate now. You will be left with nothing." His intensity scared Ellie. She broke free of his grip, and walked to the other side of the window.

She could sense him pacing behind her, but did her best to tune him out. She focused on the view in front of her, and tried to pay attention to the debate raging in her head.

Pay attention to him. He knows what he is doing. Just ask him how long it will take to liquidate and how much you will walk away with.
This was her sensible grown-up talking. 

Are you shitting me?
Inner Goddess was now fully awake.  She had done her stretches and was here to stay.
You can run this shit. Don't sell out to nipple-twister back there. Tell him you are keeping it, go home, and be the CEO Queen you know you are.

"Shit. What am I going to do?" Ellie was startled when she realized she said this part out loud. She turned away from the window and watched Nick pace. 

Why is he so upset?
I know he cared for my uncle, but is there something more to this?

"Mr. Bennett? Would you be my CEO? I mean to say, if I keep the holdings? The fitness gym, and the," Ellie paused trying to remember the details of the will, "the resorts?"

At this, Mr. Bennett stopped pacing and barreled toward her. When his face was but inches away from hers, he replied through gritted teeth. "Miss Sanderson, you were capable of running your little life back in Logan, but this is not the same world. You don't have what it takes to do this."

With that, he turned on his heels and marched out of the penthouse. 

Ellie awoke to her last morning in the Phoenix penthouse.

She rolled over and found the remote to the omniscient power of Silver Tower Technologies.

"Hello? Uhh, Henry?" She paused. His chuckle convinced her to continue, "I will be leaving today. I could use some breakfast and assistance with my travel attire." It was astonishing to Ellie how quickly she had become accustomed to asking to be pampered, giving orders even.

"As you wish," returned the voice of Henry. Ellie chuckled at this. In just a few short days, she had come to enjoy his presence.

"I will be showering. I will see you in the foyer in a few."

With that, she hopped over to the master bathroom and turned on the shower.

As she stepped in, Ellie thought about how she would miss this luxury. The penthouse shower sported not only the shower head from directly above, but also strong forces of water shooting out of the walls on opposing sides. While Ellie faintly felt guilty about the waste of water, she pushed that out of her mind so that she could thoroughly enjoy the steam of water washing over her body.

Thoughts of Jacob intermingled with her memory of the elevator incident. Nick infuriated her, but she had to admit, there was also some sort of physical power he held over her. A deep desire of physical pleasure was awakening inside her. 

She positioned herself so that a stream of water would massage the bundle of nerves between her legs. She tried to imagine a man; Jacob, Nick, someone to satisfy her. She ached for the water to do more. Be harder. Be a MAN. One hand dropped between her legs, and she massaged. She moved. She closed her eyes and thought of Jacob. THE MAN that could make her cum.

Oh Jacob.
Her fingers worked together with the stream of water to bring the release she needed. As the energy of her release washed over her, she whispered Jacob's name. It was not as satisfying as it was with Jacob, but it would hold her over until she could get home to him. Her body ached for him, for Jacob, the only man who had ever made love to her. She let herself sink to the floor of the shower as waves of satisfaction moved through her. She had needed this release ever since that handsome stranger had fondled her nipples in the elevator. Or, perhaps she had imagined him fondling her.

I can't wait to get home to you, baby,
she sighed.

With this thought, she shut off the water, wrapped herself in a towel, and headed for the foyer. As she expected, Henry was already there, along with the same two women that helped her with her board meeting apparel problem. Each of them seemed slightly amused that Ellie was wrapped only in a towel, but she didn't care. Her prior experience with them had taught her that modestly wouldn't get her far.

"What are you looking at?" she asked.

They each laughed, and turned to the items they had brought with them. Henry turned to the breakfast.

"Crepes and fresh fruit, madam?" he asked, as he lifted the lid off her meal.

"We have new clothing for you to examine when you are ready,” said one of the women, sweetly. "You will return to Logan as a new woman," said the other.

Ellie laughed warmly at each of them. She would miss them when she went back to Logan.

"First, food," she said, winking at Henry.

"You," she said over her shoulder to the women, "can primp me up after that."

With a wink, she turned her attention to her food.

They are right,
cooed Inner Diva.
You are returning to Logan a changed woman.
  

As Ellie sat on the plane, she tried to bridge the two worlds in her mind. Her uncle’s world, the world of Nick Bennett and resorts and limos had made her feel so intimidated and inadequate. Yet, this feeling didn't seem to last long. It actually empowered her in some way. She grew more bold and found herself standing up for herself in a way she never would have before.

Nick was such a jerk,
she mused.

Yes, but look at the woman you became when you were with him,
retorted Inner Diva.

Then, there was her quiet life in Logan. Jacob was a good husband and she was so fortunate to have a man that would provide for her. Yet, somehow, that life didn't seem so satisfying anymore. She wasn't becoming a mother. And she was starting to realize that when she was with Jacob, it was hard for her to be herself. She felt suppressed.

Girl,
said Inner Diva.
You own this company. You own yourself, and you own your life. Go home. Rock this Burlesque show, and then show Jacob what is what. There is no reason you can't have the best of both of these worlds.

Ellie sighed at this voice. The man in the seat next to her gave her a sideways glace, but by now she had decided not to care what other people think.

Go on,
she said to Inner Diva.
I want to hear more of what you have to say.

Inner Diva continued,
You are a smart woman and you can make it happen
.

Maybe you’re right
, sighed Ellie. Her more reasonable voice seemed to have gone to sleep.

Oh, and one more thing,
Diva added.
Go home and fuck your husband. No more of this comfort shit. Mr. Nick Bennett showed you a world of desire. Don't leave it behind. You are in the prime of your life, girlfriend. Bring that desire with you.

Ellie squirmed in her seat as she listened to her diva.

Maybe she’s right, t
hought Ellie.
I am ready for more passion. And, Jacob is certainly sexy enough to satisfy my desires.

Ellie pinched her legs together as she let her mind wander to Jacob's wet and nimble tongue flicking the inside of her lower lips. She tried not to move the rest of her body, as her hair was already in place for the show tonight, courtesy of her new Phoenix friends. She wasn't about to ruin it on the plane.

Tonight won't be soon enough.

When Ellie landed, she hailed a cab and told the driver to head directly to city hall. She glanced at her watch, calculating that it would take thirty minutes to get to the event. Ellie sighed as she realized she would miss the show.  At least she would be there for the after party. She knew Jacob would stick around and wait for her.