Forever Black (9 page)

“I
don’t think you are; I know you are,” I smiled.

I
set my phone on the table and looked at him. If he so rudely wanted to interrupt
my dinner plans, then he will have to answer some questions. “Who is that woman
you’re always with?” The words just came out before I could think about them.
He shifted in his seat.

“She’s
a friend Ellery,” he softly answered my question. I knew he was lying. Perhaps
she was a friend, but what kind of friend is what I wanted to know.

“What
kind of friend Connor?”

His
green eyes turned dark as he glared at me, “She doesn’t matter Ellery; she is a
friend and that is all you need to know.”

I
raised my eyebrows, “I think after what I told you last night you would be
willing to tell me a few things.”

“I’m
not in the habit of discussing my personal life. It’s called personal for a
reason Ellery.”

He
didn’t realize it, but at that moment he made a decision for me. The waitress
brought our pizza and put it in the middle of the table along with salad and
bread sticks. I picked up a slice of pizza with the spatula and put it on his
plate. He sighed and grabbed his fork and knife.

“What?
Are you kidding me? Put that down right now Connor Black.”

He
looked startled, “What? What the hell is wrong?”

I
leaned over the table and grabbed the knife and fork out of his hand, “You are
not eating pizza with a knife and fork.”

“Then
how the hell am I supposed to eat it?”

He
was so damn sexy at that moment. I picked up my pizza and took a bite. With a
mouthful, I said, “Like this, pick it up and bite into it.”

“That’s
disgusting and don’t talk with your mouth full.”

“If
you won’t do it then I will.” I picked up the pizza from his plate and held it
up to his mouth.

“Bite”
I demanded.

He
raised his eyebrows at me, “Do you have any idea how sexy that sounds?” he
winked.

I
couldn’t help but let out a light laugh as I hit him on his arm. He rolled his eyes,
which was sexy as hell, opened his mouth and took a bite of the pizza. I smiled
as I put the pizza back on his plate.

“My
turn,” he smiled.

“Your
turn what?”

He
took the pizza from my plate and held it up.

“Bite”
he demanded.

I
took a bite, and a wide grin graced his perfect face. I think that may have
been the first time since I’ve known him that I’ve seen him smile like that. It
was the most beautiful and warm smile I’ve ever seen, and it made my heart
flutter.

We
ate more pizza, talked and ate some salad. The waitress kept walking by our
table and giving Connor flirtatious smiles.

“Don’t
you ever get sick and tired of all the ogling you get from women?”

He
laughed, “Don’t you get sick of all the ogling you get from men?”

I
twisted my face in confusion, “I don’t get that.”

“Yes
you do Ellery, I see it every time I’m with you; the only difference is men are
more discreet about it than women are.”

I
never noticed men ogling me before; I’ll have to start paying more attention.
As we were laughing and enjoying our conversation my phone rang; it was my Aunt
Patti’s number. I looked at Connor, “I have to get this.” He nodded his head
and took out his phone.

“Hello,”
I answered. The voice on the other end was my cousin Debbie.

“Ellery,
it’s Debbie, I wanted to let you know that mom and dad were...” she started
sobbing, “In a car accident, and they both were killed.”

Her
sobs grew harder as a tear fell down my cheek. Connor looked at me and reached
for my hand resting on the table. “Debbie, I’m so sorry; I will be there as
soon as I can.”

“Thank
you Elle, I’ll call you with the details.”

I
hung up and looked at Connor who was staring at me with a worried look in his
eye, “Ellery, what happened?”

“My
aunt and uncle were killed in a car accident. I need to get out of here
Connor.”

I
grabbed my purse and took out some money. Connor grabbed it from my hands and
shoved it back in my purse, “I got this.”

 I
couldn’t fall apart in front of him; I had to hold it together, at least till I
got home, when I was alone.

He
threw some money on the table and followed me out of the restaurant. My head was
in a daze, and I was confused. I looked in both directions forgetting which way
I needed to go. He put his arm around me and pulled me into him leading me to
where Denny had parked the Limo. I stumbled a few times, but the strength of
his arms held me up. He opened the door and helped me in. I slid to the other
side as he got in and sat beside me. He didn’t say a word; he only wrapped his
arms around me and pulled me into his chest. Feeling the warmth and security of
him, I clenched his shirt in my hands and started crying. He rubbed his hand up
and down my back as his chin rested on my head. At that moment I didn’t care
that he saw me like this, I just needed to be with someone right now, and he
was more than willing to be that someone.

We
walked into my apartment. Connor shut the door behind him. I threw my purse on
the table and walked to the kitchen to grab a bottle of wine.

“Are
you ok?” Connor asked as he followed closely behind. I scratched my head, “Yeah,
I’m fine, do you want some wine?”

“Ah
no, I really have to go. I have a meeting with someone.”

I
rolled my eyes with my back turned to him because I’m sure his meeting had to
do with getting laid. I opened the bottle, poured some into a glass and turned
around putting one hand on his chest.

“Thank
you Connor, I appreciate everything.”

He
put his hand to my face and gently wiped away a couple of tears that were left
with his thumb. “I know you do, and you are welcome.”

Fire
swept through my body heating every part that ached for him at this moment.
This was a side of him that was tender and gentle; a side I wanted to know
better. My heart started racing, and the butterflies fluttered around every
time he touched me. I was vulnerable at this moment, and all I could think about
was kissing him passionately. I restrained myself because I was not about to
ruin our friendship.

I
patted him on the chest, “You better go to your meeting Mr. Black; it’s rude to
keep someone waiting.”

He
managed a small smile, “If you need anything, anything at all, please call me,”
he said as he pressed his lips against my forehead.

“I
will, now go have a good night.”

I
shut the door behind him and sat down with my wine. For someone my age, I have
experienced death more times than I should have. I needed to call Peyton and
let her know what was going on. As I got up and reached for my phone, there was
a knock at the door. I looked out the peep-hole and saw Connor standing there.

“Hey,
what are you doing here?”

He
walked inside, “Pack a bag; you’re staying at my place tonight.”

I
looked at him with a stunned look, “No I’m not. I’m staying home.”

He
sighed, “Elle, for once, just once, please do as I say.”

“I’m
not a child Connor, and frankly you cannot order me around, I thought we had
this discussion already?”

He
walked over to the corner of the room where my easel was and looked at the
unfinished painting sitting on it. His tone changed, “I don’t think you should
be alone tonight after the news you received, and my place has a guest room. I
would feel better knowing you were not alone.”

He
struggled with every word he just spoke; I now realized that he had a hard time
with emotions.

“Ok
Connor, give me a minute.” He nodded his head never taking his eyes off the
painting.

I
threw a few things in a bag and walked over to him standing by the easel. “This
is what you were drawing in Central Park, isn’t it? The bride and groom in
front of the fountain?”

“Yeah,
I started painting it that night.”

“From
what I can see, you are a very talented artist.”

“Thanks
Mr. Black, now let’s go.” He smiled and took my bag from me; he was full of
surprises today.

His
penthouse was breathtaking, from the marble floors in the hallway to the white
walls and 2 story windows. The living room housed a beautiful dark grey sofa, a
large square wood table in the center and 2 leather wingback chairs, in a soft
grey. Long curtains hung from the floor to ceiling windows as the marble
fireplace was the focal point of the room. Black and white pictures hung
vertically on the walls in groups of three with various city scenes from around
the world. He came up behind me as I was staring at the pictures.

“Do
you like these?”

I
smiled, “Yes, they are beautiful. Where did you get them?”

“I
took them.”

I
whipped my head around, and the look on my face must have amused him because he
started laughing.

“You
took these?” I emphasized each word.

“You
look so surprised Ellery. Photography is a hobby of mine.”

“Well,
how would I know that Connor since you refuse to tell me anything about you?”

I
stood there and studied the photographs. I smiled because at that moment I
realized we had something in common; we were both artists. I painted pictures
and he took them.

“Your
home is beautiful, did you decorate it?”

“No,
my sister did.”

I
looked at him confused, “You have a sister?”

“Yes
and she is an interior designer, she did this place and my office building.”

I
nodded my head up and down, “I get the impression talent runs in the family.”

He
laughed as he walked over to his bar, “Drink?” he asked.

“Shot
of Jack please.”

“Are
you sure?” His eyes widened.

“Why,
does that surprise you?”

He
reached for a shot glass, “It doesn’t, well, maybe it does; I just don’t know
any women who do shots of Jack Daniels straight.”

He
handed me the shot glass as I held it up, “You do now.” I threw it back as it
burned all the way down, but it felt good.

“I
thought you didn’t do sleepovers Mr. Black?”

He
looked at me and grinned, “I don’t Miss Lane. I never have, but tonight I made
an exception for a friend.” He emphasized the word friend. “Because I felt she
shouldn’t be alone.” He poured another shot and held up the glass.

“One
more shot?” he asked.

“Are
you trying to get me drunk?”

He
looked at me in that sexy way that made my body ache. “Should I be?”

I
threw back the shot and sat down on the couch. Connor walked over with his
glass of scotch and sat next to me, “Are you ok?” he asked.

I
looked up at him and sighed, “I’m fine, I was just thinking of how I’ll be able
to visit my mom and dad’s grave when I’m back in Michigan.”

I
looked at him, blue eyes staring into green and seriously spoke, “When I die, I
don’t want a funeral. I don’t want people staring at my dead body and crying
over me. I want to be cremated and have my ashes scattered around Paris.”

Connor
stared at me and gave me an irritated look. “Stop talking like that; you have
many years to decide what you want.”

“Connor,
I’m serious, I want people to drink and celebrate me. I want them to remember
the good times, not mourn in the death of me.”

“Ok,
you need to stop because you are talking as if you’re going to die tomorrow.”

“You
never know what each day will bring, that is why I say nothing lasts forever.”

“Ok,
I think Mr. Daniels has gotten to you, let’s get some sleep, I have to work in
the morning.”

We
walked upstairs and he showed me to my room. “Good night Elle, sleep well,” he
said as he walked out and towards his bedroom.

“Good
night Connor.”

I
changed into my nightshirt and climbed into the comfy king size bed that
occupied the room. I took in the luxurious feel of the satin sheets as I looked
around at the classically decorated room. The taupe walls with carved moldings
were astounding. There was a beige dresser with a large round mirror that sat
above it and matching night stands on each side of the bed. The large window
had built-in bookcases on each side with a window seat that was covered with
the same material as the bed comforter. I could curl up here and stay forever
residing in its beauty and comfort.

It
was too late to call Peyton, so I decided to text her and let her know what was
going on.

“I
got some terrible news today. My cousin called me earlier; my aunt and uncle
died in a car accident. I’ll be going back to Michigan in a couple of days for
the funeral. I wanted you to know so you didn’t worry.”