Unconditional Love (14 page)

“Who’s this?”

I swallowed hard and said, “My boss.” I walked over and took the photo out of her hand and led her back out of the office. As we walked down the hall I said, “There is another guest bedroom here that pretty much looks like the one on the east side of the condo. The next room is the library.”

I pushed open the door and watched her face as she walked in. “Holy shit. There are floor-to-ceiling bookshelves in here. Where are all the books?”

I looked around and shrugged. “I don’t know, I’m still adding to my collection.”

She walked up and pushed the ladder from one side of the room to the other. Then she turned and walked up to the leather sectional that was placed in the middle of the room and faced out to the windows.

“Sometimes I like to come in here and work and watch the sunset. It’s very peaceful in this room. I think it’s my second favorite room.”

“Your favorite?” she asked as she tilted her head and looked at me.

“My bedroom.”

We stood there and stared at each other for a few minutes before she broke the silence. “Your home is beautiful, Lark. Breathtaking, really. I can’t even find the words to describe it.”

I gave her a slight smile, “It’s just a place to sleep and eat. Sometimes work.”

She nodded her head and I knew she was wondering how many girls I had brought home. The way she was looking at the sectional I wanted to ask her what she was thinking.

“You’re the first girl I’ve ever brought up here.”

The smile that spread across her face caused me to smile. I could almost see the relief spreading across her entire body and she instantly relaxed.

“Why don’t you grab a glass of wine and have a seat in here and I’ll get dressed to go out.”

“I’m good for now, but thank you,” she said as she slowly sank down onto the sofa as her eyes began looking everywhere.

“If you change your mind, the wine cooler is in the kitchen near the end of the island.”

I turned to walk out, but stopped at the door and turned to face her. I didn’t know what was running through her head on how I could afford a place like this. “I got a pretty big inheritance from my grandparents, and my other grandparents set up a trust for me and Tristan.”

Her mouth dropped open and her eyes filled with hurt. “Lark, you don’t have to explain anything to me. It never even crossed my mind and it certainly isn’t any of my business.”

I nodded my head slightly and made my way to my room. I sat down on my bed and tried to control my breathing. I didn’t want to be falling for her. I couldn’t go through that again. The whole time she was walking around, all I wanted to do was tell her I could see her living here with me. I could see her in my future. I closed my eyes and pictured her pregnant and standing on the balcony looking out over the river.

I snapped my eyes open and stood up quickly.
What the fuck?
I ran my hands down my face and let out a frustrated moan.

Damn it, Williams. Stop dreaming this crazy-ass dream of yours and get your head out of your ass.

I decided that tonight I wasn’t going to think of anything but having a good time with Azurdee. Nothing more and nothing less.

No more images of her in my bed, standing in my kitchen cooking, and certainly not of her standing on my balcony pregnant.

Recuerde guardar mi corazón.

The second Lark walked out of the library, I fell back into the sofa. “Holy shit,” I whispered. I looked around and took in the massive library. I closed my eyes and thought about his bedroom.

The beautiful sage green walls took my breath away the moment I walked in. It was so calming and not at all what I expected from Lark Williams. There was a beautiful silk comforter that was almost the exact color as the walls but with wide light cream stripes running across it. The bench that sat along one of the windows looked almost too inviting and I wanted to sit down and just take in the view.

Oh…and the balcony. Good Lord, who would ever want to leave such a beautiful room?
It faced East, South, and West. The master bathroom looked like a damn spa with the marble floors and white sinks and tub.
The tub.
I let out a small whimper when I thought back to when Lark mentioned fucking me in the tub. I reached my hand down and slipped it into my skirt and then my panties. When I brushed my fingers across my clit I let out a gasp and quickly pulled my hand out.

I stood up and began pacing. “What in the hell is wrong with me? What is he doing to me?” I whispered. I heard my cell phone go off and I made my way back out to the main living area of the condo. I didn’t even remember setting my purse down on the counter in the kitchen. I pulled it open and dug out my phone. I looked and saw that my mother had sent me three text messages. I knew she was wondering why I said I wouldn’t be over tomorrow for lunch. I gave her no reason why I had to cancel. I wasn’t ready to tell my parents about Lark. No way. No how. I tossed my phone back in my purse and decided to text her back later.

I walked up to the door that led to the balcony and made my way outside. The cool fall breeze felt amazing against my hot skin. I needed to get out and get some fresh air. All those damn dirty thoughts I had while walking around Lark’s condo had my libido going insane.

I put my hands up to my cheeks and tried to steady my heartbeat as I thought about Lark and I having sex in almost every room of this place.
The kitchen island, the leather sofa in his living room…and oh God, the pool table.
That had always been a fantasy of mine—to have sex on a pool table. I let out a sigh and was about to turn around when I saw Lark’s hands on both sides of my body. He placed his hands on the railing and I could practically feel the heat from his body.

“Do you like the view?”

“Yes. It’s beautiful, but at the same time, it makes me feel sick when I look down.”

He laughed and said, “Come on, I’m starved. I’ll give you a tour of the rest of the building tomorrow.”

“Where are we going to eat?” I asked as I followed him back into the condo and grabbed my purse.

He walked us to the elevator and asked, “Do you like Italian?”

I nodded my head and smiled. “Italian is probably one of my favorites.”

“Then I think we should walk down to the Taverna. It’s one of my favorite places to eat.”

I smiled. “Sounds good.”

We rode down the elevator in silence. I swear it only took like ten seconds to get from the fifty-fourth floor to the first floor. The elevator opened and as we stepped out, I almost ran into a beautiful blonde.

“Excuse me—I’m so sorry,” I said as she smiled. She looked at Lark and her smile faded.

“Lark. I didn’t know you lived here,” she said as the smile returned to her face. But this time there was something wicked about it.

He quickly looked at me and then back at her. “What are you doing here, Sherry?”

She laughed and said, “I just bought a condo here. One of my best friends lives here and I fell in love with her place and had to have one of my own.”

She looked back at me and began to eye me up and down. For some reason I instantly didn’t like her. I didn’t like the way Lark was so nervous and I certainly didn’t like the way she was looking at him.

Lark began pulling me away from her as he started walking away. “Welcome to the neighborhood. I’ll see ya around.”

“Well wait, Lark, darling. Who’s your friend?” she asked as she gave me a smirk.

Darling?

Lark ran his hand through his hair and said, “Azurdee, this is Sherry, a friend of mine. I’ve known Sherry for a few years, right before I joined the Marine Corps.”

She let out the fakest laugh I’d ever heard. She held out her hand, almost like she wanted me to kiss the damn thing. I took her hand and shook it and said, “It’s a pleasure to meet you. How do you and Lark know each other?”

She looked at Lark and gave him the same wicked smile as before. The way they looked at each other I could tell they shared a secret together. “Would you like to tell her the story or shall I?”

Lark gave her a dirty look and then looked at me and smiled slightly. “We met at a club one night. Sherry is a lawyer and I’ve used her a few times.”

“More than a few,” she said as she brought her finger up to her mouth.

“We were just heading to dinner, Sherry, so if you’ll excuse us.”

Lark pulled my hand and practically dragged me down the hallway.

“It was nice meeting you. Maybe I’ll see you around, Azurdee. We can get to know each other better,” Sherry called out. I turned and looked back at her and she was glaring at me.

When I turned back, I had the feeling that Lark and Sherry were more than just friends. I peeked up at Lark and he seemed pissed off. I decided not to even ask him about her. I needed to believe that what he said to me was true.

I was his and he was mine.

We walked to the restaurant in silence. The longer he remained quiet the harder it was for me to not worry about this Sherry girl.

Before we walked into the restaurant, I stopped, causing him to stop as well. He turned and looked at me and smiled. I tried to smile, but I just needed to get this over with.

“I’m not the jealous type and I realize you have a past, but the way that girl was looking at me and how nervous you were acting is not sitting right with me. If there is something between the two of you, tell me now, Lark.”

He went to open his mouth to talk, but then shut it again. He ran his hand through his hair again and I was quickly learning he did this when he was mad or nervous. “Sherry is just a friend. Nothing more.”

I slowly nodded my head. “Have you slept with her?”

“Does it matter? Are you going to ask me that question with every single girl we run in to?”

My heart instantly sank. I knew he was right. I had no right asking and it wasn’t any of my business, but by him not answering, he actually answered my question. He had slept with her and by their reaction to each other, I was going to guess they had slept together on more than one occasion.

I smiled slightly and shook my head. “I’m sorry. Let’s get something to eat. I’m starving.” I turned and began walking into the restaurant. I tried like hell to push this Sherry girl from my mind. I was hoping she wouldn’t become an issue, but I had a feeling she was going to become more than an issue.

After dinner, we walked back to the condos and Lark called for a car to take us to the club. I quickly forgot about Sherry after our dinner was served. I was pretty sure I had just been hungry and cranky. Lark also seemed to snap out of it.

When we got into the car, Lark said, “Red 7, please.”

I settled into Lark’s side as he gently moved his fingers up and down my arm. I felt myself relaxing and had to fight to stay awake. I hadn’t slept so great the night before when I was so upset about what had happened at the fundraiser the night before with Lark on the phone.

The car pulled up outside the club and we got out. I looked at the line to get in and let out a deep sigh. Lark took my hand and walked up to the bouncer.

“Lark! Dude, how are you?” the bouncer asked as he looked me up and down. I was starting to regret my decision to wear this low-cut shirt.

Lark looked back at me and then at the bouncer again. “I’m good.”

The bouncer moved out of the way and we walked straight into the club. “I take it you come here often!” I shouted. Lark winked at me as we made our way over to the bar. I kept my head down after the first five guys eye-fucked the shit out of me.

I wasn’t much of a club scene person but I was learning that Lark was. He was getting stopped by both men and women. One bitch threw her arms around him and kissed him with me standing right there. Lark pulled her off of him and whispered something in her ear. She looked at me and frowned before turning around and walking away.

When we finally made it to the bar, Lark ordered us both a Blue Moon. He handed one to me and smiled. I smiled back but I felt so out of place. I looked around and was shocked at all the girls openly staring at Lark. I rolled my eyes as one girl licked her lips and tried to wave at him. I practically downed my beer I was so pissed off. I guessed I had better get used to this.