BETWEEN CLOUDS AND STARS: A Sexy Standalone Romance (2 page)

I wanted to fuck her right now, in that exact position—leaning against the door of my damn office. To lift her dress and bury my head between her legs.

Just when I was about to kiss her, my cell phone rang. I knew it was my sister by the customized ringtone. She hardly ever called me, except on birthdays. April was now in her teens and had plenty of other things to occupy her, not to mention she knew I was usually very busy with work.

I decided to accept in the call.

“Mom’s in hospital,” I heard my sister say in a tearful voice.

“What? What happened?” I asked with my eyes locked on Estelle, who stared back at me.

“She had a mild heart attack. The doctors have put her under observation. Please, Nick, won’t you come?” April started sobbing even harder.

“Where’s Dad?”

“He’s with Mom. I went out in the corridor to call you. If something happens to her—”

“Don’t talk like that. I’m coming; just promise me you’ll calm down. I’ll leave right away.”

Ending the call, I made a decision—Estelle would come with me.

Estelle

L
ife had never
given me anything good. My real parents were taken from me in a car accident. Both died instantly on the scene. I was the only one lucky enough to survive. If you can call that luck. I was a six-month-old baby when that tragedy struck and, unfortunately, I had no memories of them at all.

My childhood wasn’t easy, and I definitely couldn’t say that I’d grown up in a nurturing and loving environment. The people who’d adopted me always told me:
“If only you were our real daughter… Then you wouldn’t be so reckless.”
Somehow, I got through those years. But the fact that they forced me to marry a man who abused me for years on end… I’d never forgive them for that. Because of their greed, their scheme to get to his money through me, they’d had to pay with their lives.

The best decision I’d ever made was to leave Melbourne and move to New York. I needed to build a new life that had no room for the past.

A life that brought me hope, peace, and friends.

But my peace left me the moment Nicholas Frey shook hands with me. Just before I was due to give my presentation. So naturally, instead of being focused on the matter, my mind wandered and I ummed and ahhed, embarrassed by this shamelessly handsome man who undressed me with his eyes. I didn’t do as well as I’d wanted and hoped I hadn’t made a bad impression.

Was that what you call luck? Of course not. But that was no surprise—I’d never been lucky.

*     *     *

“You’re coming with
me.”

I was in the office of my boss, Nicholas Frey, wondering how to get myself out of the situation I was in. Locked in his office, leaning against the door… But instead of panicking, I stood still, hypnotized by his beautiful brown eyes, and imagined how it would feel to run my fingers through his raven hair, to be kissed by his thick lips…

“Go with you? Where?”

“To Switzerland.”

“To Switzerland?” I repeated in surprise. My voice sounded hoarse and somewhat unfamiliar to me.

“I see. You haven’t read my biography.”

No, I haven’t. I’ve only read about your playboy exploits in tabloid gossip columns.
I bit my tongue to stop myself from blurting out my thoughts.

That would’ve been a huge mistake. After all, a subordinate isn’t supposed to take such a tone with their boss if they want to keep their job, right?

“My father is Swiss,” he explained. “Look, I’ll answer all your questions later. My mother’s had a heart attack and I need to leave urgently. I want you to come with me.” He gave me a nervous look and ran his fingers across his stubble.

I got a sudden urge to caress him, but managed to refrain. “I’m sorry. I hope—”

“I need you, Estelle. Are you coming with me or not?” he interrupted.

How is one supposed to respond to their boss in such a situation? He needs me! Dear God…

“How would I be able to help if I came along?” I didn’t see the point in doing it.

Nick took my hand in his wide palms and raised it.

Oh, heavens…

Heat spread across my body, from head to toe, just from that light touch.

“For years, my mother has been asking me whether I have a serious girlfriend. I’m thirty-one years old. But I’ve yet to introduce her to a single girl. I don’t have the time for serious relationships. Of course, as I’m sure you can guess, that’s a cause for great concern for her. I want you to come with me so I can introduce you to her as my squeeze. That would make her happy.” He put my hand on his hard-as-steel chest, sending waves of desire through my body. I sensed the powerful beats of his heart, which were seemingly pleading for help.

My eyes traced the perfect curve of his lips, slowly moving upward to meet his gaze. Thirst and desire flashed across his beautiful brown irises, which were covered in golden specks, making the butterflies in my stomach flutter again.

“Don’t bite that lip, or I’ll be the one to bite it next.” His low, deep, and slightly croaky voice vibrated through me, reaching all the way down to my loins.

“That reminds me, we need to practice kissing if you agree to accompany me and pretend to be my girlfriend.” He leaned over me, his warm, minty breath stroking my face.

The very next second, his lips parted mine. His tongue gently slid into my mouth, making my nipples harden even more. I felt like a virgin touched for the very first time, which was actually not too far from the truth. The only man I’d ever kissed before was my ex-husband. And his kisses couldn’t even begin to compare with those of Nicholas Frey.

His palms cupped my face while his teeth lightly pulled at my lower lip, making me let out a moan. I was wet. No, strike that, I was drenched with arousal, and from only one kiss at that. How would I feel if his face were buried between my thighs?

Like I was in paradise!

His body pressed against mine. Sensing his erection against my belly, I instinctively put my arms around him, wanting to get even closer to him.

Euphoria spread like wildfire to every cell of my body.

His hot, insatiable tongue, his hands, his scent… It was all too intense, almost magical.

Nick pulled away from the kiss, but I wanted more.

The word “more” truly frightened me. He was asking me to play a part in front of his mother, rather than be his real girlfriend. There might never be
more
between us.

“I need you, Estelle. Will you come with me? I won’t ask you again.” He gazed at me, his eyes full of hope.

Don’t wait for another invitation, because you won’t get it,
a little voice seemed to whisper in my ear.

A second later, I heard myself say, “I need to pack my suitcase. How long will we be away from New York?”

*     *     *

The airplane we
boarded was a true masterstroke of engineering. Not only did it look amazing, with its fuselage slightly tapered at the front, but it was also so fast that it could cross the distance between North America and Europe in only half an hour.

We settled in comfortable leather armchairs, and the stewardess, who wasn’t actually human, but a robot, served us food and a drink menu. It was 2048, and only the richest of the rich could afford to have robot staff. The robots were so incredibly well made, they were almost indistinguishable from real people. Well, other than the fact that they had no facial expressions. Their faces were frozen like a mask.

I’d never seen such androids before, and now, even though I realized I was doing it, I couldn’t stop myself from gawping at the stewardess with her flawless skin, graceful figure, and hair tied in a neat bun. I was beginning to get worried whether men would start preferring them over human females. Robots didn’t show emotions, raise their voice, or cry, but they didn’t laugh either. I had no real idea of how advanced they’d become. But in the course of my life, developments in robotics had happened so quickly that I wouldn’t have been surprised if scientists created the perfect husband or wife in the very near future.

“Are you going to stop staring at her any time soon?” Nick whispered in my ear and settled in the white leather seat beside me.

Moving my gaze toward him, I noticed he was trying to hide his smile. I wanted to ask him many things about female robots, but now wasn’t the right time.

I fastened my seatbelt and waited impatiently for the takeoff. I was excited about meeting his parents. Even though I was only playing the part of a girlfriend, I wanted them to like me. The reason for that were my parents, who’d raised me without showing me any love, and my hang-ups stemmed from their cold treatment.

During the takeoff, I couldn’t stop looking through the window, feeling as excited as a little kid. I was twenty-three years old and had only done the journey from Melbourne to New York and back four times and always on work-related matters. I watched the sun as it set and colored the sky in orange and pink hues, and marveled at the fluffy, cotton-candy-like clouds. This reminded me of the rare good moments in my life: My father would take me to an amusement park, where we’d eat cotton candy and ride the Ferris wheel and the carousels. Back then, I’d felt as free as a bird. Like a child. I hadn’t had to stay at home to clean and cook, feeling sorry for myself because all the other kids were playing outside while I barely found enough time to do my homework. That was why I hadn’t had any friends. You can’t make friends if you have a tyrant for a mother.

A warm hand touched my arm. It startled me. Immersed in my memories, I’d completely lost track of where I was.

“You have to tell me about yourself, and we don’t have much time. As your supposed boyfriend, I should know you pretty well.” Nick intertwined his fingers with mine, raised my hand and kissed it.

This small and very innocent gesture warmed my heart. No man had ever done that to me. My ex-husband had always been “too busy” with other stuff to waste time on such trivial things.

I didn’t like talking about myself. There was nothing interesting in my past I wanted to share. But he was right—I had to give him some background, no matter how unpleasant doing so was.

“I grew up in Australia. My real parents died in a car accident. The people who raised me are also no longer with us. I have no siblings, as far as I’m aware anyway.” Nick’s face softened when he heard my words. Was he sympathizing with me? I didn’t need his commiseration and pity. So I quickly added, “I’m divorced and have no kids. And you?” I wanted to make him think about something other than my boring past.

His hand gently tucked a lock of hair behind my ear. “As it is universally known, I’m not married. My mother is American, and my father is Swiss. I have a teenage sister. I’m sure she’ll be in seventh heaven when she sees you.” His faced beamed, filled with love. “Is there anything you don’t like eating? I need to know that, since I intend to tell my parents you’re living with me.”

I knew nothing about Nicholas Frey, so there was a distinct possibility that I’d mess everything up. Still, I hoped I’d be able to handle the situation.

I wanted to help him.

I wanted to be with him.

I was playing with fire and could get seriously burned. So I had to do everything I could to prevent myself from investing strong emotions in our so-called relationship.

Fake relationship. I needed to keep repeating that to myself.

“I eat everything. I love cooking. I like listening to retro music. One of my favorite songs is Dear Darlin’—”

“By Olly Murs?” he interrupted me, and a smile appeared on his face.

Dear God, what a smile. For another one like it, I’d lie about our relationship not just to his parents, but to the entire world.

“Yes, that song is so beautiful and melodic,” I answered in surprise. I’d thought I was the only weirdo who listened to music from thirty years ago.

“So you’re a romantic.”

“You could say that.” I looked out of the window. I felt too exposed.

You’re unlikely to have impressed him.
My subconscious furrowed its eyebrows in disapproval.

I didn’t think I could impress him anyway. I felt like a nobody, like a simple, plain girl who’d only been living life to the full for one year. Nicholas Frey was the one who elicited people’s admiration. His pictures adorned all major newspapers and magazines. He charmed not only with his immaculate appearance, which made any woman wet her panties, but also with his incredible intelligence and resourcefulness.

“I don’t see anything bad in that, Estelle. On the contrary, it’s wonderful and, unfortunately, extremely rare these days. People only care about money and their career, and I regretfully admit that I fall into that category. We have simply forgotten to appreciate the beautiful things in life.”

Nick took hold of my chin and gently moved it so I’d look at him. He leaned in and kissed me. His lips were divine—soft and thick. His hand slid along the inside of my thigh. He got about halfway up to his destination, and just when I thought he’d touch me where no man had touched me for two years…he stopped.

The disappointment must’ve been written on my face. I was no good at hiding my emotions.

“I’d love to fuck you right here and right now, Estelle.” His warm breath caressed my face. “I won’t pretend otherwise. I’m very attracted to you. But I won’t do it. First, because we don’t have time for what I have in mind. And second, because you haven’t given me your consent.”

Nick

E
stelle turned out
to be great, emotional… A beautiful, tender flower that, in spite of its horrible past, had managed to remain pure.

She wasn’t a materialist. If I’d requested some other woman to accompany me, she would’ve asked me back how much I’d pay her for the service. Or she would’ve wanted to sleep with me. There were almost no women who didn’t think about how they could benefit from associating with me. To most, material satisfaction came first.

Little Miss Klide didn’t ask for anything in return.

She turned out to be different.

Even though the flight was short, I managed to learn a lot about her. She was easy-going, quiet, a little shy. Or was she simply nervous around me? I wasn’t too sure. But I’d find out pretty damn soon.