Room to Breathe (5 page)

Chapter 7

Dean’s appearance seems to have swept away any sadness from our conversation. I follow Eric to the main door of the dining room.

“Well the last time a man ‘surprised’ me involving another woman I ended up in a hot tub with him and his girlfriend.” I can’t believe I just shared one of my most embarrassing moments with him. I feel way too at ease around Eric. I leave out the part about not knowing the guy had girlfriend until that moment and that I ran out of there so fast I think I broke the sound barrier.

“I will have to hear more about that later.” He raises his eyebrows at me as he opens a large door and gestures for me to enter the room first.

The room is a typical English parlor with dark wood panels on the walls. Large windows again add a fair amount of natural light. There is a large fireplace surrounded in marble on one wall. The furniture has been moved against the other walls with the exception of two light blue wingback chairs and a small table seated in the middle of the room.

There is a clothing rack set up at one end and a girl that looks about eighteen standing next to it inspecting the clothing. A very petite woman with long straight black hair and almond eyes is walking from the rack over to us. She is pretty and walks with a fierceness about her. She is about as big around as my right thigh but something tells me that she is not someone to mess with.

She extends her hand in greeting and her face breaks into a warm smile. I reach out and take her hand.

“I am Miranda Takashi. You must be Cora. It is so nice to meet you,” she says sincerely.

“Miranda is an old friend of mine and my personal shopper. I genuinely felt bad about your clothes from the other night. I asked Miranda to bring you a few things to try,” he is smiling at me with such a warm expression it could melt the ice caps.

“Oh, Eric that is so nice. I told you it wasn’t a big deal about the clothing,” I beam back.

“I know but I really feel that I owe you at least this much.”

“Cora, if I were you I would just let him indulge you at little,” Miranda persuades, looping her arm through mine and leading me to the chairs in the middle of the room. “Of course if I was you I would have probably beaten him to a pulp for the stunt he pulled.”

“Thank you for that Miranda,” Eric grimaces, running his hand through his hair. “I am very aware of how awful and stupid I was.”

“Good, as long as you know,” she winks at him and he smiles back. “So Eric said it was a jumper or coat and jeans that needed to be replaced. Plus maybe a pair of shoes too,” she smiles at me again. It is clear she loves her job. Then again, who wouldn’t?

Before I can respond the young girl brings about ten sweaters over near a screen that I hadn’t noticed in the corner. I follow Miranda over to the screen where she helps me try on the first sweater.

“Oh Eric, you had her sizing down perfect!” Miranda exclaims happily as she zips up the first sweater. “What do you think?” she asks me.

“I like it,” I respond. The sweater is dark grey with a hood and feels thick and warm. It is way nicer than the one that got ruined.

“Let’s try just a few more and see,” she says reaching for a button-up black one.

She has me try on three more options before deciding that I need the first one and a black cashmere one. She takes some measurements of my lower half and has me go sit with Eric. He looks up from his iPad as I sit next to him. Someone has brought him a pot of tea and he pours me a cup.

“Are you sure about all this?” I ask in a hushed tone. “I feel kind of bad.”

“I am positive I want to do this,” he smiles taking my hand again. “Honey, I consider myself very lucky to have our encounter the other night turn out this well. The least I can do is replace the things you lost due to my error in judgment,” he explains kissing the back of my hand. “And I have known Miranda for a while now. I am quite aware that she is going to sneak a few extra items in. Enjoy yourself, please.”

“Okay, I will,” I lean in and kiss his cheek. “But just remember you said that when you get the bill.”

“Cora, if you are ready I have several pairs of jeans that will work well with your body shape,” Miranda calls from next to the screen.

I try on first pair of jeans and love them. This woman is amazing at her job! Jean shopping usually takes me hours before I find something I even kind of like.

“Eric said he wasn’t sure if your shoes needed to be replaced or not,” Miranda remarks handing the jeans to her assistant.

“Oh, I don’t think so. Honestly, I only wear them for work so I don’t really need them in perfect shape,” I shrug as I sit down next to Eric again. I didn’t even look my shoes over so I really have no idea if there is any damage or not. They are the kind of shoes you wear for comfort not style.

“Well since your ankle was hurt I figured there was a chance they were damaged too,” Eric responds as he puts the tablet away once more.

“Okay, well then let’s see what you have in a sensible work shoe,” I beam at Miranda remembering Eric asked me to have fun. I am enjoying being spoiled a little. It has been years since anyone has done something this nice for me.

Miranda pulls a pair of black sneakers out of a box. They are just a little too narrow. The next pair fits perfect. It occurs to me in that moment that all of this means Eric remembers what I was wearing that night down to my shoes.

“There was one more thing I think you should try,” Miranda says with a cat like grin on her face.

She pulls a box out from the bottom of the stack and my mouth drops open. I recognize the scrawl across the brown box immediately. I can’t count how many times I have seen it as I am pining away at my computer.

“Oh my god, those are definitely not work shoes,” I squeak, my voice barely a whisper.

“Well that is debatable,” she smiles at me pulling out the most beautiful pair of hot pink patent leather Christian Louboutin pumps.

She slides them on my feet and I stand up. They fit like they were made for my feet. I start think that my feet were made for them. I take a few steps and do a small twirl.

“Oh my god! I am in LOVE! These are the best thing my feet have ever touched!”

“So I take it you want those?” Eric teases me.

“Oh Eric I couldn’t. I am sure they are way too much.”

“They probably are but I can’t deny you something that makes your face light up like that. Not to mention I am very fond of your ass and those shoes do amazing things to it. So it is purely a selfish purchase.”

“Well if you insist,” I smile at him. There is no way I am going to argue over these. If he wants to buy them I will gladly accept. A look passes between Miranda and Eric and I am pretty sure these were a planned gift anyways.

“I am going to assume you aren’t taking those off right now,” Miranda says handing the new sneakers and my boots to her assistant.

“I may never take them off,” I reply still staring at my new shoes.

“That is brilliant from where I am sitting,” Eric comments behind me. “I am currently trying to think of who I know in Parliament that I can get to pass a decree that you have to wear heels and a skirt at all times.”

I laugh a little and smile over to him. He is so kind and handsome. I hold back my urge to climb into his lap.

“I have Lucinda’s order too. Would you like me to just leave it with Dean?” Miranda says to Eric as his face flushes a little.

Who in the fuck is Lucinda? I know that we aren’t really dating but it would be nice to know if he is seeing someone else. He looks at Miranda with a look that makes her take a step back. He clearly isn’t happy that she mentioned it.

“Yes, that will be fine. Make sure you charge her account and not mine. I am not paying for any of her things.” Eric’s voice is tense.

“Thank you for your help Miranda. You have great taste and I had a lot of fun,” I say in attempt to ease him a little. I will find out who Lucinda is later.

“You are so welcome. I have to admit this was quite a lot of fun for me too. Please let me know if you ever need anything else,” Miranda says and then kisses both of my cheeks. She says good bye to Eric in the same way.

“Cora, we need to talk. Let’s go in my study for a few,” he says in such a serious tone that it makes me nervous. He takes my hand as we leave the room.

We walk a short way down the hall until he opens the door to his study. This room just feels like Eric. It is fairly large for an office. There is a large black desk at one end with a large black leather chair seated behind facing out into the room. There are two large windows on one wall with heavy drapes that match the steel blue walls. To the left side of the windows are large black floor to ceiling bookshelves loaded with books. I am really curious to know what books he has over there and make a mental note to examine them before I leave.

There is another fireplace in here. The mantel is black and not too large. Hanging above the mantel are two framed Beatles albums. One is their first album ever and the other is a very popular one where they are crossing a street and it has two signatures on it. I think it is safe to say he is a fan.

“Honey, please have a seat. Do you want something to drink?” He says as he gestures to a large, tufted black leather couch. The couch is comfortable and very deep. If I were to sit all the way back my feet wouldn’t touch the floor. I perch myself on the edge.

“Some water would be nice.” He pours me a glass of water from a waiting pitcher on the small end table. I take a sip then place the glass on the table next to me.

Eric sits next me and angles his body so his knees are almost touching mine. He looks so stern it is starting to make me worry. Generally when someone says “we need to talk”, it isn’t a good sign.

It can’t be that bad though, can it? I mean who spends the kind of money he just did on someone they don’t want to see ever again? He runs one of his hands through my hair then cups my face in his hand. His eyes are smoldering as usual but the fire is mixed with just a little sadness.

I just want to be close to him. To help ease what is bothering him. I lean into him and gently kiss his lips. I breathe in the warm clean smell of Eric and feel almost light headed. I lean closer to him and kiss him deeply. He moves his hand to the back of my head and pulls gently on my hair holding my mouth to his.

He pulls away from me slightly. “Honey, we really need to talk.”

I playfully lick at his lips with the tip of my tongue. He crushes my mouth against his again. Eric slides his tongue in my mouth as it expertly entices my own.

I slide over slightly and kiss along his jaw line and down to his neck. I kiss at the spot just below his jaw line and he moans slightly. His moan ignites my desire like a match to paper.

“Cora, there is something I really need to tell you first. Oh good god that feels nice,” he says as he slides his free hand up to my breast. He starts to gently massage it while rubbing his thumb over the hard nipple.

“So does that,” I respond as I move my kiss down to his collar bone. He gently pulls on my hair guiding my mouth back to his. His kiss is firm and full of desire. I want him so badly I can feel the blood rush to my center.

While still kissing him I gently kick off my new beautiful shoes. I slide off the couch on to my knees in front of him. He pulls back from me and for a moment just looks into my eyes.

“Lay back,” I demand as I gently push his torso towards the back of the couch.

“Honey, we really should talk first.”

“No, whatever it is it can wait.”

“I am not sure that it can,” he says, looking a little worried.

“I am. I don’t care what it is. I want to do this and I want to do it now.”

Chapter 8

He hesitates for just a moment before kissing me again. He leans against the back of the couch. I reach and unfasten his belt buckle followed by his pants. He lifts his hips as I slide them down to his thighs

I can see his waiting erection pushing against his boxer briefs and I feel the surge of longing between my legs grow. I pull his boxer briefs down to his thighs as well.
Holy shit!

I couldn’t be more pleased with what I see before me. I lose myself for a moment, thinking of climbing on top of him, before I snap myself back to the task at hand.
Maybe a few days of knowing each other are enough?

I lean forward and gently run my hand up and down the length a few times. He sighs deeply at my touch. I grasp his hard cock at the base and very gently flick the underside of the tip with my tongue.

“Oh fuck,” he sighs and closes his eyes for just a moment. I can’t help but smile. I feel so sexy having this much control.

I swirl my tongue around the head of his cock while I slowly start to move my hand up and down the length. I slide my lips over the tip and take it in until I feel it hit the back of my throat, my hand still holding the base. I gently suck as I move my mouth up and down his length with my hand working the base of his hardness in time. With each stroke I am getting more worked up until I am sure I am soaked. I feel him swell slightly against my tongue and I pick up my pace.

“Oh fuck, honey you need to stop, I am close.”

“Isn’t that the point?” I pull back and grin wickedly up at him.

“Yes, I hope so but I really want to taste you.”

“Oh really?” I have never had a man say that to me before and it catches me a little off guard.

“Yes, here,” he says as he lies on his back on the couch. “I want you to put one leg on either side.” He points to either side of his head. I consider saying no for a moment but my longing is so strong.

“Can I still touch you?” This is new to me so I am a little nervous.

“God, you better.” One look at the desire in his eyes and I know I would stand on my head if he asked me too.

I stand up and quickly remove my panties tossing them next to my shoes. I do as he asks and place one knee on either side of his head. Straddling him like this I feel very exposed and for just a moment I feel panic start to set in. Then I hear his voice as he gently touches my thighs.

“Hey, we don’t have to do this if you aren’t sure.” Once again he calms me easily.

“Oh no, I am sure,” I say feeling surprisingly relaxed. I lean forward and balance myself over his cock. I again start stroking the base and flicking my tongue around the head. I am devouring as much of him as I can manage. I am completely lost in him.

He pushes my dress up over my thighs exposing my ass. He gently rubs his hands over both cheeks. Suddenly, I feel a
thwack
across my right butt cheek.

“Oh!” I exclaim out loud. Well, that surprised the hell out of me. It stings a little but in a good way.

“Is that okay?” He asks in a concerned tone.

“Yes, that is more than okay,” I respond surprising myself.

“Thank god! Your ass was made for spanking honey,” he says as he smacks the other side. I moan softly and return to worshiping his cock.

I feel the tip of his tongue brush across my clit. I gasp at the sudden sensation. He runs his very talented tongue up and down my folds a few times before circling my clit. I moan softly pausing to enjoy the feeling spreading through my body. I continue to work him with my hand as his tongue rhythmically laps at my hard button. He slips two of his fingers inside me and I instantly clamp down around him.

I place my mouth around his cock once again moving my head and hand in time with his. I feel him start to swell again only this time he doesn’t stop me. I feel myself get right to the edge.

“Mmmm. You are amazing,” he moans against me and I lose it. I feel my whole body overtaken with pleasure tremors. My body is shaking with my intense orgasm but he still continues his lavishing. I am not sure I can handle the sensation.

“I am there,” he says mercifully as I think I might pass out. I push the tip of his cock to the back of my throat as he explodes in my mouth. I swallow quickly and then collapse next to him.

“Wow, that was fun,” I say giddily.

“That is a bit of an understatement,” he says with a little laugh. “Hey, come up here.”

He helps me adjust so that my head is resting peacefully against his chest. He starts to slowly run his hand through my hair again. I close my eyes and enjoy the feeling of contentment.

I start to think back on the moment of panic I had a few minutes ago and how quickly it subsided. That is the second time that one of my panic attacks just stopped from his touch and voice. I wonder if I am gaining better control of them or if it could be Eric.

“Why do you always call me ‘honey’,” I ask dreamily.

“Well, I like you and it is a term of endearment,” he says with his sly grin once more.

“No kidding. I mean why always that term.”

“Well that is what you make me think of.”

“Honey? I make you think of honey?” I ask surprised as I prop myself up on one elbow to look at his face. I am not sure if that is a compliment or not.

“Yes, honey. It is pure and sweet just like you,” he replies as he cups my face again. “It happens to match the color of your hair and the taste of your lips as well.”

I search his face to see if he is joking with me or not. The look on his face makes me think he is being sincere. That is really the nicest thing any man has ever said to me.
Oh, fuck. I am really starting to like being with him, a lot.

“Now, honey,” he says sitting up. “We
really
need to talk.”

I swing my legs off the couch and reach for my panties. I pull them on quickly and move to the fire place my back to Eric. The warmth feels so nice. I look at the framed albums.

“Wow, you really are a Beatles fan,” I point to the frames.

“Yes I am. I would really like a copy of Abbey Road singed by the whole band but there are only two copies known to exist. I have seen McCartney in concert a few times. I really wish I could have seen them all perform together. As much as I enjoy the Beatles, that isn’t what I wanted to talk about.” He runs his hand through his dark brown hair and I can tell he is getting a little frustrated with me. I should go sit next to him and talk but instead I make my way over to his book cases.

There are the usual titles I would expect to see in an English man’s collection. There are the mandatory copies of Dickens, the complete works of Shakespeare, some
Hemingway, The Great Gatsby
, and
Moby Dick
to name a few. I am a little surprised to see a full collection of books by Tolkien but nothing could have shocked me as much as what is on the shelf next to them.

“You have three books by Jane Austen?”

“Yes.”

“Jane Austen? You really read Jane Austen enough to have three of her books in your private study?”

“Yes, is that so strange?”

“Well you are just really manly and Austen really isn’t.”

“I enjoy reading and I grew up with my mum and sister. Have you ever read her books?”

“Yes! I love her books. In fact, that was the first thing I thought when I saw this house. It reminds me of something straight out of one of her stories.”

“I could see that. Can you please come sit down now?”

“Where is this picture from?” I ask pointing to a framed picture of him and his sister.

“That is at my favorite castle. It is actually not too far from here.”

“Oh, I know which one you are talking about. I have always thought it would be fun to explore some castle ruins.”

“Would you like to go next Saturday? I would love to take you.”

“Yeah, I would like that a lot.” I feel a little better about this talk he wants to have. If he is making plans to see me next week then it can’t be that bad.

“Cora, can you please come sit with me so we can talk.” He is scowling at me from the couch. It is clear I really can’t stall any longer. I sit on the couch next to him and I pull my legs up underneath me. He takes my hands in his and furrows his brow. “I don’t know why this is so hard for me to tell you.”