Page 16 of Second Chances
Beth ended the call, sitting frozen for a moment, transfixed on Anne’s last words. It felt good to hear an outsider’s perspective because all she knew was what she experienced with him personally. She became so focused on the changes that she experienced with him, or sometimes the lack thereof, that knowing someone else close to Darcy saw the difference that their relationship was having on him, gave her hope.
She knew that he was averyclosed book, barely sharing his choices with anyone even when those choices directly affected that person, and to hear that in such a short time of being together, he had told her more about his past trauma than even his closest friends had her heart clenching. Especially hearing that she knew more than Charles, shocked her. Maybe it was because she hadn’t given him much of a choice - either talk to her or end their relationship, but she had to hope that that wasn’t the only reason that he was opening up; she didn’t feel like it was, in spite of his in-the-moment reluctance. He’d kept this bottled up for six years, she would probably be more concerned if he didn’t have reservations about finally sharing it with her.
She missed him. UGH.
Looking at her computer, she realized it was nine-thirty already.Good thing I made it in early this morning.
Finally pulling up her mail, her heart skipped at the message waiting at the top of her inbox -Mr. Intolerable.
Beth,
Sorry I wasn’tthere when you woke up this morning - I was looking forward to thoroughly rousing you since you thoroughly arouse me. Unfortunately, I had to leave to deal with some management issues in Chicago that required an in-person appearance. I’ll be back on Friday. Please, make yourself at home in the apartment.
I hope you enjoyed all of your breakfast.
I’ll call you later.
D
Disappointment washed over her, overshadowing the anticipation his first sentence had caused. She felt like they had made so much progress last night, compared to how things were before, and knowing that that was going to be put on hold for a few days took her mood in a completely opposite direction.Chicago. Management.She would bet money that he was going out there to deal with George. Shaking her head, she hoped everything was ok. Opening up a response, she quickly typed:
Mr. Intolerable,
You’ve earned your name back for leaving so soon. Have a safe trip. I’m looking forward to waking up next to you in a few days.
Yours,
Beth
It seemed like she had barely hit send when her computer dinged with his response back.
I’m looking forward to waking up inside of you.
Your Mr. Intolerable
Heat suffused through her body, her mind racing into the fantasy of his suggestion. She wanted to respond and chide him that if he weren’t going away… but the thought that his trip was because of her sister and George (mostly George) had her holding back; she wouldn’t make him feel guilty over a situation that he was in because of and for her.
Sighing, she closed the message and moved on with her workday, not nearly in as big a rush for the day to end now that she didn’t have Darcy to go home to.
Chapter Six
Darcy comes home today.That was all her mind had thought about before she went to bed last night and it was what had woken her from her slumber at five-thirty in the morning - almost an hour before her alarm was set to go off.
Finally, Friday.
To say that the last few days had passed by slowly would be an understatement. Sure, he’d called her every night and they’d exchanged a few witty emails but nothing beyond surface conversation and some sexual innuendo.Ok, a little more than some and a little more than innuendo.The continuance of their last productive conversation needed to be done in person, not remotely, which was why her anticipation was heightened this morning.
And because you’re tired of sleeping alone.True.
And because you can’t wait for him to fulfill all of the dirty promises he’s made to you.Ok,FINE,that too.
Her mind and her body were on edge for his return. Thankfully, it had only been last night that she had struggled to fall asleep, and when she did, the fantasies of Darcy returning home had aroused her even in her sleep.
The day was going to drag if she didn’t get up and get busy. It had been a productive week, between meeting with prospective clients, working with Phil on ideas for the new event management branch of the firm, and then prepping her people and herself on the final details for the events this weekend. Forcing herself out of bed, Beth decided a morning run was in order to burn off some of her anxiety. Then she could come back and shower and prep some thoughts and questions for Caroline before meeting her and Jane for lunch.
Throwing on yoga pants and a long-sleeve tee, she grabbed her phone and key and headed out into the brisk, morning air. Entering Central Park from the south, she decided to stick to the two-mile loop so that she wouldn’t lose track of time. She picked up a light jog and allowed the steady beat of her footfalls to begin to organize her thoughts which, of course, immediately reverted to Darcy’s return.
Beth could tell that he was just as eager to see her from the tone of their more recent conversations. His patience for the issues he was dealing with in Chicago was wearing thin; his frustration was evident when they had spoken last night about how inefficiently everything was being handled. He hadn’t elaborated on the specifics, but Beth knew that it was something involving George and how he was handling his new position. Darcy’s frustration had triggered his sexual need for her, the conversation quickly turning to what he wished he could be doing to her right then. Her face heated as she remembered and relived how he had asked her to pleasure herself while he instructed her, while he whispered dirty and delicious things to her until she came. Her body burned again just recalling it and she was grateful that her blush seemed just as likely to be coming from the cool temperature as from her hot thoughts. She ached for him, which meant that she couldn’t even imagine how he was craving her. Deciding to play it smart and not set her expectations unattainably high, she admitted that today, sex would come first before any discussion; she was prepared for it, the give-and-take. Once they gave in to their physical needs, then they could take focused time to talk.
