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The Tessarae Inn |
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Dreams In Amber Refrains CHAPTER 14 When he opened the front door, Heather breezed past him into the foyer and headed straight for the living room. She was dressed in a simple and modest by her standards black skirt and white blouse. Her hair was in a French roll and she carried a black briefcase. All of which conveyed the impression of a professional simply there on business except she couldn’t seem to help exaggerating the movement of her hips as she walked. “Daddy Carl was very glad that you called,” she said over her shoulder. “He really likes you. He doesn’t like a lot of people.” He took a deep breath and followed her into the living room. “When does he want to meet again?” “Everything in its right time. I need to do some preliminary checks first.” “Where’s Robyn?” “My sister is otherwise engaged. Despite showing her ass the other day, she is not really involved in this deal. It’s just Daddy Carl and me. That’s one of the things you need to get straight. If I’m not happy then there is no deal.” Todd frowned but then steeled his nerves. Heather was just one more bitch. He had seen enough of them in his life. None of them ever got the better of him and he didn’t plan to break that record with this one. “Would you like a drink?” “Yes. Vodka on the rocks. I bet you drink Bourbon.” “Scotch.” “Then fix yourself three fingers of scotch and join me.” Heather positioned herself on the couch and ran her hand along the back. “This is not how I imagined your taste. Little too much pink. Your wife decorate?” “This is my wife’s aunt’s shit. We never bothered to redecorate.” “Why?” “We’re building a house. Should be ready in a few weeks. Do you think Treyscott is serious about not signing?” “Bryan Treyscott is an idiot but he’s not stupid. He likes the feeling of power these little tantrums give him but in the end he needs us as much as the team needs him.” “That’s good to know.” “Let me warn you. You will not survive in this game if you ever consider the possibility of knuckling under to a pussy like Treyscott.” He locked his gaze on her for a minute then handed her the drink. She smiled at him then patted the seat next to her. He took a step back. Her face clouded and her eyes narrowed. “I think there is something we need to get straight early on. There is nothing by the book in the way the Shuttlesworths do business, but it is our way. You play it our way or you can stay away. Now I like close contact when I talk business. Like to be able to reach out and touch the person I’m negotiating with. Don’t like it. Don’t play.” Todd gritted his teeth and then slipped on the couch next to her. He gulped his drink then steeled himself for what he suspected was Heather’s version of close contact. Instead of what he expected, she efficiently laid out the specifics of the deal. He listened intently somewhat flabbergasted by her insight into football and her knowledge of business. As the discussion proceeded he found himself relaxing. He fixed them another round of drinks when Heather took a short break to consult some notes from her briefcase. They talked for another forty-five minutes. “Now, I have, or actually will have, all of this information in a portfolio for you to peruse in some detail. You should have it in a day or so and another day or so to consider things after you receive it. Have your lawyer, banker, accountant and whatever on standby. You must understand that Daddy Carl does not like to dawdle once the possibility of a deal is addressed.” A day or two? Todd felt his head whirl. It was all happening so fast. Was it possible that it would all work out? By the time Blair got home with the kids they could be principal owners in the damn Tornadoes. Starr was going to love it and Jack would too, despite what RJ implied. What could be a better present for his son than his own football team? He could give his son something he only dreamed about when was younger. Heather slipped her files back into her briefcase and leaned back on the couch as she sipped yet another drink. She stared into his eyes for a second then reached out and ran her hand along his arm. He jerked back from the contact. He tried to stare her down but she returned his gaze with a cool unflappability and returned her hand to his arm. She stroked his arm for a few more seconds then began to unbutton her blouse—slowly, lingering for a few seconds on each button. When she reached over and began to stroke his face, he stood up and walked over to the bar. He knew what she wanted but that was not going to happen. Maybe the deal was all over now as far as she was concerned. So be it. He would find a way around her. When he glanced back, he found that Heather was standing right behind him. He turned and faced her. She looked him in the eye. “We’re unorthodox but we are serious. You always have a choice. You have a choice now, Todd. You know what I want to seal this deal. I don’t have to spell it out for you. You’re smarter than the average bear.” She let her gaze drifted across his face then downward at a deliberately languid pace. She looked up finally then took a step closer to him and placed a hand on his chest. “Don’t make the mistake of thinking I’m desperate. I just want what I want. I don’t always get it but then I don’t react very well when I don’t.” He narrowed his eyes and brushed her hand away. He took a deep breath. Maybe if he yelled what he had to say she would get it. A familiar sound distracted him. “Someone’s here.” “I didn’t hear anything.” “A car just pulled up.” “Send whoever it is away. Tell them you’re busy.” Todd walked to the front door taking deep breaths and thanking whatever gods might be for the reprieve. He was just about ready to lose it and let Heather see who he really was and he could guarantee that she wouldn’t like what she saw. He opened the door a crack and looked out. Blair was standing next to her car rummaging in her purse looking like sunshine on a rainy day. His heart lurched. He had missed the hell out of her. He opened the door wider then remembered who was waiting in the living room. There was no way he could let Blair see Heather, especially here. He closed the door, returned to the living room quickly and closed the doors. “Did you drive over here?” “I came by limo. I told them I would call when I was ready to return.” He reached on the desk and grabbed his keys. “I need for you to leave right now. That’s my wife. Here, take my car.” “No, I will not. You don’t want your wife to see me? Why should I care?” He was not going down in flames over this shit. He was not going to see pain in Blair’s eyes ever again over something stupid. “You need to care because I care.” Heather flopped down on the couch, crossed her legs and then folded her arms over her chest. “Don’t try to make your problems, my problems.” He grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her to her feet. “I’ve heard your I wants now you listen to mine. I want your ass out of this house now. I want you to be long gone without a trace when my wife walks through those doors. Do you understand?” “Fuck you. I’m not hiding from your bimbo wife. This is business.” Todd glanced at her half–unbuttoned shirt and shook his head. He flipped her around, pulled her close to him, wrapped his arm around her waist from behind then clamped his other arm around her shoulders and slapped his hand over her mouth. He dragged her out onto the patio. Just as he heard Blair call out to him, he lifted Heather up and darted across the patio and onto the lawn and headed with a determined gait to the side of the house. ================ Blair stood in the foyer of Dorian’s and studied the closed doors to the living room. Why would Todd close them? He was the only one in the house. Starr and Jack were still in Creedyville and the staff had been given at least a week off and told they would be notified when to return. There was an unnatural stillness to the house that was unnerving her. For the first time she was happy that Sheri talked her into leaving Jack with Starr. She agreed primarily to appease Starr but this separation from her family was becoming increasingly unsettling. She was back home now. She wanted Todd here. She wanted her baby here. She wanted her shining Starr here. Now though she was spooked. But why or by what she couldn’t make sense of. She walked slowly to the doors and opened them. Nothing. Todd was not in there but the room had obviously been used recently and the doors to the patio were open. She walked to the desk and noticed that the mail had been neatly sorted and stacked in piles. She picked up the phone and dialed Todd’s cell phone then his direct line at The Sun and finally his secretary, who told her he hadn’t been in the office all day. Her heart was beating fast and her mouth felt dry. Even though it was probably stupid, she couldn’t shake the need to hear his voice. Just as she was about to call Viki, the front door opened and she saw him walk into the foyer. When he saw her, he rushed into the living room then stopped and looked at her. “You’re here.” “Yes, I am.” Todd bit his lower lip, rubbed his hands along his pants and glanced around the room. She watched him with a sense of escalating uneasiness. Suddenly he moved toward her, enveloped her in his arms and kissed her lightly then said, “Glad you’re home.” “Are you?” “You want to go upstairs?” “I just got here.” “Yeah. Well, I know but it’s been a couple of days or so.” Why did that statement leave her so cold? He seemed to sense her hesitation. “Don’t mean to be crude. Just want a little time with my wife is all.” “Aren’t you curious about why I’m here? I didn’t tell you I was coming today.” “You live here, Blair. You’re welcome anytime.” Blair frowned. “Don’t make me beg, Blair. I’ll be up in a minute.” “Why upstairs? We’re the only ones here. Why not here? Why not now?” “Getting too old for floors, couches and stuff. Now go on up and warm the bed for me.” Blair nodded and walked toward the staircase. She was going to warm something all right but it wasn’t going to be the bed. Once she reached the second landing, she stood out of sight and listened. She heard what sounded like a flurry of movement then the distinct sound of a door closing. She waited for a few seconds more then started back down the stairs but Todd appeared suddenly. He bounded toward her taking the steps two at a time. “I thought you’d be naked by now.” “I don’t think I’m in the mood to get naked. What’s going on with you?” He answered her by grabbing her, spreading his legs so she could clearly feel what was happening below his waist and kissing her with such tongue probing passion that she felt her knees go weak despite her irritation. He was hiding something from her but he was also right it had been a couple of days. When he picked her up and whispered, “I need you bad, babe.” She felt all of her resistance evaporate. He could play her sexually if he wanted to because damn it if she didn’t need him too. But he had forgotten whom he was dealing with if he thought she would forget how this whole exchange started. Something was not right and she would find out what as soon as took his hands off of her and stepped back far enough so she could breathe and her mind could function in some way other than being filled with her need for him. Chapter 15 Dreams In Amber Refrains FAN FICTION |