Love, Your Concierge Page 18

  He didn’t verbally reply, but I could see his nod out of the corner of my eye.

  The rest of the drive to Manhattan there was an awkward silence. When he pulled up to the curb in front of my building, I quickly jumped out of the car and went to get my luggage out of the back. He beat me to it and wrestled the bags from my hand. Refusing to leave me to bring my stuff in, he followed me up to my apartment and set my bags inside the door.

  “I really am sorry about all this. I swear to you, I’ll fix this. Please,” he stopped and swallowed. “Please don’t give up on me because of this. We can overcome it. I want for us to overcome this.”

  I turned my head to the side to hide the tears in my eyes. He didn’t deserve this torture, yet I couldn’t bring myself to tell him that I didn’t blame him. The hurt was still too raw and fresh.

  I heard his footsteps and the soft click of the door. And that’s when the floodgates opened. I cried for hours trying to come up with a way to salvage my reputation while still keeping the man I love.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Reliable Source

  Grant

  The sound of the phone slamming echoed throughout my office. I leaned back in my chair and pinched the bridge of my nose. My frustration was due in part to the fact that the magazine calling Elizabeth an escort refused to retract their article. They stated that the reporter, Alicia Blackstone, had a reliable source.

  Reliable my ass.

  Elizabeth was no more an escort than I was a saint. She was a breath of fresh fucking air in what seemed like a corrupt existence. She made me feel things that I had locked away a long fucking time ago. Things that I thought could only cause pain. And whenever we made love, it was poetic, which might sound sappy, but it was true. I had never felt the way I did when I was inside her with anyone else. When I was buried deep with her tight cunt squeezing me, I felt at peace. Like I had come home. I had never had a stronger orgasm then when I was with her. And each time got better and better. That had to mean something.

  I cherished the times I spent with her. Times when I could let my guard down and be me, not the publicly accepted version of me. When I talked about my grandfather, she listened. And when I told her my plans and dreams for the future, she supported them and encouraged me. I was so used to people I cared about scoffing at my attempts to be a humanitarian and a human being worthy of respect and admiration, that I found myself craving the experiences that she gave me.

  My friends and family were soul suckers of the highest variety. If it weren’t for the fact that we looked so much alike or the fact that I was just like my grandfather, I’d have questioned my paternity for sure.

  I rubbed my chest, feeling an odd sensation in it, like I did whenever I thought of what Elizabeth meant to me, and what our future might hold.

  “Mr. Morgan?”

  I opened my eyes warily and took in the sight of my Executive Assistant. Madison had been with me for ten years now. She was like the mother I wish I had had. She might be opinionated, but she was also dedicated, loyal and a hard worker. I wasn’t sure how I would function without her.

  “Come in, Madison.”

  “Did you get it all fixed, Sir?” She inquired as she sat in the chair facing my desk.

  “No,” I sighed. My head was beginning to throb. “They said there is a reliable source. I need you to track down the reporter, Alicia Blackstone, and find out who this source is. I don’t care what you have to do to get it. If she won’t answer you, send her to me. I refuse to go home tonight with this still looming over my head.”

  “Of course, Sir. Might I just say though that from what I can tell, Elizabeth is a strong woman. I’m sure she’ll be okay. It’s noble for you to want to fix it, but maybe she needs to fix this herself.”

  I scoffed at that. “It’s my job to protect her. And that is exactly what I’m going to do. You didn’t see the look on her face last night or the tears in her eyes.” Or the way she looked at me, I thought. Considering this was all my fault for pursuing her after I hired her, she had every right. “Her business is her reputation and that so called magazine is trashing it. I will not sit back and let it play out. I’m going to end it.”

  She nodded her head and went off to track down the slimy reporter. There was no love lost between myself and the media. For years I played into the story they spun about me. I never cared what anyone thought, and it served a purpose. It made my parents insane whenever a new article popped up, and it kept the leeches at bay. The last thing I needed was for another Gabriela to waltz into my life.

  And now all those years of playing into their hands was hurting my dear, sweet Elizabeth.

  Hours passed by slowly, and I worked on a current case that was going to court later that week. My mind stayed fixated on the issues that I needed to deal with. I couldn’t stop wondering what Elizabeth was doing or how she was handling the backlash of being with me. I texted her earlier in the day, but only got a short reply. That only served to increase my need to know what she was thinking and feeling.

  My mind kept going back to how crushed she looked last night. It was written all over her face. Her soul was crumbling, and I was to blame. Her big hazel eyes, that reminded me of a Tiger’s Eye rock my grandfather had once given me, swam with tears. Her thick, long lashes that I adored watching blink up at me, were wet with her sadness, and it made my chest hurt to think about it.

  Madison finally returned and set a piece of paper in front of me on the desk. I looked up at her and quirked my eyebrow in question.

  “That’s her number. She refused to tell me anything, but said she would agree to tell you her source if you gave her a comment afterward. I didn’t promise anything. I left that decision up to you.”

  Madison waltzed out of my office after a look of pity. I instantly picked up my phone and dialed the number on the paper once the door shut behind her.

  “I’ve been waiting for your call,” the woman answered immediately.

  “How do you know who I am?” I inquired, feeling like I was walking into a trap.

  Alicia laughed lightly on the other end of the phone. “Lucky guess. So this is the one and only Grant Morgan, huh? I’m thrilled to finally get a chance to speak with you. I assume this means you’ll be giving me a quote to run in a follow up story?”

  “All I have to say to you is that your article is off base and full of nothing but slander. As I already told your editor, we’ll be filing charges as soon as possible if you don’t retract it immediately.” My tone was fierce and left no room for argument. It was the tone I used in court, and it never failed to get me what I wanted.

  “Well, that’s too bad seeing as how I did speak with someone who is known to be rather close to you and they were the one that confirmed my story. So unless you want to change your tune, I’ll see you in court. You can find out my source then.”

  I stopped myself just shy of cursing. I didn’t want her to know she had me by my balls. I couldn’t wait for court. I needed to know now. Which meant I had to give her something.

  “Fine. Tell me your source and I’ll give you a damn quote,” I gritted my teeth and clenched my hand into a fist.

  “Okay then. Mr. Morgan, what do you have to say to the claims made by your soon to be fiancée, Corinne Hughes, that you hired Elizabeth Ward in response to a fight the two of you had about the impending engagement, knowing that she was an escort and that it would devastate Corinne so much that she’d cave to your demands regarding the nuptials?”

  Stunned into silence by the fact that Corinne would betray me in such a disgusting manner, my mind couldn’t string enough words together to make a statement. Engagement? Fight? None of this made sense, and I needed to confront Corinne. But this snake was waiting for me to speak.

  “I go on the record as stating that I never have and never will be engaged to Ms. Hughes and that the rest of her allegations are completely false. Now my next question is why didn’t you print the rest of her statement if that is in fact what she to
ld you?”

  “As I mentioned, I planned a follow up story once I spoke with mutual friends of yours and Corinne’s to get a better look into your romantic relationship. It’s a great piece actually. New York City’s Most Eligible Bachelor and the society darling. I’m surprised she’s allowed you to hide your relationship this long, what with the parade of tramps you’re regularly seen with.”

  I cut her off abruptly at her less than stellar appraisal of my personal life. “That is none of your business or your concern. You have my quote. Now good day.”

  I slammed down the phone for the second time today and sent a quick text to George to meet me out front. When I paged Madison, she quickly came into my office. “I’m headed over to Corinne’s place. Postpone my afternoon meetings.”

  “Yes, Sir.” She looked pale from my declaration. Madison knew how much I loathed Corinne and the fact that my mother constantly tried to shove her down my throat, claiming I needed a proper wife. And she knew that was the last place I would go unless I absolutely had to. It wasn’t hard to put two and two together.

  And Madison’s unspoken assessment that Corinne was in trouble was indeed correct.

  ♥♥♥♥♥

  The doorman hung up the phone with Corinne and waved me off towards the elevator. I allowed my anger to stew the whole ride up to her apartment. This was going too far. I had assumed before, but now I knew Corinne would do anything to have my ring on her finger. Even if that meant ruining the life of an innocent person.

  She greeted me in her open foyer the moment I stepped off the elevator. Her left hand gripped my waist while the right wrapped around my neck and she attempted to kiss my lips instead of my cheek. I quickly turned my head, which made her make an angry, frustrated sound.

  “Grant, darling. To what do I owe this pleasure?” She ran her hands down her mostly naked body, her emerald green bikini barely concealing her breasts.

  Corinne noticed where my eyes were aimed, and a smug expression settled on her face. She tugged at the string holding her bikini bottoms on. “I was just getting ready for a soak in my hot tub. I wouldn’t mind a skinny dip if you’d like to join me.” Her fingers pulled and the one side opened up. I gave her a look of disdain. This wasn’t what I came for.

  Forcing my gaze to her face, that held so much unconcealed lust it made me want to cringe, I said, “That isn’t why I’m here and you know it.”

  “Do I now? All I know is you’ve shown up out of the blue and you can’t take your eyes off my body. Trust me. I wouldn’t mind another roll in the hay with you.”

  “I’m with someone now. The same person you tried to sabotage.”

  “Who is that again? Oh yes that’s right. What was her name? Elizabeth? Such a shame to read what’s being written about you two. I’m just not sure why you think I have anything to do with it.” Her head cocked subtly, and she studied me with an intensity that made my skin crawl, and that was saying something.

  “I spoke with Alicia Blackstone. I know what you told her. What I want to know is why. What we had ended years ago.”

  “You loved me once, remember? You used to worship my body. We’d make love for hours. You couldn’t get enough of me. Then one day I’m just tossed aside.”

  “We were twenty years old, Corinne. You were a sweet lay. Nothing more.”

  She growled in her throat. “You left me for that bitch, Gabriela. She had nothing on me. And obviously she wasn’t meant for you since she left you for your brother. You’re nothing without me.”

  By the look on her face, I could tell she had said more than she wanted to. Of course, that told me all I needed to know.

  “You’ll call Alicia and retract your statement. You’ll tell her it was all a lie. And then you’ll stay the fuck out of my business and my life.”

  “So crude!” She cursed at me. “Too bad I’m not the one who talked to her.”

  “Don’t lie to me, Corinne. She told me it was you. Why would she lie?”

  Corinne gave me an evil smile. “Did you ever stop to think she’s protecting someone? Maybe your mother? We both know she wants us together more than I do. I wouldn’t be surprised if Alicia has her on speed dial. I’m sure your mother wasn’t too pleased to know you were slumming it with the help. Because that is what this woman is. The help. It’s shameful really.”

  “That’s enough!” I roared as I picked up her Swarovski crystal vase and threw it against the wall, breaking it into tiny pieces. I was done with this scene. “You will call her right now while I’m here to listen. Or so help me, Corinne. I will make your life miserable.”

  She scoffed at my threat and tied the side of her bikini back together. “There’s nothing you could do to me. I won’t lie for you.”

  “Oh really? How about your six abortions? One of which was from your tryst with the gardener when you were seventeen. How old was he? That’s right. He was thirty-three and married.”

  “You wouldn’t,” she hissed and her face blanched.

  “Don’t push me. You won’t like how far I’ll go to protect Elizabeth.”

  After watching me for several minutes trying to decide if she should call my bluff, Corinne proceeded to call Alicia and tell her that her source was unfounded and the story should be retracted.

  One stop down, one more to go.

  ♥♥♥♥♥

  I knocked on Elizabeth’s door and prayed she was home. I had thought about calling her, but felt a surprise would probably go over better just in case she didn’t want to see me.

  She opened the door, and my breath left my chest in a whoosh. She was stunning in a pair of short pajama shorts and a tank top. Her hair was piled on top of her head, and her face was free from makeup. If I thought she’d let me, I’d pick her up and bury myself inside her right then and there.

  “What are you doing here?” She asked while looking at me from the doorway with an unsure expression. I was saddened by the fact that she looked leery by my presence.

  “I had to see you,” I rasped out, still taken aback by how sexy she was right then.

  “Come in,” she said when she stepped out of the doorway.

  I walked into her living area and turned back to face her. “How was your day?”

  She fidgeted with the hem of her shirt and looked down at the floor. “I lost another client.” Her voice wobbled and I desperately wanted to erase the distance between us and wrap her in my arms. I never wanted anything to hurt her ever again. I wanted to be her shield and protect her forever.

  “I’m sorry, love. I really am.”

  “It’s not your fault,” she whispered as a tear left her eye and tracked down her face. “I’m sorry I let you think that. I was so scared and pissed and I took it out on you.”

  “Don’t apologize. I deserve anything you dish out at me. I wanted you to know that I tracked down that sleazy reporter and she is going to print a retraction. Seems her ‘reliable’ source is no longer reliable.”

  “What do you mean?”

  I crossed the distance between us and picked her up in my arms. I sat on the couch and settled her on my lap. Instantly, I felt better having her with me. Touching me.

  “Either Corinne or my mother, I’m not sure who, fed her that story. I took care of it though. I won’t let them hurt you.” I stroked her head and felt a sense of satisfaction take over when she leaned into my touch and her eyes closed. “I care so much about you, Elizabeth. I need you to understand that. This isn’t something I take lightly, opening myself up to someone.”

  “I care about you too,” she said right before she placed her lips over mine. As soon as I got a hint of her sweet taste, I needed more.

  My hands rested on either side of her head, and I deepened the kiss once I had her where I wanted her. She moaned in my mouth and twisted her hands in my hair. I ran my hands up under her tank top and cupped her firm and pert breasts, reveling in the way her nipples pebbled with the slightest touch.

  Elizabeth squirmed on my lap until my cock pr
essed right where she needed it, then she rocked against me in a slow and agonizing rhythm. All the blood in my body surged to my dick, and it began to throb with the need to claim her.

  I leaned over so that her back rested on the couch, and I settled myself over her body. My hands pulled her shirt over her head, and my lips tugged on her nipples. Her fingernails dug into my scalp as I bit and licked her until she was breathing heavy and ready for more.

  I rolled off her enough to push her shorts and panties down her leg. She kicked them off and spread herself for me. My cock jerked painfully behind the zipper of my suit pants at the sight of her and her wet, swollen pussy. My lips danced and trailed across her skin at the same time my fingers fucked her and stretched her. She needed to be ready to accept me. I was rather large, and I didn’t want to hurt her. Ever.

  “Now Grant. Oh God. Now. Fuck me. Hurry,” she pleaded in between heavy pants.

  I reached down and grabbed my wallet from my pocket to get a condom. Elizabeth wasted no time freeing me from the confines of my pants. She grabbed the condom and ripped it open with her teeth. She slowly rolled it down my length, and I clenched my muscles at the feel of her soft hands on my cock. I needed her so badly. It didn’t even faze me to relinquish control to Elizabeth. I was just so lost in the feel of her, and the fact that she still wanted me.

  Once I was suited up, I rolled on top of her and slid inside her, savoring every sweet inch of her tight little body. When we were pelvis to pelvis, I ground against her and her legs tightened around my waist.

  “I’m going to take my time with you, Elizabeth,” I whispered in her ear as I rocked into her slowly. “And when you’re begging me for more, I’m going to fuck you until you can’t stand tomorrow. I want you to feel me between your legs while you’re at work. I want you to remember that it was me that did that to you. Only me.”