Chapter 7 

“Your trips to New York haven‘t become daunting I hope”

“Are you kidding? I had forgotten just how much I love being in the city” Alexis said as she watched the people making their way through the crowded streets as their car passed

“It is a bit addicting isn’t it?”

“More than I ever realized. Being back here has been wonderful. Ric and I were saying how the city just makes you feel more alive”

Michael smiled

“Well it’s been more than a pleasure to have you here. And I can’t tell you what it meant to me to have you doing this deal… I wanted the best, I got the best”

“Well it is nothing but mutual admiration because you know how much I enjoy working for an old softy like you” Alexis said with a slight laugh in her voice

Michael raised his brow “Softy huh?”

“Mmm Hmm” She said turning her eyes back to the streets

“Well this softy would love to have you back”

Alexis looked over to him

She didn’t respond

“Just as I thought….”

“What?”

“That you wouldn’t have an answer or a quick comeback for me saying that”

Alexis looked at him defeated

“Look we’re here” Alexis said as she began to gather her coat

“Perfect timing?”

She rolled her eyes

“Are you ready to sign this deal?” she said trying to continue to change the subject

“Sure… ready as ever”

+++++++++

“Ric good to see you again”

“Michael” he said giving his hand a firm shake

“You and Alexis have far exceeded my expectations of the brevity pulling this deal together”

“Well I find my colleague is quite easy to work with” he said grinning

Michael smiled “I’m glad to see you two shall I say, together again? It becomes the both of you…”

Ric returned the smile, he understood.

He was a different man with her

“Alexis…” Michael said motioning her their way

“Sorry I had a call I need to take” She said then leaned in to Ric “She says hello and that she misses you”

Ric grinned widely, his chest protruding like a proud Papa

It made Alexis smile

“Well hello all” John said making his way through the door of his own conference room “I hope everyone is well… “Alexis” he shook her hand “Michael” another hand shake… “Are we ready to sign?”

“I believe we are” Michael said speaking up

Ric motioned for everyone to sit and he politely pulled the chair out for his wife and then proceeded to sit on opposites sides of her

“Ric did mention to you Alexis about the change in paragraph 22?” John questioned taking one last glance at the contract

“Yes he did and Michael and I both agreed that it was fine”

“Are we ready then?” Ric asked anxiously

Alexis looked at Michael “I believe we are”

Ric handed Michael a pen

He scribbled his name

“And John?” Ric said now placing the contract in front of him

Seconds later the deal was done

“You won’t be disappointed Michael” John said shaking his hand

“I have utmost confidence I won’t be John”

“Alexis it was pleasure doing business. Thank you for everything” John said now smiling

“It was my pleasure”

“Ric same here” Michael said once again shaking his hand

Done

+++++++++++++++++

Hours later she and Ric said their goodbye’s to Michael and to John after a celebratory dinner and drinks

The day had been perfect, a deal done and a night ending the way it should…

In the car ride back to her hotel his hand rested easily on her legs, his thumb brushing the exposed skin above her knee that her skirt let reveal

They sat close

Her head at times resting on his shoulder when the conversation lulled

The car stopped in front of the Waldorf-Astoria

And the back door quickly opened

Ric got out of the car taking her hand to help her out

They stood close

His hand not letting go of hers

Alexis looked up at the building in front of her

“It’s a beautiful hotel”

She had said those heartbreaking words to him weeks before when they first arrived in New York

He knew how to answer

“Not a very beautiful hotel when you’re there alone” he reminded

She smiled letting out a shy, breathy laugh

“No it isn’t”

Alexis looked at Maurice, the driver waiting patiently and trying to keep his distance for their privacy

She then looked at Ric and leaned in whispering in his ear

“Come up stairs with me”

His heart jumped to his throat

He grinned

She tugged at his hand leading the way in to the hotel

“Have a good night Maurice” Alexis said looking back to him, letting him know he would no longer be needed

“You too Ms. Davis, Mr. Lansing” he said making his way to the driver’s side of the car

+++++++++++

The elevator

His arm rested around her hips holding her close

The onlookers in the elevator observing them

In love, obviously in love

The onlookers, smiled at the two of them

Her suite

Dark, moonlit

She turned on the small desk lamp and pulled him toward the couch

She pulled off her suit jacket

Silk, lace

God he loved what she wore under suits… it was her little secret

A little secret that he was fortunate to know

When he would see her in court, he would catch himself wondering what was under her suit

Tonight a grey suit… a soft blue camisole with cream lace that was brilliant against her skin

She grinned at the way he was staring

He pulled off his coat

But before he could finish she began to kiss him

It was hard to think of how to remove the coat to your suit when she kissed him like that

Ric began to loosen his tie

And then he initiated the next kiss

They stopped

Her eyes saying a thousand things, his understanding her every word

She smiled

He was making her smile

His fingers traced her collar bone and then slid under the straps of her camisole

The soft blue camisole with cream lace

Her lips suddenly to the palms of his hands

His eyes closing at the feel of her kiss

Her sweet, perfect kiss

“You’re so beautiful” he said now looking in to her eyes

She grinned shyly

He bit his bottom lip… he loved the ways she would shy away when he told her how beautiful she was

She pulled at his tie until it came undone

She slid the tie through her fingers and then tossed it to the floor

“I need you so much” Ric said not being able to hold in his confession

Her hand went to his face caressing his jaw line

“I need you” she said

“Are you sure you want to do this? Because I don’t think I can stop…”

She placed her thumb to his lips silencing him

Her eyes to the ceiling

And Ric watched as she swallowed her thoughts and as they trailed down her throat and into her chest

“Alexis, you’re thinking…”

She looked back to him, back in to his eyes

She shook her head no

“I don’t want to think… not right now”

He then shook his head understanding

She leaned in kissing him, this time more passionately than the last

“I’m just so tired of thinking”

“I just don’t want you to regret…”

“I’ll never regret anything that happens between us” she said her voice now a whisper

He kissed her again and again

“I crave you, I just want to touch you and taste you and God… I need you”

Her fingers made the first move

His shirt untucked, unbuttoned… his belt, his pants, undone

His hand now further up her thighs

Her lips to his neck

His chest rising and falling against hers

Her heart rapidly beating with his

“I’ve missed you so much”

Her voice was of relief and pain at once

Ric only responded by crashing his lips in to hers

He then stood pulling her with him

Pushing, leading her to the bedroom

“I want to make love to my wife” he said in between more and more addicting kisses

The bed

Her head against the sheets

Her skirt lying on the floor

The camisole pushed from side to side against her skin and his

Naked he wanted her naked; he wanted to be naked against her

Kisses to her legs, between her thighs…

Her eyes once again to the ceiling but this time no thoughts of anything but what was happening to her body ran through her

Her hands running through his soft curls, then her fingernails running chills down his spine

The woman he adored

The man she now couldn’t live without

He made love to her

She made love to him

Over and over their bodies, tired… until once again they couldn’t resist

They had chemistry neither of them had ever felt with any other

It felt fulfilled and complete, yet it left them both wanting, begging, and hoping for more

And they kept making love until strength and breath wouldn’t allow them to anymore

Her suite

Dark, moonlit

Beads of sweat glistening, the taste of salt on every inch of their skin

She lay there, his arms wrapped around her, her body covered with his

Silence… laying in a comfortable silence

His chin resting against her shoulder, his eyes closed

Her eyes to the stars hidden in the city sky

“God… I love New York”

His eyes opened to the sound of her voice

He repeatedly kissed at her shoulder

“Me too, me too”