Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 26884 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 108(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26884 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 108(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
Luckily, Peter’s working in his office in downtown Manhattan this week, so I don’t have to make a trip all the way out to Atlantic City. I stop in front of the big gray building, and look up. It’s so tall that the upper floors appear to disappear into the clouds, and there’s a magnificent lobby sprawled before me, mostly empty.
Taking a deep breath, I walk in and ask to see Peter Wilshire. The concierge nods.
“Is Mr. Wilshire expecting you?”
“Yes,” I lie. “I’m his girlfriend. I’ve been here before, but I just forget what floor his office is on.” The concierge looks puzzled but then points to an elevator to the right of his desk. “Top floor, ma’am. When the doors open, you’ll see his secretary and she can let you in to see him.”
Duh, of course Peter’s office is on the top floor. Smiling tightly, I thank the man and then get into the elevator. The ride up feels like it takes forever, and my stomach churns again. Right when the doors open, as predicted, I see a secretary sitting at her desk in front of a set of imposing double doors. Trying to act like I belong here, I walk right past the secretary and try to go in, but they’re locked. I lift my hand to knock, but then Peter’s secretary is out of her chair and right in front of me.
“I’m sorry, ma’am, but Mr. Wilshire’s busy. Can I help you?” the blonde woman asks politely.
I glance at her name tag quickly.
“Yes, thank you, Elise. I need to see him asap.”
Her face remains polite but expressionless. “I’m sorry, but is he expecting you? I didn’t see another meeting on his calendar for this time today.”
“Yes, of course he is,” I lie again. “I’m his girlfriend, and we had a lunch date scheduled for noon today. I was supposed to meet him at his office.”
The blonde woman looks surprised.
“Of course,” she says in a smooth tone. “I’m sorry he didn’t tell me he was expecting you today, but he’s in a very important meeting right now. I have strict instructions not to allow anyone to interrupt him, but as soon as he’s done, I’ll let him know you stopped by. The meeting’s going to take quite a while, I’m afraid, so there’s no reason to stay. I’m sure he’ll be happy you came in, however.”
I close my eyes and take a deep breath. Whatever’s going on between Peter and me is not his secretary’s fault, and I don’t want to take my anxiety out on her. “No, it’s okay. I’ll wait.”
“No, there’s no need,” she says quickly. “Again, this meeting has been on his calendar for ages, and it’s scheduled to take quite a while. I’ll let him know you came by.”
I stare at her before shaking my head.
“No, it’s okay. I’m not too hungry anyways, so I’ll just wait until he’s finished. Then, I march into the lounge area right in front of the office and take a seat in a chair. The blonde woman looks like she’s about to say something else, but then gives a slight shrug of her shoulders and returns to her desk. Good. I’m glad she’s given up trying to get me to leave. After all, my news is important, and I can wait.
But then, she looks over at me.
“Ma’am, can I offer you something to drink in the meantime?”
Come to think of it, my mouth is feeling dry. “I’ll take a water. Thank you.”
Elise nods. “Certainly. I’ll be back in a moment.”
Efficiently, she stands and departs the waiting area, leaving me to look around. The waiting area is spacious, as befits a CEO, with plush beige carpeting and coffee-colored couches and chairs. There are a few magazines on the table, and I lean forward to pick one up. Ugh. It’s something about the hotel industry, and I put the trade publication back down again.
Then, my mind starts wandering once more. I can’t help but picture myself alone, holding our baby in my arms after giving birth in the hospital. What would that be like? A shudder runs down my spine, and my skin feels clammy. No. I’m not going there. I don’t know anything for certain. Grams has never met Peter, so she doesn’t know him like I do. He’s a good man—
“Ummm, big boy. Really? You want it like that?”
My head cocks towards the big double doors. That was definitely a female voice, and she was murmuring something decidedly unprofessional.
This time, a few slaps sound out, plus an unintelligible low growl. Then, the woman’s voice purrs again.
“Oooh,” she moans breathily. “Mmm, yes. Put it there. Deeper, big boy. Give it to me.”
I move closer to Peter’s office, but the noises don’t stop. “Ahh, yes!” comes a high pitched squeal. “Yes, like that!” My eyes open wide and I have to cover my mouth with both hands to hold in the scream threatening to rip from my throat. This can’t be happening. But it is because there’s no mistaking the sounds coming from the other side of the doors. It’s a woman moaning, and not from pain. It’s the kind of moan a woman lets out when she’s experiencing the sort of ecstasy brought on by forceful, penetrative sex, the kind that makes your eyes roll back in your head.