Chapter 1
I’m holding his hand tightly as we run through the field. The sun is high. The sky is clear blue. The air smells of dirt and sun-warmed straw. The tall grass feathers through my fingers. All I can hear is my ragged breath and laughter. His laughter, the pure and unbridled joy of a young boy.
The bright light of the sunrise creeps through a crooked blind streaming a golden ray straight to my face and waking me. I peel my eyes open slowly and stretch.
I’ve been dreaming about him a lot lately. I find it unsettling, considering I haven’t seen him in years.
I can’t recall this specific memory. We ran through that field hand in hand, out of breath, laughing more times than I can count.
The very first time, we were eleven. With his grandmother’s stolen stash of candies. We ran through that field to the old barn on the edge of their property near a large pond. We ate it all in one go. We spent the entire evening sick to our stomachs.
Little did we know, she’d had that stash for over ten years.
Another time when we were thirteen. We caught his mom kissing a man in her car as we were coming home from school. She was livid with us.
“Get the heck out of here you little snoops.” She yelled as we ran.
It wasn’t the first time she’d reappeared after being gone for days. This time, we just happened to see why.
He grabbed my hand. We ran and ran until we reached that old barn.
It was the first time I had seen passion in real life– not just on the television in our living room, where my mother watched her dramas.
That was when we had our first kiss.
We reached the barn, bent over catching our breaths, laughing, hands still clasped.
“Ewe, gross. I can’t believe they were doing that in the car!” I huffed out, smiling. “And in broad daylight!”
He straightened and looked at me then. No smile. He stared at me. A different look than he’d usually give me, something I couldn’t understand.
“Can I kiss you, Etty,” he blurted out. “I mean, you know, just to get the first kiss thing out of the way.”
He let go of my hand and wiped it on his thigh. He looked away and rubbed his hand on the back of his neck, a slight blush creeping up his cheeks.
“I mean if you want...Macey Lashinski has been trying to go to the movies with me and I thought if I already knew how to kiss then… well you know.” His face scrunched.
“Yeah... why not.”
I was disappointed. I hoped it didn’t show on my face. I wished he would have wanted to kiss me for me.
Even then, at 13, dark tousled hair, blue eyes, lanky and awkward, he was the most beautiful boy I had ever seen.
I took a deep breath and shrugged. “Let’s get it over with.” I closed my eyes and waited.
I waited, leaning against that old barn with my eyes closed and chin tilted up.
He had a growth spurt over summer, he was almost a whole head taller than me by then.
The crunch of the gravel told me he moved closer. I could feel his body heat through my shirt. Then his breath was on my lips, and finally his lips on mine. I could taste the salt of his sweat or mine.
I opened my eyes to see he had his eyes closed. I couldn’t help it and I started to laugh.
He pulled back and said, “yeah, that was weird.”
“Weird? Weird doesn’t cover it.” I said in between giggles. “I don’t know what all the fuss is about kissing, but there’s not much to it.”
So many memories in that field, in that barn, in that pond. They seem to haunt me.
My alarm jolts me back to reality.
I groan and roll out of bed.
Today is the firm’s annual “morale” party. There are rumors of a big announcement.
At twenty-nine, I’m a senior brand strategist at The Nyvek Group—and after five years of killing myself for this company, I’m ready for them to finally say the word partner.
I armor myself in my navy satin pencil skirt, a white scoop neck blouse, my favorite Balmain jacket and finish the look with a classic Louboutin pump.
I look myself over in the mirror. Chestnut hair falls smooth and deliberate down my back. I swipe a little copper eyeshadow to make my green eyes pop, touch up my red lipstick, and head out the door.
I slip into a coffee shop before heading to our offices. When I arrive, coffees in hand, the office is buzzing. Everyone speculating what the big announcement is today.
“I’m here!” I shout over the crowd to Mara, Junior brand strategist, as I cut through the center towards my office. I drop her coffee on her desk, then slip into my office.
“What, no coffee for me?” a low smooth voice asks at my door. I turn.
“Isn’t that why you have an assistant?”
He smiles and shuts the door behind him. The glass walls offer no real privacy.
Liam Nyvek—Managing Director of Client Strategy. The boss’s son. Charming, irritatingly competent, and someone I know better than I probably should.
“Let me guess–you’re here to let me in on the announcement?” I say, feigning disinterest. “Daddy tell you what’s up?”
Liam rolls his eyes at me. He hates when people assume he’s coasted on his last name. We both know that’s not the case. He’s good at his job—annoyingly so.
“No. Actually,” he says, straightening his designer suit coat and flicking away non-existent dust off his shoulder. “I was just curious what your plans are after the party.”
“Ah.” I tap my chin with a finger and narrow my eyes at him. “I thought you were seeing that model.”
Liam huffs, “that didn’t pan out.”
“Hmm…” I pretend to mull it over. “I guess I could be available tonight.” I smile at him. “You’re dismissed, Mr. Nyvek.” I say in my best low, authoritative voice.
Liam grabs his chest feigning injury. “You insult me. Mr. Nyvek is my dad, but feel free to call me daddy.” He winks and turns to open the door and exits.
I shake my head at his retreating figure. Mara enters shortly after. “Thanks for the coffee and what was that about? Did you get the scoop?” She asks, her brown eyes wide with anticipation.
“No, just discussing a possible new client. Do you have the files for our ten thirty?”
By seven thirty the office is empty. Everyone headed to the Cipriani Wall Street. I grab my jacket and head out as well. Not surprisingly, Liam’s still in his office. I knock on his open door, “You want to share a cab?”
He looks up at me and smiles. “I thought you’d never ask, Ms. Bellefontaine.”
I’m struck by the soaring marble halls and impossibly high ceilings. Everything here gleams—the stone floors polished to a mirror shine and how the soft golden light catches on the crystal and glass. Liam, a few steps behind me.
Servers move through the crowd with trays of champagne. I take a glass as one passes.
William Nyvek stands up to the podium. The crowd hushes instantly. All eyes turn toward him as he launches into a practiced speech about growth, margins, and what an exceptional year it’s been.
I swap my empty flute for another as a server glides by.
“I’m proud to announce that we will be expanding with the opening of a new office in Chicago.” Mr. Nyvek says, pride evident in his voice. “Over the coming weeks, we’ll be transitioning key players and team members to support this growth. I look forward to working with you all as we begin this next chapter.”
Chicago.
My stomach tightens before I can stop it.
So close to home. What used to be home. A small farming town near Chicago. My parents left shortly after I did.
“Colette.” Mr. Nyvek calls out to me, shaking me out of my thoughts. He makes his way through the crowd to me followed by Liam and a few partners.
“Mr. Nyvek. Wonderful speech.” I say.
“Colette, if I remember correctly, you’re from Chicago, correct?”
“Not quite, a small town about an hour out.” I answer. “But, I haven’t been in years.”
“Well, I think you ought to reacquaint yourself.” He says, smiling. “I need you out in Chicago. It would look good if you can close a few deals out there. The partners and I would be really impressed.”
I know where this conversation is heading. It’s a test to get me on the partner track. I’m really dreading it, but I try my best to hide my conflicting emotions.
I put on a smile that doesn’t quite reach my eyes. “I’m a team player. I go where I’m needed and most valued.”
“Wonderful.” He says. “You enjoy yourself tonight. We’ll talk logistics in the morning.” Mr. Nyvek takes his leave.
“Looks like we’re celebrating tonight.” Liam says handing another champagne flute to me.
“Looks.” I say, as I drink the entire glass.
Liam studies me. “This is exactly how people make partner.” He says. “ You know that.”
“Yes.” I huff, “I just didn’t think I’d have to relocate.”
“Chicago’s a great city. Clean slate. Big market.”
“I wouldn’t know. Honestly, I haven't really spent any time there.”
“Well, lucky for you,” he says, smirking, “I’ll be around to make sure you don’t hate it.”
“You’re going too?” I smile, and it finally reaches my eyes.
He leans in close and whispers in my ear, “who else do you think dear daddy would trust to watch over his precious firm.” We laugh together.
We take a cab to his place. His place, so I can leave without any awkward conversations.
I haven't made it through the door of his apartment when the cool wall presses against my back. Liam’s muscled body crushes against mine, his cologne filling my senses.
His stubble grazes my neck as his lips trace a path to my mouth. His tongue finds mine, the taste of champagne lingers between us, intoxicating and rich.
My fingers tremble against the metal of his belt buckle, desire and champagne making me clumsy.
With a low growl, he pulls me from the wall, his strong hands gripping my waist as he guides me through the hallway.
Silk sheets against my bare thighs sends goosebumps across my skin before I sink onto his bed.
My dress gone, leaving nothing between us but the heat of anticipation.
Liam’s eyes darken as he crawls toward me, the mattress dipping beneath his weight. I arch against the bed as his body covers mine, his skin scorching against me, our heartbeats thundering in unison.
His fingers stretch toward the nightstand, lips never leaving mine. He sheaths himself quickly then drives into me with one devastating thrust. I’m slick and aching for him. The delicious stretch and fullness tears a moan from my throat. Pure, shattering pleasure floods through me.
He’s relentless, merciless, each powerful stroke hitting exactly where I need him. My body arches, taking everything he gives me, demanding more.
When I open my eyes, the city is quiet. I must’ve fallen asleep. I blame the champagne. I can feel the heat of his body next to mine, he’s asleep. I get out of bed as quietly as possible and search for my clothes. He stirs.
“Just stay, it’s probably super late now.” He grumbles into his pillow.
“I have an early meeting, need to look my best.” I whisper as I’m slipping my shoe on. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” I slip out of his room before he can protest any longer.
