Cake Love: All Things Payne

We open the door and head back toward the booth.

"It's not like I have much of a choice. I need the money and it would be nice having a chance at the Executive Development Program again. I have a feeling Payne will most definitely recommend me for that when the time comes. Plus, I really like Mimir."

Evaleen hugs me and explains she wants me there tomorrow to sign some papers. We get back to our seat and do a few more shots. My head is spinning now. Evaleen and I get up to dance a few times. As I make my way back from the dance floor to take a break I see Aria and Tiffany giggling at something and looking at me. They shove a cell phone in my direction.

"Here, Morgana, it's for you."

I nod and grab it, "Hello?"

"Morgana?" I hear Mr. Payne's deep voice on the other end.

I glare at the two laughing ladies, or should I say girls, sitting in the booth.

"Yes, hi did you call me?" I ask.

"No, I thought you called me?"

"I think my drunk friends called you. Sorry, Mr. Payne. I'll let you go now."

"No wait. Where are you?"

I bite my lip knowing I shouldn't tell him due to the bad decisions I always make when drunk. I try to find my Brain but discover her on a chair in the corner, passed out with one squiggly arm over the back of the chair, the other dragging the floor.

"I'm at the Upper Lounge on Lake in West Side."

"Don't go anywhere I'm coming there. I want to see you."

He hangs up before I have time to answer.





Chapter 30 - THE Talk ...

After getting off the phone with Henrik I take another shot and now I have to dance. Aria and I make our way to the dance floor and start moving to the music. She is doing her usual moves as if she is a part of a dance routine, step, step, shimmy and jazz hands. As she knocks into people due to limited space, I focus on the grooves and the beat.

Suddenly I feel hands grab my hips from behind and someone's crotch digging into my backside. Guys rarely ask if they can grind on you while dancing in this day and age. I find it annoying but this guy in back of me seems to know what he's doing so I let him.

I feel his arm slip around my middle pulling me closer to him while his teeth nip at my shoulder.

"You feel good, Morgana." Henrik's voice dances over my skin causing me to moan and arch my back. I reach back and grab his neck to hold him to me.

He spins me around so I am facing him and damn it if he doesn't look extra good tonight. The crisp gray button up shirt hugs his chest forcing my hands to skim over it. Yes, it forced me at gunpoint to grope him. What you may call a loose thread I call a gun. A big scary gun making me want to do very dirty things to what is underneath this shirt.

My Brain hiccups and slurs out, "Remember he left you alone on the conference table with your vagina all hanging out and what not."

She passes out again but not before heaving in the toilet bowl.

"You left me."

I stop dancing and stare up at his beautiful blue eyes. He closes them and rests his forehead to mine.

"Let's go somewhere to talk."

I nod and he grabs my hand tugging me along. Before we make it to the door I stop him.

"Let me grab my stuff."

I race back to the booth to find Tiffany passed out while Evaleen watches over her.

"I'm heading out. I guess I will see you tomorrow."

"Tell Payne hi for me, Drake. Also, Happy Birthday." Evaleen winks at me.

I smile as I pull on my coat, scarf, hat and gloves. Now that I look like the abominable snowman I know I am ready for the night air. Once I am out the door I can't find Henrik. There is a Lincoln Town Car parked on the curb and the back passenger window lowers.

"Here." Mr. Payne's voice comes out of the window as the door opens. Hopping inside the car, I scoot to the seat next to him and buckle up.

"I'm sorry for so much, Morgana."

I turn to look at Henrik and find his gaze is focused on his window. He won't look at me.

"For leaving you there on that conference table. Getting you fired from Mimir. For taking advantage of you. I understand if you never want to see me again." Henrik sighs and finally turns his head to face me.

"That would make you happy, to never have to see me again." Yeah, I'm a little bitter. As much as I can't control my body when I am around him it doesn't stop the pain in my heart from escaping.

He grabs my wool covered hand, immediately removing the glove so he can caress my skin. Despite the cold his fingers are warm and his touch feels good.

"No, it wouldn't make me happy. I know what I said to you seemed harsh, that I don't do relationships, but I was trying to be honest. Everything I have told you has been true, I never lied to you. But ..."

The car stops and the driver steps out running to my side to open the door. I get out and realize I am at my apartment building. Is he just dropping me off?

"So what? This is goodbye?"

I turn to watch him exit the car and the driver closing the door behind him.

Elizabeth Lynx's books