Totally caught by surprise, Dad asks, “You want to take even more classes than you have now?”
“Well, PE is similar to the dissertation I did last year, so I’m sure I’m gonna be fine.”
But he doesn’t look convinced. “You already have so many courses to take this year. Don’t you think it’s going to be too much?”
“Just that one is fine.” Letting out a sigh, I tell him, “They are the only friends I have at Columbia. And now, since we are doing everything from home, I don’t see how I’m gonna make new ones.”
Dad keeps quiet as he ponders my request. “Okay, let me have a talk with the dean and see what we can do.”
My mood lightens up immediately. I never thought I’d manage to convince him so easily. “You’re the best. Thank you,” I praise with a big grin.
“Roy, we have the Zoom call with management in ten minutes,” Alex informs my dad. “Should we go to the lounge?”
“Oh, I can leave,” I interpose just as fast, looking at my fiancé.
His striking blue eyes land on me, and with a smile on his lips, he gets up from his seat. “There is no need,” he replies, heading in my direction. Then, as he stands in front of me, he crouches down to be at my level. “There are a couple of books that you might enjoy here in the library,” he says in a low voice, his eyes never leaving mine. The fact that he is whispering while so close to me makes my heart go wild. His cologne invades my nostrils, and my body heats up at his scent. Jeez, lust invades me, and I feel totally powerless at my growing arousal. “Cynthia will show you.” His gaze drops to my parted lips, and I wonder if he’d dare to kiss them in front of my dad.
“Alright, let’s go,” I hear Dad saying as he stands up.
And my much-wanted kiss lands on my forehead instead.
Chapter 3
Bedford Hills, August 27, 2020
Petra Van Gatt
Alex was right—the great thing about his home office is that there is a library with a wide selection of books dedicated to finance, money, and banking. As I take one of the paperbacks, I wonder if he got these books especially for me, since they appear to be brand-new and without any creases on the spine. With the whole afternoon pretty much available, I start reading the ones Matthew recommended to me in order to get ready for the exams in the fall.
But just as I am about to finish the first book, I’m interrupted by a knock on the door and Cynthia comes in. “Ms. Van Gatt, sorry to interrupt, but Dr. Nel advised that you should go to bed no later than nine p.m.”
What? I glance at my watch, and I can’t believe the time has gone by so fast. Jeez! Despite her medical advice, I feel like a freaking child when someone tells me it’s time to go to sleep. It reminds me of when Janine would usher me into my bedroom while I was in the middle of a good book. I hated it so much that I’d take the book with me to read it in bed—well past the twenty minutes’ allowance. But at that time, I was seven, not eighteen! Janine hasn’t bothered me to go to bed since I was fourteen or so.
Once we get into the bedroom, Cynthia helps me into a red silk nightgown with laces on each side that falls above the knees, and a quick giggle escapes me as I observe myself in it. At my house on Park Avenue, I’d have worn cotton pajamas or shorts instead. Heck, I don’t even have any nightdresses there. Afterward, Cynthia helps me to the bed and tucks me beneath the sheets. I can’t help but wonder how long this childish routine will continue. “This is just until I can walk, right?” I ask her, my tone defiant as I lie in bed with my book resting on the nightstand.
“Miss, sleeping is very important,” Cynthia lectures. “If you were in a hospital, you’d have a nurse escorting you back to your bed, just like I’m doing now.”
She didn’t even answer my question, so I ask again. “Once I’m able to walk, you won’t have to stay, right?”
“Correct,” she replies. “But until then, I will be here.”
Having someone telling you what time you have to go to bed when you are an adult is an absolute nightmare. And for some strange reason, my thoughts go to seniors living in a retirement home and to anyone physically incapacitated who needs assistance. Are they being infantilized like me? I never thought that one day I’d be paying attention to such a small luxury. But the truth is, I can’t wait to walk again so I can go to bed when I feel like it. Then I wonder if Alex will come anytime soon and if he’s gonna sleep with me. Jeez, I can’t possibly imagine spending my nights here alone when we are both living under the same roof. I already miss him way too much.
Once Cynthia closes the door behind her, I take my iPhone from the nightstand and text him: Are you gonna sleep with me tonight?
Then, impatient, I text again: Forget it. It was NOT a question! When are you coming?
Afterward, I sit up in bed, switch the light on, and keep reading. To my greatest surprise, I hear three knocks on the door not even ten minutes later. Instructing him to come in, I put down my book upon seeing him. “Hey…” I greet in a soft and mellow voice, my lips already curving into a smile as I observe the most handsome man stepping inside my room.
“Hey,” Alex replies, matching my tone. After closing and locking the door behind him, he strolls over in my direction, and as he sits beside me, his delicious scent takes over me. And just like in his office, it awakens all my senses, causing a flood of wetness between my thighs. Regardless of my current medical state, I hope he’s not too tired to make love.
“How are you feeling? Did you take your medicine already?” he asks, keeping his voice so calm and caring.
“Yeah, I did,” I tell him, licking my lips. Then I pull down the sheets, revealing my nightdress. “Um, Cynthia got me new pajamas,” I tease. “What do you think?”
Letting out a quick chuckle, his eyes gleam like jewels at the view, and a smile laced with naughtiness and desire settles on his lips—one that makes my cheeks blossom with heat. His gaze remains fixed on me, like he’s mentally undressing me. He then leans down and gives me a peck on the mouth. “Thank you for wearing it,” he whispers. We keep quiet as we stare at each other, my heart already beating so damn hard. “I love it.”
Warmth surges through me at his presence, and the more I look at him, the wetter I become. It’s so painful not being able to move as I’d like, but I do my best to bring myself closer to him. Just inches from his chest, I run a hand inside his open collar, fondling his smooth skin. “Now that we are alone…” Letting my words trail off, I keep my eyes on him as my fingers go to his shirt and start unbuttoning it. Alex seems to revel in it as he keeps silent, watching my every move. Returning the smile, with contemplative eyes, he brushes some locks of hair out of my face, then leans over to plant another quick peck on my lips. But I want much more than that.
“Petra?” His tone is neither sensual, nor playful. It feels like the beginning of a painful conversation.
“Yes?” I reply apprehensively.
“Can I ask you something?” His voice sounds so heavy that my heart gives a little jump.
With my lips flattening, I mumble a quick, “Sure.” And I do my best to tame my growing nervousness.