50 Shades of Business Men

Sand, Sun, and Sex

By the end of the night, the both of you managed to get through at least half of The Prisoner of Azkaban, each moment filled with adorable snuggles and sexy times. The second time was slower than the first, filled with a sense of comfort and happiness without the urgency it held before. Needless to say, you were completely relaxed by the time Michael left.

Sunday was going to be Tom's, but you weren't quite sure what to expect. He was a completely different beast, so wonderful and individual for who he was. So you decided to shoot him a text. Technically, as it was 1:30, it was his day so you figured it wouldn't bother him to get a message from you.

You: Hey. Just checking in. What's the plan for the day?

With a small sigh, you stepped away from your phone to put away the food still sitting on your counter and the leftover snacks. It had been a successful movie night. But it also left you more confused than before. Why did they both have to be so good at sex as well as everything else?! The universe was determined to make this hard on you.

Your phone interrupted your thoughts with a loud buzz, signaling what you assumed was Tom's response. You doubted it was Michael because the contract mentioned being courteous with texts and calls when it was someone's day. But you wouldn't put it past him to send a cute goodnight text.

Tom: Nothing too big. I'd like meet somewhere for breakfast if that is amenable to you, then perhaps we could drive to the ocean.

You smiled softly to yourself. The thought of him and the ocean brought back a lot of summer memories from the past eight years. Tom's favorite beach was a little private, secluded spot he'd mapped out years ago when he made his way to the US after leaving England. You'd gone along with him a few times, but only ever as his secretary or his friend. Those memories filled with his toned abs as he ran across the sand like a much younger man brought many a fantasy to your mind. He was more at peace outside the city's limits and the water only added to the feeling.

You: Sounds lovely. Shall we meet at Tove's Bakery then?

Tove's was a favorite of the both of yours since the fateful day you'd introduced Tom to the wonders of their freshly made breads and sweets. There were hundreds of bakeries in New York City, but Tove's was the place you'd grab coffee together when Tom was hungover. It was the place he grabbed their very special cookies from when you were moping after a bad break up. Sometimes, the two of you would just meet there under the pretenses of having a meeting, but really just looking for a strong coffee (or tea more often than not) and a fresh pastry.

Tom: See you there at 9

With a small sigh, you turned on your alarm to give you enough time to get ready and went to bed. No doubt your dreams would reveal the same conflict you felt in your heart, but you were determined to enjoy the next five months as much as possible. Sleep, and your screaming conscience, be damned.

"How are you feeling today, darling?" Tom asked, breaking the silence with a soft smile.

You were sitting at a small table in the cafe area of the bakery, enjoying the late July heat. He looked smashing as always with his perfectly tailored jeans and a dress shirt that looked about one size too small for his defined chest. His curls were tumbling on his tall forehead, and his eyes were particularly blue today. The glances from the patrons in the bakery made you feel a little possessive as women drooled over him and men were filled with contempt. How could one man look so angelic without ruining women for any other man?

It helped that he never even looked at them with you sitting across from him. He was taking you in intently, watching your responses and emotions as they flitted across your face. You, on the other hand, were completely memorized by the glint of gold coming off his hair through the dark coloring.