Destined For Them (Story 3)✔

~10~

~Caroline~

I was beginning to think that I could read Sol just as good as he could read me. Only took seven years but I was getting there, I knew it. Even though he was smiling and forcing chuckles over our lunch at his office, I could tell something was on his mind. Something heavy. Something that couldn't just be put on a back burner. Annnd of course, I had no idea what it was. But I wouldn't demand him tell me, I was over it, he could have his secrets.

"So guess who came into the boutique today?" I inquired once the food I had brought was nearly gone. I knew the moment I saw Clark Turner that I was going to tell Sol about it. The first time around he hadn't been happy about me keeping Clark's attraction from him. I still wondered just what he had said to him when he went to confront him on his own. Whatever it had been, it'd kept the male away...until today.

"Who's that?" Sol pushed the to-go box away from him and leaned back on the leather sofa that occupied a corner of his office here; stretched his long legs out. It was almost enough to distract me. Almost. It was like an open invitation for me to crawl over his lap.

"Clark Turner."

Sol's bushy eyebrows collapsed and he seemed to be thinking before his gaze slid to me. He didn't like it, I could tell. "Clark Turner, huh. The painter. What, is he a cross dresser or something?" An amused smile portended the edge of his lips. Funny. I highly doubted that and even if that was the case, who cares? More power to the guy. I told him about the entire encounter, every second of it, and by the end of it, Sol looked like he was itching with frustration. "You know, I'm seriously tired of people trying to take what's mine." He said, scratching at his beard. Obviously, he was getting people killed over it.

"I don't think he is trying to take me, baby. He was just flirting." I wasn't in anyway trying to justify Mr. Turner's behavior but it was true. All he had ever done was flirt...meaningless. My husband shot me a sullen look before he got up. I didn't like the sudden change in the atmosphere. As I cleaned up, his assistant popped in and told him the conference room was ready for his meeting.

Not a word was said between us until we stopped at the closed door to go our separate ways. I wanted to tell him to not worry about Clark Turner, but what good would that do? I also wanted to tell him to not worry about whatever else was on his mind but I also knew that he would, even if I suggested it. Just what was going on? Did I want to know?

"Thank you for lunch." Sol said, and pulled me against his body; that was so big and strong and promising. He pushed a piece of hair away from my face that had managed to escape the messy bun I'd fixed on my head this morning. "Oh and the company's anniversary party is coming up."

"Already?" It felt like there had just been one, yesterday. It was pretty much a party where all of his employees came -and some of the investors-to get drunk. Like stumbling drunk and eat a ton of food.

"Mhm, tomorrow night." He took an easy grip on the hair above the back of my neck and pulled my head back; brought his lips down over mine. The kiss was soft at first but grew more profound, his lips forced mine open, tongue delving, and he owned it. It was a silent but physical reminder that I belonged to him and he didn't cease until I clung to the only solid thing in the room that had began to spin; him. "I love you, Caroline," He whispered against my abused lips. I knew that he was saying it for more reasons than just feeling threatened my Clark Turner. He wanted me never to forget it.

"I love you too." I didn't want to leave him then, but I knew I had to. Business was calling and besides, I had to pick the kids up. Or so I thought I was going to pick them up. Halfway to my mothers house, she sent me a text:

I'm taking them to see a movie and they are spending the night. I'll bring them home in the morning.

Of course, I was skeptical. I could barely stand Lydia being away from me but before I knew it, I was turning around and heading to the edge of town. Perhaps it would be good to spend a night without the children-knowing they were safe. Not that I wanted to or had anything important to do. Tomorrow night would be a whole different story.