The Hourglass (UNEDITED)

Chapter 9

Jace accepted the refill to his mug of coffee. He looked up and thanked the lady dressed in only a large pinstriped shirt. The lady smiled at Jace, pleased with herself that she made him smile. Jace raised his eyebrows when she took his mug of coffee out of his large hand before making herself comfortable as she sat straddling his lap. She kissed him on the neck first, beginning to unbutton his shirt. Jace chuckled had his hands over hers to stop her hr in what’s she was doing.

“Claire, you know I have to go to work. And knowing you, you do not want a quickie. You want something long and passionate and something that have you breaking out into in octave,” Jace said, stroking the brunette’s thighs before coaxing her to grind against him.

“I’ll take whatever I can get Jace my dear,” Claire said seductively, finished having stripped jace of his shirt. Jace rolled his eyes but gave in to mirth as he got up from his chair, with Claire wrapped securely around him.

“This is going to be the quickest quickie you’re ever gonna get,” Jace whispered in her ear before nibbling on it, his feet taking the both of them to the bedroom.

In the office, Jace was not surprised how he was already immersed in the role as CEO of Enterprise Advertising. With his sharp expertise and wits, he was bagging clients everywhere it was as though he couldn’t stop. The partners always patted themselves in the back, thinking they have made the best decision in hiring him as replacement of Lillteridge. Some of his colleagues were jealous, others not so much as they noted it was pointless, he was Jace Swinton after, and everyone was pretty much aware that whatever Jace wanted, Jace got. It had always been that way…well, not always. There was a time in his life where getting what he wanted wasn’t end all and be all.

There just was one little problem with this picture. He didn’t get all  he wanted as the one person he had wanted the most was nowhwre to be found. Jace knew that Katherine was still mad at him, but she would have to com around some time. And this disappearing act of hers was starting to get tiresome. It was day five since he’d last seen her and Jace didn’t know if he would have patience for her antiques for another five days.

When he had called Peter last night, he had prepared himself for Peter lying on her behalf so that he wouldn’t know where she was. But it was clear to Jace that Peter had no idea where Katherine was, hell, he even began to panic. Jace hated that he couldn’t concentrate on his work. Hell, he spent the night with Claire, the girl from the accounting department for some releases, to take his mind of what his life was becoming to take the edge off his shoulder.

However, it appeared that casual sex made things harder for him, complicated actually. He hated that it was beginning to make him feel guilty. His betraying Katherine hadn’t ended in her finding him in the act with Whitney in his office. But what was he supposed to do? He was a man and he had needs and Katherine clearly was not around to fulfill them. One thing he would definitely have to admit, he was stupid for cheating on Katherine in the first place. She was an amazing lover, better than any woman he had ever been with. He supposed he just realized that when the damage was already done. If he had ended things with Whitney earlier on, he would be in the arms and body of his wife right now, instead of some foreign women that always happened to make themselves available.

Jace gave up trying to continue his work and closed his laptop and swiveled the chair to look out of is floor to ceiling window. Chicago, his beloved city might begin to prove lacking. Why did Jace not get the feeling of excitement as he watched the busy roads, the human traffic and the beautiful greenery of city parks? He grunted when he heard his phone ring, but quickly changed his attitude when realized that is was possibly Katharine.

“Hello,” he answered enthusiastically without checking the caller id. He was sorely irritated when he found out it was Cedric Lufkin, Tara’s husband whom he’d met at the Randall family Sunday lunch. He wondered why he had called him.

“Cedric hi, what an unexpected surprise.”

 “Jace Swinton, hey! You must be a very busy man, I’ve been trying to reach you but your secretary keeps telling me you’re in some meeting. How’s it going?” said Cedric enthusiastically in the polished English accent of his. Jace frowned, he and Cedric were friends, they had just met, so why was he all gung ho about hearing from Jace?

“you know how the advertising industry is Cedric.”

“I can only imagine. Dabbled a little myself in that advertising, but it wasn’t for me. Anyway, Jace I called because I’m in town for a business conference I remembered that you live in Chicago city. Was wondering if you wanted to catch drinks after work, of course if you’re not too busy.”

Jace looked at his desk and the things he had to do but couldn’t because a certain someone was denying him peace. What would be the point in trying to work, he couldn’t concentrate anyway. He would probably have better luck tomorrow. Beside, Cedric couldn’t have come at a better time, h could use the distraction to just have a beer and talk about complete nonsense.

“How about at McGinty’s they have the best Irish alcohol.”

“I’m not too fond of thee Irish, but alas, I have to agree, they do have good poison,” Cedric laughed, amusing himself with his joke. Jace rolled his eyes, not too comfortable with Cedric. He didn’t know the guy, but he supposed this would be an opportunity to get to know him and concentrate on other things.