When I Lie With You

Chapter 13

Ian

We boarded the plane and took our seats in first class. I always let Rory have the window seat because she said it calmed her to look at the clouds. I sat there, thinking about what my father said about his plane. There was no need for him to buy a new one because there was nothing wrong with the one he had. It wasn’t like him just to buy things like that.

“You look like you’re in deep thought.” Rory smiled as she took hold of my hand.

“I was just thinking about my father and him buying a new plane. It’s just odd to me.”

“Why? The man can afford it,” she said.

“I know he can, but that’s not the point. The plane he has now is practically brand new. It’s only a few years old. It’s just out of character for him.”

“Well, maybe Richard is having a change of heart about things. He was very nice to me that night he came over, for the first time ever.”

“I’m happy he’s finally warming up to you. He has no choice, really,” I said as I brought her hand to my lips. Did you enjoy New York, sweetheart?”

“I did. Thank you for taking me.” She smiled.

One of the many things I loved about Rory was the fact that she was always thanking me for things. She didn’t expect anything from me except my love, and I knew Andrew was dead wrong about her.

“You’re welcome. There are going to be many more trips in our future. I’m going to show you the world, Rory Sinclair. Just the two of us.” I smiled.

She smiled back and rested her head on my shoulder. I rested my head on hers and closed my eyes, remembering our day yesterday, when it was just her and me spending the day touring New York City. She was so excited about everything; like a big kid. She fell in love with the art museum and, of course, all the shopping we did. We were only interrupted by Adalynn a couple of times when she was face timing Rory and showing her maid of honor dresses that she liked. I made a comment and she told me to shut up. I loved Adalynn and nothing pleased me more than her and Rory becoming best friends. Rory needed someone like Adalynn in her life. I lifted my head and so did Rory. She looked at me and then leaned over and gave me a kiss.

“I love you,” she said.

“I love you.” I smiled.

Those words. Those three words that I never spoke to anyone except to my mother when I was just a child. Those three words that meant nothing to me and had no meaning. My mother had told me she loved me every day, but she left and never came back. As far as I was concerned, she showed me that those words didn’t have any meaning. But, when I almost lost Rory, I found that those three words meant everything to me.

We pulled up to the house and I saw Adalynn’s car in the driveway. I looked at Rory.

“Did you know she was coming over?” I asked.

Rory looked away and then made the cutest face that I’d ever seen. “Well, she texted me and said she wanted to show me some dresses, so I said okay. I’m sorry, Ian. It’s just that—”

“Shh, sweetheart. It’s okay,” I said as I kissed her.

How could I be mad? Rory was so excited to see those dresses and who was I to deny her that? We had a beautiful few days alone and now it was time for her to help Adalynn with the wedding. As soon as we walked into the house, Adalynn came strolling out of the kitchen. She ran right to Rory and hugged her.

“I’m so happy you’re back. I can’t wait to show you the dresses! Oh, hi, Ian.” She smiled.

“Hi, Adalynn. Good to see you, darling.” I smiled as I kissed her cheek.

“Good to see you too.” She smiled before grabbing Rory’s hand and taking her into the living room.

While Rory was looking at dresses, I went into my study to catch up on some work. I pulled my phone from my pocket and noticed I had a missed call from Andrew. I punched in my password and listened to his message.

“Hey, Ian. Hope you had a good time in New York. Give me a call when you get back. I’m not sure if you remember, but that event we committed to about six months ago is coming up next week and you have to be there. Call me.”

Shit, I forgot about the event for K Corp. Damn it. I dialed Andrew’s number.

“Hey, buddy,” he answered.

“Hey, Drew. I completely forgot about the K Corp event.”

“Good thing I reminded you. We both sponsored it, so we have to be there.”

“No problem, Rory and I will be there. I suggest you bring someone along.”

“Don’t worry, friend. I intend to. I knew there was no way you would leave Rory at home.”

“Good, as long as we’re clear on that.”

“Are you up for some golf tomorrow? It’s Sunday.”

I did miss playing golf and maybe it was a good idea to spend some time with Andrew so he’d get off my back about Rory. “Sure. How about nine?” I said.

“Great, Ian! I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning. See ya, buddy.”

I hung up and continued going through my messages. I was going to have to tell Rory about her father and I was still trying to decide when to do it.

“You look like you’re in deep thought,” Rory said as she stood in the doorway.

I looked up and gasped when I saw her standing there in a floor-length red dress. She looked like an angel.

“Do you like?” She smiled as she spun around.

“You look gorgeous, sweetheart, simply stunning. Is that the one?”

“Yeah, I think so. I love it and so does Adalynn.”

“It’s perfect.” I smiled.

“I’ll be sure to tell her. I’m going to go change.”

“Okay. I’ll be done here in a few minutes.”

I watched her beautiful body turn around and walk away. I decided that maybe it was best to tell her about her father tonight, over a couple of drinks and some Thai food out on the patio. I unlocked my top right hand drawer to get out my checks and, as I pulled them out, I stared at the white envelope that I’d kept tucked away for the past five years. A white envelope that was addressed to me. There was no return address on it, but I knew who it was from and I had no desire to or intention of reading it. I didn’t even know why I kept the damn thing. I shut the drawer just as Adalynn walked in.

“When you get a chance, Ian, we need to go over a couple things regarding Prim.”

“Okay, Adalynn. When’s good for you?” I asked as I pulled the calendar up on my phone.

“How about Monday morning at ten?” she replied.

“Ten it is.” I smiled at her.

She stood there and looked at me with a cocked head. “I like that you’re happy. You’re a different man, Ian Braxton.”

“Thanks, Adalynn,” I said as I got up, walked over, and hugged her. “It looks like we both are getting everything we want.”

“Ahem,” Rory said as she stood in the doorway. “Are you flirting with my best friend?” she asked me.

“Why? Are you jealous?” I replied with a smile.

“No. You’ll know when I’m jealous, my love.” She smiled back and winked.

“Adalynn, as much as I love you, you need to get the hell out of here now!” I told her.

“How rude, Ian.”

“Not rude, darling, it’s called desperation. I am desperate for my beautiful girlfriend over there to show me what happens when she gets jealous.”

Adalynn sighed and rolled her eyes. “Good lord, you two make my head spin.”

She turned around and gave Rory a light hug. “I’ll see you soon. Try not to hurt him too much.” She winked.

“I swear that I’m going to make you jealous every day,” I said as I kissed her lips.

The bed was in shambles and we were both drenched in sweat. Still trying to catch her breath, Rory looked at me with that smile. The smile that told me she wanted me to fuck her again.

“Sweetheart, are you trying to kill me?”

“Of course not.” She laughed.

“You need to remember that I’m ten years older than you.”

“Not a full ten for a couple of weeks. What do you want to do for your birthday?” she asked as she ran her finger down my chest.

“I don’t know. I haven’t given it any thought. I do know that I don’t want a party.”

“Why?”

“Because I want to spend my birthday with you and only you. How about we take the yacht out for a couple of days?”

“I would love that.”

I kissed the tip of her nose. “Good, then that’s what we’ll do. Now, let’s get these sheets off the bed, shower, and then order dinner. How’s Thai sound?”

“Thai sounds great. Are we taking a shower together?”

“Do I ever shower alone anymore, sweetheart?”

She jumped up out of the bed and went into the bathroom to start the shower. I grabbed hold of my semi-hard cock and looked down.

“Here we go again.”