Page 218 of The Havenport Collection

Nora

I was on cloud nine. No. Cloud ten. Whatever. I was flying. Luke and I had driven down to Sarai’s apartment in Cambridge to walk through my pitch deck in preparation for my meeting with her team in New York next week.

Since meeting her a few weeks ago, I had done my homework. X-Chrome Capital was a big deal, and Sarai was an even bigger deal. Yale undergrad, Harvard MBA, financial whiz, marathon runner, and philanthropist.

Forget investing in Jeanious Bar, I just wanted her to be my friend and life coach.

Her apartment in Cambridge was in an old brick building with a picture window.

Luke went out to fetch coffees and croissants while we worked through things.

We walked through my presentation, discussed some of the technical challenges, and reframed my retail concept to something investors would be clamoring for.

“I can see what you’re talking about,” she said, twisting her long hair up into a knot.

She was wearing an old Harvard sweatshirt and a pair of slippers but still looked like a model.

“A tech platform that can help users input their fit and style preferences and measurements and match them with the best brands and sizes.”

“Yes. I think if we can utilize machine learning to understand women’s bodies, we can successfully refine how they shop for clothes online.”

“So you log on, and your preferences, measurements, previous purchases, and fave styles and looks are all saved.”

“Yes. And the algorithm helps refine what you want. The more you shop, the more you like and save images and outfits, the more it can help you find your perfect styles.”

She nodded, chewing on a pen cap.

“But there is one thing I will not compromise on. Diversity. I want the widest ranges of sizes available on the Internet. And I want to use models of all sizes, races, and abilities. I want Jeanious Bar to be the most inclusive fashion platform available. I want women all over the world to have access to the sizes, styles, and cuts of their dreams.”

“I get it. I would never ask you to compromise that. And it’s just good business. Users can upload photos of themselves wearing the merchandise with their reviews so others can see and like how they are styling things.”

“Yes. I want a streamlined and fun shopping experience coupled with inspiration and body positivity.”

She got up and paced around. “So I’m thinking a combination of Amazon, Pinterest, and Instagram for women’s clothes. With a heavy dose of girl power and diversity.”

“Exactly,” I said. “But building this out will take a ton of time and money.”

“Girl, we will get it done. Let’s dig into these budget projections again.”

Despite being a genius and a super accomplished businessman, Luke stayed in the background, working on his laptop and checking in to see if we needed anything.

His support meant so much to me. He never tried to interfere or mansplain business to me, but his questions were so insightful, it gave us even more to think about and work with.

He also looked delicious sitting on the floral couch, his hair all messy and wearing his glasses. I was glad Sarai was here to keep me focused, otherwise I’d be straddling him on that couch within minutes.

While I loved the physical side of our relationship, I was beginning to appreciate the other things as well.

Luke was thoughtful and considerate in addition to being a cocky smartass.

He made me feel heard and seen, always listening and asking questions.

He wanted to know everything about me and always made me feel like I was the most important person in the world.

It was a Luke I had never met before.

For years, I thought I knew him. But I didn’t.

I was learning more and more that the cocky, confident, friendly man who was beloved in Havenport was a lot different than the man I had fallen for.

Beneath the friendly rich-guy facade was an earnest person who felt deeply and thought deeply about everything. He didn’t take himself too seriously, and was constantly showing me his sensitive heart.

After a few hours, I was feeling exhausted but excited. “You are doing this, my friend,” Sarai said, offering me a fist bump.

I smiled nervously. I certainly hoped so. “I am going to keep preparing and incorporate the notes you gave me.”

“I’ll see you in New York next week. I can’t promise anything. I have no idea what my partners are going to think. But if they don’t want to invest, I know several rival firms I can send you to.”

“I understand. Your support means so much to me. This is my dream.”

She wrapped me in a tight hug. “Congrats, Nora. This is step one in empire building—refining your vision. Next step? Crushing that presentation.”

The entire ride home, I vibrated with excitement. Luke drove, holding my hand and smiling at me every few minutes. It was raining heavily, typical March weather, and the driving was slow, but I didn’t mind. I was buzzing over my upcoming meeting.

“You are so sexy when you’re in boss bitch mode,” he said, revving my engine even more.

“And you’re sexy when you’re fetching me coffee,” I replied.

“I will happily fetch my woman anything she wants.” He lifted up our joined hands and kissed mine. I tried to suppress my swoon.

By the time we made it back to his house, we were both drenched and exhausted, having forgotten an umbrella. We collapsed inside the brownstone, shivering.

Luke slowly peeled off my coat, kissing my neck.

“We’ve got to get you out of these wet clothes, Nora,” he said, grinning widely.

I arched my back, and he kissed my neck. “I agree. Can’t risk getting sick.”

We only made it to the living room before we had stripped naked and I was on my knees, showing him just how much I appreciated him.

I had spent most of my life being ambivalent about blow jobs.

I was always happy to reciprocate and certainly didn’t mind, but it wasn’t the sort of thing I looked forward to.

Not with Luke. I craved him. I fantasized about him in my mouth, and it turned me on so much to drive him crazy. I loved when he lost control and pulled my hair, thrusting uncontrollably while I brought him to the edge.

“That mouth of yours,” he gasped, his legs shaking gently. “I hope you’re ready to swallow.”

I stared up at him and nodded, reaching down to pinch my nipples while he watched. The ache inside me was almost unbearable, but I needed to give him this. In a matter of seconds, his entire body seized up, emptying himself into me.

He helped me up, and I took great satisfaction in his glassy eyes. “Shower. Now,” he barked, slapping me hard on the ass and pulling me upstairs.

We barely made it into the large glass shower before he was on his knees, one of my legs thrown over his shoulder, devouring me while I focused on not slipping and falling on my face.

But it was good. Too good, and soon I was riding his face, screaming at the top of my lungs. The feel of the hot water streaming over my body as his magic tongue caressed me was too much, and I was detonating as he continued to lick me through an epic release.

“Stop,” I begged. “I can’t take anymore.”

Luke stood, caressing my breasts and kissing me gently. “Nope. Not stopping. I need to make you come a few more times, gorgeous. Now turn around, hands on the wall.”

He gently ran his hand down my spine, stopping to spread my cheeks. “This was one of my favorite Nora fantasies,” he said, slipping one finger inside me. “Fucking you in my shower, one of my all-time favorites.”

“Stop talking and do it,” I cried out as he flicked my clit. “Let’s make your fantasy come true.”

“Woman, you are my fantasy come true. But if you beg, I’ll happily give this sweet pussy what it needs.”

I loved the power plays. I loved the dominance and the intensity. And although my brain was clouded with lust, I think I loved Luke too. I certainly loved his cock. And his tongue, and his fingers…

“Please, Luke,” I begged. “Please fuck me. Fill me, take me, claim me.”

That was all he needed. I screamed out as he thrust inside me, setting a punishing pace. I clung to the shower wall as he pounded into me. Just when I thought it couldn’t get better, Luke grabbed the detachable shower head.

He knew exactly where to aim it, and I moaned. Within seconds, I was quivering at the cliff’s edge of a life-changing orgasm and screamed as he surged into me, falling apart as I felt him spasm inside me.

He wrapped his arms around me, gently kissing my neck and shoulders. “Nora,” he panted. “I can’t even speak.” Neither could I.

He held me silently under the warm water until our hearts stopped pounding.

We were curled up in front of Luke’s fireplace, wearing the plushest robes I had ever seen.

He had ordered them to surprise me, and I felt like I was wrapped up in a fluffy warm cloud.

It was one of the things I loved most about him, how thoughtful he was.

He paid attention and made me feel seen.

The copious amounts of orgasms didn’t hurt either.

I was curled up next to him, watching the flames, and caught sight of a strained expression on his face.

“Talk to me. You have spent so much time helping me with my presentation, not to mention all the manual labor I’ve roped you into at my house.” I smoothed out the wrinkles in his brow, kissing his forehead.

He chuckled. “I am always happy to help you. And you seem to make sure I’m well compensated.” He winked and I kissed him again.

“It just seems like you have a lot on your mind,” I offered.

“Just trying to figure things out with the crisis center. There are no properties available, there are massive permitting headaches, and the thought of having to shut down, even temporarily, makes me sick to my stomach.”

He got up and paced around, looking distressed. I wanted to wrap him back up in our warm bubble and make all this stress go away. He had done that for me, giving me exactly the kind of support I needed, when I needed it.

“And the hard part is that this isn’t a problem I can just throw money at. If it was a simple matter of dollars, I’d do whatever it took to make it happen. I have plenty and I know a lot of rich people I can guilt into donating.”

Luke was dedicated to the crisis center and its clients. He worked tirelessly and donated tons of money, but I could tell this was really wearing on him.

I sat quietly, looking at the fire and thinking through every possible inch of land in Havenport. “Have you thought about your house?” I asked.

“What do you mean?”

I rolled my eyes. “Your enormous estate on the other side of town?”

He nodded.

“Could you build and expand there?”

He started to think, pacing around furiously.

“Do you even need that house? All that land? Do you even care about it?”

“Not really,” he admitted. “I’m not particularly attached to it.”

“Think of the possibilities,” I said excitedly. “The space, the pool, the stables.”

“The basketball courts,” he added.

I got up and started pacing with him, the ideas coming fast and furious. “Hear me out. It’s on a peninsula, on more than ten acres, so you essentially don’t have neighbors, you already have multiple buildings on the property…”

I could feel the wheels turning in my mind. “What are the issues that the zoning board is concerned with? Neighbors, parking, and traffic, right?” He nodded.

“The land is off a main road, so there will be no additional traffic concerns, and you have so much land you could park a thousand cars.”

“That doesn’t mean they will approve it,” he said, looking defeated. “Getting oceanfront land rezoned is a nightmare in this town.”

He wasn’t wrong. But I knew there were ways around this.

“There is no guarantee. But this is Havenport; there are always ways to work the system. Sometimes a blunt instrument is necessary, and sometimes more finesse is needed. I know several people on the zoning board. With a really good plan, specs, and solutions to mitigate the potential issues, you would probably have a good chance. Plus you need a great lawyer, which you already have.”

“True.”

“And enough money to fight the legal fight if necessary.”

“Also true.”

“And, thinking practically, the town does not want to wage a legal battle against our hometown billionaire and a beloved institution that has served at-risk women and children for decades. It’s a bad look.

The townsfolk would revolt. I could organize a protest in a few minutes with my phone. ” He laughed and pulled me toward him.

“Oh, I know you could, Fireball. You would protest the shit out of city hall.”

I shrugged. “All in a day’s work. Think about it. Everyone in town supports the crisis center. It’s part of the fabric of who we are as a community. And no one wants them to shut down.”

I was getting more and more excited. “Harness the power of Havenport, Luke. In your mind, everything is a business deal or a contract, but here, things are a bit more nuanced.”

“I just think the red tape…”

I shook my head. “Red tape sucks, but if the alternative is shutting down and leaving vulnerable people without support, then you attack that red tape with a machete. Call Astrid, call your contractor, and make a plan. Leave the rest to me.”

Luke crushed his mouth to mine in a possessive kiss, winding his arms around me. I could feel his heart pounding beneath his robe.

“I love you, Nora.”

My mouth fell open, and I gaped at him. Was this really happening? “I love you too, Luke,” I whispered.

He dropped to his knees and put his head on my stomach. “I am crazy in love with you.”

He looked up at me with tender eyes as he pulled on the belt of my robe until it was totally open.

And so I stood there, in front of the fire, and let him love me.