Most women would probably be loving living with a man like Carlisle Cullen, I shall admit it had its perks such as the fact his idea of sleepwear was boxers… skin tight boxers… and of a morning he liked to wonder around for about ten minutes in nothing else, that was something I had discovered the second morning of his staying and however nice the sight was my heart would almost give out every time I walked from my room to see him like that. However like living with any man there were some bad points, for one he seemed to lack the knowledge of how to use a washing machine, his idea of food shopping was chocolate and wine… although he kept saying I deserved a treat. Worst point of Carlisle Cullen however was his incessant need to pay for EVERYTHING! Let's say this was a sticking point in our otherwise amiable cohabitation, him constantly flashing plastic and me point blank refusing to take his money. Ha, me, a student refusing money from my boss? Ridiculous I know but I was far too proud and it was almost as if accepting it would be somehow admitting what Martha teased me about was true, that I did in fact like Carlisle far more than I was letting on.
A week after Carlisle had 'moved in' his sons descended on my house to tell him to grow a back bone, well they of course were more eloquent but the idea of their Father leaving his home because of their mothers ridiculous allegations (I keep telling myself that they are ridiculous, helps me steel myself for the sight of him in his boxers) obviously irked them. Hence I found myself sitting in a room with four men, for Carlisle's three sons could in no form of reality be called boys, listening to them berate Carlisle.
"However valiant you think you are letting Esme stay there you need to come back and face her, she blowing up her own ego thinking you shirking off here proves her point," Jasper said calmly sitting straight up in my arm chair holding a pink flowered tea cup, the sight was hysterical and had the mood not been so serious I may have had to grab my camera.
"That and Alice is starting to believe Esme, you know how easily she can envisage things Carlisle and she can envisage you two together," Edward said pointedly as if it were to mean something but by Carlisle's withering sigh and him muttering 'god give me strength' beneath his breath to him it obviously did.
"Then I best go and knock her from her high horse," Carlisle said a little apathetically, "Please tell her I shall be round first thing,"
"Finally," Emmett said clapping Carlisle on the back, "We need you back man, way too many women in the house without you," And with that they bid their goodbye and left.
That evening Carlisle talked me into letting him take me out for dinner, as a thank you for my support. Alas his puppy dog eyed plea had me unable to refuse and thus I found the manipulative side to Carlisle Cullen. Squeezing myself in to my LBD I slipped on fuck me red soled black stiletto heels and dolled myself up with faint cat eyed make up and tousled blond curls with a blood red flower pulling my fringe into a pompadour, what can I say I was a pinup at heart.
"Wow," Carlisle whistled as I walked into the living room, "You look amazingly sexy," Chewing my painted red bottom lip I sauntered over to him and placed my hands on his linen covered chest.
"Now Carlisle, you don't look too shabby either," I said running my hands up to rest on his shoulders. And he didn't look too shabby, not in slightest in an obviously tailored cream linen suit with a white linen shirt and brown real loafers and his musky cologne smelt amazing.
"Don't let my wife see you," He whispered with a smirk, "She'll think there is something going on," Rolling my eyes I gave him a light shove on the shoulder and stepped back.
"Incorrigible," I tutted, "Let us go before you dig yourself a deeper hole,"
Carlisle drove fast, honestly I think he broke the poor Mercedes top speed, yet I felt entirely safe buckled into the seat beside him as we headed for the closest city. Usually it would have taken three hours to get there but as Carlisle slowed himself towards the city limits I realised we had only been driving for an hour.
"I have us a table at a French restaurant," He said breaking our comfortable silence, turning to him I nodded.
"Qui semble merveilleux," I said easily, Carlisle's lips curled into a smirk.
"Vous êtes aussi radieux que les ètoiles," Carlisle said seamlessly. I scoffed at his suave cheekiness.
"You are as radiant as the stars?" I said rolling my eyes, "A little cliché do you not think,"
"So you are fluent in French?" He chuckled.
"My aunt lives in Normandy, I spent my summers with her and studied French for five years at school. My French is passable," I said shrugging, "Now surely there were other phrases you could have tested me on,"
"Yes, but none would have sounded as romantic," He said jokingly, "And obviously when speaking French one must be romantic,"
"Alors m'embrasse," I joked boldly as we pulled up into a parking space in the car park of a large white marble building. I knew the moment Carlisle turned to me that he would do as I had asked, even if it had been in jest. With one pale cold hand he took my chin and tilted my head back slightly leaning over the centre console and pressing his lips softly to mine. I could not help the slightly seductive moan that echoed from my throat as I found myself returning the kiss. I was lost, lost in the feel of his lips moving against my own the feel of his hands lifting me effortlessly into his lap. He groaned as I slid to straddle him, one of his hands grasping my hip the other at the small of my back. We were getting carried away, this was not meant to happen but as his gentle movements grew a little rougher I was too caught up in the heat of the moment to care.
It stopped when I pulled back to catch a breath.
"Carlisle," I panted, "What… was that," The look of his wide eyes, pupils dilated, my blood red lip stick smeared across his lips, it was something I would never forget.
"I am not sure," Carlisle said softly, "But I very much would like to do it again," I bit my lip.
"Carlisle you're my boss," I stuttered, "Is this a good idea?" He silenced my protests with a chaste kiss.
"Let us go and have dinner, when I am less aroused we shall talk about the morality of our situation," He whispered against my lips, my breath caught in my throat as my attention was drawn to his hardening manhood. Throwing caution to the wind (shortly followed by my pride) I kissed him passionately, catching him by surprise. After a moment he returned my kiss feverishly.
"Oh Carlisle," I panted as he squeezed my backside sharply, my groan silenced by his wondering tongue sliding into my mouth, tasting me. His hands caught my hips as my lips trailed to his neck.
"Is this place a hotel," I purred into his ear, feeling slightly drunk on him.
"Yes," He managed to choke as my hips ground into his.
"Room?" I enquired running my tongue up his neck.
"That would be presumptuous of me," He managed to chuckle.
"Carlisle," I purred moving my hips against his rhythmically, "Room?"
"Yes… yes we have a room," He said, seeming to hold his breath, "By god I swear did I not intend to have you sleep with me I promise you," Leaning back I licked my lips,
"Stop rambling," I chuckled pressing a finger to his lips, "Before you talk yourself out of something you obviously want," He nodded once, opening the car door.
Our walk to the entrance was spent trying to make ourselves look a little less ruffled, I managed to reapply my lipstick whilst Carlisle removed what was across his as well as disguise his 'excitement'. Carlisle had packed us over night bags, somehow without my knowledge, and was carrying them with ease. The receptionist seemed to recognise him and handed him his key.
"Dr Cullen, you suite and your table is ready," She said brightly.
"We'll go up to our rooms before dinner thank you," He said handing over a folded hundred dollar bill as a tip, I rolled my eyes, no wonder she remembered him.
Our suite was unbelievable and looking around I hated to think the cost of a night here. A loud pop made me jump and I turned to see a bottle of champagne in one of Carlisle's hands and two glasses in the other.
"This is Taste of Diamonds… it is good I am told," Carlisle said pouring the glasses before returning the bottle to the chiller. I blinked, hadn't I read an article about Taste of Diamonds champagne?
"Taste of Diamonds… that's…over a million pounds a bottle… that's like two million dollars!" I shrieked taking the glass gingerly in my hand.
"Ebony I can more than afford to treat you," He chuckled one arm around my waist, his mouth at my ear, "And you are more than worth it,"
"You can afford it," I muttered blinking, out of habit chinking my glass with his before he moved to lounge attractively on the sofa.
"Ebony…I am an eccentric billionaire… why do you think I allow my children to have designer clothes and sports cars…" He mused, I nodded letting it sink in, "Now relax please…" Smiling softly to him I sipped my champagne, thinking of how many hundreds of thousands of dollars each sip was worth, but I would admit it tasted divine.
After another glass I was feel decidedly more relaxed and I climbed into Carlisle's lap, he hummed sipping his champagne slowly, one eyebrow edging towards his hairline as I ran a finger down the buttons on the front of his shirt.
"Back in the mood are we?" He said teasingly, pouting slightly I put my hands on his shoulders and slowly rubbed them.
"Would you rather I sit somewhere else," I breathed, my heart racing a little as his free hand took a hold of my waist.
"Ebony I would very much like you to stay right there," He whispered placing his glass on the table before placing a hand behind my head and dragging me down to kiss him. This was not gentle like in the car, this was rough and full of undisclosed desires, it made me weak at the knees. Holding me flush to his chest Carlisle trailed his lips to my ear.
"Will you let me touch you," He breathed, it surprised me slightly that he would ask permission but taking my dress by the hem I tugged it swiftly up and off my body discarding it.
"Touch whatever you like," I replied watching his eyes take in my red lace lingerie set and my suspenders and stockings. Icy fingers moved over my back, sliding over my arse as his mouth captured mine. I parted my lips to let his begging tongue enter, letting mine trail every inch of his divine mouth. One hand snapped open my bra before pulling it off my body, discarding it across the room. His mouth took a hold on one nipple and I groaned, my back arching, chuckling Carlisle pulled back and kissed me.
"We're here," He whispered.
"What?" I muttered confused, "Carlisle don't play games,"
"You're dreaming Ebony, it's time to wake up," He mused, I blinked.
As soon as I blinked I wished I hadn't because looking at me was Carlisle, but this Carlisle was in a car pulled up outside a flashy glass building in a queue for a valet.
"Do you know you talk in your sleep," Carlisle said with a wry smile, "Or in this case make rather provocative noises," It was all I could do to bite my tongue, "And who knew you spoke French,"
"You are much more pleasant in my dreams," I sighed fixing my hair. Carlisle's eyes widened obviously taken aback.
"Well I…" He said pausing, "I do believe this is our valet," Thank god, I thought, how mortifying.
The restaurant was gourmet which was fine with me, I never ate large portions. The time Carlisle spent perusing the wine list gave me a moment to collect my thoughts after my heady dream. It had been unbelievably realistic but then it had to be a dream, in real life he would have laughed off the request for a kiss and that would have been that. And I mean Carlisle? A billionaire? He was well off but surely he couldn't be a billionaire, I mean if he was I was surely being underpaid. To my slight discomfort he ordered a bottle of champagne and nodding the wine waiter hurried away.
"So have you always been so animated in your sleep," He said, seeming less flustered now that we were in a room full of people.
"My mother would attest to me talking in my sleep, I personally have never bared witness to it as I am well… asleep," I said dramatically.
"Well that would make sense," He admitted, "At first I thought you were having a nightmare but soon it was apparent you weren't… well if your moaning of my name was anything to go by," I just smiled.
"You're enjoying this aren't you," I said sweetly fluttering my eyelashes.
"It does wonders for ones ego," He said lacing his fingers together and resting his chin on them.
"I am sure it does, however it is doing nothing for my wounded pride," I replied.
"Can I not relish in the fact a beautiful woman dreams of my obviously very pleasurable company for a little longer," He said, flashing he puppy dog eyes again. I narrowed my eyes.
"My dream was entirely inappropriate," I sighed, "You are my boss,"
"I am aware of that and, hypothetically speaking, I would like to think us both mature enough that our relationship outside of work would not impact us professionally," He said softly, "And besides neither of us has suggested anything like what you apparently dream of," I scoffed.
"It was one dream, and you woke me before we could really do anything," I muttered, he laughed. His head flung back, hands clutching his sides, body shaking from laughing… at me. I pouted, childish I know but believe I made my point.
"I shan't enquire as to whether I was any good then," He said casually as the waiter arrived with our wine and two menus.
"Be glad we are in public Carlisle otherwise I may have thrown something at you," I said sweetly before muttering a thank you as the waiter poured my Champagne and then Carlisle's, placing the bottle in an ice bucket and hurried away obviously not wishing to be in the line of fire if I did throw something.
"I believe it would be interesting to know how your subconscious portrays me," He defended.
"From now on it shall be as a bully," I huffed leaning back.
"Ebony, Cherie," He said taking my hand lightly between his, "Please don't be mad at me, I've already lost my wife I cannot lose my mistress too," My sour expression cracked into a smile.
"Well I do believe you have a lot of grovelling to do," I whispered leaning forward as the table next to us gave us a dirty look, "But you cannot blame Esme Carlisle, if you were mine I'd be afraid to lose you too," Carlisle looked at me in pleasant surprise as my cheeks burned red, I do not know why I said that, I always seem to blurt things out around Carlisle that I do mean but do not wished voiced. He lifted the my hand, which he was still holding, to his mouth and pressed his lips to it.
"Thank you Ebony," He said gently, "It means a lot to hear you say that," I didn't reply, just smiled slightly before opening my menu.
The evening passed by with light convocation and after three courses Carlisle drove us home. The next morning he was gone before I got up, a neatly scrawled note pinned to the fridge told me he had gone to talk to Esme and did not know when he'd be back but that I was not to worry. Honestly it was sweet for him to think I would worry but he was a grown man and could do what he liked, I wasn't his keeper. I spent the morning padding around the house, I had a bath, washed my hair and tended to the issue of my pent up frustration from the night before, glad for once that Carlisle was not there. Morning soon gave way to afternoon and by dinner time I had to scowl at Carlisle's note, he was correct I was starting to get worried. Swallowing the worry I made myself spaghetti and meatballs, flicked the telly on and settled down at watch Bridget Jones's diary.
At ten pm my phone rang. Picking the vibrating lump from my coffee table I clicked answer.
"Hello," I said lightly.
"Hey Ebony it's Carlisle," A voice answered quietly, from the back ground noise I could tell he was driving.
"Oh hey, everything went well I take it?" I said pressing pause on the telly, "You two going to give it another go?" Throughout the day I had convinced myself that that was what was going to happen, I think it was so I didn't disappoint myself.
"Uh no… we got divorced," He said sounding slightly miffed.
"Jeez, sorry…" I winced feeling entirely stupid, slapping a hand harshly onto my forehead, "Are you alright,"
"I think so… no…I…I don't know…I am almost back to the house. You don't mind me staying do you?" He said slowly.
"Carlisle sweetie of course I don't mind," I said softly, seeing headlights pull up the drive. Hanging up the phone I hurried to the front door and pulled it open. Carlisle climbed out the car and practically ran up to the porch. I could not help it when I took the two steps down to meet him, the harsh cold rain beating down on us. He looked confused, about to cry and it broke my heart. Flinging my arms around him I didn't care that we were getting soaked and that the water was seeping into my thin knee length blue cotton night dress. Standing in the drive way all I cared for was the broken man standing in my arms. His arms looped around my waist and pulled me closed.
"I… It was terrifying…I knew it was happening but it didn't seem real," He whispered, "I've lost her Ebony,"
"It's alright to be angry and confused Carlisle," I whispered back, "It isn't your fault," Stepping back I took him by his shaking hand, leading him into the porch. He just stood, staring blankly down to me, water running down his coat, dripping into puddles on the floor. I pushed the coat from his shoulders and let it fall, I didn't care to hang it up now, before guiding him by the hands once more into the living room.
He sat on the sofa seeming lost somewhere inside his own head. His usually serene smiling face contorted into a look of pure and utter hopeless confusion, he could not make sense of it, that his marriage was over. I took off his shoes and then sat beside him, wrapping my arms around his torso and resting my head on his chest. After a moment he placed his arms around my shoulders and pressed his lips to the top of my head, the act in itself seemed robotic but I didn't dwell on why.
"I don't know what to do Ebony," He whispered, "I don't know what to do," I wriggled to face him and gently stroked his wet hair from his panicked eyes.
"Oh Carlisle sweetie," I breathed letting my hand drop to rest on his cheek, "I know it seems hopeless but it will get easier and I promise you I will be here for you, I am not leaving you," Nodding limply he tilted his head into my hand and tugged me to his chest.
"You are far too good to me," He whispered looking straight into my eyes, I forgot how to breath for a moment under his gaze and when his lips pressed to mine in chaste kiss my heart sped like a jack rabbit, hammering relentlessly against my ribcage. Carlisle needed my reassurance not my rejection I told myself, even if my boss kissing me is inappropriate he is my friend. And that is how I reasoned myself into tucking my head into the crook of his neck, his head tilting to rest on my own, his cold arms wrapped around my sodden waist. Our clothes were soaked and although I could feel my body temperature plummeting I didn't move, content enough just to sit and let him hold me. It was an awkward silence, I felt as if I should say something, anything, but there was nothing to say. The reality of his divorce was, for him, overwhelming. The look on his face, the look of sheer shock, was one I had seen on my parent's faces when they had divorced but at the time I was too numb to do anything about it however much I wanted too and now, here with Carlisle, I hadn't a clue if there was anything I could do but hold him tight and never let him go.
Carlisle did not go to work the next day, it was the first time I had ever been there without him. Bizarrely without him there on a Monday I was basically in charge as the other Doctors did not work, stupid really as Mondays were always manic. I rushed back and forth from one ward to another, then I had outpatient appointments, then clinic, by the time lunch came I collapsed in the canteen and had to force myself to summon the energy to eat. Alas my moments peace ended when Martha, grinning, lowered herself into the chair opposite.
"So where is he?" She said lightly, popping the lid off her pasta pot.
"I assume by he you mean Dr Cullen," I said dryly, "He is having a personal day," The nurse scoffed.
"A personal day! Come on Ebony I want details," She pleaded dramatically, waving her hands wildly. Dropping my fork I frowned.
"No Martha, it is none of yours or anyone else business," I said pushing myself wearily to my feet, "Nose out," And with that I dumped my tray in the bin and headed to Carlisle's office to plot out my afternoon, trying to do two people's work was exhausting and logistically impossible. I ended up clocking out at nine, dreading the trek home in the rain but pleased to have the day over and ready to beg Carlisle to work tomorrow.
He was sitting in the living room when I arrived home, staring into space like a lost lamb. Looking like a drowned rat I padded towards him, leaving a trail of water behind me on the carpet.
"Hey you," I chuckled crouching down beside him, blinking he turned to me, face like a death mask.
"Ebony," He mused almost to himself, "You're late back," Chuckling I nodded.
"Yeah I had to cover for you sweetie, there weren't any other Doctors in today," I explained taking a hold of his hand, "Have you eaten?"
"Oh yes, Bella and Nessie brought a chilli round…they said to tell you there is some for you in the microwave," Carlisle gently squeezed my hand, "Sorry about today, I have made things difficult for you," I shook my head in defiance.
"No Carlisle you haven't, it is more than understandable," I lied softly bringing his hand to my mouth and kissing his palm, "You are allowed to be unhappy you know, considering, I don't expect miracles. Now I'm going to go get dry and then have dinner and then I may go to bed and die, I am soooo knackered,"
"Whilst you eat would you like me to run you a bath?" He offered sitting forward slightly, "As a thank you for doing more than your fair share today," I hummed in pleasant surprise and the got to my feet, leaning in and kissing his cheek.
"That would be heavenly," I breathed, "Now I really must get changed," And with a smile I hurried upstairs.
Settling into the bath half an hour later I exhale contentedly, perfect temperature, candles lit and from somewhere Bach was softly serenading me. If truth be told if it weren't for the lack of rose petals I'd have been bold enough to accuse Carlisle of trying to seduce me. I know it was only a bath but a man could get to my heart easily with a tub full of lightly scented hot water, I really was a simple to please. Relaxing back I closed my eyes, letting the heat seep into my aching muscles. A soft knock sounded on the door, a moment of panic as I opened my one eye to check I was entirely submerged beneath the bubbles.
"You can come in," I called almost questioningly. This was like in a movie, the beautiful woman in the tub and the handsome man comes and joins her. I laughed to myself, there was no way Carlisle and I would fit in my tub even if he wanted to. Nothing less sexy than the sound of flesh squeaking on the plastic. The handle turned and Carlisle walked in leaning on the door frame, glass of wine in one hand.
"For you," He said handing it to me. If I weren't horizontal in the tub I may have swooned, Esme was a fool to divorce Carlisle, he was a perfect gentleman.
"Thank you," I said trying to stop myself from blushing and failing, "If it weren't you I might think you're after something," He smirked slightly, seeming a little less morose.
"After something? Can I not treat you like the princess you are," He chuckled weakly, slipping his hands into his trouser pockets. I sipped my wine just watching him, he was obviously wasn't uncomfortable in the slightest at seeing me in the bath but then he was a doctor and truly I did not really care if he was here, he was well… Carlisle, he instilled everyone he met with a sense of trust.
"Is the temperature alright?" He said lowering himself to perch on the rim on the bath, dipping his fingers into the water, "Not too hot? Not too cold?" His hand leapt from the water like a salmon swimming upstream when his fingers brushed against my thigh. I giggled like a school girl as his sophisticated façade fell.
"Carlisle it's perfect but then again I do like my baths bordering on boiling, my ex used to say I come out looking like a lobster," I said gently, sipping my wine.
"I shall remember that," He whispered, "Shall I leave you in peace,"
"I really do not mind," I slid my free hand from the water to rest on his, "Entirely up to you," He nodded slowly.
"When everything is properly sorted you shall have to come up to the house and we can go in the hot tub, I think you'd like that," He sighed with a smile, lacing his fingers loosely with mine.
"I like the sound of that but you know that one of your children will join us," I teased, "Kind of a mood killer," I winked cheekily and he looked at me with mock surprise.
"Miss Collier I do not know what you are insinuating, first you say that I am trying to woo you with a bath now I am trying to seduce you in my hot tub," He breathed, "What sort of man do you think I am," We both just laughed and in that one second I knew Carlisle was going to be okay.