by Lexy Timms
“Or?” she asked when he didn’t finish his sentence.
“Or you can find one. I know you will,” he said easily.
Another long sigh. “I know. I will. I guess it’s time to figure out what I want to be when I grow up.”
He chuckled. “Today or tomorrow if you want, can be the first day of the rest of your life. Take some time. Figure out what you want to do. You don’t have to rush into anything.”
Again, he had to stop himself from suggesting he help her out financially until she could get on her feet. He knew she had some money put away and hoped it was enough to keep her afloat while she figured out what to do next with her life.
“I thought about that on the way over here. I like the coffee shop business. Is it silly for me to want to be a barista as a career goal?”
“Sweetheart, you can be anything you want to be.”
Her mouth spread into a smile. “Thank you. I appreciate you saying that. I should let you get back to work. I know unlike me, you actually have a job to do,” she teased.
He laughed. “My job is flexible, most of the time. Stay as long as you like.”
She shook her head. “I walked over here. I think I’ll keep walking.”
“It’s a little chilly out there.”
“It was fine. I like it. I want to see what jobs are out there. Maybe I’ll be inspired.”
He nodded his head and gave her a quick kiss. “Make sure you do something that makes you happy. It’s time you lived for you.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ll have someone reach out to the bakery. I have no problem paying for the damage. I wasn’t an innocent bystander. I should pay.”
Her head tilted to the side. “I hate that you have to.”
“Katherine, you know the money isn’t an issue. It’s business. He needs to recoup his losses. I’ll pay. I’m sorry you lost your job. Are you sure I can’t talk to him and ask him to rethink his decision?”
She shook her head. “Absolutely not. He made the decision and I don’t want to work for anyone like that.”
“I’m sorry,” he said again for lack of anything better to say.
It felt like he owed her. His inability to control his temper had led to her being fired. There was a chance Tim would have walked away. A slim chance, but he didn’t technically have to beat the shit out of the guy and break his nose or whatever it was the guy ended up with. He hoped it was a broken nose. He wouldn’t be surprised to get sued by the guy.
She gave him a strange look and he suddenly got the idea he may have said the wrong thing. Shit.
Chapter Five
Katherine
SHE STUDIED HIS FEATURES and could see he was truly sorry. It made no sense to her.
“Ben, why are you sorry?”
“Because, I cost you your job.”
Her head slowly moved back and forth. “You didn’t cost me my job. Tim storming in there and causing a scene was wrong. He had scared everyone long before you arrived. Please don’t be sorry. It isn’t your fault in any way. I’m so grateful that you showed up when you did. It could have ended very differently for me.”
“I wish there was something I could do. I can help you look for a job,” he volunteered.
She smiled and leaned forward, giving him a soft, warm kiss. “You’re too good to be true,” she whispered.
“I’m real and I’m yours.”
She couldn’t stop smiling. He was a dream come true. He was too good. How had the man remained single for so long? The women of the world had no idea what they were missing out on. She had no intention of ever letting them find out.
“I’m glad we met. I know I wasn’t the friendliest person in the world those first few meetings but I’m glad you are persistent.”
He chuckled and shrugged a shoulder. “I’m a man who knows what he wants and when I find it, I make it my mission to get it.”
“I would say so. Thank you for pushing me to see what was right in front of my face.”
“Anytime, sweetheart.”
With another quick kiss, she stood up, smoothing down her shirt and pushing her hair back over her shoulders. “I should get going. I need to start pounding the pavement.”
“I could go with you,” he suggested.
She reached one hand up to cup his face. “You have a job. You don’t need to wander around the city aimlessly with me.”
“I would love to wander anywhere with you.”
“Thank you, but I’ll be okay. This is something I need to do,” she said, hoping she wasn’t hurting his feelings by brushing him off.”
He nodded his head. “You’re right. I can’t help that I like spending time with you.”
A cheeky grin spread across her face. “I guess you can’t, can you? I am that exciting.”
He reached around and squeezed her ass, bringing her pelvis against him. “You are very exciting. I get excited every time I see you.”
“I feel that. You’re an insatiable man.”
“Only where you’re concerned,” he said, his voice husky as he stared at her mouth.
She stared into his green eyes and let herself get lost for a few brief, wonderful seconds. Fate had a funny way of resolving itself. She thought about all those nights with Tim. The verbal and physical abuse that had been so bad at times she had almost wished for death. She hadn’t died because fate had Ben in store for her. She had made it through the darkness and Ben was the light on the other side. She felt like she owed him so much. He had shown her life could be good and she was worthy of being treated with all the respect and kindness she’d seen other women get.
“Thank you,” she whispered, her heart feeling full.
“For?”
“Being you. I cannot tell you how happy I am to have found you. It all seems surreal. I’m going to do my best to show you how much I care, but I’m going to admit it right now; I may not always do a good job. This is all new to me. There’s so much I want to say and do, it is going to take some time before I get it right,” she explained in the best way she knew possible.
His arms tightened around her. “I’m here. Take your time. I’m a patient man. I can wait. I’m here to support you when times get tough. You can count on me to always be in your corner.”
“Thank you. Really, I know I keep saying it, but I mean it. Now, I will get out of here,” she said, brushing off the serious topic.
“Where are you headed?”
She shrugged a shoulder. “I want to stay somewhat close to home. I think I’ll walk around the next few blocks and check things out.”
“It’s mostly corporate buildings in this area, but I know there are a few restaurants and coffee shops. There’s a donut shop tucked in to the ground floor of the building down the street,” he offered.
“Good. Thank you. I’ll check there.”
“Be safe,” he said, his tone serious.
She gave him another kiss. “I will. I don’t think I have much to worry about right now. Meredith said it would take a few days or longer before he is served with the papers.”
“Okay, call me later and let me know how it goes,” he said, as she walked to the door.
She turned to look back at him. He was asking her to check in because he was worried. That was sweet and nothing like when Tim demanded she check in because he wanted to keep her under his thumb. She gave him a quick wave before leaving and closing the door behind her.
“Congratulations,” Rachel said, when she stepped out of Ben’s office.
She raised an eyebrow. “For?”
“Filing for divorce. That has to feel good, huh?”
Katherine beamed. “It does. I know most people are sad when they have to file, but for me it’s about losing two-hundred and fifty pounds of jerk.”
Rachel was grinning. “In your case, it is definitely cause for celebration. When the divorce is finalized, we have to celebrate.”
“Sounds good to me.”
“What are you up to today?” R
achel asked conversationally.
Katherine groaned. “I’m going to look for a job.”
Rachel’s nose wrinkled. “I’m sorry. I can’t believe that guy fired you. Not cool.”
“It’s okay. I’ve learned when one door closes another one always opens, and it is usually much better,” she said hopefully.
Rachel grinned and nodded her head. “That is a good outlook to have.”
“I feel like I’m moving forward. Every little change is me taking a step forward, even if it doesn’t feel like it in the moment. I look back over the first two years and I can see every job, every rejection, every crappy motel room and every time I had to jump on a bus and flee was me moving forward with my life. I’m here and I think this is where I’m supposed to be,” she said, feeling a bit like an inspirational speaker, but speaking from the heart.
“You’re an amazing woman, Katherine. You know, I used to do some volunteer work for a woman’s shelter. They have a group that meets, I could give you the information,” she suggested.
Katherine was immediately put off. “No, thank you. I don’t feel like I need counseling.”
Rachel smiled. “Oh no, I wasn’t thinking about you getting counseling. I was thinking you could talk with the women that are living out the worst days of their lives and let them know there is hope. Your story is amazing. You could inspire them and help them. I would never presume to tell you what you needed. I think you are doing just fine figuring it out for yourself.”
Katherine thought about what she said. “I’ll think about it. I don’t think my story is over just yet, though. Maybe once I get the divorce behind me. I have to be honest with myself and admit the business with Tim is far from over. The divorce papers are sure to trigger his ire. I’m ready to handle it, but I know it is far from over. At least he can’t come to my job anymore,” she quipped.
The look on Rachel’s face was one of fear and anger. “You don’t think he’ll try and hurt you, will he? What about a protection order?”
Katherine shrugged. “I have no idea and the protection order won’t do much good. I think after last time he probably realizes I’m not such an easy target, which is a good thing. I hope it makes him stay away. Then again, Tim is not one to give up so easily.”
“Should you move? Maybe stay with Ben?” Rachel asked, worry on her face.
“No, I can do this. I’ve run long enough. I’m ready to take a stand.”
“Okay, please be careful. Maybe you should get some pepper spray in case he tries to attack you again.”
Katherine had considered the idea on more than one occasion but had never actually done it. Rachel was right. She should think about ways to defend herself should Tim attack. She hated the idea of hurting anyone, but if it came down to her escaping a beating and Tim’s eyes burning, she’d definitely go with the latter.
“I’ll think about it. I’m going to get out of here now and let you two get to work. I’ll see you around,” she said, and headed for the elevator.
“We should all go out this weekend,” Rachel hollered down the corridor.
Katherine giggled, noticing the people all looking in her direction. “Talk to Ben,” she shouted back.
She liked Rachel and was glad Ben had someone like her acting as sentry to his office. Rachel wasn’t a big woman, but she was intimidating.
Once she was back on the street, she looked up at the many tall buildings lining the streets. Corporate America was not her thing. She would never be able to do what Rachel and Ben did. She went left. She had never been this far up the street before and was excited to see what she would find. The hustling people on the streets, carrying briefcases and talking on their cellphones didn’t seem to notice her at all in her jeans and sneakers. In her eyes, she stuck out like a sore thumb among the expensive business suits and the women wearing pencil skirts and heels.
It was definitely not her thing. She continued around the block and saw the donut shop tucked inside a huge insurance company building and immediately dismissed the idea. That was not what she was looking for. Her adventure took her on a winding route through the heart of the corporate center of the city until she made it back to the smaller store fronts and the many restaurants that competed against one another with signs placed on the sidewalks advertising their specials.
The area was more her style. People wore jeans and seemed much more laid back. She started the tedious process of going inside the restaurants and shops, asking for applications and hoping for the chance to get hired on the spot. It didn’t happen, but she was going to take the applications home and fill them out anyway.
As she sat at home at her small kitchen table, she realized her job history wasn’t the best. She was constantly changing jobs. Her longest job had been at the bakery and when the application asked why she no longer worked there, she was tempted to lie. Once all the applications were filled out, she set about doing the tedious chores that had been ignored over the weekend. Kissing Ben had been her priority, not the dishes or laundry.
She rose from the table, doublechecked to make sure the door was locked and turned on some music. Cleaning her own house was something she loved to do. It was her space. Tim had a fleet of housekeepers that cleaned the mansion, which was good and bad. Katherine had been miserably bored all the time. The idea of being on her own was exhilarating. She found herself singing loud to a Taylor Swift song that was blaring through her single Bluetooth speaker.
“Girl, you have no idea,” Katherine giggled as she listened to the singer lament a lost love.
Chapter Six
Ben
WAKING UP WITH KATHERINE would never get old. Her back was to him as he curled around her, protecting her as she slept. She’d come home with him last night after a night out together. He loved their sleepovers and only wished they could make it a more regular thing, as in she moved in with him. He knew she loved her place, but his afforded them a lot more room, privacy and most importantly, security. He always felt like they were exposed at her place. Anyone could walk up to her front door and knock. He wanted to be able to protect her and the high fence and gate around his place seemed much more conducive to keeping Tim and other bad guys out.
She moaned softly. “You’re awake.”
He kissed her bare shoulder. “I am.”
“You get up so early.”
He laughed. “You’re usually the first one up.”
“Now that I don’t have a job, there’s no reason to get out of bed before seven.”
He kissed her shoulder, moving her hair away from her neck and kissed her there. “I can give you a very good reason to get out of bed.”
“Wouldn’t that be a reason to stay in bed?” she replied.
“Yes and no. I need to get in the shower. We could conserve water,” he said in a husky voice.
She shuddered against him. “I could use a shower.”
The morning just got a lot better. He got out of bed and headed into his master bathroom, turning on the water and making sure it was nice and hot.
“You have too many clothes on for a shower,” he said, taking in the t-shirt she was wearing that barely covered her butt.
She smiled and lifted the shirt over her head. “Better?”
“Much,” he said, stripping off his briefs.
He stepped inside the shower with her right behind him. His huge shower was the size of a small closet, with dark blue tiles and a series of jets on the side and his favorite feature, the rain showerhead. One hadn’t been enough, and he’d had a contractor install a couple, making sure he was always under the water. That was a feature proving to come in very handy now.
“This is heavenly,” she murmured, turning her face up to the showerhead.
“I’m glad you like it,” he said, reaching for his liquid soap and pouring a little in his hand before rubbing his hands together and creating a thick lather. He reached out, placing his soapy hands on her shoulders before he gently rubbed her skin.
Her head we
nt back as he moved to work down the front of her body, paying special attention to her breasts.
Once he had given her body a very thorough washing, she took over and returned the favor. Lovingly caressing every inch of skin as she moved her soft hands over him.
“I love your body,” she murmured, moving to stand behind him and washing his back in a leisurely manner.
“I’m positive I love your body a million times more.”
Her hands reached around him, grabbing his semi-erect penis and gently rubbing it to life. He groaned, his head, leaning back as water sluiced over his body. Her breasts were pressed against his back as she moved back and forth, rubbing her body against his. He tried to be patient, but her hand sliding up and down his dick was eroding all self-control. He needed her.
She kissed his back, moving to his shoulders and slowly coming around to stand in front of him, her eyes dropping down to the erection standing proud.
“How much time do we have?” she whispered.
“Time enough,” he growled, spinning her body around, using his own body to walk her closer to the back wall of the shower.
Her hands splayed out on the tile, the pale white of her skin in stark contrast to the dark blue. He gently pushed her body forward, using his hand to push on the small of her back. His other hand moved between her legs where he had recently washed. His fingers deftly spread her folds, finding her wet on the inside as he pressed one finger inside her.
She moaned softly. He pushed in a second finger, readying her for his entry.
“You’re so wet and hot,” he groaned, pulling his fingers out and probing at her before finding the sweet spot and pushing inside, slowly at first.
Her body was tight and wet and pulling him in, making it hard for him to maintain that steely control he prided himself on.