by Ginny Lynn
“Next time we’ll have to bring treats to these guys. I would’ve normally brought something, but was distracted by some good looking thing at the house,” he said as he patted the horse’s strong neck.
“Well, let me know who this person is so I don’t give it away that we’re hot for each other.”
“Yeah, don’t get me in trouble. I have a way of getting into all sorts of dilemmas for beautiful dames. Now let’s head back so I can feed you lunch. I need to spend a little time in the shop before the evening is over. My boss has a project that took up all my extra time and I have a commission to finish up,” he said as he gave the calm beast a little scratch before turning toward the creek again.
I found out along the way that the creek, which was actually a small stream, even had fish in it. He not only offered for me to go fishing with him one afternoon, but also wanted to ask his neighbor for the use of his horses on the trail circling both of their properties.
Of course, I was ecstatic over the thought of riding that beautiful creature and hoped the neighbor would allow it. Conrad said he rode both the chestnuts on occasion, just not the painted since it was only boarding there. The Appaloosa belonged to the owner, but he never seemed to have enough time to spend with him since taking on more borders plus giving riding lessons. I offered to exercise the friendly male horse any time that the owner needed, even if Conrad got jealous. That caused many a joke by the time we finally reached the cabin and my sides were hurting from the laughter we shared.
In the kitchen, we assembled thick sandwiches on hearty wheat bread and had tea. We devoured our meal while swinging on the wooden swing that he built off the side of the house.
My stomach tightened when I thought about going back to the apartment that someone had invaded. I didn’t want to outstay my welcome and knew it was too early in the relationship to be spending too much time together.
When all of this drama was settled, I would throw myself into this deep feeling I was experiencing and see where the road would lead me. Conrad didn’t seem to want to pressure anything and definitely wanted things to be less complicated before taking any further steps. At the moment, time could stand still and I wouldn’t mind a bit. I refused for this relationship to be a rebound.
* * * *
Conrad showed me his shop later in the day and I saw all the metal stacked up in the rear left corner. There was even a loft area that looked as if it was used for storage, so I didn’t venture up there. He showed me the piece he was working on with the blueprint sketched out and I was truly blown away.
His work was fascinating and mysterious at the same time. He would make millions if he expanded his resources for advertising them. I mentioned having a co-worker who was a whiz at websites and wondered if Conrad would want to have one created for his one of a kind art. After considering it for a while, he agreed he would consider it, but wanted to do the work for the love of it and not because it was a money making machine.
He didn’t mind me watching him work and before I knew it, several hours had passed as he escaped into his passion. The completed work was just as intricate as the piece in his bedroom, only a different image was invoked. This one was the horizon at sea with the pieces being 3-D images of the waves moving before the sun. We cleaned and wrapped it up so he could deliver it after work the next day.
Tomorrow, Conrad was going to drop me off at work after breakfast and then take me home after work was done for the day. I’d get a pizza delivered for lunch.
We cooked chicken Alfredo for dinner with garlic bread and laughed at a comedy he had rented a few days earlier. A few hours later, we cleaned every thing up and changed into our pajamas.
Heading for bed, I gave Conrad a thorough kiss before running up the stairs to climb into his welcoming bed. It took awhile for me to fall asleep because I missed the warmth we shared from that morning. The cabin grew quiet and I finally relaxed enough to fall into a deep, dreamless sleep.
Waking up to him calling to me from downstairs, I stretched and inhaled deeply of fresh air and maple bacon. I rolled over to absorb his scent from the pillow—even his pillow was manly. I grabbed my clean work jeans and coral T-shirt before heading downstairs to the bathroom. I left my clothes by the tub while I brushed my teeth. Then, I headed to the kitchen to see if he wanted help, but he appeared to have everything under control and even had the coffee flavored for me. Amazing how he already knew the foods I liked plus the way I drank my coffee.
I had learned a lot about him while we relaxed on the sofa the night before. We had joked about things we did as children and the kind of people we had dated in years past. Love was a fickle and naïve thing to experience. I tried not to delve into the situation with Jason, as it was too heavy of a topic. I ignored the elephant in the room and kept smiling. We both loved animals and had a yearning to be something more in our lives. Both of us had grown up with loving parents and he had a sister that was currently back in school for her bachelor’s degree in sociology.
I learned some of the problems his friend Blake had faced growing up as a foster child in a few different homes. They had met each other at the high school that they both attended and Blake had come to Conrad’s defense when Conrad had gotten hurt after being jumped by several football players. They had stuck together ever since then and backed each other up no matter what they each had to face.
Blake was now in construction and landscaping with his own company from the money he had obtained through a government loan. He was making his final payment to the government this year from a large job he was undertaking for two parks outside of the city. They would be for children of all ages, plus a small garden atmosphere for the parents to relax in as they watched their children. Blake had even commissioned a sculpture for the larger of the two parks and Conrad was to design it for him next month.
I had filled him in on the basics of the girls and he understood Raven’s reluctance for a new man in her life. Her heart was still under repair from the last one. He loved Chastity’s spark and Felicia’s fresh vigor for life. We girls had experienced life together from our first crushes to our separate careers. He thought we were a force to be reckoned with and knew that we would still be just as involved in each others lives as we were when we were kids. He even joked about how fierce we would be as mothers. I agreed with him and had an immediate picture of Chastity having a little girl with white pigtails and multi-hued clothes, Felicia with a little red haired boy to cherish and Raven with an angelic wide eyed daughter who would be just as striking as her mother.
It was wonderful looking into the past and future all in one easy night with a man I wanted to be with forever. I had wanted to tell him what I wanted in my future, except I held back for fear that he would shrink from that image. We had plenty of time for that subject later.
We ate while watching the sun rise over the treetops and then I ran to the shower while he cleared up the kitchen. Still using his shampoo and soap, I smiled as I got out to dress and brush my hair.
I heard him humming a classic crooner tune as I made my way to the foyer for my tennis shoes. I had borrowed a pair of Conrad’s socks and it was nice having a piece of him with me today. He had even offered to fix me some sandwiches for lunch. I felt my soul melting at his generosity.
I fixed my hair in a French braid as he finished dressing and was already packed. He was surprised that I could get myself together so quickly. I guess his old relationships had taught him differently. I laughed at that comment and he blushed.
“I only meant that most women take longer to get ready and you look fabulous for only taking thirty five minutes, with a shower,” he fiddled with his belt as he spoke to me.
“I understand and I take less time to get ready than Chastity. She’s the diva of the group. Raven can be ready in the same amount of time as me and always seems to look flawless. Felicia says it takes longer to control her lion’s mane than it does to put on her makeup. I love her hair, although she would almost rather have min
e or Raven’s. Her joke is that she doesn’t have it in her to constantly touch up platinum roots. Chastity always hates when we joke about her hair because it’s her natural color. We always say ‘Only her hairdresser knows for sure.’ She of course comes back with a list of her ex-boyfriends that could vouch,” I said as he opened the front door for me as we left.
We talked over tons of likes and dislikes as he drove me to work. It was so easy. Being with him was effortless. Could he be my soul mate? It was too soon to contemplate that. But after the world settled, I’d get back to that train of thought.
* * * *
We drove off in the truck and headed south toward my job. Parker called me to let me know that he was back in town and would see me at work in a little bit. He had already spoken to Chastity and knew that I was okay. I thanked him and mentioned that Conrad was my driver for the time being. Parker agreed upon ordering a pizza and would even pay for it. We got to the warehouse and I kissed Conrad senseless as payment for being my white knight. Parker had to tap on the window to get my attention. I rolled down the window to talk to him.
“Good morning,” I said as I reached for my bag in the floorboard.
“Obviously! Are you coming in or are you going to sit here making a scene while we all watch?” He asked as he opened the truck door.
I looked around to see the crew climb out of their trucks and head up the stairs. I blushed. Conrad laughed deep in his belly and patted me on the thigh. I leaned over to give him one chaste kiss on his open mouth and said my goodbye as I climbed out of the truck.
I heard several snickers and a, “What a way to say goodbye” as I got everyone inside. I immediately went to my office to cool my flushed skin before starting the coffee pot. Parker came in and handed me a cup before I had even stowed my bag in my desk drawer.
“I brought in a thermos, but already started a pot for the guys,” he stated as he sat down opposite me and flipped through the binder he had carried under his arm. “Don’t be embarrassed about the guys, even though it was enough to steam the windshield,” he commented without even looking at me over his binder.
“I’m sure you’ll inform Chastity about my windshield fogging,” I replied while sipping from the steamy cup. Of course it wasn’t perfectly flavored. I smiled.
“Probably, but right now I’m out of sorts with two different jobs on my plate. I have a conference call over the completion of the failed job I supervised and then I have to discuss the budget for this current job. I may not resurface for a while, so keep the pizza safe until I get out.”
We agreed on the pizza and he headed toward the conference room to make his calls.
The day went by in a whirl. I did get my pizza while Parker volleyed phone calls with corporate. I only ate part of the medium pizza and put the other half aside to save for him. Ramirez kept me informed of the procedures for removing the support as the workers diligently set at the task. It was loaded on the truck for disposal with the driver ready to set off to the local dump. After that was accomplished, I went back to my office to find Parker lounged in my chair with his shoes on my desk. A slice of pepperoni was hanging from his mouth as he grinned up at me in embarrassment.
“I seem to keep finding you at home in my office, do we need to set you up a matching one next door?” I asked with one eyebrow raised.
“Well, uh, no. I needed to eat and just found myself getting comfortable when you happened to walk in. Pardon me, madam for the intrusion on your domain.”
He bowed as he slid his feet to the floor.
“Thou shalt do me in with thou chivalry, kind sir. Dost thou need help moving after thy slumber?” I asked.
He placed his hand over his heart and said, “I will take whatever gifts thou bestow upon me.”
I laughed and replied, “My good sir, dost thou know I am betrothed and not likely to require thy services?”
“Thy body would have belonged to me if thou hadn’t thrown me to thy clever priestess. Now alas, I have been spell ridden and thou belong to another gallant knight.”
He acted as if he would swoon, except he ended up laughing.
“I was going to hug you for all the crap you’re going through right now. Or maybe it was just me trying to cop a feel, you’ll never know.”
He wagged his eyebrow and bowed again as he took pizza box out of the office. Shaking my head I laughed at that for a few minutes before getting back to a stack of papers that needed filing.
By five o’clock, I looked up from my work to see Conrad lounging against my doorframe. I put down my paperwork and slowly walked over to him. I leaned into him, feeling tired.
I heard a voice yell out, “Just kiss her.”
I saw Parker standing close by, with Ramirez.
Conrad was still looking down at me and then he whispered, “I’d hate to disappoint them.”
His head came slowly down toward mine. I felt more than his strength at that point and wanted to melt us into the door. I heard a yell over my shoulder, but just waved them away without breaking contact with Conrad. His arms came around me to pull me closer. I gladly went.
I opened my mouth to him and my tongue met his. The kiss was hot velvet and I knew we were fogging up the glass on my office door, but didn’t care about that or the voyeurs around us. After a long moment, he released me to smile into my eyes as someone walked by stating it was quitting time. They didn’t have to tell me twice as I grabbed my things before heading out the door with Conrad.
I locked up and he drove me home. My nerves didn’t tighten up until I got to my apartment door. Conrad took the key as I looked at the window of the unit next door.
“Stop thinking about it or you’ll have to move out. The manager assured me the other place was cleaned out and new locks have been placed on your door. If you want me to install a dead bolt set, then let me know.”
I stared at him as it sunk in and just nodded. I clumsily stepped away to put my purse on the counter as I turned back into his waiting arms.
“I know I’m supposed to feel better, instead I feel open, raw and violated. I don’t want to run to anyone’s house because I’m afraid to come home. You can install the locks tomorrow. Just let me know how much I owe you.”
“The manager insured me that the key would stay in the safe and wouldn’t be given out. She’s also asked her coworkers to keep an eye on your place for anything that looks suspicious.”
He made things so right that it was weird how fate had brought him into my life.
“You have a choice this evening. Choice A is to sit here with your friends and have Chinese take-out. Choice B is that you and I sit here alone trying not to ravage each other as we have Chinese take-out. You have the toughest decision of the night and four people will be calling shortly to see what your decision is.” He started making ticking noises like a clock.
I bust out laughing.
“I should have known something like this was going to happen. I do not need an armored guard running around with me because I came home. I love that everyone wants to protect me, even though I will eventually be alone. I don’t mind if they come over tonight, however, after that I have to do this my own way.”
I kissed him on his chin and went for my phone as it rung loudly in the quiet room.
“Hello?”
“Hi, hon,” Chastity said as she smacked gum. “Are we coming and do you want the usual?”
“Yes to both, except how will I get my hot tea?” I inquired as I knew she would have worked that out already. She didn’t disappoint me.
“I will be bringing my thermos for them to fill.”
“Well, get on over here and don’t run any lights. The officer at the corner is still mad you turned him down,” I joked as I heard her grabbing up keys.
“I brought him doughnuts two weeks ago and he forgave me. It was such a cliché, but I had to use it on him,” she replied laughingly.
“It doesn’t hurt to wear a short skirt when you do it either.”
Kno
wing her as I did, it would have been pretty short.
“It was not a skirt and I was told it made his day. You think you know me so well that you have it all worked out. I’ll have you know that Parker has blown through most of that, and I’m happy with it,” she humphed into the phone.
“So what were you wearing?”
I wasn’t giving up on this small bit of fun.
“I was wearing my favorite jeans and a new baby doll top,” she said under her breath.
“Those would be the same jeans that look as if they were painted on and have strategically placed holes, right?” I pushed further.
“Of course silly, but it still wasn’t a mini skirt, so there. Now let me go so I can get this food ordered. Love.”
Then she hung up.
Laughing, I shook my head as I hung up the phone.
“Who was that and what strategically placed holes do the jeans have?” Conrad asked while wagging his eyebrows.
“That was, of course, Chastity and I was tugging her strings about the cop she has chasing after her. She took him doughnuts after turning down a date with him,” I started pulling out plates, forks and spoons.
“I’m glad you have a smile on your face. I had wondered if you were up to smiling with all the things going on like they are,” Conrad said as we finished setting the table.
He reached over and snagged my hand to pull me closer. I went willingly.
“Since I know that I have about ten minutes alone with you, I think I’ll take advantage of them.”
I started to laugh, but his lips closed over mine. I felt that familiar tug at my belly when his lips moved over mine. Slipping my arms around his neck, I pulled him closer. One of his hands went into my hair, the other to the small of my back. He had my lower half pushed against his manhood while my head was arched back to deepen the kiss. I knew he was aroused.
Deciding to make the most of it while I had him, I slipped my hands into his mane of hair to massage the back of his neck. He groaned against my lips as his tongue ravaged mine. I was losing my mind as the kiss became longer and longer. His hand at my waist had somehow slipped into my waistband and was curving over my hip. He snuggled me even closer and I wondered if I was even standing on my own. That callused hand slid over my buttocks as he groaned into my mouth again.