by Ellen Hutton
The next day Kari was able to go into work and she was nervous about seeing Stefan again. She wasn’t sure what he was going to say, but when he came in, he went about business as usual, and she found by lunch time, they were able to fall back into their usual banter.
Later that night, after she had locked the front door and drawn the shades, she waited anxiously for Stefan to approach her as he always did. It was like a little game for them. He would come up behind her and fondle her breasts, reveling in the softness of them, and she would swat him away, finishing whatever task she had to and then turn her attention to him.
She was surprised when he came out of the back office, already with his jacket on.
“Leaving so soon?” She asked. He smiled at her slightly and tipped his hat.
“Yes. I am assuming as you’re back at work so soon, you might still be a bit under the weather. As we have the show next week, I think it best to let you go home and get some more rest.”
Kari felt her heart sink. She couldn’t really negate his assumptions as she had been the one to lie. But she did get the feeling he knew she had lied and this denial for another night, was a form of punishment.
Kari smiled as pleasantly as she could, “Thank you. I will do that.” He smirked as he turned and walked out the door.
Kari left that night feeling dejected and wondering how she was going to come clean to him. She needed to tell him the truth and that was that. What she wasn’t expecting was when she went home, she found Stefan waiting in the driveway. She had always parked her van in a parking garage, so she doubted he had ever seen Ashley’s car seat. There was no way to avoid this now though.
Kari got out of the car and opened the sliding door of the van as she felt Stefan’s eyes burning into her. She unbuckled Ashley and set her down, so she could run up the front walkway and stare up at the man who was waiting on their doorstep.
Kari cringed internally when Ashley yelled, “Mommy, mommy, who’s dat!?” She pointed a pudgy finger at Stefan who in turn said softly,
“Yes, who is that?” And he looked down into the wide-eyed face of her daughter.
Chapter 7
Kari didn’t say a word as she unlocked the door to the house and ushered Ashley inside. She cursed herself out for not having picked up the toys that morning, as she had been in a rush. She bit her lip as she saw the small fingerprint smudges on the coffee table in the living room and Stefan stepped inside, setting a plastic bag which smelled suspiciously like steaks.
Without a word, Kari turned the t.v. on in the living room for Ashley, and set her sippy cup out for her, before looking pointedly at Stefan and then walking into the kitchen.
She heard the rustle of the bag as he picked it up and she bustled around the kitchen, trying to make herself busy. He didn’t say a word as he set food cartons out on the crowded table which had Ashley’s daycare bag and a stack of finger paintings on it. Kari was just forming what she was going to say in her head when he murmured close by her ear,
“You should have told me.”
She turned to him, but noticed his face was impassive, which wasn’t a good sign. Although, it wasn’t a look of pity either.
“You’re right. I’m sorry Stefan. I just…I thought if you knew…” She didn’t know how to say it, so he said it for her.
“You thought a rich man like me would judge you for having a child and being a single mother.” Kari didn’t say anything. They both knew the truth of it. Stefan sat down at her tiny table, seemingly nonplussed by the chaotic disarray. His penthouse was impeccable, as was his office.
Kari sat down opposite him and stared down at the fine cuisine he had brought. It was at that moment Ashley came running into the kitchen. She continued to stare at Stefan, but she didn’t say anything.
“Ashley, this is Mr. Ulrich. Mommy’s boss.” Ashley looked at Stefan, and a look similar to her mother’s she gave him a once over and turned away as she said.
“Hi.”
Kari couldn’t be certain, but she thought she saw Stefan’s lips quirk a little at the little girl’s bluntness.
“Ashley, don’t be rude.” Kari chastised. Ashley didn’t seem to notice, or care because she said.
“I’m hungwy.”
Kari glanced at her plate, it was fine dining and nothing a three-year-old baby could stomach.
“Alright. I’ll make you something.” She set Ashley down who ran to the door. She turned back as she started dancing and in a sing song voice to the music she shouted, “I want chicken nuggets!”
Kari sighed and went to the freezer and pulled out the bag. She preheated the oven and dumped a handful onto the tray as she tried to think of something else to say.
When she turned back, she found Stefan still staring at her impassively. She found she wanted him to rage at her. Call her out for being a liar or worse, in his eyes, a low life. But he did none of those things. Instead, he shut his tray and placed his hands, on top of it.
“I want chicken nuggets too.” He told her. Kari stared at him skeptically.
“You can’t be serious?” She asked.
“Quite serious. I think this is going to take a longer time explaining than a quick I’m sorry, and since you’re making them anyway, I like mine with ketchup.”
Kari bit the inside of her cheek. “Are you mocking me again?” She demanded. She lasted all of three seconds before she was back to her in your face attitude and questions. She saw for the first time, a flash of anger on his face. His voice, however, remained calm but low.
“If anyone has the right to demand an explanation here, it is me.” He informed her. She whirled back around and reopened the bag, dumping more nuggets onto the tray. She shoved the tray in the oven and slammed the door.
“Fine. You want an explanation, here it is. I was foolish. Fell for a guy, got used by the guy, got pregnant, he left when he found out. Classic huh?” She slumped into her chair and grabbed her fork, pushing the prosciutto wrapped asparagus around on the tray. “Happy now?” She barked. It was his turn to raise an eyebrow which annoyed her.
“No. I don’t like that you lied about something like this.” He nodded toward the living room. “I believe you have the misconception that I think less of you for being a single mother, but need I remind you that I was raised by my mother. My Dad also left, and she was in your shoes at one time.” He said quietly. Kari felt like a jerk as she remembered he had confided that in her.
“I didn’t mean to lie, Stefan. It’s just…whenever people find out they pity me. Like it’s some awful thing to have to raise a child on my own. Like, I did something bad. I am sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, I didn’t know how.” She confessed.
“How is it, you didn’t know how?” He asked. “We have been so open with each other, any number of those times over the last few weeks, we could have talked about it.”
Kari stabbed at her steak as the nuggets beeped that they were done. She rose and served them out, putting a healthy dollop of ketchup on each plate. She handed Stefan his and before she could sit back down, he grabbed her wrist.
“I won’t say I’m not disappointed you didn’t tell me. But it doesn’t mean I think of you any less.” He told her. Kari was on the verge of tears, but she nodded, not sure of she could trust his words. She returned to her seat and answered his questions about Ashley and her ex, and when they were done, she walked him to the door, and was afraid when she shut it behind him, she shut it on their personal relationship, and perhaps their friendship too.
Chapter 8
Kari went to work the next day feeling both lighter and more weighed down than ever. She was glad it was finally out there, but she also wondered how Stefan would be. She walked in the office and began her morning routine, and she was disappointed when she brought him his coffee, he waived her in with barely a good morning and then turned his attention back to his paperwork. She left, fearing the worst had come true, and the day only went downhill from there.
; That afternoon, Stefan had an appointment with one of his regular models, and they ended up in a fight, and the model walked out of the office. He had discovered her in possession, and she had tried to seduce him to get him to just forget about it. It was only made worse, and Kari had overheard, because she walked in on it when she brought Stefan his afternoon coffee.
She discovered Stella leaning over his desk with her cleavage hanging out, and Stefan eye-level, staring right at it. Kari didn’t say a word as the model ignored her and continued simpering at Stefan. She placed his coffee on his desk and glared at him as he glanced her way. She left without another word and went back to her desk. She sat stewing in anger, pissed off that he had turned his attention elsewhere, even to a woman who was all plastic, and she studiously ignored him when he chased Stella down the hall, effectively throwing her out of the office.
The other models seemed to sense his anger, because they got up, gathered their purses and quickly left without a word, meaning Kari would have to reschedule them all for new appointments.
“How fast can we get a replacement in?” He barked. She looked right at him and was about to tell him off, but something in his eye told her not to test him.
“We can’t. All the girls are already booked.” She told him. “The show is tomorrow.”
Stefan cursed and threw himself on the sofa. “I need a model. Someone who knows the show and can fill in.” He glanced over at her. Then he got the most peculiar look on his face. “You know the show.” He stated.
It took her a minute to realize what he was saying. “Oh no. I am not a model. I am an assistant.” She thumped her fist on the desk. There was no way she was going to do what he was asking.
“Come on Kari, please?” He asked. Technically he could demand she do it. She did work for him under no clear guidelines or job description. But what she was waiting for never came. She expected him to say, she owed him. But he didn’t. He just sat there staring at her.
“No. Stefan. No. I can’t be a model. I’m not the type. I mean, those girls are pristine. I have weird hair and skin that isn’t tan enough. No way.” She shook her head but realized the moment she lost the battle.
“You’re going to be great!” His face lit up with a devilish smile. “Come on, we’ll go to my office and you can put the outfit on and practice walking.” He stood and waited for it.
“Stefan!” She glared at him. “I can’t do this. I’m a…”
He raised an eyebrow at her. They both knew what she was about to say.
“You’re an amazing woman is what you are Miss Thomas. I knew that about you from the moment you walked in the door and challenged me. Whether that amazement comes from being a mother, I don’t care, I’ll take it.” He held out his hand to her and offered her what she had dared not hope to have.
She took it with trembling fingers and he pulled her up into a hug. He kissed her gently then, and she shook in his arms, wondering if when he let go, she would wake from a dream, but instead, he took her hand and led her to the office.
He left her standing in the middle of the office and went to the closet where he kept his creations. Kari looked in horror when he pulled out the costume she was supposed to wear.
“I can’t wear that!” She exclaimed.
“Why not?” He asked.
“Because, it has a giant bird on the headband!” she cried pointing at it.
The theme of the show was called, Flights of Fancy. So naturally, Stefan had gone over the top and created a bikini with a headdress in the design of a peacock’s span. Kari knew she would look ridiculous, even more so when the cameras picked up the stretch marks on her sides from her pregnancy. Stefan had never complained about them, but she had always been aware.
“I need you Kari.” He said. “Please.” His request was so simple. He had taken her in without barely knowing her, giving her a career instead of a deadbeat job, and he had forgiven her too, without hardly an issue for her lie.
Kari stomped over and grabbed the costume. Stefan leaned against his desk as she went behind the partition and changed into the monstrosity. She felt so exposed and she wondered how models could flash so much skin. She seriously had a hard time coming out, but after much coaxing, he convinced her, and she came out, with her hands around her midriff, trying to cover up.
His eyes flashed a heated look when he saw her, and she blushed profusely as the nervous giggles started. Stefan had to shake his head and clear his thoughts before getting back to business. But not before Kari noticed how aroused he was.
He instructed her to move back and forth across the office. He corrected her gait and gave her tips for her posture and Kari was just starting to feel sexy when she passed him for the dozenth time, and his arm snaked out and caught her around the waist.
They were kissing in an instant and she was tearing at his clothes, needing him to be as exposed as she was.
When she freed him, he gasped, having been denied the same contact for a couple of days as she had been.
Stefan couldn’t seem to retain control though. It was Kari’s turn to gasp as he bent her over his desk and pulled the material aside on the bottom.
There was no preamble or foreplay this time.
He groaned, “Kari.” And it was his way of asking for permission.
She nodded her head, causing the ridiculous feather to bob on her forehead as he thrust in.
She screamed his name as he too moaned as he sank into her depths. He had never taken her in such a way before. So raw and hungry. She felt sexy and alive as he thrust inside her. This seemed somehow so taboo, like they were going to be caught or something.
Kari quickly reached her peak, and she squeezed around Stefan’s erection, which caused him to thrust into her roughly, but not so much that it hurt. His hand snaked around her torso and he lifted her from the desk, so he could look over her shoulder and see her breasts in the skimpy top.
Kari gasped at the angle of penetration as he continued to pump into her, and it wasn’t long before he was shaking behind her in his own release at the primitiveness of it all.
When he was done, he gently eased from her and asked, “Are you alright? I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
She shook her head, having to brace herself against the desk to remain upright. She had never felt something so hot as what they had just done.
Kari leaned against his chest and he cradled her to him.
“You need to go home and get some rest before tomorrow.” He murmured into her hair.
She tickled his ribs as she said, “I won’t be dismissed like one of your floozy women. After this show that’s it. Back to boring skirts and blouses and simple, plain old me.”
He nodded and laughed at the imagery. They both knew he didn’t mind the conservative dress she wore. This would be her moment to shine, and then she would be content to be who she was. Average, single mom, Kari who was snarky and honest but pleasantly plain.
Stefan nuzzled her ear and she drew the headdress off, handing it back to him. Once she had changed, she headed to the door and collected her things, he followed her, watching her every move. Before she left she turned to him and said,
“Well, are you coming?”
Stefan grabbed his coat and flicked off the lights to the office, locking up behind them.
When they got to her daycare, Ashley was excited to see Stefan again and demanded,
“Up!” It seemed so strange to Kari to see him in an Armani suit, carrying a toddler. But at the same time, it was so natural as well.
He took them to a family restaurant for dinner, and much to Kari’s dismay spent the majority of the time paying attention to Ashley and asking her questions. Ashley preened at the attention and Kari got lost in the worry of tomorrows show as the two enjoyed their date together.
How would she fit in with such fashionable divas she wondered? She knew nothing about the industry, could they even hide her stretch marks with makeup. Kari felt hersel
f getting worked up into a state of panic, around the same time that Ashley began yawning.
Stefan took care of the bill, and he followed Kari and Ashley home. When they arrived, he took Ashley from her arms and carried her to the nursery and laid her tiny sleeping body, down to sleep.
When Stefan returned to her, he pulled her in his arms and whispered, “Don’t do this to yourself. Don’t think there is any comparison between you and them. As far as I’m concerned, they have nothing on you.”
Kari nodded in his arms and then glanced at her bed. No doubt he was used to sleeping on fine satin sheets, and she had nothing but cotton. If he minded, he didn’t say so because he stripped her down, and set her gently on the bed.
He hastened to remove his own clothing, and then he was on top of her, in her and surrounding her.
Stefan took his time appreciating her body. It wasn’t like the frantic lust from before, but he kissed and paid attention to every detail of her. When he kissed the stretch marks, she shuddered close to orgasm, because he was telling her he didn’t care. He appreciated the gift of her body. Stefan took her in a way that no man ever had, not even her ex when they had created Ashley.
He moved over her slowly, looking deep in her eyes. Kari clung to him as they found one another in their bliss, and when he was done, instead of leaving as the other men had, he rolled on his side and pulled her to him.
Kari sighed as she fell asleep in his arms, and she was equally as surprised when she woke up in them. Stefan was stroking her hair and she found him smiling down at her.
“Ready for today?”
“Oh hell no.” She griped, and he laughed.
“There’s the Kari I know and love.” He murmured. Kari froze, not sure she had heard him right, but he leaned down and kissed her good morning, just as Ashley let out a wail.
Kari hastened out of bed and threw on a robe as she went and collected her daughter. It was tradition for them to play in bed with stuffed animals for half an hour, and when she returned, Stefan had thrown his clothes on and was perched on the edge of the bed. She was grateful when he indulged Ashley, and played with them, and then they all began a morning routine of breakfast and a shower.