by Iona Rose
Thankfully, he doesn’t reopen his eyes at my clumsiness and I bite my lips to hide my smile. As he enjoys my service, I take the time for the first time up this close to properly examine and appreciate his beautiful face.
Shaved clean, his skin is soft and supple, like a newborn’s. His brows are groomed, leading down to a high arched nose, and dipping into soft, plump lips. Then there is this jawline of his that turned what could have otherwise been solely soft features into a severe attack on every woman’s brain cells.
I turn the dryer off and although I try to talk myself out of it, I can’t help but reach forward to place a soft kiss on the tip of his nose.
This immediately brings his eyelids open and for a moment he stares at me.
I feel a bit nervous at the intensity of his gaze. It seems dark and more piercing than usual and it makes me fear that perhaps I’ve crossed a line.
“Let’s get dressed,” he says and before I can respond, he takes the dryer and replaces it on the wall.
“Do you have any lotion I can use?” I ask, but then change my mind. “Don’t worry about it I’ll be heading home soon.”
“Of course I do,” he says and opens up a cabinet beside the mirror.
It holds a very simple collection of about four bottles and I quickly find what I need. I take it with me but can’t help noticing the way his gaze has changed once again. He stares at my naked body and it makes me incredibly self-conscious. “Grady, I’m not wearing any clothes, so if you keep looking at me like that my skin’s going to melt off.”
He laughs as he follows me out of the bathroom. “You can’t blame me. You’ve got to be the sexiest woman that I’ve ever seen.”
I can’t help but feel equal parts pleasure and displeasure at the statement which I appreciate but is also a reminder that he has of course been with others apart from me. I grit my teeth, thankful that he can’t see my face as I head back into the adjoining room that serves as his walk in closet.
“What I want to do right now is work that lotion into your skin, but I know that if I start that, there will be very little chance that either of us will get out of this house today.”
“I know.” I smile and turn around to hold the lotion up as a weapon. “Don’t come close to me. I’ll take you up on the offer next time.” I take my seat on the stool in the center and begin to rub the scented lotion all over my skin. I could have indeed waited to get home but I’m glad for the chance to have something of his smeared all over my body for the rest of the day. Hopefully, no one else will be able to detect and connect this scent on me to him, but he will. He most definitely will.
I turn around to see him putting on a pair of dark boxer briefs, and wonder if I can borrow one of those.
He turns to see me looking at it and instantly guesses my thoughts. Lifting a rolled one from the stack in the drawer, he throws it over to me.
Of course, I miss the catch to his amusement.
“Did you play any sports in school?”
“Of course not,” I reply and grab the briefs off the floor. I’m glad to hear his laughter especially since a few moments earlier he had seemed gloomy. “What about you?”
“Track,” he says. “I used to run a lot then. It cleared my mind. I still do from time to time but it’s hard to find the time during the weekdays because of my early schedule.”
“Nice,” I say, but then something occurs to me. “Wait, but if you don’t exercise that often how is your body like this?”
“Like what?”
“You know.”
“No, I don’t know,” he says.
It makes me sigh. “Now you’re fishing for compliments?”
“I don’t deserve any?”
I throw my head back and sigh aloud. “Fine. Your body’s amazing. Sick. Brain damage inducing… fine.”
He’s just shrugged his arms into a shirt but a deep rumbling laugh overtakes him at my comment. “Really? Brain damage inducing?”
“No further comments,” I say and head off into the bedroom to find my bra. The rest of my clothes are there too, so I pick them up, shaking my head at what a passionate breathless mess we were last night. I want to see him dress though, so I take what I need and head back into the closet. I put on my bra and even though I’m aware he’s watching me, I don’t indulge him by turning it into some show. I just give him knowing glances from time to time and relish the soft smile on his face. He really is too good looking and that is just one more ingredient for this recipe for a disaster that we’re both currently putting together.
I want the chance to button him up but I suspect that this will cross yet another line, so I let the fantasy go, and instead ask about something fairly neutral. “Your dad,” I begin gently. “Did you get to see him enough when you were younger? With him being a Navy Seal and all?”
He is quiet for a moment which makes me think once again that I have stepped across a boundary. All of this double checking and contemplation is truly stressful to deal with. “I’m asking because of my own experience with a military father.”
“I did,” his response comes. “And we were once very close but then about the time I turned twenty he got into an accident while on active duty.”
I stopped at the sudden revelation, all sorts of damning consequences coming to mind.
He notices my concern and instantly calms me. “He didn’t sustain much physical injuries but the damage to him emotionally was severe. Since then, I don’t feel like I've had a father. He retired voluntarily, and he’s never been the same. Our relationship has since soured.”
“I’m so sorry to hear that,” I say.
“Things can be easily mended in my opinion but he is the most stubborn prick to ever exist, so we’re still constantly at odds.”
I want to go over to give him a hug and struggle with holding back. Eventually, I give in and go over. Lifting myself on the tips of my toes, I place a kiss on his cheek and then quickly take my leave.
A few minutes later, he emerges from the closet to see me getting my things together and announces that he’s heading downstairs.
In no time, I myself am ready to go, so I hurry down the stairs.
My stomach growls from hunger and it makes me think of the dinner we’d ordered the previous evening before things got out of control. So, I head straight to the front door and pull it open to check if perhaps it’s still there. I’m beyond excited when I see that the brown paper bag is indeed still there. “It’s still here, oh my God.” Delighted, I lower to pick up the food and bring it into the house. It seems to take forever but soon, I arrive at the kitchen.
Grady is brewing a pot of coffee. “I’m having second thoughts about eating that,” he says.
I ignore him and plop the bag on the island. “Let’s see its state first,” I insist, and retrieve the packaged meals. First comes the rice, and then the chicken. Afterwards is the fried dumplings and shrimp. After inspecting them, I find to my relief that they’re all still very edible. “They’re still great,” I say, “I’ll heat them up. Where are your plates?”
Putting his mug down, he turns around to head over to the cabinet behind him.
I can’t help but admire his appearance; the new pair of slacks and crisp olive green shirt that he has on. Dressed like this, he has reverted to the almost unapproachable executive from the office but as he turns around to hand the plates over to me, there’s a warmth in his eyes that heightens the burning pressure in my chest.
I quickly look away to hide just how affected I am by him. Soon, our meals are heating up in the microwave so he passes me a cup of freshly brewed coffee. The aroma is wafting all across the kitchen, the perfect accompaniment to a surreal morning. “Do you usually brew the ones you come to the office with?” I ask.
“No” he replies. “Andrew gets them for me when he picks me up.”
“Ah,” I say. “No wonder you never let me get them for you.”
“I don’t want to trouble you.”
“It’s my
job you know,” I remind him.
He nods his head in agreement. The microwave announces its completed run, but before I can go over to retrieve the plates, he’s already turned around to grab them. He lays them out on the island and then passes me a fork. He munches lightly on a few pieces of chicken and rice and teases me about the carrots and broccoli that I keep picking out. “You eat like an eleven year old,” he says and places his fork down.
“Hey!” I complain, to his amusement.
He takes his drained cup to the sink and then grabs his keys from the table. “I’m already late,” he says. “I’ll see you at the office. Tell Andrew to take you home, he’s already waiting outside.”
“Oh no, he doesn’t—”
He cuts me off with a wave. He soon disappears around the corner.
I can’t help but feel a bit sour that he doesn’t give me a kiss at his departure. I hit my fork to my head at the thought. “You’re just fuck buddies,” I remind myself. “Don’t dig a pit for yourself with impossible expectations.”
With a sigh, I finish up my meal, clear what I can of the dishes and then hurry out of the magnificent apartment to start my day.
Chapter Forty
Grady
Upon my return to the office later that morning, I can’t believe just how eager I am to see her. Especially after the quarreling and rants from my half-drunk father, having to wrestle him back to his home and discussing with the Sheriff on how to perhaps hire someone in the park to look out for him.
I feel emotionally drained and want to lean against the elevator but as I’ve come in at a busy hour, there are other employees in the space. They all get out at their various floors taking the time to send me greetings before they do and soon I arrive on mine.
She is however, not in her seat.
I stop in the middle of the reception and just stare at the empty space, not even realizing what I’m doing until there’s a sudden knock on the door. I turn around as it’s pushed open to see that it’s our course development leader, Elaine.
“Grady,” she calls. “Good morning.” She seems quite taken aback to have met me in the reception since I’m usually always in my office. “I just came by to drop off the course list for Blair. She requested it earlier.”
I nod in understanding.
She proceeds to place the document on the desk.
“Do you know where she is right now?” I ask. “I just got in.”
“She’s probably down at client management. Do you want me to contact her for you?”
“Don’t worry about it.” I shake my head. “What I need is not urgent.”
“Alright then,” she says. “Have a great day.” She heads out.
I continue on to my office. I can’t stop thinking about my father and his deteriorating mental state, and the fact that he isn’t even aware of it enough to seek or allow any help being offered to him. It puts me in an incredibly sour mood, and it’s not until there’s a knock on my door a little while later that I finally look up from my computer screen.
My heart slightly jumps in my chest at the probability of who it is, seeing that they came straight to my door. “Come in,” I call out and the door is pushed open.
It’s Allen, and the degree of disappointment I feel is too heavy to hide.
It even makes him stop in his tracks at what is probably an incredibly unwelcoming look on my face. “What’s wrong?” he asks, slightly alarmed.
I quickly rearrange my expression and lean into my chair to take a little break. “Nothing,” I respond. “What’s up?”
“It’s either there’s something really bothering you or you were incredibly disappointed to see me,” he says as he approaches.
I don’t bother responding, so I just watch him as he takes his seat.
“So,” he begins. “I’m here to remind you that I’m taking about two weeks off from the day after tomorrow. Meredith’s really struggling with the morning sickness so I’m on duty to help out with Alexa.”
“Sure,” I respond. “Do what you need to, but be available for emergency situations. We need to be able to contact you at all times.”
“I’m aware, sir.” He laughs.
“Why don’t we do something together tomorrow. Maybe catch some dinner? Go to a bar?”
He seems stunned at my suggestion. “Wow, you must really have a lot on your mind.”
I try my hardest to keep from rolling my eyes at his quite accurate speculation.
He goes on, “And you know, there’s no way I’m going to say no to that.”
“Alright then, I’ll get Blair to set it up.”
Chapter Forty-One
Blair
I’m a tad bit nervous as I return to my desk.
It’s now lunch time and I’m not certain if Grady has returned from his emergency call from this morning. I want to ask him how things went and if his father is doing much better but as expected, I’m considering this might again, be too personal given the nature of our current relationship.
Still, I want to know if he has returned, so I head to his door and give a little knock.
There is no response and it makes my heart sink just a little.
Just when I’m about to turn around however, I hear his call. “Come in.”
My heart lurches. He’s back? I brush at the creases in my blouse from running around all morning, and let out a deep breath pushing the door open and walking in confidently.
There’s a pen in his hand as he seems to be pondering over some files on his desk, but his gaze is solidly fixed on me.
“Hello,” I greet. “I just wanted to check if you had returned.”
“I have,” he answers.
I nod in acknowledgement. “And how are things? How’s your father?”
His gaze on me seems to narrow and it’s only after a few moments of silence that his response comes, “He’s okay. Things are under control.” His tone is cold, his gaze is cold, and so are his words.
It hurts because I can remember the warmth that he basked me in the previous night and earlier this morning. “Alright,” I turn around.
I’m almost at the door, when he calls me, “Blair.”
I immediately turn back to face him, hopeful, but for what exactly I’m uncertain. “Yeah?”
“Allen is going to be taking some time off after tomorrow, so I offered to treat him to an outing tomorrow night. Perhaps dinner and some drinks? It’s preferable if they are both in the same place, so the hassle of moving around is eliminated.”
“Of course,” I reply. “I’ll handle it.”
“Thank you,” he says and there is a bit of relief in his tone.
With that, I take my leave and get on with my task. Knowing both of their personalities to a certain degree, I select a restaurant downtown that isn’t too formal. The moment the reservations are booked, I send the itinerary to both men and focus on my meeting with my new clients the next morning.
On the evening of the following day however, I’m alerted by the restaurant that neither of them have shown up and that their table is about to be given away if any more time is wasted.
My report is immediately dropped as I jump to my feet.
Grady is out of the office for the inspection of a video production company that he has an interest in acquiring. While Allen, well I have no idea what he is up to. Slipping into my loafers, I grab my purse and hurry from my desk. A quick visit to Allen’s office shows that he too is not in his seat, so I resort to immediately driving over to the restaurant myself to hold the reservation for them.
Allen is the first to arrive and he quickly apologizes for the inconvenience.
“That’s okay,” I respond, and rise to my feet to leave.
He stops me. “Hey! Stay. Why don’t you join us?”
I’m a bit perplexed as to the invitation. And also how I wish that Grady would be this open and as cheery as Allen. “I don’t think that’s appropriate,” I say. “My boss wants to spend the time with you.”
“You’re making it seem like we’re lovers or something,” he replies with a shudder and a corresponding dramatic shake of his shoulders.
It makes me laugh.
“Relax,” he insists. “At least until he arrives. I’ll get you something to drink for all your trouble.”
Before I can reject the offer, he signals to the waiter and the uniformed older man comes over. “Just a Moscato will do,” I go for the least expensive option as I plan to shoulder the expense myself instead of leeching off both my bosses.
“You have a sweet tooth?” he asks.
“Somewhat,” I reply with a smile.
“Okay, and how’s your project with ABAX coming along?”
“Great. We’re sending out the first round of phishing tests to their employees tomorrow.”
“Nice,” he replies and heartily lifts his glass to me.
I do the same and they both connect with a clink.
All of the agitation that I’ve been nursing all day almost seems to wash away with his presence, and I just can’t help but to thank him once again for all his help.
With a wave of his hand, he brushes my praises away. “It’s nothing,” he says.
Then my mind goes to my moody boss. Ever since his return from bailing his father out from the Sheriff, his mood has somewhat reverted back to the initial, withdrawn state it had been when I first met him. He is courteous to me but beyond that, one would never be able to guess how intimate we’ve been with each other. I consider that this might be inappropriate to bring up to Allen but since they will be spending the evening together, I decide to give him a nudge so he can find out if all is well.
“Getting along better with your boss?” Allen proceeds to ask.
I’m grateful for the timely segue into my agenda. “We are, but lately I’ve sensed an unusual withdrawal from him.”
“Do you know why?”
“I most definitely do not,” I say with a laugh in order to make things seem as light as possible. “It might not be related to work and if this is the case, then I’d love to be able to help him out with it but I’ve not yet found the courage to ask.”