The Unexpected Gift

by D. L. Gallie

  “You lost me at white,” I playfully reply. Turning to the waitress I add, “Make it a bottle.”

  Marlee smiles at me, her smile punches me right in the chest. I haven’t ever had a reaction like this to a woman before, and again Kasey’s conversation from earlier pops into my head. Their smile penetrates deep into your soul.

  “Gage?” Hearing her snaps me back to the present.

  “Sorry, what was that?”

  “I asked about you. I’ve told you a lot about me, it's your turn now.”

  This is where I clam up and become uncomfortable. I’m not a fan of talking about my childhood—my shitty, sad childhood—so I answer how I always do. “There’s not much to tell, really. I also attended U. Of I. where I completed my Master of Science in Strategic Brand Communication degree and soon after graduation, landed my marketing job at WFOX-FM. I stepped into the director’s role eighteen months ago when my mentor, Gerald, retired.”

  “How funny that we went to the same school?”

  “Well, it is the best.”

  “That it is.”

  Then comes the question I dread. “What about your family?”

  Thankfully, the waitress appears with the wine. She uncorks the bottle and pours a little for Marlee to taste. She picks up the glass, swirls the liquid around, inhales, and then takes a sip. My eyes lock on her lips as they wrap around the glass, then I envision them wrapped around my cock and it sliding in and out of her delectable mouth. I’m now sporting an erection that’s harder than this wooden table. Just when I think it can’t get any more uncomfortable in my pants, she moans, “Ohh, my God, this Verdelho is divine.”

  “Yeah, it's a great vintage,” the waitress replies, as she tops off our glasses. She and Marlee chat about the wines on the menu for a few moments, which gives me a chance to deflate my cock and compose myself. Never have I had a reaction like this to a woman before. I’m confused. I’m intrigued. I’m horny. But most of all, I’m excited to see where this will lead.

  Marlee looks over at me when the waitress leaves. “Sorry about that.”

  “No, it’s fine. It’s nice to see you so passionate, even if it is about wine. Maybe you need to teach me a few things.”

  “I’d like that,” she says, flipping her jet-black hair over her shoulder. She picks up her glass and lifts for a toast. “A toast, to new friendships and a newfound appreciation of wine.”

  Picking up my glass, I raise it toward hers. “I’ll toast to that.”

  We clink our glasses gently, and with our eyes locked on one another we drink. The air around us suddenly becomes thick and heated. Everything around me fades away, all I see is Marlee and her wine. As we sip our wine silently, staring at one another, I decide I won’t bed her tonight…I’ll bide my time and make it perfect.

  We finish the bottle of wine and I wave the waitress over to get the bill. Snatching the bill up, I wink at Marlee before handing my credit card over to pay. Once that’s finalized, we stand up, exit the bar, and head to my car.

  We are walking side by side, our pinkie fingers keep brushing and we are fighting the invisible—will we/won’t we—hold hands but before any handholding happens we reach my car. A force beyond my control overtakes my body, I spin Marlee around, push her up against my car. Grip her cheeks in my palms and I stare into her eyes before I slam my lips against hers.

  She gasps in shock. For a few fleeting seconds she doesn’t kiss me back, and I start to think I shouldn’t have kissed her. I’m put at ease when she drapes her arms around my shoulders, pulls me closer to her, and begins to kiss me back. Her tongue seeks access to my mouth and I willingly accept. As soon as I slightly open, she slips her tongue inside. Closing my eyes, I lose myself in the moment. Nothing but this kiss matters right now.

  This is the perfect first kiss.

  All too soon, she breaks the connection and rests her forehead against mine.

  “I’m sorry,” I whisper.

  “Don’t be.” She pauses, her tongue darts out and she licks her lip—I want to lick her lip—then she gently bites it. “Gage,” she whispers. “I liked it. In fact,” she breathes deeply, and quietly adds, “I’d like to do it again.” Before I can protest, she places her lips gently against mine. She grips my cheeks and presses her lips harder against mine. This kiss is much softer but it’s just as amazing as our first.

  An urge I can’t control overtakes my body, I thread my fingers into her hair. Digging my fingers into her scalp. The kiss turns from sweet and innocent to heated and rough in the blink of an eye. She wraps her arms around my shoulders and presses her entire body against mine. Your can’t tell where I end and she begins. We become one. She moans into my mouth as she lifts her leg and wraps it around my thigh, pressing her pussy into my leg and gently grinding. We both groan and continue to kiss. Our hands roam each other’s bodies. Nearby, a car’s engine starts and that snaps us both back to reality. She drops her leg and we pull apart.

  Marlee is leaning against my car. Her chest heaving. Her lips swollen. She lifts her hand and runs her finger over her lips. My eyes follow the motion before drifting up to her eyes. We stare intently at one another. She smiles shyly at me. “So, ummm…”

  “Yeah.” I reply, digging my hands into my pocket, suddenly it’s awkward and uncomfortable. “I’ll, umm, ahh, drop you home.”

  “Thanks,” she replies.

  Unlocking my car, I lean around her and open her door. She squeezes my hand and smiles at me, the awkwardness of the previous moments evaporate with that one touch. She climbs in and I close the door.

  Walking around the front, I look through the window and watch her. I swear she mouths, ‘What the hell,’ and it brings a smile to my face. Opening my door, I climb in and look over to her. “So, where to?”

  “I’m just round the corner from the store where we bumped into each other.”

  “Me too. I live in the Grove apartments.” Her head snaps toward me and her mouth drops open. “What?” I question.

  “I live across the road in the Grosvenor building.”

  “No way.”

  “Yes, way.”

  We both stare at one another grinning. Shaking my head, I laugh. “I can’t believe you live so close. How long have you lived there?”

  “I moved in just before I started my job. Prior to that, I was in the residence halls on Lincoln Avenue. It's so nice to have my own space. Don’t get me wrong, I loved living with Sheridan, but it’s nice to be able to do what I want when I want. You know?”

  “Yeah, I do. I’ve lived here for as long as I can remember.” My mind drifts to that moment. I’d just turned eighteen and I was finally getting away from Dad. He didn’t give two shits about me leaving, to be honest; he probably didn’t even notice I wasn’t there. Not until the recycling was overflowing with empties. I was ever so thankful to finally have access to the life insurance that Ma left for me. It was a pretty hefty amount, which allowed me to buy my penthouse apartment and splurge on my car. Not enough for my dream car of an Aston Martin Vanquish, but I can always dream…and drool.

  “It’s such a great area to live in,” Marlee says, bringing me back to the present.

  “It sure is.”

  We fall silent as I drive us home. Pulling into the garage under my building, I park in my spot and we walk over to the elevators. I press the button for ground when we step in. When they open to the lobby, I place my hand on her lower back and escort her outside and across the road.

  We awkwardly stand at the steps to her building, staring at one another.

  “Thank for you for the drink.”

  “You’re welcome. Maybe next time, we can grab something to eat too.” What the hell? I’m asking her out again?

  “I’d like that,” she quietly discloses, brushing a wayward stand of hair behind her ear.

  She steps toward me, putting her hands on my chest and places her lips on my cheek. “Good night, Gage,” she whispers, before turning away from me and walking up the stairs
to her building. Watching her walk up the stairs, I smile.

  She enters the building and turns to look back at me. She offers a wave as the door closes. I stand watching until she steps into the elevator and out of sight.

  Turning around, I walk back across the road and enter my building. As I wait for the elevator, my mind flits back to Marlee and the interesting night we just had together. This woman intrigues me like no other has before, and if I’m honest, I really want to get to know her on a deeper level. The elevator doors open and as I step in, I think to myself, Damn you, Kasey Wellson, for being right.

  6

  Entering my apartment, I pour myself a bourbon and stare out my window. My eyes drift to the building across from me, and I wonder what Marlee is currently up to. I wonder if she’s thinking about me. I laugh at that thought, why would she be thinking of me? I only left her ten minutes ago.

  Slamming back my drink, I pour another. Loosening my tie, I walk over to my couch and sit down. Flicking the television on, I switch to SportsCenter. After finishing my drink, I place my tumbler in the sink and walk into my bedroom.

  Stripping off, I climb into the shower. Hoping the water will ease my turmoil over Marlee. As I soap myself up, my hand drifts to my cock. It hardens beneath my touch. Gripping the base, I gently stroke. Leaning one arm against the tiles, I rest my forehead on my forearm and close my eyes, picturing Marlee’s delicate fingers in place of mine. My strokes become faster and faster. My breathing hurried. My balls tighten and I explode with a grunt into my hand, cum spraying the wall. I feel relieved but also dirty at the same time.

  How can I use someone as sweet and angelic as Marlee in this depraved and filthy way? Shaking my head, I step under the water and wash away the dirtiness of what I just did. How can something feel so good but so dirty at the same time?

  Climbing out, I dry off and slip on a pair of Batman boxers before I brush my teeth. Switching off all the lights, I then fall into bed. Lying down, I stare at the ceiling. Sleep eludes me as my mind keeps playing that kiss with Marlee over and over in my head.

  The feel of her soft lips against mine.

  The sound she made when I deepened the kiss.

  The warmth of her body pressed against mine.

  Her hands running up my back.

  Fuck! I’m hard again, but this time I think of fat naked ladies and my cock instantly deflates, even though Marlee is still at the forefront of my imagination. It’s like she’s possessed my mind, she’s all I can think about. If I’m like this after one kiss and one tug, what will I be like after I fuck her?

  Eventually I drift off to sleep, and the last thing I remember is seeing a vision of Marlee smiling and laughing, with not a care in the world.

  The next morning, I walk into the office with a pep in my step. I feel light and free, for the first time in years, and it’s all to do with Marlee. Stepping out of the elevator, I pause midstep and smile, when I see Marlee and Chelle walking past reception.

  Racing to my office, I dump my briefcase and make a beeline for Chelle’s office.

  Walking in without knocking I say, “Morning, ladies,” interrupting Marlee as she chats with Chelle.

  She looks over her shoulder at me and says, “Morning.” While I get a head nod from Chelle.

  Marlee ignores my presence and continues to talk to Chelle, effectively dismissing me. Her brush-off pisses me off. Standing in the doorway, I look between the two of them. They are engrossed in their conversation and continue to ignore me. Neither of them makes any move to include me in their discussion. Shaking my head, I turn on my heel and storm back to my office. Completely pissed off they ignored me; in particular that Marlee shunned me.

  Marching back to my office, I slam my office door, sit down at my desk, and throw myself into work. Well, I try to work but I keep thinking about being rejected just now. Clearly, she felt nothing after our kiss last night, the way she just ignored me really pisses me off. I’d expect that from Chelle, but not Marlee.

  Two hours later, my back is aching from pouring over this report. Grabbing my coffee mug, I walk toward to kitchen for another coffee. When I walk in, Marlee is at the coffee machine. When she see’s it’s me, her face lights up like a Christmas tree.

  “Hey, Gage,” she sweetly says. “How’s your morning? Chelle and I have been super busy and just about have everything worked out for the toy drive.” Her reaction right now is confusing to me. Not two hours ago she completely ignored me, well not completely, she did say morning. But now it seems like I’m the center of attention, and she continues to chat away. I’m staring at her, I see her lips moving but I have no fucking clue what she just said. My eyes are locked on her lips, lips that twelve hours ago were locked with mine…and I really want them locked on mine again.

  “Gage,” she says, raising her voice to get my attention.

  “Sorry, what was that?”

  “I said did you want to grab lunch?”

  “No,” I tersely reply.

  Her face deflates. “Ohh, okay. Well, have a great day.” She pushes past me, leaving the coffee she was making half-made.

  “Fuck!” I mumble, turning around I chase after her, but by time I make it to reception, the elevator doors are closing. Pinching the bridge of my nose, I sigh and walk back to my office, forgetting all about my coffee and pissed at myself for being so rude to Marlee…and internally laughing at myself as to why I care. She’s just a chick after all, but she’s a smoking hot chick that I can’t stop thinking about, and that pisses me off. I don’t constantly think about chicks. But there is something about Marlee Adams that makes me care. Something that makes me want more.

  7

  On Wednesday, Marlee and I have an awkward encounter in the elevator. Gone is the laid-back atmosphere around us. The air is thick with animosity and angst. She won’t look at me, I can’t take it. Squeezing her elbow, I ask, “Marlee, have I done something to upset you?”

  She looks at me, and sharply hisses, “Do you even need to ask?”

  Before I can answer, the elevator doors open and she races toward Chelle’s office. I’m left standing in the elevator, stunned and confused. The doors begin to close, and I put my hand up to stop them. Walking into reception, Stacey glares at me before answering the phone. What the fuck did I do to her? I think to myself as I walk toward my office.

  Later that day, I’m coming out of the kitchen when the new intern sees me. He quickly turns on his heel, does a one-eighty before smacking into the conference room door. After stumbling, he quickly runs away from me. I’ve never even spoke to the guy, yet he scurries away from me quicker than a fat kid can inhale an ice-cream cone. To be honest, it was funny to see so I laughed, but it’s also disconcerting at the same time.

  Why are people running from me?

  Why is everyone pissed at me?

  What the fuck have I done?

  By time Friday rolls around, I’m angry with the world, living up to my name of the Christmas Grinch. Anything and everything pisses me, people are even hiding from me now. My question is answered mid-morning Friday when Kasey storms into my office. She slams the door behind her, and I can tell from the expression on her face that she’s pissed off.

  “To what do I owe the pleasure, Ms. Wellson, soon to be Mrs. Holmes?”

  “Don’t ‘to what do I owe the pleasure’ bullshit me, Grainger, why did you do it?”

  “Huh?” I ask, genuinely confused, because apart from being snarky with everyone, I haven’t specifically done anything wrong…I don’t think.

  “Marlee,” she spits out, crossing her arms. Pushing her boobs up and my eyes drift to them—hey, I’m a man, give me a break. She glowers at me. “Well?”

  “Well, what?” I’m really confused now, her boobs have distracted me and I forgot what she just said. She slams her palms on my desk and snaps, “Marlee!”

  I hear her that time and with that one word, I’m speechless…and still confused. “What about Marlee? I haven’t seen or spoken to
her since Wednesday morning during a really uncomfortable elevator trip.”

  “Exactly,” she says, hands on her hips and her eyes throwing daggers at me.

  “I have no idea what you are getting at.”

  “Gage, I told you not to mess with her.”

  “I haven’t. On Monday night we had a drink. Then we kissed. And then she ignored me. End of story.”

  “Yeah, because after you kissed her, you slept with that skanky ho in accounting.”

  Now I’m even more confused. “Huh?”

  “On Tuesday, Crissy told Halle, who told Beth, Amanda and Shez, who then spilled to Chelle, Marlee, and me that on Monday night you slept with Mandy in accounting.”

  “What?”

  “Gage, I told you not to fuck around with Marlee, and within the first few days you fuck it all up. I’m—”

  “Stop,” I growl, lifting my hand up for emphasis. “I haven’t slept with anyone this week. Even if I had: A. It’s none of your business if I did, and B. My dick will never go anywhere near Mandy and her vagina. Even I have standards. And C. Apart from a kiss, I haven’t done anything to Marlee.”

  “But…”

  “Is that why Marlee is angry with me? And why everyone is steering clear of me and giving me the evil eye?”

  “So, you didn’t sleep with Mandy?”

  “Fuck no. Not for a billion trillion dollars would I sleep with her.” That’s when I register why Marlee is upset. “Hang on, why is Marlee upset? She dismissed me Tuesday morning. Then we had an awkward elevator ride Wednesday morning.”

  “Okay, let me dumb it down for you. Tuesday, she ignored you as she was here working. Gage, the world doesn’t revolve around you and your dick. On Wednesday, she ignored you because she found out Tuesday afternoon that you fucked someone else hours after kissing her. Gage, she likes, well, liked you, but when she’s here, she’s working. You really are dim sometimes. Marlee wants to make a good impression at Chicago Hopes. If your ego got bruised ‘cause she chose work over chatting with you, then you deserve to be shunned by everyone…even if it is for the wrong reason.” She pauses. “Now, how are you going to fix this? But before you do, elaborate on this kiss.”