Then Came You

by Vanessa Devereaux

  "It's pretty country."

  "You go skiing?"

  "No, did some horseback riding and stayed with a friend."

  He nodded. “Sounds like fun. Oh, and don't know if you've opened your email yet but there's a sales meeting later today."

  "Okay, thanks for telling me."

  She yawned, wishing she was back in Connor's company.

  * * * *

  "How many times have I told you to put more hay in these stalls when it gets this cold?"

  Connor threw the bale down on the floor by the door. The young boy had almost jumped out of his skin when Connor had shouted at him. And he couldn't blame him. Usually he was the nicest boss to work for, never shouted, very seldom lost his temper even when the workers did do something wrong or stupid. However, he was in a bad mood. He hadn't seen Gillian for a week and it was driving him crazy. Emotionally, sexually, you name it. They'd chatted on the phone and emailed and had spent an hour last night talking about their week.

  He snipped off the band keeping the hay together.

  "Go and get their feed while I put this hay in the stall."

  The boy nodded and walked away. He'd apologise to him later. Hell, he'd even invite him in for a drink just in case he was now considering quitting work at the ranch. Connor took some hay and headed for Starlight's stall. The foal was growing every day.

  "Okay, little guy, yeah, you miss her too, but I promise you she'll be back."

  Connor rubbed the horse's nose. “How about I give you a brush and I'll take a photo of you to email to your mama?"

  * * * *

  Gillian smiled when she opened up her email and saw Starlight's photo. She couldn't believe how much he'd grown since her visit with Connor. She was just about to give him a call to thank him for sending it when Pete put his head around her door.

  "You doing anything right now?” he asked.

  "Nothing that can't wait."

  "Great, you want to come into my office so we can talk?"

  He'd gone before Gillian could ask what this was about. He wanted to see her privately. Had he found out about her and Connor? Was she about to get a lecture that she shouldn't be sleeping with customers? Nah, she was just being paranoid. After all, no one knew it was Connor who she'd gone to visit. She stood up, ironed out the creases in her skirt and made her way out of her office to Pete's.

  He was just finishing a phone call when she knocked on the door that he'd left open.

  "Come in and have a seat,” he said.

  He moved some papers off his desk and reached behind him and pulled out a manila folder.

  He opened it and set it down in front of him.

  Gillian swallowed. He hadn't said anything and seemed to be looking over a bunch of figures.

  "I've been checking your sales figures for the last few months."

  Shit, don't say I'm going to be fired. She had a mortgage to pay for. How embarrassing if she had to move in with her parents.

  "They're impressive considering times are tough for everyone."

  Gillian released the tension in her shoulders and let them relax.

  "I do my best."

  "That's why I'd like to promote you. In fact, keep this under wraps but the company is phasing out your job after the New Year. I don't want to see you get laid off so I did some arm-twisting and I've found you a new position."

  She hoped the promotion also came with a pay increase too.

  He leant back in his chair. “Now I know your heart was set on moving to the human drug division but I really think you have a future in the animal vaccine side of this company. The customers seem to like you too."

  Gillian smiled when an image of Connor popped into her head.

  "I've had a couple of them phone and tell me what a personable sales rep you are. That's just what this company needs so I don't want to see you go."

  Gillian just wished he'd get to the promotion bit and tell her what it was all about.

  "Now, I'd like to promote you to field rep. Basically you'd be in charge of other sales reps but in the New England area."

  "You mean I wouldn't get to travel to Wyoming...Montana and Idaho,” she quickly added.

  "You wouldn't have to do any more travelling anywhere. This would be all office-based and you'd supervise five sales reps that cover New England."

  Her mouth had fallen open. When she'd first taken the job the thing she'd disliked the most was the travelling bit. It still wasn't her favourite thing to do but she loved the scenery out West and, the biggest plus, seeing Connor.

  "You own your apartment, right?” he asked.

  "Yes, why?"

  "Just wondering how easy it would be to sell because I forgot to add this job would be in our Boston office. Now, I know the cost of living and housing is more expensive there but the additional salary you'd receive would definitely take care of it. There's a company car, five weeks’ paid vacation, full medical and dental, 401K and stock options. Let me say this is a very lucrative offer."

  A few weeks ago, before Thanksgiving, Gillian would have jumped at this job but now all she could think about was Connor. She wouldn't be able to fly to Wyoming every other month to see him. Plus, she'd be on the East Coast, putting more distance between them.

  "I'd need to think about this,” she said.

  "You did hear the bit where I told you your current job's being phased out next month? It's either this or you'll be laid off."

  Shit, why was this happening right now?

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter Fifteen

  * * * *

  Gillian paced up and down in her apartment. She'd made some calls around to see if there were openings at other companies in the area but so far nothing looked promising. Damn this shitty economy. She chewed on the quick of her nail. She didn't want to relocate to Boston. She was sure it was a very nice place but it would mean her and Connor would have more miles between them. Of course, if she didn't take the job she'd be unemployed and have no money to go see him anyway.

  Her cell phone rang. Maybe it was the employment agency getting back to her. She pressed the answer button.

  "Hello, baby."

  She closed her eyes when she heard Connor's voice.

  "How's the weather in Wyoming?” she asked, hoping he didn't hear her voice starting to break up.

  "Beautiful sunny day. Cold wind coming off the mountain, though."

  "And Starlight's okay?"

  "He's great. He was outside today. He's one pretty horse."

  "I can't wait to see him again and...” She couldn't help it, she broke down.

  "Hey, baby, what's wrong...you're not sick, are you? Hell, don't tell me you're pregnant."

  Gillian did find that funny. “No, definitely not pregnant. Oh, Connor, I have a decision to make about my job and I don't know what to do."

  "Then tell me about it and maybe I can help."

  "They're phasing out my job next month."

  "Shit,” said Connor.

  "But they've offered me a promotion as the supervisor of the sales reps for New England."

  "Then, what's the problem?"

  "The job's in Boston."

  "Shit, we'd be more miles apart."

  Gillian slumped down on the couch and burst into tears again.

  "Hey, hey, no crying, okay? Here's something to cheer you up. I've checked flights out of Casper and I'll be coming to see you so we can celebrate New Year's Eve and Day together."

  Gillian wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “That's the best piece of news I've had all day."

  "And now don't you worry about your job because I'll come up with an easy solution."

  She wished he was telling her the truth because right now she didn't know what to do.

  * * * *

  "Oh, jeez, Gillian, this ring and necklace are beautiful,” said her sister, Brea, on Christmas Day when she opened the gift Gillian had bought in Casper that day with Connor.

  "I know how much you love t
hat stuff. They had so much in the store you would have loved it."

  Her sister slipped it on. “Perfect fit, too. Thank you."

  She leaned over to kiss her on the cheek just as Gillian's cell phone rang.

  "That's probably Connor,” said Gillian, digging the phone out of her purse.

  "Tell him Merry Christmas for me,” said Brea.

  "I will. Hello, Connor."

  "Hi, baby. Merry Christmas."

  "Same to you. So is it snowing in Wyoming?"

  "I wouldn't know because I'm not there."

  "You go somewhere warm?"

  "Nope, it's colder than Wyoming. Guess that's why they call it the Windy City."

  Had she heard right?

  "You're in Chicago?"

  Brea looked over at Gillian and mouthed, “He's here?

  Gillian nodded and mouthed, "I think so," back to her.

  "So where are you?” asked Gillian.

  "I hope I'm outside your apartment. If not I'm lost."

  "Why didn't you tell me you were coming? You said New Year's Eve."

  "I wanted it to be a surprise Christmas gift."

  "It's definitely that. Give me twenty minutes and I'll be right there."

  Gillian pressed the end call button. “You don't mind me leaving, do you? As you can tell, Connor's in town."

  "Nope, you run along and have a romantic evening with your cowboy."

  * * * *

  When Gillian got to the lobby of her apartment building she couldn't see Connor anywhere. Maybe she'd been dreaming, wishful thinking on her part. Or maybe he did have the wrong apartment building.

  She suddenly noticed a man dressed in a Santa suit sitting reading the newspaper and saw him look her way. Despite the outfit, beard and moustache, she couldn't mistake those baby blues looking at her.

  He burst out laughing when he realised she'd caught on to his disguise.

  "Connor."

  "Yeah, baby, it's me. Merry Christmas,” he said, walking towards her.

  They hugged then kissed.

  "I think we should head up to your place because you're making me horny again,” he said.

  They got into the elevator and kissed again.

  "You ever been seduced by Santa?” asked Connor, pinching Gillian's backside.

  "Hey, behave, because they have cameras in this elevator and I have to live here."

  They got out on the fourth floor and made their way to Gillian's apartment. She put the key in the door and opened it.

  "I'll warn you, it's a lot smaller than your place,” she said.

  "Don't care about that because all I'll be looking at is you."

  He pushed the door closed and leaned Gillian up against it.

  "I've missed you so much, baby."

  His mouth went on hers, tongue sliding along her lower lip as Gillian put her arms around him, almost knocking his Santa hat to the ground.

  "Can you feel how excited this Santa is to see you?” he asked.

  "I can and I'm just as thrilled to be with Santa."

  He kissed her again as he lifted up her skirt and tugged on her pantyhose and panties.

  "Let Santa get you out of these things."

  She raised her skirt this time so allowing Connor to free her of the underwear.

  They kissed again as Connor's hand went to her ass cheeks then around to her mound, one finger sliding through her curls and on to her clit.

  "You don't know how good it is to do this to you again,” he said.

  Gillian attempted to unzip Connor's pants but realised his Santa suit didn't have flies.

  "Santa, you're going to have to drop your pants for me,” she whispered.

  Within seconds the pants and his boxers were around his ankles. Gillian stroked his very erect cock.

  "Mmm, Santa, what a big dick you have."

  "You've just made it to my naughty list."

  "So what happens to me?” asked Gillian.

  Connor reached for her leg and wrapped it around his hip.

  "Damn, I gave your apartment manager my bag to look after while I went to get some coffee and my condoms are in there."

  "No need, Santa, I'm back on the pill and I think we can trust one another enough now, right?"

  "Oh yeah, I think we can."

  He kissed her while sliding his cock inside her.

  Gillian drew in her breath. She'd forgotten just how big he was and how well he filled her.

  "Oh, baby, I love being inside you without the condom."

  "Me too,” said Gillian.

  They kissed continually as Connor thrust into her then suddenly climaxed. He pressed his head to her forehead.

  "Shit, I'm sorry, without the condom and you being so tight and wet..."

  She put her finger to his mouth. “It's okay. Really, it is."

  "It will take some getting used to and I guess I'll have to learn to pace myself. I'm going to get my bag, get those condoms and I promise, baby, you're going to paradise."

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter Sixteen

  * * * *

  "This is the best Christmas I've ever had,” said Gillian. They were snuggled in bed. Connor had told her he wanted to see all the city lights and as she was on the eighth floor, with no building or neighbours looking directly at the bedroom, she'd left the drapes partly open so he could sit in bed and view the skyline.

  He circled her nipple with his finger.

  "So do you like Chicago?” she asked him.

  "Hate to say it but it's not my favourite place to be. I'm a country boy and I love wide open spaces. Plus, it's too noisy."

  "Yeah, the traffic can get obnoxious at times."

  He kissed her. “Hey, I'm kinda thirsty. You want to go and get me a soda or something?"

  "Sure, I'll be right back."

  When Gillian returned she saw Connor sitting up with the pillows pumped up behind him with a grin on his face.

  "You look like you've been up to something while I've been gone.” said Gillian. She handed him the soda then slipped back into bed beside him.

  "I just realised I haven't given you your Christmas gift,” he said.

  "You mean the three back-to-back orgasms weren't it?"

  "They were stocking stuffers. Reach under the covers and you'll find the real gift I have for you."

  Gillian laughed, knowing what she was going to find there. She eased her hand under the blanket, slid it down his belly but instead of his cock she found a small velvet box sitting there. She pulled it out from under the sheets and looked at it. It was red and...

  "Well, you just going to sit there looking at it, baby, or what?"

  Her heart beat faster. Was this what she thought it was?

  She opened the lid and sure enough there sat a solitaire diamond ring.

  "Connor, I'm speechless."

  "I know it was impulsive of me and I hope I haven't jumped the gun here but I'd really like you to be my wife. Hell, I'm not doing this right at all, am I?"

  He slid out of bed, got down on his knees and grabbed her hand.

  "Gillian Matthews, would you do me the honour of being my wife?"

  A tear ran down her cheek. This was the most romantic thing that had ever happened to her.

  "I will."

  He jumped back into the bed and slipped the ring on her.

  "How did you know my size? I mean, this is perfect."

  "I remembered the size when you bought the ring for your sister. I went in there, bought one and took it to the jewellers. If you don't like the setting or the stone he said you can choose another one."

  "I love it. Really, I do."

  "And I told you I'd take care of the job situation for you."

  She kissed him. “I guess this means you're going to want me to move to Wyoming?"

  "Hell, baby, you think I'm going to leave you here once you're my wife? You don't mind living at the ranch...I mean, becoming a cowboy's wife in Wyoming?"

  "If it wasn't that you'd be th
ere, no, but I'd love living anywhere with you beside me. Even in the middle of a desert or ocean."

  "And if you want to have another career there, hell, that's okay with me too."

  She kissed him again.

  She'd like that. Maybe she'd start her own home-based sales and marketing company.

  "And babies, I don't know if you ever want to make any with me, but that's entirely your choice too."

  She ran her finger down the side of his face. “I'd love to have babies with you."

  "But it's up to you when we have them, this year, next year, five years’ time. I want you to decide when you get pregnant."

  "Connor O'Riordan, you are one of a kind."

  "I must be because the most beautiful woman in the world's going to be my wife."

  * * * *

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  About the Author

  * * * *

  Vanessa Devereaux was born in London, England but now resides in the US. She writes erotic romance and erotica. A freelance writer during the day, her work has appeared in both US and UK magazines. When she's not writing, she can be found pursuing some of her hobbies which include cooking, gardening, photography and biking. Prior to a writing career she worked in PR and was a book publicist for three years.

  Email: vanessadevereaux@gmail.com

  * * * *

  Vanessa loves to hear from readers. You can find her contact information, website and author biography at www.total-e-bound.com

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