by Lacey Black
My entire body relaxes into him. His lips are soft as they caress against mine. Fire starts to burn deep within my gut for a second time today.
“Get your pants up, babe. Your boss is waiting for you,” he adds with an ornery gleam in his eyes.
I don’t have to be told twice. I quickly reach down and pull up my panties and pants. I lean my butt against my desk as I slip back on my ankle boot. Making quick work of smoothing out the wrinkles that now appear on my pants, I turn towards Will who’s standing by the door watching.
“Next time we’re alone, I want you in those panties and boots. Nothing else,” he says with a wicked smile filled with the promise of something dirty.
I can’t stop the throaty laugh that erupts from my gut as I shake my head. “Go. I need to get to Gerald’s office,” I say as I grab a notepad and pen and head towards the door.
Before Will turns the lock, he kisses me gently one last time on the lips. “I’ll call you later,” he whispers before walking out the door.
I gather my dignity and my wits before proceeding down the hallway toward my boss’s office, praying that I don’t smell like sex. Unfortunately, the only thing I can’t seem to gather is my thoughts. Those are being held hostage by the shy smile and sparkling blue eyes of the man who just vacated my office.
The man that I hope I can see again later.
Chapter Seven
Will
It’s been a week since our quick – yet insanely hot - little tryst in Carmen’s office. We’ve shared stolen glances in the halls, many late night phone calls and texts, but no more secret rendezvous. I volunteered to work on Wednesday - Christmas Day - since I don’t have any kids. My family gathers in the late afternoon anyway, so it’s no skin off of my back to work until two o’clock.
It’s Christmas Eve and I have a handful of last minute gifts to go buy this morning. Okay. Fine. I have all of my gifts to go buy. It won’t take me very long, though since I only have to get something for Mom and Dad, Bean, Ryder, and Grant. Oh, and maybe something girly for the twins even though they aren’t here yet.
I grab my keys and wallet, throw on my worn, yet comfortable coat, and head out to my car. When I slide into the driver’s seat, my phone rings.
“Hello?” I answer.
“Hey, it’s me. Are you busy?” Carmen says into the phone.
“Nope, getting ready to head out and finish my Christmas shopping,” I tell her with a smile.
“It’s Christmas Eve, William,” she reminds me.
“I know it is, Carmen. You get better prices when you wait until the last minute,” I say. Her laughter fills my ear and brings a smile to my face. “Is Zach with his dad?”
“No. Nick called again and he’s not going to get him until New Year’s Eve, now,” she says. The sorrow and hurt in her voice on her son’s behalf is evident.
“So, he’s just going to hang out at your place while you work today?” I ask.
“Yeah, I think he’s trying to put on a brave face, but I can tell he’s devastated. It’s Christmas Eve.”
“Why don’t I come by and grab him. He can go shopping with me today. You won’t have to worry about him being home alone, and he’ll be out of the house and will get his mind off of the disappointment.”
“Oh, you don’t have to do that. He’ll be fine by himself today,” she says but I can tell she’s not entirely convinced.
“Look, Carmen, I don’t mind. In fact, I’d love to have company today while I battle all of the other crazed last minute shoppers,” I say and then wait.
I’m pretty sure she’s going to let me down politely, so when she finally does respond, I’m a little shocked. “I guess it’ll be good for him to get out of the house. If you really don’t mind having a twelve-year-old tag along with you today, I’ll go see if he’s interested in going.”
“I really don’t mind,” I say, not at all surprised that I really don’t mind at all.
“Hold on,” she says into the phone. With the exception of a few muffled words, I can’t hear their exchange on the other end.
“William?”
“Yeah?”
“Zach would love to go with you. He’s actually really excited,” she says with the hint of a smile.
“Great. I’ll be there in a bit. I was just getting ready to pull out of my garage,” I say just before we sign off.
I make quick, yet careful work of driving towards Carmen’s place. My car practically drives there itself with as many trips as I’ve made to this little house. My mind fills with memories of Avery and Bean living in the house. Of my evening visits to hang out with them. Of walking to the park to play. Of Avery running around with Maddox behind everyone’s back.
I’m doing almost the exact same thing that they did those few years ago. Except the difference is that I could lose my job. Avery just didn’t want to deal with her protective older brothers. I could lose everything I’ve worked the past eight years to achieve.
I pull in the driveway and Zach is already standing at the front door with a smile. “Hey,” he yells with the door wide open.
“Hey, Zach,” I say as I slip up the front steps. “Ready to go?”
“Yep! Let me grab my coat,” he says as he holds the door open for me to follow.
“Good morning,” Carmen says from the kitchen doorway. She’s wearing black dress pants and a shimmering pearl white shirt. Her chestnut brown hair is pulled up in a professional twist, which only accentuates her slim neck.
I want to bite it.
“Morning,” I respond as I step towards the kitchen.
“Thank you for doing this,” she says as she sips her coffee.
“No problem. I’m actually looking forward to it.”
“Ready!” Zach hollers from the front door.
“Well, I guess we had better get going,” I say with a wink.
Carmen walks into the living room and approaches Zach. She starts to tell him to be good and to listen so I hang back and give her a little privacy. She’s just doing what any mom would do.
A few minutes later, we are in my car, buckling up, and heading towards St. Charles. Zach wastes no time in jumping into a conversation surrounding basketball. We talk about his favorite players on the Missouri Belters, and what position he would play if he would decide to play ball. The kid definitely has the desire to play, and that’s half the battle. Even if his skills need work, having the drive and desire to play is a big part of all sports. I really hope he’ll consider playing ball in junior high, even if he isn’t the best player. The thirty-minute drive to St. Charles takes no time at all when your ear is being talked off by a pre-teen.
We decide to hit the big chain toy store first. Getting my niece and nephews crossed off the list is probably the biggest part of my shopping. Zach helps me pick out a new doll and tons of doll clothes for Bean and some soft teddy bears for the unborn twins, though he seems more than ready to head over to the boy toy section.
My nephews are still pretty young, so we choose some age appropriate battery operated trucks and cars - things that make plenty of noise. Their parents will appreciate it. We grab a few of the latest Disney movies for the kids and head towards the checkout.
Our next stop is to the home improvement store to get my dad crossed off the list. Anything tools or car related is right up his alley. Zach seems more interested in helping me pick out my dad’s gifts.
“My dad isn’t into any of this stuff,” he finally says as we make our way to the front of the store.
“No?”
“No way. Dad calls someone to come fix anything that’s broken. He’s too busy with work, anyway.”
“What about basketball? Does he like to play basketball with you?”
Zach just shakes his head. “Not very much anymore. He’ll play for a few minutes, but his phone always rings and interrupts, and I usually end of playing by myself more than with him. He doesn’t understand video games either, so he never plays those with me. But he always buys
me the newest ones when they come out.” You can see the disappointment roll off of him in waves, though he masks it with excitement about things his father buys for him. Just by listening to him talk, I can tell that father and son don’t have too much in common. I see exactly what Carmen was saying about a Disney Dad.
“What do you say we run to the mall so I can pick something out for my mom, and then we’ll go have lunch and to the rec center to play some basketball?” I offer to Zach.
“Really? Yeah, that would be awesome,” he replies excitedly. He practically bounces out the front door and to my car.
The mall proves to be busier than the home improvement store. Apparently, I’m not the only last minute shopper. What do you get for the woman who has everything? Mom buys everything she needs for the kitchen, and it’s always top of the line. That’s one place she never slacks off on keeping her gadgets and gizmos up to the latest and greatest since she spends more time in the kitchen than she does in the rest of the house. We used to tease her when we were younger that if we could fit a bed down there, she’d probably sleep there, too.
Dad keeps Mom happy with jewelry. Not big, flashy pieces, but things that represent her personality and taste. Small ruby earrings or a heart-shaped diamond pendant. Dad buys things that speak to him from some place within his heart, not by the carat size or the price tag.
I decide to check out one of Mom’s favorite bath product stores. It takes me no time to locate her favorite scent, Jasmine Nights, and grab a variety of products. As I start to make my way up to the front, I catch Zach over on the far wall, smelling a few of the sample bottles nestled within the shelves.
“What did you find?” I ask as I approach to keep from startling him.
“This one smells like my mom,” he says as he takes another whiff of the bottle in his right hand. He sniffs the bottle in his left hand one more time before adding, “Yep, this one smells just like her.”
“Do you want to get it for her?” I offer.
“Oh, no thank you,” he says as he quickly puts the bottles back on the shelf.
“Do you have anything for your mom? Does your dad help buy something for her?” I ask, treading lightly and straight into uncharted territory.
“I don’t know. This is our first Christmas without my dad. He used to take me shopping for my mom, but we didn’t this year. I made her a few things in art class at school, but they seems so lame,” he mumbles and looks down at the ground. “Mom says she doesn’t need anything as long as she has me on Christmas morning.”
“Well, your mom should have something to open on Christmas morning. Do you want to get her something?” I offer without trying to pressure him.
Zach hem-haws around for several seconds. I can tell he wants to say yes, but was probably told not to accept anything of this nature.
“Look, Zach. I’m more than willing to pay for something for you so you can give your mom a gift. If you want, we can even work out a payment arrangement and you can pay me back.”
“Like what?” he asks, chocolate brown eyes sparkling at the prospect of buying Carmen something for Christmas.
“Well, maybe you can help me around the house or yard. Shovel snow or something. My parents could probably use the help with some snow this winter since my dad isn’t supposed to do it. What do you think?”
“I can do that,” he says, fighting to let the smile completely take over his face.
“Well, then we have a deal. You can get your mom a gift or two and I’ll buy them. Then, you can work it off.”
“Deal,” he says with a huge smile that reminds me of his mother. “Can I get this, too?” he asks and holds up some other body product? “She loves bubble baths and this is the same scent as the lotion.”
“You got it,” I say as we head up to the counter to pay for our purchases.
“Thank you, Will,” Zach says as we step out of the store and back into clean air. I didn’t realize how much that shit suffocates you until you’re nose deep in forty scents all competing to be the front runner in the smell-good race.
“You’re welcome, buddy. Let’s go down here so I can look at pajamas,” I say, nodding towards the large department store down the way.
Zach helps me choose fleece snowflake pajamas for my mom, and pink and blue snowman pajamas for Carmen. I walk around half hard the entire time we shop, imaging what she’ll be hiding beneath those pajamas. Or more precisely, what she’ll look like as I peel them off her slender body. Zach and I agree on a pair of fuzzy socks each and finally head out with our gifts.
An hour later, after we scarf down cheeseburgers and fries, we’re heading back to Rivers Edge. Zach talks non-stop the entire trip back, but I don’t mind. In fact, it’s actually quite the opposite. I find myself enjoying our time together. From the shopping to the lunch, to the constant talking, I’ve had a pretty damn good time with the kid.
“Why don’t we stop by your place and you can grab your tennis shoes and some shorts, and then we’ll hit mine,” I say as we pass the Welcome to Rivers Edge sign.
“Sounds good. Do I need to grab my basketball?” he asks, eyes full of excitement.
“Nope, they have indoor balls there for us to use,” I reply.
I pull into Carmen’s driveway, and Zach has the passenger door open before I even have the car in park. To say he’s excited might be a slight understatement. I watch as Zach half runs, half slides up the walkway and front steps. His key is out of his pocket and the door is open a split second later.
I hang back at the front door while he changes his clothes and grabs his tennis shoes. “Don’t put them on yet,” I tell him. “Wear your boots and we’ll change when we get there. This way, you don’t get wet snow and shit all over the floor,” I say. My eyes instantly widen as big as hubcaps when I realize my slip of the tongue. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to say that,” I add.
“No problem. My dad cusses all the time,” he says with a smile as we head back out the door.
I still feel bad knowing that Carmen would probably kick my ass at my slip up. She seems like the type of mom who doesn’t want her son anywhere near profanity. Fuck. I better keep him away from Jake.
After a quick stop by my condo, we’re finally heading towards the rec center. Just as we pull into the parking lot, my cell phone rings. Carmen’s name flashes on the screen so I quickly grab the first parking spot and answer the phone.
“Hey.”
“Hi, how’s Zach?” she asks quickly.
“Oh, he’s great! The tattoo artist says he’ll only be sore for a day or two so he’ll be good by the time he has to go back to school,” I say, fighting the smile. Zach bursts out laughing from the passenger seat next to me.
“Funny. Real funny,” she says with a chuckle. “They better have spelled my name right,” she adds straight faced.
I can’t help the belly laugh that erupts. Carmen sassing me back was the last thing I was expecting from my uptight, snarky boss. Though, if these past couple of weeks has proven anything, it’s that Carmen is far from the person she appears to be at work. She’s a very different person when she’s with her son. Or when she’s withering beneath me in pleasure.
“What are you boys doing? Did you get your shopping done?” she asks.
“Yeah. We just got back to town and pulled into the rec center to play some basketball,” I tell her.
“That’s very nice of you, William. Please don’t feel like you have to entertain my son all day. He’ll be just fine at home for the afternoon until I get home from work,” she says.
“I don’t mind, actually. What time are you getting off? I’ll bring him home after a few games of ball.”
“I’m out of here at four today.”
“K. I’ll have him back around then, okay?”
“Thank you. Really, I appreciate it,” she says softly.
“You can show me how much later,” I whisper quietly, praying that Zach didn’t just overhear me.
Carmen chuckles. “I’
m sure we can arrange something. I need to get back to work,” she says. “Go play ball.”
“See you shortly. Bye.”
“Good bye,” she says before signing off.
“Ready?” I ask as I slide my cell phone into my pocket.
“Yep!” Zach exclaims as we both get out of my car and head inside.
The familiar sound of a bouncing basketball greets us as soon as we enter the building. The basketball court is directly to the left of the entrance and is used for tons of after-school and community events, and I’m happy that today it’s being used for our intended purpose.
What I wasn’t expecting was seeing my brothers Nate and Jake on the court. Both are covered in sweat and missing their shirts. By the look of exhaustion on their faces, it appears they’ve both been at it for a while.
“Come on, let’s get our shoes changed, and we’ll join them,” I say to Zach.
“Do you know them?” he asks as he pulls his clean tennis shoes from the bag he brought from home.
“Yep. Those two yahoos are my older brothers,” I confirm as we sit down on the bottom bleacher. As soon as our shoes are tied and we’ve stretched a bit, I walk out onto the court with Zach at my side.
“Well, look who’s here,” Jake says as he watches me approach. Both of my brothers seem to focus in on the youth at my side.
“Who’s your friend?” Nate finally asks as we meet them under the far basket.
“This is Zach. He’s a friend’s son, and we thought we’d play a little ball today,” I tell my brothers.
“You have a friend?” Jake asks, that ornery gleam in his eye completely lighting up his face.
“Shocking, isn’t it?” I smart off. “Wanna play partners?” I ask my brothers.
“Sure. We were just releasing a little stress,” Jake says.
Nate laughs. “You mean you’re hiding,” he retorts. “I’m burning off some stress.”
“Are you hiding from that sweet little five foot spitfire you’re married to?” I ask, unable to hide my own smile.