by Vicki Green
“Oh, I love that one too.” We got back to her apartment and she cleared out a drawer in her dresser for me as well as some closet space. I almost feel official. If I can just get us to move in together permanently, then I’d be the happiest man alive. She’s tried on a few outfits and so far I love them all. Of course, it wouldn’t matter if she was in a burlap sack, she’d look beautiful. Not sure why she thinks this is such a big deal. Women.
She rolls her eyes and smirks. “Caylan! You’ve said that about all of them. This is important!” I pierce my lips trying not to laugh. She leans over and pretends to smack me on my good arm. I grab her wrist, twirling her around until she falls onto my lap. She struggles as I hold her tight but her giggles tell me she’s not upset. “Oh, my God! I’m trying to make a good first impression tomorrow and you’re not helping. At all.” She play smacks me again, and I grab the back of her neck, pulling her to me until our mouths are locked. “Mmmm,” she moans into my mouth. My cock jumps to attention wanting to be in the one place it can’t be right now. Our kissing becomes hot and heavy, her hands running up and down my chest. I hate to put a stop to our little foreplay but neither one of us can make good with how intense this is becoming and so fast.
“Love.” I pull back but push my forehead against hers. “We need to….” I’m trying to speak, but I’m also trying to catch my breath. Damn, it sucks to not have my strength and stamina back. “Slow down. I don’t want to but….” She nods, pushing her forehead against mine. She’s breathing just as hard as I am. I smile. “We have plenty of time even though I want to be inside you so bad it hurts.” Her lips turn into a pout.
“I want that too. So badly.”
She moves her head and buries her face between my neck and shoulder. I wish I had both arms to wrap around her, hug her tight. She feels so good. I can’t seem to get enough of her. Dammit, I’m so horny. We hold each other for a long time, just loving being together. Finally, she said she’d go make dinner, and I decided to go take a hot shower. Technically, it should be a cold shower. Being careful of my stitches and not moving my arm as I remove the sling, I let the hot spray move down my back, yet chills run through me as I imagine her here with me. I take my more than hardened cock in my hand and hiss as I stroke. “Fuck,” I let out in frustration. I imagine pushing my cock into her. Her hips buck wildly, pushing me in deeper. “Irish,” falls from my mouth as I stroke harder, my balls already beginning to tighten. I knew this wouldn’t take long. It’s been too long. I begin stroking faster, harder, until I press my mouth against my shoulder, trying to muffle my cry. Shit, I needed that. I just wish it was her instead of my own devices.
After drying off and putting my sling back on, I dress in a pair of my sleep pants and t-shirt, grab my cane and head to find Irish. She’s sitting at the kitchen table, plates of food already set in place. I lean over and kiss the top of her head as I walk to the other chair and sit, picking up my fork. “This looks great.” I scoop up some of the spaghetti and as I’m putting the fork full in my mouth, I look into her wide eyes. “What’s wrong?” Concern floods through me. What could have happened while I was taking a shower? I know I didn’t take that long.
She blinks a couple of times then she looks down, takes her own fork and gets some spaghetti from her plate. “Oh, nothing. When I was cooking I thought I heard you call me. I was nervous something happened while you were showering.” Damn. I thought I’d been quiet. She looks up and gives me a cocky grin. “I went in there but you were okay. In fact, I guess you didn’t need me at all.” She raises one of her eyebrows in a tease and her double innuendo.
Chuckling, I scoop up some more spaghetti. “Yes, it’s sad I had to take matters into my own hands. Uh, hand.” Her lips part, her chest rises and falls rapidly. I spear some of my salad from the bowl next to my plate and grin. “Once you get your knee surgery this week and I get my therapy done, we’ll be as good as new. We’ll have so much energy we won’t know what to do.
She stops mid-bite and gives me a smirk. “Oh, I think we can figure out what to do.” I give her a wink back, and we settle into eating and talking about her new job. The feeling of being comfortable with each other washes through me. This is meant to be. I believe we’re supposed to be together, and I know now that I’ll never let anything come between us again.
That night, we cleaned the kitchen together. We laughed, joked, and playfully bantered back and forth. Then, we watched a movie. She fell asleep before the end, laying against me on the couch. I would give anything to be healthy again so I could have picked her up and carried her to bed but instead, I had to wake her up. I hated that. She was half asleep when I guided her to her bedroom and helped her get into her sleep shorts and camisole. That did nothing to help me. In fact, seeing her in that, how her nipples poked through the thin material, left me horny the rest of the night. After getting her in bed, she snuggled up into me, laying on my uninjured side. Even though I couldn’t do anything about my frustration, I enjoyed having her in my arms. I’m so thankful to be here, both of us together, holding each other. She lets out a small sigh in her sleep, her leg bent over mine, and her small hand limp against my stomach. There’s no place I’d rather be.
Irish
I awaken to the most amazing morning. My eyes slowly creep open as he kisses up my stomach. My camisole is pushed up, the coolness of the air causing small goose bumps across my skin. He continues to raise up the silky cloth as his lips make their way up my body. I shiver as a small brush of air rushes over my already peaked nipples when my breasts are uncovered. He’s making me crazy and we both know we can’t go too far. God, we’ll have so much to make up for. “Caylan,” I warn. His eyes move up to mine, his mouth turned up in a playful grin but his eyes? They are a darker green, full of desire. I know how he feels. “I need to take a shower or I’ll be late.” His brows raise as his eyes widen. I let out a giggle. “Alone or I’ll definitely be late.” His brows lower and his mouth turns into a pout. He’s too freaking hot. I push against his chest, away from his bad shoulder, and squirm to get out from underneath him. He laughs as he rolls over, watching me scurry from the bed. Well, as fast as I can hop.
“I’ll go make you some breakfast,” he yells as I make it into the bathroom.
“No time!” I yell right before closing the door.
I turn on the shower and undress as I sit on the toilet. “You’ll make time.” His voice is muffled by the closed door and running water but I heard him. So bossy. I smile to myself. I can’t seem to wipe it from my face. As I shower, I think about how lucky I am. So many bad things that have been in my life and now look at me. I have the man of my dreams and am starting a new job. What could be better than this?”
“Irish! Breakfast is ready. Hurry up so it doesn’t get cold!”
Yep, this smile may never leave my face.
“Breakfast was delicious. I have to go or I’ll be late.” I lean in and kiss his full lips, my hand on his chest. Damn, I don’t want to leave.
“Let me drive you,” he says against my lips. I shake my head and kiss him again, harder. “Irish.” He grins, his mouth still pressed against mine.
I smile back. “Maybe I should call in sick.” He laughs but kisses me again. I feel his large hand on my bottom as we kiss. I’m not sure I can leave. We just got back together and have had no time. Of course, we’re limited with what we can do but just to be in his arms, feeling safe and loved, is exactly what I want to do. For hours.
I look down when he opens my purse and places a small sack inside. “Here. I made you lunch. I didn’t know if they’d have a cafeteria or anything so I made you a sandwich, a bag of chips, and a Diet Coke. I might have scrounged through your pantry and put a few cookies in there too.” Oh, my God! How sweet is this man? I think my smile might just be there all day. He pushes back a little and tilts his head. “Now, I know you don’t want to be late on your first day, love. If you don’t leave, I’m not gonna let you go. Now….” He grabs my arm and turns me towards t
he door. “Go make new friends, work your lovely ass off, and I’ll be here when you get home.” I turn my head and look over my shoulder.
“Home,” I whisper, my smile huge.
He takes a step back. “Irish. Seriously, go before I lift you and throw you over my shoulder. You and I both know that would be very detrimental to our healing. We don’t get healed, we’ll never get to make love again.”
My eyes widen at the thought and I gasp. “I’m going. Go to your therapy today but don’t overdo.”
His beautiful smile appears, his teeth gleaming. “Don’t worry. I won’t take any chances. The goal is too important.”
I open the front door and maneuver out of my apartment. When I walk out of the front of the building and head towards my truck, the sun warms my face, and I know it’s gonna be a great day.
I pull into the building’s parking lot, not really sure where to park. I find a place down a little ways from the front door and pull in. After grabbing my crutches, I throw the strap of my purse over my shoulder and being my hobble to the door. When I get inside, I’m unsure if I’m supposed to go directly to where I was before or sign in or something. Ugh! My stomach does a flip. I hate the first day jitters.
“Miss Hadley. You don’t need to sign in.” I look over at the woman at the front desk. Her head is bowed and it’s like she’s talking to herself.
“Uh….” I’m not really sure exactly where we went before. Down the hallway then….
She shakes her head, never looking up. “Just follow the hallway then take a left. Emily will meet you at the desks there.”
“Oh. Uh…. Thank you.” She nods but stays bent over whatever she’s working on. Weird people here.
I make my way down the hall, stopping once to pull my purse strap up on my shoulder before it fell. When I take a left I remember the area that opens up, the desk on either side of the big wooden doors. They’re closed, thank God! The woman who took me to see Mr. Madden for my interview is sitting behind the desk to the right of the doors. She doesn’t look up either. Well, I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do but I know I can’t stand for much longer with these crutches. Her blonde hair, almost white, is piled on top of her head in a bun, reading glasses are perched low on her nose. “Ahem,” I clear my throat and start my hobble towards her desk. She looks up just as one of the doors open. Mr. Madden is standing there, in a very nice suit I might add, and looks at me then over at the blonde woman.
“Miss Atkins. Please don’t leave Miss Hadley standing there on crutches.” She looks up at me and then at him, fear in her eyes. He has a look of pure disgust. “Come, Miss Hadley. Please.” He waves his hand out in front of him towards the other desk. I hobble over there and balance myself as I remove my purse, setting it on the desk. I look up at him as I pull out the really nice high back leather desk chair and sit. Miss Atkins, or blonde woman, stands immediately, gathering things on her desk. He looks at me and smiles. “Everything set up for your surgery?”
I give him a smile back. “Yes, thank you. It will be Friday so I’m hoping I’ll be back to work on Monday.” He nods, like he’s really interested in what I’m saying.
“Good. Good. But if you don’t feel up to it on Monday, you call me. Deal?” He winks, making me feel special.
“Deal,” I respond, beaming.
“Oh, uh. Surgery?” blonde woman stutters.
He turns his head to her and gives her a frown then turns back to me. “Well, you have a fantastic first day. Miss Atkins will go over everything.” He winks at me again and walks back into his office, closing the door behind him. I kinda like him.
Blonde woman drops a thick notebook onto my desk, my purse bounces with the impact. “Here’s the training manual. Of course, I don’t expect you to learn everything today.” Today? How about in a year? “I’ll go over the main things, the daily activities, how to schedule his appointments, and meetings. Then, I’ll go over some of the phone calls you can expect.” She keeps rattling on and I swear if she can teach me what I’ll need to know, it’ll be a miracle.
In between the busy phone calls, updating information in the high tech software on the computer, and listening to blonde woman talk a mile a minute between training me and complaining about how I get time off after not even being there a week, I’m about ready to run. Mr. Madden’s door opens and he walks out, stopping in front of my desk. Blonde woman looks up and the look on his face when he looks at her makes me think she’s in some kind of trouble.
“Miss Atkins. Have you both been here the whole time or did you break for lunch?” I turn my head to her and watch her swallow hard. I think I just heard him growl. He turns to me and smiles. “Miss Hadley. Come. Let me show you where the cafeteria is.” I nod, and my eyes snap down to the clock on the computer. One fifteen. Oh, my! I pull out my left drawer and grab my purse. As I stand, I feel my knee begin to ache. I get my crutches, put my purse strap over my shoulder, and start hobbling around my desk. I follow him down the hall and look over my shoulder. “Miss Atkins. Cover for her then you may go to lunch upon her return.” She lowers her brows and frowns, then looks at me, and I swear the anger in her eyes could light this building on fire. Great start!
When we get back to the hall, we take a left and he walks in front of me, opening one of the double glass doors. I hobble inside and see a small cafeteria. “It’s not much but we have a great crew that run it. There’s always something hot or cold to buy. Very affordable too.” He leads me to a table near a set of windows and pulls out a chair for me. I sit and he takes my crutches, leaning them against the wall behind the other chair across from me. “What would you like? My treat.”
I look up in surprise. “Oh, really. You don’t have to. I….”
“Nonsense. I insist. They have salads, sandwiches, and….” He looks over at the counter where a couple of people are busy. “Oh, they have hamburgers and hot chicken sandwiches today.” He turns back to me and smiles.
“Well, a chicken sandwich and salad would be lovely. Thank you.”
His smiles grows, showing his white straight teeth. “Good.” He cups his chin and gives me a concentrated look. “I’d take you for a Diet Coke woman.”
“Well, that’s amazing. Yes, please.”
He reaches over and pats my shoulder, strange for a manager and owner of a company. “I’ll be right back.” I watch him walk away and turn back looking out the window. Not much in the way of scenery except for a small back patio with cement tables with matching benches surrounding them. Suddenly, I remember my sack lunch. I look back over my shoulder and see him talking to a man behind the counter then grab my purse and look inside. I pull out the sack, open it, and start pulling out what’s inside. A peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Three chocolate chip cookies. I had those really hidden in the pantry so they wouldn’t tempt me. He must have really dug around in there. An apple and a small baggie of chips. Awwwww. When I take out the chips I see a note at the bottom of the sack. My heart races as I pull it out. It’s folded several times. Once I get it open, I set it on the table, smooth it out and read.
My love,
I hope you have the best first day at work.
Play nice with others.
Don’t kick anyone’s ass.
Come home to me soon.
I love you,
Caylan
My eyes are wet and blurry when I hear Mr. Madden’s footsteps. Quickly, I put the note and the contents back in the sack and practically shove it in my purse. I place my hand under my chin, resting my arm on the table, and smile. “Here you are,” he says as he places a plate in front of me and then a bowl containing a salad. I straighten and watch as he sits down, setting a Styrofoam cup that has ice with a lid and straw, then a can of Diet Coke down next to my plate.
“Thank you,” I respond with a smile.
He hands me some plastic silverware and smiles. “No problem. I try to strive to keep my employees happy and this cafeteria is only one way I show them.”
I take
the plastic fork and stab some lettuce. “Do you always buy them lunch on their first day too?” I take a bite and have to admit, for a salad, it’s pretty yummy.
He laughs. “Well, no. Normally I don’t but I’m making an exception.”
My brows lower. “Why?”
He chews up his food and swallows. “You’re very straight forward and inquisitive.” He has no idea. “I like that about you.” I start feeling a little uncomfortable. “Look. I liked you the moment we spoke and even the emails we sent back and forth showed me a bit about your personality. Your skills speak for themselves. I think you’re going to be a real asset to the company.” He winks as he takes a drink of his soda, and I shift in my seat. He leans in so I follow suit. “I’m sure you’ve noticed how a few people are a little snooty around here.”
“Nah. You think?”
He leans back and so do I. He laughs and I start feeling a little better. “See. That’s why I like you. You have no issue with being yourself.” I can’t help but smile. “They are pretty much ass kissers and hate change. They especially hate new people so I’m sure that’s why you’re receiving the cold shoulder. Sorry about that.”
I wave him off. “Eh, doesn’t bother me. Just don’t blame me if their phone receiver is suddenly stuck to the base or if their computer seems frozen but it really isn’t.”
He laughs again, sits up, and picks up his sandwich. “Oh, my, Irish. You are so refreshing. I think we’re gonna get along just fine.”
Well, I guess I’m off to a good start then. Now, if I can only get blonde woman to quit treating me like I’m the plague.