KORINNE
"How did it go?" Jenna asked. I called her as soon as I got home from dropping Galen off.
"It was the best weekend ever!" I screamed excitedly. "It was the greatest time I've had in a long time."
"Did you have sex? Please tell me you had sex?" she teased.
"Of course we did, and it was amazing, but something else happened, too."
Jenna gasped, "What? What happened?"
"He told me he loved me," I said softly.
"Oh my goodness! What did you say?"
"I told him I loved him, too, I admitted sheepishly.
"Then why do you sound sad about it, Ducky?" she asked.
"I'm not sad exactly, but I can't seem to shake the guilt I have over Carson. I haven't told another man I loved him since him."
"Wow." She sighed. "Well, did you mean it when you said it to him?"
"With all my heart I meant it."
"Then you have nothing to feel guilty over. Oh Ducky, I'm so happy for you! You need to be able to move on and it looks like things are going great for you," she said happily.
"I know," I agreed. "I'm also going to work for him. I start tomorrow."
She squealed again, only louder that time. "It must have been one amazing weekend for all these things to happen!"
I laughed. "It was, but I'll let you know how my first day on the job goes."
"You do that. Take care, Ducky, and I'll talk to you later," she said, wrapping up the conversation.
"Will do, Twink! Love you!"
I finally made it home to my small, lonely condo. The getaway weekend was phenomenal. Hearing Galen say he loved me made me extremely happy, but it also scared me to death. Was I really ready to take that big leap on fully opening my heart? I wasn't completely sure.
***
Riding the elevator to one of the top floors of M&M's Architectural Design, I couldn't stop the butterflies and nerves from going crazy in my stomach. Why was I so nervous? Failing had never been an option for me, but I was afraid I wouldn't live up to everyone's expectations. The elevator opened and I walked into a lobby with a huge desk in the center. A middle-aged woman was staring intently at her computer and typing away. She saw me approach and a huge smile took over her face.
"Well hello there Mrs. Anders. It's good to see you again." She stood up and held out her hand. I clasped it and shook it firmly earning an even bigger smile from her.
"It's nice to see you again too, Rebecca," I said warmly.
"I knew he could get you here. I got onto him for taking so long to ask you to work for him. You wouldn't believe the amount of calls we get for people asking about you." My eyes went wide, but she continued speaking and overlooked my shocked expression. "You are one hot commodity around here."
"Oh, Rebecca, we don't want to scare her on her first day now do we?" I jumped at the sound of Galen's voice, and when I turned around that devilish smile of his took me away.
Rebecca waved him off and took a seat back at her desk. "I'm not scaring her," she said looking at me, but then she shied away when she saw my shocked expression. "Uh oh, well maybe I am scaring her. Well anyway, you two lovebirds have fun working or whatever it is you young people will be doing in there behind closed doors." She snickered after saying that and I knew my face had turned bright red in embarrassment. I stood there, frozen and speechless, until Galen walked over and grabbed my hand, pulling me into the confines of his
office.
Galen's work space was not only huge, but he had a wonderful view of downtown Charlotte. It was a good thing I wasn't going to be spending much time in there, because if I did I wouldn't get anything done. Galen's drafting desk took up one whole wall while another desk took up the center. There also happened to be another desk in a private corner off to the side, which I was assuming would be mine. Model houses were on every single surface in the room, and of course I could tell they were all Galen's designs. He had a specific brand to him, and I could spot them from a mile away.
"Good morning, beautiful." Galen greeted me with a hug and a delicious kiss. He tasted like coffee with a splash of hazelnut. I didn't drink coffee, but I absolutely loved tasting it on him.
"Good morning to you, too," I replied sweetly.
"Are
you ready to get started?" he asked. "Or do you need more time to adjust?"
I laughed. "No, I think I'm good. Tell me what I need to do." I glanced at the empty desk and then back to Galen, eyebrows raised. "Were you actually serious about me sharing your office?"
He peered over at the desk and nodded. "Of course I was. Why, do you not want to?"
"Oh no, it's perfectly fine. I just thought you were kidding."
He shrugged and put his arm around my shoulders. "Well, look at it this way. We can make love anytime we want during the day." My face blushed crimson at his admission and he chuckled at my expense. Maybe sharing an office wasn't such a good idea. I couldn't help but wonder how many days we could go without having sex in there... most likely none.
Galen searched his desk, and when he found what he was looking for he handed it over. "Here's the list of all the clients that are begging for you. I've spoken to them all and they're waiting for you to respond. You'll see I've also written notes in there to give you an idea of what they want." When I looked at him and smiled, he shrugged like it wasn't a big deal. "I did it so you would be prepared. I hope you don't mind, but I wanted to make sure you weren't overwhelmed on your first day." I took a look at the book and opened it to the first page. My eyes went wide at the mile long list of clients. That was going to be enough work to last ten years. Well, maybe not that long, but it would sure keep me busy for a while.
"I've been keeping a list of people that have recommended you for the past couple of years. They were really happy when I told them you were now available," Galen admitted happily.
"I don't know what to say. I can't believe they've wanted me so badly," I said, completely flabbergasted.
"Shit, Korinne, you're the best and they all know it. I'm honored that you said yes to come work for me, but I think my charm might have worked on you some, too." He smiled, and that smile could get anyone to fall at his knees.
"I'm glad I said yes, too. Maybe your charm did help out a little bit as well," I admitted whole-heartedly. Looking at the long list in my book, I figured it was time to start calling people. "I guess I need to get busy," I announced. Galen pulled me into his arms, and I melted in his embrace. Oh yes, it was going to be very difficult to keep my space from him in that office.
"I'm here to help you if you need anything," he said warmly.
I nodded against his chest. "I know, and thank you for helping me. I can't wait to get started." We broke away from the hug and Galen went to his desk while I went to mine. Staring mesmerized at the open book, I took one giant breath before marching into the challenge and calling the first person on the list.
***
The two clients I saw first had mapped out all of their plans and waited on my replies and suggestions. They were both really excited when I threw in the twists of my own ideas. It felt amazing to open my mind again and create imaginative settings for people to enjoy. Looking at the clock in my car, the time was now four in the afternoon and I was just then returning to M&M. I hadn't spoken to Galen yet, so I was excited to share with him the good news. Rebecca was at her desk and waved at me before I went inside Galen's office, or better yet, our office. Galen had his back to me, standing at his drawing desk, when I entered. Slowly advancing to his side, I peered over his shoulder to see what he was working on. The sight before me was astounding."It's okay, I actually like that we can do this. It's more intimate," I said softly.
Galen looked down at his watch and his eyes went wide. "Shit, I have two minutes to get to the board room. Go home, be careful, and I'll call you tonight."
"All right," I said, smiling while fixing my skirt.
He kissed me on the cheek and whispered softly in my ear. "I love you, Kori."
"I love you, too."
***
My phone rang on the way home, but it was in my purse and I refused to go digging for it while I was driving. I'd see who it was when I got home. All I wanted to do right then was take a nice, hot shower and cuddle on the couch with a bowl of cheddar popcorn. Maybe I'd watch the Lord of the Rings again. Or better yet, I needed to start unpacking my boxes. I couldn't live out of them for the rest of my life now could I?He grinned. "I was prepared and had the door on auto lock as soon as you shut it."
"You are so sneaky," I teased.
"I have a meeting in fifteen minutes so we don't have long, but I think we can manage, don't you?" He glided his hands up my thighs and pushed the skirt up to my waist, not waiting on an answer. Fifteen minutes was fine with me. I was already turned on and ready to go. He loosened his pants quickly and they fell to the floor, revealing his well chiseled thighs and his already hard cock that would be devouring me
soon.
Galen pulled me closer by gripping my thighs and sliding me across the desk. Removing my underwear, he wrapped my legs around his waist. Wasting no time in the matter, Galen entered me hard and swift in one deep thrust. As much as I loved going nice and slow sometimes going hard and fast could be way more pleasurable. The grip he had on my body was constricting as he held me down on the desk, but I loved feeling the closeness to him as he pounded away his desires into my body. He groaned quietly in my ear while I gritted my teeth together to keep from screaming out the pleasures I was feeling. I really didn't want Rebecca hearing what we were doing in there. When the orgasm hit I could feel Galen pulsating and releasing his seed inside of me. Breathing hard, he kissed me on the lips before pulling out and lifting his pants. Smiling apologetically at me, he handed me a box of tissues. He pulled a couple of them out and helped wipe up the insides of my thighs.
"I'm sorry about that," he said softly, looking down at the sticky mess between my legs."It's okay, I actually like that we can do this. It's more intimate," I said softly.
Galen looked down at his watch and his eyes went wide. "Shit, I have two minutes to get to the board room. Go home, be careful, and I'll call you tonight."
"All right," I said, smiling while fixing my skirt.
He kissed me on the cheek and whispered softly in my ear. "I love you, Kori."
"I love you, too."
***
My phone rang on the way home, but it was in my purse and I refused to go digging for it while I was driving. I'd see who it was when I got home. All I wanted to do right then was take a nice, hot shower and cuddle on the couch with a bowl of cheddar popcorn. Maybe I'd watch the Lord of the Rings again. Or better yet, I needed to start unpacking my boxes. I couldn't live out of them for the rest of my life now could I?As soon as I got home I headed straight for the shower. For about thirty minutes I relished in the feel of hot water spraying over my skin. I wondered what it would be like to make love to Galen in the shower. That would need to be something I mentioned to him the next time I saw him.
Once my shower was done, I decided on the popcorn dinner and a movie. I didn't know how long Galen was going to be in his meeting, but it worked out perfectly. Having some Korinne time right then was what I needed. As I settled on the couch I heard my phone beeping in my purse. I had completely forgotten I had a missed call. Surely if it was important they would have called back. The number was not familiar to me, but they did leave a message. After dialing voicemail, a man's voice that I didn't recognize came over the line.
"Good evening, Mrs. Anders, I'm Richard Carmichael. I believe we have met before, but in case you don't remember I was a friend and colleague of your late husband, Dr. Carson Anders. I'm head of the trustees over at the hospital and I'm calling because I wanted to invite you to a special reception in honor of Carson, along with some of our other valuable doctors. The reception is next Thursday night at seven o'clock. We really hope to see you there. Take care, Mrs. Anders."
Dropping the phone, I sank onto the couch and tried desperately to suck in a good breath. I couldn't believe this was happening again. Grief washed over me, and just when I thought I could move on I got reminded again of what I'd lost. The tears came at their own accord and I let them flow. I was beginning to feel happy and I thought those feelings were genuine. Was it just a mask that had me believing that I was happy? A delusion, a mask of delusion that covered up everything that I'd left unfinished in my life. I still hadn't been to mine and Carson's home or even to the graveyard where he was buried. The realization that I still hadn't come to terms with my grief felt like a knife straight through my heart. By no means was I weak woman, but putting off my past was not going to help my future. Until I could deal with my past, how could I ever fully move on?Galen had been a wonderful distraction, but he wouldn't be able to fix what was broken inside me, only I could. I needed to find the courage and deal with my problems on my own. If I kept putting it off it would keep coming back when something reminded me of Carson. Would Galen understand if I needed time alone to figure this out and get my affairs in order? I just needed him to understand and give me some space while I got things taken care of.
My mind felt like a whirlwind of emotions. I loved Carson and I knew I always would, but now I was in love with Galen. Carson would've wanted me to be happy, but I couldn't seem to keep the guilt at bay. It kept coming back like I was doing something wrong. Galen wanted to be there for me and he'd also been patient in letting me cope, but to move on I needed to do it myself. Please let him understand, I thought.