Page 43 of Irresistible Second Chance

“Working 50 hours a week instead of 70 isn’t exactly what I would call taking it easy.”

Maybe Robin had a point. “Anyway,” she said, “It’s nice to meet you. I love your energy. If you aren’t busy this weekend, you should stop by the recreational center at Lloyd Park. My husband’s animal shelter is having an adoption event there and it should be fun. It’s like an adoption event and fundraiser rolled into one.” She stroked a stray strand of hair away from Elle’s forehead. She had fallen asleep just that fast. Her baby did look rather cuddly.

“Hope to see you there!” she said, making her way to Robert’s office.

I glanced towards the office and saw Robert with one arm around Krissy and Sebastian in his other arm. He smiled widely as Robin approached and something he said to her made her laugh. It was such a sweet encounter. I found myself wondering if that was what Chris envisioned for himself: A family…maybe with me.

Shocked at my own thoughts, I turned away and marched back to my desk. I had reports that I needed to stare at.

That evening, I rang Chris’ doorbell. His short-term rental was actually quite nice. It was in an older part of town, so the building had character and charm. There were vines growing along the building. It was kind of romantic looking. I felt silly for thinking that, but it was true. He answered the door, looking sexy as usual and I hoped he approved of my rather short dress. I had actually bought it just for this evening. I wanted to wear something special and sexy, something he hadn’t seen me in before.

“You look amazing,” he said to me as I stepped over the threshold and looked around.

“Let me take that from you,” he said gesturing to the bottle of wine I held in my hand. I had completely forgotten about it because I had been too busy staring at him. He was wearing a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. He’d kept in great shape over the years. I couldn’t help but reach out and touch him. I placed my hands on his chest, and he bent down and kissed me. It was slow, sexy, and I realized that we probably wouldn’t even make it through dinner at the rate we were going.

I forced myself to step away from him, breaking the kiss.

“Where are you going?” he said to me, pulling me back towards him, “We’re just getting started.”

“But what about dinner?” I asked.

“It can wait,” he said as his lips closed over mine.

I agreed as I wrapped my arms around his neck. He walked me backwards, I guess in the direction of his bedroom, his mouth never leaving mine as he undressed me. We seemed to be in almost a feverish state as he tossed my dress over my head and brought me into his lap on the bed.

My bra was off next and somehow, he managed to get out of his pants. When he entered me, I gasped in pleasure as he filled me, but I was ready for him. Being away from him had been like foreplay, and the anticipation of the feel of him inside me again had prepped me for this moment. As predicted, we didn’t get around to dinner. We spent the evening making love.

The next morning, I rolled over, looking for the bathroom. I didn’t know where Chris was. I knew he was an early riser and was off probably jogging or doing something equally healthy, so I climbed into his shower and began washing my hair.

“Need help?” I heard a few seconds later. He stepped into the shower with me and began to help me wash my hair. It felt like a gentle scalp massage.

“I could get used to this,” I said sighing as his hands worked through my hair and then down my shoulders and back. His touch was strong yet gentle and there was nothing sexual about the way he touched me. If anything, his touch felt comforting.

“I was thinking the same thing,” he said, stroking my back up and down as the spray hit me. “My lease is up in a few weeks,” he said.

“Are you going to renew it?” I asked, turning around to look at him.

He shrugged, “Actually, I was thinking of getting an apartment.” Chris was thinking about staying? Here? In town? Like forever?

He stepped into the spray and even though my eyes were drawn to watching the water drip down his beautiful body, my brain was screaming, “Run!”

Instead, I said, “I think I have soap in my eye” and climbed out the shower. I felt stupid but I needed space away from him. I pretended to wash my eye out at the sink then grabbed a robe, put it on, and went into the bedroom in search of my clothes.

He came out with a towel around his hip and stared at me not saying a word. I pretended that I didn’t feel his eyes on me.

Finally, I became frustrated in the silence and said, “What?”

“You know what,” now it was his turn to sound frustrated...but beyond the frustration was disappointment.

“I think it’s time we talk.”

“Talk about what?” I said, turning away from him again. I busied myself trying to find my clothes. “Where the hell is my bra?” I grumbled to myself.

“Check under the bed,” he said.

I did and found it on his side. “Stop staring at me,” I said to him.

“It’s nothing I haven’t seen before.”

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