Page 83 of Galen's Redemption
“Hey, it’ll come when it comes. You’re not denying it, so that’s a good thing. Now, what about him suing you?”
“Olivia is signing an affidavit stating she was sexually harassed by him, and she’s telling the other women she’s doing it, so she can get them to sharetheir stories. We’re going to publish Olivia’s and allow the women to post their own stories. They’re being told that they need to be willing to stand up for their own dignity.”
“You know this is going to piss him off.”
Galen grinned. “Yeah, I know. I’m keeping Olivia’s name out of it. When he wants to find out who did it, mine will be the only fingerprints to be found.” He took a bite of hisroll. “The people we talk with are going to remain anonymous, but they’ll also be told that if we’re court ordered to give names, we’d have to do it. It’s their choice whether or not this is something they feel they can do.”
Robert didn’t like the idea that Galen could be in trouble. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
Galen shrugged. “Honestly, no. But he’s taken everything from me, so it’snot like I have a lot to lose. One of his idioms was that a man with nothing to lose was the most dangerous of people to deal with. Well, I’m going to show him how true it is. I don’t know if he’s expecting I won’t retaliate because I’m his son or because he thinks I’m afraid of him. He’s wrong on both counts.”
“You don’t have to do this.”
Galen’s lips thinned out into a grimace. “Yeah, I do.Not for me, but for Olivia and all the other women my father treated like dog shit on the bottom of his shoe. I knew about it but didn’t do anything. That’s another thing on me, and I’m going to do my best to atone for my mistakes. Your father said I couldn’t fix the past, but I’m going to make sure it doesn’t keep hold on my future.”
This Galen was completely different. He wasn’t nervous ortwitchy at all. He sounded a lot more confident too. It was kind of a turn-on.
“So what can I do to help?”
“I appreciate the offer, but this is something I need to do on my own. Besides, I was wrong. I do have something to lose.”
“You won’t lose me.”
“Not you! Kinda self-important there, aren’t you? I’m talking about the shelter. I could lose my cool new job.” Galen laughed. “I couldn’t bearit if he tried to hurt the people there. So you’ve got to let me do this on my own.”
Robert hated the idea, but Galen needed to make his own peace, and Robert had to respect his decision. “Okay, but if you need me, you know where to find me.”
“Oh, I do.” He leered. “In about an hour, we’re going to be in your bed, and I’ll be riding you hard.”
That sounded like a great idea. “You’ve got twominutes to finish up, and then we’re out of here.”
Galen grabbed their dishes, stacked them on the tray, and took it up to the counter. “You’ve got some damned good chili.”
The young man behind the counter beamed. “Thank you.”
Galen snickered. “It’s almost an aphrodisiac.” He turned and went back to Robert, who stood there laughing his ass off at the confused look the young man was giving them.
As they stepped out the door, Robert nudged Galen. “I don’t need an aphrodisiac. I’ve been waiting months for this night, and you should expect to have problems walking for at least the next week.”
“Ooh, challenge accepted.”
Hand in hand, they made their way down Wells to where they’d parked the car. Robert opened Galen’s door and closed it as soon as he was in. Then he went to the driver’sside and slid into his own seat.
“Buckle up.”
Galen did, but groaned as he clicked the belt into place.
“What’s wrong?”
“All I can think of is ‘buckle up, it’s going to be a bumpy ride,’ and I’ve been dying for that.”
“Well, I promise to do my best not to disappoint you.”
The whole way back to the shelter, Robert fantasized about stripping Galen’s clothes off, laying him down on the bed,and, hopefully, taking him to new heights of ecstasy. In the few relationships he’d had, he’d always done his best not to be a selfish lover, but making this night special for them both was of utmost importance.
“Okay, I know we haven’t talked about this, and I don’t want there to be any miscommunications. In the past I’ve always topped, but with you—”
Galen blew out a breath. “Oh thank God.I don’t ever want to top.”
