by North, Avery
“Everything back to normal?” she said, popping her head into Susan’s office.
“I think so. Let’s hope it doesn’t happen again,” Susan said, leaning back in her chair. “Did you talk to the new IT guy?”
“Briefly,” Rachel said nonchalantly and nodding.
“And?” Susan said. “What do you think?”
“About what?”
“Chris, of course. What did you think of Chris? He’s extremely good looking, isn't he?” Susan said, grinning and raising an eyebrow.
“Hey, wait a minute! You seem to forget I’ve been down that road before,” Rachel said, putting up her hands. “I’m done with all that.”
“Oh, come on, Rachel. There are some good guys out there. They aren’t all jerks like the last two you’ve dated.”
“I know, but right now, I’ve had enough of them saying one thing and doing another − or even worse, using me to cheat on their wives,” Rachel said, shaking her head. “Both times, they broke my heart. I’m not letting it happen again. I don’t care if I end up alone for the rest of my life. The pain is not worth it.”
“You can’t mean that,” Susan said, leaning forward in her chair, her eyes full of concern for her friend.
“I do, Susan. I’m dead serious. Unless some guy appears and proves to me that men aren’t jerks, I’m done,” Rachel said, leaning on Susan’s desk.
Susan looked at her friend and smiled. “Fair enough. I won’t bring it up again. Are you coming to our place tomorrow night for Carl’s birthday?”
“I am, and I’m looking forward to it. Sure, you don't want me to bring something?"
“Nope. Just yourself.”
“Sounds good. Got to run − see you tomorrow night!” Rachel walked out the door and got back to work. She was looking forward to the party tomorrow even if she was going alone. Maybe she would get used to this way of life and learn to embrace it.
Chapter 6
Rachel walked up the driveway leading up to Carl and Susan’s house. She loved visiting their home. After they got married, they had the house built on ten acres that Carl owned. The place was huge, with a large pool and hot tub in the backyard, and the view from their back porch was beautiful and peaceful.
“Hey, Rachel! You made it,” Susan shouted as Rachel walked in the front door. “Come on in.”
“Wow, this place is hopping,” Rachel said as she dodged around people to get to the closet so she could hang up her coat.
“Yea. We may have invited a few too many, but oh well. The more, the merrier,” Susan shrugged. “Anyways, the bar is set up outside by the pool. Lots of people from the Chiltern are here that you know already and, of course, some of our old gang.”
“Sounds good. Don’t worry about me,” Rachel smiled at her friend, glad to see her so happy. “Go, do your hostess thing. I’ll be fine.”
Rachel found the bar and got herself a glass of white wine. Holding it, she walked around the pool, waving at the odd person she knew or stopping to make small talk with others. The night air was getting a bit cool, and she wished she had brought a light sweater with her. Her coat would be too warm. She rubbed her arm with her hand before heading back into the house.
As she stood looking around the crowded living room, she spied Chris standing off to the side by himself, similar to herself.
What was he doing here, she wondered to herself. Was this a ploy on Susan’s part to get them together, even after their conversation the other day?
Trying to hide behind a group of chatting people, Rachel turned away slightly but not before Chris saw her.
“Hey, Rachel,” he called out, making his way over to her.
Rachel looked at him in surprise, pretending she hadn't already noticed him. “Oh hi, Chris, is it?” she said, acting like she didn’t really remember him.
“Yea, Chris, your computer guy,” he said as he reached her side. “What are you doing here?”
“Susan and I are really good friends, and of course she and Carl are also my bosses. How about you?”
“Carl and I go way back. We were in high school together then college. Were you at their wedding?”
Rachel shook her head. “No, I had to go out of town for a family emergency, so I missed it, unfortunately.”
“I was going to say I didn’t remember meeting anyone as good looking as you at the wedding,” Chris said with a charming grin. “You know I’m not a bad guy.”
“Why do you say that?” Rachel asked, looking at him.
“Well, you seem to be acting a bit standoffish,” Chris said, shrugging.
Rachel looked at him in surprise. “No, I haven’t!” she protested, then thought for a minute and relaxed her shoulders. “Okay, maybe I am a little. Sorry.”
“I don’t bite, you know, and I’ve been told I’m really a nice guy,” Chris said.
“Sorry. It’s just me, nothing to do with you. I’ve had some pretty crappy experiences that have left me on guard,” Rachel said honestly, unable to look him in the eyes.
“Well, your glass is empty, and so is mine. Why don’t we get another drink and find someplace a bit quieter to talk, unless you’d rather go wild and mingle?” Chris said, gesturing back towards the patio.
Hesitating for a moment, she smiled at him. “I don’t do wild and mingle, but another drink sounds wonderful.”
They slowly made their way to the bar and replenished their glasses before finding two chairs in a secluded spot by the shed.
“Are you cold?” Chris asked, seeing Rachel rub her arms again.
“Just a little bit, but I’ll be fine.”
“Hold on a second. They used to keep blankets in here,” Chris said, jumping up and opening the shed door. “Here you go. Bit musty but should keep you warm.”
Taking the blanket he handed her, she wrapped it around her shoulders and smiled at him gratefully. “That’s much better,” she said. She didn’t know if Chris was acting friendly to win her over or if it was just how he was, but either way, she had to remember not to let her guard down. She couldn’t take another broken heart because no matter how charming Chris was, at some point, he would break her heart. She just knew it. That’s what men usually did.
Chapter 7
Rachel unlocked the door of her apartment and walked in. Turning and looking at Chris, she grinned.
“Thanks for driving me home. I shouldn’t have had that last glass of wine – or the others,” she giggled, wobbling slightly as she took off her shoes.
“Not a problem. I can pick you up tomorrow and take you over to pick your car,” Chris replied, chuckling slightly.
Rachel looked up at him. She had promised herself she wouldn’t do this. She didn’t want to fall for another man, but Chris was just so damn likable and sexy and handsome and all those other things she wanted in a man. And he was here, now.
“Do you want a drink,” she said suggestively, biting her lower lip.
Chris’s smile turned mischievous. “Only on the condition if one drink turns to two or three, I can crash on your couch.”
“Deal,” Rachel said, motioning for him to go into the living room. “I’ll get the wine.”
Pouring two glasses of wine, Rachel brought them into the living room where Chris had made himself at home on the couch.
“Thanks,” he said, taking the glass and watching her plink herself on the other end of the couch.
“You know, I shouldn’t have you here,” she said, sipping her wine. “You were just supposed to drive me home.”
Chris grinned, “Hey, can I help it if I have charm and can talk my way into a girl’s apartment?”
Rachel looked at him, both holding the other’s gaze. Rachel could feel her heart beating faster in her chest; her breath became ragged. The air around them felt heavy. She knew she had promised herself she wouldn’t, but she missed the closeness, the passion, the tingles, and she could sense that Chris felt the same way too.
Slowly Chris eased himself closer to her, taking her f
ace in his hands and pressing his lips against hers, his tongue flicking over her lips as she parted them. She bit his lower lip gently as he leaned back out of the kiss. Chris looked at her and smiled ruefully.
“I’d better go, or I’m going to end up doing something we may regret.”
Rachel looked at him and shook her head slightly. “Please stay,” she said, putting her arms around her neck and looking into his handsome face. “I want you to stay.”
“Are you sure?” Chris asked quietly.
Nodding her head, she kissed him and stood up, holding out her hand. When he took it, she led him into her bedroom. Rachel knew she shouldn’t, but she had reached the point of no return. Standing beside the bed, she faced him and removed her T-shirt.
“Make love to me,” she whispered, taking his hand and placing it on her breast.
Chris quickly took off his shirt and threw it to the floor. Gathering Rachel in his solid, muscular arms, he held her against his chest and looked deeply into her eyes. “I was hoping you would ask,” he said, before crushing his lips against hers.
Rachel’s knees went weak at the feel of his soft yet firm lips. It was lucky his arms were around her to keep her up. She had so missed the touch of a man and wanted to feel every inch of Chris’s body.
Laying down on the bed, they explored each other's bodies, touching, and teasing, tongues exploring each other's mouths and hands exploring the curves of their bodies. Chris rolled Rachel onto her back and shifted himself, so he was on top of her. He kissed her neck, then moved down to her chest, stopping for a moment at the slight curve of her breast as he gently pushed aside her bra. He took her erect nipple in his mouth, sucking and gently biting on it.
“Oh, God,” Rachel moaned as Chris continued his way down, kissing down her belly while one hand continued to massage her breasts and the other unzipped her jeans. He stood up at the side of the bed, pulling at her pant legs to ease her jeans off her legs. He took a minute to look down at her now dressed only in her black lace bra and panties and smiled. “You are so beautiful,” he whispered as he knelt down on the floor and pulled her body closer to the edge and him.
Rachel knew what was coming and held her breath in anticipation. Both Gary and Ross had hardly ever gone down on her − no matter how often she asked or offered it to them. Closing her eyes, she felt Chris softly tug at her panties, slipping them off before carefully spreading her legs open.
The sensation of Chris’s tongue on her most private place was almost enough to make her orgasm immediately. Reaching down and winding her fingers in his hair, she felt sensations she had never felt before as his tongue and lips worked their magic. She could tell by his movements that he knew what he was doing.
“Oh, God! Chris, yessssss!” she suddenly cried as her orgasm rocked through her body, her muscles moving like waves of the ocean, making her clench the duvet in ecstasy.
Standing up, Chris quickly undid his pants and pulled them down, and Rachel gasped as his huge erection sprang out.
“Was that okay?” he asked as he climbed back on the bed, holding himself up above her.
Rachel looked up at him and smiled. She had no words to describe how she good felt at that moment. Kissing him, she tasted herself on his lips, which somehow excited her even more.
Chris reached down and guided his throbbing manhood into her smoothly. Gazing down at her, he brushed his hand against her cheek, kissing her softly on the lips before raising his head and looking into her eyes as he began to thrust in and out of her quivering body.
She held his gaze as they moved together in their passionate dance, knowing that their heights would soon be reached. They moved faster and faster as Rachel felt the familiar tingles deep inside of her. Their eyes didn’t leave each other until they both arrived at their climax at the same time. Their backs arched and moans and cries filled the room until they collapsed on the sweat-soaked bedsheets and lay entwined in each other’s arms. They stayed there until dawn’s light broke through the window and onto their entangled naked bodies.
Chapter 8
Monday morning, Rachel arrived at the hotel and went straight into her office, shutting the door. She was upset that she had allowed herself to be weak and give in to Chris’s advances, but then again, she had wanted it just as much as he did. They had only known each other for a few days, but it felt like a lifetime.
That morning, after their night of passionate sex, Rachel had woken up in Chris’s arms and gently eased herself out of bed, trying desperately to think of an excuse that would make him leave. Tiptoeing into the bathroom, she stood and looked at herself in the mirror.
“What the fuck is wrong with you!?” she whispered to herself, shaking her head. “Now, how do I get rid of him?”
Quickly pulling on the robe she kept on the hook at the back of the bathroom door, she walked back into the bedroom to confront Chris.
“Morning beautiful,” Chris said, sitting up in bed as the blankets fell, letting Rachel gaze at his muscular chest.
"Ummm morning. Listen," Rachel started to say, but Chris held up his hands.
“I know what you are going to say,” Chris said, pushing the covers off. “Last night was great, and you have no regrets, but you want me to leave.”
Rachel looked at his gorgeous naked body in front of her. Looking down at his half-erect penis and remembering how good it had felt inside her, she sighed. “It’s not that. It’s just I haven’t had much luck in the love department, and I really don’t want to get into anything right now.”
Chris looked at her and shrugged. “I’ll leave, but I just want you to know that last night was not just a great fuck to me. I really like you,” he started to put his clothes back on, “but I respect how you feel. I won’t apologize for last night because it really was wonderful.”
Rachel looked at him and smiled sadly. “Maybe at another time in my life, but not now. I can’t.”
Closing the door behind him, Rachel leaned against it, letting the tears fall down her cheeks. Chris was right, despite the wine that she had drunk, last night had been amazing, and Chris was such a thoughtful lover. But it couldn’t happen again. She wouldn’t let it.
Putting thoughts of Chris out of her head, she sat down at her desk, turned on her computer, and checked her email.
“Shit,” she said out loud after reading the latest email from Susan.
“Hey Rachel, I just wanted to let you know that we are putting in a new computer system this week. It’s going to make the check-ins and -outs faster and more efficient, plus it will help with inventory and front desk services. Sorry for it being so last minute, but Carl decided to go ahead with it after a lot of research, and it was decided this is the way to go. Chris, our IT guy, (you know who he is, wink, wink) will be in contact with you to arrange the installations for the front desk. Have meetings all day but will be in touch to get together. Want to hear all about what happened after Chris took you home from the party. Susan
The last thing she needed was having Chris hang around here for a few days. She had hoped to avoid him, but now she had no choice. Drumming her fingers on her desk, she was wondering how she could get through the next few days when her desk phone rang.
“Hello.”
“Hi, Rachel. The computer guy is at the front desk and would like you to come out so he can talk to you.”
“Okay, I’ll be right there.”
Hanging up, she grimaced. Damn him. Why was he here already? She muttered to herself in annoyance as she walked out of the office door.
“Hi Chris,” she said, trying to be friendly so no one would suspect anything was wrong.
“Hi,” Chris answered. “So we are going to be installing the PC 510s over the next few days. I’m going to move a computer over to the side that will still have the old system still online, so you guys can still work. The other computers will be offline for about three days, including your computer.”
Rachel nodded, looking at the two desk clerks standing there
listening. “I guess we have no choice,” she said. “Things might get a bit busy, but I think we can manage.”
“Okay, great. I’ll start by moving the computer over and unloading the new system,” Chris said, looking at her intensely. She knew he wanted to say so much more to her, but she didn’t give him a chance.
Walking briskly back to her office, she sat down at her desk, hoping that Chris hadn’t noticed her hands shaking. She needed to maintain a certain sense of professionalism when dealing with him from now on, despite what had happened between them.
Three days Chris had said he would be around. It was going to be the longest three days of her life. She just knew it.
Chapter 9
“Sorry to bother you,” Chris said, tapping lightly at Rachel’s door. “I have to check your computer.”
Rachel looked up, trying not to smile at him. “Okay, it’s all yours,” she said awkwardly as they passed each other.
Sitting on the couch, part of her wanted to leave her office and hide until he was done, but another part of her wanted to stay near him. “I’ll just sit here and continue working,” she said as she sat down on the couch with the schedule print outs, occasionally stealing glances at him as he worked. She imagined straddling his lap and riding him to heaven but quickly tried to clear the images that were invading her mind.
BEEP BEEP BEEP, a loud alarm sounded suddenly, and Rachel’s door suddenly swung shut and locked with a loud click.
“What the hell is that?” Chris said, looking shocked.
“It’s a security alarm. It only sounds when there is danger. All the office doors automatically shut and lock. It’s a new feature that Carl had installed last year,” Rachel said, going over to the door and trying the doorknob.
Going back to her desk, she grabbed her phone and texted Susan frantically.
What’s going on? My door shut and locked.
Not sure. Security is checking it out. Stay put.
