Ryle was looking at her with amusement. “Do you know how hot you look when you’re annoyed with me?” He asked instead of answering.
She compressed her mouth but didn’t say more. But it was hard to remain annoyed with him when he looked at her like that and teased her.
They sat down at her usual table. Although she had every intention of maintaining a “co-workers only” façade with Ryle, she felt comfortable sitting down with him and having breakfast together. As soon as they sat down, they were joined by several people, so there was no chance to really talk alone.
After breakfast, Charlie made her way towards her office.
“Hey,” Ryle caught up with her as she was walking into Hangar 3. “I want to see you tonight.” He said simply and directly.
She caught her breath. “I…”
“Eight o’clock, I’ll bring dinner.” He said and walked away as a couple of her team members approached her.
Her new relationship with Ryle didn’t change her awareness of him at work. In fact, she was more aware of his presence than ever before. On the days when he was supporting her team, she could barely focus. For the first time, she was feeling more exhilarated at seeing Ryle than going out flying.
She went to work early every morning, meeting up with Ryle at the fitness center to jog together. And after work every night, he came over to her apartment to spend the evening with her, and left sometime after midnight. It became a pattern for the next several days.
“Do you have any plans this Saturday? Becky and date are going to the hockey game. Did you want to go too?” Charlie asked on Wednesday night while they sat on the shaggy rug in her apartment, eating Japanese takeout.
Ryle seemed to have a varied and sophisticated palate, even for takeout food. On Monday night, he brought over seafood pasta mixed with fresh basil pesto sauce. On Tuesday night, it was Italian Panini sandwiches with sundried tomato, prosciutto and mixture of smooth cheeses for a melt-in-your-mouth effect. Tonight’s Japanese takeout came in beautifully painted wooden bento boxes. It seemed extravagant when they were sitting on the floor to eat it.
When she tried to comment about how the takeout food was more extravagant than some of her restaurant meals and that it must have cost a lot, he simply brushed it off and told her it was recommended by a friend. She wondered what friend that was and where in Linwood he found these takeout meals.
On Friday night, she spent the night at Ryle’s place. She went home on her motorcycle and he picked her up from her apartment.
“Do you want to go out for dinner?” He asked her when he picked her up.
“No. Take out is fine.” She said.
“Do you have any preference?”
“Chinese.” She said decisively.
“Chinese it is.”
“We can pick it up on our way. There’s a good place at Main Street and Eighth Avenue.” She told him.
Ten minutes later, they were pulling up in front of the Chinese restaurant, Golden Dragon. After Ryle parked the car, she offered to go in by herself, but he got out of the car and went in with her. For the last week, Ryle had been bringing dinner over to her apartment. She didn’t want him to pay for their meals all the time and was hoping to pay for tonight’s dinner.
“Ah Miss Charlie, it’s nice to see you again.” Tom Ho, the owner, greeted her warmly in perfect English with barely a hint of an accent. “Table for two?”
“No, Mr. Ho, we would like to order takeout.” She said, returning his smile.
“Certainly.” He handed them menus.
They ordered a variety of dishes including deep fried fish, crispy chicken, stir fried vegetables, and fried noodles.
“How's the lobster?” Ryle asked.
“Fresh from Chicago.” Mr. Ho grinned.
“We'll have the double lobster with ginger and green onion.”
“Very good.” Mr. Ho wrote it down in Chinese on his pad.
Charlie looked at Ryle, “Do you like scallops?” she asked, having guessed his weakness for seafood.
“Yeah, I do.”
“We'll have the bird's nest with scallops, double order of scallops, please, Mr. Ho.” she told him.
“Very good.” he nodded and wrote it down.
Mr. Ho took their order into the kitchen. He came back a few minutes later with tea for them. Charlie took her wallet out to pay only to be forestalled by Ryle. He had already taken out several crisp bills from his back pocket and handed it to Mr. Ho.
“Ryle, you’ve been buying dinner all week; it’s my turn to buy.” she said firmly, trying to hand her money to Mr. Ho.
“You can treat next time.” Ryle drawled.
“Ryle---”
“Let's not argue about it, Charlie.”
“He's right, Miss Charlie, a lady shouldn't be the one to pay,” Mr. Ho said with old-fashioned conviction.
Charlie was annoyed with Ryle when they left the restaurant. It was not exactly a cheap dinner, since the total came out to just under a hundred dollars. It was certainly unlike a club sandwich and fries from Joe’s Café. She didn’t want to point it out, but her salary easily tripled that of a support worker. She wouldn’t think twice about a hundred dollars for good takeout, but he might feel the weight of it.
“Do you want to pick up anything else?” He asked her as they drove away from the restaurant.
“No. I think we’re good.” She answered. She didn’t want him to spend any more money needlessly.
After dinner, they relaxed on the sofa, watching a hockey game on TV. She wasn’t very interested in the game, since she wasn't much of a sports fan. But she liked watching Ryle as he watched TV, her eyes studying his attractive face and his fit body. She lounged on one end of the sofa with her legs up. He sat on the other end, holding her legs in his lap. When the team scored, Ryle was so excited he almost tossed her onto the floor.
“Yay, go Blackhawks!” She cheered with him.
Ryle laughed, turning to look at her. “Are we watching the same game here?”
“What do you mean?” She asked with some confusion.
He grinned, pointing out, “We're watching the Rangers against the Senators.”
She read the names on the scores flashing on the screen. “Oh!” She muttered, feeling foolish.
“The Blackhawks are playing tomorrow night.” He reminded her.
“Okay.”
Ryle laughed again. “You bought the tickets, and you don’t know who's playing?”
She shrugged. “My friend Becky picked up our tickets; I just paid for them.”
“Come here,” He pulled her to him to kiss her. “Do you know how hot you are?”
“For being ignorant?” She teased. She sat straddling his thighs, her arms linked around his neck.
“For being here,” He said huskily. He kissed her slowly and deeply, running his tongue along her lower lip.
She sighed and closed her eyes, kissing him back passionately.
“Charlie,” His hand slipped inside her top to cup her breasts through her bra, his thumb rubbing a swelling nipple. Against her butt, she could feel his hardening arousal. Desire rushed through her, making her wet. She wanted him inside her so badly she couldn’t wait. He seemed to feel the same urgency. He unzipped her jeans, lifting her up to pull it off before sitting her back down onto him. She moaned, feeling his hard arousal through his jeans and her silky panties.
He pulled off her top effortlessly and removed her bra. She slipped her fingers through his hair, caressing and grasping it as he arched her up and buried his face against her breasts his mouth unerringly finding a nipple and sucking deeply.
“Ryle, please,” She gasped, needing to feel him inside her.
Her fingers found his belt, unbuckling it and undoing the snap. When she unzipped his jeans, his erection sprang out, huge and hard. She struggled with the condom packet for several moments until she finally slipped it on him. He grasped her hips and lifted her, his fingers under her pushing aside the silk panties a
s he slid her down onto him. He grunted as her wet heat closed down on him, inch by inch.
“Yes,” She moaned when his whole length was fully inside her. She grasped the back of the sofa and rose up on her knees to grind her hips downwards. He groaned deep in his throat as she started to ride him, her hips moving up and down in a quick and slightly erratic rhythm. His hands on her thighs guided her to a more steady rhythm. He sucked and licked her nipples as she rode him, and as he felt her climax, her muscles contracting around him as she cried out in pleasure, he bit down on her nipple. She screamed, her whole body dissolving in pleasure. Her sheath clenching around him made him ground out and he rocked her hips against him a few more times as he too came, his body shuddered violently under her.
“Okay, this guy is seriously hot.” Becky grinned.
Charlie and Becky were watching as Ryle and Sean made their way back towards their seats, each held two drinks in their hands.
“I guess he is.” Charlie murmured, her eyes caressing Ryle as he walked closer.
“You guess? Are you kidding me?” Becky laughed. “So how long have you been going out with him? And why didn’t you tell me about it sooner?”
“We’ve been going out for a week.” Charlie told her friend.
“One week? You two looked like you’ve been together for a long time.”
“You know I was still dating Jeff until earlier this month. But Ryle and I did work together for a few months.”
“No. I mean you two seem very intimate.” Becky said. “And he can’t seem to take his hands off you.”
Charlie couldn’t suppress her smile.
“Oh, my God, you’ve slept with him already, haven’t you?” Becky demanded.
“Well, I…”
“And you didn’t even tell me. Does Mandy know?”
“No.” Charlie shook her head.
“You slept with him and didn’t even tell us about it?” Becky sounded slightly hurt.
“I’m sorry. It’s just so new.”
“He looks like he would be amazing in bed.” Becky grinned.
Charlie smiled. “More than amazing.”
“Oh my God, I want to hear all the details.”
“Shh, he’ll hear you.” Charlie muttered as Ryle and Sean got back to their seats.
“Thanks babe,” Becky said as Sean handed her a drink and went to sit down on his seat on the other side of Becky.
“Thanks.” Charlie smiled, taking the cup Ryle handed her.
He sat down beside her, putting his arm around the back of her chair, his hand resting warmly at the base of her neck.
“Are you enjoying the game?” He asked. She felt his fingers caressing the hair at the nape of her neck.
She smiled. “Yes.”
His azure eyes were warm as they looked at her face. “So, who’s winning?”
“The…red guys?” She teased and he laughed.
He leaned toward her to kiss her. She could taste beer on his tongue, and although she didn’t drink beer, the taste on him was slightly intoxicating. And she felt lightheaded when he finally released her mouth.
He turned his attention back to the game. Becky lightly bumped her shoulder against Charlie’s. She turned to look at her friend and caught Becky’s wide grin.
“He’s really into you.” Becky leaned close to whisper against Charlie’s ear. The words brought another irrepressible smile to her face.
After the game, they went out for a snack. Becky suggested a popular spot. Despite the late hour, it was packed. They were lucky to find a table.
“Becky and I can get the food.” Charlie suggested after they sat down at the table.
“Er, yeah, sure,” Becky grinned.
“All right.” Ryle said, amusement lighting his eyes. “We’ll wait here.”
“Works for me.” Sean grinned, handing several bills to Becky. Ryle made no move to do the same.
“What was that about?” Becky asked as they lined up to buy the food.
“Well…”
“Come on, Charlie, I tell you everything.” Becky pouted prettily.
“Ryle’s been picking up dinner the whole week. I just didn’t want him to have to pay for dinner all the time.” She admitted.
“Well, you bought the hockey tickets today.” Her friend pointed out.
“I know, but I still feel bad having him pay for everything; his position doesn’t pay a lot.”
“Hmm. Certainly not as much as a senior engineer.” Becky grinned. “Like you, and Jeff.”
“Mmm.”
“So he doesn’t make as much as Jeff; I guess you’ll be the bacon bringer.” Becky teased.
“I don’t mind.” Charlie shrugged. The more time she spent with Ryle the harder she fell. She couldn’t deny it any more. She was so deep into him she knew her heart never had a chance to resist.
“So when did you guys first got together? Tell me all the details,” Becky said.
Charlie looked around them, “I’m not discussing that here.”
“I’ll get it out of you.” Becky grinned.
They went back to the table with burgers and fries, and a couple of sides of crispy fried shrimp, and shakes.
“Okay, we have enough calories and fat to clog several arteries here.” Becky grinned. “Double black angus burger and chocolate shake for you.” She handed Sean his order.
“Thanks, babe,” Sean grinned.
“Wild mushroom burger and vanilla shake for me.” Becky said, sitting down beside Sean and across from Charlie.
“What did you get?” Ryle asked Charlie as she sat down beside him.
“I got the same as Becky. And for you, I got a lobster burger with green onion, avocado and lemon crème fraiche.” She murmured. “Have you ever had it before?”
“Can’t say I have; but it sounds very good.”
“It is.” She grinned. “And there’s plenty of crispy fried shrimp to go around.”
“Awesome, thanks.” He caressed her shoulder, pulling her in for a kiss and she went willingly, warmed by his easy public display of affection.
“Hey Ryle, you and Charlie want to join us for skiing tomorrow? Becky and I are going up north for the day.” Sean asked as they ate their burgers.
“Thanks, but I’ve made other plans.” Ryle declined lightly.
“Oh, no,” Becky was shaking her head. “You don’t want to take Charlie skiing.”
“Why’s that?” Ryle asked interestedly.
“I’m not exactly a winter sports athlete.” Charlie revealed.
“It’s dangerous to her health.” Becky answered, grinning. “One year, a bunch of us went skiing and Charlie was having one accident after another all day long.”
“What happened?” Ryle asked.
Charlie smiled as she remembered. “First, my rental skis were stuck. Then I ran into someone, literally, on the bunny hill. When I finally got the courage to try a beginner's hill, I went off on the wrong trail and nearly killed myself on a black diamond run.”
Sean grinned. “You can’t be that bad.”
“Oh, yeah, I was.” She admitted laughingly.
“She was a danger to herself and everyone else there.” Becky grinned.
“Skiing is not an easy sport to pick up.” Sean said, trying to make her feel better.
“It’s not just skiing.” Charlie told him. “I've tried skating, tobogganing. You name it. I end up in some kind of trouble.”
“Tobogganing?” Sean laughed. “How much trouble can you get into tobogganing?”
“Trust me, she can.” Becky said, giving Charlie an affectionate grin.
It was well past midnight when Charlie and Ryle headed back to Linwood.
“I’ll see you Monday.” He said, walking her to her door.
“Yes,” She answered.
Ryle was heading back to Chicago tomorrow morning to spend the day with his grandfather; it was promising to be a mild day and they were going golfing.
“You’re in a good mood today.” M
arcus remarked as they walked back to the club house, with their caddies following behind.
“Am I usually in a bad mood?” Ryle asked his grandfather.
Marcus snorted. “You’re usually preoccupied with your work. Taking a break and going to Linwood seems to be doing you some good.”
“In all honesty, grandfather, it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” Ryle said.
Marcus looked at him with some surprise. “Are you telling me you’ve discovered your true calling?.”
Ryle grinned. “You’ll like that, wouldn’t you?”
The old man grunted in denial. “You’re a damn good architect; and I know that. It would be a shame if you gave that up.”
“Then it’s a good thing I wouldn’t think of it.” His grandson answered.
“So if this has nothing to do with work, it must be a woman.”
Ryle grinned in answer.
“Who is she?”
“Someone special.”
The old man chuckled. “I gathered that. But when am I going to meet her?” He demanded.
“All in good time, Grandfather.”
“It’s really too bad Jeff couldn’t come to dinner.” Eva Brison said after dinner. “I even made his favorite pie.”
Charlie felt bad about it. She wanted to invite Jeff for dinner, but wasn’t sure if it would be a good idea. She didn’t want him to misconstrue her invitation as something more. But she knew it was time to tell her parents about Jeff. Maybe they even guessed the truth since he had been absent for their Sunday dinners for a few weeks now.
“Mom, about Jeff,”
“Why don’t you bring the pie to him tomorrow?” Eva suggested. “I’m sure he’ll enjoy that.”
“Okay, Mom, I’ll bring the pie to him at work tomorrow.” She agreed. “I do want to tell you…”
Eva sighed as the phone started ringing. “Sorry, darling, can we talk a little later?”
“Sure, Mom.” Charlie sighed inwardly. “I’ll see you later. Thanks for dinner and have a good night.”
“Goodnight, darling.” Eva said as she quickly went to answer the phone.
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