“I think it’s for the girl,” she says knowingly.
“The girl's name is Lauren,” I correct her.
“I think it’s time that we meet Lauren,” she says with a wide smile.
“Okay,” I say simply grabbing my jacket preparing for the jacked up Chicago weather that’s going to greet me downstairs. Her eyebrows raise.
“That’s it. It’s that simple?” she asks surprised.
“She’s been asking questions about meeting my family and, well, you know that wouldn’t exactly work out,” I say sarcastically.
“I’m shocked. You really care about her?” she says, way too excited. She even comes from behind her big intimidating desk and swats me on the chest. I shrug her off but I can’t help but smile. It feels good for it to be out there. That it’s been said.
“Have you told her about…”
“No and I expect it not to come up in conversation,” I warn her.
“Of course. I would never—I have an oath that I’m bound by,” she says gesturing to her wall of a thousand degrees.
“I will be Dexter’s beautiful brilliant wife, and your friend only,” she says happily.
“And make sure Dex doesn’t make any snide comments, I’d hate to kick his ass in his own house.”
“I will handle Dexter. I will have Luc come and make a fantastic dinner; we will tell her how great you are.”
“Well, I’ll see you. Email me the details,” I say heading out the door.
“Cal,” she calls. I knew that was too easy.
“If you really care about her. You should tell her or at least start to prepare her. It’s not fair for her to not know,” she says solemnly. I pull out the little bottle of pills she gave me earlier.
“If you’re as good as you say you are. Soon there won’t be anything for her to know.”
*
I want to get Helen’s words out of my head. I’m not afraid of much, but the thought of Lauren finding out about me, of her looking at me differently scares the shit out of me. I can hear music playing before I open the door.
She stayed.
I’ve been trying to get her to stay at my house when I go on trips for the past few months but she always puts up a fight, she’s stubborn as hell. I didn’t take her for that when I first met her. The only time she really gives in is when I’m inside her, and I can’t complain about that.
“You’re home early,” she squeals from over the railing upstairs. Her smile is always contagious. She bounces down the stairs, wearing a tight t-shirt squeezing her apple sized breasts and tiny shorts that she won’t have on much longer. She jumps in my arms.
“Ugh, you're cold!” she laughs trying to get away but I hold her close to me.
“I’m about to warm you up,” I tell her, my hand slipping underneath her shirt.
“Your hands aren’t,” she purrs, kissing me lightly. Just a taste, a tease, she’s about to give way more than that.
“You’re just in time to watch The Notebook,” she says excitedly attempting to get out of my grasp.
“The Notebook…” I groan.
Hell no.
“And there’s popcorn,” she giggles, gesturing to it.
Ugh. I want to say no then she gives me her sexy ass little pout face. I roll my eyes.
“Okay,” I give in.
“Yay!” she claps her hands and then helps me take off my coat and puts it in the closet. I flop on my couch and a second later she scooches in front of me.
"You used my shampoo."
“You know, I like smelling like you,” she admits with a chuckle.
“Was it terrible being here?”
“Absolutely, it’s too big, too luxurious and is not up to my standards at all,” she says sarcastically.
“My friend Dex. The one I told you about. Him and Helen invited us to dinner,” I say casually.
“You want me to?” she asks, her tone almost surprised.
“Only if you want to go.”
“I do,” she says quickly.
“Good.” A few minutes pass as I try to think of the most discreet way to get her out of these shorts. If her butt didn’t look so good in them, I’d beg her to only wear skirts and dresses.
“I was starting to think you were ashamed of me or something,” she says playfully, but there’s a hint of truth behind her voice. I turn her towards me.
“I’d have to be a fucking lunatic to be ashamed of you,” I tell her and she smiles, the same smile that got me here instead of watching the game, watching The Notebook. She kisses me, it’s innocent, but enough of an opening for me to pull her lips into mine, her mouth opens partially and I coax out her tongue and squeeze her ass. It drives her crazy and the little sounds she makes trying to hide the fact make me insane.