Chapter 7: Grant
Looking into the eyes of this beautiful woman beside me, I couldn’t help but think about having her six ways to Sunday. The young girl I remembered from our trip to the island, the one who had glanced up at me with her wide, innocent, and frightened eyes, had grown into a knock out.
“So how do you like the place, Katherine?” I had chosen to use her full name deliberately and I felt like such a bastard doing it. I wanted to see her as more than a woman my daughter’s age and seeing the way she carried herself, with that mature posture and stare, the way she lifted her chin almost defiantly as he answered my questions as if to let me know she wasn’t at all intimidated about what she saw.
“I love it. The neighbors are especially nice.” We shared a laugh, but she met my eyes directly and tugged at her blouse. My cock responded as the blood flowed to it. Bad idea big guy.
“Well, she did have the best realtor in the whole entire world.” Halle lifted her chin with confidence and grabbed my hand. “Well, the second-best.” She leaned over and gave me a kiss that brought me back down to earth. This was her best friend and I had to stick to my rules, especially where Katie was concerned. The childish version of her name didn’t suit her a bit.
“So tell me a bit about what you do? Halle says you’ll be working from home as a therapist.” I suddenly had a thought, but no, Halle wouldn’t set me up with someone so personal. If anything, she’d use the connection to find me someone else more suitable.
“Yes, there was some issues at my old location, but so far it’s working out. Of course, it’s only been a day, so maybe I’m being optimistic.” She laughed again and the sound was soft and seductive giving my balls the one-two punch again. Down boy.
Halle’s phone rang and I glanced at her waiting for her to turn it off. We had a rule about cellphones at dinner, but she gave me a pleading a look and I nodded.
“I’ll just be a moment, I need to take this.” She excused herself and hurried into the other room.
Katherine glanced around the large room. “You have a beautiful home. I can’t believe I’ve never been here before.”
“I only bought the place a year before my wife passed. We spent the last days of her life here, and though it was supposed to be nothing more than a sick house, I’ve decided to stay. It’s everything I need.”
Her face fell. “I’m sorry. I know that was a hard time. She was an amazing woman.”
“Yes, I suppose you knew her a tad better than you knew me?”
She nodded. “Yes, she used to come by the apartment when we were in college and get onto us for living in such a pig sty because we hadn’t caught up our laundry or made our beds.”
She smiled fondly and before the mood got too dampened by talk of my late wife, dinner was served and Halle joined us.
After we finished dinner Halle asked if we could have our drinks out on the veranda, and even though I saw Katherine’s cheeks redden, she agreed it was a good idea.
I followed them out and Halle pulled out a chair and took a seat at the table, while I chose to hover with our guest. She met my eyes and lifted her chin. Then she took the glass of wine to her lips and took a sip. She motioned to the window and my heart stopped for a moment until she spoke. “Did Halle mention to you that I’d like to do some planting between our houses?”
“No, she didn’t.” I glanced to my daughter who sipped from her own glass before giving me an apologetic look.
“I meant to mention it. I think it would add value to both your properties and give a tad more privacy.” I wondered what brought the conversation on and if maybe Katie had told my daughter what she saw.
“I think it would help cut down the noise level as well.” Katherine’s eyes burned on mine and I couldn’t believe how bold she could be.
“Has Daddy been noisy? Please tell me you’re not playing that awful music again.” My daughter hated my taste in music and had walked in on me once blaring it so loud it shook the chandelier in the front room.
“Oh, no. It’s nothing like that. I only wanted to make sure that I’m not a bother to him.” She met my eyes and smiled and I realized she hadn’t told my daughter anything. I wondered what was going on in her head and stepped up to the table where I’d stood on that night and when I met her eyes again she was tugging at her blouse again and fidgeting with her hair.
“Well, if you ever have a problem, feel welcome to come on over and tell me about it. I’m always here when you need me.” I rocked forward on my feet and back and her mouth fell open as she looked away. What the hell was I doing? I couldn’t help myself and I couldn’t take my eyes off her.
Halle’s phone went off again and this time she jumped up and ran in the house like her ass was on fire. I turned to her friend. “Do you know what’s gotten into her this evening? Is she seeing someone?”
Katherine shook her head. “I haven’t the slightest. I don’t really get too involved with my friend’s personal relationships.”
“Well, you certainly seem mature for your years. I’ve never met anyone my daughter’s age that had your poise.”
“She’s hardly a child, Mr. Roberts and I’m not exactly her age.” She took another sip of her wine.
“Call me Grant if you like. I mean, we are both adults.”
“Certainly, Grant.” My name was uttered like a purr from her lips and I found myself wanting to hear it at the top of her lungs, preferably while I bent her over the table in front of us.
“How old are you?” I had to know and hoped like hell she wasn’t going to have me wanting to break two of my rules.
She smiled and then pulled her lips in tight before answering. “I’m two years older than your daughter. I started college the same year because I had to wait until my inheritance came through to go to a better college. Halle never minded that I was a bit older.”
“Two years older isn’t that much.” I had hoped she was at least five away from Halle. Then I wouldn’t feel like such a letch for imagining her naked beneath me. The blood flowed again and this time it hardened my length considerably. I adjusted and kept close to the table. She didn’t seem to notice it punching at my pants.
“I’ve always been the more mature between us.” She lifted her shoulder and cut me a sideways glance.
“I can see that. You’ve definitely grown into quite the woman. I bet your making some young man quite happy.” It was a dirty suggestion, but I needed to find out if she was in a relationship.
“I’m not seeing anyone. My last relationship ended over a year ago.” She met my eyes directly again and I couldn’t help but wonder if that was part of her line of work, to look people in the eye. My ego wanted me to believe she wanted me as much as I wanted her, but that was a ridiculous thought. What would she want with me when she could land any man she’d want?
“Well, if you ever want any company come on over.” Her eyes widened and she giggled as the blush hit her cheeks and I found myself clarifying. “You know, to visit. Hang out. Maybe watch a movie? I have a home theater.”
“Oh of course.” She nodded like she hadn’t made any assumptions but the two of us shared another laugh as Halle entered the room.
“I’m afraid I have to go, Daddy.” She turned to Katherine and apologized. “I’m so sorry I have to bail. But it’s a personal issue. One of my friends is having a meltdown and she needs me.” She kissed us both and hurried out leaving us alone.
“So you started college late? You sure crammed in studies to be in your field.” She glanced up at the sky and then toward her window and back.
“Actually I started college at eighteen, but changed schools when I moved in with your daughter. I haven’t been in practice but for a year now. I finished up my internship with the office I recently left and they offered me a job.” She seemed so confident, nothing like the young girl that had refused to go on the zip line. I wondered if she remembered that, but she yawned before I could bring it up.
“I’m sorry. It’s been a long first day at work. Whoever said working from home was easy, was a liar.”
“I think that depends on the job.” We shared a laugh and then much too soon she thanked me for a lovely dinner and excused herself out the side gate and crossed the small distance to her own house. And I finished my wine as I watched her walk away.