Chapter 11

Ryan

Waking up at home was nice, but something was missing. It was hard to believe Megan had only been in my life for three days, considering how much I’d come to terms with. She’d opened my eyes and my heart in a way no one else had.

I’d only been away from her a night, and yet it felt like much too long. I needed her in my life. I rolled over and grabbed my phone off the bedside table and left her a message to let her know I was thinking about her. I had hoped that her response would come fast, but it was still early. She’d no doubt still be asleep considering what a long trip we’d had.

It had been a whirlwind, and the problems at the Arkansas plant were still bothering me. I could at least rest easy that future plans were in place to rectify the situations and move forward with a better, safer direction. And I knew I needed to do something special for the Ohio team who had worked so hard to keep things working in perfect order. The two plants had been like night and day, but with a little more love and attention, I’d have Arkansas tip top too.

I didn’t get my answer from Megan until I was on the links and her sweet response that she missed me too brought a smile to my face.

“Is that a woman interrupting our game?” Jason had been going on about his weekend hook up for the last twenty minutes had yet to ask me how my time away had gone.

“We haven’t even started yet, and yes, it is.” I sent another in return telling her I was on the course, and that I’d call her after.

“So who is she? Not that girl from Easton, right?”

“She is that girl from Easton. She’s incredible, but you’ll see.”

“You mean you’re already having her around to meet the best friend? Wow, this is serious?”

“You want to know how serious she is. I’m having her around to meet my parents later. But you’ll meet her at the office. I’ve asked her to stay on full-time.” His eyes went wide, and he shook his head, using his nine-iron as a place to rest.

“You’ve got it bad, man.” He shook his head and watched me tee off. My balls sailed through the air and then bounced across the ground. Jason bit his tongue as he watched and then went to make his shot.

His backswing was still a little tight, and he knew it. “My weekend hookup had me a little sore still. How’d you fare? Did she polish your balls for you and stroke your club?” He gestured his hand across the long shaft of his iron.

“She’s not exactly that type of girl.” I contemplated telling Jason about her virginity. He was going to make every joke known to mankind and then I’d have to take it like a man. I wasn’t sure I wanted anyone making issue of it, but then he pressed on.

“What do you mean? They’re all that type if you know how to work them. Don’t tell me you’re slipping.” He gave me a nudge as we went for our next shot.

I’d hoped he’d forget all about it, but after finishing up the hole, he continued. “So, are you going to keep this one’s kinks a secret or something?”

“I’ll tell you, but if you step out of line over it, I’ll pummel you.”

He laughed and held up a hand to vow. “Come on, man. Give me the dirt. We never hold back.”

“She’s a virgin. So it’s not like all that. She’s a good girl.”

He smirked and shook his head. “Is she just saying she is? I can’t tell you how many times I hear that only to be disappointed later.”

“No, she is. And that’s as far as this conversation’s going. You mind your manners.” I hoped my stare was enough to let him know how serious I was. I wasn’t getting into our personal and private with him.

“Damn, she’s special to you. Are you falling in love? You do look a bit relaxed. Maybe she’s good for you.”

“She is amazing and good for me, and yeah, I might be.” I didn’t know why it was hard to admit, but it was almost like if I admitted it then it could all fall to shit. I didn’t want that happening. Besides that, I wanted to know her feelings before I professed anything. I didn’t know how slow she wanted to take things if at all. Now that I would be her employer, I was scared that would be against her ethics.

“So you’re bringing her onto your environmental team? She’ll be the only woman.”

“Actually, she’ll be their lead consultant. I know the boys won’t like it at first, but they’ll learn to love her. Besides, she’ll keep their balls in her grip and keep them in line. That crew down in Arkansas was cringing when she was done. She’s like a little spitfire, total turn on.”

“Yeah, who knew you’d like an assertive woman. You’re too much of an alpha.”

“Yeah, well, you should try it. Her mind is amazing, and even though she’s got a rough shell, she’s got a big heart. She really cares about people and her cause.”

“I can’t wait to meet her, man.” He slapped me on the back, and I continued to gush as we went along with our game.

I spent the rest of the day anticipating the night and finally, the time had come to go pick her up for our dinner date.

When she walked out wearing the sweetest little dress, looking like the perfect picture of innocence, I lost my breath and forgot how to breathe. My cock, however, had not forgotten its use. I folded my hands in front of me to hide my raging erection.

She stopped next to me, and we shared a kiss that had me considering delaying the date for a little pre-dinner dessert. Her scent was intoxicating, her lips sweet, and I couldn’t help but wonder what the rest of her tasted like.

“You look beautiful.” I nuzzled against her cheek a moment.

“Thank you, are sure it’s not too girly? I don’t want to look silly or for your parents to think you’re a cradle robber. If I look too young I —

“You look like a wholesome young woman, not at all like a child, so stop worrying.” I realized how nerve wrecking it must have been for her to be meeting my parents, but I had a feeling once she did, once she saw how down to earth they were, she’d be relieved. “You’ll be fine. My parents are going to love you.”

They would too. My mother was going to be happy I’d brought someone, anyone along other than Jason, and my dad’s opinion really didn’t matter. I’m sure any woman I brought around he’d think David would have done better. And for once, I didn’t care. Like her or not, she was staying around if I had anything to do with it.

She met my eyes. “It’s important to you that they do, and that’s why I wanted to be perfect. Most days I don’t wear dresses.” I was a bit confused considering the way she’d dressed on our trip. She took a deep breath and then gave me a bashful grin. “I have been dressing up for you. I didn’t want to look like a rag next to the man with the ten-grand watch.”

“Actually, this watch is one of David’s. He gave it to me when he got a new one just before he died. So my expensive watch is a hand-me-down.” We shared a laugh as I shrugged and pulled her in for a quick kiss then I looked into her eyes. “I missed you all morning. I’m not sure what to do with that.”

“I can relate.” She closed her eyes as if savoring the moment. I brushed a loose curl away from her face and wondered how I ever got so lucky. All the money I’d gained, all the opportunity that had fallen into my lap, hadn’t been anything compared to meeting her. The rest seemed like circumstance, but Megan, she was fate.

“So how about we just keep doing it until we figure it out?” I held my breath hoping she’d agree and her smile was all I needed.