Short Stories - Romance

#9 - AWOL

I should have kissed her! The decision would have probably damned everything to hell, but at least I wouldn’t be here regretting a damn fine opportunity to get a taste of her. Something that had kept me awake for more nights than anything. As if that had press of her cleavage on my chest had not been enough.

"Easton!" Owen's noisy entrance in my house was nothing strange and as he strode into my office I braced for whatever had gotten him sounding so curious. "Imagine my surprise when Maddy told me that you haven't been in for work in over a week!" A week that I had been thoroughly distracted by my son's nanny. The one person who’d had me barely holding on to the shreds of my control. “Woah! Should I be staging an intervention?" My best friend’s eyes darted between me and the half empty bottle in front of me that was not doing a damn thing of what I had intended it for. "Isn't it too early for that?"

"For who exactly?" I poured one more glass and downed it before looking back at my interrogator.

Owen, his eyes now shining with a familiar glint, pulled up a chair and sat facing me. "Something's up." He noted with excitement. “Something's bothering you...Or rather someone. It’s the only reason you’d go AWOL without Maddy knowing why. Spill.”

“You gossip like a girl.” I scoffed, not particularly interested in indulging my best friend on the real reason I was behaving so out of character. Jesus! I was like a lovesick puppy.

“Oh, for this, you can call me anything you like. Now spill, brother.”

“That is not why I called you here.” I scowled, but I seemed to have forgotten who I was talking to.

“I’m perfectly capable of multi tasking.” Owen laid an envelope that probably contained what I had asked for on my office table, but as I was about to take it, he held on, a mischievious smile on his lips. “Should we even be considering such a type of a contract? I mean if you are into–”

"Don't say it, damn it!" I glared as if that would change how I felt.

"Oh man!" Owen threw his head back, his tone full of realization. “But this is good.”

"No it's not"

"Why the hell not? You are single. I’m assuming she is too or you wouldn’t have looked twice.”

The truth was, with Linda, I wasn’t so sure I wouldn’t have. Looked twice, I mean. From the moment she’d invited herself in my umbrella, it was oh so clear she wasn’t like the others. Those vultures who’d sought to prey on my grief to gain access to my wealth. At first I had thought that was the reason for the appeal, but the more I woke to her presence each morning, to the sound of her voice while she bantered with Liam, something had more than warmed in my heart. Then there was that one time, when I had almost crumbled thinking something had happened to Liam, the look she had given me…If ever looks had a power to comfort, that would have been it. No one had ever made me feel so much with a simple look and yet not make me feel helpless. For that one fleeting moment she'd said more to me than the entire world had after the loss of my wife.

And then there was her. Sensuous curves in all the right places. Luscious volumes of hair I'd been itching to touch. Tempting lips I could swear kept calling out to me, whispering for me to conquer them with my own. God! She’d crawled so far under my skin it was beginning to hurt, hence the drinking so early.

"Because she might not feel the same way." I grouched. The air between us was practically sizzling whenever we were in the same room. I had caught her stealing glances at me more times than I could count, but I couldn't be sure. "Wouldn't want to spoil this for Liam, either." The kid had been on cloud nine since Linda and he was the only reason I had not taken the plunge and kissed those lips. Why I had not let her know that I had been watching her watch me that night she’d walked in on me swimming. Why I was desperately holding on to my sanity and control even though everything was driving me insane. She was driving me insane.

“Besides there may be a guy. This ‘Chad’ she mentioned one time while she slept.” I poured another glass solely for the purpose of washing down the bitter taste of that name on my tongue.

“I must say I never thought a day would come when I’d see jealousy on you again." Owen grinned and I would have bitten his head off for that statement, but I had more serious concerns.

“Aren’t you going to stop me? Tell me how insane I am being? I mean, its only been a week–”

“Are you kidding me?” Owen eyed me incredulously. “I have literally been waiting…praying– okay not in the essense of the word– I mean if she rocks your boat, man, then why the hell not? And just so you know, I don't think the kid will mind.”

“It’s one thing to warm up to Linda, but to replace his mother?”

“Woah...replace? I– that serious?” Owen finally gave me the concerned look I had been expecting.

“Insane right?” I couldn’t bring myself to deny any of it. I could see Linda here for longer than the month I'd proposed and not just as Liam’s nanny.

“Or maybe it’s finally time.”

“Time for what?” I frowned.

“You’ve hated me saying it after Meg’s– well you know–” Owen paused, his gaze studying me and probably giving a moment to catch up to what he was trying to say. “But maybe this is the last time I’m saying that you have to move on.”

The weight of my best friend’s words hit home like a tidal wave. But there was no pain, the claws of which had been why I had hated anyone suggesting anything remotely close to me moving on after the tragedy that had taken the love of my life. “I’m going to have to cancel this meeting,” I said, getting up quickly from my seat and heading towards the door.

“I guess I’ll be holding on to these then?” Owen waved the envelope containing the revised contract papers I’d had done." She'd gone past a day and a week and I had been planning on negotiating for a full contract, but now…

"May be you should." I grinned before exiting my office and the mansion, barely keeping myself from bumping into a shocked Hannah.

"Where to sir?"

"Not today, Marshall." I walked passed Craig’s replacement and into the garage.

"You are taking your bike, Sir?" He was obviously surprised. Just as I was at my split second decision.

"Yes, it's been a while." I caressed my machine, thinking of the last time I had been on it. Surprisingly, there was no pain there either. No blame. I didn't need to be told twice.

“Mr. Easton, It's so good to see you!” I was greeted by the school’s principal the moment I stepped into the building. The ride to my son’s school had gone by like a blur, with my mind debating on how the hell I was going to say what needed to be said. “Football practice is already in session, which I’m assuming you are here for?”

“Yes, thank you.” I watched as parents to the elite kids of the school were ushered to the more private areas we’d usually watch the kids from.

“Shall I usher you to your usual spot?”

“Actually, I was looking for Liam’s nanny.” I had a feeling Linda may have opted for the more open spaces away from the perfect soccer mums our usual space tended to house. “I mean, I can watch from wherever she is. No need for Liam to look for us both when he’s done.”

“Oh, you mean Linda? Pretty little thing. And friendly too. If you ask me she's perfect for Liam. Haven't seen the boy talk and smile so much in so long. Right this way, please.” Hearing the older woman talk like that about my son, without the usual tone of pity, only added to the reasons I was here.

“Go. Go Liam!” Linda was cheering like a mad man or woman. A very beautiful woman! She was dressed simply in a pair of jeans and Tee, but the package–

“I’ll take it from here.” I stepped away from my company, wanting to savor the view of her without interruptions. Linda was still unaware of my presence as I approached and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Seeing her so carefree–

“Yes!!!!” I was a step away from her when someone scored and going by her reaction it was either Liam or his team. “Yeah! Did you see that!” I was caught off guard when she flew into my arms, screaming and jumping like crazy, but I was not complaining. She felt just as amazing as I’d imagined. "Freaking awes– Oh– Ethan?" Her cheeks pinked when she realized it was me. I would have been annoyed that she would jump on a stranger like that, but I was just happy that it happened to be me. She tucked away a few stray locks of hair and it took everything in me not to reach out and do it for her. "You came?" Was that happiness at my presence? With what I had to say, I sure hoped it was.

“So I did. Perfect timing too?” I said waving at my son who was being cheered on by his friends while I gave Linda a moment to recover from the shock of seeing me here.

“Uh…yeah. The kid just scored.” Seeing her take her seat, I followed suit.

"Go out with me." The words tumbled out of my mouth the moment I sat beside her. I’d intended to wait for the perfect moment, but I couldn’t risk chickening out or giving a chance to the guy I’d noticed checking her out from the end of the seats.

"What?" Her eyes went everywhere, but me. People were probably watching, but I didn't care.

"Go out with me, Linda. Today, now–"

"Now?" She whisper yelled, leaning into me. I welcomed the close proximity until she frowned. "Have you been drinking?"

"Yes." There was no use denying it. "But I promise, I'm not drunk. I'm in total control of my senses and I know and mean exactly what I’m saying.” Her eyes went wide as saucers.

“This is sudden.” She whispered, eyes wider than ever. “I mean– you are my boss and– God! I can’t– you can’t be serious?”

“I am.” I cut off her mumbling and pinned her with a steady gaze. She wasn’t exactly saying no.

“But Liam–”

“Is not invited on our date.” Her lips twitched at that.

“I–”

“Ethan! What a pleasant surprise!”

“Claire.” I couldn’t help the flatness of my tone at the crappy timing my late wife’s best friend seemed to have.