Love's Second Chance (Second Chances Series) (9 page)

Shaking my head, I replied, “No, not yet. I don’t want to push her or make her feel pressured. I sort of tried once before and failed.”

“I understand that. Maybe you tried too soon.” She sighed. “Does she not realize how amazing she is? We have clients every day wanting her to decorate their homes. She would be an amazing asset to the company.”

“She would be worth more than just a mere asset, a whole lot more. I’ll talk to her this weekend about it.”

Rebecca smiled while chewing on her pen. “Something tells me she’ll accept. She may be hurting, but I think she is stronger than you think.” Rebecca gathered the blueprints of our future projects and left my office. Soon, I was going to offer Korinne the one wish she’d wanted since she started her career. I just hoped she would accept it.

The phone rang before I even got out of my car. When I saw who the caller was, I couldn’t stop the smile that took over my face. “I thought I was going to call you,” I said into the phone.

Korinne laughed. “You did, but I had to ask you something. Or better yet, I had to
tell
you something because I’m not going to take no for an answer.”

“Ah, I like this side of you. Tell away then,” I teased, curious to know what she was up to.

Korinne shrieked excitedly, “We have plans this weekend just me and you!”

Her excitement had me smiling from ear to ear. “Do we now? What plans might that be?”

“I’m surprising
you
this time! Pack a bag, because we’re going out of town for the weekend. I’ll pick you up tomorrow after you get off of work.”

“I’ll be waiting,” I murmured.

“Great! I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said excitedly before hanging up the phone.

Now that was the Korinne I knew peeking out of her shell. She sounded like the happy and care-free girl from the past, but somehow I couldn’t help but be wary. Was she really happy or was it a front? Maybe things would turn around for us after the weekend. Spending more time together alone would surely help. Getting away with her was going to be something we both needed, and now all I had to do was wait for that time to come. Of course, the time wasn’t going to move fast enough for me.

Chapter Nine

By four in the afternoon my bags were packed and loaded in the car, and I was just waiting for the text from Galen saying he was ready to go. I’d been waiting on him to mention it was his birthday this weekend, but he hadn’t yet. Taking him away was my gift to him, along with something a little more intimate I planned on giving him.

Galen was my first real love. He made me feel special and understood, and never once had pressured me or belittled me in any way. He was always supportive and full of life. There was never a dull moment when he was around. When my phone rang a few seconds later, excitement bubbled in my chest, but when I reached for my phone I saw that it was my mother. She was probably going to scold me because I hadn’t called her in a while.

“Hi Mom!” I answered cheerfully, hoping it would smooth the situation.

“Why haven’t you called me?” my mother chided me. I silently groaned, knowing she would sound like that. She had always been adamant about me calling every single day to check in with her.

“I’m so sorry, Mom, but I’ve been a little … busy lately.”

“Uh-huh, how so?” Her tone sounded annoyed and disbelieving.

Excitedly, I said, “Well, for starters I actually decorated a house the other day.”

My mother gasped. “Oh, Korinne! That’s wonderful news. I’m so proud of you!” Hearing her encouraging words, I smiled. I knew she was worried about me, and at least hopefully that news would stop her nagging. “So does this mean you’ll be working again?” she asked, sounding hopeful.

“I think so … I really think so.” My mom squealed and yelled the good news to my dad, who was probably shaking his head, with his hands over his ears the whole time. “That’s not all, Mom!” I chuckled.

“What?! What else could you tell me that’ll make me happier?”

I took a deep breath before telling her the other good news. “I’m seeing someone,” I choked out quickly. I held the phone away from my ear when she cackled again, only louder that time.

“Who is he and when can we meet him?” she pleaded.

“His name is Galen, and I don’t know if I’m ready for that step yet.”

“Galen?” my mother repeated. “Hmm … why do I recognize that name?”

I laughed. “It’s because I’d dated him before … in college. You probably remember me saying his name.”

“I think you might be right. I’m starting to think
fate
has taken a turn here,” she said emphasizing the ‘fate’ part. “Wasn’t he the one you were so heartbroken over when you transferred colleges?”

“Yes, that’s him,” I answered softly.

“Well it looks like you two get a second chance. Maybe it was meant for you two to find each other again. I’m so glad you told me, sweetheart. I’ll be able to rest better at night knowing that you’re happy. I was really worried about you.”

“I know, but things are getting better,” I admitted whole-heartedly. My phone buzzed in my ear, and when I looked at the screen I saw it was a text from Galen. My heart fluttered at the sight of his name, and I couldn’t stop the wide grin from spreading across my face even if I wanted to. “Mom, I’ve got to go. Galen’s calling,” I said happily.

“Well, go then. I love you and stay safe, sweetheart.”

“I love you too, Mom.” Hanging up the call, I fumbled with the keys to get to my text from Galen.

Galen:
Home early. I’ll be ready in 15.

Me:
Great! I’ll be on my way.

Galen:
Can’t wait.

Me:
:)

Stopping the excitement from bubbling over was impossible. On the way to his house I couldn’t stop smiling; my cheeks were going to be aching by the time I saw him. He brought his bags outside when I pulled up in the driveway. Hitting the button for the trunk to open, I waited in the car while Galen loaded in his bags. He slid into the front seat and it wasn’t long before his intoxicating scent filled up the car. It was to the point that if I had my way I would’ve climbed on top of him then and there. I was sure his neighbors would have gotten a kick out of that. Galen smiled and leaned over to kiss me, just a simple brush of his lips.

“I’ve missed you this week,” he said, grinning.

“It’s only been a few days. You’re too busy to miss me,” I joked.

“Hmm … if that’s what you want to believe. So, where are we going?” he asked.

“I’m not going to tell you,” I teased in a sing-song voice. “You’ll have fun though, I promise.”

“Oh, I know I will,” he said huskily. I glanced at him from the corner of my eye and I could see him biting his lip when he stared at me. Why did he have to be so enticing? Being sexually frustrated was not easy when you had a two hour drive ahead of you. Especially if you’re stuck in the car with a man who could pass for a Greek god, who was staring at you like he wanted to devour you. “How long will it take to get there?” he asked.

“It’ll take two hours. Why?” I replied skeptically.

He smirked, letting that dimple on his left cheek tease me. “No reason really, other than knowing how long I have to torture you.” Visibly tensing, I gripped the steering wheel with all my might. My heart was in overdrive and my nerves were fluttering like crazy. Looking at his expression, I could tell his idea of torture was not simple road games.

“What do you mean by torture me exactly?”

“You’ll see,” he said while pointing at the road. “You just concentrate on the road and we’ll be fine.” Squirming in my seat, I tried hard to focus on the road.
I’m in a shit ton of trouble
, I thought.

We had one hour left until we were going to reach our destination, and I had the strangest feeling that the torturing was about to begin. Once the sky got darker, I knew Galen was going to pounce. When he unclasped his seatbelt I knew I had been right. He moved over slowly and lightly pressed his warm, soft lips to the base of my neck, trailing them down to my collarbone. Placing his hand on my thigh, he began the slow, torturous path up to the part of me that demanded his touch. The heat from his hands seeped into my body, making me hot from the inside out.

“What are you doing?” I asked, releasing a shaky breath.

He replied huskily, “Torturing you.”

I groaned as he lifted my shirt and gently bit a nipple through my bra. Growing wet at his touch, I sighed with a need so great it felt as if I’d explode. Galen pulled my bra up over my breast and latched onto my nipple, sucking greedily. His hand delved deep inside my underwear to my core and explored every inch of me. That brand of torture was something I knew I was going to love. Galen pushed his fingers inside, entering me fully as far as he could go, and moved at a rapid pace while still suckling my breast. The tingling of the orgasm grew and grew until soon I knew I couldn’t hold it off any longer. Breathing heavily, I tried desperately to concentrate on the road, but Galen’s warm strokes were driving me to the brink of elation.

“You’re getting tighter, Korinne. Let it go, baby,” Galen demanded. His warm breath against my exposed breasts had me moaning as the orgasm took me to a whole new level. He continued to stroke and penetrated me deeply until the ripples of the climax slowly ebbed off. I was left relaxed, out of breath, and fully satiated … or at least for that time being.

I sighed heavily. “You better be glad I didn’t wreck.”

Galen just laughed. “I wouldn’t have let that happen, and besides, you were in complete control.” Looking at his triumphant smile, I couldn’t get over how sexy he looked right then. I also couldn’t get over the bulge in his pants, straining to be released.

“Undo your pants,” I said firmly. His devilish grin grew wider when he realized I was being serious.

“Am I sensing payback?” he teased.

“You know it.”

The gleam in his eye grew brighter as he slowly unbuttoned his pants, releasing his thick, hard shaft. My eyes went wide at the sight of him. Now that he was fully erect and ready, he was larger than I remembered. If I wasn’t driving I’d be exploring him with my tongue, but given the circumstances I could only use what I had. Wrapping my hand firmly around his shaft, I began massaging him up and down. Slowly at first, so I could watch him squirm, but then I picked up the pace, loving the way his eyes rolled back in his head, enjoying
my
brand of torture. He sighed and let his head fall back against the head rest. Moving his hips with my strokes, I could feel his cock getting harder and pulsating beneath my fingers, letting me know that he wasn’t far from losing control.

“It’s been so long. Please … go faster,” he pleaded. I moved my hands faster and his groans grew deeper. “Oh, fuck Korinne! This feels … so … damn … good,” Galen ground out through gritted teeth. When the pulsing got stronger I could tell he was about to come. I stroked him harder and faster, until after a few more strokes he finally let go. Galen jerked with blissful spasms a couple of times before relaxing slowly in the seat and releasing a sigh of relief. Opening the center console, I handed him a box of tissues I left stored there. He took them with a smile and cleaned himself off.

Galen gazed at me with hooded eyes and they also showed me the promise of things to come. “That felt good, but I would have given anything to be inside you,” he claimed.

“Oh, that was just the foreplay,” I teased.

He smiled. “Well, then I can’t wait to see what the finale is going to be like.” I winked at him, but I didn’t elaborate on what I had planned for the night. The winding roads of the North Carolina Mountains were kind of scary at night, but thankfully we didn’t have too much farther to go before we reached the cabin I was taking him to.

After travelling down several gravel and deserted looking roads, we reached our destination. The lovely three bedroom cabin sat atop a hill, which would have the best view once the sun rose in the morning. I looked online for the perfect place, and once I saw that cabin I knew I had to get it. “What do you think?” I asked, turning to Galen.