Rebound (10 page)

“I left the top and doors on because I thought you would prefer the a/c today. It’s going to be a hot one.”

“Yes, sweat doesn’t really go with this dress. But another time for sure,” Katrine promised him.

He opened her door and helped her in, since she had to climb up just a bit. Then he jumped in and they were off.  In the confines of his car she did feel a little bit nervous, but nervous in a good way. Katrine was glad she had decided to keep their date. 

They chose a great little restaurant that served wonderful salads and sandwiches. They sat in the enclosed patio that looked a bit like a green house. The ceiling was translucent so it allowed sunlight to illuminate, but not overheat the space. There were plants and hanging greenery everywhere and there was a fountain in the corner. The tables and chairs were black wrought iron, like patio furniture.

Their conversation was easy and organic. They were both having a wonderful time.

“So, did you have fun last night?” Ian asked.

There must have been a look on her face because he quickly said, “Did I bring up a sore subject?”

She paused for a second, then decided to tell him what happened with David.

“Well I wouldn’t go right to fun. My ex-husband ambushed me with his new fiancée. Who happens to be the woman he left me for.” She tried to keep her tone light, but she didn’t entirely succeed.

“Katrine, I am so sorry. That sounds horrible. He must be a complete idiot to have left you for someone else, or for any reason for that matter. But I have to say I’m glad to be sitting here with you like this. And I guess I have that asshole to thank.”

She smiled. “Ian you are very sweet to say that. I appreciate it.”

“And I meant every word.” 

The look he was giving her was pretty serious. She felt the need to change the subject. Things were getting heavier than she wanted them to be. She was still nursing her emotional hangover from the night before.

“Tell me about your career. Architecture always seemed like such an interesting field to me. Artistry meets mathematics and precision.”

He smiled at her as if he was pleased at her description. That did the trick. He became animated as he spoke about his career. He obviously was very passionate about architecture. And to hear him speak about it was not boring in the least. Plus he had really nice full lips, so that helped too.

They finished lunch and he paid the bill. She did offer to go dutch, but he looked at her like she was crazy. She thought it was always polite to offer, even if she knew the answer would be no. 

“Thank you for lunch, Ian. I had a great time.”

“I’m not ready to take you home. Would it be okay if we extended our date a little bit longer?”  

It was hard to say no to those blue eyes and long lashes.

“Sure, why not. What should we do? Something with air conditioning!” Katrine pleaded.

“Well, if you are interested we could go to the impressionist exhibit at the DMA.” Ian suggested.

“I do love art, but is that what you really want to do?” asked Katrine.

“I’m an architect. Appreciating art kind of goes with the territory. And I just want to spend more time with you. The where is not important. ” 

His honesty was so refreshing—no games, no pretense. He just said what was on his mind and she knew he meant it. It sounded like a perfect way to spend a first date, so she agreed.

They strolled leisurely through the exhibits. They picked out what they liked and disliked, discussing their interpretations of each piece.  At some point, she thought it was somewhere between Renoir and Degas, Ian grasped her hand. His hold on her smaller hand was gentle. She could tell he had a few callouses, probably from sketching, but still his skin was soft. They walked like that for hours, hand in hand, just enjoying each other’s company. Finally they had made their way to the lobby of the museum and it was time to go. 

“I won’t take up any more of your day, even though I would love to make this the longest first date in history.” He grinned.

“I do need to get back. I have some laundry to do and I have to work tomorrow.  I’m sure you do too.” Katrine said.

They chatted on the way to the car and on the drive home. He was so easy to talk to. He would be a great friend to keep around. But did she think of him as a friend or more? She wasn’t sure yet, but he had definite potential. She knew she wasn’t ready for any kind of relationship and she knew she needed to tell him this. She could tell he was interested in more, so when they pulled up to her place she turned to him and started “Look, Ian…”

He interrupted her, “Katrine, I know... You just went through a divorce, one that you are still healing from. I know you need time. But please keep me in mind when you
are
ready. I think we could really have something. Lord knows, and I am sure you do too, that I have had a thing for you for years. Maybe even from the first time I met you. I know I should play it cool, but honestly I’m too old to play games. When I know what I want, I go after it.”

 Wow, was not expecting that…

“Thank you for understanding, Ian. I do appreciate you being so honest. It’s refreshing. And I’m too old for games as well. I think at this stage in our life we should be mature enough to speak our minds. I think you are pretty great yourself, by the way.”

He got out and opened her car door. He was going to walk her up. 

Oh god, he is probably going to kiss me!

She was getting nervous, she hadn’t kissed anyone else but David since college! She was suddenly worrying if she would remember how to do it or how he would kiss. 

Please don’t be a bad kisser, please don’t be a bad kisser…

Yep, he paused at the door and looked down at her with
that
look. The look that said he was going to kiss her. He put a hand on each side of her face and he lowered his mouth down to hers. The kiss was slow...slow and delicious. 

He moved his hands from her face and wrapped his arms around her waist. She put her arms around his neck. The kiss deepened. She could feel her lower body start to warm and tingle. Katrine wasn’t sure how long they had been there, but eventually Ian gently broke the kiss. She was disappointed and she was lonely for his lips when they were no longer pressed against hers. He was right to do so, though. The kiss would have built and then they would have been in trouble. 

It had been a while since she had been touched, since she had been kissed. It felt so nice. She had really missed it. He didn’t pull his face away. His cheek was touching hers. She could tell his breath was coming out in light huffs, like he was composing himself. When he pulled away completely, the heat in his eyes was apparent. 

“That was even better than I knew it would be.” He smiled and gave her a chaste, feather light kiss on the cheek. “Goodbye Katrine, thank you for the wonderful day.”

“Thank you, Ian.” She knew her eyes were looking a little heated too, that was a hell of a kiss.

“I will call you soon, okay?” Ian asked.

“I hope you do.” And then she walked into her building.

That night she could not get comfortable. One leg out and one leg in, on top of the covers, under the covers...hot, cold. What the hell was wrong with her? After about an hour of that nonsense, she finally came to grips with what was bothering her. She was horny, plain and simple. Ian had stirred something inside her that had lay comatose and neglected for a long time. She knew she had to handle this or she would never go to sleep. 

Maddie had ordered her a “present” after their girls night that had remained unopened. Finally, she acquiesced and retrieved it from its hiding place under her sink. 

Oh, it came with batteries. Handy
. 

Ha ha, handy.

She giggled.

Could you be a bigger dork?

 Katrine never really had to “take care” of her own situation before because she never needed to she supposed. She always had a boyfriend or a husband to help her out, so to speak. Katrine took off her shorts and underwear and climbed back into her bed. She took a deep breath, trying not to feel embarrassed and prudish about what she was about to do. She was a grown woman, right? She had needs, right? Feeling more confident, she got the thing going. The sound made her giggle a little. 

“Oh for Christ’s sake Katrine, grow up!”

The instant the vibration hit where it was supposed to, the giggling stopped. 

She closed her eyes and immersed herself in the sensation.  

Wow, that feels really, really good. 

Her legs fell open. She gently cupped her breast with her free hand and lightly twisted her nipple. Not much time had passed when the pressure started to build and a soft moan spilled from her lips. She knew that it would not be much longer now....

As she started to climax, the person she thought of surprised her, so much so she almost lost her orgasm. She refocused and gave into it. That wonderful sensation took over.  Her body shuttered gently and she let out a breathy, “Ahhhhhhhhhh”. 

She was a bit astonished. One, that it had felt so nice. And two, that the man she thought of was not Ian. 

  Chapter 13

The next morning she got ready in a complete daze. The events of the last couple of days had taken their toll. Her mind was full of confusion, hurt, regret, happiness and a whole other slew of emotions. She needed to get a grip and fast. She had a busy day ahead of her and she couldn’t afford to slack for one moment. She had put herself on the radar, so now she would have to be on point. She pulled into her parking spot. 

Of all the days for him to beat me into the office. Am I late?

No, she had ten minutes to spare. How was she going to play this one? The events of Saturday night had shifted the previous dynamics of their relationship. And to add insult to awkward, there was last night.  

Oh thanks Maddie, you and your stupid vibrator!!!!!

She figured it was the same as when you had an erotic dream about someone and then you see them in person shortly after. You either say, “Oh you were in a dream I had”, and play it off,  or you go the opposite way and act stiff and strange, overcompensating for your embarrassment. Or the third option— act like it never happened.

Third sounds good. Yup, just play it cool. Nothing has changed. He helped you on Saturday night and that was why your subconscious pulled him out of your male database. 

Ha ha. I have a spank bank now.

But maybe, just maybe, her body knew something her head had not yet become privy to? 

She would have to wait and see how she felt around him. And there was the distinct possibility that he would be cold and rude like he usually was towards her.  Well, she would soon find out because the elevator door had just opened to reveal the fifteenth floor...

Katrine quietly opened the door and sat down at her desk, making the least amount of sound possible. She was acting childish and she knew it, but she was feeling really nervous.

She decided to just suck it up and go into his office. She willed her legs to rise and carry her to the door of his office, which was open. She knocked on the door frame to let him know she was there.

He looked up at her and a smile started to spread across his face. She let out a relieved breath.

So he hadn’t reverted back to admiral a-hole.

Ha, good one... 

“Good morning, Katrine.”

“Oh good, we’re going to stay on a first name basis. I was a little worried you were going to get amnesia.”

He chuckled, “No, I meant it. And I am sorry I’ve been so unpleasant. Honestly it was getting harder and harder to keep it up.”

“Well, I’m glad to hear it. I think being kind is always easiest and it takes less energy. Maybe we could even be friends since you don’t know anyone here,” she added a little shyly. 

God he was handsome! Now that he was being nice, she could really appreciate the view.

“Huh… friends…” He had a strange look on his face like he was considering either the proposal or his next words very carefully. She didn’t give him a chance to speak. She didn’t want him to embarrass her by refusing her offer of friendship. She wasn’t sure if that was considered crossing the line in his book.

“Or not, no pressure. I am just glad we can move forward on a congenial front.” She plowed ahead. “So why don’t we go over your schedule for today, Mr. Abbot.”

He shot her a look.

“Sorry, sorry. It may take me a bit to get used to calling you by your first name. Do you have anything to add or change to the schedule, Xander?” 

She said his name too softly and she was trying not to look into his eyes. 

It felt strange and too informal. Would it ruin everything if she asked if she could call him Mr. Abbot again? She thought that would not go over well, so she was determined to get over it. He returned her gaze and then seemed to snap himself back into reality. 

“First, I have something for you. Well, not for you really. It’s just a little something to say thank you, for the save last week.” He put the something down in front of her.

Her eyebrows furrowed as she examined the ball in her hand. She rolled in around and found a signature.

“Oh my god! This is signed by Derek Jeter. Teddy is going to freak out!” She looked up at him in disbelief. 

“How did you know?”

“The day you came in for your interview, you mentioned your son was a Yankees fan. I was listening, despite appearances. My company has box seats, so I made some calls.” He grinned a lopsided grin. She could see a dimple that she had not noticed before.

“Oh,” was all she could come up with. 

It was so thoughtful of him to remember, and for a moment she was speechless. She was extremely touched as well. Do something nice for her, great. But doing something for her Teddy…Well that was another thing entirely.

Finally she said, “Thank you, so much. I will surprise him with it when he gets home. He will absolutely love it.”