Love In The City

Morning After In The City

     I woke up around six int he morning to the sound of the shower running. As I waited for Raul to finish, I thought of the night before. Raul spent the night at my house! After the movie was over, we ended up having s*x until we fell asleep.

It’s great having him here, but it made it more confusing.

“You’re awake,” Raul came out with one of my towels wrapped around his body. Little droplets of water glistened on his hard chest, and I looked away. I’m a bit sore in more than just my foot. s*x is out of the question right now, “Let me rub some Icy hot on your foot,”

“I want to take a shower first,” I said.

“You should have taken one with me,” he winked.

“Darn, too late now,” I snapped my fingers.

He dropped the towel to the ground, his full body now on display, “I can always get back in,”

I have no idea how to tell him that if we had s*x again, I don’t think I could walk, “Maybe later, my foot is throbbing,” It’s not a lie either.

“You need a hot bath. I’ll run you a hot bath and grab some Ibuprofen for the foot,” he wrapped the towel back around him.

As he walked out my bedroom door, I sighed in relief. His appetite is ferocious. Thankfully, I only had to deal with him in my house today. We will go over the Krieger file, and he will go home.

He returned and handed me the cold water and two ibuprofen before heading to the bathroom to start the water. I’m pretty sure this broke every rule in his playboy rule book, but I’m not going to call it to his attention.

“I’ll use the crutches to get to the bathroom,” I told him.

“Great! I’m going to swing by the office and get the files. I’ll be back in a few hours. Make sure you put Icy hot on when you’re done,” he raised his eyebrows at me, his head titled sideways.

“Yes, father,” I joked.

“I’ll be back in a few hours or so," with that, he turned and walked out the door. He didn’t even kiss me goodbye, but what did I really expect from a playboy.

“So let me get this straight. The two of you agreed just to have s*x?” Melly tucked her feet under her on the couch as she questioned me.

She returned home to get changed for work and hammered with questions as soon as I hobbled into the living room.

“Yes, is that so hard to believe? People do it all the time,” I shrugged.

“People do it, Gabby, not you. You were dreaming of your wedding colors from the time we were little girls,” she said.

Okay, she may be right, but times change, “That was then, and this is now,”

“You’re just going to get hurt, and what about diseases? You don’t even know how many women he’s slept with,” Melly raised her voice slightly.

“We use protection,” I told her.

“I think you’re still hurt over Carlos and selling yourself short,” she said.

“What’s Carlos got to do with this?” I demanded.

“You guys were together over a year. For f**k’s sake, Gabby, you told me you thought he was the one,” Melly ran her fingers through her curly hair in annoyance.

“You see where that got me? Maybe a no strings attached relationship is better for me. This way, I have no expectations,” I straightened up the papers on the table to make room for when Raul came with the files.

Melly stood up from the couch and picked up her purse, “Just promise me you will keep your options open. I got to get to work,”

“I’ll deal with that when it gets here,” I stood up and hugged her, “Thank you for having me, and I’m sorry if I complicated your life more,”

“You didn’t complicate my life. I love having you here with me, and no man will change that,”

Melly left, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I know deep down I’m eager to get over Carlos. Maybe she’s right, but I’m enjoying myself right now. Raul is distracting me from the feelings that bubble inside of me.

“So, you want the Kriegars to keep their business?” I asked Raul.

We have been going over the files for the last few hours as he filled me in on the Resort project and what he needed me to do.

“I know how odd it sounds, considering I stand to lose this way but their old family friends. You will need to write down all observations. This will be from the Kriegars, employees, potential issues, etc.,” Raul said.

“Do you mean observations of The Resort or the actual employees of the Resort?” I asked him.

“Both. While I talk to them, write down facial expressions that stand out, important details they mention, and observations during the tour. This will help me go over it later to evaluate for truth, sincerity, and any issues,” he said.

“I think that sounds pretty easy,” I told him.

“It’s going to keep you on your toes. I suggest you practice a little doing it ahead of time,” He said.

“What do you mean,” I asked.

“When we get there tomorrow, you will have the first day free. So either today or tomorrow, do a trial run. Watch people around you notating all their facial expressions during key moments. This will give you an idea of what I’m looking for,”

“Is this a common practice of yours?” I’ve never heard of this before.

“My father taught it to me. He sometimes said you need a second pair of eyes to tell what’s really being said,” Raul said.

“Sounds Like a smart man,” I said.

“He was,” Raul stood up and grabbed his suit jacket, signaling he was leaving, “Be sure to bring some nice cocktail dresses and get plenty of rest tonight. Stay off the foot,” he warned.

I didn’t want him to see that I’m sad to see him go, so I put on my biggest fake smile and said, “I got a few packed already. Thanks for everything,”

He hesitated a moment as his dark eyes grazed me over hungrily, “See you tomorrow, Gabby,”

What do you say to a guy you spent the last day having passionate s*x with over and over, “I’ll be there,”

As Raul closed the door, I exhaled the breath I was holding. A small part of me had hoped he would have picked me up and carried me right back to the bed. I might have even let him s***k me.