Kalliopi put a palm on Stan’s chest and placed some distance between them.“I just don’t want to cause any trouble for you.After all, I’m only here for a short time.I don’t want you, or anyone we work with, looking at us like… well, like we’re an item.”
“Oh.”Stan’s face fell, but only briefly.“Does that mean we can’t have a little fun while you are here?I like you, Kalliopi, and as difficult as it is to admit, I’ve been looking forward to your visit.To spending time with you, for however short a time that might be.”
“So, you aren’t looking for something permanent?”
“Kallie, you said it yourself, you are only here for a short while.Why don’t we just make the most of the time we have together and leave it at that?”
Kalliopi took a step back, putting even more distance between them.“You’re right.I mean it’s not like we are getting married or something like that.So, how about before you show me to where I’m staying, we get through the first task on our list and then maybe look toward having some fun later on in my stay?”
“Yeah, I’d love to do that.”Stan’s face lit back up with his sexy smile.He placed a palm on the small of her back.“Let’s head out now.”His hot breath almost seemed to cradle her cheek as he spoke.He was so close to her.
Her response sounded more like a low guttural growl than a reply to his command.His body gravitated closer to her side as they walked out of the offices and onto the campus grounds.Heat radiated within her as his now-searing fiery touch radiated between the small of her back and coccyx.It was so good to have someone touch her like this again.Heat pooled in her core, causing her to let out a soft, steady breath.
She hadn’t had sex in a year and a half.Not that she hadn’t tried to date to have it!But the men she’d tried to date were just too aggressive.Especially in their thoughts of bedding a woman.She’d decided that wasn’t for her.Neither were the dating apps.They really sucked for a woman her age.Why was she expected to have sex on date one?Or even date two if they were willing to wait?Yeah, that sucked, too.
Kalliopi let out a sigh at the thought.Why should she care at this point?Men didn’t want her for anything more than her pension and sexual companionship.Not that she didn’t understand it.In her past, men of power in her life only wanted sex from her in the dating world.And given how they were, she was glad she’d never settled with any of them.
But Stan?
How could she not melt into goo the minute he carried her one and a half miles to the hospital?The man was made of the material she’d been looking for on the dating apps.The apps she really, really hated.Seriously, how many times did she have to be in dating hell?It seemed perpetual.She’d had enough of that when she was in college.
“Is it okay if we take my car?I’m kind of a control freak about driving.Plus, you might like the cruise.”
“What do you mean?”
He’d led her to a 1969 Chevy Corvette and opened the passenger door to help her in.
Does he really think I’m this old-fashioned?
Either way, the car was beautiful, and Kalliopi couldn’t help but caress the seat with her palms.Stan smiled as he saw her do it.
“Like what you see?”Stan asked as he put the car in gear.The purr of the engine came to life as he drove.
“Very much.Did you restore this car yourself?”
“Down to the last spark plug.”
“That’s amazing.My dad used to take me to car shows when I was younger.I had a lot of fun looking at all the cars with him.”
“Sounds like you and your dad were close.”
“Not really.Cars were the only thing we ever bonded over.Even though he was in the military, you’d have thought we could bond over that, but he always thought I should strive for a higher rank.He expected me to be a five-star general.But a lot of my assignments are top secret, and I couldn’t do what I do with a higher rank.Besides, I feel more comfortable in the field than behind a desk.”
“I enjoy the field, but I also enjoy administration too.”
“Really?Why?”
“Well, for one thing, we wouldn’t be working together right now.So, from where I’m standing—or rather sitting, I guess—I’m enjoying the assignment.”
“I guess you have a point.”
Before Kalliopi could say anything else, Stan was pulling into a parking lot.“Here we are.I already swung by to make sure it was ready for you and dropped off your things.I placed your bags in the main bedroom at the foot of the bed.The fridge and cabinets are stocked with some essentials.If you need anything else, I’ll be a text away.”
“Sounds good,” Kalliopi said as she reached for the handle of the car door.
“Let me get that for you.”
“Oh, that’s not—” Before Kalliopi could finish her sentence, Stan was already out of the car and heading for her side of the door.
