“I am so glad to be home,” I whispered as I wrapped my arms around his neck and squeezed tightly.
“Me too, kiddo. I’m so proud of you.” He pulled away slowly and looked at me. “Harvard just like me. I never dreamed that you’d choose to go into law like I did.”
“I guess being around you growing up rubbed off on me,” I teased him as I walked over to get my two bags out of the back of the car. Dad grabbed them, making me laugh as I opened the front door and followed him inside. He walked up to my room and put them on the bed as I looked around with a broad smile. I came home for holidays and summers, but now, I was here to stay. “I am going to take a quick shower and change before dinner,” I told him as I looked at the pretty blue sky and bright sun. It was July here but warm enough out for an outdoor meal.
“Sounds good. I am going to work on some veggies. See you soon,” Dad told me before he left the room and walked down the stairs. I threw my closet door open, walking inside to check the hangers for a dress to throw on after I was done. I found a purple dress and a thong in my drawer, smiling as I walked into the bathroom and stared around with a happy gaze. The bathroom in my
apartment in Boston was smaller than this, and I stared at the large tiled shower, the soaking tub and all the counter space as I drew my lip between my teeth.
I couldn’t count the times that I’d masturbated in here to the man that I was going to see in just a short while. I just might do it again right here and now, since it was doubtful I’d ever get to sleep with him.
That was all kinds of wrong, wasn’t it? He was older and my father’s best friend. Payne wasn’t married anymore since his divorce after a very brief relationship, but that didn’t make my fantasies any better.
I showered and worked out my lust under the multiple streams of water, imagining Payne’s handsome face. I came as my head dropped back, taking deep breaths of the steamy air around me. I needed to get this out of my system with someone but Payne had always been the ideal man to do it with for me. It was what I wanted and I wondered if it wasn’t worth going for now.
I dried my hair and twisted it on the side of my head, highlighting the caramel and red highlights that I’d recently acquired. I put on just enough makeup to even out my skin tone and bring out my eyes without looking like I was trying too hard before I slipped into the dress. It was perfect; comfortable enough to dine in outside while still being sexy. It clung to my full breasts while being close around my waist, dropping all the way to my lower calves. I felt like a woman with my thong on and no bra as I added some clear gloss to my lips and smiled into the mirror.
I made my way downstairs to find the kitchen empty and the sliding glass door wide open as voices carried in from the backyard. I walked over to the fridge and found the wine that I loved, pouring a large glass before I strolled out and took a long look around. I loved Massachusetts but this was home to me. This was my peace and where I found so much comfort. Dad and Payne were standing near the grill, dressed in board shorts and solid blue t-shirts as they talked and laughed.
Holy shit. Payne was hotter as he got older. I felt the stirring between my legs start all over again as I strolled down the steps in sandals with a soft smile. Dad saw me first and grinned as I drew closer to them, making Payne glance over as his eyes took me in slowly. “Vie, you look great. Harvard was good to you, I trust?”
I remained calm as I hugged him and felt his lips brush my cheeks, even though it felt like my face was on fire. This attraction was not going anywhere and I pulled back to gaze into his eyes. “I loved it but it’s nice to be back home. There’s a lot to miss here. How are you?”
Payne sipped his beer and told me that everything was basically the same. His firm was busy and kept him going, which was good because he was single after a recent fling. He laughed when he said that but I was drinking all the wine in my glass to stay calm as I listened. He and Dad were handsome men that got the ladies, always had. I knew that but somehow Payne talking about it bothered me, alerting me to a new jealousy inside. Great. “Was there anyone special at school?” Payne asked as I stared over the pool and drew my lip between my teeth.
“No, I focused mainly on my classes. I’ll be back. I am getting some wine. Want anything?”
“Can you bring the veggies that are marinating in the fridge?” Dad asked as I nodded and let my eyes pass over Payne again. I made my way up the steps and poured more wine, grabbing the bag of food before I went outside again. Dad was grilling some tri tip and chicken on one side of the massive grill while Payne talked beside him as he looked at me. Glancing at the table, I saw a selection of things to nibble on before dinner and walked over to the table to grab a carrot.
I dipped it in ranch and took a bite as someone moved beside me. “It’s good to have you home again. Your dad missed you.”
“Just Dad?” I asked as he gave me a curious look before shaking his head.
“No, of course not,” His voice sounded suspicious as warmth washed over my skin, making me look down at the table. “You know how much I care about you.”
“I hope so,” I responded vaguely as I reached for another carrot stick. I was hungry after driving and eating a lot of fast food along the way. I couldn’t wait to eat what Dad was cooking and I drank a bit of the wine to wash the snack down. I knew how much I wanted Payne to care for me and stood quietly beside him as we took in the cooling evening air.
I could feel something between us, but I didn’t bring it up. There was a good chance that I just wanted there to be and it didn’t need to be addressed, at least not yet.
We sat down to eat, our plates piled high with meat and a variety of vegetables. I took small bites as I watched them talk, listening closely as I felt the familiar feeling of home sinking into my bones. It was nice.
I perked up when Payne started telling Dad that his assistant gave immediate notice to him that day, newly married and finding out that she was pregnant and moving all in the same week. He acknowledged that she was good, though she’d only worked for him for three years. Some significant cases were happening right now, and Payne seemed worried about what he was going to do during the process of interviewing and hiring. Dad chuckled as he looked at me and Payne followed his gaze with a knowing smile. “I apologize, Vie. I didn’t even think about you, Vie. I know that you want to pursue something more than assisting, but how would you feel about helping out for a while?”
“It would look amazing on a resume,” I said, more excited about working closely with him than any experience. I just couldn't talk like that. “I’d love to.”
“Perfect. I think it will be a great opportunity for you,” Payne said as he glanced at Dad.
“You don’t mind starting up so soon after getting back, do you? I know that you just had a long drive,” Payne checked with me as I shook my head.
“You know that I don’t like idle time,” I chided both of them as they laughingly agreed. I was never the kind of girl to enjoy shopping all day with friends, though I did enjoy lunch or dinner out with the few that I’d kept in close touch with. I liked seeing movies or plays with them as well. I was just too rushed for them when it came to shopping, preferring to get what I needed right away over searching through racks for hours. It stopped being relaxing about an hour or two in for me, personally. “I will go out and get some things to wear that are appropriate for the office this weekend and start on Monday, so you can get me up to speed. How does that sound?”
“That sounds wonderful, Vienna. I look forward to it,” Payne told me as we grinned at each other and raised our drinks for a toast. I didn’t come here expecting this, much less with Payne, but it was a great opportunity on several levels.
I took the dinner dishes inside and brought out slices of cheesecake to the men with a fresh glass of wine for myself. I was feeling the alcohol and happy about the job, so I laughed and chatted with them easily. We stayed out late that night, both Payne and Dad cursing as they realized the hour. They both had to work early tomorrow, since it was Friday and their staff would be there. On the weekends, they kept looser hours along with the others that needed to get a little extra work done.
I hugged Payne goodbye and locked the door behind him, smiling widely. Dad was already upstairs and I did a small spin around in the spacious foyer. I was going to work with Payne for at least a few weeks and I knew how much time I’d be in his office with him. There would be a lot of chances to try to seduce him and let him know my feelings for him. It was risky and I knew it, but I was no longer the shy teenager that I’d once been. I was a woman and I wanted to fulfill my needs with Payne and only Payne, and I wasn’t going to hide from that any longer.
I took time the next day to go to a few favorite stores alone, picking out some outfits that I knew would be fitting for the job. I bought several fitted pencil skirts in hues of black, gray, brown and a beautiful one in a dark plum color. In addition, I found a variety of shirts to compliment those, tops that were professional but also hinted at cleavage and flirted with danger.