Chapter 2

Helena apologized that dinner was something that was thrown together at the last minute. All I can say is, I can't wait to see something that she puts together after days of planning and cooking.

Dinner was a buffet with tiny cut sandwiches, fruit, seafood on ice ... finger foods of all sorts placed on a side table. My 'employees' seemed to be in a good mood, though there was still a certain amount of reservation in my presence. After all, if I proved to be mercurial in my moods, what recourse did they have?

I found myself seated at the head of the table, with Thales on my right hand, and Gabrielle on my left. Helena was seated on the other side of the Gabrielle, which I discovered was for Gabrielle's protection. Gabrielle herself seemed a little bit apprehensive, but quickly became relaxed as Helena and Thales treated her as a favorite grandchild.

I have to admit that most of my discussion was with Thales. We must have gone through several napkins, drawing how we wanted the electronics lab to be designed, what supplies we would need, etc. Gabrielle listened, a bemused look on her face. My other 'employees' ate their supper and watched, wondering what the fact that Thales was monopolizing the conversation with the new employer meant. Helena had a satisfied smile on her face as she kept my plate full.

After dinner, I caught Thales yawning. He gave me a bashful smile and said, "I hope you'll forgive me, Mr. Johnson, but I'm not as young as I once was."

"No apologies necessary, Thales. Get a good night's sleep, and tomorrow I'll call the bank so we can set up an account for you to draw from, so we can get the lab running."

Thales grinned, and enthusiastically shook my hand again when I offered it. I made it a point to say one last 'good night' to all the employees present, then looked around for Gabrielle. No sign of her. I mentally shrugged, thinking that maybe things had been so overwhelming that she needed some time alone. It didn't occur to me that as her 'employer', I could demand she should be available to me. Instead, I bid Helena good night as she directed three other employees in cleaning up. She waved and smiled before returning to her task.

When I entered my room, Gabrielle was sitting on my bed, still in the same plain outfit that still looked so good on her. I did notice that she was barefoot, though.

"Mr. Johnson, could I have that kiss now?"

I crooked my finger at her, beckoning her to me. This time, she enthusiastically ran into my arms, and we shared another deep kiss. When my hands roamed down to her bottom, she moaned into my mouth, and actually seemed reluctant to end the kiss when I gently pushed her away.

Her breathing quickened when my fingers went to the top button of her blouse. Her eyes closed as I unbuttoned the top bottom, then the next.

I caressed the exposed skin of her collar bone, watching her face. Her eyes were closed, her mouth slightly opened, and she was definitely enjoying my touch. I placed my finger under her chin, tilting her face upward. She opened her eyes, looking at me with eyes full of wonder.

"Shall I stop?" I asked, the corner of my mouth quirking upwards. She shook her head 'no', then closed her eyes as my fingers returned to the buttons of her blouse.

I toyed with the next button, watching her chest rise and fall rapidly. I moved my hand over to her left breast, running my fingers along its underside. Gabrielle gasped as I did so, then moaned as I cupped her breast, caressing it lightly. I moved my fingers back to her buttons, undoing two more until the white fabric between her cups appeared. I pushed her blouse aside just far enough to caress the skin above her left cup.

"Oh, Mr. Johnson, that feels so wonderful."

"Ben." I corrected her, as I continued caressing her skin.

"I--Oh Ben!" I had slipped my finger under her left cup, sliding my fingers down to her stiffening nipple.

I removed my fingers from inside her bra, moving them back to finish removing her blouse. Once I had her blouse unbuttoned, I tugged it from her skirt, then pushed it off her shoulders, letting it fall to the ground.