Thirty-Day Lover

My apologies that it has been like decades since I last updated this thing. Suddenly, school seems to have grabbed my the throat and forced me down. And somehow, this chapter was harder to write than anticipated.

@lovelyl: Thank you for your review, it is much appreciated. I hope future chapters will keep your interest!

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"It's a date, isn't it?"

Christina paused from applying the last layer of lip gloss and glanced towards her phone. Why is it that such matters were always Katy's first line of thought? Rolling her eyes back to the mirror, she looked at her own reflection calmly.

"Don't ignore me!"

She laughed and tossed the lip gloss aside before strolling closer to the phone. "I'm not ignoring you, but seriously, it's not a date." Grabbing the receiver, she opted for hands-on rather than shouting across her apartment. Small as it may be, Christina didn't enjoy raising her voice more than she had to. It's a waste of energy. "I just felt bad! For all I know, he could have stood there and waited for hours while I was out enjoying lunch with someone else."

"How was lunch with someone else?"

"It was good."

"That's it?"

"What else do you want me to say?" Christina gave her shoe collection an incredulous glare, imagining that it's Katy right in front of her.

"Oh come on, was he at least good looking?"

"Google him. I'm sure his pictures are plastered all over the Internet."

"I give you two seconds before I drive over to your designated meeting place and spill out every little dirty secret that I know about you."

"Yes, he's good looking." Christina changed her tone immediately, laughter evident with each breath. "Let's just say, if my man can look like that at fifty-two, I'd marry him tomorrow."

"Except you don't got a man."

"Yeah, except that. Now, purple or black?"

"Purple. Black is way too over used these days."

Purple it is then. Reaching forward, Christina grabbed the pair of purple heels she had been eye-ing and placed it next to the front door. She had called Hank earlier on today and told him about the restaurant that she had in mind. It wasn't anything fancy, but the cozy interior has always won her heart. Besides, the dessert selection is fabulous! She did give him a list of locations for democracy's sakes! So instead of her usual office wear, she chose to go with an attire that was casual but still nice. She was rarely the type to go out in slacks unless the occasion called for it.

Exactly six fifteen, she left the apartment and headed for the restaurant. It was further than she would have liked, but -she thought- maybe it was close to his place. And it's only fair to let him get something after she had practically dictated this outing. Christina can be bossy at times, she knows. Pulling into the parking lot, she grabbed her bag and jacket before exitting. The mid November wind was picking up and late at night -not to mention besides a lake-, it can be more than just chilly. She had glanced at the lake on the map when she was looking for directions to this place, but thought nothing of it. Now, she just thinks it's freaking cold!

"Hey! You got here early!"

Turning, she caught Hank walking up towards her with that smile on his face. Contagious. And she had to smile back. "What are you talking about? You practically pulled up a second after me."

Contrary to her, he was only in a pair of jeans and a large sweater over top. Casual, but it still looked nice on him. "Let me get that for you." The bag she was having trouble with while trying to shrug on her jacket, and two seconds later, the door to the restaurant. Inside, warm air greeted them but she cuddled closer to her jacket for a moment longer. Why can't she work in Florida or something?

"First of all, here is to a great game last night." She raised her glass of cocktail to his pint of beer, mock formality. "It was a great goal."

"What can I say, I have great hands." And he didn't even bother hiding that smug grin on his lips as he accepted her words. Yeah, Christina thought, great hands. And if Katy was here, that would have had her grinning for ages.

"Have you started packing for the road trip coming up?"

"Have you? Why do I foresee a truck load of luggages?"

"Now, now; just because I may dress sharper than you doesn't mean I need all that much."

Exchanges of banter, or is this light hearted jesting, endured throughout dinner. At the same time, there continued to be sides of him that surprised her. He has a dog at home, but since he's always on the road these days, the dog is being cared for by his parents. He has an older brother, just a couple of years older who is in the process of finishing up his bachelor's degree in university. And Christina had to strain to recall what happened during her last year of university. Oh right, getting screwed over by a course and worried for an entire semester about passing.

Great times.

"What about you? I know it's hard to go back to school, but what were you interested in?"

"History, probably. Maybe the arts." He confessed after chewing. Good, he doesn't talk with his mouth full. Christina appreciated that. "I might go back to school in the summer and see how that goes."

"I hear it's easier during the summer, but I'm not a fair judge, I've never taken a course in the summer." She's always believed that the summer is the time to slack off legitimately, have fun and earn some pocket money. She refused to take summer courses unless her life depended on it.

"How about your major? Was it tough?"

"Some courses were." She admitted with a nod. "My first year calculus class nearly killed me. And there were other courses too, of course. However, once you get to the higher years, you are more focused and you are attending classes that you actually enjoy, then it's not so bad anymore."

Every once in a while, she is reminded of just how young he is. And Katy teased her about this being a date. Che. Christina rolled her eyes mentally at that.

"And now? You've got a career and your path carved up for you already, what's the next step? Marriage?"

This time, Christina did not bother holding back the mild snort and roll of eyes. "Marriage? I don't even have a boyfriend, marriage would be kinda hard. Sheesh, you sound like my best friend. The ironic thing is, she doesn't have a boyfriend either." And Katy lectures her all the time when it comes to this topic.

"Still waiting for the right one?"

"If the right one even exists. You?"

"I thought you said your files included every detail about me."

Cheeky child.

"Okay so you are single, but I'm only trying to make sure that the files are updated and you have not suddenly eloped and married someone." She stated as a matter of fact, feigning that complacent mask over her expressions.

"Nope, files are all updated." He returned with equal seriousness, nodding his head as if it actually mattered.

She almost wanted to laugh, at this ridiculous little act that neither cared a hair about. Yet she could only allow light twitching of her lips corners, pushing the urge to laugh away to the back. Across from her, Hank suffered from the same problem.

Dropping her gaze, she opted for a bite of her food instead.

"So tell me, why did you decide to work for the team?"

Christina shrugged and played with a piece of lettuce idly. "I'm not sure if I remember the answer that I gave when I was interviewed." She admitted with a grin, admittantly playing with the other. "However, my best friend says that unconsciously, I took the job because I knew that I'd get to grope hot men left and right."

Katy had ended the conversation with I'm a psychologist, I know what I'm talking about. It seemed to be her excuse for a lot of things these days.

"Oh, so does that mean I should warn the boys that we've got a prospective pervert and possible sex offender on the loose?"

"Oi, hey now." Christina held up her fork and pointed it towards him. "Prospective would be the wrong word to use here, and I'd rather not endure the nasty smell of hockey sweat."

"Even if they clean up nicely like me?"

Now, Christina thought, that could be counted as borderline flirting. And at the same time, she retracted her forked claws and directed them to the last piece of chicken that will be delivered to her mouth. During the time in which vocal cords could not be used, her eyes pinned on him, seemingly to seriously consider his question.

"And what? Move from prospective pervert and possible sex offender to pedophile?"

For a brief second, she thought she saw a flash of unidentifiable expression change in his eyes before he pushed his plate aside and leaned forward, elbows resting lightly against the table. "I'm not a minor."

"Think about it this way." She mirrored his actions and leaned in closer as well. "You are twenty, so it's somewhat okay. Rewind back a few years, we'd still be separated by the same age gap, but it would be judged as morally wrong. How does four more years make any difference?"

And silence ensued, she searched his eyes and he sought out hers. She knew that he was thinking of a logical and impenetrable rebuttal. If she had consulted with Katy, her so called best friend would tell her just how much her words have wounded the macho-ness of this man in front of her. Well, whatever wounds will certainly be healed by the presentation of dessert in front of them!

Immediately, her attention was taken away and her mouth salivated at the sight of the fruit cheesecake.

Ah, fat! How I've missed you!

Especially when the only times she'd really let herself indulge in sweets is when eating out with other people. Riding through her somewhat turbulent young adult days of a minor eating problem, she's learnt that nothing is more important than health.

"The conversation is not finished." Hank finally said at length. Christina looked up at him with a fork in her mouth already. "However, food deserves more attention." Her lips curled around the eating utensil and she dropped her gaze.

Christina missed the reluctant expression on Hank's face and he missed her expression of helplessness. What he doesn't know is that she's a hypocrite. If it's so morally wrong, then she shouldn't have this sinful attraction to someone who could be her father.

Thankfully, the sweetness of their dessert successfully steered both of their attention away from that topic for the moment.

At the door, he made a show of half bowing while holding the door open for her. Christina laughed with a light roll of her eyes, shaking her head the entire way out of the restaurant. She greeted on-lookers' grins with shrugs of her own.

It's completely out of my hands.

"What are your plans for tonight?"

"Well, it involved getting dressed and meeting you for dinner." She started, buttoning up her coat meticuously. "And then, it's back to my place and sleeping the night away." Perhaps it was not the most interesting outlook of her life, but it was the truth.

"In other words, nothing."

Yeah, he basically summed it up efficiently.

"Say it. What do you want? I know you have a follow up."

Hank grinned, and she noticed his dimples again. Wait 'till Katy hears about this night, she's going to have a field day! "Nothing! Since we're already here, let's take a walk and help our body digest the food we just ate!"

Christina had half a mind to ask just where is here, but one glance and she understood. The lake. And not only the lake, they were walking distance from a park as well. How well calculated. She wanted to comment, but decided to bite her tongue instead.

"Health freak."

"We have to keep in good shape! Or else we'd waste your opportunity of having gotten into the club but not having bodies to molest."

"You!" Her indext finger pointed at him immediatley, in a warning fashion, but the curling of her lips was indicative of an amused grin. "Watch it! I still have some reputation!"

And he just laughed, his larger hand lifted to lower her accusing finger. "I'm joking, I'm joking." Instead of shoving that hand back into his pocket -like his other hand-, he took the liberty of wrapping it around her shoulders and squeezed lightly. As if an apologetic gesture. "You know I'm just teasing."

Pulled closer towards him, it was hard not to miss the whiff of soap clean cologne from him. It was different from the men she's used to, with their intoxicating and olfactory-cell-killing scents.

"You watch, if you ever sustain an injury in the game, I'm going to make you eat those words alive!" She says that now, but she knows that without a doubt, she will jump up first if that indeed did happen. However, she should cease those thoughts so not to jinx anything.

"I'm quick enough to dodge anything that happens on the ice! It's all about keeping my head up and moving away."

And as the steps went on, as the lake grew closer, she also was more and more keenly aware of how his arm did not move from around her shoulders. Half of her wanted to shrug it off, not out of rudeness, but more along the lines of not giving anyone the wrong idea. She's always been conscious of other people's eyes.

Like the smiling ones of two elderly women passing them by.

Christina was sure that her smile was a little rigid, but the warmth really didn't allow her to move away. This is ridiculous. She chided herself. She shouldn't be stuck in a situation like this when she's determined that there won't be anything happening. With that thought in mind, she cleared her throat and made sure that he would notice her moving around to feel around her pockets. Success was achieved when he stopped, let go and looked down at her. "What is it?"

"Looking for my lip balm." She explained without missing a beat. "I thought I lost it, but it's in my pocket." She even pulled it out for him to see. Of course, she had applied a layer in the restaurant before they left, but it had seemed like the only thing appropriate at that moment.

"Oh you look fine without it."

"It's not about looking fine or not."

"Then what is it about?"

On this chilly November evening, she and he stood next on some pathway in the middle of a lakeside park and she could only stare at him. Is this really relevant? She wanted to ask. "It's about protecting your lips."

"Oh? How so?"

Yeah, this is going to be a long night. Especially after she caught that quirky little grin at the corner of his lips.

Cheeky child.

Of course, later that night, Katy analytically dissected the entire ordeal. From the second she stepped out of the car to the second that they bid each other their goodbye and went their separate ways. They weren't anything that Christina didn't think of on her own, but at the same time, hearing it from someone else's lips gave the situation another color.

She'd like to worry about it. Fuss over it. Stress over it. However, after she took her shower and climbed into bed, she could almost dismiss it completely. Tomorrow was another work day, for her and for everyone else.

And game night meant late night, for all those involved in the organization. It was the first full game that Christina's taken part in. She relished in the difference between watching it on TV and watching it from practically the rink side. Although the badge on her jacket indicated her as a staff member, when no one needed her immediate attention, she was a fan still. These players, who have been introduced to her already, were one thing off the ice and another on the ice. Dedicated to their sport, she couldn't help but admire their determination.

When the game ended, it was a signal for her to quickly make her way back into her office in case anyone does approach her. If not, it will be just a regular routine check-up to make sure that all the guys are still healthy. Her job hasn't been extremely exciting or extremely dull yet, there was just enough work for her to do without over exerting herself or killing her brain cells slowly.

It is a tradition for the guys to go out for dinner by the groups. One thing that she's noticed about this team is the fact that no one travels alone, there rarely is a pair going out at once. Usually it's a few people to a group of people to the entire team and then some. Sometimes, the staff members will join them as well.

Christina's not had the chance to do so, but she doubted that she will, even if the chance does arise. She's always thought such moments were further bonding moments between the players, and it would seem almost... wrong for someone like her to interfere.

After the players all filed out and the staff team's had the usual debriefing, it was noted that their night is up as well. Like the players, they've gotten used to this somewhat strange rountine of work as well. By the time that Christina's tidied up her rooms and locked the door behind her, it was well past midnight, and her heels echoed in the hallway. Seems like she's still the last one to leave.

Two steps outside, and she shivered violently against the night wind. Oh it was definitely getting cold! Bracing herself against the freezing wind, she hastened her step towards her car. Not a few steps further, she heard the distinct sound of another set of footsteps behind her. Her heart raced and she felt cold sweat break down her back. It should be fairly safe around the arena! She argued with herself, but Christina cannot deny the reality of the footsteps behind her either.

So she picked up her pace some more, and her car was just within reach!

Her keys were already in hand and she pressed the button to unlock her car. The vehicle beeped twice and her fingers reached for the handle. Almost home free!

And then a hand touched her shoulder, Christina gasped sharply and whirled around. She expected to meet the worst and even thought about shoving her key into the person's eye.

"Hey you."

"Jesus fucking christ! Ron! You scared the shit out of me!" Christina did not bother concealing the first words that popped into her mind and out of her mouth when she realized that it was no one who'd harm her. In fact, Ron looked more taken back by her outburst than she did about his little antic of almost giving her a heart attack. "What are you? You have a habit of scaring people like this?" That was asked with a less hostile tone, her lips curved into a slight smile.

As her heart tried to return to normal.

"Sorry. Sorry." He apologized with a laugh, finally realizing -perhaps- what his actions seemed like to another person. "You're off late."

"I can say the same for you. Didn't you go with the boys for dinner?"

"Yeah, we did. I got back here a little bit ago and headed up to my office to pick up something." It was then that Christina noticed the small case in his hand.

"Ah, I see." She nodded in realization, and then shifted from foot to foot. Ron was more hesitant tonight than she remembered him to be. And she shuddered again with the next breeze of wind. "Look, as much as I'd love to have a conversation with you, but it's a getting a bit cold..."

"Ah, right!" He seemed to have realized that all of sudden and took a step closer, then paused and took that step back. Every little fibre of him spoke of awkwardness.

"Ron, what is it?"

"Well, the thing is." Finally, he started, a little hesitant. "My car won't start." He jabbed a thumb towards his car that was parked on the other side of the lot, Christina took a glance at it over the other's shoulder. "I have already called a taxi company but it's been half an hour and no one's come yet."

Suddenly, Christina understood the situation.

"Where do you live?" She wasted no time once everything was cleared out, she was already reaching for her car door handle. Yet Ron's answer stopped her and she gave him an incredulous look. "I'm sorry, where?"

"Yeah..." He gave her a sheepish shrug.

She had expected a good neighbourhood in the city, but the answer that he gave was somewhere that she barely knew. The general direction was out of town and the last time she went anywhere remotely close to his area took her about an hour. Taking him there and back... it'd be close to three am and then there was work.

Christina knew that she appeared hesitant, and knew that Ron felt even more awkward.

"It's no big deal, I called a taxi company anyways. I'm sure someone will come sooner or later."

Mean while, he means he's just going to stand out here and wait? Christina shook her head and concluded that there was no way she'd do that to him. Or anyone for that matter.

"That's nonsense. Look, you're welcome to stay at my place tonight if you want to." Her bachelor apartment may not be the mansion that he's used to, but it's better than a parking lot and a taxi company who might have already forgotten about his call.

"No, I can't do that. It's too much trouble."

She just knew that he would decline. This time, she did open her car door, knowing that her decision has been made. "I'm not about to let you stay out here in the cold either. And, truthfully, I don't feel like spending two hours commuting when you and I both know how early we have to get up for work tomorrow. So you've got no choice but to trouble me tonight." With that said, she slipped into the car and closed the door. Key pushed into ignition, she turned on the engine before looking back out at him through the glass.

There were moments of hesitation, she knew. While he debated, she's already turned on the heater, blasting much needed warm air in the car. Finally, he budged and nodded. Rounding the front of the car, he headed for the passenger side. Christina smiled and reached for her seatbelt.

"Just so you know, I will make it up to you." He said as he got into the car. With some trouble, she must admit. Her tiny car clearly wasn't built for someone like him. Christina laughed at his words and the sight before nodding and backing out of the parking space.

"You think about how to make it up to me then."

From the first day they met, it seems he's been making it up to her nonstop. Although there were so many things she could have followed up with, she was cautious to remind herself that he is a married man and has a family, there probably were things she should watch. Besides, he was her boss as well, there was also the risk of losing her job.

Her apartment building was nothing spectacular, but it has all that she needed built right in it. Her parents' always preferred houses while she's always loved apartments. When she had the financial ability, the first thing she did was to get out and move into an apartment. She's not regretted her choice ever since then. Situated on the 38th floor, Christina unlocked the door and showed Ron in. Behind him, she located the light switch without trouble and illuminated the foyer.

"It's a small place, I hope you won't mind."

"Oh not at all. This is much better than a parking lot."

She laughed and closed the door behind her. Shoes and jackets removed, she gave him a simple tour of the small place. Kitchen, her second favourite place, is adorned with cabinets full of cooking utensils. She loved to cook and try out different things. The dining area was enough for a round table and bar chairs situated next to floor length windows that gave her a view of the city. Two panes were open to the small veranda outside.

And the two person sofa with her plasma TV, her laptop was left on the coffee table, turned off. Not only does it come in handy for her work, she would hook that thing up to her TV and watch movies straight from her computer. It was the newest trend, she argued.

Then, the bedroom and bathroom. Her bed needs to be large and filled with pillows and blankets. She was someone who loved to snuggle up against one thing or another. Not that it was a detail that Ron needed to know now. Or ever, she supposed.

"And that's about it." She twirled around outside her bedroom door and smiled up at him. "You can take a shower first if you want, cause you know I will take forever in there." It was no lie. "However, a change of clothes is going to be a little problematic..." She didn't have any men's clothes at her disposal and none of her clothes would fit him.

"That's quite alright, I will just deal with what I've got. I'm not fussy."

Somehow, she sensed that was a lie. Always, he was always impecably dressed and always so fashionable as well. The idea of him dealing with what he's got just didn't seem right to her, but in such a position, she couldn't exactly find another solution.

He could always walk around naked. That... might lead to some secondary and tertiary problems down the road though.

When the bathroom door closed behind him, she sighed heavily and leaned back against the wall. This was unprecedented, and she wasn't sure how this was supposed to end up either. If anyone asks, he is an attractive and she is a very normal woman. Perhaps morals were the only things that kept a grip on her sanity. Shaking her head, she pushed away from the wall and headed into her bedroom. Grabbing a couple of pillows and a duvet, she carried the armsful to the living room and dumped them on the sofa.

This would be her temporary bed for the night, no doubt.

Half of her wanted to call up Katy and gossip about this turn of events, but the idea of Ron over hearing was more embarrassing than anything else. She glanced at her cell phone and then turned away from it. Restraint. Control.

By the time Ron exitted the bathroom, Christina had just turned on the TV and was casually glancing at the news reports of the day. Of course, not missing the report on the win tonight. Her lips stretched into a smile, and it only widened when Ron appeared in the family room. His tie and vest were held in hand, socks disappeared as well. Even in just his suit pants and that dress shirt, he looked great.

How is this possible?

"I probably smell like you now." He opened up with a little chuckle, referring to his still damp hair.

She laughed and leaned back into the sofa, feet propped up against the edge of it. Thankfully, she was wearing pants. "Will you get in trouble with your wife?"

"I'll just tell her that one of the guys has more a feminine side than we all imagined."

She giggled and stood up from the sofa, approaching him, careful to not close in too much. "I'm going to cave myself in the bathroom now, feel free to go to sleep if you're tired." She has no expectations that he will stay up.

"Thanks again." He looked over at the sofa and his feet began moving almost automatically.

When he was close enough, she grabbed his arm and brought him to a stop. When he looked back at her, she realized that perhaps she should have stopped him when he first moved. Slowly, her hand slid from his arm and back down to her side. "Your bed is in there." Her chin nodded towards her bedroom.

"I can't do that." He protested immediately, turning to face her directly.

"Really, Ron, take a look at that sofa. Tell me, do you honestly think you can fit?"

She watched his eyes ticked back to the sofa and assessed the thing, he was silent the entire time. And she gave him the space to think and gauge. It wasn't on purpose, and she didn't want to give up her bed either, but it would be rude of her to situate him there.

"Just take the bed, I insist." She said again, this time patting his arm to indicate that she really meant it.

"But..." He was still protesting.

"One more word from you and I swear we're going to share that bed." She said with a mock serious tone, noting that he -once again- looked taken back and somewhat dazed. "I'm joking!" She quickly added, watching him blink away, perhaps still a little dazed. "Oh relax Ron, I'm not going to rape you, I promise." This time, he rolled his eyes at her words. "Just go, I'm going to take my personal time for myself now."

And the bathroom door will close behind her and locked, her eyes lifted to the mirror and she looked at herself. This is ridiculous. It was like she was back in high school and here she was, having a school girl crush on a teacher of some sort.

The bathroom was still warm from his shower and she glanced around to note the little things that he's touched. The towels, the curtain, the cabinet... the little things that she would touch as well. Other than her parents, she's not lived with anyone else. Katy didn't count, that woman was like her other half.

It was something new.

Christina was careful to make sure that her bathrobe closed around her fully before she exitted the bathroom. The door was left open for the damp air to travel and circulate. Passing by her room, she could not help but notice the wide open door and the lights still turned on. Ron was leaning against the head board looking at the case files that he had previously mentioned. She lifted a hand and knocked on the door quietly, he looked up at the sound and smiled at her.

"Don't work too hard, get some sleep."

"Right back at you."

Perhaps something changed in that brief moment, but she was not ready to acknowledge it. At the same time, she doubted that he was ready to acknowledge it either.

"Good night."

"Night."

She took a couple of steps back and away from the room to her little resting place for the night. The T.V. was still on, but muted. She sat down and watched the flickering of the screen from one news report to another, but at the same time, all too aware of who's in her bedroom at this moment.

To be continued...