Page 30 of Scarred King
“The answer is in the question,” he laughs but then grows serious. “Every one of them has her reasons,” he says, washing the glasses in the sink.
“But it’s such a terrible thing to do,” I continue, even though I feel he is not comfortable with this conversation.
“I think you should open up that pretty head of yours a little. There are hard and painful things in the world too, not just the sterile facts that you memorize from your textbooks.” He turns off the faucet and wipes his hands on a towel. “There is theory and there is reality. Sometimes reality is not nice or pleasant.” He starts to dry the glasses.
“But we create our own reality, at least part of it. We have control over our lives, we can make choices.”
“Not always,” he answers firmly. “Try sitting down and listening to their life stories, you might find out some things that will surprise you.”
I shrug. I have no intention of sitting down for a conversation with any of them. I start looking through my emails on my cellphone.
“Yes!” I shout and he looks at me curiously. “I’m going to the conference!” I shake my shoulders in a dance move. “I’m going to the conference.” I continue dancing and he starts to smile but then becomes serious.
“When are you going? Did the boss give you permission?”
Permission from the boss? “Mmmm… next week for three days and I forgot that I need to get permission,” I grumble and look at the round table. I’ll wait for everyone to leave and then I’ll talk to him. He has no reason to say no, and there is no way that I’ll miss out on this opportunity. Three days of intellectual bliss with the most brilliant man I’ve ever met.
When I finish clearing the last glasses, the girls leave. Tommy and Mike leave right after them and Scarface is still talking to Ralph. They both fold their papers and I realize that I have to find the courage and do it now.
“May I talk to you for a minute?” I ask, and Scarface squints his eyes questioningly.
“Elena, what's happening with our date?” Ralph asks with a smile, and I just want him to go away.
“Not now. I need to talk to Liam privately.”
“So...” he won’t let it go. “So, what do you say? Will you let me take you out on a date for strange people like you?”
“OK, fine,” I say in an attempt to get rid of him. He seems surprised by my answer, but shakes Scarface’s hand contentedly and leaves.
“I think you’ve got yourself in trouble now.” Scarface looks annoyed.
“I won’t really go out with him,” I say mockingly.
“Around here people don’t go back on their word.” He still sounds annoyed and I realize that this is not the best way to start the conversation I need to have with him.
“Sit with me for a minute,” I plead and he puts his file back on the table and sits. He lights a cigarette and I sit down opposite him. “I need three days off next week.”
He blows out thick smoke and doesn’t respond. “I want to go to an important conference, I’ve even been invited.”
“Who invited you?” he asks and drops the ash on the floor. I don’t think I owe him any explanations, but I don’t want to get into an unnecessary argument with him right now.
“My professor,” I say nervously and push the ashtray closer to him. “Three days of amazing professional panels.” I close my eyes and picture myself there. “The greatest minds in the world will be at this conference and I have the opportunity to go.” A smile spreads across my face and I open my eyes. He is looking at me suspiciously.
“So…” I urge him, “It’s only three days,” I put my palms together pleadingly.
“Where will you sleep?” he asks the most unexpected question.
“I guess a hotel in San Francisco.”
“And this professor of yours…” He drops the ash on the floor again, as if he wants to undermine my peace. “Is he a geeky older guy like I think he is?”
“Older than me,” I reply truthfully.
“OK, I don’t see why not.” He stands up and I’m so excited that I launch at him and hug him. When I realize that he’s not hugging me back I move away awkwardly. Suddenly his hands are on my hips and he lays me down on the table, spreads my legs and stands between them.
I don’t even have time to blink and he’s lying on top of me. His lips are touching mine and his tongue fiercely pries them apart. His kiss is so intense that I feel the heat in places I didn’t even know exist. His hips rock back and forth and his arm finds its way under my shirt and grabs hold of my breast. He massages it roughly and I want to feel him inside me so badly right now. His lips leave mine and I hold his head firmly and bring him back to my lips. This time my tongue explores his mouth and I feel the same wetness spreading between my thighs. His lips move away again and I take a deep breath. My chest is heaving up and down.
“Intellectual passion has nothing on this kind of passion,” he pants and pulls me up. “You can’t beat your natural instincts.” He holds me behind my neck and leans toward me, kissing and biting my lower lip. “But you can keep on trying.” He moves away and I look at him so frustrated, still panting heavily. “I’m not driving you home,” he says and rearranges his belt buckle.