Kiesha showed her where everything was going to be when the work was finished. She explained in greater detail what Mary Elizabeth's duties would be and showed her the office that was hers alone. There was an office for Kiesha and one for Shannon, which probably wouldn't be used.
Kiesha gave Mary Elizabeth a budget, put her in charge of hiring and turned her loose. She spent the morning posting job notices and setting up her office. The rest of the afternoon was spent in conference calls with the other store managers going over potential merchandise for the new store. Kiesha was still studying the feasibility of relocating the on-line store to Refuge. It was a move that would require a lot more personnel than what they were currently planning on hiring and/or relocation for some of the current staff. There was a lot to consider before a final decision could be made.
Mary Elizabeth left the store at the end of the day, tired but invigorated, and looking forward to tomorrow. Remembering what Kiesha said about calling reminded her that she planned to buy a new phone. She went to the local drugstore and found one with caller ID and a built-in answering machine. While hooking it up, she noticed the phone cord was unplugged from the wall jack. That was strange. She didn't remember the cord being loose. She plugged it back in and spent a few minutes setting up the phone before she was completely satisfied. Then she changed clothes and went to join Hugh in the diner, hungry and ready to eat.
It was Monday and business was slow. Hugh called out as she entered the diner, “Come on back and wait in my office."
She did as instructed. She'd barely glanced around when Hugh entered the office with two plates piled high with food. “I am so hungry."
"Good, I fixed plenty.” He sat the plates on his desk and motioned for her to eat.
"How was your first day of work?"
"Good. I spent most of the day setting up my office and reviewing the budget Kiesha gave me. I also posted job announcements in the paper."
"How many people are you looking to hire?"
"For now, until we get a better idea of the volume, only two or three full-timers. Later we may add some part-timers as well."
The conversation transitioned from discussing their day to how they each ended up in their current careers. Hugh told her about his career in the military and his decision to open the diner upon retirement. With each conversation they shared, she was coming to know and like him better.
Before it could get too late, she excused herself to go home. Hugh walked her to the door, kissed her goodnight and kept watch as she climbed the stairs until she entered the apartment. Thirsty again, she threw her keys on the table, and went to the refrigerator to get something to drink. “What the hell?"
The refrigerator was full of food. Food she didn't buy. She closed the fridge and started opening cabinets. The story was the same. Her cabinets, even the pantry, were all full of food items she hadn't bought. Some items were familiar favorites while others were things Hugh must have a preference for. “Why would he...?"
She left the kitchen and stood in the living room staring into space, trying to understand what would make him do such a thing. Finally, it occurred to her to see what else he'd done while she was at work.
In the bathroom, the toothbrush he used this morning was still there. Inside the mirror, a can of shaving cream and a razor sat on the shelf. This isn't so bad, she thought. In her room, everything appeared to be the same until she opened the closet. Several of his pants and shirts, enough to last at least a week, hung beside her clothes. On the floor sat a bag containing several changes of socks and underwear.
She backed up slowly and sank onto the bed that still smelt like him. He was doing too much—way too much—too fast. More than she was comfortable with. They'd only been a couple for three days and the man had virtually moved in with her.
She tried to give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he wasn't trying to move in. Maybe he was just leaving a few items here for convenience sake; the same way women like to leave things at their lover's homes where they spent a lot of time. After all, a few outfits did not a wardrobe make. She tried to make herself believe it through her entire yoga routine, shower and as she prepared for bed. It didn't work.
Part of her was shocked and offended that he'd dared to invade her space in this manner. Since being on her own, she'd always lived alone, even in college. She wasn't used to sharing her space, and was a very private person, rarely inviting people to visit. She enjoyed her privacy too much.
Another part of her, the more animalistic side of her nature, recognized his actions for what they were and was deeply disturbed. The man was claiming her space even as he'd claimed her body. It was too much for her to handle, so she did what she always did, buried it to deal with later. She pulled out her CD of the sounds of the ocean that she played whenever she needed to relax. With the sounds of nature all around her, she climbed into bed and was immediately engulfed by Hugh's scent, which did more to calm her nerves than anything else.
Chapter Sixteen
When her alarm sounded, she woke surrounded by Hugh. His arm was around her waist, his leg was thrown over hers, and he was curled against her back. At least time she wasn't hanging off the edge of the bed. She wasn't a heavy sleeper but once again, Hugh managed to come into the apartment and slip into bed, undetected by her.
As she reached out to turn off the alarm, Hugh muzzled her neck. “Good morning."
She growled in reply and shrugged him off.
He untangled himself, rolled out of bed, and pulled on his jeans while she was still trying to force herself to sit up. “I'll make coffee while you get dressed."
By the time she came out of the room dressed for work, not only was the coffee done but he'd made breakfast as well and it was sitting on the table.
He kissed her lightly on the cheek as he passed by, headed for the bathroom. “Eat. You'll feel better. I want to see an empty plate on the table when I come back."
"Eat, you'll feel better.” She mimicked him lightly under her breath. God, she hated mornings. She poured a cup of coffee and sat to the table to eat as he commanded. The sad thing was, he was absolutely right. She did feel better. More alert and ready to face the day.
Over the next couple of days, they fell into a routine. She'd awaken with Hugh in bed beside her. He'd fix coffee and breakfast while she prepared for work. They would eat breakfast together and then she'd gather her things and head for the door. Hugh would stop her at the door, kiss the breath out of her and give her mind-blowing orgasms. Then he would shove her outside and on her way to the office before her heartbeat had a chance to settle. He never touched her at any other time or removed any more clothes than necessary, meaning what he'd said about giving her body time to heal.
After work, she would unwind by puttering around the apartment before heading downstairs to spend time with Hugh. He'd stop working long enough to eat with her and then they'd talk while he worked. About nine, she would go home and prepare for the next day. Once in bed, she'd fall asleep knowing that at some time during the night, Hugh would join her.
Between work and the time she spent with Hugh, she was rarely home. Even so it occurred to her, now that she had her new phone, it was strangely quiet on the home-front. She'd really expected Charles to call back after she hung up on him like she did. He'd called everyday prior to that last time. That he hadn't called again was a cause for concern.
He'd been acting a little off lately. When he called she would encourage him to speak to a grief counselor. He had some serious issues that he needed to deal with. The next time she called home, she'd ask her father to speak to Charles about seeking professional help. She wouldn't call Charles herself. He'd see it as a sign of weakening on her part and the last thing she wanted to do was encourage him.