‘I really want to fuck you,’ he said quietly, his voice husky with desire.
Carlotta pulled away from him a little. ‘You sure know how to woo a girl.’
Chris stood, his oven mitts still on. ‘Well, I do,’ he said simply.
‘Is that an offer I can’t refuse?’
‘I’m very good,’ he said, smiling at her as Carlotta laughed a little. ‘It might be just what you need after sleeping with that shocker Berconi.’
Carlotta looked at him and frowned.
‘What? Have I offended you?’ he asked.
Carlotta was silent while she thought.
‘No, it’s just that when you mentioned Berconi, I realised that I was with him because I was lonely. I am still lonely. I don’t have a life. I have relationships with horses. Berconi was there when no one else was. I need to start to do more and meet someone and start my life Chris. Am I attracted to you? Yes. Do I know that you don’t do relationships? Yes. You have Alexia and I understand that she is the most important person in your world and how could you make time for another female when she needs you so much and will forever? She is special and wonderful and you are one hell of a father. I wish I had a father like you. You are amazing and right now, I don’t want to be just fucked by you, I want more from you and I know that won’t happen. So instead I need to find someone who can give me that. I’m sorry.’
And she picked up her bag and left.
Alexia came out in to the hallway, showered and fresh after hearing the door slam. Chris was standing shell shocked in the hallway.
‘What did you say to her, Dad?’ accused Alexia.
‘Nothing, I swear.’
‘Bullshit,’ said Alexia, her hands on her slender hips. ‘You like her, Dad, I know you do. You always talk about her and I think she likes you from what I can see.’
Chris stood in silence as Alexia continued. ‘Don’t be a fuckwit, Dad.’ Chris’s head jerked in her direction at her language. ‘You spend your whole time either at work or with me and one day I won’t be here. I will be in France or wherever and you won’t have anyone and you are too fucking great to be alone. I love Carlotta, she is amazing and you know it, so don’t be a loser. Go after her, OK?’
Chris nodded as Alexia wheeled herself to the hall table and picked up his keys where he had dumped them. ‘Now go, hurry,’ she ordered, and she threw the keys at him.
Chris ran down the stairs, knowing the elevator would take too long, and ran into the street. Where was she? He had forgotten his jacket and was freezing in his shirt. He glanced up the street. It was dark and he could see a sea of heads but not Carlotta’s.
As he rushed along the street, he peered into the shops around him but couldn’t see her. He rounded the corner and saw the large bookstore that he and Alexia used as their local coffee haunt on a Sunday. Walking inside, he saw her, standing in the self-help section, looking awkwardly at the selection in front of her. He walked around the edge of the store until he was standing behind her. He saw a book on the shelf, picked it up and from behind handed it to her. Carlotta looked down and read the title.How to meet a man and keep him.She frowned and turned to see Chris standing sheepishly behind her.
‘You’ve met me, now will you be mine?’ he asked, blushing.
Carlotta started to laugh and cry at the same time. ‘You fucking fool,’ she said, as he grabbed her in his arms and kissed her fervidly.
She pulled away from him. ‘Are you just doing this to get me into your bed?’
He laughed. ‘Of course, but I am hoping you will stay in it forever and ever.’
Carlotta wiped her eyes. ‘You want to have a relationship with me?’ she asked. ‘We haven’t even slept together.’
Chris put the book on the shelf. ‘I think about you all the time. I dress for you. Does that make me like a woman? Maybe. You are under my skin, Carlotta de Santoval, and I am afraid I can’t get rid of you and nor do I want to.’
Carlotta blushed. ‘I think about you also. I dress for you every day when I go to work and I don’t even like clothes,’ she laughed.
‘Come home with me,’ he said taking her hand.
Carlotta paused. ‘What made you change your mind?’
‘I had never made my mind up,’ he countered her question. ‘However, it was my lovely daughter who so charmingly told me I was a fucking loser if I let you get away.’
‘I do like your daughter.’
‘She’s all right,’ said Chris, looking into Carlotta’s eyes. ‘Did I mention I never go out with women taller than me?’
