Chapter 18

As the door opened she headed towards the front to find out what they were up to, she could hear the laughter and chatter of many women and sighed, this could get nasty!

Mon jumped out of the way and Gail took in the scene before her, it looked like all their clients had suddenly descended en mass from their homes and by the look of one woman they called the black widow, from her treatment room with just a towel about her. And damnit she was plastered all over Richie, Gail had to tamp down the need to walk over, rip her off him and throw her out of the place!

She caught Richie’s eye and her breath left her as the smile lit up his face, he gently pushed the black widow off him and got up, and not taking his eyes off her walked towards her. Gail swallowed he moved like a panther on the prowl, his long legs eating up the space between them till they were toe to toe.

‘Finished hiding out love? Now I’ve bet Jon that David wasn’t, and isn’t the man you’ve sighed over all these years. Am I right?’ His fingers caressed her cheek then moved a strand of hair out of her face, tucking it behind her ear, caressing the shell he found there, Gail couldn’t resist the shudder that ran through her.

‘Yeah smartass you’re right, I’ve always liked the dark side.’ Richie’s smug grin grew deeper, till Mon stepped into the conversation.

‘Yeah, Tico sends her every time.’ And she held back a laugh at his look of total amazement; she’d not leave her boss hanging like that.

‘Tico?’ He yelped out, his hand falling away from her leaving her feeling lonely.

Jon cracked up as he walked over and heard what Mon had said, what Richie didn’t see but Jon did was Mon trying not to laugh her ass off. He liked her, she was smart and had a killer verbal sparring repartee, and Dave would love her! But she was a little bit too young for their tastes now, but she seemed fun to have about.

‘Tell me you’re kidding baby or I’m going to wonder about your boss’s taste in men!’ His pleading look at Mon hit her square between her eyes, and she started to melt like a chocolate fire guard.

By this time the desk was covered by women throwing themselves at the men again, and others listening to the conversation.

Gail realised she needed to take charge and disperse people, ‘Ladies, if you have an appointment or should be in with your therapist now, I suggest you go. If you stand here you will be charge for your session even if you don’t get it. It’s up to you, and as I’m taking the gentlemen with me your eye candy will be gone.’ With that she turned and walked through the door not even looking if Richie and Jon were following. But she did hear lots of movement as women rushed to their appointments.

She walked back into her office and picked up her purse, turning she found Richie right behind her crowding her, ‘Haven’t you heard of personal space?’ She shoved his solid chest, and he stepped back a little and she moved around him only to find Jon in front of her!

‘So where are we going now?’ Jon asked crowding her too, talk about a J ‘n’ R sandwich, as Richie turned to follow her, he put his hands on her shoulders.

‘Well I’m heading out for lunch and to shop, I’ve no idea what you two are doing.’ She tried to move but Richie’s fingers wouldn’t let her move.

‘After you tell us who, we’ll all go to lunch, our treat, and then I can pitch the job offer to you, okay?’ Jon’s killer megawatt smile took her breath, and the smell of Richie was slowly driving her round the bend, or further around it if you’re being picky!

She rolled her eyes, they were like a dog with a bone, and she heaved a sigh, looked Jon in the eye and caved. ‘Richie.’ That was all she said, and Jon smirked, he’d been right all along.

‘Told ya bro.’ He crowed at Richie.

‘Told him what?’ Gail was confused, as she’d said his name Richie had pulled her back against his chest and hugged her.

‘I told him when we met you were a Darksider! He didn’t really believe me, see I can spot one a mile away.’

‘Only because she didn’t respond to your smile and begging.’ Richie retorted, burrowing his nose into her hair, then kissing her head after sniffing her scent.

Jon just laughed and Gail didn’t really care who’d won especially if Richie kept doing what he was doing, his arms about her were heavenly.

Her stomach growled loudly and she blushed, not again!

‘Christ, you’d never have to ask you if you’re hungry, it tells you when it wants feeding.’ Both Jon and Richie laughed at her mortified expression, again.

‘Come on baby, time to feed you, get you liquored up, then we can get you to sign a contract while you’re not in the right mind.’ Jon laughed.

‘With you two around I’m never in the right mind!’

Both men offered her an arm, she took them, and they walked out the door heading for food and god knew what else.

Mon watched them walk out arm in arm and shouted after them ‘Gee, don’t forget your party tonight at Mr Chows, and bring your friends!’  She winked at Jon, who blew a kiss back to her, she nearly swooned!

‘We’ll be there darlin; we’re not letting her out of our sight just yet.’ Jon informed her, winking then waving as he ushered Gail out the door and into the sunlight.

‘Jon, I don’t expect you to go to the party, it’s mainly people I work with. Nothing fancy.’

‘Hell, you’re going back to that restaurant, I’m definitely there.’ He patted his none existent stomach. ‘What about you Rich?’

‘Wherever you go, we’ll follow.’ The look he gave her just about burnt her up.

‘Okay.’ Was the only rejoinder she could think of.