Teach Me - chapter 3

“Morning—Gregg.” I handed the sleepy looking blue eyed and black haired handsome man a named mug of coffee. It was Gregg with whom I’d slept with. I’d learned that when I’d gone down to the kitchen the next morning, Saturday morning, and had seen a handwritten note for him left by someone named Angelique.

The note said that there was a casserole in the fridge that just needed to be heated up at 350 for thirty minutes and that she would be by sometime Monday morning depending on the roads.

“Cute,” he rasped, referring to the fact that his name was on the mug. “Okay so what’s your name?”

“You already know it.”

“I do?” Gregg frowned.

“Mm-hmm. I’m your Wild Woman, remember?”

“Sure do. But I’m sure there must be something else I can call you.”

I nodded. “Julissa Harrison. And you’re Gregg Royce?”

“Sure am.” He set the mug down and approached the stove, wrapping his arms around my waist.

“Have we met before? Your name is familiar for some reason,” Gregg said as he rested his chin on my shoulder.

“I don’t think so. But maybe you’ve been to an event I’ve catered? I’m co-owner of J & J Delights.”

“Hmm. Don’t think so but maybe.” Gregg sounded troubled as he tried to recall how he knew my name.

I giggled, realizing just how weird this situation was. I’d spent the night having amazing sex with a guy whose name I hadn’t been certain about until about thirty minutes ago, and here I was in his kitchen, wearing a Huskers sweatshirt and nothing else, heating up the egg, ham and cheese casserole Angelique had left him and a couple of slices of bacon I’d found in the fridge.

“What’s so funny,” Gregg queried.

“Us,” I answered. “It should be awkward as hell to be here with you almost naked and yet it feels like the most natural thing in the world.” I shrugged and flipped a piece of bacon I had frying on the stove. “Then again I always feel at home in the kitchen.”

“I know you’re not one of those barefoot and pregnant type women…”

“No. I’m a caterer, like I said. I make delicious foods and treats for people who can’t cook or don’t want to.”

“Oh. That’s why you were at that party last night, then?” Gregg moved some of my hair out of the way and began to nibble on the ear he’d exposed. “Do all caterers dress in little black dresses with absolutely no underwear on?” He laughed softly, his breath fanning against my neck in such a way that made me shiver.

“They do when they’re making a good impression among the rich.” It wasn’t like I’d been dressed like a tramp or anything! The dress had been far from short, falling just below my knees, and it wasn’t at all sheer or tight-looking. It had draped my body in a way that made me look elegant but youthful.

Gregg pulled away from me, needing space I assumed. “So tell me about yourself, Julissa. That’s an interesting name.”

“Thanks. All the women in my family have names that begin with J. My mom had always wanted to name her daughter Alissa but dad had had his heart set on Julia. So they combined the two and came up with Julissa.”

“It’s as unusual but pretty as you are.”

I blushed, though Gregg couldn’t see it. “I’m not all that unusual,” I said brusquely.

“I beg to differ. I don’t know any other virgin who would lock eyes with their lover and tell them to punish them and use them.”

My blush intensified as I remembered that I had said those words. “Yeah, well I wasn’t exactly thinking straight right then.” I didn’t tell Gregg that I’d actually for some time now had this secret desire to be used by some random, hot guy.

Gregg began to silently set his small circular kitchen table, letting our conversation lag. Eventually he said, “How old are you, Julissa?”

“I’m Twenty-five. And you?”

“Twenty-nine. I assume, since you were a virgin, that you’re not dating anyone?”

“You assume correct! But I’m not some religious prude or a total loser,” I rushed to say. “I just haven’t found the right guy that I wanted to lose my virginity to.”

The room quickly went from cozy and warm to awkward and cold. “I-I’m sorry, Gregg. I know it was just sex. Honest! I know that as soon as I can get a cab or you take me to the hotel to get my car that I’ll probably never see you again. I’m okay with that. Really.” Was I trying to fool myself, or Gregg? The words had been easy to say but they were far from the truth. I didn’t want to leave Gregg. Didn’t want to return to the real world.

“Have you looked outside lately? We got at least six inches of snow overnight and it’s going to be some time before they’ll clear this area. You were blindfolded on the drive here so you wouldn’t have seen how remote I am out here.”

I’d looked briefly out the window in the kitchen but hadn’t realized just how much snow had fallen. “Oh. Guess it’s a good thing I don’t have any plans for the weekend!”

“Good thing,” Gregg murmured absently, his voice full of regret.

“Could you turn the oven off and take out the casserole, please? I’ll just pat down the bacon and then we can eat!” I shot Gregg a kind smile hoping to cut the tension that existed in the room.

Did he want me to leave? Or—“You regret last night, don’t you?” I said quietly. I refocused on the bacon, using silver tongs to take it out of the pan and onto a napkin lined paper plate. “Well I have no regrets. Last night—and this morning, were great.”

Gregg didn’t answer but I could see he was focused on the casserole dish so I waited until he’d set it down on the hot plate he’d set out on the table along with the dishes and cutlery.

“Can I get you something to drink?” Gregg asked gruffly. “I’ve got orange juice or white grape juice. There’s also milk or water, of course.”

“Orange juice is fine. Thanks.” I pulled out a chair and sat down. I waited for Gregg to return before cutting into the casserole with the metal spatula I’d retrieved.

“Was Angelique here when you came down?” Gregg asked suddenly. He had in his hand the note she’d left for him, along with my glass of juice which he set down before me.

“No. You’re the only person I’ve seen so far today.”

“Good.” Gregg sat down at the head of the table and tucked into the food I’d gotten for him. I’d decided to be nice and serve him after everything he’d done for me.

“Who’s Angelique?” I asked as lightly as I could.

“My housekeeper. She’s a little nosy but she means well. I’m glad she’s not here, though. I’d worry about her getting home with the roads the way they are.”

I wasn’t sure what to say to that so I just smiled awkwardly.

“You don’t want me here, do you?” I stared down at food laden plate in front of me no longer hungry.

“Let’s just say it’s a whole different world outside of my bedroom.”

“After I eat I’ll call a cab.”

“No, you will not,” Gregg said sharply. “Julissa it’s messy out there and there is no reason for you to leave.” He picked up my hand from my lap and covered it with his own. “I don’t want you to leave. And in answer to your earlier question, I don’t regret last night. Or this morning.” He grinned cheekily at me which caused me to blush.

“This morning, huh? And just what happened this morning little bro?” A taller and heavier though not fat version of Gregg walked into the room heading straight for the half-full coffee pot.

I glanced up sharply at who had spoken then rushed out of my chair and onto my knees so fast that it tipped over. “It’s good to see you again Master Royce,” I murmured respectfully with my eyes trained on the floor.

This was so not how I’d envisioned my morning going. It was bad enough to have to face Gregg “the morning after” but now to face a totally respected and kind of scary guy who I have to deal with on occasion? I just hoped that what I was sure would happen next wouldn’t be too awkward or painful.

“Oh shit,” Gregg muttered. “That’s how I know your name. You belong to my brother.”