Christine took a day to regain herself, and she would've called Monica, but she didn't want to talk, so she found comfort in ice cream and celebrity drama while Meg worked.

Christine went to work the next day, which was also the day Raoul came home meaning she had no motivation to go home. So she worked late... Later than she meant to honestly. Three am rolled around, and she had dozed off when she rest her head to help with the headache. She woke up ready to punch someone, but relaxed when it was just Boss Man. "Christine what are you doing here? It's three am."

"I could ask you same thing, Mister Dessin." She sat back in her chair and tried not to show the fear that she felt when the chair went further back than usual.

"Why are you mad at me? If anything I should be mad at you for ignoring me at the airport the other night." He saw the opportunity to ask out that night. "Why did you? And what was with the dress? Also Monica called me and she said you didn't show up for your session yesterday, but I know you were in New York."

"I had a breakdown in Georgia after Raoul's dad tore me down. I flew home after packing my bags, and I just so happened to be in a formal dress. Plus seeing you out with some hot chick the day after I leave wasn't the best feeling in the world, but hey I'll get over it. I was only entertainment, I know that know."

"I'm sorry his dad did that to you, and the only woman I was out with yesterday was my sister Maddie."

"You have a sister? You never told me you had one…" Christine felt dumb.

"It never came up. She's over in Europe ten months out of the year, and she just got here two days ago… And she's staying at my place this time." Erik wasn't thrilled about that fact, and neither was Christine. "Thankfully she's out most of the day, but even then it's iffy. Plus she brings friends over so she could walk in with ten women while we're in my room."

"Well that's just a risk I'm willing to take." Christine started to rub her neck when it was nice and tight from her horrible sleeping position. "What are you doing here?"

"I forgot my phone, and when everything was unlocked and the lights were on I double checked everything and found you… Thankfully you're the only one here."

"Am I?" Christine looked around the office, and she smiled when she realized Erik's intentions. "Well I've always been interested in makeup conference table sex if you're up for it."

"So I can think about you every time I'm in there trying to focus? Count me in." Christine laughed as she got up from her desk, and she took Erik's hand as they walked across the office. "So in a few weeks I'm starting to remodel this place."

"Yeah?"

"Less carpet, more hardwood. New equipment, new desks, bathrooms and break room. With the hours we pull I might put a full kitchen in. I don't know yet."

"Oh really? That sounds nice… The place does kind of smell. I didn't want to hurt your feelings by telling you, but since you know then I'm free to speak my mind."

"It smells horrible in here. I completely agree. Spoiled coffee, mildew from snow on people's shoes and things like that really build up over the years." Erik opened the door and Christine walked in and sat down on the table.

"So I'm thinking in the middle where nearly everyone touches at least once or twice." She unzipped her dress and tossed it on the floor after taking it off, leaving her in her bra and panties. "What do you think?" She spread her legs as Erik kicked his shoes off and nearly tore the rest of his clothes off. Erik hurried up to her, and she jumped back away from him to tease him. "What are you waiting for? Come and get me." She giggled as he got onto the desk, and Christine stopped moving once they were where she wanted to be. Erik kissed her as his hands moved down the length of her legs.

. x .

Christine finally went home, and she locked the door behind her... Which apparently woke Raoul up. "Where the hell have you been? I've been waiting for a text or a call or a morse code thing since eight."

"Sorry." She wasn't sure why she was apologizing when he never did and he did it every night. She could've gotten mad, but Erik was on her mind so she was calm.

"Are you though? You've been on a shitty streak the past few days."

"Oh wow few days? I'm so sorry I'll work on it. Can't have me acting out for a day or two, can we? You act out enough for the both of us." Christine piled her things onto the counter before turning and looking at Raoul. "I told you I didn't want to go to dinner. Don't blame me for your shit listening skills. Your parents hate me because I ended up not being like you guys. They obviously weren't going to make me feel better."

"They don't hate you, Christine. My dad wasn't even hinting towards you being a failure or whatever you thought he was. He just wanted to know if you had found a job."

"No he wanted to know if my lazy ass had found a job yet." She kicked her shoes off and she nearly left the house again so she didn't have to deal with Raoul.

"You're not correct but-"

"Why did your parents take me in?" That question was starting to bug her. "I was your friend in school and that's it. Logically why did they take me in? There had to be something making it worthwhile."

"Because I asked them to."

"No that's what got them considering it, but what actually pushed them to do it? They look at everything from a business standpoint, why was taking me in and sending me to college a good investment?" Raoul stopped himself from dismissing her question since she had a point.

"I don't know. I'll have to ask them." Then he remembered he was mad at her for leaving Georgia. "But what the hell were you thinking leaving like that?! You can't do whatever you want and expect no repercussions because you're you! It was my parents anniversary and we were going to spend the day together the next day but no! You got up and left like the only person who matters in the world is you!"

"I told you going in I didn't want to be there, I told you going to the dinner I didn't want to be there and I told you during the dinner I didn't want to be there! Of course I'm going to leave after your dad was a jackass!"

"He wasn't being a jackass holy shit." Raoul rubbed his face and tried not to scream at Christine's inability to think about things a different way.

"I thought he was! I felt that he was being condescending and making fun of my career choices, which people you know have been known to do! You surround me with these assholes and then you ignore how they treat me! I can't win when I'm with you, Raoul. I can't. Either I have a bad career or I have silly things I do because of my parents. Your friends and family make fun of who I am and what I do, and you let them. Then I slowly feel worse and worse about myself until I get to the point where I feel like killing myself is an option, and a good one at that. Then you treat me like some disgusting person you can't even look at let alone sleep in the same bed with... Until you think I'm willing to sleep with you then you're all for it."

"I can't control everyone, Christine! It's not my fault people do that. My family? I can't stop them! I also can't stop my friends! You're asking me to do all this stuff that I can't do!"

"Then why are we together?!" She took a deep breath to stop her hands from shaking, and Raoul tried not to get hurt by her question. "I need to be with someone who is willing to dump an asshole friend. I need someone who is willing to stand up to his family for me. You can't do any of those... I deserve better than what you've been giving me lately. So either be a good partner or stop wasting my time." She crossed her arms and waited for Raoul's decision, and when he slowly started to nod she was mildly confused.

"Okay. You're right... I'll dump Miles, and I'll call my parents and tell them to back off. Just tell me what I need to do to keep you around. I love you too much to lose you." He put his arms around her waist and she laid her head on his chest... She was too tired for fighting.

"I will in the morning. I'm too tired tonight."

"Bed?" Raoul looked at the beautiful woman he was lucky enough to be able to call his and to hold. When she nodded he picked her up and kissed her forehead while walking into their room.

. x .

Raoul and Christine slept in, so the next morning Christine spent the morning talking to Raoul and they worked out a compromise on what would make them both happy, but something that was also realistic. They both once again agreed on three nights he could stay and work, the other four he'd be home on time. Then the next time he spoke to his parents he'd explain that Christine felt they were judging her and her life choices, and they either needed to stop or talk to her and clear things up. Then before they left for work, Raoul texted Miles telling him they were over due to how badly he treated Christine, and Raoul was done with it. On her way to work, Christine stopped by her favorite coffee joint and picked her and Erik up a peppermint coffee. Thankfully it stayed warm the entire walk to work, and it even kept her hands warm.

She opened his door with her butt since Jackie wasn't at her desk, and she smiled when he was typing away on his computer. "Please knock next-" seeing that it was Christine Erik ended that sentence. "Hey I'm surprised to see you here so early." Erik got up and met her halfway, and he accepted the coffee from her.

"It's delicious, don't ask what it is, and yes I'm awake. I'm a young person I bounce back quickly."

"Apparently so." Erik sipped at the coffee and was pleased when he got a hint of peppermint, and he was trying to ignore Christine's fight eyes. "You're walking straight, I must not have done well enough."

"No I'm really sore, I'm just good at hiding it." She took a drink of hers and Erik seemed happy.

"I'm sorry you're in pain." He set his cup down before hugging her from the side. "Want me to massage it for you?" They smiled, and Christine laughed since she had a feeling that wasn't going to work.

"Thank you for the offer, and despite how tempting it is, I have to work today."

"It's only ten minutes." He nestled his face against the side of her head, and it was so hard to say no since it was her boss encouraging her not to work.

"I have to pay bills."

"I'm distracting you, don't worry about your pay."

"Well now I feel like a prostitute." Christine knew what he meant, she just wanted to give him a hard time.

"You know what I mean." He kissed her neck, and she shut her eyes as he trailed his kisses around to the small of her throat where he licked and bit, but moved away and looked like he just ate a bug. Realizing he was tasting her perfume, Christine immediately busted out laughing. "It tastes so bad!" He grabbed his coffee and sipped at it to try and help the taste go away.

"That's not funny but it's hilarious."

"Ha yeah hilarious."

"That's what you get for distracting me from my work." Christine waited for Erik to finish rinsing his mouth out before approaching him. "Horrible influence."

"You're at work, you're being paid. Now let me distract you since you can't come over after work." He moved her closer before starting to roll her dress up above her butt. "Now let me give you a little massage," Erik kissed her and she wrapped her arms around his neck. "and then we'll ruin any helpfulness the massage is."

"Only if we can go out to lunch. I know this really good Chinese food place that I've been craving for a while now. My treat."

"Deal." He picked her up making her giggle, and he carried her over to the back of his desk. He kicked his chair out of the way and set her down on the edge of the desk. She watched as he pulled her panties to the side, and she smiled and watched as he moved down onto his knees. Christine moved closer to the edge before wrapping her legs around his neck, and when she felt his tongue run down her thigh she tried not to get impatient.

"So when did you become a certified masseuse?"

"Don't worry about that." She giggled making him smile, and she stopped when he nipped at her thigh. He was going to be the death of her.

. x .

Erik ended up teasing Christine to no end, but he made up for it with his tongue abilities… She really didn't know what to call it, she just knew it felt fantastic. She held his head where it was to keep it there, and she kicked her heels off so she had better toe mobility. He nipped at her making her moan, and as she pulled at his hair she put her head back. "Hey- oh Jesus Christ." Christine squeaked and jumped off the desk then worked on pulling her dress down. Erik stood up, and was ready to kill Nadir.

"How the hell did you get in here? I still have your key."

"The… Door was open. I can come back later. I didn't mean to interrupt."

"I thought you locked the door." Erik looked over at Christine and she shrugged her shoulders.

"I wasn't planning on doing anything so I didn't think to. I need to get to work anyway." Christine grabbed her coffee and hoped her focus on work would douse the fire that was currently residing in her person. She was almost to the door when she remembered her shoes, so she hurried over and slipped them on, "don't forget lunch." then left the office. She hoped her legs would stay stable enough to make it to her office without falling. When she got to her desk she sighed as she plopped down into her chair, and the first thing to happen was her shoes coming off. She hated wearing them more than necessary.

"We could've finished. He was leaving." Christine looked up from her computer, and out of the two of them Erik was pouting.

"It's weird. I don't like people knowing what we're doing at work."

"Screw them. I put a lot of time and effort into you getting some fun and he ruined it, and I'm not going to end this day with you almost getting off." He sat down across from her, and she was touched by his dedication on the matter.

"It's okay, Erik, I'll live. I've gone six months without an orgasm, I can go twelve hours."

"But-"

"Seriously. I appreciate how much you care about this, but I'm okay. I'm a big girl. Now I'll be ready for lunch at one, and if you don't give me any work so I'll cave and let you finish I'll withhold sex for a week or so."

"Oh no we'll have to spend time with each other and get to know one another better. How will I ever live?"

"Really?" Erik nodded and Christine realized how opposite he and Raoul were. "I figured you'd prefer to just learn as we go like Raoul does."

"Raoul is a giant child, of course he'd prefer that. I personally want to date you. Get to know you and spend time with you. Take you out dancing and to see plays-"

"I hate plays, love musicals." Erik seemed to be in pain momentarily which Christine took as he hated musicals.

"To see musicals on the rare occasion, take you to countries you've only ever dreamed of seeing. I want something that it seems you and I never got with our first tries."

"I have no clue how you're single."

"Because I'm holding out for you." She felt herself blush, and Erik saw it which always made him happy. He loved making her blush, it meant he was doing something right. "I really think we have some strong potential, I just need you to give us the chance we need. We won't get anywhere hiding behind closed doors constantly."

"I know, I'm just… I'm letting a lot go by leaving Raoul, and I'm bad with change so this is hard for me. Let's just keep this going, please? I promise I'll end it with him I just need time. Besides, I have to put some money away so I can get a car and help pay my friends rent once I move in with her."

"Okay. You make the call and I'll be waiting… Can we get the Chinese food to go and go back to my place? I really want to do last night again."

"Last night was pretty hot…" Christine contemplated her options, and when to-go and his place didn't seem like a bad idea she was down. "Okay. Yeah let's do that." Erik grinned and stood up, and when he turned, then turned back around she was mildly concerned. "You okay?"

"Yeah no I'm fine… I'm just antsy. Uh… Oh yeah um I have a rush six item order in for two thousand, do you want it? I figured since your log is clear you'd be the best to ask."

"When's it due?"

"Two days."

"What do they want them for?"

"Wide, tall and small banners, window hangings and ads."

"Yeah why not." Christine knew she was the only one who could safely accept it, and she didn't want to make Erik turn a client down. "I'll need my schedule clear for the next two days though so no more work until I'm done with that."

"Got it." He finally decided to address the fight eyes. "So who won?"

"Hm?" Christine didn't keep up with sports, she had no clue why he was asking her.

"The fight." Christine stared at him as she tried to understand what the hell he meant. "With the Lawyer. You have a tiredness in your eyes that only comes from emotional exhaustion, which most of the time occurs after a fight."

"Oh… I don't know. No one really. It was the same fight as last time. Same fight, same results. I've given up on getting through to him."

"I'm sorry."

"No you're not. You're excited." She couldn't blame him, if the roles were reversed she'd be throwing a party when he announced he was throwing in the towel with Maley. "Which is fine. I kinda am too, but it's bittersweet for me."

"Okay you have a point, but I'd be excited even if I wasn't waiting for you to be single. Raoul treats you like shit, Christine. He doesn't deserve you. You need someone who's willing to be there mentally and physically when you need it. You need someone who won't make fun of you for any quirks you may have because of the traumatizing event of losing your parents. You deserve the best, and while I might not be the best either, Raoul is no where near it."

"If you're not the best I don't think I could handle the actual best. In anyway shape or form."

"Good, because they don't get you." Christine giggled, and Erik left her office leaving her to get ready for the day.

. x .

"Thanks for letting me finish." Christine cuddled up against Erik as he tried staying awake.

"You make it sound like it's a rarity."

"You know what I mean." She bit at his shoulder while her hands rubbed his stomach, her nails being used lightly.

"So six months? That's a lot of months to go without an orgasm. Why'd you do it?"

"I was busy and tired. Plus a little depressed. Antidepressants can make having an orgasm difficult."

"Oh yeah I heard that somewhere. So it's true?" Christine nodded, and as she moved up and kissed him the door opened. They were having the absolute worst luck. "Okay that one's on me… Yes Maddie?" Erik helped Christine get under the covers the rest of the way so nothing was seen.

"Do you have any mint?"

"No you'll have to go and get some."

"Okay. So who's this?" Maddie remained in the doorway as Christine moved further under the blankets so she wasn't seen.

"This is my friend and for now that's all you need to know."

"So she's married like you then?"

"No and even if she was that's none of your business. Now please lock the door and leave the room."

"Okay have fun you two." Christine waited to move towards Erik until she heard the door close, and when she grabbed him he jumped he didn't voice any objections which was all she needed.