Not a fool this time….. Chapter 12
Walter pulled the car into the back bay while Gale went inside. He closed up, locked up, and set the security. Going into the common area he expected to see Gale but all was dark but for the dim lighting of the Scorpion explosives sign. He noticed the loft door open and light on. He climbed the stairs to see Gale in one of his t-shirts at the kitchen counter setting up the coffee maker. She looked over her shoulder.
"You gave me permission to rummage through your drawers….. so I did," she smiled. "You want coffee now or should I leave it set up for morning?"
"Coffee is not what is on my mind right now," he said putting his arms around her and kissing her shoulder. She turned and put her arms around his waist and captured his mouth for a deep and passionate kiss. He picked her up to sit on the counter so they were eye level. She stared into his eyes while pulling his t-shirt over his head to drop it on the counter next to her.
"Gods, I can get lost in your eyes," she said softly then kissed him again. She ran her hands along his ribs to his chest, "I love the feel of you…. Walter... Walter?"
He stood there looking at her. "Hmmmm?"
"You prefer I go downstairs…. you having second thoughts about us?"
He smiled, "you forget my memory, I want to relish the moment. Prolong the perfection of you, to replay when needed should you ever leave."
Gale smiled, "Walter, I told you, I bound myself to you willingly and freely." She wrapped her legs around his waist to draw him closer, her arms around his neck to kiss him again. He hugged her to him and carried her to the bedroom.
She put her feet down to stand by the bed to watch him shed his clothes then pulled the t-shirt over her head to stand naked with him. "Leave the light on, I want you to remember everything." She sat on the bed and took his hand, looking into his deep, dark eyes said, "I love you, I want you, come join with me," and laid back. He laid on his side by her to lean over and kiss her. She put her leg over his hip to bring him closer, "I want you." She could feel his erection and wanted it so rose above him and slowly impaled herself with a sigh.
Gale awoke to look at Walter. "How is it you are awake? I wanted to watch you in restful sleep and here you are awake before me… and thank you."
He looked at her questioningly, "what for?"
"I know you held off half the night- were you doing equations to keep your mind busy on a different track than the physical?"
"No, I was just watching you. Could watch you all night long to see you completely satisfied…. have been told I am rather…. lacking."
"You lack nothing, Walter. I heard you when you finally let go."
"Yes, sometimes it hurts so good," he said with a smile reaching up to put a lock of hair behind her ear.
"I do not want you to hurt in any way when with me. I get as much pleasure pleasuring you- I want you totally happy with me," she said with a smile. "Let me get the coffee started- be right back." She got up to go into the kitchen area to start the coffee then sat on the bed to see Walter staring at her. "Walter?"
"Hmmm?"
"What are you thinking?"
He continued to stare at her. "I am thinking I want to be in you again." He stretched his arms to her so she leaned over to get wrapped up in a bear hug and he rolled over to press her into the mattress. She eagerly spread for his slow entry. She sighed and closed her eyes.
"Gale… look at me," he said softly straightening his arms to rise above her. She opened her eyes to stare into his deep gaze as he drove into her at a faster tempo until she was gasping in deep breaths her eyes on his until she gasped his name clutching at his hips in the throes of her climax when he joined her with a groan of release his eyes locked on her languid fulfilled hazel eyes. He collapsed next to her pulled her into his arms and both fell asleep.
Some hours later they both awoke.
"Bet that coffee is undrinkable. Let me take a shower and I will get another pot going. You stay and relax." She said giving him a kiss. "I'm going to swipe another of your t-shirts if you don't mind."
"As I said, 'mi casa; su casa'," Walter said. "I am quite content to lay here watching you."
Gale gave him a big smile, kissed him, got up to grab a t-shirt from his dresser while he watched her, he then laid back to hear the shower start. Staring at the ceiling, he got to thinking… something Simone had said so many months ago. He thought a moment to bring it to mind. Yes, that's it. She said 'there is something to be said for just the feel good of an excellent sexual encounter, you know, without those ties that bind, great expectations or planning for the future.' He came to the realization he WANTED those ties that bind, he wanted his future wrapped around a person….. he wanted his future wrapped around Gale. His life is no longer in turmoil, he is no longer surrounded by discontent. Gale accepts him and all his flaws without condemnation. She has seen his worst knows of his causing death and destruction, has seen his inner demons and has seen him excel, knows he has tried to atone, take responsibility for his missteps. She accepts him, and, while he does not have that irrational, emotional turmoil as he did with Paige, he has a contentment and attachment to Gale that is different but so much deeper than the superficial physical chemistry he had with Paige….. that chemistry that Paige could so easily walk away from and attach herself to another man shows the superficiality of that relationship he had with her.
"Oh, if ever I have seen a man in deep contemplation, here it is," Gale said leaning against the doorway. "Do I want to know what is running through your mind?"
"I don't know," Walter said eyes focusing on her. "I was thinking of you."
She searched his face. "You want me to leave?"
"Why do you think I would want you to leave?"
"Come on, Walter. I saw your reaction to seeing Paige at the dinner, I saw plainly how pretty she is and am realistic enough to know that while I'm nice looking, I'm not in her league." Gale said. "Like I said, you are Walter O'Brien, math and computer genius, and ….I'm just an employee." She lowered her eyes. "I'll get the coffee downstairs going and call for a ride, will drop your shirt off…. sooner or later."
"Gale." She turned back to him. He got out of bed, walked to her and put his arms around her, pressing her head to his chest. "I want you to stay forever. There is a more and deeper love than can be generated by looks. Yes, Paige is pretty, but her treatment of me detracts from those looks. SHE did not love me, I loved what I thought she was," he said softly. "Mutual understanding, caring, respect, compassion, THOSE are the ties that bind and develop into a deeper love than mere looks and chemistry. I want you by my side for the rest of my life. I was told to grow up, I have, thanks to you. You have seen all of me and accept me as I am- I love you for that. I will spend my life showing you what true love is." He put his hand under her chin to tilt her head so he could see the tears in her eyes and kissed her deeply. "Yes, I, Walter O'Brien, math and computer genius, love you….. just an employee, Gale. Love you deeply, passionately, and without reservation."
Three weeks of their living together in the loft was a happy time. The work at the space division was moving along splendidly. The entire fuel delivery system was revamped reducing weight and the booster modifications Walter and Richard's team of engineers worked out to make fuel usage more efficient. Richard thought the change in Walter's attitude was remarkable and wondered at the cause after the unfortunate dinner meeting. He was out with a number of financial advisors and had time to visit Walter after the luncheon was over in early evening. He pulled up to the garage to see the tail end of the Ferrari at the open garage bay door, Walter at the workbench putting the Datsun engine back together while Gale sat watching from the doorway. She glanced up to see him. "Richard! How nice to see you," she said rising from her chair. "Like some coffee?"
"No thanks, I just finished up a meeting and since I was in this end of town thought I would stop in and see how the Datsun is coming along."
Walter turned from the bench, "still waiting for some NOS engine parts to be delivered, but making headway as you can see."
"There is a really good paint shop over in Fullerton- do body metal work rather than tons of bondo if you have rust or dents that need repair. I can send you their address when the time comes it is ready for body and paint," Richard said. "Plus I told you about all the different car clubs employees have going- they can give you advice on whatever you need when it comes to specialty stuff."
"I was wondering about an anti-rusting dip while the body is stripped. Plus the seats need reupholstered, on and on. I have come to the realization a ground up restoration is not a cheap undertaking- cheap in time or money. I was thinking of contacting the bunch that already sent me a newsletter showing the different states of restoration their rides were in. They would be the ones to know all the best places to get stuff done," Walter said wiping his hands on a shop rag to pick up his coffee. "Just coming from a luncheon meeting, so filled to the gills with rubber chicken? Too bad, Gale has a pot of home-made clam chowder going," Walter continued while leading the way to the common area to sit at his desk. Richard followed and sat on the sofa looking from Walter to Gale.
"By the way, Walt, the British affiliate has been talking with the Germans- they have made inquiries about your security programming- when they finally get off the fence and say they want it, you interested?"
"Of course- you have my contract which will probably be extended again. I have been enjoying working with the eggheads and engineers of the space division. A lot of good work getting done, but you know me, coding is a good, relaxing job, and Gale helps it out greatly," Walter said.
"So… ah, you and Gale are… ah.. working together? You said she did exceptional work- for you to give such a glowing opinion means she must be good," Richard said. "She lightens your work on the coding end of the job?"
"She also worked on the fueling ratios for the space cadets. She can work a calculator quite as good as your engineers," Walter said glancing at Richard with a smile, "and yes, we are living together if that is what you are hinting about."
"HA! Thought you both seemed a bit smug," Richard laughed. "Glad to see you both happy…. and here I thought it was just my hefty paychecks putting a smile on your faces."
"As a matter of fact, like I purchased a Ferrari from you, you have a real estate division or properties in your holdings? You have never liked the garage, and there is a good chance we will be looking for better 'family type' accommodations at some point in future."
"Yes, let me look into it and see what I can come up with. Give me an idea of what you are interested in and I will get my people on it and see what is available," Richard said with a smile. "Nice to see you settled and at ease- you were working on ulcers the rate you were going there for a while. Well, just wanted to see how things are going, so best be off."