Page 81 of Red King
I make a face. “I didn’t mean you had to end things right away. I was probably talking more about me and Arctic than you and Hazard. In fact, I was. It’s just that I’m more wired to have a relationship than a hook-up. Jim hurt me really badly. He left me for someone who could give him babies. I can’t put myself in a vulnerable position where I’ll get hurt again in the future. I need to tread carefully. I’m sure that you and Hazard are just great.”
“Oh, babe.” Maggie looks at me with concern. “I’m sorry your ex put you through that and made you feel broken.”
“No, it’s fine. I’m fine. You know how it is. What your ex did was unforgivable. You ended up losing two important people in one go.”
“Yeah, I heard they’re engaged to be married.” She smiles.
“What?” I feel myself go cold. “That’s terrible. I can’t imagine how that must make you feel. You’re great, Mags. You know that, right?”
She gives a nod, but I can see that she doesn’t mean it. Her eyes are filled with pain. “It might be why I’ve clung onto Hazard a little more than I should have. It’s nice to feel sexy again and wanted, you know?”
“I know.” I nod. “Of course, that’s normal. I can’t imagine what it must feel like to be betrayed like that. I had my best friend right there at my side.”
“You know exactly what it’s like. You understand what I’ve gone through more than most. I had my sisters. I have other friends. I have you now.”
“You do.” I hug her.
“I’m so grateful.” She hugs me back.
“I’m here for you.” We let go.
“To get back on topic, you have your fun with Arctic. You deserve it.”
“I will. We just need to be a bit careful, that’s all. In these types of arrangements, it’s normally one of the two people who end up getting hurt in the end.”
“I’m not ready for a relationship, and I would hate to hurt a guy like Hazard. He’s just so darned sweet.”
“I guess we both need to tread carefully.”
She nods. “For now, you need to not overthink it. Just have a good time.” Maggie smiles. “I’m glad you enjoyed yourself. When are you seeing him again?”
I look at my watch. “I have a meeting with him shortly.” I grin; I can’t help it.
“A meeting?”
I laugh. “We need to discuss the event that’s happening tonight.”
“I’m sure he might have a few more items on the agenda.”
I shrug. “You never know.”
He asked me to wear a skirt and to bring perfume. I know for sure there’s more on the agenda. I’m just not sure how I feel about sex in his office during working hours. It feels kind of wrong.
Maggie laughs. “I’d better leave you to finish up, then. I wouldn’t want you to be late. You might get spanked. Arctic is the type.”
I laugh. “He is not.”
“Intense and brooding… Yep, he’s the type, alright.”
“Whatever.” I look at my watch. “We’ve got a few ladies arriving soon, but Dr. du Pont is going to have to handle some of the appointments on his own. We’ve actually been quite busy. Lots of requests for contraceptives.” I lower my voice. “But there have also been some fun cases. One lady – I can’t give names – got a butt plug stuck up her…you know where.”
Maggie laughs.
“And another lady had such chafe between her legs from the guy’s stubble that she needed a cortisone cream to calm things down.”
Maggie giggles behind her hand. “Actually, I can believe it. I almost booked myself in for an appointment a time or two. Do you really need to have another event tonight? It sounds like everyone is doing just fine.”
“We did a survey, and only fifty-six percent of the women are ‘dating.’ A few of those fifty-six percent are ‘dating’ more than one guy. That leaves close to half of the ladies who haven’t taken the plunge yet. It’s up to Cathy and me to make that happen.”
