“Uh oh, why?”

“I’m going to have to take care of business and I don’t want my secretary to walk in.”

“Wish I was there.”

“So do I. So can you come over tonight?”

“I’ll try to get out of work early.” I bit my lip as I typed that. I knew that I needed to study, but I really wanted to see him as well.

“Great. I’ll see you at 6. Don’t eat, we can get takeaway.”

“Okay, see you at 6.” I hurried into the class and looked down at my jeans and t-shirt and sighed. I’d have to go home, change into some more professional clothes, and then hurry to catch the train by 5. There would be no time for me to try and study for an hour before I left.

I arrived at Brandon’s place at about 6.30pm and he pulled me into his arms as soon as he opened the door.

“I missed you.” He kissed me and stared at my face.

“You saw me on Sunday.”

“That was too long ago.”

“Oh, Brandon.” I squeezed his hand and walked into the apartment.

“I want you to move in with me.” He grabbed me from behind and pulled me towards him again. “I want you to wake up next to me every morning.”

“I told you, I can’t. I have a lease.” I giggled as he kissed my neck.

“I’ll pay the lease off.” He groaned and then walked away and into the kitchen. “I have something for you.” He walked back towards me with an orchid plant.

“What’s this?”

“It’s an orchid plant.”

“Thank you.” I smiled and took it from him. “It’s beautiful.”

“Where would you like to put it?”

“Huh?”

“It’s your housewarming gift.”

“Housewarming?”

“This is your new home.”

“But...”

“But nothing.” He shook his head seriously. “I told you the night we made love that you’re mine now.”

“I,” I swallowed hard, feeling the intensity of his emotions reverberating off of his body.

“You’re the only woman I’ve ever asked to live with me.” He grabbed my hands. “I thought you’d be happy.”

“I am, it just seems so fast.”

“Is it my age?” He sighed and my heart quickened.

“What?” I stammered. Did he know?

“I know I’m 35 and you’re in your early twenties. I know there is more of the world you want to see and explore. I don’t want to be selfish, but you’re special. You’re someone I could spend the rest of my life with.”

“Do you think I’m too young for you?” I bit my lip and he laughed.

“If anyone would have asked me how young I would date, I never would have said 22 before I met you.”

“Oh.” I smiled weakly. “And now?”

“And now, I don’t think age matters.”

“So you’d date someone younger than 22?”

“Oh, hell no.” He laughed. “I have a reputation. I’d have nothing in common with someone younger.”

“I see.”

“So you’re mine now, Katie.” He gazed deeply into my eyes. “Move in with me and let me spoil you.” I kissed him then because I didn’t know what to say. How could I tell him that I lived in a dorm on campus? How could I tell him that I was 18 and that there was no way in hell my parents would approve of me cohabitating with a man almost twice my age? A man who had taken my virginity, a man they had never met!

“So, where shall we put the orchid?”

“In the kitchen, by the window.” I pulled away from him slowly. “They like light.”

“Good idea.” He reached into his pocket and smiled at me. “I have something else for you.”

My face went white as I saw him pulling his hand out, oh God, I thought, he’s going to propose.

“Here is a set of keys.”

“Keys?” I looked at him blankly and then laughed as I realized what they were for. “Oh, thank you.”

“Now, let’s go to bed.”

“To bed?”

“I need to have you now. I’ve been dreaming of making love to you since you left.”

“Oh, I thought we were going to eat?”

“You want to eat?” He looked incredulous.

“I’m a bit hungry.” I nodded and then my stomach growled. His eyes crinkled and he laughed heartily before he grabbed my up and swung me around,

“Then eat you shall.” He kissed my forehead and put me back down. “I love you, Katie.” He whispered into my ear. I melted against him and kissed him back passionately. It was the first time he had said those words to me, and it gave me a heady feeling. I stared at the orchids as his hands rubbed my back and smiled. The orchids signaled a change in our relationship; a change I was excited about, even if I wasn’t quite sure how everything was going to work out.

“Are you here for the orientation?” A sharp voice questioned me, and I looked up with a tight smile.

“Yes, I am. Katie Raymond from the New York office.”

“Okay, let me find your packet.” The lady looked back at me with glassy blue eyes, her red hair cut in a sharp bob. She had a nametag on that read Priscilla and I thought the name suited her. A bitchy name for a bitchy-looking person.