Read Online Having Fun with Mr. Wrong by Celia T. Franklin - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Celia T. Franklin
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started the project together, and we’re going to finish it together.”
“It’s no problem, really.” She smiled sweetly.
His cell phone went off again, buzzing and ringing from the holder on his belt.
“Maybe that is Margo, you should get it.” Lorraine brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
“Yeah, right. Margo is married to her job, not me.”
“You shouldn’t be so hard on her. She’s brilliant at what she does and very dedicated.”
Lorraine was a born-again Christian and chose to see the good in everyone. She was smart, kind, and ingenious. She wasn’t bad to look at either. At thirty-two, she was still unmarried. He couldn’t figure out why. “I’m not being overly harsh, believe me. She’s at the office till midnight every night.”
“It can’t be that bad.” Lorraine eyed him quickly but redirected her gaze to the computer screen.
“It’s so bad we have to make a date night to have dinner together.”
She glanced at him. “She’s made sacrifices in order for you to get your job here, didn’t she?”
“That was years ago.” Timothy leaned closer, trying to get a better view of the screen, but discreetly took in her scent. Roses. Surprisingly, it aroused him.
Lorraine scooted her chair away, stood, and stretched.
Under the plain shapeless dresses, she seemed to have a good figure. And while Timothy didn’t like women overly made-up, with those big, brown doe eyes Lorraine could use a little something to show them off a bit. Maybe she was too introverted, and that’s why she wasn’t married. He’d imagined she’d make a good wife and mother.
She opened a file drawer and riffled through the contents. Her jumpiness around him struck him as cute. Could she be feeling the subtle undercurrents between them too?
“Didn’t you tell me she inherited her grandmother’s house in Philadelphia and was offered work at the D.C. Mutual branch nearby after college?”
“Yes, but she knew it was my dream to work here. I scooped up the research job while still in grad school. The pay wasn’t fantastic, but there was a full benefits package. And the promise of an associate professorship after I finished my PhD.”
She selected a file and brought it to her desk. He reached over her shoulder to the keyboard and clicked on another screen. He touched her hand and let it linger. A tingly sensation ran across his groin.
What was he doing? Lorraine didn’t back off from the accidental touch. She had to feel the energy between them.
“I don’t think they offer research jobs anymore,” she said. “You were lucky.”
“The catch was that I’d work for a reduced salary, but the graduate studies were paid for.”
“Margo supported you when she followed you here. You have to remember that.” She got up to refill her glass at the water cooler. Again, she’d moved away from him.
She definitely caught the tension between them. What should he do? What did he want to do?
Tim rolled his chair back to his desk. He leaned back and put his hands behind his head, enjoying the view of Lorraine’s wavy, long blonde hair swinging behind her as she moved about. “In the beginning, she largely supported us. Starting out here wasn’t easy. My starting salary wouldn’t pay for rent in the area. Margo was just beginning her career, as well. However, her job had the potential to make a whole heck of a lot more money than mine.”
“Yes, and like you told me, she became the breadwinner. Then she bought the big house on Long Island.”
Tim undid his tie and unbuttoned the top button of his shirt. He ran his finger under the collar. God, he was tired. Tired of it all. He just wanted a partner, a companion. Margo might just not be it anymore. “I resented it. That she could buy the house and I couldn’t. And the distance. It increased my commute to the university by an hour. The swanky neighborhood isn’t me.”
“I don’t think it’s the commute that bothers you as much as it’s that she
“It’s no problem, really.” She smiled sweetly.
His cell phone went off again, buzzing and ringing from the holder on his belt.
“Maybe that is Margo, you should get it.” Lorraine brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
“Yeah, right. Margo is married to her job, not me.”
“You shouldn’t be so hard on her. She’s brilliant at what she does and very dedicated.”
Lorraine was a born-again Christian and chose to see the good in everyone. She was smart, kind, and ingenious. She wasn’t bad to look at either. At thirty-two, she was still unmarried. He couldn’t figure out why. “I’m not being overly harsh, believe me. She’s at the office till midnight every night.”
“It can’t be that bad.” Lorraine eyed him quickly but redirected her gaze to the computer screen.
“It’s so bad we have to make a date night to have dinner together.”
She glanced at him. “She’s made sacrifices in order for you to get your job here, didn’t she?”
“That was years ago.” Timothy leaned closer, trying to get a better view of the screen, but discreetly took in her scent. Roses. Surprisingly, it aroused him.
Lorraine scooted her chair away, stood, and stretched.
Under the plain shapeless dresses, she seemed to have a good figure. And while Timothy didn’t like women overly made-up, with those big, brown doe eyes Lorraine could use a little something to show them off a bit. Maybe she was too introverted, and that’s why she wasn’t married. He’d imagined she’d make a good wife and mother.
She opened a file drawer and riffled through the contents. Her jumpiness around him struck him as cute. Could she be feeling the subtle undercurrents between them too?
“Didn’t you tell me she inherited her grandmother’s house in Philadelphia and was offered work at the D.C. Mutual branch nearby after college?”
“Yes, but she knew it was my dream to work here. I scooped up the research job while still in grad school. The pay wasn’t fantastic, but there was a full benefits package. And the promise of an associate professorship after I finished my PhD.”
She selected a file and brought it to her desk. He reached over her shoulder to the keyboard and clicked on another screen. He touched her hand and let it linger. A tingly sensation ran across his groin.
What was he doing? Lorraine didn’t back off from the accidental touch. She had to feel the energy between them.
“I don’t think they offer research jobs anymore,” she said. “You were lucky.”
“The catch was that I’d work for a reduced salary, but the graduate studies were paid for.”
“Margo supported you when she followed you here. You have to remember that.” She got up to refill her glass at the water cooler. Again, she’d moved away from him.
She definitely caught the tension between them. What should he do? What did he want to do?
Tim rolled his chair back to his desk. He leaned back and put his hands behind his head, enjoying the view of Lorraine’s wavy, long blonde hair swinging behind her as she moved about. “In the beginning, she largely supported us. Starting out here wasn’t easy. My starting salary wouldn’t pay for rent in the area. Margo was just beginning her career, as well. However, her job had the potential to make a whole heck of a lot more money than mine.”
“Yes, and like you told me, she became the breadwinner. Then she bought the big house on Long Island.”
Tim undid his tie and unbuttoned the top button of his shirt. He ran his finger under the collar. God, he was tired. Tired of it all. He just wanted a partner, a companion. Margo might just not be it anymore. “I resented it. That she could buy the house and I couldn’t. And the distance. It increased my commute to the university by an hour. The swanky neighborhood isn’t me.”
“I don’t think it’s the commute that bothers you as much as it’s that she
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