Chapter 10
After they finished their meal, they headed over to Stan’s office to finish up some of the students’ transfer paperwork and to get them acquainted with their new training program. When Kalliopi looked back up at the clock, it was five in the evening.
“Since training is over and it’s already five, what should we do? Go back to your place to make dinner?”
“I was thinking of taking you to the festival so we can have some fun.”
“But what about Zagan?”
“I’m not worried about Zagan showing up at the festival.”
“Perhaps we shouldn’t make it so easy for him, just in case he shows up.”
“You were supposed to be here not only for business but also pleasure. What better way to experience the joy and fun of the holidays than to go to the festival? Besides, a lot of FUCs will be there. We provide crowd management at the event every year because of the large number of pop-up labs in this area. Also, while you were helping me with the transfer paperwork, I emailed all the agents involved, and they all know to be on the lookout for Zagan. So don’t worry about him.
Besides, I’m the one who oversees everything, so I have to be there.
Which means so do you, because I’m not leaving you alone at my place. ”
A smile spread across Kalliopi’s face.
“So, we get to finish our date? I kind of like that idea.”
“I like the idea, too.”
“Okay, it’s settled. Let’s head on over to the town square now. We can get a bite to eat and watch the tree lighting ceremony after that.”
“I haven’t been to a tree lighting ceremony since I was a little kid,” Kalliopi said as she gazed out the car window. “It was the one tradition my family had that remained a constant through all the moving we did. I actually enjoyed it.”
Stan wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “You know, Kouris, if I didn’t know any better, I’d assume you love Christmas almost as much as I do.”
“I think the company has a lot to do with it,” she said with a wink. Stan opened the passenger car door for her, and she hopped in.
Stan walked over to the driver’s side, and the engine purred to life when he turned the key. The ride was brief.
“Let’s grab a bite to eat at the local bar and restaurant. It’ll give the town some time to set up all the booths for tonight on campus. We can order an appetizer now, and after the tree lighting ceremony, we can eat some great stuff from all the food trucks.”
“I love food truck food! It’s like the best thing in the world! Okay, I do like fried food at the local fall fairs, too, to be honest.”
“You are a girl after my own heart, and I think you secretly like Christmas. You just don’t want to admit it to yourself.”
Kalliopi smiled. It was true. The more time she spent with Stan, the happier she was.
And she could say it was the company all she wanted, but if she was being honest with herself, she’d have to admit that all the old feelings of family and tradition were warming her heart again.
It was almost as if she were home, like Stan was her home.
Her phone buzzed. It was Jewel.
I got your message, and everyone is safe and in their dorm rooms.
Good. Get some rest, and I’ll see you in the morning.
Can we go out for a cup of coffee? We can go to the cafe so that we are still on campus.
Sure. Everything okay?
Yeah. No. Well, maybe? Dad’s dating again, and even though I want him happy, I can’t help but worry.
Okay. We will chat tomorrow then around 10—sound good?
10 is perfect.
“Everything okay?” Stan asked.
“Oh yeah. Everything is okay. I had one of the RAs text me to let me know if everyone got back to the dorm safely. And they are all there.”
“That’s one less worry for today. I emailed Richard, and he agrees we should get some of the gang involved in infiltrating the lab near campus.
Amira has already cleared her itinerary to fly back.
But I also want to get a hold of Harriet’s parents.
They were there for the first takedown with Harriet and Carol.
Perhaps they can help us until Harriet and Carol clear their schedules to fly over here.
I wish we could go in tonight because we’ll have the element of surprise.
But I think we need a good plan first before we make the attempt to take Zagan down.
He’s slipped away so many times before, and I don’t want him slipping away again. ”
“I agree. We will definitely need to plan this out. From what you and Richard told me in our collective email responses, he’s clever, but we’ll get him this time. I’m confident.”
The server came by with the check as they were finishing their soft drinks. Stan grabbed the bill before Kalliopi had the chance to.
“Hey! I was going to get that! You’ve done so much for me already.”
Stan just smiled as he handed the server his card.
“I’m a gentleman. I enjoy treating my dates.”
“Is that so? Well, I guess I’ll have to be quicker next time because I like to treat my dates, too.”
“Come on, let’s head over to Main Street so we can check out the tree lighting.”
He placed his hand on the small of her back as he guided her out of the restaurant and bar.
She felt warmth spreading through her back as he continued to guide her down the street until they reached the tree.
Kalliopi looked at it with widened eyes.
She’d never seen a tree that tall. Granted, she’d lived on an island for a decade or so, but she couldn’t remember a tree this tall in her life.
“I think I really am changing your mind about Christmas,” Stan said with a chuckle. “I like seeing you happy.” He kissed the top of her head.
“I’ve never seen a tree so tall before. I’m really excited to see it lit.”
“They aren’t just lighting the tree. All the lights on Main Street will be lit, too. Each street lamp has a wreath, a drummer boy, or a candy cane. And right off Main Street is a park that we can walk through, which also has a lot of Christmas-themed lighted decorations.”
“Can we get a hot chocolate while we take a walk through the park?”
“Of course!”
When the countdown to the lighting ceremony started, Kalliopi found herself counting with the rest of the crowd. Once everything lit up, Stan wrapped an arm around Kaliopi’s waist and drew her close. He cradled the back of her head and gave her a scorching kiss.
“I’m really starting to like you a lot, Kallie,” he said over her lips once he broke the kiss.
“I really like you a lot, too.”
The two circled around the park, stopping every once in a while at a decoration they liked, and then they walked over to a food truck serving turkey burgers with cranberry chutney.
“You definitely are changing your mind about Christmas, aren’t you?”
“It’s because of you that I am. I love—” Her mouth instantly went dry.
She swallowed hard to recover from what she had been about to say.
She was going to tell him she loved him for giving her the gift of joy.
But how would he take that? He’d said he really liked her, but that differed from loving her, right?
He stepped closer to her and drew her into his arms. She was terrified he’d sense her heart practically pounding out of her chest.
“Let’s go back to my place. What do you say?” His hot breath was over the shell of her ear, and she couldn’t help but melt into him.
“I say the sooner, the better.”
The moment they returned to his house they were on each other. Her mouth found the crux of his neck, and she began to kiss, nibble, and suck it. The sensation made him melt into her.
“I want you, all of you,” she said to him, and he scooped her up, gently placing her on his bed. He removed their clothes and began placing wet, fervent kisses over every inch of her body.
Kalliopi arched her back with each response to his touch, but once his hot breath was over her center, she was on the verge of losing control. She wrapped her hands around the back of his head and coaxed him toward her.
“Don’t worry, I’ve got you, darling,” he said before plunging his tongue inside her.
She let out a guttural moan as she writhed beneath him. He reached for both of her hands and placed them above her head.
“Don’t go falling apart on me just yet.” He was now straddling her center, his cock teasing her heated core.
“Please, Stan. I need you inside me.” She arched her back to feel more of him.
“With pleasure.”
He plunged inside her, and within a few seconds, they were grinding against each other in unison until the two of them reached pure bliss. He rolled off her and propped up on an elbow to face her.
“I really could get used to having you in bed every night, Kallie,” he said while stroking her cheek. “Get some rest.”
Kalliopi smiled and closed her eyes. Sleep overtook them both within minutes.
* * *
“Hey, Jewel! I hope it’s okay to meet for coffee in the cafeteria.”
“I don’t mind at all.”
“It’s best. I’ve got paperwork to do, and we are worried about Zagan. That’s why we wanted you all to stay on campus.”
“Yeah, I understand. Everyone is safe.”
“Good. Now what is it you wanted to talk to me about?”
“Well, my father seemed very excited about his date the other night. In fact, I haven’t seen him this happy since being with my mother. I am thrilled for him, though I can’t help but wonder if he’s going to sabotage this relationship like he has so many others.”
Kalliopi took a sip of coffee before responding.
“How so?”
“He has a really weird rule about dating no one past a third date. I can’t help but wonder if he came up with it so he wouldn’t get hurt after Mom died.
Of course, I’m only speculating. But his dating life hasn’t been a dinner conversation, like ever, only it was the other day when we dined.
He’s never talked about anyone he’s dated before, so the other day was a first. I’ve never met anyone he’s dated, either.
He’s rarely brought anyone home. The few times he has, they’d leave before I woke up for breakfast.”
“He only dates someone for three dates? Like, that’s it?”