Falling For My Playboy Boss
Chapter 36

Cora's

POV

It has been almost a month since that night, and I am really happy dating Michael. I am glad that I gave up on Collin, as it was a pipe dream anyway, but I think I have the better brother anyway. Michael is handsome, thoughtful, and caring. As I look at the flowers on my desk and get ready to take them with me when Michael picks me up for our date tonight, I think back on our first date, three weeks ago.

We had agreed to go out to a local restaurant, a small, intimate Italian one that Michael knew about, and I had never been to. I had worn my black dress with the bold red markings on it to work so I wouldn't have to change for our date, and it was a beautiful dress. I had noticed that Collin's eyes had been following me around all day, every time I looked over at him, and he was itching to say something, but he kept changing his mind and closing his mouth. Nicolas and Dalton showed up like clockwork and commented on how nice I looked. I told them I had a date and they both looked up in surprise at me.

"With whom?" Nicolas asked me.

"Michael," I told them.

"Michael? Michael Lauder?" Dalton asks me.

"Yes, he should be here a little after 5 to pick me up?" I told them.

Dalton points at the flowers on my desk and asks, "Michael?".

I nodded at him, blushed, and said, "Yes".

"Well, well, that came from left field. I actually thought that the other one was going to wise up", Nicolas said.

"Apparently not, he has his head up his a*s. I am disappointed in him as well", Dalton said to Nicolas.

"What are you guys talking about?" I asked them.

"We assumed that Collin would be asking you out, well, when he pulled his head out of his a*s," Nicolas tells me.

"Why would you think that? Remember, I am unattractive to Collin. He dreams of Shae, not me. Plus, he cited it being a handbook violation for him to date me to his family. So, I am letting it go. I have moved on. I had a little crush, but I am not going to let it crush me. Plus, I have seen what, and who, he does. I just don't want to follow in those footsteps", I tell them.

"Well, I wish you would have told us. I mean I am not chopped liver. If it doesn't work out with Michael. Please give me a chance", Dalton said, and then winked at me.

"Guys, you know I love you both, as friends. This is our first date, and we are seeing where it goes. We haven't had any time alone together, and we will see if we want to pursue it with how the date goes tonight", I tell them.

"Well, I really thought that Collin was going to go for it, but I guess he chickened out," Nicolas said to us.

"Collin has no interest in me at all. I am a plain jane as far as he is concerned, and he is after bigger fish. He will find another girlfriend, but for now, Maddie keeps popping up like a bad penny every once in a while. I wish him well, but I have been talked down to and insulted enough by him that I know he is not for me, anymore. It is OK, I really like Michael, he is great. Unfortunately, Marlowe is already planning our children right now. She was almost crying when we had the date and talking about how beautiful her grandchildren would be", I told them and then stopped to smile, because it still cracks me up.

Oh, before I forget, is Emily getting your seats held for the fall show in the middle of next month?" If she isn't, I can always put your names down as my guests. My dad was wiped from the last one and they won't be coming to this show, so if you want to come, just let me know", I told them.

"I will ask her and get back to you next week. Thank you, Cora," Dalton tells me and gives my hand a kiss as Collin's office door opens to let them in. Dalton winks at me as he passes to go into Collin's office, and Nicolas also winks at me as he passes too. Nicolas suddenly stops next to Collin, and then says loudly, "Have fun on your date tonight, Cora" before turning around and walking into Collin's office.

Collin seemed surprised and then went into his office. I go down the hallway to use the restroom while Coleman watches my area. I use the bathroom, and then put on some mascara, and my pinky-red lipstick. I unwind my hair from my bun and give my ponytail a quick brush. My ponytail looked good as my hair had been wound around the band to make the bun, so it made gentle waves down my back when it was unwound. It actually looks good, like I actually did something to it more than wind it when it was still not dry yet, and I headed back to my desk.

I saw Collin, Nicolas, and Dalton all looking at me when I got up to leave after clocking out and shutting my computer down. I was going to meet Michael in the lobby of the first floor, as I didn't want there to be a problem with Collin, with Michael showing up to pick me up. I grabbed my purse and the vase of flowers and turned to go to the elevator and hear the ding as it arrived at our floor. I put the vase down, along with my purse, and walked over to see who it was, in case I needed to announce them to Collin, but we didn't have anyone scheduled after 4 this afternoon.

I saw Michael's smiling face and I immediately smiled back. He comes over and gives me a hug, and then motions to the flowers, and asks me "did you like them?".

I nod and tell him, "Stargazer lilies are my favorite, it is a beautiful bouquet, thank you so much".

Michael picks them up in his left hand and reaches his right hand out for my hand and leads me to the elevator. "Where are you guys going tonight?" I heard Collin asking from his door.

"Wherever Cora wants to go, Collin," Michael tells him, and then pushes the eleva tor button.

We got in the elevator and as I turned around to face the doors, I saw Collin, standing in his doorway, looking like someone had stolen his puppy. I nodded at Collin and then leaned forward to wave goodbye to Nicolas and Dalton, who both waved back and then looked over to Collin.

Michael is a charmer, and we had a nice conversation in the car. We get to the restaurant and are seated with the owner coming out and speaking to us both. Apparently, Michael comes here a lot and it is a nice, cozy, restaurant. Michael excused himself and went to the restroom, and two minutes later the owner had come back over with his wife for her to speak to Michael too. While she was waiting for Michael, I told them that I loved their restaurant, that I was looking forward to eating there. They smiled and said that they had been running the place for 35 years and that they were glad that Michael had found a good girl to date. That he comes in alone to eat at least 4 times a month, but since he graduated from college, he has not brought a girl in to eat here, since his college sweetheart. So, they were both excited to see me here with him. That makes me feel a lot better as, having seen what Collin does, I was scared that Michael was the same way, but when I googled his name, only his work showed up, no scandals or serial dating like Collin did, could be found on him. I saw Michael approach and hug the owner's wife and I looked around the area. It is a dimly lit dining area, as it had pot lights on a dimmer with the lights down low, and candles on each table to put out a romantic glow. The red and black tablecloths were cheerful and welcoming. The food on other tables smelled heavenly and I was really excited about eating here tonight. Michael pulled me to his side and introduced me to the owners; Marco, and Andrea D'Angelo, and introduced me to them as well. They were almost as excited about our date as Marlowe had been.

Michael knew the menu like the back of his hand, so after asking me what I liked to eat, he gave me some recommendations, but let me order for myself. He got the Chicken Parmesan and I had spaghetti and meatballs, and they were both delicious, as Michael let me cut a little piece off of his to try for myself. The chicken parmesan was absolutely delicious, and I couldn't stop the moan of approval coming from my lips. I saw Michael freeze for a moment, and then shift in his seat before continuing to eat. I made a mental note to get the chicken Parmesan for myself the next time that I am here. I already knew I was blushing at him having heard me, and I couldn't bring myself to bring it up again, as I was kind of embarrassed about it. The whole night was wonderful and when he brought me back home, we sat in the car for almost an hour talking, before he told me that he would carry my flowers to the door for me.

I smile up at him at the door and he smiles and starts leaning down towards me. I keep smiling, letting him know that I am good with the kiss that I know is coming. His warm lips meet mine and it is a great first kiss. I leaned into him, and he made a growly kind of noise in frustration as he was holding my flowers. He breaks the kiss, mumbles something about the flowers, and puts the vase down on the porch.

When he stands back up, I smile back up at him and let him know I am ready for my second kiss. He then slides his hands to the back of my neck and slides them up a little to the base of my hair, tilts my face up, and gives me the best kiss of my life. My legs give a little and he immediately takes a step forward and uses his leg to brace me between my thighs and presses me into the wall as he keeps kissing me. I moan as he continues to kiss me, and as soon as I open my mouth, he shoves his tongue in. I taste his wine on his lips and I moan more, enjoying this kiss more than any other kiss that I have ever been given.

Michael eases up the kiss. And then he gave me a light kiss on the lips, and said, "I need to go have a cold shower now. I would love to take you out next Friday, if that is good for you, Cora?" his eyes searched mine as he waited for my response. "Yes, I would love to go out with you, Michael", I breathlessly told him as I continued to breathe hard from the kiss.

I break out of my daydream as I hear the elevator ding and see Nicolas and Dalton exit the elevator and come to my desk.

"Hey Cora, how are you doing?" Nicolas asked me.

"Yes, you seem like you are blushing Cora, what HAVE you been sitting here thinking about?" Dalton tells me with a teasing grin.

"Leave her alone Dalton, stop teasing her. She looks very happy, and I am glad for her. I am assuming that Michael will be here soon and take you out again, as it is Friday? Is this the third date tonight?" Nicolas asks as he hears Collin opening his door. "Yes, it is, actually," I told him.

"Sorry, Cora, I need you to type up the report for the Ackerson Financials meeting for next week. I will need you to stay late tonight", Collin tells me.

"But that meeting is not until Wednesday afternoon, next week. I can get it done on Monday morning for you and you will still have 2 days to study it ahead of time. You never told me that you wanted it tonight", I told him.

"Sorry, it slipped my mind, but I need to study it in the downtime of my weekend, so please get that done for me. Thank you, Cora, for your hard work. It is appreciated" Collin said and then walked back into his office.