POWELL

Eden nodded, feeling instant relief as Cory told her she did the right thing. Though, she did feel just a little bit uneasy about everything still. “It doesn’t… feel real. It doesn’t seem like her, like, something Sidney would do,” Eden’s voice faded to hardly above a whisper as she continued. “But that’s probably how it always goes.” She took a deep breath, raising her eyebrows as if she too was surprised at the idea of Sidney still practicing. Though after a few seconds, her expression softened into a slightly guiltier one. Eden accepted the tissues with a brief smile, using one to wipe the tears that still somehow managed to spill from her eyes after crying nearly the entire day. “No,” she shook her head, “just me, and a nurse, and you. I don’t think Sidney even knows I called the nurse. Should I… not have done that?” Eden’s weary eyes flicked up to Justin as she nervously ran a hand through her hair. Every time she thought about how she’d basically saved Sidney’s ass, her mind flashed back to Sidney’s father’s funeral, where Sidney’s mother had told Eden to stand her ground and not to make excuses. Yet there Eden was, breaking rules and probably some laws too, making sure Sidney didn’t have to face the repercussions of her careless actions. “Gotcha.” The blonde let out a soft laugh at the man’s lighthearted words, glad to feel something other than sad, even for a minute. “Thank you for saving me from being too much of a mess out there. Running into anyone else really would’ve sucked.”

“As long as you’re not planning on doing it on the job as well I think you could probably use a drink, yeah?” Cory said, standing up from the couch to go and grab the bottle of wine he had bought and two glasses. “You did the right thing for you I guess. I’d have gotten her fired out of spite but I’ve been told revenge gets you nowhere,” he said jokingly, trying desperately to cheer Eden up though it seemed like an impossible task. “I can imagine it would have been incredibly embarrassing, I’ve also been told that on occasion I make a good knight in shining armour though that doesn’t appear to be too often so I’d make the most of it,” he replied, pulling the cork out of the bottle that was lodged between his knees and pouring his own glass. “I didn’t even ask if you actually want any. It’s Spanish if that makes any difference to you?”

“Oh, okay, that makes things better,” Lucy said, nodding vigorously with  an amused smile. “Alright, alright, I can indulge you in a little bit of my shit for the sake of distracting you from your own problems. Although I totally see why you’re doing this, I used to do the exact same thing to everyone, especially, like, in my family, you know? Anyway…” Lucy nursed another drink, taking multiple long sips that made her head spin every single time. “Honestly? Things have been just so…. fucking awful.” She put her palm to her forehead and groaned. “I’ve been having… you know, weight problems or whatever.” Lucy blushed and waved her hand dismissively. It was the main problem in her life at the moment, but she hated that it was thing she thought about the most. It was embarrassing .

Cory swirled the glass of whiskey in his hand, watching the liquid spin around as he listened intently to what Lucy was saying. He took a slow sip of his drink as she groaned audibly but he could hardly believe the answer she gave to the question of what had been bothering her. In fact, it surprised him so much his breath hitched causing him to cough and spill some of his drink on his tie. “What, really?” he asked, raising a questioning eyebrow. “I mean, you’re one of the most beautiful and really very skinny people I’ve ever met,” Cory added, trying to be polite but also being very truthful in what he said. “Though I suppose if it’s somethings that bothering you you’re not going to take my word for it.” Instead of labouring the point any further, he allowed Lucy time to respond and gestured to the bartender to pour them two more shots.

Lucy bit her cheek and hung her head, giving Cory a sideways glance. “Both, again.” She was giggling on and off through the whole conversation, but at least she knew it was just the drinks and the questions Cory was asking. “Are you just doing this because you’re a therapist and this is your job?” Lucy’s words were a little bit slurred, but she was still coherent enough to make decisions about what to say and what not to say. Another drink and she might let her guard down. Lucy started sipping the drink. Fuck it. “Do you really want to hear all about my problems?”

“I don’t drink on the job,” Cory said and thew back his shot in one large gulp. “Plus, you telling me about your problems is going to be way easier than me going in to mine. Though you may entice something out of me after a few dozen of these,” he joked, wiggling the shot glass between his fingers before placing it down and switching to his whiskey tumbler. 

Eden followed as Cory gestured, listening tentatively to his words. She mimicked Cory’s actions, swiftly removing her own coat and gently laying it down, nodding as he finished speaking. Eden slowly sat down beside Cory, crossing her legs and laying the baby across her lap. She took a deep breath, not entirely sure where to begin. There was just… so much. “She’s an alcoholic,” Eden started quietly, realizing that that was the first time she’d actually said the words out loud. “She’s been drinking since… I don’t know, she said it started last summer when the facility moved to a campsite for a little while, right after Emmy was born. A-And sometimes it was okay. Things would be really good for a few months and then something would happen. Lately things had been doing really good, and then last night I had to talk about it. It was literally driving me crazy, and I started freaking out. My timing probably wasn’t the best, because she was… like, half-naked,” Eden shook her head, sighing softly. “But she really didn’t want to talk about it, so she left. She went to a bar, she met some guy, and they slept together. Then she tried to go perform a damn brain surgery this morning, but I… got that covered. Then, tonight, I left because I don’t want to see her whenever she gets home. I can’t,” Eden ran her free hand through her hair as tears gathered in her eyes. “I-I-I’m sorry, it’s such a mess. I’m such a mess.”

Cory leant back against the cool, leathery surface of his couch and turned to face Eden as she joined him. Her words came as an instant shock to the man as he listened intently to her explanation of recent events. Though he didn’t know Sidney or what he had expected her to say he was horrified by what was coming out of her mouth. “I have no time for people who cheat, I think you were right to leave,” he replied firstly, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. “The horrible thing is that’s not even the worst part! They’re still letting her practice?” Cory asked, his surprise evident in the tone of his voice until it dawned on him that it was more than likely that no one else knew about the situation. “Unless...” he said carefully, pausing in order to make sure his words didn’t sound accusing in any way; he certainly wasn’t one to judge. “No one else knows, do they?” Cory added, removing his hand from Eden’s shoulder to reach for the box of tissues on the table and offer them to her. “And don’t worry about that, you’re allowed to be a mess in here. Just don’t recommend it when you’re standing in the corridor,” he said with a lighthearted wink, trying to maintain a friendliness to the conversation so that he may maintain some chance of trying to cheer her up.

Lucy shrugged loosely, her bony shoulders bobbing unevenly as she giggled. “Um… Both, I guess. Why not just both?” After seeing Cory’s expectant look, she sighed airily and tilted her head, her eyes drawn to the empty glass in front of Cory. “I’m going to need a few more of these,” Lucy laughed. 

“Both is perfectly acceptable,” Cory confirmed with a nod, pressing his lips together as he turned to face the bartender and gestured with his hand that they were ready with another. “One more of each of these and two shots of sambuca on my tab please,” he asked, directing his gaze back to the woman in his company. “So is that a few more to cope with whatever is bothering you or a few more until you spill all your secrets and tell me?” Cory said with a coy smile, sliding over the newly made drinks as they arrived.

The smile that the man wore sent a flurry through Demi’s body as she smiled backwards. It was a rarity to come across an older staff member who was that attractive. “Um, it’s kinda already fucked soo…” Her eyes soon lit up at his following remark, knowing that she would be scoring even more brownie points with Eden if she conformed. All Demi desired was approval and attention, so if Cory really did follow on with his words, then approval and attention was exactly what she would be receiving. “Count me in.”

“I’m sure once you take it off and put it through the washing machine it’ll come out good as new, I think it was only water after all,” Cory replied, turning to glance in the direction of the store cupboard before directing his attention back to Demi. “I’ll just be moment,” he said, moving off to grab a mop, some paper towels and a wet floor sign then returning to the girl. “Which would you prefer?” he asked holding up the mop and the towels in his hands for her to pick on of them. 

Entranced by the appearance of the older, Demetria couldn’t help but twirl her brunette curls around her forefinger, taking a step closer towards him with a purse of pleasure resting on her lips. “Yeah, duh. I’m Demi.” Her eyes trailed down to the dampened and darken colour of his grey socks, a murmured giggle leaving her lips as she shot her hazel pupils back in his direction, the same smile resting along the plump curves of her mouth. “If you uh, need any help cleaning this up, then I’d be happy to help.”

Cory flashed the girl his classic grin at her offer to help clean up the mess. “If you’re sure, I wouldn’t want to mess up you’re uh... outfit,” he said, gesturing downward at the already damp patch of clothing she was trying to cover up. “But I would really appreciate it, I’d be sure to put in a good word with your therapist so they know you’re contributing,” he joked with a quick wink for effect.

The moans that came from Estelle sent shivers straight down Cory’s spine as their practically pierced through his skin, setting every nerve ending on fire; making him crave more. His fingers continued to work at her core, desperate to urge more satisfied moans from the woman below him no matter how loud. He did care who would hear, in fact he was so lost in the moment the thought didn’t even cross his mind. When she decided it was her turn to tease him it was only to be expected. A low noise, which could truly only be described as a growl, emanated from deep within Cory when Estelle’s hand finally touched his growing member. He couldn’t help but press his hips firmly into her touch, all the while maintaining his smooth motions down below, slowly starting to increase the speed and pressure at which he did them.

“Jesus Christ, Estelle...” he breathed as she took his free hand into her mouth, giving him only a snap shot of what she could do with her tongue. It took Cory everything he had to continue his actions and not stop everything to undo his belt there and then. Her display had ensured that his now fully erect member was pressing strongly against the material of his trousers, desperate for more room that it had. “I want to fuck you so bad,” he back down to whisper in her ear, his lips brushing against her skin as he moved his fingers deeper into her underwear until he could slip one effortlessly inside. 

The crash of her belongings and the fluttering of paper colliding against one another was of no concern to Estelle. Instead of refocusing her attention on that very scene, her sapphires stayed locked to Cory’s, only desirably appreciating his determination to clear that table of all obstacles that was in his way, including her closed thighs. Everything about Cory had caused Estelle to melt in the very grasp of his fingertips. The way he ran his fingers through her roots and so effortlessly tugged on her locks, the scratch of his stubble causing friction against her own skin as his lips so powerfully and rapidly battled against hers, the shudder that bolted through her entire body as his fingertips so easily glided across the skin to her thighs that were now spread on either side of his waist. As he teased her longer, lingering and longing for her reaction, Estelle couldn’t help but let a light whimper escape from her lips as she tilted her head to look in to his eyes. “Maybe you aren’t such a boring old man after all.” Her words were breathy, almost as if she was struggling to speak them especially with Cory’s hand right there. Desperate to feel him, she very gently lifted her thigh upwards at an angle, hoping that his fingers would soon enough slide further down to be met with the lace that barricaded the soft folds beyond the dainty material that prevented him from gaining any closer to the mess that he had already begun to cause down there. 

Dragging herself upwards, slowly and gracefully, allowing her skirt to very gradually and lifelessly drape over her behind, Estelle sauntered over to him. Whilst the woman was not wearing much underneath her skirt, confidence was dressing every other inch of her skin. Not one to usually display sober sexuality, the blonde had come to the conclusion that Cory brought out a far more easy-going facet to the therapist. “Oh, please. Have you ever known me to turn down a challenge?” Her tone still remained in it’s daring chime, but in lowered volume as she arched one eyebrow in his direction, a smirk visibly spread across her lips. Only widening at his actions, Estelle let her backside rest against the desk, spreading her palms to stretch over the oak, crossing her legs over one another as to deny him access. 

Cory seemed to have unleashed something from within Estelle that he had never seen before, at least not without the veil caused by a lack of sobriety. In a matter of moments he was sure that he wanted it, whatever it was, to stay. Without hesitation he ignored the fact that she had crossed her legs as if to keep him out and used his arm to harshly brush all of the contents of her desk to the floor. In a continuation of the movement he reached out to grab on to her waist. He picked her up without a word and pulling her into him so that he could press a fast and rough kiss to her soft pink lips, his hand delving into her blonde locks. Then, without taking a step in any direction, he simply reached down and hooked one hand under each of her thighs. Cory lifted her onto the desk with ease, practically throwing her backwards onto the cold, polished wood as he leant over her to place a serious of light kisses along the length of her collar bone. The man had no desire to waste any more time than he already had and took the opportunity to slide his hand along the supple skin of her thigh until it disappeared underneath the fabric of her skirt. He left it resting there for the time being but it certainly wasn’t going to stay still for long.

Eyelashes fluttering as she let her back sink further backwards into the leather rest of her chair, psychologically taken aback too by his words, a small smile pecked at the blondes lips. Picking up the one important file sat on her desk and making her way over to the metallic filing cabinet on the other side of the room, she reached down for the lowest draw and placed the folder in. Whilst her body language remained low, the blondes smile couldn’t help but grow into a grin as she analysed his sentence; word for word, picking apart and connoting every single thing he had said. 

“I remember… And you know that offer extends both ways, Cory.” Estelle spoke softly, diverting her full attention towards him with a serious tone of voice. It wasn’t often that the pair spoke to one another in that voice, Soon enough, realising exactly what she had done, the blonde curved her attention back to the draw and closed it shut. “You do know, don’t you Mr Powell?”

After momentarily having to pick his jaw up from off of the floor when Estelle lifted her skirt to display the sexy black underwear that caressed the curve of her rear, Cory managed to compost himself enough to form words. “Now I do,” he said confidently, unable to deny the feeling of pressure already building in his underwear. Though it wouldn’t have been noticeable at a glance should anyone be paying particularly close attention there was the definite appearance of swelling.

“Are you willing to prove it?” he asked, his voice low and smooth as he reached behind him to lock the office door then stepped in towards the desk.

“I-It’s okay. You did hit the ground pretty hard. Are y-you okay?” he wondered. He glanced over the man’s attire, and realized there was no way a security guard would be dressed like this. “Maybe you’re just getting older,” he joked. Jay felt himself starting to feel more at ease. The loud noises had ceased. “You d-did a pretty good job of tackling that patient. You could take up another job.”

“Yeah I’m grand,” Cory assured the young patient. “Got a nice thick coating up here to protect everything,” he joked, pretending to knock on his skull as if it was a plank of wood. A short ha escaped from his mouth before he could stop it at the comment about his age. “Ah wise cracks, huh? I’ll remember that one,” he teased. “Personally, I think I should stick to the day job. I’ve got quite enough to be getting on with without adding anything extra on top.”

Eden’s mouth fell open a little as she almost argued with Cory, but as he continued speaking, she realized it was no use. Though, Cory’s persistence put a small smile on Eden’s lips as she walked inside of his apartment. She took a deep breath, as she stood before Cory, not entirely sure what to do with herself. But that had already been the case for most of that day. 

At that point in the day, the helpless, confused feelings that filled her body only seemed to aggravate Eden. She hated that one person could have such an impact on her. Eden’s eyes fell to the floor as she began taking slow, deep breaths. “Did I mess up?” She looked up at Cory as she posted the predominantly rhetorical question. Eden mindlessly swayed side to side, holding Emmy a little tighter as the baby moved a little, “is leaving… it’s bad, right?” 

Cory closed the door softly behind Eden as she crossed the threshold of his apartment, locking it safely behind the two of them and dropping the keys down onto the desk to his left. “That depends,” he replied honestly, walking past her and the baby to head towards the lounge where he gestured for her to follow. “To give you an informed answer on that I’d have to know what happened. No pressure if you’d rather talk about something else but also I swear not to go all therapist on you if you do want to tell me about it. I am here in a friend capacity only, which normally involves telling you I think you’re right no matter what I really think,” he said, offering up a smile along with his weak attempt at cheering her up. Once he had removed his jacket from his shoulders and tossed it over one of the chairs he began sitting down on the couch and patted the spot next to him for Eden to join.

Letting out a soft, contentful exhale through her flared nostrils as the pen that her fingers wrapped themselves around delicately made it’s way across the piece of paper she was filling out there was one name that drew it’s image inside her head. Cory. It had been over two months since they had both started their future on the fourteenth of December. Whilst the pair were great friends, Estelle couldn’t help but sometimes think of the older therapist as more. He had grown to be important to her; someone who she could confide in like no other, tell all of her secrets to. Cory didn’t care, he accepted Estelle for who she was, appreciation coursing it’s way through her veins at the very ring of his name. Speaking of the devil, her office door squeaked it’s way open as she tilted her chin slowly to look at him. “Well, hello there stranger.”

@cory-powell

Since Cory had met Estelle it was clear to anyone paying attention that the two had become fast friends but he often couldn’t help himself from thinking about their relationship in a different light. It was a strange feeling for him that he had never experienced before. Though, in its simplest form, it could be described as lust, Cory couldn’t shake the idea that it was something so much more than that. They had only shared a fleeting, drunken moment of intimacy but it was as if that moment had laced itself inside him and continued to grow as the months wore on. 

The day was not a particularly special day. No special occasions or events - disastrous or otherwise - had occurred to inspire Cory to make a change, but somehow he felt compelled to walk to Estelle’s office once he had finished his work with only one thing in mind. “Do you remember when you first started working here and I said to you that if you ever needed anything that you could just stop by my office?” he asked, adding a very obvious second meaning to the word anything as he spoke. “I was just wondering if that offer extended both ways because I can’t seem to the get the idea out of my head and I guess I was just hoping that you might feel the same way.” The words had come out succinct and fast, a fact of which he was incredibly glad about as he could hardly believe that he had said them.