Finding Inspiration

KORINNE

I didn't know how it happened, but to be able to find my inspiration had opened a new door for me. I wanted it again, to feel the way I did when my ideas just flowed. Transforming that monstrosity of a house into something beautiful and elegant was heaven for me. It made me feel … alive.

It was Friday morning and everything seemed brighter … clearer. I thought coming home would be a mistake, but it was turning out to be the best thing I could have done. I would never forget Carson, but getting back to work helped me forget the pain for a while. I felt free and happy for the first time in months.

Galen had something special planned for the evening and all I could think about was how nervous I was. He owed me the date even though it was my weekend to pick the place. He always chose fun and creative things to do, so I wasn't going to complain. Our relationship was never boring. In fact, that was what scared me. The look in his eyes conveyed that he had more than just a simple date in mind. When Galen wants something he gets it. I meant it when I said we should keep things on a friend level, but I could see the need in him. It burned in him the same way it burned in me. I couldn't resist him in the past, and I didn't think I was strong enough to resist him now.

The text startled me as I was finishing up the last touches of my makeup in the bathroom. I looked down and smiled while reading the text from Galen.

Galen: Are you ready for tonight?

Me: I think so … lol.

Galen: Good! Wear something nice.

Me: Okay, where are we going?

Galen: It's a surprise! No questions.

Me: FINE!

Galen: Pack a bathing suit and a change of clothes, too.

What was he thinking? We were still in the winter season. Unfortunately, with Galen there was no telling what he had in mind. Once, in college, I dared him to jump into a frozen creek. Needless to say, he pulled me in, too. We both ended up sick for a week after that. My phone dinged with another text from him.

Galen: Oh, yeah. Be ready by six-thirty.

Me: Why do I need a bathing suit?

Galen: No questions, remember?

Me: OKAY!

Looking at the time, I had one more hour to spare. Finding a bathing suit wasn't going to be easy since I didn't know what box they were stored in. Rummaging through them, I finally found my collection of bathing suits. I grabbed two of them, and packed several changes of clothes in my overnight bag. I was sure Galen was going to tease me when he saw how huge my bag was.

After numerous changes from pants to skirts and then back again, I settled on a cream-colored sweater and brown dress slacks. The outfit was dressy, just like Galen asked, but not over the top. I made sure to show a little cleavage so I wouldn't look like a prude. My stomach was in knots and my mind was racing. I went to the kitchen and poured a glass of wine. I needed about twenty glasses to help calm my nerves, or better yet maybe a few shots of vodka.

By the time I heard the knock on the door, I had downed two glasses of wine. My nerves weren't so frazzled anymore, and I actually felt calm and relaxed. Galen was leaning against the door frame when I opened the door, and his smoldering blue eyes raked up and down my entire body, lingering on my breasts, before meeting my eyes. Just that gesture sent chills racking through my body, making me shiver.

He grinned. "You look amazing."

Moving forward, Galen kissed me lightly on the cheek before he entered my condo. He whistled as he took in the disaster of my dwelling. "Do I need to find you a decorator?" he teased.

I rolled my eyes playfully. "No! I just haven't taken the time to unpack."

What Galen didn't know was that I had a beautiful house but I was too afraid to go to it. My goal was to get the courage to go back, but until then I'd stay at the condo. "Are you ready?" Galen asked.

Nodding, I grabbed my bag. "Yep, let's go."

He saw my bag and smiled. "Are you going on vacation?" he joked. "I should have known you wouldn't pack light. I guess some things never change."

I narrowed my eyes at him, trying to look intimidating but all he did was laugh and walk past me out the door. "It's not that much," I countered, hoping he would hear me. Taking a deep breath, I picked up one of my bags and locked the door. The whole time descending the steps the butterflies fluttered away in my stomach. I was looking forward to the night.

***

"We're here!" Galen announced.

My eyes went wide at the sight before me. He brought me to one of the most highly sought out museums in Charlotte. I had always wanted to come here, but every time Carson would try to bring me he would get a page from the hospital and have to leave. My throat tightened and I felt a slight twinge of guilt thinking about that. It made me feel like a traitor to Carson. He tried to take me to the museum so many times, and now I was there with another man. I loved my husband and always would, but in all reality I had actually fallen in love with Galen first. Was it bad that I never actually stopped loving him?

"I can't believe you brought me here," I said in awe. "I've always wanted to see this museum."

"I know," he admitted. "I remember you saying something about it years ago."

Gazing over at him, I smiled. "Thank you. It means a lot to me."

We exited the car and he took my hand as we made our way to the door. An elderly gentleman opened the door with a big smile. "Good evening, Mr. Matthews," he then looked to me and said, "and to you, Miss Anders."

"Good evening to you, James. Is everything to what we discussed?" Galen asked the elderly man.

James grinned. "Everything is set up, sir. Enjoy your evening."

"I don't see how I'm ever going to be able to top this date," I said softly to Galen.

"I'm sure you can come up with something. You were always creative, and I mean that in every aspect," he whispered gruffly in my ear. Just those words made my body tingle in all the right places.

Once James walked away, Galen led me up the stairs to what looked like different sections of the museum. Staring wide-eyed, I took in the glorious sights before me. "Are we alone here?" I whispered while looking around at the unoccupied exhibits.

Galen smirked devilishly and explained, "I rented it out for our date. I wanted to make sure you enjoyed it."

"How in the world did you ever think to plan this?" I asked.

He shrugged. "I have my connections, but like I said before, you mentioned you wanted to come here so I made sure to bring you. Not to pry or anything, but did your husband not do things like this for you?"

I shook my head. "No, not this extravagant, but he had his ways of making things special."

"Does it bother you to talk about him?"

"A little," I confessed. "I guess it just feels weird talking about him with you."

"Well, just so you know, I don't mind if you do. I don't want you to think that you can't talk to me about him, okay?"

"Thank you for that. It means a lot," I said softly.

Galen and I walked around the museum in silence. Looking around, I couldn't begin to fathom how much it must have cost for Galen to do this for me. Everywhere I turned sculptures and art took me away. Chills ran down my body with each new piece I saw. The entire museum was a work of art, a place of peace, and it was all mine for the time being. Galen and I observed the museum for what felt like only minutes, but it ended up being a couple of hours.

"I have another surprise," Galen murmured in my ear. His breath against my ear made my skin prickle with chills. Placing his hand on the small of my back, he led me to another room. Soft lighting adorned the ceiling, and in the middle of the room was a small dinner table decorated with a red and black tablecloth with covered dishes on top. Two glasses of white wine were already poured, and off to the side of the room were two waiters standing at attention.

"Galen, this is amazing," I breathed in awe. "Thank you for this."

He guided me to the table and pulled out my seat. "You're welcome."

Galen took the seat across from me and motioned for one of the waiters. The waiter came and removed the covers from the dishes. Steam released in one huge cloud, and once the smoke cleared there sat an Oscar styled filet mignon, a shrimp cocktail, steamed vegetables, and a loaded baked potato. The smell was pure heaven, and if I wasn't trying to be a lady I would have devoured the food in just a matter of seconds.

"I thought secluding the museum was amazing, but this is absolutely wonderful."

He took a sip of wine. "Thank you. I'm really glad you like it. Do you remember all the galleries we went to for Jenna's openings?"

"Of course I remember."

"Do you want to know one of the main reasons why I brought you here?" he asked. At my nod he continued, "I loved the way your face would shine when you looked at the paintings. So serene … like an angel. I wanted to see that look on your face again. I know you've been saddened with grief the past few months, and I can still see it in your eyes. I just want you to know that I'm here and I would do anything to make you happy."

I believed him … I believed every word he spoke. I was sure he could figure out a million ways to make me happy. At that moment, I was thinking of a few that didn't involve art. His lingering gaze made my body hot to the core, causing me to squirm in my chair. He stared at my lips when I took a sip of my wine, and he licked his own seductively before he took a bite of his food. I remembered that tongue very well, and how warm it felt when he used it to tease my … What the hell?! I was going to orgasm just thinking about his tongue on certain places of my body. Being sexually frustrated was dangerous, especially with Galen in the mix.

Putting my hands to my forehead, I hid my eyes, hoping he couldn't see my blushing cheeks. "Oh my God," I hissed softly.

"Are you okay over there?" Galen laughed. "Is there something you want to say?"

I shook my head and took a bite of my food. "No, just memories is all."

"Ah, good ones I hope?" he added.

I shrugged, not giving him an exact answer. The meal was the best dinner I'd had in a long time. Being by myself, I didn't treat myself to such luxuries. It seemed kind of pointless when all I'd be doing was eating alone. We finished our food slowly. When the dishes were cleared, I was assuming a dessert would follow, but it didn't come. Galen stood and offered his hand instead.

"We have another destination for that, Korinne." Furrowing my brow, I looked up at him, confused.

"What are you talking about?" I asked, reaching for his hand.

Pulling me in tight against his chest, he brushed his lips against my ear. "Dessert," he whispered seductively. "Our dessert will be somewhere else, but just as delicious."

Just the close contact made me flush with desire, and I couldn't stop my lungs from desperately trying to take in air. My core tingled, and if I didn't get a release soon I was going to burst. It had been way too long since I'd felt desire for another man. I was sure the idea of his dessert didn't involve chocolate, but something of a more hard and sexual variety.

"Let's go," I said softly, biting my lip.

We made it to the car, and by the time we got there I felt flushed and euphoric with the thoughts of what was to come. Galen put the key in the ignition and we headed on our way. I was assuming our next destination would be his house. We passed by house after house, and I grew tense when I saw that we were heading toward the direction of the home I shared with Carson. Had he lived near me this whole time and I didn't know? Thankfully, he turned us down another lake view neighborhood. After going through a maze of streets, I saw his house up ahead nestled on top of a hill. I knew it was his because of Big Blue sitting in the driveway.

"Wow!" I exclaimed. "You have a beautiful home."

"Thank you. I designed the whole layout and had it built," he answered, sounding proud.

One of the doors to the five car garage opened and Galen drove his Ford Mustang inside and parked. My eyes grew wide when I saw all of the vehicles he had in his garage.

"Do you think you have enough cars?" I teased jokingly.

He furrowed his brows and looked at all the different cars. In a serious tone he said, "No, I think I could use one more." He stood there for a few seconds while I stared at him with my mouth hanging open. Surely he wasn't being serious about that, I thought. Laughing at my wide-eyed expression, he reached for my bag. "I was kidding. Come on, let me show you around."