Chapter 3: Corbin
THE PRESENT DAY
I'm sitting at my desk, surrounded by cluttered papers and the dim light that barely illuminates the room, when I hear that laugh—the one I could never get out of my head, even if I wanted to. It's a joyful, carefree laugh, capable of dragging up memories I thought were buried. My gut tightens and a chill runs through my body, filling me with sensations I'd rather ignore. Unable to resist any longer, I stand up and head straight for the kitchen, where the sound is loudest.
I swing the door open and there she is, laughing hysterically, arms crossed over her stomach, tears pricking her eyes from laughing so hard. The image is so fresh, so alive, that I'm momentarily paralyzed. I look at Ian with a scowl, wondering what the hell he's thinking. Why is he covered in flour, like he's had some kind of kitchen accident? He spots me and immediately stops laughing, his face a mix of nervousness and guilt.
"I'm sorry, sir. I was trying to get the flour down from the shelf and it fell on me," he says, trying to explain himself. His words only serve to fuel my frustration.
I'm sure as hell that I don't want him making her laugh. Her voice, her laughter, and her mannerisms remind me so much of her, right down to her petite height. But that other girl—the one who haunts my every thought—had red hair. Her color evoked the heat of a spark, a burning passion. Maddie, on the other hand, has hair as black as jet, a somber contrast that often feels like it's suffocating me. Yet, the color of her eyes is so similar it could drive me insane. Maddie looks more fragile, the kind of girl you'd want to shield from every disappointment. But she's the opposite: strong, confident, and determined, always ready to face any obstacle.
"Ian, clean up this mess and clean yourself up," I say firmly. I turn around and leave as fast as I can; I need air. I need to push back the thoughts that are starting to pile up in my mind.
I step into my office and slam the door, as if I could seal the memories inside. I can't keep confusing things or I'll go mad. I'm so lost in my head that a soft knock on the door brings me back to reality.
"Come in," I say, trying to sound annoyed, though my voice betrays a slight tremor. Tara walks in, swaying her hips playfully. She has everything I usually like in a woman: she's tall, blonde, with a Barbie body and breasts that always seem to be in perfect shape.
Sienna was the complete opposite. Petite, with curves that stopped at her hips before widening into a perfect ass. Her breasts weren't small; they were exactly what any man would want to hold in his hands, but to me, she was more than just sex. Every time I looked at her, her soft, pale skin, her innocent gaze, and that smile that could make me listen to her for hours... it felt like an invitation. Her pure aura was a siren song to my darkness.
"Corbin, I want to know why you went over my head and sent Maddie to the kitchen with Ian yesterday," she demands. I take a deep breath, fighting the urge to yell and remind her who the fuck is in charge here.
I think Tara is starting to confuse our nights together with something more—something that gives her the right to walk into my office and talk to me this way. I need to calm down; she's the floor manager and she's good at her job, but this wasn't a business matter.
"Tara, I needed the girl in the kitchen because she was unnecessary at the bar," I reply, trying to keep my voice neutral.
"You could have told me first," she pouts. For some reason, it's unsettling. It was a clear sign that something was bothering her... or maybe she was jealous.
"Tara, come here," I command. She obeys instantly, focused and determined.
She walks toward me, rounding the desk with a confidence that makes me feel like I've lost control. She stands beside me, and it's hard not to look; her figure is hypnotic.
"I want your mouth. Now," I order, the desire pooling inside me.
"Where do you want it?" her tone turns suggestive, playing on the edge of seduction. I play dumb; she always seems to like that.
"Wherever you want to put it," I say. Her gaze turns mischievous. She drops to her knees between my spread legs and looks up with a defiant air.
"I want it here," she says, pointing to my already swollen and hard cock. I don't stop her; I let her do what she wants, because I need to release some of this goddamn tension.
I watch her unbutton my jeans and slide them down slightly. Her hands grip the edge of my boxers and pull them down too, exposing my member. Without a second thought, she grips the base firmly, leans in, and kisses the tip. She opens her mouth and takes it all in, deep into her throat; I can feel her gagging. I grab her hair, tangling my fingers in it to push her further, as I lean my head back and finally relax.