Chapter 22 : Stars You are my sun , my moon and all of my stars . - E. E. Cummings " I never saw it moving . My kids did a field trip here and both times the tour guide said that the mechanism was unrepairable . " She said remembering those days . " My youngest didn't get to come here . His was the first class to go to university planetarium . " " You'll have to bring them by . " She nodded . " It's really quite beautiful . " " Yeah . " He accepted a water bottle from Emily . " Thanks . " " Do you need anything else , sir ? " " I'm good . Helen ? " For the first time , she looked at him and saw his intent gaze on her . Not used to anyone looking at her like that she blushed and shook her head no . Emily disappeared and Reese reached out and touched Helen's cheek . It was a simple caress with his knuckle . But again , she blushed . " You have three children , grown I'm assuming . " She nodded slightly and he moved his hand to toy with her hair . " And yet , a simple touch makes you blush . Makes me wonder what you would do if you knew what I was thinking . " Her blush deepened and he chuckled . " Come on . " Reese straightened to his six feet five , plus a few inches from his boots , and offered her a hand . " Where ? " she whispered . " The best view in the house . " She placed her hand in his and he led her to the security alcove that she had not seen before . " Rufie at the solarium bar . " Childs said as Reese entered . " Joshua and Thompson have it . PD is in route . " " OK . If they need me , call . I'll be in the round , " Reese said as he gently pulled Helen behind him . He knew that Childs would keep his mouth shut and would not be telling everyone that Reese was taking a woman to the round . He led Helen down the back hallway to an elevator . Once inside , he told her to push number four . She did and the elevator began its slow ascent . When it stopped , he led her down another passageway to a large | 1/4 2:57 pm PPPD Chapter 22 : Stars curved glass wall . Looking down , she could see the entire main area . " This , is the round . It's two way mirrors , no one can see you . " He said softly with his deep voice echoing slightly . " What do you use it for ? " Helen asked quietly as she looked beneath the solar system to dance floor . " Security . " He pointed down the way where a man stood with a radio in hand . " All of my clubs have this in some form . Along with more cameras than anyone knows . All the security on the floor wear glasses with a camera in them . The wait staff have cameras on their name tags . " " Is all that legal ? " " It's posted at every entrance that surveillance equipment is used for the protection of staff and guests . And it's posted that all common areas , including the washroom , not where the stalls are , are also filmed . " " How do you do that ? " " The stalls are separate from where the sinks are . That area has no door , just a long hallway so there is no expectation of privacy . And so far , the only ones that have complained were two guys trying to sell drugs and an idiot who tried to rape a girl . " " You're serious about security . " " I contract with a company , IGYS , for the security at all my properties . " " You own this . " Helen said looking up at him . " I do . " He saw the look of confusion and doubt on her face . " What are you thinking , my sweet mermaid ? " " You . " She motioned to encompass him from head to toe . " You look like that . You've got ... " touching his biceps she blushed and trailed off . " And you have all that . " She jerked a thumb towards the bar . " And you have women throwing themselves at you . " " Yes . " " Why are you up here with me ? I'm fat and old- . " " I'm going to stop you right there , sweetheart . " He said stepping closer to her and pushing her back against the glass wall . Large hands pressed against the glass on either side of her head as he looked down at her . His body was not touching hers , but his body heat was engulfing her just as his cologne did . " My dad is nearly a foot taller than me . All of us are tall and big . Even some of my sisters . I work out because I enjoy it . I enjoy the exercise and the comradery that I get at Golden . I work out because I expect 2/4 2:57 pm PPPD . Chapter 22 : Stars the guards at my clubs to do the same . And I'm not going to tell them to go to the gym if I don't . " " I learned a lot while I was in the Navy . I earned an MBA and have my real estate license . I am no where near a mogul nor do I want to be one . I just want to leave the world a little better than when I came in . " " And as far as all those little girls that throw themselves at me , I am now fifty - two years old . I already have kids . I don't want to raise a girlfriend . I want a partner . I want a woman , not a girl . I want a woman who is not going to get jealous over all the women in my life , and there are a lot of women in my life . I want a woman who understands that raising kids sucks , because I have my niece right now . You met her at the nail salon and you made her day . " " Uncle Owen ? " she squeaked out . " That's me , to thirty - four princesses . Like I said , a lot of women in my life . And if any of them call me , I will drop everything . Same with all my sisters . And my daughter and her siblings . But , my queen will always be my top priority . " He leaned down with his lips hovering just above hers . " Always , sweet mermaid . " " I don't ever want to hear you say that you're fat or old ever again . You're experienced and life size . You're beautiful and kind . You intrigue me , mermaid . And I want to know if that lovely blush covers your body . " Helen let out a soft breath of air and Reese took it as an invitation . His lips lightly touched hers for the briefest of moments . They then returned and she grasped his shirt . She wasn't sure if it was to steady herself or push him away . Or pull him closer . " Mermaid , I want you . " " Why do you keep calling me that ? " " Your thighs . " He smiled . " They're fa - big . " " Uh - huh . Perfect for me . " Reese reached down and grabbed her thighs and lifted her up wrapping her legs around his waist . " I have big hands . I need big thighs to hold onto . I love your mermaid thighs . " He slid his hands down her legs and then back up on her now exposed thighs . " Owen ... " Helen whispered as she looked at him with wide eyes . " Reese . " He corrected gently as he pressed into her . " I ... I ... " 3/4 2:57 pm P PPD . Chapter 22 : Stars " However much I want you , I'm not going to do anything here . " He assured her . " Will you have dinner with me ? Weekends are busy for me , but Monday is good . " " Me ? " she asked quietly , still amazed that he had so easily picked her up . " You . I know you go to the gym after work . We can go from there . You can meet me , if it would make you feel better . " " Me ? " " Baby , who treated you so bad that you have no confidence in yourself ? " Everyone , she thought as tears sprang to her eyes . Chapter Comments Heather Hackney Long 7 days ago Finally a story for my age and size ! This is really intriguing so far ! 9 Reviews > 16 SHARE 53 B 5 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!