Long and Hard: A Bad Boy Box Set

by Lulu Pratt

  I put my hands on my hips and drop my head. I knew she would be upset but I didn’t imagine she would be this upset.

  “It’s hard for me to explain but it’s not like that at all,” I say. “You don’t understand.”

  “No, no, I don’t understand,” she says. “But I do understand what a liar is. Your mixed signals were unnecessary, and I didn’t deserve to have my time wasted. In fact, I didn’t even want to go on the date with you. All you did was prove my point about you just being some creepy guy,” she says.

  Her cheeks are red and her chest heaves up and down like she’s the one who’s been running. She’s hurt. Yes, she’s pissed off too, but the hurt is what’s reflecting in her eyes and it digs into my heart like a knife.

  “You’re right,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper.

  “What?” she asks.

  I take a step closer and reach for her hand, and she instantly recoils. “I said you’re right. You didn’t deserve that. I’ve been searching for the right words to explain my behavior for two weeks, and even now I’m coming up empty. I bailed on you and it’s completely my fault. I don’t want to make excuses, but that’s what happened.”

  The baby, Jacob, stirs a bit and whimpers. He’s asleep, but I guess our voices are disturbing him.

  He’s a cute kid.

  “Listen, no amount of apologizing will make up for what I did nor will it negate how you feel. You’re the first woman I feel like I need to explain myself to. I like you, Jade. I’ve felt a spark for you from the very first time we met. Your fiery attitude, your beauty and even that thing you do with your lips when you’re mad, draw me to you. I hate seeing you this upset over something I did.”

  I reach for her again and this time she doesn’t pull away. I really should let her go. That’s probably the best move for all parties involved. I should walk away and just let her think I’m an asshole. I need to cut all ties with her and move on, but I can’t.

  “It’s selfish to play with someone’s emotions like that,” she says.

  “You’re right,” I say. “You’re absolutely right. But from this day forward, it’ll never happen again. My reservations about being with you have nothing to do with you and I shouldn’t project that negativity onto you.”

  She nods her head and stares at me. Her face is a lot more relaxed and she doesn’t seem quite so pissed off. She’s still holding back, but I don’t blame her.

  “I won’t ask you to forgive me, but I will ask that you give me a chance to show you that I’m being sincere. I don’t want to hurt you. I just want to start over fresh with all the chips on the table. Deal?”

  She stares at me, those beautiful blue eyes drilling holes into me as if she’s searching for one single sliver of untruth so she can storm away.

  Finally, she rolls her eyes and exhales loudly. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, and I’m probably going to regret it, but yes, we have a deal. But this is your last chance. You won’t get another opportunity to hurt me.”

  “Trust me,” I say. “Hurting you again is the last thing on my mind. Scout’s honor.”

  Chapter 11

  JADE

  I CLOSE JACOB’S door and tiptoe down the hall to my bedroom. As I glance down at the baby monitor in my hand to ensure he’s still napping peacefully, he squirms around a bit but eventually settles back down. My shirt is wet and covered in sour milk, a little present Jacob gifted me before falling asleep. The shirt clings to my skin and it’s just too much to simply wipe off, so I opt for a shower instead.

  Walking into my room, I head straight for the bathroom, turning the water on before stripping out of the soiled clothes and dropping them in a heap on the floor. At my first quiet moment for the first time today, my mind finally has a chance to wander, and of course my thoughts race to Asher.

  He’s been a man of his word ever since our discussion in the park, but I still feel a bit uneasy about him. Sure, we agreed to start fresh, but I haven’t forgotten about his behavior and I still want to know what made him react that way in the first place. We’ve gone on a few short dates, nothing like our first date. They have been stolen moments and ended too quickly for anything to happen. Perhaps it’s for the best as I am a little hesitant to rush into anything. I think Asher is great, but I don’t want to get hurt by him.

  So many questions rush through my head, but I decide it’s best to wait. I need to uncover a few more of his layers before I dive in any deeper. I want to be able to trust that what he’s telling me is the truth, but I need more time to get to know him first.

  As soon as the water heats up, I hop in the shower, happy to wash the day away. Jacob’s naps are sometimes hit or miss and I don’t want to waste any time just in case he decides to wake up and start wailing. Unfortunately, Magdalene has been gone all day, which means I don’t have any back up if he wakes before I get out the shower.

  I finish showering, dry off, and wrap my hair in a towel before heading back into my room. Sprawling out across the bed, I take a deep breath while staring at the ceiling.

  I need to do the laundry, mop the floors and start dinner soon. Guess I’ll add those things to my never-ending list of things to do.

  Eventually, I force myself from the bed and start searching for something to put on. My phone rings from the end table near my bed and I hurry to grab it.

  Asher.

  “Hello,” I say, unable to resist the smile spreading across my face.

  “Hello there, gorgeous,” he says. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

  I flop back on the bed cradling the phone. “No, you’re not interrupting anything. Jacob projectile vomited all over me so I just got out the shower.”

  I hear papers shuffling in the background. “The shower you say? Let’s talk more about that. Where are you now?” he asks.

  “I’m in my room, laying across the bed.”

  “Naked?” he asks.

  I laugh and roll my eyes. “Yes and no. I’m naked, but there’s a towel wrapped around me.”

  This time Asher laughs. “Are the blinds up or down this time?”

  I slide off the bed and grab my clothes to get dressed. “Ha, very funny. You won’t trick a free show out of me, Mr. Jordan. The blinds are definitely down.”

  “Damn,” he says playfully. “It wouldn’t have mattered, anyway. I’m stuck in the office waiting on my next meeting to start. I just wanted to hear your voice before spending the next three hours listening to a colleague go on and on about a firm I don’t care to buy.”

  “Aww,” I say as I slip into my clothes. “You’re at working thinking about little ol’ me?”

  “Of course I am,” he says. “Thinking of you helps get me through the day.”

  “I’ve been thinking about you too,” I admit.

  I grab the baby monitor and tiptoe down the hall to the kitchen. Opening the freezer, I stare at the contents, brainstorming recipes.

  “So, what are my chances of seeing you tomorrow night on your day off?” he asks.

  I grab a pack of chicken from the freezer to thaw. I’m sure there are veggies in the fridge that will go together with it perfectly.

  “I’d say your chances are favorable,” I sigh. “I’m tired of staring out my window hoping to catch a glimpse of you.”

  Asher laughs for a few moments and what I said quickly dawns on me.

  “So, who’s the Peeping Tom now?” he asks.

  “My, how the tables have turned,” I say, still laughing.

  “All right, gorgeous, I hate to cut our conversation short, but my meeting is about to get started. Be ready tomorrow night at seven o’clock.”

  “Talk to you later,” I say.

  “Bye.”

  I end the call, put the phone on the counter and stare at it. Asher is sweet and charming, but there’s still that mysterious piece of him I can’t quite put my finger on. One minute I’m wrestling with the idea of him still being a creep, and the next I’m swooning like a teenager over a sho
rt phone call. I pull out the mop and cleaning supplies, needing something to take my mind away from my thoughts. No matter how charming he is, I still find myself constantly running through the ‘what ifs’ of the situation.

  What if he hurts me? What if he lies to me? What if he’s just using me for a good time? On the other hand, I think about the more positive ‘what ifs’ as well. What if he really is being sincere? What if he really likes me?

  The internal struggle is both exciting and confusing. My lack of a social life is making each small interaction into a larger deal than they deserve, this I’m sure of. Asher has a lot going on, and most likely many women to go along with it. I can’t be more than a challenge to him, and I try to remember that for tomorrow night as I go on with my day.

  I fill up my mop bucket and pour in the cleaning solution. While my mind races a mile a minute, I busy myself with my chores around the house. Nothing helps settle my nerves better than giving the floor a good scrub.

  Chapter 12

  ASHER

  TONIGHT I’M meeting Jade again. Despite having gone out with her several times, I feel unsure about how she’ll react. Ever since she confronted me in the park, our relationship has changed. No woman has ever had the audacity to confront me with such veracity as her. There’s something about her boldness and lack of fear regarding me that intrigues me.

  I wait impatiently in the lobby for Jade, and when the elevator finally reaches the bottom, I’m a bit taken aback by her appearance. She’s wearing a form-fitting crimson dress, revealing curves I hadn’t noticed before, with a pair of sparkly high heels. Her hair falls over her shoulders in a waterfall of curls, her eyes rimmed with black liner, making her deep blues pop.

  “Sorry, I’m a little late. Jacob is running a slight temperature and I wanted to make sure he was settled in before I left for the evening.”

  “No need to apologize,” I say with a frown, thinking of the small boy being sick as I steal away his caregiver.

  She smiles and pushes a rogue curl behind her ear. Her love for the little boy is evident all over her face, making her even more beautiful.

  “Jacob is a lucky little boy to have such an amazing woman like you looking after him. And you look absolutely breathtaking,” I say. “You always do.”

  She smiles, and I lighten watching her blush. I don’t know what it is about this woman. She makes me feel things I haven’t felt before, and I barely know her. Before I can stop myself, my lips are on hers as I wrap my arms around her small frame. Her lips are soft and smooth and if I could spend the whole night tasting her sweetness, I would.

  She leans back and smiles again, reaching up to gently swipe at my lips with the pad of her thumb.

  “Cut it out before you’re wearing more lipstick than me,” she teases.

  I lean in and kiss her again, not caring about the smudge. “I’d gladly pay that cost.”

  Taking her hand in mine, I escort her to the waiting car.

  The partition is already up and I briefly consider making good use of the temporary privacy, but decide against it, careful not to take things too fast. I don’t want to overstep my boundaries, especially while I’m trying to get back on her good side. I don’t know what this is yet, and I need to make sure not to ruin what could eventually grow into something.

  As soon as I settle into the seat, she leans over, her head resting on my shoulder.

  “I hope you like surprises,” I say.

  “It depends on the surprise, but I’d like to think I’m a pretty good sport, so I’m sure I’ll love whatever you have up your sleeve.”

  A grin spreads across my face at her candidness as we enjoy the quiet ride to the restaurant with an occasional glance longer than necessary. I’m almost disappointed when we arrive, not wanting the moment to end. I enjoy having Jade close to me, feeling the warmth of her against my skin.

  Ed opens the door and I escort her inside of Chateau’s, a quaint seafood restaurant by the ocean. I watch her smile widen as we’re led to a private candlelit table near the beach.

  “This is amazing,” she gasps just a above a whisper. “I love the smell of the ocean and listening to the sound of the waves crashing.”

  I help her to the seat before sitting down in my own, happy with her reaction. I thought she was a vision to behold before, but the way the candles dance against her skin makes her look like an angel. What is it about this woman that intrigues me so much?

  “I’m glad you like it,” I say. “I have so much more in store to bring a smile to your face.”

  She blushes a little, but instead of looking away, she holds my gaze and manages to make me feel naked and exposed. My dick instantly hardens, pressing against my pants.

  How in the hell am I going to make it through this dinner if she keeps giving me looks like that?

  I shift around in my seat, trying to discreetly find a more comfortable position. Our drinks arrive at the table and it’s as if Jade can read my mind. The way she handles the straw, wrapping her lips around the cherry she fished out her glass, makes my whole body tingle. I suspect she’s doing it on purpose just to watch me squirm.

  I’m finally able to find some relief when Jade steers the conversation to Jacob and her worries about his temperature.

  “Do you want to call and check in on him?” I ask. “It might put your mind at ease.”

  Jade massages her temples and shakes her head. “No, it’s my night off and he’s with his mother. I don’t want her to think I’m second guessing her ability to care for her own son, but I’m not sure if Magdalene knows where his medicine is, or that he prefers his stuffed tiger instead of his elephant when he’s not feeling well.”

  She grabs her napkin off the table and starts to fold and unfold it several times. “Shit,” she says. “I can’t imagine having kids if I’m this stressed out already and I’m just the nanny.”

  I reach across the table and place my hand on top of hers. “Your nurturing spirit is one of the things I like most about you. That and your take-no-shit attitude. I’m sure you’ll be the perfect mom one day. What you’re feeling right now for Jacob, never lose that.”

  Her cheeks flush and I watch as her eyes water a little. “Thank you, Asher. I really do appreciate you saying that. I’m just going to check my phone really quick to see if I have any missed calls or messages.” She grabs her phone and scrolls through it quickly.

  I can’t stop the smirk from making its way to my face. I’m usually the one making the apology as I check my phone several times throughout a date. When I’m with Jade, I put my phone on silent and forget all about it. All thoughts of business, meetings and contracts float away for a few hours and I’m completely consumed by her, a freedom I’ve never experienced before. She’s the only distraction I want right now.

  She taps on the phone for a few more seconds before tucking it away into her purse.

  “Sorry about that,” she says.

  “No worries,” I say. “So, what made you want to become a nanny?”

  “I wouldn’t necessarily say I wanted to be a nanny. It just sort of happened out of a need I had and being in the right place at the right time. If you would have told me six months ago that I would be changing diapers every day, I’d have thought you were delusional,” she says.

  I listen intently as she takes me back in time, retelling her story. I hang onto her every word as she delves deeper into her post graduate life and what things are like for her now. Our dishes come and go, but I have no desire to leave until Jade is ready. These are the types of conversations I’ve longed for. No talk of celebrities or trying to find ways to scheme into the next party just to rub elbows with the elite.

  The excitement in Jade’s eyes makes me want to know more about her. One thing is certain, she can tell a damn good story. Her excitement intrigues me, and I find myself smiling as she goes from one story to the next. Her happiness over the smallest of things is truly infectious and I’m positive that’s what has been missing from my life. T
he hours roll by as we sit there getting to know each other a lot better. I don’t want to leave but there’s a noticeable chill in the air tonight, especially with us sitting so close to the water.

  I watch Jade rub her hands up and down her arms trying to stay warm.

  “Let’s go,” I say reaching for her hand. “The last thing I want is for you to catch a cold because I didn’t want the night to end.”

  We get into the Rolls-Royce and warm up quickly. Luckily, the stories keep coming as we ride back through the city. The ride home goes by in what feels like seconds.

  “How about you come upstairs to my place?” I ask. Our previous dates have all ended in her lobby and she never invited me up, understandably as the place is not her home.

  Jade checks the time and looks back at me. “Sure. It’s not too late yet. Plus, I’m curious to see what things look like from your vantage point. I know you have the better view.”

  I smile and take her hand as we exit the car and head up to my penthouse. “Now remember, this isn’t my full-time place so don’t be shocked at how empty it is.”

  She laughs and wraps her arm around mine. “I’ve seen a bachelor pad before,” she says. “I’m fully prepared for gym shorts on the bathroom floor and dirty dishes in the sink.”

  I nudge her playfully and she squeals a little. “Stop, I’m ticklish,” she giggles.

  “Well, Ms. Sinclair, you’ll be happy to know there’s nothing on the floor or in the sink,” I say, slipping my key into the before holding the door open for her.

  She walks in and takes her time looking around. “Wow,” she says. “This place is pretty bare, but it’s nice.”

  I toss my keys in a bowl next to the front door and walk up behind Jade, wrapping my arms around her. “Very bare, but I’m only here temporarily so I just brought over a few necessities to help me get by. One day, when we both have some free time, we’ll go to my home. I know you’ll love it out there.”