“Oh, I can’t wait to hear this,” she said, her eyes alit, coy and mischievous. Her lipstick was fresh, but she still rubbed her lips together.
Fuck but I wanted in there.
I got nearer, letting my mouth get close to her ear. I heard her breath hitch and witnessed the pulse point in her neck pick up speed.
“A prince is some spoiled, entitled jerkoff who thinks the world catering to him is his due. A king, on the other hand, understands that while he is the one who rules, he is also responsible for those in his charge. He is beholden to them, for their welfare.”
She blinked a couple of times and swallowed, just staring up at me.
“In other words, he only conquers what he can care for. Otherwise, he’s no better than a savage.”
She pressed a hand to her cheek, then her forehead. “It’s kind of hot in here. Don’t you think it’s too warm?”
I ignored her comment. “So, what do think?” I directed towards my art piece.
“Oh, well, I don’t know a lot about art,” she said as her eyes searched for her sister, who was no longer standing by her side. Her sister still had Alice in her line of vision, but she was chatting with a random suit.
I reached out and took her chin between my thumb and forefinger, moving her head back in my direction.
“This isn’t an academic symposium where you have to espouse a thesis-worthy response,” I told her, reluctant to let go, but doing it anyway. I wanted to draw her in, not scare her off. “Just tell me what it makes you feel.”
She was wearing her hair down, which I liked a lot, especially since she was close enough to the art to be right under one of the spotlights. The light made her glow even brighter. She ran both hands through that thick hair, grabbing it in a bunch at the nape of her neck as she turned towards the art on the wall.
This was the second time I’d seen her, and both times she’d worn a curve hugging, retro dress, like something out of a pinup calendar. Her body was made for the style, with those full, gorgeous breasts, tiny waist and heart-shaped ass—the one I’d gotten to study in detail when she was hauling her stuff out of that cab. As she turned, the skirt of her dress swooshed by me, a whisper of a touch I felt through my jeans.
She didn’t respond right away and, for the first time in a long while, I was on edge about what someone else thought of my work. Of course, she didn’t know it was mine—I didn’t sign this one—which meant I would probably get a truthful answer out of her.
Although something told me Alice would give it to me straight regardless.
“It’s compelling,” she said. “I like how the artist carved part of the figure out of the drywall plaster while using ordinary objects to share what’s going in the subject’s internal and external realities. I get the sense he feels . . . stuck, unable to change his life or the world around him.”
And we have a winner. She nailed exactly what I was going for.
“Who is the artist?”
I shrugged. Maybe someday I’ll tell her. “Does it matter?”
That one got me my first sweet smile. “No, I suppose it doesn’t.”
“C’mon,” I placed my hand on the small of her back. “Let’s get your stuff.”
“Oh right . . . wait! I need to let my sister know where I’m going.”
“I’m happy to follow wherever you go,” I said.
You have no idea how much.
I caught a hint of a grin, which she tried to hide by ducking her head and letting her hair fall forward. It made me wonder how all that hair would feel in my grip as I fucked her from behind.
We got to where her sister was standing: she was playing with her auburn tendrils and listening to some dipshit. Alice was several inches shorter than her sister and they looked nothing alike. Alice kept trying to interject, but whoever this suit was, he was rambling like a toddler on a sugar high.
So of course, I just started talking over him. “I hear you’re the guardian ad litum for the evening. I’m taking your sister upstairs to get her stuff. I’m assuming you two are a package deal and you’d want to come along. Am I right?”
I got a perfectly arched eyebrow in response. “That is correct.”
The guy started moving his jaw from side to side, obviously getting all bent out of shape that we were interrupting his limp dick version of game. Alice’s sister wasn’t my type, but she was gorgeous, so I didn’t know why she was even bothering with this idiot.
“She looks like a big girl to me. She doesn’t need a babysitter.”
Alice interjected. “You have the manners of a feral goat and everyone knows goats are the assholes of the animal kingdom. C’mon Caroline.”
Shit, that’s funny. I smiled to myself. Though she be but little, she is fierce.
“Uh, she’s not going anywhere, bitch.” I could see the veins popping out of the shitgibbon’s temples.
Caroline pulled out of his grip. “Do not. Touch. Me.”
“Not a good move, Wall Street,” I informed him.
“Who the fuck are you?” he spat back. I started laughing because, I had to hand it to him, he was stupid but spunky. With bare feet, I’m six-four and I bench two-eighty. This guy was five-nine on his tippy toes.
I made a mental note to tell Ingrid we needed to be stricter about the guest list because this whole moment sponsored by Frat Boys R Us was a big bag of bullshit.
“Oh, I get it. You wandered in here by mistake.” I gestured towards the front. “Go out that door, make a right and one block down is the Viagra doc, and then a couple blocks more you’ll find Hooters, where I’m sure you and the rest of your knuckle-dragging jizztrumpets have gathered for a chest-bumping, degenerative good time. Don’t forget to bring the roofies so you’ll be sure to score.”
“You’re a real smart-mouthed motherfucker, aren’t you?” He started swinging before I had a chance to answer. I pushed Alice and her sister behind me while maneuvering out of the way.
“That’s some pansy ass shit you’re throwing there, Wall Street,” I tapped my chin with my fingers, jutting it straight out. “Here, I’ll make it easy for you. C’mon, try again.”
His whole face turned beet red, but I could tell from his stance he wasn’t giving up yet. Moron.
“I’m going to enjoy beating the ever-living shit out of you!” He reared his fist back and swung at me. I ducked in time for him to hit one of the cement columns.
I knew that sound well. The asshole had just shattered most of the bones in his hand.
“Motherfucker! You broke my hand! I’m suing your ass for everything’s you’ve got.”
“Annnnd THAT’S my cue,” Ingrid signaled one of the bouncers who grabbed his arm and wrenched it behind his back.
A crowd had formed. I shook my head, making a tsk tsk sound. “‘Roid rage is real, ladies and gentleman.” Everyone cracked up.
“You can’t take me on yourself? You need these goons to do your dirty work?” He was trying to goad me, but I didn’t flinch.
“Hey, fuck nugget, I gave you a clear shot and you still couldn’t hit me. So go ahead, sue me all ya want. I’ve got a cousin I put through Harvard Law who’s like my personal conciliāre. He’s a pitbull who needs a new chew toy.”
The idiot paled and they carted him out of there. Drumming fingers on folded arms caught my eye.
“Should I even ask why you were bothering with that asswipe?” Ingrid asked.
“Oh, c’mon! If this had been even a few months ago, I would’ve pummeled that shitbag and gotten dragged into court. I’m totally growing and maturing over here.”
“Alright, fine, you’re emotional maturation is one standard deviation above impulsive toddler.”
“That’s better,” I said, turning my attention to Alice. “You’re okay?”
“Oh, I’m right as rain,” she answered, turning to her sister. “Can you please tell me why on God’s green earth were you even talking to that idiot?”
Caroline stared at Alice for a couple of beats bef
ore her gaze went skyward, all while shaking her head.
“I swear, sister, you could throw yourself down on the ground and you’d still miss.”
“Is that right?”
Caroline gave her an exasperated look. “I was steering clear so that you and green eyes over there could talk, without me looming over you. I could’ve been talking to a totem pole for all I cared.”
That was enough to make Alice blush. She had this luminescent, porcelain skin, the kind that probably burned easily from the sun—or in this case, embarrassment.
I rested my hand on her back. “Hey,” I said low enough for just her to hear me.
Prussian blue eyes met mine, sending an electric current down my spine.
“You haven’t got one thing to be embarrassed about. It was cool of your sister to give me a chance to talk to you. Because honestly? That’s all I’ve been wanting to do, since the moment I met you—and that desire only doubled after I went through your bag.”
“Really?” she asked, her soft voice making it harder to resist her.
“Christ, not this again,” Ingrid muttered.
That caught my attention. “What was that?”
I had my hand on Alice’s shoulder, which was exactly where Ingrid’s eyes darted to before giving me the stink eye.
“You know exactly what I mean,” she said.
Alice moved out of my touch. I may have growled.
“Whatever, don’t say I didn’t warn you.” She gave Alice a cold look before she headed off. I scrubbed my hands over my face.
“What was that about?” Caroline asked, her eyes shooting daggers at me.
I let out a harsh exhale. “Nothing to do with either of you.”
“Is she your girlfriend or something?” Alice asked, her confusion written all over her face.
“No, she’s my friend and my assistant.”
“Why don’t I believe you?” her sister asked.
“You should. Because I don’t lie, sometimes to my own detriment,” I said, feeling annoyed at Ingrid for being so overprotective. I knew she was just looking out for me, but having this conversation was annoying the shit out of me.
Neither girl moved. Shit, I’m blowing this before it’s even started.
I gentled my expression. “Ingrid is like family and her reaction is part of a long story. One I’d rather not get into right now.” Or ever.
With just a quick glance, they communicated something between them. A spark of envy ignited in the center of my chest. It had always been just my mom and me. Ingrid was like a sister to me, but it wasn’t the same as having someone you’ve grown up with your whole life.
“Let me also say I’m sorry Ingrid threw some ‘ugly’ your way. She’s actually a sweetheart.”
Alice’s head jerked, but then she beamed at me. I was starting to like earning those smiles already. “I’m going to give you that redirect, but only because you incorporated some of my Southern charm into your Yankee vernacular, City.”
“Are you ever going to use my name?”
“Oh I like City better. Suits you.”
“If I do this right, you may think Dare’s the better fit.”
“You know, I still think you’re arrogant.”
“Noted.”
“And rude,” she added.
“Got it.”
“Just so you know, I’m just getting my stuff and then I’m out of here.”
“Your choice, but I’m hoping that’s not all you want.”
Alice guffawed. “Should I even ask what else you’re hoping I’m going to want?”
I felt my cock stir. “Don’t ask me that,” I said. “But after I get that weightlifting kit you call a purse back to you, I’d like to drop your sister off and then take you out.”
I heard her breath hitch as she sunk her teeth into the swell of her bottom lip.
It may have been the sexiest thing I’ve seen in a long, long while.
Until she opened her mouth.
“I don’t think so. I’ve got an early day tomorrow.”
Okay, that was not the answer I was expecting. Either this woman wasn’t into me, and I had read the signals wrong or she was into playing games.
Or something else was holding her back from what she really wanted: Me.
My instinct was telling me it was the latter, but I was going to proceed with cautious levity.
“Do you have a boyfriend? Girlfriend?”
“Appreciate you not making assumptions, but no to both,” she said.
I shot a glance over to her sister. “Let the record reflect that Ms. Leighton has officially turned me down.”
“So noted, my sister’s an idiot.” Caroline was enjoying the scene even more than I was, which only made Alice back hand her sister’s upper arm.
“Ow! That hurt!” she said while rubbing her bicep.
“Serves your right,” Alice said.
“Don’t let her diminutive size fool ya,” she said. “She is freakishly strong. Like a mutant, really.”
“I’ll keep that in mind, but I think I’m still willing to risk my physical safety.” I pointed towards the elevator with my chin. “Let’s get your stuff.”
She shoved one hand deep inside her side pocket while weaving the other with Caroline’s. Hmm, sister as human shield, that’s a new one, I thought.
We went up to the business office where I kept everything of consequence under lock and key, noticing the two of them having full conversations without saying a word.
“By the way, your sister’s strong as an ox because she’s hauling a bag around that makes the Sherpas of Mount Everest look like lazy fucks.”
“Southern women are always stronger than they look,” Caroline said.
“Yeah, I saw Steel Magnolias too, honey. The pretty girl died. It was sad.”
Alice gave me the stink eye. “Really, Dare?”
Man, I loved my name in her mouth, rolling off her tongue. I wished she was moaning it instead of barking it, but whatever.
“I swear I’m a good guy under all this curmudgeon gruff,” I said, giving her my most sincere smile. “Are you sure you have to turn in early?”
“Um, I’ll wait by the elevator,” Caroline said while walking out of the room, leaving us alone for the first time. I wanted to invite Alice for a drink up in my apartment, but I knew that’d be pushing it.
She seemed to be studying my expression. Hoisting her bag onto her shoulder, she took a step closer.
“You know the game two truths and a lie?”
This was coming out of left field. “Sure I do.”
“So, let’s play a round and I’ll see if you can fool me.”
“What, like right now?”
She gave me this suggestive, lopsided smile.
“Don’t think. Just say yes.”
Damn, she was driving me wild. “You are, by far, the sexiest woman I’ve met in a while,” I groaned, getting into her space, my large hands resting on the curves of her hips.
She slid her hands up my arms, bracing them on my chest. “Let’s hear ‘em. I’m ready.”
Oh that’s right . . . she wanted two truths and a lie. I was good at this little game.
“Okay, number one: I turned down a full scholarship to M.I.T and went to art school instead. My mom didn’t speak to me for a week. Number two: I didn’t lose my virginity until I was eighteen, but it was with my high school English teacher the day after graduation, so it was totally worth the wait. And number three: It’s in my will that when I die, I’m to have a Viking funeral. You know, the whole launching of fiery arrows to my body on a boat out at sea thing.”
Her brows went up. “That’s quite a list.”
“You bet your sweet ass it is,” I smiled, but it faded fast because she backed away. “What’s wrong?”
“You’re really good at this game.”
She was complimenting me without it feeling like much of a compliment.
“Annnnd?”
She repositioned the bag
strap on her shoulder, looking towards the door before meeting my eyes.
“What? Tell me,” I said.
She let out something between a huff and sigh. “You’re too good at this game. I couldn’t tell which ones were the truth and which one was the lie.”
Now I was confused. “Isn’t that the whole point of the game?”
“In theory,” she said, a flash of uncertainty clouding her eyes. “But if I can’t tell when you’re lying, this early in knowing you, without any emotional attachment, then how am I ever going to know once I’m involved with you?”
What. The. Fuck. “You’re shitting me, right?”
She straightened her spine. “No, I am not ‘shitting’ you,” she said. “Listen, I appreciate you getting my bag back to me. But I’m done with trying to make sense of men and their Mad Hatter nonsense. So, thanks for the drink invite, but I’m good solo.”
And then, wouldn’t you know it, the little firecracker walked out on me.
“Alice got so much into the way of expecting nothing but out-of-the-way things to happen, that it seemed quite dull and stupid for life to go on in the common way.”
―Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
Alice
“So, let me get this straight. Dare Grangeworth—the Dare Grangeworth—is the guy who found your purse in the back of the cab. Am I getting this right so far?”
I let out a harsh breath. “You know that part already, Ray-Ray.”
“Wait a second, Dare Grangeworth? The famous artist?” Lulu piped up before sipping her tea in a cup almost as large as her head. We were having Sunday brunch at our favorite place, Gallow Green, on the rooftop of the McKittrick Building.
“Lo sé, está loca!” Rayna said.
“I am not crazy,” I snapped.
“I didn’t recognize him in person, but I sure know the name Dare Grangeworth.” My sister had to contribute. She eyed my plate, noticing I wasn’t really eating. “He’s a real catch, Alice. Handsome, successful . . .”
Rayna interrupted. “I hear he can be an asshole.”
My sister shrugged. “Well, I don’t know about that. He was a bit rough around the edges when we first met him, but I thought he was funny and charming, in a New York kind of way—exactly Alice’s type.”
The Wonder of You Page 4
