Knowing it’s over between us, I start to pull my hand away from his. “I’m really sorry.”
He squeezes my hand. “Stop,” he commands, drawing his eyes back on me. His thumb goes into overdrive stroking the back side of my hand. “I’m sitting here trying to rationalize why I shouldn’t hunt this Brad asshole down like the animal he is.”
Tears spring to my eyes. I was sure he’d be done with me after he knew all the dirty details, the ugliest parts of my life. I never dreamed he’d have this kind of reaction.
“I’m sure his life was ruined when everyone discovered the truth,” I say quietly.
“I don’t know why you were so afraid to tell me what happened with that jerk. It doesn’t sound like what happened was your fault. What kind of man cheats on his dying wife?”
“Everyone automatically assumed I knew he was married. I was afraid you’d think I did, too.” I shrug. “It’s one of the things I’m working through with my psychologist. Did I mention I’m messed up?”
Theo tilts his head down to his side. “Come over here.”
With my heart pounding, I drag my chair around to his side of the table. Once I’m close enough, he wraps me in his bear-like grip, and buries his face in my hair. “Even though the Erik thing really pissed me off, I don’t think you’re messed up. Someone should’ve listened to you back home. I’m sorry I didn’t give you more of a chance.”
I let him hold me for a long time, soaking his shirt with my silent tears.
FIFTEEN
Eventually Theo and I leave the coffee shop, hand-in-hand, each of us taking a moment to breathe in the now chilled air. I snuggle into his jacket, finally appreciative for its warmth.
“My place is just a few blocks down if you want to walk,” I tell him.
“You’re not too cold?”
I shrug with a smile. “It’s not that bad. Maybe in another month or I’d rather take the car.” I bite down on my lip. I’m assuming we’ll be together that long when nothing has been decided. I need to slow it the fuck down before I push him away.
“Okay. I’ll let my driver know.”
He drops my hand to approach the passenger’s side of the sleek black card parked a few yards down. It gives me the opportunity to appreciate what a great back end Theo has, similar to that of professional football players. Now that I see a spark of hope that we still have a chance, I let myself fantasize how phenomenal he’d be completely naked. The guy’s like a work of art. I’ve never asked if he does more than just run, but as toned as he appears, he must go to the gym on a regular basis.
It’s just dark enough under the street-lights that I don’t think he sees me flushing when he returns to take my hand. We’re quiet as we walk, each of us mindful of our thoughts. Part of me is afraid that if I open my big mouth, I’ll ruin everything. Still, I can’t imagine anything more tantalizing than walking the city streets at night with Theo at my side. When we reach the bar, his ride is already waiting at the curb.
“This is it,” I say, tilting my head to the unlit sign over the bar.
Theo takes both my hands. “When can I see you again?” His beautiful eyes search mine eagerly, like he wants to kiss me. “I want to finally take you on this mystical date.”
“I don’t have a lot of time off yet. I had to switch my schedule around just to go out tonight. Tomorrow I’ll be done by nine, though. I could be ready by ten if that isn’t too late.” It probably sounds desperate to offer such a late time, but then again, this is New York and I’m trying to fit in with the locals.
“I can make tomorrow work.” He draws his finger up to my jawline. “I’m so glad I found you tonight. It killed me that we didn’t speak all this time.”
My lips part with his touch, and I close my eyes. I can’t speak.
“Remind me what your therapist said about kissing.”
Flipping my eyes open, I grin and move closer, wrapping my hands around his waist. “Kissing’s okay as long as I feel under control and it’s in a safe place where it can’t lead to unplanned sex.” I take a sweeping look around the neighborhood and grin. “As long as you can promise to control yourself, I’d say we’re good to go.”
He takes me in his arms and crushes his lips down on mine. Our mouths simultaneously part to allow our tongues to tango, mixing the remnants of coffee and lingering booze. He holds me so tightly against him that I’d be gasping for air if he wasn’t breathing more into me. I wrap my arms around his head, finally tugging at his long locks that have been making me insane since we first ran into each other. He lets out a low moan of approval into my mouth and deepens the kiss, moving his lips harder, making longer strokes with his tongue. My stomach flutters wildly, as if ready to take flight.
Our bodies meld together, his erection pressed against my belly, my nipples hard with the friction of his chest. Between my legs I’m clenched tightly, swollen and ready. A low, guttural moan resonates from his throat. Realizing how desperately I want to do more with him, I lighten my end of the kiss and slip away a fraction of an inch, bringing my hands up to hold onto his face.
Theo catches on immediately, making his kisses feather-light. He cradles my face in his hands with a throaty hum before breaking the connection. Then he takes me in his arms and kisses the top of my head. “We need to stop now or we’re going to break all the rules.”
I breathe heavily against his chest. “For the record, you’re totally worth breaking the rules for.”
He chuckles, the vibrations of his chest against my body driving me wild all over again. “Be careful what you say to me. I’d take you up to your room if I didn’t respect what you’re trying to do.”
I bury my face against his pectoral muscles, breathing him in. “This so going to be so fucking hard,” I whine.
He kisses me with one last, lingering yet innocent kiss before heading to his car. I’m beaming as I watch him open the door. Before sliding in, he pauses, grinning at me.
“This will all be worth it, Cavenaugh. I promise.”
Morning—or at least the end of my abbreviated slumber—comes far too soon. I text Jewels and Chloe as I’m heading down for my shift, sharing an abridged version of my night with Theo. My phone buzzes repeatedly as I set it on the bar. I don’t read their messages since I’m officially on the clock.
“It’s alright if you’re on yer phone when there aren’t any customers who need waitin’ on,” Mick reminds me, wiping the bar down at my side. “It would seem someone’s eager to get your attention.”
I wave a hand through the air, laughing. “It’s my friends. They can wait.”
“You look awfully chipper this morning,” he says in a teasing tone. “Weren’t you out late celebratin’ somethin’?”
“I didn’t get home until nearly five this morning, actually. I was busy taking charge of my destiny.” I throw him an over-the-top wink.
“Well good on ya then. That’s my girl.”
The regulars are waiting outside when Mick unlocks the doors. Half an hour later, Chloe and Jewels come bounding in, the look in their eyes a mix of excitement and irritation.
“I have twenty minutes until I have to leave for my next class, so you better make this snappy,” Jewels says, hopping onto the barstool directly in front of me. She flutters her thick lashes expectantly.
Chloe claims the stool next to her. “You know it’s not polite to just text someone vague details and not respond to their questions and shit afterwards. Your Midwestern manners are slipping.”
Mortified that they’re expecting me to spill the details while I’m working, I look over to where Mick stands at the register. “I’m sorry, I have no control over my friends. It’s understandable if you decide to throw them out.”
He laughs with good spirits, the only way he knows how. “It’s alright. You’re allowed to converse with the customers.” He looks to Jewels and Chloe, his eyebrows raised. “Are you goin’ to introduce me to these lovely ladies?”
“Jewels, Chloe,” I nod at e
ach of my friends as I say their names, “this is Mick Flanagan. As in the brother of the owner. So mind your manners.”
Mick approaches them to shake each of their hands. “Ah, the friends I’ve heard so much about. Kelly didn’t mention you were just as beautiful, but I suppose good lookin’ people tend to stick together.” When he takes Chloe’s hand, he pauses. “What about you then, sweetheart? Have we met?”
The way Chloe uncharacteristically giggles like a school girl makes me glance at Jewels with wide eyes.
“My band played here once. I don’t remember when exactly, maybe a year or so ago. I remember you, though—you sang to your girlfriend. Ungrateful thing ran out of here, leaving you hanging. I personally think it was one of the most romantic gestures I’ve ever seen a guy make, even if you couldn’t sing worth a lick. But you were a real trooper, and didn’t let her get to you. A lot of guys don’t have that kind of class.”
Mick brings his hands up to his chest like he’s been shot. “I was hopin’ no one would remember that night. About killed me, she did.” He drops his hands to the bar, grinning. “Now I remember the way you bounced around, playin’ the guitar. I couldn’t believe somethin’ so little could could produce that kind of noise with her voice. You drew in a great crowd, but your style wasn’t for my sister’s liking. If it were up to me, I’d hire you back in a heartbeat.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Chloe tells him, waving her hand. “Our style isn’t for everyone. I’m into all kinds of music myself. I swear half the money I earn goes toward concerts at the Garden. You’d think they’d start cutting me a deal after all the money I’ve dumped there. You ever go to any concerts?”
“I’m a bit of a music junkie, m’self,” Mick answers, beaming. “I may not be able to sing, but I can play a bit of the guitar. I’m more into the classic like Cash and Zeppelin.”
Chloe brightens with his confession. Jewels and I watch mutely, holding back laughter as the two of them banter, deep into discussion on their favorite musicians, and dissecting different genres of music. Jewels, being a serious music junkie herself, tries to jump into the conversation, but when they ignore her, she just sips on a glass of water. I wait on our three customers when needed, letting Mick and Chloe continue. Soon it’s time for Jewels to leave.
“Well this was productive,” she tells me under her breath. “I guess we’ll just have to get together again. Don’t make me ask Theo for the juicy details, Kelly Cavenaugh. I mean it. You have no idea how awkward it is, listening to him elaborate on past make-out sessions. Especially now that it’s with my bestie.”
“Anything I should know about these past experiences?” My stomach flutters with jealousy. Just because I gave Theo a detailed account of the men I’ve slept with, does it mean I want to know how many women he’s been with?
“Would you lighten up? I was just messing with you.” She braces herself over the bar, leaning in to kiss my cheek. “Enjoy your date tonight! Just relax, and remember Theo wants to be with you even after he’s heard your darkest secrets. I don’t see anything that could screw it up between you now.”
Chloe watches our exchange with wide eyes. “Is it time to go already? It feels as if we just got here.” She reaches into her studded leather bag to grab a business card, slipping it on the bar between her and Mick. “If you ever decide to get that tattoo we talked about, I know a wicked talented artist who could draw up the perfect one. She won’t even charge you full price. Her number’s on the card—you should really give her a call.”
Mick takes her hand to kiss it. “And I know a bartender who would love to take you to see a band one night. I’ll be callin’ ya.”
Chloe actually blushes when she reclaims her hand. She’s tongue tied, only passing me a wave before following Jewels out the door.
I turn to Mick with my hands on my hips. “What just happened? You totally made my most talkative friend mute and blush. In all the time I’ve known her, I haven’t seen her do either one.”
Winking, he says, “It’s called Irish charm, sweetheart.”
By a quarter to ten, I’ve tried on nearly every piece of clothing I own just to deem them all too revealing. I called Jean on my break to tell her of my big night out with Theo, and she advised me to wear something that won’t lead Theo’s imagination too far ahead. Theo sent a text earlier saying that I should wear something casual, so I guess it works.
“I’m going to need a new wardrobe,” I sigh, looking at the discarded pile of shirts and skirts spread across my mattress.
“You talking to me?” Felicity asks from the hallway.
I turn to see her lingering in my doorframe, her spectacled eyes expectant. Of the two girls I’m living with, Felicity’s my favorite. She’s way more interested in studying and reading fiction in her spare time than she is into guys and never brings anyone home I’ll bump into half-naked the next morning. She’s quite pretty with warm brown skin, a round face that draws you in, and smooth black hair she knows how to style a thousand different ways. If I dressed her up for a night on the town, she’d likely break a few hearts. But Felicity’s shy and reserved with the wardrobe to prove it.
“Felicity!” I exclaim, grabbing her by the shoulders. “Can I borrow something to wear on a date tonight?”
She draws her brows together, giving me a complete once-over. “I thought you told me I need to spice up my wardrobe. Is this some kind of a joke?”
“No!” I say with a blatant laugh. “This is me deciding I need something that doesn’t make me look desperate for attention. I just want to look pretty…like you.”
My roommate lights in excitement. “Oh, this is going to be fun!”
I’m downstairs and appropriately dressed in time to see a dark sedan pull up to the curb. I check to make sure Felicity’s white sweater sits on my shoulders properly, not showing any skin beyond the leopard-print scarf she also loaned me. Paired with my favorite skinny jeans and tan riding boots, I actually feel quite comfortable. The tan suede coat I grabbed for later matches my outfit perfectly.
My heart thunders against my rib cage as I wait for Theo to step out of the car. Instead Charles, the elderly driver who took me to see Theo at work, steps out of the car.
I smile brightly. “Hey, Charles, looking sharp!”
“As do you, Miss Cavenaugh.” He opens the back door of the car. “Come along now. You don’t want to keep Mr. Roberts waiting.”
“Where are we going?”
“I’m afraid I’ve been asked not to share any details of the night with you. Be assured that he’s done a splendid job of preparing for your evening.”
I run my hand along my carefully styled wavy locks, suddenly nervous. I didn’t ask Theo where we were going. What if he’s taking me somewhere classy? “Charles, please, help a lady out. Am I underdressed?”
His kind eyes wrinkle with another bright smile. “You look brilliant. Rather fitting, I might say. Mr. Roberts will be pleased.”
Charles keeps the divider open between us at my request, calming my nerves with stories of his daughter and new grandson. Time flies by quickly, and in no time we come to a complete stop. I peer out the tinted windows as Charles steps from the car. For a moment I’m not able to place what buildings and trees are visible beneath bright lights. Then it finally clicks into place—we’re at a zoo, parked in front of a sign that reads “EMPLOYEE ACCESS ONLY.”
I balk at Charles as he opens my door and I step from the car. “The zoo’s open this late on a week night?”
He smiles warmly, the deep lines in his face settling. “I don’t believe so.”
A slender woman wearing safari gear appears at the gate. “Good evening, Miss Cavenaugh. Come this way.”
Charles winks. “I’ll be seeing you later. Enjoy your evening.”
Stunned, I follow the woman through the gate and down a path leading through two cement buildings. We come upon a nook designed to look like a jungle with bright flowers, dense ferns, and palm trees. A small table clad in a wh
ite linen cloth and a dozen candles has been set up in the center of it all. The dank smell and occasional sounds of lions and monkeys in the distance make it feel like we’re actually in Africa.
Theo stands next to the table dressed in a gray v-neck sweater that compliments the green of his eyes and tight-fitting enough to show off his rigid arm and chest muscles. Between his snug jeans and dazzling smile, I have to stop myself from rushing forward to ravage him. He looks amazing.
“Enjoy your evening,” the woman tells us as she walks away.
Theo strides my way, confident and in charge. “You look beautiful as always, Cavenaugh.”
I hold my breath as his lips graze my cheek, thrilled by the feel of it. “How did you arrange for this?”
“Generous donations will get you pretty much whatever you need in life.” He slips his hand into mine and checks his chunky, platinum watch. “Let’s eat, I’m starving. And we’re on a schedule.”
We’re barely seated when a stout, dark-haired woman in her 50s, wearing a white apron over a floral dress, sets a plate before each of us. “Good evening,” she greets me, beaming. “Theo tells me you like my manicotti. I wanted to give you a proper salad before your meal, but he tells me there isn’t time for that. Honestly, I don’t know where the boy’s head is half the time.”
My stomach bursts with joy when I look down to see the same manicotti Theo had ordered the day I stormed from his office. Once again, the smell is heavenly.
“I’m pretty sure it’s the best I’ve ever tasted,” I say, grinning.
With a chuckle, Theo pushes his sleeves up. “Kelly, this is my Aunt Carmela.”
The woman takes my hand, beaming. Her hand is warm and doughy. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, tesoro. My boy Theo has told me so much about you.”
I don’t try to hide the surprised look on my face. “Theo didn’t mention he ordered from a family restaurant.” Suddenly it makes sense why Theo seemed so tight with the kid who delivered our food that day.
Kelly's Quest (NYC LOVE Book 2) Page 17
