I need get a grip of myself, sharpish.
He surprises me by laughing.
“You are something else, you know, that right?” I look at him confused. “Sweetheart, let’s get one thing, straight shall we? It may not be tonight; it may not be next week, but believe me when I say, eventually you will let me tie you down and fuck that tight little body of yours.”
At the end of his bold statement he gives me a wink before reclaiming his beer and taking a rather big mouthful.
Chapter Six
DYLAN
After making that very honest statement, I know I’m having some kind of effect on her. Just another couple of hours and she’ll be putty in my hands.
“So, Serena, what’s this new amazing job?”
Looking at me through glazed eyes she smirks.
“I’m in advertising.” She answers, in a husky sounding voice.
Interesting.
Neil and I look at each other knowingly as I go on…
“And what agency do you work for?”
She shifts closer to me in her seat until her tits are practically rubbing up against me. My dick that was already aching for a little attention, is now wanting those glossed up lips wrapped around it.
“Now that Dylan…” She taps the end of my nose with her finger, “Would be telling wouldn’t it?”
Just an inch forward and I know I could kiss her; she’d give up that feisty attitude the minute my mouth touched hers. Leaning in just enough for her breathing to change, her breath heavy against my lips, the tip of her tongue pokes out to lick her bottom lip, as she grazes the plump skin with her teeth. With a smirk I lean back.
“How about another drink?”
“Well played, but two can play that game…”
“I like those kind of games… Ms Davenport.” I fire back remembering her surname she so willingly gave me.
She looks a little confused though so maybe she didn’t mean to let that slip.
Oh well, one-nil to Proctor.
“So, how about that drink?”
She looks over my shoulder to her friend, they have some kind of silent conversation until she looks back to me.
“Go on then, but I’m paying.”
“Okay, equality and all that shit, I can take it. You want to take my man card - just for tonight I’ll allow it.”
“You know Dylan, you’re very sure of yourself.”
The pout of her gloss covered lips matched with her sexy little smirk is enough to make me want to carry this on.
“I’m so glad you’ve noticed.”
All the time we’ve been having this war of words, my gaze hasn’t shifted away from her - it’s exciting. There hasn’t been any woman that’s been able to hold my attention for long enough to even speak to, unless it’s been ‘bend over that table,’ so I kind of like it.
She calls over the waitress that was going back and forth between our tables since we got here and orders more drinks. Except I switch mine up and order a Jack and coke. The young waitress looks between us and stomps off knowing that yet again, she’s not going to get a look in. Serena breaks our stare and watches the waitress, before turning back to me with her little announcement.
“She likes you.”
“What can I say?” I shrug ignorantly. “I can’t help being naturally charming…”
Serena’s eyes widen at my arrogance as the waitress comes back puts the tray down on the table.
“Can you make sure those go on our table’s bill please?” She instructs the waitress.
“Of course.”
She doesn’t look at me, she grabs the tray and goes back to the bar.
“Look I haven’t done anything to lead her on, so it’s really not my problem.”
Picking up my drink I hold it up, hoping we can forget the fiasco with the waitress.
“Okay, so here’s to Serena’s job and her divorce, I presume.”
Not being able to keep a straight face she smirks and nods at me.
“Cheers. To new beginnings.”
The DJ changes the tempo of the music to some retro pop.
“I think we need to dance,” Serena says to her friend after she’s almost drained the contents of her entire glass.
“I thought we were going home?” Questions Bonnie.
“Nah fuck that, it’s way too early.”
When she stands from her seat, I stand with her, sneakily thread my arm around her back and pull her into my side.
“I’ll dance with you,” I whisper in her ear and slide my hand further down until my palm is set against small of her back. She angles her body so her chest is pressing against me and our lips are just a centimetre apart again…
I have her right where I want right now.
Instead I step away, moving my arm from around her and clutching her hand, I thread our fingers together.
“Let’s go.”
I pull her gently behind me until we reach the dancefloor. Pulling her around she falls against me again. She puts a little distance between us, but keeps a hold of my hand as she dances. She seems a little unsteady on her feet, maybe this wasn’t such a good idea…
In next to no time at all, she trips over what is probably her own feet. Falling against me again with her palms settled on my chest as she looks up at me, putting my dick on high alert once again. Her green eyes are begging me, there’s no mistaking the heat in them. She wants me just as much as I want her… I frame her face with my hands and thread my fingers into her thick hair, my lips are on hers instantly in a firm kiss. I don’t have to wait for acceptance, she’s as eager as I am. My tongue pushes through the seam of her lips and tangles with hers fighting for dominance. She pulls away gasping for breath.
“Fuck. I have to go. I can’t do this.”
“What? Now?”
“Yeah, now.” Steading herself she glances back, “I’m sorry.”
Serena attempts to walk across the slippery dance floor on her high heels, while I’m left standing here wondering what the fuck happened.
My hands go to my hips as I watch her walk away from me.
“Fuck it.”
For the first time ever, a woman has walked away from me.
What is the world coming to?
Chapter Seven
SERENA
I let him kiss me. What in god's name am I thinking?
I was practically drooling all over him.
That’s the thing, I’m not thinking. The moment I fell against his chest and my hands landed against the hard muscle, I was done for and that was before our eyes even connected.
I knew suggesting to dance was a bad bloody idea.
Oh, my fucking god, the man can kiss. The instant our lips and tongues clashed together my knees went weak. I’ve never had that feeling before even with Steve. He was always a selfish twat even when it came sex. Dylan makes me feel alive, wanted and so god damn powerful. It’s like he sees me and I’m not just someone he can use to get his rocks off.
I’m not ready for this.
My insecurities and worries come rushing to the forefront of my brain, I can’t do this. I’m fresh out of my shitty marriage, I remind myself.
Pulling away from him, I’m gasping for my breath, but I know I have to leave before I do something stupid. Something I know I’m going to regret in the morning.
“Fuck. I have to go.” I tell him.
“Now?”
“Yeah, now.” The urgency in my voice comes across a lot stronger than I intend it to.
Quickly regaining my composure, I make sure my legs are steady. Like Bambi on ice, I very carefully stagger my way across the manky dancefloor, my shoes sticking to it as I go. Leaving him standing there with his mouth agape as I walk away.
It’s got to be this way.
I try to convince myself.
Being the amazing friend, she is, Bonnie clearly senses there's something wrong with me. She catches up wit
h me at the table we were occupying, where I collect my jacket. Before opening up my clutch and handing the waitress some cash for our tab as she walks past.
“What’s wrong? Did that prick do something to you? If he did, I’ll go kick him the dick for you.” She looks murderous as she grabs my arm to look at her.
“I’m okay, Bon. I just want to go home. I’ve had enough for one night; I need food and my bed.” My voice taking on a pleading tone, hoping she’ll get the hint and not press me for more. She’ll freak out on me if she knows I’ve had an internal meltdown. Even if I did tell her, I don’t know how I would explain it.
I swear I’m not wired right. I mean here I am with a man hanging onto my every word. A man who’s actually showing an interest in me and what I have to say and I go and ruin it.
Way to go Serena.
“Come on, you. Let’s go get that kebab and veg in your bed. My feet are killing me anyway; these shoes are vicious on my poor feet.”
I give her a small smile, grateful for her not pushing me and demanding answers.
Forty-five minutes later we’re in our pyjamas, lying on my bed and munching on our food.
It doesn’t get any better than this.
I’m getting far too old for nights out. My poor body can’t keep up. Bonnie is flicking through the channels on the TV I have on my chest of drawers, before settling on a rerun of Hawaii 5-0. Now normally I’d be all over that show. I mean it’s got good storylines, but I have to admit that Alex O'Loughlin who plays Steve McGarrett, is sooo drool worthy. Every time that man takes his top off my eyes pop out of their sockets. The only difference is tonight I can’t even bring myself to ogle over him. The only man on my mind is now god knows where, with god knows who, now I’ve left. I’m pretty certain with his charisma and knicker wetting smile he’s moved on to someone else by now. Someone who doesn’t push him away when he kisses her like his life depends on it. If I had to take bets, I’d even go as far to say he’s given the young waitress what she wants. Him.
Unable to eat anymore, I wrap my leavings back up in the paper they came in and make my way to the kitchen to throw it away. The last thing I need when I wake up in the morning is my bedroom smelling of Doner kebab.
Climbing back onto my bed, I pull the duvet down so I can get comfy. I can feel Bonnie's eyes burning holes into the side of my head, I try to ignore her but fail miserably. She’s going to say what she’s thinking either way, she has no filter and can read me like a bloody book.
“Right… I’ve let you stew in your own head since we left the bar. Now spill, missy. I know something happened when we were on that dance floor. Don’t give me that bollocks that you’re okay, because frankly I know you’re bullshitting and that's just not acceptable to me.”
See. What did I just say? Reads me like a book every friggin time.
Sucking in a deep breath, I relay everything to her. From his gentle touches, to the kiss right down to the moment I freaked out and ran. Just like I knew she would, she hits an all-time high with her screeching. Clapping her hands as she goes with so much excitement, you’d think she was a five-year-old excited for Christmas. All that comes to an abrupt end though when she sees I’m not feeling it like she is.
“Oh, beaut. What’s wrong?” Concern for me lacing her voice.
“That’s the problem, Bon. There was nothing wrong with him, it’s me. I think I’m broken. I can’t just go around kissing random men in bars, I’m just not built that way.”
She wraps an arm around my shoulders and hugs me to her.
“You’ll get there, I promise. It just takes time.”
Giving her a small nod, I say thank you to her for being there for me and we snuggle down under the covers. Before I have the chance to say goodnight to her, she’s snoring for England. Rolling over onto my side, I close my eyes and I start to drift off myself. The last thing I see in the recess of my mind, is his intense deep, brown eyes saying they want me and only me.
Chapter Eight
Dylan
I’m still standing on the dance floor minutes after Serena has walked away. I’m still in disbelief that she left me hanging. I know she felt the same as I did, but the last thing I wanted was to upset her. With a shake of my head I finally leave the crowded floor and head back over to Neil. Picking up my beer I knock back the contents in one and slam the bottle back down.
“Did she blow you out?” Neil asks laughing, I don’t find him amusing and I’m sure the look on my face proves it. “Seriously? Oh, fuck me that’s hilarious.”
“Shut the fuck up and get some beers.” I growl. He looks over at the bar and seeing it’s still busy he calls over the waitress.
Great, that’s all I need.
“I’m going for a piss.”
When I return the waitress is putting the drinks down on the table. I try not to look at her, let alone speak. I don’t need her getting the wrong idea now. She spins from the table, crashing into me. I steady her with my hands on her shoulders, she looks up at me with a huge grin. Taking my hands from her quickly I step back.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes, thank you.” She answers softly. If she was a cartoon character, you’d see the love hearts in her eyes, that’s how besotted she is. I move to the other side of the table away from her.
“So how do you fancy a drink after? I finish soon…”
“Look, you seem like a really nice girl, but honestly you’re too young. I’m sure you get lots of male attention…”
“But I’d prefer your attention.
I’ve tried so hard to put it nicely, but obviously she needs harsh, well so be it.
“I’m not interested, so you need to get over it. It’s not going to happen.”
As soon as I’ve finished my rant, her eyes have glazed over and know within seconds she’s going to start crying. With a frustrated sigh I turn away.
“Dylan...” I knock back my Jack, feeling the burn in my throat.
“I tried being nice, she was having none of it.”
“Did you really?”
“Yeah, I told her she was too young and she didn’t get it. Now, are you ready to go?” I ask Neil not wanting to be here for another minute. Once we’re outside we call a couple of taxis.
“What happened with Serena?” Neil asks while we hang around our outside.
“Fuck knows, but I tell you now, she’s not getting away. I’ll find her.” Turning to look at my friend I grin, “You know me Neil, I’ll find a way.”
A taxi pulls up at the kerb, the window sliding down. Neil tells him his name and the driver nods.
“I have no doubt whatsoever Proctor. Later.” He pulls the door closed and the taxi pulls away leaving me to wait for mine, a head full of thoughts.
The first thing on my mind when I wake up the next morning is Serena fucking Davenport. Her red hair, that tight blue dress and her big green eyes. No woman should be on my mind this much - in fact no woman has ever took this much of my brain space.
Making a coffee I sit at the kitchen table, hugging my mug between my palms, huffing out a loud frustrated sigh.
Maybe I should just leave it alone. For her to run out like that there’s probably a boat load of baggage she’s carrying. Do I want to be mixed up in all that shit?
When I think back to last night and her in my arms, I don’t think - I know I want to be in the middle of all that. I just need to find her, but where the fuck do, I start looking for her? She said she worked in advertising; I think google is a great place to start.
Chapter Nine
Serena
Today is a new day. I’ve let my hair down and had my fun. Which turns out it’s not all that much fun in the end. I think I’ll stick to what I’m good at; my job.
Waking up with the worst hangover I’ve ever experienced yesterday morning, has put me off ever getting in that state again. Whatever possessed me to do it in the first place is still something I can’t think about. I kno
w why I did it, I just don’t want to acknowledge it.
I spent the entire day yesterday in my pyjamas. Vegging on the sofa and watching mindless crap on the television with Bonnie until she had to leave.
Not once did she mention Dylan again to me after I told her what happened, even though he was all I could think about. Eventually I gave myself a pep talk. Telling myself to get a grip of myself. That I shouldn’t be letting a man, who clearly thinks he’s god's gift to women, take up so much of my head space. I’m obviously never going to see him again; he was just what I needed to confirm that I’m happy on my own.
I didn’t want or need a man in my life. I’d just got rid of one dickhead, but for a reason I can’t fathom, my heart and gut is telling me I shouldn’t let him go… Not now, not ever
Looking in my floor to ceiling mirror that’s attached to my wardrobe, I fluff my hair with my fingers. Straighten my fitted blouse and get my head back in the game. I have a job to do, a job I kick ass at. No more thoughts of a man that could ruin me are going to pass through my mind; I won’t let them.
Collecting my phone, keys, and navy blazer, I leave my bedroom. Grab my portfolio of storyboards I have for a new client; I was given last week from the spare bedroom. Haphazardly throwing my things into my bag, I throw it on my shoulder and go the one place I know I can shine.
Pulling my car into my parking space with my name on, I look up at the building in front of me. I know I work here. The contract I signed with my hefty salary on it proves that, but that doesn’t mean I still can’t believe it. Boston Atomic Advertising is one of the best in the city. Everyone is either fighting to work there, or wanting to be on their books as a client. I’m extremely lucky, some people would give their right arm to be in my position right now.
The Forever Plan Page 3
