Love Squared

by A. E. Neal

  "Hmm." She licked her lips and leaned into him. His breath hitched as she closed her eyes and brought her lips inches from his, then moaned, "Kiss me, please."

  Before he had the chance to kiss her beautiful plump lips, her body went limp in his arms and he gently lowered her to the ground. As much as he wanted to take advantage of her advances towards him, he knew he had to do the right thing. With the back of his hand, he stroked her cheek, lightly. "Open your eyes, sweetheart."

  Her eyelids fluttered open and she realized she was lying on her back, on the dirty bar floor.

  "What the hell?" she asked him, clearly confused.

  "I think we need to get you home."

  She felt the room spin again and remembered that she was just about to kiss him before everything went black.

  She huffed when he tried to help her up. Her legs felt like mush and her head began to hurt. "Did I pass out?" she asked.

  "Yes, you most definitely passed out. No more booze for you, little girl."

  She would have protested, but instead she slowly rose to her feet as Jaysen wrapped an arm around her waist to steady her.

  "So much for starting over, huh?" he asked.

  "Huh?"

  "Nothing. Where do you live?"

  "Oh no you don't," she slurred as she jabbed a finger into his chest. "I can make it on my own, thank you very much."

  She swayed against his side. "Quinn, I have a car. Let me take you home."

  "Jeez. What is it with guys wanting to get me in bed lately?" She slapped a hand over her mouth.

  He found her statement amusing. "Happen often, does it?"

  "No," she said through her fingers, muffling her voice.

  He laughed and pulled her tightly against his chest.

  "You smell yummy," she muttered. She wasn't sure if he was real anymore or if she was still lying on the dance floor, dreaming.

  He inhaled her scent and smiled. "Thanks, so do you."

  Once they were outside, a black SUV pulled to the curb and stopped. A man in a dark leather jacket got out, came around and opened the door for them.

  Jaysen lifted her inside with ease and set her on the seat in back. "It smells good in here, too."

  "Quinn, sweetheart. What's your address?"

  She mumbled a few numbers he couldn't quite make out, but it didn't matter, since he already knew where she lived, he just didn't want to alarm her by divulging that information too soon. She rested her head on his lap as he brushed her hair from her eyes and watched her sleep. God, he already had it bad for this girl, he thought.

  Quinn struggled to open her eyes when she heard the commotion in the hallway. She was in her apartment, fully clothed with a blanket over her. Someone had helped her inside and that's when she remembered Jaysen.

  "Shit," she said and tossed the blanket aside as she hurried to the front door, steadying herself against the wall so she wouldn't stumble over anything that happened to be in the way. She swung the door open and both Nick and Jaysen turned to her.

  "What the hell is going on, guys?" Still drunk, she was surprised she managed to sound halfway normal.

  "Who's this guy?" Nick asked.

  "Why does it even matter? You're the reason I'm gonna be homeless in a couple of months. So, I don't think I owe you an explanation," she snapped at him.

  "That's a low blow, LA. I just wanted to make sure you were in good hands, that's all."

  "Mind your own business, Nick. I can take care of myself. At least Jaysen isn't taking everything I've worked for over the last six years," she said as she felt tears sting at the corner of her eyes.

  "That shitty apartment?" he scoffed. "You've worked your ass off for six years for that? Well, excuse the fuck out of me, but if I were in the same situation, I'd be screaming at my boss, not my fucking neighbor!"

  Jaysen wrapped an arm around her shoulders to comfort her and she instinctively shrugged him off. "Don't. Just don't."

  "I'm sorry I bought this building. I'm sorry you'll have to find somewhere else to live. But I'm not going to apologize for being an asshole to this fucking tool," he said, pointing at Jaysen.

  "So, before I get in between whatever is going on here. Let me ask you something, is he your bodyguard or your boyfriend?" Jaysen asked fists balled at his sides.

  "You got something to say to me, asshole, then say it," Nick huffed, taking a few steps towards Jaysen and Quinn.

  She held her hands up to stop the two men from bickering. "Goddamn it! Simmer down, both of you. Your gonna choke me to death with all your testosterone." She waved her hand in front of her face like something smelled bad.

  "You let me know if I can get you anything," Nick said lowering his gaze. "You know where to find me." He turned around, went back into his apartment and shut the door behind him.

  Jaysen grasped her shoulders in his hands as his gaze caught hers. "I'm not leaving you alone tonight. I'll stay on the couch or wherever, but I'm not leaving."

  She rested her cheek against his chest and closed her eyes. She wasn't going to argue with him because somehow even if she did protest, she knew he'd get his way eventually. "Okay," she muttered, inhaling his scent as he lifted her into his arms and carried her into the apartment. Quinn felt her eyelids grow heavy as her head lolled against his chest before falling asleep altogether.

  Chapter 10

  Quinn's throat was dry, her head pounded and she had a wicked cramp in her neck from sleeping in an awkward position all night. Afraid to open her eyes and relive the damage she'd done the night before, she cracked the right one, glanced around, then opened her left.

  She remembered Jaysen bringing her home, carrying her into the apartment, but the rest was blurry. She shot up, holding her palm to the side of her head and darted into the living room. The pillows were just as they'd been the night before. Jaysen was nowhere to be found, which was actually a relief, she thought to herself, as she padded into the kitchen in search for water and Advil.

  She opened the fridge and pulled out a bottle of water. She leaned against the door briefly before closing it, letting the cool air wash over her, then nudged it closed and the first thing that caught her eye was a note taped to the handle. She pulled it off and sat down at the kitchen table.

  Her table had been cleared of the newspapers and magazines. They'd been replaced with a bottle of Advil, two slices of toast and some fruit. She reached for the bottle and fished out two pills, popped them in her mouth and washed them down with water.

  I tried to wake you. I'm sorry I let things get so out of control last night. Take two of these and try to eat. Please call me when you're feeling better.

  -Jaysen

  His handwriting was flawless and each curve of every letter was elegant all in its own. She traced the letters of his name with her fingertips and smiled. He took care of her, he worried about her and most of all, he still wanted her to call him even after she'd made a complete jackass out of herself.

  She dug around in her purse, looking for her phone to call him, but she kept coming up with handfuls of receipts and notes from work. She tipped it over and let the contents spill over the table. She searched through everything, but her phone was nowhere to be found.

  "Damn it!" she cursed, knowing she'd either left it at the bar or misplaced it altogether.

  She pulled the couch cushions back, tossing her Hello Kitty pillows to the floor and yet to her surprise, no phone. Franticly she rushed into the bedroom, searching her nightstand and every other place she could think of. She knew her quest was all but lost, so she decided to bother Nick for his phone, that way she could at least attempt to call it.

  She ran a brush through her tangled, wavy hair and smoothed it into a ponytail, brushed her teeth and put on a sweatshirt.

  It was a little after ten o'clock, so right away, she assumed he'd be home. She snuck into the hallway and tip-toed to his door. She leaned against the door and listened for any noise before tapping lightly.

  He didn't answer and she
immediately wondered if Gladys had a phone she could use instead. She knocked again and the door swung open with a jolt.

  A sleepy eyed, Nick stood in front of her in nothing but a pair of black boxer briefs. "LA?" He asked, looking surprised to see her.

  "I'm sorry if I woke you up. Uh...can I borrow your phone? I can't find mine."

  "Sure," he said as he ran a hand through his thick, messy hair and motioned her inside.

  "Thanks. Hey, I'm really sorry about last night."

  "It's cool. I just didn't wanna leave you with some serial rapist."

  "I appreciate that, Nick. But he isn't a serial rapist. He's my boss."

  "Oh. Well, now that makes sense," he called from the bedroom. "Do you get shit-faced and hang out with your boss often?"

  She laughed. "No. Never. Actually...I...uh...just met him the other day for the first time."

  He returned with his phone in hand and held it out to her. "My phone is your phone."

  She reached out to take it from him, but he hesitated, holding it just out of her reach. "Can I give you a little advice?"

  "Sure," she said, still holding her hand out.

  "Don't mix business with pleasure. It never turns out like you hoped." He placed the phone in her hand and frowned.

  "I'm guessing you know this from personal experience?" she asked.

  "Something like that." He turned and headed for the kitchen.

  "I'll bring it right back. Thank you again, Nick."

  "Hey," he called as she turned to walk away. "I know this won't fix anything, but I'd like to help you find a new place. You know, when you're ready."

  "I might actually take you up on that. And, hey...I'm sorry for overreacting. I just have a lot on my plate."

  "I'm all ears, if you ever need someone to listen."

  "Thanks, Nick. I appreciate it, but I'm sure it'll all work out on its own."

  She left Nick's apartment, dialed her phone number and listened for the obnoxious old telephone style ringtone. After five calls that went straight to voicemail, she figured her battery was dead and there was no use looking any longer.

  She would have called Jaysen to see if it fell out in the car last night, but she didn't have his number.

  "Shit," she muttered under her breath and Ziggy meowed. "Where's my phone, Zig?" Another meow. He was no help either.

  She had an idea and wasn't sure it would work, but dialed the number to her office and waited as it rang. The usual monotone female voice indicated the hours of operation and listed a few extensions. She remembered catching a glimpse of Jaysen's extension on his phone in his office, so she decided to try it.

  "You have reached the office of Jaysen Beckett, I'm unable to take your call, please leave me a detailed message and I will return your call as soon as I'm able."

  "Hey, Jaysen...uh...Mr. Beckett, it's Quinn. I'm calling from a friend's phone and I was hoping my phone turned up in your car last night, I can't find it anywhere. Anyway, I don't have the number to this phone. I just wanted to let you know I got your note and I'm feeling much better, thank you. Bye." She ended the call frustrated, praying he would check his messages.

  Quinn held the phone in her hand briefly, staring at it, like it would start ringing at any moment, but to her dismay, it never did. She returned to Nick's and he'd left the door open, so she let herself inside.

  "Nick?" she called. "I'm leaving your phone on the counter. Thanks for letting me use it." She laid it on the counter and before she could take another step, he stopped her.

  "Hey, wait a sec," he said and she turned around to face him.

  He was damp from his recent shower and had a towel wrapped around his waist.

  "How is it that I'm always catching you when you're getting out of the shower?" she asked as she tried to divert her eyes from his glistening tanned skin.

  He loved to embarrass her and he knew nothing quite did the trick better than seeing him in a towel. "If you wanted the Full Monty, Quinn, all you had to do, was ask."

  She held her hand up. "No. Nope, I'm good. Keep it tucked away wherever it is you tuck it," she rambled and he smiled, knowingly.

  Seriously, something about seeing him half-naked did something to her. She didn't know if it was because she'd already seen more than she bargained for or if she really was attracted to him. All she knew was she needed to high-tail it out of his apartment before she did something she'd regret.

  "I don't tuck, I let it all hang out, baby." He swayed his hips back and forth. It was hard for her not to look at him and she could clearly see the definition of his manhood underneath the towel and quickly looked away.

  Her face flushed and he knew his job was done. She was definitely embarrassed. "Oh my God. Please stop."

  He laughed again as he caught her watching him when he walked across the living room.

  "I'm going to hell," she muttered under her breath.

  "I heard that!" he shouted and she hid her face in her palms.

  "Pervert!" she called back and Nick chuckled, he was enjoying himself a little too much.

  She thanked him again for letting her use his phone before she returned to her apartment for a shower and some much-needed food.

  Chapter 11

  It seemed like her life had done a complete three-sixty over the past twenty-four hours. Quinn was so used to being a homebody, not getting involved with men or any other complications, but something had ignited the flame inside of her and she didn't know if she should run for the hills or trust everything to fate.

  She ate the last piece of toast on the plate Jaysen had prepared for her and propped her feet up on the coffee table. Ziggy was curled up beside her and she stroked his head with the back of her hand, contemplating the events over the last two days.

  A knock on the door startled her. She hopped up off the couch and looked through the tiny peep-hole.

  "Who is it?" she asked, cautiously.

  "Miss Langley?"

  "Depends on who's asking."

  "I have a delivery for you from Mr. Beckett."

  She unlocked the door and shimmied it open. A man dressed in a black suit with a matching black tie stood in front of her carrying a box.

  "What is it?"

  "I wasn't given any information regarding the contents of the package, miss. I was just told I needed to deliver it right away."

  "Okay."

  What the hell was Jaysen up to? she thought.

  "Thank you, Miss Langley. Have a nice day," he said as he handed the box to Quinn.

  She closed the door and skipped back to the couch, curious as to what Jaysen had sent her. She peeled back the brown paper to reveal a small, white box with the familiar Apple logo etched into it. As she slid the top off, a handwritten note slipped out and fell to the floor. She set the box aside and reached for the note.

  1992 called and they asked me to burn your old phone. Welcome to the new millennium, Quinn.

  -Jaysen

  "Har-Har. Very funny," she mused as she pulled the shiny new iPhone from the box.

  Quinn fumbled around for the instructions and after reading them twice, she was confident enough to attempt to turn the device on. The screen lit up and she tapped the 'contacts' icon. To her surprise, all of her contacts had been added, including Jaysen's number.

  Her excitement quickly faded when she realized he had bought her a phone. Not just any phone, the latest and best iPhone on the market. She was indebted to him now, something she never wanted, nor had she ever imagined would happen.

  She found his number and hit the 'call' button.

  "I see you got my gift," his familiar, husky voice washed over her, warming her skin.

  "This is too much, Jaysen. I can't accept it, it wouldn't be right."

  "It's nothing, Quinn. Plus, your other phone wasn't programmed with my number. I set it up so you'll have full use of the internet and if you would like to purchase any apps, you have a two hundred dollar credit."

  "Apps?" she asked.

  "
Yes, Quinn, applications. Like games, the weather or news. You can download any app you want."

  "Oh...okay," she hesitated. "You really shouldn't have done all this. I can't afford a smartphone. I know how much these things cost, Jaysen. I really appreciate the gesture, but I don't think I can accept it."

  "Enough, Quinn. It's a gift. It's already paid for and I've put it on the company account, so technically, it's a work phone, but you can use it for anything you want, no strings attached. Okay?"

  "Okay. No strings," she repeated. "Thank you, Jaysen. I'm actually a bit speechless. I haven't gotten a gift in a long time. I'm not even sure what to say."

  "You're welcome. And you don't need to say anything else. I'm glad you like it."

  "I don't just like it, I love it. Seriously, thank you, again."

  "Good. I've got a few things to do this afternoon, but I'm free later. Would you like to have dinner with me?"

  It was the least she could do for a man she'd just met, who was already showering her with gifts.

  "I'd like that."

  "Okay, I'll send a car to pick you up at seven. Alright?"

  "Yes, but...uh..."

  "What's wrong?"

  "I don't have anything fancy to wear," she confessed.

  "I'm taking you somewhere where it won't matter what you're wearing."

  "Oh. Okay. I'll see you soon then."

  "Not soon enough," he whispered, causing her cheeks to flush. "Goodbye, Quinn."

  "Bye, Jaysen," she said and ended the call.

  She tossed the box and paper to the floor, before jumping up and down, squealing.