An Exceptional Twist

by Kimi Flores

Leah momentarily lost her breath, shocked from the ice-cold ocean water smacking her head. Spinning around in his direction, she saw his expression change when he registered how much trouble he was in.

  He started running backward, watching her every move.

  Jogging after the escaping tide, she was able to capture just enough water in both hands. She lopped it at him, but he moved out of the way without a drop hitting him.

  “No fair, you caught me off guard,” she pouted again.

  Pursing his lips, he lifted his shoulders. “What can I say? My timing is impeccable.”

  Narrowing her eyes, she scooped up more water, then chased after him. But by the time she caught him, all the water had dripped out of her hands.

  Out of breath, she admitted, “Okay. You got me. I’m no match for the Mighty Stefen.” Leah curtsied in front of him. When she looked back up, he had a wicked gleam in his eyes as he began to stalk toward her.

  “What are you doing?” She backed away, but he was too fast. Stefen lifted her off her feet, throwing her over his shoulder. “Stefen, I’m going to hurt your shoulder. Put me down.”

  He snorted, “No way. I’m fine and I don’t think your words were sincere at all. I want you to really mean it when you say you’re no match for me.” He walked them straight toward the surf.

  Starting to panic, Leah screamed, “No way. Put me down.”

  Ignoring her, he kept going until he was knee deep. Waves were crashing on his thighs.

  She felt him start to pull her down, and she freaked out. “Stefen! I swear, if you put me down!” She left her warning at that. As he lowered her, she wrapped her legs around him and held on for dear life.

  He laughed. “Fine. I won’t put you down. We’ll both go.”

  “What? No!”

  Stefen dove in, taking them both with him, and her voice was cut off when the bitter cold water stunned her system.

  She was completely drenched. Jolting up, she gargled, “I hate you! I absolutely hate you!”

  He popped up next to her, laughing out loud as he ran his hands through his sopping wet hair. “You don’t hate me. As a matter-of-fact, you love me very much.”

  “Not right now, I don’t,” she gritted out. Her teeth were chattering, thanks to him. She tried to make her getaway, but the heavy soaked hoodie weighed her down.

  Smiling, he came after her. “No you don’t. You’re not leaving yet.” Stefen picked her up and kissed her shivering lips. Pulling away, he seemed to realize his mistake. “Maybe that wasn’t the best idea. Let’s get you in the house.”

  Leah shook in his arms.

  Just inside the door, he set her feet on the floor. She couldn’t do anything but stand and tremble as she dripped all over the tile.

  Tossing his keys on the side table, he furrowed his eyebrows at her. “Oh, sweetie, I’m so sorry. I just thought it would be funny.” He looked apologetic as he ran his thumb across her mouth. “Your lips are turning blue. You really don’t have any tolerance for cold, do you?”

  “No,” she snapped. “I don’t.” She would give him a dirty look if she wasn’t shivering head to toe.

  He puckered his lips, scanning down at her sopping outfit. “Let’s get you out of these and into a warm shower.”

  She nodded, her teeth chattering. It didn’t matter what his intentions were, she just wanted to defrost. He swiftly peeled both of their clothes off, excluding their underwear and her bra, then he carried her frigid body up the stairs as she trembled uncontrollably.

  Walking them into the master bathroom, he put her down long enough to turn the water on. Once it was warm, he lightly pushed her inside. The luscious warmth hit her frozen skin, almost making it feel like she was on fire. Leah finally began to melt when she realized that Stefen had been stroking her arms to help her warm up quicker.

  Kissing her shoulder, he apologized. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realized you’d be so cold.”

  A shiver went down her spine and, suddenly, she was no longer cold. Her senses were on high alert as she enjoyed him running his hands up and down her body and his lips on her skin. Unable to stop it, she moaned her approval several times.

  That definitely got his attention.

  Stefen growled, “Baby, you can’t make sounds like that when we’re half-naked in the shower.”

  Tilting her head to the side, she sighed, “It just feels so good. I like that we’re in here together.”

  His hands began to roam down her ribcage to her waist, thighs and back up. She whirled around to face him, chest heaving up and down. His eyes darkened as he wrapped her hands around his neck.

  Running her fingertips up and down the back of his neck, she closed her eyes. Leah whimpered when his hands landed on her ass and he squeezed her butt cheeks.

  Opening her eyes, she confessed, “I love you Stefen, and I want this. I’m just scared.”

  Pulling her toward his body, he brushed both of his thumbs on her cheeks. “I don’t want to do anything you aren’t ready for. I’m not going to rush you, but I’m a guy. I can’t help that I want to make love to you right now.”

  She bit the inside of her cheek like she did whenever she was nervous. “Do you have any protection?”

  He shook his head. “No. I was waiting until you said you were ready. Aren’t you still on the pill?”

  Surprised, she raised her eyebrows. “Yes, but I thought you said you didn’t believe when a girl said that.”

  “Leah.” He leaned over to kiss her shoulder then pulled back to look into her eyes. “I trust you. The question is, do you trust me?”

  She answered by reaching behind her back and unhooking her bra. Then she stepped out of her panties. His eyes widened, filled with surprise and desire when she said, “From the moment I met you, Stefen, everything sensible in me screamed not to, but I do trust you.” She placed her hand on the side of his face. “I don't understand it, but my heart does.”

  He didn’t waste any time, bringing her body flush with his. Passion took over as he pulled his underwear off and kissed her with everything he had.

  “Stefen?” she whispered into his mouth.

  “Yeah, baby.” He continued to cover her in kisses.

  “Promise me something first.” They hadn’t talked about this yet, and it was an awkward time to do so, but she had to say her peace before they went forward.

  “Anything.”

  She pulled away and looked at his face. “Don’t leave me.”

  Jerking his head back, he looked confused. “What do you mean? I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.” He moved the wet strands of hair away from her face, tenderly stroking her neck.

  “No,” she clarified, her heart in her eyes. “I mean, stay with me the whole time. Here,” she pulled his head down and kissed his forehead, “and here.” She placed her palm over his heart. “Be present. Don’t shut me out.”

  She saw the moment it clicked, and he lifted his head, acknowledging her fears. “Sweetheart, I’m yours one-hundred percent. Being with you emotionally is my favorite part.”

  Leah eyed him, looking for any hint of untruth. He’s a guy. There’s no way that was his favorite part.

  He flashed his devious smile at her. “Fine. It’s a close runner up.”

  She smirked. Sounds more like it.

  That was not how Stefen had planned on spending his day or night yesterday, but he was a happier man this morning. Waking up naked, tangled under the sheets with the love of his life was definitely on his list of favorite moments.

  This time around, it was so different. He’d never experienced all-consuming ecstasy—emotional and physical—before. He would always want Leah by his side. Every moment they spent together solidified this for him.

  Leah opened her eyes, stretching as she smiled up at him. Her head rested on his bare chest. Kissing the scruff under his chin, she said, “Morning.”

  “How did you sleep?” he asked, well aware that she’d only slept a few hours, just like him.

  Sit
ting up, she held the sheet to her chest, then leaned over to look at the time on her cell phone. “The little bit of sleep I got was fantastic, but I have a whole day to make up thanks to my super-hot boyfriend.” She leaned in and gave him a quick peck before frowning.

  Running his hand down her bare spine, he furrowed his eyebrows. “What’s wrong?”

  She shivered, smiling bashfully. “I don’t want to get out of bed.” She stretched out like a cat and yawned. “It’s too comfy.” She nuzzled back into his warm body.

  He groaned. “Who says we have to get out? We could find something to do.” He wiggled his eyebrows at her.

  Throwing her head back onto her pillow, she looked up at the ceiling and whined, “No, I have to get those files from the shop. I need to catch up on my bookkeeping. I’m really behind.”

  “I’ll help you,” he offered. “Then we can come back and put my plan into action.”

  Leah turned her head and chuckled. “Did I open Pandora’s Box?”

  Flipping her over, Stefen hovered above her. “Nope, just the door that said ‘I get to sleep naked with you from now on’.”

  She giggled as he began to kiss just under her ear.

  “Which door was that? I was shooting for a new car.”

  Lifting his head, he grinned, “Like I said, everything in its own time.” When she scrunched her eyes, it was his turn to laugh.

  She’d been fighting him on getting a new car since he met her. It didn’t matter that she was joking, he was planning on taking that invitation seriously.

  Stefen looked over at Leah, well aware that he was the luckiest son of a bitch alive. She sat in the passenger seat while they drove to her flower shop.

  Holding her hand while he parked behind the building, he asked, “Are we going to look at your numbers here or at home?” Please say home, please say home.

  “I figured we could stay for a while and let the girls take a break.” She shook a brown bag. “And eat breakfast. Plus, I don’t see us working on numbers when we get home.” She brought her shoulder to her chin and fluttered her eyelashes.

  He lifted their intertwined hands and kissed her knuckles. “I’m all yours, whatever and whenever you need me.”

  Catching her breath, Leah stated the obvious, “We better go now, or I’m going to make you drive me back home.”

  Fine by me.

  Getting out of the car, Stefen opened her door, pulling her toward his chest. He kissed her slow and softly, sucking on her bottom lip. “Not sure I can wait for us to finish up here. You do have an apartment upstairs, you know.”

  His sinister look caused her to stop breathing all together. Damn, he loved when she responded to him.

  Lightly pushing on his chest, Leah headed away from his car. “Stefen, we need to find a balance here, or I won’t be able to get anything done.”

  Pulling her by the hips, he stood behind her, whispering, “Is that a bad thing?”

  She twirled around, tapping him on the shoulder. “Yes it is. We have other things to do, too, you know.”

  Defeated, Stefen grumbled, “Fine. Let’s get this shit over and done, so I can distract you some more.”

  Narrowing her eyes at him, she turned away once more, then shook her behind. She grinned, knowing exactly how she was torturing him. “Let’s go in, but they don’t know we’re coming. I want to surprise them.”

  This woman was beautiful inside and out. Damn, he loved her.

  “Oh hold on.” She stopped them midstride. “Let me run upstairs and get some plates and forks.” Pointing her index finger at him, she added, “You stay here. I don’t think we should be behind closed doors together yet.”

  She handed him the bag and darted up the stairs as his phone rang.

  He looked at the screen before answering. “Zachary. What’s up, bud?”

  Sounding a bit concerned, Zachary said, “Hey Stefen, is Leah with you? I can’t get her on her cell.”

  Curious, Stefen said, “She’ll be down in a minute. Everything okay?”

  “Maybe it’s better if I tell you first, anyway.” He paused a moment. “I don’t know what to think here, but one of my wedding clients contacted me, saying that she was concerned about working with Melissa. The funny thing is that Leah isn’t listed as the florist. Some random name is scheduled. Something sounds fishy to me, and I won’t stand by and watch Leah get the short end of the stick here.”

  Stefen frowned. That didn’t sound right. Leah hadn’t said anything about sharing weddings with Melissa. She’d wanted to prepare the single mom to run her own business, but according to Leah, Melissa wasn’t completely ready to do the whole thing on her own yet.

  Zachary continued. “I don’t trust her, and I’m not sure she isn’t trying to screw Leah over here. You might want to check it out because I know how much Leah trusts her.”

  That bitch better not be trying to fuck her over. “We’re at the shop now. Let me see what I can find out. Thanks for looking out for her. I owe you.”

  Leah opened the front door, then looked over the balcony at him with a curious glance. Turning around, she locked the door before trotting downstairs again.

  Zachary’s tone was serious. “You don’t owe me anything. Just make sure our girl is taken care of.”

  “Will do, gotta go. Thanks again.”

  “Talk to you later, bye.”

  Stefen met her at the back door with the bag of food. Walking quietly, they crept into the back. The heavy velvet drapery that separated the front of the store from the back was closed. Leah’s employees had no idea they were there.

  Leah was smiling, ready to surprise them when they heard Melissa’s voice.

  “She’s so damn blind. I can’t believe she hasn’t caught on yet.” Melissa clicked her tongue and she sounded like she was smiling. “She’s so caught up in that man candy of hers that she has no idea I’m stealing clients from her.”

  Leah froze, her eyes widening, and her face already contorting with hurt. Stefen could see she was about to burst through there, ready to confront this, but he wanted to hear more. He put his index finger to his mouth, asking her to be quiet.

  She still looked upset but complied.

  Always the lawyer, he pulled his cell phone out, turned on the recorder, and placed it on a shelf close to the doorway. He moved Leah to the side, pressing them against the work table behind them.

  Her other employee, Khloe, said, “Speak for yourself, Melissa. Just because I know what you’re doing doesn’t mean I’m involved.”

  They could hear stems being trimmed and the sliding of the refrigerator door. Well, at least these bitches are working while they’re talking shit.

  “Oh please, Khloe, you’re involved. You’re my best friend, and I recommended you. If I go down, you go down. Not that that dimwit will notice, as long as that arrogant ass is in her life. He’s sure to dump her when he gets tired of her. I should have enough money to just disappear by then.”

  Khloe sighed, “How can you be so heartless? She’s really nice, and all I’ve seen her do is try to help you out.”

  “Yeah, me and my fake son.” She cackled. “She actually believed my snot-nosed nephew was my son.”

  “Well, I still think it’s really shitty of you, and I don’t want to have anything to do with it.”

  “Hey, you better keep your mouth shut. I’ll make sure she knows you’ve been screwing Miguel on that back table and in her office every time I step out to make a delivery.”

  Leah and Stefen looked at each other, both quickly pushing off the table. It slipped and made a scraping noise, announcing their presence.

  Leah inhaled a deep breath, with her palm on her chest and her mouth wide open.

  Stefen wrapped his hand behind her neck and pulled her into him. “It’s okay, I’ve got this. Stay here, amor.”

  The curtain swung open as he kissed the top of her head.

  “Oh hey, Leah, I didn’t know you were here.” Melissa rubbed her wrists, averting her eyes. S
he was caught, and she knew it.

  Stefen was ready to take this bitch down.

  He put a calming hand on Leah’s back, reached for his phone, then pressed play. As if she was clueless to what was going on, Khloe joined them just as Stefen played the recoding back.

  Everything incriminating that was spoken moments before was picked up by the recorder.

  Rolling her eyes, Melissa had the nerve to cross her arms in front of her. “You can’t record my private conversation.”

  Using his professional stance, Stefen reminded her, “You’re in a place of business, admitting to stealing customers from the owner. I’m merely pointing out that you were caught, and you can get the fuck out right now. A restraining order will be filed today, so I wouldn’t plan on coming back. You’ll be hearing from me again because not only am I her arrogant man candy, but I’m also her lawyer.”

  He wasn’t practicing in California, but she didn’t know that. This new situation would give him the motivation he needed to get his license. Remembering that Leah had said several times that her numbers weren’t adding up, he had to figure out how far Melissa’s deception went.

  That conniving bitch had the nerve to look at Leah and say, “Are you going to let him talk to me like that?”

  He saw that Leah’s hurt had already turned into fury. Her nostrils flared, fists balling to her sides as tears formed in her eyes.

  It was time for him to step aside and let her speak. Leah jerked her arm up, then she pointed to the ground, teeth clenching. “You little bitch. After everything I’ve done for you. I was helping you open your own business.”

  Did she just roll her fucking eyes again?

  “Everything you’ve done for me? You’ve had me working here like a damn slave while you prance around town with him.” Melissa pointed her sap-covered finger at Stefen. “You try to prosecute me, and I’ll counter with all the labor laws you’ve broken. Good luck figuring out your records. I quit. Come on Khloe, let’s go.” She pulled her apron off and tossed it on the floor.

  Khloe stood in the midst of the argument, unsure what to do before she took her apron off and placed it on the table, then timidly followed her friend out the back door.