by Cary Hart
I wait until he is in the other room then run up the stairs and straight to the master closet. Taking a deep breath, I open the French doors, and in that moment, I swear I can hear angels sing.
“She’s a super freak, super freak. She’s super freaky.”
Shit!
I forgot I changed Aubrey’s ring tone. Scrambling to silence my phone, I hide in the closet. “Hey skank!”
“Niki, thank GAWD you answered. I need a minute to vent before I head home, and by the way, stop answering your phone like that. What if I was Reece?” Aubrey sounds a little rushed and a tad panicked.
“Calm your tits. She isn’t the one who called, so either take your grouchy ass home and go to bed, or tell me what the hell is going on.”
“I’m not grouchy. I’m worn out, but yeah…I’m going to ignore that for right now.”
“On with it.” I can’t help myself and start going through the suits. There are so many.
“What are you looking for? Going out?”
“Actually, I’m not at home.”
Thinking I hear footsteps, I quickly cover the receiver.
“Oh, crap! Are you at work? I didn’t think you worked tonight since the club section was closed.” Aubrey sounds worried.
“Last night, I quit,” I confess softly.
“You did what? Did I hear you right?” Aubrey is talking louder the quieter I get.
“I quit,” I confirm. “I got a job offer I couldn’t pass up, but the catch was I had to quit the club today.”
“Are you going to tell me, or do I have to come over there and drag it out of you?” she demands.
“Don’t be judgy, okay?”
“Am I ever?”
“Well, suit and tie guy came into the club and offered me a job to be his personal assistant for the rest of the summer.”
“That’s wonderful, Nik. Now you don’t have to work all those nights.” She congratulates me, knowing I hated the nights but did it for the money and to work with Gav.
“Not exactly. It’s a 24/7 job.” I reach around and close the doors, giving myself a little more privacy. “I have to be wherever he is, so that means traveling, but the best part is I’ll make fifty thousand for just the summer.”
“Holy shit! Who is this guy?”
“Aubrey, you can’t tell anyone. It’s for…” The door opens, interrupting me mid-confession, and there stands the topic of the conversation.
“I thought I told you to have my suit laid out in the bathroom.” Aiden looks between me and the phone.
“I’m sorry. I received a phone call and lost track of time.” I decide to tell the truth. I’m working not in prison.
“Are you on the phone? I don’t pay you to make personal calls. I pay you to take care of what I need. Now get off the phone, and get the suit I need.”
“Aubrey, I gotta go,” I whisper into the phone, embarrassed and confused by the Jekyll and Hyde act.
“Who were you talking to?” Aiden demands.
“My friend, Aubrey.”
“That so?”
“Yes. That’s so.” I stand firm.
“Well, that’s fine. I just wanted to make sure you laid my suit out. Did you find something you liked?” His mood changes, calming down a few notches.
“Aiden, what’s your deal? One minute, you’re Mr. Nice Guy, and the next, you are the employer from hell.” I give him a few seconds to answer, and when he doesn’t, I continue. “I took this job, not only for the money, but for the learning experience; and so far, I feel I have more to offer you than you do me, and that’s a problem.”
Walking over to me, he places his hand on my elbow the same way he did the night at the club. A familiar feeling starts to creep up. “I’m sorry. Just give me a couple days to get adjusted to being here. This political game wears me out, and sometimes I forget who I really am.” His thumb is brushing soft strokes on my arm, making my skin tingle.
“Aiden, you hired me,” I say, not only reminding him but myself, too.
“I know, but it’s important,” he pleads.
“What is?”
“For you to know the real me.”
That’s what I was afraid of.
Niki
Suit and Tie guy from the club…I wanted him more than I have wanted anyone in a long time. My body hummed for his touch, memories from the club on replay.
Aiden Alexander…his personality is cold, actions contradictory.
The problem? They are one and the same, both getting under my skin in a way I can’t shake. If I stay the summer, I won’t survive this, but yet, I’m still here. What does that say about me?
“Niki, we have to go,” Aiden calls from the stairs.
“Coming.” I run to the closet and find the studded black heels that match the asymmetric drape dress with the softest leather trim and matching belt. Whoever picked this out had to have had me in mind. Not only does it fit me like a second skin, but it’s the perfect blend of edgy and feminine, complementing my personality.
Sliding one shoe on at a time, I grab my small leather clutch, stuffing my phone, lip gloss and powder in it. There’s not much room for anything else.
“Niki!” His voice rises with each warning.
“Here.” I run down the stairs. “Oh shit!” I yell as my feet slide out from under me. Missing a step, my arms flail as I start to stumble, but Aiden is right there, wrapping his arm around my waist, balancing me.
“You okay?” His words are tender.
“Well, yeah. You just saved me from busting my ass.” I nod my head. “Yup, doin’ good.”
He pulls me closer, and my body slowly arches into his until we are one. Standing face to face, my hands on his chest, I can feel his heart race…for me.
Clearing his throat, “We’d better get going.”
“Sure.” I bend down to pick up the clutch that flew out of my hands. “I believe I have everything now.”
“Let’s go. The driver is waiting for us.”
As we head toward the elevator, his phone buzzes with a text. Checking it, his mood seems to change. “Well, looks like my meeting with Senator Richards has been canceled. A family emergency came up he had to attend to.”
“Oh, no!” The news halts me in my tracks, but Aiden keeps walking. “Hey? Where you going?”
“I’m going to eat. What you are doing?” He turns to face me.
“I figured dinner was canceled.”
“Why would it be canceled?” His eyebrows furrow.
“Aiden! Don’t you think you need to check on his family?” I put a hand on my hip, a little ticked off that he didn’t even think twice about it. What Aiden wants, Aiden gets, and right now, I guess he is too hungry to even care.
“Niki, don’t look at me like that.” He begins to walk back. “It’s politics. When someone needs to cancel, they always use family. It’s the one excuse no one will question.” He slides his hands into his pockets, looking all GQ-ish. “Now, we will be late if you don’t come on.”
“I’m not going.” I stay planted, ready to put up a fight. “What if this one time, someone is actually telling the truth? Don’t you think it would be in your best interest to follow up?”
Nothing.
Turning, he walks toward the elevator.
I yell after him. “Aiden, in case you forgot, just because you have a dick doesn’t mean you have to be one.”
The elevator door opens, he enters and turns to face me, still looking like the brooding man he is. “I’ll have my secretary follow up. Now get in here. We have reservations.”
Feeling like I won, I put one foot in front of the other, wearing my best shit eatin’ grin, making my way to the elevator.
The door begins to shut, and I slow down, realizing that he doesn’t care. He’s going to let it shut and go down to stuff his face.
What a dick!
But the moment I slow my stride, he frowns, worry crossing his features.
Throwing out his arm to catch the door, he ask
s, “You coming?”
“I thought…”
“Get in. Let’s go get dinner. Make the best of it.”
Walking past him and into the elevator, I make my way to the corner, as far away from him as possible.
Pulling his hand back, he lets the door close. He comes to stand next to me, resting his back on the wall, crossing his legs. “For the record, I would have never left you. That was a poor attempt at a joke.”
“Well, you suck.”
“Sometimes,” he counters as he pulls out his phone, busying himself with texts.
Ignoring him and the little innuendo, I watch the numbers descend. “Aiden?”
“Hmmm?” He’s still on his phone.
“Can I ask you a question?” I turn to stand in front of him, hoping he takes notice.
“Just a minute.” He holds up his finger. His phone is vibrating, so he swipes the screen and holds it up to his ear. “What’s the ETA?” He listens, then says, “Got it.”
We hit the ground floor, and as I wait for the familiar chimes and the door to open, he walks over and pulls the emergency stop button. “Done.” He ends the call.
“What in the hell?” I throw my hands in the air. Seriously, this man confuses me.
“What? You said you wanted to talk, and once we walk out those doors, I’m not sure if I’ll be able to answer.”
“What’s so different between out there and in here?”
“Privacy.”
I’ve never really thought about it before, but every time Aiden and I were able to talk, we were hidden away from the world. Tucked into corners, literally.
“Fine.” I search for the words, but they don’t come.
“I’m waiting?” “
“I-I can’t remember.”
“Seriously?”
“Yeah, seriously.”
“Alright, then. Let’s eat.” He releases the stop and hits the up. Taking us back to our room.
“Wh-what are you doing? I thought you wanted to go eat?”
Silence.
“Aiden?”
Nothing.
“This is ridiculous.” The door opens. He takes hold of my hand, pulling me behind while I continue. “You have issues.” I begin to mock, “Hurry, Niki. I’m hungry, Niki. Blah! Blah! Blah!” I try to yank my hand away, but he’s too strong.
Heading toward the balcony, I begin to fear the worst.
“Ummm…where are we going?” I try to dig in my heels, but it’s useless against the tile floor.
“Surprise.” He swings open the French doors, revealing dinner for two on our own private balcony, overlooking the middle of Manhattan. Lights from the city cast a soft glow over the scene.
“How? I thought…”
“When the Senator canceled, I thought why not.” He pulls out a chair. “Sit. Eat with me.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything. Just sit and eat.” As I sit down, Aiden pushes my chair in. Rounding the table, he takes the seat across from me. “I need this dinner just as much as you do. Let me have this night with you. No work. No strings. No ulterior motive.”
“I would like that.”
“Perfect. Let’s eat.” He smiles, relaxed and real.
The real him.
“Let’s get you to bed,” I hear Aiden whisper in my ear. The scratch from his whiskers tickling my neck causes me to let out a soft giggle. “What’s so funny?”
“That tickled.”
“You can open your eyes. I know you’re awake.” I feel his arms under me, lifting.
“I sleep talk.”
“Sure you do.” He walks us to the stairs, then stops. “You had to pick this one?”
“Just take me to your bed.”
“Nice try.” He repositions me, getting a better grip. “I think someone’s had a little too much to drink.” He starts the climb.
“I’m perfectly fine. Just a little jet-lagged.”
“It’s an hour.”
“I blame you.”
“Me? What did I do?” He reaches the bed, setting me down. “Get in.”
I look down and realize I’m still in my dress. Standing up, I begin to waver. “Aiden, I think I had too much to drink.”
“No kidding. I told you that about four scotches ago.”
“But I’m bad-ass.”
“Totally. Now, put your arms around my neck.”
Doing as he says, I wait for his next command.
“Niki, I’m going to remove your dress now, and I’m not even going to lie…I’m going to look.”
I want you to.
“Don’t say things like that to me. I’m trying…”
“Oops. Did I say that out loud?” I’m long past embarrassment.
“Yes.”
His fingers trail slowly around the back of my dress, trying to find the zipper. “Slow and steady wins the race, my friend.” Tilting my head back, I wink.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Locating the zipper, his fingers slowly and knowingly make their way down my back, grazing my naked flesh. He pushes the dress down off my arms one at a time so I can keep holding on to him. It doesn’t fall but pools at my waist. The belt is the only thing keeping me from being fully exposed.
“Houston, we have a problem.” He looks down, thumbing at the belt. “This looks hard.”
“That’s what she said. You get it?” I laugh.
Removing my arms from around his neck, he warns me, “I’m kneeling down now; move your hands to my shoulders to steady yourself.”
In front of me, he begins to make quick work of the belt. Removing it with three little clicks, the dress falls away, and his face is incredibly near the one place I want him the most. He inhales then exhales, the cool air tickling the urge within me.
Nothing happens. He gets up and walks over to the closet. He grabs one of his T-shirts, comes back and puts it over my head.
“Arms up.” He slides one in at a time.
“So much better. Thank you.”
“Now get in bed.” He orders; I follow.
Climbing onto the bed, I roll over, making my way to the top, wiggling my ass on the way up to show him what he’s missing.
“Nice try.” He brings the blankets up, covering me.
“Feels so good.”
“Try to get some sleep.” He gives me a quick pat on the leg and starts to leave.
“Wait, don’t go. Stay.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Come on. I’m harmless.”
“I’m not so sure about that.” He does exactly what he said he wasn’t going to do and climbs in. Facing me.
“I remember my question…”
“What’s that?”
“Why me? Why did you pick me?”
Niki
Rolling over, I reach for the nearest pillow and hold it over my head, drowning out the theme song from “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood.” It’s a beautiful day in this neighborhood. A beautiful day for a neighbor. Would you be mine? Could you be mine?
Dammit! Throwing the pillow across the room, I reach for my phone and answer it. “Gavin! You know that man creeps me out!” I begin to shout, but bring it down an octave when the pounding in my head reminds me of last night.
Looking over to his side of the bed, I see the sheets are cold and untouched. A ghost of a memory is what is left.
“Oh, yeah…I forgot I changed your ringtone.” He yawns, bringing me out of my memory fog.
“Just waking up?”
“Yeah, I didn’t sleep well last night. Worked late at the club, training your replacement…which, thanks for letting me know Kara was dropping by.”
“Oh shit! Sorry about that. I was so consumed with being pissed at myself that I forgot I even arranged it.”
“No need to be sorry.” He pauses to cover the phone, I’m sure to take his morning piss before he gets coffee.
“Why did you mute me?”
I hea
r water running. “Sorry, had to piss.” Bingo! “But seriously, don’t apologize. What you did was amazing and unselfish.” The water shuts off, and I’m pretty sure he’s getting coffee now.
Coffee. My life drug. I really need some. Like bad. I may kill a man for a cup. “You fixing coffee?”
“Yeah, a whole damn pot.” Asshole. He knows we always share a pot. Well, he drinks a cup while I down the rest.
“Just be glad I’m in New York.” I start counting on my fingers the ways I could kill him and hide his body, getting away scot-free.
“Speaking of which…what happened to letting me know you made it and giving me all the information?” Irritation laces his voice. “I had to text Aubrey to see if she heard from you.”
“Yesterday was crazy. We had another stop before New York that I didn’t know about, and once we got here, I had just enough time to call Aubrey then head to dinner.” The memory makes me smile. The cheek-hurting kind of smile.
“Just don’t tell me you are going to do something then not do it. I had a hell of a time concentrating last night.”
“Gav, I’m sorry. I really am. There is nothing I can change about it. So, let’s move on…which brings us back to Kara. How did she do?”
“I know what you’re doing, but I’ll go along with it. Kara is amazing, but Chloe called in again. Said she had over-extended herself the night before and needed more time to recover. So, with Jake on the floor, I let one of the bus boys take hostess duties while Cindy and I trained her behind the bar. But let me tell you, that girl is a natural. Smokin’ hot, too. She pulled in some major tips that had Cindy a little jealous.”
Smokin’ hot?
She is, but I’m not sure how I feel about Gavin saying those words. He’s had girls; I’ve known this, but having Kara take my place at the club, I feel as if I’m being completely replaced.
You chose this. You made it happen.
“That’s wonderful. Glad it worked out for the both of you.” Which I am. Abandoning Spotlight on such short notice left an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach.
“Kid, you okay? You sound off.” He sounds concerned. I’ve never been able to hide much from him.
