by Krista Lakes
I almost wished we were walking again just so I could hold his hand.
“You said you help with your family’s business,” I said, finding a comfortable position. “Is that what you’ve always wanted to do?”
Henry looked thoughtful, his blue eyes following the sparkle of the water.
“I’ve never thought I could do anything else,” he said softly. “I play rugby, but it’s not a professional calling. I did some military work, but it’s expected in Paradisa. I’ve never thought of another profession. It’s always been this.”
“But is it what you want?” I asked, shifting slightly to the side of my knees and getting a little closer to him.
“It is my duty and my privilege,” he replied, not really answering the question. “I’m good at it. I wouldn’t want my brother’s part in things, but I do enjoy my work.”
He paused, and looked at me, his blue eyes taking in my every movement.
“What?” I asked, unsure of his scrutiny. A stand of hair fell across my face again and I nervously tucked it back behind my ear.
“No one has ever actually asked me that question before,” he replied. “I don’t think anyone even thought to.”
“They should,” I said. “Everyone should have a choice in their future.”
He chuckled. “So American,” he said, his voice warm and rich. “I like it.”
I grinned, basking in his smile. “I like you,” I blurted out, not realizing the words had left my mouth until I’d already said them.
Subtle, Aria, I thought to myself. Subtle.
Henry laughed, crinkling his eyes and grinning at my words. “I’m glad.” His laughter stilled, but his smile remained as he looked at me. “I like you, too.”
My heart thrilled and I knew I blushed.
He moved slowly enough that I could have stopped him if I wanted to, putting his hand on my cheek and leaning forward until our mouths touched.
Everything froze for a moment, my heart stopping and my breath solidifying in my chest as his lips touched mine. The sunlight sparkled on the water, caught forever like crystal jewels.
It was a perfect moment.
His lips pressed warm into mine, tasting of sunshine and desire. I kissed him back, my body heating to his touch. His hand tangled in my hair, drawing me to him and anchoring me in a swirl of desire. He took control of the kiss, knowing just what he was doing to drive me wild.
I could feel his smile against my lips when we both pulled back long enough to breathe. Despite barely moving, I was breathless.
“Wow,” I whispered, not sure of what else to say. The sun shone brighter. The sky was bluer. Even the tourists walking past seemed to smile more.
His hand was still in my hair, holding me close to him. I never wanted him to let me go. I wanted to stay right here with him. Or anywhere with him, really. I just wanted him.
He grinned and leaned back over and kissed me again. The second was just as powerful as the first, except I was ready for it this time. My hands went to his chest, feeling the firm muscles under his shirt as I moved my hands under his jacket.
I wanted more. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the thrill of kissing under the trees in the sunshine. It was something out of a love story my mother used to read to me.
“We have to get you back,” he whispered between kisses.
I knew he was right. My two hours had to be up by now, but I didn’t want to go back to scanning old documents that no one cared about. Especially not when I had a hot man kissing me breathless.
“I know,” I said, but I didn’t stop kissing him.
“I don’t want to get you in trouble,” he said, a little more firmly.
“Give me Andre’s number, and Jaqui will let me stay out all week,” I replied, trying to get another kiss. He pulled back slightly. I frowned and looked up at him. I could see duty in his expression. “You’re going to be honorable, aren’t you?”
He chuckled. “I’m more afraid of what that security guard is going to do to me if I don’t bring you back on time.”
“Gus? He wouldn’t...” I paused and thought of the big security guard who walked me to my car when it was dark. He bought me pepper spray for Christmas and my birthday. He had told me I reminded him of his daughters. My shoulders slumped slightly. “Yeah, we should get back.”
Henry carefully released my hair and tucked it behind my ear. His fingers touched my cheek and my heart fluttered. He smiled as he slowly stood and offered me his hand.
His palm was warm against mine as I reluctantly rose to my feet. He adjusted his hat to cover his hair better, tipping the brim lower as we moved out into the sunshine. I kept his hand in mine, enjoying the way he felt beside me as we walked the paths back to my workplace.
Our conversation was easy as we walked. He told me more about Paradisa. Apparently it was a rainy place, but that it was always green because of it. It rarely snowed there except around Christmas time, which made the snow feel more special. Being in Western Europe, it was of course filled with castles and history that the US just didn’t have. He went to elementary school in a castle built two hundred years before the Declaration of Independence was even signed.
“I’d love to visit Paradisa,” I said as we made the last turn before my workplace. “It sounds beautiful.”
“I think you’d like it,” he replied with a smile. He looked over at me and smiled. “I’d love to show it to you.”
My heart skipped two beats and then made up for it by adding in an extra seven. He wanted to see me again. He wanted to show me his country. I knew it was probably just an idle offer, but then I had thought the same thing of his offer to bring me lunch.
I dared to hope that we could get there.
I reluctantly climbed the steps leading to the front door of my work. I wanted to go back under the trees by the Reflecting Pool, not up the stairs to my document prison. The walls felt stifling after the freedom of the sky.
Plus, I just wanted to kiss him again.
Henry reached out and opened the heavy wooden doors. He held them for me like a gentleman as I walked into the cool interior. Gus grumbled from behind his desk, arms crossed.
“Are you alright, Aria?” Gus asked as my eyes adjusted to the different lighting.
“I’m great,” I assured him. I turned and looked back at Henry. “Can I see you again?”
He grinned. “What are you doing Friday night?”
“Nothing.” Even if I had something planned, another date with him would be worth canceling plans.
“I’ll pick you up at six,” he said. “There’s a game I’d like to take you to.”
He took a step toward me and Gus stood up, looking protective. Henry paused and reached out and took my hand. He brought the back of my fingers to his lips for a gentle kiss. I couldn’t help but blush at the princely gesture.
“See you at six,” I replied, a little more breathless than I intended. Henry grinned and released my hand. He nodded politely to Gus and smiled once more at me before heading back out of the building. I watched him leave with longing.
“At least he brought you back on time,” Gus grumbled, taking his seat at the security monitors.
“What?” I asked, still looking at the door and thinking of Henry.
“Two hours. He brought you back right on the dot,” Gus informed me. “Not even a minute late. I appreciate respect like that.”
I stood there for a moment in surprise. I certainly hadn’t been paying attention to time. If it had been up to me, we would have been hours late.
“You know you can call me if your date goes sour,” Gus said, his eyes glancing up from the monitors. “I’ll come get you.”
It was the most fatherly thing anyone had said to me in a long time.
“Thank you, Gus.” My voice cracked a little bit.
“I don’t think you’ll need it,” he continued. “He seems respectable enough. But, I want you to know you can call me if you need to.”
I walked around th
e security desk and gave the big man a hug. He wrapped one arm around me and squeezed. I felt loved and safe knowing he had my back.
“You’re not supposed to be back here,” he reminded me gently when he released me.
“Right,” I agreed and quickly jumped back to my designated side. “Thanks, Gus.”
I started walking to the stairs knowing that Jaqui would want details of my lunch. I smiled thinking of Henry’s kisses. The way he made my heart pound. I couldn’t help but smile thinking of him.
“Oh, and Aria,” Gus called out. I turned to look back. “He better treat you like a princess or else he answers to me.”
“I’ll make sure he does,” I assured him. Gus nodded and I smiled as I went up the stairs.
Chapter 7
Friday couldn’t come fast enough.
I’d done a little more digging on Henry Prescott in preparation for our date. He was a good rugby player, but not considered one of the best. There was very little else in the way of information about him. It seemed that Paradisians weren’t big into social media advertising everything about them. What I could find matched everything I did know about him. He was more legit than most men I dated, even if he was known for rugby rather than anything else.
I was excited that he wanted to share that with me for our date tonight.
I went to work each morning that week with a smile on my face. Luckily, the backlog of documents held out for the entire week. I gleefully scanned each one into the system, even though I knew that every sheet of paper scanned brought me closer to having something my stepmother would want.
That was a bridge I would cross when I came to it. Until then, I was going to enjoy being able to message her that I had nothing of interest. It was petty, but it made me feel good to put a little crimp in her plans.
I did miss working for Senator Glenn, but at least I had amazing coworkers here. I loved getting to see Gus every morning. I loved having lunch with Jaqui and the other office girls every day. Everyone at the office was friendly and warm. I belonged here, even if I didn’t really deserve to be here.
Friday morning came around and I was giddy with excitement. I was going to see Henry tonight. I was going to kiss him again and hear that accent say my name. I didn’t have a curfew this time, so I was ready for some fun. I even cleaned up my apartment, just in case.
Work dragged on as I worked on the last box of backlogged documents. I slowed as I scanned the last few sheets into the computer, knowing that once this box was done, I would have the work my stepmother had sent me here to do. Her daily texts showed that she was becoming impatient with my lack of information for her.
Finally, the clock clicked over to five pm and I was free. I skipped down the stairs, stopping to wave to Jaqui on my way out the door.
“Have fun!” she called out. “And try to get me a number! He’s got to have a friend!”
I chuckled and kept going down the stairs. Henry was going to pick me up at my place, so I wanted to get home as quickly as possible to get ready.
“You still going on that date tonight?” Gus asked the moment I exited the stairwell. He looked stern behind the security desk.
“Yes.” I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.
“You still have that pepper-spray I gave you?” He crossed his big arms, looking protective.
“Yes, Gus. I always bring it with me, just like you asked.” I motioned to my bag where I kept the small vial of potent spray. It warmed my heart that he was protective of me. It was like having a father again.
“Good.”
I waited for a warning to watch out for hands or not to drink too much.
“Well? What are you waiting for?” Gus asked after a moment. He smiled at me. “You have a date.”
I grinned and waved to him, heading out the door. Henry must have made a good impression on my protector.
I barely noticed the ride back home, as my mind was everywhere else. I spent my ride second-guessing my wardrobe options and wondering if I should curl my hair. I’d never been to a rugby game before, or any real sporting event, so I wasn’t entirely sure what to wear.
Jaqui said to wear something low cut and to show off my legs. Bethany in the office across from me agreed with Jaqui, but that heels were in order as well. Janet said comfortable but easy to take off, and I was fairly sure that Gus would recommend long jeans and a turtleneck. Possibly with a chastity belt if I had one available.
I decided to go with what made me comfortable, yet still look like I was on a date. I hurried out of the station to get home and change.
I had inherited my small studio apartment when my father died. Technically, it had been my mother’s. She had been a legal aide at a nearby law firm until she met my father. The apartment was in her name, not my father’s, so when he died it was one of the few things that my stepmother hadn’t been able to claim.
I loved how close it was to my work. I could ride a single bus, or if the weather was nice, I could even walk to work. The studio apartment was tiny, with my bed and breakfast table halfway into the kitchen, but it was mine. It was my one refuge in the world.
I hurried up the steps, taking them two at a time. I didn’t have much time left to get ready. I decided on my favorite pair of jeans that I knew fit my booty and showed it off. I paired those with a loose dark teal shirt that showed a hint of cleavage and a light cream colored jacket, since it would be cool in the evening. Some earrings, a necklace and a hint of makeup made me look like I was trying, but not too hard.
I nearly changed my mind, thinking that maybe a skirt would be more feminine and sexier. But, I didn’t have time. Just as I put on my necklace, my phone chirped a message that he was nearly here.
My stomach fluttered and my heart warmed.
Henry.
We’d texted all week and now every time my phone pinged, my pulse jumped. I thought of his kiss and the way his lips tasted. The way his chest felt beneath my fingers, hard and strong. I could close my eyes and feel his arms around me, safe and warm, like early summer sunshine.
I checked my reflection one last time in the mirror, taking a big breath. There was no reason to be nervous, but I still had a hard time believing that someone as interesting and handsome as Henry was interested in me. I hurried down the stairs and out of my building.
Henry leaned against a jet black sedan waiting at the curb. He looked up, tipping his hat up to see me arrive. His blue eyes lit up and a smile filled his face as soon as he saw me. Warm fuzzy feelings floated through my core as he looked at me and I knew my smile matched his.
He wore dark jeans with distressing that looked like the real thing rather than store bought. His dark blue t-shirt brought out the brightness of his eyes and the gold of his hair. It also showed just a hint of the muscled definition beneath it. He was dressed more casually than I was, but he carried himself with such confidence he could have been wearing a suit or a crown.
“Hi,” I greeted him, again unsure as to what to do. We’d kissed once, so was that now the default greeting?
“Hi,” he replied, leaning forward and kissing me on the cheek. He had saved me once again with what to do. “You look amazing.”
I couldn’t help the heat that flashed across my cheeks and chest. “Thanks. I hope it’s the right thing to wear to a rugby game.”
“A rugby match,” he corrected gently, opening the cab door. “And it’s perfect.”
I grinned at him as I slid across the leather seats. It was a ride-share car, but it was definitely one of the nicer ones. I wondered if Henry had paid extra to impress me. As if he had to do anything more than smile to do that.
Henry slid in behind me, our legs touching from knee to hip despite having extra room as he pulled off his hat.
“There is one small hiccup that I wanted to warn you about,” Henry said as the driver pulled away from my apartment.
I raised my eyebrows. “Hiccup?”
“Andre and Valentina will be joining us,” he said, his voice so
unding about as enthusiastic about it as I felt. Which was not at all. “I’m sorry. It was a condition of getting the tickets.”
I tried to keep the disappointment off my face. I wanted this time with Henry all to myself. I didn’t want to share him with his friend. I had this terrible vision of Henry spending the entire game talking to Andre and leaving me to figure out what was happening on my own. I felt a little betrayed.
“Their seats aren’t next to ours,” he assured me, putting his hand on my knee. “They’re behind us. Andre promised that we wouldn’t even know they are there. I just wanted to tell you ahead of time. I didn’t want you to see him there and think the worst.”
I had two ways to react. I could be upset or I could roll with it. Rolling made for a more pleasant evening, so, I was going to make the best of things. He didn’t have to tell me about Andre, but he did.
“I appreciate you telling me.” I put my hand on top of his and smiled. “And we’re going to have a good time. Even if they are crashing our date.”
Henry’s worried look vanished and he smiled again. “Thank you,” he replied. “I promise, you won’t even know they’re there.”
The car drove up to RFK Stadium. There were more people about than I expected, considering that rugby wasn’t a terribly popular sport in the US. I was surprised we were even at a stadium this big. Henry hopped out first and offered me his hand to help me out. I took it, more to hold his hand than from actual need of assistance. He then pulled on a nondescript light blue cap, hiding his hair. I wondered if he would take it off once the sun set, but I didn’t mind. He was one of those rare individuals that actually looked good in a baseball cap.
“Who’s playing?” I asked, looking around. “There’s a lot of people here.”
“It’s a rather big game,” Henry explained. “New Zealand All Blacks vs Ireland. It’s a big match. Both are considered very good.”
“The All Blacks?” I asked, wondering about the name. It seemed like a strange choice.
“Yes,” Henry nodded. “Their uniforms are all black. Back in the early days, the teams were called for their colors. The English team was known as The Colours for awhile since they wore red, white, and blue hoops on their uniforms.”
