by Keyes, Janae
The tension that ricocheted through my body was palpable. Why was she even asking me this? How did she know that something had even happened in Europe? No one except my parents and a very select few friends of mine had any knowledge as to why I had returned a few weeks ago. I didn’t want to run with this train of thought. What had happened was in the past, and I had no intentions of bringing it up with her or anyone else for that matter.
“Let’s just get that ice cream, Peaches, so I can take you home.” The harshness in my voice was evident as she just nodded at me and started walking again.
With just a few words, our easy going demeanor has shifted, leaving me feeling at odds with myself. Everything had been easy all day, and I hated that with one sentence, that light heartedness was gone. I wanted to turn this night around for not only me, but for her as well. Dealing with a mother like hers, she needed something fun in her life, and I was going to be that fun.
Meeting up with her retreating back, I grabbed her hand and gave it a little squeeze as we walked across the asphalt and into the store in front of us.
The smell of dairy and sugar hit my in the face and I loved it. Ice cream was one of my only addictions in life. I had been all around Europe sampling yogurts, gelato, and ice creams until I was sure I had tasted every flavor there was known to man. Most people didn’t know that about me, but then again, most people didn’t know a lot about me. I was a wealth of useless knowledge when it came to ice cream.
“Peaches, did you know Rupert Grint used his Harry Potter money to buy an Ice Cream Truck? He wanted to be an Ice Cream Man before he did the movies,” I said to her upturned smile. If I remembered anything about Megan, it was her love of the Harry Potter franchise.
“Seriously? That’s so cool!” she squealed. “I love Harry Potter!”
“I remembered,” I said as we approached the counter.
The look she gave me was full of joy, and something else I couldn’t place, but it punched me in the gut. Gone was the little girl who had followed me around, and here stood a woman with too much on her shoulders and not enough light in her cool gray eyes. The overwhelming need to put a spark back in them had me concerned for my own well being.
In one day, she had transformed from my little bratty sister (of sorts) into a well rounded woman I couldn’t stop looking at and feeling protective of. She wasn’t my responsibility, and yet, because of our past, I wanted to shelter her from the things that were bringing her down, the least of which was her mother.
“Spencer?”
“Yeah?” I asked, my head still in the clouds.
“What kind do you want?” she asked, irritation mixed with her curiosity.
When my eyes cleared from the fog surrounding them, I looked down to see Megan already with her waffle cone of ice cream, and the lady behind the counter giving me the strangest look.
“Oh sorry, I was lost in the choices,”I said, trying to make myself look less like an ass. “I’ll have the Peaches and Cream,” I said, winking at Megan.
“Of course you would,” she responded, rolling her eyes at me.
Once I had paid for our sugary treat, we sat in the corner of the little shop and enjoyed the feel of the coolness on our tongues. I didn’t think she was aware of it, but every time she licked at hers, her mouth dripped seduction. I was having a hard time focusing on my own, instead fascinated and slightly aroused by the consumption of her own.
“This is so good,” she moaned into her cone, inadvertently making my dick twitch.
“I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself,” I responded, attempting to shift in my seat and inconspicuously adjust myself without her noticing.
In order to get my mind out of the gutter, where it definitely didn’t belong, I told her more of my random bits of knowledge.
“Did you know the average American eats about twenty pints of ice cream a year?” I asked her.
Her jaw dropped open at my fact. “Are you kidding me? Well, that would explain the obesity epidemic in children these days. What else do you know, Mr. I’m-a-genius-and-know-everything-there-is-to-know-about-ice-cream?”
I had to laugh at her gentle mocking. When she was away from her parental units, she seemed to find her voice, and I loved it.
“Well, the official taste tester for Dreyers Ice Cream has his tongue insured for a million dollars,” I said, reaching into my vault for more facts.
We both stood with our empty bowls and napkins and headed outside, depositing our trash in the bin on our way out.
Grabbing her hand, I began flooding her with different tidbits of information about the world of frozen treats. Each fact came with an accompanied response, and soon we found ourselves back in front of the restaurant, laughing at each other. When her car pulled up and the valet handed her the keys, she let go of my hand and looked at me.
“Thank you for tonight. I needed it,” she said, eyes lighter and happier than I had seen so far. “One more fact for the road?”
I watched as her tongue came out to wet her lips, the heat having dried them up, along with our laughter, as her eyes scanned over mine. What would it be like to kiss those plump lips? What would it be like to hear her moan like she had about her ice cream? Why was I having these thoughts to begin with/ This girl was eight years younger than me, and had had a crush on me almost her whole life. I needed to get away, but how in the hell was I supposed to do that when, following the trail of her tongue, her teeth came out and bit on her lower lip, enticed me past my breaking point?.
Before my mind could register and protest, I slipped my arm around her waist and hoisted her up against my body, her toes barely touching the ground. The surprise on her face morphed into embarrassment, and then lust, within a blink of an eye, as I leaned my head down to whisper in her ear.
“It takes about fifty licks to finish a single scoop of ice cream,” I huskily moaned into her ear, “But I’m willing to bet it would take less than fifty to finish you off.”
Kissing her on the cheek, and releasing her, I turned on my heels and walked as quickly as I could in the opposite direction, desperate to get away from her and my wandering thoughts. What the fuck was wrong with me?
Chapter Five
Megan
There was no way to truly comprehend what happened. He’d left me standing there, my mouth hanging open in shock, my body in a heated state of arousal unfamiliar to me. I watched him run off around the corner and out of my sight. I hadn’t even flinched the first time the valet came to check on me as I stood there, stunned.
I drove around Atlanta for an hour after that, clearing my head, trying to tune down the buzzing that flowed through my virtuous body. It didn’t work. Once home, a cold shower turned me down slightly, but it still wasn’t enough. The guy I’d fantasized about since I was barely a moment into puberty had thrown me for a loop and now I had to work with him.
Arriving at the office Monday morning, I gave myself one last look in my rearview mirror before Justin opened my door. We engaged in our usual light conversation before he drove my car away and I stepped into the air-conditioned building. The moment I crossed that threshold, my nerves took me hostage.
As I reached the door of Spencer’s small office, I was physically shaking. I took a deep breath before placing my hand on the round silver doorknob. This was ridiculous, he was only messing with me. I was fairly certain that Spencer Grant, who was eight years my senior, didn’t want anything to do with me in a romantic or sexual nature. It was clear that I was over thinking the situation.
“Thank you for heeding my words yesterday, much better outfit choice,” came my mother’s voice. I slipped my hands away from the knob and turned to greet her. I was hoping today’s choice was better. I’d gone with an ivory with burnt orange and gray striped v-neck draped top and high waisted gray slacks. I’d paired my ensemble with an orange pair of Manolo Blahniks.
“Thank you, ma’am, and good morning,” I said as politely as possible.
“By the way, you’ll
be working alone for today. I’ve sent Spencer on a few errands for me. You will continue the work you started with him yesterday. Make quick work of it, some of those cases are heading to court very soon,” she informed me. A vestige of disappointment flooded me at the knowledge that I wouldn't be working with Spencer. I was certain of the fact nothing would ever happen between us, but a girl could at least dream a little.
“Yes ma’am,” I answered as I began to turn the knob to enter Spencer’s office.
“And Megan,” my mom began. I turned to fully face her once again, her eyes studying me. “After you left, I was chatting with Hampton, and he’d love to take you to dinner soon.” I inhaled at her request, I was trying to form the most diplomatic answer I could.
First, if Hampton wanted to take me to dinner, he could be a grown ass man and ask me himself and not use my mother as his messenger. Secondly, I had no desire to have dinner with the man I’d ended my engagement to. My relationship with Hampton was purely for show. My parents were trying to not just build a business relationship, but build a net for if I failed. I could be a powerful attorney, but if I failed to managed that, I could always be the housewife to one of the most accomplished real estate brokers in Atlanta and other parts of the south. It was disgusting, yet my parents had pushed the relationship.
I remembered last Christmas morning; Hampton had shown up just in time to open gifts with my family. We’d been together for a year at that point. When I was in Atlanta, he would take me on expensive dates and, when I was in school, he would visit and fly me around on his private jet, all to somehow impress me. My parents kept telling me I’d love him one day, but it never came; I only pretended.
Hampton had come to celebrate with us and when all the gifts were opened, he had one last for me. I opened the small box to reveal the biggest diamond ring I’d ever laid eyes on. Hampton was quick to get on one-knee and ask me to be his wife. I took a split second and glanced into the eagerly awaiting eyes of my parents, I could see my mom practically screaming in her head for me to say the word I answered only moments later, yes.
“I...I...I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I quickly uttered in the direction of my mother. Her eyes rapidly filled with displeasure. I swallowed at what would be her response. I’d done everything else she’d asked of me, but be with a man I had no desire to be with, that wasn’t happening.
“Megan, Hampton cares for you and it would be wise of you to accept his offer. He’s already made reservations for dinner on Friday night. Your father and I will be at the Atlanta Lawyers Gala and it will be something for you to do for the night.” She was sounding as if she was doing me a favor.
“Tell Hampton to cancel his reservations,” I spat angrily before I turned away from her and stomped into Spencer’s office, slamming the door behind me. I knew that was going to cost me later, but it was worth it, at least I hoped.
* * *
My morning was spent enclosed in the office, working on the cases, as required by my mother. My stomach grumbled in a reminder that it was lunchtime. I placed the folder I’d been working on down on Spencer’s desk and stood, groaning as I stretched my limbs.
It was quiet, working without Spencer around. I missed his humor and truthfully, I missed him. I shook my head, my crush would remain just that, a simple crush.
Grabbing my purse, I left the office behind. I glanced around in hopes of avoiding contact with my mother, who, luckily, wasn’t in the hall at my time of departure. Though, still not taking any chances, I sprinted to the elevator as quickly as my heels would take me.
Walking down the street, I wondered where I would find my lunch. I wanted to be back at that hot dog stand with Spencer, enjoying one another’s company. He was so easy to talk to. The only other person I could open up to in a way was my best friend, whom I hadn’t seen much since my summer return to Atlanta.
I encountered a small deli about a block from the office building. It was obviously busy, as it was lunch rush. I ordered myself a sandwich to go, as seating was scarce, I could always eat alone in the office.
Upon getting my order, I spotted two faces I’d only gotten to see for moments. The first was Jeannie Mae, and the other was the adorable nerdy guy intern. Jeannie Mae’s eyes glanced up and, when she spotted me, she waved me over to their table.
Squeezing through patrons awaiting their orders, I found my way to the table Jeannie Mae shared with the other intern. Taking a seat with them, I sat my bag on the table. Instantly, I felt less alone than I’d felt all morning.
“Hey, Megan, right?” Jeannie Mae questioned.
“Yeah,” I answered happily.
I’d spent so much of my college time as a loner, never going to parties, and always in my room by nine unless it was midterms or finals. In those cases, I was in the library. It was nice to really be with other people who were in the same boat as me, or at least near it.
“I’m Kris!” the other intern injected.
“Hi Kris, I’m Megan,” I greeted him kindly. Close up, he wasn’t as bad looking as he’d appeared before, his style was a little outdated, but that was no reason to fault him.
“Is it true you are the Reese’s kid?” Kris inquired. I nodded in response to his question as I took a huge bite of my sandwich.
“I saw you leaving with that hot paralegal yesterday afternoon, I hear he is Heather and Steve’s son,” Jeannie Mae commented.
“He is, we grew up together,” I informed both of them as they sat, mouths wide open in shock.
“Any tips on dealing with them? Your mom scares the shit out of me,” Jeannie Mae admitted. I wouldn’t say it out loud, but most times she scared the shit out of me too.
“Do what she says and remain professional at everything. Plus, always refer to her as ma’am,” I informed the both of them. I could see them taking mental notes in their minds.
We sat and chatted for most of our lunch before leaving the deli together. I’d learned about both of them. Jeannie Mae was from a small town near the border with South Carolina and Kris came from the Florida Panhandle. Jeannie Mae was interested in Corporate Law, like my dad practiced, and Kris in Immigration Law.
The walk back to the office was filled with chatter between the three of us. Apparently, the blonde intern was named Stacy and was a huge bitch to everyone, while the other guy was named Andre and spent most of his time slacking off, or at least he appeared to.
“Hey. do you guys know DJ Valentino?” Jeannie Mae questioned, as the three of us were greeted with the air conditioning as we entered the building.
“Of course, he’s the hottest DJ in Atlanta right now,” Kris rapidly noted. By this point, I’d determined that Kris was much cooler than he looked.
“He’s my roommate’s boyfriend and he is spinning at this new club opening on Friday night, you guys should come down. I can get you on the list,” Jeannie Mae said, her voice filled with excitement.
“Heck yes, I’m down!” Kris cheered as the three of us entered the elevator.
“Megan?” Jeannie Mae questioned.
“I can’t, sorry,” I shrugged. I knew my parents would never want me going to some club. This was my life, always missing out on the fun, but I was used to it. “Have fun for me.”
“Oh, we will!” Jeannie Mae cheered before the doors to the elevator opened.
I said my goodbyes to the two of them as they headed to the conference room and I to Spencer’s office. Upon entering the office I was shocked to see those sapphire eyes peering at me. I inhaled sharply, not knowing what to say or do.
“Er--Hi,” I said with a small wave in his direction.
“Hey Peaches, why are you dressed like my grandma?” he asked as he pointed out my attire. My hands went to my hips.
“How am I dressed like your grandma?” I questioned.
“I’m pretty fucking sure my grandma owns that same outfit.”
“Whatever.” I rolled my eyes
I placed my things on the chair in the corner. Turning bac
k, I spotted Spencer leaning on the edge of his desk, his eyes watching my every move. My mind flashed back to the night before, him pulling my body against his, his lips on my cheek. My chest was heaving as my breathing became rushed. He had me under his spell and, as I saw a smirk on the edge of his lips, I had a feeling he knew it.
“I’ve got to head out again. Heading to court to file some motions for your lovely mother. Guess I’ll see you around. Peaches.” He was leaving me again. Disappointment struck me hard. I let out a sigh. Fuck, he had me good.
“Yeah...umm...bye,” I managed before he was already out of the door.
* * *
The moment I dragged myself into my bedroom on Friday, I was exhausted. The rest of the week was spent with me working alone or, sometimes, with the other interns. My mom constantly had work for Spencer; it was as if she was deliberately trying to keep us apart.
After an amazing hot bath, I cuddled into my blankets and pulled out my laptop. My mind was already wondering what sappy romance movie I’d find to watch or maybe catch up on my guilty pleasure show, Teen Mom.
My computer had barely booted up when my cell phone started ringing. I groaned to wonder who was bothering me. Slipping out of the warmth of my cuddly blankets, I found my phone where I’d left it on my dresser. At seeing who was calling, the person on the other end was no longer going to feel my wrath.
“Joe!” I yelped out excitedly as I answered the incoming call from my best friend, Jaylesha.
“Moe, or should I say stranger,” she said in mock outrage. I rolled my eyes and giggled at her terrible acting skills.
Jaylesha and I had been Joe and Moe since middle school when she joined our dance school. We hit it off right away and our teacher would make fun of how we were joined at the hip, she began to call us Moe and Joe. Eventually, the names stuck and we began to use them ourselves.
“I know, I’ve been so busy since getting back into town,” I told her as I wandered back to my bed and sat down.
“We should do something...there’s this new club opening tonight, Club Flow, it is supposed to be poppin’ tonight and DJ Valentino is spinning. Let’s go!” Jaylesha was the first person to want to party. I wish I could be like her, free. “And don’t turn me down!”
