CHAPTER TWO #2
Automatically, I reach out for her hands and caress them.
She’s the smallest, most delicate thing ever and her hands are no different.
Without thinking, I’m pressing them to my lips and can’t help the smallest moan when the petal soft skin touches me.
The thought of her touching every inch of my body ignites a fire inside of me.
“What spa?” I ask. I’d love nothing more than to throw her tiny frame over my shoulder and head to my penthouse. Kidnapping is a serious offense, but I’m willing to try and argue in a court of law, if it’d get me time alone with her.
“It’s off of Hollywood Boulevard… called Allure Spa and Wellness.
” I file that information away and focus back.
She still hasn’t asked for her hand back so I take it as a good sign and continue to hold her close.
How have I never thought about getting a massage before?
God, I could’ve met her long before now.
Looking at her she seems young, college age maybe.
“How long have you been there?” Jesus, that’s all I need is to be hitting on a woman who’s barely legal. She was in the bar so I take it as she’s old enough but she looks so damn young with her small petite size.
“Three years.” She gives me a knowing look. “I’m twenty-three by the way,” she offers, like she can read my mind. If she only knew what I wish we were really doing rather than drinking coffee, I’d have her blushing the same shade as her kissable lips.
“That’s good to know. Did you grow up here in LA or are you a transplant?”
“Grew up north of Sacramento. After high school, college didn’t interest me so I looked into other avenues and found massage therapy.
Went to school for nine months and here I am.
My best friend, Saylor, she’s the one I came with tonight, her family owns Allure and multiple chains throughout the U.S.
I started working for their company. She owns a bakery not far from here. ”
“Can I get you guys a refill?” The barista asks, interrupting us as he makes his way around the shop.
I don’t miss the ogling as he appraises Everly.
I shift so that I’m practically towering over her small frame while giving him the fuck off look.
His eyes widen when he finally looks over at my death stare hopefully realizing that he doesn’t have a shot in hell with my girl.
We both decline getting back into our little quiet bubble once again.
“So, what do you do for fun when you’re not picking women up at bars?”
I have to laugh at her question. I can tell she doesn’t believe that I don’t do this often. I don’t because in LA women are served on a silver platter to rich, famous men such as myself.
“I work a lot so that takes up most of my time but when I get some free time my brothers, Levi and Reid, and I like to do any outdoor activities. We like skydiving, hiking, surfing and skiing. Reid and I both got our pilot’s license two years ago.”
“Wow, that’s really impressive. I love being outdoors too. Your other brother didn’t want to join in on being a pilot?”
“Levi thought it was a waste of money. He prefers to buy real estate, fix it up then sell for a profit when he isn’t in the courtroom.”
“Oh, so your brothers are attorneys also?”
“Just Levi. Reid is a dentist.”
“Wow, two attorneys and a dentist. I bet your parents are really proud,” she says sincerely. If she only knew that Levi and I were actually raised by my aunt and uncle after our parents OD’d on some bad heroin. But there’s no reason to bring up bad memories tonight, so I go the easy route.
“They are. My dad is also an attorney and Mom is a paralegal at his office.”
My phone buzzes and I’ve never hated the device more knowing that the message might take me away from Everly right now.
Thankfully it’s Reid wondering if he should wait at the bar or leave since the game’s been over for hours and the bar is getting ready to close.
Levi apparently met a woman and left a few hours ago.
Checking my watch, I can see that it’s almost two in the morning.
How did time get away from us? I send a quick response for him not to wait and that I’ll call him tomorrow.
Everly has her phone out texting when I pocket mine.
“Everything alright?” I ask when she places her phone face down on the table.
“Yeah, Saylor just wants to make sure that I’m still alive.” She smiles and that simple motion does things to me.
“I hope you told her that you’re in good hands.” I reach back over, taking her hand back in mine.
“I did. I told her you were an attorney.” We both bust out with laughter and I can’t help but feel like this is how it’s supposed to be.
Is this the feeling of finding the one person in the world that finishes off the last piece of the puzzle in your life?
She’d probably file a restraining order first thing Monday morning if she could read my mind at the thoughts I’m having after only knowing her for such a short amount of time.
“What are your plans for the weekend?” I ask when I see that we’re the last ones in the coffee shop. Off in the corner, the barista waves then points to his watch letting me know we need to get the hell out of there.
“I work half day tomorrow, well today, then I’m off until Tuesday.”
“I’d like to spend the weekend with you.”
“Weekend?” I know I shock her from the way her voice squeaks, but why wait? If she lets me, I’d already have her back at my place naked in my bed. “Isn’t there like a few days in between before we see each other again?”
She obviously doesn’t date confident men who know what they want.
“Let’s cut to the chase so we can begin our lives together.”
“You sound like this is a done deal, like there aren’t any other options.” She gives a nervous laugh.
“I’m not a man who likes to waste time. I like results when I see something I want. When I saw you this afternoon and then again tonight, I knew we’d be perfect for each other.”
“Wow, okay um…” She brings her hand up to her forehead and starts to rub it close to her hairline. It’s a nervous tick she has and a dead giveaway that she needs more reassurance.
Being an attorney, you have to be able to read the people you select to be on a jury if you have any chance at winning. Watching a person and figuring them out has taken me years to learn and perfect but my team and I are really good at reading people and their signals.
“Give me your number and I’ll call you later on today,” I say and pick up her phone from the table.
“Are you always so bossy or is that an attorney thing?” She teases and I think we’re going to fit together like perfect puzzle pieces.
“It’s a me thing,” I answer and plug my number into her phone then send myself a text.
I drop some cash on the table and reach for her hand to help her out of the booth. A tingle flushes up my wrist as I lead her out and onto the sidewalk.
“Did you drive?” I ask as we cross the street.
“No, I rode with Saylor. I can grab an Uber or cab,” she says then starts to look up and down the street.
“Not a chance in hell,” I tell her. This will also give me a chance to see where she lives and not have to use the firm’s PI to get me the information.
Tugging her back in front of the bar across the street, I hand the valet my ticket as we wait on the curb for them to bring my car over to us.
“There’s someone following us,” Everly leans in whispering close to my ear, as the smell of vanilla invades my nose. I have to catch myself to not sniff too loudly as to alert her.
I follow her line of sight and see who she’s talking about.
Dale.
Now this is going to be interesting to explain.
“It’s his job to follow,” I say and she tears her eyes away from Dale to me. She looks utterly confused and it makes me chuckle. “He’s with me. Handling high profile cases sometimes means that I’m not the most liked person in America.”
“Oh.” Not only is she a smart woman but a very observant one at that. At least she’s aware of her surroundings.
“It’s just a precaution, nothing to worry about.
” I wave it off, hoping she’s not too uncomfortable having someone follow us around, but I can’t take the chance that a psycho family member doesn’t come out of the woodwork to attack me for doing my job.
She nods and I can tell she wants to ask more, but thankfully the valet rolls up with my car.
“This is your car?!?” Everly’s shocked tone makes me glad I picked the Bugatti tonight.
“She’s a beauty, isn’t she?”
I hold the door and assist her in the car, almost catching a glimpse of her upper thigh. A groan leaves me as I close the door, thinking about what she has on under that white dress of hers.
The drive over to her apartment is a quiet one. I’m not sure what to think as she seems to have built walls all around her. I want to reach over and snatch her hand but I’m not sure that’s the right move.
All too soon we pull up to her apartment complex but neither of us make a move. Finally, after several long moments, Everly shifts her tiny body towards me.
“I had a nice time tonight Lincoln. Thank you for the coffee and chat.”
Why does she sound like this is the last time we’re ever going to see each other again? Surely, I didn’t blow it that bad. We were just talking about making weekend plans, so what changed?
She moves to find the handle to the door but I stop her with my hand on her exposed thigh.
“What just happened? I thought we both had a great night?” I question.
“We did, I did.”
“Then what is it? Why do you sound like you’re about to block me from your phone?” Not like that would stop me from getting in contact with her.
She takes a breath, like she’s steeling herself for something.
“We… we just come from two totally different walks of life, Linc.” She starts and I notice how she calls me Linc instead of my full name that I prefer, except when it comes out of her mouth.
“I mean, you seem to live the fast life and have guards and drive a car worth millions of dollars. I’m a massage therapist who makes her living through tips and has credit card debt and gets parking tickets.
I’m not the type of girl who’s into one night stands or wants to be with someone because they are famous. I’m pretty simple and basic.”
I tuck a stray hair behind her ear then place a finger under her chin.
“You are anything but basic or simple. I find you to be the most exquisite woman to ever grace my life. All of this,” I motion around.
“It’s nothing to worry about. The moment I saw you I knew I had to talk to you and be in your presence.
I don’t care what your background is or if you only eat grilled cheese for all three meals.
Don’t say no to something before we’ve even had a chance to become forever. ”
I can tell she’s thinking things over and warring with herself. Never in my life have I had to convince a woman to be with me. It’s a humbling experience to say the least.
“Just give it a chance, Everly.” I squeeze her hand then bring it up to my lips. “I promise you won’t regret it.”
There’s a glint in her eyes and I know I’ve won.
A small smile twitches on her pink lips and she nods.
Not being able to hold off any longer, I lean over the console and capture her lips to mine.
She tastes like candy and her lips are as soft as I imagined they would be.
Taking one hand, I glide it up to the back of her head at the nape.
She lets out a soft moan opening her mouth ever so slightly.
I take that moment to slip my tongue in to explore hers.
I’ve never been one that enjoys kissing but the more I kiss Everly the more I’m addicted to her lips.
Just when my dick starts to rip through my suit pants and attack her, I pull back and rest my forehead to hers.
My eyes slide downward and I watch as her chest heaves to catch her breath.
The teenage boy in me cops a look at the best-looking rack I’ve ever seen.
Everly is doing things to me and making me feel things that I only hear others speak about.
“I’ll call you later today,” I say looking into her bright hazel eyes.
She nods, biting her bottom lip and it makes me want to jam the car in gear and take her back to my place and never let her go. But I can’t. I need to show her that I’m the one who’s not in her league; I’m not worthy of her but I want to be.
I climb out the car and make my way around to her side. Everly is wobbly getting out of the car as we walk up the concrete path to enter her apartment building. I bite the inside of my cheek as I watch her hips sway left then right as she makes her way inside.
“Goodnight, baby!” I call after her right before the door closes.
I can hear her giggle then say it back.
Man, I’m in trouble. The good kind for once.