34. Lauren
34
Lauren
He’s jealous. Ha.
For about the dozenth time, a smile spreads on my lips as the thought crosses my mind. Call me twisted, but it gave me so much pleasure seeing Marcus lose his shit like that yesterday. I’ve never seen him so pissed off, and I loved every moment of it. Dare I say, it turned me on.
Approaching the office door, I knock lightly, and at his call, I stick my head inside. “Busy?”
Colin shrugs. “Just got done with the budget for next month, so not at moment.”
“Do you want to have dinner tomorrow night? There’s an Italian restaurant on Forty-Fourth I heard is pretty good.”
His brows lift. “Dinner?”
“Yes, that thing where you sit around a table at night and have a meal.”
He deep chuckle fills the room. “I know what dinner is. Why, though?”
“Consider it an apology for what happened yesterday. Marcus was being awful, and I still feel bad.” Seeing the uncertainness on his face, I go on. “It’s only dinner, but if you’re uncomfortable, I understand. ”
“I’m not uncomfortable,” he replies, “but are you sure the boyfriend would understand?”
“What boyfriend?”
“Yours.”
It takes me a split second to realize who he’s talking about. “Marcus is not my boyfriend.”
I say those words which such fire, Colin’s brows shoot up.
“Marcus is a family friend who thinks I need coddling all the time,” I clarify in a calmer tone. “I’ve known him since birth.”
“Which means he’s entitled to that right,” Colin says. Or asks. I’m not sure, but I answer anyway.
“He doesn’t have the right to baby me. No one does.”
Colin shrugs. “Well, so long as there’s no problem, yes, I could eat. The thing is, I’m not a fan of Italian food.” He winces. “Sorry.”
“Well, I’m open to switching. Whatever you’d like.”
He smiles. “Anything but Italian.”
“Fine. How about Chinese?”
“Sounds good.”
I smile back. “Is seven okay?”
“It’s perfect.”
As I turn toward the door, he asks, “Would you like me to pick you up?”
“No, it’s fine. I already have a ride lined up.”
Besides, this is only dinner between two people who just might develop a friendship in the near future. I don’t want to give even the slightest impression that this is a romantic date. Also, I’m not keen on revealing my new address just yet.
He flashes me a smile, and I catch the hint of disappointment in his eyes before I close the door.
Mhm. I hope that look doesn’t mean what I think it does.
I’m starting to miss the new Marcus, the guy who kept his distance and ignored all my calls, the one who stopped checking in to see how I was doing. In this moment, I’d rather him than this maniac who has been calling my phone almost non-stop for the last half an hour. My phone has been dead silent from inactivity the entire time I got ready for dinner with Colin. As soon as I took my bejeweled purse off the rack in my closet, the device came alive, blaring with the ringtone I’d set for him. It has barely stopped during the entire drive to Manhattan.
I’m positive he’s not calling for any urgent matter, which means we don’t need to have a conversation until after dinner. Maybe tomorrow. Or next week. I don’t care. Marcus needs a taste of his own medicine, and I just might give him a double dose.
Andrew opens my door, and I give him an appreciative smile as my feet hit the curb outside the restaurant. His head turns to each side as he guides me inside. I sense the urgency behind the force of his hand on my back, and I’m tempted to tell him to relax. There won’t be any mobsters jumping from their hiding places to grab me.
Colin has already arrived. I see him waving at me from our table, and I signal to the hostess, who guides us over there. He stands as I approach, and I see him working to control his expression. It’s almost amusing how quickly it switches from awe, to respect, then back to a look that clearly says, ‘Holy shit, she looks amazing’ before finally settling into one I can’t read at all.
It’s flattering. Definitely expected. It’s a spaghetti-strap, knee-length dress that hugs my body quite nicely. I tried not to overdo the look, especially when I remembered the disappointment on his face earlier. I don’t want to send him mixed messages and turn a potential friendship into an awkward thing .
While he’s silent with his compliment, I don’t mind sharing mine. “I like your shirt,” I point out. The dark green, long-sleeved shirt blends well with his eyes.
I greet him with a quick sideways hug, and as we part, his eyes go to Andrew, who’s currently pulling the chair around a nearby table and taking a seat with his shades still on. There’s a question on Colin’s face as he pulls out my chair for me, but he doesn’t ask. Maybe I’ll explain everything once the trial is over. It’s not something I like to think about. I grab the menu and skim the contents.
“The hostess recommends we start with the shark fin soup,” Colin mentions as the server sashays up to us.
I take that advice and also order a serving of roast duck with white wine while Colin goes with sweet and sour pork.
“Thanks for the invite,” Colin says as the server walks away. “It has been a while since I’ve left the house for anything but work. I haven’t made any friends since I moved here.”
I smile. “Well, consider me friend number one. You know, I’d be happy to show you around the city if you want.”
His face lights up. “Yeah, I’d like that. Just say when.”
The night proceeds with an ease that has me smiling the entire time. It’s refreshing to sit down with a man who’s not coddling or belittling me. He’s able to carry on a conversation while giving me the appropriate time to add my two cents, and he seems genuinely interested in what I have to say. By the end of dinner, I marvel at how I’ve enjoyed tonight way more than I expected.
“Uh… I was thinking…”
Colin’s voice trails off as I pause with my hand on the door. He glances down at his feet then back at me with a bashful smile. “Well, wondering, really. ”
“About what?”
“If you’d like to do this again, like an actual date.”
Oh, boy. I think we enjoyed tonight way too much . “Colin…”
“Just a date,” he clarifies hurriedly. “I’m not asking for, you know, intimacy or anything.”
Yeah, maybe not right away, but I already know what he wants the endgame to be.
“I’d like for us to get to know each other outside the office, that’s all.”
I’m still staring, trying to find the right words.
“As friends,” he presses.
You don’t want to be friends, Colin. I wouldn’t be surprised if your perfect behavior tonight was only an act to impress me.
“I don’t think that’s wise,” I finally reply. “There’s a thin line, and I don’t want to cross it. I don’t know if you’d noticed, but you’re the closest thing to a friend I have in that office.”
Disappointment swarms his features, tightening his jaw, drawing his lips in a firm line, leaving a pool of emotion in his eyes that makes me feel bad. Just a little. I’d rather get this over with now than later. Getting his hopes up would be cruel of me.
“Let’s keep things as they are, okay? I don’t want it to get all awkward between us.”
His expression is now giving me too late , which I don’t understand. I’ve done nothing to lead him on, have I?
“We’re okay, right?” I ask for reassurance.
The cloud passes over his face, and a smile emerges. “Of course, we are.”
“Awesome.” I smile back. “See you tomorrow.”
He gives me a thumbs-up right before I close the door, and he remains on the sidewalk, watching us go. He looks so forlorn standing there, and another rush of pity runs through me, one I brush aside immediately. Colin’s a successful, attractive guy. I’m sure he can get any woman he wants.
I turn my gaze from the back window as he finally pivots and walks away. Weird night .
The car pulls up to the curb of my apartment, and I wait for Andrew to get my door, knowing he’ll scold me if I get it myself. As it opens, I ease my body forward to get out.
Then come face to face with Marcus’ scowling expression.
What the—?
My heart feels like it’s lodged in my throat as I pull back, frowning. “What are you doing here?”
“The bigger question is, why have you been ignoring my calls? It has been two days, Lauren.”
I scoff-chuckle. “Two days. Wow. I can’t believe you survived for so long. Imagine me ghosting you for two entire weeks, Marcus. Two.” I raise my fingers. “For no reason whatsoever.”
His scowl fades as my sarcasm sinks in. “I had my reasons.”
“Ones you didn’t share with me.” I shimmy out of the car and push past him. “Whatever your reasons for calling, I’m sure they can wait until tomorrow.”
“They can’t,” he says simply, following me.
“Too bad, because I can’t help you.” I march past Andrew, whose eyes are scanning the street behind us. The spicy scent of Marcus’ cologne hits my nose as I punch in my security code.
“Andrew, I’ll take things from here,” he says over my head. He’s standing right behind me. “I’ll check all the windows and doors and see that she settles in for the night. ”
With my hand on the doorknob, I twist, realizing now how close he really is. One shift forward could have our bodies brushing. I tilt my chin to look directly in his face. “I didn’t say you could come in.”
“Open the door, Lauren.” It’s not a command. His voice has dropped an octave, soft, beseeching. “Please.”
The part of me that wants to belt out a firm ‘no’ quickly shrinks under his pleading stare. My hand turns the knob, eyes still locked with his, heart now racing at what feels like two hundred beats per minute. My palms are getting sweaty, and he crosses the threshold, closing the door as the plea in his eyes quickly fades. Pooled within those hazel orbs is an emotion that takes my breath away.
Hunger .
A soft breath whooshes past my lips, and I whip around and take off. I saw the yearning stamped clearly on his face, but there’s no need for him to see what’s on mine. Desire swirls in my belly and spreads down to my center, leaving me desperate to rub one out, just for the sake of not going crazy.
I climb the stairs and hear him following. His footsteps are heavy, thudding on the steps, almost predatory, like a stalker gaining on his prey. I brace myself for it, knowing he’s about to grab me, sure he intends to have his way with me.
Holy heavens . I’m already so turned on, I’ll surrender in a heartbeat.
My stomach sinks as he walks past me and heads down the hall into the guest bedroom. Scoffing at myself, I turn into my bedroom. I should know better. Marcus will look. He’ll yearn. He’ll fantasize, but he’ll never touch me.
I kick my heels off and drop my ass to the bed. As I massage my soles, a soft creak makes me glance up. Marcus’ head appears around the edge of the door.
“Are you decent?” he asks, staring at the wall on the other side of the room .
“And if I’m not? You’re literally halfway in the room, genius.” With my legs still crossed, I pull the hem of the dress over my knee.
“I want to check the windows,” he replies, pushing his entire body through the door.
“They’re already checked.” Not true, but I don’t want him in here any longer than he needs to be, which is not another second. My body went back on edge the instant Marcus stuck his head through that door.
“For my peace of mind, I’d rather do my own check.” He walks to the closest window and tests the lock then moves to the one behind me. “Good.”
“Duh, I already told you,” I snap.
He appears in front of me, both hands slipping in his pockets. “It’s a nice apartment. More spacious than the one before.”
“Took you a week to find that out. Wow.”
Marcus scoffs. “We both know why I didn’t show up. Gabriel—”
“Say no more. I get it.”
Silence. I stare at the floor, willing him to leave before I burst into flames.
“I hate this,” he finally mumbles.
Knowing Marcus as long as I have, I wait for him to continue.
“I can’t stand that we’ve come to this. All this tension, the malice, the ghosting…” He sighs. “Can we hit that reset button? I miss my friend.”
I’m already shaking my head before he’s finished. “We can’t hit the reset button, Marcus. Too much has happened for us to go on like it’s business as usual.”
Standing, I face him squarely. “We kissed. You had your hands on my body, your mouth on my breasts. How the hell are we going to move on from that?”
“What other choice do we have? It’s not like we can—”
“Don’t you dare say it.” I jam my finger at him. “I’m done beating that dead horse. You don’t want to mess with me because of my brother. Fine. I get it. Guess what? One man’s rejection is another man’s treasure. ”
His expression darkens.
“Thanks for checking the locks and everything.” I want him gone so I can deal with my frustration and horniness in private. Easing past him, I make my way toward the bathroom. “See yourself out.”
I don’t get there.
My back slams against his rock-hard chest as he pulls me against him. “That slime can never treasure you the way you truly deserve,” he snarls.
“Colin is not slime.” I jerk myself away from him, but my body is already on fire from that brief contact. “He’s a decent person.”
“Decent person, my ass. He wants nothing more than to fuck you.”
“There’s nothing wrong with him wanting to fuck me.” I smirk. “We’re two consenting adults.”
There’s a long, heavy pause during which his mouth works, and his Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows. Finally, he says in a gravelly tone, “So you fucked him.”
Just the thought of another man touching me is messing with his head. It’s right there in his deranged expression. I get the feeling he’d rip Colin to shreds if he was standing right here. In this moment, I can’t recall ever feeling more powerful, knowing he has no control over his attraction to me. He hates that he wants me, but there’s nothing he can do to stop it.
“What I do with my private life is none of your business, Marcus.”
He suddenly laughs, low and dry. “You fucked him. Wow .”
“Don’t you have somewhere to be? A one-night stand? Threesome? An orgy? Whatever you’re into these days, I’m sure it’s more interesting than standing here and arguing with me.”
And ruffling my fucking feathers. I was doing fine all night until he yanked my car door open.
Again, I attempt to enter the bathroom, but this time, he blocks the way. “I wish to God there was something good enough to steal my attention,” he says. “Somewhere else I felt more drawn to. Another woman to satisfy me. There isn’t,” he whispers, and my heart flips.
The center of my palms sting from my fingernails digging into them. Deep, constant breaths escape my lips as I breathe hard, trying not to get light-headed.
“There will never be.”
From how strong and tall I’m still standing, staring at him without even blinking once, you’d never tell how weak my knees are, how much I want to swoon to the carpet.
“I don’t know what the fuck you did to me, why the hell I can’t get you out of my head, why you’re the first person on my mind each morning. Thoughts of you put me to sleep every night. I keep trying to convince myself that it’s just a phase, that one day soon, I’ll get over my need for you. Someday, you’ll go back to being Gabriel’s saucy little sister. I’ll be the guy he trusts to look after you when he’s not there.”
My entire body goes still as he takes that final step and leans down toward me, so close that our noses are almost touching. His warm breath fans my face. “I don’t think that’s ever going to happen,” he murmurs then captures my lips.