21. Dani #2
Kraig frowns. “Graham isn’t a good person. He’s just like his father. Me and my dad, we talked about it. He always told me to keep an eye on Graham. Doesn’t trust him. You know his dad was a kidnapper, right? Stuart Richmond? Locked a bunch of girls up in his old farmhouse.”
“Yeah, I heard. So sad. I feel sorry for his mom.”
“Stepmom. It’s whatever. It was her own fault.”
What the hell?!?
“Shouldn’t have been out at night.” Kraig scowls. “But Stuart, that guy who kidnapped her? Graham is just like him. I wouldn’t be surprised if he had a girl locked up in his house.”
He leans toward me. “You see anything? Did he tell you about any secret property or anything he had?”
I shake my head, wanting out of this conversation.
“He’s dangerous,” Kraig spits. “You need to be careful. You don’t want to end up as a victim, now, do you, Dani?”
“No,” I squeak out.
Kraig nods. “You need to find a good man, a normal man, and leave Graham. He doesn’t deserve you.”
“Thanks for the tip. Lots to think about.” I stand up suddenly, not wanting to be in the empty office alone with him.
Piper is right. I am chickenshit.
“Enjoy the cookies.”
He takes a bite. “Oh, I will.”
I search the dark streets as I wait for my Uber, looking for a familiar black car.
He isn’t coming. He isn’t waiting. He doesn’t care.
It feels like getting stood up for prom again. I half expect Colette and the mean-Girl Squad to pop out and yell, “Surprise!”
Kraig is wrong. Graham’s not dangerous. He’s just an asshole.
Of course he’s not attracted to me, I remind myself, telling myself that my watery eyes are from the cold air, not because I’m sad that yet again I’m pining after an unattainable man.
And it’s too early for the pizza place to be discounted.
I have another box of cookies in my bag with a big green bow on it, so I can eat those on the subway.
“It’s time to grow up,” I whisper to myself. “You have a viable option. It’s Kraig. Lose your virginity. Ask for a promotion. Move out. Decenter men.”
My Uber pulls up in front of the building.
“Could you change the address?” I ask when I slide in with all my bags.
“Sure, ma’am, where to?”
“The Holder Building, please.”
The massive tower with its intricate 1930s stonework is heavy and dark across from Central Park. The building’s doorman opens the door and waves me inside.
“Ms. Lockwood. Mr. Richmond is expecting you.”
“He… What?”
The elevator doors slam shut, whisking me up to the penthouse.
The penthouse door is unlocked. My hand lingers on the handle.
Maybe I should just drop the cookies and run. I’ll leave him a note. Tell him the deal’s off. I want my money and my self-respect back.
The door is wrenched open as I’m digging in my bag for my notepad and a pen.
Graham stands there, a shadow in the doorway.
“I don’t want to see you,” I blurt out.
“Then why are you here?” he snarls.
“I brought you cookies. They’re shaped like penises. Kraig thought it was funny.”
His mouth flattens imperceptibly.
He backs me up. My back hits the elevator.
“I told you not to fuck with me.”
“You didn’t respond to my text.”
“The text counts as trying to fuck with me, Dani.” He leans down. His teeth flash.
“You can’t leave people on read.”
“Seems I didn’t have to respond. You came over here on your own anyway. I knew you would.”
“No, you didn’t. I’m not that predictable. You just hoped I would.” I swallow. “You’re pissed I gave Kraig cookies. You’re jealous of your stepbrother. Admit it.”
“Fuck you.”
“Admit it,” I say.
His hand comes up to my neck, just light pressure, so I feel my heartbeat thump, Danger, danger.
“Piper thinks I should have sex with him,” I tell Graham, baiting him.
His green eyes narrow. His nostrils flare.
“And says he’s more my league.” The words come out in a rush as he moves in closer to me, the weight of his body crushing me against the elevator. His mouth is so close to mine.
I don’t even care if he kisses me, though. I’m so annoyed at him. Angry that I’m so inexperienced and useless that I just let him play games with me.
I’m smart. I’m not an idiot. I should have taken the money. Always take the money. I’m an analyst, not a romance-movie heroine. My happy endings come with seven zeros.
Yep, it’s decided. Dani’s dreams of love and family are dead. She’s going full-on rich recluse.
“I’m going to…” I grab his tie. “Make you a very happy boy.”
I try to do my best sex kitten impression. Yes, Gran tried to do a homeschool class on it. It didn’t go well, but maybe since the lighting here is so low…
“I think I can give you what you’ve been craving ever since you saw me,” I whisper against his lips, “and threw me half naked in your closet.”
His eyelashes flutter. It’s like he almost, almost wants to kiss me. His mouth is right there.
“You ready for me to make you happy?” I breathe.
I feel him shift, the tension in his body give way, then he explodes.
“Get out!” He shoves me away.
“Wait, no! I have to—”
“Out!” he roars.
“Why? Let’s talk about this.”
“Get the fuck out, Dani!” He rages, slamming his fist on the brass elevator door, leaving a dent.
I scream, clapping my hands over my ears.
“If you don’t fucking get out now, I’ll never let you leave.”