Chapter 16 #3
I couldn’t fight them, so outsmart them it was. I took out the red lipstick and reapplied it, checking to see if my makeup and hair was still in place with a handheld mirror. I smoothed my dress and took a few breaths to steady myself. I had to find Grayson.
I walked up to the tall glass doors. The light in reception was on. One of the guards sat behind the counter. I knocked on the door, giving the light-haired man my most dazzling smile. He walked over to the door, taking in the sight of me. He opened it, his eyes roaming over me once more.
“Can I help you, ma’am?” he asked politely, but the look in his eyes was anything but polite. He was already undressing me in his mind. I wanted to run for the hills, but I had to push through. I had to find Grayson.
“Oh, wow…” I trailed off, staring at him as if dazed.
“You have really blue eyes.” I swooned but then squeezed my eyes shut and cleared my throat, as if a little embarrassed.
“Um, yes, I do need something, actually. I was wondering if I could use your bathroom? I’m eating at Ballers, but their toilet is temporarily out of order, and I really need to go.
And I saw the lights… um, could I maybe come in?
I’m freezing out here.” I was rubbing my arms, making sure the motion made my breasts bounce just a bit.
His eyes were glued to them. “Yes, sure, come in.” He opened the door wider, letting me pass, grinning widely. He was already hooked, and I haven’t even started yet.
I moaned as I stepped further into the foyer. “Gods, that’s so much better, thank you.”
“No problem, you were saying?”
“Oh. Yes. As I was saying, I saw the lights… and you…” I smiled down, tugging my hair shyly behind my ear, “and hoped you would let me use your bathroom.” I took a step closer to him and smiled sweetly, biting on my lower lip.
His grin grew even wider. He was sure now that he had me in the bag. “Ballers, you say? Were you on a date or something?” He eyed my outfit.
I shook my head, twirling a strand of hair around my finger. It was a cliché move but always worked. “No. No date. I was supposed to meet my brother, but he hasn’t showed up yet.” I needed to add that as a safety net. So he would think someone would be looking for me.
He nodded. Pleased. “The bathroom is right this way. I can show you. I’m Jason, by the way.”
“Candice,” I batted my lashes at him, as I shook his outstretched hand.
We held on a little longer to each other’s hands, and Jason was practically giddy by the chemistry he felt between us.
I took his arm as we walked through the lobby towards the storage area, pressing myself to his side, and smiling up at him each time he sneaked a look at me.
The storage facility was enormous. We walked through a long corridor, that led to rows and rows of side corridors with storage units.
We followed it all the way to the back. I had no idea how Grayson would have navigated through the maze of this place.
Maybe that was the reason he hadn’t returned to the car.
I kept my eyes open for him, trying my best to look like I was looking around in awe.
A small movement caught my eye. Up on the iron beams that criss-crossed above our heads, over the backrooms in the building, crouched a figure, almost completely obscured in the shadows.
My heart sputtered. Grayson. What was he doing up there?
What was he waiting for? I followed Jason through the doors that stood open, into the backrooms. There was another corridor of offices.
Jason veered to the right, closer to Grayson.
When I looked up, I could see him better, but only because I knew what to look for.
He was smiling down at me, completely at ease, with a question mark on his face.
Gods, why was he smiling? I was about to jump out of my skin, and he was smiling.
Jason stopped at a door and opened it. “Sorry, just need to let Max know about you. Hey, Max?” he called to get his friend’s attention, who was sitting with her back to us, on her phone, instead of monitoring the bunch of screens against the wall.
“This is Candice. She’s going to use the bathroom real quick. ”
Max turned and gaped at me. It was clear in Jason’s tone, that he wasn’t letting Max know about me for security reasons, so I took the opportunity.
I looked Max over and bit my lip, before turning towards Jason. “You didn’t tell me you had a friend,” I smiled devilishly, tugging his tie lightly.
Jason and Max exchanged a look that started out as surprise, but quickly turned into excitement, like they had won the lottery. I took a few steps forward towards Max and the screens. “Pronouns?”
She blinked in surprise.
I guess this small town wasn’t as accepting as it ought to be.
“He/him,” Max answered a little shy.
I smiled sweetly at him. “So, what do you boys do in here?” I made a show of surveying the room and all the screens, but my eyes flitted up towards Grayson for a split second.
It was obvious what this room was, but my question wasn’t really directed at them.
Grayson was quick to understand, and he pointed down between his knees towards the control unit of the camera system, with his hand that rested on one knee, completely at ease where he crouched. He still had that grin on his face.
So, he had to get to the control unit and Max was in the way. He obviously needed to get rid of video of him in this place, and now me too. There was no way he could have avoided all the cameras. I had to think of something to get Max out of the room.
“This is what I call the Observation Deck,” Max broke through my thoughts. “I can see every inch of this building from here.”
If only he actually observed the screens. I smiled at him brightly, like I was in awe and dazzled by that fact. Max grew an inch taller with pride at my reaction.
“Every inch you say?” I bit my finger and strolled over to him.
I let that finger trail down his chest. He was frozen by my brazenness, swallowing loudly.
“So there is no place that’s a bit more…
private?” I glanced back at Jason, an invitation to come closer.
Which he did. But he didn’t try to touch me.
“This room doesn’t have a camera,” Jason declared, his voice thick with anticipation.
I took hold of Max’s tie and twisted towards Jason, the tie pulled tight over my shoulder, keeping Max close. “Mmm…” I contemplated. “I was thinking someplace a little more exciting.”
Jason eyed Max, his mind whirring for someplace to take me.
Except for my heart hammering in my throat, I was strangely enjoying the interaction.
They were practically fumbling at my feet.
I was in control, and I liked it. And I couldn’t help but wonder if my bravery stemmed from the fact that Grayson was nearby.
I knew he wouldn’t let anything happen to me, let things go too far.
And if I was completely honest with myself, maybe I was putting on a show for him.
There was no reason I had to flirt this hard.
I could have gotten them out of the room some other way.
But maybe I hoped it would make him feel a tinge of jealousy.
“There’s a Mustang stored in one of the units, and we have a key.” Jason took a tentative step forward. He was close enough to touch. I was caught between the two men.
I guess that a Mustang would be an exciting place for them, so I smiled seductively. “You wouldn’t mind sharing me, would you?” I asked, looking between the two.
They looked at each other for a second, then Jason shrugged, and grinned over my shoulder at Max. “We share everything else.”
“Then where would you boys like me? In the backseat or on the hood?” I whispered, brushing my finger across Jason’s lower lip. I caught a glimpse of Grayson. He wasn’t smiling anymore. But his expression was unreadable.
“The hood,” they answered in unison, and I chuckled.
“Then you should take me there… after I use the ladies room.”
“Oh, right.” Jason straightened a bit and took my hand, leading me out the door. I glanced back at Max, who was loosening the top button of his shirt, looking nervous. So, I blew him a kiss.
I closed the door of the bathroom behind me and exhaled a breath.
Gods, I was flying too close to the sun.
I was glad I had an excuse to come to the bathroom so I could gather myself.
I already knew what I was going to do next, and I hoped it would leave Grayson enough time to do what he had to, and leave.
I fixed my hair in the mirror and crafted an expression of disappointment on my face. I swung the door open and found both men waiting a few feet away.
“Is everything okay?” Max asked as he noticed my face.
“No,” I mumbled as I sauntered over to them. I had one hand on each of their chests as I looked between them. “My brother just texted. He’s waiting for me. And he’s furious,” I added, pouting. “I have to go,” I whispered with reluctance.
They looked completely put out, Jason’s shoulders sagging as he dropped his head. I ran my fingers through his hair and batted my lashes at Max.
“Will you be here tomorrow night?”
They both perked up. “Yes,” Max answered, his eyes glued to me.
“Absolutely,” Jason said at the same time, straightening.
I beamed at them. “Then why don’t you boys walk me to the door?”
Jason smiled brightly, shaking his head. He held his arm out for me, and I took it, pressing myself against his side once again. I also interlaced my fingers with Max’s, earning a shy smile from him too.
I looked for Grayson as we headed for the door, but he wasn’t perched on the iron beams anymore. Not anywhere I could see him at least.
When we reached the large glass doors, I turned towards the two men again.
“So, you will visit us again tomorrow?” Jason asked, placing his hand softly on my hip. He was the boldest of the two.
“How could I not? I love men in uniform.” I stood on my tiptoes and placed a quick, soft kiss on Jason’s lips, before doing the same for Max. I felt kind of bad for leading them on. They seemed like good guys. They had both been very respectful.
I waved at them as I pretended to head back to Ballers. When they were out of sight, I headed back to the car, sticking to the shadows. I prayed that I had bought enough time for Grayson.
I was pacing nervously behind the car when Grayson strolled from the shadows towards me, a marked box tucked underneath one arm. Relief washed through me as soon as I saw his face.
I started laughing. It bubbled out of me. I threw my head back, laughing up at the stars. The rush I felt was unlike anything I had ever experienced. Not even the biggest barrel wave could make me feel this exhilarated.
Grayson stopped in front of me, eyes bright.
“How did I do?” I beamed up at him.
His fingers enclosed lightly around my throat, as he pulled me closer to him, making me strain on my toes. His eyes were alight like I’d never seen before, taking my breath away. “You were fucking magnificent,” he breathed.
And I swear to the gods, I was glowing.