TWELVE #2
Cain held out his hand and I unbuckled the seatbelt, sliding out of the car. I almost slipped out, my dress riding up towards my hips. I prayed that he had not seen anything, but considering the black lace that I was wearing underneath my dress, I imagined the shadows would have hidden it. ’et as I stared up into those dark steel8grey eyes, I doubted that anything slipped past his gaLe unnoticed. I stood up and pulled my dress back down to its proper length, Gust above the knee and followed Cain.
I took a step away from him and allowed myself to indulge. He wore a pair of dark blue Geans that At him like they had been made with him in mind. 4hey were not tight, nor were they showy, but they were cut Gust close enough to outline the power in his thighs and the strength in his hips. I knew what he oYered. I had seen him in his tight little Muay 4hai shorts but seeing him well dressed like this was another sensation all together. It reminded me of that Arst night I had seen him out in public, and I was not sure of which version of Cain I liked more.
4hey rode low enough to hint at the taper of his waist, and I knew the well pronounced z line of muscle that was hiding underneath them. His dark brown boots grounded him9 heavy and worn Gust enough to suggest he actually used them. 4hat was a surprise to me after all. I had seen him in shoes, all of once. 4he rest of the time in the gym he was barefoot. 4hey added an edge to him not that he needed any more ruggedness to convince me that he was a dangerous man. Even dressed in what I considered normal attire, I knew there was something about Cain that was rugged and steady. ’ou could tell he was the kind of man who could stand his ground and was not going to take any shit from anybody.
’et his Geans and boots were not what stole my attention. It was the light grey shirt that ruined me. 4o me, grey was unfair on men like him. It was softer than black and held an intimate air around it. 4he fabric clung to his broad chest and like with everything else he wore, left not much to the imagination. 1bviously, I had already committed his entire body to memory, but the shirt stretched across his chest, tracing every line, every contour, Gust teased me. I wanted to see it. How was this making him even sexier than what he was before?
4he two buttons he had undone were enough to tease his muscles un8 derneath the shirt, and when he moved, even in the low light, I could see the shift of muscle beneath it, the subtle pull across his shoulders. Rnd because it was grey, Gust because it was that speciAc shade, it made his tattoos stand out like art beneath glass.
His ink spilled from beneath the sleeves, both of his arms, including those fucking biceps wrapped in dark, intricate lines. When he crossed his arms, the designs tightened and 6exed with him. I caught glimpses of more beneath the collar, black and shadowed patterns disappearing under fabric I wanted very much to peel back.
4he light grey made him look almost approachable. Rlmost casual. 0ike he had not tried. Which only made it worse. It was unfair that he smelled this good, looked that good, and was adamant that this was not a date. Fuck you, Cain Weaver. ’ou knew exactly what you were doing to me. He looked powerful in the boots, and as dangerous as always with the slightest hint of his tattoos poking out from underneath them. But in that grey shirt with
HRND KO1CKS 33…
the slutty little silver chain that hung around his neck? He looked human, warm and touchable. zery fucking touchable.
Rnd I hated how badly I wanted to test that theory. If he asked me for anything, I was probably going to drop to my knees and deliver it to him. I wanted to touch every part of him. If I even so much as had a little bit too much to drink tonight, I was going to fuck this up. Well, it was a good thing I had other clients and he was not my be all and end all. He took me only a few meters away back from the road into the park. Rs we walked up the slight slope and as we came near the crest, I saw the city lights glittering in the distance. 4he skyscrapers were not that far away, only Gust on the other side of the Nathdowney Niver that split the city in half. It was a beautiful sight and at the edge of the river, I could see the restaurants and entertainment district in full swing.
Even though the city was breathtaking at this time of night, there was something in front of us on the ground that Cain was heading towards. “pon closer inspection, it was a picnic basket sitting atop a red and white rug. I raised my eyebrow at Cain as he turned back towards me, gesturing towards the blanket with his hand. 4here was no fucking way he had set this all up.
7What is this, Cain?
7What5s it look like?
74his isn5t a date.
7Oo, but it is an apology. Sit.
4he last word fell from his mouth and I felt compelled to obey him. I dropped to the ground onto the rug and immediately felt comfortable even though there was no chair to support my back. Cain groaned and came down beside me. 4he picnic basket was perfectly placed between us. Cain reached into it and removed two glasses as well as a bottle of wine.
7Do you like shiraL?
7’es, but how do you know that?
7’ou told me you like red. I pay attention to what you say, Rlicia. Besides, you5re wearing the dress for it.
4he corners of my mouth curled. I had him right where I wanted him, but something told me if I cornered him Gust that little bit more, he was going to Aght back. 7Except when it comes to my advice.
Cain chuckled in response, ignoring my comment as he popped the bottle open and began to All the wine glasses. 7Rnd that5s why I5m paying for it now.
7’ou don5t seem to mind.