Lift

by Riley, Alexa

  When I get to the curb, I pull up the app on my phone to request a car service. A few years ago I tried having a driver, but I spent so many hours at work it was a waste. I usually just go from the place I’m working on to my penthouse and that’s it, so there’s nothing for the driver to do. I could take a cab, but I need to make at least one stop and I’d rather have someone waiting on me than having to flag someone down at each place. Most of the time I can slip them some extra cash and they’ll stay put while I get what I need.

  The app chimes and tells me that my driver will be here in three minutes. I glance down at the picture and car, but the photo is so dark that it’s hard to make out what they look like. I tuck my phone in my pocket and glance around for a silver Mercedes. I guess driving around and picking up people pays well.

  I’m getting impatient when five minutes passes and they still aren’t anywhere in sight. I haven’t seen a single cab go by, and as much as I don’t want to take one, I hate waiting even more. I get my phone back out and look at the map. That’s when I see the driver took a wrong turn. I’m irritated as I watch them go down a side street that isn’t even near me and then my phone starts ringing.

  “Great,” I mumble as I answer. “Yeah, I’m waiting outside the Village Theater. Are you planning on getting here any time soon?” I bark before the driver can speak.

  There’s silence on the phone before it chimes and says my driver is here. I don’t know how they made it so quick after taking a wrong turn, but whatever. I hang up the phone without bothering to say anything else and take a step towards the curb. The Mercedes pulls up smoothly and I open the back door and get in.

  “Sorry, it’s really late and I’m just hangry. Can you take me to Midtown Grocer and wait? I’ll throw in a twenty if you’ll sit while I shop.” I’ve already got my first destination on the map and as the driver pulls away from the curb, that’s the direction they’re going in.

  When they don’t say anything I finally look up from my phone to see a young person in the driver’s seat with their hat pulled low. I can’t tell if it’s a boy or a girl, but they don’t look old enough to be driving. A kid shouldn’t be in this part of town at this time of night.

  “Yeah,” I hear muffled low from the front, but they don’t turn around.

  Now I’m convinced it’s a kid who probably stole their parents’ car. What the hell is going on?

  “Hey, kid, are you old enough to drive?” I lean forward and they scrunch down in their seat a little. “Hey, I’m talking to you,” I say louder, but again they move away and against the door. The car swerves a little and I start to panic. “What the fu—”

  I reach out and grab the kid by the shoulder, and suddenly the car is filled with a scream so loud it hurts my ears.

  “Shit,” I curse as the car swerves again and I’m thrown against the door.

  The hat has come off, and long sandy-blonde hair tumbles out. The young woman looks over her shoulder with wide panicked eyes as the car comes to a stop. “I have pepper spray, don’t move.”

  I glance down and see the spray in her hand and her finger on the button. I hold my hands out with my palms up and try to be as calm as I can. “Whoa, easy. I’m not going to hurt you.”

  “I don’t have any money,” she says as she glances towards the console next to her.

  I’m no detective, but I’d say she just gave up where she keeps her money. “I don’t want your money. I’m sorry, I thought you were a kid.”

  Her eyebrows pull together in confusion and I don’t think she believes me. “What’s your name?” I ask, and I wait a moment before she finally answers me.

  “Sloan,” she says, but she still looks scared.

  “Okay, Sloan. I’m Harris. I swear to you on the Eagles winning another Super Bowl that I’m not going to hurt you. But if you hit the button on that pepper spray in this car, not only will it blind me, but you’ll get it too.”

  She looks at me skeptically and I don’t dare move a muscle. Even though they scream for me to reach for her.

  “Didn’t they teach you safety with that thing? You can’t spray it in a confined space. You’ll end up getting it in your eyes and then we’ll both be fucked.”

  “I just got it online,” she says, now looking at her hand and becoming more afraid.

  “Maybe just thumb through the instructions later. I’m not a threat, Sloan. I honestly just thought a kid had stolen their parents’ car and was driving it around.”

  “And they just so happen to be picking up people for money?” She’s pissed again, but she lowers the pepper spray a little.

  “I see how saying that out loud sounds ridiculous, but I really just want to go to the grocery store to get some food and then crash in my bed. It’s late and there won’t be cabs around for a while. You were the only driver in the area, so my option is to walk and it’s just over ten miles.” Slowly I reach into my jacket and pull out my money clip. I take out a hundred-dollar bill and hold it out to her. “Please, I’m desperate.”

  She narrows her eyes but snatches it out of my hand before I can blink. “As long as you keep your hands to yourself.”

  I breathe a sigh of relief as I relax against the leather seat and she starts to drive again. My eyes don’t leave her as she watches me from the rearview mirror with suspicion.

  Chapter Three

  Sloan

  Damn it, I should have read those directions more carefully. What if he’s wrong and this is his way of tricking me? I glance back to his bright blue eyes and even in the dark they shine. He’s so big he takes up most of the backseat, and there would have been no way for me to fight him off.

  The GPS beeps at me and I ignore it. I’ve been doing this long enough that I know the best roads to take and where to get the quickest. I’m always a nervous wreck picking up guys this time of night and I never know if a serial killer is going to get in.

  Harris doesn’t look the type, though, but how would I really know? I just remember Ted Bundy was a fox back in the day and nobody suspected him. Harris has dark wavy hair and a five o’clock shadow, but it makes sense because it’s the middle of the night. He’s got on a thick sweater and coat, but I can still tell his body is muscle underneath, and though he scared the shit out of me, he’s gorgeous from head to toe. Not to mention he’s got a smile that makes me forget where we’re going.

  “You said Midtown Grocery, right?” I ask, and he nods.

  “Yeah I just need to run in and pick up some stuff. I’m starving and I’ve had fast food for the last month. I can’t do it again. Are you sure you’re okay to wait?”

  I nod and then realize it might be too dark for him to see. “Yeah, it’s okay.” The area of town isn’t bad, but it’s still a parking lot in the middle of the night. God, I hope this guy is a quick shopper. I could just leave as soon as he gets out and take his money. Although he could report me to the company and then I run the chance of losing my job.

  “It’s not really safe for a woman like you to be picking up strangers at night,” he says, and I feel my hackles rise.

  “A woman like me?” I glare at him from the rearview mirror, but he doesn’t look fazed.

  “I just meant how small you are.”

  I watch as his eyes move lower and I wiggle a little in my seat. I realize that I don’t feel the same repulsion I did earlier today when Lance did it to me and I wonder why it’s different now. Maybe it’s because I don’t know this guy and Lance is an asshole.

  “Besides, this neighborhood isn’t great. It will be, but this is no place for a woman alone at night.”

  “How do you know it will be?” He’s so sure of himself and I don’t know why I feel the need to challenge him.

  “Because I’m helping to do it.” He shrugs like it’s no big deal as I pull into the parking lot.

  The place is empty except for one or two other cars and there isn’t much light out here. I park as close as I can, but it’s still a good ways away from the entrance and I’m going t
o be looking around paranoid the whole time.

  “Come inside and shop with me,” he says as he goes to open the door.

  “You want me to grocery shop with you?” I ask, turning around to face him.

  “Yeah, you shouldn’t be out here alone. Come keep me company while I buy frozen pizza.” He gets out without waiting for me to respond and comes around to the driver side. He opens the door and holds his hand out. “Besides, they have hot chocolate inside.”

  “I’m more of a coffee girl,” I say as I get out without taking his hand or touching him. Why is this dude so damn charming?

  “So that’s why you’re so short.”

  When I look over, his megawatt smile is enough that this parking lot doesn’t need anything else to light it up.

  “I take it you were corn fed.” I make a show of looking him up and down and I swear I can almost see a blush in his cheeks. This man is not only thick but he doesn’t know how damn cute he is.

  “I’m from the Midwest and I do like corn.” When we walk through the automatic doors, he grabs a cart and pushes it over to the coffee shop located inside. It’s late, but there’s still someone behind the counter. “I’ll take a hot chocolate and whatever the lady would like.”

  “Same,” I mumble.

  “With extra marshmallows,” he tells the guy as he pulls out some cash.

  He’s so polite to the barista and I watch as they exchange a few words. He leaves a nice tip in the jar too that I don’t miss as I walk around to the end to wait for our drinks. For the first time I glance down at his hands and I’m relieved when I don’t see a ring. I don’t even know why I’m bothering to look because it doesn’t matter.

  Harris walks to where I’m standing as we’re passed our drinks and then we take the cart with us as we walk down the aisles of food.

  “I feel better already,” he says, looking over at me and taking a drink. “So, what’s your late-night guilty pleasure?”

  I watch as he grabs a box of double-stuffed Oreos off the shelf and puts them in his cart. Those are my absolute favorite, but I’m not about to admit it.

  “I don’t know. It depends on my mood,” I say, pretending to be cool. What is wrong with me? Why do I care what this guy thinks?

  “Well, I thought that was an easy question. I guess we’ll go straight to it then.” Immediately I become anxious at what he could possibly ask me. “White or wheat?” he asks, holding up two loaves of bread.

  I bite my lip to keep from laughing as I shake my head and point at the white. I’m like a kindergartener when it comes to food. I love only the stuff that is terrible for me.

  “Ah, I see. You’re one of those.” He winks as he places the bread in the cart.

  “One of what?” I pretend to be offended as he grabs chips next.

  “I have no idea, I just like hearing you talk. You seem to answer when I make you mad.”

  I have to tuck my chin so that he doesn’t see the blush on my cheeks. Who the hell is this guy?

  “So how long have you been picking up strangers and then threatening them with pepper spray?” God, could he be any more handsome? He’s got a freaking dimple on one side when he smiles.

  “I’ve been doing it a few months now, but you’re lucky. You were the first one I’ve had to threaten.”

  “I like being your first.” His deep voice is all too knowing and I have to turn around and pretend to read the labels on the cans of tuna so he can’t see my face.

  He can’t possibly know I’m a virgin. Right? Oh god, I want a hole in the ground to open up and swallow me. Is that too much to ask?

  “Do you like it?” he asks as we move to the next aisle.

  “Honestly?” I say, and he stops.

  “Yeah, I’d like for you to be honest with me.”

  “It’s a lot of hours and just okay money. But I’m trying to figure out what to do next.” It’s the first time I’ve said that out loud and it’s just as scary as it is in my head. I have no idea what I’m doing or what the future holds, but I’ve got to do something soon.

  “You seem like you’ve got a good head on your shoulders.” He smiles like he’s got a secret. “I mean, besides not reading instructions on a weapon.”

  “You just can’t let that go, can you?” I say playfully, and he stops pushing the cart to turn and face me.

  “Now why would I ever let you go?”

  He reaches out and for a second, I think he’s going pull me to him. Instead his hand comes up and he barely touches my cheekbone before he pulls it back.

  “Make a wish,” he says, holding an eyelash between his fingers.

  It’s so silly, but I used to do that all the time as a little girl. I’d wish for stupid things like a pony or a unicorn. I haven’t done it in so long, but something about this moment feels really nice. And I haven’t had nice in a very long time.

  Closing my eyes, I think of what my heart wants most in the world and concentrate. When I’ve got my wish in my mind I nod and open my eyes. Harris has moved closer and he’s right in front of me as he holds my wish.

  “You’ve got to blow,” he says softly.

  I look up at him, and his scent of fresh soap and trees invade my senses. I put my lips together and do as he asks and the eyelash floats away. We both stand there, moving closer and closer until suddenly the loudspeaker comes on announcing the store is closing.

  “I guess you better finish your shopping,” I say, taking a step back and trying to catch my breath. What the hell just happened?

  “Yeah, I guess so. Otherwise I might die of starvation.”

  He looks at my mouth when he says it, but he turns the corner and goes down another aisle. Is it my imagination or is there something more happening here? I think the sleep deprivation is playing tricks on me. I’ve got to get some rest or I’m going to go crazy.

  Chapter Four

  Harris

  God, she’s beautiful. I watch her as she stares at the candy display and the cashier scans my groceries. When her pink tongue peeks out I reach over and purposely brush my arm against hers. She doesn't pull away from me as I grab the candy bar she’s been eyeing the whole time.

  “For the car ride,” I say, and she shakes her head and her blonde hair falls over one shoulder.

  She has a tell, but I’m not about to inform her of it. Not when I can exploit it to my advantage. When she wants something, she licks the corner of her lips. I noticed it every time she saw something she wanted. I would grab it and then I’d watch her fight a smile. Or hide her blushes when I’d get too close.

  She’s skittish, but I’m not one to back down from a challenge. I’ve never chased a girl before and I have a feeling I’m going to need to learn how.

  How could I have thought she was a kid when I got into the backseat? I stand here now looking at her and she’s all woman. I breathe deep and her sugary sweet smell feeds a new hunger I’ve never felt before.

  “Will you share?” she asks, tilting her head back to look up at me.

  She’s too small to be wandering around late at night all alone. I don’t care if she lives in Pleasant Hill, she has temptation written all over her and she doesn't even know it. Sure, she knows to be careful, but I don’t think she understands how she brings something out in a man that has him questioning what he’d do to get closer to her.

  I don’t understand how she’s been doing her job for months and no one has tried to lay claim to her. Maybe they didn’t get a good look at her like I did, or maybe she’s not single.

  What dumbass boyfriend would let her drive the streets late at night letting strange men into her car? No, any man who would let that happen didn't deserve her.

  “Okay, fine, you don’t have to,” she laughs, and I realize that I’m clenching my jaw because I’m thinking about her with someone besides me.

  “I’ll share.” I lean in a little more and she doesn't move away. “But only with you,” I add before placing the candy bar onto the checkout counter.

&nb
sp; I relax and try not to focus on something that’s only going to piss me off. She’d only just begun to relax and I don’t want to fuck that up. I’m still trying to understand what’s happening to me. If Simon were here he’d be laughing his ass off. I don’t have a clue what I’m doing, but I’m focused on keeping her calm.

  Her tongue peeks out and I wonder if it’s for me or if she’s thinking about the candy bar again. Either way, I’ll take it.

  “Will that be all, sir?” the cashier asks.

  “That should hold us over for now.” I pull out my card and slide it through the machine. “Don’t you think?” I look back over to Sloan, needing attention from her. What is happening to me?

  “Yeah, I think you’re good.” She shakes her head at me like I’m being ridiculous, which I am.

  I put the groceries into the cart and push it out to the car. She pops the trunk and I load them in before taking the cart back. When I get to the car, she’s already inside with it running. This time I don’t get into the back and instead sit in the passenger seat. She looks at me with surprise for a moment but doesn’t say anything.

  “Is this where we’re going?” she asks as she pops her cell phone onto a holder on the dash.

  “Home sweet home,” I confirm, leaning back so I can watch her.

  I make easy conversation with her as she drives because I want to hear her talk. But the closer we get to my house, the more panic starts to settle over me. I realize the sooner I’m there, the sooner she’ll be gone. I have a feeling she isn't going to agree to go out with me so easily, and I need to seal the deal.

  I pull out my cell phone and scroll to my previous calls. I save her number immediately so at least I have that. It’s not enough, so I shoot a text to my doorman Jim and ask for a small favor. When he responds I put my phone away and go back to giving her all of my attention.