Lift

by Riley, Alexa

  When I open the candy bar, I break her off some of it and hold it out.

  “It’s okay, you don’t have to do that.” She glances at the piece of chocolate and then back to the road.

  “You’ll hurt my feelings if you don’t.”

  She smiles at me and rolls her eyes a little but reaches out and takes it from me. She eats the whole piece at once and then makes a small humming sound. I have to look away because it’s almost erotic and I’ve got to focus. Otherwise I’ll stare at her like a dog while she drives.

  I offer her another and this time she doesn't fight me. When she chews, she makes the sound again and I fight my own groan. Why does it sound like she’s sliding down on my cock?

  “You’re hungry,” I say absently as I clear my throat and hand her another piece.

  “I’ll live,” she says as she chews, and I wonder how often she goes without eating.

  “Come home with me,” I blurt out. She looks over at me skeptically. “Let me feed you dinner,” I add quickly.

  I wonder if I can keep her from going back out tonight? It’s already so late and I worry about her picking up someone else.

  “I shouldn't.” I watch her tongue touch the side of her mouth and it’s my sign that she wants to.

  “You’ll have to help me carry all this stuff up anyway.” I motion to the trunk of the car. “I’ll make sure to tip you for the help,” I add on to try and give her reason to say yes.

  It’s obvious she needs the money if she’s in this line of work, and I saw how fast she took the cash from my hand. Knowing she’s in need of something is another thing I can add to the don’t care for pile. The list is growing quickly, but good thing I’ve always enjoyed checking things off of them. Getting rid of a boyfriend, check. Making sure she has what she needs, check. Like all things in life, my brain is already coming up with ideas of how to get these things done.

  “I did share my candy bar with you.” I hold up the empty wrapper.

  “Oh my god, I ate the whole thing.”

  She fights a laugh, but it comes out of her and the sound fills the car. When she snorts, she covers her mouth with her hand and giggles more. I have to clench my hands to keep from reaching for her and causing a wreck. Why is she so goddamn cute?

  “I guess it’s the least I could do after eating the whole thing,” she says and then smiles at me.

  But as soon as we pull up to the building, I watch her unease return.

  Chapter Five

  Sloan

  Crap. I hadn't really thought about where we were headed until we pulled up to Harris’s building. It’s the nicest place in the nicest part of the city. My laughter dies away and I feel a faint trace of regret in offering to help him. But I need the money—what else was I supposed to do?

  I wanted to say yes when he asked to make me dinner. For the first time in a long time I was having fun and enjoying myself. He has no idea who I am. To him I’m just a girl who takes people where they want to go. With him I can live in the moment for a while. Until we pull up to his place and it comes tumbling back. It won’t take long for him to find out who I am if he wants to or not. It’s clear from the building he lives in he comes from money. The kind that know people like my parents. What if someone recognizes me?

  “You okay?” Harris asks as I pull into an empty parking spot and put the car into park.

  He’s good at reading me, which means I’ll have to do better to keep him at a distance.

  “Yeah, just tired,” I admit, and it’s the truth. Though it’s not only lack of sleep that’s wearing me down. I’m tired of a lot of things, and keeping people at an arm's length is the main one right now.

  “Come on.” He gets out of the car, and before I have my seat belt off he’s on my side and opening the door for me. This time he doesn't offer me his hand and instead reaches inside and takes my hand so I don’t have the choice to refuse him.

  “What did I say about keeping your hands to yourself?” I remind him, but I don’t pull away from his touch.

  “I thought we moved past that when you ate all my chocolate.” His smile summons my own and I’m warm all over. How does he keep doing that?

  “Wow, you like to hold a grudge,” I tease him as he closes the car door for me and I pop the trunk.

  “Like I said, you talk more when I aggravate you.”

  He reaches into the trunk and hands me one bag before taking the rest for himself. I start to tell him he could just carry all of them but stop myself. I remind myself this is about the tip money and not about wanting to spend more time with him.

  I don't have anywhere to be besides back in the car for the night. I’d already made up my mind that I wasn’t going home after I left the apartment this morning. I could score a hotel with the hundred I’d shamelessly snatched right out of Harris’s hand, but I won’t let myself. It would be like throwing money away and I’m smarter than that.

  I follow Harris towards his building, and the closer we get the more I think this is a bad idea. Someone could recognize me. My stomach starts to tighten. I wonder if maybe I can give the bag to his doorman and he could help him bring it up, but when we enter the building I don’t see one. The lobby is deserted and I’m relieved that there’s no one else around, but then I remember it is the middle of the night.

  It’s happened a few times where I ran into someone who was pissed about losing their money and took it out on me. It’s always so embarrassing, even though I know it wasn't my fault. Being yelled at in public for being a thief sucks. I don't try to argue and defend myself anymore. Instead I just try and get away from it. It would be worse if it happened in front of Harris because he’s been so nice to me. That’s probably the reason I’m attracted to him.

  I follow him past the main bank of elevators and have to stifle a groan when he slides his key into a private one at the end of the hall.

  “What’s your last name?” I ask as I step onto the elevator and he follows in after me.

  “Hill.” He hits the button for the top floor as I try and shuffle through names of the people my parents screwed over. Nothing comes to mind, but I never paid close attention.

  “Yours?” he asks just as the doors open and I’m saved from answering.

  His place is completely bare and I walk in and make a show of looking around.

  “I wasn't sure what to expect, but this wasn't it.” He isn’t wearing a ring, so I assume this is a bachelor pad, but there’s nothing here. I realize that he might be new to town and that’s why I don’t know his name. “Did you just move in?”

  “Sadly I’ve been here a while.” He smiles as I look around again and take in the simple couch and chair with a coffee table. “I was told the place was a steal and I should buy it as an investment property.” I follow him into the bright white kitchen that looks high tech. “I really don’t care where I sleep. As long as I can grab a few hours here and there I’m good.”

  “Must be nice,” I mumble without thinking about what I’m saying.

  He stills at my slip-up and his eyes come to mine. I watch concern cross his face and then I feel like a jerk for saying it. It’s not his fault he’s rich and I’m in my situation.

  “Let me make you dinner.” His voice is softer now, but there’s pity in it.

  “I don’t need your charity.” I place the one bag he gave me down onto the counter and cross my arms.

  “That’s not why I’m asking you.” He braces his hands on the counter and looks like he’s gearing up for a fight, but I don’t want that with him. “I want you to stay because I asked you to and you want to be here. I’m enjoying myself outside of the office, which never happens.” He smiles and I see his dimple. I think about what it would be like to lean into his big body and kiss him there. He’d have to lean down a little for me to reach it, or maybe I could if I stood on my tip toes. “Stay,” he says softly, and I can’t say no.

  “Okay,” I agree, and it feels nice to have someone want me around. “But I can’t cook

for shit,” I admit as I sit down on one of the tall chairs under the counter.

  “You’re in luck. I spent my Sundays in the kitchen with my mom and I know my way around.” He smiles as he starts to unpack the groceries and passes me the Oreos. I can’t stop myself from taking one.

  “Is that what good old boys from the Midwest do on Sunday?”

  “Nah, I spend them at work or yelling at the Eagles when they play. I was raised here, sweetheart.”

  His term of endearment catches me off guard as he places a glass of milk in front of me.

  “Don’t fill up on cookies. I’m going to feed you.” I nod as I watch him move around the kitchen. The place looks unlived in, but he knows his way around.

  “You said the Midwest earlier.”

  “I was born there. My mom is from the Midwest and I spent my summers there with my grandparents. My parents moved back there when my dad retired. I’ve still got the city in my blood. I’ve been here almost my whole life.”

  When he says that I know all I’ll have with him is tonight. There’s no way he won’t find out who I am and what my family has done. Our circles are too small. I’m surprised that I don’t already know him, but I bet Cara does.

  I smile at him and I know I’m going to take what I can get. Even if it’s only for tonight, I’m going to pretend I’m not me. I’m just a girl having dinner with a kind man, because that’s all this can ever be.

  Chapter Six

  Harris

  We talked for hours until she fell asleep on the sofa. I didn’t want to wake her up, so I covered her with a blanket and watched her. I must have fallen asleep with her because the next thing I knew I was waking up alone in the apartment.

  I looked around thinking maybe she was using the bathroom, but when I called down to security they said I’d just missed her by a few minutes. I thought about running after her, but I didn’t want to come off as completely crazy. Instead I grab my phone and send a quick text.

  Me: Were you waiting for me to fall asleep so you could sneak out? I didn’t think I was that boring.

  I wait a second and then send her another.

  Me: Seriously, though, I had a great time last night. Want to come back to my barren place and have dinner again tonight?

  I know she’s standoffish, but I’ve got to at least try. I can’t let her get away, and I’m not going to let her go so easily. I’m staring at my phone, willing her to text me back, when it finally chimes.

  Sloan: Maybe if you didn’t snore so loud I would have kept on sleeping ;)

  She doesn't turn me down right away, which is a good sign, but I need a confirmation.

  Me: I don’t believe you. Have breakfast with me and let me make it up to you.

  There’s a long moment before I can see she’s typing and her message finally comes back.

  Sloan: I’m going to work all day. I might be able to do something later just depending on how it goes. Can I text you later?

  It’s not an outright no, which I feel like might be progress. But it’s seven in the morning and I know she only had two or three hours of sleep at most. She shouldn’t be driving if she’s tired. I think for a second before I respond, and in the mean time she texts me again.

  Sloan: Don’t feel like you owe me anything. I had fun last night, but we can leave it at that.

  I shake my head because it’s like she’s trying to give me a way out.

  Me: Pump your brakes, sweetheart. I’ve got a ton of things I need help with today and if you’re working then maybe we can work something out?

  Sloan: Like what…

  Me: Meet me at the coffee shop on 11th and Garden in fifteen minutes. I’ll get you a coffee as black as your soul and tell you what I need.

  Sloan: See you there.

  I take a quick shower and change clothes then grab my messenger bag. I race down to the coffee shop, and when I get there I see Sloan sitting by the window. She’s wearing a different sweatshirt and her hair is pulled up in the cap from yesterday. She smiles at me and I feel like she just made my whole day before it’s even begun.

  When I sit down a waitress comes over and takes our order. I add on food with the coffee because I know Sloan hasn’t eaten since she left and I don’t think she’ll order if I tell her I’m paying. When she takes our order and walks away, I give Sloan a hard look.

  “Number one, I don’t snore.”

  She’s smug as she sips her coffee, and I wish I could lean forward and kiss her.

  “Agree to disagree,” she says as she wraps her hands around the warm mug.

  “Number two, don’t do that again.”

  “Do what?” Her eyebrows pull together in confusion.

  “Run out on me like that. You scared me.” I see a little color come to her cheeks and she nods ever so slightly.

  “Sorry, I just didn’t want it to be awkward.” She shrugs, and for the first time I see vulnerability in her eyes. “Anyway, what do you need me to help you with?”

  “I’m coming to the end of a really big project and there’s a really big celebration tomorrow night. I’d like some help getting ready for that, and I can’t be in two places at once.”

  “Okay.” She sounds hesitant to agree so I keep talking.

  “You’d be perfect for the job. I need someone who can go to places for me and pick stuff up and deliver it. I’m sure there is a company that can do it, but I need someone I can trust.”

  She looks surprised as she stares at me. “You trust me?”

  “I mean, not with a bottle of pepper spray, but with everything else, yeah.” She rolls her eyes and I’m happy to see her smirk. “Seriously, let me hire you for the day. I’ll pay you whatever you’d charge if you’d keep the meter running and you get to keep the tips anyone gives you for the deliveries.”

  I see her doing the mental calculations and then she nods her head slightly. “Can we do cash so I don’t have to go through the company? They take a pretty good chunk when I use their program.”

  “Absolutely.” I hate that she has to drive the car, but it’s honest work at least. And it’s a really nice car as well. I forgot to ask her about that, but it doesn’t seem like the right moment.

  The waitress brings over our food and sets it down in front of us. I push a plate towards her and she tries to refuse before I nudge the plate closer. Finally she grabs a fork and we dig in.

  I tell her the places I need her to go and what she needs to pick up. She takes notes and writes down street names as she goes. I can tell she’s really smart, skilled and organized and also knowledgeable about the city.

  “You know this place like the back of your hand,” I say as she changes the order of the places I’ve given her based on the route she’s going to take.

  She smiles at me and there’s something close to pride in her eyes. “I’ve got a few talents.”

  “I know,” I say as I reach out my hand and place it next to hers on the table.

  My fingers graze hers and she doesn’t pull away. I’m sleep deprived and overworked, but right now I feel like I could run the Boston Marathon if she asked me to. I’ve never felt more alive with someone or more at peace. Her soft brown eyes look up at me and there’s a question there. I don’t know what it is, but it feels like she’s wanting me to make her a promise.

  We stay like that for one long moment, each of us trying to say what we’re afraid to and both of us unwilling to break the moment.

  Unfortunately my cell phone does it for us when it begins to ring. The song “Eye of the Tiger” begins to blare and I want to choke Simon. I reach into my pocket and pull it out and hit ignore.

  “It’s okay, you can take it,” she says.

  Just as I’m ignoring the call and telling her it’s fine, the song blares to life again. I sigh as I apologize and answer.

  “This better be good,” I say before Simon can speak.

  “The inspector from the city is here, where are you?”

  “Shit.” I completely forgot.