Lift

by Riley, Alexa

  It took everything in me this morning to make myself get off his sofa and leave the comfort of his home. I knew I needed to be out of there before he woke up, and anyone else in the building for that matter.

  Harris is the kind of man that would want to walk me to my car if he was awake; that was clear by how he treated me last night. I wasn't some conquest he’d picked up and tried to get into bed. He hung on my every word when I spoke, and I could tell he was tired but refused to call it a night. I didn't want to leave and I know he didn’t want me to either. I also wasn't prepared to tell him no. He was too charming and sweet when he gave me everything he thought I might want. And all he seemed to want in return was my attention. How was I supposed to turn that down?

  He didn’t make one move on me all night and barely touched me. I’m not sure if he was doing it on purpose because when I tried to lean in closer he wouldn't respond to it. I guess it wasn’t about that for him last night, but after the way he touched his lips to my cheek there is so much more simmering below the surface.

  When I closed my eyes last night, I was only going to pretend to be asleep until he finally went to bed, but the comfort of his home was too much and I had the best sleep I’ve had in months. I jerked myself awake when the sun came up and I knew I had to get out of there. I tempted fate as I kissed his cheek before I left because I thought it would be the last time I’d ever see him again. It was the same place he’d kissed me moments ago.

  When he turns the corner out of my sight I get into my car.

  I told myself this morning would be the last time I saw him, but now look what’s happened. I’m completely full of shit because the second I left his place I had my phone locked in my hand hoping that at any moment he’d text me. It didn’t take him long. I planned to ignore his call, but I was lying to myself, not only texting him back but agreeing to everything the man said.

  I crank up the car because I need to get going. I have to go home at some point or Cara will blow up my phone asking about the cash I made from last night. My phone goes off, and when I look at the screen butterflies flap their wings in my stomach. I smile before I read the text just enjoying the feeling of having something exciting in my life. I’ve been so wrapped up in other things that I didn’t realize it was missing until now.

  Harris: It’s starting to snow. Drive safe.

  His concern is something else I’m not used to. Having someone worry over me has never been a thing. My parents didn't even worry about me when they were around. I was always an afterthought and I didn't know how good it could feel to have it until this moment. Am I getting in over my head?

  “Don’t ask stupid questions,” I mumble to myself in the rearview mirror.

  I’m all too aware that life can change in an instant, but I can’t let my mind go there. I just have to focus on the money and get through this. It’s not like I can text or call him and tell him I can’t do this because I already know the outcome. I’ll cave as soon as he opens his mouth because he has this power over me that I can’t control. First, I have to get myself on my feet and then I can think about the future. Harris is helping me with that by giving me this job today. Maybe he’ll have more work for me in the future and I’m already coming up with ways to be near him more.

  I put the car into drive and pull out into the street as the snow falls all around. Winter was always my favorite time of year, but I’m not so sure I’ll feel the same anymore, especially if I spend the next few days sleeping in the car. I hope Cara’s brother leaves soon, but I’m guessing not with the big bag he brought.

  My phone chimes and I check it when I stop at a red light.

  Harris: Tell me you’ll be careful or I’ll get nothing done today.

  I wonder what it would be like to have him pace in his office while he’s thinking about my safety? As intoxicating as that thought might be, I couldn’t do it to him. I send him a text and smile the whole time.

  Me: I’ll be safe. Now get to work.

  I glance up the red light as another text comes through.

  Harris: You should turn on your location and share it with me. It will make me feel better.

  I click out of the message to turn it on, but right before my finger hits the button I pause and wonder if I should. As if Harris can see me another text comes up.

  Harris: Plus you might need help with where to go today.

  He says what I need to hear, so I do as he asks.

  Harris: Thank you, sweetheart

  The words make my heart skip a beat, but I’m jolted back to reality when a car honks from behind me. I let my foot off the brake and begin to drive. I force my mind somewhere else as best I can. I’ve already planned out the route in my head based on all the places Harris told me to go.

  If I’m good at anything, it’s memorizing. It made school easy for me but also boring. I love driving in the city and finding my way around. It’s been one of the only good things that came from my parents’ situation. I didn't appreciate it enough before, but now that I’m forced to, I see the beauty in it here. It’s become a puzzle and I want to solve it with the fastest way to get from one place to another.

  I ride around picking up and dropping off all the things I’m supposed to. I try not to think about Harris, but that’s like trying not to think of a pink polar bear as soon as someone tells you not to. But at least I’m busy, and that makes it easier to relax. It’s the first day in a long time that I’m not constantly stressed and I’m actually enjoying what I’m doing. Who would have thought Harris had the ability to give me that without being with me?

  When I pull up to the third stop on my list, I park the car and get out. I stand in front of the old church that’s been converted into a bar and I’m in awe. I see a man open the front door and come towards me.

  “She’s beautiful, isn't she?” he says as we both look up at the stained-glass windows.

  “She is,” I admit. “How have I not noticed this place before?” I ask, looking over at the older man.

  “It was only recently restored. She was set for demolition, but Hill saved her.”

  “Harris?” I say, a little surprised. The place is beautiful and makes me wonder why his own home is so empty.

  “Yep. He’s got a thing for old buildings, but he didn't have use for this one.” He shakes his head as if remembering something. “He saved it then talked me into buying it. I swear that man can talk anyone into anything.” There's laughter in his voice and I nod in agreement.

  Even when I tried to push him away he only kept getting closer. I have a fear that sits in the back of my mind that at any moment what little I have could be taken from me for no reason and it’s all because of my past. But maybe Harris can look past that?

  “He has a talent for seeing the beauty in what’s underneath the surface, that’s for sure. People passed this place for years and didn't give the old church a thought. Harris saw what it could become.” His words hit closer to home than he knows.

  Is that how Harris sees me? It’s sweet he might think he can save me, but I should be saving myself. The idea that he wants to come charging into my life gives me hope for the future.

  I look back at the church and wonder if I would be the same. Once he’s done saving me, will he be on to the next? From what I know about him, he’s an admitted workaholic. I’m not sure I’d fare as well as the church did when he moved on to another project.

  “Let me get you those cases,” he says as he walks back into the church and leaves me to stew in my own thoughts. He returns a few moments later and puts the boxes into my car for me. Then he gives me a large tip like all the other places I’ve been today.

  “This is too much.” I raise my voice so he can hear, but he’s already heading back inside. I want to make sure he didn't accidentally give too much.

  “Don’t worry about it.” He throws over his shoulder, saying the same thing as everyone else.

  I look down at the money and wonder if Harris put them up to it. Is this how he’s
going to try and save me? My shoulders drop because the last thing I want is pity. Maybe I’m mistaking kindness for what I thought had been a little flirting.

  I put the money into my pocket and get back into my car. I see I have a message from Cara and I send her a quick text back letting her know I’ll try and come by later. I’ve still got several more places to stop before I’m supposed to meet Harris, and I don’t want to mess anything up.

  Chapter Eight

  Harris

  It’s been a long day and Simon has been frazzled for most of it. My smile is easy as I sit back in the chair and watch the program finish running.

  “How are you so calm?” he asks as he runs his hands through his hair.

  “Because I know that every time we get to this point in the project you stress and worry enough for the both of us.” He rolls his eyes, but I shrug. “I also know that it always works out. We deliver on time and it always goes off without a hitch. Why should this be any different?”

  “I hate when you’re right,” he mumbles as the program completes and the test is a success.

  “Just make sure your tux is pressed for tomorrow,” I say as he stands up and grabs his bag.

  “I’m always ready to be the center of attention. Just don’t embarrass me with a navy suit again.”

  I place a hand over my heart like he hurt me. “Dean said I looked dashing.”

  “He’s a liar.” I laugh as Simon gets his keys and goes to walk to the door, but before he can walk out, he almost runs into Sloan. “Hello there, little one, are you lost?”

  He looks at her like she’s a lost kitten, but that’s probably because he’s always bringing in strays.

  “She’s mine,” I say, and Sloan looks over to me and bites her bottom lip to hide her smile.

  “Is she now?” He holds out his hand and takes hers. “I’m Simon and I know everything about Harris. So, if you want some dirt let me know.” He winks at her and she nods.

  “I’ll keep that in mind because right now he seems too perfect.” When she looks over at me, her blonde hair frames her face and she looks so sweet it makes my teeth hurt.

  “Well, the truth is he is, but don’t tell him I said that.” He leans in close and pretends to whisper. “You’re the first lady he’s ever introduced me to, and I have to say I’m disappointed.” I take a step towards him, but he smiles like I’m not getting the joke. “I was hoping he’d play for my team because I’ve got lots of friends who have been begging for an introduction.”

  Sloan gives me a look and raises her eyebrows.

  “I guess they’ll just all be devastated now. Will I see you tomorrow at the party?” Simon asks Sloan, but I answer for her.

  “She’ll be there.”

  “I guess I will,” she agrees, and I feel warm in my chest.

  “Have fun, kids. I’m going home to a bottle of wine and ten hours of sleep.”

  I nod to him as he leaves and Sloan walks into the control room.

  “I wasn’t sure where to go. The security guard downstairs pointed me—”

  Before she can finish the sentence, I’m rushing over to her and holding her face as I kiss the hell out of her. Her lips are soft and her hands move under my arms and around my back. Her fingers grip the material of my shirt, pulling me closer, and then her mouth opens for me.

  The first taste of her tongue against mine is like a shot of whiskey straight to my body. I’ve been thinking of her nonstop all day and this is the only thing I’ve wanted to do. Well, there was plenty else, but this was first on the list.

  “I forgot my—”

  Simon comes back in the room and Sloan breaks the kiss, burying her face in my chest. I laugh at the look of shock on Simon’s face as he grabs his phone and slowly backs out of the room.

  “Um, don’t mind me. You two have a nice night.”

  When the door closes again, I kiss the top of Sloan’s head until she looks up at me. Her face is bright red and she’s biting her bottom lip.

  “Sorry,” she whispers, but I shake my head and kiss her lips quickly.

  “I should be sorry. I’ve been thinking about kissing you all day and I lost control.” I tuck her hair behind her ear and I feel her hands on my lower back. I kiss her again quickly because I’m unable to stop now that I’ve had a taste of her.

  “I’ve been thinking about you, too.” She looks up at me through her lashes as my thumbs rub under her chin.

  “So, you’ll come with me tomorrow night?” I ask, brushing my lips across hers. Suddenly she tenses and I lean back.

  “I’ll have to see what I’ve got I can wear. I didn’t think about it before I said yes.”

  “Did you go by the shop on Kensington?” I ask, and she nods. “Then you picked it up already.”

  Her eyes widen in shock. “What are you talking about?”

  “One of the errands I had you on today was to pick up a dress for tomorrow. I know it’s a last-minute invitation to a formal event. I didn’t expect you to have a ball gown on hand.” I smile at her and her body relaxes. “I think Simon is the only person I know who actually owns a tuxedo.”

  “What kind of dress did you pick out? How do you even know it will fit? I’ve got so many questions.”

  “Don’t worry about details, sweetheart. Just let me take you on a date.”

  I see the blush creep across her cheeks again as she tucks her chin shyly and nods. “Why don’t you tell me what it is you do?” she says, motioning over to the bank of computers in front of me.

  “A little bit of everything.” I take her hand and lead her over to my seat, but before she can move away I pull her down in my lap. “This is the sound program that we’re running to make sure the acoustics are going to be perfect.”

  “What is this place?” She looks down over the side of the box to all the seats below.

  “It was an old music hall. The neighborhood is going to use it for events. I think at one point they showed old movies here.” I watch her face as she studies the building and then everything in front of us.

  “It’s so beautiful. The theater reminds me of the movie Annie.”

  “Really? Did you like that one growing up?”

  Her eyes light up and she nods. “It was my favorite. I loved that she was in a bad place at the orphanage, but it didn’t stop her spirit. Then she ended up with parents that loved her.” There’s sadness in her eyes and I’m surprised at how my heart aches for her. I want to ask her more, but she shakes her head and smiles. “I must have watched it a thousand times. The part when they go to the movies was my favorite. This theater looks just like that. Will they have movies here?”

  “I think so,” I say as I rub my hand across her shoulder and down her back. I can’t keep my hands off of her. “I’ll have to ask about the schedule of events. We can come back and watch them.”

  “That sounds really nice.” She plays with the collar of my shirt and it seems neither of us can focus right now.

  “Can I take you home?” My voice is low as I lean closer to her. Even with her sitting in my lap I tower over her. “You can see the dress you picked up and I can cook you dinner.”

  “Don’t threaten me with a good time,” she says, and this time it’s her turn to come close and press her lips to mine.

  She’s bold with her kiss and I hold her tight against me while she breathes me in. Her body is molded against mine and my big hand on her ass squeezes hard. God, I want to sink into her and find out just how tight she is. I imagine her pussy has blonde curls and is tight like a fist. The thought of fucking her hard while she clings to me makes me take over our kiss. I demand her attention as I breathe her into me and try to forge our bodies together.

  I don’t know how long we kiss, but by the time she laughs and hugs me close I know it’s been longer than we both realize.

  “Come on, or I’ll be in here with you all night,” I say as I stand up.

  When she turns around I try to adjust my cock, but it’s so big and hard that I
have nowhere for it to go. She turns back just as I’m trying to figure out what to do with my monster and she puts her hands over her mouth.

  “I have nothing to say, other than I really like kissing you.” Her face is as red as a hydrant as I pull her close against me. I lean in close and keep my words low. “Have you had a man between your legs, sweetheart?” When she shakes her head no, I press my lips to her heart. “Don’t worry, I’ll make you a woman.”

  Her body shivers and she gasps as both my hands move to her ass and I hold her tight against my cock. I can feel myself growl low in my chest before I reluctantly let go and hold her hand as we leave the theater.

  “Nobody has ever talked to me that way,” she says once we’re outside.

  “Do you like it?” I kiss the back of her hand as we walk to her car.

  “Yes.” She admits it like she doesn’t want to and now it’s my turn to try and hide my smile.

  I open the driver’s door for her and she gets in. When I go around to the other side and get in, she’s looking at me with curiosity.

  “What?” I drape my hand over the back of the chair and wait.

  “You are unlike any man I’ve ever met.” She cranks up the car and then looks at me again. “And I can’t decide what to do about it.”

  “We don’t have to make a decision tonight,” I say as I lean close and kiss her neck. “But I don’t go in reverse. We can go as slow as you want, but there’s no going back.

  She thinks for a second and then nods before she drives towards my place.

  Chapter Nine

  Sloan