Opposites Attract (The Locklaine Boys Book 2)

by Jessica Prince

  I just didn’t know.

  All I knew was that I wanted her. I felt good when I was around her, and I didn’t want that feeling to go away. It was like I had a devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other. The angel was telling me I was a selfish prick, that it was wrong of me to want to keep things exactly as they were with no promises of anything further than the present. The devil was telling me there was nothing wrong with wanting to take things one day at a time and that Delilah must have felt the same since she’d so readily agreed that what we were doing was enough.

  I knew I was being unfair, but at the same time I couldn’t make myself let her go. But I couldn’t promise more than I was able to give. And things were still so new, so fresh, that I couldn’t possibly know what the future held.

  Or at least that’s what I tried to reason.

  “Hello? Earth to Richard. Paging Richard, there’s a stripper-gram at the front desk for you.”

  That snatched me out of my thoughts and into the present. I gave my head a shake and looked up at where Devon stood, just a few feet into my office.

  “Thought that might get your attention,” she smirked. “Where the hell did you zone off to? I’ve been standing here saying your name for two minutes. You’re lucky you snapped out of it or I’d have had to try the stapler to your forehead to bring you back to reality.”

  “Your affinity for violence it truly terrifying,” I said flatly.

  “Meh,” she waved me off like it as nothing, “As long as you stay on my good side, you’ve got nothing to worry about.”

  “You know my cousin’s a cop, right?” I just felt the need to point that out to her, just in case.

  Her smile was a little frightening. “Yeah, but Pepper likes me more than you. So, what were you thinking so hard about?”

  “Nothing,” I muttered, turning back to my computer screen. While Devon was the one link I had to Delilah, the one person who could help me get inside her head and really figure out what it was she wanted, I couldn’t risk her wrath. She was right when she said I needed her on my side. I wasn’t sure if there was anyone else in Delilah’s life whose opinion she respected more than Devon’s, and on the off chance I did something to epically fuck up what we had — which wasn’t all that unbelievable, seeing as I was a man and men were prone to epic fuckups — I needed to have an advocate in my corner to help get me back in Delilah’s good graces. “Was there something you needed or were you just coming in to give me your daily dose of shit?”

  Her head jerked back as she snorted. “Wow, someone’s panties are in a real twist this morning. Now, I know it’s not due to lack of sex, because our building is sorely under insulated, so you want to tell me what’s really going on, or would you rather stick with the grumpy attitude and risk me slipping something into your coffee that’ll make your partner meeting later today way more interesting?”

  So many things about what she’d just said struck me wrong, but one thing stayed at the forefront of my mind. “You’d really slip something into my coffee?”

  “Wouldn’t be the first time.” Okay, I was officially more than just a little scared of my new assistant. “I got in the habit of keeping Ex-Lax in my desk at my old job for whenever the guy pissed me off, which was pretty often. Poor guy started to flip out and actually went to see a doctor about it.”

  “You do know I’m never drinking a cup of coffee you bring me ever again.”

  “Hey, you play nice, and I’ll play nice. That’s all I ask in this working relationship.”

  I stared at her in amazement. I wasn’t sure whether or not to call security to escort her out or express my appreciation at her creativity. I was leaning more toward the former at the moment. “How is it possible that you and Delilah are best friends?”

  Deciding this was a conversation that was going to last more than just a few seconds, she came the rest of the way into my office and sat down across from me. “Just like any great relationship, we balance each other out. She’s the sweet to my salty, the PB to my J, the—”

  “I’m getting the point.”

  “What I’m getting at, is that we’re each other’s perfect counterparts. She keeps me from doing things that could possibly lead to extended jail time, and I get her drunk and drag her out to find a random guy for sexy debauchery so she doesn’t end up adopting a million cats and crocheting her own clothes. Oh, you’re welcome for that, by the way.”

  I was seriously regretting opening myself up to a conversation with this woman. She was a brilliant assistant, a good friend to Delilah, and a halfway decent neighbor, but the chick was a total fucking nutter. I pinched the bridge of my nose to try and ward off the headache I felt coming. “You know what? I’m sorry I even asked.”

  She stood from the chair and rapped her knuckles on my desk. “Well, good talk. We’ll have to do this again soon.”

  She started for the door and that was when I realized she hadn’t actually said why she’d come in in the first place. “Wait, was there something you needed?”

  “Oh, I just wanted to let you know your mom called… for the third time. With the wedding getting closer, I guess she’s going into Momzilla mode and wanted to pour all her irrational mother-of-the-groom woes on your shoulders. She said something about you being the good son so I guess you’re the whipping boy for this one. You know how mom’s get when it comes to weddings and grandbabies.”

  “Fuck me,” I groaned. “What did you tell her?”

  She smiled proudly. “That you were in a mediation scheduled to last the duration of the week. You’re welcome for that, too.”

  Damn it, if she kept going at this rate, I was going to have to give her a raise. “Thank you.”

  “No problem. And don’t worry. I’m keeping a running tally of every time you owe me one. I’ll collect one of these days.”

  She turned to go again when something else dawned on me. “Devon, can I get you to do me a personal favor?”

  She quirked an eyebrow, clearly planning on giving me shit. “Depends on what it is and what I’ll get out of it.” And I was right.

  “I’m taking Delilah on a date tomorrow night. Could you call and make a reservation at Delicieux?” It was the hottest French restaurant in Manhattan. I thought it would have been a perfect place for the official first date you took a woman who you’d already fucked every way but sideways on. Devon’s next words let me know I’d obviously thought wrong.

  “You’re kidding, right?”

  “What?” I asked, suddenly feeling very inferior. “What’s wrong with that place? It’s a Michelin starred restaurant. One of the finest in the city!” I argued.

  She turned to face me fully and put her hands on her hips. “And what about Delilah makes you think that’s what she’s into?”

  “But—”

  Devon interrupted. “It’s a nice thought, Rich, really. But Delilah isn’t that kind of girl. She doesn’t need frills and expensive dinners. She’s low-key. She’d only feel out of place somewhere like Delicieux. You don’t have to lay out a butt-load of cash to impress her. You just have to be genuine.”

  My elbows hit my desk and I propped my forehead in my palms and began massaging my temples. “Then what do you suggest?”

  “I’ll make you guys a reservation at Taj. She loves that place.”

  “The Indian restaurant where you sit on the floor and eat with your hands?” I couldn’t hold back the disbelief in my voice or stop my lip from curling up. That so wasn’t what I wanted for our first date. Suddenly I’d gone from an acclaimed five-star restaurant where the chef had won a James Beard award, to sitting on the ground with no utensils.

  “Sometimes you have to step out of your comfort zone for the people you care about. Taj has killer food and a laid back atmosphere. Not only does she love the place, but she’ll be comfortable there and you’ll get the real Delilah. Not some stiff version who’s watching everything she says so she doesn’t embarrass you.”

  Oh Jesus, Yep, this Devil wom
an had more than earned a raise. If she kept going the way she was, she’d eventually be making more than me.

  “All right. Taj it is,” I relented.

  She clapped her hands in excitement. “Don’t look so sour, Boss Man. Have I steered you wrong yet?”

  “No,” I sighed.

  “Then trust me.” She spun around once again, only to pause like she’d forgotten something. “Oh, and if you hurt her, I’ll cut your dick off and shove it so far down your throat you’ll choke on it. ‘Kay, bye!” she added cheerfully before disappearing out the doorway, leaving me cupping my balls protectively. I had a strong feeling that, the longer Delilah and I lasted, the more I’d have to work to protect my body from physical harm at the hands of Devon.

  The woman was certifiable.

  Thank God she liked me. At least for now.

  Lord only knew what would happen as more time passed. The Locklaine men weren’t known for making the best decisions. Griffin damn near had to walk through fire to prove to Pepper he was worth it. Rowan nearly got shot by Navie’s shotgun-wielding foster brother. And just look at what had happened with Bree and me.

  My entire body locked up at the reminder of my bitch of an ex-wife.

  Fuck, I needed a drink, and it was barely ten in the morning.

  I WAS GOING ON a date.

  I couldn’t remember the last time a man had taken me on a date. Brant stopped years before we actually broke up.

  But Richard Locklaine was taking me on a date.

  I was going to pass out.

  “You are not going to pass out. Stop it,” Devon snapped from her place on my bed.

  I looked at her through the mirror hanging on the back of my closet door. “How did you—?”

  “You’re making that OMG-I-can’t-breathe-I’m-losing-my-shit-all-over-the-place face right now. It kind of looks like you’re having a stroke.”

  I gave her the stink-eye through the mirror. “I hate you. You know that, right?”

  She waved her hand and flopped back on the mattress. “Nah. You love me.” Her eyes did a sweep of me from top to toe. “Where the black peep-toe heels with the little bow on top. They’re cute and flirty. They’ll look perfect with that dress.”

  I scanned the dress again, still unsure how I felt about it. It was a flowy, black, sleeveless A-line dress with a white paisley pattern. There was a ribbon that tied at the back of my neck, holding the high-cut top of the dress in place, and a thin white belt at my waist. It hit a little longer than mid-thigh, but other than that there wasn’t anything risqué in the slightest.

  “Are you sure I shouldn’t wear something else?” I asked, pinching the sides of the skirt and lifting them up before letting them fall in wisps back down by my legs. Isn’t it a little… I don’t know… boring?”

  Devon stood from the bed and came up behind me, smacking my butt as she said, “It’s not boring, it’s sweet and innocent.”

  “I don’t want sweet and innocent,” I pouted. “I want…”

  “To be hot?” she asked with a knowing smirk when I trailed off.

  “Yeah,” I agreed quietly. “I want to be hot.”

  “Trust me, babe,” she said, placing her hands on my shoulder as we looked at each other through the mirror. “Innocent and sweet are never a bad thing.” She moved away and picked up a tiny bag that had been laying on my bed. Shady barely moved in acknowledgment from his spot on my pillow. “Especially when you’re wearing these underneath.”

  I took a peek into the bag and my face instantly grew hot. “Are you serious right now? I don’t even know how to get this stuff on.”

  “And that’s what you have me for. I’ll help you get it on and Richard will be the one to rip it all off. All you have to do at dinner tonight is make sure to “accidentally” flash a little thigh so he can see the lace of the thigh highs and you’ll be set.”

  I looked from the bag, to her, back to the bag. “You sure about this?”

  Devon placed her hand on her chest with a solemn expression on her face. “I will be happy to accept any apologies for doubting my genius tomorrow morning in the form of coffee and donuts. Until then, strip, let’s get you all sexified. You know what I always say, a man wants a lady in the street and a freak in the sheets… It’s like what they say about mullets, only way better.”

  “OH, I LOVE THIS place!” I declared when the cab pulled up in front of Taj. I’d spent so much time wondering where he was going to take me, if I’d be forced to stare at menus written in a language I didn’t understand, or eat meals that weren’t fit for a bird, that the surprise was a much appreciated one. “They have the best chicken curry here. Just wait until you try it.”

  Richard climbed from the cab and help out his hand to assist me. “I’m glad you approve, cutie,” he smiled down at me, leaving me no choice but to smile back.

  I gave him a playful, narrow-eyed look as he led me into the restaurant, still holding onto my hand. “How did you know this was one of my favorite restaurants?”

  “I might have had a little inside help,” he winked back at me before giving his name to the hostess, then he turned back to me. “Devon is proving to be more useful than I ever expected. I’m convinced she could take over the world if she really put her mind to it.”

  “She’s considered it. She just says she hasn’t been able to find enough time in the day to plan out her world domination.” I told him as we made our way to a small round table that sat low to the ground, plush, brightly colored pillows scattered all around as seating.

  His hand tightened around mine, drawing my attention back to his face. “Your best friend scares the shit out of me, baby.”

  I reluctantly pulled my hand from his grasp in order to take a seat on a few of the pillows. “That fear is what will keep you safe. Don’t let go of it.” As I began lowering myself, I thought about Devon’s instructions from earlier and lifted the hem of my dress as discreetly as possible, making it look as though it were necessary in order for me to take my seat. I knew the moment the lace from my thigh-highs became visible, because those clear blue eyes of his flashed dark, instantly heating as he stared, unmoving.

  “You okay?” I asked as casually as possible, thankful for the dim light in the restaurant, making it possible to hide the heated blush in my cheeks. “You look tense all of a sudden.” If I could have gotten away with it, I would have high-fived myself for pulling off sounding so casual.

  Richard cleared his throat and lowered himself to the cushions across from me. “Uh, yeah. I’m good.”

  “Great, I smiled, picking up the menu in order to hide the fierce red in my face and neck. “So what are you thinking of getting?” When he didn’t answer, I lowered my menu just enough to see him staring very intently on my dress. “Richard?”

  His gaze shot to mine. “What?”

  “I asked if you knew what you were going to order.”

  He gave his head a shake before speaking in a low voice, “Sorry, but I’m not going to be able to think straight until I know what the fuck you’re wearing under that dress, cutie. I caught a glimpse and now it’s driving me out of my goddamned mind.”

  When my face heated that time, it was for an entirely different reason. “It’s a surprise,” I managed in a quiet voice. The man had seen every inch of me, had touched it, trailed his tongue along it, but I still found myself getting shy and somewhat nervous in his presence. I wasn’t sure that would ever end. It was just part of the awkwardness gene I’d been born with.

  “Hmm,” he hummed from across the table, a pleased smile stretching across his lips. “Something to look forward to.”

  Score one for Devon being right.

  “OH SHIT!” MY EYES clenched shut and my head fell back as Richard continued to drive into me.

  “That’s it, baby,” he panted, fisting his hand in my hair so he could force my face back down. He was resting on his haunches in his bed, I was straddling his lap, grinding down on his cock as he powered up into me at an almost b
rutal pace. “Squeeze my cock. I want to feel you come all over me.”

  That was all it took send me careening headlong into an orgasm of epic proportions. As soon as I started clenching and crying out his name, Richard moved. Before I could even blink, he pulled out, flipped me onto my knees and shoved back in, fucking me like an animal. Wrapping my hair around his fist again, this time he used it like a reign as he moved in and out of me, each thrust of his cock prolonging my release until my arms collapsed under the weight of pleasure, unable to hold myself up any longer, my face fell into the pillows, muffling my screams and moans as his hips picked up the pace.

  “Fucking, shit, baby. You fit me so good. Your pussy was made for me, Del. Just for me.”

  That sent me into another tailspin. My back arched but I was so drained already, I couldn’t do anything more than whimper as I came for a second time.

  “Yeah, baby. That’s it. That’s it. Christ, I can feel you. Fuckfuckfuck, I’m coming baby!” He buried himself as deep as he could go and roared as his cock twitched inside me until there was nothing left. Both of us fell to the bed, sucking in air like we’d just run an entire marathon at a full sprint. I shivered as his softening dick slid from inside me. He gave me a quick kiss on the forehead before leaving the bed to go deal with the condom. When he came back, he jerked the covers over the both of us and pulled me flush against his side, one arm wrapped around my lower back as the other toyed with my hair, stroking gently.

  I nestled further into him, inhaling the lingering remnants of his spicy cologne as I rested my head on his shoulder. “Good night, Richard,” I muttered sleepily.

  “You too, baby.”

  “I had a lot of fun on our date tonight.”

  And that wasn’t a lie. We’d spent hours eating great food and laughing. I shared stories of growing up with Jace and Devon and he’d told me all about the mischief he’d gotten into with Rowan and his cousins. Needless to say, the Locklaine family reunions were probably more entertaining than I could handle.