by Aliyah Burke
The plate wobbled in her hand. “A date?” Her voice sounded like a squeak.
“Yes. So will you, Ariel Greene, go on a date with me?”
“A date?” she asked again.
“Yes. Not to a ballgame either or a sports bar. Dressy. Somewhere nice where we’re not shouting to be heard or having beer spilled on us by the row above or tossed on us from the ones below.”
Her mind began to list the reasons this would be a bad idea. Her mouth, however, moved and replied, “Sure.”
Tuck was quiet for a moment. “Wonderful. I’ll see you when you get back then, Ariel. Be safe.” He hung up.
She slipped her phone back in her pocket and went to fix her burger, sort of dazed. Tuck Carter had just asked her out on an actual date. He didn’t usually do that with women he’d already taken to bed. She could count on one hand the number of times she’d seen him with the same woman more than once.
* * * *
It was late when she entered her building. She yawned as she got her mail, disgusted with the amount of crap that had arrived. Should have had them get my mail again as well as water my plants. Then she made her way to the stairs and began climbing.
Regretting her choice to walk as she made it up the last section before her floor, she heard a man talking. Steve. He didn’t sound happy and she nearly went back down to give him privacy. Her legs and exhausted brain made the final decision. She didn’t have anything left, all the way around.
Ariel readjusted her sea bag on one shoulder and tromped up the final few steps. Steve seemed shocked to see her. She gave him a small wave and went immediately to her door, slipping inside as soon as it was unlocked.
She shut it behind her, dropped the bag and stumbled to her bed after a brief stop in the bathroom. Unfortunately, just because she’d been delayed didn’t mean her rousing hour for work had changed. When her alarm sounded, she’d managed almost two hours of sleep.
“That was definitely not enough sleep.” She went to her living room and grabbed her previously discarded bag. After emptying it, she showered then picked out a skirt suit to wear as she dried. Coffee in her travel mug, she shouldered her purse and walked, fully dressed for work, out of the door.
Beyoncé accompanied her into work as her latest CD played in Ariel’s vehicle. Past the gate guard, she drove up to the fifth floor and parked in her usual spot. Her drink was nearly finished and she made a mental note to fix more as soon as she got in. Connie was there as she entered.
“You do know it’s okay to call in after a two week stint like that, right?” The petite woman arched an eyebrow at her.
Ariel shrugged. “What fun would that be?”
Connie rolled her eyes. “I figured as much. That being said, I started your coffee pot since I figured you could use a bit extra. Messages are on your desk in order of importance, top being the most critical to return.”
“You do know you don’t have to do those things for me, Connie.”
“I know, but I like you so I don’t mind.”
“I can’t tell you how much it’s appreciated, either.”
The women passed through to the back hall. Connie easily kept pace despite their height difference. Ariel wasn’t fooled—she knew Connie could kick her ass. Connie was more than the first face you saw upon entering Prometheus Protections—she was also Slater’s personal bodyguard.
“Tell me about that hottie, Mr Carter.”
“What’s to tell?” Christ, I even think about him and my body flushes heat.
“Please. Slater may not see how things are there but I sure did. Now dish.”
Ariel entered her office, smiling when the rich scent of freshly brewed coffee met her with welcoming arms. “Not gonna let it go, are you?”
“Hell, no. We don’t open for an hour so I’m not needed up front. I’ve been in a dry spell, have to live vicariously through you. So give me deets and make them juicy.”
She laughed. “Sometimes I forget we’re the same age, Connie.”
Connie joined her and sat in one of the chairs. “I know, most do. Come on, do tell. I need to hear. How is he?”
Ariel topped off her mug and sat after putting her purse in the bottom drawer of her desk. “Unfuckingbelieveable.”
Connie squealed and slid the chair closer. “How did it happen? At the work site? Somewhere dirty where he took you against a wall and you didn’t care? Or was it after a nice dinner?” She narrowed her eyes. “Work site. You have freak written all over you.”
She snorted and curved her fingers around the mug. “He’s my neighbour, has been since I moved out here. We went to a Missions game then out. Back at the building I told him”—she shook her head in disbelief—“I told him if he only knew how many batteries I went through because of him.”
“You didn’t!” Her eyes were wide.
“Not one of my finest moments. Then I kissed him and woke up in his bed.”
“How was he?” She leant forward even more.
“It hurt to walk the following day.”
Connie erupted with laughter and clapped. “Now, the work site. Don’t keep me in suspense. You two got your freak on there, didn’t you?”
Ariel ducked her head and Connie howled louder.
“I knew it. I knew it! I need details. How many times?”
Ariel blew out a breath. “Six.”
“Oh God, I need me some of that.”
“Some of what?” Slater’s question entered their conversation.
It was like a switch had been thrown. Connie stopped laughing, her expression returning to the no-nonsense one she normally sported.
“Coffee,” Connie deadpanned. She rose and smoothed down her black suit coat. “Glad you made it back safe, Ariel.”
“Dinner tonight, Connie. After work. You and me.”
Her smile was fleeting. “Sounds good.” She left, skirting Slater.
“Something I said?” her boss asked.
She sipped some coffee and shrugged. “Just talking about sex—she probably didn’t want you to hear.”
He held up his hands and shook his head. “I don’t want to know.”
Hiding her smirk, she replied, “You asked.”
“Connie wouldn’t talk about sex. And I don’t want to think about it even if she did.”
Apparently Slater only saw one side of Connie.
“Believe what you will.”
Slater backed out of her office. “Swing by when you finish your stuff here.”
“You got it.”
Work was busy and passed quickly. New clients, new accounts and some to close out.
Connie buzzed her. “Yes, Connie?”
“There’s a Mr Schaffer to see you.”
Damn. “I’ll be right there.”
“Very good, ma’am.”
Ariel replaced the receiver and slipped her feet back into her pumps she’d kicked off earlier, groaning. Thomas Schaffer had been a pain in her side since the walk-through at the museum.
I’m so not looking forward to this.
Ensuring her badge and pin were clipped to her outfit, she made her way to the front. She passed through the door visitors couldn’t get by without a member of Prometheus escorting them and saw him. He stood by the window, staring out over San Antonio. His three thousand dollar suit fitted him well and did absolutely nothing for her.
“Mr Schaffer, what can I do for you?” Her voice carried to him and he turned, although she’d bet he had been watching for her reflection in the window. With a practised smile on her face, she waited for him to speak.
He didn’t right away, just watched her in a way that made her skin crawl.
“Think about where you want to go for dinner. My only request—make sure there’s alcohol served, I have a feeling after this I’m going to need a drink. Or five,” she whispered to Connie as she went by her to meet him.
* * * *
Tuck stared at the downpour that streamed by the window. Behind him, the radio talked about the incre
ased threat of tornados and he shook his head before picking up his radio.
“That’s it, guys, we’re done for the day. Pack it in, go home and be safe.”
He waited for everyone to leave before doing one last walk-through of the place, ensuring all was as secure as he could make it. There was just no point in continuing to work at a site that had so many projectiles if they were talking tornado.
Standing near the front, he dialled Richard and told him he’d sent the men home. Then he dashed through the downpour to his truck and hopped in. After passing the gate, he jumped out and locked it before getting back into his vehicle, soaking wet. It wasn’t pretty out there, that was for sure.
He hadn’t seen Ariel yet and he knew she’d been back a day at least. Tomorrow was their date—he’d put the note on her door last night and when he’d left this morning for work, it had been gone. He was looking forward to it.
After stopping off at the grocery store, he made it back to his place. The skies had got even darker and the rain came harder as he ran inside, carrying the bags. Shaking his head to remove some of the rain, he eyed the elevator and got in with a couple from the third floor. They exchanged pleasantries then he fell silent.
He got off on his floor and went to his apartment, casting a look over his shoulder to her door. It was shut tight.
Inside his place, he changed into some dry clothes before putting away the groceries. He heard laughter outside the door and went to look. Ariel stood there soaked from head to foot with another woman. He almost didn’t recognise her but did after a moment. She’d been at Prometheus Protections behind the front desk. Then, she’d looked severe. Now, in jeans and a T-shirt she seemed more approachable.
“Hello, Ariel,” he said, leaning against the doorframe, hooking his ankles and crossing his arms. “You look a bit wet.”
The women shared a look and snorted. “Just a bit,” she quipped. “Tuck, this is Connie. Connie, this is Tuck.”
Connie grinned at him and he wondered if he’d just passed some kind of test. “So nice to meet you again, Tuck.”
“And you. So, what are you ladies up to this stormy afternoon?”
“We’re going to have pizza and continue talking about sex like we did at dinner last night.” Ariel gave him a smirk. “Care to join us?”
Now, he might want to spend as much time with her as he could, but even he knew better. “I think I should pass.”
“Are you sure?” Connie asked. “We’d love to get your opinion on things.”
Yep, Ariel had told her friend about them. At least I ranked important enough to do that. “Again, I think I’ll pass. I have some work of my own to do.”
Ariel shrugged. “Suit yourself. Not sure what there’s to be scared of, but hey, if you are…” She blinked. “You are.”
He walked across to stand before his dripping goddess. “I would be insane to claim otherwise. Talking sex with two women—no thank you.” He kissed her, revelling in the taste of her. “Don’t forget about tomorrow.”
“I haven’t forgotten,” she muttered.
“You two have fun now.” He strode back to his apartment and shut the door before his cock overruled his good sense. “Pizza sounds good, though.”
Tuck searched their freezer and pulled one out for himself. As it cooked, he got to work on his house—Richard had asked him to finish the plans so he could see them. The man was still talking about helping him get off the ground with his own business. Tuck was going to take advantage and see what happened.
Occasionally, however, his attention and gaze drifted to the door, as if he could see through into Ariel’s apartment and whatever the women were doing. His perverted mind had them having pillow fights and other things, clad in very little clothing, if any.
He pulled the pizza out when Steve came in, as soaked as everyone else seemed to be this day.
“Hey, man.”
“What’s going on at Ariel’s?” he asked.
“She and a co-worker are having pizza and talking sex. Or so that’s what they told me when they invited me to participate in the discussion.”
Steve shook his head. “I see you made the right choice.”
“Man, even I know better than to do that. But the pizza sounded good so I made one.”
“Let me get into something that isn’t like I fell into the Gulf of Mexico and I’ll be right back.”
Ten minutes later, they were eating in the living room.
“So how are things going with the new venture?” Steve asked.
“I’ve been working on finishing up the house this afternoon. Richard asked to see the completed plans. He’s been on me nearly daily since he took me out to see that parcel of land. So I don’t want to keep him waiting anymore. Don’t get many ops like this to have part of the day off. I’m taking advantage of it.”
“Excellent. I looked into the building for you and brought back the details.”
Tuck leant forward. “Do you think it will work?”
Steve was a realtor but also had the benefit of being a real estate attorney.
“I liked the area and the building looked sound from a contractor’s point of view.”
“I personally don’t like the lease they’re trying to sign someone to but I brought it for you to look at. After you go over it, we can talk about the points which strike me as wrong and something you’d want to have changed.”
Tuck ate some more of his pepperoni and sausage pizza. “I trust you, Steve. If you say there are problems, I’m not going to argue that. You know the terminology so much better than I do.”
Steve reached for his beer and thunder cracked overhead. “They may be willing to renegotiate so it’s still an option.”
“I want what’s best, not something that’s doable.” He was utilising Steve’s expertise in locating a building for his own business. “There are only a few more for you to look into that I’d even consider buying.”
“Okay. We can still go over it and see what you think. Or I can move on to the other properties.”
“Good idea.”
“Any thought as to why he showed you that other piece of property?”
“None. Did you find out anything on it?”
“Just that Richard owns it. There’s almost two hundred acres there in his name. He owns a lot of property scattered around this state.”
Tuck hadn’t known about that—apparently there were a few things he didn’t know about his boss.
“He’s also got a lot of buildings for rent, Tuck. We could look at some of them, too. The list is also in the stack of papers there.”
The lights flickered a few times then went out. “Damn,” Tuck said, getting up to find some flashlights. Even though it wasn’t night out, the sky was too dark to offer any visibility.
Rumbles shook the building and once he’d found the flashlights, he went back to the living room. Steve was standing there with one as well.
“Should we check on the women?”
Thank God, Steve had recommended that because he didn’t want to look like a sucker who couldn’t stand being away from Ariel. “Sure.”
“Yeah, that sounds like you’d not been thinking about it at all. Come on, you lovelorn puppy.”
They left and crossed the hall to knock. Ariel opened the door and he switched off his flashlight. Her place was well lit, or at least the living area was—two lanterns offered light.
“Hello,” she said. “Come to check on us?”
“Yes.”
“Sweet. Hi, Steve. Come on in.”
They entered and she shut the door behind them.
“Connie, this is Steve. Steve, Connie. And you remember Tuck from a while ago.”
Connie walked into view from the small kitchen holding a pitcher of margaritas. “Hello. At least the drinks were finished before we lost power. Are you two joining us?”
He shared a glance with Steve. “Yes.”
Ariel cocked an eyebrow. “Even if we’re talking about sex?”
“Still?” he questioned.
Both women laughed. “Oh, you poor deluded man. We can talk that all day and then some.” Ariel gestured them to join them and he took a chair while Steve took another. The women sat together on the sofa.
Connie was a cute little thing but it was Ariel who continually captured his attention. She wore a pair of shorts that did intense things to his libido and a white tank top that showed off her darker skin to perfection. Connie had dressed something similar. Both women had their hair up in ponytails and he found himself staring at the muscles in their arms. He knew about Ariel’s strength, but Connie was a bit of a surprise to him. He’d written her off as a petite little thing—now he wondered.
They ate and drank as the storm raged around them. Thankfully there were no tornados. It was after ten that night when they finally broke it up and headed to their apartment.
“Thanks, Ariel,” Steve said giving her a hug. “Lovely to meet you, Connie.”
“And you.” She waved at them and Steve propelled him to the door.
“Let it go, man. You have your date tomorrow.”
So he did. And he had a sleepless night and a restless day. When he left his apartment that night for their date, he took a deep breath. In one hand he held a bouquet of flowers and he rapped sharply on the wood with the other. He hadn’t seen her since he’d left her apartment the previous day.
“Come on in,” she called out.
He pushed in then closed the door behind him. Her place was spotless, no trace of the drinks they’d had yesterday or the food they’d eaten. The lanterns were nowhere to be seen either.
“I’ll be right there, Tuck.”
“No rush. Where’d you get those lanterns you had last night?”
“Marine Corps.”
He should have known. He licked his lips and tried to calm his nerves. It shouldn’t be bothering him so much but he felt as he had taking Wendy Mackrel to prom. All nervous and unsure. He wanted to wipe his hands off on his pants so his palms wouldn’t be sweaty.
Her heels sounded on the floor and he looked towards her bedroom. One second there was just the doorway, the next, Ariel stood there. All the air rushed from his lungs.
“Holy shit. You’re beautiful.”