Untied: A Mastermind Novel

by Lydia Michaels

  ~Padmé

  “Don’t forget your water bottles,” Nadia called as her junior jazz class bagged up their shoes.

  She mopped her brow with a cloth and caught her breath. It felt good to be back in the swing of a new season, even if teenage girls were a handful. One by one, the students said goodnight as their parents arrived to pick them up. When the last student was gone, she hit the shuffle button on her playlist.

  Touch and Go’s sensual beats of Straight to Number One echoed through the sound system. The erotic thrum of drums and lyrics drew her mind to visions of Elliot.

  Her body heated at the mere thought of his shoulders, the way the muscles bunched under her fingers and the way the sweet tang of his skin tasted on her lips. She loved how his strong hands held her so possessively, making her weak in the knees every time he touched her.

  Though she’d had many lovers, she couldn’t recall a man ever possessing her on the level Elliot did, physically, emotionally… Dare she say spiritually? It was as if he was fully present in every caress, every kiss.

  His affection was evident in every glance, so hungry, embarking on fully trusting. Each show of his trust took her deeper into this strange obsession with him, made her yearn for more. He was such an intense man, and she wanted to push his intensity to the brink, feel just how passionate he could be once he fully let go.

  Her love was there, but their trust was only starting to build. Past experiences told her to move slowly this time, guard her heart no matter how much her instincts told her he was different. She wanted to give in and give him everything, but on the other hand, she wanted to be smart and not spoil what might be the most incredible relationship she ever had.

  He wasn’t like other men and that meant being hurt by him would carry twice, if not more, the usual impact of heartache. She didn’t want him to break her heart, and if he didn’t, he’d be one step ahead of all the rest. There was something so unique about him, she couldn’t help the teasing thoughts of forever, but there was still a lot to learn about the man currently occupying her heart.

  She could be a handful, yet he tempered her jagged edges. Perhaps it was the intense way he cared for her. Despite his reserved shyness, she believed Elliot loved her. He brought her emotions to a new level, one that intimidated her and shined a glaring light on all her shortcomings. More than anything, she didn’t want to disappoint him.

  “What’s that face?”

  Startled, she pivoted toward the doorway. And there he was, the man of her dreams. “I didn’t hear the bell.”

  “Exactly why you need better security.”

  Her heart jerked with newfound anticipation of what the night might bring. “The new place will have something better, I’m sure.”

  He glanced at the bench. A paper granola bar wrapper and a water bottle lay forgotten on the floor. “How was your first day back in session?”

  “It was good.” She found it hard to meet his gaze, as her body seemed to pull into his orbit. She didn’t want to come on too strong. She’d promised to be patient with him. “I just need to change my shoes and then we can go.”

  “Take your time.”

  She shut off the stereo and switched into her sneakers. Her gaze skittered to the wall of mirrors, observing him. He stood with his hands in his pockets, appearing at total ease, something he hadn’t seemed to be able to achieve in her presence a week ago.

  “Did you have a good day?” she asked, lacing up her sneakers.

  He glanced at his watch. “It was typical, for the most part.”

  “How was your meeting?”

  A dimple flashed in his cheek as the corner of his mouth hooked into a grin. “Not quite worth leaving you, but so are the pains of life.”

  Her knees trembled as she stood. “I’m ready.”

  He cocked his head, scrutinizing her. “Are you okay? You seem shaky.”

  “I’m fine.” God, she wanted him.

  Accepting her answer, he walked her to the door and waited as she locked up. Her body pulsed with arousal, her blood thickening enough to overcrowd her mind and block any ordinary thoughts. Not since she was a young girl had a boy made her so jittery and excited. One look and she was mush.

  This couldn’t be normal to want a man this desperately, this consistently. Usually, she had to shoulder off her dates, but with Elliot, she was constantly anticipating the slightest graze of his fingers, the thinnest glance from his gray eyes. Love and lust, at first sight, the only way to explain her need—and her affection.

  As he slid behind the steering wheel of his car, he gave her a skeptical look. “You sure you’re okay?”

  “Yes. I just have a lot on my mind.”

  She pushed away her impulse to straddle him right there in the parking lot. Was he still battling the urge to touch and kiss her? She wanted him to make the first move, but it was difficult to wait him out. His self-control was daunting, to say the least.

  Once he backed out of the parking space he took her hand. His fingers curled around hers as he drove and that eased some of the sexual tension. One touch, an almost platonic one at that, and some hungry part of her was momentarily satisfied. He was that potent.

  Once she had her insatiable hormones under control, she scrutinized the road, not seeing any familiar landmarks. “Are we going somewhere?”

  “Asher’s. Remember?”

  She’d completely forgotten. Glancing at her sweaty clothing, she grimaced. “I should have changed.”

  “You look fine. They know we’re coming from work.”

  Easy to say when his job required a suit. She sniffed her shirt. “I smell like sweat.”

  “I like the way your sweat smells.”

  She crinkled her nose. “Maybe you like it, but your friends might feel differently.”

  “They’re your friends, too.”

  No, they weren’t. They were her clients. She really didn’t know them very well.

  “Look,” he said, turning down a road she’d never visited. “If you’re that uncomfortable, we can swing home and you can change. I’ll call them and let them know we’ll be late.”

  She debated, but as much as showering would relieve her, she didn’t want to hold everyone up. “No, I don’t want to make us late.”

  “It’s fine.” He turned the car around, heading in the opposite direction.

  “Elliot, don’t. I’ll be fine. I’ll freshen up in the bathroom when we get there.”

  “It’s not a big deal, Nadia.”

  But it was. She didn’t want to give the impression she was high maintenance, something Ian accused her of being, and he wasn’t the first. “Just go to their house.”

  “It’ll take five min—”

  “Elliot, I said just go.”

  “Why are you getting upset?”

  “Because you aren’t listening to me. Just drive to their house and I’ll freshen up when I get there.”

  He clamped his mouth shut and turned the car back around, once again driving toward his friends’ house. They didn’t speak the rest of the drive to Asher’s. When they got out of the car, he stopped her by the passenger door.

  “Hey.” His fingers brushed her jaw and she trembled as she met his gaze. “I didn’t mean to make you upset. What you’re wearing is fine. I just wanted you to be comfortable.”

  Her reaction was embarrassing. “I overreacted. I just want to make a good impression for you.”

  “You make a great impression and they already like you. Relax.” His lips softly brushed over hers, casual, not at all explicit yet the sexual tension thrumming in her veins twisted into a giant knot of desire and need. He pulled away and she dizzily followed him to the front door.

  This wasn’t normal. There had to be something wrong with her.

  Lettie opened the door with a smile as soon as they reached the large porch. “Hey, guys. Come in.”

  Nadia tried for outward calm, but the home was some sort of medieval castle. They lived here?

  Asher greet
ed them in the main den, which was a gigantic room with two mammoth fireplaces. The ambiance and architecture made Nadia’s clothing that much more slovenly.

  “Anakin, Uncle Elliot’s here.”

  The furniture appeared so homey, despite the formality of the room. As they passed a large leather couch, her gaze fell upon a darling quilt and a pudgy-faced boy surrounded by toys.

  “Your son’s adorable,” she told Asher, who smiled proudly.

  “He gets his good looks from his momma. Ani, don’t eat that.” Asher took the remote control from the boy, replacing it with a plastic cube decorated with springs twisting from each side. “Can I get you guys something to drink?”

  She glanced at Elliot who was staring at the little boy as if trying to solve a complicated math equation. “I’ll have water,” she said, waiting for Elliot to answer.

  Realizing they were watching him, Elliot shook off the distraction and said, “Nothing for me.”

  Asher disappeared into what she assumed was the kitchen. “This place is enormous,” she whispered.

  Elliot raised an unimpressed brow. “Asher takes every endeavor seriously. This was part of his Win Over Lettie plot.”

  He said it as if there were something underhanded in the way his friend met his wife. Did Elliot not like Lettie? She always seemed nice whenever they came into the studio, sort of easygoing and quirky.

  Asher returned with her water and they stood in awkward silence, watching the baby play.

  “How old is he, Asher?”

  “Ten months. He just started standing, so we’re in the middle of baby proofing everything. Pardon the locks in the bathroom. Lettie’s nuts with that stuff.” Asher glanced at Elliot and back to her. “Do you guys want to sit?”

  She lowered herself to the couch and waited for Elliot to join her, but he just stood there.

  Asher excused himself. “I’m going to go see if Lettie needs a hand. Elliot, are you okay with him for a minute?”

  “Sure.”

  Asher left and they were, again, alone with the baby. “Elliot, you’re making Asher uncomfortable.”

  He glanced at her, expression confused. “No, I’m not. Asher knows me.”

  “Well, you’re making me uncomfortable. Why don’t you sit down?”

  He sat, but his new position did nothing to improve the mood of the room. She wasn’t familiar with this strange vibe she was getting from him.

  Scooting to the floor, she rattled a ball, rolling it toward Anakin. “He’s so cute.”

  Elliot looked at her but didn’t smile. His eyes observed her from behind his lenses, and she had no idea what he saw or what he might be thinking. “What is that look, Elliot?”

  He glanced back to the little boy. “Do you want children?”

  Her belly did a delicate flip. “I think so. I’d like to have my career in order first, have some money saved up.”

  His brow folded. “Maybe the dad will have money.”

  “Dads don’t always stick around.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  She shrugged, adjusting Anakin’s sock. “It’s just the truth. I’d rather know I can support my children if I have any.”

  Lettie came into the room and scooped up the baby. “Dinner’s ready. I’m just going to change Sir Stinky Pants before we eat. You guys can head into the dining room.”

  As Lettie carried Anakin up a sprawling staircase Nadia stood from the carpet. When they crossed the room, Elliot whispered, “My dad never left.”

  This wasn’t the time to discuss something as personal as wanting children. But like her father, his had passed on. “Abandonment comes in all shapes and sizes, Elliot. Let’s not discuss this now.”

  Their footsteps echoed and he whispered, “My father was incredibly loyal to all of us.”

  “Well, mine wasn’t. He never cared what I wanted and the only times he spoke to me was when I’d somehow disappointed him. I don’t want to discuss this here.”

  Her steps faltered, her brain catching up with her blinking eyes as they stepped through the vast doorway. The dining room was an average ballroom.

  What is this place?

  This home was absurd. Glancing at Elliot, she murmured, “Is this some sort of museum?”

  Asher grinned, rising from the head of a grand table. “Why do you think it was so important for me to learn how to dance? Welcome to our ballroom.”

  She smiled at Asher’s pleasantness, hiding the level of which she’d misjudged his wealth. She’d known he had money and was a successful businessman, especially when she heard what he’d done for Steve, but this was beyond affluent living. This was obscene.

  She sat beside Elliot at the ornate table and settled her fidgeting hands in her lap. “It smells delicious.”

  Asher grinned. “Lettie’s an incredible chef.”

  His wife returned and situated the baby in the highchair, which was as ordinary as every other highchair she’d ever seen, conflicting with the rich surroundings. Her mouth twitched as she mentally tried to meld the luxury of the home with the couple’s ordinariness.

  “Let’s eat,” Lettie reached for the breadbasket. “I hope casual’s fine with you, Nadia. With school starting, I’ve been trying to balance work and marriage and the little monkey all in one, so my game’s a little off.”

  “Casual’s perfect.” It was her preference.

  Though the serving dishes were ornate, they were filled with simple comforts like roast pork, mashed potatoes, and corn. Once she saw how laid-back Asher and Lettie were, laughing when Anakin flung his potatoes on the floor and gesturing easily as they ate their meal, she let go of her insecurities and accepted a glass of wine.

  Lettie was great, very easygoing and quick to laugh. “Don’t you love salads from a bag? I swear my culinary creativity would be dead if not for shortcuts.”

  The more Lettie spoke, the more Nadia’s tension eased. By the end of the meal, she felt a strange pull to get to know Asher’s wife, finding her genuine congeniality refreshing and sincere.

  “Let’s go relax in the den, Nadia. I cooked, so Asher does the dishes.”

  She followed Lettie to the room with the couch and sat as she returned Anakin to his blanket of toys.

  “He’s such a pleasant boy,” Nadia observed with a pang of envy.

  Lettie smiled. “He’s my little angel.” She curled her feet underneath her knees on the couch and sipped her wine. “So, you and Elliot, that’s unexpected.”

  Nadia cocked her head, a teasing pinch tightening her stomach. “Why do you say unexpected?”

  Lettie shrugged. “He’s not the easiest to get along with and he never dates. Not to mention you’re like … supermodel gorgeous.”

  She shrank a little in her skin. “I don’t know about that. I’d give anything for hair the color of yours.” Lettie’s hair had all the vibrant shades of fire. It was so alive compared to Nadia’s drab, Morticia black locks.

  The other woman blanched and laughed. “No, you wouldn’t. But seriously, how did you two start seeing each other?”

  Nadia explained the night she and Ian broke up and how Elliot sort of rescued her. “He just showed up at exactly the right time. We had some drinks and he did magic tricks for me.”

  “Elliot did magic tricks?”

  “Yeah. He’s really good at them.”

  “Huh. I never knew he could do magic.”

  Worried she might have betrayed his privacy, she whispered, “Maybe he doesn’t like other people knowing.”

  Lettie didn’t seem too concerned. “So, you two are serious?”

  It was odd, measuring her relationship under another person’s inspection, but Nadia never had a lot of girlfriends and maybe this was what they did.

  “I like the way he talks to me. Most men don’t show interest in my thoughts and opinions, and they tend to act put out when I share them. Elliot isn’t like that. I’ve never liked a man the way I like him. He’s so sweet and patient.” She flushed at how deep
ly she’d fallen, sure she was under some sort of puppy love spell only magicians could cast. “And he’s very sensual.”

  Lettie blinked. “Elliot?”

  Nadia giggled at the baffled expression on her face. “Yes, Elliot. He’s…” Her face heated another degree. “He’s domineering and incredibly passionate when he wants to be.”

  Lettie glanced toward the kitchen door where the men still remained and back to Nadia. “Our Elliot?”

  Why was this so difficult for her to imagine? “Is he different around you?”

  She took a long sip of wine. “Well, out of all Asher’s friends, he took the longest to warm up to me. He’s very…”

  “Precise?”

  “I was going to say opinionated, but we’ll go with your word.”

  Nadia frowned. “I don’t find him opinionated at all. If anything, he’s overly cautious about other people’s feelings. It takes a bit of coercion to get him to let down his guard, but when he does, there’s so much hidden inside of him.” Keeping her voice low, she quietly confessed, “Sometimes I worry I’m not enough for him.”

  “Wow. Cheers to finding a side of him the rest of us missed.” They clinked their glasses. “That’s a really special feeling, sort of how Asher makes me feel. I used to be so intimidated by him. He was so closed off to the rest of the world. I think that’s why he and Elliot are so close. They have common inhibitions and hide a lot of vulnerability inside.”

  It was a relief to meet another woman involved with a man similar to hers. “Yes, Elliot feels things deeply. That’s another attractive trait.”

  Lettie smiled, twin darts of pink forming on her fair cheeks, likely from the wine. “I think, regardless of what others see, you two make perfect sense. You’ll be good for him.”

  Elliot was complicated, but in some ways transparently simple and kindhearted. How could anyone see something different in him? Or was she speaking of them as a couple?

  “Do you mean what people think of us dating?”

  She waved a hand. “It’s nothing. Asher was just telling me that Jet was worried Elliot might get hurt.” She leaned close and whispered, “He’s never really been in a relationship before.”

  Feeling protective of Elliot’s past, she sipped her wine. She didn’t want his friends thinking she had any ulterior motives where Elliot was concerned. She only wanted to be close to him.