by M. D. Massey
“We need to be strong for one another.” I could see the pain in her eyes when she gazed into mine.
For some reason, I felt like our situation was my fault. If I had never gotten fired from yet another job, I would have never met Henry that night. Quite possibly, none of this would have happened. At least none of what involved Henry and me would have happened. My stomach knotted, then my thoughts went to our very first real date.
-October 2012-
My phone was at the bookshop, my former place of work. My former hag of a boss told me a smoking hot guy dropped it off, saying he found it on the sidewalk right out front. I thought it was weird that I wouldn’t notice it dropping right there, but whatever. I was just thrilled I could give this Henry Daniels a call.
I ran back out to my car and dug through my bag to find Henry’s number. I stared at it for a minute, breathing rapidly, trying to decide if I should call him or wait a few days to make him sweat it out.
I wasn’t the most patient person on the planet, so I pulled up my phone app and carefully dialed the near illegible number written on an old receipt. That would be my writing. I was sure his would be perfect, like he seemed to be.
It rang about five times before Henry breathlessly answered. “Daniels,” he barked. I was taken aback and didn’t say anything. “Hello?”
“Uh, sorry.” I cleared my throat, trying to relieve the nerves. “Is this Henry?” Oh god. I sounded like such an idiot. He was going to think I was a complete fucking loser, and I would never get a date with a man like him. Why on earth did I think it was a good idea to call?
“Yeah. Who’s this?”
“Elaina Cooper.” I couldn’t believe he didn’t recognize my voice. Maybe it was because it sounded like I had a frog living in my throat. I started to sweat, so I turned on the air in my car before I passed out. I thought I remembered to put deodorant on, but suffering Christ. My pits were dripping. I was sure I looked like a paranoid pothead, looking all around, tapping my fingers.
“Hey, Elaina!” At the sound of his excitement, my heart flip-flopped. “Sorry it took me so long to answer. I’m at the gym. I hoped you’d find your phone and call me.”
My mind drifted to thoughts of him shirtless, his gym shorts hanging low on his hips, sweat pouring off him. I almost dropped my phone and went into a full throttle orgasm.
“Well, I did find it, so I thought I would give you a call and ask if you had plans.” Did I just say that? I was either a brave, brave girl or a very stupid, stupid girl.
“Yeah? I’m so glad you called.” I could hear the smile in his voice. He sounded ridiculously sexy. “So, where do you want to go? Anywhere is fine with me. You choose. Oh, and don’t worry about cost. It’s my treat.”
“Are you thinking casual, fancy, or… I don’t know.” I crossed my fingers he would say casual. I didn’t have proper manners for somewhere that involved fancy napkins and waiters who wore suits.
“Tell you what. How about I pick you up? And be sure you have on a nice dress. I’ll surprise you.”
“I think I can handle that.” Oh god. What? I slapped myself on the forehead. No! I can’t handle that! Fuck me, what have I gotten myself into? “But maybe a skirt? I’m not a dress kind of girl.”
“Really? Hmm… I bet you would look amazing in a dress,” he said in a rather interesting tone. I blushed. I was losing it.
“Thanks,” I shyly said.
“How about I pick you up around five-thirty. We can stop somewhere and have a quick drink first.”
“Sounds good. I live down at Westerfields in three-ten.”
“All right. I know where that is. I’ll see you then.”
“Okay. Bye.”
“Bye.”
I just about died as I hung up. I could not believe a man of his caliber would even look at me. If he could have seen me in that moment, all sweaty and gross, he would have passed on me for sure.
I called my best friend, Claire, to see if she had a dress I could borrow because the only dress I had was from my senior prom. I was pretty sure that wasn’t what Henry meant when he said a “nice dress”.
As soon as I made it home, I jumped into the shower. I washed and shaved everything…twice. I wanted to make sure I felt worthy to be around him because I had no idea why he would want to take me out. I wasn’t some “blonde Barbie, tight dress, give you a blowjob on the first date” kind of girl. Claire let herself in while I was in the shower and laid out an abundance of dresses on my bed. She matched up my shoes to them.
After an hour of trying on outfits and chewing my thumbnail, I ended up going with a basic black dress she picked up a few weeks prior. It was cap sleeved, belted, and had pockets. I put on my strappy, black wedges that, ironically, were purchased the same day Claire bought the dress.
Claire flat-ironed my hair and twisted it up into a clip, then she did my make-up. I was so nervous, my teeth chattered.
“Geez, Elaina. I don’t think I have ever seen you this nervous over a guy. Ever.”
We walked out to my messy living room. “For real. Stay here and meet him. Trust me when I say he is knee-buckling gorgeous. I still can’t believe he wants to take me to dinner.”
“Oh stop, you nut! You are gorgeous.”
Rolling my eyes, I looked at my watch to check the time. Five-thirty on the button. When I heard a light knock on my door, I looked at Claire and mouthed, Oh, my fucking god.
“Go calm yourself in your room. I’ll answer the door.”
I ran to my room just before Claire opened the door. I listened intently while I adjusted everything that had already been adjusted ten times over, reapplied lip gloss that didn’t need it, and prayed that I wouldn’t fuck up somehow.
After the gym, Henry spent the rest of the day flitting around work like an absent-minded fool. He made sure to suck down a couple fresh vials so he would be a little jacked-up for his date. Once he was able to skate out of there, he hit every single red light possible. He kept checking his watch, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel, pushing his hands through his hair, trying to keep his cool. He didn’t want to be late for fear that she would think he was standing her up.
Henry pulled up to the side of his building and parked. He made a mad dash for the front door, waved at the doorman, and pushed the button on the elevator about ten times before the door opened.
The elevator ride took an eternity. When the door finally slid open on his floor, he ran to his apartment door, his hands shaking as he tried to unlock it. He ran to his fridge and opened it to check the injection, breathing a sigh of relief when he saw it in the usual place. He slammed it shut, opened the cabinet, and grabbed a bottle of Walker. Bottle in hand, he walked through his bedroom to his bathroom so he could hit the shower. He stripped and, while he waited for it to warm up, reacquainted himself with Mr. Walker.
Henry set the bottle on the sink and jumped into the steamy heat. He washed from head to toe, then toweled himself dry. He stood in front of the mirror, looking at his slightly bruised face.
He hated his eyes, his face, the scarring. He hated his tainted mind. About the only things he felt he had going for him were his wild hair and his body. He pulled back his hair and checked his stitches. They still looked good. He grabbed his hair wax and fixed it so they were invisible.
He found himself standing naked in front of his closet, the bottle in his hand. He took another pull and wiped his lips with the back of his hand. After looking through all his suits, he settled on his custom-tailored navy blue two-piece and, of course, a white button-down shirt. He pulled out his unpolished black monk strap shoes from the back of his closet.
Still naked, he pulled open his dresser drawer. He looked at all his boxers, then decided to take a gamble. He closed his eyes and reached in. When he opened them again, he had a pair of low cut, microfiber, black boxer briefs in his hand. He smirked, hoping she would want to see them. He finally let go of the bottle, setting it on his dresser.
Henry dressed, en
suring that his outfit was perfect. He stepped in front of the mirror, still not liking what he saw from the neck up.
“Don’t fuck this up, Daniels,” he said, staring at himself. He took a deep breath and walked to the front door.
As soon as he opened it, his next door neighbor walked out of her apartment. She smirked at him, looking him up and down. He rolled his eyes. “Well, look at you,” she purred. “Looking good. Hot date tonight?”
“Uh…yeah, actually.” He closed his door and locked it.
“Lucky woman.”
“Lucky me.”
He turned on his heels and stormed off toward the elevator. He hadn’t realized she was right behind him.
“I have to admit. I’m jealous.”
Henry jumped when her warm breath ran down his neck. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. That woman hit on him more times than he wanted to think about.
She wasn’t horrible to look at. She was maybe early forties, dark hair, a nice figure, and obviously had some money, but she was far too nosey and just rubbed him the wrong way. He rubbed his eyes and turned around.
“Look, trust me when I say this… I’m not what you want.”
She cocked her head to the side. “And how do you know what I want?” She raised a brow and crossed her arms in front of her chest.
“I’m an asshole. I’ve fucked my way around this city, I drink like a fish, and I am just plain old fucking dangerous.” He figured that would throw her off his scent.
“Maybe this girl isn’t so lucky then.” That comment pissed him off.
“Actually, I like this girl, so I will be on my best behavior. This is new for me, and I don’t want to fuck it up.” The elevator door opened and they both stepped in.
“Well, good luck to her then.”
Henry glared at her as she turned and faced the door. As soon as it slid open, he rushed out, leaving his neighbor in his wake.
He jumped in his truck, grabbed a couple breath mints to cover up his discussion with Mr. Walker, and sped off toward Elaina’s apartment.
After the twenty minute drive, he parked in front of her building. He checked his hair in the mirror on the visor. It looked exactly the way he liked it. He looked at his watch and saw it was five twenty-eight. He jumped out of the truck and jogged into her building.
There was a group of people milling around the elevators, like a bunch of goats waiting for a meal. He looked for the stairs, deciding it would be quicker to run up to the third floor than to wait.
Thanks to all the hours spent at the gym, Henry dashed up the stairs without breaking a sweat. He blew through the door and looked for three-ten. Then he second-guessed himself. Had she said three-ten, or was it four-ten, or even two-ten? He stood in front of the door for a second, straightened his jacket and collar, and decided to knock. He looked at his watch. Five-thirty on the dot.
When the door opened seconds later, there stood the ginger mother hen. Maybe they roomed together? He played it cool. “I’m sorry. I think I may have the wrong place…” He looked at the number on the door.
“Are you looking for Elaina Cooper?”
“Yes.”
“You have the right place. I’m her friend, Claire. I swung by for a quick visit. I didn’t realize she had a date.”
“Right.” He smirked, knowing she was here to check out the situation. “I’m Henry Daniels. Pleased to meet you, Claire.” Smiling, he held out his hand and Claire took it. She gasped a little from the chill. “Sorry. I have circulation issues.” He jammed his hands in his pockets. When she noticed his eyes, she caught herself staring at him. He smirked.
“Oh, umm…that’s fine. Come on in.” She smiled. “She should be ready. I’ll go get her.” Before she turned away from him, her eyes danced around his face. He knew she was looking at his bruises.
Henry stepped in the door and took a quick glance around the tiny apartment. The furniture was a bit on the shabby chic side, and Elaina’s organizational skills weren’t the best. He would have to fix that. There was no way he’d be able to tolerate it.
Claire glanced back over her shoulder and took another look at him. As he looked around, he ran his hand through his hair. He sported a five o’clock shadow, which looked far better on him than anyone else she had ever seen with one.
He touched his face, feeling more self-conscious about everything above his neck. Claire rushed off to what he presumed was Elaina’s bedroom. He leaned up against the door and did a quick zipper check. Thankfully, he was together…physically.
“Oh, my god, Elaina!” Claire’s whisper was intense. “He is smoking, but what’s with the bruising on his face?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t asked yet. I’m so nervous. I hope I don’t fuck it up.” I chewed on my thumbnail again, and Claire slapped my hand away. “Ow! You bitch!”
“Shhh! You’ll do fine! Now, go out there and get that gorgeous man!” She practically pushed me out of the bedroom. I walked out to see him leaning against the doorframe, his hands in his pockets, looking rather sinfully delicious. I couldn’t remember if I had put deodorant on. I didn’t want to do a pit check right in front of the Adonis in my living room.
Henry looked stellar in his suit. It had to be custom because it fit his body perfectly. His hair was messy, but done to perfection. He had this swagger about him that made him even more attractive to me. And those eyes? They were amazing. I could stare into them for hours.
His eyebrows raised and his lips parted when he saw me. When he realized he was gawking, he stood straight. “Wow. You look absolutely stunning.” He licked his lips, as if he were dying to taste me. If it were up to me, I would have skipped the drinks and dinner, taking him back to my bedroom. Good thing Claire was there to keep me from doing that.
“Thanks. You look pretty good yourself.” I blushed as I walked up to him. I felt like a schoolgirl getting a complement from the hottest guy in class. He smelled good, looked even better, and I was dying to feel his scarred pink lips on mine. I wanted that tongue in more places than one.
“So…the girl who doesn’t wear dresses wears one for me?” His eyes sparkled.
“You should feel special,” I said softly, gazing up at him through my eyelashes.
“Oh, I do. Believe me. You have no idea.” His deep, raspy voice rumbled in his well-defined chest, which could easily be seen through his suit jacket. He reached out and brushed his thumb across my cheek, then kissed it. His cool breath sent chills down my spine. My knees almost gave out. “Ready?”
“Yes.” My voice hitched a little. “Definitely.”
“I’ll lock up for you.” I was startled when I heard Claire’s voice. I forgot she was even there. “Have fun!” She sounded a little overzealous. I hoped she wouldn’t be there waiting up for me when I came home…if I came home. I had a feeling it was going to be one hell of a first date. He offered me his arm and we left.
Henry walked me out to his truck sitting at the curb. It was a completely blacked out, stealthy Tahoe. The windows were tinted so dark, it had to be illegal. The wheels and the police-style push bar were black, as well. It was obviously custom, which had to cost thousands of dollars. I got the feeling he was loaded.
He looked proud to be walking with me, which I didn’t quite understand. He was on a much higher level of sexy than I was. When he opened the door for me, his delicious spicy scent hit me hard. I wanted it wrapped around my body. He held my hand while I climbed onto the leather seat. Looking around the interior, the truck seemed to have every option in it. It was so much different than what I was used to.
“All set?” he asked.
“I’m good. Thanks.” I blushed again. I had no idea what the hell was wrong with me. After he closed the truck door, I watched him walk around the front and get in. He was so fucking beautiful. I couldn’t take my eyes off him. I still had no idea why he wanted a date with me.
He started the engine, then looked over at me. “You know, you’re taking your life into your hand
s riding with me,” Henry said with an impish grin. I laughed, then buckled my seat belt. Maybe I should have started praying.
As he drove, I saw he was nervous. He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel, bounced his free leg when he stopped at the lights, and repeatedly shoved his hands through his hair. The bruising made me curious, but it was none of my business.
We didn’t talk about much, just the usual nervous first date talk: the weather, the traffic, the night before with my car and the coffee. I thanked him again for his kindness.
We pulled up to this swanky bar, the valet seeming to recognize him. Henry handed him the keys and slipped him some cash, nodding. When we walked in, the host also recognized Henry.
“Ahhh, Mr. Daniels.” He smiled and held out his hand. “Miss.” Then he took my hand and kissed it. I was a little taken aback by his gesture because this kind of place was not me. I needed to be in a bar with peanut shells on the floor, where they served only non-microbrew domestic beers, and there was a bouncer named Bubba milling around at the front door.
“How’s it going, Philip?” Apparently, it was a bar Henry frequented. I wasn’t sure if that was good or bad.
“Very well, sir. Thank you for asking. Your usual table?” Henry looked at me.
I glanced up at him, thinking I was just going to be the next notch on his bedpost. Just great. I felt like such a fucking idiot! I knew he couldn’t be interested in me as anything other than someone to get in bed. I looked at the décor, trying to distract myself. I felt a little humiliated that I fell for his antics.
“You know what? Let’s change it up a bit.”
I wondered if that was code for “Don’t take me where I sit with my usual Barbie whores who give me blowjobs in the back room.”
“All right, sir, miss. Follow me. I have the perfect spot available.” Henry took my hand and I jumped, the iciness of it taking me by surprise. We walked until we came to a small red couch. “Is this to your liking, sir?” Henry looked at me, and I shrugged. I didn’t care. I would try to find an out pretty soon. At the very least, I was going to get one drink out of the epic disaster.