Destiny: Hilltops Series - Book One

by Faith Starr

  “Thanks, Mitch. I just don’t think the benefit package is working out for me anymore.”

  Stop looking at me. I nonchalantly glanced at Derek and Mitch to see if they noticed where her attention was directed.

  “Evie, come on. You’re great at your job, and the members love you. Why leave?” I had to chime in on this, especially since her attention remained primarily on me.

  “You know exactly why, Noah.”

  No. Please don’t go there.

  Too late, Derek and Mitch both eyed me, accusingly I might add.

  “Can you two please give me and Evie a minute?”

  “Son of a bitch.” Derek slapped the table. He got up abruptly and stormed out of the office. Mitch was a lot calmer in his exit.

  “Evie, what’s going on?” I gestured, my body needing something to do in order to release some of its pent-up energy.

  “I don’t think I can continue to work here knowing we’re done.”

  “We had fun. That’s all it ever was.” It was the same conversation but on a different day.

  “Maybe for you that’s all it ever was, but not for me. It’s starting to get to me.”

  Her comment was like a knife to the gut. I leaned forward and clasped my hands together on the table. “I think you’re making a big mistake. It was never my intention to mislead you, and I apologize if I did so.” See, I also had a bit of the sensitivity gene like Mitch.

  “It’s not your fault. I hold myself responsible. You never led me to believe anything more would ever come of us other than us working together with benefits.”

  “I enjoyed the benefits.” Now I felt even worse. I didn’t want her to think it never meant anything. It just didn’t in the way she obviously wanted it to.

  “That’s the problem. I did too.”

  Her gaze shifted down toward the floor, her fingers vigorously picking at her nails, her confidence now gone with Derek and Mitch.

  “I don’t understand. What’s the problem, then?”

  “The problem is I want more.” She eyed me again.

  I broke the stare. I hated these fucking conversations. And in my current mindset, it was the worst possible day for one of them. “I’m sorry. You know I can’t give you that.” I had always been honest with her. I wasn’t going to start lying now.

  “Exactly. So seeing you here every night isn’t doing me much good.”

  “I don’t know if you’ve heard the news or not, but the guys and I will no longer be doing scenes with members. I’ll mainly be in my office, so I don’t think you seeing me around every night’s going to be an issue anymore.” In my heart of hearts, I honestly didn’t want her to quit. She was a solid and devoted employee.

  “Really? Then who’s going to be helping out with the scenes?”

  “Members will have a choice. They can either come here with their own partners or else they can engage in play with the new staff members we’re in the process of hiring.”

  “I see.”

  “Think about it, Evie. I think you’re an asset to the club, and I know you enjoy your job here.” I hoped the genuineness in my words and expression came across as such.

  “I love my job.” She half smiled.

  “Then stay. Listen, I’m not going to stop you from leaving if that’s what you want. But, if it means anything, I’d like you to stay, and I think deep down you’d like to as well.”

  “For real, Noah? You really want me to stay?” She eyed me questioningly.

  “Yes. I do. I think you do an excellent job here.”

  “And what about our extracurricular activities?” There was that hope in her voice again.

  “What about them?”

  “Are they going to continue?”

  “I don’t think that’s such a good idea, especially since you’re here telling me it’s affecting you emotionally.” The last thing I wanted to do was hurt her more.

  “I’ll be fine. I would like to stay, but I’d also like us to continue to see each other upstairs.”

  Was she crazy? “I’m not making any promises, Ev.”

  “You don’t have to. Just be open-minded to the possibility. Are you game for that?”

  “Right now I don’t even want to think about it.”

  In my current state of mind I couldn’t make any decisions regarding women. Jordin fucked up my thoughts, and Evie wanted to fuck me, literally. Option two seemed like the easier choice at the moment.

  “You seem very tense. I know a great way to relieve stress.”

  I knew that look. It meant trouble.

  “No, thanks.” I put my hand up. I didn’t want there to be any confusion about this point.

  “Why not? Are you afraid your brothers might walk in on us or something?”

  “I’m not afraid of anything.”

  “That’s what I thought.”

  Next thing I knew, her hands were on my shoulders, massaging them. I spun my chair around and grabbed hold of them. “No.”

  Her eyes opened wide in surprise, her hands frozen midair. “What happened to being open-minded?”

  Please, not the pout. I couldn’t take any more. At least she stepped back to give me some space. Her arms now crossed in front of her.

  “It’s not fair to either one of us. Let’s just both do our jobs and act professionally.”

  “You’re lucky I’m patient, Noah. I’m not worried. You’ll be back. You’ll see.” She headed for the door, taking one last glance at me before exiting.

  47

  Jordin

  Who else did I run into but Tammy on my way out of Dr. Carmichael’s office, what a coincidence.

  “Hey Jordin, how’s your paper coming along?”

  Like I would tell her.

  “Still busy, busy, busy. How about you?” My fake sincerity was intentional.

  “I’m pretty much finished.” She smiled smugly, her skirt resting just below her ass, her shirt revealing the upper half of her breasts.

  She was a real class act.

  “So then why the impromptu visit with Dr. Sloan?” I feigned innocence.

  “Who said anything about it being impromptu?” She smiled all too knowingly. “Just like you I’m busy, busy, busy.”

  “I’m sure you are.” I smiled.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  Was she kidding? She couldn’t be that stupid. No. She definitely wasn’t that stupid. She was fucking Dr. Sloan to get the internship.

  “Take it however you want to, Tammy.” Why I even wasted my breath on her was beyond me. She didn’t deserve it. “I’ll see you later.” I turned and walked away, hearing her high-pitched voice mumble the word bitch under her breath. “I heard that.” I didn’t look back but wanted the last word.

  During my drive home, I called Casey. I didn’t like leaving her the way I did earlier in the day.

  “Hey Jordin, I’m sorry I pushed you away.”

  “Is everything okay? You have me worried.”

  “I’ll be okay. My father reviewed my research and feels it isn’t quite up to par with my competency. I’m also way behind schedule on finishing it on time. The stress is becoming additive, and guess I had a moment.”

  “You never told me you were having difficulty with your research project.”

  “Why would I when my father always compares me to you and how organized you are?”

  “You’re my best friend, Casey. I would never judge you. And if I knew you were having trouble, I would’ve offered to help you in any way I could. I still will. There’s plenty of time left to get it done. Besides, you can always file for an extension.”

  “You’ve got enough on your plate with your own dissertation, which is all my father seems to talk about.”

  Her comment caught me off guard. It’s a good thing I was stopped at a red light or else I might’ve pressed the gas pedal a little too hard.

  “Why’s your father discussing my research with you?”

  “That’s a good question. I think he�
��s trying to rub in my face that you’re a star student whereas his own daughter is a failure.”

  Casey was never the hopeless type.

  “You’re not a failure, Casey. Don’t let him get to you like this. Maybe once you transfer out of your internship, things will get easier for you as far as everything else is concerned.”

  “Like it even matters at this point? I’m stuck.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Maybe my father’s right. Maybe I’m not cut out to do this.”

  “He told you that?”

  “In so many words.”

  I’m glad she didn’t see my mouth fall open. Her father was a jerk, even more of a dirtbag than I’d originally thought.

  “Screw that, Casey. It’s your life to live. Not his. If he doesn’t like the choices you’re making, that’s his problem. You deserve to be happy.”

  “Please tell my father that.”

  “Screw him too. You’re a capable adult. You can make your own decisions.” I wasn’t about to stand by and let that man tear her down. She was the most confident woman I had ever known.

  “I don’t know. Right now I’d love to just take some time off to think about what it is I really want to do.”

  “Are you serious? We’re at the end. This is our last year before our internship.”

  “I’m not sure what I want anymore. You’re lucky. You had a path planned out and are following it through. Mine has been full of bumps.”

  “No path is easy to follow. That’s life. You just have to like what you’re doing.”

  “That’s another problem. I don’t know what I like. I always thought I’d follow in my father’s footsteps because that’s what he wanted me to do. After Sari died, there was an immense amount of pressure put on me to please him for the both of us. I wanted to make him happy because he was so distraught about losing a child. She was his prodigy. It was a tough act for me to follow. It still is. And she isn’t even alive anymore.”

  “Why don’t you tell him exactly what you just told me?”

  “He doesn’t want to hear it.” Her voice was quiet. I heard sniffles too, which meant she was crying again.

  “What’re you going to do, then?”

  “I don’t know. That’s why I’m so confused. I don’t want to work at the university, teach classes, or do research like my father does. I absolutely despise my internship. Each day I have to be there is worse than the next.”

  “Who says you have to do any of those things? I thought you were interested in transpersonal psychology.”

  “I am. But our university doesn’t offer classes on the subject. It’s a totally different field of study, one that doesn’t require licensing. That should speak for itself.”

  “So finish our program like planned and then take additional courses in transpersonal and holistic psychology elsewhere. You can always incorporate those types of thought into your practice once you’re licensed.”

  “I’ve been in school forever. And don’t forget that at any other university I’ll have to pay. My father’s a professor here, so I attend for next to nothing. Besides, he’s made it perfectly clear on numerous occasions that he’s already secured a position for me in the research department and that it would make him look bad if I didn’t accept the offer. Doesn’t that sound like a dream job?” Her sniffles increased.

  “I thought you specifically told him what your interests are? And as an aside, you can take classes in transpersonal psychology online.”

  “That’s something to consider. As far as my father goes, I think our conversation went in one ear and out the other, but enough about me and my problems. I can’t stand talking about them anymore. How are things going with Noah?”

  “I wouldn’t know. I haven’t spoken to him in days.” It was my turn to become defensive. Fortunately, I didn’t have the sniffles to back it up yet.

  “Why’s that? Did something happen?”

  “No. Basically, I saw him doing his job, and I didn’t like it.”

  “Why not take it as a learning experience? I don’t know what you witnessed, but I bet it was hot.”

  Her humor didn’t work its magic like it usually did.

  “Thanks for sharing, Casey.”

  “Anytime. Cut the guy some slack, Jordin. You asked to enter his world. He never lied to you about it or tried to shield you from it.”

  Damn. Now the gas pedal got a beating. Luckily, there was no traffic ahead.

  “I never thought about it that way.”

  “I’m just saying he’s been honest.”

  “He hasn’t even called to apologize, though.” Right when I was about to give the guy some slack, my walls quickly came up again.

  “Apologize for what? Doing his job?”

  Ugh! Why was she defending him? Now I was speeding. Something I rarely did. Guess that’s why they say it’s not safe to speak on the phone and drive. To my credit, I was using Bluetooth.

  “I just don’t think I can be involved with a man who has to seduce women as part of his job.”

  “Think of how great he’ll be in the sack.”

  Now her attempt at humor started to get annoying.

  “I already know how great he is in the sack, but I would never want him to view me in the same light as he does those women in the club.”

  “It sounds like the two of you need to have a conversation about this. Don’t you think?”

  “Yes. But I’m not going to call him. I went to surprise him the other night and got the surprise of my life. He can come to me this time.” The little child within stomped her foot like a two-year-old.

  “You’re being stubborn. He didn’t ask you to come watch him. You showed up unexpectedly and then got mad at what you saw. That doesn’t sound very fair. I think you should be the one apologizing. Not Noah.”

  Again, I opened my mouth in surprise. I couldn’t believe she was taking his side. “Are you serious?”

  “I’m dead serious. Just think about it. Okay?”

  “Why’re you making me feel guilty? You’re supposed to be on my side.”

  “I’m not trying to make you feel guilty. I’m simply telling you how I see it. You don’t have to listen or agree with me. You can just continue to avoid him even though I’m sure it’s killing you inside.”

  “Jerk.” I scrunched my face up in frustration.

  “I love you. You know that.”

  At least she wasn’t crying anymore, which made the discussion about Noah less frustrating.

  “I do. Thanks. It goes both ways, you know. Please remember that the next time you’re crying in your dad’s office.”

  “I’ll try. I’ll speak with you later. Rich is calling.”

  48

  Noah

  “Has Tasha finished giving you the tour?”

  The playboy-looking centerfold of an agent stood in front of me, her T-shirt snug in all the right places. Jordin put her to shame. Too bad she wasn’t speaking to me. Derek was going to have a blast with this assignment.

  “She has.” She nodded affirmatively, her hand on her hip, the one covered in skintight leggings.

  She had a nice set of legs. I gave her that. Of course, Jordin’s had more meat to grab on to.

  Stop thinking about Jordin!

  “Sorry I’m late.” Derek entered my office a moment later.

  Why was he out of breath and perspiring? Probably because he had just jacked off in anticipation of meeting with Watson.

  “No problem. I just got a look around.” Her eyes narrowed, her brow somewhat raised in curiosity at his present state.

  “Great. Are you ready to head to the dungeon for your first lesson?” His smile instantly removed hers.

  “Don’t look so happy, loverboy, it’s all for show. You might want to keep that in mind.”

  Fuck. I liked her. She had the balls to put him in his place. But I knew he wouldn’t go down without a fight.

  “You need to come off as believable, right?”


  His expression looked legit. I smirked. Watson was doomed. I’d bet my life he’d be fucking her by week’s end.

  He followed her out, zeroing in on her ass on the way, giving me a thumbs-up and an easy grin before closing the door behind him.

  Sitting at my desk, I noticed my phone, which sat innocently in the corner of it. I scrolled through the contacts, stopping on Jordin’s. She looked so beautiful, her long curly hair pulled back and her thick stylish glasses framing her big brown eyes. Press Send.

  Nope. I placed it back down in the corner on my desk. I wouldn’t blame her if she wanted nothing more to do with me. I tapped my desk a few times, my eyes darting over at the damn phone again, her sweet smile doing something to my insides.

  Here goes nothing. Before giving it another thought, I dialed her number and took a deep breath, the phone now ringing.

  “Hi, Noah.”

  Her voice was soft. It was so good to hear it again. It automatically stirred up odd sensations. Maybe I was getting sick? I leaned back in my chair, rocking steadily.

  “Hi, Jordin, I wanted to know if you were free for dinner tomorrow night. I think we need to talk.”

  My rocking picked up speed in anticipation of her answer. Hopefully my chair wouldn’t break from the intensity of my action.

  “Funny. I was just thinking the same thing, have been thinking the same thing all week. Yes. Dinner sounds good.”

  Thank God. I let out a sigh of relief, easing up on the chair. It didn’t deserve this kind of abuse.

  “Great. I’ll pick you up at seven, then.”

  Yes! Mission accomplished. She had agreed to a date. That was a good sign.

  Feeling confident, I went upstairs to the gym, suddenly pumped up and full of energy, both my mind and body thanking me afterward for the good time had by all. I went into my apartment and took a long, hot shower.

  Feeling inspired, I turned on soft music and sat down at my easel. It had been a while. Too long, in fact. I opened the paints I wanted to use, set a cup of water down next to them, and began applying the colors to the canvas. Before I knew it, hours had passed. I’d been so consumed with my piece I didn’t realize how late it was. Shit. I needed to get downstairs. I threw on a pair of slacks and a button-down hurriedly. As I headed for the door, my cell rang.