"So you came back here to work?" Lilith asks sincerely.
"I did. I had some old connections, and they pay well for sensitive information." At some point, I need to tell her that I'm working for the Russian mob, and they're holding my sister, but right now doesn't feel like the appropriate time. I trust her, but if she gets scared or angry and runs to the cops, it will sign Sophie's death warrant. I have to put my sister's safety first even though it's killing me to lie to Lilith.
"Wanna hear my boring story?" Becks interrupts when she sees that I'm losing the battle to keep my mouth shut.
"Sure. Can I have another?" Lilith says and thrusts her glass clumsily towards me. She's a lightweight for sure, but it's adorable and only makes me feel more protective.
"Okay, but just a little and then I'm cutting you off, Peaches," I say and pour her another half-finger of bourbon. She pouts but turns her attention back to Becks.
“Mine’s pretty boring compared to Adams tale of woe.” She says teasingly. “I was a programmer for a major corporation. Unfortunately, I have a soul, and I could not bear working for them any longer. I wanted to be Robin Hood stealing from the rich and giving to the poor.” She says and points at her chest when she says poor. “So I took up hacking. Basically, I take money out of unscrupulous people’s accounts and put it in decent people’s. I also take a little for myself, but never from anyone who doesn’t deserve it. They all steal from us, so I take a piece of it back. When Adam came back into town, I saw the opportunity to stick it to someone who wants to steal a lot of money from the little guy. That’s your boss.” She says and hiccups.
I laugh because these ladies cannot hold their liquor. “What about you, Lilith? How did someone as sweet and intelligent as you end up working for the likes of Tom Hunt?” She blushes when I pay her a compliment.
“It’s a really dull story. Working for Tom was supposed to be a fantastic opportunity, and I guess I had my blinders on for a long time as to what kind of person he really is. I went out on a couple of dates with him, and I thought we had something. He threw me over for the next model who caught his eye, but I still needed my job. Well, I figured I needed my job. I was actually just too scared to take any chances, and that included finding a better place to work.” When I hear her say that she went on a date with that clown, it makes my blood boil. Fortunately, the booze keeps my temper in check. I’m not an angry drunk. The bourbon actually mellows me out.
“You went on a date with him?” I ask and unsuccessfully try to mask my jealousy.
“Yeah. I’d like to say I didn’t know any better, but now I think a part of me did. I have so many regrets about it now. All the nights I spent working late trying to impress Tom when I could have been doing something more meaningful with my life.” She says and sniffles.
“Hey, if you hadn’t, you wouldn’t have met Adam. It was a good thing for both of you, and it will work out in the end.” Becks says encouragingly, and she’s right.
All of it led up to me meeting Lilith, so I have to be thankful for everything. That includes the dates she went on with Tom. The jealousy I’m feeling is telling me that it’s time for me to admit how strong my feelings are for Lilith. Once this is all over, I have to find a way to keep her in my life.
“I’m going to go to bed,” Becks says and takes off for her room.
That leaves Lilith and me alone together on the sofa. She looks into my eyes, and her chest is heaving as she tries to control her breathing. Something comes over me, and I lean in. Just before I reach her lips, I stop and hover a hair’s breath away from her mouth. Her breaths become even more ragged as she waits for me to kiss her.
I can tell that the anticipation is killing us both, but I want to savor this moment. The moment just before the first kiss is something you’ll remember for the rest of your life, and I need it for another few seconds. A deep sigh escapes her lips when she can’t take the hesitation any more, so I claim her mouth with mine.
Mine.
A few delicious seconds of a kiss, and then I have to pull back. I grab her shoulders and hold Lilith at arm’s length.
“We can’t. You have to go.” I say breathlessly. No woman has ever affected me this way before.
“What?” She whispers in total confusion. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong, Peaches. Nothing at all. You’re perfect, but we’ve been drinking. We’ll revisit this when we’re sober, and the job is done. I want it to be real. If you still like me when we’re done with our little project, I’ll kiss you again. I promise.” Whoa, this is taking every ounce of strength that I have.
She smiles and brushes my hair away from my forehead. “Deal.”
I call her a cab and kiss her on the forehead before she goes. I want her to stay, but that’s not a good idea. I don’t know if I can resist Lilith, plus I don’t want her here if the Russian goons show up.
That was some kiss, though.
Chapter Nine
Lilith
At work the next day, I can't stop thinking about that kiss. It's hard to focus on my job because I keep touching my lips hoping I can evoke the sensation of Adam's mouth on mine again. It's stupid because we've got much bigger things to worry about right now, but I've never been kissed like that before. I've never felt that way, at least. I keep drawing little hearts on my desk calendar and then getting mad at myself for being silly.
The universe doesn't let me luxuriate in thoughts of Adam for long, though. Like a bad song that gets stuck in your head when you're trying to concentrate, Tom appears. Once again, he doesn't knock when he lets himself into my office. My stomach turns at the thought of being in such close proximity to him again, but I smile at him sweetly. The paper didn't have an address on it, so I have to get the information out of Tom somehow.
"Hello, Lilith." He says and sits down in the chair across from my desk. "Mind if I come in?" He jokes.
"You're always welcome, Tom. It's your company." I say in an attempt to banter with him.
"You're right. It is. So, how was the rest of your date?" Ugh, shoot me now.
"It was unremarkable."
"Good, that means you're in the mood for a better date. Let me take you to dinner tomorrow night." He says and straightens his tie.
"In the middle of the week?"
"Yep. I've got to go out of town the next morning for a few days. I'd like to take you out before I go. Waiting until I get back is just too long." Bingo.
"You know what, dinner tomorrow night sounds lovely. I'll bring a dress and change here. We can go out right after work. That way I can get you home in plenty of time for an early bedtime. You've got a plane to catch the next morning." I say and wink. Gross.
"Yes, excellent. Oh, and Lilith, can you book the flight for the next morning. Sorry for the late notice. Something first class, preferably after seven."
"Doesn't your secretary usually do that?" I say teasingly.
"She does, but on such short notice, she won't be able to get me a good seat. I need you to work your magic."
"Anything for you Tom," I say because laying it on thick seems like a good plan.
With that, he breezes back out of my office, and I don't see him for the rest of the day. I don't know if Becks and Adam are going to like this, but I can get him drunk and flash a little cleavage. That should get him talking. If I play it just right, I should be able to get him to slip up.
I text Adam and tell him I've had a breakthrough, and I need to see him and Becks tonight.
Did you find out the location? - Adam
No, but I think I've figured out a way to get it by tomorrow night. - Lilith
Meet us at the church right after work. - Adam
Will do. - Lilith
How is your day? - Adam
Productive :-) How about you? - Lilith
Better now that I've heard from you. - Adam
You're just saying that because I'm going to get information. - Lilith
That's not the only reason. - Adam
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See you in a few hours. - Lilith
Later, Peaches. - Adam
"Focus, Lilith," I whisper to myself when the butterflies start to frenzy in my belly.
The last thing I want to do is piss Tom off. He'd probably cancel our date. So, I spend the afternoon getting caught up on my job. I make my way through several files before quitting time and then slip out before Tom can come find me again.
At the church, Adam and Becks are eating pizza. It smells amazing, and I realize that I skipped lunch. My mouth starts to water, and I'm relieved when they offer me a slice.
"So, tell us about your new info," Becks says in between bite.
"Okay, so hear me out before you get upset," I say looking right at Adam.
"No," Adam says and crosses his arms.
"You don't even know what I'm going to say." I laugh.
"Doesn't matter, Peaches. Anything that starts out like that is something I already know I'm not going to like." He says and grunts.
"Oh my God, Adam. Stop being such a cave dweller and let her finish. Remember what's at stake." Becks says and backhands him in the gut softly.
"Don't use that." He says in a low voice.
"I'm not using it. I just want you to remember how important this is.
I watch them go back and forth at each other like brother and sister. "Okay, alright. Do you want to hear what I'm doing or not?" I finally ask.
"Go on," Becks says and shoots Adam one of her famous death stares.
"Tom asked me out on a date."
"No," Adam snarls.
"And, you want to get him drunk and get the information flash him a few seductive smiles and get the information we NEED," Becks says in support of me.
"Yes. It will be okay, I promise." I plead with Adam.
"I'm not letting you go on a date with that jerk," Adam says bluntly.
"I wasn't asking for your permission. I'm trying to help you. I don't like Tom if that's what you're worried about."
"I'm not jealous." He snarls, but I can totally tell he's jealous. "I'm concerned about your safety."
"Then why don't you go to the restaurant with me? I'd feel better with you there." I admit.
"I can't go on your date with you." He says, and the word date comes out as another growl. He's so alpha right now, it's making my legs feel like jelly.
"You're the big Hollywood hot shot, I'm sure you can figure something out," I say and watch him relax and smile.
The next day at work, I bring a dress that I know is going to make Adam flip. I have to wear something that gets Tom to let his guard down, though. Hopefully, when Adam sees me, he'll remember that I'm doing this for him.
Around lunchtime, Tom buzzes my office and confirms our date. He tells me that he has meetings all afternoon, but that we'll meet in the lobby at six. I send Adam a text message and let him know the plan.
At 5:30 I go to the lady's room and put on the red silk dress I bought for tonight. It's short, but not too short. It's also low cut, but not too low cut. The plan was to look inviting but not promising. You have to leave just enough to the imagination. I push down the nauseated feeling I get thinking of Tom ogling me in this dress by thinking about how much Adam will like it once he forgives me for wearing it.
When I'm dressed, I freshen up my makeup and sweep my hair up into an updo. It accentuates my cleavage even more, and I wonder if I should take my hair down. No time. Once I get Adam the information he needs, he'll be happy I look so enticing.
Tom is waiting for me in the lobby, and he walks me out to his limousine. I get in, and he scoots very close to me. Regret washes over me instantly. I've put myself in a bad situation being alone in this car with him, and I pray that we're going to a close restaurant.
The universe is on my side tonight, and we pull up in front of a French Bistro just a few blocks from work. Tom helps me out of the limo and tries to take my hand. I pretend like I don't notice and proceed ahead of him into the restaurant. I'm glad that I didn't let him hold my hand because I see Adam as soon as we walk inside.
I swallow back a yelp and remember that I have to play it cool.
This will all be over soon. I think to myself as the host seats us in the private section of the restaurant. I get nervous because Adam won't be able to get close to us here. I'll have to pull up my big girl panties and handle this.
Chapter Ten
Adam
I've bribed a waiter to let me take his shift. I've only ever briefly worked waiting tables, and it wasn't in a place like this. The owner has left for the day, and everybody just assumes I'm a new guy filling in for the waiter I bribed. He said he was about to quit anyway, and tells me good luck.
When I see Lilith come in with Tom, I have to swallow back my jealousy. I need to do this for Sophie, and Lilith is doing her best to help me.
I told the head waiter tonight that I have lots of experience so that he'd put me right on the floor instead of making me go through training. Fortunately, he stuck me in a small section in the back. I'm not close to where Tom and Lilith are having dinner, but at least I'm not going to get overwhelmed and blow my cover. Getting dragged out of here by my ear and having the cops called on me is the last thing I need, but I have a feeling that's exactly what will happen if Jack, the head waiter, figures out I'm an imposter.
The menu here is small and very specific, so I learn tonight's specials quickly. I never have more than two tables, so I'm able to keep up. I even get a few good tips and a phone number from some sorority girls out celebrating a birthday. The money I save, and the phone number I slip to Louie. He's the other waiter working tonight, and he thanks me profusely.
Watching Lilith flirting with Tom is making my blood boil, but I keep an eye on her anyway. It's my fault she's here. At one point, he reaches out and caresses her arm, and I have to take a minute to cool down in the walk in.
About halfway through their meal, I signal her to meet me in the bathroom. We slip in when no one is looking, and Lilith locks the door behind us.
"Ooh, what do you want to do in here?" She jokes, and I have to laugh. Lilith is good at bringing me back to earth.
"Haha. Very funny hot stuff. Tell me what you've found out so far." I've got to focus on business, or else I am going to spend the rest of the night making out with her in here. It's tempting, but a lady like my Peaches deserves better.
"Not as much as I would like. I can't get Tom to drink faster. I need him drunk, or he's never going to spill anything. I think Tom really believes he's going to get laid tonight, and he's trying to make sure he can keep it up. If you know what I mean." She says it completely sincerely and I chuckle again. Lilith is so innocent and sweet that she believes I might not know what it means.
"You shouldn't tell me stuff like that, Peaches. I might go out and kill the guy right now." I say and clench my fists.
"And, then where would we be?" She says and takes my fist into her hand. I relax and thread my fingers through hers.
"You're right. Thank you. But, now what are we going to do?"
"You're not going to like this, but I think I've got to get him to take me back to his place. Dinner will be over soon, and he's not drunk enough yet."
"Absolutely not," I say and squeeze her hand. I'm not putting her in that kind of danger.
"We have to do something." She says urgently.
"Okay, take this and put it in his drink as soon as you get to his place. If you can get it into him in the limo, even better. It will knock him out. I guess he'll talk before it takes him under." I say and hand her a vile of sedative. "I'll be right behind the limo on my bike. I'll stay with you, and I'll be right outside his door until you knock him out."
"Where did you get this?" Panic flashes in her eyes.
"Peaches, that was in his desk drawer the night I broke into his office. I took it so he couldn't use it on anyone else. I know he can get more, but it felt like the thing to do. Why do you think I was so scared about you going out with him?"
; "You should have told me." She says and puts her free hand on her hip.
"I know, and I'm sorry. I figured I would be watching over you, so I didn't want to worry you any more than necessary. It's a lame excuse. I won't hide things from you again." I feel a massive guilt when I say this because I know I'm still hiding things from her. I'll tell her the truth soon.
She slips the vile into her bra, and I look at her skeptically. "It's one place I know Tom won't be looking tonight.
"That's my girl." I just called her my girl.
"Let's do this." She smiles and squeezes my hand.
"I'm going to come by your table and spill a drink on him. That's your cue to get him out of the restaurant. Remember, I'll be right behind you."
I watch her walk back to the table, and for a moment I consider just kidnapping this guy and torturing the information out of him. That's what Vladimir would do. He's probably wondering why I haven't tried it yet.
That's not me. I'm not Vladimir, but I feel sick putting Lilith in even more danger. Whatever happens tonight, we're getting the information I need to free Sophie. She's not spending another day locked up in Vlad's basement dungeon, and I'm not putting Lilith in danger again. Tonight is it.
I pour a red wine while the bartender is in the kitchen and walk towards Tom and Lilith. "A drink on the house for the beautiful lady," I say when I get close, but then I pretend to trip and dump the whole thing on Tom.
At first, I think he's going to start a fight, but he sizes me up and realizes that he'd lose. "Just get out of here." He spits and waves me away. Lilith winks at me, and I make for the alley and my bike.
Lilith
Once Adam is out of sight, I get up and start blotting Tom's clothes with a napkin.
"It's not doing any good." He hisses.
"Then let's go back to your place so you can change into something more comfortable. Like nothing." Gag.
"You really want to?" No.
"Yes, I've been waiting a long time for this." Bigger gag.
"Let's go," Tom says and throws enough cash down on the table to cover the check.
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