by Layla Frost
“In case I wanted to do some school work,” Mar instantly shot back, her excuses lined up and ready.
Her parents must have their hands full.
Short of arching his brow, which did speak volumes, Theo remained silent as he closed the door again. His hands went to the door frame, one at the top and one at the side, but he kept his body away from mine. Deep dimples popped out as he smiled, shaking his head. “You ready to go?” At my nod, he dropped his hands and grabbed the towels from the floor. “I’ll be right back.”
Leaning against the wall, I listened to the hushed whispers and loud giggles of the two girls.
Around the time I’d learned to stop accepting the new clothes, I’d also learned not to bother forming any sort of relationship with the other foster kids.
Foster homes were like a reality show. The losers were sent away, usually to other homes or juvie. The winners were able to stay in the same place for longer than a month. The rare grand prize winners, however, got a family. A permanent one that came with a new last name and unconditional love. With that kind of prize on the table, things got competitive. Especially in some of the better foster homes I’d been in. There’d been backstabbing, sabotaging, and manipulation.
I wasn’t a bully or aggressive, although I’d known my fair share of both. I wasn’t an attention seeker, either. I melted into the background. I’d eaten, never asking for more than I was allotted. I’d taken care of my clothes and bedding, careful not to add to the stains or holes. And, so long as I’d had a library within my bus route, I hadn’t even asked for a ride or extra money for entertainment.
The pangs hit me again as I listened to the cousins who were obviously as close as sisters. I remembered how many times I’d opened my mouth to talk to one of the other girls before thinking better of it and remaining silent. Or all the times I’d tossed and turned at night, unable to stop my brain from dreaming up all sorts of crazy Little Princess-esque fantasies. I hadn’t cared about the closet full of clothes, or a room full of toys. I’d just wanted to be surprised by the family I’d thought I’d lost. That magical day my real parents would come and pick me up, bringing me to a house filled with grandparents, uncles, aunts, and, most importantly, siblings.
Pushing the past back where it belonged, I peeked into an open doorway, doing a double take. Twelve padded leather seats made up three tiered rows that were facing the white movie screen taking up an entire wall.
When Theo mentioned an entertainment room, I was thinking an old pool table and maybe some board games. Not an actual movie theater.
Hearing a door open, I turned as Theo stepped out of the bathroom, still toweling off his suddenly unruly hair.
“In the mood for a movie?” he asked.
I shook my head as I walked toward him. Even though the idea was very appealing, after a day spent in the sun, I was likely to fall asleep. “But it’s really cool.”
“Mom loves movies, but Dad hates sitting in the theater. He surprised her a few years ago for their anniversary. Gave her the base plans and a list of options and told her to go to town.”
“That’s so sweet.”
“Yeah.” His smile grew as he put his arm around my shoulder. “But she still drags him to the theater sometimes.”
My laughter was met with high-pitched giggles as the girls threw the office door open and cut in front of us, sprinting down the stairs.
“I have a similar setup at my place if you ever want to watch something.” Grabbing my hand, he jerked his head toward the stairs. “Let’s go say goodbye.”
Like the initial introductions, the goodbyes were loud and chaotic, but I wasn’t quite as overwhelmed.
“Uncle Theo!” Mar and Kat yelled out as he opened the front door. Dodging the obstacles, they both reached him, launching themselves into his arms. Based on the way he’d let go of my hand and braced, I was guessing it was an expected occurrence.
“Can we come swimming soon?” Mar asked, stepping away and bouncing on her toes.
“Yes,” Theo said.
“Like, soon? Or soon, soon?”
“How about Friday afternoon?” Mar’s face lit up until Theo continued. “If you can make it the whole week without getting in trouble at school.”
The joy left her expression as it crumpled to doubtful disappointment. She tilted her head to the side before nodding solemnly. “Okay, I can do that.” With one last grin, she was on the move again.
Stepping out into the humid, damp night, we were almost to the car before a thought hit me. “I thought Luc was going to be here.”
“He had to handle some stuff for work.” He rubbed his chin, momentarily distracting me. “Why?”
“I’d assumed he’d be driving you. How’d you get here if I had your SUV?”
Theo tilted his head toward a sleek car parked in the driveway. “I have more than one.”
Biting my cheek to keep from asking how many more, I looked over at the Range Rover and then back at the car.
“Dahlia,” he said, his firm voice grabbing my attention, “don’t.”
Pushing away the thoughts that niggled at me, I forced a smile and a teasing tone. “Can I drive the car? I promise to only go like a hundred. Maybe one-twenty.”
“Can you drive a stick?”
Probably looking a lot like Mar, my face fell. “No.”
“I’ll teach you, and then you can drive it.” After walking me the rest of the way to the SUV, he put his hands into his pockets. His brows lowered as he pulled out the keys and a folded piece of paper. Opening the SUV door so the light turned on, he looked at the paper for a moment before bursting out laughing.
“What is it?” I asked.
“Well, either you spell your name much different than I’d have guessed,” he said, “or I just uncovered Mar and Kat’s scheme.”
“Uh oh. How’d they get it into your pocket?”
“Apparently, their goodbye hugs had further ulterior motives beyond wanting to use my pool. I’m just thankful they were sneaking paper in, and not stealing my wallet.” He cleared his throat. “‘Uncle Theo,’ it starts, with the word uncle kind of crossed out. ‘Do you like me? Check yes or no.’ And then there are two boxes available, of course. It is signed, ‘Love, Dahlia’, spelled D-A-A-L-Y-E-A-H. Plus, a bunch of hearts. With arrows, too.” He held it to his chest, looking thoughtful. “I may just have to frame this. I’ll make sure to show it off and say it’s really from you.”
Laughing, I reached for the note, but Theo lifted it out of my reach, which wasn’t hard. “Hey, that’s not fair. I don’t have eagle wing span arms.”
“I take whatever openings I can.”
“So you play dirty?”
“Always.” Folding the paper, he pulled out his wallet and put it in before returning it to his pocket, still chuckling.
I reached around for his wallet, but he caught my hand. When I went for it with my other hand, he sat on the driver’s seat with his legs still out of the SUV, giving me no way to get it. Using his hold on me, he tugged me closer so I stood between his outstretched legs.
I’d been on edge all night. The teasing and grazing, the flirting and interrupted moments all worked together to drain away my patience. In the quiet night, with the light of the street lamps and echoes of our laughter, I kissed him. Up on my tiptoes, I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, weaving my fingers into his soft hair.
His hands cupped my ass, pulling me to him. With no way of getting closer in our positions, he lifted me slightly which pushed his elbow against the steering wheel. The horn honked loudly, setting multiple car alarms off in the process.
As Theo swore softly, letting me go as he got out of the car, I couldn’t help but laugh as I tried to remember walking under a ladder or breaking a mirror.
“Maybe we’re cursed,” I offered. “Car horns have interrupted us twice.”
He shook his head. “It’s the needed reminder for me to not do something.” His eyes went hooded again as his gaze locked onto
my mouth. “At least not in public.”
I didn’t have the chance to respond as his family came out to turn off alarms and investigate the noise. Theo handed me the keys. “Do you know how to get home from here?”
“Yeah. Do you want me to drop the car off between jobs tomorrow?”
“No, Ben, Luc, or I will pick it up in the next few days. Use it until then.” With a quick kiss, he backed out of the way. “Hurry and make your escape.”
Grinning, I got in and closed the door, giving him a short wave. I started the SUV and carefully pulled away from the curb before glancing in the rearview mirror.
Standing mostly in the dark, there was just enough light for me to see Theo smiling as he watched me driving away.
···
Tugging self-consciously at my hoodie, I went through the revolving door that led to the massive lobby of Amaric. Dark woods, light accents, and immaculate décor made the building look professional, classy, yet still somehow welcoming. There were various signs indicating which direction to head for the other businesses that operated out of the building. Theo had told me that his business only used the top ten floors, leaving an additional seventeen they rented out to other companies, but I still hadn’t anticipated the immensity of it.
Oh yeah, we’re an equal match. I make average coffee and he… does all this.
I took my place in one of the formed lines to go through security, glancing at the large clock on the wall. I only had a short window of time before my shift started at the grocery store. Between my tight schedule and not wanting to run into Theo, I hoped the wait was shorter than it seemed it’d be.
Heels clicked across the floor, quiet conversations creating a constant buzz. Multiple elevators dinged, rhythmically opening and closing. I found myself wishing there was a watercooler I could stand near and pass the time with idle chitchat and gossip.
Finally making it up to the security guards, I emptied my pockets and stepped through the metal detector. One of the guards searched my purse while the other held an iPad.
“Name?” the iPad wielding one asked.
“Dahlia Kincaid.”
He tapped the screen. “No appointment under that name. Who are you here to see?”
“I just need to leave something at the front desk for someone.”
Looking bored, he made eye contact and spoke slowly, as if I was an idiot. “Who?”
I hesitated slightly before answering. “Theo Amato.”
Both guards went on alert, the purse searcher speaking into the walkie-talkie. I couldn’t hear all he said, but I caught my name.
“What—” the other one started before being interrupted.
“Mr. Ryan says to let her go through,” the man with the walkie-talkie said.
With no further comment, my bag was handed back to me as they moved on to the next person.
Reaching the main desk, I took my place in another long line. I only waited a few minutes before a pretty brunette called out to me.
“Miss Kincaid?” she asked, smiling as she gestured for me to come to the end of the counter where she stood. The door behind her swung open as I neared, a man stepping out with a warm smile aimed at me.
In contrast with his professional shirt, tie, and slacks, his dark auburn hair was overgrown and tousled, flopping onto his forehead and making him look younger. A feeling of familiarity niggled at me until he spoke. “Hi Miss Kincaid. How are you?”
“Hi Ben,” I returned, finally placing him as the man who’d dropped off the dry clothes to me. “Good, you?”
“Late.” He patted down his pocket before pulling out a plastic card and a thick piece of paper slightly bigger than a business card. “Sorry for the holdup at security. There was a misunderstanding, but it won’t happen again. Mr. Amato wants me to give these to you. He’ll be back in about twenty minutes, and says he’ll see you then.” Not giving me the chance to say anything, he handed me the cards. “Got to run.”
As he walked away, the brunette regained my attention. “Mr. Amato asked me to show you up to his office.”
I glanced at the clock. “I’m sorry, Ms.…”
She smiled apologetically. “No, I’m sorry, that was rude of me. I’m Rosa, Mr. Amato’s receptionist. There’s a cafeteria or coffee kiosk down the hall if you’d like to grab something. Otherwise, I can show you the way.”
Tall and gorgeous, the woman who worked for Theo looked like she should’ve been on the cover of a magazine. Her pencil skirt accentuated her long legs, and her blazer showed off her figure while still looking professional.
She gave me a friendly smile, with maybe a hint of curiosity.
I didn’t blame her; I was starting to wonder what I was doing there, too.
“I wish I could,” I lied, “but I don’t have time. If I can just leave these for him, I’ve got to get to work.” I took out the keys to the SUV.
Her eyes dropped to them as she put her hands on her hips. “Mr. Amato wanted you to use the Rover.”
“I have, but it’s been two weeks.” Trying again, I held out the keys.
Rosa made no move to take them, instead pulling a cell phone out of her blazer pocket. “I’ll just—”
I caught the time again, and shook my head. “I’m sorry, I really have to go.” I added a smile, not wanting to come across like a total jerk. “It was super nice to meet you, though.” I set down the keys, plus the cards from Ben, on the counter before I hurried from the building.
It took some quick footwork, weaving and maneuvering through the thick after work crowd, but I made it to the T station, slipping into the train just as the door closed behind me. With no seats, I gripped the metal bar and tried to pretend I didn’t feel my phone vibrating in my pocket.
···
“Bored of the Rover?”
Trudging from the store two hours after my shift was supposed to end, I wasn’t really surprised to see Theo leaning against a different sleeker car.
“You said someone would pick it up,” I reminded him.
“I did.”
“It’s been almost two weeks.”
“It has.” When I was within reach, he curved his hand around the back of my neck, pulling me closer. “Is there a reason why we’re standing outside at one in the morning to say things we both already know?”
“I don’t know why you’re standing outside at one in the morning in the first place.”
“I figured since you’re bored of the Rover, I’d bring you something different.”
Shaking my head, I pulled away from him. “I’m not bored. I said I’d take it to drive to your parents, and I did—”
“Right. And now I need you to take this one and drive to my place tomorrow. I’d pick you up, but Kat and Mar are coming over at four.”
“Wait, what?”
“I’ve been getting nonstop texts from Mar reminding me that I owe them pool time. I thought you could come and hang out, and I’ll cookout or order pizza. Then when the girls leave, we’ll watch a movie.” His voice lowered as he murmured, “Or not watch one.”
The previous two weeks had been hectic. Between my work schedule and his, we’d only been able to get together for three dinners, one of which had been cut short because he had a work emergency. He’d stopped in a couple times for coffee, but they were quick visits.
I missed him.
“Okay.”
“And here I thought I’d need my negotiation skills—”
“I do have a stipulation.”
“Hit me with it.”
I looked up at him, my train of thought going south as a wicked smile spread across his face. His eyes were alert, and although we were being playful, there was a spark that came alive in him.
His voice was thick, and almost strangely pained sounding, as he whispered, “Dahlia.”
Tucking my hair behind my ear, I tried to regain control of myself. “I’ll take the car tonight, but then you’re driving me home. I’m not keeping it until whoever picks it up.”
> My building was surprisingly safe, especially considering the reasonable rent prices. The rest of the neighborhood, however, wasn’t. I’d been a nervous wreck with the SUV, checking on it multiple times throughout the night. Whatever kind of car the new one was, it might as well have been a flashing neon sign.
A beacon for thieves and chop shops.
“That sounds fair.” When he opened the door, I saw there were even more buttons than the Rover had. “Press the button on the steering wheel that looks like someone talking. When the car asks for the voice command, say ‘Destination Home’, and it’ll give you the directions.”
Even I couldn’t mess that up.
I hope.
Headlights lit the parking lot as an SUV pulled in.
“Luc?” I asked.
He shook his head. “Ben.”
Waving in the direction of the car, I accepted the keys from Theo. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”
His lips quirked up seconds before landing on mine. His tongue teased across my lips, coaxing them open, only for him to end the kiss. “I can’t wait,” he whispered, his lips brushing against mine as he spoke. Releasing his hold on me, he headed into the darkness to the waiting SUV. “Good night, Dahlia.”
Unable to see beyond the headlights, I blindly called my goodbye into the night.
Chapter Six
For Your Pleasure
Dahlia
My fingers drummed on the steering wheel as I drove in silence. Curiosity gnawed at me, feeding into the doubt I felt growing with each passing house.
“In a half a mile,” the GPS voice interrupted my running thoughts, “your destination will be on the left.”
Excitement overtook my trepidation as I started looking for his house number. When I found it, I turned into the long driveway surrounded by a fence of well-trimmed, tall shrubs and trees. The driveway forked off, one end going toward a huge detached garage, the other leading into a loop in front of the house. I started to slow, unsure which way to go, when Theo stepped onto the porch and gestured for me to park in the loop.
Cutting the engine, I grabbed my bag and got out, meeting Theo on the brick pathway leading from the porch.