Saved By The Glass Slipper

by Markee Anderson

  I opened my eyes slowly. “I think I’m in your power. Now quit freaking me out and taking over here. I don’t know if I trust you yet, and don’t like being accosted with your lips.”

  “Sure.”

  I don’t think he even heard what I said.

  He glanced back at the door again, nodded and grinned, then put his phone in his pocket. “Now about my request—”

  “Uh-huh,” I said, watching him massage my hand. “Ask away—anything you want, because I don’t remember any request after a kiss like that.” Or even before a kiss like that.

  “One kiss and you’re mine?”

  “Appears so, even though it’s against my will and I’d rather not fall for any man right now.” I met his eyes. “Whatcha want?”

  “Oh, we have to fix that kiss thing. Go out with me tonight—that’s my request.”

  I shook my head, returning to the present. “Oh, I don’t know. I’m on the rebound and just don’t know right now. You could be the devil or something and I need to protect myself.”

  “On the rebound, huh?”

  “Uh-huh.” I guess he either was the devil and wanted me to fall for his advances, or ignored the comment about protection. Regardless, I crossed my arms, wondering about his hearing. He didn’t look that old to be deaf.

  He stroked my hair and stared into my eyes with a grin. “Why would someone let a beautiful blonde-haired, blue-eyed princess like you get away?”

  I smiled and backed away. “Some come-on line. Now are you going to explain everything to me?”

  “Nope.” He leaned closer, making me look up at him. “I was being serious. You’re absolutely beautiful. Why are you on the rebound?”

  “I got rid of some…dead weight. That’s why I was going to the beach today. I needed to be alone.”

  “Who is this ‘dead weight’?”

  “His name’s Connor. He’s a psychology professor at the University. It’s not that big of a deal, really, and it’ll make it easier to move away when I get my master’s degree.”

  “Go out with me tonight to celebrate getting rid of Connor?” He almost begged me, but I couldn’t relent. I had to keep my distance.

  “I don’t think I can date right now.” I leaned up closer to him. “Besides, how do I know you’re not a crazed psycho or something?”

  He chuckled, appearing more than amused with me. “I’m not a crazed psycho.”

  “Uh-huh.” I crossed my arms. “And I’m to believe you? You think I’m going to date you now?”

  He sat back, letting out a huge breath. “Not a date, just a celebration. Please? We’ll be out in public, too, so you can trust me.”

  His tone and beautiful eye contact got me. I should’ve walked out the door, but I was in his power and had no choice. No other woman would’ve argued with me that Mark Dallas was worth it—he was a perfect twenty out of ten, after all. Also, he knew the cops, which was a definite plus. But there was something there that seemed almost secretive about him.

  I studied him for a moment, thinking it through. He’d be fun to play with, at least, until I figured out how bright he really was. I didn’t date beneath my intelligence level, not because I was a snob, but I didn’t want them labeling me as a nerd or something.

  I nodded. “Fine. I’ll meet you somewhere, but I pay my way. I don’t want to owe anyone anything.”

  “It’s my treat, and I insist.”

  I leaned closer, challenging him with my narrowed eyes. “I’m not helpless.”

  “I know that.” His voice was almost a whisper as he chuckled. “But I want to treat you right. Please?”

  I was in big trouble, because the butterflies were doing double wing-flaps in my stomach. What was it about this guy? Was it the invisible dimples that only showed up when he grinned, or was it the compassion oozing out of him? It was hard to tell because I was a sucker for both of those things. I still couldn’t trust him. “We’ll see. What time and where?”

  He checked his watch. “After your class at Luigi’s.”

  “I’m done around six. I’ll meet you there, and it’s not a date.”

  His smile and dimples were endearing but not as mesmerizing as his blue eyes. “Not a date. Got it. Just dinner and a celebration.”

  I finished my hot dog and drink, then glanced at my watch. “I have to go back to work. Thank you for lunch.”

  “Where is work?”

  “Near here. I’m a bank teller.”

  His face sported confusion. “You have your college degree and you’re a bank teller?”

  “It pays the bills until I can get a real job. A 4.0 GPA in Mathematics for undergrad doesn’t exactly pull in the jobs.”

  Mark smiled, making me wonder what was going through his mind. He was probably figuring out a way to get rid of me—and my brains. “Tonight at six at Luigi’s.”

  I stood to leave, but Mark was at my side in an instant. “I had a thought,” he said. “Why don’t I walk you back to work?” He kept glancing out the door, then grabbed my arm.

  “Why? It’s very close to here.”

  “In case that man returns who was chasing you. I want to make sure you’re safe. That’s all.”

  “You’re a true knight, but I bet your girlfriend won’t be too happy about that, though.”

  He walked me outside into the sunshine. “No girlfriend, no wife. You’re in luck.” He began walking at a fast pace, checking behind us every so often.

  I didn’t see anyone following us, but just played along. “So, are you from around here?”

  “No, my family lives in the Washington D.C. area. Yours?”

  D.C.—governmental. I had to be extra careful, just in case, after being warned against governmental types. But this guy was just a games programmer, so he couldn’t be governmental. I had to give him the benefit of the doubt. “I’m alone here. What brought you to Florida?”

  “Oh, the job. You know, nothing earth-shattering.” We rounded the corner near the street to where I first saw the chaser, but the man in black was now gone, as well as the Asian men.

  Mark took my hand and we waited until the light turned green, then walked across together. “Do you come down to the beach often?” he asked.

  “Not really. You probably do, since you seem to know everyone in that hot dog shop.”

  He smiled. “Not really, but people seem to know who I am.”

  “Well, I don’t. Are you on the news or something?”

  “No, not the news. I just like treating people well, and it seems to follow me no matter where I go.” He seemed cryptic, making me wonder what he was hiding.

  We stood in front of the bank and he faced me. “Well, have a great afternoon at work.” He handed me his card. “If you have any problems, give me a call.”

  I glanced at his simple white business card, containing his name, phone number, and the words ‘Madcap Programmer’ under it. “I will. Thanks for lunch and—”

  He pulled me to him and studied my face. With one arm around my back, he stroked my hair and seemed to glance behind me.

  “Is he back?” I whispered.

  “No, I don’t think so. But I’m watching out for you. Want me to meet you after work to make sure you’re safe?”

  “I’ll be fine. I’ll have the security guard walk me to my car.”

  Mark moved closer, his lips touching mine gently at first, then turning passionate, while I kissed him back. Oh, he was hot and the things his kiss did to me—oh baby…I was in big trouble if he were the enemy.

  Mark backed away with a grin, making his dimples appear just slightly. “If you need me, call, please?” He asked in such a warm tone, I had to remind myself we were out in public.

  I felt my mouth drop and my cheeks heat up while feeling my breath hitch. “Sure.”

  He left go and took a few steps away from me, then turned back suddenly. “Six. Luigi’s. Don’t forget.”

  “Yes, sir.” Upon entering the bank, I told Benny, the elderly security guard what ha
d happened, and went back to my teller’s window. What a weird lunch. The first thing I did was call the cops.

  “Devon Police,” a surly man answered.

  “My name is Amy Watson, and I’d like to know about someone named Mark Dallas. I just met him and I want to know what you’ve got on him.”

  The man laughed for a long time before clearing his throat. “He’s one of the most well-respected citizens in Devon. He’s friends with everyone here at the station and in various surrounding police departments. Why?”

  “Well, he was worried about someone in the restaurant and called for someone to join us, but they never did.”

  The man’s voice turned from jovial to serious. “What restaurant was it?”

  “Sal’s hotdogs, down at the beach. Why?”

  “I’ll take care of it.” Click.

  I stared at the dead phone, not sure what had just happened.

  “That’s a phone, Miss Watson. Now get to work!” Spinning around, I saw my boss, Mr. Johnson’s, angry face.

  “Yes, sir.” Unlocking my teller window, I got to work. My mind wasn’t on the job, but on the situation from the beach. Why would someone run after me? It made no sense.

  Within fifteen minutes, a strange looking man wearing blue jeans and a white polo shirt walked into the bank. I was working with a customer, but the man in the white polo looked odd and out of place. Every since I’d had some things stolen from my apartment in the past, I always seemed to be looking over my shoulder for some reason.

  “That’s two hundred dollars,” I said to Mr. Perkins. He was at least a hundred years old and couldn’t hear me anyway, but I counted it out in front of him.

  “Thank you, Amy. I love coming in here just to see you.” He patted my hand and gave it a squeeze. Offering him a half-smile, I watched as he took his walker and headed past the man in the jeans and white polo who was leaning against the wall with crossed arms, staring at everyone—especially me.

  I picked up my phone and dialed the number for the security guard. “Benny, who’s the guy at the wall wearing the white shirt and jeans?” Benny was old, maybe sixty, with coke bottle glasses and a hearing aid. He didn’t do much to make me feel safe, but he was better than nothing.

  “Guy? Wall? Jeans?” He yelled over the phone so loudly, everyone in the place could hear him, and all turned to see him on his cell phone—even the man in jeans.

  I turned my back to the door. “Benny, not so loudly! He’ll hear you.”

  The door to the bank opened with a tinkle of the bell, but I ignored it. “Benny, I have to go, but keep an eye on things.”

  “Sure!” he yelled. I didn’t need to listen over the phone, because I could hear him yelling the whole way across the room.

  A rapping at my station had me spinning around while I hung up the phone. My mouth fell down as I stared in shock. “Mark? Dr. Urban?” Both men stood in front of me, and neither one looked very happy.

  “We need to talk to you,” Mark said.

  “You do?”

  “Yes, we do,” Dr. Urban said. “I was pulled out of my class just to come to see you.” He opened a folder in his hand, took out a stapled set of papers, and laid it on the counter.

  Studying the top page, I realized it was the final exam for my class. “What? But I’m taking this tonight. Why do you have it here, now? I have to work.”

  “You’re done,” Mr. Johnson said, from behind me. “Take the rest of the day off, and you can use my desk to take the test.”

  “Do you have your final project done?” Dr. Urban asked.

  “Sure. It’s in my car. But what’s this all about?”

  Mark leaned closer, looking almost grim. “Someone from the police department just called me. It seems that my lunch date wanted to know who I was, and I figured we needed to get to know each other better. So, I’ve made…arrangements for you to finish your test early, get out of work early, and go to dinner with me. Right now.”

  “Dinner? At one o’clock in the afternoon? You can’t do that. I have to take the test tonight and finish my work.”

  “Nope. All expenses paid vacation day,” Mr. Johnson said, still standing behind me. “Now go to my office, get the test done, and hand in your project. You’re done for the day.”

  I glanced over at the man in jeans, then leaned closer to Mark and Dr. Urban, motioning for Mr. Johnson to join us. The four of us stood close in a huddle.

  “Look. That man at the wall dressed in jeans has been standing there since I got back from lunch. I don’t trust him and can’t just walk away. What if he’s a bank robber?”

  All three men turned toward the man in jeans. “What man?” Dr. Urban asked, facing me again. “Are you delusional, suffering from burnout from too many classes?”

  I looked up. The man was gone. I looked a second time, but he was definitely not there. “Where did he go?”

  Mark picked up the test and handed it to me. “Doesn’t matter. Take the test and let’s get going. I have a schedule.”

  “A schedule?”

  Dr. Urban checked his watch. “Me too. Hurry up.”

  “I can get your project from the car,” Mark said, holding out his hand. “I need your keys.”

  “I can get it.” I pulled my keys from my purse, under the teller’s window.

  “No, you have a test to take.” Mark kept his hand outstretched for the keys. “Which car and where is it in the car?”

  I put the keys in his hand, the warmth of the touch incredible as I tried to remember his questions. “The project’s on the passenger’s seat in a manila folder. My car’s the blue clunker across the street at the grocery store.”

  Mark looked confused. Welcome to my world, buddy. “Why are you parked across the street?” he asked.

  “Because her car’s an eyesore,” Mr. Johnson answered. “We have a reputation to uphold.”

  “Oh, I see.” He nodded, but he didn’t look like he got it.

  Wait until he saw my car. He’d really understand, then.

  I took a deep breath, grabbed the test and a pencil from my station, then walked into Mr. Johnson’s office. As soon as he closed the door behind me, I could hear the three men laughing and whispering. Whatever floated their boats.

  After answering everything on the very simple final exam in about twenty minutes, I walked out to see the three men sitting in the lobby, drinking sodas. They were all laughing, and I was sure it was about me. I grabbed my purse at my station on the way to join them.

  “Oh, you’re done!” Mark said to me. “Just in time.”

  “For what?”

  “Oh, you’ll see.”

  I handed the test to Dr. Urban, who graded it right in front of all of us, which was our arrangement. He put an A+ at the top, grinned, then stood up.

  “It was a pleasure having you in my class,” he said, shaking my hand. “Now I have to go back to work.” He turned toward Mark. “I’m glad I could help.” He shook Mark’s and Mr. Johnson’s hands, then walked out of the bank. It was the oddest thing I’d ever witnessed. What did he help Mark with, anyway, other than harassing me early with a final exam?

  “Good luck,” Mr. Johnson said, patting me on the back. He walked away.

  “Ready to go?” Mark asked me.

  “To dinner?”

  “No. We have a few stops to make, first.” He took my hand and walked me toward the door. “You need a new car. I agree with your boss.”

  “What kind of stops?”

  He just grinned and walked outside with me toward a small red sports car.

  “Is this your car?” I asked, pointing.

  “Sure. Why?”

  “They pay programmers well at Madcap.”

  He chuckled, then bit his lips. “Sure do. Now I have a few places to take you. Are you game?”

  “Where are you taking me?” For some reason I trusted this guy, which made me worried. I knew better.

  “Just some fun places. I promise it’s very innocent.” He unlocked the pass
enger’s side door with the remote on his key chain, then opened the door for me. “Why are you so untrusting?”

  “Don’t worry about it.”

  I started to get into the car, but his hand on my arm stopped me. “I will worry about it.” He leaned closer. “What’s going on?”

  He probably thought I was psycho, so I bit my lips and pasted a smile on my face. “Nothing. Now what did you want to show me?”

  “It’s now a secret. Two can play that game.” He helped me into the bucket seat on the passenger’s side of the car, then walked around to his side. He got in, revved the motor, pulled out, and drove down the street.

  “I’m not playing any games,” I said, crossing my arms. “Put yourself in my shoes for a minute. I’m chased by a man in black over lunch, run into you, literally, and when we’re eating lunch, you make a phone call to someone while watching the door. And to top it all off, you pull some sort of strings that get me out of work and make me take my test a few hours early while a potential bank robber is watching me. What would you think?”

  “I guess I’d be a little leery, too.”

  “So where are we going?” We passed by some businesses on the streets, then I turned back to him when he didn’t answer me. “Well?”

  He glanced in the rearview mirror. “Just sit back and relax. We’re going to have fun today.”

  “Great.” I just hoped it wasn’t psycho fun.

  ~~~~~

  Chapter 2

  Something wasn’t right. Opening my eyes, I saw sunshine, then slammed them shut from the pain caused by the bright light. Reopening them just a bit, I looked around the room. I was in a bed but didn’t recognize any of my surroundings. Knowing I wasn’t supposed to be here, I hoped I was still on the west coast of Florida.

  It suddenly hit me. This was probably Mark’s house. What was I doing in his bed? I hardly knew the guy.

  The shower turned off and I spun toward the noise. My head hurt and I really needed to go home. Pushing myself up was tough, and I fell back to the bed. This was harder than I thought. I shouldn’t have gone to meet some of his programmer friends at Madcap the day before, shouldn’t have traveled up the coast to see the beaches, and certainly shouldn’t have had dinner and shared a bottle of wine with the man. I had to get out of this place.