When She Falls

by Jez Strider

  She lifted her wine glass. “I’ll drink to that.”

  Logan touched his glass against hers before bringing the drink to his lips, but never took his gaze off his date.

  After dinner, Logan led Candice upstairs to the roof. The gate around the huge telescope was unlocked. Another example of what money could buy. Almost anything.

  Candice stepped up first and leaned down to peer into the eyepiece. Her breath caught in her throat and it wasn’t because she was looking at the wonders of space. Logan had moved closer and pressed against her from behind. She had gasped louder than she realized.

  “Breathtaking, isn’t it?” Logan whispered, leaning down toward her ear. “The whole universe out there and as many stars to wish on as you want.”

  “What do you wish for?” She asked, her voice a whisper as well.

  Logan’s lips where still near her ear and he brushed his mouth over the lobe when he spoke. “If I told you it would ruin the mystery. I’ll give you a hint. I think it came true today.”

  That had her standing up straight and she turned to face her mind-boggling date. “Don’t bullshit me. If you’re saying all this to get into my pants… just tell me and we’ll have a great night either way. But don’t seduce me into falling for you if it’s not sincere. Just… don’t.”

  To answer her question, Logan wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. His family would never approve, he didn’t know what baggage Candice was carrying, but what he did know was that his heart responded to her more in one day than it had anyone else in an entire lifetime.

  The night air had chilled her skin, but when his hand ran across her shoulder and pulled the strap of her dress down, nothing but heat radiated from every spot he touched. She lifted her eyes modestly and he met her gaze, touching her cheek with his hand. He could see the fear, but also the mirrored desire. Maybe it was the alcohol affecting them both.

  “I… don’t understand feeling so strongly for someone in the span of a day. I swear to you, it’s real.” He promised.

  It was Candice’s turn. She slipped her arms over his shoulders and around his neck, standing on the tiptoes of her flats to kiss him again. Logan held her to him with an ass cheek in each hand, guiding her up against the fencing. He’d freed his erection from his pants at some point and before either of them had the chance to question their actions further, he took her. He ravaged her as he had no other woman before. This time, for the first time, he thought he was in love.

  As she was urged to climax, Candice opened her eyes briefly before they rolled back in her head. She caught a glimpse of Orion watching the new lovers from the starlit sky above.

  Candice was a jumbled batch of emotions as they walked hand and hand downstairs from the roof. What was new? She was determined not to cry after the best fuck of her life. That was all she was calling it… a fuck. Anything more she wasn’t ready to face. Not even for a charming, eligible heir to billions.

  “Are you okay?” He asked when they had made their way to the limo which was now repaired and parked outside. His genuine look of concern made her heart melt.

  “Yes. Thank you for such a wonderful date. I certainly didn’t expect my day to end up like this when I got out of bed this morning.” She leaned back against the limo.

  Logan rested one hand beside her on the car and grew very serious. “About that. I’m renting a big house while I’m in town. Stay with me.”

  “Stay with you?”

  “Yeah.”

  “I’m not sure we should be moving in together after one date.” Candice tried to hide the temptation she was feeling. The back seat of her car didn’t make a great substitution for a bed. Eons seemed to have passed since she’d slept soundly.

  “I am not taking no for an answer.”

  “You’re freaking me out now. I’ll just walk home.” Candice had taken a few steps away before Logan called out to her and made her freeze in her tracks.

  “I know you live in your car.”

  “You don’t know anything.”

  He ran up and wrapped his arms around her from behind. “It’s okay. Don’t shut me out.”

  Candice shrugged out of his embrace. She fought the embarrassment with anger. “Don’t touch me.” Facing him, her eyes filled with tears. “I don’t need your charity or your pity sex.”

  “It’s not charity or pity. I… I think I like you.” He stumbled over the words as he’d expected. The right ones wouldn’t spill from his mouth.

  “You. Don’t. Know. Me!” She said each word as if it were a sentence of its own. “Okay, let’s get it all out and see how you feel since you’re so keen on spying.” Candice’s arms moved with angry animation as she spoke. “After my parents died, I dropped out of college and married a man who ended up being a major dick. I lost what little I had except for my car. Then, I moved in with the only family I have left… my pill popper sister. She was arrested and I was out on my ass. That is why I live in my car.”

  Logan took a step toward her again. “The past doesn’t matter. Just stay with me. I can’t stand to see you live in a car.”

  Candice had her hands on her hips and she was fuming. It wasn’t even so much at her date, but at her horrible luck and choices. “Did you tell anyone else?”

  “Of course not, but I was told by someone.”

  “This is humiliating.”

  Since she didn’t back away when he stepped closer, Logan hugged her to him. Her tears fell and she buried her face against his chest. “I’m not expecting anything in return for this. I promise.”

  She lifted her head and he wiped away her tears carefully. “I’ll clean your house or something. I’m not a bum.” She told him.

  A long sigh of relief escaped Logan at the words of concession. “Whatever you want.” He guided her back to the limo and opened the door for her. “We will get your things in the morning.”

  Candice nodded. She stared out the opposing window as they drove away. Her pride wouldn’t let her look at him again. He didn’t force her or say anything during the ride, but he pulled her close to him and held her tightly. A tender kiss on the top of her head was the only assurance he knew how to give.

  Maxwell L. Harworth was the head of a vast empire of riches. His carefully crafted image painted him the romantic head of a loving household. Of course, it was all a fabricated lie. Years had passed since he’d slept in the same room as his wife and his son seemed to have little intentions of shedding his playboy attitude.

  At least I keep my own antics private. He thought to himself before picking up his phone. Max dragged his finger across the screen, intent on calling upon one of the ladies in his digital black book. Instead, he chose the number for his assistant. The late hour was of no concern to him.

  “Hello, sir.” A groggy, mousy male voice came through.

  “James. I want you to find my son a woman he will fall in love with. Make sure she knows the right things to say and that she will do anything. It’s time for him to grow up. I am not getting any younger.”

  The assistant rubbed his face in frustration, but sounded enthusiastic when he spoke. “I will get on it first thing in the morning, Mr. Harworth.”

  “Tonight, James.”

  “Right, tonight.”

  Maxwell ended the call without another word. There had to be a sexy socialite that would tame Logan. He just knew it. Satisfied with himself, he made the call he’d intended in the first place. A sultry voice filled the line accepting the invitation. He leaned back in his pricey leather chair and closed his eyes while he waited for one of his favorite whores.

  With a gentle shake, Logan roused Candice from her slumber. She had fallen asleep at some point during the drive. He’d watched her silently, trying to figure out what was so special about the woman. Her instability should have pushed him away, but it did the opposite. He wanted to make it better. Do something to get rid of all that pain.

  “Sorry….” Her heavy eyes lifted toward him. It was the first time she’d made eye
contact with him since their disagreement.

  “Don’t be.” He lightly brushed his thumb along her lip. “You were tired.”

  A shake of her head sent most of her bangs falling free from the clip. She reached up to unsecure it and the hair fell free. “Not that. For freaking out. I’m just soooo fucked up.”

  The driver opened the door and Logan stepped out of the car, extending his hand to his date and new roommate. “We’re all fucked up. Trust me.”

  Her hand in his told him that some part of her did do that… trust him. He’d never asked anyone to do so because he’d never cared enough before.

  The house stood silent before them. Candice couldn’t tear her gaze off the home. “I’ve never even driven through this neighborhood. It’s a long way from my side of town.”

  Logan’s house was a huge two-story with a porch in front. Most of the homes on the street were similar in style. All of the driveways in view had cars with hefty price tags. Brand symbols like Lexus, BMW, and Cadillac gleamed under the street lights.

  “Here.” Logan had been working a spare key off his key ring and handed it to her.

  He hoped the tiny piece of metal meant more than anything she’d ever been given. Her hand closed tightly around it. “What if I steal all your stuff?”

  “It will have been worth the risk. I can always buy more personal items. Besides, I told you I’m renting the place. Most of this isn’t even mine.” He laughed while resting his hand on the small of Candice’s back and guided her toward the house.

  With her thoughts whirling with the day’s events, Candice stepped into the bedroom Logan had said was hers. Hers. She had a room, and if the unbelievable night was real, a temporary home.

  “Umm…” She held the door knob in her hand and twisted it uncomfortably. Logan hadn’t entered the room with her. A thank you hardly seemed enough.

  “Get some rest.” He smiled awkwardly, yet sincerely, and walked away toward his own room.

  Candice leaned forward and peered around the corner. Her eyes locked on Logan’s form as he shed his suit jacket and disappeared through an open door. Exhaling a slow sigh, she slipped her head back into her room.

  What am I doing here?

  The walls were near blinding white to match the fluffy comforter on the bed. She stepped away from the closed door she had been leaning against for a few minutes. Her outstretched hands glided easily over the soft material covering the king size. She picked up a pillow and hugged it to her chest, burying her face against it and inhaling the fresh spring scent.

  Home.

  The thought came to her again and she scolded herself for being naïve. Morning would come and a cab would take her to the mall, back to work, and she’d be living out of the car again. She had to think it. Optimism had only led her to disappointment in the past.

  Her eiderdown pillow was tossed back onto the bed with little concern or knowledge that the price tag had been more than she made in three months. She made her way over to the vanity and sat down in front of the mirror. No perfumes or jewelry decorated the surface. The home was merely a shell of what might have been. Logan was only supposed to live there until he’d finished his work. How much longer could that be?

  Candice stood quickly, trying to tear her mind away from foolish fantasies of being rich and loved. She headed into the bathroom adjoining the room. A hot tub sized bath was in the corner and a shower to her left. It was too much to resist. In the weeks since losing her place on her sister’s sofa, she’d been putting up the closed sign in the restroom at the mall. Rough brown paper towels and anti-bacterial soap had been her bathing staples. The method might be crude and she was homeless, but she’d be damned if she would stink.

  After stripping out of her dress, she folded and placed it on the sink counter to put on afterward. The glass door to the shower slid open easily and she stepped inside. The water heated instantly. It felt good. No… amazing after how she’d been degraded to living. Steam clouded the room as she kept the water at the highest temperature she could bear. Several minutes later she slid down to sitting in the floor of the immaculately cleaned shower and drew her knees up to her chest.

  Then, she cried. It had truly been the best evening of her life. Logan was a dream come true. The sex… man, the sex… there were no words to describe that. But, she was afraid. Afraid of trusting, afraid of loving, and afraid of tomorrow.

  “I have no idea what I’m doing….” Logan said out loud to himself as he rummaged through his dresser for something Candice could wear to bed. Some of his clothing was still unpacked. He left the drawers pulled out and unzipped the suitcase at the foot of his bed.

  He grabbed a folded polo shirt and pair of silk boxers. Both still had the tags attached. His hand curled around the paper to tug the price off, but he stopped and instead left them intact. Then, he walked toward the guest bedroom with clothing in hand.

  “Hello,” followed a series of knocks on the door. When there was no answer, he twisted the knob and pushed slowly. He could hear the shower running and soft sobs coming from the bathroom.

  Logan was torn. Should he attempt to console her and ask what was wrong or mind his own business? He placed the clothing on the bed before quietly stepping toward the cracked bathroom door. Candice’s nude form was distorted by the steam and glass of the shower door, but he could tell she was sitting in the floor crying. With a sudden turn, he left the clothing on the bed and stalked out.

  Upon returning to his room, he picked up his briefcase and dumped his papers out on the bed. His intention to lose himself in work was for naught. All he could think about were the tears falling from the beautifully broken girl and then washing away into oblivion.

  When all her tears had been spent, Candice turned off the water and wrapped herself in a huge towel big enough for a day on the beach. Crying helped her release some of the stress that had built and built until she couldn’t keep it in check. That’s how the breakdowns went. It may have been a bit unstable, but it was far better than doping away all feeling with drugs the way her sister did.

  She ran her fingers through her short hair when she couldn’t find a brush and gave a few scrunches for lift. As she stared at herself in the mirror, she knew why Logan made the mistake of thinking she was so young. With no make-up on now, even she couldn’t believe her age. Only in looks, though. Thinking of all the shit she’d been through already in her life made her feel old. Often, she’d get angry when people treated her like she was barely an adult. They’d say things like, “Wait until you’re my age,” or “What do you have to be upset about? You have your whole life ahead of you.” No one seemed to realize age didn’t define how hard of a life a person had lived.

  Leaving the bathroom, she saw the clothing Logan had left for her on the bed. Brand new. His every thoughtful gesture surprised her. She picked up the clothing and inhaled. Even though both items were new, the clothes had a hint of his scent from being stored with his other clothing. After slipping on the boxers and shirt, she hugged her arms to herself.

  “Don’t fall for this guy.” She said quietly before continuing her thoughts without speaking them aloud. You know what happened the last time you fell for a guy at first sight. Remember, it’s not lasting or real.

  Candice climbed into the bed and slipped under the covers. Few things had ever felt better than stretching out however she wanted on the big bed. The back seat of her car had been cramped with hard cushions and rough fabric, but this bed was smooth and the sheets were cool against her legs. Best of all, it didn’t smell like the old air freshener hanging from her rearview mirror.

  Her eyes fluttered a few times. She tried to fight the sleep to savor the perfect feeling of security and comfort. It was impossible. Exhaustion crept over her and she only had a brief vision of Logan’s face before drifting off.

  The next morning Logan headed downstairs hastily when he discovered Candice’s room empty. Relief washed over him when he saw her standing in the kitchen, dressed in his box
ers and shirt, and cupping a mug of coffee from the Keurig machine in her hands. She turned slowly and smiled while blowing at the steaming beverage.

  “Want me to make you a cup?” She asked.

  All he could do was nod. She looked no worse for the wear after all the tears. Maybe even more lovely standing there in his underwear than she had been the night before. It was definitely a sight he could get used to waking up to. If he didn’t scare her away. He debated how to approach the conversation, worried about saying the wrong thing.

  “Much better than the coffee at the cookie place in the mall. Though, they do give it to me for free.” She told him.

  Logan stepped forward, eyeing her closely as she prepared his cup. “Did you sleep well?”

  “Oh god, yes!” She laughed and it caught him by surprise. “Thanks for the clothing, too. I was a bit wary, but since the tags were still on them I figured I didn’t have to worry about being horny all night from inhaling your manly scent.”

  “You are so crude.” He accepted his coffee with a grin. “I kind of like it. Girls always say what they think I want to hear.”

  Candice shrugged. “It’s actually a bit of a defense mechanism. I say something inappropriate and it either lightens the mood or pisses someone off. Either way, it makes me less nervous.”

  “Why are you nervous?” Logan asked after placing his coffee on the counter and moving closer to her.

  “I don’t know what to make of all… this.”

  “We’re just two people getting to know each other, right?” He reached out to run a finger down her cheek, ending at her chin and lifting gently so she would make eye contact with him.

  When he leaned down and kissed her lips softly, she didn’t resist. He was thankful. It reaffirmed his feelings from the previous day and he’d really wanted that kiss. Candice blushed and Logan gave her a little space, picking up his coffee again and taking a sip.

  “I don’t understand. You were born with a silver spoon in your mouth.” She said after a moment. “I was born with a plastic spork in mine.”