by Hazel Kelly
I shrugged. “Cause his hyperbolic flattery is part of what makes our relationship work.”
He cocked his head, his face so close I could see his five o’clock shadow. “How did you meet him?”
“What’s with the third degree?”
He crossed his arms. “I want to know how a homeless man came to be friends with the prettiest woman in New York-”
My lips fell apart.
“His words, not mine.”
I swallowed.
“Not that I disagree.”
I blinked at him. Why was he doing this? Why was he making it impossible for me to be professional around him? Was it my fault? For dragging him into my personal life? Or was he just a trouble maker?
He raised his thick eyebrows. “Well?”
I sighed. “A few years ago, I got on the bus and didn’t have enough change for my ticket.”
“Uh-huh.”
“And he gave me some.”
He squinted at me.
“And when I went to pay him back, I realized how truly gallant of a gesture it was for him to spot me the money, all things considered.”
“I see.”
“And we became friends after that.”
“Friends?”
“Yeah. I mean, we don’t go to the movies or have sleepovers together or anything-”
“Is that what you normally do with your friends?”
I rolled my eyes.
“Cause if it is, I’d like to audition to be one.”
I furrowed my brow. “Are you flirting with me?”
He smiled. “That depends.”
“On what?”
“On whether or not you’re enjoying it.”
I wished I could tell the truth, wished I could blink and we would be alone in another place, a place where all that mattered was that I found comfort in his handsome face and his magnetic body, a place where I didn’t so desperately need him to respect me and be my client, a place where we could just have a good time because my heart wasn’t so severely fractured and skeptical and wounded.
But when I looked around, there wasn’t a genie in sight.
Chapter 10: Ben
There was something about her eyes that made me want to misbehave.
And while I aspired to treat her with the gentlemanly respect she deserved as a businesswoman, my mouth and my body wanted nothing to do with what was going on in my head.
Frankly, when Woody called her an angel and I saw the way her dimples sank into her cheeks, it made me want to drag her into the alley, press her up against the brick wall, and slip my fingers between her thighs until she melted down my wrist.
And while I was at it, I wanted to kiss her again.
But less gently this time.
Cause last time I took it slow, not only because of how fragile she seemed that morning but because I was merely trying to figure out if kissing her was something I might like to do again.
But now that I knew it was, I doubted I’d be able to show so much restraint.
Hell, I could barely keep my hands off her in a room full of hungry homeless people. There was no telling what I might do if I got her alone.
Or should I say when I got her alone, since every synapse in my brain was trying to figure out how soon I could compromise our professional relationship.
Of course, even if she wasn’t craving me the way I was craving her, I hoped she wouldn’t mind pretending she was.
At least for a few minutes.
“So who should I talk to about how I can help?” She pushed some hair out of her face and blinked.
I hated every second I couldn’t see her eyes. “Yeah, about that-”
She furrowed her brow.
“I have to ask you something, and I wish I could tell you it wasn’t going to sound crazy, but-”
“I’m listening.”
“You know the other day when I pretended to be your boyfriend?”
She raised her eyebrows. “You mean when you assaulted me?”
“Yeah. When I assaulted you and you liked it-”
She blushed.
“I need you to do the same thing for me while you’re here.”
She craned her neck forward. “Are you joking?”
I shook my head. “I wish I was-” I raised my hands and took my weight off the wall. “Not cause you aren’t lovely, but because I regret having to put you in such an awkward situation.”
She squinted at me. “Are you just trying to come up with an excuse to kiss me again?”
“No. If I wanted to kiss you again, I would.”
She rolled her eyes.
“And I wouldn’t ask permission.”
She squinted at me. “Sorry, but do you even think it’s believable that I would date you?” She cocked a hip. “I mean, your acting was pretty impressive the other day, but don’t you think it’s a bit of a stretch for the average person’s imagination?”
I smiled and locked my eyes on hers. “I don’t, actually. In fact, I bet if I let you, you’d do a lot more than date me.”
Her lips fell apart. “If you let me?!”
“That’s right.”
“Unbelievable.”
“I hope not,” I said. “Cause I need you to bail me out right now and you owe me.”
“And if I say no?”
“You won’t.”
She pursed her lips.
“Cause you’re the prettiest woman in New York on the inside, too.”
One side of her mouth curled up.
“Plus, I think you know I’m a nice guy and that I wouldn’t ask you if it wasn’t important.”
She sighed. “Who are we trying to fool this time?”
“Do you see the pretty girl in line behind the buffet table?”
She looked past me, her eyes scanning the row. “The one who sticks out like a sore thumb?”
“Yeah.”
“Is she your ex or something?”
“Not exactly,” I said.
“So who is she?”
“My dad’s fiancée.”
Her eyes grew wide. “Damn. How old is your dad?”
“Older than he feels apparently.”
“Wow.”
“Anyway, it’s a long story, but you’d really be doing me a favor.”
She squinted at me. “You’re sure this isn’t a joke?”
“Oh it’s a joke, alright, but we’re the ones playing it.”
She shook her head. “Why do I feel like I’m going to regret this?”
“You won’t.”
She studied my face. “Fine. I’m in.”
“Great.”
“But only because I want to demonstrate to you how far I’m willing to go to accommodate my most valued clients.”
I rolled my eyes. “Rationalize it however you want, just don’t blow it.”
“You don’t blow it.”
I raised my eyebrows. “I won’t.”
“Good.”
“Take off your coat.”
She put her hand over her chest. “Excuse me?”
I put my hand out. “So I can hang it up.”
“Oh. Right.” She slipped it off and handed it to me.
“Thanks,” I said, taking it. Then I led the way through the kitchen doors towards the small room where the volunteers kept their personal possessions.
She stood behind me as I punched the code in the key pad and opened the door.
When I stepped inside, she followed and the raucous bustle of the diners faded as the thick door closed behind us.
I walked across the small room to grab an empty hanger. “Since we’re in here,” I said. “I might as well mention that I want to have a room like this in my club.”
“A room with a keypad?”
“Yeah,” I said, sliding a hanger inside her jacket. “At the back of the coat check to keep the VIP guests’ things separate.”
“I suppose if they have one of those here, it can’t be too hard to put one in.”
“Good,
” I said, hanging her coat on the rack.
She turned around to open the door, but it didn’t budge. “Ben?”
“Yeah?”
“Does this door open from the inside?” she asked, looking over her shoulder.
“I thought it did,” I said, coming up behind her.
She moved over to the side so I could wrap my fingers around the handle.
I tried to pull it open, but it was definitely stuck. “Guess I was wrong.”
She groaned and let her head fall back against the door.
I stood in front of her. “You’re acting like you’re disappointed.”
“Why wouldn’t I be? I came here to volunteer, not to hang out in a closet with you.”
I put a hand on the door over her head. “We could do more than hang out if you think it would help pass the time.”
She squinted at me. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”
“I would,” I said, letting my eyes drop to her lips for a moment. “Wouldn’t you?”
She swallowed.
“To be honest, though. I think we better not.”
“Cause it’s a terrible idea?” she said, her body still.
“No,” I said, leaning so close I could smell the faint floral scent of her perfume. “Cause our first kiss was too perfect, and I don’t think you can do any better.”
She raised her eyebrows. “You don’t think I can do any better?”
I shook my head.
“What about you?”
“I don’t know,” I said, smiling. “But just say the word, and I’ll die trying.”
Chapter 11: Carrie
Part of me wanted to say go for it.
After all, what did I have to lose…
My dignity? It wasn’t really worth saving these days.
My pride? I suppose it would only be lost if our second kiss didn’t live up to the unpredictable bliss of the first.
My best shot at being able to put food on the table for the next few months and make sure I was in a position to bail out my folks if they needed help?
Oh right.
I couldn’t really afford to lose that last one.
Still, the thought crossed my mind that I should just lean forward and kiss him before he had the chance to taunt me again.
After all, not only did I crave the feel of his lips against mine, but it was probably the last thing he expected me to do, and he seemed like the kind of guy that liked surprises.
Plus it was all pretend, right?
Or was it?
Cause I thought we were supposed to be putting on a show for that woman outside.
But she wasn’t in here.
It was just us. Just me and the guy who wouldn’t leave me alone even though the rest of the universe seemed to think being alone was exactly what I deserved.
And there was nothing else on my mind, nothing but my heart pounding in my chest and his lips in front of me, framing his daring smile.
But I couldn’t do it.
Because I didn’t trust my own gut, and it was the worst feeling ever.
Then again, how could I?
My gut made me think I wanted to marry Simon and have his babies. My gut made me eat croissants for two days straight. My gut made me hire Nora, whose judgment was questionable on her best day and whose concept of time was non-existent.
I mean, shit. It was my gut that told me to let the closet door close behind me.
And suddenly- as if my gut knew how much I disapproved of its horrible decision making aptitude- it betrayed me again, letting out a growl so fierce Ben actually laughed in my face.
Right when I was about to kiss him for the hell of it… for no other reason than the fact that our first kiss was the best thing that happened to me since I caught Simon emptying his balls into a woman with a hairless pussy and a thin upper lip.
On her mouth, that is.
Ugh.
“Wow,” he said, dropping his hand from where it was stationed over my head. “I’d like to think you’re absolutely starving for my touch, but that sounded like it’s probably food you’re hungry for.”
“That’s very perceptive of you,” I said, realizing I’d been holding my breath.
“I don’t know about you,” he said, running his fingers through his hair. “But I can never come if I’m hungry.”
My eyes grew wide. “Excuse me?”
“Sorry- did I say come?” he asked, smiling like he knew exactly what he said. “I meant kiss.”
I shook my head.
“But I also can’t come if I’m hungry,” he said. “In case you were wondering.”
“I wasn’t.”
“What about you?” he asked.
I considered slapping him. “Are you asking if I can have an orgasm when I’m hungry?”
He nodded.
“That’s what I thought.”
“And can you?”
“That’s none of your business.”
“Too bad.” He leaned forward until his cheek was so close to mine I could feel his hot breath on my ear. “Kinda wish it was.”
I pushed his chest back, and as he leaned away at his own pace, I realized Nora was right. He was solid as a tree. “You’re taking this game too far. I don’t want to play anymore.”
“Who says I’m playing?”
My lips fell apart, but before I could say anything, I heard someone tapping in the key code on the other side of the door and stepped away from it.
A moment later, the pretty brunette pushed it open and gave Ben a disapproving look.
“Thanks for rescuing us,” he said. “I didn’t realize that door was busted on the inside.”
“Yeah.” She squinted at him. “We have someone coming in to look at it soon. I could’ve sworn I mentioned it.”
He shrugged.
I wondered if he knew that would happen all along and whether he thought- or hoped- things might’ve gone differently.
The woman looked at me.
“Hi,” I said, extending a hand. “I’m Carrie.”
The woman’s eyes flashed at Ben before settling back on me. “Ella,” she said, taking my hand. “So nice to meet you.”
I smiled. “I was hoping I might be able to help out.”
“Sure,” she said. “Right this way.”
Ben held the door open and pinched my ass as I passed him. I looked over my shoulder and offered my most disapproving glare.
He winked.
“Ben,” Ella said, turning around so fast I almost ran into her. “Why don’t you make a sign for that door so no one else gets stuck in there?”
“Sure,” he said.
“I’ll get Carrie on roll buttering duty.”
My mouth watered.
“You can give your hands a quick wash over there,” Ella said, pointing to an industrial sized sink along the wall. “And then I’ll get you set up.”
“Sure,” I said, keeping my hips away from the sink so I wouldn’t make too big a mess of myself.
“There’s only about half an hour left so you’ll have just enough time to help out without turning into a sweaty mess like me.”
I stole a glance at her while I lathered my hands over the sink. If she thought she looked a sweaty mess now, I couldn’t imagine how good she looked when she was all cleaned up. “Nice ring.”
She looked down at it like she was happy for any excuse to admire it. I knew the feeling, missed it. “Oh thanks,” she said. “I’m actually still getting used to it. My fiancé- Ben’s dad- I don’t know if he told you that-”
“Of course,” I said, rinsing my hands under the tap.
“He only asked me this past weekend so it’s all kind of new.”
“Congratulations,” I said. “If he’s even half as gorgeous as that ring, I bet you look great together.”
A smile lit up her face. “Thanks. I certainly think so.”
I turned the water off and hoped with everything in my heart that she wouldn’t get dicked around like I had, that
she would never know that kind of betrayal, that the happiness she felt wouldn’t be sullied by deceit and dishonor. Not only because she seemed like a genuinely nice person, but because if I didn’t concentrate on sending all my good vibes her way, whatever spare feelings I had might get together and turn to bitterness.
“So what do you do?” she asked, handing me a thin towel to dry my hands.
“I’m an interior designer.”
Her eyebrows jumped up her face. “You’re kidding!”
“Nope.”
“I’m an event planner!”
“Cool,” I said. “I actually thought about doing that.”
“Sometimes I think what you do is better cause your work lasts longer.”
“But you probably get to do some really outrageous things that I wouldn’t.” I folded the towel and laid it beside the sink.
“I don’t mean to be forward,” she said. “But I’m a little overwhelmed by all the stuff I have to do for the wedding, and I could really use someone with a good eye for when I need a second opinion.”
My eyes grew wide.
She scrunched her face. “Is that the kind of thing you might be interested in?”
My lips fell apart.
“I promise I won’t be a terrible Bridezilla about it. I just have this feeling that if I even try to discuss what I want to do with Will, his eyes will glaze over and he’ll have second thoughts about going through with the whole thing.”
I laughed. “I’m sure he wouldn’t, but I’m happy to help any way that I can.”
She clasped her hands together. “Oh my gosh thank you so much. That’s wonderful news.”
“What is it that you need help with?”
She took a deep breath. “Well, I want to have a Christmas wedding, but I don’t want it to be Christmassy if that makes sense.”
I could tell by the sparkle in her eyes that she was seeing a very different room around us than I was.
“I want it to be more like a Winter Wonderland,” she said. “You know. Tasteful, not tacky.”
“Of course.”
“Will you think about it?”
“I’d love to,” I said. “That sounds like fun.”
Chapter 12: Ben
I didn’t intend for them to hit it off quite that well.
And Ella kept sending me off to do odd jobs so they could keep chatting, which was not part of my plan.