by Bianca Vix
Lianna sets her empty mug on the table. “Take my advice. Go out with Matt and have some fun. It doesn’t have to mean anything. You can change your mind later on. It’s no big deal.”
“Then how come it feels like it is?” I place my mug beside Lianna’s.
“I think you’re just not used to being around good guys. Being involved with a loser like Dennis has clouded your idea of what’s out there. Now you’re back in the real world. It’s not all cake and wine. But there are decent guys out there too. It sure sounds like you’ve met two of them. Try not to push anything too hard. Just enjoy yourself and see where it goes. You used to do that, before you met Dennis. Try to get back to that again.”
Everything she’s saying makes sense. How could I not see it that way? “How do you know so much?”
“I’m extremely smart.” Her expression’s deadpan, but her eyes are shining. “Seriously, Rachel. It’s so good that you finally kicked Dennis to the curb. Now it’s time to have some fun. Try not to get too caught up in where things might go, with either guy. Have some fun and great sex along the way.”
“Again, easy for you to say. You’ve got your great guy. I want that too.”
“You’ll find it. Maybe with one of these men, maybe not. Love comes along when you least expect it.”
Is that true? I hope not. Now that I’ve finally landed a good job, it’d be nice if I could get my love life in order too. I know Lianna’s right about not putting too much pressure on what could happen with either Jay or Matt, or myself.
But it’s so hard not to.
Chapter 11
Matt
The last couple days of the week dragged on in a way that didn’t make sense. Not until now, that I’m getting ready for this party tonight.
I love my job. There’s nothing I’d rather be doing. But I’ve been really impatient to go out with Rachel. I haven’t been able to get my mind off her since the moment she fell into my life.
It’s not just attraction either. There’s something more going on. I can’t explain it, but this is different. There’s something about her that makes me happy just thinking about her. We’ve talked on the phone since we met and even texted. And I hate texting. Spending even more time typing into a device on top of the huge mountain of emails I get hit with daily isn’t how I want to spend the rest of my time. Everyone who knows me, knows this about me.
But with Rachel, I don’t mind it somehow. Not if it means being in contact with her. I won’t waste a chance for that.
It’s been an incredibly crazy time at the office this week, or I’d have taken her out sooner. Now it’s going to be back to normal, and I won’t have any more late nights for the foreseeable future. I’m going to take advantage of that, and spend as much time as possible with her.
This party tonight isn’t my ideal date. But since it’s being thrown by a long-time client, I can’t be a no-show. I figure Rachel and I will in an appearance, make the rounds as quickly as possible, and then go out for drinks at a very nice place I know nearby. Just the two of us. And from there, see where the night takes us.
I make a point of sending her a text to let her know that I’m leaving my place and I’ll be around to pick her up soon. I shake my head as I hit send. I never do this. Waste of time.
I get to Rachel’s place only to find that she’s already come downstairs to wait for me. I got here early to allow some time to circle around looking for a parking space, but instead I double-park quickly and jump out of my favorite car.
“Rachel. What are you doing down here? I didn’t mean you had to come down and wait. I only wanted to let you know I was on my way.”
“Oh, I know. But I got the feeling that you’re usually on time for things, even early. So I didn’t want to make you wait. Don’t worry, I haven’t been here long at all. I just got down a moment ago.”
I don’t know how Rachel could’ve figured that out about me, but she’s right. I have little tolerance for lateness in any situation. Not that I’d mind much if she did keep me waiting. For her, I’d make an exception.
“You look beautiful.” The word doesn’t quite cover it, but it’ll have to do. I can’t take my eyes off her. Her dark dress highlights her sexy curves perfectly. Wow. I give her a kiss on the cheek before I usher her over to my car and open the door for her. She rewards me with her pretty smile.
“Great car.” Rachel settles back into her seat after I pull out into the traffic.
“Cars are a hobby of mine. Normally I would’ve upgraded by now, but this Cobra is one of the best rides I’ve ever owned.”
“How often do you ‘upgrade’ your cars?”
“About once a year. Maybe more often if something new comes out that I want to try.”
“I don’t have a car. I left mine behind when I moved to the city.” She sounds a little wistful. “Not that I really need one here, of course. I’m fine with the subway. But sometimes, I think it’d be nice to have the option.”
“How long have you lived here?”
Rachel starts to tell me about herself. Listening to her makes the drive go by fast. I’d prefer to keep on getting to know her, but soon enough I’m sliding into a spot at Collin’s building. Rachel turns to face me with an unreadable expression on her face.
“What’s up?” I can’t resist brushing my fingertips over her cheek. Her eyes warm up as she smiles, but she doesn’t relax.
“I have to confess, I’m a little nervous. I’ve never been to a Park Avenue party before.”
“There’s no reason to be. You’ll be fine. And if you’re not into it, we don’t have to stay very long.”
I take hold of her hand as we walk up to the door, not letting go until we reach Collin’s penthouse.
It’s party time. Everything’s in full swing when we arrive, loud voices and music spilling out the moment the door opens for us.
I’ve been to Collin’s apartment before. Still, his view is eye-catching no matter how many times I see it. Rachel stops and stares the moment she catches sight of it.
“This is amazing.”
I slip my arm around her waist. “It sure is.” I’d rather look at her any day. As Rachel catches me gazing at her, a light blush rises to her cheeks. Very sweet.
“Matt.” It’s Collin, coming to over to greet me. I make the introductions and he waves a cater waiter over to supply us with drinks.
“There’s someone I want you to meet.” He leads us over and we start to make the rounds of all our professional acquaintances. I make sure to keep checking on Rachel. I know this is far from her normal environment and way out of her comfort zone, but she’s doing marvelously. If she’s still nervous, she’s not showing any signs of it. She’s managing to charm everyone, even a couple of guys I can barely stand to talk to myself. I made the right call in inviting her along.
Once Rachel and I finally have a moment to ourselves, I steer her over to a relatively quiet corner. “Are you having an okay time?” I speak to her in low tones so I can’t be overheard. “Or at the very least, are you managing to stay awake?”
“More than just okay. I’m enjoying myself. Everyone’s really easy to talk to. Way more so than I expected.”
She’s being sincere. Christ, I can’t wait until we’re alone. “We can leave soon. I need to touch base with a couple more people, then we’re clear.”
But Rachel’s face falls. She’s looking a bit pale.
“What’s wrong?”
Her voice is faint as she looks past me. “It’s my ex. And his new girlfriend. Right by the door.”
My brows crease. I reposition myself so I can take a discreet look. The two of them must have just arrived. I don’t recognize them.
Quickly Rachel tells me what happened between her and them. By the end of her brief story, I’m outraged on her behalf.
“We can leave now.” I try to spot Collin so we can say our goodbyes before Rachel has to put up with talking to the two people that she clearly doesn’t want to.
&
nbsp; “No.” She catches my arm. “I don’t want to leave just because of them. We can stay until you’ve talked to everyone you need to.”
Rachel’s determination is clear. I admire her for wanting to stand up to her demons like this.
“It’s your call, Rachel.”
She gives her head a firm shake. “I’m fine. And I can’t let those two affect where I go. Or you. This party is your thing tonight. We’ll leave when we want to.”
Her spirit is making me want her even more. “Fair enough.”
She lifts her head high. “In fact, I want to go over and say hello.”
“Your call. I’ll be by your side the whole time.”
Rachel sends me a grateful glance. We start to ease our way through the crowd, but Dennis and Dakota have spotted us. They’re on their way over. Rachel introduces us all, her voice a little shaky.
Dakota plants herself right in front of me. “Hello, Matt.”
Jesus. She’s completely ignoring Rachel, and Dennis too. He’s scowling at me. Huh. So he’s the type of guy who feels free to move on himself, but still cares if Rachel has too.
I give a cool nod. “Dakota. Dennis. What brings you by tonight?”
“It’s a party.” Dennis won’t stop glaring at me. I have to wonder if he’s trying to be intimidating in some way. My growing impression of him is that he’s definitely not the sharpest tool in the shed.
“Sure.” I glance at Rachel. She looks like she wants to disappear. “I meant, how do you know Collin?”
“Collin?” Dakota’s attention is on me, as if she’s trying to hit on me without Dennis noticing. “We came with a couple of friends. We don’t know Collin, is this his place?”
“Yes, it is.” Rachel speaks up. Still, Dennis and Dakota barely look her way. Is this their thing, to ignore her? What rude assholes.
I squeeze Rachel’s hand, then let go so I can put my arm around her. Dennis doesn’t like that at all, but it’s not like he can say anything about it.
“This is his place? It’s amazing. So big and beautiful. Maybe you can introduce us, Matt.” Dakota actually reaches out and rubs my arm. I pull away, but she’s not even embarrassed. I suppose she wants to meet the man who’s obviously more successful than Dennis is. But he’s looking interested too. I expect he’s the type to troll around to make wealthy contacts, and see if they can do something for him.
There’s no way I’m going to inflict these two on a decent guy like Collin. Of course he could handle Dennis, but there’s no need to waste his time like that. I gesture vaguely towards the middle of the living room. “Last I saw, he was over there.”
“Great.” I shake my head as they walk off without another word to either Rachel or I.
I kiss Rachel’s cheek. “They make quite the pair, don’t they.”
She almost cringes. “They deserve each other. I can’t believe I didn’t see what Dennis was like when I was with him. God, he’s just so awful.”
“True. Would you like one more drink? And then I’d like to get out of here.”
Rachel manages a smile. “Yes. Very much so.”
I head off to the kitchen, where Collin has a great bar set up for the night. I find one of the people I wanted to see before we leave, just getting her drink as I get to the bar. Once we’re done talking, I head back out to find Rachel, carrying a glass of champagne for her.
She hasn’t gone far from where we were when I left, but I’m annoyed to see Dennis back with her. At least Dakota’s nowhere to be found. I make my way over to join them.
Dennis’s stance is even more aggressive than before. I work my way closer to them just in time to catch some of what he’s saying. He sounds pissed off.
“What, are you dating every man in the city now? And what’s with this guy? He’s completely out of your league. How are you even with him? Come on. Is he really your cousin or something? Or is he some kind of male escort?”
He puts his hand on Rachel and that’s it. I grab Dennis’s arm, yanking it away. I’ve caught him off guard, and he stumbles. Even as much as I want to, there’s no way I’m going to fight him. Not here. Not at Collin’s party, in his home.
“What did you say?” I tighten my grip. He’s stunned at the way I’m getting up in his face and he’s not speaking. “Come on, Dennis. It sounds like there’s something about me that you’re curious about. Why don’t you ask me what you just asked Rachel?”
I have a good few inches of height on him. He has to look up to face me. That alone lets him know he’d better not try anything stupid. All he can do is give his head a small shake.
“Thought so.” I let him go and immediately go to Rachel. Leaning in, I drop my lips to hers. I’m not usually one for PDAs but this one has the bonus of being another fuck you to Dennis.
She wraps her arms around my neck while we’re locked together. I have a vague sense of Dennis pushing his way through the crowd to get away from us, but I don’t want to end our kiss. Not yet.
Not ever.
When we finally break apart, Rachel gazes into my eyes. In that moment, I know she’s feeling the same way as I am.
Chapter 12
Jay
Rachel’s tense as she takes her seat across from me at the small table between us. Her face is impassive as she gazes at me. “I’m surprised you wanted to see me.”
“Surprised?” I’ve been looking forward to having a drink with her since I invited her out the other day. “Why?”
She tilts her head at me as if the answer should be obvious. “Because I haven’t heard from you since we slept together.”
“What? We’ve spoken on the phone a couple of times. And texted too.”
“But you never said you wanted to see me again. And we haven’t gone out since that night. Not one time.”
“That’s true. But Rachel, I’ve been really busy with work. I told you that. And it’s not like I disappeared.” I frown at the vodka rocks that the waiter sets down in front of me.
“But since you didn’t ever say you wanted to go out with me again, I figured you were just being polite. And that you’d ghost me soon enough.”
I take hold of her hand. “Rachel, that’s the last thing I’d ever want you to think. I’ve truly been busy. What with our new PearTree line on the verge of launching, my time hasn’t been my own very often lately. I thought I’d made that clear, but apparently not. I’ve wanted to see you every day since that night, but the timing was impossible. ”
“Is that true?” She looks like she doesn’t believe me. I’m trying to see the situation from her point of view, and I suppose I can somewhat understand where she’s coming from. Which is no good at all. The last thing I want her to think is that I don’t want to be with her. It’s the opposite.
“Yes. Rachel, there’s no-one I’d rather be with than you.”
“Really?” She sips at her tequila, watching me like she’s trying to figure me out.
“Really. Look, Rachel. I want us to be something. You’re not like any other woman I’ve ever met before. I was extremely busy with work.” I test out my vodka, then take a long drink of it. “But I can admit it. There was something else going on too.”
Her eyes narrow. “Are you seeing someone else?”
I shake my head. “No, that’s not it. Not at all. There’s no-one else I want but you.”
She relaxes into her chair. At least she’s willing to listen to what I have to say. After another deep swallow of vodka, I plow on.
“I have to tell you, at first I was a little freaked out by the way I’ve been feeling about you. It’s rare when two people click right from the beginning. That’s what I feel like has happened with you. Truth be told, it was worrying me. So it’s possible that I might’ve been keeping some distance between us because of that too.”
Rachel nods at me, but stays silent.
“I’ve been accused of holding back before. But the thing is, I don’t want to be like that. Not with you. I want to change. Especially if I’m so
mehow making you feel like I’m not interested. Because I am. More than interested. I see a future for us, Rachel. If you feel the same way, I want this to go somewhere.”
I set my glass back down on the table. I’m not used to putting myself out there like this, but I can’t risk having Rachel slip away because of a simple misunderstanding. “There’s something else too. In the past, I’ve slept with women too fast and things never went anywhere after that. I was trying to resist doing that with you, and I failed. I want to get to know you, Rachel. Everything about you. I don’t want this to be just about sex. I want it to be about everything.”
Rachel nods. “I’m glad you’re telling me this, Jay. Truly. It makes sense. And I appreciate your honesty so much. I think there’s a lot here that’s worth pursuing between us. I really like you and I want to be with you, too.”
I smile, lifting her hand to my lips so I can kiss her fingers lightly. “That’s great. I’m glad that we’re on the same page.”
Now it’s her turn to take a long drink. Once she’s done, she takes a deep breath and meets my eyes. “But there’s something I need to tell you, too. To be honest, I’ve started seeing someone else.”
Huh. I didn’t expect that. She waits a moment while I consider what she’s just told me, then continues. “I do want an exclusive relationship. But I want to be sure that it’s the right one, you know? Of course, I’m fine with you dating others too.”
She’s got that nervous look about her again. I tighten my grip around her hand.
“Don’t worry about it, Rachel. It makes sense, especially since you thought I was going to vanish. We haven’t spent much time together, so I’m not exactly in a position to ask you to not see other people. And I wouldn’t. Not now. But that’s where I want to go eventually, once things are serious between us.”
I can’t say I’m not disappointed. But I’m not worried. I’ve never been one to back away from a little competition. Not at all.
Rachel sighs in relief. “I’m glad you understand.”
I give her a grin. “Hey, I appreciate your honesty too. Just to be perfectly clear, I’m not seeing anyone else and I’m not going to be. I have no problem with you dating other guys. For now.”