“Umm…every day, five days a week.”
“That sucks. So going in early must get you out early?”
“No, I usually leave work at 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm.” My reply comes out quiet.
“Those are long days, I can’t imagine working that much.”
I don’t know why, but I feel offended. I want to say that sometimes people fuck their lives up and have to work shitty hours at a job they really don’t like. I’m sure Mr. Perfect, self-employed, godlike figure standing in front of me would NOT understand.
“Well, we all got to do what we got to do sometimes. That’s just life.” It comes out a bit snarky. Where did that come from?
A black Ford F-150 with four doors pulls up and the passenger window rolls down. “Get in, sweetheart.” I didn’t think I would ever be so happy to see Jaxon again. I just want away from Ty before he asks me any more questions about my pathetic life.
I look at Ty over my shoulder as I approach the truck. “Have a good night, Stella,” Ty says as his arm flies around me to open Jaxon’s door. I have to use the running boards and the hand Ty offers to help me up. I wobble, and have to grab his hard shoulder. Maybe I’m a little more intoxicated than I thought. His touch sends waves of heat right between my legs. Okay, no more touching this man! I vow it!
“You too,” I reply as he stares very seriously as I settle in.
“Be careful, asshole,” Ty yells to Jaxon. “Buckle up, Stella.”
I do, and all he gets from Jaxon is a, ‘yep’ as we peel out to leave.
On the ride home, Jaxon and I giggle as he asks me a thousand questions. He’s a really happy guy, and it’s kinda contagious.
“Can I walk you to the door?” He asks in a shy voice.
“No, I’ll be fine. It was nice to meet you and thank you for the ride home. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you soon,” I grab my wristlet, shut the truck door and head upstairs. Once I open the door and wave, he takes off. It was nice that he cared that I got in safely. I’m still disappointed he was the one that dropped me off. If Ty had driven me home and asked to walk me up, the answer is so crystal clear…yes!
I down a huge glass of Gatorade, strip out of my clothes, and pass out.
“SO, I EMAILED THE TBR TO YOU. There are like ten books on the list, so don’t freak out okay?” Mandy looks a little nervous waiting for my response.
“Ten! Really? You do know that I am not going to read all those by next week, right?”
She sighs and says, “Yes, I know. You’re my little, slow reader.”
“I am not! Two to three books a week is pretty sufficient if you ask me. You do know this book club isn’t running correctly when you are always fifteen books ahead of me?”
She giggles and says, “I have a little more time than you, and I’m a super-fast reader. I’m just happy that you appreciate all my recommendations. I enjoy when you’re done and you get to tell me everything that you loved. We always like the same parts. I feel like I re-read them every time we meet. Did you read at work, crazy girl?”
I laugh out loud. She knows my little secret. “You know I did. Bathroom breaks, when the boss ran an errand, and lunch is really not about food, you know?”
“You have absolutely no self-control.”
“None, whatsoever, you know that I must know how it ends ASAP,” I tell Mandy as we are standing to leave the restaurant. We had appetizers and a few drinks after work.
“Yes, that disease runs in my blood too,” Mandy says like we are contagious.
We hug goodbye, and I get in the car for my short ride home. I love Mandy, because she enjoys books the way I do. If you’re not a total bookie dork like us, you just don’t get our crazy once a week meetings. We call it “Cool Nerdy Girls and Books.” It’s a book club where no one is allowed in, except us. There are too many hassles to bring in actual members other than Mandy and me. We just want to get together to talk about books and life over a couple of drinks and good food.
It’s about eight o’clock when I pull in and park at home. I get a text from Zoey asking where I am. Also, something to the effect of ‘get your ass home, biatch, it’s Friday’. Walking through the foyer, I hear voices and our iPod dock playing some tunes. Zoey, Pierce, Jaxon and Ty are hanging in the kitchen with some yummy looking beverages. Fuck! I never really thought this through. Pierce being around means his friends will be around, and one of those friends sends chills all over my body when he looks at me as I walk in the kitchen.
“How was your nerdy book club?” Zoey turns and asks while shoving a cold beer in my hand.
“It’s called Cool Nerdy Girls and Books. Please never leave out the cool part,” I correct her with a smirk that says thanks-a-lot. Now that my book club has been outted, I feel embarrassment all over my face. It’s not like we read history and autobiographies. No, we read fiction with drama, hot guys and it sometimes teeters on the edge of porn.
She arches her eyebrow at me. “Cool and nerdy…isn’t that an oxymoron?”
“You could be right,” I reply, taking a big drink of beer and try to calm my breathing. I look at them all and say, “Whatcha’ guys doing?” Jaxon is drinking me in, even with the black and white work dress that hugs at the top and flows at the bottom. I realize I have my black grandma looking cardigan sweater on that I wear at work so I don’t freeze to death. Embarrassing! I should have left it at work where it belongs!
“We were all listening to Ty cry like a bitch about having to answer his phone all week, and do a shoot alone today. He misses his Emily.” Pierce acts as if he’s wiping a tear away.
“I do miss her; it was nice having her help me run it all. She did a shit ton for me. I don’t think I realized how much until my first week back at it solo.” Ty’s eyes are downcast, staring at his hands as if someone stole his puppy.
“You did this for almost two years without her, bro. Now, what? You need an assistant full time?” Pierce questions.
“No, not full time, business is good, but not that good.” He looks up at us with that angel face. “She booked appointments, handled emails and cleaned on Fridays. Shopping was always done and everything was stocked. Of course, she helped on the photography side because she had the knowledge,” he sighs. “It’s going to be hard to do big shoots without her. I’m spoiled; I just don’t want to do it alone anymore.”
“So, did the half-naked twenty year model you had in the studio go fine without an assistant today?” Jaxon asks with his Ty-you’re-a-scumbag voice.
Mischievously, Ty replies, “Yeah, it did go smooth, but I had to stop twice to answer client calls. It feels rude now. She understood, though. Not to mention I had to clean a bit today,” He winces as if something hurts.
The guys erupt with laughter. I can’t help but feel sorry for him. I’m sure he’s one of those guys that sleeps until noon and orders food in or goes out for every meal, much less, has to clean. He probably had a maid before Emily.
“Ty, you cleaned for yourself for almost two years, and with the bullshit Lacey pulled, you had to learn the domestic shit quick. Not to toot my own horn, but I do feel like I taught you well, son. The six months of living together, my student, was …well, it was harmonious…thanks to my teaching of cooking and cleanliness.” Pierce has on his proud face and pats his own back.
“Thanks for bringing that up, dick. You’re right. I had no choice due to my, um…change in living arrangements. Living with you, Pierce is like living with five very neat and tidy chicks. It’s kinda weird and a little gay,” Ty chuckles, smirks at Pierce and leaves the kitchen.
“When he comes out of the bathroom, you should ask him to hire you, Stella,” Zoey suggests to me while filling shot glasses full of vodka.
“What? Why me? He didn’t ask to hire me!” I try to dial down my face from horror to uncomfortable. Why would she suggest something so ridiculous? I don’t have any photography experience other than taking pictures of my nephew at his soccer games. Not to mention, I think I might explode being around
him. My body is already humming and he’s not even in the room.
“Who’s Lacey?” Zoey quickly dismisses my deer in the headlights look as she questions Pierce.
“That’s a long story, honey. I’ll tell you later.” Pierce comes up behind her and its obvious he’s pushing his pelvis into her backside as they talk suggestively at one another. Jaxon and I exchange uncomfortable looks.
“Friend, listen. You are busting your ass at Medipoint for a new car. Add working with Ty for maybe a couple weeknights and some weekends and end your misery. It’s hard to see you tired all the time and the dark circles under your eyes, well, they are just not flattering,” She has that motherly look on her face. I’m happy she had the discretion not to mention the debt. My heart speeds up as Ty walks back into the room.
“To be honest, Zoey, I don’t see anything wrong with her appearance,” Jaxon’s eyes light up as he looks me over.
“Thank you,” I say softly toward Jaxon and sit at our kitchen bar set. I let my hair down out of the clip and drink several swallows out of my beer. Wasn’t she making us shots? I could really use one right about now. I could not work with Ty. What the hell do I know about assisting a photographer?
“I get worried about you. I mean, how many hours of staring at a computer did you do this week?”
Tightlipped I say, “Leave it alone, Zoey. I’m doing my best as fast as I can.” I really am exhausted, but I don’t need any advice from Zoey. I don’t get to make a phone call home, and some rich parent bails me out financially. When you grow up with money, you just can’t understand what it is like not to have it. My dad did well for my sister and me. We always had the trendy clothes, shoes, and designer perfume. We both had cars at sixteen. My mom gave my dad her monthly kid payment. But, never have I had the option of Daddy just gifting me several grand at a time. He can buy me a nice flat screen TV for my room, but buy me a new car, not so much.
“No really, how many hours this week?” She puts my ice-cold shot in front of me.
“Are you two going to cat fight?” Ty smiles wide and asks as he slides into the seat across from me. “I just came in at the right time.”
A knock at the door ends the tension. “Hello? Anybody home?” Emily comes around the corner with a surprised look. “Do not do those shots without me.”
Zoey looks over at Emily and grabs another shot glass. “Perfect timing, I was just going to suggest that Stella take your place with Ty on a part time status.”
Emily jumps into Ty’s lap and wraps her arms around his neck. “Oh, my G! That is a perfect idea, Zoey!” She looks at Ty, and then me, and stops in her tracks. “I thought you had a full time job, Stella?”
“I do, Monday through Friday.” I shoot Zoey a death look. I just can’t look at Ty. There’s nothing worse than watching a guy squirm. I do not want to be rejected in front of everyone.
“Fridays are optional, and she has time over the weekend,” Zoey says to Emily and Ty.
“I know we just met, but Stella, you know we have women’s intuition. I felt comfortable with you from second one. You would do great. Ty is so easy going that it takes a lot for him to get pissed.” She turns to Ty. “Isn’t that a perfect idea? Then I would know that you are taken care of.” She bounces up and down on his lap softly clapping her hands together.
“Shots…let’s do it!” Zoey yells. I down mine, and that, first shot puckered face appears quickly. Ty’s amused by my reaction to the stiff drink. I can’t help but let my face light up. His smile is contagious. I need another, STAT. Later, I’ll get Ty alone, and then he can tell me what a bad idea this is. I drink down one more without the face this time. The instant ease I feel is exactly the effect I was looking for.
“Well, I think it’s a perfect solution for you both. Ty gets help and Stella makes more money.”
Zoey is cut off when the door flies opens and everyone turns to look and see who appears in the kitchen. I know who it is, because I’m closest to the door. “Maxi-pad!” I squeal. Max could not have come at a better time. He grabs me in a bear hug and picks me up off my feet. I whisper, “Please tell me you are staying?”
He pulls away and his face is inches from mine. “No, we are going to a bachelor party tonight. Are you okay, Stella?” The concern is obvious in his eyes.
“Yeah, I’m good.” He puts me down, yet keeps his arm around my waist.
“What are you doing here, bro?” Zoey asks, and shakes a shot glass at him.
He shakes his head no at her silent offer. “We are heading to a bachelor party. Ethan is downstairs parking his car. We’re leaving it here over night. When we got to the soon-to-be sucker groom’s house, there was no more parking on his street. You were the closest, is that okay?”
“That’s fine, big bro, have fun and be good,” Zoey says pouring more shots into glasses.
“I’m always good.” He waves to everyone. “Hello everybody, and I’m out!” Maxem plants a huge kiss on my cheek and turns to leave.
“Be careful, okay?” I say following him out the door.
“Have fun, Stella, live a little, would ya?” That great smile disappears as he heads downstairs and gets in his Lexus and takes off.
When I head back inside, I realize they all have moved to the living room. Turning into the kitchen for another beer, I see the most amazing ass ever created! Ty is squatting in front of the open fridge adjusting a twelve pack on the bottom shelf and opening another. My eyes dart to the exposed sliver of skin in between his jeans and grey t-shirt. My eyes hover over the bottom right hem of his shirt where a tattoo is peeking out at me. He turns those ice blue eyes to me and stimulates something low in my belly. My face blushes and my knees feel weak.
“You need another beer, Stella?” I catch his eyes moving quickly from my face only to roam down my body and end at my eyes again. Did he just check me out…No effing way!
“Yes, please,” I say in a strained voice. I feel like a skank hoping that he was looking me over, considering his girl is right in the next room. Ty stands, twists the top and hands me the open beer. Our fingers brush lightly. Ugh! No more touching! It drives me insane!
“Ty?” I dart my eyes down to my beer and pick at the label. “We just met one night ago, so please do not feel pressured by Sargent Martin out there. She can be damn pushy.”
“I was going to say the same. Emily is demanding as hell, if you know what I mean.” He takes a couple drinks and I look back up to watch his throat move as he swallows. Big hands hold the bottle and I think of a couple places he could put those thick fingers. Damn, I need to get laid…
“I really could use some help on Saturday, Stella. It’s my busy day. Sunday, I would probably need you half of the day, and maybe the one weeknight. I also have a big wedding coming in about four weeks as well. You worked today, right? So I’m confused if Fridays are available?”
“I did work, but just like Zoey said, it really is optional. I started today with about forty five hours,” I reply and force myself to meet his eyes. I was expecting the complete opposite to come out of his mouth. It would be a nice change to be up and moving, versus plugging away on a computer. I’m not very bold and rarely make a hasty decision like this one. I think my mom leaving us so young made me want to be a good person. So, I tend to walk on the right side of the road. Always analyzing and thinking at every turn, is this the right thing to do? My goal has always been not to be anything like her. On a positive side, it’s exciting to think who I will be introduced to, both personally and professionally with Ty’s clientele. Maybe my knight in shining armor?
“Can you come tomorrow morning? Emily will be there to help me, and she can show you the ropes.”
“I can do tomorrow. As my ever so sweet bestie pointed out, I do have time on weekends,” We hear laughter in the living room. “I guess we should get in there with them,” I drag my eyes from his and turn to walk out. How can I turn him down? It’s a win-win situation. He grabs my lower arm and when I turn, he has a card in his othe
r hand. I just melted inside…contact…fuck!
“Stella, I want you to see my work. Check out my website before you come, see what I do. I want you to be comfortable. If you decide not to come, I understand. If you are good, then tomorrow at 11 am?” His eyes look concerned. God, he always looks me dead in the eye as if he’s searching for something in my face or expression.
“No, I’m an open girl,” I squeak out. Oh. My God. I’m. A. Giddy. Dork. With an amused expression, he shakes his head at me, and I follow him out of the kitchen. The view is perfect.
We are having a blast laughing, drinking and talking. Obviously, Pierce and Zoey sit together and Ty with Emily. I sit on the chaise with Jaxon at my feet. We are feeling no pain as everyone takes a turn as “bitch” grabbing up to six beers at a time. It’s Jaxon’s turn to, “beer us.” Zoey and I take advantage of the wait, and change into some comfy clothes. I pick some baby pink fleece pants, and a fitted hot pink cami. The red bra and cleavage is probably inappropriate, but my decision-making skills are diminishing. There is nobody to impress. The hot one is taken, Pierce is so off limits, and the adorable one feels like friend material. I’m not sure I want to attract him.
I rub my tired eyes as I walk down the hall. His scent is new to me, but when I bump into a chest, I am very aware who it is. Ty’s hands are so strong and warm as he grips my shoulders. Our bodies are pressed together for the briefest of moments. His chest and abs are rock hard, and his eyes pierce into mine. Then as we both run our eyes over each other’s facial features, I practically pant. My chest is heaving inappropriately, and then I snap out of it, realizing Emily could come around the corner and find me in a trance looking at her guy.
“Sorry,” Now I’m speechless. I feel his fingers knead into my muscles.
“No, I’m sorry, Stella. I should have been watching where I was going,” Ty’s voice is low. His eyes take in my features. When they land on my chest, I reluctantly step out of his hold and step around him. It sucks to have a taste of what his body feels like, because mine is fully heightened, and my skin is hot and in overdrive. One touch has me thinking I may need to go back to the bathroom because my panties flood with moisture.
Captured Secret (The Captured Series) Page 4