Night Moves (G-Man Series)

by ANDREA SMITH

  I was incredulous at this turn of events. I mean, yeah, sure, I got everything I wanted but I still treated them with love and respect! I'd never rebelled against them. Of course, I guess I never had reason to given the fact I had everything I wanted.

  "This isn't a punishment, Darcy Nicole," my mom spoke up, finally making eye contact. "This is a life lesson that both your father and I learned along the way on our own. Neither of us came from wealth. Nothing was handed to us. We worked hard, we studied and then we built this business together. After you were born, I left the company to raise you and make you a priority. Perhaps I did too much."

  "Mom," I gasped, "how can you say that? I feel as if you both are viewing me as some monumental failure!"

  "That's not true," my father interjected. "This is an opportunity for you to carve your own career, to have your own dreams and to work to make them happen; if not at Sheridan & Associates, then perhaps somewhere else. The point is that it's in your hands and you'll be the one to decide what you want and how to get it without our intervention."

  "I see," I whispered, feeling totally deflated. I needed time to digest all of this. I couldn't dispute a lot of what they said. It was painful though to think about how they saw me. I was a disappointment to them.

  "Darcy," my father said, interrupting my thoughts, "It's because we love you so much that we want to take this route. I hope you understand that."

  "Yes, Daddy," I replied, clearly defeated. "I think I do."

  I immediately phoned Lindsey as soon as I got back to my villa. I needed my best friend's comfort right now. I was shocked at what my parents had done to me this evening. They knew I was already in a delicate state with all that had happened with Darin. I was trippin' over the fact they'd dropped a bomb on me like that when I was already down. Shit! My call went to her voicemail. I wasn't going to leave a whiney message for her. This required one-on-one communication.

  I pulled up Eli's number and called him.

  "What's up, Darce?" he answered.

  "Are you busy, Eli? I really need someone to talk to right now. It's kind of important."

  "Sure, be over in just a few. Are you alright?"

  "Not really."

  Eli was knocking on my door in less than ten minutes. I rushed to open it, trying to keep a brave face. He was standing there with a bottle of wine in one hand and a very concerned look on his face.

  "What happened?" he asked softly.

  That's when I lost it. The tears started flowing. I sat next to Eli on the couch and let it all out. I told him about the talk my parents had with me at dinner, and I finally told him everything that I'd been holding inside about Darin and what he'd done to break my heart. He sat there and listened, not interrupting, letting me vent just the way I needed.

  Later on, I was curled up next to Eli and still mulling over the whole ordeal with my parents as we watched some mindless T.V. I felt better after having spilled everything and as it turned out, Eli was a great sounding board. He just listened, quietly letting me vent without interrupting.

  "You should've heard them, Eli. They painted me as this... completely spoiled brat; a major disappointment to them. Then they took all of the blame for it," I admitted quietly. "I mean I can't believe I'm as bad as all that." I looked up at his face and saw he was fighting back a smile.

  "Eli?"

  "Hey, Darce, I mean I've known you for what? All of ten minutes? But I've gotta say you might stop and give some thought to what they said tonight."

  "Eli!"

  "Well come on. Put it into perspective, okay? You are a tad spoiled, right?"

  I gave a reluctant nod, swallowing my pride down with a big chunk of self-awareness.

  "Well your folks are assuming responsibility for that portion of it. I think now what they really want is for you to step up to the plate and take responsibility for your adulthood. They want you to make your own success, and along the way accept the consequences for your own failures too. It's called Life 101.” He nudged my shoulder, “It’s time you either step up, or step off.”

  I looked over at him through my damp eyelashes and knew he was being sincere and most importantly, he was being a friend; telling me how it was instead of stroking me and trashing my parents for throwing me into the water to sink or swim.

  "Is this where I'm supposed to say 'I don't think we're in Kansas anymore, Toto?'"

  He smiled and nodded. "Yeah, it's time you found your way all by yourself. Of course, it wouldn't hurt for you to have someone traveling that yellow brick road with you for company." He waggled his eyebrows.

  "What?" I sat straight up looking at him for some indication as to what he meant.

  "You didn't even ask how my interview went yesterday, Darcy girl."

  "Oh, Eli, I'm sorry! You're right. Once again it had to be about me, didn't it? So, will you tell me how it went?"

  "Suffice it to say, I didn't get the job. But truthfully, maybe that's for the best since Plan B is looking pretty damn good right about now. That is, if you aren't totally estranged from your folks at this point."

  "Are you serious?" I threw my arms around his neck, giving him a bear hug. "You're coming to D.C? That's so fucking awesome! Let me know if you need a place to stay. Seriously, you have no idea how much I needed some good news!"

  "Whoa, hold up there, sweetheart. I'd like to discuss this with your father to make sure his company could use me. I don't want to be a charity case or anything. He did mention his firm hires interns and that there were openings, but I want to make sure he wasn't dangling that carrot in front of me in order to appease his somewhat spoiled daughter."

  "Shut up," I laughed, smacking his shoulder playfully. "I'm sure my dad thinks you're good husband material for sure, but do you really think I'm so unappealing that he'd use bribery?"

  "Hmmm, I don’t know, Darce. I'm willing to bet the guy that finally snags you is going to have his hands full. Chicks like you make me pretty fucking thankful I'm gay."

  "Oh really?" I taunted, "Like you're not high-maintenance at all?"

  "Can't hold a candle to you sweetheart. Now, let's figure out what couture we're wearing tomorrow night for the big New Year's Eve bash at the clubhouse. Because I'm so not the clashing type."

  Eli and I spent an hour going through my wardrobe. And after my sob fest, I think we both needed the therapy that only silk shirts and red-soled shoes could provide. After that, we went over to his villa and completed the calming process. Talk about a clothes whore! I told him he better never say another word to me about my clothes addiction. Dude had way more clothes in his closet than I had in mine!

  "Did you bring everything in your closet from home thinking you had that job, Eli? I mean a tuxedo, really?"

  "Don't be ridiculous! I brought the essentials for a week at a resort for multi-occasional dress," he replied, inserting a slight lisp to be funny. "Besides, the New Years Eve gala is black tie."

  I rolled my eyes at him digging back in and finding he loved shoes every bit as much as me. I knew right then and there that this was the beginning of a very beautiful relationship.

  Eli shared the details with me on his recent break-up. Seth was Eli's former partner still living in Denver. They'd lived together all during college and had plans to start up their own business in New Orleans once they'd graduated. They'd saved to invest in a cruise boat that would cater to people with alternative sexual preferences - within reason. The ship would be for weekend cruising around the Gulf.

  Then three months ago, Seth started back-peddling on the idea. Eli said he knew something was wrong. He decided to follow Seth one day and discovered the love of his life was involved in a lifestyle Eli had never fathomed. Seth, dressed in drag, went to a seedy hotel in Denver. As it turned out, Seth was involved with a group of men that practiced BDSM to the hilt. Eli described some of the toys of torture Seth was enjoying when he'd busted in on him and his friends in that hotel room. All Eli could do now was try to rebuild his life and move on.


  We talked about our families. Eli's family lived in Montana; that's where he was raised as the youngest of four. He had two older sisters and one older brother. Eli said his family had always been supportive of his lifestyle. He'd come out in high school and they were down with it. His family had loved Seth like one of their own. The way Eli told it, their break-up crushed his family nearly as much as it had him.

  "You know, Eli," I said, "I think you'll find D.C. to be fairly liberal about alternative lifestyles. Maybe you'll find someone to love there."

  "Maybe we both will," he replied softly. "So, are you hoping to see your hottie at the New Year's Eve shindig?"

  I shrugged impassively. "I don't care one way or the other," I lied.

  "That's bullshit and you know it, girl. Don't worry though. You'll turn his head regardless of what you're wearing. I've a feeling when dude looks at you he's not picturing you clothed anyway." He winked over at me.

  "Ha, and what makes you say that?"

  "I'm gay, not cold-blooded, sweetheart."

  "Well regardless, you know he'll have Lacee clinging all over him as always. You know the one he says is his executive assistant? Executive assistant my ass."

  "I'm glad to see you don't care one way or the other about it. It looks like this party's going to be fun. Hey, maybe I can be of help to you on the Lacee front," he said, tossing me another one of those what I was beginning to recognize as Eli-trademark winks.

  Oh yeah. Definitely a beautiful relationship in the making.

  We finished with our wardrobe selection for the following night. We had plans to work out together in the morning, then hang by the pool until it was time to get ready for the party. My vacation was turning out to be better than I'd ever expected.

  Darin who?

  I was putting on the finishing touches to my hair and make-up when Eli arrived, looking like someone I'd have every intention of hitting on. If he were straight, that is.

  He naturally was wearing his Calvin Klein tuxedo, with a two-button notched lapel, satin besom pockets with the pleated trousers that went with it. His thick, blond hair was fashionably tousled and he had his five o'clock shadow going which was the perfect touch for this evening. The guy could be a runway model.

  “Hello, gorgeous supermodel!” I said as I gave him a quick hug after letting him into the villa. During the quick embrace he managed to reach the part of the zipper at the back of my dress I'd had trouble with before.

  "Don't tell me, let me guess - Jovani?" Eli suggested once again, guessing the designer who was responsible for tonight’s dress as he finished zipping up the form fitting material.

  "Dude knows his designers, I'm impressed," I replied with a wink. My mother had actually purchased this for me when we shopped the other day. It was indeed a Jovani; a sexy strapless little black dress that had a sheer overlay with a wire hem ruffle hemline, and a rosette with jewel embellishments. It was short, my mother had a bit of an issue with that until I promised her I wouldn't bend over the whole evening.

  "Bend over? You better not even sneeze," she'd clucked, giving in as usual.

  I had a black, Spanish-lace wrap if the evening got chilly, and of course, black stilettos and clutch. I had piled my hair up on top of my head, letting wispy cascades escape to frame my face, and wore long, silver drop ball earrings.

  "You, sweetheart, look magnificent I might add," Eli remarked, giving me a kiss on the cheek. "I'm sure you'll be quite the distraction tonight. Mission accomplished."

  "Hey," I said, turning and leaving the room to grab my wrap and clutch, "that remains to be seen Mr. Chambers. Do you dance by the way?"

  "Do I dance?" he asked giving me a major eye roll. "Do I dance? You really need to ask?"

  "I'll take that as a 'yes' then. Good, because I love to dance and shake my stuff, if you know what I mean."

  "I'm not sure how much you can shake in that number," he commented, "You're virtually overflowing at the top."

  "I know, right?" I giggled. "Let's go."

  ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

  Dinner and dessert had been served. My parents had dinner with us and then begged off for the rest of the evening saying they were going back to their condo to relax and have a couple of nightcaps. My instincts told me they thought Eli and I wanted to be alone. I should probably have told them about me and Eli at this point, but it seriously was just too fucking entertaining to see them fawn all over the poor guy.

  The band was awesome, playing a mixture of soft, classic, and alternative rock. Eli and I had fast danced a couple of times. I wanted to dance a couple of slow songs that I absolutely loved, but Eli refused, saying that my tush and va-jay-jay would be exposed. He was kidding, I'm sure. When we sat back down at our table after leaving the dance floor he ordered more drinks.

  "Why the sad face, pretty girl? Disappointed that your hottie hasn't shown yet?"

  "Not really," I lied, tossing down the rest of my cocktail, trying to appear unaffected.

  "Well get ready to lose the frown," Eli said with a grin, "Check it out at three o'clock," he finished with a nod. I immediately turned to my right - nothing.

  "My three o'clock," he laughed.

  "That's not the way you're supposed to do it, Eli," I hissed, now coyly looking to my left. And there he was, without that fake blonde who he usually always came equipped with, I’d like to add.

  E.J. was dressed in a black, Dior tux that was custom-tailored to fit perfectly to his lean, masculine build. His hair had been trimmed a bit, and it was somewhat disheveled - maybe from the ocean breeze that had whipped up this evening; or maybe from something else. He had an almost predatory thing going on tonight, much different than the persona he'd presented previously. I was even more curious now than ever. I hadn't intended to stare, but when his gaze locked onto mine, I could feel myself blush at being busted. A-fucking-gain.

  A slow, sardonic smile spread across his full, luscious lips. His smoldering gray eyes seemed to undress me with their intensity as they gazed sensually into mine. He turned around to the bar when his drink was placed in front of him.

  "Stare much?"

  I startled a little bit, hearing my friend’s voice as he brought me out of my E.J. trance.

  "Oh. Sorry, Eli. My God, how obvious was that?"

  He let out a low whistle. "Major obvious."

  "Thanks for your words of reassurance," I replied, dryly. "I'm just trying to figure out why Blondie isn't around."

  "It's as if you have mental telepathy," Eli sighed, nodding his head towards the entrance door of the club. There she was, all decked out in a ruby red sequined party dress. It was tight, strapless and her huge breasts were spilling over the top of the scalloped bodice. Her blond hair was gathered up into a messy tangle of curls that cascaded around the crown of her head. She wore black stiletto heels that made her about four inches taller.

  "Fuck me," I commented, a bit louder than intended.

  "No worries, doll. I've got this," Eli said, standing up and heading towards her in his gorgeous blonde glory. Oh yeah, he was something else. He wasn't gone more than thirty seconds when a fresh drink arrived for me.

  "The gentleman at the bar sent this over, Miss. He wonders if he might join you for a moment." I was totally dumbstruck, but I managed a nod 'yes' to the server, swallowing nervously. I took a sip of my drink and within moments, E.J. had taken the seat vacated by Eli.

  "You look exquisite tonight, Nicole," his sultry voice floated to my ears. "You know, I don't even know your last name," he continued.

  Why do I suddenly feel as if I'm the prey . . .?

  "Maybe it's better if you and I remain on a first name basis, E.J." I replied curtly, taking another sip of liquid courage. This man unnerved me and for whatever reason, I wasn't comfortable with it. Sexually, hell yes I wanted him, but something about him also sent warning bells to my brain.

  "As you wish," he said, lowering his gaze to the swell of my breasts. I squirmed a bit in my seat, crossing my leg which in the
4-inch heels I was wearing, caused my knee cap to bang against the underside of the table.

  Fuck, that hurt!

  "Are you alright?" he asked, quirking an eyebrow in slight amusement.

  "I'm fine," I said. "So will Lacee be joining us at the table?"

  "I hadn't planned on inviting her, unless you'd like me to do so. Are you interested in ménage?" He smiled wickedly at me.

  I nearly spewed the last sip of my drink onto him as I choked on his words. "I beg your pardon?" I hissed, trying my damndest to compose myself.

  Another flicker of amusement crossed his face. "I didn't mean to offend or shock you. I guess I was simply trying to understand your reason for asking about Lacee. I thought I was perfectly clear that she's my assistant who occasionally travels with me on business."

  "Oh, I think she's a little more than that. You forget how thin those walls are between the condos. Actually," I said, shifting in my seat, "it doesn't matter. I just don't appreciate being lied to."

  "When did I lie to you?" he asked, quirking that beautiful brow once again.

  "The night . . . the night we had dinner," I stammered. "I asked if she was your fiancé, wife, fuck-buddy, girlfriend - whatever, remember?"

  "Absolutely, and as I recall, I told you she wasn't my wife, fiancé or girlfriend. Where's the lie?"

  "It's a lie by omission," I shrugged, trying to hide the fact I was getting a little pissed. "You didn't admit you were fuck buddies and you should have."

  "Whatever Lacee and I are together physically is really not the issue. I'm not emotionally involved with her and there was never a vow of monogamy. I don't sleep around, Nicole, but I do have needs. I can assure you that my dick has never entered Lacee unsheathed. You've nothing to worry about. Can you say the same to me about your fuck buddy?"

  “I’m sorry, say again?” I leaned forward, not having any freakin’ clue what he was talking about.