by Lane Hart
“I should probably get your name since I've agreed to go on a date with you tonight, if this is really happening.”
“It’s Tom. Tom Adams,” he said smiling again.
“I’m Liz, but I think I’ve already told you that. Actually, it’s Elizabeth Maddox, but everyone calls me Liz. My mom is the only one, I mean, my mom was the only one who ever called me Elizabeth,” I rambled, then cringed at how much it hurt thinking about her.
“It’s nice to meet you Elizabeth,” he said using my full name. It sounded really nice to hear someone, especially him, use it again. I couldn’t help but smile.
“You too, Tom. I’ll be right back with your order,” I said before walking quickly away. I needed time to myself to figure out what the hell had just happened. I wrote his order down on another page and stuck it on the rack for Joe, our cook, then went to find Tina.
“Tina!” I whispered under my breath when I found her in the supply room filling up salt and pepper shakers.
“What’s up?”
“Pinch me.”
“What? Why?”
“Pinch me. I’m confused. I haven’t been sleeping and I can’t figure out if I’m really here working or if I’m dreaming.”
“Oh girl, we are definitely working, I assure you of that. But if you insist,” she reached and pinched gently on my lower arm.
“Shit, this is real!” I pulled out my notebook that still had his order and time for our date.
“You okay?”
“No! That man, in the suit, his name is Tom and he just asked me out.”
“Oh wow! He is gorgeous and looks important. You said yes, right?”
“Yes, but I don’t know him. I mean I’ve seen him or someone who looks like him once in a dream. He said he was new in town. What if he’s some crazed psycho serial killer or something?”
“I don’t think serial killers look and dress like him sweetie, or there would be a helluva lot more single women turning up dead. You’ll be fine. If you want, you can let me know where you’re going and call me when you get home to let me know you’re okay.”
“Okay, thanks. I better go check on his order.”
Joe, as quick as ever, was sitting the plates in the window when I walked up.
“Thanks Joe!” I hollered as I grabbed them and headed back out to the dining room.
Tom had leaned back in the booth and seemed more relaxed. He smiled when I approached his table, and wow, was he incredibly sexy.
“Here you go. Can I get you anything else?” I asked. I couldn't help but fidget and wring my hands out of nervousness.
“Could you sit with me while I eat?” he asked.
I looked around and still had no new customers.
“Um, well, I could sit until someone comes in I guess,” I answered, hesitating a moment before sliding in the booth across from him.
“So, tell me about yourself. Have you worked here long?” he asked, pouring syrup on his stack of pancakes before cutting them up.
“Oh, about two years. I also work at a grocery store a few days a week, you know, while I’m in college,” I told him.
“Where do you go to school?” he asked.
“Madison University. I’m finishing up my exams this week at the community college and I start there in January.”
“You must be smart. I’ve heard it’s a really good school.”
“Yeah, it’s a pretty good school, basically an all-girl school, but I’m just going to get my degree in elementary education.”
“So you’re going to be a teacher?”
“Yeah. I love kids and well, I’m not sure if I’ll ever have my own, so that’s what I’d like to do.”
“Why won’t you have your own?” he asked, startling me with such a personal question.
“It’s sort of complicated. I don’t know if I'll be able to, and even if I am able to I don’t know if I want to take the chance of passing down my family's genetic condition,” I told him, hoping he wouldn’t ask any more questions.
“With medicine nowadays you'll probably be fine, if that's what you really want."
“Maybe,” I said, shrugging. I knew there was nothing, if I was even able to have kids, that could be done to avoid my children being a witch or warlock, and having to hide the rest of their lives. Although in the dream with this man wasn’t I also pregnant? This was too weird.
“So, how’s your breakfast?” I asked to change the topic.
“Great, thanks.”
I realized he hadn’t said anything about himself.
“So, did you just move to town or are you here on business?”
“Business,” he said shortly as he continued to eat.
“Where are you from?”
“Philadelphia.”
That’s a long ways from here.
“What kind of business are you in?” I asked.
“P.I. work,” was his next short answer.
“Oh, so you’re investigating someone here?”
“Yeah, a, um, woman trying to track down her birth mother,” he said quickly.
Then he probably wouldn’t be in town but a few days, and Pennsylvania was a long ways away. Maybe dinner was a bad idea.
“So, you won’t be in town long?” I asked. He stopped eating and looked up at me.
“I’m here for as long as it takes. Probably a few weeks, maybe more.”
Yep, like I thought, just passing through.
“Maybe it’s not such a good idea for us to go to dinner,” I told him honestly. I had enough to deal with right now and I didn’t need any more heartbreak.
“What? Why not?” he asked.
“Because you’re going to be leaving in a few weeks, and I’ve got a lot going on right now with exams and all.”
“Elizabeth, please have dinner with me. You look like you could use a break from life, and God knows I could.”
Oh, he had no idea how much I could use a break.
“But in a few weeks-,” I started and he cut me off.
“I can work anywhere, and this seems like a really nice town,” he said, leaving me momentarily stunned. That’s probably the line he used on all the women in the many towns he traveled through.
“I better get back to work,” I said as I slid out of the booth. “I’m sorry, but I'm not going to be able to meet you tonight.”
I walked quickly toward the back, and even though I heard him call my name, I kept going until I hit the door to the dumpsters. I needed air.
I burst into the cool December morning, and tried to take deep breaths to stop the tears from falling like they did several times a day. I’d made it later today than most, and oddly enough talking with Tom had distracted me from the pain. I still thought about my mother, only it didn’t seem to hurt as much. But I was not going to waste my time getting caught up with some man who is only looking for a good time while he passes through, then heads off to the next town. I’m all maxed out on sadness as it is. Oh, but I was maxing out on loneliness too.
I leaned my head back on the cool brick wall, closing my eyes and trying to clear my head. I was calming down until a few minutes later when the back door opened suddenly, making me jump. I looked up expecting to see Tina, then my heart stopped when I saw that it was actually Tom.
“What are you doing out here?” I asked.
“Looking for you. Are you alright?” he asked frowning at me as he took a step closer.
“I’m fine,” I assured him.
“You don’t look fine. You look upset, and like you’ve been crying.”
Shit. I wiped at my face, drying it.
"Was it something I said?" he asked, seeming genuinely concerned.
I shook my head.
“I’m sorry you lost your mother,” he said, knocking the air out of my lungs.
“How’d you, how did you know?” I asked as the tears started again.
“The other waitress told me. I asked about you and she said your mother recently passed away. I’m sorry Elizabeth,
” he said taking another step closer to me. Now he was close enough to touch me and my back was against the wall, preventing me from putting space between us.
“I’m fine,” I said again. It was an automatic response lately.
“No you’re not. How could you be?”
“Well, I am,” I said defensively.
“Elizabeth, it’s okay that you’re not, but has there at least been someone there for you?”
“Of course, all our friends and family have been there for us, my brother and me.”
“What I mean is, well, has anyone been there for you with more than meaningless words that everyone says when someone passes away?” More tears slid down my face. That’s all I’ve heard since she died. “I’m sorry for your loss” or “She’s in a better place now.” Like those stupid platitudes make it all better or hurt less, with a quick hug and pat on the shoulder.
“No,” I whispered and then Tom’s massive arms were around me, holding me against his chest while I cried. I pulled away when I felt his suit jacket against my face. “I’m sorry, I don’t want to mess up your suit.”
He held me to him, his hands in my hair and curving around my lower back. “I don’t give a shit about this jacket and neither should you.”
I finally let myself relax against him, smelling his fresh clean scent, and feeling the hardness of his broad chest under my hands and face as it rose and fell with his breathing. The simple rhythm was nice and calming. I closed my eyes as I focused on that and the gentleness of his hands rubbing my back and stroking my hair. Soon my tears stopped, and instead of the agonizing, cold sadness I felt something else.
Warmth grew and spread through me, making the weeks of pain and the heaviness in my chest ease up. I didn’t even care that I didn’t know the man who was holding me. What did it really matter since his arms around me had helped me deal with everything a little better in one morning than everyone else had in two weeks? Not that there was really anyone else other than coworkers and classmates, and friends that were busy with their own lives. My brother who thought men shouldn’t cry, or show any emotion. All of them avoided me or treated me like I was glass.
This man made me feel optimistic, like maybe I wouldn't be heartbroken and feel alone forever, even though it seemed that way. I didn’t want to leave the comfort of his arms because I was afraid the world would come crashing back down on me as soon as I did. But dammit, I was at work, and I’m sure he had more important things to do than be my handkerchief. Then and there I made the decision that I wanted to see him again tonight, and I didn’t care anymore if he was here for a day or a year. The way he made me feel was worth however long it lasted.
I slid my arms out from where they’d been pressed against his chest and wrapped them around his waist, underneath his jacket. My hands rubbed over the hard muscles of his back, feeling his warmth through the thin layer of his dress shirt, while his hands continued to caress me. Suddenly and unexpectedly, I was craving the feeling of his skin against mine while he held me and made love to me.
I cleared my throat, and the suggestive thoughts from my head.
“Thank you,” I told him softly, without moving away from his chest.
"Do you have to get back to work?” he asked.
“Yes,” I told him, but I still couldn’t bring myself to move.
I felt his large exhale, and I was pretty sure his lips pressed gently against the top of my head.
“That’s too bad,” he finally said.
“I know,” I said with a smile he couldn't see.
“Can I see you tonight?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Please don’t change your mind.”
“I won’t.”
I sighed before I finally took a step back and waited for the return of my burden. I didn’t immediately feel it so I took another step, completely leaving Tom's arms.
I looked up at him and gasped. His eyes were filled with so much warmth and compassion that I didn’t feel I deserved.
“So I’ll see you here at seven?” he asked with a half-smile, his thumb brushing away the wetness on my cheek.
“Okay,” I said with a smile.
Tom’s hand gently cupped the side of my face as he leaned down and lightly pressed his lips against mine. Heat started in my stomach and radiated through the rest of my body when his tongue brushed across my lips, urging them to open for him. That was all it took. I gave myself over to him, letting him sweep me away in the sensual bliss. Every touch of his tongue sliding over mine sent me higher and higher, making me want more, need more from this man. The chemistry between us was like an instant addiction, one that I knew I'd never overcome.
The crash of the back door opening finally separated us, causing Tom and I to both jump.
"Oops! Sorry Liz," Tina said in apology after she saw us standing against the wall. A second later the door slammed shut again.
A smile slowly stretched across Tom's face, before he ran his tongue over his bottom lip.
"That was …wow," he said.
"Um, yeah, I think wow sums it up."
"I hate to leave you, but if I don’t do it soon you may never get back to work," he said, the heat in his eyes and his words increasing the throbbing pulse between my legs.
"You're right. I'll see you tonight, okay?"
“I can't wait. Bye, Elizabeth,” he said as he stepped back and left me standing there yearning for more.
“Bye, Tom.”
Before he turned the corner of the building he looked back over his shoulder and smiled at me one last time.
I took a deep breath and then pulled the backdoor open to head inside.
Tina looked up from where she was standing against the beverage station and tried to hide her grin.
“I'm sorry Liz. If I'd known … I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”
“No, it's fine. I’m sorry I was gone for so long. Has it been busy?” I asked as I looked around the dining room.
“Heck no. So tell me what happened. He was worried about you, and it was really sweet. And that kiss ...” she said, fanning herself, "Damn, just seeing it was hot enough to make me melt."
“We’re going to dinner tonight.”
“Good. You need something to take your mind off everything, and I told him so, too. Go and have some fun for a change. You’re so young, but you never get to do anything normal.”
“I’m really looking forward to it now. And the kiss was beyond incredible,” I told her, unable to contain my smile. I'd done my fair share of dating, but I'd never have a man make my knees weak the way Tom had with a single kiss.
“Well, well. Aren’t you glad he sat in your section now? Oh and he paid before he went out, leaving a twenty dollar bill. He didn’t want change.”
“Okay, thanks.”
That was about a twelve dollar tip, but I didn’t want it. It was too weird with me agreeing to go on a date with him and then making out with him. Now, how many more hours did I have left before seven o'clock rolled around?
Chapter Five
Tom
I sat down in my car, feeling like the world had been turned upside down. I hated my fucking job and was ready to turn in my resignation. From the moment I laid eyes on Elizabeth I knew I couldn’t do it anymore. I couldn’t work for an agency that killed people like her. She was an angel. A beautiful, innocent, sad angel.
I’d spent my whole life not caring about anything, not knowing what I wanted for myself, and just doing what everyone else wanted me to do. One look at Elizabeth and I knew all I needed to know. I wanted her and nothing else mattered. My bitch wife, my job, what she was, I didn’t care. I just knew I wanted to hold her and try to make her happy, because she deserved it. Not to mention how it'd felt to kiss her. My heart was still racing from the amazing feeling of her lips on mine. It was taking all of my restraint not to walk back into that restaurant and pick right up where we'd left off. Which, I was almost certain, would result in both of us wrapped around each othe
r, naked, and having the best, most intense earth shattering sex of our lives.
I finally turned on my car and sped back to the hotel. I needed to make a few phone calls and couldn’t wait a minute longer. I parked in the lot, ran up the steps to my room on the second floor, and as soon as I walked through the door, picked up the hotel phone and dialed 4-1-1.
“City and state, please.”
“Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.”
“Listing?”
“Divorce attorneys.”
I shouldn't have married her. I didn’t even ask her to marry me, but suddenly she and my mother were planning a wedding and there I was. Somehow I ended up in the damn church I hated, saying the vows that I knew I didn’t mean, knowing I didn’t love her and never would. I hadn't been able to wear my wedding band after that day. I didn’t know what I wanted then, what I was missing and would never have with Vanessa. I did now.
I wrote down the phone number and called the attorney, giving them my information and hers. They told me they'd draft up the documents immediately, and since we'd only been married a few weeks we might be able to get it annulled. Shit, the damn marriage had barely even been consummated. I think we may have had sex four times in the two month we’d been married, and it’d been painfully awkward each time. Oh, and three of those were when she’d tried to sneak and get pregnant without telling me. Of course we hadn’t had sex before we were married, and we hadn’t lived together either, because both were frowned upon at church. Big fucking mistakes.
I was going to get the paperwork overnighted to me at the hotel to sign and send back so they could serve it on Vanessa by the end of the week. When I hung up the phone I felt like a load had been lifted from my shoulders.
Now to deal with my job. I was ready to send in my resignation today, but then a horrible thought hit me. If I didn't derail this investigation, Winston would find Elizabeth and her brother just as easily as I had. I’d stay here for as long as I could and make up names and stories to turn in on the report. That was the only way I could be sure she was safe, at least for the time being.
Damn, I felt terrible keeping the reason why I was here and the fact that I was married from Elizabeth. But if I told her either of those things I’d probably never see her again. Eventually I'll tell her, but just … not now.