Owen didn't come near me. He only asked if I was okay. I was too choked up to answer, so I just gave a questionable nod. He left it at that.
***
OWEN MUST HAVE HAD Wesley Carver’s number on speed dial, because he had wasted no time finding Cam’s replacement. He even had the gall to invite him to start weeks before Cam was done, making Cam have to clear out some of his stuff early to share his office. I realized someone had to be hired in Cam’s place, but I didn't think it would happen quite so fast. And Wesley Carver? Could Owen have chosen anyone more problematic?
On Wesley's first day in the office, instead of Owen doing the usual introductions, he made Cam pick up his duties. After making the usual rounds, Cam and Wesley showed up outside my door. Cam knocked on the wall to get my attention.
"I suppose you two already met," Cam said, recalling our first run in at the staff Christmas party.
Wesley chuckled. "She definitely met my ass. Can't blame her for grabbing it. It's a nice ass."
This man had no shame. Too bad he was also funny.
"Hi," I said, nodding. I couldn't help but smirk, covering my mouth to try and hide it, but that just encouraged him to wink at me.
Cam wasn’t amused in the slightest. “You're going to leave this one alone," he stated. And yes, it was definitely a threat.
"Are you going to be here to stop me?" Wes argued, confident with his aggression.
"I don't want any trouble," I pleaded, hoping it would be enough to diffuse the situation.
Both men watched me for a timeless moment and it bothered me how striking their similarities were. Their dark-blonde hair was a near match, both being short, wild and unruly. I concentrated on Cam's eyes, the crystal blue softly intense. Wesley’s eyes were blue too, but his were dark and mischievous. The most challenging feature to compare was their plump lower lips, both of them hanging that sexy thing out there like it was a chew toy.
I glanced away from them, as Wesley turned to Cameron. "Are we done here, boss?" He sure knew how to press Cam's buttons.
"I know I am," Cam answered, turning away and stomping off to his office.
Wesley continued to linger outside my doorway. I spun around on my chair.
"Can I help you?" I snapped.
"Now that depends. Are you single now?" He raised his hands to defend himself before I even opened my mouth. "I just want to clear up the conflicting signals you're sending me."
"Are you kidding me? You're seriously starting with me already?"
"You're a pretty girl. I'm a single man. Do you really blame me? I'm just testing the waters. Don't want to step on anyone's toes," he said, gently pinning my ballet flat beneath his large, shiny shoe.
"You want me to be clear? I'm not emotionally available right now. As you might have noticed, my last relationship is a little fresh." Fresh didn't even begin to explain how much it still hurt to think about it.
"Alright, you're not ready to see other men. Yet. I heard you've been done with him for months now, I just assumed you were free."
I couldn't help but compare him once again to Cameron. Any woman with two eyes would have done the same. But there was one difference between them that would never add up.
Wesley wasn’t Cameron.
Wesley lifted his hands, accepting that it wasn’t going to happen, and then backed away. I smiled, surprised by how easily I had gotten rid of him, until he promptly reappeared in my doorway.
"How about now?" he asked.
What a tease. "Get out of here!"
He smirked and trotted off toward his desk, though he hadn't removed his eyes from my face until he caught a glimpse of my smile. I was hardly in the right frame of mind to consider dating again and Wes’ carefree, bad boy act wasn't even moderately appealing to me at this point in my life. Even if he would make beautiful babies.
***
AFTER MY TRIP TO the hair salon, and a visit with the most talented hairdresser ever, I was feeling totally fabulous. When I got home, Edwin was standing in the living room staring at the TV.
"Hello!" I called, as I kicked off my shoes.
Edwin, being totally into the game, didn’t respond.
"I said, hello!" I repeated, louder.
Edwin spun around to face me and smiled. “Look at you.”
After I waggled my eyebrows at him, he chased me into the kitchen. I grabbed a water bottle from the fridge and cracked it open. As I closed the door, it wafted my fragrant hair, zinging my senses. I pulled a chunk of my long, silky hair across my nose and took a big sniff.
"Mmm. Smell my hair!" I said, motioning for Edwin's immediate attention.
Edwin casually strolled up next to me and stared with reserve, as I took a deep whiff, then flipped my hair over my shoulder.
"You're sure you want me to do that?" His tone was low and growly, as though he wouldn't be faulted for what might happen if he did.
"Um, yeah? It smells so good. You have got to smell it." I held out a lock of hair expectantly.
He watched me with intense, brooding eyes, and it was as though he were trying to mesmerize me with his stare. He approached slowly, and leaned in close, but he didn't stop at my lock of hair. The dark lock slipped from my fingers, as I tilted my head to grant him access to my neck. When he nuzzled his nose there, I closed my eyes.
It was incredibly sensual, on the brink of electric, as his touch whispered across my skin. He took a deep, exaggerated breath, then brushed his parted lips over my throat, setting fire to my blood. It coursed through my veins, flooding my body with endorphins, my body tingling with desire.
"Abby?" Edwin said.
My long, dark lashes flew open. Edwin was no longer touching me but his manly scent was still hanging over me, clouding my thoughts and feeding my arousal. "Hmm?" I said, trapped beneath his heated stare and his confident, angled smile.
"You're right. You do smell good,” he said, raising one dark brow. “Edible."
I nearly creamed in my panties. What the hell was wrong with me? This is Edwin. You know, Edwin? And I thought we were talking about my hair here.
The harsh storm cloud that had been following me around for the past few months since my breakup with Cameron seemed to have lifted ever so slightly and my heart was finally feeling like it belonged to its lonely self again.
“Keep dreaming.”
Edwin grinned. “Are you ready to head to Haledon tomorrow?"
"Don't jinx it,” I answered, relieved that he dropped the hair thing. “Tomorrow isn't here yet."
"Hunter was saying we’ll have the guest house all to ourselves. That’s pretty cool of Cally.”
"Yeah, it should be a good time, as long as you leave the drama at home. Do you think you can be a good boy for one week?"
Edwin’s grin had returned full force. "That depends. If I'm a bad boy, are you going to punish me?"
I began to scowl at him, but it wasn’t entirely believable. I couldn’t even fight the allure of Edwin’s mockery. "This is my vacation. I want to be able to relax. You'll be good, or else," I warned.
"Oh, I love when you threaten me."
I rolled my eyes and shook my head. There was no winning with him. "Anyways," I exaggerated. “Cally said she's only going to be there for a few days, then she’s leaving with Gabe." I pulled out my cell phone and showed Edwin a photo. “See, that’s him.” Gabe was a professional athlete, but from the photo she had messaged me on Facebook you would have thought he was a professional model.
"She sends you photos of her boyfriend?"
"Yeah. What's the big deal?"
"Have you ever sent her photos of me?" he asked, waggling his eyebrows.
"Yeah. Naked ones. Dumb ass. No. I’ve never sent her photos of you. She had to look at your annoying face her entire childhood, I think she'd thank me for saving her the misfortune."
He shoved me playfully, then walked away. "You both love me."
At least I do. I had to cover my mouth when I realized I had even thought it.
"They'll get all cold out there. Can't you wait until morning?"
"I guess so." He dropped his bag down next to mine, then wandered over to the loveseat across from me. "Have you heard from Aliah yet?"
"Nope. And I didn't get a chance to talk to her today at work. I was so busy trying to get all my work done for the week, and by the time I went to see her she was already gone."
Edwin nodded. “Hunter was saying that he wanted to drive up separately anyways, in case Maddie had any baby issues.”
I smiled, softly. “Did you see Maddie today? Those twins want out of there. It looked like they were trying to kick and punch their way out of her belly."
“Twins?” Edwin said, his eyes bugging from his head.
“Didn’t Hunter tell you? Maddie found out at her last ultrasound, and I’m told the babies will come any day now.”
"Now I get why Hunter was so nervous about leaving the City.”
I picked up my phone and dialed Aliah's number. It rang three times before Hunter picked it up.
"Hey, Hunter. Is Aliah there?"
"Oh, Abigail. Sorry, but Aliah’s not feeling that well."
"You're still going to Haledon with us though, right?" I flashed a look of concern at Edwin.
"I don't think we're going to be able to make it. Between her and Maddie, I think it’s best if we stay back." He paused, sensing my disappointment. "I hope we aren't ruining your plans."
I was disappointed, but I couldn’t be mad at him for it. I sighed. "Do you guys need anything?"
"No, no. I've got it. I have been waiting on Aliah hand and foot all night. I think she may be taking advantage of me."
I smiled and let out a hollow laugh. "Okay, well I guess I'll let you go then. If you need anything just call."
"No way," he chided. "You guys go ahead and have a good time. Don't worry about us. We'll still be here when you get back."
I looked at the phone, sorting my tangled thoughts, and Edwin watched me intently. I put the phone back to my ear. "Okay, take care then." With another sigh, I ended the call and just stared at Edwin for a long while.
"Aliah’s not feeling well and Hunter wants to stick around so he can keep his eye on Maddie. Should we stay back?" I finally asked.
"You're joking, right?"
"I mean, I guess we can still go. But it'll be just the two of us." I battled with the concept, but my desperate need to get away was winning the inner struggle.
Edwin showed no resistance. "Good then, we're still on. You ready to go?"
I flipped my freshly styled hair over my shoulder. "I thought we were going tomorrow."
"Why bother waiting if we're all packed now? You really think Cally will care if we show up a few hours early? I say let's get out of here and get this vacation started."
"You're sure you're okay with this?" I certainly wasn’t.
Edwin brought his fist to his chin, thoughtfully. "Let's see. I have the week off and a vacant guest house waiting for me, at no charge. If you ask me, it doesn't get any better than that."
"I mean the fact that it will be just the two of us. Smart ass."
Edwin dropped his hand. "Cally will be there. Besides, how's that any different from right now? Or are you afraid that you won't be able to resist my fetching good looks for that long?"
"Ha, ha. You're so funny," I said. "Fine. Let's go."
Edwin jumped to his feet and urgently filled his truck with our bags. He wasn't going to give me a spare minute to rethink the consequences of my decision. Lucky for him I wasn't in the thinking mood anyway. If my holiday had officially begun, then I was done thinking for the rest of the week.
I had stared at the lights of the City as they passed in a stream of colour and slowly faded into the distance. The dark of night had seemed much darker in the country, especially in the hillside, and I had no trouble finding sleep. When I awoke from my nap, Edwin had already found our destination.
"This is it," Edwin said. His headlights shone on the driveway, but it looked more like a walking path than a road for a vehicle to travel on. Edwin slowly weaved through the wilderness, and headed up the steep, winding driveway.
We passed a cute, wood cabin on the way and then disappeared back into the heavily-wooded, forest that was covered in snow. A spectacular glow hovered above the trees and a spectacular house of glass was suddenly exposed. The gravel turned to stamped concrete and led the rest of the way to the massive house. It must have been heated, too, since it was spotless.
A snow-covered patio wrapped around the second level of the house, with floor to ceiling windows. It was a good thing the house was nestled deep in the woods, because you could see straight through it to the backyard. It looked like every light in the house was on, making the fresh snow sparkle.
Edwin parked the truck and pulled on the parking brake. "Wow, you weren’t kidding. This place is something else."
A moment of silence passed between us. I had texted Cally to tell her we were on our way, but a quick check of my phone revealed that she hadn't gotten back to me.
"Shall we?" Edwin asked.
"Right." I pulled myself out of my strange mood, and stumbled out of his oversized truck.
The path was cleared, but it was slippery. Edwin reached out his hand to help me up the hill. It beat tumbling on my ass, so I couldn't refuse his thoughtful offer.
As soon as I stood flat on the doorstep, in need of my independence back, I slipped my hand out of his to press the doorbell. A beautiful melody chimed through the house and, after a few seconds, I saw Cally prancing to the door. A man, who had to be Gabe, followed behind her.
She tugged the heavy door open and flung herself into my arms. "Abby!" she squealed.
After pulling herself off of me, she checked out Edwin. "Edwin. Handsome as always," she said, winking at him.
"You must be Gabe. I'm Abby."
"Yes, of course. I've heard so much about you." He ran his hand through his longish, brown hair and extended his other hand for a friendly shake. He smiled at me, his supermodel smile, before I took his hand. His face was elegantly masculine, with a sharpened narrow nose and soft stubble trimming his thin lips and square chin.
Edwin cut my handshake short, extending his hand out to Gabe. "Edwin. Nice to meet you. This is a beautiful house you have here." His shake was firm and short, and despite Edwin's nice words, his squared shoulders showed that he felt threatened by him.
Cally stood there impatiently, waiting for the formalities to be over with. "I'm glad we got that out of the way. What are you doing here so soon, and where's Aliah?"
"I tried to text you. Ally and Hunter couldn't make it. They send their regrets."
"Right, the whole baby thing," Cally said, waving an inconsiderate hand. She hooked her arm in mine and pulled me deeper into the house, away from Edwin and Gabe.
"So, you and Edwin, eh?" she suggested, quietly in my ear.
"It's not like that."
"I'm sure." Her giggle was effortless and carefree.
“I realize it's pretty late."
Cally patted my arm and gave me a devious wink. "You two should get settled in the guesthouse for tonight. I bet you had a long day. We have all the time in the world for a tour."
"Didn't you say we could stay here? In the main house. With you," I stuttered, stunned by the change of plans.
"Yeah," she said. “But that was only because there's only one bed in the guest house and I thought you were expecting company. It'll fit the two of you just fine."
Edwin yawned loudly, making it known that he was still in the room. "That sounds like a good idea to me. I'm exhausted."
Like hell. Edwin rarely went to bed before midnight, especially on a Friday night. Gabe dang
led out a set of keys and dropped them into Edwin's hand.
"It's down the drive on the right. Make yourself at home, and help yourself to anything that's there. I had it restocked for you."
"There are fresh linens in the bathroom closet," Cally added, as she gave me another squeeze around my neck. "See you in the morning. We'll have breakfast together. Well… let's make it brunch."
Cunning, beotch. I knew exactly what she was doing. She was acting like she was doing me a favour, when she knew damn well that I didn’t need more time alone with Edwin.
"We'll be here," Edwin answered, as he stole my hand and pulled me back toward the door. "It's been fun, but I’m ready to hit the hay. We can get better acquainted in the morning," he told me.
I turned back to Cally, feeling exasperated, but I still smiled when I waved goodbye. I couldn't stay mad at her. When she winked at me though, I intentionally ignored it.
Edwin drove super slow down the slippery driveway and relief washed over me when he pulled up tight to the quaint wood cabin. A motion sensor caught our approach and flashed a light on at the front door, highlighting the rich wood and elaborate trimmings. The rumbling engine cut out as I leapt out of the truck. I walked toward the front door, carefully gripping my feet to the ground with each awkward step.
Edwin went into the back of the truck to get our bags and slung them all over his shoulders. He didn’t even ask for help, though I had brought enough clothes to effectively dress an army. I expected him to complain - waited for him to demand my help. Nothing. I watched him fumble with the keys until he finally got it in the hole.
"Persistence pays off, yet again," he mumbled, as the door swung open.
I reached in and flipped the light switch, not knowing what to expect. We both glanced in without moving and stood there mute, stunned by the romantic sophistication and natural charm of the cabin. I looked to Edwin and smiled.
"Ladies first," he said, raising his eyebrows.
Unable to deny him that, I stepped out of the cold and into the cozy, open space. I placed my snow-covered shoes on the small mat at the door and opened the closet to find hangers for our coats.
A Twist of Fate (The Twisted Trilogy) Page 14