He tips back his bottle, drinks the final swallow down and places it on the table. “I need to get going. I still have a lot of unpacking to do.” Pushing his chair back, he stands, looming over me.
Jumping up from my seat, I collect the two bottles from the table and throw them in the recycling bin next to the pantry.
Following behind him, I try not to notice the width of his shoulders in his navy blue henley, but they’re right there in front of me and hard to resist looking at.
“It was nice meeting you, Lana. I hope we get to see a lot more of each other.” His voice is a deep husk and it has my body responding in ways I don’t want it to.
“Thanks for carrying my bags for me. I’m glad I have a gentleman living next to me now. My old neighbors weren’t so thoughtful.” The college aged girls used to blare music and slam doors at all hours of the day or night.
He takes my hand, raises it to his lips and gently kisses the back of it. His beard is soft against my skin, and it makes me wonder if it would feel the same against my lips.
“Until we meet again.” He releases my hand and flashes me a playful grin before walking out my door.
I stare at the dark wood and release a large sigh.
Zack Williams is trouble with a capital T. I can feel it already and as much as I want to experience his brand of trouble, I can’t let myself go there.
I moved here for a fresh start, not to repeat the mistakes of my past.
TWO DAYS LATER
Monday rolls around without any visits from Zack and no bumping into each other in the hallway. I’m relieved and disappointed at the same time, but I know which emotion I should be feeling. I’m going to have to work on keeping my walls up around him.
There’s something attractive about Zack and it’s not just his gorgeous appearance. He’s comfortable in his own skin, and being with him didn’t feel awkward at all. He made me feel at ease and he was fun to be around.
There’s only one other person who’s ever had this effect on me.
Look how that worked out for you.
It’s been over a year and I’m still not ready to move on. I don’t think I ever will be.
I still miss him every single day.
This coming Friday is his birthday, his twenty ninth.
I place my head in my hands, resting my elbows on my desk and allow myself the brief indulgence of thinking about him. Christopher. How did things go so wrong?
* * *
Finding a money trail is easier than most would probably think. Well, easier for me anyway. I may not have been blessed with all the female assets I’d like, but I do have a genius I.Q.
By the age of eighteen I had a Bachelor’s degree in computer science at the University of Washington. A year later a Master’s Degree.
Following the money trail is like a game for me. It gives me a rush to see how fast I can trace the missing funds and beat my personal best.
Every job time is logged in my head, not on paper.
My brain is like some freaky vault for numbers and details. Like a female Rain Man.
It’s a blessing and a curse. It comes in handy for work, but when I was a kid I hated it. I always felt different than my classmates, and my success in school set me apart.
I skipped multiple grades which made it hard for me to make friends and keep them.
Not only was I much younger than my classmates, I was small for my age. My tiny stature only made the age gap between me and my classmates more noticeable.
It’s not easy being a freshman in high school at age eleven, especially when you look like you’re only nine.
Being painfully shy and horribly awkward didn’t help my situation any. I hardly spoke, and lunch period was the worst one of them all. I couldn’t handle knowing everyone’s eyes watched me as I sat by myself at the back-corner table, alone like a social pariah. After the first week of school, I ended up eating my lunch in the library each day.
Beginning college at age fifteen wasn’t any better. I tried to blend in to my surroundings and in the lecture halls, but the professors liked to call on me and get my input during discussions.
I loved learning and academia itself; but the other students were cruel and mean to me. I was called names, whispered about in every class and even got bullied on social media.
It wasn’t until a few years ago, when I was twenty years old and working on my Ph.D., that things started to look up for me, socially speaking.
My brother Sean’s best friend, Christopher, who I’d never met, worked at Techdeck, a leading company for cybersecurity. He mentioned they were looking for interns to my brother and I applied. They were so impressed with my background, they offered me a job in addition to the internship. Techdeck agreed to work around my schooling until I finished, and the offer was too good for me to turn down.
THREE YEARS AGO
First time job interview nerves have my stomach in knots as I walk up to the large glass doors at the front of the building.
It’s raining again, which is no surprise in Seattle.
When I pause to close my umbrella, a huge gust of wind hits, turning it inside out. Shit.
Rain pelts down on me, while I try to get the damn umbrella to cooperate; but it won’t budge.
“Need some help, darling?” a deep voice asks, and in my periphery, I notice a tall man beside me.
“No, thank you. I can do it.”
Stubborn to the end, I’m determined to win this battle.
“Here, let me help you.” A large tan hand snatches the stubborn object right out of my grasp, and by the time I turn my head to figure out who it belongs to, he’s handing back my closed umbrella.
“Thank you,” I murmur, taking it and glancing up to see who this helpful stranger is. He’s wearing a zippered sweatshirt and the hood is pulled up over his head. I can’t see his face clearly, just the flash of the very white, attractive smile he gives me before he speaks again.
“Let’s get you inside, darling. You’re getting all wet.”
I snap into action at his words and reach for the door handle, but he beats me to it and his masculine hand closes around the metal in front of me. I notice the tattoos peeking out of his long sleeve but can’t get a close enough look to make out what they are. He must be a bad boy if he has tattoos where everyone can see them. Maybe I shouldn’t be talking to him.
Opening the door, he holds it for me to walk through. I’m surprised when he steps through behind me. He doesn’t look like anyone who should be working in a place like Techdeck.
I pause to straighten out my wet shirt, thankful I went with the emerald green and not the white one I was originally thinking of wearing.
When I sweep my hand over my drenched hair, I’m relieved I decided on a ponytail. At least it’s a contained, wet mess and not dripping all over my face.
Visibly shaking, my hands are difficult to control when I run my fingertips under each eye to check for smearing makeup. Thanks to waterproof mascara, they come away clean.
“Is this your first day?” The helpful stranger asks.
My gaze lifts to his as he pulls the hood back from his head and my next breath wavers. His light green eyes are a beautiful and captivating juxtaposition to his rugged appearance. His lean face is lightly tanned, with a ruggedly stubbled jawline. His lips are a deep pink color with a small jagged scar like a mini lightning bolt beginning at the upper edge of his top one and ending underneath his nose.
He rakes his hand through his longish hair, pushing it back and I notice small black gauges in his ears.
“Yes.” My voice comes out hoarse. I clear my throat, before trying once again. “Yes, is it obvious?” I bite on my bottom lip, lost in feelings of inadequacy. Why am I even doing this?
I’m only twenty years old and taking this position feels a little like playing grown up.
He rubs my upper arm and his hand is warm through the thin material of my shirt.
I look down at his long fingers and notice the
gray and black Celtic band tattooed around his wrist.
“Don’t be nervous. This is a great place to work.”
Keeping my gaze lowered, I nod my head.
He gently touches my chin, tipping it with his fingers until I’m staring in his jade green eyes.
Enjoying the way his hand feels on my skin, I’m disappointed when it falls away.
“You’re going to do great.” He smiles at me and in this moment, I believe him. I’d probably believe anything he told me.
His smile is contagious and I find myself reacting in kind.
“Much better.” He winks at me.
“What’s your name?” I somehow find the courage to ask.
He hesitates for a second before answering me. “Christopher, and you’re Lana.”
I tip my head to the side, studying his face. “How do you know my name?” Eyes narrowing, I wait for his answer.
“I’m Sean’s best friend. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you for a long time now.” He smiles at me and all my worry fades away.
Chapter Five
Zack
I haven’t seen Lana in a few days now. I wanted to make sure I didn’t come on too strong and scare her away.
I don’t know what the ghosts of her past are, but she has them. They haunt her as clearly as if I’m looking in the mirror at my own.
Life hasn’t been easy for her and it shows in those large, expressive blue-green eyes. I want to make her forget about her previous mistakes and show her she belongs with me.
It’s now Tuesday night; I haven’t seen her since Saturday. It’s time to take the next step in my plan.
Grabbing the bottle of red wine, I’ve had chilling for the past hour, I make my way to her apartment. Once I knock, it’s only a few seconds before she appears. She lingers behind the door, hiding every part of her body but her head.
“Hi, Zack.” She flashes me a nervous smile.
Does she have another man here?
Anger washes over me at the thought of her in someone else’s arms.
Get a grip, man.
I school my features and smile at her. “Hi, Lana. How are you?”
“It’s been a long day, but I’m glad it’s almost over now.”
She remains hidden from my view, and I wonder if she’s half naked behind the wooden obstruction.
“Are you up for a glass of wine?” I hold up the bottle of Pinot Grigio.
She chews on her bottom lip and in only a few seconds her eyes flash a slideshow of different emotions.
“Come on, you know you want to. Besides, I don’t know anyone else here yet, and I really dislike drinking alone.”
“I’m wearing my pajamas,” she confesses.
I smile. “I can go put mine on if it will make you feel better.”
She giggles and my stomach lurches. Her laugh is perfection. It’s adorably silly with a hint of sexy.
She opens the door wide. “Come on in. Glad you don’t mind seeing me in my jammies, because I could really use a glass or two of wine tonight.”
My eyes look her over, taking in the tight fitting gray t-shirt and black flannel pants. Her nipples show through the thin material, and it’s obvious she’s not wearing a bra. Fuck.
I look away and run a hand through my hair. Being around her is the best and worst possibility at the same time. It’s the best because I’ve dreamed of spending time with her like this and the worst because it’s hard to patiently follow my plan when all I want to do is slam her into a wall and fuck her senseless.
Following her to the kitchen, my eyes on her ass the entire time, I place the bottle of wine on the counter. Distracted I reach in the appropriate drawer containing her corkscrew and remove the cork while she gets the glasses.
She looks surprised when she sees the bottle open already. “How did you know where my corkscrew was?”
I stay calm, giving a plausible answer. “I saw you take the bottle opener out of here the other day, and I just assumed if you’re like me, it’s the logical place where you’d keep it.”
“Good deductive reasoning. But, I guess everyone has one of those drawers. They’re not really cooking tools, and they don’t go with the silverware. They’re not full out tools either.” She shrugs her shoulders. “What do you call them?”
I watch her, fascinated at her thought process and smile. “I don’t call them anything. I can’t say I’ve ever really given it much thought before.”
She finishes pouring the wine and hands me a glass.
“Well, stick with me, and you’ll find the answers to a lot of questions you never knew you wanted to ask.” She giggles and then tips her head toward the living room. “Do you want to go sit down?”
“Sure.” I already have, precious girl. I know exactly what your couch cushions feel like underneath me.
We sit down, and she angles her body toward me. I can tell she’s interested in me.
“How’s the unpacking going?” She sips on her wine and waits for my answer.
“I’ve got the brunt of it done. I just have to hang some pictures up and find some stuff to make it feel more lived in.”
“You’re not a fan of the bachelor pad look?” she asks absentmindedly, twisting her long red strands around her index finger.
I take a sip of wine and then place my glass down on her coffee table. I shift my weight until I’m facing her, my leg tucked underneath me. “I’m a fan of red hair and sea colored eyes.” Pushing her bangs to the side, I tuck them behind her ear. She stares up at me wide eyed like a frightened deer caught in headlights, and it reminds me I need to go slow with her. I let my fingers slide from her ear down her jawline, and she trembles like a skittish wild animal whose trust I need to earn.
“What do you do for work?” I change the subject hoping she’ll relax and enjoy our time together.
She takes another sip of her wine, then rests the bottom of her glass on her thigh. “I work for a Private Investigation firm. I handle all of their tech issues.”
“I don’t want to sound sexist, but isn’t it an unusual field for a woman to work in?”
She shakes her head. “No, not so much anymore. I get why you’d think that, but times are changing, and there are a lot of women who are getting involved in this field.”
“Have you always been a geek?” I ask winking at her. She blushes adorably, her cheeks flushing a soft pink color.
“I’ve always loved anything to do with technology. I was a big gamer in my youth.” She swallows down the final sip of wine and twists her torso to place her empty glass on the end table behind her. The motion makes her t-shirt rise and exposes an inch or two of her flat stomach.
I look away before I give in to the urge to push her down on her back and paint provocative messages around her navel with the tip of my tongue.
“You don’t game anymore?” I ask to distract myself.
Slow and steady wins the race.
I need to keep my thoughts on getting to know her. She’s not the type of girl I can rush things with, and I’ve never wanted a relationship with anyone before.
She stares down at her nails and picks at her shiny purple polish. “I haven’t played any games in over a year now.”
“I’ll tell you what, I just happen to have my Xbox One hooked up next door. Maybe you can give me a run for my money sometime?”
Her sad eyes lift to mine, and I know there’s a story as to why she hasn’t played, but I’m not going to push her for more.
“Unless you’re afraid you’ll get crushed.”
She rolls her eyes at me and graces me with a small smile. “I never get crushed at games.”
Just at life.
I imagine her leaving off those words. Maybe it’s me projecting, but she seems battle weary like me. We’re kindred spirits. We were destined to find each other and share our painful pasts. Fate put her in my path.
Soon there will be no secrets between us.
Chapter Six
Lana
DECEMBER
Most weeks, like everyone else, I look forward to Friday rolling around, but today is Christopher’s twenty-ninth birthday and I’m struggling. I miss him. I miss what we had together. It wasn’t perfect, but it was us. Who wants perfect anyway? That would be boring. I have scars on the inside and the outside and they’re what makes me - me. It was no different with us. Our imperfections were what made us special.
I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to open myself to someone the way I did with Christopher. I gave him everything. I jumped in head first and believed he’d never break my heart. He didn’t break it - he obliterated it. Now I’m not sure if there’s enough remaining to give to anyone.
* * *
THREE YEARS AGO
Tonight, is my first real date with Christopher - my first real date with anyone. Twenty years old and I’ve never had a boyfriend - never even been kissed. I wish I could say it’s just because I’m extra picky when it comes to who I date, but that’s not the case. I haven’t been asked out by anyone before.
Knowing it had to happen sooner or later, I stopped worrying about it.
Does anyone go through their whole life without at least kissing one person?
I wonder if he’ll give me my first kiss tonight?
Christopher and I have gone to lunch a couple of times and I enjoyed spending time with him. He’s courteous and attentive to me. He listens when I speak like what I have to say matters. His manners are impeccable. Both times he wouldn’t even think of letting me pay for my own meal and they weren’t even actual dates.
He has a great reputation at Techdeck as an innovator in social engineering. He’s the best one and a hard worker. He’s extremely intelligent, but he doesn’t flaunt it. He seems to prefer the understated. He asked me out after all. I’m hardly flashy. Even the way he asked me out was done in an unobtrusive manner while we were walking back to work from lunch yesterday.
The Complete Quake Series Page 40