by Leah Holt
I couldn't stop thinking about what might happen if she had any interest in Taylor at all. The idea of her leaving on his arm made me sick, my stomach rolled with discomfort, a giant ball lodged itself in the back of my throat.
Focus, she's not yours.
“Okay, good to know. What can you tell me about him?”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing?”
“Nope, that's your job. But remember, I'll be in your ear, so if I think you need the help, you'll hear it.”
Deep down a part of me was screaming to tell her nevermind, let's not do this. The small talk about her parents only kept me wondering more about this woman. I felt myself wanting to learn about her, but not for what I was hired to do.
I wanted to learn about her because she intrigued me, because she was a smart, beautiful woman who deserved a better date than Taylor. I knew how he worked, and I suddenly didn't want her to meet him.
I didn't want her to regret anything, ever. And if she fell into his web of seduction, I didn't want her to feel the hurt after.
But none of it made sense, I couldn't understand why I cared so much about a woman I knew so little about.
“That should be comforting, but I'll be honest...” Her slender fingers twined around each other, braiding together nervously. “I'm really nervous, it's been a long time, Layne. A really long time since I've done this.”
“That's what your friends said, so for you, I did do things a little different tonight. I gave you a lifeline.” Wrapping my fingers around her hand, I squeezed. The same spark flew through my veins, hitting me deep in the gut.
Kinsley's eyes fluttered over our fingers gently coiled together, her mouth parted, tongue gliding over the bottom lip. The idea that she felt the same buzz lingered in my mind for a moment.
The feeling was raw, her skin hot under my touch. But it didn't last, her eyes flashed, hardening around the edges.
Tugging away, her hands fell into her lap. “My friends want the best for me, so I'm willing to try this. But that doesn't mean I feel ready.”
“Sometimes being ready isn't something you realize till you're pushed. Maybe all you needed was that push, Kinsley.”
“I guess we'll just have to find out. Where's my date?” A sultry smile spread across her jaw, head tilting to expose the soft curve of her throat.
I've never had to hold back more in my life then I did in that moment. The urge to caress her collarbone shook the muscles of my arm. The seeded need to grab her and hold her settled in my chest with a resonating thump.
I was being paid to help this woman and suddenly I wanted her to myself. But that's not how I ran my life. A girlfriend, a wife, a family... That wasn't what I wanted.
I guess it was bizarre for a dating coach to be finding love for everyone else, and never once tried to find it for themselves.
But there was a piece of my past I needed closure to, and until I found what I was looking for, I wasn't ready to settle down.
I couldn't give myself to someone if I didn't even know who I was.
Chapter Seven
Kinsley
I can't believe I'm doing this.
Am I ready?
It was hard for me to believe that I was sitting in a restaurant, getting ready to go on my first date in years. My nerves were through the roof, bouncing and colliding with every muscle, tendon, bone...
I was pretty sure I even felt the nerves skipping through every neuron in my brain. My palms were sweating like I had just done push-ups on a heated floor, and my lungs were taking in short breaths like I had just run five miles.
Just don't make an ass of yourself, and you'll be fine, I reminded myself as I lowered to the floor from the bar stool. Turning to Layne, I said, “Wish me luck.”
“You don't need luck, he does.” Smirking, he held his glass up in a toast. “But I'll wish you luck anyway.” Winking, he nodded his head towards the mysterious man in the booth.
The guy was sitting so his face was away from me, his shoulders had sharp arcs where they bent down into his bicep. His back looked thin and slender under his shirt, black hair shining under the overhead lights gave it a blue tone.
He didn't exactly look like my type, a bit too skinny, but who was I to be picky at this point?
Give him a chance, it's just a date.
Stepping slowly and cautiously towards my blind date, I tried to make sure I didn't catch my heels on anything that was hiding in the tiles. That's happened to me so many times at this point that cautious walking was second nature.
The clicking of my heels was dulled from the music and voices around me, but I could feel every step as it vibrated up my calves.
Just a few more feet.
A soft crackle hit my ear, causing me to jump. “You're doing fine so far, if you ever get there.” Layne's voice sounded like it was literally inside my head. His laugh penetrated my brain, sending hot fire to my belly.
I was about to say something to him, but then I realized I might look insane. A woman, alone, walking in between people, and talking to herself.
Yeah, that would look totally normal.
Shooting a look over my shoulder, I smiled with tight lips at Layne.
I'm going, I'm going.
Bringing the drink to his mouth, his teeth gleamed behind a huge grin as he sipped the beer. Nodding his head, he said, “Don't worry, Taylor doesn't bite. But don't tell him I said that, then he might just to spite me.”
Laughing out loud, a few people turned their heads my way. “Sorry.” I whispered, as I held my hand up and kept going.
Layne's laugh kept vibrating my eardrum, as he watched me from the bar.
Finally reaching the booth, Taylor looked up with a toothy smile. “Why, hello. You must be Kinsley. I'm Taylor, please sit.” His arm stretched out, slapping the cushion beside him.
With huge eyes, I looked up at Layne. He knew what I was wondering and his answer was comforting. “Sit in the other seat, not right next to him.”
“I'll just sit here for now, thanks.” Slipping over the red leather seat, I rested my clutch beside me. “It's nice to meet you, Taylor.”
Leaning back, his eyes studied my face, licking my body. “The pleasure is all mine. So tell me, how does it feel to be back on the market?”
“Excuse me?”
“Well, you're back out dating again, it must feel good.”
“It's different, but I'm willing to give it a shot.”
Taylor brought his arms up behind his head, his beady eyes hovering under thinned lids. “I'd give you a shot, if you know what I mean.”
“I know what you mean, but tell me something...” Pausing, I glanced over at Layne. “How well do you know Layne?”
There was a curiosity that flowed through me about the man who was leading me into the lions den. He had a great reputation, from what Gina told me, and his confidence was electric. When he spoke, or entered a room, you knew he was there.
Even coming into the restaurant people turned to look at him. Layne had a commanding presence, and I wanted to know who he truly was. If I was going to be putting my personal life in his hands, any information would help.
My searches on the internet turned up everything that Gina said. He had a reputation, one that was layered in gold and penned in diamond. But there was nothing on him and his life beyond his work.
“Layne, we don't need to talk about Layne. Let's talk about you. How do you like your coffee?”
“My coffee, why?” Knitting my brows, I tilted my head unsure of what he was asking.
“So I know how to make it for you tomorrow morning.” His tongue dragged over his teeth, chest puffing up as he tried to flex what little muscle he had.
Is this guy serious?
The gentle crackle breaking in my ear halted the stabbing words I was about to let loose on this jackass. “He's really trying that on you, what a putz. How are you going to react to this one? Think it over and answer colorfully.”
He was righ
t, I didn't want to be a complete bitch. But Taylor needed to know that his drab pickup lines weren't going to work on me. “It's nice that you want to make me coffee, but I'll be making my own, alone at home.”
“Ouch,” he said, holding a hand to his heart.
Switching up his game, I asked, “Now you tell me something, does that line ever really work?”
'Perfect,' Layne said, his quiet voice only for me to hear. A playful smile teased my lip, spine firming that I had handled the situation to Layne's liking.
Taylor's demeanor changed instantly. He went from flexing his muscles, to a sincere smile on his face. “You know, sadly it does. I mean I won't complain when it helps to get me laid, but I can tell you're not that type of girl. Good for you.” A genuine laugh expelled from his lips, hand coming down to slap the table top.
A waitress approached our table, carrying two drinks and an order of nachos. “Here you go, Sir. I'll give you guys a few minutes to look over the menu.”
“Thank you, but this will be good for now. If we need anything, I'll let you know.” Taylor grabbed the small plate from the edge and started to fill it up. “I hope you don't mind I ordered you a tequila sunrise, and some nachos for us to snack on.”
“No,” I said surprised. “Tequila sunrises and nachos are my favorite.”
“I know.”
“How did you know?” I asked, brow arching high.
“Let's just say a little birdie told me.”
Glancing at Layne, he sent me another big smile, and said, “I learned a lot from Gina. She knows quite a bit about you.”
I should've known.
Why am I surprised?
But I couldn't help but wonder why she told him so much and left out the biggest part of why I was single. Not that I minded, that was something I would much rather explain when the time was right.
I guess Gina did know me well enough to know that too. Some things aren't for everyone to share. And that one was for me to say when I felt it was called for.
Stretching across the table, I took my plate and started to fill it. “I hope you don't mind only getting about four nachos, because I could eat the damn plate.” Scooping some up, I laughed, and unwittingly dropped a large mess of cheese, chips, and sour cream onto my lap.
“Shit,” I said under my breath.
Chuckling, Taylor swiped up some napkins. “You could eat the whole plate, if you can find your mouth. Here, let me help.”
As he started to raise up from the seat, I held my hand up. “No, thank you, I got this. And to think I wanted to return the dress after tonight, guess I can cut the tags off now.” Wiping my crotch, where the food so kindly fell, my elbow shot out, bumping my drink.
As if it all happened in slow motion, Taylor was mid-stance, leaning over the table, and of course the drink didn't just spill.
No, because that's not my luck.
Instead the drink practically jumped a foot high, coming back down to soak my entire chest and Taylor's neck and face.
I don't even know how I actually managed that one, but I did. “Oh, no! I'm so sorry.” Flailing my hand out in apology, my fist crashed into his face, and I felt the crunch of his nose under my knuckles.
“Ah! Fuck!” He yelled, his hands flying up to cup his face. A small trickle of blood slithered over his lip, tilting his head forward, he balled up some napkins and pressed them to his nose.
The crowd around us grew quiet, eyes falling over the two alcohol drenched people in the rear. “Nothing to see here folks, it's just a little spill.” Taylor snatched some more napkins, wiping his face. “I'm not going to lie, I didn't see that one coming.” His voice was more nasally than deep, muffled by the napkins covering his face, and his fingers pinching the bridge of his nose.
“I'm so sorry, I don't even know how that happened.” Looking myself over, my waist was covered in greasy splotches, chest drenched in cold liquid, and my date was basically bleeding out through his nose. “I'll be right back, I'm going to go clean this up the best I can.”
“Sure thing, I'll be right here. And I guess we'll need the waitress now for a little help.” Taylor's lips hung awkwardly, sucking in air through his mouth. “Hopefully I don't get black eyes from this.”
Heading to the bathroom, I said to myself so Layne could hear, “Smooth move, real smooth.”
His voice bellowed back, loud and filled with amusement. “You're telling me. That was good.”
“Laugh it up, go ahead.”
“I'm trying not to, but Taylor sometimes deserves a drink in the face, the punch was a bit much, but I'm sure he's earned a few of those over the years too.”
“Yeah, well, I didn't do it on purpose, otherwise I wouldn't feel so bad.”
Standing in the bathroom, I did my best to clean up the mess I created. Staring at myself in the mirror, I was embarrassed that I had to walk back out in public that way.
This is awful! How can I sit at the table like this?
I look fucking ridiculous.
And I drew blood from my date. Not a good start, Kin.
The trim of my dress was wet and dark, creating a ring across my breasts that looked like sweat. But the worst part was my lap, it literally looked like I had just pissed myself.
A giant wet spot was decorating the center, and small tiny specks of grease dotted the outer areas. This was not how I expected my night to go. A flash date, ending with me looking like I had a bladder condition and overactive sweat glands, and Taylor looking like he got into a bar fight.
“Hey, you coming out at any point, or do I have to come get you?” Layne barked in my ear.
“I'm coming, I'm almost done.” Pushing the button for the heat dryer, I bent awkwardly beneath the hot air, trying a last ditch effort to dry the areas.
The bathroom door flew open, causing me to freeze in place. But it wasn't a woman, it was Layne. “What are you doing in here?”
“Me? What the hell are you doing?” he asked with a smile, nodding to my body ducking beneath the vent.
Forgetting that I was bent unnaturally under the heat, I snapped my spine straight. “I was... I was just trying to take care of this.” Holding my arms out, the spots were still boldly visible.
“Alright, let's go, date's over,” Layne said, holding his arm out.
“What, really?”
“Yeah, I sent Taylor on his way. And he was glad I ended it, said his hair was starting to stiffen from the drink—Which I so kindly pointed out to him was actually his excessive use of gel, not the drink. But whatever. And his face might be a tad swollen.”
“I really messed this one up, didn't I?”
“No, you did great.” Cupping my shoulder, he hugged me tightly. “You didn't let his suave words reel you in, and you didn't let the little mishap send you running out the door. You held your ground and poise, and that was amazing.”
“Huh, well, who knew I had poise.” Giggling, I joggled my head side to side, flicking the strap of my dress.
I was trying to make light of my clutzy ways. I knew the date ended because I had completely embarrassed Taylor. Everyone in the damn restaurant was staring at us, and the look on his face was of disbelief, not compassion for my butter fingers.
But at that moment, I wasn't too concerned with what Taylor thought of me. I was snuggled under the arm of a man who made my heart skip. A man who had charm, and knew how to make a woman feel good about herself, despite her flaws.
When his hand curled over my shoulder, and he pulled me in, I felt perfect.
Everything in that moment felt perfect.
The weight of his arm, the firmness of his muscles.
All of it felt right.
But it's wrong. He's your... Teacher.
You can't fall for your teacher.
Chapter Eight
Kinsley
What the fuck am I doing?
I can't stop thinking about him!
This could be really bad.
Not only did Layne make my heart skip a
million beats with his eyes, not only did he make my skin flush with desire, the man paid attention to my every move. I wasn't sure if that was a good or a bad thing.
If he could read me as well as he seemed to already, how the hell would I hide the attraction I felt towards him?
He was being paid to help me, not paid to make me feel a freaking thump of emotion for him. But it was there, and I didn't know what to do with it. I kept trying to tell myself that I only felt the way I did because he was the first man to touch me since I lost my husband.
It had been two days since the embarrassing and horrible date with Taylor. But it wasn't the date that stood out, it was Layne brushing my elbow, touching my fingers, scooping me under his arm.
His muscles were steel, arms strong and possessive as we left the restaurant. And I wanted more, more of what I could only imagine he could give.
Stop being crazy, Kin. You're just emotional.
What I felt was normal, right?
It was normal to feel a little heat when you played with fire, it was normal to suffocate when you held your breath, but it wasn't normal to let it consume you.
And Layne, he had infiltrated and consumed my thoughts.
Tucking Fay into bed, she smiled up at me with closed lips. “Mommy, tell me another story about Daddy.”
“Another story about Daddy... Alright, let me think.” I loved this part of our day. Sending Fay off to sleep with dreams of her father in her head. Thinking really hard, I searched my memory for a good story. “Okay, did I ever tell you the story about the raccoon?”
Fay shook her head no, smiling big. “No, what raccoon?”
Slipping my fingers over her head, I said, “Well, one time, long before you were even in my belly, your Daddy and I were going out. So, we had left the house and were walking to our car, and your Daddy...” Pointing a finger and brushing her nose, she giggled. I loved her giggle, it was the sweetest tiny laugh in the world. “Your Daddy yelled really loud, like really really loud.”
“He did? Why did he yell?” Her eyes grew large, wonder filling her gaze.
“Well your Daddy yelled really loud because he had gotten scared, but I didn't know why he was so scared. And then he pushed me into a bush as he ran by me really fast.”