by Renea Porter
Now it’s time for a few hours of sleep on the couch. The smell of roses overwhelms the room, and my eyes drift.
***
I wake in my darkened living room, and I realize that the sun has disappeared in exchange for the moon. I look over to the clock. Shit! I have thirty minutes to get ready. I dart into my bathroom and rush through my shower. Luckily, I laid out my clothes earlier. Out of the shower and in front of the mirror, I try to do my hair; blow drying is taking forever since it is so long and thick. Twenty minutes later, my hair is dry and I apply my makeup, lining my eyes with eyeliner and mascara to lengthen my lashes. I slip into my black thong and my dress, finishing the look with black pump shoes. I check myself out in the mirror, and smooth a shade of dark pink lipstick over my lips and make a puckering sound.
Lastly, I grab my clutch and throw my phone and credit cards inside. I hate that the days seem so short since it gets dark early this time of year. The holidays will be approaching soon, and I fear that it will be a depressing time for me. A knock on the door pulls me from my thoughts. Nervously, I move to answer it, knowing the mysterious creature named Sly is on the other side of the threshold.
I swing the door open. “Hi.” I smile.
“Hi. Wow, you look beautiful,” Sly says, causing me to blush. “Are you ready? I made reservations at The Waldron Restaurant.”
“Yes,” I say, grabbing my clutch and pulling the door shut behind me.
He has on dark dress pants and a dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to show off his muscled forearms. We walk to Sly’s car, and he opens the door for me and assures I’m inside before he closes the door. My stomach does flip-flops. Sly mentioned The Waldron Restaurant; I have never been there, but I do know it’s fancy and expensive.
“Thanks for the flowers. They’re beautiful.”
“Beautiful flowers for a beautiful woman,” he says with a grin. “I hope it isn’t too late for dinner.”
“Oh no, that’s fine. I usually eat late, anyway.”
“I can’t believe you said yes to dinner,” he mentions.
“It was kind of an awkward situation.” I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear.
“I’m sorry I showed up unannounced, but I was worried when I hadn’t heard from you in a while. And like I said, I’m more of a face to face person. Especially when there is cause for concern.”
“I appreciate your concern,” I tell him.
Ten minutes later, Sly pulls into the restaurant and hands his keys to the valet. Out of the car, Sly places his hand on the small of my back and guides us in, offering his last name to the hostess when we enter.
“Right this way, Mr. Wilkes.” She motions with two menus in her hand. We are seated at a table in the corner. “Your server, Mitch, will be right with you.”
“Thanks,” Sly says, taking the menu.
His gaze meets mine. “I hope you’re hungry.”
I nod as I look over the menu. Yes, this is going to be a very expensive meal. The waiter appears and offers to take our drink order.
Sly looks over to me. “Is red wine okay?”
“Yes, that’s fine.”
He looks up from the wine list and orders a bottle of red wine. And killing two birds with one stone, we order our meals as well. I think that is Sly’s attempt at us not being interrupted more than he’d like. I have a feeling Sly gets what Sly wants.
“Have you been here before?” I take in the ambiance. It’s romantic and dimly lit.
“Once or twice. You?”
“I’ve never been, but I’ve wanted to come here.”
“The food is exceptional, and I can guarantee that steak you ordered will melt in your mouth.”
“That’s great. So, Sly, tell me. Have you ever been married before? Any kids?” I was so interested in hearing his story.
“No kids, and I have never been married.”
“How come?”
“I guess I’ve never found the one. What about you? Didn’t you mention you are divorced?” he asks as our wine arrives and the waiter pours our first glass.
“Actually, I signed the divorce papers today. I’m officially on the market,” I say in a joking manner.
“Well, cheers to being on the market.” He holds his glass up and we clink them together.
“Do you have children with him?”
I nod my head. “Her name was Ava. She passed away several months ago.” I swallow a lump.
“I’m so sorry. I had no idea.” He reaches his hand across the table, brushing it over mine.
“Thanks. The pain still feels fresh, you know,” I say, as if he would know.
“I can’t even imagine what that is like for you.”
“I’m surprised Charles never mentioned it, you being his best man and all.”
“He probably figured it’s none of my business. We don’t talk about too many personal topics. I have no idea why. We mostly talk about sports and cars,” he admits, tilting his head to the side. He offers me a sympathetic smile.
“Okay, let’s talk about something else, before I depress the both of us,” I say, cheerfully.
“No, it’s fine. I like hearing you talk.”
“Divorcing someone was bad enough, and then to have your daughter ripped from you, it just about did me in. I fell into a deep depression. I don’t think the pain will ever go away, but each day is getting easier. I can get out of bed, at least. And like I told you at the reception, I just recently went back to work part-time.”
“You’re a teacher’s assistant, right?”
“I am. And the children were at recess when it happened. She was playing tag with some of the kids, and she slipped on the concrete and hit her head. She never recovered.”
Thankfully, the food arrives before my waterworks start. “Is there anything else I can get for either of you?” the waiter asks.
Sly and I both shake our heads. “I think that’ll be all,” Sly says.
“This looks amazing,” I say, slicing into my steak and plopping a piece in my mouth. “Oh god, you were right.” The steak cut like butter and it did, indeed, melt in my mouth. I wonder who Sly brought here before.
“Here, try a piece of this.” Sly offers his fork of lobster. I place it in my mouth to taste it.
“Very good. I think the steak is better, though,” I admit.
“More wine?” he offers.
“Maybe just a little.”
“I’ll only drink one glass since I’m driving. I’ll save the rest of this for you to take home.”
“That’s really not necessary.”
“Do you like it?”
I nod.
“Then I insist,” he demands.
The wine is insanely expensive, and I’m not one to turn down a good wine, especially if Sly is insisting. And like I said, I think Sly gets what he wants most of the time, if not all of the time.
“Do you always get your way, Mr. Wilkes?” I tease.
“Only if I want it to go my way.” He smirks.
I figured as much. We ate the rest of the meal, and then Sly insisted on dessert.
Chapter Five
SLY
After dessert, I am stuffed and feel like my pants might bust at the seams. Raine continues to capture my attention. I haven’t noticed anyone else in the room except her. How can someone so beautiful be as sad as she is? This world is fucked up and has dealt her a rough hand. Hopefully, I’ll be seeing her smile more often.
“I really enjoyed dinner,” Raine says.
“You say that as if that’s all I have planned. The night is still young, Ms. Sims.” I arch my eyebrow.
“And what else do you have planned?”
“Is Sims your maiden name?”
“It is. Are you avoiding my question?” she retorts.
“No, I really enjoy your company. I don’t have anything else planned, but I don’t want the night to end,” I admit.
“Me neither,” she says.
“What did you say your ex-husband’s n
ame was?”
“I didn’t,” she teases.
She is definitely one to keep me on my toes. She smiles at me, and I can’t help but smile back. I have a feeling she sees right through me; that kind of scares me, but I like it. I rub my stubbled jaw and our eyes lock.
“I have an idea.” I stand and take her hand as I lead us outside to get my car from the valet.
“What is it?”
“If I tell you now, you won’t agree to it. So I’ll just wait until we get there.” I smirk as her eyes search for the answer on my face.
A few moments later, I pull into her driveway and she is very confused. “You brought me home.”
I stop the car and turn toward her. “I did. And I know you like to put yourself in danger by running after dark and when it’s late. And I think you were planning on running tonight when I dropped you off. It’s your thing, I get it. So I figure, you can jog while I walk next to you. I’ll know you’re safe, and the night can end whenever we want it to.”
“And if I argue?” she asks, and her lips tighten.
I grin. She knows it will be of no use.
“Fine,” she huffs, opening the car door.
I walk over to her and press my body close to hers. Her eyes hold mine captive and her breath hitches. Her lashes are so long against her blue eyes.
“Don’t you have work tomorrow?” She breaks the silence between us.
Realizing I was about to kiss her, I step back, giving her space. “I do, but I’m more of a behind the scenes kind of guy. And I can work from home if need be.”
“I’m really not sure I like this, you getting your way all the time,” she spouts as she unlocks her door. “Come in, and have a seat while I go change.”
She shrugs the sheer shawl from her shoulders and enters her room. I walk around between the rooms—a den, a formal living room, and her kitchen. Her room is just off the formal living room, and I spot a few framed photos. Picking one up, I see the lively face of a young girl. Ava. Raine is holding her, and they are both smiling so brightly at whoever held the camera.
Movement shakes me from my thoughts, and Raine has left her door ever so slightly open. It’s open just enough for me to see her naked body, and I quickly turn my head, feeling like a peeping tom. My cock twitches in my pants, and I move away toward the den and sit down on the couch while I wait for her. Her naked body flashes in my brain, and I wish I hadn’t seen her yet. Finally, she appears, dressed in a pair of running capris and a tee shirt. The whole outfit hugs her body tightly. I’m happy to be able to accompany her on her jog. With a body like that, she needs a fucking bodyguard. I’ll gladly be that tonight.
“Ready?” I ask as she laces her shoes.
“I can’t believe you’re doing this.” She shakes her head. “Your feet are going to hurt in those dress shoes. I’m sure you won’t be comfortable.”
“You let me worry about that,” I tell her, flashing a wink.
We walk back outside. “What do you do, just go a few laps around here?” I ask about her neighborhood.
“Yeah, I just go for however long my legs will go. But since you’re here to keep me company, you can tell me all about yourself. I want to know everything.” She smiles as she starts her jog.
I walk along the side of her; she is going a slower pace than what I’m used to. “I can’t believe you jog out here so late. Who knows what’s lurking behind these doors. Your neighbors could be murderers, rapists, burglars, and god knows what else.” I point to various houses as I continue. “Who knows what secrets lie inside?”
“Are you speaking from experience, Mr. Wilkes? What kind of secrets are you hiding?”
“No,” I lie. I speak of the desire that lies deep inside me, begging to come out, begging to show its dominance.
“I have a feeling there is lot more to you than what meets the eye,” she admits. “Do you have any siblings?”
“I do. I have an annoying younger brother who thinks everyone owes him. And I have an older sister who is one of the area’s best defense attorneys around.”
“You’re the middle child?” She grins.
“I am. I’ve worked for every dime I earned too. I’ve worked since I was old enough.”
Raine was right, my feet are killing me, but I will never tell her so. Thankfully, she stops to catch her breath before we walk back inside her place.
“Can I get you a drink?” She reaches into the refrigerator to grab herself a bottle of water.
“Sure, water’s fine,” I say.
She hands it to me, and I twist the cap off to take a drink. She leads the way to her den and sits on the couch. I can tell her demeanor is different, like she’s high from the endorphins. She’s even friendlier and playful. I sit on the couch next to her. How does she do it? Why does she have such hold over me? If she only knew.
“Do you run at all? Maybe next time you can bring your training clothes.”
Now there’s a thought. “I do. I work out at a gym near my office, and it’s open twenty-four seven. Maybe you can come with me sometime too. I feel like I’ve done most of the talking. How does it feel to be a free woman?” Not for long.
“I think we both have had an equal share.” She smiles. “I don’t know, I feel like I’ve been single for quite some time, since the separation. I just signed the papers to make it official, I guess.”
“How long have you been separated before signing the divorce papers?”
“Probably a good year,” she says.
***
RAINE
I feel like a hot, sweaty mess, and here sits this gorgeous man right beside me. I’d rather shower, but I don’t want to be rude or make him think I don’t enjoy his company.
“So tell me, Raine. Did you only accept my date because you were caught in a compromising position last night, or were you being genuine?”
Oh dear. “A little of both.” I arch my eyebrow.
He chuckles. Is that good or bad?
“Well, I’ll take that answer then. Okay, well, I better get going. You probably have work tomorrow.”
“I do. I really enjoyed our date, though.”
“Me too. Is it okay to call you, tomorrow perhaps?”
“I’d like that.”
I walk Sly to the door, and before I open it, I feel him gripping my waist, tugging it to his hard body. I take a few steps back from him, because I know what’s about to happen, and I’m not sure I’m ready for it. I have to be honest with him. “Sly, you don’t want this. I’ve lost my only child, and my husband left me for another woman. I’m broken. My heart is no longer whole.”
My words don’t seem to affect him as he makes his way back to me, like a predator going after his prey. This time, I don’t move.
“I’m going to kiss you,” he whispers.
He waits to see my reaction. My heart kicks up a few notches as his lips hover over mine. Finally, he kisses me. The kiss is fierce. His hands move to cup my face, and my hands are firmly planted on his back. His tongue slips into my mouth and tangles with mine. I already feel drunk from it, if that’s even possible. Pulling away, he breaks from the kiss.
“Goodnight.” He smirks, leaving me in a drunken stupor. Watching him walk out the door, I’m stunned by what just happened. I signed divorce papers this morning, and I’m already kissing a guy. A sexy-ass guy.
Shaking myself out of the daze from Sly’s kiss, I can’t help but smile. Then, my smile slips as I catch sight of a picture of Ava in the foyer. Even a little sliver of happiness makes me feel guilty. This life is so hard. One minute, I feel like I’m on top of the world, and the next, I feel like the dirt beneath my feet. One day at a time is what most people say. Even that’s harder than it sounds. How do you move on from something so tragic?
I make my way to the shower to wash away the grime from tonight’s run; I got a little sweaty, which may have been from the weather or Sly. I blow dry my hair, so I don’t have to do it tomorrow.
Residing on the couch, I che
ck my email and see Summer sent me a bunch of honeymoon pictures. I click through and ooh and aah at them in Jamaica. Her smile makes me smile too. I can tell they are having fun. She’ll be moving out of the guest house when she comes back; she and Charles found a condo not far from me.
Finished with my laptop, I flip the TV on for background noise. I open up a book I started last night and sip on my coffee. Tomorrow is the last day of my work week. I like getting the three days in a row, and then I have a few days to myself. I wonder if Sly will ask me out again. That kiss was amazing and made me feel things I’ve never felt, not even with my ex. My desires are more heightened when he is around me. I know he has more buried deep inside. Today, we only scratched the surface.
My phone beeps as a text message comes across the screen.
Sly: I can’t sleep, thinking of you instead.
Me: Same here. However, I’m not trying to sleep yet.
Sly: I want to see you again, soon.
I blush and bite my lower lip. I wait a few moments to reply, letting him sweat it out.
Me: Same.
Sly: Is tomorrow too soon?
Me: No, I’ll see you tomorrow.
I smile.
Sly: Get some rest.
Me: You too.
I shut my phone down and continue to read while Sly stays in the back of my mind. I don’t know why Sly affects me the way he does, but I couldn’t say no, not after the kiss we shared. Excitement fills my body with the anticipation of tomorrow. What will he have planned? I smile at the roses on my coffee table. So beautiful. I don’t feel like I deserve them. Leaning over them, I inhale the fresh and aromatic scent.