Love's Hiding

by Karen Deen

  Well, that did not go how I wanted it to. So much for trying to pull back from where we were on Saturday night. We couldn’t seem to help ourselves. This was going to be harder than I initially thought.

  Luckily, the day was busy with Zach. He had me keeping him on the straight and narrow with getting prepared for the evictions this week. Much to Luke’s disgust, Grant had him out of the office all day. Not seeing him made my day easier to cope with. I thought Luke had forgotten about his grandmother’s birthday tonight, so I figured I was safe for another day. Tomorrow, I wouldn’t be so lucky.

  Reading in bed my eyelids grew heavy, and as I drifted off, I knew what I’d be dreaming about. The same person it had been for years.

  The alert on my phone flashed in the dark room.

  Luke: Miss you. Sweet dreams. Hope they’re about me.

  Zoe: Always. Goodnight.

  Rolling over, I told myself to be strong. I couldn’t ignore the end goal.

  ***

  Tuesday was a crazy day. I was still getting used to driving the Mercedes and leaving extra early to ensure I found a parking spot where I didn’t have to try and squeeze between two cars. Zach was already stressing before he headed out to the Branch Street project loaded with bad news for the tenants. Luke walked past twice trying to see me. Both times I was in Zach’s office, which was good and bad. A part of me needed Zach’s protection, but the other part wanted to see Luke and spend time with him. As dangerous as that would be, I missed our little chats.

  Looking at my watch, it was five o’clock and I was going to take off before Luke had time to corner me. Zach still wasn’t back from Branch Street and Grant was on a war path. I had a phone call from Zach. It was a weird one asking for information on a previous landlord for a tenant. Something didn’t seem right, especially when he told me that if I didn’t hear from him, I had the address of where to come looking. That made me nervous. I loved Zach like a brother and if anything happened to him it would kill me. I’d message him later to check he was okay. It was time to make an escape. I needed to get home and go into lockdown once more. I was going to put off this chat with Luke for as long as I could.

  Luke: Are you avoiding me? Where are you?

  Zoe: No, I’m just tired so I’m already at home. Will see you tomorrow.

  Luke: Zoe we need to talk. I need to see you.

  Zoe: We will, when the time is right. Patience

  Luke: You and I both know I have none.

  Texting was starting to become our nightly thing. I liked that we could still chat even though I was avoiding him like the plague.

  Luke: Good night. Miss you. Hope tonight’s dream features its number one attraction as me.

  Zoe: Always. Goodnight

  ***

  The next day proved to be a shit show. Zach arrived at the office sporting bruised knuckles and a sore hand. When I asked what happened, he shook his head and mumbled, “It’s a story for another day.” I had a bad feeling when I’d left the night before that something was wrong. Although he looked like he’d been in a fight, he wore a grin that was different to normal. I couldn’t quite place it but something was going on.

  Zach kept me busy all day with registering paperwork for Branch Street. Him leaving the office in the morning, and not getting back until later in the afternoon, left me nervous that Luke would corner me.

  “What’s going on in your world, Zach? You come walking back into the office whistling to yourself, a smile on your face as big as the sun. Have you got something to share with me?”

  “I will tell my secret, when you tell me yours, Zoe,” he chuckled while walking into his office and closing the door. My jaw had hit the ground. What did he mean? Did he know something? My cheeks blushed. He couldn’t possibly be talking about Luke. I needed to pull myself together. One thing was for sure, from now on I wouldn’t be asking any more questions about his smile.

  Surely Luke hadn’t said anything to Zach about our night together. Well, our almost night.

  Five o’clock was fast approaching so I madly tidied my desk before making my escape from the office before Luke could find me. He had been on site all afternoon, so I stole my chance to run. I didn’t know why I kept trying to put off the talk. I just wasn’t ready yet. I liked that we could talk and be friends. I was scared that would change when I finally told him I couldn’t be who he wanted me to be.

  “There she is. I knew she would still be here.” I heard Lilly’s voice from behind. “Up for a girls’ night at the movies? We want to see that movie with the hot Hemsworth guy in it.”

  “Which one?” Alesha laughed.

  “Does it matter? Seriously, girl, they are both to die for and I’ll happily take either of them home with me.” She stood with her hands on her hips.

  “Umm, I’m pretty sure they’re both spoken for, Lilly, but yeah, why not? A movie sounds good.” It was just what I needed, a night to just laugh and have fun. You’re always guaranteed to laugh so hard you almost pee your pants when you’re out with Lilly.

  “Great, we can grab a bite to eat at the steakhouse across the road from the cinema. Why don’t you drive home and drop off the car and we can pick you up? We’ll be ten minutes behind you.” Alesha walked into Zach’s office with some files while Lilly followed.

  “Sounds like a plan, see you soon.” Grabbing my bag, I headed to the car, thinking about what I could quickly change into once home. My jeans and green off-the-shoulder top. It was comfy and could be dressed up with a pair of strappy sandals. The sound of my black heels echoed in the carpark. Zach always laughed, saying he always knew when I was coming down the hallway with my elephant walk. I possibly stomped a little when I walked. Or, as I liked to say, I walked with purpose.

  “You’re not trying to run out of the office in an attempt to avoid me again, are you, kitten?” Freezing on the spot, his voice went straight to my core. Swinging around to face him, I scowled.

  “We agreed no flirting at work,” I replied, hands on hips. “You can’t call me that at work, Luke. You promised.”

  “Calm down, Zoe. It’s not like anyone is around.”

  “You don’t know that. The girls are on their way. We’re off to the movies.”

  “Bloody hell, so you can go out with them, but you can’t make time to see or talk to me.” He leaned back against my car. Well, his car, really. “We need to talk about what happened, Zoe. I need to see you.” Leaning forward, he whispered in my ear. “I need to kiss you, touch you and taste every part of you. I told you there was no going back once we started.”

  My body heated and my cheeks flushed. His breath tingled my skin, my thoughts turning to mush. My breathing became erratic.

  “Luke, you promised,” I whispered. A part of me wanted to grab his shirt, push him against the car, and kiss him until I couldn’t breathe anymore. He seemed to stop any rational thought of mine whenever he was near. I’d been telling myself for a week I couldn’t have him and within thirty seconds being in my personal space, I wanted to jump his body. It was crazy. He made me crazy.

  “You also promised you wouldn’t run away. So, we both broke our promise.” His tongue traveled up my neck, taking my ear between his teeth, causing an all-over shiver. “I want you so bad. Come home with me tonight. Please.” The heat of his hand that sat on my hip, burned through my skirt.

  “Luke.” I let out on a sigh. “I can’t.”

  “Can’t or won’t, Zoe?” His other hand slid around my neck and into my hair. “Let me remind you what you’re missing.” Slowly, he pulled my lips towards his. The first touch of our lips joining caused a sigh to escape my mouth. I wanted to push him away, I couldn’t. My body responded so easily. The softness disappeared, and the heat of the kiss took over. His tongue pushed forward looking for more, my body already pushing against his. With a pounding heart, electricity coursing through my veins, my hands grabbed at his shirt. I craved the connection. I couldn’t get close enough.

  Voices coming from the direction o
f the lift had me jumping backward with fright.

  “No, I want more. I don’t care who sees,” Luke growled.

  “Stop.” I shoved him against the car. “Not here. Not now. We agreed.” My breathing was fast, my heart running wild with panic. Had the girls seen or heard anything?

  “This is not even close to being finished. This weekend, we’re spending it together to sort this once and for all. Got it?” His eyes bored into me ensuring I understood he was done playing games.

  “Is that right? We’ll discuss this later. If you’re lucky,” I whispered as the girls grew closer. He knew how mad I was at him and his ordering me about. We pull apart trying to calm ourselves.

  “I thought you’d already be halfway home by now, Zoe. I hope you aren’t holding her up, Luke. We have a nice cool glass of chardonnay waiting and a girls’ movie night. Now stop chatting so we can get moving.” Lilly stared down her brother.

  Luke straightened, his shoulders squared. He always looked so strong when he stood like that. He looked straight at me, ensuring I was paying attention. “Great, I might come and join you for a beer and a movie.” His eyes didn’t leave me, watching my reaction to his self-invite. He was testing me.

  “Piss off, Luke, didn’t you hear me say it’s a girls’ night? I remember when you used to run around the house with no clothes on. You have that little dangly thing that we don’t have. So that counts you out for girls’ night.” Lilly stood with her hands on her hips while taking her brother to task. He wasn’t even looking at her, his focus still on me.

  “Now that’s a vision I don’t need to remember, thanks. You were always running around nude when we were little. You couldn’t keep your pants on. Not much has changed really.” Alesha giggled to herself. She wasn’t as confident as Lilly but every so often, she came out with her own little jokes. I loved her style.

  “That’s enough of that, thanks. If it makes you feel any better, I’m more than happy to lose the pants again right now, for you all. It will take you back to our childhood.” A cheeky smile crept up his face while he awaited my reaction. “Maybe it will give Zoe a nice thrill.”

  “That’s gross, Luke. As if Zoe would even be interested in seeing your tiny pee pee, big brother. You will turn her off her dinner. Now, get moving so we can all go and drown out the thought of what is in your pants. See you tomorrow.” Lilly leaned in and kissed him on the cheek, followed by Alesha. They headed to their cars, chatting between each other.

  “I need to go, Luke. They’re following me home and picking me up.”

  “You sure you don’t want the no-pants show I’m offering? I can save it for after the movie if you come to my place.” The growling Luke was gone and the cheeky one had returned. “You know you want to, Zoe. Just admit it. Your words can say whatever they like but that kiss, the fists wrapped in my shirt, tell me all I need to know. You want this manly body and you don’t know how to fight it.”

  “Dream on, Luke. You’re so full of yourself. Now get your cute butt off my car so I can get home.” I smiled at his cute grin. He knew he had me. The vision of him with no pants was one that would always make me happy. There was something about him that I couldn’t stay mad at forever.

  “Hmmm, your car, is it, beautiful? Well, I better move my butt then. I would hate to damage your car for you. Make sure you drive your car home safely, won’t you.”

  “You’re such an ass sometimes. See you tomorrow.” Smacking his arm, I rounded the front of the car. I didn’t get far when I felt his hand around my arm.

  “Please, let’s spend time together on the weekend talking.”

  Finding it hard to say no to him, I nodded and slipped into the car. “The weekend. We will talk. Now stop flirting with me. Stand back from my car please and try to keep your pants on.” I giggled Starting the car, I pulled out leaving him laughing at me while I drove away.

  Running my finger across my lips, I could still feel him. The tingle, the heat. It wasn’t the only place I could feel him. Thank God I was heading out with the girls. I needed a good distraction.

  ***

  “I so need this drink. Grant was driving me crazy today. He is still going off about Zach going to Branch Street on his own and getting into some drama with a couple of the tenants. Zach isn’t saying much which is making it worse. To top it off, Luke is acting all weird, even when we were leaving, don’t you think?” Lilly looked to us with a glass of sparkling in her hand.

  “Lilly, no more work talk. We’re out to forget about work, okay.”

  Thank God for Alesha. She diverted the conversation before it started a probe into the carpark encounter.

  “I agree. So, what movie are we seeing? I hope it has sexy guys in it and some hot sex.” We all laughed and clinked our glasses as a chorus of cheers went up between the three of us.

  ***

  Crawling into bed after a long night filled with a lot of laughing and fun, I lay staring at the ceiling. My mind was trying to clear the fog on everything concerning Luke. Every time I thought my mind was made up, he did something to remind me how I felt about him. My cell chimed, just like it did every night.

  Luke: Goodnight to the sexy owner of the Mercedes car that parks in my office carpark. Dream about the pant-less guy who thinks the chick who drives that Mercedes is hot. Whatever the vision you have in that dream, I guarantee the reality is better.

  Zoe: The guy who I saw in the carpark today was some guy with a huge ego. Do you know him?

  Luke: Not sure. Can you describe him to me?

  Zoe: Tall, well, taller than me. Brown hair that has a little length on the top that would be perfect to run your fingers through. Strong face with a jawline that just longs to have a hand dragged slowly down it through the stubble of a days’ growth. Which leads me to lips that would taste like nothing I have ever had before. Ones that make me tingle. All of that would be topped off with the brown eyes that seem to have magic powers and see past the skin and into an individual’s soul.

  I don’t know what I was thinking putting all that in a text message. Maybe it was the couple of drinks I’d had that gave me courage. I pushed send before I changed my mind and deleted it. My nerves tingled as I awaited his reply. Watching the little bubbles on the screen always seemed to take the longest time.

  Luke: Holy shit. You tell me to stop and then you send that. Is that how you see me, Zoe?

  Zoe: I should see you as a friend but that’s the part I’m struggling with.

  Luke: We both know that boat has long sailed.

  Zoe: I need to go to sleep. See you tomorrow. Goodnight

  Luke: Goodnight to my anything-but-friend. Dream of that man in the carpark

  Zoe: Always. Goodnight.

  I started wondering how the hell I was going to keep Luke at bay and convince him that remaining friends would be a far better option. Did I really want to do that when I was struggling to convince myself?

  Tomorrow would just be another day of torture to get through. I needed sleep to cope with everything that was thrown at me. Including the sexy beast with his wicked sense of humour. Lord help me.

  Luke

  I don’t think that woman realized how many cold showers I’d been taking since she started working in my office. Today would be no exception. Our nightly text messages always ended with me reminding Zoe to dream of me. That was because I knew she would be front and center in my dreams, which resulted in me waking up with a cock that was harder than just a normal morning wood. My only option was a cold shower with my old friend, which was getting really old.

  Driving into the carpark first thing in the morning, I scanned the carpark for the Mercedes. I spotted it on the far side of the lot, away from others because she worried she’d scratch it. I couldn’t give a shit what happened to the car as long as it kept Zoe safe.

  It had become a morning ritual to walk by Zach’s room trying to catch a few minutes with Zoe. Today was no exception. I was out of luck, however, as she wasn’t sitting at her desk. I hea
rd voices coming from behind the office door. I should have left them to their work, but I wasn’t one to do as I should most of the time. That’s what tended to get me into trouble. Especially where Zoe was concerned.

  “You two are off to an early start today.”

  “Morning, Luke.” Zach looked up from his tablet. Zoe, on the other hand, shyly looked up, struggling to look me in the eye.

  “Morning, Luke,” she mumbled. I had a feeling it had something to do with the scorching kiss against the car and the text message that she sent me. It was the first time she let loose with what she was feeling.

  “Morning. What’s on the agenda for today?” I tried to get a conversation going so she would relax. As much as we tried not to make this awkward at work, it was. I might as well be sleeping with Zoe already, because we had obviously lost the easy working friendship we had.

  “I am out of the office for a few hours this morning with the girls. Got a few things to do but be forewarned that Grant is already looking for you.” Zach wore a stupid, satisfied grin. One day, hopefully, Grant would find someone who he could take his bossiness out on in the bedroom, which could mean he might chill out with us. I already pitied the poor woman that ended up in his bed.

  “Wow, lucky me. Welcome to work, Luke. What the fuck have I done to deserve the visit from him so early in the morning?” I sighed, leaning against the doorframe to the office. Zoe settled back in her chair seemingly relaxed with me being in the room.