by Lauren Wood
“I was out Kaika and now I am home. That is the truth.”
I moved to kiss her and she could smell perfume on me... Then she saw lipstick on my collar and that was all that she needed to see and smell. It wasn’t long before she was storming out of my apartment and I knew that I wouldn’t see her again. It was good while it lasted, but the quiet was even better than her presence.
The sad thing was, as talented as Kaika was; she wasn’t enough for me to say no to a beautiful woman. That was most likely why I was bound to be single forever. Not that it bothered me, but it was clear that at this rate, I was going to be pushing forty before long and I would then be a constant bachelor. Right now I was still eligible according to the Morning Post. That was all going to change in a couple of years. I would be the man that no woman could pin down.
I cracked open a beer and looked around the apartment, really seeing it now that Kaika was gone. She had only lived here a couple of months and parts of her were everywhere. I got up and started putting all of her things in a box. I would give it to the doorman and he would be able to handle it. She would come back when she cooled off and when she realized that I was done with her, she would want to come up and get it all. It was a ploy to get back around me and I wasn’t going to fall for it. It was always better to think ahead as far as I was concerned.
Taking the elevator, a few minutes later, the door opened with a ding. “Hey Tony, can you give these to Kaika when she comes back for them?”
“Another one bites the dust?” The older doorman looked bemused. This wasn’t the first time that this very thing had happened. I had a bit of a reputation and he was right to think that I was done.
“Yeah.”
“What did you do this time?”
I shrugged my shoulders and didn’t really answer for a minute. “You know the usual. See you later Tony. I am going to go out for a bit. Finally got some freedom and quiet back.”
“What I wouldn’t give…that woman was beautiful.”
“They all are in their own way.”
I walked towards the front entrance and pulled the jacket closer around me. It was unseasonably cold or I wasn’t used to it yet. I almost went back into the building, but I needed some fresh air to clear my mind. I wasn’t going to miss Kaika and that made me question it all a little more. I should feel sadness, something, right?
New York City was bustling all around me. The lights were on because it was so late, but this was the city that never slept. I don’t either, so it was like I was meant to be here. Many nights I found comfort in that, but now I was getting a little claustrophobic. How was I supposed to clear my head when everything was blaring on around me? I needed some quiet and I wasn’t going to get it here. Things that usually comforted me were now not so helpful. For once, I felt like I had to get away for a while and I moved on that feeling, walking back towards the parking garage to get my vehicle out. I needed a country road and a drive to set me back right again.
Chapter 2
Cameron
My car was getting hot or something was going on. I wasn’t sure what it was, but now that the light was on, there was smoke billowing out of the car. I had to wonder if this was just my luck or if this was a sign. I also had to wonder why it took the light so long to come on. It was apparently a big deal. Shouldn’t I have gotten a little more warning?
Pulling into the off ramp for the rest area, I was surprised at how dark it was. It was scary and the fact that I was sure my car was going to explode didn’t help me much at all. I didn’t want to know what was going on with it. I just wanted it to work.
My phone was almost dead, so I only had enough juice for one call to Triple A. They said they would be out soon and I was just going to have to wait. It was late and I locked myself in my car. I didn’t want to go out there. I wasn’t sure where I was, not really and the last thing that I needed was for someone to walk up or something like that. This was how nightmares and horror stories begin.
My mind was going a mile a minute and I didn’t have anything to distract me from such thoughts. When a car pulled up that had tinted windows and parked next to me, I was sure that I was about to get snatched.
It seemed to sit there idly for some time before it was finally shut off. I don’t know who it was, but the lights were still on and I could hear music coming from the interior. All I could think was that I didn’t want the company. It was better when I was the only one in the tiny rest area. It wasn’t like Georgia where there were guards at night. Here I felt like I was out here in the middle of nowhere all by myself.
A man got out and he stopped for a moment and waved when he saw me in the car. There was a look on his face that told me that he was feeling no pain. The smile was too wide and the way he was walking protested the same conclusion.
I finally breathed out a breath when he passed me. I hated that I was afraid, but this was all new and a little scary. I didn’t like being stuck out here with my car acting up. I wasn’t going to check under the hood, knowing that I had no idea what I was supposed to be checking for anyways. It was a waste of time.
The tall guy was coming back and I saw him pass under one of the lights. His jacket looked expensive and he looked like a business man more than he looked like a predator. I was going to take that as a good sign and when he hollered through the window asking if I needed any help, I felt a little more comfortable to answer than I did before. I did need some help and he looked like the kind of guy that could help me.
“Yeah, I would if you know anything about cars.”
I was still talking through the window, but when he shook his head that he did, I unlocked the door and opened it up a bit. There was a second of fear that he was going to rush the car or something of that nature. When he didn’t, I figured that I was going to be okay.
“Thanks, I don’t know anything about cars. The light came on that it was overheating and then smoke started to come out of it. I don’t know what is going on with it, but Triple A said it was going to be a few hours before they could come out this way. My name is Cameron by the way. What’s yours?”
I was babbling because I was nervous and because I realized how handsome the man was. He was not only dressed nice, but he held himself like he was used to having things his way. The black sports car was worth more than my house back home that I just sold, so I was starting to doubt what he actually knew anything about it. He was the classic tall, dark and handsome with a grin on his face that made him look close to devilish.
“Do you know anything about cars?”
“A little bit. Let’s pop the hood and see if we can figure this out. My name is Grey.”
“Like the color?”
His eyes smiled as well as his lips. “Yeah, like the color, though I haven’t heard that for a long time. I am used to people knowing who I am.”
I didn’t know what that meant, but I didn’t know who he was. “Well I am not from around here. I am just passing through on my way to New York. It’s not too much further, right? I think I am already going to lose the room I booked for the night.”
“You are going to the city?”
I nodded my head as he popped the hood with a lever that I can say honestly that I have never used. I didn’t even know what it was there for.
“Yeah, I just got a job with a big dental office there. I am an assistant. Wanted to get out of the small town I am from. Had to see what the rest of the world is like.”
He chuckled and told me that he did the same thing when he was younger.
“Do you regret it?”
“No, I still live there so I guess not.”
Grey leaned in and took out his phone to get some light. “It looks like you don’t have any coolant in here. No wonder it got hot. Do you have some in the trunk?”
“I don’t think so. Is that something I am supposed to carry with me? I thought they filled that up when I get an oil change?”
“Yeah, but you should carry some with you. You need coolant or your c
ar’s engine will overheat. I think I have some in my trunk and if it wasn’t hot for too long, you might be fixed up and ready to go.”
I was hoping that he was right. I didn’t want to wait any longer and the rest area was creeping me out. I stood by the car, waiting for him to go to his car and push a button to get the trunk to open. I had a feeling that he was more knowledgeable than me, but he still didn’t look like the type. I was trying to figure out what he did for a living while he got the bottle and put some into my car.
“So what are you doing out here in the middle of the night?”
“Well it is almost morning and I figured I might as well get back into the city before work. I have been late the last couple of days and I thought it would be a good time to make it on time.”
“Oh, what do you do?”
“I am a lawyer.”
“Oh.”
“Don’t sound so disappointed.”
I tried not to sound that way, but I didn’t like the idea of him being a lawyer. I hadn’t met many with that profession, but I had met none that I actually liked.
“It’s nothing against you Grey, promise. It’s just that lawyers seem to be a different type of guy. I dated a few and I think I am bias now.”
“I can see that. We lawyers like to get our ways.”
“And you are smooth talking…”
“Yes Cameron, I guess we are. That is what our job is so at least the good ones are.”
“And are you a good one Sir?”
That got me a grin and my heart flopped a little in my chest. Yeah, I bet he was one that was really good at convincing people. The man was a charmer. It hadn’t taken me but a few minutes to see that. He was one of those that could talk you out of anything he wanted and I knew that men like that were dangerous.
But he was not just a talker. He actually fixed my car and when it started up and didn’t start smoking again, I was delighted that I would be able to get out of there sooner, rather than later.
“Thanks Grey. That was so nice of you. Maybe if I hightail it to the city I will still have a room booked.”
“If not, give me a call and you can stay with me. Sometimes it is hard to get a room on a Thursday night in the city, well a good place anyways.”
I thanked him, but I wasn’t going to take him up on his offer. I had planned everything out so I wouldn’t become a damsel in distress and once a night was enough for me. I got in my car and waved to the man, wondering thoughts that I pushed back in my mind. What would it be like to wake up to a man like that in the morning? So kind and helpful. He really was a godsend. But I had a feeling there was a darker side to Grey, like his name suggested, everything wasn’t quite black and white.
I waved one last time and drove away with mixed emotions. Why hadn’t I given him my number? We were in two different worlds, but I wouldn’t have minded too terribly seeing him again. Maybe if it was meant to be I would, though even as I thought that, it felt like a cop-out and an excuse to not pursue it any further.
Chapter 3
Grey
I do not know why, but I couldn’t get that woman off of my mind. Cameron was a short blonde and with her coat on I couldn’t see much, but she had a winning smile and I liked the way she looked at me. She had been nervous at first, but something had made her change her mind and I was glad she had.
The only thing that was different was how she responded to me. I gave her my number and she had barely looked at it. If I knew any better, I would have thought that she wasn’t going to give me the time of day, but I don’t know why I wanted it to be another way. I met women like her all day long, but there was something about the way she had looked down when my eyes met hers that I really liked. There was a lot about the woman that I couldn’t stop thinking about and even as I watched her drive off, I was still smiling to myself from our meeting. They didn’t have a lot of women like that in the city.
I sat at the rest area for a few more moments, grabbing something to drink before I made my way back to the city as well. The night was clear and soon the sun would be rising in the sky. It was a nice night and I was going a bit faster than I thought I was. It wasn’t long before I was passing the car that I recognized from before.
Cameron wasn’t looking my way as I passed and I wondered for a minute if I would ever see her again. It was a strange thought to cross my mind since I didn’t usually think about things like that, but I knew that I wanted to. Wasn’t sure if I would or not, but it would be nice if I saw her again.
But it wasn’t long before I was focused more on the road ahead of me and a couple of cases that I had to argue in a few hours. I hadn’t had any sleep, but I never needed much, not when I was on an adventure. I was far more worried about getting back to the office in time.
I was home about an hour, getting out of the shower when I heard my phone ringing. I wasn’t going to answer it because I had too much to do, but something told me that I should. It was one of those feelings that I got from time to time and I tried not to worry about it too much. I went with my gut when it happened, sure that it was a sign that was going to help me on the way.
“Hello?”
“Hi, this is Cameron. We met earlier and you helped me with my car?”
I knew who it was just by the sound of her voice when she said hello. I was hoping that she would call, but I wasn’t prepared for the raise in my heart rate from hearing her voice on the other end of the phone. Why did I want to talk to her so badly?
“Yes Cameron. Did you make it into the city okay?”
“It took a lot longer than I thought. I don’t know how you guys deal with the traffic.”
“You get used to it I guess.”
“I don’t know if I want to get used to it.”
“Most people don’t drive. I never do in the city. Let the crazies do the driving for you.”
It sounded like a good idea to me, but she was silent and I felt the rush of the fact I was due in court soon. I didn’t want to rush the conversation, but some things were more important than a piece of tail. While she was different and made me think a bit more, work still trumped all in the end.
“So what can I do for you Cameron?”
“Well, you were right about finding a hotel and I am not sure which areas are good or not. Is your offer still open for a place to crash for a few hours? I am sure more rooms will be available after noon.”
It was unexpected. When I had offered that, I didn’t think that she would take me up on it, but I was delighted that she had. I wanted to see her, if only for a moment. I asked her where she was. I directed her to a parking garage and told her I would send a car over to pick her up. She was too far away for me to still be here when she got here, so I left her a message and hoped that I would see her again. We kept passing each other and I always felt like if something was meant to be, it would happen. No amount of sweat, blood and tears was going to change it. I was irritated that I wasn’t going to get to see her, but I wasn’t going to think that this was forever. It was just for now. I knew somehow that I would see her again real soon. Today I was going to be an optimist.
***
I made it to the courthouse on time, but I was thinking about the woman that was in my house. I called the doorman to see if she had made it and she had. I wanted to get out of court and to see her, but that didn’t seem possible. The day was full and I had a lot to do. I wanted to see her again, but it was just going to have to wait.
“Grey, where are you?”
I pulled my thoughts from Cameron and looked up at my assistant that was bringing me my paperwork that I forgot at the office because I didn’t have time to go get it.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean you are staring off into the distance. Are you okay? I don’t think I have seen you like this in a while. Did you have a late night?”
This was what the problem was usually. I stayed out too much, usually in the arms of a beautiful woman and I wished that this was why I was so tired today, bu
t I had been driving out of the city at night to clear my head. I had started driving out and not coming back till the wee hours of the morning. I don’t know what I was looking for, except a peace that came with silence. Now I was starting to think that I was out there for a reason and Cameron could possibly be that very reason. I didn’t believe in fate and all of that nonsense, but maybe I should.
“Yea I did have a late night. Can you tell?”
She told me that I looked tired, but she was always telling me that. “Not more than usual. Must have been a rough one because I have never seen you lose your train of thought so easily in court.”
Ashley was a great assistant, but she liked to get into my business too much. Sometimes I would have to tell her to back off a bit, but after a few years working with me, she would just tell me to piss off. It was funny in a way, but today I didn’t want to share what I was out doing.
“Well don’t worry Ashley. I am going to win this case no matter how much sleep I have had. Would you get me some coffee though? I think that is the only thing that is going to keep me going.”
She agreed to and went off to find the coffee machine down on the first floor. When she came back she had two cups in her hand and I was thankful that she didn’t listen. One wasn’t going to be enough and I loved that she knew me so well. Who needed a girlfriend when I had an assistant like her to take care of all of the important things.
Before the courts started, I asked her to check on the woman at my house. “Just call and make sure she has everything that she needs.”
“Does this woman have a name? Kaika isn’t still there, is she?”
I was irked that she knew so much about my love life, but roping her into it was part of the problem. “No, she is gone. Cameron is staying there now.”
I felt her judgment, but I ignored the look. “Just make sure she has what she needs.”