by Lauren Smith
“Do you have classes today?” he asked as he shut the water off and reached for two towels. After he helped her get out, he took his time drying her.
“Yeah, what time is it?” A panic-stricken gaze replaced her playfulness.
“Around eight thirty,” he guessed. It had been around eight when they’d gotten in the shower.
“I’ve got classes in half an hour!” She was suddenly scrambling around him, her towel barely covering her as she bent to retrieve her hairdryer from a bottom drawer. Jared sensed that now was not the time to tease her. He backed out of her way and searched for his clothes. They were mostly in one pile, and after a few minutes he was dressed. It was going to be obvious he was wearing yesterday’s clothes to work, but at this point he was too happy to care. Hell, he didn’t even care that he was an hour late already. He worked long, hard hours as it was. Being a little late today shouldn’t matter. He whistled softly, replaying last night and this morning, a silly grin slapped on his face as he waited for Felicity to get ready.
15
Had it really been two hours since she’d left Jared and gone to class? It seemed like only minutes ago he’d had her pressed up against her door, keeping her trapped, kissing her senseless until sanity finally returned to them both and they’d had to part ways.
She closed her eyes for a second, reliving that last sweet kiss. The way his eyes had softened, that warm brown burning into her like embers at the edge of a healthy fire. Banked, barely controlled, yet still dangerous if touched. He was dangerous, so dangerous, and it was too late. She was falling for him—had already fallen for him if she admitted the truth. It had been pure luck she hadn’t melted at his feet when he’d smiled and stroked her lips with his fingertips. The man sure knew how to break down a girl’s defenses against heartbreak.
What would she do if…when…this came to an end? Part of her feared he’d wake from this wondrous dream and go looking for a woman more his style. A woman like Shana, all quiet elegance, rich, educated, his age. Felicity couldn’t offer him any of those things. She was just a kid. Hadn’t he said that more than once? She certainly felt young, like there were things she couldn’t understand simply because she was younger. It was stupid to feel that way, she knew it, but it didn’t stop her from feeling like she was inadequate.
Sure, she and Jared were having fun now, but it would end, wouldn’t it? If she got the job in Los Angeles, it would have to. That ever-present cloud on the distant horizon made her heart sink.
Felicity flipped idly through the pages of her Impressionist art textbook, only halfway paying attention to the professor as he clicked his remote and changed slides. As her eyes halfheartedly flitted over the painting called Woman with a Parasol by Monet, which was projected at the front of the room, she tried to shake off her negative thoughts. She would be an adult about this…relationship, or whatever was developing between her and Jared. She would enjoy it, even if it would have an ending in the future. She would not allow the sudden negative thoughts of endings and partings eat away at all the joy she had when she was with him. Her memories of last night and this morning were something to be cherished, not examined and studied until all the fun was lost through hard analysis.
Something hard and pointy jabbed her in the ribs and she jumped.
Layla was sitting next to her on the aisle. She hadn’t been there a few seconds ago.
What the heck?
“Layla? What are you doing here? This isn’t your class,” she whispered, hoping her professor wouldn’t notice the new student among the eighty current students in the lecture hall. Her friend tended to stick out even in the midst of a crowd.
With a casual shrug of her shoulders and a flick of her hair, Layla leaned back in her seat. “It’s fine,” her friend hissed back. “I’m not missing any classes, so this was the perfect time to talk.”
Talk? What does she want to talk about? Felicity stilled, every muscle tensing as anxiety rolled through her. Did Layla know about her and Jared? Had Jared said something to Tanner? Was he bragging about what they’d done? No, he wasn’t that kind of guy. In the short time she’d known him, she knew enough of his character to know that. The question was, why did she keep letting herself start to doubt him? He’d given her no reason to.
“Quit freaking out,” Layla ordered as she eased back in her chair and studied the slides at the front of the class.
“I’m not freaking out,” Felicity retorted.
“Yeah, you are. Your face is all…pinched.” Layla made an imitation of someone sucking on a lemon. It wasn’t flattering. She leaned toward Felicity. “So Tanner wants to know why Jared didn’t come home last night. I told him I’d ask you.”
Felicity almost exhaled a sigh of relief. Maybe Layla and Tanner didn’t know. It was still her secret. Hers and Jared’s.
“Why would I know where he went?”
Layla rolled her eyes. “Because I sent him to your place last night to pick you up for the club. He did show up, didn’t he?”
Felicity didn’t have to tell her friend anything, did she? Surely this was her private business. Maybe a change of subject was in order. She could pull the rug out from under Layla too.
“Why weren’t you at the club? I had an anxiety attack because of the crowds. They called the paramedics. It was mortifying. You said you’d be there and you weren’t.” Felicity only partially regretted her razor-sharp tone.
Her friend’s face paled. “You had an attack? Why didn’t anyone call me?”
Leave it to Layla to make herself the victim to escape blame. Usually that trick amused Felicity, but at that moment, she wasn’t seeing anything funny about what had happened at Club Amazon.
“No one called you because we were too busy. I was unconscious, and Thad and Jared were the ones freaking out.”
“Did you go to the hospital?”
Felicity picked up her pen and scribbled a few notes in her notebook, trying to ignore Layla, hoping her friend would get the hint that she didn’t want to talk about last night.
“Well?” Layla pressed loudly.
The professor at the front of the class paused in his lecture to glance around the room, and Felicity ducked her head, frantically faking as though she was actually listening to him and not discussing her love life with her best friend. When he started speaking again, she leaned over to Layla to hiss out a response.
“No. I didn’t. I talked the paramedics into letting me go home.”
Layla’s shoulders dropped, and she blew out a breath. “I’m glad you’re okay,” Layla said, her tone softer as she eyed Felicity in concern. Then she brightened again. “Did Jared go home with you to make sure you were okay?”
“That’s none of your business.” Please let class be over so I can get out of here. Felicity could feel the stares of the other students, their prying gazes and straining ears. This was her private life. Layla had no problems shouting her own issues out in public, but she had no right to do that with Felicity. For the first time since she’d met Layla she was frustrated with her friend. It wasn’t a good feeling, but she knew it was justified.
“What’s the matter?” Layla nudged her again.
If she’d been a cat, she would have arched her back and hissed.
“Nothing!”
“O-kay…” Layla lifted her hands in surrender.
It felt bad. Like she’d kicked a puppy. Something she’d never done and would never do. It was just…Jared was hers. A secret, something sacred. He belonged just to her. She didn’t want to share him, at least not yet.
Layla stayed the entire class, not saying anything, but she sat there next to her, looking pensive. Thankfully, the class ended fifteen minutes after Felicity’s outburst. The moment it was over, Felicity gathered her books and crammed them into her bag. Layla followed her but didn’t pressure her. Guilt niggled at the back of Felicity’s mind. She knew that she was making Layla suffer when her friend hadn’t done anything but ask about her and Jared. It just hurt to th
ink about the future when she knew they wouldn’t last, and Layla had a way of making her feel anything was possible. She was an eternal optimist.
As they crossed the campus, Felicity halted and faced her friend.
“I’m sorry for being so cranky, Layla.”
“No, you were right.” Layla raised her hands in surrender. “You don’t need to tell me anything, Felicity. It’s your business, and if you don’t want to share, that’s okay. But I’m your friend, and I’m worried about you. I’ve never seen you on edge like this. And I just need to know that you’re okay. Because if he wasn’t good to you—if he wasn’t Prince Fucking Charming—I will kick his ass.” Layla’s brown eyes were bright with a vengeful gleam as though she really meant what she said, that protecting her friend was her only motivation.
Felicity’s anger deflated, and it was replaced with a bone-deep weariness of years of working too hard and making sacrifices.
“I’m sorry,” she apologized, and on impulse she threw her arms around Layla, hugging her fiercely.
“Don’t apologize,” her friend sniffed, eyes suddenly watery. “I forget sometimes that you aren’t as open to talking about stuff as I am. Just know that I’m here to talk if you ever decide you want to.”
Warmth bled between them in that embrace, a melding of two souls linked by friendship. She could trust Layla, could always trust Layla. That sudden resurgence of belief in that fact had her wanting to share everything.
“Okay. I’ll tell you. First, let’s get some lunch. I’m starved.”
“Hackney’s?” Layla suggested.
“Sounds good,” she agreed. The pub had the best sandwiches in the city, but Felicity loved its history as much as its food.
Layla all but skipped as they headed toward the street. “I can’t wait to hear all about last night.”
And this morning, Felicity thought with a flush of heat. Her entire world had changed. She was tired and sore, and yet she felt absolutely wonderful. It was a feeling she wanted to enjoy since she’d rarely felt so good in her life. Talking with Layla might help her strategize on how to stay feeling good. If she was going to do this, be in a relationship, she needed to be prepared. Especially now that she was having sex, she definitely needed some pointers.
Hackney’s was packed with tourists and locals alike, but Layla somehow got a table in the back where it was quieter and a little more secluded. They ordered cheeseburgers, and once their waitress was gone, Layla peeked over the rim of her iced tea as she sipped it.
“Spill,” she demanded.
Felicity smoothed her cloth napkin over her lap and began to tell her best friend everything. When she was done, Layla was gaping like a startled goldfish.
“Wow…the shower? So quick? I don’t think I tried that until maybe a week after Tanner and I started sleeping together.”
“Is that bad?” Did it make her a slut? Panic choked her throat. She didn’t want to be loose. It was just so easy to be with Jared. Last night and this morning had been intense, and yet she felt so light and full all at once. There had been so little “thinking” involved. Just passion. Beautiful, mind-blowing passion and tenderness.
A snap of fingers brought Felicity out of her daydreams. Layla’s lips were curved in a knowing smile.
“When you’re with someone you care about, nothing is bad. Trust me, Tanner and I have done a lot of stuff, in a lot of fun ways.” A little giggle escaped Layla, and she actually blushed. “Point is, none of it’s bad as long as we’re safe and we care about each other.”
Her friend was right. She couldn’t feel any regret or shame for what she and Jared had done. It was almost sacred, the sharing of their bodies and the baring of their souls. Without words, she’d opened herself up to him in ways she’d never thought she’d be able to do, but she had. And he’d done it right back. There had been such sweet vulnerability in his eyes each time he’d made sure she had wanted to participate, as though he really cared about her and yet wanted her enough that he could barely control himself. A flutter of excitement rippled through her. That’s what she wanted, for Jared to lose control and be free with her, because if he could let go, then she could let go, too, and just…live.
She leaned forward on her elbows and pinned Layla with a determined stare. “How do I get a man to lose control? I want Jared to go…” She wasn’t sure what the right word was.
“Crazy?” Layla cocked a brow and grinned like a Cheshire cat.
Felicity breathed out, smiling but feeling completely embarrassed. “Yeah, crazy for me, you know…”
Layla nodded, leaning forward with a conspiratorial grin.
“Now you’re talking my language. First we need to get you some lingerie. It’s uncomfortable, but once he sees you in it, you won’t be in it for long. I know just the place we should go.”
“Pimms wants to see you.”
Jared glanced up from the purchase and sale agreement paperwork he’d been reviewing to see Sean Chapman, one of the other associates at his firm, filling his doorway.
“He does?” Jared didn’t like the sound of that. Pimms was rarely in the office except to parade around and put people in their places. A summons to his office was not something any attorney wanted.
“Yeah, he’s in his office. Don’t keep him waiting.” Sean’s smile was forced.
“Thanks, Sean.” Jared collected the contract paperwork and set it near his computer before he stood and grabbed his suit jacket. He slipped it around his shoulders, and a hint of vanilla teased his nose.
Felicity.
The memory of their parting heated his blood. They’d had a hard time leaving her apartment. He’d pinned her against the door, keeping her closed inside with him so he could steal more kisses. There wasn’t enough time with her, nor enough kisses. She made him insatiable. In a few short hours he would allow himself to text her. He didn’t want to be “that guy,” the overbearing, obsessive one. But damned if he didn’t want to talk to her, to tease her, to see what she was up to. They hadn’t had a chance to talk about tonight, but he wanted to see her, maybe cook her dinner. He’d grasp at any excuse to be near her, to touch her. His princess was absolutely fascinating. Between her interesting conversations about history and art, and the way she responded to him with passion and sensual curiosity, he couldn’t get enough.
With a little shake of his head, he tried to banish thoughts of her. No work could get finished if he started to think about Felicity more than he was at the moment. He left his office and walked down the hall to the large corner office where Pimms was waiting for him. He rapped his knuckles on the door.
“Come in,” a muffled voice called out.
Jared pressed his palm flat on the door and pushed it open. The corner office of Pimms & Associates was a prime piece of real estate. With tall windows, mahogany bookshelves, and a massive desk, it was as close to a kingly throne room as a head partner could get. Pimms was seated in his plush leather office chair, his phone in his hand as he stared at the screen. The man knew how to intimidate with just a look—or even by not looking. Jared wasn’t intimidated, but the need to earn that partnership had him nodding respectfully at his boss.
“You wanted to see me?” Jared prompted when his boss didn’t immediately acknowledge his presence.
Pimms’s eyes flicked up from his phone, and he pointed at one of the chairs in front of his desk.
“Have a seat.”
Jared slid into the nearest chair. The luxurious office around him was littered with files and large photos of the Chicago skyline at various times of the year. His own office was bare. He’d yet to hang a single thing to claim his space. Maybe he could convince Felicity to find some unique pieces of art to put in his office. Something to remind him of her. A little smile tugged his lips. He didn’t need reminding of her. She was always there, like a wash of vibrant colors in the gray landscape of his soul. Like the rising dawn, her warm glow stretched across his body and heart, making it impossible to ignore her.
“Redmond, I understand that you were out with Shana last night?” Pimms’s steely stare rooted Jared to the chair he sat in. How was he supposed to respond to that?
“She and I did meet at Club Amazon last night.”
His boss’s mouth stretched into a smile, which was a little off-putting because Pimms was obviously more comfortable when he was glaring.
“I’m glad to see you’re back together. I always had hopes that you and Shana would be a couple again. You understand how easy it would be to give the firm’s reins over to you when I retire someday if I knew it stayed in the family?”
What the—
Stunned, Jared didn’t know immediately what to say since everything about what Pimms had just said was shocking.
“Shana and I aren’t—”
Pimms silenced him. “I would be very pleased to see you two together again. When I’m pleased, people get promoted. And when I’m not happy, well…” Pimms left the threat hanging out there. Jared wasn’t stupid. He got the message loud and clear. Date Shana again and he’d get promoted, probably get a nice raise. It was everything he’d wanted and worked for the last couple of years.
“I would prefer to be happy, Redmond. You had better make that happen.”
Jared swallowed. Date Shana? He couldn’t. It wasn’t fair to either of them. But if he didn’t, the consequences could be bad. He’d be out looking for another job in a month, and in this market… Everything he had worked so hard for would be obliterated, all because some man decided he had a right to control Jared’s life.
“Oh, and Redmond, if you’re out late with Shana, I’ll permit you being late to the office, but don’t make a habit of it.” The man winked as though sharing some secret with Jared.
His stomach rolled at the thought. He’d been out with Felicity, not Shana, but Pimms didn’t know that. What the hell was he going to do? He couldn’t be with Shana. He couldn’t let go of Felicity.