Troubles (Beekman Hills Book 1)
Page 5
“No. I’m fine, it was for school. I had clinical hours I had to do, but they assigned me nights.” She takes a long pull from her pint. “I know I’ll have to work them when I start for real, but I don’t know how I’ll make it. My days and nights are so screwed up.”
I watch a yawn roll over her and take control of her entire body. “And I have to work at the bar tonight.” Her wrist slides from my hand as she pulls her shoulders back. She sweeps her hair up off her neck and arches her back, pushing her chest out toward me.
I can’t think. All I can do is stand here staring at her, my eyes raking down the graceful line of her neck—across her delicate collarbone, to the swell of her tits straining under the confines of her top. Jesus. I want to trace that line with my tongue. I want to taste her skin—touch, feel, nip at every part of her. She has no idea what she does to me—making me want things I have no business wanting.
Bracing myself on the bar, knuckles white from gripping so hard, I dig deep to find some semblance of control. I clear my throat, interrupting the sensual show in front of me. Lis looks suddenly embarrassed, like she just now realizes her effect on me.
“How long does your crazy schedule last?” I ask. “Will it be like that for weeks? Months?” I don’t like the idea of her so tired, so worn out. But really, I’m selfish—I want to know if I can see more of her.
She shivers as she pulls her computer out of her bag. “This rotation is done for now. I’ll have to do another over the summer and again in the fall. I’m just so tired,” she manages to get out as another yawn takes over—her skin pebbling up with chill bumps. “Sorry, I can’t seem to stop that—is it cold in here? I’m freezing.”
I grab a couple mugs and pour us each a cup of coffee. The sweet contented smile that spreads its way across her face as she wraps her hands around the porcelain is intoxicating. I could fucking get lost in that. “Lisbeth, what can I do for you? Can you not take the night off—sleep a little?” She just shakes her head, wrapping herself more tightly around the warm mug. The tension is starting to leave her body and she looks like she might fall asleep on the bar. “You need to go home and take a nap, love.” God how I would love to join her, though she really needs to sleep and if I were there…
She flicks her eyes up to the clock above the bar and grimaces. “I have to submit my clinical notes by one o’clock. Do you mind if I do it here? And can I have some fries?” She’s grabbing for her coffee more than her pint at this point. I refill her mug and head to the kitchen to make her some lunch—she needs more than a basket of chips to keep her going.
There’s not a lot I can do to help, but I can feed her, maybe keep her warm. She’s stopped typing and is practically falling asleep with her cheek resting on the heal of her hand and her eyes glazing over. I slide her laptop out of the way, and set down her plate. I grab my jacket from behind the bar and gently place my hand between her shoulders. She mumbles, “…’m awake…” as she sits up and scrubs her hand up and down her face. She was clearly not awake.
I wrap her in my jacket, rubbing her arms to warm her up. “I thought you could use more than just a snack, love.” Pulling her hair free of the collar, I caress the side of her neck, lingering just behind her ear. I don’t know what’s come over me, but I want to lose myself in this spot.
She stills, holding her breath a moment before releasing a shaky breath. But instead of leaning into me, she pulls away.
“Th-thank you.”
Nodding, I step back behind the bar to give her some space. “Sure. Let me know what else I can get for you.” Not what I wanted. I rattled her, and maybe even scared her off.
I busy myself stocking the bar for the evening, lost a little in my head. Is she pulling back because of that arsehole? The bastard that fucked her sister? It seems different, more than that. Maybe it’s me.
I clear her plate and refill her coffee while she works. It’s just been the two of us here this whole time, and it’s been fucking torture. I spend as much time as I can in the kitchen and stockroom, cleaning counters that are already spotless. Straightening liquor bottles that I’ve already alphabetized. Am I avoiding her? Hiding from this pull I feel?
I hear her putting her computer away, zipping up her bag. I need to do something, say something to make the awkwardness go away. “Are you finished, then?”
She meets my eyes, as she slides off the barstool. I dump her pint glass into the sink and wipe down the already clean bar. “I think so. I got everything sent to my professors so we’ll see. What do I owe you?” she asks as she digs through her bag for her wallet.
“Not a thing.” She moves both of her eyebrows up and opens her mouth to protest. “This one’s on me.” I chuck the bar rag over my shoulder and cross my arms over my chest, hoping I’m giving out that there’s no room for negotiation. She blows a lock of hair out of her eyes and just stares. She really does not do well with others caring for her.
“I can’t let you do that. I feel so much better than when I walked in here earlier. Please let me pay you, Aidan.”
I glance at my watch and look her straight in the eye. I’m pushing this a little, probably more than necessary, but she’s dead on her feet. The need to take care of her drives me. When she starts to fidget, I lean toward her. “Go home and rest. Let me just do this for you. We’ll figure out a way for you to pay me back later.”
Her wheels are spinning and I can see the battle she’s waging inside. “Okay. Thank you.” She pinches her brows together and screws her mouth up on one side. Another deep breath and she relaxes as she lets it go. She gives me a quick nod and turns to leave. I watch as she hefts her bag higher on her shoulder and heads out the door—still wrapped in my jacket.
Chapter 9
Lis
I am so glad I stopped at McBride’s on the way home. We have nothing beyond a bottle of wine and stale crackers in our kitchen. I half wish that Aidan wasn’t there though. I’ve done a pretty good job of avoiding him. I know I got scared. Talking with Gracyn about her trip reminded me that I need to stay focused. I have so much riding on school. Graduating early. Making this work. But he took care of me. I don’t really know what to do with that.
I learned really early on that depending on people leads to nothing but disappointment. My mom flaked out right after she divorced my dad. She needed to work on her—at least, that’s what she claimed. Really, she was pretty much done with being an adult and even though I was only seventeen, she decided I was old enough to manage paying the bills, going to the grocery store, cooking and cleaning. After all, she had raised me. Right. My dad drank away all of his money and my mother just didn’t have anything left for me after paying my sister’s tuition. I was used to Maryse being the priority. It had been going on for as long as I could remember.
I know I’m not good at having people help me. I can give without batting an eye. Doesn’t matter what it is, if someone needs help, I’m on it. Accepting it? Yeah, no. It had me rattled, or maybe falling asleep on a bar mid-day did that.
I move to take off my jacket and realize, it’s not mine. It was warm when I left the house last night so I just had my scrubs on. This is all Aidan—spicy, masculine. I hang it on the back of my desk chair and head back in to take a shower and wash away the hospital. I love what I do, but there’s a lot of gross stuff I deal with there and I do not want to bring it into my bed while napping.
The hot water feels amazing, soothing my sore and tired muscles. I fall into bed and wait. As tired as I am, I just feel restless and disconnected. Like I’m too exposed. I drag myself out of bed and put his jacket back on. I wrap it around me and crawl back under the covers surrounded by Aidan. After checking my alarm, I let sleep wash over me.
I could have slept for days, but by the time I get to work, I almost feel human. I dump my bag and Aidan’s coat in the back room and check the bar stock. Filling napkins and straws. Cutting up fruit. Checking the kegs and listening to the hustle and buzz of the restaurant on a Friday night.
“It was good. I didn’t love working nights. No…that’s not true. I actually loved the quiet hush of the hospital at night, but my body and brain are so confused right now.” Out of habit, I pour a glass of her favorite wine and set it in front of her. She eyes the deep crimson liquid and slides it back toward me, resting a hand on her belly. “But the people. Jenna, I love it. I love helping them and making sure they’re comfortable and settled and the…all of it. I love all of it.” I sigh and offer her a huge smile. She knows my dream—my nature—and how hard I’ve worked to get here.
“Sweetie, you will make the best nurse. The absolute best.” She winks at me. “I’ll let you change my bedpan any day.” I love this woman. She and Tony just found out they are having a baby and if everything goes the way it’s supposed to, I’ll be graduated and waiting on the results of my boards by her due date in January. I would love to be there when she delivers.
I look at the wine I poured and it clicks that my pregnant boss can’t enjoy her favorite drink for months yet. I really am tired. I grab a new glass and fill it with ice, a couple limes, a splash of cranberry juice, and soda water. Jenna laughs as she takes a long drink and looking longingly at the wine.
“I do miss a glass of wine. Tell me what else is going on. I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever. You still seeing that guy?”
I pick at my words, trying to sort out how I feel. “We went out to dinner, that’s all. I don’t really have time. I need to get through this year and pass my boards. Then…I’ll think about it.” It’s like I’m constantly trying to talk myself out of wanting to spend more time with Aidan.
She’s looking past me, over my shoulder, smiling at a customer.
I paste on my smile and turn to greet…Aidan. How much of that did he hear? “Hey. What are you doing here?” My heart skips erratically as I place a cocktail napkin on the bar in front of him.
“Thought I’d have you tend to my needs for a change.” His smirk is ridiculously sexy. I feel flutters deep in my belly. “I’ll have a whiskey, neat. And a menu.” I hand him a menu and turn to get his drink. Jenna’s having a full, silent conversation with me, one I’m trying desperately to ignore. I do catch the look she gives me when I grab for the house whiskey. She shakes her head, looks directly at the good stuff and nods, smiling her wicked little smile.
She and Gracyn have obviously talked about who I’m dating. Not dating—one date. And drinks and food at McBride’s. And today—how he took care of me. Dammit. I grab the bottle of Basil Hayden’s and a heavy crystal glass. Jenna gave me the go-ahead, whether she realizes it or not, so I pour him a generous glass. I fill a small pitcher with distilled water, placing it on a small plate with fresh lime wedges and mint. Jenna’s quiet laugh barely reaches me as she grabs her drink and heads back to her office. There’s no way in hell I’m getting away with avoiding the dating discussion with her now.
I place the tumbler in front of him and the small plate off to the side, turning it so the limes and mint are toward him. Presentation is everything—or maybe I’m putting way more thought and effort into this than is necessary—since I’m not interested, and I’m so focused on school. Right.
I take his dinner order and excuse myself to the kitchen to grab his salad and a breadboard. Tony yells as I’m on my way out, “Is this what Jenna ordered? Christ, she’s killing me with these pregnant cravings. She’s never had a rare steak in her life.” I lose the rest of his rant to the flare of the grill and his mumbling.
“No. She went back to her office, that’s for a…”
“For a special diner at the bar, Tony.” Jenna elbows me as she scoots past to grab a bowl of soup. “Lis is trying to impress someone.” She winks at me with a big goofy grin on her face. I just turn and walk away. Nothing I say is going to stop the inevitable teasing.
My heart flutters as I set Aidan’s place at the bar and serve his salad and bread. “What are you doing here, for real? I…I’m sorry I left with your jacket earlier. I have it in the back, let me go grab it for you.” I take a step back, but he reaches for my hand and stops me.
“Erm—don’t worry about it. I’m away this weekend. I’ve got to go into the city for a meeting. Do you want to go with me?”
“I can’t.” I really want to. “I have to work and get ready for finals, I have a ton of studying to do.” Why am I so disappointed? I have no problem telling everyone else that I’m not interested and I need to focus. I just can’t seem to convince myself. “I’ll be done in three weeks, maybe we could go then?” What the fuck? My mouth and my brain are so not communicating.
“Absolutely. We’ll go when you’re done.” His gaze locks with mine and I feel those fluttery tingles again. It’s like he can see deep into me. It’s uncomfortable—I don’t know if I like it.
I turn away to fill drink orders for the servers and a few other patrons at the bar, trying to give myself some space. I’m just so aware of him. I can feel his gaze on me. As I duck under the bar top to grab his dinner from the kitchen, I hit my damn head and muffle a curse. The soft laugh from Aidan doesn’t escape me and my cheeks catch fire.
I set his plate in front of him, and clear away the others. “Is there anything else I can get for you? Another drink?”
He gives me a quiet mhmmm as he cuts into his steak.
“Does everything look okay?”
He watches as I pour him a fresh whiskey. “Things couldn’t look any better.”
I snap my attention up to meet his hooded gaze. My whole body heats up. Desire rushing through me. “I…uh…okay. I’ll let the chef know.”
He has me so off balance and flustered. I know I’m running away again, but I let the hostess know the bar is unattended for a bit, and run to the restroom. Bracing my hands on the counter, I stare at my reflection. For the love of God, I look panicked.
He’s just being kind—I’m just a distraction. I wash my hands, letting the cool water run over my wrists hoping it’ll help to calm me. He’s getting to me.
My mini-breakdown lasts longer than it should and when I get back to the bar, he’s gone.
Just gone. His glass is empty. Plates neatly stacked. Gone.
I fill the drink orders that have accumulated while I was busy falling apart in the bathroom for no reason, and check on the rest of the customers at the bar. When I clear Aidan’s plates, I find a hundred-dollar bill and a note on a cocktail napkin. I clear his tab and tuck the ridiculous tip in my back pocket. No way in hell am I keeping that. With a quick glance to see that everyone at the bar’s glasses are full, I lean against the register and focus on the note.
Lisbeth,
I enjoyed taking care of you this morning and wanted to see you again. I’m sorry I’m making you uncomfortable. That’s not my intent. I’ll leave you be for the remainder of your term so you can study and make grades. But I’ve let your boss know that you need the weekend after term end off work. Don’t bother trying to change it—she agrees fully that you need a break. Study hard. Do well. And I’ll see you in three weeks’ time. Hang on to my jacket as long as you need.
xx
Aidan
Chapter 10
Aidan
It’s time. The last three weeks of her term are over and I’ve got our trip to NYC planned. Gracyn has been brilliant, feeding me details on when Lisbeth’s last exam is, letting me know what time to be here. Waiting.
The day is gorgeous and it gets even better as I watch her walk toward her building. All her focus on her phone, brows pinched together and nose wrinkled. I want to photograph her. She is art in motion. And she’s not paying attention at all to her surroundings, just about tripping over me sitting on her steps.
“Shit. You scared me.” Her hand flies up to her chest as she startles. “What are you doing here?”
I can’t help the grin that spreads across my face. “How was your exam?” I hand her
a steaming cup of coffee and stand to let her by.
“Good. I’m done—for this semester.” I watch as she rolls her shoulders shaking off the stress of the term and adjusts her ruck. Every movement captivates me. She is stunning.
“Mmm…thank you for this. That final started way too early.” She raises the coffee to her lips and inhales a long pull from the cup. “Oh my God, this is so good.” She’s wrapped around her coffee like it’s going to save her life. The tension visibly leaves her body as the caffeine settles in.
Following her inside the flat, I take her bag and set it by the front door. “We have a few minutes, if you want to grab your bag. I think Gracyn put everything you’ll need for the day in there.” Her expression is beautifully confused.
She sets her coffee on the hall table and props a hand on her hip. “What do you mean?”
“Love, I told you weeks ago we were going to the city today to celebrate your term end. You’re done now, yeah?” She nods tightly, like I’m an eejit since we just fucking discussed this. “Where’s your confusion, then?” I step closer to her. “Grab what you need,” I lean in and pluck the coffee from her hand, “and let’s go.” I look her straight in the eye as I take a drink from her cup, loving that my lips rest where hers were only minutes ago. I smile and turn, heading out the door—grabbing her keys on the way to make my point.
The city is humming with activity, a drastic change from the quiet calm of the train ride in. We practically had the train car to ourselves and the solitude combined with the movement of the train and clack of the tracks lulled Lisbeth to sleep. Her head dipped to my shoulder as the car swayed on the rails. The scent of her hair enveloped and soothed me and I savored the feel of her body against mine. It was heaven.
As we exit Grand Central Station, I stop and grab a hot pretzel and a couple bottles of water. “Is there anything specific that you want to do today? Museums? Shops? A show?”