Checking Every Box (Instalove Lists 1 of 2)

by Haley Travis

  His eyes flew wide. “Holy shit, you really do have a thing for him.” He shook his head again. “Absolutely not. He’s too old for you. Plus, super-rich guys are sure to be players. There’s no way in hell I’m letting my little sister get involved with a guy like that.”

  Trying desperately to keep my voice calm, I said, “It’s none of your business, actually. I can date whoever I like.”

  “I’m doing this for your own protection,” he said, his voice growing a bit tense. “I’m older than you are, I have more experience, and you’re going to have to trust my judgment. He is absolutely not the guy for you.”

  Although my list said differently, I couldn’t very well explain that to him. “Joel, it’s really none of your business. So why don’t I take your advice and be careful, but go out to dinner with him just to see if we click?” It wasn’t quite a lie that I already knew we clicked quite well, but I didn’t want to anger him further.

  “I said no.”

  I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “You’re my boss in this office, not in my personal life,” I said quickly. I hated that my voice was becoming higher pitched. “I know you need to control everything, but this is not your department. Stay out of my personal business.”

  “No. It’s for your own good.” He turned back to his office. “You’re not to see him again, and that’s the end of it,” he said before shutting the door.

  Tears pricked my eyes as I tried to focus on my laptop. I worked my ass off for my brother for nearly a year, and he still treated me like a child.

  Sure, I really appreciated his help when I was moving, and when my shower broke and the landlord wouldn’t return my calls. He was also quite generous in giving me a job, but I’d obviously proven myself to him. Or so I thought.

  As I stared unfocused at my laptop, I realized that I had to attempt to sort out both sides of this problem.Opening a hidden document, I messily typed out a quick list.

  ***

  – Yes, Steve is older than I am, but not by a strange amount. He’s obviously lighthearted and fun.

  – Joel is probably just trying to protect me so that I don’t get hurt, but he has to know that getting hurt and growing is what humans do. He can’t stop me from having a relationship forever, and if I’m going to get my heart broken someday, that would be a natural part of life.

  – Joel doesn’t control me. He’s pushy, and always wants to control everything, but he likely knows that doesn’t always work.

  – I could survive without Joel. If I didn’t have him as a reference, it would be really hard to get a new job, but I do have one month’s worth of money saved. So I’d have a few weeks to find something. Anything.

  – Joel wouldn’t really fire me, because our parents would probably kill him. Wouldn’t they? Mom’s voice is just as shrill over the phone, no matter how far away she is.

  – It’s obvious that Steve likes me. Seriously likes me. He wouldn’t hurt me. I have no idea how I know that for a fact, but I’m positive.

  – What do I really want? I want Steve. For the first time in my life, I want something even more than my job. Yes, that is absolutely terrifying. It’s also the truth.

  ***

  Working my ass off for the rest of the day, I got ahead of some projects, and even earned praise from the other two agents. I was extremely grateful that they CC’d Joel with their responses so that he could see how hard I was concentrating.

  As I left the office on my way to my book club meeting, I was thankful that it was scheduled for tonight. I desperately needed a few glasses of wine and some light conversation that had absolutely nothing to do with my own life.

  CHAPTER TEN

  * Steve *

  Friday morning I had intended to secure a new home for myself. By Friday night, I had my new home and my new girlfriend.

  It was astounding how perfect Heather was in every way. It was as if she had been designed specifically for me. Now all I had to do was make her fall desperately in love with me so that we could begin our new lives together.

  Saturday was a whirlwind of ordering some basic groceries and wine, towels, and toiletries, and having my possessions shipped to my new home. It was mainly clothing, and several boxes of books and keepsakes. The several suitcases I travelled with were already here.

  I had the staging furniture company send me suggestions for new dining room tables, a backless sofa, and a few other things. I didn’t want to order anything without Heather’s opinion. I wanted a woman’s touch to make my new place feel like home, but I also wanted her to feel like this was her space as well, in some small way.

  I forced myself to wait until four in the afternoon to give her a call. I knew that younger people mostly preferred texting, but needed to hear her voice.

  “Hello?”

  As soon as I heard her, I realized it was shocking how much I missed her in just twenty-four hours. “Hello, Heather, it’s Steve. I was hoping that you could come over tonight, and we could have dinner, and pick out some furniture.”

  “Um,” she hesitated. “I’m not sure that I should be going out with you, since you’re a client.”

  A prickle ran between my shoulder blades. Yesterday she had seemed so connected with me. “Sweetheart, did anything happen? Did an old boyfriend suddenly come back into town? Or did someone at your office say something?”

  She took her time speaking, which made it sound like it was extremely difficult for her. “Joel found out that I, um, was interested in you. He said that I needed to put my job first and that dating a client was absolutely forbidden.”

  I forced myself to chuckle, trying to make the situation sound light. “The deal is finished, so I’m no longer associated with your company in any way.”

  “That’s what I told him,” she said quickly. “But he also said that you’re older, and that I shouldn’t be going out with men like you.” That sad little pause again. “I know he’s just trying to be a good brother, but sometimes he’s seriously overprotective.”

  “All right. I could understand that. But he certainly doesn’t control you, does he?”

  “No. But I’ve been working so hard this past year to prove myself that it would all seem like a waste if he suddenly fired me, or gave me less responsibility. I was hoping for much more.”

  “What about this,” I suggested. “What if you dropped by simply because you already promised to help me pick a dining room table? You would simply be fulfilling a promise, which would be an honorable thing to do. Right?”

  It was quiet, but I think she giggled. “Right.”

  “And if I was a pushy man who insisted on feeding you while you were here, that certainly wouldn’t be your fault now, would it?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “I don’t want to cause trouble, Heather, but I really want to see you.”

  Her soft little voice was so sweet as she whispered, “Is it weird that I almost feel like I miss you already?”

  “I feel the same way, sweetheart. Please, come over as soon as you can.”

  “Okay. I’ll be there in an hour.”

  Although I was positively thrilled that she was on her way, I was disturbed by Joel’s attitude. I could certainly understand wanting to keep business and personal lives separate. If I were a client who worked with them regularly, that would be different. Or if I had a bad reputation, and he was trying to keep his younger sister away from a disreputable man, I would completely understand.

  My professional standing was impeccable. Since I dated so infrequently, my personal reputation was practically zero, certainly in this city.

  I suddenly realized with some discomfort that I might have to win over both Heather and her brother in order to have her in my life. No matter, I would do anything to make that happen.

  The second Heather arrived, I pulled her into my arms for a deep, gentle kiss before the door had even swung shut. She seemed surprised for a split second, then dissolved into my arms, her lips parting to allow my tongue to graze he
rs as I grasped her body firmly.

  “You’re positively delicious, baby,” I murmured, kissing along her cheekbone to nuzzle her ear. “And so beautiful. I’m going to have to take photos of you in case we’re ever apart for that long again.”

  Laughing, she placed her hand on my chest and pushed me away. “You’re ridiculous,” she giggled.

  She looked positively stunning in a casual but striking silvery gray dress that made her bright eyes pop. Her skirt was a polite length, but it showed off the curves of her shapely calves, and the beautiful round line of her hips.

  Taking her hand, I led her to the largest sofa, where dinner was already laid out. “I haven’t ordered dishes yet,” I confessed, “So I’m sorry for the paper plates.”

  “At least the cutlery and glasses are real,” she said as she sat down. “That’s the most important part.”

  The wine tasted better with her beside me. Classic Chinese food was more delicious while she was telling stories.

  Afterward, as she helped me select a new dining room table, a new backless sofa, dishes, cutlery, and everything else I needed for my new home, I realized things just went more smoothly when she was with me.

  Taking her hand from my notepad where she had been jotting down details, I brought it to my lips, kissing her soft skin.

  “Heather, every time you’re near me it feels like the air is alive with electricity. I’m afraid to tell you everything I’m feeling for you. I couldn’t bear the thought of scaring you away. But I need you to know that I’m yours. Anything you need, anything you want, I want to be the man to give it to you.”

  Her mouth fell open and she made the tiniest choked noise. “Um, That’s unbelievably sweet. But isn’t it just a little too soon?”

  “You’re everything I’ve ever wanted in a woman,” I said gently. “We can take all the time you like, sweetheart. We can date, get to know each other, eventually move in together and get married. But I want you to know that in my mind, this is already a done deal.”

  I leaned in to give her one tiny kiss as I looked into her eyes. “On my wish list of life, beside the line that reads, ‘find a wonderful woman,’ you are a great big checkmark, sweetheart.”

  She lifted both hands to hold my face between her palms, looking into my eyes very carefully. Then she kissed me gently. I think she was trying to tell me that she was feeling the same way but we were both so overwhelmed by the moment, everything was a blur.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  * Heather *

  Part of me couldn’t believe that this was happening. Part of me felt like this had somehow been written in the stars ages ago and was just becoming true now. Part of me wondered how my mind was able to make any sense of this as so many thoughts swirled around at once.

  As I held Steve’s handsome face, kissing him softly, I wondered if he could feel how badly I wanted to give myself to him. It was far too fast. But it was right. It was perfect. And it was somehow meant to be.

  When we finally sat back, smiling at each other, Steve took my hand. “I’m glad you’re not scared, sweetheart.”

  I couldn’t help giggling. “Are you kidding? I’m terrified. But I’m always terrified of new things. Don’t worry, I’ll get used to it.”

  His gaze locked on mine, studying me carefully. “Do you mean a new relationship, or are you saying that you haven’t had a boyfriend before?”

  Even though my cheeks flushed with embarrassment, it would be a bad idea to be anything but honest with him at the very beginning. “I’ve never had a boyfriend,” I said.

  He pulled me into his lap, kissing me with that fire I felt when we were in the shower stall yesterday. His large hand on my hip held me close. Every time our bodies touched I wanted more. I would have assumed I’d be nervous about physical intimacy, but Steve aroused me so much that I could think of nothing but how much I wanted more.

  Everything felt so perfect with him. Natural. Like it was meant to be. Although he was kissing me gently, slowly, my entire body was beginning to tremble with adrenaline and anticipation.

  Steve pulled away, dragging his thumb along the edge of my jaw as I felt like I was drowning in his deep blue eyes. “Heather, please don’t be nervous, sweetheart. It’s far too soon for us to go to the bedroom, if that’s making you anxious.”

  I exhaled the breath I’d been holding. “I’m sorry, I just… Yes. I’m a tiny bit nervous.”

  His warm smile relaxed me completely. “I want to enjoy you, precious. I want us to enjoy each other. We have all the time in the world. If you want me to stop, just say so. But for tonight, your clothes stay on. Okay?”

  I nodded, feeling the heat in my hips and thighs burn even brighter now that I knew he understood me.

  His lips slanted against mine, our bodies molding together as I gripped his shoulders. He deepened our kiss as our tongues danced together. I could feel his hunger. I’d never felt a man want me like this before, and was shocked at how satisfying it was.

  Our kiss grew deeper, animalistic, nearly out of control. His hand slowly slipped into the front of my dress and under my bra to cup my breast. As his thumb swirled around the nipple, I moaned softly into his mouth.

  Somehow I fell back on the couch with Steve on top of me. It felt so right, my body beginning to vibrate as it begged for what it truly needed. My entire body quivered shamelessly, chasing his touch as his hands explored both over and under the thin fabric of my dress.

  His gentleness made me surprise myself with a soft little moan. I needed more. My legs spread open, wrapping around his hips as I pulled him against me. His heat, his arousal was so strong, so overpoweringly masculine that I couldn’t control the deep primal urge to give myself to him completely.

  “Heather, beautiful,” he murmured, sitting back up and pulling me into his chest. “You are the sexiest woman I’ve ever met.” I instinctively closed my eyes, as if that would stop him from staring at me.

  “Don’t you dare turn away, gorgeous. You are smart, sweet, and deliciously adorable. When the time is right, I’m going to spread you open on my new bed and nibble you until you squeal.”

  I half laughed, my mouth falling open, but he was absolutely serious.

  “I’m just warning you in advance so that you can wrap your mind around it,” he chuckled. “Something to think about when you’re falling asleep tonight.”

  As he stood up, I took a closer look at the impressive bulge that had been grinding into me a moment ago. It was a little shocking from such a serious man.

  “Let me drive you home, sweetheart.”

  “Oh,” I said, standing up. “I can just take the streetcar.”

  Steve wrapped his arm around me, smiling warmly as he gazed into my eyes. “Heather, you’re my lady now. Let me care for you. I’ll always make sure that you get home safely. I’ll always make sure that you have everything you need. You’ll have to forgive me for being a little overprotective, but it’s just the way I am.”

  As we took the elevator downstairs to the parking garage, I asked, “Wait – did you have a car yesterday?”

  “No. I bought it this morning.”

  “Wow,” I murmured, “You really do like checking things off your list as fast as you can.”

  “Only if they’re absolutely right for me,” he grinned, leading me to a deep blue car. It had that beautifully refined elegance of something that was super expensive, but trying not to look pretentious.

  He opened the door for me, and as I slid in, I instantly began to laugh. “I’ve heard people mention a new car smell, but I sort of thought it was a joke.”

  On the way to my apartment, I noticed that Steve had a very confident and smooth driving style. He wasn’t in a hurry, and seemed to know what every car around him was going to do before they did it. Traffic here was usually a bit mental, but somehow he drove with the grace of a dancer. That was yet another detail that spoke well of him.

  He walked me right up to my apartment door. “Would you like to come in?” I
asked.

  He looked up and down the hallway, making sure they were no neighbors around. Pinning me against the wall, he kissed me almost roughly, his mouth claiming mine completely.

  It seemed like he forced himself to step back. “Heather, if I come in, I might be tempted to have a drink. If I do, I’ll somehow justify not driving home, and staying over. And there’s no way I could keep my hands to myself all night.”

  He kissed my nose, then winked. “I do try to hold everything together, darling, but you drive me absolutely wild.”

  I had no idea what to say to that. “Thank you for a wonderful dinner,” I said.