by M. S. Parker
“Do I strike you as the kind of man who wants his hair fussed with?” he asked, sounding like he wanted to laugh.
“Well…you did come to a salon twice within the span of what…a few days?” The question slipped out of me before I could stop it and I winced, hoping like hell Alistair hadn’t been around to hear.
Not even two seconds later, I was able to breathe out a sigh of relief because a bright, overly animated laugh filled the salon. That would be Esther Vosburg, one of the few clients that Alistair still saw to directly. Esther wouldn’t have it any other way. Most of us suspected that she was trying to get him to ask her out. She hadn't quite figured out that he was gay. Which wasn't really a surprise since he flirted back, harmlessly enough, of course, but he kept her happy.
If he had Esther in his chair, then he’d be distracted for a good hour.
I finished my remark, “I think that alone says you're the kind of man who enjoys being fussed over.”
“Ouch,” Jal said. “You’ve got claws today.”
“I’ve got claws every day.” I reigned myself in, remembering where I was, who he was. “I’m just usually better at hiding them. I think I’m having too much of a Monday. I apologize.”
“You don’t need to do that. I was just teasing you.”
He was. I could hear the smile in his voice.
“Regardless, it’s not appropriate for me to speak that way to a client.” I turned on the dryer, silencing any further discussion and breathed out a silent sigh of relief. Being so close, I could smell the scent of him and it was…intoxicating. His hair was the color of cornsilk, soft and thick. Some women came in here and spent hundreds a month, or more, trying to get, then maintain this kind of color.
Once I’d finished, I turned off the dryer, smoothed his hair a bit more with the brush and then stepped back. “You’re done, Mr. Lindstrom.”
“Thank you.” As he stood, I went about righting my station, trying not to think about how close he was standing. But the longer it went on, the more impossible it became not to acknowledge it. Turning, I pasted a blank smile on my face and tried not to take a step back.
“Is there something else you needed?”
He held out a hand. Familiar with the process, I accepted the tip, but when I saw the one-hundred-dollar bill, I shook my head and pulled my hand back without it. “I can’t accept that kind of tip for such a small service, sir. It’s outrageous.”
“Please.” He offered a smile that was both tempting and teasing. “I feel more relaxed after five minutes under your hands than two hours in a hot tub.”
“Two hours in a hot tub isn’t healthy.” I shook my head. “A tip that size is excessive and you know it.”
“Okay. Perhaps…” He dipped his hand into his pocket and withdrew a different bill.
Fifty still seemed ridiculous, but I was more comfortable with that than anything else. Besides, I'd gotten the impression he wasn't going to give up until he'd given me more than I deserved. “Thank you.”
He nodded at me and turned to make his way over to the counter.
As he took care of his bill, I slid the money into my pocket and tried to steady my hands. Sonya’s laugh, bright and fast, carried through the salon, and I tuned her out. I’d acted like I was above all of those people who'd been fawning all over Jal, but in reality, his hold on me was so much worse.
* * *
Ducking into the deli across the street, I breathed in a sigh of relief when I saw there was next to no line. I wanted a sandwich, some soup and some time to myself.
In short order, I had my meal. But within two minutes of sitting down, I realized I wasn’t going to get the time to myself.
Somebody slid into the seat across from me, and I stiffened as Jal gave me his usual charming smile.
“Don’t tell me you forgot something else in the salon.”
“No.” He gave me a sheepish smile. “There was something I wanted to take care of, but there really wasn’t an opportunity. I had some business at the bank next door, though, and when I saw you ducking into here…well…” He finished with a shrug.
Even more nervous now, I leaned back in my seat. My Reuben sandwich and potato soup sat on the tray in front of me and my stomach, rumbling not five minutes ago, had begun to pitch in an altogether different manner.
“And just what was it you needed to take care of, Mr. Lindstrom?”
A look of frustration crossed his face. “Can’t you call me by my name?”
“Mr. Lindstrom is your name,” I responded. “Unless you lead a double life.”
“Not what I meant, Allie.” He leaned forward, elbows coming up to rest on the table with a casualness I wouldn’t have expected from him. “Tell me something. Are you trying to be difficult or does it just come naturally?”
“Naturally,” I snapped back. I wasn’t at work, dammit. And I felt like I’d been…ambushed. “Now just what is it you need? I’m hungry, and I’ve got an appointment in thirty minutes.”
Something flickered in his eyes, a frown dancing across his face. I got the impression not many people gave him ultimatums on time.
“Some of us have to work for a living.”
“I…” He stopped, blowing out a sigh. “Look, it’s just…I have a function coming up in a few days. I thought you might like to go with me.”
The noise around us faded into the background as a dull roar filled my ears.
“Excuse me, what?”
He repeated himself.
Yes, he’d said exactly what I’d thought he’d said.
“It’s a fundraiser,” he said, carrying on as though I wasn’t gaping at him.
A fundraiser.
He was asking me to go to a fundraiser with him.
Had he lost his ever-fucking mind?
4
Jal
She was looking at me liked I’d lost my mind.
In that moment, I couldn’t really blame her. It was possible I had.
When I’d left the salon, I’d swung by the bank across the street to attend to a few minor business details. It wasn’t the branch I normally used, but it was closer, so it would suffice. On the walk over, I’d told myself I needed to get over this bizarre obsession I’d developed for Allie Dodds.
I’d even agreed with myself.
Then I’d seen her hurrying across the street just as I came out of the bank.
Looking beautiful and carefree, not worrying that her shoes didn’t match her purse and that her coat didn’t particularly fit any certain style. She still looked beautiful, and she commanded attention.
She sure as hell commanded mine.
I wanted to know more about her.
I had no right to know more about her, I knew, but that didn’t stop me from wanting it. It sure didn’t stop me from following her. Sitting down at her table and asking a stupid question. And now I was hoping like hell that she’d say yes.
“I…” She drained half her drink in one gulp, then shook her head. “I’m sorry, I can’t go with you. It would be inappropriate.”
“Why is that?” I frowned at her.
“You're engaged.” She glared at me. “Or have you forgotten already? Want me to go get another newspaper so you can remember what your fiancée looks like?”
Engaged.
As in...somebody had a claim on me. I had a claim on somebody too, but I guessed that was why it felt so foreign. I'd never wanted anyone to claim me, or wanted to claim anyone else. Except now Paisley had one by my own choice.
Uneasy with the path my mind was following, I pushed it all aside and focused on the here and now. On getting Allie to say yes.
When I didn’t respond, Allie reached out and picked up her sandwich. It looked fantastic, and if I wasn’t certain she’d run if I got up, I might have gone and gotten something myself.
“Don’t you think you should be taking your fiancée?” she asked pointedly.
“Paisley already has plans.” I lifted a shoulder.
It w
as mostly true anyway. Paisley had never particularly cared for this charity, which was odd, considering her father had been the one who’d introduced me to it.
“I could go alone,” I continued, “but I prefer having somebody with me. In the past, I’ve taken other female friends. Paisley and I have an agreement when it comes to certain events. She loves to go to things like Save the...” What was the last one? “Save the East Asian Hybrid Orchid. Those things bore me stupid so she takes a friend from her social circle.”
“And this…fundraiser you’re attending on Friday? I take it that it’s something that bores her stupid?” Allie nipped off another bite of her sandwich and then set it aside to pick up her spoon.
It took quite a bit not to stare at the sandwich. She hadn’t even eaten half of it. I was starving. It was a Reuben and probably one of the best looking sandwiches I’d seen in ages. Sandwiches like that weren’t exactly the standard fare any place close to where I worked.
“Ah…” Dragging my attention away from the sandwich, then having to drag it away from her mouth as she licked her spoon, I shot her an easy smile. “I wouldn’t say that it bores her stupid. I’m a bit more of a social lout than she is, I’ll be honest. But Paisley has her soft spots – the arts, for one. And I’ve got mine. I’ve got her father to thank for this one, though, really.”
Allie tensed, something unrecognizable going across her eyes. “Is that a fact?”
“Yes. It’s the TomorrowU Foundation. Are you familiar with it?”
She looked down as she nudged her tray away, reaching for the napkin and dabbing it across her lips. “Actually, yes. TomorrowU provided my brother’s school with new computers.”
“Really?” I couldn’t stop the smile that spread across my face. I earmarked a certain percentage of my yearly income – and the company’s – for the inner city charity, as well as several others that I’d discovered since I’d been introduced to it. It was one of the few things in my life that I could outright say I took serious pleasure in.
Well, that and sex.
It was the only unselfish thing I could say that I enjoyed. There was something about knowing that I could actually do something to make a difference in the lives of some kids who might not have a chance otherwise that just…well. It mattered. I couldn’t figure any other way to describe it.
“Yeah.” Looking a little disgruntled, she sighed and once more reached for her drink. “So the soon-to-be Mrs. Lindstrom isn’t too keen on an inner-city charity, huh?”
Although her voice was neutral, I heard something there. Even though a part of me had felt the same way when Paisley had expressed her disinterest in the charity, I felt like I needed to defend her. “She has her interests. I have mine. We make it work.”
“Let me guess,” Allie said with a droll smile. “She's more about the pretty things. You said something about a flower, so I guess the others are cute little fuzzy animals, right?”
I couldn't help the smile. “How did you guess?”
“She just looks like the type.” She glanced at me. “Look, I just don’t think it’s appropriate for me to go with you.”
“There’s nothing inappropriate about it. We’re friends.” She gave me a look. “Okay, so I think we could be friends.” I gave her the same pleading look that had gotten me out of trouble a time or two. “Don’t make me go by myself. You have no idea what it’s like going to one of these solo. It’s beyond a nightmare.”
She gave me a skeptical look. “If you’re used to doing these things with some other girl on your arm beside your fiancée, why don't you take one of them? Why me?”
“Because I’d like to take you,” I said honestly. “Especially knowing that your brother’s school has been one of the recipients of the charity. You understand what sort of positive impact it has. Wouldn’t you like to talk to some of the people and let them know?”
“They won’t care what I have to say.” She brushed the idea off.
But I had seen a hint of interest in her eyes. Part of what made me so good at what I did was my ability to read people. While Allie was harder than most, on this, I knew I was on the mark.
“On the contrary, these are exactly the sort of people who want to hear from you. Sure, there are a few blow-hards that don't really give a damn about anyone other than themselves, but the rest really care, and they rarely get to talk to anybody who has benefited from there donations. Or family members,” I added, smiling a little. “I realize it’s your brother and his classmates who have benefitted, but you’ve seen what works and what doesn't. You would be able to share those observations with the people who can make a difference.”
After a moment, she sighed. “You really do know how to push somebody’s buttons, don’t you, Mr. Lindstrom? I take it this is a formal event?”
“Yes, black tie.”
“Aw, damn. And here I was thinking about saying yes, but I don’t own any black ties.” She clicked her tongue and gave me a snarky little smile.
It was adorable enough that I again had to remind myself not to leap over the table and kiss her. No kissing. She was off-limits that way.
Still, I couldn’t keep from laughing. “As I’m the one strong-arming you into this, I’ll handle your wardrobe. I can have a car to pick you up Thursday from your work…if arrangements can be made for your brother?”
“Some Thursdays he has an after school program with…” There was a faint hesitation, very faint, but I wondered what she was covering. “He stays after. Every other Thursday. But you don’t need to buy my dress. I can handle it.”
“I did mention it was formal, right? This is…” I hesitated, not wanting to offend her.
“I have high society Philly princesses sitting in my chair all the time, Mr. Lindstrom.” She looked amused. “I know what I’m getting into.” She brushed her finger across the full lower curve of her mouth.
Man, that mouth…
“Okay, then. It’s a date.” The second I said it, I wanted to yank it back.
“No.” Her eyes cooled. “Not a date. We’re attending a function together. There’s nothing remotely date-like about it.”
“Relax…that’s not how I meant it,” I said easily, although I sure as hell wished I hadn’t said it like that because now I almost wished it was a date. “We’re just friends attending a function that happens to hold interest for both of us.”
“We’re not friends.” She smiled as she repeated the words, but there was something almost sad about her. “We barely know each other. You’re also a rich man engaged to a rich woman. I’m a hairstylist. We come from two very, very different worlds. We have nothing in common.”
“Really? We both come from planet earth.” That sadness in that smile got to me. Wondering where it came from, I touched the hand she had left on the table. “We breathe the same air, see the same sunset. We both eat, drink, laugh. I see kids in the city playing out in the streets with coats so threadbare they can’t keep them warm. I bet you see them too.”
Her lashes flickered. “I guess maybe you see a bit more of the world outside your own than I would have guessed. But that doesn’t mean we have much in common.” Then, before I could say anything else, “I need to go. See you in a few days.”
* * *
She’d said yes. I couldn’t quite contain the odd feeling of excitement as I met my driver out front. Thomas looked at the sandwich bag I held out. I’d lingered and finished the half she hadn’t eaten before ordering another one for myself and one to go for Thomas.
“It’s a Reuben. I had one just a few minutes ago. It was amazing.”
“Thank you,” he said, flashing me a wide smile. “I have to tell you, sir, I love a good Reuben. I don’t get them too often. My wife doesn’t care for them and…” His voice trailed off, and his smile went from appreciative to sheepish in a blink.
I didn’t have to ask why. I slapped him on the shoulder. “Next time we’re both hungry, maybe we’ll head out here. I enjoy them too, and you can imagine I do
n’t get sandwiches like that uptown.”
“No, sir. I wouldn’t think so.” As I slid into the back of the car, I said, “Head down to the river and find a place to park. You can eat your sandwich, and I’ll take care of some business so you can enjoy it while it’s hot.”
“Sir, that’s not necessary.”
I held up a hand to cut him off. “I can take care of things here just as well as anywhere else. Once you’re done, then we can head up town. This way we can avoid the lunchtime traffic anyway. I hate lunchtime traffic.”
Thomas found a spot near the river, and instead of staying in the car, I got out and walked over to the railing, looking out over the slow moving water.
Allie had said yes. Part of me felt a little strange about how I’d maneuvered her into it. I had never had to do that before. And even as I thought about that, I started to feel a different kind of guilt. This kind came with the realization that I was looking forward to seeing her again, spending time with her.
It’s not a big deal, I told myself. It’s not like we’re going out on a date. Allie had made that clear. I had made that clear.
But in a way, it was like a date. I’d be picking her up. We were going to a formal function. There would be dinner, drinks, dancing. Those three Ds usually added up to another D…date.
Turning away from the river, I shoved my hand through my hair and tried to shrug off the unsettling feeling in my gut. There was nothing to feel guilty about. It wasn’t like I was deceiving her about what we were doing. I wasn’t planning on ending my engagement. I wasn’t planning on sleeping with Allie.
Although...just the thought of it was enough to make my mind conjure up an image and that image had my blood heating. Allie under me, those pale green eyes hot with need. Her body stretched out, her pussy wet and tight around my dick, her wrists pinned in my hand as I drove into her.
I turned and faced the river as my cock began to pulse, and my balls drew tight. That wasn’t going to happen.
I was engaged.