Текст книги "The Scheme"
Автор книги: Mia Kayla
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Текущая страница: 11 (всего у книги 18 страниц)
THIRTEEN
BRIAN
In typical Brian-mode on a Sunday night, my computer was on my lap and I was tapping away, trying to write a proposal and figure out questions that I could ask the company when I met with them for our first meeting.
My manager had just added a new prospect in my portfolio that he wanted me to call on after my Tiggins Corporation meeting. Here I’d thought that if I landed Tiggins Corp., I’d be sitting pretty for a while.
Not at the nation’s biggest bank. There were probably a hundred young professionals willing to take my position tomorrow. I had to wear my game face.
Kendy had called and wanted to hang out, because she was bored at home, so I invited her over. After what Trey had said, I shouldn’t have. And even though she’d be a distraction, I knew there was no way I could say no to her.
Kendy flipped through the channels from where she sat beside me on the couch. “What time are you going to be done?” She had asked the same question five minutes ago, reminding me of a child in a car asking, ‘Are we there yet?’
I lifted my head and noticed her signature pout. I wondered if she was doing it on purpose, or if it was just a natural reaction for her. A big part of me wanted to bite her bottom lip, which was jutting out, then maybe we’d just have dinner in bed.
I shifted to adjust myself. “Give me thirty minutes.” I promised her dinner after I finished, and I wasn’t about to go back on my word. This boy needed to eat, too.
She only bit her bottom lip then stared at the TV as though she was upset by the reality dance show she was watching.
As I focused on the financials in front of me and studied the manufacturing company’s business, my stomach churned. I had an important customer call with the client tomorrow. If I impressed the CFO, I could secure a meeting with the decision maker, the CEO of the company. I had to convince the Tiggins Corporation why they should leave their current bank and bring their business over to Financial State.
I rubbed my brow, squinting at the write-up on my screen. I had memorized my pitch, yet somehow I knew I could tighten it up, make it even better. Letting out a heavy sigh, I tilted my head from side to side to ease the tension in my shoulders.
When I peered up at Kendy, I couldn’t help but smile as her knees bounced to the hip-hop music the dancers were performing to.
Something about this girl calmed me. There was an overall lightness to her aura that was contagious. A minute ago, I was about to pound my head against the computer. Now, just watching her, I felt my whole body loosening up. She was like my own personal beer on legs. All I needed was a dose of her at the end of a long ass day to relax me.
But as I let that sink in, I remembered Trey’s assumptions, and my smile slowly faded. Jackass was haunting my thoughts.
I debated telling her that maybe we could order in, but I didn’t want to see her famous pout again. I didn’t want to disappoint her when she’d come down specifically because I’d promised her dinner. This woman was my distraction to my every day. I didn’t know what to do with this newfound realization.
My fingers worked faster on the keyboard, trying to finish my work up so I could satisfy this hunger in my belly and feed my girl.
My girl?
Closing my eyes, I took in a slow, jagged breath. Funny how the subconscious knew before the mind made a decision.
Now what was I going to do about it?
I guess I needed to finish the task at hand and eventually feed my girl.
***
KENDY
Bored out of my mind, I had the sudden urge to mess with him, but that would prolong me getting fed. But then an awesome idea entered my head so I poked his side.
His stare was intently glued on his screen that I startled him, and he jumped at my touch.
“Hey, do you want to watch a movie after dinner?” I poked his side again as his eyes remained glued on the screen in front of him. “Come on,” I cooed coercively.
The side of his mouth curled up in a slight smile. “I just have to get this proposal done, and we can do whatever you want.” He was so focused that he hadn’t glanced my way. I was throwing him my Kendy sex look, but it didn’t help my case if he couldn’t see it.
I started to unbutton my shirt, and then laughed when his eyes flickered toward me. Now I had his full attention. My fingers stopped on the third button, revealing my pink polka dot bra, which was a large contrast to my black button down.
He quirked an eyebrow, amused.
Seizing the moment, I shut his laptop, placed it on the low center table and climbed into his lap, straddling him. “That’ll be here when you get back. Come on, they’re showing that Zombie movie. Oooh, scary,” I taunted him, wrapping my arms around his neck. I pulled him even closer and gave him my pretend sad face, knowing he couldn’t resist.
He smiled back at me, but his eyes flickered down at his watch. I saw the indecision in his eyes. I was about to convince him with kisses when he ran one hand down his face and let out a low sigh. “What time is the next showing?”
“Eight!” I yelped, jumping up and down on his lap, knowing I’d won.
“Easy, beautiful.” He chuckled darkly. “You keep doing that, and we won’t be making the movies.”
I kissed his lips long and hard as his hands wrapped around my waist.
Pulling back, I said, “I want popcorn, a Slurpee, and Snowcaps.” I kissed his cheek again then instantly debated if this was crossing the FTF line. But I wanted to watch this movie, so I pushed down the little voice of reason in the back of my head.
He stood, forcing me off his lap. “Let’s go before it gets too late. I have to finish this proposal. I need to secure this deal tomorrow.”
I barely refrained from groaning. I was a selfish little witch. I knew he had work to do, but still . . . I wanted to watch my movie. And for whatever reason, I wanted to watch it with him.
“We’ll have to grab a quick dinner.” He piled his work papers in the center of the coffee table.
“Better yet, let’s grab a hotdog at the movie theatre.” I wasn’t normally into greasy food, but my stomach was suddenly grumbling for a hotdog.
He snaked one arm around my waist and pulled me in. “Great idea.” He pecked my lips sweetly, which awakened the butterflies in my stomach.
I bit my lip and peered up at him through my lashes, studying his strong yet handsome features. I drowned in the sea of blue looking down at me, and a lightness spread throughout my limbs.
Releasing a silent sigh, I went up on my tiptoes and kissed him again. “Thank you,” I whispered against his lips.
***
BRIAN
Her makeup was scattered all over my bathroom counter. She told me she needed five minutes to freshen up, but as I rested against the frame of the bathroom door, I wondered how long her five minutes would actually be. Probably as long as Trey’s five minutes.
I rubbed the back of my neck, forced stress off my face and tried not to let my impatience show. My watch indicated it was almost time to go, and I counted the number of hours I had left before tomorrow’s morning call. I was torn. My responsible side needed to get my shit together and get the proposal done, but my fun side wanted to let loose and enjoy the evening with Kendy.
She cast me a look and flung her makeup brush in my direction, barely missing my chest, which made me laugh. “You will not be thinking of work when you’re with me.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I lifted my hand to salute her.
With her, all sensible logic flew out the door. This woman, I swear, had a way to get me to do whatever she wanted, where there was no way I could say no to her.
Funny enough, my father was the same way with my mother.
My jaw locked automatically as soon as the thought filtered through.
“Loosen up. Going out tonight will do you good. Work smurf. That stuff will be there tomorrow.”
“All right then, Ms. Fashionista. You don’t want to be late for your movie, so hurry your ass up.” I picked up the brush and tossed it with a swish back in her bag.
I was constantly having this internal struggle within myself, listing reasons why I shouldn’t be with her, reminding myself that she was ready to hook up and marry this other guy.
I’d played our conversations over and over again in my head. Her constantly talking about him. When I thought of Stiff, I pictured myself knocking him on his ass, staking a claim on her as they had in the caveman days.
True, I didn’t know him, but I didn’t like that he was still somehow the center of her world. I told myself that I’d promised her we were only ‘FTF-ing’, though I’d grown to hate that word. It seemed like weeks ago I’d promised myself all I needed was a little excitement, some fun, and a break from my day-to-day stress.
I had thoroughly screwed myself. I knew this, because I watched her every move, and as she looked in the mirror and held up two different pairs of earrings, I thought it was the cutest thing. Everything she did was damn adorable.
I wanted to tell her we should forego the movie and make a movie of our own. Or just rent one instead and make a point not to watch it.
She finally decided on a pair and looked at me for approval. “Beautiful,” I said, but I wasn’t talking about the earrings. Damn me and my inability to keep our relationship purely platonic.
I was screwed. I should cut myself off because the more we prolonged this relationship, the harder it was going to be on me. But I knew I wouldn’t. I just couldn’t. I knew myself. So I needed to formulate a plan.
I would have to convince her to pick me over Stiff. As irritating as it was that I even needed to prove myself over the prick, I knew that’s what I would have to do.
Smiling to myself, a thought pushed to the surface. Going forward, I’d break every FTF rule there was in that damn handbook of hers. Every single one.
***
I pulled her to the elevator and pressed the down button. As we stepped onto the main floor, I held her hand and opened every door that led us to the outside without breaking contact.
We hailed a cab, and I kissed our locked fingers, making sure I was breaking some unspoken rule. She had this look in her eyes, like she was quietly questioning my affection, yet she didn’t stop me.
I opened the door as we stepped into the cab, and she babbled on about how she hadn’t seen a scary movie in forever, since she’d left Bowlesville. I wondered if she knew she had repeated herself three times.
“Are you scared of zombies?” she asked, lowering her tone in a scary way, which had the opposite effect on me.
“There’s nothing I’m scared of, Kendy,” I told her with confidence.
She laughed and flipped her blonde locks over her shoulder. “Silly me. Thinking this blue-eyed bad boy was scared of anything.” She pushed at my chest with her index finger.
I laughed and pulled her in closer, taking in her intoxicating scent. I hadn’t felt like this in a long time—fully content, like nothing was missing—and I couldn’t help but feel as though it had everything to do with her.
I didn’t tell her that I was lying. Instead, I released a shallow breath and remained quiet. Because the truth was, there was only one thing that scared me . . . losing her to Stiff.
Losing her to anyone who wasn’t me.
***
KENDY
We were still holding hands as we strolled down the street. I’d never mentioned holding hands was against the rules, but really, I should’ve added that to my made up list. If we were going to keep our relationship strictly platonic, there didn’t need to be any handholding business.
I didn’t want to lead him on, but he knew what our relationship was. I glanced at his profile, wondering what he was thinking. A little stubble had grown on his chin, and I wanted to run my fingers down his face—better yet, my tongue. But then we’d never make the movie.
As we stepped in front of the attendant, I pulled out my wallet. I had to pay for my own ticket. I needed to make sure this wasn’t a full on date and keep the friendship lines clear.
“What’re you doing?” he asked incredulously.
“Paying for my movie.”
He moved my hand away from the window. “No, you’re not.”
I leaned in so no one could hear me. “We’re already boom-booming, and you’re taking me to the movies? Nope. I’m paying for my own. FTF handbook.” I winked at him to soften the blow.
A muscle moved in his jaw, but his face remained unaffected. “You and your damn make-the-rules-as-I-go handbook.”
Giving him a satisfied smile, I shoved my money toward the attendant through the small window. “One for Zombies Take Over.” I flashed a flirty smile, causing the teenage boy to blush, but then Brian blocked my path and moved my money to the side.
“Here, I have this. Two for the eight o’clock showing.” He reached for my hand and held it tight.
I squeezed his harder, surprising him, and threw the ten through the window. But Brian reached for it and shoved the cash in between my cleavage. My jaw dropped as I stared at him.
Unbelievable.
The teenage boy, no more than sixteen, laughed at our interaction.
I went in to reach for it, but Brian took my free hand captive. “Don’t.” His eyes were stern, and I gave it right back to him, jutting out my chin.
“You don’t tell me what to do.”
“You’re not paying,” he said with finality, his voice hard, causing a havoc on my pulse. “I was raised better than that. It’s what we do. Just let it happen.”
I rubbed my thighs together, getting heated at the look in his eyes. There was something about his stance that demanded authority, and it was a total turn on. I’d only seen him act like that in the bedroom.
A second later, his eyes softened as he bent down to peck my lips then
his finger dipped into the span of perky cleavage peeking out of my black shirt, leaving goose bumps prickling my skin. He took the money out and placed it in my hands. “Thank you, Princess.” He winked and nodded to the attendant.
I decided to let things be. I’d make it a point to get the next movie we saw together. “Chivalry is not dead after all. I’m telling your mama she raised a good boy.”
I was awarded with his sexy-ass smile.
***
BRIAN
Once we stepped into the theatre, Kendy tugged us up the stairs toward the back row. I noticed the bounce in her step. I loved her aura, the energy that surrounded her. She always seemed to have it, even after her long shifts at work.
“When was the last time you watched a scary movie?” I asked, trying to keep her pace.
She glanced over her shoulder. “Right before I left Bowlesville.”
“Are you leading us to the very top, so we can make out?” My eyes focused on her perfect apple ass, admiring the sexy sway as we made our way up.
“But of course,” she said, twirling her thumb up and down the inside of my palm, making my cock twitch. She turned toward me and raised her shoulder to her chin flirtatiously.
She chose the center of the top row. “Best seats in the house are at the very tippy top. Plus,” she angled herself in my direction, “if the movie gets boring, maybe I’ll let you take advantage of me.” Her devilish smile lit up the room like a meteor shower in a dark sky. Hell, I couldn’t breathe. There was no way I could not be affected by this woman, even if I tried. She was seeping into every part of my life, and I had to admit I was enjoying it.
When her stomach growled, she laughed and curled in. “Me needs food.”
Since we were cutting it close to show time, we had decided I’d get snacks after we’d claimed our seats. “Okay, I’m going to grab us some grub.”
Her nose wrinkled in the cutest way when she was confused. “I’ll go get it. I can’t live without popcorn, and of course butter, lots of it. And I have to have my cherry Slurpee.” She raised a finger for an exaggerated effect. “Let’s not forget the hotdog.”
She stood to leave, but I placed my hand on her arm. “It’s okay. I told you I’d grab it. I promised you a meal.”
She leaned down quickly, pecking me on the lips. “I’ll do it, babe.” Then she winked and skittered down the aisle, skipping down the steps.
I blinked at her retreating back.
She’d just called me babe.
And I swear I just died a little, because she just broke her own rule, and was so damn sexy doing it, too.
***
The movie was way more cheesy than scary. Bad actors, horrible makeup and costumes, and fake as hell. A few people even got up to leave and never came back.
Though I yawned twice already, bored out of my mind, what I did enjoy was watching Kendy’s engrossed reaction. A half hour ago, she’d gripped my shirt, fisting my sleeve with one hand like her life depended on it. Her other hand was holding the armrest on the opposite side like she was going into labor. Her tight grip on my shirt cinched my sleeve and was beginning to cut off my circulation.
“No! Don’t go there!” she yelled, causing the people in front of us to shush her. With one finger, she pointed to the screen. “Movie is in front of you,” she sassed before smiling her adorable smile.
I angled closer to whisper in her ear, “Do you want to get us kicked out?”
Without warning, she turned and jammed a handful of popcorn into my mouth to silence me. “Quiet, I’m watching.”
I laughed as a few kernels fell to the floor. After her gaze went back to the screen, she jumped onto my lap in one leap, pulling her knees to her chest as she threw her hands over her eyes and peeked at the movie between her fingers.
I chuckled and wrapped my arms around her, simply holding her tight.
When the zombie caught the human, Kendy buried her head into my neck, her breath tickling my skin when she exhaled. “Stupid girl. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid,” she murmured into my collar. She peered up to take a peek at the screen and then cowered into me again.
I pulled her closer against me, secretly wishing the movie would never end. I liked being her protector, especially since she gave off this rough and tough persona. Part of me hoped she’d have nightmares and ask me to sleep over just to watch over her. I inwardly laughed as I imagined declaring a solemn oath to protect her from the zombies, to be her zombie-slaying hero.
When I returned my attention to the movie, I stifled a groan. The zombie was eating a woman’s limbs. It was gruesome and stupid at the same time. Kendy peeked up at the screen again as the zombie went to town, chowing on the human like it was Thanksgiving.
My hand threaded through the ends of her hair as she whispered how stupid the now dead woman had been. I exhaled heavily, a weightlessness spreading through my limbs.
I could get used to this.
I kissed the top of Kendy’s head and relaxed as she pressed into me.
When the scene ended, she began to maneuver to her own seat, but I tugged her back against me. She complied and relaxed in my arms, making my insides soar.
I linked my fingers together against the cotton of her shirt, and as I tightened my hold, my stomach rolled. I didn’t know where this was heading or what the future held. All I knew was that I never wanted this to end.
There was an internal struggle inside me. I was afraid of getting hurt again, afraid of rejection, so the possibility of being in love with this girl absolutely scared the shit out of me.
***
When the movie ended, we waited outside for a cab. The air was charged with good energy, and I loved that I felt this intimacy growing between us. I gazed down at her as her blonde curls blew in the wind. Her laugh was euphoric. It was like working out. It gave me a high, and I needed her to do it again.
I whispered something unintelligible in her ear, and she laughed again, causing that same feeling to bubble in my chest and my cheeks to hurt from matching her smile.
She wrapped her hands around my waist and peered up at me, resting her chin against my chest. My breath caught as I took in how unbelievably beautiful she was, in a non-trying kind of way, unlike most women I’d met.
The gleam of the moon cast a light upon her.
“I had fun. Thank you for taking me to get my zombie fix on.”
“Anytime.” I cupped the side of her face, my hand cradling her chin, my thumb lightly grazing her soft skin.
She rested her cheek on my hand, relaxing in my hold. It was crazy how she fit perfectly against me, almost short enough that I could tuck her under my chin. And holding her like this felt crazy right.
She closed her eyes briefly and, when she opened them, she suddenly looked tired, worn down. Very un-Kendy-like. I knew she’d been busy at the hospital, but my gut told me it was something more.
“What’re you thinking?” I grazed her chin gently with my thumb.
“I miss home.”
I could see the sadness in her eyes. For all the sass that Kendy had and however worldly she pretended to be, there was still a sweet innocence about her. All that rough around the edges young woman was gone, and all that remained was a small town girl.
“Where did that come from?” I asked, dropping my hand and wondering how her mood could change so easily.
“It’s been months since I watched a movie. I used to do it every weekend with my mama.” She let out a heavy sigh. “I didn’t think I’d miss her so much when I came here, but I do. I miss everything. Having hot cocoa with her before bed. Watching our late night talk shows together. I even miss fighting with her. Maybe . . .” She hesitated as she fidgeted with her fingers.
“Say it.”
She peered up at me, looking vulnerable for the first time tonight, which tightened my chest. “Maybe I rushed into things. I wanted to move to a city where no one knew me, but now I just want to go home. Every part of me wants to go home.”
I tried not to let those words slam into me like the reality they were. Maybe she wouldn’t stay here; maybe New York City wouldn’t become her permanent home. And I would lose her if she didn’t stay.
Then an idea came to me. I breathed quietly, trying to keep my racing heart in check. “Want me to take you home to Bowlesville?”
I waited for her instant rejection, for her to bring up those fucking FTF rules again, argue that friends that fuck don’t take their temporary lovers home to meet the parents or friends.
But she didn’t do that.
She smiled.
It was small at first, and then grew until it lit up her whole face, and it made me want to bust out my credit card and charge two tickets to Chicago right this second.
“You’d do that?” she asked, her voice filled with awe.
“There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you,” I replied honestly, feeling like I was laying my guts out on the table.
She bit her bottom lip, which was the cutest thing, and everything in me wanted to do the same thing, so I did. I leaned down, caressing the side of her face, and captured her lips with mine.
I kissed her softly, sweetly, and poured my feelings into that one action. I wanted to savor her, take it slow. She molded into me and, once again, she fit perfectly against my chest between the span of my shoulders. So crazy perfect.
And I knew I was in deep shit.
When I pulled backed and glanced down into those stark blue eyes, in that instant, I knew I was screwed.
I’d fallen in love with this girl.
The girl who only wanted to play the game.
