Authors: Heidi Medina
The elevator doors opened, and there she
stood. Along with about a half dozen other people, all ready to call it a
day. She locked eyes with me instantly as the group began to file into the
elevator. Seeing that she had been the first to board, she was inevitably
forced to move in closer to the back, which meant she was moving closer to me.
The doors closed and conversations about
picking up kids and dinner plans continued. I watched with undeniable pleasure
as Reagan fought to keep as much distance between us as she could. Her cheeks
were flushed, and I couldn’t help raising my arm to check my watch, and then
letting it fall and brush along her side on the way down. She jumped as if
she’d been burned, still staring straight ahead.
I cocked my head down in her direction, also
keeping my eyes forward. “Hello, Miss Andrews,” I murmured softly. “Heading
out?”
She cleared her throat. “Hi, uhm. . .yes. I
am. Got the Johnson thing, ya know.”
Shit, this was priceless. We could’ve been
the only two people on this elevator; the sexual tension around us was
palpable. She was clearly affected by me, but desperately trying to pretend
otherwise. I loved it.
I supposed I should probably let her know we
were heading to the same place, but figured she’d get all defensive and
territorial. The woman did love her work. I simply smiled and shifted closer
to her, pretending to make more room for the man in front of me, talking loudly
on his cell phone. The wall was to her left, so she had no room to scoot
over. This allowed me the opportunity to press my arm against her just as she
raised her own arm to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear, so my arm
actually touched the side of her breast. Even knowing it was impossible, I
swear she slid even further into the corner as she crossed her arms over chest.
Was I taking advantage of the enclosed
space? Damn straight. Maybe this friends thing wasn’t going to be so bad
after all. Just a few hours in, and I was already having more fun than I’d had
in weeks. The fact that touching her body caused my own to tighten and become
rock hard was beside the point.
I was getting to her. This could prove very
interesting, indeed.
The doors opened to the lobby, and everyone
began to exit. I almost laughed out loud when Reagan hurried to get off and
away from me. I followed behind her, as we headed outside, she to hail a cab
and I toward my car.
“Well, Miss Andrews. See you soon.”
She turned and gave me a wave. “Enjoy your
evening,” she called back. Climbing into the waiting taxi, she soon
disappeared from sight.
That, pretty girl, all depends on you.
Reagan
It was clear to me as I finally released the
breath I had been holding, that I was out of my element. First, with Nathan.
All my rationale for wanting to be just friends six hours ago seemed so
pointless now. A mere touch from the man turned me into a mindless idiot. I
was finally learning what people meant when they used the word
crave
while
talking about the opposite sex. I had exchanged nothing more than a few make
out sessions with Nathan Preston, but I
craved
his touch, his lips, and
the feel of his hands on my body. I hadn’t craved anything before, unless it
was a double mint brownie sundae from Coldstone, and that didn’t even come
close. There was no denying it: I craved Nathan Preston. We were both
adults, the attraction between us was intense, and he didn’t want to be just
friends any more than I did. So why was I insisting on it again?
Of course, I knew why. I would either have
to tell him he wasn’t allowed to hug me, or trap my arms in any way, which I
knew without a doubt would just lead to questions I didn’t want to answer, or I
would have to just come clean on everything and explain my messed up
childhood. Neither option was one I felt okay with. Despite having had the
conversation several times in my past relationships, I had a feeling that telling
Nathan he could never hug me wouldn’t go over well. Besides, I wanted him to
hug me. And then, I wanted him to take the beautiful mouth of his and kiss
every inch of my sex-starved body, for starters. I wanted him to do all manner
of things with me and to me. I wanted. . .him.
But friendship is what I had insisted on, and
I couldn’t very well run to him now and ask for more. Even I recognized how
flighty and childish that made me sound. And I was sure that once I slept on
it I would remember why just friends with Nathan was a good thing. It was just
that now, after being in close proximity to him on that elevator, my brain had
obviously closed up shop for the night.
I wondered what he was doing tonight; what
his plans were and who they were with. I knew it was ridiculous for me to feel
a stab of jealousy at the thought he may be on his way to a date with someone
else at this moment, but I couldn’t bring myself to care. I
was
jealous,
regardless of the fact I had no right to be.
I pushed those thoughts aside as the taxi
rolled to a stop in front of Per Se, where the Johnson’s had made
reservations. And here was number two. I was out of my element in my work. I
was just a small town girl from Austin, Texas. I had no idea how to maneuver
through the fast paced, high-society corporate world of upper East-Manhattan.
A world where people had personal drivers, lavish parties, endless wealth, and
no worries. I wasn’t from this world, yet had willingly inserted myself into
it, hoping to learn enough to, if not become part of it, at least succeed in
it. Here, this job, was where I wanted to be. Yet, that didn’t change that it
was often a bit overwhelming for me, and as I walked into the restaurant, I
wished not for the first time that I had taken Bailey up on his offer to
accompany me. I needed a familiar face.
I gave my name to the hostess, who whisked me
to a table near the back. I immediately noticed Royce Johnson wasn’t alone as
I approached, and couldn’t mask my surprise as he and Nathan stood once I
arrived at the table.
Nathan. What was he doing here?
Royce Johnson extended his hand, which I
shook in greeting. “It’s a pleasure to see you again, Miss Andrews.”
“Likewise, Mr. Johnson,” I replied, as we sat
down. Nathan made a big display of shuffling some papers on the table in front
of him, but I wasn’t fooled. He was avoiding the very obvious unspoken
question that hung between us.
Why was he here?
I tamped down the
flash of annoyance at his presence. Hadn’t I just been bemoaning the fact that
I needed a familiar face here tonight? Well, here he was. I should be feeling
grateful for the support.
Except, my concentration suffered when Nathan
was near. And I didn’t need that tonight.
“Please, call me Royce. I hope you don’t
mind the extra guest tonight. Nathan insisted on coming, or it could’ve been just
us.” Royce winked conspiratorially in my direction.
I looked at Nathan, who stared at Royce for a
moment, a frown marring his features. “No, it’s fine.”
Alcohol. I needed alcohol, and glanced
around for the nearest waitress.
“When did you say your brother would be
gracing us? I’m sure Miss Andrews doesn’t have all night.”
My eyes grew wide as I stared at Nathan,
shocked at his tone. He looked my way, and gave a small shrug, as if to say
“what’s the problem?” If Royce took offense, he didn’t comment on it. “Oh,
Robert will be here soon. He was wrapping up a last minute meeting, and then
was heading this way. Why don’t you order Miss Andrews a drink and I’ll give
him a call?”
I waited until he was out of earshot, then
leaned across the table. “You
insisted
on coming tonight?” I hissed in
an irritated whisper.
He leaned across the table as well, until our
faces were mere inches from each other, to whisper back. “I wouldn’t say I
insisted, exactly.”
My eyes zeroed in on his mouth, as his lips
formed his response. I was torn between wanting to slap the smirk off his
face, and wanting to bite his bottom lip as I explored the inside of his mouth
with my tongue. I shot back in my chair, away from him. My cheeks flushed as
I heard him chuckle. My insides felt all tingly and I swear it had to be well
over a hundred degrees in this place.
I narrowed my eyes at him. “What would you
say it was then?”
He looked over at Royce, who was near the
front and still talking on his cell. “Look, Reagan. Isaac should have known
better than to send you out here with these guys. They are known to drink too
much and get too hands on.”
“Were you worried I couldn’t handle myself?
That I would ruin this for Elite?” I had worried about this very thing myself,
but he didn’t need to know that I had questioned my own confidence.
“Of course you can handle yourself. But why
should you have to go at this alone? I figured you could use some back up, and
that back up is me. Besides, isn’t that what a good friend would do?” He gave
a short nod of his head, and I turned to see Royce heading back in our
direction.
His emphasis on the word friend wasn’t lost
on me. “Fine. Then as my
friend
, let me handle this. It’s
my
deal.” I realized that being in the position Nathan was in, he could easily
take over this meeting and I would have no say in the matter. But it felt good
saying it anyway. I was irritated and horny as hell, and since I had made the
decision to just be friends, the object of all my recent sexual fantasies was
popping up everywhere I turned around, messing with my head.
Nathan tilted his head at me, eyes sparkling
in amusement. “Absolutely.”
Nathan
I knew Reagan would become defensive once she
learned I was here, and I wasn’t disappointed. I suppose it had been a little
unfair to her for me to just show up unannounced, but I couldn’t deny it was
fun seeing her squirm. I had no intention of taking over, or imposing myself
on the situation as if she couldn’t handle it. I was here to make sure Robert
and Royce Johnson kept their hands to themselves; plain and simple.
“Good news. Robert is just a few blocks away
and should be here at any time.” Royce sat back down, scooting his chair
entirely too close to Reagan in the process. The audacity of this man was
amazing; this was supposed to be a business dinner. Perhaps Royce Johnson was
in need of a reminder.
“Well, then, Miss Andrews. Why don’t you run
through the latest developments, and we can bring Robert up to speed once he
arrives.”
Reagan pulled out a file and opened it. “I
think you’ll be pleased with our--”
“Reagan—can I call you Reagan?—let’s table
this for now. We haven’t even eaten yet, and Robert really should be here to
hear everything anyway. How about another drink?” Royce leaned back in his
chair, motioning lazily to our waitress as if he had not a care in the world. I
swallowed hard against the burning rage that clogged my throat, and narrowed my
eyes. Royce Johnson had always been an ass. I cursed Isaac for putting this
on Reagan. I could only imagine how things would be going if I wasn’t here.
I glanced at Reagan, who looked shocked and somewhat
embarrassed. “Royce, we are here to talk about the specifics of the two
million dollar contract you have with Elite. If you aren’t prepared to discuss
those specifics, well then, I suggest we
table this
for a time when you
are.” I glared at him, sounding every bit of an ass myself. I didn’t care.
Just then, Robert Johnson walked up to the
table. “Greetings, everyone,” he smiled brightly as he stuffed his phone into
his pocket. His arrival cut through the tension, and saved Royce from making
further response.
“Mr. Johnson, I’m Reagan Andrews. It’s nice
to finally meet you.” Reagan extended her hand, attempting to regain control
of what was at best, an awkward situation.
“Reagan Andrews, please, call me Robert. I’ve
heard nothing but great things.” He nodded at me. “Nathan, good to see you,
as well. I heard you would be joining us.”
I didn’t even bother to fake a smile. “Glad
you could finally grace us. We were just getting down to business.”
Robert called to a passing waitress, summoning
her for a drink. “I’ll take a belvedere and Tonic on the rocks. Reagan,
another?” He motioned to her now empty glass.
She nodded, and I shifted in my seat. These
two unprofessional lushes were obviously trying to get her drunk, and she
looked like she was about to throw back a few just to gain their approval. I
switched my drink to water, and gritted my teeth. Someone at this table needed
to have a clear head.
At Robert’s urging, Reagan began talking
about the contract, addressing their questions and concerns with surprising
ease. I watched as she highlighted the suggested changes in the proposal,
while the Johnsons continued to refill her glass over and over. She had
insisted she could handle herself with these two, but as I watched her drain
what had to be her fourth, maybe fifth, drink, I questioned the accuracy of
that statement. Surely she couldn’t be that naïve to not know what was really
going on here.
She let out a loud laugh at some off-color
comment made by Royce, and I decided show and tell was over. I needed to get
her home before she passed out right here at the table. Robert and Royce could
find their entertainment elsewhere. “Well, gentleman, it’s getting late,” I
sat up in my seat.
“Yes, I really should be getting home.”
Reagan giggled, looking around for her bag, which happened to be slung over the
back of her chair. It was right there, but she was oblivious. Apparently, she
was drunker than I’d first imagined. I had a few choice words for Isaac when
he returned home.
I stood up, and then stopped at the sight of
Royce taking Reagan by the arm. “Reagan, allow me to see you get home.” She
giggled again, smiling up at him, and I recognized the blaze of lust that
flared in his eyes.
That was it. Game over.
I walked around to her chair and placed a
hand on her shoulder. “Miss Andrews already has a way home.” My implication
was clear. Robert removed his hand with a mild trace of annoyance. “We’ll be
in touch,” I finished as I handed Reagan her bag. She stood, swaying slightly
in my direction. Saying our goodbyes, I hastily directed her outside to my
parked car.
“I think they liked me” Reagan said with a
yawn, as I pulled out into traffic.
“What was your first clue?” I couldn’t hide
the irritation that I still felt. I was furious with the Johnsons’ behavior,
as if they were a couple of high school quarterbacks on some mission to get the
cheerleader drunk so they could take advantage.
“I’m glad you were here tonight, Nathan. You
make me feel safe.”
My head snapped to the side to look at her,
but she was leaning back with her eyes closed, and had she not just spoken, I
could almost believe she had fallen asleep. I wasn’t sure she was even aware
of what she’d just said. I’d never had anyone tell me I made them feel safe
before, and it was igniting a fierce sense of protectiveness in me that I
hadn’t known existed.
I reached over and took her hand. “Reagan?
Reagan, honey, do you have your keys?” I knew Brooke would not be home to let
us in, and friend or not, I didn’t feel comfortable breaking the unspoken rule
of rummaging through a woman’s purse. I was faced with the dilemma of how to
get her inside once I got her home.
She didn’t answer. “Reagan?” I tried again,
speaking more loudly. Still nothing.
She was asleep, or passed out, which one I
couldn’t be sure. I was leaning more toward the latter. Bringing her hand to
my lips and pressing a kiss there, I made a decision.