First (Wrong) Impressions: A Modern Pride & Prejudice (24 page)

“You can ask me for the money.”

Lizzy answered quietly. “But I’d feel guilty. You’d only be doing it because…because…I’d be taking advantage of our friendship. I won’t do that.”

He stiffened and Lizzy realized she’d never referred to him as a friend before. She didn’t want to lead him on, but he was becoming a friend. Underneath the prickles and stings, he was just a shy, awkward guy. Who happened to own the bulk of educational publishing in North America. But that wasn’t the point.

“You asked my company for money.”

“Let’s get a few things straight. First, I didn’t know that Pemberley Solutions was owned by Fitz & William. Second, I asked the board. I did not ask you. And, I disclosed our personal relationship so that everything was above board.”

“I remember. It made me feel special.”

Lizzy rolled her eyes as Darcy pulled into the condo’s underground parking. “I didn’t want you to think I was taking advantage.”

“Elizabeth Bennet, even if I wanted you to take advantage of me, I know you wouldn’t. Wait, that sounded better in my head.”

Lizzy barked out a laugh.

They exited the car and headed upstairs. She’d had a date with William Darcy tonight and she hadn’t even known it. And she still wrecked it. It was a gift. Maybe Lydia was right; she really was pathetic.

Once inside, Lizzy pulled Darcy’s fries and burger out and handed them to him. He sat down at the kitchen island to eat in silence.

She pulled out her burger and set it aside. The flutter in her stomach made it impossible to eat. She knew what it was like to have feelings for someone who wouldn’t give you the time of day. She swore she’d never do that to anyone, and yet she’d been doing it to Darcy for months now. Sure, she hadn’t known for a lot of that time, but that was beside the point.

This new Darcy was different from the stuck up asshat she’d met in Edmonton. This Darcy was at home and at ease. He smiled more. He talked to her. She could be in serious danger with this new Darcy.

“You’re still shivering. Go take a bath. You’re welcome to use the soaker tub in my bedroom.”

“I like the big porcelain one in the main bathroom, actually.” Which wasn’t a lie; it was a sexy tub. And there was no way she was getting naked in Darcy’s bedroom. No. Just no.

His smile lit up his face. “I’ve always imagined that would be your favourite.”

They stared into each other’s eyes for a long moment, until Darcy broke the gaze. Lizzy headed to what she was convinced would be the most amazing bath ever.

As she lowered herself into the hot water, she wondered if Darcy was picturing her naked, surrounded by soap bubbles.

Chapter 28

The once-steaming water was now barely lukewarm, but Lizzy was flushed and content, so lingered in the bath. She heard a door open and animated voices echo into the condo.

“Is she here?” G asked, clearly concerned.

“She’s taking a bath,” Darcy answered. “I thought you were going to stay to eat.”

“She was the entire point for dinner,” G said, annoyed, “and you said you wanted to watch a movie with us.”

“I didn’t mean for you to rush back,” Darcy snapped.

“On the plus side,” Fitzy said, “best take out in Calgary.”

Darcy laughed loudly and Lizzy found herself smiling. Without her around, he really did relax. Was G right and he was just nervous? He didn’t realize she was listening, so this was a rare, unguarded moment and she soaked it in.

“They didn’t do the entire meal as take out?”

“No,” Charles said, “but they packed up what they could.”

“I totally paid them for the entire meal and said we were really sorry about leaving,” G added.

“Hey, where’s Caroline?”

“Headache,” G said and Lizzy could almost hear the eye roll in her voice. The closet doors opened and closed; the shoes and coat hangers rustled.

Lizzy pulled herself from the tub, water splashing. She heard Darcy shush them, and G’s schoolgirl giggle, which sent the rest of them into fits of laughter. She tugged on her clothes and went out.

“Hey everyone. I’m so sorry about earlier.” She gave a grimace.

“No apology necessary,” G said, and hugged her. “We’re sorry. There was a lot of miscommunication.” G sent a pointed look at her brother. “Not all of us are smart.”

Darcy tried giving G an annoyed expression, but he couldn’t stop a grin from forming.

“If you’re up for it, let’s watch a movie,” Dani said. “We have a theatre in the building.”

“Yes! That’s a great idea. Everyone up for it?” G asked. “Lizzy?”

“Sure. It’s Friday night, after all. I don’t have a curfew.” She pondered. “Actually, I don’t know if I do. If you’re staying at a stranger’s house, when is the appropriate time to come home?”

“The next morning,” G and Dani said in unison.

****

With some manoeuvring on everyone’s part, including her own, Lizzy ended up seated next to Darcy on the large loveseat at the back of the condo’s miniature theatre. The leather whooshed when they sat down at opposite ends, though there wasn’t much room between them.

The movie started and the opening credits rolled. Darcy tipped his popcorn bag towards Lizzy and nervous butterflies bumped around her insides. She’d have to shift over to accept it. Once there, should she stay or should she shift back? Should she just lean over?

Ugh, why was he letting her make all of the decisions?

Right. Because she’d made her disgust of him rather clear. Poor man didn’t want to make her uncomfortable.

Lizzy shifted over and accepted the popcorn with a smile. Their eyes met only for a moment before he turned back to the screen. He moved so he was sitting just a touch closer to her and placed the popcorn bag between them. “Help yourself,” he whispered.

The movie was barely ten minutes in before Lizzy was yawning. She was exhausted. She didn’t want to be left out of movie night, but she really wanted to be in her PJs, curled up with a good book. A few more yawns escaped her.

Darcy moved the popcorn and put it on the floor. He stood up and returned with pillows and a blanket. He put the pillows where he’d been sitting. “Here.”

He was giving up his spot for her. A part of her swooned and died. Another part wanted nothing more than for him to stay, so she could enjoy his company, even if they weren’t talking. It had been so long since she’d been close to a man. Being near Darcy reminded her of how lonely she sometimes got.

“Stay,” she said. “There’s enough room.”

Charles looked over his shoulder, but from the look on his face, he wasn’t about to say anything. He turned back to the movie, though Lizzy could sense his smile.

“Are you sure?” Darcy asked, still standing.

She nodded.

He removed the pillows and sat as close to the arm as possible. He handed the pillows to Lizzy. “You can put your feet on me if you need to.”

She put the pillows against his thigh and tugged the blanket over her. “I can see better here.” She looked up at him. “If you don’t mind.”

Darcy nodded his head, but the rest of him was statue-still. Then he moved his arm and put it on the top of the sofa to let her wiggle into the blankets until she was comfy. Once she’d settled down, he rested his arm on the top of the pillow, very careful that it wasn’t touching her head.

Lizzy closed her eyes and enjoyed his cologne and the feel of his body rising and falling with each breath. He had tried so hard to make sure he paid attention to her. She was not so blind that she couldn’t see he still loved her.

What’s more, she no longer hated him. Hate had disappeared a long time ago. What was left was confusion…and attraction? She respected him. His letter had shown her what kind of man he really was. His behaviour to Charles still confused her — why would he think Jane a money-hound? — but she could now appreciate the context, at least. They were school friends, whereas Jane, really, was a complete stranger.

She’d never noticed the good in his character before. She was too busy mocking him. That was her shield, as Jane would say. Lizzy would erect the walls around her and judge and misjudge and misunderstand inside them. She’d been wrong about William Darcy. Not just a little, either.

She had been completely wrong.

Darcy was quiet, but firm. He felt strongly; she could see that. He kept his feelings close, and they ran deep. He even had a little sense of humour, and the warmest smile.

Many men would have blamed Georgiana for what happened with George. Hell, many women would. Many brothers would have disregarded Georgiana’s feelings and gone on a witch hunt. Darcy didn’t do that. He respected his sister enough to let her choose how to deal with her assault…and did everything he could to help.

He really was the best kind of man.

Lizzy let out a final yawn and snuggled down. God, he really did smell nice…

Seconds later, she felt a cold hand on her bare arm. Her eyes didn’t want to open.

“Lizzy, wake up,” Georgiana repeated.

She forced her eyes open to find the movie off and the lights on. Darcy was looking down at her with a pained expression and Georgiana was smiling.

“What’s wrong? Was I snoring?”

G chuckled. “No.” She glanced up at her brother. “You slept through the entire movie. We thought you might want to go upstairs and rest.”

“What?” Lizzy bolted upright. “I just closed my eyes.”

“They were closed the entire movie.” Darcy now had a hint of a smile on his face.

“Oh, I’m so sorry.” Lizzy fought off a yawn. “I didn’t realize how tired I was.”

“Seriously, Lizzy, stay here tonight,” Georgiana insisted. “It’s not a big deal.” Right, Dani?”

Dani’s head poked up over the recliner. “Absolutely. Please stay, Lizzy.”

“That would be nice,” Lizzy admitted. “Are you sure?” She glanced at Darcy.

“I stayed at your house for two weeks. It’s only fair,” he replied. “Come on. I’ll get you settled away.”

Lizzy smiled sheepishly, and maybe a little sleepily as well, and stood up. Darcy walked out first, but waited. He put his hand on her lower back, as if to escort her. She looked up at him and he immediately withdrew it.

“Sorry,” he said. “I forgot who I was with for a moment there.”

If she’d been alert, she would have made a remark. Instead, her brain was fuzzy with sleep and she asked, “Who did you think I was?”

Darcy pressed the elevator button and said, without looking at her, “No one.”

****

After calling Melissa and letting her know she’d be staying at Darcy’s, Lizzy gave him a significant look. It took him a moment to realize she was waiting to be shown to her room. He led her down a hallway and opened the door to a room the size of her living room. The bed was covered in boxes.

“Shit, I forgot,” he said.

“I think that’s the first time I’ve heard you swear.”

“I swear all of the time, just not around you.” He looked at the room, dismayed. “I forgot that Dani cancelled her storage unit. She’s been sorting through her things.” He hummed and hawed for a moment, and shushed Lizzy when she suggested she could sleep on the sofa. “Come with me.”

They went to another bedroom. If the “spare” room was the size of Lizzy’s living room, this room was bigger than her house. It was a two-story loft-style, with a low ceiling and lots of windows. On the main “floor” was a large soaker tub, big enough to fit a small party. There was a large work desk cluttered with computer equipment, files, and books. A sofa and a big screen TV took up another corner of the room.

And men’s clothes were casually tossed over the chairs.

“Oh, I can’t…I mean,” Lizzy stammered.

“Take my room. Get some sleep. I’ll clear out Dani’s boxes and sleep there.”

Lizzy shook her head. “I couldn’t possibly. I can move the boxes.”

“You’re half-asleep on your feet. I have a king and it’s super comfy. The linens are clean.” He gave her what he probably thought was a supportive smile.

It made Lizzy cringe. It was awkward even being near his bedroom, let alone thinking about sleeping in it. She didn’t even know bedrooms like this existed outside of hotels and movies. It would be amazing to just crash in a king-sized bed overlooking the river. But, seriously? All she’d think about all night was Darcy naked in that bed.

His smile faded. “Oh. I didn’t think about how this would make you feel. I’ll clean up the spare room.”

“Darcy, wait.” She was being childish. It was just a bed. Just a room. “If it’ll make you feel better, I can crash in here tonight.”

“It’s the nicest room in the condo. I sorta just live in here. Dani and G have the run of the rest of the house.”

“It sounds cozy.”

“Only sometimes.”

They stood there, inches apart. A surge of…lust? Curiosity? Gratefulness? Need? Lizzy found herself wanting to lean toward him, and the idea of kissing him actually flashed across her mind. She looked at his lips and wondered what it would be like. Maybe kissing him would be awkward and bad, and would kill any attraction.

Then again, maybe she’d like it.

Maybe she’d love it.

“Good night, Lizzy.”

Right. Time for bed. Alone. Without the tall, rich guy.

“Good night, Darcy. Thank you for the room.”

He turned to walk away, but stopped. “Lizzy, when we first met, I told you my friends called me Darcy. You can call me William. If you’d like. Some day.”

Smolder alert.

He gave her a small incline of his head, a tight smile, and walked back down the hallway, leaving Lizzy to spend the night in his bed.

This was going to make for some interesting tweets.

Chapter 29

February 20

Lizzy didn’t sleep well; her dreams saw to that. The way the bed smelled faintly of
him
. The way his clothes hung over the chairs. His bike. His books. A tie lazily hung from one corner of his bed frame. She was surrounded by William Darcy and her mind couldn’t fight him.

Each dream was a variation on the same theme: Her and Darcy walking or dancing. How good he smelled. The feel of his breath on her neck. Yearning.

What.