Kelly's Quest (NYC LOVE Book 2) (21 page)
Read Kelly's Quest (NYC LOVE Book 2) Online
Authors: Jennifer Ann
“Yeah, really. I’ve resolved to make a lot of changes in my life since that night you left me. I never got a chance to tell you what happened, the whole reason I moved to New York.”
Eyes sparkling with interest, he opens his mouth, then shuts it. Then his beautiful, magical lips part again. “I know you said you need to get home, but would you at least have time to grab a cup of coffee? We can stay out however long you want.”
“Coffee sounds good,” I say, nodding. Despite my promise to myself to stay hard and not give in to him, my lips curl with a wide smile.
We engage in small-talk in the back of his private car until we stop at a quaint coffee shop open 24 hours that’s closer to my apartment. My stomach surges excitedly with the dense aroma of specialty flavors. There aren’t too many customers yet as the clubs are still in full swing, so we’re given a peacefully quiet place to talk. Theo chooses the small table closest to the windows, balancing the cups in one hand, and pulling my chair out with the other.
I begin by telling him more about my new job and my roommates, and he launches into stories of his work and his family life. I knew his dad was in the entertainment business, but I wasn’t aware that he stays in shape because his mom died of a heart attack at a fairly young age when he was a teen, and that his younger sister I’ve heard him speak of many times before lives with his aunt in the Bronx. My heart warms the way he openly shares his personal life with me, like I’m an old friend even after he declared he was through with me.
Our coffees are gone when Theo’s smile fades, and he reaches for my hand. “Damn it, I’ve missed you, Cavenaugh.”
“I’ve missed you too.” Not wanting him to take his hand away, I lace my fingers with his. An unmistakable look of hope seizes his features with my gesture. “I suppose it’s time for me to explain some things.”
“Only if you’re comfortable doing it.” He flashes me a flat smile that stops at his lips. His eyes are dull in trepidation.
Here goes everything.
I suck in a deep breath of courage before telling him of my sexual history, even spilling nearly every detail of my tumultuous relationship with Erik. I give him the long version of my “affair” with Brad, wrapping it up by telling him about my sessions with Jean, and how her advice has helped me stay on track.
Theo occasionally rubs his thumb across the back of my hand as I ramble on, but otherwise he remains stoic. He doesn’t even flinch when I tell him that the same night we first bonded in Jewels and Adam’s backyard was immediately after I slept with Erik. Honestly, I don’t take it as a good sign.
Clubs must be closing by the time I’m finished, because the coffee shop begins to fill with boisterous patrons dressed to the nines. Theo seems lost in his thoughts, processing my confession.
“I hope now you understand a little better why I freaked when you suggested I try out for that acting part. My therapist helped me understand that you were just trying to help me. I was too focused on how everyone back home would see it—getting a part when I was dating the producer of the show. It would’ve just fueled the rumors, and that was the kind of image I was trying to undo.”
Theo watches me with an unusual, eerie calm. Either he’s in shock, or he’s disgusted by the truth.
Sighing, I look down. “I don’t expect you to understand everything I’ve done. But I really like you, Theo. I mean, I love how I feel when I’m around you. You know, genuinely
happy
. I meant it when I told you that I wanted to try dating. I know I’m seriously messed up, and maybe you don’t want that kind of drama in your life. I’ll totally understand if that’s the case. If you don’t want to start over and give this exclusive thing a try, I hope we can at least continue to hang out together with Jewels and Adam. I don’t want you to feel like you can’t be with your friends because of me. And I definitely don’t want to lose you as
my
friend, either. You mean a lot to me.”
The band of muscles in Theo’s jaw jump to life. His hazel eyes turn to stare at the surge of traffic outside, shuttling the die-hards home from the clubs.
Knowing it’s over between us, I start to pull my hand away from his. “I’m really sorry.”
He squeezes my hand. “Stop,” he commands, drawing his eyes back on me. His thumb goes into overdrive stroking the back side of my hand. “I’m sitting here trying to rationalize why I shouldn’t hunt this Brad asshole down like the animal he is.”
Tears spring to my eyes. I was sure he’d be done with me after he knew all the dirty details, the ugliest parts of my life. I never dreamed he’d have
this
kind of reaction.
“I’m sure his life was ruined when everyone discovered the truth,” I say quietly.
“I don’t know why you were so afraid to tell me what happened with that jerk. It doesn’t sound like what happened was your fault. What kind of
man
cheats on his dying wife?”
“Everyone automatically assumed I knew he was married. I was afraid you’d think I did, too.” I shrug. “It’s one of the things I’m working through with my psychologist. Did I mention I’m messed up?”
Theo tilts his head down to his side. “Come over here.”
With my heart pounding, I drag my chair around to his side of the table. Once I’m close enough, he wraps me in his bear-like grip, and buries his face in my hair. “Even though the Erik thing really pissed me off, I don’t think you’re messed up. Someone should’ve listened to you back home. I’m sorry I didn’t give you more of a chance.”
I let him hold me for a long time, soaking his shirt with my silent tears.
FIFTEEN
Eventually Theo and I leave
the coffee shop, hand-in-hand, each of us taking a moment to breathe in the now chilled air. I snuggle into his jacket, finally appreciative for its warmth.
“My place is just a few blocks down if you want to walk,” I tell him.
“You’re not too cold?”
I shrug with a smile. “It’s not that bad. Maybe in another month or I’d rather take the car.” I bite down on my lip. I’m assuming we’ll be together that long when nothing has been decided. I need to slow it the fuck down before I push him away.
“Okay. I’ll let my driver know.”
He drops my hand to approach the passenger’s side of the sleek black card parked a few yards down. It gives me the opportunity to appreciate what a great back end Theo has, similar to that of professional football players. Now that I see a spark of hope that we still have a chance, I let myself fantasize how phenomenal he’d be completely naked. The guy’s like a work of art. I’ve never asked if he does more than just run, but as toned as he appears, he must go to the gym on a regular basis.
It’s just dark enough under the street-lights that I don’t think he sees me flushing when he returns to take my hand. We’re quiet as we walk, each of us mindful of our thoughts. Part of me is afraid that if I open my big mouth, I’ll ruin everything. Still, I can’t imagine anything more tantalizing than walking the city streets at night with Theo at my side. When we reach the bar, his ride is already waiting at the curb.
“This is it,” I say, tilting my head to the unlit sign over the bar.
Theo takes both my hands. “When can I see you again?” His beautiful eyes search mine eagerly, like he wants to kiss me. “I want to finally take you on this mystical date.”
“I don’t have a lot of time off yet. I had to switch my schedule around just to go out tonight. Tomorrow I’ll be done by nine, though. I could be ready by ten if that isn’t too late.” It probably sounds desperate to offer such a late time, but then again, this is New York and I’m trying to fit in with the locals.
“I can make tomorrow work.” He draws his finger up to my jawline. “I’m so glad I found you tonight. It killed me that we didn’t speak all this time.”
My lips part with his touch, and I close my eyes. I can’t speak.
“Remind me what your therapist said about kissing.”
Flipping my eyes open, I grin and move closer, wrapping my hands around his waist. “Kissing’s okay as long as I feel under control and it’s in a safe place where it can’t lead to unplanned sex.” I take a sweeping look around the neighborhood and grin. “As long as
you
can promise to control yourself, I’d say we’re good to go.”
He takes me in his arms and crushes his lips down on mine. Our mouths simultaneously part to allow our tongues to tango, mixing the remnants of coffee and lingering booze. He holds me so tightly against him that I’d be gasping for air if he wasn’t breathing more into me. I wrap my arms around his head, finally tugging at his long locks that have been making me insane since we first ran into each other. He lets out a low moan of approval into my mouth and deepens the kiss, moving his lips harder, making longer strokes with his tongue. My stomach flutters wildly, as if ready to take flight.
Our bodies meld together, his erection pressed against my belly, my nipples hard with the friction of his chest. Between my legs I’m clenched tightly, swollen and ready. A low, guttural moan resonates from his throat. Realizing how desperately I want to do more with him, I lighten my end of the kiss and slip away a fraction of an inch, bringing my hands up to hold onto his face.
Theo catches on immediately, making his kisses feather-light. He cradles my face in his hands with a throaty hum before breaking the connection. Then he takes me in his arms and kisses the top of my head. “We need to stop now or we’re going to break all the rules.”
I breathe heavily against his chest. “For the record, you’re totally worth breaking the rules for.”
He chuckles, the vibrations of his chest against my body driving me wild all over again. “Be careful what you say to me. I’d take you up to your room if I didn’t respect what you’re trying to do.”
I bury my face against his pectoral muscles, breathing him in. “This so going to be so fucking hard,” I whine.
He kisses me with one last, lingering yet innocent kiss before heading to his car. I’m beaming as I watch him open the door. Before sliding in, he pauses, grinning at me.
“This will all be worth it, Cavenaugh. I promise.”
Morning—or at least the
end of my abbreviated slumber—comes far too soon. I text Jewels and Chloe as I’m heading down for my shift, sharing an abridged version of my night with Theo. My phone buzzes repeatedly as I set it on the bar. I don’t read their messages since I’m officially on the clock.
“It’s alright if you’re on yer phone when there aren’t any customers who need waitin’ on,” Mick reminds me, wiping the bar down at my side. “It would seem someone’s eager to get your attention.”
I wave a hand through the air, laughing. “It’s my friends. They can wait.”
“You look awfully chipper this morning,” he says in a teasing tone. “Weren’t you out late celebratin’ somethin’?”
“I didn’t get home until nearly five this morning, actually. I was busy taking charge of my destiny.” I throw him an over-the-top wink.
“Well good on ya then. That’s my girl.”
The regulars are waiting outside when Mick unlocks the doors. Half an hour later, Chloe and Jewels come bounding in, the look in their eyes a mix of excitement and irritation.
“I have
twenty minutes
until I have to leave for my next class, so you better make this snappy,” Jewels says, hopping onto the barstool directly in front of me. She flutters her thick lashes expectantly.
Chloe claims the stool next to her. “You know it’s not polite to just text someone vague details and not respond to their questions and shit afterwards. Your Midwestern manners are slipping.”
Mortified that they’re expecting me to spill the details while I’m working, I look over to where Mick stands at the register. “I’m sorry, I have no control over my friends. It’s understandable if you decide to throw them out.”
He laughs with good spirits, the only way he knows how. “It’s alright. You’re allowed to converse with the customers.” He looks to Jewels and Chloe, his eyebrows raised. “Are you goin’ to introduce me to these lovely ladies?”
“Jewels, Chloe,” I nod at each of my friends as I say their names, “this is Mick
Flanagan
. As in
the brother of the owner
. So mind your manners.”
Mick approaches them to shake each of their hands. “Ah, the friends I’ve heard so much about. Kelly didn’t mention you were just as beautiful, but I suppose good lookin’ people tend to stick together.” When he takes Chloe’s hand, he pauses. “What about you then, sweetheart? Have we met?”
The way Chloe uncharacteristically giggles like a school girl makes me glance at Jewels with wide eyes.
“My band played here once. I don’t remember when exactly, maybe a year or so ago. I remember
you
, though—you sang to your girlfriend. Ungrateful thing ran out of here, leaving you hanging. I personally think it was one of the most romantic gestures I’ve ever seen a guy make, even if you couldn’t sing worth a lick. But you were a real trooper, and didn’t let her get to you. A lot of guys don’t have that kind of class.”
Mick brings his hands up to his chest like he’s been shot. “I was hopin’ no one would remember that night. About killed me, she did.” He drops his hands to the bar, grinning. “Now I remember the way you bounced around, playin’ the guitar. I couldn’t believe somethin’ so little could could produce that kind of noise with her voice. You drew in a great crowd, but your style wasn’t for my sister’s liking. If it were up to me, I’d hire you back in a heartbeat.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Chloe tells him, waving her hand. “Our style isn’t for everyone. I’m into all kinds of music myself. I swear half the money I earn goes toward concerts at the Garden. You’d think they’d start cutting me a deal after all the money I’ve dumped there. You ever go to any concerts?”
“I’m a bit of a music junkie, m’self,” Mick answers, beaming. “I may not be able to sing, but I can play a bit of the guitar. I’m more into the classic like Cash and Zeppelin.”
Chloe brightens with his confession. Jewels and I watch mutely, holding back laughter as the two of them banter, deep into discussion on their favorite musicians, and dissecting different genres of music. Jewels, being a serious music junkie herself, tries to jump into the conversation, but when they ignore her, she just sips on a glass of water. I wait on our three customers when needed, letting Mick and Chloe continue. Soon it’s time for Jewels to leave.