Stolen Fate (19 page)

He looks pensive at first but soon agrees to stay the night.

“I’ll be right back.” He leaves the room, returning a few minutes later dressed in a pair of boxer briefs. I’m both disappointed and relieved at the same time. Once he’s situated, I roll over toward him and lay my head on his strong chest, breathing in the scent of him and trying to commit it to memory. His hand wraps around my waist and he snuggles in close, gently kissing my forehead before we both drift off to sleep.

The next morning, I awake alone and there is a pang of dread plucking at my heart. I knew this day was coming, but it doesn’t make it any easier. I get dressed and pack up whatever personal belongings I have before making my way downstairs to go in search of Drayden. I’m not sure what his reaction is going to be but I know whatever it is, it isn’t something I’m going to be happy with. If he agrees wholeheartedly it’s time for me to leave, I’ll be crushed. And if he tries to stop me, I’ll be devastated he’s trying to drag out the inevitable.

Either way, I’m surely in for an emotional morning.

Approaching his office with heavy trepidation, there’s a tingling sensation of worry and dread mingling through my heart and mind. I shake my head, as if that will rid me of this feeling. I stand up straight and decide it’s time. I’m preparing myself for what’s to come, for Drayden’s reaction, whatever it might be.

I know the time has come for me to say goodbye, even though my heart is telling me to stay and….well, I’m not sure what I would do if I stayed here with him. Pretend like we’re a normal couple? Pretend this history between us doesn’t exist?

No. That can never be.              

I got myself into this mess all those months ago, and now it is time for me to get myself out of it.

I raise my hand and knock on his home office door. I’m not quite sure why I take that approach because I’ve never knocked before. If anything, I used to barge in on him on purpose just to piss him off. But now, I want to be respectful. I’m trying to change, in every way, and if this is the first step to my new transformation then so be it.

“Come in,” he calls out from inside the large room.

He’s seated behind a grand desk and his eyes are focused on the computer in front of him. Until I enter the room. Cocking his head to the side, he studies me for a brief minute. Then his eyes lock on my suitcase and his brows draw closely together, looking both confused and a tad upset.

It’s now or never.

“Drayden, I came in here to tell you I’m leaving. It’s not good for either one of us to drag this out, and while I appreciate you letting me stay here after…” I close my eyes for a second, mustering up the strength to complete my thought, “…it’s just better I go.”

“I disagree.” He rises and rounds the desk before crushing the space between us with a few long strides. “I think you should stay here. With me.” Reaching out to take my hand, he pulls me closer to him so our bodies are almost touching.

A shot of desire races through me but I shove it back, not allowing myself to let hormones talk me out of what I know is the right thing to do, for my sanity. Yes, we don’t argue and push each other’s buttons like we had for so many months, but things are not like I had hoped. He wants me to stay out of pity and I want to go because of guilt. Guilt of what I have put him through and guilt of what my continued stay will only bring him.

I step back but continue to hold his gaze. “It’s better I leave and leave today. I can’t stay here.”

“Why, Essie? Why can’t you stay here? Where else do you even have to go?” His features are tight, trying to figure out what he should do right now. His teeth are harassing his bottom lip, drawing it in and out of his mouth, torturing it until he finally releases it in a huff.

“I’ll figure it out. I always do.” I lean back into him and kiss him on the cheek. My lips linger on his skin and I try to commit this moment to memory. It’s sweet and sad all wrapped up in one. I finally pull back from him and speak again. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I know it wasn’t ideal in the beginning,”—I give him a slight smirk at that one—“but you treated me kindly when you didn’t have to.”

He exhales and walks back toward his desk, looking for something in the top drawer. “I really wish you would change your mind. Honestly, you can stay here as long as you want to.” He’s rummaging through the drawer some more, moving papers all around until he finds what he’s looking for. Once he has it, he makes his way back over toward me. He extends his hand and tries to give me a piece of paper.

I’m utterly confused. What is he giving me? Since I make no attempt to take it from him, he takes possession of my hand and places it in my palm.

“What is this?”

“Look at it,” he tells me.             

When I unravel the paper, I quickly realize it’s a check.

For five million dollars.

Once it dawns on me it’s not a fake, I shove it back at him, urging him to take it from me. I shake my head, my eyes practically bugging with the realization of what he just gave me.

The old me would have taken the check and ran. But now, I don’t want to be anything like that person. I don’t want to take advantage of anyone anymore. I want to be better. I want to earn my own way in this world from here on out. If life has taught me anything in these past months, it’s that karma has a way of coming back on you and making you her bitch.

“Please, Drayden. Take it back.” I try to shove it into his hand again but he takes a step back, making sure I’m unsuccessful in my attempts. “I don’t want your money.”

“But you need it, and I want to give it to you, Essie.”

“I don’t need
five million
dollars.” Yes, I need some of it to survive on, but I’m not going to tell him that. I briskly walk past him and put the check on top of his desk, making sure to make a sound as I slam it down on the wood.

“Don’t be stubborn, Essie. What are you going to do for money? Where are you going to live? You can’t go back to living in the shit-hole where I found you.”

“Like I said, I’ll figure it out.”

I swing around and make my way to the door but he races ahead of me, blocking my escape from his office.

“If you won’t take my money then please let me find you a decent place to live. I can pay for your housing and expenses. That way, I know you won’t be worrying about having a roof over your head. You’ve got enough on your plate as it is. Please, let me do this for you.” When he sees my hesitation, he jumps at his opportunity. “I
want
to do this for you, Ess.”

Since I know he isn’t going to let up, I come up with the perfect compromise. “Okay, but on one condition.”

“Name it,” he says as a smile starts to upturn his full lips.

“Once I find a job, I will not only foot my own bill going forward but I will pay you back every last red cent I owe you.” I’m standing firm on this. I really do need a place to go, that part I hadn’t really thought through too well, but I’m not going to let him pay my bills. I look up and see him start to smirk so I have to add, “And I’m not living somewhere I can’t eventually afford on my own.”

His smirk quickly fades.

“What kind of job are you going to look for?” he asks me.

“I was thinking I would try to see if there are any little bakeries which are hiring.” He looks at me a bit confused so I elaborate why I would pick that choice. “One of my foster mothers taught me how to bake and I really enjoyed it. She was the only one who was ever kind to me, so I used to pretend she was my real mom and my life was normal for once, if only for a brief moment. But it didn’t last too long. She ended up dying after only six months of me being there, so I was shipped off to another home.” I look off into thin air, remembering one of the only happy memories of my dreadful childhood. When I come back to reality, I look back up at him and wait for him to say something. Anything. I don’t like talking about my past, and I’m looking for him to break the uncomfortable silence looming between us.

But he’s just smiling at me, his lips turned up into the biggest grin I have ever seen.

“What?” I ask him, not quite sure if I want to know the answer.

“Dela owns a bakery. How perfect is that? I’m sure she needs some help, what with having to take care of four kids and everything.”

There is no way I ever expected those words to come out of his mouth. Is he trying to be my knight in shining armor or something? Because he’s succeeding. But of course, I have my reservations. “No, no, no.  It’s not a good idea, Drayden. I want to find something on my own.”

“Do you want to leave here, Essie? Do you want to start over?” He looks pensive as he peppers me with questions.

“Yes,” I answer, short and to the point.

“Then let me arrange this for you, and when the time is right, you can search for another place to work. But in the meantime, this is a start.”

I think about it for a couple minutes, all the while glancing over at him, pacing back and forth in front of me. “Okay, fine. But it’s only temporary.”

“Okay, good!” he exclaims, clasping his hands together in triumph. “Now, why don’t you take your bags back to your room and I’ll start the search for your new place.”

“How about I take my bags back to my room and we
both
look for my new place.” He’s still trying to take all of the control.

“Fine.”             

“Fine,” I repeat.  All the way back to my room, I have a small smile on my face. While the thought of actually doing something as mundane as looking for an apartment would be a pain in the ass for most people, I’m happy I’m going to be able to spend a little bit more time with Drayden.

I know it’s going to come to an end, but I will enjoy it all the same.

~~~~

It takes an entire month to find a place in a safe neighborhood which will fit into my future budget. Drayden spoke to Dela about me coming to work for her and she’s thrilled with the idea. She really needs the help and is only too happy to hire me for the job. I steal the phone away from his ear when I hear him start to negotiate my pay, though. It’s something which should only be between me and my future employer. He’s none too happy he isn’t privy to that information, but I’m sure with enough prodding, he’ll get Dela to spill the beans.

From my brief interactions with Dela, I know I like her and we’ll get along just fine. It’s weird knowing I’m going to be working so closely with someone in Drayden’s family, and that both rattles and soothes me at the same time. I wasn’t ready to give him up completely and this way, I’m almost guaranteed to see him every now and again.

Even with everything which has gone down between the two of us, there’s a constant underlying current present. It started the very first night we interacted at the bar. It continued even when we couldn’t stand one another. And it continues now, with every look and gentle touch passing between us.

We have never really kissed, not in the way you would with someone who affects you like this. We’ve only had sex twice in the entire time we’ve known each other. But it’s not like the desire to do so again doesn’t claim my every thought, and I’m sure it’s not just me. I can see the lust in his eyes whenever he steals a glance my way and he doesn’t think I’m paying attention.              

But for there to be something real, something probable between us, we would have to erase the past, and that’s something we just can’t do. So I’ll take his stolen glances and forever live out the fantasy of
us
together in my mind.

Against my insistence, Drayden fully furnishes my new apartment, everything from my new bedroom suite right down to the silverware for the kitchen. I try to keep track of all the expenses, mentally jotting down the cost, but there is so much I just lose track. He gives me a funny look when I tell him to add it to my bill.

I don’t want to owe him anything or make him feel like he has to provide for me. I’m a grown woman and I need to act like it. This is my first stab at a real life--a normal life--and I’m going to grab on with both hands and see where the ride takes me. It’s scary, but it’s comforting knowing everything I’ve always dreamed of growing up is now within my reach.

I’m not looking for riches anymore. I’m only looking for a safe place to rest my head, a secure job which will provide me with enough money to take care of my small expenses, and hopefully some new people who I can eventually call friends.

For once in my life, I dream of a simple existence; one which doesn’t involve schemes and hustles, lies and deceit.

“Hey, Essie, these scones are amazing. What did you put in them?” Dela asks as she’s still chomping on one, reaching for another.

“I can’t tell you because then you’ll have no further use of my talents. And a girl’s gotta make sure her job is secure, right?” I laugh as I start to mix up a fresh batch of vanilla swirl brownies.

“Seriously, girl, you have got some mad baking skills. We’ve managed to almost double some of our orders because of you.” She winks at me as she finishes her second scone, making her way toward the back of her small shop to take some inventory before we’re finished for the day.

I’ve only been working here for two weeks and already I can tell her business is picking up. Don’t get me wrong; Dela is a fantastic baker. In fact, I probably gained a few pounds munching away on her pastries, but I guess I bring a little something extra to the table.

It seems like we’re a good team together.

Just as we’re almost done cleaning up and getting ready to close, the bell over the door rings out as someone enters the store.

“Sorry, but we’re closing!” I yell out without raising my head. Part of my hair falls forward and I gingerly tuck it back behind my ear, still not engaging whoever just walked in.

“This won’t take long.” I still my movements when I hear his voice. I can never forget the husk and gravel etched so deep in the timber of his tone. My body breaks out in tiny bumps, sending a shiver right to my very core. I slowly lift my head and when my eyes find his, I feel a rush of desire pool between my legs.

He does it to me every single time.

I’ve fantasized about him every day, remembering the way he smells when he’s close to me. Remembering the way he looks when he’s both pissed off and when his mood is serene. He is hands-down the most addictive man I’ve ever met in my life.

And him standing here before me now just drives that home even more. As if I could ever forget. He’s wearing an impeccable, dark-grey suit which sets off his taunting blue eyes. His hair is a bit longer, but it does nothing to distract from his appeal. And he’s sporting two-day-old stubble which simply adds to his sexiness.

“What are you doing here?” I don’t know what else to say to him. I was hoping he would stop by and see me, but I didn’t think that would actually happen. Well, this soon at least.

“I came by to invite you to a family dinner this weekend.” He moves closer. “At my house.” He takes a few more steps until he’s standing directly in front of me. His gaze swoops over my body very slowly, obviously taking his time to drink me in. I’m wearing a simple cream top with a pair of skinny jeans, but he makes me flush as if I’m completely naked. When his eyes finally land back on my face, he flicks his tongue out and wets his bottom lip. I literally have to force myself to look away before I do or say something crazy. Thankfully, Dela interrupts us when she comes back into the front of the store, double-checking everything is done before we leave.

“Oh, hi, Dray.” She gives him a puzzled look before starting to panic. “What are you doing here? Is everything okay?” She’s getting herself all worked up, but thankfully, he puts her out of her misery almost as soon as it starts.

“Calm down, woman,” he says with a smirk. “Everything’s fine. I just stopped by to invite Essie to the family dinner on Saturday.” He’s suddenly becoming nervous, shifting his weight from one foot to the other.

Why would he be nervous?

“Jesus, you just about gave me a heart attack,” she dramatically says.

“Why?” he asks.

“Because you never come in here, that’s why.” Dela narrows her eyes at him, trying to guess what his real motive is here.

“Whatever,” is his dismissive response to her before he turns his eyes back on me again. “So, Essie. What do you say? Will you come? Everyone is dying to see you and spend some time with you.”

“Even you?” Dela asks, trapping him to give an answer.

Without wavering, he says, “Of course, even me.”

I break the eye contact and shift my body around so he can’t see the apprehension on my face. I really want to go, but I’m not sure if it’s a good idea. I miss his family terribly, but I’m scared I’m setting myself up for heartache in the near future. Nothing can come of it between us, so I’m only kidding myself by playing into the notion that it can.

“I don’t think I should, Drayden. But thank you for offering.” My back is still turned to him when I answer, and I’m quickly relieved when I hear the front door open and close. Exhaling a breath, I turn around and start to speak to Dela when he comes back into my line of sight.

What the hell?

“Where’s Dela?”

“She left. She knew we needed to be alone.” He kills the space remaining between us with his long legs and is standing directly in front of me before I can move back. He grabs my chin and forces me to look at him.

“Why would we need to be alone? We don’t really have anything to talk about.”

“Yes, we do.” He looks away briefly before reconnecting with my gaze. “We have a lot to talk about but every time I muster up the courage to do so, you shut me down with that look of yours. But no more, Essie.”

He leans in closer to where his lips are but a breath away from mine. I swear I can taste them, and I want nothing more than for him to ravage my mouth but I move back, putting some much needed distance between us.

This is all new for me. He’s someone I didn’t bank on; not before and not now. I’ve never had anyone want to be nice to me before, especially after pulling one of my stunts. I’ve never had anyone make me feel everything Drayden has managed to evoke from me.

He’s new territory for me and I’m not sure how to react. I’m going on instinct here, but my instincts have proven me wrong before.

I draw myself up in a rigid stance and look directly into his eyes. I know I have to dispel any notion he has before he forms it into something more. “I know what happened between us will never go away. We’ll forever share that bond and the pain will forever reside in my soul, but I can’t be around you or your family yet. It hurts too much. I’m still too raw, Drayden. Please understand.”

He backs up a few steps and drops his arms to his sides. He looks disappointed, but there is still a glimmer of hope behind his wishful demeanor.

“Okay.”

That’s all he says before he turns and walks out the door, the bell ringing louder in my ears than ever before.

The next day, I can’t get away from Dela. She’s asking me what happened between us. She keeps telling me how odd it was for him to show up like that; he obviously wanted to see me and invite me himself. She tells me he could have just as easily passed on the invite through his brother.

She’s going a million miles a minute, never letting me get in a single syllable.

Finally, after she’s done with all her observations, she looks at me, waiting for me to say something.

“What? I’m not ready, Dela. I need more time.” For some reason, my hand flies right to my belly, a nervous habit I’ve picked up over the past couple months.

“Sorry, honey, I didn’t mean to press you. I know you’ve been through something tragic, but it’s just we haven’t see this side of Drayden in a very long time. You’re all he ever talks about with Dex, which, by the way, is a miracle in and of itself.”

“Why?”

“Because he’s been so closed off from his family for years. The simple fact he’s coming around again is simply wonderful. And I think it has everything to do with you.”

No, I can’t believe that. What impact could I have had on him welcoming his family back into his life?

“Well, I need more time. Maybe someday in the future I can, but not right now.”

“I understand. And hey, they have a family dinner every weekend now, so I’m sure he’ll invite you again real soon.”

I’m both thrilled and nervous about the prospect.