Fighting Temptation (Bay State Series Book 1) (6 page)

Playing games

I leave his office to grab lunch feeling like a million bucks. He's affected alright. This is going to be so much fun. I smile to myself the whole way to the deli. On my way back I decide that I'm going to kick things up another notch.

“Here you go sir.” He takes his sandwich and watches me as I have a seat across from him and lean forward to eat my sandwich. I can feel his eyes on me as I sit up and lick some mayonnaise from my finger. As I look into his eyes, I see them widen at my display. Game on!

  When we've finished eating I stand up from my chair, walk behind him and start to rub his shoulders. “What are doing?” He jumps in his seat at my first touch.

“You seem so tense, I'm just trying to help. Is this okay?”

“Yes of course, you just caught me off guard. I am a little tense, thanks.”

“Anytime sir,” I say in a sexy whisper. He hasn't seemed to mind that I haven't called him by his name. I wonder why? After no more than ten minutes he moves away and stands up, immediately cutting off any contact. I can't help but notice the significant sized bulge in the front of his pants.

“Sorry, I just realized I have an appointment in twenty minutes with my doctor a few blocks away.”

“Is everything okay Braydon? Do you need me to cancel your meeting later today?”

“No I'll be back by then, just a routine check up.”

“Well alright, be careful.”

“Thank you. You can go and see if John has anything he'd like your help with. I should be back in about an hour.”

Doctors appointment my ass! He had one two weeks ago. Did he forget I take care of his schedule? Which happens to be free this afternoon until our three o'clock meeting. Ha, he needs to get away from me. I do a little happy dance before going to find John.

                                *****

At home a few days later Rachel approaches me with the a million questions.

“What's been up with you lately girl? Why the change of heart on these clothes? Your glowing, have you met someone?”

“Calm down, don't go picking out a bridesmaid's dress. Yes I'm interested in someone. I really don't want to tell you because you'll give my shit.” She gave me a look of disbelief, “Trust me, I know you. You'd have a field day with this information.”

“Please? I'm your bestie, you have to tell me! You have to tell someone. Who else can you tell huh? Nobody. So spill already, you know I'll get it out of you eventually. You so don't want to see what lengths I will go to for you to talk.”

“Fine, I definitely don't want to deal with your torture methods.” We laugh because she can get pretty crazy when she wants something. She hid my phone and laptop for two days in college before I confessed all the sordid details of what Jackson did to me.

Needless to say, her reaction was exactly why I didn't want to tell her. I almost had to bail her out of jail when she went to confront him and the she devil was there. It wasn't pretty.

“I have it bad for Braydon, and I think he feels the same way.” She jumps up and down, letting out a high pitched squeal. “Hold up, no celebratory dance yet. It's complicated. For the first two weeks at work he was a complete dick to me. Monday, after changing my attire and putting myself out there and taking a chance, actually being nice to him, he seemed to go back to the way he was before that first afternoon. In the meeting I was daydreaming about him and he caught me. He became cold and distant afterwards. He was so nice and flirty that morning and at my interview. I don't understand the change. It's driving me crazy!”

“Isn't it obvious? He has it bad for you too! John had told me something happened to him in college like what happened to you, he was hurt. He's not looking for a relationship, on top of that he never mixes business with pleasure. I overheard a conversation John was having with him. Now I couldn't hear both sides but I know that it had something to do with a client not taking no for an answer and stalking him. That's most likely explains why he was acting that way. He doesn't want to get close to you. Now I understand what happened that night at the club when he showed up.”

“I would get super nervous around him, I never knew how he would treat me. You know me, I don't like putting myself out there for disappointment. I'm attracted to him, so the fact that he was acting that way had my walls up in a big way.”

Rachel has a huge grin on her face. “Well now you know, what are you gonna do about it?”

“I'm gonna give him a taste of his own medicine. I'm gonna play so hard to get that he won't know what hit him when I finally do give in. Up until then I'm gonna come up with any excuse to hold off. Thanks for the business, pleasure tid bit. I plan on using that right before I cave, that is if he's so inclined.”

“Girl I'd bet my first born he'll be inclined.” Again we bust out in a fit of laughter.

“You having kids, I can't wait to see that. I'll take that bet, they'll be mine too anyway. I love you Rachel, I'm so glad I came with you guys. I'll keep you updated. See if you can weasel some information out of John without seeming too obvious.”

     “It's on!”

                                *****

“Good morning gorgeous.” I say with a wink as I step into Braydon's office the following morning. He looks up with a small smile that immediately turns into that panty dropping grin I love so much. I also love that I have this affect on him.

“Good morning Ilyanna. Shall we get down to business? We have a full agenda today and meetings all afternoon.”

Not the response I was looking for, but a little a time. At least he's not being an asshole anymore. “What do you need me to do first?”

    “It seems we missed a few things when we went through those audits. Can you please have a look through them for me and see if you can spot any errors? Thanks.”

“Alright, I'll let you know what I find. If you need anything let me know.”

Around twelve thirty I come back to his office having found nothing. Wondering if there was anything at all or if he just didn't want to be near me. If that's the case my plan is working. I'm seriously affecting him.

Don't get me wrong, he's affecting me too.

I'm not letting him know that though. I'm only a little more friendly with him than I am with anyone else in the office. I don't want in their pants or anything, but I can't let Braydon know just how much I want him. I don't want to look desperate. I need him to meet me halfway. Show me he wants me. To make some kind of gesture so I know beyond assumption that this goes both ways.

    “I didn't find anything off, it all looked good to me.”

“Very well, would you like to grab some lunch with me? We don't have anything until two. We can head to Faneuil Hall. Have you ever been?”

“No, that sounds like fun. We've been talking about going but haven't made it yet.”

“Awesome it's less than a ten minute walk so that'll give us plenty of time before we have to get back.”

                                *****

“This place is enormous, I've never seen so much food in one place. I don't know what I want.”

I'm sure I look like a kid on Christmas morning. It looks like he gave up on being a jerk. I'm not going to complain though. I much prefer this side of him. I can be myself and lighten up. What a relief. I can't stop smiling, and I'm not going to lie, I love being around the new him.

“What? You didn't have a food court where you're from?”

“Well we did, but nothing like this. Just a small one in the mall.”

“Great, is it gonna take you forever to pick out something to eat?” He asks with laughter.

Oh no, he is not laughing at me. I jokingly stick my nose up in the air and turn around to stomp away from him, which just makes him laugh even harder. I really can't believe this is the same man from the last couple of weeks. He's probably finally got some. Urgh, why the hell did I have to have that thought? Shaking the horrible thought away I turn back to him and put a big smile on face. Why is it my business if he's sleeping with someone? It's not like we're a couple, he's just my boss.

After what seems like forever, I finally decide on some pizza. It looks delicious.

     “So, what's your favorite part of Boston so far?”

“Honestly , the people have been so nice to me. I guess I'm not used to it.”

“Really? I thought we had a reputation of being Massholes?” I don't think I've ever seen him laugh this much. “Why aren't you used to that? Your a very nice person.”

“Starting in high school, kids just stopped being my friends. Most likely because teenagers like to get into trouble and my dad was a cop.” I shrug like it's no big deal. “And who wants to hang out with someone they think is going to go home and tell on them to daddy. Not that I would have, but that's my guess.”

    “That's bullshit! They were probably just jealous, I mean look at you, if you looked like that in high school. You said your dad was a cop. Is he retired?”

“No, he was killed a few years ago right after he ended his shift on an all units respond car chase.” I start to cry just like I do every time I talk about it. “I don't really know the exact details, I told my mother I didn't want to know. I thought it would be a little easier that way.”

“I'm so sorry. We don't have to talk about it. I didn't mean to make you cry.” He reaches across the table to wipe away a stray tear. How sweet, I smile at him and sniffle a bit.

“I'll be okay. You asked a question and I answered it. There's not much more to say so it's a moot point. What about you? What was it like to grow up in Boston?”

“I didn't grow up here, I just came for college. I loved it so much that I decided to stay.”

“Where are you from then? Around here?” I can get so lost in him. I don't know if that's a good thing or not. I guess time will tell.

“It's about four hours away in Bangor, Maine. My parents are still there. My mom was a house wife, working odd part time jobs when I finally went to school. My dad's a retired fisherman. I don't see them as much as I'd like to though. My dad just had a minor heart attack not that long ago.”

“Oh my God! Is he is okay?”

“Yeah, it wasn't anything too serious. The doctors told him to get plenty of rest and to watch what he eats.”

“It must be hard being so far away while he's sick. I don't think I could leave my mom's side if she was.” He gives me a questioning look as if I think poorly of him because he's here and not with them. “I understand you have a business to run and it would be my choice to stay with her. She would insist that I didn't but I would anyway. I don't think any less of you.” I give him a gentle smile as I take his hand in both of mine.

    “Thanks, I guess?” He voices it like a question as I sit just looking at him and rubbing the top of his hand with my thumb, waiting for him to continue. “I went to the hospital as soon as my mom called me. Took me a while to get there, and when I did he was sleeping. I got a hotel room and drove home in the morning. I went to see him the next day. We talked for a while about what the doctors had to say. He was so sleepy. He ended up falling asleep in his recliner mid conversation.”

“I miss my mother. Although she's quite a bit further than four hours away. I told her I would try and get a plane ticket to see her for the holidays. Hopefully my tyrant of a boss will let me take some time off.” The look he gives me makes me giggle.

He grabs my hand and yanks me up over the table until our faces were only inches apart.  “Tyrant huh? Hmm? I'll have to come up with a punishment for that remark.”

That stopped my giggling real quick. I'd love to see how he'd punish me. I really hope the color in my cheeks isn't giving my desire for him away. “You don't scare me, bring it on!”

“I intend to. Don't you worry.” He says as he releases me so I can slide back down into my seat.

“I'm definitely not worried, I'm looking forward to it.” Ha! Take that, I thought as he chokes on his drink. That just sends me into another round of giggles.

“Come on. We should get back to the office. Don't want to be late for our meeting.”

The entire way back I think about all of the delicious ways I wouldn't mind him torturing me.

Road block

“So are you guys going out at all this weekend?” I ask, trying to see if I can get an invite. We've been getting along great all week, eating lunch together every day and talking constantly in between business. If anything I can say we've certainly become friends. True I want more, but I'm not pushing it. And dammit, if I'm reading her right, she wants more too. No sense in rushing it. Like my mom said, if it's meant to happen it will.

“Yeah, you should come with us. We're going to Rain again.” That smile, damn I don't think I could breathe without my daily dose. I don't get it on the weekends as it is. I'm gonna do whatever the fuck I have to to change that.

“You know what?” I let the words hang in the air for a minute to watch her face turn from a beautiful smile to a frown. Good to know that she enjoys my company as much as I do hers. “I would love to come out with you now that, how shall I say? It's not so tense between us.” Her smile lights up the room as she rushes to give me a hug.

    “Awesome, we're going tomorrow night. There's this guy that's been there a couple times on Fridays and he creeps me out. I'm hoping he's not there on Saturdays.” Interesting, the shithead better hope he doesn't try anything while I'm there. I'll break his fucking face.

“I'm definitely coming with you every time you go out now. If anyone bothers you let me know and I'll take care of it.” Bet her ass I will.

“You don't have to do that. I want you to enjoy yourself, not babysit me.” Hands on her hips, she shakes her head at me with pursed lips and continues, “Anyway I doubt anyone would even bother me with you around, so I wouldn't worry about it.”

“What? You want to act like a couple or something?” I don't know if that would be such a great idea, it might turn into more than she's ready for. I already want her, pretending I'm with her will make it even harder to contain myself.

    “If you wouldn't mind, it'll be so much easier to fend off unwanted attention if anyone that would otherwise approach me thinks I'm with someone.” She bites her lip and it's so damn cute.

“Why don't you want attention? Your young, beautiful and single. Don't you want to find someone and settle down? You know white picket fence, kids, dog, mini van with your little stick figure family on the back window and all that shit.” She looks at me with a grimace like the idea disgusts her.

“Ah, no. I thought I did once before and had my heart shattered into a million pieces. I'm all set on getting my hopes and dreams crushed again. I don't think I could take going through that again.” She looks so sad, I wish I could wipe that frown off of her face permanently.

Maybe in time I will. I just have to take it slow so I don't scare her away. “You don't think there's that one person out there that might change your mind?” Not too long ago I felt the same way about the whole relationship thing. Lately though I think I could spend the rest of my life with this girl. If I can't stand to be away from her now, I can only imagine how it will be once I've started not only seeing her at work but socially too. Yeah, not sure how slow I can be. I want her plain and simple and I will have her. It all depends on her. Hopefully she doesn't make me wait too long. I'm almost positive she feels something for me, she's just scared.

She looks at me like I've suddenly sprouted a second head. “I don't know, like I said I don't want to even take that chance. Better to not open myself up for it. I'm perfectly content with the way my life is.”

                                *****

“Dance with me!” She yells excitedly to me over the music. It's a slow song. I groan and give her a slight frown. I don't want to seem eager. Her body pressed against mine. Hell yes. I'll have some of that.

“Please? This is one of my favorite songs, I love it!” She's smiling and batting those sexy ass eyelashes at me. What the hell, let the fun begin.

“Just one, I really don't like to dance.”

“Yay!!” She squeals and jumps up, grabs my hand and drags me to the dance floor.

“What's this song? Can't say I listen to country, but this isn't too bad.” I have my hands on her waste, while her arms are around my neck. I'm trying to let her set the distance. So far she makes no move to get closer.

She looks up into my eyes, “It's Hey pretty girl, by Kip Moore. I have to say if I had to pick a wedding song this would be it. Not that I will ever need to. But yeah, I love this song.” She shrugs it off like it's no big deal. I can see it hurts and I'd like to meet the mother fucker face to face who did this and let her watch as I beat his ass.

   “I like it. I never thought I would say I liked country music. Just don't tell my friends okay?” Glad to have put a smile on her face and make her laugh, I move a little closer just to test the waters, not being able stand the distance anymore.

“Don't worry, your secret is safe with me,” She winks and closes the gap by placing her head on my chest, “thank you,” she adds, suddenly sounding upset.

“What are you thanking me for?” This woman confuses me. One minute she's happy the next she's sad. Maybe it's all the alcohol she's had. Granted I don't think three mixed drinks would make her act like this. “Have you had too much to drink?” I ask on a laugh.

She lifts her face to me and she has tears in her eyes. She sniffles as she answers me. “No it's not the alcohol. Your being so nice to me is all. I'm not used to it outside a few people. Sorry I'm being emotional. We can go if you want, I don't want to ruin your night.”

“Impossible, I just don't want you to be sad. You're a good person and don't deserve to be treated badly. I would treat you like a princess if I could.” She just lays her head back on my chest as we sway to the rest of the song.

I don't think I could handle another song and thank fuck she steps away and heads back to the table once it's done. When we get back to our seats John and Rachel are MIA. They're probably at the bar or on the dance floor.

No one's approached Ilyanna tonight. Sure I've seen some guys checking her out. But who wouldn't? She's hot, can't say I blame them. “Let's head over to the bar, I need another beer,” I say as I tilt my head towards the back of the club.

She waves me away. “I'm good, I'm tired, I'll just sit here and wait.” Fuck! What's got her so upset? I don't think I said anything that would've upset her. I'll just ask her again when I get back to the table. Pretty sure there's more to it than she's letting on.

Half way to the bar I feel arms around my waist. I turn around, about to ask her if she changed her mind. Oh! What the fucking hell? The stripper, what's her name again? Shit. I can't remember. Leaning in and hanging onto my arm she smiles and starts talking. I try to block her out and look for Ilyanna. Damn. She's not at the table anymore.

“Hey handsome, it's nice to see you outside of the club. You wanna come home with me and I'll give you another private dance? Maybe this time you can get naked too.”

I'm about to tell her she's drunk and no thank you, when I see Ilyanna. She'd changed her mind and was heading over to me. She must have caught the end of what the other girl had said because she just shook her head and turned back in the other direction.

“No thanks. I'm here with someone so if you'll excuse me.” I start to walk away and she grabs my arm.

“It didn't look like you were together, together from where I was sitting” She gives me a shit eating grin and winks.

“Not that it's any of your business but I would like to be together, together with her. So if you don't mind I need to go find her.”

   Is this chick serious? Can she not tell I'm not into her? Maybe if she doesn't take the hint this time I'll try setting her up with one of the guys. She seems a little needy to me. Brent likes needy bitches. He can have her.

I can't find her anywhere so I go and find Rachel. “Can you go see if Ilyanna is in the bathroom? She saw someone talking to me and took off. I can't find her anywhere.”

     If looks could kill I'd be a dead man. “You we're talking to some other chick while you're here with her. Are you dense? You have got to know that girl wants you. You dumb ass.” And she storms off too.

John's just shakes his head laughing while holding his gut with one hand and pointing at me with the other. “Guess she told you, huh?”

“Shut the fuck up! What does she mean I have to know she wants me? She always says she doesn't want a relationship when I bring it up. I don't know shit. We've been getting along and yes I want her. But seriously I wasn't even talking to that pain in the ass from the strip club.”

“Whoa! Did you just say it was the red head you told me about? Oh shit man, this sucks. I guess any chick that sees another talking to a guy she's interested in isn't gonna ask questions. They always just assume. You'll just have to tell her about it honestly, and don't leave anything out. Trust me if you do she'll find out somehow and it will come back and bite you in the ass later.”

Just then Rachel's at my side. “She's not in the bathroom. I asked the bouncer and he said someone fitting her description left about five minutes ago.” She's out of breath. Obviously. She'd been running around the club frantically searching for her friend. “Let's just head out, she most likely went home. I'll talk to her.”

    Fuck....... Why did she have to be here tonight? Things were going good, although Ilyanna seemed a little sad. I planned on changing that. The whole way home I keep thinking about what I had to say to her. Honestly why should it matter to her if I was talking to someone else.

Were not a couple.

I need to remember to call my mom and get some insight on the female mind. In the meantime, I'm silently praying that my chance with Ilyanna didn't get fucked up because of one chick I don't even know, nor want to.

    Shit, this is beyond fucked!

I waited an hour before calling John. He answers on the second ring, sounding exhausted.

     “Hey.”

“Hey, is everything alright over there?” I can only imagine what he's had to listen to.

“Yeah, they're in Ilyanna's room now. I had to listen to Rachel curse you the whole way home though. Like it's your fault she approached you. She told me if I thought it was okay that I could go find some stripper bitch too.”

   “I'm sorry, this has nothing to do with you and everything to do with me. Why do chicks do that? Turn shit around on us?” I've seen that so much with some of the guys I went to school with. And of course it was my fault Heather cheated on me. Bullshit!

“I know, girls stick together and shit. I get it. She'll get over it and I'll enjoy the apology.” This makes me laugh for the first time in over an hour.

“Lucky bastard. Well I'm gonna try to get some sleep. I feel really shitty so I'm sure I won't be able to. Talk to you tomorrow.”

Still laughing. “Don't worry buddy, we're gonna try and sort this mess out. I'll call you tomorrow.”

Looking out the floor to ceiling window in my bedroom, I stand thinking about the look on her face as she turned and fled. One word describes what I saw there.

Hurt.