Part 14 (1/2)
”Fiiiiin,” I groaned, and my nipples were suddenly awake.
”Okay, maybe that's a conversation for another time, eh? Okay, so there's this rather posh charity ball thing in a couple of months. McKendrick Law attends every year. It's run by a children's cancer charity, and I really want to go. I'd like you to go with me as my date. What do you think?”
Ugh. Events like that weren't really my kind of thing, but I didn't want to let Fin down. The fact that I wouldn't know anyone there preyed on my mind, along with visions of being left with a table full of strangers whilst Fin went to mingle.
I realised I had been silent for a while and cleared my throat. ”Um...yeah. Yeah, sure.”
Fin sighed. ”Do I sense a bit of hesitation, Star? If you'd rather not go-”
”No, I'll go. I'm just being silly. Events like this are something I don't normally attend because I don't really fit in at such things, but for you, I'll go.”
There was a pause at his end this time before he continued. ”Hey, I don't want you to feel pressured into going. I just...I want to show you off.”
Heat rose in my cheeks even though he couldn't see me. I wanted so much to kiss him right then. ”You're so sweet.”
”When it comes to sweet, I think you win, hands down.”
”Don't you know that flattery will get you everywhere, Mr. Hunter?”
He chuckled. ”Well, I certainly hope so.” His deep voice sent a shot of pleasure straight to my s.e.x, and I had to breathe deeply in through my nose to calm myself. ”Look, if you really don't want to go, that's fine. And it's a while away so I don't want to put pressure on you so soon.”
Why was I hesitating? This was Fin saying that he saw our relations.h.i.+p as meaningful. That he was looking beyond the next week and believing that perhaps we were going to last. Why else would he want to take me to such an important event?
I mentally pulled up my big girl panties. ”Fin, I'd honestly be delighted to go with you. And besides, it gives me an opportunity to go shopping for a fancy outfit.” Why the h.e.l.l did I say that? I hate shopping.
”Look, you're a beautiful woman, and I don't care what you wear. Don't feel you have to be all conservative. Just be you. It's you that I lo-I mean it's you that...”
My breath hitched and I covered my mouth. He almost said he loved me. Oh s.h.i.+t, oh s.h.i.+t, oh s.h.i.+t. It was too soon. Much too soon. But d.a.m.n if I didn't feel it too.
”It's okay, Fin. I know what you mean. And I promise I will be myself.”
”Good. Now when can I see you again?”
Fin Just the thought of seeing Star all dressed up for the ball turned me on and made my heart do somersaults in my chest. I hoped she would wear something really s.e.xy underneath her clothes so I had even more to look forward to when I took her home and peeled her out of whatever she was wearing. Although, I knew whatever she wore, she'd look stunning.
We arranged to see each other a couple of nights later and go to DeBas.e.m.e.nt again, and I found myself counting the hours until I could see her.
When the day arrived, I was sitting at my desk, staring at the view of the vast city, coffee cup in hand, having a break and fantasising about her when there was a knock on my door which yanked me from my daydream.
”Hi, Fin.” Alasdair's bright and breezy voice caught me off guard.
I spun around on my chair. ”Oh, hi, Alasdair. I was just...um-”
He held his hands up and laughed. ”Will you please stop panicking every time I walk into your office?”
I ran a hand through my hair and huffed the air from my lungs through puffed cheeks. ”Sorry. Force of habit.”
He shook his head and rolled his eyes, smiling. ”I came in to ask if you and your lady friend would like to meet Colette and me for drinks next weekend. I thought perhaps...sorry, what's her name?” He cringed.
”Star,” I informed him with a cheesy grin.
”I thought perhaps Star may feel a little more comfortable knowing a couple more faces at the charity ball.”
This guy never ceased to amaze me. ”That's...that's really kind of you, Alasdair. Thank you. Where were you thinking of going? And when? We could meet you there.”
”Oh, I was thinking somewhere quite relaxed. Maybe just a bar in the centre? How about Deacon Brodie's on the Royal Mile? Say eight, a week on Friday? We can grab a bite to eat too if you're okay with that?”
”Sounds great. I'm seeing her tonight so I'll mention it then.”
”Great stuff.” He turned to leave. ”Oh, and Fin, I heard about the work you did on the Henderson case. The ideas you came up with really turned things around. It just shows you what a new perspective on a case can achieve. Well done, son.” And with that, he left.
I sat there, wide-eyed and with a knot of excitement in my stomach. Once again feeling that I had done Alasdair and the company proud made me feel on top of the world.
I could get used to this.
Fin I knocked on Star's door on the evening of our next date, and when it opened, I was greeted by a stern-faced man. Confusion briefly washed over me until I remembered she mentioned her male roommate and best friend, and even though Star and I had been seeing each other a while now, I was yet to make his acquaintance.
I smiled warmly and held out my hand. ”You must be Alec. It's good to finally meet you.”
He seemed reluctant but shook my hand. ”Fin.” My name fell from his lips as though it tasted bad. ”You'd better come in.”
I frowned and nodded before stepping past him through the doorway and into the lounge area. ”Is Star ready?”
”She won't be long. Have a seat.” He gestured to the couch and I suddenly felt nervous, like a teenager meeting a date's father for the first time. My palms began to sweat and I wiped them down my jeans. I sat as instructed and peered up at him where he hovered over me.
Alec snickered. ”Do I make you nervous?”
I narrowed my eyes. What a bizarre question to ask of another adult. ”No, not nervous. I just feel a little hostility coming from you and I'm wondering why.” Nothing like being honest.
He folded his arms across his chest. ”Let's just say I didn't appreciate the way you treated my best friend after your first date. And it worries me that you're stickin' around if you're planning to do the same again.” By first date, I knew he meant our almost one night stand, and it sort of figured why he was being so a.r.s.ey.
I nodded and smirked. ”Okay, so you're giving me the big brother talk?”
His frown deepened. ”I don't think it's funny. Star is a very special person. She has a heart of gold, and she deserves the best. She deserves to be respected and loved, Fin. Not tossed out like trash.”
I stood to face him, feeling that I needed to be on equal footing. ”Look, Alec. I know I f.u.c.ked up the first time around, okay? But, not that it's really any of your business...” I lowered my voice in the hope that the confession I was about to make was only heard by him. I wasn't ready to confess it in my own actual words to the object of my affections. ”But I think I'm falling for her. No...I know I am. She is special. You're right. And I feel like s.h.i.+t about how I reacted after our first encounter, but I've been going through a really difficult time lately. I won't bore you with the details but suffice it to say, I realised my mistake and I'm ready to do anything it takes to not hurt her again.”
Suddenly, he stepped toward me, and I flinched, ready to strike back, but instead he grappled me into a hug. ”I knew it. I b.l.o.o.d.y knew it.” He slapped my back and I stood there for a moment before returning the hug. He pulled away, and with his hands resting on my shoulders and sincerity in his eyes, he pleaded, ”Just don't break her heart, okay?”
I hoped my eyes held the sincerity I felt. ”I don't intend to.”
”What's going on here? Are you trying to steal my man, Alec McVey?” Star's beautiful voice was filled with humour.
Alec laughed and slapped me on the back, hard. ”No, Twinkle. Just warning him that if he hurts you, I'll open a large can of whoop a.s.s on him.” He winked at me and I returned his friendly slap on the back with one of my own-maybe using a little too much force.
Star The strange atmosphere between Alec and Fin seemed to dissipate, and I was relieved to see them laughing and joking together as I pulled on my boots. When I was ready, Fin and I left the apartment under the watchful gaze of my best friend.
As we exited the building, Fin's voice broke the silence. ”Sheesh, he's pretty intense, eh?”
Dread washed over me and I stopped. ”Oh, G.o.d. What did he say to you? I knew he'd said something. Tell me.”