Fighting for My Best Friend (Fated #4) (9 page)

At first I was worried when I didn’t see Aiden at our table. Not
because I expected him to wait for me there but because I was feeling a bit
dizzy after my run in with the police and knew nothing would comfort me like
his attention.

But then I felt eyes on me and looked across the room towards
the dance floor where Aiden and his Mom were standing still and looking in my
direction.

A wave of relief passed over me as he excused himself from her
company and headed my way. I had a strange feeling as I watched him coming
towards me, like I was about to be rescued. Like I was a princess in a castle
and he was moving in slow motion on horseback or something.

I guess it just struck me because he must’ve walked towards me a
million times over the years, but something was different in the way he moved
this time. I don’t know if it was his stance or his pace or the seriousness in
his face, but it felt weirdly exciting to be the thing he was striding towards,
even if it was only for a brief moment.

“Are you alright?” he asked when his final step landed in front
of me.

I nodded. “I’m fine, yeah.”

“Did the cops leave?”

“Yeah, sorry about that again.”

“Don’t apologize,” he said. “Do you want to sit down and tell me
what’s going on?”

I was in no hurry to sit down for another interrogation, but I
wasn’t sure if I had any other options.

Until I noticed Dave twirling Claire around the dance floor
behind Aiden.

“Actually, would you dance with me?” I asked.

A smile lifted his face. “It would be my pleasure.” He stuck out
his elbow so I could take his arm.

Being the girl on his arm was fun, but when he turned towards me
and slipped his hands over my hips, I felt transported away from the stress of
being questioned by the police.

I slung my arms over Aiden’s shoulders and exhaled, feeling my tension
melt into the wooden floor.

“So?” he asked.

“So.”

“Are you going to tell me what the hell that was about?”

I shook my head. “I’m not even sure where to start.”

“The beginning is fine.”

I sighed. “Okay. You know my boss?”

“Unfortunately.”

“Well, he fired Fiona a few weeks ago.”

“What?!”

“That’s why she was drunk and running her mouth when you stopped
by that day.”

“I see,” he said. “What did she get fired for?”

I cringed. “For kneeing him in the balls.”

He stopped rocking on his feet. “What?!”

“He grabbed her- groped her- whatever. Basically, she freaked
out.”

“Jesus.”

“Anyway, as far as I was concerned, it was the last straw. So I
decided to get some legal advice.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Cause it’s not your problem.”

“But my family tree is crawling with lawyers.”

“I know but-”

“Plus, lawyers are expensive. Can you even afford a lawyer right
now?”

“More than I can afford your charity.”

He rolled his eyes. “I wasn’t offering you charity, okay? I know
you’re as capable as you are stubborn but-”

“The other reason I didn’t tell you was because I didn’t want
you to freak out about Chuck and add more stress to the situation.”

He clenched his jaw.

“Please don’t be offended.”

“I suppose legal justice is more than I think he deserves.”

“I know, and you’ve already threatened him, and I just didn’t
think telling you right away was necessary… though I probably would’ve told you
by now if you hadn’t been blowing me off.”

His mouth formed a straight line. “So Nathan is your lawyer?”

“Yeah, he’s a volunteer so he’s been helping me for free.”

“That’s nice of him.”

“He’s a nice guy. In fact, I feel pretty bad that he was dragged
out here on a Saturday because of my case- or not my case, but some other case
that-”

“Slow down.”

I took a deep breath. “To make a long story short, I’ve been
gathering evidence from all the girls at the salon over the past few weeks, and
when Nathan submitted our reports to the police, they were really interested
because Chuck was already on their radar.”

“For what?”

“Well, I guess Pedenko isn’t really his last name for starters.”

Aiden shook his head.

“And they didn’t say much, but it sounds like he has at least
one other business where he may or may not be employing illegal immigrants,
some of which may or may not be underage.”

He exhaled through his nose.

“So I guess when our evidence of his sexual harassment arrived,
it got flagged because they think he might be breaking more laws than they
realized and that underage women could be in danger.”

“Holy shit, Luce.”

“I know.”

“So what did they ask you?”

“Nothing much really. They just wanted to confirm how I got the
evidence Nathan submitted, how long I’ve been working for him, and whether I
know anything about what he does when he’s not at the salon.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Which I don’t.”

Aiden’s hands slid up my back and he hugged me against his
chest.

I felt cocooned in his embrace and would’ve happily snuggled
there forever with his cheek resting on my head… if it weren’t for it being
slightly awkward considering all the people dancing around us.

“I’m glad you’re okay,” he said, taking a step back.

“I am.”

“He hasn’t touched you since I threatened him, right?” he asked,
searching my eyes.

“No,” I said. “Not a hair on my head.”

He exhaled and rolled his shoulders back. “Good. You would tell
me if he did, right?”

My lips fell apart.

“Seriously, Lucy. Promise me.”

“I promise.”

“I fucking hate you working there with that creep.”

“I don’t think it will be much longer,” I said. “As soon as
Fiona finds somewhere else, I’ll probably try and follow her.”

“She hasn’t found anything yet?”

I shook my head. “She’s had a few close calls, but nothing’s
panned out yet.”

“If you need help with your rent or anything-”

“Thanks for the offer, Aiden, but I need your support, not your
money.”

He nodded. “Okay.”

“Anyway,” I said, “as much as I like talking about my creepy
boss, maybe we could change the subject?”

“Sure,” he said. “Thanks for filling me in.”

“Thanks for being such a good sport about… earlier,” I said, rolling
my eyes towards the ceiling.

“It wasn’t easy,” he said. “If it had been anyone besides cops
at the door I would’ve told them where to go.”

I laughed. “Well, thank you for your self-control.”

“You’re welcome,” he said, his eyes darkening. “Unfortunately,
I’m afraid I don’t have any left.”

“Is that a warning?” I asked.

He smiled. “It’s a line.”

“You’re full of ‘em, aren’t you?”

He pulled me close and his voice dropped to a whisper. “Lucy,
let me make something clear.”

I turned my head so I could feel his warm breath on my ear.

“There is absolutely nothing I wouldn’t say to get you into
bed.”

I smiled. “You mean back into bed.”

He shrugged. “To be honest, the bed isn’t even a requirement.”

“Seems a shame not to have a bed in a place with this many though.”

“So true. And actually, seeing as how we have a room each, we’re
spoiled for choice.”

“Are the rooms the same?”

“I think so, except mine probably still has a bottle of
champagne in it.”

“It would be terrible to let that go to waste.”

“Yeah,” he said. “Plus, knowing my Dad it’s probably crap stuff
anyway.”

“So it won’t keep?”

“Exactly.”

I pretended to consider the information carefully.

“Actually, I was going to put us down for one room in the first
place, but I didn’t want to be presumptuous.”

“Oh?”

“I was trying to be a gentleman.”

I smiled and felt my stomach drop. “That won’t be necessary.”

“I’m so relieved you feel that way.”

“Why’s that?”

“Cause as far as the rest of our evening is concerned, I have
nothing polite planned.”

I saw a flash in her eyes that made my blood boil.

“Oh really?” she asked, her cheeks turning pink.

I nodded, struggling to keep from getting hard in the middle of
the dance floor.

“I didn’t know you had any plans at all,” she said.

“Sure you did.”

Her eyes went wide. “Nope. I thought you only invited me as a
gesture of good will so I could do your sister’s hair.”

“You’ve got me all wrong then.”

“Do I?”

I nodded. “I’m much more selfish than that.”

“Huh.” She stuck out her bottom lip. “I’m surprised.”

“Why’s that?”

Her eyes twinkled. “Well if anything, I have to say I’ve been
pleasantly surprised by your generosity.”

I smiled. “I’m glad,” I said, leaning in to her ear. “And I’ve
been surprised by how sweet you taste.”

She swallowed, her eyes flitting around to make sure no one overheard.

I let the words sink in, willing her to start getting wet and
ready for me.

“What exactly did you have in mind,” she asked in a low voice.

“I’m afraid I wouldn’t subject a lady like yourself to such language.”

Her chest sank as she let out her breath.

“Besides, I’d rather show you.”

“I can’t wait.”  

“Then let’s not,” I said, grabbing her hand and leading her off
the dance floor. As we weaved through the other revelers, the MC’s voice came
over the loud speaker.

“Ladies and gentlemen, if we could have your attention up here,
we’re about to cut the cake!”

Lucy stopped in her tracks and looked towards the cake. It was
seven tiers and decorated with delicate white chocolate lace, flowers made of
icing and pearls, and all kinds of other excesses that guaranteed it must’ve set
my Dad back a few grand.

My sister and Dave stood to the side of it as the crowd began closing
in around them.

Lucy looked at me and back at the cake and then at me again and then
longingly at the cake. It was almost as tall as she was, and she admired it the
way I would the Rugby World Cup.

Without letting go of her hand, I stepped back towards her. “Do
you want to stick around for a piece of cake?”

I could see the conflict in her face.

“I don’t mind,” I said. “Really.”

She watched as Claire and Dave each put a hand on the knife and
pushed through the bottom layer. The cameras at the front of the room flashed
like a thousand fireflies.

“No, it’s fine,” she said. “Let’s go.”

“But you love cake.” 

“I do love cake.” She looked towards it one last time and then
back at me. “But I don’t
need
cake.”

I smiled and cocked my head towards the door. I was ecstatic. I
never would’ve held it against her if she’d wanted to stick around, but the fact
that she chose me over the fanciest cake she’d never had meant a lot,
especially considering cake was her ultimate weakness.

Or at least, it used to be.

“My place or yours?” she asked, pressing the elevator call
button.

“Well, my place has champagne.”

“True.” She looked anxiously at the number lighting up above the
door. “But I was going to have something else anyway.”

“Oh?” I asked, feeling a stir in my groin. 

“Something I’ve been craving for too long.”

When the elevator arrived, I followed her on and pressed the
button for the fourth floor. As soon as the doors closed, I pulled her towards
me.

“Have I told you how stunning you look today?” I asked, pushing
her hair out of her face.

She rolled her eyes. “I’m already up for it,” she said. “You don’t
have to try so hard.”

“I mean it,” I said. “I’m so used to you in black and white and
today-”

“I’m in color?”

“Yeah,” I said. “But it suits you. Like you were born to stand
out and you’ve been fighting it.”

She shrugged. “I’d rather fit in.”

“You’re too special,” I said. “You’ll never fit in.”

She cast her eyes down for a second and then up at me. “That’s
what I thought about you, but you fit just fine.”

I dropped my head back. “Jesus, woman, you’re filthier than I
am!”

“I think you bring it out in me or something.”

I slid my flat hand up her cheek and lifted her face to mine,
kissing her in a way that was as full of passion as it was frustration until her
body leaned into mine like we were magnetized. When the elevator door dinged, I
didn’t even stop for breath.

“So that’s why you were in such a hurry earlier?”

I turned towards the squeaky voice and noticed the frail woman
I’d almost bulldozed earlier. “You got me,” I said, stepping to the side so
Lucy could get off. Then I held the door again for the old lady who gave me a
knowing glance of approval as the doors closed.

“What was that about?” Lucy asked as we started down the hall.

“I nearly ran her over trying to find you earlier.”

She turned towards me and looked me up and down. “I see.”

I stopped in front of my door, pulled my room key out of my
pocket, and slid it in the slot. When the door buzzed, I pushed it open and
held it for Lucy.

She stepped inside the dark room and I followed, letting it swing
shut behind me. As soon as the latch clicked, the atmosphere in the room
shifted, our sudden privacy making the tension between us even more obvious.

I flicked three light switches in a row, settling on the one
that kept only two lamps lit in the corners of the room.

The way her yellow dress looked in the dimly lit space was
beautiful. Only this time, she wouldn’t be keeping it on.

Lucy set her purse down on the table and walked across the room
to the curtains. I reached for the champagne while she pulled them closed, my
heart rate increasing with the anticipation of what was coming.

I unwrapped the foil and removed the wire casing. Then I held
the cork with one hand and twisted the bottle with the other, turning towards
her just as the soft popping sound escaped my hands.

She was standing in front of the curtains with her hands behind
her and one knee slightly bent. I let my eyes wander from her bare shoulder over
the curve of her hips and down her smooth legs.

I knew in my bones I was in the presence of a real woman, a
woman with soft secret places who I’d be able to grab with both hands and sink
my fingers into, a woman whose body would move with mine.

She was smiling at me when I lifted my eyes back up to her face.

“If I didn’t know better, I’d think you just checked me out.”

“Oh, I did more than that,” I said, my dick swelling. “You’re
already naked as far as I’m concerned.”

She pursed her lips and her chest rose with her breath.

I raised the bottle. “I’d like to propose a toast.”

She made her way over to the table as I poured two glasses of
champagne. Then I set the bottle down and grabbed each stem with my fingers, holding
one out to her.

“Thanks,” she said, licking her lips.

I raised my glass.

“What are we toasting to?”

“To our first night together,” I said.

She swallowed.

“May I exceed your expectations enough that you’re still here in
the morning.”

She smiled.

I clinked my glass against hers and watched her throat as she
drank from her glass.

“Lovely,” she said while I took a swig of champagne.

“Now where were we?” I asked, setting my glass down on the
table.

She put her drink down beside mine and looked at me with wide
eyes.

“Oh right,” I said. “Get on your knees.”