LOVE QUAKES: BOXED SET (BOOKS 1-4) (2 page)

“So, is your mother is difficult to live with?”

“No, she’s quite upbeat but she can’t seem to stick with any plan for long. I think she tried to be responsible in her care of me while I was a young child but not later on,” I explain with a flush. Why am I telling him all my deepest and darkest secrets about Carmen?

“So, she let you down with her marriages. It seems you liked your stepdad, Rob, a bit more than her other husbands,” he observes.

“Yeah. It’s amazing but the two of us, though unrelated biologically, actually have similar personalities.”

“Let me guess. Somewhat passive, shy and taciturn?” he suggests with a sexy as sin smile.

He thinks I’m mousey, klutzy and boring, I sigh. “Yeah, Mr. Grant, I’d rather spend an evening reading books than going out drinking and partying. I’m not as passive as I appear, however.”

“There’s nothing wrong with that Miss Prime,” he observes with enthusiasm. “Then you spend most of your time studying, going to class, and thinking. You must have a high GPA at the university,” he infers. His eyes show interest and relief. I can’t believe someone as debonair as Mr. Grant would find the likes of me fascinating at all.

“I’ll be graduating Magna Cum Laude. I’m not a total bookworm since I actually have a job working at a sporting goods store near campus. So, yes I do get off campus, on a regular basis,” I share and note that I sound defensive yet also proud. That trait’s also found in my stepdad.

“Then, there’s an athletic streak in you, after all,” he notes in surprise. He looks at my body for a long moment, with interest.

I hate to disappoint him with the news that I rarely engage in anything more strenuous than a brisk walk between campus and my apartment, so I don’t. It’s time to ask about him again.

“You seem to have many active hobbies, Mr. Grant. I noticed you had photos of yourself in the office and you were shown biking, sailing and skiing. Which is your fav?”

He chuckles with a sly smile before responding, “I enjoy sailing the most since it feels so peaceful but I have interests that extend beyond sports. Very singular interests,” he admits and places his long graceful index finger across his lips. He regards me with a curious tilt to his head. There’s a hidden message here but I’ve no interest in exploring it further.

His phone buzzes at that very second. “Yes, Bailey, we’re fine for now. Miss Prime has a slight concussion but seems great at the moment,” he smiles at me in an endearing manner. “So we might be confined to our elevator for a few hours?” he shakes his head in frustration as he processes the info, and then clicks off.

“A few hours?” I repeat. I note that it’s getting hot in our enclosed space. I’m also hungry. “Would you like a protein bar, Mr. Grant? I’ve got a few in my bag, along with some water,” I announce. He lights up with joy as I open my satchel to share my few resources.

I give Tristan two protein bars and take one for myself. I’m starved but I take my time eating since I have a headache. Chewing too fast makes it worse. In addition, only one bar’s left in my bag. We made need it, later on. Tristan smiles at me while he chomps on his first bar. We each drink a small amount of water from the bottle I’ve shared with him.

“Miss Prime, I’m impressed that you came to the interview prepared with a snack or two,” he looks like a young boy who has just been given a prize, “well done. I needed the energy. That little treat should keep us going for a while.” He gives me a sweet smile that looks sincere.

“Thanks, Mr. Grant. I knew that I’d need something to tide me over on the drive back and forth from downtown to school. I threw the bars in my purse just before I left home. Who knew they’d be so essential to us?” I squirm with pride.

“I like young women who plan ahead and have good appetites,” he adds with an admiring glance. “Once we’re done here, therefore, I’d like to take you to dinner to return the favor.” Really? This is getting interesting. Is Tristan actually asking me out on a date?

“Mr. Grant, that’s not necessary. Please don’t feel obligated. You’re a very busy man,” I begin to protest.

“No, Miss Prime, I insist. You’ve just shared your only food with me,” he responds, “besides we may be spending a lot of time together in this tight space. I want to reward you for your troubles.” His mouth shows me that he’s serious about it since it’s tight.

“OK, but I’m supposed to work later this afternoon. I guess that’s out of the question, given the quake,” I reason. “I should let my boss know what’s happening, though,” I state, then quickly text Mrs. Dayton about being trapped in the elevator. Then, I think about the fact that the gorgeous and successful, Tristan Grant wants to take me to dinner. My lucky day, I guess. I make my decision.

“Dinner sounds good,” I finally tell him. I’m not sure where this is going but it seems like it’ll be interesting. Tristan looks relieved when I agree to the date. Hmmm.

We sit in a comfortable silence for a bit. Tristan looks at me with amusement for a moment more and then asks, “What are your plans after graduation, Joanna?”

“My friend, Ashley and I are moving to the oceanfront near San Diego. We’ve already found a two bedroom, very modern condo in the Mission Beach area. Well, the truth is, she found the condo and she’s asked me to room with her. I’m going to pay half the rent each month. So, we’re moving to our place right after graduation. After that, I’m hoping to find a job using my psychology degree,” I announce with what I hope sounds like confidence.

“That’s your current plan, then, Mission Beach. It’s an active area with many great restaurants and galleries. And not far from my place,” he chuckles. “Then you won’t consider applying for our mentoring program at PCC?”

Not after my less than stellar performance during the interview. Not on your life.

I shake my head, “My goal’s to work as a psychiatric aide and learn about therapy from the ground up. That’s why I majored in psychology. I want to see where all my therapeutic education can take me,” I tell him with a smug expression on my face. That’s right, I think, I don’t want to get sidetracked with an irrelevant job like his. Not unless there are no other options.

“Have you applied for other positions in the area?” he’s acting impressed and helpful about my career path.

“I have. I’m hoping for interviews in the next week or so,” I say proudly and look directly into his amazing aqua eyes. Tristan’s gorgeous on so many levels.

His eyes widen a bit when I look at him that way. He stares into my baby blues with an intense gaze. Do I notice a strong sense of need in his smoldering expression? I’m feeling more powerful by the second.

He turns his head away first and releases a long breath. “It’s getting a bit warm in here. Do you mind if I remove my suit jacket, Miss Prime?”

He’s right. I’m suddenly burning up with heat. “I don’t mind, Mr. Grant, as long as I can remove my jacket too,” I assert. “Why don’t we call one another by our first names?”

Tristan nods with a lascivious grin on his face. I like that sexy look.

“Absolutely, let me help you with your jacket, Joanna. By the way, you can call me Tristan,” he smiles with encouragement.

I smile sweetly as I wiggle out of my cover. He holds the jacket collar and pulls it back at just the right time. “That feels so much better, Tristan,” I gush while taking it from his hands and folding then placing it beneath where I’m sitting. The floor feels so hard and the cushion of my jacket feels so right. He stares at my chest and legs for a minute too long.

He stands when he notices that I’ve returned his stare. Is he getting a bit ruffled by me? I think so. Then Tristan removes the jacket of his expensive Gucci suit and places it over the elevator’s metal safety bar. He gives me a sly look. I swallow hard as I examine his physique in a crisp white shirt and blue silk tie. His blue suit pants hug his rear in the most alluring manner. He’s lean but muscular and his butt looks like something I’d like to squeeze. Oh my, his body’s so incredibly attractive. He loosens his tie a bit. This just gets better on every level. I’ve got to distract myself or I’ll be drooling again.

“Do you like going to films or the theatre, Tristan?” I ask and try to remember the last film I’ve seen. He’s got me flustered now, dammit.

“I really don’t have time to watch films much, Joanna. Every so often, I go to live performances and that’s entertaining. However, I really can’t recall much at all about the last play I’ve seen,” he adds a bit sheepishly. He’s highbrow and sophisticated then.

“You’re quite a workaholic. How do you let off steam?”

“I take time out for my hobbies, now and then. I get stress relief in various ways,” he reminds me. Then he shifts the emphasis back to me, “What about you? Do you like going to the movies?”

“I don’t go to the movies much. However, I got excited about the films made about a love triangle among a werewolf, vampire and a young high school girl. That was fun. Everyone at the university went to the midnight shows,” I chuckle at the memory.

He snorts, “I should have invested in that enterprise when I had the chance. Who knew that such an unusual story would capture the hearts and minds of an entire generation of women?”

“I think their appeal was due to the intense bond between the moody vampire and his young, innocent love,” I say hoping to sound sophisticated. “It’s like a modern day Romeo and Juliet tale.”

He sighs, “I wouldn’t know. I’ve never followed the series although I think my younger cousin, Mona, was all hot and bothered by it a couple of years ago.”

“Your cousin, is she about my age, then?”

“Yeah, I think so. She’s just turned twenty-two and is coming home from Bryn Mawr on the east coast in a week or so. She’s really a ball of energy,” he explains with an affectionate laugh. So, he’s close with his cousin. That’s good.

“She sounds like fun!”

“Did you go to the films with a group of girlfriends?” he asks suddenly. We’re back to the films again.

“No, I went with a long-time guy friend,” I admit. Then, I reminisce about attending the last film in the franchise with my friend Juan. We had so much fun watching all the love struck women drooling over the shirtless werewolf. “We laughed at all the vampire love scenes. There’s nothing like a horny vampire who can’t give in to his sexual needs without killing his girlfriend.”

Tristan zones in on one fact only and asks, “Is Juan your boyfriend, then?” He’s testing my single status. Now we’re entering sensitive territory.

I blush a bit before coming out with the truth, “I don’t have a boyfriend, Tristan. I guess I don’t do romance,” I admit. This conversation is turning much too personal and it’s making me squirm.

“Does that mean you only do girlfriends?” he asks with eyes that are nearly black with interest as we explore my sexual orientation.

“No, I don’t swing that way, Tristan. It’s just that no one’s really caught my eye and I’ve been so busy with school and work,” I explain with growing discomfort. He’s well aware of the fact that I’m hot for him, of course. His wonderful smile brightens up the area around us like a lantern.

”How about you, do you have a girlfriend?”

“I wouldn’t call her a girlfriend. Just a long-term woman friend. I do like women, however,” he admits and looks me directly in the eyes. So, he likes friends with benefits. I sigh with disappointment. I hope he’s not trying to score with me just because I showed an interest in him. It’s time to change the topic.

“Well, what kind of restaurant are you thinking of for dinner tonight?” I ask since I’m curious as well. I’m hoping he wants to take me somewhere casual and light.

“Since you’re new to this area of town, you’ve probably never heard of Bertrand’s Restaurant at Mister A’s, right?” he asks in a seductive tone. My breath hitches when I catch the burning look in his eye.

“No, I can’t say that I’ve heard of Bertrand’s. What’s it known for?” I need to keep things upbeat and off the topic of sex and dating. Of course, that’s all I can really think about at the second. I keep staring at his sculpted face.

“It’s one of the well-regarded restaurants in San Diego. The location, at the top of a skyscraper, has a skyline view of downtown and of the ocean in the distance. They also have the best service in town,” he tells me with enthusiasm, “you’ll love the French cuisine, Joanna. Also, the truffles are great and very trendy these days.”

He’s planning on taking me to one of the best places in town, in exchange for two of my protein bars. I’m starting to think he’s really attracted to me. The electrical charge bouncing around in our elevator crackles with tension. I let out a long breath.

“The place sounds amazing, Tristan. You’re making my mouth water,” I chuckle and look with at the empty wrapper of my snack bar with regret. The expression on his face is unreadable at the moment.

He nods his head with enthusiasm before looking me directly in the eyes and stating in no uncertain terms, “You make my mouth water, Joanna.” Well, he’s certainly not shy. A sexy smile appears on his face again as he stares boldly into my eyes.

I return his stare for a moment and then try to change the subject. “Is there any more info about what’s happening with the building or this elevator?”

Tristan looks at the floor for a moment and then huffs in frustration, “I’m sorry, Joanna. I don’t mean to frighten you. It’s just that there’s so much chemistry between us. Can you feel it?”

I release a long stream of air. Then I hesitate before speaking. What’s keeping me from the truth? “Yeah, I can feel the chemistry between us, Tristan. I’m just not sure what it means. I want you to know that I’m not usually this forward with men.” What I’ve just told him could be dangerous and I’m relieved that there’s no chance I’ll be working with him.

He struggles with some internal debate and stares at my mouth for a long moment, “It means that I’m attracted to you in the most profound way I’ve ever experienced. Let me assure you, it’s rare for me to be so aggressive in pursuing a woman. You do something to me that’s unique. All I can tell you is that I want to kiss your lips and hold you so very much, Joanna.” He moves closer to me and looks deeply into my eyes. He swallows his hunger. Poor guy, he’s really struggling with his desire for me. The truth is we don’t even know each other, really.