Soar (The Empire Chronicles #1) (7 page)

“I do?” He grinned. “It just would have meant I was wrong about you. You seem like a red meat eating girl.”

“There’s a particular look to girls who eat meat?”

“No. You just strike me as someone who likes to eat the good things in life.”

I glanced down at my body. “Should I take that as a compliment or a statement about my weight?”

He looked shocked. “A compliment!”

“Okay.” I smiled. “Just checking.”

“So tell me about your cousin. Is he cool to live with?”

“Most of the time. He’s a few years older than me, so we didn’t hang out as kids or anything.”

“And he’s away right now?”

The waiter dropped off our drinks.

“For the next few weeks.” I opened my straw and put it in my cup. I was insanely thirsty and took a long sip. “I guess you were listening to our conversation the other night.”

“Did I ever pretend I wasn’t?” He sipped his Coke.

“No. I just hope you asked me out for the right reasons.”

“As compared to the wrong ones?”

“You weren’t just trying to be nice, right? Because you knew I was worried about a guy from work bothering me.”

“I asked you out because I wanted to. Just like I want to be with you now.” He reached over and took my hand. It was the first physical contact we’d had so far that night. “But you’re right to be wary of Eric.”

“I am?”

“Yeah. And if you’d feel safer, you’re always welcome to stay at my place.”

“Excuse me?” I nearly spit out my water.

“Oh. I didn’t mean it that way.” He looked absolutely horrified by the shock that was probably on my face.

“Then how did you mean it?” I pulled my hand back. Was he really going to be that forward?

“I just mean that if you’re scared to stay alone, I have a guest room.”

“I’m not scared to stay alone. I just didn’t want to go out with him.”

“It’s okay to be afraid of things.”

“I’m not staying over at your place.” I looked him straight in the eye as I spoke. “I’m not scared, but is there a reason I should be? What did you mean by I’m right to be wary about Eric?”

“I just know him, and he’s a dangerous guy.” He looked away slightly.

“Why do I get the sense that you’re hiding something from me?” I knew his reluctance to meet my eye wasn’t random.

“Because I am.” He didn’t blink. “I don’t want to lie to you. I like you too much to do that.”

“Then why would I want to stay in your ‘guest room?’” I used air quotes. “If you’re keeping things from me, how can I trust you?”

“I don’t know, but you should.”

Our meals were placed in front of us, and I dug into the juicy burger. Medium rare. My favorite.

We concentrated on our food and didn’t talk much. I declined dessert, and before long we got up to leave.

He held open the door, and we walked out into the slightly cool night. “Have you thought any more about staying over?”

“What would have changed my mind?”

“A good meal has been known to clear someone’s head.”

I laughed. “How about I agree to come over and hang out.”

“I’m not asking you so I can get you into bed. I really am trying to look out for you.”

“Do you not want me to come over?” I half teased him and half asked out of fear of rejection. Where had all my confidence gone?

“Of course I do.” He took my hand. “I’m messing this all up, aren’t I?”

“Kinda.”

“I’m not trying to push you at all. I’d love to have you come over to hang out, but I have absolutely no expectations for anything else.”

“How about coffee?”

“What about it?”

“Can we have some at your apartment? You do own a coffee maker, don’t you?”

He chuckled. “Of course, I own a coffee maker.”

“Just checking.”

He held my hand as we walked down the street.

I pulled out my phone and texted Remy.

I’m going back to Toby’s place.

Our unofficial rule from first semester was that you always text to say you were going to a guy’s place. That way, if you went missing, they’d know the first place to look. It isn’t the most foolproof method, but it’s something.

Ok. I’m calling if I don’t hear from you by midnight.

Thanks.

“Who are you texting?” Toby glanced over.

“A friend.” No need to tell him who.

“Oh. That way they’ll know where to find your body.”

I gasped. “Is that supposed to be a joke?”

He gave me a wry grin. “Of course.”

“I think you’re rusty.” My body relaxed slightly. I guess that’s what you’d call a straight-faced delivery.

We stopped in front of a fairly modern looking building. A uniformed doorman opened the door. “Good evening, Mr. Welsh.”

Toby nodded. “Hi, Cody.” He led the way to an elevator and hit the button for the top floor as soon as I stepped in. “You have the top floor? Like the penthouse?”

“Yeah. It’s a nice perk.”

After what felt like an insanely long time of standing silent in the elevator, the doors opened and he went right over to his apartment.

He unlocked the door and I walked in. “I thought these places only existed in movies.” I headed straight through his living room to the floor to ceiling windows.

“The view’s pretty nice.”

“Pretty nice? Try incredible.”

He smiled. “I’ve seen better.”

“I need to start moving in the circles you’re in,” I mumbled.

“Trust me, you don’t want to.”

I turned around. He’d stopped a few feet behind me and was looking out. “Want to make that coffee?”

“Oh, yeah, sure.” He walked into a modern kitchen that was bigger than my apartment. The stainless steel appliances fit well with the light wood cabinets and travertine tile floor.

“Do you cook?” I hoped this gorgeous place wasn’t wasted on a guy who couldn’t make eggs.

“I’m learning.”

“Learning?”

“I didn’t know how a few months ago, but I’m making do.”

“Oh, okay.” That was something.

“Do you cook?” He scooped coffee beans into a grinder.

“Yeah. I love cooking.”

“Nice to know some girls still like to.” He pushed down on the lid of the grinder.

I waited for the noise to stop. “What’s that mean?”

“Oh. Just that my ex hated cooking. She told me whatever guy she married would have to do it for her.” He picked up the grinder and dumped the ground coffee into the filter.

“Allie?” I covered my mouth with my hand. I hadn’t meant to say it out loud.

“Yeah. Did Jess tell you about her?” He poured in the water and turned the coffee machine on.

I tried to make my interest sound as innocent as possible. “She mentioned they were friends.”

“Yeah. She broke my heart into about a million pieces, but you gotta move on, right?”

Jess seemed so convinced he’d dumped Allie, but he didn’t seem to see it that way. “I’ve had a bad breakup before. They’re not fun.”

“How long did it take to get over the guy?”

“A few months.”

“Good to know.” He pulled down two large, green coffee mugs.

“I might be pushing my luck, but do you have anything sweet?”

“Sweet? I thought you didn’t want dessert?”

“I didn’t, but I do now.”

He walked over to a cabinet and pulled out a box of brownie mix. “Want to make these?”

“Brownies? You want to bake brownies?”

He put the box down on the counter. “You’re the one who said you wanted dessert. I’m just trying to be a good host.”

I laughed. “I never imagined we’d be making brownies tonight, but why not?”

“I’ll get a bowl.”

I watched as he pulled out a large glass mixing bowl and preheated the oven. The situation should have been completely awkward, but it wasn’t. It was natural in a weird way.

I cracked the eggs while he poured in the oil and water. I grabbed a spoon and started mixing before he could. “Why don’t you get our coffee?”

“How do you like yours?”

“Drowned in milk.” I finished the last few strokes and set the bowl aside.

“Really? I’d have thought you liked it black.”

“Why? Because you do?” I hunted down a pan and cooking spray.

“No. You just seem like a black coffee kind of person.”

“First I’m a red meat eating girl and now a black coffee drinker?” I gave him a disbelieving look. “I don’t like sugar in it though.”

“Okay…so I was half right.”

“I suppose you could look at it that way.”

He grabbed the bowl and poured the batter in. “Do you want to lick the spoon?”

“I hope you’re referring to licking brownie batter.”

“I assure you, I’ve never referred to my dick as a spoon before.”

I coughed.

“If you’re going to throw it, you need to be able to take it.” Aside from the twinkle in his eye, he looked completely serious.

I regained my composure. “Give me the spoon.”

He handed it over, finally letting a smile slip out.

“Do you stay away from raw batter?”

“No, but I prefer it straight from the bowl.” He ran a finger along the inside of the bowl and licked the batter off his finger.

“Okay, let’s wash this stuff so we can get rid of all these sexual innuendos.”

“That’s probably a good idea.” He took the spoon from me and brought both over to his double sink.

“Your kitchen is bigger than my apartment.” I grabbed my cup of coffee and took a seat at the island.

He finished washing the dishes and set them aside. “I’m well aware. I’ve been there.”

“That’s right. You have.”

He took a seat next to me. “I bet you’re wondering what I know about Eric.”

“Maybe a little.” I cautiously sipped the hot coffee. No amount of milk could cool it down that fast.

“He’s dangerous.”

“Dangerous? I admit he’s obnoxious, but dangerous seems a little bit much.”

“He’s dangerous.” Toby rested his hand on the counter. “Can I ask you a question now?”

“Sure.”

“Why did you agree to go out with me last week? You asked me what motive I had, what about you?”

“Because you asked me.” I’m sure I blushed.

“Somehow I doubt you’re that hard up for a date.”

“What does hard up have to do with it?” I attempted another sip.

“Are you going to pretend you’ve been waiting for me to ask you out?”

I laughed nervously. “Not waiting, but I’ve never been opposed to it.”

“Does that mean you aren’t that friendly to all your customers?” He finished off his coffee.

“I’m always friendly, but I try harder with you.”

“Try harder?” He drew little circles on the counter with his fingers. Either it was a nervous habit, or he was really bored. I hoped it was the former.

“You didn’t exactly make it easy. You never even asked my name.”

“Because I knew it. I heard you talking to your friend the first time I came in.”

“Really?”

He moved his hand closer to where mine rested on the countertop. “Really.”

“What else did you know about me?” I sipped my coffee again while trying to hide the excitement I felt that the interest hadn’t been completely one-sided.

“That you were cute and perky and were the bright spot of my day.” He glanced down into his empty cup.

“The bright spot of your day?” His words got me—there was something so genuine about them.

“I’m not elaborating. I’ve embarrassed myself enough.”

“You haven’t embarrassed yourself.” Wow. Could he be any cuter? I thought rich guys who lived in penthouses were supposed to be alpha male assholes.

“You need to stay away from Eric.”

“That’s not really possible, and you still haven’t told me why he’s dangerous.” I allowed the subject change, considering how honest he’d been with me.

“I can’t tell you the details, but he can seriously hurt you.”

“Does he have a history of abuse? Do you know him from somewhere?”

“Business.”

“Ooh, the mysterious business again.”

He chuckled. “Trust me. You don’t want to know about it.”

“I do, but that doesn’t mean you’re going to tell me.”

“Not tonight.”

I got my first full sip in. I enjoyed the warmth in the cool kitchen. “But maybe another time?”

He shrugged. “Maybe.”

“I have to work with Eric. I can’t completely stay away from him.”

“You could always quit your job.”

“Not all of us have family businesses to fall back on.” I couldn’t hide the iciness in my voice.

“At least be careful. You don’t want his attention.”

“I already have it.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t look so good at work.”

“Excuse me?” I nearly choked on my coffee.

“Even if Eric was just a regular guy, he’d still have trouble resisting you.”

“You make it sound like I dress like a tramp…”

“That’s not what I’m saying. You just look good.”

“You’re not making any sense.” I dared to take another sip. Hopefully he wouldn’t shock me with a crazy statement again.

“I’m trying to say I get why he’s interested. You’d be a hard girl to work with and not hit on.” He got up and refilled his coffee cup.

“You really are out of practice,” I mumbled.

“Out of practice?”

He’d heard that? “Yeah…just something Emmett mentioned.”

“I tend to be a bit of a loner now.”

“Is this all because of your breakup?”

“Partly. It’s not something I’m in the mood to talk about.”

“Then what do you want to talk about?” I pushed up the sleeves of my shirt. Three sips in and I’d gone from cold to hot.

“Drinking something stronger than coffee.”

“What do you have in mind?” I took another sip.

“Should I open a bottle of wine?”

My brain said no. Drinking a bottle of wine with a guy at his place would only lead to one thing, but my body said something altogether different. My body won out. “Sounds good.”

“Great. Are you into Barolo at all?”

“Yeah, definitely.” I knew nothing about wine, but it sounded good.

“Great.”

Two hours, and two glasses of wine later, I was curled up on the couch and laughing with him. We talked about nothing and everything and took in the view. The wine tasted heavenly, and went perfectly with the gooey brownies, but it also made me tired, and the thought of going home sounded anything but appealing. My head was swimming. “Is that guest room option still available?