The Fighter (The High Rise, Book 1) (16 page)

I stop texting Heath
and look around the office positive that all eyes are on me but no
one’s paying any attention
.

Because he’s
made me a little hot and bothered, I get up and head to the
restroom to cool off a bit. Jeez.

I can’t
believe I was so bold with him but it was kind of fun. He’s so up
front about the way he feels and it’s a little scary since he’s
just going on our physical attraction to each other. I mean, the
sex was great but what if once we get to know each other we find we
aren’t compatible? Or we start out strong then fizzle out? That’s
the risk everyone takes when they get into a relationship, sure,
but I know if this failed between us I’d truly be devastated. I
wasn’t joking when I said he could destroy me. And not just that,
no, he could completely wreck me.

In the
bathroom, I look at myself in the mirror.

You’re gonna
have to be smart this time, Laney. Don’t fall too fast. Make sure
he’s a sticker before you give him your heart. And if all this is,
is just good sex, well, be ready to walk away.

The words
sound really good and I know I’m giving myself good advice; the
problem is following it.

I’m panicking
once again when it comes to Mr. Heath Cutter Noble.

I texted him
that I wouldn’t be home until right at six because I had a
last-minute showing and that I didn’t know if I could be ready by
six-thirty.

Mr. Smooth
texted back that I could wear a gunnysack and still look
beautiful.

I roll my eyes
now as I mutter, “Gunnysack my ass,” digging through my closet and
trying to pick out the right dress to wear.

Then I find
it. The nude sleeveless, open-backed Swarovski crystal covered
cocktail dress I’ve been saving for a special occasion. It’s so
pretty. I saw it on sale and had to have it but since purchasing
it, I haven’t gone to anything that was worth wearing it for. But
tonight’s the perfect night for it.

I got home at
five after six and jumped in the shower immediately, washing my
hair and all. When I got out, I blow dried it, wound some hot
rollers in it (which are still in it) then put on my makeup. It’s
hard putting on evening dramatic makeup when you’re hurrying your
ass off. But I somehow managed to pull it off. I next put on the
dress along with nude stilettos that lace up my ankles and I’m just
about ready.

I’m nervous as
hell knowing he’s going to knock at any second as I take out the
curlers then tease and fluff my hair for maximum poofiness,
hairspraying it within an inch of its life. Lastly, I dab a little
perfume behind my ears and I’m good to go.

And he still
hasn’t shown.

Grabbing my
phone off my dresser I check to see if he’s sent a text but he
hasn’t. It’s already ten to seven and now I get the sinking feeling
that I’ve been had. How ultimate player would it be for him to
stand me up after I’ve gone through all the trouble of getting
ready? I feel the blood drain from my face at the thought that he’d
do this to me.

When I hear
someone at the door I perk up, going into the living room to answer
it, only to see Dani coming in.

When she gets
a look at me, a big “Whoa!” comes out of her mouth. She closes the
door, tossing her tote to the side and comes over to inspect me.
“Where’re you going? You look beautiful!”

“I have a date
with Heath,” I explain wringing my hands. “But he hasn’t shown yet.
We were supposed to leave at six-thirty but I got home late. And he
hasn’t texted or called or anything.”

“You’re going
out with Heath? Wait. What? Since when did this all happen?” Her
mouth hangs open as she watches me start to pace.

“Last night.
Well, Saturday night, really. I’d just gotten back from Mom and
Dad’s and saw him in the lobby. He had a black eye so I got him
ice, he kissed me, and then last night we did it.”

She’s staring
at me speechless.

“And he told
me we were going to Andre’s for dinner at seven-thirty tonight but
he’s not here!”

She’s finally
coherent enough to understand what I’m saying. “Okay. You kissed
Saturday, slept together last night and you’re supposed to go to
dinner tonight but you don’t know where he is.”

I nod blowing
out a breath trying to stay calm.

“That’s crazy.
I want all the details as soon as possible!” She narrows her eyes
at me. “Want me to go check on him?”

“No!” I
holler. “If he’s standing me up I don’t want him to know I got
ready so he gets a good laugh out of it.”

Just then my
phone chimes. Dani comes over and reads it with me.

Heath—Sorry.
Was on the phone with an engineer driving home. Got in ten minutes
ago. On my way down the hall now.

“Do I answer?”
I ask.

“Nope. He’s on
his way. You just stand here looking spectacular,” she says as she
goes to open the door even before Heath knocks. She makes a show of
looking at her wrist—which doesn’t have a watch on it—then looks
down the hallway trying to make him feel bad for being late.

“I’m sorry.
Work got crazy and I couldn’t get the asshole off the line,” I hear
him say. “When I got to my apartment, he was still rambling on
about the blueprints so I hung up on him and got ready. It’s my
fault. I should’ve—holy fuck.”

He stops in
the doorway and stares at me, his eyes moving up and down my body
taking it all in.

I do the same
to him because he looks so handsome wearing black slacks, dark
brown lace-up brogues, and a white button up shirt under a light
gray wool sports jacket. Holy smokes.

“Are you two
gonna stand here and stare at each other all night? Don’t you have
a reservation?” Dani says with a snort.

“You look…” He
stares at me as he shakes his head. “You look absolutely stunning,
Laney.”

Okay. I’m
feeling way better now and I actually allow myself to breathe
again.

“You look very
handsome yourself,” I answer with a shy smile.

“Go!” Dani
says loudly. “You’re gonna miss your dinner. And Andre’s, damn, I
wouldn’t miss that for anything.”

Heath and I
walk toward each other and he takes my hand before leaning in to
touch his lips to mine. “You’re beautiful,” he says before standing
straight again.

“Thank you.”
I’m glad that he appreciates my efforts and in half the normal time
it’d take me!

Still holding
his hand, I walk to the hall tree and take the beige wrap from it,
and he helps put it across my shoulders then I grab my clutch from
the table by the door.

“Ready?” he
asks.

I nod and turn
to Dani. “I’ll talk to you later.”

“You’d
better,” she says dryly which makes me giggle.

“’Night,”
Heath tells her before closing the door. He takes my hand again and
we walk to the elevator where he punches the down button. He then
turns to me. “Tonight, while we get to know each other better,
you’re wearing those fucking shoes.”

I chuckle as
the doors open. Getting on, I look up at him, smarting off.
“Tonight, while we get to know each other better, you’re wearing
nothing.”

“Laney,” he
growls. “Do not say shit like that to me or we’re going back to my
apartment now.”

“Yes, sir,” I
mumble and get a hand squeeze which makes me look up at him
again.

“Stop bein’
cute.”

I frown. “I’m
being cute?”

He’s looking
straight ahead at the front of the elevator. “Yeah.”

“How am I
being cute?”

I see his jaw
muscles jumping and he looks like he’s getting mad. Uh, okay. The
doors open and he pulls me with him as we head toward the garage
door. We walk to his Explorer and he opens my door but before I get
in, I turn to him.

“How am I
being cute, Heath?”

He lets out a
breath then narrows his eyes at me. “You’re lookin’ fuckhot
tonight, Laney. So much so that I seriously wanna take you back
upstairs and ravish your sexy body all night long. But I also wanna
show you off and you bein’ cute isn’t helping the situation.”

I decide to
let it go because I’m still not sure what he’s saying. It must be a
man thing. “Oh. Okay,” I say, turning to get in the car.

“Fuck me,” I
hear him mumble before he turns me back to him and smashes his lips
to mine. I wrap my arms around his neck as his arms go around my
waist crushing my body to his and we’re in the most passionate lip
lock to end all lip locks.

Good lord, the
man can kiss.

When he
finally pulls away, he shakes his head. “I’m guessin’ you can’t
help it so I’m just gonna have to maintain my composure.”

I giggle as he
helps me in because
I’m
guessing I’m just going to have to
take his word for it because I’m still clueless. When he gets in
the driver’s side, he gives me a wink before starting the car and
backing out of the space.

“So why were
you on the phone with the engineer?” I question.

“Fuckin’ idiot
drew up some of the pipes the wrong way for the plumbing. Must’ve
been drunk when he did it because he’s got shit going every which
way. This is a chain convenience store. There’s a stock set of
blueprints but for some reason this guy felt the need to draw his
own plans. He doesn’t fix it, I’ve gotta put a call in to my boss
and let him know. And my boss can be an asshole, so I do everything
in my power not to have to call him. I’m gonna be really pissed if
things aren’t set right.”

“Sorry you’re
having trouble with him,” I reply. “Do you wear a hardhat?” Heath
in a hardhat would be hot.

He looks at me
like I’m nuts. “Uh, yeah. It’s construction.”

I think I just
let out a helpless mewl because he looks questioningly back at
me.

“Do you wear
one of those tool belts?” I can’t help myself. I have to know.

He’s watching
the road and I see him frown before he says, “Sometimes.”

“Hot,” I
whisper suddenly needing to fan myself. “It’s kinda hot in here,
isn’t it? Are you hot?”

He chuckles
and reaches a hand over to adjust the thermostat on my side.
“Better?” he asks a few moments later.

I nod because
it’s much better. I don’t want to sweat in this gorgeous dress!

“I think now
you’re getting where I’m coming from when you’re being cute.”

Ah. I do get
it now which makes me chuckle.

“How’d your
day go?” he says looking over at me then back at the road.

“Pretty well.
I had three showings and made fifteen appointments.”

“Damn. The
apartment business does well, huh?”

“Oh, yeah.
People always need somewhere to live,” I say with a chuckle. “And
Dad not only owns apartment buildings but condos too. He’s also
bought houses from a couple celebrities then sold them to other
celebrities. I think the last one he bought was from Jessica
Simpson and then he sold it to Jennifer Lawrence. Isn’t that cool?
I mean, he didn’t get to meet them or anything. It all went through
the realtor, but it’s still kinda cool.”

He nods.
“Pretty cool.” He reaches over and grabs my hand, resting the back
of his on the console and runs his thumb over my knuckles. “Since
we’re name dropping, my crew and I built one of Tom Cruise’s
houses.”

“Really? Did
you ever see him?”

“I think we
did once. It wasn’t up close or anything but if it was him, he’s a
pretty small guy.” He snorts.

“I always
think actors are built and tall like… well, like you.” He leans his
head down a little and brings my hand up to his lips holding it
there as he watches the road. “But then when you see them, they’re
usually not anything special,” I remark.

“Yeah. Funny
how you think one thing about someone only to find out it’s not
true,” he mutters against my hand and keeps driving.

Dinner is
fabulous, the company’s even better and we’re actually getting to
know each other. Imagine that. You talk, then listen and there you
go. I want to roll my eyes at how stupid I’ve been panicking about
everything.