Scandalous Heroes Box Set (87 page)

“Who are you telling!”

“Speaking of assholes, how are things going at work?”

She looked out the window, noting they were only a block away from her house. She resented that. She didn’t want the date to end.

“Well, I put what you said into action, and I haven’t seen much improvement unfortunately, but we’ll see.”

“Keep at it, and if he doesn’t change, go to plan B. Life is too short to deal with that sort of shit. Besides, you’ve been through a lot lately; you need to be trying to get level, get back to your base.”

She gave the man a curious eye as he turned into her driveway. Shutting off the engine, he got out of his car, opened her door, and took her gently by the elbow, escorting her out the car. He walked her up to her door, and for a moment, just a moment, she thought about inviting the bastard in. Funny thing though, he made no attempts to enter. No ‘may I use your bathroom’ excuses; no ‘can I step inside and just sit for a moment’ line. None of the stuff she was accustomed to hearing. When he picked her up, he’d done the same — stood right outside the door, like a perfect tin soldier gentleman.

Taking the initiative, she leaned in, wrapped her arms around his neck and touched his lips with her own, eliciting a throaty moan. He took over then, parting her lips with his tongue, and easing his way inside. He held her tight around her waist, bringing her a bit closer into his body. Cinnamon wrapped root beer flooded her taste buds, and the sweet, odd mixture tasted beautiful going down. She clamped onto him tighter, causing his soft, long hair to brush against her cheek. After slowly rotating his tongue inside of her mouth over and over like a slow hip grind, the ride eventually came to a complete stop. He stepped back and ran his hand over his lips, his keys dangling in his hand.

“I’ll see you soon… Give me a call tonight if you want.” He kept walking backwards, leaving her standing there with an impish grin across her face.

“I’ll do that. Thanks!” she called out. “The food was good; thank you for the experience.”

“Thank you for coming and being open minded enough to try…” He winked and blew her a kiss, then drove away.

I want to fuck that man…

She slammed and locked her door.

~***~

CHAPTER SIX

Julian couldn’t fight his surprise once Milan told him she had to reschedule for later that evening and to nix the movie, because first she needed to go grocery shopping. According to the gorgeous accountant he’d been fantasizing about non-stop that day, she realized she barely had anything in her cupboard, like old mother Hubbard, and was afraid of the predicted snow fall to come. Just like most of Athens and its surrounding areas, the mere threat of a deathly, white flake daring to hit their red soil covered ground caused everyone to go into an uproar, as if the second coming of Christ was woven into the eye of the pending storm. He laughed it off and let her know that he would take her to the grocery store later that evening. Of course, this seemingly struck her as odd, and she said so, but she agreed to his new terms, stating she’d be arriving soon.

Even still, he could tell from her tone of voice, something was amiss. He asked her if she still wanted to go to the movies, and she said no. He didn’t push it, but something wasn’t right. Regardless, he had things to do before she arrived. Milan had never been to his home, and due to this, he made extra sure everything was just so. One thing he was certain of as he went over his glass cocktail table with a hearty helping of glass cleaning spray he’d concocted out of vinegar —she’d never forget this evening. Anyone that stepped into his house was in for a treat and had a mélange of things to focus on; odds and ends to sort out in their minds. He had items organized, somewhat tidy, but he surrounded himself with articles he felt were important, but many others would find, well, weird. Extraordinary tribal masks here, bottles filled with various ointments there, collected spiritually charged gems, bowls of pretty, round things, sparkling healing crystals, stacks of fresh, unopened tarot cards and some over a century old, enough incense to smoke out the entire state of Georgia, and a golden bowl filled with the cinnamon sticks that he loved to chew like gum.

The plans had changed, but he was okay with that. He was able to roll with the crashing tide. He ran a hand over his semi-exposed chest. A button-down blue denim shirt clung to his form. He loved that shirt; it was the perfect blue, paired well with his eyes.

I know she’ll be hungry…

He put on a pot of tea and checked his vegetarian cheese rolls in the oven.  He then walked into his first floor hall bathroom and made sure there was enough toilet paper, wet wipes, all the things he surmised a woman would want. After a while, he sank onto his olive green couch, picked up his ‘Inked magazine’ and crossed his ankles, enjoying the break. He lounged about, the few candles glimmering from the fireplace hearth aiding in relaxation.  Not a good ten minutes had passed before he heard the bell. He tossed the magazine on the black ash wood table, stood to his bare feet and made his way to the front door of his duplex home. There she stood, her hair parted down the middle, a light tan leather jacket on, some form-fitting dark blue jeans and evergreen boots with white fur trim. He wasn’t the least bit surprised that Milan stayed on the edge of the current fashion trend. It didn’t bother him though; hell, it suited her personality, and he was just fine with that.

“Hi, gorgeous.” He smiled at her. “Come on in.”

“Hi, thanks…”

She handed him a large golden box of imported teas wrapped with a big silvery-blue bow, then shoved her hands in her pockets.

“How nice, thank you, Milan.”

“You’re welcome.”

She stepped inside and immediately began to set her sights to varying areas of the house. He closed the door and locked it, placed the box of tea down then stood there quietly, allowing her a moment. He didn’t miss the way the material of her pants hugged her perfect, round ass.

An ass like whoa…

He stroked his goatee as he sized her up, drifting in sexual thoughts, embracing them fully.

“Wow! What a house,” she said, looking around. “Those are crystals, right?” She pointed across the room at a lit display of therapeutic, iridescent rocks and gems. Sade sung in the background, ‘Hold On.’

“Yup. Go on over, don’t be shy. Take a look around… Hand me your coat first though.” She handed him her jacket, and he took notice of her emerald green V-neck sweater. It looked wonderful against her complexion. It only took him moments to hang the coat up. Milan moved around the display, carefully surveying his wares. Soon, he was right beside her.

“I collect them.”

“Some of these are beautiful. What’s that one?” She pointed into the glass cover at a large light pink gem shaped like a dull sword.

“That’s rose quartz. Is that the one you gravitate towards? Does it call to you?”

She chuckled. “Well, I don’t know about all of that, but yeah, it’s pretty.”

“If it is the first one you noticed, or the one you keep coming back to, then it is the one you need.” He gently scooted her out of the way by clasping his hands around her hips. They met eyes for a moment, the sexual tension mounting like a jockey on a horse. He opened and lifted the case, removed the large gem, and placed it in her hands. “Feel it, rub your hands along it.”

She looked at it, turning it all different directions. “This thing is huge. You must’ve paid a lot for it.”

“Well, it wasn’t cheap. Do you know what that one is specifically for?”

“You know I don’t know anything about this new age sort of stuff.”

“It’s old age. The medicines you all use now are new age, but I digress. Rose quartz, sometimes just called pink quartz, helps with negative emotions, love and relationship issues. It helps to attract love, too.”

“So it’s the match maker of the gems.”

He laughed lightly. “I suppose you could say that.”

He thought about how he’d had on a rose quartz pinky ring the night she called the shop. He’d slipped it off to work that morning, then right before he began to clean up, he’d slipped it back on…

“It also helps with grief…” He hesitated then continued, placing his hand along her back. “What happened today, Milan?”

She opened her mouth, and got ready to no doubt lie to him. To tell him she didn’t know what he was talking about, or to laugh it all off. The more he stared at her, the more he wanted to touch her. He couldn’t help but pull the woman even closer into his personal space. She hung her head and gripped him.

“It was a terrible day at work, and…for whatever reason, I found myself angrier than I’ve been in a long time.”

“Come with me.” He took her hand and walked her out of the living room, into his family area which blended into his modernized kitchen equipped with black appliances. “Would you like a cup of tea?”

“Yes…” She sat down, gripping the crystal. “Your home is a little strange, Julian, but I like it. As odd as it is, it feels comfortable, you know? The swirly tattooed artwork is really nice, boarded in red. You have a really good eye…you’re talented. Did you do those?”

She pointed to the life-sized paintings on the walls by baseboard to ceiling windows.

“Yes, I did…and thank you.” He came over to her and handed her a cup of tea. “I don’t know if you are hungry, but I’ve got some things cooking. After we talk, I can take you out to the grocery store, too.”

She nodded, then sighed.

“Thank you.”

“So, tell me exactly what happened. You had a bad day, you got mad…” He sat next to her and crossed one leg over the other, his ankle on his knee.

“Well, Martin is at it again.” She rolled her eyes. “It seems he thinks I was kissing ass, because I was being nicer. I don’t know. He’s been making comments like, ‘You must really want that promotion, huh?’ and saying ridiculous things like that, as if I’ve sold out. No, I agreed with you Julian, that I should try to change the situation a bit, you know, try to let him see that we had some things in common — but all he did was use it to boost his own ego. Now he thinks he has me in the palm of his grubby hand. I…I hate that man.” Her eyes darkened. She appeared more saddened than angry in his opinion, but he didn’t interrupt. “Do you know what he said to me the day after my mother died? I had come into the office to get a few things and take a week off for her funeral.”

“What did he say?”

“Well, maybe now you can get some work done and concentrate when you get back.”

Julian scratched his chin; his lips drooped, as he was certain his disgust showed. “He sounds like a real prick.” He leaned back against the couch, propping one leg up on the table. In the background, Sade now sung, ‘I Will Be Your Friend.’

“He was one of those people that told me she was in a better place now, then two minutes later, asked me about an expense report.” She snorted, as if her throat were clogged with mucous. “Sorry…”

“No need to apologize.” He casually glanced at her and pointed to the teacup. “Drink up. Sounds like you have a sinus issue. This will help… No dairy for you tonight, though.”

She chuckled.

“Thanks for being so understanding about my bad mood, Julian. I know that this is not exactly the evening we’d originally planned, nor is it pleasant conversation for a date. I’m sorry.”

“Come on now, Milan. We’re beyond that. You said it yourself,” His teeth sunk into the fleshiness of his bottom lip as he surveyed her breasts for a brief spell. “We are having these sort of discussions because we’re supposed to. I’m your friend, okay?”

“Yeah.” She huffed, looking down into her cup. “Let’s talk about something else,” she said cheerfully, trying to no doubt switch up her miserable mood.

“Okay, fine. Let’s talk about what I just said to you.”

She looked at him in confusion. “What part?”

“About being your friend. I lied.  I’m not your friend. What I mean is,” he grinned and casually looked away before turning back towards her, his body warming as his eyes glossed over, ever so slightly. “I’m trying to be
more
than just a friend.” He couldn’t help it, the words came out and his eyes centered on her lips. “I see something I want...and she’s sitting right here.”

“More than just a friend, huh?” She took another sip of her tea, nervously tapping the cup with her fingertips as she broke their eye-lock.

“Look, don’t sit there trying to act like this is news to you, okay?” He smirked. “You already know how I feel. You’re too smart not to. Anyway, I really like you, want to spend all of my free time with you. When I’m not on the phone with you or we’re not together, I’m thinking about you. I like that. It feels good. I’ve been out of a relationship for a while now.” Yeah, he was having that sort of feeling — compelled to get it out, to be straight up with the woman and tell her where he was coming from. He wanted her to open up completely to him. Her mind, body and soul — he wanted it
all.

“How long?” she asked, her interest definitely piqued.

“About nine months or so. I’ve dated here and there in the meantime. I don’t need to keep doing that though…the search is over.” They were quiet for a while as he stared deep into her eyes, trying desperately to not kiss her just yet.

“Are you still good friends with your ex-wife?”

I like that. She wants to make sure the coast is clear for her…

“Yes, we are still friends. We don’t talk all the time though.” He shrugged. “It’s not appropriate and well, her husband doesn’t like it.”

Milan nodded. “You can understand that though, right?” Her brow arched.

“Well shit,” He ran his hand over his face, dragging his lips a bit. “Of course I can. The man knows I was her first love, her first everything.”

“Are you completely over her and your ex-girlfriend?” Milan set the cup on the table, slid off her boots then folded her white-sock-covered feet underneath herself. He was being interviewed, fuck that…interrogated, but he could take the heat.

“There’s
nothing
to get over. You see, Milan, this is how I see relationships.” He leaned forward and clasped his hands together. “They are chapters in my book of life. I shared a chapter with a woman, my ex-wife. A long, beautiful chapter, but we were too young to be in such an intense relationship. We are also far too much alike. We thought that was in our favor, but it wasn’t. It caused clashing.” He picked up his cup, took a quick sip then set it back down. “With the ex girlfriend, my last relationship, she and I just didn’t mesh well. She wasn’t a bad person, just not the person for me. Like I told you…” He reached over and caressed her chin. “I know what I want.”