Under His Skin (6 page)

Chapter 11

Stephen

Her pictures didn’t do her justice.  She was more striking than I remembered. Watching her work in her floor length navy and ivory patterned summer dress. It took every ounce of strength in my not to grab her, throw her up against the counter and ravage her. I was in serious trouble if I continued down this path.  This was the one person that had the power to crush me and she didn’t even know who I was. 

When I first realized that it was in fact, Addison that had applied for the funds I had formulated a plan.  My plan was simple introduce myself, seduce her, decline the funds she applied for and then reveal why.  I wasn’t typically a vengeful person, but she had hurt me so deeply, so many years ago. 

Now that I had seen her in person I was wavering.  Did I still want to do that? Did I want to be that person?  Did I want to destroy her over something that happened twenty years ago?  It was that devastation that forced me to work and strive to become that man that I was today.  Would hurting her prove anything?  Would it make me feel better?  I had no idea what I was doing. 
I made a mistake coming here,
I thought to myself.  Whatever happened from here out, I brought it upon myself.

I pulled up to the restaurant about thirty minutes early.  I sat in the car with the air conditioner running for about twenty minutes, while I waited for my mother.  I jumped on my phone and looked through “her” Facebook page again.  She was a mother and a successful business woman.  Twenty years of life and memories had changed her.  I wanted to see how.  No, I needed to. I told myself that before I invested money in her company, I needed to see what type of businesswoman, she was, but the truth was I needed to for myself what kind of a person she was.

I saw my mother pull into the lot about ten minutes to seven.  I took one last look at her picture, locked my phone, stepped out of the car, grabbed my gift bag and dropped my phone in my pocket.  I walked over to my mother’s car.  She was busy looking through her purse.  I tapped on the door frame.  She jumped.

“You startled me,” she said through her open window.

“Mom, it’s the middle of summer.  Why do you have the windows down?  It’s too hot.”

“I like to feel the wind in my hair.”

“It’s dangerous sitting in a parking lot with your windows open.  Anything could happen.  You didn’t see or hear me walk up.  I could have been anyone Ma.”

“I’m not worried.  I know my big strong, strapping son will save me.”  I shook my head.

“Woman you are impossibly stubborn.”

“I know it and you are just like me.  It’s why you have a multi-million dollar business.”

“That and I’m smart as hell.”

“Yeah, you also get that from me,” she quipped.

I helped her out of the car and walked slowly towards the restaurant.  Summer was my favorite season, everything was alive and vibrant.  The air smelled fresh, and the flowers were blooming.  Summer was like spring’s hot older sister.  In spring everything starts developing and growing, but in the summer, it’s all in full bloom, mature.

“What’s in the bag Nicky?”

“Calm down woman, you’ll see soon enough,” I teased.  She poked me in my side.

Our table was ready as soon as we arrived.  I held out my mother’s chair for her as she sat down and got comfortable.

“How was your day Ma?”

“It was great Nicky. I went to the Farmer’s Market and did some shopping.  Then Michelle and I had lunch.”

“How is Michelle?”

“She’s doing well.  She’s so excited for Pete and Emily’s baby.”

About three years after we graduated from high school, Pete ran into Emily at a college football game.  Pete had started working out with me when he saw all the dates I was getting.  She told him she hardly recognized him.  I guess it was enough to catch her attention because he asked her out and after the game and they had been together ever since.  I was the best man at his wedding.

“Pete’s a nervous wreck,” I said.  “It’s quite entertaining.”  We both chuckled.

“You should have seen Michelle.  She could barely sit still from the excitement.  It sure would be nice to be that excited myself,” she prodded.

“Oh C’mon Ma!  Not this again.  Please!  Kellie and I aren’t together and I’m in no rush to meet anyone else.”

“Nicky, I don’t get it.  You’re such a good looking man.  There should be women falling all over you.”

“They are Ma; I’m just not catching them.” I smirked.

“Nicky you can’t be single forever.”

“I can try,” I teased.  She hit my arm playfully.

“You’re incorrigible.”

“I get it from you.”

“Oh no, son, you only get the best from me,” she laughed.

“Yeah, you’re pretty amazing Ma.  Do you know what you want to eat?”

We both perused the menu and placed our orders for our appetizers and entrees then continued chit chatting throughout the meal.

“So do I get to see what’s in the bag Nicky?”

“Geez woman you are impatient,” I laughed. 

“It’s just a little something.  I hope you like it.”

I pulled the bag out of the chair next to me and handed it to her.  She admired the gold wrapped box with a shimmering gold bow.  As I watched her open the box, my thoughts drifted back to Addison in the store. 

Watching as she wrapped the gift box, her hands moving deftly across the box as she wrapped it.  I wondered what those hands would feel like as she touched my face, as she slid them down my chest and moved them all over my body.  I heard talking, but I couldn’t make it out, suddenly my mother’s voice snapped me back to reality.

“Nicky…”

“Huh? What? I’m sorry Ma, what did you say?”

“I was just saying what a beautiful scarf.  Did you pick this out all by yourself?”

“I did, I’m a big boy you know?”

“Oh, hush it.  This is really beautiful Nicky, thank you love.”  She leaned over and kissed my cheek. 

“You’re welcome Ma, I love you too.”

“Well, we better get going Nick, doll. It’s getting late and you know I turn into a pumpkin after my bedtime.”

“You could never be a pumpkin Ma.”

“You’re such a sweet boy Nicky.  You need to find someone sweetie.  Someone that appreciates you sweetie.  You can’t be single forever.”

“Not this again Ma.  Let me take care of this check and I’ll walk you out to your car.”

Chapter 12

Addison

Saturdays are usually pretty busy and today was no exception.  We were slammed.  Everyone wanted summer dresses and cute leggings or Capris.  It was mid-morning before I could catch my breath.  I was straightening one of the racks when I heard the bell on the door.  I almost didn’t turn around because it had been ringing all morning, but something told me to look.  When I turned around there was a delivery man walking in with the most beautiful bouquet of purple roses and white calla lilies in a clear square vase.  Calla lilies are my favorite. 
Those are absolutely gorgeous,
I thought. 
I wonder which of the girls got them this time.

“Hi, Can I help you?” I asked.

“Yes, ma’am. I am looking for Addison.”

“Um… I’m Addison.”

“These are for you.”

“Oh wow!  They are stunning.  Who are they from?”

“I’m sorry, ma’am, I don’t know.  I’m just the delivery man.”

“Ok, thank you.  Can you hold on a second please?”

I walked around to the back of the counter and retrieved my wallet from my purse ready to give him a tip.

“No thanks, ma’am, it’s already been taken care of.”

“Oh, ok thanks!  Have a great day!”

I walked the flowers to the register counter and placed them down.  Chelsea, one of my two co-managers, came over shrieking about the bouquet.

“Wow, those are beautiful.  Who are they for?” Chelsea asked.

“Surprise, surprise they are for me.”

“Well, well whose eye did you catch?”

“I don’t know.  They just got here.  I haven’t even had a chance to look at the card.”

I searched the flowers for a sign of who they could be from.  There was no card, no name, nothing.

“I guess I have a secret admirer.”

“How romantic,” Chelsea said.  I smiled. I stood admiring the flowers for a moment when I heard Monica approaching, my other co-manager.

“Hey, this was on the floor by the front door.” She said, handing me a small envelope.  “Those flowers are gorgeous by the way.”

“Thank you!  Can’t wait to see who they are from.”  I opened the card:

            
 
Dear Addison,

                            Thank you for help picking out the scarf, my mother loved it.  If mom is happy we all are happy.  You’ve definitely found a repeat customer.                           

~Stephen

“Who’s Stephen?” Monica asked.

“He’s just a guy that came in right before we closed last night.”

“By the look at that smile on your face, he must have been hot,” Chelsea said

“What smile?  I’m just flattered that’s all.”

“Yeah, right girl please.  Don’t forget we’ve known you far too long. So what did he look like?” asked Monica.

“So how hot was he Ad?” Chelsea asked.

“Super model hot,” I said.  “He was breathtaking.  He came in right before I closed up.  When I say ‘hot’ I mean I wanted to take him in the back room and let him do unspeakable things to me ‘hot’.”

“Damn!” Monica said a little too loudly.  A middle aged woman browsing the tanks tops looked up and raised an eyebrow.

“Monica,” I said reprovingly.

“Oops, sorry,” Monica said.

“Are you going to try to see him again?” asked Chelsea.

“I don’t have any of his information.”

“Use his credit card info.”

“He paid with cash.”

“Nooooooooo,” they said in unison.

“The card says he’ll be back.” I hoped.

“I hope I’m here when he does,” Chelsea said.

“Girl, me too!” Monica said.  They laughed and high-fived each other.  I shook my head.

“Ok, you two back to work.”  They both giggled before heading to opposite sides of the store to check on customers.

We stayed pretty busy for the rest of the afternoon.  I was in the middle of checking out a customer when the phone rang.  Chelsea answered.

“Thank you for calling Bree Elle Boutique, this is Chelsea speaking, how may I help you?”  She paused, listening to the person on the other end.  “Yes, she’s with a customer at the moment, can you hold one moment please?  Addison, you have a call on line 2.”

“Thank you Chelsea.”

I finished up with my customer, excused myself and walked back to my office.”

“Bree Elle Boutique, this is Addison.”

“Good afternoon Addison,” I instantly remembered it from last night.  His voice dripped sex. “How are you today?”

“I’m wonderful, thank you for asking.”

“My pleasure. Did you enjoy your flowers?”

“I did, they are beautiful.  I have them on display at the register.”

“Well, their beauty pales in comparison to you,” he said, making me giggle.

“Thank you,” I could feel my face getting warm.

“I know this is last minute, but I was wondering if you would like to grab a bite after you leave the store?”

“Well, I am usually here all day on Saturdays, but I can check with one of my managers if they can close up tonight.  Is there a number I can return your call?”

He gave me his number and I promised to call him back in a few minutes.  I went back out into the front of the store.  Monica and Chelsea were both assisting people, but gave me knowing looks.  Chelsea was helping a younger woman, maybe early twenties.  She went into a fitting room to try on a few outfits and Chelsea almost tripped getting back to me at the register counter.

“OMG that was him wasn’t it?”  She asked and I smiled.

“Maybe.”

“Come on Ad, was that him?  What did he want?”

“He asked if we could grab a ‘bite’.  I told him that I needed to see if you and Monica could cover me.”

“Um… aren’t you the boss?  You can leave whenever you want.”

“Well, I don’t want to infringe upon your time.  You guys may have things planned.”

“Ad, go and have fun.  You deserve it.  You haven’t had any fun since you and Travis broke up. I mean I’m glad you broke up with him, he was an ass,” Chelsea looked around to make sure no customers heard her.  “Monica and I will be fine, but we will want details!”

“Ha, I’m sure you will pervs.”

“Living vicariously is all.”

I went back to my office to call Stephen back, passing a sexy long sleeved form-fitting little black dress that I’d had my eye on but had no reason to buy. 
I guess I found my reason,
I thought.  I stepped into my office and closed the door.  I took a deep breath.  My luck with men was questionable, but I hoped that this might turn out differently.  I sat down at my desk and took another deep breath.  I quickly picked up the phone and dialed before I had the chance to change my mind.

“Hello beautiful,” I heard his deep baritone voice say when he answered.  I wondered what it would sound like as he whispered sexy sweet-nothings into my ear.  I shook my head.
Stop it!  Think with your brain and not your body,
I told myself.

“Hi!  I hope that I was quick enough.”

“You have perfect timing Addison.  I’m just getting hungry and I was hoping that I wouldn’t have to eat alone tonight.  A meal is always more enjoyable in the company of a gorgeous woman.”  I sighed slowly.  He knew how to lay it on thick and I was totally buying everything he was selling.

“Well the girls said they would lock up for me.  It’ll take me a few minutes to get ready.  What time were you thinking?”

“How does seven-thirty, eight o’clock sound?” I looked at the clock on the wall.  Six o’clock.

“Ok, where were you thinking?”

“Don’t worry about that. It’s all covered.  I hope you’ll like it.  I’ll swing by and pick you up around seven-thirty, okay?”

“Okay, sounds wonderful.  See you at seven-thirty.”

“See you then.”

I hung up the phone and immediately panicked.  I had so much to do in such a small amount of time.  I sat back in my chair and rested my head on the head rest.  I counted to ten and sighed. 
Here goes nothing,
I thought.  I got up and walked back into the main room of the shop and picked up that little black dress.  I looked around for Chelsea or Monica, I needed a second opinion.  I caught Monica’s eye and nodded her over.

“Chelsea told me you that you have a date with Señor Uber Sexy.” 

“Yes, I think this is what I’m going to wear, but I need to make sure it looks ok.”

“Go on and try it on.  I’ll let you know.”

I walked into the fitting room and undressed.  I picked up the black dress and a thought hit me,
what in the world am I doing? I don’t even know this man.
 

“Only one way to get to know him,” I whispered to myself.

“Did you say something?” Monica asked.

“Oh, I said this is a really short hem,” I said as I finished getting dressed.

“I bet it looks amazing, let me see.”

“Okay, here I come.”
 

I stepped out of the room and both Monica and Chelsea were waiting for me.  The store traffic had died down considerably from this morning.

“Oh Ad, it looks beautiful.  You really should consider modeling your own merchandise.  I bet sales would double,” Chelsea said.

“Yeah Addison it really does look good.  You are going to have that man eating out of the palm of your hands,” Monica added.

“You guys are just saying that right?”

“Addison, seriously, you look stunning.  What are you going to do with your hair?” Monica asked.

“I was thinking a bun.”

“If you are going to wear a necklace or a scarf, then yes, if not, then leave it down,” Chelsea chimed.”

“Ok, hair down it is.  Chels, can you go head and ring this up on my account please?”

“You got it boss lady.”

“Ok, I’m going to go and finish getting ready.  I leave the store in your very capable hands ladies.”

I went into the back room where we kept our merchandise.  The main reason that I picked this location, aside from the square footage and layout was the fact that it had a shower in the bathroom.  I knew in my early days it would take long days to get the business off the ground.  I felt like if I had a place with a shower, I could stay late or come in early and freshen up during the day.  It had come in handy on many occasions and this was one of those times I was thankful for it. 

Along with the clothing we sold bras and panties. I grabbed a black lacy set on my way back to the shower.  I nodded at Chelsea and she knew to add that to my account as well.  I may own the company, but the merchandise still has to be paid for or I’d end up broke, reasoning why I needed everything.

I stepped out of the shower, dried off and quickly put on lotion.  I put on the new bra and panty set and looked in the full length mirror behind the bathroom door.
Ugh, I need to work out
, I thought.  My arms and legs were in great shape from toting around boxes, but my stomach could use some work.  It was nowhere near as flat as it had been once upon a time. 
Nothing I can do about it now,
I thought.