✿ Reid's POV

I had Lee right where I wanted her.

Granted, she wasn’t naked, pinned beneath me on my bed with my mouth teasing those luscious tits.

That was where I really wanted her.

But she would be soon enough.

I glance in the bathroom mirror and start buttoning my shirt, wondering if I should shave or if Lee prefers my well-trimmed stubble. I only recently got out of the shower and my hair was still damp. I hadn’t yet put on any pants.

Hernan waltz into my bathroom like he doesn’t give two shits that I'm only half-dressed. For a guy who generally has impeccable manners, he's awfully lax about privacy.

“The dealership is expecting you. Ask for Nate. I texted that to you because I know you probably won’t remember.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“That most of the time, you only half listen to me.”

“I listen.”

He shrugs.

“When it suits you. In any case, Nate will be ready to roll out the red carpet.”

I finished buttoning my shirt.

“Good.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to make a dinner reservation somewhere?”

“No, I’ve got it. Going to do something a little different tonight.”

He adjusts his glasses.

“Interesting, Reid Dalton.”

My eyes flick to him in annoyance as I rub a bead of pomade between my fingers.

“What’s with the second-guessing? You don’t think I know how to take a woman on a date?”

“On the contrary, you’re quite skilled at it.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

He doesn't hesitate.

“I wonder if you know what you’re getting into.”

“With what?” I ran my hands through my hair, massaging in the pomade. “Going out with my fiancée?”

He chuckles.

“You seriously like calling her that.”

I shoot him a glare.

“I’m just making the best out of the situation.”

“Or taking advantage of it. But a request, if I may. Call her my fiancée as often as possible around Maleficent.”

I ignore his jibe at Kym as I duck into the walk-in closet to retrieve my pants. Hernan follows.

“She does have her panties in a bunch over the whole thing, doesn’t she?”

“Quite. Now are you going to let me finish getting dressed or would you like to question more of my plans?”

“Fine” he sighs as I tug my slacks up my legs, “Just... be good to her, okay? I like this one. A lot.”

One corner of my mouth lifts.

“Oh, I’m going to be very good. Don’t you worry about that.”

“And another maiden falls victim to the ravishing rogue.”

“You’re one to talk.”

It's his turn to smile just as I finish tucking in my shirt and buttoning my pants.

“Touché. Now do you need anything else before I retire to my depressingly single life while you enjoy an evening out with Lee?”

“You bet your ass I’m going to enjoy my evening. And no, take your drama queen attitude home for the night.” I pause to give myself another glance in the mirror before walking into my bedroom. “And don’t bug me tomorrow. At least not early.”

“It's your birthday tomorrow” He follows me out. “Planning to cook her breakfast?”

I grin.

“I’m a gentleman, aren’t I?”

“That’s debatable. And you can't cook.”

“See ya, man,” I say to his back as he walks away.

“Goodnight.”

Chuckling, I cuff my sleeves.

Time to go pick up my fiancée.

✯✯✯✯✯✯

I get out of my car and lean against the door while I text her to let her know I am here.

Then I wait. And wait. And wait a little more.

It's probably only been a few minutes, but I start to wonder if she's standing me up. I look up at her bedroom window and the lights are on.

She's home.

Finally, her answering text buzzes and lights up not only my phone.

Lee: Sorry. Be down in a minute.

The front door opens and a tiny figure appears in my line of sight.

“Reid!”

And I can't help but smile.

“Hey kiddo” I lower myself to her height as she comes barreling toward me to hug me. “Good to see you.”

“You too. Did you bring Sirius?” she looks on expectedly at my car.

“Um no. He's at my place with the sitter.”

“Oh” her face falls.

“But I can call and have him brought here if you'd like.”

She perks up and her face immediately lights up.

“Really?”

“Of course.”

“Thank you. And I can play dress up with him right?”

“Whatever you want.”

She grins at me.

“Cool. I see why Lee loveeeess you” she drags, giggling up at her window.

I chuckle.

“I'll go get her” She lets go of me and runs back inside the house.

I stand and text Hernan, asking him to pick Sirius up and drop him off with Lee's family. Just as I hit send and look up, Lee comes out the front door.

Oh God...

All her soft dark curls are up, leaving a few wispy pieces to hang down around her neck. She's wearing a light pink... pink... God, pink on this woman... a light pink shirt that nips at her waist and jeans that hug her curves in all the right places. She has a purse slinging over her shoulder and a coat draping across one arm.

I’d seen her dressed up and made up. I’d seen her messy in the morning. I’d seen her in work clothes and date attire and goodness gracious, I liked her every which way.

When she looks away from Camari, she smiles at me.

“Hey.”

“Hi,” she replies.

God, she's beautiful.

“You told Cami it's okay to put makeup on the dog?”

“I'm not sure when we had that conversation.” She chuckles. “And I'm pretty sure she said dress up.”

She zips her purse and adjusts her coat in her arm.

“You look beautiful.”

Aileen gives me the satisfaction of a slight blush.

“Thank you. And sorry to make you wait. I couldn’t find my left shoe.”

And all I wanted to do was to kiss her, right here and now. In fact, the urge to step in close, grab her by the waist, and kiss the hell out of her is so strong I almost do it.

But I don’t.

I pause. Something tells me not to come on too strong. Not yet anyway. And my instincts are usually spot on, so I listen. I just smile at her and open the passenger door.

“Shall we?”

She smiles again and moves past me to get in my car. I lean in a little to get a whiff of her hair.

God, she smells so good.

I go around the car and get in, then turn on the engine and pull out onto the street.

“So, what are we doing?” she asks, glancing up at the starless night.

“Let’s get a quick bite to eat.”

“Dinner? This is about dinner?”

I turn my attention back to the road before she hits me.

“Not exactly. I was thinking we’d do something a little different.”

“Oh?”

“Mm hm,” I hum. “I’m in the market for a new car. Not an everyday driver, mind you. Something fun. I figure we can take one for a test drive. And I’d like to get my fiancée’s opinion before I buy.”

She rolls her eyes but doesn’t chip in the 'fake'.

“We’re going to test drive cars?”

“You sound skeptical.”

“It’s just not what I was expecting. A new car? On the night before your birthday.”

“I said I wanted to do something a little different this year.”

“Okay,” she says like she’s not too sure about my plan.

We grab a late dinner at a Greek place she suggests. I’ve never been here, but the food is outstanding. We chat while we eat, but she seems guarded. Like she's keeping an invisible barrier between us, not letting me get too close.

I’d have to work on that.

After dinner, we head out to the dealership and park. Aileen stares out the window, wide-eyed.

“I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t this.”

“Like I said. Fun.”

“Are you sure you’re not just showing off?”

I smirk at her.

“Angel, I don’t need to show off.”

I get out and open her door. I take her hand while she stands and it's a good thing because her foot nearly slips out from under her. I steady her with my other hand on her waist, and her soft curls brush my cheek.

My hand moves to the small of her back and I lead her inside. Bright lights shine down on stark white walls and a white tile floor. Several models are parked around the showroom, their shiny paint jobs sparkling. A man in a sharp suit with slicked-back hair is on hand to greet us.

“Nate?” I ask.

“Yes, sir” he gives me a hearty handshake.

“My fiancée, Lee.”

She makes a little noise in her throat but reaches out to shake Nate’s hand.

“Hi.”

“Nice to meet you. Can I get you any refreshments?”

“Just a set of keys.”

“Is there a particular model you’re interested in? I recommend the—”

“How about I save us both a little time and let you skip the sales pitch? I’ve been looking at the McLaren 720S Coupe and I know all the specs. But my fiancée needs to get a feel for it before she’ll let me pull the trigger.”

“Fair enough, Mr. Dalton. We already have all your information on file. I’ll be right back” He turns and walks to the back.

“Are you really going to buy one of these?” Aileen asks, her voice almost a whisper.

“If you like it. I’m buying it for you.”

She laughs.

“Yeah, no. I'm fine with my Jeep. The beauty works just fine.”

I glance down at her.

Fuck, she's cute.

I simply hum. Nate comes back with a key fob and leads us out a set of side doors. The car is everything I want it to be. Deep blue with a sexy black interior. Sleek, aerodynamic lines. It looks like a million bucks and by some people’s estimation, it's a bargain with a sticker price of less than half that.

Fine, maybe I am showing off a little.

But I really had been looking at this car. And driving it with her in the passenger seat was going to be fun.

Nate hands me the key fob and takes a few steps back. I usher Lee in through the gull-wing door and they lift, instead of opening out.

Such a hot car. And Aileen looks hot in it too.

I go around to the other side and get in, then shift my weight around on the seat.

Feels good.

“I can't believe I'm in a race car,” she says as the doors lower. “I feel like I should be wearing a helmet and one of those jumpsuits.”

“Maybe we should get you one. I bet you’d look sexy as hell dressed up like a race car driver.”

She shakes her head and laughs.

“Are they really just going to let you drive away in this?”

I start the engine and it doesn’t just hum. It fucking growls.

“They know I’m good for it.”

Ever so gently, I back us out of the parking spot. I pick up on the bit on the freeway and damn, all that potential speed is tempting.

Don't kill her, my conscience shoots at me.

But when Aileen’s eyes flick to me a few times, I swear the look she's giving me screams, “Go faster.”

But my instincts aren't always right so I don't.

We cruise down the freeway, getting past most of the suburban sprawl before exiting. I turn north on a two-lane highway that winds through a patchwork of farmland.

“So... what do you think?” I ask.

“You were right. It’s fun.”

“Told you.”

She smiles, and I sense a little bit of her guardedness easing away. I keep on driving, feeling the curves in the road, hugging the turns. This car is a dream to drive and I liked that my girl was enjoying it, too.

Obviously, I didn’t need her opinion... or permission before I bought it. I just liked teasing her. But there was something pleasurable—not pleasant, pleasurable—about gliding down the road in this sexy car with her at my side.

“It’s so pretty out here,” she sighs, looking out the window.

“It is nice, isn’t it?”

She hums.

“Have you always lived around here?”

Aileen shifts in her seat.

“No, actually. I was born in Colombia. Shortly after that, we went off to stay in Puerto Rico up until I was two. My dad had gotten a job here so we thought we'd visit him. My uncle was going to get promoted too so... good times. Then it didn't last because my dad was killed and my mom died of a broken heart. So Papi adopted me and I've been here since then.”

I glance at her.

“That's why you stick so close to your family?”

“Yeah. And it's great. We were the only family either of us had for a long time till he married Bon. And now there's Camari. And I've got Nora and her family too.”

“I'd have loved to meet your old man.”

She laughs softly.

“I doubt it.”

“Why?”

“Well from the stories Papi told me about his brother when I was little, my dad was... you know how some people are rough around the edges?”

“Sure.”

“It wasn’t just Ian's edges. He was basically sandpaper.”

“I like him already” I smile. “But how did a rough-as-sandpaper man produce a sweet girl like you?”

She laughs again and the sound seeps into my chest like the burn of whiskey sliding down my throat.

“I don’t know. I guess I’m more like my mom.”

“Do you miss her? Them?”

“Yeah. But it’s okay. Almost twenty-three years ago. I'm over it. And like I said, I've got Papi, Bonita, Cami, and everyone else.”

“Lee it's not easy to lose a parent... much less two. It's okay to not be over it.”

“I'm fine, Armani” she presses. “And Papi did a great job raising me. I barely think to dwell on the death of my parents. So don't.”

I hold myself from pressing any further and relax on an exhale.

“Okay then. I suppose we should think about taking the car back.”

“Yeah. We've been gone a while. Do you think they’re worried?”

“Nah. Like I said, they know I’m good for it.”

“So are you going to buy it?”

“I’d certainly like to own one, but with these, they typically build you one custom. I won’t go through all that work tonight, though. It’ll take too long.”

And I have other plans for you tonight.

I enjoy the drive back to the dealership. The ride is smooth, and the company is pleasant. I want to touch her, but once again my instincts tell me to hold up.

We drop off the McLaren and as sad as I am to say goodbye to that sweet ride, I'm happy to be ushering Aileen back into my Mercedes. A light hand across her back eases some of the craving I have for contact. And the way she meets my eyes and smiles feels like a subtle nod of encouragement. She was definitely warming up to me again.

Time to take things up a notch.

“What do you think?” I ask when we're settled and on the road back to Boise. “Want to come see my place? Maybe have a late drink and some desserts?”

“Thanks. Sounds nice but I'd rather go home.”

Wait, what?

“Huh?”

“Could you drop me off at... our place first? There's something I need to grab.”

She wants to go home?

Why?

“You sure? It’s only a little past eleven.”

“I’m sure, Armani. Our place first, then home” Her tone is sweet but decisive.

Any attempts to change her mind now would just be arguing. And that is not how I wanted things to go.

“Alright then. Our place first, then I’ll get you home.”

The pit stop is short. She's in and out like it never happened.

“What did you go get?”

“Clothes” she gestures to the small duffel bag in her hand.

“Clothes,” I say slowly and nod, “Okay.”

I drive her home and insist on getting out and walking her up to the front door of her house.

“Thanks, Armani. It was fun.”

“My pleasure. I’ll call you, okay?”

Her phone dings and she meets my eyes.

“Happy birthday.”

It's already midnight?

I let a small smile show and just when I'm about to slide in for a goodnight kiss, she deftly steps out of my grasp.

“Goodnight, Armani.”

And just like that, she disappears inside.

What the fuck? Not even a kiss?

I frown. Straightening, I clear my throat and go back to my car. Things hadn’t ended the way I’d thought—or wanted.

Not even close.

But maybe my birthday would brighten up things between us.

One can only hope.

✯✯✯✯✯✯

✿ Aileen's POV

“Order safely delivered, Miss Lee.”

I smile his way.

“Thank you, Todd.”

“And are you wearing that to the party?” Levy asks.

I glance down at my chef's uniform.

“And what's it to you, Levy?” Lyra chips in. “The party isn't until tonight.”

“Well, she's the birthday boy's fiancée. Shouldn't she be you know... dressed to the nines?”

“And leaving us to do the work” Bernadette adds.

I smile softly.

“The work was to deliver the cake. And it was a one-person job. But no. You all insisted on coming” I say. “The job's done and so everyone, back in the van. We're leaving.”

“But aren't you going to give us a tour of your house, Miss Lee?” Jaime pouts.

“No. And it's not my house. It's his parents. Now... in the van or I'm going to leave you all behind.”

They grumble but get in the van anyway. I try to busy myself at the eatery when we get back so I'm not forced to think about him.

“Hi, Lee!”

I look up from the couple I'm handing the menus to.

“Natalie” I smile, “I'm surprised to see you here. You didn't call.”

“No, it's kind of an emergency.”

“What's wrong?”

“I need cash.”

I arch a brow.

“Nat—”

“Hear me out, Lee.”

I sigh and nod.

“My phone broke. And my parents won't help me out with it on the count of 'You need to start taking up responsibilities' and my own sister agrees with them.”

I bob my head.

“You are seventeen, Nat. They're right. I kinda agree too.”

She groans.

“Well, so I need a job.”

“Okay. If I hear of anything I'll tell you.”

She makes a face.

“Here, Lee.”

I chuckle.

“You're not qualified to work here, Nat.”

“Lee...”

“What are you doing to huh? Wait tables?”

“I need the cash for a new phone. My social life is on the line here. I'm already tutoring some kids in my class.”

“That's good then. I'm proud of you” I smile and walk to the back of the counter.

She follows.

“Yeah, but it's not enough. So I need you to gimme a job here. Temporarily of course. And nothing too hard.”

I shake my head with a chuckle.

“Please, Lee? I'll do anything” She grabs my arms.

“Okay, okay” I laugh. “There's this perfume store that just opened at the mall. I know the owner so I'll call her and ask if she needs any—”

I'm cut off by a squeal from Natalie before she throws her arms around me.

“Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you, Lee!”

I chuckle.

“You're welcome.”

“Oh, you just saved my social life. Thank you. I mean it Lee. What can I do to ever repay you?”

You haven't even gotten the job yet.

“Let's see...” I humor her by tapping my chin and pretending to think, “Oh I know... taking this responsibility thing seriously. I'm sure that's what we all want.”

She makes a face, then smiles.

“Or... I can fill you on the news I heard.”

“Gossip? No, thank you” I sidestep her into the kitchen.

She follows.

“It's not gossip, Lee. Neither is it rumors.”

“Uh-huh.”

“I'm going to tell you anyway because it concerns you.”

I stir the meatball sauce.

“I highly doubt that.”

“So my friend Bailey... you know her right?”

“No, but I've heard Camari say her name a couple of times.”

I can't believe I'm indulging this child.

“Well her sister recently got a modeling job at this huge modeling company in Boise and she overheard something.”

“And you're saying this isn't gossip?” I chuckle, moving to check on the sausages.

“It's not. Bailey's sister happened to hear your fiancé's ex in the bathroom telling someone she'd bought out Maison Rouge for the entire day today because she and your fiancé are going to eat out.”

I'm caught off guard that I nearly knock the pan of sausages off the stove when I whip around to face Natalie.

“What?”

“Yeah. Anika Woods has bought out the whole of Maison Rouge because she's eating out with Reid Dalton” she repeats and I frown.

“Nat, this isn't funny okay?”

“I know that, Lee. But why would I spin a tale like that? And why would Bailey's sister come up with something like that? I mean personally, I think it's bull because exes don't go on dates together when they're engaged to other people.”

They aren't supposed to be inches away from each other's faces either but...

“But maybe she misheard and the date is with her fiancé and not yours.”

I don't reply.

A date with Anika?

My phone dings and when I pull it out of my pocket and stare at the screen, it's the devil himself.

Armani: Could you bring Sirius to the house? I need him here for when the vet arrives this afternoon.

I struggle to even react to the text.

“Lee, I gotta go now. Don't forget to call your mall friend okay?” Natalie says in a sudden rush and after a quick hug, she's out the door.

Calm down, Lee. Bailey's sister probably obviously misheard.

I take in a deep breath and text him my reply. Then turning the stove off, I walk out of the eatery and to my car. The possibility of Reid going out on a date with his ex runs through my head the entire drive back home and to Reid's parent's house.

When I push the doorbell and his niece answers it, I don't even care about the dirty look she's giving me. Maeve smiles at Sirius but doesn't approach him.

“He's by the pool” she speaks before I do... not that I was going to, then turns away from me.

I shake my head and step inside the house. When we delivered the cake earlier, we were ushered in through the servant's entrance. I'd come in through the main door and was currently standing in the foyer but I didn't even care to look around. I don't even have to struggle to look for which double doors lead to the pool because Sirius lets out an excited bark and drags me right to him.

He's seated behind his laptop, documents scattered on the table his elbows are resting on.

Even on his birthday.

Sirius' bark gets him to lift his head and his eyes meet mine. I let them wander away from his till I come to a stop almost four feet away from him.

“I brought Sirius... like you asked” I mutter and let go of his leash, allowing him to climb onto a recliner nearby.

“What took you so long?” is his question.

I avoid his gaze, Natalie's news ringing in my head.

“I came here as fast as I could.”

I feel his gaze roam my body.

“Yet you had time to change.”

“Yes.”

“Why? I saw you in the morning... from my room. And this... this wasn't what you had on.”

That gets me to make a face.

“Are you asking as my fake fiancé or a naturally nosy person?”

“Is there a difference?” he deadpans and my eyes narrow slightly. “Will you answer my question?”

I fold my arms.

“My uniform was sticky from all the work I've done just this morning. So when I went home to fetch Sirius, I took a shower and here I am” I reply. “Can I leave now?”

“No” his reply is hard and instant. “Can you sit?” he gestures to the side of the couch he's sitting on with his head.

Of course, he'll refuse.

I sigh and unfold my arms before painfully settling down beside him on the couch. He types something into his computer and then pauses to sip... wait is he drinking cappuccino from my bakery?

He is drinking cappuccino from my place. Somehow that makes me even more upset and I fold my arms again.

“What do you need me for, Armani? Or am I just going to sit here?”

“Yes,” another fast and very sure reply shoots out of him.

This man.

I unfold my arms again and look away. Natalie's information rings louder in my head and I don't know why my heart begins to beat equally louder in my chest. I swallow and turn to face him.

“Hey, are you by any chance going—”

“Reid!” Anika's voice rings from behind me and the way I jump in my seat has Reid frowning a little.

I quickly look away and Anika's gorgeous smile and... oh wow that dress... has me feeling even worse than before. Reid stands and so do I. Luckily I step out of the way quickly because the way she slides in my position is predatory. She throws her arms around Reid and sinks into his warmth and his cedar and sandalwood scent.

“I got the flowers you sent me. Thank you so much. They mean the world to me.”

Flowers?

Reid meets my eyes. It's not until Anika squeals excitedly again that he blinks and returns her hug.

“Glad it did,” he says, his eyes never leaving mine.

We stare at each other for a few seconds, then I look away and move away from them. I settle down in one of the chairs and Reid's assistant is watching me. When I look at her, she quickly looks away and pretends to be going over the many files in front of her.

After what feels longer than forever, Anika pulls away from Reid and she takes my place beside him when he sits back down. It's hard to fight the pained expression on my face because even when Reid cranes his head to look behind him at me, I don't force a smile on my face like at the resort.

I'm not sure when Hernan arrives but the next I realize, he's standing in my line of sight of Reid.

“Hello, Sloane” he greets.

“Mr. Nielsen” she stands. “Do you need anything, sir?”

“No” he looks at me and reaches out to take my hand, “Lee, come with me, please.”

Without waiting for my response, he's tugging me to my feet and pulling me after him to the wet bar in the further back.

“What's going on?” he asks.

“What?”

“What is going on?”

Like that's any clearer.

“Why is he being so warm and receptive to her. Wait, are you two—”

“Nothing, Hernan. We're nothing” I cut him off.

“That's why they're flirting with each other right now? Look” he turns to them.

I don't look.

“Reid's a grown man who can make his own choices, okay Hernan? I don't know what's going on with those two, and frankly speaking, I don't care” I lie.

“Well I do” he scoffs.

“Then go ask him.”

“Oh I will” he assures.

I simply nod and glance at Reid and Anika.

“Now do me a favor and smile, will you Lee?” he asks, “Try not to show it.”

“Show what?” I tear my eyes away from them.

“That your heart is bleeding” he says with a little smile.

I stop breathing for a second then force out a chuckle.

“My heart isn't—”

“We'll talk about this later hm? I'm going to go break up whatever this is” he interrupts with a small frown when Anika gently puts an arm to Reid's chest and rubs against it.

And of course Hernan is right. My heart is bleeding.

Thank you for reading!
Please don't forget to vote.
Ciao
~the_atticwriter