A Graceful Mess (6 page)

“And what did I save you from?”

Her pure innocence is only making this harder. I know I need to get up and walk away. Away from her, but I can’t. It’s like there’s some gravitational pull that I’m trapped in. On the other hand, leaving her here alone means leaving her with my brother, and I know what his plans for the evening would entail. My next option is small talk. There aren’t many things I suck at, but small talk is top on that list.

“You saved me from my annoying brother too,” I chuckle, knowing that is as true of a statement as it can be. If I saw him check out one more piece of ass while Grace was standing in arm’s length of him, I swear I would beat him to a pulp.

“I don’t think he’s that bad. I mean, he’s been buying me drinks all night.” She waves her empty cup in the air. “Speaking of drinks, looks like I’m still out.”

I didn’t peg her for that type. She knows she needs another, and she knows she is playing all the right cards. I start to get up, but I feel her dainty hand stop me. Her fingers are sprawled out on my chest. I feel like the heat rising from my body will burn her faint touch.

“I think I’m going to be sick,” she slurs seconds before leaning over and puking all over my boots.

“Shit.” I don’t have time to move before another round of vomit explodes out of her mouth.

“Oh, Lord. I am so sorry!” Her hands dart to her mouth, and I can tell she’s embarrassed because she continues to face the floor.

“Gracie!” I hear a voice holler from behind me. Turning around slightly, I see Maci staggering towards our booth. It looks like Ramsey is holding her up.

Great, she is wasted.

I can’t be too upset though, due to my current state. I can’t even look up because I can feel Parker’s eyes staring holes into my head. He hasn’t moved. Luckily for him, I looked down when I felt the bile building in my stomach.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper before jumping up and running in the direction of the restroom. Brushing by Maci, I don’t stop until I reach the ladies’ room. Slamming the door shut, I lock the stall behind me. I take a few minutes to clean myself up, then go wash my hands. There is no evidence of the incident on me, but my mouth feels disgusting. Good thing there is a little worker in here who offers hairspray, mouthwash, and perfume, for a small tip. Reaching into my clutch, I pull out a dollar bill and hand it to the steward in exchange for a cup of mint mouthwash. Gargling it for a few seconds, I stand looking at myself in the mirror, and then spit it into the sink. I guess I got too big for my own britches tonight. Drinking isn’t something I’m good at, and from the looks of how I feel, it isn’t something I want to master either.

I open the door to find Parker leaning against the wall, scrolling through his cell phone. Unconsciously I wonder who he is talking to. And that thought makes me jealous. I don’t know on what grounds I have to be aggravated about some stranger texting on his phone, but the thought that it might be another woman makes me feel slightly disappointed.

“You okay?” he asks as I approach him.

“My ego isn’t, but my stomach is.”

“No worries here, okay, sweetheart?”

He can’t be real. I have to be dreaming. Someone as attractive as him cannot be this sweet and genuine. It doesn’t happen, at least not in this century anymore. Good guys are like hidden gems you only hear about in movies or sappy books. But here he is, waiting for me.

“Okay.” I lean against the wall adjacent to him.

“Ramsey and Maci went back to his place. They’re both pretty drunk so I called them a cab.”

“That was sweet, thank you. She isn’t always like this. We came out to celebrate. We both graduated college today.” I don’t know why I confess that. Maybe it’s because I rid my body of some of the alcohol, and I’m making excuses for why I allowed myself to get so drunk in the first place.

“What an accomplishment, congratulations. What did you major in?” He actually seems interested.

“Criminal Justice. I start law school in the fall.”

“Impressive. Beauty and brains; girls like you don’t come around often these days.”

I’m not sure if he’s flirting because his face is dead serious.

“How about I take you home? You look like you could use some rest.”

I don’t know what to make of him or this situation, and although I just made a fool of myself and probably smell disgusting, the thought of him coming to my house excites me. I haven’t allowed myself to feel much of anything in so long; these desires are new territory for me.

“That sounds great, thank you.” Stepping away from the wall I suddenly feel light-headed. With the palms of my hands, I brace myself on the payphone beside me to stay upright, praying I don’t trip and make yet another spectacle of myself tonight.

“Here, lean on me. Come on, I won’t bite.” I swear I heard him whisper, “Unless you want me to.” The sad part is I would probably let him. I lean into his embrace as he guides us in and out of the crowd of bodies and towards the exit door. As soon as he opens it, I wish we were back inside.

“I don’t know why women wear these little dresses, especially without a jacket, knowing our weather changes like the songs on the radio.”

“Pain is beauty.” I smile, hoping he doesn’t detect my fakeness. That is a line I have heard Maci recite numerous times. We make it to a big, black truck. I don’t know how I’m going to maneuver climbing into it; you practically need a ladder. Sensing my hesitation he opens the passenger side door and gives me a boost. A few moments later, he climbs in and starts the engine. It sounds like a train and I can barely hear over the noise coming from under the hood. The heat on my toes feels amazing as my numb body starts to thaw. He leans over the center seat; the seat is folded down making a flat console in between us, and pulls the thick grey seatbelt out then slides it over my chest and buckles it without saying a word. From the corner of my eye I see a small grin spread across his face. Oddly, I’m not scared. I probably should be, letting a complete stranger take me home, but I feel a sense of comfort. Leaning back against the headrest I let the warmth coming from the vents relax me.

I open my eyes to see Parker staring at me.

“Where are we?” My vision is cloudy and my head is pounding.

“You slept on the ride home. We’re here, at your place. I just didn’t want to wake you. You’re going to need all the rest you can get. Hopefully sleep and a few Advil will help cure the hangover I know you’re going to have tomorrow.”

“You’re probably right. Thank you for the ride home and I am
so
sorry about your shoes. I never drink, and this is why.” I lift my head up from the backrest and unbuckle the belt.

“Here let me help you down.” He unbuckles his seatbelt and is out of his seat and standing in front of the open passenger door in record time. Extending my legs from the seat toward the ground below, Parker extends his arms and places them around my waist to guide me the rest of the way down.

“Thank you.” We are standing so close I can smell the whiskey on his breath. I know he isn’t drunk – well, I don’t know for certain – but he doesn’t appear to be.

Should I give him a goodnight kiss on the cheek or something?

I am no good in situations like this. I wish Maci were here, but she isn’t. She’s probably tangled up in the sheets with that tattooed guy right now.

What the heck, I’ve already been to the bar, got drunk, puked on his shoes, and let him drive me home. What damage could a small, little peck on the cheek do?

Even in heels he still towers over me, so I stand on my tiptoes and lean forward, bracing myself with my hand on his chest. He looks down at me, and his hazel eyes pierce my heart like a jolt of lightning. Leaning closer, I kiss the small of his mouth. Not quite on his lips but close enough. I know he must think I am a freak, first vomiting all over him and now kissing him, but I am in a daring mood. I have the remains of the alcohol running through my veins to thank for that. He doesn’t move for a few seconds. It seems like an eternity, but then I feel his strong hand move from my waist. It trails my side until I feel his thumb and index finger on my chin. He tilts my head down an inch so I am looking at the ground, then he tucks my head under his chin – his unshaven beautiful chin – and then I feel his lips on the top of my head. He kisses my hair once lightly before inhaling a deep breath. Then he pushes off of the truck and takes my hand in his.

Grabbing her hand I lead her to the double glass doors of her apartment complex. She didn’t have to tell me her address. I already knew it. Starting Monday morning, I will be trailing her, so already having her address memorized is a small part of my job description. She doesn’t ask how I knew. I don’t even think she noticed she didn’t tell me directions anyway. Most likely she won’t remember in the morning anyhow.

I had to force myself away from her. In the moment I could have had her. Fuck, I could probably have her any way I want her right now – bent in the air, lying on her stomach, ass cheeks round and perky, ready for the taking. I shake my head knowing I shouldn’t be thinking those thoughts. Her hand is still warm from the heat in my truck. It’s so soft and delicate compared to mine. She follows my lead as I walk in front of her. It’s probably a good thing. What’s growing inside of my pants just from her faint touch is a sight she doesn’t need to see right now.

We make it to the glass doors that read Carrington Palace. There is neutral cobblestone all around the exterior of the building with a few rustic benches you can tell have been sat in too many times to count. It’s a nice place though. I even toured it when we first got to town, but Dad insisted I make a bigger commitment to the business. So I bought a small farmhouse right outside of town. It’s more like a little cottage, but it was already remodeled inside, I figured why not? Plus it’s only ten minutes from the gym and about twelve from the office. It works perfectly for me.

“Would you like me to walk you in?” She looks torn, sort of like she wants to say yes, but is fighting the urge. Her lips part and I beg to God that she says yes.

“I’ll be okay. The elevator is right around the corner. Thank you though.”

Shot down.

“All right, be careful…and Grace...” She turns and takes her hand off of the metal bar attached to the door. Her neck is bent down slightly, but her eyes are facing towards me, looking up to meet my gaze. If it isn’t the sexiest look I have ever seen, I don’t know what is. Her eyelashes are so long they are almost touching her upper eyelids. I want so badly to push her up against the stone wall, hike up her little blue dress, and feel her warmth.

Rein it in.

“It was nice to meet you.” My jaw is clenched. It’s the only way I know to prevent anymore words from escaping my mouth. The words I really want to say, “Come on, let me take you upstairs and watch you scream my name begging me to touch you.” She bites her lower lip.

That’s it, sweetheart.

I know she feels the chemistry now. The yearning in the air is unmistakable. Both of us deciding not to act on it is a shame.