Damaged Perfection (The Perfection Series Book 1) (9 page)

“Are you going to pout? I want you to stick out those pouty lips.” I know glancing at him is going to be a mistake but I do it anyway. And just as I suspected, the smile that has spread on his face makes me want to rip his clothes off. The last few days of tension is really starting to get to me. I have come to the conclusion that I just want to sleep with him and get it over with; it may be what both of us need in order to move on.

My next thought then moves to Fent and his fast life. I don’t know that I can actually lie in the same bed that I know countless other women have been before me. As much as I want to ask him about his promiscuous ways, I don’t know that I actually want to know the truth. Ignorance is bliss and in this case, I believe it is absolutely the case.

              “Where are we going, Fent?”

              “You’ll see, just hang on to your panties and we will be there in a minute.”

              I sit quietly and watch downtown Indy pass us by. I feel like since I have met Fent, my life is out of control. I haven’t slept a whole night, I am so tense from the past few days and now he has kidnapped me from work and I am probably going to lose my job.

              “We are going to another job site, Piper. Stop worrying, Frank knows where we are,” he says quietly, as he intently watches interstate 70 pass us by. “You’re right, I don’t need this job but I would never put you in danger of losing yours. I have a friend who needs some work completed and wanted an architect to come and look at the site to see if what he wants is feasible. But he isn’t a fan of Frank. So, I told him I happen to know the best architect in Indiana.” He doesn’t look at me but the corner of his mouth pulls up.

              “And Frank just allowed you to be the one to accompany me?”

              “Frank and I may not get along but he is no dumbass. He knew he would lose this account if he didn’t let me go with you.”

              “Did this client want to meet with us before or after you found out I was working with Ty?” He smirks.

              “You think I had anything to do with that?” He puts his hand over his heart.

              “Didn’t you?” He glances at me out of the corner of his eye.

              “I may have expedited the meeting…”

              “Fenton…” I really want to insert his last name there but in that very moment I realize I have no idea what it is. How have I been around this man for almost a month and never felt the need to know his full name?

              “What is your last name, Fent?” He glances at me with confusion on his face.

              “What does that have to do with anything?” He laughs.

              “Well I just wanted to scold you with your full name and realized I don’t know your last name.” His brows pull together in confusion.

              “Scott. My name is Fenton Scott.”

              I feel my phone vibrate. When I finally find it, I see that it is Shane. I hold my finger up to Fent to let him know I have to take it.

              “Shane, what’s up? Is everything ok?”

              “Hey baby girl, can I not just call to say what’s up?”

              “You can, but it is the middle of the day and you know I am at work.”

              “Ok, I will make this quick. I have some big fancy dinner for work this evening and my date backed out, can you fill in?” I go into panic mode thinking of what I have to wear and if I will have enough time to get ready after work.

              “What time and where? Is it formal? I need details Shane.”

              “It is at seven thirty, somewhere downtown and it is semi-formal. I am sure between your giant closet and Phoebe, you can find something. Can you go or not?” Shane has recently picked up a career in the carpentry field and although he never stays at any one job very long, this may be a good networking event for me.

              “Yes, I will go.”

              “Ok, I will be at your house at seven. Thanks girl, I owe you.”

              “Yes, you do. See you then.”

              “Does that mean I won’t be seeing you this evening?” Fenton asks without looking at me.

              “Were you supposed to see me this evening?”

              “Maybe.”

              “Well then no, you will not get to see me this evening.”

              We pull into a very large lot and park next to the only other truck. As we walk through the lot, we are constantly weaving in and around uneven pavement and giant holes in the ground. This place is a wasteland of trash and broken glass; I can’t imagine what this customer wants to build here. I don’t see much commercial industry around. It just seems like a lot of abandoned buildings.

              “Long time no see,” Fent calls to the guy before they shake. “Piper, this is Alan Laram. He wants to build a center for the youth on this ground. Alan, this is Piper Adams. She is the very talented architect that I told you about. I am sure she will make your plan come to a beautiful reality.” Hearing Fent’s introduction of me makes me feel self conscious. I know that I am good at my job but hearing him say it brings a lot of pressure.

              “Very nice to meet you, Alan.” When I shake his hand, I can feel the warmth he exudes. I like him already.

              “Likewise, Piper.”

              “How much land are we working with and what are you wanting exactly?”

              “I have this lot and the adjoining lots to the left and to the back. I have had it measured off already. I will email you all of the specifications and what my plans are when I get back to the office. I just felt it would be beneficial for you to see the site. Fenton has filled me in on the impressive work you have already put in at James and it sounds like you have a very promising career in front of you.”

              Alan is an older man, maybe early sixties. He has very kind eyes with gray hair. He reminds me of my grandfather and it warms my heart to hear him say those words to me without even seeing my portfolio.

              “Thank you, Alan. I would be glad to send you some of my portfolio before you make a decision to hire James and myself to help with your project.”

              “Piper, I have known Fenton for years and if he says you will get the job done, I believe him. Here is my card, email me when you get back to the office and we can begin what I know will be a great working relationship.” He shakes both Fenton and my hands again before leaving.

              “What did you tell him about me that he wants to hire me on the spot?”

              “The truth.” He grabs my hand and we begin walking the lot. He begins telling me some of his ideas for the build. He points out different areas for basketball courts and a pool.

              “Oh and we could also put some tennis courts in here. Do kids play tennis?” I have never seen him so passionate about anything. Even though he seems so miserable at work, I knew he loved his job. The precision in which he handles his work, and the fact that he loves to share his knowledge told me from the moment I began working with him that he is meant to be in this business.

              “I’m sure they would play if they were given the opportunity.” He nods his head in agreement and I can see his wheels continue to spin.

“I have never seen you this excited about work.”

“This is a great cause.” I hear the seriousness in his voice and expect him to continue but he doesn’t. Again, I am left wondering what is going on with him. We are going to have to talk about this soon. I can’t keep seeing him change from Jekyll to Hyde in the span of one conversation, its giving me whiplash.

We finally make it back to the truck and before he gets in, he pulls a bottle of tequila out from under the seat. He takes a shot straight from the bottle and then holds it out for me.

“No, I’m good. It’s just a tad too early for me,” I say, incredulously. He puts the bottle back under his seat and we head back to work. He is eerily quiet and I want to say something to lighten the mood but I am not sure what. I don’t know what caused the sudden shift but he isn’t offering up anything to help me understand. After a few minutes I decide to just let it ride, sometimes that helps more than talking. I look back out the window and realize we are not driving back to work.

“Where are we going?”

“Lunch.”

“Oh.” I look at the dash clock and sure enough, it is already almost two in the afternoon. We pull off the interstate and I realize where lunch is going to be.

“I thought you said we were going to lunch?” I ask as a faint smiles plays on his lips.

“We are,” he answers. I decide to leave it at that as we continue our journey. We get stopped by the familiar red light and I am kind of disappointed when I don’t see the nice old man sitting next to us. Our light turns green and we drive the short distance to his driveway and my heart starts racing. I am not sure why but I am so excited to be here.

“Fenton, you didn’t get to see me as I was driving down this driveway last night but I was in complete awe of the beauty of this place. I can’t believe you live in this giant place by yourself.”

“Sometimes that is good and sometimes it is bad. After a long day with Frank, I need to come home to my own space and the quiet it brings. After a while, though, my thoughts consume me and that is when I get myself in trouble.”

“You know you can always call me when that happens.”

“You are going to regret saying that.” He smirks.

“Trust me, I welcome the distraction.”

“I will remember that.” He grabs me by the hand and pulls me behind him out of the truck. Almost as soon as my feet hit the ground, he pulls me in for a kiss.

“What was that for?” He smiles as he turns to lead me up the steps to the house.

“Just because.” He unlocks the front door and we are both almost knocked off our feet by a very excited Andy.

“Hi buddy, I am very happy to see you, too!” I say, petting the soft fur on his head.

              “Here go get this buddy,” he says as he throws one of Andy’s bones down the hall. Pure bliss fogs his eyes as he begins chasing his toy.

I stand watching as Andy runs after his toy and wish that something so small could make me that happy. Without any warning, Fenton pushes me up against the banister of the stairwell. Our hands join in unison with our lips and suddenly the down shift of his mood is coming out.

              “Piper, please tell me you are not going to stop me. I need you.” The urgency in his voice validates my earlier thought that something did happen while at that site meeting. And I need this almost as much as he does after these last couple days, so I don’t argue.

How am I supposed to tell him no when his lips feel so perfect against mine? Without saying a word, he hooks my hands around his neck and picks me up. Instinctively my legs wrap around his waist as he begins walking us upstairs. He opens his door and gently lays me on his bed. He stands tall over me and I suddenly feel self conscious.

              “No ma’am.”

              “What?”

              “Do not feel embarrassed. First of all, you still have your clothes on. Second, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, I can’t wait to get you out of them.” Before I have time to melt over what he just said, he moves his hands to the waistband of my jeans and smiles as he unbuttons them. He taps a finger on my hip and I comply by lifting so he can slip them off. He kisses his way from one hip to the other and my insides ignite. He then runs his hand from my right hip down to my foot and slowly takes off my boot. He kisses the top of my foot and his eyes return to mine. They are hooded and full of lust. My body sings with just the thought of what this man is going to do to me. 

              “Fenton…” I say, breathlessly.

              “Its ok baby, just relax.” He moves to my other foot and repeats the process, sending chills throughout my entire body. I close my eyes and allow my body to just feel. His tongue moves up the side of my foot to the back of knee before he kisses it. As he continues to ascend my body I sit up to meet him and he pulls my face to his.

              “Are…you…ok?” he asks between breathes. I pull his shirt over his head and begin kissing his chest.

              “I’ll take that as a yes.” He pulls my lips back to his and lays me back. He moves from the bed and stands to the side as he swiftly takes off his jeans. I gape at him when I see that he isn’t wearing any boxers. He winks and climbs back in next to me. He expertly turns my body so my back is to his front and props himself up on his elbow. He kisses my shoulder and when he sees the look on my face, he smiles.

              “That look you just had on your face is what I felt like last night knowing you were driving home with no panties.” Before I can respond, he flips me on my back again and pins each of my hands under his above my head.

              “Are you protected?” he whispers in my ear. It takes me a few seconds to formulate a thought that doesn’t involve him making my body hum. Once I realize what he is talking about, I nod. I begin to panic as realize those thoughts never even crossed my mind.

              “Hey, it’s ok. You have nothing to worry about. I wouldn’t put you in any danger,” he says trying to put my panic to rest.