My Most Precious One (5 page)

“Where do you live?” He asked softly.

“Just go down the main road, I’ll tell you when you need to turn.” I said my voice sounded broken mirroring my feelings. Beside directions neither he nor I spoke to each other. The word jackass kept running through my mind.

We finally ended up at my condo, I didn’t thank him, why should I? I opened the car door, but he followed me out, I punched in my code and left him there on the street. I didn’t bother to look back at him.

I walked into my condo which looked nothing like his. It was a small two bedroom, a nice open kitchen/living room area, which I was happy about because I loved to cook and entertain. The two best parts of this place was the cute terrace I had that overlooked a small part of Old Montréal and the canal and of course my stunning walk in closet. It was small and I had to put shelves on the top to put my t-shirts, leaving me with lots of room in my bedroom with just my vanity, which I found in an antique store. I boho-chiced it and voila I had my own vanity.

I walked into my bedroom put my clothes away and took another long shower. I wanted to wash away his look, his words, the whole damn day. I wasn’t even in a relationship with him and I was already exhausted. I flopped onto my queen size bed and wrapped myself with my covers. My phone vibrated with two texts. One from Roxi, the other my boss.

Yo chikie, hope ur having fun ;-)

Alexia, ill need u to work the next three shifts at night Ok!

Roxi was going to get an earful the next time I saw her, and thank the heavens I won’t be seeing Mr. Suit for the next week.

My Quiet Night at Home

The last three days went quickly. The night rushes were busy, since the tourist season started. I filled my days with Muay Thai classes, Dan my instructor, was crazy talented. I avoided all calls from my mom, I had given myself a quota and she was surpassing it. I’d either called or texted my older sister almost every day, she was ten years older than me and married. She was the smart one, having moved to Toronto, close enough for a phone call from mom, but far enough to ensure no surprise visits.

“Yah I know! Kara, I’ll call mom on Monday, I’m just too tired to call her now.” I said rolling my eyes.

“
She loves you, you know, she only wants what’s best for you”
Kara said knowing I was at my limit.

“No it’s what best for mom, but I get the sentiment, anyways I got to go I need a shower.” I lied, I had already taken one. It’s not that I didn’t love my sister but I needed some real me time. Just before I put my phone down it vibrated with a text message from Kaci.

Suit asked about u

I texted back

Tell Suit 2 fuck off

Kaci

Alexia…

I texted her back

Just tell him im not working anymore, ive spoken to Philip, ill be working the next few weeks @ night, training the new staff

That will keep him off my back. I walked over to my computer and turned on ITunes, yet another great feature of this condo was the integrated sound speakers. I flipped through my songs and found Band of Skulls’ and the condo filled with their song Cold Fame. I poured myself a nice cabernet sauvignon. I usually stop at the wine store and buy myself two bottles a month. I slid open the glass door that led to my terrace and sat down on my lounge chair with my iPad and started searching for the latest indie authors. Tomorrow would be my day off and I would sleep in, maybe I’ll go for a run, my thought was interrupted by another text.

Don’t be mad I luv u girlie….R xoxoxoxo

What did she do now, another text?

Why are you hiding from me?

Who was this?

Who’s this?

I waited

You know who this is, come downstairs

She didn’t? He wouldn’t? I sat there looking down at this text. I put my iPad down, stood up and looked over the small shrubs that I had planted in the little shadow boxes, so that I could have some more privacy. There he was with a black V-neck shirt and a pair of grey jeans. He looked down at his phone again, and growled. I heard him growl. I watched as one of my stupid female neighbours opened the door, he flashed his patented million dollar smile at her and she let him in. I could hear murmurs and her laughter, when I see that bitch I’m going to wring her neck.

There would be no way he’d know which condo was mine. Stay calm Lexi. I reached for my wine and almost gulped it down, pouring myself another glass. Liquid courage, that’s what I needed right now. I didn’t want to see him or even hear him right now. I wanted to escape into a nice dirty book and forget about my Mr. Suit.

I heard two loud knocks on my door! Holy shit! I looked down and I was wearing my over sized Old Navy boxers and a tank top, no bra, thank god I just took a shower, I waited quietly maybe he’ll go way…

“I’m not leaving until you answer the damn door.” Fuck! I took my phone and texted Kaci.

Roxi gave Suit my number and now he’s in front of my fuck’n door

Holy shit, what r u going to do?

As he kept knocking, I felt the knots in my belly get tighter. Again he knocked. I slowly eased myself close to the door.

“I know you’re in there, I can feel it just answer the fucken door” two seconds went by “please.” He whispered the word. Why did he have to say please like that?

I reached for the deadbolt on my door and clicked it and turned the knob slowly. I opened the door enough to see him with his hands on his waist slightly hunched over, his hair was tousled, he looking at me with his damning piercing blue eyes. He hadn’t shaved and I could see some grey in his beard. He had a heavy set silver necklace that disappeared underneath his shirt.

“Can I come in?” He asked his voice low almost pleading. I opened the door wider and he walked in slowly, almost knowing the effect it would have on me. I was completely engulfed by his scent.

I closed the door gently. I didn’t want look at him as I walked over to where my computer was. I was about to shut off Radiohead’s Spinning Plates, the acoustic version, it’s the best version only because Thom Yorke’s voice, together with his piano were beautiful to hear.

“Leave it!” He said over me. I ignored him and turned it off. The song was way too connected to what was going on right now.

“You love music.” He stated looking down at me from his height, his shirt made no effort to hide his strong shoulders and thick arms.

I smirked. “There are few people in England, I suppose, who have more true enjoyment of music than myself, or a better natural taste. If I had ever learnt, I should have been a great proficient.” I quoted Pride and Prejudice. He furrowed his brows “I like to read too.” I said pointing at the three large book cases that lined the far wall.

He looked at them nodding, they were overflowing with books.

“I can see that.” He pointed.

“Put the music back on.” He quietly demanded. I shook my head no as I was getting my bottle of wine. I reached for another glass.

“I don’t want any of my songs associated to you. I have enough things in my life that when I see, I think of you.” I stated as I nudged the bottle to him, he nodded no.

I put the bottle down and left the tall stemmed glass on the counter. I reached for mine and began drinking it. The floral notes of my full bodied wine helped me clear my mind of him and how much I wanted my body to smell of his musk.

“You are here because?” I asked as I started whirling the wine around in my glass.

I tried not to look at him just in case my stupid body did something it shouldn’t.

“You didn’t come to work for the last three days…”

I cut him off. “And so you felt guilty for hurting my feelings? Listen Lukas I’m a big girl and I don’t cry for every little thing someone does to me. Thursday night was just Thursday night. I’m over it, so don’t worry about the guilty thing and go.” I pointed at the door.

Good girl! Look like you are absolutely are over him, that his presence doesn’t confuse the shit out of you and that you wish to god he was your Suit, your man, your dream come true. I leaned back against the counter and took a long swig, why wasn’t he leaving?

I could feel my body burning up under his intense gaze.

“I don’t feel guilty.” He said flatly.

“I was glad I did it and I would do it again if I had to.” I stood shocked. What?

“You would do it again?” I hissed. I put my glass down with such force it shattered in my hand. Damn it. I turned to the sink to wash away any loose shards. Blood began to trickle down my hand. Lukas ran to my side, I pushed him over tearing a paper towel from the roll and placed it firmly in my hand.

“Get out!” I choked out as I took off the paper towel to see the damage. It was just a simple cut nothing major. He picked me up and placed me on my island and yanked my hand to see it. I yelped in pain. “Sorry.” He said quietly.

“Why can’t you be more careful?” He scolded me. I laughed. It was the same thing he said at the bar.

“Why do you care?” I asked.

Our faces were at eye level now, I could see that he was struggling, but I didn’t understand why. I tried to move off the counter but he blocked me by placing both hands on either side of me. He leaned in slowly, our noses almost touching. “Because I do” he said softly. I lowered my eyes and stared at the floor. I can feel how loaded his statement was. The air between us was charging.

“Please leave.” I said meekly.

“What?” He stammered. I felt so small around his immense presence.

“Leave.” The word I spoke was barely audible to me.

“Why?” He asked. I met his eyes “Because you’ll destroy the little world I’ve created for myself and I don’t think I have the strength to put it back together after you leave.”

I exposed myself completely, opening up to him.

He stood still letting out a heavy sigh. “So I destroy it. And?”

Tears began to well up as he spoke.

“I’ll help you build a new one.” My heart swelled at his words. Shit! Go for the low blow Alexia. Push him away. He’s too good for you. The other shoe will drop and you will be left alone to pick up the pieces.

“Nice, and should I say thank you too?” He looked at me perplexed.

“I mean, did your girlfriend give you permission to slum it with me or would you have me on the side? Ah that’s right, you must have a girl like me in every city you visit.”

I knew what I was doing, I always do. I go as low as I can to hurt whoever is around me. I push and I push so in the end, I’m left alone. No one has ever stayed and I knew the reason was me. He pushed himself off my counter, his face contorted. He turned from me and punched my cabinet. I was left startled.

“You are so infuriating!” He bellowed, his hand now bleeding.

“I’m infuriating? Me? You have the nerve to come into my life, call me a whore and say you don’t feel bad about it.” I challenged. He stood still, his breathing became heavy.

“There’s something here!” He barked pointing to space between us.

“Do you have the same something with your girlfriend?” I asked. He looked away from me and licked his lips

“Is she not your girlfriend?” I asked again. “Or is it fuck friend?” I corrected.

“Neither!” He bit out “She’s a close friend of the family. Yes! She has always wanted more but I never gave her the time of day.” He explained, “I told her off for her little stunt she did at the bistro on Thursday. I tried getting your attention but you only gave it to others and not me, which frustrated me to no end Alexia!”

He was glaring at me “After her stupid stunt I changed my meeting so that I could be there all day, but you didn’t even give me a chance.” He finished explaining, his nose flaring, his eyes fixated on me.

“When you walked in you ignored me.” I said quietly.

He smirked. “If I hadn’t, Mollie would have been all over you. I had to…” He stopped.

I tried to wrap my mind around what was going on, I looked around my little condo. Broken glass and a cut hand, a broken cabinet and a busted fist, we were already dysfunctional. As though he understood what I was thinking he reached for my face and gently cupping my cheeks, the mere contact sent my skin on fire.

“It won’t be like this.” He willed me to look at him but I couldn’t. “Look at me.” He ordered. I didn’t move “Please Alexia.” He begged leaning in to kiss my jaw, the heat from his lips melted whatever resolve I had. My body went limp as he gradually moved to my lips. I could feel how wet I was, everything in my body yearned for him, needed him, wanted him.

I heard the door open. “Oh shit sorry!” Thank god for Roxi, I’ll forgive her for everything now, since she saved me from him. She slammed the door shut, leaving Lukas and I in silence.

Lukas pulled away, his face was full of regret, angry that our moment was lost. I was able to regain some sense. I pushed myself off the island and opened the door. Roxi stood in the hallway with a bottle of wine and some Thai food.

“Thought I’d come by and talk…I’ll leave.” She offered.

I reached for her hand and pulled her in. I walked passed Lukas and grabbed a Ziploc bag and filled it with ice.

“So…” I could see Roxi itching to know what had happened, as she stood watching our exchange. I gave her a look and she sat herself down in the living room, but she made sure it was on the couch that faced the kitchen, so she wouldn’t miss a thing.

“Does it hurt?” I asked

“No.” He said dryly.

I rolled my eyes “Liar”

I massaged the ice over his hand and he flinched.

“We’ll go the hospital.” I offered as I reached for my keys.

“No!” So he was going to be the monosyllable Suit. Let’s try this again.

“Are you hungry?” He leaned in and slid his finger under my chin slowly moving his finger up until it reached my lips.

“Yes, but not for food.” He moved closer then passed me, not bothering to look at Roxi.

“Goodbye Roxi.” He murmured. I heard her gasp as he walked through my door and left.

“Holy shit that was hot!” Roxi cried out.

“Shut up Roxi!”

My phone vibrated again.

Lock the door

“Was that him that just texted?” She asked.

“Sorry babe, I just thought I’d pass by seeing how you’re doing. I didn’t know your Suit would be here!” She said apologetically. I put my phone down and locked the door.

“Roxi, why did you give him my number?” I asked, completely annoyed that she would do that. She opened the takeout boxes, the aroma filled my condo. I went to the pantry to get my broom to pick up the broken glass.

“Oh shut up! You guys have been playing this peek-a-boo shit for two months now, everyone at the store knows.” She shouted. I was sweeping the broken glass going around making sure I didn’t miss any.

“Yes they all know I had the hots for him. Me, not him.” I said to her in an exasperated tone. She stood up watching me clean up. “What happened?” she asked. I bent down and started to sweep the broken glass into the dustpan.

“He pissed me off and the wine glass landed too hard on the counter.” I walked over to the garbage that was next to my newly styled cabinet.

“And there?” She pointed.

“I pissed him off and his hand landed hard on the cabinet.” I said nonchalant-like.

“See made for each other.” She noted, shaking her head.

“No Roxi, we’re not made for each other. It’s already a disaster.” I put the broom back and sat down on my couch. Roxi followed suit and we both grabbed some phad see ew.