What He Wants: Trusting You prequel novella (5 page)

“There was one guy out there sitting by himself, and if he’s the one I suggest you go out there. He’s so effing hot.”

Unfortunately, I was about to burst her bubble. “Actually, I think I’ll just head to the bathroom and then call it a night. Even if the guy’s hot as hell, if he has to write notes and play games then there has to be something wrong with him. I’m going to pass on this one.”

“Suit yourself, Mel. If you want, Shawn and I can take you home after you get done in the restroom. We’ll come back and get April.”

“That sounds great,” I replied, “just give me a few minutes.”

I didn’t really need to use the bathroom, I just wanted to get away. Since I couldn’t go outside with stalker guy sitting there, I needed somewhere else to go. Lia smiled at me before I left the table and walked right past April, who was shaking her ass on the dance floor. Instead of going to the bathroom, I strolled past the bar to another set of rooms, which was the VIP area.

I’d never checked them out before because most of the time they were exclusive to certain people; hence, the muscular giant standing by the entrance. He was about six foot five with pitch black hair and striking blue eyes; wearing a tight black T-shirt and black pants, he was very nice looking. When I approached, he nodded his head and smiled, letting me pass.

That was strange.

Each section of red velvet booths were semi-closed for privacy. There were small groups here and there, talking about their wonderful lives and drinking their high end champagnes. That was mine and Daniel’s life once before.

I didn’t belong in that anymore; it was all fake people and lies.

Turning around, I started off toward the exit but I didn’t get very far when I bumped into someone, not paying attention. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry,” I apologized as I held on to his biceps while I steadied myself.

When I looked up, my face blushed crimson at the sight of the same stormy gray eyes I became mesmerized with earlier. “We have to stop meeting like this,” I breathed. Slowly, I slid my hands down his arms and felt them flex beneath my touch.
Holy hell.

“I agree,” he replied. “I’m starting to get a complex. This is the second time you haven’t seen me.” He held out his hand. “My name’s Brett Walker … and you are?”

“Melissa,” I said, taking his hand. “Melissa Ashford.”

His smile was genuine, and instead of walking away he stood firm in the hallway, watching me with his mischievous gaze with my hand wrapped in his. “And just so you know, it’s actually kind of hard to miss you,” I confessed. “My mind’s been a little preoccupied, but I’ll be happy to buy you a drink to make it up to you if you feel neglected.”

It was bold, but I figured I’d give it a shot. Out of all of the men I’d met, he was the only one I hadn’t gotten a bad vibe with.

“Do you want to go outside or get a table back here?” he asked.

“Back here,” I replied quickly, eyes wide. “I can’t go outside right now.”

“Why not?”

Leading us toward one of the tables with his hand on the small of my back, I shivered as we sat down. His arm draped across the back of the booth and I could feel the heat from his body radiating down my bare shoulders. He smelled like expensive cologne, crisp yet woodsy. The smile on his face and the stormy gray color of his eyes were what made me falter; I couldn’t speak. Immediately, I snapped out of it when his fingertips brushed across my bare skin.

With a smirk on his face, he leaned down toward my ear and licked his lips before asking, “So why can’t you go outside again?”

He didn’t move back, but stayed right there by my ear, breathing me in. “Um … there’s someone out there I don’t want to see,” I replied nervously. My left arm was covered in chills and my whole body tingled, wanting him to move closer … which he did.

“Who?”

Licking my lips, I leaned in to him. “I don’t know, some guy who’s been buying me drinks. He wants me to meet him outside.”

“And why don’t you? Is he not good looking or something?”

I shrugged. “Actually, I don’t know … I never looked. One of my friends did and she said all of the guys out there were pretty hot. The only problem is that I don’t like to play games like that. All he needed to do was come to me like any normal person and talk to me.”

“What if he was nervous?” he asked curiously. “Maybe he was afraid to approach you. Ryan tells me that you turn down every guy who comes to you. To some men that can be intimidating.”

Ryan said what? I am so going to kill him.

However, I could tell I didn’t intimidate Brett. He was cool and collected with a smirk tilting up the left side of his lips. He was a man who knew what he wanted, and in his eyes he wanted me … but why? What did he want from me?

Crossing my arms at my chest, I sat back, pursing my lips. “So you and Ryan talked about me, huh?”

He smiled. “A little. I was curious about you. Especially when he told me you were off limits. I had to know why.”

“And what did he say exactly?”

“Other than the fact that you turn every single man down? Basically that you’re a mystery.”

“I beg to differ,” I laughed.

Brett Walker was a mystery to
me
… I couldn’t figure
him
out. What I did know was that I needed to keep my distance; I didn’t want anything serious. Judging by the heat in his eyes, something light and fun was not on his mind.

“Most of the men I’ve met around here were arrogant fools,” I stated. “Even before they’d say their first words, I could see it in their eyes what kind of men they were. I have no tolerance for that, or for lying, cheating bastards; especially ones who had the gall to hit on me when they’re married.”

Clearly amused, Brett bit his lip and smiled, lifting his left thumb to graze over his lip; probably to show he had no ring on his finger. “I can assure you, I’m not married … and as far as the guy on the patio you never know. He could be different and just what you’re looking for. What if I was out there? You’d be missing the chance to get to know
me
.”

“But it’s not you out there,” I countered. “I may be single, but I’m not desperate Mr. Walker.”

At about that time, our server—a young woman with long, wavy blonde hair wearing black pants and a crisp blue button down top—came over to our table and set down a tequila sunrise and a Crown and Coke.

Oh no, another one? That guy is relentless.

I was about to tell her to take it back, but Brett spoke up first, handing her a credit card. “Thank you, Mira. Tell Ryan I’d like to close my tab and that everything’s good back here.”

Quickly, Mira grinned over at me and then winked at him. “I’ll tell him. If you need anything else, let us know. I’ll be right back with your card.”

Smirking, Brett nodded his head and took a sip of his drink, his gaze alit with humor. “Did you think it was the other guy ordering you the drink?” he asked. “I figured you were about to send it back.”

“I was,” I answered, stirring my drink with the tiny red straw. “There comes a point when it gets to be a little too much.”

I took a sip of my tequila sunrise and felt the burn go straight down into my stomach. After drinking my limit of three, I knew I needed to take it easy or my inhibitions would be out the window. That’s not exactly the way I need to be in the company of an alluring stranger.

The server came back with Brett’s card, handing it to him, before smiling at us both one last time and waltzing off. I felt like I was on the outside of a private joke between the two. Brett’s mischievous leer only proved it.

Tossing back his drink, he chuckled and set it down. “If you want to know the truth, Ms. Ashford,
I
was the one who ordered you the drinks.”

“What?” I gasped, choking on my drink. “How is that possible? When I met you outside, you didn’t seem to have any interest in me whatsoever. Besides, I never saw you again after you walked back inside. I thought you left.”

“Did that bother you?” he asked, his voice smooth … deep. “That I didn’t show any interest in you.”

It did bother me, but I wasn’t going to tell him that. “No, I just figured I wasn’t your type.”

Sliding my drink to the side, Brett grasped my hand and helped me up from the table, pulling me into him … so close. He smiled down at me and brushed a wave of my red hair off my face, his fingers grazing down my cheek.

“Oh no, I was interested. I just didn’t want
you
to know that. You see, you’re not the only one who has a habit of meeting the wrong people. I had to make sure you weren’t one of them.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, whispering the words against his lips. It was either the alcohol or my own curiosity that drew me closer to his mouth, wanting to feel his lips against mine. I blamed it on the alcohol.

Tilting my chin up with his finger, he leaned down. I thought he was going to kiss me … but he didn’t. “I tell you what, let’s get out of here and we can talk all you want. There’s somewhere I want to go.”

“Where?” I asked curiously.

“Come and find out.”

Normally, I wouldn’t agree to such a thing. However, I was intrigued by the mysterious Brett Walker. Accepting his invitation, I let him take me by the hand and lead me out into the club. April and Lia’s eyes went wide when they saw me and immediately rushed over.

Even with Brett beside me, Lia’s gaze was hard, her jaw tense with her arms crossed at the chest. “Where have you been? I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

April took up the flank and mirrored Lia’s stance. “Yeah, you had us worried, Mel.” Her gaze landed on Brett and she bit her lip to keep from smiling. “I … uh … I guess you’ve been a little too busy.”

Brett let go of my hand so that I could reach into my purse. “Girls, I’m really sorry. My phone’s been off and I honestly just lost track of time.” I fetched it and showed them that it was off.

Lia blew out a frustrated breath and relaxed. “Okay, well now that I know you’re not dead in a gutter somewhere, do you want me to take you home?”

It was the moment of truth … what did I want to do? Against my better judgment, I did what my body screamed at me to do.

“Actually, I’m going to go with Brett,” I replied.

April and Lia’s eyes both went wide, shocked. “Are you sure?” Lia asked.

“I’m sure,” I said, nodding my head.

Smiling, Brett put his arm around my waist and squeezed. “I’ll get her home safely, ladies. I can promise you that.”

April and Lia both turned to me, lifting their brows, unsure. They may be a little reckless at times, but they cared about me. “Girls, I’ll be fine. I’ll call you tomorrow, okay?”

After they nodded, I smiled at them and walked with Brett through the club and out the door to the bustling city streets of downtown Charlotte. “So where did you park?” I asked, scanning the parked cars on the side of the street.

Chuckling, he took my hand and pointed in the direction behind us even though we were going the opposite way. “I didn’t. My car is parked a few blocks over at my condo building.”

“So we’re not going to your place right now?”

Shaking his head, he smiled and peered up into the sky. “I told you … there was somewhere I wanted to go.”

I looked up and all I saw was the midnight sky and the lights adorning the tallest buildings of the Charlotte skyscrapers. “And where exactly is that might I ask? The sky?”

When my gaze landed on his, he nodded and pulled me down the street.
Oh hell, what have I gotten myself in to?

WHEN HE MENTIONED the sky, I had no idea he literally meant the sky … well, almost. We were at the very top of the tallest building in Charlotte, gazing down at the lights of the bustling city. I had lived in Charlotte all of my life and never once had I been able to see the beauty of it at night. Daniel never cared about such things.

“It’s so beautiful,” I murmured. “How did you get permission to come up here?”

The floor we were on wasn’t at the very top, but it was close. The large room he took me to was basically a suite of sorts, with a large boardroom-style desk, accompanied by couches and chairs off to the side. Placing my knees on the couch, I leaned over the edge and peered from the tall expanse of the building down to the street below. My stomach dropped at how high we were, but the excitement was exhilarating.