Flirting With Destiny(46)

Lauren mirrored my action and straightened before sliding onto a counter stool. “Yes. I’d love to go shopping. That way I’ll stay out of your way. I don’t want to keep you from anything important.” She smiled and stood up. “Where do you want me to put my bag?”

“In the spare bedroom. I’ll get it.” I walked over to the door where I had dropped her small rolling suitcase. As I laid my hand on the plastic handle, I said, “You need all this for a short visit?” I rolled her bag into the bedroom with Lauren at my heels. “I hope you brought more than jeans for tonight.”

“Oh sorry,” she said, worrying her lip. “I didn’t know what to expect and I was in a hurry. I just threw some clothes in a bag. I wanted to get to your father’s house fast… before I changed my mind.”

So she’d thought about bailing on me. That’s what I’d anticipated she’d do from her past behavior, but something must be different now. A glimmer of hope sparked my excitement. “Well, I’m glad you came.” I dug into my pocket and fished out my wallet. “Here,” I shoved a hundred dollar bill at her. “Good thing you’re going shopping. Get something to wear tonight, maybe a dress, like the kind for a club.”

She nodded, but it was only to agree that she needed a dress. “You don’t have to do that. I have money.”

“No, I insist. Let this weekend be my treat. No worries while you’re here. Remember, this get away is supposed to be for you to relax and clear your mind. I don’t want you to worry about anything.” I smiled at her, holding the money out in my hand, knowing how hot she was going to look in one of those little club dresses and how difficult it was going to be for me to keep my hands off of her. Or keep my dick out of her… shit, I was just asking for trouble now.

“That’s very sweet of you. Thank you, Aedyn, but I feel weird taking money from you.”

“Nonsense. From one old friend to another.” Her face brightened at the suggestion that we were “friends”, flattered by the insinuation that I cared about her to some degree. In my mind, however, the label of friendship would be put to the test in a matter of hours.

“All right then.” She dropped her head and bit her lip. Mmm, what I could do with that lip… I think she noticed the look on my face because her cheeks got pink. She walked over to the bed to put the money in her purse and my body temperature began to rise. I shouldn’t be in here with her. I’d better leave before my uncontrollable cock starts doing the thinking for me. Damn, not only was Lauren in my apartment, now we were alone, together, in a bedroom. It’d be so easy to just lay her back on the bed and…

“Oh shit.”

Her head popped up. “What?”

Did I say that out loud? “Just remembered something... gotta work… wait.” I opened my wallet again. “Here’s another hundred for shoes.” Now I was just acting ridiculous. She probably thought I was trying to impress her with my money, but being so close to her was getting me flustered as hell.

Lauren looked down at her feet and a wide smile broke out across her face. “I already have shoes. These heels should be good for tonight.” We both laughed. She pushed the bill back at me and said, “Don’t worry, and if I need a different pair, I can cover it.”

I shoved my wallet back into my pocket and ran my hand through my hair. “I have to go work now; have fun shopping.” My mouth felt dry and I rushed out of the room before my hard-on could get the better of me.



*****

The doorbell rang and I clicked “Close” on my computer file. It would be Lauren returning from her shopping trip. As I stood to go answer the door, a visual of her excited face jumped into my mind. I imagined that when the door swung open, she’d be all bubbly and filled with stories about how fantastic the stores are here in Chicago.

Although I was supposed to be working on business while she was out, in reality, I spent the majority of the time drifting off into lusty daydreams about the two of us. I wasted the entire time and didn’t get a lick of work done.

I flipped the lock and the door swung open. “Hey, you.” Lauren looked radiant. Her face was flush with excitement and her arms were loaded down with shopping bags, just as I’d imagined. I was pleased. Reaching out to unburden her arms, I offered, “Let me take those for you.”

“Oh, Aedyn, you were so right. Chicago is the Mecca of shopping.” She threw a light laugh on top of her words as she brushed past me. The smell of her perfume lingered in the air and my stomach twisted. Damn it. I wanted to jump her ass right now, but instead I trailed along after her like a lost puppy as she went to the couch. She threw her arms out and landed with a flop on the leather, and even the couch moaned when it felt her body against it.