curiously.
“Sure boss,” I giggled, leaning my face
upwards towards his.
“Would you come up for dinner tomorrow
night?” His words were slow and deliberate, as though they were a
struggle for him.
I was charmed. I liked shy Carlton too. “Is
this part of your therapy?”
He chuckled, “No, it’s not. I’d just like to
have dinner with you.”
There wasn’t a woman in this world that
would turn down an invitation from this man. Most would already be
planning their diamond choices. His dark curls flickered in the
evening wind as his eyes locked onto mine. “I’d love to.”
Chapter 4
“Good
God Liz, what are you playing here?” Palmer scrutinized me. “You’re
gonna lose your job fuckin’ with the boss like that.”
I shook my head. Sometimes my brother really
wore on my nerves. Couldn’t he see what I saw tonight? How kind and
gentle Carlton had been? “He just needs a friend, that’s all. He
said his therapist thinks he needs social interaction.”
Palmer was strewn across the sectional in
our living room, a video controller in one hand and his cell phone
in the other. Sometimes I forgot that he was only twenty. His
eyebrows clinched as he stared at me, “That man wants more from you
than friendship, Liz. He’s such a freakin’ hunk that I bet he fucks
all the new lawyers.” His hand went to his chest in faux distress,
“I’m not sayin’ that’s a bad thing, I’d do him. All I’m sayin’ is
that you aren’t the type to be one of his many women. You haven’t
even dated since you caught that cheatin’ bastard Benton.”
“I know, I know. I just don’t think he’s the
playboy you think he is. He’s just a regular guy when he’s not at
work.” My words sounded plausible, but something still rang wrong
with them. I just couldn’t figure out how a man that looked like he
did ended up being without friends, without suitable companions?
Any multitude of women would give their last fake nail to crawl in
bed beside him. It just didn’t make sense that he needed
company.
“Be careful Liz, something about that guy is
creepy.” Palmer returned to his video game, clicking buttons at
lightning speed. I knew it was his way of release; killing virtual
bad guys. But the noises from the game wore on my eardrums.
“Well I like him, and if I end up in a
refrigerator in his storage room then call me wrong. Don’t stay up
all night playing that game, Palmer. You’ll feel like crap
tomorrow. You’re a full time student now; three years, that’s all
you get in this city. Then we’re going home!”
Palmer held up his hand to wave me off.
“Alright! It’s your ass in the cooler, not mine,” he said, his face
never leaving the screen.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*
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He pulled out one of the dining room chairs
for me, as I sat he pulled my hair behind my shoulders, “Look Liz,
I’m so sorry about that. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. I
guess I’m just awkward around women. Well let’s clarify, I’m
awkward around you.”
“I don’t understand why. I thoroughly
enjoyed it. Did you not… you know… enjoy it?” I was still terrified
that he no longer wanted anything to do with me. I felt like a
fool, Aunt Kerry would tell me that I’d just given away the barn
for a glass of milk. More than ever now, I wanted this man. I
wanted him for my own. Once again it was nothing more than a crush
and I’d proven what a raving slut I could be. “Carlton, this is my
fault. I’m sorry. I should’ve never come here tonight. I lost my
faculties as we say in the south. I’m going home and let’s pretend
this never happened… please?”
The pain in his eyes threw me for a loop.
You’d have thought I took his last Oreo. “Oh God, I’ve done it
again. Liz, please don’t go. I didn’t mean it wasn’t great. It was
amazing. Please don’t leave me now?”
I searched his eyes for the truth. It
appeared he was being honest; his pupils were still