Chapter Nine
Oscar stared at his computer screen. He wasn’t seeing it, though. He couldn’t focus. All he could think about was Grace. He kept trying to convince himself that it was nothing more than a serious case of blue balls. When he’d gone to meet her last night, he’d have put money on the fact that he was going to screw her. But no. That hadn’t panned out. He’d see her again tonight, even though he already knew she wasn’t going to give in. He smiled to himself. He hadn’t lied when he told her she was an unusual woman. She was a rare bird indeed. In fact, she might be unique. At least, insofar as he didn’t think he’d ever been on a date before that he didn’t believe had fairly good odds of him getting laid.
So why was he so looking forward to it? Maybe it was because he had to get the first date out of the way in order to get to the second one—the one where the odds of getting her into bed rose dramatically. Then again, maybe it wasn’t just that. In fact, he knew it wasn’t. He was looking forward to this evening for its own sake. He was looking forward to seeing her, spending time with her, talking to her, getting to know her and who she was. He shook his head. If he couldn’t focus on work, maybe he should see what he could find out about her.
He searched the address of the lot on Gascoigne Street and frowned. There were no results about a community center. Nothing at all. He pursed his lips, and his heart beat faster. Was she some kind of con artist? Damn, he hoped not. He searched for her name, but the only thing he found was a line on Dressel, CPA’s one-page website, listing Grace Evans as Office Manager, whatever that meant. There were a couple of social media profiles, but none of them were her. He didn’t like it. In this day and age, everyone left a footprint online. How and why would one woman and her community center be such a mystery—unless they didn’t exist?
He pushed his chair back from his desk and left the office. “TJ?”
His brother popped his head out of the security office. “In here. What’s up? Do you need a ride?”
Oscar nodded as he strode down the hallway toward the back entrance. “Yeah.”
“Is something wrong?” TJ asked as they got into the limo.
Oscar shrugged as he closed the passenger door and fastened his seat belt. “I don’t know, but I don’t like it. I’ve got a bad feeling.”
“About what?” TJ started the car and turned to him. “Now I’ve got a bad feeling, too, and I don’t even know what you’re talking about.”
Oscar gave him a rueful smile. “I’m not sure I want you to. I might just be being paranoid.”
“Just because you’re paranoid, doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you,” said TJ with a smile. “Where are we going? You can tell me all about it on the way.”
“We’re going to the lot on Gascoigne Street.”
“Okay.” TJ pulled out of the lot. “What do you think you’re paranoid about?”
“Can I reserve judgment till we’ve been over there?”
“If you want to.” TJ drove on in silence for a few minutes.
“Okay. I’ll tell you.”
TJ hadn’t spoken another word, but the question was hanging in the air between them. “I saw Grace last night.”
“Office girl?”
“Yep and the reason she came looking for me was because she runs a community center in the building on the lot.”
“And you didn’t know this?”
“I had no clue. All I knew was that I’m buying based on the value of the land. The building was listed as being of no market value. I figured it’d need tearing down. I had no clue that it’s a meeting place for people.”
“What kind of people?”
“From what she said, kids and single moms and vets.”
TJ’s eyes widened at that. “Homeless vets?”
Of course, that’d be what TJ picked up on. “I assume so.”
TJ kept his gaze on the traffic ahead. “And you’ve known all this since last night, but what made you want to go over there now?”
“I googled her. I searched to see what I could find out about the center and about her. And I can’t find anything.”
“Nothing?”
“Nothing at all. Don’t you think it’s strange that a community center wouldn’t have a website, wouldn’t be mentioned in news articles?”
“Not necessarily. Sometimes, places like that are all about word of mouth. It’s not like you can just crack open your laptop to check out the blogs when you’re living under the bridge.”
Oscar pursed his lips. He wanted to argue, but he knew that homelessness and in particular the way vets were treated, was a trigger point for TJ.
“Even if the center doesn’t show up in any searches, don’t you think it’s strange that Grace doesn’t either?”
TJ chuckled. “You’ve been on one date, and now you’re stalking her on the web?”
“No.” Oscar ran his hand through his hair. “I’m not stalking her. I just wanted to check her out, but there’s nothing to check.”
“You think she gave you the wrong name?”
“I don’t know. I don’t know what to think.”
“But you’re going over there to confront her, to find out?”
“Honestly? I don’t know what the hell I’m doing. I want to see if this center even exists. Which now I’ve calmed down a little may be dumb, considering she invited me to see it tomorrow, said she’d show me around.”
“At least you can drop in on her, surprise her.”
Oscar shook his head. “No. She doesn’t work there. She works for Dressel, the guy I’m buying the lot from.”
“Okay, so maybe you can just stop in, look around, get a feel for the place?”
“I suppose.” He’d set out fueled by suspicion. He wasn’t about to get conned somehow, but with a little time to reflect, he realized that that wasn’t very likely. Grace must have some reason for keeping a low to non-existent profile online, but he seriously doubted that she was a con artist. He looked over at TJ. “What are you smirking about?”
“Nothing. I was just thinking that if this was some kind of hustle, she’d probably have made sure that there was a website and all kinds of evidence online to back her up.”
Oscar nodded.
When they pulled up in front of the lot, Oscar stared out the window at the building. He’d seen it in the photographs, but he hadn’t been down here himself until now. He hadn’t needed to. His appraiser had been over. He’d focused on the lot itself and the supporting infrastructure. Oscar had been more concerned about whether the existing utilities could support a new commercial venture. It hadn’t occurred to him that they might already be supporting a charitable one.
“What do you want to do? Are you going in?”
Oscar shrugged. Grace was supposed to bring him here tomorrow. He didn’t know what to expect if he walked in there now. He couldn’t imagine he’d be too popular with whoever was inside. He was the guy who was about to take their building away.
“This girl must be really getting to you. Are you telling me you don’t know what to do?”
Oscar shrugged again. He couldn’t believe it either.
TJ unfastened his seat belt.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m going in there myself. I’ll have a look around. Ask about the vets programs.”
Oscar nodded. “That makes sense. Thanks, TJ.” He shook his head as he watched his brother walk inside the run-down building. What was this Grace doing to him? First, he’d gotten paranoid, and now he was letting his brother do his dirty work for him. None of this was like him. He didn’t do paranoia, he didn’t need to—he relied on his instincts, and they never steered him wrong. And he didn’t rely on anyone; he didn’t need to do that either. Maybe this was a good thing? Relying on his brother’s help could be good for both of them.
He stared out through the window of the limo and waited, trying not to think about how much the girl with the long dark hair—and the great ass—was getting to him.
~ ~ ~
“Are you sure you don’t want me to do your makeup?” asked Louise.
Grace shook her head adamantly. “This is a date. If he wants to go out with me, then he should see who I really am.”
“I know, and you’re beautiful, but …”
Grace laughed. “Thanks for the vote of confidence, but … what?”
“I don’t mean it like that. I just meant he’s used to going out with celebrities, models. He’s used to made up perfection.”
“Exactly. If that’s what he wants, he’s barking up the wrong tree with me, and the sooner we both figure that out, the better. Don’t you think?”
Louise nodded reluctantly. “I forget how empowered you are.”
Grace had to laugh. “You keep saying that word about me. I’m just realistic. I don’t want to live a lie. I’m not going to try to be someone else or look like someone else just so he’ll like me. If he likes me for me, that’ll be awesome. If not, fair enough. That won’t bother me. Not everyone’s going to like me, and I don’t expect them to, but if I’m going to spend some time with a guy, then I want it to be because he likes me, not because he likes some image I’m trying to portray.”
Louise nodded. “I know, you’re right, you’re just so much braver than I am. I’d be getting all dolled up trying to please him.”
Grace sighed. “Maybe you’re right. I mean, it’s not like it’s going to go anywhere. It’s going to be a couple of dates and wham, bam, thank you, ma’am. I’m under no illusions. It’s just a glorified one-night stand.” She chuckled. “I suppose it’s a one-weekend stand.”
“I wouldn’t knock it if I were you. A lot of girls would give anything for a one-night stand with Oscar Davenport.”
“I know, but I’m not like a lot of girls.” Grace smiled remembering the way he’d told her she was an unusual lady.
“Just look at that smile,” said Louise.
“Whatever.” Grace stood back to check herself out in the mirror. They were going to dinner. She didn’t know where; he hadn’t told her. She’d insisted she didn’t want to go anywhere too fancy. Louise thought she was afraid of feeling out of place, but that wasn’t it at all. Grace just couldn’t stand the thought of spending ridiculous amounts of money on one meal for two people—not when she knew how many people could be fed for less.
She looked good. The skirt might be a bad idea—a very bad idea if he wanted to slide his hand up her thigh like he had in the club. She wouldn’t be able to turn him down if he wanted to persuade her that way. He’d already warned her he could be very persuasive—and part of her would love to find out. She sighed. She’d find out soon enough—on Sunday to be precise. If she didn’t succumb and climb all over him before that. If she could keep a lid on it, they’d have dinner tonight, she’d show him around the center tomorrow, and then tomorrow night they’d have an evening at the club. Sunday would be soon enough to sleep with him, even though she had a nasty suspicion that it would feel like way too soon to say goodbye.
“I think he’s here,” Louise called from Grace’s bedroom where she’d gone to look out the window.
Grace went in and knelt on the bed beside her. “Yep.”
Louise almost had her nose up against the glass. “He’s sitting up front.”
“Yeah.”
“Oh my God, Grace. Look at the driver!”
“What about him?” Grace knew he was a big guy, she’d seen him last night. She peered down at the street. “Oh.” That wasn’t the guy who’d been driving last night. He was hot! He looked a lot like Oscar, except a little fairer.
“Oh, Gracie! Can I come? I’ll keep the driver busy while you and Oscar have dinner.”
Grace laughed. “I don’t think so.”
Louise let herself fall back onto the bed. “He’s gorgeous! We could keep the back seat warm for you.”
Grace laughed. “No, thanks.”
“Can you get his number for me?”
“No.”
“Please? He’s my dream guy, my every fantasy come true. Tell him you have a roommate who could make any fantasy he likes come true.”
“Louise!” Grace shook her head disapprovingly. “Have a little self-respect. Just because he’s good-looking …”
“What?”
“You shouldn’t want to make all his fantasies come true. He might want to do anything.”
Louise laughed. “That’s kind of my point. I’d like to do anything he can think of. I can feel my uterus contract just looking at him. He’s swoon worthy.” She’d scrambled back up and was staring out the window at him.
“I’d better go.” Grace looked around for her purse.
“Let me walk you out.”
Grace laughed. “Only if you come right now. I’m not waiting while you fix your makeup.”
Louise smiled sweetly and pulled a lipstick out of her pocket. “No, problem. After you.” She opened the door and let Grace go out ahead of her. “You’re not nervous, are you?” she asked as they made their way down the stairs.
“No. I’m not.”
“I would be. I’m nervous about meeting the driver.”
“You’re not going to meet him. You can just peek at him.”
Louise grinned and let them out through the front door. “We’ll see about that.”
Grace watched Oscar step out of the car, and her heart started to pound. It wasn’t nerves. It was just something about the man. She’d reacted to him that way the first time she’d seen him get out of the limo in front of Harry’s office, and the effect hadn’t worn off.
“You’re so lucky!” whispered Louise.
“He’s the lucky one.” Grace tried to sound like she meant it, but watching Oscar stride toward them, that sexy, cocky smile on his face, she had to agree with her friend.
“Grace.” He slid his arm around her waist and leaned down to peck her cheek. It was a casual gesture, the kind of thing friends did all the time, but it rendered her speechless. She’d spent much of today wondering if she’d merely imagined that sense of intimacy between them last night. One little peck on the cheek told her she hadn’t. The force that drew them together was still strong.
Since she couldn’t seem to muster any words, Oscar smiled at Louise. “Oscar Davenport. It’s nice to meet you. You must be Louise.”
Louise smiled and babbled at him. Grace looked on, trying to remember when she’d told him about Louise. She glanced over at the limo and caught the driver watching them intently. It made her shudder. Louise was chattering away, telling Oscar to have fun, but be good. Grace caught his eye, and he smirked.
“Can we give you a ride?”
Grace managed not to groan out loud, but she rolled her eyes.
“Oh, no. I wouldn’t want to impose, or take you out of your way.”
“It’s not a problem, is it, Grace? We need to go, our reservation is at eight, but TJ can drop us off first and then take you wherever you want to go.”
Grace had to bite back a laugh. That sounded like Louise’s fantasies coming true.
“Thank you!” Louise trotted around to the passenger door. “I should sit up front though and let you two get on with your date.”
Before anyone could argue, she’d opened the door and sat beside the driver. He looked a little startled, but Louise launched straight into her friendly, ditzy, flirting.
Oscar smiled at Grace. “You don’t mind?”
“I don’t, but you probably should have asked TJ first; he’s the one who’s going to have a problem getting rid of her.”
“Ah.” Oscar peered in through driver’s window, but TJ was turned toward Louise, smiling and nodding here and there as she chattered away.
When they were seated in the back, Oscar pressed the button, and the little window slid open.
“Everything okay?” asked TJ.
“I hope so.” Oscar winked at Grace. “Would you mind dropping us off first? We’re cutting it fine to get there on time.”
Grace was surprised by the look TJ gave Oscar in the rearview mirror. They must be close, she wouldn’t have thought a driver would get away with glaring at his employer like that. Oscar made a face back at him—at least it all seemed good-natured.
Grace managed to catch TJ’s eye and mouthed sorry. She was shocked when he grinned back—and winked!