Chapter Five
Three days later
Lizzie: You made me ache in all the right places. You know exactly what you’re doing, and how good it always is.
Elizabeth sat inside the coffee shop, cramming in some much-needed study time. Since spending her Saturday night leading into Sunday with Daniel, she’d not gotten the chance to finish her essay, and as she typed away, she ignored everything around her. If she could get this one paper finished and written up before her shift, she’d be one happy student.
Her arrangement with Daniel shouldn’t be affecting her study time, and yet within the first week, she was already behind. She’d scheduled for this to be completed on Sunday, and she gritted her teeth, thinking about how long she’d spent with him on Sunday.
Waking up in the same bed had been … interesting.
She’d never slept with anyone at all, especially not going through the night, and they didn’t speak about it. Being the early riser that she was, she’d woken first, and gotten out of there.
Elizabeth had no intention of lying there and lingering over how hot and sexy he was lying beside her. He didn’t want love, and she had no intention of falling in love. Reading through so many romances during her high school years, and the first year of college, she’d found certain scenarios dangerous.
Waking up beside the man in her life, and seeing how messy his hair was so that you just wanted to stroke that hair out of the way—yep, she’d seen that, so she’d gotten out of there.
After sex, the stroking, the goofy way they looked at each other, and the contentment that always followed sex with a couple that loved each other—she wasn’t going to allow herself that kind of luxury, so she got out of there, heading to the bathroom whenever he was gone to clean up, keeping that distance between them.
If she thought about how nice he looked, or what she enjoyed about being with him, she’d cut the thought down by remembering that he paid her to be there, even though she enjoyed it and his company.
He didn’t want anyone to fall in love with him, or make demands, so she never texted him first, or called him.
She spent more time focusing on other things rather than her arrangement with him.
“Wow, you’re typing away like a machine.”
Elizabeth glanced up to see Billy pulling out the other chair opposite her. Daniel’s possessive words returned to her, but she didn’t panic.
She had no interest in talking to Billy. With him being one of the popular guys on campus, neither of them had anything in common, especially as his parents were as wealthy as they come.
“I’ve not seen you around this weekend. Don’t you ever go to any parties?” he asked.
“I was studying.” She stared at her laptop, seeing the words as Billy started to talk, and she tried to ignore him.
“Studying. Everyone does that. I was at the library the other day cramming in the books, but you see, you’ve also got to live a little. To have some fun once in a while, otherwise you’ll wake up in fifty years’ time and wonder what the hell you did with all your life. That’s right, you studied, then you worked hard.”
She sighed, and stopped typing. “I really want to finish this assignment. I have no interest in partying, and if I make it to fifty, I’ll see what regrets I can rectify. Last time I checked, older people could have fun and party as well.”
Before Billy could say anything, someone else interrupted them.
“That’s my seat.”
Glancing up, she saw that Daniel held two coffees in his hands, and was glaring at Billy like he was the scum of the earth.
Biting her lip, she glanced from Daniel to Billy then back again. The last thing she wanted was to have any trouble.
“Is he your dad or something?” Billy asked.
“None of your business. Move.” Daniel didn’t argue. The sound of his voice, along with the look, had Billy standing to his feet.
She wondered if that was the voice he used in court when a witness was being difficult.
“See you around, Lizzie.”
Billy used the name that only friends who knew her called her. She’d not corrected Daniel as to her, it was another barrier in helping her keep any emotion out of her relationship with Daniel.
She didn’t believe she had super powers. He was a good-looking, sexy man who fucked like a dirty bastard. Even when she didn’t think she could go again, he proved time and time again exactly how good he was, because she wanted him with the same passion that he seemed to have for her.
Saturday and Sunday had been proof of that. In the apartment he’d rented, they had used every single room, even the kitchen.
Elizabeth didn’t know if she’d ever be able to look at the kitchen counter the same way again after he’d fucked her so hard, making her desperate for his cock.
Daniel had made her watch as he slid his dick deep. When he pulled out of her, she’d seen the evidence of her own arousal coating the condom.
Instead of being embarrassed she’d been more aroused, and wanted him to fuck her even harder.
“I thought you could use one of these,” Daniel said, placing the cup near her computer and taking a seat.
“I didn’t see you come in.”
“I was watching you for five minutes. I know you didn’t invite him to come and sit with you. He’s a persistent little shit.”
She smiled. Picking up her coffee, she took a sip.
It’s just coffee.
Not a tender touch or speaking loving words.
Just a single coffee.
“What brings you here?”
“I know I distracted you a lot over the weekend, and I didn’t bring you home when I promised to. I wanted to make sure you were getting on okay. And this is me saying sorry.” He pointed at the coffee, which made her smile.
“I was more than happy to stay the weekend. It’s fine. I’ll get everything done in time.”
“I don’t want our time to take anything away from your studies.”
“It shouldn’t. It’s fine. I can usually survive on little to no sleep.” She took another sip of her coffee. Instead of working, though, she stared at him.
“You can work away,” he said. “I won’t think it’s rude.”
“But one of your rules is when you’re with me, I’m to be completely devoted to you.”
He waved his hand in the air. “Ignore those rules for now. Don’t overthink this. I got you a drink, and I’m going to keep you company while you work through your assignments.”
Taking another sip of her drink, she pulled her attention away from the man opposite her and focused on the assignment.
Drowning him out was the hardest thing she’d ever done.
Her body heated just at the sight of him, and his voice made her ache. While she worked, he answered calls and did a lot of typing on his cell phone.
Every time her coffee was empty, he’d fill it, occasionally bringing back a muffin for her to eat.
After two hours, she’d finished, and she still had ten minutes to spare for her shift.
“Did you get it done?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Would you like me to walk you to your apartment?”
“I can’t. I’ve got a shift here in ten minutes. Don’t you remember? I gave you that schedule?”
He frowned. “I didn’t look at it when I came down here. So you’ll be standing for the next couple of hours? Serving people?”
“That’s usually how it works, yes. I enjoy working here. I think this is one of the few places around where the coffee really doesn’t suck.”
He chuckled. “That I will agree with you. The only reason I come here is because I like the coffee, and of course one of the wait staff appeals to me.”
She wasn’t used to flirting, but she liked it coming from him.
“Would you like me to walk you to your car?” she asked.
“Yes, I would.” Packing away her laptop and books, she pulled the strap over her shoulder, following him out to his very expensive car.
“Thank you for today.”
“I wish I was taking you home with me.” He reached out, grabbing her hips and pulling her closer to him.
“You want people to see?” she asked.
“It’s no one’s business what we do.”
Before she could react, he slammed his lips down on hers, silencing any protest from her.
Slowly, she wrapped her arms around his neck, moaning as he stroked across her mouth, demanding entry, and she gave it.
Her nipples went tight and her pussy slick, wanting him far more than to do her shift.
Daniel broke the kiss first. “Damn, I can’t convince you to come back with me?”
“Nope. I love my job.” She kissed him again and stepped away. “I’ll see you soon.”
Walking away was the hardest thing she’d done. She also constantly repeated that she shouldn’t fall in love with him.
****
One week later
Daniel entered his own apartment Friday night, and all he wanted to do was call Elizabeth to find out how she was. It had been a week since he’d last seen her, and then other than a kiss, he’d not been able to fuck her brains out like he wanted to.
The case he’d been working on had turned shit within a matter of hours, and for the past week he’d been in serious negotiations as it came to light the husband couldn’t even afford to pay the pre-nup settlement, and he was in fact bankrupt.
That had created a challenge in itself, but with his team he’d been able to deal with it, and now, after a week, he was ready to just fuck. The only problem was Elizabeth was ill. He’d called her that afternoon as soon as he’d discovered that the entire weekend was free. The moment she picked up the phone, he’d heard her gravelly voice and stuffy nose. Not to mention that she was also vomiting she said, and had to phone in sick as well as not go to any of her classes.
Pacing his apartment floor, he poured himself a drink of whiskey and wondered how she was doing.
This wasn’t what he wanted when he saw her on that website. They’d known each other a matter of weeks, and yet he was already worried about her.
It’s the decent thing to do to make sure she’s okay.
Elizabeth had no one. No family, and he’d not seen any friends check up on her. She was all alone in the world, and he didn’t like that.
Tapping his finger on the edge of his glass, he stared down at his cell phone, seeing no missed calls from her.
Other women had left messages for him to get back in touch. Previous women he’d been with, and didn’t have any interest in continuing anything. There was something different about Elizabeth. From her leaving the rose to never seeming to linger on everything he said. She always was the first to leave the bed after sex, even when he wanted to snuggle.
Tapping his phone, he brought her number up and decided to hell with his own rules. He placed the call and waited for her to answer.
“Hello.” Her voice was scratchy as if she’d just been throwing up before she answered.
“You sound like crap.”
“Thank you. I feel it. I’m really sorry I can’t make it. I’ll call you when I feel better. Okay?”
“Who’s taking care of you?”
“No one. I’m okay, Daniel. Really, I am.”
She disconnected the call. He wasn’t happy, and was done playing by his own rules. He wasn’t a monster, and he cared. There, he’d admitted it.
Just because he didn’t want all the other crap that came in a relationship didn’t make him a monster. He didn’t want women, kids, or commitment, but under no contract did it state that he couldn’t take care of her if he wanted to.
It didn’t matter what rules he’d put in place. He was the one in control, and there wasn’t anything wrong with buying soup for a woman, no matter what she said.
Leaving his apartment, he went straight to his car, climbing inside. On the way over, he called an Italian restaurant that he knew did the best soup in town. Once he made that pit stop, he didn’t find it hard to locate Elizabeth’s apartment. It wasn’t far from the campus. Parking in the only available spot, he grabbed his items and made his way to her.
Someone was already leaving the building, so instead of alerting her that he was here, he slid inside the open door, found the small map, and made his way toward her floor.
Knocking on the door, he waited for her to answer with a smile on his face. When she didn’t answer straight away, he knocked again, and he heard movement from within.
“I’m coming. I’m coming.”
Seconds later, Elizabeth opened the door, and she looked like death warmed over.
“Daniel, I thought I told you I couldn’t tonight.”
“This is not a booty call. I have soup, books, and a movie.”
She frowned, looking at him. “I don’t understand.”
“No one should have to take care of themselves when they’re poorly. Consider me your nurse until you get better. Are you going to let me in?”
She nodded and stepped back.
He walked into her very small apartment, reminding himself exactly how lucky he was. Her place could fit into his penthouse suite four times over it was that small. With the rent she paid, he’d imagined something a lot bigger, a lot better, but nope.
“I’m sorry it’s small. It’s home.” She looked so vulnerable as she pulled her chestnut hair back. Putting the soup and stuff down, he did no more than pick her up, leading toward the bedroom.
Elizabeth released a little gasp, her arms going around his neck as he carried her all the way back to bed.
Carefully, he placed her within the blankets being sure not to hurt her as she lay down on the pillows.
“I’ll be back.”
Daniel grabbed the soup, found a bowl in her kitchen, and began to pour the contents into another, getting a spoon, and making his way back into her bedroom.
She was already sitting up, and she held her hands out to take the bowl.
He shook his head, moving her over a little so that he could sit on the bed.
“You really don’t need to do this.”
“I want to do this, and you’re not going to stop me from taking care of you.”
“This wasn’t part of your deal,” she said, reminding him.
“The deal can change anytime I want. I’ve just made that a new rule.”
She chuckled. “You’ll make the rules to suit you?”
“Yes. I’m a lawyer. I know what I’m talking about.”
“How did your case go?” she asked.
He sighed. “I managed to get a deal out of thin air. Believe me, that was no easy feat.”
“I don’t doubt it was, and I also don’t doubt for a second that you got what you wanted out of the deal.”
“That is very true. I always get what I want. Never go against me in the courtroom.” He winked at her, and loved her giggle.
“I have no intention of doing that. Do you love being a lawyer?”
Daniel paused in between serving her spoonsful of soup and thinking about her question. “It pays the bills.”
“That’s not a good answer.”
“It’s a challenge most of the time, and I do enjoy it. Every single day I’m reminded how the world has good and bad people in it all the time. It probably sounds childish, but I think I see the real person when they’re faced in court, and a lot of the time I don’t like what I see.”
“Do you wish you’d studied something else? Taken your life in a different direction.”
“I don’t do regrets. If I hadn’t done what I did, I may not be feeding you this soup, or enjoying our time together, and, Elizabeth, I really do enjoy fucking you.” He watched her cheeks turn a nice shade of red. “And watching you blush. I do love that. Why do you ask?”
“I’m scared of making the wrong choice. I don’t want to get ten years down the road and wish I’d picked the other thing. Teaching or being a psychologist. I don’t know. They’re both things I feel passionate about.”
He’d forgotten to talk to his two friends in those fields. “I will make arrangements for you to see both jobs from a firsthand account.”
“I’m not trying to get you to do that.”
“I know. I intended to do this a couple of days ago, but with everything on my case, I didn’t exactly have time to do it. Now I’m taking care of you, and that soup is all gone. With how pale you’ve gone, I don’t know if you’ll keep it down, but I can get more.” He set the bowl down and tucked her in. “Now I want you to relax. Don’t worry about anything.”
He took the dirty bowl back to the kitchen, cleaning it up and leaving it on the draining board.
Seconds later he heard her running feet, and the sound of her vomiting over the toilet. Daniel rushed to her side, pulling back her hair so she didn’t vomit all over it, and rubbed her back. Once she was done, he helped her clean her teeth, and then he was in the shower with her, washing her body. She held onto him as he ran the soap all over her before washing out her hair.
After he’d done that, he dried and dressed her, brushing her hair before placing her back into the warm sheets.
Ordering more soup for delivery, he lay by her side, and didn’t go anywhere, taking care of her the only way he knew how to do.