Page 3 of Stealing It
Chapter One
Aidan
The Past . . .
SHE TUMBLES OFF THEstool, and I can’t help but glimpse the black lace panties staring back up at me. I didn’t catch her quick enough, and instead of yanking her arm out of the socket, I lessen the blow by scooping in right before she hits the floor. “I didn’t peg you for a weak in the knees type of woman. Maybe I’m underestimating my smolder?” I grin, sliding my hands up her slim waist as she stands. “I came and knocked you right off your feet.” The panties are naughty lace, not the floral kind of lace you wear once you’re comfortable with someone. My dick hardens and the pit of need in my stomach enlarges.
Magnolia is horrified as she straightens herself, trying to yank on the dress that isn’t nearly as short as she thinks it is. I’ve never seen a woman more uncomfortable than in this moment. I should tell her that it doesn’t affect me, that it takes a lot to make my eyebrows rise, but I go the joke route instead to help counter her mortification. “No one saw,” I add when she doesn’t respond. “Trust me.”
“I just fell,” Magnolia gasps, waving her arm to the bar and the fact that everyone is, in fact, looking at us. “They’ll be talking about this all week. I bet they all assume I came here drunk like ole Verne down on the end.” She hisses as she sits down again, shielding her eyes with one hand. Sighing, she rasps under her breath, “In this dress to boot. I never should have worn it.”
Perfect opening. “Let’s go back to my place and get it off you,” I say, keeping the tone light. It would be easier if she agreed, if I could take her out of here and fuck her brains out. I guarantee she’d remember falling on my dick instead of off the stool. “You can’t argue with that. You hate that dress.” I wink when her gaze lights on mine.
Something in her eyes fire. “No, I’m not that kind of woman,” she deadpans.
My stomach sinks. Two hours of wasted time. An hour combined of total messages sent over the past three days and the hour I’ve spent at the bar. I use the app for one reason and one reason only. To fuck.
“You’ve got me all wrong.” It’s like the fall from the stool ignited her true personality. She opens her mouth to speak, then closes it again before finally speaking. “I thought I could pretend to be that kind of woman, but that’s not me. This isn’t me,” she says, looking down at the dress and then meets my gaze. “I’m sorry I wasted your time. I wanted to be this woman for you. You know? You’re a beautiful man, but I think I proved how inexperienced I am with all of this. I fell off my chair because I don’t know how to wear a fancy dress.” She looks left when she says the dress part, and I call it a lie. She fell off her seat because she’s uncomfortable around me. Her eyes are wild as she realizes the half-truth in her own words.
“Hey, it’s fine. Really. I like that you don’t do this a lot,” I say.
“I do this never,” Magnolia replies, emphasizing the last word.
Cocking my head to one side. “Never?”
She shakes her head. “Not even once. My friend said this was a good idea. To meet a man who I knew very little about to kick-start the relationship…section of my life, but I’m in over my head. You’re obviously very experienced in dating and that makes it even worse. I need to work up to a man like you.” She closes her mouth and her eyes pop open. “That sounded awful. I’m not trying to be offensive.”
I laugh. “I don’t get offended, Magnolia. Tell you what? I’ll help you get your groove back. Did an ex-boyfriend burn you?” If I know what I’m dealing with I can feed her game she’ll play for. Everyone has something that’s integral in another person. I’m an expert at pinpointing it.
She shakes her head, eyes closed. “I’m so embarrassed right now. Don’t, please. I sound like a charity case or something.”
“You’re far too hot to be a charity case. I will enjoy every single second of being with you.” Her eyes widen, and she turns her face toward mine. When her forehead wrinkles in confusion, I smile. “I’m serious. I will.” No maybe about that.
“You’re either that good, or you’re being honest.”
Or option C. I’m good at this because I do it all the time and I’m far from honest. Magnolia downs her drink and slides the glass away. “Do you want another?” I ask, wiping sweat from my almost full beer bottle.
“I could have five and still be mortified. A reset button is what I need right now,” she says.
Thinking for a second, I decide to put a little more effort into Magnolia Sager. She is more attractive than my usual date, and I have to admit her inexperience is charming. I’d be able to play with her in bed for hours. Days. I run my hand over my mouth as I narrow my eyes at her cleavage. Fuck yes. Worth every second. Sold.
I slap the counter with my left hand. “Reset button,” I say, grinning. “I’m going to the Italian restaurant across the street. Meet me there in ten minutes.” I throw cash down for the tab and spin out of my chair. I signal to the bartender as I pass him, and when I get to the door, I throw a look over my shoulder. Magnolia is watching me walk away, mouth agape, eyes wide.
There are always tables available here. Even on a Friday night. I tell the hostess I want the table for two in the back corner, away from the kitchen. I want to be alone with her, but this will have to do for now. The hostess bats her eyes and sticks out her ass as she tells me to follow her. I check out her ass and thank her once I’m seated. She leaves two menus and I order a bottle of wine. White. Magnolia is a white wine drinker, I can tell.
It’s exactly ten minutes later when Magnolia slips through the front door wearing a gauzy, blue skirt and a black tank top, her hair is down, and her lips are free of lipstick. The wind blows her skirt a little when the door opens and closes, and my heartbeat pounds in my neck. I swallow down the unfamiliar sensation and begin to wonder where she’s been hiding. Why haven’t I seen her? How is she not taken? Married? In a small town like this, the beauties are the first to be swallowed in matrimony. I realized that straight away.
Magnolia smiles when she sees me watching her, takes a visible breath and approaches our table, the hostess glaring daggers at her back. I stand as she nears. “Hi,” I say when she’s right in front of me. “I’m Aidan Mixx.”
She nods. “I’m Magnolia Sager. It’s nice to meet you.” Her gaze flicks from my face down my body. “You are more attractive in person than in your photos.”
I grin, and she swallows hard. “Funny you mention it, because you are the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen. Are you actually human?” Her blush stains high on her cheeks. “Sit. I ordered a bottle of wine. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Red I hope,” she replies, sliding into the seat opposite mine.
I laugh. “White. I’ll order a red, too.” She’s already throwing me off my game.
Magnolia smiles a mega-watt, white smile. “My friend Jenny is wearing a hot pink bandage dress at the beach right now,” she says, giggling. “This is the real me. I’m not the kind of woman I’m sure you’re used to.”
