That does something to the beast inside of him. The thought of being the first to take her. He shifts in his seat making room for his growing erection. Scarlett doesn’t speak, she looks out the window and taps her index finger against her thigh. It’s hard not to notice that her dress has rode up exposing her upper thigh dressed in flesh colored pantyhose.
Her hair reminds him of coffee, rich brown and silky. Her smell is warm vanilla—his favorite flavor of ice cream. Her legs remind him of smooth creamy butterscotch in those pantyhose and those blue eyes the color of a swimming pool. Lips red like cherries and his mouth waters at the thought of them tasting like one, too.
Snap out of it.
Remember the plan.
His focus is plastered on the road trying not to let his eyes wander over to the beauty in his passenger seat. Hands clenching the steering wheel he forces all inappropriate thoughts about her. This isn’t a really date, this is getting close to her so she’ll lead him to her father. There will be no night cap—no fucking until they pass out.
The nicest restaurant in the city is owned by his father’s closest friend. Most people wait months for a reservation but the props of being a Novak is he doesn’t have to wait for a table.
The restaurant has dining outside and although the night is beautiful with skies clear enough to see the stars, he opts for a more private table. The waiter brings them to a secluded part of the restaurant a table for two in the back far away from anyone who could eavesdrop or bother them.
Scarlett is too busy looking around, her jaw dropped. She stares at the crystal chandelier, the fine china, the expensive fixtures. Inhaling the sweet aroma of expensive quality food he can see that she is nearly drooling. He watches as she licks her lips. Walking around to the side she picks to sit at, he pulls out the antique looking white cushioned chair for her.
The waiter brings the most expensive bottle of white wine they have pouring it in glasses more expensive than the Scarlett’s dress. She looks hesitant, but he raises his glass to her, silently toasting.
To revenge.
Her hand shakes as she brings the glass to her mouth. All of this must be overwhelming for her. He doubts she’s ever been to a place half this fancy. Still, she is quiet not uttering a word when he wishes she would. Instead, she pulls out the leather menu. He knows she is looking for the least expensive thing on the menu, but he won’t have that.
“I’m going to order for the both of us.”
She slowly puts the menu wanting to protest.
“Trust me.”
Nodding her head she puts the menu away and takes another sip of her wine. He hopes this will loosen her up. He can see the tension in her shoulders and the awkwardness of her posture.
“Tell me about yourself,” he leans back in his chair, locking his hands together and resting them on his lap.
She clears her throat and sits up straight. “Well, I’d love to be a journalist one day. English was my major in college and I’ve always loved writing.”
Not the kind of information he was looking for, but he already knows this process is going to take time. “Is that why you wanted to work at Novak?” That and the fact that he baited her to work for him.
“Actually, yes. Do you like your job?”
“Yes,” he gives a curt nod. He didn’t want to talk about himself. “Let’s not talk about work. Where are you from?”
“All over,” she shrugs. “My father never liked to stay in one place. So I got to see the world, although we never went to any amazing places like Chicago or San Francisco and we never came close to coming to New York City. We stayed in the West a lot.”
“What brought you to New York then?”
“I can’t explain it. Even though I’ve never been here, I feel like I have. New York has always been the place I’ve dreamt about. Like I’m meant to be here,” she pauses looking down at her lap. “Does that make sense?”
He nods his head.
“My father didn’t want me to come here. He still doesn’t want me here, but I’ve been living in New York State now for a handful of years. I have my best friend here with me and I love it.”
“New York is a beautiful city,” Alexander agrees.
Alexander wasn’t born in New York, he was born in Norway before brought to New York by his new parents. His sister Olive came from Norway as well, they have spent many vacations in the country learning about their roots. Just as they have visited Japan for Kai many times as well as Ireland for Liam, and the state of Georgia for their only American sibling, Atticus. Ellie was different, she was left abandoned as newborn in front of the firehouse. His mother was friends with a firefighter who showed her the baby. She instantly fell in love.
“So you were born in New York?” Scarlett asks. The Novak siblings are public knowledge, their biographies could be googled on Wikipedia. Any follower of the family would know their true birth origin. Either she did know and was playing dumb, or she truly doesn’t know.
Alexander answers anyways, “Norway.”
“I’ve always wanted to go abroad. Father said we couldn’t leave the country.”
“Can’t or won’t?” He drinks the rest of his wine.
“He told me all our important documents were burned in a house fire when I was a baby. I don’t have any sort of original birth certificate to get a passport,” she frowns. “Or at least that’s what my father tells me.”
Alexander could see it for the lie it is. Scarlett isn’t lying. No, she believes the lie her father told her, there was no fire. But he knows she is lying about one thing, her name. Gavin MacIntyre—wanted by the police—goes by the name Henry Halloway. His daughter, Hazel MacIntyre, alias, Scarlett Halloway.
“Excuse me,” she stands brushing the skirt of her dress down. “I’m going to go to the restroom.”
He nods his head as he watches her nervously look around to find the restrooms. He stares at her figure—not as curvy as the girls he’s used to—but just as tempting. Forcing himself to look away, he pours himself a new glass and finishes it in two large sips.
Next to her plate is her outdated iPhone. Without hesitation he reaches for it unlocking the password-free screen and clicking on the call app. There is another call timed earlier today. The call was ten minutes long and the most interesting thing about it is the number isn’t unknown. He stares at the ten digit number but more specifically memorizes the first three.
7-0-2
Alexander looks over his shoulder before pressing the call button. His heart beats fast with anticipation. It rings about five times before he contemplates hanging up until….
“Thank you for calling Greenstone’s B&B where—”
He hangs up before the female could finish her sentence. He deletes the call log before placing her phone exactly where he found it.
Greenstone.
Making a mental note to call his private investigator, the waiter arrives just in time for him to place their orders and Scarlett returns from the bathroom.
She looks flustered and nervous as though she’s never been on a dinner date with a man before. He’d bet his life savings that is the case. Her cheeks are slightly pink and he can make out what at first glance looks to be perspiration, but she must’ve washed her face with cold water.