Holt's Holding (Part One)

chapter 3





The drive to Pickles was quick. Pulling up, I parked in my garage knowing it would be best to walk over.

Walking from the parking garage, my mind was still trapped within the elevator, and all the crazy notions that had me up in arms without a filter. He got under my skin. I realized that I was both aroused and repulsed. It was possible that it was the way he spoke or maybe what he didn’t say; his expression, looked like one I would normally carry. Well, when I was trying to f*ck with someone. It was even sadistic in my opinion.

Nonetheless, I was turned on with his display.

I spotted Sam at the bar and made a fast approach.

“Hey Lil, you look frazzled?”

“It’s been a day, oh, and your mystery man from the elevator is one our new boss, and an ass.” I sat down staring at the bar.

“I take it, you met him?” She smirked

“Yeah, in the elevator, on my way out.” My voice carried my frustration and my need to drown it in a drink.

“I met him shortly after our morning laugh, and I would have to agree, he’s an ass with a capital A.” She offered with distain.

“I take it; you no longer want to introduce him to your bed?” I laughed

“Hell no!” She laughed, “Too controlling and well, he kinda scares me, so I’ll reserve that invitation for someone else.”

Looking to the bartender, I signaled her, and she nodded knowing already what I wanted.

Kinda scary when a bartender doesn’t need you to vocalize what you wanted. I guess I frequent this bar too much.

Occupational hazard as I now see it.

“Is Julie joining?” I couldn’t tell, if the question was more out concern, or something else. I sensed that she didn’t like her too much, but I wasn’t sure why. The two had always seemed like they liked each other, or maybe not.

“Oh, she left for her first assignment in Haiti.” I pursed my lips. Shit, I forgot about her brother.

“Is that a good thing or bad? Based on your expression it doesn’t sound good?” she looked to me for a response.

“No, it’s not that; I just remembered her brother was staying with us, well me, while she’s away.” I rolled my eyes.

“And that’s a bad thing?” she raised her expression, and I knew where her head just went.

I smiled, and shook my head in understanding “No, I guess not. I don’t expect to see him much. She had said he works late hours. So, -no biggie. I just haven’t ever had to share my space with a guy.”

“Is he hot?” again with her raised expression

“Sam…” I paused rolling my eyes. “I guess, but he looks like a stuck up tight ass, but, I must concede to the fact that he makes a really good pot of coffee.”

The bartender was quick, we had a round of shots, I had my usual vodka and Redbull in front of me.

Taking our shots, I felt hands come around my hips. I knew exactly who it was.

“Chris…love; be careful where you put your hands, one of these days, I just might take advantage of you.” I laughed

“How did you know it was me?” He came to the side of me leaning into the bar.

“Easy…I know how your hands feel, and I recognize your cologne,” I laughed

He leaned in “Um I’m pretty sure you’ve done that a few times in the past. That is, taking advantage, and last I checked; I’m pretty sure I approved. We can always take it further anytime Lil.”

“Yeah, but I was your girlfriend then, now I would be using you to simply sate myself. You know it’s been over a year since I’ve gotten laid.” I cocked my head at him and smiled.

“Point taken.” He smiled. “However, I know you well enough to know it has not been that long.” I knew he still harbored feelings for me, and I seriously shouldn’t lead him on as I do. Nor could I lie to him. …I just didn’t feel right about actually flaunting my one Nighters in his face. He didn’t deserve that.

We had been broken up after three years agreeing that we were better friends than anything more. He was currently seeing someone yet knowing him well; I knew his feelings were ever so close to the surface.

He once told me that I was emotional “inaccessible”. I never quite understood that comment. I think it was more for his benefit to label me as he had. A label that was brutally honest. I believe the point of the matter lay with his pride. I hadn’t involved myself with anyone since our relationship ended. Thinking back, he was the only one I attempted a relationship with.

A few very unpleasant dates here and there, were all that the three years had produced, but that was entirely by my choice. I truly didn’t have the strength to deal with my job and any entanglements that a relationship would bring. I was pretty much a walking zombie, and too tired to deal with that baggage.

However, Happy Hour with friends was my refuge. Looking back to the bartender she smiled and ushered over another full round.

We were getting drunk tonight, and happy hour was about to be extending into one hell of a night.

I knew, I shouldn’t, but whom the f*ck cares. Thinking about today’s events, I wasn’t so sure, I would have a job much longer.

My unfiltered mouth and me.

Shit.

“Lilly, what has you in such deep thought?” Chris leaned over to the bar taking a shot.

“I think I’m about to lose my job” I replied staring at my drink.

“What do you mean?” He was genuinely concerned.

“I was in the elevator with the new owner, not realizing, who he was, and my brain to mouth filter failed me at every word.”

“Oh, shit what did you say?” He asked with sincere interest.

“I guess nothing seriously awful, it was just, I don’t know. He brought out this need to get …. I don’t know, I just felt like he was getting under my skin a bit.” I shook my head, not understanding what he had made me feel. He made me feel like a petulant child.

“I’m sure he wanted to do more than just get under your skin. More like in it!” Brady chimed in raising his eyebrows up and down when I turned to look at him. His arms came around my shoulders pulling me in a warm hug then released me swiftly.

“Ugh? What would you know of him?” I looked between him and Chris.

Brady was a junior partner at a well-known firm and knew all the “who’s who” in upper society. I think it had more to do with the fact that his family was old money. It was without a doubt useful in his profession. Brady so looked the part. Definitely ultra-yuppie in appearance. Even when dressed casually, like he was. Brady had his polo shirt, expensive jeans meant to look worn in and of course his boat shoes. His hair, however, was more of the messy “I’m rebelling” look. He had medium brown hair and brown eyes. He was average height at 6’ and had a slender but cut build. Without a doubt, he looked of money and to his benefit; he was an extraordinarily good-looking man. Not to mention, my best friend since childhood.

“Word in the firm is about this takeover of your agency by Vaihn Enterprises. Mr. Vaihn has a bit of a reputation of being a playboy.”

“Playboy”, Chris raised his eyes teasing Brady “I didn’t realize that word was ever used these days!”

“Fine…He’s a predator. Better?”

“Ok, first playboy now predator….really? I would think both adjectives lean in very different directions.” I raised my drink laughing at him.

“Uh, point is…chasing ass is something he makes sport of. He will mind f*ck, the woman before he actually f*cks her. He’s a sadistic genius and extremely dangerous.” Brady grinned, but I could tell there was more to his knowledge of my new Boss. Sharing a look, there was definitely a warning in his eyes. Understanding fully, I winked at him.

“Well, I’m sure I won’t be working for him or his agency by tomorrow. I won’t have a job.” I knew I wasn’t losing my job, however, anything was possible.

Chris was quick to catch Brady’s confused expression. “She had a lack of brain to mouth filter, talking to him in the elevator this evening.”

Brady pursed his lips tight and looked directly into his rum and coke shaking his head then quickly swallowing it whole.

“What am I missing?” I looked at Brady

Brady half grinned and was about to say something as he looked between Chris and me.

“How was his demeanor with you?” Brady looked down to me.

“Ugh, not sure what you mean? He was nice I guess. He looked a little amused and insisted that I call him by his first name. I was quick to refuse and continued to address him formally. I’m not sure why, but he was just so arrogant in his undertones part of me wanted to slap him back down to earth. To my defense, I hate his type. Well excluding you of course.” I rose an eyebrow laughing. To all it sounded like a group conversation, but between Brady, and me there was an unspoken conversation being held.

“I’m going to pretend that you just didn’t insult me Lil. Because I’m awesome, by the way. But I’m afraid that you better hope you don’t have a job tomorrow.” He winked taking a long sip from his beer.

“Ok, why would I hope that?” I shook my head at him.

“I’m thinking your brassy mouth may have pulled his attention. Shit…that dress would do just fine, but you may have inadvertently just given him a challenge.” He pulled his lips tight into a croaked smile and raised his eyebrows intently at me.

“Brady, I doubt that. You’ve met our Lil haven’t you? She’ likely to beat him at his own game.” Chris laughed “Damn man, you’ve known her all your life, f*ck the two of you are as thick as thieves.” Laughing and shaking his head, Chris looked between us. “No wonder the two of you are best friends.”

Crossing my arms, I looked to Chris, “and what do you mean by that? You better qualify you statement and quick!”

“Please don’t take this wrong. I love you Lil, and I say this because of that…” He smiled his charming smile “You’re like a man…you’re a f*cking piranha when it comes to the opposite sex. I swear, if I didn’t know any better, I would without a doubt say you were as cold and deadly as one.”

“So not true.” I pursed my lips and shook my head. One word came to mind –Inaccessible.

Brady started laughing, as did Chris and Sam. Great all my friends thought this of me.

Maybe they had a point.

Memories of every man I dated, well I wouldn’t call it that, but had any relationship always ended with me throwing him to the curb, so Chris was right I supposed. I took my shot down needing to focus on something other than my emotional inaccessibility.

“Moving on; I doubt that I presented him with any challenge, or invitation of such.” Then another thought crossed my mind as I looked between Brady and Sam. “I was informed he had a partner. What do you guys know about him?”

“English Hot tee…” Sam raised her eyebrows.

“Partner in crime more like!” Brady huffed, and looked at Sam. Whoa, was I sensing a bit of jealousy?

“Oh stop it Brady.” I looked over to Sam “You met him?” I really wanted her take on him.

“Yes I did, and he can bend me over any conference table he chooses,” She laughed taking her third shot of Tequila.

“Oh Sam love…” Brady walked to her, positioned himself in front of her spreading her legs open, and fit his body tight to hers. “You need to get laid, and I’m more than willing to bend you over”

Laughing at his display, he was gyrating into her, teasingly with added sound effects. Chris and I both laughed our heads off, as we could not contain the humor of his actions.

Poor Sam, it was obvious he and she both had a thing for the other. So stubborn; the two of them are.

I knew that one day soon, they would end up in bed. Maybe, wishful thinking, but the sexual tension between the two of them was thick.

Sam looked over at me, rolling her eyes. I smiled and nodded.

As things needed to get crazy, our song blasted thru the speakers. “Paradiso Girls-Patron Tequila”

We both started laughing, and looked to the bartender. Damn she was quick.

Another round.

Taking the shots, Sam and I were quick to get to the dance floor. More like the one, we decided belonged there. We were undoubtedly drunk, and dancing away. Singing the lyrics, we were finally drunk and lose, just as we had intended.

Brady was quick to jump in, as he loved the attention, but more importantly an excuse, allowing him to be all over Sam. Returning to the bar, the alcohol was doing its job on Sam. Her guards down, and it almost look like the two of them were close to being undone.

Neither of them willing to totally let go, nor kiss, but they were so damn close. I couldn’t help but grin. Chris noticed what was inevitable between the two of them.

I raised my sight to the Bartender. It was time for a check.

“You are heading out?” Chris looked to me

“It’s late, and I’m drunk the second night in a row. Shit it’s not even Friday” Shaking my head, f*ck, two nights in a row. My nerves were taking over, and I was getting careless. I needed to get myself home.

“Technically it is.” Chris laughed looking down at his watch.

“Where’s your car?” he added

“Garage. I walked here. Benefits of living close by.”

“I know it’s only three blocks, but let me take you home, this is the city and you look like someone’s temptation.” I felt his eyes appraise me. Oh Chris, not good. He needed to let the past go.

“Ok.” I didn’t have it in me to argue and a ride seemed like a good idea.

Signing for the bill, my senses caught that familiar cologne. I whipped my head around looking for the source. My eyes darted around the dark bar, searching for the owner of the cologne. Every hair on my neck stood in attention, or possibly a fevered anticipation.

“What is it?” Chris looked to me

“I don’t know …I’ve smelled this cologne all day. It’s weird, but somehow I know it.” Still searching, I probably looked desperate or really f*cking drunk.

“Uh, Lil, a lot of guys were cologne. It’s possible that this cologne is just a popular one at best.” He smiled shaking his head at me.

“Yeah, I’m sure your right.” Of course, he was right. And it was clear that I liked this cologne. I gathered my purse; looking up to him, as he had his arm extended for my taking. “Let’s get out of here.” I smiled.

“Smartest thing you’ve said this evening,” he laughed.

We both tried to signal Brady and Sam, but they were clearly lost in their attempts not to succumb to their desires. Chris and I again shared the same expression laughing.

Chris drove me home, and like the gentlemen, he was; he stopped the car. Circling to my door, he helped me out of the car.

Chris walked me to the door of my building and hugged me tight. Pulling from him, I looked up to his eyes. Yes, his feelings were just under the surface. He pursed his lips. I knew his reaction was one of debate.

“Good night Chris.” I offered sensing his debate. The look in his eyes said it all.

Releasing a sigh “Good night Lil” and he kissed my forehead.

I watched as he walked back to his car, and waved back to me.

Turning, I opened the front door. Part of me wished I could open up fully. Chris was a phenomenal friend, and his character was strong and moral. Shaking my head, I knew then as I did now. He deserved someone better than me. Someone that could return the type of love he had to offer. I stepped into the elevator and my resolve needed time to refuel. The door closed me in my solitude.

The ride up was quicker than I expected. Fiddling with my keys, awareness hit, I was extremely drunk.

Shit, I even felt that queasy sensation in my stomach….double. shit.

Unlocking the door seems like work. Finally, in I stripped my shoes off by the door locking it.

I dropped my purse at the entry table…crap it hit the floor. Whatever. I stumbled in the dark unzipping my sheath.

In my room, I allowed it to fall off. Just me in my undergarments. My bed was calling me, and I was more than eager to answer. Dropping down, I stripped my stockings off, and pealed my bra; dropping it to the floor. I was too drunk to bother with a shirt. Moreover, what did it matter anyway, this was my room and my bed.

I crawled into bed closing my eyes trying to center myself. My nose still caught up in the scent of the cologne I had smelled all day.

Half as sleep my mind started to drift thru the day…first to Julie’s brother, then to Sebastian. Both men, were thoroughly off limits, but oddly, the idea that they were, was tempting. My mind fleeted over the sexual tension between Sam and Brady. I realized, I was jealous only from the aspect that I was in need.

Yes, I was in need of a good lay.

Again, the memory of Sebastian hit me hard. His eyes and the one thing I hadn’t noticed then. He had the look of a hunter. Charlie held that same look that morning.

Well they might be off limits in reality, but, not in my dreams.

Oh, yes, fantasies were totally allowed.

The scent that lingered around me was a perfect aphrodisiac, and my arousal blossomed with a keen ache between my legs. Normally, I would just pull out a trusty vibrator, but drunk, and unwilling to move had me held in place. All I could picture was Charlie as he was the last vision my mind held.