Chapter 1 - Mr. Suit

Present day—Fifteen years later

I checked the time on my watch and picked up my pace as I hurried along the crosswalk. The street was bustling with traffic, and I had to be extra cautious not to get hit by passing cars. I was heading to an important appointment, and I couldn’t afford to be late.

As I was walking, my cell phone started ringing, and I had to search through my purse to find it. I felt relieved when I saw Lena’s name on the caller ID and quickly swiped the screen to answer.

“Hey Len, what’s up? Did you make it to the airport okay?”

Lena had been planning to travel across the country to meet her boyfriend Charles. He had landed a promising job as a graphic designer, but it was on the other coast. She had been hesitant about moving since she had never left this town before, and it was difficult for her to leave behind everything and everyone she knew. I knew this was a big step for her.

Despite her reservations, Lena had been excited about this trip for weeks. She had been busy packing and organizing her things here, and I could tell she was looking forward to seeing Charles after weeks of separation since her boyfriend had left a few weeks before to prepare for her arrival.

“The fucking plane was delayed! I’m stuck here for another four hours. Come pick me up and never let me do something stupid like this again,” Lena pleaded on the other side of the phone.

I chuckled. “You know I can’t do that. You love Chuck! Besides, I’m looking forward to not being the third wheel in your relationship. It was getting crowded in that small apartment. Moving away and starting a life with him will be great for you two!”

Lena sighed and laughed a little. “You’re right. About me loving him, not about me fucking moving across the country. But, it’ll do me good… I think. I have too many terrible memories here, anyway.”

I sucked in a breath.

Lena was like me. She was broken, but we never talked about our past. It was a rule we silently made when we met and started living together.

She realized we had fallen into a “no-go” zone, so she cleared her throat and quickly changed the subject.

“So, when are you going to visit the new place? I still don’t understand why you couldn’t keep our old apartment?”

“You know why, Len.”

“Right.” Lena laughed again. “But we have so many memories of us in that place. It feels weird knowing we’re leaving everything behind and starting somewhere new.”

I glanced at my wristwatch and my heart swelled with relief to find that I was exactly on schedule with a few minutes to spare. The thought of treating myself to a quick cup of coffee from the shop located a few blocks away crossed my mind. I weighed my options, and as I realized I had enough extra time, I decided it wouldn’t hurt to indulge myself in a cup of steaming hot coffee before heading to my appointment.

“As for your question, I’m on my way there to visit and meet my possible new roommate. It’s on the other side of town, but at least it’s closer to the pub, so I’ll be able to walk to work instead of taking the bus or cab.”

There was a pause in our conversation, and when Lena spoke, her tone changed. “You’re going to visit an apartment on the upper side? That’s the nice neighbourhoods! Did you steal a bank or sell a kidney?”

I laughed, trying to drown my growing tension. “Nothing like that. I have money lying around, and I want something that won’t make me think of you all the time. I’m already missing you. I don’t know how I’ll get through the days without having you nagging at me behind my back or always criticizing what I’m doing.”

“Aw. But it’s not my fault you’re super lazy. Who’ll kick your behind and make you do stuff if I’m not there?” Lena paused and I heard the intercom go on in the background through my phone. “Oh! I heard something on the speakers about the delays for my plane. I might board soon. I’ll call you later, Liv.”

“Safe travels, Len. Bye!”

As soon as Lena ended the call, I felt a sense of urgency and quickly put my cell phone in my bag. I increased my walking pace, and within a few minutes, I spotted a small coffee shop. I was relieved to see it wasn’t too crowded, but there were still a good number of customers. I joined the line and noticed that it was moving fast, which was another relief. Once it was my turn, I ordered my drink and stepped to the side, waiting for the barista to prepare it. While I waited, I checked my watch again and saw I still had a few more minutes before I needed to leave for my appointment. I took a deep breath and tried to relax, taking in the aroma of freshly brewed coffee.

“Extra-large, black coffee,” a barista called out and dropped the order on the counter.

I smiled at the quick service, but as I was about to grab the hot cardboard cup, I felt a large hand swoop down on top of mine. I looked up and found myself face-to-face with a tall stranger. He had dark blue eyes that seemed to sparkle with mischief, and his lips curved into a smile that made my heart skip a beat.

He was trying to take my coffee, and I couldn’t let that happen. I couldn’t be late for the apartment visit, and I needed my caffeine fix to stay alert. “This one’s mine,” I said firmly, hoping to assert my claim. “Extra-large, black,” I repeated, hoping he would get the message.

The man’s lips curved even more arrogantly, and he didn’t budge. Instead, he looked at me with a hint of amusement, as if he was enjoying the situation. When I didn’t let go, he squeezed my hand even tighter, and I felt a jolt of electricity pass through me. “I’m not letting go,” I said, trying to sound confident.

He didn’t seem to be bothered by my words. Instead, he raised his eyebrows and looked at me with deeper curiosity. I glared at him, hoping to intimidate him, but he seemed unfazed. “Neither am I,” he said calmly. “I ordered that. I don’t have time to argue about who needs it more. You can wait for yours like everyone else.”

His voice was deep and calm, and it made my heart race. I didn’t like how it affected me. I was pretty sure I had ordered first, but I didn’t want to cause a scene. “I don’t think so,” I replied, hoping to sound assertive.

“Then we’re at an impasse,” he said, and we both stood there, holding onto the cup, waiting for the other to give in.

We were in the last stretch of hot weather before it started snowing, and it was the first day of sunshine after days of rain. It had been surprisingly warm today, so I had worn a pair of jeans and a bralette under a loose-fitted shirt which showed just the right amount of cleavage. The stranger stared at me, taking my appearance in. My shirt wasn’t see-through, but I had to double-check as the man’s eyes drank me and made me think it was.

I gave in when I couldn’t handle his blatant and arrogant stare anymore. Anything was better than having the tall stranger undress me with his eyes.

“Fine.”

He smiled, took the cup and started to make his way out of the shop, but quickly decided against it and returned to my side. I watched the man undo the button of his perfectly pressed jacket and sit on a bar stool beside me.

“Are you in a hurry?”

Why did he care? “I am.”

“I see… Where are you going?” he asked curiously, and his voice gave me another blast of shivers.

“Somewhere,” I said and tried to ignore his knee, bumping into my leg. “Anywhere away from you.”

He was tall, with extremely broad shoulders and a muscular stature. He wasn’t hard on the eyes, and I couldn’t help myself—he was total eye candy. His unshaven look made him look rugged but also proper and powerful. He had the air of an investor or a wealthy promoter. His honey-brown hair slightly fell in his blue eyes, which were ringed with thick, dark lashes I would die for.

I couldn’t look away from this gorgeous specimen of a man who made my lower belly squirm.

When Mr. Perfect noticed my stare, he flashed me a flawless set of bright white teeth. That man was a hunter and knew exactly what to do to get young women’s attention.

He was fine… Well, more than fine.

He was sex on legs, but totally not my type… Well, my typical type was becoming hazy the more I looked at him. He was probably all looks but no brains, and the more he stared at my thighs and swept his gorgeous eyes up to my breasts, the more I believed I was right. Definitely a hunter.

I didn’t do players… But the funny thing was I didn’t know if I liked the attention or hated it. I felt powerful and sexy, but I didn’t know this man and his interest in me was making me slightly uncomfortable.

I cursed under my breath, ignoring the flips my stomach was making.

I crossed my arms over my chest and ignored him as best as possible, but his heated gaze on me made me uncontrollably look in his direction again. As soon as I did, I regretted it.

His cobalt eyes made me melt on the spot. They undressed me and screamed “sex” as they ran over every inch of my body. I could picture him on my bed, his lustful bedroom eyes boring down on me, making my pussy throb with only one look.

I clenched my legs and quickly came back to reality. What the hell had just happened? I hadn’t been this attracted to someone in ages. This was dangerous, and I would need to tread carefully around him.

“Will you at least give me your name?”

I scoffed at the stranger and frowned. “No.”

His laugh was deep, and it made my body react in an utterly foreign way. My nipples pebbled and brushed painfully against the inside of my bralette. But it wasn’t cold inside the coffee shop…

We spent the next few minutes in silence, and when I couldn’t handle his flirtatious and studious eyes anymore, I asked an employee if my coffee was almost ready before I continued to picture Mr. Perfect fucking me against a wall somewhere. Although I was two blocks from Friar Drive, where I was going to visit an apartment, I couldn’t wait much longer without risking getting there late—and I was never late. It was something I was rather proud of.

The barista dropped a cup before me, and I quickly grabbed it. I noticed Mr. Perfect, standing a few inches away, watching me intently. His eyes met mine, and for a moment, they seemed to twinkle with amusement. He opened his mouth as if he was about to say something, but then, he shook his head and turned around, walking out of the coffee shop. I stared after him, feeling a strange mix of disappointment and relief.

As I made my way down the side street, I could still smell his sweet cologne, and I wondered why he had made such an impression on me in such a short time. It seemed ridiculous to keep thinking about a man I had only met for a few minutes, while fighting over a coffee cup.

I grumbled to myself and quickened my pace, trying to shake off the memory of him.

After about a ten-minute walk, I arrived in front of the building, which could potentially become my new home. It was a big house, and I frowned when I noticed it wasn’t the apartment that was advertised. I pulled out the notice I had printed and looked at it again to ensure I had the correct address. When I confirmed I was in the right place, I walked up the steps and knocked on the door with more intrigue.

It surprised me to be greeted by a girl about my age. I thought she was a bit young to own a house like this, especially in this neighbourhood. Her hair was long and soft, and she reminded me of a fairy with her heart-shaped face. Her blue eyes contrasted starkly with her brown hair and pale white skin, and the sight of her took me aback.

“Hi! Are you Olivia?” Her voice was high and sweet.

Yes. That young woman definitely was a picture-perfect fairy.

I waved a hand and returned her greeting, “Yes, and you must be Katherine. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

The girl in front of me was the opposite of my old roomie. Katherine seemed nice at first glance, but I could already see the extrovert in her. I wasn’t talkative, which was one reason I missed Lena so much. Being an introvert like myself, Lena respected my silence and never probed unless she was bored and wanted to spice her life a bit.

“Likewise, but call me Kat—everyone does. Come in, and I’ll show you around.”

As I followed Kat into her house, I was amazed by the sheer size of the living room. It felt as spacious as my whole previous apartment, if not bigger. What caught my attention was the open-concept design of the house, which allowed natural light to flood the space, making it feel airy and bright. The wooden floors appeared to be the original 1930s ones, adding character to the place, while the rest of the house had been completely redesigned to give a modern and sophisticated look.

I felt like I was in a dream and had to pinch myself to make sure I was indeed awake.

“This place is incredible!” I exclaimed.

“I know, right? It was renovated a few years ago,” Kat said with a smile. “My brother is an experienced real estate investor and property developer. He specializes in buying cheap properties and then renovating them to attract business owners or investors to the area. This place used to be two separate apartments, but he took down the wall to make the space bigger. He also installed top-of-the-line equipment, including air conditioning and heating, to ensure a comfortable living experience. And check this out!” She pulled out what looked like a kitchen cabinet, but to my surprise, it revealed a hidden appliance that blended seamlessly with the rest of the kitchen.

“There’s a vast kitchen island to cook on or to entertain guests. To the right, there’s a bathroom with a heated floor, a shower, and a clawfoot tub. And over there is the second bedroom—which would be your room.”

Kat gently pulled my arm to show me the bedroom, and my eyes widened in wonder as I stepped inside. My gaze was immediately drawn to the immaculate hardwood floor, polished to a mirror-like shine. The room was spacious, with a massive king-sized bed dominating the center. To the right, a dark oak office desk with a tall, cushioned black leather chair caught my attention. It was the perfect spot to work from home or study. To the left was a walk-in closet big enough to fit all my clothes, shoes, and accessories, and two big drawer cabinets to store more clothes.

As I turned to leave, my eyes landed on a bookshelf that almost spanned the entire wall. I could already imagine myself organizing my books there, getting lost in a good read on a lazy afternoon. It was an all-in-one paradise, and I found myself wanting it badly.

I turned to Kat and gave her a big smile, trying to convey how much I appreciated her gesture. “I have no words,” I said, still in awe of the bedroom’s beauty.

She patted my shoulder and winked. “It’s pretty great, right? Come with me. I have a few questions I’d like to ask you before we go any further.”

Kat led me back to the kitchen, where we sat on barstools beside the island. She was friendly and welcoming, and I wondered if she would be like that all the time.

“If you were to move in with me, your rent would be $3000 a month, and I cover the rest. Were you looking for something temporary or more permanent?”

Kat was sizing me up. If I told her I was looking for something temporary, she would probably not consider me, but it just so happened I was looking to settle down for a while. With Lena leaving me here, I wanted to do something for myself for a change. Money also wasn’t an issue.

“Permanent, and the rent amount is fine. My family left me some money, so I’ll be able to easily cover that and other expenses if needed. I finished university last year, so I’m focusing more on work.”

“Oh, that’s great! Where do you work?”

“I work at Crowns a few days a week. It’s a little speakeasy-looking pub near here, so it’s perfect.”

“Oh, I haven’t been to that place in years! And yes! It’s about a fifteen-minute walk from the house. And what line of studies did you do at university? I noticed your accent, so I assume you came here for a specific field?”

“No. Not really. I came here for a change of scenery, mostly. I really needed one. I studied artifacts and history.” I heard myself saying those words and wanted to gag. I sounded like a spoiled rich kid who burned money for no reason. “I’m currently in the process of applying for a position as a museum conservator, or any other job openings in my field,” I added.

Kat considered what I said, then she took my hands in hers and beamed at me. “I like you. When can you move in?”

I scoffed. “That’s it? You’re not going to ask me for my credit score? For references? Anything?”

Her clear blue eyes settled on me, and by the look in them, it was clear Kat had already decided. “You seem… dependant and trustworthy. So, I’m happy to look at those another time if I feel like I need to, but I don’t think it’ll be necessary. This feels right.”

I shook her hand excitedly. Kat was right. This did feel right, and I hoped we would get along great.

“Is tomorrow too soon?”