Page 45 of Hale Yes (Highway to Hale #1)
“What do you think that means? Before we were seated, I said I had to go pee, and I’ve been in here so long, he’s going to think I have some kind of malfunctioning bladder or that I really came in here to poop.
But I just needed to know how to decipher what he said so I know what I’m walking into before we talk.
Because I’m starting to like him a lot. I mean, I was encouraged by what he said, like maybe I’m special or something, but that’s unlikely, right?
He doesn’t date. He’s not looking for anything.
He told me that with his very own sexy mouth. ”
Blowing out a breath, I reverse my circle because I’m getting dizzy going the other way.
“Okay, you’re right. I shouldn’t get my hopes up for anything more.
I know you didn’t actually say that, but I can literally hear you right now inside my head.
I should woman up, go out there, and have a rational conversation with him.
I just really, really like him, Lehra. More than I’ve ever liked anyone.
We get along and have so much in common.
And did I mention his mega-dick? Pretty sure I did.
“All right, babe. I’ve been in here so long, I really do have to pee now. Thanks for talking me off the ledge, even though you did absolutely zero talking. You’re the best. Love you.”
Hanging up, I push out a sigh. I feel better after saying all that out loud and getting it off my chest. Until I look up.
A woman is standing at the sink in the main part of the restroom. She appears to be about my height, so about five-seven, though she’s wearing modest pumps that perfectly match her periwinkle suit. It looks designer, the classic cut draping perfectly on her slender frame.
Her hair is dark with a few tendrils of gray at the temples. Weirdly, that makes me like her a lot. She obviously comes from money, but she’s the picture of aging gracefully. I would put her probably in her late fifties.
As she stands there with her arms crossed over her chest, she meets my eyes and smiles a knowing smile.
Fucking fuck a duck. How long has she been there?
I’ve been in the anteroom and there’s only one entrance to this restroom, which is behind me.
Even though I was distracted, I would have seen her if she’d come in since she would have walked right by me, so I’m assuming she’s been in here the entire time.
Which means she most likely heard everything . I stare at her, scrolling through the one-sided conversation in my mind.
The enormous dick, getting eaten out, the potential bruising of my cervix, the vehicular finger-banging, getting tied up… Oh. My. God… I talked about my asshole clenching! And she most likely heard it all.
“I am so sorry,” I begin. “I didn’t know anyone else was in here.”
“Obviously,” the woman says, her grin widening. Her lips are beautiful, coated with a lovely pink color that looks a lot like Hale’s Perfect Peony shade.
It hits me then, and I scramble back into my brain to see if I mentioned Helix’s name at any point in my long-winded monologue.
That could be a freaking public relations nightmare for the company if personal information of a sexual nature came out about a core member of the very high-profile Hale family.
Especially things that are a little on the kinky side.
I’m ninety-nine percent sure I didn’t mention his name because I didn’t need to. I’d talked to Lehra about my crush on Helix before, so she would be aware of exactly whom I was speaking of.
Sucking in a deep breath, I say, “Again, I apologize for…” I wave my hand vaguely. “All that. I’m normally a very calm and private person, but I was having a bit of a, um, personal internal crisis.”
Her smile fades into an expression of polite neutrality. “We all do from time to time, dear, and I’m afraid I’m the one who should apologize. I should have made my presence known, but you really seemed to be on a roll, and I felt bad interrupting.”
A giggle escapes my lips, and she laughs too, the sound light and pleasing to the ears. “I don’t blame you,” I say. “I definitely would have eavesdropped if I’d heard someone rambling about those kinds of things.”
She tosses the hand towel I hadn’t realized she was holding into the hamper and walks toward me, her heels clacking on the intricate mauve tiles before they’re silenced by the thick carpet.
“I know it’s none of my business, dear, but if I may be so bold as to offer a word of advice?”
“Of c-course,” I stammer, not knowing what the hell else to say. I’d just subjected this poor woman to the dirty details of my sex life. Surely I could hear her out.
“First of all, whether or not you’re special doesn’t depend on what another person thinks.
That has to come from inside. You seem like an intelligent young woman, and you’re obviously quite confident in your sexuality.
” Her lips turn down a hint at the edges.
“To be honest, that’s something I wish I had. ”
She looks sad, so I reach out and squeeze her arm. “You are stunningly beautiful…” I pause for her name.
“Ophelia.”
“You are drop-dead gorgeous, Ophelia. There’s no reason you shouldn’t have all the confidence in the world.”
“Oh, honey,” she laughs. “I’m way past my prime.”
Releasing her, I cross my arms over my chest. “Says who?”
Her perfect eyebrows wing upward. “Society.”
“Fuck society. Age is just a number, and no one gets to decide what you do with your body except for you.”
Ophelia laughs. “Oh my, you are refreshing, er… Sorry, I know a lot of things about you but not your name.”
“Nicolette,” I answer, feeling a blush creep up my neck when I think about all the things this woman overheard. She literally knows the state of my asshole when I’m thinking about getting fucked.
“Thank you, Nicolette. I needed that pep talk.” She dusts off her manicured hands. “Nothing like a little bit of shared girl power in the restroom to get the day started.”
“Amen.”
She blinks her pretty brown eyes and regards me. “Are you going to be okay, Nicolette?”
“Oh, sure. Just a momentary freak-out. I’m fine.”
Ophelia nods. “Good. Just be careful with your young man, Nicolette. Commitment-phobes are difficult to change. Many a woman has tried and failed. Protect your heart at all costs.” Her smile is back, this time looking mischievous.
“To paraphrase Johnny Cochran, if he doesn’t commit, you must quit.
Honey, if he doesn’t see your worth, then fuck him. Pardon my French.”
I can’t help my giggle at this elegant woman dropping the f-bomb. “Oh, you don’t even need to apologize for that, given the things you heard me say. I spoke French and then some. I was practically multi-lingual.”
“That’s all right, dear. I raised boys, so there’s not much I haven’t heard before.” She rolls her eyes. “Good lord, those three. The trouble they got into when they were younger. Remington was wild as a march hare in high school but calmed down in college and got serious.”
Did she say Remington? And three sons? A pit begins to open up in my stomach as Ophelia continues her reminiscing.
“Phoenix was mostly the instigator, and I’m not being unkind by saying that. He’ll tell you himself. I was always happening upon some booby trap or other after he and his twin watched Home Alone . It was a complete madhouse at times.”
Phoenix? Twin? This has to be a coincidence. Surely…
“And what is his twin’s name?” I croak out, bracing myself for the answer.
“Helix. Ah, he’s such a sweet and smart young man.
Now he’s the kind of man you need to be looking for.
So polite and unassuming.” Ophelia straightens her jacket and pats her perfectly coiffed dark hair as I attempt to not throw up.
“It was so nice to meet you, Nicolette, but I’m headed home.
Good luck with everything today. I hope you get everything you wish for. ”
And she’s gone in a puff of flowery perfume, leaving me standing in the restroom with my mouth on the floor.
I’m going to have to leave the country, I decide. Or better yet, the planet. I could probably qualify for one of those civilian space flights. I could study the effects of space on my brain as I contemplate my life choices.
But that would probably take a while to get set up.
No, I need something more immediate. Perhaps I could sneak into the kitchen and stick my head in the oven.
Asphyxiation generally takes less than five minutes.
Restaurant kitchens are chaotic places, and no one would notice a convulsing woman with her head in an oven, right?
Fuck me with an Erlenmeyer flask. This is a nightmare.
I take a cleansing breath and try to think of a solution besides imminent death or launching myself into space. Okay. All right. I’ll just remain calm and go out there and tell Helix I’m not feeling well and would like to go home. Then I’ll just let this thing between us fizzle and die.
Because if we date, it’s inevitable that he’ll want to introduce me to his mother. I’ve already met most of the rest of his family, so that would be the next logical step. But I can never face that woman again. I discussed her son’s big cock and called him depraved, for fuck’s sake.
Polite and unassuming young man, my ass.
Ophelia said she was leaving, so I’ll give it another minute and then put this hastily formed plan into place.
And I’ll never have to see Helix’s mother again.