THE START OF SOMETHING NEW [NEIL]

[AVA ALDRIDGE]

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The lotion was lukewarm as she poured into the palm of her hand. Regan wasn’t one for butterflies to flutter around in her stomach before she went out on a date. This was a date, wasn’t it? Neil had asked her to get coffee with him so of course that counted as a date, right? The lotion was from Victoria Secret and the smell made her feel soft and feminine – a smell of purple passion fruit, Shangri-la yellow peony and vanilla orchid. Her perfume was of the same scent and she hoped that he would like it. She was giddy, a possible schoolgirl crush, but she wouldn’t let is distract her from work. Neil could be something wonderful or he could be a waste of her time. She was running out of reasons why she couldn’t sleep with Connor when he pestered her for it. She wasn’t planning to use Neil, but she wanted to get to know him so she has somewhere to be other than the mansion.

Sliding into a black floral print dress Regan smiled at her reflection. She didn’t look sultry and sexy, but she looked warm and inviting, not innocent but caring – the perfect kind of soft and natural flirt that men were into despite what they said. She slipped her pedicured feet into black strappy wedged sandals, grabbed a thin white cardigan, and her purse before heading out to meet Neil on time. Of course on time meant fashionably late a few minutes after Neil. She parked her white Chevy Cruze outside of the shop before getting out and locking it. The wind picks up the end s her dress and the tendrils of her hair and made them float around her. She shielded her eyes with her hand from the bright sun as she walked toward the coffee shop. She bit her lip, but it was from nerves and for no other reason. She had never met Neil before this – lately she seemed to be meeting just about anyone because she talked to them on her computer.

Opening the door she looked for him in the room. Her eyes met his and she smiled, she was nervous and that was slightly a first for her. She did get nervous around men if she was worried about failing, but with Neil it was pure because she wasn’t sure what would come of this. She was giddy as he said hello to her and she nodded ion response. He offered is hand and she hugged him “A pleasure to meet you Neil,” she said with her Irish accent that was soft against the wear and tear of trying to fit in California. They ordered their beverages and what they were eating before heading over to a private section with two chairs by the window. “So, Neil, tell me more about yourself… If you want me to go first….” She said before tapping her lips.

“I’m an only child and I live at the Selwyn compound, but I hate living there. I have a certain head of a certain family trying to force me into sleeping with him. I know that it’s my job to seduce men to network and get their trust, but they seem to assume that I have no morals. I’ve always wanted to go wakeboarding and I enjoy going for walks on the beach. As you can see I love Bubble Tea and everything bagels with vegetable cream cheese…. I also enjoy grocery shopping, as odd it sounds and even I, on my bad days, love to go to McDonald’s and just indulge in their crap and feel better about myself.”

WHAT SHE IS WEARING

[NEIL TORRES]

Combing the brush through his chocolate locks, he winked at his reflection. His small apartment was deep in the center of the town, a place he was sure Connor would never venture into, and that was how he liked it. Most of his coworkers lived in the mansion on the outskirts of the town, but not he. He had a sister to take care of, and the last thing he wanted his dearest sister to be around was Connor and the rest of the Sewlyns. Sure, Neil wasn’t the best role model in the world, but at least he was trying to escape the life his father and Annie had forced him into. It was, in reality, all Annie’s fault for making a deal with the devil and never mentioning it to anyone. He spritzed a little bit of cologne on before turning and exiting the bathroom, making his way into his neat bedroom. Everything had a place in the room, and he quickly placed a watch on his wrist and fitted on. It was hard to figure out if Regan was actually excited for the date, or if she was using him for motives. Everyone in the Irish Mob has things on their agenda and things that others could help with…he was the thief of the group, the con man, and he had no idea what Regan did for a living.

Fixing his tie in place, he rubbed his eyes. Last night had been a late night again, spent with him taking care of his sister and trying to relax and pretend that everything was alright. It wasn’t. Connor had a feeling he wanted to leave, and no one left the mob unless it was in a body bag or something along those lines. Neil didn’t want to leave like that and leave his sister with no one in her life. His father and stepmother lived in a completely different country in a completely different world, and Lily would not be suited for their life of luxury and lies. Locking the front door behind him, Neil exited his apartment, took the elevator down a couple of floors before making his way into the crowded streets. ”Oops, sorry sir” he said, ‘accidentally’ knocking into a gentleman. The man grunted in return and made his way down the street, leaving his wallet in Neil’s possession. His job was too easy, it was like taking candy from a baby.

Opening the wallet, he rifled through it and took the two hundred dollars in cash out. Neil knew which man was rich and knew which man was poor. That was part of his job and he dropped the designer wallet into the nearest trash receptacle before taking out his own wallet and placing the cash into it. Coffee wouldn’t be two hundred dollars, but he had no idea if something would continue. He had no idea if she would want lunch, dinner, a movie, a night on the town or anything else. And he was a gentleman. He entered the coffee shop and took a seat farthest from the window, where he could blend in. The last thing he wanted was for someone to recognize him and use one of the many alias he had used. Or someone from the mob that knew both he and Regan and were willing to tell Connor all about their little date.

His stomach fluttered softly as she entered the room, her aura glowing. He stood up and smiled at her. ”Hello, lass” he said, offering his hand but instead received a hug. Their bodies meshed together and he smelt her skin, revealing in the smell of sunshine and perfection. He followed her from his corner to where they ordered their beverages and paid for both of them before following her over to the window seat. A chuckle escaped his lips as he heard her tell him everything about her.

“I won’t live in the Sewlyn compound because I hate being part of Connor’s gang of misfits and because my sister is here with me and shouldn’t be around people like that. I’m a conman by trade, but I’ve always had an interest in art. I steal everything, from wallets to diamonds to Leonardo Da Vinci paintings when commanded or just for fun. I love reading classic literature, walking on the beach, drinking coffee and taking my sister out for small fashion trips. I’m a family man, even though my father and stepmother live thousands of miles away. And I’m a hopeless romantic” he laughed “Now that we got that out of the way, how are you, love?”

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[AVA ALDRIDGE]

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She crossed her legs, something she did out of habit now. She wanted men to recognize and realize what a tempting being she was and perhaps it was the case with Neil – she did want him to realize how beautiful she was. Her smooth skin hit the light in a way that let the light bounce off them so that in the back of his mind he would be fascinated by the idea of touching them. She leaned forward a little, to show the soft curves of her breasts to him. She mentally scolded herself and begged for her to stop, but she couldn’t. She was desperate for him to like her, because she wanted out and he was out. She listened as he told her what he did and she smiled a little. Neil wasn’t her typical guy that she approached for dating, but she had been with many while working. He seemed to be a sweetheart, but there was no telling how he really was. If he was a con artist, a confidence artist, he would have no problem boosting her ego so that he could get whatever he wanted. She wouldn’t let her doubts cloud the date.

Asking how she was, she smiled. “Well, living at the compound is more boring than the History channel before it got all the interesting shows on there. You know, pre-2009 History channel. Connor doesn’t use me much and I have to say, I’m rather bored. He only seems to want a lay from me and I’m not really interested in all that hair he has to offer. I’m considering getting an actual job, like a waitress or something, so I can move out…” She snorted a little laugh as she stopped swirling the spoon in her tea and sipped. “Like that would happen. If you try leaving that damn place he’ll cut you, gut you, and let everyone know just how stupid you were for thinking you could get out. Which is why I gotta say I envy you –you practically are out – almost like a bird that has wings but its owner keeps them on a leash as they fly around in circles.” She studied him, this was one boring conversation between them. All she wanted to talk about was the compound, but she didn’t have anything else to talk about. It was embarrassing and it showed it on her face as her eyes flickered around amidst her thoughts and her face flushed.

“You must think I’m boring…. I don’t have anything else to talk about… No friends and I don’t particularly do anything exciting. ….I really am a whore after all…” She sighed and studied the people outside the window. “At least I have that one skill – a decent lay and something pretty to admire on a man’s arm. ….I’m borderline a prostitute, hooker, part of an escort service. ….Do you see how interesting my life really is not?” Regan didn’t know what love really was, but she knew lust. She couldn’t read him well after all, because he was guarded and she was so painfully open it hurt for her to be such a desperate woman. She wanted to leave, suddenly, this wasn’t worth her time. “You know, perhaps I should just go.”

WHAT SHE IS WEARING

[NEIL TORRES]

The sun hit their tan skin and he took a sip of the water that had been placed in front of him. She was beautiful, but in a way he was sure most men didn’t recognize. The freckles on her face were scattered in places that made her seem like a cupcake with sprinkles, and the way she smiled with her nose crinkled was just so adorable. His hands were caress her smooth skin, but he pushed those provocative thoughts out of his mind and listened. Part of him couldn’t help but wonder if she was here because he had a house that wasn’t surrounded by people that were out to kill everyone. He had an escape, even though it was often the opposite. The only reason he had a house was because he had signed a contract and wore an ankle bracelet. Lily had no idea and he was sure that Regan hadn’t noticed anything, because his pant leg covered the thick black thing wrapped around his skin. Connor knew he would leave, given the chance, and with a little bit of freedom, came a lot of consequences.

“He hasn’t used me since I stole the Van Gogh picture that’s been hanging in the hallway. It was my parting gift to the place that had become a hell for me. The only reason I left was because there was no way I was going to have my sister grow up around Connor.” Neil shrugged before taking another sip of his drink. “You don’t want to ask Connor to leave. There’s so much more consequences about leaving the house for another then staying. Trust me, I have a constant reminder” his ankle suddenly seemed so much heavier than before. “I’ll never be able to leave. My stepmother and her stupidity in the past are to thank for that. If it wasn’t for her, I would be writing mystery novels and making millions by not stealing.” His thoughts pondered up. But he shot her a smile, hoping that he didn’t seem too bored. He wasn’t. He was glad that someone other than his sister wanted to talk to him. Most people who knew him knew him from one of his many other names.

“You are not boring. You simply are caught in cage and trying to get out. I read books, watch the telly and take long walks on the beach. I’m pretty dull as well. I don’t run around and get drunk, mind you.” He teased, leaning back in his chair. But she began to stand up and Neil immediately stood. “No, don’t. Please. I need the company, and you’re the perfect company. I enjoy talking to you!”

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