Mercenary and the Beauty Ch. 4

It had been close to 3 months since that night she laid in bed with Toll, but since then he was still kind and friendly, but he didn't give any sign to her that he was interested. Letting out a sigh, she sat at her desk, looking at the reports that her boss needed. Not wanting to get lost in the spiral of doubt, Amelia ran her reports and made coffee for the office, by the time lunch came around, she found Kevin sitting near her desk. He was a nerdy type like her, sweet, and he asked her out once, but at the time she was holding out for Toll, but that seemed like a dead end.

Walking up to him, "Got nothing better to do than sit at my desk? No computers to fix?" she teased him.

Looking up at her, he couldn't help but smile at her, she was kind, and pretty. "I just finished debugging Johnson's computer, again." Standing up, "I'm actually here to see if you'd like to grab a quick dinner? No expectations, just a dinner, see if we mesh outside of work?" He didn't want to assume that she would date him, but he'd call it a win if he could get one date out of her.

Staring at him, it was just a dinner, "OK, one dinner. No expectations." Giving him a small smile.

"Is tonight too early?" he asked. Excited that he would get a chance.

Shaking her head, "No. What time?" she asked. Hoping that she would have time to go home and at least put on something less stuffy.

"7? Does that work?" he asked her. Seeing her nod, "OK, well how about we meet at Taylors, since no expectations." He teased.

Laughing at him, "That works." Getting back to her desk, she went to work, but as the end of her shift approached, she realized that she had no idea what she would wear, while she dated a bit in college, she wasn't exactly an expert on dating. Reaching for her phone, she sent at text.

TEXT:
Lace, I need help. Going on a date, have no idea what to wear. Tell me you can meet me at the house after work?
TEXT:
REALLY? OMG, yes. I'm off anyway. Lee is with the guys. What time?
TEXT:
Need to meet him at Taylors at 7, I'll be home by 4, anytime after that.
TEXT:
I'll be waiting for you.

Lacey smiled down at her phone; she was going to have a good time helping Amelia get ready and dropping the bomb on Toll Road. She could see that he was head over heels for Amelia, but never doing anything about it. In the months that she's known Amelia, she's all but flashed him to give him the signals, so anything that happens now, or didn't happen between them, it was now on him. Grabbing her things, she put together some things that Amelia would like to try.

Amelia was pulling into her driveway when she found Lacey sitting on her porch swing, "How long have you been waiting there?" she asked.

"Not too long, you ready?" she said, holding a bag.

Nodding, "Let's get this done." Stepping into her house, Amelia darted towards her bathroom, jumping in the shower, she quickly washed her hair, body, and did a cursory shave. Not that she planned on anything, but if he accidentally bumped her legs, she didn't want to be fuzzy.

Stepping out and wrapping the towel around herself, she found Lacey sitting on her bed, "Lets do this. I want to go for flirty, not fuck me." Hoping that she understood.

Nodding, Lacey set to work, not that Amelia really needed too much time, she was naturally gorgeous. It took about an hour, but as she finished up, she couldn't help but admire her handy work. All she did was straighten her hair, put a little shadow on. But the masterpiece was her outfit, it was a mid-length cream colored dress with a sheer pink lace overlay. "You look good sweetie."

Standing up, Amelia looked at herself, smiling, Lacey gave her what she was asking for, sweet and flirty nothing indicating slutty. "Thanks Lacey. I'll text you when I get there, and when I leave."

Lacey watched her friend drive towards her date, glad that she was able to help. Amelia deserved someone that was willing to at least give it a shot. It didn't take her long to get to the shop, finding Lee in the garage, "Hey babe."

Looking up, he saw his girl walk in, "Hey." Giving her a kiss, "I figured you'd be here after work, everything OK?" he asked.

Seeing only Toll Road in there, she knew this would be her only opportunity, "Of course, Amelia had a date, I was helping her get ready." Keeping her eye on Lee, but she could see the moment Toll tensed up. Not wanting to bring attention to that, she smiled at Lee, looking at his face, "Stop that right now, she's a healthy, beautiful woman, she deserves a guy that wants to spend time with her." Taking a small jab at the man that was now standing and walking out of the garage. She hoped that would get his ass in motion.

Finding his way into this apartment, after he slammed the door, he punched a hole right through it. Why didn't he do something when he had the chance? She stayed the night, she even left him a note saying that she was hoping for a next time. He needed to be alone, he wasn't safe to be around anyone at the moment, grabbing a beer from the fridge he just sat there, drinking, stewing, his anger brewing.

Another hour or two went by, and his blood was boiling, not thinking about anything other than his rage, jumping on his bike he just drove, needing to calm down. Anything to keep him from exploding and killing someone that just got in his way.

Amelia smiled at Kevin, they had a great time, but as they walked out of the restaurant, they shared a look, realizing that there was no chemistry. Putting his hand on her shoulder, "Too bad, I was hoping." Opening her car door, "Still friends at work? Right?"

Giving him a hug, "Most definitely." Jumping in her car, she sent Lacey a text.

TEXT:
Had a good time, but no chemistry. Think I'm going to head home.
TEXT:
OK. I'll swing by tomorrow; we need to have a girl to girl. Love ya.

Smiling at the text, Amelia headed home, her mind was filled with this evening's events. They chatted, they had a great meal, they even had a lot of things in common, but after a while it was clear that they were honestly more like friends. Her mind kept playing over every guy see has ever dated, that seemed to be a theme, friend. She always wanted to be friends with her guy, but she also wanted to be desired like a real woman.

She was 24, almost 25 and she had 1 serious boyfriend, but that was in high school, he was her first everything, but he wanted to go down south to college, and Amelia didn't want to leave Colorado just yet. In college, she went on a few dates, but other than the one sloppy one-night stand, she didn't have too many dates. At the time she was OK with that, she needed to focus on school anyway, but now, as she navigated her young adult life, she lacked the know how to interpret flirting. The obvious drunk, asshole kind she figured out.

Pulling into her driveway, she closed her eyes and felt a tear slide down her face, it was utterly depressing that she was the eternal friend, never the one that anyone chose. Stepping out of the car, she headed inside, she needed to relax, and perhaps relieve some stress.

Kicking off her heels, she made a beeline to her tub, stripping as she went to the room, tossing everything off in the corner, turning the tub on, she threw some bath salts in to relax. Looking around her bathroom, smiling at the remodel, grateful that she had help from the guys. Looking at the water fill the tub; she was getting ready to step in and slip under the hot water but banging on her door stopped her. "Damn it."

Not wanting answer her door in just a towel, she grabbed the dress she tossed off in the corner, hearing the banging again, she frowned, impatient much. Running to the front of the house, she didn't bother to check the peep hole, she was just pissed that whoever it was about to bust down her door. Swinging it open, "WHAT?" she barked. Her eyes went wide seeing a very pissed Toll Road.

Surprised by her anger, he took a second to collect his thoughts, but as he looked at her, her hair was a mess, her cheeks were flushed, and her dress was wrinkled. It just sent him even deeper into his anger, he was going to kill the guy that touched his woman. Pushing past her, he heard her asking him what the fuck he was doing, but he knew where he was going to find him, in her bed, pushing the door open, finding no one, the sound of running water had him heading into the bathroom. Damn near ripping the door off the hinges, he stepped in ready to snap a mother fuckers' neck. But he found the bathroom empty. Hearing her behind him, he turned, grabbing her by her shoulders, "WHERE IS HE?" he barked at her.

Eyes going wide, and a little scared, she could see he was angry, "Who? Who are you looking for?" she asked, trying to keep her voice from shaking.

He could see that he was scaring her, letting her go, he looked around the room, "Your date? Where is he Amelia?" He demanded.

Staring at him like he was insane, which she started to believe, "Umm, at home? I think. I don't' know, we separated after dinner." Holding his eyes, about to start yelling at him, but the sound of the water brought her out of that for now. "Shit." Moving past him, she turned off the faucet, grateful that it wasn't overflowing. Turning back to the door to ask him what his damage was, she found him staring at her.

"Why are you so flushed then?" Not moving from the doorway. His eyes never leaving hers.

Letting out a sigh, "I got home, I wanted to relax, was going to take a bath, and I was literally about to step into the water when you started beating on my door, I didn't know who it was, so I grabbed my dress and slipped it back on and ran to the front door." Biting her lip, "And now we are here, in my bathroom."

Pouting at the thought of not getting her bath, she leaned down and pulled the plug, as she watched the water drain, she stood, and walked around him and headed straight to her living room, hearing him behind her, once she felt less confined, she looked at him, "WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING BEATING ON MY DOOR?" she yelled at him. Beyond pissed.

In the months that he's known her, she's never raised her voice, but here she was, yelling at him. It only stoked his rage. "I WAS MAKING SURE YOU DIDN'T FUCK YOUR DATE."

Blinking at him, "You listen here, you caveman, I'm a single woman, so what I do, is my business." Getting even more pissed, what about her gave the impression that she was sleeping around, "AND what the hell makes you think 1 date is going to make me jump on a dick? I'm not a fucking whore." Stepping back, she was beyond angry, was that what he actually thought of her? Easy?

Her words stung, he could see that she was shaking with anger, but underneath the anger he could see her tears. He made her cry. Not knowing what to say, "I'm sorry." With that he turned and started to head out the door.

She watched as he looked like she just kicked him, she cared too much about him to let their friendship be strained, "Why were you so angry? I get that you see me as a kid, but I swear I'm an adult woman." Her voice was shaking, she hated that of all the guys he was the one that thought of her as a sister.

Turning back, he could see that she was confused, a kid? She was anything but a kid in his eyes. "I don't see you as a kid." Rubbing his face, "I'm angry because I didn't say anything, and now you're dating, I'm too late." As the words left his mouth, he punched the door, hearing it crack.

Gasping at his brutal aggression, she eyed him, "It was one date." Needing to take a moment to process what was going on, she sat on the couch, patting the seat next to her. "Sit, you're freaking me out, and I really don't want to replace my door."

A small smile touched his face, sitting down he could see her staring at him, this was the first time she's seen him react violently, he could see her watching him, "I'm not going to hurt you." Feeling like a piece of shit for scaring her.

"I know. I'm more worried about my doors. You already broke my bathroom, and my front door is praying you got it out of your system." She teased. Seeing his knuckles, they were a little bloody, standing headed to the kitchen getting her first aid kit, coming back, she sat down, and started to clean them off, "I still don't understand this level of anger for a date." She said, keeping her eyes on the task at hand. Placing a little gauze and wrapping it, she found him staring at her.

He watched her as she gently took care of his knuckles, "I'm sorry for scaring you." His eyes finding hers, with a small nod, "I got jealous."

Stopping what she was doing, she stared at him, "Pardon?" Almost thinking she imagined those words.

Feeling like a fucking moron, but he already opened his fucking mouth, "I was jealous, the thought of another man touching you, it didn't sit well. I don't know if I could handle it when you eventually bring someone around."

Not even thinking, she wrapped her hand on his neck and leaned up, placing a kiss on his lips. She didn't care if he thought she was nuts, she was going to take her shot.

He was frozen for about 10 seconds, but his brain jumped into gear quickly. Wrapping his arm around her body, he pulled her as close as he could. Her lips were soft, everything on her was soft, but he needed more, demanding entrance, he almost groaned as she let him inside her mouth, and how her tongue tasted. Strawberry, mint, and wine. Wanting her closer, he pulled onto his lap holding her in place as he dominated her mouth.

Tilting her head for him, she felt him pull her on his lap, instinctively wrapping her arms around his shoulders, holding him. But as her body was reacting, a very small part of her brain remember she wasn't wearing any panties, or a bra, not that she was ashamed, but she needed a second.

Pulling back, she felt his hands grip her tighter. Keeping her head on his, she breathed him in, and attempting to catch her breath. A light touch on her cheek, caused her to open her eyes, finding him staring at her.

"Amelia, I don't think I can handle you not being sure." Using his thumb, he rubbed her cheek, "Tell me, is this fun, or do you want me?"

Leaning into his touch, "You. I don't want just fun." She wanted him for so long, but she wasn't going to rush into this either.

Smiling at her, gently kissing her, "OK. One day at a time." Knowing that she needed to know who was touching her, a killer, a paid killer. Not knowing what compelled him, perhaps, he just needed her to be sure. "I kill people Amelia. It's my job. I'm damn good at my job." His eyes locking on hers. "I will always be this man." She needed the truth. He wasn't going to start anything with her, without it, she deserved the truth.

Hearing the words that she as thought for months was scary, and intimidating, but deep in her soul she knew that's what they all were, killers. But she needed to know one thing, "Do you kill just anyone as long as the pays right, or do you have rules or something?" she asked.

"We find about a job, we research the targets, we all have to agree. We don't wage war on a village, and no woman or children, ever." Worried that she was scared of him.

Kissing him lightly, "OK. I had my suspicions for a while. Just promise me, don't lie to me, I'm not asking for details per say, but don't lie to me, either." Holding his shoulders, she could see that he was worried about scaring her with his truths, "Stop that. I'm not so fragile I can't handle things, but this doesn't work unless we are honest."

Pulling her into a deep hug, "OK. Honest. No Details, but honest."

Yawning, she could only agree, "Deal." Sitting up, she knew she had to tell him one her darkest truths, Tool knew, but this was different, he was someone that she was letting in, and if she wanted his honestly, she needed to give him hers.

"When I was 13, I thought it was a great idea to hack NASA," letting out a breath, she found his concerned eyes looking at him, "Homeland, did not find it as entertaining as I did, so, I was told I had two options, Maximum Security Prison, or work for them as a hacker, I chose the 2nd option. But at 17, I designed a delivery system, it was meant for aid packages, but I found out the CIA used it for a bombing, and hundreds of people died that day." Wiping her face, from the tears that were falling down her face, "I told Homeland and the CIA to let me go, or send me to prison, but I wasn't going to help them anymore, they let me go, obviously, and I haven't touched a computer other than basic work shit, or emails, I never will again." Turning her head, she didn't want to see if that was too much for him.

Turning her face towards him, "So, you don't hack or anything like that anymore?" Not that it would upset him if she did, he just wanted to know.

Shaking her head, "No. I have no desire to have the government to have a reason to mess with me. I went to school for something so far away from technology." She could see his face, he didn't seem to upset, "Tool knows, I told him one night, long before, I figured if he was what he was, he'd want to know." Wiping her face, "and now I'm telling you, because you mean something to me, I don't want you to find out and think I was keeping it from you."

He understood, he appreciated her honesty, but it didn't matter, she was his, but he would talk to Barney and the guys, so they weren't taken by surprise, but that was something he would deal with another time. Right now, he wanted to hold her, "Would you be opposed to me staying the night?"

Shaking her head, "No, my bed is 1000x better than yours." She teased. Carefully getting off his legs, she walked to the front door, making sure that it was locked.

As they settled in for the night, he pulled her into his chest, "You do know that I'm never letting you go."

Kissing over his heart, "Good." There were honestly no complaints that she would have one that statement.

Feeling her settled in on him put him at an ease that he never knew existed.