The Stranger - Unexpected Love: Keri's Story #1 (Short Story) (2 page)

"You need to leave," Leo growled as he curled a hand around the man's shoulder. He did not like the fact that the man had dared to touch Keri, and had yet to release her hand.

"When I'm finished," the man argued in return as if it was not an issue.

"You're finished," Keri warned him, her heart beginning to race. She knew that if Leo's face got any redder, blood might be spilled.

"Alright fine, I'm a member," he shrugged. "Trevor Marrero, sign me up," he grinned and winked at Keri. "Anything to look at these beautiful eyes just a little longer."

Keri's mouth dropped open. She knew that this was not enticing in any way, but she could not help it. None of the men she had ever encountered had attempted to be as charming as Trevor was.

"It doesn't work that way," Leo growled again, but before things could spin out of control, Marilyn was there to intervene.

"Trevor," she smiled as she offered him her hand. "I'm Marilyn Leava, I own this bar, and I apologize if Leo has been rude."

Leo shot a glare in her direction. Marilyn ignored him. Trevor reluctantly withdrew his hand from around Keri's and turned to face Marilyn. He took her hand in a polite shake.

"Great, so how do I join?" he asked, his lips curling into a playful smile.

"I'm not sure if you are really interested in our services," Marilyn said in a political tone. "I don't imagine you have any trouble in the romance department."

Trevor's brows raised in surprise. "Oh is this some kind of speed dating place?" he asked. "I've heard of those."

"Not exactly," Marilyn replied tersely. "It is designed for people who want to meet someone special, and start a relationship. It's closed to non-members so we can ensure the safety of our patrons."

Trevor turned back toward Keri and easily took the bottle from her hands. "Well as long as you're a member," he said sweetly to Keri, meeting her eyes. "Sign me up."

"She's not," Leo barked.

"I could be," Keri said before she could stop herself.

Trevor laughed, his green eyes sparkling with his amusement. "Well you guys figure it out, but I'm finishing my beer, and I'm hoping that when I'm done, you might join me for dinner?" his grin faded into a subtle smile which made it hard for Keri to think he was joking.

Marilyn peered over his shoulder at Keri and winced when she saw the twitching of a smile at the corners of her cousin's lips.

“Boss?” Leo asked Marilyn, his voice thick with sarcasm. He was waiting for her approval to toss Trevor out the front door.

“Just let him finish,” Marilyn sighed. “After all, who was supposed to be watching the door?” she inquired, casting Leo a withering glare.

Leo rolled his eyes and returned to his post by the door.

Chapter 3

By the time Trevor finished his beer, Keri had talked herself into agreeing to the dinner. She would behave, it would just be dinner. She barely had two pennies to rub together, and if a man wanted to take her out for a meal, what could be so bad? She just had to keep her distance and enjoy the free food. She still expected that Trevor was only teasing her though, he was not exactly the type of man she was used to dating.

“So, Chinese or French?” Trevor asked as he laid a few dollars down on the bar to pay for the beer and lifted those intoxicating eyes back to Keri's. Keri instantly blushed again.

“You're not serious,” she accused and took away the empty beer bottle.

“You're not interested?” he asked with a flicker of hurt in his eyes. Keri found herself locked into his imploring gaze.

“Maybe,” she said slowly, her heart quickening again. She felt like a schoolgirl, and she knew she was embarrassing herself. It had been a while since she had been flirted with. That reminded her of Daryl's arrogant smirk when he glanced up at her from the tiny little brunette he was sharing their bed with. Suddenly she didn't care if Trevor was too charming to be true, or if she would risk getting hurt, she needed to prove to herself that there were more men in the sea than Daryl.

“How can I convince you?” he asked as he stood from the bar stool and offered her his hand.

“Chinese,” she said decisively and stepped out from behind the bar to take his hand.

“Keri, your shift is not over,” Leo warned from the doorway, but Keri only wiggled her fingers lightly in his direction.

Trevor escorted her to his car, which was a late model sedan, surprisingly spotless. Keri had never known a man to keep his car so clean. Keri could feel Leo's eyes from the doorway as he watched her climb into the car. He ducked his head back in the bar.

“Marilyn are you aware that Keri is getting in this guy's car? Doesn't she know how dangerous that is?” he demanded.

“I'm on it,” Marilyn said as she walked out with her tablet in her hand, typing away on the touch screen. “Trevor Marrero, I am initiating a background check as we speak.”

Leo's jaw clenched as he watched the car speed away. “Hope it's not too late.”

Chapter 4

“So do you usually sweep girls off their feet, or is there something special about today?” Keri asked after ordering her meal.

“Something special about you,” he replied with his charming smile.

Keri met his eyes and winced at his words. “Does that cheesy line work on anyone?” she asked. Trevor reached across the table and took her hand gently in his. He ran his thumb across the curve of her knuckles and slowly raised his eyes to hers. His expression was no longer charming, or playful, but completely serious.

“It's not a line,” he said calmly and trailed his thumb in a slow circle along her soft skin. Keri shivered involuntarily, there was just something about him that made her react in surprising and unpredictable ways. In all the time she was with Daryl she had never felt so easily swayed by just a subtle touch. “I know I'm coming on a little strong, the thing is, I'm not in town for long, and I honestly want to get to know you better.”

Keri found herself wanting to believe him, even though she told herself she should know better. Take it slow Keri, she warned herself, don't buy into this.

“So you're from out of town?” she asked, attempting to change the subject, but not drawing her hand back from his.

“Yes, visiting for a few days,” he nodded casually as he continued to study her eyes.

“Friends, family?” Keri asked as he released her hand and sat back to make room for their dinners being delivered to the table.

“Work,” he said without offering any more information. Keri noted how cryptic he was being but she was distracted by the waitress pouring her a drink.

“What do you do?” she asked, and he cringed as he took a sip of his wine.

“It's really pretty boring, and you, do you enjoy bar tending?” he quickly changed the subject.

“It has its perks,” Keri tried to sound optimistic.

“Hm,” he said as he smiled a little. “Sounds like you're trying to convince yourself.”

“I had other aspirations,” she replied with a half shrug.

“Like?” he leaned forward a little, ignoring his meal.

“I wanted to get my business degree,” she said rather wistfully.

“Wanted to?” he repeated and furrowed a brow. “Or want to?”

Keri looked down at her food and couldn't help but feel as if he could see right through her.

“What are you twenty-four?” he asked as he took a swallow of his wine.

“Twenty-seven,” she said wishing to herself that she were a few years younger so that she didn’t feel like such a failure when it came to her career. From what she could tell Trevor was probably in his late twenties or early thirties.

“So why are you giving up?” he asked gently.

“It's more like I'm taking a break,” she replied and busied herself taking a bite of her food.

“Well no matter what you decide to do, bar tending, or owning your own business, I am sure you will be successful,” he smiled with confidence.

“You barely know me,” she pointed out, though her tone was warm.

“I hope to change that,” he promised, his green eyes shimmering when they sought hers.

Keri felt her heart melt as she wanted to believe him. In the span of one dinner she had gone from certain that she would never fall in love again, to wondering if she could ever forget the way his eyes shone so beautifully.

When they finished their meal, Trevor suggested a walk by the marina which was close to the hotel he was staying in. It was a clear crisp night, the stars filled the sky, and the moonlight cast a milky path along the walkway. As they walked, Trevor slid his hand into hers and held it loosely. Keri smiled to herself when she felt his physical connection again. The moment she felt it, she realized how much she had missed it.

“It's too bad you're only here for a few days,” she found herself murmuring as the sweetness of the moment warmed her.

“I'm here as long as you'll have me,” he said as he paused and pulled her gently closer to him. “I know it's fast, but I'm serious Keri, from the first moment I've never felt so much so quickly for someone before,” he met her eyes and Keri could see that he was hoping that she would believe him. She wanted to, his eyes were full of honesty, his expression was open and accepting, he was everything that Daryl hadn't been. He drew Keri a little closer to him, so that their bodies brushed together, and his eyes never left hers. He gazed down at her as one hand slid along the small of her back, and swayed her body even closer to him. Although his touch was firm, it was not forceful, Keri knew if she pulled back even a little he would let her move away, but in that moment she did not desire to be anywhere but in his arms.

“I don't mean to scare you, by asking for too much, too fast,” he said quietly as he studied her. “Just tell me, if you're uncomfortable,” he murmured, the sweet spice of his breath drifting lazily across her features. Keri didn't say a word, instead she crossed the distance between her lips and his, and drew him into a tender kiss. Trevor did not resist, he deepened their embrace, and Keri found herself drifting away from all of her thoughts of hesitance, all of her uncertainties, and her need for control. When their lips finally parted, she was smiling wider than she had in weeks.

“Wow,” he whispered as he continued to hold her close.

“What?” she asked with confusion.

“Your smile is amazing,” his grin was a mixture of charming and playful. Keri was suddenly aware that all of this was too good to be true. She had fallen under his spell so easily, despite her determination not to.

“I should go,” she said quickly.

A flash of disappointment crossed Trevor's face, but he nodded slowly as he released her. “I'll take you home.”

“No,” Keri shook her head as she stepped back from him. “I'll take a cab, really it's fine,” she insisted when he began to protest. As she walked away from him, she knew he was watching her, she could feel his confusion and could not blame him as she had never felt more confused.

Chapter 5

When she arrived at the bar the next day, Marilyn was there to greet her, but she was not smiling. “Listen Keri, I need to talk to you,” she said swiftly and tugged her cousin aside.

“What is it?” Keri asked, wondering if Marilyn had finally decided to fire Leo.

“I ran a background check on Trevor,” she said and showed her the display of the report on the tablet she held.

“Oh wow,” Keri said with a laugh. “That was fast,” she smirked, but she didn't really mind. She knew that Marilyn was only looking out for her. Marilyn did not smile.

“It can't be that bad,” Keri grinned as she began to sweep her eyes over the tablet. It was worse than bad, actually. There were several arrests on the report for assault.

“I'm sorry Keri,” Marilyn said honestly. “I could tell that you really liked him.”

Keri was disappointed. She had spent most of the night trying to convince herself that Trevor was worth taking a risk on. Now she knew that her instincts were really off, she was falling for a dangerous man with a history of violence. This was definitely not what she needed.

“Thanks Marilyn,” she sighed as she brushed her crimson hair back over her shoulders. “I knew it was too good to be true.”

Marilyn frowned sympathetically, but members began filling the bar. Keri took her place behind the bar and began fixing drinks, but she was not very talkative. She was relieved she had found out before things went any further, but she just could not get the memory of his touch off of her mind. An hour into her shift, the door swung open, and Trevor walked in. Leo bristled and began walking toward him, but Keri waved him off. She thought it would be better if she made things clear.

“What's going on?” Trevor asked with a frown as he glanced at Leo who was glaring at him. “How can he hate me more today than yesterday?”

Keri kept her expression stern. “Trevor, I don't think this is going to work out, I'd really rather you didn't come in here.”

Trevor stared at her, his eyes wide. He was not expecting her to jump on the bar and dance, but he was certainly surprised that after their kiss the night before she could be so cold.