Lace and Sin (Sinners Series Book 1) (11 page)

Oh my god I sound so desperate. I don’t really care
right now though because I’m on a weird high of happiness after my little
successful attempt of hacking or whatever you want to call it.

Carter: How about I pick you up at six and I take you
somewhere?

Me: Like a date?

Carter: If I say yes are you going to back out?

Me: No…

Carter: Okay than, yes…like a date.

Me: See you at six Carter x

Oh you idiot…calm the hell down, there’s no need for
kisses in a message.

Carter: x?

Me: Yup.

That’s the only explanation he’s going to get…if you’d
even call it an explanation.

Chapter 12

Carter

So according to what Jimmy found about Kayla Remy, or
previously known as Krysia Deminski, she moved to New York at the age of
eleven. He barely found that as it is, because according to him that name was
completely wiped from the system, which isn’t normal.

I’ve heard that name before…Deminski, Deminski. I run
it over in my mind, until Jimmy continues reading out his info. Deminski is a
known family across Europe for being illustrious thieves, who eventually
started stealing from the rich to give to the poor – kind of like a Robin Hood
thing if you will.

The rich obviously didn’t like that and they were
found murdered in their home in Poland, their eleven year old daughter missing
and presumed dead after never being found.

Fuck me. No wonder she has a hard time trusting
people, or letting anyone love her - this is insane.

I thought my world was a fucked up twisted way of
living, but apparently she’s had it just as bad, if not worse. That reminds me
of my wallet when I first decided to talk to her and can’t help but grin,
knowing she actually did steal it for whatever reason.

Glad she agreed to a date, I feel like I have an
opportunity to prove to her that she can trust me, that she can let me in, and
maybe I can do the same with her. I’m going to show her how much sweet Carter
is good for her. Why? I have no idea. Maybe I feel like I need to help her
instead of the other way around.

After hearing what I did from Jimmy, I wish I didn’t
know any of it, or at least heard it all from her first. That’s something huge
to keep your mouth shut about knowing, but I’m going to let her tell me in her
own time. I guess it’s my own fault for asking Jimmy to look into it all.

Sweet Charming Carter, coming right up.

Chapter 13

Kayla

So it’s ten minutes to six, and I’m sitting patiently
on the couch waiting. By patiently I mean checking my phone every few minutes,
and staring holes through the front door.

“Will you just stop, Bunny” Alek says from the dining
room table. He’s got some equipment spread out again that he’s fiddling with.

“Stop what?”

“I can hear you mentally pacing up and down, burning a
hole through the floor in your mind.”

“I am not” is my best and only come-back.

“Just relax would you, you’re even making me freak out
and I don’t even know why” he chuckles, “You’re acting as if this is the first
date you’ve ever been on.”

“Well technically…it kind of is. I don’t think I’ve
ever been on one before” I say and check my phone again.

“Okay calm. the fuck. down. You’re going to have fun.
Just act as if you would normally, except you’ll obviously have all your
clothes still on” he laughs loudly at his own joke, so I throw one of the couch
pillows at him forcefully.

“Says you who hasn’t had a real girlfriend since
eighth grade.”

He narrows his eyes at me but then just winks, “Okay
okay…so here’s the down-low from a guy’s perspective. If he messages you from
his car to say he’s here, then you’re just a booty call. But if he actually
takes the time to come inside to get you, he might actually like you.”

“Why do you say might?”

“I don’t know you can be a real bitch sometimes” he
laughs again. Me, a bitch? Never.

“There’s three more couch pillows here Alek, don’t
make me miss you and hit your crap all over the table.”

He laughs so hard he ends up holding onto his sides,
just as there’s a knock on the door. He instantly shuts up and loudly whispers,
“Looks like you’re not just a booty call, Bunny.”

I quickly get off the couch – almost falling flat on
my face in the process. I fix up the loose black sweater that slightly hangs
off my shoulder, and hurry to open the door.

As soon as I open it, a cool rush of air hits my face
and I shiver – Jesus it’s freezing out there. I take a quick look at Carter,
his cheeks flushed a little from the cold air outside, and thankfully he still
hasn’t shaved so he’s got the stubble across his jaw. I realise that he’s
actually a lot taller than me which is a nice change, I like having to look up
to see his eyes clearly.

His dark hair is a mess as he pulls his beanie off,
and I take in his bad boy biker vibe – black jeans, plain white t-shirt with
leather jacket over the top, and his black biker boots that are slightly untied
and hanging open. The longer I look at him the more I realise he somewhat looks
like Justin Theroux, and I’d be lying if I said he didn’t look good.

“What?” he asks, confused by my non hello welcome,
until he realises I’m staring at him lustfully.

“You just look good that’s all” I finally say and open
the door wider for him to come in.

I walk back to the living room to get my shoes, and
hear him shut the door behind him. He walks into the room as he’s running his
fingers through his hair, messing it up further.

“Hey” he says to Alek, to which he gets the manly nod
and a grin in response.

I quickly pull on my shoes, which are nude, high heel
military style ankle boots, over my black skinny jeans. I pull the sweater back
over my exposed shoulder again, and grab my black leather jacket off the back
of the couch. I wave to Alek, and we make our way outside to Carter’s car.

“You really do look good Carter” I grin at him as he
unlocks his car. As soon as we’re inside he cranks the heater, and I stick my
hands in front of the vents to thaw out my fingers.

“You don’t look so bad yourself” he laughs as he pulls
away from the curb. We drive for a few minutes, and I’m reminded of the first
time we drove together during the mini down pour of rain. At least I look
reasonable this time.

“So where are you taking me on this so called date” I
ask curiously.

“It’s a surprise” he grins and keeps his eyes on the
road, probably because it’s starting to snow, just faintly but enough to make
the roads a little slick.

“I’m not a huge fan of surprises. I mean I don’t mind
them if I don’t know there is one until it’s happened. I just don’t like the
time in between finding out there’s a surprise, and actually knowing what it
is.
 
Does that make sense?”

He stares at me for a few seconds and then looks back
to the road. I realise that I’ve just mumbled a whole lot because I’m nervous.
What is with me tonight?

“Do you realise that’s the most information you’ve
voluntarily told me about yourself, without me having to fish for it?” he grins
as if this is the best thing ever.

“Don’t get your hopes up, I guess I’m just nervous” I
say truthfully, biting on my lip a little.

“Why? It’s just me Kayla. Don’t even think of this as
a date, just us hanging out, talking shit. If it makes you feel any better, I
still plan on getting you naked later” he laughs - his perfect white teeth
appearing, even though it’s only a half cheeky looking smile.

After we drive for a little bit longer, I realise
we’re pulling in the car park of the Mikhalov building - odd choice of location
for a first date.

“Why are we going to work?” I ask, a little uneasy. Is
this some sort of trap? Is Abram going to be here? Jesus I really need to calm
myself down.

“Surprise, remember?”

“Remember the part where I said I don’t like
surprises?” I ask, sliding my teeth across my bottom lip.

Instead of answering, he pulls into the car park and
hops out of the car, waiting for me to get out. I realise that I complained
about guys opening car doors for girls, so I pull my jacket a little tighter
around me and get out of the car.

Luckily being in the underground car park it’s not as
cold down here, still cold but at least no wind. Carter locks the car and takes
my hand, leading me towards the elevators. I grin, because that’s kind of where
it all started, right here in this very same elevator. He turns to me with a
perceptive smile, obviously thinking the exact same thing I was.

He removes a swipe card from his back pocket and
swipes it through the elevator access slot, then presses the roof top button.
Why
are we going to the roof?

We stand in the elevator side by side still holding
hands, as the elevator slowly takes us to the top, one floor at a time. The
numbers slowly increasing as we go higher and higher - level five, level six,
level seven. I turn my face and watch him staring at the closed elevator doors,
and then up to check what floor we’re on.

“Stop looking at me like that” he chuckles.

“Like what?”

“Like you wanna fuck me right here in this elevator,
darlin.”

“Oh…sorry, I didn’t realise that’s how I was lo-….”he
cuts me off before I can finish the sentence though by pulling my arm to get me
closer, and practically slamming his lips to mine.

We fumble around trying to get a hold of each other
wherever and everywhere we can. Bodies pressed together, frozen lips and
tongues working with one another, but as soon as I slip my hands under his
shirt, he groans and pulls away from me.

“Holy shit your hands are freezing. I think this was a
bad idea” he says.

What was a bad idea…taking me on a date?

“What?” is all I manage to get out, still slightly
breathless, as we finally reach the rooftop level.

“Bringing you to a rooftop when it’s starting to snow”
he smirks and takes my hand again, giving my fingers a gentle squeeze. As soon
as the doors open you can already feel the cold harsh air, even before you get
outside.

We walk through the doors and out onto the rooftop
terrace, which I’m assuming not everyone has access to. I notice that on one
side there are blankets, pillows, and some drinks lying perfectly under the
night sky. The view, I can’t even begin to describe how serene and amazing the
view is - the stars shining brighter up here somehow.

He releases my hand and takes off his beanie, then
surprises me by sliding it on my head instead. Then he places both palms on
either side of my face, and gives my lips a soft kiss. His hands are warm, his
lips are warm, and everything is warming me up from both inside and out. I'm
finding myself falling for all his sweet gestures, and this certain charm he
has about him.
Who would have thought?

“You look cute” he says, no
humor
in his voice.
He almost looks like he’s debating something in his own head as he moves
towards the blankets, leading me behind him.

He squats down and pulls one of the blankets out so we
can sit on it, then once we’re both sitting down he pulls another one over us,
and pulls me closer against him. This is surprisingly nice, and yes, I admit
I’m actually enjoying being looked after a little.

We lean against some of the pillows and just lay there
against each other, looking up at the sky. He puts his free arm behind his
head, while the other is wrapped around my shoulder, holding me close, rubbing
my arm gently to make me warmer. I try to stop myself from staring at him too
much, but eventually end up looking up at his face anyway. I know he notices
because every time I look, no matter how subtly, he smirks a little.

“So tell me something about you that not everyone
knows” I finally ask. Not sure why I asked that, because if he shares then I’ll
feel obligated to share.

As if reading my mind he answers with, “Only if you
tell me something too.”

“Okay…” I say timidly.

“Okay?” he asks, head turning towards me
questioningly.

“Okay” I say again, and smile reassuringly this time.

He’s quiet for a moment, probably thinking of what to
tell me, and then completely shocks me by telling me something ridiculously
personal and colossal.

“My mum died when she gave birth to me, complications
or something, and I guess my dad didn’t want to raise a kid on his own so…he
gave me up. Thomas Monroe, that owned the company you now work for, he’s the
only father I’ve ever known or needed - didn’t care too much in meeting my real
dad.”

“Wow, that’s…very deep and meaningful for a first
date. I thought you’d tell me you accidently killed your goldfish when you were
little or something” I try to say playfully, and hopefully avoid having to say
something equally personal.

“I know what you’re doing” he says, obviously
realising I’m trying to avoid saying anything. But he just grins and keeps
running his fingers up and down my arm – it feels amazing, even this soft
gentle touch.

“Do you hate it?” I ask.

“Hate that I’m adopted? Not at all. My dad – Tom, was
probably one of the best people I could have ended up with. I had a lot growing
up and sometimes I took that for granted” he shakes his head a little as if
annoyed with himself. I realise that tiny detail of his life wasn’t written in
his records, which is highly surprising.

“My mum and dad died when I was eleven” I blurt out,
feeling like if I tell him that, he might not feel guilty for taking things in
his life for granted.

He sits up a little, “I’m sorry, Kayla.” He pulls me a
little closer so now my head is resting against his chest, which I’m thankful
for because if I cry I don’t want him to see me like that, to see me weak. I
shouldn’t even be the one crying, I mean he literally just lost his dad a few
months ago. I understand what he might be going through.

“Don’t be sorry, Carter” I smile softly, not that he
can see anyway, “I learned to live with it, focused on something else instead
of sorrow and misery, you know?”

He’s quiet for a moment and I can only imagine the
questions he wants to ask – how did they die? Why? Who did it (when I tell him
they were murdered). Instead, he asks, “What did you focus on instead?”