Everything's Better With You, page 1
Everything’s Better With You
Lucy Eden
Hello Dear Reader,
Welcome to my fifth novella,
Everything’s Better With You.
If you’re into love at first sight, steamy sex scenes, audacious yet innocent heroines, brooding alpha males & happy endings, you’ve come to right place.
This is a standalone story so you don’t need to read any other stories in my collection to enjoy this one, but I highly recommend that you do.
Be sure to visit me online & let me know what you think:
lucyeden.com
instagram.com/lucyedenauthor
twitter.com/lucyedenauthor
lucyedenauthor@gmail.com
All my best,
Lucy xx
Also by Lucy Eden
Melted
Capturing the Goddess
Conquering the Goddess
Cherishing the Goddess
Everything’s Better With Kimberly
Everything’s Better With You
Abigail Moore is an aspiring jewelry designer by day and bartender at a popular upscale gentleman's club by night. She has her job, her jewelry, her best friend, Janie and not much else until she's swept off her feet by a sexy stranger with a secret.
Nathan Price is the heir apparent of NYC's powerful Price family empire. Determined to set himself apart from his powerful father, he becomes his own man but his father's influence cast a long shadow that he may not be able to escape until a sassy beautiful stranger shows him the light.
Get wrapped up in this syrupy sweet, hot and steamy tale of true love & second chances.
This stand-alone novella has an alpha, virgin, love at first sight, safe, no cheating with a guaranteed happily ever after & lots of steam.
Contents
1. one
2. two
3. three
4. four
5. five
6. six
7. seven
8. eight
9. nine
10. ten
Epilogue
Author’s Note
Kimberly
Adam
Conquering the Goddess
Melted
Capturing the Goddess
Cherishing the Goddess
About the Author
one
Abigail
“Arby!” The barista yelled to the crowded coffee shop, waving a tall cup in the air. “Arby! Your coffee is ready. Arby?”
I rolled my eyes and stepped forward.
“Do you mean, Abby?” I pushed my glasses onto my nose and reached for the coffee.
“Oh, yeah, probably,” she replied. “You ordered a short black coffee in a tall cup?”
"That's me!" I smiled, grabbed the coffee and turned to head back to my usual spot. The large cushy armchair in the corner with a small round table is ideally situated in the corner in front of the large storefront window of The Java Palace. It's the perfect spot to curl up, wrap my hands around my coffee cup and people watch while I think of ideas for my next collection or sketch.
I took two steps toward the table when something made me stop short.
"Hey!" I yelled. A guy was sitting in my chair. His wasn’t facing me, but I could see my sketchbook slightly obscured by his broad shoulders and back. He was slowly flipping through the pages. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"
I regained use of my feet, strode over to him and reached for my sketchbook with my free hand. He turned to face me, and I froze again.
He was gorgeous. I mean, he was really gorgeous. He could have been an underwear model. When I realized I was actually picturing him in his underwear, I shook my head in an attempt to focus on the fact that this stranger had not only stolen my table but was now rifling through my personal belongings.
He shut my sketchbook and stood up. The man was handsome and also tall. He gave me a sheepish grin and extended his arm to return it.
"I'm sorry.” He smiled and stepped aside giving me access the chair. I was still frozen in place. "I guess I was just so curious about what you sketched in that book for so long when you got up to grab your coffee I couldn't help myself."
I was having trouble processing what he was saying. Was he implying that he’d been watching me sketch? How long was so long? I guessed my face was asking a question because he answered it.
“I’m not a stalker,” he laughed, though I wasn’t sure if being stalked by him would necessarily be a bad thing, “if that’s what that look is about.”
"So you just hang out in coffee shops waiting for people to leave their stuff unattended so you can go rummaging through it?" I asked, trying to sound braver than I felt. My heart was thumping in my chest, and other parts of my body were responding to this good-looking stranger.
“Well, no,” he chuckled again revealing one perfect deep dimple on his right cheek, “but you really shouldn’t leave your stuff lying around…”
“Because someone might take it?” I finished giving him a raised eyebrow.
"If I'm gonna steal anything from you, gorgeous," he grinned down at me, "it wouldn't be that sketchbook." Then he winked, and I melted.
"So, a cheesy pickup line and a dimple are supposed to make me forget you what you just did?"
“Okay.” His smile softened. “I definitely shouldn’t have gone through your things without your permission. Again, I’m very sorry.” One corner of his mouth turned upward. “And so is my dimple.”
My resolve broke, and I started laughing. He smiled again, and handed me the sketchbook.
“These are really good,” he told me as I took the book from him. His hand lingered on the spine brushing my fingertips and sending little shockwaves through my body. “Are you a jewelry designer?”
"Yeah," I replied and then thought better of it. “Well, no, not really." His brow furrowed. "I just graduated, and I'm still trying to figure out my next move. Right now, I'm saving for a studio space so I can move out of my apartment. I have four roommates and no place to work on my designs. So, when I'm not at my job I just come here to think and get inspiration."
I felt like I was rambling, but he seemed to be hanging on my every word. When I finally stopped talking, we stood in silence gazing at each other for what seemed like an eternity.
“Your coffee,” he said.
“My what?”
“Your coffee,” he repeated and motioned for me to sit. “You probably want to drink it before it gets cold.”
“Oh, I’m taking this one to go.” His face fell.
“You’re leaving?”
"Ummm…" I didn't want to go. Something about him made me want to stay, but I couldn't. "All of my roommates are out of the apartment, so it’s the only chance for me to work on some pieces before my shift."
We stared at each other for another moment.
“Do you have to go?” he asked. “We could grab lunch or…” I had to interrupt because one more word from him would have sent me over the edge and his smile made me want to tumble.
“I do.” I gave him a small smile and a shrug. I still hadn’t moved towards the door.
“I’d like to see you again.”
"I'd like that," I said, perhaps too quickly.
“How about tonight?” He flashed me a hopeful smile before rolling his eyes and smacking his forehead with the palm of his hand. “Shit! I can’t tonight. My friends are making me… I can’t tonight.”
“That’s okay,” I smiled. “I have to work tonight anyway, but I’m free tomorrow afternoon.”
“Great.” he smiled nodding. “It’s a date…Arby?” He glanced down at the scrawl on my coffee cup.
"Abby," I rolled my eyes and laughed. "Actually, Abigail, but Abby is fine. Most of my family calls me Abby except my grandmother. She calls me Abigail." Why did I always say too many words? This tall, handsome stranger made me nervous, jittery and other things I haven't felt in ages.
“I kind of like Arby,” he smirked.
"You can call me Arby if I can call you Dimple." I returned the smirk.
"You can call me whatever you want, beautiful." I blushed and looked down at my watch. I had to leave.
“Okay,” I said slinging my bag over my shoulder and hoping some of the heat from my face had receded. “Let’s meet here at one o’clock tomorrow, but now I really have to go, um…” I looked at him expectantly.
"Oh!" I had caught him off guard, he smiled nervously and rubbed the back of his neck. "Nate. Actually, Nathan but Nate is fine." He adding a wink and I giggled.
“Okay, Nate,” I smiled backing toward the door, not ready to lose sight of him just yet. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Okay, Abby,” he grinned. “I can’t wait.”
I was running late as usual and kicking myself for lingering at the coffee shop as long as I did, but I had an excellent reason. Nate and his dimple were incredibly handsome, but I had to focus. Three jewelry orders had to be finished before my shift, and I barely had enough time to get them done. I made good money bartending at the club, but the side projects were my lifeline. Doing what I loved and making money made me feel a little less lost and more hopeful. Plus the extra income brought me closer to moving out of the apartment and getting a studio space.
My Adidas pounded the pavement as I ran all the way home from the coffee shop. I burst into my unusually quiet apartment, tossed my bag down and headed to my bedroom. I dragged my jewelry box, which was a large locked toolbox on wheels into the kitchen. W
As my fingers worked nimbly over the metal, bending and shaping it into elaborate mini sculptures, my mind kept drifting to Nate. Something felt familiar about him, though I know I'd never seen him before. He's not the kind of man you would meet and then forget.
He was ruggedly handsome with short blonde hair. His face was covered with a short layer of scruff as though he hadn't shaved in a few days and I found myself fantasizing about feeling Nate's sexy stubbled cheek caressing my face, neck, and breasts as he explored my body with his lips. I remembered the electric sensation when our fingers touched and imagined him running his fingertips over the most sensitive parts of my body. My nipples constricted at the thought and I felt a hot tingling sensation between my legs. Now was not the time for a break and my body was aching for relief.
Nate had taken up enough of my day. I needed to focus. Every time I tried, his laughing hazel eyes floated to the front and center of my consciousness. It wasn't until I burned my finger touching the still hot tip of my soldering torch that I was able to snap back to reality and finish the jewelry. It turns out nine focused fingers work a lot faster than ten distracted ones.
I cleaned and wrapped the finished products, then cleaned and wrapped my blistering finger before taking the world’s fastest shower, getting dressed and heading out the door.
"Abby!" Mike called when he saw me running towards the club. “Tell me you have that thing for me." Mike was the head of security for the club. He was tall and broad with a shiny bald head. He was terrifying at first glance, which boded well for his position but he was a big teddy bear.
“Yes, I do,” I beamed, digging in my bag for the small package. “Do you have that thing for me?”
“Of course.” He dug in his pocket, pulled out a roll of bills and peeled off two hundred dollar bills and one fifty before holding them out to me.
“It’s only two hundred,” I replied. He smiled and pressed the bills into my hand.
“Rush fee, baby girl,” he laughed. “You are saving my ass with these.” He shook the tiny package at me before placing it in his breast pocket.
“I’m glad I could help.” I gave him a peck on the cheek and headed into the club.
The dressing room was starting to get crowded, but at least I wasn't late. I could still finish up my last two transactions and have the bar set up in time for our opening.
“Abby!” the other girls called as I unlocked my locker and began to change. Mika and Janie approached me smiling and rubbing their hands together.
“I have your goodies, ladies.” I rummaged in my bag again. “Ruby bracelet for you.” Mika gleefully snatched the satin pouch from my hand. “Gold ring for you.” Janie immediately retrieved the ring from her pouch and slid it onto her finger.
Both ladies paid for their jewelry, and I had cleared five hundred bucks for the night before I had poured my first drink.
I grabbed my cosmetics bag, plopped down at the nearest empty vanity table, and started to apply my makeup. Janie sat next to me, grabbing my lip gloss and beginning to dab at her lips.
“What’s up with you?” She eyed me. “Something’s different.”
"I have no idea what you're talking about." I tried hard to suppress a smile. Nate smiling face had floated once again to my consciousness. I began to dab on concealer, making a point not to look at her.
"Did you finally get some?" she said a little too loudly, causing the chatter in the dressing room to stop. We were a tight-knit group. Sometimes I wondered if we were too close.
“No,” I whispered before shouting, “I didn’t get some.” I was addressing the entire locker room.
“Well,” a voice said from the far corner, “you better hurry up because it might close up on you!” It was unmistakably Candy’s voice, or Candace when she wasn’t on the floor. The dressing room erupted in laughter. I joined in.
"Well, something's going on." Janie continued as everyone resumed their conversations and preparations for tonight.
“I did meet someone…” I began tentatively, “and he’s gorgeous and funny and sweet. We have a date tomorrow.”
“Nice!” She clapped. “I want to hear all about him!”
“Hear about him while you set up the bar,” a woman’s deep voice boomed behind us. “We have an hour before the doors open.”
“Sure thing, Gina,” Janie stood up, tossed my lip gloss in my makeup bag and turned towards the door of the dressing room, but not before giving me a we are not done discussing this look.
I dabbed on some lip gloss and stood to face Gina. She was grinning at me and wearing a familiar pair of earrings.
“Happy Birthday!” I returned her grin and gave her a hug.
“So, I know I have you to thank for these.” She gestured to the shiny tangle of jewels and precious metals hanging from her ears. “But tell me the truth.” She narrowed her eyes. “When did Mike order these?”
“Oh, ages ago!” I grinned at my boss as I lied through my teeth. “He wouldn’t shut up about them.”
“Mmm hmm…” She said smiling, clearly not buying a word of what I said. “Well, get out there. We’re expecting a group of whales tonight, so everything needs to be perfect.”
“As opposed to every other night when you don’t want everything to be perfect?” I flashed a smirk.
“Don’t be a smart ass,” she laughed. “You’re lucky I’m in a good mood.” She stroked her earrings.
Gina was married to Mike, and together they owned and operated The Gentleman's Club, it was an upscale private entertainment club catering to wealthy men and women interested in pretty girls, good food, and better drinks. It was the best job I've ever had, and I'd never made more money. If I didn't love making jewelry so much I’d consider staying indefinitely, but designing jewelry made me the happiest.
Jasmine, as Janie was known on the floor—because she looked like the Disney princess—and I made short work of setting up the bar for the night as I told her all about meeting Nate, my sketchbook and how excited I was for our date tomorrow.
Gina was buzzing at the staff meeting, checking and rechecking every detail. You'd think a king was going to stroll through the door tossing gold coins. As the meeting drew to a close, we surprised her with a birthday cake with a candle declaring her age as twenty-nine as it did last year, a few months after I started working here. We hustled to our respective positions shoving cake in our mouths and waiting for the doors to open.
The night started as usual. Our regulars came in early and chatted. Jasmine and I spent most of the night talking about a new guy she was dating. He was a stockbroker with whom she’d be traveling to Aruba in two weeks. I complained about my lack of studio space and talked about the new equipment I was going to buy when I finally saved enough to move out.
I saw Gina making a beeline for the front door. She thrust her finger in the air and made a circular motion, signaling for us to be ready. I smoothed my tank top and tossed my hair over my shoulder.
She returned to the main floor flanked by a group of about a dozen men. A couple of them wore sunglasses and dark suits. Behind them were a group of tall handsome casually dressed guys. One of them looked very familiar.
My heart stopped, and I froze as I tended to do in his presence. He was dressed for a night out, and his face was clean shaven, but it was definitely him.
He spotted me as he walked past. His brow furrowed in confusion before his face spread into a wide grin and there it was.
"Dimple?" I murmured. He jogged over the bar where I was standing and looked at me as if he'd spotted a unicorn and Bigfoot playing checkers.
