Lost in Distraction (Lost #1)(33)
Author: B.J. Harvey

I suddenly remember about Shay’s party.

“By the way, Shay is having drinks for his birthday tomorrow night and wants us to go, are you keen?” I ask, slipping my sneakers on by the front door.

“Yeah, of course.”

“Great. I should be back in a few hours, sweetheart, so why don’t you relax and think about how I’m going to make you scream my name when I return.” I try hard to keep the smirk off my face but fail. She growls and throws a dish towel at me. I love how fiery she is now. She was sexy as hell when I met her, but with some spark she’s downright irresistible.

Damn, that man of mine is frustrating. Getting me all worked up and raring to go, just to leave me high and dry before going out for the afternoon. The least he could have done was give me a happy ending. He did redeem himself slightly by promising to finish what he started when he gets home, though.

Now I’m stressed because I have to find something to wear to Shay’s party tomorrow night. I want to find something extra sexy and enticing so that I can get Brax as frustrated as I am right now. That’ll serve him right for leaving me all hot and bothered.

I open my wardrobe to look for anything that fits the bill and as I suspected, nothing quite suits the look I’m going for. I look in the mirror and decide that the only solution is to go shopping and buy a new outfit. I text Shay for help.

Elle: Shay. I need you.

Instead of texting back, he rings me straight back, sounding all flustered. It’s really unlike him. Normally he is a smart ass from the get go.

“What’s up, Elle? What’s wrong?” he says quickly.

“Nothing, Shay. Everything’s fine. I just need your help with something for Brax. Do you have time to come out with me for an hour or so?”

“Damn, girl. You had me worried,” he replies, letting out a big breath of relief. Why would he be worried about me needing him? Weird.

“I need something to wear to your birthday drinks tomorrow night. I want to knock Brax’s socks off, literally. I figured you could help,” I add.

“Uh yeah. I mean, I suppose,” he stutters, suddenly sounding nervous.

“Look, it’s no big deal if you can’t. I just need to get him back for something and I need to look hot to do it,” I try explaining to him, wondering if this is a bad idea after all.

“Nah, that’s cool. I’ll pick you up in about half an hour. Sound good?” he asks.

“Cool, see you then,” I say, hanging up the phone.

I jump in the shower to get ready for my shopping trip with Shay.

I plan to meet up with Evans this afternoon, alone. Shay knows where I am and was meant to be my backup, but he just sent me a message saying Elle wants to go shopping with him.

Brax: Really? What’s up with that?

Shay: She said she’s wants to get you back for something and thinks I can help.

Brax: Lol. Now I know what she is up to. Just left her at home rather frustrated so she’s planning her revenge. All good, bro. Just make sure she buys something sexy.

Shay: Um I don’t think your idea of sexy is the same as mine, lol.

Brax: I know it’s not, no sleazy outfits!

Shay: You disappoint me, B. Don’t worry, I’ve got your back.

I crack up laughing. I hope Elle doesn’t agree with Shay’s idea of hot. The best way to describe it would be hooker chic.

I drive towards the meeting place I’ve arranged with Evans. I told him to meet me alone, but I know that he always has his goons surrounding him. I just want to get to the bottom of this thing. I need to find out whether Evans and Brimstone are working together and if the guy who has been stalking us is connected to him.

Pulling my car up beside the squalid warehouse where I was told to meet him, I feel exposed. It was stupid agreeing to come here alone, but I know Shay is tracking my GPS and Gibbons knows where I am as well, so all my bases are covered. I park my car in a parking lot opposite the building and wait for further instruction from Evans.

While I’m waiting, I receive a text message from Elle. I open it up and soon see a photo of Elle wearing the hottest corset top I’ve ever seen, stopping me in my tracks. One photo and I’m instantly turned on—that is what she does to me. Damn, I’m a lucky man. I text her back to let her know that.

Brax: Damn, woman, what are you trying to do to me?

Elle: Just reminding you what you left behind at home this afternoon.

Brax: Believe me, babe, I’m painfully aware of what I walked away from.

Elle: Are you sure about that, baby? Maybe I need to show you…

Brax: Grrrr, you are such a tease. I’m definitely taking care of this when I get home.

Elle: Don’t make promises you can’t keep, young man ?

Brax: Oh, don’t worry. This is a promise I’m planning to make good on, over and over again….

Elle: Dammit! Now I have to buy these panties, too.

My smile is huge when I read that last text. I love this little game of ours. Shit, that girl can drive me crazy. Now I have to think about something totally unsexy to calm my body down. What doesn’t help is that I can’t get that image of Elle in a corset out of my damn mind.

That photo is definitely being saved on my phone.

I receive another text which I expect to be Elle, but it’s from an unknown number.

Unknown: Come in the front door, unarmed and alone. Any trouble and we’ll have a repeat of the alleyway.

Brax: Okay. No trouble. I just want answers.

Unknown: I bet you do.

I text Shay to make sure Elle is covered, then lock my car and cross the street towards the warehouse. Just as I reach the pavement the rotten sliding door opens, rattling loudly on its tracks. I gingerly walk inside and jolt when the door shuts behind me. Shit, maybe this wasn’t a good idea. I walk forward and see Evans standing by a window, looking out over the riverfront. He’s wearing his trademark suit looking part business man, part mob boss.

“Evans,” I grunt, giving him nothing more than a nod.

“Braxton, long time no see,” he snarls.

“I bet you’ve missed me,” I retort with a smirk.

“You could say that,” he replies, frowning. “Would be a lot better if you were working for me.”

“That’ll never happen, you know that. I want to continue living my life out of prison. Now let’s get to the point of this reunion,” I throw back at him. “Have you got a guy on Elise? Black car, blonde guy, kinda creepy looking, your favorite kind of guy.” I stare straight at him while I speak. He looks at me for a good minute, then a wide grin appears on his face.