Second Rate Chances

  Not liking the wistful expression on his face, the dreamy haze in his eyes, Makayla poked him in the stomach. “Well, I’m sure you and your boyfriend will work things out just fine.” To make her point, in case he still wasn’t getting it, Makayla added, “Neil’s finally in a good place…let him stay there, Adrian.”

  Adrian stared down at her, his green eyes deep and soulful, the kind of eyes that would wash you away, if you let them. Nodding, he quietly said, “Believe it or not, Makayla, but I want Neil to be happy.” He looked down. “That’s why I broke things off. I’m not…” He looked back up at her. “I won’t bring him happiness…not in the long run.”

  Makayla bunched her brows, not understanding. They’d seemed perfectly content while they’d been together. She shook her head and thought to ask him what he meant, but he twisted to leave her. As he was turning, he said, “Tell Neil it was really good to see him again.” Adrian took a step towards the kitchen, then paused. Cocking his dark head, he studied her for a second, then whispered, “Be careful, Makayla.”

  “Be careful? With what?”

  Adrian didn’t answer her, just finished turning and walked away.

  ***

  Chance disconnected his phone and bit his lip as he leaned against the wall and stared across the street at the bank. Being Sunday, it was closed, but Chance liked to stare at it anyway. It gave him ideas on how best to penetrate the meager defenses around the place. He’d been honest with Makayla when he’d told her that he worked as a security guard…he did. He’d just failed to mention that his work gave him a bird’s eye view on her work, that it was all part of the con.

  Chance sighed. The conversation that he’d just had with Adrian had sparked some feelings, feelings Chance had been trying to ignore. Makayla, his mark, was getting under his skin. He was beginning to feel the lines between himself and the con blurring…and that could be disastrous.

  And Chance didn’t need the complication. All he’d wanted from this job was a nice, simple con, something to take his mind off his spinning thoughts. And things were progressing nicely. Makayla was giving herself over to him faster than he’d ever believed possible. God, one date and he’d already spent the night with her. It hadn’t gone anywhere sexual—nor had he wanted it to—but they were bonding right on schedule. She’d bought every vague line he’d fed her, every secret that he’d hinted at, without ever actually revealing anything. She wanted to believe in him so badly that she’d snap the puzzles pieces of his life together in a way that made sense to her, in a way that made him a sympathetic, tortured soul. He’d show her how much he longed to be good, and then, she’d try and fix him. Then he would have her…she’d be wrapped around his finger in no time.

  But somehow, she was wrapping him around her finger, too. Somehow she was making him long to be the man she needed him to be. Remembering back to their date, Chance couldn’t help but think of the pull he’d felt towards her, the warmth he’d felt while holding her. This felt different than the other cons he’d run. At times, it almost felt…real. Confusingly real. He’d have to be careful against that feeling. He couldn’t risk letting any part of his real persona through…men like him didn’t do that. But there was something disarming about her…something that opened him, warmed him, made him want to be the person he was convincing her he was.

  It was eerily similar to the predicament that Adrian had found himself in not too long ago. He’d originally been brought in to do the job Chance was doing. His goal had been to seduce and turn Neil. From what Garrett had told Chance, everything had been going swimmingly until Adrian had decided that he couldn’t complete the con and bailed on the entire project.

  Garrett had been livid. If another job hadn’t cropped up the next town over, Chance was sure that he’d have permanently silenced Adrian. But Garrett hadn’t, and now the man was privy to the fact that the job was on again, with Chance taking the lead this time.

  Adrian was worried, no, scared, about what Garrett and his short-tempered associate, Reggie, would do to Neil. He was certain that the affair wouldn’t go as seamlessly as Chance believed it would. From the sound of it, Adrian was sure that it would turn into another World War, with the three of them busting into the bank fully loaded. Chance was not about to let that happen—he abhorred guns. But maybe Adrian wasn’t aware of his stance on the matter.

  The two con men had never actually worked together before. They’d only met once or twice a couple of years ago, back when Chance’s life had been a hell of a lot simpler, back when he’d been running cons with his dad. In his opinion, the entire reason a con man was needed in this job was to avoid a gunfight. Anyone could walk into a bank and demand money with a rifle. In and out without detection…that took a certain skill set, one that Chance possessed. And, except for his last job, Chance had a flawless track record. And that last job really couldn’t count as a strike against him…since he’d botched it on purpose.

  Sighing, Chance halted his line of thought and went back to his shift at work. Adjusting his uniform, he nodded reassuringly at an accountant type person entering the office building. Chance gave the man a tight smile, letting the overachiever know that he was completely safe with his alter-ego, Colton Burke, on the job. As Chance sauntered across the lobby he considered his upcoming plans to continue his seduction of Makayla. He couldn’t fall for her. He couldn’t let this turmoil he’d been going through weaken him so much that he let her in. He had to fight harder, put up stronger shields.

  He would just have to ignore the flush of excitement he felt around her. He would have to pretend that he didn’t feel his heart rate increasing when she was around. She was just another mark. Just another girl to use along the way. That’s all she could be to him…no matter how much he genuinely enjoyed being with her. No matter how much the idea of leaving her tightened his chest and twisted his stomach. No matter how deeply he was beginning to feel that it was already too late to pretend anything with her.

  Chapter 4

  Casual

  After the odd happening at Driftwood, Makayla and Neil took a leisurely walk through the local park. It was the perfect way to counteract all of the calories that Makayla had consumed lately. It was also the perfect place to help Neil ruminate through his past relationship and contemplate her own budding romance, if that’s what she was feeling.

  There was a slight nip in the air, winter trying to make a weak comeback, so Neil and Makayla walked at a brisk pace along the stone pathway cutting through the swath of blossoming trees. The color of spring was sprouting everywhere. It was a spectacular sight, one that Makayla looked forward to every year. She didn’t appreciate the harshness of the chilly, wintery months, but the way the renewal of spring burst out of the ice of winter was a testament to the perfection of nature. Nothing was quite as beautiful as the eruption of green life high over their heads.

  Smiling at the bloom of life around her, Makayla turned her attention back to her friend striding beside her. He was quiet, also studying the scenery around them. The park path edged around a large duck pond and a handful of geese were there, sliding back and forth on the glossy surface.

  They paused at the pond and Neil sighed. Makayla hated that seeing Adrian had opened some old wounds for him. She leaned her head against his arm. “You all right?”

  Neil smiled, then shook his head. “I’ll be fine. I was just…” He shrugged. “Do you think Adrian ever thinks about me?”

  Makayla paused, remembering her conversation with Adrian in the hallway. He’d seemed to still have some genuine feelings for Neil, so, he probably did think about him on occasion. She considered relaying that strange conversation to her friend…then reconsidered. Would it do Neil any good to know that Adrian broke up with him so he could be happy? Would it make any sense to Neil? It sure didn’t to Makayla. No…it would probably just make Neil march right back to the restaurant and demand an explanation. And that…would only lead to more pain, Makayla was sure.

  Shaking her head, she shr
ugged. “I don’t know, Neil.” Lacing her arms around his waist, she grinned. “But if it were me, I’d be pining over you every night.”

  Neil chuckled, then laid his cheek on her head. “Well, let’s hope Adrian’s just like you then.”

  Later in the evening, just as Makayla was climbing into her bed, her phone rang. Frowning, Makayla glanced at her clock then over at her purse, where her cell was tucked away. As she stood up, she wondered who was calling her. Maybe Neil had fallen back into the blues that he’d had over the summer. Or worse, maybe he’d called up Adrian, and they’d…reconnected. Biting her lip, Makayla hoped that that wasn’t the case. She’d hate for Neil to get his heart broken twice.

  Digging through her bag, she glanced at the screen before connecting the call. Smiling softly, she brought the phone to her ear. “Hello?” she asked, exaggerating her tiredness.

  “Makayla…hi, how are you?”

  Makayla let a yawn escape her. “Fine, Colton…how are you?”

  “Call me Chance…were you sleeping? You told me to call after work, so…”

  Enjoying hearing Chance squirm, Makayla faked a yawn again. “Oh, I was just dozing…I forgot about you calling tonight.”

  Chance snorted. “And here I thought our evening…and morning…had been memorable.”

  Smiling, Makayla sat on the bed. “Well, there you go…thinking again.”

  Chance chuckled and Makayla laid back on her pillows. “Hmmm…maybe I should call back when you’re more alert.”

  Makayla grinned, running a hand back through her hair. “I’m always alert when it comes to you…any robberies take place while you were at work?”

  Chance let out a deep laugh and Makayla pictured his handsome, amused face. “No…I even managed to persuade a potential pen thief into choosing the right course of action.”

  Makayla laughed out loud. “Oh God, that’s so…wrong, coming from you.”

  Chance chuckled, then sighed. “I’m not who you think I am, Makayla.”

  “Sure,” she muttered.

  The line was silent a moment, then Chance asked, “When can I see you again?”

  Makayla stretched out on the bed, imagining him beside her. She even looked over to the empty pillow next to hers. “I don’t know…I’m pretty busy.” She pictured his lean body next to hers, his warm lips trailing over her skin. Her breath picked up a little.

  “Hmmm…I can fit into your schedule. How about I pick you up at work for lunch tomorrow? You get a break, right?”

  Makayla stopped picturing him pleasing her body and frowned. “I don’t know if I want to invite you into my bank.”

  Chance laughed, the sound warm and husky. “Why? You think I’ll start plotting a heist?”

  Makayla giggled, then twisted onto her stomach. Even though she knew it was foolish, talking with Chance made her feel light and breezy, made her stomach tighten, but in a good way. “A heist? Sure, maybe if this was the eighteen hundreds…”

  “Good, then I’ll see you around noon?”

  Makayla bit her lip, thinking about it. Deciding that maybe he was right, maybe she was thinking of him too harshly, she finally conceded. “Alright…noon.” Makayla could hear a happy noise escape Chance and she quickly added, “But if I see a weapon, I’m hitting my alarm button.”

  Chance laughed again, then murmured, “Well, I’ll make sure and watch your hands very closely.” Makayla frowned at his comment. Before she could respond, he said, “Have a good night, Makayla…I think I’m going to miss not waking up beside you tomorrow.”

  Forgetting her objection, Makayla smiled again. “Not me…you hog the covers.” As he was laughing, Makayla quietly said, “Goodnight, Chance.”

  He murmured goodnight again and they disconnected. Makayla clutched the phone to her chest. Happy butterflies swarmed her belly, but her head was awash with warnings. Neil was right, she didn’t really know him or his agenda. But Makayla was a smart girl, and she’d never let her guard down…not around Chance.

  Noon arrived quicker than any noon before it. Makayla’s morning had been uneventful, so that wasn’t the reason for the fast-forward. The only remaining explanation was the lunch date. Makayla was looking forward to it, and dreading it, all at the same time. The combination super-charged the clock on the wall, and minutes flew by like seconds.

  She was looking forward to seeing Chance again, giving him a feather-light kiss again, but she still wasn’t sure about him. It sort of felt like she was inviting a wolf among the sheep, a fox into the henhouse, a kid into a candy store. Around eleven-thirty, Makayla thought to call the whole thing off.

  During a break between customers, Neil came over to lean against her cubicle wall. He looked better than when she’d left him yesterday. He was decked out in his “professional” attire, slacks and a fitted button-up. His dirty blond hair was a little spiky on the top, but nothing that would offend the older clientele. The dimpled grin was genuine. No, he didn’t seem weighed down by seeing his ex for the first time in months. Now that he’d had time to process the encounter, he seemed right back to where he had been before they’d gone to Driftwood. Even his pale eyes were still bursting with love and hope, open and accepting to whatever life might throw at him.

  “You look…tense. What’s up?”

  Makayla rolled out her shoulders and tried to relax. “Nothing…” Neil raised an eyebrow, not believing her generic answer. Makayla sighed and shrugged. “Chance is picking me up for lunch…just nervous about it, I guess.”

  Neil frowned. “He’s coming here?” He indicated the bank with his arm. “Is that…wise?”

  Shaking her head that Neil’s thoughts were always so in line with her own, Makayla chuckled. “It will be fine.” She raised her eyebrow. “I’ll watch him like a hawk.”

  Neil smirked then looked over Makayla’s shoulder. Frowning, he stood up straight. “Well, start watching, eagle eyes…your suspect is here.”

  Makayla twisted to the front doors. Chance walked in, cool and casual in worn jeans and a light blue long-sleeved shirt. He was even wearing sunglasses on this crisp, bright afternoon. Although the sight of him made her heart pick up its pace, Makayla frowned and glanced at the clock on the wall next to the doors. He was a half-hour early. Why was he so early?

  Chance seemed unfazed by her frown and jauntily walked over to her. Taking off his glasses, his eyes darted around the room before focusing on her. Walking up to her empty booth, Chance leaned against the counter. Keeping his voice low, he told her, “I’d like to make a withdrawal.”

  His accent did wondrous things with the word withdrawal, but Makayla made herself ignore it. Keeping her frown up, she leaned on her end of the counter; the move exposed more cleavage than she typically showed off at work. She did nothing to fix it though. “How much?” she asked, her voice low to match his.

  Chance’s eyes lowered to her chest, then he slowly raised them back up to her face. “I’ll take it all,” he whispered.

  Makayla felt her body flush and a wave of attraction hit her square in the gut. Neil sighed and Makayla could just imagine him rolling his eyes at the exchange they’d just had. Gathering herself, Makayla cleared her throat and straightened. Chance stayed hunched over the counter, his eyes taking in everything about her, everything around her.

  Dropping the seductive talk, Makayla told him, “You’re early. I can’t leave for another half-hour.”

  Chance shrugged and straightened. Smiling, he said, “It’s no problem. I’ll just wait for you over there.” He jerked his thumb behind him, to indicate the three or four plush chairs that made up the “lobby.” Makayla nodded and watched him turn around and head back to the sitting area by the doors. Carefully studying his backside, she bit her lip.

  “Oh great, you’re falling for this guy.”

  Makayla smoothed her face and twisted to look at Neil; he was frowning as he flicked his gaze between Makayla and Chance. “No, I’m not. I just…find him interesting, is all.”

  Nei
l smiled and shook his head. “Interesting? The Science Channel is interesting…the way you were looking at him was more like…Wild Kingdom.”

  Makayla smacked him in the stomach as subtly as she could; she could feel Chance’s eyes on her. Neil stepped back, grinning. His eyes looked over Makayla’s shoulder again and he twisted his lips. Bunching his brows, he shook his head. “Just don’t fall too fast for this one, Mack. I got a bad feeling…”

  Sighing, Makayla turned back around to stare at Chance. He was leaning back in a comfy chair, his warm eyes lazily drifting around the room as he people-watched. “I’m not falling for anybody, Neil, least of all him.” Chance’s eyes wandered back to Makayla’s. He smiled and Makayla couldn’t make herself not return the warm gesture.

  “Sure, Mack,” Neil muttered before walking away.

  Makayla frowned as she watched Neil walk back to his booth. She wasn’t going to fall for Chance. She couldn’t, not with their conflicting views on life. She tried to be an honest, moral sort of person. Chance…lived for instant gratification. He’d pretty much admitted it. She wouldn’t ever let herself get too sucked into a person like that. Even if his smile was dreamy…