I stared at him. What the fuck was he getting at? And why was it making him nervous?
“They’re worse than the first.” He moved his elbows onto the table. “I’m glad you got out of that relationship, sincerely, I am. There’s a special place in Hell for a man like Zane.”
“That’s like calling the kettle black, don’t you think? Hell’s got a place for you, too. I’m sure you’ve had a fun time wanking it to my videos every night, but I’d really like them back now. Please, Doug.”
He cleared his throat as I said his name.
“I know what you must think of me, but trust me, I haven’t been ‘wanking it’ to your videos. I could barely stomach even watching them once. They’re all here on this phone.” He glanced down at the cellphone on the table. “They’re yours. You can have them. The only copies are on here. But I don’t think you should destroy them. Destroy the first, it’s useless, because it doesn’t identify you. But the others, they’re evidence against Zane. With my lawyers, those tapes, and your testimony against him, we could put him behind bars if you wanted.”
This was unexpected.
A big part of me just wanted to grab the cellphone, walk off, and never look back.
But Doug had a seriousness in his eyes that was hard to ignore. He’d destroy Zane for me—and all I had to do was say yes.
“I don’t understand. Do you like me or something? Why would you do that? You’re giving up your leverage against my brother, your leverage against your enemy, Lana, and for what? Me? You know that my brother’s been sleeping with your girl Lana, probably giving it to her right now as we speak. You know that, right? She’s into him too. Joe and Lana—L.O.V.E.”
He grunted. “Lana isn’t my girl. She never was. I don’t care who she screws. I’ve found a new way to get back at her.” He pointed up at the ceiling of the coffee shop we were sitting in. “I bought Weird and Wired. The whole company, I mean. Java Bean’s biggest competitor. I still want to take her down. I’ve just decided to start doing it legally. And as for you, Kathrine, I don’t know what I think of you. I’m trying to figure that out. But I’ve never felt so goddamned protective of anyone before. And I’m pretty much the most heartless bastard you’ll ever meet.”
I laughed. “I’m pretty much fly paper for assholes, so that sounds about right.”
This was the weirdest conversation ever. And it wasn’t ending the way I envisioned. On second thought, Doug was pretty damn handsome. He had a nice face and a strong jaw, a thick neck, and I was willing to bet some delicious gym-created muscles under his shirt. It had been a couple of weeks since my latest boyfriend broke up with me. I was overdue for a new man between my legs, and a couple of sheet-gripping orgasms to go along with it. The thought of it even made my clit ache a little and my nipples pebble against my bra.
“You know, I live like two blocks away. My brother’s not home. I’ve got a couch there. We could have a couple of beers, pop in one of my videos . . .” I winked at him. “and—”
“That’s really not funny.”
“The video part was a joke.”
“I got the joke, and I’m not laughing. I also don’t want to sleep with you. I said I felt protective, not horny, there’s a difference.”
He stood up.
Well, now I felt especially foolish.
“Here’s my card.” He took a rectangle business card from his front pocket and set it on the table as he picked up his keys that had been laying there the whole time.
“Call me if you want to go after Zane. Or if you’d like to have dinner. Dinner—not sex. I enjoyed our conversation today. I’m looking for conversation, not another quick fuck on someone’s couch.”
Wow.
He left me with that food for thought to chew on and walked right out of the coffee shop. I had to close my mouth because my jaw had been hanging open. I pocketed the cell phone along with his business card, not sure what I’d do.
* * *
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WANT MORE BOOKS BY SARAH DARLINGTON?
The complete KILL DEVIL HILLS SERIES is now available!!!
(Each can be read as a standalone.)
KILL DEVIL HILLS (Book 1: Georgina & Noah)
Noah is determined to escape his past and keep his life under control. Then he saves the life of his best friend's little sister, Georgina Turner -- who is battling her own demons. He can't get her out of his head, even if Georgina tears down the emotional walls he so carefully built.
CHANGING TIDES (Book 2: Ellie & Nathanial)
For years Ellie Turner's had a crush on television actor, Nate West. But it doesn't matter because Ellie's always strictly been into women and Nate doesn't exist in real life. In real life Ellie has her own issues to worry about. So, when the pair meets on an airplane, nothing life changing should have come from it.
PULLED UNDER (Book 3: Rhett & Sydney)
When Sydney Michael's lifelong crush—Ben Turner—died and she struggled to get through her grief, she decided to give up her virginity to Rhett Morgan, the most promiscuous guy in town, in hopes that he'd be the ultimate distraction. Only problem...Sydney only wanted one night. Rhett wants more.
ADRIFT (Book 4: Ben & Juniper)
Ben Turner is back! After unsuccessfully faking his own death, he's back home in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. With no plans for college or the future, and hated by the town that once loved him, Ben feels like he's drowning. Until he meets the girl next door, a runaway like himself, and she changes everything.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Sarah Darlington grew up in a military family traveling the United States --although, she's called Virginia home for most of her adult life.
She's the proud mom of two very special kids. She believes in true love, soul mates, unicorns, rainbows, and that Hogwarts really does exist. Before having kids, she worked as a flight attendant. And when she's not writing, she's busy plotting her next grand adventure.
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But First, Coffee Page 20