“Okay,” I said. “We’ll make it work here.”
Her eyes lit up so bright before she launched herself at me. Millie wrapped her arms around my neck and squeezed tight as I closed my eyes and breathed her in again. I tentatively placed my hands on her back for a moment before removing them. I was scared if I held her for too long, I wouldn’t want to let go.
And that wasn’t an option.
Not yet.
When my phone started ringing in my pocket, she pulled away, and although I missed the feel of her against me instantly, it was much easier to think without her so close. “That’s probably Hausle,” I said as I fished my cell out of my pocket.
A number I didn’t recognize flashed across the screen, and I held up a finger, asking Millie to wait as I turned around to answer it.
“McGraw.”
“Is this Ashton?”
Where did I recognize that voice from? “Yes. This is.”
“Hey! It’s Jenni from last night. I hope I’m not catching you at a bad time.”
I glanced behind me at Millie before turning around again. Her eyes were narrowed with suspicion already, so I took a couple steps away from her.
“It’s okay. What’s up?”
“I think I left my fucking metrocard at your place and I didn’t notice until I tried to take the subway to work. I’ve looked everywhere for it and I can’t find it. The last place I remember having it was in my jeans pocket, so I’m thinking it might be somewhere in your bed.”
There was a soft gasp behind me, and I spun to find Millie with her eyes wide and her hands in fists. I frowned at her, but she just shook her head and stormed off.
“Ashton?” Jenni said.
I turned around and tried to focus on the conversation. “Yeah. I’m here. Sorry, I haven’t been home yet, but when I get there in a little bit I’ll look around and give you a call back.”
“That would be great! Thanks so much!”
“Don’t mention it,” I said as I hung up and took off after Millie.
I found her over at the fire escape window and crossed the room to stand by her side. “I had my guy add another lock over here,” I said. “And your new keys are on the kitchen counter.”
“Great,” she said before spinning around and walking away.
I frowned at her back. “Everything okay?”
“Just peachy.”
I closed my eyes for a moment and took a deep breath before following after her. This time she was in the kitchen, sitting on a countertop with her long, bare legs crossed and her new key ring spinning around her finger.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
She continued to stare at her finger as she twisted the metal ring around and around. “Who was that on the phone?”
I tilted my head as I watched her, unsure of where this was going. “Um. A friend?” I’m not sure why that came out as a question, but I was confused as fuck and had no idea what was happening.
“Do you sleep with all your friends?”
I jerked back at the venom in her words. “No. Of course not.”
“I just find it funny that you had the nerve to call me out on trying to make you jealous when you’re sleeping with other women.”
“Woah, who said I was sleeping with her?”
“I heard her! She said she left something in your bed!”
“How did you–”
“I’m a vampire, Ashton.” She spat my name.
“I don’t know what you think you heard, but it’s not that.”
She caught the keyring in her fist and turned away from me. “I know exactly what I heard. And now I think it’s time for you to go.”
Her words almost blew me back a step. “Are you serious right now? You’re not even listening to me.”
She kept her face turned as she spoke. “I don’t want to hear it. Just go.”
I stood there watching her for longer than I should have before shaking my head and turning around. If she didn’t want to listen, if she wanted to just make assumptions, then that was her prerogative.
I’d tried to explain myself, but frankly, I didn’t owe her an explanation. I hadn’t done anything wrong. Not that hooking up with Jenni would have been wrong. I was single, for fuck’s sake, and Millie’s had her fucking boy toy here every day this week.
Where did she get off being mad at me?
She overheard one private conversation and now she was the victim? After I’d had to watch that slimy bastard eye-fuck her while I stood there with my hands tied.
No.
Fuck that.
I didn’t have to put up with this shit.
My hands clenched into tight fists as I stormed through her apartment and let myself out. I took an extra moment to make sure all her locks were secured before I stomped over to the stairs. I was too pent up to stand in a little elevator box.
I raced home, my head in snarls and my foot heavy on the gas. When I got up to my apartment, I slammed the door closed and ripped the top button of my shirt open. I put my hands on my hips and just tried to breathe through the anger.
But it wasn’t helping.
I marched into my room, ready to take off my uncomfortable-ass clothes and try to forget about the last half hour, when the sight of my rumpled sheets stopped me. I always made my bed, but I hadn’t been the one to sleep in it last night.
With a sigh, I shook the sheets out, and Jenni’s metrocard fell onto the floor. I scooped it up and dialed the number she’d called me on earlier.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Jenni. It’s Ashton. I’ve got your metrocard.”
“Ugh! I knew it! Thanks so much!”
I ran a hand through my short hair and blew out a breath. “Do you want me to drop it off at your place? I was heading out in a few minutes anyway.”
“That would be amazing! You remember the address?”
“Yeah, I got it. I’ll text you when I’m on my way.”
I hung up and tossed the phone before stripping out of my professional clothes. I pulled on a pair of jeans and a plain t-shirt before shoving her card in my pocket and leaving my apartment. Truthfully, I hadn’t wanted to go anywhere, but then I remembered I was out of beer and so a trip to the store was necessary.
Especially after this shitty ass day.
I’d texted Jenni my ETA before I left, so she was waiting at the curb when I pulled up.
“Hey,” I said as I rolled down the window.
“Hey, Ashton! Thanks so much for coming by.”
“No problem,” I said as I handed her the card.
She took it and clutched it in her fist as she looked me up and down. “You dirty up good, McGraw.”
I frowned. “Huh?”
Her smile widened. “Well, some guys clean up nice, but you already looked nice the first time I saw you. But now, seeing you in jeans and a tight t-shirt? It’s the opposite. You dirty up good as hell.”
My cheeks heated as I looked away and tried to contain my grin. This girl was absolutely shameless. “Um. Thanks?”
She laughed loud, probably enjoying my discomfort more than anything. “What are you up to tonight?”
“Nothing special. Some pizza, some baseball, a lot of beer.”
“You want some company?”
I heard the offer beneath the question and hesitated.
What was I holding out for? A woman who just wanted to play games? A woman who’d been sleeping with another man but thought she had the right to get mad that I was with someone else?
But with a sigh, I realized I still couldn’t do it.
Despite the bullshit with Millie, I still wanted her. I still craved her. I still wanted to find out what all those shadows in her pretty eyes were about and kiss her until they were gone.
And that meant I couldn’t entertain something with Jenni.
“Maybe some other time,” I said and meant it. Jenni was cool as shit. I could totally hang with her someday. I just couldn’t sleep with her.
Sh
e nodded once. “I get it.” Jenni straightened out and gave me a sad little smile, and I knew it had nothing to do with me and everything to do with her situation. “Have a good night, Ashton. Thanks again.”
I waved goodbye as I rolled my window up and headed back toward my place. I stopped to pick up a six-pack but wound up leaving with a whole case. Figured I might need it.
I spent the rest of the night trying to forget Millie all together and failing. Which led to me turning in for bed even earlier than usual. So, when my phone rang at two a.m. I was already so deeply asleep I missed the first couple of calls.
“McGraw,” I finally answered, my voice full of grit.
“We got them.”
I pulled the phone away from my ear to check the number. “Hausle?”
“Yeah, it’s me. We just took down the loan shark and all his little buddies are in our custody now.”
“What are you going to do to them?”
“Eat them, of course.”
I jerked upright in my bed. “What the fuck? You can’t just kill them!”
Alexander started laughing, and I rolled my eyes. “I’m kidding, calm the fuck down. We’re going to glamour them and then turn them in to the human authorities.”
I laid back down, my heart still racing. “Don’t fuck around like that when I’m half asleep.”
He laughed again. “I just wanted to let you know I don’t need you to guard Millie anymore. And since Charlotte doesn’t need a bodyguard either, I guess this is the end of our working relationship.”
I frowned at my dark ceiling as dread started to creep through my system. “Does that mean I’m about to wind up with a head full of fake memories?”
Alexander was quiet for a while before he finally spoke again. “No. I don’t think so. As long as you can keep your mouth shut, I think I can look the other way. Just don’t make me regret that.”
“Of course not.”
“Good. I’ll see you around.”
That was the closest thing to a sign off I’d ever gotten from Alexander Hausle. I guess he was feeling nostalgic.
I tossed my phone onto my nightstand and rolled over when a thought struck me like lightening.
I didn’t have to guard Millie anymore. Which meant I’d have no excuse to go to her apartment in the morning.
But that also meant I wouldn’t have to keep my distance anymore.
I’d promised I’d take her anywhere she wanted to go when this was all over, and now I’d be able to follow through on that.
I looked at the clock again, knowing it was only a few minutes later than the last time I checked. Which meant it was still hours from dawn and any excuse I’d have for going to her place.
I tried to sleep, but I was too excited and wound up, just tossing and turning until my alarm went off. I took the quickest shower of my life before pulling on my best suit. When I was dressed, I hurried down to my car and took off for the nearest twenty-four-hour store that sold flowers.
With a bouquet of what I’d been told were roses and lilies, I rushed to Millie’s building and impatiently rode the elevator to her apartment. When I got there, I paused for a moment, realizing I had no idea what I was even going to say to her.
A million scenarios crowded my brain as I stood there clutching her flowers. Finally, I shook my head and lifted my hand to knock. I heard the locks turning before the door was pulled open.
And Jason walked out.
He looked from me to the flowers in my hand and back, a smug grin on his face. “I think I wore her out for the night, but you can try back tomorrow.”
My stomach sank at the same time rage burst to life in my veins. I dropped the bouquet and grabbed Jason by the throat. He struggled, but I was so much stronger, there was really no contest.
“What the fuck did you just say?” I asked, my voice low and deceptive.
I heard a soft gasp behind us as Jason flailed in my arms.
“Ashton! What are you doing? Let him go!” Millie whisper-yelled.
Jason’s face was turning red as he struggled to breathe. I tossed him on his ass and stood over him. “Get the fuck out of here. Now.”
He scrambled to his feet and took off down the hall, his hand still rubbing his sore neck. I turned to find Millie with the flowers in her hand, her fingers stroking a pale pink petal.
“What’s this?”
“Nothing,” I said as I turned to walk away.
“Ashton! Wait! Where are you going?”
I stopped and turned to her again, avoiding her eyes at all costs. “I came to tell you it’s over. Hausle’s men caught the guys who were after you, and I don’t need to guard you anymore.”
“Oh,” she said quietly. I moved to turn back around when her voice broke through the silence again. “And the flowers?”
I met her eyes then for one long moment before I turned and walked away. She didn’t call after me, and she didn’t chase after me as I walked steadily to the staircase.
I wasn’t going to think about the look on Jason’s face as he’d adjusted his clothes.
I wasn’t going to think about what he’d been doing there all night with her.
And I sure as hell wasn’t going to think about the look on her face when she asked me about the flowers.
No. I was just going to go home and call my agency to see what new jobs they had available. I was officially done with this one.
Chapter 12
Ashton
“You’ve been here a while.”
I looked up from the weights I was using to find a woman standing next to me. Her dark curly hair was tucked underneath a baseball cap, her blue eyes bright beneath the bill.
I set the weights down and grabbed my towel before turning to her. “Sorry. I didn’t realize anyone was waiting for these.”
She propped a hip against a machine as she shook her head. “No. I’m not waiting. I just never see anyone stay here as long as I do.”
I’d come straight to the gym the moment I left Millie’s place that morning. I’d had nothing else to do with myself, and the new assignment from my agency didn’t start until next week. So, with all that pent-up shit swirling through my body, the only logical place to go had been the gym.
Luckily, my building had a fitness center in the basement, and it was usually empty. I’d noticed the woman when I’d come in, but I’d ignored her and got to work.
“It’s one of those days,” I said with a shrug as I grabbed my water and started chugging.
Her eyes lit appreciatively as she watched me. “I hear that. You’ve got to be almost done by now, though, right?”
I finished my bottle and crushed it in my hand. “Probably another thirty minutes at least.”
She nodded slowly. “You want a spotter?”
My eyes widened at her offer. Honestly, I was so used to working out alone, I usually didn’t do anything that required a spotter. And when I did, I didn’t ask beautiful women I didn’t know to help.
I gave her a quick perusal, not missing the way she stuck her chest out further for me. “What’s your name?”
“Nikki.”
“Nice to meet you, Nikki. I’m Ashton.”
I figured it would only be polite to get her name before I had her spot me and her crotch was right next to my head and her tits above my face. I gave her another once over, not minding one bit.
She was toned from long hours in the gym. Her slim body tight in all the right places and voluptuous in all the others. She was also pretty. Like, really pretty. So pretty I wondered why she even bothered to come talk to me when it was clear she’d never had to chase a man in her life.
“So, we doing this?” she asked.
I shrugged, even though agreeing set off a tiny little voice in the back of my head. The one that reminded me that despite what I’d said earlier, I was still very much hung up on Millie.
But I needed to get over that. Now.
She wasn’t my responsibility anymore, and frankly, I wasn’t sure I
wanted to pursue someone who could so easily flip between two men.
I was a one woman kind of guy. I didn’t settle for second best and when I get what I want, I’m all in. So, being accused of sleeping with Jenni while I was actively pursuing Millie had hit a nerve. I wasn’t that guy, and I hated she thought that way of me.
With a shake of my head, I remembered I needed to let it go.
Things with Millie were over now. I wasn’t her bodyguard anymore, and after the way I left things with her earlier, I knew a reconciliation wasn’t likely.
Didn’t mean I had to like it.
And it sure as hell didn’t mean I’d just be able to forget her like that.
Because that had been my problem from the start. The moment I saw her, I wanted her. And when I finally had her, I just wanted more. I’d been drawn to her from the second our eyes met that day in Hausle’s apartment, and the more I got to know about her, the more infatuated I became.
But it was just infatuation, wasn’t it? I hardly knew anything about her. Hardly spent any time with her while she was conscious. She should have just been a hook up.
So, how did she become so much more?
“Ashton?”
I shook my head and turned to Nikki. “Oh. Um. Yeah. Why not?”
I walked over to the bench and checked the weights weren’t too heavy for her before getting into position. Nikki sauntered over, putting far more sway in her hips than necessary for just walking across a gym.
I watched her closely, waiting for something. Anything. Some sign from deep within me that it would be okay to pursue something with her. That it wouldn’t feel wrong to get her number and maybe take her out.
But it did feel wrong.
I grit my teeth as I wrapped my hands around the bar and lifted the weights into the air.
“There you go,” she purred. “You got this.”
I almost rolled my eyes. I could have benched twice this if I wanted.
I bent my arms and carefully lowered the weights before pumping them back into the air.
“Perfect,” she said as she leaned over me, her hair almost falling in my face. “Let’s do another one.”
Blood Feud Page 10