by Alexa Riley
I don’t like the idea of her running around the city by herself. She’s small and precious. The glare she shot me before she launched her paint at me has me questioning the precious part, though.
No, she is precious. She just has some fire to her, which has my cock’s full attention. No one in my life has ever dared treat me the way she did, especially after knowing who I was.
I’m easily three times bigger than her. She stomped on my foot and shoved me, catching me off guard. I was more pissed that she fell. She could have hurt herself. Maybe she did. My worry only grows that she might do something like that again to someone who doesn’t have the same intentions with her as I do.
I pause for a moment. What are my intentions? Make her mine, repeats through my mind over and over again.
“Drive faster,” I tell Andrew, knowing he likely won’t. He’s always about safety. I’d fire him if he wasn’t so damn good at his job, along with being my closest friend. I know everything he says to me is truth, not what I want to hear.
“Your phone,” Andrew says, pulling me from my worried thoughts about Charlie. I hadn’t even heard it ring. I see my assistant’s number flash across the screen. I ignore the call.
“Not going to answer that?” Andrew asks. The phone rings again. I clear it, then shoot him a text to stop calling unless it’s about the email I’m waiting for about the man on the float.
I slide my phone back into my pocket. “You sure you’re all right?” Andrew asks.
“No,” I answer him honestly. I don’t know what the fuck is going on with me. All these strange feelings pumping through my body are like nothing I’ve ever felt before, and I’m pretty sure the feelings won’t calm until I have Charlie pressed against my body again.
I don’t think that will be easy. I smile. There is nothing I love more than a challenge. Particularly when it’s something I need.
Chapter Three
Charlie
I stand under the water, watching the paint swirl down the drain as it’s washed off my skin. My heart still feels like it’s pounding. I close my eyes, but all I see are Shade’s dark blue eyes. I’m still shocked that he chased me to begin with. I’m sure the man has a hundred suits and losing one won't dent his wardrobe.
I’m guessing he was chasing me more for his pride. I can’t believe I threw my paint all over him. In my defense, he was being a jerk, manhandling me as if he had every right to. Not to mention what he said about me working off the cost of his suit. That still made my blood boil, but at the same time it turned me on.
I flip the water off and grab a towel. In my time on the streets, hopping from shelter to shelter, I never used my body to get something. I’d stolen a few times, but only out of desperation and hunger. I dry off before wrapping the towel around me.
I’m in the employees’ bathroom at the community center. I half scream when I see Mr. Barker, the owner, standing before me. I stand there for a moment in shock before making sure my towel is covering everything. His eyes roam over me.
The man has always given me the creeps, but he doesn't pay half bad and I put up with him because I love it here. Not to mention my best friend works here and I also sneak sleep here at nights. That’s only possible because my best friend looks the other way. He is normally in charge of closing the place.
His eyes rake over my body like I’m naked. I don’t know why he’s in here. This is the women’s employee bathroom. “Mr. Barker?” I question. He licks his lips, and it takes everything in me to not take a step back.
“We need to talk.” He steps toward me. The smell of his cheap cologne fills the room. His jet-black hair, which I’m sure is dyed because he’s pushing his late fifties, is slicked back. The shirt he has on has a stain from—I’m guessing—his lunch. He locks his hands around the straps of his suspenders.
“Can we talk after I get dressed?”
“I know,” he continues, ignoring what I said. My heart pounds as I wonder what he’s talking about. Does he mean he knows about me staying here, or maybe he heard I threw paint on someone? He couldn’t know that. Not that it would matter, would it? It has to be about me staying here.
“I’m sorry. It was just a couple of nights,” I lie. It’s been a couple of months. “Please don’t fire me.” I love this job. It would be hard for me to find another one. I only have a high school diploma. I don't think I’ll be able to get another job doing what I love. I got to teach painting classes here to the kids. I also worked in the daycare area where parents left their children while they worked out or used the pool.
He gives me a creepy smile and closes more of the distance between us. He reaches out, running his finger down my cheek. All the hair on my body stands up in fear and I’m paralyzed. This man is my boss. I can’t push him or stomp on his foot. He’d call the cops and I’d be the one in jail. No one would believe the homeless girl over him.
“You can sleep here all you like.” A chill runs down my spine. “I’ll keep an eye on you.” He leans down, his mouth moving closer to mine. I jump back, my hands in a death grip on my towel. That creepy smile he has only gets bigger. “Sleep tight tonight, Charlie.” He winks at me before turning to leave.
I rush over to my bag and get dressed as fast as I can before putting all my stuff away. I pause when I realize I don’t have my painting notebook. Tears sting my eyes, but I dash them away and slip from the bathroom. I rush toward the basement door but pause when I get to it. My cot and stuff are all down there. I'm scared to go down. What if he traps me down there? No one will hear me scream.
“Want to tell me about the hottie chasing you down at the parade?” I turn at Fredrik’s voice. He stands there with his hands on his hips, his perfect eyebrows raised waiting for me to answer.
“No?”
“Spill.” He grabs me, locking our arms together as he walks back down the hallway. I know we’re headed for the gym. It’s likely full of kids playing. I know he showed up early tonight before his shift to grill me on this. Otherwise he’d still be at the parade making out with his new flavor of the week. He always has a new guy on his arm. I don't even try to keep up anymore.
I glance back at the basement door, debating if I should tell Fredrik about what happened, but I decide not to. He’s smiling right now. That hasn't been common lately with his grandma being sick. She moved into his little apartment with him so he could help her more. She isn't getting better, though. I don't want to kill his happy mood because I know he’ll worry and push for me to move in with him. He didn't have room for anyone extra before he even had his grandma move in. Now he really doesn't. His apartment is only a small studio.
“Want to spill about that kiss?” I elbow him. It wasn't a kiss-kiss. Just a peck on the lips really.
“Wanted to see if the man chasing you would get jelly.” He wiggles his eyebrows but doesn't continue.
I peek back over at him. “Did he?” I ask. Crap. I want to snatch my words back, knowing I just gave myself up.
“Oh. So now who wants information,” he teases me. I elbow him again. He fakes that it hurts.
I roll my eyes. “Just tell me,” I huff out.
“Super jealous.”
I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from smiling. “All right, I gave up the information, now you give us some.”
When we make it to the gym we both sit down on the beaches. A group of kids are playing basketball. They wave at us. I drop my backpack down onto the ground before telling him the whole story.
“So I’m not sure why he’d be jealous. He likely wants to throw me in jail or something.”
“You threw paint on Warren Shade?” Shock is written all over Fredrik’s face. I bite my lip and nod. He bursts into laughter.
“Hush.” I smack his arm.
“It doesn't matter. Not like he’ll find me anyway.”
“Oh, he’ll find you,” Fredrik finally says when he gets his laughter under control.
I shake my head. “He has no idea who I am.”
“A man like Warren Shade can find anything he wants to find.”
I drop my head into my hands in despair knowing he’s likely right. But at the moment Warren Shade is the least of my worries. I don’t even know where I’m going to sleep tonight. There is no way I’m ever sleeping in that basement again.
“Don’t worry. I don’t think he’s looking to throw you in jail.” I glance over at Fredrik who is still smiling. “I think he might throw you up against a wall and have his way with you, though.”
My face warms. “You’re crazy. I’m sure a man like Warren Shade has his pick of women. He doesn't need to go chasing after one.”
“We’ll see,” Fredrik says before he stands and exits the gym.
Chapter Four
Warren
I run my hands through my hair as I hit the refresh again on my emails. I hear a chuckle and look up to see Andrew stretched out in the chair in front of my desk. I give him a hard look that does nothing. He’s finding my distress amusing. Probably because I’m always calm and collected, even if the world is falling down around me.
I’ve been doing this since I got a quick shower and changed my clothes. I should have had the cop pull the guy off the float and gotten his information right there on the spot. Now I’m regretting my decision.
“Fuck this,” I mutter, going for my cell phone. I check everywhere but can’t find it. Andrew only laughs harder before tossing my phone onto my desk. I hadn’t even realized it was missing until now.
“You left it in the car,” he tells me through a laugh. I stare at him, shocked for a moment that I did that. I run my hand down my face. I met this girl not even an hour ago and she has me all over the place. For my own sanity I need to find her now. I take a breath, calming myself before I go off the deep end.
My phone rings in my hand. I look down to see it’s the mayor. I should have known this is why I haven't got an email yet.
“An email would have been fine,” I say when I answer the phone. I try to keep the snap from my voice. Sean still has the information I need. But I also have money that he himself needs.
“Warren, I figured the information was very important if you commanded one of my officers to do something.”
I take another calming breath at his words. I don’t have a problem being an asshole to the mayor because, well, the man himself is an asshole a lot of time, but I do feel a trace of guilt for making the cop uneasy. I make a mental note to make sure he’s taken care of for going out of his way for me.
“Sean,” I say in a warning tone.
“All right, all right.” He rattles off the man’s information and also tells me he had an officer run by the man’s place. When he didn't see the car he has registered to him, he tried his work next and he was there. Fredrik Paige.
“Thanks,” I clip, already reaching for my coat.
“Let’s do drinks next—” I hit the end call button on the screen, cutting him off, before pocketing my phone. I write down the name of the man who kissed my girl Charlie today and hand it to Andrew.
“I want everything on him,” I tell him before heading toward the door.
Andrew jumps up and chases after me. “Let me take you. It will be faster.” When I open the front door I see it’s starting to snow. “Besides, it’s not the best neighborhood at night,” he adds. I can handle myself, but I don't know how things are about to go down when I find Charlie.
“I’m driving,” I tell him. Andrew smiles before tossing me the keys. “Start pulling up everything you can on this Fredrik. I want to know how he knows Charlie and how close they are.” I grip the steering wheel hard after I slide into the car, thinking about his mouth on her. The kiss didn't look deep or really even intimate. More like two friends, but maybe I’m telling myself that right now so I don’t lose it.
I wait for the gate to open before pulling out of the driveway and onto to street. I know once I get on the highway it will only be a ten-minute drive to the community center. I floor it when I hit the highway. Andrew lets out a string of curses, but I ignore him. When we finally reach the center, I jump out, leaving the keys in the ignition. Andrew looks askance at my attempt at parking, but I ignore him.
I push through the door and spot Fredrik right way. He’s standing alone at the front desk. I glance back over my shoulder to see Andrew has gotten out of the car and is leaning up against it casually outside, shaking his head at me.
Fredrik looks up. He looks to be in his early twenties, like the boy next door with his dirty-blonde hair and light blue eyes. He smiles at me like he doesn't have a care in the world. He looks more like the type my girl should be with. Probably nice and doesn't have a driving need to own her. I wonder how this is going to go down. Either way I’ll be getting the information I need.
Andrew was able to give me a little bit of information on Fredrik already that I can use to get what I want.
“The girl,” I throw out as I come up to the counter he’s behind and place my hands flat on it. This only makes me smile bigger. I can tell he knows who I am. Either from the parade or he knows who I am in general. “Don’t make me ask again. You’re lucky I don’t come over the counter for you kissing her already.”
He laughs. I'm over the counter. He steps back, putting his hands up. “Calm down, big man. I’m just the best friend.” I take another step toward him. Yeah, sure, friend. No way someone could be her friend and not want more. “Gay best friend,” he adds.
“Still don’t give a shit. Keep your fucking hands and mouth to yourself.”
His hand drops and he shakes his head. “I think I’m going to like you.”
“Where is she?” I push.
“You really want her don’t you? Like, more than some fuck.” He leans back, still casual.
“Say she’s some fuck again.” I close the rest of the distance between us. I stare down at Fredrik. The guy is at least six feet tall, but I still have inches over him.
“You might want to cool it some before you go see her. Something is bothering her and I think it’s more than whatever you two have going on, but I didn't push,” he tells me. I relax a little. He’s not only going to tell me where to find her but he’s giving me something about her. I want it and will probably do just about anything to have it. I’m guessing brute force isn’t going to be the way. If this is her best friend, it’s best to be in his good graces.
“I don’t want to hurt her,” I admit. No. I’ve been fucking worried about her little ass and what she might have gotten herself into if she goes around throwing paint at people.
“No, I think you want to be her Prince Charming,” Fredrik says almost dreamily. Prince Charming? The idea seems crazy, but I’ll be anything she wants. Doesn't the prince get to lock the princess away in his castle? Now that idea is appealing. My cock jerks at that. “Follow the music.” He nods toward the long wide hallway.
I hear the sound of music. I reach into my coat pocket, pull out a card and hand it to him. “This has my cell number on it, along with my assistant’s. Call him. He’ll more than take care of your grandmother.”
Relief washes over his face as he reaches for the card. “Just because I’m taking this card doesn't mean—”
“I promise I won’t hurt her,” I say again, trying to reassure him. “There is something about her I—”
This time he cuts me off. “Be good to her. She’s had a hard life.” I want to question him, but my drive to get to her now pushes me toward her instead. I nod. I follow the music like he said and start down the hallway. I stop in the doorway when I see a bunch of kids running around her, dancing to the beat. She’s twirling around, her sunshine hair fanning out everywhere.
She stops when she notices me, her eyes locking and her mouth falling open. She’s even more beautiful than I remember. Her hair’s a little wild, failing all around her. Her paint-spattered white shirt hangs off one shoulder. Tight black pants cover her legs, leading down to simple white sneakers that are also covered in paint. All the kids st
op dancing and turn to look at me, and one little girl grabs Charlie’s hand, clutching it tightly.
Charlie drops down to her knees and whispers sometime to the little girl. The girl takes off running to the side of the gym and turns off the music.
“Okay, guys. It’s about time for me to go.” All the kids moan and pout about this.
“I’ll be back for class. Make sure you’re signed up. Limited spots.” She hugs a few of the kids before walking toward me. “Please don’t make a scene here.” She glances over her shoulder at the kids. I can tell she cares for them.
“I won’t make a scene if you come with me.” Her eyes fly back to mine. She reaches out, brushing snow off my shoulder. I didn’t even know it was there.
“It’s snowing out?”
“Yes.”
She bites her lip as if debating something. “I’m guessing you're not taking me to the cops or you would have just called them,” she hedges.
“No, I’m hungry. How about dinner?” I’m not hungry, but I’m guessing telling her I’m taking her home with me isn't the best idea. She didn't like the comment I made about her working off the cost of my suit. I shouldn't have said that. It was dickish, but I wanted her indebted to me in some way. That way I had her within my reach. “I can give you your notebook back, too. You left it behind.”
She takes a step closer to me. I steel myself because I don’t want to reach out and pull her fully into me yet. I yearn to have her body pressed against me again, but I’m afraid I’ll spook her. She’s like a skittish rabbit. I have to be careful.
“You can be charming when you want, can’t you?” She tilts her head looking up at me. Her hair brushes her bare shoulder. I want to bury my hands in all that hair. I see a spot of green paint on her neck that she must have missed when she showered. I wonder where else she might have missed on her body. I’d love to find all the spots for her.