by Katie Reus
He snorted. “I’ll be there. Still want me to cook?”
“That sounds like heaven.” He could hear the fatigue in her voice, wished he was there to hold her.
Yesterday she’d looked over the feeds her cousins had brought over, to the point of exhaustion. Unfortunately she hadn’t seen anyone she recognized leaving the conference center. “Did Porter get those other security feeds today?” The owner of the club was supposed to have brought them over.
“Yeah. He texted me about it, but I’ve got too much to do. I’d planned to look at them on my lunch break but Athena and I ended up having a work meeting I didn’t want to miss.”
“I’m sure Athena wouldn’t mind if you skipped one.” Especially for something like this.
“I know, but…” She trailed off, sighing. “I know it’s stupid, but I almost don’t want to see the video. I don’t want to see myself when I can’t remember most of that night. It’s scary.” She whispered the last part.
He wanted to pummel whoever had drugged her—and likely gone after her at the event Saturday—right then and there. “Want me to watch it with you tonight?”
“If you don’t mind.”
There was a hint of hesitation in her voice that surprised him. “Of course I don’t.”
“Then yeah, I’d really appreciate it. Listen…I’m not going to be dating anyone else. I don’t even know what we are or where we’re headed, and I know we’re just starting whatever this thing is. But I’ve never dated more than one guy at a time. Okay, that’s not true. I tried but it’s just not me.” The words came out in a rush, as if she’d been practicing. “Considering we had sex this weekend, a lot of sex, without a condom, I’d appreciate it if you’d tell me if you—”
He shoved up from the locker. “Raegan, I’m not dating anyone else and I don’t plan to. I don’t want anyone else but you.” Which he probably shouldn’t admit either, but fuck it. He’d never been one to play relationship games. He wanted her to know where they stood, and while he wouldn’t push her for exclusivity or a commitment—yet—he liked knowing she wouldn’t be dating anyone else right now.
She let out a short breath of air. “Okay, then.”
He bit back a laugh at the way she said it, as if she’d been expecting a different response or something. “So I’ll see you tonight?”
“Yes. I’ve already let security know to expect you so they’ll buzz you up whenever you get there.”
“Good. Listen, you, uh…” He knew he didn’t have a right to ask, but he couldn’t help but be worried about her. “You gonna have a guard with you the rest of the evening?”
She snorted softly. “Grant told you about that?”
“Yeah.”
“Why am I not surprised? And yes, his name’s Travis. He’s been a shadow to both me and Athena all day. He’s coming with me this evening as well.”
“Good.” That eased most of the tension in his chest, but until he was with her, nothing would completely do that. “See you soon.”
After they disconnected he realized he was grinning like a fool. He probably looked like a jackass but he didn’t care. Raegan, one of the sweetest—and yeah, sexiest—women he’d ever known, would be crying out his name later tonight as he made her come against his mouth. She’d been so damn sexy Saturday night, coming apart against him like that the first time.
“I recognize that look,” Kip Rawlings, another trainer, muttered as he stepped up to his own locker and yanked it open.
Ford pulled his bag out of his locker, ignoring his normally laid-back friend. The past couple weeks Kip had been a giant asshole and nothing was going to ruin Ford’s mood today.
“You seeing someone?” Kip asked as he started stripping.
Ford sat on the long bench, took off his boots. “Yeah.” He wasn’t going to give more details than that. Normally he would have, but fuck. Whatever had crawled up Kip’s ass had made the guy piss on everything lately.
Kip muttered something about women being bitches as he sat on the bench next to him.
Ford couldn’t rein it in anymore. “Dude, what the fuck is your problem lately?”
Kip let his shoes drop but didn’t turn to look at Ford. Just sat there staring at his locker. “Robin’s leaving me. She’s been cheating on me for months. I found out, confronted her and she didn’t deny it. Said she’s been unhappy for a long time. That she’s just glad we didn’t have kids together because it can be a clean break between us. Easy for everyone,” he muttered, bitterness lacing each word. “Easy for her, maybe.”
Oh, hell. Ford had never liked Robin, but that wasn’t the kind of thing you said to a friend. And he’d been there, understood what the guy was going through. “Sorry, man.”
His friend lifted a shoulder.
“That why you’ve been such a dick the last couple weeks?”
Kip snorted and half laughed, which was what Ford had been going for. “Sorry, man. Yeah.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “I’m not handling it well. Clearly.”
“I’ve been there.” And it had been a dark time in his life. “Want to grab a couple drinks?”
Kip finally looked at him, dark circles under his eyes. “Yeah. Maybe dinner too? I don’t want to go home, man.”
Ford nodded. He had time before Raegan was off work. “Of course. Let me grab a shower and we’ll head out.”
Kip nodded and didn’t make a move from his seat so Ford grabbed his bag and headed for the showers.
Turned out it was a good thing Raegan had to work late. He hated that his friend was going through this, but Robin had never been a good partner in Ford’s opinion anyway. Not that he was going to say any of that to his friend. And not that he was much of an expert anyway.
Nah, he’d just take Kip out, let him blow off some steam and probably be the designated driver if Kip wanted to put back a few. After Ford’s ex had cheated on him things had been crappy for a while. He’d never imagined wanting to get serious with anyone again. Until Raegan. Deep down he hated that he worried the same thing would happen with her. He didn’t like being that guy, worried the woman he was with would cheat.
* * *
“So who’s this mystery woman you’re dating?” Kip leaned back in his seat, seeming more relaxed than he’d been in weeks. He brought his bottled beer to his mouth, took a long drag.
Ford shrugged. He didn’t want to talk about Raegan. He knew it was bullshit, but cops were superstitious as a rule. He didn’t want to jinx what had just started to develop between them. Plus he didn’t want to rub it in Kip’s face, regardless. “Just someone I met.”
Kip snorted and waved their server over. “That’s an evasive answer if I ever heard one.” As the woman approached he ordered another basket of wings and a beer for him.
Ford had decided to make it a one-beer night and it looked like he’d be driving Kip home anyway. They’d chosen a local hangout on Bayside that had good beer, cheap eats and a bunch of big screen televisions with various games on. “You got a lawyer yet, or what?”
“I’ve talked to a few. I keep hoping she’ll change her mind.”
Which meant he was waiting for Robin to make the first move. Ford wanted to tell him he should make a move and take control now, but knew that wasn’t what his friend wanted to hear. He just hated that Kip was holding out hope. “I can give you my brother’s info if you want. He doesn’t do divorces but he’ll know someone good.”
Kip nodded, glanced at the TV above the bar. They were at a booth next to a huge window that overlooked the street and half a dozen shops. Ford didn’t like feeling so exposed, but he liked having a visual of the street.
“Wait, your brother?” Kip seemed to jerk to life as he turned back to face him. “Fuck that guy.”
Ford gave him a wry smile. Kip knew about everything that had gone down between them. “It’s water under the bridge.” Even if it wasn’t, Dallas was still a damn good attorney. “He’ll be able to give you a good recommendation. It’s better than going i
nto this blind.”
“Yeah, maybe.” He frowned though, clearly not liking the idea. “I’ll be back in a sec. Gotta hit the head.”
Ford nodded, turning to look out the window, scanning the people out of habit. He was always looking for a threat, it seemed. Unfortunately this had been the only free booth when they’d arrived. For a Monday night it was pretty busy, but people were getting off work and this place was close to one of the hospitals, the police department and even Red Stone. He’d almost texted Raegan to let her know he’d be nearby in case she got finished with her work thing early, but he didn’t want to bug her.
After getting burned badly before, he could admit he was gun-shy when it came to relationships. Raegan had him letting his guard down though. Everything about her seemed real, sweet and honest. Still…he kept waiting for the shit to hit the fan, to find out she wasn’t as perfect as he’d made her out to be.
He laughed to himself when he saw her get out of an SUV across the street. Shouldn’t be a surprise, not when her work was so close. A man he vaguely recognized, wearing a dark suit, got out after her.
Ford could immediately tell the guy had training as he scanned the surrounding area, his posture stiff, alert. Just watching her, his heart rate increased.
Her long dark hair was down in soft waves and she had on a vivid blue wraparound dress with heels. She was too far away for him to truly appreciate her, but the way the dress hugged her body had him primed to peel it from her later tonight. He’d tell her to leave the shoes on as he went down on her. Seven thirty couldn’t come soon enough.
When her ‘friend’ from Saturday night got out of the vehicle next, his good mood darkened. The guy set his hand on the small of Raegan’s back as they stepped up onto the sidewalk, his body language completely territorial.
“Just friends, my ass,” he muttered. Even if Raegan thought so, clearly her ‘friend’ didn’t. Ford had only gotten a glance at him the other night and he didn’t like him. He wanted more than friendship with Raegan. And what the hell was he doing with her anyway? She’d said she had a work thing.
Feeling like he was spying, Ford started to look away when the guy leaned in and kissed her on the mouth. The sight was like a punch to Ford’s gut. He stared for what felt like forever until Kip’s voice jerked his attention away.
“They haven’t brought the wings out yet? I’m freaking starving,” his friend muttered, sliding into the booth across from him.
Just like that his surroundings came back into focus again. The laughter of patrons, some people shouting at the TVs, the general buzz of energy in the place. It all rushed back, rolling over him even as iciness invaded his veins.
He tried to tell himself it was a misunderstanding, but…what the fuck. And she’d said she had a work thing. That did not look like work.
Their relationship might be new, but after earlier he believed her when she said she wouldn’t be seeing anyone else. Or he had believed her. He should have learned his lesson before.
He rolled his shoulders once, and against his better judgment looked out the window again. He couldn’t see any of them anymore, just the big SUV they’d arrived in. Which was just as well. He didn’t need another visual of Raegan with that asshole.
He wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt but the past punched its way to the surface, that little voice in his head telling him that of course she was too good to be true. That guy was wealthy and had everything to offer her. God, he was such an idiot.
Chapter 12
Raegan shoved at Rhys’s chest, her heart racing, but not in a good way, as he stepped back. “What the hell was that?” Her palm itched to smack him right across the face.
To give him credit, he looked like he felt awful. “I…read your signals wrong. Really wrong,” he muttered. “I’m sorry.”
“Guys, either move back into the SUV or let’s head inside.” Travis Sanchez, a man from the office—and a friend—had been her official shadow today. Right now he looked a little like he wanted to deck Rhys, though he was curbing his impulse. He’d been with her when she’d been in Vegas and in the aftermath of the kidnapping and had been a little overly protective since. This was a man she trusted and genuinely liked.
She glanced up and down the sidewalk, annoyed that this jackass had kissed her without her permission, and embarrassed that Travis had seen it all. People were walking by in twos and threes, some talking on their cell phones and some carrying way too many shopping bags. No one was paying any attention to them at all, but he was right. “We’ll get in the SUV. I’m sorry—”
“Don’t be sorry, Raegan,” Travis murmured, holding the door open. “I’ll give you a couple minutes alone but I’m right here if you need me.” He patted his jacket pocket too and she realized he was making sure he still had the vehicle keys. Probably so Rhys couldn’t run off with her. Not that she was actually worried about that, but she’d come to realize that the security personnel of Red Stone didn’t think like civilians. To them, anyone was a threat.
She slid into the back seat of the SUV, moving over so Rhys could follow suit.
“I’m very sorry, Raegan. I thought…well, it doesn’t matter what I thought.”
Part of her wanted to let it go. The ‘polite’ girl she’d been taught to be would have let this go a couple years ago. But after moving to Miami, after being freaking kidnapped, she’d learned a lot about herself in the last year. “You’re right. It doesn’t matter what you thought. I told you we could be friends and I thought you were okay with that. I’ve never given you any indication I wanted more. If you thought you read my signals wrong, I don’t know what signals you’re talking about. You contacted Red Stone today, wanting to work with us on an event. And I know that you requested you work with me. Athena told me. I haven’t been pursuing you or sending any fucking signals.” She snapped out the last part, taking both of them off guard.
She rarely cursed and especially not in work mode. But after Friday and Saturday night she was feeling more than out of sorts and she was shaking with anger the longer she thought about the way he’d just kissed her without her permission. It was making her second-guess herself. Maybe she’d been ‘too’ friendly with him before, but…she didn’t think so. And it didn’t matter if she had been friendly. That was part of her damn job and, you know, just being a decent person. She shouldn’t have to worry about some guy kissing her because he thought she’d given some imaginary signal.
“You’re right. I’m incredibly sorry.” His accent was thicker now, the distress punching off him seemingly sincere. “I’ve…never had to chase after a woman. Ever. We’ve been spending time together and I obviously read things wrong. I’m embarrassed by the way I’ve acted. There’s no excuse for what I did.”
She softened a little, but not much. Nodding stiffly, she said, “Apology accepted, but I won’t be working with you on this project. You can work with Athena or someone else.” They’d hired two more full-time staff in the last five months in the event coordination department, so he could take his pick.
He looked as if he wanted to protest, but nodded. “Of course.”
Awkwardness settled in the interior until Travis opened the driver’s seat door. He slid behind the wheel, and looked at Raegan, not Rhys, something she really appreciated. “We staying or going, Raegan?”
“Let’s head back to the office.” She was pretty much at her limit for yearly bullshit and it was only the summer. Right now she wanted to put as much distance between her and Mr. Jackass sitting next to her.
She needed to tell Athena, of course. And unfortunately she’d have to tell Porter, otherwise he’d find out and just get annoyed with her for keeping him in the dark. And he was her first choice to tell because he had the most level head of all her cousins and uncle. She simply didn’t want to deal with anything else right now. It was like karma had decided to crap on her this week.
At least she’d get to see Ford soon. At that thought, she looked out the window and smiled to h
erself. Despite the insanity of the last few days, Ford was the silver lining in everything.
* * *
Once she was safe and alone in her condo, Raegan slipped off her high heels and stripped off her clothes as she made her way to her bedroom. She had enough time for a hot shower before Ford got here and she needed it. Though the idea of inviting him in to join her was more than appealing, she needed some downtime to herself.
When she heard her phone ding in her purse, she practically scrambled for it, hopeful that it was Ford telling her he was on his way. She saw his name on the screen before she swiped her code in.
Got caught up, won’t be able to make it tonight. Sorry.
She blinked at the shortness of his text. It was abrupt and unlike him, but it was hard to read tone in a text. Still, she frowned. You can still come over, she typed back. I don’t care how late.
There was a pause, then, Don’t think I’ll be able to.
She fought the disappointment that swelled inside her, but it was a fruitless effort. Her fingers swiped across the screen. How about you cook for me tomorrow, then? I want to see if you’re as good as you say.
A longer pause this time before, Not sure what my schedule looks like. I’ll let you know.
Oooookay. She sat on the edge of her bed, not sure what to make of this conversation at all. Heck, she wasn’t even sure how to respond so she went with something generic. Hope you have a good rest of the night, talk to you later.
His response was just as generic and depressing. Sure.
Tossing her phone onto the bed, she headed for her shower. “Screw you, Monday,” she muttered to herself.
* * *
“Would you mind grabbing takeout for us at the restaurant?” Jules asked Ruby as she stepped out from the back storeroom. “I’ve already called up there but I want to unload a couple of the new shipments.”
Ruby glanced up from the cash register where she was running reports. They would be closing in about fifteen minutes and her aching feet were grateful. “Sure, no problem. Want me to lock the door on the way out?”