“No. I admitted to knowing that you think he’s sexy.”
“Uh-huh. A likely story.”
I glance over at him, at his expressionless face. “Those sunglasses are so annoying. I can’t tell where he’s looking.”
“Don’t worry. He’s not looking at any of those thirsty vultures hovering around him.”
I scoff. “I’m not worried.”
Deanna smiles and shakes her head.
She doesn’t believe me, and I don’t like it one bit.
“Let’s call it a day. I’m starving.” I push to my feet and stretch my arms up over my head. “Wanna grab tacos?”
“Sorry, can’t. I’m meeting Will for dinner. He wants to see me before our girl’s night later.”
I smack her ass and grin. “Good for you. Go get some.”
“I could say the same to you.”
I shoot her a glare, and she giggles as she saunters away.
Get some.
I’d bet that big, bad body guard of mine could—nope.
No way.
Not going there.
I sling my purse over my shoulder and strut right past him.
He follows like a good dog.
I’m too tired to run around the city trying to lose him, so we share a cab back to my place in silence. He stares out his window, and I stare out mine, all the while pretending not to feel the heat emanating from his thigh that’s pressed against mine. The dude takes up the entire back seat.
It’s an awkward ride, but I’m thankful he doesn’t bring up my cry-fest earlier. It was a moment of weakness, and will not happen again.
When we step into the elevator and lean against our respective sides, he speaks. “Why don’t you use your driver to get around?”
“Because I don’t need a fancy car with a chauffeur. I’m perfectly capable of navigating this city on my own.”
He nods. “I guess money for a cab every day isn’t a problem for someone like you.”
And he just ruined it.
“Fuck off! You don’t know the first thing about someone like me, so stop acting like you do.”
He keeps his mouth shut while I seethe for the remainder of the elevator ride. I prefer it this way. He’s better looking with his mouth closed.
When we reach my floor, I rush into the hallway to get away from him. Then I remember I’m going out with the girls tonight.
He wants to keep insulting me? I’ll keep fucking with him.
“No plans tonight,” I say, barely looking over my shoulder as I twist my key in the lock. “Your services won’t be needed.”
Then I slam the door in his face.
Chapter Four
Graham
“How’s it going, son?”
“Fine.”
“Did you find anything useful?”
Of course he isn’t really calling to ask about me.
“It’s only been a couple of days. This is going to take time, Dad. You realize that, right?”
“Yes, yes, of course. Just thought I’d ask. How are you getting along with the girl?”
A smirk takes over my lips at the thought of Eva. “She’s not happy about me being here.”
“Ah, well, I’m sure you’ll break her down in no time. Tommy said she’s a scrappy little thing. Gave the boys a run for their money the other night.”
My grip on my phone tightens. “Anything else you need? I’m still on the clock.”
“No, just checking to—”
I end the call before he can say anything else, and my head falls back against the wall with a thud.
I hate him for putting me in this position. For forcing me to do his dirty work. I hate him for not caring about anyone but himself.
More than anything though, I hate this desire I have to prove myself to him. Prove what, exactly? That I can succeed even though I gave up on my dream? That I’m better than him? That I’m worthy of his love?
The man doesn’t love anyone but himself. He demonstrated that when he chose poker games over my wrestling matches. When he kicked my sister out after she got pregnant at sixteen. When he refused to keep Mom company during her chemotherapy.
Every night, I lie awake thinking about what my life would be like if I walked away from him. I could be anyone I wanted. Live anywhere I wanted. I could make my own choices, make an honest living. It wouldn’t matter what I was doing, as long as it had nothing to do with him.
But what would happen to my sister? Would she agree to come with me? Move my niece out of her home, away from her friends at school? Would I find a job that pays enough to take care of the three of us?
A door opens, pulling me from my thoughts. The squeak of the hinge is slow, and I already know who it is before I peek around the corner. Eva said she was staying in tonight, which clued me in to the fact that she is not staying in tonight.
Liar, liar. Princess pants on fire.
“Fucking door,” Eva mutters under her breath. She tiptoes, cartoon style, across the hall until she gets to the elevator.
I’d laugh if she didn’t look so jaw-droppingly hot.
Her jeans are skin-tight, hugging her hourglass waistline, and under her leather jacket she’s sporting a tiny yellow halter top that could double as a bathing suit. Her tits are perfect handfuls, and her stomach is tight and toned.
The girl’s got curves in all the right places.
Focus, man. You’ve got a job to do.
I debate jumping out right now and scaring the shit out of her, but that would be too easy. If she insists on trying to shake me off her trail, I’ll have to show her just how much she needs me by her side.
I let her step inside the elevator and when the door closes, I take the next shaft down. When I get to the lobby, she’s pushing through the revolving door that leads outside. I keep a safe distance behind her and follow her several blocks east, waiting for the right moment.
I try not to let the sway of her ass distract me too much.
My stride speeds up as she approaches the next block. When I’m close enough, I wrap my arm around her waist and yank her around the corner. She yelps as I press her up against the wall of a building, holding her wrists and digging my hips into her so she can’t move. Her dark eyes widen with fear, and her chest heaves as she struggles against me.
I scared her.
Mission accomplished.
Her eyes narrow when she realizes who I am. “What the fuck are you doing?”
“Proving a point. Look how easily I caught you.”
“You’re a psycho!”
“And you’re lucky I wasn’t someone else.”
“I wish you were,” she spits back.
I lower my lips to her ear. “No, Eva. You don’t.”
I don’t miss the way her body shudders against me. But she says nothing because she knows I’m right.
And because she is stubborn as fuck.
“Now, where are we going?” I ask like I’m speaking to a kindergartener.
“I’m going to a party.”
“Then I’m going with you.”
Amusement dances in her eyes. “Guess you’re gonna have to let me go then, Big Guy. Or maybe you like this sort of thing, hmm? Holding a girl down, making her beg for it.” She rolls her hips against me. “Is that what gets you off?”