Chapter 20

TWENTY

"Idiot."

I slammed my way into the stall in the bathroom.

What the hell had I been thinking?

Oh, right—definitely not doing anything called thinking. Fighting with Nolan was like an aphrodisiac, and instantly, my legs were ready to open.

And boy, did they open. I still hadn't totally recovered from the last time he'd... fucked me. There was no other word for what we'd done the first time. This time was good old-fashioned animal sex.

The good, hot, and crazy kind.

Until he'd opened his mouth at the end.

I cleaned up as best I could and wished for the intelligence to have made a pit stop into my office for my emergency kit. That was mostly for hot and dirty work sites, not post-sex clean up.

I stepped back into my jeans and winced at my barefoot status.

I should just go back to my place and take a shower and call it a night.

Ugh ! Except I had to meet TJ at Lonegan's.

"Hell." I washed my hands and blotted my neck with the paper towel after I dried off. My neck was red from his beard and there was a teeny tiny star shaped bruise where my shoulder met my neck. I remembered the tiny flash of pain of his teeth. Right before he'd killed me with that magic cock of his.

What the hell kind of pheromones did he have? Was it the Red Hots?

Unable to listen to my own inner monologue any longer, I went out to face him.

At least he didn't run this time. He was standing by the window with his sunglasses on once more, his hands in his pockets. Even if I wanted to box his ears in, I couldn't resist a slow perusal of his shoulders down to his bitable butt.

Every inch of him made me ache in what should be a good way.

Until he ruined it with his stupid, truthful mouth.

He turned and spotted me. "Dahlia..."

I held up a hand. "I asked for the truth, and I got it. You never disappoint in that regard."

He bowed his head. "I didn't mean it cruelly, Hellcat."

The balm of my nickname washed away the worst of the hurt. I knew he hadn't meant to slice and dice me, but there was no sweetness waiting for me at the end of this...interlude.

It certainly wasn't a romance.

He was who he was.

"No, you certainly didn't. But I know it pisses you off to want me. It doesn't exactly fill me with sweetness and light, pal."

He crossed to me, and surprisingly, he cupped my face. "That's the problem here. You're all light and goodness. Me, not so much."

"Don't put me on some pedestal, Nolan. Both of us will be disappointed." I backed away from him to go clean up our impromptu pizza party.

I handed him the box. "Have dinner on me."

"I don't want it."

"Take it. I have plans tonight."

He frowned. "With who?"

A tiny part of me wanted to say Derek just to see what he'd say. Would he be jealous?

Now who was the asshole in the room? Oh, right—that would be me.

"None of your business."

"Right." He took the box. "Then I'll get out of your way."

Was he pouting?

I pressed my lips together and went to grab my bag, so he didn't see my smile. I turned off the lights. It was almost four, but at this point, I just wanted to go home. With a few extra minutes, I could take that shower, so I didn't stink of sex before I saw my girls.

They'd know, anyway, but I didn't have to be obvious.

I walked him to the door, but before I could open it, he stepped close to me. "I might not like how much I want you, but I'm not denying it." He slipped his hand into my shirt and cupped my breast.

My mouth dropped open as he palmed the condoms I'd tucked into my bra.

He dropped a kiss on my open mouth. "Can't wait for our next fight. Maybe next time you'll sit on my face, Hellcat." He used the pizza box to push open the door and whistled his way across the street.

I couldn't even be mad at him, because he was right. Every time we had a ripping fight, we ended up having sex.

What did that say about me?

Maybe I got off on it too.

I locked up and turned on the security. I didn't even remember the ride home. What the hell was that man doing to me?

I pulled into my spot in the garage and sat in my car for a full five minutes. Was I truly so contrary as to enjoy fighting with him enough to get me wound up?

Pretty sure the answer was yes.

I slung my bag over my shoulder and slammed my door. The lobby was busy with the after-work crowd, so I sneaked up the stairs. I was still hiding from Deb, anyway. I was well aware that Gizmo had been due to be rehomed a week ago, but there wasn't anything I could do about it tonight.

Speak of the devil, Gizmo wound his way around my ankles the moment I opened the door to my bedroom. "Hey, buddy."

He shot out of my room and into the living room. I sighed. If he wasn't such a jerk, he could run free in the apartment. Stripping out of my clothes, I tossed them in the washer on my way to the bathroom and turned the taps on the hottest setting.

I needed the pummeling blast of water to wash him off me and put me back to rights.

As usual, my body was equally loose and tight at the same time. No man had every touched me like Nolan did, both commanding and demanding at the same time.

He'd also talked a hell of a lot more than our first time.

I tipped my head under the spray. If only it was so easy to wash him off me. His cinnamon scent was fully a part of me at this point. Which didn't make sense in the least. We'd known each other for two weeks, and most of that time, we'd been avoiding each other. I shouldn't be this messed up about him.

It wasn't like I hadn't enjoyed sex before. Sure, it had been a minute and a half, but I wasn't a stranger to a quick fling. Sometimes people were only for a season, no matter how much pressure my mother was putting on me to settle down. It would happen when it was supposed to—period.

Which reminded me that I needed to call my mother back, as well. I wasn't going there right now. Besides, I wasn't sure where the heck they were. Since retiring, my parents loved to jet off on random holidays.

Which was probably a good thing. My mother was way too good at figuring out when I was interested in a guy. It didn't matter if I didn't want to be. I really didn't need her taking a deep dive into my romantic life.

Nolan Devereaux wasn't the settling down type. He as much as said it right to my face. I could either enjoy him for what it was—ultra hot, mind-bending sex—or I would have to find a way to keep my damn pants on around him.

I cupped my breast. The memory of his hand tucking inside to steal the condoms was annoying. There were flashes of a playful guy hiding under all the gruff annoyance.

What exactly made him want to push me away? Trying to figure that out was the road to madness.

" Ugh ! Just stop thinking about him!"

Instead of rushing through the shower, I made a point of doing the most. If my brain was a hot mess, at least the rest of me would look amazing. I used a mask on my hair, shaved every-damn-thing, and exfoliated within an inch of my life.

Buffed and scrubbed, I made sure to use a few extra serums on my face to stop looking so freaking tired. I left my curls natural and added some activator to make my hair seem a little wild instead of focusing on the usual smoothing I painstakingly did. I played up my eyes with a bit of cat eye wings with my black eyeliner and finished with a dark lip.

"Not bad," I said to my image in the mirror.

Since it was still hot as hell, I dug out a cute pair of black shorts from the back of my closet and found a beachy shirt in muted teal and burgundy V-stripes that emphasized my boobs and shoulders at the same time. I added a few stacked gold chains that dipped between my breasts with a delicate linked chain at my throat.

Instead of my usual fruity perfume, I went with a darker scent over the usual honey from my bodywash and lotion. I did a little turn in front of my full-length mirror. Pilates was a miracle because there was no way I was giving up my food.

I checked my phone to see TJ was already at the bar. The nice thing about my apartment was being so close meant yay, no fighting for parking.

I started to step into comfy sandals, then I went digging in my closet one more time. If I'd taken the time to make sure my legs looked amazing, I should emphasize it with my strappy heels.

Armor complete, I collected my cat and lured him back inside my bedroom with his favorite treats.

The guilt ate at me when he yowled as I closed the door.

"I'm sorry, dude. I promise I'm going to figure out a better solution."

I wasn't really sure how, but it had to happen soon. Davis and Deb were too busy with the plumbing situation—old building problems, I knew them well in my line of work—to be paying attention to my cat right now, but I was on borrowed time.

And so was my sweet cat.

I grabbed my keys, license, credit card, and lip gloss out of my bag and stuck them in my tiny clutch, then I locked up. In deference to my heels, I used the elevator, then I hustled through the lobby to the front doors.

Murray gave me a bright smile. "Got a date, Miss Dahlia?" Then he frowned. "Not that man from the other day."

"Don't like Nolan?"

He shook his head.

"Why?" Surprised that I felt the need to defend him, I didn't say more.

"A man should take the time to hold doors for a lady. And definitely shouldn't be so gruff with others."

"Not everyone can be as sweet as you, Murray." I patted his arm. "But no. I'm just going to meet my friends at Lonegan's."

"Oh. Well, enjoy yourself. But you're sure not dressed for just a night out with the girls."

"C'mon, Murray. Us women don't only dress up for a man. We do it for ourselves too."

"You're right." Chagrined, he took my hand between his. "My Katie would have my head for that one."

I leaned forward and kissed his cheek lightly. "We won't tell her. Now I'm off to shit talk with my girlfriends."

Murray threw his head back. "You have a good time. I'll see you tomorrow."

I waved and headed across the street to the median. The air was oppressive, and the sun was still blasting since the days were getting longer. I crossed the second half of the four lanes and spotted Avery climbing out of her Subaru.

"Hey!"

"Mind if I crash?" She grinned as she met me at the door.

"Not at all."

She looked me over. "Were we supposed to be dressing up?"

"No. Just was feeling frumpy."

Not that Avery could look bad if she tried. She was wearing her work khaki shorts and a black Designing Women polo with her hair up in a high ponytail.

She gave me a knowing smile and flipped my hair over my shoulder. "Since when does frumpy come with beard burn?"

I opened the door. "Yeah, that's a story that requires an adult beverage."

"Oh, I like those stories."

TJ waved from a booth at the back. I waved at Colder, the bartender, and he nodded. The nice part of a neighborhood bar was getting good service because they actually liked you.

Avery slid in beside TJ and I took the other side, my back to the room.

TJ was wearing a similar uniform to Avery. "How come I didn't get the dress cute memo?"

I laughed. "I needed a shower after work."

TJ leaned back, crossing her arms. "And why is that?"

Avery mirrored her. "Yeah, why?"

Cordelia, one of our usual waitresses, came over. "Hey, guys. What can I get you?"

I smiled up at her. "Saved."

Cordie sat on the bench beside me. "Saved from what? Do we have goss?"

I groaned. "Not you, too."

Cordie nudged my shoulder. "You look smokin'. You seeing that intense guy again?" She lowered her voice. "He's a little..."

I shifted to turn to her. "A little what?"

"I mean, he's hot. Just…I don't know of another word except intense."

TJ looked from me to Cordie to Avery and then back to me. "Hmm. Cordie, I think we need to start with tequila."

I shook my head. "Oh, no, we don't."

Avery sat up and clapped. "Oh, tequila stories. Why haven't I seen this guy? Who is it?"

Since Avery could drink a three-hundred-pound wrestler under the table, I had a feeling I was in serious trouble. Good thing it was Friday.

Cordelia popped up. "Now I really need to hear the stories. Don't start without me." She zipped away and threaded her way through the tables with a smile and a wave for the regulars.

"1800," TJ called after Cordelia.

She spun around with a thumbs up.

I was in so much trouble. That was the serious tequila.

"Huge thing of fries," Avery called.

At least we wouldn't be drinking on an empty stomach.

"So, what's going on?" Avery laced her fingers on the table and leaned in, her hazel eyes playful. "I feel like I'm missing stuff."

I opened my mouth, but TJ jumped in. "Our girl is banging our new client."

"What? No." She extended the word with a wide grin. "Who?"

Again, TJ answered for me. "Macy's brother. The new Richie Rich who wants us to redo the haunted mansion."

"Oh, now you think it's haunted?" I crossed my arms.

Avery frowned. "Man, I'm missing everything. The only interesting thing I've done is save a bougainvillea."

"Save it? Why? They just take over everything." TJ rolled her eyes.

"They don't if you take care of them and prune it like you should."

Avery was our plant mama, inside and out.

Cordelia came back with the tall shot glasses filled to the brim and I did a quick prayer for my liver. A few lime wedges in a bowl and a saltshaker rounded out the tray of trouble. Not that we really needed it with the top shelf tequila. At least she'd brought a basket of fries with all the good dipping sauces.

Avery sighed. "You're the best."

"What did I miss?" Cordelia asked as she passed out the shots.

"Did you know the Barrows house on the lake is haunted?" I asked.

"Oh, sure. Everyone knows that." The waitress grinned at me.

"You've seen her too?" I twisted the shot glass in front of me.

"No. I've never been brave enough to go out there. Some people say they've seen her walking on the beach at night though. Always in a black dress." She tucked her tray under her arm and wiggled her fingers. "Spooky."

"Really? I've only seen her in the window."

Avery took a healthy sip from her glass, then she finished it. "Yum. Bring the bottle. It's on me." She pulled out a crisp fifty-dollar bill.

"Where the heck did you get that?" TJ snatched the bill from her.

Cordelia plucked it out of TJ's hand. "I'll get the bottle."

Avery grinned. "When I was at the Mavis's house, their neighbor asked me to help them with bougainvillea. They wanted me to chop it down, but I just made it pretty and took clippings for my collection. They gave me a hundred bucks for my help."

"Dang. Well, now I don't mind letting you pay." TJ threw her shot back.

I filled them in on what happened in the secret library. TJ had been there for most of it, but I had a few more details from the second time I'd sneaked in.

By the time I finished, Cordie came back for a food order. We decided on a handful of apps instead of a full meal.

When I was feeling sufficiently warm from the tequila, I leaned forward. "So, I had the best sex ever. Twice."

"Way to brag." TJ blew raspberries at me as she refilled our glasses.

"Once in your office."

"What? When?" TJ's brows knit together.

Avery grinned. "Probably today if that beard burn is anything to go by." She snagged a jalape?o popper off the sampler tray.

"Why not in your office?" TJ asked with a huff.

"You had the condoms."

Avery threw her head back with a cackle. "Since when?"

"You are a bad friend." TJ tore off a hunk of chicken tender, baring her teeth before she started chewing.

I laughed. "I know. I'm so sorry, but safety first! Especially since we have an infected girl in the office."

TJ snickered as she dunked the rest of her tender. "Pregnancy is not catchy."

"This girl is taking no chances. I'm legit on baby lake." I waved my fry at her. "I can't help if you took those condoms from the trivia night. You stole mine."

"Because you haven't needed any in ages. Besides, they were my backups."

"Since they were still in that drawer since Christmas, I guess your dry spell is as bad as mine. Or you forgot."

"Bah." TJ threw a piece of popcorn chicken at me.

I snatched it out of the air and shrugged before popping it in my mouth.

"So, what's this guy look like?" Avery asked. "I've only heard you rant about his attitude."

I sighed. "Intense. Cordie was right about that. Tall. Great shoulders. He's got these full lips that can—what?"

TJ arched her eyebrow at me. "What did he do with those lips?"

"Many things. Is it hot in here? Maybe I need a water."

"What kind of things?" Avery grinned.

A flash of Nolan spreading me open on my bed came to mind. I peeked around the back of the booth. "Have you seen Cordie?"

Avery refilled my shot glass. "What kind?" she asked again.

My cheeks were blazing and only partially at the memory. "Let's just say he probably has had quite a bit of practice in the oral arts."

"Man." Avery tossed her napkin at me. "Where do I find a guy who's willing to do that? They sure expect us to, but reciprocity is seriously lacking."

I laughed. "Actually, he doesn't really let me touch him." My smile faded. "Like at all, really."

In the moment, he distracted me enough that I couldn't think, but now it seemed like a far bigger deal.

"How's that work?" Avery's eyes widened.

TJ gave Avery a bland look.

"Shut up. I know how it works, but are we talking silk ties, cuffs? What?"

"Not that serious." My nipples tingled as I remembered him cuffing my wrists over my head with his long fingers. I twisted my shot glass in the little puddle of overflow. "He likes to be in control." When neither of them said anything, I looked up.

"Interesting." TJ tapped her finger on the side of her glass.

"Why?"

"He doesn't like you to touch and he's in control? And you had orgasms galore?" TJ's voice was dry as dust.

"Fair assess..." Was that the word? The tequila was definitely stronger than the carbs on the table. "Assessment, yes. Lots of them. Like whoa, lots. Pretty sure my downstairs neighbor may have heard me."

"How many times have you guys hooked up?" Avery gasped.

"Just twice."

"And he's already figured out all the things?" Avery sighed. "I hate you a little. Last guy I was with was pretty as hell, but he didn't know my clit from my sl—" She cut herself off when Cordie came up to check on us. "Oh, hey."

Cordelia grinned. "I've been with a few of those guys."

TJ snickered. "They know how to put it in, and that's about it most of the time. But I take care of myself when needed. Or if they're willing, I don't mind giving a lesson plan with lots of bullet points." She waggled her eyebrows. "Or just use a bullet."

Cordelia swallowed a laugh. "I wish it wasn't so busy. I'd be over here with this convo for sure. You guys need anything?"

"Water," we all said in unison.

Cordie checked the bottle of 1800. "You sure do. Want anything sweet to go with this salty feast?"

"Since when do you have desserts?"

"Callahan is working with the Honey Pot on Fridays. We've got a few of her famous hot cross honey buns, and I think we have some chocolate eclairs left. They've been flying tonight."

"Three of each," I said.

"You got it."

"Eating your feelings now too? Shouldn't you be much happier with a couple of orgasms under your belt?"

"At least seven," I muttered.

"Now she's just being braggadocious." TJ tossed her fry back on her plate in disgust.

"He's got that consuming element." Boy, did he. "But he's also got a ton of issues. Not that I really know anything. His mouth might be good at one thing, but it sure isn't talking."

"Talking is overrated." Avery dunked a fry into the bonfire sauce at TJ's glance. "What? Most guys just want to talk about themselves, not have any actual meaningful conversation. Maybe I wanna just bang sometimes too."

TJ snickered. "Our histories kinda suck."

"They really do." I threw back my shot and tried not to think about the little bit of conversation Nolan and I did have, the truth bombs notwithstanding, I also tried not to think about his darker words.

So wet for me. Soaking my fingers.

Let me inside, Hellcat. Ride me.

But they played in my head like a song on repeat.

Avery touched my hand. "You're okay, though?"

"Fine."

Both of them gave me heavy stares.

"Honestly, I'm fine. I'm not just saying it. The sex is astounding."

"Braggadocious."

I laughed and it was enough to push me out of my mood. "But he's just...we'll say, emotionally unavailable."

TJ refilled all our shot glasses, then she lifted hers. "To orgasms. Sometimes they're just what we need."

We all clinked.

"Damn right." I tossed back the shot. I was pretty sure my tongue was numb. Not a great sign, but I didn't really want to care right now. I especially didn't care when Cordie came back with a tray full of sweet treats.

TJ regaled us with a few of the funnier aspects of the Jefferson job. The husband was very hands-on. To the point that TJ was tempted to schedule herself around his hours at work. He had a good heart, but he just kept rethinking his plans. As sweet as he was, he was also the worst kind of client. It took weeks for us to order furniture, rugs, and fabrics most of the time. Change wasn't a finger snap like they made it look like on television.

The éclair soaked up some of the tequila and I started getting tired. "I have to go home."

"Aww. It's early." Avery pouted.

I pulled out my phone and shut one eye so the numbers cleared. "Not that early." I turned it for them to see.

"Ouch." Avery tipped her head onto TJ's shoulder. "I was up early."

I swiped my thumb over the wallpaper of my phone. Gizmo's cute black and white face stared back at me. "Guys, what am I going to do with my cat?"

"Not it!" Avery straightened.

"I know. I'm so past my deadline. I can't bring him to the shelter." I sniffled as my eyes filled. "He's my baby."

A text popped up on my phone.

Nolan: You all right?

I dabbed the tears away. Why wouldn't I be all right?

"I gotta go to the ladies." I slid out of the booth.

"You can't text that person in front of us?" TJ snatched my phone off the table.

"Hey!"

She quickly put in my code.

"How do you know my code?"

TJ just raised her eyebrow.

"Right." I sighed. "Privacy obviously means nothing."

"Is there sexting?" Avery peered over TJ's shoulder.

"Nope." TJ looked up and at something behind me. "Stalker much?"

"Huh?"

I smelled him first. Even over the sweet, spicy, and salty array of food around us, there was no missing the cinnamon scent of him.

"You all right?" Nolan gripped the back of the booth above my head. "Seemed like a lot of top shelf shots going on over here."

"What's it to you?" I peered up at him. I probably shouldn't have looked up so fast. And there was quite a few inches to look up. I snickered. And down.

"You following her, slick?" TJ asked.

Avery's eyes widened as her gaze slid up Nolan's body. She gave me a good job thumbs up.

I rolled my eyes. "What are you doing here, Beast?"

TJ and Avery's eyebrows both shot up.

Nolan just folded his arms over his stupidly impressive chest. Why did he have to be so attractive? Especially a righteous body that he wouldn't let me touch. There was a whole lot that I'd like to explore if he'd just get his stupid head out of his bitable butt.

I frowned. "Whoops. Did I say the beast part out loud?"

"You did." His jaw tightened.

"Oh, relax." I stood up and pushed him. "It's not about your sexy scar. It's because of your grumpy, growly personality."

Avery covered her mouth with her hand and gave TJ a sideways look.

"Excuse us." I grabbed him by the arm and dragged him toward the bathrooms. "What are you doing here? I was having a perfectly fun night with my besss frends."

"How much tequila did you have?"

"I don't know." I threw up my hands. "Just a few shots…ish."

"Few?" He lowered to look in my eyes, then he frowned. "Looks more than a few."

"Why, you want a taste on my tongue?" I parroted back what he'd said about his Red Hots. Not quite as clever, though. I was too tired to be clever.

He growled. "You're drunk."

"Only a little. What's it to you?" I swayed and he caught me against his delicious chest.

"I'm taking you home."

"No, you're not." I stepped back and my ankle wobbled. The floor was obviously crooked.

He gripped my hip to steady me. "You're done."

"You're not the boss of me."

"I kind of am."

"No, there's a big difference between client and boss, pal." I poked his chest. "I definitely don't sleep with my bosses." I snickered. "Shelby isn't my type."

"I thought she was your partner?"

"Oh, she is. But she's bossy too. We let her think she's in charge. She's a mom, anyway. TJ acts like one of those too. Hmm." I frowned. "Not sure I like that. Am I a bratty teen in this group?"

"Yes."

"Shut up."

"That's what a bratty teen would say."

I dug my fingers into his belly. "Whatever. Hey, why do you care if I'm drunk, anyway?"

"I don't."

"Coulda fooled me." I wrinkled my nose at my thick tongue. "I gotta pee."

He sighed. "C'mon." He turned me around and steered me toward the sign where the bathrooms were and pushed the door open.

"You don't need to come in with me."

"Lucky for you, this place is progressive, and the bathrooms are unisex. Get inside."

I huffed out a breath. "You really are bossy."

"Just do your business, Hellcat, and then I'm taking you home."

I peered up at him. "Home with you?"