Page 33 of Bad Situation

Impressive.

I change the subject again and smirk. “Now can I come to the ranch with you? I’ll tell your parents I gave you the tip about the dummy corps and the trash run. What’s not to love about me after that?”

She fists my shirt again and her voice goes soft which, ironically, makes my dick go hard. “Maybe some other time. With the wedding stuff and all … and I haven’t spent any time with my sister in a while. We planned on catching up this weekend. I’m staying the night and won’t be back until late tomorrow.”

Dammit. I step closer and press my body against hers. “I want to see you. Outside of all this shit.”

She swallows and the tip of her tongue teases the seam of her lips. “The way things are going, I’m not sure when that will be.”

My phone vibrates in my pocket and I want to ignore it, but I can’t. When I unlock it, I see that Bree is on the move.

I look back up to Jen. “I’ve gotta go. Take the prepaid cell with you. You’ll be back tomorrow night?”

She leans her head back to look up to me and nods.

I want her mouth.

I want to unlock her door, push her inside, and not let her out.

I want to close out all the shit—mine and hers—and, for just once, be normal.

I can’t even remember the last time I had normal. Maybe I don’t know what normal is.

My phone vibrates again but this time it’s a call. When I look, I grit my teeth. The last thing I have time for right now is Sarah.

“You’re a popular guy.” Jen’s expression is a careful one, leaning on the side of curious.

After wanting to pummel her trainer, I shouldn’t judge her curiosity, but I do. “It’s nothing, just work stuff. I have to go, but I’m coming over tomorrow night.”

Her eyes dance with intrigue. “I didn’t invite you over tomorrow night.”

“Again, with the shitty southern manners. You’re going to make me think you don’t like me.”

She shifts her weight. “I’ve been trying to figure out if I like or hate you for a week straight. You give me whiplash.”

I slide my phone back in my pocket, regretting the fact I really do have to leave and soon. I only have a couple minutes so I use my time wisely and press her into the door. Leaning down, I put my lips to her ear. “You’ve only ever liked me. Admit it.”

She puts her hands to my sides and tries to give me a little push, but I don’t let her. I put my lips to her neck.

“Please, Eli. Don’t kiss me.”

I run my tongue along the lobe of her ear. “Why?”

Her body tenses and I can’t lie—it feels good. I can’t wait to make her tense in other ways. “Because you can’t kiss me for the first time when I smell like a rotten goat right after kickboxing. I won’t allow it.”

My phone vibrates again. I really do need to go.

I stand up straight. “Answer your phone this weekend.”

I move away and press the button to the elevator.

“And, Jen?” I call for her as the doors slide open. She hasn’t moved away from her spot and tips her head, hiking a brow. “I’m coming back tomorrow night and I don’t care what you smell like or what’s going on with your case.” I hold the elevator with one hand while motioning between her and me with the other. “This is happening and it starts tomorrow.”

I don’t look back. I get in the elevator and check my phone. Bree is heading this way and she’s close.

Fuck me. Why is she coming back here?

Looks like I’m diving back into the damn trash cans as cover. It’s the only reason I should be here. I don’t even want to think about why she’d come back here after she found documents I’m pretty sure she planted, but Bree wants to play a game and push boundaries, she has no fucking clue who she’s dealing with. I’m the king of pushing boundaries and can walk the line of good and evil while always working for the good.

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