Page 92 of Nothing to Fear

“Heard you were in Blaze the other night.”

“Heard from who? Who are you talking to about me?”

“Just came up. You win a prize at work or something?”

“Yeah, that’s it,” she said, not owing him any explanation. “What do you care?”

“I could come over.”

“You could,” she said, unimpressed. “You wouldn’t get in but knock yourself out.”

Another good reason to move. She might just omit Jeremy from her list when sending out change of address messages.

“Don’t be like that, sweetie.”

“Don’t,” she said. “Are you drunk?”

“No!” Offense joined the word, she doubted it was completely honest. “I want to come over and see you.”

“You want to come over and have sex with me.”

“That too,” he said on a chuckle that shook her head. “You know how good—”

The phone was plucked from her hand.

“Listen, asshole, you’ve got a problem, a serious problem. You call this number again and that problem will visit your doorstep, you understand?” He turned away when she eventually caught up to what was happening. Darroch, on her phone, talking to Jeremy. Shit. “That’s right. New guy, only guy. And believe me, man, I have the power to make your life hell.” Her jaw loosened. “You’ll lose your job, your apartment, and never get laid again. You so much as think about Savanna and your problem will become my life’s cause. Lose this number.” He hung up and threw the phone onto the couch. “I can’t believe that jerk called you.”

“Happens sometimes,” she said to his back as he ran a hand through his hair.

“Better never happen again.” He spun around, his brow low. “Block his number.”

“I don’t think I need to.” Over the surprise, she licked her lips. “I can’t believe you spoke to him like that.”

“I’ll speak like that to any guy who propositions you. He’s got some fucking nerve, the way he treated you makes me fucking sick, but the fuck still thinks—”

“It’s okay.” Resting her hands on him, she boosted onto her tiptoes. “I’ve never heard you swear so much.”

“I’m mad.”

“Okay,” she said, heat rising within her. “Let’s do something with that energy.”

Except as she slid her hands up to his neck, he resisted her pulling him down. “No.”

“No? You don’t want to…?”

“No!” he exclaimed, easing her away. “Definitely not. Hard no.”

Oh, right, yeah, Jeremy still had that effect on her love life. “Oh…” Now it just felt weird and awkward. A few minutes ago they’d been getting hot and heavy, ready to give in to what they’d resisted since they met. “It’s getting late.”

“Yeah.”

“You should go.”

She couldn’t even look at him. It made sense. Why wouldn’t he be mad? Finding out her ex still showed up for booty calls? He had to think the worst.

“No, I don’t want to go.”

She tucked her hand behind her when he tried to touch it. “I’d like you to go.”

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