Page 9 of Working Out West

There’d be no more talking about myself. My real personal life. I would have to think of a story for Ben's new life and stick to it. Since I’d already shared I was studying medicine, I couldn’t go back on that.

As the doors opened, the guards looked over, both scowling. I pasted a smile on my face and made my way to the doors with a cheerful “Goodnight.” Of course they didn’t reply. I exited out the doors and into the cool night.

Death appeared out of nowhere, and I hate to admit it, but I squealed like a girl, causing him to laugh.

“No issues?” he asked, smirking.

“Nope, smooth sailing like last time.”

“Good. You got another tonight? I couldn’t remember, and my fuckin’ phone went flat while the goddamn charger is broken. Well, now it is.”

I shook my head. “Sounds like it’s not your night, and yes, it’s only this one. I’m heading home.”

“I’ll follow you.”

Rolling my eyes, I said, “You don’t—”

“I’m following.”

“Okay. Thank you, and see you next time.”

He tipped his chin up to me, and apparently, that was his reply. He turned and stalked to his car. Smiling, I suddenly felt more comfortable from my little pep talk earlier.

I would put Adrik in the client bubble, and that was it.

As soon as I googled what he’d said in Russian.

Chapter Three

West

Iwasn’t sure what happened to me over the two weeks before our next appointment. But my little talk to myself went out the window. Worse. Adrik kept popping into my mind, even when I jerked off. I tried pushing him out, but no matter who I pictured, it would morph into Adrik, which had me coming instantly.

I’d kept myself busy with other clients, school, studying, and helping Lucas move into the house he and Wreck got, but it wasn’t enough, obviously. I even visited a bookstore to buy the rest of the series for Adrik. The books were bundled in my arms. Death had given me a weird look about the gift, but he didn’t say anything. I wished he had. Maybe then I would have seen some sense and kept the parcel in the car or thrown it out the window. Only books weren’t meant to be treated like that. I could have kept them for myself and had two sets of them or given them to Lucas and Wreck as a present.

Shit, why hadn’t I thought of that before?

I glanced to the shrubbery beside the doors and considered hiding them before I went in. I’d collect them on the way out, but I worried the guards would think I was planting a bomb or something and shoot me before asking.

Taking a deep breath, I placed the wrapped book pile under one arm and opened the door. As I stepped through, the guards looked over. One grunted and nodded toward the elevator. With a smile, I made my way there and pressed the button. It now seemed like the guards weren’t worried about me. I could have gotten away with hiding the books, damn it.

My stomach kicked up its fluttering when the doors opened, and I stepped into the elevator. I knew there were cameras; I’d seen them. It meant I couldn’t drop the books and rest my hands on my knees while I hyperventilated.

Stupid books. Stupid me for being nice.

The ride up went too fast, and when I stepped into the condo, I knew Adrik wouldn’t be waiting, so I quickly made my way into the kitchen before my nerves got the better of me and I hid in the closet.

The lack of scent hit me as soon as I reached the kitchen and didn’t find Adrik in there. He wasn’t cooking. Had I gone on about his food being amazing too much, and it put him off? Or was it the mention of cooking for his family that had done it?

Dear God, why did he want me back if he didn’t like what I said? Again, I’d been surprised when Country told me I was coming back and that Adrik had booked me for the next two months on every second weekend. I acted cool when he’d said it, but on the inside, I was throwing rainbow glitter all around while dancing and singing.

Which wasn’t a good sign. I was too happy to come back.

Although I wasn’t so sure, because with Adrik not cooking, what did it mean? What would we be doing? I doubted having a deep and meaningful chat would be on the cards.

I placed the books on the counter and stilled when I heard pounding footsteps in the house. Could he have forgotten I was coming?

Adrik turned into the kitchen with his phone in hand. He took my breath away. He wore a dark blue suit with a white shirt under it. “We eat out,” he stated. His eyes landed on the wrapped present, and he stopped still.

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