Page 36 of On Broken Wings

“I wasn’t going to, but I figured I needed a reason why you were standing me up.” She was trying to sound irritated, but there was a lilt in her voice that said she was failing miserably.

“Standing you up?” I was confused.

“Um, yeah. Lunch? You invited me to lunch.” I could hear traffic in the background so I could only assume that she was outside.

“I lost track of time. I’m sorry.” I felt like such an ass. “I’m stuck right now. Work stuff. Can I make it up to you?”

“Did your boss call you in, or something?” I could tell she was confused. Hell, I would be too if I was being fed the line of bullshit that she was at the moment.

“Something like that. Listen. I really can’t talk right now, but I’d love to pick you up after your shift and get dinner somewhere. I’ll pay, and you can pick the place since I screwed up this lunch thing.” I rushed inside the safe house. I’d been so distracted with Jenni that I’d been standing outside, holding the duffle.

“Sure. Ok.” I could hear the disappointment in her voice, and it killed me. I’d been trying to break through for months, and the day I finally get somewhere, my job has to take it all away. This moment right here was showing me why Mark left when he did.

“I’m sorry, Jenni. I really am. I’m glad you finally used my number though.” I chuckled as I slipped into one of the rooms inside. “I’ll call you back at this number when I’m on my way. Deal?” I waited for her to answer. I knew I needed to get off the phone.

“Deal.” She sighed into the phone, and all I wanted to do right then was wrap her in my arms and promise to never disappoint her again. Wherever she ended up choosing for dinner was going to be the best date ever because this was definitely a date tonight. I’d make sure of it.

Chapter 16

Evan

“Are we good?” I paced the small room while Toni checked out the contents of my duffle.

“Yep.” She zipped it shut, and reached into the purse she was carrying. She pulled out a manila envelope that was folded over. “Here ya go. Put this somewhere safe until Monday. We don’t want Vince getting suspicious over you selling out that quick.”

“I’m on a buy next week if all goes well. We can set up the sting then, yeah?” I ran my hands over my head. I was sweating, and my hair was driving me crazy. I wanted to cut it so bad, but it was part of my disguise.

“Perfect.” Toni smiled. She didn’t smile very often when it came to work, but I knew she was wanting to close this case as much as I was. “Watch your back, Loverboy.” My mouth dropped open in surprise. I thought I’d done a better job of hiding things. “I know all about you and… Jenni, is it?”

“Dev needs to keep his fucking mouth shut,” I growled.

“It wasn’t Dev who told me. My fiancé works there too, remember?” She tipped her head to the side.

“Just bust these fuckers so I can tell her who I am,” I huffed as I tugged at my hair again and chuckled lightly, “and so I can cut this mop on my head.”

“Get the details on that buy, so I can get a sting set up, and we will.” She slung the duffle over her shoulder, and headed toward the door. “Wait five minutes.”

I held up my hand to cut her off. “I know the drill. I’m not some newbie.”

I paced some more as I watched the seconds tick by. This was the longest five minutes I’d ever waited for. I was itching to get home and change. I wanted to go pick up Jenni and take her out. I wanted to show her how great we could be if she’d only give me a chance. I hoped that I’d get the kiss I should have gotten the other night when I took her home.

Ooooooooo

Traffic was heavy as I made my way to my apartment. I hadn’t been here for more than sleeping in weeks. The place was a mess, and looked like a bachelor pad in the worst way. An empty pizza box was on the counter along with several other take-out boxes. The fridge held nothing but bottled water and beer. There were clothes in a trail down the hallway, and I had to shove against the door to get it to open. “Fuckin A,” I muttered as I stepped over the pile of clothes on the floor in need of washing. Good thing I had no intention of trying to bring Jenni here tonight.

I peeled off my clothes, tossing them to the side, as I grabbed a towel hanging on the door. I sighed as I stepped into the bathroom and turned on the shower. While I waited for the water to heat, I examined my ribs. The bruise from a few weeks ago was now a faded green. I still had a pretty good welt on my upper thigh, but I finally didn’t look like I’d been in a fight.

As steam filled the room, I stepped in under the spray. The water felt heavenly on my tired body. I wasn’t lying when I told Jenni that I’d been busy with work. Between keeping up the ruse at the bookstore, and then being at Vince’s beck and call, I was exhausted.

I closed my eyes as I leaned forward and let my head droop. The water ran down my back and I sighed, not wanting to move. The only thing that would make the shower better would be having Jenni there with me. I’d been thinking about her way too much lately. What did she look like? Feel like? Taste like? What would she sound like? The more I let the questions invade my head, the harder I got.

As I wrapped my fist around the shaft of my cock, I pictured Jenni’s hand. It would be significantly smaller, but I’d show her how I liked it. The soap made my hand slick, and before I knew it, my hips were thrusting forward as I squeezed as hard as I could stand. My entire body shuddered as my release burst forth, causing a groan to slip from between my lips.

I finished washing, and turned off the shower. As I stepped out, I noticed a message flashing on my phone. I ran the towel over my head before tying it around my waist. I picked up the phone and swiped the screen. It was a text from Jenni.

Jenni: How do you feel about outdoor eating?

I laughed as I stared at it before answering her back.

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