Page 30 of Vow of Revenge
After a quick shower, I dressed in ripped jeans and a white tee. A local gallery across the city was trying to off load a few collectibles because their business was going under. I knew the owner. His hot little sister had given me the not so subtle come on a few times. She was all tits and ass and big baby blues. Not my usual type, but she was fit and sexy and willing to beg, from what I could tell. I’d happily play around with her and strike up a deal that left me the winner.
A light knock tapped my bedroom door. “Kaleb, there’s a woman downstairs. I tried to send her away, but she said you have something that belongs to her. She won’t leave,” Luca called to me from the other side of the door.
Fucking great. What crazy assed woman hunted me down this time? I sprayed a fine mist of my usual cologne and opened the door. Luca had vanished. Probably because he knew women weren’t allowed in. Period. My ears pricked when I heard a familiar syrupy voice with seductive shyness.
A sweet giggle was followed by, “You’re such a big boy. Oh, yes you are.” Then another girly giggle. “You like it when I scratch behind your ears, don’t you?”
Lightly dropping down one step at a time, I found the top of Freya Beaumont’s head. She was hunkered down in tight white jeans and a loose-fitting powder pink pullover, playing with my flirty Boxer pup. He was all legs and back rolls, sucking up her attention. A black dishevelled lock fell across her face, shading her eyes from my slow descent. Pausing in the middle of the staircase, I silently observed her every move and listened to her chatty dialog with my dog.
In that second, I despised her beauty because she was breath-taking.
I hated how the afternoon sunlight danced on her hair, kissing it with a sheen like the night sky under bright stars.
I hated how the tone of her speech teased me with a sexy rasp, even though she was the worst of them all.
I hated that I wanted to play this game, just so I could touch her again.
“I wish I had a doggie like you!”
“He’s not for sale.” Amber eyes instantly found mine, pinning me with a look of uncertainty. “Why are you here, Freya?”
Champ nudged her hand, begging for more ear rubs, but she lifted from the floor and rounded her shoulders. “I came to collect my bracelet. It must’ve fallen off when we…” She didn’t finish.
“Fucked?” I followed the stairs down to her. “You can say the word, Freya.” I tossed her a taunting smirk.
“Yeah, FUCKED!” She over emphasised it by raising her tone. “I need it back.” Her arms folded across her chest like she needed a hug.
Mimicking her movements, I crossed my arms. “I don’t have it.”
Her lashes lowered as a deep sigh left her lungs. “Look, I had it on when I got here. It must be down there.” Peeling a protective arm away, she pointed down the hallway.
“I’m on my way out.”
“But I…”
My restraint was starting to show. Raking my fingers through damp hair, I circled the central table and scooped Champ into my arms. “How about I search for it when I get back. If I find it, then I’ll let you know.” Champ licked my face, and I craned my neck away from his darting tongue.
“Looks like someone likes you, Kaleb.”
“Are you jealous?” I winked.
The ball in her throat bobbed. “Not in the slightest. Like I said, I’m only here for my bracelet.” I wanted her to leave, but I also wanted to grab her face and kiss her pretty lips.
“And like I said, I’m heading out now. So that’s your queue to leave.” Champ stretched his neck across the space that separated us from her. “I guess he wants one last ear rub.”
Freya looked up at me and then tentatively reached out her hand. Champ’s wet nose met her palm. In a blink, she lurched forward and pecked him on the head. A waft of coconut surrounded me as her head retreated. “Please look for it.” The desperation in her tone made this a perfect chance to fuck with her.
“If I find it, then you’ll have to have drinks with me.”
A light crease nestled on her brow and she fiddled with the tips of her hair. “Drinks? Why would we have drinks together?”
“Why would I look for your bracelet?” I said with a deadpan expression.
“Fine.”
“The door is that way.” I lifted my brows and tipped my forehead in the direction of the door. “I’ll be in touch.”
The corners of her mouth lifted ever so slightly, and she blinked slowly. “Promise me, Kaleb. Promise me you’ll look for it.”
