Page 15 of Wicked Temptations
Dylan had been right about one thing. I had a jealousy problem. Possessive streak a mile wide that I’d never bothered examining too closely because analyzing myself meant acknowledging the kid who’d been left behind, and I didn’t have time for that kind of introspection.
Walk away, the rational part of my brain suggested. I should just go back to the scare zone and do my job and stop making everything worse.
My feet moved forward instead.
“Hey.”
My voice came out flat, cutting through whatever the stranger had been saying. Both of them turned.
Ash’s smile died. The stranger just looked confused.
“We going to go over your precious changes or not?” I addressed Ash directly, ignoring the other guy completely.
“Now?” Ash’s jaw tightened. “I’m on break.”
“So am I, but aren’t you desperate to change everything?” I shifted my weight, folding my arms across my chest. The tactical vest dug into my ribs. “Unless you’ve got other plans.”
The stranger glanced between us, picking up on something in the air. Smart guy. “I should probably get going, anyway.”
“You don’t have to leave.” Ash kept his eyes on me, challenge written all over his face. “Jude can wait five minutes.”
“Parker wanted it done before tomorrow’s shift.” I held Ash’s stare. “But if you want to explain why you couldn’t find time, that’s on you.”
The guy shifted uncomfortably, and his hand dropped from Ash’s arm, which made the knot in my chest loosen fractionally. “Seriously, man, I need to head out. Early shift tomorrow.”
“Text me later, okay? We’ll grab that coffee.”
Then he was gone, and I was alone with Ash in the narrow hallway. Victory tasted sour on my tongue. I’d wanted him gone, wanted Ash’s attention back on me, and now that I had it, I didn’t know what the hell to do with it.
“What the fuck was that?” Ash’s voice was low, dangerous. The easy warmth from moments ago had evaporated. “What gives you the right to act like you own me?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” The lie was transparent even to me.
“Bullshit.” He closed the distance between us. “You scared him off on purpose.”
My pulse hammered against my collarbone.Control.I needed to stay in control of this conversation, but Ash was too close, andI could smell the fake fog still clinging to his costume, could see where sweat had made his eyeliner smudge.
“You want to waste your break on some random guy from day crew, that’s your business.” I kept my voice level. “But don’t bitch and whine that I didn’t try to learn your stupid choreography.”
“You soundsoeager.” Ash rolled his eyes. “You either want to work with me or you don’t, Jude.”
I want you.The words locked behind my teeth, trapped there by years of self-preservation and the memory of everyone who’d ever walked away. Jimmy’s hand around my wrist, squeezing until bones creaked. Dylan’s disappointed face when I couldn’t give him what he needed. My sister’s taillights disappearing down the street the day she turned eighteen, leaving me with my messed up mother and whatever guy she’d invited into our house.
“This isn’t about wanting.” I forced the words out. “I’m trying to be professional.”
“Professional.” Ash laughed, sharp and bitter. “Right. Because stalking me during my break and interrogating my friends is the height of professionalism.”
“He wasn’t your friend. He wanted to fuck you.”
The admission hung between us, raw and ugly. Ash’s eyes widened, then narrowed.
“And?”
That single word gutted me.And?As if it didn’t matter. As if the thought of someone else’s hands on him didn’t make my vision tunnel.
“And nothing.” I stepped back, needing distance before I did something stupid like grab him. “Do whatever you want. I don’t give a shit.”
“Liar.”
