Page 12 of Stitch
“Fuck. I deserved that. I’m sorry, I really am. I’m not that guy. I don’t know what I am, but I’m definitely not that guy. I can’t even blame alcohol, because I only had a few. I guess I can’t drink like I used to.”
His face suddenly fell again, like the weight had dropped right back in place.
“Is Lissa with another client, then?”
I shook my head, and pointed to the kitchen at the back.
“No she’s not, but I really want to make you a drink, while you catch your breath, and she’ll be ready when you are.”
He watched as I hooked a finger through one of his belt-loops, and tugged him along with me.
“Uh… is this a kidnapping? Is that what’s happening right now? Should I shout for help?”
Ishot him a grin as I towed him to the kitchen, while noticing that he just willingly followed me.
“If that’s the case, you’re a little more willing than I’d expect a kidnap victim to be.”
He shrugged. “Not got much to lose these days. It might be an improvement.”
I set the kettle on and turned to stare at him, my arms folded. I just wanted to keep looking at him, taking in every detail, but I still felt like giving him a hard time too.
“So you weren’t willing because it’s me, but because you figure why the fuck not, I have nothing to lose? Just so you know, you’re not that great with women.”
Eight
What were the chances?It was her, and thank fuck she wasn’t Lissa, because when I finally got my head in the game, and realised my victim from last night was right in front of me, in this place, my sudden thought was that I’d made kissy face with my brother’s old lady, and that shit is never alright.
Thank fuck she wasn’t, but then either way, I wasn’t exactly winning her over, was I? Was there any point in trying though? Even if she liked me, my days were seriously numbered, and was it worth letting her get hurt by making friends with her, let alone anything more?
“Here.” She’d made me a coffee to my requirements, and one for herself. We stood in the small kitchen area, even though there was a table with chairs right beside us. Maybe they were for real clients.
“Thanks. Look, even though you’re not who I thought you were, I’m still sorry. Practically jumping you in a hallway like that was out of order. Consent is important to me, and I never even gave you that chance.”
Camille shrugged.Camille. Was there a more beautiful fucking name out there? Why the hell did she shorten it to Cammy? It didn’t suit her. She was gorgeous, but in a really classy way, like too classy for a loser like me. She had so much long dark hair, it was flowing down her back with some sparkly things pinning the sides away from her face. Her brown eyes were warm and friendly, but there was a hint of something there. Mischief? Yeah, I think that’s it. Elegant and yet, challenging, maybe even dangerous.
“If it helps, youhad my consent, Stitch. If I hadn’t wanted you touching me, I’d have kneed you in the nuts pretty sharpish.” Fuck. That felt like a literal kick to the… one remaining fucking nut. She didn’t know, she couldn’t, but it hurt just the same. I sucked in a breath, and focused on my coffee, trying to calm down the way I felt like I could break inside at the reminder.
Her hand suddenly rested on my arm again.
“I said something wrong, didn’t I? I’m so sorry. I liked it, really I did. If you’d wanted more, I’d have given it freely.” Wow, she thought my reaction was about the consent issue, and not… maybe she didn’t know. I wasn’t sure who knew about me now, because originally we’d tried to keep it quiet, but Reacher had to tell the club a little, with me being gone so long.
“Thank you for saying that, but it doesn’t excuse my behaviour.” I managed a few words, but she was shaking her head.
“Stitch, I’m saying I was into you. Hell, I’m saying I’d still let you go further if you wanted to. I sound like a cheap tart, don’t I? No wonder you’re looking so uninterested, but, I go for what I want, and-”
“Everything okay here?” There was another woman in the doorway. She was dressed smartly, and had her red hair pinned up conservatively.
“Hey, Lissa, this is Stitch. We were just getting to know each other, before I sent him in.”
She covered for me. She covered for my… well, my clear lack of balls.
And this was Lissa? She couldn’t be further from what I’d imagined would be his type. See, I was still being an asshole, but at least it was in my head this time.
“It’s lovely to meet you, Stitch. Everyone speaks so highly of you.” She reached out one delicate hand to me, so I shook it.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, guess I needed to steady my nerves a bit first.”
She glanced at the mug in my hand, then looked at Camille.
