Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 107557 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 430(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107557 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 430(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
“Then move.”
She sighed again. “Okay then, Captain Obvious.”
Just when he thought he was in the clear, he was about to fuck things up.
What he needed to do was plant his flag and make it known he wasn’t going anywhere tonight—or this morning, more like it—no matter what stupid shit came out of his mouth.
He was getting what he came for and delivering what he planned on giving her.
He headed over to her leather sectional, shrugged out of his heavy black leather jacket and tossed it over the arm. He sat down and began to unlace his boots since he wouldn’t be needing those.
Since his mind was still on security… Or lack thereof…
“Who’s doing security when you’re in the VIP rooms? When I left the club earlier, I didn’t see anyone standing outside of room one while you were in there.” He pulled off one boot and stuffed his sock into it.
“Security?” Her laugh sounded hollow and forced. “Please.”
He slipped his boot and sock off his other foot, then got to his bare feet and turned to face her, fighting a scowl.
But he wasn’t happy about the situation. Not at The Peach Pit. Not at her apartment complex.
Not only did she need to move, she needed to find another job. But he had no right to tell her that and, again, he came over to her place in the middle of the night for a reason. That wasn’t to piss her off.
“You need to be cautious, Phire. Not only there but also here with the lack of security.”
Her eyebrows hiked up her forehead. “You just got here and you already have the place assessed?”
He tipped his head to the side. “Am I wrong?”
Her mouth twisted. “No, you’re not wrong. But right now I can’t afford to rent a better place. Between my car payment and maintaining my wardrobe for work…” Her long, dark ponytail swung when she shook her head. “It doesn’t help that business has dwindled because they took a highly successful club and drove it into the ground.”
Before the Demons took over, the club had been making money hand over fist, but a quick look around her place proved she didn’t just move in. “Where did you live when the club was managed properly and the place was hopping?”
She stared at him, her lips parted slightly.
Jesus fuck, Rez, you’re such a fucking dumbass. Trying to self-sabotage this night… morning… what-the-fuck-ever.
All you had to do was keep your trap shut and enjoy the ride.
He pulled a breath in, counted to five, and then shook off all the concerns he had about safety. He was a guest here. Not a resident. Not even a boyfriend.
He had to assume she’d been living here for years without incident. “Don’t answer that. Not my business.”
“You’re right, it’s not. While I appreciate the concern, it’s unnecessary.”
“I didn’t mean to turn this visit into something it isn’t.”
“Listen, I understand you’re a cop and it’s only natural you’d think like one, but do I need to remind you that I earned a hostess salary for years and rarely got on stage? Those tips make a huge difference.”
“No reminder needed. Can we both agree I’m just a jackass?”
The corners of her lips curled up just enough for him to catch it while her bright blue eyes held amusement. “We can agree.”
“Good. Now… if I haven’t fucked up my chances, can we go do something that will keep my mouth busy that doesn’t involve me sticking my foot in it?”
“That we can.”
He flung his hand out toward the narrow hallway at the back right corner of the combination kitchen/living room. “Lead the way.”
He followed her down the hallway, his eyes flicking back and forth from the rock-and-roll of her ass under that blue silky material, to his surroundings. The first door on the left was closed. The second was open and a quick glimpse as they passed confirmed it was a bathroom. At the end of the hallway, the last door on the left was also open. As they stepped inside, he noticed her bedroom didn’t have its own bathroom.
Even though the apartment was small, it appeared organized and clean. It also smelled like Sapphire. Most likely from the scented products she used when she showered before he got there.
From here on out, he would have a hard time not thinking of her whenever he smelled what he guessed was lavender. He much preferred the subtlety of the light scent over heavy perfumes.
He stood in the center of her bedroom and took it in. Despite it being a tight fit, she had a king-sized bed, one dresser and a nightstand. That was it. The same as from what he saw in the living room and kitchen combo, she kept it simple. Not a bunch of clutter, like knickknacks, collectibles or even mementos.