Primal Instincts_ Volume 2(12)
Author: Nicole Edwards

 

“Are you sure you want to do this?” I asked Garrison after he’d taken his phone from the bookshelf and shoved it into his pocket.

 

He sent me a sideways smirk. “Am I sure?” He shook his head and chuckled. “No, not at all. But I’ve never wanted anything more.”

 

That was not what I had expected him to say.

 

 

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

Garrison

 

 

This was a royally fucking bad idea.

 

I knew it, and surely Creed knew it.

 

Yet the asshole had put me in a position he knew I wouldn’t back down from.

 

The question was: why? What the fuck was his angle?

 

I opened Journey’s office door and found Wayne Parson standing on the other side. He stumbled back as though he’d had his ear to the door, trying to listen. I knew I didn’t like that little shit.

 

“Hey, Mr. Walker,” Wayne greeted with that hero-worship thing flashing on his face.

 

I usually told people to call me Garrison, but I didn’t intend for this asshole ever to mistake me for a friend. I’d had very little interaction with him, but the rumors circulating painted him as a woman-hating prick. Based on that and his attitude during the presentation, he wasn’t earning any points from me.

 

When I didn’t say anything, he added, “I saw we had a meeting on the calendar tomorrow. Looking forward to it.”

 

He swung his head over to look at Journey. I glanced back and saw she was holding her bag against her chest, concealing her wardrobe change.

 

“Did you need something?” I asked when it became apparent he wasn’t leaving.

 

“Oh … um…” He glanced at Journey, then back to me. “I was thinking maybe you can give this one some advice while you’re hanging out this week,” Wayne said, nodding toward Journey. His eyes were eerily intent, as though he truly believed whatever was about to come out of his mouth. “You know, of the work variety. I figure since she’s so inexperienced, it might help her plight.”

 

“What plight might that be?” I asked, standing taller as Journey stepped around me, coming to stand directly in front of Wayne.

 

“She’s new, and she’s…” He sighed dramatically. “It’s only natural she’s making mistakes. It takes time to learn new things, am I right?”

 

I stared at him, imagining my hands around his throat.

 

He glanced at Journey, then nudged her with his elbow. “Hey, weren’t you hanging out with that fighter guy last week?” He laughed like it was actually funny. “You sure know how to string ’em along, don’t you?”

 

Journey’s expression reflected her shock that he would say something so crass.

 

“Excuse me?” I prompted, stepping in front of her and facing off with him directly.

 

Wayne’s eyes widened, but not from fear. He looked like he was ready to share a state secret. “I know, right? You might want to proceed with caution.” He nodded his head. “Raincoats all around, if you know what I mean.”

 

“We’re gonna go now,” Journey declared, stepping forward and putting her hand on my chest. It wasn’t until she did that I realized I’d shifted toward him, gearing up to wrap my hands around this pussy fuck’s neck and fast-pitch him through the fucking wall.

 

“Thanks for the advice, Wayne,” Journey told him before pushing me back. “I’m sure he’ll keep it in mind.”

 

“Like hell, I will,” I bit out.

 

“Sure thing.” His eyes sparkled when she acknowledged him. “Anything I can do to help.”

 

The guy was fucking clueless.

 

“He owes you an apology,” I informed her as she jostled me toward the elevators.

 

“It’s fine,” she said softly. “Can we please just leave?”

 

I glared at Wayne and made a mental note to fire his ass tomorrow.

 

“Come on,” she urged, turning me away from him as she tapped the down button.

 

“Does he talk to you like that often?”

 

“He’s harmless. More irritating than anything. I’m just glad he stopped asking me out. Believe it or not, having him slut-shame me is better than him insisting I go home with him for some personal tutoring.”

 

Yeah, he needed to go.

 

When the elevator arrived, I waited for Journey to go in. I turned to see if Wayne was still there, but he had disappeared.

 

I joined her in the elevator. “You shouldn’t put up with that shit.”

 

“It’s nothing I can’t handle. I promise.”

 

“Just know, I’ll gladly defend your honor,” I said, softening my tone and letting some of my anger go. “Just say the word.”

 

“I like you, Garrison,” she said in a husky whisper, bumping my arm with her shoulder.

 

“I like you, too,” I replied earnestly, nudging her back.

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to traffic, it took nearly half an hour to make the five-minute trip to Austere. From what I could tell, half of California was out to celebrate the day of eternal love. Personally, I would’ve preferred to be at home with a beer and a remote in my hand. I wasn’t much for public interactions. Not a fear, just a preference.

 

I passed my keys off to the valet attendant as I opened Journey’s door and helped her out of the truck. I was glad to see she was no longer carrying the bag to hide her chest, which told me my initial suspicion was correct. She’d done that because of Wayne. When she paused beside me, I guided her toward the door with my hand on her back.

 

She leaned toward me and spoke in a soft voice. “Do you have dinner here often?”

 

I opened the door. “Couple times a week, yeah.”

 

“Good evening, Mr. Walker,” the hostess greeted as soon as we stepped inside.

 

Being that it was Valentine’s Day, the place was already packed. All the tables were occupied as well as nearly all the seats at the bar.

 

“Evenin’,” I remarked. “Private room.”