“I have such limited experience when it comes to women. Maybe I am reading this all wrong.” I pull in a deep breath. “There’s only one way to find out.”
“Only one way,” Rage says, still painting. I had almost forgotten that he was here. Come to think of it, I’ve never seen Rage with a woman. I’ve never seen him talk to one, unless he was ordering a drink…or turning one down when they offer to buy him one. He doesn’t get many offers since he’s menacing as fuck. He has this ‘stay away’ vibe that most women acknowledge. Not all – there are those who love him. It’s never reciprocated. He’s never mentioned anyone before. Does he even have sex?
Surely, he has needs…
Why have I never thought about this before?
Maybe because I was like him not so long ago. A loner. Just a much nicer version. Without scars or an affinity to inflict pain and suffering and death. Not that he gives in to these particular urges.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Rage asks. His black eyes are searching my face. He doesn’t look impressed. It doesn’t take much to get his back up.
“I was wondering where your dog is?’ I blurt, even though that wasn’t it at all. I’m grateful to my subconscious for saving my ass because the Doberman isn’t at his feet, where I’ve become accustomed to seeing her. The question just popped into my head.
“I took her to the pound.” He starts painting the wall again.
“Really?” I sound shocked.
“What dog?” Bolt asks.
I fill him in. “I really thought you would keep her. You guys looked tight.”
He stops what he’s doing and turns. “We were not fucking tight. How can a person be tight with an animal?” He looks angry. I’m not sure why. “I told all of you that I wasn’t keeping the thing. That I was going to try to find her owner. I tried. I fucking failed. She’s at the pound. You go and adopt her. End of fucking story.”
“Okay, okay.” I hold my hands up. “Sheesh! I’m sorry I asked.”
“Don’t ask me stupid questions again. What are you still doing here, anyway?” His tone softens.
“I was on my way out.” I take a step back. “I need the keys to your apartment, please,” I ask Bolt, who frowns. “I figure you’ll be here for at least another hour or two. I need somewhere private to talk.”
“To talk?” Bolt lifts his brows like he thinks I’m talking shit.
“Yes, Barrett and her brother, Maddox, are at my place right now. In fact, Zale might be there too.”
“Talking about Zale…” Bolt growls. “When can I meet him? I take it he knows about me?”
I nod. “He knows. Here’s his number.” I pull out my phone and send Bolt Zale’s contact information. “I’ll let him know to expect your call.”
“Thanks.” Bolt’s jaw tenses for a moment, and then any sign of stress is gone.
“About those keys…” I say.
“Okay, but no sex in my apartment.”
“We won’t! I swear.”
“What do you mean you won’t? How can you swear?” He has deep grooves on his forehead. “Don’t make promises you can’t fucking keep. You’re going to tell her all of this romantic bullshit, and then you’re going to kiss, and her panties are going to drop to her ankles…and you’re going to tell her no? Do I have this straight?”
“I have no idea what will happen.” I swallow thickly, feeling my throat constrict.
He snorts. “You can have my keys, but don’t you dare fuck her…not in any room. Not even on the terrace. Since I know the two of you like the outdoors,” he laughs. “Also,” he digs in his pocket, pulling out a buzzer for the garage, and a key card, “security is tight. I’ll need you to fill in some paperwork…and I’ll need a copy of both of your identity documents. I will also—”
“Here,” Rage hands me a set of keys. “Go to my place. Just clean up when you’re done.”
Clean up?
“I’m not going to have sex. The two of you are jinxing me here. I need somewhere private to talk. That’s all!”
“I was talking about washing any dishes you might use. Or picking up any glass splinters if she breaks something over your head for being such an idiot and waiting so long.”
My mouth has dropped open. Is this Rage giving me advice on women?
“Go before it’s too late,” Bolt growls.
“They aren’t leaving just yet,” Rage deadpans.
“Women are weird about a guy taking too long. There’s a window period,” Bolt says. “I’m hoping you’re still in that window.” He makes a box shape with his hands and the paintbrush.
I take the keys. “Thanks,” I mutter to Rage. “Good luck with Zale,” I tell Bolt as I jog for the exit.
There’s a window?
A fucking window?
Why didn’t he tell me sooner?
25
Stephanus
Raven is on a lounger next to the pool. She’s reading a magazine. I notice she’s wearing one of my caps. I must have left it lying around. She has her hair pulled back.
The bikini is yellow. I think yellow is my new favorite color. Fuck me! There are small triangles covering her breasts. My new favorite shape. Triangle. The yellow is gorgeous against her darker-toned skin. Back to yellow being—
“Are you going to stand there all day?” Shit!
Does she know it’s me?
She doesn’t sound happy. Raven puts the magazine down and sits up. Holy fuck, but I love triangles and yellow.
“My eyes are up here.” There is a hint of humor in her voice. At least I think there is…I hope there is.
I manage to pull my gaze from her lush body. I stare into her green eyes, and yellow is no longer winning. It’s green. It was always green. “Hi,” I managed to get out.
“Hi.” She sort of smiles. “I hope you don’t mind; I borrowed your cap.” She points at her head.
“You can have anything of mine,” I blurt, sounding like an idiot. I find I don’t care. I mean it…she can have anything she wants. All of it…me included.
“You have a little something on your shirt.” Her eyes drop down for a second, and her mouth turns up on the one side.
I look down, and there’s a splash of paint. “Yeah, I was helping at the local bakery…they’re fixing the place up and needed help, so I…” I’m harping on, so I force myself to stop. “How are you doing?”
“Are we going to make small-talk now?” Shit! She looks hurt.
Did I wait too long?
Did I ever even stand a chance?
There’s only one way to find out. “Um…I think we really need to talk. I’d appreciate it if we could go somewhere and… Rage gave me the keys to his place. It’s not far from here. I thought we could—”
“Were you hoping to get lucky?” She has this glint in her eyes, but I can’t tell if she’s being serious. I never thought that she might take my request the wrong way.