“Doesn’t seem like you’re struggling.” I remarked.“Perhaps not like that. But as far as sympathy and sensitivity, I’ve been told I can come off rather…”“Harsh?”“Thanks.” He frowned. “But, yes.”“You are harsh.”“I don’t intend to be.” He defended.“I don’t think you do, I just think you’re incredibly direct and most people don’t know how to take that.”“I suppose not.” He grumbled. Walking away. He rounded the kitchen bar. “You hungry?”Starving.“No.” I said slowly. “I’m okay.”My stomach gave a drawn-out growl in objection. The mere idea of food making it holler. I tried to recall what I’d eaten earlier today and realized I hadn’t.It’s been a weird day.He leaned across the counter. Propping his chin on his palm to give me a pointed green-eyed stare.“Fine.” I conceded. “I’m hungry.”***“I noticed.” He straightened. The hint of amusement tingeing his tone. He washed his hands in the sink and moved to find a pan.“There’s one in the box here.” I lifted it out and handed it to hi
He grinned and didn’t look up. “That you knew. But why I dropped her may be a little less known to you.”He’d said she cheated with Logan. I remembered his words from the club.Does he really know that? I wondered. Still somehow hoping it wasn’t. My mind’s way of trying to protect me from my own humiliation.I shrugged. “I’d assume the same ol’. One of you cheated?”Was Susan really the only one that cheated? I hadn’t really realized that I’d crossed my arms disapprovingly. Suspecting that he might be just as guilty. Because like Logan, women tended to flock to him.“Yes. It is the classic tale.” He admitted.“Did you do it too?” I couldn’t help the note of accusation.He turned his head to me, eyes wide at the sound of that note. “Not me.”“You sure about that?”“Pretty sure I’m present where my dick is.” He said a bit harshly. My brows went up. “You think I’d do that?”“I’ve seen the way women respond to you.” I began.“You don’t.” He cut me off.I’m not entirely immune. I mentally
“Full?” He asked after swallowing a bite of his food.I looked at my plate. The pretty strawberry salad was gone. All that was left was a hearty chunk of the buttery steak. “More than.”“You mind?” He aimed his fork at the remaining half.“Not at all.”Please take it, before I try to eat more.He stole it and helped himself to it.“Quite an appetite.” I remarked.He nodded.It seemed surprising he could down so much and still have that trim narrow shape.I glanced over at that wall that was lined with hand weights.He must work out a lot to eat that way.“You never eat at work.” I noted.“Don’t do anything but sit there.”I thought about that. Probably true.This version of Porter struck me as being very active. When he was at Chase & Walker he was sitting doing accounting. Seeming entirely at peace doing nothing but scribbling in ledgers and typing notes on his computer.But when he’s not there, he’s like this.“Do you make more as a bouncer?”He nearly choked. “Definitely. But we pr
MONDAYThe couch truly was terrible. Getting off it was more like flopping over on my stomach and crawling toward the bathroom until the feeling returned in my legs.I didn’t know if Teresa and Rita were staring at him in their usual longing way. I couldn’t tell because I seemed to be too busy doing it myself.Why do I keep staring?Because he was wearing a pinstripe gray suit today. With a cream-colored button up underneath. Looking comfortable as the accountant with the wide-brimmed glasses he kept pushing up that straight nose.Nothing like the muscled bouncer in tactical pants I’d watched dressing a few days ago.I blew a long breath. I’ve got to get away from him.Staying in his apartment was going nowhere good.This morning after I’d evolved my plan, I’d followed the scent of coffee to a pot he had on the kitchen counter. But when I’d turned to try to find my thermos in the box I’d packed, I found it sitting on the counter.I twisted the lid and peeled it open. Seeing the milky
I should’ve noticed it before.What if that meant it wasn’t Logan’s account?But it was opened the same day. I told myself. Shaking my head slightly.It’s not though…Then who’s is it?“Can you open the account registry?” I asked.He sent me a sharp look. “Why? You know what day it was opened and by who.”“But I…” I eyed him and realized that I couldn’t explain it.Not without seeming even more careless and self-involved.I’d already claimed that I thought I was justified in stealing from Logan. But if it’s not even Logan’s…Then I’ve just been stealing. Period.I decided in that moment it was better if he didn’t look. I chewed my bottom lip.What would he think if he realized it wasn’t even Logan’s?I was just robbing clients… I was sweating and breathing raggedly.He leaned forward, the chair squeaking beneath him and his sandalwood cologne filling my nostrils as he peered at me. “Everything okay.”No!Whose account is this? I wanted to yell.“Yeah.” I straightened. “I’m good.”“Alr
I need to check the bucket.I went in and saw that the bucket was indeed nearly spilling over. I quickly dumped it. Lugging the heavy thing to the bathroom and dumping it before returning it to the Living Room under the leak.I dialed the manager again leaving him another message that I was still waiting on Maintenance to check the roof.“Uggh.” Groaning in frustration. I turned around and went to round up some of my brightest towel and washcloths. Piling them on my couch so I’d remember to take them when I left.I was already envisioning Porter’s face when he saw them in his bathroom. Quietly replacing his black and white towels.But thinking of Porter had me thinking about how he looked in those rolled up button ups and those tightfitting tactical pants.My eyes shifted to my room.I lifted my phone and checked the time. Thinking Porter wouldn’t even be heading back to his apartment for another forty minutes.I flopped onto my bed and let my mind wander. Feeling the arousal climbing
“Were you worried about me, Porter?”“Kane.” He corrected. Turning and heading into his apartment.“Were you?” I persisted.“Yes.” He said flatly. “I don’t know many women, but I worry about the ones I do.”“That could be considered rather sexist.”“That I want to make sure you’re safe?” He glanced over his shoulder.“That you think I can’t keep myself safe.”“When the hell did I say that?” He whirled around. “I don’t think that. You’re a very capable woman. But you spend all your time looking after your mother. Who looks after you?”That cut me to the quick.“I…”“Just let me know you’re okay next time, alright?” He said a bit impatiently.“Okay…”“I have to get ready for work.” He headed for his room to change.I carried in my towels and washcloths to set them on the side table.***In no time he was out in those same dark clothes, except tonight he wore the button up open over a t-shirt that had block white lettering saying Security across the back.He looked at the stacks of towel
I woke faintly just before dawn. I’d somehow unraveled from my large white comforter dotted with pink roses. I grasped for it but couldn’t find it.I was so cold. It must’ve slipped onto the floor.It was too dark, and I was too tired to hunt it down.Shivering with teeth chattering, I crawled under the blanket I laid over. Barely noting I couldn’t see it at all in the dark. Which meant it was Porter’s black comforter.I was in such a hurry to slither beneath it that I accidentally kicked into a bare calf. Hissing through my teeth I moved further away from him. Noticing I could hear his even breathing on the far side of the bed. I scooted onto my side so I could keep him in view across the bed.The problem with this position was that, being on my side, I caught a hearty whiff of musky cologne on the pillow. Smelling like forest wood and a hint of pine.Smelling like he does everytime he gets too close.Which is all the time…It was wafting into my nose and having a potent effect on me