“She needs updated security,” Boomer says.
“I need to figure out a way to keep her safe.”
“Bring her here,” Grinch offers. “Kincaid likes the woman. He wouldn’t mind.”
I stare at my friend as if he’s grown an additional head. “She wouldn’t go for that.”
Hell, she didn’t even want me to stay at her house earlier, even after she begged me not to go. A sick feeling settles in my gut. Did she just want sex, and after it was over, she had no further use for me?
I feel a little dirty right now, sickened that I may have caused these same emotions for any of the women in my past. I didn’t have the same conversation with Faith about no strings before we got started. There was purpose in that. I don’t want the woman to be a one and done. I want to get to know her and spend time with her.
“Only being reactive to what’s happening could get dangerous,” Ugly interjects. “You need to get security on her house and probably at work as well.”
I blink at him. “And what? Just show up and tell her this is how it’s going to be?”
“Your girlfriend would be happy you’re keeping her safe,” he argues.
“She’s not my girlfriend,” I repeat.
“The woman you’re fucking then—”
“I will knock your ass out,” I growl.
Grinch chuckles, and the sound is annoyingly familiar. He did it when Apollo got with April, and when Jinx was getting in deep with Reagan. In his mind, I’m already halfway in love with Faith.
I want to spend time with the woman, but it’s not love.
“I’ll figure something out,” I murmur, because talking with them about this isn’t getting me anywhere.
“You need to make sure Colton knows what’s going on,” Grinch says, his tone now completely serious.
I nod, but it’s not exactly an agreement.
Faith is a strong, independent woman. She’s an attorney for fuck’s sake. She knows that the police should’ve been contacted on each of the vandalism occurrences. Me telling her to do so, probably wouldn’t go over very well, regardless of the time we spent together tonight.
Going behind her back and giving someone else information on what’s going on? That’s a surefire way to prevent me from being welcome around her.
“I can see your brain working, man, but keeping her safe is more important than keeping her happy.”
Grinch is absolutely right. I can deal with her being upset with me. I’d go insane if something happened to her.
Chapter 16
Faith
Ethan: Can’t wait to see you again.
I’ve stared at the text message he pinged my phone with while still standing in my house last night a million times, and it annoys me.
Well, the text doesn’t annoy me. The fact that once again I’m at work and can’t focus is the problem. I could blame him, but millions of people go to work after great sex and can manage being productive. I, on the other hand, must be broken.
Blinking has turned into long pauses with my eyelashes resting on my cheeks and my body heating from the memories.
Daydreaming.
I’m freaking daydreaming.
I didn’t groan a frustrated sigh and toss myself on my bed as a teenager, so infatuated with the sight of a high school crush, so why in the world do I have the urge to do it now?
I’ve had phenomenal sex before. Okay, so that isn’t exactly true, but I can’t even blame the sex for making it impossible to concentrate while sitting at my damn desk. This was happening before he ever worked my body over with that talented mouth of his, before he ever pulled himself out of his jeans, before I ever got a glimpse of his muscled torso.
I know the man works for Cerberus for a living, but his body is an unadulterated thirst trap.
I smack my forehead, groaning in agitation. I’m thirsty for that man. I’ve become one of the women I used to frown at while scanning social media. The ones who sit at home and make filthy comments on random pictures of guys. Technically, I haven’t made any comments, but my head is filled with a litany of dirty words and requests.
I’m an idiot for asking him to leave last night, and not only because him being in my home made me feel safe. I want more of him, and I’m sure if he stayed, I would’ve gotten exactly what I needed.
Maybe a second encounter would’ve left me satisfied, and I wouldn’t have wasted an hour already this morning staring off into space like a sex-drunk barbarian.
Jesus, my head is just full of lies and bargains this morning. If once wasn’t enough, then I’m certain twice would’ve probably left me without speech and fine motor skills.
“Are you okay?”
I glance up at Pauline, curious about the worried look on her face.
“I’m sorry?”
“You’re in here grumbling.” I give her a weak smile in apology, but it doesn’t seem like she’s going to accept it. “I don’t think I’ve heard you cuss so much since the Wrenton case.”