She took the pleasure anyway, gathering it up in her greedy arms.She tucked the feeling deep inside her, the connection that she treasured like nothing else, but that nip of fear came back sharper this time.With claws.
As soon as he took a deep, restorative breath, she was climbing off him.
“Damn it, Roxie,” he muttered, catching at her.
She’d already separated them.“Uh-uh,” she said.
Those were her terms.
But she allowed him to pull her to his side.Tucking her face into his shoulder, she finally settled down.Despite her resistance, sleep finally won the fight.It took her over and she was soon slumbering in Billy’s arms.
Never knowing that he still stared out at the moon, his jaw set like a Master Lock.
Chapter Four
What kind of hell had he gotten himself into this time?
When Billy awoke, he was alone in bed.Alone, except for the dull throbbing behind his eyes.Grinding the balls of his hands into his eye sockets, he tried to ease the pressure.As far as hangovers went, it was far from the worst he’d had, but add it to the total silence in the place and it was irritating.
Squinting against the light, he took stock.He was still splayed out cattywampus across the bed.All around him, sheets were twisted, and clothes were awry.Only one pillow remained on the bed, and Roxie’s belt was looped around the lamp on the nightstand.
All in all, the room looked like it had been struck by a tornado.
He supposed that was a good way to describe her.
The silence in the place practically screamed at him.He didn’t have to get up to check.Not only had she left the bed, she’d left the apartment.His arm fell limply onto the mattress.That familiar sense of anger and resignation settled in his chest.Couldn’t she even share a cup of coffee with him before he cleared out?
Although…
He vaguely recalled the phone ringing at some ungodly hour.“Ah, hell.”
He scrubbed a hand over his face.That was right.Something about having to meet her sisters.
Lifting his head, he glared at the clock on the bedside table.Big red digital numbers read 10:42.Considering they hadn’t fallen asleep until after four, it felt like the crack of dawn.
He sighed.
She’d left.They’d had a good time and they hadn’t hurt each other’s feelings too badly.By all rights, he should hit the road and be thankful that he’d gotten away with only a headache this time.
“Son of a bitch,” he grumbled.
Tossing back the covers, he sat upright.His head didn’t wobble too badly.Away from the slit of light blazing through the window, it was actually better.
Making his way to the open door, he gathered up what clothes were his.Roxie had already made an initial swipe through, he could tell.Her clothes had been kicked towards the hamper in the open closet.A path led to the living room, although a crinkly wrapper sat on the floor like some clue for a forensics expert.He tossed it in the waste basket as he passed, and his teeth ground.Two condoms had already been disposed of, along with a wadded-up Kleenex.
His headache kicked him right between the eyes.Grabbing his jeans off the floor, he continued onward, his grumpy mood deteriorating.
A shower made him feel more like himself but finding Roxie’s birth control pills in the medicine cabinet didn’t help his temper one bit.She really didn’t want him getting close, did she?In any way, shape, or form.
The road was calling louder and louder, as was the need for coffee.Heading down a floor, he put on fresh clothes.He’d better drop by Charlie’s today, because it didn’t look like his stay was going to be very long this time.The sex had been great, but all the same old problems were there.
Swinging his duffel bag over his shoulder, he headed out, trying to remember where the closest McDonalds or Dunkin’ Donuts was.His footsteps slowed on the front stoop, though, when he saw the silver Acura parked in front of the bar.It stood out like a sore thumb in this part of town, all waxed and detailed.
If there was one thing he could read, it was cars.He’d bet money he knew who owned that one.
His brow furrowed as he looked at the bar.His head told him he should keep on going.He’d already slipped up.If he had any self-preservation instincts at all, he wouldn’t let himself get sucked in again.He knew all that, yet he found himself moving towards The Ruckus.He’d always been a glutton for punishment, and he was curious.So sue me.
He tested the front door and wasn’t surprised when it swung right open.Stepping inside, he pulled off his sunglasses and waited for his vision to adjust.
