23
Zeta
“You look like shit,” I say the instant I open the door to him.
“You can’t still be pissed?” Ryder replies, yawning as he pushes his designer shades on top of his head.
“I’ll be eternally pissed after the stunt you pulled,” I hiss, lugging my case out into the hall and pulling the door to my condo shut behind me. All the rest of my stuff was moved to the Hamptons earlier in the week, so this is the only piece of luggage I’m bringing with me today.
“You’re sexy as fuck when you’re pissed, so be mad for as long as you like. All it’ll do is turn me on.” He winks, licking his lips and rolling his hips.
I glare at him. “Are you for real right now? I thought you weren’t going to do anything to make me uncomfortable?”
“I lied.”
My nostrils flare, and I want to punch something. Preferably him, but seeing as he’s my official employer now, in more ways than one, that wouldn’t be smart. I start counting to ten in my head as he leans in close, pressing his mouth to my ear. “Besides, you’re not uncomfortable. You’re turned the fuck on.”
“No, I’m fucking not.” I brush past him, heading toward Mrs. Peabody’s apartment.
“Liar.” He grabs hold of me, pulling me into his chest. His breath fans my face, and the fumes are pungent enough to knock an elephant on his back.
“And you’re drunk.” I wriggle out of his hold, taking a proper look at him. Dark shadows linger under his bloodshot eyes, his lips are cracked and dry, and his skin looks a little gray behind the few days’ worth of stubble on his chin and cheeks. I thought he’d cleaned up after his stint in rehab a couple years back, but looking at him now, it’s clear he’s fallen into old habits again.
A large chunk of my anger dissipates, and an unfamiliar nurturing instinct takes its place. I have an unhealthy craving to bundle him in my arms, run my hands through his hair, whisper soothing assurances, and make his pain go away.
“What’s it to you?” he asks in a belligerent tone, and the instinct passes.
“Nothing. It has nothing to do with me. Drown yourself in booze for all I care.”
His jaw tightens, and he yanks my case up. “Let’s go.” He starts walking toward the elevator.
“I’ll meet you outside,” I call out, heading toward my elderly neighbor’s place without looking back at him.
I rap three times on her door, so she knows it’s me.
“What’re you doing?” Ryder asks, appearing at my side. “The exit’s this way.” He points down the hallway.
“I’m well aware of where the exit is in my own apartment building.” I roll my eyes. “I just have to do something before we go.”
The door swings open slowly, and I smile at the glamorous gray-haired lady staring up at me. Louise is away with the fairies most of the time, but she’s never anything but immaculately turned out. Years of having to look her best, at all times, has clearly been ingrained in her. Today, she’s wearing a light white cardigan over a summery lilac dress, and her long flowing gray locks are held back with two diamante clips. Flat silver bejeweled sandals adorn her feet. “Hello, lovely.” She clutches onto my hand with her frail grip. “Are you leaving now?”
I nod, leaning in to kiss her cheek. “I am, but I just wanted to give you some contact numbers before I go.” I help her back inside, acutely aware of Ryder’s presence trailing behind me.
Once she’s seated on her comfy couch, I rummage in my bag for the envelope I prepared earlier.
“Oh my. You’re a handsome devil,” Louise says, suddenly noticing my companion. I jerk my head up, and she’s pressing a hand to her chest as she looks over my shoulder. “I could just look at your face all day and die happy,” she purrs in a dreamy tone of voice, and I smother my snort of laughter. Staring pointedly at me, she adds, “Please tell me you’re tapping that.”
My mouth hangs open in shock as Ryder’s low chuckle does funny things to my insides. Reaching down, he takes her hand, planting a gentle kiss on her wrinkled skin. “I’m hers for the taking, but she won’t have me,” he replies, giving her way more information than I’d like.
“What the hell’s wrong with you? Are you rocking a fever?” she asks me. “Or you’re just plain crazy?”
“I could ask you the same thing,” I mumble, shaking my head as I find the envelope, extracting it from my bag. “Have you taken your meds today?”
Her bottom lip juts out and she pouts. “That bossy bitch made me take them earlier.”
“Thatbossy bitchis being paid to ensure you take them, and I’m glad to hear she’s doing her job.”
“You fuss too much, lovely. I’m perfectly capable of remembering to take my pills.” She rolls her eyes at Ryder, as if I’m the overly dramatic one.
