Although he has a way with dramatics, I don’t think he truly knew who Oliver was, but he had to know that some of the community didn’t feel safe with the outsider that had joined them. He was so blinded by the man that he was unwilling to listen to anyone who challenged the man's intentions.
“We would like to take you down to the station for additional questioning as well as interview the residents here.” Beckett steps in, lending a hand to help the guy up who accepts it.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
ALARIC
“The eye sees all, but the mind shows us what we want to see.”- William Shakespeare
By the time we get back to the office, it’s already five-fifteen. Fuck, I have little to no time to get cleaned up before Celeste heads over. Quickly, I grab the files on my desk for this case and head down the elevators to the parking garage. Once inside my vehicle, I turn the engine and it roars to life. To my damn luck, traffic overfloods the roads. Luckily, I know shortcuts to my place and squeeze myself between cars earning my share of blaring horns and vulgar gestures. Rightfully so, but I have a furious, beautiful woman who’s going to be arriving at my apartment and I would rather not smell like ass when she gets there.
Thankfully, I get home in record time with twenty minutes to spare to take a quick shower. Throwing the files on the counter, I step into my room unbuttoning my shirt and tossing it in the hamper right by the bathroom door. Turning on the water, I let the water heat up while Istep out of the rest of my clothes. Pulling the curtain to the side, I step in and let the steaming water run down my body, loosening up my muscles before I begin to lather the day off. I have to fight my body from the longing of staying under as, for once, I feel calm and relaxed. Groaning, I step out and quickly towel off before putting on boxers when I hear a knock at the front door. Fuck, I didn’t realize the time flew by once again.
Grabbing a pair of sweatpants, I quickly slide them on and head over to the door. As I open the door, a pair of bright green eyes collide with mine. I don’t miss how her eyes rake down the front of my body and the breath she sucks in.
“Hi,” is all I can muster up.
Her green eyes captivate me. She’s so damn beautiful, even as she stands there like it’s the last place she wants to be at.
“Hi,” she responds as she raises her eyebrows. “Are you going to invite me in or are we going to talk in your hallway?”
“Yes, of course, come in.” I open the door wide, allowing her in. Shutting the door, I follow her to the kitchen as she props herself on the bar stool. “Can I get you anything to drink? I have water, coke, whiskey?”
Opening the cupboard, I grab glasses and set them down on the counter. Why am I so damn nervous?
“Whiskey sounds nice. Just get off work?” She leans on the counter with her chin resting on her hand.
“Yeah, it was a long-ass day. I barely got here on time to take a quick shower. I didn’t want to smell like ass when you got here.” I pour us both a glass and slide hers to her.
She catches it and brings the glass to her lips and takes a sip. Those lips, so soft and plump. I long to feel them, instantly jealous of the glass that gets to touch them.
“Thank you for gracing me with a proper shower and those damn gray sweatpants. You know they make shirts too, right?”she grounds out but I don’t miss the way she takes in my muscled chest.
Her body is drawn to me, just as much as mine to hers. She longs to touch me but fights the urge. That boosts my ego just a bit.
“One would have thought you would appreciate the view.” I give her a sheepish smirk.
She dramatically rolls her eyes as she shifts in her seat. Affected, definitely affected.
“That doesn’t erase what happened the other day. Is this your plan to sweep it under the rug like it didn’t happen at all and go along like normal?” she retorts as she looks away from me.
“Celeste, I had no idea she would treat you like that. I have no idea where that came from but I don’t see you any differently than I did prior. It changes nothing.” I step around the counter and pull her hand into mine.
She quickly yanks it away from me and moves off the counter. It shouldn’t have but the movement was a punch to the gut. Never do I want her to yank away from me like that. I can’t stand the thought and feeling of her rejection.
“She practically called me a whore and you did nothing but stand there. The reason I didn’t tell you what I did for a living was because of the look you had in your eyes when you opened the door. I knew it would have turned you away from me. On top of that, it appears there’s something between the two of you for her to act like that. It wasn’t the first time.” Her walls rise up as she defends herself.
Ah, so she thinks there’s an old flame between Monroe and I. I want to laugh but the look on her face says she might sock me if I do. She’s jealous and I’m loving every single bit of it.
“I don’t think you’re a whore and I don’t give a shit what you do for work. She got her ass reamed for how she spoke toyou. She and I have nothing going on between us. We had a drunken one-night stand, but nothing came of it and it was years ago. She’s protective, yes. Our line of work, we have each other's backs, but we’re nothing but friends. What you do for work does not define the person that you are. It doesn’t change the way I feel about you.” I step towards her, eliminating the space between us.
Done.
I’m so done with this barrier between us. All I want is to feel her, hold her, and remind her who claimed her a few nights ago.
“My job requires me and my girls to entertain men and women with dancing, liquor, and longing. How does that not bother you? Everyone else seems to have an opinion on the line of work. It’s their escape from a long day of work, from home, or to feel a sense of longing. Our bodies are put on display for them to look upon and worship. You can’t tell me that does not bother you,” she argues as if she wants me to be disgusted or turn away from her, but I can’t and I won't.
I don’t understand why she’s playing this game with me. I know she wants me but she’s acting like she doesn’t deserve happiness. It’s bullshit and I won’t let her self-sabotage.
