“Night.”
I back away slowly, keeping my gaze locked on his until I reach the sidewalk and turn around to go inside. If that man from earlier was still hanging around, chances are high that Specter’s presence scared him off. I shouldn’t be flattered by his intense attention, but I kind of am. I know enough to realize he’s dangerous on some level, yet my instincts tell me I’m safe with him. That doesn’t mean he won’t pay for this though. He needs to learn the rules of engagement.
I enter my apartment and do a quick check around to make sure I’m the only one here. When I’m certain I’m alone, I walk to the window and peer down, waving at Specter, who is still standing in the lot by his car. It’s only then that I realize he knew which apartment I’m in.
He salutes me then dutifully gets in his car. I watch him drive off, exhaling slowly. What a fucking mess this night has been. I have a stalker who knows too much about me, and a man who thinks it’s his job to keep me safe.
I need a reset. A shower and some tea should do the trick. Then tomorrow, I’ll wake up and figure out who the fuck left that shit on my doorstep. They obviously don’t know who they’re fucking with, but they’ll find out. I’ll do anything to keep my past firmly where it belongs. If he really knew me, he’d already know that fucking with me is a very bad idea.
CHAPTER 7
Specter
Once I’mout of sight of Cashmere, I do a loop around his apartment complex, scanning for signs of trouble. There’s no way he came outside simply for air, not with that determined expression and his heavy steps. After twenty minutes, I decide it’s safe and head home.
I fucked up letting him catch me, but at least he knows I’m serious about protecting him. If I find out he’s in some kind of trouble, god help the fucker who messes with him.
Rubbing the back of my neck, I shift in my seat to get more comfortable, but I can’t stop replaying the way Cashmere looked at me with so much fire in his eyes. I definitely didn’t feel the cold standing that close to him, taking his verbal venom, and gazing into those gorgeous eyes of his. Fuck, I want to touch him. Bad.
By the time I pull into the driveway at home, my cock is straining against my jeans, and I need some relief. I had Cashmere on my mind the entire day, and thought I wouldn’t get to see him when I found out he’d left early, but seeing him the way I did lit me up even more. He looks like a sweet little kitten, but he’s got claws and he’s not afraid to use them. I rub my cock through my jeans. Fuck.
I enter the house and head straight for my room. I don’t have the patience to be distracted by the guys right now. I need to release some sexual frustration.
I almost make it too, but I spot Shadow in the rec room with the guys, a gorgeous blond man perched on his lap. Shadow notices me and waves me over. Fuck. Fine. I’ll be cool for a few minutes.
“Wanted you to meet someone,” Shadow says, gazing at the man on his lap. “This is Bellamy. Bellamy, one of my guys, Specter.”
Bellamy’s face lights up. “Nice to meet you. All y’all’s names are so cool.”
All y’all’s?
“Why do they call you that?” he asks.
“Because he’s a menacing force,” Shadow says with something like pride in his tone. “He’ll haunt your nightmares, make you think you’ve gone crazy, and just when you think you might be making it all up, he proves you weren’t.”
I puff my chest slightly. “That’s right.”
“So cool,” Bellamy gushes.
From his looks I’d say he’s in his late twenties or early thirties, but his demeanor is light and airy; a stark contrast to my brooding boss.
“Bellamy is staying tonight because he leaves tomorrow for Switzerland.”
“Switzerland, huh? What for?”
Bellamy scrunches his nose. “Family ski trip. I have to do it every year.”
“There are worse obligations.”
“Oh, I know, but my family is…” He shakes his head, turning his gaze to Shadow. “They don’t get me like he does.”
Shadow rubs Bellamy’s back, gazing into his eyes, and I definitely feel like I shouldn’t be witnessing such a private moment.
“Welcome,” I murmur. “I’m gonna hit the shower.”
Shadow nods, not taking his eyes off Bellamy. As I walkaway, a smile tugs at my lips. Shadow is happy, and I can’t remember the last time I could say that, if ever. I’m pretty stoic, but Shadow makes me look like a goddamn fairytale princess. It’s nice to see him smile.
Returning to my own thoughts, I replay every venomous word Cashmere spat at me. Any kind of attention from him, even his anger, feeds my need. His skin is unbelievably soft, and I can only imagine what his lips taste like.
