My stomach rolls and my heart pounds, a light sweat suddenly broken on my forehead as I stand and link into her arm. It’s not like Lucy to walk away from a confrontation. In fact, most of the time she seeks them out. I think it’s her hobby or something.
I try not to look up in the man’s direction as we make our way out of the bar, but my brain has other plans. Slowly, my gaze drags up toward him. Expensive black boots, gray slacks, a white button up, and a brushed white gold watch with a blue dial, the polished hour hand moving along a sunburst pattern. Tick. Tick. Tick.
Chapter Three
Viktor
Everleigh stares back at me with fear in her eyes, an uncertainty, a darkness I want to devour. I knew following her was a bad idea. It’s only going to dredge up hate that I can’t dissolve, open wounds that won’t be easy to close. But I’ve watched her now for too long, gotten too close, and now I have to touch her.
I didn’t think that was the case until she bumped into me coming out of the bathroom. Until then, I thought I could get away with just knowing she was safe. At least that’s the excuse I’ve given myself, the permission I need to keep her on a leash. But now, having her in my arms for just a fraction of a second, I know I need more.
She’s gorgeous, perfection with those long legs, long blonde hair, curved waist, and stunning blue eyes. I almost laugh thinking about her body next to mine. It makes no sense. She deserves better in every fraction of the thought. But as she turns to walk away, her ass does things to me that aren’t right. My heart is pounding, my dick is hard, and I’m desperate to bend her over and claim her. I have been for years. The truth is, I know Max would’ve wanted her to be happy, and I can’t think of a better man to do it.
Chapter Four
Everleigh
The morning sun is assaulting as I roll to the side and pull the blankets up over my face. Today is the first day of my last semester and I’m less than motivated to get moving, but my cat Ruthie has other plans. She’s been pawing at my pillow for the past twenty minutes, her tiny white feet kneading the fabric as though to tell me some ancient message that I’m too civilized to understand. She’s a grey and white Maine Coon with tall triangle ears and a long, plumed tail that smacks me in the face as she turns toward the opening door.
“Hey,” Ryan says, nudging the door open. “You decent?”
I groan. “If you have coffee, I can be anything you want.”
He laughs and steps inside holding a tall mug of steaming liquid. “Figured you could use this after the weird night you had. How are you feeling?”
I sit up from the bed and reach out, thankful for the caffeine. “Weird night is an understatement. I think I’m still in a fog.”
He’s already ready for work in khakis, a black button up, and his glasses in place. He reminds me of Clark Kent before he becomes superman—tall, lean with definition, square jaw, everything. I’ve yet to figure how he hasn’t dated more. You’d think women would be throwing themselves at him.
“Fog how?” He takes a sip of his own coffee. “What are you thinking?”
Dragging my hand down over my face, I hold the warm mug at my chest and rest on his shoulder as he sits on the edge of the bed. Maybe Lucy’s right, maybe I am leading him on. I don’t mean too; we’ve just gotten comfortable in this space. At least I have. Maybe he hasn’t. Once I realize what I’m doing, I lift my head from his shoulder and lean against my headboard.
“The guy at the bar had something to do with Max’s disappearance. I saw that watch on that man that left the money at the club. Then circumstantiallyneversaw that man again?” My eyes and head do a narrowing thing that show him how insane the whole circumstance is. “Now, the man that’s been following me has the same exact watch? It’s too much of a coincidence, don’t you think?”
He nods his head and sighs heavily. “What are you going to do?”
He hasn’t answered my question, but most people don’t these days. It’s like I’m running alongside a train I know I’ll never catch. It’s been three years. I think everyone is ready for me to move on.
I shrug. “I don’t think the police are going to do me any favors. They were ready to forget about the case almost immediately.” I stare off into space figuring my options. I can chase this conspiracy into the ground, lose myself again in the process, or I can chalk it up to coincidence, like nearly everything else has been. Besides, I’m sure they sell thousands of those watches.
I glance down at my phone and suck in a deep breath. The last thing I’m thinking about right now is class, but I can’t miss it for any reason. I’m too thankful to Lucy for her help, and skipping a class would make me feel worse.
“I’ll be fine,” I say climbing up from the mattress. Ruthie slinks back in the room and purrs against my leg, soothing my frayed nerves. “I’ve got class to keep me distracted.”
“I’ll take you,” he says, lifting Ruthie from the ground for a snuggle. His biceps flex as he holds her in his arms. There’s no denying he’s a handsome guy, like really handsome. Sweet too. I’ll bet a lot of men would’ve given up on me and all my drama by now.
“Thanks, but you’re already go—”
“I’m not taking no for an answer,” he says, setting Ruthie back onto the ground. “I’ll meet you in the kitchen in five.”
I glance toward him, his warm brown eyes comforting and gentle. “I’m so lucky to have you.”
He walks toward me and guides me against his chest. “I’m the lucky one.” He kisses my forehead and a sense of calm washes over me. Maybe Lucy is right, maybe I should give him a chance. He’s been a rock to me for the better part of three years, and he hasn’t expected anything in return. Besides that, he’s like the kindest guy in the world. I’ve actually watched him help elderly people cross the road and change people’s tires in the rain. Heck, he even adopted a three-legged dog so he could pay for the prosthetic. The dog lives with his mom and dad out in Ocala. On that note, maybe he’s too good for me.
I smile and soak in his warmth before he twists away. “Get moving. We’re going to be late.” He slips out the door and I immediately miss him. I miss his company and his warmth. If I weren’t so hung up on Max, I could see myself trying things out with Ryan. I already know he’s the kind of guy who genuinely wants to see me smile and goes out of his way to make it happen. He’s proven that to me dozens of times. I guess now, I just have to decide if I’m worth it.
Shaking my head at myself, I run the shower quick and do one of those two-minute scrubs before drying and tossing on a yellow sundress and a blue jean jacket. Tousling my hair, I run the brush down through quickly then head into the kitchen. Ryan’s cool about a lot of things but being late isn’t one of them. I learned that the hard way when he invited me to a family birthday party. On time meant that we were twenty minutes early. And everyone who was on time was twenty minutes late.
