I shut the door and locked it and headed into my kitchen for something to drink.
It had been a bad idea to call Drake. Really bad. What a strange, awkward, uncomfortable night. Digging in my refrigerator, I found a bottle of wine Jill had left. I poured myself a glass.
Someone knocked on my door.
Drake?
I set the glass on my coffee table and went to check. Because it was late, I peered through the peephole, rather than opening the door.
Shane.
Shane?
As I was peeking, he knocked on the door again. His expression was grim, his brows pulled together.
I opened the door, and he charged inside, shoving the door shut behind his back. “Why didn’t you take my calls?” he demanded. “And who the hell was that?”
Chapter 6
I was fuming. Absolutely livid. How dare this man come barging into my home late at night and demand to be told who I was spending time with.
Making sure he saw I was furious, I glared at him. “That’s none of your business.”
“Of course it’s my business.”
I narrowed my eyes even more. “Since when?”
“Since when? What the hell is wrong with you? What’s going on?”
“Why don’t you tell me?”
“What are you talking about? I’ve had no women at my place late at night. What are you suggesting?”
I took a moment to breathe. When I felt like I wasn’t going to pass out, I said, “My friend took me out to dinner because I lost my job--“
His eyes bulged. “You what?”
“We saw you. With the bitch from the charity thing. Alexis.”
“You lost your job?” he repeated.
“That’s not the point. I. Saw. You.” I poked his chest. “With. Her.”
“There’s an explanation for that.” He crossed his arms over himself and angled his head. “We weren’t on a date.”
“Of course there’s an explanation. There’s always an explanation.”
“No, really. There is an explanation. She’s the chairperson of another charity. We’re working on a fundraising event--“
“Right.” I waved my hand and shoved past him.
“Really.” He grabbed my wrist and forced me around.
I glared. Hard. Jerked my wrist out of his grip. “Don’t touch me.”
“I’m telling the truth, Bristol. Alexis is organizing a fundraiser--“
“That wasn’t what was really going on. She wants you. Don’t you see that? She’ll do or say anything to spend time with you.” I smacked my forehead with the palm of my hand. “Really? Are all men so gullible?”
“I’m not gullible,” he spat. “And you’re changing the subject.”
“No.” I shook a finger at him. “You’re the one changing the subject. I’m talking about you seeing other women.”
“I’m not ‘seeing’ anyone.”
“Anyone. Not me, either. You got that right.” Feeling tears burning my eyes, I stomped away.
Of course, being the overbearing bastard that he was, he grabbed my arm to keep me from getting too far. While I fought him, he pulled me into an embrace.
I tried not to snuggle up to him. I really did. But it felt so good to be held. And even better to be reassured.
“I swear, I didn’t touch Alexis. Not a hair on her head. Nothing. We were discussing the fundraiser, nothing more. I understand she wants more, but there won’t ever be anything intimate between us. Never. Not even if you were to tell me to get lost tomorrow.”
I didn’t want to believe his words.
Yes, yes I did.
No, I didn’t.
Shit.
I closed my eyes and listened to the deep thump-wump of his heartbeat. The steady beat soothed me.
“I’ll give you a job. Come work for me,” he said.
Dammit. Now what? If I worked for him, I’d have to be around him all the time. That could go either way, depending upon how things were between us. Already, our…relationship…was rocky. Would the added stress of working together make things worse? “That’s a bad idea.”
“I’d never hold your job over your head, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
“You wouldn’t have to.”
“Dammit.” He angled back slightly, lifted my chin. “I want to help you. Let me.”
I turned my head. If I looked at him, I would soften. I knew it. “I don’t know.”
“You need help.”
He was right about that. I did. I’d tried finding something on my own. Tried and failed.
But taking a job working for a man I was dating was a bad idea. Really bad.
Maybe I could take something temporarily? Until I could find something else?
That might work.
Or not.
“I don’t know anything about what you do,” I said. “What kind of job could you give me?”
“I’ll find something. We’re always looking for intelligent people with a good head on their shoulders.” He massaged my shoulders. I could feel the tension draining from my body, and with it, my willpower. “I’ll let you know what openings we have, and then you can decide whether you’d like to apply.”
“But--“
“You won’t necessarily have to work directly under me.” He grasped my chin again, forcing me to look him in the eye. “Nobody has to know about our personal…relationship.”
“But--“
“And if you decide you’d rather remain…” he visibly swallowed. “…friends at any point in the future, then your job would never be in jeopardy.”
My belly twisted. “I don’t know.”
“I’ll call you.” He cupped my cheeks and bent down, kissing me softly, gently, sweetly. “And I’m sorry for busting in here like a raging bull. Very sorry. I guess I got a little jealous.”
“You surprised me.”
“I’m such a bastard sometimes.” Stepping back, he shook his head. “Who the hell did I think I was? We’re not married.”
“Drake’s an old friend--”
“Don’t.” He pressed a fingertip to my lips. “You don’t owe me an explanation. We never talked about…about you seeing other people. You’re free to see whomever you like.”
“Sure, but--“
“It’s probably smart in your case not to get too close to a bastard like me. I’m more trouble than I’m worth.” He looked at me, his eyes shadowed.