Page 259 of The Trouble With Bad Boys

I couldn’t believe he actually remembered, much less put forth the effort to check on me. A warmth spread through me at that, and I leaned back against my pillows and smiled.

“I guess I am a little out of sorts tonight. It’s storming pretty badly.”

As if to provide confirmation, the vicious lightning set off a series of loud booms that sounded more like a bomb going off than just normal thunder. Had Easton had not been on the other line to distract me, I likely would’ve jumped out of my skin by now.

“I wish I was there to take your mind off of them.”

I sighed. “You actually are whether you believe it or not. I’m so glad you called. How is your trip so far?”

“It’s work, so there’s not much more to say. Are you at home?”

“Yes.”

“I wish I was there with you. Hell, I’d even take those extra firm beds at Syn right now over these hotel room beds.”

“That bad?” I asked.

“Maybe, until I heard your voice. I’ve been hearing it nonstop like a broken record.”

He didn’t make it sound like a bad thing, so I played along with him. “What have I been saying?”

He chuckled softly. “My name. You’ve been screaming it like you did when you came for me. It must be your siren’s call.”

I closed my eyes and remembered that moment. It was one I had frozen in time, but his recollection of it, and knowing he’d been hearing it in his head made me feel special. I usually was left with doubts, even after a night at Syn. Easton was essentially extinguishing those from my mind.

Boom!

I jumped, then remembered to breathe. “Calm down,” he said, and his words sank in right away.

“I’m trying. I should’ve known better than to move to Denver. If I was in Los Angeles, I would hardly ever have to deal with these.”

“You’re from L.A.?” he asked.

“Yes, I’m from Carson. Lived there my entire life until college.”

“Did you go to Metropolitan State or the University of Colorado?”

“UC,” I replied. “They offered me a full scholarship, and I’ve never left the city since.”

“Well, I should send them a thank you card because I’m glad you stayed in Denver. It certainly wouldn’t be the same without you there.”

Again, I couldn’t help but smile. My terror was dissipating quickly, but I still pulled my silk comforter to my chest and rolled over onto my side, taking my cell phone with me. I let it rest next to my head so I wouldn’t have to hold it the entire time.

“I’ve thought about moving several times, but I was able to secure a loan for Oasis right out of school, and it’s been easier to expand city-wide than nationwide. I still hope to accomplish that goal one day.”

“I’m sure you will. Tell me more about yourself, Shelby.”

The way he said my name made me shiver. His voice was one I could listen to recite the old-school phone books or an encyclopedia and never tire of hearing it. I could still not believe we had finally met face to face, so having him here to virtually hold my hand had butterflies fluttering in my chest. It didn’t hurt that all my dreams recently had included him, and he was even better than anything I’d ever imagined.

“What do you want to know?”

“Family? Friends? You have any in Denver?”

“My parents moved to Florida a few years ago after Dad got a job selling insurance policies. My mother has always done housecleaning and works at a hotel.”

“One like you work in?”

The ones with Oasis were much more glam, but thinking about their current lot in life made me a bit sad, so I lied. “Yes.”

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