Page 82 of Sweet Temptation

In my opinion, a grown man coming through my bedroom window in the middle of the night was a weapon.

“People do crazy shit on drugs,” Elle said carefully, eyeing me with concern. “Maybe he wasn’t in his right mind. And maybe getting arrested and having a restraining order against him will be enough to scare him straight on this.”

“Maybe.” I leaned on the bar across from her as the coffee percolated, filling my kitchen with its comforting aroma. Right now, it was all about creature comforts and feeling good in my own home, which was also easier said than done. I felt like my house had been violated; like I’d been violated. Even though I knew it could’ve been so much worse.

Ronan was right. I needed security. I needed him.

Realistically, probably a long time ago.

“Fuck it,” I complained. “I just need this party. You sure you won’t come tonight?”

“I would. You know I would. But I need sleep. Seth gave me shit about that last night on the phone.”

“Really?” That was a new one. Seth never gave Elle shit.

“He’s worried about me. Emma is up so much in the night, and I’m not always napping to try to make up for it in the day.”

“Well, I like a good nap as much as the next kitten. And I don’t have a baby keeping me up. You must be tired as shit. Why are you here again?”

She laughed as I went to pour us both a coffee.

“Because I love you,” she said. “Dummy.”

“Oh, yeah.” I flashed her a brilliant smile. “So. Distract me. What’s new in the Dirty world?”

“Wish I knew. I feel so disconnected.”

“Really? But aren’t you talking to them like every other—”

My phone rang on the bar. Actually, it started playing Alien Ant Farm’s “Smooth Criminal.” Ash’s ringtone. Elle actually jumped when it started; it was jarring, as far as ringtones went.

“Jesus,” she said. “How does that not startle the shit out of you every time he calls?”

“It kinda does. I feel like it’s fitting? No conversation with Ash is ever non-startling.”

She shook her head. I danced to the song a bit, then picked up right before it cut off, putting the call on speaker. “Good afternoon! Summer’s condom emporium! Have you run out again?”

“Hey.” Ash chuckled a little. “What are you smoking today?”

“Red Carpet Kush.”

“Huh?”

“It’s a song by DJ Afterthought. What’re you smoking?”

“All kinds of shit, obviously.”

“Je-sus. What are you and Danica, like, holed up twenty-four-seven hotboxing your apartment and watching movies?”

“It’s a dream life. Hey, pay attention. I have news. Jesse Mayes just asked me to fill in for him on the Dirty tour.”

My mouth dropped open and my eyes locked with Elle’s. She sipped her coffee, cool as shit.

Which meant this was no surprise to her.

Jesse Mayes, her ex-boyfriend and bandmate, was Dirty’s lead guitarist…

“You’re playing guitar,” I said, in delighted shock, “with Dirty?”

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