Page 46 of Falling for Fury

That catch up about did it. I only made it to Thursday before I decided we’d had enough of the space; I’d had more than enough time to pine and ponder. I wanted Addison. To hell with my previous promises and declarations of being single. If I need to sacrifice my bachelor-hood to get Addison, then I guess that’s what I’m doing. Maybe the lack of sex had finally tipped me over the edge, sent me into a spiral of doom. Fuck it. I’ll just figure that out later.

I don’t know how much time passed between this decision and me turning up at her apartment door… but here I am. Knocking on her door like a madman.

I hear footsteps and encourage myself to handle this like a gentleman—cool, calm, and collected. When the door opens, it is not who I was expecting to find. A brunette with caramel skin and tight curls, almost as short as Addison. Rosie.

She opens the door, trails her eyes up my body, then leans against the door frame in relaxed arrogance. “Well, if it isn’t the sex-god himself.”

I give her my most relaxed smile, thoroughly satisfied about the stories being shared, and respond with my hands casually in my pockets. “Rosie, I’m looking for Addison?”

“She’s out,” she says, her grin pure mischief.

“Out where… exactly?”

“Work.”

“She works at a bar. It is 10am, on a Thursday.” I give her a deadpan look, not buying her excuse.

“So why aren’t you working then, Noah?”

“Because I own my own company, Rosie, and I make the rules.” She gives me an unconvinced nod, surveying me from head to toe.

“Sorry, today I am not lying. She went to the bar at about 9am, said something about helping Lucas with… his thing. She has had a lot of strange hours with him lately, now that I think about it.” She taps her chin, but you can’t bullshit a bullshitter. I see her game.

“You know, a lot of late nights, early mornings. Has her working major overtime. She comes home soooo exhausted. The work seems satisfying though. She’s always happy and sleepy. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her so relaxed. Well done to her, though, right? Lucas is super hot. I bet he is packing…” She uses her hands in front of her face, gesturing a guess at what I’m assuming is meant to be the size of Lucas’s cock, given the wink she throws at me. I slam my hand against the door frame, needing to put my anger somewhere. I think my jaw is clenched so hard my teeth are cracked. I’ll give it to her—Rosie is good. Great, in fact. She is so thoroughly under my skin I think she can see the green jealousy written on me.

Thoroughly satisfied with the possessive helix she has sent me down, she cracks a huge smile and throws her head back in a laugh.

“You boys are all the same. You’d think one day I’d get tired of playing you all like a fiddle, but you make it too easy.”

I go to turn and head straight for the bar when Rosie continues.

“We are all heading out to Bozzelli’s tonight. They are trying a new Thursday night, focusing on college students. Addy will be partying and not working. Actually, I think she might even have a SoulSwipe date tonight.” There is that wink again. I knew about the college night because I run the socials for the technology inept child that Lucas is, but I had no idea the night was Addison’s idea. Lucas conveniently left that part out.

I can see the gleam of satisfaction in Rosie’s eyes, she knows exactly what she is doing, and I can’t even be mad. I was the one who told her I didn’t do relationships. I left without saying goodbye, and have teased a one-night offer, and here I am lusting and getting territorial over someone I have absolutely no right to. Well, that ends tonight. I’m sick of this shit.

Addison will be mine. I’m about done dancing around this shit. Worst case, we get one incredible night that potentially ruins all future women for me. Best case scenario, she wants to go for round two. That round two I promised her in Maplewood. I do like to keep my promises after all.

The bar is packed; the line is down the street.

I walk up to the door and find Lucas there. He notices me and waves me over.

“What’re you doing here? Thought you’d still be in work-mode with it being a weekday and all?”

“Meeting some of the guys.” Lie. “Addy working tonight?” Of course, I already know she isn’t, why else would I be here?

“Nah, but she’s inside with Rosie and Casey.” I nod and go to enter when he stops me, eyes narrowed and a half smile pulled across his face. “Hey, are you guys seeing each other?” He is all boyish charm, his clear hazel eyes would deceive anyone into thinking he was a golden retriever, but I’ve seen this guy party, walking in on a few… questionable things during our years at college when he used to crash Ethan’s parties. The king of making people see exactly what he wants them to see. My immediate reaction is to tell him yes, Addison and I are seeing each other, but I have no right to stake a claim on her after the way she has shut me down. I mean, really, if tonight goes the way I plan, I suppose I’m not really lying… right?

“Why?”

“I thought maybe I’d buy her a drink… is all.” His self-assured grin grows across his face.

“Yeah, we’re seeing each other.” You prick.

Lucas seems unbothered by my answer, taking it completely in stride. “Oh, no worries, sorry man, didn’t mean anything by it. She’s a cool chick.” He shrugs, and I can’t work out why that reaction also bothers me. His attention is pulled by one of the security guards. He grabs the rope to let me through, skipping the line.

“Head on in, I have to sort out these drunk idiots.” He gestures for me to enter, pointing to a verbal argument taking place between a guard and a patron. I nod to him and stalk in, immediately looking for my tiny blonde.

After walking through the main sports bar area, the corridor leads to a speak-easy styled bar and nightclub. The lights are dim, reds and purples across the bar, and booth seating with your typical club music playing through the DJ’s speakers. Heading past the high tables, I instantly spot her in the center of the dance floor, the biggest smile on her face, swaying her hips, eyes closed, and head tilted to the ceiling. A relatively tall guy stands at her back, his hands placed on her hips suggestively, and it lights a match inside my chest, and words I have no business thinking start to rattle through my brain.

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