Page 4 of The Inquirer

A flash of hot anger washed through me, and I let it burn away the hurt. Not away. Not really. But it made it more bearable, and that was all I really needed right now.

It was the shock of it that made it so bad. That had to be the reason.

We hadn’t made promises, exactly. We’d agreed to only fuck each other, and I’d been stupid enough to believe that he meant it. I’d never asked for exclusivity from any other partner because that hadn’t ever been part of the deal.

The taxi pulled into the parking lot next to a building with a neon sign that said Franco’s. I paid the driver, adding a tip for his willingness to stay at the ranch while I’d gone to Bradyn’s cabin. He thanked me and gave me his card, telling me to call when I needed a ride back to my hotel.

I’d gotten a voicemail from Shadae earlier this week, telling me that she’d keep my cabin for me until I called to tell her I wasn’t coming back. I hadn’t called, which meant I’d been able to leave my suitcase there and take the key she’d left under the mat. I could’ve stayed.

Which would have been a bad idea.

The bar was exactly what I’d asked for. On a Saturday night, it was busy, but not so packed that I felt claustrophobic. I took a seat at the bar with the wall at one side and an older woman at the other. She looked like she was here for the same reason I was. To forget something and be alone without actually being alone. Based on the blank way she glanced at me before turning back to her drink, I didn’t need to worry about her hitting on me.

“What can I get you?” The bartender was massive, his bulk taking up enough room that I wondered if he could even turn sideways in that small space behind the bar.

“Long Beach Iced Tea.” Close to the Long Island Iced Tea, I preferred the taste of this one when I wanted something stronger than beer but not strong enough to knock me on my ass. I also wasn’t in the mood to throw back a few shots and go back to the ranch, and this drink would let me take my time.

The bartender nodded, and less than a minute later, the drink was in front of me. I sipped at it, the burn faint as it traveled down my throat and into my stomach. It was good, but I couldn’t enjoy it the way I would have if I’d been here under other circumstances.

Circumstances like not finding a naked woman in Bradyn’s cabin. Or circumstances where I’d known better than to get involved with someone while working.

Okay, so I hadn’t known that he was connected to my case until after we’d already slept together a couple times, but I had known before the last time. I should have never let it happen. Just because I hadn’t wanted to make a big deal about him being my date for Kaimi’s wedding didn’t mean I’d needed to go back to his hotel room and have sex with him again.

I had no excuse for my behavior. Just because I’d wanted him wasn’t good enough. My actions had consequences, and this was one of them. I’d been stupid enough to trust him, and I was paying for it now.

One thought followed another, and I didn’t try to stop them. I’d drown them tonight and have a massive headache tomorrow, but at least he’d be out of my system, and I could focus on work.

At some point after my second or third drink, I’d started people watching, but I didn’t realize that I was even doing it until a guy sat down at the table closest to me, and the redhead who already occupied the space asked him to leave.

“Let me buy you a drink.” He leaned closer to her, his smile not reaching his eyes. “Just one drink, and if you still want me to go, I will.”

He sounded polite enough about it, but something about him made me think he wasn’t going to be put off that easily.

“No thank you.” The redhead’s voice was firm, and I wondered if she saw the same thing in him that I did. “I’m waiting for a friend.”

“Have a drink with me while you’re waiting. When your friend gets here, she can join us.”

“I’d rather not.”

He reached across the table and put his hand over hers. When she jerked her hand back, he didn’t grab her, but even from where I was sitting, I could see the anger on his face.

“Don’t be like that.”

I was fairly certain that don’t be like that was second only to you’d be prettier if you smiled when it came to phrases that pissed me off, but it was a close second.

“I’d like you to leave.” The edge to her voice shook, and the fear under her words was clear.

“Only if you come with me.”

Nope.

I hopped off my chair and made it to their table in just a couple steps. My head felt a bit wobbly, but I wasn’t slurring or stumbling, so I was sober enough to deal with this asshole.

“You’re in my seat.”

I felt the woman’s surprise more than saw it, but I didn’t look away from the guy.

“I don’t see your name on it.”

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