Page 38 of Corrupting Ivy

“Remy gave me a key.”

I patted my chest, my heart no longer thumping in a wild rhythm. “Next time, make some sort of announcement or noise, would ya?”

He grinned, and it melted my insides like molten lava.

Howdarehe come back here after he left withher.

I frowned, then picked up the bags. Randall was here now, and a false sense of security blanketed me as I pressed my butt against the door and slipped outside.

“Did you enjoy your evening?” I asked, cajoling him.

There was this part of me that was a glutton for punishment. Why ask what I knew was going to bring me frustration and heartache?

“It was good. Could have been better.”

“Don’t let her hear those words. You might hurt that precious ego.”

I tossed open the lid, bracing myself for the trash panda to go for round two. When the coast was clear, I threw in the bags.

“What are you talking about?”

I closed the lid to the industrial trash bin. “The blonde.”

“Willow?”

“Is that her name?” I wiped my hands on my pants and went inside.

He grabbed my arm and spun me around to face him. “Jealousy looks good on you, but I don’t play games.” He tucked a wild strand of hair behind my ear. “Willow went home to her husband, and I was in my truck doing business… where it was quiet.”

I chewed my lip. Did I just make an ass of myself, or was he a smooth talker? “I didn’t see your truck.”

“I returned the other and got a rental.”

“Oh.” Could I feel any more stupid than I did right now? Couldn’t we just sweep it under the rug and pretend it didn’t happen like people do with everything else in their lives? “Well, I’ll get out of your space so you can sleep. I’m almost done cleaning.”

I spun out of his grasp and found my way back into the main bar. He didn’t follow me, which sent me spinning with disappointment, but I needed a moment to nurse my wounded pride. Wiping up the counter, I stacked the glasses from the washer into their respected place, all while reflecting on the night’s events.

Things became wildly out of control with the fight, but also with Randall. I was eternally grateful Remy didn’t fire me. Was that because it was with Randall? Although I didn’t fully understand the context of their relationship, they seemed to know each other rather well.

I picked up the last glass and spun the microfiber towel around, taking away the hard water spots.

“Let me take you home.”

The cup jumped in my hand, then onto my fingertips. I lunged forward, catching it before it shattered to the floor, giving me another mess to clean up. I exhaled as the cup settled in my hand.

“What in the Blue Blazes is wrong with you?” I glared. He leaned against the doorjamb, his massive tattooed arms folded across his broad chest.

A grin stretched his lips.

He enjoyed this too much.

“Are you almost done?”

I stacked the saved glass. He had become the most aggravating man in all of history. “That was all I had left to do.”

I’d delayed the inevitable long enough. I didn’t want to walk home in the dark, especially by myself, but after I made a fool of myself, I didn’t exactly want to ask Randall to take me home again. Even though Walter offered his car to me again, insisting I use it. I just couldn’t. What if he needed it?

“Okay. Let’s go.”

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