Page 45 of Seduction in Spades

“Shit.” I struggle into a pair of jeans and a long-sleeve T-shirt as I scroll back through the app on my phone and watch her front door.

She hasn’t left since I saw her home an hour ago. By the grin on her face when she unlocks her door and the subtle wave she offers over her shoulder, I’m pretty sure she’s aware I’ve been following her home every night after work.

Why else would she send me this text? She’s testing me and enjoying every scrap she throws at me. This woman has me twisted in knots.

When I see her step back into her apartment, I scoop up my keys and rush out to my car. Traffic is a bitch at six o’clock on a Wednesday. I maneuver in between cars like an asshole driver, doing my best not to hit any pedestrians. There are so many freaking people on the streets. I love that Boston is a walking city, but it’s not helping me get to Avery any faster.

I could text or call her and tell her to stay put, but I have a feeling she’s purposely testing me. She wants me to come over. I’ve denied all her sexual advances and flirty texts. Tonight, however, she’s not above leaving her place, even though Trey told her to stay put for a few weeks until he’s made sure she’s not in any danger.

Nora did the same thing. She didn’t handle being cooped up very well, and she’s an introvert. Avery is anything but.

I see an open spot a block from her apartment and slide into it. I slam my door shut, lock the car, and jog toward her apartment. With my phone in hand, I check the app, and it shows her still inside lingering by her front door.

Fuck.

She nibbles on her lip, then opens the door and stands on her front step. I stop and step behind a lamppost, turning my back on her. I watch her movements from my phone. The little minx is looking around for me.

I chuckle and wait to see what she’ll do next. She takes another step, pauses, then looks left and right. Another step. The same swivel of her head.

I can’t tell if she’s testing me or nervous about Donahue’s men hiding in the shrubbery. I’m close enough to hear her curse before she turns around and goes back inside.

“Good girl.”

I pocket my phone and wait for a few minutes, then make my way to her door. I could look at my app to see if she’s peeking out the peephole at me, or I can stand there and stare at the closed door.

For whatever reason, I find teasing her fun. I hold up my hand to knock, then lower it. I shake my head and walk back down the steps as if I’m leaving. As soon as my foot hits the sidewalk, her door opens.

“Oh. Hey. It’s you. I was just heading out.” She brushes past me without a care in the world and I can’t help but laugh.

“Are you laughing at me?”

“Not at all, sweetheart.”

“Oh, I’msweetheartagain?”

I shove my hands in my pockets and walk next to her. “You’re whatever you want to be.” There are multiple layers to that statement. She’s aware of my feelings, of what I want. Call me pathetic for letting her string me along, but she’s worth it.

“I need food. And batteries.”

“All the action with the batteries making you hungry?”

“I’m a human being. Humans need to shop for food and eat on a regular basis, not stay trapped like a damsel in distress in their own home.”

She is right. She’s been extremely cooperative since Trey came clean about the possibility of her being in danger. We don’t say much as we head to the store a block over. I hold the basket for her as she fills it with vegetables, a package of chicken, and a bottle of wine.

“Forget something?”

Her brows tip together in confusion.

“Batteries?” I don’t even try to hide my smug smile.

“I found some in my junk drawer.”

I take out my wallet when we reach the register, and she scowls at me.

“Don’t even think about it.” She hands the cashier her debit card and I watch in amusement as she takes the bag, moving it to her other hand so I can’t reach it.

I respect her wishes. She doesn’t like relying on others, and my offering to pay for her groceries or carry the bag back to her apartment will make her feel like she doesn’t have control. I’ll give her this.

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