Page 7 of Killian
Ellie
“What!”It came out a screech.
This wasn’t happening. No way, no how! Did he really expect me to just say, “Sure, that’s a great idea. Let’s go to your place!” I knew nothing of this man anymore. Where he’d been. What he’d done. Who he was. This was ridiculous, expecting me to just roll over and do as he commanded. He sure as hell didn’t knowmeanymore.
Hell, he barely knew me in high school.
Staying with him at his place wasn’t going to happen.
“It’s all good, Ellie,” he said, putting the SUV in park and turning off the engine.
“Take. Me. To. My. Bar,” I bit out each word, my teeth clenching so hard I could hear my wisdom teeth grinding. Pissed wasn’t a strong enough word for my feelings at that moment. Infuriated didn’t even touch it either. If my head could explode, it would’ve. Who the hell did he think he was? Just because he thought this was the plan, it suddenly was reality. Well, no thank you, sir! I was a strong woman who could take care of myself!
“No,” he said calmly. How could he be calm? I wasn’t calm. I was a raging inferno of frustration.
“Take me to my goddammed bar!” The shout echoed in the SUV, my ears ringing just a touch from it. This guy was out of his ever-loving mind. Who did this kind of shit? Show up at a party, cuff a guy, and haul a woman to his house. Apparently, Killian did, and I wanted to strangle him.
He didn’t respond, which enraged me further. He didn’t even act the least bit fazed. Nope, he got out and came around to my door and opened it. “Come on,” he said.
Killian held out his hand, but I didn’t take it. This entire situation was bizarre, and he’d lost his damn mind. I hadn’t seen him for years. Why on earth would he think I’d be okay with going to his house?Sure, Killian, you’re hot; I’ll do whatever you say.Not!
“Ellie, I’m either going to pick you up and take you in, or you can walk. You choose.”
My mouth fell open. “What?” He was nuts. Certifiably nuts.
“You heard me.” He moved into my space.
I read him like a book. He was serious, and while I wanted to remain firm in my stance, the idea of being carried in, well, I would at least have my dignity even if I was losing this battle. “Fine.” Killian stopped his movements, his brow lifting. “If I come in, I want answers.”
A slow grin came to his lips, knocking the wind out of me. It was breathtaking and sexy as all hell.
This was a recipe for disaster. He had that dangerous bad boy thing written all over him, and it was one of my weaknesses. One of my many flaws was to fall for the man who would without a doubt break my heart at the end. Killian fit the type to a T.
I put a guard up to protect myself. I knew his type, and that was a road to heartache I had already traveled. No way was this man getting anything from me. Nothing.
“Come.” He grabbed my hand and pulled me from the vehicle. His hand was strong and warm, and I hated to admit it, but it felt nice. Too nice.
Killian pulled me through the front yard and up the steps. The place was amazing. More than amazing. Lights surrounded a huge wrap-around porch that had a very comfortable looking swing on it. It reminded me of one I’d seen in a magazine that I’d love to have if my porch was bigger. It looked like a bed, but was a swing with plush cushions. It was inviting, making you want to take a seat and enjoy the quietness of the night.
Killian went to the door and pulled out his keys.
Nope.
I was not going in his house. There had to be some lines drawn in the sand, and this was one of them.
He released my hand to unlock the door, so I took off to the swing. “I want to talk; we’re doing it out here.” The swing moved a bit when my round ass hit it. The pillows were big and fluffy, a mixture of reds and blacks; perfect colors. I leaned back into them as the swing rocked a bit.
If I wasn’t pissed off, I would’ve said it was more comfortable than a bed and taken a nap on it. But I was pissed, so I held onto that feeling as Killian sat his ass on the other end of the swing. We moved a bit more, and the swing felt like it was tipping his way due his large size.
The night was beautiful, and it got lost with all the commotion. I’d always preferred the evening time. The darkness always comforted me.
Killian said nothing, and it irritated me. It appeared he was one of those people you had to ask questions in order to get answers. Not a ‘sharer’. Great.
“Why were you at the party?”
“Work.”
“One-word answers. Seriously, Killian?” His smirk was out of this world sexy and reminded me of when all the girls flocked to him back in school. One flash of it and women around the world would melt. Including me, but I held strong. It took more than the bad boy edge and seductive smile to work completely on me anymore.
