Page 60 of Troublemaker
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BLAKE
It took me five minutes to get rid of her.
But it was five minutes too long.
“You know,” I said, shifting away from Trey’s sister’s hands on me—hands that felt like claws. I only wanted one woman’s hands on my chest, and it wasn’t hers. “I’m tired. Can we raincheck?”
Her lips pursed, and I heard Trey cough nearby. I’d already forgotten her name, but I wanted to be far fucking away from her. Lucy’s retreating back had called to me, and I could tell how upset she was by the stiff way she’d held herself as she’d walked away from us—from me. I needed to go to her, to explain, to…something.
I didn’t know how to explain anything, other than with my cock. What could I give to the little troublemaker that she deserved? Maybe this was when she figured out that I wasn’t worthy of her, was too old, too solemn and boring and pissed off all the time. Maybe she’d be grateful I hadn’t kissed her, because she could share that with someone she belonged with.
No.Every bone, every sinew, every cell in my goddamned body rejected the idea of letting her be with anyone else. Because I’d realized something, watching Lucy disappear down the hallway. I hated watching her walk away from me. I hated the idea of letting her leave. Because in a short period of time, this girl, thiswoman, had not only gotten under my skin, but burrowed her way deep into my heart and made a home there.
I loved her.
Fuck.
I loved Lucy Braverman.
And I was going to go to hell for it.
First, though, I had to get rid of Trey’s sister. Truthfully, I had no memory of setting up a date with her. But then again , I’d been so focused on Lucy that everything else in my life had taken a backseat, and rightly so.
Unaware of my internal turmoil, the woman opened her mouth, then shut it.
“I’m so sorry, Abby,” I apologized.
“Alison,” she snapped. “You know, Blake, I’d heard good things about you from my brother. That you were a noble, confident man, the kind who knew what he wanted and what’s more, did the right thing. Not the kind of man who lusts after a girl half his age because she’s got perky boobs and wears ass-bearing shorts.” She glanced at her brother. “You lied.”
Ah, fuck.
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
She’d digested me, read me right, and spat me right back out.
What the hell was I going to do? Not only could I lose my job, any scandal of this nature could—would—ruin Lucy’s reputation on campus. Moreover, she had a great opportunity in front of her…one I hadn’t even known about. Alison’s threat was clear, if I made any hint at having any sort of relationship with Lucy that wasn’t above board, she could kiss the recommendation lettergoodbye. I couldn’t let that happen. I’d done enough leg work on Lucy to know how much she wanted to be a vet, and the idea of getting in the way of that dream, especially given how competitive getting into vet school was…all Lucy’d ever wanted to do was work with animals. I had to think, and think fast.
I smirked, looking Alison up and down. “I think you’ve misread the situation, gorgeous,” I lied, even as the words burned my throat. “I am genuinely tired, and I want to give you my undivided attention when we do go out. Lucy’s my legal responsibility, and so I of course worry about her feelings, even if she does have a small crush on me.” I shrugged. “It’s normal for a girl her age. I’m sorry for giving you the wrong impression.”
Alison’s face softened and warmed. “Of course,” she practically cooed, and I had to force myself not to rip her hand off me when she placed it on my chest for the second time that night. I’d never physically hurt a woman before and I wasn’t going to start now, as much as I wanted to recoil from her touch. “It must be difficult to be a man in your position. You’re doing a good thing, and yes, it is normal for a girl her age to develop inappropriate feelings for men in positions of authority. Another night then!”
She sashayed away from me, like she expected me to watch her ass, but I didn’t. I was too busy trying to figure out a way to think myself out of this mess.
Next to me, Trey cleared his throat. I’d forgotten he was even there.
“You know,” he said. “My sister’s right.”
“Trey, I’m tired,” I sighed.
And I needed to find Lucy and make sure she listened to me. Even if I wasn’t sure what to tell her.
“You’ve always done the right thing,” he continued, ignoring me. “By the team, by Lucy. I know things have gotten…complicated,” he snorted. “It’s obvious. But you’re skating onthin ice here, and you know it. How many lives are you going to destroy if you follow your dick instead of your head?”
It wasn’t my dick I was following.
It was my heart.
