…
NINE
“Hey,” Freeman said from the doorway of Frankie’s room. I hadn’t officially moved in yet but my things were scheduled to be brought in tomorrow. With his ex-wife on a rampage, I didn’t know if he’d still hire me. He seemed to be able to stand his ground when she was around but that could have all been bark and no bite.
“Hey. Is filter face gone?” I folded my arms across my chest. Freeman cracked the smallest smile before nodding and walking in.
“I’m sorry about that, Miss Lucas.” He rubbed the back of his neck and cast his stare at the floor. I used the quiet seconds to study him dressed down in basketball shorts and a tank top. It gave me a chance to see his tattoos and muscles.
His arms were sculpted from bronze and covered in artwork. I thought I was hallucinating when I saw glimpses of his tattoos peeking from beneath his sleeves. Every layer Freeman peeled back seemed to intrigue me more.
“You called me Xari before she came over.” I took a step closer to him. I don’t know why. Maybe I liked his scent.
“Did I?”
“You’re full of shit, Evander.”
“Wow. Full name, huh?” His broad shoulders relaxed a little and his brown eyes raked over me, burning my skin with desire. I couldn’t have been reading him wrong. He definitely wanted me.
How the fuck was he able to be so reserved? Most men would have pinned me down by now. He was probably too shy.
“You look nice, Miss Lucas.”
“Thank you.” I spun around slowly for him and he let his eyes wander while my back faced him.
“Listen, don’t let Alexis worry you. She’s being annoying because she’s not in control.” His voice was so gravelly and deep. When he spoke like that, loosening his enunciation, he sounded sexy. I liked watching the stick in the mud disappear.
“I gathered. Also, I’m used to women hating me before they ever get to know me.”
“You’re intimidating,” he told me.
“Me?” I gasped, placing a hand on my chest. “I would have never guessed.”
“You already know your little ass is a problem.” The way he spoke made me tingle all over again. I loved and hated the effect he had on me.
“Am I?” I tucked my full bottom lip between my teeth and he chuckled in response.
“You are. You came in here causing all types of problems. Frankie likes you though. That’s mainly what matters here. I can fix the rest of your problems later.” His hand slid over his angled chin while he regarded me. I couldn’t help feeling like that statement had a double meaning.
My throat tightened and I took another step toward Freeman. He shook his head slowly and chuckled. “So, what’s this going on between us, Evander?”
“Is something going on between us that I’m not aware of?”
“You seriously don’t feel that?” I’d never been one to hide my feelings and I damn sure didn’t filter my thoughts unless I had to.
“Feel what?” He was such a politician. He could throw on a poker face with the best of them. “I’m sure even if I did feel something,” he said, flitting over my breasts then looking into my eyes. “I wouldn’t know what to do with you, remember?”
“Oh, I don’t take back what I said. You wouldn’t know what to do with me. You do feel that…something though don’t you?”
“You’re attractive, Xari. You have crazy style and I’m a man who appreciates a pretty face and a pulled together woman. That’s all. I can assure you I’m not trying to fuck you or whatever Alexis said.”
“Yeah, fuck her. I’m talking about…”
“Something that doesn’t exist. You’re talking about something that doesn’t exist. Now, if my ex-wife comes in here after picking Frankie up and starts in on you…ignore her. She’ll go away eventually.”
“Is that what you do, Evander?” I liked the way his name rolled off my tongue. I’d probably like moaning it even more.
“It is. If you ignore a problem long enough it’ll go away.” He winked at me and my pussy throbbed with want.
He probably wouldn’t know what to do with you if he had you, girl.
I pressed my thighs together and tried to focus on something else. Anything else.
Sunshine.
I looked at the time and flew out of the room.
“Where are you rushing off to, Miss Lucas?”
“You’re past calling me that now. I’m going back to my apartment. I need to get hours in on my harp or the day will be wasted.”
“You still play the harp?” He seemed intrigued.
“I do.” The longer I stood near him, the more my clit ached. It didn’t matter how many times I told her he had darling dick. She craved his touch.
The thought of his hands on me…his mouth, his tongue. It all sped my pulse up until I worried if it was visible beneath my skin. Pounding at the base of my throat and the tips of my fingers.
“I’m waiting for a principal harpist position to open on the philharmonic. In the meantime, I’m here. I take the harp very seriously. If I don’t get in at least eight hours of practice then my day was a waste. I try not to waste more than two days a year.”
“A year?” He balked. “Jesus, Xari. You’re a drill sergeant. Where’s that discipline when it comes to your finances?”
“I don’t know,” I frowned. I checked the time again and started calculating how much time I’d have left to practice if I got back to my apartment in the next twenty-one minutes. “I’ll see you later, Evander. I have to go. If I don’t leave in the next three minutes, my practice will be thrown off.” I didn’t say
