Page 14 of Unleashed

Doug grins at me, brows waggling as he takes in my current condition. “You look sexy.”

Of course I do, but that’s irrelevant right now.

Sighing, I slide my weapon of choice into place behind the low table that holds my purse and keys. “What are you doing here, Doug?”

“I just thought maybe you’d want some company.” He leans in, peeking over my shoulder. “Is Zara in bed?”

“We’ve had this conversation.” Many times. Sleeping with him a year ago was not one of my finest moments. He’s not bad looking, and has a tolerable personality, but the man was terrible in bed. Like, laughably bad.

Actually, I did laugh. Which he mistook for glee, I guess?

“I’m not fucking you again.” I’ve said it this plainly before, and I don’t have much hope he’ll listen this time either, so I take my rejection a step further. “I shouldn’t have done it the first time. It was a mistake, and I try my best not to make the same mistake twice.”

Which makes me think my brain isn’t classifying what happened with Trevor as a mistake. Because I am most certainly interested in doing that again. I won’t, but I’m definitely interested.

Unfortunately, as usual, Doug doesn’t seem to catch my drift. His feelings don’t look hurt. His ego doesn’t deflate. He simply leans against the door frame, like he’s trying to get comfortable. “You must not remember how great it was, or you would definitely want to do it again.”

Well, now I’m just pissed. Considering grabbing the bat again after all. I don’t like being told what I do and don’t think. I’ve made my own decisions for as long as I can remember, and I’m not about to start deferring to someone else. Not now, not ever.

Especially not a man who couldn’t find a clit if it hit him in the face with a baseball bat.

“I don’t remember how great it was, because it wasn’t great, Doug.” I’ve tried to let him down easy, but since the effort was obviously wasted, I won’t be putting any more in. “It was terrible sex. Quite literally the worst I’ve ever had. I don’t know how anyone could do so many wrong things in a row, but you managed.” I inch back just enough to close the door, since I don’t want him to misread my words and actions yet again and think I’m letting him in. “You probably need to look at some diagrams and research proper techniques or find a woman who doesn’t like orgasms.” I start swinging the door closed. “Have a good night.” After shutting him out, I lock the deadbolt then flop back onto the sofa.

I don’t know what sort of dry spell voodoo made me think having sex with a guy who lives in the same trailer park was a good idea. Probably the same dry spell voodoo that made me think fucking the owner of the company where I work was a good idea.

Honestly, having sex with Trevor might have been an even worse decision than fucking Doug was. Because I need this job. For the first time in her life, Zara has great health insurance. No more waiting months for the care she needs, or searching through limited lists of practitioners for the best option available to us.

And I need the income just as much. Zara only gets more expensive as she gets older, and I will never make her do without something that brings her joy. Something that will give her the fullest childhood possible.

That means, no matter how great it was, or how much I wouldn’t mind doing it again, having sex with Trevor has to be a one time thing.

I’ll just pretend it never happened and move on. I’m sure he’ll get the hint much faster than Doug has.

5

Trevor

Where the fuck is Maren’s car?

I scan the parking lot one more time, just to be sure I didn’t miss it, but the older model, four-door sedan is nowhere in sight. Is it possible it broke down on her? That she’s stranded somewhere on the side of the road?

I know she wouldn’t call me if that was the case, but I assume she’d call Brooke. And Brooke knows I had a meeting with our insurance broker at his office this morning, so surely if Maren needed a ride, someone would have called me.

Turning away from the lot, I stalk in the building, ignoring the guard who waves as I enter. I know it’s not his fault Ray betrayed us, but I don’t have any interest in becoming friendly with any of them, just to be on the safe side.

Instead of going to my office, I head straight for Brooke’s, getting more and more irritated with each step I take. If Maren was having car trouble, she should’ve let one of us know. We could’ve arranged for a rental car, or helped her find a trustworthy mechanic. There’s no reason for her to⁠—

I stop, staring at where Maren sits behind her desk, eyes fused to the laptop in front of her.

The sight of her is so unexpected, my brain and mouth go out of sync, and I find myself blurting out, “Where the fuck is your car?”

Maren’s head swivels my way, lips flattening as her eyes meet mine. “Who are you talking to like that?” She angles a brow. “Because I know it isn’t me.”

I almost smile. This woman never disappoints me. Never misses an opportunity to come at me. Not even when I’m balls deep inside her.

A fact I should not be considering right now. Not when there’s no way to hide my body’s response to the memory.

Clearing my throat, I refocus my thoughts, getting them back in the game Maren and I always play. “There’s no one else here, so it seems like I am talking to you.” My feet move toward her, closing the distance between us so I can get a better look. Ensure she’s as safe and sound as she appears. “Why isn’t your car in the parking lot?”