Page 73 of The Fake Out

“Veronica?”

“What?” I snapped.

“Don’t come in tomorrow.”

“But—”

“You need to take your days off,” he insisted. “I don’t need you burning yourself out.”

“Fine,” I grumbled.

I had back-to-back clients for the rest of the night until the shop closed at eight. The shop was hectic right now, but I’d rather be busy than hurting for money.

My feet were dragging by the time I walked to the subway and hopped on the regional rail at Suburban Station. Even worse, when I had to walk the four blocks uphill to my apartment. Maybe I should have moved back to the city, but the rent was my main issue. I was saving a lot, living here on my cheap rent. I had to calculate the cost of my commute and see if I was saving enough. I always had a room at Eddie and Alex’s, but I didn’t want to impose on them.

I was so burnt out, I nearly jumped when I walked up the steps to my porch and saw a man sitting on it in the dark. The light on the porch didn’t work anymore. I think my neighbor had control over it, but I never bothered them about it.

“Sweets, it’s me,” Blaise’s voice cut through the fog of my brain. Right as I was about to jab him in the face with my keys.

“Jesus! Blaise, you scared me half to death. A big guy like you can’t lurk on a girl’s porch.”

He hung his head. “Shit, I’m sorry. I tried to call, but you wouldn’t answer. I went to the shop, but your brother said you already went home. Guess I beat you here.”

I looked at the phone in my hand. Dead.

“It’s fine. I was just surprised.”

He eyed me calculatingly. “Why are you out of breath?”

“Um…it’s a four-block walk uphill from the station.”

His gaze seared across mine, and even in the dark, I recognized that look. I had seen that look come across his face on the ice. When an opponent slashed one of his teammates’ and got away with it or did something else that I didn’t understand because I didn’t understand the rules of the game. Blaise was pissed.

“You walked?” he bellowed.

“Calm your tits. I’m a big girl,” I argued.

I caught my breath and untangled my keys from around my fingers to unlock the front door. We walked inside, and Blaise locked the deadbolt behind us before following me up the stairs. I dropped my bag on the kitchen floor and couldn’t help the smile from spreading across my face when his enormous arms wrapped around my waist, and he nuzzled his face into the crook of my neck.

“Oh, someone missed me,” I teased as I felt his hardness poking me in the back. Not like I was going to admit that I also missed it. His cock, not him. I definitely didn’t miss my friend with benefits when he was off traveling for his job.

Nope. Not at all.

I didn’t miss his scent on my pillows. Or the feel of his arms around me when I woke up the next morning. Or the wicked look in his eyes when he was about to go down on me.

I definitely didn’t miss any of that stuff.

I couldn’t.

He nosed across my skin, his hot breath teasing the shell of my ear. “Maybe.”

I spun in his embrace, and he met me in a kiss I’d been hungry for since he left my bed three days ago. I leaned into that kiss and let my heart have feelings for once. But only when Blaise was taking me to my bed. In the morning light, I would shove those useless feelings back down inside where they belonged.

I woke up alarmed to a loud banging noise…no, a knock. Someone was knocking loudly on my door.

I groaned and turned in the bed, hoping to snuggle down into the warmth of Blaise’s chest, but he wasn’t there. The banging continued, and I looked at my phone to see it was only eight a.m.

Who was bothering me on my day off?