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I ran, and I didn’t stop until I was safely behind my bedroom door.
Why did being around him make me lose all control?I simply had to stay away from him. He was like a drug, and if I continued down this path, I would surely end up addicted, and then I would have no way of letting go of him.
THANE & DARCY
Thane
After analyzing all that had transpired between Darcy and I the past month, I was nowhere closer to figuring out what it all meant. That I was uncontrollably attracted to her was an understatement, and that I ached for her touch was evident. What I couldn’t figure out was my inherent need to be with her. My dating track record has rarely been tainted by feelings (Candiss was an exception). It had always been so straightforward. Get the girl to like you enough to let you have sex with her, enjoy having sex with her for a few months, then move on unscathed.
It was a system I had used most of my dating life. I had broken one of my other rules, too. Never let a woman sleepover. Have sex, cuddle, kick them out. No exceptions. It hadn’t even crossed my mind to kick Darcy out last night. That unnerved me.
Why was Darcy so different from other women I’d met? I didn’t even like her, so why did I make excuses for going over to her house to see her? Like right now, I was trying to think of a reason to go over there. I didn’t like how we’d left it and wanted to make her understand that there was no longer anything between Candiss and me. That ship had sailed, and she didn’t need to worry about that.
I had to admit that I wasn’t complaining that Darcy was so worried about my feelings for Candiss, though.
Little Rascal and Chance came bounding into the living room, chasing each other. It was funny to see the little dog chasing a big dog, but Little Rascal was the alpha, and Chance respected that. Little Rascal jumped up on the sofa, nestling herself in my lap while Chance laid over my feet. I was enjoying the hockey game, deciding a lazy Sunday afternoon was what I needed.
After dinner, the sound of the doorbell rang up in the bathroom to let me know that Julian was at my door. I pulled on my jeans, threw on a shirt, and went to let him in. I just realized that the girls next door could see Julian. I hoped they weren’t looking over here at this particular moment. How would I explain that one? I hoped I wouldn’t have to find out.
“Julian, come on in,” I told him, stepping aside and taking his jacket. I could see why women went crazy for him. He had that all-American face with perfectly symmetrical features, messy blond hair, lots of muscles, and the demeanor of the “bad boy.” I would best compare him to James Dean.
“This is a nice place you’ve got here,” he commented, looking around.
“Thanks. It’s a little big for just me, but I’m sure someday I’ll fill it with a family.”Did I just say that?My heart rate accelerated at the thought.What is wrong with me lately?
Julian gave me an odd look. “I never pegged you as someone who would settle down. I know I never will. There isn’t a woman alive that would ever be able to get her claws into me that deep.”
“Beer?” I offered as we walked into the kitchen. Julian sat on the barstool at the kitchen island, setting his wallet, phone, and keys on the counter beside him.
“Yeah, thanks. I brought over a list of all the apartment buildings in the area that you want to transform into a more upper-class neighborhood. He spread the papers on the island and took a swig of his beer. “I also brought a map to show where these are.”
I took a look at them. There were lots of properties in that area. Dollar signs materialized in my eyes just thinking about the possibilities. “This looks great,” I told him.
“I had to do a bit of lying to get all this information for you. I also had to go into the office after hours to nab the map,” Julian said, taking another swig of his beer and eyeing me curiously.
“And I really appreciate it. Any idea how hard it will be to get the tenants to sell in these three areas?” I pointed to an area by the water.
Julian shook his head. “Those might be tough because everyone wants to live by the water, but if you offer enough of an incentive, I believe they may cave. We could start circulating flyers and see if we get any calls.”
“And these ones, they are rentals?”
Julian nodded.
“Those should be a piece of cake. I’ve dealt with that several times before,” I told him.
“Don’t you feel bad about kicking everyone out of their homes?” Julian asked.
“Not really. Everyone always ends up landing on their feet. There are other apartment buildings for them to go to,” I explained.
“I don’t know, man. Miami is pretty crowded as it is. I’m not sure there would be a lot of room anywhere else,” Julian said.
“That’s okay because I have an idea for another complex right here in a lower-income area.” I circled the area I was referring to.
Julian took a look and smiled. “I like how you think, Erickson. That should work great.” He looked at me and grinned. “We’re going to make millions.”
We clinked beers. “We certainly are, my friend,” I told him. “Thanks for getting all of this.”
“When do you want to meet again?”
