AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yes, but when has such a thing ever stopped me?”
Old memories heat my cheeks as I recall him watching me from afar while I was with my family. Then he’d sneak into my room late at night to be with me when everyone had gone to bed.
“I suppose never.” I try to keep my voice steady because he looks like he knows what I’m thinking.
“I’m glad you remember.”
“What are you doing here, Jericho?”
“Can’t a guy get a cup of coffee?” He flicks his palms over, a gesture meant to show that’s all he’s here for, but I know it’s not.
I decide to play along and ready my pen and notepad to take his order. “Is that black or white, and would you like any sugar with it?”
He chuckles. “How about I get five minutes with you instead?”
My jaw tightens, and I lower my pad. “No.”
“Why not?”
“Why the hell are you doing this to me? I told you to leave me alone.”
Most people would have taken my tone as a warning to quit while ahead, but not him.
He presses his lips together, and instead of the smile he gave me moments ago, his expression turns serious.
One of the deadliest things about this guy is that he never allows you to figure him out. One minute he’s cocky and arrogant with a jovial, flirty personality you think you could work with. It’s even charming at times. Until he switches and becomes cold, calculative, and ominous. As if the malice that lives inside him can only be tamed and controlled for so long before it unleashes.
That’s how he looks now.
He sits forward, leaning closer, as if he’s going to tell me a secret. “Five minutes.”
He’s doing that ignoring-my-comments thing again.
“No, but if you really do want coffee or anything else on the menu, I’ll happily serve you. Anything else is a no.”
He gives me a narrowed gaze and considers me for a moment before speaking. “How about you give me five minutes, then I promise to leave you alone. You won’t see me again.”
I stare back at him, thinking about this new offer which isn’t really an offer. It still suits him because I still don’t want to talk.
“Why are you so hellbent on talking to me?”
“Because I want to know what happened to you.” He gives me a clipped nod. “Regardless of our past, wouldn’t you want to know what the fuck happened to me if you found me dancing in a strip club?”
His smile returns with mischief. I have to bite back mine. The thought of him dancing in a strip club isn’t funny at all—in fact, I’m sure the place would be packed every night with women from all over the world. It’s just funny because it’shim.
“At least I can still make you smile.” His smile widens.
“I’m smiling because it’s crazy. That would never happen to you.”
“But if it did, I’d hope you’d at least care enough to find out why.” He searches my eyes, and something softens inside me. “Would you?”
I look away, glancing at the door. At the people outside on the sidewalk walking past or getting ready to cross the road.
The question is, do I still care if our situation were reversed?
Would I care enough to push past my hurt to find out why he’d hit rock bottom?
Knowing the answer, I look back at him and nod slowly, hesitantly. As if I’m afraid entertaining such feelings might crack the ironclad control I’ve held over my heart all these long years.
